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RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue

 
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RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 2/28/2018 11:44:51 AM   
Timian


Posts: 137
Joined: 9/14/2013
From: Tucson, AZ
Status: offline 		Post #21

Turn Eight / 10 Dec 1940 / 1200:

o 11th Indian Brigade - with it’s Matilda’s – moves to Attack the Marmarica Division’s Northern Flank.
o A Blenheim Strike just South of Sofafi is pretty badly shot-up by Mike’s Flak.
o 4th Armored Brigade Attacks West in order to allow the 7th Support Group’s Headquarters to pull back to the Northeast.
o Taking a great deal of Artillery Fire plus an Italian Counterattack into it’s Right Flank (held by it’s A-13 Battalion), the 7th Armor Brigade continues to try and pull back to the Northeast.
o 7th Indian Brigade Attacks to the West to protect the Exposed Flank of the 5th Indian Brigade.
o 5th Indian continue its Attack vs. Camp Tummar.
o And Selby Force plus the Royal Navy Attack the two remaining hexes held by the 1st Libyan Division.





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< Message edited by Timian -- 3/8/2018 4:50:59 PM >

(in reply to MikeGreen)
Post #: 31
RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 2/28/2018 7:26:34 PM   
MikeGreen


Posts: 34
Joined: 9/14/2013
Status: offline 		Axis Turn 8:
I have managed to turn the Allies Southern Flank. I use heavy Artillery bombardment and attacks on the 4th Armored Brigade to eliminate some 36 VP worth of CW troops. Not exactly sure where. I have started keeping track of Attack results in a better fashion. Only the current turn is saved and its taken me a while to become used to keeping better notes for the AAR.

Note that the single available game file save is a mechanic in the Multiplayer Web game only. Single computer games can be saved into any number of files. Other than not being able to take back a move this is not an issue. After the last turn a replay of the entire game is available and we can hopefully post it.

Allies eliminate some more of 1st Libyan for vp

Axis 162 Allied 250

Will attempt to eliminate more units and keep him out of supply





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RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/1/2018 1:54:56 PM   
Timian


Posts: 137
Joined: 9/14/2013
From: Tucson, AZ
Status: offline 		Post #23

Turn Nine / 10 Dec 1940 / 1800:

Not good / 11th Indian’s Matilda’s and Lead Infantry Battalion are cut-off / Out of Supply (OOS).

And to make matters worse, looks like Mike has been able to move around my Open Flank just East of the Escarpment.

Need to pull the 4th and 7th Armored Brigades back, and – come Turn Ten – swing the 4th Armored South to help-out the 11th Indian.

Will use Defensive Support (from the 11th Indian’s two 25 lb Battalions) to help-out the Matilda’s and Infantry Battalion if Attacked.

With the 1st Libyan Division almost eliminated, will also begin to pull Selby Force South; specifically, it’s two Machine Gun Companies and 25 lb Battery.





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< Message edited by Timian -- 3/8/2018 4:50:10 PM >

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RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/1/2018 2:51:22 PM   
MikeGreen


Posts: 34
Joined: 9/14/2013
Status: offline 		Axis 9
Artillery attacks by both sides. Mine are marginally effective (around 2%). The exception of this is catching 2 stacks of tanks, 4th Armor and RTR, with a 10% and 4% damage hit respectively.

His Selby Force eliminates the remains of my forces near El Maktila. His artillery does similar damage to mine. His most effective strike is against the combined arms team of the 233 III.

My plan is coming together to surround his units attacking W of Sidi Barrani





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RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/6/2018 8:53:56 AM   
Benedict151

 

Posts: 596
Joined: 3/4/2016
Status: offline 		The situation around Sidi Barrani is looking potentially quite fraught for the allies

Can't work out whose plan will come to fruition first!

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Post #: 35
RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/6/2018 2:13:34 PM   
Timian


Posts: 137
Joined: 9/14/2013
From: Tucson, AZ
Status: offline 		Post #25

Turn Ten / 11 Dec 1940 / 0600: Day Four of Operation Compass. As with Game Turns Four and Seven (start of Days Two and Three), time to review the Commonwealth’s Logistics Status, Air, and Naval Gunfire status, as well as the Disposition and Plan of Action for its Ground Forces.

Fuel = 329 and Ammunition = 29.

Looks like focusing on Counter Air Missions (for both my Fighters and SAS) is working. Lost zero Fuel and Ammo to Italian Air Interdiction. Will continue to focus on Fighter Counterair.

