Adventures in Belgium with Brian (Full Version)

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larryfulkerson -> Adventures in Belgium with Brian (5/14/2018 1:03:40 AM)

I twisted Brian's arm and he agreed to try the Allied side in Autumn Fog 1944
for our next game together. We've been playing together for quite a while now. I'm
getting used to his style....the problem is he changes up frequently and I have to
adjust.

I remember playtesting this scenario with Steve Sill some years ago so this may or may
not be a good thing depending on how much I can remember about it. I'm going to try to
give Brian a good game.

The Axis side doesn't have any aircraft assigned to any units but I'm pretty sure the
Americans have some planes aloft. And I have no doubt that some of them are set on INT
so I neet do be circumspect about moving my units around willy nilly. I remember there's
some kind of trick to the bridging engineers....I'll have to skim the scenario documentation
to come up to speed on them again. This should be a good game.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/F50CBF51041643A6B0177F052FF8C762.jpg[/image]



larryfulkerson -> RE: Autumn Frog 1944 Brian Allies me Axis (5/14/2018 1:10:28 AM)

I've sorted the rows on number assigned and I predict already that there's going
to be a truck shortage after a while. I don't start building any until T13
and I'm starting off with none on hand so the units are going to lose more and more
as time passes and by the time they need some replacements there's probably not going
to be enough to go around. I'll have to monitor that and maybe disband some high-vehicle
count units or something. I notice that I have bou cou horse teams.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/CA3C31D5DD124968945A6C6EF8DBC2AA.jpg[/image]



MikeJ19 -> RE: Autumn Frog 1944 Brian Allies me Axis (5/14/2018 1:15:28 AM)

Larry,

Based on the start date, do you get to launch the battle of the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) to start if you want?

Good luck.



larryfulkerson -> RE: Autumn Frog 1944 Brian Allies me Axis (5/14/2018 1:16:08 AM)

Here's the situation with the German aircraft currently. There are none assigned
and there are very few on hand and I'm not building any of them very fast. That
means I'm going to be chronically outnumbered and I'll have to come at the Allies
infrequently, after the squadrons are filled up with planes again. Raids, I'll
have to try to do some raids. Airfield strikes are out of the question. Too
many losses.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/67399F0D94B24D1CBBE0990D4E2E491D.jpg[/image]



larryfulkerson -> RE: Autumn Frog 1944 Brian Allies me Axis (5/14/2018 1:25:24 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: MikeJ19
Larry,

Based on the start date, do you get to launch the battle of the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) to start if you want?

Good luck.

Yes indeed, my Panzers are rolling already. I'm going to see if I can't force a hole somewhere and then pour the tanks through it. I want them to go zoom zoom out into the American backfield. I'm hoping to capture a lot of the river crossings beyond the front lines before the Americans can blow them up. Repairing bridges is tricky in this scenario in that some of the engineers are just ferry engineers and there are dedicated bridge engineers just for bridges and then there's RR engineers and the pontoon bridge guys. It's complicated like all good scenarios.



larryfulkerson -> RE: Autumn Frog 1944 Brian Allies me Axis (5/14/2018 1:34:06 AM)

My shock level is 120 and the Allies shock level is 90 which means I have a slight
advantage. I'm guessing the proficiency of the German units is slightly higher than
the American units ( historically they were ) and I'm guessing the difference in
shock levels is to simulate the surprise element the Germans were able to achieve
by attacking through the trees. I need to make the most of the shock advantage while
I have it. I'm slightly worried about the Allied air power making up for the failings
the Allies might have. I need to get the attack overwith while the weather is still
somewhat bad.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/31C9C2B20B724091A5CD9C10E0910853.jpg[/image]



MikeJ19 -> RE: Autumn Frog 1944 Brian Allies me Axis (5/14/2018 1:41:34 AM)

Larry,

I will be watching very closely. The next scenario I want to try is a Battle of the Bulge one. I will likely play the Allied role, so this may be some good int!

You are correct, you need to get through the Allied lines and destroy them quickly. The Allied air power is going to be tough on you when the weather clears. And then there is Patton...



larryfulkerson -> RE: Autumn Frog 1944 Brian Allies me Axis (5/14/2018 1:43:58 AM)

Here's the 6th Panzer Army Headquarters ( an HQ unit ) and it's only got 5 of it's
19 trucks. That's evidence that there's already a truck shortage. So I need to leave
my units dug in whenever possible to share the trucks with units that need them. And
the supply system can use them. The proficiency of this unit is 75% and that's bigger
than the American proficiency ( 60% I think ) by just enough to brag.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/919CC3E01AEB46DB9DD8AEF100FAEBEE.jpg[/image]



larryfulkerson -> RE: Autumn Frog 1944 Brian Allies me Axis (5/14/2018 1:51:42 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: MikeJ19
Larry,

I will be watching very closely. The next scenario I want to try is a Battle of the Bulge one. I will likely play the Allied role, so this may be some good int!

