Koen,
I had a few moments this afternoon, and tried your battle as Axis Vs AI, with a +2 CEB for the AI. I pretty much left everyone just about where they were, and played it from there. I know it is a work in progress, but was I supposed to see the Allied minefields? They were visible to me from the start.
It is a good little battle, and I got a major victory, 74% versus 26%. With a force that was almost entirely unfit, as they were by January 1943, it was hard to do much besides hold my positions. I had to rely on the artillery to stop the Allied advances. Without a flag to charge, the Soviet forces on the left flank of the Germans were pretty much chewed up by long range MG fire, as they moved into the open to come towards the middle of the map. With it H2H, that won't be a problem with the human player, but as German versus AI, the AI looks to get to the flag by the straightest line, thus exposing themselves to the MGs.
The AI was quite aggressive on my right flank, but they were held off, as I rushed reinforcements forward through the giant factory. The 81mm spotter really chewed the Allies up in the rubble, as they moved forward to assault into the factory. I was finally able to sneak/advance several squads across the street on the right flank, just to hold the position a little better, and they found lots of bodies from where the artillery slaughtered the Soviets.
The AI did pretty good with the T-34, rushing forward, teasing me by stopping just out of range from the hand-held weapons, and then retreating to cover. Finally the Russian tank crew couldn't stand it, and they charged my factory. This was a tactical error, as you can see.
End Result
A wave of grenade bundles and hand grenades came flying out, just as the flamethrower team opened up. Three tank men escaped the blown tank, only to be cut down under their vehicle.
I think this would work against the AI if you were to drop another flag on the Russian right flank, at that other intersection. That would give those Allied troops something to move against. It feels like it should be an Allied attack, because of the historical situation at that time. If I have time, I might try this as Allied versus AI.
I liked the situation, and the map felt right. Lots of smoke, fire, rubble; just like it should be by then. The unfit troops for the Germans would be historically correct, and they are tough to attack with, as they become exhausted very quickly - like the middle of the street, for crying out loud. Minefields and wire make it almost impossible to work the center of the map, which would call for flanking type action on the part of the Allies.
Very nice. I hope my comments are helpful.
Heinrich505