It’s been just over a day since my Blenheims got hit hard by Mike’s Flak vicinity Sofafi. Given the loses to Flak, when rested, their approximately 50% effective.

During Turn Nine, Mike was successful swinging round my Southern Flank. As of right now, 11th Indian Brigade (with it’s Matildas) plus all of 7th Armored Division are Cut-Off / Out of Supply.

Need to pull all of Selby Force – now that the 1st Libyan Division is Destroyed – and the 7th Indian Brigade North/Northwest into an Attack Position so, next turn, they can start to Counter Attack the Italians that are just East of Alam.

Will continue 5th Indian Brigade’s Attack on Camp Tummar + add in parts of the 16th Indian. Don’t want Mike pulling forces from that fight and pushing North into the Flank of 7th and 4th Armored Brigades.





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< Message edited by Timian -- 3/8/2018 4:49:17 PM >

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RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/7/2018 2:22:47 PM   
Benedict151

 

Posts: 596
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Status: offline 		wince

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Post #: 37
RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/8/2018 3:49:17 AM   
MikeGreen


Posts: 34
Joined: 9/14/2013
Status: offline 		Axis Turn 10

Started trying to eliminate the CW unit that I have widely encircled. Attacks by the 2nd CCNN and Carri Armata X (a Tank X) on his AT guns whittles them down by a third but they will not be dislodged. Other attacks merely chip away at various units doing at most 10% damage.

Bad news on the Eastern edge of my holding line. CW forces destroy a couple of battered Libyans caught on the road to Bardia. His artillery, especially his Naval artillery is pounding my units near the coast. Furthermore, Selby Force is trying to ride to the rescue of the trapped CW units. Only good news is that my recon unit inflected a couple of ambushes on some of its units hurting them for around 35% cohesion and 10% casualties. Bad news he eventually caught up with it and inflected half damage to it for basically no losses.

I must slow Selby's ride and eliminate some Allies units in the pocket.





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< Message edited by MikeGreen -- 3/8/2018 4:04:01 AM >

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RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/8/2018 1:07:17 PM   
Timian


Posts: 137
Joined: 9/14/2013
From: Tucson, AZ
Status: offline 		Post #27

Turn Eleven / 11 Dec 1940 / 1200

At the Start of Turn Eleven:

o Selby Force is in position to begin its Counter Attack (“its ride”) West towards Alam.

o 7th Indian Brigade is also in position, just North of Alam. Plan is for Selby to Attack West and 7th Indian to Attack East; meet in the middle.

o Have been able to position both of Selby’s Machine Gun Companies + a Battalion of 7th Indian just to the South of where Shelby is Attacking / Blocking Italian Reinforcements.

With regards to the Surrounded 7th Armored Division and the 11th Indian Brigade, am going to selectively use one of 11th Indians 25 lb Battalions to provide Defensive Support for Matildas and their Infantry Battalion. Will do same with 4th Armor Brigade’s 25 lb Battalion – supporting its Western-most stack (an A-13 Battalion and an Anti-Tank Battery) – and 7th Armor Brigade’s 5.5” Battalion supporting its Northern most stack (two Anti-Tank Batteries).





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< Message edited by Timian -- 3/8/2018 4:48:25 PM >

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Post #: 39
RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/8/2018 3:43:16 PM   
MikeGreen


Posts: 34
Joined: 9/14/2013
Status: offline 		Axis Turn 11

Selby continues to push towards the pocket. I am afraid my 158th Regiment will be beat up trying to slow it. But the job must be done.

My forces trying to reduce the pocket are having a slow time. His defensive stand is on top of a ridge line to my armor, negating shock effect. My forces are also less well trained than his resulting in negative odds shifts. My best bet would be to reduce their cohesion with artillery before attacking. Unfortunately my artillery is mostly fairly weak.

One way to help out is to use Commander shifts. Mine can give 1 to 2 shifts. To show some of the details how everything interacts a detailed Battle Report is shown in the next post for the Main Effort highlighted on the map.

Overall I gain a little ground and damage some units in the pocket. However, I achieve no kills, while he picks off a couple crippled early in the game. Victory Points Axis 216 to 348.




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RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/8/2018 3:49:40 PM   
MikeGreen


Posts: 34
Joined: 9/14/2013
Status: offline 		Axis 10th Army Main Effort Detailed Combat Report Screen (cropped to exclude excess area)

As you can see my combat ratio was great but I had negative odd shifts for training and Shock. I reduced the odds shift with my Main Effort (+2) shift. Tanks would not have helped my attack since it was uphill.





