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RE: The Crossroads -- 6/5/67 - DAR (no Crossroads) - 11/27/2016 1:47:00 PM   
berto


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Joined: 3/13/2002
From: metro Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Hard choices.

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

I need to focus now on preserving my VP advantage, to keep Crossroads well short of the Major/Minor Defeat threshold. I can do that by scoring SP hits, yes. But not if he scores right back at me more than I do.

Consider this Compare Units display in the Unit Viewer, comparing Jordanian Pattons with Israeli RCLR jeeps:



7 VPs per Patton vs. 3 VPs per jeep. If Crossroads knocks out one of my Pattons, I need to kill more than 2 SPs in jeeps to make up for the loss.

If he were coming at me, no problem. But my going at him, he gets the first shots.

If I could engage him at long range, no problem. (With my lead Pattons selected, I have toggled on the red/blue (hard/soft) RanGe highlight.) But he is too smart to allow that. Likely Crossroads has set his RCLR jeeps' opfire to medium or, better, short range only.

So I am inclined to think that pursuing his RCLR jeeps (somewhere within that large yellow circle) is too risky.

On the other hand, I have six scout cars out there. How do I bring them back in without risking them too? Maybe just send them off to hide somewhere to the east or northeast? Maybe even circle them entirely around the enemy, to rejoin my forces on my far right? Perhaps losing them along the way, in any case?

What I will do at least is to move my tanks (turquoise circle) up to hex 25,24 (green circle), where if I do decide to grapple with the RCLR jeeps, they are nearer at hand, I will expend fewer APs moving forward to engage. You can see the Visible hexes (yellow hex highlights) from that location (the hot spot hex, the green circle). At least I am not exposing my tanks to RCLR cheap shots there.

If I am not careful, I could easily blow my VP "lead" in this situation. I am not at all confident I can prevail in the anticipated artillery duel southward. Major Victory vs. Minor Victory -- they hang in the balance for me.

Hard choices.

< Message edited by berto -- 11/27/2016 1:55:04 PM >


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(in reply to berto)
Post #: 241
RE: The Crossroads -- 6/5/67 - DAR (no Crossroads) - 12/4/2016 9:56:40 PM   
berto


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From: metro Chicago, Illinois, USA
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TURN #37

After my Side B (Jordanian) move (Side B is this scenario's second side), the overall situation at the end of Turn 37 (with my disrupted units yellow highlighted):



Hardly any action this phase. Except for Pattons on my right that ventured forth, fired on one of the retreating Israeli mech infantry platoons, and scored a 1 SP reduction, a disruption, and a retreat (to the magenta circle).

In general, I am back on the strategic defensive again. Lying low, staying out of sight. There is nothing to be gained in advancing, and much to lose if the enemy, safe in the entrenchments and urban areas around Jenin, fires at my forces out in the open.

To the south, I warily encircle that isolated Israeli mech infantry platoon (green circle). I just might wait them out for the remainder of the scenario, if need be.

To the north, given the presence of enemy RCLR jeeps in the vicinity, I hope to extricate my imperiled scout cars (yellow circles) without loss. Toward that end, I have moved forward two Patton squadrons to hex 25,24 (turquoise circle). They are fairly hidden there (observe the Visibility yellow hex highlights), and are in good position to strike those enemy RCLR jeeps if they sally forth once more.

In the center, I am dispersing my infantry, where I know that Crossroads will likely target his artillery.

I have directed all available Jordanian artillery to target hex 32,33 (blue circle), where I suspect Israeli Shermans are hiding. With luck, I knock them out. If my artillery rounds scatter, which I expect they very well might, I hit some of the Israeli units milling about the area.

Crossroads Total VPs: back down to 252.

< Message edited by berto -- 12/5/2016 11:05:10 AM >


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Post #: 242
RE: The Crossroads -- 6/5/67 - DAR (no Crossroads) - 12/10/2016 10:37:37 PM   
berto


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TURN #38

After the Israeli first phase moves, and following the Jordanian artillery fire, the overall situation at the beginning of Turn 38, second Side B (Jordanian) phase:



Israeli artillery largely targeted the two yellow circles (with several shots directed towards Hill 361 to the southeast). Few to no hits in the center (or to the southeast), but the infantry in that upper circle were hit hard, with the loss of 3 or more SPs, also retreats.

