Heinrich505

Sergeant Egert is thinking about the last thing Captain Duckworth told him before the battle.  Duckworth told him to use his judgement to find a spot where he’d be most useful.  No specifics, no left flank or right flank…find a spot where he’d be most useful.
 
Amazing, he thinks.  My judgement is that trusted…
 
So, he started out on the left flank with some T30 gun howitzers from his platoon, but realized that this was overkill.  He ordered his driver, “the Kid” to drive to the northeast near one of the hardpoints the Paras were reconnoitering. 
He found the spot he wanted and ordered the Kid to stop.  The gun carriage was now located on a reverse slope, facing north, where two roads swept in at 90 degrees behind the forward slope of a hill to his front.  Lt. Klansek was just to his left, and would provide a little protection if the Krauts decided to sweep over the hill.
 

 
Why he ended up here he really didn’t know.  It was a bad feeling, and he had learned to trust that feeling from North Africa.  He just somehow knew the enemy was coming, either in the divide to his left or directly from the front. 
Egert just pointed to the front and his gunner Blaine knew what he wanted.  The rest of the crew was fairly new, but Blaine had been with him for a while.  Blaine knew the Krauts were coming now; he just knew.  The Sarge had a feeling for things like that.
 
The other crew members sat quiet, nervous, and trying not to be.  This gun carriage might as well be protected with tin foil.  You never knew when some German Tiger was going to appear and ruin a perfectly good day.
 

Lt. Hollaway sees the shell impact the front of the second halftrack. 
 
This time he roars to his men, “Pour it on, Boys.  Let ‘em have all ya got!” 
 
They are slightly above the open halftrack and they rip rifle fire into the exposed rear compartment.
 
 

 
If there were any survivors from the initial hit, there aren’t any more.   The lieutenant’s men are efficient and deadly. 
 
Hollaway is starting to get the dangerous thought that there might be a chance they’ll survive the rest of this battle.  Having that gun watching over them really saved their bacon.
 
 
Sgt. Egert says only two words to his crew.  “Don’t relax.”  No one does.  The war goes on. 
 
 
Heinrich505

Sergeant Egert is thinking about the last thing Captain Duckworth told him before the battle.  Duckworth told him to use his judgement to find a spot where he’d be most useful.  No specifics, no left flank or right flank…find a spot where he’d be most useful.
 
Amazing, he thinks.  My judgement is that trusted…
 
So, he started out on the left flank with some T30 gun howitzers from his platoon, but realized that this was overkill.  He ordered his driver, “the Kid” to drive to the northeast near one of the hardpoints the Paras were reconnoitering. 
He found the spot he wanted and ordered the Kid to stop.  The gun carriage was now located on a reverse slope, facing north, where two roads swept in at 90 degrees behind the forward slope of a hill to his front.  Lt. Klansek was just to his left, and would provide a little protection if the Krauts decided to sweep over the hill.
 

 
Why he ended up here he really didn’t know.  It was a bad feeling, and he had learned to trust that feeling from North Africa.  He just somehow knew the enemy was coming, either in the divide to his left or directly from the front. 
Egert just pointed to the front and his gunner Blaine knew what he wanted.  The rest of the crew was fairly new, but Blaine had been with him for a while.  Blaine knew the Krauts were coming now; he just knew.  The Sarge had a feeling for things like that.
 
The other crew members sat quiet, nervous, and trying not to be.  This gun carriage might as well be protected with tin foil.  You never knew when some German Tiger was going to appear and ruin a perfectly good day.
 

Clearly your armored car boys didn't get in on the Vodka last nighty because they were washing the commissar's car.  Now fear is increasing their spotting ability, especially after their partner got smoked.  They didn't do the hubcaps and they are thinking they are toast now, because they are being punished by being pushed so far forward....war is hell...
 
Great job on your narrative and screenies.  I always learn more new stuff with these AARs. 
 
