For about a year, I've been working on a GM'd equivalent to CM1's "Operations," but in a CM2 environment.
Here's the skinny:
This is a 3-game 1-vs-1 "campaign," with me as the Game Manager (GM) for two opponents. The 3 battles take place on the same map, and performance in one battle determines the deployment locations for subsequent battles. The 3 battles escalate in size and duration, from 30 small minutes, to medium 45, to huge 60. The first 2 battles are ended by the GM before time limits so players don't see the results and maintain some Fog of War between battles.
To start, each player is provided with a map showing the objectives (same for both sides) and their own set-up zones, and a briefing that explains the situation and any restrictions on purchase and set-up. Then, each player will initiate a HUGE Meeting Engagement battle using provided parameters and purchase forces for the entire 3-game campaign. The GM puts those on a spreadsheet. For Battle #1, the GM initiates a Quickbattle and the players have to pick suitable points' worth of units from their campaign master list/spreadsheet to use in the battle. Once the battle is complete, the GM then tracks casualties, re-organizes survivors, checks the end-of-game situation, and sets up the next battle. In the 2nd battle, the players are given enough points to purchase "survivors" plus fresh units. A combination of the different colored set-up zones and briefing instructions is used to establish realistic starting points for the subsequent battles.
In testing, Battle #1 has tended to be recon and small firefights for key terrain, Battle #2 tends to be shaping operations, and Battle #3 a main assault/defense with counterattacks. There are interesting initial purchase decisions to be made based on your plan, and then the challenge of figuring out when to phase them into the campaign within budget.
The campaign winner is the player who controls the most objectives points at the end of Battle #3.
I have a ruleset and a tested casualty tracker, but success really comes down to trust.
I have 2 "campaign" options ready to go:
1) CMRT Summer 1944 @ Radzymin - A German force is trapped on the east side of a river, and must break through a Soviet blocking force and open the main supply road before the Soviets can reduce the bridgehead. (Fire & Rubble required)
2) CMFB December 1944 @Noville/Foy - A German force is trying to drive from Noville to Foy, while resisting counterattacks from US forces and keep the road open. With snow - a more seasonal option for those of us in the northern hemisphere 😀 Â (Downfall NOT required.). I should note that this option is much less tested than #1, but the principles are the same and I do not anticipate difficulties.
I'm willing to do this for TWO pairs of players. They can both choose the same or different options from #1 or #2, above.
If you are and have a trustworthy opponent who is willing to put in the 135 overall turns, have a computer that can run large maps (2-3km per side) with a lot of units by Battle #3, and are willing to "go with the flow" in having a GM do admin work and make some subjective game decisions, then hit me up here or via PM. Let me know if you have a preference for #1 or #2, and a side.
I'll give preference to folks I feel I can trust to see this through, and AARs of some kind would be appreciated. (I like to watch...nope, nothing weird about that at all 🤔 ). I'll then give folks access to side-specific and match-specific Dropboxes so they can see the rules, their briefing, maps, etc.
Regards - and Merry Christmas!
OPO
@aurelius Great! Do you have a preference on German or US? Do you have an opponent in mind?
I'd prefer US, and for the opponent I wouldn't really know. Let's wait and see who comes.
I doubt my puny laptop would take maps, pity.
Here's the CMRT Radzymin map for a 1v1 operation campaign:
Both sides are vyying for control over the main E-W road and must make decisions as to how much force to commit on the east side of the river.
Here's the map for the CMFB Noville-Foy operation/campaign:
Again, a main road is key, and lined with objectives to be fought over.
I've got one CMFB volunteer - PM me or post here if you are interested.
Hi, i'd gladly be involved in another one of your campaigns. Don't have FB yet, so RT is the only one I can put my interest down for. Don't have a side preference. Cheers
@bleskaceq  Great! I think I have a Discord opponent for you - unless @aurelius wants to switch to CMRT. Still looking for a partner for him for CMFB.
I'm almost ready with a different 1v1 operation campaign for CMCW BAOR. The difference is that you don't purchase your own units - you get realistic formations. From play testing, it was obvious that the Soviets couldn't compete in what essentially became a 1:1 meeting engagement - without the right assets to enable their doctrine, they didn't;t get very far.
