Hardradi

Minute 149: Orders
Members of 15 Platoon are still resting before moving to their new position.

 
Area fire from the tanks on KT3 continues against the previously spotted ATGM team.

 
The sniper team will let their smoke form before sprinting back to cover.

 
A view of the mortar fire mission.

 
A view of the 105mm fire mission.

MINUTE 11
We are going to be cease firing in this one... I would pull out of this sector.  I came in with the wrong force for the terrain, and Ian is positioned too well for me to make a dent.  Can't seem to find the angles and I am getting hit by units that I can't spot in return.  It was the perfect storm.  All that would happen if we continue is that I would lose everything, and though that would be fun to see I'm sure for you, would not be enjoyable for me.   
This turn I lost a BMP-3.. I could have sworn this vehicle was masked as it drove behind the ridge... damn...

But the kicker was this one...the T-62 (1975) was hit, by I think the same ATGM team that killed its mate... double damn.


So congrats to Ian, he played an outstanding and perfect game... I never was able to take advantage of any weakness, but I didn't see any.

I think calling a cease-fire and withdrawing is exactly the right move here. Enemy positions and strength were established enough to inform a larger, better equipped force to come in and conduct a proper attack. The losses suffered were unfortunate, but pretty unavoidable. On the whole it appears you were able to keep the majority of your force alive.
Speaking of a better equipped force conducting an attack, is there any interest for a follow-up AAR? Could be interesting to see a properly equipped OpFor attack. Maybe even juice the OpFor a bit by giving them good training and morale in the editor to make things more interesting. At the very least it would let all of us see more toys in SF2, and it would likely be very explosive!

AT guns are my favourite CM unit type. I only know about British WW2 doctrine when it comes to AT guns and I use this in game.
In defence the guns would be positioned in defilade or reverse slope positions with infantry positioned to defend them rather than the guns positioned to protect the infantry.
In attack, tanks would be used to take ground. AT guns would then be brought up to take the positions of the tank units so that the tanks could advance whilst the guns protected the newly captured position with infantry supporting them.
I have broken with doctrine on occasion and used smoke to conceal AT manouevre to attack tank positions.
I am currently playing a game where I have several AT guns at the edge of woodlines. They are protected by sandbags and have been getting the upper hand against multiple panzer assaults. All guns are in tact with a couple of crew casualties only, whilst the area they are covering is a graveyard of German armour and burning wrecks. Man I love AT guns!!

This module will indeed fill the maps (and QB maps) out. I’ll say what I can.
Have a look at Aachen (all maps), Stavelot, Noville, Nijmegen, Elst, Ortona, and about half a dozen other CM big maps through other CM titles to see what I bring. MarkEzra is the master of the QB AI plan, and with the other guys kicking stuff in....there will be maps.
Steve also released 2 screenshots that show partials of two of the maps for the module. So, the maps are indeed going to be rounded out.
When the time comes on this module to get the gogogo, and I have the OK, we can give you guys the final list, from which QB maps are made (plus there are generally others that are from scratch QB maps of a smaller size than the masssive ones). And the big maps will of course be included for people to chop up themselves for their own scenarios.

Minute 153: Orders
Based on the relative activity I changed my mind again about the FO. They cannot use TRPs to call fire on Rutsey so they need eyes on. Also in this shot is the call time for a non TRPs call to the 105s for the FO.

 
For reference the call time for the Mortar platoon HQ is just as bad as the section leader on KT3.

 
And same for the CO.

 
No orders for the tanks on KT3 – the know what to do.

 
The sniper team is facing a mechanized assault – so time to really go. Pull back and ford the river, rest and head for the trees.

Minute 1:56-1:55:
MCpl Ray Morrison’s team make it to the edge of the ravine. Looking back and resting they can see a smoke screen forming. The enemy appears to be setting up to assault their previous position. They can rest there before continuing rearward.

 
The 81mm mortar rounds coming down on the ATGM position.

