Below you will find the seventh in a series of After Action Report articles written by players participating in The Last Hundred Yards ladder play on BGG. You can find the first six articles in this series here. If you would like to participate in the LHY ladder play, please contact Mark Buetow through the LHY Facebook page or on BGG. Enjoy!

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December 1944: Four days into the Ardennes Offensive, Kampfgruppe Peiper had split its forces and was pushing desperately towards Stoumont and Cheneux. Peiper had left a garrison behind in La Gleize to protect his rear and cover the crucial road back to Trois Points. Overlooking La Gleize was the small Werimont Farm, where Obersturmführer Helmut Dollinger had deployed his Tiger and supporting infantry. Early on December 21st, the Americans saw an opportunity to isolate Peipers’ spearhead. Elements of Third Armored Task Force McGeorge and Task Force Lovelady organized a combined arms response, and in the early afternoon attacked the vulnerable German garrison.

Mission Objective:

Mission ends if at the end of the game turn the Americans control the two rural building hexes within the stone wall compound, or when either side exceeds its Casualty Differential Limit, or when the Final Score is ≥ 41.

Forces:

American: Able Co., 2nd and 3rd Infantry Plts., and Able Co., 1st Tank Plt (3 tanks).

German: 1. Kp., 1st Infantry Plt. and 2. Kp., 1st Tank Plt. (1 Tiger)

After Action Report by Ian Hayhoe (Germans)

Firstly, a massive thanks to Andrew Williams for patiently coaching me through my first ever non-solo game of Last Hundred Yards. Credit to the community and a fantastic advert to anyone thinking of joining the ladder.

The Germans were alerted by the rumble of our Sherman’s as they approached from the south. Their infantry seemed secure in the farmhouses and sheltering behind the strong stone walls with the farmhouses behind them to fall back to. But the Tiger seem unsettled and prowled uncertainly around the compound seeking a favorable position. Minutes ticked by as we patiently circled around the two wooded hills on their flanks into an excellent assault position.

Once in position, our infantry suddenly emerged over the hills on both flanks at the same time as two Sherman’s pincered the inexperienced Tiger commander hoping for an enfilade. Shells slammed into the Tiger from both the front and side but bounced! No such problem for the Tiger; one shot, one Sherman down. And it was to get worse for our tankers. In the excitement of getting in position to enfilade the Tiger, they had outrun their supporting infantry and were vulnerable to assault. A German squad bravely assaulted over the covering wall and destroyed a second Sherman. The infantry platoon advancing from the south met with withering fire, resulting in additional casualties, and faltered in their coordinated effort to reach the perimeter wall of the compound. The momentum appeared to be shifting to the enemy.

To regain the momentum, and avenge our fallen comrades, we swarmed over the wall of the compound in a moment of fury to envelop and assault the southernmost defenders who were overwhelmed. We now, had a foothold within the walls of the compound. Unfortunately, retreated in good order to the farmhouses. We made one last effort, but the enemy fire from the remaining German infantry and the Tiger was too much to bear. With time running out, and increased casualties we withdrew leaving the Germans in control of the Farm. A great game.

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Previous Articles:

The Last Hundred Yards Ladder Play After Action Report: Mission 9 — A Tough Nut to Crack

The Last Hundred Yards Ladder Play After Action Report: Mission 24.0 — All for a Piece of Dirt

The Last Hundred Yards Ladder Play After Action Report: Mission 13.0 — Bridge 10

The Last Hundred Yards Ladder Play After Action Report: Mission 8.0 — Black Cat Blues

The Last Hundred Yards Ladder Play After Action Report: Mission 5.0 — Counterattack at Hatten

The Last Hundred Yards Ladder Play After Action Report: Mission 7.0 — The Sickle