Retake Mount Hermon - 10/8/73 - DAR (solo vs. A/I)

[berto]

Retake Mount Hermon - 10/8/73 - DAR (solo vs. A/I)

Much as I enjoyed my recent PBEMs with fellow Dev Team member Crossroads (DARs of the battles recorded here and here), I still must say I prefer solo vs. A/I play. I don't like the stop-and-go, herky-jerky nature of PBEM play. I find it more satisfying, certainly more immersive, to play a game more or less continuously, through a long weekend, like what I have now. Yes, PBEM has its advantages, chief among them a more capable opponent. But solo play has its appeal too. Anyway, it's what I tend to like.

For this DAR, I have decided to play the scenario Retake Mount Hermon, Mount_Hermon_1973_1.scn. From the Scenario List section of the Game Manual (p. 133):



Although this scenario is listed as H2H, in my experience the Middle East A/I puts up a pretty good fight, especially as the defender. For this scenario, I will play the attacking Israeli Side A, with the A/I playing the defending Syrian Side B.

For more background, read the Second Battle of Mount Hermon. So as to preserve the element of surprise, I myself have not read the linked-to Wikipedia article, nor have I otherwise read up on the battle, much less played it before. I am going into this one blind!

From the in-game Scenario Information, it says the scenario is 20 day turns long (1-20[d]), Visibility is generally 8 (1-20[8]; note also that I am playing with the Variable Visibility optional rule toggled ON), the Weather is Light Fog. Scenario author is Huib Versloot.

Here is the opening situation (with Options > Hex Outlines toggled ON, also Display > Hex Contours toggled ON):



Note the three Objectives hexes, each worth 250 VPs. The Victory conditions for this scenario are:

[*]Major Defeat - 0
[*]Minor Defeat - 250
[*]Minor Victory - 600
[*]Major Victory - 750

Assuming more or less equal casualties (in terms of VPs), both sides, to avoid Minor Defeat I will need to take at least one of the Objectives hexes. To achieve Minor Victory, I will need to take another. To achieve Major Victory, I will likely need to take all three, else beat up on the Syrians majorly.

Obviously, this is heavily mountainous terrain. Here is the same scene, showing elevations (Display > Map Elevations (hot key '.') toggled ON, Options > Hex Outlines toggled OFF):



My (Israeli) forces, shown here in 3D, clustered around the Druze town of Majdal al-Shams:



I have two battalions of armored infantry and parachute infantry, transported by halftracks (APCs); some heavy machine guns (HMG); some battalion and brigade HQ and command elements; a single 155 mm howitzer (fixed behind Majdal al-Shams); and just two Sherman tanks. My force is highly mobile, but vulnerable, as APCs are easy prey to hard attacks.

The Israelis get no reinforcements in this scenario.

As you can see, I have opted to play with all Optional Rules toggled ON.

[berto]

TURN #1


The situation after my Turn 1, Side A Israeli opening moves:



In the center and to the right, my main force, the 17th Infantry Battalion (317th Reserve Parachute Brigade), marked by the organizational highlight color turquoise, I am directing straight forward, in a two-pronged attack, moving up the roads north from Majdal al-Shams, and advancing up the lower foothills at the southwest base of Mount Hermon.

The 51st Infantry Battalion (317th Reserve Parachute Brigade), marked by the organizational highlight color green, is ordered to swerve around to the left. I will have the 51st either join the fight for the bus park, attacking from the west; or preferably, continue up the road northward, moving around the Syrian right, to ultimately attack the Israel-Hermon IDF radar outpost from the heavily orchared terrain from the northwest.

(No, in game, it is not possible to show simultaneously two different highlight colors -- green & turquoise, as I have done so here. This is a composite picture specially prepared in my graphics editing software.)

This is not the most imaginative plan of attack. But let's see how it goes.

[berto]

TURN #2


In the Turn 1 Side B Syrian phase, a couple of Syrian infantry platoons revealed themselves southwest and south of the bus park. Sounds of vehicle movement. I have little idea what I'm up against. I must proceed with caution!

The situation after the Turn 2, Side A Israeli phase:



In the center and to the right, the 17th Infantry battalion has advanced on halftracks as far forward as it dared, then unloaded, hereafter to proceed on foot. If I can help it, I want to avoid giving the Syrians the opportunity to fire on loaded halftracks, possibly destroying both vehicles and passengers -- a good way to deplete one's force and lose VPs.

