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 This is the NATO thread, if you are on the Russian team don't read this thread! If you are an observer, please post in the open thread and not in here.  Things aren't looking good, commanders. Russia launched a surprise invasion of Northern Ukraine a week ago and we've been on the back-foot ever since. Here's the situation:  We're in the North of Ukraine, until recently we had no idea to think that the insurgency in the south-east would lead to anything more, and readiness suffered as a result.  We weren't ready for the attack and got smashed on the first day of the invasion. Entire formations are feared destroyed. A three-pronged Russian attack has begun pocketing anything that survived the initial onslaight. We've regained some composure, and are currently focusing on keeping the M02 highway to Kiev open to retreating units. Any unit still inside the pocket is heading for the gap around Krolevets with all speed.  We're in command of 'A' Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, American, and 3rd Battalion, 58th Mechanized Brigade, Ukrainian, two of the most combat effective forces remaining to us. Intermittent Russian electronic warfare has jammed communications enough to make the chain of command muddled, and currently both forces are operating independently.  The last orders the 9th Infantry received were to regroup at Krolevets. Most of 1st Battalion has already made it and 'A' Company is bringing up the rear. Their objective is to preserve their strength as much as possible and break out to Krolevets to continue the fight with the rest of their unit. Tagging along with 'A' Company are elements of 'D' Company, 2-69 Armor. Only two Abrams have made it this far and their ammunition is getting low, but four Ukrainian tanks have attached themselves to the Abrams, forming an ad-hoc under-strength company. The 58th Mechanized has standing orders to keep the highway open for as long as possible to allow further units to escape encirclement. There is no official policy in inter-force coordination, the Ukrainian and American units exist in entirely different chains of command due to the chaotic nature of the situation. They each have their orders, but what they decide to do is up to them. Russian forces have reached the outskirts of Krolevets. Elements of a Motor Rifle Regiment have been engaged on the edges of town with reports that a battalion sized unit was rushing south towards the highway. The Russians are trying to close the gap. Should the pressure prove too intense to keep the high-way open, simply keeping the Russians engaged here will buy time for friendly forces around Krolevets to organize themselves and dig in. Should a continued engagement become unsustainable, the forest north of the highway is large enough to escape into. If any units can escape into the forest, they could eventually form partisan groups to disrupt Russian supply lines in the future. A friendly convoy of supply trucks is moving up behind us and will reach the field within the next twenty minutes. If they can escape to Krolevets they'll be invaluable to the defenders there. There's also the possibility of some air-support, last communications with higher command had assets freed for our use within the next thirty-minutes. The Russians have left us no options. Fight or die. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCkaSLGLcIc  Welcome to BLUFOR, everyone. My intent is for the LP to be a bit more free-form than previous iterations. We're not going to play this like an actual game of combat mission where on-map objectives and other assigned parameters award points to the players. This is not a quick-battle with auto-generated objectives and pre-determined causality parameters for points, it is a scenario that I've put together from a custom map made by H1nd on the Battlefront forums. Because it is a scenario, I can control every single aspect of the battle, and as a result there is not one single victory point to be gained. Both sides have strategic objectives that they are trying to accomplish, and that are hopefully somewhat open ended. Achieving these objectives can be done in any way the players think of, and whenever the battle comes to an end I'll do a write-up and video going over the outcome and consequences of the battle. This is all done so that (hopefully) this game won't end when one side starts feeling discouraged about their chances of sitting on an objective zone and feels that continuing to play is pointless. Playing to the end is the point this time around!  Let's talk mechanics. For anyone completely unfamiliar with game mechanics but who wants to know which buttons they have the option of pushing, I will direct you to Grey Hunter's original Black Sea thread where he does an excellent rundown of the ui: http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3747124 If anyone has any specific questions about how the game is actually played or the specific functions that are available to certain units, just ask and I or someone with the game will be happy to help. But, I don't want mechanics to be the focus of this game. I'll be the one playing it, you'll be the ones directing it. My philosophy going in is that it shouldn't necessarily matter if you very specifically arrange your orders into "MOVE to x and TARGET BRIEFLY (30 SECONDS) y" as long as you provide a map with your orders. You also shouldn't be worrying about which specific tile of the map your mans will be moving to, again, as long as there is a map. If the general placement of your units as well as your intent for what they should be doing is clear, I'll try my best to put them in the most reasonable position according to what you've posted. Be specific and unambiguous in your orders, and always include a map, and I'm optimistic this can help cut down on tedium for players. If it's a horrible failure than we'll try something else, but for now that's my plan. Good orders: quote:
