Phantom Captain
-
Posts
1,452 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
4
Posts posted by Phantom Captain
-
-
10 hours ago, Erwin said:
Am playing mission one and am impressed with the map, situation and formations. It's been harder than expected as the designer has been very cute in ensuring that the Russian ATG's have some very long LOS opportunities to kill the Panthers when they are forced to slow down at certain choke places on the map(!) But, very enjoyable. IIRC the briefing says that all ammo will be restored in M2. That's good as one needs a lot of HE to blast the Russians and save the inf much blood.
Ha! Slow down! Scout with one or two Panthers forward and a line of them following close behind. Use the eyes of the infantry to scout too. Recon by fire and then use those Panthers to engage everything from as far away as possible and definitely use all that HE. My Panthers did all the work in that one and most of them burned through all or most of their HE. Many of them had lots of dings in their armor after that one.
I can't wait til you really get into the marshes in battle 2. I'll not soon forget it.
-
Fighting continues to blaze through the village as we sense that we can not let up our momentum as we watch the enemy surrender or flee.
My soldiers continue to fight even in the still occupied foxholes of the enemy. The prisoners now find themselves in the most uncomfortable place of taking fire from front and behind.
Soviet armor has not been seen since the fight started so my Panzerschrecks have been put to "anti-personal" uses insted.
My crack StuG takes a round to the face but shrugs it off and answers with it's own personal reply.
The Soviet 76mm guns have been a constant thorn in our side, but finally we start to knock out those that my rolling attack unmasks.
-
As the fight rages through Kruhel this mad Soviet officer goes all Saving Private Ryan and tries to stop Panthers with a pistol
The enemy is driven from their works and only seen in flashes as they dash through the village and fall back under the onslaught of German armor.
Kruhel east is now about to fall. However there are still one or two AT guns at the end of the village that I have been creeping around and toward. I have yet to get eyes on them though.
Finally, my platoon of Panther IVs, Lynxes and 1st Kompanie make a dash across the choke point and into the far south east of Kruhel while 6th and 7th Kompanie fight to take the rest of the town. So far all have made the run without damage.
-
Pushing through town elements of 7th Kompanie and my armor run through bullets to keep the pressure on.
Every new hedge and house becomes a firefight at close range.
One particular village dwelling evolves into a hotbed of fierce resistance. While one squad suppresses another moves to flank the enemy.
The enemy fights tooth and nail and casualties can't be avoided. My men fight and press on...
The Soviets do all they can but the pressure is too much. My men pounce and eliminate any in their path. Despite the vast open land these battles still devolve into up close and personal knife fights.
On my right, one of my Panther's is jarred by a round deflecting off the hull and immediately begins to reverse. Again the Panther armor shrugs off a direct hit, dead center. Retribution is swift and my intrepid crew get off a shot while reversing away.
Another building, another nest of defenders. A Panzerschreck team decides to do things the easy way.
On the left my Wiking recon team is spooked by a shot from they don't know where. And decide to rethink their rush to the next OP.
Kruhel west is now in our control and my attack continues to move into the rest of the town. Artillery is falling on spotted AT positions on the east of town.
1st Kompanie, completely fresh and at full strength has also just arrived outside Krasnoduby. Once the AT threats have been neutralized and Kruhel east has been seized, both 1st Kompanie and my platoon of PzIVs will make a run across the chokepoint and prepare to assault the farm. We only hope we can maintain our momentum and not run out of time.
The hardest part of being a soldier is the anxious waiting before being thrust into battle.
-
Out of the swamps and into Kruhel. Suddenly enemy soldiers are everywhere!
Combined arms support! My men love their StuG campaign comrades.
MG-42s contribute with suppressing fire from the edge of the swamp.
The low marshes covered my men exactly as I planned and allowed us to get up close for the assault.
Panthers and Panzergrenadiers burst into Kruhel west.
Postcards from the front...
