V .

ALLIED OFFENSIVE INTO GERMANY WESTERN EUROPE, 1944-45

7
GREAT
BRITAIN

«■
* CERN
GERMANY SOVIET PARAI
UNION AR

FRANCE
FIRST
ITALY
Asmterdam CANADIAN ARMY

N D S
ZZre Hague

Ruhr River
Calais A Antwerp GERMAN
ARMY GROUPS
(RUHR POCKET)
Brussels
I Cologne
G I U M >
Aachen
Mons
Meuse River

Amiens
Moselle River

ARDENNES
Rhin'e River
OFFENSIVE

E M B O U R G
Frontline
Reims March 19'i5

PARIS
Frontline
Dec. 1944 .. i
Frontline
Sept. 1944

Nancy
Strasbourg
GERMAN
19. ARMV
Epinel
tue ver

0 40 80

M Belfort FIRST
FRENCH ARMY
IAN 1.
:hute
MY

SECOND
BRITISH ARMY

BERL IN

NINTH
USARMY
MA N
< GERMAN
GERMAN 12. ARMY
11. ARMY

Kassel

Elbe River
FIRST
US ARMY

Frontline
May 1945

Frankfurt

GERMAN
7. ARMY
THIRD Prague
US ARMY

ECHO S L O /V A. K

GERMAN
1, ARMY

SEVENTH
US ARMY
Danube River

Munich
□ STRIA

/ -i Sti'fl
 «lftk

Written by: Wayne Turner ProofReaders: David Adlam, Paul Beach, Jason Berkan, Alexander
Costantino, Tom Culpepper, Alan Graham, Lance
Editors: Peter Simunovich, John-Paul Brisigotti
Mathew, Michael McSwiney, Alexander Nebesky,
Graphic Design: Victor Pesch Luke Parsonage, Jace Pippin, Gavin van Rossum,
Project Management: Chris Townley Gregg Siter, Andrew Willis
Assistant Writing: Phil Yates, Mike Haught, Michael Playtest Groups: Aylesbury Wargames Club (Alan Graham),
McSwiney, Chris Potter, Nigel Slater Atlantic Canadian Testers (Ryan Sullivan),
Asistant Graphic Design: Casey Davies, Ashleigh Heelam Dads Army (Gavin van Rossum),
Flames Of War Regina Rifles (Lance Mathew),
Miniatures Design: Evan Allen, Tim Adcock, VCil 1 Jayne,
Historical Tabletop Gaming Society (Shane Kua),
Ales Potocnik, Charles Woods
Cavalieri dell-Esagono (Livio Tonazzo),
Miniatures Painting: James Brown, Jeremy Painter, M.E.G. Team Voghera (Emilio Arbasino),
Aaron Te Hira-Mathie Melbourne (Andrew Thompson),
Cover and Internal Art: Vincent Wai The Dynamic Duo (Gareth Richards),
290 Bunker (Carl Bellatti)
Web Support: Luke Glover

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means
without the prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which tt is
published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

© Copyright Battlefront Miniatures Ltd., 2021. ISBN: 978-1-98-855829-5

MMra
Bulge: American
CONTENTS
.2 Bastogne and the Battle of the Bulge 54
American Special Rules .3 Screaming Eagles,
Normandy to Lorraine .4 10V‘ Airborne Division in Bastogne .56
Bastogne Parachute Rifle Company ..62
Know Your Tanks .6
Bastogne Parachute Rifle Company HQ ..63
Know Your Infantry 10 Bastogne Parachute Rifle Platoon ..63
Bastogne Parachute 81mm Mortar Platoon ..64
Bulge: American Force 12
Bastogne Parachute 75mm Artillery Battery .. 64
4‘‘' Armored Division 14 Bastogne Parachute 57mm Anti-tank Platoon ..65
US Combat Commands 18 Airborne Jeep Recon Patrol .. 65
Improving the Breed, M4 Sherman tanks 19 ..66
327'*’ Glider Infantry Regiment
America's Battle Tank, The M26 Pershing 20
Bastogne Glider Rifle Company ..67
Veteran M4 Sherman (late) Tank Company , 22
Bastogne Glider Rifle Company HQ ..68
Veteran M4 Sherman (late) Tank Company HQ. , 23
Bastogne Glider Rifle Platoon ..68
Veteran M4 Sherman (late) Tank Platoon . 24
Bastogne Glider M1917 Machine-gun Platoon ..68
M4 Easy Eight Veteran Tank . 24
Bastogne Glider 81mm Mortar Platoon
M4 Jumbo Veteran Tank . 24 69
Bastogne Glider 57mm Anti-tank Platoon
M26 Pershing Tank Platoon . 25 69
Bastogne Glider 105mm Artillery Battery
T26 Super Pershing Tank Platoon . 26
Veteran M3 Stuart Tank Platoon . 27 Race to the Rhine 70
Veteran Armoured 81 mm Mortar Platoon . 27
Fortune Favors the Brave,
Veteran M4 Sherman (late) Assault Gun Platoon . 27
644"’ Tank Destroyer Battalion 72
Veteran M24 Chaffee Tank Company . 28
Veteran M24 Chaffee Tank Company HQ . 29 Victory Not Glory,
Veteran M24 Chaffee Tank Platoon . 29 704"’ Tank Destroyer Battalion .73
Veteran M8 Scott Assault Gun Platoon . 29
One Round, 705"’ Tank Destroyer Battalion .74
7'*’ Armored Division 30
Ready Now, 899"’ Tank Destroyer Battalion .76
M4 Sherman (late) Tank Company . 34
M18 Tank Destroyer Company ..78
M4 Sherman (late) Tank Company HQ . 34
M18 Tank Destroyer Company HQ .. 79
M4 Sherman (late) Tank Platoon . 35
Ml8 Tank Destroyer Platoon .. 79
M4 Easy Eight Tank . 35
M4 Jumbo Tank . 35 M36 Tank Destroyer Company ..80
M5 Stuart Tank Platoon . 36 M36 Tank Destroyer Company HQ . . 81
Armoured 81 mm Mortar Platoon . 36 M36 Tank Destroyer Platoon .. 81
M4 Sherman (late) Assault Gun Platoon . 37 Veteran MIO Tank Destroyer Platoon . . 82
T34 Calliope Tank Platoon . 37 Veteran M20 Security Section . . 82
M24 Chaffee Tank Company .38 Support Units 83
M24 Chaffee Tank Company HQ . 39 M8 Greyhound Cavalry Recon Patrol . . 83
M24 Chaffee Tank Platoon . 39 M5 Stuart Cavalry Recon Patrol . . 84
M8 Scott Assault Gun Platoon . 39 3-inch Tank Destroyer Platoon . . 84
.42 105mm Field Artillery Battery ..85
The Bridge at Remagen
M7 Priest Artillery Battery . . 85
Battle Weary Armoured Rifle Company .42 .. 85
M12 155mm Artillery Battery.....................................
Battle Weary Armoured Rifle HQ................................ . 43 T27 Xylophone Rocket Launcher Battery ......... ..86
Battle Weary Armoured Rifle Platoon............................. . 44 ... 86
L4 Grasshopper OP Observation Post
Battle Weary Armoured M1917 Machine-Gun Platoon . 44 .. 86
M4 Sherman OP Observation Post...............................
Battle Weary Armoured 57mm Anti-tank Platoon . . . . . 45 M15 & M16 AAA Platoon............................................ .. 87
Battle Weary Armoured M4 81 mm Mortar Platoon . . . . 45 P-47 Thunderbolt Fighter Flight................................... .. 87
The Blood Bucket, 28'’’ Infantry Division.... .46 Bulge: American Example Force ..88
4"* Infantry Division .48 Painting Americans ..90
2"'“ Infantry Division .49 ..91
Basing Guide
Battle Weary Rifle Company .50
Border Countryside Terrain ..92
Battle Weary Rifle Company HQ .. 51
Battle Weary Rifle Platoon........................................... .. 51 Missions............................................................ . 94
Battle Weary Mortar Platoon ..52
..52 Catalogue 100
Battle Weary M1917 Machine-Gun Platoon
Battle Weary 57mm Anti-tank Platoon.......................... . . 53
Battle Weary 105mm Cannon Platoon ..53
 .. ....tL'i.

BULGE: AMERICAN
‘Nuts!’
— General McAuliffe’s reply to the German surrender ultimatum delivered to the 101” Airborne Division’s H(J
in Bastogne on 22 December 1944.
Wars may befought with weapons, but they are won by men.
—General George S Patton Jr.

By September 1944, the Allies had stormed across western In the central sector of the Battle of the Bulge, the Germans
France and the front line ran from Belgium to the French had smashed through the American 28* and 106* Infantry
region of Lorraine. Patton’s unstoppable Third Army was Divisions before approaching the key crossroads town of
poised to strike into Germany itself, with the hard-charging Bastogne on 19 December. In the meantime the veteran
4* Armored Division in the lead. Nothing, it seemed, stood 101“ Airborne Division had been rushed from their camp in
in the division’s way as it pressed on. France to Bastogne to take up the defence. What followed was
The Germans were determined to stem the Allied tide. Four an epic seven-day struggle with the defending airborne troops
of Hitler’s brand new Panzer Brigades, specifically designed to besieged by four German divisions. On 26 December the
incorporate lessons learned on the Soviet front, were diverted siege was broken by the arrival of the American 4* Armored
to meet the Americans in the Lorraine. The two forces clashed Division and a few days later the Americans went on the attack.
east of the city of Nancy at a quiet farming village called However, the Germans were not done. On 31 December
Arracourt. The rolling fields and small villages played host to Hitler launched the last German offensive in the west,
over 450 American and German tanks as they fought one of Operation Nordwind. German divisions along the Lorraine
the largest tank battles of World War IL front attacked into the old French Maginot Line where the
Meanwhile, further north the Germans had been in retreat Americans had dug in. With many of their reserves sent north
since the Allied breakout from Normandy, finally settling into to face the Ardennes offensive, the Americans were taken by
defensive lines on their frontier as autumn turned into winter. surprise. On 25 January the German offensive was halted, after
In early December 1944 it seemed, to the Americans facing the US 222"“* Infantry Regiment of the 42"‘‘ Infantry Division,
them in the Ardennes forests of Belgium and Luxembourg, stopped their advance near Haguenau and US reinforcements
unlikely that the Germans would attack. ’j began to arrive from the Ardennes.
On 16 December that illusion was shattered when the might of The US Army was soon charging for the Rhine, the last .,
the German Sixth Panzer Army smashed into the thinly-held physical barrier to the German heartland. Leading the
US lines. The unexpected and powerful thrust overwhelmed ’ march of the US First Army was Gombat Command B
some American units, while others fought with great deter­ of the 9* Armored Division. They discovered the intact
mination and skill. American troops put in every effort to Ludendorff Bridge across the Rhine at Remagen on 7 March <
halt the Germans with improvised defences, counterattacks, 1945.The Battle of Remagen saw the bridge
road blocks, ambushes, and bridge demolitions as what would hands, opening ^||||
become\he Battle of the Bulge began. ' the way into the German homeland.

a
 AMERICAN SPECIAL RULES
The following special rules are characteristic ofBulge: American forces,
reflecting their own style ofequipment, tactics, and. approach to battle.

TANKS
COMPONENT BATTLE TANK
Component Teams use the ratings of their parent Unit. In missions with Deep Reserves, this unit is a Battle Tank
Unit. You may only field one Tank Unit with Battle Tank,
Jeeps were used extensively in the US Army, an essential tool for
one Tank Unit with Front Armour of 4 or more, or one
many different units in the field.
Aircraft Unit on table at the start of the game. 1
Tank destroyers like the M18 Hellcat may be lightly armoured,
stabiliser
Weapons with Stabiliser suffer a +1 penalty To Hit if the Tank but they are still a devastating strike force.
Moved in the Movement Step.
SEEK, STRIKE, AND DESTROY
The main gun mounts of US tanks are fitted with gyrostabilisers,
A Unit with Seek, Strike, and Destroy may attempt a Shoot
which keep the gun level while the tank is moving. This clever
and Scoot Movement Order after succeeding in a Blitz Move
mechanism lets the gunner fire faster and more accurately, but
Movement Order earlier in the same turn.
shooting on the move is nevertheless still difficult.
Tank Destroyer doctrine calls for ambushing enemy tanks from
SMOOTH RIDE concealed positions, hitting them hard andfast with devastating
M4 Easy Eight Tank teams do not suffer the +1 penalty effect, then retreating to safety before the enemy can retaliate.
To Hit for Stabiliser if they Move less than 4’710cm in the
Movement Step. ARTILLERY
The driving force behind the development ofHVSS (Horizontal
Volute Spring Suspension) was the need for wider tracks for AIR OBSERVATION POST
crossing soft ground, and a smoother ride. As a result, HVSS An Air Observation Post is an Aircraft that arrives on a roll of
made it much easierfor gunners to use the basic stabiliser system 3+ (rather than the usual 4+).
fitted to the Sherman tank. An Air Observation Post is unarmed, but can act as an
Observer, Spotting for an Artillery Bombardment with an
Aiming Point within 12”/30cm of the Aircraft. The opposing
INFANTRY player may shoot at the Aircraft immediately before it rolls to
Range In, as though the aircraft was Shooting.
AIRBORNE
L4 Grasshopper aerial observation posts spot targets from the air.
This Formation may make an Airborne Assault in missions
that use the Airborne Assault rules (page 96).
BOMBS AND ROCKETS
Airborne units were specially trained, equipped, and organised to (see the Bombs rule on page 93 Flames Of War rulebook) j,
conduct airborne operations.
GIGANTIC
MG TRANSPORT Teams from this Unit cannot be placed from Ambush withir^
M1917 HMG or M1919 LMG teams may fire while 16”/40cm of any enemy Team.
Mounted as a Passenger in an M3 half-track, using the
Tl)e Ml2 is a huge artillery piece, unsuitedfor hasty deployment.
Optional Passenger MG weapons line.
Machine-gunners mount their weapons on their half-track’s
OBSERVER
armoured sides and blaze away as it carries them forward.
(see page 85 Flames OfWar rulebook)
UNIT TRANSPORT REAR FIRING
The Unit Leader of the Transport Attachment must end the Rear Firing weapons can only target Teams fully to the
Movement Step within 6”/15cm of the Unit Leader of its rear of the shooting Team, and can only fire an Artillery
Passenger Unit while on table. If it cannot do this, then the
Bombardment if the Aiming Point is fully to the rear of (he |
Transport Attachment must be Sent to the Rear.
shooting Team.
Halftracks are a part of the platoon in every way. The troops
The M4 8lmm mortar carrier has its mortar mounted so it fire •>
t live out of their transports and guard them against enemy attack.
out the rear of the half-track.

TIME ON TARGET
(see page 85 Flames Of War rulebook)
 NORMANDY TO LORRAINE
’ On D-Day, 6 June 1944, US and British forces landed on the the Allied press was confidently predicting the end of the war
' beaches of Normandy, starting the long-awaited liberation of by Christmas.
p France. The German Army responded with all the force it By the end of August, Patton’s Third Army faced just nine bat­
j could muster, throwing ten armoured divisions, three heavy talions of infantry and ten tanks between it and the German
Tiger tank battalions, and 27 infantry divisions at the Allied border. However, a new problem had emerged—a shortage
i beachhead over a period of two and a half months. For most of fuel, and with it a shortage of ammunition. Almost all of
of that time, it looked like they might succeed as they kept the Allied supplies were still being landed across the beaches
the Allies bottled up in their small beachhead. of Normandy, as no major ports had yet been captured. As
Weeks of battle attrition began to tell, though, and by the end the armies raced towards Germany, they drove further and
of July, the Allied forces had torn a hole in the western end of further from the beaches and their sources of supply. Even
the German line and were pouring through the gap. Despite the famous Red Ball Express could not keep up with the
the best efforts of the Germans, General Patton’s Third Army voracious appetites of tens of thousands of tanks, half-tracks,
flooded into the Brittany Peninsula and raced towards Paris, and trucks.
trapping the German forces in the Falaise Pocket. This dis­ The Third Army reached the Meuse at Verdun on 31 August,
aster almost destroyed the German Army in the West. They but then halted for five days to gather enough supplies to con­
withdrew the supply and artillery echelons of most of the tinue on. Unfortunately for Third Army, the British Second
armoured divisions, but lost most of their tanks and infantry, and US First Armies to the north had priority for supply as
leaving little to stop the triumphant Allied advance across they were advancing directly towards the Ruhr, Germany’s
France and Belgium. Paris was liberated on 25 August, then industrial heartland. Third Army’s route led through Lorraine,
Brussels on 3 September. the traditional invasion route to Germany, but faced the
Compounding the German problems, another American and fortifications of the West Wall (also known as the Siegfried
French force landed in southern France on 15 August, racing Line), with no major strategic objectives in its path.
north against light opposition. After months of pessimism,

ALLIED PROGRESS, FRANCE, JUNE-SEPTEMBER 1944

Bristol

Dunkiriyfl
Kassel
Antwerp O

^SSELS Cologne

Jvionl
GERMANY I
Amiens' O
Rouen Frankfurt

O Reims
fc. ^ VMetzJ5
Si

Third Strasbour
Army
tpinolf^

% / Belfort
» O
L.i« R*’ r
1
30 June
(j
■S^NE

SWITZERLAND
* S A
'
31 July

13 August -
Lyons
25 August -

3 September

14 September » s r» n •____
Po River
Siegfried Line

Montelimor Bologna^
Genoa

Seventh
Army

Marseilles
Legho
Unwilling to be sidelined. Third Army begged, borrowed, Division to encircle Nancy, with the two combat commands
and stole fuel to continue its advance, aided by the capture meeting at Arracourt. Once there, the division would regroup
of a German fuel dump. Patton managed to scrounge enough and strike for the German border.
fuel for a two-week dash to the Rhine for his two armoured Having been given another five days, the German Army
divisions, provided they didn’t get tied up in heavy fighting. continued to work miracles, gathering another motorised
The only major natural obstacle to be overcome was the infantry division, two extremely battered armoured divisions,
Moselle River, which Patton intended to force a crossing and four brand-new panzer brigades to stop the American
with his infantry divisions to open the way for the armoured advance. The 4* Armored Division reached Arracourt on
breakthrough. 18 September after a lightning advance, only to be met by
On 5 September, the advance resumed with the 80'*’ Infantry a series of armoured counterattacks lasting until the end
Division crossing the Moselle south of the fortified city of of September.
Metz. Unfortunately for the battalion involved, the Germans The resulting battles were the biggest armoured battles
had not been idle while the Americans gathered fuel. Two fought by the US Army in the Second World War, pitting
motorised and three second-line infantry divisions had around 200 American tanks and tank destroyers against over
moved to shore up the defences, and promptly smashed the 250 German tanks. By the end of the fighting three out of the
small American force. four panzer brigades had been wiped out, but Patton’s armour
It was not until 10 September that the Americans were ready was out of fuel and out of time. It would be nearly six more
to try again. This time the attacks were better prepared and months of hard fighting before Third Army finally crossed the
two divisions forced crossings between Metz and the city of River Rhine in March 1945.
Nancy, and a third crossed south of Nancy, quickly followed
by the 4'*’ Armored Division. Patton ordered the 4'*’ Armored

The Red ball Express three quarters of whom were African-American, operated
To get the supplies to both the First and Third Armies, around the clock, suffering badly from fatigue.
a massive conveyor belt of 6000 trucks was organised to The Red Ball Express was shut down once the port
ferry fuel from St. L6 to the front lines. The roads were of Antwerp became operational in November 1944.
marked out with sign posts with a large red dot, giving rise However, at its height, it delivered 12,500 tons of supplies
to the nickname the Red Ball Express. per day. While not enough to keep an army going at full
The route led to Paris where the trucks were split north speed (Third Army alone consumed 350,000 gallons, or
I towards First Army and east toward Third Army. Once they 1325 tonnes, of fuel every day, not counting food, ammu­
topped off their loads, they returned on parallel roads to nition, and other essentials!), it allowed for limited opera­
te uce traffic and keep the convoy moving. The drivers. tions, such as Patton’s advance into the Lorraine.
 I
KNOW YOUR TANKS
In late 1944, the US Army in France started receiving new variants of the M4 Sherman tank. Some of these only differed in
their guns and armour, but others changed the way that the tank operated with better engines and improved suspension. As
the war went on other new tanks and tank destroyers were introduced like the M24 Chaffee light tank, the M18 76mm armed
tank destroyer and M36 90mm armed tank destroyer.

M4 SHERMAN (LATE)
The 114 Sherman (late) (114A3) improved the Sherman by fixing critical Crew (5); Commander, gunner, loader,
issues like protecting its ammo storage from catching fire and driver, hull 115 gunner
increasing the number and size of the hatches. This resulted in the Weight; 30 tonnes
front armour plate being tilted at a Length: 5.84m (19’ 2”)
steeper angle and extra Width; 2.62m (8’ 7”)
armour protection was Height; 2.74m (9’ 0”)
also added. The 114 Weapons; 75mm Gun 113
Sherman (late) also .50-cal 112 Browning 115
uy jro**
had a more powerful 2x .30-cal Browning 115
engine than that Armour: 25-76mm
of the 114 Sherman Speed; 37km/h (23 mph)
(114A1). Engine; Eord GAA 8-cyUnder 4-cycle,
373kW (500 hp)

M4 76mm SHERMAN (LATE)

The M4 76mm Sherman (M4A3) married the new M4A3 hull with the 76mm Crew (5); Commander, gunner, loader,
gun, making for a fast, hard-hitting tank. Like the other late a4A3 driver, hull 115 gunner
models, you can spot an M4A3 (76mm) tank by its steep front armour Weight; 30 tonnes
plating and crew hatches. Of course the Length; 7.57m (25’ 0”)
76mm gun is another dead give-away, Width; 2.62m (8’ 7”)
but once again the turret was Height; 2.74m (9’ 0”)
Weapons; 76mm Gun 111
redesigned, and the loader’s .50-cal 112 Browning 115
hatch was made into a 2x .30-cal Browning 115
single-piece oval hatch. Armour; 25-76mm
Speed; 37km/h (23 mph)
Engine; Eord GAA 8-cylinder 4-cycle,
373kW (500 hp)

M4 EASY EIGHT bF f

The M4A3E8, better known as the Easy Eight, marked the pinnacle in Crew (5); Commander, gunner, loader,
the Sherman design. Essentially the same as the M4 76mm Sherman (late), driver, hull 115 gunner
the Easy Eight model introduced a new track and suspension system. The Weight; 30 -tonnes
Horizontal Volute Suspension System (HVSS, for short) made it much easier Length- 7.5m (24’ 7”)
to replace damaged road wheels and a new wide track was developed to Width; 2.9m (9’ 6”)
improve the tank’s Height 2.75m (9’)
off-road performance. Weapons; 76mm Gun 111
.50-cal 112 Browning 115
2x .30-cal Browning 115
Armour; 25-76mm
Speed; 37km/h (23 mph)
Engine; Eord GAA 8-cylinder 4-cycle,
373kW (500 hp)
& , 'A
h*/

M4JUMBO
of having to break through the German Siegfried Line led to the Crew (5); Commander, gunner, loader,
^^vXipment of the M4A3E2 assault tank. The late M4A3 chassis was used driver, assistant driver

with extra armour added all around. Its sheer hulk led to the nickname; Weight; 38 tonnes
“Jumbo”. The Jumbo had a larger turret; the massive 7”/18cm thick Length; 7.54m (24’ 9”) {76mm gun)
mantlet is particularly characteristic of the Jumbo. Width; 2.9m (9’ 6”)
Height; 2.95m (9’ 8”)
"it
»s r
Weapons; 75mm Gun M3
or 76mm Gun Ml
.50-cal M2 Browning MG !
2x .30-cal Browning MG
Armour; 25-177mm
Speed; 35km/h (22 mph) r
Engine; Ford GAA 8-cylinder 4-cycle,
373kW (500 hp)

M26 PERSHING
The T26/M26 Pershing was the outcome of a series of prototype designs Crew (5); Commander, gunner, loader,
AZ)
for replacing the M4 Sherman. The M26 was a 42-tonne vehicle, armed with driver, assistant driver

an as 90mm L/50 gun, the same that equipped the asO Tank Destroyer. Weight; 42 tonnes
The new tank sported sloped 4” a02mm) cast front armour, increasing Length; 8.65m (28’ 4”)
the protection of its crew compared to earlier American tanks. Initially Width; 3.51m 01’ 6”)
issued to the 3^ and 9“ Armored Divisions, hy the end of the war, 310 a26 Height 2.78m (9’ 2”)
Pershings had arrived in Europe with 200 issued to units (2"*’, b”'- and Weapons; 90mm gun M3
11“’- Armored Divisions). .50-cal M2 Browning MG
2x .30-cal Browning MG
Armour. 50-102mm
Speed; 40km/h (25 mph)
Engine; Ford GAF 8-cylinder 4-cycle,
373kW (500 hp)
mK!i

