GrogHeads Forum

After Action Reports => Digital Gaming AARs => Topic started by: Crossroads on November 04, 2017, 07:30:33 AM

Title: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 04, 2017, 07:30:33 AM
Here comes your FRIDAY!, with a post I made:

Quote from: Crossroads on November 04, 2017, 03:01:42 AM
Handed out the Campaign Series: Middle East 1948-1985 2.0 UPDATE to Matrix Slitherine to prepare for general availability. So maybe I'll be playing the dang game for a change  :)

The QA and vetting before releasing out a quite fundemanal 2.0 update is not much fun. Deadlines, being stressed out for fear of missing out on something, and having a RL job to take care while at it, not much fun. But here we are, hopefully no last minute surprises! Fingers crossed  :bd:

To have some fun while actually playing the game, Berto and I agreed to start another public DAR. So back to Golan, where at Jenin, in 1967, things went out let us say less than smoothly for me (The Crossroads (ha!) DAR in my siggie).

But a new decade, a new war to fight, so here we go!

Before we go, though:

=> Berto, on his part, blogs a DAR at Matrix CSME AAR forum (http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4371028). He writes a mean DAR, be sure not to miss it!   O0


(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.matrixgames.com%2Fforums%2Fupfiles%2F32195%2F65C7C32757314058990EB033CEE7F8E9.jpg&hash=8724fe81e944aed6dca4a2c0f0fa8311dc3f62c7)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 04, 2017, 07:41:48 AM
Here's the Saasa Ridge map, with my entry highlighted. As the scenario description says, this scenario is designed to be played as Side A (Israelis) vs AI, or as a H2H session. I've played this once vs AI, and was able after a most brutal fight to have my spearhead entering the city of Saasa, near the EXIT hex to Damascus. But, "try as I might", I could get no further.

Against a live opponent, it will be tougher. But just how tough, I am sure I'm about to find out.

The Objectives are quite straigthforward, the commanding Tel Shams height would give me 100VP, while Saasa itself gives me another 100VP. Rest of the points needed I'll need to rack up either by exiting throught the EXIT hex, where I get the equal amount of VPs as each exiting unit is worth of, or by having a positive kill ratio compared to Syrians. Likely, I will need both.

Looks easy enough, right. There's the highway, you've got a fine amored formation, so just drive there, guns blazing, to the sunset...  :cowboy:

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11708%3Bimage&hash=caa352da0349552318da1f34c3d05b18b0cc7002)


Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 04, 2017, 07:47:05 AM
Here's the battle group under my command:


Quite nice, but as scenario description indicated, quite light on infantry. Certainly would like to have armored infantry with me, but there you are. There's the six Air strikes to call, though. And three batteries of 155mm artillery. So not complaining at all.  :)

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11710%3Bimage&hash=125fa7683b2c599cb73363ee164c7e6b2f3b2f02)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 04, 2017, 07:57:45 AM
Finally, what we need of course is a Cunning Plan.

I am pretty good at those  :nerd:  At Jenin (see the link in my siggie), for instance, I sent my Armored Bde to badlands, performing a cunning flanking maneuver, leaving my infantry infiltrating the strongpoint of Jenin all by themselves. They did that, but payed the price for it. I would like to call it a Pyrrhic victory would it not been a Major Loss instead. Bah, details...

Here, I have basically two options: First, I could take everything I have and try to use speed and force to blast my way through towards the Damascus EXIT hex. The scenario descriptions seemed to indicate that was not the historical outcome. At all.

So, instead, I will concentrate my full force to encircle the defence at Tel Shams heights, and aim to annihilate and capture any and all defenders there. That should give me a very nice lead on victory points alone, plus there's the 100VP objective as well. I am pretty sure, that I should be able to have a 3:1 advantage on troops if I don't divide them to too many objectives. And facing that kind of advantage is very hard for the defending side, as they can't be sure where's the strongpoint and how to spread out either.

A classic Hammer and Anvil, it is then. However, I would need to be able to ensure there's no escaping, or reinforcing the pocket, so I will send a small force north to create a block there, to ensure no traffic goes for either direction.

My Centurion Bn will be the Hammer, they would need to blast through the strong defensive circle by the road leading north. At the same time, my Patton Bn reinforced with my Engineer Coy and Recce Platoon, will force their way to the lower right map corner, and start moving towards Tel Shams from there.

This time, with the Jenin debacle fresh on my mind, I did look at the map to ensure there's a route to do that, without the terrain being too difficult. There is.

So, simple enough. Flank the hill from two sides, destroy anything in between...  :knuppel2:

Edit: Added the proper unit names to the map. As always, I will try to hold on to my initial plan, even should things work out the way I thought. Gotta follow them Orders!

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11730%3Bimage&hash=3010736ed334c66c58e0e4b912f0b54b67fae191)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 04, 2017, 08:08:38 AM
Israeli Turn #1 / (15)

Quote from: Crossroads on November 04, 2017, 07:57:45 AM

So, simple enough. Flank the hill from two sides, destroy anything in between...  :knuppel2:

O:-)

For this game, we chose to play with all Optional Rules ON. I don't normally like to play with Armored Facing ON, as I prefer the likelyhood of a hit on enemy tank to be more random, which is not the case when you know you've ambushed an enemy tank platoon and have a shot at their flank, or rear even. Alan does not want to define any rules one should use, but I know this scenario is just made for Armored Facing, so happy to use it.

That said, here we go then! A Com-ppa-nneeehh - Fooorr-waard !!!

Playing with C&C Optional Rule ON as well, it is important to have your chain of command in place and safe from most obvious casualties. Hence, I move forward with my III Troop first. Sure enough, there's a Syrian Recoilless Rifle team who took a shot at it.

I leave the III Troop in place, with enough Action Point to fire when ready, and move forward with II Troop and my Leader unit, with an intention to fire with all of them to ensure maximum damage to enemy.

Incoming! There was a Syrian Sagger Anti-tank missile team in ambush, too. Of course there was. No casualties so far though, lucky me. So I leave them at place as well, and move forward with I Troop, and fire at Saggers. No result!

That leaves me with the HQ Troop, which is the A Company level HQ unit, with full action points on its entry hex. Suddenly, the Tel Shams height looks very ominous. Are there other ambushing tank killer units there as well? The terrain certainly provides for it!


(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11714%3Bimage&hash=06189655b8ad88eb0403e78ae6cceed6c9159e6f)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 04, 2017, 08:15:54 AM
Here's the situation with my first Coy of the Barak Armored Battalion now in the fray.

Notice I moved my Leader unit to Bottom of stack. Playing with 3D it makes no difference, but Berto and myself prefer the boardgame view mostly instead, so now it is a bit more difficult to figure out who's where.

Notice, also, the new 3D-Unit-Images-on-Counters option for 2D boardgame view. Handy when playing with Armored Facing, when you really need to pay attention to which way you align your units to face at.

No casualties to either side yet, as I only managed to cause Retreats with my fire. But at least (some of) the most obvious ambush poits are cleared out now.

Surely?

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11716%3Bimage&hash=f61f17093420bce649c3424c98023b01dda1cdd0)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 04, 2017, 10:35:27 AM
With "Barak" battalions first company, or A Company in play, it is time to commit the second, or B Company next.

Leapfrogging forward, they are suddenly hit by yet another Recoilless Rifle section from the forward hill. This time there's casualties, too  :tickedoff: And no wonder, they are hitting my tankers in the flank! Right stick! Not shown here yet, though.

What is shown here instead is that having had the first troop, or III Troop rather, taking casualties, I moved forward with II Troop, but first I saved Action Points (APs from now) for Firing. Of course, then they fall one hex short in actually being able to fire back. Seems I am stretched just a bit too far forward.

I really need to at least Disrupt that unit, otherwise they will start their 1st turn with full APs, and a target rich environment in front of them :hide:

And that's not all. After having taken this screenshot, I moved the B Company Troops forward one by one, but forgot to stack their Coy Leader together with one unit. Of course when it then moved alone, it was ambushed by yet another Syrian unit. A costly turn for the Israelis  :buck2:

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11720%3Bimage&hash=e65d5ee06036f1589af02018e3ef0168a8b6b912)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 04, 2017, 10:41:15 AM
C Company, forward! Halt!

It is now obvious the forward hill is full of tank hunter teams with various weapons, so I stop the C Company on their tracks on the entry hex. and toggle the Visible Hexes ON to check the area.

As the Line-of-sight rules go, you can only see what is in front of you in the beginning of turn (unless you have Recon Units, more of that later!), and as I had no units at all in the map I am entering the map blind as a bat.

However, the Syrian units firing at my tankers have revealed themselves, and while that is not necessarily so if I'd have only a unit or two there, with the plethora of friendlies now in the area they are all spotted.

So time to practice some of that famous Israeli gunnery.

LOAD HE! UP! FIRE! FIRING!

:knuppel2:  O0

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11722%3Bimage&hash=aaf44d0d5e985c2f5edcb9843fba5d009c3f0e2b)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 04, 2017, 10:45:57 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on November 04, 2017, 10:41:15 AM
So time to practice some of that famous Israeli gunnery. LOAD HE! UP! FIRE! FIRING!

I do like the sound of that, you will be hearing it often during the DAR  :smitten:

Cpt Zamir had driven his Company hard at the gunnery range, and there we are, all Syrian units in the forward hill (that I know off  :buck2: ) are either hit with a Retreat, or Reduced + Retreat, or Eliminated, as the last volley resulted in.

All other Troops used their APs, but III Troop. I am leaving all these unit in place though, and since the III Troop can Op Fire twice, any Syrian unit re-entering those hexes would be in a world of trouble...

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11724%3Bimage&hash=bd1fe289ca568b5da260df5b1bf84d0f9dd25541)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Sir Slash on November 04, 2017, 10:47:02 AM
Oh Boy! This is gonna be fun.  :clap:
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 04, 2017, 10:50:12 AM
Quote from: Sir Slash on November 04, 2017, 10:47:02 AM
Oh Boy! This is gonna be fun.  :clap:

Yeah, sure, but fun for whom? I've only encountered the Syrian AI so far (in a form of Opportunity Fire logic), taking losses already... Once Berto joins in I am sure there will be plenty of happy Syrians around   :hide:

;)

Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 04, 2017, 10:58:35 AM
That's the Israeli Phase for Turn #1 mostly done. Time to plot the arty, then I am done!

Here goes, there's the 155mm Battalion, each Battery can do two fire missions per turn, so I plot two missions to Objective hex at the top of the hill, another two for the spotted Syrian anti-tank team, and one each for the Improved Positions on the forward hill.

Now I am done, time to end the phase and send over to Berto. Except I had forgotten to have the Barak Battalion HQ joining in. I ended up driving them towards the action, so Barak units would be within it's higher value Command Range. There's now an action available to see the Command Range percentage values on map, I didn't do that here, maybe next turn.

Having moved the HQ unit though, it will be in Conserving Ammo status itself, and unable to provide C&C and supply to the Battalion. Lots of units will be Conserving Ammo, and as a result, firing at only half of their fire power.

Come next turn, it is time for the 71st Armored Bn to join the fun with their Pattons. See the lowest hex row to the right, with elevation 6 hexes providing a channel for them to dash forward. That's what they'll do...

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11726%3Bimage&hash=63ce233959c234c3f282966ecaf1502271dabeff)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 04, 2017, 11:04:41 AM
Israeli Turn #1 completed!

The plan is taking form in the map now, with the Barak Battalion's Centurions streaming forward, ready to hit a right stick soon to turn and flank the Tel Shams height from the North.