 
The observers from 15 Platoon watching a BMP speeding along the desert floor heading to some high ground opposite KT3. It should probably have a designation as well – make it KT11. It is possible the enemy is planning to use that location to spot the tanks on KT3.

 
A view with icons on showing the tank positioning and the enemy activity.

 
Here is the situation as is known now. There are tanks and mechanized infantry ready to assault Rutsey. The enemy move south has stalled because they detected my ambush. They appear to be positioning themselves to deal with the ambush.

 

MINUTE 9
2nd Platoon
Well, I left the RPG gunner to his own devices with regards to firing at the Leo or not... my final words to him were, "if you decide to shoot, DON"T F***ing miss!!"  
Guess what he does?
He fires... RPG round is within the red circle.

...he misses, and pays the ultimate price.  Just can't get an advantage here.

 
MINUTE 10
In the next turn, the Leo pulled off its forward position and back towards its brother.  This image shows start position, the movement path and the position it ended up on.

A Company
The T-62M was ordered to move as quickly as possible across the field go over the lip into the ravine, and see what he could see...

Best laid plans and all that... what happened was the T-62 bogged on its way with the following result... 

...what took him out?  An ATGM from, I think the buildings in the second objective.  I have a very steep hill to climb in this one.. and am not sure I have the force to do him much damage.  Ian is using the terrain very well and I have only clearly spotted the one HQ Team on the Farm Objective and the two Leos on the far left.  

Aren't these custom icons some kind of cheating as they give you an unfair advantage by giving you more information than the game is supposed to give you (e.g. specifying if a sound contact is a tank or light armor)?

MINUTE 8
A Company
The following images highlight the actions and events at the farm Objective this turn...
... the forward BMP and the T-62M both fired at the large building, hopefully suppressing any enemy teams that might still be inside.  This firing was for 15 seconds only.

Then 3rd Squad rushed to the large building...

..1st Platoon HQ spotted this enemy HQ Team rushing over the edge of the ravine towards the river.  HQ for what I wonder?

Here is an overview of the situation on the right side of the map, definitely rosier than the left.  Note the AT-14 Team in the field... hopefully as they creep forward they will have pretty good observation of this side of the map.

 
2nd PLATOON
Alright, that does it, I cannot play with the standard floating icons as I can't tell what the hell I'm looking at.  I will do screenshots with them for this AAR, but I will be replacing them with my NATO icons ASAP when giving orders.  The two sound contacts I had on my left were not light armor at all.. they were freaking tanks... Leopard 1 C2s to be exact... 
2nd Platoon's forward 3rd squad spotted this beauty towards the end of the turn.  Even at 100m distance I doubt the RPG-7 is the correct weapon to engage this tank with.  

3rd PLATOON
The BMP-3 that was fired on last turn, sadly, was not able to escape.  Damn.. however its death will not be without value. I now know exactly where at least two of Ian's tanks are, and hopefully can pen them in.
It sucks being on the receiving end of these.. but I expected losses... this is the second sound contact morphing into another Leopard 1 C2.  I am just thankful that one of the AT14 teams was not on this BMP.

I must say, I am also pretty happy that Ian has two tanks that far forward.. that was unexpected but I wouldn't have done that unless I had gone tank heavy with my force and even then its risky... does he also have infantry in this area?  I have yet to see any... what this means is there are two fewer tanks to oppose me on the right, and it also means he isn't husbanding them for a reserve like I am.  Now.. can I take advantage of that information?  We will see.

Clearly a propaganda pic showing no food shortage in German Army.

