kenfedoroff

After the game was over (Duh...I think I'm supposed to do this before the battle starts) I examined the gun vs armor data and found that the T-34 could penetrate 50mm armor at 1,000 yds. Is this correct for Jan. '43? If this is correct it seems the germans should engage T-34s beyond 1,250 yds. Any Grogs out there care to comment. Thanks, Ken

I just finished a pbem game in this scenario. (I played Soviets). This looks like a real tough fight for the Germans. Has anybody ever won with the Germans in this scenario? I thought this was a fun/good scenario, but my judgement may be colored by playing the Soviets. Sincerely, Ken

As long as a scenario is not "tournament saved", you can throw it in the scenario editor and add some turns. Ken

How difficult is it to change the fuse settings on the Shrapnal shells in the heat of battle (inside a T-34)? Or would they be pre-set to be used as cannister and nothing else? Would the T-34 crew have time to change fuses to try and have a shell explode over a position 3-400 yds. away? Sincerely, Ken [ June 01, 2003, 09:07 AM: Message edited by: kenfedoroff ]

I don't think first turn fire missions are allowed in meeting engagements. To delay a first turn fire mission, press the "Q" key for each minute of delay you desire. Fire missions planned on the first turn are very accurate, even if out of LOS. (the assumption is they are already ranged in, on target). This is great in low visibility conditions. The problem is: You have to "time on target" in coordination with your attacking units. The above recreates the inflexible conditions surrounding artillery on the Russian front. Ken

That story reminds me: My fish'n buddy had a distant relative (in-law, I think), who served in the Luftwaffe during WW2. My buds parents had been lent this pilot's personal manuscript of his experience on the Russian Front. My fish'n bud was able to pass it on (lend) to me. Shot down flying a Ju-88 recon mission in autumn (Oct..?) of 1941. The other crew members are killed in the first few passes. The engines fail. As he is gliding back towards the west, he can hear the engine of the Soviet plane closing in. The Soviet pilot rams him. He barely remembers getting out (and parachute opening). On landing (with broken bones, etc.) he is beaten by the angry mob. Soviet soldiers rescue him from the mob (later meets Soviet pilot who rammed him). Thrown into prison, the doctor who is sent to treat him is found to have studied under the pilots father at Med. school (in Austria..?), so the pilot gets first class treatment from the doctor. Later... left for dead of starvation and disease, is thrown onto a pile of other dead prisoners, is found to be alive by chance. Said he never would have made it without Russian doctors and average people who took great risk to help him survive by giving him an extra crust of bread or declaring him unfit for the work details etc. It goes on and on... I think he got out in 1949. I kick myself for not making a copy of this manuscript, they could make a movie out of it. I gave it to my brother to read and when he was done he said he would, "Never, ever, whine about what food he had to eat that day". Ken

Great story. I hope you can encourage him to write it down. I think his lesson/experience should be taught in schools.... Might be less Whiners around if we realized how good we have it. Sincerely, Ken

You want the yellow "area fire" line (directed by an HQ) Sometimes units will show a red line when they don't have line of sight. Hope this helps, Ken

And Mother said I would never learn anything playing computer games.... Ha.! Sincerely, Captain Unconscious

I am in the middle of my first night battles. I have yet to come to grips with the morale problem of the infantry (tank crews don't seem to have a problem). The spotting ability of troops and tanks on the move seems markedly reduced as well. As the Soviets, it seems I would have been better off limiting myself to tank vs tank engagements in open terrain. It seems the Soviet infantry is better off just riding along and jumping off to occupy (hopefully) a piece of terrain not defended by the enemy (one of my night battles is part of an operation and holding key ground may influence the next battle come day-light). In a pure night battle I am at a loss as to how to handle infantry. Any ideas out there? Thanks, Ken

I have never run any tests on this, but I have occasionally had Free French transports, at sea,survive the fall of France. Has anybody else seen this? Ken

Have to agree with you. Anybody that has any doubts about morale, suppression, panic, etc. might want to read Blood Red Snow. There's constant reference to the almost uncontrollable urge to cower in your hole or run away, rather than stay and fight. At other times, the author was part of an elite "fire brigade", and noticed the improvement in morale of himself and those around him. Being part of a powerful combat group (and on the attack to restore the situation)with heavy weapons, panzers, etc. seemed to lift their spirits. (LOL, No I do not get royalty payments from tne book, I just like it). Ken

I just read Blood Red Snow: The Memoirs of a German Soldier on the Eastern Front by Gunter K. Koschorrek. He was a heavy machine gunner who often fought entrenched. His experience seems to indicate that getting spotted was tantamount to a death sentence. Upon being spotted by T-34's or other heavy weapons, he would pull his MG down into the trench and wait to die or have is buddies save him by eliminating the threat. He also mentions how the "old hands" did not want to put their ATG anywhere near their bunker (where a new and inexperienced officer ordered them to position it) because the bunker would immediately draw fire. (Most of the bunkers I read about are more for living in, with protection from indirect fire). While there is not much on tactics in this book, I still found it to be a good read, as CMBB seems to model much of his experience. Ken

I like your idea. Either that, or throw it in the scenario editor and add 10-15 turns for recon. Ken

Yeah, I have accidentally clicked on the wrong turn a few times and fortunately my opponent had a password. Ken

Yes, I also have a scenario made with v1.03 beta, but I am running v1.02 and it's not showing up on mine either. Ken

Sorry Gregg, but I didn't bother to use a password. Guess I'm getting lazy in my old age. See you on the battlefield. Ken

Or try Alibris: http://www.alibris.com/search/search.cfm Hope this helps/works, Ken

The above tactic is mentioned repeatedly in many of my books on WW2, both East and west fronts. Ken

kenfedoroff (Allies) concedes to Tigleth Pilisar (Axis) with bid of 50. Busted my line in France and surrounded my troops in the Maginot Line (and it's only April). Congrats to Tig Good game

kenfedoroff (Allies) concedes to Tigleth Pilisar (Axis) with bid of 50. Busted my line in France and surrounded my troops in the Maginot Line (and it's only April). Congrats to Tig Good game

Yes, I thought that I had been saving them before (in battles) but it's not working on this operation. Weird. Thanks anyway, Duh.......Yes, it is too working. Captain Unconscious [ May 12, 2003, 10:18 PM: Message edited by: kenfedoroff ]

I seem to remember that for some reason you could not save a tcp/ip during set-up and it looks like you can't save the set-up in pbem either (at least I haven't been able to). If this is true, it means huge scenarios have to be set-up in one sitting (no interruptions). Am I doing something wrong or is there a reason for this (not being able to save)? Forgot to add: this is the set-up for Day #2 (operation) Sincerely, pbem newbie [ May 12, 2003, 05:45 PM: Message edited by: kenfedoroff ]

Have to agree with that. Ken

tigleth.pilisar (Allies) beats kenfedoroff (Axis) with a bid of 145. Good defense of France throws the Axis timetable in the dumpster. Had to concede as I had not taken a single Russian city. Congrats to Tig