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RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/8/2018 4:40:08 PM   
Timian


Posts: 137
Joined: 9/14/2013
From: Tucson, AZ
Status: offline 		Post #29

Turn Twelve / 11 Dec 1940 / 1800

Selby Force and 7th Indian Brigades - both Brigades “Green” Heart, Strength, and Supply – kicked-off their Counter Attack. Selby Overrunning (odds 50+:1) an Italian Reconnaissance Troop and 7th Indian Attacking an Italian Artillery Battalion + Infantry Battalion.

16th Indian Brigade Attacked and Destroyed the Remnants of an Infantry Battalion and an Artillery Battalion (both Black for Supply).

In the West, 4th Armored Brigade loses two A-13 Companies to a Strong Italian Attack, while its A-13 Battalion and Anti-Tank (AT) Battery are Attacked as well. In part, the A-13 Battalion + AT Battery are able to Hold because the Italians are Attacking up a Ridge. The two A-13 Companies lost by 4th Armored Brigade were at the bottom of the Ridge / No Ridge benefit / Same elevation as the Attacking Italians.

7th Armored Brigade, in the Center, together with 7th Support Group (far Left) and 11th Indian Brigade (in the North) are hit by both Italian Artillery Barrages and Attacks by Italian Infantry Battalions supported by Artillery.





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RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/9/2018 12:32:49 AM   
bootlegger267


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Status: offline 		Good stuff here! Thanks guys!

Bootlegger

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Post #: 43
RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/9/2018 2:15:44 PM   
MikeGreen


Posts: 34
Joined: 9/14/2013
Status: offline 		Turn 12

The next to last units of the 4 Lib Regiment are destroyed. They have been cutoff from almost the start. Only a lonely Battalion of armor remains.

Selby Force has started to push back My 158 Regiment is taking the brunt of Selby’s counterattack. It looks like I pushed it out too far and too disorganized and it is getting hammered. I just hope to use it too slow down the relief of his pocketed troops. Besides Selby, his 7th Indian is pounding on the 158’s AA and Artillery units.

In the central region, I have reoccupied some minefield positions and have sufficient forces to stave off attacks. It is just the southern area that offers opportunities for the Allies to relieve the pocket.

In the pocket I eliminate 2 companies of armor form the 4th Armor Regiment. This brings my VP due to kills to 50 versus his 379. Total victory points Axis 266 to 379. Destroying his out of supply nits is proving difficult. He is now defending from on top of a ridge line and has superior troop quality.






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RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/9/2018 2:37:51 PM   
Alan Sharif

 

Posts: 1108
Joined: 8/1/2001
From: UK.
Status: offline 		This is very interesting. Thanks for posting.

_____________________________

A Sharif

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Post #: 45
RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/9/2018 5:55:44 PM   
Timian


Posts: 137
Joined: 9/14/2013
From: Tucson, AZ
Status: offline 		Post #31

Turn Thirteen / 12 Dec 1940 / 0600

Day Five of Operation Compass: Fuel = 402 and Ammunition = 32.

Selby Force and 7th Indian Brigades will Attack again this Turn.

o Selby – with Support from its two Machine Gun Companies – will Attack a lone Italian Infantry Battalion (with a +3xOdds Shift “Tank Fright” Command option).

o 7th Indian will Attack again the same Italian Artillery Battalion + Infantry Battalion it Attacked last Turn.

16th Indian Brigade will Attack to Destroy the Remaining Unit (an Isolated, Italian Tankette Battalion) on of far Eastern end of Camp Tummar.

7th Armored Division and 11th Indian Brigade continue to Hold.






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RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/10/2018 9:50:27 PM   
MikeGreen


Posts: 34
Joined: 9/14/2013
Status: offline 		Axis Turn 13

The 158 Regiment of the widely separated Cirene Division (the dark green striped units) is being kicked around by Selby. I am attempting to withdraw to the ridge line

Elsewhere I manage to eliminate the badly battered AT guns isolated by the other regiment of the Cirene Division is attacked by the 233 Regiment of the Marmamarica Division (the grayed out units). It is an overwhelming attack 25 to 1 attack.

My other attacks meet with various success mainly doing moderate damage (10 to 25% to Readiness and 5 to 10% Strength). The exception is the other set of AT guns to the south of the pocket. It severely damages but do not eliminate the AT units of the 7th Armor Brigade. It is detailed in the following post.