Kruhel west falls quickly as the defenders crumble under the intense pressure. We have gained the foothold necessary to continue our thrust.
Sensing an opportunity my soldiers and tanks keep pressing with no time to stop and rest. As the enemy waivers my hardened veterans press the attack without letup.
There is always a sense of victory when a soldier carries enemy works. The enemy always fights bravely but my troops strike like an iron fist.
One of my lead scouts pays the ultimate price exactly because of the momentum of the attack. As he struck the hedge line he is mowed down by a burst of PPsh from two Soviets waiting in ambush. Death was instantaneous.
No matter. On my far left, the Wiking recon team is loaded up and ready to make a quick dash to OP Rot. Nerves again are as a taught as a piano wire.
-
Welcome to the forum. Open your saved game and hit Alt-S. Toggles the sound on and off and you probably accidently hit it.
-
16 minutes ago, Vacillator said:
Why wait, just do it? You know you want to, right...?
And I'll also give you a game if you're stuck. A Peng legend is not to be sniffed at. Or is it?
Don't get them started. Take it from one who was there...back then. I actually went to the CMBB preview at Rune's house and met Jason K there. That was back in the dark ages.
Seriously, @Boo Radley , grab the "All in One" modpack for BN. It's chock full of scenarios and campaigns that have been released over the years. Plus the rest or the modpack is amazing. I use the appropriate one for all the titles.
This is from @37mm , well worth the download.
https://www.mediafire.com/folder/izmk6muctniv5/Combat_Mission
-
My tendrils creep slowly up to Kruhel. 6th Kompanie is on the north of the paved road, 7th Kompanie moves on the south of the road. The platoon of PzIVs has shown up to the south of Krasnoduby along with mortars and two 75mm halftracks.
My men have grown all too familiar with the lowland marshes and use it to get within striking distance of the enemy. Panthers and StuGs in support begin to spray every building and possible enemy position they can see.
-
7 hours ago, Lille Fiskerby said:
Thats pretty good, its the 4th mission with 2 Batterie. I'm sure you can find something to use them for
.
Yeah, probably! Haha! 6th and 7th Kompanies are starting their move into Kruhel. Waiting for my artillery barrages to fall...
-
5 hours ago, Erwin said:
Despite other RL demands your xnt AAR tempted me to look at the campaign and b4 I knew it I find that I am in the middle of Mission 1. Xnt map and situation. You originally started your AAR for Mission 1 elsewhere? Where did your AAR start? I'd like to read it from the beginning as I play.
This is excellent! I'm so glad you are also giving it a go! I do know you will be as sucked in as I am once it all starts developing. Now I am going to be curious to your progress as you ride along with Battalion Germania and the 5th SS Panzer Wikings! Stay warm though.
Haha! Well...it all started on page 82 of the RT Screenshots thread about 2/3rds down the page.
The first mission is the least detailed as I really didn't plan on doing this and just posted a few screenshots from the first battle. From there, it become more intense and detailed with each passing post as @Lille Fiskerby kept goading me on, haha! I think it gets much clearer and more detailed with battle 2. I can't wait to see your reaction to those Pripyat Marshes! Also, I totally misidentified my units on battle 2 and mixed up the unit numbers for the Heer and SS units. Reading back I call squads platoons in different parts of the story too. Oh well, can't re-edit.
Battle 1 was so excellent and a perfect intro to the campaign and... the MAPS! Then Battle 2 comes and you really get your first real experience with the terrain and those marshes. Oh it's a lovely punch in the mouth...hehehe. Honestly, it really was one of those CM moments you don't forget. I was like, how am I going to deal with this and somehow complete my objectives?? Playing single battles I would load up something like that and decide, no I'm not playing that one. But since it's a campaign you are forced out of your comfort zone and that was what makes this whole campaign entirely epic.
-
Staging for the first assault into Kruhel west, men of 7th Kompanie wait and rest while the unit moves to get online. PzIVs have arrived!
