Bulge 16.01s alt

[Plain Ian]

80 Allied – Night 10pm – North



Sorry its a 'high level map' but there wasn't a great deal of movement and it was mostly artillery and a few selective units firing.


The 277th VGD was targeted by my artillery in the Hoes Venn. Only 19 men and one 75mm hit. I did also try heavy artillery against his Tiger Mortars but gave up after 2 misses and 2 Fatigue hits.

The 12th VGD received heavier fire but the best I could manage was 27 men against one of his Bn’s. He has three Bn’s digging in here. I couldn't really stop them. His 3 units are probably in the range of 400+ each and are all B morale. No point in trying to assault with two US Bn's (1,095 men) when one of the units is a C morale due to fatigue. 

The 745th Tank had some success against his SS Recon unit knocking out 3 armoured cars but lost an M4 to return fire. The 1-517th and 291st Engineers attacked the 12th SS infantry accompanying the SS Recon unit taking out 21 men. Artillery added in another 6 losses to him. 

North of Stoumont the two British Tank units (107th RAC/9th RTR) moved away from his Panthers. I He might follow as he probably has moved in 75mm units in the road hex to hold this hex. (his S.O.P.) I've put the 23rd Armd Inf Bn on patrol to check this. (in hex behind Chession)  
The 4th US Cav was moved as well to make room for the British. Artillery and the 24th Cav hit the 62nd VGD Bn but the 24th lost an armoured car to return fire.

Behind the lines I brought up the 73rd AT (24 x 17 pounders) and 30th Field Co. The 30th Field Co ran into some Yanks in a jeep who directed them the wrong way........the Brits couldn't really ask them who won the World Series could they? Well at leat the A/T units got through.
 
The Belgian Fusileers have finally recovered (I think I’ve been calling them French in previous posts?) and have started moving up. I’m short of infantry in this area and they are a reasonable C morale unit with 301 men. (75%)

At Chession I moved the 740th Tnk Bn into the town for protection and also pulled the 31st back.

And that was about all I did up here. I’ll rest and wait for morning. There is a good chance it will be snow tomorrow and the ground will freeze. That will increase my options up here a bit.