DerKommissar

As Sir Humphrey Appleby put it:

Are you certain that this will increase the rate of releases? Parallelism must be taken into account, and BFC usually makes scenarios/models in parallel AFaIK. Could be that vehicles and scenarios are the critical path? That's just one problem of product development. No one can predict the future. There are so many virtually unpredictable variables that go into deadlines, that even the most educated and experienced developer will be off. These variables generally increase with the size of the production, as well. Fair enough! xD

No -- even though, I am sure my boss would often agree with that rule. It's a Rule of the Internet. Should be in your modem's manual.

That does make sense. In regards to the Hanomag, I've found that the gunner is fairly safe when peaking out behind a crest of a hill. So, he can pew pew his MGs behind the shield -- virtually impervious to small arms fire. However, when the Hanomag is going downhill, the crew (gunner especially) very vulnerable to potshots.

Hey man, Rule 34 applies to everything. Don't ask -- don't tell.

Die Antwoord? I am hyped to find out which language (English or Afrikaans) they will speak -- let alone how they sound. Charlize Theron -- female soldiers confirmed for CMx2? xD

Timber Sycamore was publicly admitted by the US government?

This is good to hear! I always found it remarkable how many different languages the Allies had to deal with.

Damn, that's disappointing to hear. Will they just have generic US voices or nothing at all?

Can the Javelin be launched from in-doors, now? I remember having to have to get my Javelin teams on roofs, in old SF. Did backblast get nerfed? Because I noticed US AT teams launching bazookas from buildings, in CMFB.

I'd take a tight dedicated team over an overbloated schlock factory, any day of the week. Star Citizen is a great case study on how hiring a massive amount of people for a niche product does not reduce market time. In fact, quite the inverse. I think BFC does pretty well in a world where most big budget titles are barely-functional shells that exist only to sell skins and lootboxes.

I wonder if the South Africans will speak Afrikaans, English or a mix of both?

Kesselschlacht Breakthrough! With the AT guns silenced, the Panthers lumber through the American rear echelon! The heavy weapons company, as well as the supporting armour, have already secured the flank. It is time for the main force to crash down onto Central Werbomont, from the rear. The American regular and paratrooper units strike from ambush, as the main force enters Central Werbomont. BAM! The main American forces in Eastern Werbomont are caught entirely by surprise! The support halftracks and the heavy weapons company have already deployed for an assault on Eastern Werbomont. The Panther squadron rolls towards the rear of Eastern Werbomont. The SS infantry, along with the fallschirmjager, finally clear out Central Werbomont -- as the American heavy artillery zeroes on their lost positions. A lone M5 AT gun engages the Panther Squadron. Too little, too late. The Kettle is sealed, and the goose is cooked. Fallschirmjager company secures Eastern Werbomont, all objectives of the Kampfgruppe are complete. The path to the river Meuse is secure. As much as the men require hot food and sleep, it is doubtful that HQ will give us much time to rest before the next battle. The coming operation will exploit the gap between the Allies and drive a wedge -- both operationally and politically. This may buy the OKW time to break Army Group North out of the Courland Pocket.

Beautiful AAR -- an inspiration to us all! The Italian hills and valleys have always favoured the defender. I don't envy the Allied commander in this terrain. That river, alone, is like a moat for the Huns. Eager to see what the Commonwealth can square up.

Assault on Werbomont The Kampfgruppe is now in the position to take North Werbomont, and then, cut off the exit of the American airborne. This will allow for a clear path to the river, Meuse, which, when taken, will drive a wedge between the Americans and the British. The American paratroopers are dug-in, and expecting to ambush the Kampfgruppe, entering the town. The majority of the fighting will have to be left to the Panther gruppe. The SS and Fallschirmjager are under strength, and must be conserved for clearing duties -- for which they are absolutely necessary. The Americans' plan is now to bleed, and slow down the Kampfgruppe, before they reach the exit. The Kampfgruppe's new vehicles are proving their worth on the battlefield. The autocannon on the Hanomag is enough to seriously suppress the American garrison. As the superior fire power of the Kampfgruppe's vehicles riddle the American strong points with explosive fire -- whileAmerican heavy artillery is being called in. BAM! BAM! BAM! It is zeroing in. The rounds are getting closer and closer. The Fallschimjager must advance, or get caught under a hail of shells. The American paratroopers, spring from windows and doorways -- firing wildly at tanks and infantry alike! The Kampfgruppe's superior firepower is suppressing the defenders. However, the cowboys remain stubborn. Now, the advance is limited to moving house-to-house. Time is running out. Shells are starting to fall. The Panther gruppe and the Fallschirmjager must strike at the Exit now. Meanwhile a heavy weapons company is stealthily deployed on the flank of Central Werbomont, under the cover of stealth. Support Hanomags and an HMG platoon will support the flanking maneuver, once the exit has been taken. While North Werbomont was lightly defended, there is a concentration of American paratroopers protecting Werbomont exit. These men are fighting to the last man, taking pot shots at advancing infantry as Panthers hose them down with MGs. BANG! ACHTUNG! American heavy anti-tank guns hidden behind the exit have opened fire! They have the power to obliterate a Panther with a single shot, at this range. The infantry must handle this one. BANG! American gunners reload their AT guns with High Explosive, as the Fallschimjager closes in on them. The 3-inch HE is devastating -- the advance is pinned! Holding back the Panthers was a mistake. They are needed to take care of these heavy guns! The second phase of the operation is a success. North Werbomont is fully under the Reich, once more. However, the Exit is putting up a stiff resistance. The American artillery will no doubt, if the Kampfgruppe finds itself stuck in North Werbomont. The assault must continue, even in the face of heavy casualties!

