Sneak Peak

[Rooster]

Developed a hedgerow mod for a normandy map that is in the works. Will have something for people to try later this week.

Basically, all I've done is replaced the broken terrain with the hedgerow graphic and given it the visibility of a city with the travel speed of polder.

Needs tweaking! So far, if given the "quickest" move command, a unit will find its way out, get to a road, and then head back toward the objective doing as little hedgerow movement as possible.

[Grouchy]

You decide you can't wait for battles in Normandy [;)]
Seriously, looking good.

[Golf33]

Nice work!

Regards
33

[Rooster]

ORIGINAL: Grouchy
You decide you can't wait for battles in Normandy [;)]

[:D] Of course I can't wait! The real reason is that I had a hard time finding good source material online for any other part of the ETO other than the U.S. battles in Normandy. I pulled the info from http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/wwii/100-13/st-lo_0.htm.

The map editor is very easy to use. Kudos to Panther for such a great tool. I'm far from mastering it, but it's been simple to pick up. Great documentation too! Thanks.

[Arjuna]

Rooster,

Nice work. One thing though. Hedgerows were basically fields surrounded by embankments of trees and walls etc. The fields were usually at least 100 x 100m, often two to three times larger. So your pattern needs to be bigger IMO. Even if you aim to have around ten by ten in a 1km grid.

[Rooster]

Prolly right about that Dave. Although, I read that in 8 sq. mi, a typical ariel recon photo revealed 3900 fields. Works out to about 300 fields in a kilometer - or my math is wrong (quite possible - they have finance people watching me like a hawk at work all the time because my math skills are rather shamefull [:o]

An aerial photograph of a typical section of Normandy shows more than 3,900 hedged enclosures in an area of less than eight square miles.

from:

http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/wwii/100-13/st-lo_1.htm

[Golf33]

I think this is how to work it out:

For 8 sq.mi. assume a 2 x 4 mi area. This is 3.2 x 6.4 km or 20.48 sq.km.

If there are 3900 fields in 20.48 sq.km, divide 3900 by 20.48 to get the number of fields in 1 sq.km, which is 190.429 or thereabouts. Take the square root to find out how many fields are along each edge of the 1 sq.km. field, which is about 13.8. Then divide 1000m by 13.8 to find out the average length of side of each field - about 72.5 m.

Regards
33

[Arjuna]

Correct math Golf33. I knew there was more than one good reason we hired you. Now what was that other one again....[;)]

[Golf33]

Because I'm incredibly good-looking?

[8D]

[Rooster]

Good at math and good looking. Golf has all the luck.

Thanks for the number crunching, I'll tweak the tile based on the new info.

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If you look in your Playbill this evening, you'll find a note that the role of the 120th US IR is being played by the Somerset Light Infantry. The FJs are taking a beating but the terrain definitely favors the defense. 36 hours after this image was taken, the SLI has made little progress.

[Lex Talionis]

ORIGINAL: Rooster

Good at math and good looking. Golf has all the luck.

Thanks for the number crunching, I'll tweak the tile based on the new info.

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If you look in your Playbill this evening, you'll find a note that the role of the 120th US IR is being played by the Somerset Light Infantry. The FJs are taking a beating but the terrain definitely favors the defense. 36 hours after this image was taken, the SLI has made little progress.

Ah the Somerset Light Infantry[&o]. The "Illustrious Garrison".

Hey Rooster

I'm really interested in seeing your finished mod. Whens it going to be ready?

Did you know?:

In 1751, regiments ceased to be called by the name of their commander, and Pulteney’s Regiment, as it then was, became the 13th Regiment of Foot. In 1782 the Regiment was first associated with the County of Somerset, becoming the 13th Foot or 1st Somersetshire Regiment. The Regiment took part in Sir Ralph Abercrombie's brilliant victory at Aboukir Bay (1801) and was awarded the Sphinx super-scribed ‘Egypt’ on its Colours.

Service in the West Indies (1808-09) was followed by an introduction to Light Infantry tactics in operations against the Americans on the Canadian border. In 1822 the Regiment was granted the full status of Light Infantry — becoming the 13th Light Infantry — embarked for India and served in the First Burmese War (1824-26).

