Campaign #61 AAR Thread

[csm308]

When: Squad Night, 2030 EST, 14 April 2010
Where: Andenne, St. Truiden, and Diest
Who: Broder, Racecar, Csm308/Dragon69, Gaspipe, Ergster1, Stoney12, Executor, Ebilman and McGib

Well, Campaign 61 has started off with a bang! I logged in to find Broder, Executor, and Racecar at Andenne. There was a fierce battle going on and they had placed some 88s on the ridgeline NW of Andenne. I arrived in game as this was going on. I spawned an LMG to guard Executor. Shortly thereafter the Allies pulled the AO on Andenne as they couldn't get their tanks close to town.

Almost immediately, AO's that had been up on Diest and later St.Truiden went full EI/EWS. The enemy was attempting to exploit the initial misplacement of units at the map reset. The Allies had four divisions in the north to our three and they were able to concentrate a division each on Diest and St.Truiden, which had one division covering both.

Lehr spawned in to St.Truiden and the fight was on! Intially spawning 88s, we managed to put a dent into the enemy's tank inventory, but the battle became quite desperate as our 88 supply dwindled and the Matties began to press the town. With the Matties covering, the enemy pushed several EMS's close to town and began an infantry bum rush on the Tienen spawnable and the CPs in the NW and N parts of town. Lehr decided to cover the Tienen spawnable. Broder and Executor described it as a turkey shoot as waves of enemy infantry attacked the CP, but they kept on coming.

Shortly thereafter, units from the 4th Panzer Division (KG-2) managed to get to Waremme and MS's were set up south of St.Truiden. Lehr squaddies spawned in and began to clean out the area south, southwest, and west of town. At last count five enemy EMS', several infantry/mortars, and atg's died at the hands of Lehr squaddies. Those MS's allowed St.Truiden to hold on until 4th PD units could actually move into St.Truiden and reinforce the defenders. This was a killing blow to the enemy attack as fresh units spawned in to replace the depleted KG-2 of the 33rd ID. The final enemy MS's were destroyed north and northwest of town and the attack finally dwindled away.

Having been defeated at St.Truiden, the enemy immediately moved to Diest. Lehr spawned in to attempt to save the situation, but ETs were already in the AB and the town was closely camped. While Lehr helped delay the inevitable, a fallback was ordered and the town given up as all of the CPs had already been capped when the fallback took place. I logged off after this.

I would like to commend Broder and Executor for their efforts and perseverance throughout squad night. They always seemed to be "Johnny on the Spot" with the right equipment. I would also like to again, thank Gaspipe for setting up Lehr's Teamspeak server. It was of great benefit last night as well.

Well, we went two for three last night. Hope you all had fun. See you in game.

VR

[Broder]

Operation Redemption was a blast. I had a good run, on the way in I managed to knock out a Pan that was to the rear of the column, I also claimed multipe ATGs, AA, and four ETs and more damaged and forced to despawn - including a Char that had the misfortune to eat HEAT on his flank at point blank range. Loads of infantry and a total of 32 kills and more damages. The sweatest kill though was when I tracked an H39 and it swung away from me, the HEAT round to it's spare roadwheel on the rear blew it into nicely sized Ally bits.

Awesome communication on the way in, with 90% of the column was Lehr and we took out multiple hostiles in the way in, incomming fire was called out and quickly responded to - thanks again Gas for the TS setup.

Also, the infantry working with the tanks was invaluable in enabling an aggressive advance within the town itself. Definitely going to make the write up.

I look forward to more Lehr panzer columns as our numbers grow.

S!

[csm308]

When: Operation Redemption, 2200 EST, 15 April 2010
Where: Andenne, Clermont En Argonne, and Diest
Who: Broder, Racecar, Csm308/Dragon69, Gaspipe, Ergster1, Hyper05, Executor, Ebilman and McGib (if I forgot anyone my apologies, please identify yourself if you were on the operation as well)

Operation Redemption, run by the OKW CINC, Imarock, got off to a bit of a late start, so Lehr helped defend in Andenne for a bit, then helped on an attack in Clermont en Argonne.

Clermont was great as we all spawned infantry and headed into town. Executor capped the spawnable right off and all of the CPs fell within ten minutes after that. The French spawned en masse to try and recap the town and a series of close battles took place.

We finally got the call to spawn panzers at Hasselt FB as the recapture of Diest (lost the previous night) was the target for Operation Redemption. There was a slight delay in departure from the FB as the panzer column CO, Vondoosh, had to talk to a man about a horse, but we finally left on a route that would bring us SW of Diest. The plan was to advance through an MS that was set up near the T intersection south of Diest. The MS would provide infantry cover for the panzers as we advanced on the town.

A Panhard had claimed me on the way to the final rally point near the MS, but Broder quickly took him out. Two Lehr squaddies, Gaspipe and one other (if you read this please identify yourself, my apologies for not remembering), remained on a ridgeline south of town with a clear look down the main road into Diest. They provided bombardment support and were extremely effective as the rest of us advanced on the town.

