[CC:LSA] Operation Market Garden - Nijmegen (AAR)

[Dowly]

Game: Close Combat - Last Stand Arnhem
Campaign: Nijmegen Sector
Campaign Lenght: 1500 17 Sep. - 0600 21 Sep.
Side: Axis
Difficulty: Veteran - Veteran
Rules: 15min, VL cap w/ 2min warning, morale defeat

Standing Orders

Nijmegen sector - 1500 17 September 1944 to 0600 21 September 1944

Despite the surprise of the enemy airborne landings, Army Group B has
quickly devised a plan to defeat the Allied offensive. Our main effort will
be made in the Nijmegen sector.

Scratch kampfgruppen will be organized from the training and replacement
troops which are already manning the German border east of Nijmegen.
These units, reinforced by the II. Fallschirmjäger Korps, will attack to the
west. The 10.SS Panzer Division will move to Nijmegen and meet the enemy
head on, blocking any further movement to the North.

Situation 1500 17 September (see legend below the image)
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/Nijmegen_Map_T1.jpg


AXIS
ALLIED
CONTESTED
Large/small flag = Large/small supply depot

13 - Uden
14 - Oss
15 - Grave
16 - Overasselt
17 - Heumen Bridge
18 - Mook
19 - Grafwegen
20 - Blankenberg Bridge
21 - Groesbeek Heights
22 - Groesbeek
23 - Teersdijk
24 - Hatert Bridge
25 - Driehuizen
26 - Groesbeek Heights North
27 - Wyler
28 - Honinghutie Bridge
29 - Beek
30 - Nijmegen
31 - Nijmegen Bridge
32 - Weurt
33 - Waal – North Bank
34 - Oosterhout
35 - Bemmel
63 - Ravenstein

Objective(s) for 1500 17 September

I can't say an accurate figure on how many Allied BGs are on the map at
the start, but I know of atleast 1 more than what is shown, it moved from
Wyler to Groesbeek Heights N.

I have a long wait for reinforcements in this sector (3-4 turns) which allows
the enemy to capture quite a few sectors before I can do much about it.

Like in last campaign, I start with just what happened to be in the sectors,
hopefully I can hold atleast some of the sectors, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Reinforcements

18 September
0600 - KG Fuestenberg/Korps Feldt - Wyler
0600 - KG Stargaard/Korps Feldt - Groesbeek
0600 - KG Greschick/Korps Feldt - Grafwegen
0600 - KG Goebel/Korps Feldt - Mook
1200 - KG Euling/10.SS Pz - Bemmel
1500 - KG Reinhold/10. SS Pz - Bemmel

20 September
0600 - KG Becker/II. Fallschirm-Korps - Wyler
0600 - KG Hermann/II. Fallschirm-Korps - Mook

[Dowly]

September 17, 1500hrs (click the sector names for a map of the battle)

GRAVE (http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T1_GravenBrdg.jpg)
No attempt to cross the bridge from the 2/504. Minor skirmish on the south end of the
bridge caused some losses for both sides.

German losses - 4 + 1 x 20mm FlaK captured
Allied losses - 14

----------

HEUMEN BRIDGE (http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T1_HeumenBrdg.jpg)
The defenders managed to counter the first 2 attempts by 1/505 to cross the Heumen
bridge, but due to low ammunition, the enemy eventually captured the bridge on their
third attempt. However, the german garrison is still holding most of the sector.

German losses - 3
Allied losses - 20

----------

GRAFWEGEN (http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T1_Grafwegen.jpg)
The german troops failed to contain the 505/82's landings here and were forced to retreat
to the eastern areas of the sector.

German losses - 6
Allied losses - 4

----------

GROESBEEK (http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T1_Groesbeek.jpg)
508/82's try to capture the supply depot here was successfully countered by the germans.
With the initial attack stopped, the defenders mounted an counter-attack towards east and
managed to occupy most of the northern village in the sector. The allies however did secure
some ground to the south.

German losses - 7 + 1 x 20mm FlaK captured
Allied losses - 27

----------

HATERT BRIDGE (http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T1_HaterBrdg.jpg)
First contact with the enemy was made when an allied team reconnoitered the bridge. Shortly
after the firefight started, the main force of the 504/82 attacked the bridge and forced the germans
to retreat in disarray. The farm to the northeast remains in german control.

