Beetlecat
Posts: 45
Joined: 6/7/2000
From: Seattle, WA
Status: offline
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Maybe it's seasonal regression or maybe I didn't get enough toys for x-mas, but I've just started a new campaign into unreality as... (yes, Germany, 1939) Upon experimenting with smaller force sizes for quicker battles (An hour or less) I realized that I could go for the extreme and try to recreate a 'rat patrol' style core. 
My force consists of
HQ Squad (to change to recon patrol)
D-Benz (change to Kubelv. MG)
3x 222s (love those armored cars. fast, cheap and out of control)
3x Kubelv. MG
3x recon teams (ride the kubels)
3x AT teams (ride with recon teams)
1x Sniper
2x 251 HTs (to change to light SP guns)
1x SS mech platoon (for the HTs and the Mortar)
While not exactly any specific tv show TO&E, it's a small group of somewhat combined arms and the ability to handle pretty much anything -if not engaging in ranged combat, of course.
With that force, I set off for the first battle (lodz) and was given an assault mission, hmm, so I buy all arty and an FO as support. The victory hexes were arrayed in the typical horseshoe pattern with the closest being at the edges of the map.
I mount up and take off (and I mean take off, wow) toward the north edge of the map where a road conveniently led to the first set of VHs.
I took that AT trio along since my ability to handle armor of any kind would be limited at best. Later it occured to me that with such a low point force, I would encounter few tanks. I did encounter 37mm flak, however, and one of my 222s bravely flung itself in the path of the shells to protect the rest of the group. One crewman survived.
I was a bit more careful and stuck to the trees and behind hills after that, and suffered a two immobilizations which we repaired in short order (due to wheeled vehicle's ease of repair).
There was absolutely no resistance in the rear area, and even the Polish HQ squad was by itself with an AT team on the center VH, easily dispatched. It wasn't until I finished my map sweep south and toward the other end of the horseshoe did I make real contact. As soon as a pair of scout teams dismounted their rides and crested the hill containing the last of the VH's, a handful of those 19 man infantry squads were spotted, stretched along the front line dead center in the map.
I immediately order a massive artillery barrage up and down the line of deployment in an attempt to hit the forces that I KNOW must be there (especially those 37mm). Not long after, squad after awakened squad starts making for the hilltop which, at this point, has only recon and at teams defending it. Umm, uh-oh!
It's a full turn or two before my mech infantry show up (damned slow 251s!) and I order a reverse slope deployment just as the recon and at teams sprint down hill with the bulk of the Polish forces on their heels.
In the ensuing clash of arms, noise, smoke and pounding artillary, my armored car commander decides to drive around the hill and attempt to pin down the Polish reenforcements. He fails to realize the danger of AT grenades and quickly loses his other subbordinate. He moved back behind the hill...
-_-_-_-
This is where I've left off in that battle, and a quick glance back up north reveals that a few of the PO infantry are moving toward the northern most VH as well. (where i left that 222 crewman to wait for the ambulance!)
Befitting a TV/Hollywood inspired campaign, It's to be continued ( I can't wait - the finale and a followup later )...
-I hope they don't cancel the series!
Stay Tuned!
-Beetlecat
[This message has been edited by Beetlecat (edited December 27, 2000).]
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Die Ratte Spähtrupp? (forgive me, German speakers) -S... - 
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