My grand Campaign against the AI

[Jagger2002]

In the stand-alone scenario the Cav.Grp up there can slice through the German lines like a hot knife through butter. That's why I introduced a German equivalent to Road Blocks (Straßensperre).

I like those US cavalry recon units. Very good ranged firepower. However they aren't very good in assault except in the open and preferably against highly weakened units, very vulnerable to any sort of ranged AT weapons and even artillery. In the stand alone scenario, I think the Germans have to KG split their battalions and then occupy the west wall fortifications and the town. Move the Division AT guns up there as well. Maybe some artillery support too. Tough holding off that Cav. Grp up there. Doable against the AI but not so sure against a human. And if they break through, they have roads leading behind the German lines which could get ugly fast. Probably helpful to have the Corps commander create some scratch units to back up the Volksgrenadiers in case of a breakthrough.

[Stelteck]

Dawn of the 20 december. Day 5 the offensive !!!! Ennemy reinforcements, Ennemy reinforcements everywhere from NORTH !!!

At least 4 new ennemy formations, 2 airbornes and 2 heavy infantry have been identified ennemy side, and a lot of pressure built up north all other the line.
My volkgrenadiers are not up to the task and an entire Panzer division have been glued to defend north and i had to ordered a retreat behind the large river north (and blowing bridges). I'am glad it is only the AI here and not an aggressive player.

So the north situation, the 6th panzer army try to defend from north and to advance south, with mixed results.

[Stelteck]

In the south, the 5th panzer army is receiving all the new divisions as renforcement.
The 101th airborne (with the chicken emblem) is on the way on one axe of my offensive unfortunately, but the Panzer Lehr may be able to advance to st Hubert South !!!

[Stelteck]

Fuel situation is simple : No more fuel in Stock, but the units still have their own reserves.

For now, the offensive is not slowed, but the 2 heavy panzer divisions and 2 brigades that arrived as renforcement the previous days, and that are currently rushing to Bastogne will be slower to arrive.

For VP point of view, i'am at the "Major Victory" Level. Yeahhh !!! But Antwerp is still far away. I love how the game is optimistic [;)]

[Rosseau]

Thanks very much for this AAR.

With the Open Beta v1.00.04 (2 dec) version allowing March mode using half the fuel, I assume this would ease some of the shortages?

It's a good change for poor players like me, but wonder what the good players think about it?

[Jagger2002]

With the Open Beta v1.00.04 (2 dec) version allowing March mode using half the fuel, I assume this would ease some of the shortages?

Half the fuel used is good and it is faster movement. But might have to be careful about traffic congestion over a larger stretch of road? I could see a whole division using march mode and covering long distances which puts a lot of traffic points along the road.

[Jagger2002]

With the Open Beta v1.00.04 (2 dec) version allowing March mode using half the fuel, I assume this would ease some of the shortages?

I just did a test. On the first turn of road movement, units move the same distance by road whether in combat mode or march mode and as you stated the fuel cost is 1/2. So yes, use march mode as much as safely possible and you cut your fuel costs in half!!! Of course, if your unit gets hit, it will take higher casualties but worth it to save fuel. March mode should be a big help in stretching out fuel supplies.

[Stelteck]

I think march mode have a readiness cost that make it quite dangerous to use if you want to be able to fight soon.

[Jagger2002]

I think march mode have a readiness cost that make it quite dangerous to use if you want to be able to fight soon.

Yes, just checked. Major combat penalties if attacked while in march mode.

Also I noticed that traffic footprint and readiness cost is doubled. Still probably worth the reduction in fuel costs if march mode is used with proper precautions. I really haven't been using march mode previously but I can also now see a significant benefit to the rapid movement of reserves.

¡ Movement action point cost is halved, but only on roads.
¡ Readiness cost for movement is doubled.
¡ Traffic footprint of movement is doubled.
¡ If a unit finds itself under fire it suffers serious penalties. See the
combat section.
¡ If a unit finds itself under fire it will switch to combat move
mode automatically.

