Alright, so what did I do wrong?
Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 4:24 am
Okay. So I attempted to play Historical (HITS and Couriers) today. Tragic failure. It was a division versus division sandbox defensive battle. I had Rodes' Division, and was going up against Robinson's Division.
My orders are to defend the Bliss farm. I realize that this is quite a stupid place to hold (it is very low), so I back up to Cemetary Ridge, forming this position: Unsure of the direction of enemy approach, I sent Ramseur's Brigade off to the south with orders to probe, and filled in a line between Cemetary Hill and the copse on the ridge. (It took a damn hard time to get everyone into position, but eventually I got it.)
As I'm putting the last of my troops into position, I recieve word that the enemy has been sighted. I ride back to Cemetary Hill to see enemy troops pouring one road over into Bliss farm. As they have already started to take position, I decide to create a battle plan rather than try to hit them on the move. I decide on the one below: The entire plan should be a one-two punch. Ramseur and Doles will attack the enemy from the high ground on flank and front (respectively). Once they engage, Daniel and O'Neal will move out; Daniel plugging any holes between the lead brigades and O'Neal swinging down on the Gettysburg flank.
I send the attack orders to Ramseur, wait a bit for him to begin moving, then send the orders to Doles. Both brigades head in nicely. I then move in closer to the action to coordinate the supporting attack. I had ordered Daniel to move to the left flank of Doles in preparation, but somehow, he moved to the right flank. O'Neal marched out towards the creek to his front. I then ordered Daniel to just attack right behind Doles, instead of filling the gap (thinking the AI commander can will find the gap in my lines and plug it), and give orders to O'Neal to attack. Unfortunately, O'Neal missed the idea that he was supposed to outflank the line, and marched right back towards Daniel before he attacked.
By this point in time, I looked at my commander score, and my jaw dropped. I was 700 points negative. I checked kill ratio: I was taking over 2 times as many casualties as I had given. However, my supporting brigades just engaging, so I expected them to sweep the disorganized Union line to the front. They didn't. In fact, they send me to -1500 points within 10 minutes.
Disgusted, I end the battle, having no idea why my troops performed so badly when I had a plan that should have swept the two enemy brigades to kingdom come. (Four brigades versus two? I ought to win, that is why I picked the oob!)
So, what did I do wrong? Do I need to take a more active role in the fight by coordinating the attack better (I thought it was pretty coordinated) or coordinating the supports? Do I need to ride along the line taking personal command of regiments and moving them? The whole thing really doesn't make sense, especially when I can operate a division in a more difficult fight via couriers (but unlimited camera) and win decively.
Maybe I should shoot the brigade commanders and find some replacements.
My orders are to defend the Bliss farm. I realize that this is quite a stupid place to hold (it is very low), so I back up to Cemetary Ridge, forming this position: Unsure of the direction of enemy approach, I sent Ramseur's Brigade off to the south with orders to probe, and filled in a line between Cemetary Hill and the copse on the ridge. (It took a damn hard time to get everyone into position, but eventually I got it.)
As I'm putting the last of my troops into position, I recieve word that the enemy has been sighted. I ride back to Cemetary Hill to see enemy troops pouring one road over into Bliss farm. As they have already started to take position, I decide to create a battle plan rather than try to hit them on the move. I decide on the one below: The entire plan should be a one-two punch. Ramseur and Doles will attack the enemy from the high ground on flank and front (respectively). Once they engage, Daniel and O'Neal will move out; Daniel plugging any holes between the lead brigades and O'Neal swinging down on the Gettysburg flank.
I send the attack orders to Ramseur, wait a bit for him to begin moving, then send the orders to Doles. Both brigades head in nicely. I then move in closer to the action to coordinate the supporting attack. I had ordered Daniel to move to the left flank of Doles in preparation, but somehow, he moved to the right flank. O'Neal marched out towards the creek to his front. I then ordered Daniel to just attack right behind Doles, instead of filling the gap (thinking the AI commander can will find the gap in my lines and plug it), and give orders to O'Neal to attack. Unfortunately, O'Neal missed the idea that he was supposed to outflank the line, and marched right back towards Daniel before he attacked.
By this point in time, I looked at my commander score, and my jaw dropped. I was 700 points negative. I checked kill ratio: I was taking over 2 times as many casualties as I had given. However, my supporting brigades just engaging, so I expected them to sweep the disorganized Union line to the front. They didn't. In fact, they send me to -1500 points within 10 minutes.
Disgusted, I end the battle, having no idea why my troops performed so badly when I had a plan that should have swept the two enemy brigades to kingdom come. (Four brigades versus two? I ought to win, that is why I picked the oob!)
So, what did I do wrong? Do I need to take a more active role in the fight by coordinating the attack better (I thought it was pretty coordinated) or coordinating the supports? Do I need to ride along the line taking personal command of regiments and moving them? The whole thing really doesn't make sense, especially when I can operate a division in a more difficult fight via couriers (but unlimited camera) and win decively.
Maybe I should shoot the brigade commanders and find some replacements.