FULDA 76 MikeJ19 is WP, larry is NATO

[larryfulkerson]

You pick the scenario you like and I'll consider it. What's *your* favorite?

[MikeJ19]

Larry,

You are a great opponent and I have enjoyed this challenge. I'm not sure what my favourite scenario is. I'm about to head on vacation, so we can pick a new battle after I get back - if we have finished the Fulda Gap one.

Have a good day,

[MikeJ19]

I've been away for a while, here is my latest move.

[MikeJ19]

Okay, the game ended and I got a notification. How do I see the end result?

Thanks,

[larryfulkerson]

Okay, the game ended and I got a notification. How do I see the end result?

Thanks,

Hey there Mike dude. I'm I'm afraid that there's no way that I can think of to get
one last look at the map and the ending conditions. There used to be a way but this
new PBEM++ system doesn't lend the players the ability to see the last turn for some
reason. I'd like to see this little problem fixed so we can see the last turn
conditions. I wonder how hard it would be to fix it.

[MikeJ19]

So, who won?

[MikeJ19]

Larry,

Thanks for playing the battle with me. I really enjoyed it!

[larryfulkerson]

I'm guessing that uh....you won, I guess. We'll have to do another one, a bigger one.

[StuccoFresco]

That was anticlimatic. Is there a way to see the final map?

[larryfulkerson]

I'm I'm afraid that there's no way that I can think of to get
one last look at the map and the ending conditions. There used to be a way but this
new PBEM++ system doesn't lend the players the ability to see the last turn for some
reason. I'd like to see this little problem fixed so we can see the last turn
conditions. I wonder how hard it would be to fix it.

[MikeJ19]

As I usually do, here are some thoughts about the battle:

What did I do well?

Airmobile attacks

My early moves with the airmobile units helped pave the way to victory. I was able to isolate and destroy the NATO units. This lead to some good gains and created big holes in the NATO defence.

Near the end of the battle, I was able to use the same units to seize key terrain in the rear – after drawing all the NATO forces forward. This cut the NATO supply lines and I captured key VP locations. It also ended up drawing the NATO forces West, which allowed my forces to resume their advance.

Airfield attacks

NATO’s air power can be overwhelming. Once, I remembered how to conduct air field attacks with my rockets I was able to really reduce the NATO air force’s ability to affect my operations. If I had started this earlier, I might have been able to maintain my own air force.

Response to NATO’s air mobile units

NATO launched a bunch of airmobile attacks into my rear areas in the middle of the game. This hurt my supply line and, since they took out some bridges, slowed my movement forward. I was able to surround and destroy these units, thereby removing the threat of their continued use.

What could I improve on?

Loss of momentum

Larry responded very well to my attack and I ended up in a stalemate for about 4-6 days (turns). I kept changing my mind on how to deal with this – using up supplies and needlessly moving forces around.

Reserves

I thought I was going to get two more divisions – neither ever arrived – but I should have kept a reserve ready to respond to threats or to exploit openings.

Game thoughts

I had trouble with a lot of the HQs not being able to move. The HQ would show movement points available, but then once I moved someone, the movement points would go to zero. Hard to keep the Division HQs up close to the battle when that happens.

Also, I have observed in a number of Cold War scenarios that the WP supply levels are really too low to sustain operations for more than the first few turns. This may be a reality and it does make it a big challenge to play the WP.

Final thoughts

That was a lot of fun. Larry kept me on my toes and made the battle very interesting. I think I got a victory, but am not sure (this needs to be fixed in the PBEM play).

I wish that there were more Cold War scenarios at this scale. There were lots of options for me to fight the battle and I really had to work to beat Larry’s defence.

[mussey]

You guys rock. Great AAR!!

[MikeJ19]

Glad you enjoyed it!