View Full Version : "Cost of Glory" RD 2 CMAK Tourney
Below are the POD's for Rd2 "KM- South of Hafid Ridge." Scenario date is 6.16.41 :toast:
1. Doodlebug / Mike69 / Tripps
2. BigMik1 / Boff / RangerBooBoo
3. Full Monty / Nig / Magoo
4. Bruce / Gonzo / Malm
5. KG-Jag / KG-Panther / Triaxe
6. 2054172 / Joebob / Victor Charlie
7. Gaz-NZ / Gunner-C / Sgt Alex
This is a large scenario with long load times- go get a drink, hit the bathroom, let the dog outside etc while waiting. :whist:
Should be sent out by the 4th, end date is 4/24/06.
Good Luck & Good Hunting! :nofear:
EDIT- all positions have been filled.
For those of us who actually write dates in the correct order... that's the 16th June 1941... (16.06.41).... :censored:
Piss off the judge there Nig , Now I see what i'm up against. :smoke:
Full Monty
03 Dec 05, 15:55
For those of us who actually write dates in the correct order... that's the 16th June 1941... (16.06.41).... :censored:
Those inferior colonials :rolleyes: :devil:
No it's June 16, 1941: :p
you know like that date:
:flag: July 4, 1776 :flag:
:laugh:
:salute:
...do you mean the 4th of July? :devious:
Full Monty
03 Dec 05, 20:50
...do you mean the 4th of July? :devious:
The date when Englishman grappled with Englishman for the rights to be an Englishman ... resulting in the birth of Americans. (goes into faux preacher voice) ".... and they did go forth and multiply across the land and there was a great gnashing of teeth and lamentation over the firmament ..... " :devil: :laugh: :laugh:
...wasn't it all because they just didn't like tea?
Oh no not Bruce again :dead:
Seems to be no opponents on my level and below but is there ever :whist:
-Malm
I'm actually quite please with my opponent selection this round... haven't played either before... should be interesting.. :)
Full Monty
04 Dec 05, 13:09
I'm actually quite please with my opponent selection this round... haven't played either before... should be interesting.. :)
Indeed it should old boy ;)
There will be a short delay in getting Rd2 out- sorry for the inconvience.
And- we need a replacement player ASAP, The Purist will not be able to play in Rd 2.
Put out the word to all your CMAK opponents not already in the tourney.
EDIT- The opening has been filled by Sgt Alex!
:surprise:
:toast: :cool1:
:coolban: :banana: :joy: :bounce:
Just realized- I'm a 2-Star now!
:salute: :salute:
:laugh:
Does this mean we have to ask permission to speak and salute when talking to u and refer to u as Sir Palantir?
No, just send money- buying all those Gold Stars is expensive!
:laugh:
Full Monty
05 Dec 05, 14:13
Does this mean we have to ask permission to speak and salute when talking to u and refer to u as Sir Palantir?
No, we must avert our eyes and kneel in his presence and only refer to him as 'Lord Palantir'. Of course, when he's not about we'll all call him :censored: and ***** about the way he :censored: the tourneys and made a :censored: :censored: of the :censored: forum. :censored: Palantir more like!! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :halo:
Due to some late minute scenario "findings" Rd 2 is delayed in getting started.
But here's a bone for you to chew on in the mean time-the scenario General Briefing.
:salute:
Title: KM- South of Hafid Ridge
Type: Allied Attack
Date: June 1941
Location: 35 miles southeast of Sollum, Egypt.
Region: North Africa
Weather: Very dry, Hot, Sandy.
Terrain: Rural
Wind: Breeze
Turns: 40
Size: Large
Points: AX-Censored / AL 7900
Best Played: PBEM.
Designer: Kerry “Palantir”
Strategic Situation: June 1941.
Despite the failure in May by the British in "Operation Brevity" to take Halfaya Pass and Sollum, General Wavell was determined to take the area as a necessary stepping stone to recapturing Tobruk. The arrival of the "Tiger Convoy" with nearly 250 tanks enabled the British to launch another offensive on June 15 codenamed "Battleaxe." The plan was for the 4th Indian Division to take Halfaya Pass, 4th Armor Brigade to flank the pass and take Fort Capuzzo & Sollum and the 7th Armored Brigade to occupy Hafid Ridge. The German Supreme Command forbidden General Rommel to launch any attacks and due to supply problems he dug in his troops and awaited the British assault.
Although the British had early success during the first two days their attacks were halted by concentrated German artillery bombardments and the accurate and feared German 88mm anti-aircraft gun dug-in around Hafid Ridge plus, the coordinated and quick shifting of panzer units by Rommel to threatened sectors.
