FullAuto Posted June 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2010 Let's see the tactical thinkmaking for the next few turns.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/162t29p2.jpgFirst up, N-Group's 81mm mortars are going to lay smoke down on the valley. That screen will provide cover for the Brumby and Flammy (not-at-all-kiddy names for machines capable of inflicting horrific death) to head right, up the road, and into the town. The Brumby lacks MGs, and the Flammy's 'thrower has a range of 60m, so they're going to need protection from infantry assault (at 40m or less, infantry can start throwing grenades and demo charges), and protection from enemy armour. The first is going to be provided by my infantry currently about to hit the town, with two rifle sections covering each vehicle. The Brumby and Flammy blast/torch the buildings, the infantry kill anyone that tries attacking the vehicles. The second will be provided by S-Group. Meanwhile, the Stugs and Panzers of N-Group, supported by guns, HMGs, and mortars, explore the possibility of going up the valley, not necessarily on the road, hence the other arrow pointing into the dip between the hill and the ridge. I don't hold out much hope, but it's worth a try. S-Group's Panzers and Stugs are going to advance, taking out enemy armour and guns, letting the mortars, HMGs and arty spotter on FP Hill deal with the town. Turn 29 Chronister gets hit again.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/163chrongetshit.jpgHe simply can't get on target, with his rounds smashing into the bank just in front of the tank, or hopelessly overshooting. The 105mm arty spotter and two fresh 81mm mortar teams get into position on FP Hill.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/165105281fph.jpgI'm going to smash this town to its component atoms. As the infantry climb down the far side of the next hill, they spot a naughty person.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/164infspotsmg.jpgSome of the infantry units are pioneer sections, armed with only rifles and SMGs. Suppressive fire can be provided by units lucky enough to have LMGs. Bechtold's PzIII, lacking a commander, still spots an enemy MG hosing down one of my HMGs.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/167pziiivsmg.jpgWe'll have to get rid of you, my lad. Some MG and mortar fire should do it. Witt, still grumbling, shifts position to higher ground, climbing the hill to the left of the valley entrance.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/166stugonahill.jpg"Now I can see a piece of shit." He grudgingly admits, opening fire. Two sections push onto the ridge, slipping amongst the pines, and spot infantry rushing to stop them.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/169infonridge.jpg"Terrible shame, that." remarks a Landser, hosing them down. Brumby gets lined up with the road, as Flammy arrives.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/168smokebrumbyflammy.jpgThe mortars do their job perfectly, dropping smoke rounds in the right area, with just the right amount of dispersal, screening off the route into town from any ATGs or SU-76s looking down this leg of the valley. Turn 30 Meissner gets his 75mm set up, and they immediately give fire support to the infantry headed along the ridge.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/17175mminfgunfs.jpgCombined with fire from an 81mm mortar, the enemy infantry are getting a pounding, even without my lads shooting them. Which they are. So it's horrible. War is Hell, etc. Flammy gets hit as he follows Brumby into town.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/170flammygetshit.jpgCould do with less of that, as the Flammpanzer, being full of flamethrower fuel, catches fire more easily than Richard Pryor. Have to get him over the rise and down the other side, out of sight. I think it was just an AT rifle, Flammy's side armour isn't very thick. Brumby, leading the way, spots an SU-76.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/172brumbyspotssu.jpgI dare say a 150mm shell, even HE, will do the job. Some optimistic soul pings a round off Wunsche's PzIV.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/173pzivtakesahit.jpgI think that was an AT rifle, I didn't hear a gun blast. No-one spotted the shooter. Well, if it is an AT rifle, it's nothing to worry about. Advance! The infantry up on Hill Two have a lovely view. Time to extend their fire arcs to 300m, and let them kill the infantry milling around this side of the town.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/174infsfhill2.jpgMight have to move some HMGs up there. As the light tank has disappeared, Chronister looks for another target, and spots an SU-76.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/175chronmissessu.jpgAgain, he can't get on target. It appears the Stuhs have used up their marksmanship quotient for this battle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FullAuto Posted June 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2010 Turn 31 Chronister gets on target.