This came to mind when I saw this picture from Idlib: Guy really overdressed for the party. Now look at the fool carrying his helmet about, with zoolander glasses on his head. I can't really comment if the attire that the SAA wears is due to supply issues, or simple practicality. You see a lot of guys from 'nam not wearing flack jackets or BDUs -- doesn't mean they couldn't have. But I will say that, most of these guys are equipped with at least one radio, and often UAV terminals.

It seems to me, that they're very wary of NK and Iran. Who can blame them? Much like giving a loaded gun to a person with a history of deranged, and unpredictable behavior -- what if they shoot at a cordial country (South Korea or Isreal)? Mayhaps even hand over the technology to a geopolitical competitor (China)? There is the fear of the unknown, which is useful at the negotiating table. If their technology is widely known, that card is gone from their hand. Technology is also worth a pretty penny. You can't sell, what you give out for free. By carefully controlling what technology is exported to which nation, the Soviet Union managed to encourage compliance and exercise responsibility as a global power. Pardon me if I put on a tinfoil hat, but consider that RF's establishment benefits from US economic pressure. More domestic demand, means less competition for state-owned companies. The establishment can blame the US for any economic problem, and still be technically correct. Especially, if the problem is actually caused by embezzlement and corruption. It is a mess-free way to prevent Pepsi diplomacy, oligarch opportunism and pro-Western sympathies. Judging by the results, sanctions have only increased RF's military adventures. Where once, the West struggled to break through the Iron Curtain, now they are rebuilding it. Speaking from recent experience with NK and Iran, sanctions only seem to motivate increased aggression. Instead of winning hearts & minds, the West is doing the exact opposite. My solution is to try the exact inverse -- to tempt the East with the taste of democracy. Lower the sanctions, and begin to aggressively export Western goods. Get the consumers hooked and their economy dependent on Western imports. This has worked before with the fall of the Soviet Union, and the rehabilitation of Axis Europe and Asia. ((Apologies for veering off-topic. I am curious how big the explosion was, in terms of tonnage. Especially how it compares to the Halifax disaster of 1917.))

Not just trenches for infantry, too. Static weapons and even vehicles get properly dug-in into the terrain. You place their occupants in set-up, and click the shovel, but you don't know where the entrenchments will spawn, exactly. Unlike in CM, where you can place the entrenchments precisely where you want them. I may be wrong, but I don't remember being able to place minefields or barbed wire in GT. I do like that dug-in troops, spawn functional ammo boxes, though. One of my favourite things about GT is the track physics they got from their tank sims. Deformations aren't only cosmetic, and vehicles will get stuck if you're not careful. Especially troublesome with AI path-finding, but quite realistic. One feature I've seen suggested for CM has been melee combat. Both GT and ToW have melee combat that's absolutely laughable. When two infantrymen bump into eachother, they get into a dance-off -- raising their hands and kicking in the air, as if they're at a rave. I find it more immersive in CM, where they just fill eachother full of lead -- in a sort of Tarantino stand-off.

Yeah, I've been having a great experience with 4.02, so far. I went into playing the SAA with Warsaw Pact combined arms tactics, after finishing the CM:BS UKR campaign. The layered cake of artillery, tanks, ifvs/apcs and infantry, all at once, seems to be the way to go. You can't expect a NATO level of individual competence, so using NATO tactics is disastrous. In a way, this parallels a real world problem for the SAA -- few officers are trained on the intended tactics. Whenever I play a Soviet-style army, I usually spend 75% of my time arranging my perfect 5 minute battle. So, all artillery, vehicles and infantry is standing-by to for a simultaneous avalanche on the enemy's line. Best way to use low-experience troops that can't be expected stay frosty after first blood. Recon is important, but you lack Western Optics. So, you have to probe the line with scouts and scout cars, before the 5 minute battle. I use these probes a as a litmus test -- if a BRDM-2 is burning, you know not to go there. Areas of the enemy line that don't immediately destroy your scouts, can be considered schwerpunkts. These are the prime targets for your breakthrough. I believe the modern-day SAA is actually quite good at these tactics, after years of bloody field training. You can take a look at how they operate in Idlib. Spend months on probing attacks, but spend a couple of days breaking through pincers.