Here's the Butcher's Bill at the end of play IDF Phase:

- At the friendly side, I've lost one track, plus my B Coy leader  >:(
- Syrians paid for their success, though, with their tank-hunter teams shaken and stirred for their potshots.

This is just the first phase of Turn #1 though, over to Berto, next!

I am sure he'll have more units available to him, let us see how he decides to deploy them, and then indeed let us see how my plan will hold together. Here's hoping he's encouraged with the row of tanks in front of him, and decides to fight for the Tel Shams heights!

That's quite a lot of screenshots, but this is the beginning of the battle, so thought I'd give more details.

Any questions, comments, give me a holler :)

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11728%3Bimage&hash=2c5b41fa6a0d630cfb8340c888708602adb0303d)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 06, 2017, 11:51:03 AM
Turn #2 (15)

The wait is over, Berto's back with his turn #1 completed. "This is going to be a real barnburner!", he said, and I have no reason to doubt him...

Replay reveals the forward slope is filled with tank-hunter teams, I lose four more tracks to add to the one I lost during my phase. Ouch, half a company down already, and -20VP down at this stage already.

The main road was properly blocked as well. I did not realise that, as during the previous turn, I stayed clear of the IPs and Trenches in the forward slope. Infantry in 1973 can hit your tanks hard, so better to keep a healty two-hex radius between us and them.

Moment of truth, then. Should I stick to the plan, or bypass the strongpoint of Tel Shams altogether?

Right stick! it is, the point company of Barak Armored will swing to the east, while the 71st armored upon their arrival will take an immediate right stick to try to see how soft, if at all, their underbelly is.

Not that soft, apparently, as there's three new Improved Positions spotted in the forward slope. I don't see any units there, but then again the anti-tank teams have a good concealment factor, I am sure they are not empty.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11742%3Bimage&hash=3027ea09735a4f6a083b6e644c77d6758f0ea10a)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 06, 2017, 11:52:17 AM
Here's the Strength Report, as can be seen the loss ratio does not look good at all. Time to hit back!  :knuppel2:

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11744%3Bimage&hash=a54d0f1336738efedeae414382476057117a79f5)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 06, 2017, 12:03:57 PM
And here's the End Report of Israeli phase / Turn #2.

The Northern Pincer, in form of Centurion tanks of Barak Armored's point company, hit an Anti-Tank position the very moment they turned east. Of course they did.

Only a disruption, luckily. I plotted two Arty missions to their position, and hopefully, as of next turn, I can blast through them. I am sure there's other Bunkers waiting there for me, but so be it.

The Southern Pincer, in form of 71st Armored and their Pattons, advanced 1500 meters, then stopped in anticipation of there being hostiles on those positions. I called Artillery on one of the Improved Positions (IP, from now on), and placed the other fire mission to Tel Shams high point.

One of my 155mm batteries was out of ammo for this phase, too bad, would have really liked to plot those two other IPs in the southern forward slope.

Lots  of diagrams there, what I will try to do come next turn is, in South, to have the B and C Companies do the fire support, and then have the A Company force their way forward using their Action Points purely for movement.

In North, I will just need to bring the remaining Centurions forward, and blast everything and anything that is there to stop me moving forward.

I killed 40VPs worth of hostiles this phase, not bad, the infantry is quite in the open in their forward positions, and the two Tank Battalions carry a terrific punch  O0

I have my infantry arriving next turn, the little there is, I am committing them to climb the height from the position the left green arrow in south ends. There's a Strength 1 Minefield there, so the Engineers should be over it in a breeze.

I am so awaiting for my recce units as well, at the moment I am very much moving forward blind. Recon-by-getting-shot-at is not a fun way to do proceed.

What else... Oh yes, note that I have left tank troops with Action Points for Opportunity Fire here and there, and especially in front of that suspect southern position. If there's hostiles there, they should get a warm welcome for any of their salvos they might think to target at my positions...  :knuppel2:

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11746%3Bimage&hash=cdf34fd05e75f7e18cb6581e4d1b701ac264fd72)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 06, 2017, 12:07:45 PM
What I've shown is of course just the very Southernmost map edge I am dealing with at the moment. The Northern map is steaming with hostiles, I see Berto's reinforcing Saasa with units taken from the other sectors in the North.

There's tanks too, I saw quite a few T-55 moving but they did not stay in the open to be spotted.

Oh well, I deal with this once I've cleared the Tel Shams heights. At least there's plenty of targets for my tankers  :smitten:

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11748%3Bimage&hash=85090e0fa4dabdf72621c8bdf808463892cc021b)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 06, 2017, 12:10:42 PM
Here's the end situation from Isreaeli phase / Turn #2.

I don't like the look of it, doesn't look like a good trade off. But it is what it is, I do expect things to turn very hot for the Syrians in the Southern sector, once I have both of my tank battalions blasting at them. I do hope I can tighten the noose before his soft units and HQs can leave the area...

Over to Berto! Stay calm, my friend. Nothing here but us squirrels. (My other favorite Asterix quote).

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11750%3Bimage&hash=69ec183d024c4794bfebb498f444e0e91114fee2)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: JasonPratt on November 07, 2017, 12:16:45 PM
Just binged this today.  :bd:
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 08, 2017, 11:16:31 AM
Quote from: JasonPratt on November 07, 2017, 12:16:45 PM
Just binged this today.  :bd:

:)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 08, 2017, 11:35:45 AM
Israeli Turn #3 - Friction!

Turn 3. That's about the earliest you can get a feeling whether everything's going along the plan, or, not. As I will find out, it is more about the latter.

First, having watched the replay, I witness three more Centurions destroyed. Partly because there was another heavy AT-Gun bunker, North of Tel Shams. Not only that, in addition to losses, Berto scores retreats on my point company, so they pull back, losing the LOS to AT-gun positions. My artillery will scatter now as a result :(

Never mind, now I can send my Southern pincer speeding forward, as I planned during the previous turn...

Except the Minefield extends to the map edge! Gotta love the concealment odds, even when they work against you I guess  >:(

Not a most promising start, this one...

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11802%3Bimage&hash=efae218fbb828340405fb504a63634b98071a18a)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 08, 2017, 11:41:43 AM
Artillery indeed scatters, no hits on that AT position. As I lost the LOS to it, I can't see the AT Gun unit anymore either, to fire at it directly. LOS and concealment is calculated in the beginning of turn, remember.

As having no option, I need to drive forward then. The hostile unit(s) will reveal itself when you try to enter the hex, so that's what I'll do. While at it, I decided to try assaulting the position at speed. I should have quite an advantage on assault odds, as each Centurion strength point has an assault factor of 8, as visible as the lower left unit stat on counter.

Here we go then! No success. No hits scored, no losses taken. I should have fired at it at point-blank instead, likely.

Well, nothing ventured nothing gained I guess. (In other words: that sucked  #:-) )

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11804%3Bimage&hash=2bfc8f153d9171f691bb0f8f073bcc58cd8f9588)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 08, 2017, 11:44:13 AM
I forgot to check the Victory Dialog at the very beginning, so time to do that now.

Not good, from +20VP at the end of my previous turn, to -7VP.

I was counting at having my full battle group taking on this pesky position I could just blast anything out there to kingdom come, as I see them. Guess not then.

Me worried? Never. There's the Syrian infantry units at forward slope, time to say goodbye to them, next...

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11806%3Bimage&hash=806627dd1ba4cbb36c6f7eeaf94b1e7a4465c21b)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 08, 2017, 11:47:01 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on November 08, 2017, 11:44:13 AM
There's the Syrian infantry units at forward slope, time to say goodbye to them, next...

Except the theme of Turn #3 was Friction.

Maneuvering my C Company forward, I neglect to micro manage the route forward, and the units decided to stay too long on the highway, despite the Block being there.  :tickedoff:

They properly get stuck there, and the Syrian Arm'd Infantry welcomes them by killing the Coy Commander. Ouch!  #:-)

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11808%3Bimage&hash=51b9e187c29610cca7283655ac774d90b8ef4a41)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 08, 2017, 11:53:29 AM
'Barak' Armored and their Centurions did not make much headway, then. And as I reported earlier, the door is shut for the 71st Armored and their Pattons, too.

This turn has my support units entering, so time to maneuver my Combat Engineers to place.

I carefully click first at Save AP for Loading/Unloading, then tick the Show Reachable Hexes ON, and find out I just have the Action Points (APs) to move next to the Minefields.

I won't have enough APs to enter the Minefield though, so that will take place next turn. Then they need to spend the turn there, undisrupted, to clear a route through.

In other words, I will be stuck here in Southern slopes for two more turns...

Can't be helped, I will not drive through the Minefield, be it a Strength 1 minefield only, or not.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11810%3Bimage&hash=75da153190102029d38fad5915e1a587cfc249fe)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 08, 2017, 11:56:16 AM
My third Combat Engineer Platoon will not have the APs to move and disembark with my Point Company, as I found out with the Show Movement Range + Save AP for UnLoading toggle.

So instead, I'll simply ensure they will have enough APs to fire if anything moves next to them, and I want to see who sees me.

Therefore, I toggle the Save AP For Firing flag on for the unit, and went back to Show Visible Hexes view mode.

Risky move a bit, but I want to get them forward.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11812%3Bimage&hash=b801b94663f43a4864f0d16514227bcc540376cd)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 08, 2017, 11:59:09 AM
Time to call it a turn, then.

First, Artillery plotting. Again one my Batteries is Conserving Ammo, so I only have two of them. I target both the AT Gun Bunkers. To hit them come next turn, I need to have the LOS to them in place. Either of those positions need to be occupied, to do that!

I also maneuver the unit facings so the tankers have their forward armor facing the enemy.

That's pretty much it, then.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11814%3Bimage&hash=432d4bb74d92dbd089e0aae01280fe1a8e54ca1a)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 08, 2017, 12:00:59 PM
Here's the 2D Extreme Zoom-out View of the battle map. After three turns, I am making progress, but much more slowly than what I anticipated for. I wonder what's going on behind Tel Shams, is Berto preparing his forces there, or is he already falling back to next positions at full speed?

I will found out in two, three turns, I hope.

This is it, over to Berto!

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11816%3Bimage&hash=459e2b89bcc23ac4839acbdba25cf0927e659ac4)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: JasonPratt on November 08, 2017, 01:41:14 PM
Looking like a slaughter!  :bd: :hide:
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 10, 2017, 11:39:14 AM
Quote from: JasonPratt on November 08, 2017, 01:41:14 PM
Looking like a slaughter!  :bd: :hide:

All the makings for a brutal little battle for sure  :smitten:
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 10, 2017, 11:49:56 AM
Israeli Turn #4 - Tankers, start your engines!

Before that, though, let us look at the Syrian turn replay first. Tough sledding for you thus far.  But a breakthrough is imminent, said the enemy radio transmission I intercepted. Or was it Berto's email, I'm not sure. Turn 3 certainly had more friction than what I wished for. Things should start to get moving now, though.

During replay, I witnessed some Syrian shelling, looked like mortars from the Tel Shams reverse slope. Then, the inevitable direct fire. My point company is now at range from Saasa Ridge too, I noticed, but they are so far they are not (yet) causing me any issues. However, the AT Gun position at the front of me scores another direct hit on my Chieftain. I am down ten tracks now.

After Concealment calculations, there's good news though. Berto moved what looks like a BTR coy to the map edge.

