Ridaz

Yeah, I like this idea, I think we're going somewhere with this. 
I am also throwing my story to my local arma group for some feedback.

The Lost Legion breakout sounds fun and maybe one of the mission will include similar situation. Yeah I thinks US vs Mixed alliance would benefit the story credibility since most people here think the US cannot be defeated even if it's a 20:1 ratio.

ok thanks for your opinion

Thanks for your feedback and pointing out some questions. I'll try to answer most of them.
(Let's also pretend Israel does not exist, btw)
Israel did help in the initial stages with missiles infrastructure bombardment but once US had establish proper bases throughout Syria they had not much need for Israel's missiles.  1. There is nothing in Assad's army (or the CMSF2 force set) capable of heavily blooding US mechanised main forces in open combat.
By themselves no but with years of Russian training and equipment this becomes plausible. Again you have to imagined that the US only had 15,000 men to topple country's government which is not many considering you are fighting in Syria with bigger manpower and on their own turf. FYI: the invasion of Iraq was had a half million in US manpower alone.  15,000 men were part of the first wave and due to lack of public support for this, the US had to limit their troops and instead heavily relied on local rebels groups and support from surrounding allies. 1. How are rebel forces suddenly able to defeat heavy mechanised US units? Or alternatively, restrict US mobility and prevent them from breaking out of the traps they find themselves in.
The reason being that the main army was too deep into Syria territory and any links back to friendly bases were now either captured or in disarray, cutting off majority routes for resupply and reorganization. This also splits up part of the army dotting around Syria. 2. What deus ex machina allows RED forces to neutralize US air power? which would otherwise level those newly seized rebel bases, and also allow resupply to the besieged forces.
There are several reason why this is possible. 
US air force could not simply bomb or flatten existing US base as not all of them were taken immediately and they are still friendlies in those bases fighting for their life to get out, since there is no way they would leave their bases to "friendly rebels". Russian air force still control some of the air space i Syria. To avoid possible conflicts with Russia the US were limited to where they could fly in therefore limiting it's ability for ground support. This is every messy and gray situation where every decision would impact either sides heavily. Their goal is to evacuate any remaining troops, regroup and strategize with the new knowledge that they could be facing a united front of Arabs, whereas their initial one was solely based on the support o local militias and only facing the Syrian army. I was largely inspired by the destruction of centre army group during operation Bagration. FWIW I am not doing this mission to spout any Islamic propaganda but to creating a conundrum where the US army is in the perfect political climate whcih would allow severely limited US power in the region and to see how they can react to it. 

Seem there was a lot of replies since I last checked. Thanks for all of your supportive comments.
The story is this, whether or not it will ever get made is a differwnt matter. But i need to get this off my chest.
Backstory:
US backed by Turkey send troops into Syria to topple the Assad regime witht the objective of placing a US puppet government. While doing with the support of the Kudish army and other freedom fighters to help maintain territories they have liberated along the way and to keep the peace. 
After finally reaching Aleppo and fighting a huge and bloody battle with the main core of Assad army. The US won a pyrrhic victory but suffered heavy losses in armor and men.
Before the US could even begin to reorganize its army with much needed reinforcement. Several rebel groups stage a well orgamized coup againts the US army to grabbed key milatary bases over Syria.
Overnight, several places fell under rebel control. In the confusion and fear, high command dropped support for any rebels including the PKK and blamed them for the coup. This angered them and after a US mortar misfire killed one of their soildier. The PKK soon joined the rebel coalition.
Pockets of resistance throughout Syria grew into strongholds, eventually cutting off any supply route from Turkey. Any US equipments that were meant to protect the US army were now seized or used againts them instead.
An all out war raged againts the US. A full evacuation order of the US army was issued but it was too little too late. As the combined arms of almost every rebel group in the middle east including some from Iraq fell upon Aleppo, the US army collapsed only addording a few companies to evacuate. 
Seem there was a lot of replies since I last checked. Thanks for all of your supportive comments.
The story is this, whether or not it will ever get made into a full campaign isa different matter. But i need to get this off my chest, and yes it definitely needs polishing.
Backstory:
US backed by Turkey send troops into Syria to topple the Assad regime with the objective of placing a US puppet government. While doing so with the support of the Kurdish army and other freedom fighters to help maintain territories they have liberated along the way and to keep the peace. 
After finally reaching Aleppo and fighting a huge and bloody battle with the main core of Assad's army. The US won a pyrrhic victory but suffered heavy losses in and men and material.
Before the US could even begin to reorganize its army with much needed reinforcement. Several rebel groups staged a well organized coup against the US army to grabbed key military bases over Syria. 
Overnight, several places fall under rebel control. In the confusion and fear, high command dropped political and military support for any rebels including the YPG and blamed them for the coup. This angered them and after a US mortar misfire killed one of their soldier. The YPG soon joined the rebel coalition.
Pockets of resistance throughout Syria grew into strongholds, eventually cutting off any supply route from Turkey and surrounding friendly areas. Any US equipment that were meant to protect the US army were now seized and used against them instead.
In the ensuing power vacuum after the fall of the Syrian government, an all out war raged against the US by rebels with a single goal of seizing Damascus. This sudden up rise caught the US by complete surprise, they have underestimated the underground Russian influence over rebel groups. Turns out the Syrian army were not the only ones with Russian support.
A full evacuation order of the US army was issued but it was too little too late. As the combined arms of almost every rebel group in the middle east including some from Iraq fell upon Aleppo with Russian backing. This lead to the collapse of the US army in Syria under the weight of the unfathomnable alliances forged between these radical groups.
The US army were only able to evacuate roughly 1000 men out of 15,000 that were assigned to this operation only a year ago. Soon Syria was swallowed whole into a second civil war within the last two decade. The country would never again recover to its once exemplary state of a modern Islamic country.
 

