Struck in the Teeth - German attack
Moderators: Arjuna, Panther Paul
Struck in the Teeth - German attack
I've moved onto the next scenario - this time the Stuck in the Teeth scenario as the Germans.
Here are my initial planning thoughts -
Things to consider
Flank protection
Where are US reinforcements coming from?
North - unlikely
West – most likely
Intelligence
I need to take time to look at what the US forces are doing?
How they are organized and when and where their reinforcements arrive and how they get deployed?
Enemy Forces
9 Coy sized forces along the front
Mix of Infantry and Engineers
4 Mech Inf Coys shown in defence
This are my initial key en forces to fix
US Forces are from 112th Inf Regt
Absorbing replacements
This should affect their cohesion
Not likely to see tanks early on
Parent formation is the 28th Inf Division
Hopefully, this means that the US will not have many tanks
No initial sign of US Arty forces.
They could have a huge impact when I try to cross the Our River
If possible, I need to hit them early on – if I find them
Friendly Forces – On Map
North
116th Pz Div
Two Bns start on the map
2nd Bn 60 Regt
1st Bn 156 Regt
South
56th Div
Two Bns start on map
1st Bn 1130 Regt
1st Bn 1128 Regt
Other
Lots of Arty units – no ammo to start though
One Engr Coy in South
Friendly Forces – Reinforcements
Arriving in North
2nd Bn 16 Regt (Pz IVs) – between D1 1230-1430
Remainder of 60th Regt – between D2 1030-1230
Remainder of 16th Regt – between D2 1130-1230
Remainder of 156th Regt – between 1430-160
Arriving in South
2nd Bn 1128 Regt – between D1 1830-2030
2nd Bn 1130 Regt – between D1 1830-2030
Here are the Objectives:
Here are my initial planning thoughts -
Things to consider
Flank protection
Where are US reinforcements coming from?
North - unlikely
West – most likely
Intelligence
I need to take time to look at what the US forces are doing?
How they are organized and when and where their reinforcements arrive and how they get deployed?
Enemy Forces
9 Coy sized forces along the front
Mix of Infantry and Engineers
4 Mech Inf Coys shown in defence
This are my initial key en forces to fix
US Forces are from 112th Inf Regt
Absorbing replacements
This should affect their cohesion
Not likely to see tanks early on
Parent formation is the 28th Inf Division
Hopefully, this means that the US will not have many tanks
No initial sign of US Arty forces.
They could have a huge impact when I try to cross the Our River
If possible, I need to hit them early on – if I find them
Friendly Forces – On Map
North
116th Pz Div
Two Bns start on the map
2nd Bn 60 Regt
1st Bn 156 Regt
South
56th Div
Two Bns start on map
1st Bn 1130 Regt
1st Bn 1128 Regt
Other
Lots of Arty units – no ammo to start though
One Engr Coy in South
Friendly Forces – Reinforcements
Arriving in North
2nd Bn 16 Regt (Pz IVs) – between D1 1230-1430
Remainder of 60th Regt – between D2 1030-1230
Remainder of 16th Regt – between D2 1130-1230
Remainder of 156th Regt – between 1430-160
Arriving in South
2nd Bn 1128 Regt – between D1 1830-2030
2nd Bn 1130 Regt – between D1 1830-2030
Here are the Objectives:
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Mike
Retired Gunner
Retired Gunner
RE: Struck in the Teeth - German attack
Mission Analysis
Superior Commander’s Intent
Need to exit forces – in West for maximum results.
