2WIN - Murphstein (Allies) vs Golaith (Axis)

[murphstein]

Now that we've both got a PBEM game under our belts, Goliath and I decided to trade roles and play Two Weeks In Normandy (the New Player Workshop version from last year).

I don't know if he will start a thread on the Axis forum, but I'm certainly going to need advice and instruction. We're playing with the usual options, and an honor rule that I will not put my heavy bombers on interdiction.

[Heldenkaiser]

I played that one from both sides and it was fun both times. (I also won both times. :laugh:) I hope you'll enjoy it too.

For the Allies I believe the key is to occupy as much real estate as possible in the first few moves as long as you benefit from shock and a weak German response. Once the guys in grey and black start consolidating a frontline it becomes awfully hard to make further headway. Especially, linking up the beachheads, keeping Pegasus and/or getting into Caen seems before German reinforcements make the line of the Orne impregnable seems crucial. :rolleyes:

[General Staff]

In 2 sentences or less- if you're Allies think Bayeux 'Gap', then go for it big time with whatever you've got with a view to outflanking that awful bocage and them thar hills east.

If you're the Germans against a decent Allied player this will be your worst nightmare and however you do it you have to be reactive as best you can.

[Veers]

Last edited by General Staff : Today at 02:19. Reason: Lads- sorry but clicked on latest post here. Didn't mean to be here. Haven't seen anything else regarding RtR44. Apologies.

Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuure....:laugh:

[murphstein]

Attempting to go for all four "super-objectives" seems to be both dangerous and unrealistically optimistic, requiring the Allies to split their forces and drive NW (to Cherbourg), S (to St Lo and Torigni) and SE (to the Bourguebus Ridge) at the same time, in the face of mounting powerful opposition, most particularly in the eastern (British) zone.

GS advises that the "Bayeaux Gap" and St. Lo is his usual axis of attack, with the territory around Perier Ridge and Caen (both sides of the Orne) seized for VPs and tactical positioning in the east; threatening Cherbourg and taking advantage of an opportunity there is secondary to tying down the Axis forces on the Cotentin Peninsula in the west.

Taking the center of the map S to St. Lo, plus Perier Ridge and Caen in the east, should provide enough points for a victory, while denying the Axis all 3 of their super-objectives (Caretan, Foret de Cerisy, Pegasus Bridge). It will also allow the Allies to concentrate their strength against a small part of the Axis forces, most of which will be initially tied up in the west (defending Cherbourg) and east (defending Caen and Bourguebus Ridge).

My general plan is to use the British I Corps to hold and expand the airhead across the Orne at Pegasus Bridge, then attack south on both sides of the river to Caen, taking Perier Ridge on the west side of the river in the process, then to tie down as many Axis reinforcements as possible in the east. If a late-game opportunity arises, due to Axis forces moving west, the I Corps will lunge for the Bourguebus Ridge hexes.

The British XXX Corps will take Bayeaux, clear the western end of Perier Ridge, and take Villers-Bocage. This will establish a defensive line, perhaps on the Odon River, to block reinforcements moving west.

The US V Corps will shift east from Omaha Beach to Port-en-Bessin and then move south to the Foret de Cerisy, with the British XXX Corps protecting their left and the Vire River and VII Corps protecting their right, until they can be massed for an attack on St. Lo from the NW, possibly continuing on to Torigni.

The US VII Corps will demonstrate NW toward Cherbourg to draw Axis defenders in that direction, and use the 2 airborne divisions to take Caretan and mop up resistance left by the V Corps between Isigny and Trevieres. As the V Corps closes on St. Lo, the VII Corps will shift its weight thru Caretan toward Pont Hebert and further south, to cut off St. Lo from reinforcement from the west.

My first turn was spent expanding the beachheads and securing the airheads, so implementation of this plan will start with Allied turn 2. I'll make sure there are Allied turn-1 end and turn-2 start SALs posted later today.

[General Staff]

I played that one from both sides and it was fun both times. (I also won both times. :laugh:) I hope you'll enjoy it too.

For the Allies I believe the key is to occupy as much real estate as possible in the first few moves as long as you benefit from shock and a weak German response. Once the guys in grey and black start consolidating a frontline it becomes awfully hard to make further headway. Especially, linking up the beachheads, keeping Pegasus and/or getting into Caen seems before German reinforcements make the line of the Orne impregnable seems crucial. :rolleyes:Exactly. And think Bayeux Gap.

[murphstein]

Start: Axis: 76/1, Allies 3/0, Score -132/79 (OD)

Moving west to east, my plan for this turn is:

US 4ID to push back defenders between Quineville and Montbourg, to test the German defenses and force them to protect the direct path from Utah Beach to Cherbourg. Objective: capture Montbourg.

US 90ID (just arriving) to cross the Mederet River and relieve the 82ABD, to test the German defenses and stretch their lines westward. Objective: maintain and expand 82nd A/B airhead W of Mederet River.

US 82ABD to assemble NW of Mederet and Douve Rivers. Objective: mop up isolated stragglers west of St. Mere Eglis and secure Mederet bridges.

US 101ABD to assemble S of St. Come de Mont, N of Taute River. Objective: Taute River bridge at 35,29 and Caretan approaches S of Taute River.

