In the Combat Mission computer gaming series from Battlefront.com soldiers react as their real-world counterparts would, and the game rewards the use of real-world tactics. In this series of how-to videos Lt. Col. (ret) Jeffrey Paulding, longtime gaming editor for Armchair General magazine, draws upon his 11 years as an active-duty infantry officer in the U.S. Army and a quarter-century of experience with computer wargames to help you maximize your tactical skills in Combat Mission: Battle for Normandy.
Armchair General Presents
Combat Mission Battle for Normandy Tactics, Episode 1
Fire Superiority: In this first video Jeffrey Paulding examines Situational Analysis, Vulnerability, and Fire Superiority and how proper understanding of troops, their weapons and capabilities, combined with prior recon of terrain can help players acquire and sustain maximum fire superiority.
Combat Mission Battle for Normandy Tactics, Episode 2
Attacking a Fortified Position: This tutorial takes viewers step-by-step through an attack on a fortified enemy position, the sort of brutal “stand-up-and-slug” action General Omar Bradley warned would be required in Normandy. It covers planning for the attack, movement to contact, how to use engineers, supporting fires, and combined arms most effectively and how to maneuver, in order to minimize your casualties in a difficult situation.
Combat Mission Battle for Normandy Tactics, Episode 3
Key Principles of the Attack: Using two different battles—one from the American perspective, one from the German—the third tutorial in this series illustrates the concept of Find and Fix the enemy, then Destroy him by identifying and exploiting a weak spot. Covers use of engineers, artillery and Target Reference Points, calculating line of sight, probing, and making the best use of your most valuable assets, be they copious amounts of ammunition or Panther tanks.
Combat Mission Battle for Normandy Tactics, Episode 4
Preparing a Fixed Defense: In this fourth video of the Combat Mission Tactics series, using for the first time combat footage from Combat Mission – Commonwealth Forces, detailed steps are shown on how to set up a German fixed defense against a powerful British force of tanks and infantry. Using terrain analysis, we figure out where the British might attack and then plan a defense to stop them. A comprehensive discussion of the rationale behind the defense is followed by dramatic footage of how defense actually holds up under the British onslaught. Topics covered include obstacles, kill zones and target reference points.
Combat Mission Battle for Normandy Tactics, Episode 5
Conducting a Defense: In this fifth video of the Combat Mission Tactics series we show how a German unit defends against a strong British attack of infantry and tanks in the hedgerow country of Normandy. The video takes you through the battle step-by-step, starting with the terrain analysis that forms the basis for the creation of the defensive plan. You then see how this engagement unfolds as the Germans match British attacks with their own counterattacks to stop the British forces short of their objectives. Topics include defense in depth, use of mortars in the direct fire mode, and the purpose of the counterattack.
Combat Mission Tactics, Episode 6
How to Fight: In this sixth and final video on tactics, we go to Sicily, using Combat Mission: Fortress Italy, to give on tips on “How to Fight.” Using examples from two battles in a river valley, this video focuses on key concepts, as well as the details of how to fight at squad level. We go over the use of area fire, the assault command, the importance of understanding ballistics, understanding match ups, and the use of terrain. A review and primer all at the same time, this video rounds out the series, while introducing the latest version of Combat Mission.
This is excellent. A good reminder of sound tactics even for the experienced wargamer.
Fantastic work! Looking forward for next episodes. A big help for CMBN players, even for those who know the drill.
Great video. Just what we need to help survive on the virtual battlefield. I was wondering, what difficulity setting do you recommend and what does the different settings actually do to gameplay? Also did you play the original Combat Mission and how would you say they compare?
Sir Slash -
I usually play on Warrior. Warrior has more realistic indirect fire delay times and spotting rules.
