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Overleof: A party Of RAD labourers march to begin

work repairing the disused Westwall defiences.
(Bundesarchiv, 101IA97-3519-30, Herbst)
BATTLEGROUP . WESTVIALL E=
___ -__ -- = - -_ _ _ - _ _.

CONTENTS
Introduction OPERATION CLIPPER
Red Lane and Strongpoint X ..................
THE AssAULT oN GERMAI`rv .................. 6
Assault on Strongpoint Y
HANGIN' OUT THE WASHING Panzers at Prun\n\em
Special Rules for Westwall, 1944 ................. 33 Up `Mahogany' Hill
Alterations to the German Army Lists for late 1944 35 Clearing Geilenkirchen
Westwall Defences Storming Suggerath
Alterations to the US Army Lists for late 1944 ..... 39
Concrete vs Steel scenario
NEW EQulpMEr`IT DATA
THE ARMY LISTS
Unit Availability Table
GERMAN PANZER BRIGADE .................. 46

CREDITS
Terrain Models shown from the following manufacturers: Lancer
Written by Warwick Kiurade
Miniatures, Last Valley, Hovels, Woodland Scenics, Battlefield Mode
Archive Photography from .......... US National Archive
Noch. With special thanks to all those that helped out, in large or small
Bundesarchiv
Ways.
Miniature Photography by .............. Warwick Kinrade
Art and Sketches by ...................... Dave Pentland
Produced by the Plastic Soldier Company Ltd. First published in Gre
Production by Artoms Games Ltd
Britain, in 2022. The contents are © The Plastic Soldier Company Ltd
Proof Reading Simon Pegler
may not be reproduced without the prior permission of the publisher

All archive photographs are used under licence and with permssion, except wh
they are recognised as being in the public domain. The copyright of all images is
The book contains models from a number of companies, including
AB Figures, Elhiem Figures, Battlefield/ Blitz Miniatures, Wartime recognised and no claim is intended. Images may not be reproduced without the
Miniatures, CP Models, Shell Hole Scenics, Wargames Foundry, The prior permission of the copyright holder.
Plastic Soldier Company, SHQ Miniatures, Grubby Tanks, IBG Models,
Armourfast, Dragon, Airfix, Zvezda and Hasagawa.

Miniatures and models from the collections of Piers Brand and Warwick Printed in the UK, 2022 ISBN: 978-1 -9998730-5-9
Kinrade. Battlegroup " The Plastic Soldier Company
 iH BATTLEGROUP . WESTW:ALL

BATTLEGROUP
WESTWALLcan be added to the army lists from
W elcome to Battlegroup:
Westwall. This supplement
co`'ers the fighting in the autumn
Battlegroup: Overlord `Beyond the
Beaches'.
Rhein' or `Spring Awakening'.
Westwall tries to offer something a
bit different.
ot-1944, after the Allied victory in
\-ormandy and the subsequent race As well as battles against bunkers This supplement has limited itself
across France, but before the German and defences, the other `border to the US battles of this period. The
counter-offensive in the Ardennes combat' was that of German British (and Commonwealth) forces
in December. From September to armoured counter-attacks (mostly were fighting in Holland, but not
\-ovember, the US Army faced tough on the southern Lorraine front). against the Westwall, so whilst those
t`attles on the German border and, These utilised a new formation, for battles are perfectly playable and
I-||r the first time, onto Germany's which an army list is included, the there is no reason why a British force
o``-n territory. This supplement is new Panzer Brigades. These were carmot be used against the Westwall
to be used in conjunction with the a (very) cut-down panzer division, (it's not like they never encountered
Battlegroup: Overlord `Beyond slashed of many of their arms, static defensive positions in
the Beaches' army lists (with some to provide Germany with some Holland), they are not the focus of
noted exceptions and additions mobile armoured units. They were, this supplement. British battles in
included). The armies (especially the in general, not a success and the Holland can largely be covered by
l-S Army) had not changed much idea was soon dropped in favour of the Overlord and Market Garden
from the Normandy battles just a rebuilding the already established supplements.
month or so earlier. Those US Army panzer divisions. For games set
lists suit perfectly well and should during the autulnn of 1944, the In chronological and geographical
be used, with the additions given in Panzer Brigade army lists provide order, this supplement stands
this book. The arlnies may not have a unique and more characterful between Battlegroup: Overlord
changed much, but the character of option than the standard panzer `Beyond the Beaches' and `Wacht Am
the war had changed again; from division and players are encouraged Rhein' and then `Fall of the Reich'.
the cat-and-mouse battles of the to use it. On the tabletop, the same Hopefully, it offers Battlegroup
\-ormandy hedgerows, the US now models will be used, of course, just players something a bit different
faced the static, hardened defences with a different army list. For those from these. So, `Bring up the
of the Siegfried Line. The Germans that really want to stick with the flamethrower!' and enjoy!
retreating and regrouping used full panzer division list, then other
this defensive position to stall the campaigns and theatres provide Warwick Kinrade, April 2022
.illies Out mainly the Americans) as plenty of gaming - try 'Wacht Am
they rebuilt their battered divisions
and recmited new manpower, The
Siegfried Line was never going to halt
the Allied advance altogether (their
own logistical problems were more
likely to do that), but it would buy
some time.

Fighting against this belt of static

positions, minefields, barbed wire,
obstacles and concrete bunkers
would involve new tactics and, in
some cases, new unit organisations
from those employed in Normandy.
A few new combat vehicles were
also becoming available to US units,
and these are listed in the book and
BAITL£GROLJP . wEsrwALL +++

THE AS SAULT 0N GERMANY

August 15th, Operation Dragoon had Allied amiies were now stretching
y August 1944, the German Army
B had suffered a crushing defeat seen the arrival of the US VI Corps their supply lines, which ran all the
way back to the Normandy beaches.
in Normandy and was now in rapid in an amphibious assault on the
retreat across France, trying to save southern French C6te d'Azur. It had All the materiels of war had to be
its surviving forces as they pulled come ashore against only very weak moved forwards to the advancing
back towards Germany. After two resistance and, along with Free French divisions over ever-greater distances.
months of heavy attritional fighting, forces, was now driving north for the The demand for fuel was huge; with
the Allied armies had broken through, Alsace, to link up with Patton's forces four mechanised armies on the march,
surrounded the Germans in the Falaise and advance into southern Germany. the Allies required half a million
Pocket, destroyed them, and had now It all started to feel like victory was gallons of fuel a day to keep the tanks,
turned east to begin the next phase of assured and close at hand. The harried half-tracks, trucks and artillery gun
the war, moving east to liberate the and weak German Army would not tows moving. There was also no point
rest of France. There was very little be able to recover from its Normandy in advancing on the enemy without
to stop them. In those few weeks in defeat. The Allied commanders, now the ammunition to fight; primary
August 1944, it seemed the German all under the command of General among this was the need for large and
Army's collapse may well see the end Eisenhower at Supreme Headquarters heavy artillery ammunition. Despite
of the war by Christmas. One Allied Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF), Herculean efforts by the US and
commander, with heady optimism, were already planning to reach and British service troops and drivers in
thought the war would be over in three take Berlin. transporting supplies forwards, with
weeks, such was the drastic extent of long truck convoys making daily runs
the German losses and the chaos of For the Germans, the situation on back and forth across France from
their escape from Normandy. the Western Front was in crisis and Normandy, the welcome swift advance
Germany itself was facing invasion. east was soon running out of steam
Behind the swift German retreat, Allied Plans were quickly put in place to halt (and fuel). It was obvious that all four
troops were moving across France at the retreat, regroup and stand and of the Allied armies in France would
speed, covering 50 or 60 miles a day, fight again. At the very top, Hitler not be able to continue at this speed.
liberating towns and cities one after the recalled General von Rundstedt to The advance would have to slow
other with barely a shot fired in anger, take supreme command again. Sacked down, and the various armies' supply
except against the occasional rearguard from this post only nine weeks earlier, needs must be prioritised. Whose army
actions to delay them. The Allied the General's calm authority in a crisis would lead the attack on Germany?
armies bounced across the River Seine was urgently needed. He would be All three senior commanders,
against minimal resistance from the ably assisted by General Model in Montgomery, Bradley and Patton,
Germans, who could nowhere muster command of Army Group 8, whose lobbied Eisenhower to be the priority.
a force large enough to stall or threaten reputation for brilliance in improvised All three had different plans on how to
the Allied advance's vanguard. The defensive planning had been well invade Germany and end the war.
British and Commonwealth forces of earned on the Eastern Front. They
21st Army Group, under Field Marshal commanded roughly 25 divisions, and Even before D-Day, the Allies had
Montgomery, pursued the retreating von Rundstedt requested 12 more to agreed that a major strategic objective
enemy across northern France and stabilise the line, although he wouldn't en route to Berlin would be the
into northern Belgium. South of them get them all. They were drastically Ruhr industrial region, the heart of
was the US 12th Army Group, under outnumbered in tanks, artillery, aircraft Germany's manufacturing and war
General Bradley, where the US lst and, if only marginally @y about 25%), industries. Denying its output to the
Army under General Hodges was soon also in manpower. The outlook was German military would be a huge
advancing into southern Belgium and bleak. step in defeating the Third Reich
pushing on to the German border. post-Normandy, which was true,
To the south again was the US 3rd Victory in Normandy and the swift but the question remained of how?
Army, under General Patton, speeding advance across France brought their Montgomery argued vehemently for
towards Luxembourg and the French- own problems for SHAEF. These were US 3rd Army to be called to a halt and
German border in the Lorraine. On ones of logistics and strategy. The large its resources diverted north to 21st
 iH BATI`LEGROUP . WESTWIALL

Army Group (obviously), which would the German border all the way to into Germany was at the Aachen Gap.
attack in a northern pincer across Switzerland. Montgomery then also Here, US lst Army would have its first
Holland, around the Siegfried Line and had his ambitious plan approved to go at breaking through the Siegfried
in largely flat country, whilst US lst outflank the Siegfried Line and jump Line and getting to the Rhine. Probing
Army, originally plarmed to be south the Lower Rhine through Holland, attacks had already begun. In the
of the difficult wooded hills of the by the use of three airborne divisions south, in the Lorraine region, US 3rd
Belgian Ardennes, would come north in Operation Market Garden. In late Army suddenly found itself under
and attack via northern Belgium to September, the Market Garden plan counter-attack from resurgent German
become the southern pincer of the Ruhr would result in failure and the `quick' armoured forces and thus engaged;
encirclement. However, General Patton northern route into Germany was it was unable to reach the German
was having none of it. He wanted to no longer such a viable option. The border yet. The Germans were also still
go now, with 3rd Army, hard and Germans had now reinforced against holding the well-fortified city of Metz.
fast against the weak enemy before this front, which led to a rethink. Patton's army had a lot of fighting
him and drive for the Rhine whilst ahead of it to even get to Germany, let
he could, to breach this great natural There would be no more single- alone the Rhine. IIis drive would not
barrier near Frankfurt and then come operation thrusts for Germany. be unopposed any longer.
north, into the heart of Germany. His Instead, they must find another way.
3rd Army had already covered most of Eisenhower, having given Montgomery The late-summer days when a swift
France in just a couple of weeks. In the his wished-for priority and seen it fail, end to the war seemed possible were
end, Eisenhower compromised. now reverted to the original 'broad over. They faded as September passed
front' approach, even if it took longer. and the poor autumn weather started
Montgomery would get priority, only His first priority was not the capture to close in, with the German Army
because the Allies desperately needed of the Ruhr (or any other ground), but regrouping and tuning to fight again
a large port closer to Germany to the destruction of the German military at the Siegfried Line and in the south,
supply their armies. That port would in the field. He reminded all his sub- somehow, almost miraculously,
be Antwerp and the British 21st Army commanders that for all the strategies, counter-attacking. Summer' s impetus
Group was positioned to take it. They the main one always remained to and optimism ebbed away. The war
did so on September 4th, but it was `right-down' the German Army and
would not be over by Christmas. In
badly damaged and remained useless leave it incapable of defending the fact, unknown then, in September 1944,
whilst the Scheldt River estuary was Third Reich. Everything else, in terms despite their Normandy losses, over
closed to shipping, still in German of ground taken and getting to Berlin, two~thirds of the Allies' total casualties
hands. To protect Monty's forces from would then follow. Now, after an for the European theatre remained
the south, US lst Army would drive enforced pause, a fmstrated General ahead of them. A campaign that
on a more northern axis for southern Patton could get going again. The would, eventually, last eleven months
Belgium. 6th Army Group would come Allies would push steadily forwards was so far only three months old. The
north and link up with 3rd Army on along the front lines and, somewhere, Third Reich would not surrender, and
the southern FrenchGerman border the German front would be too weak the war was very far from over.
to form a continuous front facing and break. One of these early pushes

SEPTEMBER BATTLES was not in a position to move far, Gap. Despite dire reports of supply
VII Corps, the First Advance waiting for the British to move up shortages amongst his units, General
into Germany on their left and secure the front, but Collins, an aggressive commander,
For all the wrangling over Allied would support the first attack into was not to be detained. He set VII
strategy, in mid-September 1944, Germany with its 2nd Armoured Coaps' divisions in motion to begin a
the only major Allied force actually and 29th and 30th Infantry Divisions large 'reconnalssance in force' action
in a position to strike into Germany on the northern flank. V Corps was over the German border around
was the US lst Army. Its three to the south, on the right, linking in Aachen. Ahead of him, gathered from
Corps, XIX, VII and V, along with with the first 3rd Army units. It was intelligence reports from scouting
the 14th Cavalry Group occupied in the centre, with VII Corps under missions, aerial reconnaissance,
a line from Geilenkirchen to the Lt General Joseph Lawton `Lightning intercepts of enemy radio traffic, local
Belgian Ardennes and down into Joe' Collins, where the advance civilian interviews and interrogation
Luxembourg. XIX Corps, on the left, could progress, facing the Aachen of prisoners of war, it seemed the

7
BATTLEGROUP . WESTVIIAIL +t+ t +

German front was still only weakly defended to the last man and bullet,
held. The first belt of the vaunted as a symbol of Germany's resistance
Siegfried Line lay immediately ahead, and will to fight, as well as protecting
but it was sporadically occupied by the historic capital of Charlemagne's
very poor troops and any reserves empire (`the First Reich'), all
that were on hand to help were again Aachen's civilians were ordered
deemed to be weak formations. For to evacuate the city. Only soldiers
`Lighting ]oe', the time to strike would remain. Nazi propaganda
was now. He would press on and claimed that Aachen would be a new
crack the Siegfried Line before the Stalingrad. As yet, US VII Corps had
Germans reorganised and reinforced. no intention of launching a direct
His first objective was to capture attack on the city itself, although it
the city of Aachen ®y encirclement, was under artillery fire.
without being drawn into a major
urban battle, if possible) and then Amongst those defending Aachen
drive east to get over the Roer River, and its approaches were men of 116th
the next natural barrier preventing Panzer Division, the `Windhund'.
exploitation towards the Rhine and Their commander, General von
the Ruhr region. Cologne, on the Schwerin, wanted to end the
Rhine, was only 100 kilometres away. evacuation of the city and declare it
In France, they had covered that open, so it would not be fought for.
distance in two days. A jewel of Germanic culture and
history, Aachen would be destroyed
Leading VII Corps' advance would if the Americans assaulted it directly.
be the US 3rd Armoured Division, The General wrote letters, trying to
supported by the lst and the 9th get the civilian evacuation cancelled
Infantry Divisions to the north and and to request that the Americans
south respectively. 3rd Armoured save the city from ruin. The letters fell
Division, avoiding being drawn into into the hands of the Nazi Party and
a fight through the Siegfried Line in the General was accused of defeatism
the hills and forests, concentrated and refusing to obey orders. As a
its efforts to encircle Aachen on the traitor to the Third Reich, he would Army in Normandy and turned ea
flat terrain, known as the Stolberg be shot. But his loyal men rallied resulting in a speedy advance to the
Corridor, leading to the town of around, and the General did not give Seine, which the first units crossed
Stolberg, the division's first target himself up; instead, he continued MantesGassicourt, near Troyes, on
en route to Dtiren and the Roer. to command his division in combat August 19th. From there, they had
The armoured combat commands against the US 3rd Armoured pressed eastwards, driven on by th
of the `Spearhead' pushed through Division near Stolberg. When SS ever ebullient and forceful General
the villages and along the roads troops were dispatched to find and Patton, until the fuel situation slow
towards their objective, encountering arrest him, his men blocked the road the pace down and threatened to
the first bunkers and obstacles of with Panzer IVs and turned the guns end it altogether. Patton railed that
the Westwall. Progress was slow on the SS men, threatening to open he needed the materiels to fight thi!
but, supported by engineers, there fire. In the end, the evacuation of war: `Men can chew their belts, but
was at least progress. The German Aachen's civilians continued; the my tanks gotta have gas.' Soon, wi
forces manning the wall were weak city would not be declared `open' Montgomery given the priority, the:
fortress battalions; their anti-tank but would be fought for to the last did not, and the fuel supply situatio
defences of mainly Panzerfausts and bullet, Goebbels claimed. General von reduced 3rd Army to a crawl well
Panzerschrecks were nevertheless Schwerin eventually handed himself before it could reach the Germar`
dangerous in determined hands. over for interrogation but was not border. With approximately 10 days
Daily, tanks were lost to ambushes, executed. worth of supplies, 3rd Army's two
but 3rd Armoured fought its Corps (XX and XII; the third, VIII,
way on to Stolberg. Fearing that The Lonaine Campaign had been diverted west to clear
Aachen would soon be cut off The southern advance of US 3rd Brittany) would only be able to mak
and determined that it would be Army had swept around the German it as far as the Moselle River. Here
 iH BATTLEGROUP . WESTW:ALL

ALbove: Dragon's teeth line the German border, note

I-=rmans were already establishing and three panzer brigades for the the sealable gap along the road has not been closed.
::-.Er first defensive position, counter-attack, with a further three (US National Archive).
i-.chored by the heavily fortified panzer divisions (all very low on
: `` vm of Metz and the garrison of equipment - 21st Panzer Division from the direction of Reims, planned
\-incv. The Moselle was a strong had no tanks at all, llth Panzer had for September 12th, across the low,
rL2tural barrier, the eastern bank's 16) and three more panzer brigades rolling hills and fields and scattered
•.`. ceded hills dominating the western being moved into reserve. This would small woods of the Lorraine.
I.ank and approaches. Getting across constitute '5th Panzer Army' and
.: i`'as Patton's next objective. veteran tank commander Hasso von On September 4th, General Patton
Manteuffel was rushed back from ordered his lead divisions to move
:: '.`-as here, in the south, that Hitler the Eastern Front to take command east, in a 'reconnaissance in force',
i-Ld OKW planned to launch a of the only major armoured force using up some of those precious
5€rious counter-attack against the Germany could muster in the west. fuel supplies to reach the Moselle
.Illied advance. The retreat from Hitler, distrustful of his generals, was and get a bridgehead. In the north,
i`uthem France had preserved personally involved in the plarming approaching Thionville, the 90th
TL||re divisions than in the north and he did not rate the American Infantry Division was advancing,
i-`d, once the first new panzer army's fighting spirit very highly. when General von Knobelsdorf
-=rigades had arrived, an armoured
Once faced for the first time with (commanding lst Amy in the south)
:``rce strong enough to launch an a potent panzer force, they would decided there was an opportunity to
€r\iirclement attack against Patton's soon break. The American army was outflank and stop the Americans with
s:`:arheads would be in place. In soft, he argued. However, he made a sharp counter-attack. The left flank
ill, the Germans mustered a force the mistake of underestimating his was exposed. He did not have the
``:- three panzer grenadier divisions enemy. The panzers would strike mobile forces available, so he applied
 BATTLEGROUP . WESTWALL ++t

to Hitler for permission to use some divided again, one column heading withdrawal, the first column was
of the new panzer units arriving in south for Norrey, the other south-east annihilated. By now, P47s were also
his reserve for the counter-attack, for the village of Mairy. At Mairy roaming the skies over the battlefield.
to exploit this new `opportunity'. It the panzers found themselves in The Germans' hasty attack,
would be the first combat of the 106th heavy fighting, with more American which had lacked almost any
Panzer Brigade. Hitler accepted that units moving around the village reconnaissance, had blundered into
the opportunity for a quick victory and surrounding it on three sides, a force far too large for it to defeat
should be taken and the 106th was including Shermans of the 712th Tank on its own. A US infantry division,
ordered into place for the attack. Battalion arriving. On September with all its supporting arms and
8th, the battle of Mairy raged, with excellent artillery support, was
Cia September 7th, the panzer the US artillery overwhelming the not in any way comparable to a
brigade launched itself against German forces and smashing Panther smaller, less well-equipped Russian
the 90th Infantry Division's 358th tanks and half-tracks. Meanwhile, rifle division, which was the type
Infantry Regiment, moving in two the second column moved through of force the German brigade's tank
columns of tanks and half-tracks Trieux and ran into deployed and commanders had been accustomed
from Audun-le-Roman towards self-propelled anti-tank guns at to fighting. Between September 7th
Landres and Trieux. The 90th was at the next village of Avril and also and 9th, the 106th Panzer Brigade
first slow to react (nobody expected began to lose armoured vehicles. At was all but destroyed as an offensive
a German armoured counter-attack) Avril, held by lst Battalion, 357th force, losing 24 Panther tanks and
but soon moved anti-tank units and Infantry, the fight thundered for a Jagdpanzers, as well as 40 half-tracks.
tanks into place. The first panzer day, before the German force was One of the three brigades that had
column reached Mont Bonvilliers and given permission to withdraw. As been earmarked for the counter-
the Germans fought at Mairy, more attack on September 12th had been
US troops were moved in behind wasted in a futile attack that achieved
them to block the roads back to the little more than stalling the 90th
Below: Panzer Grenadiers Of Panzer Brigade 111 mount
up as tank riders before the brigade's action near Parrey. north towards Audun-le-Roman. As Infantry Division's eastward advance
(Bundesarchiv, 1011-301-1955-28, Kurth) the Germans attempted a fighting for one or two days.