US 29ID to expand beach-head N of Aure River, forcing the Germans to defend a line from Grandchamps to Formigny. Objectives: Formigny

US 1ID (just arriving) to clear area from Colleville east thru Port-en-Bessin, then advance S and cross the Aure River. Objective: cross-roads at 58,29 and link-up with British XXX Corps right flank.

Brit 50ID to advance SW, linking with US V Corps on their right. Objective: Bayeux.

Brit 8ArmB to advance E of Bayeux, straddle the Caen-Bayeux road, then move E along this road S of Perier Ridge. Objective: Bretteville

Can 3ID to advance S along Courseulles-Caen road, to link with 8th Arm Bde near Bretteville.

Brit 4SSB to mop up isolated units. Objective: Douvres.

Brit 3ID to advance S to Perier Ridge, linking with Can 3rd Inf Div near 77,33 on the W and anchoring the line on or S of Benouville and Pegasus Bridge. Objective:

Brit 1SSB to cross Orne River and clear coast between Orne and Dives Rivers. Objectives: Merville and Cabourg.

Brit 6ABD units to concentrate east of Orne River and secure airhead across Pegasus Bridge.

Brit 27ArmB concentrate east of Orne River and secure airhead across Pegasus Bridge.

All air units on CS and naval units on TR during troop movements; direct fire support missions for 101AB, 4ID and 6AB to be assigned as needed.

[murphstein]

In the west:
- US 4ID pushing Axis units back to Quineville-Montbourg line
- US 90ID crossing Mederet River to relieve 82ABD
- US 82ABD concentrating W of Mederet River
- US 101ABD retaken Taute River bridge and concentrating to attack Caretan

In the center:
- US 29ID is keeping Germans busy N of the Aure River behind Omaha Beach
- US 1ID w/ V Corps arm, arty crossed the Aure on the road and moving S

In the east:
- Brit 50ID is approaching Bayeux and the "gap" in the hills to the east of it
- Brit 8ArmB is clearing the W end of Periers Ridge
- Can 3ID is pushing E along Periers Ridge
- Brit 3ID is pushing S to Periers Ridge, anchored on the Orne River
- Brit 27ArmB, 6ABD and 1SpecSvcBde expanding air-head E of Orne River

Naval units safely positioned and providing support; air all back on I (except heavy bombers on CS).

End-of-turn SAL attached.

[Veers]

In the west:
- US 4ID pushing Axis units back to Quineville-Montbourg line
- US 90ID crossing Mederet River to relieve 82ABD
- US 82ABD concentrating W of Mederet River
- US 101ABD retaken Taute River bridge and concentrating to attack Caretan

In the center:
- US 29ID is keeping Germans busy N of the Aure River behind Omaha Beach
- US 1ID w/ V Corps arm, arty crossed the Aure on the road and moving S

In the east:
- Brit 50ID is approaching Bayeux and the "gap" in the hills to the east of it
- Brit 8ArmB is clearing the W end of Periers Ridge
- Can 3ID is pushing E along Periers Ridge
- Brit 3ID is pushing S to Periers Ridge, anchored on the Orne River
- Brit 27ArmB, 6ABD and 1SpecSvcBde expanding air-head E of Orne River

Naval units safely positioned and providing support; air all back on I (except heavy bombers on CS).

End-of-turn SAL attached.

Need a screen-shot (or movie shot) so I can see this at work! :D

[murphstein]

============
Axis Turn 02
============

Western Sector:
709InfDiv: broken down and defending Quineville to Montbourg
243InfDiv: broken down and defending Montbourg to Mederet River, or moving S toward St Saveur
91AirDiv: broken down and defending Mederet River to Douve River
6FJRgt: broken down and defending Caretan and Vire River bridge to Omaha Beach

Central Sector:
352InfDiv: broken down and defending Grandchamps to Formigny, then S of Aure on road to Bayeux
30MobBde: seen arriving N of Aure River, probably now defending Formigny to crossroad @ 61,29
12SSPzrDiv: broken down and defending spots in the line from crossroad @ 61,29 to Bretteville

Eastern Sector:
716InfDiv: remnants defending Periers Ridge spur W of Douves
21PzrDiv: broken down and defending from Bayeux to Dives River
711InfDiv: broken down and defending N-S line W of Dives River
12SSPzrDiv: broken down and defending spots in the line from Bretteville to Orne River
346InfDiv: appears between Orne and Dives Rivers around Troarn

Axis got 6 combat rounds:
Attacks on 101AB units holding bridges, repulsed
Attacks on 82AB units at N end of line, repulsed
Attacks on Br3ID units in Benouville, successful
Attacks on Br6AB units protecting Pegasus Bridge, repulsed

End: Axis 75/2, Allies 4/0, score -129/79, (OD).

And just for Veers (hope this works):

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/628/2win44danvsgoliatht03abhk5.th.jpg (http://img212.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2win44danvsgoliatht03abhk5.jpg)

[murphstein]

Plans for Turn 3:

Western Sector: Movement of 243ID toward St Saveur indicates...what? Is he planning a counter-attack from St Saveur thru the bocage against the 82AB, or are these units heading south to defend Caretan? Maybe he's thinking he can sacrifice Cherbourg (+30 Allies) for Caretan (+30 Axis) and come out even?

