tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80479976472441449602023-11-16T07:54:32.140-08:00The Fourth UnitUnitFourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10925015348412332541noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047997647244144960.post-5356286177867443852011-02-07T18:12:00.001-08:002011-02-07T19:03:10.993-08:00(Pyrrhic) Victory!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbL27L68xE-6FjSqVEx7iYsaGjW8IEtBvF_x-suV1D1ZYeppyMP_8ssIe4VbNJEVJhUbBs4qA7x4QLUVqOxdaI3sHvD7JhY_kj43MW7NEkD9eAVZl3zcBnQFY0ZKPYbmVuuUq7RenhzgE/s1600/bundesarchivdecember194.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbL27L68xE-6FjSqVEx7iYsaGjW8IEtBvF_x-suV1D1ZYeppyMP_8ssIe4VbNJEVJhUbBs4qA7x4QLUVqOxdaI3sHvD7JhY_kj43MW7NEkD9eAVZl3zcBnQFY0ZKPYbmVuuUq7RenhzgE/s400/bundesarchivdecember194.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571136004946104850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Aftermath:</span><br /><br />The day started badly. In the north the 81mm MTR was only able to place one Smoke counter in Z17. As a result, when the 9-2 was moving through hex Y13 the hidden 9-1 and Russian .50 cal HMG opened up from the upper level of CC19 with an 8 FP attack. Snake eyes; everybody dead. Yikes.<br /><br />However, things quickly started looking up. My reconnaissance revealed a dug-in T70 in W18 and a HIP T-34 in U18. My first salvos of fire pretty much shattered the first line of the Russian defense. I was able to chase the tank out of the S17 factory and clear it of Russian defenders. As the Pioniers ground forward through the factories the sturm troopers pushed down behind them. I avoided activating any Reserve units and severely punished the Russian defenders. Two of the T-34s had been destroyed and the third was Immobilized and tied up in Melee with an 8-1 and an 8-3-8 when my opponent conceded on Turn 6. Two Stukas had just arrived, but they did not get a chance to take part.<br /><br />This shows the furthest advance of the German forces and the approximate positions of the Russian defenders at the end of the game:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TKxqY6jG9k4PBD0Z4K5P_vk-h_vjlE1WwMWcjkeQVEmI-dXaCDHit3GIFmCILnMHJu-XO2WZWHQXAA2Y5MBTBIV6uUyMLfj3rF4rSc1Zcpv1KjxPZikgTzaUchbJkgl6AJuJRE0P1tw/s1600/game+end.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3TKxqY6jG9k4PBD0Z4K5P_vk-h_vjlE1WwMWcjkeQVEmI-dXaCDHit3GIFmCILnMHJu-XO2WZWHQXAA2Y5MBTBIV6uUyMLfj3rF4rSc1Zcpv1KjxPZikgTzaUchbJkgl6AJuJRE0P1tw/s400/game+end.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571139567407211282" border="0" /></a>German troops had surrounded the AA25 building and were preparing to destroy everything inside it. There was nothing between the German line and the southeast corner of the map. If the game continued beyond Turn 6 the P33 factory would have been effectively surrounded and cut-off from possible reinforcement. The next campaign game day was going to feature at least one module of Heavy Artillery pounding the P33 factory while kill-stacks manned by 10-3s, 10-2s and 9-2s held off any counterattacks. With this looming the Russian conceded.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Important Factors:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Day One Rocket</span><br /><br />The entire tone of this campaign game was set by the relative performance of the German and Russian Rocket Modules on Day One. The German Nebelwerfer drifted to the most optimal hex possible, and completely wrecked the Russian defenses in front of the Power Station. This allowed me to assert my armor and blow open the line. Taking the Power Station on Day One is not an easy task, and I was able to do it this time around.<br /><br />Meanwhile, the Russian Katyusha <span style="font-style: italic;">just missed</span> totally disrupting the entire northern half of my attacking force. Had it drifted in a more fortuitous direction - or, God forbid, drifted to an optimal hex - I would have been in real trouble. As it happened, though, the four points Dade spent on the Katyusha module were more or less wasted. Those points would have served the Russian much better were they spent on a Militia Coy or SMG Coy. Not buying those extra troops, and not extracting a heavy price from the German with the Katyusha, contributed greatly to the manpower shortage the Russian faced throughout the game.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Manpower Discrepancy<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><br /><br />Usually in Red Barricades the German troops are superior in quality but badly outnumbered. When the German stages an attack, there is usually the threat of a Russian counterattack wherever the German is weakest. This threat helps keep the German honest and limits his options.<br /><br />In this game I was able to continually maintain a numerical advantage over the Russian. This created a positive feedback loop: the Germans had more troops, which let them concentrate their firepower more effectively, which let them kill more Russians, which maintained the German numerical advantage. <br /><br />In "normal" Red Barricades games the Russian force grows and grows until it's so huge that the German has no chance of beating it. Somehow I prevented this from happening and was able to win.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. The Riverbank in CG I</span><br /><br />The riverbank (i.e that section of the map east of hexrow U and north of hex coordinate 11, approximately) is a huge weight around the Russian's neck. He can't afford to leave it undefended, but at the same time the German has the option of completely ignoring it. This makes it very hard to invest resources to defend the riverbank, and very hard not to. When I finally took the Chemist's Shop (building W10) it opened the door for my Day Seven flank attack that won the game. <br /><br />In CG III the riverbank must be addressed by the German, because it contains victory locations. Therefore any resources invested in long-term defense <span style="font-style: italic;">cannot</span> be ignored by the German. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Next time...</span><br /><br />Our next foray into the Barricades won't be for a while, but we are considering tackling CG III with some modifications:<br /><br /><ol><li>Ignore all modifiers to the CPP roll, except for historical modifiers.</li><li> Ignore the CG balance provision, which awards negative modifiers to CPP rolls.</li><li>Use armor redeployment rule from VotG rather than armor recall.</li><li> Replace one or two Pioneer Coys with an equal number of Sturm Coys in the German OB</li></ol>Our analysis is that the resource management phase of the CG contains a great number of subtle elements that pile up to make a German victory impossible. The modifications above are a starting point for a discussion regarding how to make CG III balanced. Maybe we will figure it out.UnitFourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10925015348412332541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047997647244144960.post-76540991514651220832011-02-02T17:23:00.001-08:002011-02-03T09:44:29.362-08:00Live and Let Die<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyQDbO2dBSImdbWfLEBshKrJ1PErHPH23erMxHpaMgms4shtHnShRVOKHT4tH6VQ_Guf4OlzPjuYaY9T7WtjcLonYsE3C5m837rkCOA3hscx4569nnRWS-_1sJNeffn9gUZLW-qsNO0k/s1600/FT.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569361917739571890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyQDbO2dBSImdbWfLEBshKrJ1PErHPH23erMxHpaMgms4shtHnShRVOKHT4tH6VQ_Guf4OlzPjuYaY9T7WtjcLonYsE3C5m837rkCOA3hscx4569nnRWS-_1sJNeffn9gUZLW-qsNO0k/s400/FT.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:78%;">What does it matter to ya?</span><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:78%;">When you've got a job to do, you gotta do it well.</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">You gotta give the other fellow Hell!</span><br /></div><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><br />Day Six: Aftermath</span><br /><br />The day went essentially as planned.<br /><br />In the North, my bold plan to knock out the forward-most T34 M41 failed. However I did achieve my Turn One objective: spur the Russian to move aggressively and expose himself. He drove his tanks into P4 and Q4 in an effort to put pressure on the machine gun nest in N5. When my Sturm Company entered on Turn Two, it caught the Russian completely flat-footed. One tank went down to a DC, the other to an ATMM in CC. With the tanks out of the way, the 5-4-8s pushed their way up the W and X hexrows and captured the Chemist's Shop without many casualties.<br /><br />In the Center the Russians wilted under the massive firepower arrayed against them. I avoided risky moves (for the most part), using Assault Move and Advance to make my way forward. I knocked off six squads on Turn One and kept the pressure on. I made some headway and destroyed many squads, but the Russians were able to hold on to much of the terrain in this area. The hidden gun popped up at just the right time and prevented my troops from blowing a hole in the line.<br /><br />In the South, however, I got whacked. I realized going in that I had defended this area lightly and was hoping the reinforcing Rifle Company would be able to shore things up. I did not count on the T34 M43s roaming so far into German territory. Dade drove them all the way down to the E hexrow, which put them in danger of isolation at the day's end. I hit them with about a half-dozen shots from the light mortars but did not generate an effect. I had two or three Streetfighting opportunities but could not cash in on any of them. As a result, the reinforcements were torn up and the original defenders in the P33 factory and the eastern housing complex were decimated.<br /><br />In addition to all of that, I misplayed my artillery. My plan was to interdict any reinforcements entering from offboard, but I got distracted by the dug-in tanks. I almost scored big when a Flame was created in the rubble next to one of them, but then it extinguished itself. I did get lucky with a Critical Hit and blew up one of the T60s, but overall I would have preferred to disrupt the infantry.<br /><br />As a result of the ground gained in the South, the Russians won the scenario. It is rare for the Russians to win in October, but I am not too worried. I laid a real hurt on the Russian. The final CVP tally was:<br /><br />German: 110 CVP<br />Russian: 63 CVP<br /><br />Not quite 2:1, but the sheer volume of casualties makes up for that. At the end of Day Six the Germans have a 2:1 manpower advantage over the Russian! I cannot recall any game of Red Barricades in which that has happened - the German is always outnumbered. I really can't explain how I have managed to create this situation. "Dumb luck" is all I got.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Day Seven: October 23, 1942</span><br /><br />In the Refit Phase I battle-hardened five 4-6-7 squads and one 7-0 leader. The German ELR remained at 4, despite losing the scenario. German SAN remained at 2. I rolled [5-3=2] for CPP Replenishment and received 18 CPP.<br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)">Retained Forces:</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br /><br />1 x 10-3</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />2 x 10-2</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />1 x 9-2</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />1 x 9-1</span><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)">7 x 8-1</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />3 x 8-0</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />1 x 7-0</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />1 x 6-1</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br /><br />20 x 5-4-8</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />1 x 2-3-8</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />13 x 4-6-8</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />1 x 2-4-8</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />4 x 4-6-7</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />1 x 2-4-7</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />6 x 4-4-7</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />1 x 2-3-6</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />1 x 2-2-8</span><br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)">5 x HMG</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />11 x MMG</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />7 x LMG</span><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)">2 x Lt MTR</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />1 x Lt MTR(r)</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />1 x DC</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />1 x 81mm MTR</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br /><br />In addition, there was an isolated pocket containing:</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />1 x 7-0</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />1 x 5-4-8</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />1 x 4-6-7</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />1 x 2-3-7</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />1 x LMG</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br /><br />These forces will start play with Ammunition Shortage.</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br /><br />Purchases:</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />Pionier Coy, On-Map Setup [8-1=7 Full] (6-1=5: 9-2, 8-1, 7-0) 17 CPP</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />Stukas 1 CPP</span><br /><br />Here is the Day Seven perimeter:<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvZD5M5p-STjTp70rlVn7jGwJbPn-EM_9hbJ5BXk6QNWoaI6pN0M3St9URzM8WWa3Ju3cfjB0a7wcAUMPxNkMJ8av9ypHKnTFeJVz64slSEEsYBSdPHIuI-nSFmvLzvkREN2eq_nCH8g/s1600/Day+Seven+Perimeter.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569277131323204850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 287px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvZD5M5p-STjTp70rlVn7jGwJbPn-EM_9hbJ5BXk6QNWoaI6pN0M3St9URzM8WWa3Ju3cfjB0a7wcAUMPxNkMJ8av9ypHKnTFeJVz64slSEEsYBSdPHIuI-nSFmvLzvkREN2eq_nCH8g/s400/Day+Seven+Perimeter.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">German perimeter in Blue (Isolated Pocket in Light Blue), Russian perimeter in Red, No Man's Land in Gray, Russian Reserve set-up limit in Yellow<br /></span><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span>I think Dade is expecting me to be fed up with his tanks by about now, and he's right. Nevertheless I opted not to purchase any AFV this day and sunk all my points into an on-map Pionier Company. Why do this? Well, I have a 2:1 manpower advantage and there will not be a better opportunity any time soon. In addition, I have GOT to tip the balance in the factories. I'm killing lots of Russians, but not making much headway. Pioniers are the best way to push the Russians back, and the 3 CPP spent to have them pushing from Turn One on (instead of spending 2-3 turns getting into position) is easily worth a platoon of PSW 221s, a battery of AT Guns or a module of Battalion Mortar.<br /><br />I spent my remaining point on Stukas, in the hope that they enter early and harass Russian reinforcements.<br /><br />Here is the Russian setup:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZq073Tx8Tg4nZvM4dmxmw3Zfvp2hpUT0BHY86CYBmleV7vpXUeZDmxbvLXBQ738TX3bw8EN9Tx_OFdLnF-fzzRBGcN9ppl33Qj3xFiDgENYSEZ8JT8gPnX8QHIbRePRyyoGOsjNu4g8Q/s1600/Day7_setup_concealed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569279254819648674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 194px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZq073Tx8Tg4nZvM4dmxmw3Zfvp2hpUT0BHY86CYBmleV7vpXUeZDmxbvLXBQ738TX3bw8EN9Tx_OFdLnF-fzzRBGcN9ppl33Qj3xFiDgENYSEZ8JT8gPnX8QHIbRePRyyoGOsjNu4g8Q/s400/Day7_setup_concealed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Analysis:</span><br /><br />I expect that my opponent has purchased three Infantry Companies, and two of those have been set up in Reserve. He has no more Militia Companies to buy, so no purchased companies can set up inside the factory complex without paying an additional 2 CPP. I don't think he can afford to to do this, and expect the third company will enter as reinforcements.<br /><br />He has clearly spent points on Fortifications, since the T34s are nowhere in sight. I also spy a cleverly-placed AT Ditch in O34 to prevent me from driving more tanks in through the vehicular entrance in P34. He also added another Trench in R32. Altogether that accounts for 43 FPP. I expect Dade purchased 80 FPP (2 CPP). Assuming he bought HIP for the maximum allowable number of squads (10% of 44.5 squad equivalents = 5), that would make an additional 15 FPP (58 total). Throw in a couple of HIP leaders and a few Fortified Buildings and he's at 80.<br /><br />The Commissar's House is full of Reserve Cloaking counters, and I expect the bulk of whatever company they represent will be set up in this building. I would also expect the Heavy Weapons Platoon to be HIP upstairs somewhere, if not here then in the AA25 building. The approaches to the Commissar's House are suspiciously void of defenders (again).<br /><br />I know he has a retained artillery module, presumably with pre-registered hexes somewhere over by the P33 factory. He may have purchased more artillery, but I think not. I think he spent his points on quality infantry.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Here are my plans...</span><br /></div></div><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">In the North:</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLsxpP3RPCseB_AjyIldaDbxvLRukNEavj2UKXLv2KHHNXCqZ8a1BG6gChxxUt0pOI4JTDItTpxPeLDJj2Ee3xPlskPE6iKwgv-Ch3K50lSMs5cFfrhHFurO4cTnyRlnCHAcG7xLxmfY/s1600/North.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569309479630058882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 299px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLsxpP3RPCseB_AjyIldaDbxvLRukNEavj2UKXLv2KHHNXCqZ8a1BG6gChxxUt0pOI4JTDItTpxPeLDJj2Ee3xPlskPE6iKwgv-Ch3K50lSMs5cFfrhHFurO4cTnyRlnCHAcG7xLxmfY/s400/North.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Three half-squad and a 7-0 leader are tasked with mopping up the Strategic Locations in this corner of the map. There might be a hidden Russian counter-attack force lurking up here, and if so these guys will find it. I expect not, though, and I should be able to take control here.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">In the Center (North):</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-NxXnRgCeyMf9XpPQqQ9Q2ENiqNOApekoo4mGlscN6qBwLE0irMprCEoYNzvL-UZnWMQ3Ump9DAkSh0-PEyKw_CvBinbFY2xombT2ixpLOsVwX-LruolElqjCgPSVMa_rv97MkGziSg/s1600/Middle+North.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569310086553362162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 310px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-NxXnRgCeyMf9XpPQqQ9Q2ENiqNOApekoo4mGlscN6qBwLE0irMprCEoYNzvL-UZnWMQ3Ump9DAkSh0-PEyKw_CvBinbFY2xombT2ixpLOsVwX-LruolElqjCgPSVMa_rv97MkGziSg/s400/Middle+North.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I plan to completely avoid the Reserve units. Right now, I have a 2:1 manpower advantage. Activating Reserve units only reduces this. My objective is to isolate those Russians in the factory complex and destroy them all. As I mentioned previously, I am suspicious of the lack of defending units in hexes X15, X16, X17 and W18. I think that my opponent has set up his maximum allotment of HIP units, and I believe that some are in this building/rubble cluster.<br /><br />The 81mm Mortar is set up on the roof of the Chemist's Shop and will try to put Smoke in AA18 and Z17. There is a Mild Breeze from the North that will drift the Smoke in front of the Commissar's House. After that, the mortar will spin and try to hammer the entrenched units in U19.<br /><br />The stack in W14 has an important and probably lethal task. It consists of a 6+1 Leader, 3 x 2-3-7 and 1 x 2-3-6. These units will attempt to discover hidden Russians and draw their fire by entering every location in hexes X15, X16, X17, W18 and V17 on Turn One. If they don't get blasted by the .50 cal HMG from the Commissar's House or by a lurking 6-2-8 in the buildings they will be in good position to interdict reinforcements and prevent routing. If they do stumble into an ambush, better they get whacked than a 5-4-8.<br /><br />The big stacks in the S17 factory will start shooting. The 8-0 has an 8-3-8 with a Flamethrower in his stack; they will clean up what the 10-2s don't break.<br /><br />The 9-2 in X11 has two HMG. His job is to move into Y14 and prevent reinforcements from crossing Leninskii Prospekt. A platoon of 4-6-7s will provide flank protection for the machine gun nest.<br /><br />The isolated units will take control of the buildings around CC10 then help out the 9-2<br /><br />The remainder of the force will drive south along the V and X hexrows, cutting off the escape routes for the Russian units in the factories.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">In the Center (South):</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7m11zT-NcHub8KKQfzPuBdG9WrnHch_rfQUGhwzwtL2xrgLulgceIFz0sjRIrb9gkGABBFkDRlcqTipZQh582Yk5_e9m8Xf5A2jQayfGsC68ZtVu-8Js4M-Ll5zkNUbgrIm-InhxCX3o/s1600/Middle+South.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569313901093704130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 371px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7m11zT-NcHub8KKQfzPuBdG9WrnHch_rfQUGhwzwtL2xrgLulgceIFz0sjRIrb9gkGABBFkDRlcqTipZQh582Yk5_e9m8Xf5A2jQayfGsC68ZtVu-8Js4M-Ll5zkNUbgrIm-InhxCX3o/s400/Middle+South.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The objective in this area will be "KILL, CRUSH, DESTROY" as on the previous day. The 10-3 and the 9-2 will blast hexes T22 and T24 respectively. There is a good chance both Russian units will break allowing the Pioniers in hex S24 to Assault Move into T23, place a DC to Breach the interior factory wall and hose down the Russians in U23 with a Flamethrower in the Advancing Fire Phase. I am concerned that there may be a hidden T34 in S26. To allay my fears, I will use an 8-1 and 5-4-8 + LMG in R25 to shoot an 8+0 shot into S26. It will reveal the tank with any result (9 or less) and then an 8-3-8 will hit it with a Flamethrower. If nothing is there, the 8-3-8 will Assault Move forward.<br /><br />The remaining units will simply blast what they can and take what ground is given. I do not plan on making a strong push toward the P33 factory early in this game; I will wait until I have overwhelming force.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">In the South:</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9g4C-IapQI2-8I0u-qHrcUpyWMu0XPFaEFp3MXBXo0nbGjCA55wyPccnK7L3pAX04YiTedu7ntI0H_hUeNtL1jGLLq_ZtL10k1HewWScsNy6-V8Gz423yF0g2FJdt13j8y2Ya0EECICg/s1600/South.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569315925953318802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 308px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9g4C-IapQI2-8I0u-qHrcUpyWMu0XPFaEFp3MXBXo0nbGjCA55wyPccnK7L3pAX04YiTedu7ntI0H_hUeNtL1jGLLq_ZtL10k1HewWScsNy6-V8Gz423yF0g2FJdt13j8y2Ya0EECICg/s400/South.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The light mortars on the rooftops in G33 and G34 will take as many pot-shots at the dug-in T60 in T31 as they can, hoping to get a cheap kill. Everyone else is to hold fast.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Overall:<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9AwkTCug3sx-cf7jWsYI1qtz6QluZPAzWXLBkweAzQ4GzeVIrMFBO7ivUQLyDm7x27Lbt6At4e0dJmtKm5tsDbPgFgXemfZ3-hYff5xmwObX9Sl9UJPB5hW-4ymD3cN3byYIGQJugyU/s1600/Day+Seven+Setup+.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569316505797042162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 287px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9AwkTCug3sx-cf7jWsYI1qtz6QluZPAzWXLBkweAzQ4GzeVIrMFBO7ivUQLyDm7x27Lbt6At4e0dJmtKm5tsDbPgFgXemfZ3-hYff5xmwObX9Sl9UJPB5hW-4ymD3cN3byYIGQJugyU/s400/Day+Seven+Setup+.jpg" border="0" /></a>Next game is scheduled for Saturday 2/5/11.UnitFourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10925015348412332541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047997647244144960.post-20062757283263526092011-01-20T20:13:00.000-08:002011-02-08T14:29:23.467-08:00Pig after pig, cow after cow, village after village, army after army...<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJ99vGtsjkWtSa3FR5WCBpN9RmXk4oG5thuEsaPnZm3T1Crdm1oWt8zWF2KjsfHFaHnt5zsCLoyJ9tEwQUhFwXoHk9Goqd3JgG7PVo9nSGtrcVfQUgU0GMc2Z6hH0gFzgi109zp7Npjk/s1600/messenger_stalingrad.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564488037856636930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 307px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJ99vGtsjkWtSa3FR5WCBpN9RmXk4oG5thuEsaPnZm3T1Crdm1oWt8zWF2KjsfHFaHnt5zsCLoyJ9tEwQUhFwXoHk9Goqd3JgG7PVo9nSGtrcVfQUgU0GMc2Z6hH0gFzgi109zp7Npjk/s400/messenger_stalingrad.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">This ain't no party, this ain't no disco, this ain't no foolin' around...</span><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Day Five: Aftermath</span><br /><br />This battle was much like the last: three yards and a cloud of dust, to coin an Americanism. My plan was to execute a pincer attack, enveloping the Russians in the factories so as to reduce them over time. It didn't go down like that.<br /><br />The Germans encountered problems immediately. The 80mm artillery did pretty much nothing before the field phone gave out. In the south, the Russian had hidden a few 6-2-8s in exactly the right places to stop my advance in its tracks. I fought through them, and was barely able to get in position in front of the reinforcing Rifle Coy and its supporting tanks. There were Russian infantry squads behind me as well, so as soon as I got into position I had to start a fighting withdrawal from it. The net result is that things stayed essentially the same in the P33 factory: I had the southwest two-thirds and the Russian held the northeast corner.<br /><br />In the middle of the map the 150mm artillery wandered all over the place, doing very little until late in the game when it landed on the trench complex. In the S17 factory things went very much as before, with the perimeter not changing very much. The 10-3 did manage to blow a normal morale check and leave a pile of machine guns for the Russians. Elsewhere not much happened until my reinforcing Rifle Coy arrived. They were able to force their way into the P21 factory and trade blows with the Russians there. It didn't seem like much was accomplished - the perimeter wasn't advanced very far - but I think I did some damage.<br /><br />In the north, the Russians tried to push out of the Chemist's Shop into the northeast corner of the S11 factory. They didn't get very far, and the net effect was to create a Berserk 4-6-7 that charged the dug-in KV1 M42 and destroyed it in close combat.<br /><br />When all the dust settled, the perimeter looked almost unchanged and the casualties were thus:<br /><br />German: 63 CVP<br />Russian: 41 CVP<br /><br />Just about a 3:2 ratio, barely acceptable. However, after the Refit Phase I retained 50.5 squad equivalents while the Russian retained 30.5 squad equivalents. I still have a squad advantage!<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Day Six: October 22, 1942</span><br /><br />In the Refit Phase I battle hardened five 4-6-7 squads and one 9-2 leader. The German ELR remained at 4; German SAN remained at 2. I rolled [4-4=0] for CPP Replenishment and received 18 CPP.