18 Rounds 3 day’s of Christmas Shenanigans…:mrgreen:
Starting prestige 28488 after replacements 27442 and some Overstrengthening 25847.
Started this mission with saving rockets intent on saving them for another mission, since the mission starts you off with auxiliary rockets to utilize.
Around Bras: Exp Ta-152H; +3 Def Wurfrahmen; +1 Def 26th Grenadier; green Regular Inf; +1 Movement SE 4th Tiger; +1 Att KV-1C; sIG38(t)M; and StuG3B.
In the South West Around Clochimont: +4 Att Me 262A; Uber Rudel; +1 Def/+1 Att 2nd SE King Tiger; Albert Kerscher; ; 2 sIG38(t)M’s; +1 Spotting 6th Gebirsjaeger; Oleh Dir; Green Kradschutzen; 5th SE Panther; Heavy JagdTiger.
In the West Central around Tillet: 2nd Panzer Grenadier; Green Wurfrahmen; Joseph Priller; Heinz Rondorf; KV-1B; and T-34/41.
Around Spirmont: Heinrich Bar; +4 Att Wurfrahmen; 1st +3 Def SE Panther; StuG3B; +1 Movement 5th Regular Inf; +1 Spotting 13th Churchill; and 1st Panzer Grenadier.
In the North around Givry: SE Bf109G; +1 Att 5th Regular Inf; ExpDo-335A; JagdPanther; sIG38(t)M and StuG3B.
Let’s see how I did and how I chose to represent it for this playthrough.
Merry Christmas Brothers!
I know this is not how you would like to spend this sacred holiday, but it is what has been placed before us as our next task to live out our vocation as soldier.
During our day of rest we gave the Allied Commander an opportunity to save his men from utter destruction, but he has responded cryptically with 1 word. NUTS!!!
Not sure what to think of that, but now that we have had our much needed rest we are being called to help with the assault itself so that we can continue to move forward with this offensive.
Now let’s use these rockets that have already arrived and see if we might save the rockets we escorted here for further missions.
We have 3 days with which to make this a Christmas for the ages.
Press forward fast and destroy everything in your path.
Move Out!!!
Battle Report: Day 1 12/24/1944 CHRISTMAS EVE!!!
Day 1 Sunny Hour 1 8am (86%)
Started out the morning by using unexpected sunshine to bomb out the battery of 76mm AT guns guarding Flamierge in the North West of Bastogne.
Forces around Givry rushed towards LongChamps and destroyed a Battalion of US Infantry and their 75mm artillery battery, our forces near Clochimont did the same thing for similar group near Sibret.
We were able to seize control of Remon Fosse.
We forced the surrender of the Paratroopers holding Wardin as well as Regular Battalion holding Flamierge as well as the 75mm battery and seize control of the cities.
Our Kradschutzen were severally pressured as 2 groups of M4 Sherman’s took out half of their number but they paid for it dearly as it cost them 8 of their machines.
Also their M5 Stuart rushed around to nick our sIG38(t)M’s but because we were guarded by our Nebelwerfer we only had 1 of our machines damaged.
Day 1 Sunny Hour 2 9am (88)
The 5th SE Panther was recognized at being skilled with 2 extra kills when attacking after helping with the destruction of the M5 Stuart’s and 2 M4 Sherman’s which allowed us to seize all of Sibret.
Unfortunately Heinrich Bar was surprised by a group of Mustang’s as they flew across the field of battle but thankfully they only lost 2 Fighter’s to the American’s 8, which were then finished off by our Do-335A’s.
In the East we continued to move forward by destroying all of the defenders of the Wardin area and were able to seize control of most of it.
In the North matched the Wardin success as we were able to destroy all the defenders around Flamierge and seize control of it.
We were even able to destroy another US Infantry Battalion around LongChamps before the end of the hour.
Unfortunately their Bombers found our +4 Att Wurfrahmen devastating the unit leaving them with just 2 functioning machines.
Their Bombers also hit our Flamm’s riding with Heinz Rondorf sending 6 of their machines to the scrap heap.
On the ground 2 attacks hit our Churchill’s pretty hard sending 7 in the disabled column.