Victory Points Axis 312 (78 from eliminated units) Allies 424 all from elimination





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< Message edited by MikeGreen -- 3/10/2018 10:15:53 PM >

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RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/10/2018 10:06:15 PM   
MikeGreen


Posts: 34
Joined: 9/14/2013
Status: offline 		Details of Attack on &th Armor Brigade AT Guns

Italy's 233 Regiment attack on CW's 7th Armor Brigade's unsupported anti tank guns went well. Normally the AT guns would have provided 4 Shock Defense against the tanks, their reduced Readiness State and low supplies reduced them to -2. The They are trapped so they cannot retreat. Thus the Shock provided by the Italian armor more offset the -2 odds shift from the CW's better Quality of units. They will be fair game for elimination next turn.

Note that the Intensity of the attack is set by the Attack and Defense orders of the appropriate units. However, it is limited by the average quality and readiness of the attacking units. Unfortunately the quality of my units limit the intensity to low.






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RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/10/2018 11:11:07 PM   
Timian


Posts: 137
Joined: 9/14/2013
From: Tucson, AZ
Status: offline 		Post #33

Turn Fourteen / 12 Dec 1940 / 1200 / Two Turns Left in Scenario

So far so good.

Both Selby Force and the 7th Indian Brigade’s Attacks - to Re-Open a Supply Line to 7th Armored Division and 11th Indian Brigade – have been successful.

Losses to both Selby and 7th Indian have been light.

Given what I know right now*, I need to Destroy five Italian Units to Open a Supply Line free of Italian Zones of Control.

* Mike and I have “Fog of War” toggled-on, so my Intel may not be correct.

First (Turn 14) 7th Indian Brigade must Attack the Italian Tankette Battalion and Infantry Battalion due East of Nebeiwa.**

** With a +2xOdds Shift “O’Connor Forward” Command option.

Next, after first moving adjacent (during Turn 14), Selby must Attack (on Turn 15) the Italian Infantry Battalion and Artillery Battalion one hex West and then Southwest of it’s A-13 Company.

The last Italian Unit that must be Destroyed, is the Infantry Battalion just North and East of Ineba. But not sure if I can get enough of 7th Indian adjacent to make a High Odds Attack during Turn 15. Depends what happens with the 7th’s Turn 14 Attack, but the 7th Indians 25 lb Battalion will not be in Position to Support (the planned Turn 15) Attack; Out of Range.

7th Armored Division and 11th Indian Brigade continue to Defend, but 7th Armored Brigade’s two Northern-Most Anti-Tank Batteries are Overrun (25.4:1).






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< Message edited by Timian -- 3/10/2018 11:13:43 PM >

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Post #: 49
RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/11/2018 3:08:55 PM   
MikeGreen


Posts: 34
Joined: 9/14/2013
Status: offline 		Axis Turn 14

This is the penultimate game turn. I finish off the 7th Armor Brigade's Engineers with little trouble. Elsewhere I make some reckless attack and mainly do ore damage to myself than the enemy.

11th Indian and Selby Group is doing a number on the 158th of the Cirene Division. A lone battalion of the 116th Regiment of the Marmarica Division is in position to stem the tide. The remaining two infantry battalions of the 116 may be able to setup a defense line on the ridge line. Fortunately the 116's HQ and artillery have survived Selby's meat grinder.






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RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/12/2018 2:47:29 PM   
Timian


Posts: 137
Joined: 9/14/2013
From: Tucson, AZ
Status: offline 		Post #35

Turn Fifteen / 12 Dec 1940 / 1800 / Last Turn

As I mentioned in my Turn Fourteen update, in order to get supply to 7th Armored and 11th Indian Brigade:

1) Selby must Attack the Italian Infantry Battalion and Artillery Battalion two hexes East of the “Stands Alone” Italian Infantry Battalion and

2) If I can get enough of 7th Indian Brigade adjacent to make a High Odds Attack, the “Stands Alone” Infantry Battalion.*

* Unfortunately, 7th Indian’s 25 lb Battalion will not be in Position to Support “Stands Alone” Attack; Out of Range.

Below is a screen shot of my planned Turn Fifteen Moves / Attacks.





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RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/12/2018 2:49:08 PM   
Timian


Posts: 137
Joined: 9/14/2013
From: Tucson, AZ
Status: offline 		Post #37

The screen shot below pretty much captures the Commonwealth positions at scenario end.

