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DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
1 Attachment(s)
Germany vs. GB
Mission: Advance, Alam Halfa Ridge, 8/1942 - grouped objectives. Enemy: Reinforced Battalion - 1-2 Armor Co., 2-3 Infantry Co., 6-8 Artillery Btry, plus ATG, AAA and air support. Average force experience, ~70. Terrain: Map = 100x100; flat terrain with series of old wadis generally oriented east/west, some spots filled with soft sand, other parts impassable; rough generally along wadis; limited soft sand; visibility = 59; no roads; no logical axis of advance. Troops: 1 Armor Co. (PzKw IVg), 2 Infantry Co. (SS w/tracks), 7 Artillery Btry (On board, 9 SP, 16 towed w/o transport), 2 Assault Gun Pltn. (StuG IIIf/8), 2 ATG btry. (75mm PAK 40 w/tracks)), 2 MG Pltn (MG42(2) w/tracks), 6 truck mounted 88s, plus recon, AAA and ammo supply. Average force experience, ~95. Time: 37 Turns Analysis And I thought the last battle looked bad! There are no concealed approaches to the enemy positions that vehicles can use. On top of that, visibility is high. IMHO, if during an "advance" battle you can see the victory hexes from behind your LD, that's high visibility. The enemy will have 6pdr guns, either as ATG or tank mounted. Those can kill my StuGs at 1000m, tanks at 2000m and every other vehicle I have that blunders into range, IF they can hit them! My guns can kill enemy vehicle also, but as the delaying force, the enemy will get first shot if it turns into a tank fight. That said, the 6pdr threat needs to be eliminated to make this an effective mission. Dismounted infantry has concealed approaches that I've looked at, but those will take too long. It would take about 30 turns to reach attack positions by traveling up the wadis, without being opposed by the enemy. Seven turns just isn't enough time to capture the victory hexes from the nearest practical attack positions. This advance is going to have to be more straight forward and well planned. Plan Leg units will advance out in three waves along a 1500m front in the center of the map heading East to capture the victory hexes: Wave 1: Scouts; primary mission is basically what scouts do, identify enemy positions. Cross LD turn 1. Wave 2: Two infantry companies; primary targets are infantry, ATGs and AAA, in that order. Cross LD turn 4. Wave 3: Six MG-42 teams; primary targets are infantry, ATGs and AAA, in that order. Cross LD turn 6. ATGs will position to support infantry advance; primary targets are tanks(if in effective range), ATGs, AAA and infantry. AFVs (PzKw IVgs and StuG IIIf/8) will position in concealed positions (depressions or wadis) near LD to support infantry advance; be wary of 6pdr threat; primary targets are tanks(if in effective range), ATGs, AAA and infantry; advance forward once 6pdr threat neutralized. Truck mounted 88s will position in concealed positions (depressions or wadis) near LD to support infantry advance; primary targets are tanks. Artillery will position in concealed positions in rear area and support infantry advance with indirect fire; primary targets are ATGs, AAA, infantry and artillery; smoke barrage will not be used as it will block visibility of advancing and supporting units and invite early counter battery fire. Truck mounted AAA, see "Special Mission". Half-tracks, see "Special Mission". Recon tracks, see "Special Mission". Special Mission Since enemy air assets are expected and the enemy likes to use them early, the plan is to try to pull them into an ambush. In the middle rear of the deployment area, AAA and half-tracks(w/AAMGs) will deploy in a dispersed within a 500m radius of position (15,50). Within this area the recon tracks will move around openly. Hopefully, the enemy will see this activity and call in air strikes which will result in the aircraft being destroyed or at least damaged. This will need to take place during the first 5 turns of the advance. During this time, all other vehicles need to remain concealed and not engage. No artillery assets will deploy within 1000m of the center AAA engagement area. No artillery strikes will be called during the first 5 turns and will refrain from firing for as long as practical. |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
1 Attachment(s)
My deployment is complete and I'm ready to start my advance. Turns out I have a lot more tracks than expected. I couldn't disperse them nearly as much as I wanted. The "bait" for the air ambush is deployed outside the air engagement area and will move into it on the first turn. My infantry and machine guns are sitting in rough positions to provide some protection against enemy prep fire. They will move online once the scouts move out and any local prep fire ends. Scouts are on the LD ready to move. Hopefully, they won't take too much of a beating.
