Lets Play "Codename: Panzers Phase 2", all Partizan medals (no videos) ~~ DONE

[mythos]

greetings generals and welcome to my [all Partizan reward medals] challenge for "Codename: Panzers Phase 2" (CPP2 for short).


Not sure if i have ever seen all Partizan medals, definitively 2-3 though.
The Partizan campaign is unique in that you never control "actual" core units. Each scenario hands out a set of units with set experience levels, which you control and overall behave as core - just you don't take them from one scenario to the next.
Also, there is no HQ phase.
Despite being an "aux-only" campaign, it has a flair/spirit of its own that is quite captivating. And it is very short (including the writing i finished in 1 afternoon).



Preparations:

- difficulty setting: hard
Doesn't actually matter, since difficulty has only some effect on core units, and as said this campaign is auxiliary only

- scenario special abilities allowed
(Recon Aircraft, Fighter Bomber strikes, Carpet Bomber Strikes, Heavy Artillery strikes and Para Troopers are sometimes available, in various combinations and numbers)

- spying
I read an online guide (source: https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/pc/925552 ... faqs/38879 ) to get info about the Secret Goals (after the Axis and Allied campaigns, i've had my fill of replaying scenarios just to find out where/what/when they are)

- orientation: north
the mini-map has a small white wedge/bow on 1 of its edges, this is however very rarely pointing "up". I assume the white bow shall indicate where north is (according to cardinal directions). While playing, i do rotate the map a lot. However for streamlined orientation, if i mention north/west/southwest/etc, i mean that the main game screen was rotated, so that the white bow is pointing up


- there is no differentiation between victory types, as you can only continue if
* you achieved all main objectives
* the main campaign heros (like Hans or Wilson) survived
Thus, instead of writing BV/V/TV, i will instead add all objectives (including "secret", but excluding "hero name must survive" ) with their prestige rewards.



Final note:
I leave out the Unit Discussion. Since there is no HQ phase for buying and decision-making, there is no need to analyze the available units, because you will end up using all of them.
If you would still like to read something about them, please check here:
- Vehicles and Guns in general (*)
- Infantry, Attachments and Experience

(*) also includes details about Allied units, which are unimportant for this campaign. If i play the CPP1 Soviet campaign, i might update the link here

Table of Contents

1) Operation Sheathed Saber
2) Running the Gauntlet
3) Reclaiming Belgrade
4) No Easy Way Out
5) Conclusion

[mythos]

.

1) Operation Sheathed Saber

Main Goals

1) Find the Partisan camp.
2) Sergio DeAngelis must get to the Italian HQ.
3) Capture a plane for Sergio.
--> 350 prestige total


Optional

1) Find more Partisans. (50 prestige)


Secret

1) Secret passage behind the waterfall found. (50 prestige)


Specials

none



Sent Sergio on his way north, taking out a rifles unit along the way and attacking another, until linking up with the partizans.
Once all was set and done, i sent Sergio and his merry band southwest to the nearby waterfall.
Sergio crossed first and made a run to the objective marker to the south-southwest, where he arrived a "little" wounded.

Once Wolf joined and the Italians started retreating i let all the partizans take the same route via the waterfall, and put 2 of the rifles units into those suspiciously looking 50mm Paks. Started moving everything south along the road, with Paks in front, until the jeep and Pz arrived.

Past that, the foot infantry ran forward on their own, while Paks slowly followed.
A little bit east of the bridge there is a path into the mountains, i sent Wolf down there to pick up more partizans.
Meanwhile, the others continued further east until running into a pair of 37mm Paks.

Once those were dealt with i took my time sorting out experienced units (500+ XP) and put those to the rear, while lower XP units were put into a group (the 50mm Paks were still not quite there) except for the Bazooka, which i didn't want to put at a risk.
Ran forward with the group and started taking out watch towers and foot inf outside the airfield, until running into a StuG. Retreated to the line of (finally all 4) Paks and the bazooka to deal with it.

