Under the Noel Trees

Thuddeus · Under the Noel Trees

Campaign: Battle of the Bulge

Scenario: Under the Noel Trees - Elements of Panzer Battalion 115 attempt to break through U.S lines in an attempt to take Bastogne.

Victory Conditions:
Axis victory: The German player must exit at least four tanks of the east edge of the map. Or the German player may exit only 3 tanks if he destroys more points than the American player.
Allied victory: Avoid both of the above conditions.

Turn Length: Seven Turns

Deployment:
American deploys first, except M-18 GMCs (see SSR 2)
German has initiative for first turn, then follow standard initiative rules.

Map Set-Up:
North is to the right of the map.
Map 6 (6 UL) Map 7 (7 LR)
Map 2 (2 UL) Map 3 (3 LR)

Deployment:
Allied - Americans deploy in any wooded hex on maps 2 and 3.
Axis - All German units enter west edge of map during movement phase on turn 1.

Force Composition
U.S. Elements of B and C companies, 502nd PIR and 705th TD Battalion
"Screaming Eagle" Paratrooper x 10
"Screaming Eagle" Captain x 1
"Red Devil" Captain x 1
Eagle-eyed NCO x 1
M1919 MG x 2
Bazooka x 4
M-18 GMC x2

Wehrmacht Elements of Panzergrenadier Regiment 115 and Panzer Battalion 115
SS Panzergrenadier x 7
SS Hauptsturmfuhrer x 1
Wehrmacht Oberlieutenant x 1
Stalwart Lieutenant x 1
MG-42 x 3
Panzerfaust X 5
Opel Blitz x 2
SdKfz 251 x 2
Panzer IV ausf G x 3
Stug III ausf G x 2

Special Rules:
1. All hill and water hexes are treated as clear terrain
2. M18 GMCs are not placed on map at scenario start. Allied player places chits numbered 1-4 on four selected hexes. These hexes are potential locations for the HIP M18s. Allied player then secretly records the two actual locations of the M18s. After German movement phase of turn 1, American player reveals M18 locations and places units on the map. M18s get Camouflage SA.
3. All German AFVs get exposed transport x 2 (two infantry units must enter turn 1 riding each vehicle)
4. No vehicle may enter carrying 2 SS Panzergrenadiers
5. Once infantry dismount from a given AFV, that AFV has Exposed Transport SA
6. SdKfz 251 loses Fighting Platform SA
7. All paratroopers lose Paratrooper SA

Background:
Champs, Belgium, 25 December 1944 - Christmas Day found the American garrison at Bastogne surrounded. The Germans marked the holiday with an assault of the hitherto quiet northwestern perimeter - with Bastogne as their goal. Spearheaded by Kampfgruppe Maucke of the 15th Panzergenadier Division, the attack pushed of at 0300. They pierced the line of the 327th Glider Infantry and proceeded eastward, while farther to the north Grenadier Regiment 77 of the 26th Volksgrenadier Division broke into Champs and engaged company A, 502nd Parachute Infantry. In response to the battle Champs, Companies B and C of the 5021nd were ordered forward to positions east of the village. Kampfgurppe Maucke split up at dawn, with the smaller element moving north to bypass Champs where it encountered and destroyed two U.S. tank destroyers at a cost of two tanks. It then unknowingly advanced to a collision with B and C companies.

Aftermath:
The paratroopers, alerted by the gun duel with the tank destroyers, fell back into the woods from where they soon opened fire, inflicting heavy casualties on the panzergrenadiers and forcing them to dismount. Two more unsuspected TD opened fire at a range of 400 yards and quickly destroyed three tanks. Two more were knocked out by bazooka fire. One tank penetrated the line only to be destroyed in the streets of Champs by Company A (who never relinquished their hold on the village), and the last withdrew to Hemroulle where it surrendered after finding that the remainder of the Kampfgruppe had been annihilated there. Yet another breakthrough - this time just over a mile from Bastogne - had been averted.

background and aftermath text from ASL Scenario 23 ©1987 The Avalon Hill Game Company

Panzer2C

Thanks for this interesting scenario. The camouflage SA for the M-18s promises to be exciting. Please answer two questions for me. What does the UL and LR for the maps mean? And what does AFV mean? Armored fighting vehicle? Thanks.

Thuddeus

Upper Left

Lower Right

Armored Fighting Vehicle here means "TANK"

Camouflage combined with revealing the locations of the M18s after the first German move seemed like a reasonable way to simulate Hidden Placement from the original scenario.

Lt_V

If I ever get through this semester, I will try out this scenario...it looks really good Very Happy

Thanks for creating?/posting it Wink

lotharlutjens

There are reams upon reams of Squad leader scenarios that could be used with many tactical combat games, a case could be made that they would work with AAM.