I have played the original Combat Mission series. In fact, the first game review I did for Armchair General was on Combat Mission: Barbarossa to Berlin. The original series was great after the changes the desingers made in the game play for second game: Barbarossa to Berlin. In the original series, the infantry was somewhat abstracted, and one figure stood for 3-4 men. The current game engine animates each man and has better infantry AI than the original series. All the work Battlefront did on the infantry AI in the Combat Mission Shock Force series is what makes Battle for Normandy such a great combat simulator.
If you don’t have the computer horsepower to run the current series well, you should play the original series.
Thanks for getting back to me so soon. I also play veteran mostly. sometimes I get a little chicken & go back down a level. I hope you will address arty usage as that’s my biggest weakness. The length & duration is a little confusing and my arty always seems to arrive later than I need it. I look forward to your next video.
Sir Slash -
I will be covering artillery in detail. Proper use of artillery is essential. In Combat Mission, as with most things in life, timing is everything.
col. jeff ,
this game is very very good from what i can see watching your episodes 1-6. also watched the monster tutorial. Iusually play world of tanks ,but ths game is a lot more involved and tactically appealing to me.
Thanx for the expertise applied.
Nice. Liked the tiger firing almost strait in the air? Wow… and it landed a hit on that Sherman.
I learned the hard way but being a CM vet I knew what to expect. The forest and grass is a nice change from the deserts for sur eand add a new element to the CM series.
Great first video – I am looking forward to the next installment. How many do you plan to make? And how frequently do you plan to release new videos?
I plan on making five more videos in approximately six week intervals. The next videos will focus on specific operations: how to conduct an attack, planning a defence, etc.
Great stuff thank you! I just received the game and I am anxious to start playing. I loved the old series. Great reminder on tactics.
Great video. I started playing CM on the earlier series too. People made great training scenarios, but I wish I could have seen something like this on video then.
Thanks a lot and looking forward to seeing more.
[...] игрового направления журнала Armchair General, бывший подполковник в отставке Jeffrey Paulding [...]
Hi Jeffrey,
Excellent video. More please!
I would like to know your thoughts about how to achieve fire superiority in hedgerow country. It’s more easily said than done in my case.
An example from a blog entry I wrote a couple of months ago:
http://kriegsimulation.blogspot.com/2011/08/combat-mission-battles-for-normandy.html
Cheers,
As was historically the case, achieving fire superiority is not easy in the bocage. Getting indirect fire on the target is usually the best way to achieve fire superiority; for or the linear cover provided by bocage is not that effective against mortars and artillery. Advance your forward observers to a position from where they can spot the enemy in the bocage; use direct fire to cover the FOs. Once the defenders are surpressed by direct and indirect fire you can try to flank them. The key is to be patient and take thing one step at a time.
thanks for the tactical advise. With no genuine military training I can really use all the help I can get.
I am currently playing through all my real time strategy games(all modded for realism, except the CM and TOW series) in chronological order(a time frame ranging from 1080 to 2008, from Medieval 2 Total War to Combat Mission Shock Force).
I am currently in the late 16th century and I estimate I will be getting to my WW2 games sometime in the middle of next year. By then I expect I will have watched all of your videos and be well prepared for the coming of the second world war, and modern warfare.
[...] Combat Mission (Jeu PC) De retour avec un nouvel opus, Combat Mission revient avec le titre Combat Mission Battle to Normandy (CMBN pour les intimes d'appui-feu.com !) De CMBO à CMBN, D'AF1 à AF3 Site de passionnés francophone, Appui-feu.com est exclusivement dédié à la série des Combat Mission. Sans présenter en détail ce jeu de stratégie au tour par tour édité par Battlefront, Combat Mission se situe entre le jeu d’échec et le combat stratégique réaliste.Exclusivement centré sur la seconde guerre mondiale (à l'exception notable du quatrième opus (CMSF)), le jeu est le point de rencontre idéal entre militaires passionnés, historiens, joueurs et même compétiteurs.www.appuifeu.com étant le seul site francophone proposant un classement des meilleurs joueurs pour chacun des 5 opus c'est le point de rencontre idéal pour tous. (Vidéo issue de ‘Combat Mission: Battle for Normandy’ Tactics – A Video Series) [...]
