This game was played face to face against Wayne Baumber in one session as only 10 of the scheduled 24 turns were played out. Yet another in the Westwall series as the continued slugging match by the two determined armies of America and Germany continue to batter each other relentlessly. Both of us agreed that with the sparse initial German troops and wide area to defend, this initially looked like a US win in all probability. Knowing that such a scratch German force, even if it included 1 x Panther platoon, would not be enough to defend the far flung high ground and towns over two boards. Therefore, I decided my defence would be to opt to simply stand and hold the largest 40m hill complex to the east. The idea being that these 9 hexes would be the same point value as the 4 x town and 5 x hill given up to the Gi's, but he would still need to come at us, entrenchments and all to gain the points for a win but at least my small force's firepower would be concentrated. By hitting him hard with casualties, I hoped to drive up enough points for the win and hold out until my reinforcements arrived on turn 9 or after (roll a 5 or 6).

An American infantry battalion from Task Force Lovelady of 3rd Armoured Division supported by 10 platoons of tanks and adequate OBA had launched an attack around Weissenberg about 1030 hours (turn 1) expecting to clear the heights and the pillboxes. The Americans discovered that the outlying villages had been left all but empty and that the remnants of Germans from the 9th Panzer had concentrated around the highest ground in the distance. This was being defended by very strong pillbox and trench positions and also stiffened by a platoon of Panthers and StGIII assault guns. The villages were advanced through without molestation by a small tank and recon force of M3 halftracks. The main body of US troops advanced frontally towards the heights (along board 25). For 30 minutes things were pretty quiet, but at 1100 hours, an entrenched German AT platoon revealed itself just outside the empty villages by burping out shells at an M4 platoon knocking out 2 of the vehicles (1 step). The rest of the tanks and halftracks rounded on this discovered enemy expecting small resistance. However, within minutes, a number of M3’s were left burning (2 steps) as the Yanks moved in closer and were assaulting from close range. The AT crews, though never in good order, continued to hold their positions. Meanwhile, on the main advance, some GI’s were taking casualties from artillery and mortar fire as they attempted to advance towards the heights (2 more steps).

Over the following half hours (turns 4 & 5), American infantry and halftracks were becoming casualties at an alarming rate. (6 steps). The dug-in Panthers were obliterating the thin-skinned M3’s, German OBA was demoralizing and reducing the infantrymens ranks at a worrying pace. The American commander therefore decided to make an aggressive thrust at the enemy armour on the hilltop. At 1145 hours, US armour started to go forward and lost a platoon immediately. However, 6 platoons of M4’s and M10’s had pushed in close to their enemy. The tank battle was swift and bloody. The 2 platoons of German tanks soon accounted for 10 American tanks (5 steps). The Americans in their turn managed to reduce the StG platoon. But the US losses were too much when added to their infantry and M3 losses. The carnage continued for another 15 minutes as American armour was all but wiped out.

At 1230 hours, the battalion strong Wild Buffalo reinforcements from the German 12th Infantry Division arrived and found the Weissenberg area had already been held comfortably with minimal loss. However, it was at this moment that the Americans enjoyed their best period. They finally captured the AT platoons trench and also inflicted losses by hitting an HMG platoon from the German reinforcements. But it was simply too little far too late. The Americans, seeing the day was over for any chance of gains, retired.

With 1 x trench (2pts), 4 x town (12pts), 5x hill (15pts) and inflicting on the Germans 2 FOOT steps, 1 AT step and 1 StG step (5pts), the Americans accumulated 34pts. The Germans held 5 x trench (10pts), 9 x hill (27pts) and had inflicted 7 FOOT steps, 12 AFV steps and 9 APC steps (40pts), the amassed 77pts. It had been a consummate vicory for the German defenders.

What was so strange about this game was that despite the huge American casualties, neither of us could really sense it coming, nor indeed understand how it had all come about. There was no obvious mistakes by the US to point at, save the large AFV attack later on when so many were wiped out. But that attack had been made in response to the heavy losses already inexplicably building up. I suppose if we had play-back, we'd see it, but at the time, such a defeat did not seem the likely outcome .... even when it was happening ? This was a good win for the Germans. They will always find this tough, and, having only experienced 10 of the turns, I can only award a standard '3'. Enjoyed myself today !