Rommel launched his counter-attack on the 16th moving the 5th Light Division southwest of Hafid Ridge trying to flank the British 7th Ar Bde concentrated there. The 4th British Ar Bde was withdrawn from Fort Capuzzo in an attempt to support the 7th Ar. However, the 8th Panzer Regiment drove south through the gap left by 4th Ar Bde and headed for Halfaya Pass. The rapid German counter-attacks completely upset the British plans forcing them to retreat back to their original starting positions by June 18th. The 7th Ar Bde lost nearly all of it's tanks in the running engagements with the 5th Light Division.
Scenario setting: June 16.
As the 7th Armored Brigade advances westward on June 15th towards its objective "Hafid Ridge" aerial scouting detects a heavy concentration of 88mm anti-aircraft guns dug-in around the ridge. Attempting to alleviate senseless losses across the open desert to this feared weapon the brigade is ordered to swing further south and attack it from the western side instead of the east. Before 7th Ar Bde can advance on Hafid Ridge it must pass before the crossroad village of Bissalama and Arwa Ridge. Defending this forward position are reconnaissance units of the 5th Light Division.
The tasks at hand: The 7th Armor must advance and occupy this area before support forces of the Light Division can react to the flanking movement. For the defending Germans, can they hold back the onslaught long enough for reinforcements to arrive and halt the attack?
No, we must avert our eyes and kneel in his presence and only refer to him as 'Lord Palantir'. Of course, when he's not about we'll all call him :censored: and ***** about the way he :censored: the tourneys and made a :censored: :censored: of the :censored: forum. :censored: Palantir more like!!
Man if Sauron wasn't dead already I'd... :freak:
Btw FM I have a special Rd2 file just for you, after your opponents look at it first! :devious:
Now, back to the scenario... :nuts:
Full Monty
05 Dec 05, 16:26
Man if Sauron wasn't dead already I'd... :freak:
Btw FM I have a special Rd2 file just for you, after your opponents look at it first! :devious:
:laugh: :halo:
Look forward to that one :smoke:
Round 2 has begun!
End Date is April 24th '06.
The game file has been sent, if you don't receive it soon let me know.
I know there will be the usual POD questions/problems/etc so just email me or ask your old-hand POD opponents. :)
:eek: We need a replacement player (Magoo you still want in?) anyone interested please email me. :halo:
EDIT- Magoo has stepped up and is in Rd 2.
Sent it to you :confused: Got it fixed sent it to JOEBOB see you later on the field of honour. ;) :smoke:
thanks for the Breeze in the game makes , a big diff at 135 degrees.
Just another "tactical" option to think about- the way the dust cloud moves!
first move off to 2045172 (as allies), still awaiting contact from Victor Charlie. i'll drop him an e-mail...
:banana:
My German Spotter (class 1) refruses to mount any of my class 2 transportation :cry:
I want that very badly :whist:
What has my SMS (short-memory-storage) of my humanoid brainpart now forgotten :OHNO:
-
Well - instead of a hot *****plate I found a much better place for him :devious:
Bruce come and get some :devil:
-
My German Spotter (class 1) refruses to mount any of my class 2 transportation :cry:
I think that's 'coz he's got to lay a trail of 'communication' wire wherever he goes and he simpy can't feed it quick enough to be mounted on a vehicle. Now, radio spotters you can carry....
Well? I'm sure someone has made a move by now!
As Germans I'm on turn 16... and it looks like I've made a shredder for the British Armour.... :devil:
As British I'm on turn 7... and only lost a couple of ACs so far...
... so far so good.. :laugh:
Full Monty
18 Dec 05, 18:44
As British I'm on turn 7... and only lost a couple of ACs so far...
'so far' being the operative term here :devil:
T9 as Brits w/Mr. Number, so far most of my armor is intact, and am actively engaging his AC's, Pz II's and PzIII's.
T7 as Germans w/Vic Charlie, and contact has been light...
Both games are moving along at a rapid pace!
So far, so good... :whist:
I will tell you that this is another one of those "either or" scenarios.
Either you're doing really well as the Allies, or really terribile. :crosseye:
Good luck in picking the right one.
