s bakker

Well it seems to me this is a great moment to fuel the buzz around CM. The new movie and release-date gives us a good reason to mail all those game-magazines and game-pages about CM and fuel the hype. And all of you who made a pre-order should have recieved a email from BTS which states the current situation nice and clear, an ideal attachment to such a 'buzz-mail'. We can follow it up in may with the notification when the 'gold' is available. This way CM goes from 'hey a new game' to 'the highly anticipated revolution in wargaming'. CM is coming! Get to work guys. Grtz S Bakker. [This message has been edited by s bakker (edited 03-29-2000).]

Fionn: Another vote for FOW on. I remember you referring to a battle where a hetzer continually did a hit and run on your superior tank force to such an extend you almost got frustated. I would love to see that in an AAR. Oh, and the hetzer too . It would make the player (that's you son) uncertain about the AI strength (as it should be) and the actual strength could be listed afterwards as to illustrate the AI handeling of his resources. Grtz S Bakker. [This message has been edited by s bakker (edited 03-29-2000).]

HURRAH !!! "Good shot private! But .. What ..Why are you crying ?" "*Sob* It was such a nice looking Jagdpanther sir. I guess it was straight from the factory. Poor thing. *Sob*" "Yeah son, war is hell." Now i'm off to plan my vacation on the first weeks of june . Grtz S Bakker. PS: BTS; lots of kuddos to you guys for not putting your baby on the cruel world of gaming (reviews?) until you were sure it could stand on it's own two feet.

Qoute Fionn: ____________________________ It's gonna be a while before I can upgrade too (probably nearer the end of the year than the beginning ;( ). Anyone want to help a beta tester out ? _______________________ Hmmm .... meet me at the docks tonight and i'll swap you mine 500mhz system for the latest build of CM . Oh, and did i mention i was sorry ? WOMB*squish*. Grtz S Bakker.

Agreed, i'll have to see it churn and hear it crackle before i give it the big thumb up. In the meantime i like what i see in the POTD. If you compare the two burning buildings up front you'll notice the building on the right has flames sprouting out much higher then the one on the left. Does that mean the one on the right has been on fire longer ? Or do flames sprout out at random locations (as fire tends to do)? Back in Feb I listed three things which could raise the acceptance of non/semi wargamers if CM came out: 1 better smoke 2 better fire 3 nicer textures It seems that BTS is raking up the score, good work guys . Grtz S Bakker PS: on the nicer textures bit, it would be nice if some AFV's had more of an 'battlefield look' for example a Sherman with sandbags on the glacies and tracks and spare roadwheels on the turret. It seems most AFV's from CM have that 'fresh from the factory look'. Minor point

Qoute: "You should however note that I carefully hedged my bets with the use of the phrase: "one of the first"" Point noted and taken (although obvioulsy missed the first time around ). Please don't feel sniped at, i just find it an interesting topic so i jumped in and gave an other example. Qoute: "Even so I think the scale of your example is somewhat different" No doubt about that eihter. Qoute: "....more later...." Can hardly wait. The fact that there was an organized flexible(mobile) anti-tank screen available seems to suggest the AT-guns were mechanized instead of lorried. Was this the birth of the 2-pounder AT-guns portees ? Grtz S Bakker.

Simon, although i have no doubt that Tobruk applied a very good defence system against armoured break through as you descibe in detail (you obviously studied that ). I wonder about your statement "Was one of the first to demonstrate at the tactical level how to defeat the hitherto apparently unbeatable German combined arms doctrine." I always thought the french were the first to employ the in-depth defence (although at a tactical level). From the dark piths of my online memory (i am on my work so i don't have any books by hand): In the second fase of the German campaign in France i recall the french generals giving the Germans a hard times as they had adopted a in-depth defence system to counter the German deep penetrations. Basically they organized their defences around defendable terrain (forests, towns) with regimental or larger formation in hedgehog positions who had their own organic artillery which could cover the open terrain around them. Thus they didn't try to defend the open terrain where to would be bound to be defeated in time by the tank forces. This nullified the German breakthrough as the German tanks would be lumbering through the open terrain unable to find unprotected reargaurd units to overrun, while their own supporting units could only follow with difficulty because of the french artillery. As i recall it took the Germans quite some time to break through this defence in depth. Just my 2 cents, i don't know if the french used mobile reserve forces to 'plug the holes' as the Germans did later on with their 'fire brigades' on the east front. Grtz S Bakker.

