Bud Backer

I struggle greatly with balancing simplicity versus giving sufficient information.

Just so that no one is confused I'll mention two things:

1) The Germans start all in the Wood Lot. The Americans all start in the Southern Wood.

2) If you know Operation Cobra, you might wonder why the Germans are in the north and Americans in the south. This is because this small German unit fled overwhelming forces and ended up choosing a direction it saw no enemy forces in. In a sense, its enabled it's own encirclement in that it's now been bypassed by Allied forces and hence, the Americans are approaching from what would normally be the German direction of retreat. As the map and text reference the compass I wanted to clarify why the Americans are on "the wrong end" of the map, so to speak.

Some time ago I began my first foray into the editor to see what it worked like. I made a map, the smallest size possible (208m x 208m) and tried to give it a realistic, inhabited appearance.
 
Kohlenklau and I have had a lot of fun battles that do not exploit the full points afforded by the Quick Battle generator. We decided to explore this little world I created, and see what happens if we limit points to 325 each, and show a chance encounter (meeting engagement in CMBN terms).
 
I've always had a hankering to do an AAR, but Bil Hardenberger really set the bar very high - and the work involved was quite daunting. The magic of the iPad and the software for photo editing and layout that is available for it encouraged me to try. I'll admit I had to resort to Photoshop a bit but this is otherwise entirely a product of CMBN, Kohl's and my battle, and the iPad.
 
Despite what seemed like a simpler course than following Bil's incredible work, I can tell you that for what is essentially a battle between two opposing platoons, it takes about a day of work per minute of battle to present to you what follows. It is shown from the German perspective, with the limitations and erroneous assumptions the man would be subject to. I do not write this with a global perspective because I don't know what Kohl is up to with his GIs.
 
What is a CAAR, you ask? A Comic After Action Report. Done as best as I can as if you're reading a comic book or graphic novel.
 
I hope you enjoy it.

Ok, I'll admit, the last one is just landscape porn

...one last shot of dear Marta.

Finally photobucket is agreeable to my uploads.
Here's "Marta".........

Which frankly I found annoying too. No one went into Bill's AAR and said "this is not as good as Pnzerldr's, you should change it" but several people felt entitled to do say that to Pnzerldr. That is not really constructive feedback. There is plenty of room for any style AAR that any one wants to make. If people want feed back to improve that's fine but I don't see the value in "I don't like this" comments. Constructive feed back would be things like "I think your AAR is missing the big picture" or "I was hoping for more terrain analysis".

Anyway I'm not really interested in a debate (lets have lots of different styles that way anyone who does not like this style can go read another AAR), I am however interested in this AAR so keep them coming.

As the "PM" that JoMc67 refers to...
 
Truth be told, I personally prefer Bil's more analytical approach to putting together an AAR. That's just my own style. But I saw that you were going with a more narrative-based form of storytelling with your own AAR, so I went with it and made some suggestions for how I thought you could improve it. I think you've done a really great job of it, and am really enjoying the story -- and the battle -- as it unfolds. Well done!!
 
JoMc67 -- it was clear that Bud was going for a comic-style narrative from the beginning, and we here on the forum have been giving him some suggestions on how to improve on that style. Different strokes, y'know?

Bud B,
  I'm really enjoying your AAR just like it is.  Your comic book style is great.
 
  When I did AARs for CMAK/CMBB and Panzer Command Ostfront I used quite a bit of character development fluff to round out the pixletruppen for the battles.  It seemed to make the action mean more to some of the readers and draw them into the battle on a personal level.  Others...meh...not so much.   
 
  Truth be told, I get the biggest kick out of seeing anyone's AARs, no matter if they are stories or clinical.  They are not easy to do in the first place, and even harder to do well.
 
  Geez, I love this game.
 
  Please, keep it up Bud.  Oh, yes, and your cliffhangers are killing me, haha.
 
Heinrich505

Yeah same here - great job.

Anyone is free to create their own AAR their own way. Hint hint.

I think he's doing a fine job.  
 
Totally engrossed Bud... keep going, this is a great AAR.

But, but, but I can only read comics. Real books are to hard

Seriously though, why not it is kinda cool way to do things and if he is having fun that's good right?

It's amazing what this game inspires!

Thank you. I felt it was important to label things without making it look too intrusive. One of the problems I had with AARs posted here was keeping myself oriented. I'd like the comic to be fully self-contained with no additional explanation required. Not that I mind questions, of course, I quite welcome any discussion this project brings.

Some time ago I began my first foray into the editor to see what it worked like. I made a map, the smallest size possible (208m x 208m) and tried to give it a realistic, inhabited appearance.
 
Kohlenklau and I have had a lot of fun battles that do not exploit the full points afforded by the Quick Battle generator. We decided to explore this little world I created, and see what happens if we limit points to 325 each, and show a chance encounter (meeting engagement in CMBN terms).
 
I've always had a hankering to do an AAR, but Bil Hardenberger really set the bar very high - and the work involved was quite daunting. The magic of the iPad and the software for photo editing and layout that is available for it encouraged me to try. I'll admit I had to resort to Photoshop a bit but this is otherwise entirely a product of CMBN, Kohl's and my battle, and the iPad.
 
Despite what seemed like a simpler course than following Bil's incredible work, I can tell you that for what is essentially a battle between two opposing platoons, it takes about a day of work per minute of battle to present to you what follows. It is shown from the German perspective, with the limitations and erroneous assumptions the man would be subject to. I do not write this with a global perspective because I don't know what Kohl is up to with his GIs.
 
What is a CAAR, you ask? A Comic After Action Report. Done as best as I can as if you're reading a comic book or graphic novel.
 
I hope you enjoy it.

That's very very useful to know. I may stop deleting them from the TO&E of my purchases in QB's!

Every few months I read a thread where C2 is discussed to include how best to use the XO team.  (Most of the time I use the XO as a medic).  It is often brought up if the XO team can take over from the CO.  So I thought it would be interesting to share the below screen shot where the CO was KIA and the XO takes command.
 

Yep. Higher Motivation will mean faster morale recovery, as well as the ability to continue functioning under greater pressure. Getting out of Rattled takes, as Hawkeye said, leaders and motivation, and I'll add time without negative experiences to that equation. Rattled -> Nervous takes a long time. Nervous -> OK much less. At least that's my overall impression, not having done any specific testing.
Given that your tank is still functioning, the +1 will affect its resistance to becoming a "morale casualty" in future turns. Far from irrelevant!