Heinrich505

John K Is this one that can be purchased from the military channel? Oh yes, check your PMs please. Heinrich505

Earl Grey, Per your instructions, went back and re-downloaded and the Panther looks great. The crosses are present, and the mod is excellent, right down to the GD unit marking on the front and back. Any GD scenarios/operations would be greatly appreciated so we can use this baby in all its grandeur. Thanks for your efforts and amazing work. Heinrich505

Tux, I was sorry to hear that you'll be cutting back on your AARs for the forum, due to a lack of time. I've looked forward to your action accounts and will be sorry to see them become more infrequent - key on your statement "last AAR for a while" which implies they won't go away completely, thank heaven. The many demands on free time seem to be growing and leisure time becomes a scarce commodity. I was putting out fictionalized accounts of battles as AARs over at TSDII pretty regularly, but now find I have less time and had to cut back myself. I agree with Vark. Your battle accounts generally left us readers wondering what would happen with the next turn - did he get the shot off or did he blow up instead kind of situations. Very nicely done. I have enjoyed your battle accounts greatly, and judging from your following on this thread, many others do as well. Thanks for sharing your enjoyment of this game. And now....back to the battle. The repositioning of Mylgas' Tiger may present problems, as he won't push this one into a precarious position, and he will have infantry support to cover movement. You may have to advance your ISU giving him the first shot, if your infantry start to falter. Then your 57mm gun won't be able to assist much. We wait, watch, and ponder the action to come. Heinrich505

Buq-Buq, You are exactly right. I found that scenario you mentioned right where you said it would be. It is called Deathmatch, and the scenario designer is Mad Russian. It was a lot of fun to play. You have to ramp up the AI, and at +2 for the AI the battle was quite challenging. Usually your T-34/85 gets toasted after killing one King Tiger. I managed to get two King Tigers on one playing, but got blasted after that. The infantry has to come in to save the day. I had one playing where my T-34/85 finally managed to knock out all three King Tigers. It was quite the battle. There was a lot of hide-and-go-seek, plenty of changing positions, and creeping up to the edge of buildings to get the right shot. It was lots of fun playing it. I'd highly recommend it. Heinrich505

Wow, high drama on the soggy plains. I was sure your Sherman was the proverbial toast on that one, but you have again played upon providence and received a reprieve. How many times do you get to unbog your Tiger? I usually only get one shot at it, and then I've got a really cool looking pillbox... Lots of action. Keep up the good work. There is plenty of tension in the air. Heinrich505

Tux, Looks like I got my request after all - Clash of the Titans, Two Tanks Enter...One Tank Leaves Thunderdome. With an IS-2, a Sherman, and a 57mm AT gun, I was pretty sure some harm would come the way of the Tiger. There was too much stacked up against him. Still, the IS-2 gunner had to get it right, because if he missed.... Good pictures. We are in the thick of the action now. Heinrich505

Tux, Oh yeah, "when a sinister shape is seen emerging through the smoke:" I figured Mylgas would push the Tiger forward. Don't hope for the bog result though. This might be the one that struggles free from the mud. Waiting to see if the IS-2 becomes a factor. Perhaps a "Clash of the Titans?" Waiting to see what happens. Heinrich505

Dietrich, I have the books you mention. Günter K. Koschorrek wrote "Blood Red Snow," by the way. I have quite a few others, but they vary from generalizations to outright diatribes that wouldn't be much use to your task. I've searched high and low for just the kind of memoir you seek, but they all seem to fall a little short. Some are very good, but often they do way too much soul searching, or trying to explain/justify things. I would guess there are many such partial manuscripts that were never translated, and of course I kick myself for not having pushed my fluency in the language far beyond its present level. One author not mentioned so far is Russ Schneider. His book "Siege A Novel of the Eastern Front 1942" has been very well received as one that describes the horrors of infantry combat on the eastern front. While I have not read it yet - saving it for now, due to a huge reading list - I am looking forward to it. I have read another of his books, "Gotterdammerung 1945 Germany's Last Stand in the East," and it is excellent. Several of his books are extremely hard to find. I've been looking for "Madness Without End Tales of Horror from the Russian Wilderness" for quite some time, with no success. "Demyansk More Tales of Horror from the Russian Wilderness" seems equally hard to find, with paperback versions going for several hundred dollars. You might consider "Siege." It may fit the type of individual action that you seek. I find your novel idea quite intriguing. I have always wanted to do just that, but cannot find the time to do so, due to work, family, etc. Maybe when I retire....or when the economy gets much better, ha hah. I wish you luck on your venture. It sounds like a lot of work but could be quite rewarding. I'd love to read it, so please keep me posted. PM me if you like. Heinrich505

