[ASLML] Armor battles in A68 "Acts of Defiance"

[George Bates]

I run the risk of being blown away by the honorable and erudite gentleman
from the Bank of New York (whose knowledge and experience far exceed mine),
I'm gonna stand my ground on for the sake of some more stimulating
conversation.  Here goes.  JR, be gentle.

-----Original Message-----
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.
BATES:  Indeed, I was asking Malcolm for a balance provision other than the
one in the scenario (reducing the German 9-2 to a 9-1).  From where I stood,
I thought Ivan needed a little help.  He was gracious enough to grant it.


> 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.
BATES:  Also, JR writes later in his post...
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 hex row 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.
BATES:  What?  Me so crazy?  That's it, gloves off!  Well, here's how I
figure it.  Getting the first shot is worth a lot.  No APCR (or intensive
fire) means 2 shots.  Two tanks on the row means 4 rolls of the dice.  Lots
of opportunity for something to happen before the JgPz gets to do anything.
Waste him in Turn 1 and the entire complexion of the game changes.  Part of
this is also an intimidation move.  You are forcing the German to decide
whether today is his lucky day or not.  If he chickens out, that's another
way to win the battle for the street, and you don't have to fire a shot.  I
also said you have to make the most of what you're given in the OB.  This
move plays to the T-44's two strengths, low silhouette and robust armor,
which means there's a reasonable chance of surviving the TD's (23 TK) return
fire.  In most games, both will still be standing after the German Turn 1,
and if the Russian is out of APCR, he will have to vacate the hexrow in his
MPh.  Maybe I need to lose this scenario a few more times before I change my
mind (the school of hard knocks, ya know), but I really believe that Y
hexrow deserves a fight.

> 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.
BATES:  And for much less, I might add...

> 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.
BATES:  Gotta keep your front to that 21TK, of course.  But with 16MP (watch
those red MPs, though!) you can get in his baffles and force him to change
VCA.  Tried to acknowledge the threat from accompanying infantry earlier,
but at some point there will probably be a chance to maneuver as the AG is
going to have to come out if he wants shots at the skulking Russian
infantry.  Or maybe not.  Depends on the risks the German wants to take.

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

JR






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