George MC

I've just designed one op (quick plug - its over at the proving grounds 'Kampfgruppe Langkei attacks' Not the most imaginative of names, but it does exactly what it says on the tin!). Before sending it over to the 'grounds I played through it myself against the AI 5 times just to iron out ther obvious niggles. the op is designed to be played as the German attacker Vs Soviet AI, I gues designing one for two player would be more challening to test play given the timesacles to plot moves etc. Hope this helps? ps is it going to be a good Christmas tree crop this year?

Just uploaded a new CMBB Operation to the Proving Grounds -"Kampfgruppe Langkeit Attacks". Its set during the actions around the Dnepr in late 1943. I'd like the historical section to have a bit more meat to it, but have pulled up short on detailed stuff. I have Glantz's book "From the Don etc" but this stops at August. I'd appreciate any leads as to where I can expand my knowledge of this period (October - November 1943 Dnper/Krivoi Rog area). Oh and if you give the op a whirl I'd appreciate any feedback. Thanks in advance . Cheers fur noo

You need a lot of men to "schieben" a Tank... </font>

I thought it was excellent. Very pricey, but I have found it a very useful reference book - even set up a scenario "Attack on village of Fedwar" based on one of the examples in the book. I have also found Jentz's book 'Panzertruppen' equally as useful - loads of unit info and after action reports. In fact they both complement each other well I'd say. i'd also recommend the Nafziger books 'German Panzer Tactics@ and 'The German Tank Platoon in WWII'. oooh ah like ma books!!

Just played a scenario set during the battle of Kursk. I was doing well until my Luftwaffe air support showed up and promptly shot up my advancing victorious panzers. Just after I dried my eyes the Soviets showed up and took out all my waiting Pzgrends in their h/ts with accompanying stug sitting waiting in a balka to mop up what was left of the soviet infantry. In thei first case my tanks were in the Soviet battle lines - whilst the last one was just plain sloppiness on my part with everything just a tad close. Whatever atacked them dropped a rake of armaments - the screenshot is very pretty with all the oranges and reds!

I agree - my huge ego needs continous adulation and praise - so howz about more feedback on my scenarios Its the guys who take the time to maintain and upkeep the websites who deserve the support. I just enjoy the designing side of things and all that goes with it - and seeing people play the scenarios and their feedback (+ and -) is payment enouh for me.

Just discovered the delights of using mods in CMBB. Now I can watch my virtual units scamper about in white winter gear, while their new sporty whitewashed vehicles rip it up along mud spattered snowy roads. Big thanks to Green as Jade for the McMMM (its sweet tae use - PC in the post), Mikey D for an excellent dirty road, and Astro Fox for the winter german uniforms. Now must dash to load more stuff onto my harddrive- OOO can't wait

Oooops sorry about that. to eager to post this. If its the scneario I'm thinking off you don't need to go off road. in fact don't they'll bog down even if on 'move'. You can using good covering fire and the panthers on fast move up the road - avoids any bogging. gets messy at the other end real quick so you have to be careful. I've found tigers bog very easy to the extent if ground conditons are damp then i try and move them along roads, or pop them into overwatch positions.

[ April 23, 2004, 02:08 PM: Message edited by: George Mc ]

1:20.000 is a standard for Finnish topographical maps. [/QB]

I might have misunderstood the above Sergei. When you use the 1: 20000 do you mean 1:200 000 i.e. 1mm = 200m. Also the contour interval assuming that its 1:200000 maps you are using is that not in 20m (the maps I have used in the past appear to have 20m contour intervals). Many thanks for your comments. Cheers fur noo George Mc

Many thanks for all your input guys. Some great top tips. Eichenbaum I like the greyscale approach - do you use a scanned map as an un derlay for that then work from that? Next free time I'm off to try out some of these ideas. Keep em coming! Cheers fur noo George Mc

I've just started to use Mapping Mission - which is excellent by the way so many thanks to Tankersley for all the hard work to put this software together. I was curious to know if anyone has any top tips and handy hints re using this package e.g. short cuts/quick/efficient ways of designing maps etc. i'm particularly curious as to the importing maps from scanned maps bit. what I've tried so far works OK, but it strikes me there are some neat short cuts. Any thoughts? Thanks in anticipation!

Just caught the tail end of a documentary about the USMC involvement in the Battle for Baghdad (on Discovery). I'm not clued up on modern armour and stuff but you might get the picture - a battalion of marines are tasked with taking a bridge over the Euphretes then continueing on down a road flanked by a built up area. The marines are carried in full tracked APCs. Along the way they are ambushed by Iraqi troops (not sure what type - Militia??)despite the firepower from the APCs the Milita started to take out the APCs with RPGs. They were successful to such an extent that the marine attack eventually stalled with each compnay pinned down at three sections on their attack route. Several aspects of this event struck me - first for the poor bloody grunts in the firing line the war experience has not changed from an infantrymans experiences in the Second World War - your mates are still maimed and blown apart right next to you whilst total chaos and noise rules supreme. second that it outlines some of the comments debated in earlier threads that armoured troop carriers are easy targets for a/t assets. So it appears that the dilemma being debated is possibly still ongoing.