Exsqueeze me… but when is the next one????
Glad you’re wanting more of these videos, Ken. The author says they will be posted in approximately six-week intervals.
I am working on the next video now. It will be about how to conduct an attack. Not sure when it will be finished. Hopefully, in a few weeks.
Very much looking forward to it… My latest HTH match definitely indicates I could use some specifics on how to conduct an attack! :)
[...] to long-time fans. If you’re not familiar with the game, check out this first-in-a-series video of tactics within it, presented by Armchair [...]
OK Mr. Paulding. Your belly is full and you’ve had some weeks to work on this. Pony up with the next video!!! :)
I am diligently working on the next video between bites of turkey. The next video will cover how to conduct an attack. Hope to have it done this coming week.
Hello Col. I’m currently playing the Road to Monteborg campaign, the 5th scanario has the American airborne defending against the Germans and I don’t know if you’ve played a defensive battle yet or not but the AI in this game is much improved on offense than previous Combat Mission games. It’s using scouts, area fire and arty preparation VERY well. Almost too well at times. It’s not human level yet but greatly improved and much more of a challenge. I was wondering if you found this to be true too and your thoughts/ suggestions/ tactics.
Sir Slash -
I have not played the Road to Monteborg yet, but my son tells me it is tough, so I don’t have any advice for you on tactics.
I must admit, most of the time I play by email against humans, so my experience with the AI is more limited than you might think. Thanks for your comments about the AI. Battlefront is always improving the AI. From what I have seen, the AI is competent even on the attack, especially in terms of using “school solution” tactics.
Christmas! What better time to release the next episode… :)
Great videos! Thank you, Col. Pauling!
Very good video Col. Very helpful and entertaining at the same time. Looking forward to more Tactics 101 from you.
Thanks for the compliment. I especially appreciate the “entertaining” comment, because it was my sister who went to art school, not me.
Well you’ve got a great career ahead of you as a movie director if you’re interested.
Lt. Col. (ret) Jeffrey Paulding:
Loved the 2nd video. You are doing excellent work.
Thanks!
Airboy
Another great video. Thanks.
[...] Click here to read a brief description and find the link to Lt. Col. Paulding’s Combat Mission tactics video. [...]
Great video and really fun to watch. This is one cinematic game. Again can’t wait to see another. Is there a place where I could download Your videos?
Best Regards,
Thanks for the compliment. I will ask the web master of Armchair General if there is a way to download the video from YouTube. I don’t know the answer.
hmmm, I think your original estimate of 6 week intervals may have been a bit optimistic. Probably a bit closer to 3 month intervals?
I believe you are right. I was overly optimistic. In my own defense, I want to point out that I still have to write my war game reviews and perform reasonably well on my day job.
Work on video number three is coming along. Hope to finish it in a couple of weeks; right after I hand in my next set of reviews. Sorry for the delay.
[...] Click here for more information on Combat Mission: Battle for Normandy – Video Tutorial 3. [...]
Great video and tuition
Hey Col. Congrats on another great video and a great help to us struggling tactictions. In the hedgerow terrain, I’ve found my 60mm mortars to be my effective weapon using direct or light area fire if they can hit close to a target. If the target isn’t destroyed it will often be suppressed for several turns. Using light fire conserves on ammo and allows me to see how close the shots are landing and guess when the target has been hit. Their scores at the end of the battle are always among the highest of my units. What do you find to be the most effective weapon for you in your head to head matches?
Sir Slash -
I completely agree with you regarding the 60MM mortar. I think it is the American’s most effective weapon. For some reason, I end up playing the Germans in many email games and the 60MM does more damage to my troops than any other weapon.
I also agree when calling a fire mission that a SLOW, SHORT mission is best for suppressing the target, yet conserving ammo.
