John Kettler

Brother Ed tipped me off about this real grog treasure, one I believe is directly applicable to CM as it evolves. The War Department film "Infantry Weapons and Their Effects" showed what AT rifle grenades, the bazooka, 37 mm and 57 mm could do to a rather anemic German pillbox, but this is something altogether different, for these are probably higher quality than the original German pillbox replicas of a bunch of different types, aperture configurations and thicknesses. Weapons range from .50 BMG through 155 Long Tom. Though unfortunately no dummies were used to show effects on occupants, the interior wall damage and the internal pics of the embrasures and surrounds tell the tale pretty well anyway. Have never seen anything quite like this and had no idea such a thing existed. Regards, John Kettler

Erwin, Because the level of player knowledge in CM is so high relative to what was true on the real battlefield, ATGs are fare less survivable in CM than in actual combat. While part of the point of the film was to instill confidence in their weapons, the reality is that those same weapons were real threats, too. German accounts from the East speak of flying into hail storms of lead (lead which included steel from 12.7 mm ATRs), and British Fairey Battles conducting low level attack in France were massacred by MG-34s on AA mounts. When you get this low, ground fire can become a big deal in a hurry. The below is from a France 1940 attack by some on a Wehrmacht convoy as the aircraft comes off the target. It shows how low low level air attack really was. Regards, John Kettler

George MC, Most informative video. Watched it a few days ago after being told of it by the same brother George. Regards, John Kettler

Never heard of this before, but thanks to brother George, I can now share this astounding story of superb soldiering, guts and elan with you. Even Hollywood couldn't come up with it! Not only did this guy clobber the foe, but his captures are stunning. During OPERATION NORDWIND in January 1945 10 SS''s Panzer Battalion A Company CO Sturmbannführer Erwin Bachman wrote a chapter in armored warfare which may never be duplicated. It took place during the battle for Herlisheim, France. Regards, John Kettler

Commanderski, Something I forgot to mention, since I note you've been a Forumite since 1999, is that CM2 uses absolute, not relative, LOS. In other words, your FO must have a clear LOS to the desired impact point and be able to see where what spotting round landed. Do not shoot until you either have LOS or are certain you get there in time to establish it. Pre-game Barrage is an exception, for it's all pre-calculated before the guns speak. If you can't see where that spotting round landed, cancel the mission and start over. There's no point in flinging shells randomly on the map. Reserve point fire for such targets as MG nests, pillboxes and such, to include an immobilized tank if you have access to something suitable. 81 mm mortar delivered close by will sieve light armor. Heaven help OT anything in the middle of any sort of artillery fire, especially if bursting overhead. Tree bursts are death for OT AFVs under them, also such things as ATGs. Concentrated 105 will ruin a Panther's day (have done it: area looked like lunar surface, centered on a dead Panther), and 155 will destroy the heaviest tank. Also, if you have a TRP, you can bring down fire on it and as far as 50 meters away from it without a Spotter being needed. Hope these help and that you pay attention to Zveroboy1's observations. It cost or digital troops considerable pixel blood to learn this stuff! Regards, John Kettler

From my own direct experience, Emergency is a waste of near priceless ammo. Instead of missing with the spotting round, you'll waste an entire shoot, however you configured that. Real artillery shoots until it gets a 100 meter bracket of the target, after which comes FFE. Use your spotting rounds. Fire adjustment is critical, but you need to think about where the enemy is going to be by the time your fire support actually puts down fire and steel. If the scenario permits, TRPs are a must-have, for they will greatly improve firing accuracy and response time. They can also be used to create a line of fire between them, a line which can, I believe, even cross LOS blocked areas if either TRP is visible. Something else to know is that LOS to trees and structures is calculated based on seeing where it intersects the ground, so be prepared to be unable to shoot at that plainly visible tower whose bottom is obscured! When you're in a jam, organic artillery (usually mortars) will be your immediate savior, not fires from higher, since it's typically slower. The exception would be having a dedicated battery in support, but that's really for, say, 1980s and thereafter. If the above doesn't help, get a time machine and deliver by FedEx! Regards, John Kettler

Here's one aptly called "Shoot To Kill" and covers this highly desirable outcome from Enfield, to Bren, to Boys ATR, even the 2 pounder ATG. Dealing with aircraft is discussed, too, but not the actual mechanics. Alas, no Brem AA mount! As is often the case in such films, there is what I'd call unwarranted optimism and cheeriness (US example is MG-34 and MG-42 how to defeat them film), with an oh so British twist. Even so, there's still a substantial portion of meat in what's offered, together with the opportunity to see early war British armor standing in for hard to come by Panzers. Would've handled Boys and 2 pounder engagements differently myself, and if you refer to the previously posted 2 pounder video, you just might notice something left out while hiding the gun, yet integral to the weapon. Regards, John Kettler

