Phantom Captain

Now we wait as the Pioneers try to find a way through the mines. Nerves are high all around as the clock is ticking. Automatically, the bridge becomes a congested choke point. The great crossing has begun. My officers are edgy and their blood is up. We only hope we have enough combat power and can get enough across the bridge without a major catastrophe. The assault on Dolhonosy depends on it. It does, however, help the nerves that we have infantry now on the enemy's side of the frozen river bed. The men steel themselves for the last push.

I'm 52. Started back at the beginning with CMBO and have been at it ever since. Also a huge Eastern Front fan so CMBB took it to all new depths. I had a PBEM opponent in Sweden and we literally fought Eastern Front battles religiously for over seven years, exchanging consistent turns. We fought the war longer than the actual combatants! Ha! What other game has ever given that kind of longevity? I honestly do think RT/FR might just be my favorite title of all.

Thank you! I am using the "All in One" modpack so it may have been part of that, if it's not vanilla that is.

Haha! Yes, it's been a busy couple of weeks and I haven't been able to play as much. I am still on mission 6 but am intending to get back to it next week!

Super excited about this to be honest. I am in the final stages of The Breakthrough to Kovel which also focused on III Germania and the Wiking Panzers. I CAN'T WAIT to have ANOTHER campaign focused around these units!! And, I mean, it's @George MC stuff!!

Awesome! CMRT Battle Pack pre-ordered! As everyone knows, George's maps and stuff are killer. Super looking forward to it!

@37mm You rock! Thank you!

Another day, another fight...

Anybody else have this happen? Missing a few barn fronts and roofs.

Awesome!! Thanks!

My pioneers have moved up in their halftracks waiting for the infantry to give them the all clear to move. The bridge and the only way across the frozen river bed of muck and mud. A good view from the Soviet works up to Point 208. One can see the tactical importance of this position and how those in control of it can look down across the entire battlefield. The cost to take it has been high, but there has been no other option if we are to succeed. As such, my troops take up observer and gun positions. Pushing out of the swamp and taking a brief rest to catch their breath, 10 Kompanie pushes through the Soviet works towards the bridge. Some much needed support helps... The irony of this battle is that while huge and sprawling across so much ground, many parts turn into microcosms of squad on squad. Here, as 3rd squad, 1st platoon applies pressure, they keep taking potshots from what they think is a lone Soviet rifleman from a destroyed squad continually harassing them for the last 10 minutes. However, and as a complete surprise to my men, the one "lone" rifleman is actually a squad of Soviet infantry still in the fight. But they are completely put down by elements of 10 Kompanie that have gained the frozen river bank. 1st and 2nd squads of 1st platoon, to the left, were in perfect position overlooking the riverbed and were able catch the enemy squad in a brutal crossing fire as they moved into the low ground. It took about 15 seconds to wipe out the entire enemy unit. German machineguns do what they do best. Images such as this are more than common from the Ostfront. The enemy will pay for their continued defiance. No soldier wants to voluntarily go down into this muck, yet my battalion must cross if they wish to take their final objective. So now, we watch and wait for the rest of our force to get into place for the final assault. Nerves are high and the men are ready to shoot anything that moves.

One hour still to go and attrition and exhaustion are taking their toll. Still we fight. Here, remnants of the Soviet defenders of Point 208 are driven back. The Germans take the cue and push into any evacuated Soviet works to hold their gains. 9th Kompanie is beat up but still in the fight. As 10th Kompanie continues to fight for the bridge on my left and the only way across the dried up river, artillery spotting rounds begin to fall on my men. Running backwards is their instinctual reaction but that will only cause more casualties being in the open. The only thing to do is push FORWARD, into the swamp and in defilade from incoming Soviet bullets. 150 meters of hell. StuGs on overwatch do give my men some level of comfort. But they can't cross the swamp, or the dried up river. The only way across is the bridge. And it's mined. And so 10th Kompanie must dislodge the defenders so my Engineers can clear the mines. Pushing through the swamp my soldiers gain a foothold on the far bank. The bridge is close. My next objective is the town of Dolhonosy. Here, one can see the miserable frozen river bed, the swamp on my side protecting Russian works that guard the bridge, and a horrid stretch of 300-400 meters of open ground that must be crossed. My artillery have been holding their smoke rounds for this last push.

