Well the 18DEC44 Night moves are resolved. Much activity by the Germans and US both as they both rush to control Bastogne.

The US lead forces have attempted to fall back on Bastogne to cover the east approach while the 101st Airborne rolls in from the east. However steady
German pressure has pinned down most of the US front line while on the right two battalions of the 2nd Panzer Division managed to flank the US line and
drive on to Bastogne itself. The main Panzer formations of 2nd Panzer Division are still hounding the remnants of the 28th Division pining the
last remnants of them near Fe'itsch.

Interestingly on the German left, the 26th Volksgrenadier ahs managed to push as far west toward Bastogne as the main bodies for both Panzer
Divisions! In fact two regiments of the 26th VG are within one march move of the East End of Bastogne!

In the German Center, Panzer Lehr is still severely hampered by congestion and poor roads. Its only contribution in this night turn has been to run
down the sole remaining battalion of the 1128th Engineer group.

So there are SIX battles from the 18DEC44 night turn!

1) Zone 31 - Doncols - 39th Fusilier Regiment assaults secondary positions of the 52nd US Armored Infantry. Early in the campaign the 1128th Engineer
group built up some strongpoint in this zone. The 39th has no armor where as the 52nd as two companies, but the 39th has 3:1 odds and the limited
visibility of night will do much to reduce the effectiveness of the US tanks.

2) Zone 32 Longvilly - Two battalions of the 78th Grenadiers assault supported by the dreaded 559th Panzer Jadger Battalion. The US defends with
the 2nd Tank Bn and some attached armored infantry companies. The odds don't look good for the US, but the their position is boosted by minefields
employed by the 1128th Engineer group early in the game.

3) Zone 28 - Fe'itsch - The 3rd Panzer Regiment (both Panzer battalions) reinforced by the 38th Engineer Battalion ought to grind down the last of
the US 28th Infantry Division.

4) Zone 24 - Brachtenback - Panzer Lehr will have no trouble finishing off what left of the 35th Engineer Battalion have the Volkswerfers rip though
the exhausted US engineers.

5) Zone 40 - East Bastogne. The 20th Armored Infantry Battalion of CCB, 10th Armored Division was ordered just in the nick of time to fall back on
Bastogne and protect it while the Airborne troops trucked in during the night. Shortly after the 20th arrived at the outskirts of Bastogne, the
304th Panzergrenadier Regiment from the 2nd Panzer Division has attacked from the east. A fairly even fight in the open, but the US has the edge on
defense with in the perimeter of Bastogne.

6) Zone 45 - West Bastogne - the Division HQ has just moved into the west side of Bastogne. The HQ was starting to feel confident with the 501st
Parachute Regiment coming in right behind it, however just as the trucks carrying the 501st sighted the steeples of Bastogne's churches, the 2nd
Panzer Recon came slicing in like a knife from the north. The paratroopers outnumber the Panzer Recon soldiers by 3:1, but all of the Germans are
mounted in Half-Tracks and are support by armored cars, while the brave paratroopers are riding in "Duce-and-a-half" trucks and have no heavy
support. If this was battle was under daylight the smaller German force may had little trouble cutting off the 101st short of Bastogne, but the limited
ranges allowed in night fighting may allow the US to get most that it can from its elite paratroopers in close range firefights.

As I am now in my last month before deploymnet to Afghanistan we will, conclude the campaingn base of the results of the fights in Zone 40 and 45 (East and West Bastogne). if either side wins both these sceanrios, it will be a overall Campaign Victory. If the scenarios go one to each side the campaign will be a draw.

Scenarios for 18DEC44 Night:

Scenario XVIII "East Bastogne"

Scenario XIX - “Screaming Eagles"