BrucErik CSD Studio

[CoolDTA]

OOB is expandable to some degree so a scenario could be made to cover all of the action depicted here, but the map would be tremendous and many units would be required. As it is, we are giving just a sample of the nature of the fighting that took place in this region. Much of OOB content is like that; limited in scope for fun without tedium.

True, but OoB can also be scaled up or down when needed. Consider for instance Someri in Winter War (a few hundred men) and Minsk in Blitzkrieg (hundreds of thousands of men). Your Bengtskär scenario is also a prime example of the flexibility. Additionally one hex can represent a very small area or dozens of square miles.

Note: Yes, I am aware that Rukajärvi probably wasn't large enough to accommodate, or call for, gunboat fleets. This is one more bit of artistic license that is based on fact. In reality, these gunboats operated on lakes the size of Ladoga, Peipus, Onega, Ilmen and in the Caspian Sea. Oh well, yet another bit of whimsy. Hopefully not stretching the truth too much.

Yeah... even one gunboat is stretching the truth too much imo, but it's your call. The canoes look amusing. Maybe you have use for a rare image of Syöksyvene, though the it was probably not as leisurable method of travel as it is in this photo.



Hmm..., actually this could be nice:

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[bru888]

There has to be some suspension of belief - and some squinting of eyes - to make this type of thing work. Sure, I could leave that expanse of lake out there as a beautiful expanse of useless water, but why not have a small gunboat battle to pass the time?

And yes, the guys in canoes should be in flatboats (like your lower photo which I am definitely using) but I lack the modding skills to make it so and even then, players would need to download and install a mod just to play our campaign. I am avoiding that situation and I believe Erik agrees.

So with a nod to history (those gunboats did exist and they operated on lakes) and a squinting of eyes (or, better phrased, a bit of imagination), this mission of Hiawathas in canoes may be a bit of fun.

[CoolDTA]

I for one really appreciate the fact that BrucErik Studio's products do not need any mods, but work with the vanilla game - and I don't think I'm alone in that. The canoes et al are okay and my idea with the photo was to sort of add sthg to show what it actually looked like. Glad you apparently thought the same.

[bru888]

I for one really appreciate the fact that BrucErik Studio's products do not need any mods, but work with the vanilla game - and I don't think I'm alone in that. The canoes et al are okay and my idea with the photo was to sort of add sthg to show what it actually looked like. Glad you apparently thought the same.

Yes, that's the thing! You know my standards for the believable. Somehow this works for me, with the canoes passing as flatboats, especially if we throw in a picture like that to lend an accurate portrayal.

[Erik2]

Could you use the Barge in this scenario?

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[bru888]

Could you use the Barge in this scenario?

That unit is more reminiscent of this:

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than this or the boat in the pic that Cool provided:

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Besides, I like the SBS in this situation for their landing capability which brings into play some intricacy. I am trying to design this module so that the player needs to be adroit with handling such matters. Were I to use the barge, I would lose that and need to work in some cumbersome remove unit / spawn unit mechanisms.

[bru888]

Cool, I need a small village name, the location on the lake for the SBS mission. I see the name "Tsakarioja" nearby on the map that you posted. Would it be okay to use that or does it mean "web-footed duck" or something? Do you have an alternative suggestion?

[CoolDTA]

Cool, I need a small village name, the location on the lake for the SBS mission. I see the name "Tsakarioja" nearby on the map that you posted. Would it be okay to use that or does it mean "web-footed duck" or something? Do you have an alternative suggestion?

"Tsakarioja" is a stream on the western shore of Rukajärvi (lake). I'm not sure what you mean. Isn't the village in question Rukajärvi (village) itself?

[bru888]

Boy, have you ever felt like you just lucked into it when you threw something together quickly and it turned out to be final?

I have played this module a few times now. The trick is to dislodge the Soviet SBS units from the four village hexes, occupy them with your Jaegers, hold on until the next turn start, and do it all just before the regulars of Soviet 3/Company A arrive (they are placed just where you left them, Erik). At the most, three turns.

