Bil Hardenberger

A bit of an update.. just spoke with Scott and I am going to pause my turn reports at this point to let him catch up.  Phase II of the battle is beginning, or as I like to call it: The Beginning of the End.
 
Any critiques of my play at this point would be welcome to fill up the time (I think 3 or 4 days).  I will chime in and try to answer any questions or reply to any comments.  For starters.. I think 2nd MRC is in for a world of hurt.  Thoughts?  Agree?  Disagree?

Huh. It was actually a legitimate site! Now I can call my wife back in the room.
 
Thanks.

'Deguello'. You can hear it here starting about 0:56. You may find it suitably stirring. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSOwWDEtkh0
 
Really doesn't sound much like 'Malagueña' at all.
 
Michael

Thank you, I am honored to be the subject of your first post.  I hope to hear more from you in the future.

CPC922,
 
Welcome aboard!
 
Bil's posts are indeed excellent, and I find the way you looks at things tactically to be pretty scary. He seems to have a brilliant military mind and operates from a rigorous approach. My playing style is more intuitive than analytical.
 
I expect CMBS will be a blast. On many levels. It is a bit surreal to see the kinds of US weaponry in use my brother used in Iraq before he retired.
 
Regards,
 
John Kettler

First post here.
 
Been playing since CMBN and I just wanted to say thank you Bil for your excellent posts as I have been following for quite some time without joining the forums.
 
Quite excited for this next installment and even more excited for what BF will be able to accomplish with their next game engine in the future! 

The Thirteenth Minute
 
1st MRC - continues to move through the gullies to setup their AT screen and OP/LP positions... the Counter-Attack (CA) Force is in position just behind the AT screen and ready to react to any potential enemy movements.  The rest of the company is either setting up in depth to defend this terrain or are starting to move toward the Power Station to start building the Assault Company.

 
2nd MRC - the T90s that were supporting the two BMPs and infantry hunting the US Scout Platoon have pulled out to start their trek to the Power Station.  The BMPs, with their infantry screen in front begin to hunt forward looking for the US units.  Two things spotted at the end of this turn.. the platoon leader team, and another SA-13.. this last was spotted by BMP-3 #1 and it was taking aim as the turn ended.

 
The more I think about it the more nervous I get about staying on center hill with this company.  The mortars Scott fired last turn, hitting my infantry teams really brought this home to me.. I need to move most of them forward into the gullies, clear them and take up positions from which I can attack any US reinforcements.. this will also mean that Scott will have to deal with them in close.. it'll be like the Battle of the Washboard at NTC (look it up).
 
The positions in green marked 1, 2, and 3 are the supposed positions the US Scout Platoon could be in.  I know there was one HMMWV and team in #1, might still be there... I also know there were a couple more HMMWVs in position #2, I haven't seen them leave, so they might still be there.. if I missed their withdrawal then they should be in position 3.  With the Platoon HQ in position 2, its probable that the other teams are still here as well.

 
The following image shows what I suspect could be the entry positions for the US reinforcements.. As soon as I identify where they are coming in, I will then give you my analysis on what I suspect they might do.. so we'll revisit this image then.

 
The Pocket - Tunguska #2 moved forward, fired up one of my unmanned TIgrs (destroying it) then started moving quickly back toward the town moving right by one of my recon teams (which does not have an RPG).  Tunguska #1 turned up in an overwatch position overlooking the river... hmmm.. this might give me an opportunity.  No other activity was noted.. oh, my artillery is still falling despite losing my observer last turn.

The Thirteenth Minute
 
1st MRC - continues to move through the gullies to setup their AT screen and OP/LP positions... the Counter-Attack (CA) Force is in position just behind the AT screen and ready to react to any potential enemy movements.  The rest of the company is either setting up in depth to defend this terrain or are starting to move toward the Power Station to start building the Assault Company.

 
2nd MRC - the T90s that were supporting the two BMPs and infantry hunting the US Scout Platoon have pulled out to start their trek to the Power Station.  The BMPs, with their infantry screen in front begin to hunt forward looking for the US units.  Two things spotted at the end of this turn.. the platoon leader team, and another SA-13.. this last was spotted by BMP-3 #1 and it was taking aim as the turn ended.

 
The more I think about it the more nervous I get about staying on center hill with this company.  The mortars Scott fired last turn, hitting my infantry teams really brought this home to me.. I need to move most of them forward into the gullies, clear them and take up positions from which I can attack any US reinforcements.. this will also mean that Scott will have to deal with them in close.. it'll be like the Battle of the Washboard at NTC (look it up).
 