You are correct, you need to get through the Allied lines and destroy them quickly. The Allied air power is going to be tough on you when the weather clears. And then there is Patton...

As it happens Autumn Fog is the newest Battle of the Bulge scenarios I know of
and it's a good one I assure you. I've playtested this thing with the scenario designer,
Steve Sill, and I was impressed with it. It's got a "tactical" feel to it. It's
100 half-day turns, one am and one pm and that means the Germans will have to do their
moving at night once the Allied air force is once again operating.

And the PO is enabled for both sides and I would suggest playing as Allies against
the Axis PO at first.

I would be really interested to know your impressions of it and how your game is going.
An AAR about your game would be a good thing. I'm just saying.....

[image]local://upfiles/16287/1C3BCDA53C234E34A444CFE4F97ABBC8.jpg[/image]



MikeJ19 -> RE: Autumn Frog 1944 Brian Allies me Axis (5/14/2018 1:58:33 AM)

Larry,

I am at least a month away from starting this one. I will definitely take your recommendation and have some fun with it.

Good luck



larryfulkerson -> RE: Autumn Frog 1944 Brian Allies me Axis (5/14/2018 2:01:06 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: MikeJ19
Larry,

I am at least a month away from starting this one. I will definitely take your recommendation and have some fun with it.

Good luck

Meanwhile I'll try to provide you with all the tips and tricks that the Axis player
can use and maybe an example of what not to do.

I found one of those engineering units that are only good for ferrying other units
across the river. If I find a diffferent kind I'll post it too so we can compare
them.
[image]local://upfiles/16287/19DD7F4B49C3412BB1E4D3BE3C6C1EC2.jpg[/image]



larryfulkerson -> RE: Autumn Frog 1944 Brian Allies me Axis (5/14/2018 2:30:55 AM)

Here's a different kind of engineering unit as it has actual engineering squads and
can repair a bridge. I'll have to watch for this when I need a bridge repaired or
if ferry engineers fit the job....if so I'll send it instead.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/3A443C9617674DD098141CF15F7E18F8.jpg[/image]



sPzAbt653 -> RE: Autumn Frog 1944 Brian Allies me Axis (5/14/2018 4:22:52 AM)

Here is the original extended thread where we were playing this one thru:
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2311710&mpage=1&key=autumn%2Cfog�

and the important 'River Assaults' thread:
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2315141&mpage=1&key=?



larryfulkerson -> RE: Autumn Frog 1944 Brian Allies me Axis (5/14/2018 4:27:22 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: sPzAbt653
Here is the original extended thread where we were playing this one thru:
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2311710&mpage=1&key=autumn%2Cfog?

and the important 'River Assaults' thread:
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2315141&mpage=1&key=?

Steve is the man I tell 'ya. Worth his weight in gold. Thanks Steve.



larryfulkerson -> RE: Autumn Frog 1944 Brian Allies me Axis (5/14/2018 5:31:40 AM)

Hey you guys...somehow I was given control of the Allied side and I'm playing as
the Axis. So I need to use Task Manager to kill the PID of the TOAW IV
application, delete the *.pbl that's in my saves directory, restart TOAW IV
and go online and restart the game. Otherwise it'll give Brian Axis control and
he don't want to be the Axis player.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/E9F4CD6A25DD40E3B2530F6033D4E3ED.jpg[/image]



larryfulkerson -> RE: Autumn Frog 1944 Brian Allies me Axis (5/14/2018 5:56:33 AM)

Okie dokie....I used Task Manager to kill the game engine and then deleted the PBL
file that was written to my saves directory and restarted the game engine and went
on-line and reloaded the file and I'm moving units and so far I've found enough
engineers for the combat units going across the river.

The far north and far south areas are still in garrison mode or in reorg and can't
operate this turn. I've been told I'm going to get some paratroopers on turn two
that I'll need to drop somewhere. I'll need to decide where to drop them after the
LCU's already on the ground have developed the battlefield a little bit. I'm hoping
to be able to get some of the American units to move.

