I have decided to try and play all the scenarios in their correct order based upon the Annex G in the manual. First out is Höfen Ho-down, from the German side.
Feel free to contribute with questions and comments. Sometimes I will probably halt, post the narrative and then take suggestions on how to continue the fight.
Ingame briefing:
December 16th 1944, 0600 hours,
Historical Scenario. Höfen-Monschau sector, Belgium.
The plan for General Hitzfeld's LXVII (67th) Corps, or "Corps Monschau", was to break through the American lines at Höfen on either side of Monschau, push on past Mützenich and take up defensive positions near Eupen, providing flank protection for the 6th Panzer Armee.
On paper, Corps Monschau was to have 2 full strength Volksgrenadier divisions (326th and 246th) at it's disposal. However the 246th was unable to disengage from the fighting east of Aachen, and 2 battalions of the 326th were unavailable as well for the initial assault on December 16th.
Herr General, our impressive artillery barrage on the enemy lines is lifting - the great offensive has begun!
Unfortunately you are missing almost half of your command due to the intense fighting still raging East of Aachen. We are hoping that some more of your units will be able to join in the great offensive soon but for now you must make do with what you have.
Your area of operations lie on the extreme right flank of the offensive so your task is to secure the high ground overlooking Mützenich, and occupy the towns of Monschau and Höfen. This should provide a firm shoulder to defend against the expected American counterattack. It is imperative that you secure your objectives with minimal losses.
The enemy is dug in on the ridge ahead of you, but intelligence reports that they are mostly green troops and very few in numbers. Good luck!
326 Volksgrenadier Division
Oberst Dr. Erwin Kaschner
The situation
The sun will rise in two hours and its freezing conditions. The ground still seems muddy though. My forces are as the orders stated indeed lacking. I do have ample firesupport, but no ammo at the moment and only three infanty bn to start with. One additional bn will be arriving around supper and another for lunch the next day. I will have to limit myself focusing my scope on what that can be achievable.
The enemy should be be somewhat disrupted from our bombardment but still poses a clear problem for me. The initial intel suggest that there are numerous armoured units opposing us. Several companies of M8´s and a platoon of M18´s could prove a problem for our infantry, especially if our artillery does not get resupplied soon.
The M18 Hellcat, something that might cause a problem for my infantry
The plan
A reduced battalion with fire support will initially create a fient/distraction up north in order to force the enemy to divert his forces north. This bn will also constitute flank protection.
Fire support assets (7.5cm guns) will simultaneously redeploy to the forest edge directly west of ROHEN in order to attack enemy movements (primary the light tanks) along the highway from N to S.
Two battalions will then attack HÖFEN and create a breakthrough. Lastly the reinforcing battalions will exploit the breakthrough and advance through HÖFEN and attack KALTERHERBERG.
The initial Schwerpunkt will be HÖFEN, where the breakthrough will be created. By 1600 hrs I will have pinpointed where the reinforcing bn will be attacking, and hopefully they will be able to exploit some ground before it gets too dark.
The intial draft for the concept of operations