Patton saves the day?!!!

This week our stalwart correspondent simply had to change his underwear, wait six and drive south from the “Northern shoulder“ of Operation “Wacht am Rhein” to witness the American counter-attack to relieve the encircled town of Bastogne. Armour from Patton’s 80th Division was attacking the village of Heiderscheid held by the Fuhrer Grenadier Brigade.

The armour of both sides advanced cautiously through the mist and gloom, unable to see their opponents clearly. Some targets proved to be infantry moving from foxhole to foxhole, others fast moving recce assets. Eventually however the Americans recognised the unmistakeable silhouettes of two Panther tanks advancing down both the southern and northern edges of the table, with two squat Stugs holding the centre. 

The Americans were even more dismayed when one of their M10s blew up , leaving only M4s and another M10 to contest the table. Dave’s M4s gamely contested ground with Chris’ Panther, skilfully using natural and man-made cover to avoid detection. Chris ploughed on finally getting round Dave’s rear for a rear-shot. Disaster, loads of loading practice and no “shoot” dice. Dave pulled back and fired his 75mm into the engine deck of the Panther. “Kaboom”!!

To the North Phil struggled to press his advantage. The Panther took damage and decided that a rampage into the American rear was in order. However, when Malcolm’s Stug died from an M10 shot the Panther decided discretion was the better part of valour and pulled back. The game had swung decidedly Yanks’ favour with the Panther surrounded on all sides and Malcolm’s second Stug feeling vulnerable in the open. Even the destruction of the second M10 was unable to prevent the demise of the Panther with 3 “kills” and zero saves. Malcolm wisely decided to “leg it”.

The Yanks had the village and the road to Bastogne.

Since then we have heard rumours that the American forces have been reinforced by some M18 Hellcats. A nice 76mm gun but even thinner armour than the M10!

Our resident reporter has an Easter break next week but returns after Easter with a likely journey back to 12th century Outremer.”

Simon