Past that it is only mopping up business: a SdKfz 223 (can be dealt with just the bazookas) some foot inf, at the end of the road to the north are some more inf and a Pak.
The airfield proper is "defended" by 4x single soldiers and a unit of 5 (the latter is prone, thus a difficult to spot until they shoot on their own or you are close to them).


Sidenote: i still needed to play twice to get the Excellent score. It seems that "how much time needed to finish the scenario" also has an effect on the outcome.


https://imgur.com/FN0y63r
Partizan Badge (for cap) and jacket buttons
(couldn't find it. The closest i got was the Order of the Partizan Star https://sr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Орден_партизанске_звезде )

[mythos]

.

2) Running the Gauntlet

Main Goals

1) Escort Tito and Churchill to safety.
--> 150 prestige total


Optional

1) Tito's staff must survive. (50 prestige)


Secret

1) Overhead tramway used. (50 prestige)
2) All supply containers collected. (50 prestige)
3) Mine cart used. (50 prestige)


Specials

none



Sidenote: the supply caches no.2 and 3 (for Secret no.2) are only indicated by a torch/camp fire and only when the location is in visual range of a friendly unit. Also, a unit needs to be very close to the "camp fire" to trigger the supply cache (it gets flown in via air, like the supply cache Special at the Allied campaign "Kasserine Pass" ).
But back to playing.

Waited until the reinforcements arrived, then selected all units, set them to "defensive" and ordered them to not automatically use Grenades and Molotovs (green dots off): the units are standing so close together that using Grenades and Molotovs would potentially kill friendlies.
Then waited for enemy paratroopers to land.

Once everyone was healed up, i put all (*) units into a main group and moved south.
(*) there are a couple auxiliaries, but they are AI-controlled.
In general, the paths are not very well defended. Just concentrate on enemy units with 2 soldiers (sometimes those are MGs, which are more dangerous than other inf types).

South of the starting position, a path leads west into the mountains to the first supply cache (since you have no vehicles, they only act as (stationary) medics in this scenario).
Immedeatly south of this the path splits into west and east. I went west (the eastern path is shorter thus it feels natural to go there, but it assumed that the auxes would be going the longer western path).
In the end the auxes went east first, but soon they needed to return and follow down the western path.

In the far soutwest is a good opportunity to throw some Grenades/Molotovs, since there is a bigger concentration of enemies.
Until the cable transport (i found so many translations, it is this *wiki* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_transport ) it is again relatively calm. East of the "cable station" were 2x 5 soldiers, west 4x paratroopers - but these 2 groups are so far away from each other that it is 2 separate battles.
I sent the SMG unit via cable transport to complete the Secret.

All other units then went north, through the pass. At the end is a layered battle against several enemies (some came in from the northwest).
From there it goes west to the second supply cache (respectively first "camp fire" ).

Once it arrived i moved east to the eastern "cable station", linking up with the SMGs (BTW, the auxes will also take the cable transport). Then sent all units south, all the the way down to the map border, taking out SMGs along the way. Once in the south the units went northwest, to the last supply cache (be careful not to get too close to the mine entrances, some lead to shortcuts - which might make completing the last Secret impossible).

Then it is all the way back again to the eastern "cable station" and a little north. In the side valley will be several mine cars.
Let all inf jump on it and (similar to the railway at Anzio) ordered it to move out.
The infantries will arrive in the southeastern village, close to the actual Main Goal. After the last 2 enemies were taken out, i grabbed all combat inf and the newly spawned mine workers and sent them south, close to the mine entrance. Once Tito and Churchill arrive the cutscene will play.


https://imgur.com/bUX5FrP
Partizan Badge of Merit
(i guess it is the Order of Brotherhood and Unity https://sr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Орден_бра ... _јединства )

[mythos]

.

