After action report: Battle of the Rhine crossing

[sapper740]

On May 21st and 22nd 2005, combined elements of the Canadian Engineers, British paratroopers, American Army and Air Force and French Foreign Legion fought a pitched two day battle with German Heere, Gebirgsjager, Waffen SS, Fallschirmjager, and Hitler Jugend troops to force a bridgehead across the Rhine. The action was fast and furious in spite of the near record 100+ F. temperature. Allied ground equipment included two Stuart tanks, two 1/2 tracks, M8 Greyhound, 105mm howitzer, numerous Dodge W.C.'s and Jeeps; a CMP and a Universal carrier. The ground troops were supported from the air by an A-26, P-51, P-40, two AT-6's, and a Ryan PT-21.
The German forces had a Flak 88, Flakveirling, 1/2 track, numerous Kubelwagens,and a captured Chev 1 1/2t. The German Commander had his personal vehicle, a gorgeous 1936 Mercedes sedan present.
An air attack preceded the ground offensive. The explosions were loud and numerous as the pyro provided by the City of Bellmead, Texas mingled with the 88 and the 105. Small arms and crew served weapons were firing at will. A near direct hit by the 88 on the A-26 drove off the aircraft and the ground offensive began. The 88 now began it's deadly work as an anti-tank weapon, taking out a Stuart and a 1/2 track in short order. A Panzerfaust knocked out the M8. The outcome was in doubt until an artillery barrage, followed by a concentrated Allied attack determined the outcome.

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