-
4 hours ago, Lille Fiskerby said:
Fantastic screen-shots ! just curious, how many core StuG's do you have left in 2. Batterie ?
They have been instrumental in the entire campaign! The last mission alone couldn't have been completed without them. I have five! Two of them are crack. Additionally, 6 Panther tanks have shown up and two of those units are also crack status! These are old experienced vets, haha!
-
The garrison around Kovel has been stabilized with the arrival of the 5th Wiking Panzers who have bought time in neutralizing the Soviet counter blow. Battle 8 commences with our battalion attacking into Kruhel to destroy the enemy and capture both the town and a farm complex. The terrain is awful for my armor as the town of Kruhel is completely dominated on one side by a series of low wetlands and marshes. Again, more frozen wet muck for my troops to navigate.
Infantry begins scouting forward into the vast open Russian countryside that we know hides the resolute and stubborn defenders.
On my right and on the other side of the marshes lies the village of Krasnoduby. I begin to recon into the village cautiously. The eastern edge of town is on a ridgeline giving a wide view across the marshes and into Kruhel. It must be secured. A platoon of Panzer II Lynx on this side of the marsh also begin to slowly scout up into Krasnoduby following my recon teams and FO.
Creeping through the village of Krasnoduby my recon units make sure the way to the edge of town is safe. My men are alert and aware their enemy could be anywhere.
Meanwhile, on my left two companies, 6th and 7th of II Battalion Panzergrenadier Regt. 434 Germania, on the other side of the marshes from Krasnoduby and directly in front of Kruhel, get the order to begin moving toward their objective. Panthers and PzIVs and various ad-hoc artillery will also be along to support today's attack. Also along is an armored recon unit from II Battalion 5th SS Panzer Division Wiking who are immediately ordered to rush forward to seize a small farm and set up an OP.
A kilometer and a half of open ground waits to swallow my troops whole. But holding their breath they race across the distance and set upon the farm.
An initial success without casualties is a good omen. The wide Russian countryside is oppressive and bleak in the snow.
The situation so far...
Krasnoduby is at the bottom right, 6th and 7th Kompanie are on the left making their approach to stage an attack into Kruhel west and then east, and then finally to seize the farm complex. The Wiking armored recon units are at center left where they have seized OP Blau. Spreading out their maps in their halftracks my officers curse the ever present swamps and marshes in this particular region. A platoon of Panzer IVs has now also shown up on the east side of the marshes in Krasnoduby. To get them over to support the attacks in Kruhel we must secure the only available bridge across the marshes which causes a natural chokepoint. We have no doubt both enemy artillery and AT guns have pre-registered the spot far in advance.
A view of the choke point from the Soviet side.
The western edge of Kruhel in the calm before the storm.
And finally, the farm complex at the opposite end of the oblong village.
Suddenly an unspotted AT gun opens on my OP Blau and brews up one of my halftracks.
It's a precursor to an incoming attack on the outpost as enemy soldiers burst through the scrub.
Machineguns, rifles and SMGs from my recon platoon all open at once and stun the enemy platoon. From idyllic silence to raging cacophony in an instance. My men fight like the old veterans they are and hold on stubbornly to the OP.
Almost forgetting the lull on my right, one of my Lynx sneaks up the far side of Krasnoduby and begins scanning across the countryside when we are rudely reminded, again, that the Soviets are waiting for us and prepared. The dreaded Ratcha-bum 76mm lights up my Panzer before he even knows what hit him. Things are starting to heat up.
-
Recently purchased CMFB and don't know why it took me so long. Just some shots from my first battles...
I'm stunned by the firepower of Volksgrenadier units. Those STG-44s really give the Germans an upgrade.
It almost feels like modern era...
It's like CMBN...but NOT. The different terrain, season and weather, equipment, and bigger map sizes make this feel so much closer to RT for me.
