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Heinrich505

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  1. Thanks
    Heinrich505 got a reaction from George MC in Combat Mission Red Thunder Battle Pack 1 pre-orders are now open   
    @George MC
    It seems I am a bit late to the party, having just now accidentally stumbled onto the new battle pack that you've created.  It looks great and I'm very excited to be exploring more of your fantastic work.  I was spending way too much time trying to keep up with the "Ukraine How Hot Will It Get thread," and missed this release.     
    Thanks so much for putting this out.  The correct use of halftracks is often more of an art form than anything else, and your directions and suggestions are most welcome. 
    I think I loaded the mods right.  Have the crusher officer caps all been replaced by the M43 cap?  I left a number of mod folders under the main file Viking Mods GMc Mix folder.  Was that okay or should I have moved them out from under that main folder? I'm never completely sure how to set up the mods in the Z folder.
    Again, many thanks for all these new scenarios and the additional campaigns.  This is great!  
    Gary
  2. Upvote
    Heinrich505 got a reaction from NPye in Stalingrad Mod?   
    NPye,
    That's a cool vid of the mod.  I've played much of it on my other computer, but now I'll see about loading it into this one.  It is amazing work.  
    What is the music that you used for the video?  It is a neat song.
    Heinrich505
  3. Like
    Heinrich505 got a reaction from Commanderski in Barbarossa Scenarios Released   
    Aftermath:  The AT gun managed to fire 7 HE shells into the rear of the T-26.  During this time, the turret was rotating and trying to get a bead on the snipers hiding in the crater.  They were not pleased.  I had the nearby scout team approach from the rear, as they had more grenades, but the 7th HE shell convinded the Soviet commander to bail out, and the scouts dealt with him summarily.  The T-26 tanks do not go down easily to the 3,7 cm guns.  It takes many hits, especially if the guns have run out of AT shells.
    Phil, I see that Münchbach, formerly the second to the breach team led by Kuntz, has now been promoted to having his own breach team.  Nice.  I take it this was a "reward" for his stellar performance in V2?   

  4. Like
    Heinrich505 got a reaction from Commanderski in Barbarossa Scenarios Released   
    Why, of course I did.  Didn't everyone?  
  5. Thanks
    Heinrich505 got a reaction from kohlenklau in Barbarossa Scenarios Released   
    Wow, that was a crazy scenario, Phil.  Definitely had my heart racing.  Those light Soviet tanks can fly!!!  It was all I could do to keep track of them and try to get them in my sights. 
    We got "door knockers" here, freaking door knockers!    And where is the ammo replacement?  Who sent Hans back for more ammo?  He couldn't find his butt with both hands, and he's expected to bring up 3,7 cm ammo?   Great call, Grossenkeister.  Who the hell made him Obersturmführer?  Oh, wait, it was his uncle that pulled strings.  Wunderbar...
    And did anyone tell Hans to get more freaking grenades?  Since we had to pool all our grenades so that the breach team that Kuntz got stuck leading would have grenade bundles, none of the rest of us have any chance of knocking out the flyers that crash through our line.  Great planning by our "leaders."  Sheesh, Day 2 on the Russian Front and we got this?  Hoo Boy, so much to look forward to...  
    Great job on this.  A barn burner for sure.  The ersatz T-26 tanks look very convincing.  Kudos to the design team.
    I am not looking forward to KV-1s...unless you can mock up a prime mover to pull an 8,8 cm Flak gun into the fray.  
    I think you are capturing the feel and uncertainty of the Barbarossa early days, which is exactly what you've set out to do.  Very cool job.  This battle had me on the edge of my seat the whole time.  
  6. Like
    Heinrich505 got a reaction from kohlenklau in Barbarossa Scenarios Released   
    Thanks for digging that old gem up, Phil.  I remember discovering that one waaay back, never having figured that Al Stewart would have a song about the Eastern Front.  I'd forgotten about it until you discovered it.  Good find!  👏👍
  7. Like
    Heinrich505 got a reaction from DLaurier in I have a dream that the universal BFC will have the idea of expanding CMRT in the future   
    Doggone it, Phil's administrative assistant must have left the bourbon out after she was told to hide it from him.  Someone get the latte' machine fired up as we need to pump Phil full of mocha choka grande peppermint latte' with whipped cream on the top.  That way we can get him back on track and pushing out more cool BARB or STAL stuff.  He gets so maudlin when he hits the bourbon.  
    Ya just can't get good help these days.  Sheesh!  He never gets this way with Johnny...Walker that is...
    Phil, with this StuG of yours, it might be possible to recreate Wittmann's early armor encounters, as he did some crazy things while commanding the early assault guns.
  8. Thanks
    Heinrich505 got a reaction from kohlenklau in CMRT BARBAROSSA DER BUSSARD   
    Haha.  That certainly did seem a big distance to "re-orient" ones self.
    I'd love to see whatever you decide to put together.  I don't know how all the maneuvering would be possible without all sorts of triggers and complicated AI commands for the Russian tanks.  He was all over the place, stumbling into knots of enemy tanks that seemed to be doing a lot of stumbling of their own.  Use your creative license and condense as you see fit.  We are already way ahead with your StuG creation.  Now I'm wondering if the short StuG can get penetrations on a T-34 from the front.  I think it will be very exciting, even if a bit quick.  One hit on the halftrack masquerading as an assault gun will likely be fatal.  
    The trick will be, how not to be hit, paraphrasing Monty Pythons How Not to be Seen.
  9. Upvote
    Heinrich505 got a reaction from kohlenklau in CMRT BARBAROSSA DER BUSSARD   
    I think the free ride in a lend-lease Studebaker, along with the vodka, borsch, and sauna fun really seals the deal.  
    In the two sources that I have, I think he actually observed 18 T34s total, but really engaged two sets of three T34s, as the impression I got was that it wasn't a giant phalanx of 18 T34s crusing across the valley.  They were likely broken up into 6 sets of 3 tanks each.
    In one of my sources, he engages and destroys a KV-1 at 400 meters with a shot to the turret ring, as one of the three tanks he kills, but in the other, he only destroyed T34s.  I'm inclined to believe the KV-1 might have been an error and that the entire group of 18 were all T34s.
    There was a lot of moving and maneuver on Wittmann's part, dropping into gullys, or crashing through wooded areas.  He was trying to flank the Russian tanks, as he knew frontal shots against them were kind of futile with his short 75.  From the narrative, his gunner was going for the turret ring or the rear engine compartment.  He managed to blunder into some of the Russian tank groups, so Benpark is right on about the action being very fluid and mobile.
  10. Upvote
    Heinrich505 got a reaction from kohlenklau in I have a dream that the universal BFC will have the idea of expanding CMRT in the future   
    Doggone it, Phil's administrative assistant must have left the bourbon out after she was told to hide it from him.  Someone get the latte' machine fired up as we need to pump Phil full of mocha choka grande peppermint latte' with whipped cream on the top.  That way we can get him back on track and pushing out more cool BARB or STAL stuff.  He gets so maudlin when he hits the bourbon.  
    Ya just can't get good help these days.  Sheesh!  He never gets this way with Johnny...Walker that is...
    Phil, with this StuG of yours, it might be possible to recreate Wittmann's early armor encounters, as he did some crazy things while commanding the early assault guns.
  11. Thanks
    Heinrich505 got a reaction from kohlenklau in Barbarossa Scenarios Released   
    Phil,
    Another masterpiece, the BARB KALTE EINTOPF scenario.  The action is crazy, with a veritable wave of Soviets, and not enough ammunition or troops, muhahahaha.
    I had to cycle the guys around to the ammo stash when they started getting low on ammo.  I really felt bad for the guys in the OP.  Damn, I wanted to save them...but...
    This reminded me of your amazing gems for Cholm.  Same type of desperate situation, the same sinking feeling of hopelessness, and a resigned feeling that you had to hold on, because there was no place to run to.  
    Fight to zee letzte round, Männer, und zen throw grenades.  Vas?  Out of grenades?  Throw rocks!!!
    I was holding my breath right to the finish.  Excellent job.     Hilfe...Sani...
    Gary
  12. Thanks
    Heinrich505 got a reaction from kohlenklau in Barbarossa Scenarios Released   
    Phil,
       Yikes, some very tense moments in the BARB DIE VERWUNDETEN BESTIEN scenario.  Well done, as always.  Very tense moments.
       Grossenkiester was heading over to the gun crew after the battle, planning on doing some kiester-kicking of his own, after Antretter let his gun crew fire the last two AP shells at some Russian crewmen fleeing in the weeds.  Luckily those two shells weren't needed, or things would have really been bad!
       Thanks for the cool scenario and mods.  Thing are really looking sharp.  The PZII looks pretty cool too! 
    Gary 
  13. Thanks
    Heinrich505 got a reaction from kohlenklau in Barbarossa Scenarios Released   
    Great work Phil!  It is always appreciated.  Those two campaigns really look cool.  I'll look forward to them when they come out.
    I didn't see BARB Kalte Eintopf in the goody box.  Is that still a WIP?  Just curious. 
    Having a lot of fun with BARB Mann Gegen Panzer and BARB Snos Mosta.  With the limited troops available, you really have to think carefully about where to deploy and use them to their best advantage.
    Gary
  14. Upvote
    Heinrich505 got a reaction from kohlenklau in Barbarossa Scenarios Released   
    Phil,
       Wow, some crazy stuff.  I played out the Double Zug Hug without the mods.  Didn't know they were available until after the battle.  I will load them shortly.  
       The scenario is great!  I chewed a bunch of fingernails and had moments of terror during the battle.  It is very nicely done.  I did "Old Harty" proud though.  Decorations are in order, Ja?
        Danke, Phil.  Great work!
    Gary
  15. Like
    Heinrich505 got a reaction from Bud Backer in Bud's Russian Attack AAR: Красная молния   
    Bud,
    I accidentally found that you'd resurrected this post of the AAR.  I'm very happy that your wife is doing well.  
    Thanks for continuing this battle.  I am still enjoying it - no problem with delays.  Take your time and do it right.  It's always a treat seeing your work. 
    Gary
  16. Like
    Heinrich505 got a reaction from Bud Backer in CMFB (Unofficial) Screenshot Thread   
    Finished the Victory at Verdenne battle and was amazed at the beauty of the map.  Put together a small story that featured some shots that I hope will give some idea of how stunning the map is.
    The Kriegsberichter

