Campaigns-3-July-2004

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Campaigns-3-July-2004

Michiana Armored Combat Vehicles Battle Report

Date:July 3, 2004

Location: WWII Victory Museum

Auburn, IN

It was10 a.m. and the sun was shining high in the summer sky. A Panzer division was preparing for an advance across the French countryside into a small town just beyond the open fields. As the Luftwaffe had already decimated the town and left very little standing, the Panzer commanders had little worry and their demeanor was jovial while they thought of happier times of family, friends and a decent beir.

Under orders from command issued from Lynn Pentelow, s.Pz-Abt Commander Holewczynski led his column of Tigers and King Tigers out into the open air. Recent recruits Trevor Miller and Kyle Holewczynski, supported by Commander Anthony Ardnt, set out into the open fields. Quickly however, the notion of a quiet advance was shattered by multiple shots fired from an Allied armored division. Commanders Greg Powell, Brian Kerr and William Rex has taken position just inside of the town and had been lying in wait for the Germans.

The element of surprised initially worked to the Allies advantage as hit after hit began to whittle away at the advancing German crews. But the power of the Wehrmacht machinery overwhelmed the Allies quickly. However, this was just the first of the battles fought this day and both sides were prepared for a long day. With reinforcements on both sides from Southeast Armored Division (SEAD),18 separate engagements ensued and the battlefield was alive with smoke and fire.

The Axis began a second wave in their advance and again, secured another victory for the Fatherland but by the third wave, reinforcements on both sides changed the face of the overall battle. The Allies scored their first victory of the day by overwhelming the Tigers with Commander Andrew Ardnt’s Super Pershing being nearly invincible.

In battle after battle, the American Super Pershing played a pivotal role in the German defeat, as did the Pershing under the command of William Rex. Positioned just behind a destroyed section of the town, Rex exchanged long distance blows with the Tigers of Commanders Dennis Rex and Ken Holewczynski, who took defensive positions in concrete bunkers. New Panzer recruits, Kyle Holewczynski and Trevor Miller, fought valiantly and managed to cause considerable damage to the Allies early on in the fighting. The strength and determination of the Germans should have given them a sheer advantage, but somehow the Allies began to take out tank after tank, with expert aim.

At one point, the Allied commanders totally decimated an entire Panzer division so quickly that it un-nerved the German commanders. This proved to be a defining moment for the day as even though the Axis commanders continued to exchange victories with their enemy, the Allies had gained their psychological edge.

s.Pz-Abt Commander Rex takes a hit from Allied Forces.

Though helpful in the morning hours, American Commanders Greg Powell and Brian Kerr were out of commission by mid-afternoon, but this did not sway the Allies’ resolve.

As the Midwestern afternoon sun heated the battlefield, the Allies handed down an overall victory. It was late afternoon and the Germans had retreated to repair their machines. Though content with their victory, the Allies know that the Panzer commanders will be back to the fight another day.

COMMANDERS

Aaron Ardnt Jumbo Sherman