The day was clear and hot as 1st Platoon, Easy Company was given the order to take a bridge crossing one of the many streams in this sector. LT Dave gave the order to his squad leaders, SGT Keith (1st Squad), SGT Long (2d Squad), and SGT Josh (3d Squad). An M4 Sherman was in support and would act as mobile "artillery,, for the platoon. As the U.S. forces moved forward, the Germans readied their weapons and waited for the "Amis" to get closer...

The German infantry, under Leutnant Tom, were under orders to delay the American advance. Savage fighting had the left the German platoon woefully understrength. Only 2 squads, under Feldwebels Mike and Christian, were available for the defense, and one of these was off-board halting a probe by Fox company on Easy's right. Fortunately for the Germans, a MK IV section, led by Hauptman Panzer Palnau were available to stiffen the defense.

As the Americans continued to move down the road with the M4 in an overwatch position, panzer Palnau and Feldwebel Christopher moved their MKIVs into suitable firing positions. The German infantry started the battle by seriously wounding the M4 tank commander with an accurate burst of MG34 fire. 2d and 3d Squads continued bo move along both sides of the road while 1st Squad, with an MMG attached from the Weapon's Platoon, swung to the right to guard the flank. As 2d Squad advanced, the Germans opened fire with their MG34 but only managed to drive the Amis off the road and into the ditches and hedges along the road. As the Amis continued their advance, Panzer Palnau's MK IV took up a hulldown position overlooking the road while Feldwebel Christopher's MK IV moved down to the road to support Leutnant Tom.

Double Unlucky

The U.S. infantry continued to advance while the M4 (which we'll call Double Unlucky) moved around a farmhouse and attempted to engage Panzer Palnau (big mistake). Panzer Paluau then proceded to show why he was called Panzer Mike by blasting both treads off the Sherman in quick succession. The M4 crew, deciding that discretion was the better part of valor, abandoned the tank as quickly as possible. LT Dave, incensed at the cowardice of the M4 crew, berated them for being such cowards and convinced them that facing the MK IV was a lot less dangerous than facing his M3 Greasegun. The M4 crew promptly recrewed the tank, whereupon Panzer Palnau turned the tank (and the unfortunate crew) into a giant bonfire.

Meanwhile, the U.S. infantry was advancing forward, using all available cover and trying to dodge the HE shots from "HVAP."

Christopher's MK IV. As the platoon advanced, ANOTHER MK IV, under Feldwebel Christian arrived and took up position alongside Palnau's MK IV. An M3 halfback carrying SGT Clint Cook's armored infantry squad arrived to support 1st Platoon. Unfortunately for them, Panzer Palnau had a clear shot. Showing he was the master of his craft, Palnau destroyed the .50 cal mount and killed the gunner and driver. The rest of the squad jumped out of the M3, and followed SGT Cook as they headed for more substantial cover.

Two more M4 Shermans, under SGTs Kevin and Chris, arrived to provide some badly needed armor support to the Americans. A lucky (some call it skill..) shot nailed Panzer Palnau's MK IV and killed the rest of his crew. As Palnau headed for the next MK IV to get his revenge, SGT Kevin blasted that one into a smoking hulk as well. Paluau then started moving back to the German lines to find another tank.

The Americans were continuing to advance on the Germans, but 1st and 2d squads had both taken casualties from HE tank fire. 1st Squad opened flanking fire on the MG34 team and Leutnant Tom, killing the gunner and forcing the rest of the team to fall back across the road. 3d Squad, which had been advancing along the road, caught the other half of the Panzergrenadier squad in the open and killed 4 of the 5 Grenadiers. The sole survivor of that team, Corporal Otto, became enraged and began to open fire on 2d Squad. He was joined by Panzer Paluau who decided to use his MP40 to get even with the Amis for destroying his beloved "Gretchen" (MK IV).

Run for Cover

2d Squad, which had been shelled by both Panzer Paluau and HVAP Christopher, ran for cover in the hedgerows when an HE shell killed SGT Long and wounded another soldier. LT Dave ran up and pulled the old Germans or Grease gun routine, which worked wonders on the squad. Rallying from LT Dave's inspired leadership (and SMG wielding theatrics), 2d Squad, now under CPL Reeves' leadership, opened fire on Panzer Paluau and Corporal Otto, wounding Palnau and killing Otto.

1st Squad continued to fire on the MG34 team, killing the loader and wounding Leutnant Tom. This was too much for the remaining Grenadiers and they fled the field. However, the rest of the platoon, PanzerGrenadier Squad #2 and an AT gun (Pak 40) were rushed forward to halt the Americans. 1st Squad and SGT Cook's band of crazed armored infantrymen attempted to close assault HVAP Christopher's remaining MK IV, but they were unable to destroy it. However, SGT Chris' M4 "Eagle Eye" put two rounds into the MK IV gun mandet, destroying the main gun and coaxial MG, much to 2d Squad's delight.

3d Squad continued to advance along the road and got into a firefight with PanzerGrenadier Squad #2. Although losing a couple of men, 3d Squad killed or seriously wounded over half of the German squad while 2d Squad advanced up to the road on 3d Squad's left. As the fighting petered out, the Americans were in good shape to take the bridge and accomplish their objectives.

All in all, a close, hard fought game!!!! It was maddening, frusbating, exhilarating and a lot of fun!

Note: This was a skirmish level game using the BATTLEGROUND rules set. Kudos to Tom Thomas for hosting the game and Dave for his hit location T-Shirt.

Thanks to Kevin Long and his group in Jonesboro GA for submitting this Battle report. Kevin and his club will receive a Normandy Nightmare Scenario Pack. Anyone who vends in a report that is published will receive a Scenario Pack.