Falaise

On this sad day of invasion against democracy, I prefer to remember me that of liberation for democracy
the fourth is here

One of my ongoing side projects (aimed, mostly, at the new influx of Steam Players) is to host an 'All in One' for every CM game here.
This is my initial effort for CMBN & its primary feature is a large collection of weathered vehicle & guns mods (almost entirely by @Aristoteles & @umlaut). It also features terrain mods by @SeinfeldRules, @Falaise & @patboy. UI mods by @Juju, @Marco Bergman& @Mord alongside loading screens by @umlaut. Infantry mods by Vincenzo21, @Damian45, @Vein, Jacquinot, @EZ, @mjkerner,  @Jorge MC, @nik mond& @Aristoteles. Building mods by @Tanks a Lot & @Juju as well as the ME effects package, ME soundscape, subdued @Taranis& HQS voices plus many others.
It has integrated & default early summer & early autumn (using the [holland] tag) options as well as a couple of zip files which can activate a late autumn & late summer look.
Additionally it comes with a vast quantity of content (hundreds of scenarios, scores of maps & 20 odd campaigns).
Here's a taster of some of what you can expect...
 







Here's the link for the CMBN 'All in One'...
https://www.mediafire.com/file/bplqhvfkl4da5pq/CMBN_Initial_%27All_in_One%27.7z/file

A good example of friendly fire. Yes, we all know it is possible with larget calibre weapons on, but I thought you might like to see it still
 
https://youtu.be/3IL5cLDWn-Q

Here is the new version of the 4 months June July August and September (for @Aragorn2002) which uses @Lucky_Strike mods.
it works on the same principle as the previous version
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gusx1a43oah26px/AAAegFjxuQtbkwb0s58cgNgma?dl=0
 
The goal is to use as many of the fantastic of @Lucky-Strike bmps as possible over the course of the four months.
I took the time to be able to compare and refine, watching the evolution of nature during these 4 months. The richness of the lucky strike mod offers a (very) large number of combinations!!
 
In addition to the Lucky Strike mods other are original textures
I also tweaked the Ramblers mod for the trees by changing the colors and mixing them with the stock and Lucky Strike ones to break the repeat effect.
You will also find the plowed fields of Kieme and Aris modified so that the colors match the Norman soil which is brown.
Finally the whole has been reworked in color and saturation.
For reasons of balance so that if you are flush with the ground or at half height and height, some BMP does not appear "tackled" giving an unpleasant effect
 
You will also find a multitude of small insignificant details but which to put together give a real impression of the Normandy countryside.
 
 The mods that I offer you, largely build and combine with these original textures, I advise you to remove all other vegetation and terrain mods to get the best result.
 
There are 6 files: one called land of Normandy
 
This is to be permanently installed in the z folder
 
Then 5 other files called June, Wet July and Dry July, August and September which must be installed as desired in z
 
You have to choose depending on the scenario which you are going to install in z. As soon as you take a scenario that changes months, all you have to do is put the corresponding "month" folder, thinking that you have deleted the previous "month" folder.
 
 “Rendons a César ce qui est a César”
Without the existence of  @Lucky-Strike  Hedgerow hell mod, this mod would have been impossible. BIG BIG THANK you to him
 I invite you to watch the post very carefully and strongly advise you to use "zzzzzz-LS-new-bocage-straight-1" which gives a big plus to the general aspect of the game
 

june

wet july

dry july

august

september

yes Fernando absolutely correct.
So as @Warts 'n' all was not satisfied
I changed the colors, squared the pockets
For badges:
The 4 ID there is an exception that has been made and the wearing of this one authorized exceptionally.
the HBT was indeed impregnated, I have a relic HBT 43 jacket from June 6 impregnated it still smells a little, but it is especially to the touch that the sensation is unpleasant

@Fernando this one can see the 3 shades I selected

 

Much better 👍

ah ah I made the mistake of doing the same thing as the first time without exposing my crews to the cold and the penalty is terrible!!!
while I had lost my 1st tank after an hour, there I am the first to have suffered the loss of several tanks
The battle is terrible and my big cats hiss like demons, there is a lot of torn hair....
super !! j'adore

