Rinaldi

Blatantly borrowing from @Bil Hardenberger's blog to practice some scenario creation and pound the podium a bit...some screens:



Read it here: https://rinaldiaars.blogspot.com/2021/12/combat-mission-as-visual-aid-bringing.html

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

Let's continue.
1756-1757
Nothing terribly exciting to report this turn. So lets fill some white space with my comments. Here's a general overview of things. 

Been a bit of a creeping start, hasn't it? The deliberate pace has netted me some decent intel though  - for example the dismounted carrier HQ has already reported light vehicle contact on OBJ Tom, likely audio, from his position. Perhaps a prime over for an ATG, or a supply vehicle?
We're reaching on both routes the approach of final cover and it's time to begin transitioning to a bounding overwatch. With the Cromwells closing up behind the recce even now this will provide some much needed 'oomph' to the tactic. 
1757-1758
The dismounted armoured car crew spot yet another Panther motoring past point 192.4 towards W Village. He's pouring quite a few forces into this area. Amazingly this OP is still in C2 range (visual/long) of its HQs so it will be able to relay this info, albeit slowly, without having to displace as I first feared.
Unfortunately despite the wall of steel deploying in front of this thrust I need to continue to probe it if only to obscure my final intentions. I am already accepting that I am going to suffer the loss of the recce section and at least half the tank platoon - not willingly, but we must be realistic about the price of these interim objectives. 

On the left the carrier section dismounts and move forward with two teams while the Troop 2IC and the 2 inch mortar follow shortly behind. 

The cruisers have coiled up behind the carriers and can fan out along small hull-down positions, or take up firing positions in the woods where the OP/LP currently is, if the need arises. 
Still far too early to commit yet to either course of action, however just based on the intel currently gathered, it still looks like the left is best. Draper is reacting fairly strongly on the right thus far and I am, admittedly, moving into the teeth of it. 
1758-1759

The carriers of B Coy begin moving forward in the trail of the carrier section and cruiser tanks. 
1759-1800
A Kubelwagen is spotted trying to cross a muddy ravine, around the same area the Panthers earlier crossed. Not sure what, if anything, to make of that. Hope the bastards bog. 

On the left, two sharp cracks of a high velocity gun ring out. The recce 2IC rapidly spots the culprit - a Pak gun - but what the hell is he shooting at? It appears to have spotted a Cromwell coiled up in the ravine and is firing at a very high angle. The first shot misses but before I can give any orders, as its only halfway through the turn, it manages to get a second shot on target, killing or wounding the turret crew and KOing the tank. 



A bitter pill to swallow. The 2IC calls for fire from a 3 inch mortar section to redress the balance. Something tells me this was not a deliberate fire order from Draper, as while the loss of the Cromwell is annoying its not as devastating as a more disciplined wait could have been. C Coy, moving up behind, will dismount and fan out into the woods. They will probe forward across the water obstacles dismounted since its clear the roads and vehicle approaches to Farm 001 are covered. I doubt highly this Pak is the only weapon aiming here. 
Well, first blood to Draper, and this will (spoilers!) unfortunately set the tone for quite a few turns yet. A lot of good intel is about to be earned at far too high a cost in my mind, and I will be playing Johnny-come-lately in response. I don't like being the one having to constantly react on the attack. Not a good sign. 

That would be a brain fart, because I was typing "command push" initially. Which leads me to a decent point of minor contention. While I ultimately decided to classify this scheme as a recon pull I think quite a few people here would call this as a command push along two identified axes. A lot of people, with merit, would argue a recon pull provides even more latitude to the lead recce to select a path and find a gap. This scheme is more the Colonel telling the troop leader "I want you to find out which of these two templated routes is more secure" - which is a level of centralization much more akin to a command push ("I want you to secure this route for the follow-on forces and report contact"). 

I'll have the next part posted sometime today, dealing with a few last minute panic e-mails at work. 