The Kampfgruppe lacks the strength for another frontal assault. The plan is to seize the hill on the right flank, and advance through the wooded valley. As the first part of the Kampfgruppe arrives, the Panthers take the hills -- as the infantry probes American defenses in the area. The Americans have dug-in their infantry in the wooded areas. These dogged defenders are ready to delay my breakthrough, as they call in their heavy artillery. They are eager to engage, despite the overwatching panthers. Time is of the essence, and the mixed elements cannot afford to be zeroed in by American batteries on stand by. They must push forward, and break through the wooded areas. Luckily the Panthers managed to neutralize all of the apartment cannons at the northern objective. Despite being on the receiving end of fire superiority, the American defenders hold their ground and attempt to suppress and delay the advance. The foxholes in the woods provide heavy cover, as well as concealment for their infantry. There is little time to methodically clear the wooded areas. American heavy artillery has already obliterated the hill. The maneuver must continue to step one step ahead of the artillery. The panthers break through the clearings, and begin to engage the northern town's defenders. As one troop suppresses the defenders. Another troop makes their way from the right flank, and up the valley, towards the town. Once they have coverage of all buildings and foxholes, the halftracks and infantry will follow. So far, the assault is going according to plan. The infantry has sustained light casualties, and the Americans were expecting a frontal assault along the highway. BOOM! The troop command tank bursts in flame, as a solid slug smashes through its mantlet. There are no survivors. The rest of the troop quickly hurry to return fire at the hidden American tank destroyer. A high velocity armour piercing round goes straight through the 90mm tank destroyer's hull, and hits the ground behind it. The american crew bails out. It is tragic to lose a panther HQ to this tin can. As the infantry catches up with the Panther troops, they encounter fanatical American resistance. Unlike previous battles, there are no surrenders. After the slaughter of POWs and Belgian civilians, by the Kampfgruppe -- they expect no quarter and give none. Yet, they are overwhelmed by superior numbers and firepower. The infantry catches up, and the the Kampfgruppe closes the distance. So far, the assault is going according to schedule. All the heavy elements in the northern part of the town have been cleared. The objective is within firing range. The next phase of the operation will be to exploit this flank and secure the exit. The final objective is to attack the center of the town, no doubt the American's strongest position, from the rear.

To the Meuse! After weeks of heavy fighting, the state of the Kampfgruppe is dire. Infantry companies are at half strength, and the panthers are suffering from a lack of repair. The retaking of Stavelot proved to be a costly affair. American resistance has greatly strengthened since the start of the operation. Their men fight to the last, with new equipment that evens out the playing field. The time is now. The Kampfgruppe must break through to the Meuse now -- or lose the opportunity forever!

My mates and I were drinking brews and watching whatever on youtube. We chanced upon this series -- and after seeing one film, we were hooked. We saw most of the series, out of order. It's got big bombasting battles and cool history tid bits for days. You really don't need to know the language to understand what's going on. In a way, I prefer it to American war films, which are usually focused on personal stories (loved Hacksaw Ridge a lot, though), rather than the outright carnage. I still remember a brutal scene where two tank crews bail out of knocked out tanks, and continue their fight hand-to-hand. Gotta give Mosfilm and Lenfilm mad props for making their films widely accessible.

I pushed my tanks onto the center hill, that blocked Stavelot from LOS. I gave them and the Pumas a nice hull down position, with which they could take out the relatively inaccurate Priests: I encountered the AT guns, one at a time, and they did little damage to the front end of the Royal Tigers. The bulk of my cars flanked through the forests on the north and cleaned the artillery batteries up: My general plan was to place all the guns on the hills, and watch over my infantry advance along the south road. Stavelot was very well defended, the overlapping fields of fire made my advance slow. Then, I walked into an artillery reference point: This ate up valuable time, that I had planned to use clearing out tight Belgian streets. Instead I had to rush in, guns blazing. The deeper I got, the stronger American resistance I faced. Result: Tactical Victory. The tanks would have been more useful as a vanguard to my infantry assault, rather than as glorified SPGs on the hills. I am currently struggling with the next (and final) mission. Going to be posting new screenshots soon -- may do it as a mini AAR.

Yeah, the Steel Panthers games (WinSPMBT & WinSPWW2) make HPS games feel obsolete, over-priced and limited in scope. If you are into 2d, turn-based, hex-grid, tactics games -- I highly recommend you check out their demos (they're pretty much the full game). The problem with 2d wargames, is that an entire dimension has to be abstracted. They're not even on the same level of authenticity as Combat Mission.

Why would anyone storm the Canadian consulate? Are they going to demand timbits, in exchange for the hostages? In all seriousness, this is a very cool concept. Really interested how it turns out -- may inspire me to do something similar.