Let's be clear, I'm looking forward to the pack😍
which covers the Utah sector and the dropzones
There are many para mods but few on the 4 ID US
The 4 ID US is a particularly interesting unit, it has already masterfully succeeded in its landing and moreover it is commanded by an emblematic officer who will die a few weeks later of a heart attack: T Roosevelt. He is buried here in Normandy with his brother who fell during the 1st World War. They are the very symbol of the sacrifice of the United States on French soil during the 2 world wars.
the 4 wears the "ivy" on the helmet, non-regulatory but relatively common
Similarly, the wearing of HBT43 is standardized at least on day d and the days that follow in the unit
the unit also massively wears the assault vest on June 6
I made a mod helmet badge and the HBT43  outfit.
 Jm stuff has in these drawers, the assault vest
Can be @BFCElvis and @Ithikial_AU could you tag everything and communicate the tags so that this mod mod is easily usable by those who wish it even those who have trouble with the tags



 
 

Thanks for the kudos for the Carius CMRT scenario. That is based on the facts and focussed on the main event and used both German and Russian sources to create the narrative (Note: carius in his account creates a totally fictional and non-corroborated meeting engagement after the encounter at Malinava). The mysterious heavy tank brigade (‘Josef Stalin’) as described by Carius and engaged by the Tigers never existed. In fact the company commanded by Carius was in action against the 41st Tank brigade (T-34 and M3 medium tanks) and the 48th Guards Heavy Tank Regiment, both from the 5th Tank Corps. The first lost some 10 T-34 destroyed at Malinovo/Malinava on 22.07, the latter - 5 IS-2 (sources http://zhurnal.lib.ru/m/marchenko_r_a/poteri5tk.shtml).
So 'fraid video gets a huge thumbs down from. A mish-mash of incorrect factoids. Even simple corborotion with Carius' own account would get this half way correct. Such poorly researched slick video productions really boil my piss though - its al clicks and likes and nothing of any substance. The men involved all deserve better, especially the Soviet tankers who were killed in this engagement. For the full Soviet KIA names list scroll down. A key factor in the success of Carius’ unit attack can be attributed to fact that these tank crews of the Soviet 3/41st Tank Brigade were mainly inexperienced reinforcements. The battalion has come up to brigade on the evening of the 21st June 1944. It appears the tank drivers had experience of only 3 hours driving their tanks, whilst many of the officers were inexperienced and not ready for a fast and dynamic close range armoured fight. Anyways the full account and sources is below. The vdieo - meh...
Historical Background
On 22 July 1944, 1st Lieutenant Otto Carius with his company of eight Tigers from sPzAbt (Heavy Tank Battalion)502 advanced towards the village of Malinava.
They had been tasked with halting the spearhead of the Soviet 5th Tank Corps, the tip of 4th Shock Army’s spear, which had cleanly broken through Army Group North’s defences.  
The Soviet 5th Tank Corps during their drive towards Dunaburg/Daugavpils were intercepted by a German assault gun battery (on probability most likely elements from Assault Gun Brigade 912 – although it’s difficult to pin this down with any certainty) around 1200Hrs. 
After a short sharp firefight the Soviet armour brushed aside an attack by the assault guns destroying 7 of the assault guns in the process. 
The Soviet tanks went on to cut the main highway, from Daugavpils to Rossiten in Latvia, at Malinava. Their next objective was the city of Daugavpils to the south. 
As panic stricken German troops fled the area, 2nd Company from the sPzAbt 502 under the command of 1st Lieutenant Otto Carius were tasked with intercepting this Soviet armoured spearhead. After refuelling and re-arming they headed out. On their approach to Malinava they heard the sounds of an armoured battle – the firefight between the Soviet armour and the hapless Stug unit. The Tiger unit stopped behind a slight rise to investigate. 1st Lieutenant Carius, along with Sergeant Albert Kerscher (one of the most decorated commanders of sPzAbt 502) took a Kubelwagen and went on ahead to identify the source of the gunfire. 
