Hauptman Gessler’s recon company was refitted during the pause, and then redeployed in the Marburg region
When the Soviets started things up again, he was ordered to hit their Frankfurt salient from the north, and promised significant help from the American 3rd Armored “Spearhead” based to his west. They were said to know the ground well, they had practiced on it for years, but these “Iron Dukes” of the 3-33rd had yet to show themselves where he was stationed in the vicinity of Niederbayern-Weisel on the A5, even though the REDs were massing to take the Bad Nauheim intersection.
Gessler recalled the words of his grandfather, who had fought against the Amis rather than with them: you can count on the Americans to show up for the fight, just don’t count on them to show up where you’d expect!
The whole situation between Giessen and Bad Nauheim was fuzzy. NATO ostensibly controlled the A5, but Soviet Units were popping up everywhere along the stretch. Indeed, just as soon as Gessler deployed in Nieder-Wessel, the Russians sprang across the A5, seizing the south end of the highway approach to the interchange to the East.
While the REDs secured a decisive position blocking his advance to the south, Gessler was inspired by the appearance of first platoon of Ami's north of town. In what proved to be a regrettable move, he rushed out to join them, hoping the overwhelming initial odds could begin to roll up the Russian BMP line. Moving out under the cover of the interchange he and the Amis engaged the lead elements of the MRB with a volley of over 30 shots! What should have been devastating fire fell short, allowing waves of Russian infantry the chance to further advance under cover of their more effective Spandrels.
Joined by their Hind support after effective Spandrel fire wiped out Gessler's Gepards in a single volley, suddenly it was the Americans who were being rolled up from the south with the timely appearance of a T-64 Company.
Just as Opa had said, the Amis showed up! An unexpected Ambush chewed up most of the T-64s. Only one remained in the woods when they were done, but it stood to watch the brave Americans shredded by Hind fire from above. As Gesslers' Luchs Zuge returned to the battlefield with another Leopard Zug, they could only watch as the Hinds turned back to support the Russian infantry as it rolled in to town. Gessler was presumed killed in action as the town was engulfed in the flames of war.
I like all the road ways. You have a amazing terrain selection. Great AAR and thanks for sharing. GO NATO!
Good to see the use of M60s in your list, unlucky on the result though. Welcome back 😉
A now I understand the fuzzy situation; The map was ‘úp to date’ but hazey; like the terrain lay out and your Unimog objective is Top ( I scored one for myself also)
Good AAR. I enjoyed the narrative story. Lots to learn from this battle report.
Great AAr. Superb narrative and suppotive pictures. Thx 4 sharing
Good looking table
Well done. Awesome fight and report. Definately commended.
A minor setback. You’ll get them next time
The Gepards greatest weakness is an understandable tendency to use them as assault guns, and then regret it when the Hinds show up. Looks like a fun battle.
Major Beaver — my maps are all from an old 1983 Aral Auto Atlas I acquired while touring Germany in the mid-1980s. Allows for authentic highway layouts as the Google Map versions of today are FAR more congested.
Very nice report. Looks like it was an intense brawl.
Love the little map in the beginning. I’ll might have to steal that idea. God report.
Recommendation given.
nice report
+++
Battle of the roundabout, very dangerous ground there in the middle.
Gave you a commendation 🙂
Victory for the people, victory for the motherland! The brawl between the T-64s and M-60s was a high light for me,as was the Motor rifle companies assault on the town.
Kubikhan,
You’ll get them next time!
Hinds…. ***SHUDDER****
Frankfurt Counterattack Scenario has it’s confusing elements, but in the end, the failure was mine for exposing my Gepards too soon. Fellow Bundeswehr commanders, do not let the Soviet Hinds own the field!