Prummern 2
Attack on the town
and German counter-attack
This
tabletop game that follows directly on from my last with the US troops of the 334th
Infantry attempting to seize Prummern: https://baberonwargames.blogspot.com/2025/04/prummern-november-1944.html
I decided to expand the game to include
the 9th Panzer division counter-attack on November 19th.
History
By
mid-morning on November 18, the bunker line in front of the town had been
cleared and the hamlet of Loherhof was also firmly in Allied hands. 2nd
Battalion of the 334th US infantry was in position to move against
Hill 101, so everything seemed to be going well.
However
aerial observation had spotted a large column (estimated at 4-5,000 men) with
tanks and other vehicles coming from Heinsberg, just 8 miles to the north and a
counter-attack seemed likely. So Brigadier-General Bolling ordered the seizure
of Prummern to go ahead as soon as possible.
The
task was given to 1st Battalion 334th supported by tanks
of “A” Squadron Sherman Rangers Yeomanry (later relieved by “C" Squadron) and Crocodile
flame-throwers of 141st
RAC.
Meanwhile
2nd Battalion 334th was to dig-in on Hill 101 and around
Loherhof to protect the flank of the advance. Tanks from “B” Squadron SRY were
to support this defence and assisted the US infantry by volunteering to tow
forward the battalions AT guns so they could be emplaced, as the guns own towing
vehicles could not move in the cloying muddy conditions! It is noted that this
both surprised and delighted the Major Eleazer acting commander of 2nd
battalion who praised the British tankers cooperation. At nightfall the “B”
Squadron withdrew to refuel and re-arm, but returned at dawn to resume the general
attack.
The
attack on Prummern itself was a tough fight with many entrenchments and each
house defended, but by evening most of it was in American hands. “C” Squadron
moved up to allow “A” Squadron to withdraw to re-arm & re-fuel. In the
early hours of November 19 following a brief artillery barrage infantry from Panzer
Grenadier Regiment-10 and several tanks from Panzer Regiment-33, both from 9th
Panzer Division launched an attack against the defenders of Prummern!
The game
For
a better overview please refer back to my last game based on the November 18
attack on Prummern, the game ended with the Allies holding one half of the
table and the Germans still holding Prummern. So this is where this game will
start and I re-set my table with Loherhof becoming the jump-off point at one
end and leaving more table north of Prummern for the later German
counter-attack.
The
first half of the game is 1st Battalion US 334th Infantry
supported by British armour`s attack to capture Prummern. Then once the Germans
have been driven out, 1st Battalion, now supported by “C” Squadron
SRY must defend against 9th Panzer`s counter-attack.
Allies
1st
Battalion 334th Infantry commanded by Lt. Col. Lloyd H. Gomes
“A”
company has taken about a platoons worth of casualties, so “B” & “C”
companies will lead the assault
Due to
the thick mud only battalion mortars and MMGs have managed to be brought up to
the line, the 57mm AT guns have been left behind.
“A”
Squadron Sherman
Rangers Yeomanry
Crocodile
Flame-thrower (141st
RAC)
M10 tank
destroyer (“B” company 638th Tank Destroyer Battalion)
Support
Battery
B 326th US Field Artillery - 105mm howitzers
German
defenders
Elements
of 183rd Volksgrenadier Division (Oberst Hampfuer)
About 4
platoons plus some support weapons
Support
Battery,
II battalion, Panzer Artillery Regiment 102 (105mm)
Special scenario rules
Mines – there were mines scattered
all over, tanks must roll 1D6 each move a 1 results in them hitting a mine
(usual dice for effect)
German ammunition
shortages – each time German mortars or artillery fire they must roll 1D6 on a
1 all ammunition is exhausted!
Table
Looking
toward Prummern
B &
C companies with armour ready to move off
2nd
battalion dug-in against any potential German counter attacks around Loherhof and Hill 101
In
Prummern the remains of 183rd VG await the storm
The
extra bit of table beyond Prummern
1st Battalion 334th Infantry`s Attack
on Prummern
Turn 1 –
US artillery zero on the church, causing some German casualties including the
sniper in the spire
German
artillery and mortars respond
Turn 2
once again the US artillery brackets the church causing more German casualties, one Sherman trips a mine, but luckily survives (maybe the mine was a dud?)
The
German reply is ineffective
Turn 3
The US artillery shifts its barrage a bit further into town, once again
inflicting random casualties among the defenders
German artillery
and mortars continue their ineffective counter fire, but two forward German MG
nests open up on the advancing infantry causing casualties. Unfortunately both
nests are spotted and targeted by British tankers, the first burnt to cinders
by the Crocodile, the second in the churchyard blown to bits by Sherman guns!
