Rinaldi

Interestingly, there's been two schools of thought on Kriegspiel since pretty much the beginning. One is a more regimented, rules-based approach, with tables and measurement, and the other a more freeform, adjudicated version - rules-light, but using an arbiter to allow for much greater freedom of action.

Free Kriegspiel is in many ways the progenitor of roleplaying games, and certainly of the Engel Matrix games used for professional modelling.

From my latest blog post, read it here: https://rinaldiaars.blogspot.com/2022/01/encountering-unexpected-resistance-one.html
 

Meantime 'Down Under.'

Recently completed a PBEM in which I was playing Soviets against USA, with an interesting force mix (1979, no T-64s).
Can't say too much about the details yet because it's part of a tournament and some matches still ongoing, but imo it certainly showed me what tactics can work for the USSR if you have some decent numbers.
Anyway I tried to mix some of the things I picked up in the USSR tutorials (and earlier reading) in my game. Worked quite well, although I adapted some things to the situation and my own preference/ideas.
Anyway keeping up the pressure all the time while closing the distance moving from position to position in force, committing all forces together as much as possible; especially in the final brawl and coordinated with artillery etc, did work out quite well (albeit bloody).
What certainly wouldn't have worked out good was long range sniping / shoot & scoot from hull down, committing platoons at a time while keeping others in overwatch.
It probably would have gotten some results, but I'd be playing in the hands of the USA forces which were just better suited for such a play.
 

From my latest blog post, read it here: https://rinaldiaars.blogspot.com/2022/01/encountering-unexpected-resistance-one.html
 

From my latest blog post, read it here: https://rinaldiaars.blogspot.com/2022/01/encountering-unexpected-resistance-one.html
 

From my latest blog post, read it here: https://rinaldiaars.blogspot.com/2022/01/encountering-unexpected-resistance-one.html
 

The mechanics are working as intended (actually, better than they did in CMSF 1, where the AI couldn't as easily make use of them).

- Civilian Density cloaks Combatants, not Fighters. This includes Spies, combatant triggermen and VBIED.

- Density settings basically act as "how close can you get". Maximum settings are very close - perhaps a tile distance between the units (8-16m). Actual spotting distance seems to be more than a flat value, so it probably has some factor based on experience of spotted and possibly the Combatant. VBIED get some degree of cloaking, but they are much easier to spot than Combatants on foot.


- Quick and Move seem to behave identically. This is the major departure from CMSF 1, where Quick would expose your forces. Since the AI defaults to Quick, that meant that the AI couldn't move them whilst cloaked in CMSF 1.

- Shooting, or doing something like deploying a crew served weapon, will expose your troops, as well as straying too close.



Basically: Combatants, if told to hold fire, can use the implied crowd of civilians to get extremely close.

Fighters can't hide themselves, but they tend to have better soft factors and have access to better equipment.

If you're intending to put together scenarios or play them in QBs, you can use a mix of Combatants as your forward elements to gain information and ambush from close range, whilst using Fighters as your main line, supporting or reserve force, to make better use of their equipment and enthusiasm.

 

No it's the October crossroads assault in Holland and best of my knowledge hasn't been recreated by anyone in the community in CMFB. Not sure it would be the best scenario being a bit of a one sided turkey shoot. Would be interesting if in game you could have the pixeltruppen of Capt Winters alone firing shots at the German company in the game without the German TacAI gunning him down in two seconds.  

An infantry company clear a wooded hill of German stragglers after a heavy smoke barrage...

...and manage to catch a retreating squad in the flank.

One wonders whether The Bullingdon Buffoon plays CM. Sorry, how could I be so stupid, he's too busy dreaming up porkies.

Small armoured group tasked with reccing the main body’s avenue of approach takes a tactical pause in a small unnamed (on their map) Polish village.


 

A cautious move along the main road and an observation halt is taken  - the tank commander cautiously scanning the surrounding terrain for any signs of enemy activity.


 
Enemy activity is spotted in the next village overlooking a key bridge. An SPW zug, over watched by their armour, make a swift dash cross-country to a small ford to outflank the enemy position. 
 

They cross the ford without incident.

 

Was a weekend warrior once many moons and waist widths ago. Enjoyed the work, loved the regiment; detested the wider culture. 

Was a weekend warrior once many moons and waist widths ago. Enjoyed the work, loved the regiment; detested the wider culture. 

Well it is quite well known and documented that Panther / Tiger / King Tiger etc had reliability issues, from hasted development, lack of spareparts, etc. Not only from German reports, but for example France tested out quite a few after the war.
Also, I think those 'shocking' revelations about T-34 aren't really exclusive. I didn't watch the video, but for example IIRC it is well known that T-34 could not go more than couple hundred KM before 'breakdown' / repairs needed. Also, what is 'the' T-34. There have been quite some variants with improvements. 
Whatever the video said, It still was a good enough tank for what it needed to do. And given that there are plenty around I'm quite sure that almost all that is to be known about m was already known. It's not an uber tank and has its flaws. Still Germany thought it was good enough to develop the Panther on the same concept.  The Panther is widely regarded as one of the best / best medium tank designs from WW2.
This video seems a bit like warming up old soup, throwing in some fresh spice and selling the funky taste as 'something you never tasted before'. 

Come on, Rinaldi! It's bloody brilliant! 

Funny thing is I'm about to replay Feierabend this weekend, since the wife is abroad. Rinaldi's impressive AAR will make this battle even more enjoyable. 
Excellent stuff, Rinaldi and great screenshots.