I've attached my save for anyone who wants to see my initial deployment. Turn 1 to follow shortly. |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 1
Enemy prep fire was disturbingly light. Just one 25pdr battery. A second battery dropped smoke during the turn. This could mean a few things: the enemy just limited its prep fire, air assets could be fairly significant or its ground force will be larger than expected. My inclination is there will be a larger than normal number of air assets present. Prep fire resulted in some light suppression of a couple of units. Anyhow, the scouts hit the LD, most of the infantry is coming online and the "bait" is on the move. Casualties Friendly: Zero Enemy: Zero |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 2
Another 25pdr battery just dropped smoke, so that makes three batteries so far. Scouts are continuing to move forward, all infantry moving online now and MG-42s moving now. "Bait" is continuing to move, but nothing is happening yet. Casualties Friendly: Zero Enemy: Zero |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 3
All enemy artillery fire ceased. Scouts are continuing to move forward, infantry now online, MG-42s continuing to move. Still no enemy air assets seen. Casualties Friendly: Zero Enemy: Zero |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 4
I took a closer look at the map and noticed the smoke/dust from the enemy prep fire might have blocked their LOS to my tracks trying to bait enemy air assets into an ambush OR maybe they just can't see them OR maybe the enemy doesn't have air assets OR the enemy doesn't care! Enough ORs :) My infantry crossed the LD. MG-42s are moving on line. Scouts haven't seen anything yet, but farthest ones are only 500m out. Casualties Friendly: Zero Enemy: Zero |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 5
Nothing new; reporting same. Casualties Friendly: Zero Enemy: Zero |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 6
Random incoming mail this turn. Fairly big stuff, too. One battery of 5.5in howitzers and it's onboard. I made note of it for later attention. One tube hit in the air engagement area, so maybe someone has seen my recon tracks zipping around. Probably not. Fire would have been more concentrated if the enemy felt they had a real target. Scouts are out 750m now. Contact should made soon. I need to set their firing range to 2 before the give away their position in case some enemy units launch a spoiling attack. Casualties Friendly: Zero Enemy: Zero |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 7
Scouts report enemy tanks (2x Crusader III) advancing West near bottom edge, approximately 1500m distant Scouts report enemy tank concentration (2x Crusader III, 3x Valentine III) seen 750m West of Northern most objective. Currently stationary. 5.5in incoming mail continued. I parked the "bait". The objective was to draw in air assets and not get them killed by artillery. Casualties Friendly: Zero Enemy: Zero |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 8
Spoiling attack underway along South edge. Seven enemy tanks (3x Crusader III, 4x Valentine III) advancing. 1000m out. Scout needs to get out of the way. Time to engage with 88s before they get into effective range with their 6pdrs. Since the 88s will attract artillery, I'm going to counter battery the 5.5in guns before they get a chance to fire. I'll use my SPAs and move them once they fire a couple of turns. Enemy tank concentration West of Northern objected now reported as a total of six (2x Crusader III, 4x Valentine III). Still stationary. Scouts report enemy infantry sighted 750m East of advancing infantry and just North of axis of advance. Casualties Friendly: Zero Enemy: Zero |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 9
Enemy tanks still advancing along South edge. 500m from scout in this area. Scout moved out of the way of the oncoming train. Two additional tanks spotted stationary beyond advancing enemy. Enemy tank concentration West of Northern objected now reported as a total of seven (3x Crusader III, 4x Valentine III). Still stationary. Scouts report two tanks (2x Crusader III) near Southern objective. Enemey infantry along axis of advance now reported as at least one company. One enemy squad fired on my advancing infantry, so the advance has been spotted. Time to unlease h***!!! :D Casualties Friendly: Zero Enemy: Zero |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 10
