September 17th, 1944*
1415*
South of Valkenswaard, near the Belgian border*
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The Western Allies have started some kind of operation in our sector. Details are unclear, but a massive fleet of transport aircraft have just flown over out positions, followed by low flying fighter bombers, making movement suicidal. We expect a large tank attack to emerge from the Neerpelt Bridgehead in front of our positions, aiming along the road towards Valkenswaard. Seconds ago, the units in the forward trenches were shocked to see a large wall of artillery fire starting to waltz its way towards them.*
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You are in command of an improvised battlegroup called Kampfgruppe Walther. You are dug in across the main road towards Valkenswaard and have limited heavy weapons or tank support. In case of a major allied tank attack, your goal is to delay and attrite their forces.
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Objectives: Place your AT guns and tank hunting infantry to create ambushes along the road.*
Delay the allied forces from reaching Valkenswaard.*
Destroy as many Sherman tanks as you can. You will receive additional points for their destruction.*
Keep your artillery support from being destroyed by moving it out of harm's way, if necessary. The enemy receives additional points for them.*
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Enemy: The enemy unit in front of you is the Guards Armored Division. They will attack with masses of tanks, mostly Shermans. Also expect massive artillery and plane support.
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Kampfgruppe Walther consists of several units hastily cobbled together. West of the road, the veteran Fallschirmjaegers of FJR 6 have taken up positions. These are veterans of Normandy and well equipped, however, they suffered recent casualties in their attempts to destroy the Neerpelt bridgehead. The road itself is held by the recently formed FJR "von Hoffmann". These troops are fresh and had to scrounge together weapons and uniforms, so don't expect too much from them. They have formed a dedicated unit of tank huntersm consisting of their best and most fanatical soldiers. East of the road, SS troops from 9th and 10th Panzer Division have formed Kampfgruppe Heinke. They are depleted, but high quality troops. Also from the SS we have an artillery battery in support. Make sure to keep this unit safe, so we are not without artillery support in future battles! We also have Luftwaffe Battalion z.b.V. 6 in support. This is a unit of airforce penal troops that has neither the equipment nor will to fight. We have some heavy AT guns in support: Place them and the FJG tank hunters in ambush positions in order to delay the British armor. Once the air is a bit clearer, Stugs from 259. sPzJg-Abteilung will also become available. A long range 10cm Battery is stationed near Valkenswaard. It can be used for counter battery fire, but you will be massively outgunned.
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Everything BETTER than a draw will count as a victory. A victory will delay XXX Corps' move to Nijmegen and allow you more time to improvise more defensive positions in later scenarios.


