Gen. Sosaboski

I don't have CMBB...Computer is too lousy to run it, that will change sometime in the near future. However, my main interest is western ETO/MTO, so I am still here!

Arty will do the trick sometimes, but it has to be heavy, and a lucky shot. Other than that, your best bet is to get your infantry in cover and try to flank the thing. Engineers are best for this, since they have satchel charges, but zooks can also work. The best is getting them from the rear. Flamers are good, but very vulnerable. Wooden bunkers are much easier to take out than pillboxes, besides, they only have a single MG. Sometimes, a 37mm gun or light mortar will even do the trick. Concrete will give you problems, so try heavy arty or flanking and getting in the rear with infantry (preferably w/ satchel charges), zooks, or flamethrowers. If there is no cover (not even embankments to hide behind), then smoke the hell out of your approach to block LOS. MG Pillboxes have three MG42s and they will tear your boys to shreds. The 75s and 88s will do the same. Tanks may work with lucky shots, best bet being the 105 Sherman or the AVRE (very short range though). Overall, it is tough work for the engineers.

Skolman, True, although receiving conscript allies is rare, and, for all purposes, should be basically impossible in Apr-May of '45. Can't argue about the VS armament, as I said, I know almost nothing about their OOB/TO&E.

Yeah, actually I played a hotseat against someone who bought an "elite" Volksturm platoon, I believe... But, for a more realistic depiction, certainly try what both Slappy suggested. For example, in April of '45 I ran into two platoons worth of these guys, but they were conscripts. They had an HMG too, but I had a rifle platoon, pioneer platoon, and a Sherman III (Canadians, all vet). I don't think my guys ever stopped moving, and neither did the VS, except they were all running like hell. I only suffered three wounded, and gained the objective. Even the VS didn't take too many casualties (all things considered...), probably since they ran so fast.

Perhaps, but I'm not too well informed on these guys. If you go up against them, however, I guarantee that no matter what FP rating they have, as greens or especially conscripts, they will run very quickly (usually...). Will they cause casualties? Yes. But, will they be anything besides a speedbump in a daytime '45 scenario? Usually not.

Yes, the British have some great lines in CMBO... "Stick that one in your pipe, Fritz!"

HA HA HA HA! I can't stop laughing here, excellent job!

His books instantly got me interested in WWII ground combat. Pegasus Bridge, Band of Brothers, Citizen Soldiers, D-Day...Before that, I was mainly air war... Sure, he had his opinions, but we all have ours too. If people didn't write of their opinions, much of the reading would be cut and dry. Sure, some of us disagree with his conclusions, etc. However, the work that he has done to spark an interest in younger generations is invaluable. The D-Day museum, his writings, etc, helped bring the battles and the soldiers to life. May he rest in peace.

Dorosh said: Heh heh heh...

Nope, but I get a little bit farther. It freezes when I click the start scenario button. D/led DX 8.1, thinking it would help, but it didn't.

Just as I finished d/ling the German version, naturally. W0ot!

I'll be staying up tonight...

Zarquon, The good thing about doing things like that is that you may have well slowed down his timetable. It is very frustrating to stop your entire attack, and then to consider changing your plans if the enemy has discovered your main effort. On the other hand, he could always just speed up his troops to get there before you reinforce the target. If my cover's blown, I'm not likely to sit around debating maneuvers to redirect my forces, unless I have time on my side. If you have more infantry to back up this platoon (i.e. two more platoons), I'd say it was an OK move.

Agreed with the others: start with the tutorial, then Chance Encounter. If you're up for a challenge after that, try "Last Defense" as the Americans or Riesberg (as either side, though I find the German side somewhat harder). Depending on what side you choose, the marked "TRAINING" scenarios can provide a good bit of fighting, as well as knowledge for future battles. [ August 25, 2002, 11:55 PM: Message edited by: Gen. Sosaboski ]

No, I can't make that one, but I should be at FIG this year. Unknown as to which unit. Either 1st Ind. Pol. Paras/10th Dragoons or Scots Guards. Let me know how it goes!

My Polish airborne is not in CMBB, so I'll stil end up playing CMBO on and off.

Yeah, that'd be nice...

Here is a scenario: 1 American Parachute Platoon (vet) 1 M8 HMC (reg) 1 M18 Hellcat (reg) Map: Town, moderate tree cover, large hills, October 1944, good weather. Axis attack. Estimated opponent strength: 1 Rifle 44 Platoon (reg) 1 Pioneer Platoon (reg) 2 MG42 Light MG (reg) 1 King Tiger (reg) The enemy infantry is nearly wiped out (one para squad has 22 kills for five losses of its own), but both of my vehicles were KO'd by the Tiger (Hellcat was my mistake). My opponent, however, has his KT in the town, and is about to be schooled in the art of infantry vs. armor. One para squad is still at full strength, 24 ammo, two gammon bombs, one rifle grenade. The bazooka team is still at full strength and ammo as well. The expensive purchase will soon be cheap scrap.

Damn good Bren gunner or a good shot by a rifleman.

Actually, AT teams do get the odd kill here and there, I guess by whacking the other guys around...

Don't feel bad. Two of my friends work as a tag team against me in CM hotseat games. The victories for me started out as lopsided as no friendly casualties to their entire force annhiliated or captured. Today, however, they finally proved their mettle. 400 point Axis probe, October 1944. I used 1 Gebirgsjager platoon, 1 Wehrmacht pioneer platoon, 1 Pz IVG, 1 Puma, and a 75mm FO. All units were regular except for the Puma which was vet. Map was town, moderate tree cover, large hills (Strange, huh?) However, it would prove to be a tough nut to crack. Turns out I was up against a vet Canadian Inf. Platoon, regular Vickers MG, vet 6 pdr. AT gun, regular M4A1, and a regular Wasp. My two armor pieces were knocked out in two minutes by the AT gun (very nicely placed...) Eventually, I gained control of the town, but with heavy losses (50%+). Neither platoon in my opinion would be combat capable after the fight, with the pioneer platoon losing its HQ, and one squad in total casualties. The GB platoon lost 1 1/2 squads. My 75mm arty was ineffectual in such heavy cover (heavy buildings). The damn Wasp did very well, flaming four buildings and causing much of the Pioneer platoon to panic or run into enemy fire, before one pioneer squad KO'd it with a faust. They also launched a fierce counterattack with infantry just as I was gaining a toehold on the town. This caused me at least a three minute delay, and, I would estimate, at least 1/3 of my casualties. Two GB squads were lost during this time alone. In short, they learned well. I believe the final casualty tally was 46 of my infantry (13 KIA), 49 of his (15 KIA), 2 vehicles (for each of us), 1 mortar (his 2"), 3 captured (some infantry survivors of his). I had around 35 men OK, he had around 9, I believe (all fled). However, once again, they learned. We'll see what happens when they attack against me on such a map, now that they have learned to defend... Good luck!

One of the greatest thrills in my CM career was taking out the veteran Tiger VI (Late) in Last Defense with a bazooka for the first time. My friend, who had sent the Tiger barreling down the road, was quite disappointed by seeing the uber-tank get killed by what he called a "dinky" bazooka. That is when I knew this game was good. Congrats on your victory.

Interesting... What is the BBC saying in the way of personal messages?

OK, I'll play one. Looking for suggestions. I've played "Drop to Destiny" to death.

Oh well. I still associate it with CMBO... If anyone could scrounge up the name for me, though, that'd be great.