Bad orders: quote:
Force Composition A link to a more specific order of battle for sign-ups can be located here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1u7CMRSSzceytPzXqJ7ts1GBokoKTv11dTTz-XCaPrrU/edit?usp=sharing Fill that out to claim your actual unit, which will have the additional benefit of letting me know who's made it over to this thread. You will collectively be in command of a mixed battalion of American and Ukrainian forces. You have one Stryker company of American infantry, and a battalion (-) of Ukrainian motorized infantry. Additionally you have some tacked on armour of variable quality. I'll post screenshots close to the first proper video, but for now here's what it looks like on paper: For clarity, your final OOB. The only changes I'll make from this point on are putting in the names of commanders once everyone claims a unit.        *Note, 3rd Company, 3-58, arrives with the convoy as 1st and 4th (weapons) platoons as an escort. Reinforcements:   The support command was included so that there was a player besides the battalion commander to organize and deploy all these various assets. The battalion support platoons may be subordinated under any of the infantry companies or remain under the direct supervision of the battalion commander. I think that should about do it for now. If you're unclear on anything just say so and I'll try and work it out. The actual game map will come out in a few days, for now work with what you have! Additions: In game map:  http://community.battlefront.com/topic/122997-chernova-hirka-master-map-10-released/ Conditions: 
Generation Internet fucked around with this message at 22:26 on Oct 2, 2016 |
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Sep 30, 2016 10:53
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JosefStalinator (Ukraine Infantry Platoon) reporting in! Are we organizing with a d20, or some other big map that we can all refer to for reference? It was pretty helpful in the WW1 sim, but I don't know what the usual deal is for Combat Mission games. EDIT: Roll20 JosefStalinator fucked around with this message at 12:23 on Sep 30, 2016 |
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Sep 30, 2016 11:37
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Lieutenant Ikasuhito of 1st Platoon A Company reporting for duty Sir! I look forward to rolling those Rus bastards right back over the border! The signup sheet looks to be view only. JosefStalinator posted:Are we organizing with a d20, or some other big map that we can all refer to for reference? It was pretty helpful in the WW1 sim, but I don't know what the usual deal is for Combat Mission games. I imagine so. Its how we did it in the two CM games ive played so far. Ikasuhito fucked around with this message at 11:56 on Sep 30, 2016 |
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Sep 30, 2016 11:52
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Grey Hunter ready to lead his men to their showy and entertaining deaths!
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Sep 30, 2016 11:53
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Here's a roll20 if you guys want to get a map started, while we await our commander's orders: https://app.roll20.net/campaigns/details/1703870/combat-mission-nato-good-guys EDIT: I guess give me second platoon? I'll take over whatever platoon is needed. EDIT Again: Actually this link https://app.roll20.net/join/1703870/ktOX3g JosefStalinator fucked around with this message at 20:00 on Sep 30, 2016 |
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Sep 30, 2016 12:27
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Капітан Bacarruda, reporting. Ukrainian 2nd Company HQ, standing by. For those interesting in getting a better look at the terrain, here is the map on Google Earth: https://www.google.co.kr/maps/@51.581891,33.5078419,5800m/data=!3m1!1e3 And you can get a ground view using StreetView: https://www.google.co.kr/maps/@51.5...!7i13312!8i6656 This mission looks like it's going to be a hard one. We've got limited armor (four tanks), limited AT weapons (some ATGMs and recoilesss rifles), and limited fire support (the mortars). Our Strykers and BTR-70s only carry grenade launchers and machine guns. If the Russians have BMPs, the up-gunned BTRs with auto-cannons, or tanks, we're going to be in trouble. We've got to play smart, use the terrain, and force a fight on our terms. Bacarruda fucked around with this message at 12:48 on Sep 30, 2016 |
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Sep 30, 2016 12:28
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Ikasuhito posted:The signup sheet looks to be view only. Whoops, my bad, fixed: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1u7CMRSSzceytPzXqJ7ts1GBokoKTv11dTTz-XCaPrrU/edit?usp=sharing e: Also, for the first phase of planning have a link to the real-world location : https://goo.gl/maps/qdPPTWPLYMB2 The fighting area is the one outlined in the OP Generation Internet fucked around with this message at 12:39 on Sep 30, 2016 |
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Sep 30, 2016 12:32
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Bacarruda posted:This mission looks like it's going to be a hard one. We've got limited armor (four tanks) For accuracy's sake, unless you're only counting the Ukrainian tanks you have six in total. 2x M1A2 Abrams, 2x T-64BV, 1x BM Oplot (upgraded T-84), and 1x BM Bulat (upgraded T-64B)
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Sep 30, 2016 13:20
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First Battalion, Fourth Company, Eighty Eight Motostrelki checking in! Ok that will be my one and only nazi joke I promise. So do you want to mix this thing up a bit GI where we go a little more realistic and have the US and UK as totally separate commands?
