January 7, 1945*
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I hope your men are now used to the hideous weather here in Belgium. The weather service indicates more of the same - snow, low visibility, and sub-zero cold. Anyway, you've had a couple of days to reform and regroup, while we've scouted the German positions and observed their movements. Apparently we are now facing units of the Fuhrer Begleit Brigade, an elite unit, and the 3rd PanzerGrenadier Division. *
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Enemy activity in the area seems to be centered on the town of Flamierge, just a couple of miles West of Flamisoul. It seems they are preparing for an attack. Dozens of tanks, halftracks, and armored cars have been spotted, including some King Tigers. You heard about that SNAFU yesterday - a platoon of TDs from the 11th armored was wiped out while trying to interdict the German tanks. Those Germans can shoot. It looks like the job is up to us.*
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Your battalion will attack in the morning and capture Flamierge to disrupt the enemy's planned attack. Get up and over the hill as quickly as possible. This is a division-wide attack. The 194th will be attacking on our left toward Hubermont, and the 193rd, which took up our old positions in Mande St. Etienne and Flamisoul, will be making aggressive patrolling on our left. Deploy between hexrow 10 and 50.*
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Game Note: While the battalion made its attack without armor, you might find some tanks useful. You have extra support and build points on this track of the campaign. A loss here ends the campaign. If you get a major or minor victory, the German deployment area will be more limited in the last battle, making your defense easier.*
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Historical Note: the 3rd Bn of the 513th advanced against murderous machinegun and artillery fire, without any armor support. The battalion commander was wounded and evacuated. In a final, wild charge down the hillside, they captured the town. In this and other attacks by the division that day, 167 Paratroopers died. The slight rise of ground over which the 513th attacked was no longer called Pneumonia Hill. That little piece of hell became known as Dead Man's Ridge.*
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