US Campaign - Battled Tested

[MikeJ19]

In many of the other scenarios, I have waited too long to plan my counter moves. So, in this one, I have plotted the move of the Brigade reserve (C Company). I have put a 60 minute delay at the first waypoint and a 13 minute one at the second.

Without the delays, C Company would arrive in Sittensen in about 40 minutes.

Now, as the battle unfolds, I will be able to launch my reserve more quickly and, hopefully, with a better chance to influence the battle.

[MikeJ19]

As spring arrives and my schedule changes, I'm not getting in as much game time. Oh well, first world problems...

[CapnDarwin]

Looks like another great battle in progress. Good luck.

[MikeJ19]

Capn Darwin,

Thanks, once again Mad Russian caught me off guard with his attack on Sittensen.

[MikeJ19]

My counter moves are about to get into motion - should be interesting...

[MikeJ19]

I think I may have to decide whether to end the scenario soon – as the Soviets close in on the 70% losses. If I say yes – I will get a tactical success and loss no more forces. If I say no, I think I can get a decisive result, but will lose more of my force….

[MikeJ19]

So as I suspected, the Soviets hit their casualties mark of 70%....

[MikeJ19]

AAR

What did I do right?

Made it difficult for the Soviets – my Inf were set up in places that the Soviets had to go and this gave me a chance to wear him out. Also more of my forces were placed where they could provide support to their neighbours and this helped a lot.

I got my recce elements in place in the depth of the Soviet formation – this permitted me to see that the Soviets had already committed all of their forces to the battle. This information helped me decide to launch my counter moves, both the reserve and the 2nd Armd Bn.

In my initial moves, I planned moves for the Bde and BN HQs with long delays, this meant that they were less vulnerable to getting attacked by Soviet Arty. I did not have to rely on this, but if one HQ had been making lots of orders, I could have shortened the delay and had them move.

What could I improve on?

Find a way to not lose my guns. In both games in the campaign I have lost a third to half of my artillery very early on. I want to control my arty – I am a retired gunner after all – but I need to use the FSCC more so that they can do their survivability moves.

Anticipating what surprise Mad Russian has built into the scenario. The heavy rain likely helped me survive the early arrival of the Hinds. They were close to hitting my forces as they advanced into position – which would have been deadly.

I think that once again I underestimated the speed of the Soviet advance. I like where I placed the tk company of the 3rd Bn, but I likely should have had M1s covering the direct approach in the river valley into Sittensen.

The Inf Company at Helvesiek was all alone and even if it had made it to its defensive positions it would not have done much to stop the Soviet advance. I overestimate the ability of the Bradleys to take on T-80s. I either should have given them some tanks, or not sent them so far away from everyone else.


Thoughts on the scenario/game

I have enjoyed all the scenarios so far, each possess a unique challenge. In this one, the rapidity of the Soviet advance was incredible and I was lucky not to have it overwhelm my defences. It felt weird launching my counter moves so early in the scenario – it only lasted 96 minutes out of potential 8 hour time frame. If I had not tracked the Soviet losses, I might have tried to absorb the attack longer.

[Enigma6584]

Another joy to read. Congratulations on the victory.

[MikeJ19]

RedCharlie65,

Thanks and I'm glad you enjoyed it. It was a fun problem and battle to fight!

Have a good day,

Mike

[Mad Russian]

No game I've ever played places the emphasis on recon that FPC does. As in real life situations the more recon intel you get the better choices you can make. The better choices you can make will determine the outcome of the battle. OODA Loop in summary.

Keep your recon eyes as deep in the enemy rear for as long as possible. The longer you have eyes on the Threat Forces the better you will ultimately do in the game or on the ground.

Good Hunting.

MR

[MikeJ19]

Mad Russian,

I agree completely. It is not easy to get the recce forces into the Soviet rear, but it is very important.

Have a good day,

Mike

[Lowlaner2012]

Hmm that's different, I just played and im still playing this excellent scenario, but in my game it started at 2200 hours and is at night, I did refit and replace all my losses from the previous scenario, could that he the difference?

Cheers

[Mad Russian]

Yes, that's the difference. The amount of refit and replacements you take determines when the next scenario starts.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Lowlaner2012]

Cheers MR