First off, I do apologize for hijacking the RT screenshot thread. It was not intentional at all! What started with a simple screenshot, on page 82 of that thread and back in April no less, turned into something else entirely and then just kept growing. I really had no plan or forethought that I was going to continue narrating the battle(s) with screenshots and how that kind of turned into a running review as it was happening. I should have started my own thread a long time ago, but like I said, it just kept kind of growing on its own accord. So I figured I would just continue along now with my own dedicated thread as I can't not finish it at this point. I didn't know or realize how large and engrossing this campaign was going to be when I started it but was immediately sucked in and have just been thoroughly impressed and immersed since it all began back in April. For some reason it also really seemed easy to tell the story as it was developing and that too contributed. If you haven't played the campaign and are looking for something that is both challenging, interesting, historical, and super fun, along with some incredible maps and really interesting terrain you should give this one a go. @Lille Fiskerby really knocked this one out of the park. At least, as the story goes so far... If you are interested in the entire thing and haven't seen it you can go back into the RT Screenshot thread on page 82 where it all started. Most of the five previous battles are illustrated there. I am currently on battle six with, I think, one more after. Anyway, it's just been fun to do as I have worked my way through the campaign and hope you may find it as entertaining as I have. Anyway, continuing... 9th Kompanie pushes through the final 100 meters and last few buildings of Kalinowka only to discover more trenches and bunkers on the far end of town. While the left simmers down and my troops regroup to continue pushing towards Delhonosy, the battle over Point 208 still rages. Two incredibly effective enemy guns survived being hammered with artillery and continue making my troops pay for every inch of ground we gain. The only thing left is to take the guns by close assault. But with increasing pressure and concentrated firepower the squads of first platoon finally put an end to the Soviet gunners. Yet resistance is always fierce and the battle rages deadly close. German bullets have the last word. And then once the guns are cleared my StuGs can roll forward and continue to press the Soviets from their holes. The wreckage of man and machine litter the battlefield. 2nd Platoon moves up on the right of Point 208 extending the forward line of advance. The fight is always personal at this stage and man to man. Both the German and Soviet troops show no quarter. Individuals get into brief and deadly gun fights as we push the Russians ever more back towards the marsh. The wide open ground offers no mercy to either side. The high ground of Point 208 is now in our control but the enemy is still out there in force and fighting me every step of the way. Casualties again are mounting as the battle for this hill will be remembered by both sides. Those left holding the ridge try to catch their breath while still dodging stray rounds from Soviet Maxims. Yet the fruits of this victory are still to be seen. Forward observers move into position and begin to scan ahead. These Panzergrenadiers from 10th Kompanie have borne the brunt of the fighting yet still they press forward determined. On the right, 9th Kompanie moves back into marshy ground leading down to another frozen stream and mudhole that is uncrossable for vehicles. My StuGs move up as far as they can to cover the infantry advance. Pioneers are now tasked with taking the bridge and clearing the possible mines. Finally, reinforcements arrive! Sadly, due to the beating 11th Kompanie took in battle 5 defending the train station and immobilized Panthers there aren't many left. Other than an additional 4 HMG teams, all that's left move up to offer what assistance they can. The remnants of 11th Kompanie are a sad reminder what happens to a unit that suddenly finds itself in a tight spot. Yet their bravery and tenaciousness the night before very well may have saved the campaign.

On my right, 9th Kompanie and their supporting Pioneers have fought ferociously to take the crest of Point 208. Jumping from hole to hole, while being supported by a platoon of StuGs the men do seize the hill. Only an image can convey how brutal and close the fight for Point 208 has been. Friend and Foe alike lie next to each other in death as the battleline has ebbed and flowed across the ridge. The snow and cold only add to bleak harshness of this war. And still it isn't enough. Holding the top of the hill only invites Soviet artillery to blast us off and spotting rounds begin to fall. The men are discouraged but know they must fall back off their hotly gained ground to escape the enemy barrage. In doing so, an enemy gun unmasks itself to blast it's deadly canister at one of my HQ units and another of my men pays the price. Falling back, one squad of 3rd Platoon 9th Kompanie finds no cover and must rely on getting as close to the snow covered ground as possible. Needless to say, their position is an uncomfortable one. As eastern Kalinowka teeters on the knife's edge, 10th Kompanie brings up the reserve platoon to take final control of the village. Our flame track puts the final nails in the coffin and eastern Kalinowka falls. Full energy can now be concentrated on Point 208. But even then, our task is not over. We must again cross a frozen marsh and stream and seize the village of Delhonosy on the other side. We must continue to seize and hold the initiative...

