AAR/Quick Guide Central Powers 1914

[randell765]

I am suprised that a country can turn against you so fast, did you even go past a year? Also, is there a screen that shows which way countries are leaning?

Is there also a screen that shows where the enemy places their points? For example, does a screen show you the Allies were going for Bulgaria?

[JD Walter]

Thanks overall, J P!

I learned a great deal from your AAR. Especially regarding artillery, allocation of naval assets (quite confusing from the manual - glad to see it illustrated here) and the need to back-up your offensives with fresh corps.

Hope you do another soon![:)]

[SMK-at-work]

FWIW Bulgaria will never join the TE....but it's entry to the war on the side of the CP can be delayed or even prevented, which leaves Turkey cut off & vulnerable.
 
I think Italy is the only country that has a chance of joining both sides - if the Germans take Paris early enough it wil join the CP, otehrwise it can only join the TE, but as with Bulgaria if the CP is willing to spend the ppints they can delay or possibly even prevent it entering at all.
 
All other countries can only join one of the 2 sides

[Hanal]

ORIGINAL: randell765

I am suprised that a country can turn against you so fast, did you even go past a year? Also, is there a screen that shows which way countries are leaning?

Is there also a screen that shows where the enemy places their points? For example, does a screen show you the Allies were going for Bulgaria?

Bulgaria has not turned yet but I do not like the idea that the TE is tinkering around down there....I have to buy some Diplomacy points and check this move in case the TE continues to funnel points that way.....

EDIT...SMK cleared that one up...thanks.... I did not realize that Bulgaria could not turn, so if it is only a delay, while a pain, it's not as catastrophic.........

[Berkut]

Wow, a GREAT AAR! Just what I was looking for as far as something to kind of get my brain wrapped around the very basics of the stategy.

Your western front performance, I think, was rather abysmal compared to the historical first couple months of the war. Any idea why?

[Hanal]

ORIGINAL: Berkut

Wow, a GREAT AAR! Just what I was looking for as far as something to kind of get my brain wrapped around the very basics of the stategy.

Your western front performance, I think, was rather abysmal compared to the historical first couple months of the war. Any idea why?

"Any idea why? " Yes, I stink!...[:D]

I applied WWII thinking to a WWI situation. I also wanted to see how the defense of the entire front played out so I made some attacks in the south which I really should not have done. A couple of astute posters had seen that flaw as well. You cannot waste your precious activation points on attacks that bear no long term fruit....

Here is the front as of the Mar-April 1915 Strategy phase. I surrounded two French Corps and just might be able to reconnect with my trapped Corps if I make one Spring offensive push....

[SiTheSly]

I always find that Serbia is tough nut to crack since the supply situation is bad in the mountains and the AI defends the approaches in the central plain very well.
 
Also I think come next turn the Russians in the east will start their offensives and your either have to gamble on trying to knock France out of the war and risk losing Austria or transfer troops east and settle down to an artillary duel on the western front.
 
I'm enjoying your AAR and hope you see it through till the end - sorry to say but my money is on the TE to win

[Hanal]

I think I'll place my money on the TE as well and no, my name is not Tim Donaghy!!!    [;)]

[flintlock]

Well, you're playing, not officiating.

[ess1]

JPF, Many thanks for a most instructive and illuminating AAR.
Your time and efforts are most appreciated.

Hope you continue with this.

[WallysWorld]

I too am using this AAR as a basis on whether to buy GoA or not. Really enjoying this, JP. Thanks!

[Hanal]

May-June 1915 Strategic phase

I manage to breakthrough and offer an escape route for my beleagured Corps at Lille. The decision I need to make is whether or not I reinforce this line or pull back as my limited HQ refits will not allow too many attacks. I have some reserves that I can flood into the line and entrench but run the risk of being cut off again. What to do, what to do....

[Hanal]

I have the Ottoman Empire on the move.......

[Hanal]

...and hopefully the Turks could offer a distraction to some of the Russian Corps on the Austrian front.....

[Hanal]

The Serbs are a tough nut to crack but I'll continue to pound away by giving the Puhallo HQ the one refit point available....

There are 3 impulses in this turn and so another decision one needs to make is when is the best time to launch your offensives? Doing them in the first phase will leave you nothing for the remainder of the impulses and so your counters to the TE moves will be limited. Waiting until the last phase may be too late.....there is alot of decision making in this game as it's not simply pushing counters around and launching attacks at will...

[Hanal]

Activation Phase

In a perfect world, the attack that I would like to launch would be to the north, but the value of air recon is realized when I see what is waiting for me...three Corps with the strength of 19-22-15. I do not think I can do sufficient damage to cause them to retreat....the other two hexes I used my air recon on, also shows strong units....

So the decision of when to attack has been made for me. I will reinforce the line in the early impulses and then hopefully attack in the last one...

[Hanal]

2nd Impulse

During the resolution of  the 1st phase, the French attacked twice along the southern portion of the front .I wonder if they have anymore HQ points available since no northern attacks occurred. I decide to launch my major offensive operation during the 2nd phase. My HQ was well positioned to activate a numeber of German Corps.

This is a good illustration on how one well placed HQ can do alot with one activation point....

Attack Red will strike at the northern French Corps
Attack Yellow will occupy the vacant hex
Attack Blue is the major push the stabilize the line
Attack Green is one Corp from my Lille front to support Attack Blue

[Hanal]

Resolution Phase

Well all of my northern attacks failed with a heavy lose of manpower and the TE continued to attack in the south where the UK is making an appearance.....

I thought I had reinforced the front with enough fresh troops to have some success but obviously, I failed once again!!!

[TheBlackhorse]

Talk about a Great War....
 
Nice AAR JP

[Hanal]

July-August 1915

It only is getting worse..........