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)">Retained Forces:</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br /><br />1 x 10-3</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />1 x 10-2</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />1 x 9-2</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />5 x 8-1</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />1 x 8-1 (wounded)</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />2 x 8-0</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />3 x 7-0</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br /><br />22 x 5-4-8</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />12 x 4-6-8</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />1 x 2-4-8</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />10 x 4-6-7</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />4 x 4-4-7</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />1 x 2-3-7</span><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)">2 x 2-2-8</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />1 x 1-2-7<br /></span><span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />3 x HMG</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />8 x MMG</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />8 x LMG</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />3 x LtMTR</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />2 x ATR</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />1 x DC</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />1 x 80mm MTR</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)">Purchases:</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />Sturm Coy [6-2=4 Full] (5-2=3: 10-2, 8-1, 7-0) 9 CPP</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />Rifle Coy [6-2=4 Full] (6-0=6: 9-1, 8-1, 8-0) 7 CPP</span> <span style="COLOR: rgb(51,102,255)"><br />80mm MTR [6-2=4 Plentiful] 2 CPP</span><br /><br />Here is the Day Six perimeter:<br /><br /></span><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5fi0UtfOPyikte3EVTwGNOWTnnbodZvjkgW5yjRMLOw24xHTumj6ffl-h8VfIPUmsTPdhqV8a_55rnx2kWpiNT1ayHA-j0-F2zymKLK549eSWkaqNxs4tFbUQ46tuDf4SRBrlEeRCBc/s1600/Day+Six+Perimeter.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564498192542619394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 287px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5fi0UtfOPyikte3EVTwGNOWTnnbodZvjkgW5yjRMLOw24xHTumj6ffl-h8VfIPUmsTPdhqV8a_55rnx2kWpiNT1ayHA-j0-F2zymKLK549eSWkaqNxs4tFbUQ46tuDf4SRBrlEeRCBc/s400/Day+Six+Perimeter.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Russian perimeter in Red, German perimeter in Blue, No Man's Land in Gray, and the Russian Reserve Set-Up Line in Yellow</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />The Russian set-up looks like this:<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5-bCjLMnojPnqv2FPajIImAPQxUzC_xFQaALpG_hb0U3SV0FaL1_kVtW7VbkoD21MOYMyx4dSmXRWf3YozXJzQJgcD_6z1gJUPr4I0Y0QyrO9jHOVmPzbqEZ75LdYcSf_P3H9mZ_IY8/s1600/Day6_setup_concealed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564499544947429570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 132px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5-bCjLMnojPnqv2FPajIImAPQxUzC_xFQaALpG_hb0U3SV0FaL1_kVtW7VbkoD21MOYMyx4dSmXRWf3YozXJzQJgcD_6z1gJUPr4I0Y0QyrO9jHOVmPzbqEZ75LdYcSf_P3H9mZ_IY8/s400/Day6_setup_concealed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Analysis:</span><br /><br />My last two attempts at turning the corner on the Russians failed badly. (Why is there a voice in my head saying: "Precisely, Blackadder! That's why Ivan would never expect a third such attack!"). Sorry, but I have to decline. My opponent feels upbeat about his situation, but there are a few factors that I don't think he has considered fully:<br /><ol><li>The Russian's are against the wall. They simply cannot retreat from the factories, because if they do, I win. They must stand toe-to-toe with my Sturm Troops, and given the superior German leadership and firepower, I think the 5-4-8s will win that fight.<br /></li><li>No more on-map setup. I presume that the Russian purchased the last of his available Militia Coy today. That means that going forward, no more units may be set up on-map for free. The extent of the German perimeter has also made it impossible for the Russian to set up in Reserve inside the victory area. From now on, the Russian will have to either pay an extra 2 CPP to set up an Infantry Coy on-map or bring reinforcements on from the board edge.<br /></li><li>I have a 20 squad advantage, and since I purchased two companies I will retain that advantage to the next day.<br /></li></ol>The window is still very much open for the German. I hope to be able to put together one or two good days and win the campaign.<br /><br />The Russian set up has a few interesting features.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">In the South:</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwF3UsSGtMvXnVD-I6Mxaj63pp3Q2x4r9PdgnfXw_WajNWcz8kqnM6cNsQcDMSP4T9m8z2hz57AUqI9rymMQcbWDneK7U3DRLA7Sz4EWeLlt_mT40XkzJmL3TKdXn_vyxEbgFLe8mhAo/s1600/Day+Six+South+Cropped.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564506213819826674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwF3UsSGtMvXnVD-I6Mxaj63pp3Q2x4r9PdgnfXw_WajNWcz8kqnM6cNsQcDMSP4T9m8z2hz57AUqI9rymMQcbWDneK7U3DRLA7Sz4EWeLlt_mT40XkzJmL3TKdXn_vyxEbgFLe8mhAo/s400/Day+Six+South+Cropped.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">I find it odd that Dade would stick at least three squads way off in the corner of the Housing Complex. I think these squads are there to prevent the Germans from encroaching on hex W45, which is a very useful place to enter reinforcing tanks.<br /><br />I also find it odd that there is very little set up to the east of the P33 factory. In the last game, this is where the Russian ambushed my flanking attack. It seems likely that there are more units hidden here on Day Six. Backstopped by a dug-in T60, it would be a much harder task to attack in this direction.<br /><br />Also, I know for a fact that there was a retained artillery module most likely aimed at the P33 factory. I haven't seen Dade reach for his large caliber artillery since Day One, and I'm a bit concerned that some 120mm OBA is waiting to land on me.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">In the Middle:</span><br /><br /></span></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBnFiolV-qqEbRLiwN8I-BeNZyK8aPi2iB7DLFQY-2Z5N6eocPaEmR9J6uk4bZK8N2QkjnwvZ-Ie95ho09T8-Tp4QdTNzTbEkN2a2gkxnjHP3FHM1PPu0e7lt2dzIU-uFf_SUvSIkaBs/s1600/Day+Six+Middle+Cropped.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564511755343049058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBnFiolV-qqEbRLiwN8I-BeNZyK8aPi2iB7DLFQY-2Z5N6eocPaEmR9J6uk4bZK8N2QkjnwvZ-Ie95ho09T8-Tp4QdTNzTbEkN2a2gkxnjHP3FHM1PPu0e7lt2dzIU-uFf_SUvSIkaBs/s400/Day+Six+Middle+Cropped.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I think that most of these units are Conscripts, with a few better-quality units sprinkled around to give them some spine. I know where one Gun is; it's in a Fortified Building hex in S20 and cannot be moved. The other one could be anywhere. I've marked in yellow some of the places that seem likely. The dug-in T60s in the south will be troublesome.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">The North:</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yfzfo6O7hieJ-WEye2aCt9ta4FDSrcUpUwynT_Vxzv-8S7SGwfjuIjEk6yfTlXRsOwTP-Hsthyphenhyphenj-JF4VZU6TSb64JsGhntksOvpT4DDrwkzdQBA0lw8naYo-HxTFNu4CN7eB2uWQ1rU/s1600/Day+Six+North+Cropped.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564514176206346146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 188px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yfzfo6O7hieJ-WEye2aCt9ta4FDSrcUpUwynT_Vxzv-8S7SGwfjuIjEk6yfTlXRsOwTP-Hsthyphenhyphenj-JF4VZU6TSb64JsGhntksOvpT4DDrwkzdQBA0lw8naYo-HxTFNu4CN7eB2uWQ1rU/s400/Day+Six+North+Cropped.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Once again, Dade has loaded up the Chemist's Shop but has left a wide-open lane to the Commissar's House. I don't know what to make of that, unless he intends to stage another diversionary attack to keep me busy in the P11 factory. The last one didn't pan out so well for the Russian. He appears much too week in the X14 - X19 building cluster, which makes me think another ambush is waiting for me there.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">The German Plan:</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yUJlfqAl6JT2KzUjH8xVrwQs-ksFp5DFlQdUm_VHhRREqK1jsGejaVDRraakD0XsjMMmgZVc8FzHj__wcddKo698SCM4kt1gc41v5iHJAUqHPc1w-BxVOe9TyTHiWluAj1JFo1yuzsY/s1600/Day+Six+Setup.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564529354386426322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 287px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yUJlfqAl6JT2KzUjH8xVrwQs-ksFp5DFlQdUm_VHhRREqK1jsGejaVDRraakD0XsjMMmgZVc8FzHj__wcddKo698SCM4kt1gc41v5iHJAUqHPc1w-BxVOe9TyTHiWluAj1JFo1yuzsY/s400/Day+Six+Setup.jpg" border="0" /></a>I aim to avoid repeating my mistake. I am going to stay away from the dug-in tanks and I am not going to expose any flanks. My objective is to beat the Russian bloody.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">In the South:</span><br /><br />The objective here is to hold what I have and avoid taking chances. The observer for the 80mm OBA is on the rooftop in V40. His task is to interdict Russian reinforcements as they rush toward the P33 factory. I plan on dropping a spotting round in hex CC34 on Turn 1 and then see what happens on Turn 2. If no reinforcements come, then I will drop it on the dug-in tanks. The units south of the gully and those in the factory are going to hunker down and wait for elements of the reinforcing Rifle Coy.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">In the Middle:</span><br /><br />KILL. CRUSH. DESTROY. There is very little subtlety to this plan: line up my 5-4-8s with my best leaders and start hosing down anything that moves. I am taking a risk by putting the 10-3 on Level 2 in hex P18. From there, he can bring fire to bear on some very important Russian hexes such as R25, R27 and T23 - and, of course, all of the Chemist's Shop. However, this is a likely hex to be preregistered for artillery. I've studiously avoided such overwatch positions so far. Maybe my opponent will not expect me to use it today.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">In the North:</span><br /><br />The plan here is to try and draw the Russians out of their positions. I've lined up a bunch of squads out in the debris field. I hope to drop Smoke from the 80mm MTR on the tank in V8, then assault move a concealed 5-4-8 next to it. Assuming the 5-4-8 survives defensive fire and makes it's PAATC, I might be able to bag one of the T34s in close combat. If I can get one of them, the other will have to make task checks to move (owing to its lack of a radio). That won't be easy with an Inexperienced Crew. Meanwhile the 9-1 will be directing two MMG from the upper level of N5 and will ideally be able to break some of the units in the U5 area.<br /><br />I plan on holding the reinforcing Sturm Coy off board until Turn 2. Hopefully the Russian will get aggressive and make a move toward the factories and out of his prepared positions. If I can maintain the element of surprise, my Sturm Coy with its 10-2 leader should be able to take the Chemist's Shop.UnitFourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10925015348412332541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047997647244144960.post-10744568830087487322011-01-07T20:25:00.000-08:002011-01-07T21:11:45.001-08:00Crush Them Like Bugs<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3dchwhOO7j96tbEZWKK3V_xujJ4acEoYjpXrxqpUbfd1DX4Ab2yLr26L4mQLvLju6KfN674wzcsoE0kJSCw41aaV2RLM4jKO09mDm5v5zJ9ZyPToPTOPHt9Iig79WcRrzjaUaaa2NjI/s1600/germans_in_stalingrad.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3dchwhOO7j96tbEZWKK3V_xujJ4acEoYjpXrxqpUbfd1DX4Ab2yLr26L4mQLvLju6KfN674wzcsoE0kJSCw41aaV2RLM4jKO09mDm5v5zJ9ZyPToPTOPHt9Iig79WcRrzjaUaaa2NjI/s400/germans_in_stalingrad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559667163830774674" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Once more into the breach...<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br />(NOTE: This post will be somewhat abbreviated, as I only had a short time to prepare it prior to playing.)<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Aftermath:</span><br /><br />Day Three saw the Germans get their inevitable comeuppance. Russian resistance stiffened, and at long last Uncle Joe's Boys were able to get in their licks. The Rocket landed in R22 and broke it's share of conscripts, but other than that had little effect. The Battalion Mortar observer disabled his field phone with the first roll of the game, so I retained that module (but could have used it to good effect). The tanks took a beating. All in all, it was a grind-forward-one-hex-at-a-time kind of day. The final CVP tally was German: 56, Russian: 60. Ugh. I was able to carve out a toe-hold in the P24 factory and take control of about half of the P33 factory. I actually lost ground in the R17 factory, losing about half of it to a Russian counterattack.<br /><br />Here is the perimeter after the day's activities:</span><br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXazlKeRd4N9D6vE7gYTE_aeiLo0MHmnGTmNFXJrV6K7WTWGU0uL6qA_ttOzDuJiOtz3ruu3i5yGVrlvpMRRXNPeX7x9xdMueKA-eloWrE6bP5egLTaGELNeywwH5XQf3K_b1r1WPynY4/s1600/Day+Four+Perimeter.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXazlKeRd4N9D6vE7gYTE_aeiLo0MHmnGTmNFXJrV6K7WTWGU0uL6qA_ttOzDuJiOtz3ruu3i5yGVrlvpMRRXNPeX7x9xdMueKA-eloWrE6bP5egLTaGELNeywwH5XQf3K_b1r1WPynY4/s400/Day+Four+Perimeter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559667300521647986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Blue = German Perimeter; Red = Russian Perimeter; Gray = No Man's Land, Yellow = limit of Russian Reserve unit set-up</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day Four: October 20, 1942</span><br /><br />In the Refit Phase I battle hardened one 4-6-7 squad and one 8-0 leader. The German ELR dropped to 3 and the German SAN remained at 2. I rolled [3-2=1] for CPP Replenishment and received 18 CPP. <br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;">Retained Forces:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">1 x 9-2 Armor Leader</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">1 x 9-2</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">1 x 9-1</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">4 x 8-1</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">1 x 8-0</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">1 x 7-0</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">10 x 5-4-8</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">9 x 4-6-8</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">1 x 2-4-8</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">5 x 4-6-7</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">1 x 2-4-7</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">5 x 4-4-7</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">4 x 1-2-7</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">2 x 2-2-8</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">5 x HMG</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">7 x MMG</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">5 x LMG</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">1 x ATR</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">2 x Lt MTR</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">2 x 81mm MTR</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">1 x LMG(r)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">1 x Pzkpfw IIIH [Immobilized: R35-T35; no BMG]</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">1 x 80mm Battalion Mortar Module</span><br /><br />My depleted ELR was of concern. I decided to take an IDLE day, because the "0" Historical Modifier for the Russians meant that they could only purchase two infantry companies. I could also buy two, and thus keep pace with my opponent.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;">Purchases:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Sturm Coy in Reserve [9-0=8 Depleted] (10-3, 8-1, 7-0; no MMG, no DC, 1 LMG) - 8 CPP</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Sturm Coy in Reserve [4-0=4 Full] (8-1, 8-0, 7-0) - 8 CPP</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Carry Forward 2 CPP</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day Five: October 21, 1942</span><br /><br />Thanks to the purchase of two Elite companies, my ELR recovered to "4" in the Refit Phase. The Immobilization was removed from the Pzkpfw IIIH and I removed a retained LMG to repair the tank's BMG. Of course, the tank was promptly Withdrawn along with the 9-2 Armor Leader. The retained Russian LMG was lost. I rolled [9-1=8] for CPP Replenishment and received 15 CPP.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;">Retained Forces:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">1 x 10-3</span><br /> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">1 x 9-2</span><br /> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">2 x 9-1</span><br /> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">5 x 8-1</span><br /> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">3 x 8-0</span><br /> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">2 x 7-0</span><br /> <br /> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">31 x 5-4-8</span><br /> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">9 x 4-6-8</span><br /> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">1 x 2-4-8</span><br /> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">5 x 4-6-7</span><br /> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">1 x 2-4-7</span><br /> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">5 x 4-4-7</span><br /> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">4 x 1-2-7</span><br /> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">2 x 2-2-8</span><br /> <br /> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">5 x HMG</span><br /> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">8 x MMG</span><br /> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">7 x LMG</span><br /> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">1 x ATR</span><br /> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">2 x Lt MTR</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">2 x DC</span><br /> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">2 x 81mm MTR</span><br /> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">1 x 80mm Battalion Mortar Module</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;">Purchases:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Rifle Coy [4-1=3 Full] (9-2, 8-1, 7-0) - 7 CPP</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">150 mm Heavy Artillery [8-1=7 Normal] - 6 CPP</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Pre-Registered Hex (T22) for Heavy Artillery - 1 CPP</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Pre-Registered Hex (T24) for Heavy Artillery - 1 CPP</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Pre-Registered Hex (R28) for Battalion Mortar - 1 CPP</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">+1 SAN (to 3) - 1 CPP</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Plan:</span><br /><br />I expect that the Russian will be bringing in some heavy hitters from the east board edge as reinforcements. There will probably be at least one, maybe two platoons of tanks which could either be hidden on-board or entering with infantry. There may also be some large-caliber artillery trained on what Dade presumes my jumping-off points. <br /><br />My plan is to envelope the remaining pocket of factories, hopefully taking the fight behind the factory complex. Meanwhile, the Heavy Artillery will endeavor to smite those units remaining in the factories. The Rifle Company will rush up the gut to pressure the western approach. The Russian forces do not have the luxury of retreating - they have to stay in the factories or the game is over. If I am wildly successful I will completely isolate the factory complex.<br /></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWs6B-Cl9yQg47_RNGcJkssXk_Imx-pIxaQn_GnQzy5uLHOohr9R9EzWE1n5DlCouwy1ib1dMZ5QVeEhHfEOJLKjJFGtc5xK5l0Pgq67E8dCgbjb1ZH3EtG9SN_Pz782Q8rNuZjB1mwNo/s1600/Day+Five+Setup.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWs6B-Cl9yQg47_RNGcJkssXk_Imx-pIxaQn_GnQzy5uLHOohr9R9EzWE1n5DlCouwy1ib1dMZ5QVeEhHfEOJLKjJFGtc5xK5l0Pgq67E8dCgbjb1ZH3EtG9SN_Pz782Q8rNuZjB1mwNo/s400/Day+Five+Setup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559668314138052546" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFl-Oyf5ulqtLPT0JOwHYNlD2z0wM1UddpDwQ9SVZWx8LJn_uDTz-SaIOpuPKRIWtaL-IlswbVp9VejFshvwuxAhNhS_kE7dhFjiV33JTj9Zey8FNBrFGJytaL2zdRunThyIE1BQh_PVU/s1600/Day+Five+Setup.jpg"><br /></a>UnitFourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10925015348412332541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047997647244144960.post-72915547965418638452010-12-17T21:26:00.000-08:002010-12-24T11:03:46.369-08:00No Time for Mercy<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lhNI9rokgpqEfpyzPmcATtP97xUw02l3AKDkiMsEpagNpU_LV2bhuPvNd9zChyphenhyphenAkMFlih6mk7AUq9uvbgLIjk2bSldoenwGDMlYMJ1BvzWpI00AjIL9lbbdveGDzrqoRSuXRv0UuGs0/s1600/Red-October-04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 255px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lhNI9rokgpqEfpyzPmcATtP97xUw02l3AKDkiMsEpagNpU_LV2bhuPvNd9zChyphenhyphenAkMFlih6mk7AUq9uvbgLIjk2bSldoenwGDMlYMJ1BvzWpI00AjIL9lbbdveGDzrqoRSuXRv0UuGs0/s400/Red-October-04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551926351549520018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Gonna go in and dig 'em out</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day Two: Aftermath</span><br /><br />Again, I am shocked at the gains made by German forces on Day Two. Essentially, I lined up my remaining Sturm Company in front of the L10 and L14 factories, and then blew a hole clean through the Russian lines. The day ended on game turn 7; had it gone to turn 8 I would have had troops inside the Commissar's House. I vastly exceeded my goals for the day, and now have the Russians cornered. But as we all know, an animal is most dangerous when cornered and wounded.<br /><br />By the numbers, I did enough to keep pace. The CVP tally was thus:<br /><br />German: 61 CVP<br />Russian: 30 CVP<br /><br />I attained the necessary 2:1 CVP ratio. However, 16 CVP came from two destroyed T60 M42 tanks and a captured 45LL ATG. When considering only infantry casualties the score was 45:30, or a more modest 3:2 ratio. Acceptable, but barely so. The running total for the CG is:<br /><br />German: 103 CVP (78 Infantry, 25 AFV/Guns)<br />Russian: 65 CVP (41 Infantry, 24 AFV/Guns)<br /><br />It's interesting that hardware losses are approximately equal, but the Germans have inflicted almost twice as many infantry casualties as the Russian. Dade and I maintain that a 2:1 casualty ratio is necessary for the German to win, and so far this playing is showing that maxim to be true.<br /><br />Here is a graphic depiction of the Day Two goals and the actual line of furthest advance:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQTPGxzF7l7Xy1jq_BMvRUsMp9HmgIuLMF0dqfhQoyogknBNgMMVnzznchglL-hBqrYN1tJrdwM9LBPWmLyobdFTUrntz6TmGT1SielCGTNyx8JY-BZzsVxz_tNfflc08FOfT0LWxPpY/s1600/Day+Two+Blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQTPGxzF7l7Xy1jq_BMvRUsMp9HmgIuLMF0dqfhQoyogknBNgMMVnzznchglL-hBqrYN1tJrdwM9LBPWmLyobdFTUrntz6TmGT1SielCGTNyx8JY-BZzsVxz_tNfflc08FOfT0LWxPpY/s400/Day+Two+Blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551926580014889074" border="0" /></a><br />Things started out a bit shaky. In the south, half of my reinforcing Rifle Company rushed across Tramvanaya Street to hexes F26 and F27. The other half secured the cluster of rubble and buildings around B28. The 9-1, his two squads and their MGs managed to link up with the two 1-2-7s and their MMG set up in B27, creating a 30 FP overwatch stack that positioned itself in the upper level of hex C29.<br /><br />Meanwhile an 8-1 with two squads, supported by a Pzkpfw IIIH, began crossing the open ground toward C33 using armored assault. They made it as far as B32, when a hidden Russian observer dropped 80mm Battalion Mortar on them. Both squads broke, and routed with the leader to A34. Unfortunately, a hidden 6-2-8 lurked there and all three units were lost. Further, the rest of the Rifle Company was dangerously exposed. Disaster loomed.<br /><br />Not all was lost, however. I had placed a 2-4-7 on the rooftop of the Power Station to make sure any hidden units on factory rooftops would be exposed. There were none. When I saw where the Russian artillery requests were placed, the number of possible locations containing the observer were reduced to only a few. I am usually hesitant to use Area Fire vs. empty hexes as a reconnaissance technique, but this time it paid off. After a few shots I discovered the observer in the upper level of hex F33, then hosed him down with a 30+1 shot from the overwatch stack. That eliminated the artillery threat and allowed the Rifle Company to continue unmolested to the cluster of rubble and buildings around F33 where I rooted out a few more hidden units and captured a 45LL ATG. Once that area was secured, the perimeter was pushed south to the gully and across the debris field toward the Q34 factory.<br /><br />Around the Power Station, I simply crept forward taking what the Russian was giving me. The reinforcements arriving from the west allowed me to whittle down the defenders and keep them from causing too much trouble. Tanks eliminated two of the dug-in T60 M42s, but I was not present in enough strength to push across the street into the P25 factory.<br /><br />In the northern factories, things got weird. Dade had deployed mostly dummy counters in the L10 and L14 factories and the Sturm Company had little trouble clearing them. On Turn 1 a Russian sniper killed the 9-1 that set up in J13, putting a bit of a kink in the overall plan (on the day, Russian sniper rolls accounted for 3 of the 5 slain German leaders). The 9-2 and his 36 FP stack of MG needed to be re-positioned to take over for the dead 9-1.<br /><br />After clearing the first two factories, I was faced with the ugly proposition of crossing the street between the L10/L14 factories and the Q10 factory. The Russians had a MG nest upstairs in N5, sweeping the street, and the bulk of the defenders were lurking in the P-hexrow where I couldn't bring my firepower to bear without moving into a kill zone.<br /><br />I decided to crack this nut by threatening the Russian MG nest with the 9-2, which caused the Russians to retreat and allowed the squads set up around G6 and H8 to creep forward and pressure the north flank. As I posted in my last entry, I did not expect the tanks to survive the day's fighting, so I brazenly drove the Pzkpfw IIIH through the rubble in N17, through the debris in O17 and on top of a Russian 9-1 with a 4-4-7. About a platoon of 5-4-8s was able to squeeze in behind the tank, and one of them advanced in with it. In the ensuing Close Combat phase the Russians eliminated the 5-4-8, but the tank remained. In following fire phases the tank's machine guns were able to break the 9-1 and his squad, as well as everything else that tried to approach. The Pzkpfw IIIL raced up to support its colleague, and also employed its MG firepower to devastating effect. Germans held the P18 building and the southwest portion of the Q10 factory; this opened the door for the rest of the Sturm Company to surge through the Q10 factory and take the S17 factory.<br /><br />As it turns out, I was wrong about the tanks. All four survived. Here is the path the two tanks in the north followed over the course of the game:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHXCPzwHST-3BpMDqJU7Lvn1yGt_3wQXf-NLGPceXnk1Eo4FuCmmvATQCyg-DyFc7h_GUqM0TND50dskXb1fcWU9q1O54iOvyI9sUg90PmTL2Sak7xLumE5aQcLH3gc02z92-OzFiDFg/s1600/Tanks.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHXCPzwHST-3BpMDqJU7Lvn1yGt_3wQXf-NLGPceXnk1Eo4FuCmmvATQCyg-DyFc7h_GUqM0TND50dskXb1fcWU9q1O54iOvyI9sUg90PmTL2Sak7xLumE5aQcLH3gc02z92-OzFiDFg/s400/Tanks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551906908979234802" border="0" /></a><br />If I go on to win this campaign game, it will be because of those two tanks and their effectiveness on Day Two.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day Three: October 19, 1942</span><br /><br />In the Refit Phase I battle-hardened five 4-6-7 squads and one 8-0 leader. The German ELR remained at 4; German SAN remained at 2. I rolled [5-1=4] for CPP Replenishment and received 17 CPP.