French Strategy - Luxemburg & Rhineland

[terry1040]

I do not know if this has been discussed before, but there is a possibility for the French Army to declare war on Luxemburg on Turn 1 and then advance all the way into the German area west of the Rhine river, basically protecting the Belgium border.
It only works against an unaware German player, but still.
This certainly put some extra pressure on Germany while they are still dealing with Poland.
France might therefore be able to snatch Coblenz, Cologne and even Dusseldorf for some significant MPPs.
Early in the game, this might be worth the effort.
However, it basically forces Germany to deal with France right after the Polish campaign.
Is it worth the effort, because it also certainly weakens the French position somewhat as her army will fight very early.
Any thoughts from qualified players?
Cheers
Terry

[PvtBenjamin]

If I recall

Allied DOW on Luxembourg will move the US mobilization significantly away from Allies - Very Bad

Also Brit & French National Morale will go down - also VB

Not sure if there is anything else

Even if you didn't have these large penalties I'm not sure it would be a good idea, many of the French units are entrenched to begin with. Just stretching yourself out.

[terry1040]

ORIGINAL: PvtBenjamin
Allied DOW on Luxembourg will move the US mobilization significantly away from Allies - Very Bad
Also Brit & French National Morale will go down - also VB

US will move away by 8 points (22%-->14%). This basically means US will join 2 turns later.
French Morale will suffer 2000 points (22500-->20500), UK morale suffers 2000 points (100000-->98000).
Of course this is certainly not good, but IMHO acceptable IF the strategic advantage pays off:

* Some extra Luxemburg & German MPPs for the French
* taking away some early German MPPs
* National Morale Germany suffers on the loss of Cologne
* it kind of interferes with his Polish adventure as it forces Germany to bring some troops to the western front
* Protected Belgium border makes it harder for the Germans to attack Calais region

Again, just my strange strategy thoughts. Maybe totally stupid.
Terry

[PvtBenjamin]

Are you playing vs AI or MP?

I thought about this quite a while ago, always interesting to discuss alternative strategies.

8% US mobilization is a big deal. Not only does the US enter later but they get less MPP the entire time until they enter. This slows research considerably. IMO this is reason enough not to do it.

In one move your reducing Brit and French fighting ability by lowering NM. Less important for the French but you are reducing the Brits fighting ability by 5% for the rest of the game. The next breakpoint is NM <75% where you go down 10%.

Yes you reduce the German NM by taking Cologne (if you do) but they will quickly go back up.

The French Corps just South of Lux is entrenched 6, that's not a unit you want to move until after the low countries are attacked.

I don't know how the AI responds but in a MP game your opponent will just move much of the Polish force west and wipe you out. There is no time limit on Poland so the Axis can "slow" attack Poland taking 4-5 turns with less units. After you lose those French units the Axis will waltz into Paris well before May '40. If Paris falls before May '40 the Allies are in a tough spot the rest of the game.

[terry1040]

ORIGINAL: PvtBenjamin
Are you playing vs AI or MP?

I mainly play MP, but I actually never tried this. Maybe I am too scared.
Such a game might end quickly.
The Screenshot is from a Head-to-Head test run.

Terry