Day 1 Sunny 10am Hour 3 (100)
Forces around Sibret moved up towards Villeroux where they destroyed a group of M4-A3(76)’s and Infantry Battalion in Villeroux itself which allowed us to seize control of it, as well as last part of Wardin itself.
Also destroyed a battery of 76mm AT guns.
The battle in the air finally comes together as we shot down 2 P-51 Mustangs and 2 A-26 Invaders.
In the North we worked to wrest control of the North Central Command Post as we eliminated 1 defender as well as another part of the 101st Para Division.
This allowed us to call up replacements to replace beleaguered units including Churchill IV’s, and Heinz Rondorf, as well as devastated +4 Att Wurfrahmen. (95)
This drew out even more defenders as they accosted our Churchill’s in the Forest guarded by StuG3B’s which only got 1 of our machines damaged while they lost 2 of theirs.
Their AA guns found our Ta-152H’s shooting down 3 of our planes.
Their 76mm gun emplacements got aggressive hitting our Green Infantry taken out 30% for only a 2 gun loss to themselves and a 2nd grouping hitting our T-34/41’s which took out 6 of our vulnerable tanks.
Hour 4: Day 1 Sunny 11am
I thought we would be able to move from Sibret, however this does not seem possible as we destroyed another US Battalion near Sibret.
We also moved forward on the outskirts of Southern part of Bastogne as we destroyed 2 Infantry Battalion’s.
Also in the South East destroyed a battery of 76mm AT’s and 3 inch AA near Wardin.
We destroyed another Infantry Battalion around Long Champs and even moved forward to begin pressuring Champs itself.
In the North destroyed 76mm AT guns and US Infantry Battalion around Northern Command Post.
We called up more replacements for Kradschutzen, Churchill’s, and T-34/41’s. (98)
The enemy had no response.
Hour 5: Day 1 Noon Sunny (98)
In Bastogne Defense able to rout out 75mm artillery battery.
Forces around Sibret continue to hassle us but with one fewer 75mm GMC.
Brought up 2 regular replacements for our green Infantry.
Assault on Grand Champs is continuing as we eliminated 76mm AT guns.
Removed more of the guns and defenders around the Northern Command Post, but still have a couple more battalions to dig out.
The enemy Bomber’s were able to nick one of the Flamm’s riding with Albert Kerscher.
More Bombers devastated our sIG38(t)m’s leaving with only 2 machines left.
Enemy surprised me by seizing Tillet as well as part of Sibret.
US Infantry Battalion attacked Kradschutzen guarded by sIG38(t)m which eliminated 30% of our force but lost 70% of theirs.
Our trap sprung on their US Infantry Battalion who thought they were attacking our vulnerable T-34/41’s but since we are guarded by 2 artillery battery’s it cost them 60% of their strength.
Their final attack was another Infantry Battalion hitting our fast moving 5th Regular Infantry which brought us down by 20% but cost them 80% of their force.
Hour 6: Day 1 Cloudy 1pm (97)
In preparation for the forces accosting Sibret we Forced the surrender a group of M-10 Wolverine’s, as well as destroyed 2 US Infantry Battalion’s.
Our assault in Champs bears fruit as we destroy the last of the defenders and seize control of it.
2 more US battalions around the Northern Command Post and seized control of that as well.
In the air shot down 2 wings of B-25 Mitchell’s.
Continuing to push into Bastogne as we destroyed another 76mm AT guns and US Infantry Battalion.
Brought up replacements for our Kradschutzen and our sIG38(t)M’s. (97)
Enemy’s flanking maneuver continues as they seize Sprimont and Fortification near Flamierge.
Fighter hit +3 Def Wurfrahmen taking 2 of them out.
101st Airborne were getting bold as they hit our 6th Gebirsjaeger but we gave as good as we got.
Their recons found our sIG38(t)M but they too gave as good as we got.
General McAuliffe hit T-34/41 guarded by sIG38(t)M but this did not prevent them from destroying 6 of our Tank’s for a single loss from theirs.
Their 76mm AT guns got aggressive on our KV-1B’s guarded by StuG3B which took out 2 of our tanks for 6 of their guns.