3) Reclaiming Belgrade

Main Goals

1) Recruit new Partisans.
2) Arm the villagers with stolen German weapons.
3) Destroy 75% of the Flaks before they reach German lines.
4) Destroy 50% of the panzers before they reach German lines.
5) Break through German lines with the help of the Russians.
--> 400 prestige total


Optional

1) Stop the train carrying German tanks. (50 prestige)
2) Destroy the Tiger before it reaches German lines. (50 prestige)


Secret

1) Secret passage to German weapon cache found. (50 prestige)
2) Tractor used to tow the captured Flaks. (50 prestige)


Specials

(the following becomes available once the Soviets arrive)

2x Fighter Bomber
1x Recon Aircraft



There is an enemy Rifles nearby. Past that i sent all units straight northwest towards the village.
Once the farmers joined, i let 1 capture the tractor to the north, while the others went straight west towards the stream/drainage. The units need to be close to and on the water-side to get through.
It will take some time getting everyone through - especially since the pathfinding AI seems to have trouble with so many units.

Meanwhile, the starting units went south to the suspicously looking trainstation - the tractor followed, but only to the road.
It is defended by 2 lonesome soldiers (let mortars lure them away) on the perimeter, the station proper is defended by an SMG and a flamer - concentrate on the flamer first and keep your MG+Medics in the rear.
Leave the captured train aside for the moment, and move this group back north to the street. IMO, you want some space between the map border and where the following battle occurs, thus i suggest the location north of the trainstation.

The villagers should have made it through the channel by now. I moved everyone into the town first, then when all were in, i selected groups of "a hand full" and sent these smaller groups on the objectives marker in front of the building.
Then the whole bunch took the same way back through the tunnels and once through, they all joined up with the group of starting units north of the trainstation.

Once the optional objective "stop the German train" appeared i moved the captured train out.
Its driver will jump out and run to the nearby building, when the train is in the right spot. I left him there for now.

The its just waiting for the column of flaks to arrive (sidenote: the Goal is misleading, you just need to destroy the tractors).
When all was done i ordered the tractor to pick up a flak and immedeately drop it (Secret Goal - i also dropped the villager from the tractor afterwards and since the enemy won't shoot at villagers, i sent him into the enemy defense line in the west), then i put soldiers into the flaks and waited for the tanks to arrive.
When a flak was in danger to be destroyed, i dropped the soldier - only when the Tiger appeared i manned the flaks again.
Once everything was taken out, i sorted out experienced infantry (units which gained 400+ XP) and left them here.
The remaining units were ordered to join the Russians.

Meanwhile, the "train driver" was dropped from the building and sent straight west to the enemy defense line, and the 2x SU-76 drove south to the train we stopped earlier. Once there, they abandoned their SPATs and captured the 2x Panther.
Then i sent all vehicles and the inexperienced infantry to the southwest. Once ready for the final battle, i let all units open fire - just keep an eye on the Katyushas and order the ammo truck to resupply them every now and then, and move damaged tanks to the rear for repairs.
After the Maultier and several tanks were taken out i retreated for full repairs, and for the Katyushas for full resupply. Then moved out for the final push.


https://imgur.com/tqFZqq2
Order of Brotherhood
(i guess it is the Order of the Republic https://sr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Орден_Републике )

[mythos]

.

4) No Easy Way Out

Main Goals

1) Keep your supply depot secured.
2) Use Wolf to plant explosives to the marked areas of the bridge.
3) Bring Wolf to the marked location.
--> 300 prestige total


Optional

1) Destroy the German artillery. (50 prestige)


Secret

1) Radar station captured. (75 prestige)


Specials

(the following becomes available once the Radarstation is captured)

2x Paratrooper
3x Fighter Bomber
3x Recon Plane



First things first, the 45mm AT guns are useless - sitting in the open field without backup, and having low damage.
I abandoned the ones north of the supply depot and send those infantries to join Wolf. The ones farther north, as well as the recon car, however were first moved down to where the first guns are standing: at Belgrade i noticed that stuff (even if "neutral" like abandoned units) standing in the way can mess up the pathfinding AI. Thus, i added those units to the already abandoned guns, so that the units were more or less forming a line across the road, and abandoned those as well.
I planted the tank crew east into the woods, so that it offered spotting on the road for the units at the depot (also set it to prone, so that they are more difficult to spot themselves).
The AT gun crews joined Wolf.