German losses - 6 + 1 MIA
Allied losses - 3

----------

Situation 1800 17 September (see legend below the image)
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/Nijmegen_Map_T2.jpg


AXIS
ALLIED
CONTESTED
Large/small flag = Large/small supply depot

13 - Uden
14 - Oss
15 - Grave
16 - Overasselt
17 - Heumen Bridge
18 - Mook
19 - Grafwegen
20 - Blankenberg Bridge
21 - Groesbeek Heights
22 - Groesbeek
23 - Teersdijk
24 - Hatert Bridge
25 - Driehuizen
26 - Groesbeek Heights North
27 - Wyler
28 - Honinghutie Bridge
29 - Beek
30 - Nijmegen
31 - Nijmegen Bridge
32 - Weurt
33 - Waal – North Bank
34 - Oosterhout
35 - Bemmel
63 - Ravenstein

Objective(s) for 1800 17 September

505/82 moves out of Grafwegen and advances to Groesbeek Heights.

Unknown allied unit continues it's advance and occupies Driehuizen.

I will continue to try and hold out as long as possible, bridges will be blown
as very last resort, I will need them intact later on.

Reinforcements

18 September
0600 - KG Fuestenberg/Korps Feldt - Wyler
0600 - KG Stargaard/Korps Feldt - Groesbeek
0600 - KG Greschick/Korps Feldt - Grafwegen
0600 - KG Goebel/Korps Feldt - Mook
1200 - KG Euling/10.SS Pz - Bemmel
1500 - KG Reinhold/10. SS Pz - Bemmel

20 September
0600 - KG Becker/II. Fallschirm-Korps - Wyler
0600 - KG Hermann/II. Fallschirm-Korps - Mook

[Dowly]

September 17, 1800hrs

GRAVE (http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T2_GravenBrdg.jpg)
Again, no attempt by the allies to cross the bridge. No contact with the enemy made.
Bridge was blown in order to switch pressure to the Ravenstein sector, which holds
the 2nd bridge over Maas river. (There seems to be an bug with large bridges, the AI
can't move it's troops across and neither do I, so I blew the bridge)

German losses - 0
Allied losses - 0

----------

HEUMEN BRIDGE (http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T2_HeumenBrdg.jpg)
German troops counter-attacked over the Heumen bridge and took control of the forest
to the east of the bridge. The allies responded with counter-attack from both the southeast and
southwest without any noticable gains.

German losses - 2
Allied losses - 14

----------

GROESBEEK (http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T2_Groesbeek.jpg)
German counter-attack continued by securing the rest of the town on the northern area of the
sector. Also, the road leading north to Wyler could be secured. 505's counter-attack from south
was stopped, but with some casualties due to enemy mortar fire.

German losses - 5
Allied losses - 9 + 1 MIA

----------

HATERT BRIDGE (http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T2_HaterBrdg.jpg)
The badly beaten german defenders managed to deny allies the use of the bridge with heavy
rifle fire from the farm in the northeast area of the sector. No casualties reported on either side.

German losses - 0
Allied losses - 0

[Arclight]

Not to trivialize the previous one, but this seems more 'dynamic'. I take it you cranked up the difficulty? :06:

[Crécy]

Not to trivialize the previous one, but this seems more 'dynamic'. I take it you cranked up the difficulty? :06:

Might be because he changed the battle time to 15min which is the optimal time for AI, according to manual.

[Dowly]

Yes, I upped the difficulty by a notch to veteran. I see some affects of it in strategic play (505/82 advancing through Grafwegen without taking control of the sector first for one).
EDIT: And yes, battle timelimit is now 15 minutes as Crécy pointed out.

----------

Situation 0600 18 September (see legend below the image)
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/Nijmegen_Map_T3.jpg


AXIS
ALLIED
CONTESTED
Large/small flag = Large/small supply depot

13 - Uden
14 - Oss
15 - Grave - BRIDGE DESTROYED
16 - Overasselt
17 - Heumen Bridge
18 - Mook
19 - Grafwegen
20 - Blankenberg Bridge
21 - Groesbeek Heights
22 - Groesbeek
23 - Teersdijk
24 - Hatert Bridge
25 - Driehuizen
26 - Groesbeek Heights North
27 - Wyler
28 - Honinghutie Bridge
29 - Beek
30 - Nijmegen
31 - Nijmegen Bridge
32 - Weurt
33 - Waal – North Bank
34 - Oosterhout
35 - Bemmel
63 - Ravenstein

Objective(s) for 0600 18 September

(For some reason there was no turn at midnight. :doh:)

My reinforcements arrived and were ordered to start counter-attacks
towards west. KGs Fustenberg and Greschick achieved their objectives at
Groesbeek Heights N and Groesbeek Heights without opposition.

