ncc1701e

Small unit actions are often far more parsable than larger ones - Company and Battalion level fights often (should) break down into Platoon actions in any case, so just sticking to a platoon lets you focus on the details, which also gives more to discuss. Tactical problems, etc.

For what it's worth - I do agree with Bil, the main concern is whether you're sufficiently mutually supporting, and that does seem doubtful at this point - you don't really want one of your squads to run into two or three of theirs, isolated. Now, on the other hand, if the Germans were all-in on a frontal attack, then the weak centre and strong flanks could let you pull off a nice double envelopment, so we'll see.

 

The ability for the flank forces to support those in the centre is the key. As @Bil Hardenberger said let the terrain dictate your approach. When I saw your plan my thought was - cool he is going to play the terrain and kick some ass. If the enemy just drives through the valley and you can fire away on both his flanks at the same time the enemy is going to be unhappy. The important thing is that only works if those flanking forces can fire down into the valley - as Bil pointed out.
Watching to see how this goes.
 
Yeah - what he said

No. Green, regular etc is experience level. There are only two fitness levels: Fit and Unfit. 
Resting is a good thing (tm) though. It much better to be able to run when you need to.
The US 60mm mortar is best firing at targets or areas the crew can see themselves.
 

MINUTE 5
The lucky team continue to undergo some area fire. Thus, I am using a Slow move to avoid it and take some cover a little on the right of their current position. Looks like the german have not seen this since they continue the area fire on their old position.
On the left side, I am taking a risk now. I am advancing quickly to the next little wood since nobody was spotted here after two minutes waiting. Was it enough?

And my bad, I have forgotten to move the heavy weapons that has just arrived before sending my turn. One minute lost for them I guess. I hope I won't regret this.

MINUTE 6
This turn was interesting because it has reveal me lots of enemy positions. The overall situation at the end of the turn is here:

Behind Obj2, I can spot some troops coming. Is it German's reinforcement?

Germans have a direct LOS on the Obj1's house my team is in. I think I must exit this house now.

Interesting also to notice that some Germans are going in the direction of my left wing. Did they spot something finally?

MINUTE 7
Looks like the situation is developping a little bit.

On my right wing, I can spot some Germans going in my direction. Looks like my men in the woods have been spotted. ☹️

Same thing on my left wing, more Germans are coming to support the one in the last screenshot of above minute 6's report.

In the center, my 60mm mortar team is almost deployed. I say almost because the turn did finish just 5 seconds before the deployment is complete. I am losing time here... 😕

On the left wing, still no opposition. Here are three screenshots with my overall positions.

MINUTE 8
My 60mm mortar is now deployed and luckily enough for me has spotted the German progressing to my right wing. I order them to do an area fire on their last know position. Since the 60mm mortar has no radio, I am obliged to keep my HQ near from them for spotting. But, here, as I said, I was lucky with our house rules.

On the left, the team that was in reserve is now moving forward.

On the right, in the woods, my men are tired. They won't last long.

MINUTE 9
I have stopped all progression. My men are resting. I think green troops are not a gift. Are regular troops more enduring? 😕

Thanks all for your support. Let's continue.
MINUTE 9
I forgot to mention that my 60mm mortar team was able to shot one single round that I have never seen coming back to Earth before been shot at by what seems to be a HMG. They were suppressed almost immediately.
MINUTE 10
On the left side, more Germans are coming my way. You can see in the foreground one of the team of the squad protecting Obj1. This team has LOS on the woods on the right of the screenshot if some Germans want to assault Obj1 using this path.

In the center, my 60mm mortar team is now useless and even fleeing



In the woods, on my right side, I have resumed Germans' hunting...

But, my own LMG is now deployed and can return fire. Great! 🙂

Even if my 60mm mortar are pinned, I gave them the order to area fire the enemy position. Will see how this will turn out.

And, I have received this guy. I am wondering what can I really do with this one. Hopefully, the Germans don't have Javelins... Oups wrong game...🤣

 
 
 

MINUTE 11
Looks like I am not the only one to receive some new toy for Christmas.

On the left side, more and more Germans are reported.

In the center, smoke detected. If @JoMc67 goes all-in, I think I am doomed with my weak center. I am planning to fallback and delay his actions with the three teams there. The goal of my double envelopment is exactly what @Bil Hardenberger has pointed out: destroy the enemy after surrounding them.

@ncc1701e, I won't backseat drive your plan because I think these AAR threads are some of the best on the forums and I'm an average player so my input would probably be less than helpful compared to the other skilled players who are commenting on this thread. For a first effort this is good stuff and I'm looking forward to seeing how it plays out.

