Pete Atack - Mar 22, 2006 4:15 pm (#12987 Total: 13048) TKG AAR Scenario 22.5 INTO THE CAULDRON : The Battle for the Hedgerows. GT1 6 JULY Looking to open some maneuver space, US units attack all along their front. South, southwest, and southeast of Carentan, small gains are made, but German units pull back into seemingly better defensive positions. North of St Lo the progress is the same - heavy artillery does little to mitigate US infantry losses & the Ger units fade into the bocage. UK Sector. An attack by 2 Canadian Corps inflicts heavy losses on the 12SS west of Caen, but the 6th Airlanding Bde (even with massive support from air, naval, and arty) is destroyed trying to capture Ger coastal entrenchments. With little hope of significant reinforcements, Ger units start to dig in everywhere a shovel & spade can break ground. GT2 7 JULY Continued attacks by the US 8th Corps slowly push back the Ger 84th Corps, largely enveloping the city of La Haye du Puits, but not before several infantry units are able to disengage and slide off the line through the thick bocage. The US 7th & 19th Corps are both stalled north and northwest of St Lo after suffering severe infantry losses trying to gain momentum in the attack. UK Sector. Fighting around Villers Bocage and Noyers Bocage brings large armored formations from 8th and 30th Corps into contact, but after cripling losses (2 armd battalions & the better part of an infantry bde), the British pull back leaving the key positions still in Ger hands. More distressing, a counterattack by 21 Pzr north of Caen surprises a disorganized British 3d Division and destroys an armored and infantry battalion. GT3 8 JULY Preceeded by a massive artillery barrage and air strikes, the 3 Armd and 30th Infantry divisions destroy the bulk of a German regiment (W5521) pushing a scattered cadre of survivors to Pont Hubert with the effect of opening a large gap in Ger lines. As a result the Ger 84th Corps orders a large scale pull back to positions based on Lessay & the eastward running road to St Lo. UK Sector. Heavy fighting due west of Caen between the 1SS and 59th Brit results in losses to both sides. Continued fighting near Villers Bocage grinds down another Ger infantry regt, but also leaves a Brit armored battalion burning to the front of the dug in positions. GT4 9 JULY The US 79th div finally clears la Haye du Puits of snipers, but is immediately confronted by stronger positions at Lessay. The 3 Armd and 83d Divs try and exploit the rapidly closing gap near Pont Hubert, but a counterattack by the 17SS PzGr mauls an infantry regt effectively sealing any penetration. UK Sector. 11 Armd and 15th Inf take Noyers Bocage but again only push the Germans back onto very defensible terrain. North of Caen, a counterattack by a mix of 3 Ger units hits the 3d Inf (Brit) inflicting losses on infantry and armored units but at great cost - the 101st Tiger Bn loses the last of their mission capable tanks. GT5 10 JULY Allied airpower finally has a large presence as only one significant supply convoy makes it to the forward Ger depots. US units make strong moves along the line & gain contact with the Ger main line of resistance in prep for heavy attacks. UK Sector. Attacking east of Noyers Bocage, the Guards Armd Div is surprised and badly handled by an infantry regt. Pulling back after losing the better parts of 2 armored battalions, the British are stunned. Thankfully a more successful attack by the 2d Canadian suceesd in capturing a town on the outskirts of Caen. GT6 11 JULY Heavy rain and overcastdim the hopes of major Allied attacks, but 3 US divisions push ahead regardless : the 90th Inf destroys and Ost & AT bn east of Lessay while the 1st Inf and 2 Armd were able to destroy a Pzgr regt from 2 Pzr that was left unsupported. UK Sector. 7 Armd, supported by the 6 Gds Armd Bde make advances west of Villers Bocage forcing the 74th Ger Corps and Pzr Lehr to make major adjustments in their lines. Losses in infantry , already weak panzer formations, and a lack of reserves are starting to strain Ger defenses (the weakest spot is along the US-UK boundry line). GT7 12 JULY US attacks continue to make slight, but unimportant territorial gains. The 17SS, doing an admirable job of "fire brigade", pushes another US regt back northwest of St Lo. UK Sector. The attritional fight around Caen continues with the 12SS able to scrape up enough combat power to push the 59th Brit Div back from the city limits. Regardless, High Command is seriously considering pulling all positions bacl to the city to shorten the line and free the 21 Pzr or 12SS for a reserve role. GT8 13 JULY An attack by the 4th Inf with a regt from the 8th Inf opens a new hole in the 84th Corps line. Again, a rapid counterattack by the 17SS and several ad hoc units forms, but for the first time, fails in the attack and is itself pushed back. UK Sector. Pz Lehr is forced to give up a key hilltop position near Villers Bocage after being attacked by 3 divisions from 30th Corps. A small seam is now open between Pz Lehr and the 9SS. At Caen the decision is made - all Ger units pull back into the city (this creates a "reserve" of 1 Panther bn and a weak Pzgr regt from 12SS). East of Caen only the arrival of the 272d Inf holds the Ger flank together, but without armored or AT support, the line is still vulnerable to combined arms attacks. Pete Atack - Mar 22, 2006 4:16 pm (#12988 Total: 13048) TKG AAR, cont GT9 14 JULY The US 5th and 90th Infantry divisions push back the 353d Div, threatening to cutoff Lessay. Further attacks severly punish other Ger units in Pont du Herbert & San Martin des Besaces (W4428). A breakthru at either would easily rip open the front; Ger reserves are moved towards both but only equate to poor quality battalions or regiments that can only muster enough Landsers for one battalion. UK Sector. 