@218@Happy Holidays in Bastogne @4@

@218@SUBJ: TACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR @4@25 Dec 1944

@218@AMERICAN OPERATIONS:@4@
    The German advance toward the Muese River during the Battle of the Bulge has slowed significantly due to rough terrain and stiff US resistance. Vehicle movement is confined to limited channels of advance, which have been blocked and harassed by small pockets of determined troops. These delays have enabled the 101st Airborne Division, along with the US 10th Armored Division, to set up a defensive perimeter encompassing the key road junction of Bastogne. The US 4th Armored Division is rapidly pushing its way up from the south to relieve the hard pressed defenders. Is there still time for them?
    You are in command of a mixed-bag, battalion sized combined arms force. You are positioned to block the path of the German advance from Champs toward Bastogne in the area of the Marche Highway. The Germans must not be allowed to penetrate this defensive line.

@218@AMERICAN UNIT DISPOSITIONS:@4@
    For this operation the following forces will be engaged in the American sector:
 - elements of CCB/10th Armored Division, elements of the 3rd Battalion/327th Glider Regiment/101st Airborne Division, and elements of the 463rd Field Artillery Battalion (Parachute)

@218@GERMAN OPERATIONS:@4@
    On December 22, a surrender ultimatum was unceremoniously rejected by the Bastogne defenders. As a consequence, the 26th Volksgrenadier Division has been ordered to eliminate all resistance and capture Bastogne before relief can arrive from the south. The 15th Panzer Grenadier Division is ordered to support the assault on Bastogne, and has attached forces from its 115th Panzer Grenadier Regiment to the 26th Volksgrenadier Division. The forces from the 15th Panzer Grenadier Division will play a major role in the upcoming assault. This could be the last chance to capture this prize!
     You are in command of a reinforced panzer battalion. You must capture and hold the objectives, thereby relieving pressure on the 26th Volksgrenadier Division south of your position.

@218@GERMAN UNIT DISPOSITIONS:@4@
    For this operation the following forces will be engaged in the German sector:
 - elements of the 1st Battalion/115th Panzer Grenadier Regiment/15th Panzer Grenadier Division

@218@WEATHER:@4@Overcast


@218@AFTER ACTION REPORT @4@
    In short order, the German assault force broke through the line held by the 327th Glider Regiment. As the Germans regrouped, Shermans of the 10th Armored Division fell upon them inflicting a number of causalities in a murderous crossfire. The gap in the US line was quickly sealed, trapping the men of the 115th Panzer Grenadier Regiment. By mid-day, these forces had to be written off by Generalmajor Heinz Kokott, the commander of the 26th Volksgrenadier Division, as far too much pressure was coming from the south. The last German opportunity to take Bastogne had failed.
