CM:BN Match #2 Dowly(GER) vs. Crécy(US) AAR

[Dowly]

Yeah, we are heading right back in. :oops:

As with the previous game, we won't be reading each other's AARs,
so don't post any spoilers.

I will be playing as the germans this time, neither of us
have really played as the side we are now playing as.

BATTLE SETTINGS

Length: 60 minutes
Size: Medium
Type: Meeting Engagement
Force Type: Mixed
Map: Meet Med Village (Bocage) QB-065

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

GERMAN FORCES

1.Grenadier Battalion
-HQ Team
-HQ Support Team
-Panzer VA (Panther) (Mid))
-Stug IIIG (Mid)
-Panzer VIE (Tiger) (Late))

1.Grenadier Company
-HQ Team
-Panzerjäger Team
-Sniper Team
-1.Platoon
-3.Platoon

2.Grenadier Company
-HQ Team
-Panzerjäger Team
-1.Platoon
-2.Platoon
-3.Platoon

4.Weapons Company
-HQ Team
-Machinegun Platoon

*I will not be using any mortar/arty/air support, because nuts to them.

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

PRE-BATTLE DEPLOYMENT & ORDERS

I'm going in blind, I have no idea where Crécy starts.. well, it did mention it in
the map description, but balls if I remember. But I'm going to assume he starts
from the NW corner.

The objective is the crossroad, which seems to be a bit more on my side,
probably because I am listed as defender eventho this is a meeting engagement.

Crécy partly losing the last match due to lack of aggression, I'm expecting
him to quickly occupy the NW corner of the crossroad and most likely he will
send troops to flank me from the North.

His southern flank is mostly solid bocage by the road, so I'm not expecting
much from there. I believe I see if a bocage is blown/cut down.

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T00.jpg

[Oberon]

Be sure to assign a Gestapo member per each armoured vehicle to shoot the commander when he engages Derp mode. :yep:

[Dowly]

Be sure to assign a Gestapo member per each armoured vehicle to shoot the commander when he engages Derp mode. :yep:

I shall see to it. :DL

[Dowly]

Turn 1 (60:00-59:00)

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T1.jpg

And so it begins (DUN-DUN-DUU!!!).

Units begin to move to their assigned objectives (see post #1).
3/1 Coy is pulled from the reserve and assigned to the northern flank.

The C2 network is still a complete mystery to me, tho. How is it possible
that 2/2 Coy has already lost contact with the 2 Coy, but is still in contact
with 1. Battalion that is just few meters away from 2 Coy HQ?? All three units
have radios!

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T_01.jpg

[HunterICX]

That last screenshot is just :rock:

HunterICX

[Raptor1]

Maybe 2nd Platoon's commander just really doesn't like his Company commander... :hmmm:

[Dowly]

That last screenshot is just :rock:

HunterICX

Danke :salute:

Maybe 2nd Platoon's commander just really doesn't like his Company commander... :hmmm:

Could be, or the radioman isn't good at multitasking so he could only maintain
contact to one place while on the move. Now they've stopped and the C2
is fine. :hmmm:

[Dowly]

Mmm... does anyone know what that.. err.. thingy is in my Tiger's armor stats?

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/tigertankquestion.jpg

[Arclight]

Indication it has smoke launcher? Dunno tbh, kinda looks like a smoke cloud. :hmmm:

[Dowly]

Indication it has smoke launcher? Dunno tbh, kinda looks like a smoke cloud. :hmmm:

That would make sense... and it does look like a puff of smoke... or a rock,
because... Tigers' rock (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKFNpPaz8PU)... right? :hmm2:

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

Turn 2 (59:00-58:00)

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T2.jpg

My sniper spots Crécy's infantry to the NW, 1. and 2. Rifle Squad. The only way
out of that field towards south is a small gap, so I'm assuming he is going for that.
I tell the sniper it can fire on any targets from now on.

Other than that, it's a quiet turn.

