Saturday, June 29, 2019

Ardennes'44 Take 2 via Vassal - On to the Eight Turn Scenario

Morning, December 19th


Artillery resupply goes to the 6th Pz Army with a bit trickling through to 7th Army.  Fuel shortages affect the 116th Panzer Division. In the previous edition, being OOS gave a negative combat shift, in the 3rd Edition that I am using for this game the effect is to halve the attack strength.

No attacks by the 7th Army.

The action is with the 5th Pz Army, which is now covering a broad front.

 The 116th Pz out of fuel, but elements of the 1st SS have broken through.

The 6th Pz Army can make only one attack.

Afternoon, December 19th

There has been a significant pause between turns.  Each time I came back to the game I couldn't decide whether the Germans should consolidate or push on.  A bit silly really, they have no option but to push on.

Each German army gets one artillery unit resupplied.  Fuel shortages hit the Pz Lehr (which is now west of the Ourthe River) and the 12th SS (the 1st SS took its fuel).  So much for pushing on...

The Germans currently hold thirteen Victory Locations.  They need fourteen to win the Eight Turn Scenario.  They risk losing St Hubert, so really need to try and capture two.

The German 7th Army makes one attack in the south.

 The spearhead might be low on fuel, but attacks are still going in.
An SS unit was able to capture Aywaille (far right hand side in above image).
There are critical battles in this sector around the Ourthe River.
(Another three victory locations are in play).

On the northern flank things have hotted up.
The 2nd SS Pz Division has arrived and gone straight into the attack.
The 9th SS Pz Division is using strategic movement to head west.
The 3rd Pz Gren Division is also heading west (currently passing through St Vith).

The US airborne forces launch a counter attack against St Hubert.


The US retook St Hubert, but lost another two Victory Locations, giving the eight turn scenario to the Germans.  A close outcome.

A few other things have happened, such as a breakthrough in the north east (bottom right hand corner of the image) and the surrender of the pocket that was tying up a German division (middle bottom of the image).  

Is this enough to propel the Germans to a campaign victory?  

I'll have to play on to find out...

2 comments:

  1. I need to add this to my shopping list. Really enjoying your replays.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks. This game, and the others in the series, are certainly quality products.

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