@218@SPEED BUMP: TASK FORCE ROSE@4@

@218@SUBJ: TACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR @4@18 Dec 1944

@218@AMERICAN OPERATIONS:@4@
    For two days, the bitter fighting for The Battle of the Bulge has played out. The German columns are now closing in on Bastogne, a key road junction on the path to the Meuse River. US paratroopers from the 101st Airborne Division are moving into positions surrounding Bastogne. They must be given time to organize and consolidate their defenses. To stem the tide of the German advance, US task forces are hastily positioned to block the German advance from key crossing points.
    You are in command of one of these task forces, a battalion sized combined arms force blocking the path of the German advance toward Bastogne. They must be stopped at this line of defense.

@218@AMERICAN UNIT DISPOSITIONS:@4@
    For this operation the following forces will be engaged in the American sector:
 - elements of 2nd Tank Battalion/CCR/9th Armored Division, elements of the 811th Tank Destroyer Battalion, and elements of the 73rd Armored Field Artillery Battalion

@218@GERMAN OPERATIONS:@4@
    The first two day of the winter offensive have gone well for the Germans. However, they are now faced with one, if not, the most important battle - Bastogne. It alone is the key to the Muese River crossings. Unfortunately, the US Command also recognizes its importance. Hasty defenses have been thrown up to buy time for the beleaguered US defenders.
    You are in command of a panzer heavy kampfgruppe. The US forces must be eliminated and their positions captured before any advance on Bastogne can be considered.

@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 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion/2nd Panzer Battalion

@218@WEATHER:@4@ Overcast Skies


@218@AFTER ACTION REPORT @4@
    Task Force Rose was initially successful. The first German unit to make contact was the divisional reconnaissance battalion which was easily beaten back. Later, the remnants of that formation formed up with units from the 3rd Panzer Regiment, and the attack was renewed in earnest. Company after company from Task Force Rose  was surrounded or forced to withdraw. As darkness fell, Captain Rose withdrew his remaining force in the direction of Bastogne. Few vehicles actually made it back to friendly lines. Task Force Rose was destroyed, but it delayed the Germans for almost twelve precious hours. That sacrifice bought the Bastogne defenders the time they needed.