 
Heinrich505

Thanks guys.  Glad y'all like them.  The explosion one was a good catch, especially the flames rippling out from the front on the ground.  Took a little while to get it just right.
 
Same battle.  Bazooka snap shot failed - no second chances in this game.  Münchbach's crew is living a charmed life so far.
 

 
Heinrich505

Veteran squad leader Schlaffer has found his squad in a bad situation.  They were advancing to cover and are now caught in the open by a charging Ami halftrack.
 

Veteran squad leader Schlaffer has found his squad in a bad situation.  They were advancing to cover and are now caught in the open by a charging Ami halftrack.
 

Thanks guys.  Glad y'all like them.  The explosion one was a good catch, especially the flames rippling out from the front on the ground.  Took a little while to get it just right.
 
Same battle.  Bazooka snap shot failed - no second chances in this game.  Münchbach's crew is living a charmed life so far.
 

 
Heinrich505

The enemy halftrack burns for only a moment before a tremendous explosion erupts.  The ammo has cooked off.  Schlaffer's men escape injury but they are way too close for comfort. 
 
Schlaffer realizes that killing the driver was merciful after all.  The man would have been burned alive from the explosion.  It doesn't make him feel much better though.
 
As the flames rip across the dry ground he is looking for cover for his squad. 
 

 
Heinrich505

Their shots ring true.  Treffer!!!  The Ami halftrack is burning.
 

The driver appears to be the only uninjured survivor.  He bails out in the desperate hope that he might yet survive.  The wounded crew is crying out behind him.
 
Schlaffer takes the killing shot.  His adrenaline is up and any thoughts of mercy have been overridden by his strong desire for self-preservation.
 

They open fire with everything they have.  It is their only hope.  Their bullets find the enemy crew who are desperately ducking for cover. 
 

 

Veteran squad leader Schlaffer has found his squad in a bad situation.  They were advancing to cover and are now caught in the open by a charging Ami halftrack.
 

Schlaffer doesn't know about the SPW 250/9 in overwatch behind him.  Obergefreiter Münchbach is directing his veteran crew to the threat.
 
They see the driver fall as they line up their shot.  They will take no chances on this one.  That gun can carve through their vehicle like a knife through hot butter.
 

The enemy halftrack burns for only a moment before a tremendous explosion erupts.  The ammo has cooked off.  Schlaffer's men escape injury but they are way too close for comfort. 
 
Schlaffer realizes that killing the driver was merciful after all.  The man would have been burned alive from the explosion.  It doesn't make him feel much better though.
 
As the flames rip across the dry ground he is looking for cover for his squad. 
 

 
Heinrich505

George,
  Just downloaded it.  Really looks sharp.  Another classic for sure.  Will have to make time to play this one.  I really enjoy the research you and Charlie put into these battles. 
 
 
Heinrich505

Not to worry.  As c3k has previously noted, you've used up one of your opponent's limited AT rockets that might have been used against your tanks.  Win-Win!!!  
 
 
Heinrich505

Sgt. Morris views his handiwork from afar.  American ingenuity - the right tool for the right job.
 
 
Heinrich505

East Front Carnage
 

Same view but advancing with the squad.
 
The map for this battle is amazing!
 
Heinrich505

SCHNELL, MÄNNER, SCHNELL!!!

Same view but advancing with the squad.
 
The map for this battle is amazing!
 
Heinrich505

Lt. Ackermann and his wingman's Panzer are backlit from the violence of the explosion.
 

 
While the tank on tank drama plays out, the Landsers work feverishly to provide medical aid to their kameraden.  They have been bloodied badly from the Soviet artillery.
 
The Tigers are all that are keeping them from being overrun and crushed by the Red tanks.
 
 
Heinrich505

Through the door...

Ultrechtseweg.  Vicious street fighting. 
 
This is the first battle I've seen with the StuH roof-mounted MG operating without the crew popping up to use it.  This game always amazes me.
 
Heinrich505