BTR, you say? Sure, look at the NATO symbol: wheeled, armored, amphibious personnel carrier. BTR quite likely. CS Middle East 2.00 now boasts 450+ unique NATO symbols to identify each unit. When playing with Fog-of-War, with enemy unit names not visible, the easiest way imho is to look at the NATO symbol. So if you prefer to play in 3D, have Counters on in the side bar. And when playing with 2D, then have 3D units in the side bar. That's what I do anyway.  :)

Smart move, should he see trouble, he could immediately take them off-map. I will of course next need to make sure he doesn't have a chance to see what's about to hit him  :knuppel2:

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11826%3Bimage&hash=636e2b9f1327a911e6bf9777b51f7f49f2630682)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 10, 2017, 11:56:32 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on November 10, 2017, 11:49:56 AM
After Concealment calculations, there's good news though. Berto moved what looks like a BTR coy to the map edge.

...

Smart move, should he see trouble, he could immediately take them off-map. I will of course next need to make sure he doesn't have a chance to see what's about to hit him  :knuppel2:

Before dealing with them, let us look at the Victory Dialog, and Strength Dialog at the start of turn #4 first.

Strength dialog tells me my 155 batteries took of 5 100mm AT Guns during the barrage. Not bad! Those must be six-tube AT Gun batteries, no wonder my assault on them failed.

As for Victory dialog, I start the turn 20 points above the water. Let's build from that, then.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11828%3Bimage&hash=66a2797c81882da29fba253618badb4895ab29fa)

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11830%3Bimage&hash=f14a0bc24c4f2d71084676215f329cdecf11ca06)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 10, 2017, 12:04:53 PM
Now, for those BTRs. I see them, because they are visible from this hex, and this hex only. This is a devilish map by the way, Visibility is 20 hexes, so weathers good, but the area is full of hills and basins, so you never really know who sees you and who doesn't...

As for the fire mission, I pick the two troops that are Conserving Ammo. My HQs been moving around constantly btw, so this will be a PITA for the most of the battle, I assume. You just can't stay put here.

Easy pickings, however, even when you have even just a couple of shots to use. Load HE! Up! Fire! Firing!  :nerd:

And they're gone...

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11832%3Bimage&hash=68705de8bb93ab42d5490578cd30bbee1edd363f)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 10, 2017, 12:10:48 PM
Next, let us see how's things at the Southern side of Tel Shams.

And since we're playing with Armored Facing ON, better switch to having 3D unit images on chits, first. I switched to darker map tiles too, that's one of the mods available in 2.00.

Back to action: I did not make a note of it, but during the previous turn I managed to move my Recce platoon to Minefield, as part of the confusion of moving everything there. Luckily, they took no casualties.

Now, I move them one hex forward, to a vacant enemy IP. One of the neat little details with 2.00 build is the new Dynamic Recon rule. Recce units, and them only, can use the amount of their Fire Cost to perform it, very neat as for instance I just moved one hex forward, and can now immediately recon what's around.

There's the new Icon on it, Binoculars-on-Recce-Symbol, on the left. There's the Save APs for Dynamic Recce there as well, with the little Lock, on the right, too. I probably should have used it before moving, to ensure there's enough points. But there was, so no harm done.

Lesse, anyone hiding out there?

Now you don't see them...

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11834%3Bimage&hash=9b39f7ba0f05a271a9dda139882650fa8f140e61)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 10, 2017, 12:16:52 PM
Quote from: Crossroads on November 10, 2017, 12:10:48 PM
Now you don't see them...

Now you do! :wow:

Dang, there's an HQ and Commander at the Tel Shams height, they've probably been there all along, I just hadn't spotted them before! 

I select the two furthermost Patton troops for the task. Load HE! Up... OK, not gonna overdo it.

But they didn't survive the volley, either.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11836%3Bimage&hash=6c7b089511e0c3eb031b90e4e5f707b1a9c4c1ee)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 10, 2017, 12:20:27 PM
Otherwise, that's about it. I now have the Combat Engineers at the two minefields there.

And while at it decided the availability of the third Engineer platoon in this area is an overkill, so loaded them up, and started to move them to the northern side of Tel Shams...

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11838%3Bimage&hash=f6feb140804e9519cb246db152a43148366ab91a)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 10, 2017, 12:28:41 PM
Here's the Israeli Phase for Turn #4 done and dusted.

The pink area portrays the area where I hope most of the Syrians reside, I saw Mortar fire from there, so it's not totally empty at least.

On the Southern side of Tel Shams heights, come next turn, the Minefields are gone. Then it is fast forward with my two Patton Coys of the 71st Armored there.

On the Northern side, I plot more artillery to deal with those pesky Syrian AT Gunners. Three missions, on the further most AT nest, one on the close one, one on the Syrian infantry position, and finally, a Smoke Mission to top hex as I plan to move my Recce there come next turn. I also make the key Combat Engineer platoon cover themselves in smoke, need to have that minefield clear by next turn!

I also moved a couple of Centurion troops towards Saasa. Next turn, I'll return the fire I've been receiving from Saasa Ridge  :knuppel2:

The noose is tightening. The first turns are always the longest, but it's good to have the proper units finally there or thereabouts where I want them to be  :)

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11840%3Bimage&hash=50fb55aa26840dfc256dd5191556b6dee706ea0e)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 10, 2017, 12:33:36 PM
That's the turn done. Let us look at Strength and Victory dialogs again.

Strength report tells me I did not lose any further units this turn, while I managed to knock down one AT Gun, a couple of more infantry strength points. And of course, those BTRs (that's what they were). And the HQ and Cdr units too. Not bad.

Berto's got quite a few tank platoons around, I am sure of that. Knowing him, he's been slowly maneuvering them into firing positions. When will I see them?

As for Victory report, that's 50VPs knocked off this turn. Nice!  O0

No time to get excited though, Berto's Phase awaits. Again, I am sure he's got something cooking there...

Over to Berto it is!

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11842%3Bimage&hash=e5da2af8530a4d27adb56ba9150041967198b4bc)

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11844%3Bimage&hash=4d1b038fbd42d14e10fa5b5cc9f85955482114b3)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 12, 2017, 05:02:55 AM
Israeli Turn #5 - Things Heat Up

Keeping it close, or trying to, read the enemy radio message I intercepted. Or was it Berto's email again. I get confused.

And indeed he does. Without much infantry support, I need too. So when I spot them, after they've taken a shot at me first, I would have massive firepower available to blast the enemy strongpoint to pieces.

That is now working on the northern slopes of Tel Shams, but still not so at southern slopes, as we're about to find out.

Let us start with Syrian turn replay first though. Enemy mortars hit an area intensively on the road north, towards Saasa. I've evacuated those hexes, so no harm done. Two knocked out Centurions more during Syrian turn, as he reinforced his AT Gun strongpoint still blocking my way to move east, north of Tel Shams. Ouch. :buck2:

Then, friendly artillery. Three batteries did what three batteries do: the further AT Gun Bunker was wiped out, and the forward one took casualties as well (orange circles).

Additionally, there's a Smoke cover at Tel Shams top now for my infantry units. 

Finally, Minefields cleared at the green circles, and my Recce platoon ready to dash forward on the yellow circle.

Move out!

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11847%3Bimage&hash=81538281833220a87264bb26bacb60bceb18f061)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 12, 2017, 05:22:11 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on November 12, 2017, 05:02:55 AM
Move out!

Before that, let us check out the Strength and Victory reports.

Strength report accurately depicts the added two tracks I've lost. On Syrian losses, I see there's now 10 AT Guns wiped out. So that's a 2-gun section remaining at the forward bunker. I should be finally able to deal with it. The added infantry will be a pain though.

By the way, in case you're wondering: the Strength Dialog reports available no of units on Strength sides, will on Losses sides it reports the no of lost strength points. So for instance the tank tally is not a number of available runners, but a number of tank troops, each troop in varying condition depending how many losses they've taken each.

Victory report tells me I am 80VPs above the water line, yet well short of a result here. I expect that to have changed, once I've secured the area here.

I was originally hoping that by turn #8 I could have a strong formation start to head towards Saasa Ridge. We'll see about that.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11849%3Bimage&hash=da3f1e72b844dbf8e5d9d0325444a432aa1c11dc)

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11851%3Bimage&hash=128a14700c9a3d65516cd7bdfe335f0489b1649e)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 12, 2017, 05:30:00 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on November 12, 2017, 05:02:55 AM
Move out!

OK, so now let us move out!

Moving back to boardgame view, opting for 3D images on chits, and changing the Unit list to have chits too, here's how the situation looks in the beginning. The only hostiles are the three units in that pesky bunker. Viewing the Unit list (which by the way now can be moved between left and right side of the game dialog  :bd: ), I see that's a LMG section I was worried about. Could not quite ensure in 3D view if it was some nasty tank-hunting unit instead. Two of the units are Disrupted, even.

No worries then.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11853%3Bimage&hash=0c64a932070be64d39f89979fe1d79157a5557f9)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 12, 2017, 05:41:41 AM
Southern Pincer

So, time to get started.

Left: Before moving the infantry forward, time to have the Pattons in close fire support mode to have a word. Load HE!  :knuppel2:

Center: And dang, the blasted hostiles retreat to Tel Shams height, to enjoy of the smoke cover I put there for my own units  :o

Right: Not good. I do have plenty of close support in place though, so let us move a couple of Patton troops to a hex where they have visuals to them. Now they enjoy the cover of Smoke though, halving the effect of my Direct Fire  :-[

I have Visual Hexes toggdled ON here btw. With Extreme Fog-of-War, you can only observe Visible Hexes from a hex you have eyes on. No more studying the map with the mode on, to see where to go to, and how to advance. Quite like this addition that was put there in 1.02 iirc

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11855%3Bimage&hash=69d81541e4e6b1963943fd0f31cfda61afd0add6)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 12, 2017, 05:54:55 AM
Southern Pincer, Cont'd

Quote from: Crossroads on November 12, 2017, 05:41:41 AM

Not good. I do have plenty of close support in place though, so let us move a couple of Patton troops to a hex where they have visuals to them. Now they enjoy the cover of Smoke though, halving the effect of my Direct Fire  :-[

And so the two volleys each of the Patton troops failed to dislodge them. They must be having a laugh right now  :tickedoff:

Left I have a look to my infantry next. Here's how it looks like with Reachable Hexes ON at the moment, from the hex where I have the Engineer and Recce platoons at. The forward Engineers just moved to that position a bit earlier.

Center ... I then move the Recce platoon there. There was an ambushing Syrian infantry platoon next there (of course there was), and that move triggers their Opportunity Fire. The funny thing with Opportunity Fire die rolls is that they only fired now.

They score a 1SP Kill and Disruption, at Engineers though. Engineers are out of APs, so I then move the Recce platoon to the position. They have the APs for either a fire mission or for a dynamic recce mission. As recce is what they do, I opt for that...

Right ...and, nothing more to see. It is not a 100% certain thing though, this dynamic recce that is. Also, this continues to be a devilish terrain, there's basins and what not that could hide an armored tank battalion there...

Note that I keep Elevation levels visible at most times. They are now fitted to a font size that's rather nice to look at. So why not. Also, I am back to stock map tiles here, from previous turn, they make the elevation levels a tad easier to observe. I do keep Contours OFF though, there's enough information as-is now   :nerd:

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11859%3Bimage&hash=9ab6edb6f07fe7b3106c46461cdf861fc62d6c4f)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 12, 2017, 06:22:34 AM
Southern Pincer, Cont'd

Time to press on.

Left: I move a two Patton troops forward, with Save AP For Firing toggled ON. Nothing happens. So far so good.

