As a Memoir 44 commander, here is your chance to test your battlefield instincts against other commanders. Find the best course of action to protect your troops and defeat the enemy. Review the battle situation and then add your comment to the discussion.

Take a look at this battle for “The Gates of Moscow”.  
1.  What is the best card play?
2.  What are the best troop movements based on those cards?

As you can see, the Allies chose Direct from HQ in order to bring four troops to bear upon the situation.

Troops selected were 2 Infantry, 1 Armor, and 1 Artillery.

Note that a special troop blocking move is performed, by bringing one of the Allied Infantry right next to the enemy Armor, but still safely stowed away in the city.  

What is the reason for this, since the Infantry will not be able to attack once it enters the city?

The reason is to prevent an easy counter-attack against the Allied Armor, should the enemy Armor survive.  That is, if it survives, it would have to come down off of the hill and into the heart of Allied territory if it wants to attack the Armor.  It cannot just stay up on the hill and attack because of the rule of Close Combat, whereby you must attack any unit directly adjacent to you.  This is called Troop Blocking.

Once the three remaining units of Allied Armor, Infantry, and Artillery, each took their shot at the Axis Armor, it was no more. See the final roll of two Grenades to finish him off.

Do you agree with this course of action?
What would you have done?

What is the best way to advance against the enemy with infantry?

Quickly move two hexes to get right next to them; no attack this turn, but stronger attack next turn?

or

Move one hex, and attack; but giving them more time to attack you?

Depends on the scenario? 

For example, in Pushing through Caen, the Allies only have three bridges available to cross the Orne River.  They must cross it as quickly as possible to get all their troops into fighting positions; pausing to attack while still on the bridge will just jam up your forces, and prevent a more effective attack later.  Much better in this case, to simply pour across the bridges with as many troops as you can.  You may expect 50% casualties, [ “I can live with those odds.” ~Simpsons ] but once across, you will have the mobility to overwhelm the enemy and achieve your objectives.

On the other hand, there are other times, when you must simply move one hex, attack; move one more hex, and attack again. 

Does anyone have some hard and fast principles they follow, to make this decision of Quick Placement or Slow Attacking Advance?

What do you think is the best action in this situation?

It looks like we are possibly one move away from a win; if we choose the right one, and get some fair dice.  (They don’t even need to be in our favor for several of these choices; just standard percentages will win it.)

Lots of good choices:

1. Assault in the Center vs. H5

2. Armor Assault vs. H5

3. Behind Enemy Lines vs. h4

4. BEL vs. i4, either destroying, or forcing a retreat to gain the second fortress and it’s VP.

WHAT IS YOUR CHOICE?