After having been killed by a weenie tank (R35) I decided not to waste any more panzers for the evening and spawned an LMG at the MS to support the panzers. The close infantry/panzer cooperation worked extremely well and in no time at all we had fronted up to the town edge and finally into the town.

What followed was a very intense infantry fight up close and personal in town. At one point we had all the CPs in Diest and were working on the AB Bunker, but we could never seem to get enough infantry in town to completely hold the CPs AND go for the bunker. CPs began to be recaptured and captured back. When I logged we still had all the CPs.

I look at the map this morning Diest is still Allied, but I know I had fun, and the comments I got from the rest of you were also positive. Again, the value of Gaspipe's TS server was apparent. The ability to immediately pass instructions or warn of threats saved several Lehr squaddies. It also enabled a coordinated advance on the town when we were in the panzer column. I also cannot emphasize enough, the outstanding voice quality of TeamSpeak 3. You have to hear it to believe it.

VR

[Broder]

S! C, I believe the unnamed soldier here was Executor is his 38t.

Also to note, the ATG that took out Vondoosh would've had a wide open flank shot on my tank had you not called it out and I believe it was only my third kill of the operation. I can't stress enough the value of comunication between infantry and armor, which seems all to rare on the front lines.

Also I feel that this yet again shows the Lehr's capability to turn the tide of a battle even in small numbers. I'm sad to hear their still in Diest - but I feel the armored column was the high water mark of the op and it was Lehr who answered the call.

S!

[csm308]

When: Squad Night, 2030 EST, 17 April 2010
Where: Andenne, Orval, Sedan, Diest
Who: Muhler, Echo419, Ebilman, Rabidx, Racecar, Gaspipe, Csm308, Dragon69, Wolvrine, Ironlehr, Broder, Stapor, (Noriette, Ashven, Markyg, Hyper05)

Well, what can I say? We didn't capture anything, but I feel we had a great time operating as a team. The turnout was amazing too. In reality, it was sort of an extended Squad Night, into a Squad Day.

Earlier, around 1730 EST, I logged in and found several Lehr in game, among them our beloved EURO's, Markyg and Ashven. With Ashven as flight lead, we spawned in Stuka's to provide CAS.

The big event was a Stuka strike on Orval, which was the Axis P-1 attack. It was a Red AWS location, but Ashy brought us (7 x Stuka's) in on a vector that avoided the EA until right at the target and all Lehr got their bombs on target. A previous flight of Stuka's to Andenne had the same result, all Lehr got their bombs on target. The main result of these flights was that we operated as a team and got training enroute, from Ashy, on flight ops (something we don't normally do). It was great fun.

I logged for dinner and came back for Squad Night. The OKW was looking to place an AO on Sedan, but we needed the FB. I informed the Map OIC, Mattwitt, of our willingness to help and off we went. The 91st Sturm'ers and Iron Wolves were already there doing great work and our numbers helped put the FB attack over the top.

From the beginning the Sedan attack didn't go well as the enemy had anticipated the AO and had prepared defenses far out on the perimeter and even had the Bouillon FB somewhat pre-camped. Oh well, you can't fool 'em all the time. Sometimes the size of your FB attack tells the enemy, "yes, we're going to AO your town," but it can't be helped.

Lehr struck out south with some 38t's (myself, Wolvrine, and Racecar) and an Opel (Ironlehr) to set up an MS SE of town with the Bouillon CP as the target. The rest of Lehr remained on FB defense until then.

After a delay, Iron finally set up an MS, but it was shortlived as the French had an EMS nearby. EI from that EMS took him out quickly, along with poor Muhler who had spawned in. Fortunately an Axis FJ drop took place on Sedan as the MS went down. A few FJs dropped in the area of Iron's old MS and secured the area, including an atg that was firing on us. I wish I could remembe their names, but they were from 3rd FJR. Our panzers advanced to meet up with them, then advanced on the town.

We attrited several enemy tanks before dying to S35s and Chars, but while we were battling, Iron brought in another MS into the area we and the FJ's had cleared SE of town. Lehr and others spawned in. The initial wave made it into town but the French sent an EMS and armor (S35/Panhard) out to the SE and our follow on infantry ran into a brick wall. After a furious half hour battle, Iron's MS was finally killed.

The OKW called out for help at Paal, which was contested and under heavy attack. I recalled Lehr from the field to spawn in on an FB bust to the enemy Diest FB. The FB was well defended with armor and infantry, but they never found the MS and after thirty minutes the Paal FB was Axis. There were several squads there so it was a joint FB bust.

With both FBs to Diest Axis and the French units there attrited from their attack on Paal, the Map OIC, Schloss1, placed an AO on the town. Lehr had already anticipated the AO and had two MS's up to town. One was killed early but the one MS west of town survived and the first cap went to a Lehr squaddie, Racecar.

The battle for the town continued for another hour, but it was getting late and I had to log. I hope you all had fun, I know I did. I would like to thank you all for the large squad turn out. We're thinking about instituting a "Squad Day" for Saturdays as it enables us to play alongside our EURO squaddies, which we normally can't do during the weekdays. It was great fun.