All artillery, ATGs, 88s and MG-42s opened up. Some of my tanks fired as well. Enemy infantry was engaged by MG-42s, some ATGs and artillery. All visible infantry either pinned, retreating or routed. One enemy tank destroyed in Northern concentration by an ATG firing HEAT, one destroyed in advancing spoiling attack by an 88 and one damaged near Southern objective, again by an 88. Counter battery against enemy 5.5in guns was widely scattered, so guns should still be in action. Fire will adjust next turn. Casualties Friendly: Zero Enemy: Two Crusader III tanks destroyed, estimated 20 casualties. |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 11
Enemy infantry hit hard by artillery. They exchanged some small arms file with my infantry as well. I lost a few men there. One scout blundered into some enemy infantry and took some casualties as well. Two more Crusader IIIs were destroyed and a Valentine III was damaged. Counter battery against enemy 5.5in guns was more on target this time, but results are unknown. I'll hit them a little more to make sure it is effective. Scouts spotted one enemy Crusader III near middle objective. Casualties Friendly: Four Enemy: Two Crusader III tanks destroyed, estimated 25 casualties. |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
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Great DAR! Keep it up! |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
1 Attachment(s)
Turn 12
Another round of artillery on the enemy infantry. They are pulling back, so it wasn't as effective. Their infantry is taking fire from my artillery, infantry, MG-42s and StuGs. Two 6pdr ATGs were located by my scouts 750m North of the bottom edge. Suppressive fire place on one which was attacked by one scout unit. Yes, they are suppose to recon, but they will also engage targets of opportunity. Concentration of enemy tanks forward of Northern objective are just staying put and allowing themselves to be picked off. Scratch one more Crusader and Valentine. Two additional Crusader III tanks seen near middle objective making the total three. A third was seen near the Southern objective, but one was destroyed earlier and another was just eliminated. The spoiling attack is losing steam before they even fire a shot. Another Crusader III and one Valentine III destroyed reducing it to three Valentines remaining. Three Crusaders 500m to their rear seem to be content watching their comrades in arms get blown to bits. Counter battery continuing on 5.5in howitzers. Strangely, in a now target rich environment, the enemy off board stuff is staying quiet. Screen prints of the main engagement areas at the beginning of turn 13 are attached. Casualties Friendly: Two Enemy: Three Crusader III and two Valentine III tanks destroyed, estimated 10 casualties. |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 13
Continuing to pressure enemy infantry in the middle. Resistance from the enemy is light. Still engaging with artillery, infantry, ATGs, StuGs and MG-42s. My infantry is leaving their MG-42 support behind and catching up with the scouts. The scouts have been holding position in the middle because of the enemy infantry presence. Scouts along the flanks are trying to move around to get a better view of the objectives. Friendly casualties were light while the enemy took moderate casualties. Two platoons of tanks are cautiously moving forward to provide support. There are still tank mounted 6pdrs out there, but those are screened by smoke of burning tanks right now. The enemy 6pdr ATGs have been destroyed. One was taken out be a sweet 1750m shot from a StuG. First shot kill. A half strength scout took out the other one. I'm sure there are more around, but that's two I don't have to worry about. One of the middle objective Crusader III tanks was destroyed by long range StuG fire. My StuGs had a good turn. The spoiling attack is a but finished. Two Valentine III tanks were destroyed. Even the two of the Crusaders watching the destruction of the spoiling attack fell victim to long range fire. One Valentine III and one Crusader III are all that are visible in the South sector, except running crews. One platoon of my tanks have moved up to cover this flank. They won't advance too far until my scouts determine if more 6pdr ATGs are present. Counter battery continuing on 5.5in howitzers, but it's wrapping up. Next turn, I'll move my SPAs. Visibility is high, but with the volume of smoke around, the move has a good chance of being hidden. Enemy artillery finally woke up. An off-board 25pdr battery hit one of my 75mm ATGs, but no casualties have been reported. Mortar fire also targeted my StuGs, but they had moved so the fire was off the mark. Casualties Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties. Enemy: Three Crusader III and two Valentine III tanks destroyed, two 6pdr ATGs destroyed, estimated 20+ casualties. |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 14
