761ST TANK BATTALION SPECIAL RULES BLACK PANTHERS TANK COMPANY
A 761st Tank Battalion Tank Company uses all the US special Well-Drilled
rules on pages 236 to 240 of the rulebook. In addition they
also use the special rules below. Upon arrival in the ETO, the 761st Tank Battalion was
arguably the best-trained tank unit in the American military
Superior Fire Control (Lord knows they’d had enough time to train!). Their ability
to out-manoeuvre and out-fight other tank units and even
The Assault Gun Platoon of the 761st Tank Battalion was tank destroyer units in manoeuvres is well-documented. Their
legendary for its accuracy. They were often known to range in 105mm battery simply didn’t miss and ranged-in on a target
on a target with the first round and destroy it with the second in one round. The members of the unit were expert drivers
round. Because of their aptitude, they received several extra and could not only cross terrain other tankers feared to tread,
weeks of training with all available ammunition types before if they did bog down, they generally extracted themselves
departing for the ETO. quickly. Unfortunately higher command frequently put the
761st in harm’s way (often unreasonably so), and their casual-
Sherman Assault Gun Platoons from the 761st Tank ties were high.
Battalion may re-roll their first attempt to range in on a
target. Teams from a Fearless Trained 761st Tank Battalion Tank
Company’s HQ, Combat Platoons, and Weapons Platoons
“I see ‘em. We’ll fight ‘em.” pass all Skill Tests on a result of 3+. In addition, when
firing Bombardments, they roll to hit as though they were
Not only was every member of the 761st cross-trained in all rated as Veteran.
tank crew positions, but the initial lack of strong senior leader-
ship led to each member of the 761st being able to take over in
a pinch. On numerous occasions even junior NCO’s who lost
their tank would commandeer the tank of a senior NCO if they
believed they had superior tactical knowledge of the situation.
Even after being severely wounded in the leg when his tank was
destroyed by enemy fire, Ruben Rivers commandeered a new
tank, saying “I see ‘em. We’ll fight ‘em.” He continued to fight
on for several days before being killed in action.
Tank Platoons, Light Tank Platoons, and Sherman Assault
Gun Platoons belonging to the 761st Tank Battalion use the
German Mission Tactics special rules (see page 242 of the
rulebook).
17TH AIRBORNE DIVISION SPECIAL RULES
Parachute and Glider Rifle Platoons supporting a 761st Tank Parachute and Glider Rifle Platoons with a Command
Battalion company are from the 17th Airborne Division and team may attempt a Thunder from Heaven move at the
use the normal US special rules (see pages 236 to 240 of the start of the Shooting Step instead of shooting. If a platoon
rulebook). In addition, they use the Thunder from Heaven attempts to make this move, it may not shoot even if it fails
rule below (instead of the Master Sergeant rule used by 101st to make the move.
Airborne Division).
Roll a Skill Test for each platoon:
Thunder from Heaven • If the test is successful, the platoon may move another
The US paratrooper is renowned for taking his objective 4”/10cm,
like a thunderclap. With total surprise, the Golden Talons • Otherwise the platoon cannot move this step.
strike at the enemy and seize the battlefield from their
bewildered foe. All normal rules apply for this movement. A Platoon cannot
make this move if it is Pinned Down or has moved At the
Double. Bogged Down gun teams cannot make this move.
47
LIGHT TANK COMPANY761st Tank Battalion ‘Black Panthers’
Tank Company
HEADQUARTERS HEADQUARTERS You must field one platoon from each box shaded black and may field one platoon from each
761st Light Tank box shaded grey.
Company HQ Your Company HQ must be either Trained (marked ), or Veteran (marked ). All other
platoons marked with either of these symbols must be the same symbol as your Company HQ.
ARMOUR
COMBAT PLATOONS WEAPONS PLATOONS 52 53 51 51 53ARTILLERY SUPPORT PLATOONS
49 49 49 49 ARMOUR ARTILLERY
761st Light Tank Platoon 761st Armored Mortar Corps Tank Destroyer 130 131 Field Artillery Battery 132 123 117 87 85
ARMOUR Platoon Platoon Glider Field Artillery
Towed Tank Destroyer 81 91 115 121 119 Battery 97 84
761st Light Tank Platoon ARMOUR Platoon Parachute Field
ARMOUR Artillery Battery
761st Assault Gun INFANTRY Chemical Mortar
761st Light Tank Platoon Platoon Platoon
Rifle Platoon Cannon Platoon
ARMOUR Engineer Combat 81 115 121 138 137 138
Platoon RECONNAISSANCE
761st Tank Platoon Parachute Rifle Platoon
ARMOUR Glider Rifle Platoon Cavalry Recon Platoon
Airborne Engineer Intelligence & Recon
761st Tank Platoon Combat Platoon Platoon
RECONNAISSANCE
INFANTRY ANTI-AIRCRAFT
761st Recon Platoon
Rifle Platoon Anti-aircraft Artillery
Parachute Rifle Platoon (Self-propelled) Platoon
Glider Rifle Platoon Anti-aircraft Artillery
Platoon
ARTILLERY Heavy Anti-aircraft
Artillery Platoon
AIR SUPPORT
Field Artillery Battery 132 133 123 117 Air Support 139 139
AOP
Field Artillery Battery
(155mm) Air Observation Post
Glider Field Artillery
Battery
Parachute Field
Artillery Battery
48
Motivation and Skill Up to January After January BLACK PANTHERS TANK COMPANY
1945 1945
During the Saar and Ardennes Campaigns the 761st
Tank Battalion is rated Fearless Trained. RELUCTANT CONSCRIPT RELUCTANT CONSCRIPT
After the Battle of the Bulge, the 761st Tank Battalion is CONFIDENT TRAINED CONFIDENT TRAINED
rated Fearless Veteran.
FEARLESS VETERAN FEARLESS VETERAN
HEADQUARTERS
761st Light Tank Company HQ Captain
Captain
Headquarters Sergeant
Company HQ with: 110 points 120 points Company Command 2iC Command
55 points 60 points M5A1 Stuart M5A1 Stuart
2 M5A1 Stuart
1 M5A1 Stuart
Options Company HQ Recovery
Section
• Add M31 TRV for +10 points or M32 TRV for
+15 points. 761st light Tank Company hq
• Fit any or all tanks with Improvised Armour for
+5 points per tank.
While the 761st would often have to deal with the indif- company was the first African-American to ever command a
ference and even occasional incompetence of more senior tank company, and Captain James T. Baker who command-
officers, the African-American Company commanders served ed Able Company and was decorated with the Bronze Star
with distinction. Men like Captain Irvin McHenry who and Purple Heart.
commanded both Charlie company and the Headquarters
COMBAT PLATOONS
761st Light Tank Platoon Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Platoon
5 M5A1 Stuart 275 points 295 points Command M5A1 Stuart
4 M5A1 Stuart 220 points 235 points
3 M5A1 Stuart 165 points 175 points
Options Sergeant Sergeant
• Fit up to half of the platoon’s tanks with Hedgerow M5A1 Stuart M5A1 Stuart
Cutters for +5 points for the platoon.
• Fit up to half of the platoon’s tanks with Improvised
Armour for +5 points per tank.
The 761’s “Mosquito Fleet” of Stuart light tanks formed M5A1 Stuart M5A1 Stuart
Dog Company under Captain Richard W. English. Though
largely obsolete by the time they were deployed to Europe, Tank Section Tank Section
the 761st none the less made good use of these little vehicles
in a variety of roles including infantry support, reconnais- 761st Light Tank Platoon
sance, and even as supply vehicles during the Battle of the
Bulge!
49
TANK COMPANY761st Tank Battalion ‘Black Panthers’
Tank Company
HEADQUARTERS HEADQUARTERS You must field one platoon from each box shaded black and may field one platoon from each
761st Tank Company box shaded grey.
HQ Your Company HQ must be either Trained (marked ), or Veteran (marked ). All other
platoons marked with either of these symbols must be the same symbol as your Company HQ.
ARMOUR
COMBAT PLATOONS 52 53 49 49 53WEAPONS PLATOONSARTILLERY SUPPORT PLATOONS
51 51 51 51 52 ARMOUR ARTILLERY
761st Tank Platoon 761st Armored Mortar Corps Tank Destroyer 130 131 Field Artillery Battery 132 123 117 87 85
ARMOUR Platoon Platoon Glider Field Artillery
Towed Tank Destroyer 81 91 115 121 119 Battery 97 84
761st Tank Platoon ARMOUR Platoon Parachute Field
ARMOUR Artillery Battery
761st Assault Gun INFANTRY Chemical Mortar
761st Tank Platoon Platoon Platoon
761st Dismounted Tank Rifle Platoon Cannon Platoon
Crew Platoon ARMOUR Engineer Combat
Platoon RECONNAISSANCE
761st Light Tank Platoon Parachute Rifle Platoon 81 115 121 138 137 138
ARMOUR Glider Rifle Platoon Cavalry Recon Platoon
Airborne Engineer Intelligence & Recon
761st Light Tank Platoon Combat Platoon Platoon
RECONNAISSANCE
INFANTRY ANTI-AIRCRAFT
761st Recon Platoon
Rifle Platoon Anti-aircraft Artillery
Parachute Rifle Platoon (Self-propelled) Platoon
Glider Rifle Platoon Anti-aircraft Artillery
Platoon
ARTILLERY Heavy Anti-aircraft
Artillery Platoon
AIR SUPPORT
Field Artillery Battery 132 133 123 117 Air Support 139 139
AOP
Field Artillery Battery
(155mm) Air Observation Post
Glider Field Artillery
Battery
Parachute Field
Artillery Battery
50
Motivation and Skill Up to January After January BLACK PANTHERS TANK COMPANY
1945 1945
During the Saar and Ardennes Campaigns the 761st
Tank Battalion is rated Fearless Trained. RELUCTANT CONSCRIPT RELUCTANT CONSCRIPT
After the Battle of the Bulge, the 761st Tank Battalion is CONFIDENT TRAINED CONFIDENT TRAINED
rated Fearless Veteran.
FEARLESS VETERAN FEARLESS VETERAN
HEADQUARTERS
761st Tank Company HQ Captain
Captain
Headquarters Sergeant
Company HQ with:
2 M4A3 (76mm) 300 points 320 points Company Command 2iC Command TRV recovery
1 M4A3 (76mm) 150 points 160 points Sherman Sherman vehicle
Replace up to two M4A3 (76mm) tank with (per tank): Company HQ Recovery
Section
M4A3E8 Easy Eight - +10 points 761st Tank Company HQ
Replace up to two M4A3 (76mm) tank with (per tank): Options
M4A1 or M4A4 -60 points -65 points • Add M31 TRV for +10 points or M32 TRV for
+15 points.
Replace up to two M4A3 (76mm) tank with (per tank):
• Fit any or all tanks with Improvised Armour for
M4A1 (76mm) -5 points -5 points +5 points per tank.
Replace up to two M4A3 (76mm) tank with (per tank):
M4A3 (late) - -40 points
COMBAT PLATOONS
761st Tank Platoon Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Platoon
735 points 800 points Command Sherman
5 M4A3 (76mm) 580 points 640 points
4 M4A3 (76mm) 435 points 480 points
3 M4A3 (76mm)
Replace up to two M4A3 (76mm) tank with (per tank): Sergeant Sergeant
M4A1 or M4A4 -60 points -65 points
Replace up to two M4A3 (76mm) tank with (per tank): Sherman Sherman
M4A1 (76mm) -5 points -5 points
Replace up to two M4A3 (76mm) tank with (per tank): Sherman Sherman
Tank Section Tank Section
M4A3 (late) - -40 points
Replace up to one M4A3 (76mm) tank with: 761st Tank Platoon
M4A3E2 Jumbo - +15 points
Option
• Fit any or all tanks with Improvised Armour for
+5 points per tank.
Because of the relatively late arrival into the ETO, the 761st which had been utilised in the Normandy breakout. The
was equipped with some of the most recent tanks off of the 761st fielded three companies of Sherman tanks: Able, Baker,
assembly line – including a large proportion of 76mm armed and Charlie. As the conflict in Europe dragged on, the unit
Sherman tanks. Ironically this meant that the African- was equipped with a variety of Sherman variants including
American Battalion was better equipped than the forces the stout “Jumbo.”
51
761st Dismounted Lieutenant
Tank Crew Platoon Lieutenant
Platoon Command SMG team
HQ Section with: 105 points 105 points
2 SMG Sections
Sergeant Sergeant
A 761st Dismounted Tank FEARLESS TRAINED SMG team SMG team SMG team SMG team
Crew Platoon is rated SMG Squad SMG Squad
Fearless Trained.
761st Dismounted Tank Crew platoon
No Fear of Tanks On occasion the tank crews of the Black Panthers fought
on foot when not enough replacement tanks were available.
Dismounted tank crews fighting as infantry are well 1st Sgt. Samuel C. Turley and 2nd Lt. Kenneth W. Coleman
aware of the limitations of a tank, giving them more both received Silver Stars after they were killed by enemy fire
confidence when it comes to assaulting them. while leading crews from disabled tanks in holding off an
761st Dismounted Tank Crew Platoons ignore both the enemy attack.
Tank Terror rule on page 143 of the rulebook and the Must
Test if Assaulted by Tanks rule on page 162 of the rulebook.
761st Dismounted Tank Crew Platoons don’t use the Well-
drilled special rule.
WEAPONS PLATOONS
761st Armored Mortar Platoon Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Platoon
HQ Section with
3 M4 81mm MMC 115 points 125 points Command Carbine team M2 half-track with .50cal AA MG
2 M4 81mm MMC 85 points 90 points
Option Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant
• Arm any or all M4 81mm MMC half-tracks with M4 81mm MMC M4 81mm MMC M4 81mm MMC
.50 cal AA MG for +5 points per half-track. half-track half-track half-track
Mortar Mortar Mortar
Nominally attached to the 761st Battalion’s Headquarters Section Section Section
company, the armored mortar platoon represents an ideal
support weapon to screen the battalion and attack enemy 761st Armored Mortar Platoon
anti-tank gun positions and infantry.