Somewhere south of Malinava they bumped into a fleeing army Sergeant who warned them of the presence of Soviet tanks up ahead in the village. He was invited into their kubelwagon and the little group carried on. Just before the village, on a reverse slope they parked and proceeded on foot till about a kilometre from the village. Here Carius observed the Soviets moving into position in Malinava and noticed that several T34s were standing sentry on the southern approach into the village. As Carius watched the Soviet tanks begin to ‘circle the wagons’ a motorcycle approached the south. In it was the adjutant from the ill-fated German assault gun battalion. He confirmed that the firefight Carius had heard was the contact between the assault gun unit and the Soviet tanks now taking up position in Malinava. 
Carius recognized that the Russian tanks in the village were only advance troops waiting for the main force to arrive. He decided to recapture the village with a daring 'coup de main' before reinforcements arrived. He decided to attack the village using only two tanks. 
His reasoning for this approach (as he describes in his book “Tigers in the Mud”) was because the situation was so unclear and, in his judgement, would be too risky for the unit to attack on line. Therefore to avoid risking his other vehicles and crews - six Tigers (under the command of 1st Lieutenant Nienstedt who was new to the unit) remained in reserve while Carius and Kerscher's Tigers moved towards the village of Malinava. Speed was the essence of Carius' strategy, as was his desire to avoid unnecessary casualties.
Entering the village, two T-34/85 tanks were observed rotating their turrets. At that moment, Kerscher's Tiger No.213, trailing Carius, opened fire and knocked them out. Both Carius and Kerscher’s Tigers penetrated into the village where they engaged the other Soviet tanks at close range. Carius recalled that the entire battle lasted no more than 20 minutes - Carius and Kerscher's Tigers knocked out 17 Russian tanks (as claimed by Carius in his account in ‘Tigers in the Mud’) during this brief but violent action. His quick and accurate recognition of the situation and the excellent tactics used were the main factors in the decisive outcome. 
Controversy and Discussion 
These are the key facts. However this action (and the following one Carius describes in his book – Tigers in the Mud’) have gathered some critical views – did this really happen? This link provides some background detail regarding the discussion including some very interesting Russian research by S.Morozov about the action simulated in this scenario and the second event described by Carius in his book: 
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=163515 
The discussion and links provided in this forum were crucial for working out what happened where – especially the detail provided by S.Morozov. 
There are a few points regarding Carius’ account (bearing in mind it was written from memory a long time after the actual events) that the evidence available now to researchers doesn’t corroborate. They are: 
The mysterious heavy tank brigade (‘Josef Stalin’) as described by Carius and engaged by the Tigers never existed. In fact the company commanded by Carius was in action against the 41st Tank brigade (T-34 and M3 medium tanks) and the 48th Guards Heavy Tank Regiment, both from the 5th Tank Corps. The first lost some 10 T-34 destroyed at Malinovo/Malinava on 22.07, the latter - 5 IS-2 (sources http://zhurnal.lib.ru/m/marchenko_r_a/poteri5tk.shtml). 
The Soviet brigade commander killed by Carius is a pure fantasy. The most high-ranking Soviet tank officer killed at Malinava on this day was Captain Orlovskiy, CO of the 1st battalion, 41st Tank Brigade (Same source as above). 
The subsequent ambush east of Malinava, in which Carius allegedly destroyed 28 Soviet tanks seems to be a fantasy as well. There are no recorded Soviet tank losses for that day that corroborate the story (or subsequently in the area). However the evidence tallies for the action at Malinava and for it happening reasonably close to Carius’ account of events. 
