Parker's Crossroads

 

This scenario is set in December 23rd of 1944 and involves a contingent of American troops holding the crossroads at Baraque de Fraiture during the German attack in the Battle of the Bulge.  The group is centered around the remnants of the American 589th Field Artillery Battalion, commanded by Major Arthur Parker.  He has been reinforced by a motley group consisting of pieces of 3rd and 7th armored and some 82nd Airborne boys.  The German 2nd SS Panzer Division (Das Reich) will be attacking in force to open the road.

 

US Forces

Remnants of 589th Field Artillery Battalion

CO (9) - 1

FAO (8) - 1

Infantry - 1 (Bazooka)

M3 Halftrack HMG - 1

105mm Howitzer - 1 (On Table - Direct)

M3 Halftrack - 1 (105mm Tow)

 

Task Force Kane - 3rd Armored Division

HQ (8) - 1

M4 Sherman 75mm - 2

M4 Sherman 76mm - 1

M7 Priest SP 105mm - 1

Attached from 643rd Tank Destroyer Battalion

M20 Armored Car - 1

M18 Tank Destroyer - 1

 

Task Force 7th Armored Division (87th Cavalry Squadron)

HQ (8) - 1

Jeep/MG - 1 (LMG in Jeep)

M8 Greyhound - 1

M5 Stuart Light Tank - 1

Attached from 203rd AAA Battalion

M16 MGMC - 1

Attached from 2nd Battalion pf 325th Glider Infantry

Paratroopers - 3 (1 Bazooka)

LMG - 1

Attached from 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment (17th Airborne)

Paratroopers - 1 (Bazooka)

LMG - 1

 

General Support

155mm Howitzer - 1 (Off Board)

 

German Forces

CO (9) - 1

FAO (7) - 2

 

Initial Assault Forces

Kampfgruppe 9th Kompanie, 3rd Battalion, 4th SS Panzergrenadier Regiment

HQ (8) - 1

Panzergrenadiers - 2 (+Transport Sd 251/1)

MG42 - 1 (+Transport Sd 251/1)

Sd 251/10 - 1

Attached 7th Kompanie, 1st Battalion, 2nd SS Panzer Regiment

Pz IVH - 3

 

Kampfgruppe 10th Kompanie, 3rd Battalion, 4th SS Panzergrenadier Regiment

HQ (8) - 1

Panzergrenadiers - 2 (+Transport Sd 251/1)

MG42 - 1 (+Transport Sd 251/1)

Sd 251/10 - 1

Attached 2nd Kompanie SS Panzerjager Abteilung 2

STUG IIIG - 2

 

Attachments - to be assigned at CO's discretion from 3rd Battalion Heavy Weapons Kompanie

Sd 251/9 - 1

8cm Mortar - 1 (+Transport Truck)

75mm PAK 40 AT Gun - 1 (+Transport Truck)

 

Reinforcing Units

Kampfgruppe 11th Kompanie, 3rd Battalion, 4th SS Panzergrenadier Regiment

HQ (8) - 1

Panzergrenadiers - 2 (+Transport Sd 251/1)

MG42 - 1 (+Transport Sd 251/1)

Sd 251/10 - 1

Attached from 7th Kompanie, 2nd Battalion, 2nd SS Panzer Regiment

PzV Panther - 1

Attached from 6th Kompanie, 2nd Battalion, 4th SS Panzergrenadiers

Panzergrenadiers - 1

MG42 - 1

 

General Support

105mm Howitzer - 2

150mm Howitzer - 1

SiG 33 Bison SP 150mm - 1

 

German forces receive a preparatory barrage before starting turn 1.  All buildings are considered as hard cover (6 to hit)

 

Set Up:

Kampfgruppe 9th Kompanie, 3rd Battalion (KG1)

 

Kampfgruppe 10th Kompanie, 3rd Battalion

 

Task Force 7th Armored Division

 

Another view of the Crossroads showing Task Force Kane, and Task Force 7th Armored

 

Looking back towards the crossroads.

 

Looking towards the woods where KG1 is waiting to advance.

 

Turn 1:

The prep barrage came down on the crossroads and caused hits on just about everything.  I ended up with about 50% of the American units suppressed, but only one casualty in the jeep between the two buildings.

 

German KG1

The half-tracks moved off into the woods and dismounted the infantry inside the tree line behind the two buildings on the North Side.  The two STUG III stayed in the woods to the East and shot up the MG units on the outskirts of town.

 

German KG2

Advanced to the edge of the woods and promptly sat still.  This would prove to be unfortunate during the American turn.

 

American FAO - Artillery called down on the two STUG in the woods, suppressing one.

 

American 7th AD

Took some potshots at the German armor lurking in the woods, but not to much effect.  The M5 Stuart got a nice shot off at the trailing Sd 251/1 of the group in the woods knocking it out.

 

American TF Kane

Managed 5 activations this turn, which means the Germans took some hits at the edge of the woods.  Knocked out a number of units including the two Opel Trucks, which included the PAK 40 and the 8cm mortar.  My house rule is when a transport is knocked out, the unit in tow/being carried rolls one D6 and takes that many hits with instant suppression.  Rolled 6's for both the PAK and 8cm mortar, knocking them out as well.  The two Sherman 75mm teamed up knocking out one Pz IV in the woods.

