Elephant Hunt: Semi-Interactive AAR

[Yoozername]

Yellow shows withdrawls and orders

[Mad Russian]

No, we are not in reaction phase. I do the orders an entire turn at a time.

When I run the orders you guys give me it's for an entire turn. Ad the commander, I make any changes necessary during the reaction phase to keep in compliance with the orders I've received.

Once the turn has been run I bring back the results and we discuss what orders are going to be issued for the next turn.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

It was my understanding that the general consensus was the German's would advance into an area depicted as the Kill Zone on the map. They have done so.

That the Soviet Tank Companies would be arranged to hit the Kill Zone from the East, South and West at the same time to overwhelm the defenders.

At the moment you do not have a horseshoe ambush. At the moment you have an L shaped ambush. If you pull 2nd Tank Company back to the rear you will have a linear ambush.

I'm curious as to the change in tactics. I'm not sure that I think this tactic has worked well enough in the past to feel that we have a reasonable chance of success using a linear ambush now.

Unless you think that our speed will allow us to redeploy and overwhelm the enemy tanks when they make their appearance.

I would caution against large scale rearward moving redeployment's without the knowledge of where the German armor is. I think more information is required. At this moment we can put the eyes of the German recon out. But I don't see a need to withdraw.

If you want to take the crossroads I would suggest that we send 2nd Infantry Platoon to take it. That gets us the location and doesn't threaten any of our armor assets. I would still push the 3rd Tank Company commander forward just a bit further. Since he has not encountered any enemy tanks the 3rd Tank Company could be ordered to his present location to begin to form the western part of the horseshoe ambush. This then would follow our initial deployment plans.

It would put the kill zone in a position to be attacked from 3 sides. Of course there is no way of knowing the speed of the enemy advance and what amount of time we have left to maneuver.

As always, I'm yours to teach and command.


Good Hunting.

MR

[Yoozername]

The Germans, as you have said, have not committed any heavy armor. Given the time lapsed, they might be using the rolling terrain or woods to make a break-in. So, No, they haven't really put their whole foot in the trap.

I am a happy coward and feel that the Soviets have the speed and numbers to use a flexible defense. But, 2TC has drawn blood, can make another shot at weak enemy forces, but has played out its combat patrol in my mind. 2TC can't move forward to threaten a flag. Given the lack of height information earlier in the game, I now feel that 2TC has very limited value to being where it is.

Best to wait for the intel to come to us.

Some possible German approaches. Note that they could sneak up the middle and pop up.

[Mad Russian]

There seem to be three avenues of advance open to the Germans. East, Center and West.

We can determine if the Eastern route is being used by pushing a recon element of 2nd Tank Company forward through the woods to see. That could be accomplished in short order. If the Germans are advancing here the 2nd TC can simply withdraw in front of them while the other two TC's maneuver around Hill 254 to strike them in the flanks.

The Center thrust seems to be what the Germans are taking. Which was forecast. If they choose this attack route the horseshoe ambush you initially ordered would work.

The Western thrust has shown no activity. If it is the area the same holds true in reverse for it. 3rd TC holds them frontally while the other two TC's attack them from the flank.

Pulling back without knowing where the enemy tanks are creates long response times. I don't mind being a happy coward as long as the loss of lives isn't for nothing.

Just my opinion.

Good Hunting.

MR

[junk2drive]

I've been concerned about the East woods all along. I would send something through those woods to spot the approach area.

[Yoozername]

I think some sort of hard info on exactly what the 3TC can see...as well as the 1infPltn, might be helpful.  And just to be clear, I am interested in their fields of LOS.  What terrain can they see?  I know that there isn't an easy graphical way to convey that, but you are asking for orders when basic information needs to be provided.
 
2TC is sort of in it own reverse slope area.  And its flank is unsecure.  I propose a withdrawl back to the area I showed on the yellow-line map.  If Ferdinands are coming through the woods, it would be slow going.  I would be up for sending 2TC ALL due east and then south along the board edge if nothing is found.  I would then want to send a platoon up to hill 253.  It seems that is the natural vantage point.

[Mad Russian]

I would think the Germans would stay out of woods with their longer range guns. Of course, this is the AI, so anything is possible.

Good Hunting.

MR

[heinrich55]

I think we need to push our single tank further forward on the left flank to find out if the Germans are coming from that angle. If it serves us to create the horseshoe ambush, then advance 3TC to the point where we've reconned. This will still let us swing right to rush up the side of 254 if need be.

To recon the woods we could break one tank off from 2TC and push them through to spot any German moves through the woods on the right.

Keep moving the infantry forward to spot in the center.

Hold our center and right positions. If the halftracks (the survivors if there are any, muhahaha) report back they have been hit from the front and side, this may sway the assault towards those positions and allow 3TC to hit a readjustment in the flank, or even to hit them as they position to strike our center/right side.

Tension is mounting.

Heinrich55

[Ratzki]

ORIGINAL: junk2drive

I've been concerned about the East woods all along. I would send something through those woods to spot the approach area.

I feel that way as well, maybe get that infantry platoon moving through the woods to take a better look to the north, it shouldalso be able to position itself to retake that flag that is near the northwest point of the woods when the time comes.

[Yoozername]

ORIGINAL: 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

Earlier, the flag in the German sector was yellow. It is now blue. Isn't this indicating that some German unit is taking that flag? Again, I would like to know if the 3TC HQ can see that much from it's new position. Can it see that flag??? Maybe an order can be..Move up and see the flag. Be cautious. Reverse during the Reaction Phase.

As a review....We still have as many flags as the Germans. We can probably shoot-away the halftracks and regain the lost flag. We are destroying enemy units and haven't suffered any casualties yet.

[Mad Russian]

I would think you're right, the changing color of the flag means the German has taken it.

The missing armor? Or the missing infantry from the HT's?

I'll put together some LOS shots so we can tell just how much of the hill we can see.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Yoozername]

Here is a elevation guide showing some of the subtle contours. And, yes, I was an 81C20.

[Mad Russian]

ORIGINAL: Yoozername

Here is a elevation guide showing some of the subtle contours. And, yes, I was an 81C20.

Cartographic Draftsman (20th Engineer Btn.,Vietnam 1970)?

Mine was 12B20, 12B30 and then 12B40.

Good Hunting.

MR

[junk2drive]

So how about playing a few turns and let us see what happens?

[Mad Russian]

Okay then,

1st Tank Company moves the detached platoon forward.

2nd Tank Company moves the recon platoon north through the trees.

3rd Tank Company moves forward to where the company commander is now and he moves forward another 100 meters.

1st Infantry Platoon moves northward, closer to the crest of Hill 254.

The battalion commander moves through the trees to join 3rd Tank Company.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Yoozername]

ORIGINAL: junk2drive

So how about playing a few turns and let us see what happens?

Yeah, that would be fun.

Let's pretend there has been radio jamming and now MR has to control the forces for two whole turns without input from higher HQ. To be honest, he seems to want to do that anyway!

I will work on a even better topo map. The 'hills' that MR identified are just making people misunderstand the tactical situation.

Out.

[Mad Russian]

Here we are 7 turns into our engagement. Nothing to really report at the moment except German recon HT's. We have destroyed 2 of those and intend on engaging at least 2 more immediately.

1st Tank Company is ordered to move forward into the northeast corner of the wood lot to it's immediate front. This will allow for much quicker response times when the main enemy force is found.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

From down on the deck you can see the deployment of 1st Tank Company in both trees and open terrain.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

And then with the icons turned off.

Good Hunting.

MR