"Hodges Into the Fray."

German 19 PM Comments

Allied 19 PM Comments

A few dogs are off their leashes... ('Dogs' equals Panzers' in gaming terms.)

The dice have been rolled for the German 19PM combat and some interesting things happened... I project five US units will be isolated including one of those priceless artillery units. I had a good chance of bagging two more but I'm just as pleased to get some of the guys holding the Eupen flank. My 7th Army continues to struggle but I'm content since the SS are doing well.

Needless to say, those last two 1's were quite useful. I certainly haven't given up on Bastogne but I figured I needed to stretch the uS defense a little and try to whittle it down in size. Like Randy, I think it's important to try to push hard towards Liege. John surprised me by defending Eupen so vigorously so I decided to try to maneuver him out of it by pushing from the south/west.

Note: Whenever I reference 'maneuvering' I am refering to moving in such a way that the US defender has to retreat or risk being surrounded in the next German turn. This is generally done by 'leaking' units around the flanks or launching an attack upon a secondary objective after which advance after combat threatens the primary objective.

The downside to surrounding so many units is that I will not make much ground next turn as I try to polish off the surrounded units. German meteorologists call for the ground to firm up but skies continue to be gloriously cloudy. =)

All those surrounded units are painful. I counterattacked near Eupen to try to extract the two infantry regiments there, but rolled a 1D1 om\n a 5-1(-1) and Diekirch ordered the VG regiments holding me trapped to stand fast. The danger of the counterattack is that the German response this coming turn may well trap some more of my units. It's tough to avoid being pulled into a swirling tank battle which my troops can't win at this stage of the game.

Elsewhere I've tried to maintain supply to my trapped and engaged paratrooper regiment.

Turn Navigator: [ December 16 AM ] [ December 16 PM ] [ December 17 AM ] [ December 17 PM ] [ December 18 AM ] [ December 18 PM ] [ December 19 AM ] [ December 19 PM ] [ December 20 AM ] [ December 20 PM ] [ December 21 AM ] [ December 21 PM ] [ December 22 AM ] [ December 22 PM ] [ December 23 AM ] [ December 23 PM ] [ December 24 AM ] [ December 26 AM ]

German Combat Notes:

2313: 4-1(-2) = 3 = 1 = 1D1

2310: +406. 4-1(-1) = 5 = 4 = D2 to 2510

2816: +402. 1-1 = 4 = D2 to 2510

2818: 6-1(-1) = 2 = 1 = 1D3 to 2916

2614: 5-1 = 6 = D1 to 2714

3227: 5-1 = 6 = D1 to 3327

3230: 4-1 = 3 = D3 to 3530

1907: +187, 333, 190. 1-1 to 2-1 combined arms (-2) = 1 = -1 = D4 to 2206

2108: 2-1 (-1) = 1 = 0 = D3 to 2307

Moderator Comments:

Post German 19PM Comments - Wow. "There's trouble - right here in River City." Five Allied regiments surrounded, to include an artillery unit. All this at a time when no Allied reinforcements arrive on map. Had Tom also trapped any units along the Ourthe River Line, I would identify this move as a turning point. However, let's reserve judgement until after the Allied 19PM move, as John is well known for "pulling a rabbit out of a hat."

Post Allied 19PM Comments - John did an admirable job of attempting to retrieve a difficult situation. However, he overlooked the fact that Dietrich could order a stand fast and make the VGs take losses rather than retreat. I particularly like the defense around Grandmenil which includes a relatively strong flank at Werbomont. Had John been able to add an additional artillery to the area, it would have presented a very challenging scenario to the German Player. U.S. Third Armor arrives next turn. It will be the first Allied Armor Division with a 5 ER. That will provide a potential Coordinated Defense should the opportunity arise. Typically it's still too early to expect the Allies to muster a mobile reserve. I expect this valuable division will have to serve as a "fire brigade," plugging holes in critical areas. Tom will no doubt wisely search for the earliest opportunity to compromise the division.

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