52
761st Assault Gun Platoon Lieutenant BLACK PANTHERS TANK COMPANY
Lieutenant
Platoon Sergeant
6 M4A3 (105mm) 435 points 470 points Command M4A3 (105) M4A3 (105)
3 M4A3 (105mm) 215 points 235 points
2 M4A3 (105mm) 145 points 155 points
Options M4A3 (105) M4A3 (105)
• Replace up to three M4A3 (105mm) tanks with
M4A3 (105) M4A3 (105)
M4A1 (105mm) tanks for -5 points per tank. HQ Section Gun Section
• Fit up to half of the platoon’s tanks with Hedgerow
761st Assault Gun Platoon
Cutters for +5 points for the platoon.
was so good that they were allowed to continue to work for
The assault gun platoon of the 761st Battalion, originally weeks with a wide variety of ammunition to further hone
under Captain Charles A. Gates, was legendary for its their skills.
accuracy with the 105mm armed Sherman. The platoon
first distinguished itself at Camp Hood and quickly gained
a reputation for being able to zero in on a target with the
first volley and destroy it with the second. Their performance
761st Recon Platoon Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Platoon
HQ Section with:
2 Recon Sections 95 points 110 points
1 Recon Section 65 points 80 points
Options Sergeant Sergeant
• Add a Bazooka team for +15 points Recon Section Recon Section
• Add a Bazooka team for +20 points.
• Arm any or all Jeep teams with an AA MG for
+5 points per jeep team.
761st Recon Platoons are Reconnaissance Platoons. 761st Recon Platoon
The small size of the Recon Platoon gives it a low profile so
it can sniff out enemy ambushes.
53
29th Infantry
Division
The US 29th Infantry Division’s brave actions on D-Day, 6 June 1944, are well known. This group of country boys, mostly
from rural Virginia and Maryland, spearheaded the greatest amphibious operation ever attempted. Their story is compelling.
They were truly a group of Citizen Soldiers, drawn from the National Guard to supplement the small professional US
Army. They led the assault on the beaches of Normandy, pushed inland through the tough battles of St. Lô, and fought
into Brittany where the division helped capture the port city of Brest. Moving east, the division prepared for the assault into
Germany itself.
In September 1944, the 29th Infantry Division was shipped operations. Building on actions in St. Lô and Brest, the
east to help with the drive towards Germany. By this time, soldiers found that fighting from house-to-house was very
the Allies were re-grouping for what was believed to be the dangerous on the attack, and prone to being surrounded on
final push for Germany itself. Initially the 29th would be the defence. Communications and artillery were key and
placed in a defensive position to support other units, but it every attempt was made to provide equipment and plans for
would not be long before they would take part in the final calling in mortar fire and other assets for support. During
push into the German heartland. this period, the 29th cemented its reputation as tough-mind-
ed assault troops.
The Siegfried Line
Roer Operations
The Battle of Aachen marked the first major battle within
Germany itself. The enemy resisted fiercely and the battle In the beginning of November, the division held positions
raged all through October. The 29th ID provided crucial northeast of Aachen and prepared for switching to the offen-
flank protection for the US forces involved in engaging the sive. With the 2nd Armored Division on the left and the 30th
183rd Volksgrenadier Division and keeping it from reinforc- Infantry Division on the right, a program of training and
ing the embattled German forces at Aachen. coordination was fully underway, as the division shared the
The division also put pressure on the German Siegfried Line, bitter lessons it learned at St. Lo, Vire, and Brest.
a string of fortifications along the frontier of Germany. The On 16 November, the division switched to the offensive and
ultimate goal of the Allies was to sever this defensive system attacked towards Jülich. With clear and pleasant weather,
of tank traps and bunkers, and open the path to the heart of the 115th and 116th Infantry Regiments attacked toward
Germany. Setterich. Fierce resistance was encountered, but the bat-
On 2 October, 1st and 3rd Battalions of the 115th Infantry tle-hardened division moved forward relentlessly. The 747th
Regiment attacked Hatterath and Kreuzrath, achieving their Tank Battalion continued to support the infantry through-
objectives with the help of the 747th Tank Battalion. Close out the attack, providing crucial heavy fire support against
co-ordination was required to effectively attack the dogged tanks and fortified positions along the way. Attacks contin-
German resistance. ued until the division claimed the town of Aldenhoven, with
By early October, the Birgden-Kreuzrath area was finally the next target being the fortress city of Jülich.
cleared. At this point, the 115th Regiment settled down for a Earlier in the battle, captured documents revealed the
period of active patrols and reconnaissance. German defence plan of Jülich. They intended to hold three
Throughout the month, the 29th ID learned more valuable small villages to the northwest, west and southwest of the
lessons in urban warfare that would serve them well in future city. These villages were on the on the left bank of the Roer,
with most of Jülich on the right bank. The 29th attacked these
54
villages, Koslar, Bourheim, and Kirchberg, in order to break Holding the Flank 29TH INFANTRY DIVISION
the German defence. Continued coordination with artillery,
tanks, tank destroyers, infantry, and air support was key On 20 December, the 29th switched to defence, due to the
to the battle, as the enemy resisted violently, fighting from recent outbreak of the German Ardennes Offensive, code-
house-to-house. By the end of 28 November, the division named Wacht am Rhein. The 29th guarded the flank during
was in possession all three towns and paused to regroup for the Battle of the Bulge. They established a defensive position
its assault across the Roer. in-depth, incorporating all of the valuable lessons learned
The 116th and 175th infantry regiments started off December following D-Day. They knew what did and what did not
in contact with the last remaining German elements on the work when facing a prepared enemy. Now, those bitterly
west bank of the Roer. Defeating this enemy force was of learned lessons – interlocking fields of fire, front line and
prime importance, as it had to be dislodged before the final fall-back positions, establishment of rally-points, communi-
assault to capture Jülich. The attack was complicated by cations design, and more – would be put into practice for the
open areas and a commanding view of them from enemy Americans’ advantage. Positions were set, trenches were dug,
positions on the east bank. and wire laid by the Signal Corps - even the tanks and tank
1st Battalion, 116th, led the attack. Following the first day’s destroyers were provided with dug-in defensive positions,
relatively easy advance, progress was slowed by minefields should an attack occur.
and concentrated artillery fire. After regrouping, the This defensive posture was maintained throughout January.
regiment renewed the assault with heavy artillery and air Patrols and raids were carried out across the river in an effort
support. This attack gained some ground, but eventually the to maintain contact with the enemy and keep him on his
115th was called up from reserve to relieve the worn-down toes. These operations were greatly hindered by the unbe-
116th. After very tough fighting, the west bank of the Roer lievably cold, damp, and snowy weather and were generally
was completely secured. not successful.
Continued on page 63...
THE DRIVE TO THE ROER
Waldenrath Tripsrath Hoven Brachelen Key
Birgden Lindern
Leiffarth US Attacks
Hatterath Nürm German Main Line of Resistance,
Morning 16 Nov
Müllendorf
German Positions at end of
Beeck Operation, 9 Dec
Süggerath LINNICH German Pillboxes
Bauchem Prummern Roerdorf
GEILENKIRCHEN Fiessdorf
Weiz 0 Miles 2 4
Gereonsweiler Ederen Barmen 0 Metres 4 6
Teveren Apweiler 2 n
Immendorf
Wourichen
Floverich Puffendorf
Loverich Freialdenhoven Merzenhausen
Koslar
Palenberg Beggendorf Setterich Jülich
Engelsdorf
Netherlands Übach Röttgen see page 63
Baesweiler Siersdorf Dürboslar Bourheim
Aldenhoven Kirchberg
Germany Oidtweiler
Bettendorf Schleiden
Niedermerz
Alsdorf Pattern Altdorf
Schaufenberg Obermerz Erberich
Hongen
Fronhoven Lohn Inden Pier
Warden
Lürken
Kinzweiler Lamersdorf
Hehirath Lucherberg
Euchen Röhe Dürwiss Frenz
Broichweiden
Netherlands Weisweiler Luchem
WÜRSELEN
Belgium
Germany ESCHWEILER Langerwehe
France
Lux.
55
RIFLE COMPANY
29th Infantry Division
HEADQUARTERS HEADQUARTERS 57 (Infantry Company)
29th Rifle Company HQ
You must field one platoon from each box shaded black and may field one platoon from each
box shaded grey.
Your Support Platoons must be Veteran (marked , , and 4 ). All platoons marked with
these symbols must be from the Veteran option.
COMBAT PLATOONS INFANTRY WEAPONS PLATOONS MACHINE-GUNS SUPPORT PLATOONS ARTILLERY
ARMOUR
29th Rifle Platoon 57 57 57 58 29th Machine-gun 58 58 59 59 60 Tank Platoon 29 61 Field Artillery Battery 132 132 87 132 133 139 139
INFANTRY Platoon Flail Tank Platoon ARTILLERY
62 130
29th Rifle Platoon MACHINE-GUNS ARMOUR Field Artillery Battery
INFANTRY 97 Chemical Mortar
29th Machine-gun Sherman Crocodile Platoon
REGIMENTAL SUPPORT PLATOONS 29th Rifle Platoon Platoon Platoon 91 62
MACHINE-GUNS & Corps Tank Destroyer ARTILLERY
ARTILLERY ARTILLERY Platoon
Field Artillery Battery
29thWeapons Platoon 29th Mortar Platoon RECONNAISSANCE Field Artillery Battery
INFANTRY (155)
ANTI-TANK Cavalry Recon Platoon
29th Ammunition & INFANTRY AIRCRAFT
29thAnti-tank Platoon Pioneer Platoon
RECONNAISSANCE Engineer Combat Air Support
ANTI-TANK Platoon AOP
29th Intelligence & 29th Truck Section
Recon Platoon 29thAnti-tank Platoon Air Observation Post
ANTI-AIRCRAFT
ARTILLERY 60 60
Anti-aircraft Artillery 137 138
Platoon
Anti-aircraft Artillery
(Self-propelled) Platoon
29th Cannon Platoon 61 35 30
Assault Gun Platoon
Armored Mortar
Platoon
56
Motivation and Skill 29th Infantry 29TH INFANTERY DIVISION RIFLE COMPANY
Division
The 29’ers have been in combat since D-Day, 6 June 1944. They stormed and broke
Hitler’s Atlantik Wall, smashed open Fortress Brest, and now they are preparing to tackle RELUCTANT CONSCRIPT
the Siegfried Line—Germany’s last fortified line. A Rifle Company from the 29th Infantry
Division is rated as Confident Veteran. CONFIDENT TRAINED
FEARLESS VETERAN
HEADQUARTERS
29th Rifle Company HQ
Headquarters 15 points
Company HQ
Options Company Command 2iC Command LVT-4 Amtrac
Carbine team Carbine team
• Replace all Command Carbine teams with Command
SMG teams for +10 points per team. Company HQ
• Add up to three Sniper teams for +50 points per 29th Rifle Company HQ
team.
• Add an LVT-4 Amtrac for +10 points.
If your Company HQ or any of your platoons in your Rifle The 29th Infantry Division has stormed Omaha Beach, as-
Company are equipped with LVT-4 Amtracs, your force saulted through bocage to take the city of St. Lô, and flat-
becomes a Mechanised Company. tened the fortified city of Brest. Now, facing the Siegfried
Line, the 29th will ply its trade once more to open the way
to final victory.
COMBAT PLATOONS
29th Rifle Platoon Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Platoon
HQ Section with: 200 points Command Bazooka
145 points Rifle team team
3 Rifle Squads
2 Rifle Squads
Options Sergeant Sergeant
• Replace Command Rifle team with a Command Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team
SMG team for +5 points.
Rifle team Rifle team
• Replace up to one team in any or all Rifle Squads Rifle Squad Rifle Squad
with a Bazooka team for +5 points per Bazooka team.
Sergeant Corporal
• Replace all Rifle teams with Pioneer Rifle teams
equipped with their normal weapons for +15 points
per Rifle Squad.
• Add a Transport Section for +25 points.
The division’s three infantry battalions are some of the most Rifle team Rifle team LVT-4 Amtrac
experienced and able assault formations in the US Army. They
have faced and breeched Hitler’s Atlantic Wall, tore through Rifle team
the bocage country of Normandy, and reduced the fortifi- Rifle Squad
cations of Brittany. They have learned and incorporated all
of the lessons all of the way down to each individual soldier. LVT-4 Amtrac
For the Roer crossing operations, the 29th has been assigned Transport Section
the 739th Tank Battalion (Mine Exploder). This unit provides
the Blues and Greys with mine-clearing tanks and flame- 29th rifle platoon
tanks. They have also provide drivers and crews equipped
with LVT-4 Amtrac amphibious transports, which will help
the 115th Regiment’s assault troops to cross the river and es-
tablish a bridgehead.
57
29th Weapons Platoon Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Platoon
Command
HQ Section, Mortar Section, and: 115 points Carbine team
1 Machine-gun Section with:
2 M1919 LMG
2 Machine-gun Sections with: 155 points Sergeant Sergeant
4 M1919 LMG 135 points
3 M1919 LMG M2 60mm mortar M1919 LMG
Option M2 60mm M2 60mm M1919 LMG
• Add an LVT-4 Amtrac for +10 points. mortar mortar machine-gun
Mortar Section Section
A 29th Weapons Platoon may make Combat Attachments to Corporal Sergeant
29th Rifle Platoons.
M1919 LMG
The Weapons Platoon offers the rifle company its own exclu-
sive and excellent source of firepower. The 60mm mortars can LVT-4 Amtrac M1919 LMG
put down a bombardment to help keep the enemy pinned
down, while the platoon’s M1919 .30 cal light machine-guns Transport machine-gun
will provide a base of maneuver for your troops as well as see Section Section
off any enemy infantry attacks.
As with the riflemen, an LVT-4 has been provided to help 29th Weapons platoon
move the platoon across the Roer River.
WEAPONS PLATOONS
29th Machine-gun Platoon
Platoon
HQ Section with: 130 points
65 points
2 Machine-gun Sections
1 Machine-gun Section
Options
• Add a Bazooka team to any or all Machine-gun
Sections for +20 points per Bazooka team.
• Add Jeep with .50 cal AA MG and Jeeps with trailers
for +10 points for the platoon.
29th Machine-gun Platoons may make Combat Attachments machine-gun machine-gun
to 29th Rifle Platoons or 29th Weapons Platoons. Section Section
The M1917 heavy machine-guns provide the riflemen of the
29th Infantry Division with additional firepower. 29th Machine-gun Platoon
58
29th Mortar Platoon 29TH INFANTERY DIVISION RIFLE COMPANY
Platoon
HQ Section with: 155 points
110 points
3 Mortar Sections
2 Mortar Sections 55 points
1 Mortar Section
Options
• Add a Bazooka team to any or all Mortar Sections for
+20 points per Bazooka team.
• Add Jeep with .50 cal AA MG and Jeeps with trailers
for +10 points for the platoon.
The mortar platoon provides the rifle company with its own
integral artillery support. Their weapons will support the
infantry assault sooner and with greater accuracy than the
field artillery, making them vital for setting up and execut-
ing offensive operations. In addition to their high-explosive
rounds, they carry a large amount of smoke ammunition to
help cover advances and help the riflemen get to where they
are needed in relative safety.
