"Strike One..."

My approach now will be to count on bombardments to shock defenders that hopefully will then be driven back by a favorable combat result. I then would expect to burn up my guys with standfasts in order to preserve the bridgehead.

At this point, I can look backwards and identify the key decisions that got me to where I am at this juncture: Didn't assault Bastogne Aimed at Dinant because of the anticipated delays for the US to get forces there. Didn't press on the Liege to Namur Meuse segment because of the large number of US and British forces that could rapidly defend that area. Screened Patton to a sufficient degree that all his entrances would be opposed. (I could have chosen to give him some openings in order to delay the defensive buildup near Dinant.)

Anyway, I figure if I can muster enough low-odds attacks, perhaps I can get across the river. =)

Post-Combat Comment:  I cleared the northern cities but totally failed in my attacks across the Meuse.  I had a 1/3 chance after I managed to shock an element of the powerful US 2nd Armored division but, alas, it was not to be.

The once powerful Fuh Es Panzer Brigade attempted to run the gauntlet of Allied air interdiction and was stopped dead in its tracks, taking a step loss in the process. Col Remer is furious and his troops are literally quelling local fires.

Allied Series Replay 25PM Comments Part I: The big push for the vulnerable Meuse River bridgehead at hex 4817 began in earnest. Tom set it up well by making a preliminary attack on the town of Yvoir to draw off Allied artillery. A bombardment of hex 4817 succeeded in shocking the powerful U.S. 2nd Armor, resulting in a 2-1(-1) follow-up combat and a 1/3 chance of crossing the Meuse and capturing a bridgehead. Needless to say "Ol' Blood and Guts" was sweating it out. The combat result was a *D1 Attrition with Patton calling for a standfast to the 26th Infantry. On the Northern edge, the Germans easily swept aside the Allied modest defense left on the eastern shore of the Meuse to enter the towns of Andenne and Huy.

Allied Series Reply 25PM Comments Part II: The upcoming turn will be of paramount importance. The Germans will have one last move to jocky for best position for the final throw of the dice on 26PM. I can no longer cover all of the hexes on the west bank of the Meuse and must let some German Infantry cross. I'll gamble that another air interdiction will keep Fuh Es and its valuable DRM channeled away from the more important Meuse River bridgeheads. The Engaged result at Yvoir was fortunate because it locked 2nd Panzer in combat and cancelled a potential Meuse hexside crossing. I will relocate the two Brit artillery for maximum defense. Tom let me cross the big river near Namur with the 101st Airborne, so I will take the opportunity to sting one of his mechanized units.