Panzer Grenadier Battles on November 21st:
Desert Rats #16 - The Panzers Pull Back Desert Rats #19 - The Panzers Return
Desert Rats #17 - The Tomb Of Sidi Rezegh Jungle Fighting #7 - Line Of Departure
Desert Rats #18 - A Pibroch's Skirl South Africa's War #5 - Irish Eyes
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High Ground by Daylight
Go for Broke #3
(Defender) Germany vs United States (Attacker)
Formations Involved
Germany 3rd Panzergrenadier Division
United States 100th "Purple Heart" Infantry Battalion
Display
Balance:



Overall balance chart for GofB003
Total
Side 1 1
Draw 0
Side 2 2
Overall Rating, 3 votes
5
4
3
2
1
3.67
Scenario Rank: --- of 940
Parent Game Go for Broke
Historicity Historical
Date 1943-10-20
Start Time 23:00
Turn Count 26
Visibility Night
Counters 69
Net Morale 0
Net Initiative 1
Maps 2: 14, 5
Layout Dimensions 86 x 28 cm
34 x 11 in
Play Bounty 162
AAR Bounty 171
Total Plays 3
Total AARs 1
Battle Types
Hill Control
Inflict Enemy Casualties
Rural Assault
Conditions
Off-board Artillery
Reinforcements
Scenario Requirements & Playability
Eastern Front Maps + Counters
Elsenborn Ridge Counters
Go for Broke Base Game
Road to Berlin Maps
Introduction

The 133rd Infantry Regiment was to spearhead an effort to secure the town of Sant' Angelo d'Alife. Their first objective was to reach the two junctions in the foothills below the village. The 100th Battalion was to secure the upper road junction while the 1st Battalion followed to take the lower road junction. Strong opposition was expected and Colonel Ray Fountain had warned his battalion commanders that if their men were caught out in the open at daylight the German response would be swift and deadly.

Conclusion

At 1800 the Americans moved out with the Nisei initially making excellent progress. Upon reaching the hills around midnight things turned sour. Heavy and accurate fire stopped their advance cold and the 1st Battalion was diverted to their aid with 3rd Battalion ordered to take upper junction. It was to no avail as the Germans were too strong to be driven from their positions.


Display Order of Battle

Germany Order of Battle
Heer
  • Towed
United States Order of Battle
Army

Display Errata (1)

1 Errata Item
Overall balance chart for 20

The reduced direct fire value of the Heer HMG became 5-5 starting with Fall of France.

(plloyd1010 on 2015 Jul 31)

Display AARs (1)

Dissolve
Author Matt W
Method Solo
Victor United States
Play Date 2011-11-24
Language English
Scenario GofB003

At this point I have played a large number of PG scenarios and I continue to be amazed how strong defensive positions can be degraded so that, in a single 15 minute period, they simply disappear. In this one the Germans are facing a force about 60% larger than their own but one that arrives disjointedly. It is also night and the Germans have hidden units so their very presence is clouded to the Americans. The final piece of the puzzle is that the Americans have to assault through a very constricted front so the Germans can mass sufficiently as to prevent any infiltration.

The Nisei battalion stumbles into a prepared German position about a kilometer from the hill which is their objective and suffers 4 step losses in a single turn with the expected disruption and demoralization that comes with that. The Germans have come through the initial contact without a scratch. Feeling a certain amount of comfort that they have the Nisei on the ropes (and the knowledge that they have an hour or more before the American reinforcements can reach the battle) the Germans commit their reserves with the hope of savaging the Nisei sufficiently to effectively remove them from the battle.

At this point, the American commander is thinking that perhaps a withdrawl to recover is in order. On the other hand, there is one flanking German platoon that looks a bit vulnerable. What the heck, we're in position to try one assault, let's hang on for another 15 minutes and see what develops.

Of course, the assault acheives some success and the artillery has some effect on the defenders who become disrupted leading to more assaults and an hour later the loss of seven German steps in two turns as the units which had become disrupted, subsequently become demoralized, fled and were hunted down and destroyed. The Nisei also experienced significant losses but were able to retain their effectiveness and support the assault of the reinforcing battalion about an hour and a half later which broke the back of the second German line.

The nighttime action causes nearly everything that occurs (including artillery fire) to have immediate and deadly effect. Outside of the night action this is a straightforward infantry assault. The short front precludes any dashing maneuvers. I give it a "3".

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