Bastogne 1944 PBEM AAR Wehrmacht

[Mad Cow]

Bastogne '44

Wehrmacht: Mad Cow
US Army: jlbetin

Here is my initial plan. Panzer Lehr and 26th VG division will attack directly towards Bastogne. The 2nd Panzer Division will attack north of Bastogne, towards Noville int he opening phase and the 5th FJ with recon elements of the Panzer Lehr division will open up towards Villers La. The attack to the far south of Bastogne is more to keep the Americans honest than to actually bust into the rear of Bastogne. I hope to keep the Americans tied down there so I will have a better chance advancing in the north.

If all goes well, the attacks straight on to Bastogne and tot he North of Bastogne will work the American defense into a pocket, so that I can destroy the airborne and scratch units defending the city and then form to defend against Patton later in the game.

[Mad Cow]

the initial plan, red is phase 1, blue is phase two and yellow is the final phase of the offensive.

[Mad Cow]

Turn 3: so far so good. the 2nd Pz is pushing to the north and Pz Lehr is dealing with frontal American defenses on the road to Bastogne.

To the south (not pictured, the FJ division advances behind Panzer Lehr's recon battalion with ease.

[Mad Cow]

By turn 5 I have pretty much abandoned my initial plan. In one of the spur of the moment decisions I tend to make, I decide to rush as many units as I can possibly send north to enforce the 2nd Panzer's flanking attack around the American lines. I am hoping to reach the end of his defensive line and then roll his flank to the south. The problem is that I allowed the 2Pz, PzLehr and 26 VG to get very mixed up, this caused some chaotic battles in future.

I thought I might have forced my opponent to defend the middle of the map while I could drive with relative ease to the north and around his main defenses.

[Mad Cow]

My attack tot he south on turn 5 has developed into battle at Lutermange between the 5th FJ Division and elements of the US 101st AB division.

[Mad Cow]

at the begining of turn 7, this is the situation. I have captured Humroulle to the north west of Bastogne and I have units in position to begin to swing south and around the city, hopefully cutting their supply.

At Luzery, northeast of Bastogne, my main thrust on the city has began to run into American airborne troops. The early fighting has been tough, but my attacks are pushing the Americans back towards the city. The supply situation in my army is getting bad.

I took too long to clear the America pockets of resistance and this hurt supply as well as the advance.

[Mad Cow]

turn 7 in the south

The 5th FJ has destroyed the Americans in fighting for Lutremange. They will now push north towards Bastogne, closing our grip on the city.

[Mad Cow]

Now the begining of turn 10.

Bastogne has been surrounded. The 5th FJ division is in Remoifosse to the south of bastogne. My flank attack from the north has so far worked. I have completed the circle and I am now bringing pressure from all sides of the city. However, I might have used to much gas to get to this position. I am not very strong right now. The 26th VG, 2nd Pz and Pz Lehr are low on supply and pretty mixed up.

Also, the American 4th division has arrived south of the 5th FJ and presents a serious problem.

Also, the snow has arrived and the Luftwaffe has been rendered useless.

[Mad Cow]

now this is the start of turn 12. The US 4th Armoured Division is in the process of breaking the ring around bastonge south of the city. I hope I can get them to join the kessel and close the door on them as well. It probably will not happen. My losses are heavy and the US air forces are starting to show in force. Supply is thin and moral is showing the signs of strain.

[Mad Cow]

It is now turn 14 and the ring around Bastonge was blown right open. My forces are too thin to attempt to assault the city, but I have captured many VP's by running wild in the American rear and breaking lines of communication. The Air Corps are really eating away at my forces. I had decided two turns ago to abandon any hopes of capturing bastogne and I have pulled my forces back to try and hold the coming counter attack when Patton shows up.

I am hoping I will be able to hang on with a draw at this point.

[Mad Cow]

the start of turn 16 and Patton has arrived. I have also been receiving pieces of the 15th Mech division over the last few turns. They offer some hope that I might be able to hold on long enough to keep that draw, but things are not looking good. Any movement at this point leads to evap from massive American interdiction.

[Mad Cow]

It is now Turn 18 and it is obvious that I am finished. I have no means to defend myself. Moving units is suicide, my best hope is to stay put and hope to eek out a draw. Even if it does end in a draw, I realize that it is a defeat for Germany. Without Bastogne the greater offensive is lost.

[Mad Cow]

situation on turn 18:

[Mad Cow]

The scenario ended on after turn 19 and the germans suffered a marginal defeat.

For some reason, I do not have the final game save file, so my opponent might have to supply the exact score.

Basically, I tried to do too much with too little, I think. I certainly did not move fast enough to achieve my goal. Once the American air forces show up, the Germans are forced to halt with whatever they have grabbed. I was certainly not daring enough.

Funny thing is, in the other game we played, this time with me as the Americans, I was too daring and lost that one as well. But thats another story.

It was a fun scenario, but very hard for the Germans, I think. My opponent did a great job of making me waste my time on his stubborn defense. That air force helped a lot, too...

:p

[jlbetin]

Dear MadCow here is the turn 19 map

Score is
Enemy held Objectives Value : 0
Enemys loss penalty : 6
Friendly hold objectives value : 20
Firendly loss penalty : 3

This is a marginal victory Value +6
Look to the US version, on this AAR forum,
http://www.warfarehq.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2745