Bil Hardenberger

The Nineteenth Minute GaJ is getting very cagey with his units.. firing for a couple turns then dislodging. This time my HQ unit on the Right Tit spotted this team jumping into these foxholes on the sunken road. Nice fallback position. I am closing in on the Right Tit Sniper.. the team in red will be getting very close next turn. Still no spot on what the second team that is also in this area is. My Elefant came under fire this turn from what must have been an ATG. Took a couple hits.. no real damage.. I think the optics got skewed a bit.. he will be pulling off this position and heading somewhere out of the line of fire of this gun. Where did the fire come from? I apologize if this is too analytical for some of you.. The line of fire traces back to the ridge between hills 126 and 128.. probably close to the farmhouse.. that position would allow the gun to cover the Ridge road, some of the left valley approach, and the area behind the S Ridge (NAIs 4 and 3) Spotted another bunker next to Tame overwatching the left valley approach. Good sighting GaJ. He's going to be a tough nut and he will cover any approach I attempt on the flank. Pssst... for those of you who scroll all the way down, I am moving on Hill 109 next turn with part of 2d Platoon. I have smoke dropping from the Brummbar and a mortar to provide some cover. Fingers crossed.

I think that if used tactically the Brummbar, or most other SP guns would actually fire direct. What is the min range when firing indirect? That would probably be farther than the extent of the map (purely guessing here) so this would have to be/should be an off map asset. So to answer your question.. for these types of guns.. no. However ask me the same question re: HMGs and you'll get a different answer.

Sorry for the delay guys. GaJ is taking his time with the next turn.

Halftrack Kills - Analysis Something was bothering me with the death of my two halftracks on turn 17 that I just had to go back and do a proper analysis of what happened. I was writing with emotion I think when I stated that it must have been the AA that killed them.. there was a lot of fire going on and I should have taken a step back before committing to that bogey man theory. I have been expecting it to make an appearance... sorry for that shot from the hip. First of all I had noticed this little impact during the intial turn review but its importance did not strike me until I viewed the turn again... I thought this was a light mortar round.. but after further review I believe this was a round from whatever killed my halftracks that fell short. There was a 12 second pause from this round (only one round... not a series of shots that you would expect from an AA mount) until the next shot, the shot that killed both tracks. There was a further 11 second pause from that kill shot until another round impacted the fore halftrack. Taking the view out and connecting the dots it is clear to see that whatever killed these vehicles had to be at a higher elevation, or else the rounds would not have impacted the second halftrack. The long reload times indicate either a tank or an ATG... and if you stretch the line out it actually falls into the zone where the UI tank is located behind Hill 172... so perhaps on that ridge sits another tank or an ATG?

The Eighteenth Minute Well my little mortar fire, if it did nothing else got GaJ's attention as the tank that I had a contact on in town reversed out of position this turn. So, its another M10.. also note that another UI armor contact has appeared nearby (right side of this screen). So now I have 4 armor contacts, two of which I know are M10s. Left Side On the left, my left-center recon from 2nd Platoon is getting very close to Hill 109. I am firing some smoke on the M10 positioned in Tame so I can get some PzG's onto this objective and over the ridge to get a peek at NAIs 4 and 3. Also on the left, 1st Platoon has been doing a recon in force on the left side of the ridge road (the ridge at the top of this image). The left side of the map seems pretty thin on defenders so far... but there are a lot of places he could still have units stashed. Right Side On the right side the Right Tit Sniper (for lack of a better name) came into view again.. so, he is trying to take out my scout. One of my teams fired at and pinned this team, which promptly disappeared from view. So the hunt continues. Also on the right side an MMG team appeared firing at one of my halftracks.. other than bouncing a few rounds off the exterior, and getting one inside there was no damage. This team's position is under the view of several units, including my Brummbar and Jpz IV.. I will try to pin it, to keep it from dislodging (like the MG team on the left did) while the Brummbar takes a shot. Last turn I did have a halftrack lose a gunner to some incoming fire.. I suspect it was this team that did the firing. This is what I had hoped would start to happen on the right.. I want GaJ to engage me at long range with as many of his units as possible. I am really surprised that there aren't more defensive positions though... this team would be much tougher if it had been in foxholes.