But then this is a 40T game so if you're doing really well now later you could be doing really terribile or... :devious:
:hush: Never say never ;)
Btw- how are you doing on those load times? It took forever on my machine. :bored:
<Btw- how are you doing on those load times? It took forever on my machine. >
processing the moves takes a little while. i just follow your earlier suggestion, get up, stretch, maybe poke around in the fridge for a beer, come back, and shazaam! move is done! :drink:
loading the move only takes a moment. (Intel 3.0 Ghz, 1 Gb RAM, NVIDIA 5900 Ultra)
btw, awesome map you built up! I like the fact that there are different options as far as approaches to take for assaulting the different positions, plus all the little nooks and crannies that pop up to give my forces (Brits) a chance to hide their butts if necessary when the AT guns open up. :surprise:
scenario definitely looks like it has future replay value!
Nice job, Palantir!!! :toast:
Thanks! I hope the other sand flea infested players like it as well. :crosseye:
In one play-tests I did have a nice 22 vehicle kill turn: at least from the Axis perspective. :devil: It did however kind of put a damper on the Allies advance. :eek:
And yes, it can still happen unless as you say you "hide your butts."
If you're not down at "level one" in this scenario you're probably the Brit with all the burning wrecks! :laugh:
I like the scenario also, it's going to be violent!!!
BigMik1
At a "good" moment in your games feel free to send me a file or a screenshot. :)
I'd like to see how my, err your beleaguered German Recon group is doing. :halo:
Poor guys, all alone in the desert being picked on by an armored brigade... :cry:
You seem to have forgotten the smoke rolling up from you distroyed tanks :confused: ..... I sure hope to get support soon. :eek: :smoke:
Just started on my attack, defense will get there when opponent gets back from Holiday :)
Games going very good. As the British, I am doing some thinking, but as the Axis I am trying to hold back a serious attack from the British!!!
BigMik1
You seem to have forgotten the smoke rolling up from you distroyed tanks :confused: ..... I sure hope to get support soon. :eek: :smoke:
Hmmm, someone hasn't noticed that all their PzIII's are dead plus additional AC's and HT's.... :clap:
Must admit though, I HAVE been a bit reckless.
I'm sure your reinforcements will arrive in time to surrender! :D
You must be playing some one else, because I still have lots of tanks you only got two. What are you smoking? :smoke:
we all know the Canadians have the good stuff these days (daze...)!!!
:coolban:
It's hard to see you with all the smoke from your buring tanks.... Speak up I can't hear you due to the cries of your men for their mommy. :cheeky: :smoke:
OW!
Getting a bit rough out there is it?
How about some damage labeled screenshots?
I would love to if I new how.... geez I just figured out how to zip files awhile ago.
Picture this the smoke rising is like an old western with the Indians sending smoke signals.... only in this case the smoke would not be necessary they could just yell at each other. :smoke:
It's the "Shift-G" hotkey.
It will put labels over all the units that get them- damaged, destroyed, routed etc.
Then use your "print screen" button, go to your paint program, edit-paste etc!
Good luck!
Hi Gonzo I've havn't heard from you since 16th of december :(
Please say something so we know you are alife?
-
He has been under pressure lately - we just finished our 3MiF game so he should have more time now
Thank you Tripps
Happy to know he is still around - some where :hmmm:
Hi Gonzo I've havn't heard from you since 16th of december
A MONTH & NO CONTACT!!! :eek:
Wouldn't that mean he's :skull: in the game Malm?
But better a short delay & play to a finish than win a Pyrrhic victory (if you have time!) :halo:
What's the word gentlemen, it's very quite out there.
Both of my games are about half way through regulation--that is in the 20 turns +/- range. I'm a few turns further along in my game as the Germans vs. KG_Panther than I am as the Brits against Triaxe. There has been plenty of action in both.
Both my games have been a little slack, slower than normal response times from opponents, which could be explained by the holidays, more specifically with Dave with a lost email which we should have resolved earlier.
Nemesis Lead
22 Jan 06, 21:37
Yeah you Kiwi's with your excessive amount of nationally mandated vacation and beautiful country.
Band of slackers I tell you! :)
Up to turn 19 and 18 in my games. Turn files are getting massive and two good battles and I must say that win or lose this is a great scenario, nice job Palantir!
Full Monty
25 Jan 06, 14:02
What's the word gentlemen, it's very quite out there.
'Quite' indeed! :laugh:
My engagement with NiG is progressing at a good pace, whilst Magoo and I are moving more sedately. I wouldn't like to call either game at present. :smoke:
A Draw very wild game lots of action.. the snap shots do no justice to the feeling of excitement inside ... no pictures. Palantir a great senario looking forward to the next round. :smoke:
FYI- The "draw-winner" in the above game did so WITHOUT holding the most VF points. :devious:
It was a slaughter for bothsides: looking at the map mass carnage was seen at every key point across the desert floor. :eek:
Their battle for the Ridge involved over 70 tanks & vehicles with over 40 KIA's. :crosseye:
A close quarters AFV battle near the flag by the Oasis involved over 32 tanks & vehicles with 22 of them ending up as dead & burn hulks. :nuts:
The shooting & dying must have been non-stop. :devil:
I :laugh: AND I :cry: Then I was :) and :mad: Many times I was :o about a move that was made ,then I was :confused: and :scream: ed around every dune. Through most of the time I wished JoeBob was :dead: but I would never wish ill on anyone :halo: Many of my men will have to be in :whlchr: s for the rest of thier lives and I :salute: all who fell in the line of duty.