Dietrich, I couldn't find any Stemper or Stempel mentioned in either. However, in "An Infantryman in Stalingrad," author Adelbert Holl states that a Oberst i.G. Johannes Konrad Steffler took command of his unit on 9 December, 1942. A footnote from co-author Mark shows that Oberst i.G. Steffler was chief-of-staff of IV Armeekorps from 20 June 1942 until 5 December, when he took command of Infanterie-Regiment 276. He was with them for about 5 days, and then was transferred on 14 December to 389 Infanterie-Division to take command of Infanterie-Regiment 545. The notes also say he was born in Glanz and died in captivity less than a month after the surrender of the pocket. Could this be the officer you were referring to? Heinrich505

No problem. We'll just have to wait, and let the suspense build, heh heh. Heinrich505

I absolutely concur about Jason Mark. "An Infantryman in Stalingrad: From 24 September 1942 to 2 February 1943" is a truly amazing book, researched to an incredible degree. I recently purchased "Island of Fire: The Battle for the Barrikady Gun Factory in Stalingrad," and his level of in-depth research and writing is even better. His books are rather expensive, but you are getting a superior product, from all angles of research, background on the photographs, even to the paper used, the proofreading, and the binding of the book. He has really set the standard pretty high. "Death of The Leaping Horseman" is pretty hard to find now at an affordable price. Amazon has copies for almost $300.00. Heinrich505

Tux, Things were just heating up, and now the looooong wait. Will run out of nails soon. Let us know. Heinrich505

Very interesting developments. I had to work the past few days, and didn't have any free time until now, to check back on the battle. So, "Tiger Fright" is alive and well on the eastern front. It looks like Mylgas has either a strong assault section working its way towards the flag, just to the right of the tigers, or maybe a center column of three, with a group covering that flank just beyond. If that is the case, then your flanking move with the blue line may take a hit in their flank, if Mylgas has deliberately lagged a screening column along what looks like a fair bit of cover and buildings. Use care as you swing your forces into his along that axis. Fun developments. Fog of war....and....really fog on the battlefield. Heinrich505

Yikes, This is distressing indeed. I remember someone posting "Must Have" mods, but cannot remember the list. There were some background scenics too. Can someone steer me in the right direction for them? Heinrich505

Tux, Is this battle being fought in the Pacific Northwest? I thought you said it was Russia somewhere, but with all the rain and fog, it must be somewhere near to Seattle, Washington, or maybe near the Oregon coast. Say what you will, but I know better. On the close-up of one of the Sherman tanks I saw....MOSS! That is a sure sign that it is in the area west of the Cascades. The little town on your map kind of looks like....Enumclaw, just east of Tacoma. This has to be Washington State. Watch out in the forest areas, as rumor has it the SS have been experimenting with squads of Big Foot Sasquatch creatures, that have been bred to feed on Russians.......muhahaha....sorry, all this rain is rotting my brain out here in the Pacific Northwest. Yeah, I'd flank out to the right just for overwatch too. Just be careful you don't bog your armor, as they sink fast in moss....er, soggy ground. For this weather, I agree; T-34s would have been a better choice. Heinrich505

Bannon DC, Superb job. It really looks great. Yeah, just like MeatEtr, the more I see of the really great potential this had, the sadder I get. All that effort and essentially for naught. This particular battle was fascinating and, as we can see from Bannon DC's work, would have been challenging and lots of fun. Ach du lieber.... Thanks for posting. At least we get to see a little more of what could have been. Thanks for your hard work on all this. Heinrich505

Hunter, Sad news indeed. It must have been horrible to keep trying to make it work and realizing it never would, and just not being able (or willing) to admit that letting go was your only solution. We thank you for your stubborness, as you clearly gave it all you had. There is still hope yet that something will come of all your hard work. Thanks again, Heinrich505

