sburke

How much hunting would you have to do? The panel showing the members of the tank crew will tell you 1 are they alive and uninjured 2 is the driver driving? 3 the panel next to them with one click will tell you if the radio is damaged. So effectively with one mouse click I have eliminated the crew situation, movement and equipment state. Perhaps a UI could be developed that would eliminate the need for that one click, but I wouldn't characterize that as "hunting".

Don't sell us short, our grandfathers, great uncles etc trashed 1st and 2nd SS PzK along with a number of other good divisions. About the only premiere divisons they didn't face were Wiking and GrossDeutschland. I would also say at this time one might reconsider battle hardened as the correct word in favor of battle fatigued. There comes a point where the edge wears off and the unit without time to regroup, re train etc loses it's battle acumen and just starts getting punch drunk in a way. As to a separate peace, fat chance. The Third Reich had made it's bed with the Russians. The only way they could have made a separate peace was to surrender almost everything directly to Stalin. The Russians were outright winning now. Blood was in the water and that Shark knew it. Besides, our plan was to nuke them and that would have stayed the plan if it had to be. And I wasn't hating on Monty's clothing. I think the relaxed manner has a different and from my view better impact on your average grunt than walking around like a peacock prima donna. Patton was admired while he won whereas Monty's troops as far as I understand adored him through thick and thin. That could be an errant perception based on what materials I've read, I'd love to hear from those with better knowledge.

Thanks I can't speak to that. I've barely scratched the surface of the CW module yet. Why and when units use grenades is one of those things I just have to count on my pixeltruppen. If they'd have tossed one earlier it might have been a much shorter fight and Arnold may not have been hit. That the Americans didn't toss any was dumb luck for me.

At this point the Americans called off the assault. They had their own issues jumping off that I will leave to Broadsword, but the German defenses had immobilized one Sherman (at the cost of a Marder), destroyed two others and hit a Stuart. 4 vehicles destroyed or disabled in 2 minutes is going to throw anybody's plans off kilter. I was only glad I could call off the counter attack. Once I was out of my nice defensive positions I was expecting I was going to be losing some armor, possibly to no avail if they could not impact the battle at the manor. In addition my infantry reserve was going to have to cross fields under artillery fire. Odds are they were never even going to try. KG Lang had survived and accomplished their mission. A result frankly no one expected. This battle taught me a lot about terrain and it's impact. Many units continued to fight far beyond when I thought they would fold, while others would last a turn or two under fire and split. The crossroads in particular was a location where try as they might, the Americans could not dislodge my units. What I think I discovered was, there was intervening ground obstructing line of fire if the unit was cowering. So my guys would go to ground, stay there a turn or two and recover popping back up to catch more troops in the open. I think one team there accounted for 20 GIs. We debate the effect of a lot of things on this forum, but I think rarely do we appreciate how much altering the battlefield will change game play. Broadsword's maps are amazing. You won't find any billiard flat terrain here. There are deadspots, covered routes, unexpected keyhole positions, reverse slopes etc all over the place and you can't appreciate it until your troops are fighting over the ground. As to the game, well as stated in the beginning we wanted to showcase how the game actually plays. If you want to really feel it, download some of the game turns. The odd turns are German replay, the even are American. There are no passwords. We'll let the game speak for itself. Don't be surprised to hear yourself cheering though. This is the end of the battle, but now we need to figure out what does it mean. Broadsword has been working on that. I don't want to ruin any surprises so I'll leave Broadsword to describe how this battle would alter the OP layer and how the resulting decisions would play out. Once again BFC, thank you. Yeah I'd love a dozen or more additions to the game too, but if I am chanting the names of my pixeltruppen (which I seem to do fairly often with this game) you must have gotten something right. And before I wrap up, to a gaming partner who has helped me appreciate this game at a whole other level, thanks Broadsword. This has been simply outstanding. So when the Bulge game is out, you interested in gaming the battle for St Vith?

