CMBN: The Scottish Corridor 03: Hansel and Gretel

The Germans counterattack the Cameronians at le Haut du Bosq.
Mods:
HQS Sound mod: cmmodsiii.gree...
Vein's Effects: cmmodsiii.gree...
Vin's Unit Icons: cmmodsiii.gree...
Benparks British Uniforms: cmmodsiii.gree...
Luckystrike's Hedgerow Hell: community.batt...
Plus I mixed in some of Kieme's textures from CMBS.
This is Combat Mission: Battle for Normandy, set on the Western Front from July to September 1944. One of the most realistic tactical simulations ever made, Combat Mission covers a wide variety of military settings, from World War 2 (Normandy, Market Garden, Sicily, Italy and the Eastern Front) to fictional modern conflicts in Syria (Shock Force) and Ukraine (Black Sea). You can find out more about Combat Mission by visiting www.battlefront... and especially the forums.
#CombatMission

[@ninjasocks1048]

First Tiger Crew: Bails immediately without firing a shot. 2nd Tiger Crew: "And I took that personally."

[@MrTagwin]

>.>

[@seankong9733]

When throwing hand grenades and shouting “oi mate, open up!” is enough to get one tiger to bail, but literally the entire anti tank arsenal of a combined arms battalion isn’t enough for the second

[@usuallyhapless9481]

I guess split the difference and you get a realistic average?

[@masonm9316]

This video managed to portray both sides of the "tiger debate" that's been ravaging the internet for the past ten years, in 20 minutes... well done!

[@usuallyhapless9481]

Worth pointing out that the more troublesome Tiger only racked up about 7 kills, so it wasn't actually massively effective. Just to stir the debate some more :P

[@Ts5EVER]

That Tiger crew was like that monster in the bad horror film that keeps coming back when you least expect it.

[@rm9615]

Basically this movie’s entire premise… m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/mojCiYavi8d4hM0 Hapless could definitely had spliced some clips from it into this one lol

[@gunsalot]

1st Tiger´s turret slowly rotating towards those soft mushy targets is an amazing scene!

[@usuallyhapless9481]

Thanks very much man!

[@williamking7531]

That tiger was something else, never seen a tank take that much punishment and keep trucking in CM

[@JuergenGDB]

I once counted about 26 hits on a Tiger I. Lost a few soft items on the Tiger but it still rocked on through. Problem is the sides, even a Sherman with their 75mm can Penetrate the side if they are close enough. It was what happened to Michael Wittmann.

[@siy1580]

@@JuergenGDB well reguarding Michael Wittmann it was ether a sherman Firfly or a Hawker hurricane that killed him, due to the fact that both where present and both had supposedly hit the same tank, im puting my money on the sherman though

[@Enterprise6126]

​@@siy1580 ya fighter bombers were more effective in killing soft targets and larger groups of them (like convoys) tanks are relatively small and those rockets and bombs are not accurate

[@KilroyJTF2]

Wow I’ve played a bunch of the WW2 titles and have never seen a tiger take that kind of beating. Felt more like trying to deal with T-80s in Cold War when all you have are TOW 1 and M60A1.

[@sigmazhukov4897]

It was a porsche tiger :)

[@_Dogberry_]

Damn. I’ve never been so struck by a more truer statement. Fuck T-80’s

[@ccccccc95]

Bumping for the algorithm again. Keep making these videos! You inspired me to get CMFI and I have been getting savaged attacking in the hills of Sicily. Watching your AAR have helped but the real deal is a HUGE learning curve. Thanks for the content man!

[@usuallyhapless9481]

Thanks! If it helps, IIRC a lot of those 'kick the Germans off the hill' missions in Sicily are pretty tough- you're in at the deep end!

[@theofficerfactory2625]

Holy crap! That was an intense battle. I thought for sure you would of had to retreat from the area but the battle stalled and then turned in your favor. Looked liked there was a firefly Sherman too; an excellent counter to that Tiger that was very, very, VERY stubborn.

[@usuallyhapless9481]

Yeah, I had plenty of AT assets closing in on the Tiger at the end, including the Firefly. Could probably have bagged it if they hadn't surrendered first.

