Ardennes (Ground Forces)

Preview

Possible Layouts

Domination

Conquest

Battle

Break

Skirmish

Other Information

4 km x 4 kmFull tank area size

Bastogne, Belgium Real World Location

Full Map

Overview

Ardennes is a ground forces map available in all modes. It depicts a town and countryside in the Ardennes region of Belgium, where the famous "Battle of the Bulge" took place. It was added in Update 1.67 "Assault". The full Ardennes map (seen to the right) contains two main town areas in the east and west, as well as a few smaller clusters of buildings in the south. However the play area is usually restricted to only one of the towns.

The tank battles map is 4km x 4km, however in games the battle area is usually restricted to less than that. Dependent on the map configuration and the game mode (AB, RB or SB) the tank battle area changes, see the table below for more details. The air battle area is 65km x 65km in all modes.

Battle area Size

Game Mode	AB	RB	SB
Domination	1.4 km x 1.4 km	1.4 km x 1.4 km	2.2 km x 2.2 km
Conquest #1	1.2 km x 1.2 km	1.2 km x 1.2 km	1.8 km x 1.8 km
Conquest #2	1.3 km x 1.3 km	1.3 km x 1.3 km	2.0 km x 2.0 km
Conquest #3	1.22 km x 1.22 km	1.22 km x 1.22 km	1.6 km x 1.6 km
Battle	1.7 km x 1.7 km	1.7 km x 1.7 km	1.7 km x 1.7 km

Historical Background

This map depicts the Ardennes region of Belgium, site of the famous "Battle of the Bulge". Notably there is no snow on the map, meaning it is set before 22nd of December 1944, when heavy snow fell over the region. The Battle of the Bulge started on the 16th of December 1944, and ended on the 25 January 1945; it was the last major German offensive on the Western Front before the end of the war. The Germans planned to launch a surprise attack through the thinly defended Ardennes forest of Belgium. They intended to launch an armored spearhead through the Allied forces, capturing the bridge crossings over the River Meuse and then attacking the port of Antwerp; splitting the Allied forces, denying them use of the port, and allowing them to be encircled and destroyed.

The German offensive's total strength was around 450,000 troops, 1,500 tanks /assault guns and 4,200 artillery pieces. The initial attack came as a complete surprise to the Allied forces and bad weather conditions prevented Allied air support from assisting in the defense. Fierce resistance in the north of the offensive, around Elsenborn Ridge, and in the south, around Bastogne, blocked German access to key roads to the northwest and west and put the German offensive behind schedule, allowing Allied forces to reinforce their defense. As the battle continued improving weather conditions allowed Allied air attacks on German forces and supply lines, which sealed the failure of the offensive. Allied forces are believed to have suffered between 89,500 – 107,00 casualties; and lost over 800 tanks and 1000 aircraft, setting their offensive plans back by up to six weeks. The Germans are believed to have lost over 800 tanks, over 800 aircraft, and suffered between 67,500 and 125,000 casualties. The failed offensive exhausted German resources on the western front, and eventually allowed the Allies to break through the Siegfried Line into Germany.

Map configuration

Change Maps by Game Modes
AB RB SB

Domination

The capture points are located in the same place in all three game modes, however the map area is increased in Simulator Battles.

Domination Mode - Map Layouts
1.4 km x 1.4 km 1.4 km x 1.4 km 2.2 km x 2.2 km
In AB point A is on the southwest edge of the main town, point B is on the northeast edge of the main town, and C is in the middle of the main town near the church. In RB point A is on the southwest edge of the main town, point B is on the northeast edge of the main town, and C is in the middle of the main town near the church. point A is on the southwest edge of the main town, point B is on the northeast edge of the main town, and C is in the middle of the main town near the church.

Conquest

The capture points are located in the same place in all three game modes, however the map area is increased in Simulator Battles.

Conquest Mode - Map Layouts
Conquest #1	Conquest #2	Conquest #3
1.2 km x 1.2 km 1.2 km x 1.2 km 1.8 km x 1.8 km	1.3 km x 1.3 km 1.3 km x 1.3 km 2.0 km x 2.0 km	1.22 km x 1.22 km 1.22 km x 1.22 km 1.6 km x 1.6 km
In AB the capture point is in the middle of the main town at the church. In RB the capture point is in the middle of the main town at the church. In SB the capture point is in the middle of the main town at the church.	In AB the capture point is in the middle of the eastern town. In RB the capture point is in the middle of the eastern town. In SB the capture point is in the middle of the eastern town.	In AB the capture point is in the small town southeast of the main town. In RB the capture point is in the small town southeast of the main town. In SB the capture point is in the small town southeast of the main town.

Battle

In the Battle configuration there are two capture points, each belonging to one of the teams. Both capture points are near each other, in the center of the map.

Battle Mode - Map Layouts
1.7 km x 1.7 km 1.7 km x 1.7 km 1.7 km x 1.7 km
In AB point A is on the southwest edge of the main town and point B is near the church in the main town. In RB point A is on the southwest edge of the main town and point B is near the church in the main town. In SB point A is on the southwest edge of the main town and point B is near the church in the main town.

Strategy

Describe what focus a team should have when spawning into the map

Media

Videos

Update 1.67 - Map Analysis - Ardennes - TheEuropeanCanadian

See also

• Wallonia

External links

• [Devblog] The Ardennes