- 4ID to take Quineville and see if 243ID units them move back N
- 90ID(358RCT) to extend 4ID line SW to Mederet R and threaten Montbourg
- 90ID to reinforce 101AB at Taute River bridges and assault Caretan next turn
- 82AB to engage enemy E of St Saveur and cross the Douve R @ 28,26 (give him yet another thing to worry about).
- 101AB to clear northern Vire R bridge and outflank Caretan defenders for next turn's assault on the Axis super-objective.

Central Sector: Spreading the 12SSPzr out across the entire front is probably necessary to leave no gaps in the line. Need to find some weak points, and to eliminate the salient he holds W of Douvres between the BR and CA 3IDs.

- 29ID to advance S toward the Aure R and Isigny, and take Formigny this turn
- 1ID to drive S and SE from crossroad @ 61,29 toward Balleroy and Bayeux
- BR 8ArmB to take Bayeux from NE and link up with US 1ID

Eastern Sector: Recapturing Benouville and moving adjacent to Pegasus Bridge tells me he intends to get it back; that needs to be dealt with harshly.

- BR 50ID to clear Bayeux "gap" of defenders and turn SE toward Caen
- CA 3ID to advance S to Bretteville, W of Douves-Caen road
- BR 3ID to advance S to Periers Ridge, E of Douves-Caen road, and retake Benouville.
- BR 6AB & Cdos to hold Pegasus Bridge and expand airhead another hex-row S.

See the URL in the previous post for a screenshot of the map. The forum isn't uploading my within-size-limits SAL.zip files just now.

[Veers]

============
Axis Turn 02
============

Western Sector:
709InfDiv: broken down and defending Quineville to Montbourg
243InfDiv: broken down and defending Montbourg to Mederet River, or moving S toward St Saveur
91AirDiv: broken down and defending Mederet River to Douve River
6FJRgt: broken down and defending Caretan and Vire River bridge to Omaha Beach

Central Sector:
352InfDiv: broken down and defending Grandchamps to Formigny, then S of Aure on road to Bayeux
30MobBde: seen arriving N of Aure River, probably now defending Formigny to crossroad @ 61,29
12SSPzrDiv: broken down and defending spots in the line from crossroad @ 61,29 to Bretteville

Eastern Sector:
716InfDiv: remnants defending Periers Ridge spur W of Douves
21PzrDiv: broken down and defending from Bayeux to Dives River
711InfDiv: broken down and defending N-S line W of Dives River
12SSPzrDiv: broken down and defending spots in the line from Bretteville to Orne River
346InfDiv: appears between Orne and Dives Rivers around Troarn

Axis got 6 combat rounds:
Attacks on 101AB units holding bridges, repulsed
Attacks on 82AB units at N end of line, repulsed
Attacks on Br3ID units in Benouville, successful
Attacks on Br6AB units protecting Pegasus Bridge, repulsed

End: Axis 75/2, Allies 4/0, score -129/79, (OD).

And just for Veers (hope this works):

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/628/2win44danvsgoliatht03abhk5.th.jpg (http://img212.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2win44danvsgoliatht03abhk5.jpg)

It worked! Better watch the Colleville and Bayeux gaps, eh? Errr...that would be advice for your opponent.

[murphstein]

Results for Allied Turn 3:

Western Sector:
- 4ID liberated Quineville; 358RCT and armor engage 206Pzr near Mederet R.
- 90ID & 101AB crossed Taute River and destroyed enemy forces N of Caretan
- 82AB dug in to defend W of Mederet R and prepared to cross Douve R @ 28,26

Central Sector:
- 29ID liberated Formigny, moved toward Isigny, protected 1ID right flank
- 1ID destroyed defenders E of crossroad @ 61,29 and advanced S along road
- BR 8ArmB liberated Bayeux and inflicted significant losses on defenders
- BR 50ID pushed defenders S in the "gap" area from Bayeux to Bretteville

Eastern Sector:
- CA 3ID destroyed enemy line W of Douves-Caen road and N of Bretteville
- BR 3ID encircled defenders E of Douves-Caen road and liberated Benouville
- BR 6AB & Cdos dug in to defend Pegasus Bridge pending relief from 3ID

End: Axis 75/2, Allies 4/1, score -130/79, (OD).

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/4127/2winalliest3endmg7.th.jpg (http://img100.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2winalliest3endmg7.jpg)

[murphstein]

1) The news this turn says that Allied RR engineers landed. Big deal...none of my supply points are connected to railroads...or am I missing something about the significance of this? Somebody thought it news-worthy...

2) What's the right way to utilize those supply units I have (1 US, 1 BR at this point, apparently more coming)? They can't be divided, so where do I put them and when do I move them? Does moving them cost me anything that turn? Is there any point to digging them in or setting their loss levels?

3) Based on my parallel game vs Elmer, I think I have a reasonable chance of getting to the southern edge of the map below St Lo and Torigny, thereby capturing some German supply points. What happens when I do? I assume he loses supply and I do not get a supply bump. If he has reinforcements arriving at or near the hex, where do they appear? Hopefully, not right next to my company of cavalry!! Map-edge behaviors always seem to get a bit gamey, and are not always obvious in advance.

