Höfen 1944, thoughts?
 

I made a map of Höfen, Germany (200x160). Now, what do do with it?

During the first few days of the German Ardennes offensive the German 326. VGD basically made three attacks to capture Höfen and I thought that could be the basis of a small campaign, 3-4 scenarios long.

But history presents some difficult choices when one tries to translate this battle into the game.

First of all, build it from the American or German side? The Americans are mostly defending entrenced positions and are fewer in numbers, but inlcude some AFV equipped units...

The Germans had - in game terms - massive artillery support that shot up Höfen and cut comms wires but didn't do much to break the (entrenched) American defence.

Also, because the majority of the AFVs intended to support the "Monschau Corps" failed to arrive (none on the first day) the German attack was almost only with infantry, and not that strong either about three-four battalions worth. American artillery however inflict heavy losses on the Germans. A small campaign from the German viewpoint might be more challenging, but risk being frustrating (slow moving, low quality infantry)...

Of the three bigger German attacks, two were made under cover of darkness, i.e. low vis settings. Is that fun to play? Does it punish the AI too much...?


Main American forces:

3rd Bn, 395th Infantry (99th Inf Div)
Co A, 612th Tank Destoryer Bn (towed guns)
Parts of the 38th Cavalry Squadron
196th Field Artillery Battalion (POZIT rounds cause heavy damage on attacking Germans)
Additional Artillery (Corps etc)
Some smaller units (SP Arty, TDs, Engineers)


Main German forces:

326. Volks-Grenadier-Division (not all units present)
Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 683(mot) - (towed 88mm AT guns)
Division artillery 272. Volks-Grenadier-Division
Volks-Artillerie-Korps 405 (five arty Bn)
Volks-Werfer-Brigade 17 (Rgt 88 and 89)
Heeres-Artillerie-Batterie 1100 (three 30,5cm guns)

Re: Höfen 1944, thoughts?
 

My first take is make it a CG, I don't mind a good (slow) infantry one. Low visibility does not bother me, could it be random, so day one 2 hexes, day two 5 hexes, day three 9 hexes, day six 15 hexes, etc...

I think German side would be better to play the CG as.

I would find this type of slow, low vis, Infantry CG interesting to play.

My two cents.