In Carius’ account there is no mention of the German assault guns being involved in supporting his attack. However there is evidence that indicates that the surviving assault guns from the unit previously engaged by the Soviet tanks, joined in attacking by fire from the north west when the Carius attack went in. It’s also likely they KO’d some of the Soviet tanks claimed by Carius in his book. The evidence of this comes from the German AAR and ironically a German newspaper article about this very action (It can be found as document 18 in "Tigers in the Mud"). Dated 28 July '44, "Review of the War Correspondent Reports - The Bronze Shield". It was written by Herbert Steinert, and it provides some interesting snippets of information. It writes that most Russian tanks were destroyed outside the village (which corroborates well with Morozov's account above and his locations of KO’d Soviet armour in and around Malinava), and here is the interesting part - "Leutnant Carius can chalk up 10 kills for himself, the second "Tiger" had four. Three of the fleeing bolshevist tanks were destroyed by assault guns which had followed the penetration of the tanks." 
A key factor in the success of Carius’ unit attack can be attributed to fact that the tank crews of the Soviet 3/41st Tank Brigade were mainly inexperienced reinforcements. The battalion has come up to brigade on the evening of the 21st June 1944. It appears the tank drivers had experience of only 3 hours driving their tanks, whilst many of the officers were inexperienced and not ready for a fast and dynamic close range armoured fight. 
It can also be speculated that after their victory over the German assault guns that they’d relaxed, or had become overconfident or had perhaps most likely (either because they simply forgot or due to their inexperience) that a vital part of mechanised combat is attentive and alert observation of all arcs that a possible enemy could approach from. Whatever the reasons the young inexperienced Soviet tank crews paid a heavy price – 20 officers and other ranks were killed in the fight. Many were buried by the wrecks of their destroyed tanks on the battlefield. Note: A full list of the Soviet tankers killed at Malinava can be found at 
http://zhurnal.lib.ru/m/marchenko_r_a/karius1.shtml 
These discrepancies aside the bold and decisive attack made by Carius and Kerscher was successful and inflicted heavy casualties on the advancing Soviet armour. When playing this scenario I hope you’ll appreciate how much luck played a part in the success of this attack and in both Carius and Kerscher’s survival. It’s an indication of the odds they gave at surviving this fight that after the fighting was over they’d jumped down of their tanks and hugged each other – relief and thanks? 
As Napoleon once said “I know he's a good general, but is he lucky?” On a tactical scale it was a superb display of AFV technology, skill, training and luck by the German Tiger commanders and their crews – notably Carius and Kerscher. Several days later – on the 24th July 1944 Nienstedt went on to display his own prowess in armoured combat commanding Tiger tanks when outside Dunaburg his command of six Tigers knocked 17 out of 20 attacking Soviet tanks, including 2 assault guns. His Tiger alone accounted for 10 enemy tanks. 
Soviet Casualty List for Malinava
This is the casualty list for the Soviet armoured units engaged at Malinava. Unfortunately the information concerning the detail of the Soviet units is very scarce. However these young men died fighting against Nazi Germany so it’s only fitting their sacrifice is remembered.
Source: http://zhurnal.lib.ru/m/marchenko_r_a/karius1.shtml
Casualty list for 41 Armoured Brigade July 22 1944
KIA
Officers
Captain I.Moroz;
Captain K.Orlovsky;
Lieutenant P.Prokopev;
Lieutenant N.Ravvinsky;
ml. Lieutenant A. Knorpel;
ml. Lieutenant S. Polozov;
ml. Lieutenant F. Bozhenov. He died in hospital from wounds
ml. Lieutenant A.Egorov.
Sergeants.
St.serzhant M. Cherepanov;
Sergeant M. Averyanov;
Sergeant A. Maslov;
Sergeant S. Melnikov;
Sergeant Efimov;
Sergeant E. Krylov;
Sergeant S.Nemirov,
Loskutnikov ;
mL. Sergeant A. Vinyukov;
ml. Sergeant F. Sokolov . 
Casualty list for the 48 Guards Tank Regiment July 22 1944
KIA
Officers
Guard Lieutenant G. Romazanov.
Sergeants
 St.serzhant A.Mikhailov
Schwere Panzer-Abteilung 502
During the 502nd battalions’ deployment (22-26th July 1944) on the north side of the Duna River they destroyed 73 Soviet tanks and 24 anti-tank guns for the loss of only four Tigers. 
The mobile operations the unit undertook severely stressed the Tigers mechanical reliability resulting in a 44.5% operational readiness rate for it’s Tigers. Despite this the penetrative qualities of the Tiger’s 88 allowed small numbers of Tigers to destroy large numbers of Soviet tanks, thereby helping delay the Soviet capture of Dunaburg.
Notable ‘aces’ that served with 502 Johannes Bolter (usually credited with 139 destroyed tanks but the exact number is unknown)

