Flames of War - Painting Tutorial - Step by Step Winter Fins - FSO101 Finnish Command Group -

After all the time it is also time again to paint a couple of new things... I am always wondering why I am doing that so excessively while not playing .. well easy to say ... I am tooooo lazy to go ahead to travel the way down to Cork city and play at the Other Realms store there.....

So back to "normal" when...

What have I started... it is a finnish army usable for early , mid and latewar. Seemingly I also seem to favour more defensive formations instead of the tactical aggressive ones...

Lets start things first...

What to do...:

As a flavour of mine I normally base my miniatures last instead of others doing this step first.

The unit ahead of us is "FSO101" which is the "Finnish Command Group"
Colours used:

- Black Primer
- Vallejo Grey Green (866)
- Vallejo Sky Grey ( 989)
- Vallejo White ( 951)
- Vallejo Khaki Grey (880)
- Vallejo Flat Brown (984)
- Vallejo Deck Tan (986)
- Vallejo Rose Brown (803)
- Vallejo Beige Brown (875)
- Vallejo Light Brown (929)
- Vallejo US Field Drab (873)
- Vallejo Brown Violet (887)
- Vallejo Neutral Grey (992)
- Vallejo London Grey (836)
- Vallejo Brown Shade (200)


Step 1:
After opening the box I first clean up the models and sort them out. All new BF products come with holes in the bases to more easily conceal the bases the miniatures are cast with. Honestly.. I think this being a bit more annoying then helpful, but I guess this is a matter of taste. So clean up, cut off any excess from casting and head on to

Step 2:
I then glued all the miniatures onto tongue depressors... Why ? I do not like to put them on one small stick and not to touch them from there... instead I glue up to four of them on a tongue depressor and still do not touch them.

Step 3:
After glueing and the short time of drying of course... I primed them black... Still being a bit fascinated about that because I normally try to prime white or light grey... but ok black was available for me and I need to use up some of my stuff to get a bit more of a space at home... so use up black and sprayprime them black.

Step 4: 
Take your model and paint it nearly everythere with Vallejo Grey Green (866) as a basecoat. As this will be out darkest layer of the uniform please be so free in doing so. There is no real need to be tidy to the model at this point of time as every other colour will be painted above it. The only parts I left out here are the faces, hands, boots , metal helmets or hats and weapons.

Step 5:
After all the models are dry again and your brush is clean I used Vallejo London Grey (836) as first highlight of the models. Here I did a slight diversion as I will paint a couple of jackets more in a brown colour to get some diversity into the platoon and command. I also left out the trousers as you can see and only did the upper parts of the winter uniforms in this kinda style.

Step 6:
With this done take your models again and second highlight them with Vallejo Sky Grey ( 989). I still do this quite generously.

Step 7:
50:50 Mix of Vallejo Sky Grey ( 989) and Vallejo White ( 951) for edge highlighting.

Step 8:
By now our model already looks quite nice but still lacks the soul. As all the highlights might get a pain in the ass to repaint later I will now cover the flesh areas. So hands (as long as not being covered) and faces get Vallejo Rose Brown (803).

Step 9:
Use Vallejo Brown Shade (200) to get a better look at the eyes , mouth and other face details as well as for the flesh parts of the hands



Step 10:
Again Vallejo Rose Brown (803) to highlight the edges. If you like you can optional afterwards apply a 50:50 mix of Rose Brown with White for extreme edge highlighting. Due to all this colouring you will notice that eyes and mouth already are visible and this is quite enought for me for the face details. I do not need eyelashes etc... on a 15mm figure.

Step 11:
Vallejo Flat Brown (984) on all leather and all wood parts of the model. This means, rifle as well as belt, and straps.

Step 12:
Highlight belt and straps with Vallejo Khaki Grey (880).

Step 13:
Highlight using Vallejo Beige Brown (875) the rifle. Afterwards to edge highlighting with Vallejo Light Brown (929). This gives a good impression on light sources.

Step 14:
Vallejo Brown Violet (887) for any metal helmet being available as well as for every bag that is visible on the miniature

Step 15:
Highlight the bags with Vallejo US Field Drab (873). I used a drybrush technique here.

Step 16:
This is a bit of "I like" or "I dont like". If it is "I don´t like" then please use instead gun metal grey for the metal parts of the weapons... if not ... use neutral grey on the metal parts of the weapons.

Step 17:
Vallejo Brown Shade (200) for the metal helmets and on the just painted metal parts.



Step 18:
Edge highlight metal parts with 50:50 mixture of Vallejo London Grey (836) and Vallejo Sky Grey ( 989)

Step 19:
Colours for officers are sky blue and for any non officers red... so feel free to add a red or blue dot on the cap or furcap of any appropiate miniature.

Step 20:
I first base my miniature normally. This means apply filler which is mixed up with sand on a base and simply then stick your miniature into that and carefully remove any small wave of mixture from the miniature. You will get the surface as desired. After it is dry your mini will be very well placed in it and no extra glue is needed

Step 21:
Basecoat the filler flat brown. Set a few highlights if you have some special sort of area available.

Step 22:
Glue any other needed material for base decoration now on it.

Step 23:
Generously paint some Vallejo Deck Tan on some of the areas you want later to be more snow fields on the base.

Step 24:
Use PVA to cover the whole base.

Step 25:
Use snow flock effect on the base. Repeat Step 25 till snow part is as covering as you desire.

Finish

So tell me how you paint your winter fins :) Looking forward to your suggestions !:)

Flames of War - Scenario - Skirmish / Soloplay - Dunajek Bridge

Eastern Front - 1944 January- Army Group North - Poland

Historical Background: 

On January 12, the troops of the 1st Ukrainian Front (Konev) launched a mayor attack from the Baranów bridgehead towards Silesia. With tremendous troop and material usage Soviet attacks smashed the german lines after two one hour each lasting artillery barrage. On the first day there were deep penetrations into the german front line done, and on January 15 there was no coherent German front in this area anymore.

German orders:
For hours there was this tremendous artillery barrage on the frontline troops. You are a bit backwards with the duty to fortify the wooden bridge for retreating own troops which are located at the city of Zabno some couple of kilometers away. The small town you made a home during the last couple of weeks is called Wai Ruda. The next german "fortress town" there your staff is awaiting orders is Szczurowa. The bridge is ready to be blown up but instead of doing so after this soviet attack you wait for german refugee units. Your orders are to hold open the bridge as long as possible for retreating german units. If soviet forces try to cross the river blow the bridge up.

