ChappyCanuck

Gee mj, I could marry you! lol

To all Canadian commanders who are not Canadian citizens: to prepare for your role you must... 1. eat as much bacon as you can 2. acquire a small, round piece of hard black rubber, make lots of ice cubes and put them on your lawn, and find a weird looking stick to hit the rubber black thing 3. Beaver is our national animal so go hunting after as much beaver as you can That should do it. Welcome aboard lol

honestly I didn't know about this forum.....I was on the other Ortona one! I see you have a sh#t ton of Canadian commanders already too!

look what I found! hello gang

Hey Bil. I asked Koh afterwards when we could read each others AAR and he said we could now, as it had little impact on the future. Feel free to read mine.

I decided to add some final thoughts about the battle, both problems and successes. It was a lopsided battle for sure, but campaigns can be like that, just like in real life. And that is what makes them interesting! Perhaps next battle with mjkerner I will be the underdog and he can get some payback My biggest problems in this battle were: 1. indirect fire - only once did I see a spotting round during the whole battle and therefore had only one fire mission (on that v-shaped trench near the main road). The terrain is mostly flat with no real elevation - just enough elevation along the roads to block LOS from field to field. Add to that the many trees lining the roads and the tall grasses and well...what spotting round? lol 2. slow infantry - still a beef of mine is no tank riders in the west....normally I would have had the infantry ride the tanks to the ford and dismount there. The Canadian Army fought from Sicily to the Netherlands, riding tanks constantly to battle, into battle, and during pursuit ops...and they weren't the only nation to do so. It's really difficult to keep up with the tanks. My infantry took a LONG time getting there, and when they did they were wet and tired. 3. finding a ford location - this was very deceptive. It looked like you could ford almost anywhere, but if you ran the cursor near the ford banks for this terrain, the cursor turns into a "no go" one for vehicles about 95% of the river's length. My tankers looked like they were drunk sometimes, spinning around aimlessly because they couldn't cross. That was my first lesson with fords! But, it all worked out well in the end. My successes were: 1. scouts - they identified some key enemy positions ahead of the main flanking assault, and so I was able to bring massive firepower to bear and make my life easier 2. long left flanking - I knew this was going to be a long and time consuming hike around, but it worked. I was able to spread out my tanks with lots of manoeuvre room, and together with the infantry I was able to keep the enemy flanked and on their toes 3. tanks, tanks, tanks Thanks for watching!

What a fun read! Koh said I could jump in here now and have a look from another perspective (I'm not cheating! lol). I enjoyed reading your analysis at the start about your setup. My AAR was a little more narrative, less analysis, as you will see. I was also a lot more conservative with screen shots. I usually included included 3 screen shots for every 2 minutes of action or so...when I try an AAR again I will include more. Congratulations on guessing my long left flanking...it appears we think the same. Both combat appreciations led to the same conclusions. Nice kill zone - I knew I was in it with one of my sections. Those fast firing 50mm mortars are killer accurate and killer deadly. I want some!!!! Who was the HQ guy in the 2nd story house that I nailed? I included a screenshot in my AAR showing it. He was knocked backwards. I had my share of characters within the action as well. They bring life to the AAR, IMO. Thanks for the battle mj...I had lots of fun figuring out what the hell you would do to me and with what. I would have been more aggressive had I known you were without AT guns...but that is a crystal ball I lack! That damn sniper.....lol

MIN 17 Capt Chappy watched as his forces pounded the village, the infantry entering the first building. And that is when the white flags began to appear. Thank God that one is over with...for now anyway...and I'm sure the next one is right around the corner. The surrender has been accepted and the campaign will move on to the next step. I hope everyone enjoyed the battle as much as I did. These are great fun. Thanks to Kohlenklau for creating/managing this campaign, and to mjkerner for being my skilled opponent! ChappyCanuck out.