Meanwhile, i ordered the units at the supply depot closer to it, so that most of those units were covered (clicking on, or hovering the mouse over, the supply depot reveals its range).
I also switched 2 crews around: 1 of the IS-2s had a 2-star crew while 1 of the T-34 had a 0-star - since heavy tanks would gain XP quicker, i went that route.

In the beginning it is better to babysit the defense of the depot, because the first couple of minutes are intense.
Anyway:
https://imgur.com/z5ytbTg
- in the north, the line of abandoned guns can be seen (the recon car west of them is under the Fog of War)
- in the northeast the tank crew as spotters
- infantry is east, outside of screen
- a while into the battle (which started seconds after the screenshot was taken, approximately at 5:00 minutes) i moved the Katyushas and repair truck a little farther south: the enemy throws a lot of rocket SParty at you, too, thus i wanted them to be outside of enemy focus

Babysitting included deciding on targets to attack and units to repair (or resupply in case of Katyushas).

Around minute 8:30, depending on how effective your defence is and how few units you lose, the brunt of the enemy's attack is over.
Past that there will be sporadic attacks every 3 or so minutes (always 1 of each: Tiger, Pz IV, Maultier, Panther).

Thus, finally, Wolf and his merry band moved out to the northeast. Underway are some infantry and a SdKfz 232 - the latter got destroyed by the bazookas.
Once at the ford, or rather "river crossing", the 5 Yugoslavian units packed out their Rubber Boats (attachment) and crossed the river.
A little bit of haste on the other side was needed, due to 2 enemy leFH up in the mountains. Once those were taken out there is only light infantry resistance, so that Wolf could get to the bridge and plant the bombs (the second one is again only reachable by boat).
When these 2 were set, the group moved all the way back to the river crossing and returned (i assumed the group would get killed, when trying to cross the bridge).

On their way north they captured the Radarstation. I then rushed Wolf alone over the street, then down the path and planted the last mine.
All the way back to the Radar, and then he got escorted by his infantry companions to the last objective marker.


https://imgur.com/RPVhQXS
Order of National Liberation
(i guess it is the Order of Courage https://sr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Орден_за_храброст )

[mythos]

.

Conclusion

I am usually not a fan of playing only with auxiliary units.
However, with the music, "density" of action, topic and overall shortness this was actually pretty fun.
Also, i liked it alot that vehicles were really just a sideshow.

Of course i am a little disappointed by wrong names of the reward medals - dunno whether this was an error by the designers, or suffered from censorship.
I am also confused by prestige awards in a campaign where you cannot spent any prestige - and i personally missed buying/upgrading/attaching my units.

Overall, the campaign is short and enjoyable, thus i like

[Ale]

amusing story, is Wolf some German defector fighting for revolution with Wallachian hat on, usually worn by Serb guerillas, maybe it's some secret operation as didn't follow story ....do not know about other details i.e. medals, but i'd not trust Wikipedia unconditionally, not always in concurrence with my researches about other eras if that is important to you much...

anyway - XX century extreme systems are all banana to me, so i joked about Wolf look - you got me interested about game visually, so posts well used and helpful too bad not something in turns, as i said when you started playing. Interesting info (for those liking it legal)) is that game price in one place is 15 euros, on other just 3 euros. I have 100 games in "lager" as wish, but not enough life left nonetheless, hope you repeat similar thing sometimes, like to read and collect games....

[mythos]

amusing story, is Wolf some German defector fighting for revolution with Wallachian hat on, usually worn by Serb guerillas, maybe it's some secret operation as didn't follow story

I didn't tell much of the story - it would have blown the 3 threads (admittedly: the Axis thread got blown anyway due to me being chaotic ), and people should play the game for it

As for the Partizans, "Wolf" is the callsign/nichname/codename for the main character.
Just like "Papa Bear" for Colonel Hogan and his merry band.

do not know about other details i.e. medals, but i'd not trust Wikipedia unconditionally

Yes, i did some image research to back me up

you got me interested about game visually, so posts well used and helpful too bad not something in turns, as i said when you started playing.

