Zerf Stranglehold - The 5th Ranger Battalion at War

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…

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.

And we, here, choose not to forget. On the contrary, we are now about to RE-LIVE this stirring moment in military history for both ASLers and ATS tac-sim leaders. ATSers will need German + American Personnel and the standard AFV sheet for Germans and Americans.

Includes:

Color Folio

2 Battle Walkaround Sheets

10 Scenarios

3 AFV Cards

2 Countersheets totaling 264 Counters

12 18.5” x 12.5” Color Cardstock Maps