The Wargamer

In this third AAR I am starting a new Historical Operation in Close Combat – Cross of Iron. In my previous two AARs (read about the first and second Moscow Retaliates battles) I was playing the Germans as they began the long retreat back to Berlin. In this Historical Operation the game is set as the Second Battle for Kharkov unfolds.

I have been given 50 force points to spend on reinforcements. The question is, do I want to spend all, some, or none of them? Before I want to make that decision I need to get an idea of what I'm getting into. First, I look at the map I'll be facing in this scenario because it's here that the rubber meets the road. Second, I read the battle briefing as this will indicate how things will go. It is expected that the Soviets will try to advance through the gullies on the map. OK, I can fix that. I think. Lastly, I look at the operational briefing. Blah, blah, blah, stop the advance, blah, blah. Got it.

Now for these extra 50 points I have lying around. Should I use them or save them? I look at the slots available for units. I have three empty slots. I have recently seen some discussion of the utility of 50mm mortars employed against tanks. A mortar team only costs 13 points so this decision is easy. Waiter, I'll take two, please. Dang, only one is available. OK, I've got 37 points left and two available slots. Now what? The conditions for victory are again to hold only one victory location. I'll take the risk and save the points for later.

Next I deploy. This is my first chance to see exactly what lines of sight the various possible positions offer. The first thing I decide to do is abandon my two easternmost victory locations. Supporting them would negate the long reach my 88 offers and simply isn't worth the risk.

On the hilltop to the northwest I decide to deploy my units at the crest of the hill to give them as much reach as they can get. To the southwest I do the opposite. I elevate my 88 just a bit, but not enough to be too visible, just enough to give it solid LOS. Two infantry squads are deployed on the reverse slope to prevent any nasty surprises. I place another squad in the ravine at the western edge of the map as a final stop to any possible breakthrough. It isn't much, but it's the best I have.

Tension can sometimes turn to tedium, especially while waiting for an enemy advance while on the defensive. So it is with me. Having deployed, I make a slight adjustment and move that western infantry squad out of the ravine to give it a flank shot on any approaching units. Then I sit back and wait. Two minutes pass with no action. I have found that it can take as long as ten minutes before the AI musters the courage to show itself. How much longer will I wait before the action starts? Fifteen seconds later I notice a victory location, Strong Point Marta, wink from German to Soviet. It looks like they're moving first in the center.

Suddenly I spot a T-34 at the extreme north of the map heading directly for a victory location. Wow, that was much faster than expected—and on my flank to boot where I am wholly unprepared to counter. Oh, well, let them have it. I'll deal with it soon enough...provided my troops' morale holds having a T-34 in their rear. Gulp. Strongpoint Helga falls without a whisper. Did I make the right decision? Stick with the plan, they've got to move to the center at some point I tell myself. Sure enough, a few seconds later a KV-2 appears in the middle of the map. Here kitty, kitty.

Slowly the KV-2 advances, then winks out of sight. That is to be expected. What I didn't expect was the T-34 to begin to move south. Why isn't it trying to encircle me from behind? Never one to look a gift horse in the mouth, I prepare my 88 to fire as soon as the T-34 breaks cover. The first shot bounces off its hull. The second is a clean miss. Not good. The 88 doesn't have much ammo.