PanzerMiller

Couldn't agree more, Bil...

Is there any way this can be done effectively by the user? Or is this realistically in the hands of the developers? I can only imagine how badly you're chomping at the bit to satisfy your mod cravings on this one...

So per my question from earlier today: Did the TC do this because they were saying to themselves "I've got Xmm of frontal armor and that enemy tank over there with its Ymm gun can penetrate Zmm of armor from a range of YYm with an armor angle of ZZdegrees"? Or was this practice of offset just basic doctrine, largely independent of the specific details of the situation?

What a great AAR...keep it up, gentlemen! Feed us more... Once again I'm fascinated by these intense discussions of armor facing and penetration statistics using stacks of data. We've got the luxury of time and (generally) a cool head between turns to consult these data and plot the moves of our pixeltruppen based on our assessment of the probabilities of any given outcome. But what was going through the TC's head in the field? Did Wittmann consult the Tigerfibel in his cupola? Did he have it committed to memory for recall at just the right moment? Did he study the comparative armor and weapon statistics of his own and his enemy's equipment during down time? Or did he and his comrades -- on both sides of the field -- make tactical decisions through instinct and intuition? Bil alludes to this on the previous page, and it's always been a question for me. What was actually going on in the TC's head during an engagement?

I knew I could count on something from you, Jason... Did this pack evolve to a playable state? Any chance you would be able to resurrect them and make them available?

Wow...really?? Not a single reply?

Howdy all, As CM:BN nears, I've gone old school and started playing East Front scenarios with a renewed interest. I've also started reading Glantz's "Zhukov's Greatest Defeat" and have done a brief search for some Mars scenarios on Scenario Depot, with little success. Can anyone point me to a set of Operation Mars scenarios...that is, if they exist? Many thanks!

Have lurked here for awhile after an absence or two...I've kept up with this DAR throughout and have really enjoyed reading it!! Fantastic job, Jon! Eagerly awaiting the release -- and patiently awaiting the inevitable treatment of the Ostfront...

Mad Russian et al., I also submitted this question to the Scenario Depot II, so apologies for the cross posting -- but I really want to hear from the experts regarding this question! I'd love to play this scenario but I see that German Pioneer 44A squads are being used, complete with Panzerfaust-60s and MG-42s. A bit ahistorical for a January '42 scenario, isn't it? Am I missing something in the interpretation? Would be interested in reading your thoughts on this...many thanks! And keep up the fantastic work, MR!

Hmmm...had no idea the original comment about Molotovs would stir such a response, especially in light of the earlier threads we've all read on this subject...but I'm glad it did! As always, I've learned a few new things in this thread. I myself would feel much safer carrying around a few kg of C4 than a few glass bottles of napalm strapped to my waist...!

Thanks, John, for another good read. "Close support assault gun"..."tie-in with divisional artillery"..."close support fire for tanks"...according to this article, TDs can do everything! It is interesting to study some of the later statements regarding the TD battalion's frustration with the high command's percepeption of TD as defensive weapon. Those at "the sharp end" clearly felt differently. Keep it coming, John!

Caught the last 30 minutes of this show on The History Channel this evening...I believe they're gonna repeat it at 11PM Central time here in the States (about 30 minutes from now...!). Anybody else catch it? I was impressed with what I saw...the devastating firepower of the PPSh was on full display.

Good stuff, John...thanks for the post! I especially enjoyed the instructions for "drawing the board" full of mines in the path of the oncoming Tiger...hadn't heard that one before. And the discussion of the suspension's vulnerability takes me back to the Tiger-killing tactics showcased in "Saving Private Ryan"...But I remain skeptical of the efficacy of those feared incendiary bottles...at least based on game experience...

Fantastic stuff, Mikey! I've been playing with alot of StuGIIIE's lately and, while I've enjoyed Gautrek's original "dusty" mod, this one takes the cake! Is there an air recognition bmp for the IIIE as well? I share in everyone's appreciation of all the work you put in to make this game even more enjoyable...

Excellent info, Pat...much appreciated! I've now got a company of infantry in LOS of two T-34s, one of which is using only MG fire, so perhaps the earlier 105mm barrage did some gun damage. We can only hope...thanks again!

MikeyD / Jason: Actually, the time delay for my divisional level 105mm has been 2-3 minutes within LOS...much shorter than your estimate, Jason...must be the effect of a crack FO as part of an SS mechanized unit? I was presented with a pretty tight cluster of 5-6 T-34s in full LOS that I just couldn't pass up with the off-board arty. I've used about 1/3 of the available assets and, while no obvious kills or immobilizations to speak of, they certainly have scattered from their original placement. Still have reasonable assets left to use against newly-ID'ed infantry emplaced in the path of my advance... Still not sure how I'll deal with at least 7-8 T-34's with 6 StugIIIE's, 3 PzJag I's, and 4 PzIIIG's...patience, patience, patience... Thanks everybody!