Blatantly borrowing from @Bil Hardenberger's blog to practice some scenario creation and pound the podium a bit...some screens:



Read it here: https://rinaldiaars.blogspot.com/2021/12/combat-mission-as-visual-aid-bringing.html

Blatantly borrowing from @Bil Hardenberger's blog to practice some scenario creation and pound the podium a bit...some screens:



Read it here: https://rinaldiaars.blogspot.com/2021/12/combat-mission-as-visual-aid-bringing.html

Blatantly borrowing from @Bil Hardenberger's blog to practice some scenario creation and pound the podium a bit...some screens:



Read it here: https://rinaldiaars.blogspot.com/2021/12/combat-mission-as-visual-aid-bringing.html

Ratio lmao

Interesting question, although I am suspect of the intent behind it.  Regardless, the bigger question is whether Soviet tactics would have worked at all.   At the operational level the theory was centralized controlled maneuver, which worked in WW2 but was a serious leap of faith in the much faster and comms denied battlefield of the 1980s. Air power is the other issue as without air supremacy those long lines of logistics were never going to work.
 At the tactical level the idea that mass would beat quality was also weak and built on hope.  The idea that massed arty would smash all-mech forces of NATO was a serious leap.  It takes a well shaped, dense piece of exotic metal to kill a tank, metal fragments from HE can damage it but would not likely sweep away NATO formations.  I would argue that CMCW is accurate (with caveats) in demonstrating the weaknesses of Soviet doctrine at the tactical level (jury is out on operational).  Every Soviet campaign scenario gives the Soviet player at least 2:1 advantage and in cases 3:1 and better.  But they show just how hard it is to “smash” through well prepared and sighted terrain that your opponent has owned for over 25 years.  Arty may be a little weaker, testing is probably required and this is not a new issue, but you will note that engineer obstacles for NATO are no where near what would have been employed in RL so I am betting it evens out closer to RL when the “most effective offensive tool for the Soviets” is blunted along side that of the most effective defensive tool for NATO.
So what?  I personally think the Soviet theory was broken.  It worked in WW2 but they were not keeping up with the times and would have been seriously crushed in late 70, early 80 which would have likely led to nuclear options being employed and inevitable escalation…let’s be grateful it never happened.  CMCW is only demonstrating the weaknesses of the Soviet approach, which is what a simulation should do.
Now all that said, we have players who have clearly mastered the Soviets, @Grey_Fox and his series of the Soviet campaign definitely show what can be done to with the Soviets in the right hands.
 

Ratio lmao

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

Let's continue.
1756-1757
Nothing terribly exciting to report this turn. So lets fill some white space with my comments. Here's a general overview of things. 

Been a bit of a creeping start, hasn't it? The deliberate pace has netted me some decent intel though  - for example the dismounted carrier HQ has already reported light vehicle contact on OBJ Tom, likely audio, from his position. Perhaps a prime over for an ATG, or a supply vehicle?
We're reaching on both routes the approach of final cover and it's time to begin transitioning to a bounding overwatch. With the Cromwells closing up behind the recce even now this will provide some much needed 'oomph' to the tactic. 
1757-1758
The dismounted armoured car crew spot yet another Panther motoring past point 192.4 towards W Village. He's pouring quite a few forces into this area. Amazingly this OP is still in C2 range (visual/long) of its HQs so it will be able to relay this info, albeit slowly, without having to displace as I first feared.
Unfortunately despite the wall of steel deploying in front of this thrust I need to continue to probe it if only to obscure my final intentions. I am already accepting that I am going to suffer the loss of the recce section and at least half the tank platoon - not willingly, but we must be realistic about the price of these interim objectives. 

On the left the carrier section dismounts and move forward with two teams while the Troop 2IC and the 2 inch mortar follow shortly behind. 