Some shots from a singleplayer run through of Feierabend. I'd highly recommend it. Read about it here: https://rinaldiaars.blogspot.com/2022/01/feierabend-aar.html
I tried something a bit more narrative, because I forgot I cannot write creatively to save my life. 

Now messing up the pristine Polish countryside...

Been rather slow over the festive period so hopefully pick back up.

I certainly hope so, knowledge is supposed to be power after all. Fortifications may frustrate that idea somewhat!
Yes, that's correct. I've been sticking to the two sections of 3" I have and husbanding the heavier stuff for now. 
I don't have hard and fast rules, I generally use harass/long when I'm denying an area or am trying to destroy a fixed target with a weapon that is prone to heavy/rapid barrel heating (e.g: Soviet 152s). Slower rates of fire generally keep accuracy high with those kinds of weapons. I've been using medium/quick and light/shorts thus far, so they've been fairly heavy point fires. This mission profile is based on the facts that the 3" don't heat up fast, keep a fairly small dispersion, have relatively small bombs, and the enemy is dug in, etc. 
I generally take 3" on map myself when I have the chance, and for much the same reason as you. There's also always the chance for direct-lay fire, especially with combat on this scale and you can never go wrong with that. Alas, the arty is all off map on my end. 

1800-1801
The OP established by the crew from the immobilised armoured car continues to show itself valuable. They have identified yet another Panther moving east (my left), near point 205.2. Undoubtedly, this cat is moving to take up a battle position in anticipation of parrying a thrust on that flank. I believe it is not too great a leap of logic that the Cromwell I lost last turn has prompted this movement. I am happy for him to run his assets all over his interior lines in penny-packets in reaction to every move I make - asides from providing me with great intel it may provide me with some opportunities as the distance closes. 
This same OP (and, more alarmingly, a tank!) spot...the monster.

A Pak-43, a dedicated 88mm anti-tank gun, a rare beastie. It's sat in a trench right on the forward edge of Obj "TOM", near a hedge. I am not sure what allowed us to spot it, I hadn't taken any fire this turn from that location. My best guess is that this was the culprit opening fire a few turns ago on the cruiser tanks snaking their way forward on the right. If so, that was a very costly break in fire discipline on Draper's part. Sadly, the OP doesn't have permission to call for fires; but one of the platoon leaders from the trailing vehicles will likely be aware of this gun soon and will set up an observation post to direct fires. 
The cruiser tank who spotted it is, I presume, in mortal peril and is ordered to fall back into better cover during the command phase. 
1801-1802
More Panthers this turn - 3, all moving behind point 205.2. 

They are tracked for some time before sight is lost of them in some trees. They are clearly heading towards Obj "TOM." What their final position will be is, at this time, a mystery to me. 

The carrier section's dismounts have waded the first tributary with nary a shot fired. Farm 001 and its environs remains silent.

On the right, No. 6 Platoon's commander from B Coy has gotten word of the Pak43 and has dismounted to call for some fires on it. He should be in position next turn. 

Comments:
It's taking a while for this superb intel being gathered by the dismounted armoured car crew to disseminate across the formation. This isn't surprising given how tenuous their C2 links is presently with their section leader and platoon leader. I desperately want to firm up that C2 link, but cannot risk moving the section or troop leader, or really spare them as they are covering the movement of the vulnerable Dingoes are present time. I'd love to start using my intel advantage to start nipping at the Panther's heels, or trying to organise co-ordinated direct fires on the known AT positions, but patience is the by-word for now. 
Draper's fire discipline has, so far in my view, been pretty poor. I know that target arcs can be a double-edged sword, as @IanL is fond of saying, but I really can't stress their importance enough. He's given away a lot for, so far, very little return. All as a result of dicey engagements at extended range. 
1802-1803
C Company, on the left, begins motoring up to the woods (the same one the carrier leader set an OP up in) to debus and begin fording the river. I keep them light and do not take any further ammo or the PIATs, confident that the remaining three tanks can effectively protect them for now. 

The column is a bit strung out so there are still half tracks filing in even now. 
The Panthers continue their laborious movements up towards Obj TOM, and we catch fleeting glimpses of them as they move through and behind a small tree line. 
On the right, a Cruiser in cover near point 193.1 suddenly spots a Puma in the West village. It takes a shot and misses, low. The Puma appears unaware. As the turn ends, it is aiming a follow-up shot; range is 675m. 

Further behind, near point 207.8, No. 6 Platoon's leader has called for fire on the Pak43's position - ETA 8 minutes. Notice he does, in fact, have the ? contact on the position - once word reaches the regimental HQ it rapidly spreads out to both the tankers and infantrymen, as the Colonels are grouped together presently in a command post. 

 
***
Bahahaha

Some shots from a singleplayer run through of Feierabend. I'd highly recommend it. Read about it here: https://rinaldiaars.blogspot.com/2022/01/feierabend-aar.html
I tried something a bit more narrative, because I forgot I cannot write creatively to save my life. 

Some shots from a singleplayer run through of Feierabend. I'd highly recommend it. Read about it here: https://rinaldiaars.blogspot.com/2022/01/feierabend-aar.html
I tried something a bit more narrative, because I forgot I cannot write creatively to save my life. 

Some shots from a singleplayer run through of Feierabend. I'd highly recommend it. Read about it here: https://rinaldiaars.blogspot.com/2022/01/feierabend-aar.html
I tried something a bit more narrative, because I forgot I cannot write creatively to save my life. 

Some shots from a singleplayer run through of Feierabend. I'd highly recommend it. Read about it here: https://rinaldiaars.blogspot.com/2022/01/feierabend-aar.html
I tried something a bit more narrative, because I forgot I cannot write creatively to save my life.