Battle of Bzura AAR - Polish AI

[gwgardner]

Indulge me, please, as I attempt an introductory level AAR on the battle of Bzura. I say introductory not because I aim to teach, but in the sense that it's my way of learning the game, and forcing some discipline on myself to do it methodically.

Just an historical overview, taken generally from the Wiki pages:

After the first 10 days of the German invasion of Poland, elements of at least three Polish armies had retreated to and converged on the area north of Lodz and east of Warsaw. The River Bzura was a natural defensive line north of Lodz. The Lodz Army had drawn up plans for a counter-attack south, to forestall the expected German envelopment. The Polish supreme command had refused to sanction the counterattack, wanting the armies to fall back on Warsaw. However, when High Command HQ transferred out of Warsaw and communications faltered, the commanders on the spot north of the Bzura took matters into their own hands and launched their offensive.

10 days of heavy fighting followed which resulted in a German victory and envelopment, but laid the foundation for many a tale of valor in the face of a seemingly hopeless cause.

[gwgardner]

I'll play the bad guys. It will be interesting to see if the Polish AI does launch the attack south towards Lodz, or decides to pull back, as the high command intends. Just a standard setup with no variants, giving the AI as much time as possible to make its move, but not giving it any other advantage.

[gwgardner]

Special rules for this scenario:

[gwgardner]

objectives for both sides:

[gwgardner]

On the first Polish AI turn, recon showed only the following (fog of war hid all other Polish actions):

[gwgardner]

In the South, I have two armies plus miscellaneous elements.

[gwgardner]

North of the Bzura salient, I have 1 Army.

[gwgardner]

My plan is pretty simple. Remains to be seen if the Poles will cooperate.

[gwgardner]

I wanted to recon the Polish dispositions around Warsaw, to determine what kind of threat the 1st and 4th Armored divisions would be under on their flanks, as they drive northwest. However all my air assets are out of range. Guess I'll have to rebase and/or probe the Polish lines.

[gwgardner]

In lieu of air recon around Warsaw, I'll have to use the ground forces in place. 16th Motorized Corp is already in contact with the enemy. It will have to cover the northwest move of the 14th Motorized Corps, until it can be determined what the Polish forces available around Warsaw are.

[gwgardner]

at the end of day one, 4th Panzer is moving forward against light resistance, and the 1st is in contact along the front before Warsaw.

[Chocolino]

Thank you for writing the excellent overview and introduction to put things into perspective. I will follow your AAR closely.

I am very curious to learn how challenging it will be for your motorized units to traverse the many rivers and wet lands before meeting up with the northern elements of 4th army. I have only played this scenario once and initially wanted to follow a similar plan but did not stick to it since I was distracted by an chance to go directly for Warsaw.

[gwgardner]

How did it go with your direct stab at Warsaw?

[Chocolino]

Against a human I would have lost, but the friendly AI helped me out. I think your plan is better objectively.

[gwgardner]

Just curious, what level of AI planning did you have active? I'm hoping the 'very slow' level will help a bit. As of turn two in my game, the Polish Army continues to withdraw quickly, and I'm getting the feeling that my plan may be too slow in cutting off the retreating units.

I had not considered that the Poles would be using strat moves perhaps to get their forces closer to Warsaw. I can't use strat move in this scenario, no RR points.

Another thing I learned (should have known) was that I could rebase an air unit and then if APs were still available, perform another action with that air unit.

Take a look at this turn 2 screenshot, at how far the Poles have withdrawn in the westernmost part of their salient. Compare it to the screenshot far above.

[gwgardner]

After doing air recon on the 2nd day, my original plan seems still viable, but perhaps the Poles are indeed so weak around Warsaw, where the 1st Panzer is currently probing, that I should try to advance directly on the city.

However, OKW has overruled any thought of that, and the original plan is to be strictly adhered to: the 4th Panzer is to be supported in its mad dash to cut off retreating Polish forces to the west.

[RocketMan]

ORIGINAL: gwgardner

I had not considered that the Poles would be using strat moves perhaps to get their forces closer to Warsaw. I can't use strat move in this scenario, no RR points.

The Poles do not have any Strategic Transfer points in the Bzura scenario either.

[gwgardner]

At then end of day 2, 4th Army in the north is actually making more progress against very light opposition. I have a sneaking suspicion that the AI may have already won the race to the east, because I haven't found that many Polish units blocking the stroll of 4th Army.

The AI obviously decided not to go on the offensive towards Lodz.

Wysevograd is the obvious goal for both the southern and northern pincers. Recon on day 3 will start there.

[gwgardner]

I actually had an air unit with APs left, so carried out the recon of Wysevograd. Very little there!

[gwgardner]

End of day 3, 1st Panzer continues to probe the Polish defense of Warsaw, while supporting infantry moves up. 4th Panzer has liberated Sochazew, and is poised to cross the Bzura. the noose is about to tighten around the remnants of the Poznan, Lodz, and Pomerz Armies.