With the Germans forward positions in free fall the Americans are pressing forwards. Standing in their way is the small conurbation of Kleine Bikkelheim, here is an ad-hoc force of the enemy that has been thrown together to hold up the Allied advance while more forces are bought up to halt the it.
The defenders although likely to be surrounded must hold on and resist to the very end, there is little hope of escape.
The American units will enter randomly either on their base line (red) or one of the flanks (blue)
The American left flank. The red x denotes that the house has been fortified and contains the German platoon HQ and a squad of infantry.
The American right flank, BT denotes that the Germans have booby trapped the house.
The bulk of the American force entered on the two flanks, with intelligence that the Germans had covered both flanks as well as their front they opted to deploy as near to their baseline as possible. It would mean a full frontal attack but with them the numbers. Off table mortar and howitzer fire combined with a P47 airstrike on the German rear would hopefully balance the odds too.
The M5 Stuart recce vehicle is soon despatched that's one less spotter for the mortars.
Jabos! Retribution is swift the timed airstrike takes out the German recce tank and one of the Panzer IVs, the 251/22 "Drilling" being unable to drive it off.
The American progress from the right flank is slowed by the wooded terrain, this was a let off for the defenders as the Easy8 command tank had the artillery spotter ability together with the platoon HQ coming the same way, both being unable to spot for the off table 105's until they got to the edge.
The Americans on the left begin their advance past the burning M5.
The German forward trench is cleared.
A chit pull by the Americans sees a special, a die is rolled and the off table German 120mm mortar battery will only have enough ammo for one barrage, drat!
A Sherman has reached the roadblock and takes advantage of it's cover.
Although the Germans are causing casualties and resulting chit draws it is not helping, the Germans find that three of their panzerfausts are duds, eek!
Having no armoured targets now, the PAK40 keeps more American infantry pinned down with HE fire.
The Sherman by the roadblock is now targeting the building with the HQ and remaining German infantry squad. With no current threat to the flank the remaining PanzerIV is brought up to deal with it.
Oh no! The resulting chit draw is a breakdown counter, the Panzer Jaeger IV is out of fuel and is abandoned by the crew! To add to this the remaining PanzerIV is brewed up by the Americans M36 Jackson. Turn six with no armour and only a three value chit draw from breaking I call it a day and conceed victory to Dave.
The Americans can now push on.
Until next time KBO
