Simcoe Posted October 17, 2023 Share Posted October 17, 2023 I'm getting a new PBEM started and I've been obsessing over how to defend as the Germans for long enough to get my reinforcements. I think the big tactical problem here is the lack of anti armor early on. You have few units that can stop a T-34 and they are short range hand held launchers or slow, clumsy SPW with mounted cannons. The scout tanks can maybe take out the optics after a few bursts. You have towed AT but do you put them forward where they get hit by indirect or bypassed or do you keep them back and leave your infantry to fend for themselves? Finally, the amount of artillery available to the Russians means that the obvious ambush spots are equally obvious targets for indirect. The Russians on the other hand have a dilemma of speed vs safety. They could slowly march forward with infantry on foot, calling targets for the tanks but that would give time for the German reinforcements. They could charge forward with infantry mounted but even a singe MG42 can make life Hell for any tank riders. I'm definitely not looking for a "put pixeltrupen here" answer but does anyone else have any experience with this map in a PBEM setting? Any insights after finishing that you didn't see at the beginning? Also, I just think this is a fun map with a lot of interesting tactical choices and it would be fun to discuss. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artkin Posted October 17, 2023 Share Posted October 17, 2023 Set your troops to "hide" on turn 0, and when they are being shelled. It makes them significantly more survivable. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vacillator Posted October 17, 2023 Share Posted October 17, 2023 7 hours ago, Artkin said: Set your troops to "hide" on turn 0 Just remember to un-hide them at the appropriate moments - remember our PBEM where your T34s rolled right past my hidden PF teams and even a Panzer IV or two if I recall correctly ? That didn't end well... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simcoe Posted October 17, 2023 Author Share Posted October 17, 2023 8 hours ago, Artkin said: Set your troops to "hide" on turn 0, and when they are being shelled. It makes them significantly more survivable. Good tip. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artkin Posted October 17, 2023 Share Posted October 17, 2023 1 hour ago, Vacillator said: Just remember to un-hide them at the appropriate moments - remember our PBEM where your T34s rolled right past my hidden PF teams and even a Panzer IV or two if I recall correctly ? That didn't end well... Lol yeah I remember. I am pretty sure if you set them with a target arc they will fire, or at least be inclined to. Just had it happen a turn ago in a game I'm playing 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chibot Mk IX Posted October 18, 2023 Share Posted October 18, 2023 (edited) I have only played this scenario in a PBEM game as Soviets, so my suggestion here is more from Soviet POV. Keep in mind this is a very large size map, but due to the difficulty of the terrain, Soviets has limit road to approach the objectives. And yes, German has limit AT power at the beginning. So their main task is to identify the SOV's main thrust. Then use mortar and HMG to area fire the fording points, separate the Tank riders with the tanks. In that case when the German main body show up they can easily control the village, change the close quarter tank battles in the village into a long range duel. If you need to use the scout to ambush the tanks, don't put them in the house, instead put them behind the house. And if the PzII Luchs are taking the Soviets headon then you are using them incorrectly. Hide them in the woods, later they can charge out of the woods bring havoc to the soviets trucks. One more thing, the Soviets' 82mm mortar has a range limit on this map. Edited October 18, 2023 by Chibot Mk IX 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chibot Mk IX Posted October 18, 2023 Share Posted October 18, 2023 and, don't underestimate the power of Stummel. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George MC Posted October 18, 2023 Share Posted October 18, 2023 3 hours ago, Chibot Mk IX said: and, don't underestimate the power of Stummel. That one looks a wee bit unwell? Someone’s **** a big hole in it. But they are useful in this scenario especially close range flank shots. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vacillator Posted October 18, 2023 Share Posted October 18, 2023 2 minutes ago, George MC said: But they are useful in this scenario especially close range flank shots. Particularly while they have HEAT rounds left . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chibot Mk IX Posted October 18, 2023 Share Posted October 18, 2023 13 minutes ago, George MC said: That one looks a wee bit unwell? Someone’s **** a big hole in it. But they are useful in this scenario especially close range flank shots. my bad I should highlight the most import part.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simcoe Posted October 18, 2023 Author Share Posted October 18, 2023 4 hours ago, Chibot Mk IX said: I have only played this scenario in a PBEM game as Soviets, so my suggestion here is more from Soviet POV. Keep in mind this is a very large size map, but due to the difficulty of the terrain, Soviets has limit road to approach the objectives. And yes, German has limit AT power at the beginning. So their main task is to identify the SOV's main thrust. Then use mortar and HMG to area fire the fording points, separate the Tank riders with the tanks. In that case when the German main body show up they can easily control the village, change the close quarter tank battles in the village into a long range duel. If you need to use the scout to ambush the tanks, don't put them in the house, instead put them behind the house. And if the PzII Luchs are taking the Soviets headon then you are using them incorrectly. Hide them in the woods, later they can charge out of the woods bring havoc to the soviets trucks. One more thing, the Soviets' 82mm mortar has a range limit on this map. Thanks! Great tips. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George MC Posted October 18, 2023 Share Posted October 18, 2023 1 hour ago, Chibot Mk IX said: my bad I should highlight the most import part.... Ah good wee Stummel 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chibot Mk IX Posted December 4, 2023 Share Posted December 4, 2023 I am cleaning my hard drive to free up space, and find the turn that this good wee Stummel was in action. I captured the village and began the river crossing immediately. The Stummel hiding on the high ground made me pay dearly for my impetuousness. One T-34/85 and two squads of tank riders destroyed. One damaged T34 is abandoned. He killed another T-34/85 (with damaged weapon control) in a close range gun fight a couple turns later. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vacillator Posted December 4, 2023 Share Posted December 4, 2023 3 hours ago, Chibot Mk IX said: this good wee Stummel was in action Ouch! Great illustration of what they can do though, with luck and/or good planning, and maybe only for a short while. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.