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Hitler's Son - CMBB AAR.


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It's February 1944, and the tide on the Eastern Front has well and truly turned. With the formation of the Korsun-Cherkasy Pocket, a sizeable portion of German Army Group South was surrounded. Cut off, and with relief efforts en route, the pocket must hold. On the southern side is the lovely little shell-scarred village of Novo Buda, an important strongpoint in the perimeter. Holding it are a force of Walloons, who fight for ze Germans in the hope that one day the state of Burgundy will be restored to existence.

 

Why 'Hitler's Son'? Leon Degrelle, one of the commanding officers, was an ardent fascist and careerist, and Hitler once remarked that if he ever had a son, he would want him to be like Degrelle.

 

This will be a defence against the Russian Guards Cossack Cavalry. It is both foggy and raining, limiting vision to about 150m, and making movement slow. The terrain is a mix of damaged town and woods on mostly flat ground with some gentle slopes. Four flags up for grabs, all four of them initially in my hands. The battle will last 35+ turns.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs1overhead.jpg

 

My force mix is a bit more complicated than usual, so I'm going to explain it at length. If you want the battle, skip to the next post.

 

I have at my disposal:

 

1 76.2mm AT gun. Captured from the Russians, a decent enough gun, but there isn't a lot of ammo for it, and the crew is two men down.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs376mmatgun.jpg

 

1 halftrack towing a 75mm AT gun. The 75mm will definitely come in handy, but thanks to the short visual range of this battle, both AT guns will be susceptible to forces flanking them just out of sight, and moving in and engaging them before the gun can aim at them.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs11ht75mmatgun.jpg

 

3 Panzershreck and 5 tank hunter teams. Given the short range this battle will be taking place at, these chaps will be invaluable. The 'shrecks are deadly, but their accuracy is not brilliant.

 

2 MG34 LMGs. Sadly, the only MG teams I have. Good for harassing fire, but not really that good at actually killing people. Will work nicely tucked in with a platoon though.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs4mg34lmgs.jpg

 

1 Flamethrower. The absolute devil, when it actually fires. The small team size and extremely short range (32m) means they are often wiped out before they get a shot off, but the enemy won't stand firm when on fire. Can also take out tanks.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs6flamethrower.jpg

 

1 Sniper. Great for eliminating pests like gun crews and tank commanders. Very difficult to spot.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs7sniper.jpg

 

1 Marder III. Gun's a bit weak, armour's nothing special. Not much ammo either. I'll have to be careful with this 'tank destroyer'.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs8marder3.jpg

 

5 Stugs (2 IVs, 3 IIIs). Not real tanks, but decent enough. Lack of a turret means they're a smaller target at least. The IIIs don't have much MG ammo, and the IVs don't even have MGs, so they will need protecting from infantry assault.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs9stug.jpg

 

2 Panzer IVHs. Brilliant tanks earlier in the war, now a bit weak. Plenty of ammo. Very experienced.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs10pivh.jpg

 

2 Company HQs. Good at close range, may be necessary to use in the front line to hold flags.

 

2 Battalion HQs. Even better at close range, and ditto.

 

7 platoons of infantry, though some have up to 40% casualties. Got a mixture here, and although a lot of the platoons are under strength, I have an engineer platoon at full strength, with demo charges. Boom!

 

Most of my troops are experienced, at Veteran level or better, with only one Green platoon.

 

The terrain is quite dense, plenty of woods, a fair few buildings/piles of rubble, and as the area has seen intense fighting recently, plenty of shell craters for my infantry to hide in.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs2setup.jpg

I definitely want to hold the three flags in the middle, while the one on my right flank I'll defend lightly, but concede rather than take major casualties. I think I'll put my AT guns on my flanks, with some other AT assets around them, to prevent my whole force (not to mention the AT guns) being flanked.

 

My infantry is a mix of capabilities. I have four 10-man pioneer sections:

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs12pzpioneerfp.jpg

Decent firepower, a good stock of ammo, and they're carrying AT weapons and demo charges. I could kiss these beautiful Landsers.

 

Some under strength panzergrenadiers:

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/panzergrenfp.jpg

Now, although weakened by casualties, these chaps can still provide a surprising amount of firepower out to long range (not really applicable here, admittedly) because they're toting two LMGs (this innovation is why infantry sections today carry an MG in each fireteam).

 

With short-range firepower provided by Company HQs:

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs15coyhqfp.jpg

And Battalion HQs:

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs14batthqfirepower.jpg

 

I've got two areas to set up in. The green area holds most of my forces, the yellow holds three platoons, a coy HQ, a Batt HQ, a Panzershreck and two tank hunter teams. The Stugs, Panzer IVHs, and the 75mm gun are on the roads leading into the town. The vehicles are going to rush in and get set up ASAP, but the infantry I want to move in at a steady pace, not arrive tired, and act as a reserve, reinforcing any weak areas exposed by Ivan's attack.