While a normal Squad Night is 2030 EST, we can gather up earlier for those in game for a "Pre" Squad Night with our EURO's. Let me know what you think about that.

See you on the battlefield.

VR

[echo419]

had alot of fun logging in yesterday with you all. Felt like such a noob though - forgot how to crouch/ prone / sprint / (shoot straight)?? Even had long conversations with myself before i realized i had to hit F4 to toggle squad channel!

All the same, i got to shoot at two laffy's and a hurricane. And though my internet concked out and i had to log abruptly... It was real good to see some old names and talk and play with you again.

[Broder]

S! Echo, sorry I missed ya chief. Hopefuly you'll continue to pop in.

[csm308]

Originally Posted by echo419

had alot of fun logging in yesterday with you all. Felt like such a noob though - forgot how to crouch/ prone / sprint / (shoot straight)?? Even had long conversations with myself before i realized i had to hit F4 to toggle squad channel!

All the same, i got to shoot at two laffy's and a hurricane. And though my internet concked out and i had to log abruptly... It was real good to see some old names and talk and play with you again.

Echo, it was indeed great to see you in game and hear you on TS. Brought back a lot of old memories, all of them good.

That squad account is always available. I just paid for another year for it. The reason I pay for it is for it to be used by other squaddies.

The only other person I know of who uses it regularly is Fire1067 and he hasn't been around much. Miss him too.

So please, come visit us in game whenever you can.

VR

[Executor]

Nice to see ya again echo.


I didnt realize squad night was Sat.

LOL

[csm308]

When: Squad Night, 2030 EST, 28 April 2010
Where: Wetteren, Buzancy
Who: Ebilman, Rabidx, Racecar, Gaspipe/Gaspipe9, Executor, Csm308/Dragon69, Ironlehr, Broder, Job201kw/Jobjr, Admiral1, McGib

Great turnout last night for sure. If I missed anybody above, please let me know and I'll add your name to the "Who" roster.

We started out working on the Aalst-Wetteren FB. Wetteren had an AO on it already and was being attacked from Dendermonde. We wanted both FBs to assist in that attack. The initial assault on the FB met with some success and damage to it, but Panhards and Stu's destroyed the first MS. Lehr squaddies brought in another one, others brought in panzer support and a few were flying CAS over head. We finally overwhelmed the FB defenders and got it down.

Now for the hard part. Attacking Wetteren is a very daunting task. The terrain is completely open to the west, southwest, south and east. The only covered approach is from the southeast and the enemy had a defensive perimeter of EMS's w/atgs covering that approach. We banged our heads against that perimeter for an hour trying to breach it.

Broder managed to get an MS very close up to the west along the river road and several of us got out and into the town. After a few caps, the MS was destroyed by a roaming Panhard. After a further 30 mins of trying to get into town failed, I called a tactical halt.

Buzancy had been made the P1 and was contested. Lehr shifted target to there. Rabidx, Racecar, and Admiral1 provided air cover while the rest of us went on the ground as infantry. More caps followed but the Allies had an armored brigade in Buzancy and were spawning Panhards and Stu's in large numbers. These proceeded to destroy several of our MS's and the infantry attack faltered.

We were at a disadvantage as the Axis only had infantry KG's in the fight and the panzer supply in those KG's had been attrited in the initial attack. A Panzer KG, 17.3, was finally brought in but by the time good panzers (4D's, 3F's, 3H's) started coming into the spawnlist, the enemy armor had pressed their perimeter far enough out to begin interdicting our panzers as they appraoched town. I logged off soon after and the battle was still continuing.

I want to thank all who played last night. It was a great turnout, which was very much appreciated.

Some lessons learned for myself is that I, or whoever is in command of Lehr at the time, need to call a more defined tactical halt when we initiate an attack or shift targets to another attack. In the past we used toactually spawn in to a back town and physically meet to discuss the target and task organize for that operation.

It's okay to go willy nilly to a target when there are only 5-6 of you playing, but as our numbers increase and we get into the 15-20 squaddies and more online, as we soon will, more organization is needed to ensure every one is properly informed of whats going on and what we will be doing once we spawn in.

You play this game to have fun. You play this game specifically to get beyond the arcade shoot 'em ups and have more organized team fun. You also join a squad to make sure your "fun" is organized team fun. It's my duty as Squad CO to ensure that.

I'll be taking steps shortly to spread the leadership "fun," particularly with Lehr air ops. We need a US Primetime air ops leader to help Ashven, who is a EURO, and can't always be on with us during US Primetime.

As our ground numbers grow, I'll also need to appoint some Ground unit XO's, so that we can task organize better, lead small units while I oversee the "big picture," and take over command of Lehr when I log off for the day or night.

So if you're a US Primetime flyer and want to help lead LG-2 during that timezone, get with Ashven and myself. If you're a US Primetime ground pounder and want to help lead Lehr in game now's the time to throw your hat in the ring.

Thanx again for playing last night.

VR