Tempe: Pulling tight the .. (M)oose

[GoodGuy]

Completed.

Played with partial order delay.

[GoodGuy]

The big picture.

Playing with partial order delay.

I'll explore what happens if all forces are being sent to the left side (i prefer the pincer movement, 2 "chains", one max left, and one on the right - via Megalo/Souphlar).

The crosshair symbol in the middle was being used to display grouped arty fire, in one of my other AARs, but this would only be an option if fast motorized (armored) units would conduct quick recon runs, in order to deliver some halfway reliable intel (targets). The spearheading enemy unit (red crosshairs) is moving towards my column, so it MUST be bombarded and some of my units will have to drive it off, because it would deliver good recon for the enemy arty otherwise.

The enemy Bn (maybe plus one or 2 base units) in the mountains isn't a real impressive force, but I want to take advantage of them having to move in a rough area, plus I want to cut them off, or at least reduce their manpower/firepower.

The woods north of the "grouped arty"-crosshairs look like they would be a perfect spot to establish a strong point. As I'll send a Bn around the mountains on the right, with some heavy guns backing them up, I can deal with enemy opposition coming from Megalo or P-mari. But the middle, along the main road / railroad, will be important, in terms of having secure supply lines.

I managed to clear Larissa before midnight/shortly after midnight with the bulk of my motorized units in another attempt playing this scenario, but it involves detaching all the Bns, since the Regt./Div. HQs use to slow down things. But I'm too lazy to do this now, so I'll only detach the Pz. Regt, the Inf Regts. and the Tank Bn.

This could cost me several hrs, but I'm going to deal with that.

This map is pretty much about placing artillery units wisely. If you want to reach Larissa and exit without too many losses (and without getting a draw), you have to provide your line units with top notch artillery support. Intervene often, issue bombardments yourself to weaken units, to disrupt enemy attacks or to hamper enemy tanks. The amount of Matildas the Brits can field is scary. A Coy with 11-15 Matildas can hold off your inf Coys, even an Bn, for several days. And they won't suffer of mechanical breakdowns here, although they did suffer big time in real life.

[GoodGuy]

D1 22:35 hrs.

As you can see, my arty units are moving to predefined positions. 1/118's job is to provide arty support for the east and the middle, for now. As soon as 2/118 reaches its destination (near the crossing), I'll send 1/118 to the west, because I need more arty support for the area just north of Larissa.

The enemy Bn in the mountains received some serious pounding: Being chased and attacked from 2 sides, they retreat often and are still trying to find a way to escape. While one or another Coy may still slip through the net, I order an additional move further south (scissors south), as the rest will head south east next, trying to reach the only track leading to the river valley, most likely.
The single enemy unit above the mini map may be a unit that was routing earlier, but it could also be a slow element of another group. This is a secondary theater of war anyways, so I'm not going to perform any uber-accurate surgical operations here. [:D]
The only purpose is to avoid that the enemy can field the bulk of this "mountain" Bn elsewhere.

[GoodGuy]

D1 22:35 hrs.

The leading element of the tank unit, leading the bypass operation, has reached the woods north west of Larissa. Around 2 hrs behind, but still not too bad. The Inf unit following its trails is 3rd Bn 143 Regt.
All these units are sneaking (see the Panther paws? [:D]) along the predefined path.

A glitch in the command/pathfinding system:

This single tank unit (right side, west of Nekhale) had been sent (while still being attached to the Pz Regt) right through the middle and was about to move through the enemy arty + MG units north east of Kalyvia. Good thing is, I spotted it soon enough, in order to save it and give it a new set of waypoints, plus, it will provide me with some infos about enemy arty positions, hopefully.

[GoodGuy]

D1 22:35 hrs.

A few elements of my Pz. Regt and some units of the Inf. Regt were delayed. The enemy arty fire (top right) kinda hampered the HQs' ability to drive their forces forward [;)].

Seriously now...
The engine's code regarding road columns may need some revision... 7-8 km in 6.5 hours doesn't sound right, even with them being bombarded (for around 20 minutes, punctual only tho -> bombardment symbols). I don't think that a Regt. would wait until the slowest unit would have rejoined the column.
That's why I pointed out that you have to detach all the Bns in this scenario, it saves times + hassle :p.

Anyway, one of my Base units got into that arty fire too (maybe the reason for attracting the enemy artys in the first place, since the big base unit, with 1000 troops, might have raised some dust [:D]). My fault. Ok, fully concentrated now.

