Dark December (vs German PO)

[Silvanski]

December 22 early morning
We couldn't consolidate our positions in Monschau as the Germans quickly moved reinforcements in.
But in the south we managed to defend our new positions in Ettelbruck and Echternach.
The German attck is ongoing, more news later

[Silvanski]

December 22 0300
The situation in Luxembourg became more clear.
We're putting a lot of pressure on the Germans there. We're now holding Ettelbruck and Echternach and moved into Diekirch, but are having trouble pouring reinforcements into the town.
It's gotten remarkably colder, the ground's frozen rock hard.
 

[Silvanski]

We moved around the German flank to capture Echternach and chased some artillery units out of Diekirch.
It is unclear what the German strength is beyond those lines. What happened in Monschau could easily happen here.

[Silvanski]

22 Dec - 1200

Our lines are wearing thin in places and that makes for dangerous situations especially around Gouvy.

[Silvanski]

The relief forces from the south are doing a great job, but unfortunately their actions don't have much effect on the central sector of the Ardennes front.
They need to cross the Sure and disrupt the German rear, and fast!

[Silvanski]

December 22 - 1800

They did it! Those suckers finally managed to cut through our defenses. While we were distracted by the situation around Gouvy, a German unit crossed the Salm south of our defenses, bypassed our line and entered Vielsalm.
Our units in that sector were baffled by such a swift move. After several units were rushed to the scene it turned out that the unit in question is none less than the HQ of the 2nd SS Panzer Korps! Talk about a big fish!!!
Apparently they got isolated from the bulk of their formation in an all too fanatic advance. If Hitler hears about this blunder, that commander gets a one-way ticket to the Eastern front... We'll spare him that horrible prospect...

Gee, this is our opportunity to behead the German offensive!

[Silvanski]

A crafty performance of the 5th Inf which managed to capture some crossing of the Sauer. There's more room to manoeuver in the south.

[philturco]

I have a particular fascination with this "gamble it all" final offensive and have tried it as german against Allied PO several times and was handily stopped eachj time. I'm wondering if there is an Allied bias? I had trouble getting rested troops forward to maintain momentum and especially adequate arty support. A great scenerio and loads of fun to play.

[HercMighty]

Is this scenario available sonewhere?

[Silvanski]

http://www.the-strategist.net/RD/scenarii/display_scenario.php?Id=71
 
 

[HercMighty]

Thanks!

all you have to do is open them in the editor and save themn correct?

[Silvanski]

Correct, as it's an ACOW scenario.
 
 

[Silvanski]

December 23, noon

Mayhem between Vielsalm and Gouvy as the Germans advanced in several spots.
We've got reinforcements on the way but it's a race against time. They'll have to come fast before the Germans consolidate their positions or block more roads.

[Silvanski]

Southwest of Bastogne a unit of the Panzer Lehr division managed to infiltrate but is already being checked by units of the 10th Armoured.

[Silvanski]

December 23 - 2100h

While the formations in Luxembourg are making slow but steady progress the center is still under heavy pressure.

[Silvanski]

...and another problem has arisen: the Germans opened an attack in the Duren region. Many of our units there have been unable to react adequately so far.

[Silvanski]

The minimap shows turns 22 to 30 from the Allied point of view...

[Silvanski]

December 24 1944 0900

Christmas Eve is here, and instead of partying in Berlin we're stuck in the Belgian woods.
Heavy German assaults forced us to retreat from Vielsalm and Stavelot. We're gonna have to strike back, and hard!

[Silvanski]

December 24 1944 1200
We struck back, and how!
In Luxembourg we continue to drive the Germans north. We crossed the Wiltz and are outnumbering the Germans in that area.
Lots of enemy artillery units are being surrounded and destroyed.
Our 191th Field artillery even managed to creep behind German lines and take the town of Bitburg... They're being followed by units of 5th Inf. to secure both banks of the Prum river, fearing some kind of German reactions from the hinterland there.
The Germans are being pushed back from Bastogne, but the situation around the Francorchamps race track is still precarious.
We heard lots planes overhead this morning, for the first time in days.
Our airforce is finally able to participate at its best in this battle. We're having better recon capability which will help us a lot. The Jerries'll get a Christmas they'll never forget!

[Silvanski]

The succesful counterattack in Luxembourg.