Center: I then move my Halftracks forward, for they are the only recon(ish) asset I have that can dash forward. It's arrival upon the Patton hex triggers an Ambushing Syrian Recoilless Rifle team to have a shot. They target my Pattons of course, hitting one track and Disrupting the rest. I fire back, each remaining Patton troop was good for one volley. I might have taken off one RCLR from that unit iirc.

Right: ...as encouraged by that, I decide to move my M113s forward to reconnoitter furtther. The Syrian RCLR team had a remaining volley though, and wiped out them completely  :wow:

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11861%3Bimage&hash=609789454a9e918d1409779b5f79c0735b9d8a84)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 12, 2017, 06:36:33 AM
Southern Pincer Turn #5 Done

Having kept my formation closely together, I continue to bring more firepower forward. Fighting ambushing tank-hunter teams no fun, but someone's gotta do it right.

Left: A fresh Patton troop into fray, Load HE!, and they score a hit and a retreat. Rough hex is a neat place to fall back though, as it provides a nice Terrain Effect Modifier.

Center: They are definitively out of Action points now, so time to dash my halftracks forward, to observe what's there in the enemy rear section. They never make it though, there's what looks like an Infantry platoon there in that Rough hex already, and they wipe out the hapless Halftracks. Poor devils. Recon-by-getting-shot-at is now fun. I have no units that can revenge them anymore, so stop here.

Right: From 80VPs at the beginning, I am down to 58VPs now.

War is brutal and cavalry gives no quarter so that's the way it is.

I have plenty of opportunities to claw back at Northern pincer though, where the enemy is visible and sits passively on their strong points.

Onward and forward.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11863%3Bimage&hash=2c7be2a6645ef50fe1f11a9d73d51db2a51df8dc)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 12, 2017, 06:47:18 AM
Norhern Pincer Turn #5

Quote from: Crossroads on November 12, 2017, 06:36:33 AM
Onward and forward.

I won't bore you with the events at the Northern pincer, not much to report after the move-by-move back-and-forth of the Southern pincer.

Two things that I took care of, mainly:

Left: Like at gunnery range, the Centurion troops of the 'Barak' Armored and 71st Armored took turns neatly driving to those prepared positions 500m from the enemy bunkers, and took care of the priority targets there, starting with those remaining AT Guns.

Right: One of the hexes had clear visuals to Tel Shams heights as well, so Smoke or no Smoke, those Syrians there ended up paying a price too.

As the Tel Shams heights took priority, for it is such a commanding position, my tankers for most part used their Action points first dealing with that, then returning to that forward bunker position. Some Syrian infantry strength survived the turn, but not too many I suppose.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11865%3Bimage&hash=2c2292b4e8f8188cd23d8025816da539bf116674)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 12, 2017, 06:56:39 AM
Norhern Pincer Turn #5 Done

Quote from: Crossroads on November 12, 2017, 06:47:18 AM
As the Tel Shams heights took priority, for it is such a commanding position, my tankers for most part used their Action points first dealing with that, then returning to that forward bunker position. Some Syrian infantry strength survived the turn, but not too many I suppose.

I did leave one Patton troop with enough APs for one volley of Opportunity fire in that forward position. Just in case Berto risks his tanks (for he must have them, I've seen some moving about at distance!) coming forward.

To leave just one troop with defensive fire available is bit arrogant, but just role playing the arrogant IDF tankers of the 1973 here, right  :cowboy:

Next, after this screenshot, it was mostly about ensuring the unit facings are properly set, for we're playing with Armored Facing ON here. Also, I took care that none of the hexes were overstacked. More than 12SP per stack (Commanders not counting), and they start to take extensive damage on artillery strikes for instance.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11867%3Bimage&hash=5dc07c4c1b3eb1dc7711c56d58d9e14e8f0f18e5)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 12, 2017, 07:15:10 AM
Israeli Turn #5 Done

And that's it.

Looking at Victory status, I clawed the VPs up to 105 points. Given that Tel Shams will fall to me eventually, I am close to achieving the Phase A objectives of having secured the Tel Shams area, and at that stage being at a Draw.

Definitively not counting my hatched chickens yet though. Berto plays a mean defense as you've seen, it will remain bloody going forward. But once I am able to breach his defense and to move to his rear, it will get nasty. Also, I do hope to take Tel Shams top soon. What an excellent place to FO ones artillery.

As for Artillery, I am in luck and all three batteries continue to be available. No Smoke missions this time, rather two strikes at Tel Shams height, and then a rolling barrage to his flanks with one strike per hex. Also, I plot on Air Strike on that Bunker position. Really need to clear it come next turn. Then I can move my infantry there, and they too then can spot for artillery from there.

I am sure Berto has other plans though. I do hope his armor remains passive for one more turn at least. There's a terrible amount of IDF tanks there, I do hope he assumes I have left them prepared for Opportunity Fire against his. I haven't.

Quite a gambit, as I want to clear his infantry from those well prepared positions. I am counting on those defensive Blocks and Minefields in front of Saasa Ridge to stop him from venturing forward though. So not complety gone bunkers here  :uglystupid2:

Here's the overview come end Israeli phase for Turn 5. Green circles mark my infantry, so vital, so few.

Still bogged down, but hopefully for not too long, says my radio message.

Over to Berto!

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11869%3Bimage&hash=2ab1ee50424dade4e1fd07e7e32cfdd572b4420c)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 14, 2017, 11:48:34 AM
Israeli Turn #6 - Moving Forward, At Last!

Fall of Tel Shams seems imminent, said the intercepted Syrian radio message. It sure does, although that's not the point, creating a small pocket of Syrian defenders is. So hopefully they are still around there.

Syrian Turn #5 replay shows units shuffling into positions at Saasa Ridge, mostly, and a mortar barrage to Tel Shams top. Since my turn will begin with a proper barrage to that location too, seems there's no one around there then.

Here's the overview in the beginning of the Israeli Phase for Turn #6. Not much to see, one Syrian platoon at the southern slope (I am sure the reverse slopes are teaming with them!), and the hapless units that draw the lottery to guard that outpost blocking the road at the northern slope.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11879%3Bimage&hash=a0f1facd0560839d236d0ad5896761e9c75700ff)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 14, 2017, 11:59:53 AM
Tel Shams, Northern Slope

Quote from: Crossroads on November 14, 2017, 11:48:34 AM
the hapless units that draw the lottery to guard that outpost blocking the road at the northern slope.

... is no more. Road open! My Recce platoon dashes forward to the vacated bunker, leaving them with enough Action Points to perform a Dynamic Recce mission!

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11881%3Bimage&hash=87c1eb388e3dacc2966572b5bd57ebf37dc4e935)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 14, 2017, 12:06:56 PM
Tel Shams, Northern Slope, Cont'd

Quote from: Crossroads on November 14, 2017, 11:59:53 AM
Road open! My Recce platoon dashes forward to the vacated bunker, leaving them with enough Action Points to perform a Dynamic Recce mission!

Nothing there.

Time to check the beginning-of-turn statistics before moving further.

Victory points stand at 117, while the Strength report reminds me I've lost 13 tanks already. Syrians have paid a heavy price for that, obviously.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11883%3Bimage&hash=73f3d8dd64cfb28ac51e80c0d292e5f6a43f6b98)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 14, 2017, 12:23:17 PM
Tel Shams, Southern Slope

All quiet at the Northern slope, time to look at the Southern one next. I double-time my Combat Engineers, then check the Reachable Hexes ON, to see how far I can go. There's a Rough hex in front of me, that terrain type should provide me with cover for the inevitable hail of bullets from the ambushing Syrians there.

Forward I go, and right, there's a Heavy MG section and an Infantry platoon awaiting there. With the Terrain Effect Modifier protecting my troops, they survive the onslaught without any issues. They are out of APs themselves though, so need to take the next units forward.

The Patton Coy in close support is readily available, not to that position, but to cover my right flank. I fire a volley at the other infantry platoon there, starting with my Disrupted troop that would not be able to move closer to enemy anyway...

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11885%3Bimage&hash=73b96319af633a2ea0830d3c39e43b4533ef59b5)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 14, 2017, 12:38:12 PM
Tel Shams, Southern Slope, Cont'd

Quote from: Crossroads on November 14, 2017, 12:23:17 PM

The Patton Coy in close support is readily available, not to that position, but to cover my right flank. I fire a volley at the other infantry platoon there, starting with my Disrupted troop that would not be able to move closer to enemy anyway...

Moving then forward, taking incoming fire, but not casualties, I have two Patton troops firing first at the Recoilless Rifle team at right. Better start with those tank-hunters, first. Load HE ... Target down!

Repeating this a few times, I finish the action in this sector by bringing my halftracks on close support forward as well. No hits with their MGs, put should they survive the Syrian turn they are then available to dash forward to enemy territory in next turn.

Next turn, my Engineers and LMG section should also be available to move to Tel Shams top, where I believe they should be able to spot the pesky mortars somewhere out there.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11889%3Bimage&hash=fb75080128642ed788c17d1ce78a4ad31347595e)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 14, 2017, 12:57:36 PM
Tel Shams, Northern Slope Done

With situation seemingly in control (where are Berto's tanks!) both at the northern and southern slope of Tel Shams, I start to move a couple of tank Coys forward, sniping at targets up there at Saasa Ridge.

There's the AT Gun battery, a Sagger team under a Smoke screen, and some MG units that get a reminder of IDF tankers gunnery skills. A few kills, but this time I am putting half of my available tanks on Opportunity Fire in case the Syrian armor finally decides to show up. For this purpose, I set the IDF tanks to fire at Long distance, for they are good at that.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11891%3Bimage&hash=2195579b79a9b7343ef123c0296c3c8afa8420fc)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 14, 2017, 01:07:03 PM
Israeli Phase for Turn #6 Done

And that's pretty much it. I did move a few tracks to support the northern pincer as well, with APs saved for Opportunity Fire there too. Those Syrian tanks, they are there somewhere...

Time to plot the friendly artillery before sending the turn over though. This time around I had only one battery available, so plotted them at the Syrians near the Tel Shams top.

The two pincers are finally moving on, as neatly seen here. This is ambush country though, still not sure what's there behind Tel Shams, not until I finally take the top. So this time around I try to be more prudent, with units available with Opportunity Fire here and there, between the troops.

How long will Berto stay passive? Time for a counter attack?

I guess we'll learn that soon. Time to send over, then, with this friendly note attached to my PBEM file:

QuoteDear Syrians,

Is there not a rock out there that does not hide a tank-hunter team? If there are, please mark them with green flares.

Best regards, Your friendly neighbours the Israelis

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11893%3Bimage&hash=33abf69ab4d913a19dd6a3e61f54efe1a4c5fc8d)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 14, 2017, 01:12:43 PM
Israeli Phase for Turn #6 - Strength and Victory Reports

The Syrian losses are mounting up, that's almost two Coys worth of infantry he's lost, together with some AT Guns and other assets. No friendly losses during my phase, I'll soon find out about the Syrian phase though. I've lost a Coy worth of tanks on my behalf, so this has been anything but a joyride so far.

Victory points are up to 135 now, and I'll take the 100VP Objective next turn. First phase of the Saasa Operation is drawing towards its close, while the actual task of dashing towards Saasa and Damascus Exit Hex is about to begin. There's eight turns remaining, let us see how far I can get...

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11895%3Bimage&hash=1510bcdf40de114e77e3a2c64a18760b4b09ddfc)

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11897%3Bimage&hash=e816ab14811a3a845d216df25552f5e44887f413)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 16, 2017, 11:10:55 AM
Israeli Turn #7 - Situation Normal

Hmmm. Syrian Phase for Turn #6 arrived, with a friendly note from Syrians telling us to leave their lawn. Lawn? All I see are rocks and incoming fire...

