Played over Skype with Wayne Baumber in 2 short sessions. Chosen via our random selection system. Aim of the game, get as many points by controlling town hexes from 3 widely seperated towns on 4 boards and inflict damage on the enemy .... Oh yes, and sole control of one of the roads.

The German company found itself between Pafondruy, Ster and Renardmont. Along with their Puma and Wirbelwind support, they needed to decide quickly where they would stand against the three-pronged US attack whilst they awaited reinforcements from the south. In the end, they forsook Ster in the north-west as undefendable and deployed in Renardmont in the north-east leaving one platoon in troop carriers to the south in Pafondruy to guard against a fast American advance from the west straight down the highway. All would depend on the entry times of the encroaching forces of both sides.

At 1030 hours, two American task forces from the 30th infantry division advanced from the north, one each toward Ster and Renardmont. Those heading to Ster made an easy unopposed entry into the town. However, those heading to Renardmont soon found it defended by the SS and their armoured cars. As this early advance began, German reinforcements began to filter in along the road to the south-west. Fortunately for these German reinforcements, no US troops from Task Force Lovelady were any where near deterring them as they were still way back west.

The Americans tried a tentative advance on Renardmont, and found themselves under accurate fire from the Leibstandarte Grenadiers. One platoon found a number of its men cut down and had to head backwards demoralized. The US tank platoon supporting dared not show itself as reports had come back of the presence of the Pumas. Taskforce Lovelady finally appeared around 1100 hours, but by this time, the reinforcing Kampfgruppe Hansen had taken control of the main southern east-west highway and this would forever prevent any chance of a speedy advance by Lovelady. The Americans, happy that Ster was secure, began to send some of their number towards Renardmont to assist those under pressure from the German defenders. Hansen’s troops also began pressing north to apply pressure to the Americans.

Lovelady’s force and half of Hansen’s soon came to grips just south of Ster around midday. The Americans unleashed a whole squadron of M5’s at the SS infantry, supported by GI’s and M3’s as well as a heavy artillery capability. This artillery removed a lone German AT battery that had just deployed and seemingly left the M5’s free to roam? The M5 squadron (3 platoons) attacked a platoon of the enemy and failed to inflict any damage. The SS countered by throwing more men into the close battle. Armed with panzerfausts, these failed also to find their target, but other damage was inflicted placing the M5 squadron in disarray. The Americans pounded this hex twice with OBA in quick succession but as well as demoralizing the enemy, they also caused a lot of damage to their own armour too consigning them to their fate. Another German platoon entered the assault, whilst some of their demoralized comrades left or regained composure and this completed the destruction of American armour here. Suddenly, initiative had swung the Germans way.

To the north-east at Renardmont, the Americans were struggling here too. Again they nibbled at the periphery of the town, but the Germans defending, plus the fast approaching HMG reinforcements transported in Hanomags put off any US ambitions here. The Americans began to drift away from their attack positions veering west in what seemed a plan to link up with other US troops. Whilst doing this, a platoon of M4’s had to run the gauntlet of the Pumas guns but survived. But one unlucky infantry platoon were rendered useless as German HMG fire tore them apart. Back over in the west south of Ster, word was coming through that more Germans were heading their way. Lovelady threw in his foot troops. A gun battle followed with casualties to both sides. But the killer blow came when the Americans saw their Engineers completely shot to bits and another half infantry platoon becoming casualties as their German counterparts aimed with deadly accuracy. Losses had become more than the American commander could stand and the battle was given up. Points totals had the Americans claiming 4 enemy steps and 9 town hexes for 13 pts. The Germans claimed 18 step equivalents and 15 town hexes for 33 points. Road control was not considered at this stage (1245 hours – Turn 10).

I set up in the opposite town to the previous AAR. I thought this was more defendable and easily 'supportable' in that the Americans could only get one third of their force their in quick time. The rest would have to trudge towards it. This is one HOT scenario .... A huge amount of replay value because the small amount of Germans can set up in ANY town hex over the 4 boards and they are hidden. The American entry of each of the 3 task-forces is only 66% certain to come on each turn and the German reinforcements only a 50% chance. So the variables are huge. Add to this a string of German lucky rolls in turns 9 and 10 2, 12 & 12) and it is easy to see how this scenario can swing either way. Great entertainment 5 points Mr Perryman !