1st Panzer - Battle 12 - KV-2s!

[FNG]

31/12/1941 - We are tasked to hold off a ferocious Soviet assault. The minefields that HQ promised are non-existent but they have sent us a PAK 36 and a Pionier squad - nice of them!

We muster:

2 x Pz-IIIg (HQ)
3 x Pz-IIIg
3 x Pz-IVe
1 x Panzergrenadier
1 x Sdkfz 251
1 x PAK 36
1 x Pionier
4 x 150mm artillery

By turn 8 we have been engaged by KV-2s, Matildas, Valentines, T-26s, BT-7s, BA-6s, 45mm AT guns and sundry infantry. It's late here but I'll give more details tomorrow.

[Stridor]

[Erik Rutins]

I can't wait to hear how this turns out - if it ends badly, remember the HQ Helper. [8D]

[FNG]

As shown below, we are defending a ruined town where all approaches have woods and/or buildings obscuring LOS. This could be a blessing or a curse. The PaK is concealed in woods and has orders to hold fire until a good shot is available.

[FNG]

Ack! The PaK spots a great lumbering beast heading straight for its position, closely followed by a second...

[FNG]

The concealed Pz-IIIs engage at least two Matildas and a range of Soviet-made light armour. Fortunately 50mm APCR at point blank range is enough to kill the Matildas. Unfortunately for the PaK, it appears that the KV-2s are supported by infantry. The crew do the decent thing: they radio for artillery virtually on top of their position and open fire. The lead KV-2 buttons up then blows the PaK to oblivion.

[FNG]

They did not die in vain - we find our first known cure for the KV: 150mm artillery.

[FNG]

At this point, my Pz-IVs (who had previously scooted at full reverse as soon as the KVs were spotted) race forward through the woods, knowing that this may be their only opportunity to catch the monster on its flank while it is buttoned up. A hail of 75mm HEAT finds the weaker armour on the side turret.

[FNG]

(Yes, I shamelessly used a 'Firefly ambush' [:)]). In the town centre, more Soviet infantry is pushing forward from house to house. A gun battle develops with my grenadiers and pioniers. Pz-IIIs move up to support, engaging more light armour, while the Pz-IVs rush behind the MLR to secure the objectives from a flanking attack.

EDIT: I should take the opportunity to mention that I cannot believe how lucky I was with the 150mm artillery. I reasoned that the Pz-IVs should, in theory, be able to kill them with a side turret hit - though I was expecting to lose one or two. The artillery made it 3 on 1 which was a much better deal! [:)]

[Stridor]

FNG,

So you live to fight another day, your precious IVs remain unscathed.

Nice job

[FNG]

Thanks, but it's not over yet! Hopefully we have put paid to all the KVs in this battle, but that was 50% blind luck. I don't think you can ride that kind of luck for very long! [:)] What I'd really like is a few 50mm PaKs or some Pz-IVF2s for some high-velocity 75mm lovin' [;)]

[Erik Rutins]

Wow, great job - your panzer aces combined with good tactics are a fearsome combination! A lot of players would have lost their entire force there. Matildas alone are not that easy to deal with at this time period, not to mention adding KV-2s!

[FNG]

Luck has played a large part, as has the terrain. For once I *want* to get up close to the enemy armour (KVs and Matildas at least) otherwise I won't kill them. While the ambush on the KV was planned, the Matildas didn't do themselves any favours by making a covered approach. They brought themselves to within killing range of 50mm APCR before they could get a shot off, and I guess my elite crews got the drop on them initiative wise. My initial deployment was tactically sound but it was very lucky that the AI has played as it has, otherwise I could have been steamrollered.
 
The recent total loss of my grenadiers in a static and strategically unnecessary fight has also made me think and plan better. Sit still and you die, sooner or later. I am pleased that I re-learned this lesson keeping my Pz-IVs mobile and didn't get sucked into a gunnery duel with the KVs.
 
On a tangent, while the game mechanics are essentially quite simple, it keeps delivering complex and immersive gameplay. It is very cool indeed.

[FNG]

We have knocked out the bulk of the Soviet armour. Finally my grenadiers have learned Rule 1 of taking cover [:)]

[FNG]

My armour pulls back to form a defensive perimeter and waits for the Soviet infantry. Turn after turn, we plug away at the advancing Soviets. After 32 turns, they finally give up and retreat. Miraculously, the PaK 36 is recovered after being annihilated by the 152mm of a KV-2. The after action details proved that the first KV-2 was in fact killed by a Pz-IV, not the 150mm artillery - I am starting to feel better about my tactics [:)]

[Bil H]

Excellent work in this one FNG.
 
I haven't played many campaigns yet.. but is there a way to quietly withdraw from an untenable situation or are you forced to stand and die in place?
 
Bil

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: Bil H
I haven't played many campaigns yet.. but is there a way to quietly withdraw from an untenable situation or are you forced to stand and die in place?

No, though if there's cover I supposed you could hide and surrender the objectives to the enemy. Allowing withdrawal would seem a bit too easy though. Wouldn't the enemy just chase you and exploit the hole you created in the line? What's to say the next battle wouldn't then have you facing even more of their forces and when would the withdrawals stop?

In general, it's a fight to the finish over that piece of turf and you need to win to move on. The HQ Helper and the "Easy" setting can effectively allow you to "dodge" up to 50% of the enemy forces though.

Regards,

- Erik

[spellir74]

"HQ helper" means who to wha?