Second Attempt at the Loshiem Gap

[MikeJ19]

Wodin,

I'm not in his league, but thanks for the compliment!

****

As for the battle, I realize that the decision point is not between Option 2 and 1, but where to deploy the reinforcements, either at Rodgen or at Steinbruck. I'm really hopeful that it can be at Rodgen. I'm also a little frustrated that I did not get "eyes" on the Rodgen area over the last 24 hours - I really should have tasked someone to do that and I noted that back on D2 at 1450!

Oh well.

The next few posts show the tasking to the various Bns.

[MikeJ19]

Here is the tasking for 62 VGD 183rd and 164th Regts

[MikeJ19]

Now the 183rd Regt

[MikeJ19]

Finally, the rest of the 18 VGD

[MikeJ19]

D4 0851

Bridge at Steinbruck has been captured intact.
US forces are fleeing North

Lead elements of the FBB have arrived....

Here is the current situation.

[MikeJ19]

D4 1200 Decision Time

First off, I just found out that the bridges near Rodgen are actually ferries. Oh well. I will place a bridge in that area.

So, the decision at noon, is to swing the FBB West to the Steinbruck bridge and from their to push North towards St. Vith. If possible, I want the bridgehead expanded first. Also, not sure if I will send the FBB directly North or try to swing them up the North bank of the Our towards Rodgen and then West towards St. Vith.

Here is a picture of the western portion of the map.

[MikeJ19]

D4 1522

Not much progress overall. My forces are tired and need to rest - I wish they were superhuman, but this is reality. A lot of the US forces are tired too, which is helping.

US Arty is punishing my forces across the board.

FBB has moved forward and should be able to push across at Steinbruck this evening.

Here is the updated map - western edge

[MikeJ19]

D5 0039 Schonberg

[MikeJ19]

D5 0039 Rodgen

[MikeJ19]

D5 0039 Steinbruck

[MikeJ19]

My laptop is back

So, ten days ago, my laptop stopped working. It is now fixed and I can try to wrap up this game. Here are three screen shots from just before the laptop stopped. I've made progress through the night and am applying pressure towards St. Vith.

First post - Battle for Schonberg

[MikeJ19]

The Push on St. Vith - from the North and East

[MikeJ19]

The crossing at Steinbruck

I wish I could get the FBB moving a little faster, but I think they will break though soon!

[dazkaz15]

Its been a brutal battle!
The American artillery in this scenario makes every fight costly in terms of man power.
Looking forward to the end AAR screen shot [;)]

[rickier65]

ORIGINAL: MikeJ19

My laptop is back

So, ten days ago, my laptop stopped working. It is now fixed and I can try to wrap up this game. Here are three screen shots from just before the laptop stopped. I've made progress through the night and am applying pressure towards St. Vith.

First post - Battle for Schonberg

I had wondered what happened to your battle -- glad to see you got your laptop fixed, looking forward to seeing if you can pull this out.

Thanks
Rick

[MikeJ19]

Disappointment - a draw

I thought that I was going to pull this one off. I knew I was not going to get a decisive victory, but I thought I might get a marginal victory or at least a draw with me being ahead in points.

What went well

Overall plan was good - I liked the plan. It could have gone better, but overall the approach makes sense to me.

Mission Analysis - I continually looked at the situation to see if it had changed. When it had, I made changes to my plan. I like how I regrouped my units and how I concentrated my forces to secure Objectives. I find posting the AAR/flow of the battle to this site helps.

Use of Arty - I think that I used my limited Arty resources better. Focussing them on high payoff targets such as HQs and US Arty.

Things to Improve

Should have tasked some forces to cover off Rodgen and it’s ferry sites - it was an important location.

I should have pushed the FBB to the North like a did with the Recce Bde. This would have dislocated the US defences and brought a lot of firepower and forces into play near St. Vith

I could have tracked the US forces stuck south of the Our River better. These forces were forced to push for the Schonberg bridge and helped to prevent me from capturing it.

Other random points

US Arty is very powerful.
My forces got worn out by US Arty
Also, US Arty Bns stopped my advance in a number of locations
Preventing me from getting to the Schonberg bridge on D2 for example.

[dazkaz15]

Great AAR Mike thanks for posting it [:)]

Its a very tough scenario this one, I think you did very well considering.

I particularly liked the way you presented the different options as you went along.

[MikeJ19]

Daz,

Thanks. It is a tough scenario. I'm going to move on to try Stuck in the Teeth next, but I think I may save the "save" before the FBB came in. Then I can try to see if swinging the FBB north would have made a difference. In the end, I enjoyed the challenge.

I'm glad you like the way I presented my AAR, as I said in an earlier post, I find that posting it makes me take some time to think about what is happening and if my plan is still valid.

I wish I had the skill and patience to be as creative and detailed as you are when you do your AARs, they are something to behold!

Have a good day