Combat Mission II: Interactive Dynasty

[Calis]

Originally Posted by kingfc22

East would be to the far right of that picture which you can not see. In the 2nd picture there is a patch of about 7 trees or so just to the right of us. I was thinking we could advance there and then advance to the U-shaped cluster of trees and then take out the objective past that.

That sounds like a plan to me. Safest place for us to move to.

[Blade6119]

im game...whatever gets us out of the field and at the enemy is good by me

[Qwikshot]

I'm in a hold position.

[WSUCougar]

Turn 5 orders are closed.

[WSUCougar]

Scene: von Kleist's HQ

Sir, we're picking up some bits of radio traffic from 11th Panzer...

*static*

"...the Panzerjager is perforating that T-26! Hit him again, hit him again!"

*static*

"Scout 2, engaging..."

*fum-fum-fum* (the 20mm gun of the armored car fires in bursts)

"Not sure if we hit it...he's tracking me! Verdammt!"

*k-FWANG!*

"We're hit! Get out! Go..."

*static*

"This is Sturmgeschutz #8...Russian armor advancing on the road. Fire!"

"Ja, I see him. My Pz-IIIh is on 'em...the panzergrenadiers are exposed...fire!"

"I hear small arms fire from those woods."

"Copy..."

*static*

[WSUCougar]

We've become more heavily engaged. There is ample Russian armor on that low ridge to the north (some of which we had previouly spotted), and now there is some pressing up the eastern edge of the road.

A hot spot...


...ends badly. Unfortunately, the Psw-222 was outgunned, and the Russian had a superior position.


Fortunately, Travis' boys even the score!


Meanwhile, the upper south gets warmer...


And blade6119's Pz-IIIh is leading the charge...


No Russians were spotted by the pioneers or pskov's panzers in the north, nor in the whole lower south.

I'll have more pics and a detailed set-up for Turn 6 up in a bit.

[Travis]

One down, now let's find out how many more to go.

[sachmo71]

At least my guys lived...

ehhhh....hey, everyone, the scouts have found some bad guys. Anyone want to come over and say hi?

[Tasan]

Can we get some overhead shots so we can get better overall feel for the situation?

[WSUCougar]

North:
Pioneers are advancing in halftracks without any opposition. Travis has a notch in his belt, but it’d be nice to also get pskov’s panzers into action.

On point:


North:


Panzer-IIIhs:


Central:
Sachmo is drawing a lot of enemy fire, and Travis is engaging another T-26. Our pressure from the upper south should distract the Russian armor on the road.



Upper south:
Here’s where the fun begins!


blade6119: #5’s turret is rotated to face the Russian tanks, but the trees are blocking. Both #5 & #6 have the enemy infantry spotted. #6 has both enemy tanks spotted, with a 21% hit chance (low kill chance) on the T-34(?), and a 27% hit chance (very good kill chance) on the BT-7.

Calis: 1st Squad is mounted on the rearward Stug #7. HQ Squad and 50mm mortar team are on Stug #8, which may take fire very soon. 2nd Squad is tiring, pinned by MG fire from the Soviet tank(s), and is barely out of command. 3rd Squad is tired, in command, taking enemy infantry fire, and running toward the woods by Pz-IIIh #6.

kingfc22: Stug #7 is sitting in the back of the formation. Stug #8 is moving fast toward Pz-IIIh #6’s position, and has been acquired by one of the enemy tanks.

Lower south:
Still no contact. Maybe time to plunge in? By the way, DataKing, the (4) MG halftracks on the right flank are now under your direct control.


The right (southern) flank:

[SirFozzie]

Time to put the pedal to the metal guys? We could roll these suckers up!

[Blade]

Time to advance our position? DataKing, what do you think?

[Blade6119]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

blade6119: #5’s turret is rotated to face the Russian tanks, but the trees are blocking. Both #5 & #6 have the enemy infantry spotted. #6 has both enemy tanks spotted, with a 21% hit chance (low kill chance) on the T-34(?), and a 27% hit chance (very good kill chance) on the BT-7.[/IMG]

I really dont know what the best option is here...taking out the tanks should be the main priority, but #5 cant see them...Id say my orders are for #6 to fire on that bt-7 and #5 fire on that infantry. Any objection calis and king?

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by Blade6119

I really dont know what the best option is here...taking out the tanks should be the main priority, but #5 cant see them...Id say my orders are for #6 to fire on that bt-7 and #5 fire on that infantry. Any objection calis and king?

It's a tough call. The T-34 - IF that's what it is - is the much deadlier threat, but taking out the BT-7 is (obviously) a better shot. I'd recommend you get your other tank into position to shoot at the enemy armor, and not worry about the Russian infantry (which is in good cover in pine woods).

[Blade6119]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

It's a tough call. The T-34 - IF that's what it is - is the much deadlier threat, but taking out the BT-7 is (obviously) a better shot. I'd recommend you get your other tank into position to shoot at the enemy armor, and not worry about the Russian infantry (which is in good cover in pine woods).

