The first CM:AK battle is on! BigMik1 vs. Doctor Sinister. [Archive]

Patrocles

31 Jul 04, 11:42

Originally posted by Doctor Sinister
The location is Italy, October 1943, and the forces of BigMik1 rush to meet those of Doctor Sinister in a titanic (ish) battle that will enter the history books (probably).

BigMik1 is playing as the friendly Allies - Doctor Sinister is playing as the nasty Germans.

Who will win? Well ultimately the Allies, obviously, but this particular battle is up for grabs.

We will attempt to record our thoughts in this thread as the fight progresses - without of course revealing our plans or force strength to the other player.

:toast:

Dr. S.

cool!
post some screen shots in an AAR...I would say post your turn screenies but it may give away intel...i guess you blokes can do a turn-by-turn commentary!

good luck to all! maybe it will be draw!!??

Terry Patterson

31 Jul 04, 11:46

will be expecting some good battlefield reporting.

Doctor Sinister

31 Jul 04, 13:28

Originally posted by Patrocles
cool!
post some screen shots in an AAR...I would say post your turn screenies but it may give away intel...i guess you blokes can do a turn-by-turn commentary!

good luck to all! maybe it will be draw!!??

I thought I might at least post a screenie of the map before my units are placed - that way you chaps can see what terrain we are fighting over.

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

31 Jul 04, 13:35

Originally posted by BarcelonaBlom
We'll try and get a points system together to rate our players... Since this IS our first intraunit match.

Oh bum. That's me in negative points right from the start then...

Actually, the CM games give you a points score at the end of each battle - perhaps you could use that as the basis for occasions such as this?

As an example, here's a Total Victory I scored once against Roach.

(sorry everyone, I'm distracting from the battle in hand - normal service will resume as soon as we've started the PBEM properly)

Dr. S.

Mantis

31 Jul 04, 15:05

Originally posted by BarcelonaBlom
We'll try and get a points system together to rate our players... Since this IS our first intraunit match.

There will soon be a CM ladder for our uses, thanks to the merger with WFHQ. Westpointer just wrote it, and it's a great system.

Doctor Sinister

31 Jul 04, 15:21

Originally posted by Shane Sohnle
There will soon be a CM ladder for our uses, thanks to the merger with WFHQ. Westpointer just wrote it, and it's a great system.

That'll be cool. I can sit there at the bottom and polish the lowest rungs for everybody else. :D

Dr. S.

dannybou

31 Jul 04, 15:34

Anxious to see the results.

Marines

31 Jul 04, 15:36

Help me out here CM:AK?

Combat Mission?

gobeavs

31 Jul 04, 15:52

Combat Mission: Afrika Korps
The newest version of Combat Mission.

Marines

31 Jul 04, 16:13

Originally posted by gobeavs
Combat Mission: Afrika Korps
The newest version of Combat Mission.

I never got into that game for some reason. :crazy:

Doctor Sinister

31 Jul 04, 16:46

Originally posted by Marines
Help me out here CM:AK?

Combat Mission?

Yes indeedy. The challenge(s) were issued in this thread:

http://www.armchairgeneral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3797

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

31 Jul 04, 17:07

OK, here's the map - I'm afraid the military censor has been editing this to hide my line of troops.

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

31 Jul 04, 17:10

Here's the town - it's clearly been fought over before, there's a bit of damage and no-one's at home.

Only right therefore that BigMik1 and I should try and "repopulate" the area.

Dr. S.

BigMik1

31 Jul 04, 17:36

Originally posted by Doctor Sinister
The location is Italy, October 1943, and the forces of BigMik1 rush to meet those of Doctor Sinister in a titanic (ish) battle that will enter the history books (probably).

BigMik1 is playing as the friendly Allies - Doctor Sinister is playing as the nasty Germans.

Who will win? Well ultimately the Allies, obviously, but this particular battle is up for grabs.

We will attempt to record our thoughts in this thread as the fight progresses - without of course revealing our plans or force strength to the other player.

:toast:

Dr. S.

It's going to be tricky, but I have been in tough spots before.....

BigMik1

BigMik1

31 Jul 04, 17:38

Originally posted by Doctor Sinister
Here's the town - it's clearly been fought over before, there's a bit of damage and no-one's at home.

Only right therefore that BigMik1 and I should try and "repopulate" the area.

Dr. S.

Just two flags and one is on a hill overlooking the valley. Well I have placed my men.......time to move!!!

BigMik1

Doctor Sinister

31 Jul 04, 17:41

Originally posted by BigMik1
Just two flags and one is on a hill overlooking the valley. Well I have placed my men.......time to move!!!

BigMik1

Likewise, the men forming the trained elite of the Third Reich stand ready and nervously at their jump-off points, waiting for the order from their CO (the Oberstgruppenfuhrer whom they have humorously nicknamed "Doktor Finkster") to advance and take the town.

Dr. S.

Patrocles

31 Jul 04, 22:22

Originally posted by Doctor Sinister
I thought I might at least post a screenie of the map before my units are placed - that way you chaps can see what terrain we are fighting over.

Dr. S.

thanks! and keep the "in character" reports from the battlefield! It is always more interesting to read than, "I rolled a 4 with my die and eliminated his tank." IMHO! :)

Have you guys thought of playing by TCP/IP?

btw...I can't run CMBB anymore because I have a Radeon card!! Battlefront said it is due to driver problems. Are other folks experiencing this problem? with CMBO? CMAK? just curious.

gobeavs

31 Jul 04, 22:34

Originally posted by Patrocles

Have you guys thought of playing by TCP/IP?

btw...I can't run CMBB anymore because I have a Radeon card!! Battlefront said it is due to driver problems. Are other folks experiencing this problem? with CMBO? CMAK? just curious.

Re: TCP/IP
The Dr. S is in the UK, so the time zone differences could be a problem. PBEM is part of the experience :)

Re: Drivers
Have you tried several different drivers? Usually if you update your drivers the problem will go away. Which ones are you running?

BigMik1

01 Aug 04, 02:33

BigMik1

01 Aug 04, 02:36

Originally posted by Doctor Sinister
Likewise, the men forming the trained elite of the Third Reich stand ready and nervously at their jump-off points, waiting for the order from their CO (the General whom they have humorously nicknamed "Doktor Finkster") to advance and take the town.

Dr. S.

The Captain looks around at his men and they are ready to advance on the town. His spotters don't see anything moving in the town, so he gives the order to move!!

BigMik1

Roach

01 Aug 04, 08:56

Originally posted by Doctor Sinister
Oh bum. That's me in negative points right from the start then...

Actually, the CM games give you a points score at the end of each battle - perhaps you could use that as the basis for occasions such as this?

As an example, here's a Total Victory I scored once against Roach.

(sorry everyone, I'm distracting from the battle in hand - normal service will resume as soon as we've started the PBEM properly)

Dr. S.

Ah yes, I remember now that you did beat me once. Now then, where did I put ALL my winning score pics... :)

Roach

01 Aug 04, 09:00

Originally posted by Patrocles
thanks! and keep the "in character" reports from the battlefield! It is always more interesting to read than, "I rolled a 4 with my die and eliminated his tank." IMHO! :)

Have you guys thought of playing by TCP/IP?

btw...I can't run CMBB anymore because I have a Radeon card!! Battlefront said it is due to driver problems. Are other folks experiencing this problem? with CMBO? CMAK? just curious.

I never had much in the way of problems with my Radeon - just the same old annoying ATI lack of fog irritation. I do have issues with CMBO since I updated the drivers where I get a lot of white background flickering around units but it doesn't make it unplayable, just annoying. Unfortunately, I had to update the drivers to get COD to look right. Gosh, life is just so tricky sometimes!

Doctor Sinister

01 Aug 04, 09:31

Originally posted by Roach
Ah yes, I remember now that you did beat me once. Now then, where did I put ALL my winning score pics... :)

Well, I could hardly post one of my losing pix now could I? Psychological warfare against my opponent is all part of my game plan...

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

01 Aug 04, 11:05

Originally posted by BigMik1
The Captain looks around at his men and they are ready to advance on the town. His spotters don't see anything moving in the town, so he gives the order to move!!

BigMik1

All appears quiet as the German Waffen SS column advances. The only things moving in the distance are the birds wheeling in the sky and the trees gently swaying in the wind. The only signs of war are the shell craters lining the road and the occasional destroyed building. Nobody appears to be at home in the town ahead. There are no children playing, no women tending to the washing and the men of the village are nowhere to be seen. The air is one of spooky silence.

Trudging along in the column, two war-weary soldiers tip their helmets back to try and catch some of the meagre sunlight on their faces.

"It's a lovely day" mutters Hauptscharfuhrer Walter Berger, the elder of the two men. His companion, a young Oberschutze by the name of Otto Wulf grunts to himself as he hoists the drooping heavy pack up onto his shoulders for the fiftieth time that morning. He opens his mouth to utter a reply, but then he and his friend stiffen slightly as they pass one of the Senior Officers standing by the roadside. It's Haupsturmfuhrer Mueller - a real hard-case and not a man to be taken lightly. Mueller gives them the eye as they march past him and they stop their chattering.

As lead elements of the formation enter the outskirts of the town, the men can't believe their luck - surely the Allies cannot have been so negligent as to ignore this strategically important area? But it seems they have. Despite the shelling and the bombing, there are no Allied troops to be seen.

With broad grins spreading across their faces, the men pick up the pace and start to spread out, calculating where they will set up defensive positions. This must be their lucky day.

Dr. S.

scuud

01 Aug 04, 11:51

Good description, keep it up:thumb:

BigMik1

02 Aug 04, 02:49

Originally posted by Doctor Sinister
All appears quiet as the German column advances. The only things moving in the distance are the birds wheeling in the sky and the trees gently swaying in the wind. The only signs of war are the shell craters lining the road and the occasional destroyed building. Nobody appears to be at home in the town ahead. There are no children playing, no women tending to the washing and the men of the village are nowhere to be seen. The air is one of spooky silence.

Trudging along in the column, two war-weary soldiers tip their helmets back to try and catch some of the meagre sunlight on their faces.

"It's a lovely day" mutters Walter Berger, the elder of the two men. His companion, a young man by the name of Otto Wulf grunts to himself as he hoists the drooping heavy pack up onto his shoulders for the fiftieth time that morning. He opens his mouth to utter a reply, but then he and his friend stiffen slightly as they pass one of the Senior Officers standing by the roadside. It's Captain Mueller - a real hard-case and not a man to be taken lightly. Mueller gives them the eye as they march past him and they stop their chattering.

As lead elements of the formation enter the outskirts of the town, the men can't believe their luck - surely the Allies cannot have been so negligent as to ignore this strategically important area? But it seems they have. Despite the shelling and the bombing, there are no Allied troops to be seen.

