John1966

Last night I was playing an MG scenario as the Brits (inevitably) defending (I won't name it).
It was the usual thing. Taking on tanks with infantry and running out of ammo against repeated German onslaughts.
But I thought I had it in the bag with about 20 minutes to go. Why haven't the Germans surrendered though? There can't be more reinforcements, can there? Yes, there could.
Massive attack right down the middle and one to the right. As luck would have it I'd called in a long call time arty strike on the right "just in case" and the Germans walked right into it.
But my middle was completely exposed. The previous attacks had drawn my paras to the flanks where they were depleted and low on ammo. The reserve had been committed elsewhere. There was no-one to plug the huge gap.
I scrabbled around looking for anyone who could cover. The gap was largely open until it crossed a road at the foot of the hill the Germans were rushing down. Once they crossed that they were into the woods and there'd be little I could do to get them out. I pulled in mortar teams who'd run out of shells, HQs, AT teams, ATG crews out of HE, dismounted jeep drivers, anyone with bullets who could fire at the German flanks.
Then I looked at my rear. There was the battalion HQ and a nearby Bren carrier.
Major Cousens boarded the carrier with his team and started the journey round the woods to the road at the bottom of the hill. It would take three minutes to get there.
The guys who were firing on the attack were doing a good job but it wasn't quite enough. The lead Germans were reaching the road.
Then the Queen of the Battlefield roared into view at full speed. The gunner spraying the Germans crossing the road. As it continued, the Major and his HQ stood up in the still fast moving carrier, firing their Stens into the wheat field the other side of the road. There were red crosses everywhere.
When I hit the end of turn, the Germans surrendered. We made tea.
Nothing will make the Germans surrender quicker that a British major with a Sten riding the Queen of the Battlefield at high speed.
I felt thoroughly British. 🧐
Wish I took a screenshot.
🤔
 
 
 

Last night I was playing an MG scenario as the Brits (inevitably) defending (I won't name it).
It was the usual thing. Taking on tanks with infantry and running out of ammo against repeated German onslaughts.
But I thought I had it in the bag with about 20 minutes to go. Why haven't the Germans surrendered though? There can't be more reinforcements, can there? Yes, there could.
Massive attack right down the middle and one to the right. As luck would have it I'd called in a long call time arty strike on the right "just in case" and the Germans walked right into it.
But my middle was completely exposed. The previous attacks had drawn my paras to the flanks where they were depleted and low on ammo. The reserve had been committed elsewhere. There was no-one to plug the huge gap.
I scrabbled around looking for anyone who could cover. The gap was largely open until it crossed a road at the foot of the hill the Germans were rushing down. Once they crossed that they were into the woods and there'd be little I could do to get them out. I pulled in mortar teams who'd run out of shells, HQs, AT teams, ATG crews out of HE, dismounted jeep drivers, anyone with bullets who could fire at the German flanks.
Then I looked at my rear. There was the battalion HQ and a nearby Bren carrier.
Major Cousens boarded the carrier with his team and started the journey round the woods to the road at the bottom of the hill. It would take three minutes to get there.
The guys who were firing on the attack were doing a good job but it wasn't quite enough. The lead Germans were reaching the road.
Then the Queen of the Battlefield roared into view at full speed. The gunner spraying the Germans crossing the road. As it continued, the Major and his HQ stood up in the still fast moving carrier, firing their Stens into the wheat field the other side of the road. There were red crosses everywhere.
When I hit the end of turn, the Germans surrendered. We made tea.
Nothing will make the Germans surrender quicker that a British major with a Sten riding the Queen of the Battlefield at high speed.
I felt thoroughly British. 🧐
Wish I took a screenshot.
🤔
 
 
 

Paddy lifts his eyes from his copy of the Sporting Post. "Did yer'se hear this gob****e, Mr. Jorrocks, Sir. He felt so British, that he said that he was playing as "the Brits".
"Don't worry about it Paddy old boy. By the time the Dictatorship of the Semi-Literate take power we will both be in our graves."
"Ah, right you are Sir. Another G'n'T will it be?"

+1  Well played.  

A quick summary of your evening 😁.
Being British I normally play as German, but yes it can come down to 'little things' tipping the balance.  Well played 👍.