This is a great resource for CMFB players, military history buffs, scenario designers or simply for those who seek greater understanding of this pivotal battle at its most intimate levels. http://battleofthebulgememories.be/home21.html Regards, John Kettler

Guys, You raise some excellent points pro and con, but what I don't see from any of you is even a passing mention that three shots were fired from spitting distance and could well have had cumulative effects. What sort of group could that generate, and what would successive closely spaced hits do to the armor? Were I doing the shooting, I believe I'd aim for the shrouds protecting the muffler, since they give access to the engine compartment. Recall the destruction sequence, where first the engine compartment caught fire, then the turret. Are those shrouds mild steel or armor steel? Can they be knocked off by a direct hit or one immediately adjacent? If so, what one hit didn't do, several could, and the projectile remnant (possibly with intact burning tracer), frag spray or even one high velocity fragment set loose in the engine compartment could start a massive gasoline fire, in turn leading to disaster in the turret. Even if no penetration resulted, regardless of whether the rear armo proper or the exhaust shroud/s got hit, spall remains a possibility, too, with nothing more needed than an igniter (impact spark or perhaps sliced open ignition wire) and gasoline from a cut fuel line. To me, this seems like an entirely reasonable set of explanations for what happened. Another factor might well be defective armor, causing embrittlement (cracks when hit), a condition worsened by extreme cold. Progressive failure is real, as a quick look at the live fire results on Tank Archive definitively shows. Regards, John Kettler

Guys, Watched it again, and the shooter unambiguously was a 37 mm armed M8 AC, not the M8 HMC. The latter was mentioned solely as part of the overall unit composition. Here's what the US Army Armor School, Fort Knox has to say of the fight. The footnote shows this account wasn't from within the unit but from the A Company CO of the nearby 38th Armored Infantry Battalion, who witnessed it and reported it . https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a952910.pdf THE BATTLE AT ST. VITH, BELGIUM 17-23 December 1944 A Study In Armor Defense p. 12 While the northern and eastern flanks had been heavily engaged, the northeastern sector Troop A, 87th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron; Company A, 38th Armored Infantry Battalion; Troop B, 87th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron) had been rather quiet. The only excitement there had been when an M8 armored car fiom Troop B destroyed s Tiger tank. The armored car had been in a concealed position neat the boundary of Troop B, 87th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron and Company A, 38th Armored Infantry Battalion, when the Tiger approached the lines at right angles to move along a bail in front of the main line of resistance. As the tank passed the armored car, the latter slipped out of position snd started up the trail behind the Tiger, accelerating in an attempt to close. At the seme moment the German tank commander saw the M8, and started traversing his gun to bear on it. It was a tace between the Americans, who were attempting to close so that their 37-mm. gun would be effective on the Tiger's thin rear armor, and the Germans, who were desperately striving to bring their 88 to bear. Rapidly the M8 closed to 2$ yards, snd quickly pumped in three rounds; the lumbering Tiger stopped snd shuddered; there was a muffled explosion, followed by flames which billowed out of the turret snd engine ports, after «hich the armored car returned to its position.^ 1 This action was reported to Major Donald P. Boyer, Jr., S-3, 38th Armored Infantry Battalion by Captain W. H. Antsey, (Commanding Company A, 38th Armored Infantry Battalion) who observed the engagement. Had the devil of a time reading the awful rendering of the good captain's name on the copy from microfiche, but it's here for anyone who wants to check. https://7tharmddiv.org/38a.htm Major Boyer's personal report is here. https://7tharmddiv.org/boyerbk.htm https://www.amazon.com/dp/1078192219 Looks pretty solid to me. Regards, John Kettler

Freyberg, Appreciate the kudos, but these were either posts from the CoC FB group or as a result (found in sidebar while viewing one posted). Post them to CM Forums because they are little treasures which deserve to be shared with those who'll appreciate them. We have quite a few of those! Regards, John Kettler

There's been repeated CM discussion over the years of a Stuart which slew a Tiger 1 via shooting it in the rear, but this was news to me and came from a CoC colleague. Not only is this a great moment in AFV warfare, but it left me wondering whether it's doable in CMFB. The video has lots of great imagery, including Cav at the Bulge and a KT at Saumur to give the proper perspective on relative size and sheer powerfulness. The comments are quite fascinating technically and historically. Regards, John Kettler

Warts 'n' all, HD became so iconic Fonzi's jacket is in the Smithsonian. Isailer, Don't recall anything specific. Wicky, "Close friends get to call him TC" To get back on a more or less martial track, I believe the nearest US equivalent to Private Pike was Gomer Pyle, played by actor Jom Nabors whose real singing voice, was magnificent. Here's where goodhearted country bumpkin Pyle arrives at the Marine base for boot camp. Actor Frank Sutton, who played the DI ,was the real deal (14 assault landings), but in the US Army, after being rejected for medical reasons by the Marines. The Sergeant Carter character scared and intimidated me as a littel boy, but he was a nonevent compared to the one Jack Webb (later of Dragnet renown) played. https://blog.togetherweserved.com/2017/10/11/actor-sgt-frank-sutton-us-army-served-1943-1946/ Regards, John Kettler

