AAR: Balkans N. Africa Leg

[Imp]

Cheers back tomorrow I think, necks not so bad now

[Imp]

Pretty sure unless I can pull something out of the bag NF or CF is going to get slapped by arty soon.
NF> 2 vehicles with targets fire now I need to silence the maxim while avoiding the 76ATG. The T-26 is a problem as its gun is good enough at short range. 3 squads sniper M3 & Ram head down the depresion with the aim of getting the T-26 in sight & closing on the ATG.
On L1 M3 moves to engage troops to North they have RPGs so soaks up some fire, squad moves & lose a man so move M3 again as think can target maxim. this brings it by a tiny depresion & it dies to assault but crew survives. Now its hard despite the fact hes not healthy MMG & HT take on maxim routing & HT is recieving RPG fire. A few squads head East near T-26 now but most head NE but cant reach the depresion. 3 HTs & M2 brave things to route unit in depresion & as much fire as I can put down is placed on nearby squads.
Trucks are spreading out as best as possible.
CF> Nearly at tree line, ATG that got fired on crossing leaves transport exiting to L1 N of depresion, a MMG is going there to.
It will take them 2 turns to reach the tree line which extends to here running \, they will have a view to N flags 1km away.
A scout who has been running slighty further north at L1 can now see partly into the N part of the depresion a BT7 is bang in the middle of it.
Looking like I have got away with running into the dangerous stuff this game.
The FOO is on L1 just South as far as it goes & can see a T-26 slightly back from guns probable position.
The main part of this force further South is making its way through the woods, still 300m to go but there is a line of open we can check to see if can speed up next go.
The other ATGs MMG & scout are going down the depresion.
SF> Still a bit of a mess but working forward, 1 squad & FOO have headed down the road in hopes of usefull LOS to flags. Quite a bit of earth & grass in the area surrounding flags.
AIT> Just 2 mtrs fire I stop CB as its going nowhere & am letting planes run. Not much fight in them my crews safe & HT survived attack as squad could not assault.

T11
NF> M3 in the depresion engages reverse bringing T-26 into view its a terrible shot & pays the price, it & the Ram cannot exit towards Soviets as 45ATG will get rear shots so turn for it moving to depresions lip. Squads here fire letting sniper free, he reduces 76ATG crew badly & we are now free baring new targets.
Rest just close gap firing & truck moves near my crew to wisk him away, alls well to start then lose a man by T-26 as a squad was in same hex. Take a bit of ranged fire from new squad to NE then lose 2 or 3 men finding the squad that killed my tank has help.
Turns out not to bad & get most running as morale seems very poor meaning errors are recoverable from.
CF> Lined up ready behind tree line & group in woods check out the path through it so a HT begins its run, I am one lucky git BT-7 fires point blank hitting but its still mobile, pulls back. Rest make best attempt to move forward several squads within 100-150m but somehow none with AT weaponry. tanks are strugling to keep up.
SF> Made it to a position to exit the depresion, there is a group of 4 trees we can move into. Our MMg seems to have got detached & will take a while to catch up, FOO & its squad advancing more slowly now.
AIT> Little arty falls but I hit central area with most of mine 7 or 8 guns.
NG has little fight in it 76ATG did manage a shot at HT but missed.
Planes made run & survived fire mainly from North about 6 guns & they see 2 of them near flags & 2 squads just behind, fail to find ATG but attack 2 of 4 T-26s damaging one

