I have played 'Tanks at Platamon' quite a lot as Allies. I also played it as Germans but that is not much of a challenge. 'Blunting the Spear' is at the same location so I am already familliar with the terain. And it is adviced to play it as the Germans first, which I wanted.
I kept a lot of saved games because I thought it would be fun to make it into an AAR. So here it comes.
Platamon: Blunting the spear
Moderator: Arjuna
Intro
I kept reinforcements and supplies standard as I aways do. I play with realistic orders delay. The advanced tutorial in HttR adviced to set it to this level, and the COTA advanced tutorial does the same, so I never bothered to set it to something more painfull.
Objectives
The most points are awarded for destroying the enemy. I get 58 points for destroying 50% of the enemy's forces. Usually destroying the enemy is hard, and your own forces get battered too, for which the enemy gets a lot of points. So I dismiss the idea of hunting the enemy for points. Any points for killing the enemy are a bonus.
Instead I will go for the objectives.
The three most valuable Poroi, Platamon and Derbina are each 17 points, but these are only rewarded at the scenario end, and lie the furthest into enemy territory. The railway tunnel, Castle hill road and Panteleemon are each 13 points. Two thirds of these points are rewarded for occupation, one third for completion. Together these six objectives give 90 points with some points for killing the enemy makes the maximum 100 point. I decide to go for these objectives.
Skotina, Rinakia and Skala Skotinas are only available from the fourth day and are only worth 8 points each. They are in my rear area which I have to protect anyway. I will see what I do with them when time comes.
Allthough the railway tunnel and the castle road are not the most valuable objectives they are the most important. If I can't occupy them, or the enemy destroys them, then I can't get my tanks and supplies to the southern part of the map. Therefore first and most important objective: capture the Castle ridge road (or railway tunnel).
Reinforcements
At start only Krad batalion 2 (1) is on the map. No tanks yet. They will have to open the road on there own. Artillery support (2) will arrive around 7:00 next morning. Regiment HQ (3) arrives at 11:00 scharp, always punktlich these guys, together with the supply base. The tanks arrive around 12:00 next day, they wil join the Krad batalion and start some real battles. At the end of the second day I Schutzen Batalion (5) and an engineer company (6) arrives, they will be tasked with securing the terrain that (1) and (4) have gained.
At day four II Schutzen Batallion arrives, they will capture the objectives not yet in my possession.
Heavy Infantry
I thought the heavy infantry Krad 5th coy was a line unit. Not untill I saw that you can't give it an assault order did I realise that it was a support unit. Then I checked the equipment tab and found it has 2 guns. It also has a good range, see the green range circle.
Playing with the LOS area tool (what a perfect improvement) I found a nice spot that over looks the whole coast area. If I get 5th coy up there I dominate the whole area.
First day plan
First day plan:
The railway tunnel and Castle ridge road will be heavily defended. I am reluctant to attack it head on. I want to wait for the tanks to arrive, but that takes 20 hours. In four hours the enemy can prime the Castle ridge road which is a light road bridge, and in 20 hours prime the railway tunnel (which is a heavy road bridge). Therefore I have to keep the enemy occupied so he hasn't the time to prime the passages. I want to cross the ridge in the middle to get to the other side and attack from two sides.
Here is the plan:
I detach two companies from the battalion.
[red] 1st Krad coy moves up the road halfway to Panteleemon and prepares to attack.
[blue] 2nd Krad coy positions itself so it can exploit the breach that 1st coy will make, in the mean time it sets up a roadblock in case there comes an attack from Panteleemon.
[yellow] The battalion will move to the area between the bridges and prepare to attack. It has only one line unit left, but that unit has lots of support.
[red] 1st Krad coy assaults accross the ridge where the rough terrain is smallest.
[yellow] The battalion will start a probe attack to act as a diversion.
[red] once 1st Krad coy has crossed the ridge it sets up a defensive position.
[blue] 2nd Krad coy moves over the ridge and prepares to attack
[yellow] The diversion continues.
[blue] 2nd Krad coy attacks towards Platamon to block the line of retreat of the defenders at the Castle ridge.
[green] 5th Krad heavy infantry coy detaches itself from the probe attack. Moves paralel along the ridge and uses the path cleared by 1st Krad coy to cross the ridge. It moves on to the observation point.