Over by Hamel Manor the Pak 40 team had patiently bided their time when finally a Sherman on overwatch in the orchard came into LOF. The crew didn't hesitate. The first round would hammer into the Sherman, but not take it out It would take several, but there was no retaliation and the crew methodically pumped round after round in until it was clear the Sherman was a wreck. It may also have to do with me assigning a target

at the center crossroads our PJ team takes aim And removes the threat posed by the Sherman. Are these guys not rock solid reliable? Meanwhile another team that I thought I had in reserve gets a bead on the tank that Hardenberger had just driven off. A miss! This one was pretty amazing. I can't tell if the tank spotted the round or the gunner or what. When they were aiming it had begun advancing and where the round plowed into the ground is where the tank should have been. Instead it suddenly braked and reversed. The Americans have got to be totally frustrated now. A Stuart and a Sherman both hit, another Sherman is facing a ton of harrassment and darn near took a Shrek round. What else can go wrong? Oh did I mention the Artillery and the TRPs along this stretch? Oh yeah, as soon as Molek had reported in, the call for rounds to hit the road and orchard across from the manor went in. I had husbanded the 105 btry ammo and still had a considerable quantity left. A German steel curtain would descend over the entire area I expected the attack from with 3 full batteries.

The Germans have finally gotten their units into position to force open a path to the hwy and try to threaten the American assault. Schultz, the 1st Pltn commander is in the lead vehicle of the column trying to advance past the wheatfield. On the left flank a Stuart is spotted still holding position in the wheatfield. Schultz takes aim on the enemy vehicle. The round rips through the lightly armored vehicle and the advance continues That would last another few feet when he would come under fire from another hidden Stuart and back quickly all the way to the rear of his 3 vehicle column...

The American's stop to reload and our hero Hardenberger (yeah I want to know the names of all my guys, not just team leaders. BFC fix or do sumfink!) drops to the ground and turns away. I am out of breath and figuring he's had enough and now they are going to shoot him like a dog. Whoa, what's that? He's got a grenade?! JFC!!!! Who is this guy? Herr Rambo? And another! If you look real close to the guy in the fore ground's leg you can just see the potato masher. At this point I was singing one potato, two potato.... Bang!! Hey Euling, who the f**k are you surrendering to? I am now out of my chair chanting Hardenberger! Hardenberger! I'm bettin Broadsword can hear me at the other end of the bay. It's a couple guys, not even at the center of the battle and I am raving like a madman. BFC you earned every last cent and then some. This battle has raged for an hour plus and not only am I fully engrossed, I am cheering! Games don't make me cheer, they are just umm games... Your money's worth? LOL you're kidding right? Sorry BFC I think you sold yourselves short. The game is worth more. Oh okay I'll buy the modules. On a last note the very last German casualty of the game in the very last second is Euling. At least he never had to explain why he was surrendering. No lie, check out save turn 151.

OMFG talk about growing a pair, he's got a kar98 and at point blank range he is gonna take these guys on. His buddy is hit, his team leader is waving his arms like he's gone into rapture and this guy just keeps firing Ha! who blinked first! I'm just waiting for the sqd leader to get hit in the crossfire My pulse was actually racing during this scene. All the effort BFC put into this game and the TAC AI comes to life at this moment. Charles, Steve whomever is behind this or all of you, outfriggin standing! I have completely lost control over this fight and it is the most exciting thing going on for a full minute. To those who have nay sayed 1:1, tell me this doesn't make you think maybe just maybe these guys are absolutely f**kin dead on.

At least he hit the damned thing, unlike a certain unnamed Stug gunner.... Good shot arnold. Funny how we find out every guy's name on this team. Holy crap, it worked. The tank pops smoke and retreats! Unfortunately he has friends, notice who's hands go up in the air first. Now that's a -2 leader for you And the team is now cowering. At this point I am figuring it was a good run, but looks like their time is up Wait, what's this? Moving? Moving where?

While the armor battle is escalating on all sides a lone infantry team from 3rd Platoon 2nd Company are keeping an eye on hwy 91. These were the same guys acting as security detail for the AT team earlier and who then assisted Molek in hitting the American recon when a Sherman comes rolling over from the center crossroads to join the attacking force. They had gotten back to this position just ahead of an angry American artillery barrage and are completely exhausted. As they are trying to recover the Sherman rolls up intent on contributing to the assault. Our team is armed only with a PF and it is beyond effective distance. What's their first move? You betcha, shoot the damn TC. Gods these boys are well trained A nearby MG team joins in splitting the concentration of the enemy tank What else have we got? You serious? A friggin rifle grenade? Umm yeah, you got a better idea?