South of Hill 361, that encircled Israeli mech infantry attempted a breakout one hex to the southeast, but was rebuffed by opfire (back to the turquoise circle).

Apart from that, just some dispersal of the Israeli forces in and around Jenin.

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

I have directed all available Jordanian artillery to target hex 32,33 (blue circle), where I suspect Israeli Shermans are hiding. With luck, I knock them out. If my artillery rounds scatter, which I expect they very well might, I hit some of the Israeli units milling about the area.

This paid off handsomely. Much of the Jordanian artillery fire scattered, while staying within the magenta circle. I must have scored some hits there (more on that in a moment). But importantly, I infer that I knocked out at least one enemy Sherman. How do I know? See the WReck marker within that blue circle? It wasn't there before. Strike one (or more?) Israeli tank!

Crossroads' Total VPs: From 252 the phase before, now down to 242. This is gratifying. I lost some SPs to his artillery fire, but my return artillery fire more than made up for the loss. I win Round One of the end-game artillery duel.

< Message edited by berto -- 12/10/2016 10:39:41 PM >


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Post #: 243
RE: The Crossroads -- 6/5/67 - DAR (no Crossroads) - 12/13/2016 1:25:15 AM   
berto


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TURN #38

Pattons at hex 40,46 (green circle) fire at the Israeli mech infantry at hex 39,45, scoring 1 SP hit and disrupting them:



But I don't go in for the kill just yet.



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Post #: 244
RE: The Crossroads -- 6/5/67 - DAR (no Crossroads) - 12/13/2016 1:43:48 AM   
berto


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TURN #38

After my Side B (Jordanian) move (Side B is this scenario's second side), the overall situation at the end of Turn 38 (with my disrupted units yellow highlighted):



South of Hill 361, I tighten the encirclement around the now wounded Israeli mech infantry (magenta circle). Especially if they remain disrupted, time to go in for the kill next turn, I think.

Northwest of Jenin, I withdraw the Jordanian infantry (yellow circle) from that IP at the base of Hill 294. It's too easy a target, I lose too many SPs there, there is little to be gained by holding it.

A bit farther to the north, I successfully extricate the exposed Ferrets (turquoise circle). To the east, I leave in place the other scout cars, who remain hidden from the enemy, by my reckoning.

Elsewhere, little activity, micro adjusting the line only.

Again this turn, I direct most of the Jordanian artillery to target Jenin, but this time centering on two different locations (blue circles).

Crossroads Total VPs: 236.

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Post #: 245
RE: The Crossroads -- 6/5/67 - DAR (no Crossroads) - 12/21/2016 2:16:13 AM   
berto


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TURN #39

Lots of artillery fell on both sides but with little effect.

Little to no Israeli movement.

That encircled Israeli mech infantry at Hill 361 remained disrupted. I assaulted it on all sides with every unit available:



Defenders captured! And at no cost to myself.

Importantly, Crossroads has lost some spotters there. Henceforth, he will be firing his artillery almost totally blind.

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Post #: 246
RE: The Crossroads -- 6/5/67 - DAR (no Crossroads) - 12/21/2016 2:24:01 AM   
berto


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TURN #39

After my Side B (Jordanian) move (Side B is this scenario's second side), the overall situation at the end of Turn 39 (with my disrupted units yellow highlighted):



Readjusting my line only. Except for those units in bunker positions west of Jenin, all or nearly all of my forces should be hidden from view.

Including those scout cars northeast of Jenin. I figure it is safer to leave them be.

With the loss of that 3 SP Israeli mech infantry platoon, Crossroads Total VPs are now down to 218.

Am I sitting on my lead? Why, yes I am!

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Post #: 247
RE: The Crossroads -- 6/5/67 - DAR (no Crossroads) - 12/21/2016 7:12:59 PM   
berto


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TURN #40

After the Israeli first phase moves, and following the Jordanian artillery fire, the overall situation at the beginning of Turn 40, second Side B (Jordanian) phase:



Targeting my exposed infantry mainly within the large magenta circle, Israeli artillery got lucky, destroying 3 SPs of Jordanian infantry in the vicinity.

Targeting also within the yellow circle, Crossroads attempted to kill that scout car recon squadron. But I had foreseen the attempt, and had moved the scout cars away to relative safety (turquoise circle).

Jordanian artillery fire was not so lucky, scoring no SP hits as far as I know.