This image lays out the situation as it presently stands, objectives are in amber. I have placed four NAIs on the map of areas that I believe could be hiding enemy troops. NAI 1 and NAI 4 - Reverse slope positions for the Spur (Right) and the S Ridge (Left) objectives. It is highly possible that GaJ has units in these positions in order to catch me as I attempt to capture these objectives. He knows that I will have to come over the top in order to secure them. If there are units on these NAIs then that would explain the few enemy forces I have encountered to this point in the battle. NAI 2 and NAI 3 - Reverse slope depressions that could hide mobile counter-attack forces.

Snake Eye, I didn't think another infantry team would force GaJ to engage like the half tracks did. I didn't expect to lose them both to the same burst of fire. Good job to GaJ for setting that up. It is not the end of the world and now I know where his AA is located. The Elefant is moving to a position on the Right Tit. I have two Pz IVs that are overwatching the M10 in Tame.

The elevations and roads are as accurate as I could make them. Though the topo overlay is slightly off (note the area around Hill 130 - the Jpz and Brummbar are actually on the hill, though the topo is showing them as slightly off). Close enough for an overview though.

Here is the SITMAP for turn 17.

The Seventeenth Miinute This was a good turn for GaJ... it appears that he maneuvered his AA weapon onto the flank of my recon halftracks. By the way it fired I suspect this was the AA weapon, probably mobile, that he was tasked with purchasing. I expected these would come under fire... ..I just didn't expect this, I had them perfectly lined up for a double kill: Now in my last post I told you how I expected GaJ was deployed.. and this is one of the contacts that I have been watching for several turns now that helped with that analysis. There is a tank of some sort in S. Maria Infante.. I have mortar fire falling on its position this turn. Also behind Hill 172 I have been watching this contact for a couple turns now: This turn added this... an M10 situated in Tame. This vehicle moved forward.. obviously in response to my move on Hill 109.. which I am calling off for a turn or two while I digest all of this. Now those three contacts, and everything I have learned so far helps convince me that I am on the right track with analyzing GaJ's defense.

Nice map and with that short rage your Tigers should dominate. If anything I would say the map appears to be kind of small for the amount of forces you two are putting on it... I expect the action will be fast, brutal, and furious. I also expect that town will be a hard nut for your opponent... especially with your seven Tigers. What kind of force are you expecting to face? Combined arms? Mainly armor? etc...

I have been doing a lot of thinking today about this battle.. I know.. I should be working, there is this Design Document that needs to get completed after all.. What is running through my mind is the lack of enemy AT that I am seeing.. I am getting bolder and bolder with my halftracks mainly because they have not come under any threat. GaJ has had plenty of opportunity to take out one or two halftracks if he had ATGs to do it with. Unless he is waiting for a better target and is hiding them and holding fire. If that is the case then they are very well hidden. But my Jpz IV and Brummbar have been in their overwatch position (along with an HQ team) for several turns now and nothing is getting sighted in the woods that lie in front of the Spur Objective's front slope. He HAS to have something that is backing up that now dead ATG... but what? Where? I still suspect there is something in those woods.. but could it be mainly infantry type teams, bazookas, snipers, and the like? They would be easier to hide than another ATG for sure.. I think I would have seen entrenchments as well by now.. but nothing has shown itself. That along with the scarcity, or seeming scarcity of units on the S Ridge worry me... if he had an ATG on the S Ridge somewhere it would have shown itself by now. I have exposed too many vehicles for it not to have. I suspect he is hoping I will attack the S Ridge and he has long range assets in the built up areas of Tame and S. Maria Infante with which to hit me. He could also have a platoon of tanks hidden in the depression behind the S Ridge... that is a possibility I need an answer to ASAP. The Spur is a puzzle.. but really I guess if he has not dug in inside the woods then he is probably hiding his main force in the depression behind the Spur in a Rear Slope posture, or has tanks down there waiting for me to expose something he can jump out at. The other possibility is that he is hiding his long range assets in the village of Tame and the town of S. Maria Infante. This would make sense.. then as I assaulted over the ridge into the backside of the Spur his rear slope defense could hold me while he pummeled me with his longer range assets in the town. Otherwise I have no answer for his lack of a piquet line to absorb my advance, inflict a few casualties, and gain intelligence. It appears to me, at this stage, and with the paucity of enemy contacts that he is gambling all on one throw of the die... and hoping to catch me unawares as I drive meekly around and over the Spur and over and into the S Ridge... the MG team and the other UI infantry unit on Hill 109 do seem like a bit of a carrot.. "come this way Heinz.." Still thinking... always thinking, always analyzing. By the way, I do have a couple of sightings that I have not shared that back some of this up... I'll share those insights with you next turn.