Assigned Tasks
Seize crossing points over Our River
Exit forces to West and North
Implied Tasks
Destroy enemy forces
Main Effort
Exiting forces off the map
West first and then North
Terrain
Hockerlinie runs horizontally from North East to the centre south of the map. It restricts movement of forces, forcing a single file breakout from initial positions. It does not go much South of Ouren
Major River (the Our) runs from North to South across the front
Six crossing sites (from North to South)
Bridge (unprimed) near exit to Burg Reuland
Ferry at Stubach
Bridge at Ourenhausen (10 VP)
Ouren Bridge North (9 VP)
Ouren Bridge South (9 VP)
Crossing point near Feuerbach - limited to foot crossing
Approach to river is wood covered all the way along
Approach to the Ouren and Ourenhausen bridges is very sloped, and tricky
Good North-South road along eastern side of Our River
Fast speed route – going N-S – about 3-5 Ks West of Our river
Large number of small towns - 3 towns control approaches to Our River in Centre and all 3 are Objs
Two larger towns provide cover to the West of the river
Weiswampach to North (10 VP)
Heinerscheid in South
US options
1. Defend forward of river – along the ridge
Once defences breached, fall back to Our River
Reinforce to hold key bridges and supply lines
2. Withdraw to Our River
Defend the choke points that the bridges are
3. Block in the North, forcing me to the South
Thoughts
My attack is a surprise - I need to be fast off the blocks to maximize early advantage
The Pz IVs that arrive early in the afternoon are going to be key to my success
There is not much time here, so speed is going to be important
The VPs for the three towns expire quickly, so it is my best interest to take them early
I think the US will likely select Option 1, would be nice if I could bypass the forward defences – but I will need those VPs.
Need to neutralize US Arty if possible – they do a ton of damage
German Options
1. Drive on bridges
2. Push North
3. Left hook
Option 1
Superior Commander’s Intent
Need to exit forces – in West for maximum results.
Assigned Tasks
Seize crossing points over Our River
Exit forces to West and North
Implied Tasks
Destroy enemy forces
Main Effort
Exiting forces off the map
West first and then North
Terrain
Hockerlinie runs horizontally from North East to the centre south of the map. It restricts movement of forces, forcing a single file breakout from initial positions. It does not go much South of Ouren
Major River (the Our) runs from North to South across the front
Six crossing sites (from North to South)
Bridge (unprimed) near exit to Burg Reuland
Ferry at Stubach
Bridge at Ourenhausen (10 VP)
Ouren Bridge North (9 VP)
Ouren Bridge South (9 VP)
Crossing point near Feuerbach - limited to foot crossing
Approach to river is wood covered all the way along
Approach to the Ouren and Ourenhausen bridges is very sloped, and tricky
Good North-South road along eastern side of Our River
Fast speed route – going N-S – about 3-5 Ks West of Our river
Large number of small towns - 3 towns control approaches to Our River in Centre and all 3 are Objs
Two larger towns provide cover to the West of the river
Weiswampach to North (10 VP)
Heinerscheid in South
US options
1. Defend forward of river – along the ridge
Once defences breached, fall back to Our River
Reinforce to hold key bridges and supply lines
2. Withdraw to Our River
Defend the choke points that the bridges are
3. Block in the North, forcing me to the South
Thoughts
My attack is a surprise - I need to be fast off the blocks to maximize early advantage
The Pz IVs that arrive early in the afternoon are going to be key to my success
There is not much time here, so speed is going to be important
The VPs for the three towns expire quickly, so it is my best interest to take them early
I think the US will likely select Option 1, would be nice if I could bypass the forward defences – but I will need those VPs.
Need to neutralize US Arty if possible – they do a ton of damage
German Options
1. Drive on bridges
2. Push North
3. Left hook
Option 1
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Mike
Retired Gunner
Retired Gunner
RE: Struck in the Teeth - German attack
Option 2
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Mike
Retired Gunner
Retired Gunner
RE: Struck in the Teeth - German attack
Option 3
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Mike
Retired Gunner
Retired Gunner
RE: Struck in the Teeth - German attack
Discussion
Time is short
About 30 hours to capture bridges and push to exits
Therefore speed is important
Bridges are important, but exiting is more important
Need to keep moving north and west
Decision
I’m going to try Option 1
Keep it simple and keep options open
Need to take bridges quickly.
Moves
When 2 Bn 16th arrives – it needs to link to 60th Regt to support attack
Fire support
Need to attack US Arty whenever possible
May need to time attacks so that fire support can be provide to each attack
This will be balanced against speed
Time is short
About 30 hours to capture bridges and push to exits
Therefore speed is important
Bridges are important, but exiting is more important
Need to keep moving north and west
Decision
I’m going to try Option 1
Keep it simple and keep options open
Need to take bridges quickly.
Moves
When 2 Bn 16th arrives – it needs to link to 60th Regt to support attack
Fire support
Need to attack US Arty whenever possible
May need to time attacks so that fire support can be provide to each attack
This will be balanced against speed
Mike
Retired Gunner
Retired Gunner
RE: Struck in the Teeth - German attack
Looking forward to seeing how this plays out for you.
