Bil Hardenberger

Bil,
 
I saw the US/UKR latest info first, and my questions there are now moot. Quite the game, and I'd say this Beta game between you and pnzrldr, coupled with ChrisND's videos, were instrumental in getting me to buy CMBS. I certainly did have a longstanding interest in modern tactical warfare before, including my wargaming background, personal studies, a depressing outing with AH's could've been great but bore no resemblance to reality MBT and my work as a Soviet Threat Analyst, but to see the matured versions of weapons I knew, or were aborning, in combat was both engrossing and practically terrifying. The carnage per unit time would've been unbelievable, had I not figured out the overall OpTempo and lethality trends decades ago, but it was still shattering to behold.  Thanks very much for doing this, and it's a shame the Beta went into an irrecoverable spin!
 
If you never served in the US military, it's just as well for the enemy, for you are a combat machine. Every time you play in a Beta I learn at great deal, but if I'm ever to beat you, you need to stop improving while I devote a year to playing against tough opponents. Then, I might have a chance. Or I could simply play you, get walloped, and come back a few months later after thoroughly analyzing my thousand mistakes! But even one would likely be game fatal.
 
Regards,
 
John Kettler

I have one in the works, needs a little tightening up but will be available soon:
 

I have one in the works, needs a little tightening up but will be available soon:
 

Sorry I only just saw this... I am not sure I still have those old CMSF mods... that was a few computers ago now and I do not even have CMSF installed, haven't in years.  I will take a good look tonight, but other than checking GreenAsJade's mod repository I might not be able to help you if I cannot locate them.  I'll let you know what I find, or what I do not find.
 
Maybe another user on this forum can help you.

I must say this battle report is starting to convince me that modern warfare is indeed cool. I especially like the T-90, quite a tank.

Uncultured Swine, 
 
Welcome aboard!
 
Absolutely agree with your assessment. The CMBS Beta game and superb turn by turn commentary from the two doughty opponents are excellent advertising for CMBS and BFC in and of themselves, but in turn spawn the Holy Grail of advertising. Word of Mouth. Just yesterday, I was talking to my youngest brother, whom I two days ago helped get into the CMSF Demo, about the wonders of CMBS. He's now aware of both the game in progress and all the video treasures ChrisND has put up on YouTube showcasing various aspects of the game and its wonderful toys.
 
Regards,
 
John Kettler

I just want to thank you for doing these incredible AARs. I, as well as many others, I'm sure, have learned a lot from them. You alone have probably sold many copies of this series! Keep up the awesome work.

My intent: Defend only where I have to... attack everywhere else.
 
This has been the driving thought for me throughout this fight.  My forces are split for sure... 1st MRC is on its own, as is 2nd MRC... 3rd MRC’s elements at the Power Station are on their own as well… 1st Plt/3rd MRC with its armor support (T90, BMP, and BTR) are on their own too, though their movement and actions are in support of the Assault Company that is attacking Krichek.  The Recon Company is too weak to be of any offensive use, but it has provided stellar performance as a distraction for Scott’s forces in Krichek.
 
What I have though are two strongpoints, deep and arrayed along the two US Company Team’s routes of advance… well one is stronger than the other... but neither can be ignored.
 
I expect to have another strongpoint in the Power Station soon... it seems to be weakly held.  I just need to clear every building from bottom to top to find any remnants. 
 
Those are all formations that Scott will have to reduce before he can attack my forces now starting their attack on Krichek.  I hope to have that town well in hand by the time my strongpoints fall. 
 
All of this is about delaying the US Company Teams advance… I have no hope of causing more than superficial wounds to them, as he can concentrate where I cannot.  So they defend actively, dancing around and hitting where they can before they fall.  1st MRC is actually planning on withdrawing and harrying the US Company Team South as much as possible.
 
The Assault Company, Recon Company, and the 1st Platoon/3rd MRC will be my final force… they have the most tanks and a good amount of BMPs.  Not many AT  weapons, and nothing to help with AA,  But they will be in the town, and hopefully some of 1st MRC will be able to reach their lines before the end.
 
The Twenty-First Minute
 
1st MRC
 
The US Company Team South appears to be withdrawing slightly and is starting to push up the road slightly.  Still moving very slowly…  I will pull my AT teams out of position soon and move back towards the rest of the company.  They have done their bit.
 
There is definitely a tank in the gully that looks like it might be hunting my flank BMP.

 
2nd MRC
US Company Team North’s movement is inexorable.  I was able to get my BMP back into its gully this turn.. it spotted and fired at what I think is the Battalion HQ Bradley.. that ATGM hit the trees... but then it spotted the center M1 again, withdrew and fired its 30mm getting many hits... mainly on the external MG.  This tank never fired its main gun... should have had the opportunity.