T26 SUPER PERSHING

The Pershing’s 90mm gun was powerful, hut still lacked the ability Crew (5); Commander, gunner, loader,
to knock out the heavier German tanks, so an experimental gun was driver, assistant driver
designed and designated the T15 90mm gun. Two examples of these Weight 43.5 tonnes
massive guns were mounted in specially modified Pershings, one of which Length; 10.32m (33’ 10”) (Gun forward)
made it into action with the 3*^ Armored Division. This was further Width; 3.51m (11’ 6”)
modified in the field hy adding additional armour plates cut from Height 2.78m (9’ 1”)
destroyed German Panthers. Weapons; 90mm Gun T15E2
.50-cal M2 Browning MG
2x .30-cal Browning MG
Armour 25-llOmm
Speed; 32km/h (20 mph)
Engine; Ford GAA 8-cylinder 4-cycle,
373kW (500 hp)
 M5 STUART
The 155 is the second major version of the Stuart light tank. The new Crew (4); Commander/loader, gunner,
model has a hit more armour protection as well as a larger turret. The driver, hull MG gunner
extra weight was handled hy a new twin Cadillac engine that kept the Weight: 16.5 tonnes
light tank moving quickly. Length 4.62m (15’ 2”)
Width 2.39m (7’ 10”)
Height; 2.33m (7’ 8")
Weapons; 37mm Gun 156
3x .30-cal Browning 15G
Armour: 25-61mm
Speed; 58 km/h (36 mph)
Engine; Twin Cadillac 78,
220 kW (296 hp)

M24 CHAFFEE
The addition of the 1524 Chaffee light tank to the US arsenal greatly Crew (5): Commander, gunner, loader,
enhanced the utility of the light tank company. It had greater driver, radio operator
mohility than the 155 Stuart, combined with a more powerful 75mm gun, Weight: 18.37 tonnes
allowing it to serve in its roles to provide reconnaissance, protection Length 5.56m (18’ 3”)
of flanks, covering force, as well as direct assault or support by fire. Width 3m (9’10”)
Height; 2.77m (9’ 1”)
Weapons; 75mm Gun 156
.50-cal 112 Brewing 15G
2x .30-cal Browning 15G
Armour: 10-38mm
Speed; 56km/h (35 mph)
Engine; Twin Cadillac V8,
220 kW (160 hp)

T34 CALLIOPE ON M4 SHERMAN

To provide the tank battalion with extra firepower when supporting Crew (5); Commander, gunner, loader,
infantry, five T34 Calliope rocket launcher field kits were issued and driver, assistant driver
installed on one of the battalion’s platoons. The T34 Calliope rocket Weight; 42 tonnes
launcher was attached to the 154 Sherman turret and elevation was Length 5.84m ttG’ 2”)
raised and lowered with the main gun, but because of this attachment Width 2.62m (8’ 7”)
3.74m (12’ 3”)
T34 rocket launcher firing
60 4.5-inch 158 rockets
2x .30-cal Browning 15G
25-76mm
37km/h (23 mph)
Ford GAA 8-cyUnder 4-eycle,
373kW (500 hp)
 M18 HELLCAT TANK DESTROYER
'Vth a design incorporating feedback from crews in the field, the M18 Crew (5): Commander, gunner, loader,
76mm GMC was the only purpose-built tank destroyer used by the US driver, assistant driver
j^y The number one request was speed, so the M18 was designed with Weight 17.69 tonnes
a unique suspension system and stripped down to only the minimum Lengtk 6.65m (21’ 10”) (Gun forward)
a^our needed to stop rifle fire. Its powerful engine allowed it to race Width; 2.87m (9’ 5”)
innxT ■’xsads at an impressive bOmph (80km/h). This led to the vehicle’s Height- 2.57m (8’ 5”)
unofficial nickname, the Hellcat. Weapons; 76mm gun Ml
.50-cal M2 Browning MG
5-25mm
97km/h (60 mph)
Continental R975-C1,
340 kW (350 hp)

M10 TANK DESTROYER

The MIO tank destroyer, officially known as the MIO 3-inch Gun Motor Crew (5); Commander, gunner, loader
Carriage (GMC), mounts a 3-inch gun, originally designed for anti- driver, assis-tant driver
) aircraft use, on a modified M4 Sherman hull It epitomises US -tank Weight: 29 tonnes
■ destroyer design—similar -to a -tank, but with less all-round armour Length; 6.83m (22’ 5”)
pro-tection and an open-topped turret, combined with a powerful gun Width; 3.05m ao’ 0”)
capable of knocking out most enemy -tanks. Height; 2.89m (9’ 6”)
Weapons; 3Tnch Gun M7
.50-cal M2 Browning MG
,j^rmour: 10-60mm
’Speed; 40 km/h (25 mph)
Engine; GM 6046, 280 kW (375 hp)

M36 JACKSON TANK DESTROYER

As German -tanks became harder to deal with, the tank destroyer arm Crew (5); Commander, gunner, loader,
decided -to up-gun their MlOs with the M3 90mm anti-aircraft gun. A driver, assistant driver
larger turret was designed to hold the new weapon. The new vehicle was Weight: 28.57 tonnes
designated the M36 90mm GMC. The M36s were issued to front line units Lengtk 7.47m (24’ 6”) (Gun forward)
from Sep-tem-ber 1944, some bat-talions fully re-equipped, while others Width; 3.05m (10’ 0”)
Heigh-t; 3.28m do’ 9”)
Weapons; 90mm gun M3
.50-cal M2 Browning MG
Armour: 10-127mm
Speed; 42km/h (26 mph)
Engine; Eord GAA 8-cylinder 4-cycle,
373kW (500 hp)
 KNOW YOUR INFANTRY
i A lot of veteran infantry formations have been in combat since the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944, having fought their
way through France to the German border. These troops are vastly experienced, but have had little chance for a respite from
the fighting. They tend to be more cautious and less aggressive. To represent this in the game, they retain their Blood ‘N Guts
bonus that grants them an improved Rally rating, but are Reluctant for their other Motivation ratings.
However, the airborne troops, by their very nature, are experienced veterans. They have not been worn down by constant
combat as they are normally withdrawn for rest and refit after completing their assigned mission. These parachute rifle and
glider rifle troops retain good Motivation and have a Veteran Skill rating. They are flexible and can complete all their combat
tasks quickly and effectively.

BATTLE WEARY ARMOURED RIFLE COMPANY ?

♦*
The Armoured Rifle Platoon remains a miniature army in its own right, able to keep up with the tanks with their
M3 half-tracks and trained to rapidly take ground and hold it against all comers. Heavy machine-guns, light
machine-guns, automatic rifles, hasookas, light mortars - yes sir, we have all of those.

The armoured infantry of the 3''^ Armored Division have seen some combat and know how to fight,
Yankee Ingenuity
_______Tactics preferring careful tactics to aggressive assaults. As they get closer to the end of the war, they
IS HIT ON are less likely to risk taking high casualties, preferring to let the artillery pound the Germans into

I I CAREFUL 4* !■ submission.

BATTLE WEARY RIFLE COMPANY

j The hulk of US Army infantry are from the rifle companies of the infantry divisions. These are large formations,
I
i hacked up hy a tremendous amount of firepower support. American artillery, tanks, and reconnaissance are never
J in short supply for the American ’doughhoys’. American tactics focus on fire and manoeuvre to get the joh done.

BATTLE WEARY
MOTIVATION
Il RELUCTANT 5+
Blood n Gufs
Rally

SKILL
Il TRAINED 4+ The bloody battles of the Hurtgen Forest sapped the strength of the 28^’’ Infantry Division until, j
I Yankee Ingenuity finally on the 19 November, the division was pulled out of the line to rest. However, before the
division was fully recovered, they were hit by the German Ardennes offensive. The experience of the
IS HIT ON
I CAREFUL 4+Il 4“ Infantry Division was similar as they fought off the sudden and unexpected German offensive. |
 bastocne parachute rifle company
+o-roriF of the Normandy and Market Sarden campaigns, the paratroopers of the 501“\ 502"“, and
AlrsS'd.y
th pa-^chute Infantry Regiments are well used to fighting while surrounded. A Bastogne Parachute Rifle
anmp of the most experienced troops in the US Army. They have excellent motivation, making them
Comps-i^y wx
■ry -reliable and their superior training gives them flexibility in the field to ensure victory.

BASTOCNE GLIDER RIFLE COMPANY

The 327'-"' Glider Infantry Regiment has been through the campaigns in Normandy and Holland and have gained much
experience fighting alongside the Paratroopers. These troops have proven themselves and are just as proud of their
role as their Paratrooper brothers. The formation is small to fit into a small number of Waco gliders, so it is not
' as wen armed as the regular infantry. Still, they can rely on numbers and their airborne comrades to make up for
these shortfalls.
 BULGE: AMERICAN FORCE
Your Force must contain at least one Formation,
and may contain as many Formations as you iike.

TANK FORMATIONS

VETERAN VETERAN
M4 SHERMAN (LATE)
M4 SHERMAN (LATE) M24 CHAFFEE
M24 CHAFFEE TANK COMPANY TANK COMPANY
TANK COMPANY TANK COMPANY LU 181 LU 187
LU189 , LU197

US SUPPORT UNITS
You may field one Support Unit from each box.

RECONNAISSANCE RECONNAISSANCE ANTI-AIRCRAFT ANTI-TANK

M8 GREYHOUND M8 GREYHOUND M15 & Mie 3-INCH TANK DESTROYER

CAVALRY RECON PATROL CAVALRY RECON PATROL AAA PLATOON PLATOON
LU174 LU174 LU179 LU175

M5 STUART M5 STUART
CAVALRY RECON PATROL CAVALRY RECON PATROL
LU231 LU231

ARTILLERY ARTILLERY OBSERVER

M7 PRIEST M7 priest M4 SHERMAN (LATE) OP P-47 THUNDERBOLT

ARTILLERY BATTERY ARTILLERY BATTERY OBSERVATION POST FIGHTER FLIGHT
LU121 LU121 LU235 LU180

105mm field 105mmfield L4 GRASSHOPPER

ARTILLERY BATTERY ARTILLERY BATTERY OBSERVATION POST
LU120 LU120 LU236

T27 XYLOPHONE ROCKET

LAUNCHER BATTERY
LU229

ARTILLERY FORMATION SUPPORT

You may field compulsory
WILDCARD Combat Units (with
a black box) from
M12 155mm US Formations as
ARTILLERY BATTERY Support Units.
LU177

105mmfield
ARTILLERY BATTERY
LU12O ALLIED SUPPORT
You may field one com­
pulsory Unit from a British
Formation as Support and
one British Formation as
an Allied Formation.
 ARMORED DIVISION
The 4* Armored Division, under the On 12 September, CCB and CCR
command of the aggressive General John stormed across the Moselle and attacked
Wood, first saw action during the breakout Lorey before pushing north to Mont and
from Normandy in late July 1944. While then on to Dombasle by 14 September.
most of the armoured divisions headed east Meanwhile, CCA waited patiently as the
following the breakout, the 4* Armored 80* Infantry Division struggled to estab­
smashed into the Brittany Peninsula, lish a bridgehead at Pont-a-Mousson.
securing Coutances and Rennes, before Frustrated, the Americans forced
joining in the race across France toward another crossing a bit further south at
the German frontier. Dieulouard, the site of an ancient cross­
The divisions seemingly unstoppable ing guarded by old Celtic, Roman, and
advance sputtered to a halt at the Meuse medieval fortifications. They managed
River, along with the rest of the Third to open up a narrow corridor, but it was
Army, for lack of fuel during the first days of September 1944. fiercely opposed by the German infantry and assault guns.
But through ingenuity and careful rationing, Patton and his staff Crossing the river with CCA would be risky at best.
kept the offensive going, albeit at a slower pace. The cautious Major General Eddy called a council of war to
discuss whether or not to send CCA across to exploit the
NAME ENOUGH gap. Colonel Bruce Clarke, commander of CCA, deferred to
Most divisions in the US Army had nicknames, such as “Old his top battalion commander. Lieutenant Colonel Creighton
Ironsides” for the 1“ Armored, “Hell on Wheels” for the Abrams, who pointed across the river and simply replied,
2""^ Armored, and “Spearhead” for the 3"“* Armored. However, “That’s the shortest way home!” Eddy gave in and sent CCA
when the time came for the 4'*’ Armored Division to choose a across the Moselle.
nickname. General Wood put it plainly that “Fourth Armored CCA pushed through the bridgehead and into the open
Division does not need and will not have a nickname. They country on the other side. The American tankers raced deep
shall be known by their deeds alone.” From that point on behind enemy lines, smashing up a dozen German tanks
“Name Enough” was the 4* Armored’s unofficial nickname. along the way. By nightfall CCA was within striking distance
of Chambrey. Together with CCB’s and CCR’s advances in
NANCY the south, the noose around Nancy was getting so tight that
By September, the Armored, now assigned to Major the Germans evacuated the city on 15 September.
General Eddy’s XII Corps, found itself in front of Nancy.
Knowing his tanks would be wasted in a city fight. General LUNEVILLE
Wood deployed his combat commands (CCA, CCB, and As the American spearheads moved deeper, the Germans
CCR) north and south of the city along the Moselle River. launched an infantry attack to cut off CCR’s advance at

THE MARCH OF THE ARMORED DIVISION, 1944-45* I

I. ,.{•1

UNITED KINGDOM
BELGIUM GERMANY

W NORMANDY
\ Utah Beach
A' ■ / 4 ■ ■■
LORRAINE
Paris
< BRITTANY
o
Coutances Nanc) I
Rennes —
■•I SEE OPPOSITE MAP

W SWITZERLAND d
 XII CORPS, NANCY, SEPTEMBER 1944
J
Raucourt
106 Pz Bde
P^nt-^’Mousson \ Delme

11 PzDiv
559VG'Div
317 Regt Genevieve

es-en-Sa^oi! Chateau-Sal ins/

9“.^ Dteul^art

teat ChambreyX'
Marbache
113 Pz Bde

enoux

553 VG Div ,TF Abrams

Maixe

t Nifcotas'du-Pon
bomb Croismare

incent 21 Pz Div

Dameteviere^.
Fiavigny

Gerbeviiler
Bremoncourt

Luneville, but were promptly thrown out. When German tanks four Panthers struggled to see their attackers. Then suddenly
of 111 * Panzer Brigade finally arrived on 18 September they the Shermans appeared once more behind the Panthers and
assumed that Luneville was in German hands and they drove finished them off completely.
unwittingly into the 42"“* Cavalry Squadron. The dismounted Further along, M18 Hellcat tank destroyers of the 704'*’ Tank
cavalrymen fought hard with the help of M18 Hellcats of the Destroyer Battalion destroyed 16 more Panthers from the
704'*“ Tank Destroyer Battalion. The force doggedly held onto unfortunate 11 d'** Panzer Brigade. By the afternoon, the last of
a few blocks of the city and called for reinforcements. CCA’s tanks arrived from Luneville and knocked out an addi­
CCA, already in Arracourt, dispatched a task force com­ tional nine Panthers, putting an end to the German attack.
manded by Lieutenant Colonel Abrams to help CCR. A During the day’s fighting. Wood claimed the d'*" Armored
fierce close-range fight erupted, forcing the badly mauled had destroyed 43 enemy tanks, mostly Panthers, at a cost of
Germans to eventually fall back. The focus of the German three Ml8 Hellcats and five M4 Shermans.
attack then shifted to Arracourt. Convinced the Germans had been destroyed, Patton
ordered CCA to continue their offensive east. They reached
the battles of arracourt Dieuze when word came that the Germans had attacked
During the night of 18 September, the 113“'’Panzer Brigade Arracourt again—it was the belated 111'*“ Panzer Brigade.
P^^P^fed to attack CCA north of Arracourt. At the same time Abrams’ Shermans raced back toward Arracourt and hit the
t e battered 111'*' Panzer Brigade moved from Luneville to 111'*“ Panzer Brigade hard, knocking out 11 Panzer IV J and
attack from the south, but it had become hopelessly lost during five Panther tanks. The German attack was again stifled.
the night. It was up to the 113' to face CCA alone.
Over the next few days the Germans launched repeated
The morning of 19 September was filled with dense fog
attacks against the 4'*“ Armored, but each time they were
as 11 T) L ®
anthers attacked blindly into the American lines. repelled by tough infantry, bold tankers, cunning tank
th of Abrams 37'*' Tank Battalion, waited until destroyers, and punishing P-47 fighter-bombers. When the
y "'^te within 75 yards before unleashing hell. Three dust settled, the division had lost 41 M4 Sherman and seven
tried instantly knocked out. Shocked, the Germans M5A1 Stuart tanks but claimed 200 tanks from the Fifth
behind° i platoon of Sherman tanks sneaked Panzer Army, earning the Americans of the 4'*' Armored the
Ameri knocked out four more. As the nickname “Roosevelt’s Butchers” by the Germans.
ns quickly disappeared into the fog, the remaining
 THE ARDENNES WE'RE COING IN
After the fighting in the Lorraine, the division was enjoy­ Abrams began to doubt if he had the strength to keep going j
ing a long deserved rest and refit when news of the His thoughts were interrupted by the droning sound of 1
German attack in the Ardennes reached the Third Army American transport planes risking it all through a thick sheet 1
on 16 December 1944. Patton shifted his most able divi­ of German flak to drop supplies to the besieged defenders 1
sions, including the 26* Infantry, 80* Infantry, and the of Bastogne. That was it, his resolve was hardened. Abranis j
4* Armored Divisions north to the Belgian border to launch pointed in the direction of their objective. I
his counterattack on 21 December. During that night, the “We’re going in to those people, now.” He turned to his 1
German Seventh Army had slipped through between the lead men and had C Company’s seven remaining tanks brought ]
elements of the advancing Third Army and the 101“ Airborne forward. After conferring with General Patton, he ordered
Division in Bastogne, completing the encirclement of the a bold rush straight through Assenois to Bastogne with 1
important crossroads there. The US paratroopers were cut off. P‘ Lieutenant Charles P Boggess’ M4A3E2 Jumbo, nick- 1
While they were used to fighting in isolation, the “Screaming named “Cobra King”, leading the way. j
Eagles” of the 101“ could not hold out indefinitely. Breaking
With a pat on the back of the nervous lieutenant, Abrams 1
the siege became the 4* Armored’s top priority.
told Boggess, “Get to those men in Bastogne.” With that J
The fight to reach Bastogne was difficult. Combat Commands the Lieutenant mounted up and the column moved out. At i
A and B each made a drive before being ground to a halt, 1615 hours, Boggess’ tanks were on their way. ,
exhausted, and out of options. Still, they had propelled the
division deep into German lines. On 26 December, with ASSENOIS
Bastogne just out of sight, it was CCR’s turn with Abrams’ Waiting for them in Assenois were eight dug-in anti-tank !
DIVISION

37* Tank Battalion leading the way.

guns and a large number of Fallschirmjdger and Volksgrenadier
troops. To help deal with the defenders, Abrams called in a
ABRAMS TAKES THE LEAD pre-arranged barrage from 13 artillery batteries as his tankers
The German 5* Fallschirmjdger (Parachute) Division made charged through. Over 2300 shells smashed into Assenois ;
the advance slow and tough for the US tankers. But Abrams as the Americans stormed down the road. Remarkably only 1
pushed his men hard through one small village after another. a single half-track and a jeep were hit and destroyed by
He doggedly kept the pressure on the Germans, cycling his friendly fire. ;
companies and denying the enemy a moment’s respite.
The Germans’ return fire was ineffectual as they tried to cope J
However, the moment had arrived when Abrams’ battal­ with both artillery and the thick hide of Cobra King as it I
4^^ ARMORED

ion was down to 20 operational tanks and 250 “Armored blocked the incoming fire with its mass. The Jumbo fired its 1
Doughs” (a nickname given to the armoured infantry). His 75mm gun like a machine-gun, firing 21 shells in a matter j
A and B Gompanies were depleted and had run out of the of minutes and plastering the German lines with explosive !
reliable 75mm ammunition needed to knock out enemy shells as it tore through the village. Confusion was rampant j
guns and infantry. To make matters worse, the well-defended in the German lines as the “Armored Doughs ” swept the
village of Assenois stood between his tanks and Bastogne, just bewildered German defenders with machine-gun fire from
five miles away. their half-tracks.

Prplxeted Nefioniz
THE CHARGE OF 37th TAMK BATTALION , priM'toeiteoieoni.
Preteeted NW-Aonk /
26 DECEMBER 1944 co\Mtd wooded ereo
unttLlSSO,2^Ji^ /
/
Bastogne
Bht C.P. 26-27 «

Atrbt»^ «
anivui heti a
No resistiinoe hett ndues i^tnwu, iu
road bebvau- >3
c>td^i^i:2£ierMim i
ofwoods oieartd
AXss by 0300, i^eo.
cieanai out s/53
cUouaiouti^^/sa
Outfosteel Nw-flat^ . Cretgr costly by-jiOsseel

'^3^ our Ciot^’iintoivt

I
O^Ntgllti^35b26J5«>.
C/37 end re&et^Aui ord»s

to N^, dienaed -ploees «

•S!?^ MtbA/^^eti800,i:27a^^ j d
J Pl.f
c/7<*
to t^ west y

cieitneei eutbuA/s^^and B/53

^iVCi
'BiiolM UirQe ortiter
bui^U.-iieaM'. A

out bu c/s&

GUauaioutbuA^^aMi

m
 All was going well until a telephone pole was hit by a 155mm rescued the man and put the flames out, hut the man later
shell and toppled onto a half-track, which stopped the vehicle died of his wounds. Hendrix was later awarded the Medal of
and cut Boggess’ column in half. As the tanks sped forward to Honor for his actions in Assenois.
Bastogne, the “Armored Doughs” fought a bloody hand-to-
hand fight with the defenders of Assenois amongst the deadly PRESSING ON
barrage from their own artillery. Meanwhile, Boggess’ column, now consisting of just five
Abram’s tank, Thunderbolt VI, sped forward to see what was Shermans and one M3 half-track, broke free of Assenois and
holding up the advance. When he reached the telephone pole, pushed on to Bastogne. The half-track in the middle of the
Abrams and his crew dismounted under fire to help clear the column was overloaded with riflemen and fell behind the
obstacle and get the column moving again. faster tanks, creating a wide gap in the column. The Germans
made use of the space created in Boggess’ column to deploy a
HENDRIX’S HEROICS string of Teller mines across the road. The half-track did not
During the struggle, one armoured rifleman. Private James notice the danger and was destroyed by a mine. The surviving
Hendrix, noticed a pair of anti-tank guns firing on the tanks. infantrymen and the tankers dismounted and cleared the road
Armed with his M1 rifle, he shot one of the guns’ crew and before mounting up on the Shermans to chase after Boggess.
ordered the rest to surrender. They refused. As Hendrix
approached their foxholes a German poked his head up only INTO BASTOGNE
to be struck by the butt of Hendrix’s rifle. The rest of the crews Cobra King and the other remaining tanks were driving
surrendered their guns, which were then put out of action. forward when they suddenly encountered a German pill­
box. Boggess put three high explosive rounds into the con­
As the column drove through the streets of Assenois, an
crete structure. Remarkably the pillbox caught on fire and
M3 half-track was struck by an anti-tank round. The occu­
began smoking.
pants were strewn around the vehicle, dead and wounded.
Two German machine-guns were sweeping the wreck with As Cobra King cautiously approached it, several soldiers
fire. The “Armored Doughs” angrily returned fire with their emerged from a nearby wood. Boggess shouted out for the
.50 cal machine-guns but failed to silence the Germans. Then soldiers to identify themselves. An officer came forward
Private Hendrix jumped out of his half-track and sniped the with a massive smile and said, “I’m Lieutenant Webster,
crews of the offending machine-guns. Hendrix stayed with 326'*’ Airborne Engineers, glad to see you guys!” It was
the wounded men until they were evacuated. 1650 hours, 26 December 1944.
On his way again, he witnessed a German grenade explod­ The 4'*’ Armored had reached Bastogne after five days
ed inside another M3 half-track. Most of the men escaped of bloody combat. At 1710 hours, Abrams reported to
before the vehicle went up in flames, but one man was left Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe, commander of the
behind. Once again running through enemy fire, Hendrix 101" Airborne to see what he could do to help. The siege had
been lifted, but the fighting wasn’t over yet.
The 4'*’ Armored worked with the 101" Airborne to widen
- - ■t the corridor and then helped to throw the enemy back into
f f
Germany before crossing the Rhine themselves. By the time
> t
the war ended, the 4'*' Armored Division had charged all of
the way to Czechoslovakia.

