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Desert Warfare Tactics - Printable Version +- Forums (https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards) +-- Forum: The Firing Line (https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/forumdisplay.php?fid=1) +--- Forum: Campaign Series (https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards/forumdisplay.php?fid=8) +--- Thread: Desert Warfare Tactics (/showthread.php?tid=48894) |
Desert Warfare Tactics - Kool Kat - 11-14-2008 Hi Gents: :) I have not played many JTCS desert scenarios, but did want to share with club members some of the tactics I find works well for your forces in the North African desert. Hopefully, other armchair generals will add their knowledge to this thread! Recon is king! Desert forces are usually blessed with a pheothra of armored cars (ACs). Get these units on the flanks to screen and select line of sights (LOS) that allow large areas of terrain to be kept under observation. Try to keep your ACs operating in packs (2-3 units) so they may be used to ambush enemy ACs and transport - especially loaded transport! Keep working to get your ACs around and behind enemy lines to attack artillery and HQ units. Use your high movement factors to get into key positions and to get out of trouble quickly. LOS is critical! Always be checking LOS for your units. Click on the binoculars and check out the LOS of potential defensive positions. Plan ahead for several turns. Look for those "sneaky" LOS that give you a look at key enemy positions and be ready to call in artillery bombardments. If the enemy can't see your troops, he can't attack them! Speed is... fast! Keep the majority of your forces moving each turn, unless you are defending key victory hexes. Movement keeps the enemy from zeroing in with artillery on your forces and allows you to manuever into other positions. Remember that units can move faster and farther in the nearly "empty" desert. Enemy units can be among your troops in only a few turns, so plan your defensive positions with overlapping fields of fire and in depth. Ensure that you keep your flanks guarded at all times! Use terrain to your advantage! Desert has a lot of open and barren terrain. Look for any terrain like rock outcrops, depressions, the ocassional village, scrub, catus, etc. that can give your forces some cover or blocked LOS to screen your advancing troops. Know that you will need to operate "in the open" for the majority of the scenario and plan accordingly. Use the scenario visability range to your advantage to keep your units "hidden" until you can close the distance to your targets. Protect key units! For high value units like HQs and loaded transport, you may wish to assign an AC or light AFV for protection / convoy duties. An anti-tank gun makes for a good defender once your HQ becomes stationary for several turns. Remember; especially with non-mobile artillery, select hidden / covered terrain and be sure to check the direct LOS to your selected defensive position. You don't want your unlimbered guns to be caught in the open by roving enemy ACs! RE: Desert Warfare Tactics - Pip Roberts - 11-14-2008 Good, practical observations MIke. Thanks for sharing them We used to get lots of this sort of thing so it is nice to see your comments RE: Desert Warfare Tactics - Herr Straße Laufer - 11-14-2008 Mike, I agree with Pip. Why don't you pick out a desert scenario that looks good to you. I love fightin' in the desert. :smoke: Your choice of sides too! :) If you can't find one I have a few that could use a little dusting. :kill:  RR RE: Desert Warfare Tactics - 1925frank - 11-14-2008 MrRoadrunner has a "Steel and Sand" scenario that he and I have been wrestling with. I'd like to see what Mike could do as the Germans. RE: Desert Warfare Tactics - Kool Kat - 11-14-2008 MrRoadrunner Wrote:Mike, I agree with Pip. Hi Ed! :) I accept your challenge! How about this one? https://www.theblitz.club/scenarios/show_full_scenarios.php?scen=8016&game=6&ladder=2 All optional rules = ON except variable visibility and armor facing. Yes, I play with extreme assault = ON!  I would like to play the Germans. Allies move first. Look forward to your first turn and the start of our game! :smoke: [email protected] RE: Desert Warfare Tactics - Herr Straße Laufer - 11-14-2008 mwest Wrote:MrRoadrunner Wrote:Mike, I agree with Pip. I have to tell you that I played it already. It does heavily favor the Germans? I accept your challenge. Good luck! Ed RE: Desert Warfare Tactics - Kool Kat - 11-14-2008 MrRoadrunner Wrote:I have to tell you that I played it already. It does heavily favor the Germans? I've never played this scenario. Really unbalanced? Game results showed (3) Allied wins, (3) German wins, and (1) draw. Average balance rating = 4.00. :conf: I did receive your first turn. Thanks for the battle Ed! :) RE: Desert Warfare Tactics - Herr Straße Laufer - 11-14-2008 You'll see when the game starts. Looking forward to your turn. :-) Ed RE: Desert Warfare Tactics - Pip Roberts - 11-15-2008 Re Mike's original post on Desert Warfare An 88 posted with good visibility can be deadly from far off so it pays to check what the German forces might see and try for a concealed approach from a wadi. Once an 88 appears you will have to attack it en masse as it only has 2 shots per turn and it may be worth sacrificing a few empty trucks (or light tanks) to get to it and destroy it. Make sure that high value units (like HQ's or loaded trucks) are safe from enemy artillery Glen Saunders wrote an excellent article on The Art of Recce which you will find interesting. Your ideas (and Glen's) also apply in East Front where the BT7 is a fast and powerful unit well described in Jim von Krieg's article on the BT7 RE: Desert Warfare Tactics - Herr Straße Laufer - 11-15-2008 Pip Roberts Wrote:Re Mike's original post on Desert Warfare Yes, 88's in the desert can spoil your day? I would never send empty trucks to absorb any firepower. It's against my personal ROE. :kill: I use a simple model of speed - mass - firepower. Most important is what an individual unit's strength is within that model. That coupled with a willingness to "pay a price" (with combat units) to get the job done can be effective too. And, I've read the words of Glen, Jim, and others. One can't help but keep an open mind and be ready learn? Good points Pip! Ed |
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