The positions in green marked 1, 2, and 3 are the supposed positions the US Scout Platoon could be in.  I know there was one HMMWV and team in #1, might still be there... I also know there were a couple more HMMWVs in position #2, I haven't seen them leave, so they might still be there.. if I missed their withdrawal then they should be in position 3.  With the Platoon HQ in position 2, its probable that the other teams are still here as well.

 
The following image shows what I suspect could be the entry positions for the US reinforcements.. As soon as I identify where they are coming in, I will then give you my analysis on what I suspect they might do.. so we'll revisit this image then.

 
The Pocket - Tunguska #2 moved forward, fired up one of my unmanned TIgrs (destroying it) then started moving quickly back toward the town moving right by one of my recon teams (which does not have an RPG).  Tunguska #1 turned up in an overwatch position overlooking the river... hmmm.. this might give me an opportunity.  No other activity was noted.. oh, my artillery is still falling despite losing my observer last turn.

The Twelfth Minute
 
2nd MRC - Scott is firing what appears to be mortars at 2nd MRC.. this fire caused several casualties among my dismounts.  I need to get them mounted on their BMPs.  The fire has been especially effective..,

 
Power Station - at the Power Station objective two of my T90s started to area fire on the buildings next to the two openings leading into the objective.  I seriously expect these entrances to be mined.. and there is but one way to find out.  One of the T90s was fired at by an RPG team... the round was intercepted by the tank's APS.  

 
How many troops can Scott have in this objective?  A platoon maybe?  3rd MRC is scouting along the walls of the objective and will test the entrances in the next few turns.

 
Scott has figured out where one of my mortar batteries is located and has been conducting some counter-battery fire over the past few turns.. casualties have been light and these mortars are all getting close to running out of ammo so I am loath to move them.  This turn one of the incoming rounds takes out the observer in my FO team.. we'll have to see what effect this has on my artillery fire on the town.

 
In the town, the HMMWV that was on the edge of town was seen moving deeper in to the town chased by 30 mike mike from one of my BMP-3s.  No hits noted.

 
This AO is shaping up to be the next important front...  the two enemy Tunguskas are still at large (Tunguska 2 is starting to advance, alone toward my scout teams in the south-west corner of the map).  I have precious little to stop this thing in that area.. yet.

Update on this... I just did a test and the BMP-3 takes the high wall down in 2 or 3 shots.  So I have my way in.

My supporting fire, other than my aircraft will be spent by the time I come to grips with the Ukrainians in the town.  I don't know what condition they are in, but they must be pretty beat up after 11 minutes of artillery fire... my priority targets are any enemy vehicles and any ATGM or RPG teams I can identify.. I don't need to kill all the Ukrainian infantry to accomplish my main task (eliminate this enemy force as a threat), thus I shouldn't need to go "house to house" except to clear the objectives.  My number one philosophy is to NOT fight the battle that my opponent is best suited for so I will be avoiding any house clearing if possible.

Bil,

Here's a great piece on Russian micro tactics. Quite the read. This is but one of several such battles depicted, complete with sketches. The resource represented by the Tankers portion of IRemember.ru is simply tremendous. Combat accounts by the score.

http://tinyurl.com/pprfw2u

Regards,

John Kettler

Excellent! Now watch it use air burst when you do the real thing , but it sounds like you should be good to go. Happy wall busting!

My supporting fire, other than my aircraft will be spent by the time I come to grips with the Ukrainians in the town.  I don't know what condition they are in, but they must be pretty beat up after 11 minutes of artillery fire... my priority targets are any enemy vehicles and any ATGM or RPG teams I can identify.. I don't need to kill all the Ukrainian infantry to accomplish my main task (eliminate this enemy force as a threat), thus I shouldn't need to go "house to house" except to clear the objectives.  My number one philosophy is to NOT fight the battle that my opponent is best suited for so I will be avoiding any house clearing if possible.

That's pretty ungrateful of the CIC if you ask me... in proper Russian fashion I have attacked and annihilated what I believed to be the most important enemy formation, the Ukrainian MRC, while bypassing the enemy formation in the pocket which appears to be second rate.  This task took all of 10 minutes or so, how much faster would the CIC suggest I move?  Providing me with another MRC or tank company would be better received than his armchair leadership.
 
Plans are in motion for the reduction of the pocket and I expect to attack its soft underbelly in the next three or four minutes.