Also AFAIK, Crossroads moved few if any of his forces during his phase.

Crossroads' Total VPs: blipped upward to 227.



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Post #: 248
RE: The Crossroads -- 6/5/67 - DAR (no Crossroads) - 12/22/2016 4:13:28 PM   
berto


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Accompanying his Turn #40 moves, Crossroads had written:

quote:

> Not much going on it seems. So you are not going to do anything about your
> shameful loss of Jenin? Wink wink :-)
>
> If so, I am not planning any major attacks any more, so let me know.

I responded:

quote:

> Your Total VPs puts you well within Major Defeat range.
>
> Despite my loss of Jenin -- effectively impossible to retake; with massive
> casualties in any attempt (attacking a fortified city, with weak sister
> Jordanian infantry) -- I too plan no more major attacks.
>
> Just sitting on my victory, you might say.
>
> Barring an oddity, from now until the close of the scenario it will just
> be a boring series of artillery exchanges, I think. With you in fortified
> hexes; and with most of my units hidden, so you don't quite know where to
> target me; I don't see artillery fire changing the Total VPs much either
> way.
>
> In other words, I think you have little chance to reach 300 VPs, thereby
> attaining a Minor Defeat. And I will continue to play uber cautiously,
> giving you no opportunity to come anywhere close to that.
>
> Want to call it quits?

To which Crossroads replied:

quote:

OK, so it ends then. Was a fun fight!

And posted in his DAR here:

quote:

ORIGINAL: Crossroads

Nope, no Jordanian push towards Jenin, I guess both sides have had it! I added a SitRep post to my thread at the Grogheads, go have a look. A further analysis to follow, meanwhile, congrats to Berto for his well deserved victory

Okay, that's it, the scenario's end.

Final result: Side A/Crossroads Total VPs: 227. An Israeli Major Defeat, Jordanian Major Victory.

My comment:

quote:

Yes, this was one of my best gaming experiences ever, and not just because I won.

I feel fortunate to have won this battle. Crossroads is such a worthy opponent. A fun fight indeed.

Post mortem soon to follow.

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(in reply to berto)
Post #: 249
RE: The Crossroads -- 6/5/67 - DAR (no Crossroads) - 12/22/2016 4:27:19 PM   
Crossroads


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quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

Post mortem soon to follow.


What a fight! And what a AAR, can't make them better than what you did here!

Quite enjoyed reading it, here's a few comments fresh from the Israeli trenches:


**On Advance of the 45th Mech

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

TURN #9

On the right, it's The Sum of All Fears. Dozens of Israeli Shermans charge forward. The Jordanians gape in wide-eyed horror.

Why did Crossroads wait? Now maybe I have my answer. Behind the Shermans, more than a dozen infantry platoons advance on trucks (large turquoise circle). I might suppose that these infantry are recent reinforcements. I might infer that Crossroads was reluctant to mount a tank attack without adequate infantry support. Now it seems he has it.

This is perhaps the battle's pivotal moment. Do I fight it out here, on the right, and in the center, at Jenin? Or do I begin a pell-mell retreat, to regroup around Hills 480, 473, 303 & 333, between Kafr Qub & Burdin, to the west? If I am not careful, I risk losing both Jenin and my right wing. On the other hand, with their superior mobility (not to mention firepower), how can I hope to flee the onrushing Shermans?


That is a Strength 3 minefield there, you don't mess with a SP3 minefield I was expecting to find the map edge open to fast movement, the 45th Mech did not have any organic Engineers, so quite the nasty surprise to find a continuous minefield even there also.

The fun of playing scenarios blind!


**On the flanking move

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

TURN #12

On my far right, I am in reasonably good shape. I have two units (green circles), RCLRs and tanks, poised to direct fire at the advancing Shermans next phase. The 12th Independent Tank Regiment will soon join the fray. With his initial overwhelming advantage -- ~ 3:1 ratio of Israeli Shermans to Jordanian Pattons -- Crossroads should have steamrollered me by now. To my relief, that hasn't happened. The thin gray line continues to hold.



What the screenshots don't reveal is perhaps what an utter nightmare that terrain was, even for tracked movement. Often, just one hex if saving APs for firing, at times not even that. Pedal on the medal, they were!

During the game I was quite upset about the flanking maneuver making not much sense in hindsight, but having read your AAR maybe not such a bad idea - if I would have been able to negotiate that minefield faster, instead of idling there for half a dozen turns.

