still fighting the bulge ...
While most of us are fighting a different type of "bulge"
problem, WBC remains the place for grognards to meet to vie over
the hex ... Battle of the Bulge '81 edition recently held its
11th consecutive Trial event. Old wargames never die, ....
Opening Round:
Bruno Sinigaglio (Allies) defeated the 2000 Ironman Doug James
(German) in a very close game that was not decided until the
final German die roll on 19PM. Doug had a 33% chance to take
Parker's Crossroads for the fourth victory condition. The Allies
would not have been able to reclaim it on their turn. The game
started out poorly for the Germans with less than average results
on the first two turns; however, on 17AM Doug used a blitzkrieg
to trap three American units and compromise the Allied lines
from Malmedy to Vielsalm. Unfortunately for Doug, however, Bruno
blew the Vielsalm Bridge, which greatly slowed the German advance
- it was the only bridge blown during the game.
Steve Likevich (German) defeated JB Grant (Allies) in a game
that was noted for some oddball events. For instance, Steve using
his three corps artillery in the north to flank John's 7th Armored
(which had counterattacked outside of Malmedy). Then, with a
successful Blitzkrieg attack, Steve surrounded and destroyed
the entire 7th Armored. The Allied player responded by eliminating
the three corps artillery with a 6-1 automatic victory. However,
this called for all available US artillery, denuding the rest
of the front. As a result, Steve was able to make good progress
in the south and center, surrounding Bastogne before it could
be heavily garrisoned. That plus Stavelot were all that he required;
though the struggle went back and forth over the crossroads at
AA17.
Bob Ryan (German) defeated Paul Koenig (Allies) in a game
that did not last very long. Bob punished Paul by eliminating
seven US units on the 16AM turn. It was destined to be the Camptown
Races for the Germans in the South, as 4/12 in Echternach was
Engaged, 28/110 was eliminated, and 9CCA plus 28/109 were exchanged.
Those results plus four more kills and two more Engages in the
center and North made it impossible for Paul to form a line on
the 16PM turn, at which time he threw in the towel.
Forrest Pafenberg (Germans) defeated Paul Fletcher (Allies).
On 16AM the key blow was a Defender back 4 Attacker advance
4, versus the two 2nd Division Infantry units at Wahlerscheid
Crossroads in the North. Besides trapping two units of the 99th
Division, this result made sure there would be no problems getting
past Elsenborn Ridge. On 16PM, critical die rolls exchanged units
on Southern edge and in Clerf and on the way to St Vith. (three
exchanges). The Allies could never get units where they needed
for the rest of the game, thus, Paul had to sacrifice terrain
in order to form a line. In the long run, too much had to be
surrendered and the Germans successfully captured four victory
locations.
Phil Evans (Allies) defeated Chris Roginsky (German).
Second Round
Phil Evans draws a bye into the third round.
Bruno Sinigaglio (Germans) defeated Bob Ryan (Allies). The
German results on 16AM were not so hot and it looked like Bob
would have a decent shot of knocking Bruno out of the tournament.
The Allies were in really great positions in the center and South
on 16PM, so Bruno's Germans threw an all infantry and artillery
attack on Rocherath-Krinkelt at 3-1(-2). As luck would have it,
Bruno rolled a 1, for a Defender back 4 Attacker advance
4. Yet, the result was not immediately crippling for the Allies,
because only two infantry units could advance, as three Nebelwerfers
were among the six adjacent units involved in the attack. Therefore,
Bob continued to stymie the Germans in the center and south,
while relying on the fact that lightning would not strike twice
in the same place. OOPS - Lightning strikes again on 17AM. Another
D back 4 Attacker advance 4 allows the Germans to capture
Malmedy and the Von Der Heydte crossroads on the 17AM turn. The
Allied position deteriorated rapidly afterwards, especially when
the 2nd SS Panzer Corps was allowed to enter two turns earlier
than normal for the capture of Malmedy.
Forrest Pafenberg (Germans) whupped Steve Likevich (Allies)
pretty good. The Germans had a cold opening - killing or trapping
only three units, but through good play and hot exchanges really
put the pressure on the Allies - especially around Bastogne.
As a result of German advances threatening in the South, the
allied player became over-committed to stopping them and left
weak spots in the North. Forrest was able to use a Blitzkrieg
attack in the North to skirt Steve's front line, and then he
was able to adroitly arrange an automatic victory attacker
advance 4 result against poorly placed artillery units. The
resulting advances managed to trap almost everyone in the North
- game, set, match to Forrest.
Third Round
Forrest Pafenberg draws a bye into the third round.
Bruno Sinigaglio (Allies) defeated Phil Evans (Germans). Things
started off with mixed results for Phil on 16AM in the South
with an Engaged vs 4/12 in Echternach, Contacts versus 9CCA and
28/109, and a Defender Elim versus 28/110. Then came disaster
in the center when Phil rolled a 4-1 Engaged versus 28/112. The
bad result against 28/112 allows the Allies to form a really
strong line on 16PM, unless the Germans roll spectacular dice
in the North, which they did not. In fact, only the 14Cav was
eliminated in the North, which resulted in the Germans hitting
a brick wall after the Allied reinforcements entered on 17AM
and 17PM. Phil surrendered when the allied line grew too difficult
to penetrate.
Championship
Bruno Sinigaglio (Allies) defeated Forrest Pafenberg (Germans).
Once again, Bruno proved the old adage that it is better to be
lucky than good, as Forrest self-destructed on 16AM and 16PM
with die rolls that were perfectly horrible. The Germans rolled
an Attacker back versus 4/12 enabling the US infantry unit to
have full movement on 16AM. Then contacts were rolled against
9CCA and 28/109, and a Defender back 2 was rolled vs 28/110.
Things got worse. In the center, a D back 2 was rolled versus
28/112, which is not bad, but both 106/423 and 424 were not trapped,
and the surrounded 106/422 managed an exchange. Forrest did manage
to eliminate the 14Cav, but that was it. After the German opening
the US had lost only two units and no others were engaged. With
this many Americans on the loose, things were sure to get worse.
At the end of the 17AM turn, the allied front line included Forts
in Monschau, Elsenborn and St. Vith and Improved Positions in
other locations, including the Heiderscheid Bridge hex. In addition,
a number of bridges were blown and 75% of the German Army was
tied up in Engaged battles. At this point, Forrest decided to
wave the white flag and settle for second place for the second
consecutive year.
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