Thanks JoeBob
Enough of this :blab:
My games are rolling along!!! I am fighting a bloody defense as the Germans and getting pounded as the British!!!
BigMik1
Their battle for the Ridge involved over 70 tanks & vehicles with over 40 KIA's. :crosseye:
Buaahahahaha! only 40 KIAs? My game with Magoo has mounted up over 75 KIAs to the British alone!!! :devil:
...thats all the ones I've counted anyway there could also be others that just rolled out of sight and some with destroyed guns that I don't know about. :cool:
Of course I'm playing the Jerries in that one and have just launched the counterstrike to try and take some of those forward flags :horse:
Buaahahahaha! only 40 KIAs? My game with Magoo has mounted up over 75 KIAs to the British alone!!! :devil:
I said: "Their battle for THE RIDGE involved over 70 tanks & vehicles with over 40 KIA's, not all over the map! That must have been close to 80!:devious:
Naah! I'm pretty sure I'll have that beat... :cheeky:
*considers chucking some of my own into that just to make a point* :whist:
Just had a look at the final turn of Victor Charlies & 2054172's battle (Ax min). :eek:
Over 100 vehicles were involved fighting for this ridge with @ 25 still moving at the end! :crosseye:
It looks like one massive armored demolition derby! :whlchr:
And I've never seen so many "crews" walking on a battle field- or in this case high tailing it for the safety of the rear! :whist:
Yes it's rare sight indeed when 75 (thats seventy-five) crew units are all out & about strolling along wondering who the he** ordered that mission!:nuts:
Looks to have been a good punch, counter-punch battle up there! :devious:
I hope someone in each game notes for us a "Unit Citation" award report for their game.
Any outstanding tank killing going on? I noted a few units with 6 tank kills in the previous games.
Yes it's rare sight indeed when 75 (thats seventy-five) crew units are all out & about strolling along wondering who the he** ordered that mission!:nuts:
I think that's going to be the same story in all the games in this round!!
The large amount of crews walking to the rear, were trying to avoid being killed and therefore adding to the total points for Victor Charlie. :) As for a noted tank or squad etc deserving notice of their efforts.... There were to many.....but on the other hand. A 50.8 mm mortar crew which went head to head with a half track armed with a machine gun and 37 mm cannon took it out and lived to see the end of the battle. Maybe an AT rifle taking out 2 armoured cars and then tieing up two more and 2 HTs, before he was eliminated. Victor Charlie is one good player and deserves his postion on the ladder. :salute:
A note to Palantir my most greatful respect for making such a good battle and a big thank you for all your work on this tourney.:toast: :smoke:
FYI- The "draw-winner" in the above game did so WITHOUT holding the most VF points. :devious:
It was a slaughter for bothsides: looking at the map mass carnage was seen at every key point across the desert floor. :eek:
Their battle for the Ridge involved over 70 tanks & vehicles with over 40 KIA's. :crosseye:
A close quarters AFV battle near the flag by the Oasis involved over 32 tanks & vehicles with 22 of them ending up as dead & burn hulks. :nuts:
The shooting & dying must have been non-stop. :devil:
Yes it was non-stop carnage on both sides! Very crazy game I must say, nothing turned out as expected. Long-term strategies had to be tossed out the door as the Axis AT guns continually ripped up the useless armor of my Cruisers. It took awhile for me to adjust to just how fragile the Brit tanks were, and of course the Axis reinforcements threw me off for awhile as well, having to make a lot of adjustments (in slow motion...)
The battle for the big ridge was pretty wild. I thought I had it under control until all the Pz III's and HT's showed up. Still kept the ridge as I finally started killing his tanks at essentially point blank range (that seems to be the key for the Cruisers).
Never tried to hard for Bissalama, Mr Number's AT guns and 75 inf guns were concentrated in that area, scattered about in the rough and hilly terrain above the town. I was amazed at how difficult they were to knock out even with heavy artillery bombardment. Most of them survived forcing me to cower behind the Point Whatever flag. On the LAST turn of the game, he managed to sneak some infantry just close enough to question the flag possession giving him a higher percentage victory but otherwise a flat-out draw.