29th Mortar Platoon
29th Ammunition Lieutenant
& Pioneer Platoon Lieutenant
Platoon
HQ Section with: Command Pioneer Bazooka Bazooka Pioneer Supply
Rifle team team team ¾-ton truck
3 A&P Squads 165 points
2 A&P Squads 115 points
Options Corporal Corporal Corporal
• Add up to two Bazooka teams to the platoon for Pioneer Rifle team Pioneer Rifle team Pioneer Rifle team
+20 points per Bazooka team.
• Add Pioneer Supply ¾-ton truck for +25 points.
The Ammunition & Pioneer Platoon give the company Pioneer Rifle team Pioneer Rifle team Pioneer Rifle team
engineer capabilities, allowing them to clear mines and A&P Squad A&P Squad A&P Squad
destroy obstacles and fortifications.
29th Ammunition & Pioneer platoon
59
29th Anti-tank Platoon Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Platoon
HQ Section with:
3 Gun Sections 100 points Command Jeep with
2 Gun Sections 60 points Carbine team .50 cal AA MG
Options Sergeant Sergeant
M1 57mm gun (late) M1 57mm gun (late)
• Add a Bazooka team to any or all Gun Sections for
+20 points per Bazooka team.
• Add Jeep with .50 cal AA MG and 1 ½-ton trucks for
+10 points for the platoon.
The 57mm anti-tank gun is older, but it is still a lethal 1½-ton truck Bazooka team 1½-ton truck Bazooka team
weapon in the right hands. Build them into your defensive
lines or roll them forward to support your advance with an Gun Section Gun Section
HE barrage.
Sergeant
M1 57mm gun (late) Bazooka team 1½-ton truck
Gun Section
29th Anti-tank platoon
REGIMENTAL SUPPORT PLATOONS
29th Intelligence Lieutenant
& Recon Platoon Lieutenant
Platoon Command .50 cal Recon Jeep
HQ Section with:
3 I&R Squads 85 points
Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant
A 29th Intelligence & Recon Platoon is a Reconnaissance Recon Jeep Recon Jeep Recon Jeep
Platoon. I&R Squad I&R Squad I&R Squad
Dismount 29th Intelligence & Recon platoon
Before deployment you may choose to dismount all of your The Intel and Recon boys will keep your troops informed on
jeeps. If you do this, all of the platoon’s vehicles are perma- the whereabouts of the enemy. This should make sure that
nently removed from the game. Replace each: your troops attack successfully and help your troops secure
• Recon Jeep with a Rifle or M1919 LMG team. the area.
• .50 cal Recon Jeep with a Rifle or M2 .50 cal MG team.
Designate one of the teams as the Platoon Command team.
The platoon remains a Reconnaissance Platoon.
60
29th Cannon Platoon Captain 29TH INFANTERY DIVISION RIFLE COMPANY
Captain
Platoon
HQ Section with: 205 points Command Jeep Observer Jeep
140 points Carbine team Carbine team
6 M3 105mm
4 M3 105mm 75 points
2 M3 105mm
Option Lieutenant Lieutenant
M3 105mm light howitzer M3 105mm light howitzer
• Add Jeeps and 1½-ton trucks for +5 points for the
platoon.
The M3 105mm light howitzers of the cannon company 1½-ton truck 1½-ton truck
provide heavy immediate support for the riflemen. In com- M3 105mm light howitzer M3 105mm light howitzer
bination with the battalion’s mortars, this battery will help
shift defenders from their prepared positions. In some cases 1½-ton truck 1½-ton truck
you might be able to use these powerful guns on the offence,
rolling them up to knock out nests and stubborn defenders Gun Section Gun Section
over open sights.
Lieutenant
M3 105mm light howitzer M3 105mm light howitzer
1½-ton truck 1½-ton truck
Gun Section
29th Cannon platoon
DIVISIONAL SUPPORT PLATOONS
Flail Tank Platoon Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Platoon
200 points Command Sherman Crab
5 Sherman Crabs 160 points
4 Sherman Crabs 120 points
3 Sherman Crabs
2 Sherman Crabs 80 points
Sergeant Sergeant
The 739th Tank
Battalion (Mine
Exploder) is ready to RELUCTANT CONSCRIPT
test its special equipment CONFIDENT TRAINED Sherman Crab Sherman Crab
VETERAN
and training in combat. FEARLESS
A Flail Tank Platoon is rated Confident Trained. Sherman Crab Sherman Crab
Flail Section Flail Section
Sherman Crab tanks from a Flail Tank Platoon are always
Non-assaulting teams when involved in an assault. Flail Tank Platoon
61
Sherman Crocodile Platoon LIEUTENANT
Platoon LIEUTENANT Sergeant
4 M4 Sherman Crocodiles 280 points Command M4 Sherman M4 Sherman Crocodile
3 M4 Sherman Crocodiles 210 points Crocodile
2 M4 Sherman Crocodiles 140 points
A Rifle Company with a Sherman Crocodile Platoon M4 Sherman Crocodile M4 Sherman Crocodile
Always Attacks (see page 257 of the rulebook). HQ Section Tank Section
Fuel Trailer Sherman Crocodile Platoon
M4 Sherman Crocodile tanks are not affected by the Fuel The 739thTank Battalion RELUCTANT CONSCRIPT
Tanks rule like normal tank flame-throwers. (Mine Exploder) is ready CONFIDENT TRAINED
In addition, M4 Sherman Crocodile tanks from a Sherman to test its special equip- VETERAN
Crocodile Platoon are always Non-assaulting teams when ment and training in FEARLESS
involved in an assault. combat.
The 739th Tank Battalion (Mine Exploder) operates the only
four M4 Sherman Crocodiles in the ETO. These were devel- A Sherman Crocodile Platoon is rated Confident Trained.
oped from the British Churchill Crocodile by adding a fuel
trailer to an M4 Sherman. British Crocodiles supported the
29th in Brittany, so they know how to work with them and
are happy to have these new weapons available to deal with
the citadel in Jülich.
29th Truck Section Corporal
Corporal
Platoon
35 points Command DUKW truck DUKW truck
8 DUKW trucks 30 points HQ Squad
6 DUKW trucks 25 points
4 DUKW trucks 20 points
2 DUKW trucks
8 2½-ton trucks 30 points Tech 5 Tech 5
6 2½-ton trucks 25 points
4 2½-ton trucks 20 points DUKW truck DUKW truck
2 2½-ton trucks 15 points
Option DUKW truck DUKW truck
Truck Squad Truck Squad
• Arm up to one DUKW or 2½-ton truck per Truck
Squad with a .50 cal AA MG for +5 points per vehicle.
Tech 5
A 29th Transport Section follows the rules for Transport DUKW truck DUKW truck
Platoons found on pages 47 and 48 of the rulebook.
While US infantry had trucks to carry or tow all of its Truck Squad
heavy weapons, the GIs still had to march. If the corps
commander wanted the division to move faster than the 29th Truck Section
dogfaces could march, they attached a truck platoon from
the Quartermasters company.
62
...Continued from page 55. Final Assault into Germany 29TH INFANTERY DIVISION RIFLE COMPANY
Battle for Jülich The 29th marched forward toward München Gladbach on
1 March 1945. The advance took place at break-neck speed
February saw the division shifting from a defensive mindset and only slowed upon entering the city itself. Once again,
to an offensive one. The 29th intended to cross the Roer and the 29th used its expertise in city-fighting to clear the area.
finally take Jülich. For this operation, the division would By the end of the day, they had captured the largest German
pair up with the 30th Infantry Division, 821st Tank Destroyer city yet by Allied forces.
Battalion (SP), and the 747th Tank Battalion. The Roer was For the rest of March, the 29th entered a period of rest,
driven to flood stage by both unusually wet weather and training and re-fit. The division stressed lessons learned,
the Germans releasing water upstream from dams they signal operations, discipline, live-fire exercises, physical
controlled. fitness, urban fighting, cross-country movement, and more.
By building temporary bridges and using assault boats In April, the 29th found itself assigned to the XVI (16th) Corps
and LVT-4 Amtrac armoured amphibious transports, the reserve, with only the 116th Infantry Regiment assigned to
115th assaulted across the river on the night of 23 February the front in order to help contain the Ruhr Pocket. The re-
to the south of Jülich. A huge artillery bombardment was mainder of the division set about administering the consid-
conducted to prepare the area for the attack and engineers erable area captured by the Allies. This meant solving traffic
started bridge construction. The Germans resisted fiercely problems, dealing with the large number of refugees, food
and the bridge-building was greatly curtailed by incoming and sanitation, prisoners of war, and other administrative
fire. However, the 175th pushed across the Roer on the tasks. The war was mostly over for the 29th Infantry Division
foot bridges the engineers had managed to construct. The and everyone else.
division established and then widened the bridgehead and The 29th fought in some of the toughest battles in the
finally entered the ruined city of Jülich. European Theatre and provided key support throughout
On 24 February, E Company, 116th Infantry Regiment was late 1944 and 1945. Without the efforts of these Citizen
joined by the 739th Tank Battalion and its four M4 Sherman Soldiers, the war would have surely extracted an even heavier
Crocodile flame tanks to attack Jülich’s stongpoint, called toll.
the Citadel, which had been constructed and re-built con-
tinuously since Roman times. It took very little time for the THE BATTLE FOR JÜLICH
flame-throwing tanks to get the Germans to withdraw, and
Jülich was secured.
After taking Jülich, the division moved northeast, encounter-
ing ever weakening resistance. With the failure of Operation
Wacht am Rhein, German resistance crumbled in front of the
29th. The push for final victory was on.
Roer River the
CITADEL
Sportsplatz
Jülich
63
HOLDING THE LINE
14th Cavalry Group M8 armored cars and supporting M8 Scott assault guns counterattack a Fallschirmjäger Platoon.
The ‘Damn Engineers’ of US 291st battalion prepare to destroy a bridge before a Königstiger heavy tank can cross.
64
US Riflemen man their defences as the they are hit by another German Panther tank-led assault.
Towed and self-propelled tank destroyers lurk ready to pounce on approaching German tanks and infantry.
Forced to stay on the roads by soft ground, a German panzer column falls prey to ambushing Americans.
65
THE BLOODY BUCKET
THE 28TH INFANTRY DIVISION
The 28th Infantry Division was formed minds as they took up a large stretch of the line with its three
in 1941 from units of the Pennsylvania regiments, 109th, 110th, and 112th covering nearly 25 miles
Army National Guard. Pennsylvania’s (40km) long. Standard doctrine called for an infantry
moniker, the ‘Keystone state’ led to division to cover five miles at most, but since the Allies did
the division’s nickname, ‘Keystone’. not expect any enemy activity in the Ardennes, the sector
It later gained the nickname ‘Bloody was chosen as the ideal spot to rest their tired divisions.
Bucket’ division by the Germans
owing to its red keystone-shaped insignia. …And Into the Fire
The division reached France in July 1944 and fought at
St. Lô. It pursued the Germans across France with heavy In the pre-dawn hours of 16 December 1944, a German
fighting along the way, under the leadership of Major artillery bombardment woke up the Keystone men. In the
General Norman ‘Dutch’ Cota. The Keystone men reached north, the 116th Panzer Division launched its attack against
the Siegfried Line on the German border on 11 September the 28th’s 112th Infantry Regiment, easily overcoming the
1944. thinly deployed American outposts. The 112th Regiment
The 28th hammered away at the Siegfried Line until bounced back fast, crushing two companies of panzergrena-
November when it moved north to fight in the bloody diers as they attempted to infiltrate at Lützkampen. However,
battles of the Hürtgen Forest. These terrible battles went further south 560. Volksgrenadierdivision cut through the
back and forth, sapping the strength of the division until, boundary between the 112th and 110th Infantry Regiments,
finally on the 19 November, the division was pulled out of isolating former from the division until January 1945.
the line to rest.
One Regiment Versus an Army
Out of the Frying Pan…
The 110th Regiment guarded the division’s centre and was
The 28th moved south to recover from the harrowing by far the hardest hit. Lined up against them were three
battles of Hürtgen to a quiet portion of the line along the panzer and two infantry divisions. The Keystone men
Our River in the Ardennes. Spa pools and United Service stubbornly held onto the vital crossings over the Our River,
Organizations (USO) entertainment shows, including a visit forcing the Germans to commit their precious reserves in
from the famous Marlene Dietrich, helped ease the men’s order to overrun the Americans. So stout were the American
defenders that the Germans had to send battalions to deal
with companies or even platoons. Despite the resistance, the
AGAINST THE TIDE
0 Miles 2 4 6 HULDANGE 112TH INFANTRY LÜTZKAMPEN
0 Kilometres 4 68 REGIMENT, 28 ID 560TH VOLKS-
10 HOUFALLIZE GRENADIER
N Ourthe River 560TH VGD DIVISION
TROIS VIERGES
560TH VGD HEINERSCHEID
BERTONGE 116TH PANZER Clerf River 116TH PANZER
DIVISION Our RiverDIVISION
NOVILLE
FIFTH PANZER
ARMYCLERFRODER
FOY 2ND PANZER 110TH INFANTRY 2ND PANZER
DIVISION REGIMENT, 28 ID DIVISION
101ST AIRBORNE ARLONCOURT
26TH VGD
DIVISION BIZORY PANZER LEHR
DIVISION
TASK FORCE NEFFE HOSINGEN 26TH VOLKS- PANZER
SNAFU, 28 ID Wiltz River GERMÜND GRENADIER LEHR
WILTZ
BASTOGNE DIVISION DIVISION
KAUTENBACH
26TH VGD
WEILER
HOSCHEID 5TH FJD 5TH FALL-
109TH INFANTRY SCHIRMJÄGER
REGIMENT, 28 ID
DIVISION
HARLANGE
SURRÉ Sure River 5TH FJD FÜHREN
66
THE BLOODY BUCKET
Germans slowly overcame the Americans. The remnants of mitted to deal with the stubborn Keystone troops of the
the 110th infantry made their way back to the Divisional HQ 110th Infantry Regiment and an ad hoc battalion of staff
at Wiltz, with the Germans hot on their heels. clerks, cooks, and orderlies. The 110th Infantry Regiment
The 109th Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel held the German divisions at Wiltz for 24 hours before they
James Rudder (previously of the 2nd Ranger Battalion at were forced to withdraw toward Bastogne. As they withdrew,
Point-du-Hoc), held the southern flank against the might they made life difficult for the pursuing Germans. In the end
of the German Seventh Army. The 109th Regiment’s com- the battle had cost the Germans nearly two days urgently
panies battled the paratroopers of 5. Fallschirmjägerdivision. need to reach the Meuse before US reinforcements arrived.
In the early hours of 16 December, the Germans strug- The shattered, but not destroyed, 28th Infantry withdrew
gled to overcome the American outposts, but did to the Meuse River and took up positions in the event the
not gain access to the Wiltz road until 18 December, Germans made it past Bastogne. Some elements remained
after Rudder’s men withdrew south and joined the in Bastogne, however, forming Task Force SNAFU to help
4th Infantry Division. defend the town.
