Malaspina

Yeah.
I should note that this place was occupied by Russia and they only left in 1991, which is relatively recently (god I'm old). We can't match the hatred Ukraine or Poland has for Russia, because nobody can, but I think we're not far behind.
...
As for Taiwan. Since this is my area, I can say that anything happening to Taiwan is bad news for the whole world. China bloodlessly taking over Taiwan is bad, because it would put a lot of modern microprocessor fabs under their control. Imagine China deciding countries or companies that "insulted it", whatever that means this week, aren't getting any modern electronics?
Anything else than China taking Taiwan peacefully is worse. There' been talks about "how is Russia going to cope with not getting laptops and phones anymore, due to sanctions". If the fabs get blown up, this is everybody in the world not getting laptops, phones, cameras, drones, servers (so businesses can't grow as that often requires new infrastructure) and other things. (*) For about ten years or so, maybe more.
And if the US defends Taiwan and trade breaks between West and China ... that something I can't even begin to estimate, other than "nobody gets anything".
So China ****ing around with Taiwan is one of the worst thing that can happen other than nuclear war and doing nothing about climate change, in my eyes.
Lots of new fabs are being built in US and EU, but those take years and are there to serve demand and not as a replacement - so anything happening to Taiwan few years from now is still bad news.
(*): The "chip shortage" that cause people to be unable to buy cars was caused more by supply chain optimization shenanigans and is a lesson in fragility and antifragiity - Taiwan mostly makes the high end stuff, so it would impact computers and not cars. As for industrial machines, I'm not much of an expert here, but I think they typically use slightly older high end stuff, but the longer lifetimes would protect them somehow.

I guess nobody wanted any Italian action on the ost front...or the average CM player doesn't want my half-ass version with obvious limitations. 
Moan and groan time:
What fries my onions is that BFC could fart this out in a few days to make CMRT code changes to add in a 3rd nation. The graphics/3D/TOE/OOB to support it all mostly exist. I always guess/suspect/know Charles obviously has a full time job somewhere else and his efforts for CM new stuff are focused to like the barest allotment of his available time. Nobody else probably has permission or the knowledge to go in and make the changes. If Charles slips on a bar of soap, we are dead in the water.
Steve is 24/7 working on his PhD in 2022 Ukraine-RF War, book deal, media consult, future DoD contracts and sincere best wishes on all that BUT damn I wish we'd see some surprise CMRT or CMFI module for the #EarlyWarOrphans. Ugggh
secure from moan and groan

That's a pretty good all-round summary.
I.e. there's definitely a pretty varied group of pro-Putinites among the political elites in Italy, who are are posing as pacifists for their electorate but are probably secretly pro-Russia as they fear financial support (always denied) would probably suffer (or their personal interests) if they opposed the war actively.
But I don't think there are many among the population at large supporting the Russian invasion in this country on moral grounds. Maybe there's a small cluster on the far left who are nostalgic of a strong (Communist) Russia. Don't forget that the Italian Communist party had 40% of the votes in this country in the '70s. Maybe 2% now.
Russofiles, yes. Maybe a few on cultural grounds and a lot more due to economic / business ties. The tourist industry is perhaps the 3rd or 4th largest in Italy. There are many restaurants / hotels / supply chain operators that are crying out loud for the government to do something because they will have to cancel orders for large amounts of champagne this year. I've seen Russian-speaking customers regularly pay €2000 in cash for a meal. They were good business for many a sad restaurateur...
 
 
 

Since I am also curious about the state of play of the slo-mo "Potemkin" offensive against Slovyansk, I went back over the last 90 pages of this thread (only 15 April!) and pulled out some of the key assessments made by our esteemed experts. All hail and praise unto them!
1. @The_Capt scans the terrain for the Izyum axis (page 532)
2. @Combatintman maps out the potential axes for a 'pincer' attack (page 548)
3.  @Haiduk confirms the attack (page 553)

4. @Kinophile shows us vividly how exposed are the northern approaches to Slovyansk (page 556)
5. @Combatintman revises the axes in light of the actual Russian advances (p557)

6. @Combatintman estimates RA force strength around Izyum at 16 BTGs not the 22 advertised
7. @The_Capt floats the interesting hypothesis that this is a 'look busy but don't bleed too much' offensive.
8. @Haiduk updates the actions around Izyum as of 23 Apr (p593)


9. @Combatintman evaluates the Engagement Area around Dovenkhe (Izyum-Slovyansk road)
 

10.  @The_Capt assesses the state of play: "using BTGs to try and find a hole in the UA defence instead of a recon screen" 
 
11. @Haiduk's latest update, noting RA gains in contested Zarichne village and a flanking operation at Yampi (which has netted them some UA prisoners)(p.610)
12.  This....
 
