05-12-2013, 01:44 AM,
(This post was last modified: 05-12-2013, 04:14 AM by Crossroads.)
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**Bitter Kuuterselka EF:FB released into Blitz Scenario Database... Whew!!!
This scenario was a bitch.
It sneered at you, growled at you, bit your fingers off if you ever ceased to pay attention to her. Allowing Major Wins to both sides, with a leer, she still felt completely unbalanced.
I gave up on her already.
Enter the trusted scenario whisperers of the Thunder in the North mirrored-tournament mold, and what do you know?
You can actually live with her now. Thanks guys, I could not have done this without you!
It took major revisions (this is fifth), a completely revamped VP set up, more units, a larger map, and 10 more turns. And a lot of test games! But, as said, you can actually live with her now. Not bad!
Oh, she will still rip off your arm if you lift your eyes off her for too long a time. But, most of the time she behaves.
Get it here: https://www.theblitz.club/scenarios/Camp...6&ladder=2
Read the test reports and add your comments here: https://www.theblitz.club/message_boards...?tid=60810
This one took a lot of tender loving care to get out. I hope you enjoy it!
But. Be careful... She's still no pussycat!
Picture: "'Mirre' follows her crew everywhere." 30 July 1944, Vuosalmi. Source: www.SA-kuva.fi
Picture: "Fighter ace J. Karhunen's trusted companion 'Peggy Brown', about to have puppies." His male dog was named 'Prank', maybe we now know why? Peggy's a gentle beast if you ever knew one. Not to be confused with this scenario! 05 May 1944, Suulajärvi air base (one click north of scenario map's northern edge). Source: www.SA-kuva.fi
** Bitter Kuuterselkä EF:FB
[Karelian Isthmus, 50 km NW from Leningrad, Finland.] [H2H] [HIS] [GD] [ALL: N VV: N AF]
Following the June 6th D-Day landings at Normandy, the Western Allies wait upon Stalin to fulfil his promise of a major operation against the Germans on the Eastern front. Instead, while ensuring the Normandy landings would gain momentum, Stalin decides to solve his unfinished business with Finland.
All other campaigns on hold, while waiting to commence Operation Bagration later in June, he orders the Leningrad Front to destroy the Finnish Army and to advance into Southern Finland to effectively push her out of the war. Leningrad Front Commander Lieutenant General Alfyorov, 450 000 men, 800 tanks and assault guns, 10 000 artillery pieces and 1 600 combat aircraft set out to fullfil his orders. On Finnish side, the build up is noticed, but it is assumed this would be another push towards the German Group North at Narwa.
On June 10th, after a full day of continuous artillery barrage, the Red Army cuts through the Finnish forward line in full force. The shell-shocked defenders quickly retreat towards the fortified Vammelsuu-Taipale (VT) main defence line.
Weighing his options, on June 13, Lieutenant General Alfyorov orders the fresh 109th Army Corps to break out through a weakly defended sector of the VT Line, at Kuuterselkä, an area the Finns considered not suitable for large scale armoured operations due to its scarce and narrow road network.
109th Army Corps plan: to break out simultaneously via the Sahakyla and Kuuterselka sectors, encircling and destroying the Finnish forces in the west of the area, while having a strong Northern pincer continuing straight up towards city of Viborg.
On the early morning of June 14, the plan is on.
Having realised this is the real thing, the Finns gather the available reserves to save the VT Line, and as they fear, the whole front. Still, perhaps not realising the full size of the enemy formations, elements of Major General Lagus' Armoured Division are ordered to attack hard 'to retake any ground lost'. Soon realising this is a damage limitation mission at best, the men will long remember the battle as 'Bitter Kuuterselka'.
Picture: June 15, 1944: Red Army officers study a disabled Finnish Stu-40 in the fields of Kuuterselka village
[** Requires players to install East Front: Forgotten Battles Mod version 1.34 or newer **]
[Scandinavian Terrain sub mod recommended to be enabled when playing this scenario.]
Remember to have the latest EF:FB version 1.34 in your system to play it. Using Warhorse's Scandinavian Terrain sub mod with this one is a must as well - but only aesthetically!
Of the new unit types in the EF:FB mod, this one's got armoured leaders. Theres a scenario note in the game zip file to explain them. Funny, I actually like them now too...
I still have the original ** Bitter Kuuterselka of vanilla EF in the database. Not to be confused with this one...
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05-12-2013, 02:24 AM,
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RE: **Bitter Kuuterselka EF:FB released into Blitz Scenario Database... Whew!!!
She just bit off my complete T-34 battalion a couple of rounds ago!
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05-12-2013, 05:27 AM,
(This post was last modified: 05-12-2013, 05:35 AM by Jim von Krieg.)
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Assistance?
I DL'd and finally got the mod to work after some experimentation... However, no matter what I do I can't get the new scenario to appear? Not sure what is going on with this; however, I seem to have gone off track with the new Mod.
*****NEVER MIND********** I found the new scenarios... the ** threw me off when I was sorting...
Jim
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05-12-2013, 05:41 AM,
(This post was last modified: 05-12-2013, 06:26 AM by Crossroads.)
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RE: **Bitter Kuuterselka EF:FB released into Blitz Scenario Database... Whew!!!
Jim, in hindsight I probably made a mistake in including scenarios into DL too, as they become obsolete.
To be on a safe side, after you have DLed and enabled the mod with JSGME, add the new version of the scenario both to 1) standard East Front folder, and to 2) .../MODS/East Front:Forgotten Battles.../East Front too.
Step #2 adds the scenario to JSGME version control too. Without step 2, if you disable the mod, and then enable it again, the version control gives you the original now obsolete file from MODS folder.
