Karnage in Kinkeld!

Nearly a year into the lockdown our hardy reporter switched last week’s 12th century desert garb for WW2 winter clothing as he ventured into the Ardennes in December 1944. General Kraas’ 12th SS Hitlerjugend were struggling to take the “twin villages” of Kinkeld-Rocherath which sat across “Rollbahn A” of the northern advance route. The US 2nd Infantry Division were proving tough defenders and he now unleashed his Panzer regiment and supporting assault guns into the fray.

The Yanks advanced onto the table using blinds whilst the Germans pushed onto the Eastern edge shielding in the woods. Rob’s Stug immediately got lucky sending a shot into the lead blind which proved to be a very real M4. We now knew why M4s were nicknamed “Ronsons”…..”They always light first. time”. 

With Dave advancing across the north of the table Chris pushed his Stug across the open ground in the centre.

Malcolm’s M10 swung into action and despatched it with a single shot before retreating behind cover.

Dave’s cunningly camouflaged Panther despatched another M4 and continued to roar forward stalking the American tanks as befitted its name. However the Yanks made good use of cover and commanded the southern axes of potential advance,. forcing Rob to dash across open ground to join Dave in the North. A MkIV died and even the mighty Panther began to take damage and lose command dice. Chris’ attack faltered as he tried to shoot a blind which proved a dummy, allowing Malcolm’s real Sherman to pull back and fire. 

The Panther took more hits with matched saves but with three rolls of 6 was eventually abandoned by its crew.

Things looked grim for 12th SS but they fought on, destroying an incautious M10. A shot into the rear of an M10 was never going to end well……

However the Yanks had the advantage and themselves outflanked the remaining Germans and destroyed what was left of their tanks. A tough day for both sides.

As a neutral it looked an epic encounter. The game swung both ways and the loss of the Panther was both unlucky and critical. However its combat power was badly degraded before the crew scarpered! The result matched the reality of the events of December 15-18th December, albeit back in 1944 much of the damage was inflicted by infantry bazooka teams.

Simon