Soviet orders:
The attack is going well and the germans are withdrawing. We smashed through their lines and now our spearhead to the west is making fast progress. We just passed through Zabno without encountering any resistance at all and now are approaching the small wood between Zabno and Wai Ruda. Our orders are simple. Try to sniff our more german intruders and punch them into the snow. Any resistance is to be put down. Capture the bridge if it is not blown up already.

Tablesize:
This is a limited table sized 60cm by 120cm. The german deployment is on the southern part of the river. Every unit is entrenched. Pak and SMG are laid in ambush as well as the infantry.

Soviet forces start in the northern part. Mainly on the road with the two T-34 leading.
The river does not support a ford. The only crossing is the bridge. Whoever secures the bridge wins the game

Terrain (table size 60cm wide, 120cm long):
The river Dunajek divides the table into two halves. From the upper left corner a road commences in a corner towards the bridge which sits in the middle of the table. The area in the soviet deployment zone supports some more woods. A small hill covers the advance of the road starting from the corner.
The lower side has some small woods on the left corner. A hill is located on the right corner. Right before the hill two russian houses were build. In one the german SMG Team starts. A bit left you have the entrenched Pak38. The road commences from the bridge in an arc to the left corner. Foxholes for the infantry are dug before the wood.


Specials:

Due to heavy snowfall during the last days the communicationline to blow up the bridge doesnt work properly. To fix the problem the german player sends out one stand each round to fix the problem. This takes one full turn. Means the german player needs two turns in total to find and fix the line properly. The line can only be blown up by the Pak 38 crew. As the missing link is recognised in turn one this specialty starts in turn 2.

The german Pak Stand can only be penetrated by a shell from the ISU-152. However the T-34 shells can force the Pak team to hold their heads down.

Forces:

German Forces:
1 Pak 38 
1 SMG Team
1 Platoon Panzergrenadiers (free choice if you agree to use anti tank weapons or not)


Soviet Force:
1 T-34-85 OBR 1944
1 T-34 obr 1942-OT-34 (57mm gun) 
1 ISU-152
1 Platoon Strelkovy (Winter) without Komissar

Making the winner:

Victory Points:
Soviet Points:
+1 Capture the bridge
+1 for the soviets if they destroy the Pak Stand before the bridge can be blown up
+1 for the soviets for each stand destroyed who tries to fix and repair the line


German Points:
+1 hold the bridge or blow it up 
+1 for each stand of killed infantry
+2 for each tank destroyed

Germans can´t win on points if bridge is secured by soviet forces. Soviets can win on points even if bridge is destroyed.

 


 

Flames of War - Tutorial - How to build a Sturmboot German Wehrmacht (Assault boats)

Thanks to Gary of "Garys Command Post" which I was browsing and asked him about some sort of template or similar to what he has done.

For the sizing of these Assault Boats I highly recommend comparing to a midsize FoW base. This will make the boat a bit bigger than it would have been , but it suits best to what you want to do. I normally also recommend putting the shorter side of the medium base in direction of "travel" :)

So what materials do we need ?

- The plan
- Cardstock
- PVA Glue
- Filler
- Colours

Step 1:
Use the template onto your cardstock and trace around with a pencil. Then do it again with the flaps "F" to get an idea there to fold later on.

Step 2:
Cut out

Step 3:
Trace a second "bottom" of the boat slighty smaller then the first one as you can hide the folding flaps with that.

Step 4:
Glue everything together

Step 5:
Use the filler to clean out any gaps which you might have from glueing

Step 6:
Prime and paint as desired



Template (Curtesy of Gary):

The finished piece (Curtesy of Gary again):

Flames of War - Scenario - "Unternehmen Trappenjagd" Part 2 - Historical Forces

Forces available:

German OOB:
 
Heeresgruppe Süd (South):

Armeeoberkommando (AOK) 11:

German OOB: Kriegsgliederung vom 11.5.1942:

*Units listed from north to south:

VII (7) Romanian Corps:

19. (Romanian) Infantry Division

8. (Romanian) Cavalry Division
Misc.Units: 10. (Romanian) Infantry Division added during the battle.



XXXXII (42) Armeekorps (AK):

46. Infanterie-Division

50. Infanterie-Division

Misc.Units: nil.

XXX (30) Armeekorps (AK):

132. Infanterie-Division

28. Leichte Infanterie-Division

170. Infanterie-Division

Misc.Units: Group "Ritter" - Küstenschutz (coastal protection).



AOK Reserves:

22. Panzer-Division (stationed behind XXX AK.)

"Groddeck" (Oberst Karl Albrecht von Groddeck) Infanterie-Brigade (mot.):

Order of Battle:

1.  Group "Korne" (Rumanian Colonel Radu Korne)

---- 3. (Romanian) Cavalry Regt. (mot.)

---- 22. Aufklärungs-Abteilung (mot.) (Motorized Recon. Bn.)

---- 560. Panzerjäger-Abteilung (Anti-Tank Bn.)

---- 6th Coy./ II Bn.. / 800. Brandenburg Regiment (mot.)

---- I Bn./ 391. Infanterie-Regiment

---- 154. Artillerie-Abteilung (mot.)

---- 6th Btty./ 818. schwere (heavy) Artillerie-Abteilung (mot.)

---- 1 Btty. from Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung (Assault-Gun Bn.) 197.

---- 1 Btty. from Nebelwefer-Regiment (Rocket launcher Regt.) 70 (mot.)

---- 1 lei.Btty. (light battery) from 64. Heeres-Fla (Flak)-Bataillon (mot.)

---- 1 schwere.Btty. (heavy battery) from 64. Heeres-Fla (Flak)-Bataillon (mot.)

---- 1 Coy. from  Pionier (Engineer)-Bataillon 173.

2. Group "Müller" (attached):

---- 401. Infanterie-Regiment (mot.)
---- I Bn./ 105. Infanterie-Regiment
---- 223. Panzer-Bataillon
---- Stab Artillerie-Regiment 54. (mot.)
---- II Btty./ Artillerie-Bataillon 54. (mot.)
---- II Btty./ Artillerie-Bataillon 57. (mot.)
---- III.Coy./ Pionier (Engineer)-Bataillon 132.

---- 14.Trp./ 105. Panzerjäger-Abteilung (Anti-Tank Bn.)

---- 1 Btty. from Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung (Assault-Gun Bn.) 190.



Source: National Archives microfilm: series T312/ roll #1692/ frame 77

The German OOB info was researched by John Mulholland.