 

I'd love some mortars and HMGs, but you can't have everything. Oh, and some support from Uncle Arty.

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Right, set up. I'm worried about my right flank. It's much more open than the left, nowhere near as amenable to infantry, but to tanks, especially the Ivan designs that are much less prone to bogging down due to their wider tracks, it's an avenue to speed down.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs17turn1.jpg

Right. Infantry reserve platoons are to move up, at the walk. Vehicles to speed as fast as they can to their positions and NOT, I repeat NOT, bog down in the mud.

 

MEIN GOTT. VY DO YOU NOT LISTEN TO ZE ORDERS zAT ARE COMINK OUT OV MY MOUTH.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs18muddy.jpg

First turn, and you've bogged down. And you're on a road. I can't wait to see how many of the others bog down once they go off-road.

 

Enemy, enemy!

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs19sniperspotsen.jpg

Bunning, his keen sniper ears pricked up, hears the sound of approaching infantry, and faint engine noise that fades away, before he actually spots an enemy and gives him a 7.92mm reason to stay in cover. Bunn'd!

 

They're closing in on you Bunning! Run! Ruuuuuuuuuuuuun!

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs20closingin.jpg

Ahem. I'll move him back next turn, or hide him if the enemy are too close. Snipers that are hidden are difficult to find, infantry have to actually walk right over them.

 

Looks like I was right to be worried about that right flank. Who's guarding that flag again?

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs21rightflag.jpg

"So, what's it like being a tank hunter?"

"I don't know. Okay, I suppose. What's it like being a light machine gunner?"

"Better than being a fat machine gunner, hehehe."

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Turn 2.

 

I think this is the main attack, to be honest. Shifting two platoons of panzergrens right to compensate. The 75mm and halftrack, and the Panzers, are also headed over there.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs24turn2.jpg

The Panzers have plenty of HE rounds and MG ammo, perfect for spoiling an infantry attack. The 75mm will be tasked with anti-armour duty, and the halftrack can add its MG fire against any enemy infantry.

 

Given covering fire from a LMG and a panzergren section, Bunning is away on his toes.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs26bunningescapes.jpg

A few bursts of fire came his way as he disappeared, ghostlike, among the trees, cackling with mischievous glee.

 

Oh Good Lord I hope someone misheard and that's just a commissar with flatulence.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs25tank.jpg

Off-road progress is painfully slow, I don't know if the Panzers will get there in time, and IIRC, the 75mm requires two minutes to set up. Uh oh.

 

Turn 3.

 

I'm entertaining hopes of my Panzers rocking into that wheatfield (crosses fingers it's not the anti-tank strain) and catching a column of enemy tanks as they traverse that road, but somehow I doubt it.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs27turn3.jpg

Panzergrens keep moving right, finding cover in craters and woods, and I've also had a Panzershreck team tag along, because neither the tanks nor the Stugs nor the 75mm gun is going to be there in time.

 

Definitely a tank.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs28t34spotted.jpg

However, due to fear and poor visibility, soldiers often overestimate the threat of armour, so it may turn out to be something puny like a T-70, but I doubt it.

 

Turn 4.

 

Panzergrens and Panzershreck still moving into position. Panzergrens already in a good spot are going to punish some Ivans in the face as they cross that field.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs30t4.jpg

Sniper, LMG, and tank hunter are all pulling back from the flag, they can't hold it versus infantry assault. Perhaps one of the reserve platoons could help out? The 75mm is unhitching from the halftrack, and should be ready to bust some tanks in 2-3 turns.

 

Remember my bogged-down Stug? It's well and truly stuck. I have just lost one of my assault guns due to mud.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs29stugstuck.jpg

"No, Helmut, it's no good, she's shit the bed. Time to get out and walk."

 

Turn 5.

 

Another tank appears across the field and shells my panzergrens sitting in that crater on the road. Time for them to drop back, as they're also taking fire from the tank along the road.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs31t5.jpg

Two reserve platoons coming up and heading right to support the flank. Tank hunter team hiding in the woods near the flag, just to hold it for now. Panzers should be here soon, another turn. Stug heading through the main position to support the right. I hope it's enough.

 

Oh dear.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/h323t34.jpg

That certainly looks like three T-34s to me. While the panzer grens are capable of stopping a determined infantry assault (and there have been plenty of Ivans running back the way they came, pinned down with nothing but wheat for cover until their nerve broke), they can't do it when being bombarded with HE.

