revisting "Barkmann's Corner"

[slysniper]

I need to admit that my revisiting of this scenario was for the fact that I actually lost playing the first time as the Germans in version 1.0. I was impressed with the aggressive play of the AI in the battle and wanted a second go at it in version 1.01 ( I also knew I would not need to be so worried about allied tanks hitting me on the move, well much less likely anyway)

I always play on Warrior setting, which could be a discussion in and of itself, but I really believe it to be the best setting for H/H play, so I play everything on that setting.

Playing a second time sure gives you the ADVANTAGE, you now have a good knowledge of what to expect and also an understanding of what units you are up against, taking much of the doubt out of one’s play.

I manage to reposition Barkmann’s panther 5 times moving to new locations towards the left flank; hitting units that I figured would try to flank me from my previous position. After shifting to the left flank, I moved him up that flank and swung around and came back on the left field and addressed the remaining enemy infantry and tanks from the rear on that flank.

In all my playing of CMX1 over the years I cannot remember one unit achieving so much of the victory unless it was a real mismatch as to unit quality and match up. In this battle there are plenty of threats to the panther, mainly the 76’s. But the bazooka’s and 75’s can cause damage that will bring you to your knees. Like my first battle, an immobilized tank just normally is not going to last long.

But as the game ended and the final smoke clear, My version of Barkmann's fight ended with his tank taking out 13 Sherman’s, 1 halftrack and 42 men. (That was better than the real thing and I enjoyed every moment of it.) I still was grateful for my infantry on the left flank they managed to take out four Shermans that had broke through the lines there. My infantry on the right flank had it somewhat easy and only had to stop a halftrack and infantry assault on that side, claiming 4 halftracks and about a platoon of infantry.

Early in the battle, Sherman 75 round’s had damaged the tank, the optics were destroyed, so I unbuttoned barkmann as much as possible to keep giving the tank the ability to spot quickly. (If I have any complaint, it is infantry shooting at tank commanders seem to be the poorest shots in the world. In general, not just this game) But did find that with only a few minutes left in the game, the enemy infantry did find the mark and my heroic tank commander and one crew mate seemed to have found the wrong end of a enemy bullet. So he will not be able to celebrate his amazing achievements of the day.

Version v1.01 made a good difference and I know that additional corrections will continue to improve this outstanding game. Just a "Thank you" for providing such a quality tool and game.

[Jaws]

Comment like this are very motivating for game.- and scenario designers. Of cause the game and the scenarios are not perfect but they are the best there is in the World at this moment and still improving. I am planning some Wittmans Battles for next module and hope they will satisfy you as much as Barkmanns Corner did. Thanks

[Blazing 88's]

I had a German Major Victory the first time with this scenario. Read this story in Panzer Aces III? (one of the Panzer Aces books) maybe that helped.

***SPOILER***

I changed positions three times with Barkmann. Every time it seemed to be the perfect time to move and it was. I had this feeling, around turn 15 or so (can't remember exactly), that i was going to be outflanked on the left like you mentioned. My infantry provided the contact symbols and some identifications, so i reversed the Panther and hugged the stone wall with the Panther facing the left side of the map... sure enough i caught the Shermans in the flank and whipped out the infantry escort. Major victory.

Very satisfying.

[slysniper]

I had a German Major Victory the first time with this scenario. Read this story in Panzer Aces III? (one of the Panzer Aces books) maybe that helped.

***SPOILER***

I changed positions three times with Barkmann. Every time it seemed to be the perfect time to move and it was. I had this feeling, around turn 15 or so (can't remember exactly), that i was going to be outflanked on the left like you mentioned. My infantry provided the contact symbols and some identifications, so i reversed the Panther and hugged the stone wall with the Panther facing the left side of the map... sure enough i caught the Shermans in the flank and whipped out the infantry escort. Major victory.

Very satisfying.