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/180chronkillssu76.jpgAbout time, really. Still, one less to worry about. Would have loved to put a good ATG up on FP Hill, but sadly I haven't got one. As the pair of mortars pop off the odd round, the 105mm spotter finally calls the fire down.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/181105spottercountdown.jpgTwo minutes and counting... N-Group infantry explore the valley floor, spotting another load of mines, and some enemy.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/178infvalleyspotmines.jpgSupporting fire will dig those high ground huggers out, once the smoke clears. Brumby rumbles over the rise and descends the other side, on the periphery of town.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/176brumbyvssus.jpgHe ends up shielded from their fire by buildings. Although his frontal armour is well up to stopping 76.2mm rounds, his flanks are not. Next turn, he'll have to get demolishing. A T-34 roars up out of nowhere, only to be engaged by Wolff's Stug and Wittmann's PzIV simultaneously.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/177t-34vsstugpz.jpgA tad impetuous there, my friend. Worse luck next time. Flammy rocks up behind Brumby, nestling in safety behind the buildings.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/179flammybacksupbrumby.jpgAlthough out of range of the 'thrower, he uses his co-axial MG to give the infantry a bit of support. Turn 32 The 105 is only slightly off, really.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/187105artyslightlyoff.jpgNot too bad. Hopefully the rest will be a bit more the other way. Left a bit, right a bit, etc. Note the town flag in my possession, thanks to Brumby, Flammy and Infy (sorry) closing in. Wunsche takes on the mines near the bridge.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/188wunschevsmines.jpgI'm sure they can be destroyed like this. If I have to, I'll send a pioneer squad sprinting down there to bomb it off the map. Chronister goes back to having no luck at all.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/186chronpartialpen.jpgHe could hit a barn, but nothing smaller. Flammy does his thing with a hissing roar of burning fuel.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/182flammyflamesbuilding.jpgFlamethrowers are the absolute best for urban clearance. As long as you protect them properly, they can clear out building after building, sparing you using up ammo, or lives. It's not all plain sailing, though.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/185flammyhityetagainnp.jpgHe's hit several times, by what I guess is an AT rifle. All fail to penetrate, but that's not the point. Flammpanzers are liable to go up like bloody rockets. Witt, still muttering away up on the hill, spots a T-34.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/183wittspotst34.jpgThe enemy tank, edging forward, roars into reverse and out of sight. Looks like it was a good decision to send him up there after all. Gruber's 20mm AA gun gets hit by a mortar.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/18420mmkomortars.jpgWhere's that coming from? Sodding Hell. Never even got a shot off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FullAuto Posted June 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2010 Turn 33 Twelve turns or so to go, looking good.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/189t33overhead.jpgStill couldn't give two hoots about the other three flags. Frantz's PzIV grinds to a halt on a rock.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/197pzivcrippled.jpgI knew I should have stuck to the road. Well, he can still give supporting fire from there. Arseholed. The infantry on Hill Two force that MG out of his position, hammering him with small arms fire.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/195mgdrivenout.jpgGood luck withdrawing across the field without being wiped out. No, sincerely. The 81mm spotter arrives on FP Hill.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/19681mmspotterarrives.jpgMore firepower to paste the town with. The 105 is pretty much bang-on, if you'll excuse the pun.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/193105OT.jpgGot good concentrations straddling the town, none that I can see going awry, which is important with my infantry and vehicles actually entering the town. Unable to kill them, Chronister blinds the enemy tanks.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/194chronsmokestanks.jpgYou'll have to move now, you buggers, or just sit around doing nothing. Brumby kills a house.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/190brumbykillshouse.jpgI think the first shot alone would have killed anyone in there, the pressure smearing them into gooey wallpaper. The infantry, suppressing enemy units ahead and to the right, comes under fire from the tanks Chronister was shooting at.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/192susetswoodsonfire.jpgThe trees catch fire, and it's definitely time for the 'move' part of 'fire and move'. Witt, bored with his hilltop, decides to blow up a house.