Thanks
Rick
RE: Struck in the Teeth - German attack
Opening stages
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Mike
Retired Gunner
Retired Gunner
RE: Struck in the Teeth - German attack
D1 1326
I've picked up the three villages on the East bank. Now turning my focus on capturing the bridges...
I've picked up the three villages on the East bank. Now turning my focus on capturing the bridges...
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Mike
Retired Gunner
Retired Gunner
RE: Struck in the Teeth - German attack
Ill be following Mike, thanks for starting another [;)]
RE: Struck in the Teeth - German attack
Daz,
Thanks. I'm enjoying your AARs as usual.
It is now 1430 on D1 and the Pz Coy has arrived. It has made me re-evaluate my initial decision to task it to support the attack on the bridge by the 60th Regt - see slide for details.
Thanks. I'm enjoying your AARs as usual.
It is now 1430 on D1 and the Pz Coy has arrived. It has made me re-evaluate my initial decision to task it to support the attack on the bridge by the 60th Regt - see slide for details.
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Mike
Retired Gunner
Retired Gunner
RE: Struck in the Teeth - German attack
Upon further investigation, I decided to attach 5 Coy to the 2nd Bn as the commander of the 5th seemed to be a little better. Hopefully, this means he can work better with the Infantry - time will tell.
Mike
Retired Gunner
Retired Gunner
RE: Struck in the Teeth - German attack
Changes everywhere
Well, as often happens in battle, the enemy has messed up my plan. So, on the slide below, you will see lots of changes to my original plans. These changes do not affect the overall intent of my plan, but make me wonder if my "planners" looked closely enough at the overall situation.
Well, as often happens in battle, the enemy has messed up my plan. So, on the slide below, you will see lots of changes to my original plans. These changes do not affect the overall intent of my plan, but make me wonder if my "planners" looked closely enough at the overall situation.
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Mike
Retired Gunner
Retired Gunner
RE: Struck in the Teeth - German attack
D1 1949
Life has been interfering with my playing - oh well. Hopefully, I will get some time now to finish off this attack!
Here are my moves to take the three bridges....
Life has been interfering with my playing - oh well. Hopefully, I will get some time now to finish off this attack!
Here are my moves to take the three bridges....
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Mike
Retired Gunner
Retired Gunner
RE: Struck in the Teeth - German attack
D1 2030
That was not good! Now I have to change my plan....
That was not good! Now I have to change my plan....
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Mike
Retired Gunner
Retired Gunner
RE: Struck in the Teeth - German attack
oh, nuts! bad luck that!
Rick
Rick
RE: Struck in the Teeth - German attack
Rick,
It is very disappointing - Oh well, these things happen...
It is very disappointing - Oh well, these things happen...
Mike
Retired Gunner
Retired Gunner
RE: Struck in the Teeth - German attack
D2 0032
My forces continue to push forward and have managed to secure the Ouren Bridge South and are pushing towards the North bridge now.
Minor US counterattack near Harspelt has been stopped.
My forces continue to push forward and have managed to secure the Ouren Bridge South and are pushing towards the North bridge now.
Minor US counterattack near Harspelt has been stopped.
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Mike
Retired Gunner
Retired Gunner
RE: Struck in the Teeth - German attack
D2 0032 - Northern approach
I'm pushing towards the northern crossing site and exit - using lots of my fire support to help push the enemy out of the way. This is going to be key as I need to get the points for the exiting forces.
I'm pushing towards the northern crossing site and exit - using lots of my fire support to help push the enemy out of the way. This is going to be key as I need to get the points for the exiting forces.
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Mike
Retired Gunner
Retired Gunner
RE: Struck in the Teeth - German attack
D2 - Morning
I'm starting to push Westward in the middle and the push towards the northern exit continues...
I'm starting to push Westward in the middle and the push towards the northern exit continues...
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Mike
Retired Gunner
Retired Gunner
RE: Struck in the Teeth - German attack
D2 1001 - North
The advance to the northern exit is progressing well. Should be able to push some reinforcements through here.
The advance to the northern exit is progressing well. Should be able to push some reinforcements through here.
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Mike
Retired Gunner
Retired Gunner