A Surprise for Patton's Best (v3.0) - The Matrix Games version of West Front

Chaumont, Belgium. (Best Played Human vs Human). When the call went out for the 4th Armored Division to lead the relief effort towards Bastogne, it was CCB that spearheaded the drive north. After a dazzling but trying 22 hour journey, CCB arrived southeast of Bastogne at about 2300 hours on December 19, and established a bivouac area near the town of Vaux les Rosieres. Temporarily findng themselves under the umbrella of VIII Corps, they were ordered to send a task force (TF Ezell) into Bastogne itself. The task force did not remain there for long, however. Before it could be committed to action at Bastogne, it was ordered back to rejoin CCB, whereupon the entire Combat Command was released from VIII Corps and reassigned to III Corps, and ordered to move further south to the town of Leglise. From this position, it prepared to commence a counterattack against the southern flank of the German "bulge". The lead elements of CCB set out at 0430 on the morning of the 22nd . They headed away from Bastogne, traveling to the southeast along the Neufshateau/Arlon highway, until they reached the village of Beheme. At 0600 hours, they started their advance to the north, with very limited intelligence about the disposition of enemy forces between them and Bastogne. Their advance took them through the tight confines of the Foret Dandier, and they emerged at the town of Fauvillers without encountering any resistance. But from that point forward, it was anyone's guess as to what they could expect. As CCB pressed northward, the German 5th Parachute Division and its attached elements were scrambling to set up defensive positions along the approaches to Bastogne. The 26th VG Division, which was charged with capturing Bastogne, was counting heavily upon the 5th FJ to watch its back as it continued to attack the 101st Airborne Division. Both the 4th Armored and the 5th FJ were in a race against time. HISTORICAL NOTE: When CCB arrived at the Sure River bridge south of Burnon, it was found to be destroyed. The Engineers rapidly constructed a bridge before nightfall, and the advance continued. For the purposes of this scenario, the bridge is intact, since construction cannot be performed in this game format. DEDICATION: This scenario is dedicated to (Ret) Brig. Gen. Albin F Irzyk, who commanded the 8th Tank Battalion of the Fourth Armored Division during the Second World War (he had assumed command of the battalion on December 3, two weeks before the start of the Battle of the Bulge). I had the distinct honor and privilege of getting to know Al Irzyk during my research, and our many conversations were invaluable for refining the order of battle for this engagement.