In the center, with the lead units selected, I have toggled on (hot key V) the Visible highlight (turquoise hex outlines). I need to watch carefully my Visibility and LOS every hex along the way.

To the left, the 51st Infantry Battalion, with the lone M50 Sherman leading the way, continues moving up the west road. All infantry etc. remains loaded. Hopefully there are no Syrian units to the east or west of the road lying in wait to ambush me.

At Majdal al-Shams, alongside the brigade HQ, I am keeping a third company of Israeli parachute infantry in reserve.

Note that although the default Visibility for this scenario is 8, due to the Variable Visibility effects, the current Visibility is 7.

[berto]

Going into Turn 3, what I feared:



The point tank, leading the way forward on the left with the 51st Infantry Battalion following, moved up the road to the hot spot hex (green box). As feared, a hidden unit in a hidden Improved Position (IP, magenta circle) opportunity fired at the Sherman, forcing it to retreat. It's only one tank. I was quite lucky not to lose it!

Fortunately, I have platoons from the 17th Infantry battalion climbing up the slopes to the east. They will help to take out the IPs (including the second revealed one, to the northeast of the other).

At map's bottom, the other Sherman tank (I only have two!): With its mission accomplished in the center -- lead the way up the slopes there -- I have decided that it's best not to risk in the attack. Better it do reconnaissance, better to send it down south and around to the west, to join the mobile column, in its hoped-for flanking maneuver around the Syrian right. If nothing else, it will serve as backup to the 51st's lead Sherman, in case that tank gets zapped. Which thankfully did not happen here.

[berto]

TURN #3

In Turn 3 Side A phase, in the center, the Israeli's managed to score a hit and a couple of disruptions against the defending Syrians there.

The situation after the Turn 3, Side A Israeli phase:



On the left, I am confronted by three IPs (magenta circles). That throws my original plan (a stealth flanking move around the Syrian right) out the window. Time to unload that column and deploy for battle.

In the center, Aleph Company (17th Battalion) is deployed to support attacks either to the left or the right.

To the right, Beth Company is offloading and preparing battle formation.

It's kind of hard to see (Crossroads has a "frosted" target marker remedy depicted here), but I have ordered the Israeli 155mm howitzer to indirect fire against the lead IP on the left.

[berto]

Turn 3, Side B Syrian phase, repeated direct fire from the Syrian IP (magenta circle) directed at the hot spot hex (green box):



Dang! The lead Israeli Sherman eliminated! [:(]

The A/I was smart enough to go after the Sherman tank, ignoring at first the Israeli infantry.

One tank down, one left to go!

[berto]

TURN #4

In Turn 3, Side B Syrian phase, a Syrian (light?) machine gun (LMG) unit emerged from the orchards to the left to -- what? scout? attack? flee in fear? -- move southward through the orchards and rough terrain. Israeli opportunity fire drove them back. I have since lost sight of the Syrian LMG.

The situation after the Turn 4, Side A Israeli phase (with Display > Map Elevations (hot key '.') toggled ON):



Maneuvering into attack positions. Moving up and around that mountainous terrain is slow going!

In the center, Aleph Company/17th Battalion (the green highlighted units), I have committed to support the attack on the three Syrian IPs. Unfortunately, the headquarters platoon (green circle) is off to the right -- too far away to perform its HQ support functions properly.

More howitzer IF directed at the forward IP (magenta circle). I need to crack that nut!

I am starting to think: Is it maybe time to commit my reserves? (Waiting patiently at Majdal al-Shams.)

[berto]

I am also starting to think: Is the way to win this scenario maybe to forget about the flanks, instead just brute force it up the center?

Reserves, prepare to move out on my command!

[berto]

At the start of Turn 5:



Turn-opening Israeli 155mm howitzer Indirect Fire forced the Syrian commandos (green box) to retreat out of the IP hex (magenta circle). Looks like they suffered losses, too, and might now be disrupted.

Well, well. The nut has been cracked! Time to get things in gear!

[berto]

TURN #5

But no! The nut was not cracked! There are still Syrians hidden inside that Improved Position (magenta circle)! Who fired at the advancing Israelis, scoring hits, and forcing retreat.

The situation after the Turn 5, Side A Israeli phase:



On the left, the 51st Battalion has suffered grievous losses, is in shambles. At the first sign of trouble, rather than attempt to assault those IPs, it would have been better to leave the APC transports behind, and move around and away from the IPs on foot. (Or rather than leaving the halftracks behind, perhaps have them, unloaded, run the gauntlet up the road past the IPs. Although the opportunity fire would probably be devastating.)

