1st Chronicles Of V Panzer Army DAR

[Cole]

Here's the current situation at the end of Turn 41 and my plans after I played Turn 42.

It would be suicidal for me to order Kampfgruppe Telkmap forward even with the fire advantage from the hill. The Americans would eventually retire, I think, but not before my combat power had been reduced so much that I would not have a chance to take the fords. I am repositioning to help the unopposed 293rd VG move against St. Vith from the north.

During the last two turns I took advantage of the fact that American artillery was only directed towards Kampfgruppe Telkamp (about 15 batteries) and also against my drive coming from Schoenburg (15-20 batteries) by launching assaults against both fords to the south. I am taking heavy losses but the Americans are also having a rough time of it and it seems that I'm keeping American tanks down here and not against my main thrust.



Here's the action just north of Burg Rueland. American op fire was accurate and deadly but reinforcements were able to score kills of their own and make two Engineer platoons retreat. I expect losses from artillery this next turn.




Great screen shot below of my initial advance up the ridge towards St. Vith. During the replay of the American turn I noticed that Steve had placed a tank platoon on either side of the road. Discretion was the better part of valor because any direct fire attack would of been met by op fire from three panzer units and Engineers. One tank unit and a loaded truck retreated to the hex just north of where my Tiger and other ttanks are now. If that tank opens up I'll take some losses.

Because I saw two tank units retreat I decided to take a risk and move my Tiger along the road to discover the expected ambush from the wooded hex overlooking the road. Sure enough there were two platoons of infantry and an AT gun but all op fire easily bounced off the Tiger's armor. Another panzer platoon moved up and caused another infantry platoon to retreat. I know had visions of overrunning the AT gun and trucks and spent valuable fire against the other platoon. The other platoon retreated but if there are other tank platoons nearby then I might be in trouble. Halftracks quickly overran the AT gun and caused the trucks to retreat but did not spot other tanks. Find out soon enough.