January 8, 1945*
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Commander, We are all proud of you. Unfortunately, your victory yesterday has really stirred up a hornets nest. We have reports of many enemy tanks moving around West and North of your positions during the night. We think you should expect an enemy counterattack at dawn. Fortunately we still hold Flamisoul so you shouldn't be attacked from that direction. We can give you limited reinforcements. YOUR ORDERS ARE TO HOLD AT ALL COSTS. Good luck to you.*
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Game Note: This battle represents a somewhat ahistorical situation -- a fully reinforced 3rd battalion holding Flamierge. The other campaign track is more historical, with very limited build and support points. Either way, this battle will be quite challenging.
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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, depending on captured enemy weapons. Finally 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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