Last night I was playing an MG scenario as the Brits (inevitably) defending (I won't name it).
It was the usual thing. Taking on tanks with infantry and running out of ammo against repeated German onslaughts.
But I thought I had it in the bag with about 20 minutes to go. Why haven't the Germans surrendered though? There can't be more reinforcements, can there? Yes, there could.
Massive attack right down the middle and one to the right. As luck would have it I'd called in a long call time arty strike on the right "just in case" and the Germans walked right into it.
But my middle was completely exposed. The previous attacks had drawn my paras to the flanks where they were depleted and low on ammo. The reserve had been committed elsewhere. There was no-one to plug the huge gap.
I scrabbled around looking for anyone who could cover. The gap was largely open until it crossed a road at the foot of the hill the Germans were rushing down. Once they crossed that they were into the woods and there'd be little I could do to get them out. I pulled in mortar teams who'd run out of shells, HQs, AT teams, ATG crews out of HE, dismounted jeep drivers, anyone with bullets who could fire at the German flanks.
Then I looked at my rear. There was the battalion HQ and a nearby Bren carrier.
Major Cousens boarded the carrier with his team and started the journey round the woods to the road at the bottom of the hill. It would take three minutes to get there.
The guys who were firing on the attack were doing a good job but it wasn't quite enough. The lead Germans were reaching the road.
Then the Queen of the Battlefield roared into view at full speed. The gunner spraying the Germans crossing the road. As it continued, the Major and his HQ stood up in the still fast moving carrier, firing their Stens into the wheat field the other side of the road. There were red crosses everywhere.
When I hit the end of turn, the Germans surrendered. We made tea.
Nothing will make the Germans surrender quicker that a British major with a Sten riding the Queen of the Battlefield at high speed.
I felt thoroughly British. 🧐
Wish I took a screenshot.
🤔
 
 
 

Last night I was playing an MG scenario as the Brits (inevitably) defending (I won't name it).
It was the usual thing. Taking on tanks with infantry and running out of ammo against repeated German onslaughts.
But I thought I had it in the bag with about 20 minutes to go. Why haven't the Germans surrendered though? There can't be more reinforcements, can there? Yes, there could.
Massive attack right down the middle and one to the right. As luck would have it I'd called in a long call time arty strike on the right "just in case" and the Germans walked right into it.
But my middle was completely exposed. The previous attacks had drawn my paras to the flanks where they were depleted and low on ammo. The reserve had been committed elsewhere. There was no-one to plug the huge gap.
I scrabbled around looking for anyone who could cover. The gap was largely open until it crossed a road at the foot of the hill the Germans were rushing down. Once they crossed that they were into the woods and there'd be little I could do to get them out. I pulled in mortar teams who'd run out of shells, HQs, AT teams, ATG crews out of HE, dismounted jeep drivers, anyone with bullets who could fire at the German flanks.
Then I looked at my rear. There was the battalion HQ and a nearby Bren carrier.
Major Cousens boarded the carrier with his team and started the journey round the woods to the road at the bottom of the hill. It would take three minutes to get there.
The guys who were firing on the attack were doing a good job but it wasn't quite enough. The lead Germans were reaching the road.
Then the Queen of the Battlefield roared into view at full speed. The gunner spraying the Germans crossing the road. As it continued, the Major and his HQ stood up in the still fast moving carrier, firing their Stens into the wheat field the other side of the road. There were red crosses everywhere.
When I hit the end of turn, the Germans surrendered. We made tea.
Nothing will make the Germans surrender quicker that a British major with a Sten riding the Queen of the Battlefield at high speed.
I felt thoroughly British. 🧐
Wish I took a screenshot.
🤔
 
 
 

Last night I was playing an MG scenario as the Brits (inevitably) defending (I won't name it).
It was the usual thing. Taking on tanks with infantry and running out of ammo against repeated German onslaughts.
But I thought I had it in the bag with about 20 minutes to go. Why haven't the Germans surrendered though? There can't be more reinforcements, can there? Yes, there could.
Massive attack right down the middle and one to the right. As luck would have it I'd called in a long call time arty strike on the right "just in case" and the Germans walked right into it.
But my middle was completely exposed. The previous attacks had drawn my paras to the flanks where they were depleted and low on ammo. The reserve had been committed elsewhere. There was no-one to plug the huge gap.
I scrabbled around looking for anyone who could cover. The gap was largely open until it crossed a road at the foot of the hill the Germans were rushing down. Once they crossed that they were into the woods and there'd be little I could do to get them out. I pulled in mortar teams who'd run out of shells, HQs, AT teams, ATG crews out of HE, dismounted jeep drivers, anyone with bullets who could fire at the German flanks.
Then I looked at my rear. There was the battalion HQ and a nearby Bren carrier.
Major Cousens boarded the carrier with his team and started the journey round the woods to the road at the bottom of the hill. It would take three minutes to get there.
The guys who were firing on the attack were doing a good job but it wasn't quite enough. The lead Germans were reaching the road.
Then the Queen of the Battlefield roared into view at full speed. The gunner spraying the Germans crossing the road. As it continued, the Major and his HQ stood up in the still fast moving carrier, firing their Stens into the wheat field the other side of the road. There were red crosses everywhere.
When I hit the end of turn, the Germans surrendered. We made tea.
Nothing will make the Germans surrender quicker that a British major with a Sten riding the Queen of the Battlefield at high speed.
I felt thoroughly British. 🧐
Wish I took a screenshot.
🤔
 
