German Briefing

Situation:

The US Army has occupied the Gremecy Forest, the shape of which forms a sharp salient in the American lines. Four days ago, attacks were initiated to reduce this salient and open the way for further attacks to the south and west. The ultimate aim of the operation has been to drive south west and cut off the armored spearheads of the US Army operating to the southeast.

The 559th Volksgrenadier Division, supported by elements of the 106th Panzer Brigade, have launched a series of attacks from the east and north of the American salient. Using the Forest de Chateau-Salins and villages of Chambrey and Fresnes as assembly points, attacks launched in the early morning fog have succeeded in infiltrating the US lines. Attacks made on September 27 were repelled by US counterattacks aided by tanks, but attacks on the 28th and 29th secured the eastern edge of the forest. Attacks on the villages of Pettoncourt and Gremecy from Chambrey were repulsed by counterattacks and direct fire from enemy artillery. Reinforcements have provided strength for a final assault on the US positions.

Mission:

Attack south and west to reduce the salient in the American lines formed by the Gremecy Forest and cut supplies lines to the US 4th Armored Division operating to the south and east. Supplies are moving from the west through Gremecy and Pettoncourt.

Intelligence:

The Gremecy Forest is currently held by the US 35th Infantry division, an experienced combat formation. Elements of the 134th, 137th, and 320th infantry regiments have been identified, with six of the nine battalions identified in fighting to date. Enemy strength is thought to be severely reduced after several days of continuous fighting and division reserves are likely to be limited. The division is supported by tanks and self-propelled tank destroyer formations, but the strength of these units is not known.

At least two battalions of artillery are believed to be operating far forward in support of the US positions, with additional artillery formations within firing range. Artillery strength is likely unaffected by continued fighting and plentifully supplied. Enemy air activity has been restricted due to morning fog, but has been successful in interdicting movement in the late afternoon. Enemy lines follow the northern edge of the forest, crossing in front of the 1126th Regiment and follow the ridge west of the villages of Gremecy and Pettoncourt. American lines are 300 to 600 yards in front of the 1126th Regiment.

Available Forces:

The 559th Volksgrenadier Division is severely reduced in rifle company strength, but maintains adequate strength and supply among organic support elements. Division artillery strength is low and supplies nearly exhausted. The division is supported by one company of self-propelled anti-tank guns and one company of heavy tanks. The offensive capability of this division is currently questionable.

The 73rd Infantry Regiment of the 19th Voksgrenadier Division and 115th Fusilier battalion of the 15th Panzergrenadier Division have arrived from the north and are fresh. The 73rd Regiment is largely untried and poorly trained. The 115th is a veteran formation and is supported by assault guns. All of these formations are equipped with many automatic weapons, well suited to close fighting within the forest. A kampfgruppe of the 106th Panzer Brigade has been assembled at reinforced battalion strength. This force of tanks and armored infantry is well equipped but inadequately trained. Elements of the 106th Panzer Brigade are to be released to Army Group for redeployment as soon as feasible.

Weather

Continued morning fog can be expected, likely lifting in the late morning. Visibility will be reduced and allied air power limited during foggy conditions.

Deployment:

The 559th Division occupies a line from the ridge west of the Foret de Chateau- Salins, into the Gremecy Forest and through Chambrey. The 1125th Regiment is to the north, the 1126th occupies the forest and the 1127th is assembled near Chambrey. The 115th Fusilier Battalion and 73rd Regiment are to attack from the north. The kampfgruppe of 106th Panzer brigade is assembled east of Chambrey.

Up to five German battalions may be in reserve. Elements of the 1126th Regiment may not be held in reserve. Only one battalion of the 1127th Regiment may be in reserve. Reserve battalions of the 1125th or 1127th must set-up headquarters at least 1800 yards (18") from the German front line (see map). Up to 5 German battalions may attempt to flank march to the northern or eastern table edges. The same restrictions apply to battalions of the 1126th and 1127th as above. Battalions of the 559th Division ordered to flank march are not placed on-table to begin the game.

An entry delay for flank marches will be imposed based on the distance to be traveled. The attack is to begin at 0630 hours (twilight).

German Order of Battle

Fighting battalions are bracketed [].
Italicized units must be attached to a fighting battalion of the appropriate organization.

