"Across the Ambleve"

Territorial expansion was slowed in the North this turn but at considerable, unforeseen cost. Die rolls started out well for the Allies with a SU at Eupen, but quickly went downhill from there. Two Firefights and a step loss put a sting in the German bite. I'm pleased to see that no attempt to engage hex 1704 was attempted. This will allow me to retain Eupen for at least another turn and build an improved position (IP). Not entirely sure why a panzer regiment was diverted to Martelange. As Tom pointed out, it won't be too difficult to recombine the 2nd Panzer. Although Bastogne may prove to be the roadblock which slows this division down (I hope).

The appropriate defense of Bastogne is always problematic. I want to place 7 total steps in the fortification, to include a leader unit. However, I'm not willing to pull more than one 8-4-4 out of front line action to defend it. All airborne will have to come into play to prevent any deep penetration by a lone German mechanized unit looking for holes. Hex 2622 is an awkward position for a defending armor unit, but I don't think Tom can afford to ignore it if he wants to avoid too easy a bridge demolition attempt or the ability to access the Ourthe River bridges farther West in the follow-up turn. Tom is right; I have to abandon Parker's Crossroads or risk further unit losses. In the North, I will willingly continue the battle for Eupen and build a few IPs. I realize the risk of an Angriff attack vs hex 1908 to surround hex 1706, so I will place a reduced unit in the latter hex to minimize the potential loss. With the upcoming arrival of IISS Pz Corps, the game will enter another phase with an even greater German threat. Too bad my boys on that fuel dump couldn't light their cigars.