I wish to ask the SOW community a question. I am far more an amateur historian, then gamer… and have found the simulation to be an amazing tool in learning the “meat and potatoes” aspects of the war between the states. I have played single player, and multi-player (though I was forced to step away prematurely because of a wonky DSL connection) and have come away with a profoundly altered understanding of the conflict. As an example, playing the most realistic (courier at all levels) state, I found that the “Fog Of War” aspect was a far more critical layer… though the simulation has some unfortunate weaknesses in this portion of the coding (pathing,etc.) it was still realistic enough to bring ones heart rate up beyond safes levels. Because of this wonderful simulation… I have a new found appreciation for the difficulties of command that I heretofore did not fully appreciate.
I would ask the members of this community… what new insights have YOU discovered about this conflict that perhaps you did not know…. Or, you didn’t realize was far more critical (the role of Artillery? The importance of the high ground…) then you had previously thought?
... A question fo the SOW community.
Re: ... A question fo the SOW community.
I will add just one factor which this simulation has really emphasised in my mind--and that is the absolutely critical importance of allocating "reserves" at whatever level you are commanding--the crucial importance of allocating enough reserves for the situation,placing them in appropriate areas to be usable swiftly and choosing the optimum time to bring them up to fill a gap or to replace a tiring or damaged unit or conversely to swiftly exploit an enemy weakness or hole.
In the early days I found myself flanked or partially surrounded frequently and helpless- or conversely at other times unable to exploit an enemy gap or hole. This game swiftly compelled me to pay really close attention to the whole issue of forming and using reserves to the optimum effect at all levels of command in both attack and defence.
In the early days I found myself flanked or partially surrounded frequently and helpless- or conversely at other times unable to exploit an enemy gap or hole. This game swiftly compelled me to pay really close attention to the whole issue of forming and using reserves to the optimum effect at all levels of command in both attack and defence.
Re: ... A question fo the SOW community.
You both have mentioned aspects which are quite crucial, i.e. 'high ground, reserves, artillery placement', let alone flanking and knowing when to fallback or advance. Great tactical game overall and soon to get even better!!!
Your Obt. Serv't
Donald R. Hetrick
Your Obt. Serv't
Donald R. Hetrick
"Their battle-flags looked redder and bloodier in the strong July sun than I had ever seen them before"
Lt. John H. Calef
Company A, 2nd U.S. Artillery
July 1st
Lt. John H. Calef
Company A, 2nd U.S. Artillery
July 1st
Re: ... A question fo the SOW community.
I think that the greatest gift that these games have given me is the fact that I was far too harsh on the real generals.
It was fairly easy to sit back and criticize the various generals about not doing this, or why didn’t they commit more of their forces at this particular point in the battle.
I remember one game in particular that is quite amusing, looking back on it now.
I always divide my forces at the start of a game, trying to march down different roads, but usually moving in the same general direction.
I then took one brigade from each of the two divisions, and had them acting as a sort of blocking force, just in-case there were any enemy movements from that particular direction.
Well, after the battle starts, far away from those two brigades, I started to run out of all available men to place on the line. A lot of my units were running very low on ammunition. Usually, I’ll commit all of my forces, and then use the brigades that have re-armed to act as the reserves.
So, now I decided to march one of the two brigades back to the main force, but by the time that it would arrive, it would have probably be too late.
About half and hour later, as the battle was heating up, I decided that I needed the other brigade also, so I set him in motion to join the main army.
Roughly, an hour or so later the main battle was slowing down, so I stopped both brigades, turned them around, and sent both back to their original blocking-duty.
About an hour later, the battle starts to get out-of-hand, and once again I’m running out of men, so I put both brigades back in motion to join the main body.
Only to stop them again, and re-send both back to the other-side of the map, once things started to calm down.
As, far as I remember, I don’t think that either-brigade ever fired a shot, and I ended up quitting the game from frustration.
davinci
It was fairly easy to sit back and criticize the various generals about not doing this, or why didn’t they commit more of their forces at this particular point in the battle.
I remember one game in particular that is quite amusing, looking back on it now.
I always divide my forces at the start of a game, trying to march down different roads, but usually moving in the same general direction.
I then took one brigade from each of the two divisions, and had them acting as a sort of blocking force, just in-case there were any enemy movements from that particular direction.
Well, after the battle starts, far away from those two brigades, I started to run out of all available men to place on the line. A lot of my units were running very low on ammunition. Usually, I’ll commit all of my forces, and then use the brigades that have re-armed to act as the reserves.
So, now I decided to march one of the two brigades back to the main force, but by the time that it would arrive, it would have probably be too late.
About half and hour later, as the battle was heating up, I decided that I needed the other brigade also, so I set him in motion to join the main army.
Roughly, an hour or so later the main battle was slowing down, so I stopped both brigades, turned them around, and sent both back to their original blocking-duty.
About an hour later, the battle starts to get out-of-hand, and once again I’m running out of men, so I put both brigades back in motion to join the main body.
Only to stop them again, and re-send both back to the other-side of the map, once things started to calm down.
As, far as I remember, I don’t think that either-brigade ever fired a shot, and I ended up quitting the game from frustration.
davinci
The only true logic is that, there is no true logic!
Re: ... A question fo the SOW community.
....sound similar to what MajGen. A.S. Williams did running troops between the unions far flanks. I have a far better understanding now having walked the battlefield AND played the simulation...