Enemy center appears to be collapsing. There was very little Resistance of by the enemy infantry. Surviving tanks from the North sector and near the middle objective did fire at my StuGs, but failed to hit. Friendly artillery was rough on the retreating enemy infantry again, but I'll have to cease fire soon to resupply the towed batteries. The SPAs are on the move to new firing locations. StuGs picked up the MG-42s to get them caught up with the advancing infantry. The last tank of the enemy spoiling attack has been destroyed. Scouts advanced in the South sector and encountered no new enemy units. One last Crusader III remains stationary in the rear. It probably won't last long. One more Crusader III was destroyed close to the middle objective. Enemy artillery inflicted some casualties on my 75mm ATG. Other random artillery and mortar fire hit unoccupied desert. One enemy mortar has been sighted. In general, enemy Resistance seems to be falling apart, but I believe there will be more closer to the objectives. There should be ATGs, AAA and more infantry. At this point, it's looking like the enemy has no air assets. If they did, they certainly would have showed up by now. Casualties Friendly: Estimated 10 casualties. Enemy: One Crusader III and one Valentine III tanks destroyed, estimated 20 casualties. |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 15
StuGs now receiving fire from both the North and South sectors, but the enemy tank near the middle objective has been destroyed. They are even being engaged by a 3in mortar via direct fire. I will have to hold off moving them forward until one sector or the other gets cleared. Otherwise, they risk taking flank hits. The infantry continued to push the enemy infantry. They can't be allowed to rally. Enemy FOO encountered and destroyed. Last known Crusader III destroyed in the North sector. Three Valentine IIIs with 2pdr guns remain. Enemy artillery was more random this turn. No damage reported. Last known enemy Crusader III in South sector damaged several times, but is still alive. My SPAs continued with their relocation and my towed guns ceased fire. Casualties Friendly: Estimated 2 casualties. Enemy: Two Crusader III tanks destroyed, estimated 10 casualties. |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 16
Two Valentine III tanks destroyed in North sector and one Crusader III destroyed in South sector, so the cross fire my StuGs faced has been eliminated. The pesky 3in mortar has also been destroyed. New threats have appeared, however. Two previously unseen Crusader III tanks have been seen South of the Southern objective and one 6pdr ATG and two Bofors opened up from around the middle objective. At 1250m, the Bofors will only mar the paint on the StuGs, but the 6pdr can kill them. It has to be dealt with. I have infantry about 400 meters from the ATG, so they will work on taking it out. In the meantime, the StuGs will reverse some to get to a safe ran and suppress the Bofors. Friendly infantry is within 600m of the middle objective, but the enemy gun emplacements have to be dealt with first. North and South sectors showed no activity after the enemy tanks were destroyed. One Valentine III is still in the North sector, but hidden by smoke of it's burning comrades. Casualties Friendly: Estimated 2 casualties. Enemy: Two Valentine III tanks and one Crusader III tank destroyed, one 3in mortar destroyed, estimated 5 casualties. |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 17
Infantry continued to move forward and provided suppressive fire to the 6pdr ATG. They also fired on the Bofors. The StuGs joined in and finished both Bofors off. They then tossed the transmission in reverse and backed up to try to increase the distance between them and the 6pdr. There has to be more than one. A Crusader III-CS showed up and fired at the StuGs as well but had no effect. All that can be seen of the enemy infantry is their backs. No artillery activity on either side. Casualties Friendly: Zero Enemy: Two 40mm Bofors destroyed, estimated 15 casualties. |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 18
