Red Hammer AAR

[Tazak]

This is my first AAR so be gentle

Battle plan will consist of 2 phases, 1st phase to secure bridgeheads over the river leading into phase 2 drive to secure objectives.
Splitting my forces into 2 main axis of advance with the northern advance being the primary axis driving into the high value areas to the north & north-west consisting of The 4/57th Gds Tank Regt. (should this be named a MR Regt??)

My other axis will be split into centre and south axis with 3/57th and 2/57th Gds Tank Bn's leading with the 1/57th Tank Bn acting as reserve behind the center 2/57th Gds Tank Bn, the 2/57 will have a 1 hour delayed start to draw defenders south. This axis main aim is to draw in the defenders reserves away from the northern push.

[Tazak]

H hour +1
1 hour in and going to plan with a few losses as expected with Southern Axis having drawn defenders south before centre axis forces start their movement.

Northern Axis created 2 additional bridges to avoid traffic jams

[Tazak]

H hour +2
Centre axis ran into a kill zone of 2 plts of M48A2 and lost several T80’s and a few BMP’s (screenie below), otherwise they reached the riverbank after pushing the M48A2’s back. They will force a bridgehead in the next hour.

Southern axis fared better after creating a bridgehead with 2 bridges open for traffic before pushing to take the southernmost objective

My northern axis is going well with the 2nd line of defence reached and 3 bridges created to force a bridgehead before rushing towards the northwest objectives

So far my 1st phase is nearly complete with 89% of forces active for phase 2.
- Soviet Forces:
2B9 Vasilek - 12 starting.
2S1 Gvozdika - 12 starting.
2S3M1 Akatsiya - 6 starting.
2S6 Tunguska - 8 starting.
30mm AGS GL - 9 starting.
BMP-1D - 33 starting, 7 fallen out, 4 destroyed.
BMP-2D [g] - 66 starting.
BMP-Ksh - 33 starting, 2 fallen out.
BRDM-2 [g] - 12 starting, 1 fallen out, 2 destroyed.
BRDM-2 AT-4 Spigot - 9 starting.
BRDM-2 AT-5 Spandrel - 4 starting.
BRM-1K Korshun - 6 starting.
GAZ-66 - 26 starting.
Headquarters - 30 starting, 1 fallen out, 1 destroyed.
Mechanized Rifle - 81 starting, 4 fallen out, 2 destroyed.
SA-11 Gadfly - 8 starting.
SA-14 Gremlin - 9 starting.
T-80B1 - 42 starting, 4 fallen out, 1 destroyed.
T-80BV [m] - 97 starting, 5 fallen out, 7 destroyed.
UAZ Jeep - 4 starting.

[Tazak]

H hour +3

Took a few careless losses in a dash to various objectives but I did get a low strength intel message and decided to bumrush forward, currently stand with 59% of VP so not a total waste I hope.
Northern axis have taken most of their high value locations
Centre axis has also snatched a couple of high value objectives

H hour +4 battle over.
Soviet Forces:
2B9 Vasilek - 12 starting.
2S1 Gvozdika - 12 starting.
2S3M1 Akatsiya - 6 starting.
2S6 Tunguska - 8 starting.
30mm AGS GL - 9 starting.
BMP-1D - 33 starting, 8 fallen out, 4 destroyed.
BMP-2D [g] - 66 starting, 6 fallen out, 6 destroyed.
BMP-Ksh - 33 starting, 2 fallen out.
BRDM-2 [g] - 12 starting, 1 fallen out, 2 destroyed.
BRDM-2 AT-4 Spigot - 9 starting.
BRDM-2 AT-5 Spandrel - 4 starting.
BRM-1K Korshun - 6 starting.
GAZ-66 - 26 starting.
Headquarters - 30 starting, 3 fallen out, 1 destroyed.
Mechanized Rifle - 81 starting, 12 fallen out, 4 destroyed.
SA-11 Gadfly - 8 starting.
SA-14 Gremlin - 9 starting.
T-80B1 - 42 starting, 5 fallen out, 5 destroyed.
T-80BV [m] - 97 starting, 8 fallen out, 8 destroyed.
UAZ Jeep - 4 starting.

3 hours and 843 VP required to fully replenish my forces, although not all were replenished:
1 units have been reactivated, 45 fallen out subunits have returned to duty and 19 replacement subunits have been received at a cost of 3 hours and 235 VPs. (11 out of 540 units not replaced so about 95% combat effective after only 3 hours rest is still pretty good shape for the next battle)

[Mad Russian]

Looks good to me.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Tazak]

2nd Battle of Red Hammer CS2 Goddess of War

Battleplan:
2 phase attack plan with a main axis and a northern axis.
The main axis will consist of a reinforced 57th Gds Tank Rgt, the northern force will be a reduced 4/57th Gds Tank Rgt.
Both forces will advance at speed through phase 1 before taking a resupply pause while recon elements locate enemy forces ready for phase 2 advances.