Thank you for your for your comments.
Thanks for taking the time to make these videos, enjoyed them immensely and look forward to the rest of the series.
Once again, great videos. Whats the next one going to be on? You haven’t done how to conduct a defense yet, on the other hand you promised early on that one of them would go over artillery in detail, and to be honest that’s my weak point.
The next one will be on defense. I was working on it today. Unfortunately, these videos take a lot of time, as does my day job. Thus it is taking me much longer to produce the Combat Mission videos then I originally thought.
I discuss artillery in several of the videos. There will be more about aritllery in the next video as well. If you have a specific aspect you want me to cover, let me know.
So quit your day job! Get your priorities right.
Excelentes videos , muy agradecido, espero coleccionarlos todos y aprovechar mejor el juego
Approximate translation: Excellent videos, very been thankful, I hope to collect them all and to take advantage of better the game
Hey Col. Haven’t heard you mention anything about the Commonwealth add-on. Have you tried it and what do you think? I can’t wait to see your King Tiger video.
I am enjoying the Commonwealth add-on. I reviewed it for the magazine and gave it five stars; but that issue of the magazine will not be published for some months. The next video on setting up a defense will use CMCF.
The scenario I am using for the video does not include a King Tiger though – schade.
To anticipate your next question, the video won’t be done for some weeks as I have to travel for my day job over the next couple of weeks.
Well so far the videos seem to be coming out at about 3 month intervals. You released the second one about 2 months 20 days after the first one, the third one was released 3 months 4 days after that. Based on that I would be willing to hazard a guess that the fourth video will come between 5 June, and 20 June, although I wouldn’t place any money on it, these things are a bit unpredictable. Although on the off chance that I am right, remember that I called it.
Anyway, as for artillery. I can do a pretty devastating preparatory barrage in CMSF and CMA if I have a fair idea where the enemy is. The difficulty for me comes when I try to use artillery after the scenario starts, often I may go through an entire mission without using my artillery assets because I just can’t figure out how or when to use my artillery. This leaves me feeling that I have let my troops down by not using all available assets, and as a result they may have suffered more casualties than were necessary. I find it is easiest to use artillery on the offensive, as the enemy are usually occupying fixed positions anyway. But I run into trouble on the defensive, unless I can pin the enemy down with direct fire they will usually move beyond the target area before any indirect fire can arrive.
Gareth -
Your estimate of when the next video will come out seems reasonable, but I am not making any promises that I can’t keep.
Thank you for your comments about artillery. I will be sure to talk about some of the issues your raise about using artillery defensively in the upcoming videos about the defense.
It seems my estimate was wrong, as estimates so frequently are.
You are close. The video is in production. However, I am behind for reasons I won’t go into. Hope to be done soon…
what is the activation code please ? :(
activation code for what? If it’s for a game than I believe it is different for each copy. There are probably forums that are more relevant to your problem than this one though.
Great work on these videos. Good to see that Armchair General thinks highly of the Combat Mission series which I have played since junior high. Man those data tables. At the local club those CMBB/CMBO data charts are real bragging rights issues. “WHAT IS THE SLOPE AND ARMOR OF A PANTHER A’S UPPER GLASIS SON?!!” We yell. “80MM AT 60 DEGREES SIR!” Lol. Just got the Commonwealth update and am loving new subtleties like degrees of indirect fire (love that H&I), repleshing ammo off APC’s etc. Keep up the good work.
Been waiting patiently for this one! Thanks Jeffrey!
Congrats Col. on another excellent video and battlefield performance. If the Germans would’ve had you on their side, the allies never would have gotten off the Normandy beaches. This will help me immensely.
Stopping the allies across the whole of normandy would be more of an operational deal, these videos are focused more on the smaller level tactics. I think probably would have made things exceedingly difficult for an allied battalion or two on some smaller section of the front. I don’t know though Jeffrey Paulding, you as brilliant on the operational level as you are on the tactical?