The cruisers have coiled up behind the carriers and can fan out along small hull-down positions, or take up firing positions in the woods where the OP/LP currently is, if the need arises. 
Still far too early to commit yet to either course of action, however just based on the intel currently gathered, it still looks like the left is best. Draper is reacting fairly strongly on the right thus far and I am, admittedly, moving into the teeth of it. 
1758-1759

The carriers of B Coy begin moving forward in the trail of the carrier section and cruiser tanks. 
1759-1800
A Kubelwagen is spotted trying to cross a muddy ravine, around the same area the Panthers earlier crossed. Not sure what, if anything, to make of that. Hope the bastards bog. 

On the left, two sharp cracks of a high velocity gun ring out. The recce 2IC rapidly spots the culprit - a Pak gun - but what the hell is he shooting at? It appears to have spotted a Cromwell coiled up in the ravine and is firing at a very high angle. The first shot misses but before I can give any orders, as its only halfway through the turn, it manages to get a second shot on target, killing or wounding the turret crew and KOing the tank. 



A bitter pill to swallow. The 2IC calls for fire from a 3 inch mortar section to redress the balance. Something tells me this was not a deliberate fire order from Draper, as while the loss of the Cromwell is annoying its not as devastating as a more disciplined wait could have been. C Coy, moving up behind, will dismount and fan out into the woods. They will probe forward across the water obstacles dismounted since its clear the roads and vehicle approaches to Farm 001 are covered. I doubt highly this Pak is the only weapon aiming here. 
Well, first blood to Draper, and this will (spoilers!) unfortunately set the tone for quite a few turns yet. A lot of good intel is about to be earned at far too high a cost in my mind, and I will be playing Johnny-come-lately in response. I don't like being the one having to constantly react on the attack. Not a good sign. 

Apologies, this one is text heavy - I didn't believe it was worth taking too many screens for what occurs. Let me know if you'd prefer otherwise. 
1751-1752
On the right
A second Panther is soon spotted. As the rest of the armoured car section crests the hill and makes its move to cover, they all report in succession the movement of this section of Panthers in the general direction of the East village and Objective "HARRY." 

On the left
The carrier section leader has dismounted and is hoofing it to a nearby wooded area to establish an OP. Since the troop 2IC remains mounted with the rest of the carriers (he doesn't have binoculars, sigh) it is hoped the rest of the carrier teams will still benefit from his leadership. The carriers remain at a brief halt while they give the Sarge a few minutes to reach his intended position. 
The OP will, it is hoped:
a. Provide some BDA on the barrage on hill 204.1; and
b. Ascertain if the troop movement spotted earlier was incidental, or a deliberate reaction to my movement - namely to cover the exit from the draw I am using to mask my movement as much as possible.
1752-1753
The lead armoured car on the right axis of advance bogs and promptly immobilizes. The crew will dismount and move to establish an OP on a nearby high ground and keep their eyes in the fight. The fellows obviously do not have any form of man-portable radio and will either have to run any intel to another unit or head back to their stuck car to get on the net and report.

1753-1754
The armoured car that now finds itself in the lead sees, but fails to positively identify (or, less likely, can hear) an armoured contact moving in the wheat field behind OBJ "HARRY". 
The platoon of cruiser tanks operating in close support with the B Company team begin rounding Hill 207.8 and crossing the dangerous bit of open ground traversed earlier by the armoured cars. By the end of the turn the lead tank has crossed back into dead ground- unscathed .
Comments:
I'm fairly sure at this point that Draper is fully aware of the armoured car's approach, or is strongly suspicious of it. Surely, he must have caught some fleeting glimpses as they crossed between dead ground. Nevertheless, the recce is past the most dangerous point on this potential course of action. So, unless the Panther's now unduly expose themselves with very forward battle positions I should be fine. Draper is not that gung-ho. Way back in the mists of time he once handed me my burned ass on a platter with a single well-positioned, carefully husbanded Panther; he remembers that lesson very well, it's better to play it safe and let the attacker come to you with such assets. 
What I do hope is happening is that he is starting to focus, unduly, on what he can see. Moving up Panthers so quickly does smack of a bit of an overreaction - and I'm seeing a lot of movement generally. 
1754-1755
He is definitely aware of movement on the right - as the second cruiser in the file traversing the "danger zone" takes fire. 

