Bob Flemin' Fall Gelb AARse.....

[warspite1]

Although I can't help Jagdtiger14 any further (I didn't realise he wanted to use Oil so apologies for wasting his time) I am curious to see how a Fall Gelb plays out using the optionals I use.

So here goes. I am using the set-up suggested by Jagdtiger for this purpose. I have assumed the Germans have gone with the approach as they have seen that the CW have only two TRS in the UK (so less chance of a quick and heavy response to German action in the west).

First off the Poles set-up as follows

Rationale:
- They want to use the aircraft (rather than giving the pilots to the CW
- They want to ensure that these aircraft + the HQ cannot be ground struck before the Poles get a chance to move them
- Warsaw and Lodz must have two units defending at all times (except this first impulse - but if the Germans want to try a 2:1 no modifiers they are welcome!). The HQ can move back in next impulse.

[warspite1]

The ambition of the Wehrmacht is to seize the Polish resources first. Lodz, Warsaw and taking down Poland are secondary to getting a good start in the west.

As a result the Luftwaffe are called upon to ground strike the Pomorze Army in Katowice and the Karpaty Army in the woods to the north. An alternative would be to ground strike Katowice twice, but both hexes are vital to getting the resources anyway.

[warspite1]

Both strikes fail to hit the target. Given the quality of the German aircraft, this is not a particularly unlucky result and I let this stand.

The Germans need to be a little careful about where to land the aircraft in case results go badly elsewhere. They take up station guarded by the 71st Infantry Corps so that they can threaten the resources and the Polish capital in future.

[Centuur]

I would have put the CAV into Katowice too. Let the Germans move close to Lodz. As long as you occupy either Lodz or Warsaw and Katowice, those resources are not going to be transported into a German factory at all. Let them take a 2-1 attack against you. They need an awful amount of luck to break that defense...

[warspite1]

Land movement now:

- Two Infantry Corps (12th and 45th) are sent to destroy the Polish 1st Infantry Division guarding Gdynia. This leaves East Prussia wide open, but there is little of value that the Polish can do by advancing into this space - but besides, the Germans need both Corps to ensure defeat of the little Polish unit.

- The units of von Leeb's army group in the south turn north to attack the Karpaty Army and try and open up a route to the resource north of Krakow.

This gives an automatic attack against the port and a 7:1 no modifiers in the forest. von Leeb has to be used or the attack would be just 5:1. As a result there is no reason not to use his HQ Support.

Actually, if I had thought, a better use of the aircraft would have been ground support and hope that Fractional Odds increase the attack to automatic. Had they done this the Germans would be very unlucky not to get the Fractional Odds throw in their favour.

I therefore decide to start the turn again and use the aircraft in this sport role to see if we can get an automatic attack. First off the attack in the north is completed. The merchant shipping is captured but the small Polish fleet is able to flee to the United Kingdom to continue the fight.

This leaves the potentially vital Fractional Odds throw....

[warspite1]

For some reason there was no Fractional Odds throw [&:]. Anyone know why? But you can guess the land throw!!!

[warspite1]

Right for the purposes of this exercise I shall split this into two.

Plan A assumes that one was thrown as per actual

Plan B assumes the Germans get the breaks to see what can be achieved with a little luck and plenty of balls.

Plan A first. The Polish Karpaty Army is destroyed, but takes the 30th Infantry Corps with it.... and all Germans are disorganised..

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Centuur

I would have put the CAV into Katowice too. Let the Germans move close to Lodz. As long as you occupy either Lodz or Warsaw and Katowice, those resources are not going to be transported into a German factory at all. Let them take a 2-1 attack against you. They need an awful amount of luck to break that defense...

warspite1

True.

[warspite1]

Plan A

The Impulse is ended. This is a bad start for Adolf, but quite clearly shows the potential downside of this plan. Maybe the results in the west will make it worthwhile... we shall see.

Meantime the Germans call out the Reserves.

I think the initial attack in southern Poland would convince even the most ardent Fall Gelb exponent, that some extra resource is required in the east.

