In Merville Battery, you take control of the heroic attackers of the 9th Parachute Battalion, 6th Airborne Division in the moments just before the D-Day beach landings on 6 June, 1944, in a desperate assault against the Merville Battery. Your mission is vital. Fail and the British forces landing at Sword Beach will suffer a devastating artillery barrage as they come ashore from the heavy guns of the German 1st Battery, endangering the entire D-Day operation. The goal of Merville Battery is to assault the battery compound by passing over mines and barbed wire, withstanding small and heavy arms fire, then disabling the artillery ensconced in four casemates. Your forces must then withdraw safely before the guns of HMS Arethusa open fire on the compound. The game board depicts the Merville Battery compound, with 9 PARA making their assault from the east. The men of 9 PARA must pass through a minefield and charge into the camp to reach the casemates and disable the guns within. The mission does not end when the guns are disabled. The paratroopers must also aid wounded comrades and help them escape. The actions of the defending German 1st Battery, 1716th Artillery Regiment, 716th (Static) Infantry Division are represented by a deck of cards while you make each critical decision on behalf of the British paratroopers. —description from the designer

We may earn a small commission when you buy through these links.