Originally posted by Alexandra: so I use my onboard artillery
I'm curious. What did you have for onboard? The 3 mortar sections I had did a great job, and if my SP mortar teams were still alive I'd have done better.
I really think that the spotting rules hurt the player in this scen. I can understand it's hard to spot, say, a 45mm ATG in the woods. I'd think, though, that a 37mm AA gun, in the open, with no cover terrain for 200 yards around it, at high noon, spraying fire right at you, would be a tad easier not to lose sight of
At least there were no mines.
Alex
Yes, there was only enough point to purchase a 81 mm section and a section of howitzer. I did not even move the auxillary mortar from the wood, so I have a total of 5 units to drop smoke right in front of the AAA as my units spotted them. My infantry cover any area left over. It was a laborious process as I have to go through and checks the line of sight for every hexes It took me 2 nights to finish that one scenario.
I agree with you on the spotting. It is kind of frustrating for you to see the AAA one round, then lost it the next. At least the fortification hex is still available as a landmark for the next turn.
Yes, if there was mine in front of my line, my stug would not have been able to advance in front of my engineers. Also if the Soviets have put some AAA gun in the southern wood, I would have been pinched on both side with cross fire So far the campaign have been quite challenging but fair (except for th Kurgan <sp> battle, but I don't wants to spoil the surprise for you )
"My friends, remember this, that there are no bad herbs, and no bad men; there are only bad cultivators."
They stopped us fairly cold. We killed a lot of them, but were unable to take the station. The taste of failure is bitter in my mouth, but I also felt a perverse pride when we learned the guns were manned by girls. We women can fight after all, it seems. We've recieved two more Mark IVs for Briel's platoon. We're still down a single tank, an AA gun, and a mortar platoon. Sgt Weber, of Lt Stoltz's T-34 platoon has been awarded the Iron Cross, Second Class, for valor in our recent operations.
Battle Five:
Date: September 2, 1942
Location: Near Stalingrad, Russia
Mission: We have been ordered to stop an enemy counter attack.
The Plan: We will let them attack and kill them. I will withdraw the trucks at the start of the scen as the map is so small I don't think I'll need them and I don't want to give away VPs to the enemy. One truck will be used, though, as tranport for my 88 and another for my core 37mm AA gun.
Turn One: My infantry holds, as my reserve force, as do my scouts. I plan to fight this one with armor and ATGs. Briel's tanks reach where I want them, Stoltz's are still moving. *** Enemy armor is spotted and engaged. Six tanks and 2 scout cars are destroyed. However. no T-34 or KV class tanks have yet been seen. I expect them though.
Turn Two: 4 of the trucks evac. Stoltz's platoon is in position. 5 more enemy tanks are destroyed. The FO calls for arty but the battery is not available at the moment. *** The enemy continues to advance. Four more tanks die. We spot a T-34.
Then they run. A turn 2 DV, just what I needed
Score: 3745 to 70.
My losses: None.
Enemy losses: 106 men, 21 AFV. I only count 17 kills, but I think the others were abadoned on the field.
Wow, it's nice to win one!!
Alex
"Tonight a dynasty is born." Ricky Proehl, then of the Saint Louis Rams. He was right! Go Pats! Winners of Super Bowls 36, 38 and 39.
Wow, I wasn't able to broke them until near the end, even then the 2 KV continues to advance and require flank shots to take out. The game didn't end until the 2 victory hexes in the valley and the one that appears behind the line was taken.
You must tell me your secret
"My friends, remember this, that there are no bad herbs, and no bad men; there are only bad cultivators."
Really, what happened was that as they advanced on turn one I killed a few. Then, I had each tank and AT gun of mine pick just one target and fire at it in my turn. I kept the one they had in most cases.
That took out a few more baddies and my second armor platoon moved on line.
Then, in thier turn two, we killed most of the remaining light armor, including the two scout cars that tried for the first empty VH. We also damaged a Lee and the lead T-34 and killed a Lee - at the end of the turn most of thier light armor was dead and the few non dead, non routed tanks, (I think there were only 2), didn't make up enough of thier force, so I broke force morale.
