Encounter in Elsdorf

After a prolonged period of R&R our trusty reporter was back in the saddle, this week reporting from the West bank of the Rhine in February 1945. The Yanks had launched “Operation Grenade” which aimed to cross the River Roer and punch through to the Rhine bridges trapping the more immobile German troops in their wake to become POWs. Combat Command B of the 3rd Armoured had reached the small town of Elsdorf held by the mixed Kampfgruppe from 9th Panzer. Greg took the Germans and Tony the Yanks.

The historical battle was fought in the darkness of early evening, so we played initially using blinds to reflect poor visibility. Tony’s tanks moved painfully slowly, probably reflecting the actual pain Tony felt having done a vigorous workout with Chris the night before. If there was ever a reason for not exercising Tony was providing it! Greg responded with his Marder III covering the South, a heavy force in the North and a lone MkIV moving through the town down the main road. Suddenly Tony’s Hellcat raced across the road unleashing a single shot at the MkIV. A Catastrophic kill for the exposed Panzer.

Tony followed up with his own dash up the road to try and get behind one of the Panzers. When the tanks were revealed it proved to be a Stuart hunting a Tiger I with another MkIV trying to get in on the act.

Soon the Stuart was a blazing wreck.

Tony was still finding it difficult to manoeuvre into position but with an advantage in numbers and Greg’s Marder seemingly happy to hold ground, decided to concentrate on the German heavy armour. That said both his Shermans took damage, with one surviving two 88 rounds from the Tiger. A minor miracle. Tony still had Red 1 on a blind, when Greg remembered having read about Elsdorf and realised Tony’s unidentified tank was 99% certain to be an M26 Pershing.

Even the Tiger decided discretion was the better part of valour and began to edge gingerly back into cover. No such luck for the second MkIV as the Pershing swung round a corner into a firing position and destroyed the German tank with a single round.

Greg’s morale plummeted especially as his Marder saw multiple hits on both Shermans only inflict minor damage. I finally called a halt to proceedings declaring it an American win with two MkIVs knocked out for the Germans versus a solitary Stuart for the Yanks.

I hope both players enjoyed it. Back in the real 1944 the evening of February 26th 1945 had seen the first meeting between a Tiger I number 201 and one of the shiny new M26 Pershings named “Fireball” in the wreckage of Elsdorf. The Tiger had spotted the Pershing silhouetted by the flames of a burning Sherman, and then destroyed it with three shots. Unfortunately, the Tiger then disabled itself reversing into rubble and was abandoned by its crew and captured by the Yanks. “Fireball” was repaired and returned to service within two weeks.

Simon