George MC Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 The beta version of our latest CMBB Operation scenario “Strachwitz at Kursk”, Number 4 in “The Panzer Count’s Ostfront” series is now available for testing over at The Proving Grounds. On the 9th July 1943, Panzergruppe Strachwitz spearheads the attack on the Soviet fortified village of Novossolevka during Operation Citadel. Historical Background The last great German strategic offensive in the East, "Operation Citadel", is in its fifth brutal day. The grand German plan to conduct a classic pincers assault to cut off the "bulge" of Soviet forces around the southern Russian city of Kursk has already largely failed in the north in the face of the unprecedented strength and depth of the three-tiered Soviet defences. In the South, the greatest German concentration of armor in the war has fared better in its effort to cut through to Kursk, but at a high cost. On the right flank, the II SS Panzer Korps has penetrated some 40 kilometers into Soviet defences. On the left flank the 48th Panzer Korps, with Panzer Grenadier division Großdeutschland at the tip of the spear, has broken through most of Soviet General Vatutin's defences and is poised to plunge ahead toward Oboyan on the road to Kursk. For the "Panzer Count", Oberst Hyazinth Graf Strachwitz, the battle has already been marked by bitter controversy and personal tragedy. At the peak of his prowess as a holder of the Knight's Cross with Oakleaves and Swords, and in command of the veteran and fully re-fitted Panzerregiment Grossdeutschland, Strachwitz had prepared for the battle fully aware of the terrible challenge in front of him, but confident that under his dynamic leadership the panzertruppen would prevail. However, larger forces had conspired to thwart him at the outset. Hitler's almost magical belief in the superiority of German technology had caused him to delay the Kursk offensive until an array of brand new armored fighting vehicles could reach the front. However, the Soviet defences were so dense and deep even the audacious Strachwitz could not utilize his cavalry instincts to create a rapid breakthrough. To stop the blitzkrieg the Red Army had fielded new units: anti-tank Regiments, each equipped with 24 76mm AT guns in 6 batteries. The Soviets had calculated that each gun would destroy 2 or 3 German medium tanks before being knocked out-an attrition rate the Panzers could not withstand in the long run. Among the heavy German casualties had been Strachwitz's brother-in-law, Oberstleutnant Graf Saurma, commander of the Regiment's II Abteilung, killed in combat. That only strengthened the Panzer Count's resolve. But now, on the morning of July 9, with the fall of the heavily fortified town of Verkhopeny'e, the road to Oboyan and beyond to Kursk appeared to be open at last. Before him lay a broad valley with a small village named Novosolevka at the far end, terrain seemingly made to order for another classic cavalry Strachwitz thrust. Was the breakthrough finally at hand? Or had the desperate Vatutin managed to plug the gap with reinforcements during the night? Designers Notes Has had playtesting as Axis Vs AI, but given the force make-up should also work out H2H. The zip file contains a historical background PDF and Strachwitz bio. Feedback regarding how the scenario plays out would be most welcome J About the Panzers Count’s Ostfront Blowtorchscenarios.com proudly introduces our second CMBB series, ”The Panzer Counts Ostfront” following our series on Jochen Peiper’s Kharkov 1942-43 campaign. As always our aim is to present interesting scenarios with as much historical accuracy as possible. “The Panzer Count”, of course, is the legendary German tank commander Hyazinth Graf (Count) Strachwitz von Groß-Zauche und Camminetz, who survived the war as a Generalleutnant of the Reserve and holder of the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds, Germany’s highest award. We have chosen to focus on another German commander for the same reasons we focused on Peiper: the availability of information, not any political or national agenda. As with our Peiper series, we are devoting great effort to presenting the Soviet side with as much authenticity and detail as possible. In this series we will try to present a cross-section of his Ostfront battles from 1941 to 1945. We have chosen those battles which, in our opinion, best characterize his military genius while offering interesting and reasonably balanced challenges. You can get it HERE 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renaud Posted December 7, 2006 Share Posted December 7, 2006 Quality stuff...I need to download and try this one out over the holidays! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David I Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 George, Ah ya beauty. Keep'em coming. DavidI 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aragorn2002 Posted December 9, 2006 Share Posted December 9, 2006 Sounds like a big challenge again, George. Glad to hear from you again and feedback will follow as soon as the Christmas Holiday has started. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonC Posted December 9, 2006 Share Posted December 9, 2006 Played it as Russians vs. the AI. Detailed comments at the proving grounds. To avoid any spoiler effect, let's just leave it here at, "this scenario is not designed to be played vs. a German AI". Oh and I would add, the map is very pretty. Remarkably bare in some places, and too big for my own particular taste, but very pretty. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George MC Posted December 10, 2006 Author Share Posted December 10, 2006 Originally posted by JasonC: Played it as Russians vs. the AI. Detailed comments at the proving grounds. To avoid any spoiler effect, let's just leave it here at, "this scenario is not designed to be played vs. a German AI". Oh and I would add, the map is very pretty. Remarkably bare in some places, and too big for my own particular taste, but very pretty. Hi Jason Many thanks for the comments. I'm busy with Charlie putting together some replies. Very detailed review. Several comments though - the scenario as you make the point is NOT deisnged to be played as Soviets versu German AI, as I am sure you were well aware. The AI in this case cannot handle the main terrain feature, as you also discovered (guess you knew that would happen though eh?). The set-up for the Soviets is not how a human player would set-up but I had to tweak the set-ups to get the AI to defend in a way that made some sort of sens, which IMO is does. Howvere for a human playing it yes you would want to re-jig the set-up. As to taking 6 hours - hmmm I doubt it, but then given your style of playing and your preference for smaller actions and micromanaging the battle then yes it might well. Me? I can re-jig that set-up in an hour. As I said I'll get around to a more detailed response (your Soviet OOB comments highlight some issues I do need to address). Oh whilst I mind you posted the AAR in the review section do you mind if I copy your comments into the discussion section so I can post a reply? Cheers fur noo George Mc 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aragorn2002 Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 Someone takes the time and trouble to develop a scenario and clearly states that it IS NOT DESIGNED TO BE PLAYED AGAINST THE GERMAN AI...and someone else does precisely that and writes a critical comment based on that. Hmmmm.... That is a little bit silly, isn't it? [ December 10, 2006, 06:16 AM: Message edited by: Aragorn2002 ] 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonC Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 Copy it over, I actually thought it would go to the discussion section, that is what I generally use there. Yes I know it wasn't meant for Russian vs. AI. I play Russians, I wanted to try being on the other side of this. I also thought it might be challenging to stop what I expected to be a very strong armored force. Terrain and AI command limitations made it less than the challenge I would have wished, but I had fun going through it anyway. Always enjoyable to wreck ubertanks (lol). 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moronic Max Posted December 11, 2006 Share Posted December 11, 2006 The set-up for the Soviets is not how a human player would set-up but I had to tweak the set-ups to get the AI to defend in a way that made some sort of sens, which IMO is does. Howvere for a human playing it yes you would want to re-jig the set-up. As to taking 6 hours - hmmm I doubt it, but then given your style of playing and your preference for smaller actions and micromanaging the battle then yes it might well. Me? I can re-jig that set-up in an hour. Would it be unrealistic (I have no idea how the proving grounds work, or how much time you have on your hands, or if you're inclined, or...) to ask for two versions of the scenario? One with the AI-setup, one with a 'human' setup? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aragorn2002 Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 You can do that yourself. Personally I always change the setup, even the units seldom survive the original setup. I'm sure George, nor any other scenario makers mind, as long as you enjoy their work. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George MC Posted December 12, 2006 Author Share Posted December 12, 2006 Originally posted by JasonC: Played it as Russians vs. the AI. Detailed comments at the proving grounds. To avoid any spoiler effect, let's just leave it here at, "this scenario is not designed to be played vs. a German AI". Oh and I would add, the map is very pretty. Remarkably bare in some places, and too big for my own particular taste, but very pretty. Hi Jason Posted a reply to your playtest comments. I'm away for the next few weeks, so will be unable to post any follow up replies till I get back in early January. :cool: Cheers fur noo george 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George MC Posted December 12, 2006 Author Share Posted December 12, 2006 Originally posted by Moronic Max: </font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />The set-up for the Soviets is not how a human player would set-up but I had to tweak the set-ups to get the AI to defend in a way that made some sort of sens, which IMO is does. Howvere for a human playing it yes you would want to re-jig the set-up. As to taking 6 hours - hmmm I doubt it, but then given your style of playing and your preference for smaller actions and micromanaging the battle then yes it might well. Me? I can re-jig that set-up in an hour. Would it be unrealistic (I have no idea how the proving grounds work, or how much time you have on your hands, or if you're inclined, or...) to ask for two versions of the scenario? One with the AI-setup, one with a 'human' setup? </font> 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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