J X
■
 US COMBAT COMMANDS <
Combat commands were used by armoured divisions to add CCA and CCB had the bulk of the division’s offensive units
a degree of flexibility to their command. The concept was such as tanks, armoured infantry, self-propelled artillery, and
proposed by General Adna Chaffee, known as the father of cavalry recon, and were used to attack. CCR stayed behind
the US armoured forces. He envisioned a flexible unit along in reserve with towed artillery, tank destroyers, and under
the same lines as the German Kampfgruppe, or battle group, strength units, ready to reinforce or take over a stalled advance
but on a much higher command level. The example below is based on the 4'*’ Armored Division
In essence a division could be broken up into about three at the outset of the division’s attack in the Ardennes, but it
separate units roughly the size of a brigade or regiment. They is representative of many combat commands in operation
were called Combat Command A, B, and R, referred to as during the war.
CCA, CCB, and CCR respectively.

4^^ ARMORED DIVISION

COMBAT COMMAND A COMBAT COMMAND B «

35'" TANK Battalion
8™ Tank Battalion

17 17 17 17 3 6
5V’Armored Infantry battalion

10™ Armored infantry Battalion

♦mat tthai ttttzi

66™ ARMORED Field artillery A TROOP, 25™ Cavalry
Reconnaissance Squadron
♦hhi Itttzi Wzi XiJlt 4 3 3

Battalion
22™ ARMORED FIELD A Battery,489™ aaa Sel^
Artillery Battalion PROPELLED Battalion
3 18 8 24

274™ ARMORED FIELD B Battery, 489™ AAA Self-

ARTILLERY BATTALION propelled BATTALION

B Troop, 25™ Cavalry B Company, 24™ Armor^

8 8 reconnaissance Squadron Engineer Battalion
w
177™ FIELD Artillery A COMPANY, 24™ ARMORED
BATTALION (1 55mm) ENGINEER Battalion
8 24
♦m
4 4 I WJ
C, D, AND E TROOPS,
COMBAT COMMAND R 25™ Cavalry Reconnaissance squadron
37™ TANK Battalion
8 24 17 8

17 17 17 17 3 6 94™ ARMORED FIELD 177™ Field Artillery.^

ARTILLERY BATTALION Battalion (1 55mm)^
53"" ARMORED INFANTRY BATTALION

4
*
3 18
ttttzi tWhi wid*
C Battery, 489™ Self- C COMPANY, 24™ ARMORED
704™ Tank Destroyer Battalion propelled BATTALION ENGINEER BATTALION-W

8 3 12 12 12 8 8

♦th
M4 Sherman Tank M5A1 M7 Priest M3 M20 Utility 1 ’/2 ton or M15 CGMC Armored Rifle
(various models) Stuart HMC Half-track or Scout Car 2 ’/i ton truck (37mm) Company
Armored
Ui
Machinc;gU»
ntt PlatoW*'
M18 Hellcat M8 Scott Ml 155mm M4 81 mm M8 Jeep M16MGMC Combat Engineer
Tank Destroyer HMC Howitzer MMC Greyhound (Quad .50 cal) Company
When the Second World War broke out in September 1939, the troops in August 1944, it quickly became the most popu­
the US Army possessed 18 M2 medium tanks. The situation lar version of the Sherman.
had not improved when the US Army was shocked into These M4A3 tanks produced by Grand Blanc were some of
action by the fall of France in June 1940. With a require­ the first of a new generation of Sherman tanks. Combat expe­
ment of2000 as yet un-designed medium tanks by the end of rience had shown a number of problems with the original
1941, the Army accepted a radical proposal from GMC for design: weaknesses in the armour, dangerous ammunition
Chrysler to build a brand-new tank factory, the Detroit Tank stowage, and poor turret hatches. The new-style tanks had a
Arsenal, specifically to mass produce tanks. Within a year single piece hull front, ‘wet’ armoured ammunition stowage
the updated M3 medium tank (named the General Grant by bins filled with fire-retardant fluid, a better commander’s
the British) was rolling out the doors, with the Detroit Tank cupola, and a new loader’s hatch.
Arsenal producing over 3000 in its first year.
With the basic Sherman tank rolling off the production lines
With the M3 on the production line, attention turned to a in huge numbers, attention was turned to producing new
new M4 medium tank (named the General Sherman by the variants. The first of these was armed with a 105mm howitzer
British). The M4 was designed as one of the most powerful to give the tank battalions their own artillery. The Detroit
medium tanks in existence. It mounted a 75mm gun in a Tank Arsenal produced these in both the M4 and M4A3
fully-traversing turret, and armour able to withstand any configurations.
tank gun then being fielded. Like the earlier medium tanks,
With the armour of German tanks getting thicker each year,
it was powered by a Continental radial aircraft engine. This
there was concern over the ability of the Sherman tank to
gave it a reliable engine with lots of power, but resulted in an
deal with them. The designers created a variant armed with
unusually tall tank.
a 76mm gun with better anti-tank capability, but the initial
The first model into production was the M4A1 with a response was that it was totally unnecessary since the tank
cast hull, quickly followed by the M4 with a welded steel destroyers would fight enemy tanks leaving the tanks free
hull, manufactured by heavy engineering firms like Lima,
to engage other targets. Fortunately production of M4A1,
American Loco, and Pressed Steel. These first saw combat M4A2, and eventually M4A3, models began anyway, as
with the British at El Alamein where they were known as the
demand for them soared when the Army faced large numbers
Sherman II and Sherman I respectively.
of heavy German tanks for the first time in Normandy.
A shortage of radial engines led Chrysler to devise a mul­
With no heavy tanks available, another variant was rushed
ti bank engine of five standard automotive engines linked to
into production in early 1944. This M4A3E2 (the second
a common drive shaft. This M4A4 (Sherman V to the British) experimental variant of the M4A3), was a heavily armoured
model replaced the M3 in production at the Detroit Tank
assault tank designed for infantry support. Nicknamed the
rsenal. With demand still outstripping production. General
“Jumbo”, the M4A3E2 arrived too late for the fighting in
Motors built another tank factory at Grand Blanc, near Flint,
Normandy, only reaching the front in October 1944.
mod factory turned out the M4A2 (Sherman III)
c , this time with a twin GM diesel motor. Both of these In late 1944, the final tweak to this famous design, HVSS
suspension, entered production. HVSS (Horizontal Voluie
Were rarely seen in the US Army, being sent to Britain,
oviet Union, and China instead. Spring Suspension) gave a much smoother ride and better flo­
tation on wider tracks than the old vertical volute suspension.
tank*"'^^-'^ entered the picture with a new 500 hp V8
Tanks fitted with this were commonly called “Easy Eights”
tivel ‘"f^^’^'ng the M4A3. This was produced in rela- from the M4A3E8 designation given to the prototype. The
numb '^nmbers (for a tank produced in such staggering Easy Eight continued in service after the war, fighting in the
pPQj y* Sherman!) until Grand Blanc switched to
Korean War.
mg it in early 1944. Once this model started reaching
 AMERICA'S BATTLE TANK THE M26 PERSHING

The winter battles of late 1944 and The final production model, the T26E3,
early 1945 finally demonstrated to the was given the name Pershing, in honour
US Army’s high command that the M4 of General John Pershing, commander of
Sherman, though providing excellent the American Expeditionary Force in the
service in previous years, was wholly First World War. The Pershing provided
inadequate to confront German heavy US tankers with a vehicle that greatly
armour and anti-tank guns. Furthermore, improved on the M4 and was roughly
it fatally undermined the prevailing US comparable to the German Panther.
tank doctrine, which had prescribed
leaving the engagement of enemy tanks THE T26 ARRIVES fl
to the Tank Destroyer battalions, freeing IN THE ETO fl
the tanks to support the infantry and By the end of 1944, the first run of 9
exploit gaps in the enemy lines. A new 40 T26E3s was complete and after a 1
armoured vehicle was needed that was great clamour for them, the first batch of 20 arrived in the ]
better suited to the realities of modern warfare. Fortunately, European Theatre of Operation (ETO) at the end of January 1
after a good deal of debate, the T26E3 heavy tank was put 1945 as part of the Zebra Mission—a special mission to test
into production in November 1944.
the latest US designs of tanks and guns in combat conditions.
The T26 was the outcome of a long series of potential These experimental T26s were therefore accompanied by a
replacements for the aging M4 Sherman as the US Army’s contingent of specialists to help report and iron out mechan­
main battle tank. It was the first American tank to break ical teething problems.
away from the early 1930s design concept. The T26 was a Ten T26E3 tanks were issued to each of the 3'** and
42-tonne vehicle, armed with an M3 90mm L/50 gun, the 9'*' Armored Divisions. The 3'** Armored Division allocated
same that equipped the M36 Jackson Tank Destroyer. The five each to its 32"“^ and 33"* Armored Regiments, who in turn
new tank sported sloped 4” (102mm) cast frontal armour,
allocated a single example to their five tank companies.
dramatically increasing the protection of its crew compared
Meanwhile, the 9* Armored Division allocated five of its
to earlier American tanks. The relocation of the drive train
T26s to the 14* Tank Battalion, which grouped them all into
to the rear avoided the need to run the drive shaft under the
a single heavy tank platoon in A Company. The other five
turret and allowed for the roof height to be lowered.
were given to the 19* Tank Battalion, which allocated one
The power plant was the same 500 horsepower Ford GAF V8 T26 to A Company and a pair each to B and C Companies.
petrol engine in the latest versions of Sherman. The running gear
had six double-bogies per side on a new torsion bar suspension
running on a 23”/58cm wide track. Together, these improvements
gave the T26 considerable speed for a tank in its weight class.
i-
spearhead PERSHINGS the 3'*' Armored Division. This was further modified in the
field by adding additional armour plates cut from destroyed
rd‘S earhead’ Armored Division completed its training
end of February and then put their T26s to the test German Panthers. The result was Americas first and only
5 Febmary during the approach to the Roer River. The super-heavy tank of the war.
“"i ■ night, near Elsdorf, F Company’s T26, nicknamed The Super Pershing engaged the enemy, easily destroying
‘F* Talf^ was hit three times in an ambush by a ‘Tiger’ and German tanks that it encountered. Its most famous action
if ked ’out The tank was repaired and back in action within was a duel with a German Konigstiger at Dessau, which the
Super Pershing bested after a short but fierce fight. The war
a few days.
ended before more Super Pershings could be built, but the
The Pershings had their revenge on 27 February, where
design was considered successful enough to further develop
Armored Regiment’s T26 from E Company knocked out
the M26 series into a main battle tank.
‘Tiger’ at 900 yards using a special HVAP shell, followed by
standard AP shell. Shortly after, the Pershing also destroyed
fvo Panzer IV tanks at the impressive range of 1200 yards. PHANTOM PERSHINGS
The 9* ‘Phantom’ Armored Division committed their
On 6 March, Sergeant Bob Early’s Pershing of E Company,
Pershings in the final days of February during the fighting to
32'"* Armored Regiment, was filmed flanking and destroying
cross the Roer River. OneT26 from 14* Tank Battalion’s heavy
a troublesome Panther outside Cologne cathedral. Other
tank platoon was disabled on the night of 1 March when it was
Armored Division Pershings dispatched a Tiger and
hit twice by a 150mm field gun. Like ‘Fireball’, it was quickly
a Panzer IV near Cologne, and the T26 of D Company
repaired. The remaining four Pershings of the platoon, led
knocked out two further Tigers.

ERICA'S BATTLETANK
by Lieutenant John Grimball, took part in the capture of the
Two Pershings were lost approaching Cologne. One of these, Ludendorff bridge at Remagen on 7 March. Concerns about
belonging to H Company, 33* Armored Regiment, was per­ the ability of the weakened bridge to carry the weight of the
manently written off after being knocked out by a German Pershings kept the platoon from crossing to the eastern side, so
8.8cm anti-tank shell from a tank-hunter firing just 200 yards they provided support from the west bank.
away. After piercing the thick frontal armour, the round went
through the forward compartments, between the driver’s legs, NEXT WAVE
and set off the ammunition on the floor of the tank. It was
In March 1945, the T26 was officially designated the M26
considerable good fortune that all the crew survived!
Pershing. A few more batches were deployed to Europe before
the end of hostilities in May. A batch of 40 arrived at the port
SUPER PERSHING of Antwerp in late March and was issued to Ninth Army,
The Pershing’s 90mm gun was powerful, but still lacked the which was then divided between the 2"^* and 5* Armored
ability to knock out the heavier German tanks, so an experi­ Divisions. In April, 30 more were issued to the 11* Armored
mental gun was designed and designated theT15 90mm gun. Division which became the last unit to get Pershings before
Two examples of these massive guns were mounted in special­ the German surrender at the beginning of May 1945. By the
ly-modified Pershings, one of which made it into action with end of the war, 310 Pershings had arrived in Europe with
200 issued to units.
 . VETERAJ^ ♦

M4 SHERMAN (LATE) TANK COMPANY* TANK FORMATION

You must field the Formation HQ and one Combat Unit from each black box.
You may also field one Combat Unit from each grey box.
HEADQUARTERS

VETERAN
M4 SHERMAN
TANK COM PAI
LU 189

ARMOUR ARMOUR ARMOUR ARTILLERY

VETERAN VETERAN VETERAN VETERAN

M4 SHERMAN (LATE) M4 SHERMAN (LATE) M4 SHERMANJLAl M4 SHERMAN (LATE)
TANK PLATOON TANK PLATOON TANK PLATOON ASSAULT GUN PLATOO!
LU190 LU190 A LU190 LU191

M26 PERSHING VETERAN M4 SHERMAN (Calliope)

TANK PLATOON MS STUART TANK PLATOON 2
LU195 TANK PLATOON LU186 ,^3
LU164

VETERAN
M24 CHAFFEE
TANK PLATOON
LU198
ARMOUR ARTILLERY

VETERAN
T26 SUPER PERSHING
ARMOURED SIMM
TANK PLATOON MORTAR PLATOON
LU196
Lum

SHERMAN TANKS: ON THE TABLE

There are several different models ofSherman tanks.
The key differences are highlighted below to help you pick the right vehiclefor thejob.

M4 JUMBO (76MM)
Front Armour; 11 Front Armour; 11 Front Armour; 7
Side Armour: 8 Side Armour; 8 Side Armour: 4
Weapon Range; 36790cm Weapon Range: 28770cm Weapon Range: 36790cm
Anti-tank: 12 Anti-tank; 10 Anti-tank; 12
Other; No HE, Other; Smoke, Other; Smooth Ride..
Stabiliser Stabiliser No HE, Stabiriser
 - , VETERAN
IVI4 SHERMAN (LATE) TANK COMPANY HQ
MOTIVATION • TANK FORMATION •

CONFIDENT 4+
Protected Ammo
Remount ARMOUR

SKILL
2x M4 Sherman (late 75mm) 11 POINTS TRAINED 4+]|
Yankee Ingenuity
Tactics
M4 easy eight (76IV1M) OPTION
. Replace any or all M4 Sherman (late
75mm) with M4 Easy Eight (76mm) TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

10725cm 14735cm 18745cm 20"/50cm 3+

(LU192) for +2 points each.
ROF ANTI­ FIRE­ NOTES
M4 SHERMAN (LATE 76MM) OPTION WEAPON RANGE
HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
M4 Sherman (late)
• Replace any or all M4 Sherman (late (75mm}
28770cm 2 2 10 3+ Smoke, Stabiliser

M4 Sherman (late)
75mm) with M4 Sherman (late 76mm) (76mm)
36790cm 2 2 12 3+ No HE. Stabiliser

M4 Sherman (late) Self-defence 44

for +1 point each. (.50 cal MG) 20750cm 3 2 4 5+
M4 Sherman (late) (MGs) 16740cm 2 2 2 6
JUMBO OPTION
. Replace up to one M4 Sherman (late
The Sherman tank has served the Army well. Rather than discard the design,
75mm) with M4 Jumbo (75mm) (lui93)
the engineers back in Detroit have made them bigger, better, and faster.
for +2 points, or M4 Jumbo (76mm)
This new generation of M4s will bring certain victory to the Allied cause.
(IU193) for +3 points.

M4 SHERMAN (LATE) TANK: Features

7SMM CUN: The Sherman's 75mm gun is the preferred gun STABILISER: US tanks come equipped with a gyrostabiliser
for lobbing HE rounds into a German gun position or MG post. that allows us to fire on the move. We can keep up a high
rate of fire while we manoeuvre, which will help us get in
76mm CUN: When the German Panther hit the battlefield
in 1943, our engineers back home designed a new turret close and attack the enemy's flank.
for the Sherman mounting a more powerful 76mm gun. THICKER ARMOUR: While redesigning the turret for the
This weapon has increased firepower against enemy tanks, 76mm gun, the tank engineers have added more armour
giving our tank formations a way to crack the front armour protection for our crews as well, benefiting both the 75mm
of Germany's heavier tanks. and 76mm Sherman.
NO HE: The downside of the 76mm gun is that it has a bad AMMO STOWAGE: One of the biggest battlefield problems
HE round, so keeping older 75mm tanks around will be a with the M4 has been its ammo storage bins which tend to
good idea for tackling infantry and gun targets. catch fire and explode if the tank has been hit. Better bins
have been added to give you peace of mind that the ammo
won't brew up if the tank takes a hit.

M4 SHERMAN (LATE 76mm) M4 SHERMAN (LATE 75mm) M4 SHERMAN (LATE 1O5MM)

Front Armour: 7 Front Armour; 7 Front Armour; 7
Side Armour; 4 Side Armour; 4 Side Armour: 4
Weapon Range: 36"/90cm Weapon Range: 28"/T0cm Weapon Range: 24"/60cm
Anti-tank; 1 2 Anti-tank; 10 Anti-tank; 9
Other; No HE, Other; Smoke, Other: Brutal, Slow
Stabiliser Stabiliser Firing, Smoke
 , VETERAN
M4 SHERMAN (LATE) TANK PLATOON «
________MOTIVATION •TANK UNIT*
CONFIDENT 4+ CARE
Protected Ammo
Remount _____ ARMOUR

5x M4 Sherman (late 75mm) 25 POINTS

TRAINED
4x M4 Sherman (late 75mm) 20 POINTS Yankee Ingenuity
Tactics

3x M4 Sherman (late 75mm) 15 POINTS

TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH
M4 EASY EIGHT (76MM) OPTION CROSS

10725cm 14735cm 18745cm 20750cm 3+

• Replace any or all M4 Sherman (late
ROF
75mm) with M4 Easy Eight (76mm) WEAPON RANGE
HALTED
- MOVING
ANTI­ FIRE­
TANK POWER NOTES
M4 Sherman (late)
(LU192) for +2 points each. (75mm) 28770cm 2 2 10 3+ Smoke, Stabiliser

M4 Sherman (late)
M4 SHERMAN (LATE 76MM) OPTION (76mm) 36790cm 2 2 12 3+ No HE, Stabiliser
M4 Sherman (late)
• Replace any or all M4 Sherman (late (.50 cal MG) 20750cm 3 2 4 5+ Self-defence AA

M4 Sherman (late) (MGs) 16740cm 2 2 2 6

75 mm) with M4 Sherman (late 76mm)
for +1 point each.
JUMBO OPTION
M4 EASY EIGHT
VETERAN TANK
• Replace up to one M4 Sherman (late MOTIVATION • TANK • SMOOTH RIDE •
75mm) with M4 Jumbo (75mm) (lui93) CONFIDENT~^i
Protected Ammo
for +2 points, or M4 Jumbo (76mm) Remount ARMOUR

(LU193) for +3 points. SKILL FRONT

Ctrained 4+||
Yankee Ingenuity
In late 1944 there is no such thing as a standard Tactics

M4 Sherman tank. The basic design has prolif­

erated into a variety of improved and specialised TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSSCOUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

models. These are issued as available and mixed 10725cm 14735cm 18745cm 20750cm

together in whatever fashion the commander on WEAPON RANGE

ROF ANTI* FIRE­
NOTES
~ MOVING
HALTED TANK POWER
the spot desires. M4 Easy Eight (76mm) 36790cm 2 2 12 3+ No HE, Stabiliser
M4 Easy Eight
The 76mm gun armed M4 Sherman (late) has (.50 cal MG) 20750cm 3 2 4 5+ Self-defence AA

come into service alongside the other M4 Sherman M4 Easy Eight (MGs) 16740cm 2 2 2 6
(late) models in September. Many tank battalions
still field the basic M4 Sherman, and are receiv­ M4JUMBO
ing new tanks like the M4 Sherman (76mm) and VETERAN TANK

the M4 Jumbo. MOTIVATION IS HIT ON

CONFIDENT I CAREFUL
Some models of 76mm M4 Sherman (late) are Protected Ammo
Remount ARMOUR
fitted with the Horizontal Volute Suspension
SKILL
System (HVSS, for short), giving them better
TRAINED
SIDE&
cross-country mobility and a smooth ride. These Yankee Ingenuity
REAR
Tactics
are designated M4A3E8 and quickly became TOP
known as "Easy Eights." The M4 Easy Eight is
TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH CROSS
entering service in late December 1944, just in ROAD DASH

^0"/25cu 12730cm 16740cm 18745cm

time for the fighting in the Ardennes.
WEAPON ROF ANTI­ FIRE­
RANGE
The M4 Jumbo assault tank entered combat in HALTED
- MOVING TANK POWER

M4 Jumbo (75mm) 28770cm 2 2 10 3+ Smoke, Stabiliser

late October 1944 after the battles in the Lorraine.
M4 Jumbo (76mm) 36790cm 2 2 12 3+ No HE, Stabiliser
However, the Jumbos first major actions are in
M4 Jumbo
the Ardennes. To build the Jumbo the late M4A3 (.50 cal MG) 20750cm 3 2 4 5+ Self-defence AA

M4 Jumbo (MGs) 16740cm 2 2 2 6

Sherman chassis has had extra armour added all
around, while the gun is mounted in an up-ar­
moured turret.

41*^
 M26 PERSHING TANK PLATOON
•TANK UNIT • 15 HIT ON
> CONFIDENT~4^j |[ CAREFUL I

..RMOUR

5x M26 Pershing (90mm) 49 POINTS Yankee Ingenuity ,

Tactics
4x M26 Pershing (90mm) 39 POINTS
3x M26 Pershing (90mm) 29 POINTS
2y. M26 Pershing (90mm) 19 POINTS TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

10725cm 12730cm 16'740cm 18745cm

The first 20 M26 ‘Pershing’ tanks arrived on the WEAPON RANGE

ROF ANTI­ FIRE­ NOTES
HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
front at the end of January 1945. Ten have been
1 M26 Pershing (90mm) 36790cm 2 1 14 3+
issued to the 9* Armored Division, while the
other ten have been allocated to the 3"* Armored
1 M26 Pershing (.50 cal MG) 20750cm 3 2 4 5+ Self-defence AA I

Division. Each divisional commander distrib­

1 M26 Pershing (MGs) 16740cm 2 2 2 6

utes them as they see fit.

M26 PERSHING TANK: Features

90MM CUN: The M26 Pershing tank's 90mm gun, like the THICK ARMOUR: To accompany the powerful 90mm guns,
Cermans’ '88', started life as a heavy anti-aircraft gun, but the M26 is also well-armoured, allowing it to fight toe-to-
was found to have excellent anti-tank capabilities. This pow­ toe with the German big cats.
erful gun can easily knock out most German tanks, even the SOO HP: The M26 Pershing's SOO horsepower Ford GAP V8
thickly armoured Tiger and Panther. petrol engine combined with its torsion bar suspension run­
ning on wide tracks, gave the T26 considerable speed/'and
cross-country performance for a 42-tonne tank.
 T26 SUPER PERSHING TANK PLATOON «
MOTIVATION • TANK UNIT
CONFIDENT *r|| CAREI
ARMOUR

lx T26 Super SKILL

Pershing (90mm) 16 POINTS TRAINED

Yankee Ingenuity
Tactics

In an effort to match the firepower of the

German Tiger II tank's powerful 8.8cm KwK TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS
16740cm [ 18745cm
43 gun, the 90mm T15E1 gun was developed 10725cm 12'730cm 5+

and mounted in a T26 in January 1945. This WEAPON RANGE

ROF ANTI­ FIRE­
NOTES
-
HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
extra long gun (73 calibres) could penetrate T26 Super Pershing
487120cm 2 1 18 3+
(90mm)
330mm of armour. The men of the 3"^ Armored T26 Super Pershing
20750cm 3 2 4 5+ Self-defence AA
(.50 cal MG)
Division's maintenance workshops further mod­ T26 Super Pershing
2 6
(MGs) 16740cm 2 2
ified the tank by cutting out armour plates from
German Panther tanks and welding them to it,
creating the unique T26E1-1 ‘Super Pershing’.