[yellow] Detaching 5th coy will result in a replan of the attack but that is not a problem because it is only a diversion.
[blue] 2nd Krad coy sets up a defensive position in Platamon.
[green] 5th Krad starts digging very deep trenches, they will need it because they are very exposed.
[red] When 2nd and 5th Krad coy are depoyed 1st Krad coy attacks down the ridge into the tunnel head.
I have no idea how long this all will take. Fighting will probably continue well into the night. Lets see how this plan survives contact with the enemy.
The railway tunnel and Castle ridge road will be heavily defended. I am reluctant to attack it head on. I want to wait for the tanks to arrive, but that takes 20 hours. In four hours the enemy can prime the Castle ridge road which is a light road bridge, and in 20 hours prime the railway tunnel (which is a heavy road bridge). Therefore I have to keep the enemy occupied so he hasn't the time to prime the passages. I want to cross the ridge in the middle to get to the other side and attack from two sides.
Here is the plan:
I detach two companies from the battalion.
[red] 1st Krad coy moves up the road halfway to Panteleemon and prepares to attack.
[blue] 2nd Krad coy positions itself so it can exploit the breach that 1st coy will make, in the mean time it sets up a roadblock in case there comes an attack from Panteleemon.
[yellow] The battalion will move to the area between the bridges and prepare to attack. It has only one line unit left, but that unit has lots of support.
[red] 1st Krad coy assaults accross the ridge where the rough terrain is smallest.
[yellow] The battalion will start a probe attack to act as a diversion.
[red] once 1st Krad coy has crossed the ridge it sets up a defensive position.
[blue] 2nd Krad coy moves over the ridge and prepares to attack
[yellow] The diversion continues.
[blue] 2nd Krad coy attacks towards Platamon to block the line of retreat of the defenders at the Castle ridge.
[green] 5th Krad heavy infantry coy detaches itself from the probe attack. Moves paralel along the ridge and uses the path cleared by 1st Krad coy to cross the ridge. It moves on to the observation point.
[yellow] Detaching 5th coy will result in a replan of the attack but that is not a problem because it is only a diversion.
[blue] 2nd Krad coy sets up a defensive position in Platamon.
[green] 5th Krad starts digging very deep trenches, they will need it because they are very exposed.
[red] When 2nd and 5th Krad coy are depoyed 1st Krad coy attacks down the ridge into the tunnel head.
I have no idea how long this all will take. Fighting will probably continue well into the night. Lets see how this plan survives contact with the enemy.
Day 1, 15:00 - day 2, 8:35
Day 1, 19:42
Things are going according to plan. The Battalion's probe is a greater success than I anticipated. I order 1st Krad coy to attack earlier than planned. The yellow circle indicates a unit I see leaving from Panteleemon.
Day 2 0:11
I have secured the ridge crossings. 1st Krad coy has joined up with the battalion, and reattached itself. I have ordered the battalion to secure the area. Both 2nd and 5th coy are in position. It is too dark for the 5th coy to see anything so they have time to dig in.
Day 2, 5:36
It is getting light. 5th coy starts shooting and quickly roots the last defenders. The enemy 21 battalion HQ is rooting towards Panteleemon. I have seen a unit leaving Panteleemon so I suspect it is empty. When 3rd coy is recovered from its retreat I will sent it there.
Day 2 7:36
The artillery has arrived. I thought about attacking towards Panteleemon with 3rd coy but that would take more time, so I ordered a move but I didn't tell them to rush it. The enemy HQ is not much of a problem, it keeps routing. The enemy company comming down the ridge track is a problem. It is too late to order an attack I desparately try to get to Panteleemon before the enemy gets there. I order a rapid artillery barrage to stop them . The enemy retreats temporarily.
Day 2 8:35
I get first to Panteleemon. I am very happy with the frontline. There is a solid bridgehead. My flank is secured. The battalion HQ and its units are not engaged and can act as a reserve.
It is time to make new plans. Wait till I have a new installment ready.