The Soviet Union:

 Soviet OOB:
  44th Army: 
    Rifle Divisions: 157, 404
    Mtn. Rifle Division:  63, 236
    Mtn. Rifle Regiment:  251, 105
    Artillery:  547 Gun AR, 31, 339, 513 AAABn
    Tank:  79, 126 Tank Bn., 24 Tank Regt.
    Air: 25, 27, 135 FAD, 40 CAS, 152 RAS
    Engineers:  61 Ebn, 19 Sbn

  47th Army:
    Mtn. Rifle Division:  77 (-105 MtnRR), 138
    Artillery:  136 HowARhp, 335 AAAbn
    Tank:  56 Atr
    Engineer:  256 Ebn

  51st Army:
    Rifle Divisions:  224, 390, 396
    Mtn. Rifle Division:  302
    Rifle Brigades:  12, 83 NRB
    Artillery:  25, 53, 456 AR, 457 Gun AR, 1/7 GMR, 180, 220 AAbn
    Tank:  124 Tank Bn.
    Air:  71 MAD, 72 FAD, 2 AAR, 23 CAS, 151, 507 RAS
    Engineers:  75, 132 EBn, 6, 54 PBBn, 205, 275, 82 SBn, 138 EBn

Flames of War - Scenario - "Unternehmen Trappenjagd" Part 1 - Historical Background

Battle of the Kerch Peninsula (German: Unternehmen Trappenjagd) (Russian Керченско-Феодосийская десантная операция (Kerchensko-Feodosiyskaya desantnaya operatsiya, 'Kerch-Feodosiya landing operation')) was a World War II offensive by German and Romanian armies against the Soviet Crimean Front forces defending the Kerch Peninsula, in the eastern part of the Crimea. It was launched on 8 May 1942 and concluded around 18 May 1942 with the near complete destruction of the Soviet defending forces. The Red Army lost over 170,000 men killed or taken prisoner, and three armies (44th, 47th, and 51st) with twenty-one divisions.The operation was one of the battles immediately preceding the German summer offensive (Fall Blau), and its successful conclusion made it possible for the Axis to launch a successful assault on Sevastopol in the following months.
Some groups of Soviet survivors refused to surrender and fought on for many months, hiding in the catacombs of the quarries. Many of these soldiers were occupying the caves along with many civilians, who had fled the city of Kerch.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Historical Background:

The Battle:

Trappenjagd began at 04:15 on 8 May. Fliegerkorps VIII operating under Luftflotte 4, began operations against lines of communication and against Soviet airfields. Within hours, Ju 87s of StG 77 had knocked out most of the Soviet 44th Army's communications. The airfields were also virtually destroyed and 57 of the 401 Soviet aircraft in the area were shot down in just 2,100 sorties. Having knocked out the army's Headquarters, the Soviets could not organise a counter offensive and the 44th Army collapsed into a retreat when von Manstein launched the ground attack.
Von Manstein had five infantry divisions, one Panzer Division (22nd Panzer Division), and two and a half Romanian Divisions against 19 Soviet divisions and four armoured brigades at Kerch. He committed his units in the south against the 44th Army. The 902nd Assault Boat Command of the 436th Regiment, 132nd German Infantry Division, landed behind the Soviet lines and helped unbuckle the Soviet second lines. The artillery bombardment lasted only 10 minutes, and within three and a half hours of the assault being launched, the 44th Army collapsed. On the first day, XXX Corps, attacking with the 28th, 50th and 132nd Divisions had broken through in the south. At a cost of 104 killed and 284 wounded, they captured 4,514 Soviet soldiers. Kozlov did not appreciate the significance of the German breakthrough and failed to release reserves for a counter-attack. On 9 May, von Manstein committed the 22nd Panzer Division, which swung north and trapped the 51st Army against the Sea of Azov. Soviet morale and organisation collapsed, and a stampede to the rear areas began. Once this happened, the eight divisions of the 51st Army surrendered releasing XXX Corps to pursue the fragments of retreating Soviet forces to Marfovka, barely eight miles from Kerch.

Flames of War - Tutorial - 78. Sturm Division Begleit Assault Troops (Tankriders)

As some of you might remember the old army book for the 78th Sturm Division also had a StuGG Begleit Assault team (Tankriders)....

While rampaging through my left overs I found two german King Tiger Tanks with tank riders. The tanks  I already had painted up some time back and did not want the tank riders on them as they are the only King Tigers I have... so now these 12 guys find a new home on a StuGG


Manufacturer: Battlefront
Scale: 15mm
Metal/Plastic: Metal

Number of Miniatures: 12

Flames of War - Tutorial - 78. Sturm Division Heavy Platoon from leftovers

Battlefront + Skytex - 15mm - WW2 German 78. Sturm Infantry Division Heavy Weapons Platoon

Leftovers is the topic this month. From the remainers of a couple of boxes and skytex miniatures I am building up some more new units.

This time:

Manufacturer: Battlefront and Skytex
Scale: 15mm
Metal/Plastic: Metal

Number of Miniatures: 17


HMG Section

 Command SMG

Flames of War - Tutorial - Painting up 78 Sturm Division Heavy Platoon from leftovers

Sturm Heavy Platoon
--------------------

The history behind here is also quite funny.. at the start of my FoW career I accidently bought these 2 MG42 HMG and painted them up. Misunderstanding that for 1.15 Euros I only got a stand and not the full platoon.. at least they now find a useful place.

The CmD SMG Team is from the Skytex range and leftovers which I did not use.
Both 8cm GW34 are also Skytex and normally based for my Bolt Action 15mm range.. now they fit perfectly here into my Sturm Heavy Platoon... lets get them painted and primed first :))

So this means repainting, rebasing etc.... but lets do it....

1 Cmd SMG Team
2 MG42 HMG
1 Observer Rifle Team
2 8cm GW34 Mortars

Flames of War - Painting up Germans 78. Sturm Division HQ with leftovers

As mentioned earlier I am trying to get rid of my many leftovers from all sorts of boxes I have. This also includes some Battlefront stuff which I filled up with some of my leftovers from the old Skytex range. Let me know if you find the Skytex ones amongst them :)

Manufacturer: Battlefront , Skytex
Scale: 15mm
Metal/Plastic: Metal

Number of Miniatures: 24

In case someone is interested in my farb scheme:

- Primed Black
- Vallejo Field Grey
- Vallejo Brown Wash
- Vallejo Grey-Black
- Vallejo Flat Brown
- Vallejo Gunmetal Grey
- Vallejo Beige Brown
- Vallejo Ivory
- Vallejo Black Wash
- Vallejo Rose
- Vallejo Dark Yellow

Flames of War - History - Researching my own family history

Flames of war gives me the opportunity to at least research parts of my own family history. As my granddad died this year of old age this is at least an opportunity for me to work over parts of things he never spoke of in the past.

Also there are a lot of questionmarks while taking a look through all the old and hidden belongings he left behind. Questions I at least like to research to get an answer to it.