Most chaotic and crazy CM game I've played! Thanks to my opponent for the competition and fast return of moves. Very riveting. :toast:
And thanks Palantir for your effort in putting together such a great battle and well-considered map! You rock! :thumup:
As for my other game with Vic Charlie, another post...
My game with Victor Charlie is nearing the end. We've only got 3 turns left.
Vic did a good job earlier in the game of sweeping my right flank, grabbing the first hill flag and driving toward the middle with a LOT of his Cruisers. I was getting VERY worried...
Fortunately for me the bulk of my tank and HT reinforcements showed up just as he was making the final move for the middle flag. Pz III's vs Cruisers turned into a one-sided blood bath. None of his tanks survived the counterattack, but it did give him the green light to go for Bissalama as his infantry had finally made the trek. He rolled into town and shot up the place but now my tanks and HT's w/infantry are speeding to the rescue. Right now the two flags in the town are up for grabs, and with only 3 remaining turns it is escalating into a brutal close quarters firefight with tanks, HT's, AC's and infantry going at it. Not to mention MG fire and HE rounds flying into the town from distant outskirts.
I also lucked out when my AC's showed up on my far right flank and quickly took out his 3 Cruisers holding the remaining hill flag. No disrespect, but it was kinda comical watching these 20mm AC's firing round after round into the rear ends of these Cruisers (who were focused on the approaching tanks) until they were knocked out.
Anyway the MG AC, and one of the 20 mm AC's have sped across and captured the Point Whatever flag near Bissalama. It was a gamble but apparently the flag was undefended.
Then there's the Big Ridge. the final flag is still contested but that battle has largely cooled, with Vic in possession of the first two flags, and the last one contested. I am simply amazed at what a 37mm flak gun can do to light armor. You have to see the wreckage to believe it. AND the guy is still alive, just out of ammo. When the game is over I'll have to send Palantir the final file. I think this flak gun may have knocked out over 20 vehicles! :banana:
Anyway, in a few days I should be able to report the final results. It's currently looking pretty decent for the Axis, but based on how well Vic has played so far I can't rule anything out. If my tanks didn't show up when they did, well....hate to think about it! :eek:
I had some pretty interesting play-tests as well.
And I loved those little 37mm AA guns in them but it's also why you see more 37mm ATG's instead. You can't tell there's a big difference between the 37mm AA & 37mm ATG's until you see them in action: then look out!
The game should progress like this:
1. Allies- looks like an easy win with all my tanks. :D
2. Axis- oh no! Look at all those Allied tanks!:nervous:
3. Allies - I'm getting slaughtered!:eek:
4. Axis- now I'm kicking butt!:)
5. Allies- gotta work my way in.:whist:
6. Axis- oh no!:surprise:
7. Allies- now I have him!:devious:
8. Axis- I'm in big trouble.:hurt:
9. Allies- damn where did all those Germans come from?:scream:
10. Axis- Charge!:devil:
11. Both- I hope I have someone alive at the end.:nuts:
Should be an exciting emotional rollercoaster for both players. "I'm going to win, I'm going to lose, now I'm going to win, I think I might lose, no wait I might win!
I think you forgot the last one...
12. How am I going to explain this to my commander!!! :eek:
I think you forgot the last one...
12. How am I going to explain this to my commander!!! :eek:
Yes but that would be me for sending everyone on this knife-fight of a mission!:halo:
Maybe it would have been better just to have attacked Hafid Ridge directly.:whist:
:laugh:
Next round you get to sit back, relax and sip Greek wine in the shadow of the Mt of the Gods.:drink:
Ok, so you won't get to sit around, relax or sip any wine but you will be in the shadow! :devious:
Well my Axis game against Victor Charlie has ended with a tactical victory for me. Pretty happy with that against such a good opponent.
The battle for Bissalama was still raging when the game ended. I had rolled back into the town with my Pz III's and some HT's w/infantry coming in behind them to unload and run for the buildings.
VERY crazy last couple of turns in that town, with tanks firing at each other at point blank range, dust swirling everywhere, and infantry from both sides actually fighting at close quarters. The edge went to me on the last turn, so if the game had continued, I would have probably restored the town to it's rightful German occupants. :lier:
The last flag on the Big Ridge remained contested, despite a last minute gang rush of remaining Brit tanks to try and grab it.
As I said before, thanks to Kerry for a wild and interesting scenario. Now that both my tourney games are done, I can take a breather from CM, apologize to my wife a few more times (and bank some brownie points) before the next game starts!