[General Staff]

1) The news this turn says that Allied RR engineers landed. Big deal...none of my supply points are connected to railroads...or am I missing something about the significance of this? Somebody thought it news-worthy...

2) What's the right way to utilize those supply units I have (1 US, 1 BR at this point, apparently more coming)? They can't be divided, so where do I put them and when do I move them? Does moving them cost me anything that turn? Is there any point to digging them in or setting their loss levels?

3) Based on my parallel game vs Elmer, I think I have a reasonable chance of getting to the southern edge of the map below St Lo and Torigny, thereby capturing some German supply points. What happens when I do? I assume he loses supply and I do not get a supply bump. If he has reinforcements arriving at or near the hex, where do they appear? Hopefully, not right next to my company of cavalry!! Map-edge behaviors always seem to get a bit gamey, and are not always obvious in advance.
1) These can help you with major fording ability to get over super rivers. Plus more generally repair blown bridges.
2) The effects are in the manual but really put them behind your main pushes, though be aware this can be a dead giveaway if the other side notices. Then again you could be bluffing...
3) 2WIN has some unique victory conditions which I'm not sure Elmer accurately understands. Those are the hexes that don't have VP #s in the briefing- Pegasus, Carentan etc... So it's maybe not the best scenario for Elmer. I've played him as the Germans and he sat 2 complete AB divisions opposite Carentan for the bulk of the scenario. And the Germans won't lose supply if you take these supply points necessarily unless you've got a surround or have them isolated from every other one (and there are a lot- virtually every RR/road entry hex has one). Also given what I said above about Elmer I'd suggest you'll have trouble getting to Torigni (and winning) against a competent German defender. St Lo if you're lucky and Bourgebus Ridge can change hands a few times in the last turn or so- usually depends how lucky Allies get at Bayeux.

See here for a good AAR from the German perspective: http://www.gamesquad.com/toaw/?p=36

[Heldenkaiser]

I believe when playing Allies last year I got an OV with taking Bourguebus Ridge, Caen, Carentan and Cherbourg. I never got closer than 5 or 6 hexes to St. Lô, but nor did I have to.

[Heldenkaiser]

2) What's the right way to utilize those supply units I have (1 US, 1 BR at this point, apparently more coming)? They can't be divided, so where do I put them and when do I move them? Does moving them cost me anything that turn? Is there any point to digging them in or setting their loss levels?

Unless I am much mistaken, look at these things as mobile supply sources. You can adjust your supply network a little with them. I dig them in routinely (why not).

[murphstein]

Start: Axis 75/2, Allies 4/0, score -129/79/OD (no change from T3 end)

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/6868/2winalliedt4beginjw3.th.jpg (http://img339.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2winalliedt4beginjw3.jpg)
Plans for Allied Turn 4:

- In the west, continue to push defenders NW to threaten Cherbourg, while attacking S toward Caretan
- In the center, continue to expand Omaha beach-head W to Isigny, while attacking S toward Cerisy & Balleroy
- In the east, continue to expand BR/CA beach-heads S to Perier Ridge, secure Pegasus Bridge, pull enemy reinforcements away from center

Western Sector:

- 4ID to threaten Montbourg, hold Quineville and push defenders
- 90ID (358RCT) and 4ID armor to attack 206Pzr S of Montbourg
- 90ID to attack Caretan from N and drive defenders S or E
- 82AB to demonstrate E of St Saveur and cross Douve R @ 28,26
- 101AB to secure Vire R bridge and support 90ID attack on Caretan
- 9ID (arriving) moving to relieve 358RCT and will flank Montbourg

Central Sector:

- 29ID to threaten Isigny, widen beach-head, protect 1ID right flank
- 1ID to drive S for Cerisy and Balleroy destroying enemy in path
- BR 8ArmB to defenders W of Bayeux and get behind 1ID opposition
- BR 50ID to surround defenders E of Bayeux and break enemy line
- 2ID (arriving) moving behind 1ID, and will attack S thru them

Eastern Sector:

- CA 3ID to advance on Bretteville W of Douves-Caen road, and surround Douve defenders
- BR 3ID to advance on Periers Ridge E of Douves-Caen road, surround Douve defenders, hold Benouville
- BR 6AB & SpcSvcs to secure the airhead and Pegasus Bridge, and drive 21Pzr units away to the S

End: Axis 75/3, Allies 4/1, score -129/79/OD (no net change, +1 LP each)

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/339/2winalliedt4endgt0.th.jpg (http://img64.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2winalliedt4endgt0.jpg)

Lessons learned (so far):
- Martin's no dummy, he has PzJg or Pzr units broken down and dug in with his infantry all along his line, it seems.
- I'm trusting that, if I'm patient and keep pressing him pretty much all along his line, eventually he'll wind up with a gap he cannot fill, which I can exploit. I'm hopeful this is happening S of Bayeux in the next turn or two.
- I've got significant reinforcements arriving soon on all fronts (9ID in west, 2ID and 2Armor in the center, BR 51ID in the east, which I'll use to reinforce success where and when it occurs.

