"Die Letzte Hoffnung" CM:BN AAR - Now with 0% more community participation! - - Page 2

Dowly · 08-11-12, 05:19 PM

Oooh right. Think I got it. I have 1st, 2nd and 4th company under my command,
but I've so far only had the 1st with me. So, the second attack is probably
done by Peters' Panzer IVs and 2nd company. Maybe.

Aaaanywho:

"Around the Bend" (Part 1)

Situation

0600 7 August 1944

Kampfgruppe Magsburg is moving north along the main road to Chérencé-le-Roussel. Divisional
scouts took small arms fire while rounding the bend in the road ahead; it can be assumed to
be occupied by enemy infantry. In order to allow the passage of the division along the road,
the enemy infantry must be eliminated.

The other half of the Kampfgruppe is attacking the village of Brouains to the south in concert
with this attack.

A light fog is starting to form. Visibility should start out at around 250m but will improve
as the day gets brighter.

Mission

Kampfgruppe Magsburg is to clear the road of enemy forces no later than 0715 in order to allow
the division's advance to continue unhindered.

Friendly Forces

Your Kampfgruppe is leading with one motorized Panzergrenadier Company (1.Kompanie), supported
by the Kampfgruppe's Panther platoon. This force will arrive in five minutes and is preceded
by a small reconnaissance elements. You will be receiving a very limited amount of support
from the divisional 105mm artillery battery.

Enemy Forces

The enemy consists of American infantry, although little else is known about this position.
They should not receive any air support given the fog.

Like in the previous mission, I start with five armored cars. I'll use them
more aggressively this time as the terrain is cluttered with bocage, forests
and all kinds of nasty places to put ATGs to. The 234/1s go west to scout
out the fields and the Pumas will check the main road.

The 234/1s come under fire from a single scout team. I return fire and the
enemy team is either killed or retreats as I lose visual on it.

Same situation with the Pumas, an American scout team fires at the Puma
driving on the road and manages to kill the commander. The Puma pops
smoke and starts to retreat.

But not before returning the favor in the form of a 50mm HE round.

My plan.

What?!

Ok, maaaaybe it needs some explanation. My initial plan is to stick close to
the road. Considering the terrain is a maze of death for anything but
infantry, I think the safest place for the Panthers is on the road. I will be
baby-sitting them with all 3 of my infantry platoons, 4th platoon (weapons)
stays in reserve.

But first, I will have to take care something...

Oberon · 08-11-12, 06:47 PM

WOOOOOO BUMPER-TANKS!!

Good to see a nod towards IL-2 there.

Dowly · 08-12-12, 07:43 AM

"Around the Bend" (Part 2)

The scout team spotted earlier by the 234/1s is still very much alive. 234/1 and a inf squad fire at it, but fail to kill it.

There seems to be foxholes on a hill just to the north of 3.Platoon. I later note that the position is most likely manned by 1 infantry squad split in three teams.

2.Platoon secures the first road bend and the Panthers are called to move forward.

Oh that's BULL****! *sighs, clears throat* Out of nowhere, an ATG one-shots the other 234/1 by 3.Platoon. No one sees it even after it fires a second shot.

The remaining 234/1 takes revenge by shooting at a inf team spotted in the foxholes.

2.Platoon comes in contact with a scout team by the first road bend. Think this is the same one the Pumas spotted earlier.

To illustrate the pure hell this mission has been so far; these three squads all have a great LOS to the forest where the scout team is. Not one of them saw it.

1.Platoon begins their task of securing the right side of the road.

And after 30 turns I have advanced.. uh.. 300 meters, maybe? 3.Platoon is held back by the enemies up on the hill and, I don't believe I'm saying this, the one scout team that refuses to die.
I'll probably detach one of the Panthers from the column to help out 3.Plt, I really don't want to advance with the other platoons before I can get the 3. to secure the left flank.

Oberon · 08-12-12, 07:51 AM

Maybe you DO have Stormtroopers after all...

Dowly · 08-12-12, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

Maybe you DO have Stormtroopers after all...

