Author	treadasaurusrex (United States)
Method	VASSAL
Victor	United States
Participants	CavDo
Play Date	2022-12-26
Language	English
Scenario	WiSo019

This was a tense 3-session play-through with the rapidly-improving, CavDo, who led the aggressive German attack force. I played the beleaguered US glider troop commander, barely holding on in Tri-le-Chesling. We used the excess initiative, extended assault, smoke and consolidation optional rules in this short, 14-turn scenario, and ignored the dreaded FOW rule. At the to beginning of this battle, the US side had a significantly better leader draw. I will only summarize the action as others have already insightfully commented on this scenario in great detail.

The attacking Germans moved-to-contact in a compact mass on a relatively broad front. Dug-in US AT guns were able to take a toll on the approaching SS armor using the advantage of cross fire, until they were decisively engaged by close assaults. The US side fell back successfully in most cases during this play-through, thanks primarily to the extent of demoralizations & disruptions that befell the onrushing tide of Germans, and the slow pace of their morale recovery due to the relatively poor leaders involved. Surprisingly, in the end, there were only 5 steps of US losses versus 13 for the Germans and the garrison in Tri-le-Chesling was still in-place, ensuring a US victory in this very close contest that could have swung either way. Luckily, the PG fates were on the side of the Americans, as the Germans threw a total of 9 combat 7-die rolls - all at critical junctures - versus only 4 for the US side. The Germans also lost 4 leaders, to only a single leader lost for the defending Americans. Final step losses were 5 for the Americans, and 13 for the Germans.

This older scenario was fun to play and I recommend it for shared, online play. It got a 4 from me, thanks to its balance, and the fun that we had battling it out in the Ardennes.