Request for Beta Testers - Panzer Battles - Normandy

[Strela]

Request for beta testers.

Hi All,
 
We’re about to commence a short closed beta of the 1.02 patch for Panzer Battles - Normandy.
 
We want to limit the number of testers to 100 so that if anything unforeseen happens we’re not overrun with technical issues. That said, we have run the patch through significant testing to date and are happy to release it to you.
 
We have an email address beta.wargamedesignstudio@gmail.com that we ask that you write to if you want to be one of the testers. We will do this first in until we hit our 100 tester target.
 
The 1.02 beta patch will be the first official release from WDS for Normandy and we’re excited to be close to releasing it to the public.


The changelog is as follows;

Bug Fixes
   - Units could use a bridge while in travel mode to enter an obstacle and then exit the hex, rather than lose their whole movement allowance. This has been corrected and units will now lose all their movement points if they move into an obstacle hex
   - Engineer units were in some cases isolated when in a minefield - this should no longer occur
   - Engineer units will not clear a minefield in a turn that they recover from disruption
   - Adjacent engineers no longer remove isolation for units in minefields
   - Off map artillery was not firing during the defensive fire phase - this will now occur at the same frequency as on map artillery
   - Engineers that attempt to damage a bridge or AT ditch will reveal themselves if currently concealed
   - Units can no longer combine if in mismatched travel modes
   - File mismatch due to different encryption setting during PBEM - fixed
   - Campaign auto-advance on wrong password entry – fixed

Enhancements
   - Newly implemented:  View > Map Elevations, View > Map Coordinates, View > Map Combat Modifiers.
   - Optional Zoom to hotspot – Settings > Center Zoom on Hot Spot
   - New parameter file entry - Fatigue factor. Used for scaling fatigue accumulation. Set at 2.0 for Normandy & Kursk. Will be 3.0 for future titles to match the fatigue calculations in Panzer Campaigns. 3.0 is the more appropriate value to use, but none of the Kursk & Normandy scenarios were tested with the higher value
   - New on counter broken and disrupted markings - visible when stacked and unstacked.
   - New Getting Started documentation, including Campaign Primer and Terrain & Combat tables
   - Updated General Help guide with a revised layout and additional information.
   - Updated User guide with a revised layout and additional information. All manuals are a work in progress and will continue to be rationalised over time.

Order of Battle
   - Added additional fixed German guns as pre research by Chris Haigh
   - Changed the organisational structure of the German Coastal guns (Kustenartillerie) to allow Corps Attachment

Graphics Changes
   - Small terrain features as provided in Patch 1.01 has become the new default version
   - New breakwater graphics
   - New Cover art. Various versions available in the \Screen directory

Map Changes
   - Map has been extensively updated by Chris Haigh. Nearly 3,000 new names added taking the total to over 4,400
   - Small font is now the default due to the addition of named locations
   - Height levels and other natural features such as cliffs have been adjusted
   - Significant changes to map features and heights. For example, Omaha beach has been extensively remodelled
   - Alternate small map graphics included   

User Interface Changes
   - New Shortcut keys
   - New Toolbar Icons in traditional and standard configuration. Small, Medium and Large versions also available for each.
   - File/folder reorganization, with creation of the following new folders:  Data (.oob & .pdt files), Logs (.log files), Manuals (.pdf files), Saves (.bt? files), Scenarios (.scn, .map files etc.), Screens (various game .bmp files).
   - New logging system (with various .log files in the new Logs folder), to assist in game testing, and identifying and fixing bugs.