I'm starting to be pretty confident about that.

-------------------------------------------

"Around the Bend" (Part 3)

Oberleutnant Behn himself comes to un**** the 3.Platoon's situation.

Take that you stupid scouts! Good riddance!!

After a bit more lead is flung at him, he decides to FINALLY play by the rules
and retreat. I watched him die oh so many times with the most stupidest grin on my face.

Due to the delay with the 3.Platoon, I decide to use 1.Platoon to secure the
left side of the road as the right side can be secured visually from the left.

FOR

****'s

SAKE!!

Wohoo! Only took 11 casualties to achieve that.

Right. New plan. As there seems to be scout teams EVERYWHERE, my infantry
is next to useless. I haven't spotted a single enemy squad first, always
only after they've opened fire on me. So, it's time to start actually using
those Panthers since I have them. See, what I may or may have not forgotten is
that the Americans probably only have 57mm ATGs; peashooters against the thick
frontal armor of the Panther. Going for that field also gives me the chance to
concentrate the firepower of all my Panthers against any threats. At any rate,
I'm running out of time.

Oberon · 08-12-12, 02:05 PM

I love that scene from Talvisota, that's just Finland all over that is.

Dowly · 08-12-12, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

I love that scene from Talvisota, that's just Finland all over that is.

Hah, I remember watching Talvisota as a kid and I jsut couldn't figure out
what the heck the guy was laughing about.

Arclight · 08-12-12, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dowly

See, what I may or may have not forgotten is
that the Americans probably only have 57mm ATGs; peashooters against the thick frontal armor of the Panther.

You know you can only cover one direction with frontal armour, right?

You are also aware of AI drivers in games tending to present anything but the frontal armour to the only real threats?

I foresee fireworks.

Dowly · 08-12-12, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arclight

I foresee fireworks.

Well.. I got the 105mm arty standing by..

-------------------------------

"Around the Bend" (Part 4)

The attack has barely begun and it's showing promise already!

Two new foxholes are spotted, I'll have one of my Panthers fire few rounds at them.

More progress is made in under 3 minutes than in the first 40 minutes.

The newly found foxhole on top of the hill turns out to be an ATG position.

And it's pissed!

Luckily, one of the Panthers is just few meters away from a good firing position.

KA-BOOM!

3.Platoon is greeted by a welcome committee as they reach the hedgeline.

Gifts are exchanged.

And everyone had such a blast!

The other recently discovered foxhole is occupied by a bazooka team.

3.Platoon attacks the forest while Oberleutnant Behn keeps the bazooka team at bay.

IT'S SUPER EFFECTIVE!

Another two sets of foxholes are discovered next to where the ATG was.

The Panther's 88mm makes the Amis realize it would be better to go home.

2.Platoon also heads into the forest to help clear it.

Now why didn't I do that 40 turns ago? 20 turns left and I have no idea how to tackle the next stretch,
I bet that forest is crawling with scout teams.

Oberon · 08-12-12, 05:20 PM

Alright! Panthers all the way, Go! Go! Go my beauties Go!!

Ahem...sorry...little overexcitement there.

Any way to bypass the forest?

Or perhaps drop your 105mm presents on the forest whilst your infantry advance in. Any smoke shells?

Dowly · 08-12-12, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

Alright! Panthers all the way, Go! Go! Go my beauties Go!!

Ahem...sorry...little overexcitement there.

Any way to bypass the forest?

Or perhaps drop your 105mm presents on the forest whilst your infantry advance in. Any smoke shells?

I thought about bypassing the forest from the far left, but then I remembered
that my objective isn't getting to the other side of the map, but to basically
kill or route the enemy units. The notes say there are hidden terrain objectives
the AI tries to hold. I'm guessing they are along the road. The forest
with all the foxholes was certainly one of them. I might send a small force to
check out the route to the left, there was that one ATG there, so there might
be an hidden objective there too.

The arty is a PITA because it takes so long to fire it's barrage, in the 105mm's
case the time is 9 minutes.

Smoke shells? I'm not sure. Dont think the Panthers got any.