T12
I am becoming fond of my snipers, MMG might put down more long range fire but snipers are great for that undetected shot.
NF>Sniper routes a squad then does same to 76ATG, its nearly dead.
MMG fires at 45ATG kills 2 & M3 climbs the slope to recieve fire from T-26 on the flags, the other one is in a depresion.
They have a little exchange then Ram joins & kills before geting another 45 crew, squad & HT join in its dead.
there are about 6 squads to the NE one new discovery & about 8 to the East 3 new, we lose a couple of men.
Get most running & 3 squads are loaded into trucks with hope of shutting range next go. They are entering woods but there is a path through it for the railway though will need to deal with the last AAgun first. Several vehicles are exposed to the area past flags now.
There are 3 BT-7s in the depresion near N flags & a 81mtr by them, this is roughly equidistant between the NF+CF
CF> Squad assaults BT-7 in woods, second has a go then M3 kills move to 100m of woods edge.
Squads in depresion move to treeline only new unit is a crew retreating, not where the 76ATG is, possibly from another or AA. Realise when tanks move into trees will be in LOS of BT-7s mentioned earlier, worried about arty but going to delay for 1 turn so units in woods are ready & as my arty is falling may as well let it.
SF> The depresion splits into a Y laid out -< with trees at junction the NE route being only 50m wide for 100m. Squads move into trees see a BT-7 600m East just in front of woods. Squad trying NE recieves fire losing 2 men, a second trys is unseen but spots a squad & Maxim quad AAMG 500m East just in front of flags, he will place smoke to cover but there is a BT-7 further North which 2 M3s kill first. The FOO & its squad are near the South end of the depresion & see an AAMG in it so dispatch a M3 to kill which finds a second. Another M3 & FOOs squad help kill both. We are in position to exit in reasonable force next go & plot arty on maxim quad in case tanks fail, calling in air to.
AIT> lots of arty came down aimed at NF, most behind but 2 on target, I lose contact with my batt but its ok. Little fire is forthcoming from Russians but near 45ATG squads did not do ther job as 2 more T-26s & another 45ATG open up. The ATG loses 2 men but the Ram & HT die, mounting a rescue for Ram crew is not really on with arty like it is as distinct possibility will move into it. So looks like we have to keep them occupied instead.
__________________________________________________ __
On accident keep saying giving up dirt bikes as I never learn, always start sensible get amazed at levels of grip dirt tires give then find it often in spectacular style. At least this time managed not to run myself over, getting to old for this things hurt that never used to & for way longer. Picture this old duffer attempting to walk across room with sore knees from standing on pegs all day. Knee twinges causing neck to stiffen resulting in pain reflex causing leg to throw forward landing hard. Knee twinges....... progress across the room like a rag doll with a cattle prod up its rear. Am I coming back with that drink I went to get, probably not wise.

[Imp]

NF> The 45ATG is close enough to be a threat to my M3 so troops have to make up for failing to see it 2 squads & my trusty sniper take it out. M3 takes on T-26 & despite a suppresion of 10 bags the nearest.
Vehicles & MMG fire at ready squads then move up trying to avoid ares arty is coming down. Find another squad to the North & 2 behind woods to the East but they give up easy. Units in trucks move up to capitalise on by closing range but last one recieves fire from 2 squads to NW killing a man. Squad near the truck had not moved so manages to protect them with smoke.
Trucks are vulnerable if they recover as about 200m away but needed to dash through arty. M2 is continuing to support troops but 2 M3s are trying to support the other heading for BT-7s
CF> Get to cocky here woods group sniper & 1 squad make it to treeline, I cannot find that ATG might have guessed wrong.
T-26s & 3 new squads can be seen by my squad, he decides its prudent not to fire.
Squads moving in woods take fire from T-26 but faail to see it, trying to find run into a BT-7 which M3 kills but lost a HT with squad in the process
Units in depresion see another AAgun & ATG fires at it first hit kill impresive, ATG at L1 decides to take on T-26 & another AAgun getting the tank.
Truck runs behind trees all the way to crest line dropping off its squad. 231s go one better & move to L1 behind trees.
This is the woods edge & 200m from T-26s but fire from at greater range is blocked by trees to North.
Troops crossing from tree line take fire from a maxim MMG lose a man but MMg kills it. As given away hoses down BT-7s to NE.
This was not in the plan but 4 M3s take on the BT-7s killing all 3
SF> Few squads move seeing another BT-7 to the North near CGs T-26s, in the unlikely situation of no guns here this would be the best way to kill them as can engage at range.
2 M3s take out both BT-7s then another routes Maxim Quad, troops move & 3 squads are found to the NE plus another Quad. M3 kills Quad my troops fire & so does a BT-7 in trees South of flags before M3 kills it, they are not seeing units in trees. Several tanks are fully exposed in the open so may as well go the whole hog & move others forward.
M3 heading NE in depresion recieves fire from anothe BT-7, M2 fires at but can't damage so last M3 helps out & its destroyed.
Conduct the rest of my fire leaving 4 squads one routed to the NE 500m from most units. 3 loaded Hts are at the far end of South end of the depresion ready for a move towards the woods & possible run to cut escape. MMGs have turned up & 2 flakwagens want to play next go to.
AIT> Arty is getting heavier hits N+S but no real damage. Lose more than a dozen men mainly in South as units are to busy firing at ATGs. Two show up in woods but before can cause any real damage one is hurt & other abandons to the onslaught of fire. Maxim HMG also makes an appearance but plane sends it running.
The units defending C+S flags are realy one force but North ones had gaps of 500m between so if remember will try shrinking width from 130 to 100 next game.
This will hopefully make for closer deployment & restrict my tactical choices, might regret this if KVs turn up as should increase chances of troops supporting in the area.

