Ivanov

I'm actually disappointed with this one. It's supposed to be Eastern Front 1943-45, yet of 240 pages 200 are dedicated to 1943. Also, as usually is the case with historical books, there are very few maps, so it's difficult to follow the narrative. That's why I value to Campaigns series of Osprey Publishing - there are enough maps, so you actually know what you are reading about.

The Chernova Hirka map looks cool. I will take a look

Currently in CMBS, a company size force works fine with the biggest maps available. But there are no maps big enough to reasonably accommodate a battalion size forces.

Weapons are definitely less deadly in WW2 games but IMO it actually helps to enjoy the gameplay, at least in my case. Modern warfare is so unforgiving, that it becomes frustrating at times. With increased weapon range and lethality, the BS maps are just too small for modern combat.

Quick points on the missile defence installations in Poland and Romania. In theory they are supposed to protect the European Allies from the potential attack from the Middle East area. Poland wants to host missile defence because it just wants to have ANY kind of permanent US military installation on it's territory ( you may guess why ). As to Russian objections - it's not because Russians believe that this tinny missile defence could prevent a massive retaliation against the US. They claim, that with some alterations, those SM-3 launchers can be also equipped with offensive missiles. I'm not an expert on this subject, but I've heard some US expert who confirmed it. Given the slightly paranoid world view of Mr. Putin, I'm pretty sure he believes, that it's the real purpose behind the missile defence in Central Europe.

It will be very comprehensive upgrade, with vast improvement to the interior's ergonomics. SEPv2: SEPv3 However from what I've heard, the new additional armor, is by all means on the table. Check out the video about 0.57 sec:

I'd happily consume anything related to Easter Front, regardless the period of the war. IMO the problem with the 1944/45, is that some talented modder, could already easily make the late war scenarios based on the current CMRT. I can't think of any significant new hardware, that is not already present in the RT. Granted, you could model further decline of German capabilities by adding some cannon fodder formations like Volkssturm, but that's about it. Early war seems to me potentially more exciting in terms of the new ( old ) equipment, that we haven't yet seen in the present module.

Note the weights on the turret. They simulate the additional armor. Good, old Abrams is going to get even fatter

BTR-4 is in service with Ukrainian army ( National Guard ) but in very small numbers, plus it's plagued with technical problems.

Well, it took my Tiger I five shots to penetrate the front armor of IS-2 ( but from a greater distance ). If I'm not mistaken, Panther front armor is really thick but if you managed to outflank it, a shoot from the side would probably disable it immediately. Manouver is much more potent on battlefield than mere caliber of your main gun

Is it? Is Ukrainian army lavishly equipped with modern ATGMs like Stugnas ( Skifs ) or is the BTR-4 main Ukrainian APC? Also as you said, most of the players pick Oplots as their tank of choice. This is very far from reality, but it doesn't matter since CMBS features a fictional conflict. People like seeing new equipment in the game and I think some potential future hardware would be a nice addition. For the record, I like playing using less optimal stuff: T-64, 9M113, no APS on tanks

Are you talking about the UAV? Here's some info from the manufacturers website: http://wb.com.pl/warmate-en/?lang=en

Ukrainian army from the game, doesn't have much in common with the reality. It's kind of "what if", or best case version of Ukrainian forces. I don't see why the devs couldn't include potentially interesting equippment in some hypothetical CMBS expansion

But ERA blocks look kind of ridiculous on it.

Ukrainians have shown some of their new military equipment. Worth keeping in mind for the next CMBS module BMP-1 modification: Dozor B Stugna-P Warmate - Polish "sucide drone"

Some great tips here. Thank you guys!

I'm starting the Soviet campaign and the briefing states, that I should breach the minefields. Can the sappers actually detect the mines? How should I accomplish this?

+1

I think you could do almost anything you want with the CM2 engine. Current RT reflects engagements during the Bargration offensive, which was even bigger, than the Operation Citadel. The whole notion that it were hundreds of tanks rolling through the steppes, is a myth to a large degree. It was always down to a series of smaller engagements. It think it would be even possible to reflect the battle of Prokhorovka as a small campaign of few scenarios. Also, the battle of Ponyri or the defensive actions of Model on the northern front would look very interesting in CM2.

Including the Axis minors on the Eastern Front would only make sense in the context of early war The Romanians and Italians made significant contributions prior to 1943. By late 1944 Romania was already fighting on the Allied side.

I'm definitely going to try the Stalingrad MOD. From what I've seen, it looks absolutely gorgeous! As to the future of Eastern Front titles, I'd be also happy to play the campaign in East Prussia or Berlin - they are rarely represented in the wargaming. But let's face it - people want to see new vehicles and check how they fare against each other. I'd be super happy if I could launch T-34 or KV-1 against Panzer 38 or BT-7 against Panzer III. I'm also pretty sure, that CM Barbarossa would be a hit from the commercial point of view. It's just a pity that the best dev teams have such a small manpower and they are able to release the new titles only at very modest pace...

If that's the case, it's not exactly early war. on the Eastern Front.. In terms of equipment the 1944/45 wouldn't be much different from the current Red Thunder.

Are there any plans to release further CM Eastern Front titles? I'd love to see earlier war, with less top tier equipment: earlier versions of Panzers IV, III, II or Panzers 38 and on the Soviet side T-26, BT-7. Admittedly, overall the Soviets performed quite poorly during that period but there are plenty of interesting engagements, that would look very interesting in the scale of CM2 engine. Earlier in the war, the Germans had real difficulties dealing with T-34's or KV's whenever they were encountered and I'd love to relive that experience. My number one would be the fighting during October of 1941 and the battles of Mtsensk, Borodino and the Mozhaisk defense line. It were probably some of the most decisive engagements of the war and they were also extremely interesting from the tactical point of view, that could be perfectly reflected by the CM2 engine.

One of the guys from the photo above. Destroyed Luhansk airport terminal in the background.

Some new pics of T-90 after the capture of Luhansk airport by the seps in September 2014.