10
 ill BATTLEGROUP . WESTWALL

That advance was soon moving again METZ - FORT DRIANT third close assault did break into one
and approaching Metz, where the Located south-west of Metz, artillery casemate and found them
Llld defences, reinforced by those defending crossings over the Moselle all interconnected by underground
added in WWI, made it a formidable River, was the Driant fortress. A tunnels. The assault would now
:.ortress. The Americans' initial formidable defence including thick, be fought through these cramped
:robe was repulsed and any direct half-buried concrete 150mm gun tunnels, but at high costs. No gains
i<sault on Metz was cancelled. For casemates, on September 27th the US could be made as the Germans
||i``', Metz was too strong, but it 5th Infantry Division's llth Infantry sealed off their positions behind steel
:ould wait. Meanwhile, further US Regiment was given the mission blast doors that resisted demolition
:-iirces had reached the Moselle and of capturing it and destroying its charges. Above ground, M12s with
+.`-ere beginning operations to cross. 155mm guns were blasting at the
garrison and guns.
Se`-eral crossing points were found visible bunkers, but with few results.
•=ut German counter-attacks drove
The battle would last until October
:he first small bridgeheads back 9th and see repeated US assaults The assault's stalemate lasted until
:c` the western bank. To the south, repulsed. The first assault, supported October 9th. Fort Driant would not
ul Corps was busy encircling the by tanks and tank destroyers, moved fall. Having lost over 700 men trying
`-ity of Nancy, spearheaded by the in alter heavy shelling and napalm to capture the fort, the 5th Division
:c`mbat commands of 4th Armoured bombing by P47s. Underground, the pulled back. Further attacks against
Di\'ision, which punched two garrison of well-motivated troops the Metz defences would be halted.
•=ridgeheads over the Moselle River
was unaffected and rose to meet the Fort Driant would remain in German
r`.||rth and south of the city, and attack from concrete machine-gun hands until December. Many such
CCA, which drove hard to reach pillboxes. Next day, the llth Infantry assaults against reinforced concrete
:he .inacourt area by September tried again and found their bulldozer positions, surrounded by barbed
:±th, cutting through weak German tanks and mine-clearing charges wire and minefields, faced 3rd Army
:esistance en route. Fearing the ineffective. Neighbouring forts were when they made a concerted Corps-
L-Lt}- would be cut off, the Nancy now bringing down heavy defensive effort to take Metz in November.
=arrison, a Volksgrenadier division, fire around Driant's perimeter. A
at`andoned it to the Americans, who
mo`'ed in, unopposed, on September
15th. Panzer Brigade's destruction had not from Nazi occupation. Just as with
been well learnt and, on September a US division, the French were
To the south, on September loth, 12th, 5th Panzer Army again released well supported by artillery and
ire first reconnaissance units of the a single panzer brigade (this time the XIX Tactical Air Force's fighter-
l-S 3rd Army and US 6th Army 112th), for its own counter-attack to bombers, to which the Germans had
Group moving north from the destroy the French armoured combat no answer but 20mm flak fire. The
south of France, linked up. More US command. The 112th brigade's P47s would be brought decisively
:orces would soon be arriving in the advance reached the small town of to bear at Dompaire. A first French
Lorraine area. Patton's 3rd Army Dompaire on September 13th, where, probe towards the town, on the
immediately took under command instead of withdrawing from the evening of September 12th, resulted
the XV Corps' 79th Infantry Division panzers, Colonel Langlade launched in both sides losing a single tank,
aLnd 2nd Free French Armoured his command's three armoured but Langlade now knew his enemy's
Division. Sixty kilometres south of task forces - Massu, Minjonnet and positions and the local civilians were
\-ancy, they would soon be in action, Putz - into an attack in the Battle of all too happy to report all they had
``'ith Combat Command Langlade Dompaire. seen as well. He moved to take the
( the French used commanders' names higher ground around the town, to
rather than letters) launching a deep The French armoured division was the north and south, with Task Forces
raid through German lines towards equipped and organised exactly Massu and Minjonnet respectively.
Epinal, threatening to encircle as the American equivalent, but Their artillery observers could now
elements of the German 16th Infantry the manpower was from the Free see all. Vvhen the Panthers moved
Division, which were pinned in place French army, including many tough out the next day, heading south,
fighting with the US 79th Infantry veterans of the fighting in North they were soon engaged and under
Division. The bold French armoured Africa and under the excellent fire from Minjonnet's M10s and
thmst brought a quick German command of General Leclerc. They supporting artillery. Massu also had a
reaction. But the lesson of 106th were fighting to free their homeland TALO air controller on hand to direct

11
 BATTLEGROUP . WESTWALL .inl

in the P47s, which dived in to rocket lead tanks edging into the village of air strikes hit the town, the panzer
the enemy tanks on the northern Lanieville, just north of Dompaire. brigade's commander realised it was
edge of Dompaire and in the nearby This blocked the roads out, north and in serious trouble and requested aid
village of Lamerey. Heavy smoke west. The French were sealing the from the tank regiment's second
was hanging over the town from the panzers in. battalion. Their Panzer IVs and
fires of buildings and knocked-out supporting grenadiers rolled to the
panzers. Massu then moved up, his When more heavy artillery and relief of Dompaire from the south,

RECOVERY IN THE WEST new recruits would have to take their checkpoints). These were civilians with
The situation on the Western Front place. Those divisions pulled back from the very minimum of training. Now
in August and September 1944 was France were re-organising, gathering in they were being dragooned into the
a disaster for the German Army. their men and forming kampfgruppes, regular infantry formations deployed
I^7herever their command looked on battlegroups, of combat-worthy to their local areas. The Landesschultz
the maps, the Germans were in full troops again. Even shattered German would be renamed in October as the
retreat, their forces weak or all but divisions showed remarkable (more heroic and patriotic) Volkssturm.
destroyed. In all, they had fewer than resilience in being able to reform and It was felt that such poor-quality troops
200 tanks on the entire front, while fight on as ad hoc units. Some fresh could at least do a useful job manning
the Allies had almost 2,000. Most of (or rebuilt) divisions were released hardened static positions on the
the panzer divisions could report just from OKW reserve and entrained Westwall, in defence only.
a handful of rurming tanks. The army to threaten sectors. Manpower was
had lost 1,300 of its 1,500 artillery being redirected to the military at an These re-organisations gave the
pieces in Normandy and replacements unprecedented level. The Luftwaffe Wehrmacht at least some resilience and
were hard to come by. Any captured was stripped out of ground personnel, a fighting chance, especially when they
gun was now being reactivated for reserve and training units and schools had the Westwall's hardened positions
service. Morale was low; the army had were also emptied of men, and the to hold on to. The Wehrmacht was now
suffered a bad defeat in Normandy Kriegsmarine' s under-employed men almost entirely on the defensive. The
and was making a hasty retreat were also reassigned to the army, job over the next two to three months
across France. The war might be lost. given new uniforms and weapons was to buy time for the rebuilding
Divisions that had been in place in and sent to the front. Into the autumn, work to continue and for the tanks,
the south of France were in rather to help rebuild the army's fighting vehicles, shells and guns rolling off
better condition and were also ordered strength, two new formations had the production lines to reach the front,
back north, so the southern end of been introduced to the Wehrmacht's and for new troops to be trained. For
the Westwall line was the stronger, order of battle. The first was the Panzer the first time, the troops would be
with some divisions, including panzer Brigades (see later) and the second given added resolve because they were
grenadier (motorised) types, still in was the Volksgrenadier Divisions. defending Germany's own soil.
good fighting shape. None were rated These were, in effect, a renaming of the
as `Combat Ready 1' though, i.e. ready infantry divisions, but with a reduced Just as with the Wehrmacht, so
for full offensive actions. The best were manpower requirement and troops the Luftwaffe was also in a critical
rated as `Combat Ready 2', for limited drawn from younger and older recruits condition. It was low on aircraft and
offensive actions. Most were rated as 3 (the ages for military conscription had very low on fighter-bombers, as the
or even 4, meaning of limited use even been moved up and down) as well as priority had for so long been fighters
in defence. men that had previously been unfit for home air defence against Allied
for service due to medical reasons, bombers. There were not enough
The situation was undoubtedly dire, such as poor eyesight or hearing, or experienced pilots left for the few
but there were a few faint glimmers stomach illness. Retired, previously aircraft they had, and the Allied air
of hope for the Wehrmacht. Firstly, wounded veterans were also recalled forces almost completely outgunned
tank and armoured vehicle production as NCOs. Another source of manpower the last remnants of the Luftwaffe,
had reached a new high, the best it was forming Landesschultz regiments. to the extent they would play barely
would ever get for Germany and so These were a home guard, for local any role in the defence of Germany's
200 panzers would quickly become security duties (such as guarding borders beyond the occasional
800 over the next month. Trained tank prisoner of war labourers, searching nuisance raid that could avoid Allied
crews were in short supply though, so for downed airmen or manning fighter patrols.

12
 il BATTLEGROUP . WEST"IALL

behind Minjonnet's positions, via shattered in a single day of fighting. Manteuffel wasn't aware of this
the `'illage of Vflle-sur-Illon, where French losses were very light; 5 when he ordered the attack) but now
Colonel Langlade had his HQ. A ShermaLns KO'd, 44 men killed and Panthers of 111th Brigade moved in.
•.arge force of Panzer IVs and panzer
one P47 shot down. Following the Combat Command A (CCA) of 4th
-]enadiers in half-tracks was seen heavy defeat, the Gemrans' defence Armoured and Combat Command
approaching from the south. Colonel of this sector collapsed, and the 8 (CCB) of 6th Armoured Division
Langlade was determined to hold survivors withdrew to the eastern sent task forces to Luneville and M18
\-ille-sun-Illon and deployed his HQ bank of the Moselle. 5th Panzer tank destroyers engaged the Panthers
nen as well as some troops culled Army had already lost two of its first at close range in the streets, before
ion his only reserve, Task Force three panzer brigades and their main the US artillery began pummelling
Putz, which was still moving up. M10 mission had yet to start. General von the town. 111th received orders to
tank destroyers engaged the leading Manteuffel was forced to call up one pull out of town and rejoin 113th
;`anzers and as they duelled, the of the reserve brigades to make up Panzer Brigade - the main aim of the
Gemans moved around the village the losses. offensive had been changed (again),
:Li the west, to attack from the woods to an attack towards Nancy via
::iere. This area was held by French The September 12th deadline for the Arracourt. General von Manteuffel
•.Ti{antrv and reconnaissance teams counter-attack had now come and reorganised his forces, but on the
=i jeeps and their machine-gun fire gone and the operation had to be night march northwards, the 111th
held the now dismounted panzer quickly revised. An attack west of became lost and would play little part
=enadiers off. Still, it was a desperate the Moselle was no longer feasible. in the next day's fighting.
::=ht and, to be safe, Langlade Instead, the new plan was to destroy
'^ithdrew his HQ north, in case the the US 4th Armoured Division On September 19th, it was 113th
•`-Jlage fell. In the end, it didn't, but it where it had reached Arracourt PaLrLzer Brigade's turn, and they
•^-as a close-inn thing. and ovemm the US bridgeheads moved out, again in heavy mist,
west of the Moselle. The plan was towards Lezey, heading for
`Ieanwhile, back at Dompaire itself, sanctioned by OKW in Berlin and Arracourt. Here they encountered
the Germans were trying to probe General von Manteuffel was to be tanks of CCA, 4th Armoured
south in small groups of two or three reinforced by llth Panzer `Division' Division. They had been pre-warned
Panthers and a few half-tracks, each (in name only, it was no more than of the German approach after the
-Line running into a French blocking a small kampfgruppe). The attack column was spotted in the fog by
=`osition and withdrawing under fire. would be led by two full panzer a jeep recce team, which wasn't
\Iore P47 air strikes arrived (most brigades, 111th and 113th, aided seen in return. As the Panther tanks
::lcel}' attacking already knocked-out by elements of the 15th Panzer advanced, they ran into a waiting
anks) and the relentless artillery Grenadier Division and 21st Panzer unit of Shermans, with visibility
lashing into the town and close-by Division. The first objective was to at just 75m. The Shem`ans opened
`|1lages was very accurate. Unable secure Luneville, currently held by fire and knocked out three of the
:o escape south, by evening the 15th Panzer Grenadiers, and use it as heavier tanks. The others withdrew,
Germans had turned north, but only a base to jump off further attacks. It only to run into another platoon
:-ound more French tanks blocking was September 18th before V Panzer of Shermans on high ground near
that way through Lanieville. After a Army was ready to go. Bezange-la-Petite and lose four
da}- in combat, 112th Panzer Brigade more panzers to fire they could not
had been decimated. The next day, The weather had tuned cold, cloudy see or return. It was a bad staLrt that
the last of them would withdraw and with a thick mist when, in the did not improve. A battery of M18
east, the way they had come, covered early moming, the panzers began tank destroyers arrived to reinforce
b}. a sharp counter-attack against their advance on Luneville and the Shermans, who started to hunt
Task Force Minjonnet. By now 112th soon encountered the 42nd Cavalry the Panthers through the mist. The
Panzer Brigade was a shattered unit; Squadron's light armour. The US M18s encountered Panthers at 150m
the day's battle had destroyed 34 recortnaissance troops put up a brave (the mist had lifted slightly) and
Panther tanks, with a mere four left stand but couldn't hope to hold the scored seven more kills, for three
mnning. Over 20 Pz IV had also been panzers for long; having lost half of their own Hellcats lost to return
lcrst in the fighting at Ville-sur-Illon. their vehicles, they pulled back fire. A second armoured column of
German infantry casualties were through Lun6ville whilst requesting 113th was engaged by more Hellcats
also high, with over 1,000 men lost. aid. The 15th Panzer Grenadiers near Rechicourt and then Sherman
A second panzer brigade had been had recently given up the town (von tanks of Task Force Hunter counter-

13
BATTLEGROUP . WESTW:AIL

were turned about and took the back. At 5th Panzer Army HQ, the
attacked, recording seven Panthers
Panthers under direct fire. When tank accusations were flying. Hitler heard
destroyed for three Shermans lost
destroyers and Shermans arrived to the news of the failure of his new
in the afternoon. The 113th pulled
aid them, they drove the panzers off armoured strike force and sacked
back to regroup. Stopped, they had
after an intense firefight. Bures was General Blaskowitz, commander
failed to get to Arracourt. Having
now being heavily shelled. of the German lst Army, whilst
reported the loss of 50 armoured
von Manteuffel was instructed
vehicles in a day of confused meeting
Meanwhile, back near Lezey and to try again. He regrouped on
engagements in the mist, they were
Bezange-la-Petite, fresh Panzer IVs September 21st and sent the orders
ordered to try again tomorrow.
of 113th Brigade had arrived and to attack towards Arracourt again
taken up an ambush position and on September 22nd. He angrily
The confusion did not get any better
scored six Sherman kills when CCA, berated the two panzer brigade
as the mist-shroud hung over all on
4th Armoured, appeared over a hill commanders for their failures and the.
September 20th. Now, 111th Panzer
line. The Shermans dropped behind ill-coordinated, costly attacks.
Brigade had reached the area as well,
crossing the Marne-Rhine Canal the hill and awaited reinforcements,
before then moving against the By now, the mists had lifted, and the
and moving towards the village of
PalLzer IVs, claiming 11 kills for US fighter-bombers were airborne
Bures. Their lead Panthers ran into
12 lost Shermans in the day's tank again, the previous days having seen
a US artillery battery, in the process
duel. Again, the attack on Arracourt them grounded by the weather. The
of limbering their 155mm guns
had failed and the Germans pulled Panthers and armoured infantry first
for the day's move. The big guns

bunkers used mainly for storage and This manpower came from many
THE SIEGFRIED LINE
its weaponry redeployed to the coast. sources, from the survivors of the
The Westwall, called the `Siegfried
Bythetimeitwasurgentlyrequired, retreating divisions, some newly
Line' by the Allies, was a plan to
in autumn 1944, the Westwall had deploying or rebuilt divisions
protectGermany'swestemborder
fallen into neglect. With the approach including new Volksgrenadier forces
with a belt of strong deferrsive
of the Allies in August 1944, the and locally raised Landesschultz
positions and fortifications, much like
the French Maginot Line which faced fortifications would soon be needed thome guard) security battalions. The
and with the defeated German Army Westwall would become the new
them, but ambitiously stretching
in full retreat, the Westwall was to be front line against the Allies' drive
from Kleve in the north to Weil Am
the new main line of resistance for the into Germany itself . The fight at the
Rhein on the German-Swiss border;
German Army. It would now have to Westwall was unlikely to stop the
in all, 620 kilometres from north to
serve its original purpose and stall the AIlies altogether but it would buy
south. Construction work began in
AIlied armies' advance into Gem`any. time to rebuild the German Armyis
1938 and would continue for four
shattered panzer forces again, behind
years and even then, it was not
As the Allies gained the upper hand the concrete bunker walls.
complete. To start with private labour
was hired in; later, slave labour and in Normandy and following the
German Army's collapse, furious The Westwall was designed to be
the national RAD labour organisation
work began with a seven-week strongest at the points the German
would take over the work. After the
deadline to re-activate the Westwall high command had identified as
fall of France and with the Third
and get it back into fighting shape, the likely routes of advance into
Reich's border now on the Atlantic
deploying weapons and manpower. Germany by major mechanised
coast, the Westwall was not required
In the end, the Allies' rapid advance enemy forces. The first route was in
and much of the building work,
across France would not allow for the south, in the Saarland, now facing
materials, labouring manpower and
seven weeks of work; instead, the the advance of the US 3rd Army. The
most of the weapons required for it
Germans had three or four. But, as other was in the north, at the Aachen
were redirected to the construction
Gap, where a double belt of defences
of the Atlantic Wall. Steel doors part of their recovery in the west,
the regrouping, redeploying and now faced the vanguard of the US
and armoured embrasure shields
rearming of the German military lst Army as it approached Germany.
were removed and re-used, and
following its defeat, ready to fight The forward belt was the Schnarhorst
even telephone wires were pulled
again, the Westwall was prepared, Line, and the rearward (and
out and sent to the French coast.
and manpower found to hold it. stronger) belt was the Schill Line. The
The Westwall fell into disuse, its

14
 iH BATTLEGROUP . WEST"IALL
-__---===J=---_--,-_LJjL--jiiii.

=`:i`untered a cavalry screen and in a fighter-bomber rocket attack on panzer brigades into existing
s.rL-en .\(5 Stuarts were destroyed September 23rd. The commander divisions. The survivors of 111th
lr ro losses, but the reconnaissance of 113th Panzer Brigade had been Brigade were given to the command
=``-p tosses allowed CCA time killed in action on September 22nd. of llth Panzer Division. 113th
I :espond again. By now, they Requests for reinforcements, fresh Brigade merged into 21st Panzer
=a3 recognised they were under tanks, to continue the attack were Division and 106th Panzer Brigade
i s=istained panzer counter-attack turned down, but llth Parizer merged with 15th Panzer Grenadier
nj tuned over to a more defensive Division was still on hand, as Division. V Panzer Army still had,
=:i-e. The Shermans and M18s planned, and it would assume the between them all, roughly 50 tanks.
3=+nd themselves under attack attacking duties. The situation in The offensive was not yet over.
==:n in the area of ]uvelize. There Holland and at Aachen had changed.
--a heavy fighting, but US artillery Operation Market Garden and US On September 24th, the attack
rii air support were now able to lst Army's attacks on the Westwall resumed after better scouting had
-.i '.Tought powerfully to bear. The
at Aachen meant troops were needed pinpointed US positions. But CCA
: : : th Panzer Brigade found itself here and diverted away from the 4th Armoured had not been idle.
.I:qunned and, again unable to reach Lorraine. General von Manteuffel, They had now been reinforced
i:=ai-ourt, withdrew with just eight blaming the poor quality of troops by CCB and they were waiting,
Fi~Ttther tanks left running. It was and training in the panzer brigades, in good positions on high ground
i` longer capable of another attack. temporarily broke off their attacks and supported by plenty of on-call
i:-€ brigade's commander was killed and merged the remnants of the artillery and aircraft. The resumed

.1_ichcanswouldbeattackinginto the Westwall, poured in rows four These weapons were gathered from
the strongest teeth of the Westwall's or five deep, sometimes with upright all over the Third Reich, mostly older,
irfucatious. steel roads between, then run for captured guns, formerly in French,
miles through fields and forests Belgian, Dutch or Russian service.
The \\'estwall was not a single line with sealable gaps at the roads. Much of a bunker's complex was
ct- fortifications, but a defensive They did not prove overly effective underground, impervious to shelling
belt or zone, roughly five to six - engineers' bulldozers could push and most were sealable against
hlometres deep, within which the earth over them to create an ad hoc gas attacks. Some included anti-
German Army could organise a solid, bridge and, in places, local German flamethrower refuges, sealable so a
`-ell-protected defence. The zones farmers had already done this to flamethrower attack would not knock
included 18,000 hardened bunker and provide tractor access to their fields. out the bunker. Strongpoints were
FEIIbox positions, the strongpoints of also equipped with underground
the wall, but also miles and miles of Bunkers were of standardised cable runs for telephone wires, back to
defensive obstacles and minefields. constmction types, rated for their the command and artillery positions,
Passive anti-tank obstacles were wall thickness: A for up to 140" which were in turn pre-ranged to
*idely used, anti-tank ditches and of reinforced concrete (11.5 feet defend the bunkers, making for quick
moats filled with water, concrete thick!); 8 up to 80"; C up to 24", and and accurate artillery and mortar
dragon's teeth banked four or five D a mere 12''. The designs made support for the defenders.
deep and natural barriers like rivers the most efficient use of materials
and ditches were incorporated. Nazi and enforced strict regulations on In addition to the machine gun and
propaganda claimed the wall was armoured components, such as doors, gun positions, the Luftwaffe used
inpregnable and thus it gained some embrasure shields and ventilation the defensive zones to site their
notoriety earlier in the war. Without equipment. The specifications for own flak emplacements, part of the
`westem air defence area' (Westliches
good troops to hold it and the mobile bunkers increased as the weaponry to
reserve to support and counter- attack them improved, with the first Luftverteidigungsgebiet) against the
attack any penetration, many US D-types unable to withstand modem Allied bombing campaign. These
commanders facing it regarded such armour penetration rounds. Many poured{oncrete flak `stands' were
static positions as a waste of good anti-tank bunkers were designed as for heavy anti~aircraft guns (usually
concrete. too small for the later, larger anti- 88mm and 105mm) and were often
tank guns and could only take a small defended from ground attack by
The ranks of dragon's teeth would 37mm gun. Later bunkers grew in `Tobruk' -type single-man machine-
become a quintessential symbol of size to accommodate larger weapons. gun emplacements.

15
 BATTLEGROUP . WEST"IAIL `--t+

ALbove: US annour and supporting infantry on the

move towards Germany (US National Archive). Still, attacks would resume on through to Arracourt. The battle
September 27th and 28th against the had lasted 11 days in all, and seen
American lines, held by dismounted the Germans take far heavier losses
German attack, outnumbered now, armoured infantry, west and south in men and equipment than the
was not going to break through. The of Anacourt, mostly to try and Americans. In all, 5th Panzer Army
only thing holding 4th Armoured seize the best high ground from the had lost over 400 tanks and assault
Division back was their supply Americans. At Points 318, 293 and guns in the Lorraine fighting. They
situation. Low on fuel and with 265 there was heavy fighting but were not going to be replaced. The
General Patton informed that he again, the Americans' supporting US losses amounted to 200 light and
was now lowest priority for supplies fire was decisive. The Germans medium tanks and tank destroyers.
and thus his advance on Germany did capture the villages of Lezey All would quickly be replaced from
must go over to the defensive, the and Bezange-la-Petite, but it didn't depots. By the end of September, the
American armour pulled back to help. The final day of the offensive US 3rd Army had more tanks than it
allow infantry to establish a front was September 29th; after this, the had started the month with, despite
line. As the American tanks and commander of the German lst Army, the losses in the fighting.
tank destroyers withdrew through General von Knobelsdorff, called
Arracourt, General von Manteuffel off the attacks. Without further tank For now, Patton's 3rd Army was
claimed a victory. It was no such replacements, which would not be stalled and had to be content to wait,
thing - the offensive in the Lorraine forthcoming (all new tanks were shorten its lines and dig in, whilst
had been a costly failure and seen being husbanded for a new offensive their frustrated general planned his
four panzer brigades shattered for no in Belgium code-named Wachf A77t next strike towards Germany, when
gains. REez.71), the Germans could not win his tanks finally got the gas needed.