Second day plan
Second day plan:
[blue] Sudenly I get worried. Why is this enemy HQ unit not rooting towards its own rear area. Instead it is going toward my flank. What does he know what I don't? And then I notice the road comming from the west. If the enemy comes down that road I have nothing to counter it. I immediately rush the Krad AT gun unit to setup a roadblock at the crossroads.
[green] Regiment HQ will be stationed at the Castle which will free Krad HQ for other duties. The supply base stays in the rear. Regiment HQ will be reinforced by the engineers when they arrive early evening.
[red] The Krad companies holding the front stay put. When Krad HQ and it subordinates are releaved at the castle, they move up to the position held by 5th Krad coy. 1st Krad coy continues with a probe attack towards the light woods in front of Poroi to secure the jump off point for the armoured attack.
[yellow] 1st Pz battalion will move up to the jump off point secured by 1st Krad coy. Depending on the circumstances it will attack Poroi or Derbina, or it will split and attack both.
When I Schutzen battalion arrives early evening, it will reinforce my line which by then will be thinly held.
[blue] Sudenly I get worried. Why is this enemy HQ unit not rooting towards its own rear area. Instead it is going toward my flank. What does he know what I don't? And then I notice the road comming from the west. If the enemy comes down that road I have nothing to counter it. I immediately rush the Krad AT gun unit to setup a roadblock at the crossroads.
[green] Regiment HQ will be stationed at the Castle which will free Krad HQ for other duties. The supply base stays in the rear. Regiment HQ will be reinforced by the engineers when they arrive early evening.
[red] The Krad companies holding the front stay put. When Krad HQ and it subordinates are releaved at the castle, they move up to the position held by 5th Krad coy. 1st Krad coy continues with a probe attack towards the light woods in front of Poroi to secure the jump off point for the armoured attack.
[yellow] 1st Pz battalion will move up to the jump off point secured by 1st Krad coy. Depending on the circumstances it will attack Poroi or Derbina, or it will split and attack both.
When I Schutzen battalion arrives early evening, it will reinforce my line which by then will be thinly held.
Day 2, 11:08 - 22:49
Day 2, 11:08
The roadblock is in place on the road leading to the west.
I have started the probe by 1st Krad coy early to have it finished when the armour arrives. Progress is good, they detect no enemy.
Regiment HQ is on its way to the Castle. The supply base is deployed where it arrived on the map.
Day 2, 12:01
The armour has arrived.
I am fed up with the enemy harashing 3rd Krad coy at Panteleemon. I order 2nd Lt Pz coy to sweep the area.
There is no fire coming from Poroi. I order 1st Krad coy to continue its probe into Poroi.
Intelligence reports enemy activety in Derbina. I order the remainder of 1st Pz battalion to attack Derbina.
Day 2, 15:48
The attack on Derbina has gone well.
The probe on Poroi has succeeded as well, but has revealed some enemy units.
The sweep by 2nd Pz coy has pushed the enemy far into the rough terrain. Immediately when 1st Krad coy met opposition in Poroi I have ordered 2nd Pz coy to attack on Poroi . Probably the progress by 1st Krad coy makes this attack futile.
There is a problem with supply. I have supply lines enabled and selected the regiment supply base. I should see green supply lines radiating from it, but I see nothing. Checking individual units reveal that they have no supply base.
And last: in the south east I notice a British unit.
Day 2, 18:13
TANKS!!!
The British unit turned out to be tanks. If it breaks through at Platamon and continues to the Castle ridge it can destroy Regiment HQ and block my supply line. I redirect the support for Poroi to counter this new threat.
Day 2, 19:38
I Schutzen battalion has arrived. I use one company to reinforce my right flank at Skotina. The remainer together with the engineers continue towards Castle ridge. The Castle is not threatened anymore.
I noticed the footprint of the supply base was not completely on the map. I shifted the base a little, and this opened the supply lines. I have missed the 18:00 supply run though.
Day 2, 19:59
I have destroyed all the tanks at Platamon.
All objectives are achived and it is only the second day of a seven day campagn.
I see some new British forces ariving in the south east.
Day 2, 22:49
I use the evening to reorganize my forces and setup defensive positions. The enginers and the AT guns of I Schutzen battalion defend the Castle ridge.