Otto Carius (usually credited with 150+ destroyed tanks but the exact number is unknown)

Alfredo Carpaneto (usually credited with 50+ destroyed tanks but the exact number is unknown)

Albert Kerscher (usually credited with 100+ destroyed tanks but the exact number is unknown)

Heinz Kramer (usually credited with 50+ destroyed tanks but the exact number is unknown)

Johann Muller (usually credited with 50 destroyed tanks but the exact number is unknown)
Designers and Research:
Charlie Meconis and ‘George MC’ McEwan.
 References and Sources
 “Tigers in the Mud: The Combat Career of German Panzer Commander Otto Carius”
Personal account of his combat career – it includes a detailed personal account of this action plus an appendix that has original German sources.
 “Otto Carius Meine Dienstzeit”
Photos and stories chronicle Otto Carius entrance into the Wehrmacht as a volunteer, his life as a soldier, and his victories as a Panzer commander for three and a half years on the Eastern Front. Detailed photos and illustrations of his numerous medals, decorations and documents as well as an interview with Otto Carius about his time in the military.
 “Sledgehammers: Strengths and Flaws of Tiger Tank Battalions in World War II”
Useful overview of Tigers in action operationally and tactically. Has a detailed overview of the ‘big picture’ in which Carius’ 502nd Heavy Panzer Battalion were deployed post Operation Bagration.
 Overview of 502nd’s Combat history covering vehicle losses in combat
 http://www.alanhamby.com/unithist.shtml#502
 Interesting discussion, with numerous views and conjecture plus some new evidence regarding the actions described by Carius in ‘The Ambush’ chapter of his book ‘Tigers in the Mud’:
 http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=163515
 Detailed stats and accounts from the Soviet side of the hill. However it’s in Russian and google translate struggles with an easily understandable translation plus brevity is not one of it’s merits
 http://zhurnal.lib.ru/m/marchenko_r_a/poteri5tk.shtml

I just uploaded my scenario Tank Battle of Lisow and the Lisow master map to the Scenario Depot. The master map is free of units, objectives, setup zones, etc... so you can use it or adjust it as you like. 

Let's be clear, I'm looking forward to the pack😍
which covers the Utah sector and the dropzones
There are many para mods but few on the 4 ID US
The 4 ID US is a particularly interesting unit, it has already masterfully succeeded in its landing and moreover it is commanded by an emblematic officer who will die a few weeks later of a heart attack: T Roosevelt. He is buried here in Normandy with his brother who fell during the 1st World War. They are the very symbol of the sacrifice of the United States on French soil during the 2 world wars.
the 4 wears the "ivy" on the helmet, non-regulatory but relatively common
Similarly, the wearing of HBT43 is standardized at least on day d and the days that follow in the unit
the unit also massively wears the assault vest on June 6
I made a mod helmet badge and the HBT43  outfit.
 Jm stuff has in these drawers, the assault vest
Can be @BFCElvis and @Ithikial_AU could you tag everything and communicate the tags so that this mod mod is easily usable by those who wish it even those who have trouble with the tags



 
 

Let's be clear, I'm looking forward to the pack😍
which covers the Utah sector and the dropzones
There are many para mods but few on the 4 ID US
The 4 ID US is a particularly interesting unit, it has already masterfully succeeded in its landing and moreover it is commanded by an emblematic officer who will die a few weeks later of a heart attack: T Roosevelt. He is buried here in Normandy with his brother who fell during the 1st World War. They are the very symbol of the sacrifice of the United States on French soil during the 2 world wars.
the 4 wears the "ivy" on the helmet, non-regulatory but relatively common
Similarly, the wearing of HBT43 is standardized at least on day d and the days that follow in the unit
the unit also massively wears the assault vest on June 6
I made a mod helmet badge and the HBT43  outfit.
 Jm stuff has in these drawers, the assault vest
Can be @BFCElvis and @Ithikial_AU could you tag everything and communicate the tags so that this mod mod is easily usable by those who wish it even those who have trouble with the tags



 
 

Frankly everyone, thank you for your praise.
there are some scenarios where, thanks to the talent of their authors, one can really feel in Normandy
peels mele and I forget a part !!!
Contact Front, Green Hell, Cross Road Monthardrou, Evil to be him, Wittmann's demise, Angriff der Grenadier and the hallucinating master map Haut vent and Pont Hébert.
I have been quite busy lately and have followed from afar, but I saw that @kohlenklau, @JM Stuffand @Lucky_Strikehad not thatched!
I watch and you will understand, with attention the trees of @Lucky_Strike, his modification of hedge is simply mind-blowing.
thank you and have a good ride ...
If you spend  in Normandy, warn me (in advance) I will show you the battlefield of the "Falaise Pocket"
and areas not yet deformed
Thank you
PS: Pas mal le français , tu est décidément plein de ressource cher camarade !!!