With broad grins spreading across their faces, the men pick up the pace and start to spread out, calculating where they will set up defensive positions. This must be their lucky day.

Dr. S.

Wow....that's nice......I am going to still clear that town!!!

BigMik1

Doctor Sinister

02 Aug 04, 14:07

Originally posted by BigMik1
Wow....that's nice......I am going to still clear that town!!!

BigMik1

None of the men know the name of the town, and none of them really care – it looks the same as every other Italian town they’ve ever been through and it’s just another place to sleep and fight, and maybe even die.

With full packs of ammunition and equipment, it’s not long before the advancing columns of soldiers slow to a fast walk as they reach a sharp incline leading to the centre of the town. Scouts rush ahead to get a clearer look from the top of the incline.

Walter and his companions drop to a crouch and instinctively look for places to conceal themselves as the scouting troops at the head of their column wave frantically. But every building seems to be damaged in some way or another, and the opportunities for robust cover seem slim.

“Oh yes, it’s a lovely day” comments Otto as the pack on his back shifts yet again. He grumbles as he hoists it up again, but all this does is cause the straps to bite into his shoulders. “Not as quiet as we thought, eh?!”

“Relax, it’s probably just an Allied plane going over” replies Walter, although the expression on his face is not as reassuring as the tone of his voice.

“Planes?!” yelps a Schutze by the name of Gunter Weiss. Gunter is fresh from the barracks and has yet to experience modern warfare. “What sort of planes?” He takes a tight grip on his rifle, as if he could shoot one down with sheer willpower.

“I’m only guessing.” Says Walter. “The scouts get pretty twitchy these days.” He chuckles to himself, “I remember my days back in the East, we used to…”

“Shut up about Russia – we’re well out of there and I don’t want to be reminded of it.” Otto glares at Walter. “Right now I’m just glad we’re not freezing our asses off outside Leningrad – although I would settle for a pack that doesn’t jab me in places I didn’t even know I had places”.

The conversation is soon ended as the scouting party waves the column forward once more. The men proceed with their advance into the town, although not with as much gusto as before. The eerie silence is suddenly more ominous than ever before.

Dr. S.

* Edit - damn these military records, thought we had two Muellers there for a moment - changed Gunter's name to Weiss *

Mantis

02 Aug 04, 17:35

And? And?

Good story!

BigMik1

02 Aug 04, 17:44

Originally posted by Doctor Sinister
None of the men know the name of the town, and none of them really care – it looks the same as every other Italian town they’ve ever been through and it’s just another place to sleep and fight, and maybe even die.

With full packs of ammunition and equipment, it’s not long before the advancing columns of soldiers slow to a fast walk as they reach a sharp incline leading to the centre of the town. Scouts rush ahead to get a clearer look from the top of the incline.

Walter and his companions drop to a crouch and instinctively look for places to conceal themselves as the scouting troops at the head of their column wave frantically. But every building seems to be damaged in some way or another, and the opportunities for robust cover seem slim.

“Oh yes, it’s a lovely day” comments Otto as the pack on his back shifts yet again. He grumbles as he hoists it up again, but all this does is cause the straps to bite into his shoulders. “Not as quiet as we thought, eh?!”

“Relax, it’s probably just an Allied plane going over” replies Walter, although the expression on his face is not as reassuring as the tone of his voice.

“Planes?!” yelps Gunter Mueller. Gunter is fresh from the barracks and has yet to experience modern warfare. “What sort of planes?” He takes a tight grip on his rifle, as if he could shoot one down with sheer willpower.

“I’m only guessing.” Says Walter. “The scouts get pretty twitchy these days.” He chuckles to himself, “I remember my days back in the East, we used to…”

“Shut up about Russia – we’re well out of there and I don’t want to be reminded of it.” Otto glares at Walter. “Right now I’m just glad we’re not freezing our asses off outside Leningrad – although I would settle for a pack that doesn’t jab me in places I didn’t even know I had places”.

The conversation is soon ended as the scouting party waves the column forward once more. The men proceed with their advance into the town, although not with as much gusto as before. The eerie silence is suddenly more ominous than ever before.

Dr. S.

I like this, I really will make this interesting!!!

BigMik1

Patrocles

02 Aug 04, 18:44

Originally posted by gobeavs
Re: TCP/IP
The Dr. S is in the UK, so the time zone differences could be a problem. PBEM is part of the experience :)

Re: Drivers
Have you tried several different drivers? Usually if you update your drivers the problem will go away. Which ones are you running?

Yeah, i guess that 8hr time difference would be a problem! And with PBEM you won't have to spend a lot of time waiting for each other to finish order, watching the film, etc.

So it sounds like you are having no problems with your radeon card and CMBB (i guess CMBO and CMAK, too?). I'm running the latest Radeon drivers (4.7?) for my card. I know from talking to Battlefront that this is an issue with many folks. I guess I could try an earlier version of drivers.

actually, I do have a copy of CMBO somewhere. I will load that up this weekend and see how it runs.

gobeavs

02 Aug 04, 18:53

Originally posted by Patrocles

So it sounds like you are having no problems with your radeon card and CMBB (i guess CMBO and CMAK, too?). I'm running the latest Radeon drivers (4.7?) for my card. I know from talking to Battlefront that this is an issue with many folks. I guess I could try an earlier version of drivers.

I actually don't have any CM games, it is just that most game issues related to graphics can be resolved by switching driver versions.

Doctor Sinister

02 Aug 04, 19:26

As the first elements of the Waffen SS columns reach the town centre, men with heavy weapons grimly attend to the task of establishing firing arcs and creating defensive barricades whilst their friends and colleagues cast nervous, watchful eyes over the town. Soldiers are sent running to and from each position so the members of each Platoon know where the other Platoons are located. Only this way can anyone be sure who is who should the unit become attacked.

Officers with heavy-duty binoculars scan the horizon and check each and every one of the buildings they can see ahead of them for movement. Are those small plumes of dust in the distance signs of an enemy column or is it all just in their imagination?

Some squads break open ration tins whilst waiting for their watch. Squads in other areas of the town are not so lucky as Hauptsturmfuhrer Mueller pays each one of them a visit, chiding them for reasons known only to himself. He enters the ramshackle building where Walter, Otto and Gunter are stationed with the rest of their squad.

Although the squad feels that everything is as it should be, Mueller instantly grabs Gunter Weiss by the collar. “What’s this?” he yells at Gunter. “Your boots are filthy – call yourself a soldier? Clean them immediately!”

Weiss looks up at the Hauptsturmfuhrer, terrified. “Yes…yes sir” he stammers as Mueller glares at him with beady eyes.

Without warning, Mueller slaps him across the face. “If it happens again, you’ll be digging the latrines, you’re a disgrace to the uniform!” and with that, the Hauptsturmfuhrer strides off to confront some other poor unfortunates.

Walter Berger sidles up to Weiss as the younger man begins to try and ease the boots from his swollen feet.

“Don’t listen to that ass, this is no time for cleaning boots – get yourself set up in that window over there and keep watch”.

“B…but the Hauptsturmfuhrer…?”

“The Hauptsturmfuhrer doesn’t know what he’s talking about. That swaggering act of his – it’s all fake. The man’s been in Berlin since the beginning of the war. All that bluster and obsession with spit and polish, it’s a load of crap. You listen to your friends here, we’ve been through it all. There’ll be time for cleaning boots once we know this town is secure. Get your priorities right – the only thing you need to keep clean right now is your rifle”.

Walter gives Weiss a friendly pat on the back and moves away to take up his own position next to Otto, who himself throws Gunter a friendly grin as the young man sets himself up with a clear view over the town. Although it is not a cold day, he cannot help but shiver.

Walter and Otto do not speak, but the conspiratorial glances they exchange say a thousand words.

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

02 Aug 04, 19:33

Small aside - it's proving really difficult to write this story without totally giving away what units I've got, or even what type of units they are (also remembering to always write in the present tense!).

So I apologise in advance if the ranks are wrong or if I've got the German military structure completely arse-about-face. Just bear in mind that I'm making this up as I go along - the events of the game will totally dictate what happens in the "story".

** edit Now corrected to a degree, Ranks updated since my opponent is now aware of what he is facing **

Oh, and BigMik1 - where the bloody hell are your troops?!

:D

Dr. S.

BigMik1

03 Aug 04, 01:43

Originally posted by Doctor Sinister
Oh, and BigMik1 - where the bloody hell are your troops?!

:D

Dr. S.

We are there and getting ready to spoil your lovely day!!!!:D

BigMik1

PvtJohnson

03 Aug 04, 13:54

Do a WW1 style charge. That would spice things up a bit.

Doctor Sinister

03 Aug 04, 15:38

Originally posted by BigMik1
We are there and getting ready to spoil your lovely day!!!!:D

BigMik1

Over in the south side of the town, the men are spared the needless excesses of Hauptsturmfuhrer Mueller and things appear calm and quiet. Sturmmann “Little” Karl Loibl finishes off the last of his field rations and wipes the remaining crumbs from his mouth. He picks up his MP40 submachine gun and heads upstairs to join the rest of 2nd Squad. 2nd Squad are part of 2nd Platoon and have occupied themselves in the remains of a ruined Hotel.

“Good food Karl?” asks his best friend, Obershutze Alfred Herrmann.

“Usual crap – might go hunting later and see what we can bring home for tonight” grunts Karl. “I’ll need to borrow your rifle though, I can’t go hunting deer with this piece of rubbish”.

“No problem – as long as I get some meat inside me, I don’t really care what you do. Use some grenades see if I care!” There’s a small chuckle across the room. “Little” Karl is still remembered for an accident with a grenade during basic training.

Karl settles himself down next to the head of their Platoon, Untersturmfuhrer Grubert who is scanning the terrain ahead through a shellhole in the wall. The Untersturmfuhrer barely spares him a glance before returning to his binoculars. “3rd Platoon should be in place about now” he mutters, half to himself, “we need to think about moving forward”.

Ignoring the groans from the men, Grubert stands and turns to face them. “I want one squad to go ahead to the next building, we’ll cover from here and then follow up. Then we’ll repeat and move on again, with another squad”. He doesn’t need to explain himself of course, the men have been through this procedure enough times already, but he does so anyway so that it’s clear what is needed. “We’ll wait until the heavy weapons are fully established, then I want 2nd Squad to form up in readiness.”

Grubert strides from the room to inform the rest of the Platoon as “Little” Karl smiles at Alfred and the rest of the men in the room with an enormous beaming grin . “I’ll get the grenades ready then shall I?”

Dr. S.

Patrocles

03 Aug 04, 16:25

Originally posted by Doctor Sinister
Small aside - it's proving really difficult to write this story without totally giving away what units I've got, or even what type of units they are (also remembering to always write in the present tense!).