[Veers]

Lessons learned (so far):
- Martin's no dummy, he has PzJg or Pzr units broken down and dug in with his infantry all along his line, it seems.
- I'm trusting that, if I'm patient and keep pressing him pretty much all along his line, eventually he'll wind up with a gap he cannot fill, which I can exploit. I'm hopeful this is happening S of Bayeux in the next turn or two.
- I've got significant reinforcements arriving soon on all fronts (9ID in west, 2ID and 2Armor in the center, BR 51ID in the east, which I'll use to reinforce success where and when it occurs.

Yeah, if you can crsuh those encircled units at Bayeux (congratzon the encirclement), then you'll have a fairly sizeable gap that you can exploit with your coming reinforcements. THe question then will be where to go. Foret de Cerisy is an obvious objective. But, after that, do you swing east, for Caen, or southwest, for St. Lo and Torgini? Prolly have to weigh the VPs in both areas vs. expected difficulty.

Also are you planning to exploit the crossing of the Douve that the 82nd is holding? That could scare him, forcing him to either pull off troops from the rest of the front, or force him to divert arriving reinforcements there...and, either way, it'll stretch his front line.

[General Staff]

Once I've got something to work with between Formigny and Creully I usually pile the CW through to head to points east (Bourgebus Ridge/Caen- the first a priority) and the Amis through the Forêt de Cerisy towards St. Lo (Torigni is IME ambitious) while also putting pressure on the Germans to withdraw from the Carentan area to save St. Lo and avoid being cut off- the Combat Commands are ideal for this.

I also pile high recce value units through any gaps even at high risk to themselves- splitting them into 3 and heading in all directions in the German rear- to try to disrupt the formation of any new German line.

[murphstein]

Veers & GS:

I suspect the encirclement at Bayeux won't hold; he's got a couple of healthy units inside the pocket, but making him fight his way out, instead of rebuilding his line, will do for now.

Yes, I plan to send the BR 8ArmBde and 50ID and the US 1ID, 2ID and 2ArmDiv S to Balleroy and Cerisy, then on to St. Lo with other reinforcements coming later. The 29ID, 101AB and 90ID will connect at Caretan to protect the main effort's right flank, and the BR 49ID and 7ArmDiv connect the CA 3ID right with the BR 50ID left, protecting the main effort's left flank. The BR 3ID and 51ID will cross the Orne at Pegasus Bridge and try to take Caen from the NE. The BR 6AB and commandos will try to clear the coast of those pesky shore batteries, to let the naval units get into support range.

Yes, in turn 4 I started the 82nd AB across the river, and plan to send the arriving 9ID in that direction to cut off Caretan from the W.

Yes, I'm planning to use my recon units to exploit gaps in his lines; at Bayeux I used them, perhaps unwisely, to encircle the defenders.

[Veers]

Veers & GS:

I suspect the encirclement at Bayeux won't hold; he's got a couple of healthy units inside the pocket, but making him fight his way out, instead of rebuilding his line, will do for now.

Yes, I plan to send the BR 8ArmBde and 50ID and the US 1ID, 2ID and 2ArmDiv S to Balleroy and Cerisy, then on to St. Lo with other reinforcements coming later. The 29ID, 101AB and 90ID will connect at Caretan to protect the main effort's right flank, and the BR 49ID and 7ArmDiv connect the CA 3ID right with the BR 50ID left, protecting the main effort's left flank. The BR 3ID and 51ID will cross the Orne at Pegasus Bridge and try to take Caen from the NE. The BR 6AB and commandos will try to clear the coast of those pesky shore batteries, to let the naval units get into support range.

Yes, in turn 4 I started the 82nd AB across the river, and plan to send the arriving 9ID in that direction to cut off Caretan from the W.

Yes, I'm planning to use my recon units to exploit gaps in his lines; at Bayeux I used them, perhaps unwisely, to encircle the defenders.
Sounds like fun!

[murphstein]

Start: Axis 75/3, Allies 4/0, score -128/79/OD (+1 from end of Allied T4).

Plans for Allied Turn 5:

Western Sector:

US 4ID: capture Montbourg and clear out area SW to Mederet River bridges, linking with 82AB.
US 9ID: cross Mederet and Douve Rivers, exploit hole created by 82ABD, take river crossing at 31,31 and drive E toward Caretan and S toward Sainteny.
US 90ID: take river crossing at 37,31 and advance W toward Caretan; 1 rgt to drive SW toward St. Jean de Daye.
US 82ABD: 2 rgts to hold positions between Mederet and Douve Rivers; 2 rgts to open path for 9ID to Caretan.
US 101ABD: 2 rgts to take Vire River crossing at 41,30; 2 rgts to protect Taute River bridges.