;)
In the JoeBob Ax vs VC AL game: another wild battle for Arwa Ridge with 55 vehicle KIA's & 20 still battling at the end for their lives. :nuts:
That brave little 37mm AA did indeed do a splendid job- see attach.
This one saw British Cruisers rampaging from one side of the map clear to the other side & possibily even holding the most western flags at one point. :devious:
The Bissalama engagement had 40 tanks etc involved with 35 of those fighting inside the town walls. That must have been one nasty battle, considering that the town is open, flat & only 150m x150m wide! :surprise:
I can take a breather from CM, apologize to my wife a few more times (and bank some brownie points) before the next game starts!;)
That's what I keep telling mine, but I'm still waiting for that breather!:whist:
Bruce and I are playing this game as mirrowed and to both our concerns our game is very timeshifted (turn 10 vs 38).
Last turn he killed three of my Mk. IV with only one of his 50 mm at a range of >800m :o
I am a bit stunned since until this lesson I only feared guns like 76 - 88 mm!
My point is that I felt so confident in numbers and all - now I am in for the better or bad :dead:
Can't wait to discover what more supprises this tourney may have in hand for us :)
-
Malm
How did you get so off in the turns?
The Boff vs BigMik1 game has ended with an Ax Draw (BigMik1).
And it was another massacre on the Ridge with 70 vehicles involved and few still running at the end.
Although there's burning evidence that the Brit's were way behind the N/S road & German lines causing all sorts of chaos until the Ax reinforcments appeared.
The village (w/neutral flags) saw a good fight with another big one looming just on the horizon, but time apparently ran out for the Brit counter-attack.
So far the finished matches have all been close Axis victories, (2 Draw 2 Tac) if it continues that will mean some delicate adjustments to the Allies. If you have any suggestions let me know it could be as little as the timing of reinforcments.
Victor Charlie
25 Feb 06, 01:27
The Brits tanks are just no match for the Germans. Simple as that. Even the German AC’s can take on the Brits tanks!
So maybe a few less German tanks will balance it out. Delaying the reinforcements will just mean having forces on the map that will never get to battle.
I don't agree...
The britsh inability to neutralise the German ATGs is the real problem. As for tank versus tank... at long ranges the Germans have it, at short range the Brits come into their own...
I don't agree...
The britsh inability to neutralise the German ATGs is the real problem. As for tank versus tank... at long ranges the Germans have it, at short range the Brits come into their own...
The German ATGs are indeed a large part of the problem for the Allied player, there is no real way of countering them other than to stay out of their line of fire, which is tricky when you're either a) on the top of a ridge, or b) attacking a village with extensive higher ground overlooking it. I suspect that more co-ordinated use of the many smoke tanks the Allies are given may have helped save some of my armour from the ATGs, but they (the smoke tanks) are dreadfully inaccurate at long range.. Great map anyway, and my victory playing as the Germans is coming along nicely.. :whist:
I agree maybe an adjustment in the # of german ATGs. Replace them with ATRs or schrecks. How about some Italian troops with their 20mm ATRS.:smoke:
maybe just replacin a few Cruiser Tanks with Crusader Tanks will balance it up? Especially the CS versions....
...you'll still have to approach carefully but at least you have some HE now :smoke:
Well as far the slaughter of Allied tanks go:
In the real 3 day battle at & around Hafid Ridge of the @175 7th AR tanks that started out only 25 were still running at the end (vs only 12 KIA Panzers). The German ATG's were a terror & there are no 88's here like at Hafid Ridge, but I slipped in the 37mm AA! :devil:
There were @80 Crusader tanks in N.A. at the time and the game has XX (edited for now) which is a good number plus XX Cruisers. As far as the Matildas go, (edited).
The scenario has @25% of all the tanks the British had availibile for "Operation BattleAxe." The Germans @25% of all panzers "south" of Tobruk.
The scenario loss of British tanks seems to be on par with the real battle losses on day 1. What I am seeing from the endgame files is a WIDE distribution of tank kills scattered between the ATG's/Field Guns & Pz's. There have been few "Aces" on either side.
Balance: The Cruiser tanks of the 2 RTR are in fact leading & covering for the Crusader tanks arriving from the 6 RTR, which have been "diverted" south from Hafid Ridge. Overall in the operation the rest of 7th Armor is advancing just behind this "scenario" and will run into the rest of the 5th Light Division soon enough. :cry: So it is possibile that few more Crusaders could be advanced & on hand for this engagement.
