1944 Market Garden AAR

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T10 - Allies Part 3

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T10 – German

End of Turn:
Axis Objectives 174, Loss Penalty 64, Victory Level -125 (Marginal Defeat)

German defenses in front of Arnhem and Nijmegen are significantly strengthened with the deployment of SS formations to the front lines. Noteworthy are the artillery attacks. Until now German artillery scored insignificant Allied casualties, however, in this round of attacks five bombardments scored sufficient casualties that they bear documenting.
The German commander also deployed a fresh panzer division from the East of the battlefield which has the potential to cut XXX Corps’ supply line.
A second threat may also be developing along the southern end of the 1st AB line. An SS panzer battalion has been spotted in the gap between the air landing parties with the possibility of disrupting communications. The panzers are thought to be from Kampfgruppe Walter but could be from an unidentified SS formation.

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Arnhem.
Home Defense units (AA and AT companies), remnants of Kampfgruppe Knaust and battalions from the 10th SS Panzer deploy in a defensive between XXX Corps and the IJssel River. The river is the last physical barrier before entering Arnhem. All of the German units are undermanned but together may be difficult to overcome. This is the first appearance of the enemy defensive force in several days. German offensive actions are limited to a few minor artillery attacks.

Nijmegen.
German defenses in front of Nijmegen are considerably stronger than those seen at Arnhem. Three artillery attacks (2,12,13) and a land assault (16) are launched against the Allies. Bombardments inflict casualties on the 82nd 504th Rgt, 101st 2/327th Glider Rgt and 1st AB 1st Air Landing Bn which are heavier than typical harassing fire. The land attack on the 101st 1/401st Glider Rgt is made by a mixed force of 9th SS Pz, 10th SS Pz and 180th Depot Div and ends in complete failure. The Allied glider infantry easily fight off the German attack killing a large number of the enemy. Allied tactical air squadrons were on alert to provide ground support and were instrumental in supporting the defense.
While the air and ground action was focused on the Nijmegen front, the fresh German 116th Panzer Division entered the battlefield by crossing the Maas River and threatening the Allied line of communications. VIII Corps units had been stationed along the border to provide early warning but they had since received orders to join the march North and been redeployed. This movement puts the Allies in a difficult position which must be resolved.

St. Hertogenbosch
The Germans still do not show much desire to protect the St. Hertogenbosch supply dump but they are able to infiltrate through a gap between VIII Corps and the 1st AB. A lone panzer units has been spotted in the gap and this unit, plus the arrival of the 116th Panzer Div is a direct threat which needs to be delt with.
German gunners are able to fire two bombardments (7, 11) against the 53rd Welsh 15th Bde and 50th Northumbrian 69th Bde. The concentrated artillery fire makes the Brits pay a higher price than the typical bombardment.

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T10 – German Part 2

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T10 – German Part 3

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T11 – Allies

End of Turn:
Allied Objectives 245, Loss Penalty 18, Victory Level 124 (Marginal Victory)

Allied forces initiated attacks along the entire line of contact. XXX Corps crossed the IJssel River and is poised to attack Arnhem from the North side. Further South German forces are slipping behind the Allied lines and threatening to disrupt the supply column.

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XXX and VIII Corps.
32 GD and VIII Corps units crossed the IJssel River upstream from Arnhem. The British commander was surprised that there was no Germans to oppose them as every indication was the German commander had defenders along the river.
On the direct road to Arnhem 3rd Irish and 1st mechanized units of XXX Corps conduct two assaults (6,11) on panzer battalions from the 10th SS Panzer. Corps and divisional artillery battalions supported the attack. German armored losses were heavy, but they were able to hold their position until the second wave forced one on the panzer battalions to withdraw.
The threat posed by arrival of the 116th Panzer Division forced XXX Corps commander to respond. Most of VIII Corps and a couple of mobile XXX Corps units are diverted from the Arnhem attack and directed southward. They intend to marry up South of the Rhine before pursuing the Germans.