At the time and despite my painstaking efforts to get a good screenie of the incoming round I was legitimately unsure of whether I was taking direct fire or indirect fire. I am fairly sure now, as I type, that it is a direct fire weapon of some kind. The salient point of course is that, whatever it is, it misses.
If this isn't proof-positive that paying attention to terrain and taking pains to reduce your exposure as much as possible pays off, I don't know what is. The unseen assailant chances again on the third tank in file and likewise misses, badly. The troop's Firefly, a more sluggish and conspicuous vehicle, is ordered not to chance it and takes a rough turret-down position near the crest of Hill 207.8. From here it can join in from afar and inch forward into a battle position if the need and opportunity arises.
At this point I am confident the fire is coming directly from Obj "TOM."
1755-1756
I'm well pleased thus far with the recce's progress on both axes of advance. Not only have they drawn ineffective fire - which ultimately does help build an intelligence picture - but they've positively identified key enemy assets and have allowed me to anticipate their likely final positions. 
More importantly, they haven't taken any casualties yet and have managed to establish some decent forward OPs. On that note, the carrier section leader has taken an excellent concealed position that still provides good line of sight to Obj "TOM" and 204.1. Can you see them?

On the right, the armoured recce is now within effective firing range of the North Village and has guided three Cromwells up to excellent positions in which they can provide overwatch. We'll slow our pace here and conduct a series of bounding overwatches as we try to ford the river on this side and pierce his MLR or slip past some outposts. 

 

Apologies for not posting yesterday, by the time I got on top of everything yesterday evening Draper and I were both free so we chose to do more turns. 
It is now 1745h and the BG has now coiled up behind a ridge and joined hands with the forward elements from the Hussars. Despite the advanced hour its a muggy, dry August day. Diminishing light is not a worry, nightfall can be as late as 2100h in August. C Squadron, less its two loaned platoons, take up positions on the reverse slopes of several prominent ridges, ready to provide a base of fire.

1745-1746
The first minute is spent, perhaps anticlimactically, in idleness as we paste several forward positions. Particular attention is given to Hill 204.1, which has a suspected anti-tank gun position. The north village also receives a stonk, our apologies to the property owners.


The forward elements are coiled up in a file in some gullies and ravines that they'll use to move forward next turn.  The order of march for both the B and C company teams is Recce, Tank Troop, 1 x Rifle Platoon, CO, 2 x Rifle Platoons, 2 IC. 

Comments: 
I've been burned very recently by what I thought was an effective and on target barrage from indirect fires. I'm therefore trying my best to will myself to assume that anti-tank gun on 204.1 has not suffered any loss. May my cynicism spare me heartbreak later on. 
Overall I was really shocked at the amount of intel I got, and it makes me even more confident about my infiltration (as much as one can do that with armoured vehicles) on the left. The first "danger zone" the left company team must cross is very far forward and this will mean deploying the armour in support will be a bit easier. On the right the first danger zone is basically just beyond the line of departure and I'm hoping the speedy Daimlers can cross it before any enemy waiting to strike can get a real solution. I'm even going to be a brief optimist and say if Draper is hasty enough to open up at that range on my scouts all he may do is give away concealed positions wastefully. 
I'm less confident about developing any gap in Draper's defence or masked terrain on the left into favourable conditions for an attack. I won't revisit the terrain analyses in detail but suffice to say exiting a bottleneck to cross two water obstacles does not fill me with a warrior's confidence. 
I'm husbanding the FOO - who remains attached to the Colonels' hip in the HQ(F)'s assembly area. I will wait until the intelligence picture is built up a bit more before getting him to an OP. I've lost too many FOOs to wily foes who know me too well - and are blessed with common sense -  putting down searching fires.
1746-1747
LD Fable is crossed as the company teams get moving. The stonk continues but I've ordered ceasefires on the mortars to preserve their ammunition. The Sexton battery is allowed to continue souring Anglo-Franco relations in the North Village. 
A look at the planned movement that started this turn, first on the right: 


Note that I'm going around rather than over ridges. This is bread and butter movement but it will spare you a ballache in CM.
The left:


Note the intel on enemy positions. We got to be very careful about how we move here. 
1747-1748
The columns continue to coil forward - maintaining spacing is becoming difficult in this close terrain and I've had to use quite a few pause commands during the command cycle. 