First of all there are all his war medals. As my granddad joined the army back in 1942 there are still a lot of things he earned. Then there is this book I found on the attic and a couple of letters from his old comrades.

Book:

Glad being he was not a Waffen SS guy, but being part of the 21st Infantry Division (21. ID).

A short research filtered out:

1 Use and subordination :
The staff was as commander of Elbing on 1 October 1934 in Elbing , in the military district I ​​formed . The name was a cover name for the expansion of the Reichswehr. On 15 October 1935 was the bar in the unmasking of the 21st Infantry Division renamed. On 21 The Division August 1939 was mobilized . Here, the division was the MG Battalion 9 and the second Company of MG Battalion 31 assumed. Re.installed the Reconnaissance Battalion 21 from the Cavalry Regiment 4 and the field replacement battalion 21 On 1 September 1939 , the division crossed the Polish border and stormed the fortress Graudenz . Subsequently, the Division was moved to Johannesburg and met before from there via Kolno and the Narew up to Novgorod as well as Bialystock until after Wolkowyssk . In November 1939, the division was transferred to the Eifel in the room Bitburg . In January 1940, the Field Replacement Battalion 21 was sent to the 291 Submitted Infantry Division. From the 10th May 1940 took the Division at the Battle of France in part , passed through Luxembourg and Belgium and came over Mezières and Charleville to the Aisne front . Here , the division had to endure heavy fighting . In the second phase of the campaign , the " Battle of France " , the division marched fighting over Pethes , St. Menehould , Bar -le- Duc to the southeast. Already in September 1940 moved the division in the home. In October 1940, the staff of the Infantry Regiment 3 and the third battalions of the infantry regiments of the 121st were Submitted Infantry Division. As of 22 June 1941 took part in the Russian campaign the division . From the space Tilsit , the division came to Lithuania before , went with Jacob City over the Daugava and came over Ostrow and Porkhov on Dno ago. Here , the division turned to the Illmensee and fought on the north bank of the Volkhov northward . Finally, the Division met before on Wolchowstroj . In December 1941, the Division had to retreat behind the Volkhov until after Kirishi . Here was the division 's only German bridgehead on the east bank of the river. The division remained the whole year 1942 in this sector of the front , where they suffered heavy losses . In 1943, the division in the battles around the Sinyavino Heights south part of Lake Ladoga . The major offensive of the Red Army in January 1944 began the retreat from Leningrad on Pskov to the Baltic for the division. In October 1944 , the division in Riga was loaded onto ships and transported into the home. In the space of Tilsit , the division has been refreshed in the short term and then inserted in the space between Goldap and Gumbinnen . In 1945, the Division took part in the retreat fighting over the Masurian Canal, before Schippenbeil , across the avenue to participate in the space - Bartenstein Heilenberg and German - Eylau . In March 1945, the Division was encircled in the boiler of Heiligenbeil and suffered heavy losses here . The Division was smashed . Remnants of the Division were concentrated on the peninsula Peyse to a battle group on 26 April 1945 , however, was also destroyed.


1939Date Army Corps Army Army Group siteSeptember XXI 3 Army North East Prussia , PolandOctober Reserve - North PolandNovember 12, III Army A Eifel
1940Date Army Corps Army Army Group site1 January 12, III Army A Eifel2 March 12 XVIII Army A Eifel, LuxembourgJune 12, XIII Army A Aisne , Marne3 Administrative Order for July 12 Army C France13 July 12 XXXIII Army C France28 July 12, XXV Army C France28 July 12 XVIII Army C FranceAugust 12, XXVII Army C France12 September I 18 Army B East Prussia
1941Date Army Corps Army Army Group site1 January 18th I Army B East PrussiaFREE I 18 Army C East Prussia22 June 18th I Army North Tilsit , VolkhowSeptember I 16 Army North MurmanskbahnDecember 18th I Army North Volkhov
1942Date Army Corps Army Army Group siteMay 18, XXVIII Army North Ladoga
1943Date Army Corps Army Army Group site1 January 18, XXVIII Army North Ladoga27 January 18 XXVI Army North Ladoga4 April 18, LIV Army North Ladoga15 August 18 XXVI Army North LadogaOctober 18, XXXVIII Army North VolkhowNovember XXVIII 18 Army North Volkhow
1944Date Army Corps Army Army Group siteJanuary 18, XXVIII Army North Pskov , Walk , RigaOctober 3 IX Panzer Army center TilsitNovember 4th Reserve Army center East PrussiaDecember 4 XXXIX Army center East Prussia
1945Date Army Corps Army Army Group siteJanuary 4 XXXXI Army center East PrussiaFebruary XX 4 Army North East Prussia ( Heiligenbeil )April XXVI East Prussia - Prussia ( pillau )

 * Note: The insinuations are each period from that date / valid .


2 Division commanders
Lieutenant General Albert Wodrig installation - 10 November 1938
Lieutenant General Kuno -Hans von Both 10 November 1938 - 20th October 1939
Lieutenant General Otto Sponheim 1 November 1939 - April 1942
Lieutenant General William Bohnstedt April 1942 - April 1942
Lieutenant General Otto Sponheim April 1942 - 10 January 1943
Lieutenant-General Gerhard Matzky 10 January 1943 - 1 October 1943
Colonel Hubertus Lammey 1 October 1943 - December 1943
Lieutenant-General Gerhard Matzky December 1943 - 1 March 1944
Major General Franz Sensfuß 1 March 1944 - 28 March 1944
Lieutenant General Hermann Foertsch 28 March 1944 - 22 August 1944
Major General Henry Goetz 22 August 1944 - 25 September 1944
Colonel Hengersdorff 25 September 1944 - October 1944
Colonel Scharenberg October 1944 - 12 December 1944
Colonel Beyse 12 December 1944 - 14 January 1945
Major General Henry Goetz 14 January 1945 - 1 April 1945
Major General Karl Koetz 1 April 1945 - Capitulation


1 General Staff Officer :
Lieutenant Colonel i.g. Eberhard von Kurowski 3 November 1937 - (1939 )
Major iG Werner von Tippelskirch (1939 ) - February 1940
Colonel Bernard of Chevallerie February 1940 - 3 March 1943
Major i.g. Prittwitz and Gaffron 3 March 1943 - April 1943 I.V.
Lieutenant Colonel Friedrich Schroetter April 1943 - September 1944
Major i.g. Collée September 1944 - April 1945
Major i.g. Joachim Cell 1 May 1945 - Capitulation

3 outline :
Commander of Elbing (1 October 1934) :
Infantry Regiment German Eylau ( staff , I. -III. , Yield).
Infantry Regiment Marienburg ( staff , I. -III. , Yield).
Artillery Regiment Elbing ( bar , I-IV )
Engineer Battalion Königsberg B