 

Chinese, american and russian travel on a train.

Chinese pulls out an iphone13, plays with it for a bit then throws it out of the window. 
Everybody else: but why?
Chinese: meh, I have lots of this **** at home.

American then drinks half of his Starbucks cup of coffee and throws the rest out of the window.
Everybody else: but why?
American: meh, I have lots of this **** at home.

Russian then silently throws out of a window:
Personnel - 12000
Combat airplanes - 49
Helicopters - 81
Tanks - 335
APCs - 1107
Air defence pcs - 61
Artillery pcs - 120
Transport vehicles - 544

I find it difficult to criticize EU dependence on Russian oil when the US does the same with the Saudis and basically fell flat after they murdered Jamal Khashoggi.  Face it.  We are all hostages to the petro states.  The US just happened to pick ones incapable of invading Europe.

I think mistakes were made, to say the least.  In reality this is going to likely go down as a massive Russian strategic failure, possibly nation breaking but we would be remiss not to look in that mirror and recognize that it is also a western failure writ large.  We collectively run the planet (casting nervous glance at China) and as such this mess that took 20+ years to happen has to come home to roost on our decision making.
As to the NATO argument, I guess what sticks is that every former eastern bloc nation who has joined NATO did so of their own free will and for very good reasons.  What happened is akin to watching a man with three wives he abused for years beating the one who stayed behind and blaming the other two who left.  Yes, technically he might have just spread the abuse more equitably but how on earth does that equation get right?!  The US was using the same strategy that won the Cold War, enticement and Russian response with a strategy of bombing or threats of bombing, followed by more bombing cannot compete, and that is not on us.  
I think we in the West do need to take a long hard look at how we basically went past "letting it happen" to "enabling because we like cheap gas and were to busy with our own crap".  I am Canadian and frankly the lines we fed ourselves for over 30 years of a utopian liberal humanistic new world order, and kept smoking right up until Feb 24th meant we lost sight of just how nasty the world was really getting and failed to do anything about it.
I hope that some lines are re-drawn as a result of this and we try and realize that things like freedom and democracy come at costs that every generation must pay, not just the ones in the movies. 

pretty much every country has some nazi element.  f'd up but it is what it is.  Difference is in Russia the head of the country is a fascist.

That certainly seems to best fit the evidence at hand.  If Putin thought he'd have multi-week fight he wouldn't have assumed he was gonna be at Hostemel airport in first day or two to relieve the airborne units -- and it seems he did a lot of these insertion operations which all failed miserably but only make sense if you think the big boys are gonna show up & save the day pretty quickly. 
I suspect in the end Ukraine will give up Crimea and maybe half the disputed donbass territories, just to get clear borders. And will apply to join NATO ASAP.  They will never agree to not join NATO, that could be suicide. 
And now Finland in NATO.  Yeah, Putin, this was brilliant.  Everything you didn't want to happen you have achieved!  United europe w increased military spending, more NATO presense on your border, Ukraine heading for EU and NATO.  And your own economy and military in shambles.  He's a real genius, just like we've been told many times!

This is great tip. It vastly improved some northern Apennines maps I've been working on. Thanks!
 

Welcome and enjoy!
 

Its a bit ironic that people are demanding the game code be opened when so many don't bother to try the game tools that are available. If you're bored learn how to create proper AI orders sets to direct AI opponent forces in attack or defense. Learn how to build proper maps. Give the community some 3rd party scenarios set in Berlin or with Americans' backs to the Rhine, or hiding in the spa town of Baden-Baden. The game editor is 2/3rds the fun of having the game! Before you ask for 'more' first make use of what you've got. 