16
 iH BATTLEGROUP . WESTW:AIL

9th Infantry Division to advance Regiment, throughout the following

and secure the southern flank of the weeks. They had slipped through the
ongoing operations around Aachen, Westwall's defences, but such good
by clearing the forest. Coaps' HQ fortune would not happen again.
wanted no nasty surprise counter- German reinforcements, the remnants
attacks mustering out of sight in the of 275th and 353rd Infantry Divisions,
Huertgen. On September 16th, the were quickly moved up to occupy
47th Infantry Reginent was the first the Westwall in better strength, with
to move up and begin the advance more artillery to back it up. The US
into the northern fringes of the 39th Infantry Regiment now joined
Huertgen Forest and, in doing so, the battle, attacking and taking
initiate a long and very bloody battle, the village of Lammersdorf. The
the worst in terms of casualties for regiment's third battalion took heavy
the US Army in Europe. The Battle casualties attacking up Hill 554, high
of Huertgen Forest, which started ground outside Lammersdorf, and
in mid-September, would drag on was repulsed. They had run into the
into February 1945 and repeatedly Westwall. The first short advance by
escalate, drawing in ever more US 9th Infantry Division then stalled as
and German divisions. The initial it ran into hardened strongpoints of
objective was limited and irmocent the Westwall, east of Lammersdorf.
enough and, when the 47th's first Casualty rates had already soared,
companies advanced to probe the with the infantry encountering a lot
Westwall positions hidden under of mines and booby-traps hidden
the pine plantations, it was an under the ground's spongey covering
unremarkable operation. Why it of pine needles. German artillery
became, or was allowed to become, and mortars were pre-ranged and
such a long, drawn-out battle of tree-bursting shells sent showers of
attrition remains contentious. There extra high-speed wooden shrapnel
seems to have been little of real down onto the Gls' heads. Here,
strategic value to the Allies to be lying down to take cover from
gained in the Huertgenwald, but incoming actually resulted in making
perhaps, once engaged it was simply yourself a larger target. Dense forest
Huertgen - On the Forest Fringes that neither side was willing to made the deployment of tanks and
T'L<t south of the contested Aachen concede the battle, retreat and accept tank destroyers difficult and just
sector lay a region of thickly wooded defeat. Since hitting the beaches on impossible in some places. Radios,
:-ins, with two main ridges divided D-Day, the US lst Army did not lose vital to the Americans, did not work
-r`- the ravine of the Kall RIver,
battles and it seems it was willing well in the trees. The defending
marked on US maps as the Huertgen to expend whatever manpower and Germans mostly had field telephones
Forest. It was arfually several resources it took to claim the victory. in place. It took US engineers 12
:-orested areas and large plantations, In the Battle of Huertgen Forest, hours of constant fighting, attacking
•fut the name Huertgen would stick.
that cost would be far too high for with demolition charges and
There were many other hills and the slight rewards the final victory bazookas, to knock out one bunker.
`'alleys as well as villages: Kleinhau, offered.
Grosshau, Lammersdorf, Vossenack, Under the trees, accurately zeroing
Schmidt and Huertgen itself. The 47th Infantry's first advance did in artillery on bunkers, or using air
`Iuch of the forest was plantation, catch the Germans by surprise with support, was extremely difficult and
trees close together, split by open only weak forces in place, and one inaccurate. Throughout September,
frebreaks. Other areas were natural battalion of the reginent, utilising a the 9th Infantry Division continued
forest with dense undergrowth. The hiking trail, advanced to the village of to probe into the forests, all three
Siegfried Line ran through the forest, Schevenhiitte, on the northern ridge, infantry regiments taking losses
and it was known from scouting to and captured it before repulsing a before the division was pulled back,
currently only be lightly occupied half-hearted German counter-attack. for a brief rest. It would not last long.
by poor-quality German troops. VII Schevenhiltte would remain a thrust The depleted 39th, 47th and 60th
Corps' HQ issued orders for the into the forest, held by the 47th Regiments were soon called upon

17
 BATTLEGROUP . WEST"IAIL ^ + . Le

to return to the front line to begin a was 1.5 million square yards in all. city at a hill called the Ravelsberg.
new operation against the villages The weather worsened as September
of Vossenack and Schmidt and the ended, the ground and forest trails 30th Infantry Division opened its
southern Schmidt-Steckenbom ridge tuning to deep mud. Mist rose attack on October 2nd, first to get
in the heart of the Huertgenwald. between the trees, further limiting across the Wurm and then start
New replacements arrived from the visibility. It was cold and wet out on clearing the Westwall pillboxes that
depots for each regiment, many of the line and cases of trench foot and covered the river line and for the
the men redeployed from disbanded combat fatigue started to rise. engineers to get bridges in place.
anti-aircraft units that were no The offensive was preceded by
longer required. AA gunners and OCTOBER BATTLES heavy air raids by medium and
drivers were suddenly front-line The Battle of Aachen fighter-bombers, but again, these
infantrymen, but with no extra The plan to take Aachen remained had little effect on the Westwall's
training. Meanwhile, the 28th to encircle the city and avoid a costly hardened positions. The German 49th
Infantry Division also had its first and highly destructive battle from Infantry and 183rd Volksgrenadier,
blooding under the dank canopy house to house through the venerable supported by a StuG brigade, gave
of the forest as its patrols probed city. The hard-fought advance up the stiff resistance, but the first day's
`Stolberg corridor' had developed fighting saw the 30th establish their
forwards and encountered the well-
dug-in and camouflaged defenders. the southern arm of the encircling bridgehead and fight off a counter-
It was brutal fighting and very slow pincers. The northern 'pincer' was attack at the village of Ubach. The
going. For every square yard of forest now to attack across the River US advance made slower gains after
so far captured, there had been an Wurm near Ubach, by 30th Infantry that, for the next two days, until the
estimated one US casualty. The forest Division, aided by 2nd Armoured, US 2nd Armoured Division was
and advance to link up east of the also committed to the fight. The
city with a renewed push by the lst German command could now see
Infantry Division from the south, to this was a major US effort and called
Below: An infantry squid warily advance through take high ground north-east of the in more reinforcements, including
the Huertgen Forest. (US National Archive).

18
 iFT BATTLEGROUP . WEST"IAIL

THE PANZER BRIGADES Most of the brigades were to PANZER BRIGADE 105
.I short-Hved idea and something deploy to the Eastern Front, but Brigade HQ
i+ a pat project of Hitler's, the in the end, all were diverted to 16 half-tracks
ination of new, small 'Panzer meet the immediate Allied threat
hagades' was to quickly replace at Germany's border, in their fire Panzer Battalion 2105
Er shattered panzer divisions that brigade role as the mobile reserve 36 Panther tanks, 4 Mobelwagon,
•±ad last most of their equipment
behind the Westwall defences, 11 Jagdpanzer IV(L70)
zld much of their manpower in and six brigades were notably
`icrmandy and on the Eastern committed to the counter-attacks in Panzer Grenadier Battalion 2105
TTut in Belorussia. The order for the Lorraine area. 116 half-tracks, 8 120mm mortars,
dleir oeation was given by Hitler 2 280mm Nebelwerfer `Stuka Zu
a Jut?- 1944 and they first started The manpower was almost all new Fuss,.
- be formed in August 1944, as recruits, with no combat experience 41 SdKfz 251/1 ®ersonnel
pedcct' panzer divisions. Small, and little in the way of basic training carriers)
zmoured urLits, highly mobile (some with as little as a month's 4 SdKfz 251/2 (80mm mortar)
-i able to quickly deploy to crisis basic training before being moved 14 SdKfz 251/3 (command)
zcas as `fire brigades', they would into combat units). A few survivors 2 SdKfz 251/8 (ambulance)
rErch.e the bulk of Germany's new from shattered divisions were 10 SdKfz 251/9 (75mm gun)
rink and half-track production also enrolled. These new soldiers 3 SdFifz 251/11 (cable layer)
•ichich had just reached its peak) were well equipped, with full- 42 SdKfz 251/21 `Drilling'
Etn k.ould lack many supporting strength battalions of factory-new (anti-aircraft)
znis. Many argued that this was a Panther or Panzer IV tanks and
dri]se of scarce resources and the fully mechanised panzer grenadiers Panzer Pioneer Company 2105
in.- panzers and other armoured in their various half-tracks. Each 17 half-tracks, 6 SdRIz 251/16
Tchcles, and the new men, should brigade would also be supported by flamethrowers
gp to the existing panzer divisions a panzer pioneer company, again
® help rebuild them. Hitler rejected fully mechanised, and some would Service and supply was via 24
ds argument in favour of a new have assault gun battalions attached Kettenkrad, 19 motorcycles, 104
iJ-tion. as well. field cars, 148 trucks, 21 Maultier
trucks and 23 half-track prime-
To start with, the 13 new brigades All the new equipment did little movers.
-uld have a single tank battalion to help in combat, where the small
twhich later became two) and a brigades were not a success. Most The brigade was disbanded at the end
full}. armoured panzer grenadier suffered heavy losses in the autumn of Septe`rnber, having lost 22 Panther
battalion (again, this later of 1944 and the `pocket panzer tarcks and 4 |agdpanzer IV whilst
trecame two but not all were then division' idea was soon quietly chaining 50 Sherman tanks destreyed.
armoured), all with new, fresh reversed. The brigades were almost AIl survivors and equipment were
recruits. There would be little in all disbanded and their surviving incorporated into 9th Panzer Division,
the way of reconnaissance units, equipment and manpower were which t:Ivy had already been fighting
no anti-aircraft units beyond a absorbed into existing local panzer alongside near Aachen.
few. supporting light guns in the and panzer grenadier divisions.
battalions, a single pioneer company
and workshop unit and, perhaps As an example, Panzer Brigade
critically, no `organic' artillery for 105 was formed of 2,200 men
the brigade itself to command. throughout August and went into
Supporting fire would be from action in southern Belgium and
the panzer grenadiers' mortar the Aachen area, where it fought
batteries, or, if lucky, an attached throughout September. Cia 4th
.`ebelwerfer battery. Attached could September, its official strength
also be an anti-tank battalion of returns were:
mobile Jagdpanzer IV or StuG self-
propelled guns.

19
 BAITLEGROUP . WEST"IALL +++t+

E?.=ifi+igi
EI.I- =i=j=
J
Above: Advancing through the streets Of As 30th Infantry and 2nd Armoured
one Sherman tank knocking out four
Aachen, Sherman tanks providing the infantry
with extra cover. (US National Archive). supporting panzers, the 49th had were fighting their way, village by
expended its last combat strength village, around the north of Aachen,
and the renewed US advance saw it 1st Infantry began their advance
start to fall apart and retreat. The 30th towards the Ravelsberg, to link
heavy artillery regiments and Heavy quickly moved on to take Alsdorf, up with the `Old Hickory'. The
Tank Battalion 506 (then equipped their next objective, with their Corps' division was already arrayed in an
with just four Tiger 11 tanks, but CO, General Corlett, boldly claiming arc, south and south-east of the city.
`to have torn a hole two divisions They pushed off behind thunderous
more would be delivered). The US
armoured combat commands fought wide' in the German front. On artillery barrages with the objectives
their way east and broke through. October 7th, they took Alsdorf. On of taking high ground at `Crucifix
By October 6th they had reached October 8th, the Germans responded IIill' (it had a wooden cross on the
and taken Waurichen and fought by counter-attacking in force to retake summit) and then the Ravelsberg,
off a strong counter-attack by 11 the town, with at least three infantry both defended by Westwall pillboxes.
StuGs at Beggendorf. There would be battalions including assault pioneers, The village of Verlautenheide was
intense fighting here, the US losing 18 supported by StuG-IVs of 108th quickly taken in a surprise right
Shermans and three M10s to heavy Panzer Brigade and the four King attack. Within 48 hours the attack had
anti-tack gun fire. Tigers. The Germans got back into both hill summits. CO of the `Big Red
the town in street-to-street fighting, One', General Huebner, now sent
The 30th `Old Hickory', meanwhile, but by the evening had withdrawn an ultimatum into Aachen, under a
pressed south-east and faced yet again, leaving it in American hands. flag of truce: `The city would soon
another heavy counter-attack from As Alsdorf was reported held and be surrounded - surrender.' It was
the Gemran 49th Infantry Division, secure, so the order went out for lst refused, so, on October llth, the US
which retook ground towards Ubach, Infantry Division to begin its attack artillery started to work over the city
but at a heavy cost. When they had from the south. and mark targets with red smoke for
been fought to a standstill, including P-38s and P-51s to bomb. The stricken

20
 iEI BATTLEGROUP . WESTWAIL

of the 246th Volksgrenadier Division. coming assault in cellar hide-outs.

Based at the Quellenhof Hotel, he The lst Infantry Division's 26th
organised the defence, arraying his Infantry Regiment had already
roughly 2,000 troops (mainly from been probing the city, whilst small
404th Volksgrenadier Regiment) infiltration teams (rangers disguised
around the city and kept a final in German uniforms) had been
`alarm' reserve of his best troops, stealthily collecting intelligence and
including Rink's SS soldiers, some targeted a few German strongpoints
young Fallschirmjager and the five for sneak night attacks. On October
StuGs he had as armour. Aachen city 13th, the main assault started, along
centre was not an easily defended two axes from the east of the city. The
position, with higher ground all first, by 2nd Battalion, was along the
around, much of it now in American Aachen-Cologne railway line from
hands, but he knew he must hold the south-east. The second, by 3rd
it, as the Fuhrer ordered, to the last Battalion, was from the north-east, to
bullet and man - including himself take the Salvatorberg and Lousberg
(surrender would have seen Colonel hills, which overlooked the city
Wilck's family arrested by the centre (known as Observatory Hill to
Gestapo for his `treachery'). It was, the Americans because one sat on the
without extra aid, an almost hopeless summit. It was also SS Major Rink's
mission, but the defenders would HQ). Both US battalions were well
+-.- fight to the last. Wilck was not alone supported by tanks, tank destroyers
in his problems. General Hobbs, and 4,2" mortar batteries. The twin
CO of 30th Infantry Division, was assaults soon ran into trouble though.
running out of men and under daily
- - -_SS - :i At Blucherplatz a quad 20mm flak
==ar_-::jgr pressure from Corps and Army to
`close that gap' and seal off Aachen.
gun swept the open ground and
KO'd two Sherman tanks. German
.-.t`-was soon shrouded in dust and On October 12th, the Germans troops used the sewers to infiltrate
smoke. launched another counter-attack behind the US front lines and retake
against the 30th Infantry's front buildings that had already been
I.|e lst Infantry's regiments had lines, including elements of 116th cleared. US troops had to seal up
:c`mpleted their objectives; it was Panzer Division and the 519th Heavy manhole covers. Progress was slow;
I.iiw up to the 30th to close the last Anti-Tank Battalion' s Jagdpanthers. house by ruined house the infantry
Sap. The Germans fought desperately They held the gap open for another moved up as the armour smashed
:|i keep it open. At Bardenberg, the frustrating day. Meanwhile, 1st buildings ahead using HE shells
: 08th Panzer Brigade threw the Infantry were also hit hard, dug in through the windows and doors.
: 19th lrLfantry Regiment out in a around and on Crucifix Hill and The US advance nibbled away at the
i trong armoured counter-attack the Ravelsberg, but they held their German perimeter - every street was
`r \- half-track-mounted grenadiers
ground. The division's 26th Infantry a murderous dash through sniper
and panzers. They lost six panzers Regiment was ordered to move or machine-gun fire. To break the
and 18 half-tracks as the US fought into the eastern edge of Aachen, deadlock at Blucherplatz, an M12
their way back into Bardenberg. A probing some industrial areas. It 155mm self-propelled gun was
300-man-strong battalion of lst SS would fall to them to assault the brought from the rear and used to
Panzer Grenadiers, under Major city centre. A fresh break-in attack target German positions around
Rink, attacked through the gap at by 3rd Panzergrenadier Division, at the square; firing over open sights,
Wurselen, raced through in their Verlautenheide, was smashed with it levelled buildings. Resistance at
half-tracks and made it into the heavy fighter-bomber support. the crossroads was broken. The big
city to reinforce the defenders. The gun was so effective that the US
encirclement hadn't been closed; Inside the almost complete commanders in Aachen called up a
there was still a single road open for encirclement, Colonel Wilck's men few more. The lst SS men held the
the Germans to reinforce and supply had prepared their positions to area of Aachen's technical university
Aachen's defenders. Command of the hold the city. Under daily artillery and could not be shifted.
city had now passed to Colonel Wilck bombardment, they awaited the

21
 BATTLEGROUP . WESTW:All +lul

Finally, on October 16th, the 30th and retake it in a close assault. The Farwick Park. The next day, the street
Infantry's 119th Regiment captured Americans brought up the M12 again fighting resumed, and the ruined
the village of Kohlscheid and their and started to directly target the large Quellenhof Hotel fell, the last few
patrols made it to the Ravelsberg hotel building. Colonel Wilck's HQ young German paratroopers finally
to link up with the `Big Red One'. staff had already abandoned their surrendering, now out of ammo (in
Fighting outside the besieging ring cellar for a bunker to the north, but the end they threw empty champagne
would continue, but the gap was the last few Fallschirmjager held it bottles instead of grenades). That
closed and Aachen was surrounded. and fought on, including moving night, the SS sent a column of half-
30th Infantry Division had lost almost a quad 20mm flak gun onto the tracks, loaded with their wounded, in
3,000 men since crossing the Wurm. upper floor to rake fire across the an effort to break out, but it ran into
park. The German fire forced the a US roadblock and was captured.
Inside Aachen, the `Big Red One's' Americans back out of Farwick Park, Behind the medical evacuees, the city
attack pressed on for the next days but throughout Aachen they were was burning. Pinned into a last few
in house-to-house fighting. 3rd down to just 1,200 men and one last square kilometres, the final defenders
Battalion, 26th Infantry, reached operational StuG, the others having could do little as the USAAF bombed
Farwick Park, close to the Quellenhof been knocked out and added to the them at will and the M12s' 155mm
Hotel, and captured the `Kurhaus' rubble-strewn streets. guns crumbled building after
(a bathhouse in the park) only for building to smoking rubble. Major
SS men to suddenly counter-attack On October 18th, both sides pulled Rink ordered his last few lst SS
back, rested, regrouped and survivors to make a night-time break-
Below: An M12, selfprapelled 155mm gun, gives reorganised. The 26th Infantry out in small groups and escape back
direct fire support during street-fighting. Such large prepared for the last push into the to German lines. On the moming of
high-explosive shells were required to clear the enemy city's Altstadt and back through October 21st, Colonel Wilck finally
from their fortified positions. (US National Archive).

22
 iH BATTLEGROUP . WESTW:All

`.-: I...- a LTS soldiers (pows) and a advances and the heavy casualties Above: A German 150mm heavy infantry gun,
i-=[ `i:ricer, under a white flag, to they had cost, did not discourage in action, in the Huertgen Forest.
(Bundesarchiv.183-]28303. ]dger)
.-=€: :-i< garrison's surrender. All that the commanders of VII Corps or 9th
-.. i< left was to round up and disarm Infantry Division from pressing on
=E rL€``-prisoners of war. The first with their mission and a new attack ground, inside, were safe. When the
=t:=ran city had fallen to the Allies. was planned, to begin on October US infantry advanced, the defenders
6th. If successful, the 9th Infantry would be back manning their
I+: .rattle for Aachen had lasted Division would have captured most weapons or rushing to their trenches.
-_-_-ee weeks (six if the first of the Huertgen when it was over. It
==`-.rclement operations were was to be preceded by attacks by 80 The forest's growth was not uniform,
_-c:uded) and seen the Germans, P47 fighter-bombers as they bombed but varied from older, towering
: I. home soil, offer fierce resistance and rocketed located German bunker 100-foot-tall pines, closely packed, to
: _` sa\'e their city, even against all positions marked with red smoke, areas with new growth of trees that
.-.`` ;`e of victory. The street fighting then a short bombardment by the were no more than five to ten feet
-L=j been costly, but the US Army entire division's artillery and mortars high. Some areas had been logged
.-LL2J learnt many lessons (like the use would follow, before the infantry clear (this was often near the hilltops)
_-: :he M12s) that would be useful set out to clear those bunkers and whilst others were natural deciduous
:``r the coming battles through the trenches and finally take the critical growth, often in the ravines and
=Lanv German cities still lying ahead village of Schmidt, along the Kal River valley, thick
.` :- them. Aachen had been largely with undergrowth of brambles and
jcrstroyed, with 85% of its buildings The initial US bombardment did, it ferns. There were areas, around the
i amaged. Charlemagne's ancient seemed, almost no damage to the villages, with open fields. Under the
:athedral though had miraculously Germans inside their bunkers. The canopy, it was always dim and dank
iun'ived largely intact. diving P47s were `a beautiful sight' and the enemy, it felt, could be all
for an infantryman in his foxhole around. Infiltrating German patrols
Huertgen - Deeper Into the Forest but did not destroy a single bunker. were active and aggressive, and
\Jperatious into the Huertgenwald Many could absorb even a direct hit German counter-attacks could easily
•.`-ould continue. The first small by them anyway, and the men below slip through gaps or around flanks to

23
 BATTLEGROUP . WESTWAIL +++

open fire from unexpected directions. Both US regiments made slow Forest was still mostly secure in
Enemy snipers in camouflage were progress, encountering pillboxes German hands.
almost impossible to spot, firing, and bunkers behind minefields. Both
inflicting their casualty and then sides' artillery fired constantly, a The US 9th Infantry Division was
vanishing. It seemed that all the constant rumble of thunder overhead. now exhausted from the bloody
terrain's advantages lay with the The Germans reacted to the US attack efforts. It was pulled out of the front
defender. by sending extra reinforcements for R & R as the US reorganised their
into the line, two `fortress' battalions Corps' boundaries, trying to shorten
Under the dark canopy of the forest, of home-guard and Luftwaffe the line and free manpower. V Corps
the 9th Division's new advance got personnel and two companies of now took over responsibility of the
off to a slow start. The Germans ageing policemen from Dtiren, hastily Huertgen Forest sector and they
had reinforced again, trickling in issued field grey uniforms and a rifle. moved their 28th Infantry Division in
the remaining infantry from various With these conscripts to hold the to replace the battered 9th. It would
broken infantry `divisions' and bunkers, the 275th Infantry Division's be the 28th's turn in the forested hell
adding to their artillery behind. For commander gathered a counter- when the next attack was ordered.
the first time, they had even been attack force, his pioneer and fusilier
reinforced with a few tanks and battalion, along with six StuGs. The NOVEMBER BATTLES
StuGs, held as a counter-attack force German counter-attack began on The Lorraine Campaign - The Battle
from 116th Panzer Division. They had October 8th, on the northern flank of of Metz
also been busy sowing mines, lots of the US advance, and soon also ran The fortress city of Metz had so
small anti-personnel mines, which into trouble. Hit by heavy US artillery far resisted the first US attempts to
took a heavy toll on the US infantry. fire, the fusilier battalion's supply take the city. Those first probing
The first attacks towards Schmidt column of wagons and horses was efforts had been abandoned after the
quickly slowed to a crawl, with only annihilated in one accurate artillery defeat at Fort Driant, but now the
a few hundred yards gained each strike. Still, the defender's aggression US 3rd Army turned its attention to
day as the engineers came forward to further stalled the US advance on finally removing the Metz garrison.
clear mines and demolish obstacles, Germeter. The daily grind towards Again, the defenders of the fortress
often under fire. Germeter and Vossenack went on; had been given a Fuhrer order to
`stand at all costs'. There would be
taking out those pillboxes was slow
Two US regiments were in the line. work. no retreat; the garrison would fight
The 39th lnf antry, in the north, until the last. The mission of taking
attacked to take the village of By October 12th, the 39th Regiment the city, surrounded by a series of
Germeter. The 60th Infantry was finally had Germeter after brutal large, fortified positions a)uilt largely
just to the south, attacking towards fighting and had fought off the by the Germans against the French
Vossenack. Both would have two inevitable counter-attacks, but the when it had been their city, a legacy
battalions leading and a third in next objective of Schmidt was beyond of the Franco-Prussian war), was
reserve and covering the flank as the them. By October 16th, both sides given to the US XX Corps, under
front pushed its salient deeper into were exhausted and feeding fresher General Walker. The General had five
the forest. Behind, the 9th's divisional troops into the lines. By now, the divisions at his command: 5th, 90th
artillery had been reinforced with Germans had 18 battalions (all weak and 95th Infantry, 10th Armoured
extra batteries and each infantry though) defending the Huertgenwald and the 83rd Infantry in reserve. 90th
regiment had an extra company (more like the equivalent of 9 or 10 in would be the northern pincer, 5th
of 4.2" heavy mortars attached for manpower). The US were attacking the southern, the 95th would probe
rapid-response fire support (as well with just six, so a breakthrough and hold the line to the west, whilst
as their usual battalion mortars). was never likely. The 9th Division's loth Armoured would follow the
There was also a tank company and a offensive was called off on October 90th Division around Thionville and
tank destroyer company making up 16th. Casualties of 4,500 had close the encirclement to the east,
each `regimental combat team'. The pushed the front no more than three as well as sending reconnaissance
47th Infantry Regiment was held as kilometres further into the forest and missions east to the Sarre River. Once
the divisional reserve, whilst the 4th it had not got near to taking Schmidt. Metz was cut off, the 95th Infantry
Cavalry Group operated to the south German losses were over 2,000, with Division would assault the city itself.
to pre-warn of any German build-up 1,000 prisoners of war taken as well. Holding Metz and its surrounds were
for a counter-attack. The early October fighting had not three Volksgrenadier divisions, the
achieved its objectives. The Huertgen 19th, 416th and 462nd. All were weak