82nd and 101st Airborne.
Glider and paratroop infantry from the 82nd and 101st coordinated a series of attacks (4,5,10) on German 10th SS Panzer and 1st Para Army units. The 1st Para Army troops were driven out of their positions while the fortified SS units held against the assaults (5,10). Allied losses were high as the airborne troops do not have the heavy weapons necessary to fight armored SS units. The direct road to Nijmegen remains blocked.

Polish Brigade.
The brigade was supported by the 101st 502nd Rgt and the 1st AB 1st Bde in an attack (7) along the Maas River against the German 84th Division. Total casualties favored the Allies and the German units retreated. One of the German regiments was shattered.

116th Panzer Division.
The division has entered the battlefield from the East between the Rhine and Maas Rivers. Their exact route of march is undetermined, but the threat to Allied line of communications is real. Most of VIII Corps, XXX Corps artillery and some 101st units are being assigned the task of chasing down the Germans.
Allied command believes that the panzer division’s supply situation must be exhausted. All German supply depots on the East flank have been destroyed with the closest supply dump still functional located North of Arnhem.

1st AB Red Devils.
A little further South several SS units from Kampfgruppe Walter have broken through a weak area and are working behind the 1st AB’s lines. These units also have the capability of disrupting supply and are a serious threat. Red Devils were able to track down a battalion of motorized SS grenadiers and inflicted moderate casualties.

XII Corps.
The Corps has a busy day conducting attacks 2, 3 and 8.
Brigades from the 50th Northumbrian and 43rd Wessex combined to attack (2) a mixed formation of 1st Para Army, Kampfgruppe Walter and Kampfgruppe Erdman units. Allied tactical air provided ground support and escorts performed combat air patrols. ME-109s interceptors arrived on scene but failed to stop the attack. German losses are very heavy.
2nd Rgt, 50th Northumbrian assaulted (3) and inflicts losses on 2/245th Kegler Rgt of the 1st Para Army. Again, there was substantial air support from Allied tactical squadrons with ME-109s attempting to foil the air support. Net casualties were very heavy on the German side.
The final assault was an attack (8) directly into St. Hertogenbosch against the 719th Division. Units of the 53rd Welsh and 15th Scotts enveloped the town, cut off the avenues of retreat and forced the Germans to give up the supply depot. All Axis units were eliminated resulting in a very heavy casualty count.

Air Force
Tactical air squadrons played a significant role in supporting Allied ground assaults. German interceptors were active but were outnumbered and repulsed by Allied escorts. Tactical squadrons were reassigned to interdiction following he conclusion of the land attacks.

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T11 - Allies Part 2

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T11 - Allies Part 3

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T11 – German

End of Turn:
Axis Objectives 182, Loss Penalty 74, Victory Level -118 (Marginal Defeat)

St. Hertogenbosch has fallen, there doesn’t appear to be much of a defense around Arnhem and the focus of the German command looks to be Nijmegen. A few German units are causing disruption in the Allied rear areas, but this is mostly an attempt at harassment.
German offensive actions were limited to artillery attacks which caused minimal Allied casualties and interception of Allied tactical squadrons.

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Arnhem
Above Arnhem XXX Corps has crossed the IJssel River unopposed. German defenders, composed mostly of 10th SS Panzer units, are East of the IJssel River along the right bank of the Rhine and in no position to prevent Allied entry into Arnhem. If there are strong German units defending Arnhem, they are very well concealed.

Nijmegen
Facing the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions the Germans have parts of the 10th SS Panzer, 180th Depot Division and 84th Infantry Division. The line is not continuous, but some of the units are still manned enough to be effective in the defense. The German Commander appears to be establishing a defensive ring around Nijmegen. Previously, additional units (9th SS Panzer) had been spotted by the Allies, but these units seem to have blended into the urban environment.

