Smolensk Tactics & Strategy Options

[ScrapyardBob]

Now that Smolensk (a.k.a. Barbarossa II) is out, we can start taking a more in-depth look at it. This is a larger map the original Barbarossa and effective gameplay is going to require communication and flexibility.

First off, a review of the terrain. Slyk has assigned "official" names to most locations using the in-game map graphic. I've provided some other alternative names that I've heard folks refer to these spots as.

A. German spawn (a.k.a. Collective Farm #36)

This is the very west end of the map. Similar to Barbarossa where the germans are in the west and the russians are in the east. There is a pak gun in the spawn with limited visibility.

B. Hill #54 (W of G1)

Holds a pak gun that overlooks G1 along the south flank. Might get referred to as the "G1 pak" or "H54".

C. German #1 base - South flank (between Hill #54 and Hill #49)

Nestled inbetween a few hills along the south flank. It's an easy trip from the german spawn along the south flank to reinforce this base. Also known as "G1" when typing chat in-game in order to keep things short and sweat.

D. Hill #49 (E of G1 / W of swamp)

Hill #49 is where the tank scrape has been built that overlooks the stone bridge / G2 / G1 areas. There is also a tunnel that leads between the two sides of the ridgeline. Could end up referred to as "south hill", but probably "H49" when typing for brevity.

E. Wheat field (E of german spawn)

The wheatfield is a picturesque section of terrain between the german spawn and G2. A destroyed tank and a small copse of trees provide cover for infantry attempting to move through the field.

F. German #2 base - Middle flank (near stone bridge)

Controls the middle of the german defensive line. (a.k.a "G2")

G. Stone bridge (E of G2)

Um, it's the low stone bridge over the middle river near German #2! A key defensive position to take and hold.

H. Pillbox trenches (a.k.a. the "AT bunker")

This is a white concrete pillbox that houses a 45mm gun (only in CNQ play) surrounded by an extensive network of trenches and barbed wire fencing. There is also a tunnel that leads back through the hillside allowing infantry to infiltrate the town.

I. North HIll #62 (a.k.a. G3 hilltop)

German #3 base is located here. There are multiple trenches, defensive positions and a pak gun that looks east towards R3. Will probably end up referred to as the "G3 hill". It might get referred to as "NH62" or "H62".

J. Stary Petrovka Village (a.k.a. "The Town" or "The Village")

Contains multiple houses, a church, the Russian #2 base (a.k.a. "R2") and a russian 45mm stationary gun. Combat here tends to be fierce and heavy as fighting goes house-to-house. Communication will probably refer to sectors ("N village", "S town", "E Stary", "Church", etc.).

K. Swamp (south flank)

A patch of water / bullrushes and a few trees along the south flank. There is a russian 45mm gun (a.k.a. "R1 45mm" or "swamp gun") that overlooks this area.

L. Swamp 45mm (a.k.a. "South AT Trench")

The gun that overlooks the swamp along the south flank. This weapon will probably be called the "widowmaker" because of all of the newbies who will slaughter themselves while attempting to use it. (It's extremely easy to kill yourself by shooting the post in front of you.)

This area may also be referred to as the "south trench" or "swamp trench" or "S trench" or "S gun".

M. Russian #3 (a.k.a. "R3")

This base lies in a sheltered vale along the north flank. Reinforcement of this base will be tricky for the russians due to the need to come through a narrow bottleneck.

N. East Trench (a.k.a. "the trench line")

The main defensive works to the east of the village. There is a moat-like river that runs in front of it and it guards the approaches to the russian spawn area.

O. Russian spawn (a.k.a. "Forest")

The "old house" objective for CNQ is in this area. Russians spawn on this heavily forested hilltop during BAS.

P. Gorshanov House (a.k.a. "R1")

A set of houses by the Russian #1 base along the south flank.

Q. Depot

A train depot that lies in the far eastern part of the map. This area does not get much play during a BAS game but is a major facet of CTF/CNQ play.

R. Collective Farm #42

The farm houses and fields to the east of the depot.




This post has been edited by ScrapyardBob: 02/13/06 1:37am

[ScrapyardBob]

Overview on defense of the bases:

German #1 (south flank)
This base is very tricky to shell from a distance. Russians need to advance to H49 or attack from the Stone Bridge area in order to shell this base. Germans should plan on taking and holding the H49 hilltop, the trenchline and the tunnel, and the wooded area around the water pump. They'll also want to control the stone bridge area. Two to three defenders will be able to hold off a lot of russians.

German #2 (middle, by stone bridge)
In some ways, this is going to be an easily defended base. OTOH, due to its exposed position it will be rapidly breached. Defensive forces stationed near the stone bridge and H49 can pull dual-duty and protection both G1 and G2. This is the most easily reinforced base of the bunch. The biggest issue will be infantry slipping over the stone wall at the bridge and sneaking in for the plant.

German #3 (north flank)
If properly defended, this will be a very difficult hilltop to take. However, it is somewhat isolated and all of the foliage makes it easy for infantry to slip into this area. The bunker at the very north end of the ridge contains anti-tank weaponry. This also qualifies as a very exposed bunker and will be easily breached.

The amount of foliage in the area will require more defenders in order to watch all approaches.

German Summary:
If the germans can hold the area around the stone bridge, H49 and the pillbox, they stand a strong chance of soundly defeating the russians. Or at least preventing the russians from successfully planting G1 or G2. The H49 hilltop is going to be key for holding the south flank.

I suspect that G3 will fall first in most games with G2 as a strong second.

Russian #1 (south flank)
If the russians can keep germans from coming through the tunnel, this will be an easily defended base. Defenders can do dual-duty between guarding R1 and R2.

Russian #2 (middle, in village by church)
This is going to be difficult to defend. Even worse then R3 on the Barbarossa map. Numerous approaches due to all of the buildings, plus vulnerable to flank attacks from the swamp or from R3. OTOH, the East Trench line allows a very large overwatch of the area with lots of sniping positions.

Russian #3 (north flank)
A very secluded base. Strong on defense, weak on reinforcement. If the germans manage to control the area around R3, the russians who are attempting to reinforce will have to run a gauntlet / bottleneck to get there.

Russian Summary:

R3 will probably always fall first. R1 and R2 are going to be close seconds.

German Defense:

a. One to three germans on the G3 hilltop. Their job is to keep russians from flanking around on the south and attacking G2's soft underbelly. Probably one sniper and 2+ MG/SMG (or a tank).

b. One or two in the pillbox trenches. They can serve as advance warning for russians slipping through the tunnel or any russian offensives leaving town.

c. One or two at the stone bridge. One on the pak gun, the others to hide in the houses by the stone bridge.

d. One to three germans on H49 (or in the trench or the wooded area). They'll be able to watch for russians in the stone bridge buildings or russians that attempt to infiltrate via the swamp route.

Russian Defense:

a. One or two russians near R3. This is not going to be an easy area to hold against multiple tanks and infantry. One of them should probably be a sniper to pick off germans on the G3 hilltop.

b. Two to three russians in the village. Maybe even more. One on the 45mm near R2, one in the church tower, and multiple floaters to keep the houses clear and attack any tanks.

c. One or two russians near R1 or in the south trench (overlooking the swamp). Their biggest problem will be armor via the swamp approach or keeping german infantry from slipping through the tunnel and attacking R1.

d. One or two russians in the East Trench. Most likely a sniper plus a tank.