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Post by insterburger on Jan 23, 2016 22:24:30 GMT -5
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Post by insterburger on Jan 23, 2016 22:30:15 GMT -5
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Post by insterburger on Jan 23, 2016 22:37:03 GMT -5
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Post by insterburger on Jan 23, 2016 22:39:53 GMT -5
Of course, WWII can't be fought without a safety briefing.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jan 23, 2016 22:47:42 GMT -5
Great! It is annoying culling through otherwise great shots ruined by contemporary items left out. Thanks for considering such things before posting. Nice to see familiar faces!
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Post by insterburger on Jan 23, 2016 22:54:22 GMT -5
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Post by insterburger on Jan 23, 2016 23:01:16 GMT -5
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Post by insterburger on Jan 23, 2016 23:15:07 GMT -5
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Post by insterburger on Jan 23, 2016 23:43:21 GMT -5
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Post by insterburger on Jan 23, 2016 23:57:56 GMT -5
Unfortunately for the Germans, the rest of their line does not hold, and they are forced to leave the bridge again and retreat to defend the city of Aachen. But meanwhile, opposing forces fight to capture-- or liberate-- a downed Allied aviator. OK, no need to keep harping on the flaws in this scenario. Bottom line, it was the first time we had done something like this, and it was at least a fun battle with a great twist. I know a lot was learned from the way it was done, and I can't wait until next time we can stage a similar action. Changes in future should have it that the pilot should be put at a MUCH more distant location that neither team knows about, so there is the excitement of a search, and the possibility of getting to the pilot significantly before the other side. Second, the pilot should probably not be armed (at least not unless German victory includes offing him while he hangs from the tree, which is what would happen if a US pilot started shooting at Germans who were trying to take him down). Anyway, still good fun. And great pics. Here they are:
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Post by insterburger on Jan 24, 2016 0:32:45 GMT -5
The last two actions were Allied assaults on the town of Aachen. The first of these was very intense. The German defense was laid out brilliantly-- a well-concealed line running roughly parallel to the main street but just outside the town limits. The Allies were allowed to enter the town, but were then met with a devastating blow on their right flank in which the initial force was nearly completely wiped out. After regrouping, the Allies were able to gain more ground, although buildings were wrested from German hands only with difficulty. When the end of the action was called, American forces only partially held Aachen. Forces were ordered to make an organized withdrawal to mount a final assault on the town center. The final battle was awesome. The Allies were limited to two points of attack, but both sides were given unlimited respawns, so it was a bloodbath. As dusk fell and the Allies closed in on the last German defenders, the Kommandant of Festung Aachen declared a German surrender (largely so that we could get back to camp before dark). One feature that I think really helped in these battles was determining terms of assault and holding to them. The problem with airsoft-- even well attended games-- is that you really don't have enough troops to create a real "line," so battles usually devolve into a series of flankings, and counterflankings, which are then outflanked by other flankings, which is unsatisfying, unrealistic, and usually favors the stronger force (because they have that one more flanker). By setting strict terms as to the direction of assault and parameters of how far anyone was allowed to work the flank, it forced the attackers into good old fashioned frontal assaults. I could see the Allied troops struggling with this, but I also saw them gain ground, and when they did, it was earned. We definitely need to keep doing this in subsequent games (fake barbed wire or even simple minefield signs can be an easy way to codify this and make it more realistic). So on to the battle (full disclosure-- the photographer left early, so some of these are from earlier engagements. Sue me.): German forces plan out their urban defense. A rare moment of rest before all hell breaks loose: Sie kommen!!! German forces defend their homeland: Waiting to spring the trap:
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Post by insterburger on Jan 24, 2016 0:39:32 GMT -5
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Post by insterburger on Jan 24, 2016 0:49:53 GMT -5
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Post by insterburger on Jan 24, 2016 0:52:07 GMT -5
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Post by insterburger on Jan 24, 2016 1:04:17 GMT -5
A German trooper prepares to finish off a wounded Ami, as another tries to surrender: And the Fallschirmjaeger fight to the last man...
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Post by insterburger on Jan 24, 2016 1:06:56 GMT -5
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Post by insterburger on Jan 24, 2016 1:13:15 GMT -5
Another great part of the Aachen battle was our Panzerschreck. It was hardly a game changer, but it did give the Amis something extra to think about. By the time it was deployed, we removed the heat shield, which is fair as otherwise BBs would bounce off of it-- and in real life the shield provided no protection from fire (and was often removed in practice). Its greatest success was one shot I took which killed (unbeknownst to me) 3 GI's in one blow. Impressive that, but it is hardly a Wunderwaffen... slow to load and vulnerable, hard to aim, and carry. Still, a fun addition to the game. I'm currently working on a US Bazooka version, so that both sides can get the feel for using it, and facing it.
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Post by insterburger on Jan 24, 2016 1:16:41 GMT -5
Aachen has fallen. The US commander strides confidently to send in his report. ON TO BERLIN!!!
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Post by insterburger on Jan 24, 2016 1:19:19 GMT -5
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Post by insterburger on Jan 24, 2016 1:21:03 GMT -5
Whew! That's it! Photobucket was super glitchy, so this took forever! Thanks to all who attended!
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Post by OMEGO on Jan 26, 2016 20:24:12 GMT -5
These photos and story are MAGNIFICENT! Thank you for capturing and sharing these memories into another one of your famous AARs. That weekend was incredibly fun, and this thread took me right back into the action. I really loved running around, shooting BBs, and yelling with all of you fine folks!
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Hauptsturmführer
Private
Alle sieben sekunden stirbt ein deutscher soldat. Stalingrad – massengrab
Posts: 38
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Post by Hauptsturmführer on Jan 26, 2016 22:52:29 GMT -5
These pictures are awesome, can't wait till the next event with everyone again
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jan 27, 2016 21:14:57 GMT -5
Fabulous chronical. So generous so all of us can enjoy the event vicariously and long to attend the next event. Great job!
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Feb 9, 2016 17:31:39 GMT -5
These are great! A lot of good photos.
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Navy Doc
Private
Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!
Posts: 38
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Post by Navy Doc on Feb 25, 2016 11:30:56 GMT -5
Great event! Can't wait to do it again :)
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 25, 2016 15:40:19 GMT -5
So cool to see such a great mix of WW2 era weapons. The days of burlap wrapped M16s and AKs is finally behind us for good. Looked great you guys. Fabulous job!
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