Yet another test

Playtesting of the OPrules and corresponding TACrules continue. For every Combat Mission battle the TACCOs must consider the orders given by their OPCOs - the priorities are reflected in the objectives of the battle , the TACBAT objectives. But there are also strategic and operational considerations. These are reflected in the calculation of the SVPs after the battle. Generally speaking, blue side must be much more careful not taking losses - there are heavy penalties for blue losses in both material and personnel.

Here's a short AAR of a battle in open terrain. A syrian reserve motorized infantry BN has been reinforced by the armored BN of the division (T-55s), both BNs amounting to 20 TOEPs each. Here is the syrian stack expanded;



The CaT shows a thumbnail in the lower left corner of the counter currently selected - the armored BN in this screenshot. Together the two BNs amount to a total of 40 TOEPs - the maximum amount of friendly TOEPs allowed in a hex are 50.
They've had sufficient time to dig in - the tanks will have the possibility of taking advantage of a dirt berm and assume hull down positions. When a unit has had the time to prepare a defensive position it is shown as a green marker on top of the counter.




The BLUFOR consists of a combined arms BN and a RSTA COY (25+10 TOEPs). Here's the blue stack expanded;




Now this is a typical situation where the blue side will have the greatest advantage - a battle in open terrain with an armored force. One may assume that this will end in a crushing blue victory. Question is - how will this turn out when the SVP (Strategic Victory Points) are allotted after battle?

The BLUFOR has these TACBAT objectives to consider: TER 30/PEC 5/PFC 65. This means controlling the terrain objective (TER) will render 30 points, Parameters Enemy Casualities (PEC) 5 points and Parameters Friendly Casualities 30%(PFC) 65 points. Or in other words - reaching the terrain objective is quite important to the blue side (30p), but it's absolutley vital to keep the own losses below 30%, and finally it's not a priority to take out the enemy forces -they will only render 5 points in total.
The REDFOR has different TACBAT objectives altogether; TER 25/PEC 70/PFC 5. Which indicates that any losses the two syrian BNs inflict on the attacking blue force might be worth a lot.
On top of this the SVPs will be applied to the result of the battle.

As the BLUFOR has the initiative it may also chose time of attack. In this case the blue OPCO gives orders to his TACCO to commence the attack at 02 hours (at night).

So the battle commence. As one might expect the T-55s are utterly inferior in these situations. Very soon most of them light up the desert night with their bonfires;


Playing as the syrian TACCO I realize that most of my tanks have been taken out without any enemy units even being spotted! My tank crews can't even see who's killing them! I tell the infantry in the dug in positions to keep their heads down, hide and wait for the enemy to approach. The dirt berm didn't do much good for my T-55s...


When the blue MBTs and IFVs rush towards my trenches some of my squads actually manage to throw some shots at them, we're nevertheless overrun and the battle is over within 20 minutes.

The AAR reports tells a painful story;

BLUFOR 99 points
(124 men OK, 13 KIA, 3 WIA) This gives a casuality ratio of 11%
blue has also lost 2 MBTs and 1 IFV

REDFOR 8 points
(70 men OK, 105 KIA,21 WIA, 44 MIA) This gives a casuality ratio of 71%
red has also lost 20 MBTs

So, it's a decisive blue victory. But what are the consequences at the operational level? First the SVPs;

total red defeat: blue +10, red-5
blue vehicle lost: blue -15, red n/a (since blue lost 3 vehicles = 3x5)
blue 10 men lost:blue -15, red n/a (for each 10 men lost)

since the red losses are more than 61% REDFOR has to roll a d10 for surrendering units. If d10<8>

redfor unit surenders: blue n/a , red -10

And the SVPs summed up:

BLUFOR -20 SVPs and REDFOR -15 SVPs.

So the two Syrian BNs were sacrificed and the blue TACCO won a clear victory - but to a slightly too high a prize. The blue units may now enter and occupy the hex. But as a Syrian OPCO I wouldn't be too dismayed - I've slowed down the advance of the blue taskforce and actually managed to decrease the amount of blue SVPs. That's not so bad afterall - I most likely will have even better units waiting down the road for the "blues". Remember this was only reserve units! BLUFOR would have to be more careful in the future if they don't want to end up losing popular support!

/sdp