So, the AI did it's check and said "Hmm, broken morale, no VHs, Soviet's lose "
I'd feel it was a cheap win, but after 4 draws I deserve one
Alex
"Tonight a dynasty is born." Ricky Proehl, then of the Saint Louis Rams. He was right! Go Pats! Winners of Super Bowls 36, 38 and 39.
Good reports Alexandra - Let me share with you why the Briefings are vague. If you win a Decisive - the Briefings will give you more and better details. Draws give a vague idea. So the better that one does - more details are given per mission briefing.
Sometimes when one loses a battle the briefings can be really vague. A Draw or a Marginal wins equal the Historical results of the first 3 battles. The Battle to stave off the USSR Counter attacks should be a decisive or Marginal. The First Four Battles were designed to build up your Core Force Morale, experience, and Leader rally rates for the coming fight in the City.
Can't tell you more but remember - the higher the win - the better the briefings will be - lower - well - say its fog of war time.
Corps is happy with the way we crushed the enemy attack. Briel's platoon is back up to strength, as is the AA platoon. Mortar platoon is at half strength. I've awarded the Iron Cross, 2nd Class to Sgt Brors (of Lt Briel's Platoon)
Battle Six:
Date: September 14, 1942
Location: Mamyev Kurgan Hill, Stalingrad
Mission: We have been ordered to take a hill, overlooking the Volga, called Mamyev Kurgan.
The Plan: We will use AUX forces to find them, core to kill them. I plan to attack on a narrow front, though I have some aux forces to the north that will be used as a diversion.
Turn One: My north force, a reinforced rifle company, is moving though a residential area. It's job is to move to the hill and attack it from the rear. It's designated Grp Becker, after the commander of the rifle company. The main body advances towards the hill from the front. Mines kill 2 men. No enemy sighted so far.
Turn Two: The south flank of my advance is brought under fire by a MG bunker. It inflicts losses, but we press on, not stopping for it. We do direct smoke it's way, however. Lead elements are within 100 meters of the hill. *** For some reason a Stuka makes a run at our side. We didn't call for one, so we have to assume it's a captured aircraft. Russian defensive forces begin to engage our lead elements.
Turn Three: We destroy an enemy AT team. 2 more men are lost to mines, but we push onto the hill. We halt the armor, for a moment, as the infantry scans for AT positions. *** We lose a Mk IV to a pillbox. Grp Becker hits enemy infantry and doesn't do well at first contact.
Turn Four: More mine losses. However, mines can't stop us. We advance onto the hill in force, destroying an enemy squad. However, I discover that an enemy arty strike has destroyed 1st Squad, 3rd Platoon. That's not news that makes me at all happy. Grp Becker loses one squad to the enemy, but kills an enemy squad and pushes back two more. *** We lose another Mk IV to the bunker that none of the infantry company, or scout platoon, on the hill can see yet. We'll find it, though.
Turn Five: We keep taking harrasment losses, but destroy 2 squads. We lose a recon track to mines. Group Becker destroys another enemy squad. *** More harrassment fire from the enemy but nothing serious.
Turn Six: Grp Becker destroys another squad and comes into contact with enemy MG and AT positions. Briel's Platoon kills 2 MG nests to the south. We lose a squad and a Mk II. We, however, reply by killing a 76mm ATG. *** More fighting along the entire front. We lose my mobile flak gun and we kill an enemy AT team.
Turn Seven: Group Becker advances against strong enemy oppostion. It loses one squad but mangles an enemy MG position and an enemy squad and destroys an ATG. The main body also advances. The fighting is costly as we lose two squads. The enemy also loses 2 squads, though, as well as a MG team. In addition, the AT vehicle of my recon platoon destroys an enemy log rifle pit. As we advance up the hill, we finally find our old friend the bunker. Our FO calls for smoke and airstrikes on the bunker and another log rifle pit. *** The enemy gets a Mk II from the bunker and is launching a 2 squad counterattack from the south. I don't view that attack as a serious threat. The Luftwaffe's lead plane comes in, bombing the pit, though not destroying it.
