Ardennes'44 via Vassal Day One and Two

When Richard and I started playing this it was very confusing, not the game system, but the interplay of the counters and the map and more importantly the strategic situation of the two sides.  I was trying to resist playing this game solo using Vassal (it is a great thief of time), but Vassal and this game are so elegant that I couldn't resist for long.

I am also trying to come up with a better way of depicting progress using the images, which are much easier to capture on the computer than with the camera.

Morning December 16th

The 7th Army, on the left of the front, made only modest progress.

What progress it did make it paid for in constant losses.

The 5th Panzer Army in the centre made good gains, 

lead by the 2nd Panzer Division towards Clervaux (top left of image) 

and the 116th Panzer towards St Vith.

Bottom right shows the US 106th almost surrounded.

The 6th Panzer Army on the right flank, made solid gains,

but needs to clear those woods to allow the SS Panzer Corps to get into action.

Afternoon and night December 16th

In the afternoon solid progress was made by the 7th Army.

In the centre, the three panzer divisions of the 5th Panzer Army have all advanced.

The 26th VG Division and the 2nd Panzer 

have now passed the initial Army area of operation. 

(This image sets on top of the previous image).

6th Panzer Army on the right now have their tanks forward.

Morning December 17th

This image is trying to present the big picture.

Formations to watch have been circled.

From left to right they are 5th Fallschirmjager, 26th Volksgrenadier, 2nd Panzer, Panzer Lehr and 116th Panzer.

Afternoon December 17th

5th FJ captured Diekurch and Ettelbruk for the 7th Army (blue line).

5th Panzer Army has made extensive gains (black line),

 although it has a few stubborn pockets to mop up (yellow highlight).

6th Panzer Army made dismal progress (red line).

Things that are making a bit of a difference is better use of the night turn, particularly night infiltration; immediate use of strategic movement to bring on reinforcements; and low level combats (2:1) that really hang on luck.  So far the German luck has not been good with many combats and firefights resulting in Engaged outcomes.

This game requires a lot of care to play correctly.  I'm finding Vassal really helps.