Desert Armor PBEM- Iseaeli Perspective

[Choowee]

Well, since I am fumbling through the screenshot process and XP clipboard issues, let me begin without attachments for now. I guess interested persons can refer to Mike's thread for map references at this point. I will keep trying to make this thread better with pics. I am on turn 3.

THE BATTLE:

My plan is this... I sent the mech infantry up the ridge (125m) which extends NE from my start positions. Here they would get a good command of the desert surroundings, serve as a screen and have a fair defensible positon.

One tank company was ordered to proceed with best speed to take the victory location on the main road between our positions. It is my hope that they will use the advantage of superior training and equipment, especially in open desert, to handle what I'm sure will be a large tank rush by the Syrians.

The other tank company was ordered to take up positions in or near the northeast side of my village, covering the draw between the above mentioned ridge and the large hill (150m) due north of my positions.

Task Force HQ will proceed to the center of the village and set up on the victory hex.

I've set SOP's to include "maximum rates of fire" for the armor and "unload if receiving DF" orders for the mech infantry.

TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS:

So far all is well and my troops are moving into positions. No bugs to report yet, just some strangely imposed movement delays(up to 26 minutes!) upon setting initial orders. I canceled these orders and reapplied the same movements with good results.

[Choowee]

THE BATTLE:
I lost some mech infantry early by my failure to properly read the terrain. My troops were hung out above the ridge and were severely punished by some rather good shooting by the Syrians.

We spotted two tank companies heading toward Kursi running along the eastern ridge. Hopefully my tanks on the main road can get a bead through the trees and crops which line the small stream.

TECHNICAL ISSUES:
So far so good. I haven't made any order changes, and it appears all is going as planned.

[Choowee]

THE BATTLE:
Shots continue to be traded on the main highway, I seem to be getting the upper hand with my better equipment, but I'm not getting many shots as the Syrians appear to have some good concealment. I on the other hand am right out in the open on the highway, but this was by design, forcing a fight.

TECHNICAL ISSUES:
None, test is going well. I have been updating as released. Current build 228. My mech infantry, well what remains, have been frozen in place since they were hit. I have reissued orders, but they are not moving. I believe they are suppressed for the moment. I'll have to check on this.

[Choowee]

THE BATTLE:
A lull in the action as both sides catch their breath from the highway clash. Just remnants of both sides remain amongst the smoke and fire. We spotted Syrian mech infantry approaching from the NE, on the other side of the ridge. Moving armor up to engage, we shall see how far they get. Lots of open desert. Maybe my remaining infantry can also get in some shots, they do have some rpg's, that is if only the Syrians get close enough.

TECHNICAL ISSUES:
None. All is well on my side. Looking good!

[Choowee]

Little to report, my reserve armor has moved up a bit on the ridges to better cover the approaches to Kursi. The remaining Israeli armor on the highway seems to be recovering, they have begun firing again. I have issued new move orders to hopefully kick them into gear and reach the VP hex.

[Choowee]

THE BATTLE:
We have advanced on a Syrian tank platoon which had reached the highway objective. It now appears that the Israelis have the objective under control. At least three of the Syrian tanks were destroyed, we think.

North of the ridge things are going well also. Israeli armor and infantry engaged the Syrian mechanized thrust from NE of Kursi. The Israeli infantry destoyed several infantry and terrorist squads, who were caught on foot, with small arms fire. My armor is tending to the APC's as they appear to be heading for the large hill due north of our positions.

TECHNICAL ISSUES:
I was having a hard time advancing my two armor platoons further down the highway after the initial engagements about ten-fifteen minutes (turns) ago. There was no suppression or damage, morale was high, they just wouldn't move. As a last resort I had unchecked the "pause to fire" box in the SOP's for the units the last turn, and the next turn off they went to capture the objective. I am now practicing this theory with the APC north of Kursi, which also will not move. We shall see how it goes.

[cbelva]

I have seen this problem of tanks not moving several times. One in a PBEM game I am in. If you have not, I would suggest you report it to Scott.