15 May, 1940
Stonne, 70km NE of Reims France: [modified for human vs human
play by J. Crider]
Following the failure of the French 3rd Armored
and 3rd Motorized Divisions to counterattack the German bridgehead
at Sedan on 14 May, new plans were made for the powerful divisions
to strike on the following day. However, the well-trained Germans
did not intend to just sit and wait to be attacked by the French.
On the morning of the 15th, German columns began to advance west
and south from the narrow crossing on the Meuse River. The dispersed
French divisions were forced to react to the German advance,
disrupting their own plans and leading to scattered engagements
throughout the area. Pushing onto the high ground south of Sedan,
the Grossdeutschland Motorized Regiment was tasked with establishing
a defensive line at the hilltop village of Stonne. But instead
of an undefended road junction the German troops found themselves
facing French tanks and infantry and some of the most violent
fighting yet in the short war in the west.