Identification error! Tank previously identified as a Crusader III-CS, was actually a Crusader II-CS. Not a biggie, because at 2500m, it's harmless to my StuGs. Another Crusader III has been seen 200m to the rear of the North objective. The II-CS is near it also. The enemy infantry has stopped resisting and continues to run. Another Bofors has been found 100 meters behind the earlier two. Infantry suppressive fire continued on the 6pdr. A new and now extinct addition to the enemy defense was two truck mounted 6pdrs. Enemy artillery started coming in again on empty sand. They are trying to hit my infantry, but as long as they keep moving they are safe. The enemy doesn't do a good job of leading targets with artillery. Casualties Friendly: Zero Enemy: Two 6pdr Portees destroyed, estimated 5 casualties. |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 19
Another Crusader II-CS seen, this one moving forward past North objectives. Currently, the enemy has six visible tanks: two Crusader II-CSs, three Crusader IIIs and one Valentine III. Truck mounted 88s are maneuvering against two of the Crusader IIIs and the Valentine III. StuGs should be able to take out the others. The 6pdr ATG was destroyed by infantry and the Bofors was destroyed by StuGs. Enemy artillery is still churning up the dirt :rolleyes: Well, I guess not all of it. Mortar fire hit near my infantry. Casualties Friendly: Zero Enemy: One 6pdr ATG and one 40mm Bofors destroyed, estimated 10 casualties. |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 20
My infantry is now starting to fan out and head for all of the objectives. They are 200m from the middle objective, 400m from the South objective and 750m from the North objective. The enemy is making a last gasp effort to stop them. The surviving tanks are starting to move forward. Two unseen truck mounted 6pdrs just popped up also. Of the six enemy tanks remaining, two Crusader IIIs and one Crusader II-CS were destroyed. Another Crusader III and II-CS were damaged. A second 6pdr ATG was found and suppressed by infantry. The crew was last seen running for London. The enemy mortar is continuing to fire, but all friendlies are out of the impact zone. Counter battery is plotted for next turn. Casualties Friendly: Two casualties. Enemy: Two Crusader III and one Crusader II-CS tanks destroyed, one 6pdr ATG abandoned, estimated 10 casualties. |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 21
It's not a big surprise but the enemy had infantry posted behind the middle objective. I've got artillery plotted to come in next turn. In the meantime, my infantry and StuGs pinned them down. So far, all I see is a platoon, but I expect more. The last Crusader III came forward and was destroyed. 88s maneuvered and were able to put fire down on the last Valentine III. It survived this turn, but next turn will be different. The truck mounted 6pdrs weren't so lucky. Both died. Enemy artillery is still hitting empty desert and my artillery came in on the enemy mortar location. Some were dead on, while others need an adjust. I suspect I won't hear from that mortar again because it was on the back edge of the map. Run one hex and they are gone. The Southern sector came back to life again, sort of. My scouts uncovered two Bofors where the spoiling attack died. A tank platoon will take care of them next turn. I need to move my StuGs and tanks next turn. They've been sitting in one place too long. Casualties Friendly: Three casualties. Enemy: One Crusader III tank destroyed, two 6pdr Portees destroyed, estimated 5 casualties. |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 22
Artillery hit enemy infantry positions and seemed to disrupt them pretty well. They took some light casualties. My infantry had stopped heading to the middle objective until it came in. It was still close enough to the to trade small arms fire with the enemy, resulting in casualties on both side. My StuGs are dry on HE and too far away for machine guns. Two enemy reinforcement Crusader IIIs have been spotted moving in. My 88s finished off the Valentine III. There is still one Crusader II-CS, but it's difficult to get shots on target and move at the same time. Counter battery took out the enemy mortar and crew. My tanks were too far away from the Bofors to destroy them, but they did hurt the crews some. The half strength scout that took out an enemy 6pdr earlier in the battle joined in and inflicted a few more casualties on one of the crews. StuGs and tanks moving into new positions. Casualties Friendly: Estimated 5 casualties. Enemy: One Valentine III tank destroyed, one 3in mortar destroyed, estimated 15 casualties. |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 23