 

I have one 'shreck in the area, but given the poor conditions, the range will have to be 100m or less, and he only has five rounds. Mind you, if he hits, the penetration is superb, able to punch through anything except one or two of the heaviest tanks.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs33pspen.jpg

If those tanks come in close, he might be able to pick up 2-3 kills, assuming he can manage to hit them.

 

Turn 6.

 

I simply do not Adam 'n Eve it.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs36stug2bog.jpg

I didn't spot that crater in the road, and now I have another Stug bogged down. One that is badly needed over on the right.

 

Local tank dominance comes to the fore, with a graphic example of what happens when you take cover in a shoddily-built cottage.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs34houseboom.jpg

How that platoon HQ survived is beyond me.

 

And one of my panzergren sections gets shelled by two tanks, and breaks.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs35pgbroke.jpg

Even still within command range of its HQ, HE shells every few seconds will upset anyone.

 

Woohoo!

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs37reinforce.jpg

What have I got?

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs38stugreinf.jpg

Oh good. Two more to bog down. :cool:

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Turn 7.

 

39 seconds 'til that 75mm is ready to start rocking. Those 18 HE rounds will make a big dent in the infantry, forcing the tanks to come forward and support, hopefully close enough to be engaged by the 75mm and my 'shreck.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs39turn7.jpg

My Stug reinforcements, if they manage not to bog down on the next puddle, will advance and support my Panzers. Said Panzers are ending their Fast move in that field and Moving to Contact, looking for enemy armour.

 

More enemy infantry show up.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs40moreeninf.jpg

And the lack of fire from my panzergrens is giving them plenty of time to assault.

 

ACHTUNG! Enemy armour!

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs41actungenarmour.jpg

Please let this work. Hull down, static, quality crew, decent gun.

 

Ah-HA!

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs42rearturpen.jpg

Someone was looking the wrong way and got an AP round in the back of the head! The T-34 went static upon being shot, and didn't move as my Panzer put another AP round into the back of the turret. This is a good thing, means I've caused at least one casualty, and the crew are busy trying to cope.

 

Turn 8.

 

Right. Reserve platoons are arriving, got one moving into position near the 75mm, and another taking up positions in the wood behind my panzergrens. 75mm is pounding the enemy infantry, the halftrack is hosing them with its MG, my Panzer is nailing that T-34 and my other Panzer will soon join in.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs43t8.jpg

I lost Bunning at some point, due to a stray HE shell, I think. Sad now. I should have moved him on, but hoped he could pot some tank commanders.

 

Ivans pour out of the woods, headed for my tanks, only to be driven back by MG fire.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs45infasstank.jpg

Not across nearly a hundred metres of open ground, boys. Better luck next time.

 

'shreck targets tank!

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs45shrekvstank.jpg

And misses! Still, another four shots, if the tank doesn't turn him to HE-smoked pate.

 

Turn 9.

 

While one Panzer watches for armour, the second gets rid of that infantry with MG and HE fire. Having lost sight of their targets, the 75mm and halftrack resort to area fire, hoping to splash enemy units with HE/bullets. My panzergrens are still heavily engaged, and my pioneers have heard enemy infantry heading towards the central flag.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs46t9.jpg

Reserve platoons are almost in place, hopefully I'll be able to fall back soon.

 

The 'shreck misses again, and is promptly punished for his stupidity.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs47shrekpin.jpg

I didn't need him to fail, quite frankly, because even more tanks turn up.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs48lottatanks.jpg

I'll have to push my Panzers forward, and hope to Hitler no more Stugs get bogged down.

 

Schumacher (not that one) closes in on his brother Panzer, and spots an enemy tank. At first identified as a common or garden T-34, the designation changes to OT-34. Flamethrower. Which can clear out any infantry position in seconds.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs50flamehit.jpg

Thankfully, the elite crew light him up, spot another tank, and open fire on that too.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs51ko1spots2.jpg

After a few shot swaps, all of which miss, the T-34 reverses out of sight.

 

My pioneers spot both armour and infantry, and after popping a few desultory rounds off at the tank in the hope of waxing the commander, turn on the poor frontoviks and hose 'em down.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs52pioneer.jpg

In close combat, my pioneers don't have that much firepower compared to things like SMG squads, but they do have demo charges and grenades to throw. That and their good section size means they should be okay.

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The Ivans seem to be right at home on or off-road with their tin cans at present and a good helping of Vodka all around is keeping spirits high. Being rather formidable drinkers, they're just sweetening up their palates for a little Sauerkraut munching.

