AI for MWiF - France

[Incy]

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets

Incy,

There aren't many infantry units for the French to build. To start there is 1 Mtn (+div), 1 inf div, 4 mil, 1 mot (+ div), and 14 territorials. I do not see the Terr as very attractive builds. Another Inf and Gar arrive in J/F 1940, but that only gets us to 11 if we count the Mtn and Mot and all the divisions. The Mtn and Mot take 3 turns to arrive and are too expensive to build in 1939, when there are only 5 BP available. Also these all cost 2 or 4 BP (until the 3 BP Inf arrives), which makes the 5 BPs hard to spend completely.

So, I do not see how you can build 2 + 3 + 4 infantry types in the first 3 turns. Am I missing something here?

Experience may vary, but personally I tend to have this maniac german on my east border, doing his best to kill my units!

If there's no france first, or the weather/dicegods spared any units from getting killed, the number of units built can of course be relaxed. You can usually tell if there's going to be action in winter (germans in Belgium is usually a hint..). If germany is going to be passive, I'd say the MECH is the best choice because the gearing matters less. If you're taking losses over winter, gearing becomes critical because you'll often have a hard time replacing lost units fast enough. It doesn't matter if your losses are cheap if you lack the gearing to rebuild them in time for the fight...

[Shannon V. OKeets]

ORIGINAL: Incy

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets
Incy,

There aren't many infantry units for the French to build. To start there is 1 Mtn (+div), 1 inf div, 4 mil, 1 mot (+ div), and 14 territorials. I do not see the Terr as very attractive builds. Another Inf and Gar arrive in J/F 1940, but that only gets us to 11 if we count the Mtn and Mot and all the divisions. The Mtn and Mot take 3 turns to arrive and are too expensive to build in 1939, when there are only 5 BP available. Also these all cost 2 or 4 BP (until the 3 BP Inf arrives), which makes the 5 BPs hard to spend completely.

So, I do not see how you can build 2 + 3 + 4 infantry types in the first 3 turns. Am I missing something here?

Experience may vary, but personally I tend to have this maniac german on my east border, doing his best to kill my units!

If there's no france first, or the weather/dicegods spared any units from getting killed, the number of units built can of course be relaxed. You can usually tell if there's going to be action in winter (germans in Belgium is usually a hint..). If germany is going to be passive, I'd say the MECH is the best choice because the gearing matters less. If you're taking losses over winter, gearing becomes critical because you'll often have a hard time replacing lost units fast enough. It doesn't matter if your losses are cheap if you lack the gearing to rebuild them in time for the fight...

Ah, we are in agreement then.

If the situation warrants it (e.g., Germany is very agressive towards France during the first turn), then I plan on the AIO building infantry units from the start. But given a more normal approach, then I expect there to be several reasonable build schedules for France for the first 4 turns or so.

[Shannon V. OKeets]

I have been editing all the comments I received in this thread into a coherent strategic plan for France. Actually, I have been doing that with all the threads on AI Opponent strategic plans (7 of the 8 major powers).

Here are the first few pages. Note that I am starting to tie the Grand Strategist's (GS) elements of the strategic plan to his subordinate decision makers - hence the references to CIC (Commander in Chief), FM (Field Marshal), AD (Admiralty), AM (Air Marshal), MC (Manufacturing Council), and FL (Foreign Liaison).

I am still working on cleaning up the production and choice of new home country advice (there was a lot of it). I am also coming around to the conclusion I will need to add sections for Strategic Choices, Operational Decisions, and Tactical Decisions. The last being gambits in some cases. For France, I have two other uniques aspects of their strategic plan: preparing for Vichy and planning in general after Free France exists.

The version I am working with is much prettier than this, with colors, bold fonts, and underlining to define relative importance and relationships. Once I have this plan completed, I'll make it available in PDF form for those who are interested.