St. Hertogenbosch
German troops have abandoned the town, depot and were last seen withdrawing North toward Nijmegen. VIII Corps is in pursuit and expects to converge on Nijmegen.

Rear Area Threats
Several German units are making threatening moves to disrupt the Allied supply chain. 116th Panzer armor and mobile infantry regiments moved away from their HQ in the general direction of the 1st AB and 101st. A regiment of tanks is difficult to hide so it shouldn’t be too long before their positions are spotted.
Two units from Kampfgruppe Walter made it to the rear area of 1st AB. The infantry’s location is known but the panzer battalion has gone into hiding. 1st AB infantry is in the process of hunting them down.
Further South, behind XII Corps, the Allies were surprised by the sudden appearance of a lone panzer battalion. It’s too far removed to be from the 116th Pz Division so speculation is that it’s orphaned from the 107th Division which was assigned defense of the Maas River. Whatever their parent formation, they must be delt with soon as they are within striking distance of XII and XXX Corps’ supply depots.

Aerial Combat
During an Allied interdiction mission near Arnhem (a German AT unit was destroyed) two ME-109 squadrons intercepted and engaged Allied fighter escorts in a furball. Escorting Spitfires and Mustangs accepted the challenge and eliminated both ME-109 squadrons. The loss of these two squadrons should be the end of German air power in the area of Allied operations.

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T12 – Allies

End of Turn:
Allied Objectives 288, Loss Penalty 18, Victory Level 219 (Significant Victory)

German forces appear to be in general retreat and using Nijmegen as the rally point. Enemy supply in the campaign theater has been reduced to zero.

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XXX and VIII Corps.
The force that crosses the IJssel River upstream from Arnhem has split and advanced in two directions. A small recon unit moved to the North edge of the battlefield and destroyed the supply depot located in Apeldoorn. This is probably the last point of supply available to the German land troops.
The second group moved South and occupied Arnhem. The Allied commander was astounded that Arnhem was totally undefended. Allied occupiers are limited to a single armored cavalry battalion which needs to hold on until heavier units can join them. Armor and mechanized infantry battalions are positioned nearby and will move to Arnhem in the morning.
XXX Corps units advancing parallel to the Rhine eliminated a mixed formation of defenders and shifted their focus from the bridge at Arnhem to destroying as many defenders as possible. A route across the Rhine leading to the South side of Arnhem appears to be a possible line of advance.

82nd Airborne and 101st Airborne.
In the past 24 hours the German commander has built a continuous, entrenched, line of defense facing the paratroopers. Elements of the 10th SS, 180th, 1st Para Army, 9th SS and 84th divisions have formed a line protecting Nijmegen. Several additional SS units can be seen within Nijmegen. No attacks were conducted as the airborne units shifted positions to optimize the planned assaults.


XII Corps.
The Corps moved to consolidate and drive toward Nijmegen. The few enemy units observed appear to be in disarray and falling back to the comfort of Nijmegen. There was no ground action on this day.

Rear Area Threats.
Three threats to the rear area logistics have been identified. In the North the 116th Panzer Division has melted into the countryside near the back of the 101st Airborne. To locate and counter their movements the Polish Brigade has been dispatched. Their task is to engage the division and hold them in place until stronger units from XXX and VIII Corps can clean up the mess. When last seen the enemy units were near full strength however, the Eastern supply dump was destroyed early in the campaign and the 116th fights with only the supply that it brought.
The British 1st AB is busy tracking down a pair of Kampfgruppe Walter SS units. Both units are severely depleted and should be easily destroyed.
Further South a lone panzer battalion has been seen moving in the general direction of the XXX Corps supply point. 43rd Wessex and 50th Northumbrian units which have been temporarily attached to VIII Corps received orders to track down and destroy the intruder before it can disrupt the supply chain.

