Matrix Games Forums

Hi all,

Just to let you know that we're beavering away on COTA. We got out a new beta build last night for out intrepid Panther Prowlers to test. The main focus on this build was the inclusion of a range of new scenarios. I'll let Golf33 elaborate on those. Paul has also been stomping on a number of bugs. We're awaiting the new artwork from Matrix ( wakey, wakey Marc Schwanebeck. You're holiday is over mate! )[:)]

Can't wait!!! How about a couple of nice screen shots to tide us over?

Here's the overall briefings from some of the new scenarios.

Foothills of the Gods

14 April 1941, 08:00 hours, Olympian Mountains, Greece.

Commonwealth forces, fearing for their open left flank, have pulled back from the Aliakmon Line and are now holding in the passes around the toughest piece of terrain in Greece: the Olympian Mountains. Significant areas are above the snowline and movement for men and vehicles is tough on the roads and worse off-road. In this forbidding country, only two routes offer high-speed approaches to the more open terrain to the South: the Portas Pass, south of Servia, and the Olympus Pass, on the Katerini-Elevtherokhorion road.

In these positions, 4th and 5th NZ Inf Bdes have dug in on high ground dominating both passes. 16th Au Inf Bde, after an exhausting march through the mountains, has taken up positions between the two. The Kiwi battalions must defend in these locations for four to five days, in order to cover the withdrawal of 16th Au Inf Bde and other Commonwealth and Greek forces to the Thermopylae Line, which will be a more permanent stand.

The German attacks, spearheaded in the North by Panzer Division 9 and in the East by Inf Div 72, must crack the Commonwealth defences in the Portas and Olympus Passes, and break through into the open country beyond. By getting to Elasson and then Larissa before the enemy, the Germans will be able to cut off most of W FORCE and deliver a crippling blow to the Commonwealth.

First Clash at Veve

10 April 1941, 16:00 hours, Kleidi Pass, Greece.

Due to the breakdown of coordination between Greek and Commonwealth forces, the Commonwealth line at Edessa and Veria has become unhinged. To prevent the Germans striking through the Monastir Gap and turning the Allied left flank, a scratch force must hold the pass for at least four days, covering the withdrawal of the remaining two most battle-worthy Greek formations. Made up of elements of 19th Au Inf Bde, 1st UK Arm Bde, and various artillery and New Zealand MG units and commanded by 6th Au Inf Div HQ, Mackay Force must establish a defensive line across the Kleidi Pass at Kleidi and Veve and hold it for long enough for the slow-moving Greek units on the flanks to fall back. They must then withdraw themselves, without getting cut off by the advancing enemy. Although the German spearhead may take time to develop, the crushing weight of two Panzer Divisions, an Infantry Division and of course the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler will be backing it up, so the Allies must time their withdrawal correctly to avoid being overwhelmed.

The Germans, spearheaded by the tough and motivated troops of the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, must crack open the line through the Kleidi Pass and cut off as much of the retreating Allied force as possible. The Germans are also to exploit South in order to cut off other Commonwealth and Greek forces still withdrawing from their exposed positions to the Northeast and Northwest.

Both sides will have to struggle with the terrain as well as the enemy; narrow, rough roads and the forbidding mountains mean that both advance and withdrawal are difficult and often slow undertakings.

Modern Thermopylae

23 April 1941, 12:00 hours, the Thermopylae Line, Greece.

The Thermopylae Line, barring access to the Greek capital and any possible Commonwealth evacuation ports, was intended to be the final defence line at which the Germans could be stopped and held. However, with the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler threatening to cut off the Army of the Epirus, General Tsolakoglou - never one to tough out a difficult situation - with his fellow corps commanders toppled his army commander and then surrendered the army. For W FORCE this killed off any hope of remaining in Greece, since the Thermopylae Line could not be held by less than three divisions and the forces available now amounted to less than two. A German approach through Dephi and Amfissa, to the Southwest of the Thermopylae Line, was now possible and if the Germans struck fast enough they could get fully astride W FORCE's withdrawal route and trap the whole force. Adding to the difficult situation, the German pursuit of I ANZAC Corps has finally passed through Larissa and is in position to attack the Thermopylae Line from the front.

The Allies must manage a tricky balancing act. If they stay in position too long, the German forces at Epirus, spearheaded by the Leibstandarte, may cut their withdrawal route completely. However, if they fail to defend the passes at Thermopilai and Brallos in enough strength, the Germans will be able to flood armour and infantry into the rear of the retreating Allied forces and inflict a savage defeat. The Allies must therefore thin out their line at just the right moment, handing a bloody nose to the Germans while withdrawing their force to fight another day.

The German position is much simpler. They must breach the Allied line and cause as much damage to the retreating troops as possible. In particular they must push forces through the front lines to Levadhion and Longos, where the Allied rear areas and withdrawal routes are located.

very excited about this game, keep us informed.