 

As for your Arian can openers, I've heard word from the crews that they'd rather fancy a boulevard to better roll over any Comrades who show their less agreeable dispositions and lack of subservience by exposing their rumps in what can only be qualified as disgraceful battlefield conduct on their part...

 

This shall not go overlooked!

 

::

 

So, how do you like your shellings?... :cool:

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The Ivans seem to be right at home on or off-road with their tin cans at present and a good helping of Vodka all around is keeping spirits high.

 

Damn Slavic tanks and their fancy wide tracks (T-34 PSI 10.7, compared to 12.6 for my Panzer IVHs and 14.7 for my Stugs).

 

Turn 10.

 

I'm not worried about tanks coming down that cental road, I have it covered by a Stug, two 'shrecks, and a tank hunter team. I am worried about that big push into my right flank just rolling over me. I want that halftrack to tease the tanks forward onto the 75mm, and hopefully edge my Panzers up into the rear/flank of the T-34s busy shelling my panzergrens.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs53t10.jpg

 

Sound contacts, left flank.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs54heartanks.jpg

Tanks. Oh, I could do without this.

 

This is now officially a farce.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs56bogstug3.jpg

Get out and push, you fat gits.

 

The left flank quickly develops into a full-blown fight, tanks and infantry picking on my pioneers.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs55leftflank.jpg

 

On the right, Feibelkorn's Panzer MtC, covered by Schumacher, and spots an enemy.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs57feibatk.jpg

His shot misses, and the T-34 backs away, out of sight.

 

On the left, one of my very few Stugs who is not bogged down spots a T-34, currently occupied with shooting up my pioneers, and lets him have it in the lughole.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs55stugleft.jpg

Even if that doesn't do the job, further shots will. I pity that bogged Stug nearby. If he doesn't get out of there soon...

 

Turn 11.

 

On the right flank, an LMG is moving out to provide cover against infantry for my Panzers. Some infantry has made its way through the wood by the flag, coming out near the 75mm, so I'm moving a Coy. HQ and panzergren section to cover it against assault. Got one Stug coming up behind the Panzers (two if the other frees itself from the mud). The Stug on the road is swivelling in place to align itself with the road, I want any T-34s coming down there to be engaged quickly, with as little aim correction as possible.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs58t11rf.jpg

 

On the left, the Marder is going to move up and around that wood, engaging those T-34s from the left, while two tank hunter teams move up, hopping from crater to crater. My pioneers fall back, into a denser line, and away from the tanks.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs59t11lf.jpg

I dearly hope that Stug finishes off that T-34 with no complications. He's not hull down, and he needs to find a place where he is.

 

The Hof's Stug takes the T-34 to school in the car of pain.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs60stugkill1.jpg

A second T-34 shows up, shoots, misses, and gets a spot-on reply.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs61stugk2.jpg

A third T-34 rolls into view and gets served a nice hot dish of armour piercing, no dressing.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs62k3.jpg

A fourth T-34 roars in, and gets away with a crippling.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs63stugcripple.jpg

Single handed, the Hof has stopped a platoon of T-34s. Veteran crew? If it wasn't before, it is now.

 

Esch's Stug, one of the reinforcing pair, surges free of the traitorous Russian ground.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs64stugunbogs54s.jpg

"I help those who help themselves!" shouts Jesus.

 

The pioneers, now deployed forward of the centre, are heavily engaged, infantry covered by supporting fire from the tanks.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs65pioneersengaged.jpg

A reserve panzergren platoon is moving up to reinforce, and 'shrecks and tank hunters to help out with the armour.

 

Feibelkorn picks up a target nosing towards him.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs66feibtrgt.jpg

The turn ends before he can get a shot off. Oooh, the tension.

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Turn 12.

 

The good news is, another Stug has struggled free of the sucking mud. The bad news is, Hof the Platoon Kiler is out of action.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs68stuggundunbog.jpg

Taking a shot from the crippled T-34 put his gun out of action, and he pops his smoke dischargers for cover, and reverses.

 

My panzergrens retreat from the wood they've been holding, some reduced to 20% in strength, and most with less than 50% ammo.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs67panzergrenretreat.jpg

Covering fire from the reserve platoons enables them to get away without taking any more casualties.

 

Feibelkorn and the T-34 swap shots, but neither hits, and it becomes a race to see who will hit first.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs72feibkill.jpg

Feibelkorn it is, pumping two 75mm AP rounds into the T-34 and killing it stone dead.

 

Sheaffer's Stug, newly liberated from the mud, gets a bead on the immobile T-34.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs74boomhouse.jpg

Only to lose the target in the smoke and dust of a house exploding, destroyed by a careless HE shell.

