January 8, 1945*
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Handwritten note from 513th PIR commander, delivered to battalion commander in Flamierge, by runner:*
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Wonderful job on capturing Flamierge. We are all proud of you. Unfortunately, we have been unable to raise you on radio and enemy armor patrols have interdicted contact. You have really stirred up a hornets nest. Kraut prisoners report a counterattack expected at dawn from West, North, and East. Unable to deliver reinforcements, food, or ammo to you. YOUR ORDERS ARE TO HOLD AT ALL COSTS. Good Luck.*
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Game Note: Since the battalion was cut-off from the rest of the regiment and cannot receive reinforcements, your support points can be used only to purchase OFF-board artillery. Furthermore you cannot use any pre-registered artillery targets in this battle. *
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Historical Note: During that night of the 7th/8th, the Germans prepared their counterattack. Contact with regimental HQ was severed, preventing effective artillery support, or any kind of reinforcement or resupply. At 9am January 8th, the Germans attacked all along the divisional front, including at Mande St. Etienne (which was beaten off) and Flamierge. The 3rd battalion at Flamierge was attacked numerous times by the surrounding PanzerGrenadiers and Panzers, which appeared determined to recapture the town and deliver a bloody nose to these pesty paratroopers. By late afternoon on the 8th, as darkness fell, the battalion had suffered heavy casualties, was without food and nearly without ammunition, and using captured enemy weapons. Finally radio contact was established with higher HQ, and the battalion was ordered to withdraw. During the night the surviving troopers, forced to leave the wounded behind, broke up into small groups and infiltrated their way back to friendly lines.*
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