24
 ill BATTLEGROUP . WESTW:ALL

: _` :=iations, rated for defence only, wooded high ground overlooking little in the way of heavy weapons,
_-;: they occupied the many forts the river crossings. The boat-borne and no armour, across the Moselle
i-i strongpoints, with almost no amphibious assaults were a success, yet. Resupply was slow, ammunition
i==T,our Oust 11 assault guns between bridgeheads were soon in place was low and medical services thin.
•_-€m ). To the south was 17th SS and reinforcements could paddle A German counter-attack could have
= i-zergrenadier Division's sector, across, but it was slow, fighting the thrown them back into the Moselle,
•. : ::1 Panzer Division was in reserve
fast river. The Germans were caught but they had no troops free for
.-:: had already been redeployed to by surprise and had little to stop one. Corps command was urgently
I, i-.t further south, so would not be the 90th Division's push east. At requesting aid and a kampfgruppe of
: I. :-.and to aid. The Metz front was Koenigsmacker's fort, with its battery 25th Panzergrenadiers was ordered
i=etched thin. of four 100mm guns in hardened to move in to support, but they had
casemates and an observation bunker, no fuel for their trucks and were
I.-.e fist stage of the northern US the assault troops and engineers awaiting resupply.
==jck was to get across the Moselle were through the wire and in the
?='.-er. The 95th Infantry Division surrounding trenches before the The 90th Division's attack continued
i; `Li.|ched a diversionary crossing, Germans realised they were under and with the Moselle flooding
•` :-|st the 90th launched their own attack. They soon rallied, but it was receding, easing the resupply
==m attack on November 8th. The too late. US troops were at the fort's situation as ferries could be used
:i<:-rising river waters and flooding bunkers, using satchel charges and as well as boats, the first vehicles
`-I -=Ls€d problems for the assault boats pouring gasoline down ventilation
`.` :~|st the Germans fired artillery but
grills before setting them alight. The
=j not directly interdict the crossing garrison at the fortress fought on
=.``=|ts. The 90th's first targets were until November llth, then raised a
: :-|]top fort at Koenigsmacker and white flag. Metrich also fell. The 90th Below: Panzergrenadiers, now in winter overalls,
i-`|ther at Metrich, then to clear the Infantry Division made gains but had move-up through a burning village.
a3undesarchiv, 183-|28577, Pospesch)

25
 BATTLEGROUP . WESTWALL +1

'=.==:¥ '`_, ` - ?. 4i:

EZ]
.~.-.-.'+I:ir
ALbove: US heavy artillery, here a `Coloured'
regiment, prepare their M1 155mm howitzer for
Meanwhile, 95th Infantry Division, over the next main river line before
action. (US National AIchive).
to the south, was enlarging its the Germans could solidify any
`diversionary' bridgehead and
defence. On November 15th, the 25th
attacked several of Metz's western Panzergrenadier kampfgruppe, now
started to cross; tank destroyers and strongpoints, the Vauban-style forts regrouped, reinforced and rearmed,
Shermans. Meanwhile, up front, at Fort Yutz and small forts near launched its second counter-attack.
the infantry cleared pillboxes from Ilange. Having hit them with heavy It struck at Distroff against the 90th
the high ground and pushed on artillery, 155mm and the biggest Division's lines. There was very
east. On November llth, the 25th 240mm guns, the infantry and heavy fighting for the village, as 2nd
Panzergrenadier kampfgruppe was engineers had to clear mines then Battalion, 358th Infantry hung on,
finally able to move, along with thick belts of barbed wire before reinforced by M10 and M36 tank
ten tanks and StuGs. That night moving in and destroying bunkers destroyers that reached them under
they counter-attacked in force at with large blocks of TNT. cover of a smokescreen. The German
the village of Kerling and retook armoured grenadiers got to the edge
it in a confused night fight but loth Armoured found the Germans in of the village, with tank and assault
withdrew when US artillery ranged retreat and initially advanced against gun support, but were driven off. 2nd
in from beyond the Moselle. The US only small rearguard actions. Combat Battalion, 358th, held at Distroff but
continued to make ground, and the Commands A and 8 both made good paid a heavy price. In the aftermath,
10th Armoured Division prepared progress on their respective axes of they counted 10 wrecked panzers and
to cross the river and take over the advance. After two days they were 16 half-tracks.
lead and envelop Metz from the in positions and the main routes
north. When a Bailey bridge over into and from Metz from the north- Meanwhile, the 257th Infantry
the Moselle was completed despite east were cut. General Patton then Regiment was fighting to clear the
German artillery fire, on November ordered them on towards the Sarre, former Maginot Line artillery fort at
14th,loth Armoured rolled. to establish an early bridgehead Hackenberg, under fire from its old

26
 iEI BATTLEGROUP . WESTW:ALL

75mm French guns. They returned Whilst they had been swinging changed plans and informed the 5th
the fire with 8" and 240mm guns, but round north of the city, the 5th Division's HQ that they would now
even these couldn't damage the gun Infantry Division was advancing to take Metz itself . Their sector seemed
casemates. To silence the fortress, the south. It was already occupying the German's weakest. That drive
they brought forward M12 155rnm a bridgehead over the Moselle, so no would begin on November 16th.
con,nsandusedthemfordirectfireat major river crossing operation was Meanwhile, west of the city, 95th
the gun embrasures. The M12s won needed tout several smaller ones Infantry Division continued its own
the duel and the infantry mopped up were). The bridgehead, captured in attacks to pin down the defenders
the last survivors as the next fortress September, had been held throughout here, including sealing off but not
fell. the October pause, but the division's assaulting Fort Jean d'Arc and seven
advance would be closer to Metz. other small strongpoints (known as
\-ow, the Germans north of Metz The mission was to link up with the the Seven Dwarfs).
``.ere in full retreat and the weather northern pincer in the Ancerville
i so far miserable, rainy and cold) area. They faced the 17th SS Inside Metz, the 462nd
briefly improved. US fighter-bomber Panzergrenadier Division, which Volksgrenadier Division remained
_quadrons now hunted the retreating had almost no armour (10 panzers to hold the city's old forts, the
columns on the roads and lanes. and assault guns in all), was mostly largest being Fort Jean d'Arc and the
.Adding to the advantage, US aerial new recruits and would be fighting bastion at Fort Driant. It included
ardllery spotters were circling as an infantry force. 5th Division's Security Regiments and Fortress
and calling down fire as well. By first attacks, well supported by tanks Battalions, all third-rate troops,
\-ovember 17th, the 90th Infantry and tank destroyers, made quick either very young or too old, as
and 10th Armoured's missions were ground and pushed the 17th SS
cc>mplete. Their forward units were back. In five days, they had reached
now 20 kilometres east of the city. On Ancerville, clearing out two outlying Below: An ` 88' anti-aircraft gun is deployed for
-he 19th they reached the 5th Division forts en route. It had gone so well ground fire. It was common for Luftwaffe home air-
dofence units to re-deploy as artillery.
and closed the ring. that, at Corps HQ, General Walker
(Bundesarchiv, 183-|28730, Caspar)

27
 BATI`LEGROUP . WESTVIIALL `.-++

well as elements of 17th SS, other threatening snow. The ominous dark of M10 tank destroyers that tried to
stragglers and some newly raised forest was wreathed in mists. hold the village. Through November
local `Volkssturm' units, armed with 5th and 6th, the fluid lines solidified
old French rifles. They were being A heavy artillery barrage preceded again, both sides patrolling through
squeezed from the west, south and the attack and on the first day, it the damp trees, but neither making
east. 5th Infantry Division attacked made sudden progress, led along much ground. The US offensive's
towards the city on November 16th tracks and firebreaks by its Sherman early gains had all been lost. Now it
and soon made ground again, with tanks, infantry following just was a battle of attrition again. A new
heavy fighting for Frescaty airfield behind in their wake (literally, to effort to retake Schmidt was planned,
against SS troops. The advance then avoid mines). Vossenack village, in forming Task Force Ripple with
stalled at Fort Queuleu, one of the ruins now, was captured and many tanks, tank destroyers and an infantry
stronger inner ring of forts. One US German prisoners were taken, rooted battalion for a new lunge, but first
battalion sealed off the fort as others out from hiding in cellars. It wasn't Kommerschiedt had to be cleared and
bypassed it and moved into Metz's until November 3rd that the Germans the Germans would not give it up.
suburbs. The German defence was started to recover. They held high In fact, they instead attacked again
crumbling, and there was little in ground above Vossenack on its ridge, and took the village themselves. Task
the way of actual house-to-house excellent observer positions and Force Ripple gained no ground, only
fighting. By November 19th, the their accurate artillery and mortars lost some.
US forces were mopping up. On hammered the US the next day. Now
November 20th the city formally the 28th Division began to experience It was now clear that the 28th
sunendered, its garrison commander the same murderous conditions the Division, with all of its battalions
found wounded in a field hospital. 9th had before it. Casualties, light and engineers committed to the
Several strong forts were still holding on day one, soared and aid stations fight, was not going anywhere and
out, but any new direct assaults were overflowed. Still, the attack moved was in a bad way. Low on morale
now forbidden by XX Coxps' HQ. on; the 109th Regiment was ordered and ammunition, only tracked M29
`Weasel' carriers could get forwards
These forts were isolated and would to attack towards Huertgen village
eventually surrender without taking itself, whilst the 110th and 112th through the mud with supplies
the losses in a direct assault. Most moved on Kommerschiedt and then and bring back the casualties. The
of the remaining forts surrendered, Schmidt, using the Kal Trail, the main 4th Infantry Division was sent as
one after the other, through late forest track, as their principal supply reinforcements, at first just to try and
November. A few would hold out route. They found both villages hold the line as the Gem`an pressure
until December, under shelling, lightly defended and cleared them, threatened to push them further
including at Jean d'Arc and Driant, taking more prisoners. The news of back. Only the Kommerscheidt ridge
but the city of Metz was in US hands success was met with jubilation back remained in US hands west of the
and the front could move on to the at 28th Division's HQ, but it didn't Kal and it was being pummelled
Sane River. last long. by artillery. When the 12th Infantry
Regiment, 4th Infantry Division,
Huertgen - Ever Deeper into the On November 4th, the Germans attacked, in five days of combat they
Forest counter-attacked in force at Schmidt, lost 500/o of their infantry battalion's
Over the course of several nights at with at least 10 tanks and heavy manpower. They were halted by
the end of October, the 28th Infantry artillery concentrations. The forward mines, pillboxes, artillery, mud and
Division took over the 9th Division's US Gls had no tank support; as German counter-attacks, gaining
lines. Their first attack order was set yet they could not get across the no ground and finding themselves
for November 2nd, a new attempt Kal on a single weak bridge. Low falling back.
to take Vossenack and then on to on ammunition, with few heavy
Schmidt, across the valley of the weapons and outgunned - even their Back at the US lst and 9th Army HQs
Kal River and via the small village artillery support failed to respond a new grand plan, a coordinated
of Kommerschiedt. The 28th would to calls for aid - the Gls broke and drive by both armies to push east
be supported by tanks of the rookie abandoned Schmidt back to the and get to the Roer River, was being
707th Tank Battalion and extra Germans. The Germans pressed finalised. It would be code-named
home with aggression and were `Operation Queen'. Part of that
infantry of the 4th Infantry Division
would also be attacking to their soon fighting for Kommerschiedt operation would be a renewed effort
north, to draw in German reserves. too, driving fleeing Gls back through to clear the Huertgenwald. V Corp's
The weather was turring colder, the trees and destroying a platoon commander, General Gerow, was

28
 iH BATTLEGROUP . WEST"IAIL

Above: Dug-in on the line in the Huertgen Forest,

chastised for the 28th's failure and of the 110th Infantry Regiment US infantry support a .30 cat M1917 water-cooled
told to get a move on and capture started the attack with 850 men and machine gun. (US National Archive)
Schmidt. Despite new attempts, it received 100 replacements during the
just couldn't be done. Schmidt would fighting. Roll-call on withdrawing
not fall until February 1945, finally had battalion strength at just 57 men. Line was code-named Cperation
captured by the 82nd Airborne Half of these had trench foot, minor Queen, to drive to the Roer River
Division as part of operations against wounds or serious combat fatigue on a 45-kilometre front, with the
the Roer dams. Its garison had held (shell-shock). Just 25 men were US lst and 9th iny's VII and V
out for five months. deemed still fit for duty. Corps. Once over the Roer, including
capturing the river's dams to prevent
Operation Queen was set to begin on Throughout November, the weather them from being destroyed to
\Tovember 10th but the poor weather, had turned colder with repeated flood the river valley downstream,
inteITupting air support, delayed sleet and the first flurries of snow 3rd and 5th Armoured Divisions
it until November 13th, then again had started falling as the fighting for would exploit the breakthrough and
until the 16th. Meanwhile, the 28th Schmidt continued to result in high Roer bridgeheads to drive for the
Infantry Division was withdrawn in losses for almost no ground taken. So Rhine. The attack would begin with
stages, bloodied and exhausted. Its far, the battle had been a defensive another large aerial bombardment,
place was taken by the 8th Infantry German victory. by heavy and medium bombers and
Division with 2nd Ranger Battalion fighter-bombers, of towns, roads
attached. In two weeks, the Huertgen Operation Queen and tactical targets across the front.
fighting had chewed up the 28th Post-Aachen, the next phase of the This aerial bombardment proved to
Division. For example, 1st Battalion US attack through the Siegfried be a disappointment as it did little

29
 BATI`LEGROUP . WESIVIIAIL -
damage to the German military but command of 105th Panzer Brigade's at Gereonsweiler. Over the rolling
turned many towns and villages into survivors). Sherman tank losses were farmland, German guns took a heavy
rubble for the defenders to occupy. again high. CCB, 3rd Armoured lost toll on 2nd Armoured's Shermans
49 of 70 tanks in the last two weeks of and tank destroyers; even their
VII Corps' 1st and 104th Infantry November. There was hard fighting new M36 Jacksons could do little
Divisions led the attack, aided by for Eschweiler, Langerwehe and at against the King Tigers. But, day
combat commands of 3rd Armoured Dormersberg. by day, attrition favoured the US
Division, whilst 4th Infantry Division tankers, with replacement tanks the
pushed towards the Roer town To the north, 30th, 102nd Infantry Germans did not have. Slowly, they
of Dtiren, through the northern and 2nd Armoured Divisions had pressed east for the Roer, one village
Huertgen Forest, to capture the also gone on the attack at Immendorf, at a time. On November 27th, 2nd
villages of Huertgen and Kleinhau driving for ]ulich across the flat Armoured was engaged in a fierce
en route. There was a three-day farmland, protecting the northern fight for the villages of Merzenhause.n
battle for the village of Hamich as flank of Operation Queen and and then Barmen, destroying four
the 'Big Red One' forced the 47th drawing Gem\an forces away from King Tigers as they drove the
Volksgrenadier Division out and Geilenkirchen, where Operation Germans out and were finally at the
the 104th Infantry Division made Clipper was about to start to capture Roer. The other divisions, to the north
steady progress along the Inde River the German border town, still held as and south, would continue to move
valley. The Gemians fought hard a salient into Allied lines. They faced the front towards the river over the
still, reinforced by kampfgruppes of a strong counter-attack by 9th Panzer next week and join them.
116th Panzer Division (which had Division and Immendorf changed
itself been reinforced by assuming hands several times. 2nd Armoured To the south, V Corps was again
would find itself repeatedly counter- engaged in the depths of the
attacked, including by King Tigers Huertgen Forest, but the prolonged
Below: A b¢tteny a/M10 tor!k destreyers o7t wfltch j" attached to 9th Panzer around and attritional battle for Schmidt was
the outskirts Of Aac:hen. (US National Archive). Puffendorf and the higher ground finally given up. The drive through

30
 iEI BAFTLEGROUP . WESTWAIL

:he Huertgen Forest had been Corps to take over the Geilenkirchen the villages of Gey and Strass, whilst
Ji\.erted northwards. 8th Infantry salient's sector, with the inducement the 2nd Ranger Battalion had the
Di\ision was now taking its turn in of handing the fresh US 84th mission of capturing the dominant
-Jle meat-grinder, supported by CCR,
Infantry Division over to XXX Corps' high ground at Itill 400 (known as
5th Armoured Division. Two more command from reserve. With the Castle Hill) with command views
•.`-eeks of fighting in the forest would
veteran but battle-weary British 43rd over the Huertgen. 5th Armoured
see the 8th Infantry Division ground `Wessex' Division to the north of the
had already used dismounted
jli`m with 6,000 more casualties, but, town and west of the Wurm RIver armoured infantry to try to get the
i \iing lst and 4th Division's pushes, and the newly arrived 84th Infantry high ground but had been repulsed;
:heir slow advance did take the Division `Railsplitters' to the south, now the experienced Rangers would
•.-llages of Huertgen and Grosshau.
east of the river, XXX Corps would try.
T^|e German reaction, a strong have the two infantry divisions that
=i`unter-attack from Gey, again General Horrocks, XXX Coaps' CO, The Battle for Hill 400 took place
italled the US advance and forced it claimed he would need to capture on December 7th as the Ranger
=ito retreat and was only halted in Geilenkirchen and eliminate the companies worked their way up and
=rn by heavy supporting artillery salient's threat. General Eisenhower around the hill, fiercely defended
ire. The thinning German lines were gave special permission for US troops by well-dug-in Germans and under
: gain reinforced by the arrival of to be under British command and accurate artillery and mortar fire
:ie 344th Volksgrenadier Division Horrocks was thus obliged to use from observers on top. The veteran
i`Ld another division, the 353rd them. The US division wasn't handed Rangers (many still with the unit
T.-||lksgrenadier, was moved into
over so they could sit about idle. since the D-Day landings) took
rei5erve if needed. The Gls had made heavy losses, but fought their way
:-.€adway - slow, costly headway - The 84th Infantry Division was a to the top, clearing out bunkers and
`=-Lit the German line still had not been
brand-new unit, fresh in theatre and taking the summit. For many, it was
-=rc`ken in the Huertgen, only pushed
-rack. There seemed little prospect of yet to see any combat but with its the battalion's toughest day of the
infantry battalions all at full strength. war, including June 6th. They held
= '=reakthrough. The Germans still The attack would be a true combined the hilltop for 40 hours, constantly
:-.€ld Schmidt. On December 2nd, the Anglo-American operation and was shelled and repulsed two German
-_-S 8th Infantry Division, the third to
code-named `Clipper'. Operation counter~attacks, and then handed
•.i ``.om out by the privations of the
Clipper would get underway on the sector over to infantry from
:-.€llish Huertgen Forest battles, was November 18th and see the awkward 8th Division for a well-earned rest.
•.`ithdrawn to be replaced by the new
border town encircled from the Later, on December 8th, the Germans
:ecruits of the 83rd Infantry Division, north by the British and from the attacked again and retook Hill 400,
i.rout to get their first combat south by the Americans. Both faced determined not to allow the US to
=`perience in very tough conditions. Westwall strongpoints that protected hold the useful vantage point. The
the town and ran roughly along the 8th Infantry tried but couldn't retake
`Ttperation Queen would continue Wurm River valley, using the higher it, so the vital hill would remain in
•_-.to early December. The push for the
ground to the west for the best fields German hands until February 1945.
`cer wasn't yet complete. of fire. The Geilenkirchen salient was
held by the 183rd Volksgrenadier The fighting through the northern
O|. eration Clipper Division, an inexperienced new unit. forest had not changed in months.
:he German border town of The infantry stalked through the
Geilenkirchen sat on the Wurm Ful details Of Operation Cli:pper are shredded trees, German artillery
Ri`-er, 20 kilometres north of Aachen, given in the campaign section 'Operation and mortars crashing down and
`|irrently a salient into US lines as Clipper' Of this book. tree bursts sending deadly splinters
•Jle}- had pushed over the river and
showering over all. But now, the
i threat to the left flank of the US DECEMBER BATTLES forest was giving way to open
\" Corps as it sought to move east Huertgen - Out of the Forest farmland again. Now the first
LI Operation Queen. North of them Supporting Operation Queen's push, thin snows had started to fall. The
•.`-ere the British lines. In late October,
the grim fighting in the Huertgen Germans had heavily mined the
as the US redrew their Corps' had to continue. Combat Commands approaches to Gey and Strass but,
•soundaries to shorten their lines
of 5th Armoured Division were to by December loth, the 83rd Infantry
' and thus free up some divisions), support the attacks by 8th and 83rd Division's 330th and 331st Regiments
`.hey persuaded the British XXX Infantry Division's battalions, to take were ready to attack the objectives.

31
 BAITLEGROUP . WESTW:AIL +++++

Engineers were clearing the forest for the rest of the month. Combat on units of the 47th Volksgrenadier
paths of mines, but the 5th Armoured this front settled down again as both Division had to be pulled from the
Division's tanks were still bogging sides poured their men and supplies line. By December 14th, the US were
down in the mud. The twin attacks into the fighting in the Ardennes. mopping up west of the river line
on Gey and Strass fought their way as the Germans raced to establish a
into the villages and there was fierce Operation Queen Continued - defence on the eastern bank with the
house-to-house combat, but the Beyond the Siegfried Line units they had left.
Germans eventually withdrew. 5th Aachen and the Siegfried Line were
Armoured attacked at Brandenberg now behind the US lst and 9th Operation Queen, which started
and Bergstein. The 329th Infantry Armies. The Roer lay just ahead. US as an ambitious plan to advance
Regiment followed up this success troops were now at the river around across the Roer and reach the Rhine,
with an attack on Gurzenich, opposite Tulich, and the first battle-weary had come up well short and the
Dtiren, and captured it. Finally, the German divisions had been given US commanders were now just
German hold on the northern forest permission to retreat to the eastern content to reach the river and hold
area had been broken. bank, whilst holding a bridgehead a new front line here. The fighting
at Julich. The US advance would be had been unexpectedly severe,
In all, the Battle of Huertgen Forest held at the river line; there would be and the Germans' command rated
had cost the US Army 32,000 losses, no immediate attempt to jump the it a `defensive victory' despite the
either killed, wounded or a casualty river. With the dams downstream ground lost. Through their hard
of trench foot or combat fatigue. still firmly in German hands the risk fighting, they had preserved the
They had pressed the front 20 was that, if they destroyed the dams mustering areas for Operation Wacht
kilometres east, but at a huge cost, and flooded the river, any eastern Am Rhein. The Roer would, in just a
and it wasn't yet over. But finally, bridgeheads could be cut off by rising few days, become such a quiet front
in mid-December, the Germans had water and then destroyed. Cautious that operations to the south took
been pushed out of the northern of such a reverse, 1st and 9th Army precedence.
forest and the Siegfried Line and the HQs were content to secure the
objective of the Roer River was now line of the Roer and destroy the last Operation Queen's hard-won gains
only two kilometres away, across German bridgeheads on the western finally placed US forces on the
flat, more open terrain where the bank. They still needed to capture Roer River, from Linnich to ]ulich
armour could lead, and US numbers the dams though. Dtiren would and eventually opposite Dtiren as
brought to bear. The intensity of fall in early December, defended well. The Germans had not given
the Huertgen Forest fighting would by newly arrived elements of 3rd up the western border territory
soon be overshadowed by events to Fallschirmj ager Division, moved easily, but once forced from their
the south, in the Belgian Ardennes, down from Holland (the rest were bunker strongpoints the US Army's
as the Germans unleashed their in the Langerwehe-Inden area). But numbers, mobility and, when the
surprise panzer counter-offensive in the American advance out of the weather allowed, massively superior
Operation `Wacht Am Rhein'. After Huertgen had captured the higher air power had been decisive. The
December 16th, the `Battle of the ground and the defenders of Dtiren outnumbered German panzer
Bulge' would become the focus of the were under constant observation forces had done what they could to
US Army's attention and resources and accurate artillery fire. Shattered support the stretched Volksgrenadier
divisions that formed the front line,
but there just wasn't enough armour
WACHTAM RHEIN the Allied armies from their supply to stop the US tanks' numbers and
The Germans launched their major lines. It would be the last major remorseless advance. All new panzer
offensive in the Belgian Ardennes on German offensive of the war in the production was being directed to
December 16th. Having husbanded west and, when it struck, defeating rebuild reserve divisions, building
and rebuilt a potent panzer reserve, it would become the priority Allied their combat strength in secret for the
through great efforts of secrecy, objective for the rest of December great counter-offensive that would
they surprised the Americans. The and then January as they retook the strike in mid-December.
plan was to smash through a `quiet' lost ground. This was the `Battle of
sector of the US front and drive to the Bulge', and it is covered in detail
Antwerp in a large encirclement in the Battlegroup: Wacht Am Rhein
operation that would cut off most of supplement.

