@218@REVERSING THE TIDE @4@

@218@SUBJ: TACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR @4@26 Dec 1944

@218@AMERICAN OPERATIONS:@4@
    The 2nd Panzer Division is at the point of the German bulge; it has made the deepest penetration of any German unit. Its lead elements are poised at a point just east of the Meuse River near Celles. The division is now stalled. They were not halted by US resistance as would be expected, but for a lack of fuel. Attacks on Christmas Day have the forward elements of the 2nd Panzer Division isolated and strung-out. These forces, under the command of Major von Cochenhausen, are ripe for the picking. Units of the Panzer Lehr Division have been detected pushing west. It is expected that they intend to relieve its sister unit. The Germans hope to hold out until rescued.
    You are in command of a battalion-sized, combined arms task force. Brigadier General Isaac D. White, commanding officer CCB/2nd Armored Division, has ordered you to eliminate all German opposition in and around Celles. Show no quarter, expect no repose.

@218@AMERICAN UNIT DISPOSITIONS:@4@
    For this operation the following forces will be engaged in the American sector:
 - elements of CCB/2nd Armored Division, elements of 14th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, and US Army aviation assets

@218@GERMAN OPERATIONS:@4@
    The 2nd Panzer Division is now in sight of its goal -- the Meuse River crossings. However, unanticipated fuel demands have left the division with nearly dry fuel tanks. There are no resources available for the panzer division's primary ally -- the freedom to maneuver. It is now no better than any non-mechanized division. The US 2nd Armored Division's attack on Christmas Day has fragmented the division into isolated pockets of resistance. There is no other option than to hold out until the relief force fights its way forward. The lack of fuel precludes advance as well as any retreat.
     You are in command of a mixed-force kampfgruppe -- the pride of the 2nd Panzer Division. You must resist all US attempts to wrest the occupied positions from your control. You are basically on your own; relief is still days away. The weather has now cleared, so you must anticipate and prepare for the inevitable allied air strikes.

@218@GERMAN UNIT DISPOSITIONS:@4@
    For this operation the following forces will be engaged in the German sector:
 - elements of the 2nd Battalion/3rd Panzer Regiment/2nd Panzer Division, and elements of the 304th Panzer Grenadier Regiment/2nd Panzer Division

@218@WEATHER:@4@Clear Skies


@218@AFTER ACTION REPORT @4@
    The forward positions held by 2nd Panzer Division on Christmas Day represent the high water mark of the German advance during the Battle of the Bulge. Plagued by a lack of fuel, the 2nd Panzer Division was unable to maneuver; it had to stand static in anticipation of relief from Panzer Lehr. The US 2nd Armored Division's attacks against its positions were decisive. Over the next two days, while von Cochenhausen waited for relief, the 2nd Armored Division's CCB was able to root out the panzers and destroy them in detail. Reconnaissance aircraft spotted the stationary German vehicles and subjected them to countless air strikes. The anticipated relief never materialized. All attempts at a breakthrough were turned back by allied air strikes. Von Cochenhausen and over 500 of his personnel ultimately escaped capture and returned to friendly lines. However, these troops were all that remained of the 2nd Panzer Division. All of their vehicles and heavy equipment had to be left behind.