T26 SUPER PERSHING TANK: Features

LONG 90MM CUN: To give the T26 Super Pershing the THICKER ARMOUR: The T26 Super Pershing was further
abilities to take on the heaviest of the German tanks like the modified in the field by adding additional armour plates cut
Tiger II or Jagdtiger it has been fitted with an even longer from destroyed German Panthers.
90mm than that of the M26 Pershing.

VETERAN
MS STUART TANK PLATOON
TANK UNIT IS

CAREFI
ARMOUR

5x M5 Stuart (37mm) 13 POINTS

4x M5 Stuart (37mm) 10 POINTS
3x M5 Stuart (37mm) 7 POINTS
TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSSCOUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH

While outclassed by more modern tanks, the 12730cm 14735cm 24"/60cm 28770cm I
M5A1 is still extremely useful for securing WEAPON RANGE
ROF ANTI­ FIRE­ NOTES
~
HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
flanks, screening enemy infantry and armoured Stabiliser
M5 Stuart (37mm) 24760cm 2 2 7 4+
cars, and exploiting a gap in the enemy lines. M5 Stuart (MGs) 16740cm 5 5 2 6 Self-defence AA
 VETERAN ARMOURED
81 MM MORTAR PLATOON
MOTIVATION •TANK UNIT*
CONFIDENT 4+
SPGun —
Counterattack * ARMOUR

3 POINTS SKILL FRONT A

3x M4 (81mm mortar) ! TRAINED 4+ . Jr
SPGun
Assault 6
rhe armoured mortar platoon is your on-call Yankee Ingenuity
Tactics 3+
moke screen projector that will cover your tank
luddies as they manoeuvre to find the enemy’s TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSSCOUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

10725cm 10725cm 16"/40cm 32780cm 4+

lank. Smoke ’em if you’ve got ’em.
WEAPON ROF ANTI­ FIRE­
RANGE NOTES
HALTED MOVING TANK POWER

M4 (81mm mortar) 407100cm ARTILLERY 1 4+ Rear Firing, Smoke Bombardment

M4 (.50 cal MG) 20750cm 3 1 2 4 5+ Self-defence AA

. VETERAN
M4 SHERMAN (LATE) ASSAULT GUN PLATOON
MOTIVATION •TANK UNIT • IS HIT ON

CONFIDENT 4f Il CAREFUL
H Protected Ammo
Remount ARMOUR

6x M4 Sherman (late 105mm) 27 POINTS SKILL FRONT II

TRAINED
4x M4 Sherman (late 105mm) 18 POINTS Yankee Ingenuity
Tactics
2x M4 Sherman (late 105nim) 9 POINTS

TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

fie 105mm assault gun variant has been 10725cm 14735cm 20750cm 20750cm 3+
eveloped to lend serious firepower to the fight,
WEAPON ROF ANTI­ FIRE­
RANGE
fieir role is to use their high-calibre shells to HALTED MOVING TANK POWER NOTES

M4 Sherman (tate)
nock out enemy infantry and gun positions. (105mm) 487120cm ARTILLERY 3 3+ Smoke Bombardment

or Direct Fire 24760cm 1 1 9 2+ Brutal, Slow Firing, Smoke

he M4(A3) Sherman (late) version entered M4 Sherman (late)
(.50 cal MG) 20750cm 3 2 4 5+ Self-defence AA
irvice along with the other M4A3 models in
M4 Sherman (late) (MGs) 16740cm 2 2 2 6
ie second half of 1944
 VETERAN M24 CHAFFEE TANK COMPANY TANK FORMATION

You must field the Formation HQ and one Combat Unit from each black box.
You may also field one Combat Unit from each grey box.
HEADQUARTERS

ARMOUR ■■ ARMOUR ARMOUR

You may field a Combat Unit from a black box as a Support Unit for your Force.

M24 CHAFFEE TANK: Features

7SMM CUN: The lightweight 75mm gun of the M24 has FIGHT CLEVER: Don't try and punch above your weight
the same ballistics as the 75mm MS gun used in the M4 with these tanks. Instead, fight dirty. Find a weakness in the
Sherman, but used a thinly walled barrel and different recoil enemy line like unsupported infantry and exploit it, snatch
mechanism to save weight. thinly held objectives, and bowl over vulnerable gun teams.
LICHT & FAST: The Chaffee tank is almost half the weight
of an M4 Sherman, features 16-inch (41cm) wide tracks and
torsion bar suspension, and a Twin VS engine giving it a top
road speed of 58 km/h (36 mph).
 VETERAN
M24 CHAFFEE TANK COMPANY HQ
p MOTIVATION IS HIT ON

CAREFUL
ARMOUR

2x M24 Chaffee (75mm) 8 POINTS

A „nk battalions D Company is all about

^need and exploitation. They will find the
TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS
.Lmvs weakest point and use that to get the 12730cm 14735cm 20750cm 28770cm 3+
tanks around their vulnerable flanks. With that
ROF ANTI­ FIRE­
WEAPON RANGE NOTES
accomplished, the medium and heavy tanks will * MOVING
HALTED TANK POWER

M24 Chaffee (75mm) 28770cm 2 2 10 3+ S/noke, Stabiliser

overrun the distracted enemy in no time at all.
M24 Chaffee
(.50 cal MG) 20750cm 3 1 4 5+ Self-defence AA

M24 Chaffee (MGs) 16740cm 2 2 2 6

R
VETERAN
M24 CHAFFEE TANK PLATOON
MOTIVATION TANK UNIT IS HIT ON
j CONFIDENT A* || Il CAREFUL 4+!'
Protected Ammo
Remount ARMOUR

SKILL
5x M24 Chaffee (75mm) 19 POINTS I TRAINED
4x M24 Chaffee (75mm) 15 POINTS Yankee Ingenuity
Tactics

3x M24 Chaffee (75mm) 12 POINTS

TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSSCOUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH

The new M24 Chaffee sure is a magnificent piece W'/30cm 14735cm 20750cm 28770cm

of engineering! The American Panther some call WEAPON RANGE

ROF ANTI­ FIRE­
NOTES
HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
it. Speed and firepower is how to beat panzers Smoke, Stabiliser
M24 Chaffee (75mm) 28770cm 2 2 10 3+
and the M24 is a speed machine that can glide 3 2 4 5+ Self-defence AA
M24 Chaffee (.50 cal MG) 20750cm
across the battlefield while carrying the 75mm M24 Chaffee (MGs) 16740cm 2 2 2
gun of a Sherman. It is just what is required to
whip around behind a skulking panzer.

VETERAN
M8 SCOTT ASSAULT GUN PLATOON

3x M8 Scott (75mm) 6 POINTS

2x M8 Scott (75mm) 4 POINTS

The able gunners of the 2"‘‘ Armoured Division's

assault guns have traded in their half-track­
mounted guns for the new M8 Scott, which
cornbines the winning speed of a Stuart light WEAPON RANGE
ROF
HALTED MOVING
ANTI­ FIRE­
TANK POWER
NOTES

with the firepower of an artillery battery, MS Scott (75mm) 647160cm ARTILLERY 2 4+ Smoke Bombardment

moured troops can rely on artillery whenever or Direct Fire 20750cm 2 1 6 3+ Smoke

and wherever it is needed. M8 Scott (.50 cal MG) 20750cm 3 2 4 5+ Self-defence AA

 ARMORED DIVISION
The ‘Lucky Seventh’ was formed on city of Antwerp remained shut, thank
1 March 1942. The division first went to the tough German defenders around
into combat under the command of the Scheldt Estuary. This made the fue[
General Lindsay Silvester in mid-August shortage a massive problem all across
1944 and joined in the Allied advance the front lines, from Montgomery’s
across France to the German frontier as 21” Army Group in the north to Patton’s
a part of Patton’s Third Army, Third Army in the Lorraine. It became
Despite a severe fuel shortage, the vitally important for the Allies to clear
y* Armored arrived at the battlefields the Germans out of Ffolland and open
of north-western France liberating up Antwerp’s ports.
Chateau-Thierry and then Verdun by the The y'*" Armored was moved north and i
end of August. assigned to the US First Army to help
clear out the German defenders in the
METZ Peel Marshes south of Nijmegen. The tanks quickly became
When Patton’s Third Army reached the Moselle River, he bogged down in the mire typical of the fighting there. High
divided his armoured forces to deal with the three major roads were the only place tanks could go, making them
cities blocking his way. The 7'*’ Armored was assigned to sup­ perfect targets for German anti-tank guns. To make matters
port the 5'*' Infantry Division opposite the extremely fortified worse, the division was broken up into small units that were
city of Metz. unable to support each other during the battle. Once again,
the division took heavy casualties and was removed from the
When the tankers arrived outside Metz they encountered an
fight to rest and receive badly needed reinforcements.
elaborate network of fortifications, tunnels, minefields, and
well-sited anti-tank weapons. Not only would the division
have to force a crossing over the Moselle, it would have to
RESTAND REFIT
contend with these fortifications manned by fanatical soldiers By the end of October 1944, the division had received the
from the city’s military school who knew Metz inside and out. unenviable nickname: “Unlucky Seventh” having sustained
very high casualties, lost dozens of vehicles, and been poorly
Nevertheless, the 7'*’ Armored crashed into the teeth of the
handled. As it rested and trained, the division received the
defences. The overly-keen division was wasted against the for­
fresh replacements necessary to fill out the unit.
tifications and was soon horribly depleted. After bitter losses,
the y* Armored found an opening south of Metz and forced On 1 November, General Silvester was relieved and replaced
a crossing where the fortifications were light. The fighting was by General Robert Hasbrouck, previously the commander of
still tough as the division fought hard for each hill and valley the y'*" Armored’s Combat Command B. To take his posi­
until 24 September when they were shifted north to Ffolland. tion, the newly promoted Brigadier General Bruce Clarke
was brought in from the d'*" Armored Division to lend some
HOLLAND battle experience to the rebuilt division. It would not be long
before the Unlucky Seventh would have a chance to reverse
By 24 September, British Field Marshal Montgomery’s
their misfortunes.
Operation Market Garden was in its final throes and the
Allies had little to show for their effort. Access to the port

THE MARCH OF THE 7™ ARMORED DIVISION, 1944-45

o
Nijmegen
■xCK
UNITED KINGDOM I*

GERMANY
BELGIUM . Vith
L
SEE OPPOSITE MAP

NORMANDY
Utah Reach
LORRAINE
Paris
BRITTANY
o Metz
Coutances
Rennes °

FRANCE
SWITZERLAND
 KEY
7th Armored Div Attscks

German Attacks

0 Kilometres

THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE Immediately as the lead elements of CCB arrived, the
On 16 December 1944, the Germans launched a major Germans attacked. Luckily the swift advance of the Germans
offensive in the Ardennes Forest. The plan was to reach the had caused enough confusion to make their attacks weak
Meuse River, head north on to Antwerp to cut off several and uncoordinated, allowing Glarke time to fight olf the first
American and British armies, and force a peace settlement waves. However, the Germans were determined to capture St.
favourable to Germany. Vith and committed their precious few armoured reserves to
the fight on 19 December, including the elite Fiihrer Begleit
The offensive caught the Americans completely by surprise
Brigade (FBB).
and cut through the thinly held front-lines. All available units
were rushed to meet this threat, including the 7'*' Armored. Heavy artillery bombardments and attacks toward the rear
plagued the 7* Armored as they fought hard, exacting a heavy
Massive roadblocks made movement very slow as the
7'*' Armored tried to get from Holland to where they were toll on the Germans and forcing them to commit even more '
needed in Belgium. General Hasbrouck dispatched Clarke’s tanks to the battle. However, the German penetrations of
CCB ahead of the rest of the division to St. Vith, a critical the front lines convinced Glarke to withdraw to the more
defensible high ground to the southwest.
crossroads that needed to be kept from the Germans.
Even heavy snows on 22 December didn’t stop an ambitious
ST. VITH German attack by 75 tanks attempting to wrest control of
Of the three main attacks launched by the Germans, the Rodt from CCB. The German tanks struggled in the mud,
centre thrust succeeded in smashing open the American lines. and the lighter M4 Shermans managed to withdraw in good
German Fifth Panzer Army poured through the opening order and inflict heavy casualties on the FBB.
11
oping to capture the critical crossroads and railroad hub During the fighting, the Allies restructured their commands
junction at St. Vith. Although the US 106'*' Infantry Division and the 7* Armored was reassigned to the XVIII (18'*’)
i been smashed apart, remnants kept the Germans busy Airborne Corps, under the command of General Matthew
oug enough to rush the 7'*' and 9'*' Armored Divisions into Ridgway, who immediately tried to set up what he called
e tegion. Combat Command B of the 9'*" Armored was the “fortified goose-eggs” throughout the salient that could be
5 to arrive and immediately went to work trying to stabi- resupplied by air. While this strategy might work for para- ,
50 t e breech. The task proved too difficult for the untried troopers, Clarke protested that it was not a sound strategy
J. 50 when Clarke’s CCB arrived on 17 December, the for an armoured division. His concerns were echoed by Field
^tons defences were handed over to him. Marshal Montgomery, Ridgway’s superior, who immediately
lines advance had pushed deep into the American countered the orders and had the 7'*' Armored withdraw,
sali * uorth and south of St. Vith, creating a dangerous having fought an excellent delaying action.
ut for the American forces defending within. The two The 7'*' Armored fought its way back to Vielsalm, where
combat commands coordinated and set up a thin the 82"'* Airborne Division was holding the way open and
screen made from dismounted cavalrymen and engi- escaped the closing salient on 23 December. During the
the while the armoured divisions took up fighting, the men of the Lucky Seventh lost 113 vehicles, but
astern and southern approaches. had bloodied the Fifth Panzer Army, drained it of precious
fuel reserves, and bought the Allies time to get reinforcements
to the Ardennes.
 THE LORRAINE
FRENCH-GERMAN BORDER, 1944

Vosages Mountains

luneville

l^artte-Rhine'^”^

BOINVILLE-AUX-MIROIRS
'''x -^■4‘
DOMBASLE

^.»«i;^FLAVIGNY

11 ‘i(

Sir, this is Patton talking. The last fourteen days have been straight hell.
Rain, snow, more rain, more snow—and I’m beginning to wonder what’s going on in
your headquarters. Whose side, are you on anyway? ... a ’' f

— Give me four clear days so that my planes can fly, so that my fighter-bombers
•^an bomb and strafe, so that my reconnaissance may pick out targets for my mag-
nifxcent artillery. Give me four days of sunshine to dry this blasted mud, so that
®y tanks roll, so that ammunition and rations may be taken to my hungry, ill-
®Guipped infantry. I need these four days to send von Rundstedt and his godless
^^niy to their Valhalla. I am sick of this unnecessary butchery of American youth,
and in exchange for four days of fighting weather, I will deliver You enough
^nauts to keep Your bookkeepers months behind in their work. Amen.” ■

"Lieutenant General George S Patton Jr, 23 December 1944 ■ '> rl& ' j
 M4 SHERMAN (LATE) TANK COMPANY TANK FORMATION

You must field the Formation HQ and one Combat Unit from each black box.
You may also field one Combat Unit from each grey box.

HEADQUARTERS

M4 SHERMAN (LATE)
TANK PLATOON .
LU182

M5 STUART
TANK PLATOON
LU103

M24 CHAFFEE
TANK PLATOON
LU1S8

M4 SHERMAN (LATE)
ASSAULT GUN PLATOOl
LU232 J

M4 SHERMAN (Calliope!
TANK PLATOON J
LU186

You may field a Combat Unit from a black box as a Support Unit for your Force.

I
M4 SHERMAN (LATE) TANK COMPANY HQ
MOTIVATION IS HIT ON

CONFIDENT 4+
ARMOUR

FRONT
2x M4 Sherman (late 75mm) 9 POINTS
SIDE&
REAR
M4 EASY EIGHT (76MM) OPTION TRAINED
TOP
• Replace any or all M4 Sherman (late
75mm) with M4 Easy Eight (76mm) TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH W)ss

10725cm 14735cm 18745cm 20750cm 3+

(LU183) for +2 points each.
M4 SHERMAN (LATE 76mm) OPTION WEAPON RANGE
HALTED
-
ROF
MOVING
ANTI­ FIRE­
TANK POWER
NOTES>^,.

M4 Sherman (late)
• Replace any or all M4 Sherman (late {75mm)
28770cm 2 2 10 3+ Smo/(e, Stabiliser

M4 Sherman (late)
75mm) with M4 Sherman (late 76mm) (76mm)
36790cm 2 2 12 3+ No HE, Stabiliser

M4 Sherman (late) Self-defence AA

for +1 point each. (.50 cal MG) 20750cm 3 2 4 5+

JUMBO OPTION M4 Sherman (late)(MGs) 16740cm 2 2 2 6

• Replace up to one M4 Sherman (late

The tank companies of me 743'“* Tank
oi the uaLLoiiui. have
iame Battalion — beaches o
naw attacked the
75mm) with M4 Jumbo (75mm) (LU184) Normandy, advanced through France and the Low Countries, and are at
for +2 points, or M4 Jumbo (76mm)
gates of Germany itself. Their M4 Sherman DD tanks have taken
(LII184) for +3 points.
whole way so far, but as the assault on the Siegfried Line looms, fifteen upgt®
M4A3E2 ‘Jumbo’ tanks have arrived to supplement the M4A3 (late)
tanks of the command company — eventually fighting in the Ardennes ag
the German counter-attacks in December 1944. Soon M4A3E8 Easy
Sherman tanks will be delivered to support the push into the German heart
 |V|4 SHERMAN (LATE) TANK PLATOON

5x M4 Sherman (late 75mm) 20 POINTS

4x M4 Sherman (late 75mm) 16 POINTS
3x M4 Sherman (late 75mm) 12 POINTS

M4 easy eight (76MM) OPTION

. Replace any or all M4 Sherman (late
R(3F ANTI* FIRE­
WEAPON RANGE NOTES
75mm) with M4 Easy Eight (76mm) HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
M4 Sherman (late)
(LU183) for +2 points each. {75mm) 28770cm 2 2 10 3+ Smoke, Stabiliser
M4 Sherman (late)
{76mm) 36790cm 2 2 12 3+ No HE, Stabliser
M4 SHERMAN (LATE 76MM) OPTION M4 Sherman (late)
{.50 cal MG) 20750cm 3 2 4 5+ Self-defence AA
• Replace any or all M4 Sherman (late
M4 Sherman {late){MGs) 16740cm 2 2 2 6
75mm) with M4 Sherman (late 76mm)
for +1 point each.
JUMBO OPTION
M4 EASY
TANK
EIGHT
• Replace up to one M4 Sherman (late
75mm) with M4 Jumbo (75mm) (lui84)
for +2 points, or M4 Jumbo (76mm)
(LU1S4) for +3 points.

The M4A3E8 was the pinnacle of the Sherman

tank design. Its nickname ‘Easy Eight’, came
from the US Army phonetic for ‘E’ and the
numeral ‘8’ from its experimental designation. 10725cm 14735cm 1 18745cm 1 20750cm 1 2+
B
Easy Eight Sherman tanks have an improved WEAPON RANGE
ROF
HALTED MOVING
ANTI- FIRE­
TANK POWER
NOTES

suspension system (Horizontal Volute Spring M4 Easy Eight {76mm) 36790cm 2 2 12 3+ No HE, Stabiliser

Suspension or HVSS, for short) giving better M4 Easy Eight (.50 cal MG) 20750cm 3 2 4 5+ Self-defence AA

handling over rough ground and easier in-field M4 Easy Eight (MGs) 16740cm 2 2 2 6
maintenance for changing the road wheels and
sprockets. Armed with the fearsome 76mm
M4JUMBO
^TANK
Ml cannon, the design was so successful, the
US Army were still using M4A3E8 Easy Eights TANK

until 1955.
Blood 'n Guts ,
Last Stand
Introduced in October 1944, the M4A3E2 Protected Ammo
Jumbo Sherman assault tank was primarily Remount

designed to break through fortified positions.

Despite the extra weight of the thicker frontal
and side armour, and forward gun mantlet,
Jumbos boasted an upgraded engine to compen­ TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS
I 10725cm I 12730cm | 16740cm | 18'745cm | 4+ ■
sate. The distinctive wide ‘duckbill’ track addi­
tion supported the 42-ton weight of the Jumbo, WEAPON RANGE
R(3F ANTI­ FIRE­
NOTES
HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
and gave rise to its post-war nickname. When 1 M4 Jumbo {75mm) Smoke, Stabiliser ■
28770cm 2 2 10 3+
f ey first faced action in the Ardennes, their M3 1 M4 Jumbo {76mm) I
36790cm 2 2 12 3+ No HE, Stabiliser
1 M4 Jumbo
I guns, improved turret layout and excel- 1 {.50 cal AA MG) 20750cm 3 1 4 5+ Self-defence AA ■
nt frontal armour, meant they were given the 1 M4 Jumbo (MGs) 16740cm 2 1 1 6
of leading the way for their parent units.
 M5 STUART TANK PLATOON
MOTIVATION • TANK UNIT*
CONFIDENT 4+ AGG
Blood 'n Guls
Last Stand

SKILL
5x M5 Stuart (37mm) 10 POINTS
! TRAINED 4+1
4x M5 Stuart (37mm) 8 POINTS
3x M5 Stuart (37mm) 6 POINTS
TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSSCOUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH

The M5A1 light tank is the latest model of the 12730cm 14735cm 24"/60cm 28770cm P

'General Stuart', as named hy the British. Its WEAPON RANGE

ROF ANTI­ FIRE­
~ MOVING
HALTED TANK POWER
armour has been slightly upgraded to guard
M5 Stuart (37mm) 24760cm 2 2 7 4+ Stabiliser
against small arms fire, but this hasn't slowed the
MS Stuart (MGs) 16740cm 5 5 2 6 Self-defence AA
speedy little tank. It is ideal for probing enemy
lines and reporting weaknesses.

MS STUART LICHT TANK: Features

LICHT & FAST: The Stuart tank is half the weight of an FIGHT CLEVER: Don't try to punch above your weight with
M4 Sherman, giving it an impressive 36mph (58km/h) road these tanks. Instead, fight dirty. Find a weakness in the
speed, compared to the M4 Sherman's 24mph (39km/h). enemy line like unsupported infantry and exploit it, snatch
This speed boost will keep the crews charging hard and thinly held objectives, and bowl over vulnerable gun teams.
fast, avoiding enemy fire along the way.

ARMOURED
81 MM MORTAR PLATOON

3x M4 (81mm mortar) 2 POINTS

Mortars provide an edge for your combined arms

operations by quickly punching holes in the
enemy's defence. Use them to pin down enemy
troops or to lay smoke on enemy anti-tank guns
for your tanks. They can aid an infantry assault
with both mortar and machine-gun fire.
 ,04 SHERMAN (LATE) ASSAULT GUN PLATOON
_______ MOTIVATION
IS HIT ON
CONFIDENT AGGRESSIVEiTr
I Blood 'n Guts
I Last Stand ARMOUR
I Protected Ammo
6x M4 Sherman Remount FRONT II
(late 105mm) 21 POINTS E-
SKILL

4x M t Sherman TRAINED
(late 105mm) 14 POINTS

2x M4 Sherman TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

(late 105 mm) 7 POINTS 10725cm 14735cm 20750cm 20750cm

WEAPON RANGE ROF ANTI­ FIRE­

HALTED MOVING TANK POWER NOTES
S the Germans fall back into Germany they M4 Sherman (late)
(105mm) 487120cm ARTILLERY 3 3+ Smoke Bombardment
ive prepared defensive positions that have or Direct Fire 24760cm 1 1 9 2+ Brutal, Slow Firing, Smoke
irned every town into an instant fortress, M4 Sherman (.50 cal MG) 20750cm 3 2 4 5+ Self-defence AA
artunately US tank battalions have their own M4 Sherman (MGs) 16740cm 2 2 2 6
moured artillery right up at the front to blast
irough these defences.

M4 SHERMAN 105MM ASSAULT CUN: Features

105mm CUN: Early battles have demonstrated that M4 IMPROVEMENTS: Like the new 76mm Shermans, the
sometimes a 75mm gun Just has not enough firepower M4 105mm has a new turret so the crew have more room
to get thejob done. New M4 tanks, armed with 105mm to operate the bulky howitzer inside. The tank also has
howitzers, are arriving at the front to fill this need. These better armour to give the crew better protection.
assault guns can be used to tackle obstacles in the way
of the tanks, or grouped together into a battery tofre
artillery bombardments.

