Once again was a pleasure to read the excellent submissions for Tactical Problem #2, Counterattack on Mt. Euncona, submitted by Mike Kroona, Steve Poitinger, Gero Moritz & Jorg Boehles, Anders Fager, and Gary Quick. 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 its 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 attrihon 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: for those wishing to compare all the original entries (each of which is well worth studying), check them out at The Gamers' website:

http://www.tgamers.com/tacproblem/problem3

Further discussion and debate can be carried out via gamers-1, The Gamers' e-mail list.

Original Puzzle: Tactical Problem #2
Solution: Tactical Problem #2