**First Strike Towards Hamich - The Matrix Games version of West Front

[Hamich, East of Aachen]:[H2H]:[HIS]:[BB]:One of the main goals of General Major Collins' VII. US Corps during the great November offensive was the capture of the so called Hamich Ridge. This stretch of high ground sealed off the entrance of the Wehebach valley towards the Düren plain west of the Roer river. Designated for the attack were the 1st Infantry Division, with 9th Division's 47th Regiment attached, and CCB of the 3rd Armored Division. The plan was to lead the attack with 3 Infantry batallions: I/16 would attack out of Schevenhuette through the Daens Forest towards Hamich, I/47 would attack Gressenich from the woods to the south of it, thus covering the left flank of I/16 and opening the road for tanks after Gressenich had been captured. II/26 would protect the right flank of I/16 by attacking north through the Laufenburger forest on the right side of the valley road leading from Schevenhuette to the twin towns Juengersdorf-Langerwehe. CCB consisting of Taskforce "Lovelady" and Taskforce "Mills" was ordered to capture the villages of Werth, Hasterath, Scherpenseel and Kottenich. Opposing the Americans was the seasoned 48th Grenadier Regiment of the 12th Infantry Division, flanked on the right by elements of Grenadier Regiment 89 of the same division and Grenadier Regiment 984 of the 275th Infantry Division. The Germans had had no less than 6 weeks to build up their defensive positions. This scenario depicts the opening hours of the offensive in this sector from noon till dusk, November 16.