Losheim Gap AAR - completed

[adek670]

Guys,

I have decided to do an ongoing AAR on my approach to the Losheim Gap scenario.

I have always found this one difficult to master.

I have experienced a few issues (reported elsewhere) and hopefully by outlining my game I can gain from all you pros your feedback and wisdom to better understand the game engine.

I am using build 4.4.260 other settings are in the screen shot.

Wish me luck.

Ade

[adek670]

Day 1 Orders:

1. 294 Grenadier Regt (attached units: 2bty 74 Flak Bn and 2 Coy 1818 Pion Bn)advance to Maderfeld. Secure objective (3 FJD Feldersatz Bn to provide security) then probe SW towards the Bridges at Andler.

2. 295 Grenadier Regt (2nd Bn - supported by 3Stug Bty) to move though Roth to objective Auw. Also secure area around Shlausenbach to form defence perimeter against enemy inf and eng units retreating from the Schnee forest area. Elements of 295th to then probe W to Andler and Sw to link up with the 293rd.

3. 293 Grenadier Regt ( supported by 1 and 3 Bty 74 Flak BN) to advance through Muhlenberg/Alferberg towards objective Radscheid. Once completed elements to probe W towards the bridge at Schonberg.

4. 190 Grenadier Regt to Advance to Grosslangenfeld and Winterspelt. Once completed elements to proe NW towards the bridge at Steinebruck and Berg-Reuland.

5. 18 Feldersatz Bn to provide security in-situ - until such times as enemy unit move NW. Then to move NW to provide Security on all roads entering the forest area.

6. Artillery will support advancing units as well as providing counter-battery fire on enemy Artillery positions (North of Radscheid and South of Laudesfeld).

Well that's my plan - I aim to manage this mainly at the Regt level although I can foresee I need to manage at the Bn level occasionally.

Orders for the other reinforcing units will be provided as an when they arrive - dependant on the situation.

Ade

[adek670]

First unit to engage is the 2nd Bn 295th on advance into Roth. Encountered Anti tank gun section and light Armoured Ptn. See image below

[adek670]

0739hrs Report.

The anti-tank unit in Roth has surrendered and 2nd Bn 295th continue their advance - Enemy artillery causing casualties on the advance.

3 FJD have arrived and will conduct an attack into Krewinkel from the North.

[adek670]

Down South.

To the South of the map the 190th have made good progress into Grosslangfeld. However the 293rd seem to have stalled and are not moving forward as planned.

I had hoped that the 2nd Bn 293rd would have been on the outskirts of the town by now - will wait to see what happens!

Artillery providing mainly counter-battery fire thus far. I am a bit peeved that the advancing units are not calling in their own mortar fire.

[Remmes]

ORIGINAL: Reaper

Wish me luck.

Ade

Good luck wished..[:)]

[adek670]

Problems in the South.

The 293rd have still not advanced as I had intended them to.

The delay has provided the enemy artillery opportunity to rain down hell on them.

The rain of steel caused the Lt IG Pn 8 Coy 293rd Bn to disband.

I am going to pause here ( I have an earlier save) Why is the 293rd acting like this and not advancing ??

Ade

[dazkaz15]

It could be that 1000m rule that higher level HQ are not allowed within enemy units, that preventing the regimental HQ from reaching the FUP, and causing the whole thing to stall like that. That is just a guess though.
When you do your screen shots, and have a query about what is happening, can you set the units to have their task displayed rather than their combat power as it helps to determine what they are doing.

I much prefer to command at Bn level, and very rarely use regimental for attacks as they just take so long to form up. I do however use Regimental commanders for move orders with allow attacks ticked, and have seen some very good AI initiated attacks from these kind of Regimental move orders.
Just as an experiment, try doing it as a Regimental move, with "Allow Attacks" checked.

Also make sure you set an end time way, way in advance for any order. Days in advance or end of scenario is what I usually do.

[adek670]

Guys,

I have run the opening several times with variations of orders provided to the 293rd.

In every case, giving orders at the Regt level, causes me problems. What I want is for the Regt HQ to realise it is dark and advance the 2 bn quickly - does the AI factor this in?

Also, with the Regt spread out, is it possible to force the Regt AI to use the 2Bn in it's attack plan rather than wait for the 1st to move up?

