KING'S CASTLE*
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DATE: 26 November 1944*
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BATTLE TYPE: USA advance vs. Germany delay*
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Two-Player PBEM Game*
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FRENZENBERG, GERMANY:  The Americans continued to forge deeper into Germany, the infantry often reduced to providing support for the armored hammering of the heartland of the enemy. On this day, the town of Frenzenberg was designated as the objective for the 47th Infantry Regiment of the 9th Infantry Division. Company F was mounted on tanks of the 3rd Armored to strike frontally, while Company K was to swing southeast of the town to protect the flank of the advance. The attack got off at 1045, but accurate long-range anti-tank fire halted the armor and Company F almost immediately. However, "King" reported good progress along its route, and reached Frenzenberg at 1300. Penetrating the outskirts, the GIs suddenly encountered devastating fire from the feudal castle which dominated the "old town". The castle, a landmark in the region, was being held by the young troops of the newly resuscitated 917th Parachute Regiment. And spotters in the castle towers where directing heavy artillery fire onto the road behind Company K. The American position was untenable; it was decided to storm and take the castle at all costs, although it was a 2nd Battalion objective. With a ringing Rebel battle cry, the survivors of "King" rose and charged across the grounds toward the castle moat.*
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AFTERMATH: During the thousand-yard charge, the two buildings outside the moat were cleared and the German paratroopers holding the grounds swept away. But a fierce firefight developed between the 35 men of "Kin" Company-all who remained uninjured-and the castle's defenders (approximately 70 teenaged troopers). The ancient fortress was solidly constructed of stone and surrounded by a deep, muddy moat; the main entrance to the castle was beyond a drawbridge leading to a barred oaken door. PFC Carl Sheridan, the lone surviving bazooka gunner, realized that his weapon was the only one with sufficient punch to open a breach. With completed disregard for his own safety, he dashed across the fire-swept outer yard to a wall that bordered the moat. There, under fire from the parapet above, Sheridan cooly fired two well-aimed rounds into the door. As the last rocket exploded, he drew his pistol and charged across the drawbridge; the others followed him through the splintered doorway. Sheridan was killed moments later within the castle, but the remnant of Company K now held a corner of the huge structure. Reinforced by Company G, "King" cleared Frenzenberg Castle the next morning. PFC Sheridan was was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the only man of the 47th Regiment to receive this highest decoration for valor.*
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NOTES: This scenario is based off of Avalon Hill's Advanced Squad Leader (ASL) annual '91 scenario A27 with some minor modifications.*
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Sources:  ASL Scenario A27*
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Design by:  Don Lazov*