    The Kriegsberichter moves forward to a fence line to survey the landscape.  Max Nussbaum has two Leica 35mm cameras around his neck.  Instinctively he pulls one to his eye and takes a wide view shot.  It is lighter now, the shooting has died down, and he is told that the battle is over.  Verdenne and positions beyond have been secured.  He will now be able to document the victory in photographs for publication back home.
    He was positioned with Oberst Gerdes, the battle commander, in a large farmhouse as the battle unfolded across the valley.  It was pre-dawn when the attack started – no good for photographs.  Their eyes strained in the murky gloom as dawn struggled to overcome the darkness.  It was hard to make out the Landsers as they waded deliberately through the snow and across the open terrain, with artillery crashing into Verdenne.  There was resistance in the town by the Amis, but the enemy was reportedly crushed.  Casualties are reported to the Oberst as moderate.
     

    Oberst Gerdes takes Max aside for a moment.  He warns him to be careful.  Yes, the battle might be over, but the enemy may still be around, pockets of resistance cut off, and desperate to escape back to their own lines.  The Oberst walks the Kriegsberichter away from the farmhouse while he counsels him. 
    When they are out of earshot, the Oberst quietly tells Max that he really needs to be careful around the unit’s political officer, NSFO Leutnant Hahn.  Hahn has been spouting propaganda ever since he was assigned to their unit, responsible for morale and indoctrination.  The Oberst warns Max that Hahn is seeking out those who display weakness of spirit and conviction for overall victory. 
    Max is told to be wise in his choice of photographs, so as not to bring any unwanted scrutiny from Leutnant Hahn.  The Oberst tells him that no one is safe from the prying eyes of Hahn, not even himself, even though he outranks Hahn.  This chills the Kriegsberichter even more than the early morning bitter frost.
    The Oberst claps him on the back and shows him to a Kubelwagen.  “Here is your driver.  His name is Hans.”  To the driver, “Take care of our Kriegsberichter, Hans.  You might even make it into the magazines.” The Oberst forces a laugh and returns to the farmhouse.
     

    The Kriegsberichter tries to make small talk with Hans but the man is dour and only mumbles.  It is clear he doesn’t want this assignment as it is taking him towards the enemy – he’d prefer the warmth of the farmhouse or some other location as far away from Belgium as possible.
    The countryside is breathtaking with its snowy majesty.  He orders Hans to stop for more distance shots.
     

    As they near the outskirts of Verdenne, Max sees the first evidence of the battle for the town.  It is a destroyed Ami tank.  Hans is ordered to stop and Max picks the Leica that has black and white film in it.  He will go back and forth between the two, as the black and white film is more reliable and the color film is somewhat new and experimental.  He composes his shot, with the wound that killed the enemy tank clearly visible in the picture.  In his excitement he catches the rear tire of a destroyed German armored car he was trying to crop out of the shot.  He can only guess that the armored car was a victim of the enemy tank.  The US tank had to have been killed by the nearby Panther behind him, still scanning the horizon for targets.
     

    Still working the black and white camera, Max gets yet another view of the savage fighting that went on in Verdenne.  None of this was visible from their vantage point across the valley.  He can see that his driver Hans is getting nervous.  Even with the cold wind, they catch the smell of death coming from the nearby vehicles and the town.  Hans is ordered into town.  He grinds the gears as he shifts.  Max thinks he can see the man’s hands shaking, but is it just from the cold?
     

    Hans lags behind as Max chooses color for his next shot.  Two Ami tanks are dead on the main street through town.  The enemy dead are sprawled around, some from the tank and some from an infantry unit that must have been defending the town.  The ugly black smudge on the flank of the lead tank shows where a close-combat weapon was used for the kill. 
     

    More destroyed enemy tanks are seen.  A dead Ami soldier lies in the center of the intersection.  Max coldly composes his photograph, snapping the shutter after adjusting his F-stops for the lens.  The soldier’s dead eyes seem to stare right at him, accusing him of being an interloper disturbing the dead.  Max shrugs off the feeling of unease he feels.
     

    Max moves in to take a closer shot of the tank from the previous shot.  Again, the kill shot is visible on the side of the tank.  The building behind the tank shows damage.  The fighting here must have been savage, he thinks to himself.  The tank crew didn’t make it far from their tank before getting cut down.
     

    He switches back to black and white shots.  He catches two dead enemy tanks near a Panther.  He guesses that the Panther took the enemy tanks out, as well as the dead infantryman in the street.
    Max is struck by the fact that there are only dead US soldiers in the streets.  He heard that casualties were moderate.  He has not seen a single dead German soldier.  He wonders if the casualty report was accurate.  Perhaps all the dead and wounded German soldiers have already been policed up from the streets and relocated into the houses.
     

    Max finds a small squad of Landsers inside a nearby house.  The morning sun shines through the eastern windows behind them and highlights their helmets and the side of their faces.  He goes with color on this shot, and tries to get the men to smile and look at the camera.  Instead, they ignore him, looking out the windows.  Through the back window he can see up the main street.
    He shows the men his Kriegsberichter cuff title, but they pay no attention to him.  They are cold and hungry and want nothing to do with being in the magazines or newspapers.  Max doesn’t understand.  This is so unlike the previous years, when the men all wanted to be photographed, they were happy and confident. 
    The door opens and a blast of cold air rushes in.  It is Leutnant Hahn.  The Leutnant sees the two cameras across Max’s chest.  He warmly greets Max, smiling and shaking Max’s hand.  “Be sure to take good shots,” he says.  “We want the people back home to witness our great victories and triumphs.”
    “You can count on that, Herr Leutnant.”
    Hahn turns to the men, smiling, and says “You men are all heroes of the Reich.  Give thanks to your Führer as he leads us to our glorious victory.”  Only the Feldwebel turns and says “Jawohl, Herr Leutnant.”  He snaps his arm out in salute.  The other men mumble something and stare at the floor.
    Leutnant Hahn has a cold smile that is more of a grimace on his face as he returns the salute, turns, and quickly leaves the building. 
    Max is confused.  The Feldwebel sees the look on Max’s face and comes over to him, leaning into Max with a face twisted in anger.  “That strutting rooster just now showed up, after all the shooting and bleeding was done.  I’ve lost half my platoon holding on to this cursed village.  He was hiding somewhere safe, probably readying his next lecture about how weak we are and how we better show courage or he will have us arrested.”
    Max recoils from the burning hatred in the Feldwebel’s words. 
    Again, the Feldwebel leans in close to Max, and he hisses quietly “Mark my words.  Stay away from that rooster when the bullets are flying.  You never know what direction the round with his name on it might come from.”  With that he steps back to his men as they gather quietly around him.
    Max is shaken and quickly leaves the warmth of the building.
     