That was one of the early turning points perhaps.


**A rare success

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

TURN #13

Crossroads' Revenge.

Israeli Shermans at hex 43,33 (turquoise circle) direct fire at the Jordanian RCLR jeeps at hex 43,34 (red circle), eliminating them:
--

An Israeli unknown (most likely Shermans) at hex 45,34 (turquoise circle) direct fire at Jordanian Pattons at hex 43,36 (red circle), destroying them also. Strike two Pattons:
--

Israeli M3 Mk. A APCs charge up the hill. Jordanian Pattons at hex 47,37 (turquoise circle) opportunity fire at the halftracks, eliminating them (red circle):
--

Were those halftracks opportunity fire bait? Probably. Israeli Shermans advance, direct fire at the distracted Pattons, causing their reduction and retreat. Then, the Shermans finish them off (red circle). Strike three more Pattons:
--

A short while later, Crossroads bags the armoured infantry platoon at hex 44,37 (magenta circle) also.

And with that, my far right collapses.


Just to show a rare case where I was able to have a broad front with ready units. That was the intention with keeping the 45th together, but I don't recall many times I was able to do this outside this moment.


** On Jenin

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto
I am puzzled why Crossroads attacked Jenin frontally and didn't try to outflank it from both the east and the west. I believe he still has the remainder of his armour in support of the Jenin direct assault (and has not sent them on a wide flanking maneuver west of Kafr Dan). Yes, if he sees that gap around Hill 273, he might decide to exploit it. Before committing my last armoured reserves (just two tank squadrons), I considered sending them towards the center, to Hill 273. But finally I reasoned that his breaking out on my far right is the greater worry. I don't want Shermans running about at night surprise attacking my rear area transports, artillery, and HQs!


Playing blind, I was not aware there wasn't any minefield there. So rather than being stuck in the open I opted for those forward Trenches in front of Jenin. Upon capturing them I could feed in more troops, leapfrogging in the hostile entrenchements towards the Jenin Objectives.

On another note: I am glad to observe my Coy strength diversion to Kafr Dan managed to stay in the news for most of the battle

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jason Petho

Excellent question.

Historically, the Israeli's went up the western flank through the hills and by passed Jenin altogether, eventually ending up cutting off the town at the "crossroads".

Maybe he's a sucker for punishment?


Ha. Playing your scenarios one better be a sucker for punishment (laughs). No, I did not want to just repeat the history here, but to try something different. Was quite the adventure, and who knows, if I would have not made such a mess of crossing the minefields with the 45th...


** On Tank-vs-Tank losses

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

TURN #15

Beginning my Turn 15 Jordanian phase.

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

Or maybe not. Maybe I can still stop those Israeli tanks. For instance: The three Jordanian Pattons at hex 40,37 (turquoise circle) are poised to smack those two Israeli Shermans just to their southeast.

Yes! I bagged the Shermans:

Crossroads has by now lost 24 Sherman tanks (to the loss of 15 of my Pattons). The Big Hurt.


So someone else was tracking the tank-vs-tank losses too! 75 to 60, take that, you Major Winner you!


** On reinforcements

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

TURN #16

At the end of Turn 16, the Big Picture:

Crossroads has captured two Objective hexes (blue circle), worth 150 VPs each. He still aims to capture the Qabitiya Crossroads objective hex (upper white circle), also worth 150 VPs; and the Qabitiya city objective hex (lower white circle), worth 100 VPs. Can he do it?

Maybe not. Beginning just two turns from now, Turns 18-20, elements of the Jordanian 40th Armoured Brigade are due to arrive at the map's southeast edge (east turquoise circle). A while later, Turns 21-24, at the map's southwest edge (west green circle), the remainder of the 40th shows up. (Night ends at Turn 25. Daylight begins at Turn 26, and continues until scenario's end, Turn 45.)

But again (broken record), the unending question: Are the Israelis too being reinforced?


Nope, no reinforcements, the big challenge for the IDF player is to have his troops last the 45 turns!

As for the timing of the Jordanian reinforcements arriving, just imagine if the IDF forces would have entered the area say five turns earlier... I had no idea this went so close as it did.


** Never say die!

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

TURN #23

The current Victory Dialog:

Crossroads' Total Points have dropped from 33 down to just 5.