What a great idea! If you need another person, let me know. I'm always happy to try new things.Â
Edit: I've got CMFB
Thanks @bleskaceq  @aurelius and @deadpanic . I'm working through how to best match folks up with a 4th person (Chap) on Discord.
If anyone else is interested, let me know!
First up is @Aurelius as the US vs. @deadpanic as the Germans, fighting for the road to Bastogne!
Expect Dropbox invites and PMs so I can go over some details and Q&A. If there are things that pertain to both of you, I may post them here for transparency and in case other folks end up joining these campaigns.
@aurelius and @deadpanic : Here's a brief list of the next steps:
Step 1: Read the "Rules" and the side-specific Briefing. It may help to also have the side-specific map open in the game. You will see the NINE campaign objectives / control points for both sides, and YOUR set-up zones for Battle #1 (neither side sees the other's set-up zone).
Step 2: Using the parameters listed in the file, set up a HUGE Quick Battle and use all 7140 points to purchase units for the ENTIRE 3-battle campaign.
- Keep in the mind the purchasing restrictions AND the minimum set-up requirements noted in your briefing (i.e, you will need to place certain types and numbers of forces in certain zones for Battle #1).
- Keep in mind that Battle 1 starts with 2380 points, and each subsequent battle essentially "adds" another 2380 points. In theory, the entire campaign force can be on the field for Battle #3. Understanding what you must and can put on the field for Battle #1 may be important to the campaign purchase.
- When starting your purchases, set the formation stats to Regular/0/0/0 soft factors. While you CANNOT change infantry platoons soft factors, YOU can change those for Vehicles and weapons teams (example: mortar team, AT gun, MG team), whether part of a formation or added as singles.
- You will likely need transport, but don't assume you need every squad to have a truck or half-track. In Battles 2 &3, such vehicles can essentially be "recycled." I.e., if, in Battle 1, a truck transports a squad to a front-line location and that squad gets "locked" into that location for Battle #2, the truck can be recycled to use with reinforcements. Just make sure you have enough to deal with losses.
- Keep in mind that ON-map artillery can be used each battle, and ammo is replenished each time. This is great value, but if it gets killed, it is gone. OFF-map artillery is tracked to the shell, and cannot be re-used once ammo is spent. You need to plan artillery and ammo for the entire campaign as part of your campaign purchase.
- Consider needed redundancies. As an example, if you depend on an FO to call in heavy fires, you may want to think about buying more than one in case one gets killed early.
- Fortifications, mines, and TRPs are NOT purchased as part of the initial campaign purchase. They are purchased in specific battles from each battle's budget and do not transfer. Points spent on these will take away from points for reinforcements. (I tried carrying over but it is an administrative nightmare).
- I used the side-specific map for this set-up, so I could test my setups, movement timing, etc.
Step #3: Once you are done, send the game file to me, I will review, and will put the forces into the Force Tracker and send to you. Each side will do this separately, using separate QB files. These files will only be used as a reference for the rest of the game.
Step #4: Once the campaign purchase is done, I will initiate Quick Battle #1 and send to you with an assigned password. You will execute purchases using 2380 of the allocated 2850 points. You will be taking purchases from the Force Tracker. I will then update the Force Tracker with the Battle #1 forces.
Step #5: You play the Quick Battle. After 30(ish) turns (see the rules), I will declare the game over and play will cease. You will not see an end game screen or the final map. I will review the outcome and set up Battle #2 based on the outcome.
More later.
@onepingonly I'm interested if your still looking for another player...
Sure @thegreatwhitenorth ! Are you OK with CMRT (since I have another person ready to do that)? Any preference on side?
Hi! Id like the Germans if I get the TFGM preferential treatment lol!
hasswerks@gmail.com for Drop Box File... Please have your name on it since your doing all the work!
@onepingonly Is this a rock paper scissors lol! Did you port the map to CMRT? for him?
@thegreatwhitenorth Just trying to make sure everyone is OK with assignments 🙂