Scenario Updates
   - New scenario; #0606_08b_ Omaha - "Into The Jaws Of Death" by Chris Haigh Based off Rick Bancroft’s #0606_08;
   - All VP hexs remain the same
   - All supply sources remain the same, except for the source that was in 57,27 - which is  moved to 55,28
   - Artillery placement on and off board is not changed except that Werfergerat-Abt 352 is moved to a stacked position just north of St-Laurant-sur-Mer (I have archive air photos of them placed in hand dug pits in the fields here - which clearly identifies the position)
   - Vierville D-1 sector:-
     - WN 72 (PILLBOX) and Inf moved to the shoreline at the bottom of the D1 exit.
     - New AT ditch (was actually a wall) to the south of WN 72 blocking vehicular access to the high ground south of there.
     - WN 73 (BUNKER) re-named in the OOB as WN74 but the deployment is correct
     - Obstacle and mine density increased.
     - WN72 unit split with WN72 becoming a unit comprising 1x88mm AT + 1x50mmAT, and a new unit WN73 created in the OOB comprising 1x75mmAT and placed in the bunker above the bluff at 32,15
     - 9/III/Gren-Regt 726 is slightly redeployed spread on the clifftop, but with the new cliffs preventing US exit except east of "Fortified House" (not actually fortified but attacked by infiltrating Rangers and B Co.)
     - WN 72 AT guns can now fire the length of the seafront due to the change from Villages to Scattered settlements on the seafront - in reality they were a partial row of seafront villas, many demolished by the Germans.
     - The low wall is moved south to represent the small sloping seawall and shingle bank along this part of the beach then.
   - Les Moulins D-3 sector:-
     - Historical AT ditch added to protect the beach exit, and a second ditch across the road above Les Moulins village.
     - Mine density increased
     - WN69 moved to 40,22 and "bunker" placed - No other changes to unit deployment or fortifications.
     - "Le Ruquet" E-1 sector:-
     - New historical AT ditch added protecting beach exit
     - Mine density increased
     - Due to the changes in contours here (made as part of the Main Map changes just south of the exit), there is now a dead spot in 49,23 giving historical defilade from the fire from WN 62 (Gockel et al) - which on the day allowed for infiltration up onto the plateau (where the US cemetary is now (49,25)) - WN 62 & WN 64 were later taken from the rear/flank following this.
   - Colleville/Le Cavey E-3 sector and La Revoloution F-1 sector:-
     - Historical AT ditch added to protect the E-3 exit (This one was massive and is still partially visible on Google Earth !)
     - Mines increased.
     - The beach has been increased in width and the terrain lowered by one hex in 53,25, with additional dunes added north for cover.
     - WN 61 has been moved SE one hex to 54,25.
     - WN 62 and its covering MG unit have each been moved one hex east (the MG is still on the high ground due to the changed increased height), and the Inf guns of WN 62 have been moved SW one hex.
     - The MG's in "Le Cavey" has been moved one hex SE
   - WN 60 was too strong previously (this was the first WN taken on Omaha on D-Day - out flanked to the east, and assaulted from the rear early in the day) so ...
   - On the Main Map the Cliffs have been replaced with Escarpments adjacent to 58,26 to allow this infiltration, and the WN60 garrison reduced to 18 MG (from 36) - the other 18 MG being relocated to 60,27 ...... this has allowed WN58/59 (Pluskat) to be relocated to its more correct position in 65,28 - above and west of Les Bateaux.

