Holland'44: Turns 3-6 - Oh the Germans do have guns

 Turn 4

Arnhem - Turn 4 saw the 1st Airborne receive another brigade in reinforcement - the drop was messy with two of the three battalions taking a step loss.  Losses from airdrops go into a replacement pool for the division so it might not be all that bad.  After the air drop, 1st AB began to collapse into a more concentrated defensive position along the river.  The Germans launched the first of what will likely be many attacks on the unit holding Arnhem bridge - managing to inflict a step loss at the cost of an armored battalion.  1st AB is starting to get worn away.

No combat in the 82nd's zone.  They did waive off the planned air drop of the divisions artillery assets given the proximity of a german unit next to the airfield.  The germans also advanced an infantry unit along the river to the west which will need to be dealt with.

In the 101's sector, the Germans are building up to assault the highway.  30 Corps has secured Eindhoven and will accelerate their move forward


Turn 5:

The British have used one of their 3 replacement steps to restore the battalion holding Arnhem bridge.  More importantly, they have shifted resources south and now have 2 battalions at the bridgehead.  Those para's will be hard to dig out.  The Germans continue to get reinforcements and are moving single steps units (who can use the ferries to set up blocking positions between Nijmegen and Arnhem.

The 82nd launched a successful attack to clear their drop zones during turn 5 and moved a battalion to block the the German advance along the river.  The Germans are shifting reinforcements to begin prepare renew their assault on the ridgeline

Lots of activity in the 101's sector as 30 Corps passes through the paratroopers and make it to the intact railway bridge at Vehgel.  They'll need to get that bridging equipment to the front of the column - currently it's way back in Eindhoven.

The Germans launch their counter attack and push the Americans back to along the highway.  How long can they delay 30 Corps is now the question?

Turn 6

A combined view of the 1st and 82nd area of operations.

The German noose tightens on the 1st airborne with two succesful attacks.  At the Arnhem bridge, the Germans are reinforced with more armor and launch another assault on the two battalions - the attack is low odds but the dice Gods are kind to the Germans and they get a DR: Defender Retreat option.  The paras have nowhere to go and elect to take a step loss and roll on the desperate defense table to try and hold the bridge.  They are successful but incur another step loss.  They can't hold the bridge for many turns trading at that level of losses.  To the far north the SS launch an attack backed by captured French tanks and manage to cut off three battalions of para's. More importantly, they are close to recapturing the intact rail bridge.  This has not been a stellar turn for the 1st Airborne.  Hopefully radio reports of 30 Corps being no more than 12 kilometers from the Son bridge will restore their morale.  How many turns can they hold out?

In the 82nds area, the Germans renew their attacks from the south and push back one battalion causing another step loss.  Glider reinforcements are expected next turn and their landing zones are clear.  They are desperately needed to both stem the German offensive to the south and start wearing down the German defenders at Nijmegen bridge.

As for 101st are of operations, the German northern attack has been beaten back with losses on both sides, but the highway is partially clear.  The German attack from the south has made significant headway and will require some 30 Corps resources to be with or the Allies may loose one of the critical bridge crossings.  The allied bridging equipment continues to trundle along the road but traffic jam markers are really slowing its progress.

Momentum seems to have shifted in the favor of the Germans - the critical question is how long will it take 30 Corps to get to and fights through Njimegen.  If it take more than 3 turns, I'm not sure 1st para can hold out.  I am very much enjoying how this game is swinging back and forth between the opponents.