Hi All,
 
I have been working on a three-part H2H scenario dealing with the battle for Rimini Airfield.  This was a part of British 8th Army’s Operation Olive assault up the Adriatic coast. It took place in mid-September 1944. The 1st Canadian Division, which included the Greek 3rd Mountain Brigade (their first and last major engagement), New Zealand 19th Armor and 22nd Motor Battalion. In front of them were a combination of the German 1st Fallschirmjager Regiment, 162nd Turkestani Battalion and various support units.
By the 15th of September the 1st Canadian had moved up the coast were just south of the airfield. They needed to take the airfield before moving onto the town itself.
Lieutenant-General Sir Oliver Leese, commander of the 8th Army had this to say about the battle; "The battle of Rimini was one of the hardest battles of Eighth Army. The fighting was comparable to El Alamein, Mareth and the Gustav Line (Monte-Cassino)."
The morning of this battle the Canadian Saskatoon Light Infantry had probed north up the coast road and been stopped by fierce resistance. And this is where the battle begins. 
I broke the battle into three parts:
1. Santa Maria, which was the assault on the small village and church complex called Casalecchio, west of the airfield. 
2. Miramar, the assault up the coast road 
3. Rimini Airfield, the final attack on the airfield. 
Using the same map, I isolated the fighting areas for Santa Maria and Miramar. Then used the entire map for the Airfield.

Overall map

Saskatoon waiting for help.

PzIV on overwatch

Knocked out Panther Turret Bunker
Special thanks to BobWillett and Rocketman for all their help, input and play testing.  I hope to have it at the Scenario Depot in the next few days.
 
LiveNoMore

It has been a long time in the making, and was previously known as the project "Man of the Our", but is now "Rittersprung H2H".
Scenario description:
After being severely decimated in the battle for the Hürtgen Forest, the 28th Infantry Division was sent to the rear to rest and refit. The 112th Infantry Regiment got located in the tri-country area of Lieler-Ouren-Lützkampen, spanning Luxembourg, Germany and Belgium – a six mile stretch of land on both sides of the Our river where the Siegfried Line had its westernmost fortifications, now occupied by the Allies. The 28th ID had just about recovered 100 % strength, with replacement units getting basic combat training, when the Germans launched their massive attack in the Ardennes on december 16th 1944. The crossing of the Our at Ouren would be an important part in the German advance and it was upon the 112th IR of the 28th ID to protect it as long as possible.
It is 10:30 on Dec 17th and the 112th IR was engaged in combat with German forces on the 16th and throughout the night. The morning fog has lifted but it is still misty from the cold and the wet ground. Visibility is reasonable but it is hard to make out units in the mist. Units in Lützkampen and Harspelt were swept aside on the 16th. Sevenig town was also attacked by a green force of Volksgrenadiers but was able to hold on. The Volksgrenadiers suffered a lot of casualties and many prisoners were taken. They are now presumed to be hiding in the woods west of Sevenig.
Semi-historical scenario which is aiming to capture a “what-if” combat based on units and turn of events that happened in the opening days of the Ardennes offensive.



 
It can be downloaded here: http://www.thefewgoodmen.com/tsd3/uncategorized/rittersprung-h2h/
Enjoy, and all feedback is very welcome.

Minute 155: Orders
No new orders are being given. I thought that it would be interesting to see the information flow so the following are some screen shots to show that.
Starting with the scouts of 15 Platoon. They can see enemy vehicles in their assembly area and they have contacts just outside the ambush zone.

 
15 Platoon HQ has a pretty good representation of the scouts information.

 
The company CO has a bit less but still the basic picture.

 
The tanks in 18 troop have nothing yet. I see, however that there is a break in the comms because they have no contact with E squadron (not on the map). I did not check the HQ tank when I took these screen shots.

 

Minute 1:57-1:56:

MCpl Ray Morrison’s team make a clean get away.





 
Members of 15 Platoon can see a handful of contacts now. A T55, three BMP2s and a truck with an ATGM team. Here is the view with the icons on.





 
From the team’s perspective.






 
18 Troop’s ambush is blown. Bil has infantry leading the advance over the edge of the hill. That is not really a surprise, disappointing that their presence is now known but on the up side they dispatch the scout efficiently.

Minute 1:58-1:57:

The next minute is mostly a waiting game for 18 Troop. Nothing is happening in the valley below where they can see. The nearby infantry are aware that something is in the valley.




