Vacillator

Okay, I take back what I said about boxes. I think however I do similar things but hadn't thought of it as a box (or otherwise) formation, more like mutual support / overwatch. I'm not sure what you mean about repair, but you were referring specifically to Prokhorovka? All of the recent research (including OOBs before and after, photographic, testimonies from both sides etc.) has concluded that the 'huge clashing together' of tanks at Prokhorovka did not happen. For example, only a handful of Tigers were actually present at Prokhorovka, and from what I remember from the research 1 or perhaps 2 were knocked out. A lot of T34s did come to a sticky end, largely as a result of forgetting about their own rather extensive anti-tank ditch. It is thought that the one-sided Soviet losses led to artificial reports of a more balanced battle in an attempt to excuse the losses to higher command (aka Stalin). In addition, the Germans held the field for several days after the battle before withdrawing, so they did have the chance to recover and repair while the Soviets did not until days later, by which time I imagine their wrecks would have been attended to in a different way by the Germans. Do I know the above is correct? No. Is the original Soviet version correct? I very much doubt it. Of course having said all of this, the Kursk offensive as a whole obviously failed, whatever happened at Prokhorovka.

Thankyou my good friend, but I can't use that excuse. My modern era experience is currently limited to several turns in a Cold War PBEM against a Cold War veteran - good way to start eh?

I'm in bocage country, not my favourite terrain feature. Hope your mortars show up (as reinforcements maybe?).

I'm not, my attention has been directed elsewhere. But I also need all the arty I can get, although I'm developing a reputation for dumping it on my own troops . Except when it comes to on-map mortars. I have a new-found liking for the US 60mm by way of an example.

It's not something I've used in CM. I take your point though, except for I think this has been largely debunked as a myth promoted by the Soviets?

If I was a TC (or other crew) in the Ardennes at the time in a Stuart, my rear end would be pushing out of the back as well. So we can say accurate modelling ? More seriously I haven't observed this yet.

Cat and Mouse - German gets points for spotting Soviet tanks (with Panthers), Soviets get points for killing German tanks. A tricky one thanks to @George MC. In our PBEM we started like this but then went for each other in true Cat and Mouse style. Great game, lives in the memory. Soviet win for me after thinking I'd lost it half way though.

I assume you're still talking Real Time play (and in CM)? As I play WeGo (1 minute turns) to do what you say is rather difficult . I can order a move forward let's say on slow or hunt looking for a target, if something of interest appears the tank might stop and shoot. And if the target isn't destroyed it might sit there re-loading to fire again, and again if necessary. Unless something had returned 'scary' fire which made the AI-crew decide to reverse. Other orders/results are possible, just an example (and I should say WW2 based). In Cat and Mouse neither of us advanced a 'mass of tanks' in formation, it was individual tanks in supportive roles. Slowly, keeping cover as much as possible, supporting each other. Out of interest, what's your gaming background - is it FPS games? Or strategy games? Just wondering if this is relevant to your questions.

From which side? I played it in a PBEM as Soviet (and won, for what it's worth). The idea of 'box formations' doesn't register with me. I keep tanks in units in close proximity to each other if possible (within reason), and do things like set up for over-watch where I can, but I don't form 'boxes' as their positions are dictated by cover such as treelines, hills, etc. 'Boxes' reminds me of Waterloo, a different type of battle. I might be missing your point though, apologies if so.

I like to beat Dave one turn at a time . And I'm sure the vice-versa applies. He's certainly about to do that to me in Cold War .

We all know that's not simple. Oh hang on, you're talking about RL . As for the Lone Tiger tactic, when I played George's version, I adopted a different approach. And it worked.

A purely hypothetical question speaking as a person who has never even played Cold War until now. The question is not based on my first ever Cold War PBEM. Definitely not. So I believe doctrine says Soviets don't dismount infantry for recon (they're probably in too much of a hurry). And they don't unbutton. Would I be gamey doing either of these games? Hypothetically. The avoidance of recon by death is on my mind. How un-Soviet.

You choose it as an option at the start of each battle. Not sure you can switch mid-battle, it's a thought though.

I play WeGo, and usually do one or more replays of each turn to get an overview of 'things happening'. I then zoom in and replay things that look exciting or which might bite me in the *** if I ignore them. But it sounds like you're playing Real Time?

Me too. Two's company, three's a crowd. If you're one of the couple .

I agree John, hopefully I just read too much into the conversation.

Lucky on that day, less so some weeks later... By the way @George MC's versions of both of these battles are excellent if you haven't tried them.

I think there was a bit of a 'heated debate' about rules in this match so I'm not sure it will complete (I may be wrong) - see the thread here if interested:

@Falaise - Steph you can add to this conversation I'm sure my friend. @Lucky_Strike - Mark you've not been here for a while, hope all is okay.

I'd like to see the age demographic for CM players, but I'm guessing it's biased towards 'older' gentlemen. Which introduces gender, but not many ladies play CM to my knowledge.

Me too Wim, and a few other CM titles. And don't forget some CMBN goodness is on its way...

Pierre, I need you to tell me how to do this. PM me urgently .

I think you'll find that the Brit Awards are not just for ****e electronic dance music. In fact the electronic dance category might be the least ****e category eligible for an award .

Please continue this conversation my good friends, I'm gaining some useful indirect intel .

The UK is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. As you rightly say GB is England, Scotland and Wales. As for NI people 'identifying' as Irish and/or British, I don't think that's a universally held view. But let's not go there... Canadians (although very nice) are not Brits. They are Commonwealth, at least for now. I've lived in the UK all my life, but @Warts 'n' all has lived here even after his death.