Decisively Beating the AI

[Harrybanana]

Turn 58: August 5, 1944

This turn the Americans planned to drive North through 3 weak units and cross the Rhine. Meanwhile the British planned to isolate a few more divisions.

[Harrybanana]

The American drive was stopped before it even got started by 3 unsuccessful attacks on "Atom Ant" (anyone else remember that cartoon). I could have launched a few more attacks on it and driven this unit back, but as there was no hope in crossing the Rhine I decided to save my armour.
The British had more success and pocketed a few more units.

[Harrybanana]

Turn 59: August 12, 1944

The Plans.

[Harrybanana]

Success (well mostly).

[barkhorn45]

"Up and at them,Atom Ant!"

[Harrybanana]

Turn 60: August 19, 1944

Rain again; but the German lines are stretched with several weak spots. The Plan is for the Americans to cross the Rhine in the Ruhr area, while the British cut off and isolate some more units.




Hmmm... looking at my map again I think perhaps the British Plan needs to be censored, it looks a little... well never mind.

[Harrybanana]

Success, the Rhine is crossed and more units are isolated.

[Harrybanana]

One of the reasons for the weak German lines along the German border is that they feel it necessary to defend against my 6 divisions in Italy with at least 34 of their own, many of them of top quality.

[Harrybanana]

The other reason is that the German army in the West is now down to about 2.5 million. In my previous game against the AI I found that this was the breaking point.

[Harrybanana]

Turn 61: August 26, 1944

Despite the continuing rain I had semi-ambitious plans this turn as indicated below.

[Harrybanana]

The results were mixed; but the most important attacks to increase the size of my bridgehead over the Rhine near Cologne were successful.

[stewartbragg]

Need more please

[Harrybanana]

Sorry,I am holiday. But I will be back and posting some time next week.

[Harrybanana]

Turn 62: September 2, 1944

The Weather is clear, but I am short of supplies and gas and my armies are fatigued. As a result I have very few strong units. But I continue to press the Germans (who are still not as weak as I hoped) as best I can.The British reduce the pocketed Germans, while the Americans continue to expand the bridgehead near Cologne.

[Harrybanana]

Turn 63: September 9 1944

Last turn I wanted to drive South with Patton's First Army to cut off the German bulge in the Ardennes; but I was unable to because of strong German units in my path. But this turn those strong units moved elsewhere so First Army pushed hard South. Unfortunately the First FF Army (with primarily British units) was unable to make much headway North. As a result when the turn ended I was one hex short of closing the gap. However, I did isolate a few Germans in Holland.

[Seminole]

As a result when the turn ended I was one hex short of closing the gap. However, I did isolate a few Germans in Holland.

Ooohh, soooo close to a beautiful pocket! Did the armored division in Cologne lack the morale to shut the trap?
I don't see your paras anywhere - have plans for them?
I really like to air lift them in and around captured airfields more than just dropping them behind enemy lines. A few transport missions could really solidify that cordon and free your armor to keep ranging east.

[Harrybanana]

ORIGINAL: Seminole

As a result when the turn ended I was one hex short of closing the gap. However, I did isolate a few Germans in Holland.

Ooohh, soooo close to a beautiful pocket! Did the armored division in Cologne lack the morale to shut the trap?
I don't see your paras anywhere - have plans for them?
I really like to air lift them in and around captured airfields more than just dropping them behind enemy lines. A few transport missions could really solidify that cordon and free your armor to keep ranging east.

Looks can be deceiving, the armoured division in Cologne only had about 30 MPs, not enough to close the trap. But it was stacked with an HQ that had 50 MPs, thus the confusion.

With 1 exception the airborne divisions are all on the map but somewhat disguised. The 82nd is around Rotterdam broken down into regiments. The 101st is hidden in the stack SE of Arnhem. The 6th Br is 2 hexes SE of Cologne and the 1st Br is part of 1st Army and hidden under an attack icon near Cologne. The final division (the 17th) will be dropping next turn to force the river in Holland.

I agree with you that I need more infantry to support my armour. A few American divisions are on the way, but will not arrive before summer ends.

[Harrybanana]

Turn 64: September 16, 1944

I Para-dropped a division and a brigade across the IJssel River in Holland. Otherwise all I was able to do is re close the trap on the German pocket. Not much territory gained this turn I'm afraid. And since it is the last clear turn I will get that is a shame. The plan for the next few turns will be to reduce the pockets and otherwise largely rest my units to regain CV and movement. However, if a good opportunity presents itself I will try and take advantage of it.

[Harrybanana]

Turn 65: September 23, 1944

Another hex is gained across the Ijssel. Otherwise there are no forward gains as I concentrate on reducing the pockets.

[Harrybanana]

T66 September 30, 1944

A turn spent reducing the pocket and that is about it. My plan is to finish off the pocket and then set my self up for my next big drive.