Oberon · 08-12-12, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dowly

Smoke shells? I'm not sure. Dont think the Panthers got any.

What about the arty? Do you have any mortars? Either way you're going to have to keep the scout teams heads down while your infantry advance or you're going to only have one guy actually make it into the forest itself.

Dowly · 08-12-12, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

What about the arty? Do you have any mortars? Either way you're going to have to keep the scout teams heads down while your infantry advance or you're going to only have one guy actually make it into the forest itself.

Have to check the arty tomorrow.

Good thing the day is getting brighter, noticed during the last play that my
infantry spotted a lot more targets than when it was still dark.

Dowly · 08-13-12, 05:40 AM

No smoke rounds available.

------------------------------------------

"Around the Bend" (Part 5)

My goal for the remaining 20 turns is to attack and secure the houses just past the forest road.
And to achieve that? ANGRIFF!

Should've ran home when you still had legs!

The southeast corner of the forest is quickly cleared, now it's time to assault the hill-top.

Casualties are inevitable.

But the job gets done, the hill-top is secured.

No time to rest, I keep the pressure up and don't give the retreating Amis time to regroup.

Die! Capitalist sandbag! DIE!

2.Platoon continues over the ridge, 3.Platoon heads over to the right side of the road.

Enemy positions on the other side of the hill are cleared with grenades.

The Panthers begin to move forward.

Phew, that was scary. But it isn't over yet, 10 turns remain and I have to keep the speed
up to reach the houses up ahead.

Dowly · 08-13-12, 06:46 AM

"Around the Bend" (Part 6)

I order the last attack of the mission.

And it starts just great as this lone gunman starts firing from the left flank of 2.Plt

Grenade knocks him out, however.

The lead Panther begins to maul the houses.

My turn to be in the receiving end of a grenade...

Thrown from right next to me! As usual, no one saw the enemy until they got much closer.

One of the houses is occupied by Amis.

*was occupied by Amis.

Assault on the houses begins.

Great success!

As I move the lead Panther forward, an ATG scratches it.

The big cat scratches back.

...

---------------------------

The campaign doesn't recognize whether the player wins or loses, it just goes to
the next mission, so what now? Should I:

1) Play the mission again without writing new AAR (could give an overview of it, or record somekind of video AAR thingy)
2) Move on and play the next mission
3) Accept defeat and call it quits

08-11-12, 05:19 PM	#16
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	Oooh right. Think I got it. I have 1st, 2nd and 4th company under my command, but I've so far only had the 1st with me. So, the second attack is probably done by Peters' Panzer IVs and 2nd company. Maybe. Aaaanywho: "Around the Bend" (Part 1) Situation 0600 7 August 1944 Kampfgruppe Magsburg is moving north along the main road to Chérencé-le-Roussel. Divisional scouts took small arms fire while rounding the bend in the road ahead; it can be assumed to be occupied by enemy infantry. In order to allow the passage of the division along the road, the enemy infantry must be eliminated. The other half of the Kampfgruppe is attacking the village of Brouains to the south in concert with this attack. A light fog is starting to form. Visibility should start out at around 250m but will improve as the day gets brighter. Mission Kampfgruppe Magsburg is to clear the road of enemy forces no later than 0715 in order to allow the division's advance to continue unhindered. Friendly Forces Your Kampfgruppe is leading with one motorized Panzergrenadier Company (1.Kompanie), supported by the Kampfgruppe's Panther platoon. This force will arrive in five minutes and is preceded by a small reconnaissance elements. You will be receiving a very limited amount of support from the divisional 105mm artillery battery. Enemy Forces The enemy consists of American infantry, although little else is known about this position. They should not receive any air support given the fog. Like in the previous mission, I start with five armored cars. I'll use them more aggressively this time as the terrain is cluttered with bocage, forests and all kinds of nasty places to put ATGs to. The 234/1s go west to scout out the fields and the Pumas will check the main road. The 234/1s come under fire from a single scout team. I return fire and the enemy team is either killed or retreats as I lose visual on it. Same situation with the Pumas, an American scout team fires at the Puma driving on the road and manages to kill the commander. The Puma pops smoke and starts to retreat. But not before returning the favor in the form of a 50mm HE round. My plan. What?! Ok, maaaaybe it needs some explanation. My initial plan is to stick close to the road. Considering the terrain is a maze of death for anything but infantry, I think the safest place for the Panthers is on the road. I will be baby-sitting them with all 3 of my infantry platoons, 4th platoon (weapons) stays in reserve. But first, I will have to take care something...

