Bulge 16.01s alt

[Plain Ian]

Dec 22nd 2pm (Snow vis 2 hexes) - Werbomont


8th Rifles came in for the usual bashing from artillery and werfers. Their running partner 31st Tanks lost an M4 to fire from the 18th VGD? It looks like the Pioneers are digging in and he reinforced the hex with a unit from the 116th.

The 23rd Hussars lost a tank from the disrupted 18th VGD/116th Pz group and then a further 2 from long range fire from his tanks. 

The 18th VGD was unsuccessful against the the 23rd Hussars but he has reinforced this hex with yet another unit of the 560th VGD.
In fact he has paired up 18th and 560th VGD Bns in quite a few hexes. I guess this is handy for artillery defensive fire. 
The 18th VGD is also digging in? Now this is something I never do. If I dig I don't bother firing? I am just a victim of one of the PzC folklores that digging in but not firing increases the chances of digging in successfully or does it really not make any difference?

His 75mm group took a tank off of the 17th Tanks. I guess if I want to keep this hex I'll have to expect to lose 1-2 tanks a turn here. 

He also reinforced the area around Bra with another Pioneer unit and some more Lt Flak.

I also noticed that he moved another Lt Flak to cover what must have been a gap in his lines and prevent me getting this wood hex. He really thinks about terrain and territory.

Overall the picture looks quite forebidding. However I do see 4 disrupted VGD units in his lines so there is hope. It also looks like he is settling into a defensive position.