mowers

Having played some good and some fairly appalling scenarios at the Scenario depot I thought I would have a go myself and have produced two scenarios. Hamburger Hamlets. A large, 42 turn, PBEM battle. Starts with a German Armoured offensive in some open farmland and then an Allied Armoured counter attack. Frozen Ridge. A medium/ small, 30 turn, British assault on a fixed german position in the winter of 44. Mainly an infantry battle with some supporting elements up a ridge against some German forces. Should be good for a Brit V Germans, give the Germans some advantage though. However as a PBEM it ought to be fairly balanced. I've spent a long time on both maps, trying to get them authentic, which was my main gripe with some of the other maps I've seen. If you are interested in either or both, drop me a line and I'll send you a copy. Ben benmoores@korps.freeserve.co.uk

Agreed, moving fast might be best, I've been taken to the cleaners recently by someone using artillery against me. I tried to hide and lost a platoon. Its difficult to know when to move and I guess thats the skill.

They all sounds like great ideas. Its very irritating to get to turn 35 to find that the scenario doesn't really work or is so imbalanced that its not enjoyable to both players. Thanks very much for your thoughts, much obliged. Ben

I'm a big fan of PBEM scenarios and like most of you I have played some good ones and some bad ones. I'm hoping to play an operation next but of course there isn't any point looking at before I start or during the game as it ruins the game for me. Could anyone suggest a good medium to largish sized operation that gradually builds up and is less than 7 days? I'm looking for a bit of realism so king tiger mayhem doesn't appeal. Any suggestions gratefully received. ben

Despite the difficulties in getting them to hunt and the occasionally muck up with the rotate command, I have found them to be very good. They don’t really cost that much and if you are the Brits on the offensive it means that you always have the firepower to destroy the heavier German tanks. I’ve had some good successes against Hetzer’s at ranges of 700m. At the longer ranges other players can’t really see what it is and often try to take it on in a long distance artillery battle; I don’t normally lose when employing this tactic.

What is this? Why does it differ from normal 25 pounder FO's and what does the VT stand for? Sorry about the stupid question...

How did he know this? -Because its his job to know ridiculous technical details about WW2 tanks and the British government pays him to do this I guess. He spends all hours researching this sort of stuff for a living, after all this sort of thing is bread and butter to this guy. He seemed quite sure. Yes (I think), the extra armour on the hull and turret was indeed placed at different places and times. I’ve seen a Pz IV in an Israel tank museum with turret plates but no hull plates- I’ve even got a picture at home (I think) - I'll clarify in about 3 hours on that. To be honest I’m not really an expert- I just thought that this debate needed some assistance. Give him a call he is a really nice chap. ben

Mainly because I couldn't be bothered to read this entire thread I rang up the head of the Bovington Tank library who is a world leader on the history of WW2 tanks. His answer was simply. Schürzen was orginally developed for turrets to protect them from high powered ATR's. ( for the reasons already discussed) It was then added to the rest of the vehicle to protect them from Heat types weapons ( for the reasons already discussed) So everyone was kinda right really. If that doesn't settle it- ring him up. The number is UK (0044- for those abroad) 01929 462398