Turn Eight: Grp Becker pushes on, slowly. It keeps taking losses. However, it's engaging the enemy along the entire north side of the hill. It destroys 2 squads and a MG team, and pushes some sort of weapon crew away from it's weapon. We advance steadlily with our main body. Lt Briel destroys one of the squads attacking from the south. We also destroy a MG team and 2 enemy squads. We nearly control one third of the hill (and we control 2 of the 9 VHs). *** The Luftwaffe lays bombs down on the bunker but fails to knock it out. We lose a squad in heavy fighting, but drive an enemy squad backwards.
Turn Nine: Grp Becker's slow advance continues against strong opposition. The main body also advances, destroying a squad and a mortar team. Another rifle pit is killed by the Scout's AT vehicle. *** The tenacious defense continues, with Becker losing another squad.
Turn Ten: Grp Becker's advance goes well. The destroy a rifle pit and a MG team and nearly all the crew of an ATG. The main advance also goes well. The enemy's south counterattack is defeated, with the loss of it's last 2 squads. Lt. Briel knocks out an enemy MG nest with direct tank fire. We've now located - and a platoon has closed with - 2 enemy pillboxes. I'll use all the smoke I can get to blind them and hope the infantry can kill them with close assaults. On the main part of the hill we lose a MG team, but kill a squad. *** More heavy fighting as the main body loses a squad.
Turn Eleven: Grp Becker leaps forward, destroying 2 AAMG postions. It also destroys another enemy squad. In the main advance, we destroy one of the pillboxes. *** The enemy lauches a counterattack. It looks to be in company strength. One platoon towards Grp Becker, 2 towards the main body. Infantry only. I'm not worried about this counter, either.
Turn Twelve: Grp Becker destroys two squads of counterattacking infantry. It also knocks out an ATG that might have later impeded the main body. The main body finishes off two more squads and keeps moving forward. I'm feeling good about the advance. *** The enemy seems to be massing at the crest of the hill. They are also counterattacking to the southeast of the hill, as well as from the city, towards Grp Becker. None of the attacks have me worried, they all seem to be fairly desperate actions.
Turn Thirteen: Cpt Becker leads an assault on a rifle pit that destroys it. His group also destroys 3 squads along thier front and pushes another back. We push back the enemy counterattack with heavy losses, and we destroy the second pillbox. We keep driving up the hill, steadily and surely. *** The enemy continues his defense quite stubbornly. My scout platoon AT vehicle is destroyed. One of my snipers, Lt. Hummel, is killed. The enemy attack to the southeast resumes.
Turn Fourteen: Grp Becker stalls, though it does kill an ATR team. The main body loses 2 squads but takes the 2 southern most objectives on the hill. We also destroy an ATR team and 2 squads. We now control 4 of the 9 VHs. *** The enemy attacks but gets stopped cold. We lose a recon track to AA fire.
Turn Fifteen: Grp Becker is under heavy pressure, although it manages to push 3 squads away from it. Lt. Briel's platoon kills 2 AA guns, and drives back the enemy FO and a squad. We also kill the 3rd pillbox, as well as another ATR team. *** Grp Becker stays under pressure, losing a squad. However, the enemy loses an ATR team and has another counter attack, from the south, stopped cold.
Turn Sixteen: Grp Becker kills off another enemy squad. The main body takes another VH, destroying the ATR that was covering it. The primary advance continues, destroying another 2 ATR teams and 3 more squads. *** Enemy counterattacks are slowing. Even still, we lose 2 squads and only kill one. Still, I think they are about to crack.
Turn Seventeen: Grp Becker loses a squad but destroys an enemy squad. Other elements of the group, now supporting the main body, kill another squad. The main body crests the hill, taking the south end of the top of it (VH 6). 2 squads and an ATR team are destroyed. *** The enemy attack with desperation. Grp Becker loses a squad and the main body has a Stug destroyed, but the enemy loses 3 squads and two FO teams.
Turn Eightteen: Grp Becker drives back the enemy HQ, and elements of it take the north crest of the hill. (VH 7). Main body pressure on the enemy continues, driving them into a small pocket on top of the hill. *** Enemy forces counterattack Grp Becker, losing a squad. They also hit the main body, where they lose an ATR.
Turn Nineteen: Grp Becker takes it's original objective (VH 8), sealing off the enemy on the crest of the hill, and destroying the enemy HQ element. We drive forward, taking the center crest of the hill. We hold all 9 VHs - for the moment. *** They surge north, losing 2 squads, but killing two of my own squads. They also lose an ATR.