In the wake of Wacht Am Rhein, the division was spent. The
Wiltz 110th Infantry Regiment alone was left with less than 600
men from its strength of 3256 on 15 December, and the other
As the 110th Infantry Regiment gave way along the Our River, regiments were nearly as bad off. Their achievements justi-
the Germans were under orders to bypass Wiltz in order to fied the loses though, as the division held up nine German
rush Bastogne and capture it as quickly as possible. However, divisions and bought enough time for the 101st Airborne
one regiment of the 5th Fallschirmjäger ignored the order and Division to get to Bastogne ahead of the Germans and deny
attacked Wiltz. Soon other German units were sucked into the enemy the vital crossroads there.
the vortex of battle. The rest of 5. Fallschirmjägerdivision
and following 26. Volksgrenadierdivision had to be com-
28TH INFANTRY DIVISION SPECIAL RULE
A Rifle Company from the 28th Infantry Division uses all of the normal US special rules found in the rulebook. In addition,
they also use the At All Costs special rule.
At All Costs
With little hope of reinforcements, the thinly deployed line of the 28th Infantry Division was all that stood between the Germans
and the vital crossroads of Bastogne. The division bravely fought, buying time for the 101st Airborne Division to arrive.
All platoons of a Perimeter Outposts force start the game in Prepared Positions, even in missions that do not use the Prepared
Positions special rule. In addition, all platoons may re-roll failed attempts to Dig In.
67
PERIMETER OUTPOST
Fortified Company
HEADQUARTERS HEADQUARTERS 69 You must field one platoon from each box shaded black and may field one platoon from each
Perimeter Outpost HQ box shaded grey.
Your Company HQ is from the 28th Infantry Division (marked ). All Combat, Weapons, and
INFANTRY Regimental Support platoons marked with this divisional symbol must be from the same
division as your Company HQ. Support Platoons are veteran (marked and ). All other
Support platoons marked with any of these symbols must be from the same veteran symbols.
SUPPORT PLATOONS
COMBAT PLATOONS WEAPONS PLATOONS ARTILLERY ARMOUR OR ANTI-TANK ARTILLERY
Outpost Platoon 69 69 69 69 Mortar Platoon 83 84 Tank Platoon 29 130 131 Calliope Tank Platoon 86 87 132 136
INFANTRY INFANTRY Corps Tank Destroyer Chemical Mortar Platoon
REGIMENTAL SUPPORT PLATOONS 84 85 83 Platoon 29 31 Field Artillery Battery 132 133 135
Outpost Platoon Ammunition & Pioneer Towed Tank Destroyer Rocket Launcher Battery
INFANTRY Platoon Platoon 97
ARTILLERY
FORTIFICATIONS Outpost Platoon RECONNAISSANCE ARMOUR
INFANTRY Field Artillery Battery
Intelligence & Recon Tank Platoon Field Artillery
Outpost Platoon Platoon Light Tank Platoon Battery (155mm)
Armored Field
FORTIFICATIONS ARTILLERY OR RECONNAISSANCE Artillery Battery
ANTI-TANK
Outpost Fortifications Cavalry Recon Platoon ANTI-AIRCRAFT
Cannon Platoon INFANTRY
Anti-tank Platoon Anti-aircraft
Engineer Combat Platoon Artillery Platoon
Parachute Rifle Platoon Anti-aircraft Artillery 137 138
(Self-propelled) Platoon
70 ARTILLERY 91 115
AIRCRAFT
Field Artillery Battery 132 134 136 139 139
Provisional Artillery Air Support
Battery Air Observation Post
Rocket Launcher Battery
68
Motivation and Skill 28th Infantry Division PERIMETER OUTPOST
The bloody battles of the Hürtgen Forest sapped the strength of the 28th Infantry Division until, RELUCTANT CONSCRIPT
finally on the 19 November, the division was pulled out of the line to rest. However, before CONFIDENT TRAINED
the division was fully recovered, they were hit by the German Ardennes offensive. A Perimeter VETERAN
Outpost from the 28th Infantry Division is rated Reluctant Veteran. FEARLESS
HEADQUARTERS
Perimeter Outpost HQ First Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
Headquarters
Company HQ 15 points
Options Company Command 2iC Command Trench Line
Carbine team Carbine team
• Replace all Command Carbine teams with Command
SMG teams for +10 points per team. Company HQ
• Add up to three Sniper teams for +50 points per team. Perimeter Outpost HQ
COMBAT PLATOONS
Outpost Platoon Sergeant
Sergeant
Platoon
HQ Section with:
2 Rifle Squads 115 points Command Rifle Bazooka M1919 LMG Trench Line
1 Rifle Squad 85 points team team
Options Corporal Corporal
• Replace Command Rifle team with a Command SMG Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team
team for +5 points.
Trench Line Trench Line
• Replace up to one team in each Rifle Squad with a Rifle Squad Rifle Squad
Bazooka team for +5 points per team. Fortifications
Corporal
• Add M2 60mm mortar for +20 points or M2 60mm Barbed Wire Entanglement
Nest for +25 points. M2 60mm mortar
Barbed Wire Entanglement
• Add M1917 HMG for +25 points or HMG Nest for M1917 HMG
+35 points.
M1 57mm (late) gun Minefield
• Add an M1 57mm (late) gun in a Gun Pit for in Gun Pit
+30 points or M1 57mm (late) Nest for +30 points.
• Add up to two Barbed Wire Entanglements for
+10 points per entanglement.
• Add up to one Minefield for +50 points.
• Add up to one Anti-tank Obstacle for +100 points.
An Outpost Platoon is a Fortified Platoon (see page 262 of Weapons Section Anti-tank Obstacle
the rulebook).
Obstacles
Outpost platoon
69
FORTIFICATIONS
Outpost Fortifications Fortifications
Fortifications
Fortifications
4 Minefields 200 points Minefield Minefield
3 Minefields 150 points
2 Minefields 100 points
Options Minefield Minefield
• Add up to four Barbed Wire Entanglements for Barbed Wire Entanglement Barbed Wire Entanglement
+10 points per entanglement.
Barbed Wire Entanglement Barbed Wire Entanglement
• Add up to two Anti-tank Obstacle for +100 points
per obstacle.
Outpost Fortifications are Area Defences (see pages 214 and Anti-tank Obstacle Anti-tank Obstacle
262 of the rulebook).
The rifle companies spent early December preparing their Obstacles
winter quarters in the Ardennes. They incorporated the
defences of the Siegfried Line into their defensive plan, creating Outpost Fortifications
a dense network of mines, barbed wire and obstacles.
70
PERIMETER OUTPOST
FIELDING OTHER HÜRTGEN FOREST DIVISIONS
The 4th Infantry Division When the Ardennes Offensive opened, the 4th was lucky to
have a much smaller portion of the line to defend, compared
The ‘Ivy’ (IV being four in Roman numerals) Division was to the 28th’s long and thin front. After the first few hours of
activated in 1940 as the only mechanised division in the US the battle, the 4th was unintentionally reinforced by the 28th’s
Army. It eventually took on the form of a regular infantry cut-off 109th Infantry Regiment. They put up a stern defence
division, but still retained an aggressive and mobile doctrine. and the Germans made only small gains. The Ivy Division’s
The Ivy Division was the first US division to land in France steadfast defence formed the core of the southern shoulder of
on D-Day, 6 June 1944, at Utah Beach. It then moved south the ‘Bulge’.
and relieved the 82nd Airborne Division at Sainte-Mère-
Église. After the beachheads were secure, the Ivy division To field a Perimeter Outpost force from
threw its weight into the breakout, working closely with the the 4th Infantry Division or another
2nd Armored Division during Operation Cobra. Hürtgen infantry division, simply
After the pursuit across France, the 4th found itself on the build your force using the 28th Infantry
German frontier near Bastogne. However, it was soon moved Division symbol (marked ), ratings,
north to fight in the harsh battles of the Hürtgen Forest. After and special rule.
the battle, the exhausted Ivy Division was relocated to the
quiet Ardennes south of the 28th’s positions to receive rein-
forcements and a little rest.
71
INDIANHEADS
THE 2ND INFANTRY DIVISION
The 2nd Infantry Division was Skinning the Cat
formed in September 1917 during
World War I. During that war the On the morning of 17 December, V Corps finally ordered
division’s symbol came from a truck Robertson to withdraw. He quickly put his complicated
driver who had painted it on his action plan, nicknamed “Skinning the Cat”, into motion.
truck. His symbol was adopted by The first of the two attacking regiments had to carefully
the division and soon they became pull back through the rear battalion of the second regiment.
known as the ‘Indianheads’. Once that was done they set up defensive positions to allow
the other regiment to pass through and so on until they both
Normandy to the German Border reached the twin villages of Krinkelt and Rocherath held by
the 99th Infantry. Once in the villages, the 99th would then
The division, under the command of Major General Walter pass through them to the safety of the Elsenborn Ridge,
Robertson, landed on Omaha Beach on D+1 (7 June) which dominated the area and offered an excellent defen-
1944 and immediately went to work securing the beach sive position for the US troops. The manoeuvre was fraught
and mopping up German resistance. They then moved with peril, as any error in this complex plan would turn the
inland and fought their way from Saint-Lô to Brittany. The withdrawal into a full rout, but the experienced Indianheads
tough fighting in Brittany left the 2nd Infantry an extremely executed it with perfection, reaching Krinkelt by midday.
well-organised and highly professional unit.
After Brittany, the division joined the US Army’s pursuit of Twin Villages
the Germans across France and found itself on the German
frontier by December 1944, occupying the region south of While the 9th and 38th Regiments pulled back, the first of
Losheim. On 11 December the 2nd Infantry launched an the German attacks struck near Rocherath on 16 December.
attack with the 78th Infantry Division to capture the dams The Indianheads’ third regiment, the 23rd, rushed forward
on the Roer River. The division gave up its position on the to bolster the line behind the 99th Infantry Division. Just
line to the newly-arrived 106th Infantry Division and formed as they reached Rocherath, the Germans struck with
up behind the 99th Infantry Division to launch its assault. 277. Volksgrenadierdivision, but the infantrymen stood fast
Using two of the division’s three regiments, the Indianheads with the help of the 612th and 644th Tank Destroyer Battalions
attacked on a narrow frontage to smash its way through the as well as the 2nd Infantry’s own 741st Tank Battalion.
Siegfried Line. The 9th and 38th Infantry Regiments had Frustrated, the Germans committed 12. SS-Panzerdivision
penetrated about seven miles into the German lines when from their reserves. Under the weight of the renewed attack,
news reached Robertson that the Germans had launched a the 23rd Regiment and the 99th Division were forced to
major offensive on his exposed southern flank. Naïve orders withdraw, but they had bought enough time for the other
arrived from V Corps to keep moving east, but the expe- Indianhead regiments to reach Rocherath and set up behind
rienced Robertson prepared a clever, although complicated them.
plan, to withdraw of his division to safety. During the night of 17 December, the 2nd held the line as
the 99th retreated to the Elsenborn Ridge, but some of their
72
BATTLE OF THE TWIN VILLAGES INDIANHEADS
3 TmoilEelss/e5nkbmorn Rocherath 612th TD 644th TD 12. SS Pz
Netherlands 9th Inf Regt
4000
Belgium Germany 741st 9th Inf Regt Key 1200
France Lux. Tank Bn
German Attacks
644th TD US Withdrawals
Battles
612th TD
US 2nd Infantry Division
1TomWileir/t1z.f6ekldm Krinkelt
38th Inf Regt N
12. VG Div 0 Feet 2000
0 Metres 400 800
troops stayed behind and fought alongside the Indianheads Elsenborn Ridge
in the twin villages. The situation was chaotic—one 2nd
Infantry colonel had elements of 16 different companies The V Corps artillery on the ridge reinforced the two divi-
under his command! Nonetheless the 2nd executed an sions, while the veteran 1st and 9th Infantry Divisions secured
exemplary defence and by nightfall on 18 December, the their flanks. The Indianheads and the 99th easily repelled
99th had successfully passed through and set up behind the three attempts to take the ridge before the Germans gave up.
Indianheads. The 2nd Infantry then successfully pulled back
to the Elsenborn Ridge. The tough defenders of the twin villages and the Elsenborn
Ridge dealt a fatal blow to Wacht Am Rhein, throwing the
German timetable hopelessly off schedule and denying the
important high ground to the German offensive.
FIELDING OTHER VETERAN DIVISIONS
The 1st Infantry Division In December 1944, the 30th joined the 1st to encircle Aachen
before rushing south to meet Wacht Am Rhein. The division
The ‘Big Red One’ 1st Infantry Division has seen more than was assigned to help defend Malmédy, a critical crossroads
its fair share of the war. Since landing in North Africa in in the path of SS-Kampfgruppe Peiper and Otto Skorzeny’s
1943, the division has been involved in nearly every major 150. Panzerbrigade. The professional soldiers of Old Hickory
operation conducted by the US Army. were a welcome sight for the 291st Combat Engineer Battalion
Before the Ardennes, the Big Red One was resting from and permanently turned the tide at Malmédy.
pushing its way through the bloody streets of Aachen, the
first German town to fall to the Allies. While many divisions To field a Rifle Company
came out of that fight a bit worse for wear, the 1st never from the 1st or 30th Infantry
lost its professionalism, and without hesitation sprang into Divisions, simply build
action to stem the German tide in the Ardennes. your force using the
2nd Infantry Division symbol
The 30th Infantry Division (marked ), ratings, and
special rules.
The 30th Infantry Division, known as “Old Hickory” in
honour of President Andrew Jackson, arrived in France in
June 1944, spearheading the breakout at St. Lô.