21 Infantry Division (15 October 1935) :
Infantry Regiment 3 ( staff , I. -III. )
Infantry Regiment 24 ( staff , I. -III. )
Infantry Regiment 45 ( staff , I. -III. )
Artillery Regiment 21 ( staff , I. -III. )
Artillery Regiment 57 ( I, II )
Antitank Department 21
Engineer Battalion 21
Infantry Divisions News Department 21


21 Infantry Division (6 October 1936) :
Infantry Regiment 3 ( staff , I. -III. , I. Res . , II Erg )
Infantry Regiment 24 ( staff , I. -III. )
Infantry Regiment 45 ( staff , I. -III. )
Machine Gun Battalion 9
Artillery Regiment 21 ( staff , I. -III. )
Artillery Regiment 57 ( I, II )
Antitank Department 21
Engineer Battalion 21
Infantry Divisions News Department 21


21 Infantry Division (12 October 1937) :
Infantry Regiment 3 ( staff , I. -III. , I. Res . , II Erg )
Infantry Regiment 24 ( staff , I. -III. )
Infantry Regiment 45 ( staff , I. -III. )
Machine Gun Battalion 9
Artillery Regiment 21 ( staff , I. -III. )
Artillery Regiment 57 ( I, II )
Antitank Department 21
Engineer Battalion 21
Infantry Divisions News Department 21


21 Infantry Division (November 10, 1938) :
Infantry Regiment 3 ( staff , I. -III. , Erg . )
Infantry Regiment 24 ( staff , I. -III. )
Infantry Regiment 45 ( staff , I. -III. )
Machine Gun Battalion 9
Artillery Regiment 21 ( staff , I. -III. )
Artillery Regiment 57 ( I, II )
Antitank Department 21
Engineer Battalion 21
Infantry Divisions News Department 21


21 Infantry Division ( September 1939 ) :
Infantry Regiment 3
Infantry Regiment 24
Infantry Regiment 45
Artillery Regiment 21
I. / Artillery Regiment 57
Observation Division 21
Reconnaissance Battalion 21
Antitank Department 21
Engineer Battalion 21
Infantry Divisions News Department 21
Field Replacement Battalion 21
Infantry division supply officer 1


21 Infantry Division ( August 1940 ) :
Infantry Regiment 3
Infantry Regiment 24
Infantry Regiment 45
Artillery Regiment 21
I. / Artillery Regiment 57
Reconnaissance Battalion 21
Tank Destroyer Division 21
Engineer Battalion 21
Infantry Divisions News Department 21
Infantry division supply officer 1


4 replacement:
For the Ersatzgestellung the rod was the Infantry Replacement Battalion 3, later Grenadier Replacement Battalion 3 , in charge .


Taken from:

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/Infanteriedivisionen/21ID.htm

 

Operation Overlord - Axis Victory

From the files of WWPD:

World history has been changed forever at the end of WWPD's Operation Overlord! The Axis have secured a victory in Normandy and all of France. The Allies thwarted at the final hurdle, Cherbourg and St-Lo proved just too much for the Allied forces. Now, low on supplies and heavily crippled, the Allied forces are being driven back to the sea in scenes seen only years before at Dunkirk.

The Allies had made good ground throughout the countryside, controlling a large potion of Normandy, including the towns of St-Lo and Cherbourg.  Unfortunately, these vital supply routes were denied to the Allies.  Each area was heavily fortified by experienced German troops used to fighting in urban environments at Stalingrad - they proved too much for the already battered and bloodied Allies.

Operation Overlord - Battlereport - 17th SS-Panzergrenadierdivision "Götz von Berlichingen" vs US Armoured Infantry St Lo Farms

This battlereport uses the starter box of Flames of War !

Elements of 17th SS-Panzergrenadierdivision "Götz von Berlichingen"

• HQ upgraded to PanzerKnacker + PanzerShrek Team + 2 x 8cm G42 stummelwerfer mortars
• (Grenadier platoon (3 squads) + Command SMG Panzerknacker) x 2
• StuG G platoon of 3 assault guns

vs

US Armoured Infantry

• HQ, with towed gun
• Two full Combat platoons
• a platoon of 3 GMC halftracks fitted with a 75mm gun
• a platoon of 4 Stuart light tanks

 Scenario: Breakthrough

From the diary of Unterscharführer Diller:

0900 hrs - The US boys wanted to suprise us this morning with a swing of Stuarts round the woods to their left trying to out flank my grenadiers on the right. The Us combat platoon opened up on my concealed troops and after a hail of lead, killed one team. They then failed to range in his 75mm Artillery.

0930 hrs - I decided to keep my grenadiers heads down, hoping they would stay alive longer doing so rather than firing back. My StuGs however fired on the combat platoon as one of its halftracks was clearly visible on the road. The halftrack exploded in a ball of flame. Our platoon also managed to call in an artillery strike from our command HQ to pin down their advance. And yes this works

1000 hrs - After our artillery strike the US combat platoon decided to mount up on their halftracks and try to drive through the woods. The Stuarts continued their end around run, getting right on the flank of the grenadiers this time.The air filled with machine gun fire from the Stuarts but amazingly the grenadiers all survived in their foxholes. This time the 75mm artillery did range in but failed to kill any troops but did pin down the platoon.

1030 hrs - I looked hungrily at the Stuarts, down the barrels of our StuG platoon and measuring the range, we needed to move slightly to get all tanks in firing position, (hull mounted main gun) . We also realised we needed something else over that side of the battlefield and advanced our Panzershrek toward to the right flank. Luck was not with us then the StuG opened fire at the Stuarts and simply missed every shot. In frustration our grenadier platoon on the left fired a couple of teams at the unmounted remains of the combat platoon but the firing pinged off the stone wall they were sheltering behind.

1100 hrs - The US boys get reinforcements on the battlefield. Stuarts raced past the grenadiers in their foxholes heading towards what seemed their daily objectives to our right. The mounted combat platoon edged into the woods, with the last half track bogging down in the difficult terrain. I could see from my foxhole what the US boys were trying to do; get my StuGs to turn to fire one way and present their weaker sides to his other troops. But there was not much we could do about it as my only platoon doing anything was my StuGs... all the others were cowering in their foxholes. In true John Wayne fashion the American reserve combat platoon roared onto the field of battle and took their objective on the hill to our right flank.
The Stuarts had seen the Panzershrek team scampering about earlier, and let rip with their machine guns on my command HQ. The only team that failed his infantry save was the Panzershrek team! Bloody typical!

