by D. A. Plankers.
Hardback (6.3×9.2 inches). 205 pages. 2026.
Subtitle: Dewey Plankers and the 394th in the Ardennes, December 1944
Losheimergraben is a crossroads town located in the better-known Losheim Gap. The 394th Infantry Regiment of the US 99th Division held a 6,500-yard frontage in the Gap, of which the 1st Battalion held 3,500 of those yards (p25). During the Battle of the Bulge, Dewey Plankers became the defacto commander of the troops, organized as well as disorganized fleeing troops, that held the crossroads for two days against two German infantry divisions and supporting tanks before being overwhelmed. About a third of the battalion made it back to American lines.
This book covers the 394th in general, platoons of the 1st battalion in greater detail, and Lt. Plankers in specific. Since remnants held the crossroads, action down to squad level offers food for thought if you play Battle of the Bulge hex wargamers. Lt. Plankers’ heroic efforts to corral fleeing soldiers, keep his own men on the line, and perform active command and control over his diminishing number of soldiers is rather inspirational. In most hex wargames, two divisions versus a single battalion is most likely D-Elim (so to grognard-speak). Small-unit holding actions were not unique to the Bulge campaign, but Lt. Plankers’ efforts present the best of a can-do spirit.
Other factoids: The 99th division took a week to be loaded onto four rather crowded ships, 11 days to sail from Boston (US) to Liverpool (UK), two days to disembark and transfer, 19 days in camp, four days to get to LeHavre (France), and two days to get to Belgium to man a 19-mile long relatively quiet front to get acclimated to combat operations.
The book contains 18 black and white photos, 11 color photos, and six black and white maps.
This all makes for an excellent test of WWII wargame rules because this entire book makes for one interesting scenario. Well done.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
