Played as a PBEM battle with Alan Rhodes who is in the same job as I, albeit a different department in London. I fancied this game when Alan offered it as I had just recently used the 277th VG Div in a skype battle against Alan Sawyer. On that occassion, they allowed the more able 12th SS Hitler Jugend do the donkey work, but did nonetheless carry out some important roles in the game. Here, it was all down to them. I had previously also looked into their commander, Generalmajor Wilhelm Viebig. A slim dashing looking fellow, who after the war became the West German Olympic Show jumping and Dressage coach. Interesting fella.

Anyway, this scenario represents the opening morning for the 99th and 277th during the Bulge campaign. The VG's want the road and to inflict losses on the US troops, whilst the US need to inflict casaulties so as to give the Germans a bloody nose. Here is how it went.

Viebig's Plans

The 277th Volksgrenadier Division was to launch their part in the Bulge offensive along the main Hollerath road toward the village of Krinkelt. Facing them would be the US 99th Infantry Division. The commander of the 277th VG Division was a man called Generalmajor Wilhelm Viebig. A slim dashing looking officer, who looked more akin to an old fashioned cavalry officer. He had been asked to either clear the main road and capture the crossroads near Krinkelt or inflict enough of a bloody nose on the American defenders so that the panzers following up later could simply roll through. Having spied the US positions, it was not difficult for Viebig to make his decision. In order to spare his Volksgrenadiers too many casualties, he opted to knock out the American mortar positions and inflict as many casualties on the GI’s as possible whilst keeping his own losses low. This would therefore rule out any attempt at the more glory-hunting capture of the whole road and its attendant losses.

Meat Of The Battle

With the 277th moving up to their positions at 0600 hours, the bombardment began at 0615. In this area, the Americans had placed entrenchments on each flank and had troops and MG positions dug-in along the road that they intended to deny the Germans. Within 30 minutes, the US mortars had been crushed and buried under the surprisingly heavy German bombardment. The Germans lost some men to counter OBA fire as men from the 989th infantry regiment pushed forward through the pines and snow of the Ardennes. As the mixed bag of Volksgrenadiers tried to close in on the American dug-outs in and around the main Hollerath road, their numbers became depleted as the US OBA proved so accurate, sending a few of their great-coated men to fall lifeless into the deep snow. But the battalion’s inspirational Oberst decided he had to lead the attack as the Grenadiers frail morale was being put to the ultimate test. The officers of the 989th then managed to push a company sized attack home against the most forward US infantry position and a close assault began into the US dug-outs supported by MG fire that had disruptied the enemy 99th Division troops. The assault proved brutal. Both sides losing men a plenty in short time, and both sides losing officers too, the Germans more so as these veteran soldiers attempted to inspire the new-boys of their regiment to oust the Amis. Another German company managed to join this assault and by 0745 the crossroads had been cleared of Americans and a satisfactory amount of losses inflicted on them so that the German tanks would be able to push through later. The crossroads though was still very much under the sights of US fire lanes.

Germans Consolidate Gains

The German OBA had also zeroed in on the vicinity and was now clocking up a count of the lives of US soldiers. Even recently arrived reinforcing GI’s were being targeted severely on the main road, eventually being dispersed in some disorder. Whilst this bombardment continued, the German infantry, happy with their work, took the opportunity to dig in themselves in the pine forest. Here, they could also keep watch and range on the crossroads, deter any American counter attack (unless a suicidal one was sent) and also have some protection with the dug outs against the US OBA. From 0830-0930, both sides inflicted around 50 casualties on each other as the opposing infantry contented themselves with a firefight through the pines, but the front in general had stabilized for now. It would be the panzer thrust later in the day that would be the thorn in the American side. Generalmajor Viebig could be pleased with his mens work. They had inflicted more casualties than they had suffered, despite being the attacker and fears of their morale qualities. They had also cleared the crossroads, and the regimental Colonel had showed his mens fragile morale could be converted to the positive with brave leadership.

US casualties were 12 steps and a leader, with German losses adding up to 8 steps and 3 leaders.

Minor German victory.

A strong 3 for me. Quite an exciting battle with a time pressure of only 16 turns available for the Germans to get the job done on a single snowy board. Welcome to the Ardennes