Second Attempt at the Loshiem Gap

[MikeJ19]

D2 2017 – What next?

US Forces
Option 1 – stay in place and try to hold Schnee Eifel
Option 2 – try to escape at Andler or Schonberg
Option 3 – counter attack towards Manderfeld

Option 2 is most likely

What should I do in Centre and North?

1. Try to capture Andler

Pro
Cut off retreating forces
Get the VPs
Secure another crossing point over Our

Con
Not sure how many US forces are there – may be too many for me to handle
May get caught up in an extended fight with US forces arriving from south and north

2. Secure pocket

Pro
Cut off retreating forces
Easier to defend over attacking
US forces will be an easier target
Give time to develop picture at Andler

Con
Missed opportunity. Getting Andler closes pocket and secures VPs.
US reinforcements may arrive to defend/deny crossing

What should I do in South?

Apply pressure near Steinbruck
Move 183rd Regt up along west bank of Our.
Push 164th Regt towards Steinbruck

Here is a picture of the current situation - I've started to add some of my plan to it. I think that I will go with securing the pocket, while getting more Intelligence about the US forces around Andler. I hate attacking blind....

[MikeJ19]

The sun is about to rise on D3

The night was busy for my troops as they moved into position. I successfully held the three Objectives that timed out at 0530 and 0600 - so that was good. The win-loss meter still says that I'm losing, but I hope to change that in the next 24 hours.

I have three slides for your pleasure. The first is an overview, the second the situation in the West and the last one the situation in the centre.

Enjoy....

[MikeJ19]

D3 0605 West

[MikeJ19]

D3 0605 Centre

[MikeJ19]

D3 1100 Overview

Push onto Steinbruck is progressing - a little earlier than I initially thought, but it was hard to pass up on what looked like an opportunity.

US forces are pushing hard to get out of the pocket - this battle has been interesting to watch. I think the US Forces are taking a pounding.

I've started a move to take the bridge at Andler - this should be a good fight.

More Arty ammo would definitely be helpful, but I have no control on that....

Below is the overall situation, followed by closes up of the west and centre.

[MikeJ19]

D3 1000 Centre

[MikeJ19]

D3 1000 West

[MikeJ19]

D3 1340 Overview

This has been a fierce couple of hours. There has been hard fighting in front of Andler and Steinbruck and in what I called earlier the gap. I hope to secure the two bridges by midnight, but my forces are getting tired and the US Arty has played a major role in slowing me down.

I have two posts coming showing the battles at the bridges. Here is the overview.

[MikeJ19]

D3 1340 Andler

[MikeJ19]

D3 1340 Steinbruck

[MikeJ19]

D4 0153

[MikeJ19]

D4 0153 Andler

[MikeJ19]

Andler!

Captured at D4 0203. Finally!

[wodin]

Still reading it:)..keep going. Your doing well.

[MikeJ19]

Wodin,

Thanks, it is a good challenge! Here are some more posts...

[MikeJ19]

Back to Planning...

Review Mission Analysis
Superior Commander’s Intent
Swiftly secure St. Vith to cut the main North-South highway and secure northern flank for drive onto Bastogne.

Assigned Tasks
18 VGD
Seize crossing at Andler - Completed
Seize crossing at Schonberg
Prevent US forces along Schnee Eifel from withdrawing – Sort of completed

62 VD
Secure crossing at Steinebruck

Subsequent Obj
Secure road junctions around St. Vith

Implied Tasks
Deal with the two Assault Gun Companies - completed

Main Effort
Securing the crossing sites over the Our River (Andler, Schonberg and Steinebruck)

Has the situation changed?
Not really. I need to capture remaining crossing sites and push towards St. Vith

Next Phase

Fr forces
FBB Brigade is about to enter
1 Pz Bn
1 StuG Bde (More like a Bn)
2 FB Bns – Inf look like mech Inf
Some Arty and AD

18 VGD
Tired, but in good shape overall

62 VGD
Good shape – need to move 190 Regt out of line for a bit

Objectives
Three main crossing sites
Andler - secured
Schonberg
Steinebruck – battling for it right now
Area around St. Vith

Here is Option 1

[MikeJ19]

Option 2

[MikeJ19]

Option 3

[MikeJ19]

US Forces
Option 1 – counterattack bridges
Option 2 – fall back on St. Vith
Option 3 – defend along Our River

Most likely will do Option 3

Not sure if there are any more US reinforcements.

Need to be aware of forces withdrawing from Schnee Eifel

Discussion
The goal is the capture of the objectives around St. Vith
I like the idea of Option 2, but am concerned that I have no Int or forces around Rodgen
So, I have no idea if this is really a feasible option

Option 3 is probably too slow and could run into too much opposition, therefore, not a good idea.

Decision
Recce and decide.
Will try Option 2, but will need to make a decision at D4 1200 about viability of Option 2.
If not valid, then will progress to Option 1.

Therefore, FBB will move to the area of Bleialf
This allows them to go towards either Rodgen or Steinbruck
Also, should keep them out of sight of US forces and Arty

[wodin]

What would be cool if you and Daz could play a muliplayer game both doing an AAR on it!!