So I apologise in advance if the ranks are wrong or if I've got the German military structure completely arse-about-face. Just bear in mind that I'm making this up as I go along - the events of the game will totally dictate what happens in the "story".

Oh, and BigMik1 - where the bloody hell are your troops?!

:D

Dr. S.

ha ha! Yeah, don't give away any intel to the enemy.

What about writing up your "story" after each turn and then you guys can post them online once the battle is over?

good luck!

here's some writing tips to make it sexy for women and combat-orientad for men!

The upcoming battle against the Allies would be tough and brutal and Hans knew he needed to keep his Sdkfz 181 Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger IE (late) in top form for his crew to survive. Hans carefully removed the top of his Panzertruppen tunic. His thoughts were heavy as he placed his Panzertruppen tunic on the rear deck of the Sdkfz 181 Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger IE (late) just below the Fiefel air cleaners for the 12-Cylinder Maybach HL210 engine. He carefully carressed his Standard Officer Tunic Tabs, Silver Panzer Badge (Class 100) and Iron Cross Second Class. His youthful crew would depend on him to survive the upcoming battle.

Hans' muscles glittered from sweat from the hot desert sun. He carefully reached down to clean the roadwheel and trackpins of his Sdkfz 181 Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger IE (late). His muscles rippled as he brushed the tracks and checked the skirts for attachment. He stopped at the front of the Tiger IE (late) making sure the ballmounted MG34 machine gun was combat ready.

Hans leaped up to the top of the tank to check the shape of the long barrel 88mm KwK L/56 main gun. Hans knew that this potent gun would win the battle for him and his crew and as he put his rough hand through his blonde hair....

blah blah blah...definitely too much time on my hands today. I think the writing needs more sex! I'll work on it later.

Iron Mike USMC

03 Aug 04, 16:33

Originally posted by Patrocles
ha ha! Yeah, don't give away any intel to the enemy.

What about writing up your "story" after each turn and then you guys can post them online once the battle is over?

good luck!

here's some writing tips to make it sexy for women and combat-orientad for men!

The upcoming battle against the Allies would be tough and brutal and Hans knew he needed to keep his Sdkfz 181 Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger IE (late) in top form for his crew to survive. Hans carefully removed the top of his Panzertruppen tunic. His thoughts were heavy as he placed his Panzertruppen tunic on the rear deck of the Sdkfz 181 Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger IE (late) just below the Fiefel air cleaners for the 12-Cylinder Maybach HL210 engine. He carefully carressed his Standard Officer Tunic Tabs, Silver Panzer Badge (Class 100) and Iron Cross Second Class. His youthful crew would depend on him to survive the upcoming battle.

Hans' muscles glittered from sweat from the hot desert sun. He carefully reached down to clean the roadwheel and trackpins of his Sdkfz 181 Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger IE (late). His muscles rippled as he brushed the tracks and checked the skirts for attachment. He stopped at the front of the Tiger IE (late) making sure the ballmounted MG34 machine gun was combat ready.

Hans leaped up to the top of the tank to check the shape of the long barrel 88mm KwK L/56 main gun. Hans knew that this potent gun would win the battle for him and his crew and as he put his rough hand through his blonde hair....

blah blah blah...definitely too much time on my hands today. I think the writing needs more sex! I'll work on it later.

You may have stumbled on something here.

Marines

03 Aug 04, 16:49

Whomever is playing the Reich better win....I get tired of playing the good don't you:demon:

Doctor Sinister

03 Aug 04, 16:57

“Can you hear something?” asks Otto, straining to identify a distant noise at the other side of the town.

Walter slowly picks up his rifle and moves to the window. “I’m not sure, what do you think you heard?”

Otto doesn’t reply, but instead raises the rifle to his shoulder and squints down the sights. His breathing slows as he readies his mind, setting aside all thoughts unrelated to combat, subconsciously going through the drills. The room falls silent and at his unspoken cues, Gunter and the rest of the Platoon discard their excess kit and put aside their half-eaten meals.

There is a moment of silence and then…

“CONTACT!!” screams Walter as he spies movement in the distance. Gunter and the rest of the men scramble to their positions. Outside the building, a diesel engine thrums into life as the driver of a supporting armoured vehicle hears the alarm being raised and prepares for battle.

“What is it?!” yells Gunter over the noise.

Walter replies in staccato fashion, ever the consummate professional solder. “I saw an American armoured vehicle, looked like a light Tank. Bound to be more of them, or troops with it.”

Suddenly, there are three rapid bursts of machine gun fire outside. The troops duck instinctively, but the fire is outgoing. There is a shout.

“Stuart Tank approaching from the east! Our guy took a shot but he’s gone behind some buildings! Everybody get ready!!”

“You heard the man, standby to repel attack.” Walter takes a quick glance around the room and sees a white-faced Gunter in the corner, trembling as he places the rifle to his own shoulder. “Keep calm and follow orders, it’ll be OK as long as we keep our heads and shot straight.” Gunter nods, but he still looks terrified.

* * *

Over to the south, Karl and the rest of his squad tense as they hear the machine gun fire. A spotter reports back to them.

“I saw tracer fire heading outwards – looks like our boys have spotted something.”

Untersturmfuhrer Grubert shouts from outside. “Cancel the advance until we know the situation. Where are those heavy weapons? Come on, get MOVING!!”

Karl checks his weapon for the hundredth time that hour and makes the sign of the cross on his chest. “God help me through this”.

Dr. S.

BigMik1

04 Aug 04, 02:16

Originally posted by PvtJohnson
Do a WW1 style charge. That would spice things up a bit.

But we are playing a WWII wargame.;)

BigMik1

BigMik1

04 Aug 04, 02:19

Originally posted by Doctor Sinister
“Can you hear something?” asks Otto, straining to identify a distant noise at the other side of the town.

Walter slowly picks up his rifle and moves to the window. “I’m not sure, what do you think you heard?”

Otto doesn’t reply, but instead raises the rifle to his shoulder and squints down the sights. His breathing slows as he readies his mind, setting aside all thoughts unrelated to combat, subconsciously going through the drills. The room falls silent and at his unspoken cues, Gunter and the rest of the Platoon discard their excess kit and put aside their half-eaten meals.

There is a moment of silence and then…

“CONTACT!!” screams Walter as he spies movement in the distance. Gunter and the rest of the men scramble to their positions. Outside the building, a diesel engine thrums into life as the driver of a supporting armoured vehicle hears the alarm being raised and prepares for battle.

“What is it?!” yells Gunter over the noise.

Walter replies in staccato fashion, ever the consummate professional solder. “I saw an American armoured vehicle, looked like a light Tank. Bound to be more of them, or troops with it.”

Suddenly, there are three rapid bursts of machine gun fire outside. The troops duck instinctively, but the fire is outgoing. There is a shout.

“Stuart Tank approaching from the east! Our guy took a shot but he’s gone behind some buildings! Everybody get ready!!”

“You heard the man, standby to repel attack.” Walter takes a quick glance around the room and sees a white-faced Gunter in the corner, trembling as he places the rifle to his own shoulder. “Keep calm and follow orders, it’ll be OK as long as we keep our heads and shot straight.” Gunter nods, but he still looks terrified.

* * *

Over to the south, Karl and the rest of his squad tense as they hear the machine gun fire. A spotter reports back to them.

“I saw tracer fire heading outwards – looks like our boys have spotted something.”

Lt. Grubert shouts from outside. “Cancel the advance until we know the situation. Where are those heavy weapons? Come on, get MOVING!!”

Karl checks his weapon for the hundredth time that hour and makes the sign of the cross on his chest. “God help me through this”.

Dr. S.

WE ARE HERE!!!!

BigMik1

BigMik1

04 Aug 04, 02:21

Originally posted by Patrocles
ha ha! Yeah, don't give away any intel to the enemy.

What about writing up your "story" after each turn and then you guys can post them online once the battle is over?

good luck!

Dr. S is doing a great job not telling me his plans, but it's fun reading what the enemy is feeling as we fight.

I had a Canadian opponent that always played the Soviet Army with Combat Mission:Barbarossa to Berlin and wrote a story as we fought a scenario. His character was Captain Ivan!! I was never able to kill him!!!

BigMik1

Doctor Sinister

04 Aug 04, 14:40

Originally posted by BigMik1
Dr. S is doing a great job not telling me his plans, but it's fun reading what the enemy is feeling as we fight.

I had a Canadian opponent that always played the Soviet Army with Combat Mission:Barbarossa to Berlin and wrote a story as we fought a scenario. His character was Captain Ivan!! I was never able to kill him!!!

BigMik1

“So now we know eh? And I thought I had problems carrying that damned pack” complains Otto, but without taking his eye from the sights of his rifle. “Might have thought it would have been too much to expect that the damned Americans would leave us alone here”.

“Look on the bright side, it’s not the Russkies” murmurs Walter. He too is transfixed on the view ahead, constantly scanning the buildings near where the American tank had been seen, and disappeared.

“I see movement!!” exclaims Gunter, and Otto dashes over to his side of the room to double-check.

“He’s right, looks like infantry and a tank, advancing from the south-east. The tank might be the same one as before.” He whistles to the driver of the armoured vehicle outside and points in the direction of the enemy vehicle, but the driver cannot see anything from his position.

“Shouldn’t we be firing at them?” asks Gunter.

“Too far away – and we don’t want to be giving away our position. Hold your fire until we’re guaranteed to do some damage. Until then, keep still and quiet.” Otto snaps his fingers and details another soldier to keep watch alongside Gunter before moving back to sit with Walter.

Dr. S.

Patrocles

04 Aug 04, 15:08

Doctor Sinister

04 Aug 04, 15:28

Originally posted by Patrocles
I agree! It is better reading with posts after every turn..IMHO...more suspenseful!

The suspense ends soon...once Dr. S' six Maus tanks advance over that little hill!:)

Actually, I have a dozen of them, but shhhh...don't tell BigMik1!

Dr. S.

BigMik1

05 Aug 04, 00:35

Originally posted by Patrocles
I agree! It is better reading with posts after every turn..IMHO...more suspenseful!

The suspense ends soon...once Dr. S' six Maus tanks advance over that little hill!:)

Well let him come, we have a surprise for him!!!

BigMik1

Mantis

05 Aug 04, 02:00

Love your avatar!

Doctor Sinister

05 Aug 04, 14:59

“Alright, we’re moving up! 2nd Squad form up!” Untersturmfuhrer Grubert’s orders are clear and concise and carry the authority of a man who does not need to shout to get his own way. He respects his troops and they, in turn, respect him.

“Little” Karl grabs his gear and assembles outside for a brief headcount with the rest of his squad before they fan out and head eastwards to the next line of buildings.