I want my comanders to organise their own positions so I reattach all units in the vicinity. I positioned I Schutzen battalion first at Platamon. When it was positioned I withdrew 2nd Krad coy which was defending Platamon the whole day to report at its own HQ at Poroi. I expected I Schutzen battalion HQ to readjust its defensive position, but that didn't happen, and near the coast a big hole remained in the line.
I ordered Krad battalion to defend the area around Poroi. It has a tank company in support at Poroi itself.
1st Pz battalion defends Derbina.
The 2nd Schutzen coy mechanized infantry is kept in reserve at a strategic location where it also blocks the track to Panteleemon.
My forces want to get a good night of sleep to be fresh in the morning.
Wait till I have a new installment ready.
Day 3, 5:02 - 21:47
Day 3, 5:02
During the night I have sent in the mechanized infantry reserve to plug the hole in the line at Platamon. By daybreak an enemy infantry battalion attacks towards Platamon. I stop the artillery support to let them enter the kill zone between I Schutzen battalion at Platamon and 1st Pz battalion at Derbia.
Day 3, 7:43
It turns out it is an armoured battalion that is attacking. I quickly switch on the artillery again. I was not happy how the I Schutzen commander had setup his defenses, now the mortars and infantry guns are already retreating. I Schutzen needs help. I reposition The infantry guns at Poroi to cover Platamon.
Derbia is also under attack of an armoured battalion, they can't help the battalion at Plataton. Instead I order 2nd Pz Coy from Poroi to attack Aigane. Yesterday there was only a mortar section wandering around Aigane, so I expect the reported infantry coy is not really there. Once 2nd Pz Coy is in Aigane it can hit the flank of the enemy attack on Derbina. This should relieve the 1st Pz battalion and enable it to launch an attack on the flank of the enemy attack on Platamon.
Day 3 11:32
The attack into the enemy flank of the attack on Derbina works. I also manage to launch an armoured attack into the flank of the attack on Platamon. Both infantry gun units are positioned to cover the coast line.
But I see another enemy battalion arriving. I suspect it will attack Poroi, therefore I break off the attack by 2nd Pz coy and have it withdraw to Poroi.
Day 3, 15:35
I have reinforced Platamon with 3rd Pz Coy, it has taken a beating to get there.
Derbia is holding fine.
Poroi is under attack of some infantry units, 2nd Pz coy has returned to support the defence.
Panteleemon is also under attack, but this attack is probably by weak and tired units. 3rd Krad has to fend for itselve I have nothing to spare.
Day 3, 21:47
It is not looking good at Platamon. I Schutzen HQ is retreating, the armour support is retreating as well. 2nd and 3rd coy are still holding the tide but nobody knows how long. Poroi is bypassed.
Mean while at Regiment HQ panic breaks out. It will take another 24 hours before reinforcements will arrive. The commander doesn't know what to do and he stops giving orders. Hours pass while the units in the field are desperate for orders.
To be continued.
RE: Day 3, 5:02 - 21:47
I lost this scenario big time as the Axis. Your doing better than I did. All was going great for awhile then went rapidly downhill.
Interlude
What happens next, happens quite often when I play a game. The battle gets messy, I don't know how to react and I get impatient. I start running the game at full speed. I don't react on the enemy anymore. Orders aren't as realistic and archivable as it used to be. So the remainder of this AAR isn't as detailed as the previous parts. Nevertheless I won't withhold from you how it ended.
Day 4, 4:12 - day 6, 18:55
Day 4, 4:12
At Platamon the enemy breaks through the line. The troops blocking the passage over Castle ridge are fresh and the broken through enemy must be exhausted. I hope they will hold. I weaken my west flank and order the infantry company there to block the track leading to Panteleemon.
I order a suicide attack by my tanks from Derbina into Platamon. The tank support from Poroi goes raiding the ememies rear (attack goes off screen).
Day 4, 9:36
Depleted enemy units bypass the blocking forces at Castle ridge and pour into my rear. I try to establish a second line of defence but the company to do that has to attack quite a distance to get there. Forunately it looks like the enemy is going for Panteleemon and not my supply base and artillery.
I contemplate a retreat, but doing that will get my troops exposed. Instead I decide to stay put. I call off the armour attack on Platamon and order to defend Derbina.