KGs Stargaard and Goebel met the enemy at the two german supply points
at Groesbeek and Mook. Their task is to drive the enemy out of these
sectors ASAP to ensure open supply routes for the advancing KGs.

The southern area is worrying me, I just realized that my troops have to
fight through the center to relieve the garrisons in South. XXX Corps won't
be too far away atm, so I'm considering to blow the bridge at Ravenstein
too at the first sight of enemy tanks.


Reinforcements

18 September
1200 - KG Euling/10.SS Pz - Bemmel
1500 - KG Reinhold/10.SS Pz - Bemmel

20 September
0600 - KG Becker/II.Fallschirm-Korps - Wyler
0600 - KG Hermann/II.Fallschirm-Korps - Mook

[Dowly]

September 18, 0600hrs

HEUMEN BRIDGE (http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T3_HeumenBrdg.jpg)
Allies managed to capture the bridge with an attack coming from East. They also secured 2 of 4 roads
leading North from the sector. Any further advance across the bridge was countered by the defenders.

German losses - 2
Allied losses - 7

----------

MOOK (http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T3_Mook.jpg)
KG Goebel was ordered to take this sector as soon as possible. 2 groups of 3 squads were formed to
push through the city and eliminate or capture the enemy paratroopers holed up in the western
part of the city. However. the inexperienced troops of the KG Goebel weren't able to clear the entire
sector due to heavy enemy resistance. The promised air support never showed up.

German losses - 6 + 4 MIA
Allied losses - 4

----------

BLANKENBERG BRIDGE (http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T3_BlankenbergBrdg.jpg)
1/508 threw almost everything they had against the german defenders in this sector, but the stretch of
open land between the town and the bridge allowed clear lines of fire for the germans. No notable
ground gains for the allies.

German losses - 2
Allied losses - 23

----------

GROESBEEK (http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T3_Groesbeek.jpg)
KG Stargaard was divided into group A and group B. Group A kept the enemy from advancing from
the farm house, while group B secured the rail line in South. The original plan was to quickly take
control of the southern areas and use group B to attack the farm house from South, but due to heavier
resistance than expected at the rail line, the second objective of group B could not be met. Artillery was
called in to soften up the enemy holed up in the farm house.

German losses - 4
Allied losses - 11 + 2 MIA

----------

HATERT BRIDGE (http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T3_HaterBrdg.jpg)
The 504th attacked the last remaining german troops from Berkenhof to the South and from the bridge to
the West. The defenders managed to hold out for some time, but without machineguns the allied troops
eventually overpowered them and the sector was surrendered to the enemy.

German losses - 8
Allied losses - 11

[Dowly]

Situation 0900 18 September (see legend below the image)
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/Nijmegen_Map_T4.jpg


AXIS
ALLIED
CONTESTED
Large/small flag = Large/small supply depot

13 - Uden
14 - Oss
15 - Grave - BRIDGE DESTROYED
16 - Overasselt
17 - Heumen Bridge
18 - Mook
19 - Grafwegen
20 - Blankenberg Bridge
21 - Groesbeek Heights
22 - Groesbeek
23 - Teersdijk
24 - Hatert Bridge
25 - Driehuizen
26 - Groesbeek Heights North
27 - Wyler
28 - Honinghutie Bridge
29 - Beek
30 - Nijmegen
31 - Nijmegen Bridge
32 - Weurt
33 - Waal – North Bank
34 - Oosterhout
35 - Bemmel
63 - Ravenstein

Objective(s) for 0900 18 September

KGs Fustenberg and Greschick continue their advance to the river.
Greschick makes contact with the enemy at Heumen Bridge.

KGs Stargaard and Goebel have been given strict orders to throw the
enemy out immediately from their sectors. They are needed at the river.


Reinforcements

18 September
1200 - KG Euling/10.SS Pz - Bemmel
1500 - KG Reinhold/10.SS Pz - Bemmel

20 September
0600 - KG Becker/II.Fallschirm-Korps - Wyler
0600 - KG Hermann/II.Fallschirm-Korps - Mook

[Dowly]

September 18, 0900hrs

HEUMEN BRIDGE (http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T4_HeumenBrdg.jpg)
KG Greschick was tasked to re-capture the bridge and the two roads to the northeast. The 505th had dug-in too
tight at the bridge and the german attack was stalled to the woods just East of the objective. With heavy losses,
the group attacking the roads managed to drive the enemy back and secure the roads.

