:soap:
As Panzerblitz (PB) and Panzer Leader (PL) are the "godfathers" behind the JTCS system (6 min turns, one hex=250m, but let us not start this one again
) , I thought I would share my little soap box with the board.
I had some spare time and had a look at the excellent work Alan R. Arvold had made in converting the original Panzer Leader scenarios into West Front format.
Alan included excellent design notes in the zip file, I will not repeat them here.
However, since the conversion work was made to Talonsoft version of the game, and since many Blitz members might not be familiar with the original Panzer Leader I thought I would add my 0.02. I even managed to find my original Panzer Leader box from the attic so here we go:
The copyright in the original box says 1974...
I bought mine ten years later... The box promises to "re-create all of the fast, furious action of tactical armored combat on the western front during WWII."
The scenarios begin with the air assault on Utah Beach (6/5/44) and finish with the Battle for Remagen Bridge (3/7/45). Most of the battles are fought from D-Day until the end of Bulge.
To enjoy the original "feel" of the PL, I would "suggest"
the following:
i) Take the chance and actually deploy your forces with the scenario editor as suggested by the original scenario documents:
http://gregpanzerblitz.com/scenarios.htm
This brings a lot of variety into game as the initial deployment can make a big difference to how the scenario plays out. Do not worry that your opponent sees the original deployment, that is part of the fun, and the JTCS fog-of-war kicks in once the game starts.
ii) Use the original victory conditions from the PL scenarios. They typically state very specific objective requirements that can not be matched with WF points system.
A lot of the furious action in PL came from trying to hold a certain town hex or, with a superior attack force, gaining all town hexes as quickly as possible.
For an example, in Scn #1 (
http://gregpanzerblitz.com/scenarios/PL1_2.JPG), my Screaming Eagles barely managed to squeeze a minor JTCS victory against an even unusually-hapless AI. Having looked at the original victory conditions I realised I indeed had a decisive victory instead. :whis:
iii) Remove the Improved Positions from the map boards.
(I have done this, if anyone wants the .scn files with no IP positions send me a PM and I send the zip files to you.)
Alan provided the reason why he created them, but I agree to disagree... They were not in the original mapboards, the game engine allows for creation of them, they are definitively needed in many scenarios - but I feel it is much more fun to try to create them on a fly against a fast moving armored opponent instead.
PL did have the concept of engineers creating minefields, blowing bridges, creating road blocks: no readily available IPs for me.
iv) Rules :smoke:
- Weather is always fine in PL: VV off.
- Troops are always in supply: CC off.
- "Close assault tactics" and "armor overruns" make the day: EA off
- In PL, you always see the enemy units: EFoW off.
- Indirect fire by the map: on. Most IF units are represented by actual units, so this is not a big one.
- There is no armor facing in PL, I would prefer to keep it on but I will leave it up to you guys...
v) Finally: Enjoy!
The scenarios were created some 35 years ago(!).
JTCS is loaded with truly excellent, true to history scenarios, therefore I would take the PL scenarios just as-they-are in order to have a chance to experience the wargames of the yester-year (yester-millenium?)