I will have a couple BMP-3 platoons in the vicinity in the next turn or two.. while I'm waiting for the next turn I'll do some tests with BMP-3 versus the tall wall.  I'll do that this evening and let you guys know what I discover.

This battle will be fought against probably the most experienced and knowledgeable opponent I have ever faced. Pnzrldr is a serving US Army LTC (Armor) and this makes him a formidable opponent. We have played several times and I think are well matched. We have both had games where one of us has totally routed the other, but most games have been very tightly fought affairs. I hope this game turns out to be one of those.

The scenario which was put together specially for Scott and I by TheTeacher is going to be quite a challenge. My request was to be on the defense and to play redforce. What he presented us with is truly an interesting and challenging situation. Basically I have been presented with an enemy bypassed company sized force that I am expected to deal with prior to setting up a defense against the enemy force coming to relieve them.


The enemy force in my rear is sitting on an area that stretches across three objectives: Textile Mill, Town Hall, and the Power Station. I am expected to reduce this concentration prior to reorienting to engage the relief force. Interesting no?



Stay tuned… this is going to be fun. I will be doing an abbreviated analysis where I will analyze the mission, the enemy, my troops, and the terrain, all coming up in future installments.

Steven, they were firing at the crew from the SA-13 they knocked out in the previous turn.. then they started to react to the more dangerous threat, the RPG team.
 
No, just the one immobilized T-90.  

The Eleventh Minute - Part 2   In the pocket, my T90s fight back against the RPG team in the house next to the immobilized T90.  I still need to decide what I am going to do with this tank section.. I do not want to push only a single unsupported tank forward to hunt for that Tunguska. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IuellWVyIM&feature=youtu.be
 
Finally, I wanted to illustrate the new amphibious vehicle feature in Black Sea... this BMP 3 is swimming the river separating the Recon Platoon from the town in the pocket.  I want to bring the second BMP across as well, but wanted to get this one over safely first.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwiP4Tv5nPw&feature=youtu.be 
 
Updated Blood Board:

While I wait for Scott to send the next turn I am thinking about how I want to proceed.  This is a key deicsion point in the battle.  I want to keep a strong force to face the US reinforcements, but I also want to start to take down the units in the pocket and grab some of those objectives.
 
This map is several turns old, but should be a good reference for the discussion:
1st MRC  - After moving through the terrain that this company is sitting on I have concluded that Scott will not move that way even if his reinforcements come in there.  The woods are impassable to vehicles except in a very few narrow corridors.. so any force he tried to move through those woods would be channelized and would have to advance single file.  A dream for me to defend.. but I doubt it'll come to that.  
 
What I plan to do is push some AT teams as far forward as possible and take up reverse slope positions to attack any armor that might move laterally out of this corner of the map.  I will deploy a lot of the 1st MRC infantry in depth in ambush positions in case Scott does try to bull his way through.  I will also keep a platoon of BMP-3s as support and they will be positioned fairly far forward in the gullies and dry stream beds as a counter-attack force and for quick sniping if it looks like Scott is presenting a flank I can take advantage of.  
 
At least one Platoon of BMP-3s and the T90 platoon will remain in the rear of 1st MRC and be ready to advance to hull down positions to cover any other contingencies.  The key is to get as close to Scott's US units as possible to negate his range advantage.  Or, to hit them in the flank or rear when the opportunity presents itself.
 
The remaining BMP-3 platoon will be moving out and I will discuss them in a bit.
 
2nd MRC - I am not comfortable with this company staying on the forward slope of center hill so I am planning on pulling them back to cover the flanks and the area especially between 1st and 2nd MRCs.. I suspect Scott will seek open ground to move through, especially now that I have this hill well covered.  He probably will not want to move through this terrain where he could run into hidden AT teams.  I will be leaving several AT teams in hide positions to pop out if Scott does try to recapture the hill.
 
One platoon of BMPs and two of the T90s (the two that have suffered some damage) will be moving out and I will discuss them in a bit.
 
GL Platoon and ATGM Section - These units will remain in their current positions to secure the area between the two MRCs and the open area to the north,  I doubt the GL Platoon will be of much help, but I have to work with the resources I have available.  I will strengthen them by moving the second remaining GL Platoon BMP 3 from the north to the area between the two MRCs.
 
3rd MRC - This formation which has no vehicles (which really sucks by the way   ) has already started to scout the Power Station objective and will attack it in the next few turns.  One platoon is moving up to the area around my immobilized T90 to provide some support and to scout that approach for follow on forces.
 