    There is a four-barreled FLAK unit positioned behind the building.  Max waves his camera at them, but they hardly notice him.  They are watching the road and the sky, especially the sky.  With the clouds clearing, the Jabos are likely to appear.  The Amis have complete control of the sky and the Landsers’ only defense is the FLAK units.  Enemy aircraft are a terrible threat.
    Max stands on the front seat behind the gun to get a better shot of the road leading out of town.
     

    Max walks to the edge of the town where the ground slopes away into the valley.  A chilling sight grips him.  Frozen bodies lie silently in the snow.  Were they killed by the FLAK unit he was just with?  These Amis were clearly a part of a failed attack on the town.
    He focuses his camera for a shot.  Then he looks at the men a little closer.  The one man has his hand out, frozen in time, as if beckoning to him.  It is an ill omen.  Max shivers yet again, and not from the cold.  He walks quickly back to where Hans waits in the Kubelwagen.
     

    Hans is ordered to drive them out of the town, down the road where the enemy attack was halted.  Max switches back to black and white, and he spots something off the road in a small depression.  He orders Hans to stop and he gets out to see what he noticed.
    Yes, those are bodies, many of them.  Max takes a long distance shot, but at this point he isn’t sure which side those dead belong.  A passing cloud shrouds the bodies.  He moves closer.
     

    Americans.  They must have been caught in a mortar barrage.  Max remembered when the forward observer was calling in mortar support.  These men must have been the unfortunate recipients of that particular hand of Hell.  He silently takes his picture.
     

    Hans is getting very nervous now.  They have driven well away from the relative safety of Verdenne.  Max sees an Ami tank that appears to have been abandoned.  He orders Hans to drive up next to the tank.  He gets out to avoid the vibration of the running Kubelwagen spoiling his pictures.  Hans refuses to turn the engine off.  He says it might not start again because of the extreme cold if he did turn it off.
    Max composes another picture, with the dead tank in the foreground and another dead tank in the background. 
    Suddenly Hans starts gibbering and pointing.  “Herr Kriegsberichter, that one is still breathing,” he stammers.  He is pointing at the tank in the distance. 
    And so it is.  Now Max can see the exhaust fumes slowly rising from the rear of the enemy tank.  His throat is suddenly dry, he can’t speak, and he is instantly in the Kubelwagen.  He points forward towards a group of trees and Hans quietly drops the transmission into gear.  They slowly move into cover – a fast dash would have made them more obvious.  They catch their breath from their brush with near disaster.
     

    They will have to find another way back to Verdenne, as it would be too risky to try and rush back up the road they just drove down. Why they weren’t noticed in the first place is a mystery.  Max can only think that the tank is trying to avoid being noticed and will eventually slip back to enemy lines after dark.
    As Hans quietly maneuvers down a long sloping road, Max sees more bodies in the snow.  He orders Hans to stop and he gets out to investigate.  The momentary terror of the enemy tank is forgotten as he slips back into his Kriegsberichter mode. 
    Max takes another shot, before realizing these are dead comrades.  They are the first he has seen since starting out on his photo journalism mission today.  He sees that he caught an enemy tank in the background.  Did they kill the tank, or did the tank kill them? 
     

    Max trudges through the snow towards the enemy tank.  The cold wind soughs through the trees now, whispering of the horrors that took place in the shadows.  He starts to get a bad feeling about this place.
    The tank gun is pointing to the rear – very odd.  As he gets closer, he sees what probably happened.  A terrible fight took place here, in the low bushes and shadows of the snowy trees.  Dead tank crewmen are mixed in with dead Landsers.  His fellow soldiers must have attacked the enemy tank as it crawled through the woods, and somehow they stopped it.  The tank is not burned so the Landsers must have crippled it somehow.
    Then the enemy tankers piled out of the crippled tank and there was a horrific hand-to-hand struggle to the death.  Max wants to preserve the heroics of both sides but his cold photograph only shows Death’s ugly hand. 
    He is unnerved by this struggle.  He now sees many dead bodies, partially hidden all around this small forest.  It is a killing zone.  The rustling of the wind in the trees now seems to speak, whispering accusations from the dead.  Why are you here?  You have no right to be here.  Trespasser.  Are you trying to steal our souls?
    Max remembers reading in history books how American Indians refused to let themselves be photographed, fearing their souls would be captured on the film.  As the wind pulls at the uniforms of the dead, they seem to be trying to rise.  He is seized by a moment of unreasonable fear and he bolts back to where Hans is parked.
     

    Max stands by the road and forces himself to regain control.  He can see Hans’ hands visibly shaking now.  He wonders if Hans had the same feeling he had moments ago.
    Hans makes a feeble gesture for Max to get back in the Kubel.  Max turns and suddenly sees a column of greasy black smoke rising into the sky.  He shakes his head at Hans and points to the smoke.  It appears to be coming from a tank.  Max snaps off a quick black and white shot and then carefully heads down the road towards the smoke.  Hans stays put, refusing to drive closer.
     

    Easing through the trees, Max comes upon a tank-hunter team.  “Stay back,” the man with the panzershrek hisses at him.  “It is still burning inside and the ammo might cook off.”  Max needs no further encouragement and takes his picture from behind a tree. 
    “Did anyone…?”  The gunner cuts him off.  “No one got out.  Now, Photographer, stop your sightseeing and get out of here.  The front line is not secure and we expect more American tanks.  Why do you suppose we are still lying here in this bloody snow?”
    Max runs back to Hans and the Kubel.
     

    Hans takes a very circuitous route away from the forest haunted with the spirits of the dead.  As he crosses a ridge, he suddenly makes a strange sound and stops abruptly.  More dead, everywhere, lying frozen and motionless in the snow.  Large burned patches of snow reveal that these Americans were caught in a heavy artillery barrage.  They were shredded by shrapnel.
    Max takes one more shot of the dead.  This doesn’t feel like a victory.  It is just a charnel ground of horrors where the Grim Reaper has harvested men with his sickle and left their spirits to wander aimlessly seeking peace.
    “Get us out of here, Hans,” says Max through gritted teeth.  The Kubelwagen lurches as Hans grinds the gears again and detours around the killing field.  Max looks back over his shoulder and sees the tower of black smoke marking the steel coffin grave of the tankers.  He imagines the ghostly whispers are following him and he wills the Kubelwagen to go faster.  He has had his fill of death this day.
     
    The war goes on.
     
    Heinrich505
     
  17. Upvote
    Heinrich505 got a reaction from Rinaldi in NEW CMFI SCENARIO WITH MODS - "BLAZIN' CHARIOTS" (AN OLD ASL SCENARIO)   
    Phil,
    According to the Aftermath as stated on the Blazin' Chariots ASL Card:
    "The 5th RTRs counterattack was hindered by the setting sun, which made it difficult to spot targets and judge the fall of shot.  Consequently the regiment suffered serious tank casualties without inflicting a like amount of damage on the Germans.  It's attack did succeed in putting a check on Kampfgruppe Stephan, however, which eased the desperate plight of the 8th Hussars.  When darkness put a halt to the battle, both British regiments disengaged and , according to standard procedure, withdrew to their night leaguer.  This left the Germans possessing the battlefield and allowed 5th Panzer Regiment to recover most of its knocked-out tanks.  As a result, while British losses in the engagement amounted to over forty Stuarts, the Germans suffered a net loss of 2 Pz IIIs and one Pz II.  For the 4th Armored Brigade, in whose hands the Stuart was making its combat debut, Operation Crusader was getting off to a most inauspicious start."
     