I'm loving playing the Americans in the Bulge.
Falschirmjagers!
-
On 9/29/2022 at 6:41 PM, Erwin said:
A fun AAR. I need to play this campaign!
When time allows... 
Thanks @Erwin . Glad you enjoy it! You really should play this campaign, it's really enjoyable and immersive and one of the best campaign experiences I've played. I hope everyone takes the opportunity to get into this one. I started back in April and still haven't finished! I've put a ton of hours into it so far. Seriously, what other game gives you that much just from one user created campaign!
Battle 8 has started...
-
The same soldier who just killed an enemy tank with a Panzerfaust, recovers from the blast and begins firing his rifle at the wave of troops pushing hard on my right.
My timing worked out better than hoped as the wave of Soviet troops, by chance run between my separated Panthers and create a gauntlet of death.
A trail of enemy dead and wounded marks their direct line of assault. My tanks have completely turned the tide of what started off as being entirely overrun by the initial assault.
10 Panthers have spread out among the defense works and have stabilized the entire line. Now to just hold and destroy the final incoming waves.
Soviet Valentines do not fair well against German Panthers. Especially up close.
The final hordes of attackers is put down and their destruction is near complete. Carnage is everywhere in the amount of dead and wounded and columns of smoke from burning vehicles. As time runs out the Germans breathe a sigh of relief and realize that they have held through the Soviet push.
Truly, there are men to be decorated today as the Panthers value to this victory, all the campaign in general, cannot be understated. These three alone did beyond their share of the destruction wrought upon the enemy today.
The campaign will continue with battle 8.
-
And then a second platoon of Panthers arrives on the field! Wiking Panzers to the rescue!
My main line of defense waits in high anxiety for the onrushing wave. The Panther's help and arrival on the battlefield is graciously accepted.
Shells and bullets bounce off my armor as I drive into the maelstrom.
On my right the attack has penetrated my outer defenses as the tsunami swept over my breastworks. Layered in defense though two MG-42s open up on Russians appearing through the gloom.
A third wave of reinforcement in both my HQ and Platoon HQ tank arrive bringing my total to 10 Panthers now in the fight.
Realizing the pressure on my right might be too much I rush two of my tanks to help shore up the defenses. But simultaneously a Soviet tank commander decides for his platoon to do the same thing. A literal running tank duel occurs as both my Panther and the enemy Sherman tank race to their friends and realize at the same time, "Oh god, that's an enemy tank...right there!"
Incredibly, a lone and very brave German soldier, who had earlier run from his trench as the enemy advanced, rises from the snow and lets the Sherman get a face full of Panzerfaust!
Knocked all that tank's teeth right out. A medal is in order if we survive. My tank then proceeds to KO the tank behind the leader. Only one remains.
-
The Soviets begin pushing hard, spoiling to disrupt my breakout attempt. At first, just the eerie sound of the enemy comes from the darkness. Men check their weapons and prepare for what they know is coming.
And then it becomes real as waves of Soviet attackers wipe out my pickets and then hit my main line.
The first wave of reinforcements show up none too early.
Into the fight they go and immediately reach out and start pummeling the Russian attackers.
Another Panther rushes into the fray and pounces upon an approaching column of Soviet armor.
My right is being overwhelmed by a human wave of Russian attackers and those that survived the abrupt fury surrender and beg for their lives.
-
On 9/25/2022 at 1:07 AM, Lille Fiskerby said:
Thanks
In RL Nicolussi-Leck had 7 panthers in Kovel to twart any red army attack on the town, hopefully you have a bit more tanks.
About the mines in mission 6: i for one dont like missions with mines
but i thought that the soviets would either blow up the bridge or place mines in front of it. Blowing up the bridge was not an option because then no AFV's could cross therefore mines.