[Tazak]

H+ 1hour:
Towards the later part of the hour my forces ran into enemy forces with some nasty close range fights springing up however overwhelming numbers won the day costing 14 units fallen out and 7 destroyed for a total of 127 units

H +2 hour
Phase 1 objectives secured with a reasonable loss rate
Clearing up a few remaining sections of enemy infantry while the recon elements push forward to locate enemy troops ready for phase 2, the remaining troops will resupply to bring readiness above 75%

Notice in the centre north of the screenshot the assault with 2 BMP companies with direct support of arty to clear up remaining enemy troops, how does direct arty support show, I’ve not seen any arty strike animation?

[Tazak]

H +3 hours

The 3rd hour started with a German counter attack aimed at Kirchhain which ran into a Gds Tank Bn resupplying, due to recon elements spotting an infantry company with an M48A2 tank plt, the counter attack was quickly destroyed quickly followed by the Gds Tank Bn heading towards its Phase 2 Objectives at Anzefahr which was only defended by a reduced strength infantry company who found themselves quickly overwhelmed by T80’s which resulted in a intel report indicating low enemy strength
The Northern Axis ran into the German Battlegroup HQ and escorting infantry plt and quickly overran and destroyed it, linking up with the main axis forces

At this time a new encounter started with recon elements running into prepared positions of approx. 1 infantry company and M48A2 Tank plt at the southern flank of the main axis losing 4 recon vehicles. The remaining recon units were ordered around the flanks of this position while arty was brought to bear during which time a Gds Tank Bn was formed up some 2km away ready to carry out an assault.

[Tazak]

Hour +4.05 hours
A M48A2 Tank plt was advancing to revenge the loss of the Battlegroup HQ and quickly lost 6 of its 7 tanks ending the battle.

- Soviet Forces:
2B9 Vasilek - 12 starting.
2S1 Gvozdika - 12 starting.
2S3M1 Akatsiya - 6 starting.
2S6 Tunguska - 8 starting.
30mm AGS GL - 9 starting, 1 fallen out, 1 destroyed.
BMP-1D - 33 starting, 10 fallen out, 1 destroyed.
BMP-2D [g] - 63 starting, 9 fallen out, 4 destroyed.
BMP-Ksh - 35 starting, 1 destroyed.
BRDM-2 [g] - 11 starting.
BRDM-2 AT-4 Spigot - 9 starting.
BRDM-2 AT-5 Spandrel - 4 starting, 1 fallen out.
BRM-1K Korshun - 6 starting.
GAZ-66 - 42 starting.
Headquarters - 32 starting, 2 fallen out.
Mechanized Rifle - 78 starting, 12 fallen out, 5 destroyed.
SA-11 Gadfly - 8 starting.
SA-14 Gremlin - 9 starting, 2 fallen out, 1 destroyed.
SNAR-10 Jaguar - 12 starting, 2 fallen out, 3 destroyed.
T-80B1 - 41 starting, 1 fallen out.
T-80BV [m] - 95 starting, 7 destroyed.
UAZ Jeep - 4 starting.

38 fallen and 18 replacement units received after 3 hours rest and 334 VP leaving the battlegroup 13 units short.

[Tazak]

Battle 3 CS3 Valley of Death

Plan is 2 phases for each of the 2 Axis of advance, northern most is my main axis consisting of a reinforced 57th Gds tank Rgt, the southern flank is a reduced 4/57th Gds tank Rgt.

As the southern flank first 2 objects are practically next to them, they will lead with assault orders and prep arty fire in around the VL while the 57th Gds tank Rgt will advance down both sides of the riverbank.

I also have 2 flights of Mig27 ground attack aircraft, which unless I have targets for them, they will be set to attack random VL in the hope of catching ad-hoc targets unless the Germans have an AD network up

[Tazak]

H +1 hour

Not much to show, my recon units traded shots with 20th Panzer Bde recon and SP-AT units, spotted some leopard 2 tanks about coy strength on the riverbank to the north, so my 1 flight of FB has been sent to see what they can find

Southern forces took 1 VL with 0 loses so fairly good start but the appearance of modern units has me a bit worried that I will be facing a lot of loses this battle.

[Tazak]

H +2 hour

Bugger…..no more WG TA units to fight, I’m fighting Leopard2’s, Marder1’s and M113 with PzGr & ATGM troops so I’m excepting a serious butcher’s bill this battle. Slow progress being made now but at least my southern forces have taken their VL and are busy fighting off a counterattack by at least 1 PzGr company in Marders, 1 of my BMP company’s is down to 6 operational BMP and 1 rifle section.