The enemy units in the middle (right side of this screenshot, yellow star) move towards the light woods. I can't figure if they are attacking or just trying to move to the objectives further north. Only one unit attacked so far, so they seem to try to occupy the northern objectives.... strange enough. My detached Coys killed one of their companies at the end of the light woods, so I'm confident that they'll prevail and hold the perimeter.

[GoodGuy]

D2 04:51 hrs.

The 3rd Inf Bn of the 143rd Regt. is sneaking around the woods, which should ensure that the enemy arty won't zero-in until it reaches the crossing. This Bn could have reached Larissa way earlier.
Again, if I'd have detached all the Bns they should have made better progress. Without my mistake in the very first hour, and with this Bn using the highway all the way, it could have reached the outskirts of the city 2 hrs earlier.

Enemy reinforcements: Well, tough decision... should my 2nd Bn bypass these 2 MG companies and the 3rd unit, or should I keep moving on the highway to see if it's their main route being used to field reinforcements? If it's just about these 3 units, I could just move along and make them rout, as they won't get time to deploy. If these are the spearheads of a larger force, I won't be able to commit the 2nd Bn to help clearing Larissa.

.....I'll keep them on the highway, as I want to know what's going on there.

Progress in Larissa is slow now, as there are enemy Coys popping up here and there, with the tank units having to change directions several times, in order to clear the crossroads downtown.

[GoodGuy]

D2 04:58 hrs.

I can't remember if bases count towards the point-ratio needed for the exit objective, but I'll let them exit the map anyways. Also, moving them to that corner (top left on the screen) will ensure that I can send line units to protect them any time.

The inf units in this area are the last remaining line units scheduled to move to Larissa.

The detached units stumbled over a large engineer Coy (~150 troops) and trapped it and cut it off (scissors).
1st Bn 143. Regt. attacked and secured the crossing (ferry), where the enemy Bn, which was trying to cross it, got some pounding. At least 2 of its elements are retreating (red arrow), the other ones are resting in the light woods nearby, but are being bombarded by several units (red crosshairs). If intel is right, 2 Coys (2.86 + 3.86) are trying to join the Bn HQ, they just crossed the bridge and head towards Bakraina at least. Once the engineer Bn up north has been wiped out, the released units will have to help out there. For now, the single inf Bn (8./141st Bn) will have to attack alone and secure the bridge.

[GoodGuy]

D2 04:58 hrs.

I'm too lazy to exchange the mini-map, but the time-stamp is right.[:)]

I decided to bolster the operations in the mountains. 3 additional units will try to close the gap in the south. The Coy conducting the "sickle" cut further south should be able to crush one or another unit. It received some inaccurate random enemy arty fire already, so more to come when the night fades away, I guess.

[GoodGuy]

D1 04:58 hrs.

This area is the most important sector, as infiltrating enemy units will be able to hamper my supply lines. The few units overviewing these crossroads between Bakraina and Drakhm. will have to deal with any upcoming attack. Dispatching more units would endanger the successful exfiltration at Larissa.

Right now, they are doing a good job in these light woods, and, although they have to cope with some medium enemy arty fire, they are about to drive off some spearheading enemy units. If there were more enemy inf units, or even tanks, they'd have a hard time. Placing 2 mortar units in the woods and one on the hills on the right side worked so far.

If they manage to block this road, they'll have enough time to dig in before more enemies appear on the perimeter.

[GoodGuy]

D2 05:22 hrs.

The lone cowboy:

The current intel reveals that it's relatively calm down there, and that the enemy does not amass units anywhere. It seems that the expected reinforcements from the south or south east didn't arrive yet.

I decide to re-adjust the waypoints, as enemy units, occupying the highway, have just been sighted.

I might court-martial the CO of the Pz. Regt. though, since dawn will break in a few moments with the tank unit getting a hard time down there. I'll kick the CO's butt, in case this tank unit's going to record heavy losses. [:D]

[GoodGuy]

D2 05:22 hrs.

It's X-MAS ! [:D]

Enemy reinforcements arrived on the highway north east of Giannoule. The appearance will hamper my initial plans even more, but.... what a present !
I decide to try and isolate them, or to "adjust" their manpower/firepower at least (*evil grin*). The decision to move the artillery further south turned out to be a wise one, as I've got enough firepower to shell the bulk of these reinforcements now. Several units are retreating/routing already, although the bombardment has just begun. Great!
At the time the single arty unit will run out of ammo, my 2nd arty unit should be in place, just in time to take over.