Also, since I did notice the poor ranged smoke accuracy of the CS tanks if an additional ARTY spotter(s) with smoke might be of more use.
On the subject of German ATG's- my best German tests had them placed well forward and they wrecked havoc on the "unaware" advancing Brits, but they ran out of ammo / were knocked out and were not a factor in the mid/late game battles. I was quite surprised in one test when British Arty shells (all of them I think) actually began landing all over the forward part of the Ridge taking out 2 ATG's, and a RAD . I didn't think the A.I. was that smart or quick.
The village (w/neutral flags) saw a good fight with another big one looming just on the horizon, but time apparently ran out for the Brit counter-attack.
I must say Boff battled me all the way and I was hanging on by a thread!! Those Brit tanks got on my nerves!!!
Good Battle Boff!!!
BigMik1
I think I need to get a move on. I'm about half way through one game (as Allies) and a little behind that in my game as Axis.
I'm finding decision making difficult a the Allies - the Axis game is far easier to play at the moment, I'm assuming my opponenet is having the same problems as Allies in making his mind up.
I'm finding decision making difficult a the Allies - the Axis game is far easier to play at the moment, I'm assuming my opponenet is having the same problems as Allies in making his mind up.
What problems? :hmmm:
See flags- take flags! :laugh:
Do you see anyone else crying over losing 70 allied tanks? :cry: :nuts:
When in doubt CHARGE!:horse:
Although... everyone that has lost 70 tanks was on the losing end of the battle.:whist:
You have to be sneaky and patient as the allies, making sure you set up & coordinate, coordinate, coordinate your advances & attacks.
Another massive clash took place between NiG as Ax & Magoo as AL, or make that 2 massive tank clashes. (Ax victory)
A huge tank battle for the "Ridge" this time took place on the narrow plain north of it with over 30 tanks battling for strategic control. At games end only 7 were moving although the Axis' only 2 had damaged guns.
Nearly 40 vehicles were sent on top of the ridge & slugged it out as well.
Meanwhile clear across the map all around Point 137 another 60 vehicles met head-on in what must have been non-stop action and only eight were still alive.
Looks like the Germans drew a defensive line across the middle of map and held it, but at a cost. The Germans had only 7 combat capable panzers left vs the Brits 11 tanks.
I guess you can call that exciting! :)
You must know how hard it is to write letters to all the parents & loved ones who lost people in battle. I run two pencils down to the nubs.:smoke:
How did you get so off in the turns?
Eh? because someone dropped out and we had to restart to play the game as mirrored - remember?
:hmmm:
Without my notes open I'm lost in the NA desert!
maybe just replacin a few Cruiser Tanks with Crusader Tanks will balance it up? Especially the CS versions.......you'll still have to approach carefully but at least you have some HE now :smoke:
How would playing this scenario blind (like a "normal" scenario) change how this plays out?
Without my notes open I'm lost in the NA desert!
Thats like Colorado or something yeah? :cheeky:
How would playing this scenario blind (like a "normal" scenario) change how this plays out?
I'm confused... how did we get onto that? Or are you just referring to my smoker? --> :smoke:
I assume that Kerry means to ask is what would we think about the force compositions in the event that we played either side without knowing what the opponent's force looked like?
That's a tough questions to answer, especially playing as the Brits. Starting in a defensive position with a good LOS, the Germans are in a superior position to gage what the enemy has. It's also a bit tougher for me because I'm not yet finished with either game. In addition I would have to see the unedited briefing before giving a full answer. [For those of you who have forgotten, the briefings were edited for purposes of the Tournament.]
The first requirement for the Brit player is to recognize the limitations of his armor with only AP ammo. The tank MGs aren't much good until (and if) the Brits get quite close. The light tanks have more range but are easily knocked out.
Second, I believe that what the Brits lack most are infantry and HE chuckers. One or more of those additions (or some kind of combo) would substantially improve the chances for the Brits scoring at least a minor victory.
Hey all,
Just some designer notes:
I wanted to make this a scenario that was a "complete show" one that you would feel like you were involved in THE Battle & not just a small piece of a larger battle going on "elsewhere." (You know those 2000 pt skirmishes)
The sheer size & scope of this scenario I feel does that. A major thrust is being conducted by the British HERE & now, not somewhere else only read about in the briefing. A few plts of tanks are not trying to take one simple rise or one village, the entire map is the objective of a huge formation.
For the Germans its a, "What's all that dust coming over the rise? Whoa! Send help NOW or else!" affair. Their simple task is to stop the armor coming their way. Again the massive task at hand across the map I hope gives the German player a desperate feeling that this is THE PLACE to stand & fight and not that the "real" battle is being fought off the map. And that this battle will actually have an impact on the larger Operation on-going.