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Retained Forces:</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br /><br />1 x 9-2</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br />1 x 9-1</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br />3 x 8-1</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br />3 x 8-0</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br />1 x 9-2 AL</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br />1 x 9-1 AL</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">8 x 5-4-8</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br />9 x 4-6-8</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br />1 x 2-4-8</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br />12 x 4-6-7</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br />1 x 2-4-7</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br />3 x 4-4-7</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br />4 x 1-2-7</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br />2 x 2-2-8</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br /><br />5 x HMG</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br />6 x MMG</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br />5 x LMG</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br />3 x ATR</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br />2 x LtMTR</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br />2 x LMG(r)</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br />2 x 81mm MTR</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br /><br />1 x Pzkpfw IIIL</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br />3 x Pzkpfw IIIH</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br /><br />Purchases:</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br /><br />Sturm Coy [9-1=8 Full] (9-1, 8-1, 7-0) - 9 CPP</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br />On-Map Setup for Sturm Coy - 3 CPP</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br />Nebelwerfer Module [7-1=6 Normal] - 2 CPP</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br />Pre-Registered Hex for Nebelwerfer - 1 CPP</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><br />Battalion Mortar Module [8-1=7 Normal] - 2 CPP</span><br /><br />Here is the Day Three perimeter:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54I-HS2Ke-s5-v4A5FrHpFfnpMxDu9f8qTm62X7ZRCX-QVSMjxkeDCOiYjzxneyN_Jo-VE4L1wzkzpj_x-ICRkkzRVQdPIM-rwq4kHMEn3jJPYXJElCFQNlBPEBOxEc535lp-WpkQodc/s1600/Day+Three+Perimeter.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54I-HS2Ke-s5-v4A5FrHpFfnpMxDu9f8qTm62X7ZRCX-QVSMjxkeDCOiYjzxneyN_Jo-VE4L1wzkzpj_x-ICRkkzRVQdPIM-rwq4kHMEn3jJPYXJElCFQNlBPEBOxEc535lp-WpkQodc/s400/Day+Three+Perimeter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551910932104186322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">German Perimeter in blue, Russian Perimeter in Red, No Man's Land in gray. The Russian Reserve Unit set-up line is in yellow.<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />One look at the perimeter and I immediately decided to use my second (and last) Nebelwerfer Module, pre-registered on R24. Russian units are guaranteed to be packed into those factories. Since the Russian perimeter takes a sharp turn to the east, it creates fewer opportunities for the barrage to drift somewhere useless. The least helpful direction of drift would be to the south east, but that would end up precisely on top of any Reserve units backstopping the R23 and R27 factories.<br /><br />The rest of the purchase took more thought. I considered eschewing the Nebelwerfer barrage in favor of purchasing two companies. I thought about buying a Sturm Coy along with a Pzkpfw IVF1 Ptn. However, those options were troubling to me because of the immense distance the reinforcements would have to travel to engage with the Russians. It would not be until turn 3 or 4 that the reinforcements would reach the line, leaving not enough time to use them properly. Any thought of going Idle for the day was absent from my mind - I have the Russian cornered, and allowing Dade to catch his breath and dig in would be a dreadful error. I solved the problem by foregoing the purchase of an AFV platoon and instead spending 3 points to set up the Sturm Coy on-map. I hope that this will give me an element of surprise, because I don't think Dade expects it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Russian Setup:</span><br /><br />Here is what Dade sent:<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaIZnGyMM3kFc1ZA4gwps-80TbxcOTFTCwoL9456ajFBDypCo6PI2vPFx7NX34ztdrGOP4rBg78KneiFXmfvtsMWOgwqg39QTYM1QcDDpJjM5VRxL-ESFUAM8DCdCIui4JzwUZquWA5M/s1600/Day3_setup_concealed.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaIZnGyMM3kFc1ZA4gwps-80TbxcOTFTCwoL9456ajFBDypCo6PI2vPFx7NX34ztdrGOP4rBg78KneiFXmfvtsMWOgwqg39QTYM1QcDDpJjM5VRxL-ESFUAM8DCdCIui4JzwUZquWA5M/s400/Day3_setup_concealed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551913824905074866" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaIZnGyMM3kFc1ZA4gwps-80TbxcOTFTCwoL9456ajFBDypCo6PI2vPFx7NX34ztdrGOP4rBg78KneiFXmfvtsMWOgwqg39QTYM1QcDDpJjM5VRxL-ESFUAM8DCdCIui4JzwUZquWA5M/s1600/Day3_setup_concealed.jpg"><br /></a>I was hoping that Dade would dedicate more forces to defending the Chemists Shop and the Commissar's House. However, he has clearly realized that they are of reduced strategic importance now that the Germans are in position to sweep the Russians out of the factory complex.<br /><br />There do not seem to be enough Russian units set up on-map. I count only 28 non-Reserve stacks. Dade clearly purchased one company in Reserve, and he MUST have purchased a second company. Are they entering from off-board? Very possible. I would not be surprised if he also brought on a mobile platoon of T-34 M43s along with the infantry. It's a gamble, given the possibility of Stukas in the sky, but at this point the Russian has to gamble a bit. A dug-in platoon of HIP T-34s could also provide nasty surprises. Assuming Dade purchased two companies of infantry, the maximum number of HIP Russian squads allowed would be 5. I will have to keep one eye open for nasty ambushes. On Day Two, even when I was being exceedingly careful, I still stumbled into an ambush. I hope I avoid it on Day Three.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The German Plan:</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CJwbQT5In2mNvtcAD57PhA8aCfv5AxQNLCLRBR_Dnvvu5MJx2plPorAdBomFxzDnpLJ7OQM-7uBAT4BdDdc9n3cSxG2pF1srhTpc-D332q0vvcmmi9G8A-MH8BYuXZLxW-HfQmfL4Aw/s1600/Day+Three+Setup.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CJwbQT5In2mNvtcAD57PhA8aCfv5AxQNLCLRBR_Dnvvu5MJx2plPorAdBomFxzDnpLJ7OQM-7uBAT4BdDdc9n3cSxG2pF1srhTpc-D332q0vvcmmi9G8A-MH8BYuXZLxW-HfQmfL4Aw/s400/Day+Three+Setup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554085105011769010" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQeGwFlLnGCfYF-BbaltwU9eLJSNHijbal2LFTRgE85J74jug-dIiTjmffM21RIqDEGNd2-YqQWFKf9fK-NqYOGm4lPm63z5LNnpMnLk8XDfki6zTL_iN_ENpJstkMDknZDLh7zJ-sRQ/s1600/Day+Three+Setup.jpg"><br /></a><br />In the south, a picket of half-squads will attempt to consolidate the area around the Bread Factory. If they run into hidden Russians things will go bad for them.<br /><br />The Sturm Company and the retained Pzkpfw IIIHs are set up to bust into the P34 factory and are tasked with taking it in its entirety. If Dade is bringing on reinforcements from off-map, they will probably head straight for this factory. I expect a fight. The 81mm mortars are set up on the rooftop of the G33 building in order to drop smoke in helpful places. The Battalion Mortar observer is on the rooftop in K30 to provide artillery support.<br /><br />The Nebelwerfer is preregistered to drop on G34. How it drifts will have a big effect on what the remainder of the German forces do. The general plan is to have the 4-6-8s in the M24 and L26 buildings, along with their fire support stacks, secure the buildings west of the street and push across it when an opportunity presents itself. The 9-2 Armor Leader with his Pzkpfw IIIL is set up in L19 to destroy the dug-in T60 M42 in hex O23 and then support the attack. The retained 5-4-8s in the S17 factory will push southward.<br /><br />The remaining forces in the P5 and O10 factories are there to make sure that they are really empty. A strong force of hidden 6-2-8s lying in wait could do some real damage.<br /><br />It is entirely possible, if my luck holds up, that the Germans could win this thing on Day Three.<br /><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">It’s often said that the dead appear to be sleeping.<span style=""> </span>Not this Russian, frozen in the instant of waking from a horrible nightmare.<span style=""> </span>His last moments had comprised a fevered, clawing scramble through broken glass and jagged metal until machine gun bullets tore him apart.<span style=""> </span>The remains were now inextricably tangled with the twisted frame of the collapsed skylight, head tilted at an impossible angle, eyes fixed glassily on Krankauer.</span></p> <p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">The sergeant observed, stock-still.<span style=""> </span>That could be him, snatched by the ravenous claws of Stalingrad, but – on this day – it was not.<span style=""> </span>Maybe he and this Russian were more alike than he cared to realize.<span style=""> </span>Maybe the Russian had brought in harvests, made mischief, kissed girls, loved his country.<span style=""> </span>Or maybe he had been an unrepentant criminal and his grisly death the just reward for a poisonous life.<span style=""> </span>Krankauer could never know, so it did not matter.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">It took much effort just to reach the body, wedged as it was into the tight interstices of the debris, and Krankauer silently complimented the dead boy for his resolve to escape.<span style=""> </span>A thorough search of the body was even more taxing and in the end a disappointment:<span style=""> </span>no cigarettes.<span style=""> </span>Krankauer wormed his way out of the wreckage and slumped against a concrete wall.<span style=""> </span>So easy to lie down, not move, stop struggling.<span style=""> </span>He doffed his helmet and thought of Oma Anina and the smell of fresh-baked pastry, then let the exhaustion wash over his body.<span style=""> </span>So easy.</span></p> <p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"> “Steh auf!”<span style=""> </span>The prodding of a hobnailed boot brought Krankauer back to consciousness.<span style=""> </span>“Komm mit mir!”<span style=""> </span>The sergeant lurched to his feet.<span style=""> </span>“Jawohl, Herr Leutnant.”<span style=""> </span>Clearly the lieutenant was in command, but Krankauer did not recognize him; a state of affairs becoming all too frequent of late.<span style=""> </span>Surely this lieutenant had important orders for the coming day, for he was already striding off in search of the other platoon leaders.<span style=""> </span>No rest, then.<span style=""> </span>Krankauer replaced his helmet, grabbed his weapon and followed.</span></p><br /></div></div>UnitFourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10925015348412332541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047997647244144960.post-82123090804718321902010-11-27T16:28:00.000-08:002010-12-24T11:00:00.885-08:00Into the Factories<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7Ccq5-hYCygQtQHtM_gX-3UUq4Ujdny0xNYjc2GYVIgqd9HFndo8p6LBMDAccXLuuvt8Nai2K-Ex6fgf8W3yprwgTW6kCTNbMeIIty7QlDaFSlQ31omDXIHZTuCiiWhb0fFJOvM0Pfc/s1600/stuka.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 330px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7Ccq5-hYCygQtQHtM_gX-3UUq4Ujdny0xNYjc2GYVIgqd9HFndo8p6LBMDAccXLuuvt8Nai2K-Ex6fgf8W3yprwgTW6kCTNbMeIIty7QlDaFSlQ31omDXIHZTuCiiWhb0fFJOvM0Pfc/s400/stuka.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544409467186890418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Air superiority has its advantages.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day One: Aftermath</span><br /><br />This was the best opening-day attack that I have ever put together. Overall, the CVP tally looked pretty even: the Russians lost 42 CVP, the Germans lost 35 CVP. However, if one removes those CVP garnered from destroyed vehicles and guns, the totals were thus:<br /><br />Russian: 33 CVP<br />German: 11 CVP<br /><br />That's a 3:1 infantry casualty ratio in favor of the German. Conventional wisdom states that a 2:1 casualty ratio is necessary for the German to keep the Russian on his heels. If I can continue to limit my infantry losses and still get in my licks I should do well. I did lose four tanks, but that does not cause me much concern. Tanks are to be used, and are expected to be destroyed at an alarming rate. This is Stalingrad, after all.<br /><br />The day started with mixed results. The 80mm Battalion Mortar dropped its Smoke exactly as drawn up. However, I drew a red chit for Battery Access for the Nebelwerfer right off the bat. I had planned for this contingency, so it wasn't a complete disaster, but it did bottle up the Sturm Company for a turn. Without knowing where the barrage would land, I could not risk moving into hexes that might get hit. Here is the situation at the beginning of German Turn Two:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hc1CbUvZwBR3B25NJh-62qZqBVn5bl7ahkUK77Xig9mo3XGEjxkXYkwDYEa315E_HWSY_j0J9GrEVyO20_3wN9viuuBiijclkQPjKI3W-bIT_FWGxdQIUFExx3IgXUqq8hbnGmXJsKw/s1600/Jump+Off.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hc1CbUvZwBR3B25NJh-62qZqBVn5bl7ahkUK77Xig9mo3XGEjxkXYkwDYEa315E_HWSY_j0J9GrEVyO20_3wN9viuuBiijclkQPjKI3W-bIT_FWGxdQIUFExx3IgXUqq8hbnGmXJsKw/s400/Jump+Off.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544396196394325026" border="0" /></a><br />The Rifle Company had managed to take up positions behind the railway berm with minimal casualties, and was preparing to push through the F6 building and toward the H8 building. The PzKpfw IIIL Platoon was required to abandon its plan to support the assault on the B12 building and instead joined the Rifle Company.<br /><br />The Sturm Company crept forward and took up positions in the wooden buildings and rubble around B8. When the Nebelwerfer barrage landed, it drifted one hex to D12 - an optimal placement. The Sturm Company moved up to the edges of the blast radius and curled around the west side of the B12 building. The reinforcing Rifle Company and PzKpfw IIIH Platoon followed on behind, spreading out as best they could. At this point, my attack was at its most vulnerable - had the Russian been able to drop artillery on the bunched-up German infantry things would have gone to hell.<br /><br />As it turned out, there was some large-caliber artillery aimed in my direction. That clever bastard Dade waited until I took building F6 to call in his own Rocket barrage, preregistered in hex G5. The barrage drifted one hex to H5, and thus I was able to rout away from it. However, had it drifted to the south or southwest the rocket would have landed on an entire Rifle Company and most of a PzKpfw IIIL Platoon. I was lucky to escape with a few broken units. The barrage did put a stop to my advance in the north.<br /><br />In the south, the Nebelwerfer chewed up the Russian defenders, removed two Wire counters, rubbled a number of building locations and set a bunch of things on fire. I took building B12 and formed up to make a push for building B17. A dug-in KV1 M42 appeared in E15 and chased my riflemen out of the E hexrow. A 45LL ATG appeared in C17 and claimed a tank moving into A13 - but not until it had removed the Wire placed there. I figured that there would be anti-tank assets in that area of the map, and so I endeavored to use the 80mm OBA to drop Smoke. I had fortuitously preregistered the ATG's hex, but the module was not accurate and the Smoke drifted south. After a few attempts at repositioning it I gave up and decided to take a different tack.<br /><br />Luckily, fate smiled on my efforts. German Stuka reinforcements showed up - three of them - and one was able to sight the KV1 M42 and hit it directly with a 150mm bomb. After the destruction of the dug-in tank, there were very few Russian units in place to stop my advance. If I could find a way to quickly destroy them before Dade could reposition other defenders, the way to the Power Station would be open. My Sturm Company was poised and ready, and I still had two tanks. Here is the situation (not all units are depicted, just those of prime importance):<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQPW9nutRx1v4jqbKD25sCP28hjD1PzBAY_4w5iq_A0GdTHlBb5PJ3p654Ysj3hLI0F-ER7OB1a5OmHm1veeZI9us6nuAHC7gKCTZBXIpu4bZnDl3BU-KeaX7fScgYZVMZOsRTZO3ceM/s1600/Initial.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 343px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQPW9nutRx1v4jqbKD25sCP28hjD1PzBAY_4w5iq_A0GdTHlBb5PJ3p654Ysj3hLI0F-ER7OB1a5OmHm1veeZI9us6nuAHC7gKCTZBXIpu4bZnDl3BU-KeaX7fScgYZVMZOsRTZO3ceM/s400/Initial.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544405328194397746" border="0" /></a><br />I had a powerful stack (4-6-7 + HMG, 4-6-7 + MMG, 5-4-8 + MMG) led by a 9-2 in hex B13 (there was also a burning wreck in this hex, but I omitted it for clarity). Just ahead of this stack I had two PzKpfw IIIH conveniently parked in hexes blind to the ATG. A 5-4-8 was with the lead tank. The Russian had a concealed 4-4-7 in B17, a concealed 45LL ATG + crew in C17 and a concealed 9-0 + 4-4-7 in F17.<br /><br />First, I moved the tanks along the A hexrow and into bypass to freeze the 4-4-7 and ATG crew:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wwvfMU9HrNeFaaBD-EFWaCv_ct7LvUOdfZHbyB5mloft4r8OkRZc7WIMeFDtr75n_JbYFjODR0faCE5u3hxSG2BVFul1u3WILUPXPb0_1CPtOFl7JaVvRTLqP52kNsW3vG_gdHhZEck/s1600/Phase+One.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wwvfMU9HrNeFaaBD-EFWaCv_ct7LvUOdfZHbyB5mloft4r8OkRZc7WIMeFDtr75n_JbYFjODR0faCE5u3hxSG2BVFul1u3WILUPXPb0_1CPtOFl7JaVvRTLqP52kNsW3vG_gdHhZEck/s400/Phase+One.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544406864907621138" border="0" /></a><br />Both tanks survived CC Reaction Fire, allowing the 5-4-8 and the 9-2 to move up:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhel7rOOVe3wFM4mpP8Y6j-Q5LKb6xtrz3z3C2RijKVENia_YeUOUmvAavfU7gUCFx1VtRK-x3_4OaFoo3G2hV95bDuNzECOE2zld6XefK_wJumXF8IFurESPdBdtM4eAsF_-HZRsf_f0U/s1600/Phase+Two.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhel7rOOVe3wFM4mpP8Y6j-Q5LKb6xtrz3z3C2RijKVENia_YeUOUmvAavfU7gUCFx1VtRK-x3_4OaFoo3G2hV95bDuNzECOE2zld6XefK_wJumXF8IFurESPdBdtM4eAsF_-HZRsf_f0U/s400/Phase+Two.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544407533679974178" border="0" /></a><br />The 9-2 was then able to use Spraying Fire in the next DFPh to hit both Russian units with a 30 FP attack. Both of them broke, and the tanks cleaned them up in CC. With nothing to stop them, the Germans pressed on toward the Power Station:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rKXUb7ZBpraWifVsNop7OhqeEc9bt3LLpGivT63kwXQsTZSyLJ_QvsvyhzmqEh0jM5NGqKSxrkq1B2-ncKCFJFCFY46B3djqVzFPG_61RYBuA-ULXXYjDm6_cg9kEL4dA6dzW_O0GfM/s1600/Phase+Three.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rKXUb7ZBpraWifVsNop7OhqeEc9bt3LLpGivT63kwXQsTZSyLJ_QvsvyhzmqEh0jM5NGqKSxrkq1B2-ncKCFJFCFY46B3djqVzFPG_61RYBuA-ULXXYjDm6_cg9kEL4dA6dzW_O0GfM/s400/Phase+Three.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544408287116803170" border="0" /></a><br />Only one of the tanks survived this sequence of events, but it was the turning point of the game. From this point onward, it was a footrace to the Power Station. I achieved, and exceeded, all of my objectives for the day. The game ended on Turn 7, and the Germans had managed to occupy all of the Power Station and had procured a toe-hold in the factories:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlTaMIco1l-v7T9EeJ_gmhT5m9krjV1YECge_cmZPr-wlZ9y0CbDbja3I_lHB_Oz4nKjHkZdlkYtPNEx7wicFFmvarQ9zwEFAt_omq7EnAYdTFcwPFOw_bc6_57nph3X-DZTHrUO8AZI/s1600/Day+One+Result.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 152px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlTaMIco1l-v7T9EeJ_gmhT5m9krjV1YECge_cmZPr-wlZ9y0CbDbja3I_lHB_Oz4nKjHkZdlkYtPNEx7wicFFmvarQ9zwEFAt_omq7EnAYdTFcwPFOw_bc6_57nph3X-DZTHrUO8AZI/s400/Day+One+Result.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544409272361259330" border="0" /></a><br />At the end of the day, the perimeter was thus:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmOiPtwRtmFKruSvOTYyem-F-r7D3apk5Jhrv6XRiDWkBeuCdS3LKhE5n2Op1Ghm3dhjcF5cV7qebs_jtLw2pHEJwiAA61pqrESmRm4RUtgSR94CbghA_2qdqk3tTBmUi2dysu2FaWyw/s1600/Day+Two+Perimeter.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmOiPtwRtmFKruSvOTYyem-F-r7D3apk5Jhrv6XRiDWkBeuCdS3LKhE5n2Op1Ghm3dhjcF5cV7qebs_jtLw2pHEJwiAA61pqrESmRm4RUtgSR94CbghA_2qdqk3tTBmUi2dysu2FaWyw/s400/Day+Two+Perimeter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544742534283139602" border="0" /></a><br />The Russian perimeter is in red, the German perimeter is in blue and no man's land is in white. The setup line for Russian units in Reserve is in orange.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXTrpmB_dRIG64UrjA0WkoVg1XYlc8HArA4SjJDNncVhEYpaScFRD8r98eN5NhqxtBIaOyXN9yhw14JPJPLAMQObJ_3Rs6hQTzSvlfn1ENaUqU3V4ry-PY_PrCMcFYGGMKE8vnjPw-eQ/s1600/Day+One+Perimeter.jpg"><br /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day Two: October 18, 1942<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><span>In the Refit Phase, I battle hardened two 4-6-7 squads and one 7-0 leader. The German ELR remained at 4. I rolled [8-2=6] for CPP Replenishment and received 16 CPP to spend.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Retained Forces (SAN 2 ELR 4):</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">1 x 9-2</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br />2 x 9-1</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br />2 x 8-1</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br />3 x 8-0</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br />1 x 9-1 Armor Leader</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br /><br />3 x 4-6-8</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br />10 x 5-4-8</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br />1 x 2-3-8</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br />17 x 4-6-7</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br />1 x 4-4-7</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br /><br />2 x HMG</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br />3 x MMG</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br />5 x LMG</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br />2 x ATR</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br />2 x LtMTR</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br />1 x DC</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br /><br />Pzkpfw IIIL</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br />Pzkpfw IIIH</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Purchases:</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br /><br />Rifle Coy [5-3=2 Full] (6: 9-1, 8-1, 8-0) - 7 CPP</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">HW Ptn [6-2=4 Full] - 6 CPP</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br />Pzkpfw IIIH Ptn [12-2=10 Depleted] (4-1=3: 9-2 Armor Leader) - 3CPP</span><br /><br />I looked at the situation from many angles, and considered a number of options including:<br /><ul><li>Purchasing 150mm Heavy Artillery and hammering the Russian front.</li><li>Purchasing 150mm Rocket Artillery and hammering the Russian front.</li><li>Purchasing two modules of smaller artillery in support of an attack into the L27 or L17 factories.</li><li>Purchasing a combination of artillery and AFV in support of an attack into the L27 factory.</li><li>Purchasing a pile of AFV and halftracks to push down Tranvanaya Street.</li><li>Purchasing a HW Platoon and AFV Platoon to support an attack into the L27 and G26 factories.</li></ul>I opted for the last option above. The Russian starts Day Two with only 15 squads of infantry, which is enough to cover about one-quarter of the front. Dade will probably be purchasing at least two, probably three companies of infantry. Two of those will be Militia, which can set up on-map without additional CPP expenditure. A third will probably be of high quality, a Guards Rifle or Guards SMG Coy, and likely set up in Reserve. I decided not to buy artillery this day, because Russian units can too easily skulk away and leave me no targets. Also, because I am not selecting preregistered hexes I can choose to set up my attack anywhere along the front. Purchasing a Heavy Weapons Platoon provides some long-range firepower and also gives me two 81mm MTRs for Smoke capability. Another platoon of tanks, albeit depleted, with it's 9-2 armor leader should help deal with trouble spots. The Rifle Company can make a cautious attack from off-board. After I see the Russian setup I can devise a plan.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Russian Setup</span><br /><br />This is what the Germans face on Day Two:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpBamt71_X6X5QsbLT4YxeC5EZ-L8dCxsPuOKDSAcOypfbbr2eAqBpTx2lXD78bQWAH7HwNATfdKoZV22T9p3AhHW6THXD3juAS_GZwwREIjBlA7e37Ay52pRYe2zzXhn9NfhTmdkfc4/s1600/Day2_concealed.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 326px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpBamt71_X6X5QsbLT4YxeC5EZ-L8dCxsPuOKDSAcOypfbbr2eAqBpTx2lXD78bQWAH7HwNATfdKoZV22T9p3AhHW6THXD3juAS_GZwwREIjBlA7e37Ay52pRYe2zzXhn9NfhTmdkfc4/s400/Day2_concealed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545593041045886674" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">I'm glad that I did not purchase an artillery module - there is a paucity of juicy targets to drop it on. Any squads that I could manage to hit would be able to easily advance or rout away. I'm much happier with having the 81mm mortars which can be placed to drop smoke where I absolutely need it and which will be retained for the next day.<br /><br />It looks like Dade has purchased a Militia Company and set it up in a picket line through the L10 and L14 Foundry Halls. He also appears to have purchased two companies in Reserve. My guess is that he has a Rifle Company covering the river and a Guards SMG company covering the southern portion of the line. He has spent at least 2 CPP on fortifications, and 60 FPP are visible in the form of Wire. That means he has spent 20 FPP on other things, most likely Dummies and HIP units. There is an ambush lurking, somewhere. He has also purchased some dug-in tanks. My guess is that they are T-60 M42s rather than T-34s. Does that add up?<br /><br />4 CPP: Militia Coy<br /></span>4 CPP: Rifle Coy in Reserve<br />6 CPP: Guards SMG Coy in Reserve<br />2 CPP: 80 FPP<br />2 CPP: T-60 M42 Ptn Dug In<br /><br />18 CPP Total<br /><br />Yes, it's possible.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day Two: The German Plan</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMfwapS1BxnbBx3YyLpHn57maoxgZxGaJ9Pq0AIHSKfeXK10RE36sq_q9YxOX4PBD_kQ4ei76VvBks36ioyrNDUpD9WqdM0jXOlbwCi4Bz9aSlCLdm7e-tvqM1B0uv9_iBXaN_X5ZI5s/s1600/Day+Two+Setup.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMfwapS1BxnbBx3YyLpHn57maoxgZxGaJ9Pq0AIHSKfeXK10RE36sq_q9YxOX4PBD_kQ4ei76VvBks36ioyrNDUpD9WqdM0jXOlbwCi4Bz9aSlCLdm7e-tvqM1B0uv9_iBXaN_X5ZI5s/s400/Day+Two+Setup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545602108023702114" border="0" /></a><br />Overall, I intend to straighten out my line and protect the Power Station. Right now, it lies in a precarious salient flanked by the large factory to the north. I intend to clear the L10 and L14 factories with my main attack and consolidate its flanks.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Main Attack</span><br /><br />My remaining Sturm Company, along with the battle-hardened 4-6-8s and augmented with the Heavy Weapons Platoon, will push inexorably into the factories from the west. The 9-2 leads a 36 FP stack whose job is to hose down any Russian that dares come within sight. The stacks led by 9-1 leaders muster 27 FP and 24 FP. I intend to carefully move forward, avoiding close combat (and sewer entrances!) and use my overwhelming firepower to break and rout the units in the factories. The tanks will provide support in the north, where there is less debris. They can freeze defenders without offering Streetfighting opportunities and can also Breach interior walls. They will, of course, not survive the day.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The North Flank</span><br /><br />I have set up 8 of my retained rifle squads in and around the H8 buildings. Their job is to hold off any probing Russian infantry and, if possible, inch forward and take what the Russian gives me. I will be happy to let them sit in place if the main attack goes well.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The South Flank</span><br /><br />The remainder of the retained rifle squads, the 81mm mortars and a portion of the HW Platoon will set up in/around the Power Station, G22 building and C24 building. The reinforcing Rifle Coy and Pzkpfw IIIH Platoon will enter along Yanvarya Street. The objective in the south is to reinforce the Power Station, take what the Russian gives me around the G26 factory and consolidate the line. If things go well, I may make a very cautious advance toward the B34 and G33 building clusters. The mortars are placed to be able to put Smoke in strategic hexes - M21 to hinder fire from the dug-in tanks, and D27 to cover the entrance of my reinforcements.