M4 SHERMAN (CALLIOPE) TAF '’LATOON

MOTIVATION • TANK UNIT- IS HIT ON
CONFIDENT |[ CAREFUL
ARMOUR

FRONT
5x M4 Sherman (Calliope) 13 POINTS SIDE&
SPGun
Assault REAR
4x M4 Sherman (Calliope) 11 POINTS TOP
3x M i Sherman (Calliope) 8 POINTS TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

10725cm 14735cm 18745cm 20750cm

lliope field kits have been made available to
WEAPON RANGE ROF ANTI­ FIRE­
e tank battalions their own artillery compo­ HALTED MOVING TANK POWER NOTES

M4 Sherman (Calliope) 487120cm SALVO

rt. Five rocket launcher kits are installed as a 2 5+ Salvo

M4 Sherman (MGs) 4 1 4
tch in one of the tank battalion’s platoons and 16740cm 2 6

’ support an entire Combat Command. They

fitted to both older M4 and M4A1 Shermans, These launchers are named after the Calliope (pronounced Kal-Iee-ohp by
as M4A3 Shermans, but always to tanks some and Kal-lie-oh-pee by others) steam-powered organ played at car­
ned with 75mm guns. nivals and circuses. The launchers frame could not stand up to the main
gun’s recoil, so the crews became dedicated rocketeers, forgoing their main
gun completely.

T34 CALLIOPE: Features

^cker In rocket LAUNCHER: Each Calliope M4 SHERMAN CREW; Calliope crews struggled to switch
1° ^bombardment of sixty 4.5" from being tankers to artillerymen. Still, they learned on
loch dnm°^ ^'^^'^^oally, these rockets may not cause thejob and performed well.
blvo anri ^‘^'-3'^oop 60 to 240 of them into a single
e enemy will have nowhere to hide!
 r
-A Z

M24 CHAFFEE TANK COMPANY TANK FORMATION

You must field the Formation HQ and one Combat Unit from each black box.
You may also field one Combat Unit from each grey box.

HEADQUARTERS

M24 CHAFFEE TANK

COMPANY HQ
LU187

ARMOUR ARMOUR ARMOUR

ARTILLERY ARTILLERY

ARMOURED SIMM MS SCOTT ASSAULT

MORTAR PLATOON GUN PLATOON
LU113 LU15S

M4 SHERMAN nOSMM)
ASSAULT GUN PLATOON
LU232

You may field a Combat Unit from a black box as a Support Unit for your Force.

For a beaten army, the Germans were able to field a a circle as the busted track unwound. Where there
lot of forces. Since being alerted the previous day to was one there would be others. Posten led his platoon
the enemy attack, Lieutenant Fosten had been moving back into the woods, slowing down to navigate the
and shooting seemingly non-stop. He was down to the tighter curves as the unpaved road wound through
last spare barrel for the .50 cal, and even worse they the trees. Major Andrews had promised that he would
were down to the last ammo boxes. The rest of his scrounge up supplies from somewhere; the next
platoon was in similar shape - the supply trucks had intersection was the rendezvous.
taken off when the company HQ had been forced to
As they entered the crossroads, an M3 half-track
relocate. Everyone and everything was in the dark
with its rear door open was being unloaded. Crates
about what was happening - the only sure thdng was
of 75mm gun rounds, canisters of MG ammunition and
to shoot the enemy wherever they were found. The
jerry cans of fueL The tank crews scrambled to load
three other members of his platoon followed him at
up and fill up, while the M3 left as soon as the last
high speed, huge rooster tails of snow arcing behind
crate was unloaded. His driver, Garten, had just
them as their wide tracks allowed them to traverse finished topping up the fuel tank when a .50 cal HMG
the snowy terrain quickly.
ripped off a burst down the road they iiad arrived
An enemy armour-piercing round flashed past, their on. The enemy had caught up!
high speed keeping them safe. An enemy assault
’’Mount up!” Posten scrambled into the hatch as the
gun - a StuG - with a cluster of infantry had crested
turret rotated. They would bloody these infantry
the ridge to their left. His O'wn gunner had laid on
and then scoot back. Stay alive and keep shooting.
without being told, and the return fire shattered
Eventually, he hoped, they would meet up with some
one of the tracks causing the enemy tank to slew in
heavier friends and stop the Germans. Dead.
 M24 CHAFFEE TANK COMPANY HQ
MOTIVATION •TANK FORMATION • l» HIT ON
‘ICONFIDENT 4+1| Il aggressive 3-i-i'
Blood 'n Guts
Last Stand ARMOUR
Protected Ammo
Remount
2x M24 Chaffee (75mm) 6 POINTS
SIDE&
REAR
Initially issued to two cavalry troops in November TOP
1944, by December the M24 Chaffee light tank
TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS
is being widely issued to tank battalions, replac­
12730cm 14735cm 20750cm 28770cm 3+
ing the M5 Stuart in many companies.
ROF ANTI­ FIRE­
WEAPON RANGE NOTES
A light tank company still retains it own sup­ ~
HALTED MOVING TANK POWER

M24 Chaffee (75mm) 28770cm 2 2 10 3+ Smoke, Stabiliser

porting artillery in the form of mortars and
M24 Chaffee (.50 cal MG) 20750cm 3 2 4 5+ Self-defence AA
assault guns.
M24 Chaffee (MGs) 16740cm 2 2 1 6

M24 CHAFFEE TANK PLATOON ■’-* Wi;,

MOTIVATION_______ ; •TANK UNIT"
CONFIDENT 4^1^
1 Blood ‘n Guts
I Last Stand 3+ ARMOUR
1 ProrecredAmmo
1 Remount 3+ {front
5x M24 Chaffee (75mm) 15 POINTS
SKILL SIDE&
4x M24 Chaffee (75mm) 12 POINTS (I TRAINED REAR

3x M24 Chaffee (75mm) 9 POINTS

TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS
The new M24 Chaffee is an excellent replace­ 12730cm 14735cm 20750cm 28770cm
ment for the M5A1 Stuart. It combines a pow- ROF ANTI­ FIRE­
WEAPON RANGE NOTES
erful 75mm gun with the speed of a light tank, HALTED MOVING TANK POWER

M24 Chaffee (75mm) 28770cm 2 1 10 3+ Smoke, Stabiliser

making it a deadly new weapon in the Arsenal
M24 Chaffee (.50 cal MC) 20750cm 3 2 4 5+ Self-defence AA
of Freedom.
M24 Chaffee (MGs) 16740cm 2 2 2 6

M8 SCOTT ASSAULT GUN PLATOON

MOTIVATION •TANK UNIT*
CONFIDENT 4^
5P Gun
Counterattack ARMOUR
Blood 'n Guts
.\I8 Scott (75mm) 5 POINTS Last Stand FRONT H
3
*^8 Scott (75mm) 3 POINTS
SKILL SIDE&
3
TRAINED 4+] REAR
SPGun
Assault 6 TOP 0
HMC assault gun complements
TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSSCOUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS
from ^frfrer by performing direct fire
12730cm 14735cm 24760cm 28770cm
nests "*5 75mm gun to knock out machine-gun
ROF ANTI­ FIRE­
ene ’ the mortars in keeping the WEAPON RANGE
HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
NOTES

ys ead down while the riflemen close. M8 5cott (75mm) 6^"l'\60cv, ARTILLERY 2 4+ Smoke Bombardment

or Direct Fire 2V'I50qu 2 1 6 3+ Smoke

M8 Scott (.50 cal MG) 2V'ISQcn, 3 2 4 5+ Self-defence AA

 ..•ar s

li
7
B;'

THE BRIDGE AT REMAGEN

THE BATTLE OF REMAGEN, 7™ MARCH 1945

After the fall of Cologne, the Germans presumed the Botsch ordered the charges attached to the bridge. Howev
Americans’ next target would be Bonn. They were not Model chose that critical moment to recall Botsch to tak’ 1
expecting an attack in the vicinity of Remagen. The defenders over 53 Corps and placed General Otto Hitzfield in corn I
consisted of a motley collection of support troops from vari­ mand of the Remagen area. Model then unrealistic II 1
ous units, three flak batteries on the eastern side of the river, ordered Hitzfield’s 67 Corps to launch an attack against th 1
Volkssturm (the German home guard), and a few railroad and 9'*' Armored Division, but his forces were in fact isolated I
construction workers. The end result was a defensive group behind the main American spearheads west of the Rhine and !
consisting of second-rate troops with an unnecessarily com­ completely unable to launch an offensive. j
plex command structure. Overall command of the area was Fearing that his own troops would be caught west of the 1
given to Generalmajor Walter Botsch on 1 March. Realizing Rhine, Hitzfield ordered Major Hans Scheller to take person 1
these meagre forces would be no match for the determined al command at Remagen to keep it open. As the bridge rep- I
Americans, Botsch requested more troops from Model, but resented the best retreat avenue for 67 Corps, Hitzfield didn’t I
his request was denied as Model and his staff were concen­ want it demolished prematurely. Scheller didn’t arrive at the a
trating forces near Bonn. bridge until 1100 hours, 7 March, just as the first reports ]
As with all bridges on the Rhine, the of American tanks in the area started pouring in. Several J
Ludendorff bridge had been wired for of Scheller’s subordinates, including Captain Friesenhahn I
demolition, but the charges themselves in command of the bridge itself, recommended immediate
were not in place in order to prevent demolition of the bridge even though the charges were only
an accidental detonation. On 6 March, partially placed. Scheller refused and instead ordered all the
with the local situation deteriorating. remaining^harges prepared. *
By 1400 hours, engineers placed the final charges on the
Ludendorff bridge, although parts of the secondary firing
circuit remained incomplete.
 (j this time American troops had been pouring manned with machine-guns which attempted to mow down
^^"^R^magen for nearly an hour, easily pushing aside the the advancing infantry. The flak batteries on the ridge above
and other disorganised soldiers. Scheller and the railway tunnel also engaged, but many lacked sufficient
crossed to the west side of the bridge to ascertain depression to fire on the bridge. The advancing Americans
Friesen defences, but upon reaching the west also took fire from a barge on the Rhine itself. As the infantry
rXy immediately ran into the Z?* Armored Infantry crossed, the engineers dropped any unexploded demolition
closing on the bridge itself. Recognizing the charges into the river to prevent the bridge’s destruction.
nding disaster, Friesenhahn ordered the detonation of Despite the murderous fire, American casualties crossing
'he^large explosive charges under the bridge’s approach ramp.
the bridge were miraculously light with only one confirmed
Uis charge created a large crater in the bridge’s western ramp wounded. Sergeant Joseph DeLisio reached the far end of the
prevcntiHg American armour from reaching the bridge itself. bridge and began clearing one of the towers defending the
Taking advantage of the temporary shock caused by the eastern approach, and Sergeant Alex Drabik was officially the
detonation, the German commanders sprinted back to the first American across the bridge itself. The rest of the compa­
side of the bridge. Friesenhahn reached the east side of ny quickly overcame what little resistance was offered by the
the bridge several minutes after Scheller because he’d been German infantry on the far side of the bridge. Major Scheller
temporarily rendered unconscious by an American shell. fled on a bicycle stating he intended to communicate the fall
American tanks were already targeting units on the east of the bridge to higher command.
side in preparation for a general assault on the bridge itself. The Americans went on to take the ridge above the tunnel and
Finding Scheller in the railway tunnel behind the bridge, establish a small bridgehead on the eastern bank of the Rhine.
Friesenhahn finally obtained permission to destroy the bridge However, silencing the flak guns above proved far more costly
at 1520 hours, but the primary detonation circuit failed. than taking the bridge itself. Just as the Americans secured the
By this time a company of American infantry, under bridge. General Hoge received orders from higher command
Lieutenant Karl Timmermann, was preparing to assault the to continue to drive south with Combat Command B to cut
bridge. Supporting the infantry was a platoon of combat off retreating German forces. Understanding the opportunity
engineers under orders to clear the demolition charges. The the intact Ludendorff bridge represented, Hoge sent a now
only hope for the Germans was activation of the secondary historic message to headquarters:
circuit. FeUwebel Anton Faust led a small group of volunteers “We have a bridge intact across the river at Checkpoint
to light the fuse on the secondary circuit. Moments later a 15 [Remagen]. Shall I continue to hold this bridgehead in view
huge explosion rocked the bridge, but as the smoke cleared ofthe new mission south? We have one company across at 16:10.’
astonished Germans and Americans saw that the bridge was
General Hoge’s commanding officer, Major-General Leonard,
damaged but still standing.
realized what the intact bridge presented. Though he knew that
Timmermann quickly realized that the bridge was still passa­ his troops on the east bank could become isolated, the opportu­
ble, so he ordered his men across. The supporting armour fired nity could not be ignored. He cancelled all orders for the drive
smoke rounds to cover their attack. The desperate Germans south and ordered the bridge be repaired so armour could cross.
opened up with everything they had on the advancing The repairs went relatively quickly and the first Sherman tanks
Americans. The towers on the eastern end of the bridge were crossed the Ludendorff bridge at 0015 hours on 8 March.
 BATTLE WEARY

ARMOURED RIFLE COMPANY INFANTRY FORMATION___________________________________

You must field the Formation HQ and one Combat Unit from each black box.
You may also field one Combat Unit from each grey box.

HEADQUARTERS

BATTLE WEARY
ARMOURED RIFLE
COMPANY HQ
LU199

INFANTRY INFANTRY INFANTRY

BATTLE WEARY BATTLE WEARY BATTLE WEARY

ARMOURED ARMOURED ARMOURED
RIFLE PLATOON RIFLE PLATOON RIFLE PLATOON
LU200 LU200 LU200

WEAPONS ANTI-TANK ARTILLERY ARTILLERY

BATTLE WEARY ARMOURED VETERAN BATTLE WEARY ARMOURED

BATTLE WEARY ARMOURED
M1917 MACHINE-GUN 57mm anti-tank M8 SCOTT ASSAULT 81mm mortar
PLATOON PLATOON GUN PLATOON PLATOON
LU170 LU203
LU202 LU204 J

You may field a Combat Unit from a black box as a Support Unit for your Force.

half-track and was now firing short bursts from the X

cal MG. Firepower from the stalled column was building
rapidly “ everyone knew what to do when the bullets
started flying - and that meant throwing Uncle Sam’s
ammunition at the enemy in vast amounts, not charging
blindly ahead He spotted an enemy casualty - squat
helmet and camo gear: paratroopers. They were always
tough to deal with.
Chavez had found a good position to set up his machine­
As the General had said, the trick now was to make
gun and began to suppress the enemy paras - now was
the other guy die for his country. Sergeant Dalhrook
the time to flank the enemy. 60mm mortar shells oegan
hailed out over the side of the M3 half“track, avoiding
to drop onto the enemy positions and the volume of fine
getting entangled in the myriad packs, buckets, boxes
dropped dramatically.
and one battered chair that decorated the flank of
the heavily battle scarred vehicle. The rest of his ”'We’re moving!” he yelled and led his men, bent over,
squad were doing the same, reacting instantly at the around Chavez where bullet casings were cascading
first clatter of machine-gun fire. The 10'“ Armored into a tinkling pile. They reached a covered position
Division had been rapidly turned around when the where he halted, and instructed everyone to use fresh
Germans launched a surprise attack and everyone lost magazines - no running short just as you engaged.
their heads. Now they would have to save everyone’s "let’s go! Go go go!” Other clusters of GIs were doing
butts as usual the same, and return fire had almost stopped They
’’Chavez! Brooklyn! Go Right! Rest with me!” He fired charged to the next covered position and began firing
a quick burst from his Thompson SMG then scrambled again at the retreating enemy. Several fell before they
vanished into the dense woods. The random crackling of
into cover. The rest of the squad found cover near him
? I and began returning fire. Grallick had stayed in the shots gradually tapered away.
 BATTLE WEARY
ARMOURED RIFLE COMPANY HQ
MOTIVATION • INFANTRY FORMATION • HQ TRANSPORT • __________ IS HIT ON_________ 1

RELUCTANT S+ 1 CAREFUL
SAVE

2x Thompson SMG team

Infantry
lx M3 Half-track ' TRAINED 4+
(.50 cal MG) {LU201) 2 POINTS Yankee Ingenuity
Tactics

The ‘Armored Doughs’ keep the panzerfausts off

TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS
the tanks and the tanks keep the machine-guns 8720cm 14735cm 14735cm
off the infantry. We now have this combined ROF ANTI­ FIRE­
WEAPON RANGE NOTES
HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
arms warfare down to a well-sychronised
I Thompson SMG team
4710cm Pinned POP 1
dance number.

BATTLE WEARY
M3 HALF-TRACK
MOTIVATION • TANK UNIT • PASSENGERS 3 • IS HIT ON
•TRACTOR • UNIT TRANSPORT • |[ CAREFUL
RELUCTANT
Transport
Counterattack _________ ARMOUR
Transport
Transport Attachment to: Remount
FRONT IR

Battle Weary SKILL SIDE&

REAR
Armoured Rifle Platoon (LU200), TRAINED
Transport
or Battle Weary Armoured M1917 Assault
Machine-gun Platoon (LU202), Yankee Ingenuity
Tactics
or BatdeWeaty Armoured 57mm
Anti-tank Platoon (LU204) TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

10725cm 10725cm 18745cm 32780cm

ROF ANTI­ FIRE'

WEAPON RANGE
~
HALTED MOVING TANK POWER

M3 (.50 cal MG) 20750cm 3 2 4 5+ Self-defence AA

M3 (.30 cal MG) 16740cm 3 3 2 6 Self-defence AA

OPTIONAL
Passenger MG 16740cm 1 1 1 6 MG Transport
 battle weary
ARMOURED RIFLE PLATOON
MOTIVATION • INFANTRY UNIT • OBSERVER •
RELUCTANT 5+

6x Ml Garand rifle team

TRAINED
5x Ml Bazooka team Yankee Ingenuity
Tactics
2x M1919 LMG
lx 60mm mortar 13 POINTS
TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH 'f^tROSS
With:
2-x. M3 Half-track (.50 cal MG) (LU20i)
8'720cm 8720cm I 14735cm I 14735cm 1 AUTO

ROF ANTI* FIRE-

WEAPON RANGE NOTES-
3x M3 Half-track (.30 cal MG) (LII201) HALTED MOVING TANK POWER

Ml Garand rifle team 16740cm 1 1 2 6

16 POINTS
4x Ml Garand rifle team M1919LMGteam 16740cm 5 2 2 6 Assaults-^, Heavy Weapon

4x Ml Bazooka team Ml Bazooka team 8720cm 1 1 10 5+ Assault 5+, Slow Firing

2x M1919 LMG 60mm mortar team 32780cm ARTILLERY 1 4+ Assault 5+, Heavy Weapon

lx 60mm mortar 11 POINTS

The armoured rifle platoon remains a miniature army in its own right,
able to keep up with the tanks with their half-tracks and trained to rapidly
2x M3 Half-track (.50 cal MG) (lu201)
take ground and hold it against all comers. Heavy machine-guns, light J
2x M3 Half-track (.30 cal MG) (Luzoi)
machine-guns, automatic rifles, bazookas, light mortars - yes sir, we have j
13 POINTS
all of those. I
The Unit Leader is one ofthe Ml Garand rifle teams, In the muddy terrain of the Rhineland, the armoured infantry found that I
and is mounted on a small base (see page 91). riding on tanks gave them better mobility than their own M3 half-tracks.
As a result, they often fought dismounted and left their half-tracks behind. ,

BATTLE WEARY ARMOURED

M1917 MACHINE-GUN PLATOON
MOTIVATION_______ • INFANTRY UNIT • HEAVY WEAPON •
RELUCTANT 5+
SAVE

4xM1917HMG |3+
Infantry
2x M3 Half-track TRAINED
Heavy Weapon
(.50 cal MG) (LU201) 4 POINTS Assault
Yankee ingenuity
Tactics

hie Ml917 heavy machine-guns provides the TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH

moured riflemen with additional firepower for 8'720cm 8'720cm
ippressing enemy positions before an assault, ROF ANTI* FIRE*
WEAPON RANGE HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
laking sure defensive fire is kept to a minimum.
M1917HMG 24760cm
In defence the platoon's Ml917 machine-
ms can sustain a volume of fire so intense that
'en the most determined attacker will be hard
ressed to advance against it.
 BATTLE WEARY ARMOURED
57mm anti-tank platoon
MOTIVATION UNIT• Gun shield* IS HIT ON

RELUCTANT 5+ Il CAREFUL 4<-i

5x57mmsnn SKILL

3x M3 Half-track TRAINED
(.50 cal MG) (LU2O1) 8 POINTS Gun
Assau/t
Yankee Ingenuity
Tactics
2x57mm gun
lx M3 Half-track
(.50 cal MG) (LU201) 5 POINTS 1
TACTICAL
2"/5cm
TERRAIN DASH

275cm 1
CROSS COUNTRY DASH

4710cm
_r
ROAD DASH

6715cm
1
CROSS
5+
■
3x 57mm gun 5 POINTS WEAPON RANGE
ROF
HALTED MOVING
ANTI­ FIRE*
TANK POWER
NOTES

TToints
J
1 57mm gun 1 28770cm 10
1 4+ j Forward Firing, No HE
2x 57mm gun

,e 57mm guns of the Armoured Anti-tank

itoon are the Armoured Rifle Company’s first
,e of defence against a panzer counterattack,
le 57mm is starting to show its age, but its
lall size allows it to be easily dug in and hidden
til an unwary panzer drives on by.

