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The clash of the Titans series of DAR's continues with myself vs. Dave (CT) who I challenged almost a year ago. I'm currently waiting for him to return my setup of over 3 months ago.

Whenever he gets his butt in gear, you will witness one of the most entertaining and enlightening DAR's on how to attack (me) and defend (CT) that you could ever possibly witness. I stress the defense end of this, as Dave is a maestro of CM, and in 3 battles, I have not been able to beat him yet (although he states that they have all been rather close...), so if you want to see him take me apart, cheer him on and motivate him to get his DAR started, and send me back that turn.

: )

Considering that we now have 3 of the top 5 ELO ladder players and argueably the best players at the blitz, if not the world (I'm only there as a technicality, and should not be considered a top player, but only as a poor but resolute whipping boy who enjoys rolling in the crap of the big dogs) at the blitz squaring off in various games, you will have the pleasure of watching the best slug it out, and showing you all there little tricks in a detailed DAR.

Don't let the educational piece get you down, there is no math involved, we only wish to impart our tactics and strategies at CM (whatever that's worth).

Enjoy!

Cheers!

Leto

First of all, I was able to get in here without reading a word of Leto's post.

But I just wanted to state for the record that I have only been working on this setup for two months. I dont see what the hurry is!

LOL!!

GET OUT AND STAY OUT, TOFU CONSUMER!!

: )

No worries on the no read... there was really nothing of consequence. I will hold you to strict compliance of no entry when the turns start flying... estimated near next January maybe... (at your speed)

; )

Cheers!


Leto

That's a sure winner for the understatement of the year awards...

As a technicality.. my ass...
Leto is one of the top CM players around, no matter how much he claims not to be.

How do you assault a Soviet of the caliber of Colonel T?  

Well, first things first.  Let's get into the mind of our opponent and see what kind of useful information we can dredge out.

Dave is to a CM defense set up much like James Joyce is to a written manuscript...  never happy with what he has created... a perfectionist.  It's taken him 3 months to setup and he is still not happy.

Thus Dave is mentally ill... not much we can use there I guess.

: )

So we go to purchases.  This is a rare March 1945 QB Axis Attack with myself (Leto) as the German.  Obviously the germans are desperate and counterattacking for some strange reason, but no matter, I am oft the Maverick, and suspect that has infused my battalion commander to commit an unusually stupid and pride laced counterattack in which he can make a last ditch attempt to win an Iron Cross (until Sgt Steiner blows him away in the last turn of the DAR).

Expect Dave to purchase a battalion of infantry as the map is large and requires defensive positions to be spread out considerably.  I'll be surprised if he doesn't buy the Guards SMG battalion with the four 57mm guns.  He may even throw in a twist and buy them green, moving the cost from 1400 or so to 1300 or so.  This gives him between 600 and 700 extra points to play with!

Yeesh.  I expect minefields, wire, TRP's, a few mobile units (perhaps an SU-100 to take on any panthers he suspects I may draw up = 150 points) mortars, snipers, and TH's.  And whatever combination he chooses will be well orchestrated.

You just can't fathom it until you get into the lines and start to see the possible defense unfold.  Don't hobble yourself with second guessing about the defense, just make sure you are careful, methodical and well orchestrated yourself on the attack.  But it doesn't hurt to turn the map around and try to set up a virtual defense to see how Dave might do it.

Here is the map:



As you can see, nothing fancy here.  I've bought an oversized Fusilier infantry battalion with 5 Companies (3 infantry, 1 MG and 1 gun).  Each infantry company is oversized and consists of four platoons.

The plan is simple.  Avoid the main defense and drive deep down the flanks with company C in the west and company A in the east, while Company B supports the middle.  Company B will not take part in the assualt on the flags, as it and a few mg companies will be formed around stopping enemy repositioning.

And how do you buy a Brumbar for 160 points that can also take out a T-34/85 or Stalin?  Well you buy the hydra headed duo of a grille (150mm HE) and a hetzer (AP capable and can take out any tank, and is armoured like a hetzer to take frontal russian AP shot handily) and pair them together as one unit.