<br /><br />We plan on playing this out on December 11th. I am confident, but foresee difficulty inflicting enough Russian casualties to keep on pace.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >The power station was empty when Krankauer and his men captured it. The massive generator turbines were silent in their concrete stalls. The smell of grease and diesel was overpowering. A number of window panes, </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >haphazardly located,</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> were broken allowing shafts of late afternoon sun to pierce the gloom. Inexplicably, the station was empty and somehow that emptiness was intimidating. Where were the defenders? First and Third Squads had pushed on, but Krankauer called them back. There was precious little daylight left, and he had no idea what lay beyond the station. Better to hunker down and wait for orders.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The night passed quietly, for Stalingrad. Richter had taken a sniper's bullet in the foot and was evacuated, but aside from that there was no action. From his vantage point on the rooftop Krankauer had searched in vain for some sign of the enemy. Nothing stirred in the unnatural silence. A runner arrived with orders for the coming day: take the Foundry Hall. Krankauer felt nothing when he read them, but he had desperately wished for a cigarette afterward. Take the Foundry. Looking at it then, at night, from across the street, it seemed huge and malevolent. He had no desire to inspect it from the inside. They had been lucky on the previous day with their pell-mell advance through minimal resistance. They could not expect the same in the morning.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Krankauer had tried to get some sleep but failed. There had been too much to work over in his mind. Now he crouched with his men in the shadow of the looming factory, motionless amidst the jumbled remnants of smashed machinery and twisted sheets of corrugated metal. There could be a hundred Russians within a stone's throw, lurking in the shadows, waiting for Krankauer to make a mistake. Or none at all; he would see soon enough. Again, he wished for that cigarette. The darkness was suffocating. Abruptly the terror came, a familiar deathly fear, of the sudden eruption of an angry swarm of tracers, of diving to the ground amidst the whumps of enemy grenades and the screams of wounded men. Of Holz, staring up from the shallow grave. Krankauer faltered, then, just for a moment as panic overwhelmed him. A second later his training took hold and he forced himself forward. Good. No one had noticed. The faintest hint of dawn was showing in the east. It was time to move.</span><br /></span>UnitFourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10925015348412332541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047997647244144960.post-36194269250153097492010-11-17T19:51:00.000-08:002010-12-24T10:53:55.469-08:00<span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:180%;">The Long Road Ahead</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8rhcaetNzLb6elTpfVbQcHaKuF7eBiurcP8y8tuYvNFoASmQ38x6W-nQGf-QWO4_jjmRx5uh1f2DReLAkOdcKeIwkS2cbZ1aGOr4W0ttzwDraORAeyESIP6t8mx5kvfXztKfdz0g4ik/s1600/long_road_ahead.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8rhcaetNzLb6elTpfVbQcHaKuF7eBiurcP8y8tuYvNFoASmQ38x6W-nQGf-QWO4_jjmRx5uh1f2DReLAkOdcKeIwkS2cbZ1aGOr4W0ttzwDraORAeyESIP6t8mx5kvfXztKfdz0g4ik/s400/long_road_ahead.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540732633099139554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">September 1942: Soldiers of the German Sixth Army arrive at Stalingrad</span>.<span style="font-size:78%;"> Few will depart.</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day One: 17 October 1942</span><br /><br />Once again, Dade Cariaga and I have decided to return to Red Barricades, our favorite ASL Historical Module. We have chosen to play Campaign Game I: Into The Factory, because in our opinion the other two campaign games are very unbalanced. Dade was given choice of sides and he chose to take the Russians, leaving the burden of attack with me. As we have done twice in the past, both of us will be chronicling the game by recording our thoughts before and after each Campaign Game Day (go <a href="http://dadecariaga.blogspot.com/">here</a> for Dade's musings).<br /><br />As a preface to my discussions here, I refer readers to <a href="http://4thunit.blogspot.com/2009/11/and-thus-moebius-like-it-begins-anew.html">an earlier post</a> in which I discuss some basic truisms relating to Red Barricades campaign games. Dade and I have learned much since November 2009, but the basic points of that post still apply.<br /><br />The German players has three essential tasks in front of him on Day One:<br /></span><ol><li>Secure a jumping-off platform for Day Two</li><li>Destroy Russian forces</li><li>Minimize losses</li></ol>Achieving all three is not a simple proposition, with #3 being the most difficult. The German force on Day One is a coiled spring cocked and ready to blast through the Russian defenses. The German will probably be able to take whatever objective (within reason) that he targets. However, the butcher's bill will always be higher than the German would like.<br /><br />CGI differs from CGIII in three significant ways:<br /><ol><li>The campaign lasts only twelve days</li><li>Fewer units are available for purchase over the course of the game</li><li>The victory conditions only require control of locations within the factory complex</li></ol>Because of these differences, I do not believe it is critical for the German to try and force the riverbank and take the Commissar's House. Given the longer time frame of CGIII and the need to control the entire map, a riverbank attack is almost necessary in that game. But for CGI it is more important to bust into the factories early and keep the pressure on. I cannot afford to spend my efforts fighting over terrain such as the Chemist's Shop (building X10) and the Commissar's House (building BB18) when doing so does not capture victory locations.<br /><br />I plan to instead make a determined thrust toward the Power Plant (building J21), which is the key to the defense of the southern portion of the complex. It is possible to occupy the Power Plant with German troops on Day One; I've done it exactly once before with a daring halftrack thrust down Tramvanaya Street. I plan on using different methods, and hopefully I can achieve similar results, but my main goal will be to set myself up for a successful Day Two assault.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Order of Battle:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">SAN: 3 ELR: 4</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Sturm Coy [Full Strength] (9-2, 9-1, 8-0)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Rifle Coy [Full Strength] (9-1, 8-1, 8-0)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Pzkpw IIIL Ptn [Full Strength] (9-1 AL)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">80mm Battalion Mortar OBA [Plentiful Ammo]</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">* Offboard Observer: A8</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">* Preregistered Hexes: F10, C17</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Purchased Forces (15 CPP):</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">7 CPP - Rifle Coy [Full Strength] (8-1, 7-0)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">3 CPP - Pzkpfw IIIH Ptn [Full Strength]</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">4 CPP - 150mm Rocket OBA [Plentiful Ammo]</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"> * Offboard Observer: A7</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"> * Pre-Registered Hex: E13</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">1 CPP - Stukas</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Preparing to Fight:</span><br /><br />Before setting up my forces, I must select which hexes my Offboard Observers will inhabit and which hexes will be Preregistered.<br /><br />There will be at least a token holding force inside the B12 building, and I know from experience that the entire area around that building could be set up as an elaborate trap. There could be AP/AT minefields, barbed wire, fortified buildings and HIP 5-2-7 squads anywhere in the hexes immediately south of Skulpturnaya Street. It's equally likely that this area will be only lightly defended with one or two squads and some dummies. I'll have to wait and see.<br /><br />I know that the bulk of the Russian defenses will be set up behind the railway in the F-hexrow buildings and rubble. As the Germans push onto the map, the Russian defenders will try to slide away southward toward the F16 factory, hoping to hold this building as a bulwark against a future attack toward the Power Station and the big K15 factory.<br /><br />The B17 building may also contain some defenders, perhaps even a hidden machine gun nest on the first level. The upper levels of this building can be used to cover both a board-edge creep down hexrow A and movement down Tramvanaya Street or along the railway berms.<br /><br />I selected my Pre-Registered hexes as shown in the illustration below.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFxkqcC1gO-Lz89j0TA2ZoC3Q93mg_xs09iqlum0pFMzCjXGI57QrWv7WkqyZR6As0SCMQG57m1ZVQBKSB49Aoa91fNBMmP9RYwBwu4GWc_6_Besy0EwOQ93q6_PU_bqEK4mRzpTqP4cY/s1600/PreReg.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 167px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFxkqcC1gO-Lz89j0TA2ZoC3Q93mg_xs09iqlum0pFMzCjXGI57QrWv7WkqyZR6As0SCMQG57m1ZVQBKSB49Aoa91fNBMmP9RYwBwu4GWc_6_Besy0EwOQ93q6_PU_bqEK4mRzpTqP4cY/s400/PreReg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540761815489235922" border="0" /></a>Rocket artillery cannot be accurate, so I must count on the barrage drifting up to three hexes in any direction. By placing it in hex E13, I guarantee than any drift in direction 1 (north) or direction 4 (south) will be nigh guaranteed to hit something, since I expect hexrow F to be thick with Russian units. Any drift in direction 5 (southwest) or 6 (northwest) is guaranteed to hit the B12 building. Drift in direction 2 (northeast) and direction 3 (southeast) will be less effective, but is only likely to whiff completely if the barrage drifts the full three hexes.<br /><br />I'm counting on the Rocket OBA to disrupt the Russian defense by breaking/destroying squads, removing fortifications and maybe most importantly by interdicting movement. If I can seal off a whole section of the Russian front and destroy it without allowing other defenders to slide into place it may be possible to blow the front wide open.<br /><br />I plan to use the 80mm battery primarily for Smoke. I selected hex F10 in order to obscure fire from behind the railway berms and from a potential machine gun nest in the K10 building. I also selected hex C17 to shut down a potential machine gun overwatch in building B17 and also protect the approach for my tanks. The debris in E17 and E20 are excellent spots to hide an AT gun.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLKnjjbAgasxW9-T0atl_7pfG3aRUej9-t4wJ4m-Lf_Doa2LmYO5CIUYW4UQWno8RhmycCzviS9XUwR2B9wwUhW3tIAU32SYdN5AX2X_6Uv7HfnCJd-TDKof8dZChno4Mwbs2Y2XQEMU/s1600/PreReg.jpg"><br /></a><br /></div>Now, to look at the Russian set up and see what I'm up against.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Russian Setup:</span><br /><br />Dade emailed his setup to me. Here it is:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpp2CqU6Fme0Tq0OIjwYkOTmRtQLUcMG30vMuIGOA9ISYak7OXuYg5a6tWADfzQ5ssoZ5Nqjf_i-xvX6BEkaAFNLkLS40byUOvQk1ck-FvJzQYB7OcSy8Dce4yPDgrkQJdJ4jvneNPb0/s1600/Day1_setup_concealed.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpp2CqU6Fme0Tq0OIjwYkOTmRtQLUcMG30vMuIGOA9ISYak7OXuYg5a6tWADfzQ5ssoZ5Nqjf_i-xvX6BEkaAFNLkLS40byUOvQk1ck-FvJzQYB7OcSy8Dce4yPDgrkQJdJ4jvneNPb0/s400/Day1_setup_concealed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540765308806316450" border="0" /></a><br />Two things in this setup strike me as odd: the apparent scarcity of fortifications and the number of units committed to the F6 building. Over near the riverbank, Dade has either thinly defended the front (unlikely) or has taken a page from my book (see my last setup from CGIII) and opted to conceal the strength of his line. The arrangement of wire suggests a hidden dug-in tank in W3. Placing what appears to be a kill stack upstairs in the Chemist's Shop strikes me as a deliberate ruse; he's got to know that if I come this way the Chemist's Shop will either be pummeled with heavy artillery or smoked in with battalion mortar. I suspect that he is wanting me to expend my artillery strike on a worthless stack. I also suspect that he may have an artillery observer covering this approach. No matter; I have no plans on attacking in this sector today.<br /><br />In the middle, he has put forth a standard array of defenders manning the line of buildings/rubble running from the O6 factory to the F6 building. F6 is a troublesome spot to defend. It's easily surrounded and reduced, so I am surprised that there are 3 or 4 squads here. Perhaps some or all are dummies? In the O6 factory he has set up a stack of three squads with SW and a leader. This is clearly a reserve intended to reinforce whatever hot spot flares up. If I go toward the Chemist's Shop they can shift eastward; if I go up the gut they can shift westward.<br /><br />Over on the west edge, he has committed nearly half of his forces. At first glance, my Pre-Registered hexes appear to be perfectly situated. The Rocket should hit something, and the 80mm Smoke concentration should be able to shut down a significant amount of defensive fire from the units around F10. He appears to be ready to defend B12, which means that a fortuitous drift of the Rocket barrage might undo a planned ambush. I will have to be careful and search for HIP units and minefields as I assault B12. I'm confused by the units in D16, which seem to be sitting out in the open - generally a bad idea anywhere in Stalingrad, but particularly bad when at the point of the German schwerpunkt. Perhaps there is a hidden pillbox there, and Dade chose not to HIP its contents? I'm scratching my head.<br /><br />Exactly how I approach this attack will depend on where the Rocket lands. The Rifle Coy will push toward the F6 and F8 buildings in any case, with orders to proceed steadily and carefully. Ideally they will be able to capture "The Point" (the F6 building and surrounding rubble) and the rubble field around G10.<br /><br />However, the Sturm Coy and its supporting Pzkpfw IIIL platoon must tailor their attack to what the Rocket OBA accomplishes. If the Rocket drifts close to the entry hexes, the Sturm Coy must be patient and wait to rush into the barrage area after it lifts. If the Rocket drifts north or south, the Sturm Coy will have to take care of the B12 defenders by themselves and prepare to push beyond. If the Rocket drifts too far east, then it's almost out of play. The idea is to have the Rocket smash as much as it can, then prevent the Russians from reforming the defense. Where ever it lands, it will have a huge impact on movement and rout paths. I suspect an AT gun somewhere in the debris fields near E16 or E19, so the tanks must take care once past B12. The reinforcing Rifle Coy and Pzkpfw IIIH Platoon will follow the Sturm Coy and consolidate what it captures. If the Russian defenses completely cave in (not likely, but possible) I will try and take the Power Plant.<br /><br />Here is a visual depiction of my plan:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FiQQncUQtdF8boHbdBeeMmIO4lnP1Syz5xrwTn6t5l3N5f_3BfFQFAFly91A4UB5YLCM1d7p1XUZPhzLEWxKo7EjXol0bHU1h3G9-4FmMLnnl6Damy6qBS7Asq7lUS0lJU5YDg-XsUs/s1600/Day+One+Setup.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FiQQncUQtdF8boHbdBeeMmIO4lnP1Syz5xrwTn6t5l3N5f_3BfFQFAFly91A4UB5YLCM1d7p1XUZPhzLEWxKo7EjXol0bHU1h3G9-4FmMLnnl6Damy6qBS7Asq7lUS0lJU5YDg-XsUs/s400/Day+One+Setup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540773975268644946" border="0" /></a><br />There is nothing left to do now but wait.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Oberfeldwebel Krankauer watched as the men shoveled red clay, broken concrete and pulverized brick over Holz's corpse. At first, in the thick of it, his wounds had not seemed that bad. Holz had used the butt of his rifle to bust out a window pane, hoping to get a better look at the approaches to the trucking depot. There was a bang and a flash, and the tinkle of broken glass settling to the floor, and Holz staggering back from the casement with his hands on his face. Holz was screaming, but there wasn't that much blood. They dragged him back to the aid station and the medics had been optimistic. But Holz stopped breathing sometime during the night, and that was that.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">They had come a long way together. Krankauer and Holz had been childhood friends, growing up in the small farming village of Cottenbach just north of Bayreuth. Times had been tough, and both boys had been put to work at an early age tending the fields and bringing in the barley harvest. Despite the long hours and strenuous labor the two had managed to find ample opportunity for adventure, as boys are wont to do. That "misunderstanding" at Fasching and the incident with the motorcar were the stuff of legend to the gymnasium students of Cottenbach. The Party came recruiting in '36 but neither boy had any political inclinations and both were needed on the farm. When war came in '39, well, that was different and the two had joined up together. Another grand adventure.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Krankauer snorted, then hocked an oily gray glob of grit and phlegm onto the ground. "Das wurde alles fur Scheisse!" The haggard sergeant grabbed his submachinegun and turned back toward the bivouac. He pulled out the last of his cigarettes and lit it, smoking as he picked his way through the rubble. The cigarette was dry and sparse, like all Russian cigarettes, but he was grateful for it nonetheless. Dawn was only a few hours away, and he was expected to lead the first wave into the factories. He thought back to September when his company had de-trained at Gumrak, full of bluster and bravado, joking and singing. Nobody was singing now. Something had changed, and the skittish Russians they had chased a thousand miles across the Ukraine had suddenly turned mean when cornered. Nobody wanted to go into that complex, least of all Krankauer, but "want" had nothing to do with it. They would go, and they would fight, and they would win. Win, or join Holz.</span><br /></span></div></div>UnitFourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10925015348412332541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047997647244144960.post-57621139755100834862010-03-09T18:41:00.000-08:002010-03-11T20:35:43.848-08:00Day Four Aftermath, and Day Six Strategy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizB9T_qHSsG4TjC6_IHyuGluDCKN0UFFO66Cb56TFzM0xLotTwyYnpAjBBNttIwhqGZR12OpsYWnwJ3MQy9Jb27EYTRABf5S6EVsHTV0xPqKK4CVcNcKNaVWJpUWXl0NzCmpR31LZyDPY/s1600-h/stalingrad-624.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizB9T_qHSsG4TjC6_IHyuGluDCKN0UFFO66Cb56TFzM0xLotTwyYnpAjBBNttIwhqGZR12OpsYWnwJ3MQy9Jb27EYTRABf5S6EVsHTV0xPqKK4CVcNcKNaVWJpUWXl0NzCmpR31LZyDPY/s400/stalingrad-624.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446830329021487266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">21 October 1942: Aftermath</span><br /><br />Neither of my predictions came true: no attempt was made to take either the Chemist's Shop or the Power Station. The Nebelwerfer barrage landed in I25, and as it is wont to do it wreaked havoc on the poor SMG squads I had set up in the rubble field. The dug-in T34 in I25 survived the initial pounding, but was eventually consumed in flames kindled by the exploding rockets. The German attacks came in two places: down the west board edge and toward the S17 factory.<br /><br />The pre-registered 120mm artillery targeting C23 was optimally placed. A company of 4-6-7s rushed southward from the C20 building, supported by two Pzkpfw IVF1s entering from A22. As they reached the C23 building, the artillery strike shattered them. My satisfaction was to be short lived, however, because the field phone directing the module promptly malfunctioned after only one fire mission. Fizzle. The initial pounding did slow the Germans down for a turn and kindled a flame in the building, so at least I got something for my 4 CPP. Steady German pressure managed to push the Russians out of the G22 building but no farther. The remainder of the German attack was focused on expanding the western front. I was able to run a few 5-2-7s over to the F32 building and prevent the Germans from reaching the gully.<br /><br />A cat-and-mouse game played itself out for a few turns in front of the O18 building and the S17 factory. The dummy counters in the rubble field discouraged the Germans in the O10 factory from pushing forward, allowing a few conscript squads to creep over and man the O18 building with actual bodies, and the Russians held that important piece of ground. I managed a limited counter-attack into the R12 area, but all-in-all that sector of the battle ended in stalemate. A commissar managed to kindle a flame in Q19 at the very end of the game providing for a nice 5-hex cluster of blazes with which to clog up the axis of German advance on the following day.<br /><br />In front of the Chemist's Shop, the 120mm artillery was also well-targeted. I crushed a few 4-6-7s in the wooden buildings/rubble around X7. I managed to get TWO entire fire missions out of this module (LUXURY!), and it burnt down some buildings and wooden rubble, but could have done so much more. I was able to recapture the Y7 pillbox and the AT ditch. A German half-squad made it down to DD0 before being obliterated by mortar fire, securing that hex for future entry purposes.<br /><br />The perimeter at day's end was thus:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5GAFoLKn4BNTbmtPsPwLjuvNfglBOSKIfVSYVcAU3VdurYPCFhBIovmy3Zf3jbeNMLaGxMjVtzsGgJ0cQSgc275Gbeb_SiQPVhm6ICfR184235BIT5oFQIy9rzS5YcBidc4huORiHaY/s1600-h/Day+Five+Perimeter.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5GAFoLKn4BNTbmtPsPwLjuvNfglBOSKIfVSYVcAU3VdurYPCFhBIovmy3Zf3jbeNMLaGxMjVtzsGgJ0cQSgc275Gbeb_SiQPVhm6ICfR184235BIT5oFQIy9rzS5YcBidc4huORiHaY/s400/Day+Five+Perimeter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446846643582943858" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The final CVP tally was German 54, Russian 32. About average. Notably, the Russian SAN was reduced to 2 by a sniper check, and the German ELR dropped to 2 in the Refit Phase (while the Russian ELR held firm at 3). Both sides selected "Idle" for Day Five, so on to Day Six.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">23 October 1942:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Retained Forces:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">10-0</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">9-2</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">9-0 x 4</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">8-1</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">7-0 x 3</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">6-2-8 x 7</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">4-5-8 x 5</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">2-3-7</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">5-2-7 x 10</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">2-2-7</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">4-2-6 x 13</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">HMG x 2</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">MMG x 1</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">LMG x 3</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">DC</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Lt MTR x 3</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">ATR</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">ATR(g)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">T-34 M41 (Dug In): E25, O22</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">KV1 M42 (Dug In, MA Disabled): Z9</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Purchases 10/22/42 (18 CPP):</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Gds Rifle Coy (Reserve; Full) [8 CPP]</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Gds Rifle Coy (Reserve; Full) [8 CPP]</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">80 FPP [2 CPP]</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Purchases 10/23/42 (16 CPP):</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Militia Coy (Full; On Map) [4 CPP]</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Militia Coy (Depleted; On Map) [4 CPP]</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">AT Gun Battery (Full) [4 CPP]</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">160 FPP [4 CPP]</span><br /><br />The Idle day was a shot in the arm for the Russian - as it undoubtedly was for the German as well. I purchased two Guards Rifle Companies, which gives me a solid core of 4-5-8s with which to defend the non-factory sectors of the map. Those Guards companies also come with a plethora of support weapons, which were running a bit short. Best of all, purchasing two Elite companies led to an increase in the Russian ELR from 3 to 4.<br /><br />On to the setup...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Chemist's Shop:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVCQQR3Ty0VPEKstmptfUb9gdBN0vGx2ps_h7VO52WXkPXjWYQmc_ctxUjMrT6QGcyUrmqhO2Y9zrWDvF5QdOHFANsgvt-qRNHc0iVxA39IGVe56jjcSn4iF79goxEBWF9I4I4eOtkKY/s1600-h/Day+Six+Blog+River.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVCQQR3Ty0VPEKstmptfUb9gdBN0vGx2ps_h7VO52WXkPXjWYQmc_ctxUjMrT6QGcyUrmqhO2Y9zrWDvF5QdOHFANsgvt-qRNHc0iVxA39IGVe56jjcSn4iF79goxEBWF9I4I4eOtkKY/s400/Day+Six+Blog+River.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447589571521502514" border="0" /></a><br />This sector of the map is turning into a moonscape. Many of the buildings have been smashed and burned away, leaving many lines-of-sight that did not exist before. The key additions to this sector are a 2+5+7 Pillbox in AA12 and the trenches added in BB12, CC12. CC11 and DD9. The Pillbox contains a 9-2 and two 4-5-8s with HMG; their job is to repel any attack through the Chemist's Shop toward the Commissar's House. 8AP mines are in Z12, Z13 and AA13 to make close combat with the Pillbox occupants a difficult proposition. If such an attack does not materialize, they will shift through the trenches to CC10 and start gunning up any Germans in sight. A nice feature of this bunker/trench complex is that it occupies blind hexes to an offboard observer in N0, thus heavy German artillery cannot be easily dropped on the fortifications.<br /><br />I have also placed Roadblocks and an AT Ditch in hexes Y10, Z8 and Z9 respectively to prevent armored vehicles from crashing into the fortifications. On the other side of the Chemist's Shop I have placed 1AT mines in V10, V11 and W11. Any tanks that infiltrate my front lines will hopefully encounter difficulty.<br /><br />I expect a pummeling of the Chemist's Shop, probably by heavy artillery. The forces set up there are sacrificial. Behind the Chemist's Shop I have placed a 9-0 and 4-5-8 to try and kindle hex X13. This will slow down a German thrust and will possibly clear away some pesky wooden rubble if the flames spread, opening nice lines of sight for the coming days. A 9-1 and two 4-5-8s are HIP on level one of hex X15. I'm a bit worried that this overwatch position is getting used too frequently, which is why I did not put the 9-2 here.<br /><br />Two newly-purchased AT guns backstop the line in CC13 and Z16.<br /><br />Down by the riverside, I have once again relied on light mortars to provide a long-range deterrance to any Germans pushing down the riverbank. There are mortars in DD8, DD9, FF8 and FF9. A 5-2-7 with an ATR is hunkered down in the AT Ditch in DD5.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Factories:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlP9Dlg2XHjNkceSlTltMGgcUC93s8hwgD2FOOR7nDU71HtNPWVu9pHbys1jLixgghNOKqlGyALSZs6l3ZKVYrxqa44glijAmjrvAROLgRgg17sRU6fdZt_RylQG8wGyXR_Woqo0G_io/s1600-h/Day+Six+Blog+Factory.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlP9Dlg2XHjNkceSlTltMGgcUC93s8hwgD2FOOR7nDU71HtNPWVu9pHbys1jLixgghNOKqlGyALSZs6l3ZKVYrxqa44glijAmjrvAROLgRgg17sRU6fdZt_RylQG8wGyXR_Woqo0G_io/s400/Day+Six+Blog+Factory.