The last time I played it, I failed miserably. This time I succeeded. Balanced! Sold! Next item on the agenda!

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As you can see, the "hijacked" Soviet gunboats are now Finnish, ready to be renamed (one of them will be the Suomi-Neito, Cool) and taken into battle. The trigger is not in there yet but as soon as the transformation occurs, the SBS units will vanish; ostensibly functioning as crew members (I will work in a mention that experienced naval men were with the raiding party) or fleeing back across the lake.

I don't want any Gabe-subterfuge such as having them paddle down the lake and land in Rukajärvi town to cause mayhem (not that they can claim any territory, but still). As it is, I am wondering about that port hex in "Tsakarioja" (pending Cool's approval of that name). Gabe: "Heh, let's get some TRANSPORT SHIPS on the lake by embarking troops and taking Rukajärvi from the rear! Yeah, the more I think of it, the more we do without docks, at least in "Tsakarioja."

[bru888]

Cool, I need a small village name, the location on the lake for the SBS mission. I see the name "Tsakarioja" nearby on the map that you posted. Would it be okay to use that or does it mean "web-footed duck" or something? Do you have an alternative suggestion?

"Tsakarioja" is a stream on the western shore of Rukajärvi (lake). I'm not sure what you mean. Isn't the village in question Rukajärvi (village) itself?

It's hard to see on this screenshot, but Rukajärvi (town) is in the red oval and that is the primary objective. I created a "village" further up the lake for this vignette, in the yellow oval. What I am looking for is a plausible name for that village. Or, do you think I should downsize it, take away the flag (and the docks, for the reason above) and have no name? I'm starting to think that's the way to go. What do you think?

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[bru888]

By the way, you see that big blob of forest in the middle of the map? That was looking like the Maiden of Finland to me, albeit with a tremendous bosom, until I cut off her head with a farm and shortened one of her arms. I may do more remedial alterations to get that image out of my mind and work.

[CoolDTA]

It's hard to see on this screenshot, but Rukajärvi (town) is in the red oval and that is the primary objective. I created a "village" further up the lake for this vignette, in the yellow oval. What I am looking for is a plausible name for that village. Or, do you think I should downsize it, take away the flag (and the docks, for the reason above) and have no name? I'm starting to think that's the way to go. What do you think?

Ah, okay. There doesn't seem to be any village there. But why not name it Rukajärvi Anchorage or sthg like that (even without the docks for the reasons given above, but flag remains)? Such location would certainly be protected by some infantry. Btw., I would lose the islands. Yes, I can see some smudges in the satellite image, but there are none in the maps. Also we don't know what kind of sat image we would have seen in 1941. Russians (Soviets) are known to do bad things to lakes (Aral Sea being an extreme example).

By the way, you see that big blob of forest in the middle of the map? That was looking like the Maiden of Finland to me, albeit with a tremendous bosom, until I cut off her head with a farm and shortened one of her arms. I may do more remedial alterations to get that image out of my mind and work.

Methinks we'll make a good Finn out of you.

[bru888]

Village name: Ankkurointi
Docks: No. (Sorry, Gabe.)
Islands: Out. (I wondered about those smudges and/or was I looking at algae farms or something. Even the color of those lakes in Google is disturbing.)
Good Finn: I would be honored. The Finns are a fine people and I have enjoyed my interaction with you and them, indirectly. They went a bit wrong in this war - you will see some mention of that in CW41 - but overall they held their own dealing with the two monsters, Germany and Russia. Sisu, indeed. Did you know that London, Moscow, and Helsinki were the only major European capitals of belligerent nations in WW2 that were never occupied by enemy forces?

[CoolDTA]

Village name: Ankkurointi
Docks: No. (Sorry, Gabe.)

Ankkuripaikka is the correct term. (damn you Google Translate leading Bru astray)

Poor Gabe.

They went a bit wrong in this war - you will see some mention of that in CW41 - but overall they held their own dealing with the two monsters, Germany and Russia. Sisu, indeed.