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Sep 30, 2016 15:51
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American Company commander checking in.
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Sep 30, 2016 17:23
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Recon here. *makes brdm noises*
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Sep 30, 2016 17:29
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Checking in for my US infantry platoon to bring democracy to the Ukraine.
Junkozeyne fucked around with this message at 18:53 on Sep 30, 2016 |
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Sep 30, 2016 18:13
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My Ukrainian company and I are ready to fight to the death! So long as we don't have to eat any actual Ukrainian rations. 
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Sep 30, 2016 18:50
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Staking a claim on 1/1, who will not all die
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Sep 30, 2016 18:52
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Checking in with command of US 3rd Infantry Platoon. Ready to spread some freedom. Also, I'm getting a not authorized on the Roll20 link. Also, awesome intro video. pthighs fucked around with this message at 19:31 on Sep 30, 2016 |
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Sep 30, 2016 19:04
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pthighs posted:
Same here. This is clearly American targeted exclusion and it must cease! If we are to survive we must work together.
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Sep 30, 2016 19:40
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Relax, we are all neo liberal cia plants here.
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Sep 30, 2016 19:45
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Sorry, got my wires crossed with Master Soros. Try this link: https://app.roll20.net/join/1703870/ktOX3g (you'll need to sign up for an account if you don't already)
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Sep 30, 2016 20:00
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dtkozl posted:So do you want to mix this thing up a bit GI where we go a little more realistic and have the US and UK as totally separate commands? That was my thinking, you're the highest level commander but the American company technically isn't under your command. I figured it could make things interesting, especially if the US and UKR are trying to achieve different objectives. That said, there's nothing stopping the American company from graciously deciding to subordinate themselves under your command, so it's definitely not set in stone. e: Here's the actual map you'll be fighting over in the game:  http://community.battlefront.com/topic/122997-chernova-hirka-master-map-10-released/ ee: EWAR Strength is zero for this battle. Generation Internet fucked around with this message at 20:52 on Sep 30, 2016 |
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Sep 30, 2016 20:30
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Weather report: Time is set to maximum so it doesn't run out on anybody. The battle will end when it ends, which I don't think will be four hours, but it takes a ticking clock out of the equation.
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Oct 1, 2016 01:17
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Is the armor company reporting and deploying with the American or Ukrainian force? Also, 2nd Platoon, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment checking in. Something wrong with our bloody tanks today. Ed: not sure I understand the deployment map. Is everyone deploying together in the lower right corner? The Oldest Man fucked around with this message at 02:14 on Oct 1, 2016 |
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Oct 1, 2016 02:05
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The Oldest Man posted:Is the armor company reporting and deploying with the American or Ukrainian force? The armour company is technically outside both chains of command and is a mix of Ukrainians and Americans. Without a company HQ both platoons lack an official higher officer. They're still technically American units though and there's a higher ranking American officer on the field. What they decide to do will be up to them, it's another OOB matter you guys will have to decide before the battle starts. Your forces will all be deploying from the SE corner. The actual zone isn't so important because I'm just going to edit it to make everything fit without traffic jams for the first few turns, so once I have an idea of what initial orders are I'll deploy them as close as I can or in the way that makes the most sense.
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Oct 1, 2016 02:24
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Ukrainian Infantry platoon commander here, ready and willing to be completely slaughtered within the first 10 minutes of battle. Talked about this in the roll20 but from looking at the map it seems like we have a nice protected southern route to the highway that takes us to Krovolets. I wouldn't dedicate everyone to there because I'm wary of potential unknown factors at play here, but it's far enough out of the way to guarantee that we won't be immediately destroyed by Russian tanks. Besides, we're a mostly mechanized force, so it' being far away from the fight shouldn't be a major problem.
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Oct 1, 2016 03:36
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Speaking as the American Company commander I'm okay with keeping the commands relatively independent.
