Matrix Games Forums

Turn 24: July 19, 1940

I forgot to move my subs back, they sink 4 merchants and take 1 step loss.
I'll make sure to move them back to port.

The French counter-attack the 2nd Light Panzer, inflicting 12 steps and taking 13,
causing it to retreat.

It is really unfortunate that we did not take Lille last turn.
I am not liking the current situation at all.

4 reserve corps are activated and Reinf. is set back to 500.

Our first operation is to isolate some French units in the remains of the Maginot Line.
This does leave our paratrooper weakened, but I'm hoping it will survive any counter-attacks.

I think you are doing fine. He has no real ability to push back on you. Imo you'll crack his lines next turn and be racing to Paris and Reims. It won't be pretty but you can close this deal by the end of August.

He made a serious mistake leaving Metz open like that for your airborne.

We decide to go all in, shattering two divisions and a corps. This leaves us dangerously
open to counter-attack, but I think by now the French are as exhausted as we are. And the
British are nowhere to be seen.

We had no opposition in the air this turn, the French air force is probably severely under-strength
by now.

Turn 25: August 2, 1940

It's not looking great in France. Already August and we haven't even taken Lille.

We begin by taking Lille. The defenders hold out through four attacks before shattering.
In the air, we clearly win the air battles against British fighters, a small but important positive.

Next we try to advance as much as possible in the south, but our units are just too tired.
Four fresh corps are move up in the center, but will it be enough?

von Manstain replaces von Witzleben. Reinf. is set to 200 so we can activate a few more reserves.

The plan for next turn is an all out infantry offensive while the panzers rest.

Turn 26: August 16, 1940

The Allies are falling back, and the UK seems to be leaving France.
A few desultory attacks on 11th Army are perhaps a bit more scary than
they should be, but I don't think there was any real danger.

Reinf. is set back to 500. Our u-boats move north of Iceland.

The race for Paris before the season is over commences. We once again use
a paratrooper to help advance, as all the panzers are out of position.

We punch a gap between Rouen and Paris, proving that it is possible to advance without panzers.
The 3rd panzer and 2nd light panzers are pulled back - I think we have a fair shot at taking Paris
next turn. We also have enough specialty points for heavy artillery, it might be a good idea.

The 5th interceptor arrives at Stuttgart. We note with some interest that there is only a division
defending Dover. Germany does have 80 landing ships ready.

Turn 27: August 30, 1940

The UK declares war in Italy and Canadian forces take Rhodes.
Surprise at Axis HQ is total.

We haven't detailed Italian positions yet. In short, paratroopers and ground troops are poised for an assault on Greece.
Unfortunately the British have a strong position in the eastern Mediterranean, so we will not be declaring war on Greece
until we can get some much needed German help.

The main show is still in France. We secure Paris with as little bloodshed as possible.
The question is how strong are the UK's defenses? I would really have liked to have some
intelligence on their troop strengths.

We decide that an assault on the UK is just too risky, and make new plans, something I rarely like doing:
We'll be sending a large detachment to aid Italy in the conquest of Greece and perhaps other territories
around the Mediterranean.

First to arrive are two infantry corps, a paratrooper and an interceptor.
Italy deploys its submarines, but we have no indication of British fleet strengths.

German units rest up and move to rail lines as much as possible.
We should be able to negotiate a peace treaty with France next turn.

Our u-boats move into the southern Atlantic trade routes.

Turn 28: September 13, 1940

France... surrenders?

Are you saying there is no option in the Diplomacy Menu for you to negotiate the Vichy France surrender option?

We negotiate peace with France and the French surrender - unconditionally.
We are now the proud owners of not only mainland France but Morocco/Algeria/Tunisia and Syria.
There must be some sort of rule I am missing, where by taking enough cities France surrenders
outright?

Italian submarines take some hits, but at least we have intelligence on the Allied fleet.
There is also a second fleet with two CA groups.

Being so late in the year, an attack on England is out of the question.
But perhaps we can still do something against Greece?

First we trying moving a few Italian submarines to get a reaction,
and even make a failed attack. No luck so far.

Germany and Italy declare war on Greece.

Our main problem is the large British battle fleet.
I think (may be mistaken!) a single fleet can only intercept twice
per turn. So we will have to make some sacrifices.
We have an Italian patrol group with the convoy tech group...

That is very odd about France.

Maybe the allied DoW on Italy borked the script?