That's true, but as you know because of reasons everyone else would have made the same choice. Most importantly: no Winter War, no Continuation War. Was it worth it, USSR?



Stavkas plans for the final solution regarding Finland made in late 1940.

Did you know that London, Moscow, and Helsinki were the only major European capitals of belligerent nations in WW2 that were never occupied by enemy forces?

Yes, I knew and because of you so do some other ppl, too. One of the other interesting facts is that during the CW true democracies were at war (Finland vs. UK from 6th Dec 1941 though no actual acts of war (luckily)). Churchill apologized this in his letter to Mannerheim, but it was Stalin's demand. The US rejected a similar demand. Another one: three Finnish Jews were proposed to be awarded the Iron Cross. Medical captain Leo Skurnik was one of them. However, Skurnik refused to accept the award (as did the other two) and reportedly stated to Lieutenant General Hjalmar Siilasvuo, who informed him of the decision, "My good friend, do you think I can take that kind of decoration? Tell your German colleagues that I wipe my arse with it!" Gen. Siilasvuo didn't use those exact words when telling the Germans, but they were not happy nevertheless.

[bru888]

There is your Ankkuripaikka:

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I joke with the briefing . . . or do I? Hmmm.

That's a great story. I am tempted to try to use it but for three things: 1) This campaign is already chock full; 2) It may be outside the time scope of 1941; and 3) This campaign is rated G for General Audiences! (A rating system that we use in the U.S.)

[bru888]

Please see the note that I posted in bold blue font in the last post on the preceding page of this thread. If you followed either of those links that I posted there (now removed), please run an anti-virus check on your machine, just in case. I can't say with finality that my momentary difficulty came from there, but it's best to be on the safe side.

[CoolDTA]

There is your Ankkuripaikka:

Oh no, don't do it like that. Ankkuripaikka is just a general noun, not a name for certain location. You should either change the text to sthg like 'in a secluded cove we have prepared a surprise for the Finns etc." or if you like I could make up a village name. Hmm.., let's see, okay, for example Riipola or Kiirilä. Both sound ok, but are not names of any actual location, so no village can file a complaint of a copyright violation.

3) This campaign is rated G for General Audiences! (A rating system that we use in the U.S.)

I agree, better keep BrucErik Studio's DLCs family friendly.

[bru888]

"Kiirilä" reminds me of an ex-girlfriend, in my dreams.

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Now, back to the frozen north one last time!

[CoolDTA]

The Finnish Navy would have been very happy with that gunboat.

[bru888]

Now, back to the frozen north one last time!

Say, there's an awful lot of foxes up here! Let's see. There's Arctic Fox, Silver Fox, and Platinum Fox. Throw into the mix the German translations that you run across as well: Polarfuchs, Silberfuchs, Platinfuchs.

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Pardon me while I sort out my foxes.

Arctic Fox was the "campaign by German and Finnish forces against Soviet Northern Front defenses at Salla, Finland in July 1941." That's over for us. (Thank goodness for Wikipedia, faults and all. I just contributed another $10.40 to them.)

"The [Arctic Fox] operation was part of the larger Operation Silver Fox which aimed to capture the vital port of Murmansk." Okay, fine. If that were the extent of foxes, I'd be fine. But no! There is a Platinum Fox.

While Silver Fox remains top dog, uh, fox, it apparently had three arms: Operation Reindeer (posthumous thanks to the Wehrmacht strategist who chose another species name) in which "German forces advanced from Norway to secure the area around Petsamo and its nickel mines"; the ongoing Arctic Fox coming from the west toward Kandalaksha and then perhaps Murmansk; and now this Platinum Fox, "an attack from the north by Mountain Corps Norway."

So for our purposes, Operation Reindeer is meat. I mean, moot. This popup map will suffice for 09Litsa:

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I heard somebody in Stavka proposed calling the Soviet counter-offensive "Red Fox" but he was shouted down.

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