73
THE BATTLE BABIES
THE 99TH INFANTRY DIVISION
The 99th Infantry Division BUYING TIME ON THE
was activated in November NORTHERN SHOULDER
1942 and arrived at the
front nearly two years later. ELSENBORN RIDGE 2ND INFANTRY 12TH SS-PANZER
The ‘Checkerboard’ division DIVISION DIVISION
rushed to Belgium to join WIRTZFELD ROCHERATH LAUSDELL
V Corps on 12 December KRINKELT 3 BATTALION,
1944. Once in the line, the 23RD INFANTRY 393RD INFANTRY
division got the patronizing REGIMENT, 2 ID REGIMENT, 99 ID 277TH VOLKS-
nickname, ‘Battle Babies’ GRENADIER DIVISION
by their veteran comrades MIESCHELD
owing to the fact that they were fresh from the States with 1 BATTALION,
absolutely no prior battle experience. 393RD INFANTRY
The 99th supported the 2nd Infantry Division’s attack against REGIMENT, 99 ID
the Roer Dams and guarded their flank at Büllingen from
a possible German counterattack. Their commander, Major BÜLLINGEN MÜRRINGEN
General Walter Lauer, deployed his regiments along the line
with his 395th Infantry Regiment on the left, the 393rd in HÜNNINGEN 2 BATTALION,
the centre, and the 394th on the right. 394TH INFANTRY
REGIMENT, 99 ID
Wacht Am Rhein
N HONSFELD LOSHEIMERGRABEN 12TH VOLKS-
Unbeknownst to the 99th, the Germans were gearing up for SS-KAMPFGRUPPE GRENADIER DIVISION
their great offensive opposite to them. The Germans didn’t PEIPER BÜCHHOLZ 1 BATTALION,
rate the 99th highly and believed that they were a second rate 394TH INFANTRY
division, at best, that wouldn’t hold against the might of the 3 BATTALION, REGIMENT, 99 ID
offensive. As such the 99th was targeted as the point through 394TH INFANTRY
which the Germans would send the tanks and men of the REGIMENT, 99 ID I&R PLATOON, LOSHEIM
Waffen-SS through to the Meuse. 394TH
On 16 December, the 99th was attacked by the 1st SS-Panzer US V CORPS
Corps. Like elsewhere on the front line, the German artillery
severed lines of communication and caused some degree of US VIII CORPS HOLZHEIM LANZERATH MERLSCHEID 3RD FALLSCHIRM-
confusion, but the Battle Babies stood their ground. 4 JÄGER DIVISION
0 Miles 1 2
The 395th Infantry Regiment 3
0 Kilometres 2
In the north, the 395th was attacked by 326. Volksgrenadier-
division through the heavily wooded region of the Monschau The Twin Villages
Forest. Twice the grenadiers struck the Battle Babies’ lines
and were easily thrown back to their starting positions, Further south, the 393rd secured the most important
blunting the grenadiers’ assault. position of the division’s line: Krinkelt and Rocherath, also
known as the twin villages. This location was critical because
it controlled a vital crossroads and high ground, called the
Elsenborn Ridge, that the Germans needed to take to secure
SS-Kampfgruppe Peiper’s right flank.
With the 2nd Infantry Division still deep behind enemy lines,
Lauer focused on keeping the twin villages open so that the
Indianheads could pull back to safety.
74
THE BATTLE BABIES
277. Volksgrenadierdivision attacked through the wooded area Defending the Gap
east of the twin villages. Bolstered by fortifications left by the
Germans as a part of the Siegfried Line, the Checkerboarders The Losheim Gap, held by the 394th Infantry Regiment, is a
held out against the initial onslaught, despite heavy casual- clear stretch of ground between the 99th and 106th Infantry
ties. The frustrated Germans reinforced the attack with a Divisions. Several roads and a railroad offered the best going
fresh regiment of grenadiers and several Hetzer tank hunters, for tanks. With this in mind, it was chosen as SS-Kampfgruppe
only to be once more thrown back. Peiper’s main axis of attack.
The Germans struck again with a battlegroup of pan- On 16 December, the 394th Regiment was hit by
zergrenadiers and Panzer IV/70 tank hunters from 3. Fallschirmjägerdivision. The regiment stalled the German
12. SS-Panzerdivision. The Americans fought the SS to a paratroopers at Losheimergraben and Büchholz long enough
standstill; forcing the Germans to commit even more tanks to buy the Allies time to rush several veteran divisions to the
from their precious few reserves to the battle. northern shoulder of the bulge.
The relentless German attack lasted through the night and The Germans greatly underestimated the fighting spirit of
the Battle Babies withdrew and formed a new line along the the 99th and as a result their plans failed miserably when the
Elsenborn Ridge. There the 99th and 2nd Infantry Divisions Battle Babies fought stubbornly. The defenders had delayed
repulsed several German attempts to storm the ridge. 12. SS-Panzerdivision for over three days. Not only did
they force the Germans to seek a breakthrough elsewhere,
they had bought time for reinforcements from the 1st and
30th Infantry, and 82nd Airborne Divisions to arrive.
FIELDING OTHER FRESH DIVISIONS
The 106th Infantry Division Tragedy struck when 7000 men from the division’s 422nd and
423rd Infantry Regiments were cut off and forced to surrender
Like the 99th, the 106th Infantry Division was a brand new on 19 December, resulting in the second largest surrender of
unit. It was activated in 1943 and reached the front only days American forces since the American Civil War. Despite this,
before the Ardennes offensive. The ‘Golden Lion’ Division the Golden Lions succeeded in delaying the German attack for
took over the 2nd Infantry Division’s portion of the line when several days. Several Allied divisions were rushed into the gap
the latter moved north to attack the Roer Dams. Among their to defend St. Vith along with some of the 106th’s survivors.
responsibilities was to hold St. Vith.
To field a Rifle Company from the
With less than a week to acclimatize itself, the division was 106th Infantry Division or another
torn asunder by the German attack on 16 December 1944. fresh infantry division, simply build
Within hours, the division was cut up into small regimental your force using the 99th Infantry
sections, each completely unable to help the others. One Division symbol (marked ),
positive note was the fact that the veterans of the 112th Infan- ratings, and special rule.
try Regiment, 28th Infantry Division, were pushed into their
sector and added to their strength.
75
VIKING BATTALION
99TH INFANTRY BATTALION (SEPARATE)
The 99th Infantry Battalion When the Germans attacked through the Ardennes, First
(Separate) was activated in 1942 Army sent a task force, under the 99th’s commanding officer,
at Camp Ripley, Minnesota. Major Harold D Hansen, to reinforce the critical town of
It was made up entirely of Malmédy, currently held by elements of the 291st Engineer
Norwegian-Americans and Combat Battalion. The task force included the 99th, the 526th
citizens of Norway who had Armored Infantry Battalion, and the 825th Tank Destroyer
been trapped in the US after Battalion (Towed).
the German invasion of their Task Force Hansen made excellent time, despite the horrific
homeland. In September, the unit traffic jams, and arrived in Malmédy in short order. Hansen
moved to Camp Hale, Colorado, deployed his men along a tall railroad embankment over-
where it trained alongside the 10th Mountain Division. The looking the engineers’ roadblock positions. No sooner had
unit’s mission was to prepare for a proposed Allied invasion the Task Force settled into its positions, than Otto Skorzeny’s
of Norway, but when that did not happen the unit was 150. Panzerbrigade attacked, reaching the railroad embank-
deployed to France on 30 June 1944. ment where the 99ers were waiting. The Germans kept trying
to take the position, but never shifted the Norwegians.
In August the ‘99ers’ saw its first action in support of the At the end of the war in Europe on 7 May 1945, the 99th Di-
2nd Armored Division during Operation Cobra. The divi- vision was finally sent to Norway to help oversee the surren-
sion’s commander praised the 99th for being the only infantry der of the Germans occupation forces. The 99th returned to
unit his tanks had trouble keeping up with during the war! the United States and was disbanded on 2 November 1945.
From there the battalion fought in Holland and then in It had 101 days in combat, and had received 15 Silver Stars
Germany during the battles around Aachen. By November and 20 Bronze Stars to their credit.
they were pulled back into the First Army’s reserve.
FIELDING THE 99TH INFANTRY BATTALION (SEPARATE)
To field a Rifle Company from the 99th Infantry Battalion (Separate), simply build your force using the 2nd Infantry Division
Symbol (marked ). In addition to the normal US special rules found in the rulebook, a Rifle Company from the 99th Infantry
Battalion (Separate) uses the following special rules:
Survival Training Scrounge a Ride
The 99th spent time in the frozen conditions of a Minnesota While on garrison duty, the motor company lost no time
winter before being moved to a mountain-climbing facility collecting hundreds of trucks from old worn-out US vehicles
in Colorado to train in 9000-foot (2750m) altitudes. to captured German trucks. All of the hard work paid off
essentially transforming the battalion into a motorised unit.
Infantry and Man-packed Gun teams from the 99th
Infantry Battalion (Separate) are Mountaineers (see page When building your force, you must add two Jeep transports
61 of the rulebook). In addition they may move At the to your Rifle Company HQ for +5 points, and two GMC
Double (using Truscott Trot, see page 239 of the rulebook) 2½-ton or captured German 3-ton trucks to each of your
through Difficult Going. Rifle platoons for +5 points per platoon.
76
US SPECIAL RULES VIKING BATTALION AND US SPECIAL RULES
2ND INFANTRY DIVISION SPECIAL RULE
A Rifle Company from the 2nd Infantry Division uses all of the normal US special rules found on pages 236 to 240 of the
rulebook. In addition, they also use the Winter Training special rule.
Winter Training
The Indianheads received winter training in Sparta, Wisconsin. They trained intensely for four-months during the freezing
winter conditions, blizzards, and thick forests of the American upper-Midwest.
Platoons from the 2nd Infantry Division do not use the Truscott Trot special rule. Instead, Infantry and Man-packed Gun Teams
from the 2nd Infantry Division may move At the Double through Slow Going, (But not through Obstacle fortifications).
99TH INFANTRY DIVISION SPECIAL RULE
A Rifle Company from the 99th Infantry Division uses all of the normal US special rules found on pages 236 to 240 of the
rulebook. In addition, they also use the Delaying Action special rule.
Delaying Action
The tough defence of the northern shoulder can be attributed in large part to the heroic actions of the “Battle Babies”. The
99th fought alongside the Indianheads to bring the German offensive in the north to a standstill.
Platoons from the 99th Infantry Division do not use the Truscott Trot special rule. Instead, Company Command teams from the
99th Infantry Division may re-roll the first Company Morale Check that they are required to take if they fail their first attempt.
77
AUDI2END LIEMUTEUNANRT PHY
“They were killing my friends.”
Audie Leon Murphy was born on 20 June 1924 to a farming returning to his unit he became the company commander
family in Kingston, Texas. Murphy would go on to be one of on 25 January 1945.
America’s most famous soldiers and movie stars. The next day, in freezing temperatures and snow, his unit
Murphy initially tried to enlist after the attack on Pearl Harbor participated in the battle at Holtzwihr on the border between
in 1941, but was turned away because he was underage. France and Germany. Murphy’s battered command consisted
Murphy attempted once more on his 18th birthday, but was just 19 of the company’s original 128 men. Murphy ordered
declined by the Marines, paratroopers, and Navy as too his men to take up prepared positions deeper in the wood
small, being slight man of 5’5½” (166cm) and 110 pounds behind them, while he remained forward to direct artillery
(50kg). Out of options he joined the infantry. fire on the attacking enemy.
In early 1943 he was shipped to Morocco as a replacement Murphy jump aboard a nearby burning M10 tank destroyer,
in 3rd Platoon, Baker Company, I Battalion, 15th Infantry manning its .50 cal machine-gun. With it, he quickly cut
Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. His combat initiation came down a full squad of German infantry who had crawled
when he took part in the invasion of Sicily in July 1943. down a ditch to within 100 feet (30m) of his position. He
When the 3rd Division landed at Salerno, Italy, in September received a leg wound, but remained on the tank destroyer
1943 Murphy was in the thick of the fighting earning pro- firing the .50 cal machine-gun, alternating between calling
motions and decorations for valour. in artillery and firing bursts from the machine-gun.
Murphy’s division landed in Southern France in mid-August Murphy only stopped fighting when his telephone line to the
1944. During the fighting Murphy’s best friend was killed artillery was cut. His remaining men then moved forward
by a German soldier feigning surrender. Murphy, in a fit and he organized a counter-attack which ultimately drove
of vengeful rage, single-handedly wiped out the German the enemy from Holtzwihr. For these actions, Murphy was
machine-gun crew that had just killed his friend. He then awarded the Medal of Honor, the United States of America’s
went on to destroy several more enemy positions. Murphy highest military award. After the war he was asked why he
received the Distinguished Service Cross for these actions. had taken on an entire company of German infantry by
In the following seven weeks of fighting, Murphy received himself, he replied, ‘They were killing my friends’.
two Silver Stars for further heroic actions, and was promoted Murphy spent the rest of the war as liaison officer. In
to staff sergeant. He was later awarded a battlefield com- 27 months in action in the European Theatre Murphy was
mission to 2nd lieutenant, commanding a platoon. He was awarded 33 US and six foreign decorations and medals.
wounded soon after and spent ten days in hospital. After
78
WARRIOR CHARACTERISTICS 2ND LIEUTENANT AUDIE MURPHY
You may field 2nd Lieutenant Audie Murphy as either a Company Command Carbine team (replacing the Company
Command team in your Rifle Company on page 49) or as a Command Rifle team (replacing the Command Rifle team in
one of your Rifle Platoons on page 49) for +35 points. Audie Murphy is a Warrior and is rated Fearless Veteran. He does not
change the Motivation rating of a platoon he Joins.
Three Purple Hearts Two Bronze Stars
Murphy received three Purple Hearts during his service, Audie Murphy’s two Bronze Stars were awarded while he was
on 15 September 1944, 26 October 1944, and 25 January in Italy. The first was earned during the Anzio landings and
1945. The first was for wounds sustained in southern France, the second while the 3rd Infantry Division was attempting
the second after he was hit in the hip by a sniper’s bullet, and to expand the beachhead, when Murphy crawled out into
the third when he was wounded by a mortar shell that killed No Man’s Land to disable a German tank with rifle grenades.
two other men nearby.
Audie Murphy has Tank Assault 3.
If the opponent fails to kill Murphy using the Warrior
Infantry Team Casualties rule (see page 106 of the Two Silver Stars
rulebook) you do not need to remove a friendly Infantry
team. Murphy, although wounded, fights on alone. Both of Murphy’s Silver Stars were earned in France. The
first was awarded on 2 October 1944 after Murphy sin-
Distinguished Service Cross gle-handedly destroyed a machine-gun nest. The second was
awarded near Tholy, France on 5 October 1944 when he
On 15 August 1944, Murphy earned a Distinguished Service crawled ahead into No-Man’s Land to direct artillery fire on
Cross (second highest awards to the Medal of Honor) for enemy positions.
his actions during the 3rd Infantry Division’s amphibious
assault in southern France. When a German machine-gun Murphy may make a Reconnaissance Deployment Move
nest killed one of Murphy’s close friends, he flew into a rage as though he was a Recce team, separately from the
and killed every German manning the nest, picked up the rest of his platoon. Note that this might mean that as a
machine-gun and a bunch of grenades, and stormed several Platoon Command team, Murphy begins the game Out of
other German positions nearby. Command.
In addition, as a Command team, Murphy does not incur
Murphy may re-roll failed Skill Tests to hit a Bunker in an the usual +1 penalty to the score needed to Range In (see
assault. page 126 of the rulebook).