German losses - 11
Allied losses - 18 + 1 MIA

----------

MOOK (http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T4_Mook.jpg)
KG Goebel manages to clear the sector after intense fight with the last remaining Allied paratroopers here.

German losses - 11 + 1 MIA
Allied losses - 3

----------

BLANKENBERG BRIDGE (http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T4_BlankenbergBrdg.jpg)
Very weak attack from the 1/508 against the german defences was repulsed with staggering losses for the Allies.

German losses - 0
Allied losses - 13

----------

GROESBEEK (http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T4_Groesbeek.jpg)
Allies had one squad remaining here, defending the farm house. The germans surrounded and assaulted the house
killing the defenders inside.

German losses - 0
Allied losses - 3

----------

HONINGHUTIE BRIDGE (http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T4_HoninghutieBrdg.jpg)
The allies attacked the bridge from south on both sides of the river. The small garrison could counter the attack from the
east bank, but as the west flank started to crack, the order was given to destroy the bridge. (and by 'Bridge destroyer', I
naturally mean 'Bridge destroyed' :O:)

German losses - 6
Allied losses - 17

[Dowly]

Situation 1200 18 September (see legend below the image)
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/Nijmegen_Map_T5.jpg


AXIS
ALLIED
CONTESTED
Large/small flag = Large/small supply depot

13 - Uden
14 - Oss
15 - Grave - BRIDGE DESTROYED
16 - Overasselt
17 - Heumen Bridge
18 - Mook
19 - Grafwegen
20 - Blankenberg Bridge
21 - Groesbeek Heights
22 - Groesbeek
23 - Teersdijk
24 - Hatert Bridge
25 - Driehuizen
26 - Groesbeek Heights North
27 - Wyler
28 - Honinghutie Bridge - BRIDGE DESTROYED
29 - Beek
30 - Nijmegen
31 - Nijmegen Bridge
32 - Weurt
33 - Waal – North Bank
34 - Oosterhout
35 - Bemmel
63 - Ravenstein

Objective(s) for 1200 18 September

KG Fustenberg - Dig in and defend the Hatert bridge.
KG Stargaard - Continue to northwest, dig in at Honinghutie bridge.
KG Goebel & Greschick - Drive 505/82 out of Heumen bridge.
KG Euling/10.SS - Move westward towards Weurt and dig in once there.


Reinforcements

18 September
1500 - KG Reinhold/10.SS Pz - Bemmel

20 September
0600 - KG Becker/II.Fallschirm-Korps - Wyler
0600 - KG Hermann/II.Fallschirm-Korps - Mook

[Dowly]

September 18, 1200hrs

HEUMEN BRIDGE (http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/18Sep1200_heumen.gif)
Badly under strength KG Goebel had to abandon it's original mission of securing the entire sector.
Instead, defensive perimeter was put up to keep the allied 505/82 from pushing further east from the bridge.

German losses - 3
Allied losses - 9

----------

BLANKENBERG BRIDGE (http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/18Sep1200_blankenberg.gif)
Weak, probably a probing attack made by the allies towards the road junction. Quickly repulsed by combined
machinegun and rifle fire from the german defensive positions.

German losses - 1
Allied losses - 5

----------

RAVENSTEIN (http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/18Sep1200_Ravenstein.gif)
No contact with the enemy here. Recon party sent over the bridge. Seems like the allies are securing the town
before attacking the bridge.

German losses - 0
Allied losses - 0

[Dowly]

Situation 1500 18 September (see legend below the image)
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/Nijmegen_Map_T6.jpg


AXIS
ALLIED
CONTESTED
Large/small flag = Large/small supply depot

13 - Uden
14 - Oss
15 - Grave - BRIDGE DESTROYED
16 - Overasselt
17 - Heumen Bridge
18 - Mook
19 - Grafwegen
20 - Blankenberg Bridge
21 - Groesbeek Heights
22 - Groesbeek
23 - Teersdijk
24 - Hatert Bridge
25 - Driehuizen
26 - Groesbeek Heights North
27 - Wyler
28 - Honinghutie Bridge - BRIDGE DESTROYED
29 - Beek
30 - Nijmegen
31 - Nijmegen Bridge
32 - Weurt
33 - Waal – North Bank
34 - Oosterhout
35 - Bemmel
63 - Ravenstein

Orders for 1500 18 September

KG Fustenberg - Defend the Hatert bridge.
KG Stargaard - Divert southwest to Blankenberg bridge to relief the garrison fighting there.
KG Goebel & Greschick - KG Goebel merged under KG Greschick. Try to throw the enemy out of the sector.
KG Euling/10.SS - Hold at Weurt.
KG Reinhold/10.SS - Take KG Stargaard's old mission to Honinghutie bridge.


