Just completed this interestingly designed version. Found it altogether satisfying - not the least of which was because of Victory -- in which case the sound of artillery was very sweet regardless of time of day.
Initial analysis of the battlefield provided a reasonably accurate basis for the successful battle plan.
The field is split down the middle by difficult and roadless terrain. The extreme south side is the fastest away across -- mainly desert terrain. The most important objectives are at either end more or less. Lots of woods make for a lot of concealment and surprises for scouting and screening units.
This general's forces were selected as follows:
| Inf | 5 |
| MG | 7 |
| Baz | 9 |
| ACMG | 6 |
| AC | 10 |
| LT | 16 |
| MT | 4 |
| HA | 2 |
| LA | 8 |
| Eng | 6 |
They were divided into two forces, a Strike Force and an Alternate Force with Strike to move south and attack across the desert. Alternate was to garrison locally and send a small attack across the river on the north side. Both forces contained engineer groups which were to secure river bridges.
| Alternate Force | Strike Force | |||
| Inf | 3 | Inf | 2 | |
| Eng | 2 | MG | 7 | |
| ACMG | 1 | Eng | 4 | |
| AC | 1 | Baz | 9 | |
| LT | 4 | ACMG | 5 | |
| LA | 2 | AC | 9 | |
| LT | 12 | |||
| MT | 4 | |||
| HA | 2 | |||
| LA | 6 | |||
The disproportion between the two forces proved justified.
Actual deployment went fairly well as planned. A Recon group led Strike Force with a platoon of T,lt (LT) following. The rest came along in a rather ragged manner as necessary transport was not provided all ground pounders and artillery. Alternate Force moved slower because of terrain. Some time along about 4 th turn Strike Recon spotted a large force of C,a and C,am in the desert apparently threatening to move into the gap between the neutral territory and the river. Light forces with engineers were already working to block bridges above the desert. All that was necessary to fix this was time to accomplish the mission. The transporting armored cars and a supporting light tank moved to accomplish this. Artillery was also beginning to be deployed in support.
Blocking forces were adequately successful so that Earl became frustrated during the first night and violated neutral territory. The neutrals supplied 5 mobile artillery units, which along with increasing deployment of light arty. played havoc among the enemy's units. Attrition knocked both sides in the ensuing battles for the bridges with Earl gaining some advantage in the air. However, Earl lost the most.
One prong of Strike Force managed to climb the mountain on the west side and claim the air field there. The neutral city held and after a deep breath Strike force was ready to move on.
Meanwhile mines were laid on the northern bridges blocking access to the eastern objectives. This freed up the admittedly small Alternate Force not all of which were across the river. These guys took and defended the two northwestern airfields in an almost evenly matched contest. (turns 7-11)
Earl's parachute drops provided some distraction but, these were fairly easily handled. The general felt some initial consternation which melted as his troop's powder burned behind speeding projectiles. Initial friendly para drops were used to reenforce the northern farmland and the southern farmland.
The next task was to eliminate Earl's air power and knockout his remaining mobile artillery. Once Strike force was free to move, it proceeded into the desert - a small shadow of it's former glory speeding across the sand but, enough to nail one of two remaining mobile artillery pieces while growing air strength finished the artillery stunned mate. (I believe this technique was recently endorsed by generals in conference.)
Light Tanks in small scattered scouting units moved eastward from strike force and succeeded in knocking out the second mountain airfield along with the field just across the desert. Here parachute units proved their worth in supporting these attacks through the territory of the now much weakened enemy. From here on it was just a matter of working on in and mopping up while guarding against the mischief of enemy parachutists dropping in here and there to be soon eliminated.
On turn 30 Earl gave up having lost all. He held no objectives after turn 19, his adversary gaining all by 21 with only scattered opposition left groping through the woods. The telling period was 7 - 11 when losses were heaviest for him. In the beginning, turns 1 - 9, Earl became overconfident as his holdings were in the lead.
Engineering work blocked only the two most northern bridges while a piece of lt. arty, knocked out the next one south having nothing better to do while awaiting transport. The cluster of bridges above the southernmost crossing were elaborately protected by numerous mines with a passable corridor enhanced by forest clearance. No enemy ever got close to the bridges here. This effort was somewhat justified by giving the general confidence in their security allowing him to pick up what was left of his Strike Force for the final push.
It seems that a reasonable economy of force was achieved in holding the north and striking hard in the south. Artillery was expected to make the difference and it did. The unexpected enemy incursion into neutral ground made for a decisive finish. Otherwise the contest would have been much closer. The general pats himself on the back for having so frustrated Earl, that he made such a move so unfortunate to his cause.
I do hope this formatting is not beyond recovery - I expect it to arrive screwed up. For some reason internet setup puts up my wife's email for correspondence. She has such difficulty seeing that large print is necessary.
I also hope this account proves of some utility to others in appreciating this scenario.
Bobb - a name not calculated to strike hearts with fear, or fill eyes with grandeur, but adequate for identification.
May Rommel forgive certain impertinent reflections during Saturday evening conversations. Old Bobb is just a bit too much beyond his own control to resist such abundantly proffered goats so available for an attempted getting. (No problem Bobb, I understand - Scot)
Greetings to Endgame, his contributions much appreciated and his notice of new would be generals gratifying.