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447593746700096914" border="0" /></a><br />The cluster of Blazes around Q19 clogs up the middle nicely. On the east side, a generous sprinkling of conscript squads should be able to hold off the 5-4-8s that are almost certainly tasked with taking the T17 factory. The two MMG belonging to newly-purchased Militia Companies are set up with a 4-2-6 in T18 and U18. A 4-5-8 is also in each of those hexes along with a commissar and 9-1 leader. The 4-5-8s will take the MMG in the initial Rally phase, then join up with the 9-1 in hex U17 to provide enfilading fire on any German troops in the O10 factory.<br /><br />On the other side of the Blazes, a 9-0 and two 4-5-8s with LMG are set up in P21 to protect the dug-in tank in O22. Three 4-2-6s and one 4-5-8 are set up behind the 9-0 in case the German pushes hard for the P21 Factory. I want to have something in place to defend it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Power Station:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJ_qUvcWL3jKml73ck5Ry1pUlaja_azdYHGkk6xQkKqgwCBVipaKLfPU_ad91uyBEor7KsT-zisCajjjezg8Rvm_8kFjDsNK3vaT2yDzUSkC_ARdLPwgR6EvGot-ip2N4Ia6ycps-D6A/s1600-h/Day+Six+Blog+Power+Station.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 337px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJ_qUvcWL3jKml73ck5Ry1pUlaja_azdYHGkk6xQkKqgwCBVipaKLfPU_ad91uyBEor7KsT-zisCajjjezg8Rvm_8kFjDsNK3vaT2yDzUSkC_ARdLPwgR6EvGot-ip2N4Ia6ycps-D6A/s400/Day+Six+Blog+Power+Station.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447596475216411170" border="0" /></a><br />The Power Station is now exposed from the western flank, unprotected by Wire. It cannot hold. I have put 4-2-6s in five hexes of the building, with a 10-0 and two elite squads behind them. The 10-0's job is to Kindle as quickly as possible, then run. The 4-2-6s are a speed bump that will hopefully slow down the German long enough to let the 10-0 do his job.<br /><br />The 4-2-6s in the G27 factory are also a speed bump, as is the doomed dug-in T-34 in E25. My hope is that the 6-2-8s set up in this area can stiffen the defense enough to hold on to the L24 building and K27 factory. I would not be surprised to see another Nebelwerfer barrage in this area.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Trap:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaC9B3I91oWWATqXxcVhuRUqW18_TE_W7szkcFjfqHFfToRPeZQWckK0TL5C8Ejb6F_3mnWLyQFESa83b8_l0uqTq-tDhZficCTqAOOTioUU_e9tBvT-ua5XPz8yzQjjmBR1CJUS5oflU/s1600-h/Day+Six+Blog+Tricky.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaC9B3I91oWWATqXxcVhuRUqW18_TE_W7szkcFjfqHFfToRPeZQWckK0TL5C8Ejb6F_3mnWLyQFESa83b8_l0uqTq-tDhZficCTqAOOTioUU_e9tBvT-ua5XPz8yzQjjmBR1CJUS5oflU/s400/Day+Six+Blog+Tricky.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447597796863803794" border="0" /></a><br />I've laid a trap for the German in the F32 and G33 buildings. Three 5-2-7s are HIP in the Cellars of F32, G33 and G34. If the German occupies these buildings, I'm hoping the 9-2 south of the gully (see below) can bust them up. They will then likely rout into one of the Cellars, where they will be eliminated. We'll see if this works.<br /><br />Seven Dummy counters are set up in the P33 factory to convince the German that he can't make a mad dash for this factory. Not that he would, necessarily, but leaving it completely vacant might entice him to try.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Bread Factory:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirc6wNuIKYz0aL9dYqsXz_5yVjh5r_u2bkqB5dI0Hu9VT8dGvcGD7C-olmNigH14DyynxB3buosI3iq4NCobj8k5BJRpR5Kubh1fQPbWs5g8VQvCtXgckHkTGeG2ywnYpKmt2unsDc9Ro/s1600-h/Day+Six+Blog+Bread+Factory.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirc6wNuIKYz0aL9dYqsXz_5yVjh5r_u2bkqB5dI0Hu9VT8dGvcGD7C-olmNigH14DyynxB3buosI3iq4NCobj8k5BJRpR5Kubh1fQPbWs5g8VQvCtXgckHkTGeG2ywnYpKmt2unsDc9Ro/s400/Day+Six+Blog+Bread+Factory.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447598885737505330" border="0" /></a><br />Because the German pushed so hard down the west board edge on Day Four, the time to start defending the Bread Factory area has come a bit earlier than usual. Two HIP 5-2-7s are in A40 and B40 to spring a Pinned-and-CX surprise on any Germans advancing out of the gully. Behind them are three 4-5-8s with LMG, two in hex A42 with a 9-0 and one in C42. These are all located in hexes blind to the first level of C33, which is a likely spot for a German overwatch. A 45L ATG is in B44 to try and destroy any tanks moving toward the Bread Factory.<br /><br />Four more 4-5-8s, some SW, a 9-0 and 7-0 are set up in the first few stone buildings. A 9-2 and two 4-5-8s with HMG are HIP on the first level of J40. Their job is to punish any German squads advancing south down the railway embankment or pushing into the debris field to the north. A 45LL ATG is in L39 to cover the debris field.<br /><br />This next day will be pivotal. Both of us are loaded for bear and there will be multiple hot spots, fiercely contested. Either side can score a crippling blow.UnitFourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10925015348412332541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047997647244144960.post-49313095222215789652010-02-12T20:58:00.001-08:002010-02-13T12:18:29.787-08:00Day Four: My Turn<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAWX6vbaKTJ0h3xlANS4j6DEzQIaDtbNr9hj8a8N76OKjrh5nN5ZuPkf9qle82np97tmFxUogdoL_Tj5D-il3d21H93VWLE0SqLXX0VrRjgRCtfpztteIoN1jLo8coBUX2oJLzDSKvM4/s1600-h/russian_artillery.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 380px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAWX6vbaKTJ0h3xlANS4j6DEzQIaDtbNr9hj8a8N76OKjrh5nN5ZuPkf9qle82np97tmFxUogdoL_Tj5D-il3d21H93VWLE0SqLXX0VrRjgRCtfpztteIoN1jLo8coBUX2oJLzDSKvM4/s400/russian_artillery.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437588097565573170" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day Four: 20 October 1942</span><br /><br />Having survived the previous day with my ELR intact and with a shortened line, I was feeling pretty good. Rolling up 18 CPP made me feel even better.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Retained Forces:</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br /><br />10-0 x 2</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />9-2</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />9-0 x 4</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />7-0</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br /><br />6-2-8 x 8</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />4-5-8 x 3</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />4-4-7 x 7</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />2-3-7</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />2-2-7</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />4-2-6 x 16</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br /><br />HMG x 2</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />MMG</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />LMG x 3</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />Lt MTR x 3</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />ATR</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />DC</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />ATR(g)</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />T34 M43 (immobilized T15>S13)</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />T34 M43</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />T34 M41 (Dug In E25)</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />T34 M41 (Dug In I25)</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />T34 M41 (Dug In O22)</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />KV1 M42 (MA Disabled; Dug In Z9)</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Purchased Forces (18 CPP)</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />SMG Coy (Reserve, Full) 3 CPP [8-0, 7-0]</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />SMG Coy (Reserve, Depleted) 3 CPP [8-1]</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />120mm OBA (Normal) 3 CPP</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />Preregistered Hex 1 CPP</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />120mm OBA (Normal) 3 CPP</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />Preregistered Hex 1 CPP</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />160 FPP 4 CPP</span><br /><br />Immediately upon rolling the 18 CPP, I decided to buy two Medium Artillery modules and fill in the rest as best I could. Ever since the 150mm drubbing I took in our previous game, I've been itching for some kind of payback in kind. I could have purchased two Militia Coys in Reserve, but opted for the higher-morale SMG Coys. The 160 FPP were needed to stiffen defenses around the Power Plant and Chemist's Shop.<br /><br />My plan is to find the schwerpunkt(s) of his assault(s) and pour on the artillery. There are three potential objectives for the German on which I will focus: the Power Plant (J21), the P18 building and the Chemist's Shop (X9). One observer will go in BB18 (2nd Level) and pre-register hex X7. His objective will be to break up any thrust toward the Chemist's Shop and then to lay waste to any forces occupying the ground lost the day before. If I can miraculously destroy the BB7 pillbox - or better yet, recapture it - I will be ecstatic. The second observer will go in L26 (Rooftop) and pre-register hex C23. His objective will be to pummel any assaulting forces that push toward the Power Plant from the west board edge - which seems likely, given that Germans may now enter anywhere on the west edge from A1 - A22. I wouldn't be surprised if a Sturm Coy, or even a Pionier Coy, charged on from the A22 area into building B23. In a pinch, this observer can also direct fire onto the P18 building and into the rubble field around P19. I have another contingency for an attack up the middle, though (see below).<br /><br />Over on the riverbank, I expect the Chemist's Shop to be crushed with medium or heavy artillery. Nevertheless, I must defend it with stalwart 6-2-8s and a 10-0 Commissar. It is just too important to give up without a fight. I will backstop the Chemist's Shop with the depleted SMG Coy. Over on the bluff, I wired up Taimyrskaya Street and put a 9-0, 4-5-8 + MMG in a 1+5+7 Pillbox in CC9>AA9 to cover the northern approach to the Chemist's Shop. The mobile T34 M43 is hidden in X12>W11 to cover the approach from the factories. I put an AT Ditch in hex DD5 to prevent an armored thrust/halftrack blitz down the riverbank and backed it up with all three Lt MTRS. <br /><br />In the middle, nearly all of the Conscripts went into the S20 factory with orders to hold at all costs. The immobile T34 in T14 is already gone; anything he takes with him is a bonus. The P18 building and the rubble field behind are manned by Dummy "?" counters, hopefully to entice the German into diverting forces away from the S20 factory. Two Conscript squads are in P21 to help protect the dug-in tank nearby. My ace in the hole in this section of the map is the hidden 9-2, 4-5-8 + HMG, 4-5-8 + HMG in M24 (1st level). From this overwatch position he can bring fire to bear on the P18 building, the rubble field in front of it, the western flank of the S20 factory, the approaches to the dug-in tank and the Wire in front of the Power Plant - all while effectively shielded from potential German kill stacks. He can also shift a hex or two and be able to support the defense of Power Plant versus an attack from the C25 building.<br /><br />The Power Plant, like the Chemist's Shop, is also probably going to be targeted by some kind of nasty large-caliber ordnance. Similarly, it needs to be strongly defended nonetheless. A mix of 4-4-7s and 6-2-8s should suffice, with a 10-0 Commissar to keep them in fighting trim. A screen of 4-4-7s occupies the F- and G-hexrow buildings. Over half of these forces are setting up in the cellars in expectation of big explosions. The Power Plant is backstopped by the full strength SMG Coy, which also is tasked with protecting the dug-in T34 in E25 and shoring up the left flank.<br /><br />I uploaded my setup on VASL, and Dade was kind enough to post his setup as well - just to give me something to think about:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yuzeurHEqoyCpghJWYw60lyuwKaPJ6DdGbcDOn2xY0GEvqGm3tkmcC2QqDwxVL7FBwGYno98pHalqA91WbXCJPXI2EZkrbqrgctvoYE92lmnUbVDdklAtP-2ciFwHcwMk7Gep_6Z7qg/s1600-h/Day+Four+Start+Blog.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yuzeurHEqoyCpghJWYw60lyuwKaPJ6DdGbcDOn2xY0GEvqGm3tkmcC2QqDwxVL7FBwGYno98pHalqA91WbXCJPXI2EZkrbqrgctvoYE92lmnUbVDdklAtP-2ciFwHcwMk7Gep_6Z7qg/s400/Day+Four+Start+Blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437599254259675650" border="0" /></a><br />It looks like he's going balls-out for the Power Plant. Dade mentioned that he had preregistered hex J22 with something (probably rocket). If so, it's going to land a nasty punch.<br /><br />Should make for some good carnage.UnitFourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10925015348412332541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047997647244144960.post-1402953375055741432010-02-12T20:41:00.001-08:002010-02-12T20:57:02.900-08:0019 October: Aftermath<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GMtrUn_QqCLznDN9iL-p8na15Exv82KJVs7rRtMRhL9JBmmy7F8FQFGHkjtEo7n3FoY3Nss2OdAFIqhGwL1UzkPcpaCdvuORRcaBokUuXAuAEFzQZytM6AFndur5QtkgPCTSxTLKHso/s1600-h/frozenstalingrad.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GMtrUn_QqCLznDN9iL-p8na15Exv82KJVs7rRtMRhL9JBmmy7F8FQFGHkjtEo7n3FoY3Nss2OdAFIqhGwL1UzkPcpaCdvuORRcaBokUuXAuAEFzQZytM6AFndur5QtkgPCTSxTLKHso/s400/frozenstalingrad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437583710557361922" border="0" /></a><br />The day started with a German Nebelwerfer barrage. The rocket strike was targeted at the Chemist's Shop (Preregistered Hex: X8), but it drifted three hexes to AA7 and had a devastating effect on the Russian defenders in the trenches. The German followed up with a platoon of Pzkpfw IIILs entering from the north edge and overrunning the squads in BB1 and BB2. Between the armored hammer and rocket anvil, a company of Russian riflemen was smashed. One of the 9-1s managed to escape, round up a few errant squads, then - in utter folly - climb the cliff in BB8 to engage the Germans who now inhabited the pillbox in BB7. They managed to kill a broken 5-4-8, but did not survive the experience. All in all, a disastrous pummeling. The one saving grace: there was no attempt by the German to put pressure on the Chemist's Shop and it remained intact and in Russian control.<br /><br />The platoon of T34 M43s came in very handy. Seeing the Pzkpfw IIILs rampaging in the northeast corner and the StuG IIIG lurking in the debris field near T8, the Russian tanks were able to engage their German counterparts and destroy all of them. One T34 was destroyed, and one immobilized, but all in all I call that an equitable trade.<br /><br />There was some back-and-forth bloodletting in the O10 and L14 factories, but for the most part I tried to keep my conscripts out of harm's way. Eventually, though, they were backed into a corner and had to try and stand their ground.<br /><br />Over in the west, not much happened. The Germans took the B17 building, and I made a half-hearted attempt to retake it but backed off in the face of withering firepower.<br /><br />At the end of the day, the perimeter looked thus:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIcPBpXQ58ApJDTwioVGdlSE_eh0av9R67NAFLsV_mY0O-Q0ZDpasXNKXqQe0IIfpGTAIlLbwBrMWXmGzVdson5JfFqcapxj-NVYk42fMyLPPgluyDTkNuBqZzoJRIudFwMThd7it0uo/s1600-h/Day+Four+Perimeter.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIcPBpXQ58ApJDTwioVGdlSE_eh0av9R67NAFLsV_mY0O-Q0ZDpasXNKXqQe0IIfpGTAIlLbwBrMWXmGzVdson5JfFqcapxj-NVYk42fMyLPPgluyDTkNuBqZzoJRIudFwMThd7it0uo/s400/Day+Four+Perimeter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437587339487181186" border="0" /></a><br />The CVP tally was 62 for the German, 42 for the Russian. I'll take it.UnitFourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10925015348412332541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047997647244144960.post-50351518694487171832010-01-28T20:18:00.000-08:002010-01-28T21:31:57.757-08:00It's Gonna Be Messy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyY84gESdNHsr-CiGJG-8hdKv7d-GISbLNt1FMwrZ7YANiciV6HIoX3vkeQQ8z6wtcjrk54WRv3mvFOI7KnB7PHvNLZyWCuDVAXYknHzpHdC3WSmnwTpuX9gwJrM2spqg3W45_qScNEM/s1600-h/NKVD.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyY84gESdNHsr-CiGJG-8hdKv7d-GISbLNt1FMwrZ7YANiciV6HIoX3vkeQQ8z6wtcjrk54WRv3mvFOI7KnB7PHvNLZyWCuDVAXYknHzpHdC3WSmnwTpuX9gwJrM2spqg3W45_qScNEM/s400/NKVD.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432012058026973266" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day Three: 19 October 1942</span><br /><br />After considerable thought, I decided to select the "Idle" chit for Day Three. After suffering significant casualties the day before, I thought the odds reasonably in favor of the Sixth Army choosing to go Idle themselves. Were I to catch the Germans napping, and hit them with a surprise Night Assault, I might win back some crucial terrain and make Jerry bleed for it all over again. However, knowing my opponent, my thoughts could easily lead me astray. So I chose the safer option, and strengthened my defenses. This proved prudent, as Dade surrendered to his aggressive instincts and chose "Attack".<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Retained Forces:</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />3 x 4-5-8<br />22 x 4-4-7</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">1 x 2-3-7</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">1 x 5-2-7</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">1 x 2-2-7</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">22 x 4-2-6</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br /><br />1 x 10-0</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">1 x 9-2</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">3 x 9-1 (one is Wounded)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">3 x 9-0</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">1 x 8-0</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">1 x 7-0</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">2 x HMG</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">4 x MMG</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">5 x LMG</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">2 x ATR</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">4 x Lt MTR</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">1 x LMG(g)</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />1 x ATR(g)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">KV1 M42: Dug In (Z9)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">T34 M42: Dug In (O22, I25, E25)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">SAN: 3</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Purchased Forces (16 CPP):</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />Guards SMG Coy in Reserve (Full) 10-0, 9-0 [6 CPP]</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />T34 M43 Ptn (Full) [6 CPP]</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">80 FPP [2 CPP]</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">80mm Battalion Mortar (Normal) [1 CPP]</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />Pre-Registered Hex (U11) [1 CPP]</span><br /><br />I wanted to have a flexible dimension to my defense, so I purchased the T-34 platoon at full price. If the German overloads one flank or another, the tanks can rush to assist. If a weak point presents itself, the tanks may be able to lead a limited counter-attack.<br /><br />The Battalion Mortar is pre-registered to strike the staging area for a German assault on the Chemist's Shop. The 9-2 is tucked behind the defense in an overwatch position along with two 4-5-8s toting HMG; their job is to prevent a push up Pribatayinskaya Street.<br /><br />The majority of the Guards SMG Coy is deployed around the Power Station to protect it and the two dug in tanks nearby. I've eschewed a stiff defense of buildings west of the railway. There just weren't enough squads to make for a decent fight and I had other priorities (see below). A 9-0, 4-4-7 + MMG, 4-4-7 + LMG(g) are in level one of G23 to interdict movement down the A-D hexrows toward building C23.<br /><br />As always, the conscripts are arrayed in a two-deep line within the big factories. The fact that the O10 Assembly Hall is Gutted will help them survive a bit longer. Their job is to keep the Germans out of P18. As added insurance, the cloaking counter in P18 contains a 9-0, 3 x 6-2-8 and a DC. If activated, they can provide a bit of a counterpunch.<br /><br />What I think will surprise Dade the most is the way I bolstered the line down by the riverbank.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuHyffz7aVonN56padaRmklBi4G7NwjcJQng_xiZTXLZWzFobSHNNklOv5UJo2wTZbg4EFh-_9vjtlAKFuhdPrbF4-1LH2DqrBsz1cvrKVFJo4og-X-Ej1GMCqXwWoL2-tiStKvhvCoA/s1600-h/Riverbank.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 365px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuHyffz7aVonN56padaRmklBi4G7NwjcJQng_xiZTXLZWzFobSHNNklOv5UJo2wTZbg4EFh-_9vjtlAKFuhdPrbF4-1LH2DqrBsz1cvrKVFJo4og-X-Ej1GMCqXwWoL2-tiStKvhvCoA/s400/Riverbank.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432019501560462498" border="0" /></a><br />In past games, I've toyed with the idea of building a bunker complex in this corner of the map. I've always ended up moving the fortifications westward, abutting the pillboxes against the wall surrounding the big debris field. This time, given the position of my first two pillboxes, I thought that hardening this piece of real estate has the potential to cause a few headaches for the German.<br /><br />I first had to consider how I would cope with the Germans occupying building Z1 and setting up a powerful fire base there. The Wind Force/Direction roll (RB 11.6241) gave me my answer. Drifting smoke just covers both hexes of building Z1. Fully expecting the German to take this building, I placed two conscript squads in the cellars of Z1/Z2. Because of the adjacent wall, no LOS exists to the cellars from W1 or XO. Any fire from adjacent hexes is at +6 and is halved. Any Germans advancing into the building must cross a wall and add +1 MF for Smoke, making for an Advance Vs. Difficult Terrain and resulting in CX status. CX Germans are susceptible to ambush by concealed Conscripts. These facts will make the German second-guess moving into the building, and once they clear it any fire out will be at +3 for Smoke.<br /><br />Two hexes back from building Z1 I have placed two 1S foxholes holding a 4-4-7 each. Their job is to bottle up the Germans in Z1 and lay down fire on Leninskii Prospekt. Just to the south of the gully I have placed three trenches as the backbone of the defense. On the north end is the 1-3-5 pillbox placed on Day One. It's job is to help contain the advancing Germans in Z1. In the middle is a stone building that I have Fortified. A 9-1 and 4-5-8 + MMG are set up here to cover the X6/X7 approach to the Chemist's Shop and to stave off an attack on the trench complex. In the south, I've added a 1+5-7 pillbox containing a 9-1, 2-3-7 + MMG, 2-2-7 + MMG. They have a good LOS to V9-W8-X8-Y8-Y9 and should prove troublesome to any Germans trying to move on the Chemist's Shop through those hexes. The trenches themselves are manned by 4-4-7s with a LMG and a Lt MTR.<br /><br />The 1+3+5 pillbox in Y7 contains the wounded 9-1 and a 4-4-7 + LMG. The AT ditch holds a 4-4-7 + Lt MTR. Their jobs are to lay as much interdicting fire as possible on Leninskii Prospekt and go down fighting. If possible, they are to make their way into the Chemist's Shop or back to the trench line. Either is unlikely.<br /><br />The idea of this defense is the maintain a strong base of operations north of the Z8-CC8 defile. As long as the Russian can set up there in force, any Germans in the Chemist's Shop are threatened. If the German decides to spend the points to erase the fortifications with heavy artillery, then so be it - the line can be recast just north of the defile. Make the German fight for what is essentially worthless terrain. Every turn that he doesn't eradicate the bunker complex is a turn that it becomes stronger and deeper.<br /><br />Here is a picture of the overall defense:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqqigm44VmsL13elGH2MO06SQxj47AQCsPfyI-1vtYirRPGoz_cb-e4m5C5uHx7Mg9i7UOYh9UTn2pF1axz0V3_XdnZ3VTfv6_yJ621BWQyUjh6EYOk3jNlH2APv_oLfaak00WAjv4dw/s1600-h/Day+Three+Setup+Zoom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 341px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqqigm44VmsL13elGH2MO06SQxj47AQCsPfyI-1vtYirRPGoz_cb-e4m5C5uHx7Mg9i7UOYh9UTn2pF1axz0V3_XdnZ3VTfv6_yJ621BWQyUjh6EYOk3jNlH2APv_oLfaak00WAjv4dw/s400/Day+Three+Setup+Zoom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432027538513108594" border="0" /></a><br />I've given up trying to predict exactly what my opponent might do. To be honest, it doesn't matter - I've got to plan for multiple contingencies in any case.UnitFourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10925015348412332541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047997647244144960.post-71957006863907097002010-01-25T16:29:00.001-08:002010-01-26T19:03:07.711-08:00A Rare Victory<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jlUQ0-4TY7gO4Xur5jf9XdB5UFnb7sK-UofmfGeFIJ0BO_VVBE4xc4nQHydLO8-JnC_3CcQoDvL2Z1-MdR4ihC_PVbMhpbXJEWB9Z6nlDyPWEeDjotY0EseFcHR5Baw_v8_J9EDpTqE/s1600-h/t34-crew.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jlUQ0-4TY7gO4Xur5jf9XdB5UFnb7sK-UofmfGeFIJ0BO_VVBE4xc4nQHydLO8-JnC_3CcQoDvL2Z1-MdR4ihC_PVbMhpbXJEWB9Z6nlDyPWEeDjotY0EseFcHR5Baw_v8_J9EDpTqE/s400/t34-crew.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430840134735331490" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Aftermath: Day Two (October 18, 1942</span>)<br /><br />I was expecting either a barrage of rockets into the factory complex or the 150mm heavy artillery treatment on the riverbank defenses. Neither materialized, and instead the German pushed eastward from the O6 Manufacturing Hall and brought on a Sturm Company along the northeast board edge. He had purchased a platoon of StugIII G, presumably hoping that their 75L main armament could cope with the dug-in KV1 M42s.<br /><br />Advancing behind a concentration of smoke, the storm troopers crept toward the Russian defenders. The dummy cloaking counters raised enough doubt with my opponent so that he did not charge forward aggressively. A cat-and-mouse game ensued as the German probed the Russian line. The AP mines in W1 and W2 held up the advance along the board edge, and when the Russian battalion mortar was finally brought to bear the Germans were bottled up. Although I only got one fire mission from the artillery, it proved very effective in halting the advance of German infantry and immobilizing two German AFV.<br /><br />The German assault was dogged, and on two occasions managed a toe-hold in the Chemist's Shop. In both instances the toe hold was eradicated. Stukas appeared in the skies and destroyed the KV1 M42 in U11. Building X1 was held, as were the pillboxes in Y7 and AA4. However, all of the T60 M42s were destroyed.<br /><br />Over in the factories a stalemate ensued in the L14 Foundry Hall and the German thrust entered the O10 Assembly Hall. The Russian conscripts in these two factories made frequent use of Sewer Movement to harass the German advance and to cross the street between. The Germans were able to clear the northernmost hexes of the Assembly Hall but made no headway into the Foundry Hall.<br /><br />Along the west edge, a few platoons of German riflemen pushed forward into building B18 and the F16 Warehouse. This advance was disrupted, and the forces in building B23 pushed back and re-captured building B18.<br /><br />The most dominating factor in this game was the Russian's blisteringly hot dice. I have never, in my 20 years of playing ASL, ever enjoyed such monstrous luck. In one fire phase, I think I never rolled higher than a 5 and had probably four or five snake eyes. It was uncanny. The dice are the reason for the high German CVP total, not any miscues on the part of my opponent. I prevented the German from capturing 24 stone locations, and won that ever-so-rare Russian scenario victory.