The final attack was their attack on our 5th Regular Infantry Battalion but again we gave as good as we got.
Hour 7: Day 1 Sunny 2pm
Our forces rejoiced as we eliminated the threat from General McCauliffe around Hemroulle.
In the air shot down P-51D Mustangs.
In Bastogne destroyed another part of the 101st Airborne, which is allowing us to finally begin pressuring Bastogne itself, but unable to assault.
Another 76mm AT battery destroyed around the Northern Command Post and have backed out in such a way to set a trap for their guys poised to seize the area.
Around Sibret used my forces in that area as best I could by forcing the surrender of M4-A32’s, M4 Sherman’s, and M-8 Greyhound’s.
Artillery and Fighter destroyed 2 of our Nebelwerfer guns.
101st Battalion tried hurting our green Infantry Battalion guarded by 2 unexpected artillery batteries which cost them almost their entire Battalion while causing minimal damage to us.
M-10 Wolverine’s found and hit our 2nd PanzerGrenadier guarded by Wurfrahmen’s which disabled 50% of our forces with only 2 of theirs disabled.
They were able to seize Northern Command Post and Flamierge.
Hour 8: Day 1 3pm Snowy
As the snow falls around Sibret we spent most of the remainder of the day securing the area under the cover of snow and getting 2 replacements for our Nebelwerfers, we were able to still eliminate a battalion of Regular Infantry in the area.
In Bastogne itself was able to destroy another part of the 101st Airborne.
With my JagdPanther was able to destroy the US Infantry near the Northern Command Center and brought up replacements for the 5th Regular Infantry, and for the SE King Tiger and KV-1B near Hemronville.
Thank God for our boys manning our Nebelwerfer as they were able to stultify the assault on our Kradschutzen holding Sibret as we decimating 80% of their force for only 20% loss of ours.
Unfortunately right after that another US Infantry Battalion found our Nebelwerfer’s and took out 4 of our guns.
Thankfully their 76mm AT’s got aggressive on our seemingly vulnerable StuG3B’s, but they were guarded by sIG38(t)M’s leaving them with 3 fewer guns.
Battle Report: Day 2 12/25/1944 Christmas DAY!!!
Turn 9: Day 2 8am Sunny
In the South destroyed a 76mm anti-tank guns outside of Bastogne and another outside of Northern Command Center and seized control of it.
Pressure mounting around Sibret but still able to destroy 2 groups of 155mm M12 GMC’s as well as 2 US Battalion’s.
After Suppressing was able to bomb out 3 Inch AA outside of Hemroulle, as well as a group of M5’s destroyed.
Scary times as Heinz Rondorf sustained 3 attacks and left him with only a single machine left to fight another day.
Hellcat around Sibret hit our Churchill’s taking out 5 of our machines for a loss of only 2 of theirs.
Fighter nicked 2nd SE King Tiger.
2 Infantry Battalion hit my men running with Oleh Dir that are unfortunately out of ammo taking out 20% of our strength, as only hunkering down in Sigret saved me from suffering more serious losses.
Turn 10: Day 2 9am Sunny
In the air brought down P-47 D’s and P-51 Mustang’s wings as well as bombed out Hellcat and M5’s.
Brought out 4 elite replacements for my 2nd PanzerGrenadier.
Dugout 101st out of Hemroulle.
Units beginning to pressure Senonchamps as we were able to destroy battery of 75mm artillery guns.
At this point we are for the first time able to open up 1st part of Bastogne by digging out US Infantry Battalion and seized 1st part of it as well as another 76.2mm AntiTank Guns on the outskirts of Bastogne itself. Even though we are starting to get some measure of success around Bastogne the enormity of the defenses in Bastogne seem impossible to overcome.
The counter attack leave us discouraged as 3 Fighter attacks hit me leaving with only 4 functioning Fighter’s.
Their Bombers hit 2 of our Wurfrahmens for a loss of 6 machines on both groups.
US Infantry Battalion came and seized part of Sibret and another Battalion hit my Kradschutzen which took down 40% of my total Strength.