[Rosseau]

Thanks for investigating this. [:)]


So at its simplest level, moving reserves up on roads that you know are "safe" is a good option. But, per reality, you can't overuse the roads or throw those units into combat too quick due to readiness penalty.

Also, there might be a chance of long-range enemy arty disrupting their travel, but I assume they'd need LOS, which they wouldn't have if you cleared things out. Just the tip of the iceberg for this great game!

[Jagger2002]

So at its simplest level, moving reserves up on roads that you know are "safe" is a good option. But, per reality, you can't overuse the roads or throw those units into combat too quick due to readiness penalty.

Yes that is pretty much it. I am assuming combat mode means deployed for combat and that would only be used really in the immediate vicinity of the frontlines. March mode for the rest unless exposed to artillery. A good simulation of reality. I think the challenge is going to be monitoring traffic buildup on roads. Also I haven't been paying attention to the readiness cost but that is probably not as big a deal when using fresh troops.

[Oberst_Klink]

ORIGINAL: Jagger2002

So at its simplest level, moving reserves up on roads that you know are "safe" is a good option. But, per reality, you can't overuse the roads or throw those units into combat too quick due to readiness penalty.

Yes that is pretty much it. I am assuming combat mode means deployed for combat and that would only be used really in the immediate vicinity of the frontlines. March mode for the rest unless exposed to artillery. A good simulation of reality. I think the challenge is going to be monitoring traffic buildup on roads. Also I haven't been paying attention to the readiness cost but that is probably not as big a deal when using fresh troops.

Worth studying the maps, e.g. the roads in particular, to assign (like historical) Marching routes | Rollbahnen to the armoured and motorised spearheads. Avoiding major traffic jams is essential for proper supply distribution as well.

Klink, Oberst

[Jagger2002]

Worth studying the maps, e.g. the roads in particular, to assign (like historical) Marching routes | Rollbahnen to the armoured and motorised spearheads. Avoiding major traffic jams is essential for proper supply distribution as well.

Klink, Oberst

Yes. The game is very well designed to require consideration of real life traffic and supply factors

[Stelteck]

Dawn of the 21 december. Day 6 the offensive !!!!

My north side is holding !!

But the day was difficult for the fuel situation. My 2 spearhead divisions and the 2 divisions and 3 renforcements brigades in the way to the front are all bingo fuel and nearly stopped. Will the offensive be able to go much further than this ?



But there is hope as i'am learning more and more how to keep fuel. I understand that i was probably quite reckless with my fuel usage at the beginning. The way you move troops have a huge impact on fuel consumption. For example a tons of units shall never leave the roads.
I'am also thinking scrapping trucks and converting many motorized/mechanized infantry to foot infantry with only the guns being motorized, in order to save fuel.

I used the supply % to put 6th panzer army and 7th Army to 50% supply, keeping only the 5th Panzer army to 100% in order to try to concentrate the fuel to this spearhead army. But i'am not sûre i'am seeing any change in fuel&supply numbers currently. I did not noticed less supply for the reduced armies. Maybe i'am not looking at the right place.

[Stelteck]

Dawn 23 december, Day 8 of the offensive. (+2 Days).

The situation was mostly static due to lack of fuel, but installation of latest beta patch v1.00.06 allow renforcement to be moved quicker with less fuel consumption (yet not to the front yet, the renforcements only reached Bastogne).

I'am not sûre i will be able to progress a lot more, as there is now an important gap between front line troops and the renforcement and it is difficult to secure supply line.

[OnWargaming]

Your spearhead is pretty exposed and in danger to be cut off!

I still don't have bought this game yet because I just started a WitP:AE big campaign, but I am not sure if I can help myself during the holidays...

[Stelteck]

Clearly against a human, i would be in great danger. The AI do a ok job to hold ground, but may be less dangerous in counter attack, although i see the AI trying to cut my supply line, which is good !
Although I do not thing my digital opponent have reserve south currently and it only have isolated units to play with. Most enemy reserve looks to be north.

[eddieballgame]

Nice AAR with instructive comments, thank you for sharing.

[GiveWarAchance]

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