Thus the scope & size of the scenario you have before you and I hope, the feeling of fighting for more than "a flag."
Version 1.2 will most certainly include a few more HE chuckers & smokers.
Just wanted to let you know I'm compling some answers to the many points & questions that have been raised in the "Observation" emails.
Thanks for the quick feed back.
Full Monty
13 Mar 06, 19:47
My game with NiG has ended with my Germans sneaking a minor victory. It was a slugfest all the way and, as such, was quite enjoyable.:)
my response to Palantir's question about how the scenario could be modified or changed....
Load/save time factor were insignificant on my system. (3 GHz Intel Pentium, 1 Gb RAM, decent videocard) Not a cutting-edge system, but it handled the scenario just fine.
As for play balance, its pretty hard to find a perfectly balanced game. Thats why we play mirrored to balance results. This last game supported the historical results (The Brits took heavy tank casualties and had to retreat back).
If you want a more even game, then Id say here are a few suggestions, IMHO
- Take away a PzIII 50mm reinforcement platoon.
- Or, add a Matilda platoon (weren't they available?).
- Remove the 37mm FLAK gun and replace with two 20mm flak guns (more historical?) the 37mm flak gun can be out maneuvered or targeted with artillery however, and taken out (like I did). And it is fun to play with! :devil:
- Bring in more Crusaders w/76mm HE to target guns
- Move victory flags around (although I think their placement was probably fine)
- Unlock the 50mm AT gun in the far corner of the map. It is a very safe position, and if moved by the German player and destroyed by poor placement, it makes it much easier for the Cruisers to advance.
To leave unchanged:
- I think British smoke assets are more than adequate. The artillery spotters can always lay additional smoke if needed, instead of firing HE, and you have the smoker tanks. :smoke:
- Infantry assets seemed fine on both sides. And the Bren component was very handy for advance.
- Still allow the Germans to dig in. They had plenty of time to prepare basic defensive positions.
Basically I think Palantir did a great job of creating a scenario with a genuine historical feel, and which in most cases produced semi-historical results. And was fun to play! What more can ya ask for? :thumup:
As Allies I'm on turn 25ish. Fighting on the ridge is getting to be hand to hand, not sure what the outcome will be. Overall though I've lost far too many tanks already. Some German guns have gone quiet, but for some of them it may be through lack of ammo :o Overall the position looks tough. I've been stalled on my left flank for some time now.
As Axis we're only on turn 17 - but starting to speed up. My game is relatively simple so far, I've seen very few Allied forces. A couple of Axis guns opened up at anything that showed over a sand dune and as a result the Allies have stayed in their bunkers. Not sure if we'll hit the end of game deadline for this one - it may be a 'ceasefire' job.
how is the next phase of the tourney developing?:smoke:
What next phase?:whist:
Pretty much completely finished (besides the never ending designer tweeking and messing around with it) we're good to go. :)
Whats the word- how are the games going?
Lets get moving, all you slackers:whist: :smoke:
Waiting to see the results of turn 37 in one (being hammered as the Allies - 20% would be good), still on turn 19 on the other - very little hope of finishing in time (playing the Axis - not much happened yet).
My cable modem has failed - engineer coming to replace (he'd better :mad: ) on Saturday, until then I'm off line. Sorry.
Sgt Alex - are you still out there ? :OHNO:
Rd end date is 4/24.
There are still a number of matches going on, what's their status?
Rd end date is 4/24.
There are still a number of matches going on, what's their status?
Has Gaz reported his win over me ??
You know the status of my game with Sgt Alex - no change recently.
Has Gaz reported his win over me??
No, but I just did for him... :p
Round Three is scheduled to start no later than May 8th.
Players still battleing in Rd2 should make a push to finish ASAP.
Palantir,
Did my last battle get reported?? We finished a couple of weeks ago.
BigMik1
Vs RangerBooBoo, in a word- no. :crosseye:
Palantir,
Did my last battle get reported?? We finished a couple of weeks ago.
BigMik1
BigMik1 - did you get my email? :)
If not can you email me at jonnie.deboer@gmail.com
Cheers
Round Three is scheduled to start no later than May 8th.
Players still battleing in Rd2 should make a push to finish ASAP.
So where are we now? It feels like months ago that I finished my games (thinking about it, it probably was, ack!) :hush:
R3 is on track for a June start now...
Only one game is out- Magoo vs Full Monty.
Ok, UN team has gone awol :upset:
Round Two has been concluded, now to Round 3 & Greece. :)
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