And so it is. Notably, a (un)lucky Syrian artillery mission wipes out completely one of the Engineer platoons at Tel Shams  :o Then, Syrian tankers show up from Tel Shams reverse slope to take out another Patton. Well at least they are there!

Into friendly phase, where Situation remains Normal as my Airstrike performs a blue-on-blue attack on my Pattons and takes out two of them.  :buck2:

But at least I know now the Syrians have not run away, which was the whole point about Operation Tel Shams in the first place!

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11899%3Bimage&hash=19d5119c740e60d12df9c8bcdec6b7bf62f6dcea)
With more eyes on ground, this is how Turn #7 opens up. Targets! Plenty of them!  :knuppel2:




Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 16, 2017, 11:14:49 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on November 16, 2017, 11:10:55 AM
Notably, a (un)lucky Syrian artillery mission wipes out completely one of the Engineer platoons at Tel Shams  :o Then, Syrian tankers show up from Tel Shams reverse slope to take out another Patton. Well at least they are there!

I have lost a whopping 60VPs since the end of the previous Israeli Phase  :(

Here's the Strength and Victory reports. Strength report tells me I am down 16 runners (!), while the Victory report tells me I've got some catching up to do!

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11901%3Bimage&hash=67350008fac29cef1ffb10bc55051d3bbda9861a)

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11903%3Bimage&hash=7cd9cf52be6e5c5a5808177029c051049e8f161d)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 16, 2017, 11:35:33 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on November 16, 2017, 11:14:49 AM
Here's the Strength and Victory reports. Strength report tells me I am down 16 runners (!), while the Victory report tells me I've got some catching up to do!

Better get into it, then!

Southern pincer first.

Time to finally take that objective at Tel Shams, so I order an Engineer platoon and LMG section to move there at once.

Having done that, and having triggered no OpFire ( :bd: ), the LMGs squad opens up at the enemy Mortar section in the reverse slope. A hit, and a retreat. That done, I have the Engineers creating a Smoke cover for them, to protect them from a world of pain the Syrian phase is certain to bring at them.

That done, time to perform the routine of having the Pattons at close support firing at the hapless Syrians at front of them. Lots of bad die rolls, in the spirit of this turn, but a couple of kills and some retreats, which would open a route ahead for my Recce. That Rough hex should provide them both with good cover, and an excellent position for some dynamic recon again  :smitten:

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11905%3Bimage&hash=6d5f15bed9938d9a17333dbaf77b94dceb102f14)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 16, 2017, 11:50:15 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on November 16, 2017, 11:35:33 AM
That Rough hex should provide them both with good cover, and an excellent position for some dynamic recon again  :smitten:

Not so  :buck2: There was a Syrian AAA section there, just waiting for a proper opportunity to hit at some ground targets. My Recon platoon takes a 1SP casualty and a retreat, so much for their turn.

Having finished with the southern slope, it is time for the northern pincer to do their deeds. First, Recces move forward a bit, performing a dynamic recon then. Nothing new out there.

Then, Barak Armored's Chieftains forward. Load HE! And so it goes, a couple of kills here as well.

Time for plotting the friendly artillery for the next turn, with two batteries available this time, and then to review the butchers bill...

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11907%3Bimage&hash=0b9f8e33a60554da747f968a5e21df6520a1afca)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 16, 2017, 11:57:21 AM
Israeli Phase for Turn #7 Done

Quote from: Crossroads on November 16, 2017, 11:50:15 AM

Time for plotting the friendly artillery for the next turn, with two batteries available this time, and then to review the butchers bill...

And here they are, all in one screenshot.

The four arty fire missions go to the large stack near Tel Shams heights, the obvious retreat hex of theirs next to it, to AAA section, and to the infantry unit a bit more north. Looking at this screenshot, the last one should have obviously gone for the stack of two next to them, as there's a tank-hunter team there (brown unit type bar). Well, next time.

This was a costly turn for my Israelis. Having gone down 60VPs, I clawed back 40VPs of them, plus took the 100VP objective for the first time.

Still, at Minor Loss. Gotta make those remaining Syrians pay come next turn.

Over to Berto!

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11909%3Bimage&hash=2695eebbfe894b860213dbd75b4a43add4b119d0)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 19, 2017, 08:13:38 AM
Israeli Turn #8 - Enter the T-55

Ping, said the email, with latest from Berto in it. The Battle of Tel Shams is about to climax, he wrote.

And so it seems! Durind Syrian Turn #7 replay, I witness my Recon platoon at Tel Shams being swept away, first hit by artillery, then taking fire from a multitude of Syrian positions nearby. Also, the T-55s from the rear make an appearance again, coming forward to fire at my positions.

But now I see them! With my LMG and Engineers at Tel Shamps top, this is what it looks like, with Victory report after a friendly artillery partially scattering (as the Recce was no longer there to spot for them), but partially scoring a couple of hits and retreats as well.

I have Visible Hexes ON, with the Tel Shams top selected. There's still a few basins here and there to hide in, but not many. And there's the Syrian tanks, too!

I am back at 189 points, the infantry losses during the last couple of turns have been particularly cruel!  :(

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11921%3Bimage&hash=d71db2acefa491c4b5d03d060d45f5cca0cb0971)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 19, 2017, 08:17:37 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on November 19, 2017, 08:13:38 AM

I am back at 189 points, the infantry losses during the last couple of turns have been particularly cruel!  :(

That's a loss of 24 points. Here's the butcher's bill in the beginning of my turn. No new tank losses, but I've now lost already 13 infantry Strength Points instead.  :buck2:

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11923%3Bimage&hash=15312da7f1f173a4eb7db4ecbeb54628c7ae85d5)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 19, 2017, 08:33:47 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on November 19, 2017, 08:17:37 AM
That's a loss of 24 points. Here's the butcher's bill in the beginning of my turn. No new tank losses, but I've now lost already 13 infantry Strength Points instead.  :buck2:

Time to fight back, then. I'll get started with my southern pincer again.

First, a recap of what's visible from my vantage point at Tel Shams. Still quite a few reverse slopes full of Syrians I don't see, so need to move forward carefully, and in a systematic manner. Would be especially sweet if I could sneak behind the Syrian tankers there, for a killing rear shot. We're playing with Armored Facing ON, so only a weak rear armor there to protect them.

Forward the Pattons: Syrian infantry at 500 meters, load HE! And so it begins. I score a retreat, so I will push forward to the now vacant Improved Position there.

And so I did, and now have the visuals to hit those tankers in flank instead. I will take the shot while I can. T-55s at 1000 meters, Load SABOT! ... Miss!  ???

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11925%3Bimage&hash=098498bd120f3fe556339b2380daffac28f5ce86)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 19, 2017, 08:54:02 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on November 19, 2017, 08:33:47 AM

And so I did, and now have the visuals to hit those tankers in flank instead. I will take the shot while I can. T-55s at 1000 meters, Load SABOT! ... Miss!  ???

The first Patton troop is now out of APs, but that's why it is important to keep enough firepower closely together. I've got another troop moving forward next, ... Load SABOT! Target down! It was just a single T-55, probably an HQ section, but you gotta start somewhere!

Next, I'll start clearing the area, starting with my rear Patton troop which being disrupt, would not be able to move towards enemy. No results, but at least a lot of CRACKs and BOOMs  :)) I'll soon follow with the remaining Patton troops in the south, but first I'll provide some covering fire with my LMGs at the Tel Shams top. They take down an enemy LMG section, and score a couple of hits on their mortars as well. Well done!

I did not use the Engineers there yet, as I want to have them moving forward to that IP at front of them. I am certain Tel Shams top hex is covered with artillery in next turn, better get outta their way!

Finally, beginning to maneuver forward at the south, I don't see any tanks so it should be clear forward...

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11927%3Bimage&hash=bcefe0efbfcf0ea78958444e8a5f6a0d25a22016)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 19, 2017, 08:59:37 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on November 19, 2017, 08:54:02 AM

Next, I'll start clearing the area, starting with my rear Patton troop which being disrupt, would not be able to move towards enemy. No results, but at least a lot of CRACKs and BOOMs  :)) I'll soon follow with the remaining Patton troops in the south, but first I'll provide some covering fire with my LMGs at the Tel Shams top. They take down an enemy LMG section, and score a couple of hits on their mortars as well. Well done!

I did not use the Engineers there yet, as I want to have them moving forward to that IP at front of them. I am certain Tel Shams top hex is covered with artillery in next turn, better get outta their way!

Finally, beginning to maneuver forward at the south, I don't see any tanks so it should be clear forward...

Here's the same with 3D view, where I actually did the firing. Lots of empty looking hexes there, I am sure there's more than tumbleweed there...  ???

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11945%3Bimage&hash=7bc3343c331dcf27973d479e3ff53632f18d83ae)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 19, 2017, 09:11:07 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on November 19, 2017, 08:59:37 AM

Here's the same with 3D view, where I actually did the firing. Lots of empty looking hexes there, I am sure there's more than tumbleweed there...  ???

Nope. Nothing there it seems. Here's how things look when I've moved my units forward again, using my halftrack as (death-by-)recon units, first entering the hex. So far so good! Time to take out that AAA position, together with the Infantry platoon that's securing the hex. Load HE! Target down! Another target down!

And then, as I move forward, a concealed T-55 platoon of four tanks appear in that hex  :o It Op Fires, and takes down the M3 halftrack platoon in its entirety. Ouch!

Returning fire, I've got quite a few Patton troops in close support, but since some of them are Conserving Ammo, and since I am firing at T-55 platoon at their frontal armor, no hits! Oh man...

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11931%3Bimage&hash=7a19667f86376f9cd239e88fbee060b7ec25247c)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 19, 2017, 09:24:20 AM
Northern Pincer

That's it at south, I wish I'd have more tanks there but I don't so that leaves the Syrian T-55 platoon with all my tanks at their gun sights. I've got plenty of tracks to retaliate though, he can only fire twice...

Up north next, time to deal with the other T-55 platoon there. Four runners strong, I approach it with two Centurion troops covering each other. They are both Conserving Ammo, as the friction is building. I've been moving my HQs around a lot, which causes them to loose contact with their units.

... And of course the T-55 Op Fires, taking out two Centurions with just one volley! I return fire, but only score a retreat. The T-55s are fleeing though, I could now fire at their rear armor. Moving a Patton troop forward next!

... And that too is ambushed by another T-55 platoon that was not visible earlier! This time no hits though, pheew!

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11933%3Bimage&hash=778ec3bc13d356be63ea574d80d01b0d99e4f1b6)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 19, 2017, 09:31:48 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on November 19, 2017, 09:24:20 AM

... And of course the T-55 Op Fires, taking out two Centurions with just one volley! I return fire, but only score a retreat. The T-55s are fleeing though, I could now fire at their rear armor. Moving a Patton troop forward next!

... And that too is ambushed by another T-55 platoon that was not visible earlier! This time no hits though, pheew!

So, two full T-55 troops, in perfect ambushing positions it was. Now they've taken their shots though, time to retaliate  :knuppel2:

I bring the numbers forward, and manage to take out one track from the first and three tracks from the second platoon. But man those T-55s are tough!

Here's how the situation ends in the north. He's got four runners there as well, with plenty of Israeli tanks to fire at. Let us see how they do come next turn. I take care the tanks are facing the hostiles, and that's it for the north as well.

Friendly Artillery plotting next...

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11935%3Bimage&hash=4b3560dd45677b0a0a0820dcd6df6461faf8c2e6)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 19, 2017, 09:36:31 AM
Israeli Turn #8 Done

Quote from: Crossroads on November 19, 2017, 09:31:48 AM

Friendly Artillery plotting next...