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/191wittkillsahouse.jpg"Come out, T-34, or the dacha gets it." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matri Posted June 19, 2010 Report Share Posted June 19, 2010 Just be glad you weren't ordered to take out Yakov Pavlov. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FullAuto Posted June 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2010 I would have just blown his house up. Turn 34 Hoffman steams forward, MG blazing.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/203hoffhtguineapig.jpgIf he lives long enough, he's going to be my guinea pig for crossing the bridge. I'd rather lose a halftrack to another minefield than a tank. Two more HMGs near their positions on FP Hill. Which is good, because Hoffmans has shot his bolt, totally empty.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/2042hmgsfph.jpgThe 105mm bombardment is still hitting, and the 81mm is about to start. Nasty little crucible of explosions, that place. Witt, overlooking an empty leg of the valley, tries to keep himself amused.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/200witthouse2satire.jpgA house getitng destroyed? Under a Soviet flag? D'you get the symbolism, eh? How's that for satire! Wittmann crosses the valley, shielded by smoke shells, perfectly safe from shellfire.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/199wittmangetsshot.jpgBut not bullets. The infantry spotted and killed the sniper responsible, but that's little consolation to 'One Lobe' Witttmann. Witt, wondering which building to destroy next, is targeted by a T-34.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/201wittprovokest34.jpgT-34's hull-down, Witt isn't. Have to get him out of there. Brumby destroys an MG position.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/202brumbydestroysmg.jpgThe survivors abandoned the gun, made a run for it, and were cut down by my infantry. Tragic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Voyager Posted June 20, 2010 Report Share Posted June 20, 2010 https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/162t29p2.jpgJust thinking... This seems pretty straightforward, take the roads, shoot. Is there no benefit to sending infantry to set up positions before going for an enclosing action or whatever? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FullAuto Posted June 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2010 Depends on where you mean, squire.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/205infmoves2.jpgI haven't got the infantry to advance up the valley, on the left. I've got a couple of sections exploring it, under the watchful eyes of my Panzers, Stugs, HMGs, and guns. I've got a platoon headed along the long ridge. I've got two platoons accompanying the Brumby and Flammy into the town. Apart from them, there's a platoon on the ridge next to the town (circled), which have used up all their ammo engaging units in the town and keeping the enemy busy. I've got about four platoons holding Hill Two on the far right (circled). They could try to get into town, but there are mutliple MGs and the remnants of a company of infantry still in the town, and it's about 250m of mostly open ground from the last bit of cover on the hill to the town, so it'd be murder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorondor Posted June 20, 2010 Report Share Posted June 20, 2010 @SV: nothing is as straightforward as it may look at first glance, really. Any less-pondered moves made will, more often than not, cost you dearly in this game. When you think you've cleared an area, think again, because in all likelyhood something nasty is holed up nearby and you managed to miss it. As FA points out, when you order infantry to cross a significant expanse of open terrain, expect them to be greeted by a swarm of lean, angry bullets, or fat projectiles seeking guts to spill. At walking speed, they'd soon feel all nice and breezy, from the abundant holes. For them to have any chance at all you'd have to pop some smoke, lay down some arty fire to suppress enemy units covering the stretch, maybe have some armour to shield their meat as they cross. Only then, tell your infantry to double-time it, and count their blessings... There's also morale to factor in: despite your brisk and impeccably delivered orders, famed germanic discipline and all, hot lead profusely whizzing by and mincing up your platoon mates is bound to instill some self-preservation into you. Depending on how green those troops are, expect to see them hitting the deck or soiling themselves and doubling the hell back to Dodge when the going gets too tough. Even assuming they keep their wits about them long enough to actually make it to the other side, they'd reach their respective destinations exhausted from the run and rather shaken, which renders them just about useless for a stretch. That's also why the whole simulation thingy is so cool, as, after all, everything you're seeing is modelled according to the real