"German 7th Army reports Patton is moving northwards..."

The 9SS Panzer was hobbled by fuel shortages but that won't stop Dietrich from unleashing the full fury of the 6 Panzer Army against the Northern shoulder of the 'bulge'. German recon units expect to be on the Meuse within the next 24 hours. An Angriff assault is being used in the South to prepare the battlefield in the Center. I'm counting on at least one US armor unit being killed with a chance to surround several other units. In the deep South, German units rush to erect a semblance of a defensive line to stop Patton. Of course, the US may delay some forces in order to get them in further West so that they can support the defenders in the center but Brandenburger can't count on that happening.

As a result of combat, three more US units are killed; the total is now 30. Advance after combat resulted in Montgomery and two US units being surrounded.

In the north, I had a reduced unit build the IP in 2801, that bend in the Meuse where Germans can pound the defenders. I didn't want to wait for the Brits as they cannot reach the position until next turn. The position is also too weak to withstand a solid attack yet, so I have screened it with one of my few remaining 6-5-4's in 2702, with artillery occupying Liege at 2901 and 3002 to prevent any advance seizing part of the city. Another 6-5-4 is at 2903.

I have to reduce the power of the German attrition as well as possible, so I'm using the blown bridges at 2805 and 2907 this turn to help. Only German infantry can reach my infantry just south of Seraing. Tom will cross this part of the Ourthe, but the initial attack will be less powerful.

Because I'm stubborn, and do not want to abandon Monty in Ouffet, two attacks to the north and south of the town are hoping to establish a weak defense line and reopen the supply road for Tom's turn. This also keeps some of Tom's SS panzers separated and reduces his deployment possibilities. However, I'm endangering most of 3rd Armored, which will probably be surrounded next.

At Marche,I've screened to the north of the fort to try to guard 3rd Armored's vulnerable flank. The terrain and blown bridges here may help. However, there aren't enough troops to screen the south from Marche to Beauraing. I've conceded a Meuse crossing by FG or 2/304 should Tom desire to take it, which then leaves him with the possibility of bringing in 11th Pz at the cost of 9th Pz and 15th PG in 23AM.

Patton is playing a cautious game. 6th Cav has gone to hold the line near Paliseul. The rest of Patton's forces are still off the board to the south. Next turn will tell what Patton does to help the desperate situation.

The Btits arrive too far away at entry K to be of immediate use. I've split them, with three units heading south to help contain whatever Tom decides his (thin) point units will do in the Dinant-Givet area. The others head for Liege, and the artillery stays centrally located to move to either location (Liege or Dinant) as required.