Main force are making slow headway as I’m looking out for the leopard 2 company of tanks seen in the area but brushed aside with ease the M113 Pzgr company counter attack

Other good news is my FB hit 3 SPART….but my other FB flight is nowhere to be seen, no reinforcements left and they’re not showing up in my FS tab nor can I assign any actions by selecting them in the OOB tab….must of been intercepted on their way to the front [:D]

[Tazak]

H +3 hour

Good news first, my FB managed to locate and K/O 5 Leopard 2’s, the Marder counter attack was destroyed but approx 1 infantry plt escaping. But at least my southern force can now progress towards Breitscheid and it’s VL.

My main force however is in the middle of a fight for Donsbach VL where 2 Leopard2’s have been engaged and K/O amongst other mechanized forces, after capturing Donsbach they will be swinging northwest towards Allendorf where 1 Tank Bn is moving to provide fire support from the opposite riverbank

[Tazak]

H +4 hours

Recon units are taking a heavy toll, but not after locating at least 2 Leopard2 units protecting the southern VL so will need to finish the main attack towards Allendorf before I can switch support fire down south.

Main attack has nearly taken the VL and my supporting fire line has started to engage the leopard2’s protecting Allendorf so about time to launch my reserves towards Alendorf. In the last few minutes a unit of 2S6 engaged 2 Alpha jets downing both of them.

Intel report indicating low enemy strength so need to rush a few objctives.

- Soviet Forces:
2B9 Vasilek - 12 starting.
2S1 Gvozdika - 12 starting.
2S3M1 Akatsiya - 6 starting.
2S6 Tunguska - 8 starting.
30mm AGS GL - 9 starting, 2 fallen out.
BMP-1D - 32 starting, 3 fallen out.
BMP-2D [g] - 64 starting, 2 fallen out, 4 destroyed.
BMP-Ksh - 33 starting, 1 destroyed.
BRDM-2 [g] - 24 starting, 7 fallen out, 3 destroyed.
BRDM-2 AT-4 Spigot - 9 starting.
BRDM-2 AT-5 Spandrel - 4 starting.
BRDM-2U - 3 starting, 1 destroyed.
BRM-1K Korshun - 9 starting, 1 fallen out, 1 destroyed.
GAZ-66 - 27 starting.
Headquarters - 33 starting, 2 fallen out.
Mechanized Rifle - 76 starting, 10 fallen out, 4 destroyed.
MiG-27M Flogger - 4 starting.
PRP-4 Nard - 21 starting, 7 fallen out, 3 destroyed.
PT-76B - 3 starting.
SA-11 Gadfly - 8 starting.
SA-14 Gremlin - 10 starting, 1 fallen out, 1 destroyed.
T-72BM [m] - 9 starting, 1 fallen out.
T-80B1 - 41 starting.
T-80BV [m] - 93 starting, 5 fallen out, 2 destroyed.
UAZ Jeep - 4 starting.

[Tazak]

H +5 hours
Half of the northwest objectives secure, time to finish off defenders facing my main axis, and shift support assets to the south.
1 NATO airstrike managed to get through and took out a couple of T80’s but lost 1 of its aircraft for its efforts


H +6 hours
Longest battle so far, but pretty much got this wrapped up, last southern 2 objectives to take, and just found 2 units of leopard2’s which on their destruction should force the Germans to withdrawal

[Tazak]

H +6.16 hours and battle is over with the following tally

FINAL TALLY OF BATTLE LOSSES:
- West German Forces:
Alpha Jet - 4 starting, 1 withdrawn or exited and 3 destroyed.
Headquarters - 21 starting, 7 fallen out and 4 destroyed.
Jaguar 1 - 12 starting and 12 destroyed.
Jeep MG - 8 starting and 8 destroyed.
KanJagdPz VB - 5 starting and 2 destroyed.
Leopard 2A1 - 30 starting and 21 destroyed.
M109A3G - 18 starting.
M113GA1 - 16 starting and 12 destroyed.
M577A2 C2V - 14 starting and 1 fallen out.
MAN N 4510 - 14 starting and 12 destroyed.
Marder 1 A2 [m] - 38 starting and 27 destroyed.
MG3 Medium MG - 3 starting.
PzGren ATGM - 12 starting, 5 fallen out and 4 destroyed.
PzGrenadiers - 24 starting, 12 fallen out and 4 destroyed.
PzMrs M113 A1G - 6 starting and 6 destroyed.
SpPz Luchs A1 - 10 starting and 10 destroyed.
VW 181 Kuebel - 14 starting and 13 destroyed.