WOW ... a pic of charles and steve. Who could have thought they are actually living people ....... makes you think . Buy the way notice the pale complexion on both of them, that means that they spend most of their time bathing in the rays of their monitor instead of being exposed to that glowy furball in the skies. GOOD! It is always nice to know that people are actually forsaking daylight hours just to please a hord of over-critical bigmouthed wargame enthousiasts. And by the way if that is BTS' standard company car then i'm sending my CV over ASAP . Grtz S Bakker. [This message has been edited by s bakker (edited 03-24-2000).]

Well what can i say, the attention to detail in CM continues to amaze me. Big thumbs up for BTS . What's next? Turret jamming? Bullet splash? Grtz S Bakker. PS: Fionn, still no news on my CMMC enlistment? [This message has been edited by s bakker (edited 03-20-2000).]

Front upper hull Hit Internal armor flaking. Internal armor flaking; as in bits of armour being propelled through the tank as result of shattering of the 'inner layer' of armour ? Gosh , another realistice detail modelled. Does the engine also model the 'cracking' effect of armor which is hit multiple times? Jentz' his 'Tiger I&II combat tactics' had some interesting pictures of tigers used as target practice where the (up to then not penetrated) armour shattered/cracked as result of the subsequent 6-pounder hits. Just wondering. Grtz S Bakker.

Well, i can’t help it. I found another interesting read. How about i warm you guys up for some bocage fighting ? This is one-thirds of a paragraph from Thomas J Lentz’ ‘Panzertruppen II’. Read and enjoy. _____________________________________________ The following preparation order from the commander of the SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 of the 2nd SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich" covered details on tactics that were to be employed by Panzers in the Normandy Bocage: A. General Here on the Invasion Front we are facing an enemy superior to us in equipment but not in fighting spirit. We shall also emerge victorious in this struggle because fighting spirit is the deciding factor I battle. I wish to see this continuously brought home to the men in talks and lectures. I expect my Kompanie commanders to be able to rouse their men, filling them wit a fanatical elan. Every man must be convinced of our ability to cancel out enemy air and material superiority. We shall exploit the inferior quality of the enemy soldier as a fighting man. The enemy tanks are timid. If we tackle them energetically, we shall make them run and soon destroy them. B. Battle tactics. 1. There will be none of the tank fighting that we dream about. The close country compels us to fight with small battle or assault groups with close cooperation between Panzers, Panzer-Grenadiere, Pioniere, and Artillerie. 2. The most trouble to all the units will be caused by the enemy artillery. Artillery must be the first objective, and it must be destroyed at all costs. Each commander must bear this in mind when left without orders. Once the attack is started there must be no halting, for that only means our death and destruction. The enemy will begin to falter when his artillery position has been occupied. Then we must exploit his weakness and push on without regard to maintaining contact with flanking or following units. During the attack we should not adhere strictly to the allotted boundaries and objectives, but must exploit the terrain and signs of enemy weakness in order to penetrate into the depth of the enemy position. Gaps can easily be closed and flanks easily protected because the attack will be echeloned in great depth. 3. The main burden of fighting in this close country will be borne by the Panzer-Grenadiere. The task of the Panzer crews is to support them to the utmost and to exploit every opportunity to independently push forward. 4. The intention is to mount a divisional attack against the new fortified enemy line with the two Panzer-Grenadier-Regiments leading, supported by the Sturmgeschuetz-Batterie and the Artillerie-Regiment. I have offered two Panzer-Kompanien to support the Grenadiere, with the intention that they will follow the attacking Grenadiere in the role of Sturmgescheutze. They will have the additional task of reconnoitering and marking routes forward for the following Panzer-Kampfgruppe and for exploiting every opportunity for a tank thrust. The Commanders of both Panzer-Kampfgruppen will follow with their Stabs-Kompanien some distance to the rear of the leading Panzer-Kompanien. The Stabs-Kompanien wil be further reinforced by one Pionier-Zug each. The tasks assigned to the Panzer-Kampfgruppen commanders are: a. Close liaison with the Panzer-Grenadier-Kampfgruppen. b. Early ground and situation reconnaissance. c. Reconnaissance of approach routes for the Panzer-Kampfgruppe to follow, employing the Pioniere to effect any necessary repairs and improvements. d. Exploitation of every opportunity for an armored thrust, making ruthless penetrations with the forces at their disposal. _____________________________________________ I love the emphasis on initiative and the ‘respect’ they have for the allied artillery. If you guys liked this one i will post the next parts sometimes this week.: 2nd part: organization of the kampfgruppen (organizational) 3rd part: Night training and excersizes (tactics) Grtz S Bakker.

Oh rats ! Looks like my opportunity shot is high and wide ..... worth the shot though ..... Grtz S Bakker.