From 1838 the Regiment took part with immense distinction in the First Afghan War, distinguishing itself at the assault on Ghuznee and the epic defence of Jellalabad, becoming idolised by the British public as the "Illustrious Garrison" and “Jellalabad Heroes”. For these actions Queen Victoria approved the title '13th or Prince Albert’s Regiment of Light Infantry'; the Regiment’s facings were changed from yellow to blue and a mural crown superscribed ‘Jellalabad’ was added to the badge.

...

The outbreak of the Second World War saw the 2nd Battalion in Gibraltar and the 1st Battalion in India where it was engaged in operations against tribesmen on the North West frontier in 1940 and 1942. Neither battalion saw further action until the 1st Battalion fought the Japanese in the Arakan (1943-44). After five years in Gibraltar, the 2nd Battalion arrived in Italy in March 1944 to fight with 28 Brigade in 4 Division at the final battle of Cassino, followed by the advance up Italy and operations in Greece. The 4th and 7th Battalions were part of 43rd (Wessex) Division and fought with immense gallantry from Normandy to Germany. The 10th Battalion became 7th (Light Infantry) Battalion The Parachute Regiment, and landed in Normandy in the early hours of D Day with 6th Airborne Division. It was the latter Battalion, which relieved the Oxs and Bucks at the Caen Canal Bridges under the Command of Major Howard. The actor Richard Todd, who played Major Howard in the Film "The Longest Day" was in fact an officer in the 7th (Light Infantry) Battalion and was part of the relieving force!

The Somerset Regiment survived as the 6th Battalion (T.A.) until the Strategic Defence Review that reduced most T.A. infantry Battalions to Company size. Even until the SDR cuts we still referred to ourselves as "Prince Alberts Own". All that remains of the once "Illustrious Garrison" is — B (Somerset Light Infantry) Coy, The Rifle Volunteers Battalion, 43 Wessex Bde (formerly 43 Wessex Diviosion). The battalion comprises 5 company's, each being independently named after their once battle honoured Regimental ancestors. We don't consider ourselves as "B Coy", we are THE SOMERSET LIGHT INFANTRY and we still have the freedom of Somerset and it major towns: Bath, Taunton, Yeovil.

If you'd like to know more just click on the link below.
http://www.army.mod.uk/lightinfantry/hi ... /somli.htm

A point of interest is the fact that we wear with pride on our uniforms the crimson backing behind our Regimental badge: http://www.army.mod.uk/lightinfantry/hi ... e_horn.htm)

The Battle of Paoli Wood - 20th September 1777 - The distinction of wearing a red backing to the cap badge was originally awarded as a result of the participation of the Light Company of the 46th Foot (later to become the 2nd Bn DCLI) in an attack on the Americans during the American War of Independence. On the night of 20th September 1777 the Light Companies attacked a detachment of 1,500 Americans lying in the forest at Paoli, inflicting 300 casualties, and capturing 100 at a cost of three killed. As a result of this action the Americans vowed vengeance, declaring they would give no quarter. The Light Companies in their turn sent word that they would stain the feathers in their caps red, so that others not involved would not suffer.

After the war the Light Company of the 46th continued to wear red feathers and eventually permission was obtained for the whole of the Regiment to wear this distinction. With the abolition of the shako, the red feathers were represented by a piece of red cloth worn behind the cap badge. This distinction was confirmed for all battalions of the DCLI after the 1881 amalgamations, when the 32nd (Cornwall) Light Infantry and the 46th (South Devonshire) Regiment were linked to become the 1st and 2nd Battalions DCLI. However, the red feathers continued to be worn in tropical dress up to the abolition of the pith helmet during the Second World War. On the amalgamation of The Somerset Light Infantry and The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry in 1959, the distinction was preserved in the form of red backing to the SCLI collar badge.

This, though historically incorrect, had to be accepted because Dress Regulations forbade the wearing of coloured backing to the brigade cap badge unless it was worn by all members of the brigade. The brigade cap badge was adopted in 1959.

The reorganization undertaken in 1968 presented an opportunity of restoring the red patch to its rightful position behind the cap badge. The red backing is only worn with the cap badge.

How ironic is that, I guess thats why American servicemen like shooting British soldiers so much in friendly fire killings; a 200 year grudge!