The estimated amount of troops is 4930. I spotted one tank unit, so i'm assuming that there are at least 2 tank Bns, maybe the bulk of the Royal Tank Regiment (RTR). While 4930 is an estimation based on vague intel (it's still dark), I'm sure that there are at least 2 base units, maybe amounting to an avg of 500 troops each. Still, this will be a 1:3 ratio if i am looking at the amount of line unit troops. That doesn't sound good.

Also, using the opportunity on the highway means less firepower to clear Larissa, and again, this task, to clear Larissa, could have been accomplished already (which I did in another attempt playing this scenario), if I would have detached the inf batallions and all the motorized batallions. Oh well, the engine really does offer some replay value, as things use to turn out differently each time u play a scenario.

Larissa:
3rd Inf Bn 143rd Regt. made slow progress, due to them being tired, but mostly due to some glitches in the pathfinding. I had to "catch" the unit 1 or 2 times, as it tried to go back north, cross the bridge again, go all the way back to the midde and move right through the enemy bulk in the middle (according to its movement plans).

If playing with order delay, these glitches are real show-stoppers, as the only way to stop a unit in a timely manner would be to issue a fire task. An entire Bn firing at trees for 5-15 minutes (due to fire tasks going through the same order delay-queue), while being scheduled for more important tasks, kinda kills the fun....and... the proper execution of plans.

[GoodGuy]

.... to be continued

[GoodGuy]

D3 05:16 hrs

There's a lil gap, screenshot-wise, but , in fact, not much happened.
The reinforcements in the West had been almost surrounded (just a little gap in the south), and the placement of AT guns on the northern side of the pocket avoided the excursion of troops.

Time to look at the "mountain theater":

3 enemy Coys surrendered, some other 3 units are either badly battered or reduced to almost platoon size. So, several units could leave the mountain area, but it was still a good trade: Almost no friendly losses and 3 big enemy Coys have been taken out of the battle.

The Coys and the Bn, participating in this "mountain" operation, are instructed to assist in the middle, or to conduct fake attacks south east.

[GoodGuy]

D3 05:16 hrs.

Excellent progress during the night regarding the push towards the enemy reinforcements that came from the highway (west).

The retreating enemy units got bombarded all through the night (manual fire), in order to keep them from reorg'ing or assaulting.

I suspect that one or 2 motorized enemy units were able to slip through and make it to Larissa, as they were faster than my Pz Regt HQ (right bottom corner now), but I couldn't do anything about it, as the Regt. was too slow, and my Pz units in the city were busy. Also, I did not want to loose tank units due to some useless blocking operation, since I need all my armor in good shape on Day 3, as enemy reinforcements will pour in from the south east.

Enemy Coy B.26 just tried to make it over the river, but is now trapped between the remaining column of the Pz Regt. and the detached Inf Gun from the 143rd Regiment.
I expect its destruction shortly after dawn.

[GoodGuy]

D3 06:45 hrs.

More enemy armour arrived from the East, some of these companies have 11-15 Matildas, according to Intel at least.

I could have tried to start to exfiltrate during the night, but I want most of the support units to exit too. So I have to either push back the Matildas, or split the city defenses, in order to secure a corridor.

The lone Cowboy (green arrow, bottom) reached the southern part of Larissa on Day 2, which helped to cut off the enemy units south west, near the industrial area.

Good news: My heavy arty fire (issued manually) tore their Base units apart, so the 141st Regt., assisted by the 143rd Regt with its 2nd Bn (the only Bn that stayed with 143rd HQ), finished off 3 Base units, and maybe one tank unit (not sure about that).
The remaining enemy units, 1361 troops according to Intel, are routing/retreating south towards the river.
My AT guns were able to block and separate 2 enemy tank units, but at least 2 motorized Coys (1 with armored vehicles) were able to slip through all the way down to the center of Larissa (red arrow downtown). That's a little setback, though.

Their Inf HQ is routing in front of my Inf Coy (11.143) and another enemy inf Coy is trapped between 11.143 and my defending Inf gun unit, which is instructed to defend the bridge. Excellent.

I will try to crush the remaining est. 1361 troops and push further south to reduce the pocket.
Enemy arty fire might keep the troops of the Pz Regt from infiltrating the city... the Pz Regt. HQ suffers from some heavy shelling, right on the bridge.

