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Scharfschütze -> Defeat... (10/5/2002 10:17:55 PM)
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Try as I might, I didn´t break the american stranglehold on the VH´s, which has resulted in the americans winning with quite a margin.
Now that the battle is over, it is time for a little analysis. The first phase of the battle saw a vicious clash of advance troops over the northern and central VH´s, which laid in close proximity (as you will see when I post the screenshots). Since the M16 SPAA halftracks were proving to be too much for my infantry, I had to withdraw them, loosing a platoon of SS, several HT´s and a couple of Kübelwagen in the process. I retreated to a nearby ridge, teamed up with a two Sturmtigers, two Tigers and four Panthers and began a delaying battle against the Americans securing the VH´s. When the AUX Panther Uhu´s had joined, I began a cautious adavance towards the enemy-held objectives again, and was caught in a vicious counterattack by the Americans, which cost me two Panthers and heavily damaged a Panther Uhu, who lost its main gun and hence was reduced to a night-vision MG mount. The second Panther conveniently ruined its 75L70 while op-firing a Jeep, leaving me without the advantage of IR-equipped tank-killers all too soon. Undaunted, I resumed my assault, and despite further losses reached and even occupied two VH´s, after advancing some 6-8 hexes under constant attacks and counterattacks in dense smoke. The screeshot will speak for themselves, I think...
Alas, it was in vain and rbrunsman won due to his excellent choice of troops and his daring and skillful counterattacks. When the Americans reeled under my barrage and sat in the defense, I could advance, when they counterattacked, again and again, I was stalled and finally thwarted.
What would it have taken for me to win?
I am a little unhappy with my choice of artillery. The SP mortar HT´s were chosen with a specific role in mind, which I didn´t use them for since I critically needed every tube I had to clear a way towards the VH´s. I would have gotten quite a lot of ordinary 81mm mortars for that purpose.
Generally the arty mix I purchased against Cpt. Pixel proved much more flexible and effective. I think the heavier firepower of 8 120mm mortars and a battery of 150mm offboard would have cleared the enemy troops holding the VH´s, and would have enabled me to attack more decisively. Instead, a fight of attrition broke out in front of the VH´s, with both sides feeding troops to the fire.
The Battle report: 24 american AFVs are listed as destroyed, I think a lot of M16´s went into that number, since I didn´t destroy more than half a dozen "real tanks". Infanty losses are as expected, though must say I lost maybe three quarters of my infantry force, of my SS company the first platoon was mauled in the opening fight, while the remaining two lost half their numbers in the second attack and endfights. The first platoon was basically overrun, while the remaining two fought very well in the defence of the ridge and the following advance. One of the platoon HMG´s basically broke up the northern shoulder of the american attack, destroying two enemy squads and badly maiming another. Too bad it ran out of ammo in the final turn.:rolleyes:
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