Yes, i like that we are finally all sharing our own backstory and adding in more flavor to each other's.
For story sake, i think after US have fully withdrawn from Syria after the disaster in my storyline. They decide to help Ukraine to combat Russia as revenge for their hand in the organized uprising of the rebel coalition.
This should lead to CMBS with US/Ukraine forces vs Russia forces.
 

Well I guess my thread inadvertently helped others to be more open about their storyline without the fear of getting harsh criticism. 
I think most people who play any CM games long enough would have their own imagined storyline no matter how inaccurate to ridiculous it may sound, it is always good to share our thoughts with each other and provide feedback that aims to add more value to the narrative instead of demoralizing its creators. 😉

To be fair, he has some points, I don't think we need to pull ranks here. I choose not to believe there is an elitist culture in this forum. I think everyone can express their opinion regardless  of who they are talking to. 😅
 
Cheers.

The advice Comabtintman gave is useful as stated before and I'll be using his advice as pointers when I am designing the campaign.  I am just saying its not necessary to pull up a " Do you know who you are talking to? " attitude that's all. He wasn't invalidating any of his advice just stating that he may be suggesting things which are more into mission designing and not backstory/plot which was what I was looking for. 😄

The core unit for the whole campaign would be the light armored Recon Battalion. However the first few mission will be at company level since they had to open and clear the way for the main battalion to come through.
I chose the the roads of Rajo cause geographically it's the gateway to many other provinces and is also has the shortest route to Aleppo which is where my campaign will end.
The first battle is fairly easy since you're commanding company size and you only need to clear out the towns and secure the roads.
You're fighting against the Assad's Syrian army. However later in the story you'll also be fighting against rebels who will be attacking you from places you have conquered. 
Also since in real life t US had just pulled out from Syria, I feel that this would align with my story with their second intervention few years down the road. 

Here's a test.
Hand the game list to a friend and tell them to choose for you. Whichever title they pick ask yourself "Am I disappointed that they picked that one?" If the answer is yes that's an indication there is a title that you subconsciously really want to have.
If you want my suggestion I'd pick CM:Final Blitzkrieg. Simply because you've already got the summer Eastern Europe terrain in CMBS and fall & winter Northern Europe is quite picturesque.