Driving hard into eastern Kalinowka 10th Kompanie and a platoon of Pioneers supporting, still find pockets of resistance and the Soviets make us pay a price for every inch of ground we take. Resistance is fierce, the quiet village is deafened by the sound of combat and the assault of the Panzergrenadiers. The dead and wounded tell the tragic tale of the epic struggle. The StuGs have done their deadly work followed closely behind by my infantry. Every house is a danger, my troops take nothing for granted and do not let up fighting for every building, foxhole and fence line. While the men fight and lay down sheets of fire one of my Pioneer flame tracks creeps into position while his MG suppresses. The defenders may soon regret their decision to remain in the village. Feeling victory in our grasp, again our over-aggressiveness costs us. A hidden Soviet AT gun knocks out another of my advancing StuGs. Pioneers continue to leapfrog up protecting the left flank as the Germans get closer to finally seizing the village.

Nice @Artkin ! Looks like two snipers got him almost simultaneously.

Deleted.

The heavy weight of the furious German attack quickly swallows the defenders who run or die where they fight. Coming from all sides the SS troops swarm over their objective. On the right, just like in the previous war, yet at a much smaller scale, 9th Kompanie begins their attack and the men go over the top to take Point 208. The difference in terrain the 10th Kompanie and 9th Kompanie occupy is noticeable. And more so at the fact that only a few hundred meters seperate the two units. Pioneers lead the way and storm up Point 208 knowing disaster could be just over the ridge. Cresting the hill, Soviet defenders rise up just scant meters away. A quick and deadly firefight ensues and lucky for the Germans, reinforcements are right behind the lead Pioneer team to add more guns to the action. The Soviets are beginning to cower and fall yet the extent of the enemy positions on the other side of the hill are beginning to reveal themselves. This is far from over.

The German attacks begin simultaneously on both the left, to quickly seize and overrun Kalinowka, and the right, taking Point 208. As my STuGs push violently into Kalinowka destroying anything that moves or shows itself in front of them, 10th Kompanie SS Panzergrenadiers follow behind flushing out and mopping up any survivors while quickly seizing the western end of the village. The thrust into the Kalinowka is quick and brutal. However, in combat, troops can be caught in their own tunnel vision. Having already been warned to stay off the roads due to the highly likely possibility that Soviets have mined them, my lead STuG pays the price for the oversight and only the driver gets out alive. Speed and overwhelming firepower is the German mantra. Working in concert with their armor, 10th Kompanie storms into the village. Covering their push, two platoons of Pioneers move up the left flank with their own halftracks and additional flame tracks to add to the party. The defenders fight but fall quickly to the heavy onslaught.

April 3rd, 1944. 0700 hours. For the first time in days, the sky is clear and the sun is out. If anything, at least today my soldiers can feel the sun on their faces after days of snow, blizzards, gloom and fog. While the main thrust of the German attack to relieve the surrounded units in Kovel will commence from the north, my task this morning is to prevent a Soviet counter attack from reaching those troops and upending my main attack. We are to capture and occupy two villages as well as the high ground at point 208. Since we have had time to prepare my attack begins with an artillery strike on the first village of Kalinowka. 10th Kompanie SS Panzergrenadiers will seize the village while 9th Kompanie SS Panzergrenadiers will make their attack on Point 208. The terrain around Kalinowka is similar to what we have been fighting through the past days. However, on my right, the open and blasted ground, trench lines and shattered trees in front of us are highly reminiscent of the "No-Man's land" of WWI that is so familiar to my troops from the stories of their fathers. The wide open space, devoid of any cover other than artillery craters, is nerve wracking and daunting. My men know what will be asked of them and feel they eyes of the enemy on their every move. No one believes the Soviets will give up the high ground without a fight. Rushing forward, under cover of our Assault guns, my troops grab any abandoned trench or shell hole they can find. The men hunker down and wait for our artillery to soften the enemy before commencing the attack. The men spread out, move up and take positions to wait. At least those in the trenches feel some relative safety at the moment. But the men make no mistake in knowing this is only the quiet before the storm. Unfortunately, all my Panthers are being utilized for the attack on Kovel itself so for today we will rely only on our STuGs. And there is nothing worse for them than sitting out in the open with zero cover. As if on cue, suddenly Soviet infantry is noticed darting into positions on top of Point 208. On the other side of our battle positions, 10th Kompanie has also made contact and taken their first casualties. This quiet morning is about to go all to hell.

