Suez Campaign (LCG) - AAR

[Jason Petho]

Scenario 03, Turn 8

Here is the end of Turn 8. Fortunately, the Egyptian artillery hasn't been taking a toll on my advance, a few bumps and bruises, but nothing too crazy. I have lost a few non-core Sho't Kal's to missiles over the last couple turns, but I am definitely causing more casualties than receiving.  I will start pushing towards the canal next turn, as I am running out of time, with the goal of securing the three 100 Victory Point locations that are directly infront of me.



Here is a 3D view of the end positions. The trench and bunker position on the northern most 100 Victory Point hex will be a challenge. I may need to haul some infantry up there during my advance to ensure I have successful assaults.

[Jason Petho]

Scenario 03, Turn 9

And so it begins... I have been pushing harder now, trying to eliminate as many Egyptians I could this turn while advancing. Here is the situation about halfway through the turn.



Here is the end of turn. I decided to go all in and unload my infantry amongst the most advanced positions. I have taken some losses while I do this, but it is time to be aggressive.



Only 500 metres from the Victory Locations and still a few turns to ensure their capture. With missiles on my flank, I expect a loss or more.

[Jason Petho]

Scenario 03, Turn 10

I am advancing in force to the Victory Point locations. The majority of my force in heading to the points. I have been successful in securing one and metres away from the other two. I have run into some Egyptian infantry and tanks against the canal, so the last couple of turns could be rather messy, but we shall see!



Here is the 3D view of the end of the turn. You can see I am hopefully about getting up into the northern 100 Victory Point location with a tank heavy force. Being entrenched, the Egyptians may not give up their position so easily.

[Jason Petho]

Scenario 03, Turn 11

Success! I played through the turn and have managed to secure each of the 100 Victory Point locations. This was done with a combination of direct fire to cause casualities and reducing morale before surrounding and capturing the disrupted Egyptian platoons. There are still some stragglers in the area that can cause me some losses, so while I am advancing, I am still doing so a little cautiously.



Here is the 3D view of the end of turn 11. With the amount of tanks and infantry I have in advance elements, it is fair to say I have been successful at securing the two 100 Victory Point locations by the canal. The 100 Victory Point location in the north, on the other hand, still needs some fighting to ensure it is secure.

[Jason Petho]

Scenario 03, Turn 12 - Last turn for Scenario 03

I managed to secure all of the Victory Point locations in the north and even snuck across the canal along one of the Egyptians brigdges, destrying a headquarters that I found in the village. I didn't have enough Action Points to destroy the mortar platoon I found though.



Here are the final positions in 3D. Notice I spent some time ensuring that the front of my armoured units are facing the potential threats. The Egyptians still have to play, so I am not completely out of the ballpark yet.



Before pressing End Turn, I reviewed the total losses for both sides. Clearly the Egyptians had suffered a lot. I have lost 0 Sho't Kal's and a platoons worth of infantry. Expensive losses, but we shall see how that affects my core force.



I also reviewed the Victory Dialog. Looks like I have secured a Major Victory by 52 points. The focusing all my available forces on the northern route strategy seems to have paid off.



And now for the Eygptians final moves. They destroyed a lead Nagmash platoon.



Followed by reducing and disrupting some infantry.



And then some more infantry. Buggers!



Finally the scenario comes to an end with the final score being 516 Victory Points. Enough to maintain my Major Victory, even though the Egyptians shaved off 36 points.

[Big Ivan]

Jason,

Thanks for this wonderful AAR on Suez Campaign (LCG)! Watched and read every post as your battle with the A/I unfolded.

While I'm still not a fan of the A/I, it does seem to play out a lot better than other titles in the series. 

Also the more I look at the 2D graphics in CSME the more I begin to appreciate the development team's work in that arena. The 2D graphics are an order of magnitude better than other games in the series. Granted, I'm a 3D guy but seeing both 2D & 3D screen shots side by side it gave me a positive feel for the series going forward.

Can't wait to see these graphics in East Front and West Front plus all the other goodies currently in CSME and most likely more.

Cheers!
John

[Crossroads]

I am really liking the LCGs Jason put together for the CS:ME, Golan one as Syrians is great fun too!

As for your comments regarding the new East Front / West Front (and Pacific Front!) graphics, I've just begun to built the ground for all 2D biomes available in Campaign Series: from Tropical to Eastern and Western Temperate to Steppes to Desert and Mediterranean, and we're also chucking in a few new biomes as well such as Taiga for those proper Winter War scenarios.

I can only say they already look just plain awesome, will be well worth the wait!

[Jason Petho]

Jason,

Thanks for this wonderful AAR on Suez Campaign (LCG)! Watched and read every post as your battle with the A/I unfolded.

While I'm still not a fan of the A/I, it does seem to play out a lot better than other titles in the series. 

Also the more I look at the 2D graphics in CSME the more I begin to appreciate the development team's work in that arena. The 2D graphics are an order of magnitude better than other games in the series. Granted, I'm a 3D guy but seeing both 2D & 3D screen shots side by side it gave me a positive feel for the series going forward.

Can't wait to see these graphics in East Front and West Front plus all the other goodies currently in CSME and most likely more.

Cheers!
John

Thank you, John! I appreciate that.

With so much being worked on for East Front, it will feel like a whole new game. It's quite exciting!

Jason Petho

[Jason Petho]

Scenario 04, Preliminary

And I'm onto the fourth scenario. Before I do, time to review my command and see my losses.





After which I will start up the next mission and see what kind of replacements I receive. Looks like 7 this time! Nice!



I take the opportunity to increase the strength of most of my platoons. Not full strength, but mostly. Notice the impact on morale, which will recover during the course of the next scenario.



Even after the last success, it looks it was only a tactical victory as my force was pulled back and I am now preparing to defend against a larger attack.

[Jason Petho]

Scenario 04, Turn 01

Looks like the battle will be taking place over the same battlefield. I have my core battalion in the north (highlighted in green), with a second battalion in the south. At the NOZEL position is the Brigade headquarters and some artillery.



Here is my core battalion starting positions.



Here is the NOZEL position. In addition to the self-propelled artillery, it looks like I have a Cobra ATGM team.



Here is the information and stats related to the Cobra ATGM.



My overall strategy is going to be a mobile defence. I'll hold the line and perform a fighting retreat as required. Here is the southern mostly likely advance route for the Egyptians along the Talisman Road. I have moved up all my tank companies towards the impending attack.



In the north, along the other main advance route, I have taken a slightly different approach and pulled back most of my troops in order to engage the attacking force at longer range. I have also pulled my infantry back in hopes of surviving any artillery bombardments.



During the Egyptian turn, my lead Sho'T Kal's are already causing casualties for the advancing Egyptians.



It is essential that I destroy as much of the Egyptian attacking force as I can.



So far, so good.