    Gary
  18. Upvote
    Heinrich505 got a reaction from Rinaldi in NEW CMFI SCENARIO WITH MODS - "BLAZIN' CHARIOTS" (AN OLD ASL SCENARIO)   
    Phil,
    Sorry, I played this just a little while ago, and didn't save the end screen - I just now saw your post regarding that.  I'll play it again for sure.  
    I ended up with a Tactical Defeat.  If I recall correctly, I lost 4 tanks, but I think there were two that were dismounted as well, and two with their main guns destroyed.  The only crew that was killed outright was Chutney's lads, along with the gallant skipper as well.  They took a solid hit from one of Jerrie's heavies and the 7,5cm gun set them ablaze...hence...Blazin Chariots.  Sorry, I couldn't resist.  I did get credit for a hidden victory point, but my losses were more than the AI.  I think they only had 3 tanks destroyed.  Again, just going by memory.
    I recall that the German side showed as Luftwaffe, which I thought was odd and I wanted to ask you about that?  Was there some reason the German troop mix was listed as Luftwaffe?
    Since I don't have the score and a screenshot of the ending, I only have my "feeling" for the battle.
    It was classic!  I really enjoyed it, and everything "felt" right.  
    Spoilers     Spoilers     Spoilers  [sort of]
    I didn't change the location for any of my Honeys for the start.  I left everyone in place and then moved forwards.  The setting sun was recognized by Captain Chutney as a distinct disadvantage for our lads.  This, I fear, contributed to his decision not to charge headlong, but rather, move forward a bit cautiously until we could get some spots.  This did happen, and suddenly the horizon lit up with possible contacts, but no firm sighting.  There was quite a bit of dust and, of course, we were looking into the sun so the glare was a bit of a bother.
    Suddenly the lads reported that hits were being taken, and shortly thereafter, our boys opened up with the feral roar of a 37mm cannon.  The commanders used a variety of tactics, mainly a fast command at an angle, followed by a hunt command straight forward.  This was done in leaps and bounds though, so the unit didn't advance on a single line.  
    All too soon, several tanks took solid hits, with one being dismounted and another losing their main gun.  Other tanks, still advancing in stilted rushes, did start to get solid spots on the enemy.  There was a mix of medium German tanks, and some Eye-Tye pretend tanks, along with some heavy types.  
    Corporal Clark was skirting up the right flank, and his tank took a solid hit, knocking out the corporal and the loader.  The tank soldiered on with only a driver and a gunner.  Towards the end, the gunner ordered the driver to charge up the flank, with the intent of getting around behind Jerrie, and maybe snapping up some fallen crew cowering in the desert sand, but by then the battle was over.
    Some of the lads began getting really good hits, and it was believed that both Italian tanks were knocked out, along with maybe one of the heavies and two of the medium tanks.  At least that is what was submitted in the after action report, although there was way too much dust and smoke to really tell for sure.  We never really did close with Jerrie, as we'd taken our licks and had to ease back from the battlefield.   [The reporting non-com was just a bit over-enthusiastic about the unit's success...]
    Some of the lads would drive forwards quickly, stop, and let the dust settle over them, partially obscuring them from view, but also obscuring their view.
    There was very little to hide behind, so dust was the only way to avoid being spotted.  The dust also hindered our spotting.
    All in all, it really felt like a cool battle, and had a very authentic feel to it.  Due to the smaller caliber rounds being used by most of the tanks, a hit was not an automatic kill.  This was very different from the tank battles we are used to, with the bigger 75mm+ tank guns and lots of flaming wrecks littering the battlefield.  Some of the Honeys really soaked up quite a bit of punishment.  Of course, a hit from the Mark IV was probably going to be instant death.
    That is my take on the scenario so far.  It is really nicely done, and captures the flavor of the early tank battles.  The vehicles looked good too, although I didn't really see the German ones much.  Spotting was hard, and I felt it was pretty realistic.
    Thanks so much for putting this one together.  It is fun to be back in the desert, if only for a few battles.  I always enjoyed the desert battles in CMAK.
    Heinrich505    
  19. Like
    Heinrich505 got a reaction from chocice in NEW CMFI SCENARIO WITH MODS - "BLAZIN' CHARIOTS" (AN OLD ASL SCENARIO)   
    Phil,
    Sorry, I played this just a little while ago, and didn't save the end screen - I just now saw your post regarding that.  I'll play it again for sure.  
    I ended up with a Tactical Defeat.  If I recall correctly, I lost 4 tanks, but I think there were two that were dismounted as well, and two with their main guns destroyed.  The only crew that was killed outright was Chutney's lads, along with the gallant skipper as well.  They took a solid hit from one of Jerrie's heavies and the 7,5cm gun set them ablaze...hence...Blazin Chariots.  Sorry, I couldn't resist.  I did get credit for a hidden victory point, but my losses were more than the AI.  I think they only had 3 tanks destroyed.  Again, just going by memory.
    I recall that the German side showed as Luftwaffe, which I thought was odd and I wanted to ask you about that?  Was there some reason the German troop mix was listed as Luftwaffe?
    Since I don't have the score and a screenshot of the ending, I only have my "feeling" for the battle.
    It was classic!  I really enjoyed it, and everything "felt" right.  
    Spoilers     Spoilers     Spoilers  [sort of]
    I didn't change the location for any of my Honeys for the start.  I left everyone in place and then moved forwards.  The setting sun was recognized by Captain Chutney as a distinct disadvantage for our lads.  This, I fear, contributed to his decision not to charge headlong, but rather, move forward a bit cautiously until we could get some spots.  This did happen, and suddenly the horizon lit up with possible contacts, but no firm sighting.  There was quite a bit of dust and, of course, we were looking into the sun so the glare was a bit of a bother.
    Suddenly the lads reported that hits were being taken, and shortly thereafter, our boys opened up with the feral roar of a 37mm cannon.  The commanders used a variety of tactics, mainly a fast command at an angle, followed by a hunt command straight forward.  This was done in leaps and bounds though, so the unit didn't advance on a single line.  
    All too soon, several tanks took solid hits, with one being dismounted and another losing their main gun.  Other tanks, still advancing in stilted rushes, did start to get solid spots on the enemy.  There was a mix of medium German tanks, and some Eye-Tye pretend tanks, along with some heavy types.  
    Corporal Clark was skirting up the right flank, and his tank took a solid hit, knocking out the corporal and the loader.  The tank soldiered on with only a driver and a gunner.  Towards the end, the gunner ordered the driver to charge up the flank, with the intent of getting around behind Jerrie, and maybe snapping up some fallen crew cowering in the desert sand, but by then the battle was over.
    Some of the lads began getting really good hits, and it was believed that both Italian tanks were knocked out, along with maybe one of the heavies and two of the medium tanks.  At least that is what was submitted in the after action report, although there was way too much dust and smoke to really tell for sure.  We never really did close with Jerrie, as we'd taken our licks and had to ease back from the battlefield.   [The reporting non-com was just a bit over-enthusiastic about the unit's success...]
    Some of the lads would drive forwards quickly, stop, and let the dust settle over them, partially obscuring them from view, but also obscuring their view.
    There was very little to hide behind, so dust was the only way to avoid being spotted.  The dust also hindered our spotting.
    All in all, it really felt like a cool battle, and had a very authentic feel to it.  Due to the smaller caliber rounds being used by most of the tanks, a hit was not an automatic kill.  This was very different from the tank battles we are used to, with the bigger 75mm+ tank guns and lots of flaming wrecks littering the battlefield.  Some of the Honeys really soaked up quite a bit of punishment.  Of course, a hit from the Mark IV was probably going to be instant death.
    That is my take on the scenario so far.  It is really nicely done, and captures the flavor of the early tank battles.  The vehicles looked good too, although I didn't really see the German ones much.  Spotting was hard, and I felt it was pretty realistic.
    Thanks so much for putting this one together.  It is fun to be back in the desert, if only for a few battles.  I always enjoyed the desert battles in CMAK.
    Heinrich505    
  20. Like
    Heinrich505 got a reaction from chocice in NEW CMFI SCENARIO WITH MODS - "BLAZIN' CHARIOTS" (AN OLD ASL SCENARIO)   
    Phil,
    According to the Aftermath as stated on the Blazin' Chariots ASL Card:
    "The 5th RTRs counterattack was hindered by the setting sun, which made it difficult to spot targets and judge the fall of shot.  Consequently the regiment suffered serious tank casualties without inflicting a like amount of damage on the Germans.  It's attack did succeed in putting a check on Kampfgruppe Stephan, however, which eased the desperate plight of the 8th Hussars.  When darkness put a halt to the battle, both British regiments disengaged and , according to standard procedure, withdrew to their night leaguer.  This left the Germans possessing the battlefield and allowed 5th Panzer Regiment to recover most of its knocked-out tanks.  As a result, while British losses in the engagement amounted to over forty Stuarts, the Germans suffered a net loss of 2 Pz IIIs and one Pz II.  For the 4th Armored Brigade, in whose hands the Stuart was making its combat debut, Operation Crusader was getting off to a most inauspicious start."
     
    Gary
  21. Upvote
    Heinrich505 got a reaction from Aragorn2002 in CMRT Campaign - Kampfgruppe "von Schroif"   
    @George MC
    Thanks so much for the nice comments.  I really appreciate them.  The work and effort you put into creating these gems for us to enjoy really lend themselves to the storytelling.  I'm glad you like it.  I'll try to include more screenshots, but I'm no Bud Backer, heh heh.
    For some reason, the one picture didn't make it into the narrative.  Sorry about that.

