Combat Mission II: Interactive Dynasty (2)

[WSUCougar]

This is the continuation (from OLD THREAD) of an interactive dynasty using the game Combat Mission II and various FOFC members listed below as participants. Feel free to comment and ask questions. If you'd like to be added to the waiting list, drop me a PM or post here.

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The FOFC Battle Group:

(4) Pz-IIIH medium tanks [2 Coffee Warlord, 1 blade6119]1 knocked out
(4) Pz-IVD medium tanks [1 SirFozzie, 2 Tasan]1 knocked out
(4) PSW 222 armored cars [sachmo71]2 knocked out
(2) Sturmgeschütz IIIb assault guns [kingfc22]]1 knocked out
(2) Panzerjäger I tank-hunters [Travis]]1 knocked out
(1) Infantry Company [DataKing = company commander], consisting of:
a. HQ, Section Commander, 2 HMGs
b. (3) Infantry platoons, each consisting of HQ, 3 squads, 50mm mortar [Blade, Calis, samifan24]]Blade's platoon roughed up
(1) Pioneer (engineer) Platoon, consisting of HQ, 6 squads, 3 flamethrowers, 7 halftracks [RealDeal, GoldenEagle, Qwikshot]]1 halftrack knocked out
(3) 81mm mortar teams [MrBug708]
(8) Halftracks [4 DataKing, 3 The Afoci]1 knocked out

= = = = = = = = = = = =

It is late June, 1941. Elements of the 11th Panzer Division, part of von Kleist’s 1st Panzer Group in Army Group South, strike eastward into Russia…

= = = = = = = = = = = =

The Random Draw:
By random selection, we drew an Axis probe in farmland with moderate tree coverage and slightly rolling terrain. There has been some moderate prior combat (shell holes and such). “Axis Probe” means the objectives are on the Russian side of the map and the force strengths are relatively equal, but the enemy units will not be entrenched.

= = = = = = = = = = = =

The current situation, in the north:


And the south:

[WSUCougar]

Radio message received at von Kleist's HQ:

"Advancing in strength on the northern flank...pioneers nearing enemy ridge position...an additional Russian light tank destroyed by our panzers...central section along the east/west road remains heavily defended, and we've lost two more vehicles to T-34 and anti-tank gun fire...infantry pushing forward...southern flank effectively curling in on Russian positions."

[WSUCougar]

[images to follow]

[Godzilla Blitz]

I'd be happy to jump in.

You don't actually have to know what you're doing, do you?

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by Godzilla Blitz

I'd be happy to jump in.

You don't actually have to know what you're doing, do you?

Great! Welcome aboard, GB. I hereby assign you to the four MG-armed halftracks on the right (southern) flank. You will be working in cooperation with DataKing's infantry company (Blade's and samifan24's platoons) and Tasan's tanks (Pz-IVds). It'll be clearer once I get the images up.

As for knowing what to do, just use a little common sense and learn on the fly. Talk it up and have fun with it.

[Godzilla Blitz]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

Great! Welcome aboard, GB. I hereby assign you to the four MG-armed halftracks on the right (southern) flank. You will be working in cooperation with DataKing's infantry company (Blade's and samifan24's platoons) and Tasan's tanks (Pz-IVds). It'll be clearer once I get the images up.

As for knowing what to do, just use a little common sense and learn on the fly. Talk it up and have fun with it.

Eeek. That was quick. There's no boot camp, eh?

And I'm working with Blade, as in Blade6119? He's still alive in this game? That makes me feel better. If he's still alive, it can't be very dangerous out there. I just better be careful I don't get in front of him or I'm a dead man.

In any case, reporting for duty, sir! Looking forward to it!

[WSUCougar]

Actually, we've got both (Blade and blade6119)...the Blade Suite 2004. Blade has an infantry platoon, blade6119 a Pz-IIIh.

[Godzilla Blitz]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

Actually, we've got both (Blade and blade6119)...the Blade Suite 2004. Blade has an infantry platoon, blade6119 a Pz-IIIh.

Just figured that out, too. I read through the first thread. Great stuff. And Blade6119 looks to be on the other side of the battle, so I feel safer now.

[GoldenEagle]

*Thinking*

I guess we should continue into the north.

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by GoldenEagle

*Thinking*

I guess we should continue into the north.

Well, there's some hidden Soviets in the woods south of you that took some pot shots at one of CW's Pz-IIIhs. A possible diversion for you or Qwikshot!

