The PERFECT WAR Mod: Allied Side

[Skyland]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Could you come up with a list of Ships and anything else relevant?

Going with that thought, Skyland WHICH of these two bases is the logical HQ for these new units? Which was more important/settled to the French? Was one an administrative Capital?

Yes i will make a list.

Caledonia is more logical because of the nickel there and the proximity of Sidney as support base if necessary.

[John 3rd]

New Caledonia it is then!

LCU Questions:
1. What does a Foreign Legion outfit look like?
2. Probably should have two Base Force units with one in Noumea and the other in Koumac?
3. Other Units? Should there be any form of a small HQ unit?

Been thinking (as I prepare to spend the day Canning Salsa and, possibly, making Apricot Jam) that you should try to find as much uniformity within the French Squadron as possible when it comes to guns. Since we are doing this on a Logistical shoestring of the AS Verne and an AKE then I would make the DDs all from the same class and have as many similarities between the guns types of the CA and CL as possible. Assume the French used the same size of Surface Torp for all their warships so that should be simple.

Same idea should probably occur to 4 SS you bring tot he party as well. I know there is great desire for that pair of 8" Guns on Surcouf (THanks Term!) but the SS should probably be of the same class.

[oldman45]

This might have been missed, has there been a discussion of adding Madagascar, there was a base there. It might make a good choice for a depot for the French forces once Indochina has been lost.

[JWE]

ORIGINAL: Skyland
Yes i will make a list.

If I could make a request ... them big 'ol Fantasque class contre-torpilleurs did have a poopload more endurance than the regular guys, and would have been the "smart" deployment option for a far flung colonial empire. But given the state of the other combatants on opening day, I would suggest the French DDs be Bourrasques or Adroits (visually very similar, so the Adroit art works for both). I wouldn't do Chacals because they would need new art. They were a lot bigger, but not much more capable, than a Bourrasque.

Was it me, I would let the 4 existing Adroits come into play on opening day and add a mixed DesDiv of Fantasques/Hardis in their place in '45. But then, this is just my silly opinion. And besides, I like the Adroits. Anyway, whatever you think, Sky.

Ciao. John

[John 3rd]

Nice thoughts Sir. Silly Opinion? NEVER!

[JWE]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd
Nice thoughts Sir. Silly Opinion? NEVER!

Thank you very much John. I am very hesitant about intruding in these threads, because you and Stan seem to have your stuff under control. I am enjoying, very much, the ins-and-outs of what you are going through and appreciate the work and thought that has gone into things. I know, believe me I know, how hard that is. Anyway, any help I can give (and the operative word is 'help') is freely offered.

Ciao. John

[DOCUP]

What about the float planes for these French ships?  Is there going to be any replacement AC for them?
 
Doc

[John 3rd]

Thanks JWE. I do appreciate the advice and help very much. NEVER feel like you are intruding.

DOCUP: DOH! Good Thought. They will neeed them. TO make it simple should they start as US Leand-Lease aircraft so they can be replaced real easy?

[oldman45]

IRL in less than 6 months from the time the planes went to the UK from France they were all grounded from lack of spare parts. So we can either put US/Brit planes on them or perhaps even just remove the gear while in a refit. I seem to recall many of the French ships had their catapults removed in 43/44.

[DuckofTindalos]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

New Caledonia it is then!

LCU Questions:
1. What does a Foreign Legion outfit look like?
2. Probably should have two Base Force units with one in Noumea and the other in Koumac?
3. Other Units? Should there be any form of a small HQ unit?

Been thinking (as I prepare to spend the day Canning Salsa and, possibly, making Apricot Jam) that you should try to find as much uniformity within the French Squadron as possible when it comes to guns. Since we are doing this on a Logistical shoestring of the AS Verne and an AKE then I would make the DDs all from the same class and have as many similarities between the guns types of the CA and CL as possible. Assume the French used the same size of Surface Torp for all their warships so that should be simple.

Same idea should probably occur to 4 SS you bring tot he party as well. I know there is great desire for that pair of 8" Guns on Surcouf (THanks Term!) but the SS should probably be of the same class.

The Legion used the same TOE as the regular French army.

[Skyland]

Here is my proposal for the MN reinforcement TFs :

Combat TF :
CA Algerie
CL Jean de Vienne
DD : I was thinking about Le Hardi class. They were designed in order to correct some defaults of the L'Adroit class : structural weakness in heavy sea, range, stability, AA...
But L'Adroit class is ok for me if it is JWE's prefered one
SS long range 1500t Pascal class

Support TF :
AS Jules Verne
AO Var
AKE US
KV La Batailleuse
Option 1 : CS Commandant Teste for air cover and scouting
Option 2 : CM Pluton as minelayer or fast transport

Troop Transport TF :
AMC Victor Schoelcher
xAP Cap Tourane and Cap Padaran
PG D'Iberville


Were already in the Pacific around NC and Polynesia :
KV Chevreuil
AMC Cap des Palmes
DD Le Triomphant
Some frenchies xAP, xAK.

For the onboard planes, i think we can keep the french ones until the refit in 1943 that suppress the capability.
Spares should note be a issue as there was important stock in Africa.


