Thoughts on the smaller scenarios so far

[Kommissar]

I've been playing mostly the German-focused scenarios, and have quite enjoyed most of them so far. Definite SPOILER alert. I'd be curious to hear other people's experiences so far as well. I'll post my thoughts on the larger scenarios in due course.

Dead of Night - Germans

From author of Kiwi Soldiers (a battle I did not do well on). Good for teaching squad tactics, fire and maneuver, etc. There always seems to be an element of luck with the firefights, which fortunately I had in this battle. I know there must have been a great deal of fine tuning and play testing, and the result is a very well done micro battle.

Assault - Soviets

Probably the first battle many of us played. Standard combined arms of infantry, artillery and T34-85s. Fun, dynamic battle. Only quibble is that when reinforcements for the Germans showed up, they continued to charge rather foolishly into what was a complete kill zone at that point. Life on the Eastern front I suppose.

Dawn Patrol - Soviets

This was one of those battles where IRL I would have probably called off the attack almost immediately once the strength of the German position became apparent. Although my troops took out the forward line scouts without much difficulty, by the time the HMGs on the flanks opened up, I knew it was going to be a meat grinder. It reminded me of a battle from CMBB where you played a Soviet cavalry company in 1941 and charged a forested position and were essentially obliterated by a couple of HMGs. I would probably try smoke if I played this one again, and commit to a full-on assault. It's one of my frustrations with the game in terms of every battle essentially being a fierce fight that rarely ever occurred IRL, as has been commented on extensively in the forums in the context of casualty figures. It's annoying to play probe battles since they are basically an assault with fewer troops and support, yet you are expected to capture enemy positions as compared to feel them out. I felt that when I had determined the German positions, I would have called off the attack and radioed HQ that "we're going to need some tanks or heavy artillery" rather than charge in the open into accurate MG42 fire.

Angriff - Germans

The trouble with having played CMBN is that you are left with the impression that Panthers are generally safe and able to kill anything so long as you keep the front pointed at the enemy - not true on the Eastern front apparently. The battle basically progressed as follows: 1. German recon gets obliterated. 2. German armour reinforcements obliterate Soviet defenders. 3. Russian armour reinforcements obliterate Germans. Still ended up with a victory on this one because the soviet armour (which was all that was left) never moved on the objectives.

Beutzugg - Germans

I could tell from the description that this was going to be an unconventional battle. When the author warns you to watch your flank, he isn't kidding. I had some real difficulty knocking out the lone T34-85 which did a number on some of my lighter vehicles. I was able to destroy the objectives fairly easily without having to get too close, and caught a lot of the retreating Soviets in the open. It was very intense in that I was always watching the clock, saying to myself, "common, hurry up and get back in those in half-tracks so we can get the hell out of here." Unfortunately, I wasn't fast enough and was caught with my pants down. I took some nasty losses in the form of fully loaded half-track in the process of retreating. I was able to call in smoke and was gripping the keyboard as the last of my troops made it off the map in what turned into a highly disorganized scramble. This scenario was timed well and was a lot of fun. I think my experience was exactly what was intended by the author. Again, a very ambitious and unorthodox scenario that delivered.

Red Hordes - Germans

I was expecting more Soviet infantry in this map. As it was, there seemed to be about one T34 for every squad of attacking infantry. I think "Green hordes" would have been a more accurate title. One of my AT guns racked up about 12 kills before running out of ammunition. My assault guns performed well, although also had ammunition problems and had to withdraw. The village was completely overrun although I managed to kill what turned out to be most of the infantry in a viscious artillery barrrage on the village. In the end, I sat somewhat helpless as the unsupported Soviet tanks rolled in, although when they came near the objectives some brave pixeltruppen managed to take them out with grenades and panzerfausts. It reminded me of the last battles in the British Campaign from CMBN where you would face brutal assaults from the 2nd SS Panzer Division and destroy all the attacking infantry with 25 pounders but then tell your men to lie low as the Panthers moved in.

Woroblin Bridgehead - Germans

In my experience in previous CM titles, I've found that you generally don't want to be the one attacking in a forest battle. Oh, and you want a lot of SMGs. Unfortunately, the Soviets had me beat on both fronts. I sent most of my forces through the woods and they fared decently considering the above. Ended up with 44 KIA and 44 WIA and taking the Eastern objective, but was nowhere close to taking the Western one. I sent the Stugs and a reinforced platoon to try for the West, but that ended badly. They captured the trenches, but the Stugs had their optics taken out by AT rifles and long range shots from the ATGs, and didn't contribute much. Plus, they don't have a lot of HE rounds. As with ATGs, I've found that arty does a great job of killing all but one crew member on the MG, who continues to operate the weapon at full capacity. Frustrating scenario, but that was what I was expecting. Tactical victory in the end, although the beloved Regimental HQ was killed by a very random piece of shrapnel, so I'm sure morale will be low in the regiment That, and the fact that 40% of the troops did not make it out of the forest.

[Childress]

Great stuff, Kommissar. Looking forward to the next installment.

[Combatintman]

Try Tankovyi Desant as the Soviet player. It is one of George's scenarios and is a really nice little scenario and very atmospheric. It was one of the most tested scenarios - not because there was anything wrong with it, just it was such fun.

[sburke]

Spent a lot of time on Beutezug's early versions and yes it is a very interesting scenario concept and was always a lot of fun in testing despite me repeatedly getting my a** handed to me. Totally agree the timer element knowing you need to get the job done and get the hell out of there is a really nice touch.

[Kommissar]

Try Tankovyi Desant as the Soviet player. It is one of George's scenarios and is a really nice little scenario and very atmospheric. It was one of the most tested scenarios - not because there was anything wrong with it, just it was such fun.

It sort of seems to be the flagship scenario. I think it was previewed for Rock Paper Shotgun IIRC. It will be probably be the first one I play when I start to get into the bigger Soviet scenarios.

Totally agree the timer element knowing you need to get the job done and get the hell out of there is a really nice touch.

It's a nice change of pace. Reminds me of some of those frantic German escape scenarios set around Stalingrad from CMBB.

[76mm]

I've just finished (finished playing, not finished the scenario!) Dawn Patrol. I'm not a fan, for the reasons you suggest. I'd be curious if many have had success (as Sovs) in this scenario?

[AlexUK]

Dawn Patrol

Finally got there after much pain. I found this very difficult - I'd be amazed if anyone completed this first go. I swing between being seriously grumpy that the AI can hammer me so badly, to thanking the game that scenarios are not walk overs.

Looking back, I think this taught me a few good lessons about attacking over open ground. Hopefully I won't forget them before the next game

I have learned to respect German MGs..........

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[Kommissar]

I think Dawn Patrol would have done well as a campaign mission, along the lines of the "School of Hard Knocks" (mission 2 from Courage and Fortitude campaign of CMBN). After feeling out the German lines, you should be given the option of cease-firing and waiting for tanks/artillery, while incurring some penalty or disadvantage to the campaign.

[spawncaptain]

I think that too many missions force you to push your troops into their certain doom because of arbitrary (time) constraints. That's why I liked Dead of Night and Beutezug. If you feel that you have taken too many casualties you can always withdraw. I wish that more missions gave you that possibility.