To that end 2 x Infantry Corps and a Mechanised Corps are placed in Berlin and Breslau. The remainder of the reserves are still committed to the west.

[Orm]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

For some reason there was no Fractional Odds throw [&:]. Anyone know why? But you can guess the land throw!!!

27:3 is exactly 9:1 so there is no need for a fractional odds throw. Unfortunately there is no 9:1 assault table so the attack is resolved as a 7:1 attack.

[warspite1]

Okay thanks - I was making the jump from 7:1 as usual [8|]

[warspite1]

Plan A
Sep/Oct 1939
Impulse: 2

The French and CW call out the Reserves.

The French order a combined as they need to get colonial units back to Metropolitan France. What do the CW do? Ideally this would be a naval, but in putting the HQ out of ground strike range, I need to get this to Warsaw. Sure, with the Germans being disorganised it is not mega urgent, but you never know how long turns will last and the danger of double moves etc. The CW therefore take a Combined to be safe.

[warspite1]

Plan A
Sep/Oct 1939
Impulse: 2

The French put the bulk of their Mediterranean Fleet into the Western Mediterranean together with a TRS loaded with an infantry corps from Algeria.

The CW put the Home Fleet into the North Sea to provide cover for part of the BEF. The TRS and the Home Fleet started in different ports so this wastes both CW naval moves [8|]

The CW are feeling lucky - and as this is Plan A, I will assume that some of this lucky feeling actually rubs off.

Seeing the German forces lined up on the Danish border, a Blenheim in Harwich is tasked with weeing in Hitlers Cornflakes. It is apparent to the British that the Germans are seeking to mount a Weserubung Sud. The light bomber sets off to thwart that plan.

[warspite1]

Plan A
Sep/Oct 1939
Impulse: 2

As with the 1 thrown in Poland, I do not need to alter the dice the computer "throws". One of the four ground strikes proves successful

[warspite1]

Plan A
Sep/Oct 1939
Impulse: 2

The impulse comes to an end with the Allies having carried out the following:

- The BEF (less one Corps) land in Calais
- The French 13th Corps land in Marseilles
- Smigly-Rydz heads for Warsaw
- The Polish air force head for the capital and Lodz (one each to spread the risk).

[Orm]

- The BEF (less one Corps) land in Calais

So no CW forces in Rotterdam then?

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Orm

- The BEF (less one Corps) land in Calais

So no CW forces in Rotterdam then?

warspite1

I am assuming it is better to get the units in place. But okay - lets keep the options open. The British do not land, but stay at sea instead.

[Jagdtiger14]

Ok, you fooled me[:D] with the title of this "game"...but now that I know, I will follow this.[X(] No biggie on the oil...it doesn't really matter other than perhaps a German production BP here or there. You should have Orm take the Allied side.

First, I have to say I really hate 1d10. With 2d10 you are more likely to get an average result (more combinations to get 11 vs 2 or 20...the odds of getting any result if shown on a graph is shaped like a bell with 11 at the top and 2 and 20 on the bottom on each side).

Second, if you look at the last comments I made after being informed that there were no possibilities to break down and get more div's...I mentioned to place the 5-3 for that purpose in the Prussian hex SE of Danzig (I think I said SW of where the 6pt INF were). I'm not sure if this would have changed your approach to the Polish set up or the German move.

Third, I'm glad you are playing this out as if you were handed this situation without choice, and what you can do with it. Its the best way to test it. I personally would have made some other decisions on my initial attack on Poland if that was the set up.

Oh, and the purpose for the two German INF div. in Kiel was for Germany to do a combined first impulse and get a cruiser out in the North Sea with one div. for the option of invading Rotterdam.

[warspite1]

Amazing - I could not script Plan A better than the total *&^% that the computer is throwing off at the moment!

The weather is a 10. And that really sucks.....

[warspite1]

Right, so greeted with this pile of weather %^&* what do the Germans do now? Do they invade Denmark anyway?