Hoffman, Trotter, sparrow, and 5point0 are surprisily (at least to me) in near lock-step with many of the ideas, rules and conditions I’ve been incorporating into my GV-centric scenarios and would like to try out.
Such as -
- different tactical objectives other than capturing a base, such as defending river bridges, cities, towns (but not bases), factories, or preventing the enemy from reaching a certain position in force.
- when a base capture is the objective, allowing for a sufficient, but limited number of troops (often as a result of a choice by the C.O. whether to carry X# of supplies or troops by a limited number of M3’s/SDK’s, but replenishable).
- greater transit distances before initial combat allowing for greater subterfuge, mis-direction, deception, diversion and the need for accurate and timely reconnaissance
- A possibly more common mix of units available to both sides to eliminate historically-enforced imbalance in forces.
- Unlimited lives with built-in limitations such as the 5 min. re-up time delay.
- Limiting what vehicles can inflict object damage (i.e. only LVT4’s and SDK’s, or Ostwinds can take down buildings, strats, etc.)
- Different victory point structures.
To let a bit of the ‘cat-out-of-the-bag’ as it were, I’ll sketch out what I think could be the first scenario I’d like to put on. By the way, I’d call my series of scenarios “Steel Battlefields” with a representative title relating to the specific tactical situation imposed. These mighted be presented in-between regular, established scenarios, with the help of a CM or two, and would allow everyone to see some different setups and rules that might transfer to the full Air-centric scenarios. Steel Battlefields might only be 2 or 3 Saturdays in a row to complete, but would have similar structure and format to the current scenarios: i.e. short pre-registration, established C.O.’s, specific unit designations and numbers, definded rules set, etc.
The first one I might put on might be called something like “The Last Bastion”. Red Force would have a slight numerical advantage in total number of units, but this would be somewhat offset by being required to have one (or possibly two depending on total number of players) dedicated “assault” company containing 8x in a mix of LVT4’s (min. 2x) with the 75mm howitzer, and SDK’s (min. 2x) with rockets and troops or supplies (C.O.’s choice). Only the vehicles in these assault units could destroy city buildings or any other ground objects, and therefore are primary targets for the opposing Blue Force to seek out and destroy to save the city and disrupt Red’s battleplan.
In addition, the Red Force might have something like one company of 12x Tigers (three 4 element platoons), one company of 12x Shermans (3 platoons), and a company of 12x Panzers, and one recon/supply platoon of 4 SDKs with supplies only (no rockets), and one Air Defense company (8x) consisting of two platoons with 2x Wirbles and 2x Ostwinds in each. Total of 56 GV’s.
The Red Force (usually designated as the attacker) might have three or four, or even five initial deployment bases available at different driving distance (20-40 minutes from a large city complex (but with somewhat closer re-up bases for later in the battle to minimize out-of-action and travel time), or two or more target objectives, and positioned around these in two or three directions (north, west and south).
Blue Force ground units could include a Cavalry troop (8x) consisting of one platoon of 2x M8’s and 2x T-34/76, and one of 2x M8’s and 2x T-34/85. One scout/supply platoon of 2x jeeps and 2x M3’s. Two companies (8x) consisting of two platoons containing 2x Tigers and 2x panzers each, one company (8x) of two platoons containing 2x Shermans and 2x Panzers. Finally, one independent platoon of 4x T-34/85’s and one air defense platoon of 1x Wirblewind, 1x Ostwind, 2x M16’s. Total of 44 GV’s.
The Red C.O. would logically need to conserve and protect his assault units while in transit, and could try to hide the route of the assault units by send three different columns from three different bases, or protect them by combining into one large re-enforced column with most of his heavy tanks, or some other diversionary plan. Blue C.O. would have to quickly use limited air and ground scouting assets to try and find the right enemy column containing the assault unit(s) and quickly vector the best of his smaller forces to destroy them, and/or determine the primary or intial target objective of the enemy to postion his slightly smaller force for effective defense.
Victory would be determined by total number of ground units destroyed by each side (1 pt. by ground/1/2 pt. by air) plus 2 points for every object destroyed or remaining at the end of a frame, plus 10 MINUS points for every objective destroyed by a tank and not a valid assault vehicle.
As for aircraft participation (and this is just a possible mix off the top of my head), if included at all, might be as follows.
For the Red force, 2 C-47’s for recon and supply, 1 fighter squadron of 8x Bf109E’s and 1 fighter squadron of 8x F4F’s and 1 attack squadron which could be comprised of 4x D3A’s with only 1 250kg bomb & 4x Yak9 T’s for gun attack. They would have to sortie from starting bases requiring at least 20-30 minutes to reach the closest possible GV conflict.
Blue force might have 2 RV8s for recon, and 1 fighter squadron of 4x Hurricane I’s & 4x Spitfires I’s, 1 fighter squadron of P-40B’s, 1 attack squadron of 6x Hurricane IID’s with the 40mm guns and 1 attack squadron of 6x P-40E with one 500lb. bomb.
There would be no level bombers to take down any hangers or towns, and no bombing or straffing of any ground objects by fighter or attack aircraft.
After two deaths in the air, each pilot reverts to a designated GV reinforcement unit and the battle plays out on the ground.
This is just one possible setup and there could be further rules and restrictions to create more variable levels of GV/Air interaction. And of course there are variable map and terrain options, and target objectives that create different tactical situations, with or without aircraft.
