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In Episode 12 Battle for the Kremlin, the KG has reached the walls of the iconic Soviet capital, and is ordered to attack.
https://youtu.be/5b-DMKr8cnc

Conduct of the Attack
"The Germans learned at heavy cost the futility of charging a hostile antitank defence with tank concentrations and of engaging in tank-versus-tank combat without having superiority in range and armament."
United States War Department, Technical Manual TM-E 30-451 Handbook on German Military Forces (15 March 1945), Chapter IV Tactics, Section IV. Offensive, paragraph 4a.

In Episode 11 Next Stop Moscow, the KG has been tasked to probe forward along the road to Moscow, and secure a river crossing for the rest of the 19th Panzer Division.
https://youtu.be/wGj3CwNZt3I

Crossing a ridge
False: cross extended high ground which cannot be avoided closely echeloned together so that the enemy can acquire you close together and destroy you individually.
Correct: cross the high ground in a line so that all vehicles are ready to engage an antitank gun or an artillery battery behind the crest.
Wolfgang Schneider, Panzer Tactics: German Small-Unit Armor Tactics in World War Two, page 172.

In Episode 10 The First Fortification Ring, KG McDoll is chosen to lead the German assault on the defences in front of the Soviet capital.
https://youtu.be/f6mN9Z5ddOc

Breaching Obstacles
After the extent of the minefield has been determined or other possibilities for avoidance of the mines or other obstacles has been reconnoitered, they should be bypassed. Where that is not possible, infantry must take the obstacle and engineers clear and mark a path. In the meantime, the tanks cover the obstacle from covered positions.
Wolfgang Schneider, Panzer Tactics: German Small-Unit Armor Tactics in World War II, Chapter 1 Offensive Operations (Der Angriff), page 16.

In Episode 9 Panzers in the Snow - Roads to Moscow, KG McDoll is now attached to 19th Panzer Division for the attack on the Soviet capital. The village of Boguslav lies ahead.
https://youtu.be/oy8aOZ29yDA

False: simply halt at the edge of the woods without using the concealment available. As a result, the vehicle easily falls victim to enemy antitank guns or armoured cars.
Correct: do not move to the edge of the wood line. From a short distance from the wood line observe from a concealed position.
Wolfgang Schneider, Panzer Tactics: German Small-Unit Armor Tactics in World War II, page 258. From Kauffmann, Panzerkampfwagenbuch.

In Episode 8 Blitzkrieg - Next Stop Lemberg, a bunker position overlooks the final river crossing on the road to Lemberg.
https://youtu.be/7UNbpLjQxAs

Sectors of the Attack
Normally the sector assigned to a platoon is between 165 and 220 yards. A company attack sector is about 330 to 550 yards.
United States War Department, Technical Manual TM-E 30-451 Handbook on German Military Forces (15 March 1945), Chapter IV Tactics, Section IV. Offensive, paragraph 3b.

In Episode 7 Blitzkrieg - On to Lemberg, KG McDoll must make a river crossing to secure the road to Lemberg.
https://youtu.be/6nvxSFLqVTU

Attack Across Water Obstacles
In an assault crossing of a river the predominant mission of the tanks is to provide covering fire for the crossing and to then assume the attack on the other side of the river for the force that has already made the crossing.

In Episode 6 Blitzkrieg - Operation Barbarossa, Axis forces commence the invasion of the Soviet Union with Operation Barbarossa.

https://youtu.be/9iZ94uutuoc

"In selecting the point of main effort, the Germans consider weaknesses in the enemy's defensive position; suitability of terrain, especially for tanks and for cooperation of all arms; approach routes; and possibilities for supporting fire, especially artillery."
United States War Department, Technical Manual TM-E 30-451 Handbook on German Military Forces (15 March 1945), Chapter IV Tactics, Section IV. Offensive, paragraph 1.

In Boot Camp 5 Fighting with Armour, learn how to use armour.

https://youtu.be/E0ImtXMYMzE

In Boot Camp 4 Monitoring Your Forces, learn to monitor what's happening on the battlefield.

https://youtu.be/1LyFZmCe9Qk

In Boot Camp 3 Commanders and Tactics, learn how to launch an assault.

https://youtu.be/FwtldIyFbxM

In Boot Camp 2 Firing on the Enemy, learn how to issue firing and positioning orders.

https://youtu.be/EPC90oRqa_8

In Boot Camp 1 Moving Your Troops, learn the basics on moving your troops.

https://youtu.be/yWXAvs4ENcs

Welcome to Gus McDoll Strategy & Tactics, and thank you to our subscribers!

