Aragorn2002

http://russianhistoryblog.org/2011/02/atrocities-in-east-prussia-1914/ Interesting article about Russian attrocities in Eastern Prussia 1914. Nothing to do with revenge, just business as usual.

My heart bleeds for you, Elvis, that would have been a memorable occasion when your barrage would have come down on those running Bolshies. Pity.

Ah, it is meant in that sense, sorry, I thought it was meant as an encouragement to throw his armor into battle. Unleash your armor, that sort of thing. I'm familiair with the term unbottoning of course, but haven't had my first cup of coffee yet. Yeah, unbuttoning makes all the difference with regard to spotting, I agree. Great start of the day, this AAR.

Elvis, don't let anyone rush you. Plenty of time for that later. I think it is wise to wait.

If it has it is a remarkable achievement. Usually I only wipe out my own boys with my artillery barrages.

What a revolting discussion this is.

Nice video, Bil, please keep them coming.

I second all of that. And the ability of going underground during artillery barrages and becoming invisible when lying down.

Is there a term for this kind of revisionism? Gulag denial perhaps? But I see you still live in the Soviet Union, so never mind.

He is and so are the world's best historians. Please spare us all that Nashi nonsense.

Those trees are magnificent. Something to look forward to.

After the war the Soviets exaggerated their losses to justify their actions and strengthen their claims. Now the Russians try to do the opposite, because of national pride. It is that simple.

Umlaut, I must admit I download almost all new scenarios, but play only a fraction of them. I usually give a compliment about the map if it is good. But I do admire everyone who makes them and realize how frustrating it must be to get no feedback. Surely something for the community to think about.

Saferight, would you be willing to make medals perhaps? Nahkampfspange and so on.

I've just bought 'Days of Battle' by Norbert Szamveber, about the armoured operations north of the River Danube, Hungary 1944-45. Very well written with great maps. Looking forward to his next book.

It would be interesting, I agree. Especially tank turrets thrown up in the air, after a hit. It is one of the reasons why I loved the Steel Beasts tanksim.

I second that, superb map, George. A good looking map makes all the difference.

Looks like it, but that is not possible, is it?

In Germany and Belgium they can be bought for € 250 or so. Would love to have one. Perhaps one day I will buy it...if my wife allows it, that is. She is not exactly over the moon about my fascination with warfare and such.

Disappointing news, but understandable. CM isn't ready for bigger maps yet.

Most submachine guns weren't worth much over 100m. Sure, the StG44 was a fine weapon, more refined, greater range etc, but only available in the last year of the war. On short distance the Ppsh can be devastating, I've tried that weapon once and it is a killer. Apart from that indestructable and easy to make. You are partly right, of course, but for me it is all about allround performance and availability.

And the PPSh is the best submachine gun of the entire war. Incredible firepower. I once played a CMBB battle against Earl Grey with my recon units being massacred in a forest by his PPSh-platoons. I still have nightmares about it. ;-)

Nice map. I'm also very happy with all the vehicles that will be included in RT. Even the Grille is available. I hope that vehicle will be added to CM Normandy too sooner or later.

BletchleyGeek, according to 'Panzeroperationen Doppelkopf and Caesar' by Gerd Niepold, by far the best book on the subject, a fighting withdrawl of AGN was still possible in August 1944, especially since a number of relatively strong and fresh Panzer units was available in that area and the Red Army was focused more on East Prussia. It wouldn't have been a picknick, but it would have a reasonable chance on success. JasonC, there is a treatment for Asperger syndrome, so don't wait any longer PLEASE. Womble, H1nd's contribution has been a lot more valuable than yours, so get off his back. My final word, about my 'silly question'. When a serious military historian like Peter G. Tsouras finds it interesting enough to study, as far fetched as it may be, I do not think it can be regarded as an absurd hypothetical. Apart from that it should be possible to raise the question, without drawing attention of the local thugs. But I won't make that mistake again, gentlemen, you can count on that.

That's the kind of comment I'm looking for, H1nd, it only would have postponed the inevitable end, but it would have been a much more interesting situation, in tactical respect. Without the withdrawl of AG North a more impressive last stand is almost unthinkable. And in the early autumn of 1944 this would still have been possible over land. The main problem was that there was no depth anymore to defend in. In that respect the Germans lost too many opportunities. But with more infantry divisions from other locations some of the Panzer divisions could have been taken out of the fighting to be refreshed. Another important factor would have been that the Luftwaffe could have concentrated it's fighter force in the East to protect the ground forces, who suffered heavily under the attacks of the Red airforce. Of course fuel would still have been a huge problem, both for the tank units as for the Luftwaffe and would have limited the operations severely. I know the Russians could have broken through anywhere they chose, but they could be made paying a higher price for it, when more Panzer units were available to counterattack. History shows that such attacks should be launched as soon as possible, because after the Russians had some time to consolidate it was near to impossible to throw them back again.