559th Volksgrenadier Division

1125th Grenadier Rgt. (regular)

Regimental HQ stand
Recon SMG stand
Engineer (rifle) stand

[I Battalion]
Battalion HQ stand
3 SMG stands
2 Rifle stands
1 HMG stand
1 8cm Mortar stand
1 12cm Mortar stand

[II Battalion]
Battalion HQ stand
4 SMG stands
1 Rifle stands
1 HMG stand
1 8cm Mortar stand
1 12cm Mortar stand
1 .5 cm infantry gun stand

1126th Grenadier Rgt. (regular)

Regimental HQ stand
Recon Bicycle SMG stand
1 7.5 cm Infantry Gun stand

[I Battalion]
Battalion HQ stand
3 SMG stands
2 Rifle stands
1 8cm Mortar stand
1 HMG stand
1 7.5 cm infantry gun stand

[II Battalion]
Battalion HQ stand
2 SMG stands
2 Rifle stands
1 HMG stand
1 12cm Mortar stand
1 7.5 cm infantry gun stand

1127th Grenadier Rgt. (regular)
Regimental HQ stand
Recon Bicycle SMG stand
Engineer (rifle) stand
1 7.5 cm infantry gun stand

[I Battalion]
Battalion HQ stand
4 SMG stands
2 Rifle stands
1 HMG stand
1 8cm Mortar stand
1 12cm Mortar stand

[II Battalion]
Battalion HQ stand
3 SMG stands
2 Rifle stands
1 8cm Mortar stand
1 HMG stand
1 7.5 cm infantry gun stand

559th Div. Assets 1 company each:

1159th SPAT (regular) 2 Marder III
1159th Engineer Btn. (regular) 1 Engineer (rifle) stand and 1 Engineer (rifle/FT) stand
1159th AA Btn. (regular) 2 2cm Towed AA guns
513th Heavy Tank Btn. (vet.) 2 PzKw VI Tiger

1559th Artillery Rgt. (regular)

I Light Battalion - off table
1 Forward Observer stand
2 7.5 cm Howitzer (3 Missions)

II Light Battalion - off table
1 Forward Observer stand
3 10.5 cm Howitzer (3 Missions)

IV Medium Battalion - off table
1 Forward Observer stand
2 15 cm Howitzer (3 Missions)

73rd Grenadier Rgt. (green)
Regimental HQ stand
Recon Cavalry SMG stand
Engineer (rifle) stand
1 7.5 cm infantry gun stand

[I Battalion]
Battalion HQ stand
5 SMG stands
2 Rifle stands
1 HMG stand
1 8cm Mortar stand
1 12cm Mortar stand
1 7.5 cm infantry gun stand

[II Battalion]
Battalion HQ stand
4 SMG stands
3 Rifle stands
1 HMG stand
1 8cm Mortar stand
1 12cm Mortar stand
1 7.5 cm infantry gun stand

Attached:
Light Artillery Btn (green) - off table 3 10.5 cm Howitzers (4 Missions) and 1 Forward Observer stand

Engineer Company (green) 2 Engineer (rifle) stands and 1 Engineer (rifle/FT) stands

15th Panzergrenadier Division

[115th Fusilier Btn.] (veteran)
Battalion HQ stand
5 SMG stands
2 Rifle stands
1 HMG stand
1 8cm Mortar stand
1 12cm Mortar stand
Panzer Company (regular) 2 Stug IIIG

106th Panzer Bgd. (green)
[Kampgruppe]
HQ I PzKw V
1 Recon PzKw IVH
1 Flakpanzer 38t
1 Sdkfz 251/9 (7.5 cm L24)

2 Panzer Companies, each with: 2 PzKw V Panther

Panzerjaeger Company 2 JgPz IV

Panzergrenadier Company 2 Rifle stands w/ Sdkfz 251/1

Panzergrenadier Company 3 Rifle stands w/ Sdkfz 251/1

Pioneer Company 2 Eng. stands (rifle/FT) w/SdKfz 251/1

Any company from the 106th Panzer Brigade may be cross-attached to any battalion of the 559th Volksgrenadier Division.

Gremacy Forest, Day Four September 30, 1944 A Spearhead Scenario

German Briefing and OOB
US Briefing and OOB
Game Master Notes
Map (slow: 153K)