[CC:TLD] Arclight vs. Dowly Grand Campaign

[Lionclaw]

Thinking of maybe getting this, going to get Cross of Iron for sure though.

So many interesting games at Matrix Games.

[Dowly]

COI has linear campaign AFAIK (like in original CC3), Wacht am Rhein & TLD has strategic map you can move freely on after the first turn or so choosing where to attack.

[Lionclaw]

D'oh, should've read the description more carefully, thanks.

I'm familiar with Close Combat 5. Not entirely sure if it's worth buying basically the same game again.

Have to do some reading.

[Dowly]

TLD adds new strategic map with some new maps in it, night battles and the whole grand campaign is more balanced and changed. But yeh, don't know if it's worth it (you do get the classic CC5 with it too (I think with added night battles not 100% sure)).

You could try Wacht am Rhein, maybe.

[Lionclaw]

Seems "CC:Wacht am Rhein" has some issues. At least what I've read over at matrixgames forums.

Oh well, I'm looking into some other games over there too, so it'll take some time to decide.

[Dowly]

DAY 1 TURN 1

WN 4/716th INF DIV vs 3rd PARA BDE/6th AB DIV

Merville Battery

I decided to go with another tactic than that I use against AI, so instead of garrisoning the battery, I spread my forces to cover both ends of the road. West had the road to Pegasus bridge, in the East a possible staging point for Arc's future ops in the area. My saving grace was the two 20mm flak guns I had in this sector, that coupled with few MG34's managed to stop Arc's assault on the two flags without own casualties. After the first engagements, we harrassed each other with mortars and eventually decided to truce this one; I had no troops to counter-attack and Arc was pinned down in his landing zone.

Overview of the battle


Debrief



Arc's attack in west




Arc's attack in east (the dead soldier farthest to the left was Arc's handiwork )

[Raptor1]

That place looks like a nightmare to assault, almost as much as the Moscow fortifications map in CC3/CoI.

[Arclight]

Frickin French and their precious country-side. What's wrong with a little long grass?

Originally Posted by Raptor1

That place looks like a nightmare to assault, almost as much as the Moscow fortifications map in CC3/CoI.

Yeah, probed it a bit but didn't push through on either assault. Not a chance without heavy casualties, though might have applied a bit more force in the W; could have forced that one through.

[Dowly]

DAY 1 END OF TURN 1

642nd OST/716th INF DIV vs 5th PARA BDE/6th AB DIV

Pegasus Bridge

I WANT REAL SOLDIERS!!! Anywho, Pegasus Bridge, always an advantage for germans in this map, though undergunned with ost troops and very little ammunition. At the start of the battle, Arc moved some of his force and manned the forest on the bottom of the map, my initial plan was to have 2-3 squads push to the forest from the S edge, but had to scrap it as I needed all my troops in defence of the road and the bridge. Combat wise the first 15 minutes or so was just Arc probing my defences with mortars, a luxury I didn't have in this one. 13 minutes left and he made his move with a probing assault to Pegasus bridge with bazooka team or something and another assault towards the crossroads which he captured for few seconds before I counter-attacked and took it back with some casualties (which I can't really afford in this one ). Arc made one last attempt to the crossroad with 2-3 minutes remaining but despite his suppression fire from the forest and the landing zone, I managed to stop the assault and crossroads remained in my hands.

Overview of the battle



Debrief



Arc's troops moving into the forest



Arc blowing up my stuff



Initial assault on crossroads




My counter-attack



Last dash from Arc before timer ran out





SITUATION AFTER TURN 1

[Dowly]

DAY 1 TURN 2



WN 5/709th INF DIV vs 8th RGT/4th INF DIV

Uncle Red

Buuuuullll****! No, not really anything else to say. I had few squads and 2 AT guns to counter Arc's much larger force.

Overview


Debrief



My 50mm blew one of his Shermans before being blown to bits.



Arc likes his smokes.



Pounding my MG34 position, no hits luckily.



Naval barrage against my Grenadiers who stopped Arc's assault.



Stay tuned for more BS!

[Arclight]

Thought the Sherman ran over a mine. I was cussing at the poor basterds.


Feel of the game shifted completely though; from nigh impossible airborne assault to steamrolling Jerry.

Of course, it's all going to shift again once they get off the beaches and come up against full-sized companies. Im sure the panzers will have a field day as well.

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by Arclight

Of course, it's all going to shift again once they get off the beaches and come up against full-sized companies. Im sure the panzers will have a field day as well.

Yeah, when I can eventually move them. Two more turns after this before they can move, so plenty of time to move deep inland for you.

[Dowly]

DAY 1 TURN 2

WN 8/709th INF DIV vs 12th RGT/4th INF DIV

Tare Green

The map here was deeeeep, so I flipped a bird at the Atlantic wall and positioned my troops waaaay to the rear. This worked quite nicely, got few pages of reading done on my book while Arc was cautiously moving westwards. Few mortar rounds here and there managed to kill some of his advancing guys. Also, luckily he used his naval barrage at start against the wall, so that cut my losses probably. With 5 minutes or so remaining he had reached the far endof the map and started a more aggressive form of advance in the northern sector, which got stonewalled by my MG34. In south Arc tried to drive his Sherman thru the hedges, straight into the arms of my flamethrower. Map ended with time running out.


Overview


Debrief



Arc pounding the Wall



My mortars inflict minor losses to advancing Arc



Arc preparing to assault



I smell burning Sherman



Arc's assault begins, MG34 opens up. I think I managed to damage the tank with my AT gun before it too was blown to atoms



Strike #2 for the RAF

[Arclight]

Yep, the Tommy cooker lives up to it's name.

Cheating flamethrowing bastid.


That road really forms a perfect defensive line though; gonna be bloody punching through that one.

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by Arclight

That road really forms a perfect defensive line though; gonna be bloody punching through that one.

It does yeh... for the first time. Not much surprise left on turn 3, n.barrage and air and I got 1 guy alive waving a white flag. Thank god it's back to inf battle on next one.