Map Idea: Pleskau/Gettysburg

[Otto Halfhand]

It occurs to be that one of these days someone will make a CoH map based on the battleground of the Gettysburg battle. For those of you who are ignorant of the Gettysburg Battles a brief geographical description.

• Gettysburg Started as a Meeting Engagement on July 1, 1863 and in the next two days grew to a general engagement of ~250,000 men with 52,000 casualties.
• The ANV approached from Two Roads in the north and northwest. The Army of the Potomac approached from 4 roads South to Southeast.
• Between the NW base area and the Southeast base area are four extended ridgelines, running in parallel with a SW to NE orientation.
• THe Easternmost ridgeline in a fishook configuration.
• In the Northcentral region of the map is a good sized town; which saw considerable action - Some buildings there still have unexploded shells in their masonry!
• Gettysburg has some of the Best ground for Infantry (First day's Battle) to some of the Worst Ground for infantry, (Second days Battle).
• The battleground has great potential for large scale flanking operations.
• Points of interest include a sunken railroad cut in the north and a boulder strewn region, (Devils Den/Little Round Top) in the south; non-accessible to AFVs but highly suitable for Sniper/Sharpshooter Action and Infantry Close assaults.
• The ridgelines range from partially wooded to wide open. There are interesting possibilities for reverse slope artillery applications as well.

There are enough similarities to the Pleskau, (aka Jew's nose), battle described in "Tigers in the Mud" to meet EFs requirement for an actual Eastern Front battle requirement. Quite frankly there is a better correspondence in this regard than about 80% of the maps appearing in EF. 

If any Mappers are interested in pursuing this idea I will be happy to collaborate, (PM me). Come June I will have been visiting Gettysburg off and on for 50 years and am well versed in the many mapping possibilities for an EF Conversion.

[cephalos]

I personally love history of US Civil War... I'd give my hand cut off to visit Gettysburg cementery...

[Otto Halfhand]

If you are going to Gettysburg to visit the cemetary you need to make arrangements with the Park Service. THey limit access for some reason. You can do this at the Info Center at the NPS Museum/Bookstore; but it is easier to do beforehand. BTW the most beautiful monument in the park is the Irish Brigade of THomas Meagher,(Founder of the Modern Fenian Movement that led to Irish Independence in 1920). THe most impressive monument IMO is the Lewis Armistead Memorial.

[Pac-Fish]

Isn't Gettysburg in the US ?

[Otto Halfhand]

Indeed it is. About 40 miles from where I live. It is the Bloodiest Battle in the History of the Western Hemisphere.

Pleskau however is in the Narva Sector of Army Group North's Operations in 1942 and 1943.

[stealthattack1]

I personally love history of US Civil War... I'd give my hand cut off to visit Gettysburg cementery...

Really? wow. never thought that it was that compelling. if you do go however, make sure you get to the museum. that place has a frikin' armoury of civil war weapons. overall cool place.

[Otto Halfhand]

4.22.1862 Twenty two lads from Ohio and Indiana hijacked a train near Marietta Georgia, The name of the Engine was "The General". Google or Wiki it.

The new museum at Gettysburg is very nice. I have a certain nostalgia for the Old Museum with its Electric map and the Shoulder Stock of Young Culp's musket. He was in Johnson's Stonewall Division. The remains of his misket was found on Culp's Hill. The museum I would really like to visit though is outside of Moscow, The Kubinka Tank museum.

[Pac-Fish]

There's a lot of Civil War Museums in the US (especially on the East Coast). Give em a visit

[Otto Halfhand]

You interested in getting a group together for a weekend in Fredricksburg VA? 4 national battlefield parks plus colonial Fredericsburg 65 miles south of DC. Two days to see it all.

[Pac-Fish]

Im told its good to go in the summer on a hot day because it isn't very crowded (no one wants to be outside in 100F weather ). If you can take the heat that is

[Otto Halfhand]

Cat. It is not a good idea to visit Gettyburg in July because the high heat and humidity do not stop the large number of visitors. Especially at the beginning of July, when there are a lot of re-enactment activities going on. IMHO the best time to visit  Gettysburg is the second week in April when the Redbud is in bloom.

The Fredricksburg/CHancellorville/Wilderness/Spotsylvania NBFPs are hot and humid in the summer but have many fewer visitors and much much more shade.

[Seeme]

I live 6 Miles South of Gettysburg . I don't think its THAT great, but passing it almost everyday I guess I just got bored of it.

[Otto Halfhand]

Do tell. I Live north of Harrisburg on the other side of Peters Mtn. My favorite time of year at Gettyburg is the 2nd week in April when the Redbud is in Bloom. The entire park is in blossom. Gettyburg is at the northern end of the Redbuds range so I don't see it much up here.

My favorite viewing spot is in Devils Den just east of the copse of woods with the monument to Meagher's Irish Bde. There is a Panoramic view of the July second daylight action. From Warwick ridge to the round tops. Some of the worst infantry ground I've ever seen. As you progress northwards the ground changes again and again, Broken farm fields and orchards, plenty of reverse slopes on both sides of the field, the Town itself, then onwards to open rolling country. The icing on the cake is the RR cut such a perfect ambush location. It is a good subject for a battle map.

I envy you living so close. If I were within a thirtyfive minute ride I would be a battlefield guide. The money is OK, and being outdoors in a National Park is always fun. Tough test to get the licence though.

If you are interested November 19, 2012 is the 150th Anniversery of the Gettyburg address. we could get together and look at the field. I'll buy you lunch.
Otto