Bulge 16.01s alt

[Plain Ian]

Turn 51 Allied/German 4pm Dusk La Roche -  Magerotte



Not much action in this area. The probe at La Roche has pulled back and on the approaches to Bastogne (Flamierge – Bastogne road) he appears content to dig in and recover strength.

 
At Bertogne-Compogne the 2nd SS/2nd Panzer continues its “ Wald Marsch” following up the paratroopers of the 82nd and the survivors of the 106th.

The 2-505th and 3-504th receive the brunt of direct fire attacks and artillery, although a 26th VGD Bn is hit hard by return fire.

In the south at Sainlez the 2nd SS Recon unit which was hit hard by my artillery has pulled out. Replay showed that it was disrupted.

Apart from that it was all quiet.......zzzzzz



The 504/505th pulls back again along with the 106th unit. The 3-504th holds its corner position and is reinforced with the 2-505th. The 1400 stacking level is easily met as both units have a total of 1,128 effectives. (72% and 78%)

Before pulling back, Div/Corps artillery is called down and the 2nd Panzer loses 3 Pz IV’s and 5 men. The panzers were in clear terrain. The Pz IV unit now drops from XX to X so must have 9 tanks left.

26th VGD is unlucky and loses 26 men to artillery.

The 3-504th, which didn’t move then opens fire on the hapless 26th VGD and another 24 fall. However return fire takes out 7 of my paratroopers. Its not a great day to be a Volksgrenadier in the German Army as everything is falling on these units. 

In the south the 501st clears the road to allow the 26th Division a clear run. The 2-501st bumps into the FBB units but only losses 1 man.

My original plans to send them to Sainlez changed because because it was far easier to keep them moving along the road towards Magerotte. The 818th TD Bn gun the engines of their M10’s and roar into line alongside the paratroopers. They even have enough MP’s left to fire if they chose.....but they don’t. The rest of the Division follows up and the tailback stretches all the way back to Longlier. The Division is lined up like an arrow pointing at Bastogne..........

28th Division meanwhile rests at Recogne. Its going to take quite a few days more for it to be any use. Its fellow convalescent (9th Armoured CCB/CCR) winds south so I can get its HQ in range of CCA which is slowly manking its way north.

80th Div makes a few minor adjustments before night falls next turn.