Historical Background:
December 1944 - Operation Wacht am Rhein.
After the battle for Elsenborn ridge, the II.SS Panzer Korps advanced to the west. The crossroad of Baraque de Fraiture was a strategic point because it was the junction of the road Liege-Bastogne and the main direction of the German offensive. US major Parker set up on the 19th of December some howitzers of 589th FAB, then reinforced the area with some various elements withdrawing ahead of the German advance : light tanks,anti aircraft guns mounted on half-tracks vehicles, armored cars of 87th Cavalry Recce Squadron. The infantry came from a company of 325th Glider Infantry Regiment (82nd Airborne Division). Finally some Sherman tanks reinforced more the US defensive position. Nearly surrounded by 560.Volksgrenadier Division on the 20th of December, the US troops resisted during three days. On the 23rd of December, in the afternoon, a "Kampfgruppe" of 2.SS Panzer Division (2nd battalion of PzGr Rgt.4 and Panzer IV tanks of the 7 Kie, Pz Rgt.2 and some "Stug") captured the crossroad in a last assault. The road to Manhay was opened.
The stage is set, the battle line are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.

Briefing:
Axis player [Germany] : 6 command cards, you move first.
Allied player [United States] : 5 command cards.

Conditions of Victory:
6 medals.

Special Rules:
- The Allied player lays out the minefields (Terrain 29).

Scenario Bibliography:
- Album mémorial Ardennes - Ed. Heimdal.

Warning:
Please note that this scenario was not approved by Richard Borg or Days of Wonder, so you have to check yourself about playability, potential gaming issues, etc.