<br /><br />At the end of the day, the perimeter looked thusly:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbmiS9-oofDvuMOEeosLU7_nchzkDTrQdEPvh4MI3tXst7tIig8H9ZlkuFwJpvd1V1b68ZwIFQBFt891gY_CdkjbrcNSsyqyHTEm_oDiwtgucPbn_riH4y_2jR2URJSA32OO-_tG92Aw/s1600-h/Day+Three+Perimeter"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbmiS9-oofDvuMOEeosLU7_nchzkDTrQdEPvh4MI3tXst7tIig8H9ZlkuFwJpvd1V1b68ZwIFQBFt891gY_CdkjbrcNSsyqyHTEm_oDiwtgucPbn_riH4y_2jR2URJSA32OO-_tG92Aw/s400/Day+Three+Perimeter" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430846251450085090" border="0" /></a><br />The dilemma with which I am faced is this: to select the "Attack" Initiative chit, or continue with my defensive effort?<br /><br />The German must be reeling right now from the casualties absorbed on Day Two. My gut instinct tells me that he will choose the "Idle" chit in order to build up an assault force (possibly including Pioniers) and to open up the west edge entry area to A22 (which would provide a flanking avenue for an attack on the Power Station). Were I to select "Attack", then the Russian side could prosecute a Night Attack - something that we have yet to experience in Red Barricades. For my part, such an attack would consist primarily of Conscripts, which would be very limited at night. One small, overlooked rule from Chapter E: at Night, concealment terrain costs +1 MF to enter. This means that 1st line troops advancing into Rubble, or Conscripts advancing into just about anything, would be Advancing Vs. Difficult Terrain and hence would enter Close Combat with CX and Pinned penalties. Yikes! Were I to elect to make a Night attack, I would have to use a lot of Sewer Movement and focus on surrounding rather than destroying German troops. I'm not sure how that would go down.<br /><br />If I'm wrong, and the German selects the "Attack" chit as well, then a Dual Attack would result. This could possibly give me no benefit and actually hurt me when the ELR Adjustment portion of the Refit Phase rolls around.<br /><br />On the other hand, if I select "Idle" then I am choosing the safest path. Sure, the German might get a turn to muster his assault force...but I would be able to build my defense in depth. Casualties in the subsequent day's fighting would be astronomical (probably nearing 80-100 CVP), but I would expect to be able to extract my own pound of flesh.<br /><br />I will have to consider these options for a bit before deciding.UnitFourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10925015348412332541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047997647244144960.post-72553488317528152172010-01-20T21:07:00.001-08:002010-01-20T21:51:15.381-08:00Another Day in Paradise<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrF0Ju4DIBejTi8t4vIZdNEfJSjHyfgmBqko0pU_t2XAFrUPiCLEYdUeDdOleK5YaMtdeXAMt1hqpvaka9eAIetpL66ej-yRp3KCWc829WkHEEHzRXrjLZICoTyYnuc7WYbee-Yq254k/s1600-h/stalingrad-624.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrF0Ju4DIBejTi8t4vIZdNEfJSjHyfgmBqko0pU_t2XAFrUPiCLEYdUeDdOleK5YaMtdeXAMt1hqpvaka9eAIetpL66ej-yRp3KCWc829WkHEEHzRXrjLZICoTyYnuc7WYbee-Yq254k/s400/stalingrad-624.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429057953912539858" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Aftermath: Day One (17 October 1942)</span><br /><br />The Germans prosecuted what my opponent calls a "vanilla" attack - right up the gut toward the factories. All three German companies pushed through the NW corner of the factory complex and succeeded in gaining a toehold in the L10 Foundry Hall. Both sides scored essentially the same number of CVP: Russians 27, Germans 28. The Russians lost both AT guns and an HMG, which was unfortunate. No Russian squads battle-hardened, but the 7-0 leader improved to 8-0. Russian SAN dropped to 3. I was lucky and rolled 18 CPP for reinforcements.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day Two: (18 October 1942)</span><br /><br />Retained Forces:<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">16 x 4-4-7</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">1 x 2-3-7</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">1 x 5-2-7</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">1 x 2-2-7</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">3 x 4-2-6</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">1 x 2-2-6</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">3 x 9-1 (one of whom is Wounded)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">9-0</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">8-0</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">HMG</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">2 x MMG</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">2 x LMG</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">1 x ATR</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">2 x LtMTR</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">1 x Field Phone</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">1 x 80mm Battalion Mortar OBA Module</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">1 x Pre-Registered Hex</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">3 x T60 M42 Tanks (Dug In)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">2 x KV1 M42 Tanks (Dug In)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Purchases:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Militia Coy (Full) [4 CPP] Leaders: 10-0</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Militia Coy (Full) [4 CPP] Leaders: 9-0</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Rifle Coy (Full; In Reserve) [4 CPP] Leaders: 9-1, 9-0</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">T-34 M41 Ptn (Full; Dug In) [3 CPP]</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">120 FPP [3 CPP] 7 x Wire, 3 x HIP Tanks, 6 x HIP Squads, 2 x HIP SMC</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Eastern Sector:</span><br /><br />The threat to the Chemist's Shop is nearly identical to that it faced on Day One. Now that the German has seen the locations of the pillboxes and hidden dug-in tanks, my chances for laying a trap are diminished. I placed a number of dummy cloaking counters in a forward position around my artillery's pre-registered hex (V3). If anything, I hope that these might at least give pause to the German attackers and perhaps soak up some artillery fire that might better be directed toward the pillboxes or the Chemist's Shop. Behind the cloaking counters I have the dug-in tanks retained from Day One and a smattering of infantry in and around the pillboxes. I have three 4-4-7s and a 9-0 Commissar HIP in the Chemist's Shop, as insurance against disaster. They might still be buried in rubble if the building is zeroed in by German guns.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Factories:</span><br /><br />The two companies of fresh Militia have been given the ugly task of being destroyed in the factories. Whatever squads survive the potential rocket barrage will have to keep the Germans from pushing out toward the Chemist's Shop and prevent them from taking the O18 building. The street running between the O10 Assembly Hall and L10/L14 Foundry Halls will likely be swept by MG fire, so crossing it is to be avoided if at all possible. The Assembly Hall is usually a charnel house for the German, and I hope the trend continues.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Power Plant:</span><br /><br />The Power Plant (J21) is the key to the early defense of the southern portion of the complex. The Rifle Coy in Reserve is set up in and around this building, with a few "live" squads on the flanks to slow down the German advance. I've dug-in three HIP T-34s (O22, I25 and E24) to back them up. Hopefully he will deploy his tanks here aggressively and the T-34s will destroy them. I've also placed a 9-1, 4-4-7 + HMG, 4-4-7 + MMG on the first level of C28 to protect the western approach .<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKggsZYVu3Nsx6JQKUROIOSlGj5yIqQ4t5YIyhHr5yXSQwSoOu_K3bNK0ZOi6VWTCZAbHkSb4veO7Oqd447xMDgMXn2YI5b8XXgFPZWkJeSaEDC4tqNm-J8lGCLHp8tO3gRm0u8VUQNRc/s1600-h/Day+Two+Start+Blog.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKggsZYVu3Nsx6JQKUROIOSlGj5yIqQ4t5YIyhHr5yXSQwSoOu_K3bNK0ZOi6VWTCZAbHkSb4veO7Oqd447xMDgMXn2YI5b8XXgFPZWkJeSaEDC4tqNm-J8lGCLHp8tO3gRm0u8VUQNRc/s400/Day+Two+Start+Blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429066387032357042" border="0" /></a><br />Nothing to do now but wait.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span></span>UnitFourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10925015348412332541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047997647244144960.post-41672552051945665722010-01-14T21:02:00.000-08:002010-01-14T23:15:26.159-08:00The Second Time Around<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCjl2F8gV_mtfF6eFzya4j3XL0WfsWyXmAB_0InSFt_Ueqdr3owi9xJim6Vu7AWOLJWGEYcCY6TljtuxCxUFEpPH0-J8UOhaaHHs64b1KVCDjw1Efop3fyd-cQ7jqJbUx96ysREmHnYc/s1600-h/Stalingrad_Art_SAVO042_Sept13_Nov19_42.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCjl2F8gV_mtfF6eFzya4j3XL0WfsWyXmAB_0InSFt_Ueqdr3owi9xJim6Vu7AWOLJWGEYcCY6TljtuxCxUFEpPH0-J8UOhaaHHs64b1KVCDjw1Efop3fyd-cQ7jqJbUx96ysREmHnYc/s400/Stalingrad_Art_SAVO042_Sept13_Nov19_42.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426861256022836626" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">In the morning you go gunning for the man who stole your water</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />And you fire till he is done in but they catch you at the border</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />And the mourners are all singing as they drag you by your feet</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />But the hangman isn't hanging so they put you on the street</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />You go back, Jack, do it again. Wheels turning 'round and 'round</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />You go back, Jack, do it again...</span><br /><br />Steely Dan "Do It Again" (1972)</span><br /><br />So, Dade and I talked ourselves into playing Red Barricades CGIII. After the spirited whupping I took in CGI, as chronicled in earlier posts, I figured the Russians deserve a better showing. As before, we shall be blogging our thoughts before and after each campaign game day. Dade's musings can be found here.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Day One: October 17, 1942</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Initial OB:</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />Rifle Coy (Full): 9-1, 9-0</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />Rifle Coy (Full): 9-1, 7-0</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />SMG Coy (Full): 9-1</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />2 x 45LL ATG</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />2 x 2-2-8<br />50</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">FPP<br />5 x Fortified Buildings </span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br /><br />Purchases (8 CPP): </span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />+80 FPP [2 pts.]</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />T60 M42 Ptn (Full; Dug In) [2 pts.]</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />KV1 M42 Ptn (Full; Dug In) [2 pts.]</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />80mm Btn Mtr OBA (Normal) [1 pt.]<br />Pre-Registered Hex [1 pt.]</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />2 x LMG (removed BMG from the Dug In KV1s)</span><br /><br />I decided to take an entirely different tack from last game. Since our game concluded, Dade and I have been mulling over the things we learned from it. Our understanding of Red Barricades continues to evolve, even after a dozen or more playings. It had become apparent that a fair portion of the conventional wisdom regarding Red Barricades that we had internalized required a fresh perspective. With that in mind, I'm experimenting with my setup this time around.<br /><br />As always, I am concerned with my right flank. As the last game amply demonstrated, if the Russian allows the German to push down the riverbank he can force the Russian to cede the northern factories with little or no fight. In the past, my answer was to hem in the German's easternmost entry area with fortifications and make it a bulwark. I erred somewhat in the last game by committing only half-way to the right flank. A few 3+5+7 pillboxes, as I have used in the past, might have helped against the 150mm artillery. I eschewed these in favor of springing a trap on a German thrust into the B12 building that never materialized. As it was, the artillery obliterated my flank.<br /><br />This time around, I'm going to take a big gamble and lay a trap in front of the Chemist's Shop. Rather than build a bulwark, I'm going to be deceptive and lay successive traps for the assaulting Germans.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqYZjgBsfb4f5rJHyQgVeK5QxioT1qAH0EoIY8VWsrR6mmweVUUpVmUpGcj9IinL0qPMzpRS1EaDafClU-jXV8VhyphenhyphenoAuPoQbun8yebsSUrK7xk5XszgXDi988axwsv-E3Z1QyMXs22ac/s1600-h/Setup+Open+for+Blog.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqYZjgBsfb4f5rJHyQgVeK5QxioT1qAH0EoIY8VWsrR6mmweVUUpVmUpGcj9IinL0qPMzpRS1EaDafClU-jXV8VhyphenhyphenoAuPoQbun8yebsSUrK7xk5XszgXDi988axwsv-E3Z1QyMXs22ac/s400/Setup+Open+for+Blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426860962482344306" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >In Front of the Chemist's Shop</span><br /><br />The basic rule for this section of the front will be: no two visible units will set up so as to be within the same FFE area-of-effect. If Dade plans on reprising his artillery orgy from our last playing, then I'm not going to give him any juicy targets .<br /><br />I've decided that trying to hold Pribayatinskaya Street along hexes V1 - V5 requires putting too much too far forward. The key is not so much to keep the Germans from reaching the riverbank, but to keep them from pushing along it. I don't have to prevent an overrun of the Z1 building, but I do have to strongly defend the choke-point formed by the Z8-AA8-BB8-CC8 defile.<br /><br />Much of the defense in this area will be set up HIP. Keeping Dade guessing as to the nature of my forces here will do much in the way of slowing him down.<br /><br />An AT Ditch in Y8 nicely seals off Leninskii Prospekt and provides a useful place to site a 4-4-7 + Lt. Mtr. Directly in front of the AT Ditch is a HIP 1+3+5 Pillbox containing a 9-1 and 4-4-7 + MMG; flanking the Pillbox is a HIP 4-4-7 in X7 and a HIP T-60 in Z6. A 4-4-7 in Z5 and another HIP 1+3+5 Pillbox holding a 4-4-7 + LMG is in AA2. All of these units are intended to slow down any force moving south along Leninskii Prospect or forming up in the W5/X4 building/rubble hexes.<br /><br />All ground level hexes of the Chemists Shop are Fortified. There is a lone 5-2-7 in the back of the building as insurance. The remaining dug-in tanks are arrayed around the Chemists Shop. A KV1 is placed in Z9 to cover Leninskii Prospekt. The second KV1 is set up HIP in U11 to cover Pribayatinskaya Street. A T-60 is in V8 to do the same. If any panzers wander down either street, I'm prepared for them.<br /><br />I've committed very little to holding the Z1 building. 6-factor AP minefields have been placed in W1 and W2 to help protect a HIP T-60 set up in X1. There is a 5-2-7 in X0 and another in Z2. All of these will likely be overrun by a determined German push.<br /><br />I'm ceding the hexes numbered 5 or less between Pribayatinskaya Street and Leninskii Prospekt, and hoping to prevent the German from breaking out of that cluster of buildings and rubble. To help, there is a HIP 7-0 + Field Phone on the rooftop of U17 calling in Battalion Mortar. The pre-registered hex is V3. The observer will try and keep the FFE in front of the advancing Germans.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >The Center</span><br /><br />As I wrote in my previous game's setup entry, I find this part of the front to be easy to put together. I cannot hope to hold this area from a determined German assault, so I've sprinkled a number of squads in the buildings and rubble between J4 and R5. The 9-0 Commissar will provide some backbone. These forces will retreat from any meaningful German pressure.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >The Left</span><br /><br />I dare not try and spring the same kind of trap that I set up last game. My plan here is to prevent a southward board-edge creep and drive the Germans into "the Point", the north-westernmost corner of the factory complex proper. I've put two 5-2-7s right up front, in B11 and C11, just to make the German stop and kill them. Both HMGs are in this area, one upstairs in B17 and the other upstairs in F13. Each is manned by a 4-4-7 and directed by a 9-1. The F13 MG nest has a passle of screening infantry out front. The B17 MG nest has two 5-2-7s immediately in front of it. The two ATGs are sited in A17 and E17 to protect the approaches to each MG nest.<br /><br />I'm gambling a bit with this setup, especially by not purchasing any infantry on Day One. I hope to avoid heavy casualties and pull the Germans into the factories themselves so that on successive days I can do my fighting with Fanatic Conscripts. We'll see if it pays off.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Now you swear and kick and beg us that you're not a gambling man</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Then you find you're back in Vegas with a handle in your hand</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Your black cards can bring you money so you hide them when you're able</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />In the land of milk and honey you must put them on the table</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />You go back, Jack, do it again, wheels turning 'round and 'round</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />You go back, Jack, do it again...</span><br /><br />Steely Dan "Do It Again" (1972)</span><span style="font-size:100%;"></span>UnitFourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10925015348412332541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047997647244144960.post-38750611180195579252009-12-14T20:33:00.000-08:002009-12-15T13:52:00.904-08:00The Cold Equations<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-1aERqiwofTl7IDjiHfQGO_joL8e9gB2Hx8bWuvP7m4k7yDRQWv4QCgdZalImldrMXm7WaMuA6TFUphYaeQZUreYlGPxYELhjt8g4Vva7DHUu1t9Ooqdpyx4V-zMr_fn4A2LaWcRPmA/s1600-h/stalingrad-hitler-project-stopped.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-1aERqiwofTl7IDjiHfQGO_joL8e9gB2Hx8bWuvP7m4k7yDRQWv4QCgdZalImldrMXm7WaMuA6TFUphYaeQZUreYlGPxYELhjt8g4Vva7DHUu1t9Ooqdpyx4V-zMr_fn4A2LaWcRPmA/s400/stalingrad-hitler-project-stopped.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415316756742684354" border="0" /></a><br />"The Cold Equations" is a science fiction short story by Tom Godwin first published in <span style="font-style: italic;">Astounding Magazine</span> in 1954. From the Wikipedia entry <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cold_Equations">here: </a><br /><br />A star ship is traveling amongst Earth's many colonies in space according to a schedule from which, owing to the limitation of physics and available fuel, it may not deviate. When reports of a fever outbreak on the frontier planet Woden reach the starship, it drops off an Emergency Dispatch Ship, a space vessel of limited range, with a pilot and the serum that will cure them. The pilot discovers a stowaway, an 18-year-old girl named Marilyn who wants to see her brother, a colonist on Woden. The girl believes that she will have to pay a fine, but the situation is far more serious. The ship only has enough fuel for the pilot and his cargo. Her additional mass will cause the ship to run out of fuel before it can land, dooming both the pilot and the sick colonists. The pilot tries frantically to come up with a solution, but there is no way around the "cold equations"; he does not have sufficient fuel. The best he can do is to alter the ship's course enough to give her a single hour's reprieve before she must be jettisoned. In that time, she writes letters to her parents and her brother, talks with the pilot about death and, in the last few minutes, is able to speak with her brother on the radio, allowing them to say their goodbyes. When the horizon of the planet breaks up the radio contact, the girl enters the airlock and is ejected into space.<br /><br />Day Three started out ominously for the Russian. On his very first attempt, the artillery observer in AA25.2 disabled his Field Phone. So much for the 120mm artillery. Then, as the German drove his Pzkpfw IIIH platoon on-board, a critical hit from a Lt. MTR turned into a dud. Things quickly picked up, however, as the defenders of the F16 Warehouse managed to hold up the assault on the Power Station for almost two turns. This bought time for the 10-2 leader in X21.1 to bring his two HMGs to help shore up the defense. The 9-1 and his MMGs in J21.1 did some damage to the advancing Sturm Company, and then a company-strong Human Wave from the Foundry Hall completely disrupted the German attack. By the time he regrouped, the German had lost two of his three reinforcing tanks to mortar and ATR attacks and the 10-2 had set up shop in the second level of the Power Plant. His assaulting Sturm company had been shattered.<br /><br />Over by the Commissar's House, the expected heavy assault did not occur. The German planned to use his StuG's to support two platoons of 4-6-8s as they set up a machine-gun nest in the GG21 building. As the StuG's moved forward from their initial setup hexes, they discovered the hidden dug-in T-34s. Both were destroyed. The MG nest in GG21 came under fire from the tanks and falling Rain prevented the German from laying Smoke with his artillery. The German was able to capture the Commissar's House, but not before it was set aflame by the Russian defenders. As the end game played out, the Russians were able to contest the GG21 building and push back the German perimeter a bit along the riverbank.<br /><br />In the factories, a cat-and-mouse game ensued between the NKVD defenders and a reinforcing German rifle company. German battalion mortar was able to rough up the reserve units in the Deburring Hall, but very little of the factory complex was ceded. At days end, the CVP score was Russians 63, Germans 57. By any measure, a fabulous victory for the Russian.<br /><br />My reward for this stunning victory was to have my ELR drop <span style="font-style: italic;">again</span>, down to 1. That pretty much seals the campaign for the German. An ELR this low means that the majority of failed morale checks will result in replacement by a lower-quality unit. For non-Fanatic Conscripts, it means Disruption. In a strategic sense it means the Russians will be incapable of defending any terrain outside the factories. Elite units will rapidly degrade into Conscripts, and Conscripts will Disrupt. Disrupted units will not rout normally, and will be easily surrounded and destroyed. Conscripts cannot reliably man support weapons, as an weapons so manned have their B/X# lowered by two. All the German needs to do now is drive hard straight down Leninskii Prospekt to cut off the factory complex from reinforcements, then pound the isolated pockets in the factories until they are gone. Survive for a few days with ELR 1? Certainly. Survive <span style="font-style: italic;">NINE</span> days? No chance.<br /><br />The cold equations of ASL cannot be bargained away. I concede.UnitFourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10925015348412332541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047997647244144960.post-8471999302747054872009-12-05T17:00:00.000-08:002009-12-14T21:26:31.198-08:00"I can't keep doing this on my own...with these...people."<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Nhx7oXbx7aapgtvl0TYpZu4EWQJrnPwk7SvnHlLjt0Z_b5ethfyeGBbtCaZZcuGj0Dl-GOoo6UhF2_Fc6VqHcuheSyrdWleTbYGG_KMUGMcHBPDfaGNPO0Vvu8lV7V-lOY-g5wYh9uk/s1600-h/stalingrad-254.jpg"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 322px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Nhx7oXbx7aapgtvl0TYpZu4EWQJrnPwk7SvnHlLjt0Z_b5ethfyeGBbtCaZZcuGj0Dl-GOoo6UhF2_Fc6VqHcuheSyrdWleTbYGG_KMUGMcHBPDfaGNPO0Vvu8lV7V-lOY-g5wYh9uk/s400/stalingrad-254.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411922397103512562" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">KIRK: <span style="font-style: italic;">Khan, you bloodsucker. You're going to have to do your own dirty work now, do you hear me? Do you?</span><br /><br />KHAN: <span style="font-style: italic;">Kirk. You're still alive, old friend.</span><br /><br />KIRK: <span style="font-style: italic;">Still, "old friend." You've managed to kill everyone else but like a poor marksman you keep missing the target.</span><br /><br />KHAN: <span style="font-style: italic;">Perhaps I no longer need to try, Admiral.</span><br /><br />KIRK: <span style="font-style: italic;">Khan...Khan - you've got Genesis, but you don't have ME. You were going to kill me, Khan. You're gonna have to come down here. You're gonna have to come DOWN HERE.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">October 19, 1942</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Retained Forces:</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><br /><br />Infantry:<br />1 x 3-2-8<br />11 x 4-4-7<br />3 x 5-2-7<br />24 x 4-2-6<br /><br />Leaders:<br />10-2, 10-0, 3 x 9-0, 8-0<br /><br />Hardware:<br />2 x HMG<br />3 x MMG<br />3 x LMG<br />2 x ATR<br />3 x Lt Mtr<br />1 x 45LL ATG</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br /><br />Purchases: [16 CPP]</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">1 x Militia Coy (Full, On Map Setup) [4 CPP]</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">1 x Rifle Coy (Reserve) [4 CPP]</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">1 x T34 M41 Ptn (Dug In) [3 CPP]</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />1 x Med Artillery Module (Normal) [3 CPP]</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">1 x Pre-Registered Hex [1 CPP]</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />40 x FPP [1 CPP]</span><br /><br />So far, the German has studiously avoided conflict in the factory complex in favor of an enveloping attack down the railway embankment in the west and the riverbank in the east. My opponent surmises, correctly, that by pressuring the Russian flanks he will force me to give up the northern factories without a fight. The first two days of fighting, barring a few minor incidents, have solidly favored the German and he is now in a position deliver a crippling blow.<br /><br />Fortunately, it is unlikely that the German can continue to ignore the factories. They are teeming with conscripts which, as their little foray into the debris field on Day Two illustrated, cannot be wholly ignored. Day Three finds the German left flank overextended and in danger of isolation. Further advances on the left will come only with significant losses and, even in the event of a resounding success, will leave the vanguard exposed. On the German right, continuing to flank the factories achieves very little as the western board edge will open up to German reinforcements soon enough. The German must enter the factories on Day Three, and it is in the factories that the beleaguered Russian defenders are best able to bloody the German nose.<br /><br />When I play the German side, my guiding wisdom is "Neberwerfer - Use 'Em If You've Got 'Em." At a cost of 3 CPP, a Pre-Registered Nebelwerfer barrage packs a wallop and leaves enough CPP for necessary infantry purchases. Thankfully, in CGI the German has only two modules of Rocket OBA and he has already used one of them. I expect the second will be used on Day Three, with the pre-registered hex somewhere in the vicinity of N14. Throw it into the factories, and it WILL hit something. Attack an edge of the barrage with as many 5-4-8s as can be mustered. The only option available to the Russian is to sit there and take it. Again, from the Russian perspective it's not about holding ground, but extracting as high a price as possible as the German is taking it. I plan on rallying whatever squads that survive the barrage and killing as many 5-4-8s as possible.<br /><br />Two other areas of significance are the Commissar's House (building BB18) and the Assistant Power Plant and Oil Heating facility (building K22). Both of these buildings are key for the German to take, because they provide commanding overwatch positions from which to direct large MG kill stacks. I expect a push toward both buildings.<br /><br />In the east, the Commissar's House is as good as lost. Were I to fortify it and load it up with defenders, there is still a chance (too large, in my opinion) that the German will reprise his Day One artillery orgy and hit it with pre-registered 150mm concentrations. Alternatively a Battalion Mortar module could smoke it in, allowing a horde of Sturmtruppen to swarm over it. At best, I can hope to set it aflame before being overwhelmed. If by some wild miracle the German doesn't take the Commissar's House I will count the day as a staggering success.