08-11-12, 06:47 PM	#17
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	WOOOOOO BUMPER-TANKS!! Good to see a nod towards IL-2 there.

08-12-12, 07:43 AM	#18
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	"Around the Bend" (Part 2) The scout team spotted earlier by the 234/1s is still very much alive. 234/1 and a inf squad fire at it, but fail to kill it. There seems to be foxholes on a hill just to the north of 3.Platoon. I later note that the position is most likely manned by 1 infantry squad split in three teams. 2.Platoon secures the first road bend and the Panthers are called to move forward. Oh that's BULL***! sighs, clears throat* Out of nowhere, an ATG one-shots the other 234/1 by 3.Platoon. No one sees it even after it fires a second shot. The remaining 234/1 takes revenge by shooting at a inf team spotted in the foxholes. 2.Platoon comes in contact with a scout team by the first road bend. Think this is the same one the Pumas spotted earlier. To illustrate the pure hell this mission has been so far; these three squads all have a great LOS to the forest where the scout team is. Not one of them saw it. 1.Platoon begins their task of securing the right side of the road. And after 30 turns I have advanced.. uh.. 300 meters, maybe? 3.Platoon is held back by the enemies up on the hill and, I don't believe I'm saying this, the one scout team that refuses to die. I'll probably detach one of the Panthers from the column to help out 3.Plt, I really don't want to advance with the other platoons before I can get the 3. to secure the left flank.

08-12-12, 07:51 AM	#19
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Maybe you DO have Stormtroopers after all...

08-12-12, 02:05 PM	#21
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	I love that scene from Talvisota, that's just Finland all over that is.

08-12-12, 05:20 PM	#25
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Alright! Panthers all the way, Go! Go! Go my beauties Go!! Ahem...sorry...little overexcitement there. Any way to bypass the forest? Or perhaps drop your 105mm presents on the forest whilst your infantry advance in. Any smoke shells?

08-13-12, 05:40 AM	#29
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	No smoke rounds available. ------------------------------------------ "Around the Bend" (Part 5) My goal for the remaining 20 turns is to attack and secure the houses just past the forest road. And to achieve that? ANGRIFF! Should've ran home when you still had legs! The southeast corner of the forest is quickly cleared, now it's time to assault the hill-top. Casualties are inevitable. But the job gets done, the hill-top is secured. No time to rest, I keep the pressure up and don't give the retreating Amis time to regroup. Die! Capitalist sandbag! DIE! 2.Platoon continues over the ridge, 3.Platoon heads over to the right side of the road. Enemy positions on the other side of the hill are cleared with grenades. The Panthers begin to move forward. Phew, that was scary. But it isn't over yet, 10 turns remain and I have to keep the speed up to reach the houses up ahead.

08-13-12, 06:46 AM	#30
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	"Around the Bend" (Part 6) I order the last attack of the mission. And it starts just great as this lone gunman starts firing from the left flank of 2.Plt Grenade knocks him out, however. The lead Panther begins to maul the houses. My turn to be in the receiving end of a grenade... Thrown from right next to me! As usual, no one saw the enemy until they got much closer. One of the houses is occupied by Amis. *was occupied by Amis. Assault on the houses begins. Great success! As I move the lead Panther forward, an ATG scratches it. The big cat scratches back. ... --------------------------- The campaign doesn't recognize whether the player wins or loses, it just goes to the next mission, so what now? Should I: 1) Play the mission again without writing new AAR (could give an overview of it, or record somekind of video AAR thingy) 2) Move on and play the next mission 3) Accept defeat and call it quits