Nach Frankreich 1940(t) - Axis

[tverse]

May 25, 1940 (T18)

High level overview at start of turn 16.

Phase 1 - Secure key bridges across the Meuse River - COMPLETED

Phase 2 – Defeat Holland, Luxemburg, and Belgium and force the British home – COMPLETED

[tverse]

May 25, 1940 (T18)

Infantry & Engineering Units – Significant increase in Infantry squad losses.

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May 25, 1940 (T18)

Armored Vehicles – Increase in armored vehicle losses but overall not very high losses.

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May 25, 1940 (T18)

Air Units – No increase in air unit losses but overall seems to be very high losses.

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The divisions have been moving into position for the final push through France known as Fall Rot (Case Red). There has been some resting, resupplying, and reorganizing Army Groups. Forward plans and organiziation should be available soon.

[tverse]

May 31, 1940 (T24)
High level overview at start of turn 24. For the last 6 days (turns) units have been moving to staging areas for Phase 3.
Phase 3 – Fall Rot (Case Red)
Key Objectives:
1) Capture Le Havre, Paris, and Nancy
2) Secure crossings over the Seine River and Marne River
3) Stage for final push into western and southern France
Noteworthy items:
1) Three army groups:
Army Group B – consists of 6th Army, 18th Army, and 4th Army; Hoth PZG (XV Corps) and Hoepner PZG (XVI Corps)
Army Group A – consists of 12th Army, 16th Army and 2/9th Army; Kleist PZG (XXXXI Corps and XIV Corps) and Guiderian PZG (XIX Corps)
Army Group C – consists of the 1st and 7th Army.

2) Panzer units are separately identified and labeled PZG for Panzer Group.
3) Note that Hoth PZG and 4th Army moved over from Army Group A.
4) Note that historically the 2nd and 9th Army were added to Army Group A for the start of Fall Rot. At this point in time, most the divisions are still coming so I have allocated miscellaneous Divisions as 2/9th Army for now until more reinforcements arrive.
Following is my basic plan.

[tverse]

May 31, 1940 (T24)
Army Group B
Key Objectives:
1) Capture Le Havre then unto Cherbourg
2) Secure crossings over the Seine River west of Paris

4th Army – Still moving to staging area on the Somme River across from Abbeville. Then secure crossing over Somme and open way for Hoth PZG.
Hoth PZG - Exploit 4th Army crossing at Abbeville. PZG consists of 5th, 7th, and 9th Panzer Divisions.
6th Army – Moving to staging area on the Somme River across from Amiens. Secure crossing over Somme and open the way for Hoepner PZG.
Hoepner PZG – Exploit 6th Army crossing at Amiens. Group consist of 3rd & 4th Panzer divisions and 11th Infantry Brigade (motorized).
18th Army – Continue moving to staging area and maintain reserve role.
1st Kav. Div. – Support Army Group B on the southeast flank.

[tverse]

May 31, 1940 (T24)
Army Group A
Key Objectives:
1) Capture Paris and Nancy
2) Secure crossings over the Marne River East of Paris

2/9th Army – Replaced previously held 12th Army positions. Executing probes towards Paris. Remainder of Army still moving to the front.
12th Army – Replaced previously held 16th Army positions and consolidating force. Executing attacks towards Paris.
Kleist PZG - Exploit 12th Army or 2/9th Army opening towards Paris. Group consists of 6th & 8th Panzer Divisions, and 2nd, 13th, and 29th Infantry Divisions (motorized).
16th Army – Consolidating force and executing attacks toward Nancy.
Guiderian PZG – Exploit 16thth Army attacks toward Nancy. Group consist of 1st, 2nd, & 10th Panzer Divisions, and “T” & 20th Infantry Divisions (motorized).

[tverse]

May 31, 1940 (T24)
Army Group C
Key Objectives:
1) Push Past Maginot Line

Note: It appears many French units have moved out of positions along the Maginot Line.

1st Army– Continue to probe along the front and flanks of the Maginot Line.
7th Army – Support 1st Army in push on Maginot Line down the Rhine Valley. Protect the German supply depot.

[tverse]

Engineers

As you can see on the map below, the Allies are big on blowing up bridges (red dots at this scale).
The engineers have been vital in supporting and sustaining the attack by the Axis.
Engineers can provide ferry support (red arrow).
They can also repair bridges if they have sufficient engineering abilities (blue arrow).

But……………………………………..

[tverse]

Engineers (continued)

But…………………………………….

In this scenario not all engineers are alike.

The examples below show some the variety of engineering units attached to the Axis forces. Some are only good for ferry duty (ex. #1), some are mainly suited for bridge repair (ex. #6), some are good for both (ex. #2-5).

Anecdotally, it appears if the engineering ability is below 40% then it is not certain that the bridge will be repaired.

I am also not sure the effects of percentage on the Major or Minor Ferry support – I have not noticed any effect.

I am sure the engineers are vital in the next phase in defeating France. (I only wish there was a button that brings the engineers to surface of a stack of units).

[tverse]

June 1, 1940 (T25)

Overview at start of turn 25.

[tverse]

June 1, 1940 (T25)

Army Group B

Note: Engineering units at or near the front (yellow arrows)

4th Army – Moving into position around Abbeville.

Hoth PZG – Moving into position closer to the front.

Hoepner PZG – Moving into position closer to the front.

6th Army – Moving into position outside Amiens. The bridge and city of Amiens was wide open so units moved in and occupied the town.

18th Army – Moving up into a reserve role. (Except a small task force – see next post).

[tverse]

June 1, 1940 (T25)

Army Group B

VT Division Task Force– This TF consists of VT Division (3 Infantry Regiments (mot.), Artillery Regiment (mot.), added to this division is a 15.MG Batt (mot) and Adolf Hitler Infantry Regiment (mot). The plan is for this group to work first north to Dunkerque and then west to south west along the coast eliminating enemy units.

[tverse]

June 1, 1940 (T25)

Army Group A - West

2/9th Army – Moving through Compiegne towards Paris. Follow on forces still moving into position but have been slowed due to bridges being down.

12th Army – Divisions have opened a large relatively uncontested front around Soissons.

Kleist PZG – Preparing to exploit openings in front lines at Compiegne and Soissons.

[tverse]

June 1, 1940 (T25)

Army Group A - East

16th Army – The frontlines are quite disjointed. Several units were cut off from supply (red arrow). The Allies struck back along the entire front (cross silver swords). Will work to clean up front lines especially around Rethel (blue arrow).

Guiderian PZG – Was planning on moving through Rethel towards Nancy but that gap closed up during the Allies turn. It may not have really been a gap due to fog of war. May need to use some of the Panzer units to help push through Rethel.

[tverse]

June 1, 1940 (T25)

Army Group C

No change in this area except during the Allies turn they moved units back into the area. Will continue to try and push through the Maginot line, However, there are not sufficient troops to make a strong push and yet maintain a secure front line.

[tverse]

June 2, 1940 (T26)

Overview look at start of turn 26.

Black circles show relative location of Panzer Groups.
Panzer Units are at the front or moving to the front.

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June 2, 1940 (T26)

Looks wide open Army Group B Panzer Groups. But…. Fog of War!

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June 2, 1940 (T26)

Again a wide open front for Kleist PZG.