Tutorial 2 for the Axis

[Alexander Seil]

I did it backwards and started on Tutorial 2 (with minimal experience with Tutorial I and the ancient RDOA demo) as the Germans and figured that it wouldn't hurt to ask some questions before I get squished [:D]

It is morning, past dawn, of Day 2 now. On day 1, a somewhat complicated attack managed to capture the Komma bridge. The attack itself was rather messy, as the 33rd regiment strung itself out along the entire road from southern suburbs of Lamia to the bridge, but a sneak flanking attack around Komma by the recon battalion (positioned to the west behind a small hill during the night) as well as the sheer weight of numbers and artillery support got me over the bridge, cutting off 3 enemy companies (one of them surrendered, the others are still in and around Komma, starving to death most likely). The bridge was subsequently primed by 9th division's engineers and is defended on both sides by a reinforced infantry battalion (part of the 433rd, the other battalions are defending Lamia).

After the attack on Komma was over, I withdrew the 33rd and let it reorganize just south of Lamia. By night's fall, they were in position to attack Anthili and started advancing...by 6 in the morning of the following day, some of the units suffered 5-10% casualties from enemy artillery fire, and while the town is technically under my control, I cannot seem to dislodge the defenders! I hoped that a night-time attack would allow me to surprise the defenders, but the 33rd just rolled into a massive artillery barrage. The defenders (2-3 companies, it seems) themselves are showing feats of heroism and invincibility - they are surrounded and the entire 33rd is upon them, but they just won't budge. I don't expect the enemy artillery to leave me alone anytime soon.

The briefing implies that there are multiple brigades coming my way, and I've got nothing else, so the question is, what should I do with Anthili? Should I just leave it alone and withdraw to Lamia, or should I try to secure Anthili, leave some defense there and put most of the 33rd in reserve? Given the intensity of enemy artillery fire, I doubt I can make it to Yef Alamans, let alone take it. All I've got in reserve are the remnants of one infantry battalion and a worn recon battalion.

Also, what should I know about attacks that I clearly don't understand? Why did the 33rd string itself out along the entire highway, despite being on an absolutely clear, gentle slope?

Additionally, just how many levels down should I be commanding? I don't really touch anything below a battalion (and the 33rd I just use whole), except for specialist units, but should I?

[Error in 0]

I would keep the pressure on Anthili, its a good place to slow the german advance. But watch out for flanking movements. To reduce enemy artillery fire, attack (probe) with some small units elswhere to disperse enemy fire. When ze germans comes, leave some rearguards behind, and bring the rest into defensive positions around Komma (and other objectives). It should be enough time to do that.

Attacks are 2 stages: first the move to a assembly area where the troops regain organization and shake out into attack formation, and then the attack itself. The AI, and myself, dont always find a nice spot as assembly area, which should be hidden from the enemy if possible. And on the way to the area, they most likely walk as columns to retain org. and get there fastest possible. Maybe that happened? It could also be due to terrain. Play the Olymus scenario to get frustrated by the terrain! It took me awhile to figure out some basic movement stuff there.

I usually command at Battalion/Regiment levels to keep the order delay down. But especially in defensive operations I often command individual units. This has become much more important in COTA where you must keep your supplylines clear. AI will never string out the troops to cover roads like we can. If I played at no order delay, Id probably order attacks at higher levels of command. My impression is that the AI is doing that pretty well.


Have fun!

JT

[Alexander Seil]

But I am ze Germans [:D] And, as I discovered, Anthili really is a good place to slow the German advance [;)] Though, given that I can observe pretty much everything north of the river from the heights of Lamia, I doubt they will be able to flank me, but they (the British) will certainly be able to steamroll me.

I don't think I specified an FUP for the attack on Komma, though, so why didn't the regimental AI simply form up in its original location? The terrain was absolutely clear bar one small river (and the column didn't spread much after crossing).

One question about "Deny Crossing", will the AI be smart enough to bring the defenders on the other side of the bridge back before attempting to destroy it? Does it make a difference if there are independent units in the area as well? In other words, can the detached engineering battalion decide to blow the bridge with utter disregard for whatever troops are on the other side of the river, simply because it's not in the same battlegroup? 

[GoodGuy]

Ze enemy iz weakened!

[Error in 0]

You are the Germans, right. Makes sense. Why fight on the loosing side

If you don't specify a FUP, AI will do that for you. Only if you are close to the target will FUP be at starting point. Click on one of your units, preferably the HQ you ordered, and you will se the waypoints. The next to last is the FUP.

Im not so comfortable with the "deny crossing" and like, but the unit responsible for blowing the bridge up will do so only if the enemy is about to cross, and they will not wait for own troops to pass. A correct priority if you ask me.

[MarkShot]

Yes, engineers will simply blow the bridge. They are not going to say keep it up, since Fred and Hank have yet to get across.

Also, I would say that if don't want your units to get stranded when a bridge goes up, then don't deploy anyone on the hostile bank.

On the other hand, sometimes the best defensive terrain happens to be on the far (hostile) bank. So, what are you going to do? Also, in daylight you can easily prevent a bridge from being crossed from just one bank. It gets harder to do at night when the enemy comes quietly in black pajamas and wearing sneakers ... oops wrong war ... but you get the point.

[henri511]

As the Germans, you have to decide on your main line of attack, but you have to put a bit of probes on the other two bridges to force the enemy to defend there.

Also it is important to know that for attacks, you can leave most of the work to the AI, but for defence, you should get more involved in setting up the defensive positions.

The Allies should not be able to hold the town, but they should set up a delaying defence between the town and the bridge.

Henri

[Arjuna]

BTW re Attacks. If you don't specify an FUP then the AI will choose one and then move it's attack force to it. If the distance to the FUP from it's current location is long and you have a large force ( Regt + )then you will probably see the force moving in road column and occupying many kilometres of road space - that's just normal for a Move over any distance. An Armoured Div occupies around 20km of road space from end to end.

[Alexander Seil]

I withdrew uphill and set up a defensive line there, with armor in reserve. I've noticed that there was likely a reinforced battalion or more advancing towards Komma, but they turned back. I believe that most of the Allied force is currently in Yef Alamans. I'm contemplating crossing the river at Komma and moving towards the Allied rear, but it seems that they will simply crush me with artillery, so I will probably just sit there for now.

[BMD]

I'm playing it right now. What I did was to sneak the recon battalion and the first tank company between Anthili and the eastern marshes at full speed the first night and seize the bridges. Meanwhile the rested parts of the 433rd attacked Komma from the north, and the entire Pz regiment from the west. This was overkill and resulted in excessive losses to enemy arty, but it got the job done. I now have the bridges secured and around a regiment of tommies caught and rapidly surrendering behind my lines. Ze zituation ist lookink sehr gut! [:D]

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: Alexander Seil

I withdrew uphill and set up a defensive line there, with armor in reserve. I've noticed that there was likely a reinforced battalion or more advancing towards Komma, but they turned back. I believe that most of the Allied force is currently in Yef Alamans. I'm contemplating crossing the river at Komma and moving towards the Allied rear, but it seems that they will simply crush me with artillery, so I will probably just sit there for now.

Not to mention that left to thier own discretion those commanders can be seen to choose some pretty surprising locations and routes to the form up point.

I learned the hard way that if I order an attack to cover a substantial distance such as several kilometers by choosing only the final location with no intermediate waypoints with the intent for them to attack and drive directly through an enemy force WITHOUT also ordering them to take the shortest route, they will often bypass the very enemy force I wanted them to attack.

Specificty in orders is the order of the day!