T14
NF> The main group are all running in a bunch as my battery landed on, 1 squad NE is at the woods another 2 or 3 made it & lost sight of. NW are 3 fresh squads maybe more.
First order of buisness bike picks up Rams crew & takes well away, check arty status to make sure have contact. M3 that has been pretty much single handadly taking on T-26s loses Los to so moves seeing 2 BT-2s further back so it kills one.
AAgun has a building to its NW partly hiding so furthest M3 moves first killing 1 man. squad nearer tries & finds it has a squad with it, turns out to be 3.
Manage to get HT in position to take on squad without exposing to AA, it routes it they are proving quite effective mobile weapon platforms.
Last M3 moves up sharing its love on squads & AA before squads move up to kill but unseen sniper at about 500m puts a damper on this. One makes it round the back of the building & does some more damage rest settle for pot shots or hold fire.
To the NW 2 squads enter a little dip heading towards ruskies & M2 moves over to lend support.
Lone squad is chasing units into woods but a couple are trying to move down railline to cut off.
CF> Units N of tree line, scout moves onto L1 this side are 2 T-26 2 AAguns & find 76ATG & a squad well back.
ATG routes an AAgun MMG routes the 76 before squad uses grass for cover & finnishes it. Next squad up loses a man sniper at 200m M3s move up & rout it then last squad enters & kills. Tanks are hidden from last AAgun & T-26s, flakwagens engage AAgun & route but recieve fire. 2 little AAgun further back only pen of 2 so last 2 tanks move up achieving little more than getting suppresed. I can move my Flaks to safety but decide to live dangerously due to range.
South of treeline squad finds T-26 in woods & kills then squad moves to L1 by sniper & sniper takes a look.
4 squads & T-26s together all pinned by arty exept 2 BT-26s, there is another squad on its own in the tree line. At this range sniper is not being courageous takes 1 shot & sends squad scurrying. Squad fires recieves including a maxim not seen & its sort of round the corner for the moment wont effect anyone else.
Squad in woods has another go a finds another squad in treeline, this ones ready & kills 2men then T-26 has a go & kills a 3rd. Sniper has to risk exposure as we need to pin this squad or tanks will definetly be seen. Sniper fires then another squad taking fire from 3 tanks but we have pinned it, tanks still have shots but gamble time to save men. 1 tank is slightly round the corner so 3 M3s & Ram move on other 3 as 2 are buttoned. First ignores fire at as his target is the furthest tank 2nd loses his main gun but we continue get into position killing all 3. 231s engage the other they are alternating fire but pen is to low so last M3 comes in from side, takes multiple hits but it dies with the last shot, spots maxim to.
SF> MMG & scouts attack ATG lose 2 men as BT-7 behind it fires, squad joins in then M3 moves & destroys BT.
Squads in Ht decide to make a run & finnish off ATG but it all becomes a bit tricky as another is seen, other units fire & squad unloads beside recieving fire from a Quad. Due to the grass most units can't see so smoke & kill but next HT dodges fire from another, heck most of my force is becoming involved in this but eventualy all 3 HTs make it & get a gun each.
The few remaning units head NE finding & killing another BT-7.
AIT> Arty falling mainly behind but gets a truck, my FOOs have lost LOS but concentrating mainly on middle
NF> Sniper kills one of my squads
CF> one of my flaks is damaged in the exchange but crews were persuaded to abandon there posts. Unseen 76ATG was persuaded to do the same but not before damaging a MKIII. There are 7 abandonned & one manned gun here!!
SF> Yet another 45ATG pipes up in the woods damaging a M3 then further back a 76 opens up & kills one. Lukily plane was targeting maxim quad & made a pass on both routing them & inflicting 2 hits.

