@218@PANTHERS IN THE MIST: ARRACOURT@4@

@218@SUBJ: TACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR @4@22 Sept. 1944

@218@AMERICAN OPERATIONS:@4@
    After the successful defense of Lezey on the 19th, preparations have been proceeding for future offensive actions. Until these preparations are complete, the Moselle bridgehead must be held against additional German armored attacks.
    You are in command of a battalion sized Task Force detached to defend the area of Lezey and Juvelize. 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:
 - Task Force Abrams, /CCA/4th Armored Division and elements of the 704th Tank Destroyer Battalion and the 25th Cavalry Squadron.

@218@GERMAN OPERATIONS:@4@
    Due to its proximity to Germany's Saar industrial region, the OKW has ordered the Fifth Panzer Army to renew the attacks on the allied forces east of the Moselle River, and eliminate the bridgehead at Lezey.
     You are in command of a battalion sized kampfgruppe. Your objective is to capture the dominating ridge line immediately in front of the town of Juvelize, 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 111th Panzer Brigade/LVIII Panzer Corps, and elements of a Panzer grenadier unit of the 11th Panzer Division.

@218@WEATHER:@4@ Overcast Sky


@218@AFTER ACTION REPORT @4@
    On September 22, Panther tanks of the 111th Panzer Brigade suddenly appeared out of the morning fog and renewed the German offensive aimed 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. Quick action by C company of the 704th TD Battalion slowed the attack, allowing deployment of Task Force Abrams. Clearing sky allowed the late intervention of Allied fighter bombers. The 111th Panzer Brigade was forced to withdraw and a planned follow up attack by 11th Panzer Division was canceled. Patton's stepping stone was safe.