 
Power Station
The main development here is that Scott’s M1s are starting to fire at the walls... they opened a new breach with this fire.  I need to get that BMP out of the line of fire of those things.  The two enemy UI icons in this image are confusing.. but at least I think I know where to look for the enemy. 

 
Krichek
If Scott did not know this force was coming for Krichek, he does now.  The lead elements started firing on the buildings overlooking the Town Hall objective and preparing the area for the follow-on elements which will pass through this platoon and get in closer, preparing for an assault.
 

 
On the Eastern edge of the town where my recon BMP crossed the river, the enemy team that was in the little building was taken under BMP fire and eliminated, in addition a recoilless gun team was also eliminated… an AGL team entered the rubble of the little building at turn end.. Scott will regret that move I’m sure.

I believe your aggressive move in the beginning was the best move. You seized key terrain and inflicted a serious blow to the Ukrainians.
Even if you had concentrated on the town and even if you had completed that mission before the arrival of the Americans, you would still have to face an overwhelming force, but at long range and with no buffer. Your forces in the woods and gullies will certainly slow him down and maybe even cause some helpful attrition. You might not pull this one out, but I think your strategy gives you the best chance. Either way, thanks for the AAR!

The Nineteenth Minute
 
1st and 2nd MRCs goal now is to delay Scott's US Companies as long as possible.. at least until my air support arrives.. that's six more minutes.  With the slow rate of his advance I am hoping that should be doable.  
 
2nd MRC - I eliminated the final Ukrainian soldier and the last US Scout that were near my forces.  Scott is still moving very slowly, but his Northern Company Team has picked up the pace a little.. he still needs to dig my BMPs and Tunguska out of those gullies though... and I think at this point he is wary of them.

 
1st MRC - remember that my platoon in the gullies is just a screen.. well Scott seems to be mired down in this terrain as his Southern Company Team moved very little, almost like he's taken up a defensive stance.  The M1 on the road caught a fist full of 30mm, I can only hope it caused some damage.. at least I didn't lose anything else on that main highway.

 
Alas, an unseen M1 destroyed one of the two BMPs I have in the gully... the other did manage to withdraw in time.

 
Power Plant
 
The attack on the Power Plant is underway.. a new breach was finally opened near the long buildings.  No enemy contact yet.. I don't even know how many troops Scott has in this compound.. can't be many.

 
Krichek
 
Scott continues to push his forces towards my recon elements and away from my Assault Company... I am closing in on his Javelin team, which appears to be on its own in that area.  A tank, a BTR, and a BMP will be joining this effort over the next turn or two.  Another turn before my Assault Company is in position to put fire on the Town Hall objective.
 
One more thing, I have moved my recon BMP-3 across the river and it, now with an infantry screen   , will be taking the town under fire from yet another direction.. when attacking an enemy, spread him as thin as possible.. then hit him with a concentrated force to break through.
 

The HMMWV in the image above moved to the outskirts of town and took an RPG round which eliminated this threat.  Keep pushing them in that direction Scott!!  
 

 
Blood Board

Just met Scott for lunch (we work about 20 minutes apart), and we discussed how to improve this scenario specifically... some of the points we talked about:
Give the Ukrainian MRC a platoon of T-64s in support Insure the US Scout platoon supporting the Ukr. MRC have their support (or some of it).. Scott was especially adamant about this... I say nay   Give the Russian force some dismounted ATGM teams.. I would replace the Khrizantema section with 3 or 4 dismounted teams  Reduce the US reinforcements to one single Company team.. preferably infantry heavy (two Bradley Platoons, one M1 platoon) - that change alone would make this scenario a nail biter at this point That's pretty much it.. we both think the scenario design and the situation presented is unique and challenging... but it does require some tweaks.. but with those it could be one of the most memorable in the game (if it's included).  Hopefully The Teacher is reading this.
 
One more thing.. from our discussions it was clear to me that Scott has no clue that my Assault Company is coming for his units in the town... won't he be surprised when they pop into view a couple hundred meters from the Town Hall objective?     

Just met Scott for lunch (we work about 20 minutes apart), and we discussed how to improve this scenario specifically... some of the points we talked about:
Give the Ukrainian MRC a platoon of T-64s in support Insure the US Scout platoon supporting the Ukr. MRC have their support (or some of it).. Scott was especially adamant about this... I say nay   Give the Russian force some dismounted ATGM teams.. I would replace the Khrizantema section with 3 or 4 dismounted teams  Reduce the US reinforcements to one single Company team.. preferably infantry heavy (two Bradley Platoons, one M1 platoon) - that change alone would make this scenario a nail biter at this point That's pretty much it.. we both think the scenario design and the situation presented is unique and challenging... but it does require some tweaks.. but with those it could be one of the most memorable in the game (if it's included).  Hopefully The Teacher is reading this.
 
