Command Ops : Battles for the Bulge – Let’s Play Part 1
For my first Let’s Play I’m going to work through the tutorial campaign : Return to St. Vith. The scenario takes place on January 5th, 1945. You can read about the previous engagements here. I’ll be following the recommended settings as the Allies.Opposing me will be elements of the 12th Volksgrenadier Division. Considered one of the best infantry divisions in the western front. Later on they will be reinforced by some armored units, but I’ll wait to reveal that later..imageframe-14 img{border:5px solid #a3a3a3;} 
The orders delay means that when I give an order it may not happen immediately. This depends on the quality of the Officers, the distance from the HQ, and whether they have something else to do. This can be maddening, but it is so very realistic. Planning and coordinating really becomes a challenge.
Weather will be historical, which means on the first day I’ll get air support, and then the visibility is bad.
Supplies and reinforcements will all come as per normal. 50.229696, 6.172040
This is a topo map of the area. As you can tell this is a pretty steep area..imageframe-15 img{border:5px solid #777777;} 
Oh boy. There’s a lot going on here. I’ll try to break it down. You can click to make the image larger..imageframe-16 img{border:5px solid #898989;} 
Our forces are arrayed on the edge, ready to secure the crossing at Steinebruck. Just beyond, on a hill, is the next objective, Lommersweiler. I know there are German units here, I have an idea of what exactly, but not exactly. The position updates based on my last intel. I might think a unit is in place, when in reality it has already moved. I’ll show one German unit to show the details.
Alright, let’s see what we’re facing. This unit will be the first to engage our units. We can see that there is 137 soldiers and they appear to be in pretty good shape. Once we get better intel we’ll know more about experience and training. For now the unit is going off of basic intel.
They have four motorcycles (with sidecar), a kettenkrad, and two cars. On top of that 60 Kar 98 rifles, 16 MG 42s, 28 MP40’s and 14 Panzerfausts. A hefty little force, but not terribly mobile.
They’re sitting in the edge of a treeline at the bottom of a little hollow..imageframe-17 img{border:5px solid #999999;} 
First order of business.
Artillery. I plan on setting up a coordinated attack between all three of my HQ’s. But first, we’re going to wake them up. I’ve got these bad boys along with a few mortar platoons. I’m going to open it up with a full out bombardment with everything we’ve got.
Do I need to select each unit, give orders, and wait?
Nope.
I just tell the Division HQ where I want it and it’ll pass the orders down and the Battalions will do it themselves..imageframe-18 img{border:5px solid #8e8e8e;} 
And eight minutes later the order is propagated through the units and everyone rains down. That’s the mortars, the 105’s and even a flak unit. A full out coordinated bombardment, and I did it all with a couple of clicks. Had I wanted I could have scheduled it to start, and end, precisely when an attack would start. No more micro managing. Is that awesome or what?.imageframe-19 img{border:5px solid #a5a5a5;} 
You can see the bombardment striking the target. Or at least where I last saw it. It might not be there.
.reading-box-container-1 .element-bottomshadow:before,.reading-box-container-1 .element-bottomshadow:after{opacity:0.7;} The crashing of the artillery shatters the crisp Belgian air. Trees explode on the wood line and cries of fallen German soldiers echo in between the explosions. The troops of the 318th, 51st, and 35th know that this is the time. The units are ready, and the attack is about to begin.
I’ll continue this in the next installment and see how we do taking the crossing at Steinebruck.
Do you have some input, advice, or thoughts on how to proceed? Leave them in the comments!
