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.