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

05 Aug 04, 19:52

“MOVE MOVE MOVE!!”

Walter hears shouted orders from his left hand side as he continues to squint down the sight of his rifle. Although the orders are shouted from several streets away, his alert status allows him to pick up noises he would not normally hear. Such as the Stuart tanks he now sees approaching the town centre.

“They aren’t hanging around are they?” asks Otto. “I can see several squads of Infantry, armoured vehicles, all sorts out there”.

“Well they’re too late for this party – we already control the town centre” smiles Walter grimly. “Be in range soon, then we can start to pick them off – show them who’s boss around here”.

Otto steals a quick glance at his friend, but sees Walter’s face as bleak as ever. Walter’s tone is purely for the benefit of the new guys, men like Gunter.

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

05 Aug 04, 19:56

“Lot of movement out there! When do we fire? WHEN DO WE FIRE?”

“Shut up! You fire when I say so, and not before!” Walter’s stern rebuke to Gunter calms him down slightly, but then all eyes shoot to the roof as they hear what sounds like an express train shooting over their heads.

BOOM!!

There is barely time to brace before the entire building shakes as an artillery shell slams down on the ground somewhere behind them. The enemy troops have opened fire…

Dr. S.

BigMik1

05 Aug 04, 23:47

Originally posted by Doctor Sinister
“Lot of movement out there! When do we fire? WHEN DO WE FIRE?”

“Shut up! You fire when I say so, and not before!” Walter’s stern rebuke to Gunter calms him down slightly, but then all eyes shoot to the roof as they hear what sounds like an express train shooting over their heads.

BOOM!!

There is barely time to brace before the entire building shakes as an artillery shell slams down on the ground somewhere behind them. The enemy troops have opened fire…

Dr. S.

Time for action!!!! ATTACK!!!

BigMik1

Doctor Sinister

06 Aug 04, 17:36

In the gutted shell of a ruined building not far from Walter and his Squad, Rottenfuhrer Alby Brockmann lays prone with an MG42 light machine gun nestled comfortably in the crook of his shoulder. He loves this gun, it’s been through a lot of action with him, and so has the man sitting next to him, his loader and spotter Oberschutze Heinrich Bremser.

“Three squads of American infantry and a light tank – dead ahead”. Bremser has no emotion in his voice. Since the slaughter on the Russian steppes, killing other people has become his way of life. They aren’t even people in Bremser’s eyes, they are just uniforms, targets to be spotted and cut down as swiftly as possible.

“I see them…”. Brockmann takes a deep breath and then holds it in. He rests his cheek on the cold metal of the weapon and slowly tightens his finger on the trigger, taking up the slack. He focuses on the lead soldier in the column, closes one eye and then…

Ratatatatatatatatatatatatatatatatatatatatatatatat! !!!!!!!!!!

The gun kicks in his arm and unleashes a deadly salvo of bullets towards its target. Brockmann corrects his aim as he fires, seeing where the tracers hit. He is at one with his weapon. He makes small adjustments to his weapons and slowly guides the bullets to their target as his companion feeds more from the ammunition boxes. After a few seconds of firing, Brockmann loosens the trigger, takes a breath, adjusts his fire, and fires again, then again as the American troops scatter and drop to the ground.

BOOM!!

BOOM!!

“Dammit!” Brockmann takes his eye from the sight as his view is obscured by the blast, debris and dust from two artillery shells exploding somewhere in front of him. He waits for the dust to clear.

* * *

Untersturmfuhrer Husum staggers into the ruined church with a weary sigh. He and the rest of his squad have been running for the last few minutes to secure this forward position in the north side of the town centre.

“We only made it here just in time – it’s already started!” There is a sudden crash from outside as more artillery shells hit the ground. “I hope to God no-one got caught in that.”

His men throw down their equipment and find firing positions in the walls of the Church. Hearing the staccato machine gun fire to their right, they immediately take aim.

“American Infantry approaching with armour support!” shouts one of the Squad members.

“Fire at will, make every shot count!” yells Husum. There is no time for a detailed evaluation of the situation, they have taken too long to get here, now they need to prove their worth.

The Squad opens up with everything they’ve got. Simultaneously, they hear outgoing gunfire from the town centre and then, from very close by, weapons being fired in the same direction. It’s the 3rd Squad from their Platoon. They’ve just arrived at their designated positions.

“Any later and we’d have really missed the party”.

Without warning, there is an explosion of masonry and plaster from the walls of the church. The Squad dives for cover as bullets and debris showers the room.

“That Tank is shooting at us!”

“Keep calm, no need to panic, they’re just trying to keep our heads down.” As the dust settles, the Squad slowly raise their heads again and prepare to take aim. Meanwhile, the artillery shells continue to rain down…

Dr. S.

BigMik1

07 Aug 04, 02:45

CONTACT!!!! I can hear that damn MG42!!!

BigMik1

Doctor Sinister

07 Aug 04, 06:22

Karl and his squad can hear the machine guns firing to their left as they move forward to take up positions ahead of the rest of the Platoon.

“We can expect contact any time soon – keep moving, we must get under cover before the enemy hits us”. But Karl’s words are redundant – the men know what they are doing, and how vital it is to spread the line of defence as far forward as possible, and to seek as much protection as they can.

The sound of the American artillery is frightening, even at this distance. As Karl sneaks a look to his left, he can see the plumes of smoke rise from the ground, hear the shells thunder overhead and feel the earth shaking beneath his feet.

Dr. S.

Napoleon

07 Aug 04, 16:12

I just got back from Quebec City and have been looking forward to this thread all week! Great job guys!

Doctor Sinister

07 Aug 04, 16:48

Originally posted by Napoleon
I just got back from Quebec City and have been looking forward to this thread all week! Great job guys!

That's cool!

But it'll be £20.00 to subscribe to the rest of it...I take VISA.

:D

Dr. S.

Napoleon

07 Aug 04, 16:51

Dang! That equals to around over $40 dollars Canadian!

Doctor Sinister

07 Aug 04, 18:36

Shells slam all around as Walter, Otto and the rest of the Squad track and fire at the advancing American infantry.

“Got one!” yells Gunter over in the corner. “I got one!!”

“Great! Keep it up!” replies Otto encouragingly. He takes the rifle into his shoulder and fires once, twice, three times. He can see the Americans scatter and duck for cover, but he does not hit one. Chances are that the young Schutze has not hit one either, the enemy troops are at extreme range and the fire is mainly for effect whilst the heavy weapons move forward. Out of the corner of his eye, down on the ground, Otto can see a team of men moving a heavy machine gun into a building.

The battle continues…

* * *

To the south, Karl’s Platoon has run into trouble. Although Karl’s 2nd Squad have safely made it to cover, during their advance to the east, 1st Squad are caught in a murderous hail of gunfire from a 2-storey building ahead of them. They duck for cover and scramble to safety, but whoever is shooting at them has a clear line of sight for a long way ahead. Bullets whine over their heads and kick dust up from the ground, and all Karl and his Squad can do is watch helplessly.

* * *

Untersturmfuhrer Husum too is feeling slightly helpless as the enemy Tank pours machine gun fire into the old Church. Whenever they can, his Squad and the other Squad nearby return fire, but this is proving ineffective against the American armour. Until that is…

“3rd Squad are getting some good hits in sir. So’s the other Platoon in the town centre. Looks like they’re all firing on the same position. The American infantry is bogged down.”

“Excellent. As long as we can hold the line, we stand a chance, maybe even get the opportunity to push it back a little.” He ducks as more shrapnel flies around the room. “Curse that damned Tank!!”

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

07 Aug 04, 20:31

There is a sudden hot blast and Untersturmfuhrer Husum is temporarily blinded. Coughing and spluttering, he wipes dust from his eyes.

“We’re being shelled Sir! It’s that damned tank!” the soldier’s voice is trembling, either with fear or shock, Husum cannot tell, but the effect is the same.

“Keep your head down then. He’s firing blind – chances of him hitting us are slim.”

Husum chances a quick look out of the shattered wall, to see another flash and a puff of smoke from the Stuart. The building shakes to its very foundations as a second shell arrives.

“Of course, there’s always plan B…” he mutters to himself.

Dr. S.

Jim H. Moreno

07 Aug 04, 22:45

I don't know about that move, Doc. Krauts running across open terrain like that, just asking for it.

Doctor Sinister

08 Aug 04, 05:45

Originally posted by Jim H. Moreno
I don't know about that move, Doc. Krauts running across open terrain like that, just asking for it.

Yeah, I know - but in my defence, up until that point we'd had no contact in that sector of the battlefield - at all. In view of the quiet, it seemed worth the risk to rush one Squad over to new cover. Unfortunately, they got caught. They seem to be OK though...

Dr. S.

BigMik1

09 Aug 04, 02:50

Now things are getting hot..............can't wait to see what the "other" side is saying!!

BigMik1

JDS8072

09 Aug 04, 03:36

Doc when I get it, you and I will have to battle

Eric Weider

09 Aug 04, 09:19

Doc you are good at this story telling!!

Napoleon

09 Aug 04, 09:52

I just ordered CM-Barbarossa to Berlin! The people on the company's website wanted $35 American dollars!:scream: Plus shipping and handling and then they wouldn't even be able to get it to me for 1-4 weeks! Future Shop had it for $9.99 CDN on their site with free shipping and handling and it ships a lot quicker!

Doctor Sinister

09 Aug 04, 15:05

Originally posted by Keef
Doc you are good at this story telling!!

Thanks very much - I'm trying to make it as exciting and realistic as possible - hope I'm not making too much of a hash of it.

General note - now that the identity of my troops has been revealed to my opponent as Waffen SS, I'm going to start using the proper ranks for all my men.

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

09 Aug 04, 16:05

Large chunks of the Church wall are blasted away as the Stuart tank continues its relentless bombardment of the old building.

"Enough of this, withdraw the men, we can't stay here". Untersturmfuhrer Husum’s voice is grim as the building shakes itself apart around him. “Instruct Koenig’s Squad to withdraw as well, we will regroup outside the Church!”

“Yes Sir!” Husum’s second-in-command, the wide-eyed and eager Scahrfuhrer Kessel throws him a Hitler salute before ushering the men to get moving.

The Squad members collect their gear and slowly file out of the room as the building rattles and shakes with the concussion from the shell blasts. As Husum prepares to leave himself, he hears a crackle from the Field Radio being carried down the stairs. Shouted orders can be heard between the Company HQ to nearby supporting armour. It is not long before Husum hears the heavy sound of a diesel engine outside. He quickly doubles back to look down through a hole in the wall to see a Sturmgeshutz III Assault Gun move forward.

