Autumn Fog - Allied

[MikeJ19]

Good evening,

I'm going to take on this new challenge. This looks like a very interesting scenario with a slight twist from the historical battle.

I'm going to play the Allies in this one. My approach, initially, will be different from normal.

I’m going to respond to this scenario over the first few turns as the Americans did – with lots of confusion. I’m going to limit my initial moves to fixing the line and getting units out of trouble. The focus will be a the brigade and division level.

As the game evolves, I will slowly switch to fighting this at a higher level. At that stage, I will look at the forces involved – on both sides – as I develop a plan to stop the attack and then to push back. I hope to start this switch around Dec 19 or 20. Unless, the Germans are pushing too hard and I feel like jumping in earlier...

[MikeJ19]

Here is a map from Dec 15th, 1944.

[larryfulkerson]

Is it okay if I expose your map?

[MikeJ19]

Thank you, Larry. I thought I missed something...

[MikeJ19]

Here is the situation late afternoon on Dec 16th.

The Germans have a shock level of 115 and mine is 90.

[MikeJ19]

It is hard not to starting planning the big picture...

[larryfulkerson]

I for one am excited for you because this scenario is one of the better ones and I'd be curious to see how Elmer handles the various broken bridges that you ARE going to blow, starting as soon as your commanders figure out that it's more than a probe, I'm guessing. I played the Axis side myself not long ago and I remember the major hassle it is to fix a broken bridge in the face of enemy fire and the fact that armor and mechanized can't enter a broken super river hex even with ferry engineers present unless and until the bridge is fixed. So you almost have to have a foot-movement unit in the hex to protect the engineers while they fix the bridge which will then have to be removed along with the engineers so as not to have a cherry red density hex for the armor unit to advance through. It's a multi-step process is what I'm saying. I'm wondering how Elmer will handle it since it's a little complicated. Elmer is pretty good at attacking however so you should get a good game out of this one. It's also going to be interesting whether and when Elmer will release the northern and southern wings of the front lines. They start the game in garrison mode and there's a unit that needs to be disbanded to wake up the garrison mode troops of either wing and I'm wondering about that since you are the Allies. I'm wondering if you have to stop the German side long enough to disband one or more of the disband units yourself to get something started.

At any rate, have fun with it.

[MikeJ19]

Larry,

Thanks, I am looking forward to this one too. I will start planning probably on the morning of 18 Dec... It is hard not to jump in. The destruction of the bridges is a key question. Do I want to leave them for my use - if the Germans leave them standing as they pull out.

I am also intrigued by the flanking units and when they will get involved. As I am not trying to plan at high level, I have not really looked at the notes.

Should be fun.

[MikeJ19]

A quick update before I head to work. Senior Allied commanders are starting to think that something is up. There is unease as there was no indication of a major attack from the Intelligence folks.

[MikeJ19]

It is time to start planning the response to this attack

[larryfulkerson]

Hey Mike:
The Germans get some paratroopers in T2 I think, and I'm wondering where they put their DZ and did they perform any useful function for the Axis side. There's only the one unit and it's easy to waste a mission with them unless they are used right and Elmer doesn't always know how to do that.

[MikeJ19]

Larry,

The paratroopers landed on turn 2 West of St. Vith. They have not done much at all. They were/are a little nuisance.

That being said, they are a very small unit and I'm not sure what else they could achieve, other than cutting supply to one of my units.

Have a good evening,

[larryfulkerson]

Is it okay if I expose your picture?

[MikeJ19]

Larry,

Not sure why I keep forgetting to display the picture. Thanks for the assist.

Have a good day

[MikeJ19]

Starting to plan my response. Here is a look at what I think the Germans are trying to do.

[MikeJ19]

This is a big area, so the next four posts look at the terrain. Starting to the North and working South.

[MikeJ19]

Around St. Vith

[MikeJ19]

Around Bastogne

[MikeJ19]

Finally, in the Southern part. If required, I will look at the ground to the West later in the battle. Right now, I'm hoping that I do not have to fight in it...

[MikeJ19]

Here is a look at the forces at hand on 18 Dec. It is a lot of units.