Turn 11: Day 2 10am 12/25/1944 Sunny
In the air shot down both wings of B-25 Mitchell’s so was able to bring out full replacements for my weakened Wurfrahmens.
King Tigers helped to roll over M4 A3/E2’s and a group of Sherman’s in the North Western Group.
Even able to seize back Flamierge and their airfield.
Also destroyed group of P-47D’s in the air.
Brought up 4 replacements for our Kradschutzen and Nebelwerfer.
In Bastogne itself was able to dig out another group of US Infantry Battalion as well as 75mm artillery battery.
In Hemroulle dug out US Infantry Battalion and rushed into bolster their defense and seize control of Hemroulle.
We called up 5 replacements to bolster our Churchill’s.
The enemy responded by overwhelming and destroying our +1 Spotting Gebirsjaeger in Bastogne proper.
As the enemy seized all of Sibret and Clochimont.
Our Southern Front is becoming overwhelmed as they continue to bring forces up to accost us.
Turn 12: Day 2 11am 12/25/1944 Cloudy
It was at this time when I had an epiphany as I spent some extra time thinking about this battle. It was at that time that I remembered the V-1’s and V-2’s sitting in my back pocket.
Men, it is time to push for the win, lets bring out those “wonder” weapons to help us dig these B*ST*R*S out of Bastogne proper.
Also brought out my other Churchill near Clochimont.
Our Jagdpanther’s and Uber Rudel destroyed a group of M4-A3 (105)’s.
We rushed back to seize Sprimont and even brought up Heinz Rondorf up to full strength to secure the win.
Around Northern Command Post destroyed a group of M4-A3/76’s.
In Bastogne itself able to force the surrender of some of the US Infantry Battalions, and even able to move into 1st Main Part of Bastogne.
Pressure around Senonchamps is easing as we destroyed another American Infantry Battalion.
Brought up 3 replacements for 2nd Panzer Grenadier and doing what I can to bring pressure back on Sibret.
But the pressure around Sibret itself intensifies beyond what I can handle as our Kradschutzen were wiped out along with 1 group of sIG38(t)M.
We just do not have enough around Sibret to be able to seize back the Initiative.
Hour 13: Day 2 12/25/1944 Noon Sunny
With the sun being out this is the best time to crush Bastogne with our Rocket’s.
In Bastogne itself this helped us to force the surrender of 2 parts of the 101st Airborne Division, along with a battery of 76mm Anti-tank guns and their 2 inch AA guns as well, leaving 1 last main part left to seize which we are already pressuring.
Near Clochimont destroyed 75mm HMC M8 and deployed P-26/40 into Clochimont to seize back control with a little deployment shenanigans.
In order to work for the Decisive on this extremely difficult map we have ordered a fresh group of King Tigers that cost a lot of our prestige to garner but should help us secure the area in Sibret. (90% Softcap)
Our units in and around Sibret by destroying a group of M4-A3(105)’s, US Infantry Battalion and 75mm HMC M8’s and even able to seize part of Sibret back.
Bought 6 Elite replacements of Heinz Wolfgang Schnaufer.
The enemy responded with a group of Wolverine’s hitting our P-26/40’s in Clochimont taking out 6 of ours for a loss of 4 of theirs.
A group of M-36 Jackson’s hit our Churchill’s for a loss of 5 of our machines for only a single loss of theirs.
Even their 76mm Anti-Tank guns got aggressive as they hit our KV-1B’s taking out 7 of our tanks for a loss of only 3 of their guns.
Turn 14: Day 2 12/25/44 Sunny 1pm (100)
In the air shot down P-47B’s and P-51D Mustangs wings.
Then rained terror by helping to destroy M-36 Jackson’s and really hurt the US Infantry Battalion on the outskirts of Tillet.
In Bastogne the finishing touches really take shape as we are able to eliminate a 75mm artillery battery, 76mm AT Guns, another US Battalion as well as the very last part of the 101st Airborne Division.
In Senonchamps destroyed 3 Inch AA as well as 76mm Anti-Tank Battery.
Before the hour was over we called up more replacements for my KV-1B.
The enemy responded by throwing everything at me in desperate attacks which meant we lost 3 of our units destroyed, gone, wiped out.