Thinking fast the commander shoves his bleeding comrade aside and throws the vehicle into reverse Though he is able to escape from the damaged Sherman, its partner up the hill now has a clean shot and this round doesn't miss Back at the crossroads our AT team approaches a position from which to fire

The second Sherman fires high. The gunner does not lose his nerve and patiently sites the target. Tell me you don't just love relative spotting. C'mon say it "I love relative spotting". CMx2 baby, don't look back. Fire! A Hit!! The Sherman however survives the round and returns fire The driver is hit!

The rest of these shots are literally the last 3 turns of the game. 44 some photos and that is after culling anything I could skip. The StuG would back off as the Stuart contines to bang rounds off his hide and an alert goes out that a Sherman has joined the Stuart. Once again the call goes out for the AT gunners. Man did I ever come to love these guys. Time is running short as American infantry and armor start breaking through to the hwy The units at Hamel Manor not willing to trust that the cavalry will arrive in time take matters into their own hands. A Marder commander orders his driver to take out a Sherman that has edged into the field across from the Manor. Not the one up on the hill they are looking at now. That one was just discovered. Ack Schiess? would that be appropriate? The driver edges up the road trying to angle in towards the building. He needs to have the gun angled for minimum adjustment or the Sherman is sure to kill them all. target spotted!! Yeah that one!

The storm contimnues to rage on Hamel Manor As the StuG slowly edges past the Bty Commander and up to what he knows is a waiting Stuart The Stuart fires first bouncing a shot off the tough frontal armor of the StuG Which then fires high The second shot would also go high - so much for laser firing tanks. I don't think this guy could hit a barn

A fellow 2nd Company AT gunner goes to join Molek And quickly thinks better of it as artillery rounds and tank fire make this a decidedly lethal area. Molek continues to be the man on the spot and doesn't let me down On the left flank, the PJ units are forming up While in the center they prepare to drive through the american defenders

The bombardment of 2nd Platoon 2nd Company continues and it is only a matter of time before the unit begins to break. At that point they will leave the foxholes into the barrage. If the Americans continue this, and there is every reason to think they will, half the infantry force at Hamel Manor will be out of action 3rd platoon 3rd company turns over their foxholes to 1st Company infantry The platoon makes there way out onto the center road as the sounds of artillery pounding the manor give some indication of what they are walking in to. You can almost smell the fear on these guys Molek meanwhile has moved into a position to be able to observe any allied movement and is the first to note, the Amis are on the move (yes I was tempted to say The Amis are coming!) Overview of the battle. The smokescreen is blocking observation of the forming up area, Molex is face down in the dirt as American tanks area fire the hedgerow he is using as cover.

2nd platoon 2nd Company is right under the barrage though dug in Help is on the way, but it will take time The Battery commander himself leads the way edging back up to the center crossroads to confront the Stuart known to be lurking there. Meanwhile 3rd platoon 1st Company is brought in to take over the defensive positions occupied by the ill starred 3rd platoon 3rd Company which is to be sent to reinforce the manor. At Hamel manor the Marder crews ready their vehicles

Okay turns are all posted. Thank you Wicky for the Google drive suggestion https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B7QDFjCzWAgybm5pZzZfU0JoNGs Link is also in my SIG for those who don't want to find this page later Our situation is now very interesting as there are signs of desperation on both sides. For the Americans, the mounting losses have created the need to reach the objective as quickly as possible or face certain defeat for the offensive. For the Germans the sudden shift in the axis of attack has created a concern that we do not have the resources here to hold. It is now perceived by both sides as a race. The Americans need to punch through before the Germans can react, the Germans for the first time have to consider offensive action to bring the needed resources to bear. As Major Lang shouts his orders into the radio the first artillery rounds begin to fall on Hamel Manor Shortly thereafter smoke rounds start landing nearby as well shrouding the outlying buildings where the remnants of 1st platoons of 2nd and 3rd companies are huddled. Major Lang has contacted the PJ Bn and given him his orders. He must break through to hwy 91 and attack into the American flank. For the PJ commander this means he must first clear a path to the hwy. There are still American tanks known to be facing his forces at both roadways.

