Bulge 16.01s alt

[Plain Ian]

Turn 41 German - South




With an hour left to dusk the Germans have finally swung into action. Two major attacks.

Artilllery started falling on 55th Arm Engineers and the 2-8th. Moderate casualties. (8 men) Then without warning a massive assault fell on 11th Tank Bn led by Panzer Lehr infantry and Assault guns, supported by at least a battalion of the 212th VGD. (Blue A and B)

The German assault pressed on despite losing an Assault gun and 7 grenadiers. The 11th Tank Bn fell back in disarray (Disrupted) onto the 70th Tank Bn (4th Infantry) leaving a damaged tank behind (1 lost) (Red A)
The Germans occupied the ground. It was a costly assault as the Germans lost a further 30 men and suffered a large amount of disruption.

Boevange-sur-Attert (west) The 90th Cav had been holding the village for most of the day under artillery and constant tank attacks from across the river. Ominous news had filtered in that a massive German tank column (Blue F) was gathering in Boevange (west). Shortly after 2pm the assault began and after a short fight the gallant cavalry were put to flight and evicted from the village. 2 armoured cars were lost in the fight and a further 11 during the assault/retreat. The Germans lost 1 man and 1 tank.
During the retreat the 90th Cavalry commander decided to retreat NW towards the 37th Tank Bn. (Red B) The relief for the 90th was short lived as the Germans moved an Engineer unit to cut off the loc of both units. The 37th commander was far from happy being Isolated by the retreat of the 90th AND finding himself LOW AMMO????? The 37th DID NOT FIRE DURING THE GERMAN TURN????

The rest of the turn consisted of artillery and Werfer fire plus movement of German units into line.

The 2-12th lost 59 men to 8 mortar attacks despite the fact its in Woods. (-30%)

The 55th Engineers lost 38 to mortars from 6 attacks.

Despite this 4th of July attack NO WERFERS were spotted!!!!!
EDIT - not true, I've just realised that there are 2 spotted hexes which could be Werfers north of Boevange. Target for my artillery!

The situation looks daunting. I’m not sure if 4th Armoured will be enough, or if I would have been better using the 80th Infantry Div. The 4th only has 7 manoeuvre Bns (8 if you include the Engineers) whereas the 80th has 11 plus the Engineers.
However the 80th are all C Morale whereas the 4th are all B’s with a few A morale units!

I’m up against Pz lehr with the 212th (B rated VGD) and the 352nd (C/D rated) with some support from the 5th FJD. There is no sign of the 276th VGD but I think it might be on flank duties or possibly guarding the bridge he has put up? The 276th VGD is a low grade unit (D/E)

I’ll have to think what to do here. Probably set up a new defensive line further back and pull back at least a Regiment of the 80th from its move north. 2 turns to night.

EDIT - further thought. I wonder if I have enough artillery to Rubble Boevange (west) where he has his armour. This will prevent him using the bridge to reinforce the area? I have about 7 105mm/Priests? Is that enough?