Battle Command: The Bulge After Action Report Part 8 — U.S. Turn 4

US Turn 4 – The last chance.

Moving to the US Turn, fewer cards are drawn by both sides now.

*Not much to write home about in terms of cards drawn.*

Moving to close a gap in the lines with a pre-planned move, the Germans use a Force March card to shift 2^nd SS Panzer into the good defensive terrain at Elsenborn. Needing to maintain a strong line to protect now-exposed Verviers, the US shuffle their Elite Infantry and B/9 Armored north, abandoning the Garrison at Vielsalm to its fate.

*The US shuffle to defend their VP spaces from German attack, and push on the lone 18th Division*

In the south, the Americans dress their lines to avoid being exposed and cut off, choosing not to sacrifice their Armor in Beaufort in an attempt to cut the German line of supply through Ettelbruck on the basis they need to defend against getting cut off themselves by the Panzer Lehr division. The center the US holds position in order to protect Marche and routes to the river Meuse.

*The southern flank at the end of US movement phase on Turn 4.*

Surging forwards against a vulnerable point in the German line, the US have a very real chance to equalise the score. The base strengths are 5 US against 4 German, so the odds are long, but the US player needs to take this chance if they are to have a shot at staying in the game. The dice are cast, and it nearly comes off – but not quite. The Germans are reduced to one strength point, but manage escape to Weiswampach.

*The US make a last ditch effort to level the scores, but with their Combined Arms bonus only inflict 3 hits!*

The rest of the game passes quickly. The Germans pulling back into defensible positions, giving the US player little chance of levelling the score by recapturing Bastogne or destroying any of their Divisions. The exception is a last assault on Aachen, which very nearly destroys the US 99^th Infantry. The US player hopes for a lucky break, but it doesn’t come off.

The game ends with a narrow German win!

Previous Articles:

Battle Command: The Bulge After Action Report Part 1 — German Turn 1

Battle Command: The Bulge After Action Report Part 2 — U.S. Turn 1

Battle Command: The Bulge After Action Report Part 3 — German Turn 2

Battle Command: The Bulge After Action Report Part 4 — U.S. Turn 2

Battle Command: The Bulge After Action Report Part 5 — German Turn 3

Battle Command: The Bulge After Action Report Part 6 — U.S. Turn 3

Battle Command: The Bulge After Action Report Part 7 — German Turn 4