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T12 – German

End of Turn:
Axis Objectives 157, Loss Penalty 72, Victory Level -166 (Marginal Defeat)

Germans are attempting to retake Arnhem while reinforcing the defense of Nijmegen. The 116th Panzer occupied Rees and re-established the supply point. Multiple battalions have infiltrated into the Allied rear areas to attack and disrupt the Allied supply train.
No ground combat was initiated. All attacks were bombardment which, as usual, do little to damage the Allies.

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Arnhem
The loss of Arnhem is a major blow to the Axis commander. Units in the local vicinity (KG von Tettau, 10th SS and 9th SS) are being rallied in an attempt to drive the Brits out of Arnhem.

Nijmegen and Rees
The defense put up against the 82nd and 101st airborne units includes elements of the 10th SS Panzer, 1st Para Army, KG Knaust and 84th Division. Additional units from various formations are deployed within Nijmegen. It is expected that these units, reinforced with armor, will keep the allied paratroopers out of Nijmegen.
In back of the 82nd the 116th Panzer Division has succeeded in recovering the supply point located in Rees. Now that it’s supplied the division is even more dangerous to the Allied supply line and has the possibility of breaking the Allied assault against Nijmegen.

Rear Area Threats
Rouge units are coming dangerously close to the main Allied supply depot located behind XII Corps’ front. An SP artillery unit has suddenly made an appearance within 10 kilometers of the DZ101 supply point and about 30 kilometers from XXX Corps’ depot. Other German units may still be lurking so the threat must be quickly delt with.

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T13 – Allies

End of Turn:
Allied Objectives 277, Loss Penalty 16, Victory Level 194 (Significant Victory)

XII Corps and 1st AB are successful in locating and eliminating several of the German units roaming around their supply lines. The priority will now shift to destruction of the German supply depot at Rees and the 116th Panzer Division.
XXX Corps is busy reducing the defenders around Arnhem while the airborne are having a difficult time in their drive toward Nijmegen.

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XXX Corps.
A pair of VIII Corps armored battalions outside Arnhem have been attached to XXX Corps while VIII Corps is redirected toward Rees.
XXX Corps conducted several assaults in the reduction of the Arnhem defenders. Attack 11 involved 29th Armored battalions and 32nd Welsh mechanized infantry against Kampfgruppe Tettau. The Kampfgruppe contains SS engineers which put up a capable defense and held their position. The KG is weakened but still able to threaten Arnhem.
Along the IJssel River XXX Corps caught the 22nd Panzer Grenadiers. Attack 12 inflicted moderate casualties, but the grenadiers were able to escape to the South.
A mixed force of units from Kampfgruppe Knaust, 9th SS and the 59th HQ established a defensive position blocking the river crossing at Pannerden. An armored battalion from 5 GD made ineffective Attack 1 against the position which tested their defenses. The XXX Corps commander wants to make a major assault at this crossing so that Arnhem can be approached from the South side.

VIII Corps.
The Corps’ orders have been changed with the new focus being occupation of the German supply dump at Rees and the destruction of the 116th Panzer Division. A pair of battalions were detached for the assault on Arnhem while the bulk of the Corps turned toward Rees. Several XXX Corps units located at Emmerich are also tasked with destruction of the 116th.

82nd and 101st Airborne.
Airborne troops are attacking to take Nijmegen from the East side. For Attack 5 the 82nd Airborne’s 505th and 508th Regiments engaged the 21st Panzer Grenadiers in a battle where the paratroopers were able to drive the Germans back. Net casualties favored the SS grenadiers, but they were unable to hold their ground. Tactical air squadrons provided significant support in the attack.
The second attack, Attack 6, was a coordinated effort by the 82nd 325th Glider and 101st 501st against 10th Panzer armored reconnaissance and grenadier battalions. German SS units were able to use their heavy weapons to hold off the airborne. During the battle the 504th Regiment was able to occupy DZ82 which is the supply drop zone for the 82nd Airborne. This action significantly improved front line logistics.
The last action was Attack 4 by the 101st 401st Glider Regiment against weak recon and artillery units of the 84th Division. The reconnaissance unit was easily eliminated and the artillery retreated. The 401st advanced into the position.

