319th Division and the Channel Islands

[Q-Ball]

Historically, the 319th was a pretty solid infantry division by 1944 HEER standards, ultimately wasted by sitting in the Channel Islands.

In game terms, is there any reason at all to defend the Channel Islands? I suppose the Allies could establish an airbase at St. Peter, but it's not like England is that far away anyway.

Just as in RL, it seems like a waste, but just wondering.....

[Belphegor]

I took a channel island out of curiousity in one of my games. It caused increased garrison requirements for the axis.

[NotOneStepBack]

^^^Seems pretty gamey to me.

[cmunson]

There has been some debate on that. I always move it to France. I would think unless you intend to invade on the West coast of France the Allies can cover the north coast of France fairly well from England. There are no bases on the islands now, so to build to a level two or three base would take some time in any case. Finally, I don't see why the Germans couldn't blitz the small ports with night bombing to isolate them from supply. Some others though are pretty adamant that the Germans should defend. To keep the islands supplied though the Germans must be willing to lose a lot of transport planes and the experienced pilots that go with it.

[Belphegor]

I got 0 advantage out of taking it. Can't imagine any player garrisoning it if they don't have to. I haven't yet as Axis

[LiquidSky]

Taking the islands prevents the germans from evacuating a good quality division to fight in Mainland France.

Every airfield close to the invasion area is more missions per day. Or just park fighters on them and leave them without AD's so they are primarily intercept.

You have tons of time to take the islands..lots of tactical aircraft in England with nothing to do (although transferring them down to Italy is an option). Good way to train some of them up too.

Any focus by the Luftwaffe in interdicting the islands is to the allied advantage. It is aircraft not being used in Italy.


On a side note, I am playing/studying the breakout scenario. I finally got to the point where I can take Avaranche and Granville on the first turn...which got me wondering when Patton took them. Looking up Granville got me to the Granville Raid on a wiki.

Apparently there was a prisoner of war camp there, and a couple recent inmates escaped and made it to the channel islands. Told them what the defenses of the town were like, so the Germans successfully raided Granville and took a few ships back for supply. In Early 1945. They had a another raid planned for early May, but Donitz canceled it as the war was ending.

[Belphegor]

Sorry, I'm missing something. How does taking the islands prevent the Germans from using the division stationed on them?

[LiquidSky]

It prevents it from being a garrison CV if it is dead.

[carlkay58]

If you like to try to invade the Brest Peninsula then the Channel Islands are in excellent position to help supply air support.

Remember that a level 2 airbase is automatically created in an invasion hex. Both islands have a port already and at level one they are instantly repaired and usable. So all you have to do is expand it from a level 2 airbase to a level 3. The difference in air coverage on the Brest Peninsula and even in Normandy is huge.

If the Axis keep it garrisoned it probably is not worth the 3 or 4 VP loss to take them (from the casualties) but if the Axis abandoned the islands then the Allies should definitely take them. Especially when you can invade with only a brigade so only three turns to prep for the invasion.

[marion61]

It only caused me to garrison a sec regiment in 4 more cities, but it did increase my garrison effectiveness, and I no longer have to worry about garrison fluctuation numbers every 3-4 months (Garrison effectiveness could also be weather related. Changed on the same turn). I got to release more troops where you landed at the turn after you did it.

[Belphegor]

So my invasion helped you?

[marion61]

Yes, I no longer have to worry about quarterly fluctuations and when I see the next turn I'll tell you if it was weather that increased my garrisons. Now I don't have to worry about garrison levels rising or falling.

[Baelfiin]

Weather effects shouldn't change your garrison values, unless the weather is causing a supply issue maybe.

[marion61]

I meant my CV's, my bad.