RTT'42 Campaign: Calendar Day 17 NOV 1942 Post-Battle Phase

[protectivedaddy]

I'll take up a challenge once my official match is completed. It'll be good to see what tactics you have designed this level to be used with, give a good indication of future battle approaches.

[Navaronegun]

Well, for this battle, none of that was in mind(specific tactics). The map is the map (based upon terrain, the town and infrastructure in late 1942) to scale at 100m per square, roughly. That creates a 6.4 x 6.4 km box that is approximately in the center of the hex which is 8.05 km from hexside to hexside. Each side has what they have in forces. The meeting engagement, per the rules gives a deployment area of 15 squares in from the entering side (1.5 km), which I center on the hex side entry occurs from (in this case, opposite from each other, diametrically). The metric for the flags is always, "what is important about the hex and what will dictate control of the hex?" So sometimes, like here, it is about the town, but also about terrain features that may dictate the ability to deny easy movement through the hex (like the Southern Overwatch Point). Paved road/railroad entry and exit points are always important. Bridges across major wadis (which can be seen on the big map) are usually valuable VP locations on battle maps too.

[protectivedaddy]

Quick question - how do you determine the position of the flags.

[Navaronegun]

Quick question - how do you determine the position of the flags.

Like I said above, "The metric for the flags is always, 'what is important about the hex and what will dictate control of the hex?' So sometimes, like here, it is about the town, but also about terrain features that may dictate the ability to deny easy movement through the hex (like the Southern Overwatch Point). Paved road/railroad entry and exit points are always important. Bridges across major wadis (which can be seen on the big map) are usually valuable VP locations on battle maps too."

Regarding position there should be symmetry to aid balance. That is a reason I went to 1700 points rather than 17. It gives the ability to nuance with 50 point "half point" steps unlike GJS. So notice that the Axis have 200 points in kind of easy arms length. Well the Allies have 700 in easier arms length than the Axis. The Approaches is a tad further than that, but closer to the Axis (300). The Southern Overwatch and the City center (300 each) are kind of in the middle.

Now, different force mixes have different advantages on different maps, but the force mixes are decided by the decisions the sides make. And if you had moved in from the NE hex, and Morge from the SW, that would alter things a lot too. Because the relative position would change. The flags are the flags, but your proximity to them from where you enter (45 degrees to the North on your side, so that upper corner) would change.

Every map, because they are real, is different. In the big picture, because this map will be the map we use later, even if one side attacks from the SE and the other from the NE. So in the grand scheme of things,, since we have to live with it from here on out, for instance, the battle map for 0821 is balanced. Because there *could* be like 15 battles on in in infinite force groupings.

The big answer to your questions on location and the weighted values can't really be separated, but the three criteria for determining them on *any* map, in order is:
1.) Real Life terrain and what is important about the hex in the context of the big map.
2.) What constitutes control of that hex.
3.) Symmetry and an attempt at balance, not just in one battle with that battle's forces and direction of approach, but on the map as a whole.

So you try to be symmetrical and balanced regarding position. But terrain is terrain. And important terrain is important terrain. Sometimes, like in Medjez El Bab map, the important stuff is on the one side of the river. Attacking from one side is easier than attacking from another.

[protectivedaddy]

You've sort of hit n why I was asking.............this map and flag locations I believe suit an infantry heavy BN and I was wondering if the flag positions will stay the same even when armour heavy BN's fight here.

[Navaronegun]

You've sort of hit n why I was asking.............this map and flag locations I believe suit an infantry heavy BN and I was wondering if the flag positions will stay the same even when armour heavy BN's fight here.

Yes. We keep this regardless of what forces battlein the future or what the directions of movement on map are in the future.

[Navaronegun]

Update: This battle is currently on approximately turn 7. The battle phase will likely be completed this weekend.

[protectivedaddy]

The allies have been devastated by the Germans Mortar and Super gun batteries. When I first received my BN assignment I was excited to hear I would have an attaché of armour - little did I know it would be made of tin foil!!!!!!!!!

[Navaronegun]

The allies have been devastated by the Germans Mortar and Super gun batteries. When I first received my BN assignment I was excited to hear I would have an attaché of armour - little did I know it would be made of tin foil!!!!!!!!!

Is a Daimler, a 2-Pounder Portee and a Bofors on a truck what you Britishers call Armor? How did you defeat Rommel at El Alamein? That must have been propaganda..

Generalleutnant Navaronegun

[protectivedaddy]

I think our GM Cavehobbit was simply trying to inspire our rowdy rabble but 'over emphasising' the armour element of my BN.

In hindsight now a night battle would've suited the allies more.

[morge4]

In hindsight now a night battle would've suited the allies more.

