Playtesters sought for new upgraded EF LCG Operation Barbarossa

[Big Dawg]

Hi guys,

I made contact with Bart Gauvin a former playtester & scenario designer for Talonsoft. He is putting together a new LCG based on 3 Pz Div in Operation Barbarossa.

I made contact with Bart after viewing a post by him on Matrix MB. He sent me the 3 stand alone scenarios as well as a Playtest note sheet to use for constructive comments. He is asking me to review each one individually then he will link them together. He is presently working on scenario #4. Let me tell you the first scenario kicked my A$$!!!

The scenario requires you to build bridges using bridge engineers in order to cross the Bug river. It starts off as a night scenario but turns into a daylight scenario around turn 10. Big surprise! In a later scenario you are required to remove rubble from airstrip before reinforcements/ supplies can land.

I have the files & will gladly send them to you. I would like to keep up with who is involved so I can keep Bart updated. Just send me a email or post a message here.

BART WROTE, "I have started to build an EF LCG based on 3 Pz Div in Operation Barbarossa. Similar in some ways to the Invasion LCG by Craig H. Foster in that it is a Divisional level campaign and maneuver warfare is at the hart of it. Different in that it uses the fantastic 1.03 OOB (3rd vice 4th Pz Div), I am trying to make it as historically accurate as possible and several of 24 Pz Corps units and indeed there are cameo appearances by Guderian and some 2nd Pz Gp support elements. It has been a long while since I have built an LCG so at this stage there are only 3 stand-alone scenarios. At this point I am looking for Playtesters – anyone interested please let me know.

If you could have a go at the scenarios in order and give me feedback on anything you notice. In particular, I am looking at play balance - it should be a relatively easy go for the German at this stage but too many casualties will cause problems later. I need to set the reinforcement levels in the LCG file so any advise you may have on that would be very useful. I have very thick skin so please be critical - aim is to improve the game.

Scenario 1: Crossing the Bug, makes good use of the dawn attack and river crossing aspects of Ver 1.03:

GenLt Model: Your task is to take your Division deep into the enemy's depth. Your line of advance will take you to the South of Breast Litovsk where XII Army Corps will assault the old fortress, you remember that we took that fort already once in '39, it will be tougher for them this time. 4th Pz Div is to your Right supported by 1st Cav Div, 10th Mot Div will follow you and Guderian has given me Inf Regt Gross Deutschland for my immediate reserve. You have the 455th Inf Regt from 255th Div under command to make the initial crossing of the Bug River, let them do the dirty work - get your Panzers through the forward defenses quickly. You have plenty of artillery and engineer support - enjoy it while you can. If all goes well you will be on your own soon enough!! Hoth's Panzer Group 3 will be racing for Minsk and they have a shorter distance than we do, but Gudrian is adamant that we get there no later than the 27th - five days from now - advance quickly! Von Schweppenburg.

Scenario 2: Breakout is a meeting engagement of sorts late in the day of 22 June. On board air and air recce is featured.

Radio Orders: To: Comd 3 Pz Div. From Comd XXIV Pz Corps. Bridghead secure, proceed NE as planned to achieve breakout. Enemy activity sporadic, expect counter attacks from both infantry and armourd formations but no more than Brigade Strength. 47 Pz Corps advancing well North of Brest-Litovsk. 12 Army Corps heavily engaged in the City. 4 Pz Div heavily engaged to your South, 1 Cavalry Div Committed to support.10 Mot Div follows you. Seize Kobrin by nightfall if possible but prepare for a long march into the enemy's depth tomorrow. von Swheppenberg.

Scenario 3: Advance to Bereza, is quite a bit larger and ends with both 3 Pz and 10 Mot Divs on the map by the end but strung out over 60 Km of road. This scenario also highlights on map air units.

The battle for Russia is now 24 hours old and we have made splendid progress so far! General Guderian is quite pleased; he spent most of yesterday with 47 Pz Corps to the North of Brest Litovsk where the going has been very good. His HQ is setting up in Pruzhany to the NE of your route. Today, your task is to break through to Bereza, first you must capture Luka and secure the route for the rest of the 24 Pz Corps, also important is to secure the airdrome at Koburn. A Luftwaffe support unit has been assigned to clear the airfield, it may be in operation by the end of the day. I am very concerned over the confused situation. The G2 cannot give me a clear picture of enemy activities. We know that the Russian 4th Army has sustained crippling loses but there is still plenty of combat power available to him. There are elements of 7 Russian Divisions along your route, at least one of them is mechanized and there is a Cavalry Division South of Luka. If the Russian make a concerted effort to counter attack it could be a very dangerous day, expect attacks from any direction. 10 Mot Division will follow along your route to relieve your forces. It should be 3 or 4 hours behind you. 4th Pz is still fighting in the area of Maloryta to the South supported by 1 Cavalry Division where I have had to shift the majority of my artillery. All that I can provide you is 2 Btys of heavy artillery a company of flamepanzers an anti-tank Bn and some AA units. Air support should be better today and Corps troops will be following you as quickly as they can. You have a long day ahead of you, Bereza is over 60 Km away and I want you to arrive there in at least regimental strength by last light, get moving. von Schweppenberg"
Bart Gauvin

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