1st Brit Corps slowly starts to break the line east of Caen pulling refitting Ger units back to forward positions to back up crumbling defenses. Continuing to attack, 30th Corps (7th Armd & 50th Inf) tears into the 276th outside of Villers Bocage making the position there almost untenable. # By far the bloodiest day so far. The Ger lost the equivalent of 3 full regiments while the Allies lost the the equivalent of 4 regiments. GT10 15 JULY With a shortage of artillery support, US attacks are very selective, but still costly. The 35th Div (2 regt reduced to cadre) & 3 Armd (1 regt at cadre) suffer heavy losses trying to take Pont Hubert. The 29th Div also saw a good portion of its combat strength worn away, but destroyed the remnants fo the 304th Pzgr regt (from 2 Pzr). UK Sector. A severe shortage of infantry in 1st Brit Corps starts to slow the pace of attacks on the Allied left flank. Noticing the slacking of activity, a KG from the 12SS with the 16th Luftwaffe Field Div attacks and pushes back the 51st Div east of Caen. # In a major realignment the Ger 84th Corps pulls back to the line formed by the primary road running from St Lo to Coutnaces, abandoning Lessay, three towns (including Pont Hubert), and 4 improved positions. The move straightens the line and frees 1 infantry division into a corps reserve. The Landsers however, have no long term expectations of staying off the line. GT11 16 JULY Preceeded by a barrage by 3 artillery regiments, the US 29th and parts of the 1st Inf divs assault and capture Martin des Besaces & manage, with heavy losses, to hold it against a strong counterattack by the newly released 4 Pzgr regt from the 2SS. Repulsed, the Ger line now has a distinct split along the US-UK boundry. UK Sector. Looking to stockpile supplies, only 30 Corps attacks in strength, but is halted by the 276th Inf div supported by Tigers from the 503d who, in the words of a British commander, "harvested an unsightly number" of British tanks from the 4th Armd Bde and 6th Gds Armd Bde (both units lost about 1/3 of their strength). GT12 17 JULY The US & UK sectors are relatively quiet as several major formations are resting and recovering. Thinking the lull in Allied operations means the operation initiative has shifted, the Germans launch two counterattacks on the US units holding Martin des Besaces which end in costly failures and scratch an SS Pzgr regt from the rolls. GT13 18 JULY US units start putting heavy pressure on Ger positions near St Lo; attacks on positions held by the 3d and 5th Fallschirmjager divs force the Ger to use valuable artillery stocks, but fail to gain ground. US losses amount to a regimental battlegroup. To the south, the 2SS, fully released from reserve, attacks Martin des Besaces & pins and destroys 2 battalions from a regiment of the 29th Inf Div. The weak spot near the US-UK boundary is now sealed. UK Sector. Finally cementing a plan, 2d Canadian Corps throws its weight against Caen. The 2d and 3d Cdn divs push into the outskirts of Caen engaging in some vicious urban combat. Caught by surprise, the 12SS Recon bn is destroyed trying to delay the push, while the balance of an SS KG (Pzgr regt and AG units) is pushed back. A rapid counterattack by elements of the 21 Pzr fails to evict the Canadians, but costs the better part of another valuable panzergrenadier regiment. GT14 19 JULY With other units refitting, only the 9th Div puts in an attack on St Lo, but failing to mass any significant power, their attack fails as did the prior day's. UK Sector. Gaining momentum, 2d Cdn Corps turns on the 21 Pzr and pushes most of the units out of Caen, leaving only the bridgeheads in Ger hands. Villers Bocage also sees fighting pick up as the Pzr Lehr and 276th Inf are able to best assaults from 49th & 50th Inf divs, 32d Mech Bde (Gds Armd Div), and the 4th Armd Bde (which is destroyed). Without pressure from American units, the 2SS swings into action against the Brits by surrounding and eliminating a brigade of the 50th Brit div southwest of Villers Bocage. GT15 20 JULY To the continuing consternation of the Commonwealth Allies, the US sector is again relatively quiet, but sees two fresh divisions move up for a planned operation. A small attack from the 2SS against the 1st Inf div is the only action of note and accomplishes little. UK Sector. With most German soldiers looking to escape Caen, continuing attacks by the Canadians clears Caen north of the Orne River. To the east, the 12SS launches another powerful assault on the weak infantry formations of the 1st Brit Corps, catching a bde from each the 6th Abn and 51st Inf divisions in largely open terrain. Without any loss to the panzers, both brigades are reduced to mere cadres of their former powerful selves and driven back. GT16 21 JULY With supplies stockpiled and fresh troops on the line, US 5th Corps launches an Operation aimed at the ridgeline positions southeast of St Lo. Carpet bombing destroys several improved positions, wrecks half the Panthers of a battalion, and disorganizes several units manning the line. The followup assaults completely overrun several battered Ger units causing losses equal to an entire Fallschirmjager regiment. With