Walking stick and funky sweaters verus spit and polish with stupid looking revolvers... hmm I think I'd have taken Monty's look for the cover of the GI edition for GQ. The bit with the pistols would have me worried about my commander's mental balance. But yeah, the egos were monumental. Politicians and Generals have a lot in common.

rotflmao, now that was funny

I am not one to often defend Montgomery. In fact I am not sure I ever have. That being said, I would agree the crossing of the Delaware and Trojan horse are probably not good examples. Neither of those situations was afflicted by one item everyone on the allied side had in plenty. Montgomery, Bradley, Eisenhower and Patton were all convinced the German army was on the ropes and incapable of reacting to the tempo of battle. Patton would pay for that attitude in the Metz campaign where his capabilities as a commander would come up short. Bradley would allow the US army to squander it's advantages in the Huertgen and Eisenhower as theatre commander missed that the Allies had reached the limit of what they could reasonably expect to do without taking time to regroup and deal with their logistical situation. The fact that everyone was arguing about where to focus their resources for the next offensive is indicative that no one realized they had already passed the point where further offensive action was likely not the smart move right now. In that context, Montgomery was simply following the same pattern as everyone else in SHAEF. They had already written off any possible reaction on the German side as having any real bearing on their plans. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but is missing the key component that the Allied commanders faced, FOW.

I think you will get an answer to that over the next few turns. You saw my reaction, but probably did not connect the sequence of events to get the intent. Let's just say, I had decided I needed to take fairly drastic action that could have really bad implications for my forces. I will have all that up tonight. For other readers, some items to keep in mind for your assessment of what could happen here. There is plenty of time left. From my view the Americans are under no pressure to rush anything. Again the force facing me is of indeterminate strength and my right flank even though I had originally expected it to be a focal point of the battle, was now stripped of a good portion of it's strength and I had only in the course of the battle realized it wasn't simply difficult to move my armored units, it was impossible to do so through my rear area. There are no breaks, roads or paths through from the central map to the manor and I have no demo teams. I could just hear the chatter over the radios as 2nd Company was calling in the scout reports and Commander Lang is yelling at the PJ Bn commander to move his units only to be told "But sir, the engineers we needed to clear a path were never sent." Movie stuff or what? and then the intermittent sounds of battle that had been slowly dying down, the occasional MG burst and even rarer tank gun round firing, are suddenly over shadowed by the sound of incoming artillery...and a lot of it. Lang looks to his aide and says "get me the PJ commander on the radio again". The slump of his shoulders and fatalistic look in his eye is not a good sign. It reminds his aide of days on the Ost front.

One of the great aspects of the game, there are a number of what if moments where this could have swung either way. Part of the reason for doing this AAR is to show how much FOW there is in the game. Okay yeah I can click on a unit and know it is A team 3rd squad of some unit. But I was very much in the dark about the state of US units and US plans at this point. Molek identified the Americans forming up and that there were at least 3 Shermans and an indeterminate amount of infantry. How much infantry and armor however I did not know. My 2nd Company had lost 1st platoon to support the center and that unit had been mauled by artillery. Any other reserve had a lot of ground to cover to get here and as it turned out that route would be exceedingly dangerous. The American artillery plan would put up a steel curtain blocking what units I could pull together. I had no StuGs. Only 3 marders and a pak 40. Once again the Germans were facing another battle where it would be difficult to reinforce and my PJ force was nowhere near as strong as the forces the American had just fought. Nervous? You bet your a** I was! And my situation would get worse soon.

Place them out of LOS and yeah they will help you survive artillery. They will also help you against small arms, but again placement is important. If you put them where your opponent is going to spot them early, then you just hang a target on your shoulders. They are neither good nor bad, they just need to be used like anything else with a recognition of what are their positive and negative factors.