However, at that moment, the senior officer in the hilltop pocket asks for terms and we accept the surrender.
German MV, 4600 to 943. Geez, a 4 to 1 win and it's only a marginal??
1. Pre bombardment with 2 batteries of SP Rocket ahead of my forces, then continuous bombardment as soon as they are resupply by ammodump on a line infront of my advances to provide disruption and cover.
2. Paradrop my core infantry to take the hill from the air while my recon forces would open the way for my armor forces to mount a direct assault once the AT guns and bunkers are neutralize through either smoke or assault.
I decided on plan 2 since I am a great admirer of Rommel's tactic of attacking where enemy least expected. Also, since my forces was recently reinforced with two platoons of paratroop, who provided valuable experience to my forces on air assault. I was able to achieve a DV on turn 11 even though the surprise counterattack by enemy infantry left my troops extremely vulnerable since the frontal attack by my armor was bogged down due to mine and bunkers.
In hindsight, I should have use plan #1 since I was close to being defeat in detail if the Soviet forces have held out any longer.
"My friends, remember this, that there are no bad herbs, and no bad men; there are only bad cultivators."
Great AAR Alex ! Please, when you finsih the entire AAR send a copy my way
Several Beta tester's used simular tactics and won a decisive. They Lost fewer AVF's.
I'll check into the VL Flag Points and see if I need to raise these. So far - From other reports - wins are 50% for Marginals and 50% for Decisive wins.
First to Mel. I'd send a whole one your way but I've been deleting as I go. You may be able to cut and paste my previous posts, though. And the Train Station seems to be next Least that's what both the breifing and the map indicate
Now, for Inp. Both your tactics sound interesting. Neither's really my style though. The first because I really don't like the tactical use of ammo dumps. Seems to me they should be more of a scen objective than a tactical unit, especially on the front lines
As for the airborne drop, we'll that's again not my style. I've been trying to play within the actual capacities of 6th Army, and they didn't have FJs, or enough drop capable a/c, even if Hitler had given an ok for a drop.
Alex
"Tonight a dynasty is born." Ricky Proehl, then of the Saint Louis Rams. He was right! Go Pats! Winners of Super Bowls 36, 38 and 39.
True in both aspects. I just don't have the historical knowledge to recreate the battle as intended. My forces selection are based on what I think will give me the easiest victory
"My friends, remember this, that there are no bad herbs, and no bad men; there are only bad cultivators."
Originally posted by lnp4668: True in both aspects. I just don't have the historical knowledge to recreate the battle as intended. My forces selection are based on what I think will give me the easiest victory
Your Airlandings must of been near the USSR reinforcement entry hexes on the Hill and that could why you saw them so early all stacked up
Your Airlandings must of been near the USSR reinforcement entry hexes on the Hill and that could why you saw them so early all stacked up
Actually they don't shows up until turn 9, by that time I have spread my forces out from the hill top to take the surrounding objectives. That why it is such a surprise to see a company of infantry appears behind my back.
"My friends, remember this, that there are no bad herbs, and no bad men; there are only bad cultivators."
Actually they don't shows up until turn 9, by that time I have spread my forces out from the hill top to take the surrounding objectives. That why it is such a surprise to see a company of infantry appears behind my back. [/QB][/QUOTE]
I only saw a platoon of them. They gave Grp Becker a scare, coming up from the city. Then one of the Mk IVs in the group got unstuck and supressed them enough to keep them out of play.
I'm two+ turns into the Train Station now, so expect it's report in a couple days
Alex
"Tonight a dynasty is born." Ricky Proehl, then of the Saint Louis Rams. He was right! Go Pats! Winners of Super Bowls 36, 38 and 39.
Well these guys appear right around the hill top in between 3 of my platoons. Unless my troop was able to walk over them as they spread out from the hill, they must have appear out of nowhere
Looking forward to your report in the city Alexandra. Inspire by your report, I decided to jump to the Pacific and try to do one on Guadacanal. It is kind of long, I'll post it and calls it a learning experience
"My friends, remember this, that there are no bad herbs, and no bad men; there are only bad cultivators."