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Oct 1, 2016 04:42
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Made a quick little preview video to start getting into the groove: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24hsh3NqhDo
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Oct 1, 2016 13:12
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Choice 1 Decision time. While you are the lead element of NATO forces attempting to escape the encirclement, there are several other stragglers moving behind you. At the fifteen minute mark, the truck convoy will arrive to the field. In order to ensure they make it to you, two units have been pulling rear-guard duty. One is an American mechanized platoon, the other is a Ukrainian mechanized combined arms company. Once the convoy arrives, one of these units will take up defensive positions several kilometers behind your lines and make a stand against the Russian forces pursuing you from the south-east. They will most likely be destroyed doing this. The other unit will follow the convoy and arrive at the thirty minute mark on the battlefield. The American force:  1x M1A2 Abrams, 4x M2A3 Bradley with mounted infantry, and 3x Humvees containing a Stinger section. The Ukrainian force:  4x T-64BM Bulat, 10x BMP-2 with mounted infantry, 1x 9K22 Tunguska, 3x MTLB with 2x towed MT-12 100mm AT gun The American force would be under the command of the JJ as overall American commander, the Ukrainian force would be under the command of dtkozl. Choose which one you want to arrive on the field as reinforcements and let me know within the next few days.
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Oct 1, 2016 14:34
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Towed AT and t-64M are pretty useless. Are these forces in addition to the bat AT/tanks or did you replace our spigots and t-84s for those? Also seems the russians are going to have some air assets. dtkozl fucked around with this message at 15:30 on Oct 1, 2016 |
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Oct 1, 2016 15:24
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dtkozl posted:Towed AT and t-64M are pretty useless. Are these forces in addition to the bat AT/tanks or did you replace our spigots and t-84s for those? What you see is what you get. These aren't replacing anything you already have, it's all purely additive, if that's what you're asking.
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Oct 1, 2016 15:34
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Generation Internet posted:What you see is what you get. These aren't replacing anything you already have, it's all purely additive, if that's what you're asking. That is what I'm asking. Well my vote would be for the american stuff just because it would be more effective. Towed AT assets and t 64s are about as useful as t34s showing up at this point in history. The Tunguska wins on cool factor alone and UKR has a lot more stuff to play with. But americans probably will have much better morale and 2 stingers is better than 1 of anything, so if they have to deploy under fire at all and shoot down any air the americans would probably be a much better force. What is everyone else's vote?
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Oct 1, 2016 15:48
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I think the decision is pretty obvious-we want the American forces on the field. As dtkozl said, the towed guns aren't going to be very useful, and the Americans are going to be a much more powerful and flexible force. Plus, the Stinger teams are likely going to be easier to spread out and keep intact than the Tunguska.
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Oct 1, 2016 15:55
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I vote US as well.
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Oct 1, 2016 16:34
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Setting aside the flexibility of the Stinger teams, I can confirm that Bradleys--while fragile as poo poo--punch way WAAAAYYYY above their weight class. They're a credible answer to anything smaller than a heavy tank with its ablative armor and missile countermeasures intact. If we're against something that could be reasonably construed as a modern-day Russian spearhead (so: BMP3's and T90's and the fire/air support that comes with that) those BMP2s and T64's will barely function as distractions while the main Russian attack continues to mow through whatever defensive positions we settle on.
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Oct 1, 2016 18:48
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I'm also good with US forces
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Oct 1, 2016 22:26
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Willie Tomg posted:Setting aside the flexibility of the Stinger teams, I can confirm that Bradleys--while fragile as poo poo--punch way WAAAAYYYY above their weight class. They're a credible answer to anything smaller than a heavy tank with its ablative armor and missile countermeasures intact. +1 to the US. If we face BMP3s keep in mind they have a habit of exploding catastrophically if sneezed at the wrong way.
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Oct 1, 2016 22:33
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Yeah it looks like American is the clear choice.
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Oct 1, 2016 22:58
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Bring in the Americans.
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Oct 2, 2016 01:09
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To give everyone an idea of when I want to get this started, tentatively, the first round of orders will be due next Wednesday at midnight. Also known as Thursday, October 6th, 00:00 EST which is four days or so from now. That's not a very long time to come up with a battle-plan for an engagement this large, especially since orders have to trickle from top to bottom, but I'd like to give it a shot so I can get the first turn out before Thanksgiving. If this is too soon for anyone, let me know. I can run the turn either Thursday night or probably the following Tuesday at the earliest.
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Oct 2, 2016 02:39
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Well I don't know about you but I'm prepared to follow the orders of Glorious Leader.
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Oct 2, 2016 03:47
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I'm just a lowly whatever-the-gently caress it is that commands platoons, but I got open ended Reckons about the scenario if anyone wants those.
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Oct 2, 2016 04:57
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Go for it, we've only got three days to figure out a plan. IMO we should get the tanks into hull-down firing positions around Marukhy to exploit the Abrahm's range and let the russkies get stuck in with the rest of the main force approaching from the other side of the junction.
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Oct 2, 2016 05:39
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