SPECIAL OBJECTIVE CHARACTERISTICS
Instead of fielding 2nd Lieutenant Audie Murphy as a Warrior After objectives have been placed, replace any Objective
team, you may field him as a Special Objective in your Rifle placed in your Deployment Areas with the Audie Murphy
Company (page 48), Engineer Combat Company (page 58), Special Objective. If there are no Objectives in your
Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (page 64), or Light Tank Deployment Area, you cannot use the Special Objective.
Company (page 66) for +25 points. The Special Objective retains all of the usual rules of
an Objective.
Medal of Honor In addition, the Audie Murphy Special Objective is also a
.50 cal Nest, using the normal Bunker rules found in the
Audie Murphy single-handedly held off determined German rulebook.
attacks with the .50 cal machine-gun of a burnt-out M10 The .50 cal Nest can Spot for Artillery Bombardments as if
tank destroyer, despite a leg wound and withering enemy it was a Company Command team, but without the usual
fire. He prevented the Germans from taking his position and +1 penalty to the score needed to Range In (see page 126
the wood that was their ultimate objective with a constant of the rulebook). It cannot prevent the enemy from taking
hail of heavy machine-gun fire. Objectives.
If the .50 cal Nest is Destroyed, the Objective reverts to
being a normal Objective.
Audie Murphy Special Objective
Weapon Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes
3 4 5+
.50 cal Nest 16”/40cm
79
RIFLE COMPANY
Infantry Company
HEADQUARTERS HEADQUARTERS 81 81 81 81 82 You must field one platoon from each box shaded black and may field one platoon from each
box shaded grey.
Rifle Company HQ Your Company HQ must be either from the 2nd Infantry Division (marked ), or the
99th Infantry Division (marked ). All other platoons marked with any of these divisional
INFANTRY symbols must be from the same division as your Company HQ.
Rifle Platoon
COMBAT PLATOONS WEAPONS PLATOONS MACHINE-GUNS SUPPORT PLATOONS ARTILLERY
INFANTRY Machine-gun Platoon ARMOUR
Rifle Platoon
MACHINE-GUNS 82 82 Scrapyard Tank Platoon 87 29 51 130 131 Field Artillery Battery 132 134 136
INFANTRY Machine-gun Platoon Tank Platoon Provisional Artillery
Rifle Platoon 83 83 761st Tank Platoon 31 49 99 130 131 Battery 86 87 132 136
ARTILLERY Corps Tank Destroyer Rocket Launcher Battery
WEAPONS Platoon
Weapons Platoon Mortar Platoon Towed Tank Destroyer ARTILLERY
ANTI-TANK Platoon
84 Calliope Tank Platoon 132 133 135 136
Anti-tank Platoon ARMOUR Chemical Mortar Platoon
REGIMENTAL SUPPORT PLATOONS INFANTRY 83 81 91 33 93 Field Artillery Battery
Light Tank Platoon Rocket Launcher Battery
Ammunition & Pioneer 84 93 761st Light Tank 137 138 138
Platoon Platoon ARTILLERY
Cavalry Tank Platoon 97
ANTI-TANK Corps Tank Destroyer Field Artillery Battery
Platoon Field Artillery Battery
Anti-tank Platoon Towed Tank Destroyer (155mm)
RECONNAISSANCE Platoon Armored Field Artillery
Battery
Intelligence & Recon INFANTRY Armored Field Artillery
Platoon Battery (155)
Roadblock Strongpoint Rifle Platoon
Engineer Combat Platoon ANTI-AIRCRAFT
ARTILLERY Armored Rifle Platoon
Roadblock Strongpoint Anti-aircraft
Artillery Platoon
RECONNAISSANCE Heavy Anti-aircraft
Artillery Platoon
Cavalry Recon Platoon Anti-aircraft Artillery
(Self-propelled) Platoon
AIRCRAFT
Cannon Platoon 85 Air Support 139 139
Air Observation Post
80
Motivation and Skill 2nd Infantry Division 99th Infantry Division RIFLE COMPANY
A Rifle Company from the 2nd Infantry Division is rated RELUCTANT CONSCRIPT RELUCTANT CONSCRIPT
Confident Veteran. CONFIDENT TRAINED CONFIDENT TRAINED
VETERAN VETERAN
A Rifle Company from the 99th Infantry Division is rated FEARLESS FEARLESS
Confident Trained.
HEADQUARTERS
Rifle Company HQ Captain
Captain
Headquarters
Company Command Carbine team 2iC Command Carbine team
Company HQ 15 points 10 points Company HQ
Options rifle Company HQ
• Replace all Command Carbine teams with Command
SMG teams for +10 points per team.
• Add up to three Sniper teams for +50 points per team.
COMBAT PLATOONS
Rifle Platoon Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Platoon
Command Rifle team Bazooka team
HQ Section with:
3 Rifle Squads 200 points 155 points
2 Rifle Squads 145 points 110 points
Options Sergeant Sergeant
• Replace Command Rifle team with a Command SMG Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team
team for +5 points.
Rifle team Rifle team
• Replace up to one team in any or all Rifle Squads with a Rifle Squad Rifle Squad
Bazooka team for +5 points per Bazooka team.
Sergeant
• Replace all Rifle teams with SMG teams for +5 points
per Rifle Squad.
The GIs (derived from ‘General Issue’, a nickname for US Rifle team Rifle team Rifle team
soldiers) of the rifle platoons form the core of your company. Rifle Squad
These ‘dog faces’ were well trained and some have seen
combat. They are also well known for their scrounging rifle platoon
capabilities, augmenting their platoons with unauthorised
weapons such as bazookas and submachine-guns stripped The triangular formation of an infantry division means that
from transport vehicles. While strictly against the rules, the you can count on three rifle platoons in your company. This
GIs know better than others that they’ll need the added fire- gives you flexibility to keep one platoon in reserve while the
power in the coming campaigns. others hold the line.
81
Weapons Platoon Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Platoon
Command Carbine team Jeep with .50 cal AA MG
HQ Section with
Mortar Section and: 160 points 120 points Sergeant Sergeant
115 points 90 points
2 Machine-gun Sections
1 Machine-gun Section
Option M2 60mm mortar M1919 LMG
• Add Jeep with .50 cal AA MG for +5 points.
M2 60mm M2 60mm M1919 LMG
Weapons Platoons may make Combat Attachments to Rifle mortar mortar machine-gun
Platoons.
The typical weapons platoon has a mortar and a machine- Mortar Section Section
gun section but, like the GIs from the rifle platoons, your
men have been known to acquire a second machine-gun Corporal
section through ‘midnight requisition’ to bolster their rate of
fire. Use these machine-guns and mortars to break-up enemy M1919 LMG M1919 LMG
assaults before they hit your lines. machine-gun Section
Don’t forget that your 60mm mortars are excellent at digging Weapons platoon
out enemy troops and gun nests. Eliminate those threats
with the mortars and use your M1919 light machine-guns
as a base of fire, keeping the enemy’s head down while you
charge in, bayonets fixed.
WEAPONS PLATOONS
Machine-gun Platoon Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Platoon
HQ Section with: Command Carbine team Jeep with .50 cal AA MG
2 Machine-gun Sections 130 points 100 points Sergeant Sergeant
Options M1917 HMG M1917 HMG M1917 HMG M1917 HMG
• Add a Bazooka team to any or all Machine-gun
Jeep with trailer Jeep with trailer
Sections for +20 points per Bazooka team.
• Add a Bazooka team to any or all Machine-gun Bazooka Bazooka
team team
Sections for +15 points per Bazooka team.
• Add Jeep with .50 cal AA MG and Jeeps with trailers Jeep with trailer Jeep with trailer
for +10 points for the platoon. machine-gun Section machine-gun Section
Machine-gun Platoons may make Combat Attachments to Machine-gun platoon
Rifle Platoons.
The water-cooled M1917 heavy machine-gun is a bit more
cumbersome than the light models, but it has a devastat-
ing rate of fire. Sight these guns in on an objective to help
protect it along with some of your GIs.
82
Mortar Platoon RIFLE COMPANY
Platoon 155 points 140 points 120 points
110 points 100 points 85 points
HQ Section with:
3 Mortar Sections
2 Mortar Sections
Options Lieutenant
• Add a Bazooka team to any or all Mortar Sections for Lieutenant
+20 points per Bazooka team. Command Carbine team Jeep with .50 cal AA MG
• Add a Bazooka team to any or all Mortar Sections for
Lieutenant Lieutenant
+15 points per Bazooka team.
• Add a Bazooka team to any or all Mortar Sections for M1 81mm M1 81mm M1 81mm M1 81mm
mortar mortar mortar mortar
+15 points per Bazooka team.
• Add Jeep with .50 cal AA MG and Jeeps with trailers Bazooka Jeep with trailer Bazooka Jeep with trailer
team Jeep with trailer team Jeep with trailer
for +10 points for the platoon.
Mortar Section Mortar Section
While your dogfaces wait for the divisional artillery to
respond to a fire mission, they can call on the 81mm mortars Lieutenant
to give them instant support. With much more accuracy than
the artillery, they can cover an enemy machine-gun nest with M1 81mm Bazooka Jeep with trailer M1 81mm Jeep with trailer
high-explosives and knock them out, making them critical mortar team mortar
for any offensive operations.
Mortar Section
While holding the line, your mortars should dig in behind
the GIs and bombard the enemy’s incoming infantry. You
can also tie them into the artillery net to help lend their
tubes to larger saturation bombardments.
Mortar platoon
Anti-tank Platoon
Platoon 100 points 95 points 80 points
HQ Section with: 60 points 55 points 45 points
3 M1 57mm (late)
3 Bazooka teams
Options Lieutenant
• Add a Bazooka team to any or all Gun Sections for Lieutenant
+20 points per Bazooka team. Command Carbine team Jeep with .50 cal AA MG
• Add a Bazooka team to any or all Gun Sections for
Sergeant Sergeant
+15 points per Bazooka team.
• Add a Bazooka team to any or all Gun Sections for M1 57mm gun or Bazooka team M1 57mm gun or Bazooka team
+15 points per Bazooka team. Bazooka team 1½-ton truck Bazooka team 1½-ton truck
• Add Jeep with .50 cal AA MG and 1½-ton trucks for Gun Section Gun Section
+10 points for the platoon. Sergeant
The 57mm anti-tank gun has served your GIs well in the M1 57mm gun or Bazooka team 1½-ton truck
past year. While not the most potent weapon in your arsenal, Bazooka team
it has become increasingly useful with its new high explo-
sive ammunition, allowing it to knock out enemy nests and Gun Section
infantry positions. On the defence, dig the guns in and use
its small profile to make them as difficult to see as possible. Anti-tank platoon
Some anti-tank gunners have discarded their 57mm guns
altogether and replaced them with Bazookas for close-range
tank-busting.
83
Ammunition & Pioneer Platoon
Platoon 165 points 125 points 125 points
115 points 90 points 90 points
HQ Section with:
3 A&P Squads
2 A&P Squads
Options Lieutenant
Lieutenant
• Add up to two Bazooka teams for +20 points per
Bazooka team. Command Pioneer Bazooka Bazooka Pioneer Supply
Rifle team team team ¾-ton truck
• Add up to two Bazooka teams for +15 points per
Bazooka team. Corporal Corporal Corporal
• Add up to two Bazooka teams for +15 points per
Bazooka team.
• Add Pioneer Supply truck for +25 points.
Whether sitting on the front lines or charging into enemy Pioneer Rifle team Pioneer Rifle team Pioneer Rifle team
territory, having someone to bring up extra ammo and ex-
plosives is always a welcome addition. Your Ammunition & Pioneer Rifle team Pioneer Rifle team Pioneer Rifle team
Pioneer platoon is perfect for setting up hasty defences as A&P Squad A&P Squad A&P Squad
well as clearing obstacles out of the way of your advancing
troops. Ammunition & Pioneer platoon
REGIMENTAL SUPPORT PLATOONS
Intelligence & Recon Platoon
Platoon 85 points 75 points 65 points
HQ Section with:
3 I&R Squads
Options Lieutenant
• Replace Command .50 cal Recon Jeeps with an Lieutenant
Armored .50 cal Recon Jeep for +10 points. Command .50 cal Recon Jeep
• Replace up to one Recon Jeep with a Bazooka Recon
Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant
Jeep for +5 points.
• Replace any or all Recon Jeeps with any combina- Recon Jeep Recon Jeep Recon Jeep
I&R Squad I&R Squad I&R Squad
tion of: .50 cal Recon Jeeps for +5 points per jeep,
Armored Recon Jeeps for +10 points per jeep, and Intelligence & Recon platoon
Armored .50 cal Recon Jeeps for +15 points per jeep.
Lieutenant Lyle Bouck’s Intelligence and Reconnaissance
An Intelligence & Recon Platoon is a Reconnaissance Platoon of the 99th Infantry Division was stationed in
Platoon. Lanzerath. On 16 December, the 18 men of the platoon
and four artillery observers ambushed the inexperienced
Dismount 9th Battalion, 3. Fallschirmjägerdivision (3rd Parachute
Division) from fortified positions. It wasn’t until dusk that
Before deployment you may choose to dismount all of your the Germans finally captured the American platoon. While
jeeps. If you do this, all of the platoon’s vehicles are perma- nearly all of the Americans were wounded, remarkably only
nently removed from the game. Replace each: one was killed. For their effort Bouck’s platoon had killed 16
• Recon Jeep or Armoured Recon Jeep with a Rifle or and wounded 63 Germans (13 more were missing), but more
importantly, they had halted the Fallschirmjäger and the entire
M1919 LMG team. 1. SS-Panzerdivision for over 20 hours.
• .50 cal Recon Jeep or Armoured .50 cal Recon Jeep with
a Rifle or .50 cal MG team.
• Bazooka Recon Jeep with a Rifle or Bazooka team.
Designate one of the teams as the Platoon Command team.
The platoon remains a Reconnaissance Platoon.
84
RIFLE COMPANY
Cannon Platoon
Platoon 205 points 180 points 155 points
140 points 125 points 105 points
HQ Section with:
6 M3 105mm
4 M3 105mm
Option Captain
Captain
• Add Jeeps and 1½-ton trucks for +5 points for the
platoon.
The cannon platoon is your regiment’s very own artillery Command Jeep Observer Jeep
battery. With six light howitzers on call, your GIs can rely Carbine team Carbine team
on quality bombardments that can cover a large area.
The 105mm shells are not only exceptionally good at digging Lieutenant Lieutenant
out enemy troops, they won’t dilute bombardments when M3 105mm light howitzer M3 105mm light howitzer
coordinating with your divisional artillery. This means that
if you tie your cannon platoon into your divisional artillery 1½-ton truck 1½-ton truck
nets, you can expect to see one hell of a fireworks display
over the heads of your enemy!
