DD Tourney AARs

[Montana Grizz]

"A Deadly Meet" EFII

12 turns and I am the Axis.

Game begins as a draw.

Overall strategy: Take VP at 11,15 and 16,18 on first turn. This gives the Axis a major victory and forces the Russian to go on the offensive. You won't be able to hold the VP at 11,15 against the Russian forces, but when your opponent sees the hex change from Russian to German, they won't know how commited you might be to holding it and will have to approach with some care. In a 12 turn scenario, slowing your opponent down for a couple of moves is always a good idea.

I moved infantry and my StuG's to the depressions around 16,18 as those areas provide for good defensive positions.

I moved a couple of AC's to the area around 10,29 as spotters. This area provides for some good visibility for any attack coming along the left-flank from the southwest.

I moved all units in the 31,13 area to defend at 24,15. Units at 24,16 and 25,16 provide great visibility for any attack to my right flank from the northwest.

I moved my medium tanks (with commander) to the hexes around the VP at 20,21. 20,20 - 18,21 and 18,22 provide for some long-range visibility to the west and have the option of moving further west if needed at 16,18 or moving quickly north or south to protect either flank if a serious attack were to come from those directions.

The positive turning point for me was spotting and firing upon Russian tanks from the aforementioned hexes at 20,20 - 18,21 and 18,22.

I ended up destroying 13 Russian tanks and losing only one of mine. A more conservative Russian approach may have resulted in a draw or minor victory.

No flank attacks of any significance ever occurred, although there was some probing and I was able to hold the VP at 16,18 although it changed hands a couple of times.

This was pretty much a "Hi diddle diddle, straight up the middle" approach by the Russians and perhaps the only viable strategy? I can assure you that when I played the Russians, I pretty much did the same thing (AAR to follow).

Pat