I don't know about that...FJ own the night!

[Navaronegun]

I think our GM Cavehobbit was simply trying to inspire our rowdy rabble but 'over emphasising' the armour element of my BN.

<In Character> You poor Britishers....lots of enthusiasm, but little feldkraft.

In hindsight now a night battle would've suited the allies more.

<Out of Character> Possibly, though "bumping" at night can get ugly for everyone...

[protectivedaddy]

I have to say, even though it has been a bit of a slaughter it has been a very very good battle, I don't know if that's the quality of the opposition or the battle map or a combination of both but these RTT battles are going to be quite a game of chess.

As with the GJS campaign the Allies seem to have inferior forces but maybe this will change with different BN's and future reinforcements or it is simply because I split my force that made the individual units appear so weak.

[Navaronegun]

I have to say, even though it has been a bit of a slaughter it has been a very very good battle, I don't know if that's the quality of the opposition or the battle map or a combination of both but these RTT battles are going to be quite a game of chess.

As with the GJS campaign the Allies seem to have inferior forces but maybe this will change with different BN's and future reinforcements or it is simply because I split my force that made the individual units appear so weak.

Well, Morge is one of the very best players I have gone up against, period.

But, with regard to RTT each side (and each nation) has strengths and weaknesses both in how they can equip, replace, support and organize their forces in Theatre as well as on the Tactical Battle Map. And all Battalion types have their strengths and weakness, too. I hope it is quite the game of chess.

[Navaronegun]

Update: This battle has approximately 3 turns left. Can you finish today, Gentlemen?

[protectivedaddy]

The allies suffered a terrible defeat. Morge has sent the few remaining units of my BN scurrying back into the desert.

It was a brilliant master class in defending by Morge. I prodded and probed and was well and truly beaten back. Well played. Those bloody FJ's are quite invincible.

I've not taken the screen shots I expect Morge will when he confirms scores.

[Navaronegun]

The allies suffered a terrible defeat. Morge has sent the few remaining units of my BN scurrying back into the desert.

It was a brilliant master class in defending by Morge. I prodded and probed and was well and truly beaten back. Well played. Those bloody FJ's are quite invincible.

I've not taken the screen shots I expect Morge will when he confirms scores.

We'll await confirmation from Morge, and then I will move the turn to closure as soon as he posts. Well fought, gentlemen!

[morge4]

The allies suffered a terrible defeat. Morge has sent the few remaining units of my BN scurrying back into the desert.

It was a brilliant master class in defending by Morge. I prodded and probed and was well and truly beaten back. Well played. Those bloody FJ's are quite invincible.

I've not taken the screen shots I expect Morge will when he confirms scores.

We'll await confirmation from Morge, and then I will move the turn to closure as soon as he posts. Well fought, gentlemen!

Final flag totals was 1100 for Axis (Starting flag, bridge flag, 2 town flags and the overwatch flag) and 700 for the Allies (starting flag, fort flag and forest flag).

Here is the final casualties...


A very good game, being on foot against his trucks was a bit worrisome but it was overcome with fire and maneuver from my FJ's!

[Navaronegun]

Calendar Day 17 NOV 1942
Axis Move the French. Winter Rains Status is Sunny. Today's Weather is Clear
Operational Turn
Post-Battle Phase

The 17 NOV Battle of Sedjenane (Hex 0821), the only battle this day, has ended!

Results:
Victory: Axis Victory by Major Morge (1xVictory). 1100 over 700 Objective Points. Axis hold Sedjenane (Hex 0821).
Withdrawal: The Allies must retreat to their entry hex, as it is free of enemy units/ZOCs.
Casualties:
Axis-
2 x FJ Scout Team
1 x SdKfz 250 (Leader Vehicle)
Allies -
1 x Jeep (Leader Vehicle)
1 x Leader (Leader)
7 x British Infantry Platoon
1 x British 3' Mortar Section
1 x British Bren LMG Section
1 x British Scout Team
1 x Daimler Armoured Car
1 x 2-Pounder Portee
1 x SP Bofors
4 x British Truck
Note: All leader vehicles and leaders cost no points to replace, they are automatically replaced in the next Replacement Phase within the BN or BG they originate from.

Situation Map Post-Battles (Note that the final location of the 1 Para BN has been corrected to be in accord with the Allied Movement Phase Orders)



Coming Next: Calendar Day 18 NOV Command Turn/Airbases and Supply Phase (NOTE: Officially, we move into an Administrative/Planning Turn, but there is little work to do this time)

[wegeberg]

Is there a newer download link than this: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/619 ... N17NOV.LST ?
It doesn't work for me (Mac)

Looks like it starts loading, buy ends after a few seconds.