I initially did a quick planning process regarding the mission at hand. Peiper has managed to do a breakthrough and is urged to push on towards the Meuse. The flanks are however not covered and the intel on the enemy is surely lacking.
I have no idea of the momentum I currently hold against the enemy. I do however know that I have stopped at a river crossing i.e a real bottleneck, so the advance has surely lost some of its steam. Instead of going straight on into STAVEFLOT I would like to try a more indirect approach. Getting stuck in a gauntlet in the river valley giving my tanks no room to manoeuvre would not be my idea of sound tactics.
One big problem for the german heavier units was that they never saw action in time. They where stuck on poor and/or crowded roads, and this is now something I would try to prevent:
1st Pz.Div Plan for D1–D3
Commanders Intent
My intent is to utilize a turning movement with the aim to securing the TROIS PONTS crossings from SE.
III/2 will initially be the main effort. The Bn will be divided in two KGs. One armor heavy that will secure routes of advance towards HENUMOUNT-village over the open ground. The second KG will secure routes through covered terrain towards WANNERANVAL-village.
(I dont expect much opposition on this side of the LAMBIVE river)
The main bulk of the 1st Panzer Division will when arrived (D1 1430) drive their Tiger II´s on the most accessible route cleared by III/2 towards TROIS PONTS and engage the enemy from SE.
I/1 will initially fix the enemy in STAVEFLOT and follow on when the enemy withdraws. (This will probably occur when the allies realise that they are at risk to be cut of when the assault on TROIS PONTS begins)
They will then keep contact and will supported by indirect fire attack the enemy forces retreating along the river valley towards W. I/1 is to minimize own losses in the STAVEFLOT area and instead exploit the following withdrawal to inflict losses on the enemy.
Decisive point
Mobility for 1st Panzer Division heavy tanks.
(They are my heavy hitters and I will not come anywhere near the Meuse if they are not allowed to engage the enemy)
This will be achieved by:
- Cleared and abundant mobility corridors
- Constant contact with allied forces to prevent reorganization
- Early localization and containment of allied reinforcements
The purple rings indicate key terrain that I need to control, and prevent the enemy from controlling. Some are the same as the victory objectives, but there a lot more than that. The key terrain is chosen based on your assessment of the battlefield together with your plan. Generally water crossings, high ground and road intersections are objects that gets nominated as key terrain.
