1943-1945 Campaign

[LiquidSky]

The channel islands are not part of any garrison zone. As such the German player has probably evacuated the islands to free it or another division to go to Italy.

I seem to recall invading Netherlands in October 1943 instead of Italy. War over by Xmas.

[kentkroeckel]

Thank you very much for your comment Mr. Liquid Sky. I have been following your posts on Mr. Matchwood's research on flak and interceptors. Informative from both of you.


Mr. Liquid Sky comment: "The channel islands are not part of any garrison zone. As such the German player has probably evacuated the islands to free it or another division to go to Italy."


Kent Response: Completely correct Mr. Liquid Sky. The British Channel Islands are not designated part of a garrison region. To be specific, North Western France. But my primary concern was triggering an increase of administrative points for Germany. Going from five administrative points to the full Axis compliment of ten. Minor details in WitW programing can sometimes overlook these nuances; especially with new versions.

Example one: In the Allied expanded headquarters version there are no British static garrison divisions but in 1943-1945 campaign there are around a dozen. Never really counted the exact number.

Example two: A few of those British static infantry divisions are located on main ports. They cannot be moved but yet they can. If an invasion is started from the same hex the static division may land at the invasion site. This should not happen though.

My perception of some WitW rule contradictions are why I am hesitant about absolutes in the game. Things have changed over the modified versions and I am no expert on all the changes. The living manual has much in its text. Ha.

Kent Response: Back to the wonderful comments from Mr. Liquid Sky. Often a German player will fail to move the German division (separated into three brigades among the the two Channel Islands) to the mainland, where they will be counted for garrison requirements.


Mr. Liquid Sky comment: "I seem to recall invading Netherlands in October 1943 instead of Italy. War over by Xmas."


Kent Response: I do not know if that was an early version but I assume so. Additionally, if I remember correctly, once the Allies take ten hexes of Europe, the condition for Italy is satisfied too. Of course that would rarely happen in such order. But back to the comment. This accomplishment is rare, in any version, for such an early Allied victory. Great skill on your part Mr. Liquid Sky.


Conclusion: I would love to hear your thoughts on game balance, given the current version. I believe in one of your comments Mr. Liquid Sky, you said most challenges end on Italy in 1943. I have heard a similar comment on 1944 D-Day games ending at first of the year 1945. The constant seems to be game imbalance, in favor of Germany.

[kentkroeckel]

October 30, 1943.

Victory points for turn were 14 and game total is 145.

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I only have metrics chart for air because Axis phase is not separating with Allied phase from previous turn. Germany lost 31 aircraft while Allies lost 72.

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Weather is rain over map. Light mud over ground and water level is 2-6.

Germany did no attacks and appears to have withdrawn again. Several hexes, to my surprise. It would seem Mr. Bimmler is going for the mountain ranges of Italy. Yet that gives a substantial land region to the Allies. In particular, Naples. This port city is a critical component for Allied supply heading north on Italy.

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Oops! Bad intelligence. Allied High Command is embarrassed again. Ha. And by that I mean me (Kent). Forget about my previous comment. After the Air phase I see that Germany (Mr. Bimmler) has not withdrawn from Naples or any more of Italy; which makes sense.

I could have deleted previous comments but where is the fun in that. People often try to make themselves look like a military prodigy but my above blunder had debunked any notion of that. Ha. Below is new map with with contact line in green.

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[kentkroeckel]

October 30, 1943.

Air phase losses during Allied part is as follows:
Germany lost 259 while Allies lost 319. That is a sixty advantage for Luftwaffe. Not bad for Allies either with that ratio since almost all air raids happened. Good strategic damage despite rain and ground attacks were good too. 47 Luftwaffe aircraft were destroyed on ground, mostly air transport.

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Wanted to show air engagements over Italy. First is most southern.

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Next is the northern area of Italy.

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Final picture I wanted to show is how Mr. Bimmler has prepared well the contact line. Many hexes are at three fortification.

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[kentkroeckel]

November 6, 1943.