 
 

Last night I was playing an MG scenario as the Brits (inevitably) defending (I won't name it).
It was the usual thing. Taking on tanks with infantry and running out of ammo against repeated German onslaughts.
But I thought I had it in the bag with about 20 minutes to go. Why haven't the Germans surrendered though? There can't be more reinforcements, can there? Yes, there could.
Massive attack right down the middle and one to the right. As luck would have it I'd called in a long call time arty strike on the right "just in case" and the Germans walked right into it.
But my middle was completely exposed. The previous attacks had drawn my paras to the flanks where they were depleted and low on ammo. The reserve had been committed elsewhere. There was no-one to plug the huge gap.
I scrabbled around looking for anyone who could cover. The gap was largely open until it crossed a road at the foot of the hill the Germans were rushing down. Once they crossed that they were into the woods and there'd be little I could do to get them out. I pulled in mortar teams who'd run out of shells, HQs, AT teams, ATG crews out of HE, dismounted jeep drivers, anyone with bullets who could fire at the German flanks.
Then I looked at my rear. There was the battalion HQ and a nearby Bren carrier.
Major Cousens boarded the carrier with his team and started the journey round the woods to the road at the bottom of the hill. It would take three minutes to get there.
The guys who were firing on the attack were doing a good job but it wasn't quite enough. The lead Germans were reaching the road.
Then the Queen of the Battlefield roared into view at full speed. The gunner spraying the Germans crossing the road. As it continued, the Major and his HQ stood up in the still fast moving carrier, firing their Stens into the wheat field the other side of the road. There were red crosses everywhere.
When I hit the end of turn, the Germans surrendered. We made tea.
Nothing will make the Germans surrender quicker that a British major with a Sten riding the Queen of the Battlefield at high speed.
I felt thoroughly British. 🧐
Wish I took a screenshot.
🤔
 
 
 

The only exception I have seen is throwing grenades at open top vehicles from an upper floor.  However, there must be the occasional exception since you witnessed it.  For SOPs in drills I try to use what works best most of the time.  When I find new / better information (often on this forum) I test it and see if it will work most of the time.  I then modify the drill if the new information can be made to work most of time. 
I think it is fair to say for the best results, most of the time, in CQB vs Armor the infantry need to exit the building.  I would never say 100% but probably 95% .  
Speaking of grenades check out the grenade chucking contest below.  Somewhere on the eastern front. 
            

I understand well what you are saying and it makes sense in a rational way. I just don't think average soldiers in WW2 could always keep their cool like that. You're in a platoon of what, 30 really young guys? They haven't slept for days and they have been shelled and maybe lost friends. Now suddenly Germans walk past. Who knows if there will be a guy with an MG. Who knows if the next moment, they'll spot you and your mates?

If you set one,they will ignore all infantry and only fire at armour inside the arc. This is very useful, also to defeat "dirty tricks" like the one you described above.

You're right that slit trenches and fox holes were dug in gardens during the battle. Just unlucky with your choice of picture. Thankfully the location of that mortar pit has never been built on. ...

Well possibly not (I've actually no idea). But many slit trenches and foxholes were dug in gardens. So it's not a totally unreasonable place to find one.
I just thought it'd be nice to add a picture. 
Gardens are definitely the default locations for mortars in a few MG scenarios.
(Often gardens with those high wall I don't think Dutch gardens have)

1. Yes, your mortars are likely having their LoF block by nearby obstacles.
 
2. re: pack howitzers, BFC has not implemented variable charges for these weapons, so they are always firing using a full charge (which is best for direct fire).