deal... Realistic damage and trajectory calculations as well as some very nice AI are at play here. Which, coupled with FA's obvious (and often self-professed ) military genious, adds up to quite a display. True, he makes it look easy (much as you do with inter-planetary fleets and galaxy-spanning empires), but do try this at home sometime yourself, SV. :: @FA: *ahem* Mighty leader, how close does that infantry want to stay to the fireworks when the Flammy goes kaput ['kaboom'] again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FullAuto Posted June 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2010 I'm going to assume you mean when it torches things, rather than when it blows up due to enemy action. Flamethrowers aren't exactly precision weapons. They often go a little bit awry, so I wouldn't put an infantry unit next to a target, whether it was a building, unit or other position, as they could get splashed. As long as you're 30-40m away from the target, you're usually okay. Certainly, advancing alongside is perfectly safe, as long as enemy infantry doesn't try an assault and get close enough for the Flammpanzer to use its 'thrower, and then end up toasting your infantry by accident... Turn 35 Hill Two is a great position. Good elevation, plenty of cover. My infantry pump out the rounds, wiping out units fleeing through the wheat, and punishing the units in and around the town.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/212hill2.jpgMG fire is just a constant chatter now, usually in a battle it comes and goes, as they find and lose targets, but here it's just a constant ripple of sound. Every LMG on Hill Two, plus the HMGs, plus the MGs on the halftracks, Stugs, and Panzers laying down fire. The 81mm spotter is also on target, creating a lovely mixture with the 105s.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/21181OTgt.jpgAlthough the 105 is down to less than half his ammo, and will use that up soon, the 81 has more than 100 rounds remaining. A light tank pokes out of the smoke Chronister laid down.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/213ltdead.jpgEngaged by two Stugs and a PzIV, he's killed in seconds. Witt laconically nails the T-34, two shots, two penetrations, and the crew bail out.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/207witt221k.jpg"Tsk. I don't know what all the fuss is about, really..."https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/208wittcripplest34.jpgWitt cripples the second T-34 as it comes to a halt. Seconds later, he gets a nasty fright.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/209witthides.jpg"Never get out of the Stug! Always stay in the Stug!" And he brews the T-34 up in revenge. The two PzIVs, PzIII, and Stug rush the valley.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/210pzstugadvance.jpgThe place is foaming with smoke, and nipping across only takes seconds. Advance parallel to the road, with infantry on the flanks? Capital idea. Brumbly blasts a building as Flammy shifts to take the lead.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/206brumbyshootsflammoves.jpgNot quite what's meant by fire and move, but with the shorter range, Flammy needs to get closer. Turn 36 Chronister, busy shelling infantry in the town, gets gentle reminder.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/220chrongetshitya.jpgIf I was a light tank, the last thing I'd be doing is ringing a Stuh's bell. The Hoff's halftrack cruises into town, with arty detonating worringly close.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/214hoffcruiseshome.jpgNo more mines to worry about on that road! Brumby blows another building sky high.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/215brumbykillshouseagain.jpgWhether the enemy infantry stay and get killed when the building comes down, or run out the door to be shot up, I do not care. "If I don't kill at least one thing a turn, I get bored!"https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/219wittkillsabuild.jpgThere's going to be nothing left of that little hamlet, unless they take Witt out. And T-34s obviously aren't up to the job. Infantry progress on the ridge, one section sprinting across open ground as the other sections cover.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/217firemoveinfridge.jpgSome incoming, but no casualties, and their nerve held. They reached the trees unscathed. Two sections head up the hill to the left of N-Group's armour advance, making sure no sneaky frontovik starts throwing grenades down onto the vehicles as they pass.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/218climbhill.jpgCovered by MGs and guns on the hill by the valley entrance, they have little to worry about. Flammy, busy torching a building, comes under fire.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/216flammytoobusy.jpgHopefully it's just an ATR... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FullAuto Posted June 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2010 Turn 37 Two fresh HMGs set up on Firepower Hill, and pour it on.