 


 
MCpl Ray Morrison steadied himself as he had done many times now. He was working hard to get his first kill here in Syria. He had a handful from his first tour in Afghanistan but none so far in Syria. Just before he was ready to fire his target ducked down behind the hill. Dam it that should have been easy. I was just about to chastise himself some more when bullets started hitting the building they were in. “Time to go boys!” He would have much preferred to spend time in a position where he could take a few shots but the plan here was for his team to give an early warning of the enemy’s approach and his radio man was just finishing up his report.

Ray was promised more time once he worked his way back to the village or 14 Platoon’s position whichever he preferred. He planned to hold the CO to that.

The Sniper team takes fire.






 
Members of 15 Platoon are giving me plenty of intel too. They can see the BMP approaching and firing on the farm.





 
14 Platoon are approaching their destination.

MINUTE 5
2nd Squad, 2nd Platoon failed to throw smoke.. and they did not move s ordered.  That's okay actually.. I'm going to keep them where they are as it gives me a trip wire in case Ian sends some dismounts over the top.

The light armor started to pull back, and my first BMP also pulled back into a hull down position.  

The light armor continued to reverse, and a new contact appeared moving as indicated.  It actually stopped just a little in front of the position shown.

Final positions. 
I actually expect Ian to send a dismounted team over the top.. to defend against this, the 1st Squad (Platoon Leader) will be moving to get eyes on the top of the ridge.  

I also have 3rd Squad overwatching.. this squad is about 250 meters from the ridge 2nd Squad is on.

In the 1st Platoon/A Company zone, the BMP and T-62 fired off their smoke grenades as the infantry continued to move forward.  I will be speeding up the two squads in the rear a bit as they are moving way too slow.

On Star Hill Ian started firing an artillery mission on my AT-13 teams.  This must be pre-planned, as there were no spotting rounds.  The right side team takes two casualties... I will be trying to pull both teams out of the impact zone next turn as quickly as possible.  I am an idiot for setting up there as it is such an obvious piece of key terrain. 

MINUTE 4
As 2nd Squad moved a little closer to the enemy contact, one individual stayed upright just a few seconds too long and fell to what looked like dismounted infantry fire.   What I'm going to do in this sector, as I don't think these two squads and the BMPs can actually take on even a single enemy squad and light armored vehicle is pull 2nd squad back (after throwing smoke) so they are on a line with the 1st Squad (2nd Platoon HQ element).  The BMPs will both be pulling back into hull down positions.  I am also sending them some help.. but I want to keep that as a surprise for later.   

The AT-13 team on Star Hill did identify one enemy infantry contact on the Farm Objective.

Meanwhile 1st Platoon's infantry is moving carefully through the field next to the objective.

The following image shows their movement plan, with listening halts and staggered movement so all units are not moving at the same time.

My plan for this first objective is as follows (refer to the image below):
The T-62M and the marked BMP will both move forward and pop smoke... I will allow that to build for a bit.   The infantry platoon will continue to advance carefully toward the objective The T-62 (1975) and the other BMP will move to jump off positions and wait for the smoke to build.  Once it is sufficient both BMPs and both T-62s will move quickly toward the objective The AT-14 teams in the UAZ will move forward, my intent with them is to get them to dismount and take up overwatch positions where they can fire into the depth of the map I have plotted two mortar smoke missions at two of the probable HD positions (TRPs :HD3 and HD4) overwatching this objective.  These will arrive in three minutes and are intended to support follow-on movements after I capture this objective. The smoke is intended to (hopefully) blind any enemy units in Support By Fire (SBF) positions deployed in depth.  It will hopefully allow me to move my armor through the area exposed to these potential enemy SBF positions and into the objective safely.  The infantry is moving and should arrive ahead of the armor to provide AT suppression if required.
I know there is at least one enemy unit on this objective and suspect it is probably lightly held.. there could always be one or two more units, so I am not taking anything for granted.  
By the way, there is no wind in this scenario, so I am hoping the smoke will dissipate very slowly.