I know I'm still pretty new here, to this game, to these forums, and to wargaming and WWII history in general but as I have read apparently Mamyev Kurgan was one of the most sought after points in Stalingrad, for a while that is ;c) They say when it snowed in Stalingrad that Mamyev Kurgan stayed extremely dry due to the heat comming from the ground from constant artillery bombardments.
Anywho there's my slightly uninformed information, although I believe it's true, prolly have to look into it some more. Just wanted to comment on another chap's note to try the pacific theatre... I don't know why but the European and North African campaigns interest me alot more.
You're right Mamyev Hill was very startegic, you could see the entire city , and across the Volga to the ferry landing sites, great for artillery spotting. The Sovs chewed up a whole Guards Division in a couple of days defending it.
"Molon Labe" - Leonidas @ Thermopylae (Come Get Them!!)
I know I'm still pretty new here, to this game, to these forums, and to wargaming and WWII history in general but as I have read apparently Mamyev Kurgan was one of the most sought after points in Stalingrad, for a while that is ;c) They say when it snowed in Stalingrad that Mamyev Kurgan stayed extremely dry due to the heat comming from the ground from constant artillery bombardments.
Anywho there's my slightly uninformed information, although I believe it's true, prolly have to look into it some more. Just wanted to comment on another chap's note to try the pacific theatre... I don't know why but the European and North African campaigns interest me alot more.
Anyways,
Cheers
~Chris
When I designed the Mav. Kurgan Hill Battle, I used a German Aerial Photo of the Hill taken weeks before the Germans reached Stalingrad. The Two Stone Buildings on Top of the Hill were the two green stone water towers that were located there before the battle. The Oil Storage tanks and open oil storage pits are located along the Volga river as shown on photo as well as the chemical plant.
Here's the next chapter, the nasty fight for the train station and more.
Our success at Mamyev Kurgan has propelled us back into favor at Corps and hurt the enemies defensive plans for the region. Our forces have been reinforced, and the Group is nearly back to full strength. We are only down one scout AT vehicle. Lt. Briel has been awarded the Iron Cross, 2nd Class for his work in destroying enemy strong points on the hill.
Battle Seven:
Date: September 16, 1942
Location: Downtown Stalingrad
Mission: We have been tasked to secure the main train station in downtown Stalingrad. Ivan's turned it into a fortress. If possible, we are also to take a warehouse, a nail factory, the Univermag department store, and the Gorki Theater. We also need to try and take two squares - The 9th of January, and Lenin.
The Plan: We will advance on multiple fronts, trying to drive the enemy back and destroy him.
Pregame: The enemy hits us with Katyusha's. No significant damage done.
Turn One: We advance on a broad front. Contact is made immedaitely and heavy fighting starts. We lose one squad in the north and the enemy loses two on the west side of the station. *** We lose 2 recon teams in the north.
Turn Two: To the north we lose a squad. We destroy an enemy squad on the west side of the station and begin to secure that area. Beyond it are tracks then the main station. *** Enemy front line resistance slackens. They must be stunned by the ferocity of the assault and by the support of the artillery.
Turn Three: We destroy two squads in the north area. In the center, Lt. Scherer is killed. Lt Briel's panzers drive back an enemy MG team and an enemy squad in the station area. We drive another squad back with infantry in the track area. We drive in another MG to the south side of the station. The strong defense, though, has weakened some of our assaulting squads. *** Two enemy platoons suddenly appeared in the midst of my follow on infantry near the station. They probably emerged from cellars and sewers. The suprise attack overwhelmed one friendly squad.
Turn Four: Heavy fighting to the north costs both sides a squad. Lt. Langkeit and a recon team eliminate an enemy AT team. A second AT team kills a recon track and immobilizes the mobile flak gun before being destroyed itself. We drive a squad into the station, and destroy two of the enemy special assault squads in quite heavy fighting. We lose a MG team to them. We lose a squad, and have a platoon wrecked by one enemy squad on the south side of the marhalling yards. In other fighting, we lose another squad. *** We lose a recon team to the enemy.
Turn Five: To the north we kill two more squads. We drive back a third. In the center we lose a MG team and 3 squads and kill 2 assault squads. ** * We lose another squad.