[Imp]

NF> Trying to find that sniper 1 HT fires at squads near where AAgun was to allow some movement, another moves towards sniper as do sniper & scout, MMG moves into woods then squads move. He gets another 2 men before can find him & it turns out MMG can't see him, don't remember who killed but M3 sniper & HT all had a go then MMG fires at AAgun squads & we move that way (SE). There is a line of tres with 2 breaks just South of them & 2 squads that get close are in trouble as AAguns on the other side open up place smoke.
The lone tank & its support squad go to work they can't see one AA gun but kill 2 men in the other, while hes at it M3 polishes off BT-2 & a T-26. Really getting to like this lone ranger think hes got 6 tanks & a gun this game.
Send a squad into the woods a couple have made it past the rail line & he fires at them, anothers further down the line so send a HT down it.
Am thinking my forces are spread thin but want to kill while still running so HT turns the corner & a shell whistles past, 3 running squads the maxim & 200m away on the tracks a T-28e. Thats not good I have used all my movement, no choice squad bails out losing a man & pops smoke. I will just have to hope running squads don't recover & send whats left this way plus backtrack an M3 to the woods.
NW there are now 4 squads & the 2 that were going for pull back as trucks run for them. M2 heads towards T-28 stopping in a position to cover the trucks.
CF> I am having a real mare here, line of trees goes 5 hexes E>W then turns SE. The area north of the trees is high grass & plays total havoc with LOS to the area trees bend round to. I know there are 2 T-26s there & squads, should be quite a few as units on the other side of trees routed through them sqauds on the other side have confirmed that & fired at maxim which was the only unit but its on the other side to now.
Flaks try there luck & ATG routing only remaining gun & a squad, MMG moves up in a good position to see round I think.
Turns out no but over by NF T-26s sees another AAGun, fires at & kills it.
No choice scout & 3 squads move up, can see a few squads but there must be more, find location to attack tank from so M3 experiments trying to find another, it does so help moves up 2 against one. No its not the other tank has kicked in time for a bit of brain scratching ranges are 150+250m so a hit could kill. Realise there is a gap in trees & might be able to target one through, 231 finds the spot & 2 M3s move to & kill. Thats better now we fire & kill it to.
Take our first flag & scout discovers the other squads & dies.
Flak & ATGs are taking a hopefully safe route towards NF.
SF> MMG fires at Quad & tank moves then kills 76ATG, squad fires at 45ATG then squad moves into trees 100m from it & is fired on by another one, thats 6 & probably it. They are adjacent so flaks move to target first with hopes of pinning both, it works & squad finnishes one. Second squad moves to kill the other & recieves fire from 3 new squads. Have a lot of trouble targeting only managing to attack one but in the process find another squad kill a maxim, the quad & T-26. The 3rd squad near the woods now moves & kills last ATG.
Trying to get squads in front of armour & keep them out of trouble as expect another 76ATG somewhere.
AIT> Only 2 arty fall this turn but I manage to drop mtr fire on T-28e.
Exchange of fire is fairly light but NF lose men to a new maxim HMG.
I plotted 2 air to attack up North then overfly T28s area to see if they spot more, one of planes that went down South left smoking but they found the 76ATG so I am a happy bunny.
T16
NF>
Lone tank is trying to get a LOS on 2 remaining T-26s or the AAgun without giving a flank shot, gets T-26 in view but misses, M£ on the other side manages to get the other in view & kills then moves a hex & has AAgun & the other T-26 in its sights. There are 4 squads & maxim here but only 2 in good order, sniper takes one & squad at 100m sends others running. My 3 squads here cant go any further without crossing AAguns fire zone so just get in position, sniper & MMG do the same all can attack the AAgun with a 1 hex move.
2 squads & scout are chasing runners & can see arty smoke 600m away, the HT enters woods to catch them to avoid AAgun.
In view of the success we are having against tanks decide to risk going for T-28e, its buttoned & Russians are at there worst I think at the start of the war with exp of 60 or so. The ease with which they run seems to confirm this & watched shot accuracy from tanks.
Squad moves into trees 100m away it does not see him, fires at no return fire, the M3 will have to engage at 150m which is close so M2 moves to 250m through woods & recieves fire. Do not fire back as he will with better chance. M3 moves 100m shot misses at 26% so M2 fires a misses so does he, M3 fires at 41% & kills. Squads head off looking for more & chasing runners.
2 squads turn back to go after 4 squads to NW as planes coming, also flak ATGs & one MMG on the way to provide long range suppresion
CF+SF> This is really one big force now but generaly about 200m in front is a depresion then more L1 so need to be carefull as could be some guns in. Towards the South part further East I saw arty smoke but as trying to remember turns forget where exactly. Will do from S>N
4 squads here so tanks move & rout, they can do this because smoke from planes bombs blocks view of 76ATG. Squads near woods area move up so they can take it on next turn & scout catches a ride to within 100m of it. Move forward & force all the enemy to enter the depresion get 2 flags.
North squads move forward entering tree line, there is a bit more than a compny here all running plus crews most have made it past the small depresion here.
Reduce them to just under a company & 2 M3s kill another AAgun.
Little choice vehicles are exposed, due to the lie of the land think less so to the North as fire will be more distant, flags taken.
AIT> little fire but get a few runners obviosly, lone M3 bags the T-26 & a BT-2 is now in his sights, love this guy. Squads to NW are on the move we shoot at one then planes come in looks like there were 7 or 8 but both had bombs so its back to 4. They also see another T-28 who looks like he is moving to cover arty pieces going round the woods.