Hey Madmatt, after the tiger/jagdtiger extravaganza the last week i wonder if i could persuede you to give some POTD's of other vehicles. How about some happy family pictures of say all shermans (versions!) or 250's or 251's or german TD's or or or or or ...... well you get the picture (oh what a pun, i'm killing myself ) . I for one would be happy to drool all over those kodak moments (mommy jagdpanther and daddy jagdtiger with the childern TD's on a leasurly stroll in the countryside ..... ). Oh please ..... Grtz S bakker. (begging mode on)

T(h)anks for the feedback. I still have the receipt of the sherman, being brand new and all. Do you think the factory will give me a new one if i could prove it broke down after being hit by a single bullet ? They sure don't make them as they used to. Grtz S Bakker PS: Maybe this sniper (oh, excuse me, 'sharpshooter') is a candidate for the heroes corner?

Do you have an URL-link to this publisher? Sounds interesting.

Well Fionn, i posted the movie (allied) to you at your e-mail adres at the gamers.net and understood that dschugaschwili will do the same this very day.... I'm anxiously awaiting your conclusion ... Grtz S Bakker

Dschugaschwili said: ___________________________________________ I'm playing a PBEM game in Riesberg right now (as Axis), and my sniper did exactly the same to an allied tank. It was during the first turn, none of my other units had LOS to the tank (sitting at the end of the road), and the tank was immobilized exactly the same moment the bullet fired by my sharpshooter hit it. ____________________________________________ Since i'm Dschugaschwili's mysterious PBEM opponent i'll put my 2 cents in too .... I indeed was stunned to see my sherman stop and button up after a loud 'clank' in the middle of the road. I replayed the movie several times and saw no impact, no explosion, no crewmember is injured etc. I suspected it was the sniper but i had no proof until Dschugaschwili posted his view ..... I think a beta tester or BTS should have a look at it and Dschugaschwili and i can supply the corresponding PBEM files. It looks like a funny bug to me. Grtz S bakker. PS: maybe Oswald was hired by the Germans in WOII and used his famous 'magic bullets' ?

Hmmmmm, that would be around 16:00 CET time wouldn't it. Good i'll be there .... Grtz S Bakker (from holland, that's in europe .....)

Thanks for giving some interesting insights on this article Tommi. Maybe you could give some snippets (or links to) accounts of eastern karelian battles to give furhter insights on effective forest warfare ? Grtz S Bakker.

Mattias, Well these snippets are all from the book " Handbook on German military forces" an amercan amry book about weapons and tactics used bt the Germans in WWII, written in 1944. This book was later declassified and published 'as is' by the Louisiana State University Press. The tactics articles can also be found on MOON;s website at; http://www.gamesofwar.de/FrameSet1.html Check it out ! Grtz S Bakker PS: mike_rockley; what are f.u.p's ? PPS: Dschugaschwili; i feared you would [This message has been edited by s bakker (edited 02-24-2000).]

Well here is another article for you to picture those harsh battles in the woods in CE and LD. _____________________________________________ Combat in Woods When attacking in woods, the Germans usually divide the are into company sectors. The Germans stress constant reconnaissance to discover the most weakly manned enemy position. This reconnaissance is carried out, even though company strength becomes temporarily reduced. Reconnaissance patrols usually move clockwise from their original position. The company commander reviews the reconnaissance reports in detail with his platoon and section leaders. The company usually deploys in wedge formation when advancing. In order to achieve surprise, the Germans often leave the roads and advance cross-country. As soon as the point of the wedge of the company is in sight of the enemy, the Germans creep forward to close-combat range, always keeping contact with adjacent and supporting units. The company then storms the enemy's position, using greatest possible number of hand grenades, pole charges, and close-combat weapons. The advance elements attempt to break into the hostile position as deeply as possible, the body of the wedge widening the penetration on both sides. The company commander then decides whether to roll up the enemy position on the more important flank or to hold the ground until reinforcements arrive before commiting the attack. Each platoon details at least one observer, armed with an automatic weapon, to neutralize enemy treetop snipers. The Germans believe that bursts of fire, rather than single shots, are necessary to deal effectively with such snipers. The Germans consider fighting in wooded areas as the primary task of riflemen and machine gunners, since the employment of heavy-support weapons often is impossible. The Germans occasionally dismount heavy machine guns and use them as light machine guns. Antitank guns of small caliber and light infantry howitzers sometimes are brought forward manually, and when indirect fire is not possible they engage targets directly. Light mortars are employed individually. From Finnish troops, the Germans learned a successful method of using mortars in woods. The mortar observers, accompanied by a telephone operator, move with the advanced element. The line back to the mortar crew is exactly 200 yards long. One man is detailed to see that the line does not get hung on the way and as far as possible runs in a straight line. When the advanced element contacts the enemy, the observer judges the distance from himself to the target and adds the 200 yards to the mortar range. Bracketing of fire for adjustment is considered too dangerous because of the close proximity of friend and foe. When the Germans leave a woods or have to cross a large clearing within the wooded area, the troops work themselves close to the edge of the woods. Then all the men leave the woods simultaneously, rushing at least 100 yards before seeking cover. _____________________________________________ This will be the last 'article' i'm posting for a while ....... Grtz S Bakker

Patience my son. Good things come to those who wait. Grtz S Bakker.