This is particularly problematic on the right flank where the armoured cars are struggling through a rocky gully. 

1749-1750
The lead armoured car units begin to wrap around Hill 207.8, crossing the first "danger zone" where they are exposed, particularly to the heights around OBJ "DICK." They step on the gas, trading the risk of being spotted by dust for a higher chance of survival. 
No shots fired. No sparks flying from a burning hulk, no men screaming and entombed in self-same. So far, so good. 
1750-1751
Hullo, Mother calling.
Roger Mother, Hullo Father. Go ahead. 
Roger Father, Hullo Mother calling, tell the children the cat's loose in the garden again, Mother out.

1st section lead spots a Panther manoeuvring through a wheatfield - an amazing bit of spotting given the range and movement . Where it is going precisely is, right now, anyone's guess but needless to say we know Panthers are on the prowl. In what number remains to be see. Early intel earned bloodlessly, I will take it. The Panther soon  disappears from sight as it moves into its own dead ground created by a fold in the field.  In any event, the section leader is completing his own dash over the potential kill zone and his thoughts stray from the Panther soon after,  I am sure. 
But wait, there's more. On the left, the Carrier section reports its own contact, a brief glimpse of feldgrau among the shrubbery near Farm 002. All that is spotted is a single infantryman, and no other intel is gleaned as the UCs dip carefully back into the ravine as they snake forward. Is Draper reacting to our movement? Or is he merely shifting a unit to a position he believes is better, on second thought? 
 

That would be a brain fart, because I was typing "command push" initially. Which leads me to a decent point of minor contention. While I ultimately decided to classify this scheme as a recon pull I think quite a few people here would call this as a command push along two identified axes. A lot of people, with merit, would argue a recon pull provides even more latitude to the lead recce to select a path and find a gap. This scheme is more the Colonel telling the troop leader "I want you to find out which of these two templated routes is more secure" - which is a level of centralization much more akin to a command push ("I want you to secure this route for the follow-on forces and report contact"). 

I'll have the next part posted sometime today, dealing with a few last minute panic e-mails at work. 

Yes, I expect a very bitter fight for it regardless of how the rest of the battle pans out. 
Hmmm...Cromwell profile picture...not a fan of an Irishman. I'm seeing a theme...
***
Friendly Forces
My battlegroup is primarily drawn from units of the 22nd Armoured Brigade, 7th Armoured Division. The heavy hitter of a British Armoured Division, in reality by August '44 most Commonwealth armoured divisions rarely fought in their typical brigade formats, the BHQs acting more as tactical headquarters for mixed BGs of 1 armour, 1 infantry battalion + misc. elements. The 22nd is no different, but the stresses of keeping a cross-channel supply line up to snuff, plus nonstop combat since early June, makes the BG a bit more shambolic than its paper ideal.
For example, the entirety of A Squadron, 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards (the junior armoured regiment) is currently struck from the order of battle due to material and manpower losses. Surviving crews and 'runners' have been absorbed by B and C squadrons, who are near full strength as a result. We are borrowing "A" Squadron from the 8th Kings Royal Irish Hussars (the armoured recce regiment) to fill out our combat strength. While this expedient solves the power of combat strength, it complicates greatly the horizontal transfer of timely information between fighting elements. 
The balance of the battlegroup is filled out by the divisional motor regiment, the 1st Battalion of the Rifle Brigade. A halftrack mounted regiment, they are hovering around 70 percent strength and most of the rifle coys have disbanded their scout and anti-tank troops to make up the strength. The sole exception to this is A Coy, who have managed to hang onto these elements, for what worth that may prove. The support company provides us with two heavy machine gun platoons plus a mortar platoon (off map) with 4 x excellent 3 inch mortars. 
A single troop from the 11th Hussars (confusingly, yet another recce regiment, but more traditionally organised) provides a point element for the entire force. They are divided into an armoured car section and a carrier section. Alongside "A" of the 8th Hussars, they have long been in contact with the enemy and we are joining them. 
Fires are provided at the higher level by an entire battery of Sexton self-propelled 25lb guns. They possess a prodigious amount of ammunition in excess of 800 rounds, plus ample smoke - perhaps the single greatest asset in WWII titles, imo. A platoon of 4.2 inch "chemical" mortars round out the fire support, notable for their high amount of white phosphorous rounds - again allowing for prodigious and near-instantaneous obscuration fires. 