Recon Company - This formation is too weak to be a viable offensive force other than the platoon that has two BMP-3s (without Arena).  This BMP platoon will move across the river (one has already done so) and cause some havoc on any enemy units on the north end of the town.  Many other teams have been scouting forward in to the town for several turns already and will continue that mission as a distraction and to keep Scott's forces in place.
 
Assault Company Team (clever name TBD) - This new formation will be made up of the following units:
Command: Tank Company HQ tank BMP-3M (Arena) Platoon/1st MRC BMP-3M (Arena) Platoon/2nd MRC 2nd Tank Platoon (-) - two tanks that have suffered damage. 3rd Tank Platoon (-) - two tanks - this is my reserve tank platoon, the platoon leader's tank from 3rd platoon is the immobilized tank Mission - this formation will strike hard at the enemy units in the pocket.  I have yet to decide their scheme of maneuver but they will assemble near the Power Station objective over the next few turns.
 
Objective - kill as many enemy units as possible and make Scott believe he has to increase his tempo with the US relief force which could cause him to get careless and rash with his US force.

While I wait for Scott to send the next turn I am thinking about how I want to proceed.  This is a key deicsion point in the battle.  I want to keep a strong force to face the US reinforcements, but I also want to start to take down the units in the pocket and grab some of those objectives.
 
This map is several turns old, but should be a good reference for the discussion:
1st MRC  - After moving through the terrain that this company is sitting on I have concluded that Scott will not move that way even if his reinforcements come in there.  The woods are impassable to vehicles except in a very few narrow corridors.. so any force he tried to move through those woods would be channelized and would have to advance single file.  A dream for me to defend.. but I doubt it'll come to that.  
 
What I plan to do is push some AT teams as far forward as possible and take up reverse slope positions to attack any armor that might move laterally out of this corner of the map.  I will deploy a lot of the 1st MRC infantry in depth in ambush positions in case Scott does try to bull his way through.  I will also keep a platoon of BMP-3s as support and they will be positioned fairly far forward in the gullies and dry stream beds as a counter-attack force and for quick sniping if it looks like Scott is presenting a flank I can take advantage of.  
 
At least one Platoon of BMP-3s and the T90 platoon will remain in the rear of 1st MRC and be ready to advance to hull down positions to cover any other contingencies.  The key is to get as close to Scott's US units as possible to negate his range advantage.  Or, to hit them in the flank or rear when the opportunity presents itself.
 
The remaining BMP-3 platoon will be moving out and I will discuss them in a bit.
 
2nd MRC - I am not comfortable with this company staying on the forward slope of center hill so I am planning on pulling them back to cover the flanks and the area especially between 1st and 2nd MRCs.. I suspect Scott will seek open ground to move through, especially now that I have this hill well covered.  He probably will not want to move through this terrain where he could run into hidden AT teams.  I will be leaving several AT teams in hide positions to pop out if Scott does try to recapture the hill.
 
One platoon of BMPs and two of the T90s (the two that have suffered some damage) will be moving out and I will discuss them in a bit.
 
GL Platoon and ATGM Section - These units will remain in their current positions to secure the area between the two MRCs and the open area to the north,  I doubt the GL Platoon will be of much help, but I have to work with the resources I have available.  I will strengthen them by moving the second remaining GL Platoon BMP 3 from the north to the area between the two MRCs.
 
3rd MRC - This formation which has no vehicles (which really sucks by the way   ) has already started to scout the Power Station objective and will attack it in the next few turns.  One platoon is moving up to the area around my immobilized T90 to provide some support and to scout that approach for follow on forces.
 
Recon Company - This formation is too weak to be a viable offensive force other than the platoon that has two BMP-3s (without Arena).  This BMP platoon will move across the river (one has already done so) and cause some havoc on any enemy units on the north end of the town.  Many other teams have been scouting forward in to the town for several turns already and will continue that mission as a distraction and to keep Scott's forces in place.
 
Assault Company Team (clever name TBD) - This new formation will be made up of the following units:
Command: Tank Company HQ tank BMP-3M (Arena) Platoon/1st MRC BMP-3M (Arena) Platoon/2nd MRC 2nd Tank Platoon (-) - two tanks that have suffered damage. 3rd Tank Platoon (-) - two tanks - this is my reserve tank platoon, the platoon leader's tank from 3rd platoon is the immobilized tank Mission - this formation will strike hard at the enemy units in the pocket.  I have yet to decide their scheme of maneuver but they will assemble near the Power Station objective over the next few turns.
 
