Race to Bastogne - Axis

[dazkaz15]

Looking good Mike [:)]
Ill be following with interest.

[MikeJ19]

Thanks Daz!

I finally found some time to play. While the bridges are being constructed, my forces between the Rivers are moving forward. I've hit some early opposition, but overall am happy with the initial moves. I should have ordered an attack onto Apple rather than an advance - oh well I need to learn the hard way some times...

[MikeJ19]

Victory Points

I've been watching this objective for a while - the Us Eng Coy finally surrendered - but I'm not getting credit for the objective. The objective is a timed one, but it has been active since the beginning of the game.

Am I missing something?

Thanks.

[dazkaz15]

They are still firing at something.
Just give it a few minutes, it should update, and sort itself out.

[dazkaz15]

Here is the OOB for you Mike.
I know you have asked if there is one for previous AAR's, so I took the liberty of making one for you for this one as well.

[Mahatma]

Have you adjusted the scenario as per Phoenix's suggestions? I would do so because this scenario is far easier than it should be, and probably will not present you with a challenge.

[Phoenix100]

Thanks, Mike. Reading with interest, having played through as Axis myself very recently. Love the planning screens.

POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!

I think, as Mahatma says, that you may find this quite easy, but only because you obviously plan and play well. I did get a decisive vic, but only on the third run through, by which time I learned from my mistakes! I think, as set up, it's possible for the AI Allies to hold the Axis to a draw, especially if the Axis plays 'historically', with an historical mindset (don't do anything flash). I feel that Option 3 is probably the least historical option, however (so you will probs be ok), as the Axis commanders during the actual operation, despite Hitler's priority on forging ahead to the Meuse etc, tended to be hampered by their own planning (unable to change plans quickly, on the hoof) and an assumption that there would be more opposition than there was - so they planned routes that would go right through concentrations of enemy forces and then they stuck to them (sometimes they were forced to on pain of punishment) and rarely managed to bypass the enemy when they inevitably ran into him. With the consequence that in RL they didn't get anywhere near Bastogne until after the Allies had moved in a 'crack' para division - ie; it took them nearly three days to get to Bastogne. In the game you would have to try hard to achieve this, I think. By moving 'historically', for example - with a great deal of caution. That would slow you down enough. Give Move orders with 'safest' and 'bypass' always checked, and aggro, rof and losses all set to minimum. That way they will pause for ages every time they encounter the enemny and pass laborious messages seeking instructions back along the line to you, then you respond, incur orders delay etc. That would seem more like the way the Axis moved, to me, and would certainly make it harder to get into Bastogne before the paras get there!!

But I hope you will be a better and more effective commander, and will have the Fuehrer's clamours for haste foremost in your mind! Good luck!

[dazkaz15]

ORIGINAL: Mahatma

Have you adjusted the scenario as per Phoenix's suggestions? I would do so because this scenario is far easier than it should be, and probably will not present you with a challenge.

I think it does a pretty good job of representing the historical options.
Its as the name of the scenario suggests a race, and the winning of that race relies largely on luck, of route choice, just as it did historically.

If you are unlucky enough to choose the route that takes you through the Allied concentrations, and you don't have the flexibility to alter that plan, there is a possibility you may lose that race, and then the scenario would be much more difficult.
Its the flexibility, and the instinct (or luck)that the player brings to the battle that is the biggest factor in making it a-historical.
I think this is a scenario that has very little replay value as a historical scenario, but great potential as a what-if.

On the fist run through though, I don't see that it needs to be changed.
I'm no expert having only played it the twice, but I don't remember my first time, as being particularly easy.
My second run through, just after Mike started his AAR was much smoother I must admit.
This also may have been made easier by the fact that the Axis have learnt how to shoot now, but also by the fact I knew what to expect.

I may give this another go using the favour settings to see how it alters things.


I have a taste for them now after the St Vith one [;)]