I read the scenario briefing yet again just now and I don't remember reading anything
about when the weather will clear up for the Allied aircraft to fly again and so I'm
wondering how long I can zoom zoom with my LCU's during the daytime too.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/DB5FCCF6701D4575BE660EFE9F3DCFE0.jpg[/image]



warspite1 -> RE: Autumn Frog 1944 Brian Allies me Axis (5/14/2018 6:00:23 AM)

Autumn Frog?? [;)][:D]



larryfulkerson -> RE: Autumn Frog 1944 Brian Allies me Axis (5/14/2018 6:04:55 AM)

Here's an HQ unit that doesn't have any organic arty and it's not going to get any
so I've trimmed the range of this unit to 0 so that the "R1" doesn't show on the
unit display and I don't have to think of it as an arty unit but rather as just
another LCU. It's got support squads that you don't want to lose so it might be
best to find a good spot in the rear to park this bad boy and use it for a "rest
camp HQ unit", an HQ unit dedicated to a specific good supply area at a road
intersection that will serve to encourage the tired units to refit faster.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/2980412106854841A16D89D9B8163D2A.jpg[/image]



larryfulkerson -> Adventures in Belgium with Brian (5/14/2018 6:08:45 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1
Autumn Frog??

Back in 2004 when we were playtesting this scenario I kept refering to it as "August
Fog" for some reason, perhaps because I didn't know how to spell autumn at the time.
I needed a sporty title for the AAR heading and "Autumnn Frog 1944" is a play on the
name of the scenario. I'm open to suggestions for the name. Adventures in Belgium?



warspite1 -> RE: Adventures in Belgium with Brian (5/14/2018 6:20:37 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: larryfulkerson

quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1
Autumn Frog??


Adventures in Belgium?
warspite1

[:)]



larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Belgium with Brian (5/14/2018 6:38:28 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1
quote:

ORIGINAL: larryfulkerson
quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1
Autumn Frog??

Adventures in Belgium?
warspite1
[:)]

Adventures in Belgium with Brian
I'm trying to encourage Brian to post in this thing.



larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Belgium with Brian (5/14/2018 6:56:20 AM)

Here's how the first combat round went. The American units are dug-in and I don't
have any air support to give the ground pounders and some of the losses are higher
than I'm comfortable with. And I've got another 7 battles scheduled.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/E4DF1B089A20425285F3034982444D7B.jpg[/image]



larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Belgium with Brian (5/14/2018 7:08:03 AM)

Here's what it looked like just before I ended the turn.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/ABEC2F360DDB42669204B0131FD0F861.jpg[/image]



MikeJ19 -> RE: Adventures in Belgium with Brian (5/15/2018 12:53:42 AM)

Larry,

Interesting stuff, some of those American units should be very green.

Good luck.



larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Belgium with Brian (5/15/2018 5:18:27 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: MikeJ19
Larry,

Interesting stuff, some of those American units should be very green.

Good luck.

Thanks Mike. I seem to remember reading about the Battle of the Bulge and how the
American units were those who were refitting after being in combat previously and
were sent to where they are now to rest and they weren't expecting any combat,
especially from the east, through the trees.

Here's the northern front lines and I've been attacking but so far there's been no
movement of units and I'm wondering if I've made a mistake by waking up the northern
troops. The sides are almost evenly matched and I can't seem to find a weak spot.

I dare say that not much progress is going to be made in the north.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/5D7F14233D10404E9D1724BF0E0D7B7C.jpg[/image]



larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Belgium with Brian (5/15/2018 6:13:16 AM)

Here's the southern front lines and at Saarbrucken I've made a small footprint on
the south side of the riverf and now I need more troops to follow up.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/8CD76446ACB04A7B9F4EE815B94487A4.jpg[/image]



larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Belgium with Brian (5/15/2018 6:23:23 AM)

It's T3 and I forgot to fly the paratroopers in T2 and now I don't have any air
cap and they can't fly now. Ooops. It's not a game stopper.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/4C47C217C72B4414A368B0557BBE4A08.jpg[/image]



MikeJ19 -> RE: Adventures in Belgium with Brian (5/16/2018 12:20:38 AM)

Larry,

I hate it when I forgot to move, or use, a unit. Hopefully, you can use the paras soon.



larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Belgium with Brian (5/16/2018 1:48:19 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: MikeJ19
Larry,

I hate it when I forgot to move, or use, a unit. Hopefully, you can use the paras soon.

I was having a really bad day yesterday and I F.U.G.G.E.D. my moves up pretty good and
said so in the Diplomatic Pouch. Today I'm feeling a little better and I got an email
from Brian saying that if I wanted we could restart. So we did. I'm on my turn 2 moves
again right now. I anticipate getting back to turn 3 by about noon tomorrow. So it looks
like I'm going to be able to fly the paratroopers after all.



larryfulkerson -> RE: Adventures in Belgium with Brian (5/17/2018 12:33:42 PM)

Here's the front lines in T4 before I have moved anybody.

[image]local://upfiles/16287/E6138A057DD24B0C8E4DD752FE336271.jpg[/image]



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