32
 iFT BATTLEGROUP . WESTW:ALL

`HANGIN' OUT
THEWASHING'
SPECIAL RULES FOR BATTLES
AGAINST THE WESTWALL
Panzer Revival classes D, C, 8 and A, with D as the
Playing games set in late 1944, at the thinnest and A as the thickest. Only BUNKER STRUCTURE POINTS
`\'estwall, the panzer divisions were large bunkers can be Class A. Each of DCBA
shattered units, with very few, if these types has an equivalent Armour Pillb oly 2 3 4
any, panzers remaining. Most were Value, just as for an armoured Small Bunker
pulled out of the line for refitting vehicle. Large Bunker 3 4 6 8
and would reappear in Operation Armour Value
\\'acht Am Rhein). A few fought on, Bunker class Equivalent
in a very reduced state and largely D N Damaging Bunkers
defending as infantry. C L Bunkers are damaged, losing Structure
8 E Points, until they collapse, just as with
.i German player cannot use the A A buildings. Units inside then take extra
Panzer Division army list from damage from the collapse (5/3+ with no
Battlegroup Overlord in Westwall Attacking Bunkers cover save and automatically pinned).
'c`attles; the Panzer Brigade army list
A bunker can be targeted with any
in this book must be used instead. type of fire, just as if it was a unit. • Small arms fire has no effect against
These are the main armoured units This is instead of targeting the unit bunkers, it bounces off.
a`'ailable to the Germans at this point inside. Units inside bunkers have a
in the war. Hardened (2+) Cover save. • HE rounds roll for structure point
damage, needing a 6, as per the
.uned Air Superiority Bunkers are treated as buildings and normal mles.
The Allied air forces control the skies. have Structure Points. Use the normal
If the German player draws an Air rules for attacking buildings. The • Any AP shell that causes a
Attack counter, then an aircraft will number of Stnicture Points a bunker penetrating hit automatically does 1
only arrive on the roll of a 6. has is determined by its size and type. Structure Point of damage to a bunker.

Poor lntel
With little in the way of
reconnaissance, from their own assets
or the air, a Panzer Brigade always
has -1 to the number of Scouts it has
at the start of any game.

BUNKERS
For battles against the Siegfried Line,
there will be bunkers. These rules
expand and add detail to the game's
normal rules for bunkers.

Bunker Class
Bunkers are rated in 1 of 4 classes,
based on the thickness of the
reinforced concrete walls. These are

33
 BATTLEGROUP . WESTVALL ` in t +

ALbove: StuG-III and bunker, near the Belgian border.

a3undesarchiv, 1011-297-1734-07, Kurth) • Rear Door MG • Connecting Tunnel
The bunker's entrance is covered The bunker is connected to 1 other
by a machine gun, firing through a bunker or pillbox, within 10" via an
Bunker Upgrades porthole or embrasure at the rear. underground tunnel. Any unit in
In the Westwall Defences section of the bunker may move to another
the army lists, some bunkers can be If a unit inside a bunker is attacked for 1 Top Speed order. They cannot
given upgrades. in a Close Assault, the unit adds +3 be targeted or hit by any fire during
to its number of defending men, as this move.
• Flamethrower Refuge the MG will protect the rear door
A room, sealed off and with its from being attacked. If upgraded twice, the connecting
own air supply, to shelter against tunnel is increased to 20", and can
a flamethrower attack. A unit be covered by 2 Top Speed orders.
attacked by a flamethrower uses
the bunker's normal Hardened
Cover save against any hit, rather OPTIONAL RULE Treat the weapon's HE effect as 1
than being treated as `in the open'. TREE BURSTS level higher than normal, so a Very
Artillery and mortar shells that hit Light HE becomes Light. Light
• Buried Telephone Cables trees explode with extra wooden becomes Medium and Medium
The bunker has good shrapnel as the trees splinter and becomes Heavy. Heavy HE remains
communications. It will rain down on all below. If a unit as Heavy HE. Cover Saves are not
automatically pass any comms test is under Indirect Fire whilst in an affected (so remain 5+ for being in
units in the bunker take. area of woods, then it is exposed to woods).
tree bursts. Only infantry, deployed
• Underground Shelter guns, soft-skinned vehicles and For a Direct Hit, the weapon's HE
Much of the bunker is open-topped vehicles are affected blast is increased bv 1 dice. So, a
underground. Units inside a by tree bursts. Enclosed armoured 4/4+HEblastwou`ldbecomea
bunker hit by Indirect Fire have vehicles are not affected. 5/4+ if the unit that takes a Direct
their Cover save increased to 1+ Hit is in trees.
(i.e. automatically pass).

34
 iFT BATTLEGROUP . WESTW:All

WESTWALL AIJTERATI ONS TO GERMAN INFANTRY

DIVISION, 1944 ARMY LIST
FROM BATTLEGROUP OVERLORD, `BEYOND THE BEACHES'

FORWARD HEADQUARTERS UNITS TANK UNITS

Add: StuG Ill Battery:
`Aof Deutschem Boden' 15pts +D6BR
Add: Restricted and Special Rule: Unique
The Battlegroup is now fighting to defend Germany
itself, on the soil of the Fatherland. Before the start of StuG Ill
the game, increase the Battlegroup's BR total by a D6. Add: Restricted

This special rule can only be taken if the Battlegroup is the Panzer IV
Defender in an Attac:k/Defence scenino. Add: Special Rule: Unique

INFANTRY UNITS Panther

Add: Add: Special Rule: Unique
LANDESSCHULTZ PLATOON . . . 62 points 5-i BR
This platoon can only be included if the German Self-Propelled Anti-Tank Gun
Infantry Division is the Defender in an Attack/Defence Add: Restricted
scenario and includes at least 1 Pillbox or Bunker from
Defences. ARTILLERY UNITS
No change.
Platoon Composition: 1 Platoon Command Squad,
3 Rifle Squads, a Machine Gun Team and up to three DEFENCES
Platoon Support Options Remove all Defences and replace them with new
Westwall Defences (see later).
Landesschultz Platoon Command Squad
Unit Composition: 5 men RECONNAISSANCE SUPPORT UNITS
Special Rules: Officer, Mortar Spotter, Auxiliary inoured Car
Remove: Panhard 178
3 Rifle Squads
Unit Composition: 8 men ENGINEER SUPPORT UNITS
Special Rules: Auxiliary No change.
Options: Squad may include a Panzerfaust . . +5 pts
LOGISTICS SUPPORT UNITS
HMG Team No change.
Unit Composition: 3 men with tripod-mounted
MGO8 SPECIALIST SUPPORT UNITS
Special Rules: Auxiliary Assault Howitzer
Options: Include 3-man loader team ........ +10 pts Add: Unique

PLATOON SUPPORT OPTIONS ADDITIONAL FIRE SUPPORT

The platoon may include up to three of the following Off-Table Artillery Support Request
additional units. No unit may be taken more than once. 3rdTargetpriority (6+) 5pts OBR
Combat Medic 7pts 0-iBR 2nd Target priority (5+) 10 pts 0 BR
Unit Composition: 1 man lst Target priority (4+) 20 pts 0 BR
Special Rules: Medic

PanzerschreckTeam ............... 18pts 1-iBR

Unit Composition: 2 men with Panzerschreck
Special Rules: Auxiliary

10points OBR

35
 WESTWALL ALTERATIONS TO GERMAN
VOLKSGRENADIER DIVISION, 1944 ARMY LIST
FROM BATTLEGRoup WACHT An4 RHEIN

FORWARD HEADQUARTERS UNITS ARTILLERY UNITS

Remove: Infiltration No change.

Add: DEFENCES
`A#/Dcwtschow Bode#' 15 pts + D6 BR Remove all Defences and replace them with new
The Battlegroup is now fighting to defend Germany Westwall Defences (see later).
itself, on the soil of the Fatherland. Before the start of
the game, increase the Battlegroup's BR total by a D6. RECONNAISSANCE SUPPORT UNITS
Remove: `Grief' Infiltration Team8
This special rale can only be taken if the Battlegroup is the
Defender in an Attac:k/Defence scenario. ENGINEER SUPPORT UNITS
Remove: Flammpanzer 38(t) Hetzer
INFANTRY UNITS
No change. LOGISTICS SUPPORT UNITS
TANK UNITS No change.
Panzer IV
Add: Special Rule: Unique SPECIALIST SUPPORT UNITS
Remove: Assault Howitzer
Panther
Add: Special Rule: Unique ADDITIONAL FIRE SUPPORT
Off-Table Artillery Support Request
Self-Propelled Anti-Tank Gun 3rdTargetpriority (6+) 5pts OBR
Add: Restricted 2ndTargetpriority (5+) 10pts 0 BR
lst Target priority (4+) 20 pts 0 BR

36
 ill BATTLEGROUP . WESTW:ALL

GERMAN WE STWALL DEFENCE S

When playing genes using the Westwall arny lists, both the German Infantry Division and Volksgrenadier have a new Defences
secti.on Of their army lists, used for holding the Westwall's bunkers. This replaces their usual Defences.
Each unit taken from Defences allows no support choices.
May only be taken if your battle group is the Defenders in an Attack-Defence scenario.

ImprovisedBarricades ........... 5pts 0BR Low Density, Anti-Personnel Minefield

10" of improvised barricades made of earth-filled 2o points o BR
boxes, rubble, furniture, destroyed vehicles etc. Counts A wide scattering of small mines, Schuminen42, etc.,
as hard cover for infantry behind it. a constant hazard to infantry and light vehicles. A 10"
x 10" area, any unit moving in it will trigger a mine on
a roll of a 6, instead of the usual 4+. If hit a unit takes a
MachineGunDug-out ......... 26pts 1-iBR
3/5+ HE hit. The small rfunes have an AP value of a D3.
3 men and a tripod MG42 in reinforced cover. The
cover is lost if the MG team move.
Minefield 20pts OBR
A single mixed anti-tank and anti-personnel minefield.
Mortar Pit ....................... 32 pts 1-i BR
3 men and an 80mm mortar in reinforced cover. The Barbedwire ................ 10points OBR
cover is lost if the mortar team moves. Up to 20" of barbed wire. It is an obstacle for vehicles
and infantry,
FortifiedBuilding ............... 30pts 0BR
A chosen building, anywhere on the table, counts as RoadBlock ................. 15points OBR

reinforced cover rather than hard cover. Something large and heavy across a road. Place on
any road or track, anywhere outside the opponent's
deployment zone. The road is impassable to vehicles.
Foxholes ........................ 10pts 0BR
Deploy up to 10 infantry in foxholes; they count as in
Anti-Tank Ditch .... 20 points 0 BR (Rcsfr!.cfed)
reinforced cover until they move. 10" of ditch, impassable to vehicles without a bridge.

Trench .......................... 10pts 0BR Machine Gun Pillbox (Class D)

Up to 10" of trench that counts as reinforced cover for ......... 15 pts + MG Team 1 BR + MG Team
infantry in them. A concrete pillbox. A single machine gun team of up
to 6 men can be deployed in the pillbox and will have
Sniper Hideout ........ 15 ptsl-v BR (Rcsfrjcfcd) Hardened Cover. The cover is lost if the team move.
The machine gun team must be bought separately. The
A single sniper in reinforced cover. It can be placed
anywhere outside of the opponent's deployment zone. pillbox is a small bunker,
Options:
The cover is lost if the sniper moves.
Upgrade the Pillbox to Class C .......... +4 points
Include an underground shelter ......... +10 points
Booby-TrappedBuilding ........ 20pts OBR Include rear door MG .................. +6 points
Any chosen building on the table has been wired with
booby-traps. The first time an enemy unit enters the Small Anti-Tank Gun Casemate (Class D)
building roll a D6. On a 2+, it detonates and the unit ........................... 44points 3-iBR

take a 3/3+ HE hit. On a 1, there is a fault and the An early, small casemate that includes a single 37mm
booby-trap fails to go off ! anti-tank gun, 3 crew and a 3-man loader team. The
gun is in Hardened Cover. The gun cannot be moved.
The casemate is a small bunker.
ImprovisedRoadBlock .......... 5pts OBR
Special Rules: Unique
Something large and heavy across a road. Place on any
road or track, anywhere on the table. It counts as an Large Gun Casemate (Class C)
obstacle. .................. 20 points +gun 1 BR +gun
A later, larger gun casemate that may include a single
gun (of any type) up to 105mm, crew and a 3-man
loader team. The gun and crew must be bought

37
 BATTLEGROUP . WEST"lALL -
separately from the army lists. The gun is in Hardened Options:
Cover. The gun cannot be moved. The casemate is a Upgrade the bunker to Class C . •...,. +4points
large bunker. Upgrade the bunker to Class 8 . •.... +18points
Special Rules: Unique Upgrade the bunker to Class A. . +28 points +1 BR
Options: Include a flamethrower refuge . •.... +10points
Upgrade the bunker to Class 8 . •... +14points Include an underground shelter •.... +10points
Upgrade the bunker to Class A . +24 points +1 BR Include rear door MG ...... •..... +6points
Include a flamethrower refuge . •... +10points Include a connecting tunnel. . . •..... +5points
Include an underground shelter •... +10points
Include rear door MG ...... •.... +6points Personnel Bunker/Barracks (Class D)
Include a connecting tunnel. . . I.... +5points ................ 25points lBR
A concrete bunker for up to 40 men in various units.
Command Bunker (Class C) Any units inside are in Hardened Cover from direct
................ 30points 3-rBR fire. The cover is lost if a unit moves. Up to 4 men
A concrete command bunker that includes a Forward may fire out of the bunker's embrasures. It is a large
HQ of 3 men inside. The Forward HQ has Hardened bunker.
Cover. The cover is lost if the Forward HQ unit moves. Special Rules: Unique
It is a large bunker. Options:
Special Rules: Unique, Senior Officer, Artillery Upgrade the bunker to Class C . •.... +4points
Spotter. Upgrade the bunker to Class 8 . •... +18points
Options: Upgrade the bunker to Class A. +28 points +1 BR
Upgrade the bunker to Class 8 . •... +14points Include telephone cables .... •.... +5points
Upgrade the bunker to aass A. .+24 points +1 BR Include an underground shelter •... +10 points
Include telephone cables .... •.... +5points Include rear door MG ...... •.... +6points
Include a flamethrower refuge . I... +10points Include a connecting tunnel. . . •.... +5points
Include an underground shelter •... +10points
Include rear door MG ...... •.... +6points Dragon's Teeth Anti-Tank Obstacles
Include a connecting tunnel. . . I.... +5points •............... 10points
Up to 10" of concrete dragon's teeth. They are
Artillery Observation Bunker (Class C) impassable to all vehicles. They count as soft cover for
................ 26points 2-iBR infantry hiding behind them.
A concrete observation bunker that includes a Forward
Observer Team of 3 men inside. The Forward Observer Flakstand ..... 14points+gun OBR+gun
Team have Hardened Cover. The cover is lost if the Reinforced Cover (3+) for a single 88mm or 105mm
Forward Observer Team move. It is a large bunker. flak gun. The flak gun must be bought separately. The
Special Rules: Unique, Artillery Spotter+. cover is lost if the flak gun is moved.
Options:
Upgrade the bunker to Class 8 . •... +14points MG Tobruk Pit
Upgrade the bunker to Class A . +24 points +1 BR .... 16points+MGTeam OBR+MGTeam
Include telephone cables .... I.... +5points Hardened Cover (2+) for a 3-man MG team. The MG
Include a flamethrower refuge . •... +10points team must be bought separately. The cover is lost if
Include an underground shelter I... +10points the team move.
Include rear door MG ...... I.... +6points
Include a connecting tunnel. . . I.... +5points

Twin Machine Gun Bunker (Class D)

................ 60points 3-iBR
A concrete machine-gun bunker and 2 MG42 heavy
machine gun teams with loader teams, The machine
gun teams have Hardened Cover. The cover is lost if
the machine gun teams move. It is a large bunker.
Special Rules: Unique

38
=ti-,LJ±=-=-===-----I--==:-
WE STWALL ADDITI0NS T0 US 1944
INFANTRYDIVISI0NARMYLISTS
INFANTRYUNITS
Each unit taken from Infantry allows a support choice from: Reconnaissance, Engineers or Specialist units.

CombatEngineerPlatoon ........................................ 131pts 11-rBR(Rcsfr!.cfed)

For each Platoon you may choose 4 Support units

Platoon Support Options
Platoon Composition: 1 Platoon Command Squad, 3 The platoon may include up to four of the following
Engineer Squads, 2 MMG Teams and 1 Bazooka Team additional units. No unit may be taken more than once.
and up to 4 Platoon Support Options.
CombatMedic .................. 8pts 0-rBR
Combat Engineer Platoon Command Squad Unit Composition: 1 man
Unit Composition: 5 men Special Rule: Medic
Special Rules: Officer, Artillery Spotter, Engineers

3 Engineer Squads HeavyMachineGunteam ..... 22pts 1-rBR

Unit Composition: 10 men Unit Composition: 3 men with a tripod .50 cal HMG
Special Rules: Engineers Include a 3 man loader team .............. +10 pts
Options:
Squad may add a flamethrower ......... +10 pts
May take a mine sweeper ............... +5 pts
ArmouredBulldozer .......... 12pts 1-rBR

May add up to 3 demolition charges . +5 pts each

MIWreckerheavytruck ....... 16pts 1-rBR

2 MMG Teams
Special Rule: Vehicle Recovery, Vehicle Repair
Unit Composition: 3 men with a tripod .30 cal MMG

1 Bazooka Team
M4ShermanBulldozer ........ 54pts 3-rBR
Unit Composition: 2 men with a bazooka
replace bulldozer with ndneroller ......... free

Platoon Transport Options

Mount the entire Platoon in: `Assault' Rifle Squad ........... 31 pts 4-v BR

4 medium trucks +16 pts Squad Composition: 1 Rifle Team and 1 BAR Team
Special Rules: Unique

TANKUNITS Rifle Team

Each unit taken from Infantry allows a support choice from: Unit Composition: 7 men
Reconnaissance, Engineers, Logistics or Specialist units. Options: Add
Flamethrower +10 pts
M36`Jackson'Battery ......... 130pts 6~rBR Bazooka +10 pts
Unit Composition: 3 M36 `]ackson' Upgrade team to Assault Troops .......... +7 pts
1 M36 'Jackson' (Officer, Artillery Spotter)
BAR Team
2 M36 `]acksons'
Unit Composition: 5 men with a BAR
Special Rules: Unique
Options: Add
Upgrade team to Assault Troops .......... +5 pts
Options: Add an additional M36 `Jackson'
M36`Jackson' .............. +46pts +2BR
Transport Options
Mount Squad in: a medium truck ............ +4 pts

39
 BATTLEGROUP . WESTW:ALL i+

WE STWALL ADDITI0NS T0 US 1944

ARMOURED DIVI SI0N ARMY LI STS
INFANTRYUNITS
Each unit taken from Infantry allows a support choice from: Reconnaissance, Engineers or Specialist units.

ArmouredCombatEngineerPlatoon ....................................... 159pts 14-rBR

For each Platoon you may choose 4 Support units

Platoon Support Options
Platoon Composition: 1 Platoon Command Squad, 3 The platoon may include up to four of the following
Engineer Squads, 2 MMG Teams and 1 Bazooka Team additional units. No unit may be taken more than once.
and up to 4 Platoon Support Options.
CombatMedic .................. 8pts 0-rBR
Combat Engineer Platoon Command Squad Unit Composition: 1 man
Unit Composition: 5 men Special Rule: Medic
Special Rules: Officer, Artillery Spotter, Engineers
Transport: Medium Truck
HeavyMachineGunteam ..... 22pts 1-rBR
3 Engineer Squads Unit Composition: 3 men with a tripod .50 cal HMG
Unit Composition: 10 men Include a 3 man loader team .............. +10 pts
Special Rules: Engineers
Transport: M3 Half-Track
Options: ArmouredBulldozer .......... 12pts 1-rBR

Squad may add a flamethrower ......... +10 pts

May add a mine sweeper ................ +5 pts
MIWreckerheavytruck ....... 16pts 1-rBR
May add up to 3 demolition charges . +5 pts each
Special Rule: Vehicle Recovery, Vehicle Repair

2 MMG Teams
Unit Composition: 3 men with a tripod .30 cal MMG
M4ShermanBulldozer ........ 54pts 3-rBR
replace bulldozer with mineroller ......... free
1 Bazooka Team
Unit Composition: 2 men with a bazooka

TANKUNITS
Each unit taken from Infantry allows a support choice from: Reconnaissance, Engineers, Logistics or Specialist units.

MI8 `Hellcat' Battery M36`Jackson'Battery ......... 130pts 6-rBR

.................... 110 pts 6-r BR (Resfri.cfed) Unit Composition: 3 M36 `Jackson'
Unit Composition: 3 M18 `Hellcats' 1 M36 `Jackson' (Officer, Arthlery Spotter)
1 M18 'Hellcat' (Officer, Artillery Spotter) 2 M36 `]acksons'
2 M18 `Hellcats' Special Rules: Unique

Options: Add an additional M18 `Hellcat' Options: Add an additional M36 `Jackson'
M18`Hellcat' .............. +38pts +2BR M36`Jackson' .............. +46pts +2BR

40
I+±±+±±±L±[+±!+±±...I_I+±±E[=L[[=±±±j==L_=R_:¥p.==r=_=
STEEL vs CONCRETE
ATTACK 0N AlnprE STWALL STRONGP0INT
Scenario Type: Attack/Defence (In stretches of the westwall are not Forest Undergrowth
•_Li< scenario, the Germans should under the forest and so the battlefield This special rule only applies if the
i-.`-avs be the Defenders). can contain the usual terrain, such as tabletop is in the forest. The trees and
fields, farms, woods, roads, streams, undergrowth block lines of sight.
SITUATION REPORT even villages, etc. All spotting and firing distances are
iLiied forces are to make an assault reduced to a maximum of 20'', except
.` I. a heavily defended section of the VICTORY for Suppressing Fire. Any units are
i:ei5rfuedLine,includingobstacles, The first battlegroup to exceed its always assumed to be some form of
=mes, bunkers and all manner of total battle rating must withdraw and soft cover and so have a minimum of
= €f-ences, occupied by a thin screen loses the battle. a 5+ Cover save.
: :. German forces, but who may well
`-L2\-e a local counter-attacking force SPECIAL RULES DEPLOYMENT
: r..allable. The Allies must breach Autumn Mud 1. Determine Deployment Zones
-_-.e strongpoint positions and clear The autumn mud is hard going for Divide the tabletop into 4 quarters
::-`e bunkers (sounds like a job for vehicles, especially those without across its width. The first quarter is
srdalist combat engineers). It's a tracks. All cross-country movement the US deployment zone. The second
::|ugh nut to crack. is reduced by 1" for tracked vehicles, quarter is the Obstacles zone. The
2" for half-tracked vehicles and 3" for third quarter is the Minefield zone.
TERENN wheeled vehicles. Road movement is The fourth quarter is the Bunker zone
Set up the terrain in any mutually not affected. (see the scenario map).
: ?eeable manner. The entire tabletop
:an be covered in forest (for the Tree Burst 2. Weather
Huertgen Forest), just place as many If set in the Huertgen Forest (or Roll for the autumn weather. On a
=ees and bushes as you have all over other forest), then use the Tree Burst dice roll of 1 or 2, it is heavily raining
:he tabletop to represent this. Many optional rules. with low cloud. If any Air Attack

41
 BATTLEGROUP . WESTW:AIL -
7. First Turn
The Attacker takes the first turn.
8. Attacker's Reserves
The Attacker can start to deploy D6
units from Reserve, any units freely
chosen from their battlegroup, from
the start of Turn 3. Place Reserve
units on the Attacker's table edge and
issue an order to them from there.

