Matrix Games Forums

Suicide: The willful ending of one's own life. See Boot Camp Mission 6

Ok, let me get this straight:

I have to attack at least 4 prepared positions with concealment, with even odds or worse, against AT rifle equipped infantry, over open ground without armor or artillery support. Why do you hate me?

Holy Cow this mission is tough! I haven't even engaged a damned foxhole yet, I get smoked no matter which way I try to flank!

Boot Camp #6 is actually the one where your convoy is attacked. That's my favorite Boot Camp mission of all, actually. [8D]

I think you're talking about Boot Camp #5 - as with the others, there is a solution to that puzzle and as always, try it on Easy first.

I took another look and remembered that one important thing to note in this scenario (and in general) is the relative firepower ratings of your units vs. the enemy units. The same applies in noticing the accuracy and penetration of your tanks vs. the enemy's. In this case, you have some very nice PanzerGrenadiers with two very good LMGs in each squad. They have some Guards which are not shabby but do not have your level of firepower (although they are Elite, which adds +1, but your units usually are at this point too). Keep in mind foxholes will reduce your firepower by 2. So compare these two units and find the sweet spot:

Firepower

0-30m
5 = Guards
6 = Panzer Grenadiers

31-50m
4 = Guards
5 = Panzer Grenadiers

51=100m
2 = Guards
5 = Panzer Grenadiers

101-150m
0 = Guards
3 = Panzer Grenadiers

151-200m
-1 = Guards
2 = Panzer Grenadiers

So adjusting the difference in firepower at each range band by -2 for you to account for the Soviet foxholes, you end up with a net difference of:

0-30m = +1 Soviet
31-50m = +1 Soviet
51-100m = +1 German
101-150m = +1 German
151-200m = +1 German

Now admittedly, I haven't replayed this one in a while, but I'd say you want to draw enough fire for the enemy to reveal himself but ideally be at around 101-150m when he does so. He obviously would prefer to only open fire within 50m if possible. That longer range exchange of fire favors you considerably, as he'll be firing at 0 firepower and you at (3-2=) 1 which gives you a much better chance of destroying him before he destroys you.

If you can destroy the ATR team with your infantry early on, then your Halftrack can also add to damage and suppression as they can't really cause it much damage beyond 100m given their penetration vs. its front armor.

Yeah, I think I'm gonna take a break on the Boot Camp and go fight the "real" Russians. [:D]

ORIGINAL: TheOx

Yeah, I think I'm gonna take a break on the Boot Camp and go fight the "real" Russians. [:D]

LOL! Poor Ox![:D]

I'll tell yea, I need a special Panzer Command Kharkov For Dummies.

Regards,

Greg

Seems I remember a similar vignette, but it was in a different game. Several years back, I installed and fired up CMAK. Then I perused the scenario list looking for a scrap, and selected "Hellfire Pass."

The game proceeded as I thought it would, with many a Matilda brewing-up, much to my delight. It wasn't long before all the British armour was liquidated, and I found myself looking for a message congratulating me and announcing the end of the game. However, this was not to be, at least for a while.

You see, there was infantry accompanying those Matildas, and they were not about to throw in the towel. The proceeded to claw their way forward towards my entrenched infantry and guns. It all would have been quite inspirational, IF THEY HAD BEEN U.S. MARINES WITH NOTHING BEHIND THEM BUT THE OCEAN.

As it were, I saw what I described above play out on many an occasion in the CMx1 games. I never completely understood why such otherwise hopeless assaults would proceed, but it was "scary" enough that I quit playing the games after a few months. Suicide is nothing to make light of!

PoE (aka ivanmoe)