[@RayLovesToMakeMusic]

If the experience of Tiger #2 was done as a point-of-view film, we’d all say it was SO unrealistic for it to take such a beating and still be in the fight!

[@sullybiker6520]

I had some frustration with the design of specific missions in this campaign but the fact I remember it so well speaks to its quality. Another lovely play through, Happers. Defending in CM vs AI can be a bit weird (there are more in the campaign) as they're limited by whatever plan they choose, but they'll just go ahead and steam straight in. With a a bit of luck you can absolutely maul them.

[@usuallyhapless9481]

Yeah, the AI is the tricky part in CM. Very difficult to get it to attack effectively simply because it's fundamentally unresponsive.

[@Ts5EVER]

@@usuallyhapless9481 In my opinion to make really good defense mission there is one basic AI trigger missing: Formation state. Basically, the designer needs to be able to tell the AI "If this group is below X% strength, execute this alternative (retreat) plan instead". I think this would solve the issue of the AI just going completely all-in in every defense scenario and would allow for a lot more varied setups beyond just "Limit player deployment options, rush him and give him reinforcements at one point to turn the tide", which is what 90% of defense scenarios boil down to.

[@briansmithwins]

@@usuallyhapless9481 OTOH, having a plan and sticking to executing it CAN be pretty effective... and the AI is good at sticking to a plan. Recon pull type attacks, not so much from what I've experienced.

[@mymneisadj]

that was a helluva job. i was looking forward to seeing you handle that one.. i played it twice but it has been a long time ago...the first one played out similar to yours without the "luck" versus tiger 1.... i KO'd in on the horizontal road behind the objectives with an extremely close piat team after it had snacked on the 6lb gun i had over there.... my second playthrough of the campaign i cant remember the details of or maybe blocked the memory out.. i think they broke through on the left and smashed me hammer and anvil style... i think i had already be crushed by time reinforcements arrived and just accept the defeat.... if i remember correctly the next mission is a real pain in the neck to...... good game and good luck rest of the way

[@Requin87]

Great video and neatly done! I remember this being a bit of a bloody brawl when I played. (In fact, I remember a few bloody affairs in the campaign as I tried to get to grips with how to best utilise the Brits). An impressive tail of two Tigers - as frustrating as it can be, I think part of the beauty of CM is that the same event can have wildly different outcomes. It certainly keeps you on your toes!

[@keithskaggs6719]

Been playing CM by myself for years. Love watching your videos. I learn things from you and also am encouraged when you admit to mistakes, bad luck, and occasional judgment errors. Helps me keep going. When I played this scenario, I had manuevered a Sherman for a rear shot on a tiger but before that happened a forgotten piat crew launched a bomb, scored a frontal hit and knocked the tiger out! Weird luck!

[@Marth667]

That was a joy to watch, for my attempt at this mission I found my tripwire boys rack up a dozen kills amongst six of them, of course they died but the delay was 20 minutes which mattered in the end. Despite being told that Gretel was zeroed in I decided to leave a section there.. Not the best decision I've made as they were reduced to pulp but being where they were even at roughly half strength allowed them to hold gretel for a long period of time. Time was my saviour in this battle, I contested all objectives and destroyed all but a few units of the counterattack. I suffered lots of losses in this battle, I got a minor victory if I recall but if it wasn't for the reinforcements I would have lost easily. The next mission I should play since I've been inspired by you hap, it's a sort of lets play as you get to tune in to see how badly you done compared to a pro 😅

[@wojszach4443]

2:20 i love how this simulates everything being a tiger because of just how famed those machines were

[@markchorlton60]

Excellent video as always! Will have to go back and watch Requin87's Scottish Corridor videos and compare tactics and outcomes. That Tiger was insanely resilient!

[@usuallyhapless9481]

I'm watching his playthrough and Double Vision's as I go along ;)

[@YourRulerSkeletos]

Looks like the light armor on both sides got a share of the glory for once. Was impressed at the small mobile war conducted with the scouts only let down by the PIAT team's seemingly regular inability to target armor. Excited to see more of this campaign, seems like a very difficult series of problems with not a lot of tools available to solve them cleanly.