* * *

Obersturmfuhrer Kirchner sits in the top of the StuG III and shouts orders to the driver as they navigate their way around the ruined buildings.

“Put your foot down! There’s an enemy tank blowing the hell out of our men in that Church – move – MOVE!” he yells.

The powerful assault gun slowly rounds a large two-storey building. Puffs of smoke can be seen some way ahead, and Kirchner can feel the power of the shells as they pass to his left. Machine gun fire bursts from the front of the StuG at some American infantry off to the north.

“STOP! STOP! You have gone too far! Rotate and bring that main gun to bear!” Kirchner can see the nose of the enemy tank – he prepares to fire…

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

09 Aug 04, 16:29

Rottenfuhrer Brockmann keeps firing as he hears the StuG move behind the building he’s in. He smiles to himself as he pulls the trigger again and again, and again.

“Got them now!”

* * *

Walter and Otto monitor the situation from their position to the rear. But since they cannot see any enemy troops to fire at, they are, for the moment, denuded of the ability to fight back.

* * *

“Fire! Fire at will!!” shouts Karl as American infantry suddenly appear up ahead of them.

Machine guns and rifles open up in a sudden symphony of rattles and miniature explosions. Karl can hear the rest of the Platoon behind him engaging with heavy machine guns. He sees his own squad firing and feels the kick from his own weapon as they lay down a carpet of bullets for the advancing Americans. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees an enemy Tank. He instantly grabs the radio.

"Enemy armour spotted ahead, draw forward and engage - it's right in the
open, we can't miss!"

His message is directed toward Untersturmfuhrer Groenig who sits, some way back, in a Panzer IIIL.

The Panzer slowly edges forward from where it has been hidden behind the Hotel building, but too late, Groenig spots another Stuart tank in the town ahead. And it’s already targeting his own vehicle…

“Fire at that Tank!” The order is redundant. His gunner is already turning the turret, the driver is already turning the vehicle so that the thickest armour at the front is facing the previously unknown threat.

WHOOSH!! There is a sudden loud explosion as a shell from the Stuart thuds into the ground behind the Panzer. And then…

BANG! Groenig ducks into the turret and slams the hatch down. They’ve been hit, but not seriously. But not for long. There’s a second loud bang and the Panzer shakes.

“Penetration!” screams the driver, in a panic. His hand’s jammed on the controls, Groenig feels the tank continue to rotate.

“Keep your grip man – we’re still alive – just let’s concentrate on killing that bastard!”

Groenig feels the sweat dripping down his back. This could be the end…he just needs to get a shot off in time…

Dr. S.

BigMik1

10 Aug 04, 03:05

Originally posted by Jeremy Scott
Doc when I get it, you and I will have to battle

I see you don't want to battle me, huh? My dear Texas rep....:D

BigMik1

BigMik1

10 Aug 04, 03:07

Originally posted by Napoleon
I just ordered CM-Barbarossa to Berlin! The people on the company's website wanted $35 American dollars!:scream: Plus shipping and handling and then they wouldn't even be able to get it to me for 1-4 weeks! Future Shop had it for $9.99 CDN on their site with free shipping and handling and it ships a lot quicker!

Need to get CMAK!! But, CMBB is good also.

BigMik1

BigMik1

10 Aug 04, 03:08

Originally posted by Doctor Sinister
Thanks very much - I'm trying to make it as exciting and realistic as possible - hope I'm not making too much of a hash of it.

General note - now that the identity of my troops has been revealed to my opponent as Waffen SS, I'm going to start using the proper ranks for all my men.

Dr. S.

Thanks for telling me who I am facing.......oh, did you get my last turn?? I am waiting.

BigMik1

BigMik1

10 Aug 04, 03:11

Originally posted by Doctor Sinister
Rottenfuhrer Brockmann keeps firing as he hears the StuG move behind the building he’s in. He smiles to himself as he pulls the trigger again and again, and again.

“Got them now!”

* * *

Walter and Otto monitor the situation from their position to the rear. But since they cannot see any enemy troops to fire at, they are, for the moment, denuded of the ability to fight back.

* * *

“Fire! Fire at will!!” shouts Karl as American infantry suddenly appear up ahead of them.

Machine guns and rifles open up in a sudden symphony of rattles and miniature explosions. Karl can hear the rest of the Platoon behind him engaging with heavy machine guns. He sees his own squad firing and feels the kick from his own weapon as they lay down a carpet of bullets for the advancing Americans. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees an enemy Tank. He instantly grabs the radio.

"Enemy armour spotted ahead, draw forward and engage - it's right in the
open, we can't miss!"

His message is directed toward Untersturmfuhrer Groenig who sits, some way back, in a Panzer IIIL.

The Panzer slowly edges forward from where it has been hidden behind the Hotel building, but too late, Groenig spots another Stuart tank in the town ahead. And it’s already targeting his own vehicle…

“Fire at that Tank!” The order is redundant. His gunner is already turning the turret, the driver is already turning the vehicle so that the thickest armour at the front it facing the previously unknown threat.

WHOOSH!! There is a sudden loud explosion as a shell from the Stuart thuds into the ground behind the Panzer. And then…

BANG! Groenig ducks into the turret and slams the hatch down. They’ve been hit, but not seriously. But not for long. There’s a second loud bang and the Panzer shakes.

“Penetration!” screams the driver, in a panic. His hand’s jammed on the controls, Groenig feels the tank continue to rotate.

“Keep your grip man – we’re still alive – just let’s concentrate on killing that bastard!”

Groenig feels the sweat dripping down his back. This could be the end…he just needs to get a shot off in time…

Dr. S.

Damn, I didn't kill that panzer!! Damn!!!

BigMik1

Doctor Sinister

11 Aug 04, 15:41

Groenig’s tank fires – the shot goes wide. He sees the Stuart return fire, hears the shell thump into the earth in front of him. The Stuart fires again as the Panzer III rotates to bring its frontal armour to bear…

BANG!!

“Track’s been hit!” yells the driver. “It’s alright, I’ve still got control…”

Groenig watches as the Stuart moves from view, he’s lost his chance for now.

* * *

Karl watches coolly as he sees more movement up ahead – a Sherman Tank has just joined the party. How many tanks have the Americans got?!

* * *

Kirchner in the StuG guides the vehicle back, but his quarry too has disappeared – the Stuart has withdrawn behind the building again, but at least it’s not firing on the Church any more. Having no enemy armour to fire upon, his crew instead directs wave upon wave of machine gun fire on some isolated American infantry to the north.

Dr. S.

BigMik1

11 Aug 04, 17:52

Heee..we are having fun now!!!

BigMik1

jguritza

12 Aug 04, 11:44

This is awesome! It is like turning in everyday to hear the next chapter of the story...

ER_Chaser

12 Aug 04, 15:57

wow ... cool...

After all so many CMBB I have played ... I never wrote anything as interesting as this ... no .. no. ... not even remotely close ... Dr. S., our beloved leader .... er... fancy a fight in CMBB with me? (and probably be slain by my 152mm guns? :demon: )

BigMik1

13 Aug 04, 00:36

Originally posted by ER Chaser
wow ... cool...

After all so many CMBB I have played ... I never wrote anything as interesting as this ... no .. no. ... not even remotely close ... Dr. S., our beloved leader .... er... fancy a fight in CMBB with me? (and probably be slain by my 152mm guns? :demon: )

ER, you don't have CMAK yet? I love CMAK so much I took CMBB off my system. You should check it out.

BigMik1

Viking67

13 Aug 04, 01:10

Viking67

13 Aug 04, 01:14

Originally posted by Viking67
Shouldn't these guys be talking in German?

Here's the translated version (some of the punctuations are wrong):

Rottenfuhrer Brockmann hält abzufeuern, während er die Bewegung StuG hinter den Gebäudehe's innen hört. Er lächelt zu, während er den Auslöser immer wieder zieht, und wieder. sie jetzt!?
* * *
Walter und Otto überwachen die Situation von ihrer Position zur Rückseite. Aber, da sie keine feindlichen Truppen sehen können, um an abzufeuern, sind sie, während des Momentes, denuded von der Fähigkeit, zurück zu kämpfen.
* * *
"Feuer! Feuer am Willen!!" Shouts Karl als amerikanische Infanterie erscheinen plötzlich oben vor ihnen. Maschinengewehren und -gewehre erschließen in einer plötzlichen Symphonie von Geklapper und von Miniexplosionen. Karl kann den Rest des Platoon hinter ihm hören engagierend in den schweren Maschinengewehren. Er sieht seine eigene Squadzündung und glaubt dem Stoß von seiner eigenen Waffe, während sie einen Teppich der Gewehrkugeln für die vorrückenden Amerikaner niederlegen. Aus der Ecke seines Auges heraus, sieht er einen feindlichen Behälter. Er ergreift sofort den Radio. "die feindliche Rüstung, die voran beschmutzt wird, zeichnen vorwärts und engagieren sich - es ist recht im geöffneten, wir kann nicht vermissen!", Seine Anzeige wird in Richtung zu Untersturmfuhrer Groenig, das sitzt, irgendeine Weisenrückseite, in einem Panzer IIIL verwiesen. Das Panzer umrandet langsam vorwärts von, wo es hinter dem Hotelgebäude versteckt worden ist, aber zu spät, Punkte Groenig ein anderer Stuartbehälter in der Stadt voran. Und it?s, die bereits seinen eigenen Träger zielen? an diesem Behälter!? Der Auftrag ist überflüssig. Sein gunner dreht bereits den Drehkopf, der Treiber dreht bereits den Träger damit die stärkste Rüstung an der Frontseite es die vorher unbekannte Drohung gegenüberstellend. WHOOSH!! Es gibt eine plötzliche laute Explosion als Oberteil von den Stuartthuds in den Boden hinter dem Panzer. Und dann? KNALL! Enten Groenig in den Drehkopf und in den Knall die Luke unten. They?ve nicht ernsthaft geschlagen, aber. Aber nicht für lang. There?s ein zweiter lauter Knall und die Erschütterungen Panzer. screams den Treiber, in einer Panik. Seine hand?s, die auf den Kontrollen gestaut werden, Groenig glaubt dem Behälter fortzufahren sich zu drehen. Ihr Griffmann? we?re noch lebendig? gerade let?s konzentrieren sich auf Tötung, die bastard!? Groenig glaubt, hinunter seins zurück tropfen zu schwitzen. Diese konnte die Notwendigkeiten des end?he gerade sein, einen Schuß weg in der Zeit zu erhalten?

Roach

13 Aug 04, 05:42

Originally posted by Viking67
Shouldn't these guys be talking in German?

