Blazing 88's

The timeline '42 to early '43 is the one i'm looking forward to more then  anything...
 
Kharkow, case blue, operation Uranus, winterstorm, operation saturn and so on and so on....Many intresting scenarios can be made here...both historical and fictional...
 
 
some ' what if ' scenarios i'm looking forward to playing-/ trying to make at other dates will be during the '41 timeframe
 
- Prepared, Well lead, well equiped russians at the start of Barbarossa...(that means...no paranoid Stalin having killed every capable officer before the war)
 
- Germans prepared and equiped  for winter warfare during the fall/winter of '41 giving the germans a better chans to succed with operation Typhooon and actually fight for Moscow... 

About the Scenario
This scenario recreates one of Lt. Otto Carius' engagements made famous in his book 'Tigers in the Mud' on page 166 'The Ambush'.
 
The scenario map size is around 2.9km x 3.4km. Both sides have around a company+. You have around 01hr 40 Minutes (+0-15 minutes variable time). However it’s unlikely, playing against the AI that you’ll need all this time, although playing H2H it might be useful. Playing the ScenarioThis scenario was originally designed to be played first and foremost from the perspective of the German side against the Soviet AI. It is playable head to head (H2H) but has not been playtested for balance in this regard. I suspect it’ll be a tough one for the German player – so if playing H2H let the less experienced player take the Soviets. It is also playable Soviet Vs German AI - given the tactical situation and the game engine limitations of the AI - the German AI struggles with the situation. Still if you want to blow up Hitlerite Bandit Tigers – knock yersel out! AI PlansThere are three distinct Soviet AI plans and one German AI plan – thus allowing some level of re-playability. Those who want the true historical ‘feel’ then play Soviet AI Plan 1. It is the closest to how the Soviets reacted in the actual action. To access AI Plan 1, open this scenario in the editor and ‘switch off’ whatever other Red AI Plans you don’t want to play. It won’t affect FOW unless you take a peek at the other info. About the Action
On the 22nd July 1944 Tigers of 2 Company (under the temporary command of Lt. Carius) from schwere Panzer-Abteilung 502  ambushed the spearhead of the Soviet 5th Tank Corps, the tip of 4th Shock Army’s spear, which had just cleanly broken through Army Group North’s defences. What is arguably unique about this action was the initial bold attack made by Carius and Kerscher into the village which was occupied by T34s from 41st Tank Brigade, made destroying a number of them.
 
Subsequent debate focuses on the exact kill tally - claimed by Carius in his book - in and around the village, the subsequent 'ambush' of the remainder of the Soviet tank unit some km east, and the part played by a nearby German Stug battery or batteries. The debate around the facts of this event I'll set aside for now but if you are interested there is a Historical Action PDF contained in the zip file that outlines the facts behind the engagement and subsequent research and opinion.
 
To Play
You can grab it from the repository or the Scenario Depot in a zip file (which contains the scenario game file, historical action PDF with sources and a master tactical map to help orientate yourself).
 
As always I'd appreciate any feedback etc. If you can post any comments etc in this thread that would be hugely appreciated ta!
 
Enjoy!
 
The Battlefield
 
You can find the real world place (Malinova or Malinovka) in Google earth at the kmz file attached below.
 

 
This image shows the view looking west towards the village of Malinova/Malinovka. In Carius' account Kerscher's and Carius' Tigers engaged twenty Soviet tanks (T34s and IS-2s). They quickly destroyed 2 T-34's and one IS-2, (according to Carius' memoirs). Some remaining tanks were destroyed in the village, others were forced out into the field to the southeast of the road (foreground as you see in the above image above). As the attack was taking place, Carius and Kerscher were joined by Nienstedt as well as some assault guns coming from the north. Most Russian tanks were destroyed, but a few did escape. 
 

 
Close up view of part of the village of Malinova/Malinovka.
 

 

 

 

 
Carius and Kerscher charge into the village to engage the waiting Soviet armour.
Carius at Malinava Historical Background.pdf

Probably be Red Thunder then for me, but I would have loved it to be based around the 1941/1942 .. I just find it more interesting to play around with the early war stuff where the armour isnt too powerful.

A France 1940 or Desert 1941/42 would also be great!

These are [tagged] ss totenkopf 3rd division skins.

There are:

infantry
smocks
helmet
boots
ponchos
crew
armed inf
armed engineers (not sure if these will work as I think they were tagged already)


Scenario use

Put the 'tot inf.txt' file into your 'documents/battlefront/red thunder/game files' directory. In the scenario editor open 'import mod tags' and select the 'tot inf' file.


CMBN use

Should you want to use these skins in CMBN you will need to rename ALL files by removing the [tot-inf] tag and adding in '_ss' after the word 'german in the file name'.