My infantry is advancing again. They are 50m from the South objective, 150m from the middle objective and 500m from the North objective. Enemy infantry is running again. Artillery strikes have them spooked. Unless the enemy has defenses around the North objective, the only threats remaining are three Crusader III tanks coming in as reinforcements. There is the Crusader II-CS, but my StuGs are maneuvering against it. Counter battery took out the enemy mortar and crew. Five PzKw IVg tanks maneuvered closer to the two enemy Bofors and succeeded in destroying them. Casualties Friendly: Zero Enemy: Two 40mm Bofors destroyed, estimated 10 casualties. |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 24
Victory hexes are starting to turn in the middle and South objectives. Consequently, enemy units are crawling out from under rocks all over the place. Three 6pdr ATGs opened up from around the South objective. Infantry destroyed one of them. The three Crusader IIIs were moving toward the middle objective when they were engaged by my StuGs leaving one destroyed and one immobilized. I finally got fire on the Crusader II-CS and destroyed it also. Two platoons of infantry abandoned defensive positions in the North sector and started heading toward the North objective. One tank platoon and MG-42 engaged them and suppressed them. Several turned East in rout. Due to increased enemy activity, additional artillery calls were made for next turn. Casualties Friendly: Three Enemy: One Crusader III and one Crusader II-CS destroyed, one 6pdr ATG destroyed, estimated 10 casualties. |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 25
All victory hexes turned in middle objective. Destroyed immobilized Crusader III. The other one popped smoke and ran. Artillery hit enemy infantry beyond the objective and they are also running. Meeting Resistance around South objective. Destroyed one 6pdr ATG with small arms fire. One still remains, but should be destroyed next turn. Within 350m of North objective. One 6pdr ATG sighted and destroyed by small arms fire. More are expected. Enemy infantry trying reach objective, but are over 1000m away and being engaged by tanks and an MG-42. Enemy artillery hitting random locations, but they should be on target soon. Action around the objectives has slowed my infantry. Infantry will push beyond the objectives when possible to avoid becoming artillery targets. Casualties Friendly: Estimate 5 casualties. Enemy: One Crusader III tank, two 6pdr ATG destroyed, estimated 15 casualties. |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 26
Middle objective still secure and no enemy activity in the area. South objective captured, but still meeting resistance. Infantry maneuvered against remaining 6pdr ATG and in the process found another. Both were destroyed with small arms fire. Now within 200m of North objective. Engaged and destroyed two ATR teams and found another 6pdr ATG. Those things seem to be growing on trees! Enemy infantry still attempting to reach this objective, but are taking a beating. Incoming mail is doing nothing more than annoying the scorpions and dung beetles :) Casualties Friendly: Estimate 5 casualties. Enemy: Two 6pdr ATG destroyed, estimated 15 casualties. |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 27
In the process of pushing through the middle objective, infantry found a Bofors. It was engaged by small arms fire, but is still in action. Still meeting resistance around the South objective. Last (I hope!) 6pdr ATG was destroyed, but another Bofors opened up. It was engaged and destroyed by small arms fire. Still receiving light small arms fire from ATR team and the Crusader III that was last seen running has reappeared and is heading toward the objective. It's within 400m, but two platoons of infantry should be able to take care of it. Started turning victory hexes in Northern objective after destroying 6pdr ATG. No other resistance at the moment. Random and harmless incoming mail still arriving. Starting to shift tanks and StuGs to prevent targeting. Casualties Friendly: Zero Enemy: One 6pdr ATG destroyed, one 40mm Bofors destroyed, estimated 5 casualties. |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Turn 28
Middle objective secure. Still receiving light small arms fire. Eliminated resistance around South objective by destroying last Crusader III and ATR team. Turned all but one victory hex in Northern objective. Diverted two platoons to deal with the two Bofors found last turn since those units were closer. Neither was destroyed, but the crews abandoned them and were eliminated running away. One tank platoon is moving into position to overrun enemy infantry heading to relief of objective. Casualties Friendly: Five Enemy: Two 40mm Bofors abandoned, estimated 15 casualties. |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
1 Attachment(s)
Decisive Victory!!!!