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 Strategic Plan for France
 (as of April 11, 2007)								
 Grand Strategist  (GS) Decision Making  					
 1.1	Develop and implement long-term strategic plan; (5 St)
 										
 1.1.1 	Victory cities and other vital hexes
 
 Victory Cities - Defense
 Homeland:			Paris, Marseilles
 Aligned with Belgium: 	Antwerp 
 Aligned with Netherlands:	Amsterdam 
 
 Vital Hexes - Defense
 Homeland:			Maginot line hexes, Metropolitan France factory and resource hexes, Metropolitan France cities and ports, Alpine passes to Italy. 
 Overseas:			Algiers. 
 At war with Spain:		Pyrenees passes to Spain 
 Aligned with Belgium:	Belgian factory and resources; Dyle River line.
 Aligned with Netherlands:	Dutch factory and resource hexes
 
 
 Victory Cities - Offense							
 At war with Germany:	Munich, Kiel, Berlin, Prague, and Vienna 
 At war with Italy:		Milan and Rome 
 At war with Spain:		Madrid 
 
 Vital Hexes - Offense
 At war with Germany:	German factories, resources, cities, and ports.
 At war with Italy:		Italian factories, resources, cities, and ports. Alpine passes in Italy. 
 At war with Spain:		Spanish factories, resources, cities, and ports.  Pyrenees passes in Spain.
 
 1.1.2 	Major powers on which France declares war (CIC)
 
 Italy:		When CW declares war on Italy.  Declare war on Italy together with CW if there are some really good Italian targets, like one transport in east Africa and the other within reach of a port attack.
 
 		Consider an all-out attack on Italy, but only if Italy screws up its deployments and leaves itself open to an Allied invasion.
 
 1.1.3	Minor countries on which France declares war (CIC)
 
 Belgium: 	DOW Belgium only when this becomes necessary, to catch the Germans by surprise, but not just to broaden the frontline.   A second condition is that the Wallies need to be ready to fight Germany and make progress. 
 
 		If Germany attacks Poland and immediately thereafter Russia, leaving France only lightly screened, it could be to France's advantage to DOW Belgium sometime late 40 or early 41. 
 
 		If Germany poses no threat to France, then the strategic defensive posture changes to something a bit more aggressive. As part of that change in strategic thinking, declare war on Belgium (to extend the frontline against Germany). 
 
 Norway:	Never DOW Norway since that means the Norwegian naval transports and convoys go to Germany instead of to the CW.  Do not give Germany an invasion fleet for free.
 
 		Assisting CW to attack Norway falls within the domain of helping friends (a task for the Foreign Liaison).
 
 1.1.4	Minor countries France aligns (CIC)
 
 Yugoslavia:	In the case of a 1939 or early 1940 Axis attack on Yugoslavia, aligning Yugoslavia to France gives the Yugoslav units a chance to move during France’s Land Actions.  Once Free France is established they make a good controller of any minor countries the Axis might still attack as they will have more action limits to work with. 
 
 1.1.5	Areas of conflict and type of combat: land, naval, air, and/or convoys (JCS)
 
 Land (FM) - Defense
 	French border with Germany and Belgium - German land attacks
 	French border with Italy - Italian land attacks.
 	French border with Spain - Spanish land attacks (when war exists or is likely with Spain).
 	Northern Africa - Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco from Axis attacks through Lybia or by invasion.
 	Mediterranean coastline of France - Italian invasion
 	North Sea coastline of France - German invasion
 	Bay of Biscay coastline of France - German and/or Italian invasion, but only if they control London and Gibraltar respectively.
 
 Naval (AD) - Defense
 	North Sea - naval surface fleet combat with Germany
 	Western Med, Italian Coast, and Eastern Med. - naval surface fleet combat with Italy, defend French/CW convoys.
 
 Air (AM) - Defense
 	French factories - German strategic bombing, Italian strategic bombing (when war exists with Italy).
 	Against paradrops - Especially Paris, but also other victory cities and vital hexes.
 
 Land (FM) - Offense
 	German factories and oil resource(s) - land attacks.  If an opportunity exists to place 4 units into Germany, then that should be evaluated because it permits the alignment of Yugoslavia.
 	Italian factories - land attacks.
 	Spain - land attacks.
 			