The Sixteenth Minute The Left Tit sniper team was gunned down at close range.. but not before they fired on, penetrated the halftrack and killed a gunner in the squad inside. My only casualty to this team.. could have been much worse. Next to the Right Tit I also have a sniper hunt going on.. this is being supported by a random round from the Brummbar (left side of this image), covering fire from a halftrack and two infantry teams. There are two contacts in this area, one of which I know is a sniper so I am being careful. Two of my Panzers are in an overwatch position to Hill 109... ...they are covering the advance of part of 2d Platoon. The more I see (or don't see) the more I think there are no long range weapons on the S Ridge (other than the MG and the other UI contact)... though there could be something hiding in the depression behind the ridge. I'll find that out in the next few turns I think. ForwardObservier, the breakdown of one of my squads is as follows: Leader - MP40, x2 MG 42 Gunners, x5 Riflemen with Kar.98k

The Fifteenth Minute Note how far my recon halftracks have driven down the ridge road.. the foremost is almost level with the Spur objective. I am expecting a reaction from GaJ... he can't just let me drive around unmolested like this for long. That MG team that I spotted a few turns ago has popped up again.. this time he is setting up on the back side of Hill 109 and facing South.. towards my scout. I think the S Ridge might have precious little defending it. There are now two enemy units that I know about on the S Ridge.. both are on Hill 109.. the MG on the back side and a new contact (UI) that appears to be on the front side.. that would not be wise... so I expect it is also on the back side and the contact is just off by a bit. I will give it to him.. it takes real balls to kneel and take a shot with a rifle at a fully loaded halftrack. This is the Left Tit sniper... I have gone on a little snipe hunt with 2 halftracks and four infantry teams. This little team's luck should run out next turn. By the way.. I have a few other sightings that I do not want to share just yet.. I'd like that to be a surprise in a couple turns. Also, I am maneuvering against the S Ridge.. two mounted squads from 1st Platoon will assault Hill 109 with two Pz-IVs in support. The other two 1st Platoon halftracks will be going .. somewhere else.

The Fourteenth Minute My Jpz IV took several shots at the bunker this turn.. all missed except one, which bounced. There have been a lot of misses in this game so far. Of course this is at pretty long range, around 1500 meters. Okay, these guys need to boresight their weapons.. the Brummbar took one shot at the MG team and it fell well short. Then the MG team packed up its toys and ran back over the ridge. That was pre-planned though.. it was not my incoming fire that chased him away. My incoming MG fire never really got started before he was gone. Damn. I am pushing two halftracks forward in German style to recon and hopefully draw some fire. The first pushed pretty far down the road and off the side right next to the Spur without any enemy action whatsoever.

newlife, looking forward to reading your upcoming AAR. Good to see you jumping in with both feet, a huge attack eh? :eek: Good luck. Bil

Here is the current SITMAP. Note the locations of the enemy contacts and sightings and the repositioned Brummbar now on the Ridge Road. You might notice another UI infantry team spotted this turn further down the ridge road. An MG team perhaps? Also note how deep my two recon teams have penetrated.. neither has come under fire.. GaJ either has his troops under terrific fire discipline or these teams have not been sighted.. I find that hard to believe, so I expect GaJ is holding his fire. As soon as he fires on these teams he will unmask some of his defense to my overwatching units.

