OBJECTIVE

December 16/17, 1944: Your division of Fallschirmjäger have been assigned the key task of controlling the Baraque Michel crossroads in furtherance of Operation Stösser, the key aerial element of Operation Wacht Am Rhein. From the drop zone, 11km north of Malmedy, proceed by taking control of the localized allied fortifications, and secure the region for reinforcements from the 12.SS Panzer-Division Hitlerjugend.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

The 2nd Infantry, reinforced by the 1st, 78th, and 99th Infantry Divisions, held off the attack by the German Fallschirmjäger and Hitlerjugend on Elsenborn Ridge during Operation Wacht Am Rhein, known in the United States as the Battle of the Bulge. By allowing the Germans to weaken and spread out their forces, General Patton's 3rd Army was able to outflank and counterattack the German offensive, permitting the Allies to break through the enemy lines and begin the assault into Germany.