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/2262freshmgsfph.jpgFull crews, full ammo. Capable of causing absolute carnage. A pioneer section sprints down Hill Two, under fire, to destroy that minefield near the bridge.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/224pioneerrush.jpgEven with all the fire from FP Hill, Hill Two, and everything else, some enemy units manage to loose off some rounds, and the pioneers crawl for it.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/225crawlforit.jpgNo casualties though, and they're next to the mines now. Demo charge next turn, if they don't get shot up. Chronister has gone to sleep.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/227chronisterstrokeoff.jpg"Shooting at me? Who is?" You could at least target him, you plank. Show willing, come on. Rauben's flamethrower team piles out of Hoffman's halftrack and runs into the nearest house.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/228fthrowerdebus.jpgI pity any infantry that try taking that house. Plobsch's 150mm gun finally gets set up, and lets one off.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/223150mmsf.jpgCoinciding with the arrival of the second section, who immediately start blasting the units fragged by the 150mm explosion.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/2302of3sect.jpgTerrible thing, co-operation. Meissner's 75mm gun is also pounding that wood, so it'll be a splintery nightmare for any units hiding in there. In town, three sections bob and weave through a graveyard, then enter and clear a building, securing a flag.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/229inftakesflag.jpgSo that's one for certain. Four more to go. Then possibly another three. Brumby explodes a house, Flammy sets one alight.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/221bffire.jpgQuite glad i'm dealing it out, seeing the havoc those two are wreaking. N-Group's armour advance bumps into infantry.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/222ngap.jpgMGs and ATRs, so far. Be a pleasure to clear them out. Turn 38 Chronister wakes up, and does the neccessary.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/233chronwakesup.jpg105mm HE shell in the face. That'll leave a mark in the morning. The pioneers hit the mines with demo charges.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/234demminefield.jpgIt refuses to blow up. What are those mines made of? Sodding Russian engineering. S-Group's armour advance, two Stugs and two PzIVs.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/235sgrouparmadv.jpgPerhaps, if things go well, they can push on up the road and capture a sixth flag. Two infantry sections struggle up the hill, taking cover in the craters created by the supporting guns.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/231hillconquerd.jpgA particularly nasty moment occurs when Dittmer's immobile Stuh, using up the last of his rounds, nearly hits one of the sections. Trousers, once feldgrau, are now brown. Infantry advance through the rubble and smoke of the town, sweeping the remnants for survivors.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/232infadvrubble.jpgThe only thing they find is a platoon HQ, wiped out in the blast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FullAuto Posted June 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2010 Turn 39 Carius notices rounds bouncing off his PzIV, and tracks them back to their source.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/238cariushitlg.jpgA light gun, eh. Not a real threat, blow it up anyway. Another section of pioneers legs it down the hill, bullets cracking around their ears.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/239pioneerstryagain.jpgAll goes well, until enemy artillery starts falling.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/240pioneershit.jpgTwo men down, but they still have the demo charges. That minefield's time is short. Wunsche, blithely peering around amidst a storm of fire, is hit.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/241wunschehit.jpgDid you lot miss hatch training, or what? Flammy does what comes naturally, protected by infantry.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/237flammyflames.jpgFleeing somewhere, Ivan? Overconfidence buggers up the next step of the advance along the ridge. I exposed the section to too many enemy units, and they took three casualties in seconds.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/236bugrupadvridge.jpgHave to speed up the rest of the advance and rescue them. N-Group's armour uncovers a nest of infantry, scouring the hill with HE shells and MG bullets.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/242ngarmfindsinf.jpgDemoralised, the infantry should be easy pickings for my two sections headed into the wood. Turn 40 Carius KOs the gun on cue.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/246cariuskogun.jpgQuality stuff. Two HE rounds, not much of an investment for a good return. Infantry, descending Hill Two and looking to advance through the wheat field, come under fire.