Whew, there is a lot of data to keep track of! That is why this is supposed to be a computer game!
Current Time 1400 HoursNote: I messed up on naming the FSJ infantry companies in the pictures below; 6/9 should be 7/9, 7 should be 8/9 and 8 should be 9/9. I will correct his going forward, but the narrative below contains correct names…Turn 4 Staff Report- As expected the Americans appear to be throwing everything at us they have at their disposal. Our positions have been hit with many 105's, 155's and 4.2-inch mortars in support of the American attacks. A more accurate estimate of enemy artillery use will be forthcoming after further evaluation. Enemy armor has been spotted on our far right flank. Our artillery has responded to the attacks with defensive fire missions from 3 batteries of 120mm mortars, 2 batteries of 105's, and a battery of 88's. 3 fire missions were used against the armor attack alone (a mortar battery, a battery of 105's and the 88's).
7/9 had first contact at 1216, and is currently still engaged. 7/9 has faced 4 different enemy units, and they have yielded little ground while receiving 11 casualties (roughly 7% casualties).
8/9 had first contact at 1240, and is currently still engaged. 8/9 has faced 2 different enemy units, and they have yielded little ground while receiving 15 casualties (roughly 10% casualties).
9/9 had first contact at 1240, and is currently still engaged. 9/9 has faced 2 different enemy units, and they have yielded little ground while receiving 11 casualties (roughly 7% casualties).
1/9 had first contact at 1224, and is currently still engaged. 1/9 has faced 3 different enemy units, and they have yielded little ground while receiving 9 casualties (roughly 6% casualties).
2/9 had first contact at 1224, and is currently still engaged. 2/9 has faced 4 different enemy units, and they have yielded little ground while receiving 8 casualties (roughly 6% casualties).
3/9 had first contact at 1224, and is currently still engaged. 3/9 has faced 3 different enemy units, and they have yielded little ground while receiving 8 casualties (roughly 6% casualties).
FYI: I did not tally all internal unit support elements (MG platoons, command section, etc.) for sake of brevity. Instead I will just provide casualties per company, and a sum total per battalion which would include all internal elementsI/9 took 41 total casualties.
III/9 took 49 total casualties.
Game Note: all German units had a Persistence Level of ‘Stubborn’. You can visit the forum thread talking about persistence for more information, but ‘Stubborn’ means that a unit is willing to suffer major casualties trying to hold at all costs. Units will typically suffer higher casualty rates and cohesion loss, but will yield less ground to the enemy. Cautious means that a unit is more willing to give ground and preserve casualties. Determined is the all-purpose level of balancing giving ground with force preservation.Unit Dispositions at 1248 Hours1400 Unit Dispositions1400 Plan of Action: The good news is that our lines are holding, and that we are starting to make progress in establishing a new line of defense. The bad news is that our casualties are high, and our tactical success feels phyrric. We know we are causing significant casualties and blunting progress, but our casualty percentages are unsustainable for the long run. At the moment we have to continue to weather the storm, and hope that we have no significant breakdowns. There is a good chance that 8/9 will be pushed off of their prepared positions when their engagement is over. We need to hope that the Americans don't renew their assault in this area, because we are more vulnerable now...but that is wishful thinking. Right now there is little to be done except to continue to dig our claws in and hold on till reinforcement arrive.