Situation

The 35th Infantry Division has occupied the Gremecy Forest, the shape of which forms a sharp salient in the American lines. Four days ago, German units initiated attacks into the salient and have continued to mount daily assaults from the north and east. These enemy operations threaten to cut off supply lines to the spearheads of the 4th Armored Division operating to the southeast. Using the Foret 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 on several occasions.

Attacks into the forest on September 27 succeeded in pushing back elements of the 134th and 137th Regiments, but these attacks were fully repulsed by US counterattacks made by infantry of the 320th Regiment from the division reserve, aided by tanks of the 737th Tank Battalion. Strong enemy attacks made on the 28th and 29th have secured the eastern edge of the forest. Attacks made on the villages of Pettoncouri and Gremecy from Chambrey made by forces of tanks and infantry have been repulsed by counterattacks and direct fire from field artillery battalions.

Mission:

Attack eastward to drive remaining German forces from the forest and restore US lines, then defend the salient formed by the edge of the Gremecy Forest from further German attacks. Keep the roads through Gremecy and Pettoncourt open as they form the principle supply line for the 4th Armored Division operating to the south and east.

Intelligence:

The German attacks to date have been mounted primarily by the 559th Volksgrenadier Division. Elements of three regiments have been identified, the 1125th, 1126th, and 1127th, indicating that the entire division strength is operating against the 35th Division. This formation appears to be of higher quality and morale than most Volksgrenadier Divisions. It is heavily equipped with submachine guns. A few armored vehicles have been identified in support of the 559th, including a report by gunners of the 654th Tank Destroyer Battalion claiming to have destroyed several Tiger heavy tanks.

The 559th has been engaged in several days of heavy fighting and is likely to be much reduced in rifle strength. Enemy artillery fire has been light, but mortar and light field gun fire has been reported by forward elements. Patrols indicate that the German lines in the eastern portion of the forest are located 300600 yards from US forward positions. Elements of the 106th Panzer Brigade have been identified operating in the southwest portion of the battle area. Little information is available regarding this unit, which appears to be newly formed and equipped with Panther tanks and halftracks.

Available Forces:

Virtually all of the 35th Division is now holding the Gremecy Forest. Three battalions of the 137th regiment are in the line, as are two of the 134th regiment and two of the 320th Regiment. Many of these battalions have been fighting for several days and are greatly reduced in rifle strength. The 2nd Battalion of the 320th currently is in division reserve.

The 737th Tank Battalion and elements of the 654th Tank Destroyer Battalion provide armor support. The 133rd Engineer Battalion has been gathered and is available to serve as infantry if needed. All organic artillery battalions of the 35th Division are supplied and available for fire support. Tactical air support is limited due to continuing morning fog and not likely to be available until the afternoon.

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 134th Regiment occupies the northern flank of the forest, with the Ist Battalion on the left and 3rd Battalion on the right. The 137th regiment originally held the eastern edge of the forest and has now been reinforced by the 320th Regiment. From the northeastern tip of the forest southward, the battalions are arranged: 1/320th, 3/137th, 3/320th, 2/137th, and 1/137th (see map). US battalions may be arranged as desired , providing the battalions maintain the order listed. All of the above battalions must start the game with orders to defend or attack into the eastern edge of the forest.

The attack begins at 0630 hours. The 2/320th begins in division reserve deployed south of Gremecy. The 133rd Engineer Battalion may attached out by company or deploy as a fighting battalion beginning play in reserve north of Gremecy. The 737th Tank Battalion may be attached out by company or may deploy as a fighting battalion beginning play in reserve west of Gremecy. See note regarding quality of 737th when deployed as fighting a battalion. The 216th, 219th, and 127th Field Artillery Battalions must be placed on the table. These units have defend orders and must receive orders to move exactly as a normal battalion. U.S. Order of Battle

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

35th Infantry Division

134th Infantry Rgt. (regular)
Regimental HQ stand
Recon Rifle stand
1 105mm Cannon stand
2 57mm ATG stands
1 Engineer stand

[1st Battalion]
Battalion HQ stand
57mm Anti-tank gun stand
9 Rifle stands
2 HMG stands
1 81 mm Mortar stand

[3rd Battalion]
Battalion HQ stand
57mm Anti-tank gun stand
6 Rifle stands
2 HMG stands
1 81 mm Mortar stand

137th Infantry Rgt. (regular)
Regimental HQ stand
Recon Rifle stand
1 105mm Cannon stand
1 57mm Anti-tank gun stand
1 Engineer stand

[1st Battalion]
Battalion HQ stand
6 Rifle stands
1 HMG stand
1 81 mm Mortar stand

[2nd Battalion]
Battalion HQ stand
57mm Anti-tank gun stand
7 Rifle stands
2 HMG stands
1 81 mm Mortar stand

[3rd Battalion]
Battalion HQ stand
5 Rifle stands
1 HMG stands
1 81 mm Mortar stand

320th Infantry Rgt. (regular)
Regimental HQ stand
Recon Rifle stand
1 105mm Cannon stand
2 57mm Anti-tank gun stands
1 Engineer stand

[1st Battalion]
Battalion HQ stand
5 Rifle stands
1 HMG stands
1 81 mm Mortar stand

[2nd Battalion]
Battalion HQ stand
57mm Anti-tank gun stand
9 Rifle stands
2 HMG stands
1 81 mm Mortar stand

[3rd Battalion]
Battalion HQ stand
57mm Anti-tank gun stand
5 Rifle stands
1 HMG stands
1 81 mm Mortar stand

35th Division Assets

737th Tank Battalion (green)
Battalion HQ M4 Sherman
Recon Jeep (0.50 cal MG)
1 company with: 3 M4 Sherman (75mm)
2 companies with: 2 M4 Sherman (75mm)

The 737th Tank Battalion may be attached by company or operate as a fighting battalion. If operated as a fighting battalion, treat as green for all occasions relative to the battalion HQ or battalion as a whole (incl. order changes and morale checks). Individual platoons are treated as regular for combat and removing suppression, etc. This reflects the fact that tank battalions attached to Infantry Divisions seldom fought as a unit and their HQ's were largely administrative.

654th Tank Destroyer Btn. (regular)
A Company 1 M20 Armored Car and 3 M10 GMC
C Company 1 M20 Armored Car and 2 M10 GMC

133rd Engineer Btn. (green)*
Battalion HQ stand
Recon Jeep (0.50 cal MG)
3 companies, each with: 3 Engineer stands
The 133rd Engineer Battalion may be attached by company or may fight as a battalion.

448th AAA Btn. (regular)
2 M16 MGMC
2 40mm towed AAA stands
Platoons of the 448th AAA Battalion may be individually attached to artillery battalions

35th Division Artillery

161st Field Art. (regular) - off table
3 105mm Howitzers (6 Missions)
1 Forward Observer stand

[216th Field Artillery] (regular)
3 105mm Howitzers (6 Missions)
1 Forward Observer stand

[219th Field Artillery] (regular)
3 105mm Howitzers (6 Missions)
1 Forward Observer stand

[127th Field Artillery] (regular)
3 155mm Howitzers (6 Missions)
1 Forward Observer stand

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

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