Here's the overview by the end of Israeli Phase for Turn #8.

I had the full artillery support available this time, so plotted four missions to Tel Shams area, and this time around plotted two missions to Saasa Ridge as well, to positions where there's Syrian infantry at Improved Positions only. All points will count.

I also plotted two Airstrikes this time, to hit those Syrian tankers in the North with one mission, and the 3 tanks at Tel Shams with the other. That leaves me with three airstrikes for the remaining turns.

Strength points tell a grim story, I am down 18 tanks now, with only five Syrian tanks to show for the effort.

The Syrian support units have taken a terrible beating though, so I am doing better with Victory points, moving to Draw for the first time. 262 points, 12 points above the Draw limit.

Berto's Syrian Phase awaits though...

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11937%3Bimage&hash=626fe11def4e40b0b47e39725b392423d12ffe6e)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 19, 2017, 09:44:07 AM
Sending the turn to Berto next.

I make a note about playing with Armor Facing ON in my email. Battling it out with tank platoons facing each other's frontal armor can be quite a slug fest, as it was here. But the second you score a retreat, and a hostile tank platoon retreats leaving their vulnerable rear armor to face the enemy, they are usually toast.

I feel I could have done better here, I had the troops close to each other for fire support, but alas, having C&C issues with my HQs moving about, so lot of them were Conserving Ammo, firing at half strength only.

Oh well, let us hope the Syrians are facing similar issues as well...
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 21, 2017, 06:33:34 AM
Israeli Turn #9 - Mopping Up Tel Shams

This is a nice smaller scenario, so the turns they keep a'comin'. There's the email from Berto, with those Syrians taunting me on their way out of the Tel Shams pocket.

And right so, my noose got into proper positions finally, but the previous turn left me with no APs for Opportunity Fire, having dueled with those mighty T-55s, so I can only watch the more mobile Syrian units taking off.

Before they do, the Syrian tankers fire a few parting shots, causing me to lose two runners I think. But it is the Syrian artillery that does the damage. Again. Next turn, I'll dedicate my Artillery Battalion for a Counter artillery barrage to their approximate location, as in 3D Zoom-out view the shell trajectories are visible. Upper right map corner it is.

A loss of a whopping 36 points during Syrian phase, with a loss of a Engineer platoon leaving me with just the Recce platoon and the third Engineer platoon for my infantry support.

Here's the opening view, with the Syrian escape route marked in red, and the impeding Israeli noose in blue.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11956%3Bimage&hash=566fe67146045edb5e1c9722c9b51fc3d2b2ec94)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 21, 2017, 06:38:27 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on November 21, 2017, 06:33:34 AM

Before they do, the Syrian tankers fire a few parting shots, causing me to lose two runners I think.

Nope, they knock off one Centurion but that's it. I am down 19 runners though, that's quite a toll. But something to expect for my tank-heavy formation. No infantry to recon the area, and the map is quite a devilish one as I've said a few times.

On a positive side, the Syrians keep bleeding, they've lost 48 infantry steps for instance, let us see if I can add to that.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11958%3Bimage&hash=e07a005c3fd9322129793a96ebdb3ccd12c98788)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 21, 2017, 06:47:35 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on November 21, 2017, 06:38:27 AM

On a positive side, the Syrians keep bleeding, they've lost 48 infantry steps for instance, let us see if I can add to that.

I've reported a few turns now with all the tactical detail, well most of it anyways, so maybe a time to take a higher level view of it.

So here's the situational map, as the mopping up begins. It does not look good for the hapless Syrians, they are completely surrounded.

The Pattons at north will have the honor of firing the first shots, but not before I move my retreated LMG section back to top, to keep the Syrians from retreating there. They take Op Fire moving forward, but luckily, no results. Syrians must be conserving their ammo by now too...

Note that I usually play the boardgame view with Visible Hexes toggled permanently ON, very handy to observing which units has visuals on what targets...

Enter the Pattons! Load HE...

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11960%3Bimage&hash=20999765fa04477a2870bba3d38fa499138fffad)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 21, 2017, 06:53:54 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on November 21, 2017, 06:47:35 AM

So here's the situational map, as the mopping up begins. It does not look good for the hapless Syrians, they are completely surrounded.

... and here's the mopping up mostly done. I continue to have quite a few units in Conserving Ammo status, due to my HQs having been moving about. Therefore the results have not been that optimal, quite a lot of retreats, so to keep Syrians from retreating to a location I don't want them to go, I rotate firing units from opposite directions.

Even my Recce platoon got to join in this time, promptly wiping out an HGM section in front of them.

Come next turn, Tel Shams should be properly secured, finally!  :bd:

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11962%3Bimage&hash=305b9a44603dd86d82bf459950c2fe420e706bdd)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on November 21, 2017, 07:09:18 AM
Israeli Phase for Turn #9 done

Quote from: Crossroads on November 21, 2017, 06:33:34 AM

Before they do, the Syrian tankers fire a few parting shots, causing me to lose two runners I think. But it is the Syrian artillery that does the damage. Again. Next turn, I'll dedicate my Artillery Battalion for a Counter artillery barrage to their approximate location, as in 3D Zoom-out view the shell trajectories are visible. Upper right map corner it is.

Right. I had again a full Artillery Battalion, so time to plot a few fire missions to the assumed Syrian artillery positions. I don't visuals to that area, so the fire will scatter up to two turns. Hopefully a couple of those missions find a target though... I placed one artillery battery to put a fire mission to that Syrian stack at Tel Shams. I expect them to move out to avoid just that, but that would be good too, as then they'd used valuable APs for moving, and not firing at my units  :knuppel2:

Otherwise, the Israeli phase ends at 295 points, so they lost 69 VPs this turn. I really hoped I'd be at 350VPs or something like that after having secured this area, but the Syrians have fought hard, there have been more of them than what I expected, and their artillery especially has been coming down hard  :buck2:

Regardless, I roleplay rather than look at results (only), so since my mission was to take Saasa Ridge, I'll get at it. Should be fun, I've spotted a good few full stacks of T-55s moving about, Berto's had all the time in the world to put them into proper ambushing positions. He must be wondering if I am even going to try this, for it makes not much sense victory level wise, but where's the fun in being cautious.

I am quite a fan of the Thirty Year Wars era, where the Imperial Swedish Army trained their officers to always attack upon meeting an enemy, regardless of their size. That's the spirit!  :smitten:

So, what else before sending my turn over?

Let us have a look at the infantry losses for a change. Israelis have lost a whopping 23 steps of their meager infantry, but to counter that, Syrians are down a whopping 72 steps of losses with their foot units.

And that's it. Over to Berto!

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11964%3Bimage&hash=653ee015c43c54931ea57a1a11f42633a742e3a6)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on December 02, 2017, 03:09:20 PM
Israeli Turn #10 - Into Phase 2 (or what is left of it anyway)

After a rather busy week with RL, time to check on what Berto's been up to. Or his Syrians, anyway  :knuppel2:

Here's the situation after the Syrian turn replay.

Syrian artillery keeps raining down hard, I wonder what units they are. MRLs, I assume. More damage, again, losing one HQ unit and a Recce and Engineer steps. As seen in Victory Dialog, I am eight points down from the end of my Turn 9 phase, so not too bad.

He didn't achieve much with his depleted infantry though, they are done. I hope I can rid of them during this turn.

First, there's the friendly artillery. Fingers crossed the full counter battery mission takes some edge from his artillery positions up north!  :bd:

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12035%3Bimage&hash=028711b42213b05004fcd12576739cdf6ed44ad5)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on December 02, 2017, 03:16:29 PM
Quote from: Crossroads on December 02, 2017, 03:09:20 PM

First, there's the friendly artillery. Fingers crossed the full counter battery mission takes some edge from his artillery positions up north!  :bd:

And here we go. Firing for effect... Shot! Splash in 30 seconds... And whaddya know, the very first shells hitting the ground cause a wreck marker, so something is hit  :smitten:

The rest of the shells drop there too, although no visible markers of their effect, if any.

The, the final fire mission on enemy positions at Tel Shams. Let us see the butcher's bill, rather eager to see lots of Syrian tubes destroyed!

Alas, no. There's the one MRL unit destroyed though (and only one, bummer), but it is a start!

Next, time for the tankers to do their deeds...

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12037%3Bimage&hash=8fb9176e81767aaa89507d95de3d55e278437088)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on December 03, 2017, 06:10:57 AM
Israeli Turn #10 Done

Not much this turn, so I'll keep this short and sweet.

Most hostiles at Tel Shams were taken out under the shelling from my tankers, par one pesky HMG section who fought a fighting retreat to southern side of the heights, with a LOS to my HQs there from his next turn. So I had to evacuate them, and since they are moving they can't provide the C&C network to my units next turn. Not good, I had the situation stabilised, but now I will again have many of my units Conserving Ammo as they've lost the contact to the higher echelon.

That done, I was finally able to position my remaining armored units to make a push to Saasa Ridge. I am effectively cut out from using the highway though, for because the loss of my engineering assets (and no more Smoke to cover them) there is no way I can clear the Blocks in the road. Syrians have done a good job with their fortifications for sure.

So instead, I will push forward through the difficult terrain on the right edge of the map, with my right flank also covered by the said map edge. I have a few turns to make a proper push, no doubt they are waiting for me, but so be it.

The Victory points are at 299, some 100VP short of a Minor Win. I really could have gotten there but for the timid show of force at Tel Shams. But it is not time for an After Action Report yet, for there's a war to be fought.

This time, all three 155mm batteries at play again, so one Battery to continue with Counter Artillery missions, while two Batteries to hit the Syrian infantry in Improved Positions (only) at Saasa Ridge  :knuppel2:

Onward!

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12042%3Bimage&hash=1a82af7af39d5ddc6ab89bae20d386b0d6e643f3)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on December 15, 2017, 10:39:15 AM
Israeli Turn #11 - Damascus Here We Come!

Back from hiatus... We had a new chance to provide Matrix Games with an updated 2.0 build, so did just that. Six new scenarios from Alan Arvold, among the last minute add-ons  :bd:

As for the Israeli Phase, not much happening.

No Syrian artillery. They must be relocating due to my counter battery fire. Good good!

My artillery does not achieve much either. I hit the forward Syrian trenches, and knock of one HMG step, but that's about it.

This leaves us with 303 points and a solid Draw at the moment: -53VP to slip back to Minor Defeat, while a whopping 97VP towards Minor Victory.

A cautious commander would play the remaining turns very carefully, sitting at a Draw ...  L:-)

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12173%3Bimage&hash=e2e989f4ceb7b32debb9cea6fac0eb55de9a651c)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on December 15, 2017, 10:46:37 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on December 15, 2017, 10:39:15 AM

A cautious commander would play the remaining turns very carefully, sitting at a Draw ...  L:-)

Obviously, I am not that commander... Having finally secured Tel Shams height, and not just captured it, I have the troops there jump forward towards the Forming Up Place.

The lone Syrian unit remaining there - remember him from the previous turn - was quickly taken out of play in the crossfire of my two tank troops at the lower map edge.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12175%3Bimage&hash=51d5684420d8f444ed19fbe2986d1cbdfb5590bd)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on December 15, 2017, 10:55:11 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on December 15, 2017, 10:46:37 AM

Obviously, I am not that commander... Having finally secured Tel Shams height, and not just captured it, I have the troops there jump forward towards the Forming Up Place.