New war movie is about how 772 ROK military students landed at Jangsari to divert NK attention from dicey Inchon landing. It's a South Korean movie with a few US actors to get rears in seats here, with the biggest name being Megan Fox. George Eads, whom many of you will know from C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigation, is also there. That's him in the keyframe. Though the film suffers from the dreaded gasoline bomb HE FX, it looks good. Regards, John Kettler

Warts 'n' all, Now that I've seen the clip, it all makes sense. Without it, it's about as likely for me as it would be for you to, say, try to understand a reference to the hit American show "Happy Days" or, even better, "McHale's Navy". Regards, John Kettler

Warts 'n' all, Am going to have to watch that series somehow. Freyberg, Indeed. Regards, John Kettler

Here we have section leader training, and in it the film clearly shows the British do get it when it comes to hiding the telltale helmets and themselves generally. The unit breakdown is highly specialized, notably in that two men are designated bombers (grenade men), who also become smoke men when screening is needed. Also of note is that hip shooting at close range is pretty common, both for Lee Enfields and the Thompson. Regards, John Kettler

Wicky, Appreciate the piece, but unfortunately, it's not expandable, so I can't read it. Something from a TV show? Guys, Now that we've learned to patrol, let's move on to a platoon attack! Now, this one's a leap back to early war, but even so, there's a ton of useful information here. Besides, how else are you going to learn what the ammo loadout was for the Boys ATR? Regards, John Kettler

Warts 'n' all, This is what happens when I respond right after watching, instead of going into research mode. In fairness, though, I consider myself lucky to have correctly identified the model of a real WW II US Army helmet I bought last year. The pic looks like Normandy, and from what I know of British practices, these men are attacking, which is why they're parading about with pickaxes. Have seen another one in which they were carrying shovels. Either way, it's to provide for rapid digging in so as to best repel the inevitable promptish German counterattack. Pickaxe grog! Kaunitz, That's only because you failed to make the LOB list! Warts 'n' all, Who's Pike? Regards, John Kettler

Childress, Bravo on the writeup! Read Bernal Diaz's book as part of an ethnohistory course I had in college, though the course was more about the similarities between Sumerian (?) and Meso-American cultures. Dad used to have a historical novel called Cortes and Marina. As I recall, it was a good read. Regards, John Kettler

As a result of my telling the CoC troops about the British WW II streetfighting guide, "We Shall Fight in the Streets", one of them posted the Swedish summary of things, presumably vs an AK-47, but maybe vs full-power 7.62 mm x 54 mm. OP believes this is at 100 meters. Not shown was the German version of Pyecrete--logs soaked with water and allowed to freeze. Log bunkers of this sort were many times stronger than standard ones and required artillery fire to destroy them when fired upon. For reasons unknown, I can't insert the graphic, so am posting the link. https://imgur.com/QRKczLB Here is the Russian equivalent. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2730261837016834&set=p.2730261837016834&type=3&theater Regards, John Kettler

Warts 'n' all, Given everything else shown on exactly how the men prepare for the patrol, to include not taking water bottles (eek!), I took what was shown as to how things were supposed to be. That said, I know precious little about CW helmets. Aragorn 2002, Ever happy to help! Sgt.Squarehead, Based my spelling on a number of British and CW accounts which used the same version I did. Gusss I'm not alone in my mistake. Regards, John Kettler

Sgt.Squarehead, Definitely not a good choice while tipsy, stoned, etc.! But if you still have eyes, there's always this. Regards, John Kettler

One of my CoC colleagues posted this, and I found it so informative I'm passing the word here. What I know of patrols is highly US-centric, so it's great to see things from a different perspective. What's common is that the British used a two man scout team like we did though, I think, not in the same way, but what's distinctive is that the British LOB has an extremely low level counterpart called the stay behind man, who is always one bound behind the main body. It's his job to report what happened if things go pear-shaped. Also of note is that a Leftenant leads and is painfully obvious by virtue of having neither rifle nor Tommy gun. Believe another man is that way, too. At section level, the Bren stays home! Also noteworthy is that the British have bare helmets, which makes their heads quite obvious in many cases. Regards, John Kettler

Great find! It's a wonderful blend of a period broadcast and lots of great clips. Hadn't seen the one of the Panzerschreck team firing through the gap in ages. Pretty sure I first saw it on "The World at War". That shell detonating on the sunken road gave me flashbacks to a CMBN battle where that was done to my Landser by a 60 mm mortar. Some of that bocage is freaky looking, with trees tall enough to be in Hollywood and shooting up like a century plant on steroids. Regards, John Kettler