I hope this made sense. I will re-package the next version of EFFB in a manner there are no scenario there, but that won't happen for a while.
Just to confirm: I am able to see it. I always sort the scenarios by date, so this one is right there where 14 June 1944 should be.
I've noticed the sort-by file name view does not necessarily follow the logic I use...
EDIT: I see you're sorted now, good
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05-12-2013, 06:55 AM,
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RE: **Bitter Kuuterselka EF:FB released into Blitz Scenario Database... Whew!!!
I couldn't find them because I was sorting by scenario name and they didn't come up... the ** was throwing them off I think... but when I sorted by date, I saw them at the end of the game...
I see the scenarios. I'm tracking what you said. I updated the Mod files as you outlined...
I also pulled in the other mods... I definitely like the new sound effect Death Dealer put together... I'll have to play a few games to hear all the new sounds... Definitely a nice touch...
On initial scan Bitter Kuuterselka looks like a very interesting scenario... Definitely seems to be something worth playing to work the various strategies... my favorite part of playing the games...
Thanks,
Jim
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05-12-2013, 04:49 PM,
(This post was last modified: 05-12-2013, 06:10 PM by Crossroads.)
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RE: **Bitter Kuuterselka EF:FB released into Blitz Scenario Database... Whew!!!
(05-12-2013, 06:55 AM)Jim von Krieg Wrote: I also pulled in the other mods... I definitely like the new sound effect Death Dealer put together... I'll have to play a few games to hear all the new sounds... Definitely a nice touch...
Remember to enable Warhorse's Scandinavian Terrain as well. It is a beauty, and makes a visible difference to dull EF terrain of the Eastern steppes!
(05-12-2013, 06:55 AM)Jim von Krieg Wrote: On initial scan Bitter Kuuterselka looks like a very interesting scenario... Definitely seems to be something worth playing to work the various strategies... my favorite part of playing the games...
I am of course biased, but the larger map and additional turns of the released version make this much more enjoyable. Lots of options for sure.
For Allied player, he's got the best the Red Army has on offer in summer '44. Medium and heavy tanks, SPGs, strong artillery, rocket artillery, SPGs, plenty of air support. Lots of men too.
But there's a lot of ground to cover, and negotiating the VT Line takes some time, allowing the Axis player to start reacting to this threat.
For Axis player, lasting the 30 turns is the key. Giving out ground too early nor fighting to the last man in the beginning are no options. But given no disaster happens, there should be opportunities for some hard hitting counter attacks on selected locations.
The StuGs that arrive are of the new EF:FB variety, who punch as the Mk IVs do for the first 1500 meters, as they have the same main gun but inferior optics compared to Mk IVs. Make sure to appreciate Warhorse's bitmap art on them!
Stopping the Red tank hordes is possible, but requires careful planning to mass superior fire power from ATGs and AFVs to hit hard, and to disappear before the Soviet artillery and air is on them.
And, if ambushed on narrow roads, can be vulnerable to infantry with fausts and shrecks now added into their arsenal.
Picture: The delivery of panzerfausts and shrecks begun only on early days of June 1944, and were often handed out immediately before battle, with at best just a short brief as how to use them. Source: www.SA-kuva.fi
Picture: But, once mastered, 'tank hunting' became a popular sport among some of the men. A typical hunting crew, with shreck + loader, panzerfaust user, and a couple of men with SMGs for close support. Source: www.SA-kuva.fi
Finally, I strongly recommend this to be played with AF off. It is neigh impossible to kill Red Army tanks if they lurk in the distance, with their strong front armour facing the opposition.
I hope you enjoy this, and look forward for your comments
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06-01-2013, 06:24 PM,
(This post was last modified: 06-01-2013, 06:25 PM by Crossroads.)
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RE: **Bitter Kuuterselka EF:FB released into Blitz Scenario Database... Whew!!!
Ashcloud and I just completed our mirrored game and we saw a major win for both Axis and Allied sides.
Thanks Ash for a fun game and continued great comradeship! This site has the best players and individuals for sure
PS The Finnish Army just put out some 160 000 WW II pictures available on-line for all to see. I hope you have enjoyed the few pictures I've posted here and there
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03-21-2015, 04:59 AM,
(This post was last modified: 03-22-2015, 01:33 AM by Crossroads.)
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RE: **Bitter Kuuterselka EF:FB released into Blitz Scenario Database... Whew!!!
With 'Bitter Kuuterselka' finally balanced for PBEM, it is time for... Kuuterselkä - The Real Battle.
With the 128th, 994th and 998th RKKA Rifle Regiments entering the scenario, Finnish reinforcements delayed, and five more turns to complete his armored breakthrough, the commander of the Soviet 109th AC should now have a complete blast with this one
Get it [ nope, back to the drawing board it is]
Plays with MCS 2.02 as-is, no need for mods. Do enable the Scandinavian Terrain mod though.
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03-21-2015, 11:26 PM,
(This post was last modified: 03-21-2015, 11:30 PM by Crossroads.)
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RE: **Bitter Kuuterselka EF:FB released into Blitz Scenario Database... Whew!!!
Oh dear. Having now looked deeper into Soviet OoB for Kuuterselka, there might need to be another two Rifle regiments (381th and 602nd) added as well into 109.D strength.
And once the infantry is there, the armored units need to be there in full as well. Originally, I just put "elements" of them into place, to make some sense to balancing it as an H2H game.
Nope. So five additional rifle regiments it is, plus some 50+ tanks at least. Artillery need to figure that, as it is too powerful in MCS if available in original strength (until there's the separate artillery supply level available to remedy it).
If "The Real Battle" is the target here though, as it is, this remains very much work in progress. I put it up there too early, and took it off now. I will reload it once done.
Sorry about that. Will be worth the wait, I am sure.
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