Indeed yes, and the original transcriptions of these reports are. These particular transcripts however have been taken from the English edition of Signal for the benefit of the predominantly Allied observers normally to be found frequenting and, occasionally, suspiciously loitering here. Well, at least that's what Dr S told me at the breakfast meeting/briefing this morning, and I've found it's best to believe him about these things.

jguritza

13 Aug 04, 08:04

Originally posted by Roach
Indeed yes, and the original transcriptions of these reports are. These particular transcripts however have been taken from the English edition of Signal for the benefit of the predominantly Allied observers normally to be found frequenting and, occasionally, suspiciously loitering here. Well, at least that's what Dr S told me at the breakfast meeting/briefing this morning, and I've found it's best to believe him about these things.

Wow! All that and I just thought my universal translator was working really well!

chrisvalla

13 Aug 04, 09:12

That was cute:thumb:

Now we just need a Schnell, Schnell here and a Schnell, Schnell there...:laugh:

Roach

13 Aug 04, 09:14

Originally posted by chrisvalla
That was cute:thumb:

Now we just need a Schnell, Schnell here and a Schnell, Schnell there...:laugh:

:laugh:

JDS8072

13 Aug 04, 11:03

Never shall a guy say cute unless he is refering to a hooters waitress

Roach

13 Aug 04, 12:55

Originally posted by Jeremy Scott
Never shall a guy say cute unless he is refering to a hooters waitress

I was going to say shouldn't that be waitress hooters but I guess it works either way - and probably both at the same time...

Doctor Sinister

13 Aug 04, 15:26

Originally posted by chrisvalla
That was cute:thumb:

Now we just need a Schnell, Schnell here and a Schnell, Schnell there...:laugh:

I actually nearly had my men shouting stuff like this at each other, but then thought I'd keep it all in English.

I also had the thought of running each "Chapter" on Babel Fish before posting it, but that would have just been annoying...

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

13 Aug 04, 15:30

Originally posted by ER Chaser
wow ... cool...

After all so many CMBB I have played ... I never wrote anything as interesting as this ... no .. no. ... not even remotely close ... Dr. S., our beloved leader .... er... fancy a fight in CMBB with me? (and probably be slain by my 152mm guns? :demon: )

Erm, OK, I'll give it a go. Can I be the Germans again? I like being the "bad guys"...

It'll have to be PBEM, and I'd also like to keep it small(ish).

Does everybody want another "story" to go along with our game?

Vote now...

Dr. S.

Patrocles

13 Aug 04, 16:16

Originally posted by Doctor Sinister
Erm, OK, I'll give it a go. Can I be the Germans again? I like being the "bad guys"...

It'll have to be PBEM, and I'd also like to keep it small(ish).

Does everybody want another "story" to go along with our game?

Vote now...

Dr. S.

Yes! and more screenshots...if they clear intel! :D

BTW...last Xmas I designed and sent a CMBB scenario titled "Assault Guns Forward!" (1941 soviet mech attack against german ad hoc defenders) to The proving grounds. You can check it out and download it at:
http://www.the-proving-grounds.com/scenario_details.html?command=search&db=scenarios.db&eqskudatarq=169

You can read some comments by other players to see if it sounds linteresting (watch out for spoilers).
man, wish I had more time (and now a proper comp) to design more battles for CMBB.

Napoleon

13 Aug 04, 17:18

Yes! More stories. I am waiting for CM:AK to come out to Canada. I haven't been able to find it yet. But I ordred Barabarossa to Berlin and it should be delivered any day now. After I learn to play it I would like to challenge someone to a game.

Doctor Sinister

13 Aug 04, 17:22

Originally posted by Napoleon
Yes! More stories. I am waiting for CM:AK to come out to Canada. I haven't been able to find it yet. But I ordred Barabarossa to Berlin and it should be delivered any day now. After I learn to play it I would like to challenge someone to a game.

Over here I saw the CM Anthology on sale in the shops - all three games in one package for £19.99.

Dr. S.

Napoleon

13 Aug 04, 22:33

Grrrr....takes forever to get stuff like that over here. At least CM:BB is only $9.99 Canadian.

Viking67

14 Aug 04, 01:46

More stories!
(I sound like a little kid. "Dr. S can you read me a story?" "OK, Viking! 'Bumsen!' Said Karl...")(Do not look up "bumsen" unless you wish to see a very rude word.)

BigMik1

14 Aug 04, 07:46

Originally posted by Viking67
Shouldn't these guys be talking in German?

Then how are we going to read it?? Get the intel guys!!!

BigMik1

BigMik1

14 Aug 04, 07:48

Originally posted by Napoleon
Yes! More stories. I am waiting for CM:AK to come out to Canada. I haven't been able to find it yet. But I ordred Barabarossa to Berlin and it should be delivered any day now. After I learn to play it I would like to challenge someone to a game.

You will have to get it online at Battlefront.com.

BigMik1

BigMik1

14 Aug 04, 07:49

Originally posted by Doctor Sinister
Over here I saw the CM Anthology on sale in the shops - all three games in one package for £19.99.

Dr. S.

That's the CDV version right?

BigMik1

Doctor Sinister

14 Aug 04, 08:13

Originally posted by BigMik1
That's the CDV version right?

BigMik1

Yeah, it must be. So it'll be the censored versions. But that's not a problem, my copies of CM:BO and CM:BB are the censored ones, but all you have to do is patch them up with some downloads and it restores the missing bits (all the Nazi-related stuff) if that's what you want.

However, I got my copy of CM:AK direct from Battlefront, so I was OK right from the off. But then, guess what I did? I was upset that it wasn't in a nice DVD box like the others, so I bought the CDV version for the box. Yes, I am a marketing person's dream...

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

14 Aug 04, 09:02

Crouching in a low building behind the Church, and seeing that the Stuart has now withdrawn, Untersturmfuhrer Husum makes a decision.

“We’re moving forward again! We have to hold the line!”

His Squad leaps to their feet and they exit the building in an orderly fashion. Close by they hear the heavy thuds of explosions – someone is shooting at Kirchner in his StuG. Not long after that, they hear the deep roar of an MG42 Heavy Machine Gun, followed by the sounds of rifle fire from Koenig’s Squad up ahead.

“Forward! Forward to the next building! The Americans are really getting it from our machine guns so we must keep moving!”

As Husum and his squad run past the Church and into a building ahead, they see that an American Bazooka team has become pinned down by no less than two machine guns and Koenig’s Squad of men.

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

14 Aug 04, 09:04

Walter and Otto each breathe a small sigh of relief as the thunderous rain of artillery shells ceases. They shake the dust from their uniforms.

“That was pretty intense” says Gunter over in the corner, trying to shake the ringing from his ears.

“Could have been worse – as it is, I don’t think we’ve touched.”

Walter is correct. The artillery fire has all fallen harmlessly between the various positions held by the SS soldiers. No-one has suffered so much as a scratch and their positions are absolutely secure.

“Contact!” screams Otto and he unleashes a torrent of fire on approaching Infantry.

Walter too opens fire – the artillery may have been ineffective, but the battle is far from over. He winces involuntarily as he sees what looks like a Sherman Tank in the distance open up with its bow machine gun.

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

15 Aug 04, 16:34

Bullets spatter all over the alls of the low building in which “Little” Karl and his men are crouched. A Stuart Tank has them zeroed.

“HEADS DOWN!!” yells Karl as he sees a puff of smoke from the barrel of the Stuart’s main gun. But before he can finish the warning, a shower of rubble cascades down from the roof.

“I’m hit! I’m hit!” yells Alfred Herrmann, a broken roof rafter covering him. Karl rushes over, drops his weapon and, with his massive hands, lifts the rafter from his friend. Two others help him carry it clear. He leans down to check the Obershutze.

“It’s OK, just a flesh wound, you’ll be OK.”

Alfred is shaking “Are you sure?” Karl nods and picks up the MP40 as a second shell lands close by.

“Let’s get out of the direct line of fire – everybody over to that window”. The Squad moves over to the other side of the building. The crew of the Stuart can’t see them there and the shells continue to rain down harmlessly against the outer corner they have just vacated. Albert struggles to his feet.

“Thank God for that, I’ve been through too much to die like a rat in a hole”.

“They wouldn’t dare to kill you my friend!” smiles Karl as Albert chambers a round in his rifle. Karl is relieved that his friend is OK – they have been together for years now.

One of Karl’s Squad sees movement to the north and opens fire. The rest of the men follow suit. American troops are advancing on their friends in the town centre.

Suddenly, their outgoing fire is met with a vicious burst of incoming fire from the Stuart Tank that has reacquired them. Instinctively, the entire Squad ducks down.

There is a second burst. Shrapnel flies all around the room and there is a cloud of choking dust in the air. Karl feels something wet on his cheek.

“What the…?!” Karl wipes his hand over his face and looks at his fingers. They are covered in blood. He pulls his helmet off, and is relieved to see that the blood is not his. He looks down to see more blood all over his tunic, the crimson splatters jarring with the understated camouflage of his Waffen SS uniform.

Confused, he looks around. Then he sees the source of the blood. Alfred is lying on the floor, choking from a grievous bullet wound to his neck. Scarlet bubbles are emerging from a hole that should not be there and blood is pumping from the jugular vein, Karl instantly knows it is a fatal wound. As the rest of the Squad continue to return fire, oblivious to the drama unfolding behind them, Karl throws his submachine gun to one side and crouches down to hold his dying friend’s hand. Albert is trying to speak, tears welling up in his eyes, but the only sound to come from his shattered throat is a strange strangled gurgling.

“It’s alright old friend. I’m here”. Karl’s voice is gentle, soothing, not like his normal commanding tone. He grips Albert’s hand tightly with both of his own, feeling the life ebb away from his friend as the pulse of blood from his neck slows to a trickle. There is a large pool of blood all around them – Albert’s very life essence slowly soaking into the floorboards.

He takes Albert’s helmet from him and rests his head on the floor. Albert smiles up at him and manages a painful nod. He has given up speaking, but theirs is a friendship that words cannot describe, and words are no longer necessary.

“I will look after them” whispers Karl into Albert’s ear. “I promise”. Albert nods again and tears flow down his cheek, leaving little clean trails of skin where before there was grime and dust. He smiles again and then his eyes cloud over, unseeing. He is dead.

Karl wipes a tear from his eye as he sees the remainder of his Squad looking back in horror.

“What are you looking at?!” he shouts. “Keep firing – this one’s for Albert!”

Dr. S.

Napoleon

15 Aug 04, 16:37

Wow! Uhmmm......that's realistic all right....Good Luck Doc!

Doctor Sinister

15 Aug 04, 16:41

“It’s all clear – now let’s MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!!!!” Untersturmfuhrer Husum takes the lead, running from the safety of cover towards another building ahead of them, ahead of the Church they only recently occupied.