 

The Marder, creeping around the left flank on MtC, spots the crippled T-34.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs69mardertgt.jpg

Hopefully a 75mm or two in the ribs will pacify it.

 

A tank hunter team, guarding Schumacher's Panzer from attack from the woods, pops up out of hiding and hoses down enemy infantry.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs70tankhkillinf.jpg

Whatever that squad was, it's dead now. Fear the firepower of twin SMGs at close range, spitting out hot 9mm blobs of leaden death.

 

A T-34 manoeuvres to flank the Panzers, only for Schumacher to spot it traversing his front.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs73schuhit.jpg

He bags it in the last second of the turn.

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About a third of the way through the battle.

 

Losses so far haven't been too bad, a Stug-in-the-mud, two platoons of infantry severely damaged, a sniper blown to bits, a 'shreck team blasted, one Stug taken out of action, and a few other infantry casualties. I think I've done 2-3 times as much damage to the enemy.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs76t13overview.jpg

 

On the left, the Marder should soon be killing that crippled T-34. Two Stugs retreating, Hof's to hold a flag out of sight of the enemy, Sheaffer's to a hull down position. The third is rotating to face towards the likely direction of any further enemy tanks. Two tank hunter teams going forward, among the houses, ready for any other tanks coming through. The pioneers and panzergrens should be able to hold the centre. If they need help, there's a company and two battalion HQs holding that flag.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs77t13lf.jpg

If they can't, I have no idea what I'll do, because I have no more infantry.

 

On the right, my panzergrens, heavy on casualties and light on ammo, have pulled back and left the reserves in place, well prepared to fight, but it seems the Russkis are deep in the wood by my Panzers, trying for the flag there. The 75mm has finally spotted a tank at the periphery of its range, so hopefully it will get a shot off. The Stug is MtC, looking to cover the road. Schumacher should be finishing off that T-34, too.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs75turn13rf.jpg

 

Schumacher should kill this T-34 easily. And he does.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs82schukillagain.jpg

My Panzers have the right sewn up.

 

The pioneers are under rather serious attack in the centre.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs81pgsundratk.jpg

The reserve panzergren platoon and Degrelle himself have moved up to help. Multiple units on both sides are well within grenade range, and they're going back and forth like hot nuns.

 

The 75mm finally gets a tank in its sights, and after two rounds, a kill.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs7975mmkill.jpg

Work that gun, boys! Work it!

 

Try this as a hypothetical situation. You're a Marder commander. You're out to destroy some tanks. You've got 14 AP rounds. In your sights is an immobilised T-34, which hasn't noticed you. Do you:

 

A) Take your time, aim carefully, and finish the blighter off with one or two judiciously placed rounds.

B) Whack out six rounds in 43 seconds, missing completely with four of them, and upon killing the enemy tank, collapse sobbing with relief.

C) Panic, stick your Luger in your mouth, and paint the crew compartment with your brains, leaving your colleagues traumatised.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs78slowmarder.jpg

I'll have a B, please, Helmut.

 

The first Stug reinforcement actually gets into the fight.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs80stugreinf.jpg

Now that he is filling the woods with HE, the Panzers can focus completely on enemy armour.

 

The remnants of one of my panzergren sections shit themselves as the first rounds of an artillery strike land.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs83arty.jpg

Get in your shellscrapes and get your helmets on...

 

Turn 14.

 

A pioneer squad chucks a demo charge, and the blast catches about three enemy units, giving my men some breathing space, but there's a lot of enemy infantry moving up.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs84democharge.jpg

There was enough of them to fully engage my pioneers from the beginning, allowing them to bring up MGs to deliver fire support, not to mention the tanks helping out.

 

Degrelle joins in, helping out with bullets as well as combat bonuses.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs88degrellefight.jpg

I'll have to move the two Batt. HQs up as well. Loads of enemy infantry coming in.

 

Schumacher notches up another kill.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs85schukillya.jpg

Although the Russians have basically captured that flag, they've taken a lot of casualties doing it, and as long as they only want that one, it's fine. Time to pull back from here, I think.

 

If there's an artillery strike coming in, I want the 75mm out of here.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs8675mmmountd.jpg

Time to displace and set up shop elsewhere.

 

More tanks.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs87moret34s.jpg

Although I only have one Stug there, I've got two 'shrecks and two tank hunter teams there as well.

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Turn 15.

 

Things are getting extremely unpleasant. Russian infantry is very definitely pressing the attack home, and while I'm coping with their armour easily enough, my armour can't defeat their infantry alone. Winkling every unit out of woods, houses, craters and rubble would require silly amounts of HE.

 

The Marder decides to make another contribution to the battle.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs91marderbog.jpg

PSI? 8.6. Damn this weather.

