1st Panzer Long Campaign AAR

[FNG]

Core forces:

7 x Pz Kpfw IIIG
4 x Pz Kpfw IVE
2 x Sd Kfz 222
3 x Sd Kfz 251
3 x Panzer Grenadier

For the first battle, an assault, I have been given some off-board artillery support, CAS, a whole load of MG34 teams, one Pz Kpfw IIB and one Pz Kpfw IIF. A T-28 platoon has been spotted on our right, so I have deployed the Pz IIIs to deal with them, while the Pz IVs take a more central position. The infantry are making use of various foxholes and entrenchments while waiting to jump off. The recon platoon will rush forward on the left using a cautious SOP to identify threats/targets in that area.

[FNG]

T-28s:

[ComradeP]

Good luck! Are you going to play the standard long campaign or the 96 battle one?

[FNG]

On turn one, all AFVs advance as ordered. A 105mm barrage is called in on the road where the T-28s are deployed. The Pz III platoon begin to acquire targets and start firing, knocking out one T-28. Another is unlucky and takes a top deck hit from a 105 and burns. Our recon platoon have come under fire from a unit they can't see, however our grenadiers identify a 45mm ATG.

[FNG]

Thanks! I am playing the 96 battle monster [:)]

Good luck also with the 7th - I am watching how you get along.

[FNG]

The tank skirmish on our right intensifies, resulting in another T-28 being knocked out. Rather worryingly, the Pz IV platoon is taking flanking fire and the lead tank is stunned. The recon platoon spots a further two 45mm ATGs which are causing the trouble.

[FNG]

The Plan (yes, there is one [;)]):

Pz IIIs to finish off the T-28 threat on the right. Pz IVs to knock out AT guns. Halftracks will then rush to pick up MG teams on right and advance towards the woods. Panzer grenadiers in the centre will jump off supported by Pz IVs and MG teams (who will also be on hand to call in smoke if required). Recon platoon and Pz IIs will support on the left once the AT guns are knocked out.

[FNG]

Turn 3 develops nicely, with the remaining T-28 and one 45mm AT gun put out of action. A major threat is spotted but visual contact is lost before anything can be done about it...

[FNG]

One feature that I like is the cycling of orders using the 'U' key. Here I have all units selected after giving my orders for turn 4.

[FNG]

Over the next few turns the advance continues. A lone BA-10M is located and destroyed while a 50mm mortar opens fire on a moving MG34 team; they safely scurry into a trench while the Soviet mortar crew go to ground again. Our infantry keeps eyes on the 76mm AT gun and calls down artillery - we need to get rid of it somehow otherwise it will shortly be able to hit our panzers in the flank, if they advance much further. Recon elements push hard on the left, duelling with two 45mm AT guns that are proving hard to locate and kill.

[FNG]

We have taken our first casualty! A Sd Kfz 222 from the recon platoon was stunned by a 45mm round, then the main gun was knocked out. Damaged and forward of friendly armour, the crew (sensibly) bail out.

On the positive side, our artillery has scored a direct hit on the 76mm AT gun.

[Erik Rutins]

Excellent, great to see another long campaign underway. Good luck FNG!

[sztartur2]

ORIGINAL: FNG

...

This picture shows it all why I loved CMBB and begin to very much like PCO. [8D]

Good luck FNG with this noble undertaking! [:D]

[FNG]

Thanks for the encouragement!

[FNG]

150mm artillery is deadly against targets in the open. The closest round to this Soviet AT gun was probably 30 metres away, but lethal nonetheless.

[FNG]

As you can see from the mini-map in the previous post, I have concentrated my medium armour in the centre, while the Pz IIs skirmish out front along the road. The remaining Sd Kfz 222 has pushed up on my extreme left, supported by an HMG team, and is pinning a few squads on Soviet infantry. On my right, the half-track platoon is checking out the woods.

[FNG]

At this point, the Luftwaffe turned up and made their contribution!

[FNG]

Tanks protect your infantry, infantry protect your tanks.

[FNG]

I am guessing that the Soviet radio net has woken up and chosen to give a lone HMG team a wake up call!

[Erik Rutins]

Wow, that's a heck of a wake up call!

Interesting though - I notice the event log calls that a mortar strike, but those are the rocket effects. Were you just looking at a different part of the event log there or should we investigate?

Regards,

- Erik