Enemy Forces
The balance of the enemy forces in Normandy are nearly surrounded further to the south. The shoulders are being held, in the main, by shattered remnants of enemy infantry formations of earlier set-piece attacks (e.g.: Op Totalize, Tractable) who now find themselves on the outside of the forming pocket. Additionally, battle-group sized elements from an SS-PanzerCorps are in the area, trying to punch a hole in the perimeter, or holding open hacked-open escape routes. Smartest thing is to assume I will fight an all-arms force, not greatly dissimilar to my own. Having been in contact with the enemy for some time now, forward elements have produced a fairly comprehensive intelligence picture: 

Not surprisingly, enemy concentrations of infantry appear to be all along the river itself, and concentrated primarily in the East village. Farm 001 and 002 (Obj "TOM") are also clearly occupied, and are supported by some type of anti-tank gun. The lone infantry contact in between Hill 202. and Pt. 201.7 is almost certainly an OP or LP. Nothing in this disposition appears to be reinventing the wheel, its a competent deployment at a glance with ATGs on, perhaps, obvious positions, but with dominating fields of fire over the centre rolling terrain.
Courses of Action
What to do? What to do, indeed. The rather milquetoast enemy deployment doesn't immediately proffer a dynamic solution, there's no smoking gun or yawning gap that I can see. Any movement down the middle is going to invite disaster, even with the many small hills and valleys I could probably use for cover. I'm going to have to go up one of the flanks, which means potentially putting a strong force in a complex bottleneck. 
To minimize that risk I will be conducting a command pull. I've identified two potential courses of action:
 

1. Moving in the dead ground formed by KT1, assault or infiltrate across the water obstacles in the vicinity of Farm 001 and attack to seize OBJ "TOM", then use the ridge formed by Hills 205.2, 204.1 and 202.7 as a springboard for a general attack; or


2. Maximising use of dead ground on the right, skirt around hill 207.8 and close up towards Obj "OAK", attacking either towards the East Village or punching deep towards Obj "DICK" before rolling up the enemy flank. 
Either route will have to be probed and recce'd to see which one is held in greater force and is easier to force. This brings me to...
Unit Tasking
Either COA, being generally variations of the same plan, can therefore result in somewhat uniform tasking and organisation. I will divide my battlegroup into three distinct elements. A forward element drawn from the 5th Troop of the 11th Hussars, an infantry-heavy company team following in close support and a heavy reserve which can be 'pulled' to whatever route I decide is the most viable. 

The recce will be deployed in their organic sections, UCs on the left, as the terrain is more complex and closed-in and dismounted recce will be more necessary. The troop 2IC moves with them. On the right, the armoured car section, with the troop leader in tow, will probe on the right, which is generally more open and will likely need more firepower and survivability (a relative term) to probe forward. 
Moving  behind either of them will be a company team from B and C Coy of The Rifles, supported by an intimate-support troop from C Squadron of the 5th RIDG. This will allow these forward elements to fight for information and overcome minor resistance encountered, and equally fight for room to deploy my main element on whatever route I deem the most feasible. Equally, the company team that does not identify the main effort will remain a useful screening force and perhaps confuse Draper as to my actual intent and main effort. I've made them infantry heavy as either route ultimately favours a boots-on-the-ground approach to overcome initial complex terrain, mainly the river.