In the scenario editor, I'd like to have an "Unrestricted" option in the field for date and region (and any other restricting option), so that all services, nations, formations, specialist teams, vehicles and whatnot appear and can be selected in the main screen when choosing units for a fictional scenario.
In this way you don't have to go back and forth a million times to get French troops to fight in Northern Italy, for example, or that special vehicle, or airborne or Kriegsmarine unit you want for your scenario. Not everyone of us is a TOE expert.
(Sorry if this has been mentioned already. Repetita iuvant, we say)

In the scenario editor, I'd like to have an "Unrestricted" option in the field for date and region (and any other restricting option), so that all services, nations, formations, specialist teams, vehicles and whatnot appear and can be selected in the main screen when choosing units for a fictional scenario.
In this way you don't have to go back and forth a million times to get French troops to fight in Northern Italy, for example, or that special vehicle, or airborne or Kriegsmarine unit you want for your scenario. Not everyone of us is a TOE expert.
(Sorry if this has been mentioned already. Repetita iuvant, we say)

In the scenario editor, I'd like to have an "Unrestricted" option in the field for date and region (and any other restricting option), so that all services, nations, formations, specialist teams, vehicles and whatnot appear and can be selected in the main screen when choosing units for a fictional scenario.
In this way you don't have to go back and forth a million times to get French troops to fight in Northern Italy, for example, or that special vehicle, or airborne or Kriegsmarine unit you want for your scenario. Not everyone of us is a TOE expert.
(Sorry if this has been mentioned already. Repetita iuvant, we say)

Hello, 
Just wanted to let those that might be interested my campaign ‘Operation Undergo -Gris Nez’ has been finally released! It has been uploaded to the scenario depot and its ready to be downloaded (link is below). I have included some information too as to what it is about and basic requirements. 
What do I need: CM:BN, CW, Market Garden and Vehicle Pack.
What forces will I command? 2 Canadian Infantry Battalions, Squadron of Sherman Tanks, 1 Troop of Churchill Crocodile, Petard and Sherman Flails (not all in the same battle do not worry 😉). And a tonne of artillery!  
How is it meant to be played: Player (Canada) vs German AI 
What size battles can I expect? About company strength for the most part. A third of the campaign is set at commanding battalion strength. 
Type of maps: Typically reminiscent of the Calais region. Rolling hills, semi open, semi bocage semi woodland.  
Historical or not: Semi-Historical
How long is it? 10 or 11 battles 
When does it take place: September ’44. 
What do I get with it? 
- Northern Master Map 
- Southern Master Map
- 25 page Campaign Design Booklet PDF including OOB
- Picture of Battalion Company movements (was not able to include this in campaign briefing although it is useful for reference)  
- Campaign Progression Tables (Battle order) 
Has it been tested? Yes. I have only been able to find people that have been in a position to try the first and second battles respectively – everything thereafter I have tested myself. I have gone through it fully about 7 or 8  times now and feel it is at a point for release. 

Those that are familiar with the history of Undergo, particularly at Gris Nez will know roughly what to expect. I should mention this my first campaign that I have designed, and as such it does therefore commit some absolute cardinal sins over what really makes an effective engaging campaign, which I have learned from. That being said, if you want a campaign which follows the actions at Gris Nez as accurately as I could get them, well your about to experience the often-forgotten battles for the coastal garrisons in September of 1944.
And finally…some pictures….  






Has it put you off from making more campaigns: Absolutely not? Working on the next one already. 
 
Download link: CMBN CW: Operation Undergo – Gris Nez (thefewgoodmen.com)

@BFCElvis (shh, shh, let me get in the action, too. Whisper, whisper, I do not want to rouse Steve’s Smaug-like wrath …)
I have a question. Is CMRT F&R going to sound the death knell for WW2 games from BF?
[Sigfried’s Funeral March starts in the background... ]
 
CMBN and CMFI are now both complete (correct?). Only one module will be added to CMFB soon enough (?).
We’ve been told in this thread and elsewhere in the past that BF has no interest in:
-          the early war period in the East, Barbarossa, Stalingrad or other operations in Russia, so CMRT seems to be done and dusted;
-          the early war period in the West (France 1940 and I’m assuming, Norway, Finland, Op. Anvil etc.),
-          Crete ’41, thus Greece, and I’m assuming northern Africa, so no CMAK remake in the works,
-          the Pacific war (in a reply to me years ago, this hasn't changed has it?),
-          any other theaters of Ops I'm forgetting?
 
Is this end of an era for Battlefront? No upcoming WW2 titles or modules in the near future (apart from F&R and the one CMFB module)?
 