Dschugaschwili, I take that challenge, let's tango ! Grtz S Bakker. PS: saw that first turn movie uptheen times and i still love it !

Fionn: Yep, but when developers say 'polishing up' i automaticly translate it as 'swatting bugs and cleaning up'. But that these guys (BTS) are actually giving this sturdy army boot a gleaming shine surprises me very much thank you. And i love surprises so keep them coming! Grtz S Bakker PS: Warning: putting this pic on your desktop increases staring time and decreases actual working time. [This message has been edited by s bakker (edited 02-21-2000).] [This message has been edited by s bakker (edited 02-21-2000).]

Here is another article snippet about German tactics on street fighting to read and enjoy. _____________________________________________ Town and Street Fighting In attacking a town or village, the Germans employ flanking and encircling tactics. They attempt to cut off water, electricity, gas, and other utilities. While carrying out the flanking maneuver, they pin down the defenders with heavy artillery fire and aerial bombardment. When it is necessary to make a direct assault, the Germans concentrate all available heavy weapons, including artillery and air units, on one target. They favor as targets for their massed fire the forward edges of the community, especially detached groups of buildings and isolated houses. During the fire concentration the infantry assembles and attacks the objective immediately upon termination of artillery fire. Tanks and assault guns accompany the infantry, and with their fire immobilize any new enemy forces which may appear. They also support the infantry in sweeping away barricades, blasting passages through walls, and crushing wire obstacles. Guns and mortars are used against concealed positions, and antitank guns cover side streets against possible flanking operations. Machine guns engage snipers on roofs. The immediate objective of the Germans is to divide the area occupied by the enemy. These areas then are isolated into as many smaller areas as possible, in order to deny the enemy freedom of movement. Another form of attack employed by the Germans is to drive through a community and establish good positions beyond the town to block the retreat of the defender. Then they try to anihilate the enemy within the community. The assaulting troops are divided into a number of columns and make a series of coordinated parallel attacks. Attacks from opposite directions and conflicting angles are avoided, since they lead to confusion and to firing on friendly troops. The columns are sub-divided into assault and mop-up groups. Assault detachments of engineers, equipped with demolition equipment, flame throwers, and grenades, accompany the infantry. Where possible, the Germans blast holes through the walls of rows of buildings along the route of advance in order to provide the infantry with covered approaches. These passages afford protection for bringing up supplies and evacuating casualties. Houses are cleared of defenders by small-arms fire. Streets are avoided as much as possible by the Germans who infiltrate simultaneously through back yards and over roofs. They attempt to further the advance by seizing high buildings which offer dominating positions and wide fields of fire. When compelled to advance through streets, the Germans move in to files, one on each side of the thoroughfare. The left side is preferred as it is more advantageous for firing right-handed from doorways. Consideration is given to the problem of fighting against defenders organized not only in depth but in height. Consequently the men receive specific assignments to watch the rooms, the various floors of buildings, and cellar windows. Side streets are immediately blocked, and at night searchlights are kept ready to illuminate roofs. As soon as a building is occupied, the Germans organize it into a strongpoint. Windows and other openings are converted into loopholes and embrasures. Cellars and attics are occupied first in organizing for defense. Even buildings which have been completely destroyed are kept under constant observation to prevent their reoccupation by the enemy. From occupied buildings the Germans deliver continuous machine-gun and rifle fire with the object of denying the enemy the opportunity to occupy alternate positions. Underground corridors and sewers, which provide excellent cover for defenders, are attacked with determination. When immediate clearance or smoking-out is not possible, the entrances are barricaded, blasted, or guarded. Aware that their tanks and assault guns are vulnerable to attacks by tank-hunting units, the Germans assigne infantry to protect them. Barricades and obstacles are cleared by infantry and engineers. All able-bodied civilians, regardless of danger, are summoned to clear the streets of debris. When a section of a town is occupied, the Germans close up all side streets leading from the occupied area, block all exits of houses, and then begin a house-to-house search with details assigned to special tasks, such as mopping up roofs, attics, basements, courtyards, and staircases. _____________________________________________ What are you waiting for ? Rip out that MP40 count your grenades and clear that block ! Grtz S Bakker. [This message has been edited by s bakker (edited 02-21-2000).]