[Blade6119]

Originally Posted by Godzilla Blitz

Just figured that out, too. I read through the first thread. Great stuff. And Blade6119 looks to be on the other side of the battle, so I feel safer now.

, i see how it is...i know who wont be getting a christmas card this year! Though i just lost my first tank, and my second is way outmatched... .

WSU, next time can i deploy with godzilla?

[SirFozzie]

ANother radio transmission..

"Damn! They got Wilhelm! Press them! Run them off for the Reich!"

[Blade]

Originally Posted by Godzilla Blitz

Just figured that out, too. I read through the first thread. Great stuff. And Blade6119 looks to be on the other side of the battle, so I feel safer now.

I don't know, GB. I was the first one to get pretty roughed up...so you may not be much safer here!

[WSUCougar]

Like that was YOUR fault! The ol' "magnetic attraction to artillery shells" character flaw...

[sachmo71]

So....wha happen?

[WSUCougar]

The pioneers are making good progress. RealDeal’s two squads have made it to the wheat field unopposed. The halftracks are on-call. Qwikshot and GoldenEagle are moving up rapidly, although one of Qwikshot’s halftracks has bogged down. Some Russian small arms fire (aimed at one of Coffee’s tanks) has been detected coming from the woods nearby.


Coffee Warlord’s Pz-IIIhs are moving right at the ridge, and knocked out a T-26 in the process.

There still remains that pesky T-34 up there, which seems to be wedged into a wooded nook that will make it tough to root out. Travis’ panzerjager may be able to keep him pinned down.

Sachmo’s two armored cars spotted nothing, but the one near the road is on the verge of popping over a small hill with a flank angle on the Soviets there. Too many AT guns make it a risky neighborhood, however.

The upper south remains hot and heavy. Kingfc22’s Stug popped up and fired once before pulling back under cover of the slope – it exposed in a focal point of Russian fire otherwise. Blade6119’s Pz-IIIh did likewise, shooting and scooting around the protective trees but attracting too much attention to be healthy. Watch out, guys!

The Afoci’s 37mm-armed halftracks finally dealt some shots out, but lost one of their number to that damned T-34 on the road.


Calis’ platoon is making good headway and keeping the enemy infantry’s heads down. We’ve finally got 81mm mortar teams and the 105mm artillery spotter present and active in that area as well.

Unfortunately, while firing on the other bad guys, SirFozzie’s Pz-IVd uncovered another enemy AT gun the hard way. It is northwest of the other one.




The rest of DataKing’s infantry company (Blade, samifan24) is pushing into that large section of woods unopposed. The HMGs are pulling up in their trucks on the back side of that area. Tasan’s Pz-IVds are in a good position pushing up the southern flank, and new addition Godzilla Blitz will take charge of the MG-armed halftracks there.

Check out the maps in the first post to see the most current positions.

[Travis]

Let's try to pick off that T-34, then see if we can possibly get a shot or two off at the AT guns. (plausible from current position?)

[RealDeal]

I want to continue advancing until I get close enough to attack.

[Tasan]

Keep pushing the flank towards the objective back there, but be cautious and watch for infantry and AT in the woods. Take any pops at rears of tanks we get.

[WSUCougar]

Travis: That T-34 is going to be a tough nut to crack, because of its positioning. It's going to get very interesting because it's facing several threats from different angles and can't cover them all: Coffee's Pz-IIIhs close in and right up the snoot, RealDeal's pioneers (if/when spotted) on his flank, the other pioneer halftracks moving up, and your panzerjager from long range. The AT guns are shielded by the higher ground from your current position. There's one back behind the ridge, plus the two closer to the road. It'd be nice to flank those two - sachmo's taking a look with his armored car - but that back one behind the ridge worries me because I think it has the drop on that approach. Hopefully the pioneers can distract it and knock it out.

[Travis]

Not sure who's doing it, but if a spotter can get a good look at the AT guns, could we call in air support to take them out?

[sachmo71]

Keep moving! Turn up the Wagner!

[Qwikshot]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

Well, there's some hidden Soviets in the woods south of you that took some pot shots at one of CW's Pz-IIIhs. A possible diversion for you or Qwikshot!

Send on of my HT to probe those Soviets in the wood, if my men have to disembark to get a better bead on them, so be it, but make sure my HT's guns can back them up,

GE if you want to accompany this HT you may, or you may continue with my remaining HT's to backup RealDeal.

[kingfc22]

Head South and then turn up SE to see if I can get on the Russians flank.