Objective - kill as many enemy units as possible and make Scott believe he has to increase his tempo with the US relief force which could cause him to get careless and rash with his US force.

Here are the links to videos for the major events that happened in turn 5. Hopefully this will satisfy Ken's bloodlust.

The Tenth Minute

First off, turn 10 and no sign of any reinforcements yet. I am on high alert for them at this point.

1st MRC - the enemy BMP that I knew was in this area finally got spotted and eliminated this turn. I don't think I'll be moving this formation any further into enemy territory.


2nd MRC

On the left flank of the center hill my T90 hunted forward looking for the mystery BMP 2 spotted last turn.. he did indeed spot and kill him.


On the right flank I have a two vehicle section of BMP 3s and a two tank section of T90s moving on the flank of the US Recon Platoon's position. This area was also saturated with T90, BMP, and Tunguska fire to keep their heads down.

On the way one of the T90s (the one that got beat up by the Tunguska earlier in the battle) took what looks like an AT4 in the side. Just a little additional track damage.


Pocket - in the pocket my T90s were moving fast to get a bead on his Tunguska.. only they ran in to a little trouble. A few RPG rounds hit (no damage) and one of them runs in to a minefield crossing the road... it is now immobilized.

There is an enemy team in the buildings next to them. I really got a head of myself in this movement and failed to coordinate my tank sections properly. Damn.

Note Tunguska 2's location. I had a couple scout teams trying to get close enough to fire RPGs, instead they were both spotted and decimated by the Tunguska. I have a healthy respect for these vehicles. I only wish I had some dismounted ATGM teams.. something with a longer range.


Okay,I think its time for me to stop pushing my luck and start to position my units for the inevitable US reinforcements. I will pull 1st MRC's vehicles back, and 2nd MRC will take up defensive positions on center hill. I would love to take up reverse slope positions but his Tunguska has me spooked... but I am working on that.

I am also going to pick up the pace on attacking the Power Plant objective.. I have a feeling it is mined as there are only two openings into the objective and I don't have any breach kits in the 3rd MRC.

Blood Board - Turn 10

The Ninth Minute

A lot going on in the 2nd MRC sector. Refer to this image for the location of the following events...


As seen in the teaser video, my BMP 3 takes an RPG round (1,2)... 4 dead across the crew and the two teams onboard. The vehicle is still functional, but I won't know the damage until I can recrew it. The enemy soldier, the last survivor from his team falls to my Tunguska fire:


This is a weird one... a BMP 2 (3) was spotted just sitting there. It dd not move or fire, nor did my units fire on it, even though it was spotted. It looks like it might be abandoned, but if it is I would expect the hatches to be open. I will investigate.

A lone US Scout team (4) watched as the Ukrainian soldiers in the background attempted to escape my advancing units... then he too falls to BMP fire. Brutal.


The final right flank Ukrainian MR platoon BMP-2 (5) falls to BMP-3 fire from two directions.

Scott does indeed have at least one team with a Javelin (7). It shows itself this turn and fires one missile, which, luckily, was intercepted by Arena (8). I will saturate that area with fire next turn.

The first of the US Recon HMMWVs (6) falls to BMP fire.. it tried to escape, but ran out of space. 


In the pocket one of my T90 sections spots and eliminates this SA13 SPAA vehicle. Not far from the Tunguska actually.. and from its placement and orientation (it was faced away from my tanks) it seems Scott may not have known my T90s were on the prowl in this area. If not, he does now.

This battle will be fought against probably the most experienced and knowledgeable opponent I have ever faced. Pnzrldr is a serving US Army LTC (Armor) and this makes him a formidable opponent. We have played several times and I think are well matched. We have both had games where one of us has totally routed the other, but most games have been very tightly fought affairs. I hope this game turns out to be one of those.

The scenario which was put together specially for Scott and I by TheTeacher is going to be quite a challenge. My request was to be on the defense and to play redforce. What he presented us with is truly an interesting and challenging situation. Basically I have been presented with an enemy bypassed company sized force that I am expected to deal with prior to setting up a defense against the enemy force coming to relieve them.


The enemy force in my rear is sitting on an area that stretches across three objectives: Textile Mill, Town Hall, and the Power Station. I am expected to reduce this concentration prior to reorienting to engage the relief force. Interesting no?



Stay tuned… this is going to be fun. I will be doing an abbreviated analysis where I will analyze the mission, the enemy, my troops, and the terrain, all coming up in future installments.