BATTLE WEARY ARMOURED

81 MM MORTAR PLATOON

3x M4 (SIniin mortar) 2 POINTS

e M4 81mm MMC half-track is ideally

nfigured to support your armoured infantry
th smoke to screen your movement and high
plosives to neutralise enemy anti-tank guns
d machine-guns. 10725cm 10725cm 1 1 6'740cm 1 32780cm 1 4+ a
ROF ANTI- FIRE­
WEAPON RANGE NOTES
HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
M4 (81mm mortar) Rear Firing, Smoke Bombardment
407100cm ARTILLERY 1 4+

I M4 (.50 cal MG) 20750cm 3 1 2 4 5+ Self-defence AA

 THE BLOODY BUCKET THE 28^” INFANTRY DIVISION

'■ 1'
,1 f The 28''’ Infantry Division was formed doctrine Pcalled for an infantry divir-
’ '^‘Vision

fl in 1941 from units of the Pennsylvania to cover hve miles at most, but since the
fl Army National Guard. Pennsylvania’s Allies did not expect any enemy activity ’
fl moniker, the ‘Keystone state’ led to the in the Ardennes, the sector was chosen as
fl division’s nickname, ‘Keystone’. It later the ideal spot to rest their tired divisions
fl gained the nickname ‘Bloody Bucket’
^vision by the Germans owing to its red ...AND INTO THE FIRE
fl keystone-shaped insignia. In the pre-dawn hours of 16 December
1944, a German artillery bombardment
a The division reached France in July
woke up the Keystone men. In the north
1 1944 and fought at St. L6. It pursued the
-..‘fl Germans across France with heavy fight- the 116* Panzer Division launched its
attack against the 28*’s 112* Infantry
ing along the way, under the leadership
Regiment, easily overcoming the thinly
of Major General Norman ‘Dutch’ Cota.
The Keystone men reached the Siegfried Line on the German deployed American outposts. The 112* Regiment bounced
overcame the Americans. The remnants of the 110''’ Infantry mitted to deal with the stubborn Keystone troops of the
back fast, crushing two companies of panzergrenadiers as
..fl border on 11 September 1944. Regiment made their way back to the Divisional HQ at 110* Infantry Regiment and an ad hoc battalion of staff
they attempted to infiltrate at Liitzkampen. However, further
F fl The 28'*’ hammered away at the Siegfried Line until
south 560. Volksgrenadierdivision cut through the boundary Wiltz, with the Germans hot on their heels. clerks, cooks, and orderlies. The 110'*’ Infantry Regiment
November when it moved north to fight in the bloody battles held the German divisions at Wiltz for 24 hours before they
between the 112* and 110* Infantry Regiments, isolating the The 109'*’ Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel
o of the Hiirtgen Forest. These terrible battles went back and
forth, sapping the strength of the division until, finally on the
former from the division until January 1945. James Rudder (previously of the 2"'* Ranger Battalion at
were forced to withdraw toward Bastogne. As they withdrew,
they made life difficult for the pursuing Germans. In the end
Point-du-Hoc), held the southern flank against the might
19 November, the division was pulled out of the line to rest. the battle had cost the Germans nearly two days urgently
ONE REGIMENT VERSUS AN ARMY of the German Seventh Army. The 109'*’ Regiment’s com­
need to reach the Meuse before US reinforcements arrived.
The 110* Regiment guarded the division’s centre and was by panies battled the paratroopers of 5. Fallschirmjagerdivision.
OUT OF THE FRYING PAN... In the early hours of 16 December, the Germans The shattered, but not destroyed, 28'*' Infantry withdrew
far the hardest hit. Lined up against them were three panzer
The 28'*’ moved south to recover from the harrowing battles struggled to overcome the American outposts, but did to the Meuse River and took up positions in the event the
and two infantry divisions. The Keystone men stubbornly
of Hiirtgen to a quiet portion of the line along the Our River not gain access to the Wiltz road until 18 December, Germans made it past Bastogne. Some elements remained
held onto the vital crossings over the Our River, forcing the
in the Ardennes. Spa pools and United Service Organisations after Rudder’s men withdrew south and joined the in Bastogne, however, forming Task Force SNAFU to help
Germans to commit their precious reserves in order to over­
(USO) entertainment shows, including a visit from the famous 4'*' Infantry Division. defend the town.
run the Americans. So stout were the American defenders that
Marlene Dietrich, helped ease the men’s minds as they took In the wake of Wacht Am Rhein, the division was spent. The
the Germans had to send battalions to deal with companies
up a large stretch of the line with its three regiments, 109*,
or even platoons. Despite the resistance, the Germans slowly WILTZ 110'*’ Infantry Regiment alone was left with less than 600 men
110'*’, and 112* covering nearly 25 miles (40km). Standard from its strength of 3256 on 15 December, and the other reg­
As the 110'*’ Infantry Regiment gave way along the Our River,
the Germans were under orders to bypass Wiltz in order to iments were nearly as bad off. Their achievements justified the
rush Bastogne and capture it as quickly as possible. However, losses though, as the division held up nine German divisions
AGAINST THE TIDE one regiment of the 5'*’ Fallschirmjiiger ignored the order and and bought enough time for the 101” Airborne Division to
attacked Wiltz. Soon other German units were sucked into get to Bastogne ahead of the Germans and deny the enemy
the vortex of battle. The rest of 5. Fallschirmjdgerdivision the vital crossroads there.
O •H
and following 26. Volksgrenadierdivision had to be com-
a
560™ VGD
: 560™ VOLKS-
J he River TROISVIERGES dWRENADIER H
^•’^DIVISION i]

: S60"VGD
A
116™ PANZER
DIVISION 11B™PANZER >
DIVISION
i < •«»>
NOVI

2"” PANZER t ‘ \ 2"” PANZER

DIVISION L
110™ INFANTRY / DIVISION*’
II
LONCQJJRT REGIMENT, 28 ID C x II
101” AIRBORNE
DIVISION - ^26™V0LKS- panzer
II
TASKFORCE
26"'VGD
■ HOSINGEN ^GR^AD^„*S5lehr

SNAFU, 28 ID ' 4 PANZER LEHR GERMUND^

DIVISION
* O KAUTENBACH
26™VGD
o
WEII^
WLTZ 5™FJ0 DIVISION A
ROSCHEID^

LANGE 109™ INFANTRY

o ’
REGIMENT, 28 ID '' *
fOhrS^
O
, „ 5™FJD
- .
 SIB sa»iu_

4™ INFANTRY DIVISION
NORMANDYAND FRANCE in bloody street fighting rather than s
render it. However, General Charle^'
The ‘Ivy’ (IV being four in Roman numer­
als) Division was activated in 1940 as Gaulle, leader of the Free French in ' ’
the only mechanised division in the US and General Phillipe Leclerc’s 2""* Fren h
Army. It eventually took on the form of a Armoured Division was given rhp 1,,. J
regular infantry division, but still retained of liberating Paris. 1
an aggressive and mobile doctrine. Leclerc’s attacks met with resistance 1
The Ivy Division was the first US division the approaches to the city, so the Alli 1
to land in France on D-Day, 6 June 1944, sent the battleworn 4* Infimtry Division ■
at Utah Beach. It then moved south and forward to help. Together the two divi- i
relieved the 82""* Airborne Division at sions pushed into Paris with the help
Sainte-Mere-Eglise. of the local FFI (French Forces of the 1

After D-Day it became part of the task

Interior). J
force responsible for taking Cherbourg and securing a vital The liberation of Paris marked a significant turning point in 1
deepwater port for the Allied offensive. The d"*" attacked the fortunes of war in Europe, but the 4* Infantry Division 1
Mountebourg a week after their initial invasion, and then con­ still had a long way to go.
tinued to Valognes before pushing forward on the Cotentin
peninsula. By the end of June the 4'*" linked up with the THE HURTGEN FOREST & THE
ARDENNES
o 9'*" and 79* Infantry Divisions to clear the city of Cherbourg.
After Cherbourg, the 4'*" was switched to the southern front After the pursuit across France, the 4* found itself on the
German frontier near Bastogne. However, it was soon moved
lA slowly advancing through the Normandy bocage hedgerows.
It played a key part in the southward advance out of the north to fight in the harsh battles of the Hiirtgen Forest. After
bocage country. Starting in early July, they advanced down the the battle, the exhausted Ivy Division was relocated to the
eastern coast of Carentan to cross the Periers road attacking quiet Ardennes south of the 28'*’ Infantry Division’s positions
the German Seventh Army. to receive reinforcements and a little rest.
They moved into Avranches on 30 July, effectively becom­ When the Ardennes Offensive opened, the 4* was lucky to
ing the right hook of Operation Cobra. The Ivy division have a much smaller portion of the line to defend, compared
threw its weight into the breakout, working closely with the to the 28*’s long and thin front. After the first few hours of
2”"* Armored Division. the battle, the 4* was unintentionally reinforced by the 28'*'’s
cut-off 109* Infantry Regiment. They put up a stern defence
After Operation Cobra, the next Allied objective was Paris.
and the Germans made only small gains. The Ivy Division’s
Many Allied commanders advocated bypassing the French
steadfast defence formed the core of the southern shoulder of
capital, fearing the Germans would destroy the historic city
the ‘Bulge’.
The 2"'' Infantry Division was formed the 99'*' Infantry. Once in the villages, the
in September 1917 during World War 99* would then pass through them to
I. During that war the division’s symbol the safety of the Elsenborn Ridge, which
came from a truck driver who had paint­ dominated the area and offered an excel­
ed it on his truck. His symbol was adopt­ lent defensive position for the US troops.
ed by the division and soon they became The manoeuvre was fraught with peril, as
known as the ‘Indianheads’. any error in this complex plan would turn
the withdrawal into a full rout, but the
NORMANDY TO THE experienced Indianheads executed it with
GERMAN BORDER perfection, reaching Krinkelt by midday.
The division, under the command of
Major General Walter Robertson, landed TWIN VILLAGES
on Omaha Beach on D+1 (7 June) While the 9'*’ and 38'*’ Regiments pulled
1944 and immediately went to work securing the beach and back, the first of the German attacks struck near Rocherath on
mopping up German resistance. They then moved inland and 16 December. The Indianheads’ third regiment, the 23"*, rushed
fought their way from Saint-L6 to Brittany. The tough fighting forward to bolster the line behind the 99'*" Infantry Division.
in Brittany left the 2""* Infantry an extremely well-organised Just as they reached Rocherath, the Germans struck with
and highly professional unit. 277. Volksgrenadierdivision, but the infantrymen stood fast
After Brittany, the division joined the US Army’s pursuit of with the help of the 612‘^ and 644'*’Tank Destroyer Battalions
the Germans across France and found itself on the German as well as the 2"“* Infantry’s own 741" Tank Battalion.
frontier by December 1944, occupying the region south of Frustrated, the Germans committed 12. SS-Panzerdivision
Losheim. On 11 December the 2"'* Infantry launched an from their reserves. Under the weight of the renewed attack, the
attack with the 78'** Infantry Division to capture the dams on 23"* Regiment and the 99'*’ Division were forced to withdraw,
the Roer River. The division gave up its position on the line but they had bought enough time for the other Indianhead
to the newly-arrived 106'*' Infantry Division and formed up regiments to reach Rocherath and set up behind them.
behind the 99'** Infantry Division to launch its assault.
During the night of 17 December, the 2'"* held the line as
Using two of the division’s three regiments, the Indianheads the 99'*’ retreated to the Elsenborn Ridge, but some of their
auacked on a narrow frontage to smash its way through the troops stayed behind and fought alongside the Indianheads in
iegfried Line. The 9'*' and 38'*' Infantry Regiments had pen­ the twin villages. The situation was chaotic—one 2"“* Infantry
trated about seven miles into the German lines when news colonel had elements of 16 different companies under his com­
Me ed Robertson that the Germans had launched a major mand! Nonetheless the 2““* executed an exemplary defence and
ensive on his exposed southern flank. Naive orders arrived by nightfall on 18 December, the 99'*’ had successfully passed
n jy Corps to keep moving east, but the experienced through and set up behind the Indianheads. The 2"** Infantry
• Lprepared a clever, although complicated plan, to then successfully pulled back to the Elsenborn Ridge.
^■Adtaw his division to safety.
ELSENBORN RIDGE
skinning THE CAT
The V Corps artillery on the ridge reinforced the two divi­
Robe of 17 December, V Corps finally ordered sions, while the veteran 1" and 9'** Infantry Divisions secured
actio withdraw. He quickly put his complicated their flanks. The Indianheads and the 99'*' easily repelled three
fir^ “Skinning the Cat”, into motion, attempts to take the ridge before the Germans gave up.
pull back °b attacking regiments had to carefully The tough defenders of the twin villages and the Elsenborn
®Uce that^ *^°**8^ Ae rear battalion of the second regiment. Ridge dealt a fatal blow to Wacht Am Rhein, throwing the
Ae other done they set up defensive positions to allow German timetable hopelessly off schedule and denying the
reached P^ss through and so on until they both important high ground to the German offensive.
e twin villages of Krinkelt and Rocherath held by
 BATTLE WEARY RIFLE COMPANY INFANTRY FORMATION

You must field the Formation HQ and one Combat Unit from each black box.
You may also field one Combat Unit from each grey box.

HEADQUARTERS

BATTLE WEARY
RIFLE
COMPANY HQ
LU205

INFANTRY INFANTRY INFANTRY

BATTLE WEARY BATTLE WEARY

BATTLE WEARY
RIFLE RIFLE RIFLE
PLATOON PLATOON PLATOON
LU206 LU206
LU206

ARTILLERY ARTILLERY
ARTILLERY

BATTLE WEARY BATTLE WEARY

BATTLE WEARY
MORTAR MORTAR 105mm cannon
PLATOON PLATOON PLATOON
LU208 LU210__________
LU208
VETERAN
M4 SHERMAN (LATE)
ASSAULT GUN PLATOOl
LU191 A

ANTI-TANK ANTI-TANK
WEAPONS

BATTLE WEARY BATTLE WEARY

BATTLE WEARY
M1917 MACHINE-GUN 57mm ANTI-TANK 57mm anti-tank
PLATOON PLATOON PLATOON
LU209 LU209
LU207

You may field a Combat Unit from a black box as a Support Unit for your Force.

Sergeant Goulbum ducked low as another spray of had closed the distance without the MG fire to
machine-gun fire peppered the trench lip. Elsenbom keep them away. Grenades were being hurled from
Ridge was going to be much denser with all that both sides, as figures clad in a mix of white camo
lead afterwards. The 2"“ Infantry Division was dug and field grey uniforms stamped through the snow.
Curses, screams and constant firing accompanied
in hard, but the enemy were persistently trying to
the assault with a handful of Grenadiers tumbling
dislodge them and repeated assaults were taking
into the trenches where bursts of SMG fire resolv^
their toll on both sides.
the situation in short order. The rest of Goulbum s
Mortar shells were landing all across the platoon’s
squad were charging along the trench line.
position, heralding yet another attack by German
Friendly artillery fire finally began to fall
infantry. Corporal Venetti began firing short bursts
upon the Grenadiers, and they started to withdraw,
from behind the .30 cal machine-gun, until a mortar
leaving a field refreshed with a new crop of Dodie£
shell exploded in the trench, shrapnel flung in all
directions. Goulbum dragged Venetti, gasping and to add to the previous ones.
bleeding, into an alcove. ’’Just another day on the Wearily, Goulbum bent over Venetti to check ni®
farm, right Sarge?’ wounds, but it was already too late. There was on
Goulbum shoved a First Aid pack into the wounded less veteran from Normandy now. He sighed, then
man’s hand, then righted the overturned MG and began making his way back to the platoon ny- *
checked the ammunition helt, untangling the feed. time to pick up some replacements.
Racking back the bolt, he resumed firing. The enemy
 BATTLE WEARY
RIFLE COMPANY HQ
MOTIVATION_______

RELUCTANT 5+
Blood ‘n Guts
Rally

2x Thompson SMG team 2 POINTS SKILL

' TRAINED 4+ Infantry

Yankee Ingenuity
bloody battles of the Hiirtgen Forest sapped Tactics

u strength of the 28''’ Infantry Division until

c II on 19 November, the division was pulled
■
TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS
zr
""*of the line to rest. However, the division has 1 8720cm I 8720cm 1 14735cm 1 4"/35cm I AUTO

been hit by the German Ardennes offensive WEAPON RANGE

ROF ANTI­ FIRE­
NOTES
HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
and forced back into combat before they are
1
1 3 1 3 1 1 6 1 Pinned ROF I
1 Thompson SMG team 1 4710cm 1

fully recovered.

BATTLE WEARY
RIFLE PLATOON
_______ MOTIVATION________ • INFANTRY UNIT • OBSERVER • IS HIT ON

RELUCTANT5+: Il CAREFUL 4» ■
Blood ‘n Guts

I Rally SAVE

lOx Ml Garand rifle team SKILL

lx Ml Bazooka team 9 POINTS I TRAINED 4+ Infantry

Yankee Ingenuity
Tactics
7x Ml Garand rifle team
lx Ml Bazooka team 6 POINTS TERRAIN DASH CROSSCOUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS
TACTICAL

8"/20cm 8"/20cm 14735cm 14"/35cm AUTO

OPTIONS
ROF ANTI­ FIRE­
• Add one M1 Bazooka team for +1 point. WEAPON RANGE
' MOVING
HALTED TANK POWER
NOTES

• Add up to two M1919 LMG for Ml Garand rifle team 16740cm 1 1 2 6

Ml Bazooka team 8720cm 1 1 10 5+ Assault 5+, Slow Firing

+1 point per team.
OPTIONAL
16740cm 5 2 2 6 Assault 5+, Heavy Weapon
• Add one M1917 HMG for+2 points. M1919LMG team
OPTIONAL
24760cm 6 2 2 6 Assault 5+, Heavy Weapon
M1917HMGteam
Tlje Unit Leader is one ofthe Ml Garand rifle teams,
and is mounted on a small base (see page 91 j-
known for their scrounging capabilities, augmenting their platoons with
unauthorised weapons such as bazookas stripped from transport vehicles.
The GIs (derived from ‘General Issue’, a nick­ While strictly against the rules, the GIs know better than others that they’ll
name for US soldiers) of the rifle platoons form need the added firepower in the coming campaigns.
the core of your company. These ‘dog faces’
The triangular formation of an infantry division means that you can count
are well trained and have seen combat, though
on three rifle platoons in your company. This gives you flexibility to keep
unlike fresher units, they are well aware of the
one platoon in reserve while the others hold the line.
risks and dangers of battle. They are also well

RIFLE COMPANY: Weapons & Features

^^^ARAND: The .30-calibre semi-automatic M1 Garand M1 BAZOOKA: Firing a 60mm shaped-charge HEAT rocket,
«the most modern rifle of any army in the world. Accurate the bazooka is one of the first anti-tank rocket launchers.
ond reliable, it can empty an eight-round clip as fast as the
ngger can be pulled. One team out of every three-team OBSERVER: Remember, your Rifle Platoon's Unit
sgua aiso carries a Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) to Leader can radio your artillery units and spot for their
DOISter their short-range firepower. bombardments.

THE 'TRUSCOTT TROT': Long-distance speed marches

M1919 light machine-gun is a lightened
are a major feature of US infantry training, and the hard
air-c^’^machine-gun). Its
practice has paid off. The riflemen can cover ground across
simple perforated guard sleeve
country faster than any other infantry.
fire P I intended for short, controlled bursts of
ro onged firing can cause the barrel to overheat.
 BATTLE WEARY
MORTAR PLATOON
MOTIVATION • INFANTRY UNIT • HEAVY WEAPON •
RELUCTANT 5+
Blood 'n Guts
Rally
1 POINTS
4x 81mm mortar 4 POINTS TRAINED
Heavy Weapon
Assault
2x 81mm mortar 2 POINTS Yankee Ingenuity
Tactics

3x 60mm mortar 2 POINTS TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

4710cm 4'71 OcM 6715cm X 8720cm 1 AUTO

While waiting on the divisional artillery to WEAPON RANGE

ROF
HALTED MOVING
ANTI­ FIRE­
TANK POWER
NOTES

respond to a fire mission, a rifle company can 81mm mortar 407100cm ARTILLERY 1 4-b Smoke Bombardment

call on their own mortars to give them instant 60mm mortar 32780cm ARTILLERY 1 4+ Sznofce Bombordmenf

support.

MORTAR: Features
PORTABLE: A mortar tube and baseplate are light enough
ARTILLERY: When the howitzers of the field artillery are
plotting fire missions or otherwise occupied, it is useful for the crew to carry on their shoulders, letting these
for the infantry to have their own indirect-fire weapon. versatile weapons go wherever they are needed.
Mortars can be just as good as the bigger guns at digging
infantry out of cover.

BATTLE WEARY
M1917 MACHINE-GUN PLATOON
MOTIVATION • INFANTRY UNIT • HEAVY WEAPON •
[RELUCTANTSi^l
Blood 'n Guts

4x M1917HMG
2x M1917HMG
4 POINTS
2 POINTS
II TRAINED
Rally

SKILL

Heavy Weapon
Assault
Yankee Ingenuity
The water-cooled M1917 heavy machine-gun is a Tactics

bit more cumbersome than the light models, but TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH

it has a devastating rate of fire. These are sighted 8"/20cm 8"/20cm

on key positions covering enemy approaches to WEAPON RANGE

ROF
HALTED MOVING
ANTI- FIRE­
TANK POWER

the company's defences. M1917HMG

I 24760cm I 6 I 2
 31^ Il Ti 7'Iiililiitt

BATTLE WEARY
57mm anti-tank platoon T* MOTIVATION • GUN UNIT • GUN SHIELD • IS HIT ON

RELUCTANT 5+ Il CAREFUL
Guts
SAVE

5 POINTS
3X 57mm gun SKILL

3 POINTS TRAINED Cun

2x 57mm gun Gun

Assault
Yankee ingenuity
Tactics
The 57mm anti-tank gun has served the
AnuTican GIs well through the war so far. It is TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

275cm 275cm 4'710cm 6715cm

a versatile weapon able to drive off all but the
ROF ANTI­ FIRE­
heaviest German tanks. WEAPON RANGE
HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
NOTES

57mm gun I 28770cm I I 10 j 4+ j Forward Firing, No HE

57MM ANTI-TANK CUN: Features

CUN SHIELD: The gun's bulletproof shield is designed to ARMOUR PENETRATION: The M1 57mm gun's high-
give its crew some protection from frontal attack. Even so, velocity solid armour-piercing rounds can punch through
it is best to remain concealed, then open fire against the the armour of all but the heaviest German panzers.
flanks of enemy tanks at point-blank range.

BATTLE WEARY
105mm cannon platoon
MOTIVATION • GUN UNIT • LARGE GUN • r_________ IS HIT ON_________

RELUCTANT
Guts
L CAREFUL
6x 105mm light howitzer 13 POINTS SKILL

! TRAINED
4x 105mm light howitzer 9 POINTS
Assau/t
2x 105mm light howitzer 4 POINTS Yankee Ingenuity
Tactics

TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

The cannon platoon is the infantry regiment’s 275cm 275cm 4710cm
very own artillery battery. With six light how­ ROF ANTI­ FIRE­
WEAPON RANGE NOTES
HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
itzers on call, the GIs can rely on quality bom­
Forward Firing,
bardments that can cover a large area. 105mm light howitzer 567140cm ARTILLERY 3 3+ Smoke Bombardment

or Direct Fire 20750cm

1 1 1 7 2+
Brutal, Forward Firing, Slow Firing,
Smoke

105mm pack HOWITZER: Features

ARTILLERY: The 105mm pack howitzer fires a 15kg BRUTAL: A single direct hit from one of the 105mm
high-explosive shell to a range of 7.5km (4.5 miles), high-explosive shells is generally enough to annihilate an
bringing destruction to anywhere within range on the unprotected target. Infantry, Gun, and Unarmoured Tank
battlefield. teams hit by Direct Fire must re-roll their saves.

4#^^
 BASTOGNE AND THE BATTLE OF THE BULGF
The Germans launched Unternehmen Wacht am Rhein AIRBORNE DIVISION
(Operation Watch on the Rhine, also known as the Ardennes At the start of the Germans’ Ardennes offensive th
offensive) on 16 December 1944. Their aim was to punch 10 U' Airborne Division was in camp at Mourmelon Ft *
through the thinly held lines of the US First Army in the resting and refitting after the hard fought Market Gard*”^
Ardennes region of Belgium and Luxembourg with their campaign and following battles in the Netherlands Q
infantry, before unleashing the Panzer divisions to drive 17 December the division was put on alert to go to the fro
through to the Meuse River. The overall German goal was to and on 18 December they were hurriedly loaded into trucks
take the Belgian port of Antwerp, so vital for Allied supplies, and shipped off to Bastogne.
and cut off the US Ninth Army, British Second Army and
On arriving in Bastogne on 19 December the first units of th
Canadian First Army in northern Belgium and the southern
101” Airborne were thrust into the line to halt the advancin
Netherlands. The key to the success of the German plan was
Germans. They were joined by Combat Command B of the
to quickly cut through the US First Army in the Ardennes.
1 O'** Armored Division and the 7O5'*‘Tank Destroyer Battalion
The main thrust towards Antwerp was given to the powerful As they set up a defensive perimeter around Bastogne, they
6. Panzerarmee (6'*' Tank Army) on the northern shoulder of were attacked by 2. Panzerdivision, Panzer Lehr Division, and
the offensive. However, determined defence by the US P* and 26. Volksgrenadierdivision. Battles were fought at Wardin
99'*’ Infantry Divisions halted the thrust. In the central sector, Noville, and Foy (see map on page 56) as the paratroopers
5. Panzerarmee was more successful against the worn and pushed out from Bastogne on that first day.
stretched US 28'** and inexperienced 106'*' Infantry Divisions.
By 20 December the 101” Airborne Division had established
The vital road junctions at the small town of Bastogne
a defensive perimeter around Bastogne with its four infantry
became the focal point of the offensive. All seven of the main
regiments encircling the town.
roads through the Ardennes converged at Bastogne and the
capture of the town would ensure the continued drive by 5.
Panzerarmee towards its objectives.

