FROM THE DESK OF THE AXIS COMMANDER IN CHIEF:

From the Axis CinC;

This week was a very interesting week of sorts. The line have been broken afew times, but in realality, no land was really lost in all the fighting. This to me has been one of the best starts for bothsides in along time. I SALUTE all my Officers, and Comrades on the axis side for fighting and working hard at all the objectives so far.

AAR of the Week:

Attack OIC AAR
Submitted by: Oberst Pwnado, Executive Officer of 17ID KG1
Written: August 02, 2010

Operation: March into Marche
Location: Marche and its entire surrounding area.
Date: August 01, 2010

Starting Supply: The entire 17ID including a number of other brigades.
Ending Supply: Best estimate - Overall supply loss about 20-30 percent.
 
 
I logged into the game and immediately volunteered for Attack OIC in Marche. I also took command of 17.1. At the time, the entire 17ID was being based out of Champlon. I drove an Opel out to survey the area so that I could get an idea of where the best place for an ATG line would be. I found a ridge 1.5 km away from the SE part of Marche that overlooked a valley and the entire SE approach to town. After marking this spot, I set up an MS about 1 km out of town behind a hill with no direct LOS from the enemy.

I announced to everyone that the plan was to set up a line of 88s at the ridge and protect them with infantry. The infantry could cover EI movements up the hill toward the 88s and the 88s could take out any ETs and cover the uphill approach to Marche. DMSs would be set up for infanty to spawn from, and to give a limitless supply of ammo to the nearby 88s.

Initially, I towed out six 88s, and then drove out the first DMS. When a few infantry had spawned, I spawned another Opel and tried to setup another DMS, but no one was spawning in, so I instead used it to reload all of the panzers and ATGs at the gun line. After this, I changed mission targets to set up another MS to Marche. I then spawned another Opel to run more ammo and tow out a few smaller ATGs. After dropping off the ATGs, reports of EI rang out at the FB, and it was instantly destroyed. Being that I had reminded everyone about the importance of FB defense, I did not expect this to happen. Being that the players were clearly frustrated and annoyed, I told everyone to calm down and informed them that I would be heading to the FB to get it back. I told the Opels and HTs to drop off the guns they were towing out and to continue supplying ammo to the ATGs. Business would continue as usual until the FB was back in Axis hands.

I spawned an Opel back at Champlon and told sappers to get in. We only had ten sappers left in 17.1, and I did not want them being used up while I drove out to the FB. Multiple Opels spawned in and we each took a few infantry out to the FB. We all parked 1 km out and told them we'd move up when it was clear. As I thought, the FB was already heavily defended and it turned into a slaughter house. We had multiple Opels surrounding the FB with infantry spawning and panzers rolling in. Additional Opels began rolling up a few minutes after the first wave of Opels arrived, one of them being driven by Praevus8. I called in a few LW to get bombs and strafing runs on the tents. I watched from my Opel as everyone slowly moved up through the gunfire and explosions. Eventually, the tents were encircled and satchels started getting placed on tents. It was still a difficult battle as our circle surrounding the FB loosened and tightened as the enemy tried to push out before eventually being suppressed numerous times. After at least a thirty minute battle, the Champlon-Marche FB was finally back in Axis hands. I congratulated everyone on their victory and spawned back into our liberated FB.

I informed everyone that the plan would remain the same. Losing the FB and having to get it back was only an obstacle. It would not change the game plan. I reminded everyone that we should set up a FB defense so that we would not lose it again. I did the exact same thing I was doing before we were forced to liberate our FB, towing out more guns and setting up another DMS. More infantry spawned than last time, but after a while they slowly despawned. However, two infantry besides myself stayed there for the ENTIRE rest of the battle. They helped kill a number of EI and were instrumental in keeping the ATG line safe.

Eventually, the enemy began pulling their brigades back and CPs started getting captured. After we had half of the town captured, the ATG line began despawning to help with the capture of the rest of the town. I later despawned as well. I helped guard and recapture two CPs and directed others to move in groups and leave behind defenders so that we could sweep through the town and finish it off.

Operation March into Marche was a long, grueling, four hour battle that ended with success. I was very proud of everyone involved, especially with them having to deal with the morale blow of losing an FB during an attack. However, we were able to get it back and continued on.

I am immensely thankful for the soldiers that protected the ATG line throughout the battle, especially Vonruger and Lucky420 who were there from the beginning to the end. Also, Wildcat5 continually towed out ATGs and provided ammo for everyone at the ATG line, which ensured that the enemy was being attritted during the entire battle. Their great efforts helped make this battle a success.

An interesting experience I had was during the battle to get our FB back. A player stated that he didn't feel that HC ever actually "led" any battles. I asked him to clarify his statement while I reminded him that I was not only OIC of the attack, but also helped set up and secure the SE gunline and was now leading the battle to get the FB back. I also reminded him that all of us in HC try our best and are always open to suggestions on ways that we can improve. He said that he wished that HC was on the ground, at the town, and leading the up close fighting. I did my best to explain to him the importance of my being present at the SE ATG line and at the battle to liberate the FB. When the FB was finally back in Axis hands, I told everyone that it was impossible for me to be two places at once. I explained the significance of our ATG lines and reminded them about how bad things can get if the enemy is allowed to push out and set up defenses. I then reminded them that as players, they already have a huge amount of experience in town combat and CP battles. As long as they kept up communications and guided each other to objectives, they were all acting as leaders. I told them simply to do what they do best: kill the enemy and make towns Axis.

During the attack, I already knew that we had other officers not only in town, but also in other sectors of the surrounding area. However, I wanted everyone to see each other as fellow players instead of looking for ranks and command tags. I want people to respect each other for their feats on the battlefield and leadership qualities. Personally, while I thoroughly enjoy being a member of HC, I don't want the players to know me solely for this fact. I'd rather them know me for who am I and what I'm capable of doing. Rank and position mean nothing if no one is willing to follow you into battle. Is it great to see a bunch of members of HC at a battle? Of course, it is! However, I'm going to applaud successful battles equally regardless of whether the combat teams consisted of a bunch of privates or an uber team of four star generals.

Overall, I think the officers and playerbase did a GREAT job at this battle and should be immensely proud of themselves. I know I am!

I'd like to thank all of the officers that helped set up the attack and control their combat zones. The LW did a great job as well and made things much easier by allowing themselves to be called to any spot on the battlefield at a moment's notice.

S!
Pwnado

Promotions and New Officers:

LW

Sugabearto
Landser3
Kamiman Glacier
TheFallen
Aethanol

KM 

Mousie
Folkgren------OCS Grad

Heer

Synxer--------OCS Grad
Pwnado
Parisit-------OCS Grad
Devildawg
Oliver35
Fiambre
Noda
Hondo17
Loz999

Awards:

MVO

Itafolgore

MVP

Gagamel
Pgmark

Axis Honor Cross

Parisit

Golden Eagle on Silver

Mattwitt

Axis Community Award

Gagamel

Merit Star

Vonruger
Lucky420
Wildcat
Dfadd


AXIS OFFICER OF THE WEEK:
Actoman

AXIS PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Elrod
 


S!

VonDoosh, Axis CinC