    This happened on the right flank, as Altschüller's men bashed their way through the initial strong point, and then had to suffer further resistance up through the "handle" to eventually flank the enemy in the center of the woods that had caused so many casualties.  You can see the lone Russian soldier in the center with his hands up.  I think this was the only instance where a prisoner offered himself up.  Everyone else fought bitterly and to the bloody end, or managed to flee from the woods at the end.  The squad had taken two casualties minutes earlier, and this ambush position was finally overwhelmed when another squad on the left (out of sight here) laid down covering fire on the position as these men cautiously advanced.
    I'm going to have to really study the next battle before starting.  There are way too many men with an * next to their name.   I see that Oberst Voss makes an appearance as well.  Interesting.  There might be some new character development in store. 
    I also noticed that the two tanks that were stuck in the mud in the first battle are not appearing in this one.  I'll assume that any tanks immobilized by mud will not carry on into the next missions.
    It will take a while to work through the next battle.  I'll need that luck you wished me, I think.  
  22. Like
    Heinrich505 got a reaction from Aragorn2002 in CMRT Campaign - Kampfgruppe "von Schroif"   
    @George MC

    Hauptmann von Schroif huddled with his squad leaders on the edge of the woods, looking at the terrain as it spread out before them.  The Hauptmann had a map spread out on the grass, and he pointed to the markings on the map, and then visibly pointed to the various terrain features.  In the back of his mind, he hoped there weren’t any Soviet snipers lining up on them.
    “Männer, the village is on our left flank.  Terrain dips and rises as you head towards it.  I’ve assigned that task to 2 Zug.  Oberfeldwebel Lärmann gets the honors.”  There was no good-natured kidding among the squad leaders, unlike in the past.  Von Schroif knew they were tired and worried.  He was too.
    In quick succession, and as businesslike as possible, he assigned 3 Zug, commanded by Oberfeldwebel Rannenberg for the push in the center, towards the long tree line, and 1 Zug, commanded by Oberleutnant Altschüller, would handle right flank security and a push past the east end of the long tree line. 
    The Hauptmann explained that the village of Osinnik would be softened up first, with both machine gun teams and mortar fire.  Yes, they would lose the element of surprise, but that was going to be gone the minute any of his SPW pushed from the concealment of the woods.  Better to get in the first shots.
    The other two machine gun teams would be set up on the right flank, to assist both 2 Zug and 3 Zug when their push came.  Altschüller would have one of the SPW Stummels to assist on the right flank, and the other would be for support of Lärmann’s advance on the village and then Rannenberg’s push in the center.
    Hauptmann von Schroif pointed out the small farm in the center, at a crossroad.  It was labeled AZOtto, and just to the left of it was AZDieter, a small, tree-covered rise.  These were positions of caution, and he stressed to his squad leaders that they needed to be mindful of enemy presence at those locations.
    Von Schroif eased back from the map, and studied the faces of his men.  Each face echoed his own concern, and his 2IC, Feldwebel Erlichmann was running his finger on the map, between the farm at AZOtto and the far tree line, where the main road disappeared into a thick wooded area.  While normally displaying a cheerful attitude, even in the most desperate of situations, his concerned face now meant he was about to point something out.
    “What is it, Erlichmann?  Speak plainly,” he said softly.  His 2IC pointed out that both locations were probable locations for Soviet PAK, as they offered long covering fire.  He also noted that any Ivan with an anti-tank rifle would make easy pickings of their SPW.  The Hauptmann thanked him for his candor and said he was thinking the same thing, but their speed would negate Ivan’s PAK response.
    “So, this is how I hope this assault to work.  Lärmann, in the best approximation of a bold old school cavalry charge, will press home his SPWs across the field and in the lower elevations, to gain a foothold in Osinnik, and then overwhelm the village quickly.  As he doesn’t have 600 men and we aren’t facing the Turks, he should not have any trouble,” said von Schroif, making gallows humor in his reference to the “Charge of the Light Brigade.”  This actually garnered some slight chuckles around the group.
    “This won’t happen until after the village has been softened up by our eagle-eyed machine gun teams and a number of mortar rounds dropped on Ivan’s head,” he continued. 
    “Once the village was secured, pushes would be made across the center with Zug 3 and finally the end-run by Zug 1 on the right flank.  Of course, this will all depend on how Ivan reacts to our attack, so things might have to be adjusted,” he added with a wan smile.  The men nodded and murmured in agreement.
    Von Schroif added that once their approaches were secure, then the large wood was to be tackled.  He suggested that there would be very little left of Ivan by that time, and working through the woods would be mopping up stragglers and panicked survivors from their previous assaults. 
    He closed the briefing by asking for any questions, but there were none.  He told the squad leaders to stay close to their radios and he would give them the signals to move when the time came.  They moved out quietly and professionally.
    His 2IC lingered behind, still smiling good-naturedly, but there was concern in his eyes.  Von Schroif waited until they were alone at the woods edge.  He knew what Erlichmann’s concern was, so he spoke first.
    “Hans, you are worried about the large woods.  I am too.  Will we have enough men to tackle it after taking all these other objectives?  Will it be as bloody as we both expect it to be?  I don’t know.  I know that one Ivan with a damned PPsH can do a lot of damage in the filthy woods.  We’ve both seen that before and got the scars to prove it.  I saw no point in being overly pessimistic and dwelling on the woods, when the men will need all their fortitude for the initial pushes.”
    Erlichmann nodded.  As usual, his commander had read his mind and was completely aware of the risks of this mission.  He gave a smart salute, and then, as the two had traditionally done in the past before every mission, he extended his hand and shook hands with von Schroif, quietly saying “Viel Glück.”
    Von Schroif was left alone with his worries.  How many times had he heard in Officer’s Training that the SPW was a battlefield taxi, and not a horse for cavalry charges?  And yet, here he was, ordering his SPW across open ground, possibly in line of sight of enemy PAK and anti-tank rifles.  All he had was speed to counter those enemy advantages. 
    His thoughts wandered back to an instructor at his Officer’s School, who was always quoting Latin phrases and had taken a liking to von Schroif.  During the hasty preparations for training exercises, where the officer trainees had only 5 minutes to plan out a solution to a difficult tactical problem, the instructor would ease by von Schroif and whisper Audaces fortuna iuvat, Fortune favors the bold.   
    Von Schroif mused to himself that he would need every bit of that fortune for this attack.
  23. Upvote
    Heinrich505 got a reaction from George MC in CMRT Campaign - Kampfgruppe "von Schroif"   
    @George MC
    Thanks so much for the nice comments.  I really appreciate them.  The work and effort you put into creating these gems for us to enjoy really lend themselves to the storytelling.  I'm glad you like it.  I'll try to include more screenshots, but I'm no Bud Backer, heh heh.
    For some reason, the one picture didn't make it into the narrative.  Sorry about that.