THE ARDENNES OFFENSIVE

, /-^NETHERLANDS
RHEYDT
CANADIAN FIRST
ANTWERP ARMY 5

BRITISH SECOND ° r.. -M

ARMY 15.ARMEE
BRUSSELS LEUVEN £
MASSTRICHT COLOGNE

US NINTH )
ARMY EUSKIRCHEN
LitGE
BELGIUM^
I MONSCHAU
RoenRiver
Da^s
J
LEROI H
NAMUR- SPA

MALMEDY
I MANY^
KOBLENZ^
STAVELOT^'^
bOtgenbach
WERBOMONT °„
TROIS FONTS
DINANT MARCHE-EN- «BARAQUEDE .iST.VITH^’ BLEIALF
FAMENNE ''’CDIUTIIDB 3 •
LE ROCHE
rfoiVET'^ " •ROCHEFORT
1
.UTZKAMPEN 5. PANZER­
ARMEE
lli
US FIRST °
army BITBERG
BASTOGN^^r^^SWjg
riANDEN
EnaSRU^^' O DIEKIRCH
neufchAteau
I LUXEMBOURG “"T** TRIER
MERSCH.
■ o.
 PATTON BREAKS THROUGH
tHE siece
trong perimeter established, particularly in the north TO BASTOGNE
the German 47. Panzerkorps commander, General While the paratroopers and glidermen were holding tenacious­
jnd east, jg^jjed to circle around Bastogne and strike ly to their positions around Bastogne, General Patton’s Third
von sgmth and southwest on the night of 20/21 Army, spearheaded by the 4'*’ Armored Division’s 37'*' Tank
ablo^b™ his two panzer divisions. The Germans
Battalion (commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Creighton
penetrated into the lines in the southwest, but an Abrams), had finally broken through to Bastogne. They
"d'hoc^American counterattack force threw back the attack. reached the lines of the 326'*' Airborne Engineer Battalion
° . JI rhe roads in and out of Bastogne had been cut by on 26 December. Communications and supplies were quick­
t^X'^mans and the town was surrounded.
ly restored.
th Bastogne surrounded, the Panzer divisions continued Without the benefit of rest, the 101" Airborne Division,
' towards the Meuse River, leaving behind a regiment to immediately joined the attack. After many more days of hard
ort the 26. Volksgrenadierdivision in capturing Bastogne. fighting they finally pushed the Germans back. On 17 January
2^ Volksgrenadierdivision and its support probed the southern the 101" Airborne had reached the positions they had occu­
and western sectors of the American perimeter. Because the pied on 19 December, when the division had first arrived
Germans didn’t launch a concerted attack against several sec­ at Bastogne. The following day the 101" Airborne Division
tors at once, the 101" Airborne Division was able to concen­ was relieved.
trate its supporting armour and artillery against each attack as
it came, moving them about as they were needed. THE ALLIES PUSH BACK THE GERMANS
Continuous attacks had exhausted 26. Volksgrenadierdivision The German offensive had ground to a halt, but had pushed
by 23 December. On 24 December they received a much a large salient into the Allied lines. To destroy the salient,
needed boost in the form of a panzergrenadier regiment from Patton’s Third Army attacked north, while Montgomery’s
15. Panzergrenadierdivision. The Germans then attacked American and British forces, to the north, struck south in
the positions of the 327“'’ Glider Infantry Regiment on the early January. The two forces planned to meet at Houffalize.
western section of the perimeter on Christmas Day. Initially Progress was slow in the winter conditions and the majority
the attack was successful and the panzergrenadiers and tanks of the German forces were able to escape the salient. The fuel
got as far as Hemroulle, where the 327'*' Regiment had its situation had become so bad for the Germans that most of
3"* Battalion (formally the 1" Battalion, 401" Glider Infantry their panzers had to be abandoned. St Vith was not recaptured
Regiment) command post. The German panzers leading by the Americans until 23 January and the last German units
the assault split into two columns and continued on. One participating in the offensive had not returned to their start
column was immediately ambushed by two M18 Hellcats of lines until 25 January.
the 705'*’ Tank Destroyer Battalion before Champs. The other
Hitler’s ambitious plan to take Antwerp and destroy three
column headed for Rolle, where it was hit by another two
armies had failed and in doing so gave the Americans one of
Ml8s. The German assault had been brought to a halt as the
their most triumphant victories of the war. ■j*.
German Panzer IV tanks were knocked out by tank destroyer
and bazooka fire and the German infantry assaults were held
ofFby the glidermen. , ..j.
7
 SCREAMING EAGLES
10V^ AIRBORNE DIVISION IN BASTOGNE

The 101“ Airborne Division was formed How prepared each unit of the
at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana on 101“ Airborne Division was depended
15 August 1942. By the time the division greatly on the initiative of the command­
saw its first combat on 6 June 1944 the er and the men. Not every man
was
men of the ‘Screaming Eagles’, named able to grab their weapons or
enough
for the emblem on their shoulder patch, ammunition.
had undergone extensive and intense Lieutenant-Colonel John T. Coon
ler
training in the United States and United of the 463'‘‘ Parachute Field Artille-
lery
Kingdom. Having acquitted themselves Battalion had the forethought to redi­
well and played an important role in rect his part of the column through the
securing the Normandy beachheads, ammunition dump at Mourmelon, where
the division was next dropped on the he got his men to grab as much ammu­
Netherlands during Operation Market nition for their 75mm pack howitzers as
Garden. Once again they fought with distinction, securing they could carry. The 63"* Parachute Field Artillery Battalion
17 miles (28km) of road stretching from Eindhoven to Grave Italy veterans temporarily attached to the division while wait­
Bridge, keeping ‘Hell’s Highway’, as it became known, open ing for the 17'*' Airborne to arrive in France. Other units were
for the British troops of 30 Corps. less well prepared and took weapons and ammunition off US
riflemen as they encountered them retreating from Bastogne. •
lOV^ AIRBORNE HEAD FOR BASTOGNE Ammunition was also supplied by the 10'*’ Armored Division’s
As the size and success of the initial attacks by the German divi­ Combat Command B (CCB), which had arrived at the front
sions in the Ardennes became clear, the 101“ Airborne Division the day before the airborne division.
was put on alert at their camp in Mourmelon, France on As well as an initial shortage of weapons and ammunition,
17 December 1944. The division quickly set about calling men the division was also without their commander, Major-
back from leave, including a number of commanders, as well as General Maxwell Taylor, who was away in Paris. Instead, the
organising the re-issuing of arms and ammunition. Transport division was commanded by General Anthony McAuliffe, the
was hastily arranged and the paratroopers and glidermen were division’s second in command.
loaded onto trucks on 18 December and moved off to the front.

10“ AD.
OURCY
26.VGD.
HERBAIMONT -25 DEC

FOY^i
CHAMPS

502“’ PIR.
FLAMIZOULLE 19 DEC
‘^6,VGC

506“ PR.

15. PzGR.
24-25 DEC
4
327”’ GIR. MAGERET
501*’ PIR.

^STOGNE ^sMOMT

I^DEC $^r^WARDIM
28“ ID.

MARVIi
^Ul SOO ‘

ASSENOIS

0 Ml les

0 Kilometres

56
 The reason soon became clear as a force of tanks and infantry
the division arrives in bastogne
from the German Panzer Lehr Division’s 901. Panzergrenadier-
After driving through the night, the division arrived at
regiment\3ezgn to attack Wardin. Two German tanks knocked
Bastogne on 19 December 1944. As the 101“ Airborne
out a Team O’Hara tank as they moved into the village.
Division arrived, the units were pushed forward to establish
I Company managed to knock out two tanks with their
the extent of the German advance and to set up a perimeter
bazookas before the Germans overran the village and forced
around the town. The first to arrive at the front were the
the company to retreat back towards Mont.
men of the 50?' Parachute Infantry Regiment (50V' PIR)
and they were soon sent forward through the fog to ‘go out As the rest of 3"' Battalion moved into Mont, they directed
and find the enemy’. The 1“ Battalion moved out first and patrols toward Neffe, which they soon discovered was well and
expected to find the enemy near the village of Mageret. As truly infested with Germans. As G Company probed towards
they advanced, they met scattered groups of men from the Neffe, they joined with Team ‘Cherry’ of the 10'*’Armored
28''' Infantry Division retreating back towards Bastogne. Division who had been pushed out of Neffe. The battalion
decided to pull back and set up their defence at Mont.
Leading them forward were the jeep-mounted men of the
divisional recon. As they rounded a corner near the village To anchor the 501" PIR’s right flank, A and C Companies,
of Neffe, all hell broke loose. The recon jeeps had been V' Battalion, 327'’’ Glider Infantry Regiment (327'*’ GIR)
ambushed by a German tank and some infantry. Following were sent forward to join the paratroopers.
behind the recon was B Company, V' Battalion. They quickly
sent forward some bazooka men and let olf a volley towards NOVILLE
the tank, which halted and was then eventually knocked out. Team Desobry, CCB, 10'*' Armored Division had been
B Company and the battalion headquarters behind them holding the village of Noville, northeast of Bastogne, since
quickly spread out and deployed in defensive positions. the evening of 19 December collecting stragglers from the
At 1000 hours, the rest of the regiment left Bastogne to join 28'’’ Infantry Division and 9'*' Armored Division to help hold
the V Battalion near Neffe. 2"'* Battalion moved just north the positions.
of Neffe to Bizory with the aim of taking Mageret from Shortly after daybreak on 19 December Major William
that direction. They were halted quickly by the German Desobry was told his team would soon be joined by the
26. Aufkldrungs Abteilung, 26. Volksgrenadierdivision who V' Battalion, 506''’ Parachute Infantry Regiment (506''’ PIR)
had already entrenched on top of Hill 510 overlooking the at Noville. Desobry had been concerned that his positions at
road from Bizory. However, when the Volksgrenadiers con­ Noville were overlooked by high ground on three sides and
tinued their advance, they were caught in an artillery barrage had wanted to withdraw. With this news, he sent a jeep to pick
from the 907''’ Glider Field Artillery Battalion, forcing the up the parachute battalion’s commander, Lieutenant-Colonel
Germans back to their positions on Hill 510. James LaPrade, so they could work out where to position the
paratroopers when they arrived. LaPrade informed Desobry
WARDIN that many of his men were short ofweapons and ammunition.
lhe 3 Battalion, 50 V' PIR advanced towards Mont, south­ Desobry quickly organised equipment to be placed along the
west of Neffe, but didn’t arrive until after mid-day due to traf- road to Noville so the paratroopers could arm themselves as
t in Bastogne. The lOV' Airborne Division became tangled they arrived.
Wit other US units retreating from the German onslaught. On arriving at about 1400 hours, the companies of the bat­
the battalion had arrived in Mont, I Company, the bat- talion set about securing the high ground around Noville.
'ons southern flank guard, was sent forward to check the B Company was to take the high ground on the north-east­
tee Wooded areas before Wardin. Once reported clear, the ern flank, C Company the wooded ridge-line on the eastern
f^Pany Was then ordered to move into Wardin and make flank, and A Company was positioned between them in
with a supposed US roadblock established there. reserve. Preceded by artillery fire and supported by the tanks
as I Company entered Wardin, troops of Team ofTeam Desobry, the paratroopers attacked the high ground.
^oward^’ ^■’mored Division could be seen moving The fog periodically lifted, allowing LaPrada and Desobry,
rn„iLi bastogne along a ridge-line to the southwest. The observing from Noville, to see the progress of the attack.
’dblock troops had left.
Desobry was particularly impressed by the aggressive and
speedy advance of the paratroopers.
 A.

As the paratroopers of B Company reached the top of the SECOND DAY OF FIGHTING IN NOVILLE
heights, they ran into a German attack led by the tanks of As 20 December dawned, with the ever-present fog, the
3. Panzer-regiment, 2. Panzerdivision. The Germans had Germans continued the assault on Noville. Initially, they
chosen that very moment to launch their attack on Noville. sent their tanks against the paratroopers of the 1" Battalion,
After two hours of fighting, the two commanders decided it 506'*' PIR in Noville. The fire of the paratroopers along
would be better to defend from the buildings of Noville and with the men of Team Desobry, and supporting fire of the
ordered the paratroopers to withdraw. The fog continued to 321" Glider Field Artillery Battalion, kept the Germans at bay.
play an important role, allowing the paratroopers to conduct
The Germans then split into two forces, one headed north
their fighting withdrawal with some concealment, as well as
around Noville, while the second headed south. The south­
letting the Ml8 Hellcat tank destroyers of Team Desobry
ern probe was halted by the 2'“' Battalion, 506'*' PIR at Foy
pick off the panzers as the fog regularly rose and fell.
and the 2’''* Battalion, 501" PIR south of them. The German
As the troops withdrew into Noville, LaPrade called a meet­ thrust to the north was more successful. By noon, German
ing of his company commanders. Just after the meeting had patrols had started to cut the road between Noville and Foy.
broken up, an enemy artillery shell hit the building housing The 1" Battalion, 506'*' PIR had also lost direct contact with
the battalion command post, killing Lieutenant-Colonel the regimental HQ and was relaying messages through the
LaPrade and seriously wounding Major Desobry. However, artillery observer’s radio link with the 321" Glider Field
the battalion’s executive officer, Major Robert F. Harwick, Artillery Battalion. They were in danger of being cut off.
had just arrived in Noville, after making his way on foot from The situation had also become critical in the front line. With
Bastogne, and was able to take command. casualties mounting, radio operators and clerks from the HQ
The battle raged around Noville as the Germans continued were sent to the companies to plug the gaps.
to pound the village with artillery. Panzers continued to The order finally arrived from the regimental HQ to with
probe forward, but the tank destroyers kept them at bay. draw at 1315 hours. The German attack to the south ha
The paratroopers and armoured troops still held the village begun to gain ground, further threatening to isolate the bat
as night fell. talion at Noville. Major Harwick ordered the withdrawal at
The 506'*' PIR deployed around Foy, southwest of Noville, 1330 hours. C Gompany and four Sherman tanks fromTearn
on its arrival in Bastogne and dug-in on the high ground. Desobry, some crewed by paratroopers, were to move a
The 502"“* Parachute Infantry Regiment (502'“' PIR) deployed first to the high ground to the east of Foy to cover the wit
behind the 506'*' PIR, north of Bastogne around Champs. drawal of the rest of the force. The rear guard was forme y
The 327'*' GIR covered the north-western approaches to the tank destroyers and A Company. 3“* Battalion, 506
Bastogne around Mande St. Etienne, while the 326'*'Airborne would counterattack Foy, which was still largely in Germ
Engineer Battalion covered the south. As the men set up their hands, to cover the withdrawal.
defensive perimeters and settled in for the night, they could The US column left Noville behind, with the wounded
hear the sound of fighting off to the east. tied on half-tracks, jeeps and trucks, and the
During the evening, the 101" Airborne Division suffered its armoured infantry on foot beside them. It wasnt lo^
first major blow when their Field Hospital at Herbaimont C Company ran into German roadblocks. The e*’
was captured by German troops circling around Bastogne. had taken up positions along the road in houses, barn
Among those captured was Major Desobry of CCB, woods. Fighting flared up all along the road as
10'*’ Armored Division. encountered German positions. As the fire from the
 ■fied the paratroopers moved off to the west side of edge. The 1” Battalion, now reinforced by the arrival of a
ii’t^^^^d jQ utilise a natural depression where the Germans third company, continued to defend positions around Neffe.
7 , jgg them. Eventually, as the 3"* Battalion attacked in At Neffe and Mont, the paratroopers of the 50 V' PIR had
site direction, the V' Battalion finally made it back to withstand a German night attack at about 1900 hours on
the opP of the 600 men who had entered Noville, less 20 December. The paratroopers raked the advancing panzer­
to their lines.
than 400 made it back to Foy. grenadiers of Panzer Lehr Division as they became tangled in
the barbed wire cattle fences crossing the fields before Mont.
ESTABLISHING THE FRONT LINE Ml 8 Hellcat tank destroyers took care of the Germans’ sup­
The US positions near Foy had also been under attack from porting assault guns.
7 \anzerdivision during the day, which the 3"* Battalion,
snf'*' PIR held until ordered to the counterattack in the 21 DECEMBER
r The 2"** Battalion, 506'*' PIR had watched from On 21 December the glidermen of 3"* Battalion, 327'*' GIR
afternoon*
the south of Foy, too far away to help, as the other two bat- continued to patrol aggressively in the west, as the Germans
taiions struggled to take Foy. However, they had concerns of began to fully encircle Bastogne. The weather had also made
their own, trying to maintain contact with the 2"'* Battalion, a turn for the worse. After several days of moderate winter
50V' PIR to their south. Contact between the two battal­ conditions, temperatures had dropped sharply and it began
ions had not been consistent since both had arrived in their to snow. The haste of the airborne troops’ departure from
positions. Captain Richard Winters, in acting command of their camp in France began to take its toll. Many men didnt
the 2"'* Battalion, 506'*' PIR was determined to make sure have greatcoats or overshoes and their only protection from
the Germans couldn’t penetrate along the railway line that the cold and snow were shelter quarters, sleeping bags,
was the boundary line between the two regiments. He sent and blankets.
F Company to clear the Germans from the gap and make The glidermen and engineers, with support from the CCR,
contact, but the German machine-gun fire halted the para­ 9'*’ Armored Division continued to repel attacks from the
troopers’ advance. west and south throughout the day.
The command of the 50 V' PIR was also concerned about
the gap and sent A Company, V' Battalion along the railway RAILWAY LINE GAP
line at about 1500 hours to clear the gap of any enemy and There was to be no rest for the V‘ Battalion, 506'*' PIR after
take up positions linking the two regiments. At dusk they their two-day fight at Noville. During the night, the Germans
made contact with German Volksgrenadiers attempting to had moved more troops into Foy, as well as a group of about
filter through the gap and a firefight broke out. The company 200 troops that had penetrated the perimeter along the
became pinned down along the railway line and eventually railway tracks and pushed into the woods not far from the
pulled back to higher ground with the fall of darkness. regiment’s command post. The battalion was called on to
push them out. At 0900 hours, A and C Companies set out
THE SOUTH AND WEST along the road towards Foy from Luzery. They then turned
In the small hours of 20 December the 2"'* Battalion, south into the woods just south of the railway station and
327'*'GIR was sent to Marvie to take up defence there. began probing for the enemy positions. They soon found the
A roadblock had been set up by Team O’Hara, CCB, well-concealed German position and a firefight broke out.
10'*’ Armored Division and had held off a push down the Both companies attacked and soon had the Germans on the
Wiltz-Bastogne Road by German troops. As the glidermen run, many of whom ran right into the 50 V' PIR companies
began setting up in Marvie, they were attacked by a force of across the railway line, providing the anvil for 506'*' PIRs
German tanks and infantry who had bypassed the armoured hammer. By 1600 hours that afternoon, all the infiltrating
troops. The Germans were eventually halted, but maintained Germans had been accounted for and the gap between the
a foothold in the village, occupying some buildings at its 506'*' and 50V' Parachute Infantry Regiments had finally
been cleared. The paratroopers had killed 65 and captured
165 men of the V' Battalion, 77. Volksgrenadierregiment,
26. Volksgrenadierdivision.

iH i.

fX, ■<»
 22 DECEMBER nightfall, some positions had been overrun and the battalion
was forced to withdraw their companies. Paratroopers and
While the fighting had settled down in most sectors, the
glidermen of A and C Companies, 3"* Battalion, 327* GIR airborne engineers were also heavily engaged around Marvie
in the south, forcing the men on Hill 500 to withdraw.
would spend most of the day in combat. Their fighting cen­
tred around Mande St. Etienne where the Germans had cut Requests for resupply resulted in the landing of two sticks
the road to Bastogne. After a hard-fought assault, they were of pathfinders on 23 December to set up the landing zone
able to clear the roadblock. The unit was personally congratu­ for aerial supply drops. Around 230 C-47 aircraft loads of 1
supplies were successfully dropped on or around Bastogne, a
cn lated by General McAuliffe as he toured the perimeter shortly
after the battle. welcome Christmas present for the besieged airborne troops.
Shortages of food and ammunition became evident through­
out the day, as did a lack of white camouflage clothing. The CHRISTMAS EVE
olive green of the US uniforms made a stark contrast against The Germans gave no respite for festivities and continued to
the white snow covered terrain. All around the lOP' Airborne attack in the Marvie sector into 24 December. None of the
Division’s front, patrols were out watching the Germans and German attacks were successful in dislodging the airborne
waiting for them to make their next move. troops. Around the rest of the Bastogne perimeter things
were quiet, especially compared to the previous few days,
<n NUTS! broken only by the odd burst of artillery or machine-gun fire.
However, during the night, Bastogne was bombed twice and
At 1100 hours a delegation of Germans with a white flag
the 10'*' Armored Division aid station was hit.
approached the lines of the 327'*' GIR. They were met by Staff
Sergeant Carl Dickinson of F Company. Once the Germans
explained they wanted to deliver an ultimatum, they were CHRISTMAS DAY
In the west, 3"* Battalion, 327'*' GIR (40 P‘) was deployed
blindfolded and taken to the company command post where
around Hemroulle, 1.5 miles (2.4km) northwest of Bastogne.
their message was sent on to General McAuliffe in Bastogne.
Their reconnaissance of the German positions indicated the
General McAuliffe was in a deep sleep when Lieutenant- Germans were building up for an attack. The glidermens 1
Colonel Ned D. Moore shook him awake to tell him a reconnaissance was good. 15- Panzergrenadierdivision had
German delegation had come to take the divisions surrender. just been committed to the battle and were about to attack j
Groggy from being awakened suddenly, the General mut­
through their positions towards Bastogne.
tered ‘Nuts’ and crawled out of his sleeping bag. After talking
over their response it was decided ‘Nuts’ made an excellent A column of German tanks and assault guns carrying panzer­
grenadiers advanced into the lines of the battalion. The M18
official answer, was typed up and passed on to F Company.
Hellcat tank destroyer crews of the 705'*' Tank Destroyer
After it was explained to the Germans that the answer meant
Battalion let the German tanks pass. The men in the defensive
they would most certainly not surrender; they were escorted
line waited patiently while the panzers and riders advance
(Z> q back to their lines. ahead of more panzergrenadiers on foot following behin
The ultimatum called for the division to surrender by The German panzer column was being followed by the tan^
1600 hours or the Germans would level Bastogne with heavy destroyers as they approached the glider battalions comman^
artillery. It turned out to be a somewhat hollow threat, as post. It was just before dawn when the glider infantry open
after the delivery of General McAuliffe’s response the shelling up on the German panzergrenadiers in an open field e o^^
did not increase. their positions. This signalled the tank destroyers to fan
behind the panzers and let loose at their vulnerable re
23 DECEMBER armour. Five German tanks were quickly destroyed, three
dhe following day, the Germans did increase their pressure tank destroyers and two by bazookas.
on the positions of the 3"* Battalion, 327'*' GIR (40 P‘).
The German tanks then split into two groups. One gr
German infantry and tanks attacked their positions west of
of six Panzer IV tanks headed towards Hemroulle an
Mande St. Etienne in the early hours. Determined defence
command posts of the 3"* Battalion, 327'*' GIR
by the glidermen, timely mortar fire and the support of tanks P' Battalion, 502"'* PIR and 463"* Parachute Field Am
and tank destroyers kept the Germans at bay. However, by
Battalion, while 12 Panzer IV tanks and StuG assau c g
went towards Champs.
, ... <

60
 German infantry soon began to surrender. Though the last
HEMROULLE
of the battles with the German tanks had ended by about
Plemroulle column ran into the lines of C Company,
0930 hours, one last tank did make a mid-afternoon appear­
PIR The surprise of the attack had C Company on the
5^^'nitially rallied, were joined by two tank destroy- ance from rhe direction of Bastogne and was knocked out by
a bazooka as it headed north through Champs.
headed back towards the Germans. They reached
lie about 0800 hours and immediately attacked. A little further south, around Senonchamps, the line was
^*^'^'^G«man tanks headed north, with German infantry being held by 1” Battalion, 327'*’ GIR, ‘Snafu’ force, made up
f°^mbling to climb aboard, but the German Panzer IV tanks of surviving members of the 106'*' and 28'*’ Infantry Divisions,
were"qu‘ckly knocked out by the tank destroyers. and some tanks of the 9'*’ Armored Division. They also with­
stood attacks during the early hours of Christmas Day.
Another group of German tanks ran afoul of the
463"* Parachute Field Artillery Battalion, who used flanking
shots from their little 75mm Ml Al pack howitzers to knock THE SIEGE IS BROKEN
out eight Panzer IV tanks when they came under attack. While the 101' Airborne was fighting off the German assaults
from the west, the 4* Armored Division was doing its best
to break through the German encirclement and relieve the
CHAMPS
beleaguered airborne troops in Bastogne. On 26 December
At Champs, A Company, 502"'* PIR bore the brunt of stop­
the Germans continued their pressure on the Bastogne perim­
ping the main German thrust towards Bastogne. At about
eter, attacking in the sectors of the SOP' PIR, 327'*' GIR,
0300 hours, the Germans had begun to shell Champs with
502"'* PIR and the 326'*’ Airborne Engineer Battalion. It was
artillery before the infantry of 77. Volksgrenadierregiment,
a clear day and American P-47s roamed the skies looking for
26. Volksgrenadierdivision began their attack. Initially, the
targets, making German attacks that much more difficult.
attack came from the north and the fighting continued
until dawn, but the Germans were unable to penetrate the By the afternoon, the 4'*’ Armored Division was southwest
American line. Constant fighting along the front was cha­ of Bastogne and less than 2 miles (3km) away. Lieutenant-
otic with the Germans filtering through the various gaps Colonel Creighton Abrams decided to send C Company
between A Company’s platoons. German tanks also joined of his 37'*' Tank Battalion up the secondary road through
the attack, but, as their supporting infantry dwindled away, Assenois to Bastogne. They punched through Assenois under
the tanks withdrew. an artillery barrage, leaving the village to be cleared by the
following 53"* Armored Infantry Battalion. The direction
The enemy then redirected their attack towards Rolle and
of their attack took the Germans by surprise and the tanks
Longchamps. B Company, 502"'* PIR set up a roadblock with
smashed through the German lines. They soon reached the
one platoon just south of Champs facing the south and the
American line, and after some hesitation, Lieutenant Duane
attack coming from the direction of Hemroulle. Supported
Webster of the 326'*’ Airborne Engineer Battalion came out
by two tank destroyers, they were able to knock out five
to meet 2"'* Lieutenant Charles Boggess of C Company. After
German tanks in the encounter and halt the German advance
introductions Webster exclaimed, ‘Glad to see you!’ It wasn’t
north, but at the cost of both tank destroyers. The rest of the
long before Colonel Abrams was in Bastogne meeting General
company pushed on to Longchamps.
McAuliffe. Patton’s Third Army had made it to Bastogne at
At dawn, the Germans launched another attack on Champs.
1640 hours on 26 December. The siege was over.
The attack, supported by four tanks, was halted by artillery fire,
tank destroyers, and the appearance of P-47 fighter-bombers.

