1st Chronicles Of V Panzer Army DAR

[Cole]

Kampfgruppe Telkamp advance continues, so far unhindered. One column has broken off to the west in order to grab the 500 VP hex at Trois Points. The two panzer platoons discovered the small bridge crossing the Warche River was too small and now have to turn around. I believe the remaining howitzer batteries in this area were able to load up and escape. I spotted a truck fleeing west but could not tell if it was loaded or not.

The main body of the Kampfgruppe has seized the ridge to the west of Born and are about to continue the advance on St. Vith. A small recon group probes to the NE and guards the rear.



The 116th Panzer Division continues it's run of bad luck. Sherman tanks from the west bank of the Our River destroyed many panzers and my remaining panzers were not able to harm the lone Sherman platoon that remained in LOS. Losses are heavy here. Even with overwhelming fire my infantry in the woods could only make one of the two American platoons retreat and now will have to suffer the full brunt of directed artillery.



In Schoenburg at least two companies worth of infantry that rushed down the hill to occupy the wooded ford hexes were wiped out by a strong combination of artillery, AA guns, and infantry fire. No spotters remained to direct my artillery at the opening of my turn but most of my fire did still land in the designated hexes. I did not see retreating units but think I scored a few disruptions as I was able to find out later.

The screen shot below shows the beginning of my turn. Last turn I took a risk and moved my PZ-IVs into the wood hex behind where they are positioned on the screen shot figuring that if Steve went to engage them with his tank destroyers they would either have to remain in LOS at the bottom of a hill or spend vital movement points climbing back up the hill. I would also be able to keep the hex that is covered by smoke in LOS for my artillery. That hex contained an AA gun and two of those nasty Quad .50 cal trucks. The AA guns engaged my panzers along with three platoons of tank destroyers but besides a destroyed panzer and another platoon retreating after another panzer suffered a hit the remainder of my tanks held their ground. My turn opened with a heavy artillery barrage. The smoke laid by the American engineers helped keep the damage down but every unit was disrupted, especially those engineers.

After the barrage lifted the Battalion Commander moved his PZ-IV platoons forward immediately drawing OP fire from at least two tank destroyer platoons (located just N of the smoke filled hex with AA). The German tanks survived the 250 meter dash down the hill side and then destroyed 7 American tanks. The Battalion Commander then radioed in the fact that a good portion of the American tanks were too busy engaging his command to do anything about an attack from Schoenburg itself.



My engineers began the assault by rushing through the woods and came upon the smoke filled AA gun position from the rear easily capturing the gun crews that were only coming out from cover after the artillery strike. The American engineers that survived the artillery barrage did not surrender but run up the hill for cover.

Next a Panther platoon climbed the hill above Schoenburg and cleared out an infantry unit hidden in orchards overlooking the road.

In the city my infantry vanguard only consisted of a MG and the ENG platoon that had already captured the AA guns. With the first hex of the road cleared by the Panthers the MG served as a scout and began to advance along the road. They were engaged by another infantry platoon hidden in the orchards on the hill top and went for cover. I had to clear the disrupted engineers in order to discover the remaining American tanks and try to destroy them before they could strike back next turn. Two STG panzers moved up and were able to send rout the panicked engineers up the hill.


The lead tank commander was brave and taking the initiative decided to enter the village hex by a narrow side road. He located at least five platoons of American tanks which were quickly engaged by panzers on the opposite bank. Once these tanks were destroyed another tank platoon from Schoenburg discovered four half track platoons, two of which had AA guns. Two platoons were engaged and destroyed but two were able to retreat up the hill after suffering disruption and losses.



Two panther platoons spotted a howitzer battery but were ordered to retreat as the Americans sill held the hill top and American infantry were spotted on the river bottom.

Next turn I will give an overall review of the battle. The big question is where are the American reinforcements. Are they ready to smash into my forces in Schoenburg or did Steve have to rush some back to engage Kampfgruppe Telkamp?