THIS IS ATS Zerf EVERYMAN Edition - and includes a set of scenarios, ALL playing on the large Winterized map PLUS a set of color Battlefield Walkaround rules in 3-hole format PLUS color folio PLUS during the weekend of 27-30 October a FREE bonus sheet of color, die cut counters in the form of 88 US Winter Uniform Personnel and weapons in classic colors and poses.
When the men of the 5th Ranger Battalion slid parallel to enemy lines, heading along the Irsch road to Zerf during the winter of 1945, how could they have known they would be ‘caught in a stranglehold’ – and at one point have to call down friendly artillery on their own lines…
… just like another ‘Lost Battalion’ of note, just minus a certain one-legged pigeon named Cher Ami.
The terrain was heavily wooded, hilly, and while holding the Rangers in a vise, the Germans had no idea just how FEW enemy combatants they were up against. A mere battalion.
Passing through the German lines during the night of February 24/25, the Rangers reached the Zerf-Irsch road and laid their few mines. During the following morning they destroyed a German tank destroyer and half-track. Finally realizing that the Rangers were behind them, the Germans organized a counter-attack to dislodge the enemy. At 1645 hours, German Gebirgsjägers attacked the Ranger positions simultaneously from the northeast and southeast under cover of the forest and a severe artillery bombardment. Extreme pressure on the north-east perimeter soon forced the Rangers to reinforce Company ‘E’ with additional Rangers from Company ‘F’. To fill this gap. one officer with 16 Rangers from Company ‘B’ was called up from their prisoner guarding duties.
Holding tight with nowhere to go, the Rangers survived the artillery pressure and repulsed the Gebirgsjägers just as evening fell. During the night, the Rangers held their positions against a ragtag group made up of miscellaneous march units, new recruits and convalescents. On the morning of the 26th, the Rangers were relieved by advancing elements of the 10th Armored Division.
This little known stand by the men of the 5th Rangers may have been forgotten by history. But nothing could be further from that outcome, forgetting, by the men that made this heroic small-unit stand.
