Devil Dogs on Ice ETO (id:#62688)

(Grumble Jones ID: GJ030)   [next]   [previous]

Keflavik, Iceland 1941-07-31 (0 others)

No balance information available

Overview:

On July 7th, the United States Marine Corps landed troops on Iceland to augment British forces currently deployed on the island. The Allies had invaded Iceland to deter any German designs on the island. And German plans under the codename “Fall Ikarus” were indeed already in motion. Determined to extend German air and naval power into the North Atlantic, Admiral Raeder had converted captured Icelandic fishing trawlers into German troop ships. With large German manpower reserves serving in Russia, Raeder was allotted newly minted Norwegian Volunteers of the Nordland Regiment for the operation. Additionally, a unit of Brandenburger Commandos would be landed on the island by U-Boat. Their mission was to secure the airfield at Keflavik in order for squadrons of FW-200’s to land the 2. Gebirgs Division and begin a general invasion of Iceland. But there was one problem for the German plan. Having been alerted to the possibility of a German invasion, forward elements of the 6th Marines led by 1st Lt. Donovan were hurrying to Keflavik to throw the Germans back into the sea. Once again, the Germans would face the fury of the Devil Dogs of the United States Marines.

Defender: American (USMC) / Icelanders (1st Battalion, 6th Marines and Icelandic Defense Force)  

Errata (source)