Come to think of it, it would be pretty awesome to find a game that would allow me to try my hand at operational level combat. I’ve got Strategic Command and Hearts of Iron 3 for the strategic level, I’ve got the Combat Mission and Theatre of War series for the tactical level, and I’ve got the Arma and Operation Flashpoint series for the squad/individual level. But as far as I know there are absolutely no games representing operational level combat. There is a gaping hole in the spectrum of war simulators. I would very much like to try my hand at fighting on the operational level.
How about the Command Ops Series? For operational warfare theres nothing that comes as close to real life as the CO games.
As far as operational games go, the Command Ops series is excellent, though there is a steep learning curve. One of my favorites is a classic whose graphics are dated now, but the game play is excellent: John Tiller’s Campaign series – East Front, West Front, etc. A traditional war game in terms of style, with hexes, I go-you go format, the maneuver units are platoon. The hexes are 250 meter across. The scope the battles is much larger than CM and the emphasis is on combined arms. I would also check it out.
Ill second that. JT games are excellent.
I’ve looked into command ops and it looks perfect! Alas I have not studied military doctrine on how to fight on the operational level. Any pointers you can give or books you would recommend?
I cannot think of any books that teach operational tactics except for Army field manuals. I would try to find some old Army field manuals from WWII dealing with regimental or divisional level operations.
Wow. This is again some exellent work and a great pleasure to watch. I’d only wish those vids were made much more often. If I recall you are planning two more, right?
Karac – You are correct. I will be making two more videos. The next video will be on the conduct of the defense. I haven’t quite settled on the theme for the last video. Suggestions are appreciated.
These videos are taking me much longer than anticipated to produce because the process is so intricate and I have a fairly demanding day job.
Suggestion for the last video: Conducting a set piece attack including timing artillery barrages with your troop maneuvering.
Excelente video . y una grata sorpresa!
muy sinceras felicitaciones
Watched the first 2 videos & will be firing up CM again. What stopped me playing was the bloody outcome of the battles. Now with some solid tactical advice to fall back on I should do better. For some strange reason I did better in CM:SF than the WW2 venue & I don’t know why. WW2 seems awfully bloody to me. Excellent videos & tactical advice; job well done.
Incredible video! Will definitely have an impact on how I conduct a defense.
As for ideas for the last video. You could go over specifics of combined arms tactics, or perhaps go into greater detail on specific artillery tactics and uses in various situations.
[...] The fifth installment in Armchair General‘s video tutorials using the Combat Mission: Battle for Normandy game shows how an outnumbered German force defends against a strong British attack of infantry and tanks. This latest tutorial by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jeffrey Paulding covers defense in depth, the use of mortars in the direct fire mode, and the purpose of the counterattack. Click here for more information on Combat Mission: Battle for Normandy – Video Tutorial Number 5, Conducting a Defense. [...]
Excellent video. Much appriciated!
Bravo – excellent series indeed!
Excellent footage! I improved my conduct due to these vids. Thank you for this fabulous work!
Glad this is helping you improve your game. I know the series is working because the guys I play against by email have improved significantly as well :-(
He he he, well what can I say – every element has it’s positives and negatives. I suppose you are getting a lot of draws now…?
Me ha encantado el video numero 5 , lo estaba esperando y me ha parecido muy bueno, tambien me ayuda a crear nuevas tacticas y tomarmelo con mas calma, para disfrutar de este juego excitante.
BING TRANSLATION:
I loved the video number 5, so I was expecting and felt me very good, also helps me to create new tactics and take me with more calm, to enjoy this exciting game.
Col. Paulding, thanks for another great tutorial! #5 was very good. I think your productions are improving in quality. #5 pretty much touched on everything I’ve learned about defensive tactics. One thing I think you should probably touch on at some point is proper timing for counter-attack, deploying reinforcements, and how to use artillery. Good timing is probably the toughest and least scientific part of good tactics, but it’s absolutely critical to win against a skillful opponent.