 

Pictures from Turn 1:

 

Shot of KG1 with burning vehicles

 

Turn 2

German FAOs call in strikes suppressing a few units and causing damage amongst others.

 

German KG1

Bad dice rolling and only one action, the troops in Sd 251/1 debark and the Sd 251/10 moved to cover them.  Panzers shot at the Shermans causing slight damage only.

 

German KG2

The Sd 251/9 and Sd 251/10 combine fire to knock out the M7 Priest in town (was unable to move to cover due to suppression).  The infantry in the woods opens up on the American infantry in the buildings causing some casualties.  The STUG fired into the town again knocking out another MG.  And the dice gods look down on the German HQs again allowing only one activation here as well.

 

American FAO - Artillery called down on STUGs again, causing some hits.

 

American TF 7th AD

The infantry in the buildings return fire with the troops in the woods suppressing one platoon and knocking out the MG.  The Stuart is able to get a shot off at the STUGs in the woods causing a hit.  The Greyhound finds itself unable to fire as it is just out of range.  Only one activation for this unit.

 

American TF Kane

The units continue to fire into the woods with two activations this turn, killing the Sd 251/10 and suppressing one infantry platoon and a Pz IV in the process.

 

Pictures from Turn 2

 

The situation at the crossroads

 

Looking towards KG1 from the town

 

Looking the other way

 

German Losses: 5/15     American Losses: 3/9 

 

Turn 3

German FAO both activate with similar results to the previous, causing some hits and suppression.

 

German KG1

Failed to activate, and after KG2's turn, the CO fails to activate them as well.  Poor dice rolling is really bogging down this attack.

 

German KG2

The attack fell apart, so the officer in charge moves his Panzergrenadiers back to regroup with the STUGs in the woods.  The commander realized the units were strung out (-1 CV every turn) and manages three activations moving everybody back down to the start point.

 

American FAO - Artillery crashes down on the STUGs once more, with similar results

 

American TF 7th AD

With the Germans drawing back, there is not much to do.  The Greyhound moves up and the Stuart takes another shot at the STUGs causing no damage.  The second shot from both the M5 and M8 combine to do nothing to the closest STUG.

 

American TF Kane

Slow turn for this unit as they are unable to do much more than cause a few hits on the troops still lingering in the woods.

 

Turn 4

German FAO's call down their most effective strike yet concentrating on the two buildings at the north end of town.  The M5 Stuart and the last MG are knocked out and two of the 4 infantry platoons are suppressed.  They also knock out the M20 Armored Car by the church.

 

German KG1

The remaining infantry move into position to help the Panzers assault from the West side of the town.  The whole battlegroup swings into action and promptly sits about halfway to the objective.

 

German KG2

Effective fire from the STUGS and Sd 251/9 take out the M8 Greyhound.  KG2 moves in to start the assault on the town forming what appears to be a two pronged attack on the West side of the town.

 

German KG3

Is activated and moves forward to the edge of the woods East of town.

 

Amerian FAO Calls down artillery on KG1 doing some damage to one Sd 251/1.

 

American TF 7th AD

Seeing the new threat coming from the read and looking at the assault coming from the other direction, the two unsuppressed infantry platoons move towards the church.  The M16 MGMC moves to help counter the threat, wary to stay away from the sight of the Panther tank lurking.  After gaining the cover of the church building, the infantry are able to open fire with the third activation suppressing one infantry platoon in the woods.

 

American TF Kane

The first activation the M4 76mm and M18 move to gain cover in the city, while the M4 Shermans pair up and open fire on KG1 as it assaults towards town.  The lone infantry platoon on that end moves to a new house to be able to bring fire down on the assault as well.  Only one activation for TF Kane this turn.

 

Pictures Turn 4

 

A shot into the crossroads after the artillery

 

 

More Germans!  Ah, Hell!

 

KG2 getting ready to assault into town.

 

The attack coming in from the West

 

Things starting to look dire for the Americans!

 

German Losses: 6/15      Americans Losses: 6/9

 

Turn 5 - Starting to get hot!

German FAO - After the brilliant strike the previous turn, the German FAO's must have been imbibing to celebrate and were too busy to be bothered to call in a strike this time around. 

 

German KG1

Panzer IV combine fire on one of the M4 Sherman causing hits but no suppression.  The Sd 251/1 are following the Panzers in to the assault.  Only one activation here.

 

German KG2

No activation!

German KG3

Only one activation here with the Panther firing at the M4 76mm and causing two hits.  The infantry combine fire on the church causing minor casualties.

 

American FAO calls down artillery on KG2 causing hits and suppressing one unit.

American TF 7th AD

The remaining two rifle platoons start toward the church, with the two units in the church combining firepower with the M16 MGMC against the infantry in the woods East of town.  Second activation is a 'double one'!  The two platoons in the church open up again on the infantry, while the other two platoons gain the church.  The second action is for all four rifle platoons to open up on the infantry in the woods.  The M16 MGMC added it's fire as well killing off some of the infantry.

