"A Determined Defense"

Tom's disappointment with the combat results proves that "the grass is always greener on the other side." Although no Allied units were outright eliminated, I did take major hits on two of my strongest units. I am most grateful for the SU combat result on Vielsalm because the defending unit will be sorely needed to shore up the river-line defense. The lack of a German mechanized exploitation threat in the far South made defense a little easier for me in that area. My inability to entice Tom to attack up the Monschau/Eupen Road, which would draw off a good part of his offensive strength, is proving a bit frustrating.

Tom is absolutely right. The presence of Skorzeny in Malmedy makes the defense in the immediate vicinity very tricky. I want very much to defend the hex 1607-1610 forest line but run the risk of getting two units trapped with a successful Skorzeny "sneak." There are two important bidges I would like to destroy this turn - those at Salmchateau and hex 1610. I feel comfortable with my defenses at Noville, Bastogne, and Martelange. The North is another story. A good part of 7th Armor seemed slightly out of position at the start of my turn. I would have liked to defend in hex 1813, but that would have been a prime target for a Skorzeny flanking maneuver. How Tom approaches the hidden fuel depot is highly problematic. If he gets bold and moves weak infantry next to it, he will trigger a perhaps early destruction attempt, allowing the Allies a second attempt to smoke it should the first attempt fail. I'm going to try an air interdiction so often successfully used by my good friend, John Grant. I will shut down the road net leading into Houffalize with judicious placement of my two air units. I know both Tom and I are anxiously awaiting the results of the 18AM Random Event. I hope to see something really atrocious.

--  Randy