their line breached, 2 Ger Parachute Corps has no choise but to abandon St Lo to save the divison there and pull back over the river. UK Sector. Hearing reports of US success, Britich and Canadian units set to reorganizing the line. Artilley units move forward, and several armored units are rushed to support 1st Brit corps, while Canadian units shift to positions in preparation for attacks across the Orne. Pete Atack - Mar 22, 2006 4:16 pm (#12989 Total: 13048) TKG AAR, cont GT17 22 JULY Advance recon parties move through St Lo only to find a lightly fortified line across the river to the south. Unsure of Ger defensive intentions, a light attack across the river fails but established the Germans intend to hold the line. UK Sector. Attacks by the 1st Brit Corps largely destroy the 16th Luftwaffe Field Div in its entrenchments (east of Caen) but are unable to push beyond before two weak regiments of the 346th Inf div move up to bolster the line. GT18 23 JULY After a massive resupply effort, the US launches 4 major attacks, but only one makes headway - the 9th Inf & 3 Armd push the 352d Inf back from the river line south of St Lo and threaten to breakthru the Ger line yet again. Losses for all attacks amount to an infantry regiment and 3 armored battalions - easily replaceable for the US warmachine. UK Sector. With a sufficient supply stockpile, 8th Brit Corps emabrls on an Operation to break the Ger line near Esquay (E4907) held mainly by the 271st Inf div. The initial carpet bombing devastates perpared positions and disorganizes all defending units. Most damaging - the remaining Tigers of the 102d bn are all destroyed in their positions supporting the 9SS. Following closely behind, attack echelons of 2 armored and 3 infantry divisions move out. The attack manhandles the 271st, destroying about 1/3 of the division and forcing the rest to pull back. Only a determined defense by an SS regt at the west end of the line staves off a complete disaster for the Germans. With the Odon River Line now breached, the 1SS, heavily entrenched around Fontaine, is now threatened with being cut off and pinned with a major waterway to their backs. GT19-20 24-25 JULY After two devastating Operations, the Ger line has become unhinged in two key areas : southwest of Caen & south of St Lo. Continued US attacks push back the 2 Para Corps to the hilss and forest of Bois du St Sauveur while also surrounding and destroying a pzr battalion and 2 FJ regiments half way between St Lo and Vire (along the main roadnet). In their (German) current position, counterattacks are starting to look a bit sacrificial. UK Sector. With the 1SS successfully withdrawn east of the Orne and the 9SS badly battered, the line from Thury-Harcourt (E4206) heading west towards the US-UK boundary is only held by the Pz Lehr (50% strength) & a motly collection of infantry (mostly from the newly arriving 326th Inf Div). East of Caen, a lack of Brit infantry has allowed a decent line to hold & the 12SS and 116th Pzr to pull back off the line. The choice is now to move both formations west or hold tight to counterattack penetrations in and around Caen... GT21 26 JULY As more US infantry moves up on line, the decision is made to thit the Ger 84th Corps hard. Five attacks nearly bring Coutances under US control. With Americans moving across the Soulle River abandon the city anyhow, only leaving a battered regt of the 91st Div to hold off the pursuit from the US 90th Inf and 4 Armd divisions. North of the Vire River, an attack by the 2 Pzr keeps the Amis from crossing, but sees the last of the divisions grenadiers fall. Without replacements, the cadre of hardened survivors won't last long. UK Sector. With some units now refit, the 1st Brit and 2d Cdn Corps attack Caen. As the 21 Pzr and 346th Infantry are ground up, the 12SS is again sucked towards the city, but this time not to counterattack, but to hold defensive positions. GT22-24 27-29 JULY With July coming to a close, the Allies decide to rush the 3 cities within grasp. Coutances falls easily and the balance of the 84th Corps line largely collapses except for the 353d Division which, while suffering severe losses, holds the US advance from reaching Granville. Vire also stays under the Ger flag, but hosts the destruction of the 2 Pzr, 277 Inf and most of the 2SS divisions in holding back the US push. The saving grace for German arms : the US 1st and 30th Infantry divisions are so badly burned out that they are pulled back to England to refit. Finally - on the 28th Caen falls but large numbers of Ger formations manage to retreat and hold a position centered on Potigny (E4113). Victory : German Marginal. Endstate : Germans. Most mobile formations are in rough shape (1SS, 10SS, 17SS, & 116th Pzr being the exceptions). Typical would be a panzer battalion supported by a weak Pzgr regt and Assault gun battalion. Infantry divisions are not much better off and lack armor or AT support in the vast majority of cases. Americans. Strong across the board with plenty of artillery support. Supplies are the main issue and limiting factor in an all out assault. UK. Weak in infantry (numbers and quality), but still holding a powerful ace in the Canadians. Lessons : Very basic here - the Allies made terrible use of Airpower in all applications; were very hesitant to make unsupported attacks; slow to execute an Operation; and failed to force the Germans into Mandated Attacks for the first 8-10 turns (this I think was critical as it would burn supplies and units).