Hi everyone, after the release of Shock Force 2 even though i have not purchase it myself. I took the opportunity to come up with a story line for a would be campaign together with its first scenario. For now this is what I've prepared so far but I would like to expand it even further with richer story arc over this campaign and a backstory starting from the end of the Syria civil war leading toward the second US intervention into Syria.
Do let me know what you think of this campaign/scenario. 
Operation Resurgence
Ravaged by civil war the ruins left by the international proxy war in Syria barely allowed a weakened government in place consisting mostly of Assad loyalists. After overwhelming outcry from the international community over its treatments of civilians during and post civil war, the US and its NATO allies have now decided to launch a full blown campaign on the Assad regime in Syria beginning with the liberation of Rajo towards the city of Aleppo. What was once an international icon of a modern Islamic country has now turned into a hellish battleground since 2012 and would not end soon with he beginning of the second US intervention into Syria.
The 42nd Marines Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (LAV) lead by Lieutenant Colonel Rufus White are tasked with opening a front in Syria beginning with the highways of Rajo bordering Turkey, this would allow access to its neighboring provinces. Battle hardened from the war in Iraq, they were accustomed to the harsh climate and the brutal condition of a war torn country. 
 

The town of Rajo lies at the border of Turkey and is also an intersection between between other major cities.
 
Battle Plan

Rajo’s main two roads leading to the city of Aleppo.
 
Intel suggests a military presence in the surrounding villages in Rajo guarding the highways. Expect strong resistance coming from the southern region.  Securing the nearby houses would help in getting rid of any enemy while also providing cover fire over the highways for secure passage for the main army.
HQ has granted access to AV-8B Harrier from the nearby turkey airbase and would lend support to the bulk of this mission with much needed aerial firepower over the roads of Rajo. Lack of intel cannot confirm of any enemy anti air capabilities in the vicinity. Caution is advised.  
The main objective is to secure the highways to establish a forward base in Rajo and to open a front to the heart of Syria.
 
“The great revolution in the history of man, past, present and future, is the revolution
of those determined to be free.”
- John F. Kennedy (35th President of the United States)

 

Coming from a guy who is used to paying third world prices 50% discount on Steam, but paid RM256 = USD60 for combat mission, and planning to buy the whole series eventually, yes it is damn well worth it!!!. My first purchase is CMBS as well.

Hi everyone! This is not an official AAR cause I was enjoying the game too much to take screenshots during the scenario. I only managed to save after the battle ended so all the screenshots are front the end of the scenario , but I would like to share my recent experience with black sea.
After trying out the Demo and playing the training mission twice (lost the first time) I noticed at the end of the game the AI retreated to the woods when i was closing in on the town. I thought that was kinda cool and realistic. After all, the logical path was to retreat to the woods. Later, after reading more about the game's AI, I was somewhat surprise that it was based on trigger and that the AI had 3 levels. strategic, operational and tactical. I believe the strategic level is the one that is trigger based.
So I bought myself my first CM copy. I played through the training campaign while following the guidelines on the manual which i had printed out. In the last mission I realise that it was the same scenario from the demo so I thought I would do fine but this time I followed the manual by splitting my team and all. First, I noticed when I sent my riflemen scout near the observation post alone they were engaged by snipers from the forest, which I kinda knew was there. However, this did not happened the first time I played in the demo, and I don't quite remember what I did. I made some mistakes on the way and ended up losing my observer, HQ and and 1 squad. 
So I restarted the scenario again but this time I did it my way instead of following the manual. I sent one of my Bradley to to the side of the sunken road to engage the snipers which I know would shoot my guys near the woods at the observation post, but nothing happened I sent the same rifle squad to scout the woods and I got no engagement from the other side, no snipers, nothing. I sent he rest of my assault troops to assault route 1 without incident only engaging 2 squads on the way to assault route 2.

 
By the end of this scenario, I caught the Russians retreating to the woods again just like in the demo, however this time I had 2 Bradleys near the entrance of the woods, getting ready for a massacre. Guess what, only 2 squads came out and after getting shot, the rest of them decided to stay in the buildings surrounding the chapel. They refused to come out until they surrendered, i managed to only take out 1 squad out of 4-5 that attempted to retreat back to the woods, mainly because I believe they turn back after the first two squads were engaged by my Bradleys


 
After this, all I can say is that I am very impressed with the AI reaction to what do in the battlefield. It could just be random luck that i trigger or did not trigger certain triggers but this is the most realistic AI opponent I have seen.  In most games if the AI retreats if that even happens then it will happen no matter what, even if they are running into a meat grinder, but not in CM.
 

All that remains of the Russian forces. 
 

Made a mistake and lost a full squad, I was hoping to get full score. 
 


Some Russians who died to my Bradley flanking them from the back of the town. Bradleys are beasts!