Central Sector:

US 29ID: engage enemy from Grandchamps to Aure River east of Formigny, advancing on Isigny if possible.
US 1ID: break thru 12SSPzr defenders, take road junction at 58,32 and advance S towards Balleroy east of river.
UK 8ArmB: reorganize while holding Bayeux and bridges in the area.
UK 50ID: reduce encircled units E of Bayeux and advance SE toward Tilly-sur-Seulles.
UK 7ArmD: drive SW from Bayeux toward Balleroy, attempting to encircle Germans defending Cerisy

Eastern Sector:

UK 4SSB: reduce encircled PzJg units isolated W of Douvres
CA 3ID: push S toward Brettville and Carpiquet W of Douvres-Caen Road
UK 3ID: assault Periers Ridge just W of Orne River
UK 1SSB: break line of 711ID, push MLR back towards Cabourg and clear coastal arty
UK 6ABD: capture Dives River crossing at Troarns and clear woods of enemy resistance
UK 27ArmB: advance S on E bank of Orne River toward Caen
UK 51ID: support advance of 27ArmB toward Caen

Start of turn situation:

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/7575/2winalliedt5beginra2.th.jpg (http://img258.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2winalliedt5beginra2.jpg)

[General Staff]

I'd forget Caen and its VPs. Any decent German defender will have dug in so deep it will make your helmet spin. Go round. Think Bayeux and where you can head from there behind the hills to the east and bocage to the west.

Also hurry with recce units probing to try to disrupt German construction plans. Time can be a killer here for a cautious Allied player and it's about the only friend to a German player.

[murphstein]

Turn 5 Combat Results (see prior post for plans & intentions):

US:
4ID advanced along Mederet River but failed to take Montbourg.
9ID & 82ABD engaged 243ID units S of Douve River but didn't take next river crossing.
90ID & 101ABD engaged 6FJ units and others N and E of Caretan, took crossing, but probably won't hold it.
29ID advanced toward Isigny; 101ABD and 29ID are close to linking up at Vire River bridge or Isigny.
1ID & 2ID seem to have torn a hole in the German line at the edge of the bocage W of Bayeux.

CW:
UK 50ID wiped out the encircled defenders E of Bayeux and pushed back some 12SS and 21 Pzr units.
CA 3ID made no progress toward Brettville or Carpiquet
UK 3ID made no progress toward Perier Ridge and couldn't dislodge the solo Pzr unit out in front.
UK 4SSB tried to "mop up" the StuG islands and paid dearly for the effort...dang, those things are tough!!
UK 1SSB punched a hole in the eastern end of the German lines, maybe opening a path for the recce units.
UK 6ABD made no progress toward Troarns
UK 27ArmB and arriving 51ID thinned out but didn't dislodge defenders E of the Orne River.

Ships on TR, air on I, a few holes torn in German line from Douve River to Bayeux.

End: Axis 73/3, Allies 6/1, score -125/79 (OD).

SAL and JPG to follow shortly.

Methinks I dithered too long assembling my forces during the first third of the game, and wasted my shock advantages. Now every combat is a hard slog and often as not costs me more losses than I inflict. I'm only getting two combat rounds per turn now, so progress is excruciatingly slow.

I wasn't really considering attacking Caen, but bypassing it to the east with the CW 51ID and 27ArmB in a late-game lunge for Bourguebus Ridge.

The US 1ID, 2ID and 2ArmD, with help on their left from the CW 7ArmD and 50ID, still are heading for St. Lo.

The 9ID and 90ID, should meet at Caretan in the next turn or two, and then be in a position to advance S the support the main spearhead's right flank.

Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions? Goliath is putting up a good defense, as expected; I'd love to achieve a break-out, but apparently don't know how to manage it without a couple of rounds to prep, one to punch a hole, and one (with enough MPs left) to exploit. He's patching the holes as fast as I can open them...

Here's the end-turn positions:

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/8998/2winalliedt5endle9.th.jpg (http://img339.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2winalliedt5endle9.jpg)

[Heldenkaiser]

Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions? Goliath is putting up a good defense, as expected; I'd love to achieve a break-out, but apparently don't know how to manage it without a couple of rounds to prep, one to punch a hole, and one (with enough MPs left) to exploit. He's patching the holes as fast as I can open them...

Looking at last turn's snapshot, I think you are already on the right track ... once you see the slightest bit of a hole in his lines, even one hex wide, slip anything through that has high recon and thus can go a few hexes nevertheless. Then be sure to dig in to consolidate the penetration, for exploitation next turn. It's not so easy to push away dug-in scout cars.

If you have superior forces (counter numbers is what counts), any way you can lengthen his lines even by making only dents, no breakthroughs, will help.

If I think about successful penetrations that I have seen (often) or accomplished (rarely), I believe it's often a two turn affair. They happen where your first turn has weakened the defenders so that a lazy opponent may just leave them there to hold the line, but fresh units of yours are in fact capable of pushing them out of the way with a series of RBCs in the second turn. When that happens, a frontline really collapses. Of course, by T5 in a 2WIN game, there may already be a second line of nasty black-clad motor infantry in place ... then it really becomes a meatgrinder. :surprise:

[murphstein]

Starting position for Allied T6:

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/7231/2winalliedt6beginfp8.th.jpg (http://img254.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2winalliedt6beginfp8.jpg)

Start: Axis 73/3, Allies 6/0, score -124/79/OD (+1 from end of Allied T5).

