THE BLITZ EXTREME CAGE MATCH: COL T vs [hirr]Leto

[Copper]

A funny thing happened to me on the way to the MB last week... A large dark van pulled up next to me, and three hooded men got out, threw a sack over my head (making me mildly attractive to women for the first time in my life), and then tossed me into the back.

I woke up in a Clockwork Orange diorama, with eyes peeled open by steel claws and a large viewscreen in front of me. No, the program was not Ren and Stimpy, as I had hoped, but was a propoganda film preaching civility, politeness and that the literary works of Chaucer were sinful and bereft of art due to their profane usage of vulgarity within them. As Chaucer is (was) one of my all time literary heroes, I laughed and steeled myself for the barrage of graphic depictions of crayon drawn DAR's without references to bodily functions, sexual innuendo or fart jokes.

Deluged by pictures of soft fluffy kitties and bright pretty flowers, and laughing innocent children, I steeled myself for days against their allure. Every now and then a subliminal picture of an ogrish grin and a large mace would flit across the screen. Alas, after a week in captivity, soiled by the graphic depictions of political correctness and fundamentalist wisdom, I was released. I woke up laying in a lush forest meadow, with visions of sugar plums dancing in my head.

Thus you will see a radical change in the depiction of these DAR's. No longer will they be portrayed as a bloody, rowdy, vicious no holds barred cage match, but a friendly competition, much like that of two old comrades in a sunshine filled Manhatten park, playing chess.

Now, let's get onto business:

Not many turns have passed between my good friend Dave this last week. But here is a nice shot of a good move that Dave used to knock out my light Hungarian tank:



I'd seen the Stuart emerge from the woods along the road the turn earlier, and sensed Dave was going to attack my exposed and immobilized tank, but even after setting a covered arc for exactly the place that Dave's tank emerged, my tank refused to fire first. Most likely due to the loss of the TC. That always decreases the ability of a tank to spot enemy vehicles or infantry. Dave's tank gets in the first shot and hits the turret, for no penetration, and my Toldi II (Crack, btw), takes a shot back, and misses! The second shot from Dave's Stuart penetrates the front turret and the tank explodes!

Good move Dave.

Notice the T-34/85 in the background. I suspect he is moving it up with the Stuart to try and get at the Turan's I have perched on the hillside. I will have to anticipate that, and am now foregoing my movement into Dave's backfield on the right side to send my 4 Panthers to the left side to stem the tide of troopers moving across the bridge.

Notice how Dave moved up an ATR to harass the Puma.. and now the Puma is fixated on the ATR, and does not fire on his advancing infantry. Well played!

In the west, my light tank takes on a few Soviet infantry squads and my SS troopers chime in behind. I'm not yet ready to force my way across the open ground and will allow my tanks to soften up the enemy a bit before committing. My mortars are now in place, so I can either use smoke, or deterrant fire to pin any enemy units in and around the flag.



So far, the loss of my Toldi II increases my AFV losses to three, while Dave has lost 2 Stuarts, 2 Tacams, and a churchill. I suspect that the rockets have perhaps immobilized one of his T-34/85's, as I have only detected the two... perhaps his damage from those opening turn rockets are higher than I had anticipated? Heavens to Betsy I sure hope so!

Anyways, my good friend Dave is still playing a very smart game, not committing himself to errors like most players do when playing from behind. Dave is a very good player, and I am proud to call him my friend.

I hope you have enjoyed this turn of the DAR. Expect many more of this new improved quality to come!

Cheers all and have a wonderful day!

I'm off to smell flowers and pet fluffy kitties now!

: )

Leto