Autumn Fog - Axis

[MikeJ19]

The sun is starting to rise and the Germans are having fun...

[MikeJ19]

The situation in the North (the new, and real, North)

[MikeJ19]

The situation near Elsenborn

[MikeJ19]

The situation near Malmedy - this is a really big opportunity for me. The 7th Armd Div is a very powerful division and if I can destroy it the Americans will have a tough time replacing it.

[MikeJ19]

I’m very surprised by how quickly I have been able to advance in this area. I have had lots of success in bypassing, surrounding and destroying the American forces in this area.

There are not many American forces visible to me to the West or the South. I have to be careful that I do not push too far too fast – out running my supply lines and maybe giving the Americans an easy flank to attack.

My supply situation is pretty good, but I should push the Supply unit forward to help maintain a good flow of supplies.

This morning, I want 1 SS to seize the crossing at Wiltz and maybe the crossroads South of the town. This should give the Americans left in the pocket North of Diekirch pause as I could turn West and hit them from the rear.

5 and 7 FJD will continue to work at destroying the American forces North of Diekirch. I moved a couple of bridging units into place before taking the screenshot ( I forgot on the afternoon of the 19th) so, this afternoon I should have the bridges up and running, which will help supplies to these two divisions.

17 SS and 9 SS are going to surround Bastogne. VIII (US) Corps with some artillery and Engineers is in the town. I want to destroy them.

There is not an obvious path for 2 SS Pz to exploit at the moment. So, I want them to seize Houffalize and pause while I move 12 SS, 9 Pz and 25 Pz Gren up behind them.

I want to move 3 FJD and 12 VGD into positions along my Southern flank. Eventually, they will be charged with holding this as my main force moves West.

[MikeJ19]

Hmmm

[MikeJ19]

The situation on the afternoon of Dec 20th.

[MikeJ19]

One turn after activating the 15th they are available.

[sPzAbt653]

One turn after activating the 15th they are available.

I was waiting for you to say that, because tripping an event is not instantaneous, but I wasn't sure if that is what you meant initially [:)]

[MikeJ19]

Makes perfect sense, that it would not be instantaneous... Just wish that I had thought of tripping it a turn ahead.

Have a good day,

[MikeJ19]

The situation North of Elsenborn

[MikeJ19]

The 7th Armd remains unsupplied, which is big news. At the same time, my paratroops in Robertville and two Regts (from 116 and 2 Pz) are also unsupplied. That should be rectified today.

For some reason, the AB element NE of Vielsam is also unsupplied. Not sure why.

This afternoon is going to be a repeat of this morning. Slowly work at destroying the 7th Armd and linking up with my unsupplied units.

I want to get the 130 Pz Lehr involved as well.

15 Pz Gren is moving westward toward Salmchateau, I want them to turn North and work their way up the Western side of the Salm R to trois Ponts.

[MikeJ19]

Turning North:

Things continue to progress well here. I’m slowly clearing the pocket of troops in the SE corner of the map area and I have captured Bastogne.

As discussed on an earlier slide, I need to start moving in a more Northerly direction. I’m going to swing, 2 SS, 12 SS, 9 SS, H Goring and 9 Pz all to the North. They are going to advance to the West of Salmchateau – through Fraiture and maybe Samree. I do not want to stray too far West at this point as it may cause me supply issues.

1 SS and 17 SS will remain in the South at the moment – I want them to deal with the known American forces between Wiltz and Bastogne. Eventually, 3 FJD and 12 VGD will take over these positions – protecting my Southern flank. At that point, at least one of the two SS divisions will remain in a reserve posture.

I got greedy and attacked Bastogne before surrounding it. The Americans retreated. Now, I have to attack them again. This time I will try to surround them first.

I should have bridges in place soon at Vianden and South of Gemund.

352 VGD 7 FJD will continue to attack the American units in the pocket.

[MikeJ19]

The overall situation

[MikeJ19]

There were some big battles in this sector yesterday. I managed to advance a little bit.

This morning, I will resume the push South. It would be really nice to seize a portion of the road leading to the bridge by the 183 VGD.

The Brits did not launch any attacks yesterday afternoon, hopefully they stay quiet for the foreseeable future.

[MikeJ19]

An opportunity North of Elsenborn

[MikeJ19]

The arrival of the Big Red One into the sector is the biggest news. The 1st Inf Div easily retook Robertville from my paratroopers. It will be interesting to see if they try to come South to relieve the 7th Armd.

2 Pz will continue to wear down the 7th Armd Div. The pocket is getting smaller for this division.

In a bit of a change of plan, the 130 Pz Lehr is going to attack the para company South of Stavelot. I want to grab the roads in this area – cutting off supply to the two regts facing 116 Pz.

In many ways, I want to advance out of Malmedy, but I worry about over extending my forces. The Americans have reinforcements coming South towards Malmedy and I do not want to get pushed back hard. At the same time, getting a bridgehead over the river would be a very good idea. So, I will advance a little.

[MikeJ19]

The situation West of Salmchateau

[MikeJ19]

The situation in the South - well the South where there is fighting...

[MikeJ19]

The American response has arrived...