 Naval (AD) - Offense
 	Western Med, Italian Coast, and Eastern Med. - naval surface fleet combat with Italy, attack Italian convoys.
 	North Sea and Baltic Sea - naval surface fleet combat with Germany
 
 Air (AM) - Offense
 	German factories and oil resource(s) - strategic bombing.  
 	Italian factories - strategic bombing

[Froonp]

Comments :

Vital Hexes - Defense
Overseas: Algiers.

You can add Oran. At least, avoid giving it for free.

Air (AM) - Defense
(...)
Air (AM) - Offense
(...)

Add : Flipping enemy HQs.

[Froonp]

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets
The version I am working with is much prettier than this, with colors, bold fonts, and underlining to define relative importance and relationships. Once I have this plan completed, I'll make it available in PDF form for those who are interested.

I'm interested in the PDF when it will be available.

[npilgaard]

Looks like a good way of getting a structured overview of all the (complex) aspects of a given major power.

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets
Vital Hexes - Defense
Homeland: Maginot line hexes, Metropolitan France factory and resource hexes, Metropolitan France cities and ports, Alpine passes to Italy.

I fully agree that usually factory, resource, city and port hexes are important for most powers, but I think that in the case of France in the situation of being on the defensive vs. Germany, the all-important factor is to delay the Axis in taking Paris.
So imho the most vital hexes are (besides Paris [:)] ) the ones which allows for good defensive positions. Usually that means hexes which allows for a fairly 'straight' defensive line, thus minimizing the number of sides the axis can attack from on any given french front line hex. Other important hexes are cities (especially with factories, if using the optional rule that they cause penalty when attacked) in the front, which can be defended unless unreasonably outgunned, to delay the Germans.

So imho the focus should be shifted from resources, ports etc. to creating best possible defensive line/delaying the Axis.

Regards
Nikolaj

[composer99]

(1) I too will also be interested in the PDF
 
(2) Just a suggested edit:
 

Code: Select all

 1.1.4   Minor countries France aligns (CIC)
  
 Yugoslavia:  In the case of a 1939 or early 1940 Axis attack on Yugoslavia, aligning Yugoslavia to France gives the Yugoslav units a chance to move during France’s Land Actions.  Once Free France is established they make a good controller of any minor countries the Axis might still attack as they will have more action limits to work with.

 
I suggest moving the second sentence ("Once Free France...") to a new item given that it deals with a separate set of alignment considerations. So it might look thusly:
 

Code: Select all

 1.1.4   Minor countries France aligns (CIC)
  
 Yugoslavia:  In the case of a 1939 or early 1940 Axis attack on Yugoslavia, aligning Yugoslavia to France gives the Yugoslav units a chance to move during France’s Land Actions.  
  
 Other:  Once Free France is established they make a good controller of any minor countries the Axis might still attack as they will have more action limits to work with.
 

 

[Shannon V. OKeets]

ORIGINAL: npilgaard
Looks like a good way of getting a structured overview of all the (complex) aspects of a given major power.

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets
Vital Hexes - Defense
Homeland: Maginot line hexes, Metropolitan France factory and resource hexes, Metropolitan France cities and ports, Alpine passes to Italy.

I fully agree that usually factory, resource, city and port hexes are important for most powers, but I think that in the case of France in the situation of being on the defensive vs. Germany, the all-important factor is to delay the Axis in taking Paris.
So imho the most vital hexes are (besides Paris [:)] ) the ones which allows for good defensive positions. Usually that means hexes which allows for a fairly 'straight' defensive line, thus minimizing the number of sides the axis can attack from on any given french front line hex. Other important hexes are cities (especially with factories, if using the optional rule that they cause penalty when attacked) in the front, which can be defended unless unreasonably outgunned, to delay the Germans.

So imho the focus should be shifted from resources, ports etc. to creating best possible defensive line/delaying the Axis.