So far, my reinforcements have shown up in 3 waves. I have 10 Panthers at the moment! The mines were a very nice twist in my opinion and created a whole bunch of different tactical questions on what to do. They definitely would have mined that bridge. The tension was great though as my pioneers marked everything and I held my breath as every vehicle went across. I couldn't believe every single one made it!
-
My ISU-122 puts a round through the front of a PzIV and out the back. You can see the round impact the ground about 100m behind the now swiss cheesed Panzer.
I don't think the driver made it...
-
Across the Italian countryside...
-
The breakout begins. However, the Soviets, sensing the imminent are counterattacking...NOW. Already a steady barrage of artillery has been falling along our defense line. In the pre-dawn gloom the sound of engines, tracks, and the voices of enemy soldiers are picked up by my OPs. And suddenly, coming out of the dark, Russian soldiers appear like angry ghosts. German light MGs draw first blood.
-
On 9/23/2022 at 5:23 AM, Lille Fiskerby said:
Awesome screenshots and congrats on your victory in mission 6, a tough nut to crack but you did it.
Would be very interesting to know how many core AFV's you have in total in mission 7.
Thanks! It really was a tough nut to crack! I think this was maybe the toughest fight of all so far! It was the first time, other than the night counter-attack on the train station and the subsequent destruction of 11th Kompanie, that I felt I might not succeed and that the campaign would be over. I was watching the casualties mounting and mounting just taking Point 208 and was really worried about my plan succeeding. I also did change on the fly after taking Point 208 and realized that it was pointless to continue attacking the Soviet works at the river bed, directly in front of 208 and just halted the attack there to peal off the survivors and shift them over to the left for the assault on Delhonossy. It was a good call after seeing how much was left on the Soviet side around the river in front of 208 after the battle ended. Any more push there and I would have completely destroyed my own attacking troops.
I knew I had to take Dolhonossy West and Center if I was going to get the draw needed to continue. Point 208 ate up a whole company seizing it. I only could move about a platoon worth of the survivors off Point 208 to join the attack on Dolhonossy. I had to throw every unit I could at the final objective and they all contributed, ultimately.
It was imperative to get every vehicle I could through the mines and over the bridge as the only way I could see success was to get my infantry on vehicles and make a lightning strike into both areas at once. I had earlier posted it was 400m from river bed to the town but it was really more like 800-900m as I recall. Without the vehicles and their speed I feared if I tried to cross that with infantry on foot, in the snow, every one of them would have been killed before making it even halfway across that distance. Fortunately, every single vehicle made it across the bridge without blowing up. My pioneers did their job splendidly. I was biting my nails watching every track, truck and StuG go over that bridge. Once that occurred I was suddenly feeling hopeful that I could possibly win this one. This gave me time to plot my artillery and stage the attack as all my infantry loaded up on whatever could carry them.
The StuGs (especially the one I left on top of 208) also bought me the space and time to stage my attack by killing the platoon of counter-attacking T-34s. I apparently had just enough combat power to then take both objectives. Side note, at this point though, I only had 13 rounds of HE between all seven of my remaining assault guns, luckily it was JUST enough. However, it ultimately didn't go off simultaneously. As we made the approach to D West, it was evident there were still Soviet forces, a lot of them, still back and behind D East. I modified my plan and let the attack on West succeed first before then again staging up to assault center. Everything worked out and my very tired and battered men ultimately were successful and I came out with a minor victory! There were still about 10-12 minutes left after I had taken D Center and I just knew it was pointless to even try to push further. They had truly done enough for the day.
Oh! I didn't get a screen shot but on my final push to D Center around the left and hugging the outskirts of the village, a lone T-34 came charging right into the midst of my ad-hoc assault column! I instantly saw catastrophe and feared a total collapse of my assault but I had also left a StuG back and in overwatch and he killed the T-34 before it could cause any harm. At that moment the T-34 was only about 30m from the front of my onrushing assault! It was pretty epic.
