Once again was a pleasure to read the excellent submissions for
Tactical Problem #2 Counterattack on Mt. Euncona listed below.
All were well thought out and had excellent chances of succeeding.
The sophistication of TCS play demonstrated by the entries is
heartening: the TCS now has many ‘experts’. Before announcing
the winner and his plan, I will offer some thoughts on the problem
and it’s parameters.
The goals for the British are to clear Mt. Euncona quickly, keep
casualties low, destroy the 1-1-FJ and prepare for German reinforcements.
This means that an optimal plan must be speedy, utilize British
advantages while minimizing German strengths, avoid attrition
if at all possible, and cut off the German defenders positionally,
which will also serve to put a blocking force before any potential
German reinforcements. The British will probably have to assault,
so the defenders must be properly ‘prepared’ by fires before moving
in to keep casualties to a minimum. Basic tactics will include
using suppressive fires from support units (AA, mortars, artillery),
mixing move and fire mode to preserve maneuverability (units in
fire mode cover maneuvering elements with overwatch fires), surrounding
German units to get cross-fire modifiers, and using terrain and
smoke to screen British movements. A winning plan must take all
these elements into consideration, utilizing all available assets
in an effecient, timely and realistic manner.
According to these criteria, Steve Poitinger’s plan was the best.
Similar to others in many ways, it nevertheless had thoughtful
touches lacking in the other submissions which put it into first
place. Steve’s plan is presented below, along with all the original
entries (each of which is well worth studying). Now on to problem
#3!