Regards
Nikolaj

No argument from me on this point. [:)]

However, the AIO will build a front line attempting to protect victory cities and vital hexes. That is, to have them behind the front line(s) - note there is also a front line with Italy. Paris will have an enormous calculated value, for losing Paris will be the equivalent of losing all the metropolitan France resources and factories, in addition to having the French units wiped off the board. The loss of a resource or factory is multiplied by the number of turns remaining in the game too. So losing Paris is several orders of magnitude worse than losing a single resource.

I have a partially constructed algorithm for determining the worth of a hex that is based on what it is protecting. So, the value of a hex next to Paris is very high, since losing it increases the forces the enemy can bring to bear when attacking Paris. As the front line gets closer to Paris, the value of the hexes in the front line increases. that translates as the hexes behind the front line being more valuable than the hexes in the front line itself. However, the value of front line A versus front line B, is measured by the value of all the hexes protected by the front line (inclusive).

There are also considerations of terrain and the number of hexes in the front line (usually). Shorter front lines permit a higher concentration of strength per hex, provided there isn't a glut of defensive units.[:D] Typically, shorter also means the enemy has fewer hexes to attack from (given that we are using a hex grid). For Russia, I am thinking about how to incorporate the grain of the hex grid into these calculations.

In summary, it is positioning the front line that is important, and that is what the AIO Field Marshal (FM) decides. The victory cities and vital hexes are just what should be protected. In that sense the reference to the Dyle River line and Maginot defenses are somewhat out of place, but I want to be sure that the strength of those defensive lines is not undervalued.

[npilgaard]

Ah, I see - sounds good. Thanks for explaining.

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets
As the front line gets closer to Paris, the value of the hexes in the front line increases. that translates as the hexes behind the front line being more valuable than the hexes in the front line itself. However, the value of front line A versus front line B, is measured by the value of all the hexes protected by the front line (inclusive).

One more small comment: As the value of the hexes increases for the hexes closer to Paris, hexes somewhat away from it have less value, meaning that front line A has a higher total value than line B, if A is closer to Paris than B. It sounds reasonable, as there are much less ground to give at line A than B, and one has less option to withdraw/reorganise (in 'normal' meaning of the word, not in 'WiF-meaning' of turning over units [:)] ) the lines.
However, in the case of France the line B should probably be chosen in most cases (unless it is a bad defensive position due to breakthrough etc.), as it is important for the French not to give ground, as opposite to eg Russia during Barbarossa.

But maybe that is already included in the algorithm [:)], since Paris has such a high 'must be protected'-value and is located quite close to the front even when fighting in Belgium, and therefore hexes in NE-France all have a relatively high 'must-be-defended'-value as well.

Regards
Nikolaj

[Neilster]

For Russia, I am thinking about how to incorporate the grain of the hex grid into these calculations

This will be very important. Hitler greedily eyed all that Ukrainian grain and assigned Army Group South to capture it before harvest time. [:'(]

Cheers, Neilster

[Shannon V. OKeets]

ORIGINAL: npilgaard
Ah, I see - sounds good. Thanks for explaining.

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets
As the front line gets closer to Paris, the value of the hexes in the front line increases. that translates as the hexes behind the front line being more valuable than the hexes in the front line itself. However, the value of front line A versus front line B, is measured by the value of all the hexes protected by the front line (inclusive).

One more small comment: As the value of the hexes increases for the hexes closer to Paris, hexes somewhat away from it have less value, meaning that front line A has a higher total value than line B, if A is closer to Paris than B. It sounds reasonable, as there are much less ground to give at line A than B, and one has less option to withdraw/reorganise (in 'normal' meaning of the word, not in 'WiF-meaning' of turning over units [:)] ) the lines.
However, in the case of France the line B should probably be chosen in most cases (unless it is a bad defensive position due to breakthrough etc.), as it is important for the French not to give ground, as opposite to eg Russia during Barbarossa.

But maybe that is already included in the algorithm [:)], since Paris has such a high 'must be protected'-value and is located quite close to the front even when fighting in Belgium, and therefore hexes in NE-France all have a relatively high 'must-be-defended'-value as well.