Other Means -- no, I don't have a sniper. but I do have ample HMG overwatch that I plan to use as necessary to keep the armor buttoned. I think I'll use the artillery I have against infantry strongpoints I encounter in the assault. An unrelated question while I'm here: I don't have alot of experience with driving tanks through muddy conditions. How frequently can I expect them to bog? Can I cut this risk through specific kinds of movement over open ground? Are these questions already answered in archived forum topics? If so, my apologies for the duplicate post... Thanks for the advice!

Thanks...appreciate the advice. I'll rely on the armor assets coming along later to take care of the T-34s. And hope they don't get stuck in the mud!

Hey everybody, I am initiating an assault on a village with a batallion of SS infantry supported by a company of StuG IIIEs in October 1941. My divisional FO can already see three tanks clustered together, guarding the crossroads of interest...most likely T-34s. The rest of the batallion is in cover and is beginning the advance. A platoon of tank destroyers (PzJag I?) is coming up behind, to be followed by elements of 10th Panzer (Pz III?). So...what would you do...use the 105mm artillery against the armor to try to get a lucky kill or two, or hope your own armor assets can do the job against a superior enemy? It's muddy, with alot of steppe and long fields of fire separating the two forces. I've read previous threads of the effectiveness of artillery on armor, but would be interested in getting your advice on this particular situation and basic force composition. Thanks!

Hmmm...I understood this thread to be at least in part focused on discussing optimal methods of attack and assault, from which I gained alot of insight. I commended you and others for providing this insight, and merely wanted to let you know that I was going to use it in an upcoming scenario. Nothing more, nothing less. Posts to a forum like this do not have to be loaded with statistics and historical data to be appropriate, or even perhaps of idle amusement to others...

I'm a bit late entering in to this, but let me say that despite the rather harsh opening rounds (glad to see you calm down, Jason!) I've learned a great deal from reading this discussion...thanks for the excellent information and perspective. I've been preparing to play the Combat Scenario Design Team's scenario "Mozhaisk" for CMBB, simulating Reich's assault on the village outside Moscow in October 1941 using a batallion from the Deutschland Regiment. It's supported by an Assault Gun Company (7 StuG IIIE's) and a 105mm Howitzer Battery, with a reserve infantry company and Tank Destroyer Platoon in support. Elements from 10th Panzer will arrive later on during the assault. It's cold and muddy, with reasonable avenues of attack -- but I've got T-34's to contend with and no doubt a stingy Russian defense. Jason (and others) -- after many attempts at Axis assaults in CMBB (mostly successful), I am eager to put some more of your ideas into practice. I'm curious to see how the mud will affect my approach (I'm about 750m from the crossroads of interest and I have about 35 minutes). I'm also worried about the life expectancy of those StuGs...Perhaps an AAR on this one? As directed, I will be sufficiently humble and whine-less in my quest for enlightenment... Thanks again! Wish me luck...time to practice disciplined assault tactics...

Don't forget the good ol' foot soldiers, boys...pioneers can take out anything if they get close enough (I know that's quite a caveat, but...). I just played a fun scenario from the old Scenario Depot -- Suburbs of Leningrad -- where a platoon of pioneers with PzIIIG and 50mm PAK support take on 2 KV-1s and 2 KV-2s in the early morning fog. The PAK got both KV-1s from about 150m and I was able to get close enough with one pioneer squad to knock out both KV-2s with demo charges...great fun! Keep playin', everybody...

Hey everybody, I realize this is probably not the most appropriate forum for this question, but I know there are some real experts out there, so... I'm going to be in Halle next week...no, not for the big video game conference, but for my own work meeting. Anyway...anybody got some ideas on interesting WWII-era sights nearby? I'll have a couple days for traveling around and would love to see some history. Thanks for helpin' out!

Jason, Two to three orders of magnitude? Really?? What specific time frame are you referring to? Could you cite your source on this? I don't claim to have different data, I'm just very surprised to hear this as we've all heard about the lethal advantage Allied air power proved to be in the West. If your timeframe is just a few days or so after D-Day, I would be more inclined to accept your statement at face value. Would love to know the original source. Thanks...always great to learn from y'all...

DerBlitzer, My interpretation is that your AC was taking fire and threw its own smoke to mask its retreat...that would best explain your observations. I've seen many similar instances in my own play. Good luck attacking that trench!