Scenario Changes
#02 Getting Started: Utah Beach
   - New setup to correct initial unit placements too far north
   - HKB’s (Coastal artillery) Corps attached to LXXXIV & LXXXVI Armeekorps
#03 Getting Started: Pegasus Bridge - The Initial Landings
   - HKB’s (Coastal artillery) Corps attached to LXXXIV & LXXXVI Armeekorps
#0606_01: Calvados Coast - The Great Crusade Begins
   - Changes made to match #0606_05 Sword:-
     - Battery Riva Bella 1/HKB 1260 moved to 161,49
     - Wn18 & Wn20 moved to match Sword scenario deployment
   - Changes made to match #0606_03 Gold:-
     - 1st and 2nd Co's 441st Ost Bn removed from map originally west and s.west of Arromanches - they were deployed off map to the east of the 1st and 2nd Co's.
     - HQ 441st Ost moved to Ver-sur-Mer.
     - Original Mont Fleury site 71,22 reduced to BUNKER from PILLBOX
     - Mont Fleury 3/HKB 1260 battery/Sup Source/and VP moved to 66,24 now a bunker - 3/3/441st Ost now moved into hex from slightly south of there. One mine added 65,24.
     - Wn32 Battery Vera (Mare Fontaine) battery/Sup Source/VP/defences moved to 70,30
     - Longues 4/HKB 1260 battery/defences/Sup Source/and VP moved to 17,19 - additional mines and wire placed.
     - HKB’s (Coastal artillery) Corps attached to LXXXIV & LXXXVI Armeekorps
     - The Sword - Gold - Calvados Coast - Longest Day - and German Placement scenarios now all have matching deployments
#0606_02: East of the Orne - 6th Airborne's Landings
   - HKB’s (Coastal artillery) Corps attached to LXXXIV & LXXXVI Armeekorps
#0606_03: Gold Beach - The Road to Bayeux
   - 1st and 2nd Co's 441st Ost Bn removed from map originally west and s.west of Arromanches - they were deployed off map to the east of the 1st and 2nd Co's.This now matches Calvados Coast - Longest Day - and German Placement scenarios
   - HQ 441st Ost moved to Ver-sur-Mer.
   - Original Mont Fleury site 61,21 reduced to BUNKER from PILLBOX
   - Mont Fleury 3/HKB 1260 battery/Sup Source/and VP moved to 56,23 now a bunker - 3/3/441st Ost now moved into hex from slightly south of there. One mine added 55,23.
   - Wn32 Battery Vera (Mare Fontaine) battery/Sup Source/VP/defences moved to 60,29
   - Longues 4/HKB 1260 battery/defences/Sup Source/and VP moved to 7,18 - additional mines and wire placed.
   - HKB’s (Coastal artillery) Corps attached to LXXXIV & LXXXVI Armeekorps
#0606_04: Juno Beach - Canada's D-Day drive for Caen
   - HKB’s (Coastal artillery) Corps attached to LXXXIV & LXXXVI Armeekorps
#0606_05: Sword Beach - The Road to Caen
   - Battery Riva Bella 1/HKB 1260 moved to 39,34
   - Wn18 moved to hex  29,21 & 31,22
   - Wn20 moved to hexes 25,19 & 27,20
   - HKB’s (Coastal artillery) Corps attached to LXXXIV & LXXXVI Armeekorps
#0606_06: Cotentin Peninsula         
   - New setup including revised Omaha &Utah Beach
   - HKB’s (Coastal artillery) also adjusted
   - HKB’s (Coastal artillery) Corps attached to LXXXIV & LXXXVI Armeekorps
#0606_07: Utah Beach            
   - New setup to correct initial unit placements too far north
#0606_07a: Utah Beach            
   - New setup to correct initial unit placements too far north
   - HKB’s (Coastal artillery) Corps attached to LXXXIV & LXXXVI Armeekorps
#0606_08: Omaha Beach            
   - New setup to take into account revised beach topography
   - New unit WN73 in hex 32,15
   - New unit WN74 in hex 28,12
   - HKB’s (Coastal artillery) Corps attached to LXXXIV & LXXXVI Armeekorp
#0606_08a: Omaha Beach            
   - New setup to take into account revised beach topography
   - New unit WN73 in hex 32,15
   - New unit WN74 in hex 28,12
   - HKB’s (Coastal artillery) Corps attached to LXXXIV & LXXXVI Armeekorps
#0606_10: The Longest Day            
   - All adjustments from all the landing scenarios are incorporated in The Longest Day
#0622_01: Cherbourg Landfront         
   - New setup to take into account incorrect unit placements around La Gravelle de Haut
   - Le Chevres defensive position updated.
   - HKB and MAA positions updated as per German Placement scenario
   - Hamburg battery facing removed in all Cherbourg Scenarios - the battery was incomplete and had the part built roofs blown off to allow firing to the rear.
   - Various Pillboxs and Bunkers added in Cherbourg to represent old French forts incorporated in the defence.
   - Similarly the position to the west of the Hamburg battery has additional PILLBOXS - this is the Westeck defensive position and contained a very large Radar site and old French defensive positions updated.
#0622_01a: Cherbourg Landfront         
   - New setup to take into account incorrect unit placements around La Gravelle de Haut
   - Le Chevres defensive position updated.
   - HKB and MAA positions updated as per German Placement scenario
   - Hamburg battery facing removed in all Cherbourg Scenarios - the battery was incomplete and had the part built roofs blown off to allow firing to the rear.
   - Various Pillboxs and Bunkers added in Cherbourg to represent old French forts incorporated in the defence.
   - Similarly the position to the west of the Hamburg battery has additional PILLBOXS - this is the Westeck defensive position and contained a very large Radar site and old French defensive positions updated.
47DG_1: Gold Beach
   - Adjusted with all changes from #0606_03: Gold Beach - The Road to Bayeux
VII Corps Historical/VII Corps - Allied Reinforced/VII Corps - Axis Reinforced/VII Corps - Both Reinforced
   - Adjusted with all changes from #0622_01: Cherbourg Landfront

[Frankie]

See the product page at John Tiller's website:
http://www.johntillersoftware.com/PanzerBattles/BattlesOfNormandy.html

You know the game is big..no, BIG..., no, H--U--G--E when it's Summer Map is a whopping 190Mb download. Game review here:
http://www.awargamersneedfulthings.co.uk/2016/07/john-tillers-panzer-battles-of-normandy.html

Woo hoo! 398,000 hexes, baby!
In comparison, Panzer Battle of Kursk - Southern Flank's master map has 102,000 hexes.

Panzer Battle active forums can be found here:
http://www.theblitz.org/message_boards/forumdisplay.php?fid=280

Illustrated and annotated AAR here:
http://www.theblitz.org/message_boards/showthread.php?tid=70064

Cheers
Frankie Kam

[Strela]

The new patch includes a big update to the map including increasing the number of place names from 1,400 to nearly 4,400. We have also redone some sections of the map based upon further research.

Lots and lots of changes including revisions to the user interface as well as new folder structure to clean up the game generally.

David