My precious Panzer IV D unit (3.3), which would be the weapon of choice to demobilize some of the Matildas, or even get a lucky shot, is routing now and is down to 4 tanks. Bad news. The enemy light/heavy AA units in front of it are dug in and the arty unit just deployed. The heavy AA unit just turned out to be an AT unit with ~100 troops. Yikes.
I'll have to keep shelling this position. Too bad, since bombardment missions are needed elsewhere, actually.

[GoodGuy]

...The following 3 screenshots display the orders that had to be given prior to reducing the pocket and clearing Larissa.

As you can see, the enemy moves around one of his bases in the North, I have no clue why (bug?). Or is it the base unit that had been spotted in the mountains on Day 1?
According to its colour, it belongs either to one of the Royal Tank Regiments or to the 1st UK Army Tk Bde.

I was able to wipe out this base and 3 or 4 of these green units later on.

[GoodGuy]

D3 06:45 hrs.
Same time, different location.

Securing the crossing west and the bridge south of Bakraina, is very important. The white units are the remnants of the Bn that tried to make it to Bakraina.

According to Intel, this wasn't a Bn, but parts of an entire Regiment or the bulk of it, at least (86th Rgt. HQ at the crossing). The units trying to cross the ferry and the units trying to rejoin exceeded the usual amount of units being organized in a UK Bn, so although this is "just" vague/recent Intel, I tend to believe it, and I'm happy with the outcome.

[GoodGuy]

...D3 06:45 hrs.

Elements of the 5th RTR along with elements of the 44th RTR (the 1st UK Army Tk Bde HQ was seen in the area too) try to move north. Most elements are moving, not attacking. Again, I have no clue where they are trying to go, as they seem to try to pass my roadblock.
One Bn of the 141st Regt. is on the way and will help to defend this blocking position.

The enemy units in the marshes (red up/down arrows) are like ants: They are moving back and forth, but, although they receive some fire from the hill, they don't seem to want to give up that location. Maybe that spot is an AI objective, where some units look like they're stuck, although the fire from my units shouldn't keep them from disengaging and moving further south.

EDIT: This will be the last screenshot covering the middle section, as not much happened there, plus you might be bored enough already. [;)]
I was able to hold the blocking positions and my troops were able to destroy squadron A of the 5th RTR (Royal Tank Regiment) and squadron C of the 3rd Hussars.
The remaining armoured enemy units moved down to checkpoint 4 and/or to the south east (not sure about that tho).

[GoodGuy]

..D3 11:26 - D4 14:16 hrs

Shifting plans.
First objective is to clear the pocket, the second one will be to initiate the exfiltration.

Alright, all these pics were pretty colorful, with all those colorful signs, maybe even confusing.... now, let's try something new:

Check out this gif-animation:



Since I decided to isolate the reinforcements, instead of going for a quick exit, I had to chase and destroy the units in the pocket (south west corner, northern river bank). All reinforcements (except for 2 armoured units, which are surrounded by AT and Inf, pls see last frame [day 4] of the animation) have been killed or forced to surrender by 14:16 hrs on Day 4. A strong defensive ring at the eastern outskirts of Larissa will now ensure that my supply bases and arty assets can start to exfiltrate via the bridge this night or on the next morning, latest.

I lost the precious Panzer IV unit in the process, but other units were able to take out quite a few Matildas, or fend off their attacks with the assistance of the air force.

The ANZAC HQ has been killed on day 4 (at the highway south of Larissa), so the enemy will be now led by either the 1st UK Army Tk Bde HQ or the 16th Au Inf Bde HQ.
However, according to Intel, all the units from the 3rd RTR, which were part of the reinforcements coming from the West, are out of action.

[GoodGuy]

D5 18:39 hrs.

The Inf units forming the defensive ring, all base units (except for 2 bases which are still in the north) and the Pz Regt. exfiltrated. Three arty units are still in Giannoule area, in order to provide support until around 9 pm.

Look at the win-meter [:D] : It looks like it is going to be a decisive victory, right now, doesn't it?.
I could have finished the scenario long time ago, (by reaching the max exit-score) but I opted for trying to reach (+ hold) checkpoint 5 (top right corner, near the Pnr Bn HQ) and checkpoint 4 (off-screen, further north), because the win-meter moved back to a real scary position one or 2 times, somewhere between Day 3 and the end of Day 4.
I reached out for those checkpoints in an attempt to put a little more "ballast" on the win-meter, so that it would move a tick more to the right. [:D]