[HunterICX]

because... Tigers' rock (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKFNpPaz8PU)... right? :hmm2:



That they do

Start up of one restored from last year
[/URL]
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXvWlPv55SQ&list=UUhl-XKVVBAzoEVsnbOfpcqw&index=3&feature=plcp (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=AXvWlPv55SQ#t=49s)

:rock:

HunterICX

[SgtPotato]

That they do

Start up of one restored from last year
[/URL]
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXvWlPv55SQ&list=UUhl-XKVVBAzoEVsnbOfpcqw&index=3&feature=plcp (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=AXvWlPv55SQ#t=49s)

:rock:

HunterICX

I like the way that they didn't repair the battle damaged muffler shields. :yep:

[Dowly]

Turn 3 (58:00-57:00)

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T3.jpg

Wow! Crécy is moving units southwards and looks like the
units on the eastern field are heading for the road. I incorrectly said in the last
report that there's only 1 gap in the bocage surrounding that field, there are in fact
two gaps, the second one is by the road.

He also blew a hole to the bocage in north. If I'm not completely mistaken, armor needs
2-wide gap to drive through, so if I see another explosion on the next turn, I know armor's
coming from the north.

I order everyone to take defensive positions at their assigned areas, fire at will.

The Panther is also ordered to move up to the bocage, it's line of fire will be limited
as there appears to be somewhat thick growth of trees running in the middle of most
bocages in the map, but it might get a few shots at the units crossing the field(s).

[Dowly]

Turn 4 (57:00-56:00)

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T4.jpg

Uh... well that's not good. Certainly not lacking aggression this time, Crécy moves
tons and tons of infantry from north, northwest and, in a few turns, from (south)west to my side
of the map.

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T04_1.jpg

Even with my men already in defensive posture, I'm not quite confident that I am able to hold all
of that back. North is definitely my weakest front, 3/1 can't effectively support 2/2 in defence
due to lack of cover. They can support 2/2's possible retreat, but before I pull my northern flank
back, I'll bring the Tiger to support 3/1, Stug IIIG will be of course supporting 2/2, but only if
it has to, it has a green crew so I'm not trusting them.

Panther ordered to move further south and take position between the wpns platoon and 3/2, should
allow for a wider line of fire across the field.

[Dowly]

Turn 5 (56:00-55:00)

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T5.jpg

Crécy's getting a bit too close in the north, so I'll order the Stug to move in and support the 2/2.
The northern flank looks to be Crécy's weakest attack, could open up a possible counter-attack route
for my troops if I can fight back his attack there.

3/2 and the weapons platoon lay down fire on the fields to the west, but this doesn't seem to have much
effect in killing nor suppressing Crécy's advancing troops.

I wonder when his mortars begin to massacre my lines...

[Dowly]

Turn 6 (55:00-54:00)

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T6.jpg

Spotted Crécy's pioneers in the north after he blew another hole to the bocage. Wasn't sure if he had
pioneers doing those holes or recon infantry (who also carry demo charges), so good to know that.

60mm spotting rounds started to land to the center field, which is very bad news because now I
have to make the decision to either retreat from the bocage, which would allow Crécy to come across the
road unopposed or take the pounding, which may or may not cause tremendous casualties. 60mm is accurate,
but not nearly as lethal as it's 81mm older brother.

Fire mission takes 3-4 turns to reach the 'fire for effect' phase, so I'll hold position for now.

Tiger is ordered to continue to the road when it reaches the northern flank. Squad from 3/1 is to cross
the road to take a better look at the field and cover the Tiger's flank.

3/2 sends a 2-man scout team to check the southwest area.

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T6_01.jpg

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

Btw, does anyone know if tanks, say the Tiger, can blow holes to the hedgerows with it's cannon?

[Dowly]

Turn 7 (54:00-53:00)

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T7.jpg

Northern flank is hurting a bit, can't get good lines of fire on his troops. I'll order another squad from
3/1 to head for the bocage across the road.

Crécy has an 57mm AT gun on the road, shouldn't be much of a problem for the Tiger to move up on next turn
and kill it.

Panther loses a crew member to Crécy's mortar.

[Dowly]

Turn 8 (53:00-52:00)

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T8.jpg

Crécy's AT gun gets a direct hit from the Tiger's 88mm. I feel the center is secure enough, so I send the
Panther to the northern flank too. Third squad from 3/1 is ordered to take positions in the bocage across the road,
need to get some fire on those guys crossing the field. Tiger also moves up to the bocage and hopefully can fire on
Crécy's troops from there.