    This happened on the right flank, as Altschüller's men bashed their way through the initial strong point, and then had to suffer further resistance up through the "handle" to eventually flank the enemy in the center of the woods that had caused so many casualties.  You can see the lone Russian soldier in the center with his hands up.  I think this was the only instance where a prisoner offered himself up.  Everyone else fought bitterly and to the bloody end, or managed to flee from the woods at the end.  The squad had taken two casualties minutes earlier, and this ambush position was finally overwhelmed when another squad on the left (out of sight here) laid down covering fire on the position as these men cautiously advanced.
    I'm going to have to really study the next battle before starting.  There are way too many men with an * next to their name.   I see that Oberst Voss makes an appearance as well.  Interesting.  There might be some new character development in store. 
    I also noticed that the two tanks that were stuck in the mud in the first battle are not appearing in this one.  I'll assume that any tanks immobilized by mud will not carry on into the next missions.
    It will take a while to work through the next battle.  I'll need that luck you wished me, I think.  
  24. Upvote
    Heinrich505 got a reaction from Aragorn2002 in CMRT Campaign - Kampfgruppe "von Schroif"   
    Part 3
    Spoilers     Spoilers     Spoilers
    As Hpt von Schroif used one hand to cling to anything to keep from being bounced out of his SPW, he kept the other hand on his headphones to hear what was happening on the right flank.  His impulse to stand up and look in that direction was strong, but he knew, from experience, that his crew would tackle him to keep him from exposing himself to enemy sniper fire, or worse, AT gun or AT rifles.  He followed the action through the radio then, trying to visualize what was happening.
    OLt Altschüller was directing his SPW as they charged forwards on the right flank.  Immediately, with a clear line of sight down the poor dirt path that the map claimed was a road, an enemy light machine gun position opened fire.  As there were really no paths for evasion, all SPW gunners fired directly on the position as their SPWs bounced forward.  Altschüller added his SPWs 2,0 cm cannon to the rising cacophony of weapon fire, and the Russian gunner was pinned.
    Then, other positions thought to have been eliminated in the tree line OBJ AZFritz opened fire, sporadically.  Clearly, those positions had been somewhat reduced earlier by the right flank MG teams, but not eliminated.  The right flank MG teams opened up again, hosing down the enemy foxholes that were now visible. 
    Oberleutnant Altschüller directed one of the charging SPWs to divert towards the east end of the tree line and assault those positions.  At the same time, he veered his SPW off to the left, and began to drive up the backside of the tree line, putting 2,0 cm fire on the enemy positions.  They stopped firing, trying to avoid being chopped to bits by the cannon fire.  With the slackening of response fire, the men from the SPW that was driving straight for the enemy positions started leaping from their track and assaulting the positions.
    Unteroffizier Diemers had two of his squad fall in the assault, but they took the first and second positions, firing at the backs of the Russians who were now fleeing in a panic.  This was no planned and orderly retreat.  Those men were fleeing for their lives. 
    OFw Rannenberg was following the assault of 1 Zug on the flank, and as soon as he observed enemy troops starting to run from their positions, he ordered 3 Zug out of their holding position and into a full-on assault of the tree line.  As his SPW marked the farthest west position, and out of the line of sight of both enemy PAK, he ordered his SPWs to make sure they didn’t stray westward too much, and to focus on the tree line directly ahead of them.  The SPWs started a deliberate advance, all gunners in firing positions, and they eased over the crest line and started driving three abreast.  They were a moving wall of solid machine gun fire towards the tree line. 
    The 2IC, Flw Erlichmann arrived to help coordinate the assault, and the two machine gun teams also arrived, bailing out of their machines and now forming hunting parties to assist Diemers in clearing the tree line.  The assault was deliberate and systematic, and all enemy soldiers were killed as they tried to hide or flee the dubious safety of the wood line.
    Hpt von Schroif had arrived in Osinnik, and conferred with OFw Lärmann on how best to clear the small farm.  It was showing damage from some mortar shells that actually landed on target.  It was not clear if the 4,5 cm AT gun was still in business though.  It was clear that the further AT gun, in the heavy woods line was still operational, despite a second helping of mortar fire, this time longer, but still ineffectual.
    The Hauptmann could see that the center push was now working well, and they would shortly have men on the west end of the tree line that could assault the farm from the flank.  He had his SPW ease up and start to spray the farm with machine gun fire.
    Feldwebel Erlichmann ordered 3 Zug to move up and support the infantry that were sweeping the tree line of OBJ AZFritz.  The volume of machine gun fire from the SPW gunners was overwhelming, and the last survivors tried to flee.  Their escape into the thick woods around OBJs Koblenz and Munchen had been cut off by OLt Gührs and his SPW.  The enemy had no chance.  One by one, they were cut down as Feldwebel Diemers swept through the tree line, now assisted by the MG team of Uffz Gres. 
    Feldwebel Erlichmann aggressively ordered his SPW into the wood line as well, and aided in herding the Soviet survivors to their doom.
    The result of this action was observed by the remaining Soviet PAK and farmhouse defenders.  Under the continuous machine gun fire of both Hpt von Schroif and Flw Lärmann’s SPW, things were simply too hot for them. 
    “Herr Hauptmann, they are pulling out!” called the gunner on von Schroif’s SPW.  The Hauptmann was immediately on his binoculars to confirm.  Yes, yes, he thought excitedly, the enemy was giving up the position and trying to retreat across the large wheatfield to the rear of the farmhouse.
    “Karl, get that information to Erlichmann quickly,” von Schroif ordered his radioman.
    Moments later, Hpt von Schroif saw Erlichmann’s SPW emerge from the tree line at OBJ AZFritz, and the other SPWs quickly swung to their left to take the wheatfield under fire.

     SPW gunners pour fire on the fleeing PAK and infantry from the  farmhouse.  None made it out of the deathtrap.
    The Russians kept running, ducking and hiding for a moment, and then running some more, all the while with deadly machine gun fire ripping into their midst.  They refused to surrender, continuing to try and evade until cut down by von Schroif’s men.
    Hpt von Schroif silently gave respect to the Russians who, at this one position, had held up his advance for at least 30 minutes.  His attack was well behind the anticipated time table, but then again, the Hauptmann was not surprised by this.  Ivan had a reputation for being tenacious in defense.  What did bother him greatly, was that this was supposed to be a lightly held position, and reportedly thrown up in haste.
    It was not a hasty defensive position.  The lines of sight were well thought out, and there was plenty of dedicated equipment assigned for carrying out a strong defense of the locale.  This did not bode well.
    And, the attack was still in progress.  The right flank had to be anchored, the center AT gun had to be eliminated, and then there was the terrible business of clearing the large wooded objectives. 
    His attention was quickly drawn to the loud thoom-thoom sound of a 2,0 cm gun firing rapidly and then the short crack of a Soviet PAK firing.  That had to be Gührs and his SPW behind the tree line, engaging the last AT gun, or, more exactly, the other identified AT gun.  There could always be more.
    After the sharp retort of the guns, there was silence.  Hpt von Schroif started to reach for the radio microphone, when suddenly OLt Gührs came on the radio.  His voice was stressed but calm, and he reported that he believed one of his cannon shells had struck near or on the enemy AT gun.  He was not sure he had knocked it out, but a shell from the AT gun had killed his gunner and driver, as well as wounding several of his command staff, and he and his survivors were bailing out.  He left out the part that he himself had also been wounded. 
    “That tears it,” exclaimed von Schroif.  He was almost out of his cannon-armed SPWs, with this loss.  And, the AT gun had not been confirmed as out of action.  They were still stalled.  The Hauptmann got on the radio and called for Erlichmann to try and confirm destruction of the enemy PAK.  There was a delay and he could hear more gunfire, but then Erlichmann came on to report that Diemers and Gres’ MG team had opened fire on the enemy AT gun team as they appeared to flee back into the woods.  Von Schroif breathed a loud sigh of relief. 
    Then more machine gun fire erupted from the right flank, and he sought out additional information from Altschüller and Zug 1.
    OLt Altschüller’s advance had been met by a light machine gun position, but his exposed SPW gunners put down such a hail of machine gun fire on the position that all but one of the enemy team were killed or wounded, and one man fled out of sight into a dip in the terrain.  No sooner had this position been reduced, when a second position, now in the woods by the “Handle,” had opened fire as well.  As all the SPWs were committed to the attack, the drivers kept driving right at the enemy while all gunners concentrated their fire in that area.  In this way, the enemy broke and melted into the woods and all SPWs were able to unload their squads without casualties.
    Altschüller was able to report that his men now had consolidated a position in the woods on the right flank, and were starting to slowly push forwards.  It appeared that the right flank was solid, and the horrible business of clearing the large woods and objectives Koblenz, Munchen, Berlin, Aachen, and Cochem could begin. 
    But first, the farmhouse.  Hpt von Schroif and Feldwebel Lärmann had their SPWs rush down the dirt road towards the farmhouse, with their machine guns blazing.  While they had seen many Russian soldiers fleeing from the farmhouse and into the death trap of the wheatfield, that didn’t mean there weren’t stragglers that had decided to give their lives for Mother Russia and wanted to take some more Germans down with them.  They were also taking the change that there wasn’t a third PAK lurking somewhere that had yet to open up.
    Hpt von Schroif bailed out of his SPW once they were sure nothing had survived their onslaught.  The farmhouse position was secured.  The sniper team suddenly materialized out of nowhere, startling everyone.  They quietly slipped into the farmhouse and verified that there were no enemy left in the area.
    The Hauptmann immediately began to give aid to Pöppel and his fallen squad mate.  Knowing that Lärmann was already distraught at seeing his friend cut down, von Schroif wanted to keep Lärmann focused on commanding Zug 2.  He ordered Lärmann to take his Zug and sweep the left flank, try to scout Line Eva, and possibly catch enemy survivors that might retreat from the heavy woods.  Lärmann could see that his men were getting proper attention, so he switched gears and immediately took his Zug out around the left flank.
    As the tree line of OBJ AZFritz had now been cleared, and the AT gun reported as destroyed, 2IC Erlichmann directed all units into the wood line at OBJ Munchen, in preparation of the horrid business of clearing the woods.  He had no illusions of the carnage to come.
    On the right flank, Altschüller’s men had already taken several casualties, despite a cautious and deliberate advance.  The Russians seemed to be part of the forest, and his men only discovered them when the sound of submachine guns erupted, accompanied by the screams of the wounded.

