On the 21st of September 1944, Task Force Mc George attempted to drive Kampfgruppe Peiper from La Gleize. The attack proved difficult from the start when the Americans found out that their contingent of Shermans could only move by road. So it all came down on the shoulders of the infantry.

The first group, led by the Sergeant were hit by mortar fire as soon as they became spotted. Soon, this little group was more occupied with holding their position than trying to assault. With half of their infantry pinned down, McGeorge ordered the M18 to take out the threatening Panther that was looming on the Hill just outside of La Gleize. The plan was to use the speed of the Hellcat to ride through the woods to the other side of the village and get some enfilading fire on the German tank.

Rottenführer Bahnes was no fool though, and after an hour of cat and mouse play, the Americans decided on a new strategy. They surged their tanks forward to create a target rich environment, thinking that most of them would get through. Well, the Panther took the bait: shot after shot smashed through the thin armor of the US vehicles. Soon the battlefield was scattered with burning US hulks. The Kampfgruppe took heart from this magnificent display of German marksmanship and they ousted the Americans straight out of La Gleize. A bloodbath ensued and the only US troops to survive this inferno was the Sergeant and his trusted platoon of engineers.

End score proved “close”: 51-9 for the Germans!