Mini Hofen AAR by Daz

[Phoenix100]

Fascinating, Daz. A frontal assault up that long, bare slope. Hope it ends before dawn.

I always go behind the town, and assault out of the woods, down towards the town, but it does always seem gamey and ahistorical to do that, to be honest, like something they just wouldn't have done. I think they would have done what you're to do.

[dazkaz15]

Well seeing as they didn't do to well historically, your idea has merit [;)]

The main reason for this attack is to demonstrate when a Regimental attack under AI control can be used. I hope it works ok [8|]
If I wasn't doing an AAR I would just stick to Bn level, and send them in at the same time, but from different directions.

To be honest the attack doesn't need to be made at all. Just by taking Kalterherberg, and Monschau I have probably done enough for a Decisive victory.
But that would be no fun at all [:'(]

[Mahatma]

AI will probably screw your regimental attack since any interference near the FUP causes chaos. I want to see you give it 100% till the end out of curiosity.

[dazkaz15]

We will have to wait and see [;)]

[Mahatma]

I'd rather you didn't use Regimental orders Dazkaz as I like seeing how you micro your assaults. Anyone else agree?

[loki100]

I'd like to see if it can be made to work. My few attempts when I've used regimental level have been rather mheh except once in the Losheim scenario when I restarted and made one attack regimental - it was a stunning success where all my clever lower level orders had led to disaster ... ho hum [:@]

[Phoenix100]

Me too - I'm curious as to the result of a regimental attack, though I feel pessimistic....

[Mahatma]

I predict it will be stalled at the Reorg point for 3 hours by one enemy unit.

[dazkaz15]

One of the tips I hope to show you is, you need to secure the FUP, and the route to it first with a recon unit, and/or move the Bn's taking part in the assault close to it individually.
The initial move for an attack order should only be used if you are absolutely sure there are no enemy on route to the FUP, and none at it.
A good reminder for this is that if you issue an attack order that has a long move to the FUP you will notice that there is no option to tick allow attacks or Bypass.

If you encounter enemy on route you need to order the appropriate size force from the Regiment to dispatch it right away, this will alter the force size of the Regiment so you will need to re-issue the Regiment with new attack orders, without the units you are using to clear the enemy away, or wait for them to finish the job then re-issue the orders to Regimental HQ.

You could always issue a move order the Regimental HQ with allow attacks ticked, if you are unsure about the security of the route to the FUP location, and if you don't want the extra management of using individual Bn's.
Then once you see the FUP is secure issue an attack order right away.
A defend order at the location of where you want the FUP, with allow attacks ticked, can also be used now the delay bug has been fixed.

Maybe the allow attacks is a feature that is missing from an attack order that needs to be put in?
This would need the Regiment HQ AI to be able to allocate the right size force for the job, and also be able to distinguish between enemy that need to be cleared on route to the FUP, and those that can be ignored.

The number 2 requirement for a successful Regimental attack is to have a secure route to the FUP, and a secure FUP or have the Bn's move to the FUP to secure it individually first, via their own route and individual orders.
The number one requirement being sufficiently rested to carry out the attack.

[BletchleyGeek]

ORIGINAL: dazkaz15
Maybe the allow attacks is a feature that is missing from an attack order that needs to be put in?

That's was quite a on-topic remark, Mr. Daz.

[dazkaz15]

Glad to hear it BG [:)]
Slide 51

[ComradeP]

I guess the pillboxes and bunkers that would normally be behind the dragon's teeth are abstracted into the line as I had initially assumed the line represented just the dragon's teeth, but as you point out it's quite wide so in that case the defenses are probably included.

As the wikipedia article mentions, digging in between the dragon's teeth would be difficult due to their concrete foundation and minefields (if any). I find it somewhat unlikely that there were many pillboxes between the dragon's teeth, considering the narrow fields of fire that would've resulted in.

[dazkaz15]

Slide 52

[Phoenix100]

So you send a whole company as a recon unit? There's no alternative in the game, of course (one of the things I am hoping might be added in CO2 is a better solution for recon) - but I was wondering if that's effective? It sorely depletes your defending forces. You'll end up knowing what you're attacking but having to leave your rear a bit exposed, (or, in the case of Kalterberg, attack with much less firepower)? On the other hand, you could argue these very large recon assignments will give the enemy something to deal with, distracting from the main attack. And no doubt you can have them join the attacks later....just thinking aloud. It always seems odd to have to send out a company as a recon element. But maybe it's all perfectly normal.

[dazkaz15]

Unfortunately you can't detach a platoon from the Coy to do the reconnaissance, so you have to do a recon in force.
The Coy's out on recon duties will join the Bn's for the attacks, once they know the size of the force they have to attack, and its location.

One of the keys to a successful scenario is to use economy of force. For that to happen you need to know the strength, and condition of what you are going to attack.
For all I know at the moment I might need a Regimental attack on Kalterherberg, and only a Bn on Mutzenich.

They are playing a multi part role by going out to the positions I have sent them anyway.
They are blocking the approaches to the road I need to move the forces for my attack down tonight, and sending back intel, as well as securing the FUP if it is lightly held, or empty.

I have no need for them on the Hofen objective anymore.
There are still 4 very well dug in Coy's on the approaches, there not to mention loads of Artillery, HQ's and a Coy of Stug III G.

Besides the front line is on the move now, being pushed out West, and North to the edge of the forest.

[Phoenix100]

Thanks for that explanation. You may proceed.

[dazkaz15]

aye aye Sir [;)]

[dazkaz15]

Slide 53

[dazkaz15]

I have decided to finish the scenario how I would normally play it at Bn level.
Now is a crucial decision time in game, because if I was to use Regimental level orders, now is the time I will need to start issuing them.
The delay time for Regiment is far longer than Bn. One and a half times as long in fact.

Once I have finished the scenario, if I'm not completely bored of it by then, I will come back to the save for this point in time, and finish it using Regimental orders.
Hopefully this will bring up some discussion why people, myself included, don't like to use Regimental orders, and maybe something can be done to improve the user friendliness of them, and the reliability issues with them.

[Phoenix100]

Good idea, Daz