On the left, a wasted effort.

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize! It's a mistake I too often make when playing these games. The prizes here are the Objectives hexes. I can see now I should have moved, full force, right up the center, heading straight for the bus park (and if lucky, beyond). Now I fear I have wasted valuable time, not to mention needlessly sacrificed Israeli soldiers -- more wastage.

I have committed my reserves, Gimel (C) Company/17th Battalion (green highlighted units), to attacking the center. Better late than never?

On the right, the axis of advance -- flanking from the right -- is all wrong. For one thing, again time wasted attempting to climb, slowly, up the slopes of Mount Hermon. Faster just to storm up the road. For another, as the Israelis attack, and as (if?) the Syrians retreat, they retreat towards the bus park, rather than away, which is what I want.

This scenario may already be lost. [:(]

[Crossroads]

Go get'em Berto!

[berto]

ORIGINAL: Crossroads

Go get'em Berto!

Hahaha! They got me! [:D] [:(]

Turn 6, disaster in the center: An overconfident Israeli company commander (highlighted in turquoise the reacHable range, with Save AP's for Unloading toggled ON), a previously hidden Syrian RCLR, a single shot, one fully loaded Israeli M3 Mk. A halftrack destroyed!



This is not going well.

(Beginning to look familiar, Crossroads? [:D])

This could be one very short DAR!

[berto]

TURN #6

At the beginning of Turn 6, an airstrike on the IP (magenta circle, screenshot below) destroyed one unknown Syrian defender. Fire from the Israeli HMG (green circle) drove out the remaining Syrian commando unit. 3rd Platoon/Beth Company, 51st Mechanized Infantry Battalion was able to dash into the IP unopposed.

Cracked the nut! Finally! But another IP lies ahead.

The situation after the Turn 6, Side A Israeli phase:



Bringing my forces to bear on the center. Howitzer fire plotted as shown. Are we at or near a turning point?

[berto]

TURN #7

The situation after the Turn 7, Side A Israeli phase:



I will take that bus park, or die trying!

[berto]

TURN #8

A lucky airstrike reduced and forced out the defending Syrians at that second IP (magenta circle). At last, I am poised for a breakout on the left.

In the center, and on the right, massing my forces for the attack.

Also in the center, the halftracks of Beth Company/17th Battalion, I have swung around Majdal al-Shams and moved them up the center road. A too-steep elevation change (from 1 to 3, blue circle) was blocking their climb up the eastern road. Rather than leave the APCs there, useless, better to move them to the center, where their additional firepower might come in handy.

The situation after the Turn 8, Side A Israeli phase:



This is starting to show promise!

[berto]

TURN #9

Destroying Syrian units, clearing the way forward.

The situation after the Turn 9, Side A Israeli phase:



Within striking distance of the bus park!

[berto]

TURN #10

Enemy at the gates.

The situation after the Turn 10, Side A Israeli phase:



Moving in for the kill!

[berto]

TURN #11

As assault against the bus park was fruitless. But with enough APs remaining, I was able to fire at the Syrian commandos defending the facility, forcing them out.

To the south, in a moment of exuberant carelessness, I tried scooting an APC up the path in a quick dash to occupy the bus park. What was I thinking? (Or rather not thinking.) The Syrian commandos atop the ridge shot at and destroyed the passing halftracks. I hate when that happens. [:@]



Close, but no cigar. Not yet.

[berto]

The battle for the bus park, in 3D:

[berto]

In case anybody was wondering ...

How is it that I am foolish enough to park all of those thin-skinned halftracks (APCs) in the near vicinity of that stack of Syrian commandos (magenta circle)?



It's because

[*]The intervening elevations block LOS from the Syrians to the Israelis. With the forward-most APC stack selected (green hot spot), and with the (turquoise) Visible highlight toggled ON, you can maybe see where the halftracks are "invisible" to the commandos.

[*]Playing vs. the A/I, I can get away with it. [:'(] The A/I seems content to park its units in my rear, not to maneuver around aggressively, instead just to snipe at passing Israelis when the opportunity arises. Parking my APCs so close nearby -- it's not something I would risk against a human opponent! OTOH, if my opponent -- A/I or human -- were to move the Syrian commandos one hex to the west, they would be met with a hail of opportunity fire from those APCs. The APCs would still probably come out worse in the bargain, though.

(In the screenshot, note, by the way, the work-in-progress terrain modifications -- desaturation, lightening -- that we are considering for future game updates. Compare and contrast with earlier screenshots above.)