I would argue that the the terrain and the objectives should be used as a combat multiplier.  You know that the enemy is going for the objectives, thus they give you a pretty good idea where you can find him (and in the turn write ups that is where he had the majority of his forces).  It is most important to defeat the enemy, do that and the objectives will come... I try not to obsess about objectives and orient on the enemy instead, using the terrain and the objectives as guides to kill enemy units... that is the path to victory. 
This may not be a bad thing if your units can support each other. for example if your units on the flanks can support the unit you have in the objective with fire then you are okay.. but if they can't, if the terrain blocks lines of sight to the terrain the enemy has to move through.. if your flank units are too far away to be effective... if they get engaged and are unable to provide support fire, if your plan is to use each small force independently, then you could be in trouble.
I always try to maintain a reserve.. however in these small fights you often can't afford that... maybe keeping a few BAR teams and your mortars back as a reserve would have helped, but I doubt it.  A reserve should be a capable force, capable meaning that it can be used to counterattack an enemy force as required.  You could have kept one full squad in reserve.. and maybe should have, but in this case I don't think its a big deal.
The big deal for me,  is that you have separated your platoon over a wide area and I suspect they cannot support each other... I probably would have sent scouts on those flank hills (two man teams) to provide early warning of an enemy flank approach, and then used the rest of the platoon in a command push towards the objective.  To secure it, take up defensive positions and defend against the enemy attack that will most likely come.  Make him attack you and you will be in the favorable position.  If you have to attack Objective 2, which is what it looks like is developing, then he will have the internal lines and can reinforce any threatened position. 
I would have probably only placed scouts and maybe support units (BAR teams and mortars) on the flanks.. but they have to be able to be close enough to provide effective fire support on the approaches between the two objectives, and most importantly be able to support your main force.
If you are going aggressive and only have a small force in Objective 1 and are planning on assaulting objective 2 from multiple positions, then good for you, and it will be fun when you get close.
In the image above you have some really long Fast movement paths, and I don't see pauses at the end of each?  That probably contributed to them getting tired so quickly.  It also appears to me that your opponent has taken his first objective and is starting to place his units in defensive positions around it... this will be interesting to see how it plays out. 
I do love how deep you have moved on the flanks without being seen, at least as far as we can tell... this fight is on a razors edge and could go either way.
This is a really fine AAR, I do really love these small fights.  They are as fun to watch and dissect as they are to play.
Bil

MINUTE 4
On the right, the progression into the woods is going well. No opposition has been found and this is worrying me. @JoMc67 is surely waiting for me


In the center, as @IanL pointed out, I have forgotten to give my team a 30 seconds pause. I was thinking this was done by the Target Briefly. One newbie mistake, one 🙈🙊🙉 Thus, the team left the house immediately without supporting by fire the other team on the right that is under fire! 😨

By chance, the other team has reached its destination without any casualty. I think I am lucky.

For next turn, I will start to carefully progress into the woods. I am sure the Germans are setting up an ambush there.

Here is the overall situation. Still no casualties so far...

 
 

Based on this excellent blog: http://battledrill.blogspot.com/2015/11/mett-t-analysis.html from @Bil Hardenberger, I will try to conduct my first METT-T analysis.
MISSION
This mission is simple, my main goal is to hold the two objectives in my zone. This is a meeting engagement so I will have to reach Obj1 at the beginning of the scenario and destroy the enemy to reach Obj2 that will be surely occupied at the end of turn 1.
ENEMY
Intel is indicating that German is starting with a Reinforced Infantry Platoon followed by some Heavy Weapons coming at turn 5 and one Halftrack at turn 10.
TERRAIN
The two objectives are located at a bottom of a V formed by two hills on the left and the right side. There are quite good lines of sight across the map. Controlling the flanks should give me some overwatched positions on the two objectives.

TROOPS
I have a Reinforced Infantry Platoon but many composed of "green" soldiers. I am expecting the same reinforcement that the Germans.
TIME
I have only 20 minutes to reach both objectives plus 5 minutes extra possible.

And you will probably remember next time.
Hey, luck counts!
 
Looking good BTW - well done screen shots. One tip - if you press <shift><esc> the game pauses but with out the notice at the top of the screen. In any given turn if you do that once then the VCR controls in the UI will continue to work without that notice showing up.

MINUTE 3
On the right wing, the squad is starting its progression into the woods, hoping to be unseen from the Germans.

On the left wing, teams are continuing their approach, one team is stopping to watch while another is doing some quick moves forward.

