Demo

[Arjuna]

Hi all,

We are currently working up the demo for BFTB. This will be fully functioning but with only the tutorial scenario. You will be able to play it single player or multiplayer. The default single player side is the Allies and by its nature the tutorial favours the American player. So to provide a worthwhile multiplayer experience we have added a Favour Axis reinforcement schedule for the Germans. I've just been testing this out in single player mode, playing as the Germans. I've had a ball playing this. Here's a screen dump from Day 3 showing the US 4th Armorued Division driving into St Vith. St Vith is being doggedly defended by the 48th VGR dug-in in echelon with ambush orders. It's sister Regt, the 27th VGR has been delaying the Americans for the last two days and has suffered accordingly, but it's holding off an American hook from the East.

But KG Peiper has finally arrived and I have launched him into an immediate attack striking into the flank of the American assault. So far It's going well.

[Arjuna]

However, those Americans are resolute too and launch an effective counter-attack of their own into my right flank.

[Arjuna]

Three hours on and little progress. The US counterattack in the south has been styimied by the III PG Bn when it outflanked the outflankers. But things are looking bad inside St Vith. the II.27 VG Bn has been effectively wiped out. All that remains is the HQ and it has bunkered down. The 48 VGR is still dug in and holding but American armour is in the centre of town, with more on the way. The main panzer assaults are marking time, neither falling back or advancing much. KG Peiper is exhausted and badly needs to rest. I will tough it out till dark and if no progress, I'll disnegage and rest them.

[Arjuna]

Nightfall. Well the last few hours saw a bit more positive progress. The 501st Tiger Bn has almost cleared the southern suburbs of St Vith. The US forces are routing from its path. However, they are very tired troopers. The 1st Panther Bn has made some progress and is preventing US reinforcements from reaching St Vith along the highway. The II.2 PG Bn is in stalemate with the US counterattack force see-sawing on the same spot they were in hours ago. However one of its PG companies is oh so close to cutting the highway.

Everyone of my attacking forces are knackered, but this is one of those moments you need to press on. It's easy to be a hard task master with virtual subordinates! [;)]

[loyalcitizen]

Very nice!
 
I like scenarios where the participants come at the objectives from weird angles. This one will get played a lot and I can see that there are opportunities for varied play.
 
Can't wait!

[Arjuna]

Success. In the last hour and half, the German panzers have driven onto their objectives. The panzer grenadiers are also applying strong pressure on the US forces in their zone.

I will let the Panzers reorg and then defend in place. You can bet those Americans won't take this lying down. The morning should be interesting.[:)]

[Arjuna]

What a night! Did I say the morning was going to be interesting? Well they didn't wait till morning. Renewed American counterattacks effectively wiped out the exposed II.2 PG Bn. American units are now pushing into the 1.1 Pz Bn position at the southern end of St Vith. What's more their forces have split St Vith across the centre. I had to withdraw what remained of the II.2 PG Bn. I'm goin to wait till dawn and ascertain exactly what strength the Amercians have in the centre of town. Then I'll decide whether to try and crush those forces or to adopt a more defensive stance.

[Arjuna]

Come the dawn and the situation is indeed grim. However, the tigers and the 1.27 VG Bn are relatively fresh. I will counter-attack with this force in the hope of clearing the centre of St Vith. I have also ordered the I.1 Panther Bn to defend the southern suburbs. Hopefully they can buy me enough time to regain control of St Vith. It's going to be touch and go.

[Arjuna]

The assault gets underway but attracts attention from American artillery. Note the stats for the attack force group ( FG ). Only 210 infantry left in the VG Bn. But what it lack in grunts it more than makes up with armour from the massive Tiger II tanks.

[Arjuna]

The attack bears great fruit. My Tigers control the St Vith objective. One enemy tank unit has been destroyed and the rest despatched.

[Arjuna]

A late night drive by US armour denies us control of the St Vith objective. So once more the tired troopers of the I.1 Panther Bn must attack to reclaim victory.

[Arjuna]

More Counter-attacks are required as the Americans pour even more units into St Vith. Note that the I.1 Panther Bn has regained control of the objective.

[Arjuna]

Both counter-attacks in the north converge on the US A Coy 35 Tk Bn.

[Arjuna]

The battle see-saws throughout the night. Units are being depleted and some wiped out. Who knows if we'll make it.

[Arjuna]

Less than 2 hours to go to the end of the scenario and it's anyone's game. A Coy 35 Tk Bn finally wiped out on the edge of town and 6 Panther Coy rallies to reclaim the objective. But a disturbing report just in from the eastern side of town where enemy threaten the 48th VGR Base, shooting up our supply columns. This is one exciting game. [:)]

[Arjuna]

And the result is...

[Arjuna]

The final situation. Note the American armour units bled white by the battle. Mine aren't much better. I probably should have snet a force to deny the enemy the points on the southern objective, but I just didn't feel confident at holding St Vith let alone two objectives. Maybe if the II.2 PG Bn hadn't been decimated in the original attack. Lots of what ifs here.

Well I certainly had a great time playing this and I hope you all will too.[:)]

[vj531]

Now that was a tease!

[Chad Harrison]

Thanks for the AAR Arjuna. Looking forward to getting the demo [:D]