Version 1.0

Arnhem, The Netherlands
September 17, 1944

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From: SHAEF(Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Forces)
To: Lt. Col. John D. Frost, Commanding Officer 2nd Batallion, 1st Parachute Brigade, 1st Airborne Division

Operation Market Garden
Monty has devised a brilliant yet daring plan to capture the Arnhem Bridge over the Rhine thereby opening a door in the industrial Rhur area of Germany. If all goes according to plan, the war could be over by Christmas.

The plan calls for over three allied airborne divisions to drop at various intervals between Eindhoven and Arnhem, laying a carpet of troops that will capture and hold key bridges and roadway. Along this protected road XXX Corps will roar towards Arnhem reaching there in only a couple of days.

The 1st Division has the task of holding Arnhem until XXX Corps arrives. This is the nastiest job in the whole operation but we expect only little to moderate resistence from the demoralized and beaten Germans that are in the area. 

You, Lt. Col. Frost, have the job of capturing the bridges across the Rhine. Upon landing, which will be several miles west of the city, you are to march east towards Arnhem taking a route near the river. Your first task is to capture the Rail Bridge on the outskirts of Arnhem, then capture pontoon bridge further in town. But, the main task is to capture the Road Bridge and hold it until XXX corps arrives. Don't worry, it is not your battalion's fate to hold it alone - 1st and 3rd Parachute Batallions are taking different routes to the Road Bridge but will arriver after you. The rest of the division will hold the resupply drop  zones. Also to help you capture the bridge will be Freddie Gough's recon Jeep squadron which may even precede your attack on the Road Bridge. 

Good Luck, Frost - Hold that bridge and we'll ride into Germany together!
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This operation starts after you, Lt. Col. Frost, and your battalion have already tried to capture the rail bridge (blown in your face) and the pontoon bridge (half missing). You are now making your way along the river towards the Arnhem Road Bridge. You have only received sporadic resistance and your batallion is mostly intact. As you get closer to town some enemy units start to appear. They are apparently hunting for you and your men. Some of your men figure it is faster and safer to tavel by backyards and garderns instead of going down the streets. Although you saw a German recon unit pass over the Road Bridge a few minutes ago, the bridge itself looks lightly gaurded.

Word is from the Dutch population that there is heavier fighiting from the other batallions that are trying to make it to the Road Bridge. It looks like they may have a harder time trying to make it through. You've seen a few chaps already from other units, maybe they will be able to filter through the German lines throughout the next several days... but don't count on it - German resistance seems much tougher than originally thought. You must defend as if you're the only unit in town. Reserver your forces and your ammo -  you may not get any more. 

Your Forces Include:

2nd Parchute Battalion (less C Company)
  HQ Company (including two pl. of 3 in. Mortars and 1 anti-tank pl. w/ 10 piats)
  A Company
  B Company (less #4 Platoon)

HQ C Company 3rd Parachute Battion (#9 & #8 platoons only)

HQ 1st Parachute Brigade (with defense pl. and Signals section)

HQ 3 Battery with FO party (75mm Pack Howitzer)

1st Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers
  A Troop
  B Troop (-)

2 Platoon from 9th Field Company, Royal Engineers

3 Platoon from 250 Light Composite Company RASC (brought carts with extra ammo)

Reinforcements:
Possibly some Jeeps of the 1st Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron
Possibly some elements of the 1st Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery RA (6 lb guns)
Anyone else who can make it to the bridge throughout the night.

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Designer's Note:
Because of Combat Mission's finicky setup zone calculation between battles, I suggest you get as many units as close the bridge as possible before the end of the first battle. This will ensure a solid bridghead on the north side for the second battle. But, of coarse, this all depends on how well you manage your forces when you rush to the bridge.
Good Luck