Crossroads loses TPs during his phase when, if anything, he should be gaining.

Off-line, I had offered my opponent a chance to resign. But no, Crossroads still wants to pursue this. For a while longer anyway.

Okay, I'm still game!


The lowpoint of the game for me, definitively What did Napoleon say about the two o'clock morning and courage rarely meeting each other...

But as the Scenario Description promised Jordanian reinforcements, I was hoping there would be a Jordanian counter attack at some stage, so I could enjoy the defensive terrain for a change!


** On Flares

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

Two more Israeli flares. Hmm, I would have fired them a bit further back. Flares illuminate the target hex (white circles) and the six adjoining hexes (yellow circles). With Visibility currently 2 (see the Unit List), the Israeli forward units would have seen most of those hexes anyway. I'm not sure what additional intelligence Crossroads gained by his use of flares here.

But maybe Israeli fire will be more effective firing into the lighted hexes. While the opposite will not be true. So maybe there is something to be gained by firing flares here.


Yes, Flares are your best friend during the night, with no Night Vision equipment available. I had a quite nice supply of them, so was able to enjoy them for the remaining of night turn everywhere I needed them!


** Turning Point

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

TURN #23

The yellow unit highlights mark the 40th Armoured Brigade, which is still not entirely arrived. There's still more to come next turn!

Note the most forward elements of the 40th Brigade (yellow circles), now at hand to bolster the center sector.

The tide of battle is about to turn!


And so it did! Pattons everywhere! Yikes!


** On stacking

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

TURN #26

Normally, artillery phases are boring affairs, with shells mostly falling harmlessly, especially at night.

Not this time!

7 Reduces (SP hits) and 3 Disrupteds in two lucky artillery strikes? WTF?!


You were not stacking more than 12SP at one hex at any time, as there is a unit density penalty if so? Those hexes looked overstacked, so I plotted them with my heaviest pieces.


** Constructive criticism

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

If I may be so bold to critique my worthy opponent:

I think Crossroads' fundamental mistake in this scenario was a strategic one. If he had attacked, and attacked hard, in the center, he would have been unstoppable. Instead, he attacked to his left.

Worse, he attacked piecemeal. He had overwhelming advantage initially, overall but certainly on the flank. Look at some of the early posts in this DAR. If Crossroads had rushed me, no holding back, he could have crushed me.

Instead, he advanced cautiously, allowing my much inferior force to ambush him here and there time and time again. And in the center, around Jenin, he attacked to my strength, not to my areas of weakness.

Now the tables are turned. I fear that I might be making the very same mistakes, but from the opposite perspective. I now have the advantage, I suspect, but I risk frittering it away by hesitation, over cautiousness, and needlessly fancy footwork.

Time for some rethinking...


Those are valid observations. I do believe you have it right, attacking through the center would be the way to go, with 9th Infantry towards Jenin objectives and the fully tracked 45th Mech towards The Crossroads, just west of Jenin. Very difficult for Jordanians to stop that, should it happen, I'd imagine!

As for a cautious advance in the flank: not so! I was taken aback with the difficult terrain, I fully expected to be able to break free with the 45th Mech, a sweet unit to command!

As for the area west of Jenin: right you are, but you would have needed to tell me there's no minefield there as I had no idea it was such an open country there


** The Jordanian counterattack

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

TURN #28

The fight to retake Jenin. And so it begins.


And what fun that was! I had kept the smallest of reserves (I always do) and sure enough they were tested to their limit!

** Countering the counterattack

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

TURN #30

Israeli artillery continues to enjoy success, scoring not a few hits, disruptions, and retreats. I need to press my counterattack if for no other reason than to disrupt and hopefully destroy the Israeli big guns.

I don't quite understand why, but my opponent continues to attack toward Ash Shuhada. I mean to say, I understand that he hopes to take the Qabitiya Crossroads just beyond. (So confusing to have an opponent named Crossroads!) I just don't understand how he thinks he has the forces to do it.



With Qabatiya denied by your strong reinforcements, I was guessing if there would be a weak point here, with Qabatiya Crossroads defenses toward Jenin instead of Southeast. One of the decisive points in the battle here, if I could have cut you in half. Of course that was not something I was able to pull off...


** Hammer (and Anvil) Time!

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

TURN #32

South of Jenin, a fierce struggle ensues as Crossroads attacks my salient on the right (yellow circle).