1130 hrs - Time was pressing also... I thought about using my grenadier platoon on my right flank to close assault the Stuarts from the behind, with my trusty panzerknacker, but they failed to unpin from the previous turns 75mm arty fire. The American combat platoon in the woods was going to take forever to emerge, so I pondered moving my grenadiers from the left over to assault the Stuarts from the front but that I was sure would have been suicide, so they put the kettle on and dug out the frankfurters and mustard instead.

It all came down this turn, to my StuGs. Could they redeem themselves from the previous turns complete miss (Ostfront veterans my foot!) Again hull mounted main guns meant they had to turn to engage the 2nd American combat platoon on the hill objective, reducing their firing. Checking the hill , 3 half tracks brew up nicely!Yeahhh our StuGs simply are the best !
With this outstanding assault the US boys broke and started running.

1200 hrs - The Stuarts start racing for the hill to help their fleeing comrades. This looks ridicolous.

1230 hrs - With their flank wide open our StuGs make it a short exchange of fire. After getting this nice side armour presented by the Stuarts 3 hits score 3 Stuarts down and the US boys retreating. The day is ours again !

Operation Overlord - 17th SS-Panzergrenadierdivision "Götz von Berlichingen"

With 5 battles won in a row and two 6:1 Points win we are proud to display a winning Division.

17th SS-Panzergrenadierdivision "Götz von Berlichingen" displaying their medals of honor for outstanding victories at Carentan during Operation Overlord.

Display includes "Single handed Tankdestruction Badge", "Assault Badge" and "Iron Cross"

Operation Overlord - Battlereport - Carentan 2nd US Armored Division vs 17th SS-Panzergrenadierdivision "Götz von Berlichingen"

2nd US Armored Division placed against 17th SS-Panzergrenadier Division "Götz von Berlichingen".

The Opponents:

2nd US Armored Division  Tank Company

   
    Morale    Points    Platoons

   
   
    1800    7
HEADQUARTERS               
Compulsory Medium Tank Company HQ    1x CinC M4 or M4A1 Sherman, 1x 2iC M4 or M4A1 Sherman    CT    140   
- Assault Gun    1x M4 (105mm)   
    70   
- Recovery    1x M31 TRV   
    10   
COMBAT               
Compulsory Medium Tank Platoon    1x Command M4 or M4A1 Sherman, 3x M4 or M4A1 Sherman    CT    275    1
Compulsory Medium Tank Platoon (76mm)    1x Command M4A1 (76mm) Sherman, 3x M4A1 (76mm) Sherman    CT    355    1
Compulsory Medium Tank Platoon    1x Command M4 or M4A1 Sherman, 3x M4 or M4A1 Sherman    CT    275    1
Medium Tank Platoon    1x Command M4 or M4A1 Sherman, 3x M4 or M4A1 Sherman    CT    275    1
WEAPONS               
Sherman Assault Gun Platoon    1x Command M4 (105mm) Shermans, 1x M4 (105mm) Shermans    CT    145    1
Recon Platoon    1x Command Rifle, 1x M2 with .50cal AA MG, 1x Rifle, 1x Jeep    CT    50    1
- AA MG    1x add AA MG to Jeep   
    5   
SUPPORT               
Rifle Platoon (1st Infantry)    1x Command Rifle, 1x Bazooka, 9x Rifle    CV    200    1


Vs

17th SS-Panzergrenadier Division "Götz von Berlichingen"

HQ:
37. SS Panzergrenadier Regiment HQ : Hauptsturmführer Fick      Fearless / Trained  45 Points

Combat:

I./37. SS Panzergrenadier Platoon Unterscharführer Diller                   Fearless / Trained 165 Points
       - 3 Squads Panzergrenadiers

II./37. SS Panzergrenadier Platoon Unterscharführer Brantsch            Fearless / Trained 165 Points
       - 3 Squads Panzergrenadiers

Weapons Platoon:

17. SS Panzerjägerabteilung Unterscharführer Krowzik                      Fearless / Trained  135 Points
      - 3 7.5cm PAK40

Divisional Support:

2. SS Panzerabteilung "Das Reich" Unterscharführer Aumeister           Fearless / Veteran 640 Points
      - 3 Panther A

17. SS Panzerabteilung Unterscharführer Langemann                          Fearless / Veteran 435 Points
      - 4 StuG IV

353. Infanteriedivision Rocket Launcher Battery                                 Confident / Trained 105 Points
     - 3 15cm NW41 Hauptmann Brennauer

17. SS Flackabteilung                                                                        Fearöess / Trained  75 Points
     - 1 8.8 FlaK 36

Total Points: 1765


From the personal Notes of Unterscharführer Diller

0900 - Shermans advanced in a big group down the right flank and around a narrow gap by some impassable terrain. Actually a big mistake on the seemingly still green US boys as it meant only 3 tanks were in a position to fire on our troops. We are lucky that our Panthers and Stuggs are with us. They manoeuvred to better firing positions against the Shermans.

0930 - As the Shermans advance around my flank one of our platoons keep the rushing infantry pinned down and out of the battle, slowly whittling them down in the process. The Shermann assault our dug in positions and fail badly. Despite only having 2 Panzerfaust equipped teams the US assaults fail and the first Sherman platoon is destroyed. The remaining 8.8 FlaK knocks out another Sherman before it is destroyed.

1000 -Things get confusing here. One of our grenadier platoons is killed and the US infantry advances toward their objective. Nebelwerfers and my platoon shoot up the US infantry reducing it to half strength. Meanwhile the StuGs have arrived from reserve and have rushed forward to combat the Shermans getting through a couple of their barrages in the process.As the StuGs , Panthers and Shermans manoeuvre to get better firing positions on each-other the Shermans come too close to the our platoon.I jump up and my Panzerfaust takes out a couple more of them including the US CIC. This will fairly be my Iron Cross 2. Class !

1030- With their CIC fallen , the US boys want to flee and are wiped out by Rifle/MG fire from our infantry platoons. The single remaining Sherman backs itself into a corner even after destroying a StuG. The remaining 3 StuGs flank and then destroy it and the US forces with only their artillery left flee the battlefield.

Mayor victory 6-1 for the germans

Operation Overlord - Battlereport - 101st US Airborne vs 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division "Götz von Berlichingen" - Battle 3

US Airborne: 1750 points  

HQ w/ 3 bazookas; 2 platoons airborne infantry w/ 2 squads each; MG platoon; Mortar platoon; AT platoon with 4 x 57mm; 4 x 75mm pack Howitzers; A platoon of 4 Shermans of 2nd Armoured Division.