[Godzilla Blitz]

If our Panzer IV-D's on the right aren't taking any AT fire, what say we try to roll over the right edge of the infantry farthest south (in the woods) with my halftracks and anything else that isn't needed? If we're not taking AT fire from the woods there, they must not have anything in there, or they would have fired it by now. Are my halftracks good for rolling over infantry? If we break that one position, we could turn north and run right up their flank.

I'd want to send two right at the right side of the infantry, and two more a bit farther right to watch for anything else that might be hiding off to our right.

[WSUCougar]

Waiting on The Afoci, the infantry (DataKing, Calis, Blade, samifan24) and Pz-IIIh guys (blade6119 & Coffee)...

[Blade]

Sorry...did I reach the trees yet? If so, there is nothing to see? You said I was pushing into the trees...if I am not fully in yet, I will continue to move forward, but I do not want to leave the tree line yet.

[WSUCougar]

Samifan24 caught a stray round in the hindquarters and is out of action. I hereby name Lieutenant Blade as the acting platoon leader for that platoon as well.

Blade, Tasan's tanks are forward of your wooded position. Nothing spotted except for that one infantry position spotted by the tanks.

[Blade]

Thank you, sir! I will not let you down!

With Tasan's tanks providing some cover, I would like both platoons to continue their advance on the objectives ahead of our position.

[Calis]

Not much change here. I want my boys to continue on to that nice large clump of trees slightly to the right of where they are in the pic. From there we'll plan on moving in on the Russian Infantry.

Actually surprised on how well it's going for my boys so far. I thought this semi-charge might get ugly.

So, more of the same for me!

[The Afoci]

I am not really sure what to do. I would like to put some fire on those infantry infront of me if I can, otherwise, advance to a position where I can do so.

[WSUCougar]

The Afoci, you may want to head east and loop around that wooded area with Calis' infantry. Those AT guns and that T-34 are just brutal on us out in the open, and you don't have the oomph to contend with that. SirFozzie and/or Tasan's Pz-IVds may be able to get some flank shots in, but...

...just so everyone knows, I intend to call in a 105mm artillery fire mission on that AT gun position. It'll be a few minutes (game time), so plan accordingly.

[Coffee Warlord]

So, I'm being pinged at by infantry, RealDeal is moving in, and Travis has the enemy tank at least contained?

Okay. They are in the woods? I don't want the woods to exist anymore. Flush em out with the big guns.

[WSUCougar]

Radio message to von Kleist's 11th Panzer HQ:

"Advancing on all enemy-held objectives...T-34 flushed from its wooded hiding spot...but pioneers almost in position in the north...additional Russian small arms fire coming from hidden locations...a Luftwaffe Me109 made an appearance and drew AA fire...in upper south, putting mortar and 37mm HE fire into wooded AT gun position while our AFVs are flanking and 105mm artillery is called in...halftracks and panzers chasing Soviet infantry in lower south!"

[RealDeal]

sigh, same as the last million turns, I want to keep doing what I am doing until I can attack something.

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by RealDeal

sigh, same as the last million turns, I want to keep doing what I am doing until I can attack something.

Sorry, this isn't just a first person shooter where you constantly blast stuff. This game takes time and strategy...your two squads are sneaking through the wheatfield deep in the enemy area. Do you want them to rush the T-34, which is pre-occupied and conveniently backed up toward your position? What do you want to do with your two halftracks and the flame-throwers on board? You could perhaps dash east and then south and try to toast that AT gun back there.

[WSUCougar]

Surprisingly, the T-34 pulled out of its wooded lair and into the open part of the low ridge. Coffee’s Pz-IIIh fired on it, but got a nasty surprise from an unseen source:


It’s tough duty for the Russian infantry in the south. Mortar fire overhead, MG fire from halftracks, and now a Pz-IVd up the snoot!


Godzilla Blitz’s halftracks are too much for the Russian troops, who flee:


RealDeal is in a good spot to do some damage. The two squads in the wheatfield can try an assault on the T-34 if it stays put, and the halftracks (with flame-throwers aboard) can move elsewhere. Qwikshot and GoldenEagle are almost on the scene, too.


The position of sachmo’s armored car is tricky, due to the lay of the land. What to do?


A lot of the north situation swings on the fate of that T-34, which is ready to fire on Coffee’s “shocked” Pz-IIIh. Travis has no shot. The pioneers keep pushing eastward. I wouldn’t want to be those Russians in the woods, with a tank in front and pioneers coming in from behind, while sachmo’s northern-most armored car throws some 20mm shells into the woods for kicks.