<br /><br />In the west, the Power Plant is not yet directly threatened and I should be able to hold onto it long enough to burn it down.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Far Right Flank</span><br /><br />My defense in this area will center on building BB24, and I will hold it at all costs. Like the Commissar's House, this building provides a commanding view of the battlefield. Unlike the Commissar's House, it is not likely to be exposed on three sides to German attack. The larger part of the Reserve Rifle Company, the Dug-In T34s and the 10-2 with his HMGs will be tasked with protecting this building. The dug-in tanks will set up Hidden, and will hopefully stiffen the defensive line. The 10-2 will also be Hidden and in position to punish any attackers moving on the Commissar's House along hexrow BB. The artillery will be pre-registered on hex Y14 and will try to crush any German force approaching the Deburring Hall (see below) or Commissar's House.<br /><br />X21.1 [HIP] 10-2, 4-4-7 + HMG, 4-4-7 + HMG<br />X21 Dummy Cloaking Counter<br />Z21 [Cloaked] 4-4-7 + ATR, 4-4-7 + Lt Mtr; [HIP] Dug In T34 > AA20<br />Z22 Dummy Cloaking Counter<br />AA22 Dummy Cloaking Counter<br />AA25.2 [HIP] 7-0 + Field Phone directing 120mm Artillery Module<br />BB19 8-0, 4-4-7 + LMG, 4-4-7 + LMG<br />BB21 2 x ?<br />CC19.C 4-4-7 + LMG<br />CC22 2 x ?; [HIP] Dug In T34 > DD20<br />CC23 [Cloaked] 7-0, 4-4-7 + LMG<br />CC24 [Cloaked] 4-4-7<br />CC25 [Cloaked] 4-4-7<br />CC26 Dummy Cloaking Counter<br />EE25 [HIP] Dug In T34 > FF23<br />EE26 Dummy Cloaking Counter<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Deburring Hall</span><br /><br />Factory S17 is the Gun Tube Thermal Processing and Deburring Hall, and it must not fall this day. I can stand to lose all three of the L10, L14 and O10 factories but must under no circumstances lose the Deburring Hall, as it must become a bastion of the Russian line. Were this CGIII I would be less concerned, but the victory conditions of CGI demand that the Russian stand and fight for as much of the factory complex as manageable.<br /><br />The remainder of the Reserve Rifle Squad must keep the German at bay here. The artillery observer is in a position to support a strong attack on the Deburring Hall. If a strong attack materializes, the artillery will be sorely needed. In addition, if the attack comes through the O10 factory the forces set up there can fall back to an end-line defense of the Hall.<br /><br />X17 2 x ?<br />X18 [Cloaked] 4-4-7 + LMG<br />X19 [Cloaked] 4-4-7<br />W18 [Cloaked] 4-4-7<br />V17 [Cloaked] 4-4-7 + LMG, 4-4-7 + LMG<br />U17 [Cloaked] 9-1, 4-4-7 + HMG, 4-4-7 + MMG<br />T17 4-2-6<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Factories</span><br /><br />The L10 factory, like the Commissar's House, is as good as gone. The Germans are in a position to attack eastward from the area around J14 and cut off any Russians set up in hexes numbered less than that. The Foundry Hall (factory L14), on the other hand, must be bitterly contested as it stands between the German and the Power Plant. Over in the O10 factory, the picture is not so clear. The German may pummel it with rocket OBA, or not. He may bust in with a Sturm Company, or not. Most likely he will creep forward gingerly, taking what I give him. I will try to entice the German into an aggressive attack here, then punish him with the artillery if possible. Otherwise, the standing order is to fall back to the Power Plant.<br /><br />J18 2 x 4-2-6<br />K17 2 x 4-2-6<br />K18 2 x 4-2-6<br />L13 4-2-6<br />L15 2 x 4-2-6<br />L16 2 x 4-2-6<br />M15 2 x 4-2-6<br />M19 9-0, 4-2-6 + Lt Mtr, 4-4-7<br />O14 4-2-6<br />O15 4-2-6<br />P12 4-2-6<br />P13 4-2-6<br />Q10 [HIP] 8 AP Mines<br />R9 [HIP] 8 AP Mines<br />R11 3 x 4-2-6<br />R12 2 x 4-2-6<br />R14 10-0, 4-2-6 + ATR, 4-4-7<br />S12 2 x ?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Power Plant<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span><br /><br />Building K22 is the Assistant Power Plant and Oil Heating facility. My opponent believes this to be one of the most important buildings for the Germans to take. At the end of Day Two, the German vanguard advanced just within striking distance of the Power Plant. My strategy for it's defense relies on two factories in front of it: the narrow F16 factory and the Foundry Hall (factory L14)<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>. </span></span>To protect the Plant itself I have hidden a 9-1 and both MMG on the first level, to bring fire on any Germans who get close. I've also put those new Militia units that are packing SW (an LMG and MMG) along with Rifle squads inside the Plant to provide additional fire support. The ATG is close by in I22. Along the board edge I've set up all three available Lt Mtrs on the rooftop of building B23. Since building B17 burned to the ground, these mortars should have excellent fields-of-fire and may be able to harass German units moving down hexrow A or Tramvanaya Street.<br /><br />B23.R 5-2-7 + Lt Mtr<br />C23.1 5-2-7 + ATR<br />C23.R 5-2-7 + Lt Mtr + Lt Mtr<br />F16 2 x 4-2-6<br />F17 2 x 4-2-6<br />F18 2 x 4-2-6<br />F19 9-0 + ATR, 2 x 4-2-6<br />I22 [HIP] 3-2-8 + 45LL ATG > H20<br />J21.1 [HIP] 9-1, 4-4-7 + MMG, 4-4-7 + MMG<br />J22 4-2-6 + LMG, 4-4-7<br />K22 9-0, 4-2-6 + MMG, 4-4-7<br /><br />The Russians are in a tight spot. I <span style="font-style: italic;">must</span> savage the German on this campaign game day to have a chance of winning.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ludinov watched Golovkin through field glasses as the political officer drew his pistol, pointed it toward the soldier at his feet and pulled the trigger. The Major heard the distant pop seconds later. The soldier had given in to his fear, and Golovkin reacted in the only way that he could. Stark, gut-wrenching terror was as commonplace in Stalingrad as dirt and soot and smoke. Fear was a fact of existence here. Cowardice, however, was a contagion, a malignancy to be cut from the body. Golovkin had no fear of the German, or of death, or even of Comrade Stalin himself. It was cowardice that terrified Golovkin.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />From his perch in the Red House Ludinov could see the German lines, now only a few hundred meters distant. He imagined that this would be his last visit to this vantage point, though he had declined to share that thought with the Commissar. If the German commander stayed true to form, he would saturate the building with artillery fire before taking it's smoldering remains. However it might play out, the Germans would be coming in strength. Behind him a platoon of T-34s had dug into positions staked out by Ludinov. Perhaps they would make the difference.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />The divisional commander had secured artillery support for the coming day's action. Ludinov allowed himself a smile at the thought of turning the tables on the Germans for once. </span>Let them watch their comrades be blasted apart. <span style="font-style: italic;">The smile was short lived. Everything was in place. In a few short hours hundreds of brave young men - his men - would die. There was nothing left to do but to watch, and to wait. As he turned away from the window Ludinov heard another pop. </span>Still afraid, Comrade Commissar?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">ADDENDUM:</span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKruq6dzmBaoY-vdt68nGoKd_cb3HUzPWJPVvmd-GNZeGihyphenhyphenxe4Exf8EMFIUEGpxwpuwzrywjpguOi4V5zOxUnxdk_f9aCDELHRsRDvauX-NrFQMi8YMgIegCA4rLDhs_JVktg47kPXrA/s1600-h/4dave_day3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKruq6dzmBaoY-vdt68nGoKd_cb3HUzPWJPVvmd-GNZeGihyphenhyphenxe4Exf8EMFIUEGpxwpuwzrywjpguOi4V5zOxUnxdk_f9aCDELHRsRDvauX-NrFQMi8YMgIegCA4rLDhs_JVktg47kPXrA/s400/4dave_day3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413062809037688338" border="0" /></a><br />After Dade shared this VASL map and we discussed the situation, I thought a little analysis would be in order.<br /><br />The German Setup for Day Three appears to be manageable. Clearly he intends on taking the Power Station, as it appears he has set up the bulk of his assault force to blast through the F16 Warehouse. He does not appear poised to push into the Foundry Hall, but if he does I have a reinforced company of Militia waiting for him - that is, if they survive the Neberwerfer barrage that just might land on their heads.<br /><br />In the middle, he appears to have left the L10 factory wide open, and is practically begging me to attack into the Manufacturing Hall. This lends a bit more credence to the idea that a Nebelwerfer barrage is on its way.<br /><br />On my right, he appears to be laying back. Wow. I was expecting at least a token effort to threaten the Commissar's House. In our discussions, Dade stated that he believed that I had purchased <span style="font-style: italic;">two</span> Rifle Companys in Reserve. If so, then he may think I am much stronger in this sector than I am. Both retained StuG's are lurking by the riverbank, ready to drop Smoke on troublesome stacks. I expect him to take the GG21 building with a kill stack of MGs, then start hammering away at my squads.<br /><br />What intrigues me most is the setup of troops in and forward of the Chemist's Shop, in particular the stack in GG10. There does not seem to be enough here to threaten me, nor to defend against a serious push. Again, this is probably a response to my Reserve units since they are no threat to advance. I would not at all be surprised if Dade purchased a Sturm Company and a few platoons of halftracks. The halftracks could drive right down Pribayatinskaya Street or Leninskii Prospect and deposit an assault force right at my doorstep.<br /><br />My response will depend entirely on where Dade commits his reinforcements.<br /><br />If he rushes up the east side of the map, either with halftracks or not, then I bide my time and hit him with my artillery. Ludinov (10-2) and his HMGs will get their licks in when they can and if necessary will relocate to support whichever section of the line is in trouble. The 8-0 in the Commissar's House will keep trying to Kindle until successful, then look to get out of harm's way. The German setup is consistent with a forthcoming artillery pounding, so the Commissar's House might get set aflame by German shells. I have to be cagey with my dug-in T-34s. I am in a position to lure both StuG's into the tanks' kill zones, and I'd really like to bag them. If he sets up a kill stack in the upper levels of GG21 or GG22, all three dug-in tanks can zero in on it. With a little luck I can cause some havoc in this sector.<br /><br />If he follows on behind his schwerpunkt toward the Power Plant, things will be very different. First of all, if the German is content to creep forward with the pittance he's allotted to the East then I will simply hold off on the artillery and Retain it (and it's Preregistered hex). Ludinov will high-tail it toward the Power Plant; at the end of Turn 1 he will be in U22 and at the end of Turn 2 he will be in P21 protecting the Plant's right flank. Golovkin (10-0) will backstop the defenses in the O10 factory and the 9-0 will be responsible for the Foundry Hall. The fighting over in this sector will get ugly, and I fully expect to lose at least a company of Militia. The Anti Tank Gun in I22 doesn't have any targets with the StuG's over by the river, so the 3-2-8 manning it might just try and push it out of harm's way (perhaps back to J24). The hidden 9-1 with his MMGs will have to play it cool, biding his time and waiting until the German makes a mistake. Again, it is entirely possible that 150mm artillery will just crush the Power Plant into dust, but I don't think so - the German posture indicates he wants to <span style="font-style: italic;">take</span> the building and hold it. Heavy artillery has too large a chance of knocking it down or setting it on fire. If possible, the 9-1 will kindle the building if the Germans appear to be close to taking it.<br /><br />As for the F16 Warehouse: stand and die. The 9-0 may slip out the back at the last minute, but really - what are his chances of surving? He'll get the Order of Lenin posthumously.UnitFourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10925015348412332541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047997647244144960.post-89606536920714918902009-12-01T20:44:00.001-08:002009-12-08T18:28:48.169-08:00These Germans have proved...troublesome.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PWazWMIWVDb6goc4dd_WHaK-6NvJgUKrsIdGaEVFf7X3RTBf6ma5Rd1MqmvCfFQK880xHwXcwqmhmx8mmJLtRAuhrKNr2_bRkFB2GtWgTYPr4_D58hIsQDW7BA06XgVeKb2v7nvTa4k/s1600-h/STALINGRAD2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PWazWMIWVDb6goc4dd_WHaK-6NvJgUKrsIdGaEVFf7X3RTBf6ma5Rd1MqmvCfFQK880xHwXcwqmhmx8mmJLtRAuhrKNr2_bRkFB2GtWgTYPr4_D58hIsQDW7BA06XgVeKb2v7nvTa4k/s400/STALINGRAD2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410509429468543970" border="0" /></a><br /><span><span style="font-size:85%;">Wendell</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">: "It's a mess, ain't it, Sheriff?"<br /><br /></span></span><span><span style="font-size:85%;">Ed Tom Bell</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">: "If it ain't, it'll do till the mess gets here."<br /><br />-- No Country For Old Men (2007)<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">AFTERMATH:</span><br /><br />Once again, as they are wont to do, the Sixth Army took a big chunk out of Uncle Joe's boys. Early on, things were looking up. Rather than drop his Nebelwerfer barrage on the factories, he opted to blast my left flank and follow up behind with a Sturm company. The barrage pretty much obliterated my picket in the F11 and F13 buildings but left intact the conscripts lurking in the factory beyond. Over on the right flank, the trap was sprung: he moved an MG kill stack out into the shellholes, and my hidden 10-2 laid on with his two HMG and eradicated a 9-1 and two 4-6-8s. I'm sure they made their pretty wives proud. My SMG platoon swept into the remains of the Chemist's Shop and, for a while, it was completely in Russian hands.<br /><br />Then the StuG's showed up.<br /><br />The squad crewing my Anti Tank gun was broken by a sniper, so there was no real threat in place to oppose the German vehicles. My opponent played them very aggressively, driving them right up to the 9-2 and his cadre of riflemen. Because the IIIBs lack any MG armament, they are especially vulnerable to close combat. However, the squad in place to make the attempt failed to pass his PAATC. I did manage to get an ATR in place to take shots at one StuG's rear target facing, but I couldn't make it count. I had seven shots at the rear facings of vehicles in this game and none of them generated an effect. The StuGs, on the other hand, dominated the eastern flank and allowed the German to capture the entire riverbank. I kept the Commissar's House, however.<br /><br />This campaign game is turning into an object lesson in exactly <span style="font-style: italic;">why</span> the Russian must prevent a breakthrough along the riverbank.<br /><br />Over in the factories, the conscripts did okay. Seeing that the German was laying back behind the Manufacturing Hall, I decided to counterattack out of the big O10 factory in an effort to retake some of the Manufacturing Hall and to tie up troops that might otherwise interfere with my assault on the Chemist's Shop. At first, things went swimmingly well, with the 10-2 knocking down German squads in the debris field. However, conscripts cannot really sustain a push, and soon enough they were scampering back to their holes. I did retake all but the northernmost two hexes of the Manufacturing Hall, so I call the effort a success.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">The worst outcome of the day actually occurred in the Refit Phase, when the Russian ELR dropped to 2. If any one thing costs me the campaign game it will be this. From now on, my troops are going to melt away into conscripts at an accelerated rate. If my ELR drops to 1, <span style="font-size:100%;">it will be all over.<br /><br />At the end of the day, there were two very different situations on the West and East sides of the map. In the West, the Germans were right where you would expect them to be at the end of <span style="font-style: italic;">Day One</span> - with a toehold in the Manufacturing Hall and knocking on the door of the L10 factory. In the East, however, they were threatening the Commissar's House, which is The Thing That Must Not Happen. Shaping a defense for Day Three will be a challenge.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Golovkin wiped the blood from his brow. A sniper's bullet had shattered the window through which he had observed the German advance, and the broken glass had peppered his face. The pain was nothing, but the blood was becoming bothersome. A half-dozen grim faced soldiers huddled beside Golovkin in the shell crater, the survivors of the assault on the Chemist's Shop. Some had made it out, after all.<br /><br />That fact gave Golovkin no comfort. German self-propelled artillery had pushed down the riverbank and threatened the Red House. All thoughts of consolidating the line were dismissed once that happened. Ludinov, fortuitously, had relocated to this most important of buildings in the nick of time. </span><span style="font-size:85%;">We still hold it, <span style="font-style: italic;">thought Golovkin</span>, </span><span style="font-size:85%;">but for how long</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">?<br /><br />"Comrade Commissar, are you injured?"<br /><br />Golovkin noticed he was staring, blankly, at his bloody hands. Looking up he spied the nervous young submachinegunner he had spooked before the battle. "No," replied Golovkin, "it is nothing." He could see that the submachinegunner had lost the first two fingers of his right hand.<br /><br />The submachinegunner was broken. "Comrade, I must go back. My hand..."<br /><br />"No." Golovkin fixed his gaze on the young soldier. "You forget your duty! You will stay, and you will fight!"<br /><br />"But Comrade Commissar, I cannot shoot."<br /><br />Golovkin leaned close. "I can."<br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span></span></span>UnitFourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10925015348412332541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047997647244144960.post-34547281310491367682009-11-20T10:14:00.000-08:002009-12-08T18:26:23.389-08:00Day shall come again!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4-8sNjwmP8kSl6MjXrIJUK7J9MRuZBZeku-Q-qhmNwQYr4rvWPN8g5dlzJFR0CEIMIaq36Ij3G2ryshWCEpPgYI7zP0BoJZIdX-nDzY88KERhcbkHn6sbrT5nWQBJDr-HkjuqSTon-4/s1600/hs05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4-8sNjwmP8kSl6MjXrIJUK7J9MRuZBZeku-Q-qhmNwQYr4rvWPN8g5dlzJFR0CEIMIaq36Ij3G2ryshWCEpPgYI7zP0BoJZIdX-nDzY88KERhcbkHn6sbrT5nWQBJDr-HkjuqSTon-4/s400/hs05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407076103967270578" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"Last of all </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Hurin stood alone. Then he cast aside his shield, and wielded an axe two-handed; and it is sung that the axe smoked in the black blood of the troll-guard of Gothmog until it withered, and each time that he slew Húrin cried 'Aurë entuluva! Day shall come again!'"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">- The Silmarillion, p. 195.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >October 18, 1942</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Retained Forces:</span><br /><br />Infantry:<br />2 x 6-2-8<br />8 x 5-2-7<br />11 x 4-4-7<br />4 x 4-2-6<br />1 x 2-2-6<br /><br />Leaders:<br />9-2, 9-1, 9-0, 9-0<br /><br />Hardware:<br />45LL AT Gun<br />HMG<br />MMG<br />ATR<br /><br />Purchased Forces (18 CPP):<br /><br />Militia Coy [Full] (Cost = 4 CPP)<br />Militia Coy [Full] (Cost = 4 CPP)<br />Rifle Coy [Full; On-Map Setup] (Cost = 8 CPP)<br />80 FPP (Cost = 2 CPP)<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Behold the resilience of the Russian in Red Barricades: on the day following a thorough shellacking by the German, I'm fielding 60+ squads up on line. In addition, my leadership rolls were smoking hot: 2 for the Rifle Coy, 5 for one Militia Coy and 8 for the other. I was able to add a 10-2 (Major Ludinov), 10-0 (Commissar Rodmitsev) and two 7-0s to my stable of leaders.<br /><br />When setting up, I must keep in mind these concerns:<br /></span><ul><li>My AT Gun will not be properly crewed, and will not set up HIP unless I man it with my lone Conscript half-squad (not really an option).</li><li>The German may very well repeat his artillery saturation on Day Two. If I were the German, I would throw a Nebelwerfer barrage into the factories and push my attack so as to have the barrage shield a flank.<br /></li><li>The German may make a determined push for either the Commissar's House, the factories or the Power Station. There is a small chance he might try to run half-tracks down the riverbank. The potential for the strongest push lies in the west - reinforcing Sturm Coy have the shortest distance to move before engaging the defenses</li></ul>The bottom line is that whatever the German chooses to do, the Russian has to steel his nerves and just take it. My defense will comprise three sectors: West, Central and East. The West sector includes all forces set up west of hexrow H; the Central includes all forces set up between hexrows H and T; the East includes all forces set up east of hexrow U.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">West Sector:</span><br /><br />I have three goals in this sector:<br /><ol><li>Harass any forces creeping southward along the board edge.</li><li>Keep the Germans out of building B12 for as long as possible.<br /></li><li>Hold the F16-F17-F18-F19 factory.</li></ol>Each of these goals is in line with keeping the German out of the main factory complex for as long as possible, and making the butcher's bill for getting there as high as possible. My fortifications from Day One are still intact, and the German is aware of neither the 6 AP Minefield nor the Fortified Building hexes.<br /><br />The harassing force is set up in hexrows A-C:<br /><br />A11 2 AT Minefield [Known]<br />A12 6 AP Minefield [HIP]<br />B11 8 AP Minefield [Known]<br />B12 (Fortified Buildin)] 5-2-7 [HIP]<br />B15 (1S Foxhole) 4-4-7<br />B17 7-0 + ATR<br />B17.1 4-4-7<br />C10 2 AT Minefield [Known]<br />C13 (Fortified Building) 5-2-7 [HIP]<br />C16 (1S Foxhole) 4-4-7<br /><br />The defense of the factory is concentrated on hexrow F:<br /><br />F11 5-2-7<br />F12 5-2-7<br />F13 5-2-7<br />F14 9-1, 5-2-7<br />F16 2 x 4-2-6<br />F17 2 x 4-2-6<br />F18 4-2-6 + LMG, 4-4-7<br />F19 9-0, 4-2-6 + MMG, 4-4-7<br /><br />The bulk of the factory defense rests with half of a newly-purchased Militia Coy. However, giving conscripts support weapons is unwise (they tend to break them). As soon as possible, the conscripts possessing the machine guns will transfer them to the rifle squads set up in their hexes.<br /><br />All the forces in the Factory are Fanatic, meaning they will not Cower and have their printed morale factor increased by 1. On top of that, any squads stacked with the Commissar will also have their morale factor increased by 1 and will ignore Desperation penalties when Rallying. This particular factory is key to the defense of the Power Station (building J21), which provides a nasty potential overwatch position for German machine guns. I know my opponent places a great deal of value on this building, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him strike hard for it on Day Two.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Central Sector:</span><br /><br />These are the factories proper, and controlling them is what this campaign game is all about. I see two likely vectors of attack:<br /><ol><li>From the H8-I8-I9 building cluster.</li><li>From the Manufacturing Hall (building O6)</li></ol>As I mentioned in a previous post, the German has only 6 Sturm squads (5-4-8) with which to stage an assault. The rest of his on-board force are Rifle squads (4-6-7) which do not hit nearly as hard. I expect the German to lay back and used Preparatory Fire to soften up my defenses, then creep forward with his Rifle squads toward the factories. If he does commit his Sturm troops here, I am confident I can make them pay.<br /><br />J13 4-2-6<br />K10 4-4-7<br />K11 4-4-7<br />K13 4-2-6<br />K14 4-2-6<br />L9 4-4-7<br />L10 4-2-6<br />L11 4-2-6<br />L12 4-2-6<br />L13 4-2-6 + Lt MTR<br />M10 4-2-6<br />M11 4-2-6<br />M12 4-2-6<br />M13 9-0, 4-2-6 + Lt MTR<br />O9.R 2-2-6<br />O10 4-2-6<br />O11 4-2-6<br />O12 4-2-6<br />P9 4-2-6<br />P10 4-2-6<br />P11 4-2-6<br />Q10 8 AP Minefield [HIP]<br />Q11 4-2-6<br />R9 8 AP Minefield [HIP]<br />R10 4-2-6 + LMG, 4-4-7<br />R11 9-0, 4-2-6 + MMG, 4-4-7<br />S11 4-2-6<br /><br />I don't expect that any conscript squad will ever fire the SW it possesses at game start. They will either transfer the weapon to a Rifle squad at first opportunity or just drop it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">East Sector:</span><br /><br />This area presents the greatest challenge, because the terrain is so much softer than elsewhere on the front and there are no factories in which to take refuge. The rest of my MMG and HMG are setting up HIP in this sector, with a -2 leader to direct each stack. The objective is to pummel any German who ventures south of the ravine, which creates a natural choke-point on which I can concentrate my fire. The MG nests are setting up hidden so that the German won't know precisely where to drop his Smoke, and won't be able to pre-emptively hose them down with his own MG.<br /><br />I have three goals in this sector:<br /><ol><li>Protect the east flank of factory O10.</li><li>Retake the isolated German pocket south of the ravine.</li><li>Prevent a half-track blitz down the riverbank.</li></ol>U11 4-4-7 + LMG<br />U12 4-2-6 + ATR, 4-4-7<br />V12 4-4-7<br />X11 2 x 6-2-8<br />X12 10-0, 5-2-7<br />X15.1 10-2, 4-4-7 + HMG, 4-4-7 + HMG [HIP]<br />Y13 (Trench) 4-4-7 + Lt MTR<br />Y14 4-4-7 + 45LL ATG > Z12<br />AA13 4-4-7<br />BB11 5-2-7<br />DD8 4-4-7 [HIP]<br />FF10 7-0, 4-4-7 + ATR, 4-4-7 + ATR<br />FF12.1 9-2, 4-4-7 + MMG, 4-4-7 + MMG [HIP]<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>If a push down the riverbank does not materialize, the 9-2 and his MGs will relocate to the buildings around BB9 where they can interdict movement toward the Chemist's Shop. The three squads and 7-0 leader on the riverbank will attempt to reclaim the DD0 board edge hex and, if wildly lucky, the Day One headquarters building at Z2. I would be aghast if the German allowed this to happen, but having the threat in place is worth the effort. We might have to break out the Climbing rules...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Golovkin peeked out from his hiding place in the charred ruins. Just ahead, looming against the predawn glow, was the Chemist's Shop. The greater part of the structure had collapsed into a jumbled pile of brick and broken casement, but the southernmost wing still stood. Golovkin could feel the searching eyes of the German sniper that must be out there, somewhere. Soon it would start. Strangely, he felt no exhilaration or dread, just a sense of purpose. Golovkin's hand strayed </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >reflexively</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" > to the pistol on his hip. Nearby a submachinegunner eyed him nervously. Golovkin smirked. It was better they feared him more than the German. Behind him, Major Ludinov had prepared an overwatch position upstairs in an office building. Once Ludinov had suppressed the Germans in the Chemist's Shop, the submachinegunners would storm it. Some might even survive.<br /><br />From far away came the muffled whumps of mortars launching their payloads. "Steady, boys," Golovkin commanded. "Remember your duty to the Motherland, and to Comrade Stalin." If you should forget, he mused, I will be right here to gently remind you.<br /></span>UnitFourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10925015348412332541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047997647244144960.post-70451431205577273142009-11-19T20:40:00.000-08:002009-12-08T18:24:59.860-08:00Doom, despair, and agony on me!