This tactic has worked well for me in the past and I am loathe to give it up, but that is what these DAR's are for... to give everyone some insight into kit picks, unit usage tactics and strategy.  Thus I have 4 battle groups of one hetzer and one grille in each.

I've also purchased 3 additional mortars, and have two 105 arty observers and an 81mm arty observers (the 81 for smoke if need be, and the 105's for suppression and uprooting of fierce defenders).  

Kubelwagons will tag team tow two (say that three times fast) my four 75mm gun kit picks.

I've also armed the infantry with 3 Panzershrecks just in case Ivan comes Steel heavy.

Why did I not buy snipers?  Not worth the purchase on attack.  If this was a bigger map, perhaps I would as snipers can fill up a lot of empty gap space in the attack lines, and sometimes penetrate deep to give good intel.

EDIT* I did buy one CRACK sniper... I had just forgotten about it... TBH, I still think it will be a waste, but he's riding shotgun out in front of one of my flanking companies. I will try to do a few neat things with him as the game progresses.

Last but not least, one further 150mm gun with Sdkfz.  You never know when you may need that 40 or so rounds of HE.  Of course the guns come in last after the infantry have found the safe way in.

Here goes nothin!

Cheers!

Leto

Check those defensive positions.

Here is my interpretation of Dave's setup zone:



Dave will most likely be moving his ATR platoon forward along these following lines:



Thus, I have to interpet that first contact and his LOS to my advance will be along those positions. I will tailor my advance accordingly.

I suspect the wafting smell of cabbage will assault our good german olfactory senses on turn 2 or 3... depending on how far he advances his vanguard.

Cheers!

Leto

Turn 7 of 40 and no contact.  Here is how I am thinking, (if this has any value):

Sector A



The hill is a good position for a defense, so I am suspecting that Dave has a gun up there.  I want to stretch out his defenses as much as possible, and due to the fact that I have 27 turns left, hope that I can use another 10 turns to move deep into his backfield.  That failing, there is a direct attack route up the eastern side of the hill.

As you all know these plans are dynamic, and can change as soon as the first head of sour cabbage hits the fan.

I have the 81mm mortar observer and a 75mm gun that is targeting the flag hexes circled.

Sector B



I've committed a company to the middle to keep Dave's troops stationary.  I'm also moving in a 150mm IG, 3 mortar units, and two 105mm arty units.  I've got one 75mm gun deployed and another ready to be hitched and deployed elsewhere when contact is made.

These troops will not engage the enemy at close range.

I've also got a Crack sniper (circled in blue) doing some recon.

Sector C



The hillside protecting the flag is a perfect defending position, but only on the opposite side... thus the defender must cross over the hilltop and get cut down by small arms on the other side, without the defender able to get any real support fire into that area.  Thus his defenses will most likely be light in this area, an MG, a couple of ATR's perhaps a bunker.

I suspect that he has mined this part of the map to prevent AFV's from passing through, and I've indicated this in the area's in orange.  I'm hoping that he has missed the little cranny where my small hetzers can move through to get into the inner sphere of that flank.

So there you have it... pre contact plans that will most likely not survive past the first spitwad, but the overall strategy remains that if we cannot go deep, we will fight on his direct flank defense positions, hopefully with our superior fire and armored support, overcome.

The strategy is to take 3 flags and gain the draw/minor victory.  Thus the far right and left flags, and the secondary flag in sector C if possible.

As we are now approaching the Soviet lines, Colonel Talwhale-AH's troops have spotted my intentions, and he is either confident or feeling shakey right now.  I suspect confident (hey, its Dave!).

Men will be moving in leapfrog overwatch fashion, with half squads leading the way from here on in.  Armour will not move until we can establish lines of defense, and mitigate against TH's, ATRs and most importantly, hidden guns drawing a bead on our valiant panzermen.

One last thing.  Bunching your men in the fashion I have is not advised.  A well placed 122 arty strike right now could win the game for Dave... but I am a bit of a gambler, and my men will now be fanning out considerably to prevent against this.

Wish me luck... I shall need it.

Hopefully some action soon.  I suspect small caliber AA guns will begin to fire soon.

Cheers!