There is a sudden shatter of machine gun fire and his second in command, Scahrfuhrer Kessel drops to the ground as if strings hold him him up have been cut. One of the Squad members drops to assist.

“LEAVE HIM! ADVANCE! NOW!” screams Husum, aware that they are exposed and in the open. He barely spares a glance for Kessel lying still on the ground. No-one even knows if he is alive or dead, there is only the moment, and the advance.

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

15 Aug 04, 16:52

Meanwhile, in the town centre Walter has observed additional Squads of SS soldiers advancing below and to his right. He and his own Squad cover their advance as best they can.

“Good luck” he murmurs beneath his breath as one of the Squads enters and seizes a building ahead of him, kicking the doors in with heavy jackboots and establishing firing positions inside.

The sound of combat is overwhelming with gunfire rattling out all around the town. So far though, it seems as if the Germans are holding the line, perhaps even pushing it forward.

As he watches in hope, he sees tracer fire going into the upper storey, hears the screams of dying men, the crack of smashed glass and rubble and the crump of grenade explosions. Men are dying in that building, friends and comrades in arms.

Walter feels guilty for being thankful that it was not him…

Dr. S.

BigMik1

16 Aug 04, 03:34

Originally posted by Napoleon
Wow! Uhmmm......that's realistic all right....Good Luck Doc!

Good Luck DOC!!!??!?! I am the good guys!!! My Lord!!

BigMik1

scuud

16 Aug 04, 08:47

The good guy doesn't kill Alfred!
*tears start forming*:(

jguritza

16 Aug 04, 09:05

Originally posted by scuud
The good guy doesn't kill Alfred!
*tears start forming*:(

Alfred killer!

:(

JSMoss

16 Aug 04, 14:57

Originally posted by BigMik1
Good Luck DOC!!!??!?! I am the good guys!!! My Lord!!

BigMik1

Being the one who writes the narratives does give Doc a certain advantage in the campaign for "hearts and minds".

jguritza

16 Aug 04, 15:01

Originally posted by JSMoss
Being the one who writes the narratives does give Doc a certain advantage in the campaign for "hearts and minds".

It sure does! Alfred now has a fan club and collectable action figure with Kung-Fu grip…

Don’t you see it is another great attempt by the grand mind of Dr. Sinister to mold your thoughts!

Besides the story seems to be drawing everyone into the game!

Doctor Sinister

16 Aug 04, 15:05

Originally posted by JSMoss
Being the one who writes the narratives does give Doc a certain advantage in the campaign for "hearts and minds".

Yeah, isn't it great? Everyone is forgetting that my guys are the SS!!

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

16 Aug 04, 15:10

Originally posted by jguritza
It sure does! Alfred now has a fan club and collectable action figure with Kung-Fu grip…

Does it come with a removable neck?

Originally posted by jguritza
Don’t you see it is another great attempt by the grand mind of Dr. Sinister to mold your thoughts!

Besides the story seems to be drawing everyone into the game!

I'm on commission from Battlefront (joke).

Glad everyone seems to be enjoying it. I'm as intrigued as everyone else as to how it's going to turn out. I have a few "generic" plot twists in mind, but of course the outcome of the battle dictates the main story.

Dr. S.

jguritza

16 Aug 04, 15:35

Originally posted by Doctor Sinister
Does it come with a removable neck?

The first generation had a removable neck and additional blood squirting option but the parents were starting to get upset. The compromise was to allow the Kung-Fu action grip and add a few extra grenades…

BigMik1

16 Aug 04, 17:21

Originally posted by scuud
The good guy doesn't kill Alfred!
*tears start forming*:(

Hey, I am doing my job as an American officer!!! KEEP GIVING THEM HELL BOYS!!!!

BigMik1

BigMik1

16 Aug 04, 17:24

Originally posted by JSMoss
Being the one who writes the narratives does give Doc a certain advantage in the campaign for "hearts and minds".

Hearts and Minds huh? Well, now I am going to really crank it up!! I will show Doc what us old CM vets can do!!

BigMik1

BigMik1

16 Aug 04, 17:25

Originally posted by Doctor Sinister
Yeah, isn't it great? Everyone is forgetting that my guys are the SS!!

Dr. S.

Ain't that the truth!!! Don't worry my American boys will show you the meaning of pain!!

BigMik1

BigMik1

16 Aug 04, 17:27

Originally posted by Doctor Sinister
Does it come with a removable neck?

I'm on commission from Battlefront (joke).

Glad everyone seems to be enjoying it. I'm as intrigued as everyone else as to how it's going to turn out. I have a few "generic" plot twists in mind, but of course the outcome of the battle dictates the main story.

Dr. S.

Battlefront would love this, I told the CM community about this thread.

BigMik1

Doctor Sinister

16 Aug 04, 17:49

From his vantage point, Walter can see up and down almost the entire front line. Things are hotting up, but on the whole, the line appears to be holding. He turns to Otto as he takes a swig from his water bottle.

“The Americans are not committing their Tanks. They are holding them back”.

Otto nods as he reloads his K98 Rifle. “Probably waiting for us to make a move ourselves”. He loads a round into the chamber with the bolt. “Things could be worse, on the whole. That Artillery could have destroyed us”.

There’s a sharp burst of machine gun and rifle fire from ahead. Walter can see a massive firefight brewing between the SS Squads occupying the large building in front and some American soldiers trapped in the ruins of a house. He sees fire from three directions aimed at the Americans.

“We’ve got some good crossfires set up here. Those Americans are taking hell”.

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

16 Aug 04, 18:03

Originally posted by BigMik1
Battlefront would love this, I told the CM community about this thread.

BigMik1

Really? What did they say? Was that on Battlefront.com? I'm a member there - used to post occasionally before I came here.

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

16 Aug 04, 18:10

Husum is also engaged in a heavy close range firefight in his section of the line. It looks like a Squad of Americans in the building ahead. Both sides are firing through the gutted window frames and shellholes in the walls. At the moment, neither side seems able to take advantage and assault the other…

“Keep firing! Keep firing!” yells Husum as he pumps away with his own MP40 submachine gun. “Wear them down and we can push forward!”

A myriad of bullets cross the gap between the two buildings, dust is kicked up from the ground as stray rifle bullets thud into the earth and pieces of shrapnel fly in every direction as machine guns batter away at the walls of the opposing building containing the isolated American Squad. Husum smiles to himself, at every turn it seems they have stopped the American infantry advances in their tracks. It’s obvious that the main American effort is concentrated towards the town centre, whereas the German plan to split their forces in three seems to have paid off – for now.

He ducks as a ricochet bounces around the room. Fortunately, no-one is hit.

His Squad returns fire. A second Squad somewhere behind them does likewise and Husum can also hear the roar of an MG42.

"Those Americans picked the wrong day to tangle with us!"

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

16 Aug 04, 18:19

BTW, in case anyone is keeping count, we've just had turn 13 of 40 - so less than half-way through this battle. That's the 13th minute of combat for the uninitiated. So far, BigMik1 and I have exchanged 43 E-mails with attachments.

Dr. S.

BigMik1

16 Aug 04, 23:03

Originally posted by Doctor Sinister
Really? What did they say? Was that on Battlefront.com? I'm a member there - used to post occasionally before I came here.

Dr. S.

It was under a thread called, Word of Mouth in the CMAK Forum. What is your handle there?

BigMik1

BigMik1

16 Aug 04, 23:07

Originally posted by Doctor Sinister
BTW, in case anyone is keeping count, we've just had turn 13 of 40 - so less than half-way through this battle. That's the 13th minute of combat for the uninitiated. So far, BigMik1 and I have exchanged 43 E-mails with attachments.

Dr. S.

I am finishing a 55 turn battle and my opponent and I have exchanged 170 emails with attachments so far.

BigMik1

gobeavs

16 Aug 04, 23:47

Don't know if anyone knows this, but the demo does support PBEM AFAIK. I haven't actually gone through with it, but it prompted me to save the file and everything with the demo.

Doctor Sinister

17 Aug 04, 14:26

Originally posted by BigMik1
It was under a thread called, Word of Mouth in the CMAK Forum. What is your handle there?

BigMik1

Doctor Sinister of course!

I haven't posted there since February though - not since I first came here.

I found the thread anyways.

Dr. S.

BigMik1

17 Aug 04, 16:45

Originally posted by Doctor Sinister
Doctor Sinister of course!

I haven't posted there since February though - not since I first came here.

I found the thread anyways.

Dr. S.

Did you write something?

BigMik1

Doctor Sinister

17 Aug 04, 16:56

Originally posted by BigMik1
Did you write something?

BigMik1

Just about to.

Then I'll check out the latest move you've sent...

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

17 Aug 04, 18:24

A shell whines overhead. Karl looks up sharply. A second Tank has joined the fray and now two armoured vehicles are firing on his building.

“We need to get out of here, I want an orderly retreat…”

The shattering sound of machine gun fire cuts Karl off mid-sentence. He sees one of his men slump to the ground. Bullets whiz all around them.

“Let’s get out of here!” yells one of the men, standing up to turn and run. There is another bust of fire and he is cut in half by the heavy bullets from a Sherman Tank. He does not even have time to scream. Dead before he hits the ground, his internal organs seeping out from catastrophic wounds to his torso.

Karl is caught in the same burst, a bullet taking a chunk of flesh away from his right arm Suddenly, his gun feels heavy, his fingers unable to grip, and he drops it on the ground. The shock of seeing his friends die and the pain from his wound overwhelms him. He is suddenly in a world of silence, only seeing, not hearing, the bullets ricocheting all around. A fourth member of the Squad dies as a Tank shell hits him in the chest and explodes.

Karl looks down muzzily at the screaming men before him. Only after a few seconds does he realise they are trying to tell him something important.

The building is on fire, and thick black choking smoke is filling the room…

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

17 Aug 04, 18:35

In the town centre, a vicious series of firefights has broken out. Heavy machine guns rifles and submachine guns stutter constantly, tracer fire zips back and forth and men die on both sides.

In his sector of the front line, Husum and his Squad fire ferociously at the Americans. A second enemy Squad is moving up to flank them, but simultaneously, Husum and his men are joined by Untersturmfuhrer Koenig and his Squad.

Koenig taps Husum on the shoulder and shouts above the cacophony of rifle fire.

“There’s a Stuart tank driving like hell to the north, they’re trying to outflank us on that side, get past the machine guns.”

Husum nods.

"Then it's up to our own armour to cover our asses"

* * *

Sat in his StuG and hidden behind a building, ready to support the troops, Kirchner and the driver see the Stuart at the same time.

“Got a clear shot sir!” informs the Gunner as the vehicle turns to track the American armour.

“FIRE!!”

Dr. S.

