The Wargamer

Introduction

The Wargamer is pleased to present an exclusive After Action Report (AAR) from Battlefront previewing the highly anticipated Combat Mission: Afrika Korps. Two Afrika Korps testers, Wyatt Barnett and Thomas Kiilerirch, square off in Operation Fruelingswind using a beta version of the game (so naturally the screenshots are subject to improvement). Here the vaunted Afrika Korps is seeking to wrest control of the road to Sidi bou Zid from entrenched but inexperienced Americans. Rommel's overall objective was to destroy American elements in order to weaken their advance through Tunisia. The AAR provides some great insight into some of the new features of this last installment in the Combat Mission series, including dust effects, improved and expanded terrain features, and new units and vehicles such as the dual-gunned Grant.

This is the second part of this ongoing feature.  The previous ten turns can be found here.

Axis Side: Status Report and Update

The Deutscher Afrika Korps will not be stopped by a few losses; we'll push on and destroy the American forces holding us back.

Let's take a quick look at the situation (Screenshot below show the situation at the start of turn 11, blue is own troops, red enemy and green important terrain).

1st, 2nd and 3 rd recon platoons are making slow but steady progress all across the front. 1st platoon has a clear path up to ridge two and their speed should pick up, 2nd can likewise advance to the end of the wadi without interference from the enemy but from there it's only brush for the last 200 meters to the mosque. 3rd on the other hand is taking some fire from unspotted machine guns (MG's) and enemy tanks, luckily no casualties have been sustained so far.

1st rifle platoon has still to advance across ridge 1, 2nd has 3 squads at ridge 2, the HQ and the last squad is on the way but taking heavy enemy fire. 3rd is following in the steps of 1st recon platoon.

At ridge 2 the SPW 251/11 platoon is in position, against the opposition we're facing at the moment they wont be of much use but once the enemy tanks has been annihilated they might come in handy. Another thing to consider is that my opponent might not have identified them yet but their mere presence will force him to keep them in mind and perhaps tie down some troops. They can also be used to throw up dust that might confuse him further. In addition to the SPW's three PZ IIIN's have likewise made it with their precious cargo of infantry; the infantry should give me some much needed eyes on the enemy and the Pz IIIN's some much needed firepower. The last two Pz IIN's are in reserve at the centre behind ridge 1.

On my left flank behind ridge 1 the Marder platoon and the Pz IIIL platoon is in position. I'm more than a little disheartened by the Pz IIIL's performance last turn. However, the combined firepower of the two platoons and the 3 Pz IIIN's should still be more than enough to destroy the 3 enemy tanks around the road house. 

Taking a look at the enemy, on his right flank by the road house I've spotted 3 tanks, 2 Grants and a Sherman (the tank is only partially identified as a Sherman, and I'm almost sure it's another Grant). Infantry has been spotted as well. In the centre by the mosque two tanks have been spotted: One Grant and a Sherman (Again the Sherman is only partially identified). In the scattered trees on his left flank one scout car and what seems to be a 75mm L/35 armed halftrack have been spotted amongst the scattered trees. I'm inclined to think the halftrack is an M15 halftrack from the sound and size of explosions.

Two Shermans have also advanced between the oasis and the scattered trees and have taken up hull down positions just in front of the scattered trees. Infantry sound contacts have likewise been established in the area.