The Thirteenth Minute GaJ continues to drop mortar rounds on my squad in front of the Right Tit... I haven't suffered a casualty from this fire for a couple turns now. My left side recon has gotten pretty deep without any contacts and without coming under any sort of fire. Could this stretch of ground from the map edge to Hill 109 be undefended? I find it hard to believe so will be pushing all the way to the crest of the ridge to find out. I really appreciate GaJ for providing these very nice foxholes for me to use on both the Left and Right Tits. Thanks man. The team that I have on the Left Tit in the foxholes spotted an MG this turn.. this MG team on Hill 109 appears to be area firing on the left slope of the Left Tit hill. This following turn I am unleashing hell on this team... several teams will be placing MG fire onto it, including the Elefant... while my repositioned Brummbar places a round on the MG's position. Hopefully the MG fire will pin this team keeping it from displacing allowing my Brummbar to take it out. To the right of the Right Tit I also spotted another sniper team. this team ran into the woods below the road (see the second image for where this team is located).

Freyberg.. the original intent was to create a couple scenarios from the actual battle.. but at this point that will probably have to wait until after release and after I finish this AAR. The map still needs some cleanup and addition of details.

The Twelfth Minute My troops on the Left Tit had fanned out in order to find the bastards who fired on me a few minutes ago. Well turns out it was a sniper after all.. he skedaddled and disappeared down the slope. On top of Hill 130 I have pulled the Brummbar back and out of view and have an HQ team moving up in order to call some mortar fire down on the Spur. Got a firm spot on the bunker this turn... I find the orientation interesting... I had expected it to be oriented to cover both the approach behind the Spur on the left in this image and the road itself... turns out it is oriented to only cover the ridge road.

It moves along at a fair clip. Faster than jogging infantry for sure.

The Eleventh Minute Thought I would show the pillbox that I have a shaky spot on.. it is sitting on a little spur that juts out on the outskirts of S. Maria Infante. It is sitting in the open as you can see. On the Right Tit the 3rd Squad continues to work around the base of the hill. Several mortar rounds land on the Right Tit this turn causing one more casualty. Hmmm.. I cannot tell where those rounds are coming from.. but I suspect the S Ridge as the hills along this ridge have a great view of this objective. I have always planned on placing the Elefant on one of the tits.. so I am moving it to the Left Tit this next turn. Nice view of the S Ridge from up there.

Yes you guys are really pitiful. I give you an opportunity to talk tactics and you jump on the trees. Sad very sad.

I wanted to discuss that gun's positioning... if I had an ATG and needed to place it I would have used the terrain much better than GaJ did in this incident. The ATG in this game was deployed pretty much in the open. GaJ should have used the trees on the Spur to hide his gun. I showed the power of using the trees as cover and concealment in my first AAR... how this is accomplished in CM is to place the gun as deep into the woods as possible in a position where it can still see out to cover the desired area. The trees themselves will be a terrific hindrance to incoming rounds and may indeed interfere with some rounds going out... but it is far harder to spot and to hit a gun or tank in trees than it is for those tanks and guns to fire and hit whatever is outside of the woods. In the AAR referenced above and at the top of my list of links below, I had one tank that was behind multiple treelines... this single tank continuously and effectively engaged the enemy armor blunting his advance, and additionally was never spotted.

Am I boring you John? Note: Turn 10 is on the bottom pf the previous page.