Now we are entering the afternoon phase of 16DEC44. The battalions of the 110th US Infantry gave a generally good account of themselves, save the 1st Battalion who lost their battalion HQ on a German preparatory bombardment. But now with the Provisional Battalion nearly encircled and its other battalions reduced by about a third each, the hard pressed defenders of the 110th find themselves less inclined to continue a stout resistance against the German advance. The 110th wishes to rely primarily on artillery to attrit and delay the Germans so the US 110th may preserve as much as their combat strength as possible. Meanwhile, the 1128th Engineer Group has rushed forward to help shore up defensive positions along the Clerf river line. The US has elected to pull back out of Fishbach on their left, with the 3rd Bn 110th falling back on the Clerf River line, the Provisional Bn on the US right has no option but try attempt a breakout near Café Schinker, while in the center the 1st and 2nd Bn’s will only attempted a limited delay at Bockholz and Marnach respectively.

Surprisingly the US 707th Tank Battalion remains uncommitted to action despite being in the immediate 110th Infantry area. Perhaps the US forces intend to use this battalion as a reserve force to plug holes in the Clerf river line or perhaps it was just poor communication leaving the battalion idle. Whatever the reason, it will be lamented by the foot troopers in the 110th as even a single company attached to a hard pressed battalion would do much to deliver a strong check against the German infantry whose own armor is only just now crossing the Our River in the German rear area.

The German planned assaults in the afternoon of the 16th are a somewhat cautious, possibly due to the strong check delivered by the US to the 2nd Panzer Division on the German right. Due to the failure of the 2nd Panzer Division to open up a bridgehead, its armor and other vehicles have had to divert to the far German left to use bridges in the 26th Volksgrenadier sector and then back over to the German right to support the 2nd Panzer Division’s second attempt at Marnach. These mounted forces will only arrive later in the 2nd battle of Marnach if at all. In order to get some reinforcement more quickly into the Marnach zone, the 2nd Panzer Division decided not to renew the assault on the far right at Fishbach and instead use the II Bn, 304th PzGr at Marnach. This is just as a well as the US has already pulled out of Fishbach as noted earlier.

On the German left, the 26th Volksgrenadier continues its drive to the Clerf River and Bastogne beyond. The 39th Fusilier Regiment is trying to quickly seize Café Schinker on the 26th VG’s left to simultaneously open up a clear path to the Clerf River and to cut off the breakout of the US Provisional Battalion. On the 26th VG’s right the 77th Grenadier regiment is hot on the heals of the 1st Bn, 110th and is trying to run it down in the Bockholz zone. This effort would be somewhat easier if the 26th VG’s STUG-III Company had been brought up in support, but curiously the 26th VG seems hesitant to commit armor just as the US has been with the 707th Tank Bn.

Overall all German afternoon assaults are each limited to a single primary objective. They really needed to be prepared to follow-up against secondary objectives as the US either pulls back or suffers quick collapse in zones where they are only venturing a minor delay action. If German had, they very well might have been able to seize zones with crucial bridges over the Clerf River and crack this defensive line before the US fully establishes it. Now, regardless of their success in the afternoon assaults they may be forced to conduct a night attack with already fatigued units, or find that the 1128th Engineers have blown the bridges and laid many minefields when dawn lifts. A difficult decision will follow the afternoon action; 1) Attack in poor conditions with tired troops or 2) Wait until dawn when all assets will be available and the troops rested, but defenders also more entrenched?

Battles for 16DEC44 PM Turn:

Scenario V - "Breakout at Café Schinker"

The US provisional Battalion was cut off from its escape route rather quickly. The US could only get off one successful order each turn while thr 39th Fusilier rolled double ones twice. The US Battalion was caught on the south road from Café Schinker by the left battalion of the 39th Fusilers. Meanwhile the other two battalions of the 39th quickly seized the town and pressed on toward Bastogne. The provisional battalion, is now Provisional Company and is limping back to Hosheid (Zone 9).

US Losses - Three Infantry Platoons
German Losses - One PAK 40 75mm ATB and one Transport Truck.

39th Fusiliers Move one battalion to cut the road while the others drive on Cafe Schinker

Russ says "This one wont get away" as remnants of the US forces flee into the woods.

Scenario VI - "March of the 77th Grenadiers"

American artillery disrupted the assault of the 77th Grenadiers. Though the Germans spread out well and clearde the zone, they had trouble coordinating their fires against the US troopers of the 1st Bn/110th Infantry who would shot and then pull back. Dusk fell before the Germans could pin down the US forces in zone. The US, as per the instructions of the 28th ID Commander will fall back on the Clerf River line.

US Losses - None.
German Losses - One Mortar Platoon and One Infantry Platoon.

Russ and Charles fan out the 77th Grenadiers to clear Bockholz.

77th Grenadiers drive the last US defender from Bockholz, but just can't quite destroy them.

Scenario VII - "Back to the Skyline Drive "

The Germans finally achieved success with their 2nd attempt to seize Marnach (Zone 6). The American resolve to hold the town was weakened by the loss of a Forward Observer during prepatory bombardment. This greatly reduced the amount of casualties the Germans lost in their assault as American artillery support was greatly reduced. II Bn/304th Panzer Grenadiers were able to advance up to the outskirts Marnach from the south under the cover of woods while late arriving Stug-III's advanced on the town from the east. After the loss the US sole surviving 76mm ATG to direct fire from the Stug-III's, the US forces deemed the position untenable and begun the evacuation back to Clerveaux (zone 12).

German Recon probes Marnach

At long last the German armor column arrives!

The US evacuates Marnach under pressure from Stug-III in the east and infantry from the south.

US Command Team, Don & Brian