KAMPFGRUPPE PEIPER HUNKERS DOWN...
KAMPFGRUPPE PEIPER HUNKERS DOWN...
Scenario Date: 19N (Third Scenario; Second Played Scenario)
German Purchases and Plan
19PM was an Idle Date. The US needed to recover from its opening-scenario losses, and I didn't feel the need to expend an attack chit to force a scenario. So, the forces we brought to the 19N scenario represented purchases for 19PM and 19N. My purchases revolved around what little I could do. On 19PM I bought two SS infantry platoons and one SS Panzergrenadier platoon all in reserve. For 19N I bought my last SS infantry platoon and my last SS Panzergrenadier HW platoon. My plan from the start of the CG was to max out my infantry purchases as soon as possible, and the HW platoons are nice as well, as they give a good variety of firepower (ranging from the HMG you can Remove from the SPW/sMG to the nice 81mm MTRs in the SPW 251/2). So, setting up for 19N I had a lot of infantry, and since my tanks survived the first scenario, good armor protection as well. My plan was to set up for 19N as far forward in a strong front-line position to start the battle (i.e. IR and Starshells) as soon as possible. To help me out in the defense, I selected an attack chit to avoid being under No Move. I set up in a large "arc" in positions running from in front of the Sanitarium over to the 20AM entry area for the US (to guard against Early Entry).
US Purchases and Plan
The US, commanded by David Cody, needed the 19PM idle date to rebuild. Down to 5.5 squad-equivalents, he wasn't going to waste an attack on 19PM. So, by 19N the US had a significant increase in its force size. David purchased primarily infantry, including an Engineer platoon. I think this was very wise of him to do this, as the temptation to blow CPP on toys must have been great. Retaining 8 Shermans from the first scenario, the only AFV addition David felt he needed was a platoon of 2 M10 tank destroyers. This probably will pay off, as the 76L guns will be effective in dealing with my armor. David's plan for 19N revolved around simply re-estabilishing a setup area on the map. After having been kicked off on the first scenario, the US needed simply to get back on the map. David used the NVR of 1 to his advantage, claiming his Objective Hexes while staying out of LOS.
Progression of the Battle
There wasn't one! The Americans did not use early entry, so all of their forces came on the map at the GG1 entry area. The US secured some Objective Hexes near GG1, but also pushed down the stream to extend their setup area to the region down by the MM10 ford. As such, his setup area now extend somewhat down my right flank, and can provide a launching point for an attack from the North on the Sanitarium, or from the west to cut behind any Germans set up to defend the 20AM entry area. (See the map below). David was content in claiming his Objective Hexes, and had no interest in starting the fight. This probably was wise, as I still outnumbered him both in terms of infantry and AFVs. I didn't feel confident in moving in to NVR to start the fight, as David's force was concentrated and mine was spread out in a wide arc. It would have taken me quite some time to properly arange my forces for a counter-attack. I also didn't want to incur any unecessary losses, prefering to wait until next scenario when the US will have to come at my positions.
Analysis
The US has established a useful setup area for 20AM. The flanking move down the stream will make my advanced postions west of the Sanitarium untenable. Furthermore, the Americans have the option of driving on the Sanitarium from two directions, or they can attack La Rochelle (II17), and threaten to cut off Germans set up to defend against the 20AM entry area. David also again retains two OBA modules (probably 60mm) which should help him for 20AM. I do, however, retain significant forces, as my casualties over the CG have been extremely light.
German Retained Units
Here are the Setup Areas for 20AM.
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Email me at michael.licari@uni.edu