Plans for Allied Turn 6:

Western Sector:

US 4ID: probe along the line from Quineville to Mederet River; link with 82ABD by taking 27,19
US 9ID: attack S thru 82ABD S of Douve River and capture river crossing to Caretan at 31,31
US 90ID: 2 rgts attack W and link w/ 101ABD at Caretan; 2 rgts expand S toward St. Jean de Daye
US 82ABD: 2 rgts to hold line between Mederet and Douve Rivers; 2 rgts support 9ID across Douve River
US 101ABD: 2 rgts to expand Vire River crossing at 41,29; 2 rgts to cross Taute River and attack Caretan

Central Sector:

US 29ID: attack from Isigny to Treviere and take one or both if possible; create more StuG islands
US 1ID: advance S betw/ Treviere and Port-en-Bessin road, opening a hole for 2ArmD to exploit
US 1ID: advance S betw/ Port-en-Bessin road and Aure River, opening a hole for 2ArmD to exploit
US 2ArmD: advance S along Port-en-Bessin toward 58,32 "Y" junction for breakout next turn
UK 8ArmB: hold line E of upper Aure River fork and maintain contact with left of US 2ID
UK 56InfB: w/ 7ArmD attack S toward Tilly-sur-Seulles between Seulles and upper Aure Rivers
UK 7ArmD: w/ 56InfB attack S toward Tilly-sur-Seulles between Seulles and upper Aure Rivers
UK 50ID: w/ XXX Corps units, attack E toward Bretteville along road S of the occupied ridges

Eastern Sector:

UK 4SSB: reduce encircled StuG units W of Douvres w/ assistance of naval bombardments
CA 3ID: hold line along Periers Ridge and withdraw 1 inf bde for strategic reserves
UK 3ID: hold line along Periers Ridge and withdraw 1 inf bde for strategic reserves
UK I Corps: withdraw "funnies" armor for strategic reserves
UK 1SSB: w/ 51ID and 6ABD recon units clear the coastline of ship-killing artillery
UK 6ABD: advance to Dives River N of Troarns and support 1SSB advances to the E
UK 27ArmB: defend Pegasus bridge and expand airhead another hex or two, if possible
UK 51ID: cross Orne River, join 27ArmB, bypass Caen, advance toward Bourguebus Ridge

SAL file attached.

[murphstein]

Allied Results:

US:
4ID broke up defensive lines east and west of Montbourg, taking a VP hex near Quineville, which should cause him to reinforce or risk losing Cherbourg.
9ID & 82ABD drove back defenders and reached the last river crossing en route to Caretan, which should cause him to consider abandoning Caretan.
90ID & 101ABD attacked defenders around Caretan and now threaten super-objective hex from two directions.
29ID reached Isigny and punched holes in the German line N of the Aure River, which may prompt a withdrawl, as the 101ABD has crossed the Vire River.
1ID & 2ID punched a good hole around 58,32 to escape from the bocage, have linked up with the UK 8ArmB and have US 2Arm right behind them.

CW:
UK 50ID are resting at the W end of Periers Ridge and will start heading E in a turn or two.
CA 3ID has gone on the defensive but will continue to threaten Brettville and Carpiquet.
UK 3ID has gone on the defensive but will continue to threaten Perier Ridge and Caen W of the Orne River.
UK 4SSB continued to whittle away at the StuG islands behind the 3IDs.
UK 1SSB liberated Merville and the 6ABD, 51ID and 3ID cav units have broken up the German defenses W of Dives River and have reached Cabourg, which should force a major expansion of the German lines to the NE map edge.
UK 6ABD no progress towards Troarns but whittled down both stacks defending in the woods.
UK 27ArmB and arriving 51ID made no progress toward Caen but whittled down one stack between the Orne River and the woods.

Some ships on TR (missed the UK fleet, dang); air on I; arty dug in.

End: Axis 72/3, Allies 7/2, score -124/79 (no net change from start of turn).

SAL file attached; situation map:

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/395/2winalliedt6endtu7.th.jpg (http://img504.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2winalliedt6endtu7.jpg)

[Veers]

CW:
UK 50ID are resting at the W end of Periers Ridge and will start heading E in a turn or two.
CA 3ID has gone on the defensive but will continue to threaten Brettville and Carpiquet.
UK 3ID has gone on the defensive but will continue to threaten Perier Ridge and Caen W of the Orne River.


do you really have time to be resting these units?

[murphstein]

Veers,

Good question. I stopped the UK 50ID (mostly red) and the UK and Can 3IDs (attacking armor and StuGs dug into Periers Ridge) to regroup, assess my options and save my men. I don't really intend them to advance much further, but need them to hold the attention of the bulk of the German armor concentrated against them. I also expect Goliath to get tired of playing defense and launch a counter-attack at some point, seeking to reclaim one of *his* super-objectives; he'll probably judge Pegasus Bridge to be his best bet.

My intentions for the CW sector is to bypass Caen entirely, and by maneuvering units across the Dives River and from Villers-Bocage, to see if I can close on the Bourguebus Ridge from N and W near the end of the game. This is a secondary objective, however.

The primary objective remains driving the US V and XIX Corps from Omaha due S to St. Lo as fast as they can go, liberating Cerisy in the process. With the VII Corps taking Caretan, this should tip the score to an Allied victory.

Has anyone figured out how to kill StuGs? Armor doesn't do it, AA certainly doesn't work, inf gets chopped up, naval guns don't seem to help much...

[Heldenkaiser]

Has anyone figured out how to kill StuGs?