Tux, Yeah baby, more action. I was wondering how long you'd remain dormant. Nice to see you two back at the action. Looking forward to it. Heinrich505

Wow, these really look nice. Very good job on splattering the mud. Heinrich505

Mylgas, I loved that picture. It really cracked me up. And yes, I concur. The map did look like a tough stage to embark upon. Tux, Your reporting style has been, in the past, and was, during this AAR, just right. You can't include everything, even though you might want to at first. Catching the highlights with your screenshots is great, and your reporting style allows us to get a feel on what you are thinking for your strategy, as well as explaining why you just drove that tank over to the right and then turned it just so, behind that building. I don't think you need to change anything on your AAR reporting style. Of course more screenshots are always a bonus, but you can only take so many. Very nicely done, easy to follow, and always enjoyable to read. Heinrich505

Tux, I was wondering if this one would fade to oblivion or finish out. Congratulations on your victory. I thought your flanking movements were well played. Some really aggressive action on the part of your Mark IV allowed you to secure the initiative and cause confusion in his rear areas. The odd crazy stuff that makes this game so interesting - and maddening if you are on the receiving end - was present. The two-for-one kill/damage against two of your panzers was a case in point. As usual, your screenshots were well composed and kept us engaged to significant actions taken by you and your opponent. It is one thing to read about an engagement, but a whole different ballgame to actually see the screenshots. This always adds greatly to the entertainment factor, and allows us readers to get a better feel for the action, as well as learning new things/tricks/maneuvers. It is always dicey to put your battle up on the stage for us to watch and critique. I salute you and Mylgas for your willingness to display your success and mistakes. We always enjoy your battles. Thanks to both of you for sharing. Heinrich505

David I, I just snapped them up and installed them - HO HO HO - and they look great. I realized I didn't have them covered when playing a late war scenario. The Mark IVs careened out in standard yellow, while the fancy pants Panthers, King Tigers, and even the JagdTigers, were all sporting the latest in camoflage patterns designed to shock and awe. I felt sorry for the Mark IVs, and even sorrier when they were all blasted by hail fire from a wall of T-34s.....no doubt due to their lack of camoflage. I thank you, and the Mark IV crewmen thank you. Nice present. Heinrich505

David I, Very nice looking, and just in time for the holidays. Thanks. Heinrich505

Tux, Congrats on your victory. Clearly the amazing fan dance of the Stag was the straw that broke the opposition's back. Once that happened, I think that JoMc67 was completely demoralized, and imagined that additional Sherman tanks were going to materalize, a la the Philadelphia Experiment inside his buildings to shred his remaining forces. I sympathize with him, as my jaw was hanging open and I wanted to say, What the #&@*#(%. I am guessing that JoMc's plan was to use the StuGs as a support base to run one of his platoons across the boulevard. His fast movers were unexpectedly eliminated early, and that put a major crimp in his plan, as they could provide major diversions to your flank, just as the Stag proved against his flank. Well, at least that is what I think I might have done with the forces available. Smoke the living daylights out of the crossing point, and run the paras across, while at the same time trying for some flank shots on your armor. The fast movers would rush around, giving you glimpses of their action, and making you move to cover flanks, as a distraction.. The action was really nice. I think you both put on a good fight. Thanks for sharing the battle with us all. It isn't easy putting your moves and tactics on display to this august audience, for commentary and criticism. That takes a lot of guts. I commend you both. Tux, your sorcery was a bit too much for your opponent. Heinrich505

Holy Moley, is this working out alright or what?!! Talk about combined arms and clockwork coordination. You must have promised those boys in the Stag something amazing, like dinner with PM Churchill at Downing Street, or better yet, 2 weeks in Paris, all expenses paid. If I was your opponent, I wouldn't have seen this play coming either. Oh yes, SLIM, I congratulate you on your choice of activities to cover your boredom. It was quite interesting reading your tests on the survivability of Tux's proposed insanity. I was bored too, but ended up napping in the comfy chair, cat in lap, while "watching" division II football, ha hah. Tux has obviously mastered the art of the "Cliffhanger." Continued next post....ARRGGHHH! Heinrich505