What a surprise. My opponent has more tanks on his left flank than I imagined!



... so I thought I could cut off your attack instead, as a last hope for a result here! I was aware from the beginning Victory Locations alone would not cut it, so it was bad news you were able to retreat from Jenin in an orderly fashion. Maybe not here so?


** Nope, it's a counter attack!

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

TURN #32

After my Side B (Jordanian) move (Side B is this scenario's second side), the situation at the end of Turn 32, the center and southward (with my disrupted units yellow highlighted):

Crossroads' entire left wing (large blue circle) is virtually cut off, with his supply lines back to higher HQs broken, or nearly so. It occurs to me that the fight in the center (yellow circle) is Crossroads' desperate attempt to clear a path for his forces back to Jenin.

At this point, I am not confident I can retake Jenin. Jenin and vicinity are a complex of urban area and fortifications. I would most likely suffer much greater casualties attempting to retake Jenin than trying rather to pick off his units at the periphery, and to go after his rear guard.

Rather than commit -- and possibly lose -- my remaining good infantry to the fight in the center (yellow circle), maybe I should part, back away, and let him pass?

As for my own "cut off" forces southeast of Jenin. If I let him slip, that in itself will fix my own supply issues.

In his most recent e-mail communication, my opponent wrote: "Quite the battle, this one!" Indeed it is.


Counterattacking the counterattack


** +1 !!

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

Carnage!



Amen


** The Jordanian Breakout

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

TURN #33

My armoured force southeast of Jenin (large white circle): With a solid wall of infantry blocking my way to Jenin, I am disengaging that force for now. From its current position, I can attack Crossroads' far left from the rear, swing those tanks etc. back around to rejoin my far right, even hurl them northeastward in the hope of catching some enemy HQs etc. We shall see.



One of the vital decisions done absolutely right I believe!

And so the Jordanians escaped my encirclement... I was indeed relying on my infantry to mop up anything they would engage, but they were not able to keep up with your mech units


** The Highwater Mark

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

TURN #34

I won't deny it. This was an awful Israeli Side A phase for me. A 70+ VP jump in Crossroads' favor, with his Total VPs now up to 332. With still another 10+ turns to go in this scenario, I feel my Major Victory is slipping away from me, and quite possibly Minor Victory too. Too cocky, too fancy for my own good I guess.


So close, yet so far...


** On importance of reserves

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

TURN #37

Life is also full of surprises:

From the north, unexpectedly, two RCLR jeeps suddenly appear. One (turquoise circle) takes a shot at my scout car, scoring a 1 SP hit and a retreat (to the magenta circle).

The wily Crossroads had kept some RCLR jeeps to the north in reserve, likely for this very possibility -- my attempting a break-out into his rear areas.

Having fired its first shot (meaning it still has at least one more shot available for opfire next phase), and subsequent to this, that RCLR jeep pulls back in hiding to the north. Then...


Always, but always have at least something of a reserve. The few RCLR Jeeps punched well above their weight here, and with fog of war, when you lose some key units you become concerned what else would be there...


** Chick-eeen!

quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

TURN #39

After my Side B (Jordanian) move (Side B is this scenario's second side), the overall situation at the end of Turn 39 (with my disrupted units yellow highlighted):

Readjusting my line only. Except for those units in bunker positions west of Jenin, all or nearly all of my forces should be hidden from view.

Including those scout cars northeast of Jenin. I figure it is safer to leave them be.

With the loss of that 3 SP Israeli mech infantry platoon, Crossroads Total VPs are now down to 218.

Am I sitting on my lead? Why, yes I am!


Bummer. Ha. So it ended, then.

With a newly learn respect for not only the Jordanians but the defensive terrain here as well - and what an ambush county it was - the IDF forces had well lost their appetite for any further action

Until next time!




< Message edited by Crossroads -- 12/22/2016 5:57:30 PM >


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Post #: 250
RE: The Crossroads -- 6/5/67 - DAR (no Crossroads) - 12/22/2016 4:47:23 PM   
Crossroads


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And maybe worth one more comment...

quote:

ORIGINAL: Crossroads

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jason Petho

Maybe he's a sucker for punishment?


Ha. Playing your scenarios one better be a sucker for punishment (laughs). No, I did not want to just repeat the history here, but to try something different. Was quite the adventure, and who knows, if I would have not made such a mess of crossing the minefields with the 45th...


