Decisively Beating the AI

[Harrybanana]

Turn 67: October 7, 1944

I was unsuccessful in overcoming the final resistance in the Southern pocket. But I begin making some preliminary attacks along the German lines anyway. Time is running short for a Decisive Victory.

[Devonport]

How is the points score coming along?

[Harrybanana]

ORIGINAL: Devonport

How is the points score coming along?

I have 556 VPs, good for a Minor Victory. If I stopped right where I am to reduce negative casualty VPs I could pull off a Major Victory. But to win a Decisive Victory I will need to capture Berlin before the Russians, that is my goal.

[Harrybanana]

Turn 68: October 14,1944

The Grandiose Plan:

[Harrybanana]

The Somber Reality:

[Harrybanana]

The big hero was this regiment (that I had retreated into Bochum on a previous attack) which held off 2 Hasty Attacks by 2 full strength Armour Divisions. Yes I know it was armour attacking infantry in a City, but the defender was not fortified. I've never seen anything like this in either WitE or WitW.

[Harrybanana]

Turn 69: October 21, 1944

I managed (more or less) to accomplish this turn what I was unable to accomplish last turn. But the total collapse of the German army, if it ever happens at all, is still a long way off.
By this time last game I had already won the game by capturing Berlin. The Challenging level is indeed Challenging. It is still uncertain if I will be able to deliver on my promise of a Decisive Victory.

[Harrybanana]

Turn 70: October 28, 1944

Heavy Rain and Heavy Mud throughout most of the Front prevent me from exploiting my gains from last turn.

[Harrybanana]

For the purposes of comparison here is a screenshot of the Map as of Turn 67 of my First Game against the AI (on Normal settings). This was the turn I captured Berlin.

[Harrybanana]

And here are the overall Losses and Strength Numbers from my First Game. The German Losses in Men, Artillery, Tanks and Aircraft are actually pretty close to the same as my current game; indeed I have destroyed far more tanks and planes in my current game. Yet the German Strength in my current game is much greater: about 50% more Men and Artillery, twice as many Tanks, and 3 times as many Aircraft.


I can therefore only assume that on Challenging Mode not only do the Germans get increased morale, fortification building speed, supply transport, and Admin Points, they also get increased production. Something I was unaware of, mainly because it doesn't say this in the Rules!

But I will not use this as an excuse. I am still determined to win the Decisive Victory.

[Harrybanana]

Here is the same Info for T70 of my current game.

[Harrybanana]

Turn 71: November 4, 1944

I did not even attempt any forward progress in the heavy rain and mud.

[Harrybanana]

Turn 72: November 11, 1944

The weather clears to just rain; but heavy mud covers most of the battlefield. So once again the troops primarily just rest. The Strategic Air forces start attacking rail yards in the hope that will cause the enemy supply problems.

[Harrybanana]

Turn 73: November 18, 1944

I forgot to take screenshots, but there was very little to see anyway. I spotted a couple weak points in the German line and moved massive forces into the area for an attack next turn when the weather should clear. I was tempted to launch a few preliminary attacks, but was worried this might lead to the AI reinforcing the weak spots.

[Harrybanana]

Turn 74: November 25, 1944

Unfortunately the Germans did strengthen the exact area I was planning to attack. Also unfortunately it looked like a storm front was moving in that would bring heavy rains or snowfall next turn. So after some thought I decided to go ahead with the planned attacks.

The Strategic Air Forces continued to bomb the rail yards. 1/2 the 9th Air Force level bombers were assigned to ground attack the German troops (except the armour) facing the Northern thrust while the other 1/2 were held back to perform ground support missions for the attacks by 12th Army Group. Meanwhile rocket armed P47D-25s ground attacked the opposing German armoured divisions and the rest of the 9th FBs interdicted the hexes behind the Northern Thrust. 2nd RAF level bombers attacked the German forces (except armour) facing the Southern thrust while some rocket armed FBs of 2nd RAF attacked the armour units. The balance of the 2nd RAF FBs provide interdiction behind the Southern American thrust. This meant little or no Air to support the British attacks.

The overall plan of the ground attacks is shown below.




Please excuse the terrible artwork.

[Harrybanana]

The result was a big breakthrough and the surrounding of several German divisions. It looks like the road to Berlin is wide open, but I know from previous experience that the Germans will quickly fill the holes. They seem to have a never ending supply of men and units. I feel like I'm facing the Russians in 41 or 42.

[Seminole]

With Frankfurt and the Ruhr in your possession I'm curious what kind of city points and strategic bombing points you're getting per turn in late '44. If you don't hang Hitler before xmas I'm interested in the shift with the '45 divisor as well.

BTW, beautiful pocket - snagged what appears to be an entire Army worth of stuff...

[Harrybanana]

ORIGINAL: Seminole

With Frankfurt and the Ruhr in your possession I'm curious what kind of city points and strategic bombing points you're getting per turn in late '44. If you don't hang Hitler before xmas I'm interested in the shift with the '45 divisor as well.

BTW, beautiful pocket - snagged what appears to be an entire Army worth of stuff...

I gained 25 VPs for Cities on T25 along with a further 8 for strategic bombing. But a good portion of the SB VPs were for occupying cities as well.

[Harrybanana]

Turn 75: December 2, 1944

The Low pressure weather front has not yet moved as far south as I feared. But surely next turn the heavy rains or snow will come.

[Harrybanana]

So with another turn of clear skies and light snow I forge ahead to within 90 miles of Berlin. Meanwhile the German units in Northern Holland are isolated and the British breakthrough to capture Stuttgart and surround some Germans of their own.