9. Defender's Reserves
The Defender must roll for Reserves.
From Turn 4 onwards, at the start
of each of the Defender's turns, roll
a D6; on a 5+, D3 units are available -
from Reserve. These units, freely
chosen from the battlegroup, must be
placed on the Defender's table edge
and can be given an order from there,
as normal.

counters are drawn, they cannot be 5. Attacker Initial Deployment

used but count as 0 BR lost. Timed The Attacker then deploys all their
Air Strikes may still be used as Reconnaissance units in the US
normal though. deployment zone. In addition to this,
the Attacker can place D6+2 extra
3. Deploy Defences units in the deployment zone.
The Defender must deploy any
obstacles, anti-tank ditch, dragon's Any units not deployed are
teeth, barbed wire, etc. in the automatically in Reserve.
Obstacles zone. They must then
deploy any minefields in the 6. Ambush Fire
Minefield zone. This zone can also A D6 deployed defending units may
include extra barbed wire. They must start the game on Ambush Fire.
then deploy any bunkers or dug-in
positions in the Bunker zone, along
with any forces occupying them.

Any forces not occupying the

Defences are automatically in
Reserve.

4. Place Objectives
Place one Objective in each of zones
2, 3 and 4 (Obstacles, Minefield and
Bunker) . Start with the Defending
player, who places the first objective
(in any zone), then the Attacking
player can place the second, with the
Defending player placing the third.

These objectives may not be within

10" of a table edge or 10" of each
other.

The Attacker can win an All

Objectives Secured victory. The
Defender carmot.

42
 ill BATTLEGROUP . WESTWALL

THE
ARMYLISTS
his section contains one Army can take is dictated by which Front weapons like machine guns or lighter
T List, for battlegroups constnicted Line Asset was chosen. The details mortars. These are called Platoon
iom the new German Panzer are covered below, and again in the Support options, not to be confused
Brigades in late 1944. This is a new Army Lists themselves. with Support Assets.
ist, devised specifically for the
Westwall' theatre, to face the 1944 US FRONT LINE ASSETS For each infantry unit in your
arlny lists, published in Bftffzcgroz/p.. Forward Headquarters battlegroup, you can also include
I-Lierlord `Beyond the Beaches' . This is the battlegroup commander a single unit chosen from either
(that's you) and any specialist units Engineers, Reconnaissance or
The other German army lists that can that are attached to him, such as Specialist Units.
he used for playing battles during the Communications units. The Forward
\\'estwall operations can be found Headquarters can sometimes be a Tanks
in Battlegroup Overlord `Beyond the fighting unit, right up to operating in The front line armour, squadrons of
Beaches' and Battlegroup Wacht Am the tank, whilst attached to it might the main fighting vehicles, including
LRj7cz.71. German Infantry (Overlord) be radio vehicles, messengers or other self-propelled guns as well as the
and Volksgrenadier (Wacht Am sub-commanders. tanks.
Rhein) battlegroups can both be used,
``-ith a few minor changes to those For each Forward Headquarters For each Tank unit in your
i.ormatious which had fought in other unit in your battlegroup, you can battlegroup, you can also include a
campaigns. If used, then both army include a single unit chosen from single urLit from either Engineers,
lists should use the alterations and the either Logistics, Specialist Units or Logistics, Reconnaissance or
new Defences section in this book. Additional Fire Support. Specialist Units.

Each Army List is organised into ten Infantry Jndllery

different types of units, divided into These are the ground-pounders, These are the guns dedicated to
two halves. The first half is called the squads and platoons of fighting supporting your own battlegroup.
Front Line Assets. This consists of infantry, which might be directly
the principal combat units of the supported by infantry-borne heavy
battlegroup, its infantry, tanks (if any)
and artillery, along with its battlefield
command and any prepared defences
(when defending only).

The second half is called Support

Assets, second line and specialist
units which lend aid to the front
line. These include such specialists
as Reconnaissance units, Engineers,
Logistics, Additional Fire Support
and Specialist Units.

Support Assets can only be taken

by first including Front Line assets.
±'±¥
' .` ,..,... ±_-, i

For each Front Line asset included

in your battlegroup, you are allowed
to purchase a unit from a Support
section. The Support section you

43
 BATTLEGROUP . WESTW:AIL -

UNITAVAILABILITY INFANTRYREQUIREMENTTABLE
The Army Lists also place some Game Level Max Restricted German Infantry Allied Infantry
restrictions on how many units your Points Units Min Max Min Max
battlegroup can include. Squad 350 2 1squad lplatoon lsquad lplatoon
Platoon 750 3 1platoon 2platoons lplatoon 2platoons
Infantry Platoons Company 1500 4 1 platoon 3platoons 2platoons 3platoons
A battlegroup must include some Battalion 3000 5 2platoons 5platoons 3platoons 6platoons
infantry. It cannot function without
infantry to support the tanks and
hold the ground it captures. The Restricted Units Restricted unit, but each one still
Allied player and German player The army lists note some units as counts as a Restricted choice.
have slightly different maximum being `Restricted'. These are rare
limits, because of the different units to which an army just would Unique Units
character of their fighting forces and not have easy access. Restricted units Some units have the `Unique'
the quantities of infantry each side are limited by the size of game. In a special rule. This means you can
could historically field. The size of Squad-level game, you may take two only include one of them, regardless
the game also dictates the mininum restricted units. In a Platoon-level of the size of the game. Some
and maximum amount of infantry game you may take three Restricted very rare units are rated as both
`Restricted' and `Unique'; this means
your force can include, shown in units. In a Company-level game,
the Infantry Requirement Table you may take four Restricted units. you only have one, and it counts as
above. As noted in the army lists In a Battalion-level game, you may one of your restricted choices.
themselves, some may vary from take five Restricted units. You can
this. take more than a single unit of a

44
 iEI BATTLEGROUP . WESTW:ALL

They might be deployed in close building bridges and clearing easily fit into the other categories,
support, as actual models on the minefields, to attacking enemy as well as rare units which, whilst
table, or a bit further to the rear strongpoints with special weapons present in the 1944-45 fighting,
as off-table support. These are the like flamethrowers. Engineer would not have formed the backbone
battalion's, regiment's or division's support includes all this, in the form of a battlegroup - often this includes
own `organic' guns. Larger guns from of pioneer (or sapper) units and uncommon heavy anti-tank or anti-
the supporting corps, army and front specialised engineering vehicles, like aircraft guns or some unique, `Elite'
level artillery units must be taken bridge-laying vehicles, demolition rated units.
from Additional Fire Support. units and recovery vehicles.
For each Artillery unit in your USING THE BATTLEGROUP
battlegroup, you can also include Additional Fire Support ARMY LISTS
a single unit from Additional Fire Beyond your battlegroup's parent The Army Lists included allow you
Support. division, there is a whole army of to select a (hopefully) balanced force
extra artillery units that can lend to play a game. The easiest way of
Defences support. Demand upon these units doing this is to use a Battlegroup
This part of the army list can only be is always great, and no battlegroup Organisation Chart. This chart
used if the battlegroup is the defender commander can have all the aid he contains all the different types of
in an Attack-Defence scenario, in would like, but corps, front and army unit and places to note down points
which case they may be dug in to command can lend the support of values, Battle Ratings, how many
prepared positions, behind minefields heavier guns, as well as providing Officer units it includes and how
and anti-tank ditches, inside pillboxes a few useful tactics, like counter- many Scout units.
and strongpoints, etc. battery fire missions to attack off-
table enemy artillery or pre-timed When creating a battlegroup, units
Defences do not allow a battlegroup barrages and air strikes. are `bought', using points. Before a
to include any extra support units. game, the players should have set a
This section also includes the army's points limit, for example 1,000 points,
SUPPORTING ASSETS Close Air Support Table, which is and these points are spent on units.
Reconnaissance used should an aircraft arrive to aid As you select a unit, note it down on
Any battlegroup can be supported the battlegroup. the Organisation Chart along with
by its parent division's (or Coaps') its Battle Rating, until you have no
reconnaissance units, seeking out Specialist Units points left. You should only expend
the enemy for them and aiding the These are the oddities and rare units. the points available to you; do not
battlegroup commander by providing These are units or vehicles that don't exceed the total.
him with good intelligence on the
enemy's positions and movements.
Reconnaissance units vary from
infantry patrols on foot, to fast-
moving units on motorcycles (or
even horses), to armoured cars and
light tanks and can also include aerial
reconnaissance units.

Logistics
Second line logistical support units
include supply vehicles, which bring
extra ammunition and fuel to the
front lines, and the medical support
of aid posts and combat medics. They
aren't fighting units, but still fulfil an
important role.

Engineers
Negotiating a battlefield requires
many engineering tasks, from

45
BATTLEGROUP. WESTWAIL ±

-WE STWALL 1944 -

GE"AN
PANZERBRIGADE
BATTLEGROUP
FORWARD HEADQUARTERS UNITS
Each unit taken from Forward Headquarters allows a support choice from either: Logistics or Additional Fire Support.
A German Panzer Brigade in Westwall games in 1944 has
the following special rule: ForwardSignalsUnit . . . . . . . . . .24pts 1-iBR
• Panzer Revival Unit Composition: SdKfz 251/3 Radio Half Track
• Allied Air Superority
Special Rules: Communications, Unique
• Poor Intel

Motorcycle DispatchRider . ...llpts 0-iBR

Forward Headquarters . .28pts 3-rBR Unit Composition: 1 man
Unit Composition: 3 men Transport: Motorcycle
Transport: SdKfz 251/3 Special Rule: Dispatches
Special Rules: Senior Officer, Artillery Spotter, Unique

Options: Replace 3 men and SdKfz 251/3 with: WireTeam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7pts 0-iBR

Panzer IV H +28 pts Unit Composition: 2 men

Panther G +62 pts Transport: None
Special Rule: Wire Communications
 iH
__ _ - . =-
BATTLEGROUP . WESTW:ALL

INFANTRYUNITS
Each unit taken from Infantry allows a support choice from: Reconnaissance, Engineers or Specialist units.

Panzer Grenadier Platoon ....... ........................ 91pts 7-iBR

For each Platoon you may choose 4 Sapport units

Platoon Composition: 1 Panzer Grenadier Platoon Panzerschreckteam ............ 22pts 1-iBR

Command Squad, 3 Panzer Grenadier Squads and 3 Unit Composition: 2 men with a Panzerschreck
MG Teams and up to 5 Platoon Support Options.

Panzer Grenadier Platoon Command Squad Self Propelled Infantry Gun

Unit Composition: 6 men SdKfz251/9 .................... 32pts 1-iBR

Special Rules: Officer, Mortar Spotter

Options:
Self Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun
May take up to 2 Panzerfausts ....... +5 pts each
SdKfz251/21`Drilling' .......... 30pts 1-iBR

3 Panzer Grenadier Squads

Unit Composition: 5 men
TowedAnti-Aircraftgun ...... 27pts 2-iBR
Options: Unit Composition: 20mm FlaK and 3 crew
May take up to 2 Panzerfausts ...... +5 pts each Medium Truck tow
Squad may add a bipod MG42 .......... +12 pts SdKfz 10 halftrack tow ................... +8 pts
Upgrade AA gun to 20mm FlaKvierling . . . +14 pts
3 MG Teams SdKfz 11 halftrack tow ................... +8 pts
Unit Composition: 3 men with a bipod MG42

Platoon Transport Options

TowedAnti-Tankgun ......... 41pts 2-iBR
Mount the entire Platoon in: Unit Composition: 75rrmL48 PaK40 gun and 3 crew
4 medium trucks +16 pts
Special Rules: Unique
4SdKfz251/1 ................... +64pts +4-iBR
Include 3-man loader team ............... +10 pts
SdKfz 10 halftrack tow ................... +8 pts
Platoon Support Options
SdKfz 251/1 tow .................. +16 pts +1 BR
The platoon may include up to five of the following
additional units. No unit may be taken more than once.

CombatMedic .................. 7pts 0-iBR

Unit Composition: 1 man PanzerGrenadierSquad ....... 24pts 2-iBR
Special Rule: Medic Squad Composition: 1 Panzer Grenadier Squad
and 1 MG Team

HeavyMachineGunteam ..... 24pts 1-iBR Panzer Grenadier Squad

Unit Composition: 3 men with a tripod MG42 Unit Composition: 5 men
Include a 3 man loader team .............. +10 pts Options:
Mount in SdKfz 251/1 ............. +16 pts +1 BR Squad may take up to 2 Panzerfausts ...... +5 pts
Squad may add a bipod MG42 ............ +12 pts

MG Team
Multiple MMGs Unit Composition: 3 men with a bipod MG42

German squads equipped with an extra bipod MG42 gain an

additional 4 ROF (for the machine gun, minus two crew). Transp ort Options
Mount Squad in: a medium truck ............ +4 pts
If reduced to a single crewman, the MMGs will use their
SdKfz 251/1 +16 pts +1 BR
reduced rate of fire.

47
 BATI`LEGROUP . WESTW:ALL + ` al +

TANKUNITS
Each unit taken from Tanks allows a support choice from: Reconnaissance, Engineers, Logistics or Specialist units.

ZJ Panzerlvplatoon ............ 150pts 9-iBR

Unit Composition: 3 Panzer IV Hs (or ]s)
1 Panzer IV H (Officer, Mortar Spotter)
2 Panzer IV Hs

E==:i--a- Options: Add up to two additional Panzer IVHs

Panzer IV Hs +56 pts each

Pantherplatoon .............. 235pts 9-iBR

Unit Composition: 3 Panther Gs
Panzer IV
1 Panther G (Officer, Mortar Spotter)
Unit Composition: 1 Panzer IV
2 Panther G
PanzerIVH(or]) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56pts 3-iBR

Options: Add up to two additional Panther Gs

Panther G +90 pts each StuG111Battery.... . .. . .. ...120pts 9-iBR
Unit Composition: 3 StuG Ill Gs
1 StuG Ill G (Officer, Mortar Spotter)
Panther 2 StuG Ill Gs
Unit Composition: 1 Panther
PantherG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90pts 3-iBR
StuG Ill
Unit Composition: 1 StuG
StuGIIIG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43pts 3-iBR

StuH42G . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45pts 3-iBR(Rcs£77.cfed)

ARTILLERYUNITS
Each unit taken from Artillery allows a support choice from: Additional Fire Support.

ForwardobserverTeam ...... 15pts 1-iBR Off-Table Mortar Fire

Unit Composition: 2 men Unit Composition: 1 Battery
Transport : Ktibelwagen 280mmmortars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54pts OBR

Special Rules: Artillery Spotter 2120mmmortars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72pts OBR

Options: Upgrade Kiibelwagen to:

Off-Table Artillery Fire (RCJfr7.cfed)
SdKfz 251/3 +12pts +1 BR
Unit Composition: 1 Battery
Special Rules: Unique
Game Size Irfautry Restrictions
275mmL24guns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60pts OBR
In a Squad-level game you must include at least 1 Infantry squad.
You cannot include more than 1 Infantry platoon.

In a Platoon-level game you must take at least 1 Infantry platoon.

You cannot inchade more than 2 Infantry platoons.

In Company-level games you rrmst take at least 1 Infantry platoon.

You cannot include more than 3 Irfantry platoons.

In Battalion-level games you must take at least 2 Infantry platoons.

You cannot include more than 5 Infantry platoons.

48
 _
iFT
,-I -,------ a-
BATTLEGROUP . WESTW:AIL

DEFENCES
Each unit taken from Defences allows no support choices.
May only be taken if your battle group is the Defenders in an Attack-Defence scenario.

ImprovisedBarricades .......... 5pts OBR Sniper Hideout ...... 15 pts 0 BR (Res£7.I.cfed)

10" of improvised barricades made of earth-filled A single sniper in reinforced cover. It can be placed
boxes, rubble, furniture, destroyed vehicles etc. anywhere outside of the opponent's deployment
Counts as hard cover for infantry behind it. zone. The cover is lost if the sniper moves.

MachineGunDug-out ........ 32pts 1-iBR Booby-TrappedBuilding ...... 25pts OBR

3 men and a tripod MG42 in reinforced cover. The Any chosen building on the table has been wired
cover is lost if the MG team move. with booby-traps. The first time an enemy unit
enters the building roll a D6. On a 2+, it detonates
MortarPit ..................... 32pts 1BR and the unit take a 3/3+ HE hit. On a 1, there is a
3 men and an 80mm mortar in reinforced cover. The fault and the booby-trap fails to go off !
cover is lost if the mortar team moves.
ImprovisedRoadBlock ........ 5pts OBR
FortifiedBuilding .............. 30pts 0BR Something large and heavy across a road. Place on
A chosen building, anywhere on the table, counts as any road or track, anywhere on the table. It counts as
reinforced cover rather than hard cover. an obstacle.

Foxholes 10pts OBR Minefield 20pts OBR

Deploy up to 10 infantry in foxholes; they count as in A single mixed anti-tank and anti-personnel minefield.
reinforced cover until they move.

ENGINEER SUPPORT UNITS

Assault Pioneer Squad . 47 pts 2-r BR (Rcsfr!.cfccz)
Squad Composition: 1 Assault Pioneer Squad
and 1 MG Team
Special Rules: Engineers

Assault Pioneer Squad

Unit Composition: 5 men with a Panzerfaust and
2 demolition charges
Transport: Medium Truck
Flame throwe r Hal f-Trac k (RCJfr?.cfed)
Unit Composition: 1 Flamethrower Options:
SdKfz251/16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28pts 2-iBR Replace Medium Truck with SdKfz 251/1 . . +8 pts
Replace Medium Truck with SdKfz 251/7 . . +8 pts
Squad may take a flamethrower ........... +10 pts
Recoveryvehicle Squad may take a mine sweeper ........... +5 pts
Unit Composition: 1 Recovery Vehicle
Special Rules: Vehicle Recovery, Vehicle Repair,
MG Team
Unit Composition: 3 men with a bipod MG42
Unique
Transport: Transported in squad's vehicles.
SdKfz9`Famo' ................... 18pts 1-iBR

Bergepanther ................... 40pts 2-iBR

Bergepanzer111 ........ 32pts 2-iBR (Resfrz.cfecz)

49
 BATTLEGROUP . WESTWALL EI
-<== - . T `_ -_ I__-_ _L== ----_ -___--_I._ =L_ - _--' ==

RECONNAISSANCE SUPPORT UNITS

Panzer Grenadier Foot Patrol . . . 34 pts 2-i BR

Squad Composition: 1 Panzer Grenadier squad
and 1 MG Team
Special Rules: Scout, Mortar Spotter

Panzer Grenadier Squad

Unit Composition: 5 men
Options:
May take up to 2 Panzerfausts ......... +5 pts each

MG Team
Armoured Panzer Grenadier Patrol
Unit Composition: 3 men with a bipod MG42
•....................,........ 50 pts 3-i BR

Squad Composition: 1 Panzer Grenadier Squad

and 1 MG Team in SdKifz 251/1 Motorised Reconnaissance Patrol
Transport: Mounted in a SdKfz 251/1 ............................22pts 1-iBR
Special Rules: Scout, Mortar Spotter Unit Composition: 3 men with a Panzerfaust
Transport: Schimmwagen or Ktibelwagen
Panzer Grenadier Squad
Special Rules: Scout, Mortar Spotter
Unit Composition: 5 men
Options:
Squad may take up to 2 Panzerfausts ...... +5 pts
Armoured Car
Squad may add a bipod MG42 ............ +12 pts
Unit Composition: 1 Armoured Car
MG Team Special Rules: Unique, Scout, Mortar Spotter
Unit Composition: 3 men with a bipod MG42 SdKfz222 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20pts 1-iBR(Resfn.cfed)
SdKfz233 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34pts 1-iBR(Resfr!.cfcd)

LOGISTICS SUPPORT UNITS

Supplycolumn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8pts 1-iBR Ambulance . . . . . . . . . . 20 pts 2-i BR (Resfr!.cfcd)
Unit Composition: 1 medium truck Unit Composition: 1 SdKfz 251/8 Ambulance
Special Rules: Resupply, Unique Special Rules: Medic

Options:
Stretcherparty . . . . . . . . . . . . .10pts 1-iBR
Add up to 2 medium trucks . . . . . . . . . . +4 pts each
Unit Composition: 2 men
Special Rules: Medic

SPECIALIST SUPPORT UNITS

Tank Hunter Anti-Aircraft Vehicle
Unit Composition: 1 ]agdpanzer IV (L70) Unit Composition: 1 vehicle
Jagdpanzerlv(L70) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64pts 3-iBR SdKfz251/21`Drilling' . . . . . . . . . . .30pts 1-iBR
M6belwagen . . . . . . . . . . . . 38pts 2-iBR(Lfroi'qwe)

Wirbelwind .. . .. . . . . . . . +8pts 2-iBR/Lfroi.qwc)

50
 iEI BATTLEGROUP . WESTVIIALL

ADDITIONAL FIRE SUPPORT

Off-Table Artillery Support Request Counter-BatteryFire Mission..10 pts OBR
3rdTargetpriority (6+). . . .. . .. . . ..5pts OBR The counter-battery fire mission is effective on a 5+
2ndTargetpriority(5+) . . .. . .. . . . .10pts OBR
1stTargetpriority(4+) . . . . . . . . . . . .20pts OBR Timed8ommMortarBarrage.. 5pts OBR
Fired by a battery of four 80mm mortars. Before the

German Army Fire Mission Requests game, write down which turn the guns will fire on.
The points cost includes a pre-registered target as the
target point of the barrage.
Regimental Battery (4+ comms test)
1-3 2 80mm mortars
4-6 2120mm heavy mortars
Timed I2ommMortarBarrage. 5pts OBR
Fired by a battery of two 120mm mortars. Before the
Divisional Battery (Not Available)
game, write down which turn the guns will fire on.
The points cost includes a pre-registered target as the
Corps Battery (5+ comms test)
target point of the barrage.
1-2 2150mm (L30) howitzers
34 2170mm (L50) cannons
5-6 2150mm Nebelwerfers Timed 28omm Nebelwerfer Barrage
•................. 20pts OBR
Army Battery (6+ comms test)
Special Rules: Unique
1-2 2150mm Nebelwerfers
Fired by a battery of one 280mm Nebelwerfer. Before
34 2 210mm Nebelwerfers
the game, write down which turn the luancher will fire
5 2 210mm (L35) howitzers
on. Points cost includes a pre-registered target as the
6 2 280mm Nebelwerfers
target point of the barrage.

German Close Air Support Table

Other German Battlegroups
Westwall 1944 Also useable in Westwall in 1944 are;
• Infantry Division, 1944 (see Battlegroup: Overlord
D6 Aircraft `Beyond the Beaches' with Westwall Alterations)
1-2 Me Bfl09 G • Volksgrenadier Division, 1944 (see Battlegroup:
1-2 Nobombs Wacht Am Rhein, with Westwall Alterations)
3-6 2 smallbombs

3-5 FW-190 G
1-3 8smallbombs
4-6 1 largebomband4 smallbombs

6 Choos e
Select any of the above aircraft

You may atways choose an aircraft from lower down the

table over a higher roll. You must still roll for armament.

