@Rico @mcmortison @Bulletpoint @rocketman @GDog @fabishd @Panzer_Freak @Nathangun @Gnarly @PhilM @DoubleD @Meat Grinder @MeatEtr @Panzerknacker @sspoom @Spjut @Coopes @Swank @Panzer_Kraut @Vatutin85
Campaign format
I may put a story to this, but I'm thinking a simple meeting engagement of two brigades, with elimination being the goal.
Historically I imagine there would have been such clashes, where the goal was to eliminate or reduce combat effectiveness of the enemy, locally.
It could be part of a larger situation or plan. It could be that a German 'fire brigade' has been sent to destroy a Russian breakout for instance.
Interesting to note - this will be fought over a front at least 20km wide. There would probably be another brigade fighting on each flank of this campaign...which is a
division!
I could assign 'victory points' to objectives, but I'm not really keen on that. I think it will add complexity and isn't required.
I'm visualising the map to be 7 major towns and 17 minor towns connected by road networks and with patches of woods.
The 'value' of the various towns will be in their intrinsic defensive structures, and the road hubs that will likely be there.
The combat could evolve as a series of small fights, larger attacks, defensive formations, flanking maneuvers...that will be up to the players and commanders.
We will be using Fog Of War, with perhaps a two-hex range in visibility. This allows for the element of the unknown and for surprise.
My job (and/or any GM who might help me out perhaps) will be moving the counters on the map (as per the orders) using Photoshop,
while maintaining FOW for both sides. I will have a master map with no FOW, and will save a version of the map for each side
that only shows the enemy units within visibility range.
In addition, I will be selecting battle maps for fights, and painting in set-up zones for each company.
I will need to keep a list of what maps have been used in each numbered battle-hex, so that there is continuity if another battle takes place there later.
Campaign Setting
While I am tempted to do an icy, snowy campaign, I think it will have to be a spring/summer operation.
The reason is purely practical - having crops and overgrown fields means I don't have to modify any maps to avoid a turkey shoot on turn one.
Some of the maps are fairly open in places, and concealment can still be provided by the vegetation as compared to winter.
Not sure about the date yet, but I want to keep the units regular and common. I think the vast majority of both armies were regulars, with commonly available equipment.
I think that scenarios with elite troops and rare vehicles have been way overdone. I want this to be more about the majority, the everyday. There will be no rare beasts.
Battles
I plan to have the battles maybe 40 minutes long. This allows for some maneuvers and planning in the battle, rather than a mad race against the clock.
The battles will be fought all the way to end screen. If a side surrenders, they do it in game (probably as a 'cease fire'). Both players will see the results, every time.
The players will need to do the bean counting after each battle - total headcount vs. casualties.
This means that getting medics to your men will actually make a difference to the damage result for your companies.
Getting each player to count their losses shares the workload and enables the campaign to continue.
Having the end screen and battlefield visible at the end provides transparency, and players can double-check each others' calculations for accuracy.
Players will need to post the results of the battles on an open section of the forum, with the final unit strength of the companies that fought.
This master list will be referenced by commanders while planning turns, and the GM(s) while setting up battles.
Looking ahead
If this format works, it could be repeated. A different strategy map, or the same one.
If another theater was used, the map gathering and clipping process would have to be repeated, but that is possible too.
What do you guys think? Okay so far?
Soon I will present the nitty-gritty of the rules, which will be as simple and straight-forward as possible.
