US Campaign - Red Castle

[MikeJ19]

After the quick victory in the Wolf's Lair, I'm moving a little farther South - still along the B75 to fight the Soviets near Rotenberg. Here is a look at my refit decisions.

[MikeJ19]

Here is a look at the battlefield

[MikeJ19]

The VP locations

[MikeJ19]

I do not know much about the Soviets

[MikeJ19]

A look at what the grouping of objectives

[MikeJ19]

Soviet options

[MikeJ19]

Option 2

[MikeJ19]

Soviet Option 3

[MikeJ19]

Soviet – Thoughts/Deductions

As I have mentioned, the Soviets do not need to take many VP locations to win the scenario. Additionally, they are attacking but weaker in force than me. If I was the Soviets, I would likely go with Option 2 – it gives them the best chance at winning. I also think it is the most dangerous for me.

Most likely – Option 2
Most dangerous – Option 2

To have success in this battle, I need to get lots of VPs, both from kills and from the VP locations. I like how I defended forward from the VP locations last time, I think that will be the winning strategy again.

The Soviets will likely be BTR based for their Inf, which will make my life more easy. If I can continue to take out the T-80s, then this should not be too hard.

As usual, taking out the Soviet Arty – there most powerful weapon in the 1st scenario – and their HQs is important. Also, separating their Inf from their tanks would be a good idea.

[MikeJ19]

A look at my forces - not much change...

[MikeJ19]

Thoughts

Overall, my force morale is good, some units need to resupply right away – or at least early on.

To win, I need to control most of the VP locations and destroy a lot of the Soviet force. This means that I will have to be aggressive. There are 30,000 points for VP locations. A tactical success needs 87%, which means that I should be aiming to hold around 27,000 worth of points. It also means that I need to do this without taking to many losses.

Some motherhood statements:

Need to get recce out fast and as far North as possible – selecting observations points to help confirm the Soviet attentions.

Rotenburg contains lots of VPs, so I need to hold it.

I would like to get my M1s into places where they can take flank shots on the advancing Soviets.

I need to make sure that I do not unnecessarily send Inf out to hold ground without support. I’ve done that too much …
Ideally, I would let the Soviets come to me and then counter move to secure enough VP locations to get the win. Problem is that if the Soviets lose their forces too quickly, but have success in seizing VP locations, I may get caught not having enough VPs for a win. Thus, I need to think about quick counter moves to recapture ground (VP locations) lost to the Soviets, or I need to advance quickly and take the fight to the Soviets – get them off their game…

I need to keep my AD elements forward – Soviets have used Hinds early in the last 2 scenarios.

I need to keep my HQs up with their units – not leading them into battle though.

I want to do better at keeping my arty units in play all game long. I want to use FASCAM and ICM early, to slow the Soviets down and reduce their power.

[Galahad78]

Eager to see how your battle develops. I remember this scenario as perhaps one of the thoughtest in my first campaign (most probably for my poor planning decisions [:(]).

[MikeJ19]

Galahad78,

Thanks, I'm eager too, but life keeps getting in the way of gaming.... Oh well. I'm looking forward to the challenge. To get a good result is going to be very difficult.

All the best,

Mike

[MikeJ19]

US Option 1

[MikeJ19]

2nd US option - third one is still on the drawing board.

[MikeJ19]

Here is the 3rd US option

[MikeJ19]

A comparison of the options.

[MikeJ19]

Thoughts

Option 2 is the one that gives me the best chance to win. I like the idea of fighting ahead of the VP locations and even if I do not get my M1s all the way out to their locations, they will start reducing the Soviet force early.

I keep thinking that at least some Soviet forces will come in from the East – even though Intel does not show that. With the 2nd Armd in the middle, I should be okay to respond to an Eastern threat.

Although I want recce out front, in many cases they will move out initially with the M1 companies, which will give them some cover and support.

I’m going to try the same movement technique with my Bn and Bde HQ – I’m going to give them move orders up front with long delays at the way points. Hopefully, this will help keep them alive and avoid arty fire on their locations.

I’m expecting the Soviets are going to come quickly and in force – I need to remember this and not be surprised.

[MikeJ19]

Here is the deployment of 3rd Inf Bn

[MikeJ19]

4th Inf Bn