51
 BATTLEGROUP . WESTVALL ++

OPERATION
CLIPPER
A MINI.CAMPAIGN FOR BATTLEGRoUP: WrESTTWALL
his is a short campaign of six chronological order. Each scenario is
T battles for Battlegroup: Westwall
(the scenarios can be used by either
side or both sides) and will also
require a German player. In reality,
worth a number of campaign victory
games. It recreates some of the points to the victor, and a record of
battles of Operation Clipper in late the US forces fought around the the campaign victory points earned .
November 1944, as the British XXX south and east of the town. by both sides should be kept. After
Corps advanced to surround and all six scenarios have been played,
clear a salient in the Allied lines at Playing the Campaign the winner is the side that has earned
the town of Geilenkirchen. It can be The campaign is played out over six the most campaign victory points.
played by US and/ or British players linked scenarios, all historical refights
of the actual engagements of the A side gains a decisive victory and
operation (well, some of them, there the bonus campaigrL victory points
were many more, but these have been for it if they win the scenario and still
Below: A Sherwood Ranger's Sherman have 10 or more of their Battlegroup's
selected to make good, interesting
firing its machine gun at a suspected and variable tabletop wargames). Break Rating remaining.
sniper during street fighting through
Geilenkirchen. (US National Archive) They should be played out in

52
 iFT BATTLEGROUP . WESTW:ALL

what You'll Need CAMPAIGN VICTORY POINTS

In order to play the campaign, you'll
need: US Victory German Victory Decisive Victory Bonus
Scenario 1 1
• A collection of US models to Scenario 2 1
recreate the forces of a US infantry Scenario 3 3
division. Each army list contains a list Scenario 4 2
of troops involved and also allows a Scenario 5 2
pre-set number of extra points to be Scenario 6 3
spent in addition to this base force.
The US force also has access to some
British armour, such as Churchill army list contains a list Of troops The 84th was a standard US infal`try
AVREs and Crabs. The main tank involved and also allows a pre-set division in organisation, mostly
support is from the Sherwood number of extra points to be spent raised from Indiana, Kentucky and
Rangers, but these were equipped in addition to this base force. It also Illnois (the `Lincoln' states, hence
with Sherman tanks. Instead of US includes several concrete bunkers of the division's other nickname, the
models, you can use British ones the Westwall. Lincoln Division). It was not at full
instead. strength for the attack, usually with
• Terrain, to recreate the battlefields, three infantry regiments (333rd, 334th
• A collection of German models including a few woods, a railway line and 335th), each of three battalions,
to create the defending 183rd and buildings suitable for Germany but the 335th Regiment was seconded
Volksgrenadier Division and their in late 1944 (so mostly ruined!). to support the 30th Infantry Division
support from 9th Panzer and 15th Much of the rural areas are open during the operation. A replacement
Panzergrenadier Divisions. Each beet and cabbage fields Oust bare regiment, the 405th, had joined them,
mud in autumn), One scenario is set seconded in turn from the 102nd
in Geilenkirchen town centre and Infantry Division, but it was only to
requires more buildings (16 in all) as be used in reserve and in extremis.
an urban assault. These regiments would be supported
by engineers, tank destroyers and,
AIlied Forces as part of XXX Corps, had the
US 84th Infantry Division British Sherwood Rangers tank
`Railsplitters' battalion (regiment to the British) as
The 84th Division would form the dedicated armoured support. They
southern arm of the encirclement also had elements of 79th Armoured
of the town and had unusually Division's `funnies' for the break-in
been placed under the command of assault on the Westwall positions
the British XXX Corps, by express they faced, including 'Crab' mine-
agreement of General Eisenhower flail tanks, a squadron of Churchill
at SHAEF. The Division was new AVREs and a squadron of Churchill
`in theatre', having been formed in
Crocodile flamethrowers. Behind
1942 and spent two years in training them, they also had the support
and shipping out to Britain. It took of XXX Corps' `medium' artillery
no part in the Normandy fighting batteries.
and Operation Clipper would be its
first combat. The 84th was one more The division's training had been
.-.-r*r-. infantry division off the US Army's long and thorough, but all the
iJ.`-.+€frT_ efficient production line. They took troops were rookies. They included
over the sector from the US 102nd a large number of well-educated
Division a few days before the former technical specialist students.
Clipper attack was to start and spent A scheme to recruit and train men
their time familiarising themselves capable of doing technical work
with the ground ahead, over which in the army had been cancelled by
r=i_ they must attack, and bringing up the Congress and the well-educated
-I,-th.
- -:¥i=..-- supplies they would need. cadets (all of which would have been

53
 BATTLEGROUP . WESTVIALL +i

sent for officer training otherwise) tank and anti-aircraft regiments almost all new recruits added since
had now ended up being sent to the and the 8th Middlesex Machine the division's near annihilation in
84th as infantrymen privates. This Gun battalion's support weapons. the Falaise Pocket in August. During
was a morale issue; because these At Geilenkirchen 214 Brigade Operation Clipper, most of the
men had been selected for training as would lead the attack, with the lst panzer division was heavily engaged
mechanics, map-makers, intelligence Worcesters, 5th Duke of Comwall's by the US 2nd Armoured Division's
specialists and engineers, all had high Light Infantry and 7th Somerset Light attack just south of Geilenkirchen
IQs and were not, usually, considered Infantry. The 5th Dorsets were also in the lmlnendorf-Puffendorf
rifleman material. But they were all attached to bolster the attack. area, leaving few forces to actively
rifleman material now. The division support the 183rd Volksgrenadiers at
joked it had the highest average IQ in In this campaign, to allow players Geilenkirchen.
the US Army. It was led by Brigadier with a British army to use it as a
'what-if' scenario, the 43rd Wessex The Volksgrenadiers were also
General Alexander Bolling, a WWI
officer veteran and another studious can be given the US sector instead supported by elements of the 15th
man in glasses but a very solid and conduct this part of the operation Panzergrenadier Division. This was a
general, willing to take risks only instead of the US troops. veteran unit, with combat experience
if the rewards justified it. He was in Italy before being withdrawn back
well-liked by his men, personable German Forces to help defend Germany. The 15th's
and with a good sense of humour. He 183rd Volksgrenadier Division men were still in their lightweight
`tropical' uniforms from an Italian
had risen through the officer ranks The Volksgrenadier division holding
from 2nd Lieutenant to command the the line at Geilenkirchen, the 183rd, summer's fighting and a request for
division. was occupying the Westwall defences new uniforms had been refused, due
and dug in around the town and to shortages and demand from newly
British 43rd `Wessex' Infantry towards the south and east. Under raised units that had none. The 15th
) Division the command of General Wolfgang at least had uniforms and would just
A veteran British infantry unit that Lange, the division's three regiments, have to make do. Thus, they called
had been through tough fighting, each of two battalions, were the themselves the `Shiver' division in
notably at Hill 112 in Normandy and 330th, 343rd and 351st Grenadier November's cold and sleeting rain.
in Holland, where they led the XXX Regiments. Most of the new They formed half of XLVII Panzer
Corps break-out attack in support conscripts were from upper Austria, Corps (with 9th Panzer Division),
of Operation Market Garden. After along with a few veterans of the old placed behind the front and used
heavy fighting around Nijmegen, the 183rd Infantry Division (destroyed as small units to reinf orce and
division had been moved for a rest to in the summer on the Eastern Front), counter-attack enemy penetrations
a `quiet' sector and took over the line from which this brand-new division of the Westwall, so the division did
from the US 102nd Infantry Division was rebuilt. The infantry were not fight as a single cohesive force
to the north of the Geilenkirchen supported by Artillery Regiment 219 but was scattered in kampfgruppes
salient. The `Wessex' division was and attached was Fesfw7zg (Fortress) throughout the sector between the
well experienced but rather battle- MG Battalion 42. Chly two of the Wurm and Roer rivers. The division
weary. It was led by the prickly, not grenadier regiments were involved was motorised infantry with only a
much loved, but very tough, General in the Clipper fighting, as the third few of its own tanks.
Thomas. A brilliant tactician, General was positioned further to the south
Thomas was a very good field at Immendorf (where it too was The Germans at Geilenkirchen
commander, just a hard man to like engaged by the US 2nd Armoured). did occupy a strong section of the
in person. Westwall, with most of the pillboxes
Armoured support, behind the and bunkers arrayed parallel to
The division was composed of the concrete bunkers, was provided by the Wurm River on slightly higher
129, 130 and 214 Brigades, each of elements of the 9th Panzer Division, ground, facing roughly south-west.
three battalions from regiments acting as the front's fire brigade There were 72 bunkers in all, and
raised in England's West Country. to counter-attack any threatened these commanded the river valley
It was also supported by three field breakthrough. A panzer division in from the east o`'er open ground with
regiments of 25-pdr armed artillery, name only, in November 1944, 9th good fields of fire and observation
armour from the 4/ 7th Dragoon Panzer was a much-weakened unit, for the artillery. Before them, a large
Guards and 17/18th Royal Hussars reduced to just 28 Panthers and 14 minefield had been laid, barbed wire
tank regiments and engineers, anti- Panzer IVs and around 10,000 men, had been stung and trenches dug.

54
 iH BATTLEGROUP . WESTW:AIL

The `Clipper' Plan and Prummern. The first strongpoint

The plan to capture Geilenkirchen was coded Strongpoint X. Beyond CAMPAIGN SPECIAL RULES
was organised into four phases. The it was the smaller Strongpoint Y.
first phase would be for the 84th Both would be attacked and cleared. • AIlied Air Support
Infantry Division to move around Once secured, Phase Two would be The weather throughout Operation
the town from the south and east, complete. Clipper was poor, with lots of cold
breaking through Westwall positions rain and low cloud. Before the start of
en route and capturing the village Phase Three would be the next a game roll a 6. On a 4+ the weather is
of Prummem. This southern pincer advance, to take the village of clear(ish), and Air Attack counters are
would be the mission of the 334th Pmmmern and clear it. This task used as normal. On a 1-3, the weather
Infantry Regiment and its support. would go to the 334th's 3rd Battalion is rainy and an Air Attack counter can
After the US attack had begun, the moving through the leading two only be used on a roll of 6, instead of
British brigade would start, as the battalions to take over the advance. the usual 5+.
northern pincer, clearing woods The capture of Prummern would be
and capturing the small hamlets of the end of Phase Three and should Throughout the campaign, with the
Bauchem, Niederheid, Tripsrath be accomplished in the first 24 hours, 84th Infantry Division under the
and Hochheid. The eventual link-up to give the Germans little time to British XXX Corps' command, their
would be at Suggerath on the Wurm, reinforce. close air support will come from
north-east of the town. the RAF. Use the British Close Air
Phase Four would see the assault Support table when rolling for any Air
Whilst the pincers closed round the on the town itself begin. This was Attack counters.
town, the 333rd Infantry Regiment the mission of the 333rd Infantry
would then conduct the direct Regiment, which would attack along • Allied Artillery Support
assault on the town itself, to clear the the Wurm River, striking north-east The 84th Infantry Division are under
Germans out or force their surrender with a reinforced company on either British Corps command. Any fire
as they were being surrounded. bank to clear the houses into the town mission request to Corps or Army
The 415th Reginent was the 84th centre, aided by a squadron of the level must roll on the British Fire
Division's reserve for the operation Sherwood Rangers and the Churchill Mission Request table, instead of the
and held the original front line as the `funnies'. Beyond the town lay the
usual American one. Regimental and
attack began and would be used to important village of Suggerath, again Divisional requests are made to the
guard the flank towards Immendorf on the river. This was the objective 84th's own guns and roll on the US
as the attack pushed forwards. of the 333rd's 3rd Battalion, moving tables as normal.
from reserve and pushing through
Phase One would be a night attack, the town with armoured support to • German Air Support
under the weak glow of artificial take the village. Once Suggerath was The Luftwaffe is almost non-existent
moonlight from searchlights reflected captured, the Geilenkirchen salient and unlikely to put in an appearance
off the low clouds. Eight Sherman would have been removed. Further over Geilenkirchen. If the Germans
`Crabs' would flail two lanes through
advances would then be required, to draw an Air Attack counter, roll a
the minefields, coded-named Red Muellendorf and Wurm, to straighten dice. On a 1-4, treat it as a `Beyond the
and Blue. Along these the first two the line again, but Operation Call of Duty' counter instead. On a 5+,
battalions of 334th Regiment would Clipper's main objective would have treat it as an Air Attack counter and
advance, supported by engineers and been achieved. The eventual objective roll for the Air Attack as normal.
Sherwood Ranger tanks, to reach a was to press the advance and reach
railway line embankment, known to the Roer River at Linnich. • German Platoon Equipment
be held by dug-in German troops, as In the Scenario Forces listings,
their forward positions. Capturing each German platoon's (either
and clearing the rail line would see Volksgrenadier - Infantry, or Panzer
Phase One end. Grenadier) rifle squad is assumed to
include 1 Panzerfaust. The MG teams
Phase Two would be the immediate all have MG42s.
next step and involved assaulting
two located enemy strongpoints,
collections of bunkers and pillboxes
of the Westwall, between the rail line

55
 BATTLEGROUP . wEST\nIALL A+++

SCENARIO 1
PHASE ONE AND TWO -
RED LANE AND STRONGP0INT X
Game Size: Platoon the east, would be cleared by four As the engineers and infantry
flail tanks. Behind would follow the squelched forwards, the following
Scenario Type: Attack/Defence first US engineers and infantry of British Shermans started to sink.
the two battalions committed, one Restricted to the cleared lane, one
(Night Fight)
assigned to each lane. They would after another the tanks sank into the
Sit Rep, be accomparLied by Shermans of the mud, bellied out and became stuck
Operation Clipper opened with Sherwood Rangers with the objective fast. They could not be moved and
its first phase, to get through the of clearing the railway line and first REME support was radioed up to
minefield and secure a jump-off bunkers. At Red lane, these bunker winch them free. That night, not one
and pillbox positions were code- Sherman made it across the fields to
position on the railway line that
was the German forward position named Strongpoint X. At night, and support the infantry.
in front of Prummern. It would be a with surprise on their side, the US
night attack, with mobile searchlights assault troops should quickly secure Meanwhile, the GemLans, alerted
brought into place to bounce down the railway line so the attack can now, reacted. They called down
artificial moonlight off the low press on. The night attack would start mortar fire, scattered at first as they
clouds. It would provide some weak from a small chateau, surrounded by could not identify where the main
light for the assault. orchards, called Briel. threat was. Machine guns from the
Westwall pillboxes opened fire and
To get through the large minefields The weather in November had been sent grazed fire across the flat fields.
two lanes would be flailed by wet; days of rain had turned the
Sherman Crabs of British Lothian empty beet and cabbage fields into Artillery fire pounded the line of
and Border Horse. Each lane, code- mud. It was flat ground, starting the railway embankment, and this
named Blue to the west and Red to to gently rise towards the higher allowed the US infantry to move
ground (no more than 80' up and clear out the few remaining
up) beyond the railway German troops from trenches behind
GermanTable I.d8= __ E]___
~ towards prummem. The the embankment. They had secured
slight elevation, however, the objective by 0700. It was still dark.
was enough for the bunkers
beyond to cover those in front. Terrain
.,I German infantry had also The ground is flat, with open fields,
dug in along the railway's which are a sea of mud, with no crops
low embankment. The US' in November. There is a light railway
and XXX Corps' preliminary line Cart of the area's coal mining
artillery barrage would strike industry) on a low embankment, into
these as the Crab flails went which the Germans have dug their
into action. foxholes. Behind, the ground rises
slowly (no need to represent this
At Red lane, one Crab broke on the tabletop), where a lane leads
dour so only three went towards Prummem,1.5 kilometres
forwards into the fields north- beyond the railway. There is not
east of Briel and started up. A much cover for the attacking US
second Crab quickly got stuck infantry, except the semi-darkness.
in the mud and could not be
moved. The lane would be just Deployment
two tank widths wide. The German forces are deployed up and
following troops found the on the railwa`' line, along with three
going terrible. The whirling hardened bunkers as marked on the
US Table Comer flails had turned the mud map.
into a sticky, liquid quagmire.

56
 iFT BATTLEGROUP . WESTlhl:AIL

GERMAN FORCES US FORCES

Volksgrenadier (Infantry) Platoon (Inexperienced) Initial Force
Foxholes for 20 men 2 Sherman `Crab' mine-flails
2 Sherman tanks (1 officer, both 75mm)
Bunker 1 - MG42 Pillbox with loader team (class D) US Combat Engineer squad (Regulars)
Bunker 2 - Observation (class C) US Infantry Platoon (Inexperienced)
Bunker 3 - Anti-Tank Gun with PaK-38 (class C)
T-2
2 Snipers 2 Sherman tanks Q)oth 75mm)
US Infantry Platoon (Inexperienced)
Minefield - as marked on the map, anywhere within
20" south of the railway line. See `Low Density' special Reserves - available from Turn 3 onwards
rule. 1 Sherman ARV

1 Pre-Registered Target Point 2 Timed 5.5" artillery strikes (British guns, must be after
2 3rd Priority Artillery Requests Turn 3)

Off-table battery of 2 80mm mortars flarflss!.ng bflrrngcs Total BR: 36

a"dy) Officers: 3
Scouts: 0
Total BR: 16
Officers: 2
Scouts: 2 Low Density Minefield: The mine
field isn't densely sown. Any unit
moving in it sets off a mine on a roll
The US initial force deploys within as Dangerous Ground. If any of 6, instead of the usual 4+.
20" of the south-west table comer. vehicle rolls a 1 for movement, then
it has bogged down and become Victory Gains
The US' Reserves are available from immobilised for the rest of the game. The side that wins gains the
Turn 3 and can be brought onto the If the vehicle is in the lane behind a campaign victory points given in that
tabletop whenever the US player flail tank, where the beaten ground section.
wishes after that, from the US comer. has become liquid, then roll two dice
Note, if the ARV sinks in the mud, for the Dangerous Ground and use Also, the attacking US force can add
then there is nothing that can get it the lower value. Rolls of 1 still count to it, for Scenario 2, any Sherman
out until the moming. as bogging dour. tanks that reach the railway line and
are still moving at the end of the
Objectives Blind Defensive Fire: The Germans, game, including any that the ARV
There are two objectives, on the as yet, have not identified the cleared has managed to free.
railway line and one of the German lanes and so cannot concentrate
bunkers. The Attacker can win an All their defensive fire. Throughout the Alternative Forces
Objectives Claimed victory. battle, all Gemian mortar fire must be Historical forces are given in the
resolved as Harassing Barrages. scenario, but the scenario can be
Special Rules replayed with forces chosen by
Artificial Moonlight: It is dark, Covering MG42 Fire: Strongpoint the players. The US forces can be
with a bit of artificial moonlight. The Y can fire over Strongpoint X into replaced by British infantry division
maximum range for any firing or these fields. Each turn, for 1 Order, forces if the players wish, with the
spotting, except Suppressing Fire, the German player can fire 2 HMG42 43rd Wessex taking on the 84th
is 20". All units always count as Suppressing Fire shots up to 30" onto Infantry Division' s mission.
Obscured in the semi-darkness. the tabletop. The fire is always at long
range and can target any unit within Replace the US infantry platoons with
Mud, Mud, Mud: The fields are a range. British infantry platoons (regulars)
muddy nightmare. All movement, and a British pioneer squad. They
for all units except infantry, counts have a total BR of 42.

57
 BAITLEGROUP . WESTWAIL +++++

SCENARIO 2
PHASETWO-
ASSAULT 0N STRONGP0INT Y
Game Size: Squad the half-light, 8 Company's platoon Finding the ventilation chimney, he
gathered machine guns and light posted smoke grenades down it. The
Scenario Type: Attack/Defence mortars, designated them to keep the Volksgrenadiers inside were smoked
quight Fight) three bunkers under constant fire, out and soon staggered out, hands
waited for the artillery fire ahead up. The first bunker was taken.
Sit Rep: to roll on towards Pmmrnem and
In darkness and under intensifying then moved out to clear the bunkers, The same trick was repeated on
fire, the confusion at Red lane across the open muddy fields. each bunker. The frightened soldiers
meant that 8 Company had become inside did not have much fight in
scattered. Only a single platoon had The attackers found the trenches them, and the US night attack had
found its way to the railway line dug around the strongpoints had come as a surprise. Strongpoint Y
when Colonel Gomez (commanding already been abandoned, the was rapidly cleared and secured.
2nd Battalion) arrived to search Volksgrenadiers having pulled back Reporting their success back to
for them and get the companies inside the safety of their concrete. The Colonel Gomez, the advance to
moving to attack the next objective, platoon moved up as the machine Prummem could push on north. The
Strongpoint Y. No armour had made gun teams hammered away at the edge of the target village was now
it through either, so suddenly, the bunker embrasures over their heads. just 500 metres away.
assault seemed like a huge gamble. The attackers lacked any satchel
But Y was the next stepping stone to charges with which to destroy the Terrain
Prummem, so the Colonel ordered bunkers, or any heavier firepower, Still flat open fields, very muddy with
the attack to go in anyway. Resistance so they improvised. They moved some farm tracks. There is little cover
had not been fierce so far and might up and rushed the first bunker, for the approach, except the half-
only strengthen if they waited. In one man climbing onto the roof. light. There is a single ruined barn

58
 ill BATTLEGROUP . WESTVIIAIL

building, smashed by artillery. Do not roll for vehicles on

f- tracks.
Deployment
The Germans can deploy as far Sldrmish Games: As a small
forward as their forward MG bunker skirmish game, remove all
and trench. Most German troops are the 5 counters and half the 4
inside the bunkers or trenches. counters from the BR pot.

The US forces can deploy up to 10" Victory Gains

from their southern table edge. If the US forces win, they
can rapidly get on with the
Objectives advance on Prummem.
There is a single objective, the furthest There will not be time for
German bunker. Neither side can win the Germans to send any
an All Objectives Secured victory. extra reinforcements. If the
Gem\ans win, they may use
Special Rules the extra reinforcements in
Artificial Moonlight: It is dark, Scenario 3. If the US win, the
with a bit of artificial moonlight. The Germans may not use the
maximum range for any firing or extra reinforcements.
spotting, except Suppressing Fire,
is 20". All units always count as Altemative Forces
Obscured in the semi-darkness. Historical forces are given in
the scenario, but the scenario
Mud, Mud, Mud: The fields are a can be replayed with forces
muddy nightmare. All movement, chosen by the players. The
for all units except infantry, counts Us forces can be replaced by British a British infantry platoon (regulars),
as Dangerous Ground. If any infantry division forces if the players PIAT, 2" mortar and vickers HMG
vehicle rolls a 1 for movement, then wish, with the 43rd wessex taking on teams and two 25 pdr timed strikes.
it has bogged down and become the 84th Infantry Division's mission. The British have a total BR of 15.
immobilised for the rest of the game. Replace the US infantry platoon with

GERMAN FORCES US FORCES

`Auf Deutschem Boden' +D6 Initial Force
Infantry Platoon (Inexperienced)
Volksgrenadier Squad (Inexperienced) with 2 1 Bazooka team (2 men)
Panzerfausts 2 .30 cal MMG teams (3 men)
1 60mm light mortar team (3 men)
1 Sniper
2 Timed 105mm artillery strikes @offo mwsf bc o77 TwrH I)
2 10" Trenches
• Add to this force any of the Sherman tanks (not Crab
Bunker 1 - MG42 Pillbox with loader team (class D) flails, they did not cross the railway line) that were
Bunker 2 - Command (class 8) still mobile and reached the railway line at the end of
Bunker 3 - MG42 Pillbox with loader team (class D) Scenario 1 - each adds +3 BR to the total.