Leto

As to the threat of minefields, wire, bunkers and the like: We all know this bug, but before the carnage begins, you can usually estimate how much has been purchased of the defenders goodies by your % clock. Mine reads the Germans have 1% while the Russians have 0%, indicating to me that Dave has opted for units over minefields and bunkers, and that his defense is not based on booby traps.

Therefore, I have little to worry about with minefields (I assume) and have already spotted some wire.

The bad news, is that there may be 600 more points in play. Guaranteed there will be either two 122 spotters or a platoon of very nasty russian tanks, or a very large mortar, gun and specialty section.

Cheers!

Leto

An update on the defense bug... it shows you only what you see in terms of gauging the amount of pillbox, minefield wire goodies a defender has.

My % has moved up to 4% with the additional wire I spot.

Thus far my advance has encountered little resistance and it is now turn 13.

Since it is a 40 turn game, I am planning to kick off my attack somewhere around turn 20. Hopefully, my two flanking bodies will be in position, deep in CT's backfield when the arty starts to fall.

Here is the play by play in each sector:

Far WEST

The long flank will hopefully pay off here. No defenses are seen thus far, and perhaps this means that Dave has opted to not defend these flags heavily, conceding them and doing his best to hold the 3 flags in the east.



His defensive line is assuredly the road, so I will hopefully end around the worst of it going behind him.

West Center

I have MG's in overwatch on his 2nd large flag... hopefully they will detect any shifts and movements.



The attack on this flag will come from the rear flank, so I do not expect to move these MG's into harms way.

Center

Once again, moving into position, and trying to run halfsquads short distances to lure out enemy fire. Shots rang out this turn so I am getting close.



Notice how dave has wired his defense to funnel me into one zone. Guaranteed there is a TRP there, or I am already sitting on one. Dont' plan on advancing until my arty drops.

Center East

Once again, the wire appears to note a tight defense. I won't be tripping that defense though... I will remain tight and let my flankers do the work.



A 150 IG is 3 turns from firing position.

Far East

The long flank. Due to the curvature of the hill, CT probably cannot get at my long flank, and I am sending two platoons of infantry to take on and suppress his flank guard behind the wire.



I finally learned the secret of slipping through the open knot in the woods and have a 150 SP gun through... don't move the movement points through the knot, just move it into the center, otherwise, the computer AI will try to plot another way around. Once in the knot, you can slip through on the next turn. Count on another 3 turns to get these tanks through before they can get firing positions on CT's wired positions.

Cheers!

Leto

A sniper's duty. The little games we play.

My Crack sniper Rot Lehrer has been battling "el Berenger-esque" with a Soviet sniper at the head of my advance.

Six turns ago, a soviet sniper (infantry sounds) icon appeared in the middle of my advance, my men walking right over the icon as if he weren't even there. Well, if CT's Soviet sniper is crack as well, there is a good chance that the sound icon is 20 meters away from the actual sniper!

The next turn, I sent back a few troops to see if I could round up the sniper, but the sniper turned and fled back through my men like a ghost to his own lines. What this tells me is that the sniper is still ahead somewhere and that CT has a good bead on my forces in the middle.

Lehrer, a crack shot as well was dispatched forward to drill a bullet through the Soviet's scope and into his eye, in order to make his head explode like a huge cabbage (you are what you eat!)... unfortunately, Lehrer has not been able to spot the enemy sniper and has moved dangerously deep into the Soviet lines.



I've used Lehrer to draw out enemy troops, by this simple method.

Run a half squad into the open (less than 10m) and then have him crash and hide when he gets to cover. Enemy units that turn to engage (but are still hidden) even if they do not fire, may get picked up by your sniper. In this case, a half squad dash revealed two enemy units ahead of Lehrer, and then returned to icons as they returned to hiding.

Lehrer has a bead on them.

While I am waiting for my arty to fall, I am playing this game with about 2-3 half squads... running 10 meters and then hiding in cover, to begin luring out enemy troops.

Unfortunately, we have not been able to register the Soviet sniper, and now a bounty has been put out on him, as we have just learned that some of Colonel [hirr]Leto's strudel has been purloined by a shaggy smelling Soviet sniper... talk about having a sniper in your kitchen!

Dagnabbit. I want my strudel back!!!

Cheers!

Leto