Viking vs Mangudai

[Mangudai]

After the Fuhrer removed Rommel and his staff, the newly promoted Oberst (Colonel) Mangudai is rushed to the western front in 1944 to fight the Americans led by VikingNo2.

The battlefield is mostly open, with hills in the center and small forests also in the center. Visibility is extremely good.

The US appears to be using massive numbers of 60mm Jeep mortars, and some 4.2 mortars. He opened with lots of smoke, some in the backfield, and several walls of smoke near the expected line of contact.

German motorcycle squads led the reconassaince effort. They clashed with the enemy's forward elements, with mixed, but overall disatisfying results. This was due to using up too much movement, and not being able to escape counterattack. Recon halftacks are also in play. Their 2cm cannon proved satisfactory for halftrack destruction, however the accuracy was less than expected. Several recon halftracks are also left with not enough movement to escape.

The enemy's first move was to take the forest and hill near the northern victory hexes. Greyhounds, jeeps, halfracks, infantry, and bazookas were detected. The German commander detected these forces and decided not to commit his troops here yet.

It was hoped that 15 cm Hummel artillery and Wulframens would be able to destroy some of these light vehicles with indirect fire. However, no such luck.

On the second turn, the enemy advanced through the northern forest and hills. He was detected cleverly marching a platoon of infantry to the crest of the hill on foot, then bringing up halftracks to withdraw them. This commander takes careful notes on how an expert uses his mech infantry.

The enemy continues to throw lots smoke, increasing his options for safe movement next turn.

[VikingNo2]

This turn finds the Germans probing the southern flank they kill a halftrack of mine, but lose a recon halftrack and a MC in return. This turn several elephants are spotted as well as 88mm AT guns. This is starting to get interesting[:D]

[minefield]

Elephants are too slow. Viking is smiling for all the wrong reasons there Mangudai.
If you figure out how to deal with all the SP Mortars, let me know.

[Mangudai]

Things heat up in the Northwoods. I moved a platoon of Mech Inf. forward. Somehow the enemy detected them and routed them using greyounds. Armor support was called forward and one greyhound was destroyed. Some GIs were pushed back with minor casualties. One of the greyhounds survived 6 shots from panther 88s at point blank range. My elite panther crews with avg 80 exp, 90 morale will be sent back to training where they will practice hitting the broadside of a barn, whenever they are not on KP duty. Note to self: stop purchasing shells from Schindler Inc. [X(]

The US MG on the central hill was finally destroyed. I take quite a bit of supression from mortars, but few casualties. I'm not noticing many casualties due to my artillery.

The enemy seems to have better situational awareness than I. I wonder if he has snipers all over the open fields...?

[VikingNo2]

Got some quality kills thet turn a Tiger and a Elephant, however things are going to turn ugly up north I think[:(]

[VikingNo2]

Fighting has been raging for a while now, I have killed seval tanks but the Germans still hole the majority of the Vhexes[:@]

[Mangudai]

The southern Vhexes are in a clearing between woods on the north and south side. Since I occupy both woods I should be able to hold those Vhexes for a long time. Still attrition is wearing me down faster than it is Viking.

I was able to hold the center Vhexes for a while using mainly recon halftacks, but now Viking moved in some big enough guns to kill those, so I have little to contest the position.

I've sent a few raids toward Vikings position in the north with disasterous losses. I'm keeping my distance now, covering an open field with long range firepower. He creeps infantry forward a bit now and then, and I rout them back with MG's.

Attrition is slowly taking its toll on me, but not as much on him. Viking never leaves his @ss hanging out where I can take shots at it. He smokes everywhere. The only long range shots I get are against infantry, and they retreat after a few casualties.

BTW: I don't think you killed an Elephant. I think it was a Tiger and a PanzerIV.

[VikingNo2]

Your right it was a Tiger I think it was wishful writing[;)]

[Mangudai]

It looks like Viking is gearing up to attack the southern woods. I hope a handful of crewmen can hold it [:'(]

I'll have to be sneaky, but when he comes toward me at least I have a chance.

[VikingNo2]

Got a couple kills that turn a Elephant a Stug another heavy recon vehicle and a halftrack, his arty surches for my arty that turn

[Mangudai]

My forces are seriously decimated after 15 turns of being picked off one by one. We will see if I can still put up a fight for those southern victory hexes. If (I should say when) Viking can take and hold them I will surrender.

[Mangudai]

I didn't write down the final casualties but is was something like 5:1 men in vikings favor and about 7:1 AFVs in his favor.