"2nd SS Panzer Corps has Arrived."

German 19 AM Comments

Allied 19 AM Comments

The Samree dump was blown. This means that I'll be subject to supply disruptions that will hamper my ability to consistently assess or project my forces beyond the current turn.

John has effectively staunched the flow of GI blood. He got through the danger period by effectively using terrain and limited forces to bottle me up along the key routes westwards. (Of course, if a few dice had gone the other way for the Germans we'd have an entirely different game. <grin>)

Dealing with Bastogne is very problematic. In my game with Bob I waited until the very end of the air blackout - it's definitely a uphill battle if the US uses air supply to put his surrounded stack back into supply. As is my habit, I would probably only 'go for it' if I can maximize the forces, especially artillery, that would be available for the assault.

John is giving ground more readily than I've experienced in prior campaign games; unfortunately, he has a lot of ground available to give. I will continue my attritional attacks and hope to eventually capitalize on a good roll to trap some of the critical artillery units. (I had a good shot at one this turn, we'll see what is available later...)

II SS Panzer Corp will end up in the Ambleve/St. Vith area at the end of the 19AM turn. I want it to be within range of the 6SS Panzer Army front lines but positioned so that it support drives through Parker's Crossroads or even an attack on Bastogne. The key decision is what army to assign the 9SS division to. Since it can't take advantage of flanking attacks, all components not having an ER of 5, I may even split it up between armies so as to create more units I could use for exploitation by 5 Panzer or 6 Panzer Armies. (29PGR, of course, will head for the Eupen front as I think a little heat needs to go into that area now.)

Anyway, I thought I had a strong edge three turns ago; now I think it's too darn close. Losing that 2nd dump probably measurably tilted the playing field against me.

Post-Combat Comments:

Outflanking Eupen was a nice surprise but the 1SS getting a CA result was not nice. I used reserve movement to get into Manhay but I think we're at the point that the US can start thinking about counterattacks. The 2SS Panzer Corps is brought into the middle where they can influence a wide portion of the front next turn. 9SS Pz was attached to 6th Panzer Army while 2nd SS Panzer was attached to 5th Army.

This turn Tom will have some more opportunities to surround units, as I maintained some positions in order to force the German to fight for some additional gorund, and to allow bridge demolitions. The latter effort was largely unsuccessful, as only 2 rolls succeeded out of 7. I particularly wanted to drop the bridge on the Trois Ponts to Werbomont road, and left an understrength regiment in harms way to accomplish it.

One of the reasons to try to hold where I am this turn is that the US is about to run out of good defensive terrain in the Manhay area. Past the forest there is light woods to the Ourthe. I don't want to fall back that far quite yet.

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German Combat Notes:

Here are the battle results:

1. 1303: 2-1 (-1) = D3

2. 1806. + 187. combined arms to 3-1 (-1) = CA

3. 2210. + 333 and 406. 2-1 (-2) = CA

4. 2617. + 402. 4-1 = D1

5. 2619. 7-1 (-1) = 1D1

6. 2929. 6-1 (-1) = 1D3

7. 2933. 1-1 = A1

Moderator Comments:

Post German 19AM Comments - Tom, splitting up the IISS Pz Corps, eh? You're right; the 9th SS cannot attain a Flanking Attack DRM bonus. However, Danny insisted on giving the one regiment a 5 ER based on its unit cohesion. Seems most of the fellas in that particular outfit were from the "Black Forest Region." I was expecting more of a fight for Manhay. Historically, Ridgeway drove the 2nd SS out of Manhay utilizing a huge artillery "stonk." I wouldn't be too concerned about Allied counterattacks this early in the game. John has to focus on slowing down the German forward momentum first, while protecting his artillery. Typically, the Allied Player can go on the offensive soon after the arrival of Patton's forces. In addition, U.S. 2nd Armored is a very potent attack force should the Allies not have to commit it piecemeal to the front line defense. Taken as a whole, U.S. 2nd Armor is stronger than most Panzer Divisions.

GM Post Allied 19AM Comments - John maintains a solid defense, although the disposition around La Roche seems awkward. I like the fact that he has a strong northern shoulder. This is very much needed in the campaign game and deserves the most attention. I think John's attempts at bridge blowing are a reflection of his willingness to take "calculated risks." Some Allied Players are more bold than others in their style. With the risk taking, goes a better chance for a more decisive victory. I know from past games that John is not satisfied with a Draw as the ultimate outcome. Against a German Player of Tom's caliber, it would be a second best result that I could easily live with.

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