M3 105mm light howitzer M3 105mm light howitzer
1½-ton truck 1½-ton truck
Gun Section Gun Section
Lieutenant
M3 105mm light howitzer M3 105mm light howitzer
1½-ton truck 1½-ton truck
Gun Section
Cannon platoon
85
RIFLE COMPANY SUPPORT PLATOONS
Calliope Tank Platoon Lieutenant
Platoon Lieutenant Sergeant
4 T34 Calliope 160 points Command T34 Calliope T34 Calliope
3 T34 Calliope 120 points
2 T34 Calliope
80 points
Option
• Fit any or all tanks with Improvised Armour for
+5 points for the platoon.
A Calliope Tank Platoon T34 Calliope T34 Calliope
is rated Confident Tank Section Tank Section
Trained.
CONFIDENT TRAINED Calliope tank Platoon
T34 Calliope teams may not Charge into Contact and rocket launcher kits. These launchers were named after the
must Break Off rather than Counterattack if Assaulted (see Calliope (pronounced Kal-lee-ohp by some and Kal-lie-
pages 144 and 165 of the rulebook). oh-pee by others) steam-powered organ played at carnivals
The 30th and 90th Infantry Divisions’ 743rd and 712th Tank and circuses. The launcher’s frame couldn’t stand up to the
Battalions were among the first to receive T34 Calliope main gun’s recoil, so the crews became dedicated rocketeers,
forgoing their main gun completely.
CALLIOPE ROCKET LAUNCHER RULES
Saturation Bombardment Sixty Rockets
Each Calliope rocket launcher system fired a bombardment The Calliope’s 60 rocket tubes took a bit of time to reload, but
of sixty 4.5” (114mm) rockets. Individually, these rockets a crack crew found ways to speed things up for the next salvo.
may not cause much damage, but group 60 to 240 of them
into a single salvo and the enemy will have nowhere to hide! At the start of the game, place a Full Salvo marker with a
Calliope launcher kits were attached to tanks from an infantry platoon with Sixty Rockets rocket launchers. Remove this
division’s tank battalion. This meant that the Calliope crews marker after firing an Artillery Bombardment.
were full-time tankers but only part-time artillerymen If a platoon with Sixty Rockets rocket launchers does
without much, if any, specialised training. not have a Full Salvo marker when it fires an Artillery
Bombardment, roll a Skill Test for each Rocket Launcher
Each T34 Calliope counts as four weapons when firing an able to fire in the Bombardment. Only those that pass the
Artillery Bombardment. Skill Test can fire as part of the Bombardment.
A Calliope Tank Platoon cannot use the Hit ‘Em With Place a Full Salvo marker on a platoon with Sixty Rockets
Everything You Got special rule. rocket launchers at the end of any Shooting Step in which
every Rocket Launcher in the platoon was able to fire an
Artillery Bombardment, but none did so.
86
Scrapyard Tank Platoon Lieutenant RIFLE COMPANY
Lieutenant
Platoon
5 Scrapyard Tanks see below Command Scrapyard Tank
4 Scrapyard Tanks see below
3 Scrapyard Tanks see below
The Scrapyard Tanks in this platoon must be chosen Sergeant Sergeant
from the following:
• up to three M4 or M4A1 Sherman for +65 points per Scrapyard Tank Scrapyard Tank
tank. Scrapyard Tank Scrapyard Tank
Tank Section Tank Section
• up to three M5A1 Stuart for +40 points per tank.
Scrapyard Tank Platoon
• up to two M24 Chaffee for +65 points per tank.
Teams from a Scrapyard Tank Platoon cannot fire Artillery
• up to two M7 Priest HMC for +25 points per tank. Bombardments.
• up to two M4 (105mm) Sherman for +45 points.
• up to one M8 Scott HMC for +30 points per tank.
• up to one M12 155mm GMC for +55 points.
• up to one M36 90mm GMC for +75 points.
• up to one M10 3in GMC (late) for +65 points.
A Scrapyard Tank CONFIDENT TRAINED M24 Chaffee light tanks, two Sherman DD tanks, a few
Platoon is rated M7 105mm self-propelled howitzers, and some M10 and
Confident Trained. M36 tank destroyers. Using this weird array of equipment,
the platoon commanders were allowed to construct their
The 740th ‘Daredevils’ Tank Battalion arrived at the front platoons as they saw fit.
with no tanks whatsoever and the few Shermans their com- The battalion joined the 30th Infantry Division and went into
manding officer, Lt. Colonel George Rubel, had scrounged action to help stop SS-Kampfgruppe Peiper near Stoumont.
up were taken to reinforce other tank battalions. So the During the fighting at La Gleize, Rubel added an M12
Daredevils salvaged whatever they could from local repair 155mm self-propelled gun to the battalion, which poured
depots, including 15 M4 Shermans, several M5A1 Stuarts, over 190 devastating rounds into Peiper’s battlegroup bottled
two M4 105mm assault guns, an M8 Scott assault gun, two up in the village.
Chemical Mortar Platoon Lieutenant
Lieutenant
Platoon
HQ Section with: 160 points 120 points Command Jeep with Observer
85 points 70 points Carbine team .50 cal AA MG Carbine team
2 Mortar Sections
1 Mortar Section
Options Sergeant Sergeant
• Add up to one Bazooka team per Mortar Section for M2 4.2” chemical mortar M2 4.2” chemical mortar
+20 points per Bazooka team.
M2 4.2” chemical mortar M2 4.2” chemical mortar
• Add up to one Bazooka team per Mortar Section for
+15 points per Bazooka team.
• Add Jeep with .50 cal AA MG and Jeeps with trailers
for +10 points for the platoon.
Chemical mortars have all of the advantages of mortars, a Jeep with trailer Jeep with trailer
quick response and accurate results, plus, they have the fire- Bazooka Bazooka
power of a 105mm howitzer. This makes them ideal for sup-
porting your infantry assaults and breaking up enemy attacks. team team
Jeep with trailer Jeep with trailer
Mortar Section Mortar Section
Chemical Mortar platoon
87
THE DAMNED ENGINEERS!
THE 291ST ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION
The 291st Engineer Combat Battalion Soon, the engineers had platoons of the shattered
was formed in April 1943. After intense 106th Infantry Division and the counter-attacking 7th Armored
training, Lieutenant Colonel David Division passing through their position. Pergrin pleaded
E Pergrin was given command of the in vain with both divisions to spare men to stay and help
battalion. In October 1943 they moved defend the town. None stayed, however he did inherit several
to England where they built the camps abandoned anti-tank guns, a vital boost to his force that had
and roads for the Allied invasion force. minimal anti-tank assets.
Normandy Malmédy Massacre
The battalion arrived in France on 23 June 1944 and im- At noon on 17 December a column of 140 men from the
mediately went to work clearing and maintaining the roads 285th Field Artillery Battery Observation Battalion, attached
around Carentan. In July, the battalion saw its first front- to the 7th Armored, ran into one of Pergrin’s roadblocks. The
line combat when they helped pickaxe, bulldoze, and blast artillerymen ignored warnings that the enemy was operating
through the hellish bocage landscape of Normandy. After in the area, and pushed on. Then, between 1530 hours and
the bloody hedgerow fighting, the 291st ‘liberated’ many of midnight, 17 wounded survivors limped their way back to
the abandoned vehicles left by the Germans around Mortain the 291st. After debreifing the survivors, Pergin learned that
to add to their motor pool. observers had run into Peiper’s column and after a quick fire-
fight they surrendered. Then suddenly, Peiper’s men opened
The German Frontier fire on the prisoners of war, killing 84 of them in cold blood.
Pergrin quickly dispatched patrols to the site to collect more
The 291st joined the 51st and 202nd Combat Engineer survivors and then reported the incident to Allied command.
Battalions, forming the 1111th Engineer Group attached to
the US V Corps. The group followed in the charge across Stavelot
France, rebuilding bridges destroyed by the Germans.
December 1944 found the 291st sprawled across a large but At 1930 hours, 17 December, Peiper’s leading panzers ap-
relatively quiet sector in Belgium. Elements were stationed proached one of the hidden roadblocks manned by Sergeant
in Malmédy, Stavelot, La Gleize, and Trois-Ponts among Chuck Hensel’s squad from C Company. The men had set up
other smaller outposts. As far as the engineers knew, they daisy chains of several mines tied together by a rope, which
were safely tucked away behind the 106th Infantry Division, could be pulled across the road in front of approaching
several miles back from the front lines. panzers. As the Panthers moved closer, one of the engineers
let loose a bazooka round which smashed harmlessly into
Battle of the Bulge the front of the leading tank. The Germans hesitated and
withdrew, thinking the road was heavily defended. In actual
Like other US forces in the Ardennes, the German attack fact, only Hensel and his few engineers stood between them
left the engineers isolated from V Corps and on their own. and the vital Stavelot bridge!
Confused and often conflicting reports drifted into Colonel Meanwhile, two companies of armoured infantry and four
Pergrin’s headquarters, but he quickly worked out that the 3” anti-tank guns took up defensive positions in Stavelot.
Germans were up to something big. He collected his battal- After a short fight, the Germans managed to storm the bridge
ion from their remote outposts and established roadblocks and bypass the bulk of the American defenders. Thinking
at key locations such as Stavelot, La Gleize, Trois-Ponts, Stavelot was secured, Peiper carried on pushing west.
Amblève, and Malmédy.
THE BRIDGES AND THE DAMNED ENGINEERS
N MALMÉDY
Salm River STAVELOT 150TH PANZER
Amblève River BRIGADE
HABIÉMONT SS-KAMPFGRUPPE
PEIPER
Bridges
TROIS PONTS
88
0 Miles 2 4
0 Kilometres 4 6
Trois Ponts exploded. Peiper slammed his fist on his Panther and ex- THE DAMNED ENGINEERS
claimed, “The damned engineers. The damned engineers!”
From Stavelot, he sent a small force of Panzer IV tanks and
pioneers to Wanne to capture a crossing south of his next Malmédy
objective. His own troops focused on the Trois Ponts.
Separated by the Amblève River, the two forces closed on As Peiper’s column sped beyond the reach of the 291st,
their objectives, but Pergrin’s engineers were one step ahead help arrived at Malmédy. Two 90mm anti-aircraft guns,
of them and both bridges were sent into oblivion with TNT the 99th Infantry Battalion (Separate), the 526th Armored
just as the panzers approached. Peiper’s southern task force Infantry Battalion, and the 825th Tank Destroyer Battalion
had to return all of the way back to Stavelot in order to cross bolstered the engineers just in time as Otto Skorzeny’s
the Amblève and rejoin the main force, wasting precious 150. Panzerbrigade attacked on 21 December. The 99th
fuel. Peiper’s own force abandoned Trois Ponts and wandered held the line, while the engineers manned roadblocks and
north along the Amblève looking for a suitable crossing. set up ambushes, helping to repel Skorzeny’s assault. After
Malmédy, the 291st joined the rest of the V Corps in erad-
Habiémont icating the ‘bulge’, rebuilding bridges and paving the way.
Frustrated, Peiper found a hidden crossing overlooked by the To Victory
engineers and finally crossed the river. However, Peiper’s new
position was given away by an intense fighter-bomber attack By war’s end, the 291st had made seven river assaults and
which alerted the engineers. There was only one place Peiper constructed 74 bridges, 11 of which were built under fire,
could be going: Habiémont. including a record setting 1000-foot (300m) bridge built
A truckload of TNT arrived just in time at Habiémont at Remagen in 32 hours. For their actions, the 291st was
bridge, and once again as the panzers approached, the bridge awarded a Presidential Unit Citation.
ENGINEER COMBAT COMPANY SPECIAL RULES
A 1111th Engineer Combat Group Engineer Combat Company uses all of the normal US special rules found on pages 236 to
240 of the rulebook. In addition, they also use the Boy Scouts and Eightballs, Oddballs, and Screwballs special rules.
An inexperienced Engineer Combat Battalion Engineer Combat Company uses all of the normal US special rules found on
pages 236 to 240 of the rulebook.
Boy Scouts Eightballs, Oddballs, and Screwballs
Over 80% of the battalion were former members of the Boy The engineers ranged from well-educated civil engineers to
Scouts. The old scout motto ‘Be Prepared’ certainly gave rise self-taught mechanics and Colonel Pergrin made sure that
to clever booby traps that helped stall Peiper’s charge. they all knew the score and no one was left in the dark.
Instead of placing a Minefield or three Barbed Wire Engineer Combat Platoons use the German Mission Tactics
Entanglements for a Pioneer Supply Truck (see page 263 special rules on page 242 of the rulebook.
of the rulebook), you may place three Booby Traps (see page
230 of the rulebook).
89
ENGINEER COMBAT COMPANY
Infantry Company
Motivation and Skill 1111th Engineer Inexperienced Combat
Combat Group Engineer Company
An Engineer Combat Company from the 1111th Engineer
Combat Group is rated Confident Veteran. RELUCTANT CONSCRIPT RELUCTANT CONSCRIPT
An Engineer Combat Company from an inexperi- CONFIDENT TRAINED CONFIDENT TRAINED
enced infantry division is rated Confident Trained.
FEARLESS VETERAN FEARLESS VETERAN
HEADQUARTERS HEADQUARTERS 91 91 91 91 You must field one platoon from each box shaded black and may field one platoon from each
box shaded grey.
Engineer Combat Your Company HQ must be either from the 1111th Engineer Combat Group (marked ), or the
Company HQ Inexperienced Combat Engineer Company (marked ). All other platoons marked with any of
these unit symbols must be from the same unit as your Company HQ.
INFANTRY
COMBAT PLATOONS Engineer Combat WEAPONS PLATOONS MACHINE-GUNS SUPPORT PLATOONS INFANTRY
Platoon Improvised Machine- ARMOUR
gun Platoon
INFANTRY 92 92 Tank Platoon 29 51 130 131 Armored Rifle Platoon 33 81 115
Engineer Combat RECONNAISSANCE 761st Tank Platoon Rifle Platoon
Platoon FORTIFICATIONS Improvised Corps Tank Destroyer Parachute Rifle Platoon 132
Reconnaissance Platoon Platoon
INFANTRY Towed Tank Destroyer 33 81 34 115 ARTILLERY
Engineer Combat FORTIFICATIONS Platoon
Platoon Field Artillery Battery
Roadblock Strongpoint INFANTRY OR ANTI-TANK ANTI-AIRCRAFT
FORTIFICATIONS 93 93 138 138
Armored Rifle Platoon Anti-aircraft Artillery
Roadblock Strongpoint Rifle Platoon (Self-propelled) Platoon
Armored Anti-tank Heavy Anti-aircraft
Platoon Artillery Platoon
Parachute Rifle Platoon
AIRCRAFT
Air Support 139 139
Air Observation Post
90
HEADQUARTERS ENGINEER COMBAT COMPANY
Engineer Combat Company HQ Captain
Captain
Headquarters
Company HQ 15 points 10 points
Options Company Command ¾-ton truck 2iC Command
Carbine team with AA MG Carbine team
• Replace either or both Command Carbine teams Company HQ
with Command SMG teams for +15 points per team Sergeant
• Add ¾-ton truck with AA MG and Jeep with .50 cal M1 57mm gun (late) M1 57mm gun (late)
AA MG for +10 points.