HQ:
37. SS Panzergrenadier Regiment HQ : Hauptsturmführer Fick      Fearless / Trained  45 Points



I./37. SS Panzergrenadier Platoon Unterscharführer Diller                   Fearless / Trained 165 Points
       - 3 Squads Panzergrenadiers

II./37. SS Panzergrenadier Platoon Unterscharführer Brantsch            Fearless / Trained 165 Points
       - 3 Squads Panzergrenadiers

Weapons Platoon:

17. SS Panzerjägerabteilung Unterscharführer Krowzik                      Fearless / Trained  135 Points
      - 3 7.5cm PAK40

Divisional Support:

2. SS Panzerabteilung "Das Reich" Unterscharführer Aumeister           Fearless / Veteran 640 Points
      - 3 Panther A

17. SS Panzerabteilung Unterscharführer Langemann                          Fearless / Veteran 435 Points
      - 4 StuG IV

353. Infanteriedivision Rocket Launcher Battery                                 Confident / Trained 105 Points
     - 3 15cm NW41 Hauptmann Brennauer

17. SS Flackabteilung                                                                        Fearöess / Trained  75 Points
     - 1 8.8 FlaK 36

Total Points: 1765



From the notes of Unterscharführer Diller (17th SS-Panzergrenadierdivision "Götz von Berlichingen"):

10th June ’44 –  At 1000 hrs we deployed at Carentan City. Still outskirts. The City itself looks heavily bombed and we hear fighting all over the place. Attached to our flanks are the elements of the 6th Fallschirmjäger Division. We know what to expect. 101st US Airborne is located somethere nearby and this seems to get a nasty city fight. We are supposed to advance into the city and take three mayor objectives.
The 8.8 is in a good entreched cover of the city entrance. This will block the whole street that is upfront of us. Half of our attack platoons are located in the houses nearby. Our Panthers cover our left flank while the Stuggs are on our right. Nebelwerfer are deployed behind us and will move on after their first salve.

1100 -  The first signs of panic appeard at the US boys, including  front rank nurses. The Amercians expected us from the south, but we came from the west. From there, the US gun positions came under machine gun fire. When attempting to gain altitude again, they had the first losses.

1130 - A column of tanks and armored vehicles from Carentan approached our gun positions. They come under heavy fire by our 8.8., NW41 and the Panthers located there.

1200 - Through targeted, rapid fire shooting the 8.8 respectively takes out the first and the last tank. One of our Panthers gets a direct hit by enemy AT guns. The battle gets bloody. Meanwhile we storm an outer barn and secure one of our objectives. During this operation the 2nd Platoon Leader and half of his Platoon gets killed in the single handed combat.

1230 - The cloudy morning came just at the time to prevent any enemy aircraft for attacking us. The last remaining American tank fires deliberately takes down our 8.8. Nearly at the same time he gets hit by our Pak Team and explodes in a ball of flame. The enemy AT guns seem to be retreating.


1300 - What a hunt.. my platoon managed to come around the American AT platoon with their 4 x 57mm. Caught within our crossfire (Stuggs and Panthers on one side with us being on the other side) they are trapped. It is a matter of a couple of seconds to take them all down.

1330 - A lucky shot of our Nebelwerfers enable us to push forward. 2nd Platoon covers my Platoon as we wipe out the Americans at the center point of the city which marks the second objective.

1400 - The Americans try to push us off with a counter attack. Our Stuggs rush to our aid and the counterattack falters.

1430 - Stuggs rush forward under the cover of the remaining Panthers. The Americans turn and run.

1500 - we reach our third objective and secure it without any more enemy encounters. This is ours !

Operation Overlord - Battlereport - 101st US Airborne vs 17th SS-Panzergrenadierdivsion "Götz von Berlichingen" - Carentan Farm Battle No 2 -

US Airborne: 1750 points  

HQ w/ 3 bazookas; 2 platoons airborne infantry w/ 2 squads each; MG platoon; Mortar platoon; AT platoon with 4 x 57mm; 4 x 75mm pack Howitzers; A platoon of 4 Shermans of 2nd Armoured Division.

HQ:
37. SS Panzergrenadier Regiment HQ : Hauptsturmführer Fick      Fearless / Trained  45 Points



I./37. SS Panzergrenadier Platoon Unterscharführer Diller                   Fearless / Trained 165 Points
       - 3 Squads Panzergrenadiers

II./37. SS Panzergrenadier Platoon Unterscharführer Brantsch            Fearless / Trained 165 Points
       - 3 Squads Panzergrenadiers

Weapons Platoon:

17. SS Panzerjägerabteilung Unterscharführer Krowzik                      Fearless / Trained  135 Points
      - 3 7.5cm PAK40

Divisional Support:

2. SS Panzerabteilung "Das Reich" Unterscharführer Aumeister           Fearless / Veteran 640 Points
      - 3 Panther A

17. SS Panzerabteilung Unterscharführer Langemann                          Fearless / Veteran 435 Points
      - 4 StuG IV

353. Infanteriedivision Rocket Launcher Battery                                 Confident / Trained 105 Points
     - 3 15cm NW41 Hauptmann Brennauer

17. SS Flackabteilung                                                                        Fearöess / Trained  75 Points
     - 1 8.8 FlaK 36

Total Points: 1765


Mission : Seize and Hold

From the notes of Unterscharführer Diller (17th SS-Panzergrenadierdivision "Götz von Berlichingen":

9th June ’44 –  At 1200 hrs after taking this  awful Farm in the morning our next mission was to hold our position as the 6th Fallschirmjägerdivision engaged the US Parachuters in Carentan. The Farm itself was a mayor place for collecting prisoners of war as well as the mayor place to take care of the wounded. Red Cross Cars venture for and forth our position. Recce told us that a tank company outflanked Carentan and are approaching our positions. Everyone is in uproar evacuating the wounded. We are supposed to hold our position till everyone is well evacuated.

 1400 – We are finished with our defensive position. This includes mines and nasty surprises for the approaching tanks. The 8.8. is located in the ruins of the former outbuilding in the expected movement path of the enemy. Everyone is dig in and in cover. We also managed to soak a couple of hay stacks with gasoline which will give us extra cover. We need to seperate the infantry from the tanks first. After the tanks are blinded our hour will come along.

1430 – We entered the forefront entrenchments as we can already hear the approaching tanks. They drive slowly. From the distance we can see how inapt these recruits seem to be as they are still driving with opened tanks.

1445 - 8.8 Flak did a hell of a great job. One lucky shot downed the first tank in line of the small road which now blocks movement of all other tanks behind. No chance to go through the high bockage till this vehicle is moved from the street. I can not believe our luck here.

1500 - We open fire from our entrenched positions on the US infantry who try to bail the tank from the streets. They fall like flies. Boccage and entrenched positions secure our day.