Finally in reserve or in long-range support is the balance of the battle group, seen below:

The balance of C Squadron will deploy in battle positions on the many hills and points near my line of departure and can provide direct fires on the high ground on the far side of the river. In the event the enemy has a lot of heavy metal of their own, this fire may be of dubious value beyond keeping the enemy interested and under fire. Their HE, however, will be useful at any range against soft targets and built-up areas. I can also, if the opportunity arises, add to this firepower with the anti-tank troop organic to A Coy of The Rifles. Likewise, how I employ the MG platoons will be decided in the moment, either massed as a pseudo-indirect fire weapon at longer range, or broken up into intimate support of the platoons. The point here is to be flexible.
I got to be honest here, I got a gut feeling I'm reading the situation wrong and I'm already feeling like the first course of action will be the most viable.

It's 1525h on August 18th, in some village near the river Dives, just northwest of Falaise. Further to the south, Canadians (and the Polish) are launching a decisive effort across the "neck" of an emerging pocket, fighting equally ferocious actions on the hills overlooking the river valley as they are in the small towns that dot the valley floor itself. 
It's clear to everyone, even if no one is acting like it: Jerry is finished in Normandy. Word has now come from on high that our division is to 'get ahead of the game' and begin pushing to the river Seine. This will mean smashing into German units fighting to hold open the escape route as they latterly also try to expand it. 
So the battlegroup conducts a hurried O group in a tiny cluster of command vehicles...
 

Whilst throughout the village, in laager, the squadrons resupply even as the COs conduct their troop level o groups. In two hours' time the whole lot will be moving forward to join units already in contact with the enemy for a late-afternoon effort. 
 
***
I've been inspired by MMM and Bud's own DARs to begin one of my own, and in any event, it's been a long while since I've done one, having mainly dedicated AAR efforts to single player.
My opponent, James (goes by the handle Draper) is an old buddy of mine and I filmed a few of our slapfight PBEMs wayyyyy back in the day when we were both teenagers and had no idea what the hell we were doing. We've played steadily ever since and know one another quite well, so I figured this would make for a particularly interesting DAR. We've had a handful of medium matches against one another recently, mainly infantry-centric affairs, and both wanted to open up with winter break providing us with more time. Draper's a teacher and I currently run a pro-bono advice centre at a University in the UK, so we have the luxury of being beholden to student's schedules. 
The scenario we're playing is "forging steel", a side-swapped variant of GeorgeMC's "Schmiedestahl" my little group has had bouncing around for a bit. I am playing as the British attackers, and it will be interesting to see how the tactics I use will naturally have to differ from the default German-attacking scenario. 
For the time being here's a look at the map and objectives. 

 

Fair points and I agree, I also didn’t factor in the time enough. I knew it would be tight but thought I could perform a recon pull and have just enough time to pull it off but with hindsight I don’t think I did. Should have trusted my instincts. It may prove to be enough but right now I’m not convinced I will get to capture Objective GRAU, perhaps contest it at least but we’ll see.
The size of the map and the weather are also having an effect on how quickly I can move forces around i.e. not very! Moving any of the 1 Ko. forces over to either flank is going to take a few minutes at least and that all has to be factored in.
MMM

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

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

@Rinaldi, engrossing text and superb images.  Bravo.
Keep it up!  Bil

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

The Seventy-Fifth to Eightieth Minute - The Rest
The Right
2 Gruppe continue to scout a path through the scrub.

As they do so the armour contact pops up again. It doesn't move.

It's soon followed by a friend.

So he has 2, probably 3, tanks on the right - a platoon. I've knocked out 2 T34s and there may be 2 more just to the East of ROT if he didn't move them to this flank, but why would he? So that would be a total of 8 confirmed spots which validates my assumption that he has a company in the AO. Need more info though to be sure.
The Left
I've decided to take a gamble. The StuG set off up AoA 1 overwatched by the Panthers. 2 Kompanie are mounted and ready to follow.

