Played face-to-face against Matt W.

I was looking forward to playing the German in this scenario because it would give me an opportunity to send enemies to the dead pile, something I had not done in my last 4 games against Matt.

The Americans set a unit and a leader in the small western town, a roadblock on each on the north-south and east-west roads, and the remaining units in the central town or next to the central town.

I sent my southern group far to the west, with the intent of taking the small western town before moving towards the central town. I ordered my eastern group to first obliterate the roadblock on the east-west road because I did not want an enemy leader in my back to spot my recovering units without the aid of illumination shells.

My general idea was to attack the central town with the group who first completed its initial task and to use the other group as a tactical reserve to apply pressure where and when needed.

The southern group was able to move into assault range of the western with just a couple of disruption and demoralization as the American artillery was focused elsewhere. A few platoons assaulted the town and the Americans decided to make it easy for me by failing morale, a story that was to be repeated all day. Thirty minutes later, the western town was under my control.

The eastern group was not making as quick progress because the roadblock, aided by artillery, proved to be more resilient. But it was just a question of time and one hour later, the roadblock was no more.

I ordered the eastern group to move in directly on a kilometer-wide front, to put pressure on all but one or two pockets of defenders. I ordered the southern group to attack the northwestern part of town, but with a few units in reserve ready to react to the American reserves.

I assaulted the town with combine arms and achieve early success when the Americans lost two steps of infantry. To make matters worse, the Americans decided to avenge their fallen and sent their reserve to destroy my armor. Three more American infantry steps were lost in a scenario in which the Germans had a 2:1 total direct fire advantage.

It was just a question of time after that as other than the artillery, the Americans had not enough firepower available to disrupt my units which would jump into assault. The American soldiers had no will left to fight and they failed morale check after morale check.

It was all over after 12 or 13 turns; German major victory!

I rate this scenario a weak “4”. While I enjoyed sending Matt’s troops to the dead pile, I did not have to make many difficult decisions.

I think this is a good solo scenario if you want to try a new defensive strategy while the other scenario we played that afternoon, #13 from Elsenborn Ridge, is a good scenario if you want to try a new offensive strategy.