18 DEC 44 - Morning Attacks

On the German Right, now that the Clerf River has been overcome, German forces are now looking to break out through US forces and drive on to Bastogne. The North Shoulder of the US defensive line rest on the town of Donnage (Zone 17). At this point the 2nd Panzer Division has committed the 2nd Panzer Grenadiers, and is reinforcing it wit both battalions of the 3rd Panzer regiment. This frontal attack will be supplement later in the morning by a flank attack conducted by the 2nd Panzer Recon Bn form the North. If Donnage falls, the 2nd Panzer can threaten a sweep of the US line or drive on to Bastogne. The US 110th Regimental HQ will conduct the defense of Donnage with the remnants of 2nd/3rd BN, 110th Infantry. This force has been further bolstered by addition of a light and medium tank company from the 707th Tank Battalion. Further more, the 44th Engineer Bn will also contribute to the defense, although they are fatigued following their all night work on emplacing minefields and preparing defenses.

In the Center (Zone 21), finally free of the Clerf River Bridgehead, the Panzer Lehr Division is driving hard on the US 28th Infantry Division HQ to sweep away its remnant elements. The attack of the Panzer Lehr will be spearheaded by Kampfgrouppe 901st Panzer Grenadiers. They will soon be reinforced by the tanks of the 130th Panzer Regiment. Falling back from Drauffelt and the Clerf River with Panzer Lehr on its heels, the 28th ID HQ leads a combined battalion formed from half of 707th Tank and the remnants of 1st Bn/110th INF. This force is fortunate to fall back on the 158th Engineer Bn, who have been preparing the defenses north of Klienhoshied for the past 12 hours. Though this has fatigued the 158th, it will greatly aid the US defense.

On the German left (Zone 20), the 26th Volks Grenadiers face CCR, 9th US Armored division. CCR had a fairly easy baptism of fire on the 17th. It has lost only few light tanks and scouts while much needed battle experience. Though they were not pressured by German forces on the afternoon/evening of the 17th at Wilwerwiltz, the commander of CCR wisely decide to withdraw his forces to Eschweiler as the rest of the 28th ID forces already falling back to the east. CCR was delighted to find the 35th Engineer Bn already preparing defenses in and around Eschweiler when it arrived. Though it did not assault Wilwerwiltz and CCR on the 17th, the 26th Volksgrenadier Division is not about to let CCR off that easy. 26th VG has order the 39th Fusilier regiment to lead a Kampfgrouppe that includes I Bn, 39th Fusilier, the 26th Recon Bn, and the elite 559th PanzerJager Bn. If this was not enough, I Bn, 77th Grenadiers will support right flank of this attack.

Battles for the AM of 18DEC44.

Scenario XIII - North Shoulder at Donnage

A concerted attack was launched by the 3rd Panzer, 2nd Panzergrenadiers and recon elements against entrenched US forces near Donnange. Heavy infantry casualties were taken by the panzergrenadiers as they advanced into minefields and machinegun fire from the entrenched US forces. Massed gunfire from German armor eliminated the US infantry slowly one company at a time. German engineers attempting to clear a minefield were pushed back by heavy fire, only to dig in and wait on fire support from the II/3rd Panzer who eliminated the US forces from the edge of town. A tank vs tank destroyer action developed on the extreme flank, where a platoon of Panzer IV’s were lost, while the battalion destroyed or drove off the defending US tank company. 2nd Panzer divisions recon battalion entered the combat area flanking the US positions late in the fighting. Combat continued into the afternoon…

German commanders, Mike U and Charles C, order their troops forward to Donnage under cover of a smole screen.

I Bn, 3rd Panzer Regiment Advances

German Engineers begin to clear mines east of Donnage.

Scenario XIV - Clash at Klienhoscheid

The lead battlegroup of PanzerLehr moved north and then westward to attack US forces near Kleinoscheid. Recon advanced rapidly locating US minefields, and becoming pinned down in the process. The supporting I/901st Panzergrenadiers advancing in halftracks moved up and deployed, before becoming stalled by the same string of minefields. Engineers deployed to the front to clear the mines were caught in the open by US tanks dug in along the ridgeline, heavy artillery fire pinned the battalion command, disrupting communications and leaving a large number of infantry dismounted in the open under murderous fire from the entrenched US tanks. Most of the infantry of the recon battalion, the heavy armored cars of the scout company were killed or vehicles destroyed, and the I/901st Panzergrenadiers ceased to exist as combat formations. A serious tactical blunder also had the supporting German armor in the wrong position to support for this attack. Luck turned slightly when the II/130th Panzer battalion arrived and quickly eliminated the American tanks with massed fire from MkV and MkIV tanks and StugIII assault guns. The flanking column of StugIII assault guns and engineers continued through the woods on the extreme flank while the tank battalion covered the left. The division advance stopped with a small surviving US force in the near vicinity….

Confident German C-in-C, Charles C, unaware of the trouncing his 901st Panzergrenadiers are about to recieve.

US Commander, Rick N, knows what "Key Terrain" is and how to use it!

Recon from 901st PzGr locates US armor. The exposed tanks then proceed to hammer all units before them.

130th Pazer shows up on turn five and takes care US armor.

Scenario XV - CCR, 9th Armor Division at Eschweiler

39th Fusiliers supported by assault guns of the 559th Panzerjaeger battalion engaged US forces of CCR 9th AD. The attack began late after a heavy smoke screen and delayed arrival of the 559th Panzerjaegers and ended with a force of US engineers withdrawing, and heavy fighting between elements of the regiment and US armored infantry. The 559th was engaging US armor along the main road and edge of town.

The 77th Volksgrenadiers launched a supporting attack that stalled when the smoke dispersed, losing their supporting assault guns while digging in at the edge of the US minefields. Fighting continued into the afternoon…

Frank C, US Commander of CCR 9th AD, plans his defense.

I Bn, 39th Fusiliers sweep woods on German left.

39th Fusiliers advance and suppress the fatigued 158th US Engineers.

I Bn, 77th Volksgrenadiers follows through a smoke screen towards Eschweiler.

The smoke screen lifts and the Stug-III's supporting the 77th VG are knocked out from US tank companies concealed in Eschweiler.

Meanwhile on the German left, 39th Fusiliers continue to roll up US defenders in the woods.

559th PanzerJager Battalion arrives, late of course!

US commanders are satisfied as thier troops hang on to Eschweiler. But the German pressure will be mounting in the aftrenoon!