Stimpak's New Maps (Nienburg released!)

[harry_vdk]

That area is a real bad. And around Bremen there is a lot of it.

[harry_vdk]

But 80 years back in time its look like this.
http://kartenforum.slub-dresden.de/vkvi ... mepage=off#

[Stimpak]

Thanks, Harry.

[Stimpak]

Using the National Geographic map has revealed a waterway I did not previously see. It also highlights terrain and bog better than the simple topographic layer I was using.

[WildCatNL]

Does the NG map also list the Fladderkanal (which runs from Vechta to the west)?

For Germany, http://www.falk.de/stadtplan is also pretty good (Falk is/was a big publisher of paper maps).
Enter "Vechta" in the left hand search box to zoom in on Vechta. Next, make sure to use their older paper map by choosing the bottom right option ('Kartenauswahl') in the 2x3 toolbar, then choose "Falk Originalkarte".

FalkPlan also offers you the options to see Google maps (which is the default) and various types of OpenStreetMap based maps.

The one thing I learned from studying and comparing these maps is that all of them contain errors. It makes sense to shop around and compare.

William

[Stimpak]

I can see. There's several streams I missed in all of my earlier maps. However, a lot of them seem very minor, and I think to that end I'll leave out any stream that can easily be crossed by an unassisted tank.

You said earlier that your maps are generated from software - They use the .fp9 files for this, right? Could they then easily generate the maps I've done based on their elevation/vis/mob/road/etc. values?

The website I use for my references is here: https://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?useExisting=1 and was provided to me by Tebeinteresno. You can click "basemap" in the upper left corner and change the layer to any of your choosing.

[WildCatNL]

ORIGINAL: Stimpak
You said earlier that your maps are generated from software - They use the .fp9 files for this, right? Could they then easily generate the maps I've done based on their elevation/vis/mob/road/etc. values?

My software uses .fp9, a text file with manual annotations, and also checks the .png (for roads crossing hex sides, rail roads, forests). It should be able to render a decent map based on your input, but without the labels, road types, and with more generic shapes of the towns and forests.
Something I'm thinking about is to change my software to also output terrain as individual layers, for example the hex landscape, forest layer, fields layer, towns layer. These layers should be useful to anyone with a decent paint program, allow them to create their own look and don't require special annotations. Harryvdk came up with this idea.

ORIGINAL: Stimpak
The website I use for my references is here: https://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?useExisting=1 and was provided to me by Tebeinteresno. You can click "basemap" in the upper left corner and change the layer to any of your choosing.

Nice. Similar to Falk Plan, but with different sources. Be aware that the topographic view leaves out many water ways; the OpenStreetMap view has more (but poor differentiation between easily crossed ditches and streams wide enough to require a bridge layer).
I end up checking pretty much every stream using satellite imagery. The width of a stream is easiest to estimate where they are being crossed by a road; the shape of the bridge or absence of a bridge is a good indication.

William

[Stimpak]

I've added what I assume is the Fladderkanal, but it's been re-routed south of an assumed hill that was in the way.
Terrain layer is mostly finished, pending corrections.



And for those curious, yes those brown spots are "Bogs" - 30-50% cover, and only 20-30% mobility. Maybe I should make all of those "L1 pits" into Bogs. They're in contrast to the brown Training fields of previous maps, for all intents and purposes were treated as regular fields.

[Stimpak]

Road net is up. Vechta and Lohne are in and some of the forests are as well. Still need to put in more of those, then I can assign labels.

[Stimpak]

The map is done and I am putting in the .fp9 values right now.



Compared to older maps, the elevation terrain is more complex. Also, you'll note a large amount of "hedges" and forest blocks scattered around the map. Who these help can go either way - an attacking WarPac player now may cover-to-cover instead of being forced to advance over open ground, and it allows NATO to take advantage of their optical advantages.

There's a few long hedge lines that cross hexes. I'm not sure whether to keep these as "mixed" terrain, or to turn them into "curtains" that obstruct visibility greatly, but don't hamper mobility.

[Stimpak]

.Fp9 file is done. It's packaged alongside the map itself in the link below, but I won't be uploading it to OTS until I'm sure that I've weeded out the errors.
http://www.filedropper.com/ceg4redstorm - As usual they both go into the Maps folder.
When I go to work on the scenarios, it'll be the same way. No upload until I've got something that's roughly balanced and hopefully enjoyable for you guys.

[Stimpak]

The US 5th Infantry is huge and their European assets total more than 30,000 points. A full-scale divisional battle against them probably isn't suited for a campaign.
I think we'll simply narrow it down to the 2nd Brigade, and 1-5th Aviation Bn with heavy air and artillery support.

[Stimpak]

Been meaning to show of something else I've been working on:

[CapnDarwin]

Nice looking setup there. [8D]

[Stimpak]

The ORBAT I'm using for the Netherlands is described here: http://www.orbat85.nl/reference/unit-organisation-and-equipment.html



Like the Soviets had splits between BMP formations and BTR formations, the Netherlands operated Armoured Infantry Brigades that could consist either of YPR-765 and their variants, or YP-408 and their variants.


(I'll have to add Harry's maps to "Flashpoint Earth")

Estimates have the I NL Corps mobilized within 48 hours. In the event of a surprise attack, I NL Corps had 3rd Panzer Division, 41st Armour Brigade, and the American "Hell on Wheels" Brigade as a covering force while they mobilized. These forces had a few options: They could counter-attack 2GTA and 3CAA, or dig in the Veluwe and wait for reinforcements. They could flood the lowlands if they were crazy enough [:D]

But if I ever do add on more scenarios for the East German campaign, they will probably involve counter-action against 1 NL Corps, as the 3CAA is already engaged with British forces in Red Storm 13/14/15.

[Plodder]

Nice work on the Dutch. [&o] It's great to see someone using the orbat from the Tour for what I envisaged it for as well. Makes all those hours building the damn thing worth it! [:D]

[Stimpak]

Hmm...

[CapnDarwin]

Nicely done!

[Stimpak]

Has the team decided upon a Polish counter yet? I found the white-on-red to be obscuring, so I went to the Panzerblitz style Polish flag.

[CapnDarwin]

I had them on an orange background to start, but I'm not sure what we will settle on. Red and white would be great, but too many white counter elements get lost on the white. We may need to address the counter elements and see if that helps. So run with what you think is best.