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/247lgroutsinf.jpgOne section routed, one with a casualty. That's another light gun. Carius! Jager's Stug fords on, out of HE, so looking for armour.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/248jagergoesahead.jpgAnother minefield by the next bridge, eh. Glad to see they don't do things by halves. Witt, almost deranged with boredom, spots a gun way down the valley on a hilltop.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/244wittspotsgun.jpgIt disappears from view after his first shot spatters it with mud. Dang und blast. A section on the ridge runs forward to the rescue, only to trip over an enemy unit.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/243infonridge.jpgAt that range, its fists, boots, entrenching tools, and bayonets, and thanks to the trees, there's no supporting fire. My section get stuck in! Plobsch drops some supporting fire on the ridge.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/245thatsakill.jpg"Das is todt." He murmurs, watching the blast bloom through his binoculars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FullAuto Posted June 21, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2010 Turn 41 Waldstein's Stug rumbles over the periphery of the minefield.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/253stugstopd.jpgOooops. Thought I had the route set far enough away. Obviously not. Carius noses forward, and gets shot.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/252cariusvslg.jpgHe returns fire with gusto, 75mm HE covering the infantry, as multiple sections run down the hill and dive into the wheat. Bauer's section tears into the Russians, sending them running, and fires his last rounds into their backs.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/249bauerseesthemoff.jpgA quick follow-up to capitalise on that should work well. Fix bayonets! Wittmann gets penetrated, by the hilltop gun Witt spotted.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/250wittmanngetspn.jpgWittman's reply soared up into the sky. Witt's was better.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/251wittkosgun.jpgArea targeting, works wonders sometimes. An infantry section on the hill near N-Group's armour gets some action.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/255inftakehill.jpgThat should stop them chucking grenades down on my tanks. Infantry in the town assaults a dogged enemy position.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/254mgcaptured.jpgHande hoch, Ruski! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorondor Posted June 21, 2010 Report Share Posted June 21, 2010 That's what you call caught red-handed alright! :: So, Comraden, up fur ein kleine spiel of HMG russian-roulette? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FullAuto Posted June 21, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2010 Turn 42 Carius knocks out the gun bothering my infantry.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/256cariuskosgun2.jpgThey died very easily, for guns in defensive positions. Perhaps these PzIVs are just crack shots? Someone spots a new clump of mines at the intersection, right in fornt of Jager.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/257jagerspotsmines.jpgBut he already has his movement orders? Oh my God, he'll be killed!https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/258jagerrollsthroughmines.jpgHe trundles through, oblivious. Jammy bastard. Hauptmann Hahmann (bet the men torture him) leads the infantry advance into the fields.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/259wheatmine.jpg"Enjoy the war!" He encourages his men, plucking a stalk. "The wheat will be terrible." Wittman leads N-Group's armour, as they and the support weapons pound the hill, and the sections attack.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/261wittmanadvances.jpgOooh, this could be flag number six! I just hope there aren't any more well-placed anti-tank weapons! Bauer leads the charge along the ridge, his section finally stopping and dropping into a handy crater left by a 150mm shell.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/260bauerspurtsforth.jpgPouches are ransacked, and a few rounds are sent forth, spurring the demoralised enemy to flee again. Turn 43 Overhead view of my super strategy unfolding like intricate origami. Origami that could kill a man. Dead.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/22t43.jpgThe town is under my control. N-Group's armour looks likely to capture a sixth flag if they can clear that hill. S-Group's armour might capture a seventh, but if there's any sort of force holding it, I doubt it will happen. Meet the mines that will not die.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/263minesthatwillnotdie.jpgNot important now. Won anyway, sod it. Brumby strikes, cleaning up infantry on the south bank.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/264brumbystrikes.jpgThere's nothing much for Flammy to set fire to, what with the remaining buildings being occupied by friendly troops. I may have to move him out before the pyromania becomes too much. I thought someone was shelling Wittmann.