 The
ground has frozen and the German dogs (and Tigers and Panthers ..) are
loose! The US and British have retreated behind the Meuse in the Center
and North and the Germans are pursuing. I have decided to take out
Marche with a high-odds attack; I'm counting on a 6-1 this turn to prove
sufficient for the capture of the town by the end of a follow-up assault
on the 23 PM turn. (There are 5 US combat steps and a leader in that
victory hex.) Three other attacks will eliminate the rest of the units
surrounded last turn. (As always, I won't take any chances with these -
no attacks at less than 4-1(-1)). The attack being most scrutinized by
OKW is a high odds attack (5-1) against Dinant - the Germans are
determined to establish a bridgehead across the Meuse this turn!
I chose to not press on the Northern Meuse given the defensive
capabilities of the US & British and the proximity of the
reinforcement entry hexes. Dinant is relatively distant from the massed
artillery of the US/Brits and I hope to be able to race huge components
of 5th & 6th Panzer Armies into the bridgehead. (Ganging up on
Marche not only has direct victory level implications but also ensures
that Patton has to exercise a little caution lest he get caught in some
nasty counterattacks.)
In the South, Patton is advancing furiously towards the NE from
Paliseul. The off-board elements continue to threaten further Southern
flank encroachments but I'm going to count on the 23AM German mechanized
reinforcements to prevent any big damage. I liked John's tactic of
keeping some 3rd Army units offboard but, at a certain level, Patton's
success can't come at the expense of blocking German mech units heading
west.
Post Combat Commentary: The
battles went well for the Germans as measured by the three D4 results; the
Meuse was crossed and Marche had 4 of the 6 defending steps eliminated. 42
Allied units dead. I have Peiper and 9SS/9 (24 factors) across the river
from Dinant with Dietrich backing them up. |
 Not
dead yet, but rapidly getting there. Patton has to divert towards the
Meuse to help hold the river line. US 2d Armored arrives and holds Huy
this turn. I need to contain the Dinant bridgehead and try to push it
back, but this turn can't counterattack at reasonable odds. I've tried
to keep the bridgehead limited.
Further Allied whining: Tom's army is remarkably intact. One (1!)
eliminated unit. A fair number of reduced units running around, but the
Allies have inflicted far too few losses. I'll have to put my faith in
the flyboys, who are coming.
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