[ASLML] A68 "Acts of Defiance": AAR & J5 Article Review

[jtracy at bankofny.com]

George gives us a nice AAR and a bit of analysis - here are my quibbles
:

> More unorthodox was our replacement of the Russian
> 7-0 with a 6+1 and giving the radio to an HIP 127
> FO team.

Interesting variant, but I think this helps the Russians more than a bit
- frees up a leader, crappy though he may be, and provides another MMC,
and a HIP one at that.  The Reds already have the edge in this one, I
reckon.  Even a footloose 6+1 is a boon as the 7-0 typically dies
slumped over his bullet-riddled radio.

> I've said it before and I'll say it again:  the
> T-44 is not my favorite Soviet tank.

I guess I rate the 18 hull as a reasonable tradeoff for the T-44's
shortcomings, but that lack of ROF sucks.  But, that's why God gave us
Intensive Fire.  Rumor has it Pete put in the T-44 because it wasn't in
any scenarios and he had an ever-so-slight historical justification to
use it here.

> If your German opponent is like Matt or Malcolm,
> the JgPz IV will move into the hull down position
> at 21Y9 and attempt to dominate the 20Y1 - Y10
> street.  T-44 #1 goes in Y6 with TCA & VCA of 1
> (count hex vertices clockwise from North) to cover
> up to 21Y9 as well as the Y6 - FF2 street.  When
> the JgPz appears at 21Y9 and stops, it's time to
> roll for a DFF APCR shot and see if you can put
> a hole in it's frontal armor.

You so crazy!  That's gonna be a dead T-44 way, way more often than not.
I'd rather have the T-44s a bit off the line, in a position to kill
German infantry and looking to get Hull Down if they can.  Hoping for
APCR, and a Turret hit, *and* a seven TK DR for at least a possible
shock - that's under 5% on the DFF shot, I reckon.  Even the BFF shot by
the TD is better than that.

> However, leaving a wreck on the Y hex row is not
> a completely bad result.

Very Russian, but be careful, Stalin has shot generals for that sort of
attitude.

> On the other hand, if lady luck was with you and
> you got the TD, then it's time to gang up on the
> Brummbaer.

That Brummbaer will have lots of little feldgrau friends in the
neighborhood, and a 150 HEAT round has to be respected.

I think the Russian must use his T-44s opportunistically, fighting
German armor when he has to but otherwise killing German infantry and
doing its best to control the road net.  Deliberately confronting the
best German tank killer in an unfavorable situation feels like you're
getting off on the wrong foot.  Controlling the Y hexrow is important
but it's not worth throwing away a tank.  You have other advantages at
your disposal to make up for letting the German own the road.

On another note - as the German, where do you put the Armor Leader?

JR






________________________________________________________________________
The information in this e-mail, and any attachment therein, is confidential and for use by the addressee only. If you are not the intended recipient, please return the e-mail to the sender and delete it from your computer. Although The Bank of New York attempts to sweep e-mail and attachments for viruses, it does not guarantee that either are virus-free and accepts no liability for any damage sustained as a result of viruses.