Regards
Nikolaj

I guess I wasn't clear, sorry.

Individual hexes close to Paris are more valuable than those farther away, because the closer the enemy gets to Paris the sooner he will be able to capture it.

However, a front line farther from Paris is more valuable than one close to Paris. That is because a front line farther away has more valuable hexes behind it (it is protecting more hexes). You could think of this as the front line farther away 'holds' more hexes.

[Shannon V. OKeets]

While I was in airplanes this past weekend I worked on editing the strategic plans for the major powers. I will post several items over the next couple days seeking your comments, advice and help. Here is the first.

I am standardizing the structure for the Master Production Plan, and as an example, this is what I have for France. The use of Choice A and Choice Not A are where alternatives will be available for the AIO to choose from. I am being careful to differentiate between lending BPs and Lend-Lease, which phrase I am reserving for lend-leasing air units. So far, I don't have any instructions for the French AIO about lend-leasing air units.

As you might notice in the section on the Force Pool, more editing needs to be done.

What I am proposing with this structure is to lay out in 1.1.6.1 what is available without outside help, add in outside help in 1.1.6.2, then consider unit availability in 1.1.6.3. I'll probably include buildnig units ahead in 1.1.6.3 when I get to other major powers. This prepares the groundwork setting priorities in 1.1.6.4 and ultimately the scheduling of production in 1.1.6.5. Both of the last 2 sections will be quite dyanmic and depend on what is happening on the map (e.g., losses and enemy actions), though I would hope to have the strategic plan exert an influence on production despite the changing nature of the war. The AIO should not be overly sensitive to the vicissitudes of fate.
================
1.1.6 Master production plan (MC)

1.1.6.1 Resources and Convoys

France starts with 14 factories, 11 resources, and 10 convoys. The factories are all in Metropolitan France. The resources are located:
∙ 6 in Metropolitan France.
∙ 1 Algerian that can be brought in by rail through Gibraltar and Spain.
∙ 1 Senegalese that uses 2 convoys to get to Gibraltar, then by rail into France.
∙ 1 Iraqi Oil that uses 2 convoys to get to Marseilles.
∙ 1 Indo-Chinese that uses 6 convoys to get to Marseilles.
∙ 1 New Caledonian that is not used.

This makes 9 PP, which becomes 5 BP with France’s 1939 production multiple of 0.5. In 1940, France produces 7 BP and gets to save 1 Oil per turn.

Note that this depends on France either drawing the Territorial for Indo-China, or Indo-China not coming up on the Partisan roll. Also, using French convoys in the Mediterranean. leaves them vulnerable to attack by Italy.

Choice A
If the CW uses CW convoys to bring back the French RP east of the Mediterranean, then 4 French convoys can be used as losses takers in the Bay of Biscay or the Mediterranean.

Choice Not A
Using the French convoys as losses takers is not necessarily good.

1.1.6.2 Build Points and Trade Agreements

France can't receive any loans during the first turn because they are not an active Major Power in the Lending phase.

Choice A
Lend a few BPs from CW to France in N/D 39 and J/F 40. Then lend them back to CW the following turns. This often nets a transfer of 10-15 BPs to CW before France is conquered or Vichy declared .

Choice Not A
Don't lend French BP to CW, nor vice-a-versa. Both major powers need to build at full production, all the time. The CW needs to lay down its AMPH from turn one (unless a France first happens), to have offensive capability as early as possible in 1941 against Italy.

1.1.6.3 Force Pool and Lend-Lease

If there is an AT in the force pool, build it. If there is no Anti-Tank gun to build, the decision is more complicated and revolves around Infantry gearing. An AA gun or ART is a good build but then that is all that can be built (assuming it is the first turn). Do not produce more than 1 gun. They take a long time to arrive, are expensive, and France already has several of them. Instead build MIL, GAR, INF, and/or FTRs (with pilots).