It seems to me that orders at the Regt level could do with adding 'advance from current position' feature in the code - this without a FUP would allow a Regt HQ to use the closest assets available without having to wait for other units to move up to the FUP.

[adek670]

Hi dazkaz,

Gave the order at Regt level as follows:

1. Move command to Radscheid.
2. No FUP
3. Aggro max, route safest, move normal, rof rapid, rest min. Attacks - yes

Doing it as a regimental move initiated the 2 Bn to move straight away - and they took the attached 1 and 3 74 flak Bn with them.

1 Bn are now moving up

Because I issue a move command does this mean that they will incur loads more casualties - simulating troops in un-ready stance so to speak.

Ade

[adek670]

One problem with move is that my dbe units are in the rear and the support units are heading up my advance .

See screenshot

[adek670]

Guys,

I think I am going to revisit my command responsibility and issue everything at the Bn level less formation moves.

I am a bit disappointed as I presumed issuing orders at a higher formation would make for a less micro-managed experience.

So , I guess the AI isn't able to manage subordinate commanders as effectively as I had hoped.

Ade

[dazkaz15]

Here is my own situation following your moves, using Regt level command but move orders with allow attacks checked.

If you are conducting a Regimental attack, you need to set your FUP well back from enemy locations, especially during daylight, and allow plenty of time, and room for them to form up.

[dazkaz15]

ORIGINAL: Reaper

One problem with move is that my dbe units are in the rear and the support units are heading up my advance .

Yes that happend with me as well.
I think its because they are using motorised movement tables (they have wheels so are moving faster.)
Its a shame because as you can see they are moving ahead of the Regiment Advance guard, that are on foot, but they have line filler as their task description.

[adek670]

Back in the fight.

Ok, with Bn level order - the AAR is back on.

As at 1218hrs = my forces are making steady progress towards all objectives - enemy artillery fire hampering the advance.

arriving stugs will support the 295th push SW.

[dazkaz15]

I think you will be much happier commanding at Bn level, judging by what you wanted from the Regimental commanders in your statements above.

Don't forget that the quality of the commanders affects some of the actions they will perform, and in the case of this one his stats are not great.

[adek670]

1700hrs sit rep.

Good progress along all fronts - reinforcements moving into positions in order to consolidate advance.

Am finding it a bit unrealistic - remnant units - holding up advance - these guys should have folded a long time ago - think this is not working as it should

[adek670]

Start of day 2.

Still have trouble with that unit - there is defo something wrong here.

Have made good advance overnight to seize objectives.

[dazkaz15]

ORIGINAL: Reaper


Because I issue a move command does this mean that they will incur loads more casualties - simulating troops in un-ready stance so to speak.

Ade

I don't think so Ade, because they are still moving tactically.
You will see that the unit in front has Advance guard set as his role. They will not be in a great formation that's true, as road column although faster has a very poor security, and firepower to the front, where most enemy will be if you run into them.
Like all things in war though its a compromise, between speed, and safety.
Some people will detach Coy's and send them ahead of any move to act as scouts.
It depends how much you want to get out of the game.
The more micro management you are prepared to do, the more things will happen on your terms.
If things are not going as you would like them you have to either step in and take control, or do as some of the others do and roll play the mistakes.
Crazy things happen in real life too with some very unwise decisions by commanders, in past history.
Especially at this phase of the war where a lot of the German commanders where young and inexperienced, having lost most of their good commanders to previous battles.

If you set a fromation for the move order the units will move in that formation so long as the terrain and space allow it.

[wodin]

Reaper...Battalion level is prob the best and most used level for giving orders...sometimes i go higher...sometimes I manage a single unit..however I'd say 95% of my orders are given at btn and honestly I wouldn't consider it micromanaging at the level and never becomes a click fest.

You can if you want give orders to the on map boss..and then watch..but where is the fun in that..also it's unlikely to be that successful, now maybe one day you could give a really high level boss sequential orders and more or less plan the whole attack by giving it several Obj's attacks and hold objectives aswell as giving it an order to exit part of it's force, in one order etc..that would be fun..where loads of planning comes into the start of the game issuing the whole plan etc then watching your plan either fall apart or storm across the map like Patton. Sort of like those Football manager games, where all the work goes into planning..then you watch the result.