Aye it does. if your interested you should track down W.H.Murrays biography of Rob Roy McGregor. Its a fascinating book, not only describing his life and times, but also gives a very clear and untartanised view of Highland life in the 18th century. Cheers fur noo George Mc

Yee Ha! trust the Scots eh? Start a fight in an empty house eh:) Looks like it is me that is to start the apologies. So Alkiviadis I apologise matey for wrongly inferring that you were implying that I had been up to some hookey mischief. I take back my comments. Whaurs NYC anyways? Is that near Auchultibui?! Yours Apologetically George Mc ps To Other Means The dirk is a fairly large knife - used for close in fighting or quite sneak behind and slit the throat type of stuff. The 'blade' would be what became known as the Claymore (originally a huge two handed sword which was last used at the battle of Killiekrankie - by all eye witness accounts it made a bit of a mess of anyone it touched)but is more properly known as the broadsword (just like the one used by Liam Neeson in the Hollywood corruption of Rob Roy McGregors life).

Is that an apology? :confused: As i stated earlier the work is my own interpretation of Ribbentrops account, plus any research I did - any errors etc are all my own. As to your inference that I used or copied Franko's work - that I do object to. I have just had a look at his work 'Tank warning'. yes there are similarties but then again they are both based on the same event, at the same place at the same time -so I guess they would/should look similar. Thanks to the others on the forum who have also pointed this out. As 'Tank warning' is an op, and mines a battle it would make copying maps a bit difficult. once a battle map always a battle map - once an op map always an op map - as far as I know. Alkiaviadis I'd appreciate before you start making public accusations or inferences that you at least check your facts my friend. If you go around the Highlands here making slanderous remarks like that the local custom is to loup the offenders heid awf wi ain strik o yer blade. You have been warned Cheers fur noo George Mc ps. Franko your op looks excellent. great map and historical brief. When life slows down a bit here in the sunny Highlands I'll get around to playing it because it has the feel of promising some excellent and challenging play.

Hhhm.. Not sure whay you mean by that. If you mean 'interesting' as in challenging/good to look at etc thanks for that. if you mean 'interesting' as in 'did you base it on his/copy etc' then no. the map was drawn based on ribbentrops description of the layout of the terrain. In his description of the action he does give a detailed account of the lay of the terrain etc. Its a simple job to then scale it appropriately. other detail - i based on some photos and a large scale map - the rest is pure and simple eye candy. If I have misinterpreted your innocent comments then my sincere apologies and many thanks for taking the time to look up the scenario - I would appreciate any further feedback - and promise I'll interpret any comments in the spirit they were intended! If indeed you had suspicions about the origin of the map I trust my comments have explained it. And that indeed its origins are my own original work - I have'nt even played the scenario you mentioned. Cheers fur noo George Mc

I've just uploaded the above scenario at The Proving Grounds for playtesting. I've done some playtesting with it but I would appreciate others giving it a blast before it goes for'general release'! It covers Rudolf Von Ribbentrop's armoured action against a Soviet tank assault, at which he won the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross. Its a bit of a messy, brutal tank clash. I think it recreates the action (well based on the first hand reports I have read)pretty well -but then I am biased. I'd greatly appreciate any comments etc. Cheers fur noo George Mc

Hi Panther Commander Hey cheers for the info I'm on the case. many thanks! Cheers fur noo George Mc

Many thansk for you info KG. Sounds like you've done some great research. I've a copy of Hell's Gate by Douglas Nash which has some superb detailed info (down to tactical level) about the Korsun Pocket (or Battle of Cherkassy). You may already have this, if not its worth getting (it costs though..) Otherwise drop me an email (you can track this down at the Scenario Depot)if you have any questions - nae bother to trawl through the book for you! Thansk again for your info - and good luck wi your project. Cheers fur noo George Mc