Polish Brigade
The brigade caught up to the 116th Panzer HQ and launched an attack. Net casualties were about even. As the HQ unit retreated the brigade was able to advance and maintained contact. Allied tactical air provided support for the attack.

1st AB Red Devils.
The Red Devils are mostly occupied with chasing down infiltrators. A depleted panzer battalion from Kampfgruppe Walter has been enveloped while both a motorized infantry battalion and a second panzer battalion are engaged. The airborne units expect to receive help from the Polish Brigade and XII Corps before the infiltrators can be eliminated.

XII Corps.
The Corps is finishing mop up operations behind the front lines as they eliminate two enemy units. Attack 9 by the 53rd Welsh and 50th Northumbrian surrounded, and destroyed, a pair of weak infantry companies from the 1st Para Army. This action helps to clear the route leading to Nijmegen.
Envelopment and Attack 3 was performed by units of the 5 GD and 43rd Wessex. These units eliminated the 280th Strumgeschϋltz battalion. A few XII Corps mobile units will continue to track down infiltrating German units, but the main body will consolidate and press the assault on Nijmegen.

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T13 Allied Part 2

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T13 Allied Part 3

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T13 – German

End of Turn:
Axis Objectives 145, Loss Penalty 69, Victory Level -187 (Significant Defeat)

German forces relied on artillery attacks to defend their positions. No ground attacks were conducted.

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Arnhem.
The German commander has deployed multiple units (mostly SS units) in the suburbs of Arnhem but have not attempted to drive out the British. This lack of aggressive action is giving the British the time needed to stock Arnhem with overwhelming force.

Nijmegen.
German forces have successfully defended against Allied airborne units advancing toward Nijmegen. However, Allied forces are now also approaching from the South and the enemy commander most now defend on two fronts. Multiple units have been observed moving about the Nijmegen area but the Allies are unable to determine their exact deployment. Whatever the German deployment, it is expected that their supply situation has become critical.

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T14 – Allies

End of Turn:
Allied Objectives 294, Loss Penalty 20, Victory Level 229 (Significant Victory)

British armor has entered Arnhem making a German recovery impossible. In Nijmegen German forces are still able to hold back Allied airborne, however, XII Corps is now engaging Germans South of the town. German units are out of supply but still making a final stand.

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XXX and VIII Corps.
Corps units have fully invested Arnhem with armor and infantry making the city impervious to German assault. On the South side of the city 5 GD armor and mechanized infantry attacked Pannerden (attack 1) and forced their way across the Rhine. Allied tactical air units provided significant support to the attack. With a crossing made XXX Corps is in a position to assault the South side of Arnhem.
East of Arnhem a brigade of the 43rd Wessex was able to engage the panzer battalion of the 116th Panzer Division. Attack 7 was heavily supported by artillery units from 43rd Wessex, 32 GD, XXX Corps and 50th Northumbrian. At a heavy cost in infantry the attack was able to destroy about 20% of the German armor. The 116th is still being supplied from the reconstituted German depot located in Rees.

82nd, 101st and 1st AB.
Airborne troopers launched a series of attacks against the German perimeter defense of Nijmegen. The first attack (attack 8) was coordinated by the 82nd (504th Para, 325th Glider, 410th Glider) 101st (501st Para, 101 AT) against a mixed, brigade size German formation. Defenders took the greater casualties forcing them to withdraw.
1st AB and 101st launched attacks 2 and 10 against the 84th Division. 1st AB performed the first attack with the 1st Brigade, 2nd Brigade and 1st Air Landing Battalion. With strong air support the attack shattered two of the German regiments but the 84th held the position. The second assault was coordinated with the 101st 506th Para and 401st Glider. Germans took heavy casualties and retreated from the position.
During the operations airborne troops were able to occupy the designated 82nd supply Landing Zone. Supply sorties were initiated, which greatly improved the local supply situation.

