A Test of Wills

[MikeJ19]

Good day all,

After a long break from playing - life can get in the way of things - I have started playing again.

To start, I took a shot at "A Test of Wills." I did not do a detailed planning process, instead spent some time studying the map and starting to place my units.

Initially, I wanted to defend right behind the obstacle belt, but finally common sense prevailed and I decided to try and draw the Soviets in the engagement area or kill zone in the South.

[MikeJ19]

About 75 minutes in.

I got wrapped up in the battle and did not take screen shots showing the battle earlier on. Suffice it to say that the Soviets main effort was in the South and they ran right into my artillery and manoeuvre forces. My recce elements were able to bring observed artillery fire onto the Soviets as they entered the woods.

[MikeJ19]

2355

The Soviets are pushing in the North and Centre...

[MikeJ19]

0024

The game is almost over - it was a fun battle.

[MikeJ19]

Game over

The game ended soon after with the Soviets hitting the 70% strength loss. I had taken the VP Location in the centre, but that was not enough for a decisive result – I had 81% of the VPs and needed 82%. So, I was close and got the tactical success.

AAR

What did I do right?

Defending the edges of the kills zone in the South was a very good approach.

My artillery was very effective and delivered a lot of damage to the Soviets.

Taking the gamble that the Soviets would attack in the South and that I could put the Engrs in the North worked.

What could I improve on?

My recce, I missed a good route in the centre and was lucky that the Soviets did not do a better recce.

I missed a really good opportunity with my MLRS early on. I should have done a “saturation mission” in the opening stages – the damage inflicted would have been massive!

Final words

This scenario was fun. It was nice to have an obstacle belt to defend behind and I had a number of choices to make in how to use my resources to cover such a wide front.

It is nice to be playing again. I missed thinking about the game and how I should be approaching each scenario.

Have a good day,

Mike

[Stimpak]

I remember this as a difficult scenario for the Soviet Player. MLRS really is not fun when you're on the receiving end.
Still, good job Mike, another lovely AAR.

[MikeJ19]

Stimpak,

Playing as the Soviet seems like a big challenge to me - their command cycle is so long...

Glad you liked the AAR.

Have a good day