- Soviet Forces:
2B9 Vasilek - 12 starting.
2S1 Gvozdika - 12 starting.
2S3M1 Akatsiya - 6 starting.
2S6 Tunguska - 8 starting.
30mm AGS GL - 9 starting and 2 fallen out.
BMP-1D - 32 starting and 4 fallen out.
BMP-2D [g] - 64 starting, 2 fallen out and 5 destroyed.
BMP-Ksh - 33 starting and 1 destroyed.
BRDM-2 [g] - 24 starting, 7 fallen out and 3 destroyed.
BRDM-2 AT-4 Spigot - 9 starting.
BRDM-2 AT-5 Spandrel - 4 starting.
BRDM-2U - 3 starting and 1 destroyed.
BRM-1K Korshun - 9 starting, 1 fallen out and 1 destroyed.
GAZ-66 - 27 starting.
Headquarters - 33 starting and 2 fallen out.
Mechanized Rifle - 76 starting, 14 fallen out and 4 destroyed.
MiG-27M Flogger - 4 starting.
PRP-4 Nard - 21 starting, 7 fallen out and 3 destroyed.
PT-76B - 3 starting.
SA-11 Gadfly - 8 starting.
SA-14 Gremlin - 10 starting, 1 fallen out and 1 destroyed.
T-72BM [m] - 9 starting and 2 fallen out.
T-80B1 - 41 starting.
T-80BV [m] - 93 starting, 11 fallen out and 5 destroyed.
UAZ Jeep - 4 starting.

39 fallen replaced over 3 hours and 18 replacements costing 272 VPs

Not as bad as I feared, although the size of the AI counter attacks were fairly small considering the forces they were facing, AI arty fire seemed a bit on the weak side with very few actual loses caused by enemy arty fire....I doubt it is using neut-fire as often as a player would

[Surtur]

Great read, thanks for sharing!

[Tazak]

glad your enjoying it, although just completed battle 4 and things have heated up

[Tazak]

Battle 4 CS4 Hells Gate:

No room for finesse here [:)] sledgehammer time [:D]..
Phase 1 -secure objectives and river crossing points
Phase 2 -consolidate forces before moving to secure the 3 objectives
Phase 3 - consolidate forces and push to secure objectives
Suspect I'll be facing similar forces as the last battle but the terrain appears to be mainly FIBUA and is in their favour but will use BM21 to suppress enemy/suspected locations to reduce incoming fire, keeping the 2S1 SPARTY on CB missions, while using 2S3 for targets of opportunity and mine laying on the flanks should I get counterattacked.

[Tazak]

Going to make a slight change to the reporting for this as the action is occurring near continuously and well I’ve been enjoying things too much to remember to take sceenshots
Phase 1 complete @ H+3 hours

- Soviet Forces:
2B9 Vasilek - 12 starting.
2S1 Gvozdika - 12 starting.
2S3M1 Akatsiya - 12 starting.
2S6 Tunguska - 8 starting, 1 fallen out, 1 destroyed.
30mm AGS GL - 9 starting, 1 fallen out, 1 destroyed.
BM-21 Grad - 18 starting.
BMP-1D - 33 starting.
BMP-2D [g] - 64 starting, 16 fallen out, 8 destroyed.
BMP-Ksh - 34 starting.
BRDM-2 [g] - 12 starting, 5 fallen out, 4 destroyed.
BRDM-2 AT-4 Spigot - 9 starting, 8 fallen out.
BRDM-2 AT-5 Spandrel - 4 starting.
BRM-1K Korshun - 9 starting, 1 fallen out.
GAZ-66 - 26 starting.
Headquarters - 31 starting, 1 fallen out, 2 destroyed.
Mechanized Rifle - 75 starting, 13 fallen out, 3 destroyed.
SA-11 Gadfly - 8 starting.
SA-14 Gremlin - 9 starting, 2 fallen out.
T-80B1 - 41 starting, 7 fallen out, 11 destroyed.
T-80BV [m] - 94 starting, 5 fallen out, 3 destroyed.
UAZ Jeep - 7 starting.

Ouch, what a first phase, 4/57th Gds Tank Rgt taking the brunt of the losses with my overall force down to 82% of starting levels, but I hold 39% of the objectives so just shy of a tactical success.
First sign of my mistakes was the screen of BO-105’s that greeted my troops, sadly I hadn’t paid too much attention to AD deployment so got caught off guard which resulted in the majority of my losses until I managed to get AD assets into the battle.
So far I’ve encountered mainly recce and PzGr troops with AD support (good job I have no air assets!!), with the Germans having better nightvision my troops were taking losses before they were able to return fire.