Turn 29 The last victory hex was turned securing all. There was no remaining enemy resistance, other than one salvo from yet another Bofors. It was quickly dispatched. One platoon of PzKw IVgs closed to within 100m of enemy infantry heading toward Northern objective and ripped them up pretty good. All other fire was directed at fleeing enemy. Casualties Friendly: Zero Enemy: One 40mm Bofors destroyed, estimated 20 casualties. Total Casualties German Men: 29 Artillery: 0 Soft Vehicles: 0 APCs: 0 AFVs: 0 British Men: 527 Artillery: 25 Soft Vehicles: 0 APCs: 0 AFVs: 35 (11x Valentine III, 22x Crusader III, 2x Crusader II-CS) Note: There were no air assets so those aren't listed. Score Germany: 6026 GB: 56 Final Comments I'm not sure whether I this battle was just easier than I expected it would be or I just planned it well. Without a doubt, I hated the idea of advancing against enemy positions with open fields of fire and high visibility. My preferred method of attack are to move as close as possible to the enemy positions via covered and concealed routes, as fast as possible, before engaging. In effect, more finesse than brute force. That just wasn't possible in this case. I respected was the capabilities of the British 6pdr. In this case, they had 37 of them in various mounts. The funny thing is, and I didn't realize this until the battle was underway, instead of truck mounted 88s, Tigers were available :doh: The only chance a 6pdr has against its frontal armor is at point blank range with one of those "extra penetration" hits. An easy battle could have been easier. My next battle is a delay without refit, not that I need it with only 29 casualties and no vehicles or guns damaged. One ATG crew took casualties, but that's about it. If anyone is interested in things just before the last British turn, which involved screaming and running :D, I've attached the save. Enjoy! |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Again, a very well written report. :up:
You made it seem like I was watching over your shoulder! |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
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Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
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You have a force that is cherry-picked with the rarest and best German kit, all wrapped up into a little hand-picked elite battalion. If you were fighting with a historically accurate force for the time then you may have had a challenge from the AI. The Panzer 4g is a very rare beast at this time. It was only doled out in ones and twos per lucky tank company. That is why it is only available in the "Special Panzer" section of 2 in the OOB, and not as a company MBT buy. But you have fleet bought an entire company of these rare beasts. The gun on this thing will get through Valentines class 7 front armour at 1500m with plain AP. It is a mini-tiger for its time, its Achilles heel is the class 5 front turret armour. You really should have a tank company based on the Panzer 3 with 50L60, possibly some 50L42 still kicking about. Maybe 2 panzer 4 specials for the entire coy. In 1943 the P4g will start to be reasonably common, but entire companies are probably not justifiable till Sicily/Italy. The Stug F/8 with class 8 front armour and that gun is almost invulnerable beyond 1000m to 6 pounders, let alone the 2 pounders many UK tanks still use. It too is a fairly rare beastie, most stugs at this time will still be ones with L24 75s. Your 4 is probably all one could justify. Ah! - The wargamers favourite 88mm on a truck!. There were only 18 or so ever built, and the Nazis never built any more (so it likely was not the war-winner that German wargamers think ?:)). The chance of this thing being used other than in a scenario based on known usage is probably only slightly less than having a Maus present, but it seems to be a regular fleet-buy item of the German wargamer core. You have a third of the entire production!. That unit really cannot be justified historically outside scenario usage. And in any case you have access to the Stug/F8 which has a gun that drills valentines to a useful range while being armoured (and class 8 armour is difficult for the UK to deal with as pointed out above). You already have these far more useful items in your core. You could possibly justify some early model marders with the 75 or the ex-Russian 76mm. There were no SS in the Western Desert. Use normal mech infantry. All your infantry is mech - typical wargamer ahistorical core. You mentioned Tigers - well those did not turn up till Tunisia 43 against the Allies. And Tigers are not really needed against them until you face 6 pounder and 17 pounder APDS on a regular basis post D-Day. You mentioned ammo problems - get some ammo half-tracks and deploy them forwards, they are not just for the artillery. Now you have limited yourself to a reasonably historical force, and not a cherry-picked wargamers special so the AI has some chance of getting kills on you. You are no longer in the "Challengers against T55s" kill-fest mode that is actually rather boring after 1 battle. Therefore you will have to think and act tactically. Cheers Andy |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Andy, I don't want to be too historical here. After all, the Germans lost. :)
The ammo problem became a major factor in the following battle. PzKw IVgs or not, the British pushed so hard, so fast, there really wasn't time to resupply. The preferences are set to "AI Tank Heavy". That really was a fun battle (and a surprise) since it didn't seem to be an automatic win from the start. I wasn't sure I was going to win, but the AI hung it up on turn 12. |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Andy make's some good point's but, that doesn't take away anything from your excllent reporting!