You made me fight Pattons with Shermans !

Where were the Shot Kal's of the 37th Armored when I needed them !!



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Post #: 251
RE: The Crossroads -- 6/5/67 - DAR (no Crossroads) - 12/22/2016 5:38:35 PM   
berto


Posts: 20708
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From: metro Chicago, Illinois, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: berto

Why did Crossroads wait? Now maybe I have my answer. Behind the Shermans, more than a dozen infantry platoons advance on trucks (large turquoise circle). I might suppose that these infantry are recent reinforcements. I might infer that Crossroads was reluctant to mount a tank attack without adequate infantry support. Now it seems he has it.

Um, those were halftracks, not trucks, Berto. More than once I made that mistake. D'oh!

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(in reply to Crossroads)
Post #: 252
RE: The Crossroads -- 6/5/67 - DAR (no Crossroads) - 12/22/2016 6:32:28 PM   
berto


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The Crossroads -- 6/5/67, Jordanian Post Mortem

Nearly a year after it began, so it ends. Epic in every way.

I want to thank my most worthy opponent. All hail, Crossroads!

Sorry, dear reader, for dragging out this battle, and the DARs, for so long. Real Life distracted us. As did ongoing development for future CS games (including the next and future CSME updates). Especially with such a heavy DAR burden, it really was difficult to find the time to attend to this PBEM, and the DARs. In the end, at the end, we trust it was worth the wait.

So I won, and Crossroads lost. How so?

Crossroads' fundamental strategic mistake was in trying to outflank me to the east. Then not hard charging forward fast enough. He has explained himself well elsewhere: being hindered by the minefields; the initial absence of engineers; the slow climb up the elevations.

I was on the strategic defensive; he was on the attack. The torturously rough terrain favors the defense. So many excellent ambush positions! I give myself some credit: Here, I mastered the art of ambush. Ambushes at least I handled well.

Things I did not handle so well:

  • Digging in, entrenching. Too often I neglected to do that.
  • Moving my artillery forward. For too long, I distanced them from the main action. My artillery game was feckless, to say the least.
  • Conversely, too much overstacking my forces, making his artillery fire all the more potent.
  • Decisiveness. Too much backtracking, too much making it up and improvising as I went along.
  • Faint heartedness, arguably. I could have mucked about in the Israeli rear areas, maybe.
  • Strategic intelligence. More than once I was surprised by the strength of Crossroads' positions. Faint hearted, yes, but sometimes over confident. In the night, in the Fog of War, I saw what I wanted to see.

    And most of all:

  • Foolishly counterattacking towards Jenin. I did that more for the fun of it, acting more as a role player than a smart gamer. Bad move, and quite poorly executed. I nearly lost the (major) victory because of it.

    Oh, I also:

  • Grossly misinterpreted Crossroads' Hammer and Anvil gambit. In its early stages, I saw this as a weak, half-hearted renewed push towards Ash Shuhada, and the Qabitiya Crossroads. It puzzled me. Later on, I fretted about my weakness around Hill 273, when actually my opponent never had any real intention of pushing in that direction.

    Nonetheless, I think I got some things fundamentally right:

  • Prioritizing force preservation. The Jordanians win this battle giving better than they get, equalizing or bettering the loss ratio. Keeping or retaking Objectives not so important. Staying alive is.
  • Staying on the strategic defensive. The Jordanian Army is quite effective on the defense, not so good on the offense. With me in command, anyway.
  • Being patient.

    Oh, so many Pattons! What would I have done without them?

    Oh, the Israeli infantry! What would I have done with them? After this battle, I have the highest regard for Israeli infantry. I hold the Israeli artillery in high esteem too.

    This is a very well crafted scenario, with good replayability. Kudos also to the scenario designer, Jason Petho.

    Quite the gaming experience this was! Quite the retribution for my earlier shameful loss. Quite a good time overall!

    Let's match up again after the Holidays!

    < Message edited by berto -- 12/22/2016 6:39:17 PM >


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    (in reply to berto)
  • Post #: 253
    RE: The Crossroads -- 6/5/67 - DAR (no Crossroads) - 12/22/2016 8:05:02 PM   
    berto


    Posts: 20708
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    quote:

    ORIGINAL: Crossroads

    On another note: I am glad to observe my Coy strength diversion to Kafr Dan managed to stay in the news for most of the battle

    I totally fell for that. I lost so many infantry SPs at and around Kafr Dan to no good purpose.

    quote:

    So someone else was tracking the tank-vs-tank losses too! 75 to 60, take that, you Major Winner you!

