In Game "Area of Operation" and gamey techniques solution.

[spellir74]

In Game "Area of Operation" and gamey techniques solution.

("Area of Operation" = AoO)

Players can occas use map edges to engage in UNREALISTIC game play (even against A.I).

A solution is

MAKE game-map extend outside historical AoO area, and put the units that were historically there there but have them be "LOCKED;" If player goes into the extended -- non historic -- AoO, the units there activate (and that 'side' gets free points, to buy eg supplies/fuel etc).

DC AO having the Plan Martin [bigger] map exposes this solution.

Just need to extend Ardennes map south.

Put the units there -- both sides -- and then lock them.

....
NOW that I write it, I see that some players would just game the new larger map. He would also set his locked forces to [25%], siphoning off assets to his main force unrealistically.

If a human can invent something another human can game it.

...
One will note when playing -- even against A.I -- that the computer attacks north of Monshau (north map edge) with a sizable force, forcing player to have to deploy unrealistically. (Also note the German div that was there (272 VGD ["Volks Gren Division"]) is NOT there.) Then after victory, player capitalizes on his victory and pushes northern edge.

(Historically, lesser US counter attacks did occur at Wahlersheid (just south of Monschau area).)

.....
Further just on this topic... (And this is a critique of the game...)

The North AoO's units -- both sides -- are not realistically deployed on the big campaign maps.

In reality

The US 99.Inf Div and 2.Inf Div were farther forward of Elsenborn, with a much stronger presence forward at the "Twin Villages"; also stronger -- tho happenstance -- defense around Lanzerath (south West of Losheim) and at Losheimergraben.

The German 326 VGD was stretched farther south (to Wahlersheid); the 277 VGD was entirely farther south (attacking the Twin Villages unsuccessfully), with the 12.SS PzD farther East, AND North of it.

(After 277.VGD -- and 12.SSPzD -- couldn't get past Twin Villages, 12.SSPzD was redeployed south to Losheim Gap (the valley south of Losheim Graben), but got tangled up there. [Note also for students, Hitler switched focus to 5th Armee after 6th Armee failure.])

The 12.VGD was farther south and more forward; the 3.FallsJ Div was farther forward. AND 1.SSPzD was farther east behind both.

Note the Elsenborn Scenario does have the German units positioned accurately, with a more detailed map.

Also, IF I REMEMBER correctly, the big campaign map doesn't have the small village names (like Lanzerath). The smaller /middle scenarios do.

...
10.SSPzD Frundsberg was never deployed, being south off map.

Haven't checked the dates of availability of rest of units made available.

(Just say to yourself -- "it is only a game.")

[spellir74]

Ardennes 6th Armee AoO map...

Ardennes 6th Armee.jpg (869.63 KiB) Viewed 302 times

[spellir74]

Note map above doesn't include Skorzeny's "150.ssBrigade." (Skorzeny rescued Mussolini on 12 September 1943 -- "Gran Sasso Raid".)

150.ss was a spy brigade that was the home base of Operation Greif.

Op Greif's mission was to 1) deploy English speaking sappers -- Einheit Stielau -- in Allied uniforms behind the Allied lines to engage in disinformation (and sabotage), and recon roads for 2) specially camouflaged-as-US-armor German battalions (150.SS Brigade) to take bridges over the Meuse River.

Einheit Stielau units were in position on the 16th at Malmedy and Poteau (west of St Vith). Not sure if they came in during early AM.

When 6th Armee penetration didn't happen quickly -- and German traffic jams developed -- Greif's "2" phase was scrubbed and Skorzeny's "150.ssBrigade" was deployed as a regular combat force (in German uniforms) at Malmedy on 21 December, morning, to open up rds north for the redeployed 12.SS PzD.

(I'm not sure if the the German parachute btn (Heydte) dropped behind allied lines -- Operation Stösser -- was attached to Skorzeny. Note because of the 6th Armee's failure, the German parachute btn's mission changed from Liege area bridges to being dropped north of Malmedy; the date of mission was 3:am (in snow storm) of 17 Dec. 12.SS PzD was supposed to rendezvous with them.)