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[Plain Ian]

Turn 70 Dec 23rd 6pm - Warnach Debacle



Ok here is the situation south of Bastogne or Disaster on the Sure as I like to call it....

 

I think Cesars intentions are pretty clear. 2nd SS has been pressing south and is now joined by 15th Pz Gr Div. The 2nd SS has the Panther Bn (48) and at least 2 Bn’s (700+) of motorised infantry. So far 15th Pz Gr Div has committed all its armour plus one Mot Bn which was disrupted in last turns assault.


The Fuhrer Grenadier Bde has now all its armour on the front line (30+ Panthers and 30+ StuG’s?) and probably the rest of the Bde is stacked behind.

Further south the Pz Lehr is making a big push with the aim no doubt of getting to the bridge at Martelange. If he gains this hex then I only have one road bridge (medium) which I can use to evacuate my forces at Warnach. (Edit - there is rail bridge as well)

On turn 70 I did make one assault with 2-501st and pushed back a unit and revealed some of his artillery. I didn’t have any artillery to take advantage of this. However this may divert some 15th Pz Gr Div infantry which I know he is going to use to protect his right flank along the stream.

I’ve also moved up my only reserves of 9th Armoured Div units. Most of these are pretty small. C/14 Tnk has 14 tanks. B/811 TD has 4. The 18th Tnk Bn does have 27 and is probably the strongest unit although its D morale. I've used these at Warnach and also at Bigonville.
The one quality unit I have is the 5th Rangers which I've sent to try and hold off Pz Lehr. 450 men but morale A.
26th Div is morale D but most units are 700+ strength.
80th Div is morale C and most units are around 700 as well.
28th Div is morale B but units average 3-400 and some have companies missing.



I’ve fed in units of the 28th and 26th but I think that all that this will achieve is trapping them as well.


Too many of my units are disrupted and ripe for assault though. Once I’m pushed back onto the Clear terrain its going to be a Turkey Shoot. I think I could lose about 3-4 Bn’s and about 3-4000 men here! Mud has meant that this has been a slo mo car crash event but I saw it coming....just couldn't do enough to get out of the trap. 4th Infantry on the move as is 4th Armoured but too late is the cry.