The scenario plays out quite differently for me.
Of course, I had a "perfect" plan.
On the right flank, I first took the "knoll" without opposition. Then on to the Chateau, that's where things became derailed. The Panthers cleared the Chateau from Shermans and ATG's easily enough , but my infantry was hit hard by arty and mortar and delayed. Not too bad yet, I still took the Chateau.
Being behind schedule, I raced toward the north slope. Obviously the Panthers and StuG arrived first, a platoon of infantry followed on half tracks two on foot. But unfortunately, I had missed a Sherman near the Chateau, which killed two of the half tracks. I sent one Panther back to quickly despatch the Sherman, but now I had one Panther less up front.
Becoming frustrated from waiting, I moved the other Panthers and the StuG through the woods. The StuG soon was immobilzed by hand granades and I decided to race through with the Panthers. That worked nicely, until they ran into an ambush of  three Shermans. Only one of three Panthers returned, luckily just in time to spoil a counter attack at the north slope victory point area. Meanwhile my infantry had moved up and secured half of the north slope VP area.
Earlier, I decided to move the fourth Panther along the road on the north edge, hoping to contest the north east slope victory point area in the end game. Worked nicely, until it was killed (just tooday) by a Sherman lurking in the orchards.
On the left flank, I had the plan to just pin the oppo force in the north east VP area with the Pz IV and an infantry company. Stupid enough, I was drawn into a fight, lost two Pz IV and a counter attack smashed my infantry. Panzerfaust's and the remaining Pz IV's stopped the counter attack, but the left front is now in some sort of stalemate.
We have still 30 minutes to go and my final plan is "hold out and hope for the best".
So, all in all: A lot of movement, some hot action, some nice achievements, some bad failures. Not too shabby for a CM scenario. 🙂
Ah, I forgot to say: I am playing "The Mace" PBEM.
Re the "story telling": Yep, sounds familiar. My wife would not care to listen through this tale either, but I keep trying. 😉
 
 

Not a shame at all. 😀 He's a fine young man. Very clever and can an do things we can't even imagine.
But that doesn't include listening to his dad's interminable CM anecdotes. 
I think I got a total victory. The Poles surrendered. All the Panthers and the Stug III survived.
I did lose the Panzer IV on the hill though.
It didn't stand a chance under the circumstances. But (as ever) it annoyed me that the Shermans who were moving spotted the stationary Panzer IV first.
 
And the time my ATG crew couldn't see the Stug III and King Tiger 30m in front of them that could see them. And the sniper who couldn't see the Tiger that spotted him. And innumerable times tanks feet away were invisible etc, etc.
<insert favourite outrageous LOS inconsistency you've ever seen>

That is a shame. I wish him well.
In the meantime, it has been years since I played this mission. Just going through my results, when I played this on Engine 2 as the Axis vs the AI I only managed a Major Victory losing three tanks in the process. My memory isn't good enough to know what you need to do to get a "Total Victory".

He's autistic and tried to be interested. Wandered off before I got to the end.
 
I can think of two very good reasons why she won't believe that (and neither reason involves the Polish). 
Interestingly enough, The Mace is German vs Polish. Well, interesting to us anyway.

Hi John, I wondered, too, but your question finally made me searching. This is from Wikipedia (search for Hill 262):
„One of the few westbound roads in the area runs from Chambois through the pass, heading towards Vimoutiers and the River Seine.[31][33]Historian Michael Reynolds describes Point 262N as offering "spectacular views over much of the Falaise Pocket".[32] Viewing the feature on an Allied map, Maczek commented that it resembled a caveman's club with two bulbous heads; the Poles nicknamed it the Maczuga, Polish for "mace".[33][34] The ridge, known to the Allies as Hill 262,[5] formed a crucial blocking position for sealing the Falaise Pocket and preventing any outside attempts to relieve the German 7th Army.“
Great scenario, by the way.

The Poles called the local ridgeline Maczuga or mace in English, because it resembled a club. Rather than the more decorative mace that we have in the House of Commons to bash the Royals with.

I think 81mm mortars, which have a limited range, are assumed to start on the edge of the map.
You'll occasionally find angle of fire will affect artillery, including off-map artillery.

That's interesting - I'm gonna try using 'target' and see if that makes them more accurate - I'd always accepted a bit of spread, but maybe the two commands are set up differently.

Always Hottot Les Bagues
under an apple tree for eternity

I am fond of target light - which for mortars is a slower rate of fire. That way you can let the team zero on the target without burning through their whole ammo supply.