A critical moment is developing in the upper south. Mortar fire and 37mm HE is hammering the wooded AT gun position, but the T-34 and AT gun are still lining up shots on one of The Afoci’s HTs and kingfcs Stug. An artillery barrage will be raining down in two minutes.


Tasan’s #10 Pz-IVd is at a critical fork in the road (see image below). A slight rise in the wheatfield ahead and some trees screen off the AT guns and T-34 near the road, while the southern objectives loom just to the northeast. It might be wise to await some infantry escorts.


Godzilla Blitz’s halftracks are laying heavy MG fire on the Russians infantry. Tasan’s #9 Pz-IVd can hammer the infantry at point-blank range or continue ahead. Blade’s two infantry platoons need to press forward or will be left behind.

[RealDeal]

I want to take down the T-34.

[SirFozzie]

comtinue to press em. I want them pinned when the artillery makes Mincemeat out of em. Or is that Minced Borscht?

[Tasan]

I need some infantry up with #9 for the push to the objective, I'm afraid. Also, BUTTON UP! I don't want to lose my TC like Coffee did. Can #10 get a shot at the T34 without exposing himself to the AT group? If so, take one to try to get the heat off the other guys. If we need to wait for the infantry, thats fine too. No need going off half cocked when we are so close to the objectives.

[Tasan]

Dola.

Concerning #9:
Is there a MG in the PZIV that can be fired without exposing the TC? If so lay down fire on whatever Russian infantry is handy, and pop some HE at them for good measure too.

[kingfc22]

move my last stug into the trees to the right in the picture above. I'm going to wait out until the t-34 and AT gun are eliminated since I'm not doing anything except take fire from my current position.

[WSUCougar]

Tasan:
Yup, your tanks can indeed use MGs buttoned up. As for #10, I'm not sure about shooting at the T-34 without attracting AT attention...on the plus side, their attention is distracted to your left. If you want I can try a "shoot and scoot" order, which means you'll pop over the rise, fire once, then pull back behind it. However, with the artillery in-bound, it might be wise to wait a minute or two. We've lost a lot in that sector of the map. But it's up to you.

[Travis]

Do I have any other targets available from my current position? Looks like that T-34 is about to be mincemeat, so I'd like to stick here and blast somebody else, preferably a hot zone where we need help.

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by Travis

Do I have any other targets available from my current position? Looks like that T-34 is about to be mincemeat, so I'd like to stick here and blast somebody else, preferably a hot zone where we need help.

No other targets in the north. That T-34 may still be a viable target, though. I'm surprised he moved from where he was, and if he goes back in there you'll still be the best best against him.

There's also that grouping of Russian forces along the road, in the upper south. You could move southeast and try to hit them from the flank, where sachmo's armored car is. I dunno, tough call.

[Tasan]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

Tasan:
Yup, your tanks can indeed use MGs buttoned up. As for #10, I'm not sure about shooting at the T-34 without attracting AT attention...on the plus side, their attention is distracted to your left. If you want I can try a "shoot and scoot" order, which means you'll pop over the rise, fire once, then pull back behind it. However, with the artillery in-bound, it might be wise to wait a minute or two. We've lost a lot in that sector of the map. But it's up to you.

Hmm...Tough choice because if I was that T34, I'd pop off rounds and get cover again, so I don't want to miss a chance at getting that sucker now. On the other hand, we don't need to lose any more armour. Hmm...You know what, the ATs seem to be distracted enough, try a shoot and scoot now, and say a quick prayer ;- )

[Travis]

Alrighty, let's keep at the T-34 and hope for a hit or to push him into the rest of the boys, if he falls back, we'll try to finish him off.

[Blade]

Let's get my troops moving...head for the objectives and press forward!

[sachmo71]

Can I sneak through the trees and try to flank the AT gun? Or will that allow the T-34 to nail me?

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by sachmo71

Can I sneak through the trees and try to flank the AT gun? Or will that allow the T-34 to nail me?

Well, there's a few things to consider:

(1) There are three AT guns to consider. The one on the road next to the T-34, that will be getting bombarded by our 105mms in a minute; the newly spotted one to the northwest of that one; and the one behind the low ridge that nailed Travis' panzerjager on the road.

(2) The T-34 would likely have a clear LOS if you advance, although it is distracted southward

(3) There is more than one BT-7 light tank running around near the road

(4) The terrain in front of you is sort of a flat, open plateau

(5) You could make a risky high-speed run to some woods across the road and to the east - but I'm most worried about that AT gun behind the low ridge