One more thing.. from our discussions it was clear to me that Scott has no clue that my Assault Company is coming for his units in the town... won't he be surprised when they pop into view a couple hundred meters from the Town Hall objective?     

Oh right... I guess that means my second needs to take over the game now.. Ian, I think that's you!!  I will forward my password to you forthwith.  

The Eighteenth Minute - Part 2
 
Krichek
 
the assault on the two objectives in Krichek are under way... on the East side of the river is 1st Platoon/3rd MRC plus a few recon teams.  The T90 in this view is the immobilized tank.  
 
The 3rd MRC platoon's task is to clear the East side of the river, including attempting to destroy the Tunguska (#1) that is known to be in this area.
 
The Assault Company will seize the Town Hall objective first and then move through the town.. I am not feeling easy about this assault as I still do not have a lot of firm information about what Scott has in the town.. remember I am expecting a full Ukrainian Company with US recon support.
 
Note in the bottom of this image that there is another destroyed BMP (from 1st MRC). .another victim of the M1 Scott has overwatching this highway.  The Assault Company wil have to complete its task with the four tanks and three BMP-3s that have successfully crossed and that are already on the move.  The rest of the vehicles still moving forward will join the 1st Platoon/3rd MRC to clear the East side of the river.

 
The most forward recon team with 1st Platoon/3rd MRC spots a Javelin team about 300 meters away.  It is facing East towards 2nd MRC,  This is awesome.. Scott has Javelins in the pocket too?  Damn you Teacher!!

 
In the town itself.. Scott appears to be orienting on my recon teams on the outskirts of the town... this is exactly what i want him to do so I can move my Assault Company into attack position with the least amount of interruption.. my main worry is ATGM teams though, not vehicles.
 
On the outskirts of town Scott moves a BMP-2 perfectly in the sights of one of my recon teams.. it has a beautiful keyhole view through the gap between two buildings at the vehicle...

 
It took three rounds but eventually it does the job:

 
Here is the view looking East... note that the Tunguska (#2) is now well forward behind the building as shown.. you can also see the position of the BMP-2 that was just destroyed, a BTR command vehicle that just moved into position.. and my crawling recon team which will attempt to take out the BTR.  I just want to keep him busy and feeding troops into this area.

 
Blood Board

The Eighteenth Minute - Part 1
 
Tons of action this turn, so this is going to be rather lengthy.  This scenario has devolved into two major battles.. my 1st and 2nd MRCs against Scott's Americans, and the battle to reduce the pocket.  Both are complicated affairs, at least from my point of view... Scott has terrific visibility across most of the map and I am learning that some areas are now shut off from me.  He is slowly restricting my maneuver choices with his overwhelming fire superiority.
 
1st MRC
 
Happy to report that the Bradley Fire Support Vehicle (FSV) that was hit by an RPG round last turn was indeed knocked out.. interestingly, only one hatch opened, which could mean that only the driver survived... which would be good news as it would reduce, slightly, Scott's fire support flexibility.

 
Across from my initial screen of RPG teams and the BMP platoon Scott withdrew into a tighter formation... he killed one RPG team this turn and degraded one other.  I moved one BMP (under a smoke screen) from the gully they were deployed in to hopefully a flank position on Scott's company... it moved into position just fine but gained no spots during the turn.. I will move it again next turn to try to get in to Scott's rear.

 
Looking from Scott's perspective... you can see how tight the US Company team is now positioned.  My BMP #1 has a spot on two M1s.. umm.. if I can see them, guaranteed they can see me... could be trouble.

 
I have no clue how this M1 from the US Company Team North saw this 1st MRC BMP all the way across the map.. but it did, and it quickly destroyed it:

 

 
2nd MRC
 
Scott is still taking his time moving in on 2nd MRC... I have four vehicles remaining as can be seen below (x3 BMP-3, Tunguska).. not a lot of combat power, but enough to keep Scott busy for a several more turns hopefully.  Note the US Scout (single man) next to the Tunguska... and the Ukrainian soldier on the hill.. I have a feeling these two units are giving Scott some great intel.. that is not good.
 
Seven turns until my aircraft arrive in the AO.

 
Power Plant
 
I finally got a hole in that damned wall this turn... so with that in place the following is my assault plan... 
 
