The First 48...an experiment in expanding CM, beyond its boundaries.

This being my first post in this section of W&T (that I have initiated), I ask your indulgence, should you find it somewhat confusing and disjointed.

I have long been involved in war-gaming, from my youth when I designed an ACW game for my brothers and I to play, to the present, when I shall attempt to break new ground (for me at least) using the CM platform. Much of my experience has been in the realm of miniatures war-gaming, with and without GMs (Game Masters, sometimes called gods). With the advent of the CM platform, I found many of the functions formerly performed by GMs handled much more efficiently and realistically by the CM game engine. However, there are still some aspects of war-gaming MIA in CM, that only a GM can fulfill due to the limitations inherent in CM. With my current project, of which I shall give you a teaser taste in this first post, in the hopes to find a couple of guinea pigs (I mean volunteers), to playtest my concept. While it is entirely possible that I am delusional in my concepts, without testing the waters, we shall never know...

To wet your appetite while I am gone this week, I leave you a rough version of the map upon which this experiment shall be carried out.  This is the original version of the map for this scenario (which was originally to be an operation). It has been reviewed by a member of this site, who happens to live in the vicinity, for its general adherence to the terrain in question. I am pleased to say that he recognized the location and says the map will do nicely, a big thanks to Huzaar for his input. I am currently in the last stages of redoing the map to meet the requirements for this upcoming experiment.




The attached file is of the in progress map, which can be viewed in detail on the scenario editor. Remember its incomplete.

Yes Henk, many good ideas to play around with. This version will be for only two players, who shall play it out themselves (copying turns to me) I shall GM to handle the chrome (recon reports and the like). When I return from this weeks excursion I shall post some info needs that I have regarding the scenario and your help will be gratefully accepted and appreciated. In fact I was counting on help from the site members to make this a truly great experience. If the first go around works well enough, I shall endeavor to provide the GM service to other members who might wish to try this out.

I've attempted to push CM way out beyond the boundaries. With CMC on a slow road to death I got several gamers together to do a CMC style of campaign on our own.

We got the maps together. 4 or 5 to a side. An overall commander and then we went to war.

The issue with this was/is that like in actual combat you don't want a stand up fair fight may the best man win. You end up with extremely one sided fights with one side or the other retreating as quickly as possible to keep casualties to a minimum.

Now of course there comes a time when combat must take place or the attacked simply wins by default. These battles tended to get big and there were few of them. Not worth waiting out 12 or more blowouts to get a couple of battles. Plus if you have 4 or 5 to a side and only 2 real battles the gamers don't get much of a chance at getting into heavy combat.

So, that concept didn't work out as planned. But that's how you find out. You try it and see. Good luck with your project, maybe it will turn out better than my last one.

Good Hunting.

MR

The First 48 Hours will be a battle recreating the first 48 hours after  the 2/508th lands in Normandy and the 91st LuffteLande's attempt to destroy them. The battle will be 48 games long  (as after the first two days, contact with sister units on east side of Merderet was established and the tide was turned) with with each game representing 1 hour (60 turns fixed). At the end of each game, I shall make any adjustments to map as may be required, give appropriate intel and add any chrome I can come up with. There shall be no buffer between forces as the next game begins where the last left off. It is also possible that there may be no contact between units at the end of a game, this shall allow for increased resupply and reorganization.

I would advise anyone who is interested in playing this scenario, to refrain from reading or refreshing your understanding of the battle, as the fog of war is vital to setting the atmosphere and recreating the lack of intel that was the norm in these "First 48 Hours".


Yes, if all turns are played, it shall last 2880 turns, however, I suspect there is great potential for an early end, if you can perform better than your historical counterparts, after all, thats one of the reasons we play these games, is it not?

Thanks for the input already submitted as I am looking forward to making this a truly enjoyable 'epic' experience and all your input can only help.

I will have a look

Here is more information about the division for you. The information on the artillery should be especially good for what you're trying to do.

http://web.telia.com/~u18313395/normandy/gerob/gerob.html

It's listed as simply the 91st Infantry Division in the list. 8th unit from the top.

Good Hunting.

MR

Thanks Steve, that site is a big help. I went hunting to see if I could find his book, to no avail. I shall conduct a much more thorough  search when I finish re-gigging my computer.

Thanks again Steve, I had found those drop maps a long time ago, they are in fact what inspired me to develop this scenario. 'Good hunting' for the German deployment maps, as they are my most serious weakness at the moment. As for "Night Drop" I also bought that some time ago (E-Bay steal) and I agree with your conclusion, very good intel between those covers.

ays,

J

I must be walking in your footsteps Steve, as thats where I first found the drop maps that inspired me. Well now I know what your footprints look like. After skimming the book, I may have to redo my map, to the newer level of accuracy that book allows me to replicate. OY VAY!

I also got my copy of the Osprey Normandy (2) book and saw the WN5 map. Was that your starting point for the HSG W5 landing scenario I like so much?

I've almost finished reading 'Night Drop' and have learned that I must develop a system for replicating the initial German response (slow) to the Airborne landings, as well as a system to reflect the allied difficulties with rallying after the drop. I've got a rough idea of how to handle it, very similar to what I would do in a miniatures version, by restricting movement until activation is triggered..

Thanks for the input Henk, I shall remember that technique as the game goes on as I can foresee using it in the later stages. My problem in this case is that the Germans actually didn't do much until daybreak. [Ex: 3 Co. Inf, 1 Btty of Arty and several tanks in Picuaville didn't move out until daybreak.] I want to give the players the opportunity to change the outcome rather than just repeat history. There is a fine balance to achieve that in this scenario since if the Germans are released to quickly they will just slaughter the Paras before they rally into coherent groups.[no fun there] If they have no opportunity to be released, then there will be no chance to change history, and the scenario becomes an exercise in boredom. So I must thread the eye of a needle here with the idea to keep both player in it. The start is going to be slow, that is the nature of this particular battle. I wouldn't recommend  this to any players that don't like games that don't come to action quickly. This shall be a battle of developement, that is since neither side knows much about the others location & disposition, a rush to contact could prove fatal for he who does not take care.


Activation rules for first hour of Landing (may be extended to 2nd hour with modification)
My plan is to freeze all Germans until contact with Paras occurs. The Germans shall have a few units (probably half squads or anti tank teams) on patrol, who upon making contact, must return to HQ and report said contact (as commo was seriously compromised by the Resistance before the drop and by the Paras after). The Germans would then be released to move out if they wish.

I shall handle the Paras in a similar way. Any Para groups without a leader, may only move to the nearest cover, where they shall remain until such time as a leader arrives (within Command Radius) or they sight or contact German troops. This will force the Paras to send out teams to gather forces, which is what happened in RL.

These rules are subject to change once I see them in action, that is it looks like it will work on paper, now I must see if if it will work IN GAME.