You know best!

[Tasan]

I need some input...I'm really not sure what to do with my guys. I'm #9 and #10 PzIVs

[kingfc22]

Calis do you want to dismount your mortar team and fire some shells towards the russian infantry or should I fire shots at them?

Regardless, I think I want to have stug #8 continue in a path towards the infantry and have stug #7 engage the tanks.

[WSUCougar]

Merely a suggestion:

Have the Stug go after the BT-7 and let the Pz-IIIs tangle with the T-34(?).

[RealDeal]

I want to continue pressing forward. See the trees that HT 3 has almost reached? I want to take a hard right as soon as I get beyond those trees and nestle myself in the little tree cove slightly up and right from that 3-tree line.

[WSUCougar]

Belly up to the bar, gents. This battle is heating up quick.

[The Afoci]

Do I still have the artillery spotter and a mortar team riding with me?

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by The Afoci

Do I still have the artillery spotter and a mortar team riding with me?

Yes.

[The Afoci]

So I should probably sit tight, or advance up to a safe place, if possible until I drop off the valued cargo. Then it is time to try out that armor!

[WSUCougar]

Yeah, I'd drop them off this turn. Let's see if MrBug708, DataKing, or anyone else (speak up, guys) have any specific placement ideas. The 105mm arty will be nice, but we'll need some lead time to get it on-target. The mortars can also drop smoke rounds, which might come in handy.

[WSUCougar]

SirFozzie and Tasan, you guys should try to coordinate your next move with your Pz-IVs. Roll that flank up!

[Tasan]

Okay, so I should continue my flanking manuever? #10 seems far behind, but I'll go ahead and start swinging #9 around the trees into the field if thats okay to do. I wish I had the game so I knew what worked.

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by Tasan

Okay, so I should continue my flanking manuever? #10 seems far behind, but I'll go ahead and start swinging #9 around the trees into the field if thats okay to do. I wish I had the game so I knew what worked.

Not sure what you mean by "knew what worked" - in terms of tactics, or game mechanics? I'd be happy to answer any specific questions.

The trickiest part in your section is identifying just where the Russkie flank is. There's no easy way to do it, although infantry with wooded cover is not a bad method. Get DataKing on the horn!

I would let #9 "move to contact" and start heading northeast into that field. Bring up #10 at fast speed and tell me where you'd like him. Get on the same page with SirFozzie because you two have the most punch in the lower south area and might want to have a coordinated plan. Samifan24's infantry can probably assist in the wooded areas, and the halftracks on the right flank should be probing into that area as well.

[WSUCougar]

General note to everyone:

I hope you guys are enjoying this as much as I am. It's really enjoyable from my perspective.

Don't worry too much about not knowing what you're doing - I know this is a new thing for a lot of you and virtually all of you are in the same boat. Ask as many questions as you want. Use common sense, and I'll try to advise you when you are hanging yourself out to dry. And add more chatter - hash these things out together and try to get a cohesive approach. As far as the dynasty goes I think the interaction between the participants adds a lot of value.

Thanks, and carry on!

[Tasan]

Is sirFozzie #11 and #12? If so, go ahead and bring #9 around the trees to the field slowly, while bringing #10 up fast to link back up. I want to cross this field moving forward-left if you get my point, and come out at the other end of the trees on the left side of it, peeking down into what I hope to be the flank of the russians. Of course, I could be charging into the teeth of a waiting T-34 though. SirFozzie should press from his side to the same general area, and maybe we can get some cross shots going at any targets that present themselves.

[DataKing]

Calis: I'd recommend dismounting your HQ and getting those mortars set up. With fire from the mortars and the Stug you guys are riding, you should be able to close with that Russian infantry with little trouble (though I'd recommend using the woods to the right of your advanced squads to get there).

samifan24: Given the situation, your guys definitely seem best set up to find the Russian flank and roll it up. I'd follow WSUCougar's suggestion, and use the cover of the trees to the best of your advantage. Let the halftracks and armor tool around in the open country.

Blade: Best to get your fellas to the other side of those trees right in front of you, and take a peak ahead. I think you may be finding some infantry to play with soon.

WSUCougar: Can the HMG on the left side add fire to those Russian infantry? If they've got LOS, have them rip off a few bursts, and make those Red bastards keep their heads down.

My squad will advance towards Blade's position. And it looks to me like the HMG to the rear is too far back now to do anybody any good. Get one of the trucks or halftracks back there pronto to pick them up and bring them towards me.

[Blade]

Originally Posted by DataKing

Blade: Best to get your fellas to the other side of those trees right in front of you, and take a peak ahead. I think you may be finding some infantry to play with soon.

Will do! Move out troops!

[samifan24]

Hey boys,

My unit is prepared to advance but would the HQ like a forward advance or a hook maneuver? I should be fine sticking to the wooded area, but what would you like me to do afterwards?