2nd Pz coy is shooting up the enemy base.
Day 4, 18:55
I have established the second line of defence. My supply base has repositioned itself so it must have recieved some fire. In Platamon the mechanized infantry is holding out valiantly.
2nd Pz coy is shooting up two artilley units.
Supply lines are a mess. Still, I am holding a lot of valuable objectives, and those I don't control are contested. Reinforcements will arrive shortly.
Day 4, 22:48
As soon as II Schutzen battalion arrives I order it to attack Panteleemon which has fallen into enemy hands. The attack takes place at night, not ideal, but so be it.
Day 6, 18:55
We take a big leap in time now. Panteleemon has been retaken. It has been a tough fight for II Schutzen battalion but is was a massacre for the enemy. My decision to stay put has paid off. The enemy must have had severe supply problems, I see units retreat over the ridge and my rear area is clear again.
Finish
Day 7, 22:00
Battle has ended. I earn a decisive victory. Are we supprised? No of course not. In my first post I told I had saved the game, so knew the outcome, and people usually don't write AAR's about lost battles.
Here is the final situation:
Recap
This was the first time I played this scenario, and I played it, as you should always do, without reloading saved games. I think I won this scenario in the first day. The plan for breaching the ridge worked exactly as planned and gave me such a good position that getting the objectives on the second day was a breeze.
I tried to avoid attacking prepared positions. Where I did, at the Castle ridge road, the defence was already stirred up by the attacks higher up the ridge which made the going much easier. I only made a few deliberate attacks, the ridge (obviously), Platamon (as part of the ridge), and Derbina (with overwhelming force on an battered enemy).
I tried to avoid advancing in the direction of retreating enemy (the area between Platamon and Derbina) to keep momentum. As a result I took Poroi without a real fight before the enemy could occupy it.
Why the AI left Pantaleemon is beyond me, it could have delayed me there quite successfully if it had stayed put. Once the AI saw me going for Pantaleemon it also tried to occupy it. The shells I spend to stop that were well spend (if the battery arrived fully supplied (I don't know) that would amount to 75%). The first days I didn't have to care about Panteleemon whilst it sucked up effort by the enemy.
I over reacted when the first tanks arrived. But neutralizing them quickly gave me a quiet night which I could use to reorganize my forces and set up defensive positions. When morning arrived on the third day my forces were well rested and had suffered hardly any casualties. I think that any objectives you haven't achieved by then won't be achieved at all.
All in all I had fun playing this scenario. Resolution for next time: stay focused untill the end.
Anyone comments? About the AAR, how I handled things, or how it went for you?
I tried to avoid attacking prepared positions. Where I did, at the Castle ridge road, the defence was already stirred up by the attacks higher up the ridge which made the going much easier. I only made a few deliberate attacks, the ridge (obviously), Platamon (as part of the ridge), and Derbina (with overwhelming force on an battered enemy).
I tried to avoid advancing in the direction of retreating enemy (the area between Platamon and Derbina) to keep momentum. As a result I took Poroi without a real fight before the enemy could occupy it.
Why the AI left Pantaleemon is beyond me, it could have delayed me there quite successfully if it had stayed put. Once the AI saw me going for Pantaleemon it also tried to occupy it. The shells I spend to stop that were well spend (if the battery arrived fully supplied (I don't know) that would amount to 75%). The first days I didn't have to care about Panteleemon whilst it sucked up effort by the enemy.
I over reacted when the first tanks arrived. But neutralizing them quickly gave me a quiet night which I could use to reorganize my forces and set up defensive positions. When morning arrived on the third day my forces were well rested and had suffered hardly any casualties. I think that any objectives you haven't achieved by then won't be achieved at all.
All in all I had fun playing this scenario. Resolution for next time: stay focused untill the end.
Anyone comments? About the AAR, how I handled things, or how it went for you?
RE: Day 3, 5:02 - 21:47
ORIGINAL: Arjuna
Good stuff, Vance. [8D]
Thanks.
I have to say the same to you. But your effort is an order of magnitude bigger.
RE: Day 3, 5:02 - 21:47
ORIGINAL: wodin
All was going great for awhile then went rapidly downhill.
Let me guess, that would be at the start of the third day.