2 3rd Priority artillery requests (the mori.mcim jcz7cJ a/ £he Total BR: 11
request is to Division) Officers: 1
Scouts: 0
Total BR: 9+D6
Officers: 1
Scouts: 1

59
 BAITL£GROL[P . wEsriiIALL .-++

SCENARIO 3
PHASE THREE -
PANZERS AT PRUMMERN
Game Size: Platoon southern edge of the village under They set up defensive positions
artillery fire, to deter any German and called forwards their anti-tank
Scenario Type: Attack/Defence counter-attack from Prummem as the guns. With the gun's half-track
Qvight Fight) reginent reorganised themselves for prime-movers stuck in the mud,
the day's combat. Sherwood Ranger Shermans hooked
Sit Rep: up the guns and towed them into
So far, the US attack had gone well, Throughout the moming of 18th Prurrmern. Finally, here, the tanks
and casualties were lighter than November, the 334th Regiment didn't wait around long; as evening .
expected, but the news wasn't all reorganised and deployed for fell, they pulled back for their night-
good. British aerial reconnaissance its Phase Three attack against time laagers. In Prummem, the US
warned that a large column of tmcks Prummern. Companies A and 8 of infantry found themselves still under
and some tanks was en route for lst Battalion were moved forwards attack; Germans had infiltrated
Geilenkirchen. Elements of 15th to Strongpoint Y and at 1150 set off into the edge of the village and
Panzergrenadier Division were northwards to lead the way. The snipers were harassing their every
reinforcing the 183rd Volksgrenadier. artillery fire halted, and the attackers move. Prummem wasn't secure; the
Colonel Roosma, CO of the 334th were soon under sporadic MG and Germans were stealthily moving
Regiment, knew he had to cover his rifle fire from the edge of the village, back in. The infantry firefights and
attack from a possible counter-attack where Germans had dug more sniping continued into darkness and
out of Geilienkirchen to the west, so trenches. Resistance at Prummern the artificial moonlight was again
diverted his 3rd Battalion to cover was again relatively weak, and by switched on. A foot patrol was sent
this flank. Now he had to use lst and mid-afternoon, the US infantry, still out to higher ground to the north-
2nd Battalions for the attack, a change with no tank support, had taken west, code-named `Mahogany Hill'.
of plan on the fly. He also placed the the village, along with 50+ pows. It returned to alarmingly report that
German tanks and infantry were
massing for an attack.

Early that night the Germans

launched a counter-attack into
Prummern, after a heavy mortar
bombardment and led by six panzers
of 15th Panzergrenadier Division.
Their gunners took the village under
fire from the north and north-east,
whilst a dismounted company of
infantry from 15th Panzergrenadier
Division' s 10th Panzergrenadier
Regiment moved into the outskirts.
Three panzers moved up, whilst
three remained back in supporting
fire positions. The first panzer was
hit and KO'd, the second drove over
the 57mm anti-tank that was firing
at it (presumably to little effect),
before it too was KO'd in the street
by a second anti-tank gun's shot.
The third panzer broke through to
the western edge of the village but
hit a mine (likely a German one)
and was abandoned bv its crew. The

60
 iH BATTLEGROUp . wESTinIAIL

German infantry remained in place in reinforcements may enter from the Mud, Mud, Mud: The fields are still
buildings and cellars. ELmmem ``'as southern table edge, on the turn a muddy nightmare. All movement,
now contested again and the infantn- indicated. for all units except infantry, counts
fight to hold it would continue as Dangerous Ground. If any
throughout the next day. Objectives vehicle rolls a 1 for movement, then
There are two objectives. One is the it has bogged down and become
Terraln farm on the edge of the village theld immobilised for the rest of the game.
The game takes place on the northern by the German patrol at the start of Do not roll for vehicles on farm tracks
edge of Pnrmmem village, with its the game) and one is a building in the or roads, they move as normal.
close-by orchards @are in November) centre of the village.
and a farm. The village is 6-7 Victory Gains
buildings (now mostly damaged Special Rules If the Germans win, they will delay
from US artillery). The fields are Artificial Moonlight: It is dark, the American attack on Mahogany
flat and very muddy, with slightly with a bit of artificial moonlight. The Hill tomoITow, as more troops are
higher ground towards the north-east maximum range for any firing or needed to clear Prummern. The
(this doesn't need recreating on the spotting, except Suppressing Fire, US force's BR in Scenario 4 will be
tabletop). The metalled main road is 20". All units always count as reduced by -D6, as their troops are
runs north-west to south-east to the Obscured in the semi-darkness. weary, having already been engaged
east of the village. today.
Cautious Panzers: The German
Deployment tank commander isn't going to risk Alternate Forces
The German deployment zone is all his tanks in a night attack on the If the British forces are defending
within 15" of the northeast comer village streets. tine panzer platoon's Prummern, then any US platoon
of the tabletop. The exception to this vehicles must remain within 15" of is replaced by a British platoon
is their foot patrol, which must start the northern (German) board edge (regulars). The Bazooka teams are
occupying the farm on the edge of throughout the game, from where replaced by PIAT teams, the .30 cal
the village. German reinforcements they can give supporting fire. The MMG by a Vickers HMG and 57mm
may enter from anywhere along other tank platoon is free to move as anti-tank guns are 6-pdr anti-tank
the northern table edge, on the turn it likes. guns. The British BR total is 35.
indicated.

The US deployment zone is within

15" of the southern table edge. US US FORCES
Infantry Platoon (inexperienced)
Bazooka Team (2 men)
GERMAN FORCES .30 cal MMG team (3 men)
Panzer IV Platoon (3 tanks, 1 officer)
Panzer IV Platoon (3 tanks, 1 officer) 1 Sniper

lnlari:try Foot Patrch (must be deployed at the fa:rln) 2 57mm anti-tank guns with loader tearns
Battery of 2 81mm mortars (off-table)
1 Timed 80mm mortar barrage
Reinforcements - Turn 4
Reinforcements - Turn 3 Infantry Platoon (inexperienced)
Panzergrenadier Platoon (dismounted) (regulars) Bazooka Team (2 men)

Esctra\ BLehiorcements - T`irr\ 4 (only available if the - Tun 5

Germans won Scenario 2) 1 M4 Sherman (75mm) towing a 57mm anti-tank gun.
Panzergrenadier Squad (regular) Crew and loader team are tank riders.
SdKfz 251/21 'Drilling'
BR: 27
BR: 32 (+4 if extra reinforcements are used) Officers: 2
Officers: 3 Scouts: 1
Scouts: 1

61
 BATTLEGROUP . WEST"IALL +t.

SCENARIO 4
PHASE THREE -
UP `MAHOGANY' HILL
ground towards its north-east, Hill
90.2, between it and the village of
Beeck, must be taken. Whilst the
Germans had it, their lines of sight
and fire made securing Prummem
all but impossible. With the 333rd
and 334th Infantry Regiments both
heavily committed in the clipper .
plan, and unable to use the 405th
Regiment for an attack, the division's
General was low on infantry for the
mission. He turned to the 334th's 2nd
Battalion (1st and 3rd were fighting
for Prummem) to push around
east of the village and on for Hill
90.2, `Mahogany Hill'. First, XXX
Coaps' artillery worked over the area
and then rolled on to shell Beeck,
where it was suspected German
reinforcements were mustering.
Game Size: Platoon Sit Rep:
Even as the fighting for Prummern The men of 3rd Battalion set
Scenario Type: Attack/Defence still raged, General Bolling decided off across the fields, led by two
that the higher Sherwood Ranger Shemtans; the

GERMAN FORCES
`Auf Deutschem Boden' US FORCES
Infantry Platoon (inexperienced)
Pillbox with MG42 and loader team (class C) Bazooka Team (2 men)
Pillbox with MG42 and loader team (class 0 MMG Team (3 men)

Anti-tank gun dug-out with Pak40 75mm anti-tank Infantry Platoon (inexperienced)
gun and loader team Bazooka Team (2 men)
MMG Team (3 men)
Rifle squad, in foxholes (regulars)
2 Shermans (75mm)
Rifle squad, in foxholes (regulars)
1 Timed 5.5" artillery banage (British guns, on Turn 1)
Sniper Hideout and Sniper
2 2nd Priority Artillery Requests
3 Timed 80mm mortars barrages
Reinforcements - Turn 2
Reinforcements - Turn D6+1 1 Forward HQ - Sherman (75mm) (senior officer,
1 Panther artillery spotter)

Total BR: 16+D6 Total BR: 27

Officers: 0 Officers: 3 (including a senior officer)
Scouts: 1 Scouts: 0

62
 ifi BATTLEGROUP . WESTvll:AIL

third, the squadron command tank below ground level. Mahogany Hill for all units except infantry, counts
of Major Selerie, was just behind. remained in German hands. as Dangerous Ground. If any
The infantry soon found themselves vehicle rolls a 1 for movement, then
pinned down by machine-gun fire Terrain it has bogged down and become
from two pillboxes on the high The open fields approaching the immobilised for the rest of the game.
ground. The Shermans moved, higher ground. To the east are small Do not roll for vehicles on farm tracks
sliding in the mud, to engage the tree plantations. The Germans have or roads, they move as normal.
bunkers with their HE and machine two machine gun pillboxes, one
guns. The infantry rose from the sighted on either side of the higher Preliminary 5.5" BombaLrdment:
mud and pressed on. Suddenly, one ground. There is a farm lane which The area has just been worked over
Shemran exploded, hit by enemy tank leads towards the village of Beeck. by 5.5" shelling (the timed strike
fire, firing hull-down from the higher is the last of it before it rolls on).
ground (it may have been an anti- Deployment Before Turn 1, each German unit, not
tank gun). The panzer lined up the The German forces can deploy up to deployed in a bunker, must roll to see
second Sherman, fired, and destroyed halfway across the table from their if it is pinned. Roll for Suppressing
it too. The Major's following Sherman northern table edge. The German Fire from Medium HE, and make a
was next, hit twice, the second shot reinforcements arrive on Turn Cover save as normal.
penetrating the turret and blasting D6+1 (roll before the game starts),
the Major clean out of his hatch; anywhere on the northern table edge. Victory Gains
badly wounded, he crawled away. US forces deploy within 10" of their None. Taking Mahogany Hill will
His stunned crew bailed out. table southern table edge. help the fight for Prummem but
won't be much aid to the attack into
Without the British tank support, the Objectives Geilenkirchen or at Suggerath.
US infantry's attack floundered and There is a single objective, the top
stalled. Under fire from machine guns of Mahogany Hill. The Germans Alternate Forces
and mortars, they were well pirmed cannot win an All Objectives Claimed British forces may replace the US
down. They tried to move right and victory, but the US can. infantry platoons with their own
left but it didn't help. Soon, unable to platoons (regulars) and PIAT teams
advance, they started to scrape their Special Rules instead of bazooka teams. They have
own thin cover in the mud to get Mud, Mud, Mud: The fields are still a total BR of 35.
a muddy nightmare. All movement,

SCENARIO 5
PHASEFOUR-
CLEARING GEILENKIRCHEN
Game Size: Platoon to lead with two companies, one effectively, the British armoured
on either side of the Wum` RIver, engineering vehicles had also been
Scenario Type: Attack/Defence - each to push their platoons forward held for this phase of the attack.
Delaying Action in parallel and systematically clear AVREs would make short work of
German resistance points and push any German strongpoints. Artillery
Sit Rep: the Germans out of town along the support though was restricted. On
With the operation's two pincers river and railway line axis (through the moming of November 19th, 1st
fully engaged and having drawn the village of Suggerath). Other Battalion, 333rd Infantry began its
much of the German forces into battalions would take over once the assault into the town behind a short
battle, the 333rd Infantry Regiment town was cleared, to take Suggerath barrage of the divisional artillery.
was ready for its part in the Clipper and then move on to Muellendorf . TTLis did not move on, as there was
Plan, to drive into Geilenkirchen A Company had the north-west and some uncertainty as to where the
and through the town, to clear out the town centre. 8 Company had the British where beyond the town.
the Germans holding it. It would south-east, following the line of the
be house-to-house fighting and main railway. Again, a few British The town was held by men of the
strong resistance was expected. The Sherwood Ranger tanks would 343rd Volksgrenadier Regiment and
333rd positioned its lst Battalion be close support, but even more they already knew that the British

63
 BATTLEGROUP . WESTWALL +t+

-. _~ ,,1

S-a ===
=`_
I-. '-.*Th '\*-
-i.- .t -
- -=tr-'-- - -- _ ``.._. -

I `.-- -,
-,,€ #,
I.-.-
=v.-
ALbove: An M1919 .30 cal medium machine gun clearing out the German strongpoints the area, they can deploy up to 3/4 of
providing covering fire during street-fighting. slowed down A Company, but, by the way across the tabletop from their
(US National Archive). the late afternoon, German resistance table edge. German reinforcements
had ceased except for sniper fire arrive from their table edge.
and the advance could move on
advance to the north-west and US along the Wurm through the rest of US forces are just moving up to
advance to the south-east was in town. South of the river, there had secure the market square. Their initial
imminent danger of isolating them in been little fighting and 8 Company, forces are placed within 5" of the US
a pocket. Few of the conscripts were once through the mines, made rapid table edge. The US reinforcements
going to fight it out to the last bullet. progress up the railway line. arrive from their table on the turn
Many had already been withdrawn given.
and their defence here would just be Terrain
a delaying action. The town's market square (with Objectives
its fountain) and streets/ alleys in There are three objectives on the
IIlitial resistance was slight - sniper the vicinity of the town centre and tabletop. Part of the St Elisabeth
fire and sporadic machine-gun St Elisabeth Hospital building, Hospital, (the main building is on
bursts from the edge of town. 8 including its park area. On the the German table edge), the Rathaus
Company had to clear a route eastern edge is the River Wurm, and a hotel on the town square.
through a minefield, which slowed which is lined with trees. This marks The Germans cannot win an All
them down, and A Company had to the edge of A Company's sector and Objectives Claimed victory, but the
divert men away to patrol out and does not have to be included on the US can.
find the British lines to their left. tabletop; instead, assume it marks
Once into town, the British tanks the edge of the tabletop. The hospital Special Rules
provided excellent close support, is a large, well-constructed building. Delaying Action: The Germans have
firing a lot of shells to make up for In all, there are 16 buildings on the little hope of wirming, only delaying
the lack of artillery on-call. Only in tabletop. the US advance long enough to buy
the town centre and the area of the St time for their retreating troops to set
Elisabeth Hospital did the Americans Deployment up a new defence line. If any German
encounter stronger resistance and German forces are occupying most of units are still fighting at the end of

64
 iFT BATTLEGROUP . WESTWAIL

GERMAN FORCES US FORCES

Initial Deployment Initial Deployment
Volksgrenadier (Infantry) Platoon (inexperienced) Infantry Foot Patrol (inexperienced)
Panzerschreck Team Infantry Foot Patrol (inexperienced)
MMG team (3 men)
3 Snipers
Reinforcements
1 Fortified Building (St Elisabeth Hospital) T-2
1 Booby-Trapped Building (player's choice) Tank Troop - 3 Shermans (all 75mm) (1 officer)

2 Timed 80mm mortar barrages Turn 3

Infantry Plato on (inexperienced)
Reinforcements Bazooka Team (2 men)
Turn 4
Volksgrenadier (Infantry) Platoon (inexperienced) Turn 4
Panzerschreck Team 1 Churchill AVAE

Total BR: 19 Total BR: 25

Officers: 2 Officers: 2
Scouts: 3 Scouts: 2

rn 9, then the Germans can claim

utomatic victory. The game ends,
the defenders have hung on long
nou8h.

olid Construction: The main St

lisabeth Hospital building counts
s a fortified building, with a
einforced (3+) Cover save.

an Assault: The rules for urban

combat can be used for this scenario.

Victory Gains
lf the Germans win, they have
delayed the US enough to allow the
defenders of Suggerath more time
to deploy. The line of resistance at
Suggerath gains bonus defences
as listed. If the US win, then these
defences are not included.

Alternate Forces
Replace the US platoons with British
infantry platoons (regulars). Their BR USTableEdge.
total is then 33.

65
BATTLEGROUP . WESTWALL

SCENARIO 6
PHASEFOUR-
STORMING SUGGERATH
Behind, 15th Panzer Grenadier was able to join the attack on Suggerath.
Game Size: Platoon
The extra manpower helped and by
preparing to counter-attack the
British north of the town. midnight the village houses had been
Scenario Type: Attack/Defence
cleared and Suggerath was in US
The first assault on Suggerath found hands. Still, enemy harassing fire was
Sit Rep:
it well defended and faced heavy a constant threat along the Wurm
Geilenkirchen had not proven to be
machine-gun fire from the buildings. valley and pillboxes, usually on the
the bastion that XXX Corps' planners
The 333rd Infantry took heavy losses higher ground, could fire along the
had feared and after a day's advance,
valley too. Each had to be destroyed
the town was in US hands. One of the trying to advance along the Wurm
valley and could not clear two in turn, another job for the British
final pieces in the `Clipper' puzzle
engineer tankers.
was the village of Suggerath, just pillboxes outside the village; enemy
along the Wurm River valley. The artillery fire also started to impact.
The lead company called up aid from TeITain
333rd lnfantry's lead battalion, having
the British armoured engineers and The approach to Suggerath from
moved through Geilenkirchen and left
a Churchill Crocodile flamethrower Geilenkirchen, along the road and
the mopping up to following units,
made short work of both bunkers. railway line. The south of the village
now tried to take Suggerath quickly,
German troops were seen fleeing the is represented by 6 buildings. There
before the Germans had recovered
village. The attack could now press are a few small woods, but the fields
and set up a strong position.
on into the village itself, but found are flat and open ground.
The defenders had already the road and verges heavily mined,
and the road's railway bridge had Deployment
regrouped and made a far harder
been demolished. Engineers went German forces are occupying the
stand at Suggerath than they had in
to work. Suggerath would not fall village and the pillboxes defending it,
Geilenkirchen itself . With multiple
in the north-east comer. US forces are
Westwall pillboxes to man, they also quickly. Infantry advanced in the lee
demolished a road's railway bridge of Sherwood Ranger Shermans, up moving up the road and the railway
the main road once it was cleared of track from the south-west.
to prevent the track from being used
as access along the valley and laid mines. They took machine-gun and
rifle fire from the buildings but broke Objectives
more mines and booby-traps. Whilst
through to the northern edge of the There are two objectives on the
Suggerath could be held, the Allied
village, only to be isolated there. It tabletop, the collapsed bridge and a
encirclement could not be completed,
wasn't until evening that a second building in the village.
although most German forces had
slipped out of its pincers already. battalion of the 333rd was free and
Special Rules
Mud, Mud, Mud: The fields are still
a muddy nightmare. All movement,
for all units except infantry, counts
as Dangerous Ground. If any
vehicle rolls a 1 for movement, then
it has bogged down and become
immobilised for the rest of the game.
Do not roll for vehicles on farm tracks
or roads, they move as normal.

Blown Bridge: The road bridge over

the railway line has been destroyed.
Its rubble blocks the line and is
impassable to any vehicle. The rubble
counts as hard cover for infantry
behind it.

66
 ill BA.ITLEGROUP . WESTW:ALL

GERMAN FORCES US FORCES

`Auf Deutschem Boden' Infantry Platoon (inexperience d)
Volksgrenadier (Infantry) Platoon (inexperienced) Tank Troop, 3 Shermans (all 75mm) (1 officer)

MG Pillbox (class D) 2 Counter Battery Fire Missions

AT Bunker with PaK40 anti-tank gun and loader team
(class C) Reinforcements - Turn 2
AT Bunker with PaK-38 anti-tank gun and loader team Combat Engineer Squad (regulars)
(class C)
2 minefields Forward Observer Team
1 Booby-Trapped Building 3 3rd Priority Artillery Requests
1 Fortified Building
Foxholes for 10 men T-3
Forward Observer Team (2 men) Infantry Plato on (inexperienced)

Off-table battery of 2 120mm mortars T-4

3 1st Priority Artillery Requests Churchill Crocodile flamethrower
2 Counter Battery Fire Missions
2 Off-table 88 shots (from higher ground beyond the Total BR: 29
village) Officers: 3
Scouts: 0
ExtlaL Def ences (only available if the Germans won
Scenario 5)
+4 Off-table 88 shots (from higher ground beyond the Alternate Forces
village) Replace the US platoons with British infantry platoons
+1 extra Fortified Building (regulars). Their BR total is then 38.
1 Pre-Registered Target Point
rEL ii

Total BR: 16+D6

Officers: 1
Scouts: 0

67
 BATTLEGROUP . WESTW:AIL E±

NEWEQUIPMENT
The following page detail the game profiles for new armoured vehicles,
not included in Battlegroup: Overlord `Beyond the Beaches'.

US ARMOURED VEHICLES
VEHICLE MOVEMENT ARMOUR ARMAMENT
Off-Road Road Special Front Side Rear Weapon Mount Ammo

M18 `Hellcat' 14„ 24„ M IN I o 76-L53 Turret 5

Open-Topped MG Pintle

VEHICLE MOVEMENT ARMOUR ARMAMENT

Off-Road Road Special Front Side Rear Weapon Mount Ammo

M36 `Jackson' 9„ 14„ M IN I o 90-L53 Turret 5

Open-Topped MG Pintle

US GUNS
MEDIUM GUN

NIAPON AMMO HE EFFECT RANGE20-30„3040„

0-low 10-20„ 40-50„ 50-70„

90-L53 ilE 4/3+ 3 3 3 3 3 3

AP 10 10 9 8 7 6

GERMAN ARMOURED VEHICLE S

• MOVEMENT
VEHICLE ARMOUR ARMAMENT
Off-Road Road Special Front Side Rear Weapon Mount Ammo

Jagdpanzer IV q70) 8„ 12„ H M(L) N 75-L70 Hull 6

VEHICLE MOVEMENT ARMOUR ARMAMENT

Off-Road Road Special Front Side Rear Weapon Mount Ammo

Hetzer 9„ 13„ I N a 75rrmL48MG HullTurret 4

VEHICLE MOVEMENT ARMOUR ARMAMENT

Off-Road Road Special Front Side Rear Weapon Mount Ammo

SdKfz 251/21 12„ 16„ o lo I oOpen-Topped 3 x 15rrm`Dndting, Turret

68
 grESTWALL -y+,

d-
a- iris.
tut
e±ingc-9
.:*.
.+~

Ei

rife:.!RE
The German Border,1944... • BACKGROUND
The German Army is full retreat A general overview of the war special rules detail German bunker
after their heavy defeat in along Germany' western border construction and defences along
Normandy. The Allied forces in the autumn of 1944, as the US the Westwall as well as the hard
are sweeping across France and armies push their first troops onto fighting under the trees of the
Belgium towards the German German soil. From the US lst Huertgen Forest and the tank battles
Army's battles at the Aachen Gap in the Lorraine between US armour
border, soon Germany itself will
and through the dank Huertgen and the newly formed panzer
be invaded. To halt the Allied
Forest, to the US 3rd Army's tank brigades.
advance and buy time to rebuild
battles in the Lorraine and capture
their shattered forces, the German of the fortress-city of Metz. This book requires B¢£fJcgrottp..
high command begin to rapidly Overlord `Beyond the Beaches' to use
reactivate and man the defences of • ARMY LIST in full, including its Battle Rating
the Westwall. Designed to be used with the US counters.
and German army lists already
Throughout the autumn, the • CAMPAIGN
published in Beaches'
`Beyond the Battlegroup..
, thisOverlord
books
advancing US armies, delayed Six new historical scenarios in a
by supply shortages, will find contains a new army list, for the detailed narrative campaign for
themselves engaged in bitter fresh German panzer brigades Operation Clipper, the battle to
deployed from September 1944, as breakthrough the Westwall at
fighting to breakthrough the lines
well alterations to the German and Geilenkirchen.
of concrete bunkers, minefields
US army lists for 1944, to better
and anti-tank obstacles. I^7hilst
recreate the battles at Germany's
behind the Westwall, the remaining border in the autuinn of 1944.
panzers forces re~arm, ready to lsBN : 978-1 -9998730-5-9
fight again. • SPECIAL RULES
New special rules to adapt the
[IJ=TI]n core Battlegroup game for battles
[I.11.]EL1 against the Westwall in 1944. The