 

Feibelkorn takes a serious hit.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs90feibstoppd.jpg

Stuck, but otherwise undamaged, he returns fire, and gets his revenge.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs93feibrev1.jpg

Twice!

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs94feibrev2.jpg

Now he's very vulnerable to infantry assault and being flanked by enemy armour. Schumacher and an LMG team should be adequate protection, I hope.

 

On the left, infantry and armour are edging through the houses.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs92cahs.jpg

 

Getting a tad worried, as even if I received infantry reinforcements now, they wouldn't be quick enough to help out my pioneers and panzergrens in the centre. I wasn't careful enough with one of my Batt. HQs.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs95bthq.jpg

Coming under fire from two tanks, they start taking casualties even as they start hosing down the frontoviks.

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I was thumping my keyboard. What's more infuriating is that the AI is usually good with ammo management, becoming more careful as ammo supplies get lower. In this case, he just used up nearly half of his ammo on one target, which was static, side-on, wasn't even aiming at him (until after he missed with four rounds) and then when its turret started to rotate, they woke up and hit and penetrated it twice. Tsk.

 

You can alter the force balance in any scenario by up to 100%, effectively giving one side twice the usual forces. Some scenarios are designed with a side having a big advantage, usually historical scenarios where one force did the sensible thing and attacked an enemy weak point, and then there are scenarios where one side's objective is to slow the enemy force, and prevent them taking objectives, rather than duke it out, like a few platoons of partisans taking on a big column of tanks.

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Well, thankfully, I'm on the defensive, so all I have to do is sit in my positions, perhaps fall back a bit here and there rather than be over-run, and I win. There's no need for me to fire and move and take ground. I've got enough firepower and units with overlapping arcs of fire to ensure that any assaulting enemy units will be intercepted by bullets.

 

At the moment, it's just a bullet-swapping contest. My units and the enemy units are sat in good cover, shooting each other up and throwing grenades. When it's on fairly equal footing, all that happens is everyone expends all their ammunition, and takes a few casualties. There's no decisive result. However, in this situation, the Russkis have an edge, bringing to bear MG fire, and tanks (which are contributing both MG and 76.2mm HE). So, if the situation continues, more and more of my units will be pinned/panicked/broken and this leaves more and more opportunities for them to assault me.

 

So, I can wait and be over-run, bring up more units to provide more fire to blunt their attack, fall back, or counter-assault. I'm going to try B, then C if needed. Counter-assaulting I'm not going to try, because they have superior firepower, and all of my infantry units in the centre are engaged. If any of them stop shooting to storm an enemy shellscrape, they'll be cut to bits. If I had, say, two platoons hidden nearby, it'd be worth a go. If I manage to defeat them, then I might try counter-assaulting late in the battle, because most of my units will have low/no ammo, and it will need to come down to grenades and bayonets to cause casualties. I shouldn't need to, but promptly assaulting an enemy you've just defeated in a firefight is a good way to cause more casualties, rout them, or take them prisoner.

 

Turn 16.

 

Die Panzershrecken openen firen! Two teams pop up out of the bushes, and let their rockets fly. The range is about 100-120m, and they do well.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs99pshit.jpg

Both teams manage to obtain hits, which takes one T-34 out, and sends the others jerking back and forth, looking for cover.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs100pshit2.jpg

Not only that, but a tank hunter team, after skilfully sneaking into the rubble of a nearby building, chucks a grenade bundle, crippling a T-34, and locking it in place for (wait for it!) -

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs101stugjoinsin.jpg

A Stug to roll forward and engage, killing the T-34. While I'd like to say it was a perfectly planned anti-armour ambush, it was in reality more a "Oh, the 'shrecks won't do it, better send in the tank hunters. Wait, that Stug isn't doing anything, he might as well go forward, if he gets killed at least they've wasted some ammo on him."

 

On the left, a rifle section catches some MG fire from a tank, while trying to cross some soft gorund.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs97riflesqdshot.jpg

Oh the pain. Taking a casualty and panicking, they head back for the trees.

 

That same tank rolls a little bit too close to a team of tank hunters, cunningly hidden in a house, and they slap one of these darlings on it.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs98matmine.jpg

One dead tank.

 

Feibelkorn puts down a smoke round for cover, and starts pounding enemy infantry with MG and HE.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs102feibsmoke.jpg

Schumacher gleefully joins in, blasting shells into the wood containing who knows how many enemy infantry units.

 

And just as the 75mm pulls out from under the arty strike (which shows no signs of arriving), a T-34 turns up to blast my infantry.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs103gunescapes.jpg

I feel like a prize plum now. :cool:

 

Turn 17

 

Ooooh, reinforcements! What did Santa bring me?