XII Corps.
The Corps conducted two attacks on the approach to Nijmegen and a third to clean up isolated infiltrators. Attacks 5 and 9 were made against a force composed of units from 59th Division and Kampfgruppe Erdman. Attack 5 was made by the 15th Scotts supported by artillery from 53rd Welsh, XII Corps and 15th Scotts. Tactical air provided close air support. The attack inflicted minimal casualties and was followed up with attack 9. A brigade from the 53rd Welsh joined in the second assault which caused heavy German casualties. German units retreated into the outskirts of Nijmegen.
The last engagement was a quick cleanup of an isolated artillery company from Kampfgruppe Chill’s 85th Artillery.

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T14 Allied Part 2

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T14 Allied Part 3

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T14 – German Das Ende

End of Turn:
Axis Objectives 128, Loss Penalty 79, Victory Level -233 (Significant Defeat)

Cut off from supply, unable to conduct offensive operations and facing an overwhelming enemy, the German PO commander has no option other than to surrender. As this battle has become little more than an Allied mop up operation, the scenario closes after 14 turns.

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Arnhem
On the North side of the Rhine the Brits have two full regiments of armored and mechanized troops occupying Arnhem. Additionally, substantial artillery and air power is available on call. Opposing them are elements of KG von Tettau, KG Walter and 9th SS. All of these formations are far below their designated TO&E.

Nijmegen
German defense on the South side has collapsed allowing XII Corps to begin house-to-house assault of the city. Facing the Allied airborne elements of the 59th Division, 1st Para Army, 10th SS and 180th Depot Division are dug in but face certain extinction. The battle here has been lost.

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Notes and Comments
In no particular order, following are my notes and comments:

1. I have only played the original author’s scenario from the Allied side against the German PO. Therefore, this commentary is relevant from the Allied point of view.
2. German front line defense offered little resistance, instead formations appeared to be programmed to retreat to the Nijmegen area.
3. Scenario design allowed German artillery to bombard Allied airfields. This was resolved in RBv01 by placing 50 km distance hexes over Allied (and Axis) airfields putting them out of artillery range.
4. The German PO did little to protect supply points.
5. Allies must remain vigilant on their flanks as German units may attack rear areas. This is a good feature of the scenario.
6. Enjoyed the fact that players may be inventive on how the battle unfolds, i.e. are not limited to using the historical campaign to achieve victory.
7. Played the scenario without giving the PO Handicap or Intelligence cheats. Strongly suggest that the PO be given a boost to make it more competitive.
8. The original scenario (as I played) seemed to be weak in defending against a non-historical Allied campaign. To help the German PO and give the player a more enjoyable game, version RBv01 was posted containing three alternative German PO objective tracks. Tracks are randomly selected with special attention paid to Allied units moving up the left and right sides of the battlefield and to supply point defense.
9. On a 10-point enjoyment scale, I would give the original scenario a 7 (Player vs German PO).
10. I have played the first 3 turns in a couple of games against version RBv01 with PO Intelligence set to Strong and Handicap set at Computer +2. Changed the game substantially.

Regards, RhinoBones

[Cpl GAC]

6. Enjoyed the fact that players may be inventive on how the battle unfolds, i.e. are not limited to using the historical campaign to achieve victory.

This.

Thanks, Rhino. Your AARs really highlight all the things TOAW is doing as we move pieces around and things play out.

I like the idea of giving scenarios "pre-turns" to move units around within reason. Give things more of a running start than a starting line to then play beat the clock.

Looking at you, Kharkov 42.

[rhinobones]

I like the idea of giving scenarios "pre-turns" to move units around within reason. Give things more of a running start than a starting line to then play beat the clock.

Not too long ago there was a posting about producing a scenario with just the change you're suggesting. Forget which scenario and writer, but I really like the idea. Anything to add a bit of unpredictability to an otherwise static scenario. When it becomes available, I'll certainly be in line to download a copy.

Regards