Long-time Italian happy customer here, and I couldn't be happier with RtV and Gustav Line, but this is difficult news to digest. It is hard to believe that a CMRT: Barbarossa or Stalingrad module wouldn't be appreciated by the market.
Or even "Little Saturn". It would be little: only Hungarians, Romanians and Italians to add to the game. That's nothing compared to RtV

Glorious March to Victory, Final Post - "Like Tears in Rain"
Well big thank you to all who watched.  I figure I should stop leaving you all hanging, so we cease fired on the last turn (33 I believe).  Now take the end-screen with a grain of salt:

So first off there was a dumb double-accounting error for the Soviet side.  Basically the parameters were:
En Cas 50% = 50 VPs
En Condition 50% = 50 VPs
Dollbach Village = 100 VPs.
The error was the Soviets had another 100 VPs for having fewer than/better than 50% cas/cond, so I subtracted that because if we had paid attention Bil was above 50% too.  So the score was really 100 because I held the town.  (Note, also a small error in that his M150s were counted as tanks...a bug we noted for fixing)
The outstanding question is "could Bil have reduced me to 50% without going there himself"...that one is tougher.   So for Soviets:
215 men: lost 71 = 33%
17 Tanks: lost 10 = 58%
17 AFVs: lost 9 = 53%
For the US:
138 men: lost 56 = 40.5%
12 Tanks: lost 6 = 50%
17 AFVs (also counting his mortar carriers): Lost 6 = 35%
So this was by no stretch a "Total Victory", that was straight up on us for not checking the victory parameters.  I hold the village but given the drubbing I received in taking it, I am not sure I can put a statue up in Red Square for this either.  Add to this the fact I started with a lot more men and tanks, it starts to push the whole thing into Draw territory to my mind.  
Now Bil had much better arty, had air (I had none) and EW which made my arty next to useless without TRPs (which I did not have) so there is that.  And my starting position was not the best but it is a poor craftsman that blames the workbench.  
I will let you all judge for yourselves.  Regardless, was a helluva fight, the kind that comes around only every so often,  and we are all working to get you guys a chance at it yourselves soon enough.
 

Thank you all sincerely and you are very welcome.  I am very glad people got enjoyment out of this. 
Once the game is released I will post the scenario so you guys can take a run at your own stories (someone remind me if I forget).
We will do up a final post-game once Bil finishes up his final turns.  I see many congrats at "my victory", I am kinda split here because 1) Of course the glorious forces of the Soviet Union were victorious in crushing the corrupt capitalists, but 2) in reality...when the commissar is not looking, this was pretty much a Draw in my books.   You guys can be the judge when the numbers go up but neither side is doing much with what is left on the board, Soviets do hold the objective but we failed to achieve any real breakout, breakthroughs or overwhelm the US forces.  The only good news is that there is probably another dozen Soviet outfits like the one I just lost behind me.  
But does winning or losing really matter (*duh, of course it does, it is why they keep score*)?  A game well played between two old friends as we enter our autumn years (Bil is on the doorstep of winter) is the best reward in itself. 
 
 

Great to see you back too!
If you still have energies after all this work and you ever decide to make an Italian partisan mod for CMFI I might be able to help with the voices and text

Back to the topic:
- ability to swap crews between vehicles, tanks especially
- ability to acquire ammo from another (disabled) tank
- ability to (re)man guns after they've been abandoned by the same or another crew
 

Back to the topic:
- ability to swap crews between vehicles, tanks especially
- ability to acquire ammo from another (disabled) tank
- ability to (re)man guns after they've been abandoned by the same or another crew
 

Thanks for these rules! Excellent.
For my purposes, I'll be using the following to make scenarios vs. the AI more challenging in WeGo.
In a nutshell:
- No area fire unless in command and HQ has LOS to area
- No movement outside LOS area unless in command
- Scouting teams excepted
Back in the day when playing CMx1 games there was something called Franko' Rules (I think) that, among other things, limited your view to level 1 (ground level) when plotting moves and level 7 (eagle's eye) to be used as if it were a physical map, forbidding all other viewing levels since they are impossible in RL.
I sometimes tried to use them but often sent vehicles harmlessly wandering in various directions and ended up with a headache!
     

In addition to those mentioned above, one (small) advantage I can think of is that multiple (infinite?) installs are now possible on as many PCs as you like and you no longer need to worry about how many licenses you have left if you have "fried" four PCs in a row during the year. Is that correct?
A (small) disadvantage I can think of is that if you use Steam in online mode you will only be able to play the game on one PC at a time. It may be an issue if, for example, one of your family members (my son for me) is using a CM game with a shared family account. You will be thrown out of your game. The workaround is to use Steam in offline mode, of course. But if a multi-player, co-play version ever comes about it will be a major issue (well at least in my family )