I agree the timing is crucial. It is hard to teach in a video because it is impossible to capture the entire scope of a game in a few minutes. Thanks for the input.
Congrats on another excellent video Col. I’ve been really impressed with the way this game shows the difference in firepower between the opposing sides especially the slow rate of fire the British Enfields vs the Garand for the US forces. When I play as British, I’m always left trying to get my bren guns into support my Poor Bloody Infantry. What are your thoughts on this, I wonder?
If you don’t have any other supporting heavy weapons and are going to use just your organic weapons, I suggest the following. The key is to think ahead. Plan for fire and movement. Position your Bren team to support forward movement first, then advance your riflemen. The forward movement of the rifle team will reveal the enemy position. Then lay down a base of fire with the Bren team using area fire. Manuever the riflemen to grenade range.
This is the general idea. Getting it to work is another story!
Great series!
You’ve provided a great service to the Combat Mission community. Every episode is professionally done and is great for learning the game.
I can’t wait to see your next episode.
[...] How to Fight: In Lt. Col. (ret) Jeffrey Paulding’s sixth and final video on tactics, we go to Sicily, using Combat Mission: Fortress Italy, to give on tips on “How to Fight.” Using examples from two battles in a river valley, this video focuses on key concepts, as well as the details of how to fight at squad level. We go over the use of area fire, the assault command, the importance of understanding ballistics, understanding match ups, and the use of terrain. A review and primer all at the same time, this video rounds out the series, while introducing the latest version of Combat Mission. Click here for more information on Combat Mission Tactics – Video Tutorial 6. [...]
Thank you Col. for all you excellent videos & advice. I see you saved the best for last. Winning as the Italians IS impressive. The first time I played them, I couldn’t even get my troops to shoot back against the Americans. I’ve managed to win most of my battles but my great weakness tactically is I can’t stand to take heavy casualities. It just un-nerves me. I would never’ve made a very good real life commander. I’ll miss not seeing any more new videos but will probably re-visit the old ones often.
I too am very sensitive to taking casualties. Which, I believe, makes me a better player. I always try to create situations where I will take the minimal amount of losses. If I am going to get in a shoot out, for example in the video when the Italians are up on the north ridge shooting it out with the American AT guns, halftracks and mortars at the farm, I watch very carefully to see that I am winning the matchup, and that during the course of the firefight I will emerge the winner, thus justifying the casualties I incur. This was the case until the newly arrived American guntracks and mortar barrage changed the calculus. When that happened I immediately ran away to renew the fight later at more favorable odds.
Thank you and a deep bow for the successful completion of great tactical series.
Col Paulding,
Thank you for this wonderful series! Please consider doing more! Perhaps they could be shorter, focusing on very specific subjects, so that committing to doing them wouldn’t be a huge amount of work to do per video. Anyhow, many thanks and i hope to see more from you soon!
Dear LTC Paulding,
I have watched all six (6) of your CM YouTube tutorial’s with the specific goal to better understand CMBfN and CMFI. I am sad to seem them end. These videos far exceeded my expectations as game aids and tactical primers. Thank you for taking the time to produce such excellent gems of military science. They have improved my gameplay somewhat but more importantly they enhanced my tactical understanding of such events.
Having been fortunate enough to serve as an armor officer in a peacetime army, I rank these presentations as excellent indeed! Please consider using CMx2 with your presentation techniques as a possible means for The Armchair General to show and tell more tactical histories of World War Two battles and combat. Kudos, sir, and well done!
Thanks to all for their complimentary comments. Much appreciated.
Excellent videos. Hope to see more…maybe for the upcoming Shock Force 2??
Excellent. Got some new ideas. Beware. :)
Many thanks to LTC Paulding for such great videos!!!
I really do hope to see some more in the future, maybe talking about night combat or fighting doctrines and characteristics of different nationalities!