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJ0MwkD4tjaSZc1NaHNoS-wUsTxLNhYi1IVUyeggFHnEmNJqJ10sIpYkVP0jvPJBq7bIqGbiCBzpEBnCSMETMN6t_2a2aIGHQSm1vt3l5E1HLxHclXprWvk1akQeAThLuyJuq5Vs__TM/s1600/stalingrad2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJ0MwkD4tjaSZc1NaHNoS-wUsTxLNhYi1IVUyeggFHnEmNJqJ10sIpYkVP0jvPJBq7bIqGbiCBzpEBnCSMETMN6t_2a2aIGHQSm1vt3l5E1HLxHclXprWvk1akQeAThLuyJuq5Vs__TM/s400/stalingrad2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407045013658544338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Golovkin put down his lukewarm tea, returning his attention to cleaning the Nagant revolver on the desktop before him. His colleagues carried the semi-automatic Tokharev, but this pistol had special meaning to Golovkin. It was the pistol he had picked up from the downed policeman in the streets of Moscow when it had all started in 1917. One could say it had made him the man he was today. Before the Revolution Golovkin had been a surgeon, wielding a scalpel. Now he wielded a small pistol with the same deft precision. A different tool for a similar task.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The reports from the Barrikady were not favorable. German artillery concentrations had blown a hole in the hastily fortified line. At present the Germans had a clear path to the Red House. Once they realized that fact they would attack again, in force. The Red House was the key to the Barrikady, and neither must fall. Hearing the creak of hinges, Golovkin looked up to see Major Ludinov looming in the doorway. Golovkin was not surprised; he had intercepted the Major's orders and altered them to suit his own needs. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Comrade Commissar. May I come in?" </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ludinov was a huge man, a mill worker by trade. His family had owned a lumber production facility in Vitebsk, before the Revolution. Despite his bourgeois upbringing Ludinov had proven himself useful. Where so many others had cracked and broken in the defense of Stalin's City, Ludinov had been tempered. Time and again he had thrown himself and his men against the invaders, destroying them without mercy. Ludinov's men would follow him into hell itself. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Please sit down, Piotr Sergeyevich. Would you care for some tea?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ludinov shook his head, tersely.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Thank you, Comrade Commissar, but I would prefer to stand. My time is short, as I must prepare to leave at once. I have been ordered to the Barrikady. The ferry departs in ten minutes. It is my obligation to inform you of this."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Golovkin replaced his pistol in its holster. He pushed back his chair from the rickety desk and stood to face the Major.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"I am fully aware of your orders, Major. I will be accompanying you to the front. The men there need...resolve. I should think that, between you and I, we should give it to them."</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">AFTERMATH</span><br /><br />October 17th was a menagerie of horrors for the Russian defenders.<br /><br />Eschewing the western approach, the German opted to purchase one Rifle Company and a module of Preregistered 150mm Heavy Artillery directed by an off-board observer. The German attack plan was straightforward: smash the fortifications in The Corner with heavy artillery, follow-up with the Sturm Company and creep forward with the remaining troops hex-by-hex toward the Manufacturing Hall. The smashing was relentless. Of the reinforced company defending The Corner, a half-dozen dazed and terrified teenagers were all that stumbled back to the line. The rest had simply ceased to exist.<br /><br />By the end of the day, the German had pushed forward to the ravine at Z8-AA8-BB8-CC8 and even managed to create an isolated pocket of German-controlled territory in the buildings immediately south, including the Chemist's Shop. Over half of the Manufacturing Hall, and all of the locations in The Point, fell to German control. Building B12 remained in Russian hands and, fortuitously, the fortifications supporting it remained intact. All in all, a solid Day One success for the German.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Analysis</span><br /><br />At first glance, the Russian position looks to be frighteningly weak. One AT Gun was destroyed outright, and the remaining Gun has no crew. The majority of the Russian support weapons were captured or destroyed. There are only 4 Russian leaders remaining to support the entire front. An entire company of infantry was lost. The German has a foothold in the factories and occupies the Chemist's Shop. Yikes!<br /><br />Yes, all of that is true and losses were grave. However, I've played this game enough to know that Russian losses are <span style="font-style: italic;">always</span> grave on Day One. It's part of the experience. Looking ahead, not all of the news is terrible.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lost Opportunity</span><br /><br />Preregistered Heavy Artillery with an Off-board Observer costs 8 CPP - more than half of the initial German total. It packs a mighty punch, but there is a steep price to pay for that punch beyond mere CPP. Most German purchases on Day One include a Sturm Company, giving the German two-dozen 5-4-8 squads with which to attack. Typically, anywhere from 15-20 of these survive the day's action and are available for on-map set-up on Day Two. This allows the German to follow up on his Day One success by immediately pressing the attack on Day Two.<br /><br />Purchasing Heavy Artillery precludes acquiring a second Sturm Company - there are only enough points left over for a Rifle Company. What this means is that my opponent has only eight 5-4-8 squads on board to begin Day Two - and two of those are in an Isolated pocket. The remainder of his forces comprise 4-6-7 squads, which are not at all cut out for assaulting the factories. The German will most definitely buy a Sturm Company - maybe two, if he rolled well for CPP - but these will have to enter from off-board and will spend at least one or two turns moving into position before attacking. That gives the Russian defenders ample time to reposition to meet them.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">No Stukas</span><br /><br />Because Weather is Overcast on October 18, the German may not purchase Stukas. This is a huge relief, because Stukas overhead severely restrict the Russian's ability to move outside the factories. If the German weights his assault to one side or another I will at least be able to move reinforcements to where they are needed.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Chemist's Shop is Isolated</span><br /><br />The pocket formed by the Chemist's Shop and the Z10, BB9, BB10 and CC10 buildings contains a 7-0 leader with a 5-4-8 squad and two 2-3-8 half-squads. The German must move forces into this pocket in order to hold it. The pocket is a salient, and will be hard for the German to consolidate without committing significant assets. My opponent only starts with 31 squads on board, so if he lines up to take this pocket he will be very weak elsewhere.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Russians Can Reinforce</span><br /><br />Russian troops are inexpensive, and losses can be replaced relatively easily. I will discuss this in more detail with my next post, in which I reveal my plans for the defense on Day Two.UnitFourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10925015348412332541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047997647244144960.post-117622636106420732009-11-12T19:38:00.000-08:002009-11-22T13:35:02.609-08:00And thus, Moebius-like, it begins anew...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC05EYTHaVqy9cBzzamtBHmDkxT_qblVuYpYDHMEKS-nxIupNeLHaXso3G-ElmcCAHmIIiRFOOYxWLF_NENbiQJCVVHl2KMPzBNYGNUh-XlUDlBp-zPe4n2YRLfPeku3ypqWAgtV3jd9U/s1600/be7172957b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC05EYTHaVqy9cBzzamtBHmDkxT_qblVuYpYDHMEKS-nxIupNeLHaXso3G-ElmcCAHmIIiRFOOYxWLF_NENbiQJCVVHl2KMPzBNYGNUh-XlUDlBp-zPe4n2YRLfPeku3ypqWAgtV3jd9U/s400/be7172957b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407044699990832722" border="0" /></a><br />Once again, Dade Cariaga and I are slated to play a Red Barricades campaign game. Red Barricades is a historical simulation of the assault on the factory complexes in North Stalingrad by the German Sixth Army during October and November 1942. The game itself is a supplement, or "historical module", for the Advanced Squad Leader game system developed by the Avalon Hill Game Company in the 1980s. This post is directed toward ASL grognards, like myself and Dade, who are well-versed in the nuances of the game. For those not so well-versed, I will apologize in advance for what may prove to be baffling references to rules minutiae and incomprehensible jargon. Dade is providing an analysis of his own at <a href="http://dadecariaga.blogspot.com/">http://dadecariaga.blogspot.com</a>, and readers are encouraged to read his musings as a supplement to mine (and vice-versa).<br /><br />Dade and I must have played RB Campaign Game III: The Barrikady at least a dozen times, both head-to-head and two-on-two. I'm confident that, between the two of us, we have achieved an understanding of Red Barricades that rivals any who play the game. After so many playings, we have reached the conclusion that the victory condition for RB CG III - controlling all but 5 stone locations on the entire map by November 11- is simply too stringent for the Germans to meet. In so many of our playings, the Germans smash their way merrily through the Russian defenses until about October 30 or 31 - then they hit a wall. The Russian is able to slowly build a numerical advantage that becomes insurmountable by the end of October. However, the victory condition for RB Campaign Game I: Into The Factory seems much more attainable for the German: essentially, control the factory complex by October 29. Since in our previous playings the German has usually done this (or come very close) by the end of October, we decided to give RB CG I a try. Having played the Russian side in our last game, Dade agreed to take the Germans while I will mastermind the Russian defense.<br /><br />Before I proceed with a discussion of my defense strategy, it is necessary to point out some truisms that have become apparent to Dade and I through our many playings:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">#1: As the German, attack the Russian where he is strong</span><br /><br />This runs counter to conventional ASL wisdom. In most ASL scenarios the attacker will analyze the defense to find its weakest point, then exploit that weakness to achieve the victory condition (often to exit forces off an opposite map edge or capture key terrain features). In Red Barricades, capturing terrain is only important to the degree that it helps you surround and destroy Russian forces. We estimate that the German, to grind out a win, must destroy twice as many Russian forces as the German loses. Letting Russian squads slip away to form up a defensive line the following day is a recipe for failure. Find the Russian strongpoint, engage it, and prevent the defenders from escaping. In so doing the German will capture the ground he needs to win that day's scenario.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">#2: Whatever the German wants, the German will get</span><br /><br />Early in the campaign, the German forces are a "coiled spring" (to use the words of my opponent) that launches with violent force into the waiting Russian defenders. The German simply has too many tools at his disposal, and the quality of German forces is so high, that (barring disaster) whatever the German sets out to capture <span style="font-style: italic;">he will capture.</span> The Russian can only hope to slow him down and exact as high a price as possible. The moment in the campaign when this becomes no longer true is usually quite palpable, and signals the end for the German.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">#3: For the Russian: Fight in the factories!</span><br /><br />Russian troop quality is, on the whole, inferior to that of the German. This is assuaged by the fact that the Russian has many more squads at his disposal and units are much cheaper to purchase. Nevertheless, facing down the German outside the factories is a losing proposition - German firepower will decimate the Russian defenders. Inside the factories, however, Russian forces are Fanatic - a condition which increases their morale and prevents them from Cowering. This ameliorates many of the shortcomings of Conscript troops (of which the Russian will always have plenty) and, coupled with the Stealth afforded to 1st Line and Elite Russian troops, can even out the quality discrepancy.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">#4: For the Russian: Don't let the German attack down the river bank</span><br /><br />Most AARs of Red Barricades games depict a strong German thrust southward past the factory complex toward the (mis-named) Chemist's Shop (hexes W9-X9-X10) and the Commissar's House (hexes BB18-BB19-CC19-CC20). To allow this as the Russian is, to Dade and I, madness. It is a common outcome, because the Russian front in that sector is the softest, comprising mostly wooden buildings, wooden rubble and a large debris field. The softness of the defensive terrain naturally invites an attack. The solution to this is to make "the corner" - that section of the initial Russian line that faces the easternmost German entry point at hex U1 - as hard as possible. Wire, mines, pillboxes and trenches, backed up by a module of 80mm Battalion Mortar, can make a day-one German thrust to the Chemist's Shop a nightmarish endeavor. Many Red Barricades afficionadoes turn up their noses at the thought of spending precious CPP on Fortifications. I consider such purchases absolutely necessary.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">#5: ...but the hammer <span style="font-style: italic;">will</span> fall</span><br /><br />Eventually the German will need to bust through the ever-growing Russian bunker complex (see #2 above). The hammer often takes the form of Heavy Artillery to smash away the fortifications followed by a company of Pionieren to crush any remaining defenders. The key for the Russian is to make sure that the German spends as much as possible to crack the defenses. The Russian has plentiful replacements to throw into the line, but the German has limited assault troops to bust through it. Any troops spent pushing through the bunker complex won't be available later on when they are needed to dig the Russian out of the Commissar's House.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">#6: Don't let the German take the high ground</span><br /><br />As the campaign game progresses, the German accumulates an inordinate number of support weapons. The most dangerous are the Heavy and Medium Machine Guns which, when massed and directed by one of the plethora of high-quality German leaders, can wreak havoc on Russian defenses. When these "kill stacks" are placed in Level 2 stone building locations they are afforded a commanding overwatch of the battefield and can train their fire on any Russian hard point in their view. Fortunately for the Russian many of the multi-story buildings on the map will burn down or be rubbled during play. It behooves the Russian to burn them down <span style="font-style: italic;">just before</span> the German captures them. If the German manages to take one intact, then pre-registered 120mm artillery fire or a Katyusha rocket barrage is a reasonable response the following campaign day.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Disclaimer: the preceding truisms do NOT comprise a complete treatment of the intricacies of the Red Barricades game, just some key points that deserve mentioning.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Initial Defense: October 17, 1942</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">OB-Given Forces:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Rifle Coy [Full]</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Rifle Coy [Full]</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">SMG Coy [Full]</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">2 x 45LL Anti-Tank Guns</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">50 FPP</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">5 Fortified Building Locations</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Purchases (8 CPP):</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">+160 FPP (cost: 4 CPP)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">SMG Coy [Full; in Reserve] (cost: 3 CPP)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">80mm Battalion Mortar OBA Module [Normal Ammo] (cost: 1 CPP)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">I<span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"> have divided my defense into three strongpoints: the area around the intersection of Skulpturnaya and Tramvanaya Streets at hex D10 ("The Intersection"), the factory at O6 ("The Manufacturing Hall") and the wooden buildings/rubble fronting Pribayatinskaya Street near the German entry point at U1 ("The Corner"). There are two transition areas between these strongpoints - "The Point" comprising the stone building at F5 and adjacent rubble hexes, and "The Debris Field" between the Manufacturing Hall and Pribayatinskaya Street.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">"The Corner"</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">I believe this to be the lynchpin of the Russian defense. In past games I have devoted all 210 FPP to beefing up this area with wire, mines, pillboxes and trenches. To make it even stickier, I typically add two dug-in KV-1 tanks. For this playing I opted to purchase a reserve SMG Coy (to be deployed elsewhere) instead of the tanks, and decided to attempt a bit of deception by splitting off a fair bit of the FPP to make a nasty surprise at The Intersection.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">The headquarters for this sector is building Z1. I have Fortified both ground-level locations and have set up Wire in the three hexes (Y1, Y2, Y3) of Leninskii Prospekt directly in front of the building. Upstairs, in Z1, is a 9-1 leader directing a rifle squad and HMG. Downstairs are two rifle squads with LMGs, one each in Z1 and Z2. A third rifle squad occupies Z0. I plan to hold this building at all costs.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">In front of the headquarters are four squads in W1, X1, X2 and W3, protected somewhat by Wire in V2 and W2. If a German attack comes this way, these poor bastards will probably be killed. Hopefully one or two can make it back the the HQ. Hex W2 is a prime spot for placement of a hidden Pillbox, and I'm hoping that the Wire placement will lead my opponent into thinking so.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">Guarding the approach to the Chemist's Shop are a rifle squad in W4, a 10-0 Commissar directing a rifle squad and MMG in W5, and a rifle squad with 50mm MTR in a Trench in V5. The Trench position is fronted with Wire in U5 and V4. Again, hex V5 is a prime location for a possible hidden Pillbox, and I'm hoping my opponent expects one there. I've placed a 1S Foxhole in Y6; this serves as a fallback position for the MMG from which to interdict Leninskii Prospekt and to protect the adjacent AT Gun (see below).</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">Both AT Guns have been assigned to prevent an armored breakthrough in this sector. One is emplaced in U9 facing V7, with the task of destroying any tanks that come down Pribayatinskaya Street toward the Chemist's Shop. This Gun can also swing around to cover The Debris Field if necessary. The other Gun is emplaced in Z5 facing Y4, with the task of destroying any tanks that cross Leninskii Prospekt to threaten the HQ.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">I would not be surprised if the German makes a full-strength push to the Chemist's Shop on day one - he knows full well that the fortifications now are as weak as they will ever be. However, he lacks the CPP to purchase both Heavy Artillery </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">and</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"> quality troops to exploit a breakthrough. Most campaigns start with a schwerpunkt attack by the German at The Intersection. It will be interesting to see if Dade tries something different. I have placed the Field Phone so as to be able to provide support of the defense of The Corner (see the Manufacturing Hall below).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">"The Debris Field"</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">Since there are no Strategic Locations (other than the one stone rubble hex in U6) in this sector, its defense is light - one rifle squad each in R5 and T5 claiming Wall Advantage. If the German comes hard in this direction, those squads will get out of the way and hopefully enfilading fire from the Manufacturing Hall can slow down the German long enough to form a defense of the large factory in R10. Artillery fire directed by the Field Phone will also help, at least in the initial stages of the attack.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">"The Manufacturing Hall"</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">In my experience, this is the easiest to set up yet the hardest to defend against a determined German push. Experienced ASL players know the value of Smoke, and my opponent is nothing if not experienced. The German always has one module, and usually two modules, of 80mm Battalion Mortar OBA to play with on day one. These are perfect for laying Smoke screens, and the best-positioned MGs are worth absolutely zero when their manning infantry can't see out of their own hex because of Smoke. If the German drops Smoke on the L5 building or the Manufacturing Hall it will be very hard to keep him out of them.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">The setup is simple: string a half-dozen or so squads along the buildings stretching west from the Manufacturing Hall and keep the best hardware close to or in the Hall. I put rifle squads in J5 and in the upper levels of L5, M5 and N5. Downstairs in N5 I put a 9-0 Commissar directing a rifle squad and MMG with an eye toward laying a fire lane toward W1 to interdict a German attack on The Corner. I Fortified hex O5 of the Hall, and put a rifle squad and HMG there. Why not put the HMG with the Commissar in N5? I've learned the hard way that HMG in precarious positions end up unpossessed and ultimately lost to the enemy. Even though the lines of sight are not outstanding, I'm happy to keep my precious HMG as safe as possible in a Fortified Factory location. Directly above, hidden on the Rooftop of O5, is a 7-0 manning the Field Phone. He is in a position to direct artillery fire in defense of either The Corner or The Intersection. This is a bit of an exposed position, and I hope the German doesn't drop his own artillery on the 7-0's unprotected head. Behind the wall in P5 is a rifle squad with an ATR to try and stave off any attempt by German AFV to pull the VBM freeze maneuver on the HMG next door. On the Rooftop in P6 is a rifle squad with a 50mm MTR. The level 2.5 factory Rooftop affords both the artillery observer and the MTR squad very nice lines of sight.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">I'm most worried about a strong thrust directly at The Manufacturing Hall. If that happens, all that I can hope for is to bloody the German nose as well as possible and fight a fallback defense. I don't think Dade favors this attack vector, but he might surprise me.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">"The Point"</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">Defending The Point is a fool's errand. It is a natural salient created by the orthogonal orientation of the factory complex itself, vulnerable on three sides and stuck right out in front. In my experience, building F5 is a charnel house and I'm happy to cede it to the German. However, it's not wise to let him progress past it without a fight.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">I don't think Dade will attack in force through The Point because of truism #1: "As the German, attack the Russian where he is strong." I put four Reserve Cloaking counters in the buildings just beyond The Point: an SMG squad and 9-1 in H8, and SMG squad in H9, an SMG squad in I8 and a Dummy in I9.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">Behind </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">them</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"> I placed a stack of six Dummy Concealment counters on the first level of K10. To an attacker, this looks very much like two squads with two MGs and a directing leader ready to provide supporting fire either to protect the western flank of the L5 building or to bloody the nose of an attack across The Intersection. This ruse will not last past turn one, but I'm hoping it will affect the German's setup and first movement phase.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">"The Intersection"</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">This is the most complicated section of my setup. I will simply describe the placement of forces, then discuss them.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">First off, the remainder of the Reserve SMG Coy are backing up this section of the line. A15, B15, D13, E13, F12 and F13 each contain a Reserve Cloaking counter holding an SMG Squad. The Cloaking counter in F12 also holds the Russian's best leader: a 9-2. I'm certain that these forces will be activated by about turn two or three.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">The remainder of the defense is designed to hold up a German schwerpunkt attack </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">just long enough</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);"> for the artillery observer to bring down an FFE Concentration on the Germans while they are still bunched up. I've used this tactic once before to great effect. The key to the defense is bulding B12. I've Fortified the ground levels of B12 and C13, and set up an SMG squad in each hex. In addition, I have set up hidden SMG squads upstairs on the first level of hexes B12 and C13 and a hidden 9-0 Commissar lurks in the ground level of B13 to help stiffen the defense. A rifle squad and ATR is set up behind the wall in A13, hoping to keep any German AFV from driving into the building. In front of building B12 I have placed 6 AP mines in A12 and 8 AP mines in B11 to harass German infantry assaulting the building. To slow down German AFV, 2 AT mines have been placed in each of A11 and C10.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">The first wave of the German assault will be met by mostly SMG squads. Two of them are hidden in B10 and D8 simply to slow down the German thrust as much as possible and to lay residual FP. SMG squads in C11 and D10 will hopefully take some shots and make it back to either the B12 buiding or join up with the 9-2 in F12. Rifle squads with Wall Advantage in E10 and E11 have the same goal. One last rifle squad upstairs in level one of F11 is there to take pot shots at approaching infantry.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">It's likely that these forces will be mauled. This is CG I, though, and not CG III and it's a bit more important for the Russian to deny the German easy access to the factories. By standing firm on day one, and hopefully landing my artillery blow, I can perhaps exact a higher toll than the German expects to pay.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">Final Thoughts</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">The potential for staggering success or disaster exists for both sides on day one, as both sides' positions are precarious. The Russian defense is reasonably predictable, and the German gets to tee off on relatively weak and poorly-equipped troops. On the flip side, the German has to fight across relatively exposed terrain to engage the Russian and is more vulnerable to fire than he will be in the days to come. One lucky barrage or terrible ROF string from an MG nest can push either</span> side to the breaking point.</span>UnitFourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10925015348412332541noreply@blogger.com2