Autumn Fog - Axis

[MikeJ19]

Some interesting options for me today.

Top left – I’m going to keep attacking towards the South, the focus will be on the two positions on the road nearest the bridge. I need to open up some more room. 183 VGD will engage by attacking across the bridge. I will also attack the recce element on the West side of my penetration. Overall, the idea is to create an opening for me to exploit.

Top Right – I’m going to attack Elsenborn again. Also, gran the open ground across the river. Really, I’m just trying to annoy the Americans here. It would be great if I could eventually cut of the Americans East of Elsenborn, but this is unlikely.

Bottom – For the most part, I’m going to set the new Southern boundary along the river. I would also like to complete the destruction of the 28th Inf HQ and hopefully the Artillery regiment. I think that the 101st AB Div will soon be arriving in this area soon.

[MikeJ19]

The Americans have hit me hard in a couple of places in this sector. 2 SS Pz has a regiment reorganizing and 9 SS Pz also took a bit of a beating from 3rd Armd Div near La Roche.

West of Salmchateau, the Americans have elements from at least three divisions. The 3rd Armd is deployed North of La Roche. The 30th Inf and VII Corps elements are North of Manhay. Finally, the 82nd AB is deployed South of Trois Ponts. Some elements of the b2nd are in the vicinity of Malemdy as well.

This is going to be an interesting battle. I should not have pushed the regiment of 2 SS Pz so far ahead of the rest of the division. I was getting caught up in my success. So, I have to be careful of not repeating that mistake.

116 Pz is going to cross at Malmedy and advance a little along the road towards Stavelot.

2 Pz is going to rest this afternoon – they have been in some heavy fighting and I want them ready to exploit – not sure in which direction at the moment.

130 Pz Lehr is going to attack towards Trois Ponts along with some of the VGD elements near them.

2 SS Pz is going to move towards the US 30th Inf – I want to freeze them in place. 9 Pz will move towards Manhay to support them.

9 SS Pz, along with H Goring Div, are going to surround the two regiments of 3rd Amrd and launch an attack to start their destruction.

12 SS Pz is going to follow 9 Pz North.

272 and 326 VGD will attack the 82nd AB. 15 Pz Gren are going to move into location to support this attack.

25 Pz Gren is also going to move forward, I want them in place to follow either 15 Pz Gren or 130 Pz Lehr.

This is a lot of moving parts and should be interesting!

[MikeJ19]

Christmas is coming ...

[MikeJ19]

A view in the North - the Brits remain in position.

[MikeJ19]

The loss of the regiment from 116 Pz outside of Malmedy was a big disappointment. However, I have been able to get across the river at Malmedy in force, once again threatening the American positions South of Trois Ponts.

Further West, I have encircled two plus Regts of the 3rd Armd Div and hope to destroy them today. Also, I want to push around the elements of 30th Inf and VII Corps and push towards Stoumont.

116 Pz will continue to advance towards Stavelot and Trois Ponts.

2 Pz is going to follow beind 116 Pz, providing protection to the North and East.

26 and 560 VGD will try again to get into Elsenborn. The Americans in the town are very low on health.

130 Pz Lehr will continue to attack towards Trois Ponts along with some of the VGD elements near them.

2 SS Pz and 9 Pz will attack the US units around Werbomont. I would like to have 2 SS Pz move towards Stoumont, but this will likely be tomorrow at the earliest.

9 SS Pz, along with H Goring Div, will continue their attacks on the two regiments of 3rd Amrd.

12 SS Pz is going to follow 9 Pz North.

272 and 326 VGD will attack the 82nd AB. 15 Pz Gren will join this attack.

25 Pz Gren will hold in place ready to follow either 15 Pz Gren or 130 Pz Lehr.

10 SS will advance to St. Vith and then North towards Malmedy. Hopefully, they will be crossing at Malmedy late today or early tomorrow.

This is a lot of moving parts and should be interesting!

[MikeJ19]

The situation near Wiltz - the Screaming Eagles (101st AB) have arrived on the scene.

[MikeJ19]

3rd Armd losses two regiments

[MikeJ19]

The overall situation

[MikeJ19]

The situation in the North - the Brits remain quiet.

[MikeJ19]

The situation near Hofen

[MikeJ19]

The battle along the river line from Robertville to Trois Ponts has been very fluid. I have had some success and am threatening the capture of Trois Ponts today, but I have lost the bridgehead at Malmedy.

Further West, I was successful in the destruction of the two plus Regts of the 3rd Armd Div. I did not make much headway against the elements of 30th Inf and VII Corps.

Today, I would like to advance out out of Malmedy, capture Trois Ponts and continue the push towards Stoumont.

A couple of surprising observations in this sector – my troops in the area around Stavelot are supplied – not sure how. While the Americans (82nd AB) South of Trois Ponts are not getting supplies – which I think they should be.

This continues to be a fun sector.

[sPzAbt653]

my troops in the area around Stavelot are supplied – not sure how

It looks like there is a gap north of those units [leading to Spa] thru which supplies can flow [if linked to another gap somewhere on the map].

the Americans (82nd AB) South of Trois Ponts are not getting supplies

Because those units are surrounded by enemy zoc's and badlands, I think.

[MikeJ19]

Steve,

It must be a very weird and long path for my units near Stavelot - they are not getting much supply though. As for the 82 AB, I think you are correct, my zoc's and the badlands will be preventing resupply.

Thanks for the input.

Have a good day,

[MikeJ19]

The situation on my southern flank. I know that I have units farther South, but they have not be activated yet. The Americans are trying to get me to activate them by launching attacks East of Luxembourg. The attacks have not caused me enough issues to trigger activation. In fact, I like that the 4th (US) Armd is engaging in that sector.

[MikeJ19]

The skies are still cloudy, but my planes have arrived.

[MikeJ19]

The situation near Hongen

[MikeJ19]

A look at my air force

[MikeJ19]

The situation near Hofen

[MikeJ19]

The battles around Malmedy continue to be fierce. Where possible I will rest units today, I have some units that really need a break.

Starting in the SW corner, I will use 9 Pz to freeze 3rd Armd. This US division has lost two regiments, but is still a force. I like it where it is, so I can let 9 Pz take a break while holding the units in place.

H Goring Division is going to head North towards Combain au Pont. From there, they can head towards Aywaille, which will cut the supply lines to all the Americans South of the Ambleve R.

9 Pz and 2 SS will rest for the most part. 12 SS will swing West of 9 Pz and then follow H Goring North.

15 Pz Gren will continue to push North, taking out some more of the 82nd.

130 Pz lehr will try to grab Trois Ponts. If I can achieve that, I will start swinging 116 Pz towards Spa.

Elements of 3 Pz Gren, 2 Pz and 116 Pz will try to push the Americans back around Malmedy.

[MikeJ19]

Although I would love to hit the 101st hard again, this morning is going to be a rest day – for the most part.

I will tweak the defence in front of Bastogne, but otherwise entrench and rest a little.

Along the Sure R, I will continue to dig in and rest. It is time to bring back the units South of the River.

In the East, 5 and 7 FJD will dig in some more. The lead elements of an American division is heading North on the South edge of the map. I need to be ready for their arrival.