On My Way to Tactical Landing Practice

I know that blog entries about flying are not that popular, more so the ones revolving about a civilian (non-combat) flight simulator. But the man needs to fly. One of the thrills I want to experience in the virtual world is a tactical landing with a big bird.

Game Vs Book II - The Polish-Soviet War 1919-1920 - Part Two

The game's first hit is that neither side is able to mount a full blown military operation at the beginning of the hostilities. There is some movement on the Polish side around the Ukraine, but it looks like a timid reconnaissance in force. I've ordered my Ukraine front to fall back to the Dnieper River for a complete reorganization. My initial hopes for an offensive in the Ukraine after such reorganization are quickly smashed by the apparent size of the Polish forces (a full blown army of at least two corps). I have been promised reinforcements for my Ukraine Front (Budyonny's Konarmia, also known as the 1st Cavalry Army), but their arrival time to the front is still unknown (I'm having issues with my military rail capacity). So the Ukraine Front is set for a defensive line at the Dnieper River, with the main effort in the strategic city of Kiev and secondary efforts at Cherkasy and Ekaterinoslav (the three main river crossings). The time for an offensive in the Ukraine will be tied to the events north of the Prypiat marshes (the SouthWestern Front) and to what the Polish forces are able to pull out. I'm secretly hoping that they falter and get diluted in the plains down there.

Operations plan for the first phase of the hostilities. Click the image for a better view.

Combat Mission Fortress Italy - Sottotenente Cirillo "Bambino" Guerrini Repels a US Army Attack

It was a rare moment of luck for me. I found my Italian troops in possession of key terrain that turned out be the quintessential defile.

Combat Mission Fortress Italy has been out since two weeks already. It was about time for me to try it out so I basically suspended my life yesterday and played it like there was no tomorrow. This is a microscopic story of one of the scenarios that I played. I will limit this entry to what you will read below because I don't want to spoil the whole scenario for you.

Iron Front Liberation 1944 - Review

Iron Front Liberation 1944
Developed by X1 Software and AWAR
Published by Deep Silver
29.99 US Dollars

This is a standalone infantry combat simulation based in the ArmA 2 engine that puts the player in the boots of Soviet and German soldiers in a portion of the Eastern Front of WWII. The player can also fly aircraft and fight from tanks but those gigs should not be expected to offer simulation quality time.

Live Fire Maneuvers with James McKenzie-Smith's British Army Platoon - An ArmA 2 Scenario/Template

I don't know if you are aware of ArmA 2's "high command module". This module, which is included in the out of the box version of ArmA 2, allows the player to take command of other groups of units (usually squads). In the past, I've used this module to move around several squads but I've limited my use to just move and change the squads' formation. When combat ensued, it was always every squad on its own because I could not cope with the click fest.

What about a system that features a platoon, support units (mortars, close air support and heliborne transport) and a quick command menu that allows to dynamically establish  rally points, stop and resume units' movement towards a waypoint ... and more?

The 24 hombres of McKenzie-Smith's (-) platoon, ready to follow my lead.

Game Vs Book II - The Polish-Soviet War 1919-1920 - Part One

The game: Revolution Under Siege
The book: White Eagle, Red Star: The Polish-Soviet War 1919-20, by Norman Davies

Two enemies with different strategic objectives in the years after World War I. The Polish Chief of State Jozef Pilsudski, obsessed with the nation's border situation and the right of self determination of the Ukrainian people. The leader of the Russian Revolution, Vladimir Lenin, fancying the expansion of the movement all the way to Germany. The game scenario drifted wildly from the historical path, but was spot on in showing how difficult is to conduct operational warfare when the troops to terrain ratio is less than 1 man per 5 square miles.

Combat Mission Fortress Italy Released

Woah! Is this gaming heaven or what? I wasn't expecting it so soon.

This is the debut of the so-called CM 2.0 engine. The upgrades will be rolled into the Normandy and Commonwealth Forces in the future. I heard.

Lock and loaded here, but this will have to wait until next week to be played.

Battlefront's Website for Combat Mission Fortress Italy.

Cheers,

Strike Fighters 2 North Atlantic - Escort Mission Failure

Some flight sim-lite action for today, folks.

The sim is Third Wire's Strike Fighters 2 North Atlantic. The mission was to escort a flight of A-6s in an anti-ship mission. I am leading a flight of four F-14A armed with AIM-54s, AIM-7Ms, Sidewinders and the good ole Vulcan gun.

Rumored: ArmA 2 - Army of the Czech Republic DLC Available Now

Apparently, the new DLC for ArmA 2 is available. Two new maps and Czech Army units.

Can't post a link right now (posting from a tablet ...), but it looks like the info is legit.


EDIT: purchase link.

Cheers,

Posted from my tablet.

Across the Canal - Scenario Available for Combat Mission Shock Force / Marines

The scenario at Battlefront's repository will take some time to appear, so I uploaded the scenario in my Google site.

The download link is at the bottom of this Google site page (the small arrow). The page includes a full briefing. Comments are welcome!

Cheers,