Normally I wouldn't have rushed like that, but if he had a tank or AT gun he would have used it by now. I am careful to stay at least 30 meters away from infantry with their pesky panzerfausts. That leaves any pschrecks that he may have, and I am careful to fire at places he may be hiding any...but you never know

MIN 21-18 Capt Chappy moved his HG group to the main road. With his binoculars, he scanned the battlefield from left to right. On the far left, the assault pioneers had just succeeded in clearing the depth trench - the left flank is secure! To his immediate front, MacDougal's and MacIntosh's platoons were slowly creeping forward through the tall grass, looking for hidden Germans. They had already caught or killed several small groups of Germans. To his far front, Chappy noticed the cut off force of two tanks and a bren carrier. They were there to make sure no Germans escaped from the village. Presently those tanks were hosing the trenches down where the two AA guns used to be - they had already killed an HMG team there. Finally, Chappy scanned over to the right side where number 2 Platoon, led by Lt McNatt, was advancing on the village with two Shermans providing support fire. He watched as a corner house came crashing down, the victim of a barrage of 75mm shells. It was key to knock that house down because the house was a link between several wire obstacles. McNatt would now have another option to penetrate the village. 2 Platoon soldiers were just now assaulting to the stone wall at the edge of the village. Chappy looked at his watch. He still had 18 minutes left to achieve his mission before Sunray would be on his a$$. If things kept progressing as they had been, he believed the mission would be achievable in the allotted time. Commander's note: Below is an overhead shot of the battlefield with the icons. Hopefully that makes things a little more clear when you are trying to imagine where exactly things are.

MIN 23-21 Lt MacDougal watched his lead section assault across the main road into the enemy trench. There was no sounds of gunfire or grenade blasts when they entered the trench. "All clear! Just a bunch of dead Germans!" So the mortars and the firebase had done their job well. It was always a good sign when an attack occurs on the dead and dying. Lt Mackintosh was 3 Platoon Commander, and it was he and his men who had been trying to keep up with those damn tanks for the last half hour. His men were wet from crossing the ford and they were tired from chasing the metal monsters. However, they were now at their objective: the main road. It was his mission to secure the road as well as provide covering fire for the attack on the village. He ordered a section to cross the road and check the tall grass field on the other side. As his men were moving slowly across the road, three small groups of Germans were exposed and began to shoot at various targets. Mackintosh noticed Jeremy's tank engage one small group of Germans...some died...some ran...and some surrendered. His men saw the new threats and also began to return fire. How many more Germans were hiding in this damn tall grass? Sgt Hennessey was still shaking, yet relieved, about destroying that German HQ. However, Jeremy wanted his and MacAlister's tank to push on - there were sounds of mortar fire straight ahead and they needed to be dealt with immediately. His tank pushed on at average speed towards the next road running perpendicular to his front. This road was also slightly elevated, providing dead ground behind it. As his tank and MacAlister's crested the road, the two small mortar teams were exposed. The MGs opened fire, ripping into those mortar crews. Payback for what they did to Cpl Nathan. As the tanks pounded the village with their main guns, Capt Chappy was wondering just how much more the Germans could take this kind of punishment?

Wow! When I open the game in "desktop" resolution, the start up and intro screens are very small. But as soon as you load a game, it goes to full screen and the graphics are even better than before. I am really blown away by this iMac, can you tell?

I tried this but it makes the game screen very small on my 27" screen

Thanks Bud. I tried widescreen mode to no avail. The graphics are amazing on this beast...maybe I'm just used to looking at the tanks another way

My girlfriend and I laughed so hard when I read this to her. She said, "He sounds just like you!" thanks for the chuckle!

