To Netherlands or Not To Netherlands...that is the QA

[stjeand]

I have noticed quite a few players leave the Netherland be when attacking France.

I am not one of those plyers...but perhaps I am missing something.

I am able to take the Netherlands on turn 3 about 80% of the time, other wise turn 4 it falls.

I do know that they give the UK 30 MM and I believe 3 Escorts so about 420PP worth of units.

Now Germany receives an average of about 13PP per turn from the Netherlands...maybe a little more or a little less.
And to take the Netherlands I say about 100PP...and that is only if I hit it on turn 3...rather than 1940 which it requires less.

At 13PP per turn the Germans make more than they lost in less than 2 years...So if taken historically, early 1940 payback early 1942..if taken 1939 payback 1941...

So thoughts?

Do the players that skipped taking the Netherlands take it later? Ignore it?

Let the discussion begin and thanks in advance.

[Harrybanana]

The problem with DOWing the Netherlands on turn 3 is that this automatically brings Belgium into the War as an Ally. This means the Allies will have all winter to fortify the Belgian/German Border. There is no need to DOW the Netherlands in Spring 40 because the Axis can conquer Belgium in 1 turn anyway. Indeed, conquering the Netherlands as well just uses up units that you will need to conquer Belgium.

Conquered Nations only yield 1/3rd production, so this would be only 3 PP per turn for Germany not 13 (admittedly this will increase along with the German production modifier).

I think the Netherlands should be left alone until after the Fall of France. After that it will depend on circumstances if/when Germany will conquer it.

[stjeand]

Thank you for pointing out the PP...not sure HOW I missed that. I have it documented in front of me and just did not read it.

So what that tells me is you should NOT attack the Netherlands until say 42 or 43...after the BOA is lost and before the Allies could land there.

The BOA bonus for the allies is huge and far outweighs the German PP gain.