Not really. Only complete and utter exhaustion after being isolated for several turns, repeatedly assaulted, and down to the last vehicle seems to take care of them. :surprise:

[murphstein]

Start: Axis 72/4, Allies 7/1, score -122/79/OD (+2 from end of Allied T6).

Western Sector:

US 4ID: advance on both sides of Montbourg, encircling defenders if possible; link w/ 82ABD
US 82ABD: hold line between 4ID left on Mederet River to 9ID right on river E of Mont Castre
US 9ID: attack defenders S of Douve River; capture river crossing at 31,31; link with 101ABD
US 90ID: attack W toward Caretan; advance S toward St. Jean de Daye down W side of Vire River
US 101ABD: hold Taute River bridges & link w/ 9ID; hold Vire River bridgehead & link w/ 29ID

Central Sector:

US 29ID: attack from Isigny to Treviere taking both if possible; reduce remaining StuG islands
US 1ID: advance S toward Cerisy between road and Trevieres; create a hole for 2ArmD to exploit
US 2ID: advance S toward Cerisy between road and Bayeux; create a hole for 2ArmD to exploit
US 2ArmD: advance S along road to "Y" at 58,32 and concentrate for attack thru 2ID next turn
US 30ID: advance S along road behind 2ArmD and begin concentrating to relieve 1ID and 2ID

UK 8ArmB: reduce isolated units at 60,32; attack S along W fork of Aure River to support 7ArmD
UK 56InfB: attack S toward Tilly-sur-Seulles between the Seulles River and E fork of Aure River
UK 7ArmD: attack S toward Tilly-sur-Seulles between the Seulles River and E fork of Aure River
UK 50ID: hold W end of Periers Ridge; extend line W to Seulles River; protect 7ArmD left flank

Eastern Sector:

UK 4SSB: reduce encircled StuG units W of Douvres w/ assistance of naval bombardments
CA 3ID: hold line along Periers Ridge and withdraw 1 inf bde for strategic reserves
UK 3ID: hold line along Periers Ridge and withdraw 1 inf bde for strategic reserves
UK I Corps: dig in armor reserves in front of Periers Ridge to hold enemy in position
UK 1SSB: w/ 51ID and 6ABD recon units clear the coastline of ship-killing artillery
UK 6ABD: advance to Dives River N of Troarns and support 1SSB advancing E to Cabourg
UK 27ArmB: defend Pegasus bridge; reduce strength of defenders E of Orne if possible
UK 51ID: cross Orne River & join 27ArmB; get in position to bypass Caen and attack S

Situation at start of turn:

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/1568/2winalliedt7beginwu5.th.jpg (http://img405.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2winalliedt7beginwu5.jpg)

[murphstein]

Western Sector:

US 4ID: weakened enemy line on both sides of Montbourg; opened hole on W on road to Valognes
US 82ABD: held line between 4ID left on Mederet River to 9ID right on river E of Mont Castre
US 9ID: trapped stack S of Douve River; captured river crossing at 31,31; linked with 101ABD
US 90ID: captured Caretan; weakened enemy line in front of St. Jean de Daye W of Vire River
US 101ABD: held Taute River bridges; linked w/ 9ID; expanded Vire River bridgehead one hex

Central Sector:

US 29ID: advanced to Aure River between Isigny and Treviere; consolidated salient StuG islands
US 1ID: advanced S toward Cerisy between road and Trevieres; weakened line for 2ArmD to exploit
US 2ID: advanced S toward Cerisy between road and Bayeux; weakened line for 2ArmD to exploit
US 2ArmD: advanced S along road to "Y" at 58,32 and concentrated for attack S toward Cerisy
US 30ID: advanced S along road behind 2ArmD and began concentrating to relieve 1ID and/or 2ID

UK 8ArmB: reduced isolated units at 60,32; attacked S along fork of Aure River supporting 7ArmD
UK 56InfB: attacked S toward Tilly-sur-Seulles between Seulles River and E fork of Aure River
UK 7ArmD: attacked S toward Tilly-sur-Seulles between Seulles River and E fork of Aure River
UK 50ID: held W end of Periers Ridge; extended line W to Seulles River; protecting 7ArmD flank

Eastern Sector:

UK 4SSB: reduced encircled StuG units W of Douvres w/ CA 3ID cavalry unit
CA 3ID: held line along Periers Ridge and rested 1 inf bde for strategic reserves
UK 3ID: held line along Periers Ridge and rested 1 inf bde for strategic reserves
UK I Corps: dug in armor reserves in front of Periers Ridge to hold enemy in position
UK 1SSB: Cdos and available recon units captured Cabourg and eliminated isolated units
UK 6ABD: advanced to Dives River N of Troarns; supported 1SSB; ready to ford Dives River
UK 27ArmB: reduced strength of defenders E of Orne & took another hex; ready to attack S
UK 51ID: reduced strength of defenders E of Orne & took another hex; ready to attack S

Naval units out of range of coastal arty and on TR; air units reorganizing or on I/LL.

End: Axis 72/4, Allies 7/2, score -123/79/OD (-1 from start of Allied T7, plus Caretan?).

Situation at start of German turn:

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/8894/2winalliedt7endaf3.th.jpg (http://img143.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2winalliedt7endaf3.jpg)

SAL file attached.