    A Russian solder, with hands held high, surrenders to Altschüller's men as they push forwards.  This was a rare occurrence.  He can be seen over the lead German soldier's left shoulder.

     
    Now it was all hands forward.  Machine gun teams walked shoulder to shoulder with survivors of the infantry squads.  SPWs ground through the underbrush, trying to find paths forward that were not blocked by trees. 
    No sooner had the squads taken an abandoned set of foxholes, when concentrated enemy submachine gun fire ripped through the trees and into the men.  Over half of Sehmel’s squad were cut down, including the veteran Unteroffizer himself, and Uffz Heise was the single survivor of his own squad.
    Altschüller’s Zug, now diminished by their own casualties, were pushing in from the right flank, having struggled through the underbrush.  Altschüller’s 2,0 cm cannon had been invaluable in their clearing attempts, as the cannon shells shredded everything in their path.  The familiar thoom-thoom sound of the cannon was enough to guarantee that the Russians would break and retreat further into the woods.

    The men cautiously advanced, having had their numbers thinned drastically by the hidden enemy.

    Feldwebel Erlichmann found himself shoulder to shoulder with his Hauptmann, as the two of them and their command squads tried desperately to stem the bleeding of the wounded and keep the men focused on the enemy before them.
    More squads arrived in the woods, and some SPW with gunners also arrived.  The gunners kept spraying the trees and underbrush ahead of them, and Altschüller’s cannon kept shredding the woods where the enemy gunfire had erupted.  The men were then able to slowly advance once more.
    The bloody struggle in the woods seemed to go on forever, but in reality, it was only around 15 minutes.  The attack was behind schedule, but von Schroif had to have the woods cleared for the mission to be a success, as this wooded area was to be the jumping off point of the next push.
    And then, suddenly, it was over.  Altschüller’s men could see the Russian survivors fleeing from the woods and across a large wheatfield.  The woods took on an eerie silence, broken only by the cries of the wounded of both sides and the idling of SPW engines.  The dead made no noise, but looked accusingly at the survivors with open eyes, asking the silent question, why me and not you?
    Hauptmann von Schroif was exhausted mentally and physically by the battle.  He had the blood of his men on his hands, both figuratively and literally, having helped to bandage up the wounded.
    Hpt von Schroif heard his name called, and turned as he recognized Erlichmann’s voice. 
    “Herr Hauptmann, I am able to report that all objectives have been achieved.  Ivan is fleeing from the back of the woods.  We are not organized properly to pursue.”
    Hpt von Schroif could see how exhausted his 2IC was.  Blood streaked his uniform and dirt marred his face, with rivulets of sweat streaking through the dirt.  He realized that he must look the same.
    “Danke, Hans,” he said softly.  “And casualties?  What is the butcher’s bill?”
    Erlichmann took a long breath before speaking.  “Herr Hauptmann, we have lost both support SPW Stummel, a support 2,0 cm cannon, and many SPW gunners.  It appears that all our MG SPW have come through, but some with track or tire damage. “He paused again, knowing that Hpt von Schroif was really more interested in the human toll, and he was reluctant to be the bearer of bad news.
    “And…?” pressed von Schroif.
    Erlichmann said, “I am sorry to say that preliminary reports are at least 15 dead and less than 20 wounded.  These are not exact figures though, and could fluctuate up or down as the squad leaders reorganize their men, Herr Hauptmann.”
    “Danke, Hans,” was all that von Schroif could manage at the moment.  He turned to stare at the deadly forest and his Feldwebel left him lost in thoughts.
    The final tally was 22 KIA and 19 WIA.  Veteran squad leaders lost in the action were the following:
    Pöppel     Winnings     Sehmel     Boedecker
    As von Schroif had expected, the majority of casualties happened in the push to clear the woods.  He wondered what the butcher’s bill would look like after the next battle.
  25. Upvote
    Heinrich505 got a reaction from AlexUK in CMRT Campaign - Kampfgruppe "von Schroif"   
    Part 3
    Spoilers     Spoilers     Spoilers
    As Hpt von Schroif used one hand to cling to anything to keep from being bounced out of his SPW, he kept the other hand on his headphones to hear what was happening on the right flank.  His impulse to stand up and look in that direction was strong, but he knew, from experience, that his crew would tackle him to keep him from exposing himself to enemy sniper fire, or worse, AT gun or AT rifles.  He followed the action through the radio then, trying to visualize what was happening.
    OLt Altschüller was directing his SPW as they charged forwards on the right flank.  Immediately, with a clear line of sight down the poor dirt path that the map claimed was a road, an enemy light machine gun position opened fire.  As there were really no paths for evasion, all SPW gunners fired directly on the position as their SPWs bounced forward.  Altschüller added his SPWs 2,0 cm cannon to the rising cacophony of weapon fire, and the Russian gunner was pinned.
    Then, other positions thought to have been eliminated in the tree line OBJ AZFritz opened fire, sporadically.  Clearly, those positions had been somewhat reduced earlier by the right flank MG teams, but not eliminated.  The right flank MG teams opened up again, hosing down the enemy foxholes that were now visible. 
    Oberleutnant Altschüller directed one of the charging SPWs to divert towards the east end of the tree line and assault those positions.  At the same time, he veered his SPW off to the left, and began to drive up the backside of the tree line, putting 2,0 cm fire on the enemy positions.  They stopped firing, trying to avoid being chopped to bits by the cannon fire.  With the slackening of response fire, the men from the SPW that was driving straight for the enemy positions started leaping from their track and assaulting the positions.
    Unteroffizier Diemers had two of his squad fall in the assault, but they took the first and second positions, firing at the backs of the Russians who were now fleeing in a panic.  This was no planned and orderly retreat.  Those men were fleeing for their lives. 
    OFw Rannenberg was following the assault of 1 Zug on the flank, and as soon as he observed enemy troops starting to run from their positions, he ordered 3 Zug out of their holding position and into a full-on assault of the tree line.  As his SPW marked the farthest west position, and out of the line of sight of both enemy PAK, he ordered his SPWs to make sure they didn’t stray westward too much, and to focus on the tree line directly ahead of them.  The SPWs started a deliberate advance, all gunners in firing positions, and they eased over the crest line and started driving three abreast.  They were a moving wall of solid machine gun fire towards the tree line. 
    The 2IC, Flw Erlichmann arrived to help coordinate the assault, and the two machine gun teams also arrived, bailing out of their machines and now forming hunting parties to assist Diemers in clearing the tree line.  The assault was deliberate and systematic, and all enemy soldiers were killed as they tried to hide or flee the dubious safety of the wood line.
    Hpt von Schroif had arrived in Osinnik, and conferred with OFw Lärmann on how best to clear the small farm.  It was showing damage from some mortar shells that actually landed on target.  It was not clear if the 4,5 cm AT gun was still in business though.  It was clear that the further AT gun, in the heavy woods line was still operational, despite a second helping of mortar fire, this time longer, but still ineffectual.
    The Hauptmann could see that the center push was now working well, and they would shortly have men on the west end of the tree line that could assault the farm from the flank.  He had his SPW ease up and start to spray the farm with machine gun fire.
    Feldwebel Erlichmann ordered 3 Zug to move up and support the infantry that were sweeping the tree line of OBJ AZFritz.  The volume of machine gun fire from the SPW gunners was overwhelming, and the last survivors tried to flee.  Their escape into the thick woods around OBJs Koblenz and Munchen had been cut off by OLt Gührs and his SPW.  The enemy had no chance.  One by one, they were cut down as Feldwebel Diemers swept through the tree line, now assisted by the MG team of Uffz Gres. 
    Feldwebel Erlichmann aggressively ordered his SPW into the wood line as well, and aided in herding the Soviet survivors to their doom.
    The result of this action was observed by the remaining Soviet PAK and farmhouse defenders.  Under the continuous machine gun fire of both Hpt von Schroif and Flw Lärmann’s SPW, things were simply too hot for them. 
    “Herr Hauptmann, they are pulling out!” called the gunner on von Schroif’s SPW.  The Hauptmann was immediately on his binoculars to confirm.  Yes, yes, he thought excitedly, the enemy was giving up the position and trying to retreat across the large wheatfield to the rear of the farmhouse.
    “Karl, get that information to Erlichmann quickly,” von Schroif ordered his radioman.
    Moments later, Hpt von Schroif saw Erlichmann’s SPW emerge from the tree line at OBJ AZFritz, and the other SPWs quickly swung to their left to take the wheatfield under fire.