[@marcosantoniodosreis8427]

i was waiting for this battle, nice one

[@marcosantoniodosreis8427]

what a crazy tiger

[@mikhailfilitov1479]

Brutal engagement. Very enjoyable to watch with a shocking number of organic cinematic moments!

[@fatherdex8174]

I like your videos very much hapless. I think it'd be cool if you made more videos on the basics of strategy that you employ, but the next video you make will be good regardless.

[@usuallyhapless9481]

Thanks very much! There is more tactical stuff in the pipeline, it's just trying to find the right format to get it across effectively.

[@Gunnar1981]

These are such well done vids, thank for doing all of this! I played CM way back when I had the eastern front game on CD ROM! These are making me want to get back into it

[@JacobN-hg8tv]

awesome series, im really loving this campaign.

[@842wolves]

Amazing work as always

[@PitterPatter20]

Another great video! Love this campaign so far!

[@gepflegtePCSpieleKultur]

Just started to play again CM after leaving behind CMFI in 2014. Playing now the complete CMFI Engine 4 Bundle (with all DLC) and upgraded CMSF into CMSF2. (also all DLC). I like to thank you. Your Videos and the Channel's content has eased me into CM again. Great Video's, great Explanation's Cheers Mate be well.

[@jameslanz2117]

This is the most exciting story I’ve ever heard

[@HardLineRival]

These are so damn entertaining, good video as usual!

[@Euan_Miller43]

Another great CM video

[@milotura6828]

Hello Hapless, I have Played Black Sea, but i wanted to try out one of the WW2 titles. I was wondering if you would recommend Battle for Normandy or Red Thunder. I am Slovakian so Red thunder hits close to home, but i heard that it not as noob friendly and the soviets are a pain in the ass to play(i prefer playing as Germany but most of the content seem to revolve around the allies so yea.) Thank you. Sorry if this was a long message. LOVE THE VIDEOS

[@sproge2142]

Personally I would have put a small force on far right even if they would be shreaded, forcing the enemy to start engaging in the field would have made it possible to spot the muzzle flashes for your infantry covering the approach from further away, and even if they'd die quickly the Germans would have probably kept firing at the now engaged forces from the center continuing to provide targets to shoo at. Wonderful video as alway Hapless, can't wait for the next part!

[@mattf9192]

Great to see this played through. What operational level map are you using for the bigger historical picture, please? It looks like it'd be really useful for map-making and crafting scenarios. I've built a scenario (not yet released) focusing on 7th Duke of Wellington's Regiment's actions at Le Parc de Boislonde, north of Fontenay, on the left edge of the map shown at 21:01.

[@usuallyhapless9481]

I have no idea where I got the actual map image from, but there's a version of it here: www.normandywarguide.com/archives/gsgs4347-cheux Interestingly enough, I do have a side project mini-campaign revolving around 6th DWR's attack on le Parc de Boislande, so I have a good idea of what happens. The map is all ready to go- not 100% accurate, but feels like a good balance between old maps, google maps, topographic data and period aerial photos.

[@mattf9192]

@@usuallyhapless9481 the actions there could probably make a good mini campaign, from 6DWRs initial capture of Le Parc, to being forced off by counterattack from Fontenay and their destruction, then 7DWRs actions to retake Le Parc with remnants of the 6th.

[@sirfanatical8763]

Jesus this is chaotic.

[@neverboard996]

really nice video-- what Mod are you using for the unit icons ?? love them

[@usuallyhapless9481]

Vin's Unit Icons: cmmodsiii.greenasjade.net/?p=2080 Link was in the description, but broken by stupid copy pasta error ;) Fixed.

[@normannobrot]

another reason i love the new combat missions. that tiger took a punishment...

[@wartsnall7332]

Another very enjoyable video. The best I could manage was a low casualty (KIA- 13 WIA - 15) Minor Victory, plus the three carriers which I in a somewhat gamey fashion stripped of ammo and used as roadblocks.

[@renes9966]

Holy shit that counterattack at the end was pure redemption!