Thank you
Actually, CPP1 and 2 are very slow paced - example, when zoomed out to the max (on a 1280x1024 pixel resolution), a unit of infantry needs about 3 seconds to get from "hex" 1 to the next (comparing to OpenGen hexes at 100% zoom and same resolution)...maybe this comparison doesn't work - but since infantry is the unit with the "average" speed, lets say that the games really don't play very fast.
And at any time, players may pause the game to view the battlefield and give orders to units.

I guess the developers tried to catch some turn-based players with the slow speed

Interesting info (for those liking it legal)) is that game price in one place is 15 euros, on other just 3 euros. I have 100 games in "lager" as wish, but not enough life left nonetheless, hope you repeat similar thing sometimes, like to read and collect games....

One should be aware that the German campaigns in both games end in 1942 - and i am not sure in how far there are still modding or multiplayer communities. I got both games combined for 10 Euro and IMO it was was worth the investment

Uff...going by memory, the only other WW2 game i have is "Hearts of Iron 2" - without any expansions.
However, i doubt that i will replay it. At least not in the forseeable future, it is too much micromanagement.

I could play CPP2 "infantry only challenge" (the idea got me into replaying the game in the first place) and/or a CPP1 "all medals".

I have been thinking about replaying Mechcommander 2 (actually: Mechcommander Omnitech, which is based on it) for a while. In fact, throught the last 2-3 years i have been modding some of the files for a more interesting playthrough (at least "more interesting for me" ) and started several runs, but never played through the campaign completely.
However, it is realtime again (though again with a pause feature).

I am a little limited with playing games due to the bad grafics card i have, ever since my laptop broke down last year.
Well actually: i haven't tried which of my games would currently run - but i am limited by interest and motivation. Example, i'm currently not in the mood for RPGs, of which i have a few (maybe a couple more than "a few" ) or on friday i tried Heroes of Might and Magic 3+5, but quickly uninstalled them both again

[mythos]

too bad not something in turns, as i said when you started playing. [..]
nonetheless, hope you repeat similar thing sometimes, like to read and collect games....

Good news: i found an old school turn-based game that ate a lot of my freetime in the past 2 decades - and which i haven't played for 5-6 years (at least not much). I will play it with mods - after all, the modding community is still very active
However, i will only start next year, since i need to read on, try out and set up all the new features to my liking.

[Ale]

"Wolf" is the callsign/nichname/codename for the main character

just checked "gamepedia" - unimportant subject but to see what else they mixed there - and his "real" name in game is Farvan "Vuk" (Wolf) Pondurovik i'm laughing because not only last name is probably mispronounced - usual mistake one could say though there are names on -ik instead of dominant -ić, but more because first name Farvan is strange... maybe intention was that it sounds islamic (e.g. some Turk or Bosnian) but - not orientalism expert - even there rare name... sounds Pakistani or Indian etc anyway Hungarian game so relatively close geographically, but generally strange look and name, to finish subject of Vuk - which btw is/was very common as name among Serbs etc. but will not start that now

I am a little limited with playing games due to the bad grafics card i have

i have one with 2 gb Vram and not a monster CPU so i understand, if i'm really eager to try something newer (there are solid things in last 5 years) usually must lower resolution or other options.... and it is getting only worse, starategy games are becoming "monsters", bah. I'm not so young to buy computer parts every year (and am not rich dollar/euro user))

Good news: i found an old school turn-based game....

do not take it like i requested, just hoped you'll do something, whatever liked... we are on gaming forum after all, right? With me it is similar story, have games but rarely play much, then i start then pause for few weeks or like and then i forget where was I and so, something else... that is something i might do, maybe even present some newer titles in form of 2-3 scenarios etc. maybe not even startegies we think about if you seen my posts in your "other games" thread, yea i do 2d cartoonish "rpgs" for fun and frustration, i mean relaxation ; .... not dead as idea and my eventual presence, but can't force myself into writing Anglish or do not play sometimes and there is youtube for people liking that things. in short, do whatever you like and if time and will do not mind my taste, i'll read such stuff... (and liked what you mentioned, thanks)

heh, even in a short word above you gave some "recommendation" - i played HoMM 3 extensively, 4 a bit, but I'm still to try 5, 6, 7