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs104t17reinf.jpg

A platoon of panzergrens at about 80% strength, and a LMG. I was hoping for a company of armoured infantry and a platoon of Tiger IIs, but I'll live in hope instead.

 

My plans for the forthcoming turn are thus:

 

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs105rft17.jpg

On the right flank, my Panzers are going to continue to blast the wood with 75mm HE and MG fire, the effect of which will be ruinous to the health of the enemy therein. The reinforcements I have just received will be moving up, the LMG to cover the tanks, the platoon to the wood, and from there, give covering fire for my panzergren reserve to withdraw, and if that goes well, push on and retake the flag. While the 75mm is hitched to the halftrack and retreating, my two Stug reinforcements are MtCing forward, to engage enemy armour.

 

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs106lft17.jpg

On the left, the Marder is struggling to unbog itself, the rifle platoon is moving into position to contribute plenty of fire, a Stug is easing delicately between craters and up by the wood to provide more supporting fire, and the rest of my units will continue blasting away, hoping to dismay the hordes with a wall of jacketed lead.

 

A T-34, slow to expire, gets a follow-up shot from the Stug.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs107t34boom.jpg

Yes, I think that may have done it.

 

The halftrack, reversing tortorously slowly through the scattered trees, gets a nasty surprise.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs108htgone.jpg

Got off lightly though, with the 75mm crew only taking one casualty. Now the gun might as well stay where it is, because moving it through manpower takes far too long. Just have to hope that T-34 waits two turns for it to set up. Good thing Stugs are on the way.

 

The Marder surges free of the mud!

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs110marderunbog.jpg

Aye, brilliant. Wonder what other glorious feats you will achieve.

 

Uncle Arty starts coming in...away from me!

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs109artymiss.jpg

Or should I call it Miss Arty? Har har. The best type of artillery strike, one that misses you. Judging by the size of the explosions, it's only about 75-80mm, not big enough to damage my Panzers. Going to ruin that wheatfield though.

 

A Russian infantry unit assaults!

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs112sovassault.jpg

And is pinned down before reaching any of my units, blasted by fire from six directions. How Not To Assault, Chapter 1.

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Turn 18

 

My tank hunters, well within the arc of fire of several enemy MGs, jump up out of the rubble, sprint into the house, and wax a T-34 with a Panzerfaust. Swift, aggressive movement, great use of cover. Totally accidental.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs113thpfaust.jpg

Despite MG fire, they were unperturbed. Aces.

 

One of my Stug reinforcements does its thing. Two 75mm AP on target.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs115rfstugkill.jpg

One less T-34 roaming the steppes and raising little tank babies.

 

The Marder has composed himself, and manages two shots, two hits, two penetrations.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/114marder2ndkill.jpg

Resulting in a kill. The T-34 is swiftly becoming an endangered species.

 

Their arty misses me again.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs116artymiss2.jpg

Splashing down in open ground, and hurting no-one.

 

Elsewhere, it's business as usual, with my infantry in the centre heavily engaged, my Panzers blowing the shit out of that wood, and my reinforcement platoon moving up. I might actually do this!

 

Turn 19

 

Schumacher lays down more smoke for cover, and Feibelkorn expends his HE into the wood.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs117schubombard.jpg

Between them, they've put 40+ HE shells and plenty of MG fire into that wood. They may not have caused many casualties, but the infantry in there will have found it hard to act, splashed with explosions and bullets.

 

Schonfelder and chum, tank hunters extraordinaire, pop up like a human booby trap and SMG some suckers. Again.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs118thkill2.jpg

If they ever tried that on a healthy rifle section, they'd be wiped out, but thankfully the enemy coming their way seem to be trying to esape the Panzer's shelling, and are demoralised and under-strength.

 

The Marder, that most erratic of units, decides to rock up and ignore the multiple enemy units to his front.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs121blindmarder.jpg

Still celebrating his T-34 kill? Perhaps.

 

My worst-off pioneer and panzergren sections, some down to 20% strength, fall back, and the batt. HQs take up the slack.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs119batthqvw.jpg

The infantry attack slackened off a little, but promptly picked back up, but the closer they get the more effective my firepower will be! Probably not enough to hold, though.

 

My other Stug reinforcement starts blasting infantry as they peek out of the wood, looking for an easier way out than a curtain of HE. To his right, you can see my panzergren reinforcements moving into position.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs120stugrfkillinf.jpg

Hopefully, the Stugs can lay down enough fire to take the pressure off the panzergren reserve platoon in place, who have been badly mauled.