I have had a team in this area for a few turns.. was hoping they would spot a minefield if one existed across this opening.. they have not so I will attempt to enter the compound with this team in this direction. This team will enter through the hole made by my T90 a few minutes ago.  the intent for this team and the team at #1 is to be a diversion for the main thrust through the gap at #3...  With a BMP in the gap I will suppress the buildings within and enter through this hole with a full platoon of infantry, they will clear the compund one building at a time. I was hoping I would get a hole in this corner of the compound as well.. but alas my BMP failed to get a breach.  The platoon in this area will remain in reserve for now. 
 
Scott can now overwatch the road I have been using to move my Assault Company into action... in one action that is going to come back to haunt me..  the battalion HQ track (BMP-2K) with the FAC team was spotted and destroyed by Scott's overwatching unit.. probably an M1... 

John, I have identified a second Bradley FSV with the US Company North.. so unless his FAC was in the FSV with the southern company he should still have good use of his support assets.  Of course, he could have more than one FAC too.

The Eighteenth Minute - Part 2
 
Krichek
 
the assault on the two objectives in Krichek are under way... on the East side of the river is 1st Platoon/3rd MRC plus a few recon teams.  The T90 in this view is the immobilized tank.  
 
The 3rd MRC platoon's task is to clear the East side of the river, including attempting to destroy the Tunguska (#1) that is known to be in this area.
 
The Assault Company will seize the Town Hall objective first and then move through the town.. I am not feeling easy about this assault as I still do not have a lot of firm information about what Scott has in the town.. remember I am expecting a full Ukrainian Company with US recon support.
 
Note in the bottom of this image that there is another destroyed BMP (from 1st MRC). .another victim of the M1 Scott has overwatching this highway.  The Assault Company wil have to complete its task with the four tanks and three BMP-3s that have successfully crossed and that are already on the move.  The rest of the vehicles still moving forward will join the 1st Platoon/3rd MRC to clear the East side of the river.

 
The most forward recon team with 1st Platoon/3rd MRC spots a Javelin team about 300 meters away.  It is facing East towards 2nd MRC,  This is awesome.. Scott has Javelins in the pocket too?  Damn you Teacher!!

 
In the town itself.. Scott appears to be orienting on my recon teams on the outskirts of the town... this is exactly what i want him to do so I can move my Assault Company into attack position with the least amount of interruption.. my main worry is ATGM teams though, not vehicles.
 
On the outskirts of town Scott moves a BMP-2 perfectly in the sights of one of my recon teams.. it has a beautiful keyhole view through the gap between two buildings at the vehicle...

 
It took three rounds but eventually it does the job:

 
Here is the view looking East... note that the Tunguska (#2) is now well forward behind the building as shown.. you can also see the position of the BMP-2 that was just destroyed, a BTR command vehicle that just moved into position.. and my crawling recon team which will attempt to take out the BTR.  I just want to keep him busy and feeding troops into this area.

 
Blood Board

The Eighteenth Minute - Part 1
 
Tons of action this turn, so this is going to be rather lengthy.  This scenario has devolved into two major battles.. my 1st and 2nd MRCs against Scott's Americans, and the battle to reduce the pocket.  Both are complicated affairs, at least from my point of view... Scott has terrific visibility across most of the map and I am learning that some areas are now shut off from me.  He is slowly restricting my maneuver choices with his overwhelming fire superiority.
 
1st MRC
 
Happy to report that the Bradley Fire Support Vehicle (FSV) that was hit by an RPG round last turn was indeed knocked out.. interestingly, only one hatch opened, which could mean that only the driver survived... which would be good news as it would reduce, slightly, Scott's fire support flexibility.

 
Across from my initial screen of RPG teams and the BMP platoon Scott withdrew into a tighter formation... he killed one RPG team this turn and degraded one other.  I moved one BMP (under a smoke screen) from the gully they were deployed in to hopefully a flank position on Scott's company... it moved into position just fine but gained no spots during the turn.. I will move it again next turn to try to get in to Scott's rear.

 
Looking from Scott's perspective... you can see how tight the US Company team is now positioned.  My BMP #1 has a spot on two M1s.. umm.. if I can see them, guaranteed they can see me... could be trouble.

 
I have no clue how this M1 from the US Company Team North saw this 1st MRC BMP all the way across the map.. but it did, and it quickly destroyed it:

 

 
2nd MRC
 
Scott is still taking his time moving in on 2nd MRC... I have four vehicles remaining as can be seen below (x3 BMP-3, Tunguska).. not a lot of combat power, but enough to keep Scott busy for a several more turns hopefully.  Note the US Scout (single man) next to the Tunguska... and the Ukrainian soldier on the hill.. I have a feeling these two units are giving Scott some great intel.. that is not good.
 
