Neutral Belgium gambit

[havoc1371]

I have never tried to invade Belgium as the Central Powers against another player, and every game I've played as Entente, the Central Powers have failed with the historical strategy. What has worked for me as the Central Powers is defending in the West, while applying overwhelming force against Russia and Serbia. So far, I've not had a game last beyond the summer of 1917 as either side. Has anyone been successful as the Central Powers with a historical approach to the Western Front against another player who was equally competent and experienced? Strategic Command World at War and War in Europe have multiple possibilities to winning the game as either side, but WW1 seems to have limitations in viable grand strategies.

[OldCrowBalthazor]

I personally invade Belgium forthwith everytime. Leaving Belgian neutral and not pressing the French and UK in the west generally leads to those 2 powers overtaking Germany in tech by 1916 because of all the extra MMPs they have saved from not replacing units. Also, France's National Morale won't take hits like is needed early.

Of course, Russia and Serbia can not be forgotten, so its a razor's edge strategy to do both East and West operations at the same time. Leaving the Western Entente at rest can lead to them pulling off 'Adventures' elsewhere like the Balkans, Adriatic, and the Ottoman theater. The Germans need to hit Belgium and consequently Northern France and points on the Fort Line so bad that it will take France at least a year or more to recover..this leads to Germany pivoting east to try to push Russia out of Poland by the end of 1915 and help Austria-Hungary in Serbia and the Alpine Front.

This is the theory at least..and works more times than not for me. [:)]

[Chernobyl]

I attack Belgium every time. But I'm not a super pro, especially at the late game. I only have 1 game of experience so far against a human and it ended in 1915.

My logic is similar to Crow's. Belgium gives a lot of MPP. Even though French mines activate, you get more than France does. I find that in 1915 I have three Armies in France and three in Russia. The seventh one gets sent to Italy or Serbia. What happens in 1916? I don't know. Artillery changes everything and I might have to fall back. But at least in that case I have more ground to give.

[havoc1371]

More than willing to play as Entente against a Central Power player to see the Schlieffen plan (or modified plan) in action.

[ThisEndUp]

Havoc,
I'd be willing to take you on. Both my PBEM games are running, well, sprinting really, to their conclusion. I'd like to add that Belgium itself is quite susceptible to a French invasion due to it's longer border there. They're too strategically important to be left neutral. France in control of the Belgian mines can become quite a problem.

OldCrow,
Rematch with you as the CP this time? Hopefully I'll be able to wield Russia with as much skill as you have in this one.

[havoc1371]

I'll set up the game in PBEM++ with you as the Central Powers. Password go2war

[ThisEndUp]

Cool. Any interest in a mirror match? I'm quite curious to see what the eastern strategy looks like.

[havoc1371]

Okay. I'll set up the other one same pw.

[OldCrowBalthazor]

ThisEndUp
[quote]

OldCrow,
Rematch with you as the CP this time? Hopefully I'll be able to wield Russia with as much skill as you have in this one.

ThisEndUp
haha..You were reading my mind again like in our current game where you've basically been one step ahead of me where it matters throughout the whole war! [:D]

I've set up the game...
Password: Belgium
Give me a day or two after you accept the challenge to get things rolling.

Cheers and good luck!

[ThisEndUp]

Best of luck to you both!