Ahistorical can be alot of fun too! Keep 'em comin RERomine! :up: |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
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Technically speaking, all war games are designed with an ahistorical angle to them. The losing side of a battle has a chance to win, different equipment is present than in reality, numerical odds are different, etc. During WWII, it was figured it took five Sherman tanks to destroy one Tiger, but in the game you can't get three Shermans, must less five for the price of a Tiger. I figure the AI tends to go ahistorical in generated campaigns most of the time, anyhow. Otherwise, it wouldn't be using 34 artillery batteries, including twelve 7.2in, to support an assault against my reinforced battalion. Dealing with 48 7.2in howitzers wasn't fun, but it wasn't unexpected. For the first time in a defend, I bought bunkers and hid all my infantry in them until they were actually needed in the fight. Part of the ahistorical aspect is my fault. My preferences are for "AI Tank Heavy". Since I have mine set that way, I have to go ahistorical to deal with the numbers of tanks the AI throws at me. That's all fine. The objective is to have fun and not recreate history, right? :) |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
Whether it was historical makes no difference.
You have a good concept on this game that makes it fun to read:) I think i learned something from your strategy. I enjoyed reading your play-by-play report. Feel free to share more:fire: |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
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Artillery is unlimited in the assault, which is historical since the attacker has all the time he needs to bring up equipment, like at the Somme say. What we don't have in SP is the British and Commonwealth multiple battery fires onto impromptu targets (this is available in the old Wargames Research Group WW2 tabletop rules with reinforcing batteries, and "fire blows"). So no ability to call for an "Uncle target" unless you have bought all the divisional artillery, which would be rather expensive. It would need some way to create a "Fire blow" unit containing all the divisions/Corps/Army guns but only 5 rounds gunfire (hence much cheaper than buying all the div's guns with all the ammo assigned to your front for the entire battle which is the SP way, as all arty is "under command") to drop into a 250 by 250 metre square all in one turn. http://members.tripod.com/~nigelef/m...tery%20Targets From 1943 onwards, this really is the preferred .uk anti-Tiger response though, rather than trying to duel them with Shermans. "Uncle Target, Uncle Target, Uncle target. Tigers at grid ABC123"... And if anyone still was present after that, then "Hello One this is Two, repeat .. " :D NB although the Americans could produce concentrations like the British, it was not a routine tasking for impromptu targets. The BCE system pulled all guns off their current tasking to shoot the concentration which was something the US were reluctant to do. Also BCE arty observes were implicitly authorised to order such fires, so no joining a request queue at the "Fire Direction Centre" to try to wheedle some idle batteries as in the USA system, the hammer was dropped on the FOOs say-so with every tube in range from the Regiment (bn)(Mike target), Division (Uncle), Corps (Victor), Army (William) or Army Group (Yoke). But the AI pick lists do reflect the arty of the participants, so expect the BCE, USA and USSR AI pick lists to be strong in that arm. Cheers Andy |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
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The way we get around the PBEM problem is to specify a percent limit of total allocated points. Leaves little room for misunderstandings. Quote:
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Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
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Then instead of OTC at Uni, I joined the local Black Watch TA unit (it paid more :)), and did some time on the Mortar platoon. But mainly in the rifle platoons. Cheers Andy |
Re: DAR: Alam Halfa Ridge
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Ugh!! Too much walking around with too much equipment. That's why I went armor. Our gear went into the tank bussel rack and got a seat with view :) |
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