    I stopped tracking tank losses half way through the battle, at around the time the 40th Armoured Brigage showed up. I am surprised that you reversed the loss ratio as well as you did. But maybe in the end what mattered not so much was the loss ratio but the survivor ratio. Northwest of Jenin alone I had more tanks in that "left pincer" (never really a pincer, more a mischief maker) than you had everywhere else. By scenario's conclusion, I had more than 3X as many tanks as you.

    quote:

    Nope, no reinforcements, the big challenge for the IDF player is to have his troops last the 45 turns!

    Recalling, dimly, the overall Israeli strategic situation, I didn't think you would be receiving any reinforcements. But I could never be sure. It was a constant worry.

    quote:

    And so it did! Pattons everywhere! Yikes!

    I luxuriated in having so many Pattons.

    quote:

    And what fun that was! I had kept the smallest of reserves (I always do) and sure enough they were tested to their limit!

    Your reserves surprised me so many times. Very effective your use of reserves.

    quote:

    Counterattacking the counterattack

    At the time, I interpreted it more as a desperate retreat.

    quote:

    And so the Jordanians escaped my encirclement... I was indeed relying on my infantry to mop up anything they would engage, but they were not able to keep up with your mech units

    By then I knew to give the Israeli infantry the widest of berth.

    quote:

    Always, but always have at least something of a reserve. The few RCLR Jeeps punched well above their weight here, and with fog of war, when you lose some key units you become concerned what else would be there...

    They spooked me for sure.

    BTW, you didn't say: At any time, did you suspect I had such a strong force verging on your rear areas? Had you any idea I had sent scout cars so far out?

    Also: To the end, did you really keep the biggest of Israeli guns near the north map edge? If so, what a missed opportunity for me!

    quote:

    ** Chick-eeen!

    quote:

    ORIGINAL: berto

    Am I sitting on my lead? Why, yes I am!

    Pruuuu-dent!

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    Post #: 254
    RE: The Crossroads -- 6/5/67 - DAR (no Crossroads) - 12/23/2016 10:51:45 AM   
    Big Ivan


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    Berto & Crossroads,

    I want to thank you both for this absolutely wonderful AAR.

    The screenshots, analysis and individual thoughts on each turn's passing were spot on! It gave me a real turn by
    turn flavor of what was going on for the control of Jenin and the surrounding countryside.

    This was one of the best AAR's I have ever had the pleasure of living through and seeing unfold. Hands down!

    Thank you both again!!

    Best always,

    John



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    Post #: 255
    RE: The Crossroads -- 6/5/67 - DAR (no Crossroads) - 12/23/2016 1:07:01 PM   
    berto


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    You're welcome, John. It's been a pleasure. Good to know that somebody reads this stuff.

    Happy Holidays!

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    Post #: 256
    RE: The Crossroads -- 6/5/67 - DAR (no Crossroads) - 12/23/2016 5:01:58 PM   
    Big Ivan


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    Happy Holidays to you to Berto!

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    Post #: 257
    RE: The Crossroads -- 6/5/67 - DAR (no Crossroads) - 12/27/2016 7:02:51 AM   
    Crossroads


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    quote:

    ORIGINAL: berto

    BTW, you didn't say: At any time, did you suspect I had such a strong force verging on your rear areas? Had you any idea I had sent scout cars so far out?

    Also: To the end, did you really keep the biggest of Israeli guns near the north map edge? If so, what a missed opportunity for me!



    I did notice your recces sneaking towards my rear, but I also thought I saw tanks there, hence I left them there and did not dare to risk approaching them with my few RCLR assets.

    Also, I want to keep my artillery close to my front lines for maximum effect, but early on I realised with such a long flank I can't ensure their safety so kept them close to map edge instead. If poop would hit the fan I could retreat from map at least, instead of losing them.

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    Post #: 258
    RE: The Crossroads -- 6/5/67 - DAR (no Crossroads) - 1/29/2017 1:05:22 AM   
    zzzuke

     

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    Outstanding AAR. Thank you.

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    Post #: 259
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