Drive to Bastogne (version 3.0) - The Matrix Games version of West Front

Bastogne, Belgium (Best played Human vs Human). The Battle of the Bulge has been raging for a full week. As the German spearheads make a desperate lunge for the Meuse River bridges, the 26th VG Division, supported by the 901st PG Regiment from the Panzer Lehr Division, is charged with capturing the vital crossroads town of Bastogne. In the German's path stands the American 101st Airborne Division supported by, among others, the 705th TD battalion, elements of the 9th and 10th Armored Divisions, and some 130 artillery pieces. The American force is strong, but cannot hold out indefintely. In response to the German threat, the US 3rd Army begins to wheel 90 degrees from their positions south of the Bulge, and by the morning of December 22nd, III Corps is prepared to counterattack in earnest. Spearheading the effort to relieve Bastogne is the veteran 4th Armored Division. Though understrength in both infantry and tanks as a result of recent weeks of fighting in the Lorraine and Saar regions, they are urged by Patton to "drive like hell" in their assault on the German defenses. As the Germans continue their own drive for Bastogne, the 5th FJ Division moves into defensive position along the roads leading north toward Bastogne. During the day on the 22nd, elements of CCB and CCA begin to engage the forward elements of the 5th FJ near the towns of Burnon and Martelange. On December 23rd, the stage is set: after a snowfall and plunging temperatures the night before, the cloud cover finally breaks, allowing the Americans to conduct a resupply of the Bastogne defenders by air. The supply situation is eased by mid day, and they are able to continue the fight within the perimeter with renewed spirit... and ammunition! Meanwhile, to the south, the 4th Armored spends the morning preparing for action. A blown bridge at Martelange is replaced by 1330, and all of the Combat Commands have moved into forward positions in preparation for a series of mid-afternoon assaults. The winter day is short, however, and as the action begins, there are but three hours of daylight left in which to pursue Patton's goal of breaking through to Bastogne. DEDICATION: During the course of my research for this scenario, I developed personal correspondence with many members of the 4th Armored Division. There are too many to name here, but among them were (by rank at the time of the engagement) Major Albin Irzyk, CO 8th Tank Battalion (CCB), Captain Jimmie Leach, CO of Company B, 37th Tank Battalion, and First Lt. John Whitehill, CO Company A, 37th Tank Battalion (CCR). The information provided by all of the first hand participants in the drive to Bastogne was invaluable, particularly in regard to the strength and composition of the 4th Armored Division's tank battalions on December 23. It was indeed my honor and privilege to meet and/or correspond with members of the 4th AD, and this scenario is dedicated to them.