 

Turn 20

 

Despite a regular dose of HE from the Stug, the infantry infection reoccurs.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs122moreeninf.jpg

Shame! Neither of my Stug reinforcements has much MG ammo, either, so I can't rely on that.

 

The first section of my panzergren reinforcement platoon moves into the wood.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs123rfpgplt.jpg

Here's a situation where I will be doing a bit of assaulting. With three sections and a HQ, two sections will lay down fire on any visible enemy (hopefully it will be one unit at a time, isolated by the short line of sight in the wood), while the third section assaults, and captures or wipes out the enemy unit.

 

On the left, a Stug rolls up and contributes some 75mm HE to the fight.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs124stugsupfire.jpg

I really could use some infantry reinforcements there, about now-ish. Shame I haven't got any.

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Turn 21

 

Poppe's Stug in the centre edges forward, and begins dishing out the HE.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs127stug2sf.jpg

Now that there's no T-34s to worry about (that I can see, anyway), I can focus on stopping the infantry.

 

EDIT: At my Stug's two o'clock, what's that big tank-like thing, the one with the red base indicating a live enemy unit? Yes, I'm an idiot.

 

Got a couple of rifle sections moving up through the houses, to the left of the main attack, and a couple of tank hunter teams for any steel skinned beasts and/or close-range firepower.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs128infadvleft.jpg

If I can get some fire down on the flank of their attack, they'll have to turn to deal with me, diverting units from the main attack, or push on and take casualties, get pinned, etc.

 

My panzergren reinforcements, MTCing through the wood, spot the enemy and open fire.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs125inffire.jpg

So, with two sections in contact, the third will then move forward, either leapfrogging to a new firing position, or assaulting into the midst of the enemy. The third section is more than 70m away though, which is a little too far to assault, especially through woods (by the time they get there they'll be too tired to bayonet anyone), so they'll move up, start shooting, and one of the first two sections will leapfrog past them. The Stugs are laying down fire into the wood, and as my men advance, I'll step their area targets back, so my men aren't hurt by the blasts, and so the enemy have HE exploding on one side and my men shooting on the other.

 

Uncle Arty is finally on target, albeit on a target it can't hurt.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/126artyontarget.jpg

Buttoned up smugly, my Panzer crews can ride out the storm of metal easily enough. Yes, their situational awareness is much reduced, but I have an LMG covering them from infantry assault (an infantry assault that would also have to pass through their own artillery strike, moreover), so the only real threat is a new platoon of tanks appearing, or the enemy wheeling up an AT gun.

 

One considerable worry is that the Panzers are close to the wood, and depending upon where exactly the spotter has called the fire down, my panzergren reinforcements could end up being shelled.

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Well, the pocket has seen some heavy fighting, so it'll be that, mostly. Nothing to do with me, guv, I've only blown up one or two buildings.

 

Turn 22

 

The LMG team covering my Panzers experiences an arty near-miss that sets fire to the brush behind them.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs132lmgnearmiss.jpg

Time to break out the ersatz marshmallows!

 

Bags of smoke, flank left.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs131flankleft.jpg

Two rifle sections and two tank hunter teams in a pretty good position, with the rifles ready to provide enfilading fire along the line of attacking enemy, and the tank hunters providing close protection versus enemy assault.

 

The problem with units that have a high proportion of automatic weapons is that they burn through their ammo in no time at all.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs129batthqammouse.jpg

An SMG squad can go through its entire ammo stock in 1-2 turns. Lippert's batt. HQ hasn't been quite as bad as that, but with one unit of ammo left, there's going to be little firing from now on.

 

Flag well and truly retaken.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs130flagretaken.jpg

A steady MtC advance from my panzergrens, coupled with the Stug bombardment, has cleared the wood out.

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Turn 23

 

About two-thirds of the way through, an overhead view giving the whole battle situation.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs136t23overhead.jpg

Apart from the rather fluid area around the right flank flag, things have been steady and stable.

 

Wiz zees reinforzements, yoo are really spoilink uz!

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs133t23rfPz3.jpg

A Panzer III, not bad. A little undergunned by '44, but the 50mm is still a threat to T-34s. The 50mm also has a flatter trajectory, which means its easier to get on target, IIRC.

 

With two T-34s coming down the road, Poppe's Stug reverses. Note the enemy MG tickling the hull with rounds, keeping the commander buttoned up.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs135stugrvrs.jpg

Hull down, hull down, come on, it must be around here somewhere...

 

The few remaining enemy infantry units are demoralised and weak, and easily brushed off.

https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/CM/HS/hs134enemyinfwoodwin.jpg

They keep running after coming under fire, not giving me the chance to assault. Shame!

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