Keep up the good work.[:)]

[Rooster]

Great info Lex. The SLI isn't going to be in this mod at all, unfortunately. I was using them as a place holder to test the map and scenario. But I was using them as opposed to another Brit outfit because I have an affinity for the SLI as my ancestral roots go back to Somerset on my father and my mother's side. Once my Mom's family got here, they fought the british in two wars. Just imagine - shooting at the British and it was perfectly legal. Lucky bastards. [:'(]

Nice Wyvern shoulder patch! [8D]

Here's a quick status update:

The map is mostly done - thanks to a quick fix from Panther Paul [&o]

Right now I'm creating "US" infantry divisions from scratch using the British estabs. I suppose you think that's the best thing that's ever happened to the US Army [:D]

Anyway, I'll hopefully have the U.S. Divisions done this week (I already got the 30th Inf Div. roughed out and need to do the 3rd Armored and maybe the 9th Inf). Then I'll have to fudge the German OOB and create that. Then develop the scenario with objectives and reinforcements, etc. It's a lot of work if I try to do it right. Realistically then, I would guess I'll have something in the first week of Sept.

The modding tools are great for this game - I encourage you to give it a try.

Any chance you can dig up a decent topo map of Hill 112 or other Caen actions from a regimental history?

[Lex Talionis]

ORIGINAL: Rooster
Once my Mom's family got here, they fought the british in two wars. Just imagine - shooting at the British and it was perfectly legal. Lucky bastards. [:'(]

Seems the US still takes the same viewpoint now re: Gulf War 1 & 2. [8|]

ORIGINAL: Rooster
Nice Wyvern shoulder patch! [8D]

Thanks Rooster, I copied it from "The Ardennes Offensive", the original. It came out not bad considering how old the game and its graphics are.

ORIGINAL: Rooster
Right now I'm creating "US" infantry divisions from scratch using the British estabs. I suppose you think that's the best thing that's ever happened to the US Army [:D]

I don't know, the US has always had some great pieces of equipment, its just their levels of training that leave something to be desired. Even now, if you could combine US equipment with British training, that would create a formidable force. As it stands, the US is let down by its poor training, and us Brits by our poor equipment.[8|]

ORIGINAL: Rooster
Anyway, I'll hopefully have the U.S. Divisions done this week (I already got the 30th Inf Div. roughed out and need to do the 3rd Armored and maybe the 9th Inf). Then I'll have to fudge the German OOB and create that. Then develop the scenario with objectives and reinforcements, etc. It's a lot of work if I try to do it right. Realistically then, I would guess I'll have something in the first week of Sept.

The modding tools are great for this game - I encourage you to give it a try.

Mod sounds great. I've just been moving house. 3 weeks on and I still have a thousand and one things to do. Once thats all straight I'll take a look at the editor, I only had the game for 3 weeks before the move.[:)]

ORIGINAL: Rooster
Any chance you can dig up a decent topo map of Hill 112 or other Caen actions from a regimental history?

I've had a browse on our Regimental site with little success on a topographical map. I've found loads of info which you probably know anyway. I did manage to find a top down "flat" map, and a very bad copy of a topographical:

2D map - not bad: http://www.hill112.com/index2.htm
2D map - great detail: http://history.farmersboys.com/Battle_H ... ll_112.htm
2D map - not bad: http://www.lightinfantry.org.uk/Regimen ... ill112.htm
Topographical with forces dispositions: http://home.worldoptions.com.au/fourpip ... upiter.pdf
(This last map is an official map that I found on a wargame scenario site. It says it was taken from "Hill 112 -Battles of the Odon 1944" by Tim Saunders)

I'll keep loking for you. There was loads that came up on the search engines using just "Hill 112" http://www.mywebsearch.com/jsp/GGmain.j ... r=hill+112
not much came up for Operation Jupitor though: http://www.mywebsearch.com/jsp/GGmain.j ... kwd&ggna=0.

Our Light Infantry Regimental website has some great descriptions of the battle: http://www.army.mod.uk/lightinfantry/hi ... /index.htm

As does 43rd Wessex Association: http://www.lightinfantry.org.uk/Regimen ... ill112.htm

I'll keep my eyes and ears open.

Keep up the good work Rooster [:)]

[Rooster]

ORIGINAL: Lex Talionis

Seems the US still takes the same viewpoint now re: Gulf War 1 & 2. [8|]

Yeah - I agree. It's not a very good way to treat your allies. [:o]

Congats on the move and good luck on getting unpacked. And thanks for the excellent links!