There aren't many infantry units for the French to build. To start there is 1 MTN (+ div), 1 INF DIV, 4 MIL, 1 MOT (+ DIV), and 14 territorials. With the Senegal MIL in the force pool, there are four MIL left to build (5 total originally, 2 Reserves, plus the Senegalese). Territorials are not very attractive builds. Another INF and GAR arrive in J/F 1940, but that only results in 11 infantry-type units if we count the MTN and MOT and all the divisions. The MTN and MOT take 3 turns to arrive and are too expensive to build in 1939. Also these all cost 2 or 4 BP (until the 1940 INF arrives), which makes 5 BPs hard to spend completely.

The French Infantry gearing and thus their overall build plan is closely tied to which units are in their force pool. As for complete spending in a turn, Saved Build Points, should be a mandatory optional rule when playing solitaire (i.e., against the AIO) because production and gearing decisions are hard enough already. The pace of building the MIL sets up the critical Infantry gearing. Germany often tries its best to kill French units, which may let France build 2 + 3 + 4 infantry types in the first 3 turns.

1.1.6.4 Production Priorities

[still being edited]

1.1.6.5 Scheduling Production

[still being edited]

[composer99]

You should probably include some lending of resources and/or oil from the CW to France in the production plan. These are a lot more trivial in 1939-1940 to lend than build points are, and they can prove to be invaluable to the French (extra bps to build ftrs & pilots, in particular).
 
I would personally recommend 2-3 resources and 1-2 oil (depending on how generous the CW is feeling, how conservatively Germany is playing, and so on) per turn from N/D 1939 until the summer of 1940 (or later, depending on how well France holds). This gives them extra oil to re-organize with, assuming playing with oil.

[npilgaard]

Looks very interesting.

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets

If there is an AT in the force pool, build it.

I think that a few things play a role on this choice:
Firstly, German strategy. If they do a France-first and attack in the fall '39, then quick troops need to be built (MIL) so a decent line can be formed asap.
If German does the standard 'attack France in spring '40 ':
I also see the AT as a nice build - if it is to be built is should be done S/O '39 so it is ready for the attack M/A.
Alternatively, as you mentioned, building GAR/INF (or even MTN - it will arrive in M/A '40 as well) to get as many units on map as possible. Build GAR/INF first and then MIL, timing arrival for J/F or M/A.
An INF-gearing of 2-3 in M/A '40 (?) will be nice, to rebuild MIL/GAR/INF.

I have seen players building a number of FTRs instead, partly for protection against ground strikes, but for the primary overall goal of using France to do as much damage to Luftwaffe as possible, since they see France as lost anyway. Depends on whether one is really trying to defend Paris 'for real' to delay Axis (the lending of BP to CW is also an issue here), or to use France to do as much damage as possible while it lasts, I guess.

Regards
Nikolaj

[Shannon V. OKeets]

ORIGINAL: npilgaard
Looks very interesting.

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets
If there is an AT in the force pool, build it.

I think that a few things play a role on this choice:
Firstly, German strategy. If they do a France-first and attack in the fall '39, then quick troops need to be built (MIL) so a decent line can be formed asap.
If German does the standard 'attack France in spring '40 ':
I also see the AT as a nice build - if it is to be built is should be done S/O '39 so it is ready for the attack M/A.
Alternatively, as you mentioned, building GAR/INF (or even MTN - it will arrive in M/A '40 as well) to get as many units on map as possible. Build GAR/INF first and then MIL, timing arrival for J/F or M/A.
An INF-gearing of 2-3 in M/A '40 (?) will be nice, to rebuild MIL/GAR/INF.

I have seen players building a number of FTRs instead, partly for protection against ground strikes, but for the primary overall goal of using France to do as much damage to Luftwaffe as possible, since they see France as lost anyway. Depends on whether one is really trying to defend Paris 'for real' to delay Axis (the lending of BP to CW is also an issue here), or to use France to do as much damage as possible while it lasts, I guess.

