Leutnant Beinsen's Lucky Day - The Matrix Games version of West Front

(Version 1.1, 03-10-2003 designed for PBEM and Online play) December 18 1944, after two days of heavy fighting in the 109th Regiments sector in the Bulge, it became clear that Colonel Rudder's men could not much longer hold off the attack of the 352. Volksgrenadier Division. The Regiment's attempt by A and B Co. supported by a platoon of Shermans of C co. of the 707th TB to relieve the surrounded E Company in Fouhren had failed and E Co. was now considered lost. The 109th was not anymore capable of more than merely a delaying fight to make an orderly retreat possible. On the German side "Kampfgruppe Beinsen" stood ready to attack and capture the important road intersections of Selz and Bleesbruck, which 3rd Co. of the 916th Regiment had failed to take the previous day as they unexpectedly clashed upon A Co. of the 109th on it's way from Diekirch to relieve E. Co. at Fouhren. At the same time, as E company at Fouhren was silenced, the Volksgrenadiers of the 2nd Batt. of the 915th Reg. prepared to move towards Tandel and Bastendorf. It was going to be a long day.... For Leutnant Beinsen the attack was to be shortlived however... He was shot through the shoulder and through the front of his helmet, but miraculously the bullet went out at the top, only tearing up the skin on his skull. The Leutnant survived because he had forgotten to tighten the chin strap of his helmet!... It was also the fight in which both Lt. Col. "Jungle Jim" Rosborough commander of the 107th FAB and Captain Paul Gaynor, commander of the 109th's AT Co. won the DSC for outstanding bravery.