@Hardradi 
No worries. I appreciate that you took the time to respond.

Caught this today while testing some stuff. Thought it looked cool. Shrek's are nasty!
 

 
Mord.

I'd say 4-6 plus more in the LAV. Especially in the areas of Kandahar Province that were relatively green, those grape huts were everywhere and the LAW was the only thing we could carry on patrol that would be able to engage them.
This is from an article but it does a good job of describing why we needed to carry LAWs when clearing fields:
Not my photo, but this is what the fields in the area look like, and why Grape Huts were such a big threat.

I was in the military at that time (well, until last month actually!) and we absolutely had C79s on our C9s.
Maybe Reserve Units didn't (set eq. to Poor maybe?) but we sure did even in the Artillery.
Also, can so-sign on LAV commanders being lower down, additionally the MG on the LAV and Coyote was not remote operated.
We carried as many LAWs as possible as it was the only way to bust up what we called "Grape Huts" which were thick mud brick agricultural buildings.
I'm happy to answer as many CF related questions as I can as one of the things I liked best about CMSF was seeing "myself" represented in a major wargame.
 
e: The C9s we had in Afghanistan were the improved C9A2 which has the same buttstock as the C7 and comes issued with the C79 and has green furniture like the C7A2.

 

Minute 158: Orders

No new orders repositioning members of 14 platoon.






 
The squad from 15 Platoon on KT3 need to spread out more. I split the teams and have them crawling forward .






 
To ambush whatever is coming up the valley I will move one of the C2s to a position where they can be hull down to the valley floor a head of where the contacts are. I want the enemy to move into our LOF not the other way around.

This shows a good example of how I use the hull down command. I laid down some basic move orders to get close to the location I want to be. Then I switched to the hull down command and picked a spot where I would be OK with ending up. From there I use the target command on the hull down command’s way point to pick the area I want to be hull down to. In this case it is the valley floor. The hull down way point location has hillside rising up to the left, so the location where the enemy is now does not have LOS to my new location.






 
I also verify that that previous way point does *not* have LOS to the location I want to be hull down to. This is so the hull down command can work its magic – when the vehicle starts the hull down command it cannot see the location of interest and as vehicle moves along the hull down route it will watch for when I can see the location of interest and stop when it can.

Minute 2:00-1:59:

Capt. Leslie and his party were done with introductions and some practical discussion. They had just started on their second cup of chai and were planning to spend a few pleasant minutes on friendly chatting when the HQ sent for him and his 2IC – “Battalion command reports an enemy formation has been spotted approaching from the East”. They excused themselves from the chai and headed back to the command post to hear the details and alert the rest of the company. As they headed out the door Capt. Leslie noticed that one of the younger men who had not said anything during the meeting held back the translator, MCpl Haddad from 14 Platoon, briefly to whisper something to him.

“What was that about?” He asked.

MCpl Haddad smiled wryly as he replied “He said that if Assad’s men are coming he wishes us to kill as many as we can, so, there will be fewer for him to finish off - Inshallah”.

Capt. Leslie thought darkly to himself “Well that *is* the plan. My men do not need help from God to kill the enemy.”  It seems like this was going to be an eventful day after all.

The first turn of action was uneventful. No contacts were spotted. My team on KT3 moved up and the infantry deployed.






 
Minute 1:59: Orders

I corrected my mistake and moved a squad up to TK8. To avoid tiring the men out, I moved 3 section up to take 2 section’s positions and moved 2 section up to TK8.

While we wait for the actual shooting to start here are a few screen shots from the setup:
14 Platoon in position on Objective Lifeson






 
15 Platoon positioned on Peart






 
Section of 15 Platoon and a section of 18 Troop move into over watch at KT3






 
The view from the command post on Lee






 
Sniper team at the farm at Rutsey