Finally, the briefing says my Panthers will arrive in two waves, so once they are on the board I will let you know how many I have left! Battle 7 has already commenced!
-
I have saved some artillery and smoke and had TRPs placed precisely for this moment. Both begin to fall on Delhonosy.
The final T-34 is hit and killed by my lone StuG on Point 208. Two confirmed in just a couple of minutes. Just at this moment my assault launches!
Executing a swift motorized assault my halftracks, trucks and even my StuGs rush my men up to the edge of town where we unleash a brutal firestorm subduing all enemies in Delhonosy West. My left wing forms up to strike into Delhonosy Center as soon as my second round of smoke and artillery begin to fall. But for now the fighting at the west end rages as enemy defenders fight, surrender and die all at the same time.
My 37mm Flak truck aids in the assault as I planned.
Once the artillery and smoke have now fallen on Delhonosy Center, my left wing goes in with the same fury and speed as the right wing that has just secured west. Again, the Russian defenders fight bravely and the cost becomes horrific on both sides as men fight with their last breath to take or hold their objectives. My soldiers know they must sacrifice all to save their comrades.
Both sides dread and fear the brutal house to house fighting that ensues. Still, the defenders are overwhelmed and my second objective seized.
Pushing further to Delhonosy East seems futile and will only result in more blood for no gain. My men hunker down and fortify their positions to hold against any possible counter attack. They have done enough this day. However, one of my assault guns decides to peel off and get a flank shot on a T-34 who has been creeping along the edge of town.
The final shot of the battle ends in another burning Soviet T-34.
Our combat power is spent and we can do no more. We will relish this victory knowing the cost today was extreme. The Russian defenders, as always, fought to the end and made us pay for every inch of ground gained. No unit on my side is untouched by the violence today.
On to battle 7!
Breakthrough to Kovel, my unintentional story/aar/review
in Combat Mission Red Thunder
Posted · Edited by Phantom Captain
The Soviet AT guns are maddening!
Because of the terrain and the still unspotted enemy 76mms out there we are forced to leapfrog house to house on approach to the farm objective. Both Panthers and infantry take turns doing bounding leaps to dig out the still fighting defenders. Time is very much starting to creep up on me and I can feel the clock ticking now but I don't really have any alternative than to take the time it takes to fight like this. Both 6th and 7th Kompanie are starting to feel chewed up after the long battle through the village.
This particular Panther has been utilized as my main scout tank. His frontal armor tells the tale of either the quality of said armor or my incredible luck so far. And still there are enemy guns out there unseen although we now have an idea of their general direction and I've decided to call the last of my artillery on those locations.
I don't know what else to do than continue to absorb the enemy fire and to push on the farm with both Panthers and 6th and 7th Kompanie. War is all hell. 1st Kompanie, who is still fresh and ready in their tracks begins to line up in the southwest of town getting prepared to make the final push across the swamp and the final narrow bridge.
The shear amount of enemy hits, regardless of bouncing off my hull, have done damage. No radio, no optics and both his tracks and main gun are moderately damaged. Again, the only way to go is forward.
My Panzer II Lynx, damaged with no main gun, makes a daring run out to the foot of the bridge. Suprisingly, no fire has been taken once past the farm and after my Panthers have dealt with another pair of enemy infantry guns. Maybe, just maybe, 1st Kompanie, in concert with my PzIV platoon, my Panthers and my StuGs can make a run across the bridge into the approach at the other side.
A prize paid for with blood.
My men still creep and bound closer and closer to the farm complex. The Panthers have been shelling and sweeping the large buildings with continuous MG fire. Still, there are enemy troops dug in all over the complex.
On my right, 1st Zug, 7th Kompanie, grabs a foothold in a large dwelling overlooking the entire farm complex.
The Soviets appear to be everywhere and it's our job to drive them out.
Building, by building, by building...
Closing on the farm complex, elements of 6th and 7th Kompanie continue to press as hard as they can.