Regards
Nikolaj

Thanks. I am still thrashing out what goes where between sections 1.1.6.3/4/5. That the availability of an AT is in doubt shuold be in 1.1.6.3. That it is a good unit to build belongs in 1.1.6.4, and the scheduling of when to build it belongs in 1.1.6.5.

I am uncomfortable with you refering this strategic plan as mine. Yes, of course it is, in that I will make the final decision as to what goes into it. However, the reason this is taking me so many edit passes is that I am amalgamating all the advice that was posted to the AIO strategic forum threads. Those contains a mishmash of different points, mostly in no specific order. Once I am done, the fact that many hands were involved in the final product will be pretty obvious. Though I expect it to be crystal clear and precise, since software will have to process it as data.

[Froonp]

1.1.6.3 Force Pool and Lend-Lease

A MECH is also a good built in S/O 39.

[Incy]

For the production plan, some things that should be added:

France needs to have som oil LL as soon as possible. France has HQs, air and navy that all tend to get flipped, but only one oil. France needs to be careful with oil in sep/oct +nov/dec, and needs extra oil as LL nov/dec. It's normally better to store oil in Syria rather transport it to france (IF uk maintains a cp route around africa (which I believe they always should) AND Syria is reasonably safe). 2 CP to send the oil to france is better used elsewhere.

It's common to LL CW (and US if possible) resources to france. France will often have a higher PM. If the situation dictates it, CW can always designate some recources that neither France nor the CW can recieve (the malaya resources, for example). This allows France/CW to optimise production according to PM rounding and/or developing situation (like France loosing factories due to axis advances or CW getting a dent in their CP line).

I find it a really silly idea to not plan CP lines togheter when there are several active powers from the same side (like France and CW). CP should be used where they provide the best possible overall resource (and regular) supply. France should normally use some of it's CP to transport CW resources (that might in turn be lent to France). There are only a few differences between the two countries CP's that should affect placement:
-future value (french CP are vulnerable to conquest/vichy)
-possibility for different status with respect to war with italy
Both these factors favours placing french CP mixed with UK CP in vulnerable spots in med and atlantic.

When choosing builds, as several people noted: if playing with 2d10, units that provide defensive blitz bonus should be first priority during sep/oct 39

[Shannon V. OKeets]

Interesting points and I'll work on including them in the document I am finishing up presently.

As for treating the CW and French comvoys as interchangable, I'll visit that when I get to editing the CW strategic plan. Another difference in how convoys are are handled by CW and France is maintaining reserve convoys for replacing holes that occur in the convoy pipeline. That depends on the availability of ports (hence using CW convoys as reserves is usually better).

[npilgaard]

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets

I am uncomfortable with you refering this strategic plan as mine. Yes, of course it is, in that I will make the final decision as to what goes into it. However, the reason this is taking me so many edit passes is that I am amalgamating all the advice that was posted to the AIO strategic forum threads.

Yes - bas wording of mine [:)]

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets

As for treating the CW and French comvoys as interchangable, I'll visit that when I get to editing the CW strategic plan. Another difference in how convoys are are handled by CW and France is maintaining reserve convoys for replacing holes that occur in the convoy pipeline. That depends on the availability of ports (hence using CW convoys as reserves is usually better).

Also, moving convoys requires naval moves. Sometimes France can spare a naval move if it is possible to take a combined action, but often a land is needed to move units to optimize the defensive line, reorganise units, etc. CW usually take at least one naval action (or more, and/or combined actions) per turn anyway, which usually makes it easier to 'repair' the convoy lines with CW units.

Another thing to consider is where to place French naval units - the more remote French colonies have a higher chance of becoming Free French (iirc - I haven't played with RaW Vichy for quite some time).

Regards
Nikolaj

[composer99]

The colonies with the best chance of going Free French are in Equatorial Africa - at least, those are the ones with the best chance that also have proximity to Lend-Lease sources and the main theatre of action (Europe).
 
I find it's not a bad idea, when playing RAW Vichy, to start some spare convoys (if you have any), cruisers, and good subs in Equatorial Africa, (mostly) guaranteeing the Free French have a decent fleet.