Turn Six: In the north we kill an ATR Team and 3 squads. However, we lose 2 MG teams. In the center we kill a squad and a MG team. To the south we kill one squad.
Turn Seven: We overrun a mortar team to the north. In addtion we kill 2 squads and another AT team. We spot a bunker covering the 9th of January Square. In the center, Lt. Briel knocks out an ATG, while panzers of his platoon drive back 2 MG teams. 2nd Platoon drives an enemy squad back. In the fighting in and around the marshaling yard the enemy loses 2 squads. We also gain a foothold in the southern side of the station, killing an enemy squad there. To the south, we finish off a squad and find a fortified MG position in a house to the south of Red Square. *** Enemy counterattacks in and around the station cost both sides one squad. However, the Stug's and Briel's panzers intercepted enemy reserves moving towards the station.
Turn Eight: In the north 2 more enemy squads are destroyed. We knock out a MG team with a core recon team. In and around the station we lose a squad and they lose two. To the south we finish off a squad. *** The enemy counterattack ferociously around the station and 4 of our squads and 2 of his own are destroyed.
Turn Nine: In the north we destroy 3 squads and an ATR team. Core recon finishes off an enemy squad and elements of 1st Platoon and Briel's panzers take out another. The fighting in and around the station starts to go our way. We lose a squad, but kill seven of thiers and a MG team. We now solidly hold the southern end of the station. *** More heavy fighting. They lose a squad.
Turn Ten: In the north we kill a squad. Panzers eliminate a squad at the warehouse. We kill a squad at the station and a MG team to the south of the nail factory. *** We lose a Stug near the south side of the station. The enemy loses a squad moving towards the warehouse.
Turn Eleven: We KO an AT gun position north east of Univermag. 3rd Platoon takes the warehouse killing a squad and a MG team in the process. In the station fighting we destroy three squads and finally capture the entire marshalling yard. We kill two more squads in the houses south of the nail factory. *** A Soviet counter attack gives them a new foothold on the south side of the station but also costs them a squad.
Turn Twelve: We destroy a squad on the north side of the station. We destroy two more on the south side, though we haven't retaken the foothold yet. We kill an ATR to the south of the nail factory. Enemy counterattacks are stopped cold, as they lose a squad at the warehouse and two more that were trying to move up to the front.
Turn Thirteen: We kill a fortified position north of 9 January Square and a MG to the east as we capture the square. We kill a squad on the approches to Lenin Square. We secure the north side of the station. We destroy a squad in the center and two more in the south as we expel them again from the south side of the station. *** We repel an enemy counterattack on the south side of the station. We lose Lt Heydrich near Universmag and lose a squad near the nail factory.
Turn Fourteen: We kill a squad north of Lenin Square. We kill 3 more squads in and around the station and have secured it all for the moment. We take the Gorky Theater with a detachment we snuck through Red Square. *** Enemy counterattacks are stopped cold. They lose a squad at the station and at the nail factory.
Turn Fifteen: We engage an AT gun in the library on the north side of Lenin Square. We kill a squad at the nail factory. We kill another outside Gorky Theater and another defending the Univermag. *** We lose a squad near Lenin Square. They lose one, and an FO team, north of Univermag.
Turn Sixteen: We take most of the nail factory. We kill a squad near the Theater. *** Soviet counterattacks are stopped cold.
Turn Seventeen: A bunker along Red Square is knocked out by Stug fire. We secure the nail factory, destroying an AT gun crew and a squad. We kill a squad near Lenin Square. However, 3rd Platoon is repulsed, bloodily, by a 16 man infantry squad in the store. *** More heavy fighting. We lose a recon team and a squad. They lose 2 squads.
Turn Eighteen: We kill a squad south of Univermag. *** The enemy loses a MG team and we lose a squad in a counterattack near Lenin Square.
Turn Nineteen: We kill 2 ATGs near Lenin Square.*** We kill a squad at Lenin Square as it also counterattacks.
Turn Twenty: We kill a squad near the Theater. We kill a MG team north of Lenin Square and take the square. We also take the store but I don't expect to hold it. *** The enemy counters towards Lenin square and loses a squad.
However, we do hold the store as the enemy falls back.
It took me 2 nights to finish that one scenario.
)