... and from FUP, the units became the slow movement forward, having saved enough Action Points for Firing before doing that, each one of them. I may not be that cautious, but I am not suicidal either  :cowboy:

Note the Standard Operating Procedure in situation like this: first, Save AP for firing, then once that's done, Show Reachable Hexes for plotting the route forward.

For these tankers, this allowed the maneuvering as the left most unit in the vanguard.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12177%3Bimage&hash=d51489c1de7e160566d9fc0b14097ffc1e3b9663)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on December 15, 2017, 11:03:30 AM
End of Israeli Phase for Turn #11

And here we are, a good 1000 meters closer to objective, holding a tight formation, my right flank secured by the map edge, and left edge by the awesome power of the remnants of my armored formation. Or so I like to think...

I've set the Opportunity Fire for my tanks to engage Syrian Hard targets at Long range, and everything else at Short range. We'll see how that plays out. It is never a good option to rely on Op Fire, but I have not much other options as Berto is obviously carefully hiding his a full tank regiment in the natural defillades in his sector!

He has to have the courage to raise his head though, that's a lot of IDF iron heading his way!

There's two Syrian tank platoons visible near Saasa. I have three Airstrikes remaining, but I am not calling them out yet. I will wait a turn or two for a more target rich environment. Meanwhile, I have but one Artillery Battery available, I dedicate their two fire missions against the single Syrian AAA unit visible on the map. Good riddance, hopefully!

And that's it. Not a shot was fired so far, so the Victory and Strenght reports are the same as from the beginning of turn.

Over to Berto!

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12179%3Bimage&hash=3e3c7612e96a398926b8be737811a8c6d3514f58)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on December 29, 2017, 04:21:19 AM
Israeli Turn #12 - Roughing It

Quote from: Crossroads on December 15, 2017, 11:03:30 AM

There's two Syrian tank platoons visible near Saasa. I have three Airstrikes remaining, but I am not calling them out yet. I will wait a turn or two for a more target rich environment. Meanwhile, I have but one Artillery Battery available, I dedicate their two fire missions against the single Syrian AAA unit visible on the map. Good riddance, hopefully!


Here we go again! My artillery fire missions did some damage at that AAA strongpoint near Saasa, Berto just moved some reinforcements there too, so there were even more targets now. The AAA gun still remains undisrupted though, so will renew the barrage for another turn here.  And why not, there's a ATGM-equipped IFV on the left, there, protected by a MG unit it seems, so would be a nice target for my airboys. Berto's taking good care to have AAA capable units spread out there, good job indeed.

But with just three turns remaining after this, I need to commit my airstrikes come next turn so that they have the time to strike in.

Points wise, I lost a Centurion disabled by Berto's artillery, while did some damage with my missions too. 319VPs, 81 to go for a Minor Victory. That, too, might be a Water Mark too High for me, having taken far more losses so far than what I anticipated for.

Here's the Saasa area beginning of Israeli phase in turn #12:

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12258%3Bimage&hash=bf8d6b7dab70b17081e254e6321466cc9c8072aa)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on December 29, 2017, 04:22:48 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on December 29, 2017, 04:21:19 AM

Points wise, I lost a Centurion disabled by Berto's artillery, while did some damage with my missions too. 319VPs, 81 to go for a Minor Victory. That, too, might be a Water Mark too High for me, having taken far more losses so far than what I anticipated for.

Here's the Victory status on beginning of turn to match the above:

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12260%3Bimage&hash=9ba308fe99ca6d750fb253a1975b95df655f0048)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on December 29, 2017, 04:26:04 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on December 29, 2017, 04:21:19 AM

My artillery fire missions did some damage at that AAA strongpoint near Saasa, Berto just moved some reinforcements there too, so there were even more targets now. The AAA gun still remains undisrupted though, so will renew the barrage for another turn here.


Looking at the Strength report, I notice I took one ZU-23 gun out of play, with two Arm'd Infantry and HMG step losses as well as a LMG step loss too. Artillery's been the king of the battlefield here, for both sides. As it often should be.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12262%3Bimage&hash=9f7359d72077e72a75e379b9aff29f7c507da43d)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on December 29, 2017, 04:29:46 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on December 29, 2017, 04:21:19 AM
And why not, there's a ATGM-equipped IFV on the left, there, protected by a MG unit it seems, so would be a nice target for my airboys. Berto's taking good care to have AAA capable units spread out there, good job indeed.


Time to move forward, next. Before doing so, I quickly checked if that pesky ATGM vehicle would be in LOS of any of my tankers out there, by toggling on the Visible Hexes option for a bit. Of course it wasn't.

Berto's placed it carefully so that I need to move to him, first. He likes to do that, he does.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12264%3Bimage&hash=e098a5bc8db15cc47e03e14fd9013f64c9b7fe5d)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on December 29, 2017, 04:34:05 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on December 29, 2017, 04:29:46 AM

Time to move forward, next.

Moving forward, I toggle on the Save AP for Firing option, then toggle on the Show Reachable Hexes option, to see how far I can go with enough Action Points saved for firing. Not far.

I realise Centurions can't fire upon entering Rough terrain anymore, while Pattons can. So I moved the Centurions further forward, while had the mighty Magachs in place for covering fire.

I also noticed my mot Coy Leaders can't move to the Rough terrain, so they fall back, leaving the battle duties for my hardened tankers.

Here's the situation after the movement. Not much, at first look, but come next turn there's a good avenue forward on clear(er) terrain  :knuppel2:

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12266%3Bimage&hash=52f2b94dbe332486ad957133d6b240ce8960231b)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on December 29, 2017, 04:43:17 AM
End of Israeli Phase for Turn #12

My 1000th post here  :cowboy:

Here's the final unit positioning. Again, not much progress, and not a shot fired, but come next turn it should get interesting.

I've got three full batteries, so set them at that AAA position, and at that ATGM position too, and on the hostile frontlines on my route of advance. Most commanders on their soft vehicles have evacuated the area, but the Lt Col who insisted to tag along. Not a good idea, given the strong Syrian artillery.

No changes in victory conditions. Three more turns to set the High Water Mark as far as possible! It might not reach Damascus, but let us close in on Saasa Ridge at least!

Over to Berto  :)

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12268%3Bimage&hash=9d94b77ee080407239e2232320a586cf53533d50)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Sir Slash on January 04, 2018, 11:00:24 AM
Still here and awaiting more hot tank-on-tank action.  O0
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on January 04, 2018, 02:39:20 PM
Quote from: Sir Slash on January 04, 2018, 11:00:24 AM
Still here and awaiting more hot tank-on-tank action.  O0

Me too! Hope those Syrians don't just pull back before my vanguard, I left it a tad late to get everyone moving forward  :knuppel2:
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on January 08, 2018, 12:27:17 PM
Israeli Phase Turn #13 - Come Out And Play!

Quote from: Crossroads on January 04, 2018, 02:39:20 PM
Quote from: Sir Slash on January 04, 2018, 11:00:24 AM
Still here and awaiting more hot tank-on-tank action.  O0

Me too! Hope those Syrians don't just pull back before my vanguard, I left it a tad late to get everyone moving forward  :knuppel2:

Well, no such luck. Maybe next turn?

Syrian phase saw their strong artillery hitting my Recce platoon in their bunker, for a loss of a couple of steps. There was an airstrike (!) too, which took out some of my halftracks in the same hex. I don't have any AAA assets so can't do anything about that, hopefully there's not too many strikes remaining?

On the friendly phase, my artillery hits his front lines as planned, cause a couple of step losses on him as well, so we begin the turn at the exact same 303VP surplus for my Israelis.

Here's the opening gambit for this phase, which, likely, won't see much but my tankers screening out further towards Syrian positions at Saasa Ridge.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12315%3Bimage&hash=c33d85cf98ce7b72223827a0b53681690185d3bb)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on January 08, 2018, 12:30:45 PM
Quote from: Crossroads on January 08, 2018, 12:27:17 PM

Here's the opening gambit for this phase, which, likely, won't see much but my tankers screening out further towards Syrian positions at Saasa Ridge.

And so it was, not a shot fired. What kind of war is this where no one fires their weapons!  :tickedoff:

Well, there's no one to fire at. That is likely to change come next turn. in order to flush the Syrian tankers (finally!) out of their hideouts, I parked a couple of my tanks right in front of him. Protected by covering fire by a couple of Tank Coys with their Op Fire setting on Hard Targets (only).

I plotted two Airstrikes on the enemy vehicles at the ridge, and put most of my Artillery missions (I had all three battalions available) to counter battery missions, mostly. Looking at this map, his artillery is likely behind that ridge, not in front of it. We'll see.

Two turns remaining, but surely there's a tank battle waiting out there! Berto, come out and play!  :knuppel2:

And that's it, turn sent back !!

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12317%3Bimage&hash=12433c43c0338e74b1832bdaa674e7c2e11f0ec7)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on January 15, 2018, 02:11:13 PM
Israeli Phase Turn #14 - The Tide Is High (But I'm Moving On)

Quote from: Crossroads on January 08, 2018, 12:30:45 PM

Two turns remaining, but surely there's a tank battle waiting out there! Berto, come out and play!  :knuppel2:

He's not coming out, of course he's not. Nothing wrong in playing the percentage game. Cue in a Blondie video... I am moving on, while the High Water Mark is almost here. I mean, in one turn the tide Will be high.

Here's the beginning of turn situation. Berto was seen moving some T-55 from Saasa Ridge towards Saasa proper, but apart from that, no action. Besides the heavy artillery falling everywhere, but my troops who are moving forward now with a full intention...

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12351%3Bimage&hash=bd121ff6930c4df7ff27c10b5604ad3f49d9ab48)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on January 15, 2018, 02:16:09 PM
Israeli end of phase turn #14

Quote from: Crossroads on January 15, 2018, 02:11:13 PM

Besides the heavy artillery falling everywhere, but my troops who are moving forward now with a full intention...

Too little too late of course. If only I would have been quicker clearing the Tel Shams heights...

With only one friendly turn remaining, I plotted my remaining Airstrike at his IFVs in front of me, moved a couple of halftracks to Tel Shams to have visuals on the ground, and plotted the two batteries I had available on his infantry on IPs, in hope of some late minute casualties.

As his tanks are in hiding, I need to keep my tanks in readiness, with APs available for Op fire. I did sent a few HEs in his infantry's generals positions, just to keep the tubes from rusting...

Looks more and more like a draw. Still time for a last minute clash of armor.

C'mon Syrians, nothing out here in the badlands but us few!   O:-)

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12353%3Bimage&hash=aa45dc22493e922c02fbb179d66a499d5bc98d69)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on January 28, 2018, 08:21:37 AM
Israeli Phase Turn #15 - High Water Mark, Reached

Here we go then. Sorry about the delay folks, there was the little thing of Middle East 2.0 finally coming out of Matrix warehouses, and with helping everyone to get the shrink wraps off from the downloads  :bd:

Meanwhile, back at Saasa Ridge, time to check the damage the Syrians did. And there was not much. To us, that is.

Quote from: Crossroads on January 15, 2018, 02:16:09 PM

As his tanks are in hiding, I need to keep my tanks in readiness, with APs available for Op fire. I did sent a few HEs in his infantry's generals positions, just to keep the tubes from rusting...


Syrians are keeping their tanks at bay, but a few sneeky IFVs with anti-tank missiles did try to sneak upon me. With that much OpFire against them, I got a couple of them, and even they did get a couple of shots back, no friendly casualties this time around.

Friendly artillery then, doing some damage on their own, and into the final charge it is.

Except, now that I am here I need to figure out how to climb those cliffs. Not with tanks, I can't...

