The Ardennes offensive began in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday, 16th December 1944. The northernmost element of the German attack was an attempt by the 67th Corps in the Monschau forest to push through the left wing of the US 99th Division's defenses. The most significant objective in this was the small village of Krinkekt, which blended into the neighboring village of Rocherath. As a result, fighting here is frequently called the Battle of the Twin Villages.
The initial assault was conducted through a wooded area against US infantry in prepared positions. Frustrated by the delays, the SS-Standartenführer (Colonel) Hugo Kraas decided to commit a battalion of Panther tanks to reinforce the attack. By dusk on the 17th, the German tanks and infantry had finally pushed out of the woods and advanced toward the Lausdell crossroads. Confused fighting engulfed Lausdell, but Lieutenant Colonel McKinley's infantry unit held with the help of artillery support. The staunch defense of Lausdell gave the 38th Infantry Regiment and the 741st Tank Battalion time to move forward to Krinkelt-Rocherath.
Kraas committed the remainder of his forces, but Mckinley's decimated battalion held its ground and most of the German forces bypassed the position and broke into the two villages. With little infantry support, the German tanks could not push the position and the attackers fell back to reassess their options.
The fighting for Krinkelt-Rocherath had blocked the German advance for three days and enabled the 5th Corps to build up an impregnable defensive along the Elsenborn Ridge, thereby denying the Germans the shortest route to the Meuse.
The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.
Axis Player (Germany):
- Take 4 command cards.
- You move first.
Allied Player (United States):
- Take 6 command cards.
Conditions of Victory:
Place a badge on German elite tank units (Troops 2 - Specialized Units).