Tactics or Tictacs?

[Sean Clark]

I'm pretty rubbish at PBI. I'm happy to defend, but always struggle when attacking.

What advice can you give to  me? My problem usually starts in turn one trying to get off my base line without getting shot up.

[Stewart 46A]

There can be a lot to consider, your force and assets, how strong the defender is, where he is, terrain.
In broad brush you can try tieing down one flank with minimum force and throw most of your force down the other flank before defenders reinforcements can make a difference.

[Sean Clark]

Sound advice Stewart!

[martin goddard]

First suggestion is play martin and let him win.
Second roll lots of 6's (copied that from fred...good idea)
Third cover the partial objective with fire but do not move on to it until the game end.
Fourth , seize objective nearest a flank. Then put delaying forces between it and the opponent.
Did i mention rolling lots of 6's ?

[Sean Clark]

Ok I have finally realised it was my dice. These are my new dice. Should be Ok?

Concentrating on a flank objective is the way to go. Trouble is I only have 4 platoons in my German army, 3 infantry and 1 tank unit,  which typically means I am trying to attack with 2 platoons  against 2  platoons in defence. I think I need more units to gain the advantage. Maybe a support platoon of mortars or even another infantry platoon but that means reducing the size of the other 3. C'est la guerre as the Germans say 😉

[martin goddard]

You might make a feint with 1 platoon so that the oppnet stops and prepares to defned with overwhelming force (that will keep them busy). then smoke just beyond/upon  the desired objective then move in. What could go wrong.

[Sean Clark]

With my new dice; nothing!

[martin goddard]

But Sean your morale will be appalling!

[Sean Clark]

Ah but I'll use 'special dice for.my morale. Very sneaky.

[Leslie BT]

Sean, just enjoy the ginger nuts with another cup of tea and let others worry about morale!

[Peterloo]

If your attacking you need 6 units , if defending 4 that way you maximise the points on board as an attacker will get 2/3rds points on as the defender gets half his points on.

As an attacker you need to grab 2 objectives - but 1 will do so swamp one objective and hold it - in VPs your 1 objective as an attacker is worth 2 of his.

you don't have to engage his entire front , ignore the bits that don't help you holding your objective, if you have give up an objective make it the crossroads then make it a death trap for anyone entering , an empty objective is as good you holding it.

finally role lots - and lots of 6s. and no 1s

I'm good at the first 3 bits - and really really bad at the last

[Sean Clark]

Peter,
What do recommend to use for late Germans on top of what I have....

3 platoons of infantry and 1 tank unit? I do have some Pak40's. I would really like to use the PzGren option and have my inf mounted in half tracks.

I'm thinking of adding in a support platoon of mortars or HMG's.

My Americans have 3 platoons of infantry, 1 support of mortars and HMG's and a troop of Sherman's. Try and squeeze in a small inf platoon? Or engineers?

[Colonel Kilgore]

Ah - so did you (too) go for the Metz black box, Sean?

I was thinking maybe 3 infantry platoons, a couple of supports (MMG amd Mortars) and one or two StuGs or Pak 40s. I won't get them all done in time for the Ardennes game, but I should have time over Christmas to get started (along with painting cowboys, of course...). And then they'll be ready for any Defence of the Reich games day in 2019.

So I am equally interested in Peter's thoughts!

[Sean Clark]

Simon,

Yes it was the Metz black box. I bought three Tigers when they were released years ago but so far have only painted one of them. I also have 3 STuGs ( plastic Battlefront models 😲) I have just ordered some mortars and a pack of snipers to go under the tree.

I do have an entire 400pt box of Germans in greatcoats that Nigel put together for me...but that was under the old rules. I must take a look in the box as I've never done anything with them!

The Americans are sorted but I could do with adding some variety to the vehicles....maybe get some half tracks for them and some jeeps. An M10 would be nice!

[Peterloo]

A quick calc produces
Company Commander+pistol
3 platoons of 2 1/2tracks platcom.smg 3 rifle 4 lmg42
1 platoon truck platcompistol 2 pzshreck
1 platoon truck platcompistol 1 rifle 2M.Mort.
1 stug

all average.
399pts
I don't think you have buy transport for the Company commander.

lots of firepower from lmgs , reasonable anti-tank