     SPW gunners pour fire on the fleeing PAK and infantry from the  farmhouse.  None made it out of the deathtrap.
    The Russians kept running, ducking and hiding for a moment, and then running some more, all the while with deadly machine gun fire ripping into their midst.  They refused to surrender, continuing to try and evade until cut down by von Schroif’s men.
    Hpt von Schroif silently gave respect to the Russians who, at this one position, had held up his advance for at least 30 minutes.  His attack was well behind the anticipated time table, but then again, the Hauptmann was not surprised by this.  Ivan had a reputation for being tenacious in defense.  What did bother him greatly, was that this was supposed to be a lightly held position, and reportedly thrown up in haste.
    It was not a hasty defensive position.  The lines of sight were well thought out, and there was plenty of dedicated equipment assigned for carrying out a strong defense of the locale.  This did not bode well.
    And, the attack was still in progress.  The right flank had to be anchored, the center AT gun had to be eliminated, and then there was the terrible business of clearing the large wooded objectives. 
    His attention was quickly drawn to the loud thoom-thoom sound of a 2,0 cm gun firing rapidly and then the short crack of a Soviet PAK firing.  That had to be Gührs and his SPW behind the tree line, engaging the last AT gun, or, more exactly, the other identified AT gun.  There could always be more.
    After the sharp retort of the guns, there was silence.  Hpt von Schroif started to reach for the radio microphone, when suddenly OLt Gührs came on the radio.  His voice was stressed but calm, and he reported that he believed one of his cannon shells had struck near or on the enemy AT gun.  He was not sure he had knocked it out, but a shell from the AT gun had killed his gunner and driver, as well as wounding several of his command staff, and he and his survivors were bailing out.  He left out the part that he himself had also been wounded. 
    “That tears it,” exclaimed von Schroif.  He was almost out of his cannon-armed SPWs, with this loss.  And, the AT gun had not been confirmed as out of action.  They were still stalled.  The Hauptmann got on the radio and called for Erlichmann to try and confirm destruction of the enemy PAK.  There was a delay and he could hear more gunfire, but then Erlichmann came on to report that Diemers and Gres’ MG team had opened fire on the enemy AT gun team as they appeared to flee back into the woods.  Von Schroif breathed a loud sigh of relief. 
    Then more machine gun fire erupted from the right flank, and he sought out additional information from Altschüller and Zug 1.
    OLt Altschüller’s advance had been met by a light machine gun position, but his exposed SPW gunners put down such a hail of machine gun fire on the position that all but one of the enemy team were killed or wounded, and one man fled out of sight into a dip in the terrain.  No sooner had this position been reduced, when a second position, now in the woods by the “Handle,” had opened fire as well.  As all the SPWs were committed to the attack, the drivers kept driving right at the enemy while all gunners concentrated their fire in that area.  In this way, the enemy broke and melted into the woods and all SPWs were able to unload their squads without casualties.
    Altschüller was able to report that his men now had consolidated a position in the woods on the right flank, and were starting to slowly push forwards.  It appeared that the right flank was solid, and the horrible business of clearing the large woods and objectives Koblenz, Munchen, Berlin, Aachen, and Cochem could begin. 
    But first, the farmhouse.  Hpt von Schroif and Feldwebel Lärmann had their SPWs rush down the dirt road towards the farmhouse, with their machine guns blazing.  While they had seen many Russian soldiers fleeing from the farmhouse and into the death trap of the wheatfield, that didn’t mean there weren’t stragglers that had decided to give their lives for Mother Russia and wanted to take some more Germans down with them.  They were also taking the change that there wasn’t a third PAK lurking somewhere that had yet to open up.
    Hpt von Schroif bailed out of his SPW once they were sure nothing had survived their onslaught.  The farmhouse position was secured.  The sniper team suddenly materialized out of nowhere, startling everyone.  They quietly slipped into the farmhouse and verified that there were no enemy left in the area.
    The Hauptmann immediately began to give aid to Pöppel and his fallen squad mate.  Knowing that Lärmann was already distraught at seeing his friend cut down, von Schroif wanted to keep Lärmann focused on commanding Zug 2.  He ordered Lärmann to take his Zug and sweep the left flank, try to scout Line Eva, and possibly catch enemy survivors that might retreat from the heavy woods.  Lärmann could see that his men were getting proper attention, so he switched gears and immediately took his Zug out around the left flank.
    As the tree line of OBJ AZFritz had now been cleared, and the AT gun reported as destroyed, 2IC Erlichmann directed all units into the wood line at OBJ Munchen, in preparation of the horrid business of clearing the woods.  He had no illusions of the carnage to come.
    On the right flank, Altschüller’s men had already taken several casualties, despite a cautious and deliberate advance.  The Russians seemed to be part of the forest, and his men only discovered them when the sound of submachine guns erupted, accompanied by the screams of the wounded.

    A Russian solder, with hands held high, surrenders to Altschüller's men as they push forwards.  This was a rare occurrence.  He can be seen over the lead German soldier's left shoulder.

     
    Now it was all hands forward.  Machine gun teams walked shoulder to shoulder with survivors of the infantry squads.  SPWs ground through the underbrush, trying to find paths forward that were not blocked by trees. 
    No sooner had the squads taken an abandoned set of foxholes, when concentrated enemy submachine gun fire ripped through the trees and into the men.  Over half of Sehmel’s squad were cut down, including the veteran Unteroffizer himself, and Uffz Heise was the single survivor of his own squad.
    Altschüller’s Zug, now diminished by their own casualties, were pushing in from the right flank, having struggled through the underbrush.  Altschüller’s 2,0 cm cannon had been invaluable in their clearing attempts, as the cannon shells shredded everything in their path.  The familiar thoom-thoom sound of the cannon was enough to guarantee that the Russians would break and retreat further into the woods.

    The men cautiously advanced, having had their numbers thinned drastically by the hidden enemy.

    Feldwebel Erlichmann found himself shoulder to shoulder with his Hauptmann, as the two of them and their command squads tried desperately to stem the bleeding of the wounded and keep the men focused on the enemy before them.
    More squads arrived in the woods, and some SPW with gunners also arrived.  The gunners kept spraying the trees and underbrush ahead of them, and Altschüller’s cannon kept shredding the woods where the enemy gunfire had erupted.  The men were then able to slowly advance once more.
    The bloody struggle in the woods seemed to go on forever, but in reality, it was only around 15 minutes.  The attack was behind schedule, but von Schroif had to have the woods cleared for the mission to be a success, as this wooded area was to be the jumping off point of the next push.
    And then, suddenly, it was over.  Altschüller’s men could see the Russian survivors fleeing from the woods and across a large wheatfield.  The woods took on an eerie silence, broken only by the cries of the wounded of both sides and the idling of SPW engines.  The dead made no noise, but looked accusingly at the survivors with open eyes, asking the silent question, why me and not you?
    Hauptmann von Schroif was exhausted mentally and physically by the battle.  He had the blood of his men on his hands, both figuratively and literally, having helped to bandage up the wounded.
    Hpt von Schroif heard his name called, and turned as he recognized Erlichmann’s voice. 
    “Herr Hauptmann, I am able to report that all objectives have been achieved.  Ivan is fleeing from the back of the woods.  We are not organized properly to pursue.”
    Hpt von Schroif could see how exhausted his 2IC was.  Blood streaked his uniform and dirt marred his face, with rivulets of sweat streaking through the dirt.  He realized that he must look the same.
    “Danke, Hans,” he said softly.  “And casualties?  What is the butcher’s bill?”
    Erlichmann took a long breath before speaking.  “Herr Hauptmann, we have lost both support SPW Stummel, a support 2,0 cm cannon, and many SPW gunners.  It appears that all our MG SPW have come through, but some with track or tire damage. “He paused again, knowing that Hpt von Schroif was really more interested in the human toll, and he was reluctant to be the bearer of bad news.
    “And…?” pressed von Schroif.
    Erlichmann said, “I am sorry to say that preliminary reports are at least 15 dead and less than 20 wounded.  These are not exact figures though, and could fluctuate up or down as the squad leaders reorganize their men, Herr Hauptmann.”
    “Danke, Hans,” was all that von Schroif could manage at the moment.  He turned to stare at the deadly forest and his Feldwebel left him lost in thoughts.
    The final tally was 22 KIA and 19 WIA.  Veteran squad leaders lost in the action were the following:
    Pöppel     Winnings     Sehmel     Boedecker
    As von Schroif had expected, the majority of casualties happened in the push to clear the woods.  He wondered what the butcher’s bill would look like after the next battle.
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