[kingfc22]

Have Stug #7 attack the BT-7 and have stug #8 advance on the russian infantry.

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by DataKing

Can the HMG on the left side add fire to those Russian infantry? If they've got LOS, have them rip off a few bursts, and make those Red bastards keep their heads down.

Negative...the ground slopes up directly in front of the HMG. However, they do have a good field of fire to the area in front of Blade.

[DataKing]

Originally Posted by WSUCougar

Negative...the ground slopes up directly in front of the HMG. However, they do have a good field of fire to the area in front of Blade.

Roger that...that machinegun team will cover Blade's boys then.

[SirFozzie]

Originally Posted by Tasan

Is sirFozzie #11 and #12? If so, go ahead and bring #9 around the trees to the field slowly, while bringing #10 up fast to link back up. I want to cross this field moving forward-left if you get my point, and come out at the other end of the trees on the left side of it, peeking down into what I hope to be the flank of the russians. Of course, I could be charging into the teeth of a waiting T-34 though. SirFozzie should press from his side to the same general area, and maybe we can get some cross shots going at any targets that present themselves.

What he said.

[WSUCougar]

I'm hoping to process the turn tonight, so get any final orders in today. Thanks!

[WSUCougar]

More radio transmissions picked up from 11th Panzer at von Kleist's HQ:

"Russian armor engaging..."

"Contact on the right flank...infantry only...fire!"

"Panzerjagers effective thusfar..."

"Another enemy tank near the road...and possibly an AT gun as well."

Pics to follow.

[WSUCougar]

Fighting has broken out in the south, in addition to the engagement with Russian armor on the low ridge in the north/center.

In the north, the pioneer halftracks continue their advance. RealDeal's lead unit spotted the Russian tank on the low ridge and balked at moving right at it. A different Soviet tank (T-34?) popped a late shot at GoldenEagle.

Sachmo's command vehicle almost made it safely through the fire, but the 3rd shot from the Russian tank knocked him out, too. His other two ACs remain active.

Travis continues his potent anti-tank work, as he bags the first spotted T-26 from his Panzerjager on the road:


Things remained hot & heavy in the upper south. The Pz-IIIhs (blade6119) continually engaged the Russian BT-7 (which backed away) & T-34(?) along the road, and a T-26(?) appeared in a field south of the road behind the infantry, which Pz-IIIh #5 promptly nailed a couple times. The T-34(?) remains the big threat, though there appears to be an AT gun set up along the road as well:


Calis' platoon is almost all in the woods now, with only one casualty. The Stugs (kingfc22) are in the thick of things; #7 is dueling the T-34(?) now, and #8 took a high-explosive hit and lost its commander:


The other infantry (Blade, samifan24, & DataKing) has advanced as directed. SirFozzie's Pz-IVds have moved up without spotting anything. The Afoci's halftracks are freed up (MrBug708, your mortars are on the ground!); one even got strafed by a Russian fighter plane. Tasan's panzers encovered a Russian infantry unit in some trees near the southeast corner of the field:


These are the in-action shots from Turn 6. I will have the Turn 7 orders phase overheads - the "air reconaissance photos" - up later (probably tonight).

[SirFozzie]

Damn! We have a chance to take some serious territory here! Command, advise possibility to take objective areas?

[sachmo71]

Cougar,

Since my scouts are getting slaughtered without support, we will remain in cover.

[Blade6119]

i cant get the pics to load, so for now i have to defer to you on what to do cougar

[The Afoci]

I can't see the pics either...

Full speed ahead!!!

Edit.

[WSUCougar]

Yeah, sorry guys. I've got a message in to Tasan about the pics. These are just the Turn 6 "in action" images anyway. I'll have the overhead stuff prepped for tonight.

blade6119: Both of your tanks are dueling with the T-34(?), and that must be a priority. If it is a T-34, he's got a better gun than you do. The only question (IMO) would be whether you want to take cover and then "shoot and scoot" in and out of it, stay where you are, or advance to get a better shot. Be wary of the AT gun when you see the pics. You should coordinate with kingfc22 and work out a plan with the Stugs (at least #7).

The Afoci: Okay, you've dropped the mortars off. You are free to roam! Your 37mm guns could come in handy over toward the road.

[Tasan]

Ehem. SOMEone left the extensions in all caps

;- )

Of course, I didn't notice it til just now either

[Blade6119]

i see 2 of them now...2nd and fourth

[Tasan]

Coug, you have a couple of the links wrong too, you need to put 6 at the end of the stug one and the traviskill one.

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by Tasan

Ehem. SOMEone left the extensions in all caps

;- )

Of course, I didn't notice it til just now either

I have no recollection of that, Senator. :o

Yup, I done did it. That's why I sent that second batch.

[WSUCougar]

Originally Posted by Tasan

Coug, you have a couple of the links wrong too, you need to put 6 at the end of the stug one and the traviskill one.

Just testing you.

You passed.

[Blade6119]

keep on the t-34