Bazooka team Bazooka team Bazooka team
• Add up to two M1 57mm (late) anti-tank guns for
+35 points per gun. Improvised anti-tank section
• Add up to two M1 57mm (late) anti-tank guns for Engineer combat company HQ
+25 points per gun.
• Add up to three Bazooka teams for +20 points per
team.
• Add up to three Bazooka teams for +15 points per
team.
COMBAT PLATOONS
Engineer Combat Platoon
Platoon
HQ Section with 205 points 150 points Bazooka team D7 Bulldozer
Weapons squad and: 155 points 110 points Pioneer Supply
2 ½-ton dump truck
2 Operating Squads
1 Operating Squad
Options 2 ½-ton dump truck 2 ½-ton dump truck
Bazooka team Bazooka team
• Replace Command Pioneer Rifle team with a
Command Pioneer SMG team for +5 points. 2 ½-ton dump truck
• Add a Bazooka team to any or all Sections or Squads Engineer Combat Platoon
for +20 points per Bazooka team.
Using Captured Vehicles
• Add a Bazooka team to any or all Sections or Squads
for +15 points per Bazooka team. Since the only difference is a visual one, feel free to model
any or all of your 2½-ton trucks with German 3-ton trucks,
• Add Pioneer Supply 2½-ton dump truck for +25 points. and any or all of your jeeps with Kübelwagen jeeps.
• Add a D7 Bulldozer or turretless M4 Sherman dozer
for +15 points, or a M4 Sherman dozer for +90 points.
• Add a D7 Bulldozer or turretless M4 Sherman dozer
for +10 points, or a M4 Sherman dozer for +70 points.
• Add Jeep with .50 cal AA MG and 2½-ton dump
trucks for +10 points for the platoon.
• Arm any or all 2½-ton dump trucks with .50 cal AA
MG for +5 points per truck.
You may replace all Pioneer HMG teams with Pioneer Rifle
teams at the start of the game before deployment.
The combat engineers of the 1111th Engineer Combat
Group found themselves to be the only thing standing
between SS-Kampfgruppe Peiper and the Meuse River. The
combat engineers of the 291st Engineer Combat Battalion
made extensive use of captured German trucks and jeeps.
91
WEAPONS PLATOONS
Improvised Lieutenant
Machine-gun Platoon Lieutenant
Platoon Command Carbine team
HQ Section with:
4 M1917 130 points - Sergeant Sergeant
2 M1917 65 points -
4 M2 .50 cal 90 points -
Machine-gun Machine-gun Machine-gun Machine-gun
machine-gun Section machine-gun Section
An Improvised Machine-gun Platoon may make Combat Improvised Machine-gun platoon
Attachments to Engineer Combat Platoons.
Colonel Pergrin called up the M1917 machine-guns from reinforcements stripped a few trucks of M2 .50 cal machine-
A Company to bolster B Company holding Malmédy. The guns and brought them along as well.
Improvised Reconnaissance Lieutenant
Platoon Lieutenant
Platoon
3 Jeep Patrols 120 points - Command Recon Jeep Recon Jeep
2 Jeep Patrols 80 points -
1 Jeep Patrol 40 points - Jeep Patrol
Sergeant
Option Command Recon Jeep Recon Jeep
• Replace any or all Recon Jeeps with .50 cal Recon Jeep Patrol
Jeeps for +5 points per jeep.
Sergeant
Jeep Patrols from an Improvised Reconnaissance Platoon Command Recon Jeep Recon Jeep
operate as separate platoons, each with their own command
team. Jeep Patrol
Jeep Patrols are Reconnaissance Platoons Improvised reconaissance platoon
With absolutely no authorised reconnaissance of their own,
other than the battalion’s small two-jeep reconnaissance These bold patrols raced forward and quickly discovered the
section, the engineers formed ad hoc patrols of pairs of jeeps German tanks. Their reconnaissance was essential for the
and sent them out all across the front to keep tabs on Peiper’s engineers to keep one step ahead of Peiper during the early
column and report back. critical days of the battle.
92
FORTIFICATIONS ENGINEER COMBAT COMPANY
Roadblock Strongpoint Command Pioneer Anti-tank gun
Rifle team in Gun Pit
Platoon
Roadblock Strongpoint 170 points - HQ Section Gun Section
Options Bazooka team Bazooka team
• Add a second Operating Section for +55 points.
• Add a second Weapons Section for +90 points. Trench Line Booby Trap Trench Line Booby Trap
• Add a Gun Section with a M1 57mm (late) gun in Operating Section Operating Section
a Gun Pit for +45 points or a M5 3in (late) gun in a M1917 HMG M1917 HMG
Gun Pit for +60 points.
• Add up to one Anti-tank Obstacle for +100 points. Minefield Minefield
• Replace either or both M1917 HMG with M2 .50 cal Barbed Wire Entanglement Barbed Wire Entanglement
MG for -10 points per team.
Weapons Section Weapons Section
A Roadblock Strongpoint is a Fortified Platoon (see page
262 of the rulebook). Anti-tank Obstacle
A company that includes a Roadblock Strongpoint is Obstacle
a Fortified Company (see pages 257 and 262 of the
rulebook). Roadblock Strongpoint
Booby Traps are Area Defences and are therefore deployed
using the Placing Booby Traps rules (see page 230 of the Anti-tank obstacles could be anything from dozens of felled
rulebook) and do not have to deploy with the rest of the trees to ‘flaming roadblocks’ where the men would fill
Fortified Platoon. ditches across the roads with fuel and light it on fire. In some
locations in the southern sector, roadblocks were positioned
Roadblocks formed the core of the engineers’ defence. along portions of the West Wall that were in American hands,
Typically they would mine the road and its shoulders and making use of the large rows of dragon’s teeth against the
set up trenches and gun pits covering the position. Often the army that built them.
weapons squad would put their .30 cal or .50 cal machine-
guns into emplacements for additional protection. A few
anti-tank guns were scrounged up from shattered units to
give the engineers a little defence against German tanks.
They also used a series of booby traps. Anti-tank mines were
daisy-chained together so that they could be dragged across
the road in front of enemy tanks and half-tracks. Large trees
were rigged with TNT so that when an enemy vehicle tripped
a wire, the tree would fall and block the road. Even barbed
wire entanglements were booby trapped with TNT and mines
to inflict damage on the Germans trying to clear the way.
93
MINDING THE GAP
THE 14TH CAVALRY GROUP
SPA 99TH INFANTRY
MALMÉDY DIVISION
N STAVELOT BÜTGENBACH 12TH VOLKSGRENADIER
18TH CAVALRY DIVISION
14TH CAVALRY SQUADRON
GROUP LOSHEIM
STADTKYLL
BORN MANDERFELD SS-KAMPFGRUPPE
ST. VITH HANSEN
LOSHEIM GAP
VIELSALM
0 Miles 5 32ND CAVALRY 106TH INFANTRY BLEIALF
DIVISION
SQUADRON
10
0 Kilometres 10 PRÜM
The 14th Cavalry Group, consisting of the 18th and 32nd Cav- signal flare sent up alerted the cavalry of the incoming attack,
alry Squadrons, arrived in France on 27 September 1944. and the massive number of searchlights meant to show the
They were assigned to support the US VIII Corps in a way, simply silhouetted the men and made them easy targets.
defensive role in the Ardennes, covering the space between The troops of the 18th Squadron occupying their outposts
the 99th and 106th Infantry Divisions. opened fire. The Volksgrenadiere were cut down by the
This region, known as the Losheim Gap, was good going for hundreds until the cavalry were forced to retire for lack of
armoured forces, and as such was the most likely spot the ammunition. Falling back to Manderfeld, the 18th cavalry
Germans would attack. But the Allies took a calculated risk again delivered a devastating blow upon the Germans, this
that the Germans couldn’t go on the offensive after all of the time with the added firepower of the 275th Field Artillery.
Summer defeats they had sustained, even if they wanted to. The 32nd Squadron was dispatched from Vielsalm to reinforce
The 18th Cavalry Squadron (a battalion-strength unit) was the 18th at Manderfeld. The squadron’s E Troop were the first
stationed near the front in Manderfeld while the 32nd was to arrive with six M8 Scott HMC assault guns. The Scotts
held back in Vielsalm to rest and refit. To help with their quickly tied into the 275th Field Artillery’s network and joined
defence, the group was given a company from the 820th Tank in the havoc being wrought on the Volksgrenadiere.
Destroyer Battalion (towed M5 3” anti-tank guns) and three
batteries from the 275th Field Artillery Battalion equipped Breaking Point
with 18 M7 Priests.
The cavalry sent a few patrols to get an idea of the scope of
The Losheim Gap the attack, which was quickly established as a large assault.
The group’s commander, Colonel Mark Devine raced back
In the pre-dawn hours of 16 December 1944, the full to the 106th Infantry Division’s headquarters to request artil-
weight of 12. Volksgrenadierdivision (12th Peoples’ Grenadier lery support, but found the divisional staff was in a shambles
Division) was thrown against the cavalrymen. Almost im- and Devine returned empty handed.
mediately things started to unravel for the Germans. The red
94
By the next day, two of the 32nd Squadron’s troops had been excellent defence of Saint Vith and helped cover the fighting MINDING THE GAP
destroyed fighting SS-Kampfgruppe Hansen. Colonel Devine withdrawal back to Vielsalm.
broke down and gave up command to his executive officer,
Lieutenant Colonel Augustine Dugan. The new commander’s Refit
life was made harder by the unreasonable demands from the
106th Infantry to retake the village of Born, something well In January 1945, the 18th was brought back up to full
beyond the ability of his unit. Nevertheless, Dugan gathered strength and were among the first to receive the new M24
his shattered unit and formed a small task force. Task Force Chaffee light tank to replace their aging M5A1 Stuarts. This
Mayes’s attack with four M5A1 Stuart light tanks, a platoon excellent new tank combined speed and firepower, giving the
of M8 Scott assault guns, and C Troop (32nd Cavalry) was cavalry the perfect tool to exact revenge upon the Germans
valiant but unsuccessful. for their fallen comrades.
The 14th Cavalry Group, now well and truly spent, was Despite their losses, the 18th Cavalry managed to stall the
transferred to the 7th Armored. Now fully supported by the German attack in Losheim for nearly 24 hours and in the
weight of the tanks and armoured infantry, the remnants of process blunt the attacks of 12. Volksgrenadierdivision and
the 18th Cavalry played a useful role in the 7th Armored’s 3. Fallschirmjägerdivision. For their actions during the war,
they received a Presidential Unit Citation.
PATTON’S GHOSTS: THE 2ND CAVALRY GROUP
The 2nd Cavalry Group, consisting of clashed with 111. Panzerbrigade at Lunéville. Although they
the 2nd and 42nd Cavalry Squadrons, lost a large number of vehicles there, the fight stalled the
arrived in France in June 1944. Germans long enough for the 704th Tank Destroyer and
Ordered to join Task Force A in 37th Tank Battalions to counter their advance. The veteran
Brittany, the group was instead cavalrymen continued to fight alongside the 4th Armored all
intercepted and adopted by the 4th of the way through the Ardennes fighting. They too were
Armored Division as it raced through among the first units to receive the new M24 Chaffee light
Brittany and on to the Moselle in the tank to replace their loses at Lunéville and put them to good
Lorraine. use in the field.
As a part of XII Corps of Patton’s Third Army, the 2nd Cavalry The group’s speed, cunning, and elusiveness earned them the
screened the right flank. On 18 September 1944, the group nickname ‘Patton’s Ghosts’.
CAVALRY SPECIAL RULES
A Cavalry Recon Troop and a Cavalry Tank Company use all of the normal US special rules found on pages 236 to 240 of
the rulebook. In addition, they also use the Never Out Of Touch special rule.
Never Out Of Touch Once each turn, you may re-roll one die to receive Reserves
for your force.
The cavalry’s long-range radios and high mobility of their In a mission using the Scattered Reserves special rule, once
vehicles meant that they could respond quickly to enemy per turn you may also re-roll one die rolled to determine
threats. where a platoon will arrive from Scattered Reserve.
95
CAVALRY RECON TROOP
Mechanised Company
Motivation and Skill 2nd Cavalry Group 14th Cavalry Group
A Cavalry Recon Troop from the 2nd Cavalry Group is RELUCTANT CONSCRIPT RELUCTANT CONSCRIPT
rated Confident Veteran. CONFIDENT TRAINED CONFIDENT TRAINED
VETERAN VETERAN
A Cavalry Recon Troop from the 14th Cavalry Group is FEARLESS FEARLESS
rated Confident Trained.
HEADQUARTERS HEADQUARTERS 97 97 97 97 You must field one platoon from each box shaded black and may field one platoon from each
Cavalry Recon Troop box shaded grey.
HQ Your Troop HQ must be either from the 2nd Cavalry Group (marked ) or the 14th Cavalry Group
(marked ). All Combat and Weapons platoons marked with either of these symbols must be
RECONNAISSANCE from the same cavalry group as your Company HQ. Support platoons can be of any variant type
Cavalry Recon Platoon and do not have to match your Troop HQ.
RECONNAISSANCE SUPPORT PLATOONS
Cavalry Recon Platoon
COMBAT PLATOONS WEAPONS PLATOONS ARMOUR ARMOUR ARTILLERY
RECONNAISSANCE OR ANTI-TANK
Cavalry Recon Platoon
Cavalry Tank Platoon 99 99 Tank Platoon 29 130 131 Field Artillery Battery 132 135 134
ARMOUR Corps Tank Destroyer Armored Field Artillery
Platoon 131 Battery 135 139 139
Cavalry Tank Platoon Towed Tank Destroyer Provisional Artillery
ARTILLERY 97 Platoon Battery
Cavalry Assault Gun ANTI-TANK ARTILLERY
Battery
Towed Tank Destroyer Armored Field
Platoon Artillery Battery
INFANTRY AIRCRAFT
Rifle Platoon 81 33 91 115 Air Support
Air Observation Post
Armored Rifle Platoon
Engineer Combat
Platoon
Parachute Rifle Platoon
96
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Percy-javkson--the-battle-of-the-bulge
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