AAR & Feedback: HTTR Air Landing Assault on COTA

[MarkShot]

This is the converted scenario referenced in this thread:

tm.asp?m=1166713

First, I would like to thank Laska2k4 for sharing his hard work with me.

I played this one with all the default as the Allies with max order delays.

My general comments/observations before the AAR:

(1) The color black for polder is really bad graphically. Personally, I miss my RDOA classic look.

(2) Units seem to be moving faster than COTA scenarios. Perhaps, the slowing down of movement rates in COTA wasn’t achieved by just engine coding. Perhaps this is a good thing, since converted HTTR scenarios would probably otherwise have timing problems.

(3) Supply cannot be tested in such a short scenario.

(4) It did not get any units subordinated to brigade that I saw in a quick check of the HTTR version like: arty, engineers, additional glider units …

(5) My battalions had two mortar platoons each. However, in the HTTR version one platoon was motorized (jeeps) and one was not. In the COTA version, none of the mortar platoons were motorized.

(6) It was novel playing a scenario with all completion points as COTA is heavily weighted to occupation and exit points.

(7) Perhaps if I had my missing units like arty (and some more supply; in HTTR I would have had one resupply of mortars during the battle) I might have done a little better.

(8) Game and interesting and enjoyable game despite the problems.

[MarkShot]

Not noted above is a COTA logged bug where arriving para/glider reinforcements do not auto-rest like in HTTR.

[MarkShot]

Scenario runs for 1 day and 9 hours. My goal is to seize the Rail Bridge to the West of Arnhem and the Road Bridge in Arnhem.

Here is my force. They will all be on the ground in one hour.

[MarkShot]

Here are the objectives. The DZ is to the West at the Renkum Heide.

[Crimguy]

That is pretty cool!  Are the textures hard-coded, or can they be changed to suit?  I thought I saw screenshots where the polder in COTA looks about right from an HTTR point of view.

[MarkShot]

Here you see the plan I drew up after everyone was on the ground.

Yellow - My single motorized recon coy. They are first ordered to screen the force moving to attack the Road Bridge at Arnhem. Then, they are ordered to block the junction of two major highways and deny the Germans the ability to shift forces back and forth easily. These orders are issued immediately.

Blue - The lone glider coy I have is ordered to confuse the Germans. They will probe the Rail Bridge from the North. It is a feint as the real attack will come from the West later. These orders are issued immediately.

Purple - The secondary objective to be attempted by 2nd Bn. March, hold, and attack with night fall.

Red - The primary objective assigned to 1st and 7th Bn under the command of Bde HQ. March, hold, and attack with night fall.

[MarkShot]

1 14:02

Everyone on the ground at Renkum Heide. Recon and the Probe units have already moved out.

[MarkShot]

1 14:02

The orders that have been issued.

[MarkShot]

1 15:37

Our Recon and Probe units have run into some Germans. The probe proper has not commenced.

Our two main force marches are making good progress with no enemy in sight.

[MarkShot]

1 17:05

Our probe has revealed a large concentration of German defenders. The probe is taking advantage of mortar support from the 2nd Bn which is holding to the West.

Our recon unit has been given new orders to block the confluence of the two major highways to their East.

I have played around a bit with Bde's orders as I am concerned that they are marching too fast and I don't want their attack to kick off before night fall. Neither of the two main forces appear to have been identified by the Germans. Our plan seems well on track.

[MarkShot]

1 21:01

Road Bridge attack orders were issued at 1 20:01. Rail Bridge attack orders were issued at 1 21:01. Nightfall will be at 1 22:00.

[MarkShot]

1 22:41

2nd Bn's attack on the Rail Bridge is underway.

Bde is running in to some coordination problems and their attack jump off is lagging.

[MarkShot]

2 01:13

Bde's attack on Arnhem's Road Bridge is underway.

[MarkShot]

2 05:01

First light, 2nd Bn's attack. Opposition light.

[MarkShot]

2 05:01

First light, Bde's attack. No serious opposition yet.

[MarkShot]

2 13:46

2nd Bn has finally driven off the last of two garrison units which were hanging on. We have the Rail Bridge, can we hold it. The Germans will certainly counter-attack.

[MarkShot]

2 14:37

In Arnhem, it is a different story. We have met heavy resistance and some hasty counter-attacks from the Germans. We have lost momentum and are now being driven back. Our mortars have long since gone silent having run out of ammo. Forture has reversed. Where are our supplies?!

[MarkShot]

The Germans seem to have no shortage of big guns and shells. They are pounding us without mercy.

[MarkShot]

2 22:01

The Germans have won this round handily.

Our final situation at the Rail Bridge. Some better defensive planning on my part might have made a small difference here.

[MarkShot]

2 22:01

In Arnhem, there was nothing more that could have been done to swing the situation in our favor.