The Pods’ reluctance to leave the highway has cost them dear, but this turn there are signs – small signs – that the invaders are experimenting with a new, more circumspect approach. While Muttley is busy finishing off the last of the cocksure T-62s, our Forward Observer Team atop the dovecot watches a trio of older MBTs trade elevated tarmac for low-lying cornfields and greensward.
(Operation Oryx is an open-to-all game of Combat Mission: Cold War set in 1981. The commenter-controlled Zendoran forces are attempting to ambush a column of Podrabian vehicles bound for Zečin, the Zendoran capital. Each turn covers one minute of WeGo action. For a scenario outline and summaries of earlier turns, click here).
The 100% hit record of our TOW Mutts survives turn 19. Before embarking on an elaborate unrequested reversing manoeuvre, Muttley eliminates the final T-62 with one of his wire-guided tank trashers.
Lesov Junior takes advantage of the resulting pandemonium to patch-up his punctured Pa.
He’s just secured a large wound dressing to his father’s chest when AK rounds start whipping over his head.
Naturally, he returns fire.
Another Zen soldier who gives as good as he gets this sixty is the pedestrianised BRDM commander. Finally composed enough to take in his surroundings and aim an AK-74, our most easterly unit adds to the woes of the Pod squad ravaged by our marksmen and Recon Team Charlie last turn. Perhaps one foe in box 65 survives the distinctly one-sided firefight.
One of the reasons I’m reluctant to run duplex turns, even during apparent lulls, is because of situations like this…
Two of the beige T-55s trundled NW this turn (one went SW) and Tereza edged westward in search of a dust-free firing position.
The movements have created an apparently parlous situation for our T-72. Judging from the turret angles of the T-55s, Tereza hasn’t been spotted yet, but unless steps are taken promptly, she risks discovery early in turn 20.
When issuing the next round of orders the following LoS information might prove useful:
- Tank (A) can be seen by just our snipers (S) and Forward Observers (F).
- Only the Forward Observers have eyes on the jeep (J) and tank (C).
- Only our Light Mortar Team (M) – tube now deployed – can see tank (B).
From his new position by the barn, Droopy (D) has LoS to a two-man HQ team in one of the New Farm building and an HQ (bailed tank crewmen?) near the crossroads.
Turn 20 orders here, please. Commenters are cordially invited to suggest moves for the following units. (A maximum of one unit per commenter (subscribers can move two if they like). Embarked infantry and their taxis count as single units until separated.) Turn execution: probably Monday morning.
****anyone****
Light mortar team (tube deployed) [BOX 47]
MG team [BOX 86]
Dragon team (ambushing) [BOX 72]
Recon team B (1 man, hiding) [BOX 75]
Recon team C (3 men) [BOX 87]
Otto and Branko (sniper team) [BOX 100]
Forward Observer Team (no orders) [BOX 112]
TOW Mutt ‘Muttley’ (5 x ATGM) [BOX 111]
TOW Mutt ‘Droopy’ (4 x ATGM) [BOX 35]
Mutt ‘Scrappy’[BOX 87]
****subscribers only****
Trajanov [BOX 87]
Truck [BOX 86]
Milan Lesov (RPG x 7)[BOX 74]
M113 [BOX 99, unbuttoned]
Tereza [BOX 16, unbuttoned]
BRDM commander [BOX 77]
ORDER:
The LMG team opens fire on the offending tank crewmen botherin Mr Lesov jun. I can´t tell for sure, but if the copse of woods the Lesovs are in is blocking LOS for the LMG team, please relocate them to the north east, so they can contribute. (86 X8 Y5 looks like it could work)
Aside: Someone please get Tereza´s bacon into safety. :-S
ORDER:
This one is pretty specific in the angles, so I hope your geometry/trig is good.
I want Droopy to break LoS with the HQs by REVERSEing at an angle. My guess is he’d turn slightly right, then go straight back. Imagine a line along the northmost wall of the house next to Droopy. I want him just north of that line. That should leave him with a clear shot directly East towards the trees and the field behind, should the northernmost enemy tank continue to drive north. Once there I want him to FACE east.
ORDER:
Our snipers set up a TARGET ARC & HIDE from the road in 67 at the northernmost part of the water to somewhere in the middle of box 105.
ORDER: Forewarned by a cosmic apparition of a great-grandfather, Tereza’s tank commander orders a REVERSE several meters, then, in a gutsy/foolhardy move, face northwards and plot a circular HUNT movement around the north edge of the Barn in Box 17.
Counterattack! If they’re splitting up hopefully we can defeat them in detail.
ORDER: Muttley to FAST MOVE to a good position in the woods in Box 100 to cover the field. Prioritise cover/proximity over fields of fire, if possible, so something towards the southern edge of the tree line.
@Tim: Can the light mortar team see or target either HQ group in LoS of Droopy?
It can’t see either unit, but ‘area fire’ on both locations is possible.
Here we go wave two!! I have to say I’m personally rooting for the Lesovs to pull through.
Well, thats the first group of the convoy delt with. But it looks like the Pod tankers are finally starting to use their heads. It looks like this next group is going on the attack. Speaking of heads.
Branko sets down his Druganov and turns to Otto. “20 Zods (Zendoran currency) says you can’t hit him.” Gestures towards the exposed T-55 commader south of the highway. Otto reaches forward and adjusts the elevation on his scope by one click and whispers. “Your on.”
Should we consider moving the Lesovs east to the tree line on the western edge of box 75?
I’m concerned about how much attention they drew, so moving them east might reduce how quickly they get spotted, or at least increase how long a turret will need to turn for to engage them
Also, the heavy mortars haven’t been mentioned for a few turns – have they been forgotten, or are things too fluid to know what’s going to be happening in ~5 turns?
I am uncertain about the heavy mortars, but I think there was a command halting their ongoing barrage earlier, because of the amount of dust they kicked up. So, in theory, they should have some ammunition left. I´d encourage you to give them a target.
In regards to the Lesovs I would agree, getting them into a less conspicuous postiion would be good, but maybe we should wait to do so until Mr Lesov sen has been bandaged.