Mr. Bimmler informed me that he had recently finished War in the Pacific; and when compared to WitW, it was predictable in what could happen. Specifically, repelling the recent Italian invasion. Mr. Bimmler explained how options are limited. I told him that I will do my best to spice things up. If I am able to pressure the Axis Mr. Bimmler will find our challenge more challenging and thus satisfying, I think. Allies will be bold with the next invasion.

Victory points for turn were 18 and game total is 163. A good gain for a turn I think.

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Weather over Europe and most of Italy is rain. Light mud over all with water level 2-5.

Amphibious pool is at 250 so not much of a drop from 270.

Germany conducted no ground attacks. But Axis contact line on Italy has strengthened considerably. Allied goal will now be to secure Naples.

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I wanted to show tactical reconnaissance missions over Italy. Even in rain they do some good.

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Final picture shows tactical attacks over Italy.

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[kentkroeckel]

November 6, 1943.

Allied air phase. Germany lost 254 while Allies lost 357. A Luftwaffe advantage of 103.

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Next three pictures are of the hex next to Naples. Thought it could be taken but no success. It was attacked five times but I can only show three of them unless I want to open another post. I do not.

First Attack: Fortification went from two to one.

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Second Attack: Fortification went from one to less.

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Third Attack: With no fortification I felt Axis units would retreat. Nope.

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[kentkroeckel]

No turn today.

I need to make a correction about an earlier post. May and June 1944 campaign games still only have 10 administrative points for Allies. I forgot I had the 200% on for the current challenge with Mr. Bimmler and failed to set it back. Then, when looking at invading options for Europe I noticed the increase without remembering the change. My bad. Lesson learned; do not conduct turns early in the morning. Fatigue can be your worst enemy. Ha.

[Seminole]

Greetings Mr. Seminole: Open Letter.

I wanted to hear your thoughts on Allies receiving additional administrative points. Ten more or said another way, two hundred percent. The minimum amount I felt needed to counter excessive Luftwaffe air naval. Many factors went into this amount for my final decision but that is not import.

You may feel no change is necessary on this matter Mr. Seminole. No imbalance in other words. The other end of the issue would be to add even more administrative points to Allied side. However, given your previous comments, I do not think this likely.

Never messed with shifting flak around, so no practical experience upon which to judge the difference.

But regardless, your opinion on this matter (imbalance of game play due to excessive Axis air naval power) I would like to read Mr. Seminole. Just facts though, through observation please. No need to name individuals or perceived inferior styles.

Because aerial pathing falls under naval interdiction I tend to arrange my efforts to cut off Allied landing zones by encirclement, and not by trying to exert naval interdiction against the TF itself (whereas I mentioned previously, the TF exercises its own inherent counter and reduces the interdiction values achieved).

I don't think a bunch of flak units stacked in the landing zone would have much impact, because I'd try to operate more than a hex distant from the TF anyway.

As the Axis player trying to maintain LOC to the islands of Corsica and Sardinia I ensure that my naval patrol routes are stacked overlap to maximize their effect. In this event I'm trying to avoid Allied sea control, so any TF damage is just bonus.

I think people would like to know if you have observed (Under the newest version of WitW) an effective way for Allies to counter the perceived imbalance of Axis air naval dominance. Also Mr. Seminole, could you include your thoughts on why an increase of Allied administrative points will not work. As I assume you will conclude.

As the Allied player I likewise stack my ingress and egress paths to the TF I'm trying to cover to try and ensure a safe route.
As the Allies I've found I have the strength to break through Axis naval interdiction by maintaining focus. Several naval patrols overlapping to the same TF landing area are superior to spreading yourself thin trying to protect multiple, non-mutually supporting landings. The latter allows the Axis to decide where to put their focus, and thereby overwhelm a portion of the Allied effort.

PS: I have communicated this post on AAR and on your private server mail Mr. Seminole. Either way is fine to respond. But if you only respond on private server mail then I will do the same and not place your response on public AAR.

Either is fine (I wondered why there was a deleted message).