And when it ends, the casualties for a 30 min fight are beyond horrific. I have completed my task and defended my panthers and the train station but at what terrible cost. For both sides. Almost another 100 men have fallen in one very brief and sharp fight. In the morning though, the attack will continue...

On the other end of the station the smell of burning metal, oil, gunpowder, diesel fuel and death permeate the air. The Soviet tanks are destroyed in their tracks. The enemy infantry push continues in spite of losing their tanks. They begin to overwhelm and swarm my men. Desperately we hold on to the train station. Even my Panzerschreck team adds to the kills. Darkness has completely fallen and the burning Russian tanks light up the tree line. Storming through the woods, lit up by the burning tanks behind, a desperate and bloody struggle ensues around the station. Men are falling at a horrendous rate on both sides as the Soviet SMGs and German machineguns and MP-40s fling bullets in all directions.

Ok, wow. Battle 5 is over! I try not to give too much away for those that will play it in the future but this battle was a total change of pace and nothing that I was expecting at all! As the push continues into Kovel two of my panther tanks have hit a minefield and are immobilized around the Czerkasy train stop. Darkness is falling and my tired and attritted 11th Kompanie is to defend these two tanks and the train stop from an incoming Soviet counterpunch. Panthers are stuck on the tracks after hitting mines and the rest of the battallion has moved on. We must fend for our lives and for ourselves. My commander pops his head out of the cupola to get a better view in the dark of the situation and is immediately picked off by a hidden sniper. However, the veteran crew, unshaken, immediately begin returning fire at spotted T-34s emerging from the woods. Casualties are nothing new to them and they do their part without thinking. More enemy tanks appear and a fierce tank duel breaks out on both ends between my two immobolized panthers and Soviet T-34s. Somehow my panthers survive the assault and take down all the attacking armor.

At every turn, another foxhole, more determined defenders. As this squad rises to fire on my only surviving crew member trying to escape... They only expose themselves to another of my Panthers, laying in wait. On the other side of the village objective one of my Pioneer teams runs out of the woods to a rail fence to get a shot on a suspected Soviet position. They begin to flush out their enemy. And another Russian soldier escapes from one danger not realizing that 3rd platoon has set up an ambush position waiting for the enemy to run into them. Flush em out, burn em out. The Germans are motivated to break out their comrades. And battle 4 is finished. Another knock on the chin with losing another 100 men and 3 Panthers, but the Red Army is no slouch and put up an expected resistance. However, they have been severely bloodied in the effort. Attrition is still taking it's toll but we will take the victory! On to battle 5.

Creeping through the fog, the never ending Soviet trench lines keep materializing out of the mist. Sometimes too close! As the gunner of this STuG can't even get the gun to depress far enough he decides to open his hatch and take matters into his own hands. The defenders are getting more and more stubborn as we approach our objective. Darting from position to position the Germans continue applying pressure with both infantry and armor. Still, Soviet bullets do find their marks. Trenches thought cleared still conceal Soviet snipers who do their work before they too are eliminated. Invariably, the Panthers continue to lumber forward eliminating and driving all resistance before them. As we press, our objective appears out of the fog. Again, my forces are attempting a pincer movement with elements coming from both sides. This time, however, one of my battle scarred Panthers is destroyed by a hidden AT gun. Undaunted, the German war machine brings destruction to everything in its path. And another Panther, already damaged heavily, falls to another Soviet AT gun. Yet his armor tells the tale of many previous bounced shots. Attrition is taking it's toll but we still wield plenty of combat power. Once we take the village we can finally attempt to breakout our surrounded troops. We will make them pay for their stubbornness!