Selby’s Attack (using 2xColumn Shift for “Main Effort”) was successful.

However, I was unable to get a High Odds Attack vs. “Stands Alone”**.

** The screen shot shows one Infantry Battalion from 7th Indian Brigade next to “Stands Alone” and two Recon Companies.

Victory Point wise, it was a Tactical Commonwealth Victory (424 Commonwealth Victory Points to 356 Italian). But Pyrrhic with all of 7th Armored Division and 11th Indian Brigade – with its three Matilda Companies - cut-off.





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< Message edited by Timian -- 3/12/2018 2:50:42 PM >

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RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/13/2018 4:33:30 PM   
Benedict151

 

Posts: 596
Joined: 3/4/2016
Status: offline 		Well played both, I confess that I thought this one was going to go to the Italians

Many thanks for sharing this, very much appreciated

regards
Ben Wilkins


< Message edited by Benedict151 -- 3/13/2018 4:34:15 PM >

(in reply to Timian)
Post #: 53
RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/17/2018 8:10:32 PM   
MikeGreen


Posts: 34
Joined: 9/14/2013
Status: offline 		Apologies, I have been under the weather and finally feeling good enough to get all my thoughts together.

Turn 15
The Italians are still facing superior Quality Troops . They also need time to regain Readiness with many units down 30%. My combat supply is also running low. I am down to 2 turns worth of input and would have to husband resources to continue attacks by multiple formations. Combat supply dramatically increases your attacking power quadrupling artillery and doubling other units.

I manage only a few rather low odds attacks on units that I have isolated for the longest time in hopes of a kill. I have no luck however.

Results Allied Minor Victory 424 (all Kill) to 356 (86 from kills)

I will talk about my thoughts on the scenario and game in another post.




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< Message edited by MikeGreen -- 3/17/2018 8:12:23 PM >

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RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/17/2018 9:20:29 PM   
Timian


Posts: 137
Joined: 9/14/2013
From: Tucson, AZ
Status: offline 		Post #39

Commonwealth Final Thoughts . . .

1) (Blinding Flash of the Obvious) Should not have committed 4th Armored Brigade to help secure 7th Support Groups Western Flank. In addition, I should have pushed 7th Indian Brigade up vicinity 4th Armored Brigade -- once it was Released from Strategic Reserve (a.k.a., “FIXED”) on Turn 8.

2) It only costs Movement Points to “Enter” a ZOC / Not to exit:

o So, provided you have the Fuel (which the Commonwealth has in abundance) and holding terrain is not important (Commonwealth Victory Points were Awarded for Killing Italians), then…

oo Falling back using Move-to-Defend (Green Move Icon) vs. the Move-to-Attack (Yellow Move Icon) or Road March (Blue Move Icon) is a viable option.

oo And if you’re using both Move+ and Combat+ for Supply, there’s a good chance you’ll have no problem Breaking Contact in “Good Order”, or (said another way) Outrunning the Italians to better Defense Terrain, like a Ridge or the Escarpment.

3) After 11th Indian Brigade Attacked and destroyed the Italian Units vicinity Maletti Group’s Camp (just West of Alam Nibiewa), I failed to Breach their Minefields.

o 11th Indian Brigade had an Organic Engineer Company that could have accomplished this.

o When Mike Counterattacked vicinity the Maletti Group ‘s Camp, he was able to place units behind those (unbreached) Mine Fields.

o This somewhat complicated Selby Group’s and 7th Indian Brigade’s (especially 7th Indian’s) efforts to open-up a Supply Line to 7th Armored Division and 11th Indian Brigade.


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Post #: 55
RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/17/2018 11:43:13 PM   
MikeGreen


Posts: 34
Joined: 9/14/2013
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Axis

My Impression of the Game System:
I really like the limited intelligence and the WEGO systems. It really adds a great deal of tension into the game. They make the game distinctly different from the chess-like nature of most other systems.

The unit strengths and weaknesses seem right. I am fairly knowledgeable in the period. I could probably quibble about the factoring of some units/equipment but someone else would just quibble the opposite. :)

The UI is decent. The Hot Buttons must be used to play. They thankfully work well. The button to bring up the Hot Button summary is very useful. As always, some people will want to remap the buttons. This might be something for a future patch.

My impression of the scenario:
From the Italian view point the scenario is difficult. Your forces are Fixed for essentially the first 3 turns. This is frustrating but historically accurate. The CW gets to pick out and destroy any camps that he wants to.

