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Battle of the Bulge VI
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Utilizing the format that has made our scenarios so successful, we have added even more missions and props, as well as a larger prize package. Prizes will be drawn and awarded throughout the day, but we will give-away at least $500 in prizes at the beginning of the safety briefing.
BATTLE FACTS
- The coldest, snowiest weather in memory in the Ardennes Forest on the German/Belgium border.
- Over a million men, 500,000 Germans, 600,000 Americans (more than fought at Gettysburg ) and 55,000 British.
- 3 German armies, 10 corps, the equivalent of 29 divisions.
- 3 American armies, 6 corps, the equivalent of 31 divisions.
- The equivalent of 3 British divisions as well as contingents of Belgian, Canadian and French troops.
- 100,000 German casualties, killed, wounded or captured.
- 81,000 American casualties, including 23,554 captured and 19,000 killed.
- 1,400 British casualties 200 killed.
- 800 tanks lost on each side, 1,000 German aircraft.
- The Malmedy Massacre, where 86 American soldiers were murdered, was the worst atrocity committed against American troops during the course of the war in Europe .
- In its entirety, the “Battle of the Bulge,” was the worst battle - in terms of losses - to the American Forces in WWII.
Short History
On a wintry mid-December day in 1944, three powerful German armies plunged into the semi-mountainous, heavily forested Ardennes region of eastern Belgium and northern Luxembourg . Their goal was to reach the sea, trap four allied armies, and impel a negotiated peace on the Western front.
Thinking the Ardennes was the least likely spot for a German offensive, American Staff Commanders chose to keep the line thin, so that the manpower might concentrate on offensives north and south of the Ardennes . They were wrong in their assessment. The American line was thinly held by three divisions and a part of a fourth, while the fifth was making a local attack and a sixth was in reserve. Division sectors were more than double the width of normal, defensive fronts.
Even though the German Offensive achieved total surprise, nowhere did the American troops give ground without a fight. Within three days, the determined American stand and the arrival of powerful reinforcements insured that the ambitious German goal was far beyond reach.
In snow and sub-freezing temperatures the Germans fell short of their interim objective - that of reaching the sprawling Meuse River on the fringe of the Ardennes . All the Germans accomplished was to create a Bulge in the American line. In the process they expended irreplaceable men, tanks and material. Four weeks later, after grim fighting, with heavy losses on both the American and German sides, the Bulge ceased to exist.
On Sunday, December 13th you can re-fight the Battle of the Bulge at OA. Starting with an opening spectacle of pyrotechnics that precedes the Siege of Bastogne (see below), this day should be non-stop action from beginning to end.
Pyrotechnics will be used to start this game!
The game will start with The Siege of Bastogne:
Mission Duration: 30 minutes
Point Value: 500 points
RED Start: The German side (RED) must start ON or BEYOND the circle marked on the Event Map (75 meter radius from Bastogne).
BLUE Start: The Allies side (BLUE) will start with approximately 20% of their troops in Bastogne. The remaining troops (Patton's relief force) must start within 10 feet of the field boundary between Andenne and Sedan . Please refer to the Event Map. The relief column may be delayed by weather!
Tank Start: The Red Armor will start at the town of Marvie. The Blue Armor will start at Blue HQ.
Mission Objective: The team who has control of Bastogne at the end of 30 minutes shall be awarded the mission points. To gain control of Bastogne , the Germans must respectfully lower the flag of the 101st Airborne in the Castle. If Bastogne is taken, the Americans can "re-gain" control by raising the flag. The flag itself may NOT be removed from the area. The position of the flag at the 30 minute mark will determine the victor!!!
Safety: We are concerned for our players trying to exit the Castle (Bastogne) with over 200 players shooting at it. Because of this, a special exit procedure will be used. On the North side (Route 50) of the Castle there are two doors. One of these doors will be designated as "Exit" and be used by eliminated players leaving the building. There will be signage and netting to denote this exit doorway. If a player shoots another player using this exit, a penalty WILL be assessed and the bodies disposed of accordingly.
Note: Armor and Anti-Armor assets may not be immediately available at "game on". Plan accordingly.
Ten or more additional missions will be run throughout the day, including:
1. Artillery bombardment
2. Downed paratrooper rescue (from hanging harness)
3. Demolition
4. Paratrooper insertion (Operation Stosser)
5. Armor battles and much, much more.