4^*^ ARMORED DIVISION ARRIVES, 26™ DEC. 1944

i,/ .s
15.PZGR.

k Ji division
^^’'I' BATtALION AND 53'" ARMORED
> 4'
K • infantry BATTALION
D Kibmetres
 BASTOGNE

PARACHUTE RIFLE COMPANY INFANTRY FORMATION

You must field the Formation HQ and one Combat Unit from each black box.
You may also field one Combat Unit from each grey box.

HEADQUARTERS

BASTOGNE
PARACHUTE RIFLE
COMPANY HQ
LU211

INFANTRY INFANTRY

MA* MA*
BASTOGNE BASTOGNE BASTOGNE1
PARACHUTE PARACHUTE PARACHUTE J
RIFLE PLATOON RIFLE PLATOON RIFLE PLATOON J
LU212 LU212
_______

ARTILLERY ARTILLERY ANTI-TANK RECONNAISSANCE

BASTOGNE PARACHUTE BASTOGNE PARACHUTE BASTOGNE PARACHUTE AIRBORNE

SIMM MORTAR 75mm artillery 57mm anti-tank JEEP RECON PATROL
PLATOON BATTERY PLATOON LU130
LU213 LU214 LU215

BASTOGNE GLIDER
105mm artillery
BATTERY
LU222

You may field a Combat Unit from a black box as a Support Unit for your Force.

The church had seen better days. Its steeple had been camo came stumbling through the deep snow into the
a natural aiming point for German artillery barrages, paratrooper positiona
and now the few walls still standing provided little
Wells dropped the case, spin-ing waxed paper wrapped
cover from the random shelling. Corporal Wells hefted
clips, and brought his carbine to bear. Snapping shots
the final ammunition cases he carried in each hand
off, he dropped two of the enemy. Someone tapped him
and scurried over to the idling jeep, slinging them
on the helmet as they rushed past, firing. He stood
into the back and clambering into the passenger seat
and followed, reloading, as they cleared the enemy
"Let’s get out of here. Go!” Private Jackson steered
grenadiers out The brief flurry of assault over. Wells
the accelerating vehicle around the myriad craters as
returned to where he had dropped the ammunition
sentries waved them on.
case and began picking up the scattered clips, tapping
They could hear the firing as they approached their them to clear at least some of the mud and snow.
platoon’s position. Jackson slewed the jeep to a halt, Hoskins found him wiping down the last of them. The
while Wells was already running, cases hack in hand, rapid tearing sound of German MG42 machine-gun fine
towards the HQ shelter. Sergeant Hoskins, on his way resonated across the vale.
to the jeep to pick up more cases, yelled to keep going. "We’ll need more. Go get the rest - I’ll hand these but
Bullets cracked off frozen trees, as he reached the
Wearily, Wells traipsed back towards the jeep just as
front line. He dropped the BO cal ammo case next to the the familiar whistle of enemy mortar shells began to
machine-gun position, then started handing out rifle
sound Artillery, mortars and machine-gun fire - the
clips from the other case at each position. A grenade
trinity of a really bad day.
detonated ahead, and suddenly figures clad in white
 BASTOGNE
PARACHUTE RIFLE COMPANY HQ
MOTIVATION • INFANTRY FORMATION •
I FEARLESS 3+
Nuts!
Last Stand

2x Thompson SMG team 3 POINTS -s.

Already veterans of the Normandy and Market

Garden campaigns, the paratroopers of the 50P',
■ 502"'* and 506''’ Parachute Infantry Regiments TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

are well used to fighting while surrounded. 8720cm 8720cm 14'735cm 16"/40cm AUTO

The company commander of a lOP' Airborne WEAPON RANGE

ROF
HALTED MOVING
ANTI­ FIRE*
TANK POWER
NOTES

Division Parachute Rifle Company is a vastly I 4710cm I 3 Pinned POP J

experienced veteran of Normandy and Market

Garden. His men have complete faith in him
and know his leadership will see them through.

BASTOGNE
PARACHUTE RIFLE PLATOON
! MOTIVATION • INFANTRY UNIT • OBSERVER • IS HIT ON

MA* a. .
! FEARLESS 3+
Nuts!
1 CAREFUL
Last Stand SAVE

7x M1919 and Ml Garand rifle team SKILL MA#

lx 60mm mortar VETERAN 3+ Infantry

lx Ml Bazooka team 15 POINTS

5x M1919 and Ml Garand rifle team

CROSS
lx 60mm mortar TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH

8720cm 14735cm 16740cm AUTO 1

lx Ml Bazooka team 12 POINTS 8'720cm

R<)F ANTI­ FIRE­ NOTES

WEAPON RANGE TANK POWER
HALTED MOVING
OPTIONS 1 M1919&M1 Garand
• Add a second M1 Bazooka team for 1 rifle team 1 6"/40cm 2 1 2 6
1 Ml Bazooka team 8720cm 1 1 10 5+ Assault 4+, Slow Firing 1
A '•I
+ 1 point.
1 60mm mortar 32780cm ARTILLERY 1 4+ Assault 4+, Heavy Weapon 1
• Add up to two M1919 LMG teams for 11 OPTIONAL
M1919LMGteam 16740cm 5 2 2 6 Assault 4+, Heavy Weapon 1
+ 1 point per team.
The Unit leader is one oftbe Ml 919 and Ml Due to the haste of their departure from Mourmelon camp, there is a
Garand rifle teams, and is mounted on a small base shortage of weapons among the men when the lOP' Airborne arrive at
(see page 91). Bastogne. Additional weapons are taken from retreating 28''’ Infantry
Division soldiers and found discarded along the roads. Eventually, the
platoons are fully equipped, but some Parachute Rifle Platoons enter
combat without their full complement of weapons.

PARACHUTE RIFLE COMPANY: Features

ELITE: The paratroopers are all volunteers, unlike many SKILLED: Paratrooper training involves mastering
other US infantry. The training is harsh and thorough, and battlefield tactics and close-combat techniques. Each
those who pass the rigorous schedule will earn their wings soldier is expected to act with initiative and cunning,
ond become a part of an elite fighting force. because in a parachute drop, all bets are off and you'll need
to be ready to adapt.
EEARLESS: Recruits have joined the ranks of the
Paratroopers knowing full well that this Job involves
jumping out of an aircraft and into enemy territory. Once
you ve done that, there's not much else that will spook you!
 BASTOGNE PARACHUTE
81mm MORTAR PLATOON
MOTIVATION_______ • INFANTRY UNIT • HEAVY WEAPON •
FEARLESS 3+
Nuts! ,
Last Stand
4x 81mm mortar 8 POINTS SKILL

2x 81mm mortar 4 POINTS VETERAN 3+

Heavy Weapon
Assault

German troops continually probe the Bastogne

perimeter for gaps and weak spots. When the TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROtc
Germans attack, the paratroopers can quickly 1 4710cm 1 4710cm I 671 5cm I
8720cm 1 AUTO 1
call on the mortars to drop a bombardment ROF ANTI­ FIRE­
WEAPON RANGE NOX^
HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
where it is needed. When one attack is broken
up, the mortars quickly turn to await the next
[ 81mm mortar 1 407100cm
ARTILLERY | 1 j 4+ 1 SmokeBombardme.nf

target to present itself.

BASTOGNE PARACHUTE
75MM ARTILLERY BATTERY
MOTIVATION • GUN UNIT • LARGE GUN • TIME ON TARGET •
FEARLESS 3+
Nuts!
Last Stand
4x 75mm pack howitzer 12 POINTS
SKILL
2x 75mm pack howitzer 6 POINTS VETERAN 3+
Gun
Assault
The 10?' Airborne Division have taken two types
of artillery to Bastogne, the glider artillery battal­
TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH
ions armed with M3 105mm howitzers, and the 4710cm 4710cm 6715cm 8720cm
•.....
parachute artillery of the 377'*' and 463"* Parachute
ROF ANTI­ FIRE­
WEAPON RANGE NOTES
Field Artillery Battalions armed with Ml Al HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
Forward Firing,
75mm pack howitzer 647160cm ARTILLERY 2 4+ Smoke Bombardment
75mm pack howitzers. The 463"* Battalion are vet­
or Direct Fire 20750cm 2 1 1 6 3+ Forward Firing, Smoke
erans of the Italian campaign, having spent some
time supporting the US/Canadian First Special
Service Force, before being temporarily attached
to the 10?' Airborne Division while waiting for
the 17'*’ Airborne Division to arrive from England.

75mm pack HOWITZER: Features

ARTILLERY: The M1A1 75mm pack howitzer fires a 6.24kg MANOEUVRABLE: The M1A1 75mm pack howitzer is
(13.75lb) high-explosive shell to a range ofi8.82km (5.5 built to be lightweight and portable, to go most places
miles), bringing destruction to anywhere within range on the infantry goes. Its crew can manhandle it across rough
the battlefield. ground if necessary, or break it up into smaller
loads for longerjourneys.
 BASTOGNE PARACHUTE
57mm anti-tank platoon
MOTIVATION IS HIT ON

I CAREFUL

4x 57mm gun 11 POINTS

__________ SKILL

3x 57mm gun 1 VETERAN

2x 57mm gun TToTnts Gun
Assault

le Ml 57mm anti-tank gun is normally

■
TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

Jivered into combat in a glider with its crew, ■ 275cm 275cm 1 4710cm 1 6715cm 1 5+
It the 101" Airborne Division arrived in ROF ANTI- FIRE­
WEAPON RANGE NOTES
HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
istogne by road, with the gun towed by jeeps,
te airborne anti-tank guns played an important
■ 57mm qun 28770cm
12 1
10 4+ Forward Firing, No HE
1
le in defending Bastogne. They offered the
iratroopers additional protection from enemy Bastogne, they could hold off German armoured probes, giving the rest
nks. Positioned along the key roads into of the airborne forces time to bring more firepower to bear in the sector.

AIRBORNE
JEEP RECON PATROL
_______ MOTIVATION_______• UNARMOURED TANK UNIT • SCOUT • SPEARHEAD • IS HIT ON

FEARLESS 3+ I CAREFUL 4+r

Scout
Last Stand

4x Jeep (.50 cal MG) 4 POINTS SKILL

2x Jeep (.50 cal MG) TpoTnts VETERAN 3+

he divisional reconnaissance group has

vo glider-landed reconnaissance platoons, TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

quipped with machine-gun-armed jeeps, they 12730cm 12730cm 20750cm I 487120cm 4+

■e ideal for scouting for enemy attacks or as part RANGE

ROF ANTI- FIRE- NOTES
WEAPON HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
F a mobile reserve.
Jeep (.50 cal MG) 20750cm 3 Self-defence AA

II
II
 327^” GLIDER INFANTRY REGIMENT :
ft First raised in September 1917 for the The regiment was then pulled north to
Veghel to help defend it against their old
i Great War, the 82"** Infantry Division was
enemy, the 107'*’ Panzer Brigade. When
reactivated in March 1942, along with its
the regiment arrived, the town was already
327''’ Infantry Regiment. In the summer
under attack and the glider troops rushed
of 1942, the 82~* Infantry Division was
selected to become an airborne division. to defend the southern edge of the city
along with British anti-aircraft elements
During the final days of basic training,
the men were told by their commander, Once again the 327'*’ saw off the Panzer
Major General Omar N. Bradley, that the brigade’s attack and the road was again
division was to be split to form a second secure. After the battle, the regiment was
I airborne division, the 101". Bradley sent north to the village of Erp which
I also announced that the 327'*’ was to be they defended for the duration of the 1
I trained as a glider infantry regiment. operation.
I The men were not sure about flying in gliders. Most of them After the fighting had settled down, the 327'*’ was in the front
I had never even flown in a plane, let alone crash landing into lines for 48 days until ordered to withdraw from Holland.
I combat in one! On 15 August 1942 the unit became known They were removed to France to rest and recuperate.
I as the 327'*’ Glider Infantry Regiment and reassigned to the
I newly formed 101“ ‘Screaming Eagles’ Airborne Division. THE ARDENNES - BATTLE OF THE BULGE
On 16 December 1944, the Germans launched an offensive
NORMANDY, 6 JUNE 1944 in the west through the Ardennes Forest. The 101“ Airborne
When the Allied commanders decided to drop both the 82”'* and Division was ordered to reinforce the lines and stop the
101“ Airborne Divisions simultaneously into Normandy, the German advance.
number of available aircraft to tow the gliders was greatly The 327'*’ assumed a defensive position south of Bastogne.
reduced. Therefore the 327'*’ Glider Infantry Regiment was not By 22 December the Germans had completely surrounded
folly committed to battle until the day after the invasion. Bastogne. The 101“ Airborne Division held for nine days,
When the regiment was assembled they marched to Carentan until relieved by the 4'*’ Armored Division.
to cut off the fleeing Germans. The regiment reached Despite suffering heavy causalities, the regiment took
Carentan on 9 June. At 2200 hours on the following day, the 750 prisoners, knocked out 144 tanks and 105 other enemy
327'*’ attacked a bridge over the Canal de Vire-et-Taute and vehicles. For its actions in the defence of Bastogne, the
advanced through a wooded area, where they became pinned 327'*’ regimental motto became ‘Bastogne Bulldog’.
under heavy fire. After the Battle of the Bulge, the 327'*’ fought in the Rhineland *
The regiment was reinforced by the 29'*’ Infantry Division and and Berchtesgarden Campaigns. Following the end of World
they broke through the German lines and captured the high War II, the 327'*’ Glider Infantry Regiment was deactivated on
ground. Although causalities were high, they accomplished 30 November 1945.
their mission and the regiment was removed to England on
13 July to prepare for its next mission. THE AIRBORNE DIVISION
IN EINDHOVEN, SEPT. 1944
HOLLAND, 17 SEPTEMBER 1944
The next combat operation for the regiment was Operation
A ’
Market Garden, the airborne invasion of Holland. Unlike &'HERTOCENBO9SH

General Gavin, General Maxwell Taylor, commander of the

^''kci 1
101“ Airborne Division, opted to dedicate his glider regiment (59. DIV JDEN

early and wait on his artillery. This meant that the 327 saw
• combat much earlier than the 325'*’ Glider Infontry Regiment
from the 82”'* Airborne Division. SCHIJNDtL

On 18 September (D+1), over 160 gliders took off from

England destined for Holland. Another 40 gliders arrived on 6. FJR

the following day. The 327'*’ landed at DZ-W and immediately

I took up positions around the village of Son. No sooner had .OEDENRODE

I they landed when they were attacked by the 107'*’ Panzer 502 PIR"

I Brigade hoping to recapture the Son bridge. The glider troops 59. ID (PART)
I managed to hold them off for two days, until the Germans
BRUECAL
I finally gave up and refocused their efforts further north. N

I The regiment was then called upon by the 502"'* Parachute BEST# >,
■
I Infantry Regiment to help capture the town of Best, where the |<4Aielm0N1’ ,
I German 59'*’ Infantry Division was holding up. The regiment NUENEN X 'A
I secured the Zonsche Forest while the 502"'* assaulted and SCAmN KILOM^ES 5 '
RO SCALE IN MILES 3 EINDH^/EN
I finally captured the town.
 i£.i^

BASTOGNE

GLIDER RIFLE COMPANY INFANTRY FORMATION

You must field the Formation HQ and one Combat Unit from each black box.
You may also field one Combat Unit from each grey box.

HEADQUARTERS

BASTOGNE
GLIDER RIFLE
COMPANY HQ
LU216

INFANTRY INFANTRY

A-<A*
BASTOGNE BASTOGNE
GLIDER GLIDER
RIFLE PLATOON RIFLE PLATOON
LU217 LU217

ARTILLERY INFA JTRY ANTI-TANK ARTILLERY

BASTOGNE GLIDER BASTOGNE GLIDER BASTOGNE GLIDER BASTOGNE PARACHUTE

81mm mortar M1917 MACHINE-GUN 57mm anti-tank 75mm artillery
PLATOON PLATOON PLATOON BATTERY
LU219 LU218 LU220 LU214

BASTOGNE GLIDER
105mm artillery
BATTERY
LU222

You may f/e/d a Combat Unit from a black box as a Support Unit for your Force.

The smoking wreck of a 51k IV Panzer showed the position. Bursts of machine gun fire began to graze
high water mark - so far - of enemy attacks on the across the glider troops position. And then the first
1“ Battalion, 327“ Glider Regiment. Presh snowfall lines of enemy infantry appeared, high stepping
was gradually covering up the bodies, shell holes through the snow, firing wildly as they advanced.
and detritus of war until Private Gladson could A grinding and squealing of tracks announced yet
barely make out snow drifts from buried bodies. The another tank, this time a low slung assault gun,
cold was brutal, the very air cutting into his lungs its long barrel recoiling with each round of high
with each breath. It was little consolation that the explosive it fired at the American positions. Gladson
Germans were suffering just the same. He wrapped fired steadily, working through the three clips he
his makeshift scarf - a piece of tom curtain from an had readied, then throwing a pair of grenades as the
abandoned house - to cover his mouth, then peered persistent enemy closed. Halter tumbled back into
towards the enemy positions. Was that movement? the foxhole, followed by Sergeant Chester clutching
He kicked the napping form of Private Halter. a bazooka. He knelt while Halter fumbled with an
Wake up! Krauts are moving. Tell Sergeant Chester.” ammunition bag, extracting a lethal looking AT
Halter moved off slowly, still waking up. Alerted round. He slid it into the rear of the bazooka, pulled
hy his activity, the sentries to either side were out the safety pin, then tapped Chester. The back-
scanning as well Subtle movement rippled down the blast carved a channel behind them, while the StuG
hine, as rifles were levelled and machine-guns had assault gun shed a track and slewed sideways.
their canvas covers removed. Grenades were placed Hatches on the StuG popped and the crew ran off,
foxhole lips, ready for rapid use. IJagazines followed hy the remainder of the enemy assault.
were checked, tapped and slotted home again. Ice The glider troops sank hack into their positions,
hl the wrong place could see a man killed in these wrapping up against the cold. Snow began to fall
conditions. again, making new mounds. The abandoned StuG was
closer than the other wreck - a new high water mark.
shells arrived suddenly, dull
Gladson pulled Ms scarf back up over his mouth
os and fountaining snow scattered across the
again and settled down to await the next attack.
 BASTOCNE
GLIDER RIFLE COMPANY HQ
MOTiVATI^ • INFANTRY FORMATION • AIRBORNE •
CONFIDENT 4+1|
Nun!
Last Stand

2x Thompson SMG team 2 POINTS

The 327* Glider Infantry Regiment has been

through the campaigns in Normandy and
Holland and has gained much experience fighting TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

alongside the Paratroopers. 1 8720cm 8'720cm 1 14735cm 1 14735cm I AUTO

ROF ANTI­ FIRE­

The companies of the 327* Glider Infantry WEAPON RANGE HALTED MOVING TANK POWER NOTES

Regiment are organised much like the rifle

companies of an infantry division, but with lighter
I Thompson SMG team 1 4710cm
1 3 1 3 11' 6 Pinned ROF 1
■
weapons especially suited to glider operations.

BASTOCNE
GLIDER RIFLE PLATOON
MOTIVATION • INFANTRY UNIT • OBSERVER •

CONFIDENT 4+
Nuts! ,
SAVE
Last Stand

lOx Ml Garand rifle team SKILL

lx Ml Bazooka team H VETERAN 3+ ]

lx M1919 LMG team
lx 60mm mortar team 16 POINTS

TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH

7x Ml Garand rifle team
8720cm 8720cm
lx Ml Bazooka team
ROF ANTI­ FIRE­ NOTES
lx M1919 LMG team WEAPON RANGE -
HALTED MOVING TANK POWER

lx 60mm mortar team 12 POINTS Ml Garand rifle team 16740cm 1 1 2 6

5 2 2 6 Assault 4+, Heavy Weapon

M1919LMG team 16'740cm
OPTIONS 1 1 10 5+ Assault 4+. Slow Firing
Ml Bazooka team 8"/20cm
• Add a second M1 Bazooka team for ARTILLERY 1 4+ Assault 4+, Heavy Weapon
eomm mortar team 32780cm
+ 1 point.
• Add a second 60mm mortar team for A Glider Rifle Platoon is organised like a standard US Rifle Platoon. They
+2 points. are armed with Ml Garand semi-automatic rifles with additional squad

7//e Unit Leader is one ofthe Ml Garand rifle teams, firepower coming from the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR).
and is mounted on a small base (see page 91). Platoons often have more than one Bazooka, as soldiers have a way of

acquiring extra weapons.

BASTOCNE GLIDER
M1917 MACHINE-GUN PLATOON
MOTIVATION • INFANTRY UNIT • HEAVY WEAPON •
CONFIDEI\IT~4^|
Nurs!
Last Stand

4x M1917 HMG 5 POINTS SKILL

VETERAN 3+
2x M1917 HMG 3 POINTS Heavy Weapon a.
Assault *

The glider riflemen bolster their lines with the

TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH
water-cooled M1917 heavy machine-gun to hold
8720cm 8"/20cm
off attacking enemy troops. ROF anti- FIRE­ NOTES
WEAPON RANGE halted moving tank power
[ 24760cm I 6 I 2
M1917HMG

i /At.

68
 BASTOGNE GLIDER
81mm mortar platoon
MOTIVATION 1 • INFANTRY UNIT • HEAVY WEAPON • IS HIT ON

* C0NFI0ENT4+ CAREFUL 4+
Nuti!
SAVE

6x 81 mm mortar 10 POINTS
SKILL

3x 81mm mortar 5 POINTS VETERAN 3+'

H<?f7vy Weapon
Assault

For airborne units the medium mortar takes

on extra importance. These compact weapons CROSS

■
TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH

j-an be easily loaded on gliders to land with the 14710 cm

1 4710cm 6"/15cm i 8'720cm 1 AUTO

troops, giving the glidermen readily available WEAPON RANGE

ROF ANTI­ FIRE­ NOTES
HALTED MOVING TANK POWER

artillery as soon as they land.

In Bastogne, while not an airborne operation,
1 81mm mortar
1 40'71 OOCM 1 ARTILLERY 1 1 44- 1 Smoke Bombardment

J
they still played an important role in the defence attacks on the western flank of Bastogne. Whether using high-explosive
of the town and its important crossroads. The rounds or smoke, they provided vital support for the 327'*' Glider Infantry
glider mortar crews broke up a number of Regiment’s line of defence.

BASTOGNE GLIDER
57mm anti-tank platoon
3x 57mm gun 6 POINTS
2x 57mm gun 4 POINTS

The glider anti-tank units of the 327'*' Glider ■Wl .H* i.iy LU*
Rifle Regiment were initially armed with M3 TACTICAL TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH CROSS

37mm anti-tank guns, but by Bastogne, platoons 1 275cm 1 275cm 4710cm 6715cm 1 5+

have been issued with the harder-hitting Ml WEAPON RANGE

ROF ANTI­ FIRE­
TANK POWER
NOTES
HALTED MOVING
57mm gun. 1
1 57mm gun 28"/70cm
H 1 1 I 10
I 44- I Forward Firing, No HE

BASTOGNE GLIDER
105mm artillery battery
MOTIVATION GUN UNIT • LARGE GUN • TIME ON TARGET
CONFIDENT 4+1
Nun!
Last stand
6x 105mm light howitzer 22 POINTS
SKILL

3x 105mm light howitzer 11 POINTS VETERAN

Gun
Assault

The 321'* and 907'*' Glider Field Artillery

Battalions were armed with the M3 105mm TERRAIN DASH CROSS COUNTRY DASH ROAD DASH
TACTICAL
light howitzer. The battalions supported the 275cm 2"/5cm 4710cm 1 6715cm I 5+

327*' Glider Infantry Regiment, as well as the ROF ANTI­ FIRE­

RANGE NOTES
WEAPON HALTED MOVING TANK POWER
Parachute Infantry Regiments. Forward Firing, Smoke
ARTILLERY 3 3+
105mm light howitzer 567140cm Bombardment
The M3 105mm howitzer offers good punch in 7 2+ Brutal, Forward Firing, Slow Firing
or Direct Fire 20750cm
a light-weight package. While its bombardment
fange is not as good as a standard M2A1 field During the siege of Bastogne, the glider artillerymen ran low on M3
owitzer, it makes up for that with superior ammunition, so they resorted to using M2A1 ammunition scrounged up by
mobility and its ability to be transported their ammunition and supply men. However, they had to reduce the number
>>y glider.
of powder charges from seven to three to avoid damaging their howitzers.