1510 - The tank explodes in a huge ball of fire and steel and leaves a huge crater on the road. The US boys scramble for cover. The tanks start advancing on us again.

1530 - We set the hay stacks on fire and let them roll between the advancing tanks and infantry. Chaos seems to break out. 8.8 cant fire anylonger. We advance to knock out the tanks in the confusion. One of our squads is overrolled by the Shermans in the fog. The screams are horrible. 

1545 - I defeated a tank in single handed combat by jumping on its back and used a bundle of hand granates on its back. The thing blew up due to the burning oil afterwards. Our MGs meanwhile pin the Infantry down. Nebelwerfers start firing from behind the barn.

1600 - Devestation of the US starts when tank number 3 and 4 get each a direct hit by the Nebelwerfers.With "Hurrrraaaaa" we storm towards the remaining infantry. Their AT and Artillery did not do a shot by now in fear of hitting their own. Infantry cant stand our charge and starts abandoning their positions.

1615 - Their AT and Artillery stops our persuit. Stugg and Panthers crash forward to no avail. This barrage stops any movement forward.

1630 - The farm is still ours. Remaining infantry retreated and with it the AT and Artillery.

 HURRRAAAAAAAA

1700 - We are rallied now. Only my platoon is left and in the wake of the AT and Artillery barrage we also lost 2 Panthers and a Stugg. Hope we will get some reinforcements soon.

Operation Overlord - Battlereport - 101st Airborne (US) vs 17th SS-Panzergrenadierdivision "Götz von Berlichingen"

In regards to Operation Overlord the first Battlereport :

Alpha Company,  101st Airborne vs. 17th SS-Panzergrenadierdivision Götz von Berlichingen



United States 101st Airborne
A, 101 TO&E Points
HQ – CDR, 2IC, 2 Bazookas and a sniper 120
1st Platoon – 7 R/MG + Bazooka + 60mm mortar 265
2nd Platoon – 7 R/MG + Bazooka + 60mm mortar 265
3rd Platoon - 7R/MG + Bazooka + 60mm mortar 265
Airborne Divisional Recon Platoon – 4 .50 cal Recon Jeep 110
Para Field Artillery Battery – CDR + Staff + Observer + 4 75mm Guns 135
Airborne Anti-aircraft Platoon – CMD + 4 M2 .50cal AA gun 95
Airborne Engr Platoon – CMD + 4 Rifle + 2 LMG + 2 Baz + Supply 275
Glider Anti-Tank Platoon – CMD + 4 57mm Guns 85
Limited P-47 150
Total 1765


HQ:
37. SS Panzergrenadier Regiment HQ : Hauptsturmführer Fick      Fearless / Trained  45 Points



I./37. SS Panzergrenadier Platoon Unterscharführer Diller                   Fearless / Trained 165 Points
       - 3 Squads Panzergrenadiers

II./37. SS Panzergrenadier Platoon Unterscharführer Brantsch            Fearless / Trained 165 Points
       - 3 Squads Panzergrenadiers

Weapons Platoon:

17. SS Panzerjägerabteilung Unterscharführer Krowzik                      Fearless / Trained  135 Points
      - 3 7.5cm PAK40

Divisional Support:

2. SS Panzerabteilung "Das Reich" Unterscharführer Aumeister           Fearless / Veteran 640 Points
      - 3 Panther A

17. SS Panzerabteilung Unterscharführer Langemann                          Fearless / Veteran 435 Points
      - 4 StuG IV

353. Infanteriedivision Rocket Launcher Battery                                 Confident / Trained 105 Points
     - 3 15cm NW41 Hauptmann Brennauer

17. SS Flackabteilung                                                                        Fearöess / Trained  75 Points
     - 1 8.8 FlaK 36

Total Points: 1765


Mission : Seize and Hold

From the notes of Unterscharführer Diller (17th SS-Panzergrenadierdivision "Götz von Berlichingen":

9th June ’44 –  At 0200 hrs We are mauled into our tanks and every vehicle that is available. Our mission is to engage the enemy of 101st airborn around Carentean. Supported by the remaining members of 6th Fallschirmjäger under General von der Heydte.

 0400 – Convoy is stopped near a hill and barn which is seems to be our objective. The trees around the boccage seem to be infected with US Sharpshooters which claim a couple of casualties on our side. We hide behind the boccage, unable to move forward. 

0430 – 8.8. Flak arrives and cheerfully engages the sharpshooters in the trees. After a short but bloody battle we finally charge with "hurraaaaaa" on top of the remaining survivors. During the fighting we surprise a platoon of US parachuters covering behind the boccage. In a full front assault we engage them in single handed combat. They root and the survivours surrender to us.

0500 – The next row of boccage is hold by a platoon of US parachuters again. From their fighting experience I guess them being trained recruits.They just are about to move their arti into cover as we charge them. Our Stuggs support this attack and the enemy falls back to the large farm on top of this bloody hill. Carentean is nearly in sight.

0515 – Someone must have had a radio up there, because with first daylight the US air suppport drops in and eleminates one of our three Panthers who just rolled up towards the hill.
0530 – Bloody fighting errupts as our Stuggs who try to encircle the farm meet a US recce plattoon. Leaving two Stuggs burning and the US boys on the run back home. We are sending one more Infantry plattoon to at least cover the last Stugg. The air smells of burned flesh. Meanwhile our 8.8. tries to get hold of the US Air Support.

0545 - I pushed my men forward up that hill in hope that the battle of the Stuggs against US recce as well as the flaming lights of the firing 8.8. holds of the US Air support. Second platoon also makes a deversive attack against one of the three buildings. Looks like being a main house, a barn and a second larger house. They encounter heavy fire from at least three MG being hidden within the buildings. A deadly crossfire. Our MG are answering the calls as are the guns of the Panther.

0600 – The 8.8 takes down one of the US Aircrafts which seemingly suicidically crashes down on the 8.8 killing everyone straight away. Poor souls. Our Panther approach is stopped by some more AT units located in well hidden positions on top of the hill. Our approach to the first house in cover of boccage was unnoticed. With a swift sweep we clean up the house and with one of the US heavy MGs we silence the AT station hidden near the barn.

0615 – Their engineers try to throw us out of our building but are stopped by swiftly called Nebelwerfer fire. Jesus.. what a slaugther. One of the Nebelwerfers also scores a direct hit to the second building which collapses burying half of the americans in it. The barn seems to be a red cross area. We leave them alone.

0630 – The US commander watched as his boys died bravely. We consolidated our positions around the hill and in the building we occupy. With his last surviving men he unconditionally surrenders, leaving us the field.

0700- We secure the place and await our new orders.