1201_01a Close Call at Kubinka HTH

[Plain Ian]

Without locking ZOCs, it would be difficult to destroy units, though mauling them with direct fire would still be possible.

The problem in Eastern Front games with locking ZOCs comes from the Soviets having fewer units than the Germans (German divisions tend to be larger and they can breakdown units) which makes it difficult to place units in a second or third row behind the frontline that you could move in case a frontline units ends up in a ZOC. It won't help in situations where units pocket themselves, but the Soviets have difficulties with extracting units after moving a unit in so the ZOC locked unit can move due to having fewer on-map units. As the units that were pocketed in your situation were already assaulted several times, having a unit around that could move into a German ZOC so your stack could move into that unit would not have made much of a difference in terms of how high your losses would've been.

Having fewer individual units also makes German assaults easier as they have to Disrupt fewer units to be able to dislodge the defender. Having to Disrupt a larger stack can seriously slow down an offensive.

Which PzC games do you own by the way? I see you own East Prussia '14 as well. Would you be up for playing the Clash of Empires campaign scenario at some point?

I own most of the title. I'll update my profile with which ones.

EP '14. Mmmh I bought this because it was a bargain for us in Britain. The $£ exchange rate was quite good and John Tiller download meant that there was no added customs duty. I thought the games would be simpler and easier to play but found the opposite? I didn't mind the slower 'pace' but struggled with some of the mechanics. I possibly did not persevere. I'll think about your offer.