Kiwis Fight Back

[wodin]

Played my first scenario today. I played half last night and finished it today.

THE best wargaming experience Ive had.

I did win a decisive victory but even if I lost it wouldnt have mattered.

The Fatherland is very pleased with the victory. For the loss of 275 men (They payed the ultimate sacrifice for our proud Nation) and 14 guns we inflicted terrible losses. The Kiwis have payed a dear price. 1323 men killed or wounded 16 AFV's destroyed 12 guns destroyed, two units surrendered and 5 disbanded. The 22nd NZ brigade has really ceased to exist as a fighting force.

During the whole battle two Komp OSIUS and BRUAN with the II FJ battalion held onto Pygros. It was one hell of a valiant stand. They beat back attack after attack. Many attacks broke down due to he fantastic work of my Arty units aswell as the 1st Glider battalion enfilading them from the woods. Similar to the 6th Mountain Division in Operation Nordwind.

Super!

[Banquet]

ORIGINAL: wodin

Played my first scenario today. I played half last night and finished it today.

THE best wargaming experience Ive had.

Ditto here.. after the first tutorial I jumped into the Amyntaion scenario. Played the first 2 days last night - and the last 2 days tonight. It was the purest, most rewarding and least aggravating wargaming experience I've yet had.

While playing last night I had a UK History channel prog on the TV about the UK 7th Armoured Div. Listening to that in the background it struck me.. the operational scale of CotA (and HttR) is where the important stuff happens.

Previously I'd preferred either squad level, or grand strategic but in both these cases you could argue that the scale is too large or small. In grand strategic games divisions move on divisions - terrain is either all forest, mountain, plain, river, city, etc. The details are lost. In squad based battles the details are so small that even a victory on 'your map' might mean nothing to operational success of the overall battle and it's hard to get a sense of what was really going on around you.

Hearing about 7th armoured and their battles, I realised the important details are in the brigade and battalion battles. We get to take cover in woods and villages, to defend our road networks, and advance on major objectives. Victories and defeats at this level do have a major impact on the overall battle. We have the best of both worlds.

IMO Panther games have given us the engine that shows us where WWII was won and lost.

[wodin]

I always prefered Squad level. However this has a perfect blend of tactics and strategy. The scale is just right. Also whenever you read about certain battle or memiors even its nearly always at this scale that the battles are described in.

Well done Panther Games. You cant be beaten.

My god Im turning into a Fanboy!! Well at least the games have real substance.

[Neilster]

I think the CotA's scale could be described as grand tactical. I'd like to see this type of engine at the operational or grand operational level.

Cheers, Neilster

[jungelsj_slith]

ORIGINAL: Neilster

I think the CotA's scale could be described as grand tactical. I'd like to see this type of engine at the operational or grand operational level.

Cheers, Neilster

What defines it as tactical? I'm making operational decisions in these games, not tactical ones.

[simovitch]

Just for an example, when I detach a section of AT guns or heavy MG's to overwatch a possible avenue of approach, or a company of armored cars to scout ahaead to contact I feel that I am truly approaching a tactical level.
 
The same goes with bringing up a few companis of Infantry Guns to lay some direct fire on an objective.

[wodin]

I usually play the smaller scenarios at the lowest HQ level. I do detach inf guns and place my Arty. Soemtimes like in Kiwis fight back you have indy units which ads a tactical twist aswell. Its more grand tactical I suppose as said above.

Larger scenarios I play at a higher HQ level.

[jungelsj_slith]

You are right.  Those do seem like tactical decisions.  I suppose it's a mix