Elephant Hunt: Semi-Interactive AAR

[Mad Russian]

The remainder of the company sits tight as the commander breaks cover and heads to the northwest of their positions.

This vantage point shows the location of the 2 German HT's. They are both close together at this point. What does that mean? Does it mean they are radioing our locations? That they can't see us well enough to get a definite fix on the battalion? That they haven't determined our exact strength? That they are calling up the German armor to deal with our blocking positions?

How long before the Germans move armor up to engage our positions? How much time do we have left to us? Can we get our forces in place to engage them on our terms?

The clock is ticking.....

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

Or orders execution is as ordered. The Germans have not yet affected our plan. Even though both their HT's are now in the same area of Hill 254.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

The infantry of 1st Platoon has not encountered any Germans in close proximity. They can see both German HT's, and in fact are the only Soviet units able to view the German HT's all the time. They continue to cautiously move up the southern slope of Hill 254.

2nd Infantry Platoon is holding in place.

1st Tank Company is moving one platoon forward and the rest of the company to the northwest behind the woods. This move is encountering no opposition.

2nd Tank Company is consolidating in the forward position to the east of Hill 254. There are frequent sightings of the German HT's but not enough to keep them in full LOS. Once the company has consolidated we will evaluate the company position to see how best to deploy it.

3rd Tank Company commander has begun to move to the western slope of Hill 254. The rest of the company is holding it's positions in the woods.

Do we have new orders? Or will the ones we have hold for the moment?

Good Hunting.

MR

[Yoozername]

It does appear they are reconning into the 'KZ'.
 
I say let that tank platoon from 1TC draw first blood on those halftracks.  Let the infantry just observe at this point.
 
The only thing I would want is to have a platoon of 2TC give some local flank protection towards the woods.  But that can wait till next orders if we are in reaction phase. 

[Mad Russian]

I have been running the orders for a full turn. When I ask for orders from you guys it's because it's in the orders phase.

At present there hasn't been an issue with letting the orders run through the reaction phase. That will undoubtedly change as combat is joined.

If there are no new orders I'll just execute those we have in place.

That should get the 2nd Tank Company consolidated.

1st Tank Company mostly in formation behind the woods.

3rd Tank Company's recon unit moving around the hill.

1st Infantry Platoon moving cautiously forward.

I agree with the intelligence assessment you have of the Germans. They do seem to be moving into the Kill Zone you predicted before the action was started.

What does concern me a bit is that we haven't seen any actual German armor yet. I'm a bit hesitant to engage the Germans with no more showing of their forces than 2 HT's.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Yoozername]

Yeah, let it roll.
 
We have the mobility to shift to threats.  I am starting to wonder about the east woods.
 
But let's just see what happens in this turn and maybe other voices can chime in over the weekend.

[Mad Russian]

Send a platoon of the recon element forward a bit to see what may be in the east woods?

Or let 2nd Tank Company consolidate first?

Good Hunting.

MR

[Yoozername]

I am actually thinking that one platoon should go directly east but next turn

[Mad Russian]

Interesting developments with just letting the orders ride. I'll finish converting the screen shots and post the results in the morning.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

The Germans start pushing more recon units into the area and the 1st and 2nd Tank Companies respond.

Here is a view of the targeting of the German HT's from 1st Infantry Platoons point of view.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

2nd Tank Company has 5 German HT's in front of it. This is a game map view. The 2nd Tank Company cannot actually see the 2 HT's to the left from their forward positioning.

The HT to the right also doesn't stay in view but for a brief moment. The two center HT's though are in the 2nd Tank Companies Kill Zone and they have been given orders to engage.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

The orders are received to target the German HT's.

The battle is to begin.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

Lt. Yerokhin however, being the Recon element leader decides to target a second German AFV on his own.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

2nd Tank Company now draws first blood!

The Fascists will now pay!

2nd Tank Company fires and scores but Lt. Yerokhin's elite crew missed. They fired too quickly because they were afraid the tree would get in the way. The next shot should take out the hated German vehicle.



Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

The view from 1st Tank Company from the front of the Kill Zone box.

Now that the engagement has been opened the 1st Tank Company is free to engage.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

1st Tank Company kills one of the German HT's as well.

Within moments the Germans have lost half of their recon forces that are in contact.

But....WHERE IS THE GERMAN ARMOR?????

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

The southwest side of Hill 254 still shows to be vacant of German forces.

Soviet Intel is that there is a German armored thrust coming through this area.

If so where are they?

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

Here shows the 4 German vehicles, as well as Victory Location possession, on the small Tac Map in the game.

Two of these vehicles have since been knocked out.


Good Hunting.

MR

[junk2drive]

Maybe you need to take back those VLs.

[Yoozername]

Are we in Reaction phase?

It seems that the Germans are reconning with one platoon of halftracks and holding that flag with the other.

My general impression is that:

3TC: that recon can't see much from it's new position. Pushing it further is not worth it. 3TC is probably the least experiences of the three companies and I can't see risking its HQ.

Bn HQ: Speaking of HQ's, it seems that there is a Bn HQ on the board. Maybe drive that thing back down the curved road and park it behind 3TC.

1TC: They should wipe out as many halftracks and goad other forces forward. It's possible the Germans have arty and these halftracks may call some. 1TC needs to 'red' the flag on the road.

2TC: I am not thrilled with the placement of the two platoons that moved up. I am not sure if they have taken a shot or can see anything. I am getting leary of having this one TC so far forward and now that it has drawn blood, I would want it to readjust its mission. All tank companies must be positioned for mutual support once the heavy armor appears. I would want the eastern-most 2TC platoon to reverse itself as far as the woods behind it. The other tank platoons should fire/move so as to also kill off as much light armor before they also take part in a phased withdrawl.