Grisha

Interesting info. Does the German data/records imply that PzVs had little impact at Kursk? I'm finding this confusing ... were heavy tank references mainly PzVIs?

I don't mind so much if all these penalties get placed on Soviet forces, just so long as none of them are still in place by 1944. By this time, the Soviets were very effective, especially in the exploitation phase with their own version of the Kampfgruppe, the forward detachment. This military unit was very flexible and combat capable, commanded by experienced and skilled commanders. It usually contained a little bit of everything, armor, infantry, SP arty, arty, antitank, engineers, and antiair. These are the guys that would risk driving in ravines, rather than risk detection on the open road. For them, the order of the day was go deep and wreak havoc, and they knew what they were doing.

found a pic of RPG-43

I would like early-to-mid Soviet tanks units to be implemented just the same way infantry squads are now. In other words, there would be a command tank, and any orders to the subordinate tanks would be delayed in direct relation to their distances from the command tank, as well as visibility to him.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by kipanderson: Grisha, hi, Sorry I did not get back to you more quickly. Tank Museum, Bovington Camp, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 6JG United Kingdom. Tel. 01929 405096 You will have lead in on the international code, which I think is 44 from the States. All the best, Kip.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Many thanks!

I don't have a problem with this. T-34s were pretty vulnerable to the newer 75mm cannons on the PzIVs by this time. Of course, PzIVs were not much better off either wrt T-34 and KV-1 cannon fire in 1943. But, I agree, Soviet tactics had changed by this point to a 'close then fire' approach. In fact, it was more of a 'ambush, then attack' if circumstances allowed for it.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jeff Duquette: Greg: Do a google search for Bovington Tank Museum (I am assuming this is where Kip is talking about)...that will put you on the mark. However, photocipied documents from Bovington arent cheap.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Thanks, I'll do that

Regarding the RPG-43, please correct me if I'm wrong. One pulled the pin and threw it, whereby the conical collar would unattach, and trail behind, connected by two cloth strips? The collar, by it trailing action and the fact that the strips were probably attached to the handle at the 'bottom', would stabilize the head of the grenade, insuring a reasonable chance that the grenade would function properly? If this is correct, what a neat idea. I knew the Soviet had antitank grenades, but I never knew what that meant until now. Thanks for the info, people. Kip Anderson, I live in Seattle, USA. Could you give me the number/address of this archive you spoke of?

I like Thermopylae's idea as well. Reminds me of the way Talonsoft's East Front oob is done. As to CptSwampy's post, I also agree. An assault was definitely preceded by reconnaissance of some sort, whether LURP-type, aerial, or reconnaissance in force. One way of doing this in CM now when creating scenarios is to put text names on the map, such as '1st line of defense', or 'minefields', or 'enemy bunker'. In fact, you could do all kinds of things with this idea, including false information.

During Kursk, the initial Panthers used were equipped with very unreliable engines. Will BTS model these in CM2, maybe giving it a very high bog rate, regardless of terrain, for say 1943? [ 04-11-2001: Message edited by: Grisha ]

Amazing story about a Soviet soldier who was captured by Germans early in the war.

Suvorov - the man is no historian, but more an inciter of sensationalism.

I bought CMBO to primarily train for CM2, so I don't think I'll be playing CMBO a lot once CM2 arrives.

Once CM2 comes out, I'll probably only play an odd game of CMBO, if someone is really dying to. Otherwise, CM2 will be the one for me.

German-types crashing a Soviet thread again, I see? I am really looking forward to just having T-34/76s. The rest is gravy ------------------ Best regards, Greg Leon Guerrero

Punt!

Bozhe moi! What have I started ?!? ------------------ Best regards, Greg Leon Guerrero

Maybe this will be solved in CM2 for the Soviets, at least, with the addition of HMG Commissars! If one of these Commie gems is within Tokarev range of a subordinate HMG unit in hiding, then if the HMG prematurely opens fire it's - POW! POW! - no more HMG fire...

Neither 1941 or 1942 were good years for the Soviets. However, from 1943, on, things got vastly better. As far as artillery production goes, the Soviets produced more pieces than the USA in WWII. I have the figures at home, if you want confirmation. ------------------ Best regards, Greg Leon Guerrero

The French and Czechoslovaks each both had a fighter air regiment. Not sure what sort of Soviet-equipped ground army the Czechoslovaks though. From a purely military history point of view, I'd say that the nations which should be covered(besides Germany & the Soviet Union) are:<UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI> Romania<LI> Hungary<LI> Italy<LI> Finland And it would be in that order of importance too. ------------------ Best regards, Greg Leon Guerrero

Okay, this quote is from Charles C. Sharp's Soviet Armor Tactics in World War II. It also goes against the consensus of this thread. However, Mr. Sharp stated in his preview that "Combat is a life and death matter; once a method is found to work, regardless of what the regulation says, the survivors are going to be loath to abandon it for another technique. Most of the following examples from the Soviet tank unit commanders are from the 1944-45 period, because by then the men and leaders had survived long enough to develop a well-honed feeling for 'what works'." Below, is one of those examples. ------------------ Best regards, Greg Leon Guerrero

I have an account by a Soviet tank commander who was usually assigned to forward detachment commands, and he says during a breakthrough he typically drove in every ravine he could locate, and nearly always avoided roads. ------------------ Best regards, Greg Leon Guerrero

Thumbs up on this idea ------------------ Best regards, Greg Leon Guerrero

I had read it earlier as well, but it's good that you had the forethought to place a link here, Heinz ------------------ Best regards, Greg Leon Guerrero

Exactly, Dr.Brian! Some people in this forum are under the impression that by and large the average Soviet citizen was forced to fight! This is patently untrue. By winter of 1941, the Soviets knew what was in store for them should Nazi Germany defeat them. Certainly, the Stalin regime was at work, but this had very little to do with the level of commitment the average Soviet citizen and soldier was willing to go for their country. It's a terrible misfortune that in the case of the War of Russia the losers got to write the history books. ------------------ Best regards, Greg Leon Guerrero