 

American TF Kane

First activation is spent by units firing in their sectors, causing minor damage.  The remaining M3 halftrack has moved to the church area to provide additional firepower to the troops there.  Second roll is another 'double one'!  The 75mm Sherman fire into one Panzer IV suppressing and causing hits, with the second round of firing causing two more suppressed hits knocking it back into the following half-track suppressing it as well.  The M4 76mm and M18 open up on the Panther suppressing it and causing a few hits as well.

 

Pictures from Turn 5

 

Overview of the battle area

 

Shot from a little farther back to show the attack coming in from the West as well.

 

German Losses: 8/15     American Losses: 6/9 

 

Turn 6

German FAO - Neither FAO managed to activate again!  Probably nursing themselves back to health after the celebrations from last turn.

 

German KG1 - With half the units suppressed, this unit did fairly well.  Shots from the Panzer IV suppressed and forced back one Sherman, while the MG finished off the work that KG2 started earlier by knocking out the infantry unit in the near house.

German KG2 - All the units concentrated fire on the house with an infantry platoon to their front (2 Stugs, 1 Infantry Platoon, 2 Sd 251/1, and Sd 251/9).  Despite the firepower brought to bear, they manage only 4 damage through two activations.

 

German KG3 - Infantry fired into the church causing two hits on one of the platoons taking shelter in the church.  The Sd 251/10 fired at the M18 and caused on hit, but suppressed him.  Only one activation here.

 

American FAO - Failed

American TF 7th AD - Mass firepower from the four infantry platoons takes out one of the German platoons lurking in the wood and causes damage to a second platoon.  The M16 MGMC shoots up a German infantry platoon on the other end of the German line suppressing the unit.  Two activations this turn.

 

American TF Kane - Managed three activations under the CO, as the HQ failed it's roll.  The un-suppressed Sherman takes out one of the Panzer IV approaching via the road, while the Sherman 76mm shoots up the German Sd 251/10 across the open area from it.

 

American Losses 7/9     German Losses 11/15

 

Pictures from Turn 6

 

The Germans are pressing forward, the situation looks dire!

 

A shot from the other side of the table

 

Turn 7

 

German FAO - The first FAO activates and calls in fire from the two 105mm batteries on the church, but the aim point deviates straight towards the German battlegroup in the woods.  The fire causes a few hits on the infantry in the church, but manages to knock out one of the Sd 251/1 and finish off one of the German infantry platoons.  The second FAO does slightly better and suppresses two platoons in the church while causing more hits.

 

German KG1 - This unit pushes forward with fire from the Panzer IV's finally knocking out one of the Sherman 75mm in the town.  The infantry over-run the American FAO causing him to fall back.

German KG2 - This unit also pushes forward occupying their end of the town and forcing back the CO towards the church.  They also suppress the other Sherman 75mm firing across town.

 

German KG3 - With most of the units suppressed from the awful artillery call from their FAO, the Panther is the only unit available.  The HQ manages to activate it twice, which is all it need to pour fire into the church and knock out an infantry unit.

 

American FAO - Overran

American TF 7th AD - Not much to do, the M16 MGMC fires at the infantry to it's front causing hits.  The only platoon un-suppressed in the church moves to gain line of sight into the Germans located in the wood.  Second activation, the MGMC and infantry combine their fire but cause no additional damage to the German infantry.

 

American TF Kane - Fire from the Sherman 76mm and the M18 manage to cause hits and suppression on the Panther, but do not knock it out.

 

American Losses 10/9     German Losses 12/15

 

Americans fail their activation for Turn 8 and beat a hasty retreat up the road to take on a new blocking position and hopefully be reinforced.

 

German FAO - Neither FAO managed to activate again!  Probably nursing themselves back to health after the celebrations from last turn.

 

German KG1 - With half the units suppressed, this unit did fairly well.  Shots from the Panzer IV suppressed and forced back one Sherman, while the MG finished off the work that KG2 started earlier by knocking out the infantry unit in the near house.

German KG2 - All the units concentrated fire on the house with an infantry platoon to their front (2 Stugs, 1 Infantry Platoon, 2 Sd 251/1, and Sd 251/9).  Despite the firepower brought to bear, they manage only 4 damage through two activations.

 

German KG3 - Infantry fired into the church causing two hits on one of the platoons taking shelter in the church.  The Sd 251/10 fired at the M18 and caused on hit, but suppressed him.  Only one activation here.

 

American FAO - Failed

American TF 7th AD - Mass firepower from the four infantry platoons takes out one of the German platoons lurking in the wood and causes damage to a second platoon.  The M16 MGMC shoots up a German infantry platoon on the other end of the German line suppressing the unit.  Two activations this turn.

 

American TF Kane - Managed three activations under the CO, as the HQ failed it's roll.  The un-suppressed Sherman takes out one of the Panzer IV approaching via the road, while the Sherman 76mm shoots up the German Sd 251/10 across the open area from it.

 

Picture from Turn 7

The result of the German barrage called in on the American infantry in the church

 

Final Pictures

 

Major Parker and his remaining troops make their way up the road

 

The German KG's swarm into the crossroads and prepare to push on after re-grouping