The units lost were our newest green King Tiger’s, our P-26/40’s, and our Churchill’s.
Fighter nicked Albert Kerscher and Regular Infantry Battalion hit our Greenest Infantry unit guarded by our StuG’s which made them lose more than half of their strength for a loss of only 20% of ours.
They also seized Clochimont back.
Turn 15: Day 2 12/25/1944 Sunny 2pm
This day started by removing the remainder of the Defense in Tillet and seized back the town itself.
In the air shot down P-51D Mustangs.
Also Rudel destroyed another group of Hellcat’s.
Around Sibret we are pushing back as we were able to destroy 2 groups of M-36/Jackson’s and seized part of it back.
The remnants of Bastogne were burned out which allowed us to take over even more of the great city.
Called up elites to bolster our greenest troops as well as Purchased a new sIG38(t)M and King Tiger around Villeroux along with 30cm Nebelwerfer in Bastogne itself. (96)
It was at this point that the enemy really had no response to our latest push, their resolve has been smashed, which invigorated our troops into rushing forward to seize the rest of what we could in the last hours of battle.
Turn 16: Day 2 12/25/1944 3pm Sunny (96)
The last hour of the 2nd day of battle we are opening up our presents as we removed the defense of US Infantry in Sibret and seized control of it.
In Bastogne itself finished all of the defenders left there and seized the rest of it, even started pressuring Bizory.
We also removed remaining defense of Senonchamps as we seized control of even this city.
The rest of the day was spent cleaning up the remainder of the force around Sibret which included 2 M4 Sherman’s and a group of M-10 Wolverine’s.
The only effective counter attack this last hour of the 2nd day of battle was the US Infantry Battalion that got caught by surprise when they tried attacking our Wurfrahmens guarded StuG3B -1 me -4 them and the rest were ineffective.
Battle Report: Day 3 12/26/1944
Turn 17: Day 3 12/26/1944 8am Cloudy (98)
Started this last day by eliminating infantry battalion near Bizory and seized it.
Did the same in Chenogne.
In the air shot down P-47B.
Now our force has pressed out around Clochimont as we destroyed 3 separate groups of M4 Sherman’s and 2 US Infantry Battalions which caused us to recognize that our super fast (+1 Movement) SE Tiger’s were able to kill 2 more than expected of them. (+2 Att)
Nothing left to do but walk into Clochimont for the Decisive Victory.
Turn 18: Day 3 12/26/1945 9am Sunny (last hour)
Shot down last P-47B, finished 3 inch AA battery and seized back Clochimont for the Decisive Victory.
DECISIVE Victory ending with 21833 in prestige.
This was the most highly enjoyable battle for me so far in this 45 West Campaign and I have enjoyed these battles as they are extremely well set up and creative. But this one had me expecting a Marginal Victory, to playing it to the point of despair thinking I may end up with a loss, to the final outcome which was a very satisfying Decisive Victory.
I thought about going to Liege first but decided to take the historical route first so Nordwind.
Here are the final words of my fictional commander, for the losing path.
Wunderbar!!!
You have broke their back by defeating them in a timely fashion we have our choice between pressing on forward to Liege or go South to help our brothers in Operation Nordwind.
I know the blood in you is in full vigor now and you feel ready to take on the world, but we will be heading South and help bolster the forces their assaulting the Alsace Lorraine region.
Perhaps we can wreak enough destruction on the Allied armies that they willingly abandon their gains.
First off we are to pass on posthumously to our brothers in arms that fielded the Churchill’s that got wiped out with Iron Cross 2nd Class.
For their assistance in digging out some of these defensive ticks out of their holes we are awarding the 21st StuG3B and 5th SE Panther with Iron Crosses 2nd Class as well.
For helping secure the air Joseph Priller is awarded Iron Cross 1st Class.
The hero of the hour has to be the Flamm’s rolling with Albert Kerscher as they were instrumental in helping us dig out those B*ST*R*S in Bastogne and as such are being awarded with Swords added to their Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves.
Now let’s head south to help ring in the New Year in Central France.
Until next time…Stay Lutheran My Friends.
