Chinese Farm 1: "A Most Terrible Night" Narrative AAR

[bootlegger267]

My one MAJOR mistake in playing this out, and trying to stay "historical", was sending Brom's PT76's and the M113's across the canal early in the game and grabbing the VP hexes around Devesior. By doing so "tweaked the nose" of the AI. By not looking at the organizational chart prior to starting, and not seeing the "Alligators", Rafts, and all the engineering assets within the scenario, I basically screwed myself in regards to a "historical" crossing. It will be a bitch to get across using those assets if it is opposed operation.

Btw, I am playing this out using the AI set "Normal/Adaptive"

The AI's reaction to the threat/loss of "Amir" can be attributed to the fact that it is a 500VP hex, but the manner in which it is going about it is more interesting. It is throwing in forces that are in the immediate area, (close to Amir) but the enemy tanks to the east on the high ground are using that elevation advantage and are not "rushing to the hex" I can only imagine that the forces that keep showing up are from the Egyptian 21st Div that was to the north of the 16th, or from Egyptian forces that were positioned on "Missouri" that the Israeli's were very worried about...

Around "The Farm," the AI has used its armor to exploit weak spots to deny the Israeli's the use of Lexicon to anything but armor.

The only complaint (if you can even can it that) I had so far is that the Egyptian's have been able to engage at ranges greater than the visibility upon targets that have not fired. I know their IR capabilities, have been modeled into the game, but some units are suspect.

All said and told, I can't wait for the "updated" version of this scenario based upon the books mentioned within the ARR. (Spartan7)

[Crossroads]

ORIGINAL: bootlegger267

My one MAJOR mistake in playing this out, and trying to stay "historical", was sending Brom's PT76's and the M113's across the canal early in the game and grabbing the VP hexes around Devesior. By doing so "tweaked the nose" of the AI. By not looking at the organizational chart prior to starting, and not seeing the "Alligators", Rafts, and all the engineering assets within the scenario, I basically screwed myself in regards to a "historical" crossing. It will be a bitch to get across using those assets if it is opposed operation.

Btw, I am playing this out using the AI set "Normal/Adaptive"

The AI's reaction to the threat/loss of "Amir" can be attributed to the fact that it is a 500VP hex, but the manner in which it is going about it is more interesting. It is throwing in forces that are in the immediate area, (close to Amir) but the enemy tanks to the east on the high ground are using that elevation advantage and are not "rushing to the hex" I can only imagine that the forces that keep showing up are from the Egyptian 21st Div that was to the north of the 16th, or from Egyptian forces that were positioned on "Missouri" that the Israeli's were very worried about...

Around "The Farm," the AI has used its armor to exploit weak spots to deny the Israeli's the use of Lexicon to anything but armor.

The only complaint (if you can even can it that) I had so far is that the Egyptian's have been able to engage at ranges greater than the visibility upon targets that have not fired. I know their IR capabilities, have been modeled into the game, but some units are suspect.

All said and told, I can't wait for the "updated" version of this scenario based upon the books mentioned within the ARR. (Spartan7)

What you are seeing here is probably the thing that LOS calculations are per hex, so a hex containing an IR capable unit allows other units in the hex to fire at those targets outside the Night LOS as well. Perhaps consider this in a manner that the IR equipped tank has fired tracers at the targets, for the other weapons teams to engage too.

[bootlegger267]

ORIGINAL: Crossroads

ORIGINAL: bootlegger267

My one MAJOR mistake in playing this out, and trying to stay "historical", was sending Brom's PT76's and the M113's across the canal early in the game and grabbing the VP hexes around Devesior. By doing so "tweaked the nose" of the AI. By not looking at the organizational chart prior to starting, and not seeing the "Alligators", Rafts, and all the engineering assets within the scenario, I basically screwed myself in regards to a "historical" crossing. It will be a bitch to get across using those assets if it is opposed operation.

Btw, I am playing this out using the AI set "Normal/Adaptive"

The AI's reaction to the threat/loss of "Amir" can be attributed to the fact that it is a 500VP hex, but the manner in which it is going about it is more interesting. It is throwing in forces that are in the immediate area, (close to Amir) but the enemy tanks to the east on the high ground are using that elevation advantage and are not "rushing to the hex" I can only imagine that the forces that keep showing up are from the Egyptian 21st Div that was to the north of the 16th, or from Egyptian forces that were positioned on "Missouri" that the Israeli's were very worried about...

Around "The Farm," the AI has used its armor to exploit weak spots to deny the Israeli's the use of Lexicon to anything but armor.

The only complaint (if you can even can it that) I had so far is that the Egyptian's have been able to engage at ranges greater than the visibility upon targets that have not fired. I know their IR capabilities, have been modeled into the game, but some units are suspect.

All said and told, I can't wait for the "updated" version of this scenario based upon the books mentioned within the ARR. (Spartan7)

What you are seeing here is probably the thing that LOS calculations are per hex, so a hex containing an IR capable unit allows other units in the hex to fire at those targets outside the Night LOS as well. Perhaps consider this in a manner that the IR equipped tank has fired tracers at the targets, for the other weapons teams to engage too.