Download

If you want them just send me an empty PM with 'Tot-inf' as the subject and I'll get back to you with the dropbox link. Don't be shy, I work from home so am around a lot.



Quick pics

The Shadow of the Motherland campaign is released. After making adjustments and recomendations from play testers and refining and detailing the maps and narrative I am releasing the campaign to the public.
 
This campaign is a narrative driven campaign similar to my CMRT The Cross of Iron and CMBN In the Fields Where the Poppies Grow. It follows a young Ukrainian Captain, Demitry Koval, of the 79th Airmobile Brigade as he leads his men through a series of missions during the Ukrainian Civil War against Pro-Russian separatists. It is a story of modern war and the tough personal trials that soldiers face while underfire.
 
It is very important that you read all of the Designer Notes  well as the Mission Briefings as these drive the storyline. It is imperative that Captain Koval be kept alive or the campaign will end.
 
Simply download from the link below and place the .cam file in the BS campaign directory and place the mod folder in your data/z directory.
 
Many thanks for those who tested the campaign for me and I hope that this version is relatively issue free. Let me know through this thread of any further issues or suggestions and I will revise.
 
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5kv03skb2c180a4/Shadow%20of%20the%20Motherland.zip?dl=0
Here is the dropbox link

Hopefully a lot sooner than that since I don't have any interest in a Bulge or any late 44 to end of WWII time periods for that matter. I am hoping they crank these out quickly so the earlier war time periods 40-43, Kursk, Barbarossa, North Africa, France '40 can get some love faster at some point down the road. 
 
CMBS does not help this process however, as it will be getting modules that will take up time BFC's time as well (these however, I do look forward to getting).

Well i like both but if I have to choose it is North Africa for me.

Can anyone in the "know" comment on if there will be a game made for the Pacific theater? How about the early Blitzkrieg years? Or early North Africa?
 
CM2 pretty much has mid 43 to end of the war covered in terms of equipment and theaters.
 
Thanks!! 

Ah another game designer.  I'm glad you like the Pacific...I don't and apparently BF doesn't feel like "reskinning" yet another game.  Glad to see your so well informed on the game design effort and marketing.
 
 
So what was your software companies name again?

I am putting the finishing touches on a campaign for CM Black Sea. It is a narrative driven campaign similar to my CMBN In the Fields Where the Poppies Grow and CMRT The Cross of Iron. I am looking for a few playtesters to check it out and report any bugs or make suggestions to improve it before publishing it.
 
It is a infantry driven campaign that dipicts actions by the Ukrainian 79th Air Mobile Brigade under the command of Captain Demitry Koval. Though armor plays a role in the campaign it is centered around 3 companies of this brigade and their actions against pro-russian separatists.
 
As with my previous campaigns it is important to read all the briefs and  designer notes as these drive the story. Also there are modtags and a folder with the needed mods in it in the download.
 
I need a few fellow players to give it a spin and let me know:
 
Is the difficulty level and balance ok
Are there any bugs such as out of place units or units doing idiotic stuff.
Is the immersion level satisfactory to the campaign.
And any other things that need improving.
 
If anyone is interested let me know and I will PM you a drpbox link with the campaign and mods
 
Thanks
Mike

A master map for le Haut Bosq - Grainville - Mondrainville has been uploaded to Greenasjade's warehouse http://cmmods.greenasjade.net/mods/5500/details

Hello everyone,  I have finally downloaded one of my scenarios I have been working on for some time.
 
Clash of Titans is a hypothetical scenario where you play as the Germans vs AI, or Head to Head.  The Scenario is located here
http://cmmods.greenasjade.net/mods?game_type=7&show_all=true at GreenAsJade's site.
 
As this is my first upload I would appreciate your feedback.  Its not the first scenario I have created but I want to get as much feedback as possible.
 
The Battle is Huge so I have included in the description my computer specs, it ran fine but sometimes got a little slow, but did not make anything unbearable.  Note also that it does take, at least my computer 6 minutes to load.. patience is a virtue for some.
 
Again its a hypothetical scenario that depicts elements of the 24th Panzer Division along with elements of the 505th sPz.Abt. with their newly acquired Tiger II tanks.  I liked the fact that both depict Cavalry, and the map you will find is suitable for combat ranges of up to and over 2000m  Russian AI has 2-3 plans each and should be decent for replay ability.  Soviet forces include JS-2 tanks and other forces.
 
Head to Head their are some notes, but it really depends on the skill of players, obviously the Soviet forces will have quantity of men and material, but I left some Designer notes that may be helpful.
 