In this series we play through the 16 operations of the German Grand Campaign in Close Combat 3 The Russian Front.

We use each mission to illustrate aspects of WW2 infantry tactics at the company level and below, using actual WW2 German doctrine: frontal and flanking attacks; use of indirect fire; suppressing fire; enfilade and defilade; infantry/tank cooperation; defensive positions; ambushes; and so on.

Each episode we conduct basic mission analysis (mission, enemy, terrain, troops and time), develop and analyse courses of action, then execute the plan in real time, followed by lessons learned.

Check out the playlist at:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfvPrdR0dVYyEwtCjGHSWJwjuTfnoZor9

Check out Gus McDoll Strategy & Tactics (@gusmcdollstrategy) at:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHP82hqusTfei_Z69UwsoHw

Please remember to subscribe, comment, and like the videos. And if you want to show your support with a donation:
www.paypal.com/paypalme/GusMcDollGames
www.patreon.com/GusMcDollGames

Enjoy!

Very Happy

In Episode 56 Allied Grand Campaign AAR, we conduct an After Action Review for the Allied Grand Campaign.
https://youtu.be/WOJfSYfYHqg

Thanks to everyone for your support, and don't forget to subscribe to the YT channel to catch the next campaign!

Very Happy

In Episode 55 Polish Drop Farmland Part 2, the Polish Parachute Brigade continues its assault on the Farmland south of the Rhine River. It is Day 6 of Operation Market Garden, 0700hrs on 22 September 1944.
https://youtu.be/8dlKc-pejWs

Thanks Antony_nz, really appreciate the feedback! Interesting suggestion about narrating a two player game, assume it would need both players to supply their battle plans and in-game footage. I wonder how accurate their assessments of each other would be, and whether they would be surprised by the other's deployments! Don't forget to subscribe to the channel, as we are starting a new campaign in CC3.

In Episode 54 Polish Drop Farmland, the Polish Parachute Brigade assaults the Farmland south of the Rhine River. It is Day 6 of Operation Market Garden, 0700hrs on 22 September 1944.
https://youtu.be/_fabTcDdHho

The Fire Plan
"The fire of all weapons will be combined so as to have the maximum fire effect on all likely approaches or assembly areas which the enemy may use, subject to the need for gaining surprise by withholding fire until the latest possible moment."

United Kingdom, Infantry Training Part I - The Infantry Battalion (1944), Section 11, Paragraph 178a.

In Episode 53 Polish Drop Driel, the Polish Parachute Brigade must take the town of Driel. It is Day 5 of Operation Market Garden, 1900hrs on 21 September 1944.
https://youtu.be/nR9ETZm4YtA

General conduct of the attack
"...progress of the attack depends on the ability of the superior commanders to employ their reserves of tanks, of men and of other fire power so as to maintain the forward impetus, and on the skill and determination of subordinate commanders in finding and exploiting the enemy's weak points."
United Kingdom, Field Service Regulations Volume 2 Operations-General (1935), Chapter VI, Section 57, Paragraph 3.

In Episode 52 Polish Drop Landing Zone, the Polish Parachute Brigade lands at Driel, and fights its way off the landing zone. It is Day 5 of Operation Market Garden, 1700hrs on 21 September 1944.
https://youtu.be/OP3CY9Rw1io

Movement of troops by air
"If the troops are likely to have to go into action immediately on arrival, tactical units must be preserved to the greatest extent possible; complete platoons cannot usually be kept together, but sections must be kept intact as far as possible, and men of different companies must not be mixed."
United Kingdom, Field Service Regulations Volume 2 Operations-General (1935), Chapter III, Section 29, Paragraph 3.

In Episode 51 Groesbeek Heights, the 82nd Airborne defend a company-strength general outpost at the Groesbeek Heights against German infantry and armour. It is Day 5 of Operation Market Garden, 1000hrs on 21 September 1944.
https://youtu.be/5g-DCi11-yc

General Outpost / Mission
"The mission of the outpost is to provide time for the main force to prepare itself for combat, to delay and disorganize the enemy and deceive him as to the location of
the battle position, and to provide a deeper view within the terrain over which the attacker will advance."
United States, FM7-40 Infantry Field Manual Rifle Regiment (1942), Chapter 6 The Defense, Section IV, Paragraph 246.


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