Elephant Hunt: Semi-Interactive AAR

[Mad Russian]

Easily done. Once the battle starts I'll do shots of the units both from above and down at TC level.

Here's our intrepid Lt. Yerokhin down at ground level now. He's the tank at the top of the SS. The one closest to the trees.

I used the longer ranged shots to show what the units can see. To give an idea as to what orders to give. So far, I've not gotten any orders besides where to set units. Nothing about what they should do. I guess if I don't get some orders in the next day or so I'll just have them sit there and start the game.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

Time to give the orders for turn 1.

We'll start with the 2nd Tank Company since it's our recon element. It was placed on the east side of our location.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

They are ordered to advance into the trees to see what they find.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

And the ground level shot.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

The other two platoons of 2nd Tank Company and the entire 1st Tank Company hold their positions.

3rd Tank Company changes formation from column to a 2 platoon front with 1 platoon in reserve.

The entire 3rd Tank Company formation closes up in the trees.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

The 1st Platoon of the infantry screen is going to move across the road and send one squad to the west to observe the road coming over Hill 254. With both 1st and 3rd Tank Companies behind them they will be the eyes of the battalion on the west side.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

Orders were given and executed. There was no contact in the orders phase. The reaction phase was executed with no changes to any units orders.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

The original orders for the battalion recon element were to advance to these locations.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

However, now that we are in the trees, the orders are changed to rush across the open ground to far copse of trees.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

3rd Tank Company continues to shift it's formation.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

1st Platoon continues to rush across the road and to shift to the west.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

The two moves we have ordered.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

With the recon element moving forward the other 2 platoons of the 2nd TC are ordered to rush forward. With no contact and the recon element out in front this should be a safe order. We don't expect to encounter Germans at this moment so a rush forward will get our units in position as quickly as possible.

This puts the entire 2nd Tank Company in motion. All orders are rush with SOP standard at this time.

Good Hunting.

MR

[rickier65]

I like having the combination of overhead tactical map overview combined with the down on the ground screen shots. I'm looking forward to see how this turns out.

Thanks!

rick

[Mad Russian]

If there are German tanks out there this is where we are the recon element is the most vulnerable. We need to make that stand of trees.

All things in combat are a risk. This is one of those that will make the hair stand up on the back of your neck.

Where are the Germans?

Here?

Now?

Or not yet...

Those trees aren't much but they are a whole lot more cover than the open steppe we are crossing and that which is in front of us.

Now, where are those Germans?

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

What about our infantry rushing forward?

How are they doing?

The report is that they have gained the main position across the road and are now moving the western most squad to secure the cross roads.

As the HUD shows, that squad is getting fatigued. They need to get to their assigned area soon. The command range is being pushed to it's limits also. This is shown by the yellow and green band between the squad and the platoon leader.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

And then it happens...CONTACT!

The eastern most vehicle in the battalion has visual contact with the German advance units.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

Even though the German unit shows up on the Tac Map, the blue square, and will display on the game map only one unit can actually see and fire at it.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

This seems to be a German recon element. It's certainly not the tanks of the Panzer Division we are expecting.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

At least we have some answers now. The Germans seem to be coming between Hill 254 and Hill 248. The goal seems to be to advance on Hill 253.

Good Hunting.

MR