Command and (Out of) Control: HPS Sims' Ancient Warfare Series

Something different today, folks. Not only hexes and turns, but also a period of warfare I haven't visited in years. 

I heard a lot about the Ancient Warfare series from HPS Simulations, but never actually had enough encouragement to try it. My friend Javier, who refuses to read my blog (will do when you post something about ancient or medieval warfare, he says), has always insisted that I should try it.

So here I am, liking this engine a lot, and disliking Javier's repeated "told you so!" grin.

Soviet Squad Tactics in WWII: Of Guides and Good Shots (Iron Front Liberation)

The basic squad tactics do not differ that much among the major powers that fought in WWII. Achieve fire superiority, fix/suppress and assault (preferably in the flanks of the enemy). However, training, weapons and just plain cultural differences sometimes are interesting details to explore.

DCS World, Combined Arms - (Almost) New Stuff I Really Like in the Editor

The wait for the new version V1.2.4 and the DCS UH-1H Huey is taking longer than most fans have thought. Oh, well. Nonetheless these are two things in the editor that were added more or less recently and that I love in the current version.

Number one: AI- controlled helicopters can now land in places other than airbases ramps and runways. This is great to simulate helo insertions.

Hasty Defense at the Fulda Gap- Steel Beasts ProPE AAR - Part 5 and Final: Barely Winning at Attrition, Badly Losing at Maneuver

This is the final part of the AAR I re-took on Saturday. In a textbook case of "overstaying at a battle position", the tank platoons are flanked by remnants of the Soviet armored thrust. Time to move out!

Tanks of the 2nd. Platoon (background) successfully engage some T-72s that made it through the central avenue of approach of our sector.

Hasty Defense at the Fulda Gap- Steel Beasts ProPE AAR - Part 4: Main Battle Tanks Enter the Fray

This is a continuation of my overdue AAR on this fantastic scenario. The Cavalry troopers did their job, but paid a high price in casualties. A flight of enemy attack helicopters forced the M3A2s to move too much around their fall back positions ... Never a good thing.

The battle was still young and the confidence on the M1A1s Abrams was high. The tankers of First and Second platoons sat tight in their battle positions were with their sights on EA Pirc.

ArmA 3 Alpha - The Rescue of Agent Vidales - Mission Available

Better done than perfect, they say. You can grab the mission from this link.

The mission doesn't include helicopter transport as shown in this picture. I am showing it here because it just looks great.

The mission should be playable both multiplayer and single-player. You and your team start in two assault boats off the coast of Agia Marina.

ArmA 3 - The Rescue of Agent Vidales

This is my first serious attempt to mission editing on the ArmA series. What I mean serious is having a briefing, tasks and an end triggered by accomplishing one of those tasks. Nothing cinematic in the introduction and the ending (no cutscenes), but it was quite a journey and I enjoyed it.

I had to give up on the divers as the special forces conducting this raid. Their organic weapons are apparently from Airsoft and I couldn't figure out how to change their weaponry (always missing something).

ArmA 3 Alpha Lite - Who Wants a Free Key?

There are a free keys available from a reader of the blog and myself. All you need to do is email us and provide your e-mail or Steam user name. If you are not a Steam member yet, you can create a free account here.

Limited availability!

freekeys at aa-vcp dot com
realandsimulatedwars at gmail dot com

Update: we ran out of keys. Thanks James and Johan for helping out with theirs.

What is ArmA 3 Alpha Lite?
From Bohemia Interactive's website:
Arma 3 Alpha Lite is similar to the regular Arma 3 Alpha in terms of content. However, modding and multiplayer are not supported. People can access Arma 3 Alpha Lite for free, but will require an ‘invite’ to do so. These invites can be obtained via people who have purchased the regular Arma 3 Alpha. They will also be randomly dispersed via our social channels and selected media outlets.

Cheers,

ArmA 3 - It's Not Always Sunny in Stratis

Can't un-glue myself from ArmA 3. Come on! There is not too much virtual hardware or real estate to play around.

Last night I got a chance to start seriously testing a mission I assembled in the editor. It's a tactical surface water infiltration mission: a group of six NATO divers must secure intelligence assets caught in the middle of the blitz the Iranians discharged on the island of Stratis.

Hasty Defense at the Fulda Gap- Steel Beasts ProPE AAR - Part 3: The Cavalry Fight

What a battle! The enemy opens fast and unforgiving. The thin and undermanned line of US troopers falls back. Half pushed. Half pulled. But never completely cut.

In this part of the AAR, my cavalry gets a glimpse at the enemy and retreats with expediency.