I have pretty much every mod, but if you have not uploaded any you may want to include:
http://cmmods.greenasjade.net/mods/5170/details  King Tiger Henschel, by umlaut
http://cmmods.greenasjade.net/mods/5297/details  Kieme's HD Modular Buildings Version 2.
http://cmmods.greenasjade.net/mods/5268/details  Kieme's wooden Bunker
http://cmmods.greenasjade.net/mods/5258/details  Veins special effects
http://cmmods.greenasjade.net/mods/5185/details  Juju's sandbags and such.
Veins tracer mods
Aris vehicle mods
Oddball's sound mods.
And all the other goodies out there for immersion.
 
Have fun,
 
Semper Fi.
 
JD

Just a heads up:
http://megamek.info/
Really well done, open source and ever expanding.

Man something along the lines of the old MechWarrior would be so cool.

If we're talking total conversion, then I'd like to see something like this:
 

Are there any of these existing or planned?

So, I am sending out engraved invitations to many folks to come and participate even if for just one battle.
Matching stationery and envelope, an inner envelope, fancy calligraphy in silver ink with an RSVP!
Most everybody at first cringes,.. "Not another damn wedding to buy a gift for! How many toasters does a guy have to buy in one life?"
 
No! Only kidding. Just by PM...
 
The approach to this CMPzC Operation is going to be totally relaxed.
No AAR will be required from any player at all.
I will use this post to tell about things as through FOW shrouded view of say a Canadian News reporter with ties to the allied high command as he sips whiskey with the Divisional commander.
 
If nobody steps up to be the Canadian CO, I will decide the Canadian moves based on history and standard tactics.

I am currently working on a HUGE project that should be finished early next week.  its called "Clash of Titans" which will throw some King Tigers against JSII, and JSI tanks.  I wont tell you a lot... but I have worked on it for about a month and a half.. It is a Hypothetical encounter between the 505 sPz.Abt. and the 31st Guards Heavy Tank Regiment.  (at work know and don't have my notes in front of me)  There are sub forces and goals for each side.. I have designed it to be played as German vs Soviet Forces or hopefully Head to Head.  When I upload it next week on the Repository.. hopefully I can get some play testers.
 
I spent about a week or two just on the map.. and many flavor objects to add a immersive detail from almost anywhere on the map. 
I have tried to use as many Real Life names as I could find for the correct Company I was using for the Germans.  Pz.Abt 505 and the Panzer grenadier Company I also used from the 24th Pz. Division.
 
The Scenario is not historically accurate but I wanted the players to feel immersed and feel as if this battle could have taken place.
 
x1 town.. German.. Refit & Repair area, a Depot area, and a Rail, telegraph building plus an area of local inhabitants and shops.
X1 Rail station
x1 Rail Storage area
X1 large Farm
x1 Village Russian side, basically rural within a somewhat forested area.  basic village but detailed. 
Rail bridge
Road bridge
somewhat hidden Ford location.  Located near a previous battle.
The lay of the land is of low lying land with an occasional bump.??  

Coming Soon - Colonel Nosov's March on Germany - an 18 scenario campaign for CMRT (Allies vs AI).
 
All battles are in playtest or AI Tweaking mode, every scenario will have at least three AI plans...
 
Core Units are as follows:
22nd Motorized Rifle Brigade
  HQ - Lt. Col. Nosov   2IC - Major Bebchuk   Tank Plt. HQ - Capt Yeltson   1 Co Hq - 2nd Lt. Lachkov   2 Co HQ - 2nd Lt.  Obolensky   3 Co HQ - 2nd Lt.  Repin   MG Co HQ - 2nd Lt. Ruchkin   Mortar Bat HQ - 2nd Lt. Dudnik   4th Bat HQ - 2nd Lt. Arshavin Scenarios basically contain a company from above with attachments, I would say most are small to medium in size and range from 50-90 minutes. See attached sample PDF Manual for area and flowchart of battles.
 
Here is a small video trailer-
 
https://youtu.be/ccqxWqvldrs
 
 
After release this will be followed up with an Axis vs AI Campaign and also all 18 Scenarios in a Battle Pack modified for H2H play...
 
I still could use a play tester or two, you can contact me at my website below...
 
I will update as release time gets closer...

I have never played a single player game of Combat Mission since shock force. Only ever multiplayer the best possible AI. So I would not pay for single player features.

Welcome to the forum and to Combat Mission. I started with Normandy in 2012 and watched the game evolve. It was good when I bought it and has improved in subtle but important increments. If you like WWII I doubt you'll be disappointed. If you find it difficult to get used to (not saying you will, but if you do), be patient. Play more, use the quick battles to experiment with small forces and see how things work.

Don't be shy to ask questions here. The community is quite helpful.

Burnt Out on WW 2...Surely you jest !

I suspect that the importance of the quality of the game's AI will  shrivel to nothingness once Battlefront comes up with their own in-house multiplayer lobby. If Slitherine can pull it off...

I get a 'Fatal error - we should have had a valid file ID' page when I click on your link.

kinda the same age , I was 10 in 75