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T8_01.jpg

[Dowly]

Turn 9 (52:00-51:00)

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T9.jpg

As I'm going through a ton of ammunition in the center, I order everyone to hide and stop firing for the next turn.
To compensate this, the Panther won't be going to the northern flank, but instead takes position just south of 2/2,
overlooking the field to the west. Who knows, maybe Crécy will think I'm retreating and launches an attack, which will
then be horribly massacred when I tell my guys to get up and start firing again.

1/2 is pulled out of reserve and is heading to the north, I'm planning on doing an counter-attack with 3/1 & 1/2
within the next 5 turns.

2/2 have been taking some casualties, so the 2 squads doing the fighting are pulled back, out of view of Crécy's troops
to the north. The Stug can see to the road, so if someone tries to come over they are in for a nasty surprise.

Note: The 57mm ATG still shows on the map, but the unit panel shows it as "Knocked Out".

3rd squad 3/1 rushes to reinforce the hedgeline. US rifle squad can be seen trying to take cover on the open field.
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T9_01.jpg

The what goes where???
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T9_02.jpg

[Dowly]

Turn 10 (51:00-50:00)

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T10.jpg

Not much happening really. Ordered the troops in the center to stop that silly ninja-hidey-thingy and get back to shooting
Crécy's dudes.

I spotted one of his rifle squads running towards the southwest corner of the map, wonder if it's just a probe or if there's
more of them coming. Either way, 3/2 should be able to handle it.

Tiger got a good shot at a squad that tried to cross the street at the junction, at least 3-5 wounded. The Panther, now hanging
around just south of 2/2 seems to be in a good spot to shoot Crécy's troops too, so I keep it there for now.

All in all, nothing to worry about.

[Dowly]

Turn 11 (50:00-49:00)

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T11.jpg

More baddies spotted in the southwest corner of the map, I'm going to send the Panther there to block that off.

81mm spotting rounds began to land around my northern flank, so I'll have to start the counter-attack ASAP.
The Stug will fire smoke rounds to the road, which hopefully allows for the 2/2 to get back to the low
hedgerow by the road. 3/1 will start to advance west along the road, the Tiger will be moving with them.
As soon as 1/2 arrives, they will help 3/1 to take control of the gap just across the road from 2/2, if I can
secure that area, I can move freely on the road.

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T11_01.jpg

[Dowly]

Turn 12 (49:00-48:00)

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T12.jpg

Crécy's definitely trying to attack in southwest, he's pulling a lot of dudes from the center to the southwest.
For now, I'll let 3/2 and the Panther hold that off.

3/1 and the Tiger advance in north, the smoke provides excellent cover, tho need to be on the lookout in-case he decides
to make use of the smoke to move his troops around to either attack or circle around to the northeast side of the map.

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T12_01.jpg

[Dowly]

Turn 13 (48:00-47:00)

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T13.jpg

Panther reaches 3/2's position in the southwest, that should block Crécy's advance there.

In the north, Crécy's troops in the hedgeline by the road shred 3/1's 2. squad to pieces as they advance through the smoke,
they're now pinned down in the open. 1. and 3. squad will assault the gap, supported by the Tiger which I order to move
into the gap under the smokescreen. 1/2 should reach the road during the next turn and will join 3/1 in the attack,
might move the Stug to the road too.

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T13_01.jpg

[Dowly]

Turn 14 (47:00-46:00)

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T14.jpg

One of Crécy's squads by the road tries to 'zooka my Panther, but the round falls short. Panther returns fire and suppresses
them. Not much more going on in southwest.

Situation in north is going everything but well for me. 81mm rounds start to land on the road, I'm guessing he has a linear
target on it, at any rate 1/2 takes losses from a round that lands just as they are crossing the road. 3/1 is being badly
beaten, with 2 squads completely pinned down and unable to move on the next turn. Two squads from 2/2 and the Stug will join
the attack.

http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/Dowly/T14_01.jpg

If the attack fails, I'm ready to throw in the towel. No doubt Crécy will counter-attack and take control of the objective,
don't think I'd have enough troops to re-capture it at that point.

[Dowly]

We have decided to call this one a draw. :yep:

[Oberon]

http://castlesandcooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Monty-Python.jpg

"Alright, we'll call it a draw!"