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/265wittmannff.jpgSat there, scratching my head, wondering "Who is daft enough to use HE against a tank? Is it artillery?" After a couple of replays, I noticed it was coming from behind him. It's actually a shell from Meissner's 75mm gun, providing supporting fire and shelling the hill. Unfortunately, it keeps overshooting and landing rounds near Wittmann. Friendly fire, isn't. Bechtold's PzIII uses canister shot against infantry. Note the cloud of projectiles.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/262canistershot.jpgThere were no survivors. "On me on me!"https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/266onme.jpgBauer's fellow sections converge on him. They spot bodies amongst the trees, no doubt killed by the 150mm shelling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FullAuto Posted June 21, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2010 Turn 44 "We're all going on an MG hunt!" Cry the infantry, rushing through the stalks. "Sshh! There he is!"https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/267huntmg.jpgPoor, poor machine gun. Hunted like a dog. Wunsche hurries to catch up with Jager.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/270wunschehurries.jpgHopefully, he can cover the Stug with MG and HE, while the Stug claims the flag. Some particularly close support fire from Plosch's 150mm gun, as a section is pinned down by an enemy they can't see.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/268closeshelling.jpgEverything's just fine until one of those rounds is a little bit off and all of a sudden you've lost a unit. Two sections leapfrog past Bauer.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/2692sect.jpgKeeping up the pace means the enemy won't have time to get his head together and actually defend. Turn 45 Jager cruises to victory, risking it all for another objective.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/275jagercapturesflag.jpgWunsche clears up after him, hosing down a passing mortar team, probably just for a laugh. The infantry keep up the pressure on the ridge, pushing the enemy ahead of them.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/271sendthemscurrying.jpgEven though a couple of sections are out of ammo, it makes no difference. Attack, always attack. Wittmann trundles on, and captures a flag.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/274wittmanncapturesflag.jpgDidn't really need to get that close to the houses. An anti-tank team could have given me a bloody nose. Two exhausted sections claim the hill.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/273hillcaptureddead.jpgIt's covered in bodies, units wiped out by support fire from MGs, mortars, and guns, canister and HE from passing tanks, and small arms fire. Finally caught the bastard responsible for poking holes in my halftracks for virtually the entire battle.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/272atrcaptured.jpgIt took a 150mm blast, small arms fire, and grenades to finally winkle him out and convince him to surrender. And there you have it.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/resultato2r.jpgQuite pleased with that. Although my execution was a bit wonky, I think my overall strategy was solid and dependable, my combined arms wasn't bad, and the result was better than I hoped for. There was some sloppy vehicle usage, I'll concede that without argument, but also sometimes you have to brave the enemy guns (as I did here with halftracks, despite there being plenty of ATRs) and hope for the best. Particularly proud of my Stuhs, who made a great contribution to the battle, destroying buildings, bunkers, tanks, guns, and infantry. My artillery was spot-on, apart from that execrable 75mm spotter who just could not get it right. My infantry did everything I asked, and I should have used them more. My mortars were superb, pinpoint accurate one minute, bombing a whole area the next. The guns, when they got set up, were accurate, and best of all, consistent. Brumby and Flammy were a terrifying team, and clearing the town without them would have been much, much harder. Last look at the map.https://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h109/FullAuto_2006/ATo2R/lastlook.jpgThat last flag would have been hard to get, guarded by a 76.2mm gun, capable of killing any of my vehicles. I really enjoyed that. Thank you for reading, and thanks again to the scenario designer, John Bertles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorondor Posted June 22, 2010 Report Share Posted June 22, 2010 A sizable enemy that never quite managed to oppose your well layed-out offensive, resulting in an accomplished and well-deserved Major Victory! Brumby and Flammy shall no doubt be long remembered... :: Thanks for a great AAR, FA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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