[Lt. Ketch]

Imp,

Thanks for a good run of DARs! It has been quite interesting to read across so many battles with the same force. As you pointed out, your troops became supermen. When it gets to that point, tactics and strategy sometime take a back seat because you can just plow through the enemy and when that happens it like watching a re-run of a good show. It may still be fun, but there are no suprises.

Good luck in the rest of your battles and have fun training the new recruits! Please let us know of any great "suprises" that happen to your troops along the way.

[Imp]

If an amusing battle comes up might give you a report certainly it will be harder now. As the Ruskies which I think you are doing its a diffrent ball game just getting to 70 exp will take a while you need to keep your forces alive.

[Lt. Ketch]

Originally Posted by Imp

If an amusing battle comes up might give you a report certainly it will be harder now. As the Ruskies which I think you are doing its a diffrent ball game just getting to 70 exp will take a while you need to keep your forces alive.

I'm into battle 5 and I only have 5 units out of three companies plus support that are over vetren and only about 15 more that are in the 70s. The worst is when you lose a unit because you know it's going to be a long while before it gets even to decent abilities. Good luck.

[Imp]

Originally Posted by Lt. Ketch

I'm into battle 5 and I only have 5 units out of three companies plus support that are over vetren and only about 15 more that are in the 70s. The worst is when you lose a unit because you know it's going to be a long while before it gets even to decent abilities. Good luck.

This will improve as the war goes on you just need to hang on in there as the Ruskies did.

[Lt. Ketch]

Originally Posted by Imp

This will improve as the war goes on you just need to hang on in there as the Ruskies did.

I'm not giving up yet. I've still got 55 battles to go. I can't wait to see what the survives will be like!