"What basic info should a briefing contain?" (I've a copy of a post that appeared on a thread here a while ago and use that as a template for covering the 'need to know' info. My own view is I am looking for a briefing that:- 1/ 'sounds' realistic and sets the scene for the scenario (I’m a sucker for ‘historical’ sounding briefings. 2/ Contains a reasonably accurate amount of info about the battlefield and enemy positions appropriate to the scenario/historical situation e.g. an advancing unit might have less idea of what immediately faces them but may still have an overall picture of roughly the type of unit(s) facing them. There are some historical exceptions to this of course! Whereas a unit that has been in position for a period of time may have more detailed intelligence (I understand that capturing 'tongues' was/is a common practice for gaining intel on your opponent). 3/ I’m still mulling over the level of unit detail but at the moment I am happy with basic unit descriptions e.g. company of infantry etc, but I do like to know what ‘funnies’ I may have e.g. air support, specialist units/weapons etc. 4/ I do like to know if I can expect air attacks. Given air action is not all that common in scenarios (for balance play reasons) it does come as a surprise to suddenly have your armour chased by these funny smoke trails from the sky. Nae fun man! I know historically that air attacks were a very real and a major hindrance, for the Axis particularly, but it would be good to know that in the briefing e.g. “the weather looks to be fine for the attack so we can expect increased enemy air activity” lets me know ‘heads up’ for airborne nastiness! I don’t need to know the fine detail e.g. a Sturmovoik will arrive to blow your nice Tigers to hell on turn 5. Although if my Tigers are going to be blown to hell by my own airforce on turn 5 I would like to know the detail on that (There is a family fear of air attacks here – My Grandad serving with the 51st Highland Div was attacked by both the RAF and the USAF on several occasions). Related to the above on reviewing scenarios at the Scenario Depot. Looking at loads of reviews we all seem to mark down the designer’s scenario on the quality of the briefing. This drags down the overall score. So is there any chance we can reach a consensus on what constitutes an excellent briefing (writing this I realise the hopelessness of this task ). ps I posted the above in response to another post about strategy in CM, realised I was about to hijack it so posted it on this post which is mair relevant.

I agree - which leads to the next question - "What basic info should a briefing contain?" (I've a copy of a post that appeared on a thread here a while ago and use that as a template for covering the 'need to know' info. My own view is I am looking for a briefing that:- 1/ 'sounds' realistic and sets the scene for the scenario (I’m a sucker for ‘historical’ sounding briefings. 2/ Contains a reasonably accurate amount of info about the battlefield and enemy positions appropriate to the scenario/historical situation e.g. an advancing unit might have less idea of what immediately faces them but may still have an overall picture of roughly the type of unit(s) facing them. There are some historical exceptions to this of course! Whereas a unit that has been in position for a period of time may have more detailed intelligence (I understand that capturing 'tongues' was/is a common practice for gaining intel on your opponent). 3/ I’m still mulling over the level of unit detail but at the moment I am happy with basic unit descriptions e.g. company of infantry etc, but I do like to know what ‘funnies’ I may have e.g. air support, specialist units/weapons etc. 4/ I do like to know if I can expect air attacks. Given air action is not all that common in scenarios (for balance play reasons) it does come as a surprise to suddenly have your armour chased by these funny smoke trails from the sky. Nae fun man! I know historically that air attacks were a very real and a major hindrance, for the Axis particularly, but it would be good to know that in the briefing e.g. “the weather looks to be fine for the attack so we can expect increased enemy air activity” lets me know ‘heads up’ for airborne nastiness! I don’t need to know the fine detail e.g. a Sturmovoik will arrive to blow your nice Tigers to hell on turn 5 :eek: Although if my Tigers are going to be blown to hell by my own airforce on turn 5 I would like to know the detail on that (There is a family fear of air attacks here – My Grandad serving with the 51st Highland Div was attacked by both the RAF and the USAF on several occasions). Related to the above on reviewing scenarios at the Scenario Depot. Looking at loads of reviews we all seem to mark down the designer’s scenario on the quality of the briefing. This drags down the overall score. So is there any chance we can reach a consensus on what constitutes an excellent briefing (writing this I realise the futility of that happening but hey debate is great) I agree. I’m currently setting up a historical operation where I want the German player to advance. I’m trying to encourage this by loads of flags where the German player is rewarded for gaining ground. But it appears there are only twenty slots. If they do advance they are going to suffer casualties, which are not going to be offset by the measly number of points they will gain for capturing flags (nor destroying the Soviet infantry and a/t guns!) I’ve thought about dynamic flags where you can allocate a huge number of points but it appears you can only activate the one flag. If anyone else has some ideas on this I’d appreciate your comments. Ach weel back tae work I've taken this topic on briefings to the Tips and Tricks forum where a thread on briefings has just started. Apologies to the original poster - the stuff on Strategy and Tactics is excellent guys - lots of food for thought. [ April 08, 2004, 11:04 AM: Message edited by: George Mc ]

Hi I'm looking for info sources regarding the Soviet operations approaching, crossing and advancing across the line of the Dneper River in late 43. Also any info sources regarding German counter actions. I've located some stuff both web based and in my own library, but at the moment I'm drawing a bit of a blank regarding the Soviet units involved down to Divisional level. If anyone could suggest suitable books or links I'd be extremely grateful. Whats in it for you I hear you ask? My undying gratitude and a new operation scenario to play with

Check out the manual (i.e. the PDF one) it describes how to place a wrecked bridge on the map