Tiger in august !!

 

Here is the new version of the 4 months June July August and September (for @Aragorn2002) which uses @Lucky_Strike mods.
it works on the same principle as the previous version
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gusx1a43oah26px/AAAegFjxuQtbkwb0s58cgNgma?dl=0
 
The goal is to use as many of the fantastic of @Lucky-Strike bmps as possible over the course of the four months.
I took the time to be able to compare and refine, watching the evolution of nature during these 4 months. The richness of the lucky strike mod offers a (very) large number of combinations!!
 
In addition to the Lucky Strike mods other are original textures
I also tweaked the Ramblers mod for the trees by changing the colors and mixing them with the stock and Lucky Strike ones to break the repeat effect.
You will also find the plowed fields of Kieme and Aris modified so that the colors match the Norman soil which is brown.
Finally the whole has been reworked in color and saturation.
For reasons of balance so that if you are flush with the ground or at half height and height, some BMP does not appear "tackled" giving an unpleasant effect
 
You will also find a multitude of small insignificant details but which to put together give a real impression of the Normandy countryside.
 
 The mods that I offer you, largely build and combine with these original textures, I advise you to remove all other vegetation and terrain mods to get the best result.
 
There are 6 files: one called land of Normandy
 
This is to be permanently installed in the z folder
 
Then 5 other files called June, Wet July and Dry July, August and September which must be installed as desired in z
 
You have to choose depending on the scenario which you are going to install in z. As soon as you take a scenario that changes months, all you have to do is put the corresponding "month" folder, thinking that you have deleted the previous "month" folder.
 
 “Rendons a César ce qui est a César”
Without the existence of  @Lucky-Strike  Hedgerow hell mod, this mod would have been impossible. BIG BIG THANK you to him
 I invite you to watch the post very carefully and strongly advise you to use "zzzzzz-LS-new-bocage-straight-1" which gives a big plus to the general aspect of the game
 

june

wet july

dry july

august

september

So think about the comfort of your men and used :
https://www.thefewgoodmen.com/cm-mod-warehouse/combat-mission-final-blitzkrieg/cmfb-infantry/cmfb-parka-tankers/
by @Frenchy56

So think about the comfort of your men and used :
https://www.thefewgoodmen.com/cm-mod-warehouse/combat-mission-final-blitzkrieg/cmfb-infantry/cmfb-parka-tankers/
by @Frenchy56

CSIR PRIMO SANGUE
10 August 1941 Blackshirts attack a Soviet rearguard near Voznesensk on the Bug River.
coming soon

it's true it's cool such a power of the tigers to not know what to do with it.
 
 
yes my pixel tankers grumbled that in I asked them to do the recce on foot in the snow: "we don't have shoes for that, it's cold, I'm not an infantryman, etc..." 😀

Great video, a Combat Mission: Fall Blau would be so fun, I mean, look how great it is just with what a handful have modders have done with the base game?
 

Assault team fragging and clearing an apartment building. With limited armor support it's the only real way to progress and with proper suppression it's pretty safe.

A Stuka drops it's bomb a bit too close and knocks out a Panzer II, the battlefield went dead silent after with the battlefield filled with smoke and most of the men on both sides instantly pinned.

Mortars hit a friendly trench wiping out an entire squad in seconds except for a single Oberschütze. 

Introduction of the D-10 Gun on the SU100. Could penetrate any German late war tank. Prompted the development of the L7 NATO 105mm tank gun. The Soviets introduced their SU100 in October 1944.
 

Scouting task accomplished moved to and made contact and passed on intel. Defensive position taken.  

Scheiße (sh*t).