BigMik1

20 Aug 04, 02:16

Okay, DR. S, let them know what is happening!!!!:thumb:

BigMik1

Doctor Sinister

20 Aug 04, 15:27

Karl stumbles blindly around, pain filling him from the wound in his arm, his heart broken from the loss of his best friend and his eyes and lungs filled with smoke.

He feels the grip of a young Schutze on his other arm, guiding him to the rear of the building.

Karl is suddenly thrown to the floor, deafened as a high explosive shell lands on the building, shattering what remains of the structure and blowing the walls and roof to pieces. Sheltered by fallen rubble, the remains of his Squad miraculously survive, but with grievous wounds.

Karl begins to crawl away from the Tank, his only thoughts now are of survival…

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

20 Aug 04, 16:12

“FIRE!!” yells Obersturmfuhrer Kirchner, but it’s already too late, the Stuart has disappeared from view.

Kirchner slams his hand on the top of the StuG. His face is red with rage.

“You imbecile! I told you to fire!”

His crew say nothing. They don’t want to die any more than Kirchner does. They may have missed their opportunity, but they’ll have another.

* * *

With just one single, focused vision in his mind, the machine gun kicks in Husum’s hands as he looses a few more rounds and then he feels a click as the firing pin slams down onto empty space. Automatically he reaches to a pouch for a new magazine and slides it into place. His moves are smooth, rehearsed, unhurried.

An American Squad is still facing them dead ahead, but their rate of fire has vastly reduced. They must have sustained serious casualties. A second Squad appears to be trying to move up to support them but a German MG42 is laying down a constant barrage of fire behind Husum’s position and Husum himself has the support of Koenig’s Squad.

A trained professional, Husum is already thinking of potential strategies for advance or exit from this position.

Before he knows what he is doing, he feels himself duck. It’s only as he hits the floor that he registers the flash of light that made him take avoiding action. Then he hears the crack of the rifle bullet. He hears a cry and turns to see that one of his men is down. He’s alive, but no use to this battle any more, he is lying on the ground and his hand has a gaping hole in it where the rifle bullet went clean through.

Husum barks a sharp rebuke to the two men who have dropped their rifles to attend to their friend.

“Get a Medic up here, or get him out, we’re too close to the Americans to mess around!”

The man throw sharp glances at Husum but pick up their rifles and resume the fighting.

Clutching his hand, the Schutze staggers from the building and heads to the rear.

* * *

Otto lets out a small cheer.

“Mortar fire! Outgoing!”

Walter scoops up his binoculars and watches as the mortar explosions rip the ground apart around the American soldiers in the ruined building.

“Let’s see how they like heavy explosive dropped on their heads!”

But faces soon become glum as they see a Sherman Tank approach to reinforce the Americans.

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

20 Aug 04, 19:59

Haupsturmfuhrer Mueller is in a particularly foul mood as he shouts his orders outside the building where Walter and Otto are positioned.

“Move your asses you damned slouches – this is the SS, not some training camp for girls. Get those ammunition boxes upstairs – now!” The two men he has requisitioned from the Company HQ open their mouths as if to protest but soon think better of it.

Mueller takes a chance and sticks his head around the corner of the building. Bullets are flying all around the town, but he’s safe here, behind an old School that has become the fulcrum of the German line.

Up ahead, in what used to be an impressive Town Hall, he can see SS soldiers fighting, and dying. Mueller knows he should be there with them, directing the battle, but he does not go. Instead he curses under his breath as he sees the fiery blast and smoke from a Panzershrek anti-tank weapon, and hears the dull crump as the shell thuds into the Earth.

“Fire that thing properly, this isn’t a game!” he yells, but the men with the Panzershrek are too far away to hear and are too busy ducking from retaliatory fire from an enemy Sherman anyway.

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

21 Aug 04, 20:45

Husum receives a tap on the shoulder.

“There are more Americans approaching from the left – hidden in some trees.”

Husum sidles to a window and brings up his binoculars.

“It’s nothing serious, just a reduced Squad. Get Koenig to draw back and move to another building, to cover our flank”.

The soldier nods his understanding and moves off to pass on the order. Husum can only see 8 Americans in the newly arived Squad, so they've clearly taken some casualties on their way in.

* * *

Walter and Otto watch in horror as the Sherman Tank advancing on the Town Hall begins to open fire with its main gun. They can see the already unstable building begin to disintegrate. Through his binoculars, Walter can see SS troops beginning to evacuate the crumbling edifice.

Haupsturmfuhrer Mueller appears below them, shouting orders and raising his fist angrily.

“Damn you, you cowards!! Stay there and fight!!” His face is red with rage, spittle flying from his mouth.

Otto turns to Walter and opens his mouth as if to speak, but closes it again just as quickly.

“You too eh?” mutters Walter.

* * *

Eager to make up for the perceived earlier error, Kirchner’s gunner spots a Stuart Tank advancing through the town to their right.

“Get this thing turned around – let’s blow the turret off that thing!” yells Kirchner, but his orders are redundant, the StuG is already rotating to bring its gun to bear.

The vehicle rocks back on its tracks as it fires, but the shot is taken in haste and the shell whistles over the enemy Tank harmlessly. Soon, the Stuart is out of view.

“Looks like the Americans are sending Tanks both ways around the edges of the town – in which case, they’ve got a surprise waiting for them – eh?!” Kirchner chuckles to himself.

“Target acquired ahead sir, enemy infantry”.

“Fire away!!” orders Kirchner, “It’s good to have something to shoot at!”

The StuG fires again and a shell flies off towards an enemy position. Kirchner smiles in glee.

* * *

Untersturmfuhrer Grubert watches the desperate plight of Karl’s Squad as it attempts to retreat under murderous fire from the enemy Tanks. As he watches, one of the four surviving men jerks violently and falls to the ground in a heap. Karl only has two men left now.

But Grubert had more pressing problems. 1st Squad are trapped somewhere up ahead, out of view. And already he sees a Stuart Tank bearing down on the right hand flank of the German line.

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

22 Aug 04, 12:59

Walter and Otto stare in horror as a shattering crescendo totally destroys the Town Hall. The air is filled with the blood-curdling screams of the dying.

Even Haupsturmfuhrer Mueller on the ground below is lost for words as rubble and dust begins to fall from the sky.

Dr. S.

BigMik1

23 Aug 04, 00:17

I can't wait to read the next one!!!! He He He........

BigMik1

BigMik1

23 Aug 04, 15:44

Originally posted by Doctor Sinister
Walter and Otto stare in horror as a shattering crescendo totally destroys the Town Hall. The air is filled with the blood-curdling screams of the dying.

Even Haupsturmfuhrer Mueller on the ground below is lost for words as rubble and dust begins to fall from the sky.

Dr. S.

Where are you Doctor?:rolleyes:

BigMik1

Doctor Sinister

23 Aug 04, 16:25

Originally posted by BigMik1
Where are you Doctor?:rolleyes:

BigMik1

Bit busy right now with the 5th ACG site (blatant plug) - but I'm aware of the situation, I got Roach to check out the move for me.

I'll be back with an update shortly, never fear.

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

23 Aug 04, 19:45

Untersturmfuhrer Groenig watches incredulously as he sees “Little” Karl run past clutching his arm, supported by his two bloodied compatriots.

Groenig also sees puffs of smoke up ahead and hears the steady crack of shells from an enemy Tank.

“Driver! Forward! We’ll poke our nose out around the Hotel and see what we can see”

The Panzer III cranks into gear and slowly glides forward to engage the Stuart up ahead.

But as they clear the side of the Hotel…

“SHERMAN TANK TO THE LEFT!! TURN! TURN!! TURN!!!” barks Groenig, an icy cold sweat beading on his back – he can see the Sherman targeting the Panzer, the barrel is slowly coming down.

Bullets spatter over the armour sides – a second Tank has them targeted. Only now does Groenig realise what a disastrous decision he has made. He slides down into the turret, slamming the hatch cover behind him.

“REVERSE!!” he yells, his harsh voice filling the cramped hot chamber.

The Tank is turning, and so is the turret. Groenig peeks out through the cupola.

“TARGET ACQUIRED!” shouts the gunner and the Tank rocks on its suspension as a shell flies from the end of the barrel.

Too late, a fraction before their shot, Groenig sees a puff of smoke from the Sherman – the Americans have got a shot off.

Groeniog watches in horror as she shell approaches – his senses perceiving in slow motion.

It is the last thing he sees.

BANG!

The American shell penetrates the top of the lower hull of the Panzer III and immediately detonates the ammunition store. Flames rip through the internal compartments in mere nanoseconds and the turret is temporarily lifted from the main hull. Groenig dies instantly, his body shredded by several pounds of High Explosive. He does not even have time to scream.

Goenig’s gunner too dies instantly, his flesh seared from the bone as the explosion rocks the Tank. The loader is not so lucky. With skin and clothing aflame, and choking smoke filling his lungs, he somehow manages to reach the top hatch to try and claw his way from the main hull. He sees daylight and is about to reach the fresh air when a secondary explosion inside the Panzer cuts his body in half, blowing his legs clean from his torso.

The Loader screams agonisingly as every inch of his body is filled with pain beyond comprehension. Then he feels himself rise clear of the turret – strong hands are lifting him out, and then he sees nothing, unconscious and bleeding from massive wounds.

“Get him clear” coughs the Driver, blood streaming down his blackened face. His comrade, the Machine Gunner, nods, although the bloody stump of his arm attests to the narrowness of his own escape through the front hatches.

They drag the ragged torso of their friend away from the burning wreckage of their Tank and towards the Hotel.

Dr. S.

Doctor Sinister

24 Aug 04, 20:10

Oblivious to the destruction of some of their armour, Husum and his Squadmates grow increasingly worried as American Infantry is reinforced on their left whilst they continue to fight another Squad ahead of them.

“Order Reinhard to cover our flank. Reinhard will hold them – he has to. But get ready to move Koenig’s Squad up as well”. Husum watches the Schutze depart to issue the orders to the other Squads. His mind barely registers the approaching sound of Rifle fire from the advancing Americans, his mind is temporarily on other things. They are being squeezed…

There is a sudden explosion outside and Husum’s thoughts are shattered. Mortar fire is raining down on the buildings. He dashes to the window to see Reinhard’s Squad move into position, and to simultaneously be attacked by what looks like two Squads of enemy Infantry.

There are screams from outside. Bullets fly in all directions.

“Covering fire!” yells Husum, and his Squad dashes over to cover Reinhard’s suddenly beleaguered position.

“They’re using the mortar fire to cover their advance. This American is only interested in blowing buildings away to get to us.” Husum’s statement is matter-of-fact, but the rage boiling inside him threatens to overwhelm. It looks like Reinhard’s Squad, fully-functional only moments before, has been all but eliminated by a sudden American push.

Dr. S.