Op Dragoon 8 August 1944

[zakblood]

air phase next again




with some again heavy losses against some heavy flak units causing most of the damage i need the ports taking out of action before my air unit losses get out of hand

[zakblood]

turn 3 land combat phase start of turn positions, with the AI / axis trying to contain me by boxing me in, but as yet not in the strength as reinforcements are still on there way for them, so will have to push back these defenders and again enlarge my bridgehead which in the process weakens my lines as i expand

[zakblood]

the break out

[zakblood]

turn 4 report




i'm paying a high price for some well defended and dug in units, but at cost i'm pushing them back, just hope it's not too high a cost, or the ground won't be worth the returns imo

[zakblood]

again the air plan goes well but the cost is high

[zakblood]

with support and air cover and rear area bombing slowing there reinforcements down, i'm winning the battle but atm loosing the fight on losses

[zakblood]

turn 4 land phase, the push for the objectives



the mass assault goes in on another port, and 7k or there abouts walk into captivity, we brings my total back into normal numbers and now doesn't look so lob sided

[zakblood]

this is the state of play at the end of my turn, with all moves and attacks gone in, and none left to play




with VP in my favour and another VL (victory location) in my possession, at last the battle has turned and it going atm my way

[zakblood]

turn 5

[zakblood]

again the axis AI and defenders wish to slow me down and block my escape with units placed to hold me at every stage or pass and junction

[zakblood]

i keep on the pressure and slow down the rear approaches of there reinforcements by air while i still battle the air and ground forces blocking my exits with air and land units placed to engage and also thin out there forces so they can't defend in depth anywhere, but that also means i can't also attack in more than a few units now so the attacks get weaker and more attacks are needed to push some units back

[zakblood]

and now back onto the land with my moves and combat to get the finally objectives if time and the defenders allow




starting positions of both forces as i make my first moves towards the defenders and push on to the objectives beyond

[zakblood]

end of turn position as i end this turn and wait the reply from the Axis AI




again i just don't have the troops in the right place to attack and take the port needed this turn and made the mistake of forcing a unit to retreat back into as well so it's now stronger than it was at the start of the turn, so will be harder next unless i move some units again, which what i shall do if i have enough time

[zakblood]

turn 6, the axis AI puts everything it has into line so stop my advance, now it comes down to numbers and who wants it bad enough and is willing to pay the butchers bill at the end of the day



with air losses becoming lighter and the axis forces weakening, i move all i dare and push on for the last few VL for the points, in a real war i would maybe wait and build up my forces more and rest some units and recover some strength, but for now on ease with nothing else to do or loose, i go full out for the win, and try to do it in style, it's your choice as commander on how hard to push, how deep to go, when to say it's enough and stop the advance, and as with everything it also depends on settings used, as now the AI is only playing with me, toying as such, as if i made in harder, it wouldn't have maybe given up the ground so easy in the first place, and i wouldn't have seen it's defences with out FOW off, so all in all, it's easy because i wish it to be, and as far as balance goes, if you wish for more of a challenge, then make it harder, depending on your skill level, but most of all enjoy it as it's the base mark game which all will be judge on imo...

[zakblood]

as you can see, even on easy you don't always get your own way, as the AI still managed to sneak a unit almost into the port of Nice so i had to back track with 2 units to defend it...




but i manage to knock out the defenders in the last port, but fail to reach the city objective as i run out of moves

[zakblood]

but still do well enough to get a minor victory, with my losses and the last objective not being taken the difference from a minor to major one




with a better use of air, less losses at sea, a different commander who knows what they are doing, on easy it's a good one to battle with, as the AI gives a good account for itself, alter it onto normal, take off FOW then it's a totally different matter and fight, good luck commander, learn the lessons well, know when and when not to fight and let the odds be always in your favour...

[zakblood]

if these are well received and liked, i'll carry on and do some more, on first different battles then on different skill levels if and when needed, enjoy[&o][&o][&o]

[zakblood]

enjoy[&o][&o][&o]

[jacktimes2]

Thank you!

[zakblood]

your welcome[;)]