[@donotlookherethereisnothing]

The 2nd Tiger was what Wehraboos thought Tigers were made out of The 1st is reality

[@matthiuskoenig3378]

Neither is reality

[@donotlookherethereisnothing]

@@matthiuskoenig3378 ratio

[@ronhall9394]

Nit picking, but 4 25lbers is not a Battery but a Section. Actually, it's two sections but that's getting deep into Arty speak.

[@usuallyhapless9481]

I know. It's just easier to call it a battery no matter what size it is.

[@ronhall9394]

@@usuallyhapless9481 👍

[@robertkalinic335]

Is it possible that first tiger was too close to piat for safe use? Also, can you kill people by running over them like that tiger almost did?

[@wartsnall7332]

You can't deliberately run over infantry in CM2. I think it was coded that way to enable your own infantry and tanks to share the same Action Square.

[@usuallyhapless9481]

I think it's more likely the PIAT gunner couldn't get a good line from the prone position because of the intervening low bocage. And like Warts 'n' all says, no one gets run over in CM- which is nice because the pixeltruppen are definitely not smart enough to avoid getting in the way of vehicles.

[@swiftsmackdown4645]

i've decided to play through myself and watch your videos after each mission. for this one i seem to have been more sucessful. I organised a wide front line and adopted an elastic dffence. So on the left they came into a pocket and on the right i kept my troops in the buildings which seemed to be coverd by the bushes blocking the line of fire of there supporting troops allowing my forces to supress and run off the attacking germans. supported by 2 tubes of mortars and the 25 pounders.

[@whya2ndaccount]

Looks like the German AI (or the scenario designer) didn't have a good grip on combined arms. Unescorted armour pushing fwd in gathering darkness, not so much of a good idea.

[@usuallyhapless9481]

It's an AI limitation in CM. It can't respond to changing circumstances and can only work to a timetable. So Paper Tiger probably set the Tiger to move to point X, wait for a set time for the infantry in the orchard to catch up, then move to point Y. Except someone was shooting at the infantry, so they fell behind schedule and the plan got thrown out of whack. You can sort of fix this now with AI triggers, but they weren't available when this campaign was made.

[@Heinz0Fiction]

This mission gave me a headache. the tiger tank is extremely sturdy in Combat mission. I scored a penetration of the tiger by the orchard in the turret with the 6pdr but it doesnt seem to do anything. couldnt make much use of the AT Guns whatsoever. PIATs were similary useless, a lot of them missed completely even on short range and those who hit got absorbed by the tigers armor skirts. even the shermans later on had massive problems dealing with them. I dont think its possible to hold the gretel objective, even if you do perfect

[@aaronjones2117]

If you lost the first 2 battles, you would have Panzer IVs instead of Tigers, and your guys would have made mincemeat out of them

[@usuallyhapless9481]

Yep, that would have been distinctly easier

[@LathelusPL]

How long of IRL time it takes you to complete a CM scenario? I've just finished my take on Ecoqueneuville in Road to Montebourg, and it took me literally TWO WHOLE DAYS (~16h) to finish! I just want to check, whether I'm not overthinking stuff while playing :P

[@usuallyhapless9481]

Oh yeah, it can definitely take that long.

[@LathelusPL]

@@usuallyhapless9481 Uff, so it's not that bad with me. Thank you for answering. Also, I wanted to ask, what is your policy on loading a save during or after a scenario? Do you reload often? After a butchered scenario do you start it over or just roll with it? I'm asking, because that's exactly what I did, I totally screwed up one map in a campaign, and I'm thinking whether it's worth it to continue xP

[@VLSG_WARGAMING]

Do you play any Graviteam Tactics? I can listen to you narrate this kind of content all day, so I would love to see a commentated campaign!

[@jhnshep]

Just found your channel, and the game, never heard of it before, looks like fun but looking at the prices, 60+++++++ think I'll be hanging off buying just yet lol

[@nicholasi695]

What dust mod do you use?

[@Crusader_Lite]

You can say "Rearmed and Resupplied" instead of re-ammo'd

[@evilreddog]

That second tiger is basicaly the internet weebs opinion put in motion, exept the guns should have been IS-2 122mm and instead of PIAT modern NLAW missiles

[@doroshi9389]

gi