Seven turns until my aircraft arrive in the AO.

 
Power Plant
 
I finally got a hole in that damned wall this turn... so with that in place the following is my assault plan... 
 
I have had a team in this area for a few turns.. was hoping they would spot a minefield if one existed across this opening.. they have not so I will attempt to enter the compound with this team in this direction. This team will enter through the hole made by my T90 a few minutes ago.  the intent for this team and the team at #1 is to be a diversion for the main thrust through the gap at #3...  With a BMP in the gap I will suppress the buildings within and enter through this hole with a full platoon of infantry, they will clear the compund one building at a time. I was hoping I would get a hole in this corner of the compound as well.. but alas my BMP failed to get a breach.  The platoon in this area will remain in reserve for now. 
 
Scott can now overwatch the road I have been using to move my Assault Company into action... in one action that is going to come back to haunt me..  the battalion HQ track (BMP-2K) with the FAC team was spotted and destroyed by Scott's overwatching unit.. probably an M1... 

Bil,
 
You would appear to follow the "reports of my death are greatly exaggerated" model. You've taken some serious lumps, but from what I can tell, this is in no way stopping you from continuing offensive ops. I don't see why losing the FSV wouldn't be a major hit on pnzrldr's FS capability. After all, not only are the specialists there, but so, too, the technical gear. Are you positing he has either a JFO or a JTAC (same link)? My understanding is that you both are operating in a pretty heavy ECM environment. Is this correct, or are you the only one handing out annoying electron gifts? Your pic of the spotting of the Javelin team confused me, for my brain perceived US infantry in the foreground, since my brain isn't used to seeing Russians in digicam, body armor and such. Considering your BMP-2K was a dedicated command vehicle, I'm astounded that it had so many men aboard (11?). Don't all those map boards and computer displays take up a lot of room? On a lighter note, except to the crew, the demise of 1 MRC's BMP-3 is clearly traceable to getting hung up on a birch while hastily reversing! In fact, the reversing was so forcefully done that the tree partially embedded itself in the vehicle, fouling it long enough to allow the fatal event to occur. Eight turns left until the Su-25 and two attack helos show up, eh? Wonder where pnzrldr's force will be by then? Am surprised the BMP-2 you engaged from that splendid keyhole position simply sat there through two complete RPG firings and didn't either move or shoot back. Decidedly odd behavior. 
 
Regards,
 
John Kettler

John, I have identified a second Bradley FSV with the US Company North.. so unless his FAC was in the FSV with the southern company he should still have good use of his support assets.  Of course, he could have more than one FAC too.

It's pretty easy to say that when you aren't faced with the behemoth in actual combat.. I bet that small window would be incredibly hard to target and hit when you are fearing for your life and faced with an actual fire breathing M1A2... and they rarely operate alone.  Heh.. I think there can be no doubt about the supremacy of the M1A2 SEP v2 on the battlefield, virtual in CM or real.. I would take it comfortably against any other potential opposing force tank in existence.

It's pretty easy to say that when you aren't faced with the behemoth in actual combat.. I bet that small window would be incredibly hard to target and hit when you are fearing for your life and faced with an actual fire breathing M1A2... and they rarely operate alone.  Heh.. I think there can be no doubt about the supremacy of the M1A2 SEP v2 on the battlefield, virtual in CM or real.. I would take it comfortably against any other potential opposing force tank in existence.

It's pretty easy to say that when you aren't faced with the behemoth in actual combat.. I bet that small window would be incredibly hard to target and hit when you are fearing for your life and faced with an actual fire breathing M1A2... and they rarely operate alone.  Heh.. I think there can be no doubt about the supremacy of the M1A2 SEP v2 on the battlefield, virtual in CM or real.. I would take it comfortably against any other potential opposing force tank in existence.

It's pretty easy to say that when you aren't faced with the behemoth in actual combat.. I bet that small window would be incredibly hard to target and hit when you are fearing for your life and faced with an actual fire breathing M1A2... and they rarely operate alone.  Heh.. I think there can be no doubt about the supremacy of the M1A2 SEP v2 on the battlefield, virtual in CM or real.. I would take it comfortably against any other potential opposing force tank in existence.

Here's a treat, the guys over at www.combatmission.fr have started to translate this AAR into French:  http://www.combatmission.fr/recits-de-parties/black-sea-beta-par-bil-hardenberger/
 
Pretty neat