Reinforcements

20 September
0600 - KG Becker/II.Fallschirm-Korps - Wyler
0600 - KG Hermann/II.Fallschirm-Korps - Mook

[krashkart]

Not to drift off topic, but they sure did make the MG42(?) sound really horrifying in this game. :)

[Arclight]

No kidding. :shifty:

Feels a little pointless returning fire with a rifle-squad when that ferret opens up with one of those. Usually battles hinge on whether or not I can pound his MG teams into submission or not. :lol:

(not refering to this AAR)

[Dowly]

Haha, aye they made pretty good job with the MG42 sound. Same with .30 cal, stops my advance like a wall when I hear it open up (tho, they should've taken the Saving Private Ryan sound for it, that was cool).

But this only in the new versions, MG42 sounded like a rattling fart in the older games. :DL

[Dowly]

September 18, 1500hrs

HEUMEN BRIDGE (http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/Heumen_Sep18_1500.jpg)
KG Greschick managed to push to the north on the west side of the river, however the allies are still
in control of the bridge. The support of KG Stargaard might be need for the final push.

German losses - 2 + 4 MIA
Allied losses - 9 + 3 MIA

----------

BLANKENBERG BRIDGE (http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/Blankenberg_Sep18_1500.jpg)
With 1/508 badly beaten in previous attempts to take the bridge here, the german garrison launched
an counter-attack through north. Last of the allied troops were caught in the open and after a short
fight forced to surrender to the germans.

German losses - 0
Allied losses - 2 + 5 MIA

----------

HATERT BRIDGE (http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/Hatert_Sep18_1500.jpg)
504/82 that had fought here on the morning of the 18th and pulled out after beating the german garrison
had to now come back and recapture the sector from KG Fustenberg. The battle played out almost identically
to the one fought in the morning, the allies secured the west side of the river before trying to get over the
bridge. The germans held the east side with the support of an MG34 shooting down the whole lenght of the
bridge. Parts of the bridge fell to enemy hands, but KG Fustenberg should be able to hold their side of the
river with ease.

German losses - 0
Allied losses - 11

----------

RAVENSTEIN
Nothing really to report here. Enemy kept quiet in the town, the two teams of infantry I had in the town
from last battle shot a US sniper towards the end.

German losses - 0
Allied losses - 1

[Dowly]

Situation 1800 18 September (see legend below the image)
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/Nijmegen_Map_T7.jpg


AXIS
ALLIED
CONTESTED
Large/small flag = Large/small supply depot

13 - Uden
14 - Oss
15 - Grave - BRIDGE DESTROYED
16 - Overasselt
17 - Heumen Bridge
18 - Mook
19 - Grafwegen
20 - Blankenberg Bridge
21 - Groesbeek Heights
22 - Groesbeek
23 - Teersdijk
24 - Hatert Bridge
25 - Driehuizen
26 - Groesbeek Heights North
27 - Wyler
28 - Honinghutie Bridge - BRIDGE DESTROYED
29 - Beek
30 - Nijmegen
31 - Nijmegen Bridge
32 - Weurt
33 - Waal – North Bank
34 - Oosterhout
35 - Bemmel
63 - Ravenstein

Orders for 1800 18 September

KG Fustenberg - Defend the Hatert bridge.
KG Stargaard - Move to Overasselt throught Blankenberg Bridge to cut allied supply routes to Heumen Bridge.
KG Greschick - Keep pressure on the 505/82 at Heumen Bridge.
KG Euling/10.SS - Start moving south towards Ravenstein.
KG Reinhold/10.SS - Replace KG Euling at Weurt.


Reinforcements

20 September
0600 - KG Becker/II.Fallschirm-Korps - Wyler
0600 - KG Hermann/II.Fallschirm-Korps - Mook