[ASLML] Lits, thoughts

[Tate Rogers]

> 
> From: "Pete Shelling" <wrongway at nowonline.net>
> Date: 2004/02/29 Sun PM 09:03:11 CST
> To: "Janusz Maxe" <janusz.maxe at unf.se>, 
>         "ASLML \(E-mail\)" <Aslml at asl-forums.net>
> Subject: Re: [ASLML] Lits, thoughts
> 
> Janusz jawed:
> 
> >>Played parts 1 and 2 of Line in the sand, from Journal 5.
> 
> I'm ecstatic. No, orgasmic. These are actually getting good play and
> discussion!!
> 
> >>I do not agree with earlier writers that J79 is pro-British. Yes, the
> light vehicles are vulnerable, but they can be protected >>by the heavier
> vehicles and dust. Add smoke from mortars and  tanks, plus the power of 75L
> guns, and the Germans in my >>opinion possess the power needed to exit 45
> EVP.
> 
> I think German use of smoke/dust is going to be key.  Remember, the German
> player can get an aerial observer with smoke OBA, plus a Mortar (if chosen)
> and MK IV F1s (if chosen). 

I used smoke and dust. The thin skins still get wacked. Smoke doesn't do much vs AT-Mines and Bog checks...Tracks and AC can't enter a trench location either. 

It is extremely hard to get enough smoke down to cover the thin skins when every single enemy weapon on the board has a decent chance to kill them. Not to mention the Brit infantry just moving up and entering CC...i.e., if all the German vehicles are shrouded in some form of dust/smoke then the Brit infantry will have a lot of freedom of movement. Let's not forget that the Brit will have some smoke ability as well...placing smoke becomes problematic when firing out/through smoke/dust.

And, as we all know, if one must have smoke to have any chance to win one can count on the following:

1) You will get 1 round (or less) from each smoke capable weapon before rolling the depletion#.
2) There will be at least 2-3 12's rolled during wind change.
3) You opponent will still roll low enough to hit.

The Brit can use his AT mines and trenches to pretty much funnel the Germans into a fairly wide and hard to protect kill zone. Basically just load up the board edges with the blocking fortifications. The German will have wasted 2-3 turns by the time he realizes he can't get the skins through.

That is the other key...the German has to pick right (i.e., the right path) from the start. He doesn't have time to dick around. He can't spend 2-3 turns trying one rout only to find it is blocked by trenches/AT mines...then change direction.

Also, the nature of the crags (rubble LOS effect) creats a lot of reverse slop situations. It is hard to get smoke on anyone when they are out of LOS. Besides, If the German tanks are stopping to fire smoke then they aren't heading for an exit...OK with me as the Brit. 

Lastly, there will be at least 2-3 tracks/AC taken out by the broken terrain...bogging is as good as dead in this environment. It is the same for a stun result...better stay BU...which just increase the vulnerability to CC.

Bottom line, I would happily take the Brits against anyone!

Later-

Tater (One Mean Spud!)