Rob322
Posts: 578
Joined: 8/16/2004
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I recently played "Black Horse" as the Americans and had an interesting exchange surrounding the little town of Willmars. Willmars has (as of 2012) a population of 591 but I'm guessing it wasn't much different in 1989. But in my game it became the focal point of the battle and changed hands multiple times.
The first time was when a Soviet Tank Battalion rolled through on the way to Faldungen. The Infantry was following the river but one Tank Battalion shot up the forest road. The town was not contested and thus fell easily.
A turn or two later, an American Tank Heavy Team activated NE of Willmars. I immediately sent them down the forest road to take the town. When they got there they found an HQ troop, some AD and a little infantry. They quickly overran the Soviets and took back the town with little fuss. This gave me a boost as NW of here, I was getting my rear handed to me in Fladungen.
The Soviets counter attacked with a battalion sized force consisting of Motor Rifle troops and AT units. I screwed up my deployments and when the Soviets came in they were right on top of me. My mech platoon was wiped out and my tank forces were driven back with heavy losses. The Soviets reclaimed Willmars.
After regrouping, my Abrams re-engaged at range and shot up the Soviets. After a second turn I was able to move them forward and retake Willmars. It was not over yet.
The Soviets really wanted the town. They sent a fresh T-80 company up the road from the SW against the town. My HUMMV section died there. This time however I pulled the remains of the Team back (essentially 4 tanks) and once again yielded the town. My tanks took up positions in the woods upslope of the Willmars NE of town and waited.
The Soviet company continued to move through the down and went into the treeline due East of town. 10 T-80s began trading hot punches with 4 M-1A1's 2000 meters apart. We both lost a tank and I was prepared to write the team off and try again further west. Then, I caught a huge break.
The sun went down.
Suddenly, visibility went down to 500 meters. The M-1's began picking off T-80 after T-80 with no return fire. After a couple turns the Soviet Company was history and the remains of my Team streamed back into Willmars as the scenario ended.
The town was mine. I can't imagine much was left of it but I managed to end up with it. And that was what was great; the computer put up a helluva fight and after 5-6 ownership changes I have to admit, even if I lost, I would've been intensely satisfied with the results of the game. I could imagine the scene, the stress of combat and the determination of the men of both sides to fight hard.
As for everything else, I won a contested victory. I took a lot of losses which held my score down (and I think I learned how to handle my forces better next time, DON'T LET THE SOVIETS GET TOO CLOSE!!!!!) but I also chopped them up but good. Damn that was fun and this is why I love this game.
< Message edited by Rob322 -- 11/20/2014 8:12:20 AM >
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What I Enjoy About This Game - 
... and since i'm prone to stupid, unsound tactical moves....i get into a lot of dog fights.
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