On my first go of it, which was like the second scenario I played in CMBN,

I recall taking out two or three Shermans down the main road, then some additional Shermans were moving through the smoke, Firing on the move and hit and damaged my track. Immobilized. I destroyed 5 Shermans with the tank, but then the allies started shifting their attention. So there he was with no way of moving, some where later in the game, it received some fire from the flank, tank was still fine but the crew bailed since they were immobilized. So a mighty tank brought to its knees by hittting the tracks, Classic. It was still a good fight, managed to fight to the end, killed 6 tanks with infantry. but really could not stop the onslaught and found I lost the situation. This time was much different. but doubt I could do it again even if I tried. Things played out really nice and it was a massive win.

I will give you credit for a good first round win, not many scenarios do I lose to the AI, but this one did me in and so I know winning is likely a good adcheivement with only one playing. which is the way to really only play.

[Amizaur]

Wares your games real time, or WEGO ?

I usually get similar results playing in RT (Panther or Tiger against Shermans), because I can micromanage the fight, manually move the tank at the very moment it is needed, react for changing situation, sometimes choose targets. I'm effectively myself commanding the tank against AI crews.

In WEGO mode, when the tank crew is working on it's own, and I'm only commanding the crew with my orders in one minute intervals (which is much more "fair" against an AI) - I can rarely achieve such spectacular results. I can still sometimes get quite good results, but it's much more challenging and requires much more carefull play, more planning and predicting. More "tactical" .

I would love an option for 30sec turns in WEGO .

[Blazing 88's]

WEGO for this dude only, i am old school. Not into mouse click fests... yes i know there is a pause button.

[Blazing 88's]

Comment like this are very motivating for game.- and scenario designers. Of cause the game and the scenarios are not perfect but they are the best there is in the World at this moment and still improving. I am planning some Wittmans Battles for next module and hope they will satisfy you as much as Barkmanns Corner did. Thanks

I look forward to these.

[slysniper]

Wares your games real time, or WEGO ?

I usually get similar results playing in RT (Panther or Tiger against Shermans), because I can micromanage the fight, manually move the tank at the very moment it is needed, react for changing situation, sometimes choose targets. I'm effectively myself commanding the tank against AI crews.

In WEGO mode, when the tank crew is working on it's own, and I'm only commanding the crew with my orders in one minute intervals (which is much more "fair" against an AI) - I can rarely achieve such spectacular results. I can still sometimes get quite good results, but it's much more challenging and requires much more carefull play, more planning and predicting. More "tactical" .

I would love an option for 30sec turns in WEGO .

Wego for me also. I like to play pbem, so it is the only way to practice

I never have understood the RT concept in this game,. If you are playing head to head, you really can only play with a limited number of units or you are just not managing most of them well. he close combat games had 15 units and that was plenty. In these games I might be managing 100 units, that is not good for RT

If I play RT vs the AI, it is very powerful, I can stop, command and change orders for units all over the map the second I see the need.

Great for getting the results I want, But I feel like i am cheating. One minute in WEGO still gives me more command than what I would have in RL, so I just think it is too unrealistic for my personnal likes anyway.

[Agua]

My first go at it, as I recall, Barkman took out about 4 Shermans, then received a devastating blow to the weapons controls and the shermans flanked him - toast.

[Jaws]

I look forward to these.

Good to hear

[slysniper]

Comment like this are very motivating for game.- and scenario designers. Of cause the game and the scenarios are not perfect but they are the best there is in the World at this moment and still improving. I am planning some Wittmans Battles for next module and hope they will satisfy you as much as Barkmanns Corner did. Thanks

I look forward to any efforts made with scenario you design

I need to take a look and see how you set up the AI commands, I have done some scenario design in the old CMX1 system myself. but I am a little imtimidated by the new set up as to how to give the AI orders, but sure I will get into it at some point when I find the time.

[Jaws]

I look forward to any efforts made with scenario you design

I need to take a look and see how you set up the AI commands, I have done some scenario design in the old CMX1 system myself. but I am a little imtimidated by the new set up as to how to give the AI orders, but sure I will get into it at some point when I find the time.

Thanks, practice can master everything.. you only need time for that and that is something not all of us have these days.

[slysniper]

Thanks, practice can master everything.. you only need time for that and that is something not all of us have these days.

tell me about it, I visit this forum while at work during slow periods. Hard to get to it once I am on my time. But like to, just wish there was more discussion about game play and scenarios than what is normally here anymore.