@218@LEZEY: THE STEPPING STONE @4@

@218@SUBJ: TACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR @4@19 Sept. 1944

@218@AMERICAN OPERATIONS:@4@
    Outrunning its supplies, Patton's Third Army has come to an abrupt halt due to a lack of fuel. In spite of this, Patton has managed to form a bridgehead over the Moselle River, spearheaded by the US 4th Armored Division (his favorite). This bridgehead forms a perfect stepping off point for the continuing attack once the logistical problems are overcome. Lezey is at the center point of the bridgehead. 
    You are in command of a reinforced tank company detached to defend the crossroads at the critical town of Lezey. Enemy forces are expected to advance on your position at dawn. This area must be held at all costs! 

@218@AMERICAN UNIT DISPOSITIONS:@4@
    For this operation the following forces will be engaged in the American sector: 
 - elements of C-Coy/37th Tank Battalion/CCA/4th Armored Division, and elements of the 704th Tank Destroyer Battalion

@218@GERMAN OPERATIONS:@4@
    Due to its proximity to Germany's Saar industrial region, the OKW has ordered the Fifth Panzer Army to crush all allied forces east of the Moselle River, thereby eliminating the bridgehead at Lezey. 
     You are in command of a reinforced panzer company from the newly formed 113th Panzer Brigade. Your objective is to capture the area immediately surrounding Lezey, enabling following forces to pass through your position on to the Moselle. Jump off time for your attack is 0600.

@218@GERMAN UNIT DISPOSITIONS:@4@
    For this operation the following forces will be engaged in the German sector:
 - elements of the 113th Panzer Brigade/LVIII Panzer Corps, and elements of the 2113rd Panzer Grenadier Regiment 

@218@WEATHER:@4@ Clear Skies


@218@AFTER ACTION REPORT @4@
    On September 19, Panther tanks of the 113th Panzer Brigade suddenly appeared out of the morning fog and slammed into a company of Sherman tanks defending the crossroads at the town of Lezey. Although the Germans possessed a relatively strong force, their operation was stopped cold. Poor command coordination caused the battle to evolve piecemeal. Accordingly, Lamision's Shermans were able to stop the attack on Lezey. When the panzers turned to flank the town from the south, the Shermans outraced the Germans and took up commanding flanking positions. The 113th Panzer Brigade was forced to withdraw after losing nearly twenty tanks. General Johannes Blaskowitz, commander of the Fifth Panzer Army, was relieved of his command several days later.