If you dig memoirs, I highly recommend Donald R. Burgett's books; Currahee, The Road To Arnhem, Seven Roads To Hell, and Beyond The Rhine, as well as To Hell And Back, by Audie Murphy. They are jammed packed with action and WWII coolness. Perfect books to get you in the mood for some CM kickassery. They are among my favorite first person accounts of GI combat.
 
Mord.

What a shame. Will Battlefront at least appoint someone to occasionally make some  CM videos ? 

OMG I am in the exact same shoes as you, having tried out graviteam tactics and many other wargames recently. Combat mission is the one that stuck to me the most and although I just purchased CMBS which is a great game btw. I am suddenly mesmerised by WW2 and I am trying to decide between CMRT, CMFB and CMBN as my first WW2 CM game. All of which I know I'll get eventually.
CMRT  is unique because of the Russian faction and I am curious how operation bagration mange to wipe out the the whole German army group. CMFB is also different because of the German's final assault and it's mostly set in winter which is a cool thing to see. CMBN is the most classic I suppose and provides the most content including market garden which I am also interested in. I even went out and bought my first WW2 book, Dunkirk by Hugh Sebag and also an encyclopedia of all WW2 greatest battle. 
On a side note, "Snow and steel battle of the Bulge" and "Those who hold Bastogne" are great books to accompany CMFB .
Here's a link to all popular WW2 books according to Amazon. Pls rec me some if u any good ones 
https://www.amazon.com/b/ref=sr_aj?node=5031&ajr=0
 
Cheers!

nice work, got it on the screen

How much are you guys willing to pay for a remake of CMA in 4.0 engine or with a totally new campaign all together? I am willing to put down a solid $60!

Yeah, a great one. That'd be pretty sweet.

take my money, please. Full price.

Man, I would SOOO love to have the saved map state functionality for campaigns. This map is tailor-made for that. As things stand, I'm leaning heavily towards letting players create their own damage each battle, even though that means map slice overlap areas will magically repair themselves. Pre-battle damage would add nice atmosphere, but I think that's outweighed by the undesirable reduction in tactical possibilities that canned damage would cause. That, and it's fun to destroy the map yourself!
At this point, the campaign scenarios will likely tend to have fairly centrally-located victory locations with as much room around them as frame rates will allow. That way, the defender can make use of overwatch locations deeper within his overall defensive zone and have room to maneuver in reinforcements and/or mount local counterattacks. Likewise, that will allow the attacker the ability to maneuver, flank terrain objectives, and perhaps bottle up defenders in ineffective areas. This will also allow for reasonable time limits (maybe 60-90 minutes average), as the distances to objectives will not be great in actual meters, but it will require lots of time and careful play to actually take and hold onto them.
Going back to arty,  I think the Soviet attacker will find himself often walking in the footsteups of his real-world historical counterparts in making extensive use of carefully choreographed pre-planned barrages. Wielded well and with luck, he will have a mighty bludgeon there that may well be the key to "shock and awe" his way to a foothold on the objectives. Once the battle is underway, the lesser speed and accuracy of his artillery will likely make it less effective than his opponent's. On the other hand, the German player should have a good chance to have adequate combat power survive the Soviet opening barrages with careful use of the terrain and smart deployment. Then, his experienced SS units will be able to call faster, more accurate artillery -- and not just the small stuff. Exensive artillery duels may be fairly common. And, the Soviet player may find himself reserving his mortars for AT duty more than he is used to.

How much are you guys willing to pay for a remake of CMA in 4.0 engine or with a totally new campaign all together? I am willing to put down a solid $60!

Thanks for checking in, Ridaz. Things are going well. S-L-O-W-L-Y, but well. Here is a screenshot of recent work:

 
There are areas in the background that are still in the initial skeletal stage, or are currently being brought out of it. The area filling out the center and foreground of the pic is largely done, except for the southermost trees that need to be tweaked a bit more.
I am just finishing up a test battle on the SW slice from my Dec. 2nd post above. I am very pleased with the action. In fact, though it wasn't intended for it, I am fighting the urge to make it into an AAR video. I think the action would make for pretty entertaining video fodder and it would give people a taste of what the map will bring while sitting through the long wait for it. The downside of the vid would be that it would take time away from making the map.
Not sure what to do on that. The map isn't going to be out until after the next module anyway, but I have a mammoth amount of work left to do on it. Another option would be a screenshot AAR. But, that might end up taking as much production time as a vid series.