SITMAP

A reminder of the AoAs and objectives. I'm back into recon mode for now but I am pushing up AoA1 as I think he will have it defended lightly, I'll do a "what I think he's up to" post with where I suspect he may have deployed his defences next I think to lay the groundwork for my future actions.
AoA1 is a gamble, but if I can get up there quite quickly then he would either have to redeploy to stop me or if he's already over there in force then that means other AoAs may be open. Interesting times.
The main thing I'm worried about is manpower and time at the moment, and time will probably screw me quicker than losing guns will.
MMM
 

The Seventy-Fifth to Eightieth Minute - The Capture of Objective ROT
A few minutes' worth of action here, but not that much actually happened as we moved into the endgame on the objective and what amounted to a mop-up operation.
Numbering and how we left it:


The HQ Tiger rolls forward to put some fire into D3.

An infantry team/squad is seen leaving the building via the back door.

2 Gruppe of 2 Zug continues his one man scouting mission by working his way through sector C, pausing for a bit of a listen, MG at the ready.

He dashes across the road to sector D under watch from another Gruppe from his Zug and Tiger 1 that has now crossed the bridge and is providing close support.

Tiger 1 gets a spot on the 61-K, there are casualties so it looks like the 251/17 did its job but there is still one man cowering and the gun is operational.

Until it isn't. He decides he wants to be somewhere else and makes a run for it towards the East.

1 Zug scout the right side of sector C and go to investigate C3 which housed all those enemy not long ago.

They quickly see all the bodies piled therein and one man still kicking. It's a squad HQ who is looking the other way with his binoculars. My oppo must have left him there as a LP.

3 Gruppe's MG34 gunner uses his weapon at point blank range to devastating effect. Who needs PPsHs?

Around this time we get the first glimpse of the enemy leaving the objective. First it's one squad/team.

Then a DP gunner is spotted.

The remnants of another squad...

And they are joined by a HQ team. The bad news for them is that it's Tiger 2 overwatching the road and this bit of ground that spots them.

He guns down two of the HQ team.

Back on the objective 2 Zug's 2 Gruppe makes it across the road to sector D only to come under fire from an HQ unit in F2.

He returns fire with his MG and quickly gains fire superiority.

But he doesn't hang around and gets into the safety of D2 while Tiger 1 swings around the corner to deal with this issue.

As this is going on I'm bringing 1 Kompanie's weapons Zug (4 Zug) up to start taking up defensive positions in the buildings.

The surviving 61-K crewmember is spotted again, this time by Tiger 2 over on the road. He appears to be walking, I'm not sure if my oppo thought it would be safe to do so or he's very tired and maybe can't move quicker but it doesn't end well.

3 Gruppe of 2 Zug head over to F2 to check on that HQ team that are being suppressed by the HQ Tiger...

and they find a survivor cowering inside. The MG42 proves to be a god short-range weapon once again!

They then move into defensive positions along the Eastern wall in case of a counter-attack.

While all this was going on mortar rounds continue to drop, but only 1 per minute and they are scattered all over the area so I think I either killed or drove off his spotter and they are spotting rounds, which is quite a worry as they could land literally anywhere. I'll have to be slightly cautious.
With that the objective is taken. Sector E is being cleared by 1 Zug (I have the Zug numbers wrong on the diagram below, you can use your imagination and swap them about though), 4 Zug is setting up its HMGs to cover the Eastern approach as is 2 Zug and the Tigers are in overwatch. The SPWs are keyholed in case the two T34s that retreated from the objective are still out there waiting to snipe an overeager commander.

It took a long time but I'm pretty happy with the results, I haven't totted up the casualties yet but I will list the 1 Kompanie strengths in the next update.
I now will resupply and tend to the wounded for a few minutes and see if he counterattacks. I don't expect him to but you never know.
Thoughts? Anything you would do differently?
MMM