In the center, I am concerned that I am a little too weak. As such, I have send the rest of the squad to support the single team in the house. One team will be on the left side while the other on the right side of the objective. But, the right team gets shot at from the position I have seen them coming the previous turn...

I decide to use for the first time the new "Target Briefly" (I come from CMSF1 🙂). I am asking my team in the house to area fire during 30 seconds, with Target Briefly, and to
run out of the house to avoid return fires. Will see if that works.

Here is the overall situation at the end of the turn. Still no casualties so far...

 
 

Marvelous start.  I'll be watching how you do.. you will find that doing a complete METT-T analysis as you have shown will help you with situational awareness and give you an advantage over an opponent who does not.  Doing it against the AI is almost not fair,  against a human opponent it is a must.
As for being more careful against a human... well, I think that is wise and only natural... a human opponent is a far different experience and challenge than fighting against the AI.  They will always do something that will surprise you and that will force you to shift your plan.
You are a brave man showcasing your first PBEM game publicly.  Bravo.
Bil

MINUTE 1
And this is it: baptism by fire 😕I hope my men won't suffer of my mistakes... On the right, the squad is nearly approaching the woods without opposition.

In the center, my team is quickly going to the house to have a LOS on German's AOA2.

On the left, no opposition so far.

One could think that these men are exposed but in the two following screenshots you can see that the ridge is protecting them


Overall situation at the end of the first turn. No enemy detected so far, not a single shot. On the right, I will detach one team to take a good overwatch position and monitor the second objective and the plan of the enemy to take the first one.

MY INITIAL MOVES
On the right, my squad is ready to rush into the woods. The ridge will normally protect them from the eyes of the enemy.

In the center, only one small team will go after Obj1.

On the left, same thing, there is a ridge that will cover the movement of my second splitted squad.

MY PLAN AND MY INITIAL MOVES
My avenues of approach are the exact opposite of the Germans. Since I think the enemy will try to flank me, I will advance on both sides of the map with splitted squads (one on each side). The center will remain quite weak but I am convinced that the enemy will not try to assault directly Obj1.

As a young green lieutenant, my goal is to preserve as much as possible my men. As such, I will try to carefully plan my moves. Since this is my first PBEM, I can say that I am strangely much more careful than against the computer. Self preservation?

ENEMY AVENUES OF APPROACH

AOA1 (Green axis)
The green axis has the advantage to be masked by a ridge and can perfectly be used to advance on my left flank. On the other hand, terrain is pretty opened thus the advance will have to be careful and slow.
AOA2 (Blue axis)
This is the most unlikely axis in my opinion since I have direct LOS from the Obj1 houses to this avenue of approach. I am pretty sure @JoMc67 will try to flank my troops using AOA1 or AOA3 axis.
AOA3 (Orange axis)
The orange axis is the most important threat in my opinion. It is covered by both a ridge and a wood. This is surely the axis that will be taken by the enemy troops to attack on my right flank. I will have to reinforce my right flank at all costs.

ENEMY AVENUES OF APPROACH
After looking at the map,  I thought my opponent had three main options for his attack. I think that he will use the top of the hills to mask his approach and try to flank my positions. He can use either my left flank or my right flank (the orange icons). The main advantage of the right flank is that there is a wood that can provide cover and concealment for his squads.

Based on this excellent blog: http://battledrill.blogspot.com/2015/11/mett-t-analysis.html from @Bil Hardenberger, I will try to conduct my first METT-T analysis.
MISSION
This mission is simple, my main goal is to hold the two objectives in my zone. This is a meeting engagement so I will have to reach Obj1 at the beginning of the scenario and destroy the enemy to reach Obj2 that will be surely occupied at the end of turn 1.
ENEMY
Intel is indicating that German is starting with a Reinforced Infantry Platoon followed by some Heavy Weapons coming at turn 5 and one Halftrack at turn 10.
TERRAIN
The two objectives are located at a bottom of a V formed by two hills on the left and the right side. There are quite good lines of sight across the map. Controlling the flanks should give me some overwatched positions on the two objectives.

TROOPS
I have a Reinforced Infantry Platoon but many composed of "green" soldiers. I am expecting the same reinforcement that the Germans.
TIME
I have only 20 minutes to reach both objectives plus 5 minutes extra possible.