MIN 25-23 Sgt Jameson was sweating bullets as the turret traversed left. "Come on....come on..." And suddenly, there he was: a lone sniper hiding in the undergrowth, and he had just used his last grenade to immobilise the Sherman. The sound of the turret MG with its beautiful tracer trails was a massive relief. The rounds smacked into the prone sniper. Game over: Jameson and his crew had survived another brush with death. He looked over his rear shoulder and noticed a scout team coming alongside to give his crew some much needed protection. "All right guys....time to get out the wrenches and get this tread fixed." Lt Kuderian's gunner adjusted the 75mm, just a little, to engage the other 20mm AA gun in depth. The high explosive round impacted just where he wanted it, and the 3rd and hopefully final AA gun was destroyed. "Guinness on me O'Reilly! That was some fine shooting. Well done." Capt Chappy just received the news that the pioneer section occupying the enemy trench, had come under mortar fire, and that the section leader, Cpl Nathan, had been killed. Chappy had known Nathan well, as they had grown up in the same town. "Bloody hell." A handful of the company had become casualties this day and that was unfortunately inevitable. The Germans had been fighting a skillful withdrawal since Normandy, and today was no exception. Obstacles, minefields, kill zones - these were all used by the Germans with much skill. Task Force Chappy had the firepower advantage on this day for sure, but there were always casualties. On a positive note, he just noticed two bren gun carriers and their scouts off to the far left, crashing across the road and engaging the 81mm mortar in the trench beyond. That should take care of that bloody mortar. When does the bloody sun come up? Lt Jeremy had lost Jameson's tank for the time being, but at least everyone was safe. And now it was time for the proverbial cavalry charge across the main road and engage the enemy from his rear. Sgt Hennessey's tank was was the first one to smash through both fences and cross the main road into the field on the other side. He watched as Hennessey's turret traversed to the right rear, while on the fly, and with one well placed round, a German 3-man HQ was eliminated. "Yes! Take that Huns!" Chappy's entire flanking force had almost reached the main road (and some had actually bounced across it). Already the tanks were acting as the new firebase, engaging targets in depth and in the village. That original German trench near the main road was still not captured, but those AA guns were now gone, and the HMG that was firing on the assaulting platoon was being engaged by a tank. It was time for Lt MacDougal to carry on with the assault and secure that trench. Chappy looked to his right: the firebase platoon was engaging some enemy in the houses while the two firebase tanks were moving into position. (Below: note the German from an HQ team getting blown backwards by MG fire) Commanders note: These last two minutes were crucial to Allied success. 3 x AA guns were eliminated, an HQ team destroyed, and the 81mm mortar is virtually toast. And luck was on my side as the immobilised tank survived that close assault. Except for some of my slow foot slogging infantry, I have gained my objectives along the main road (and punched through) and now my flanking force becomes the firebase force. They are engaging targets in depth and enemy in and around the houses. The final phase of this assault is about to begin, with my original firebase force becoming the new assault force. They have one platoon, 2 x tanks, sniper team and are being supported by the mortars (both mortars have fire missions in progress on/near the village. I am concerned about the wire obstacles virtually surrounding the village, but there are gaps. And my tanks will make holes if they have to.

To all iMac users out there! I just purchased an iMac yesterday and it is stunning how much difference the graphics are from my 2011 MacBook Pro. It's like a different game. I put shadows on, highest detail of vehicles/trees etc and it flowed smoothly on even the largest of battles. I am totally impressed. I do have a question. I have been playing around with the resolution and some other details in the options menu. Some resolutions/settings make the vehicles look a little flatter, or the screen seems stretched a bit. What do you think is the best resolution setting and other options? Thanks!

I knew those lads were good with a wrench!

MIN 27-25 L/Cpl O'Neill and his scout team jumped into the German trench - protection at last. The twisted metal remains of a 20mm AA gun lay near the trench, along with its decimated crew. He could hear the gunning motor of two bren carriers coming up behind him. He knew his scout officer was in one, the bearded assault pioneers in the other. The main road was right in front of him; a quick run across the road to the other side would hopefully reveal that German mortar in a trench... Lt Jeremy had given the order for his troop to advance. The Shermans crashed through a fence line, seeking enemy soldiers, and more importantly, a fix on those two AA guns behind the village. As Jamieson's tank crashed through the fence line, from out of nowhere a German potato masher grenade flew to the left side of his tank. As he ducked down in the hatch, Jamieson heard the loud bang of the grenade, and the immediate halt of his tank. The tread had been severed, his tank immobilised. Where were they?? Our soldiers had just been by here! The stark realisation that he and his crew were in big trouble, hit him suddenly. "Traverse turret left!!!!" The whirring noise of the turret motor was like the sound of angels at this moment. Everything seemed to be in slow motion. He raised his head up through the hatch...he knew they were there somewhere. Lt Kuderian's troop was split in two and he didn't like that. He had to leave two tanks in the firebase, leaving only his tank and two others for the flanking drive. He saw Jeremy's troop begin to advance, and that was his notice to get his half troop moving ASAP. Kuderian's driver manoeuvred the tank towards the main road. The assaulting platoon to his right was MacDougal's, and he could see they were being engaged by those damn AA guns. The platoon had good cover along the road verge, but the fire was coming steady and more accurate as the seconds ticked on. "Driver, slightly right!" The Sherman angled right while on the move. As the tank cleared some trees, Kuderian noticed the AA guns. "Halt! Gunner traverse right! AA guns in trenches! Give 'em hell!" His gunner was one of the best in the regiment, and no sooner did the Sherman rock to a halt, when Kuderian saw the muzzle flash of the main gun. He watched the round impact near the closest AA gun, dropping some of the crew. "Scratch that gun! Engage second gun in depth!"