Turn 4
further US artillery strikes the town, US infantry from “B” &”C” companies
move to engage outlying enemy positions covered by the tanks. The Churchill
Crocodile breaks into the orchard and unleashes another burst of flame
engulfing a group of fleeing Germans including the FOO from Panzer Artillery Regiment
102 effectively removing their off board fire from the German arsenal!
Unfortunately
for the Churchill it has exposed its flank to a concealed Panzershreck team who
planted a rocket into the flame spouting monster and knocked it out
Turn 5
more US artillery smashes into Prummern causing more casualties and a morale
check among the defenders around the church.
The
Shermans supporting the infantry engage German positions as they appear, the Panzershreck
team who just knocked out the Churchill are machine gunned, another MG nest is
wiped out by cannon fire
Turn 6
US artillery brackets and wipes out the `88
Another
MG nest bites the dust curtesy of Sherman cannon fire
It isn`t
all going the Allies way – two platoons from “C” company have to make morale
checks due to casualties and a brave German officer plants a panzerfaust rocket
into a Sherman which blows up!
Turns 7-10
The American infantry take several turns to clear buildings, supported by the British
tanks, though these act more in support than leading the charge since what
happened to their mates.
German
defence is stubborn, but whenever they appear to be holding a tank will pitch
and clear the way.
Turn 11 German
morale finally cracks. Those at the northern edge of the town flee, others with
nowhere to run simply surrender.
American
1st Battalion HQ group at the church
German night attack
At about
3am on November 19th tank engines are heard approaching Prummern
from the north and this is the prelude to a German thrust by elements of 9th
Panzer to re-take the town.
Allies
1st
battalion 334th Infantry (less casualties)
“C” Squadron
SRY
Support
Battery
B 326th US Field Artillery - 105mm howitzers
German
attackers
Elements
of 9th Panzer Division
Elements
Panzer Regiment-33
2
Kompanies of Panzer Grenadier Regiment-10
Support
Battery,
II battalion, Panzer Artillery Regiment 102 (105mm)
Special rules
Mines – the US battalion commander
has had his men us German mines to mine the road into town
Monty`s
Moonlight – searchlights bouncing light off the low cloud negates much of the
darkness
M10 tank
destroyer – if this survived the attacked on Prummern, it can be added to the
defenders
The attack
1st battalion organised their defence with “B” company dug-in on the right half, “C” company on the left and “A” company in reserve. Battalion HQ set up in the church with battalion support weapons mortars positioned central and the MMGs parcelled out among “B” & “C” companies. FOO for the 326th Field artillery took up position in the church spire. The tanks of “C” Squadron SRY positioned themselves covering all approaches (as they did historically), the M10 was positioned on the far right flank.
The game opened with 3 turns of random 105mm fire from 2 batteries of Panzer Artillery Regiment 102. This artillery caused considerable casualties among B & C companies – C company in particular was badly hit.
The Germans arrive
Turn 1 The US FOO fails to contact his guns, the Germans advance
Turn 2 the lead Panther is hit by the Firefly`s 17pdr, a 75mm from another Sherman and a 76mm from the M10!
The US FOO connects with his battery and bracket the flanking infantry company, 1st battalion`s mortars join in also!
On the German left, the infantry began to take casualties from C company, the German LMG teams return fire causing casualties, the Panzer IV blasts one house
Turn 3 In the centre the Panzer IV pushes past the burning Panther and takes hit from the M10
The US artillery and battalion mortars once again bracket the supporting infantry company causing more casualties and a morale check!
On the German left a combination of the Panzer IV and LMG teams cause enough casualties to make the US “C” company also make a morale check!
Turn 4 The Germans in the centre badly fail their morale check and break, another US artillery stonk speeds them on their way!
On the left the Panzer IV moves forward machine gunning fleeing GIs, the accompanying infantry begin clearing houses.
Turn 5 The Panzer IV comes face to face with a Sherman, they exchange fire. The Panzer receives light damage, the Sherman burns!
Seeing the collapse of “C” company, “A” companies CO acts and moves forward to stop the rout
Turn 6 “A” company stabilize the situation and stall the German infantry, the Firefly moves from the town square to deal with the damaged Panzer.
Turn 7 The Panzer is toast! “A” company and what was left of “C” company start a counter-attack to drive back the German infantry.
Turns 8-9 see the Germans driven out of Prummern
History
The German tanks advanced towards the town, two were hit whilst a third struck one of the mines laid on the road. The German infantry proved a tougher challenge and infiltrated the northern part of the town and had to be cleared out the following morning!