Once your forces are free you can attempt to change the absolute disaster that occurred in real life. You also have a fighting chance to really damage the CW if you play well.

Thoughts on my game:
I think I responded well in stopping any attempt for the CW to reach the coast road and thus being able to reduce Sidi Barrani. I also was able to maintain control of the coast road from Buqbuq to Sofafi allowing me to move forces into my encirclement attempt.

The problems with my play were:
• I failed to pay attention to my troop quality. Overall I have lower Quality troops than the CW. Historically this is because of training and equipment issues. For my attacking force I should have made sure to use my higher quality troops. My lower quality troops would have been better used as defensive/blocking forces

• I failed to pay attention to ridge lines, thus reducing the effectiveness of my attacks even more.

• I should have tried to keep better divisional integrity to allow for better lines of communication and better coordination in attacks.

• I should have swung more units into my encircling forces. I had plenty of fuel and could have used road mode to get them into the drive.

Scenario Victory Conditions
The CW originally envisioned O'Conner's attack as a raid to spoil Axis plans. Poor Italian response and aggressive action by O'Conner turned it into a Strategic Victory.

Judging the results of my battle with Don as a Raid, I agree it is a Minor Allied Victory. Selby Force/7th Indian would relieve the pocket before much more damage could be done to the trapped forces. Both sides would probably then withdraw to defensive positions to renew the fight later. Just looking at VP for Destroyed units it was 424 to 86, a 5:1 ratio in favor of the Allies. If Don had started withdrawing around turn 8, the ratio would have been even higher and a greater victory condition would have been deserved.

On the Strategic level I would consider the results a Draw. The CW would have to wait for further forces to drive the Italians out of Egypt. The Italians would have had to reinforce before even considering a drive on the Canal. There are Political and strategic decisions that are outside the purview of the game (Would Rommel be committed to NA? Would the CW send troops to Greece?)

Scenario designers might consider having multiple types of victory for a battle game like this.




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< Message edited by MikeGreen -- 3/17/2018 11:46:06 PM >

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RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/18/2018 7:18:16 AM   
bcgames


Posts: 2527
Joined: 6/2/2010
From: Bramble Rose Farm, KS
Status: offline 		As the scenario designer, I have to say--I never saw it coming out this way. Mike's aggressive counter-offensive was a dramatic tide-turner. I was sure it was all wrapped up and in-the- can for the Italians--then Don's counter-counter offensive with Selby Force and 7th Indian Brigade kicked in. I thought for a moment I was at a basketball game--up down in out--score, score, score. In the end I want to throw up the flag and say they both won! What a great play by both sides.

On the "win" side? I think Mike is right--a win here equals no Rommel in North Africa. Not in 1941 anyway. So what does that mean strategically?

Great game guys! Thanks for sharing your combats and insights.

_____________________________


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RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/18/2018 7:44:15 PM   
Rosseau

 

Posts: 2757
Joined: 9/13/2009
Status: offline 		This is a difficult game to categorize, which is a great thing. From what little I've read, it's like TOAW IV and SSG's Decisive Battles series meshed together by VR Designs. Now that's saying a lot, and it might not be quite that good

Replaying SSG's games sort of shocked me in terms of how little the industry has progressed in terms of AI. But this game, Campaign Series ME, and one or two others gives me hope to see a challenging and non-cheating AI before I die.

(in reply to bcgames)
Post #: 58
RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/20/2018 11:21:08 AM   
Benedict151

 

Posts: 596
Joined: 3/4/2016
Status: offline 		A most enjoyable series of posts with the game in the balance until the end

I especially liked the summary posts at the end from both sides

Many thanks for sharing this with us

Ben Wilkins

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Post #: 59
RE: Desert War: Game In Play - Into The Blue - 3/21/2018 9:11:23 PM   
BletchleyGeek


Posts: 4713
Joined: 11/26/2009
From: Living in the fair city of Melbourne, Australia
Status: offline 		This was a great AAR for a great game, I am sure you guys had lots of fun. I somehow managed to miss it.

It is pretty amazing to see how the game, quite naturally, allows for this kind of fluid engagements. The results was indeed surprising, probably the VP weren't allocated expecting this kind of turn around. My congratulations to mikegreen and my conmiserations to Timian, really. This was an Italian win, Forza Italia!

Good luck to the team with the release, I look forward to get my hands on Desert War.

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(in reply to Benedict151)
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