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12401%3Bimage&hash=db54ce181561078c0362fc7bc99c87ce7c0fa088)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on January 28, 2018, 08:23:33 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on January 28, 2018, 08:21:37 AM

Except, now that I am here I need to figure out how to climb those cliffs. Not with tanks, I can't...

Here's a look at the 2D mapboard, with Units OFF (red marker) and Unit List sidebar OFF (orange marker). Seems there's a chokepoint there, doesn't it. By this time I had cleared it with a few well aimed HE shells, but to storm up to plateau behind them, that's another story completely...

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12403%3Bimage&hash=65acbef53501b2f4057bf4c7677e5de4b4965f67)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on January 28, 2018, 08:25:04 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on January 28, 2018, 08:23:33 AM

Seems there's a chokepoint there, doesn't it. By this time I had cleared it with a few well aimed HE shells, but to storm up to plateau behind them, that's another story completely...

Before that, let us check the victory status. I believe I gave more than I got during the Syrian phase, and so it proves: some 15VPs more added to the tally, but some way to go for a Minor Victory..

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12405%3Bimage&hash=8357a1894d0bcc6b95964d6f7826cd5742e24a26)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on January 28, 2018, 08:26:42 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on January 28, 2018, 08:25:04 AM

Before that, let us check the victory status. I believe I gave more than I got during the Syrian phase, and so it proves: some 15VPs more added to the tally, but some way to go for a Minor Victory..

And let us record the Strength Report here as well, before the final Syrian phase. What don't quite fit the window there are 2 (2VP) Battalion HQs and 1 (3VP) Commanders taken out of play.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12407%3Bimage&hash=1b19fa39f065fbdd3a6ddfb0791ea3ba992244f4)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on January 28, 2018, 08:30:57 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on January 28, 2018, 08:23:33 AM

Seems there's a chokepoint there, doesn't it. By this time I had cleared it with a few well aimed HE shells, but to storm up to plateau behind them, that's another story completely...


And without detailing the move and fire, fire and move sequences, here we stand. High Water Mark, Reached.

There's that one tank troop that got a bit too excited and got to the plateau, but they don't have the action points to fire anymore, and will not survive the Syrian response. All other tank troops are there, again about half of them having shelled the little opposition they see, the other half saving their APs for the final Syrian phase.

The little detail in that screenshot that's changed since Middle East 2.0 is a quite neat Unit Base mod being worked by one of the long time modders. He's granted his permission for those to be included in the next update. Quite neat, aren't they. Eye candy, gotta love it, there's never enough of it is there 
:smitten:

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12409%3Bimage&hash=59f6a6bb46c71c1abd2aa9ece1b2cacd84d6e735)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on January 28, 2018, 08:33:18 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on January 28, 2018, 08:30:57 AM

There's that one tank troop that got a bit too excited and got to the plateau, but they don't have the action points to fire anymore, and will not survive the Syrian response. All other tank troops are there, again about half of them having shelled the little opposition they see, the other half saving their APs for the final Syrian phase.


Before ending the friendly phase, I will set the Opportunity Fire on all tanks to allow for shelling soft skinned vehicles as well. I am not sure, but there might be some ATGM or Recoilless Rifle armed  jeeps on their stock, for instance, so better be prepared for those as well.

I won't be bothering with infantry anymore though. That said, I am sure that's a sign all ATGM teams out there were waiting, and will hit that cliff edge come Syrian turn...

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12411%3Bimage&hash=88d0586c88023747e3ed3154e0f7bbd7fd75b1b5)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on January 28, 2018, 08:38:28 AM
Israeli End of Phase Turn #15

Here we stand, then. The IDF mechanised formation (well, mostly tanks which made it so difficult) were able to advance some 5 clicks towards Saasa Ridge from their Jump-Off Point, but that's as far as they got.

Victory level at this stage, prior to final Syrian phase, stands at 367VPs. So close, I can almost feel the Minor Victory, but it is not going to be. If anything, it will go down, although Berto does play his percentage game quite well so maybe he will stay in his upper plateau, not risking a peek down. He must know there's a plenty of damage saved on my tankers, from this turn's OpFire losses.

So the question really is: Syrians, will they give battle, or will they not. We will find out.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12413%3Bimage&hash=e5a81661eb77984027b197228c870f18aeb0d540)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on January 28, 2018, 08:40:49 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on January 28, 2018, 08:38:28 AM

Victory level at this stage, prior to final Syrian phase, stands at 367VPs. So close, I can almost feel the Minor Victory, but it is not going to be.


There's one more turn PBEM file coming back from Berto, where I can watch the replay of his final turn, and then have all the remaining units available on map. I will do the proper autopsy at that time. Certainly, those turns I burned mopping up Tel Shams pocket came back to haunt me at these final turns. A couple of more turns, and maybe I could have pushed to the Saasa plateau after all...
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on January 30, 2018, 02:49:26 AM
End-Of-Play - High Water Mark

Quote from: Crossroads on January 28, 2018, 08:38:28 AM

So the question really is: Syrians, will they give battle, or will they not. We will find out.

And here it is, final Syrian phase for Turn #15 back at me. Syrians did not come for the battle, but why would they? Instead, they certainly were quite prepared to let the battle come them.

What tanks they had - and there were less as a whole than what I expected there to be - were neatly positioned to protect the Damascus highway and Saasa proper, too:

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12418%3Bimage&hash=b6bf444246bf0f404df1226c0f68b6f0f3130551)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on January 30, 2018, 02:54:25 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on January 30, 2018, 02:49:26 AM

What tanks they had - and there were less as a whole than what I expected there to be - were neatly positioned to protect the Damascus highway and Saasa proper, too:

Certainly enough to give Israelis proper grief, though! Without screening infantry, without specialised Recon troops, my tankers would had quite a task at their hands climbing that enbankment, vulnerable to cross-fire from many directions.

Here's the overall situation at north, at end-of-play. Berto's kept his APCs on map, but dispersed them to lessen the impact of any shelling there. As for the counter-battery missions I took, I now see his artillery was mostly Off-Board Artillery like mine as well, not suspect to my harassment fire. That explains a lot.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12420%3Bimage&hash=f77f288144fd6bc9cebb4cd863914274de32310b)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on January 30, 2018, 03:00:46 AM
The final butcher's bill, and victory score, can be seen here.

The game ended at 349 victory points at Israeli hands, so a proper draw. The Israeli commander - c'est moi - has been given a proper hairdresser treatment for his tentative first turns and allowing so much of the Syrian force escape the Tel Shams encirclement. Any chance for victory were lost there and then.

I will do a proper analysis of the game in coming days, but in short congratulations for Berto for his careful management of the Syrian battle force out there. Israeli Arm'd Bde mostly kept together, so advancing to face them would have been foolhardy, and his decision to allow Israeli's advance to him while shelling them at every point of the way certainly kept the gates to Damascus firmly shut. Well done!

Of note are the Syrian tank losses - there were only five tanks lost during the whole battle! Israeli tank losses were more severe, mostly caused by the Syrian tank hunter teams. The lack of Israeli mech infantry played well to Israeli difficulties, just as it historically did.

All in all, Israelis were stopped cold, just as they were. A historical result, a Draw it is.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12422%3Bimage&hash=a257b0acc6997ad695d241851b87f77c29fdcd09)

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12424%3Bimage&hash=8573576366362dcdd5e5f115dc15303b0c66aaa0)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on January 30, 2018, 03:02:27 AM
Analysis to come next, in coming days. Meanwhile, let me know what you think  :)
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on January 30, 2018, 08:05:16 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on January 30, 2018, 03:02:27 AM
Analysis to come next, in coming days. Meanwhile, let me know what you think  :)

What the heck, I have the time so let us go.

After Action Analysis

Let us begin with Cunning Plan - a classic Hammer and Anvil move:

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D11730%3Bimage&hash=3010736ed334c66c58e0e4b912f0b54b67fae191)

On paper, a proper plan. Maybe. I was likely right in my assessment that should I bring an overwhelming force to pocket the Tel Shams heights, that would be enough for a Minor Win in this quite tough scenario for Israelis.

However, I played it too much by the book, did not risk driving through the Strength 1 (only) minefields, waited for the Engineers to arrive on turn 3, and once I finally broke through the Syrian lines at the southern slopes it was too late to prevent the Syrians to withdraw a significant portion of their units. Victory lost right there and then.

Instead, maybe, I should have taken that idle Tank Battalion and with two of the three Engineer platoons, tried to clear those obstacles on the highway towards Saasa and to Damascus. I had played this earlier once vs-AI, and there I just managed to storm Saasa proper during the last turn. However, playing against a human opponent is always going to be tougher, and with the strong Syrian artillery, I would have probably lost the Engineers on those blocks and minefields. Especially as I only had three Smoke missions for covering them.

Or, instead, maybe, I should have just bypassed Tel Shams, and went all out to Damascus exit-hex. I had overestimated the Syrian tank force, but not the tank hunting infantry, but maybe still I could have stormed the area from the highway and via the right flank as I did here. Would have at least forcced the Syrians to come out to fight it out. Obvious danger in this would have been that I would have been trapped in between the Tel Shams formation, and the forces in Saasa. My vital HQ and Leader units, all soft targets, would have been toast anyway there. Which is why I chose not to do that.

I guess all this speculation just shows why this scenario is such a fun fight. Having played it now twice, I still do not have the keys to Damascus. I need to revisit this scenario at some stage, and try a properly aggressive tactic then, to see what happens. It will not be easy for the tank heavy Israeli formation then, either. This is no tank country. Well, not infantry country either, for the strong Syrian artillery, out of reach by counter battery fire as they are off board.

But it is great fun, High Water Mark is certainly a challenge, I will return to see how high the tide will be next time...
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on January 30, 2018, 11:41:02 AM
Quote from: Crossroads on January 30, 2018, 03:00:46 AM

The game ended at 349 victory points at Israeli hands, so a proper draw. The Israeli commander - c'est moi - has been given a proper hairdresser treatment for his tentative first turns and allowing so much of the Syrian force escape the Tel Shams encirclement. Any chance for victory were lost there and then.


Demoted from a Brigadier General to Captain, your's truly has been having a heck of some good times fighting the Teaching Set battles over and over.

This is the Campaign Series version of tic-tac-toe: there's the contested village, both sides begin with five 10VP objectives, both sides only command a enforced company, may the best commander win!

Winning me the Major stripes at least back, here are my victorious Israelis in the 1967 - there's one for each decade from 1940s to 1980s - holding the captured enemy village hex for 10VPs, and indeed, securing thus a Minor Win - by 9 points!

Egyptians had the final phase, but their artillery battery was out of ammo, and although they managed to liberate the other contested village hex there, my LMG squad stood strong and held to my gains. Disrupted units highlighted, it was a proper mayhem:

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgrogheads.com%2Fforums%2Findex.php%3Faction%3Ddlattach%3Btopic%3D20875.0%3Battach%3D12426%3Bimage&hash=5e4a43d1113b164f078dd32e21a2664a7df1c2c8)

Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Sir Slash on January 31, 2018, 11:36:06 AM
I'm really enjoying these AAR's and the very detailed map screens. Great work Crossroads.  O0
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: mirth on January 31, 2018, 11:37:39 AM
Quote from: Sir Slash on January 31, 2018, 11:36:06 AM
I'm really enjoying these AAR's and the very detailed map screens. Great work Crossroads.  O0

+1 great fun following these.
Title: Re: CS Middle East: High Water Mark (Saasa Ridge, Syria; 12 Oct 1973)
Post by: Crossroads on January 31, 2018, 12:20:49 PM
Thanks guys  :)