Ok, I'll buy that one! [&o]

[Rosseau]

I just discovered this thread. Love the narrative. Great job!

And thanks...

[bootlegger267]

Egyptian Turn 28....Artillery fell in and around Amir, but for all its intensity, only 2 tanks were disabled. The amount of direct fire coming from the north, up Lexicon, had fallen off sharply. Reshef's tanks had destroyed so much equipment, it was becoming hard to maneuver among the buildings and the ground to the west. Some 60+ vehicles were burning, creating an eerie light that illuminated anything that got close.

To Rechef's south, Erez had 2 Bn's in a reverse slope defense blocking any attempts to cut Lexicon. Each time the Egyptian's attempted to get behind Reshef, they were met with heavy tank cannon fire.

[bootlegger267]

Israeli Turn 29... Reshef's forces continue to consolidate their positions in and around Amir. His Bde, which is really a reinforced Bn, are ordered to take the Egyptian bridge.

To his south and east, Erezs' Bde has established an offensive blocking position that has pushed the enemy back onto the slopes of "Missouri"

Reshef to Sharon...I can hold Amir. Do you want me to advance for the bridge?"

Sharon...."Yes, it will give us options. I have the engineers preparing the bank here at Matzmed."

Reshef...Erez, your situation?"

Erez... Your flank and Lexicon are safe for now. I'm going to hold here where I am and wait for them."

Reshef...I may need forces to help."

Erez I have some in your area to the east I will tell them to go to Amir."

Reshef..."Yes, that will help"

[bootlegger267]

Turn 29 cont....Nir's Bde continues to punch north and west as the Egyptian defense of the Chinese Farm starts to crumble.

[bootlegger267]

Little delay in posting. Bought a new car...(1st new one since 1992!) So I'm having some fun with it....

[bootlegger267]

Israeli Turn 30...An Israeli tank company systematically destroys or forces the retreat of the Egyptian armor northwest of Amir. Reshef's last element east of Lexicon moves to the west side as Erez's tanks finish setting up their reverse slope ambush.

[bootlegger267]

Turn 30 cont...Nir's Bde continues to reduce the Egyptian defenses east of the farm. His tanks have effectively split the enemy position in two.

[Crossroads]

Welcome back!

[bootlegger267]

Egyptian Turn 30...Erez's reverse slope ambush ravages the Egyptian armor north of the farm and those units trying to reposition.

The forces in and around Amir are pounded by Israeli artillery and direct fires. Confusion ensues....

[bootlegger267]

Israeli Turn 31...Reshef's tanks continue their destruction of the Egyptian's around Amir and advance to the railroad/Usha junction.

Sharon, after receiving reports that the west bank is clear at the crossing point, brings the rafts and Alligators forward.

Ezer moves his forces out from the flares as the Egyptian's try to identify the source of their defeat...

[bootlegger267]

Turn 31 cont...Nir's Bde has gotten behind the defenses of the Farm...

Adan..."Nir, stay behind the slopes to your front. Destroy everything you can. Erez's forces are operating on the other side..understood?"

Erez..."Yes. We have split their position here. Not much left that can hurt us"

[bootlegger267]

Egyptian Turn 31...Around Amir, the Egyptian's throw a company of PT-76's to slow the Israeli advance up Usha road. They still have a short company of T-62's trading fire with the units in the village...

But the Egyptian's are not done....

[bootlegger267]

Turn 31 cont...The Egyptian's gather 32 tanks NE of the Farm. Some have been pushed back by Nir's attack, others from the attack upon Amir. Either way, they have a potent force to wreck havoc...

[bootlegger267]

Israeli Turn 32...Rechef's tanks engage the enemy PT-76's and make quick work of them. He commits his last reserve of infantry to relieve the tanks in Amir to allow them to join the advance upon the bridge at the end of Usha road.

[Crossroads]

Burning tank hulls illuminate the night... Well done preserving flares over the long scenario, still 10 to go [:)]

[bootlegger267]

ORIGINAL: Crossroads

Burning tank hulls illuminate the night... Well done preserving flares over the long scenario, still 10 to go [:)]

Note where the most recent were fired in the next post.......

[bootlegger267]

Turn 32 cont...Southern Command was now at a turning point. With dawn approaching, the generals knew they had to make a decision regarding whether to allow Sharon to cross the Canal according to the "Stouthearted Men" plan, or to throw all their forces against the Egyptian's on the east bank and continue north from Amir and flank the enemy positions on Missouri.

Their problems were two fold. Sharon could not cross the canal if there was any enemy opposition on the west bank and the Roller Bridge was still kilometers away from Matzed.. They made one last call to Sharon...

Southern Command..."Erik, what is your status? We must make a decision here."

Sharon..."The engineers have prepped the crossing points. The "Alligators" and others are here. We've been hitting the opposite side with artillery from the past 2hrs. Reshef and Erez have taken Amir and are less than a kilometer from the Egyptian crossing site. I believe they have pulled any forces across from me to meet that threat."
"Tirtur and Akavish are open, but I can not wait for the bridge."

The generals in Southern Commands forward Hq's at Tasa looked at the situation map.