Oh boy, what did I have accepted? This is my first PBEM on any game and this is of course my first PBEM on CMBN. @JoMc67 has convinced me to leave CMSF to go back in time. And, I must say this is very entertaining for me. 😃
The year is 1944. The scenario is named Meet Med Hills QB-245. This is a meeting engagement with two objectives that are closed to each other. Both sides is having a Reinforced Infantry Platoon to start with. Reinforcements (Heavy Weapons) is coming on turn 5 and one Halftrack is planned for each side on turn 10.
We agree on these 'house rules' that will make the game a little more realistic in our opinion:
No Pre-Planned Arty (or Area-Fire from Ground Units) on Turn 1 of a Meeting Engagement, or from Defender. Player will need to Call-In Arty normally (Attacker in Attack/Defense Games are exempt and can use Pre-Planned Arty). FO & HQ Units will need to Spot or have knowledge of Enemy Units or Icons on Battlefield to Call-In Arty (click on your Unit to see if it spots Enemy Units or Icons). Once that knowledge has been obtained then it can call in Arty Anywhere at Anytime on the Battlefield w/o restrictions. Players will let the Computer AI choose what Targets to shoot at (player can't choose Targets, but can still use 'Area-Fire'). Player can still use Smoke at anytime and any Location on the Map. All Units can only check LOS (and thus use 'Area-Fire') at its exact Location at beginning of turn. Players Can't click on Enemy Icons or Units during a Game (there will be some accidents from time to time). You can Area-Fire anywhere on the Map...However, the Area-Fire has to be at the closest point possible to the Enemy Unit/Icon (this includes Direct HE fire from Onboard Arty...Smoke can still be anywhere on map)... Basically, this means a Player can Area-Fire 100 meters away (if that happens to be the closest point), or 10 meters (if that happens to be the closest point). Vehicle Smoke Dischargers (not Smoke Shells) is controlled by the Computer AI, and not by the Player. We are currently at turn number 12. More to come very soon...

Oh boy, what did I have accepted? This is my first PBEM on any game and this is of course my first PBEM on CMBN. @JoMc67 has convinced me to leave CMSF to go back in time. And, I must say this is very entertaining for me. 😃
The year is 1944. The scenario is named Meet Med Hills QB-245. This is a meeting engagement with two objectives that are closed to each other. Both sides is having a Reinforced Infantry Platoon to start with. Reinforcements (Heavy Weapons) is coming on turn 5 and one Halftrack is planned for each side on turn 10.
We agree on these 'house rules' that will make the game a little more realistic in our opinion:
No Pre-Planned Arty (or Area-Fire from Ground Units) on Turn 1 of a Meeting Engagement, or from Defender. Player will need to Call-In Arty normally (Attacker in Attack/Defense Games are exempt and can use Pre-Planned Arty). FO & HQ Units will need to Spot or have knowledge of Enemy Units or Icons on Battlefield to Call-In Arty (click on your Unit to see if it spots Enemy Units or Icons). Once that knowledge has been obtained then it can call in Arty Anywhere at Anytime on the Battlefield w/o restrictions. Players will let the Computer AI choose what Targets to shoot at (player can't choose Targets, but can still use 'Area-Fire'). Player can still use Smoke at anytime and any Location on the Map. All Units can only check LOS (and thus use 'Area-Fire') at its exact Location at beginning of turn. Players Can't click on Enemy Icons or Units during a Game (there will be some accidents from time to time). You can Area-Fire anywhere on the Map...However, the Area-Fire has to be at the closest point possible to the Enemy Unit/Icon (this includes Direct HE fire from Onboard Arty...Smoke can still be anywhere on map)... Basically, this means a Player can Area-Fire 100 meters away (if that happens to be the closest point), or 10 meters (if that happens to be the closest point). Vehicle Smoke Dischargers (not Smoke Shells) is controlled by the Computer AI, and not by the Player. We are currently at turn number 12. More to come very soon...

Based on this excellent blog: http://battledrill.blogspot.com/2015/11/mett-t-analysis.html from @Bil Hardenberger, I will try to conduct my first METT-T analysis.
MISSION
This mission is simple, my main goal is to hold the two objectives in my zone. This is a meeting engagement so I will have to reach Obj1 at the beginning of the scenario and destroy the enemy to reach Obj2 that will be surely occupied at the end of turn 1.
ENEMY
Intel is indicating that German is starting with a Reinforced Infantry Platoon followed by some Heavy Weapons coming at turn 5 and one Halftrack at turn 10.
TERRAIN
The two objectives are located at a bottom of a V formed by two hills on the left and the right side. There are quite good lines of sight across the map. Controlling the flanks should give me some overwatched positions on the two objectives.

TROOPS
I have a Reinforced Infantry Platoon but many composed of "green" soldiers. I am expecting the same reinforcement that the Germans.
TIME
I have only 20 minutes to reach both objectives plus 5 minutes extra possible.