Ian, I totally agree with close assaulting a tank...100%. But, obviously, I am also in favour of a tank close assaulting infantry or light vehicles like jeeps or trucks. Whether that can be done or not in computer terms, I really have no clue. It's just something that I have noticed that is missing from the game...much like western force tank riders, or Wasps, ahem. No collision detection in the code explains a lot. I have no skills in computer jargon and code, etc, so I need guys like you to spell this out for me

Yes that game was wonky, but like the SL/ASL boardgames, it provided a means for an AFV to conduct an up close and personal overrun....with my CM example listed above (and many others) there just doesn't seem to be a good solution for that event happening

Yes Bud, that movie ending was as outlandish as they come!

mj, I am sure you have at least one surprise for me

Does anyone remember the "Close Combat" Microsoft computer game series in the 1990's? In that game, you could drive your AFVs and heavy vehicles over soldiers and kill them. It was a tactic that was important in....close combat! I always wondered why you cannot do this in CM? I played a battle not long ago, and my monster Jagdpanther was counterattacking through smoke. It ended up moving through and onto the enemy soldiers, who just laid there casually and lobbed grenades until the TD was immobilised and then destroyed. It was really lame. Normally those infantry would have been crushed or running in terror. Has there ever been any discussion about this? I, for one, would like to see this implemented so that an AFV in close combat can be a deadly thing Cheers

MIN 28-27 L/Cpl O'Neill was in command of his 3-man scout team, and it was his job to get information on the far left flank. He and his men were slowly advancing through some brush and bushes, trying to be as quiet as possible, when he heard some metallic gun noises - large guns - and the chatter of German voices in the semi-dark. Suddenly, two enemy soldiers were running past his front, mere meters away. The sten gun chattered to life in his hands and one of the Germans fell screaming to the ground, clutching his wounds. The other immediately threw his gun down, thrust hands in the air, fell to his knees and yelled, "Surrender!" in barely passable English. O'Neill saw another German running from the trench where the tanks were engaging it with HE and MG fire; his bren gunner dropped him quickly with a burst through his abdomen. These were gun crews, and O'Neill was close to the prize... L/Cpl Barclay heard Lt MacDougal yell, "Go! Go! Go!" and so 3 section began the assault towards the German HQ trench. Mortar fire was finally coming down on top of the trench, and Barclay also noticed the small smokescreen that was intended to give his boys some cover. There was a small rise on the verges of the main road, which would also offer protection during the assault to the trench. Barclay heard the deep rattle of the .50 cal to his rear, firing over his head, the rounds impacting in and around the trench to his front. With all of this covering fire, surely taking the trench would be a matter of lobbing some grenades and running across the road. Barclay and his half section ran forward, breathing hard from the sudden exertion and frayed nerves. As they neared the verge, one of his soldiers tripped and smashed into Barclay, knocking him sideways into the path of the .50 cal tracer fire. One of the huge rounds tore through his leg, carrying on into the torso of the soldier who knocked him down. Barclay screamed in immense pain, and before he passed out, yelled, "Hawkins! Take over!" Capt Chappy was pleased with the course of the attack so far. His valuable scout teams had located some key German positions, and these were now being subjected to heavy firepower. Soon, Lt Jeremy's and Lt Kuderian's tanks would charge forward and mete out the knock out punch....unless Jerry had some surprises up his sleeve...