For the LCUs :
1 Foreign Legion Regiment with may be 1 Artillery detachment
2 bases forces, and yes, may be a small HQ.
+ some small units already in NC and Papeete at that time.

[JWE]

ORIGINAL: Skyland
Here is my proposal for the MN reinforcement TFs :

Combat TF :
CA Algerie
CL Jean de Vienne
DD : I was thinking about Le Hardi class. They were designed in order to correct some defaults of the L'Adroit class : structural weakness in heavy sea, range, stability, AA...
But L'Adroit class is ok for me if it is JWE's prefered one
SS long range 1500t Pascal class

Support TF :
AS Jules Verne
AO Var
AKE US
KV La Batailleuse
Option 1 : CS Commandant Teste for air cover and scouting
Option 2 : CM Pluton as minelayer or fast transport

Troop Transport TF :
AMC Victor Schoelcher
xAP Cap Tourane and Cap Padaran
PG D'Iberville

Were already in the Pacific around NC and Polynesia :
KV Chevreuil
AMC Cap des Palmes
DD Le Triomphant
Some frenchies xAP, xAK.

Oh, poop in a jar, I knew this would happen. Thought we could fake the Chamois and Elan classes with one piece of art in DaBabes, but with the French additions, that simply won't do. The Chamois were generally similar to Elans, but had a raised forecastle deck and were much nicer looking ships (Elans were positively Yoo-gly).

Don't forget, there's a Bougainville class colonial aviso at class 806/807 (bitmap 396); no ships in play, but the class and the art are available, and there were several of them in area. Slow, but with a nice range and some pretty chunky 5.5' guns; had provisions for minelaying, but could be fixed up with DCs instead. All in all, a nice little PG kinda ship. Long live Don's Babies!

While I'm splitting up the Elans/Chamois, I'll do a Hardi, too. Then Sky can have his pick.

Ciao. John

[John 3rd]

You GO MISTER J...W...E!

"Hello...my name is John and I am an addict to WitP: AE"

Just had to throw that out there because I got REALLY excited reading the proposal. French fans ATTEND: we have a real French contribution for the outset of the war. NICE!

Questions:
1. How many DDs?
2. How many SS?
3. I'd say start the French with full complement of planes on the ships that are American Lend Lease and then the player can chose to loose them with the upgrades.
4. My vote is Option 2 with the CM because it is multifaceted.

Thank You Sir.

Just to be an ass, can you line out the Thai's on the other thread?

[DOCUP]

This may be a stupid question.  Can you add AC production to the Allied side?
 
doc

[JWE]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd
Just had to throw that out there because I got REALLY excited reading the proposal. French fans ATTEND: we have a real French contribution for the outset of the war. NICE!

Ok, here ya go. Just for you and Sky (and Don, of course). I cleaned up a couple, for better visua presentation, and added a couple for Sky's use.

396 is Bougainville class; cleaned it up a bit so it looks nicer. It's a simple replacement for what's already in-game.
108 is Elan class; cleaned it up a bit so it looks nicer. It's a simple replacement for what's already in-game. Was called Chevreuil class, but that's wrong; should be Elan. In-game, Commandant Duboc, La Gracieuse, and La Moquese are legimately Elan class. Chevreuil is a Chamois class.
82 is Chamois class; basically an Elan but with a raised forecastle deck. Given the new art, change the bitmap of Chevreuil to 82.
81 is the La Hardi class DD. Sky likes them, and whenever they do come in-game (early or late), we need art for them, so here they are.

Have been keeping tabs on classes and bitmaps and bears, oh my! Included a bitmap list of darn near everything. The new stuff (not included in the std art set) is in blue. You might like it since it shows all the open (reserved) slot positions in red.

[JWE]

And here's the Side and Shil files.

[Skyland]

Thanks JWE. Your arts are far better than mine !
We can keep only the Chamois class if it is more simple. KV La Surprise can replace KV La Batailleuse.

Questions from John 3rd:
1. How many DDs?
2. How many SS?

-> 4 DDs (Le Hardi, Casque, Fleuret, Mameluck) and 4 subs (L'Espoir, Le Glorieux, Le Heros, Monge)

[oldman45]

ORIGINAL: Skyland

Thanks JWE. Your arts are far better than mine !
We can keep only the Chamois class if it is more simple. KV La Surprise can replace KV La Batailleuse.

Questions from John 3rd:
1. How many DDs?
2. How many SS?

-> 4 DDs (Le Hardi, Casque, Fleuret, Mameluck) and 4 subs (L'Espoir, Le Glorieux, Le Heros, Monge)

+1

[John 3rd]

+2

I am SOOOOOOOOOO happy to add all these new Victory Points for me to HUNT! Ooopps. Sorry. I suddenly saw a red centered flag with rays shooting out flying in Glory over a bunch of former Frenchmen! [8D]

Thanks JWE. Skyland--I greatly appreciate the help, research, and effort.

How about that everyone?!!

[JWE]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd
I am SOOOOOOOOOO happy to add all these new Victory Points for me to HUNT! Ooopps. Sorry. I suddenly saw a red centered flag with rays shooting out flying in Glory over a bunch of former Frenchmen! [8D]

Merde. Avancé et obtenez, John. (Poo. C'mon and git some, dude).[8D]