In the morning assaults the 26th Volksgrenadier Division achieved all of its initial objectives on the German left. They managed to essentially trap one US Battalion while cutting another one in half. While doing this they have only suffered minor losses and some of their “Green” units and one battalion staff in the 77th Grenadiers have improved as a result of their experience in seizing Hosingen

On the German right, things have not gone so well for the 2nd Panzer Division as it has tried to create a bridgehead to bring its armor across the Our river. Operating without their normal armor support has been difficult for the infantry of the division. On the far right a half-hearted probe by the I Bn, 304 Panzer Grenadiers came to a quick halt once they discovered that Fishbach was more heavily defended than expected by the XLVII Panzer Corps Intelligence staff.

Far worse for the Germans was the action at Marnach on the Skyline Drive, where the 2nd Panzer Grenadier Regiment, with its two organic battalions reinforced by II Bn, 304th Panzer Grenadiers could not force the US defender (RHQ/110th & 2/110th Infantry) from defensive positions in and around Marnach. Most notable was the loss of the entire II Bn, 2nd Panzer Grenadiers who were caught in a crossfire between the US units in Marnach and a forest to the northeast. This crossing direct fire and some expertly called indirect fire support from 103rd US Field Artillery Battalion wreaked havoc on the II Bn, 2nd PzGr as they struggled to get out of the US’s carefully planned kill zone. However, these losses were not enough to cause the entire German force to break. With the US also showing no signs of breaking, likely spurred on by the devastating fire they unleashed in the kill zone, the German attackers “went to ground” to await further reinforcements in order renew the attack in the afternoon.

Battles for 16DEC44 AM Turn:

Scenario I - "Slaughter of the Innocents"

Germans Win. Provisional BN loses two Infantry Platoons and falls back to Zone 9. No German Losses.

German Battle Report: The 39th Fusilier Regiment crossed the Our river in-masse and secured the left flank of XLVII Panzer Corps advance into Belgium. No losses were sustained by the 39th in their heroic maiden action, spearheading the great German offensive.

Scenario II - "Fury of the 77th Grenadiers"

Germans Win. US loses Bn HQ on initial Rocket bombardment. US also loses three infantry, one MG, one Mortar, a M16 and a 40mm AAA support stand. Germans lose two infantry stands.

German Battle Report: The 77th Volksgrenadier Regiment attacked the center sector of the American 28th Division at the same time following on the heals of a heavy barrage of guns and rockets from both division and corps batteries. The first battalion advanced against the town of Hosingen supported by the second battalion on its right and more distantly by third battalion on the extreme left. Minor casualties were sustained by the regiment in this action.

The division artillery control teams accurately called in fire on the American positions and completely disrupted their communications during the action.

The third battalion advance was severely delayed by a failure of the catering corps to provide adequate supplies of hot strudel for breakfast. This caused the battalion to arrive almost two hours later into the action than the rest of the regiment, and a stern note was delivered to the army catering corps with regard to timely delivery of rations prior to regimental combat operations.

Scenario III - "Skyline Drive"

US Wins.

Battle Report to be written.

Scenario IV - "Recon in Force"

US wins. Germans fall back after losing a full company (three infantry and one MG stand). US loses three infantry stands.

German Battle Report:

HQ 1/304th Panzer Grenadier Regiment

Under orders for a limited advance to probe the extreme right flank of the American 28th division line, elements of the 1/304th advanced in a battalion strength probe through Hournochied under heavy artillery support from XLVII corps batteries. The heavy undergrowth delayed the advance on the left, while a heavy American artillery barrage halted the panzergrenadiers advance on the right. Heavy casualties were sustained in the barrage and the 1/304th Commander Called of the probe.

Next Turn - 16DEC44 - PM