Jersey and Guernsey

[DTomato]

Does an Allied invasion of Jersey and Guernsey islands count as an invasion for releasing German garrisons? Does it make sense to seize them before D-Day?

DT

[rickwarintheeast]

I have no idea if landing there would change German garrison requirements. Wouldn't it be easy enough to start the May 1944 Scenario with you as both the German and Allied players...and see if the requirements change.

As to the how...if I'm playing the campaign game, I would need to free up two naval task forces, possibly from the three 'spares' in the Med, train assault troops for six turns, and then land them. I would get the free Level 2 airbase with it, so could fly off the islands after the first turn. I'm not sure if I could schedule an airdrop, but that might be worth giving a go.

As to the value...I could send in engineers to expand to a Level 3 airbase, and have a Level 1 port to dock naval task forces. On the other hand, landing on the mainland gives me the Level airbases, the ports, and a way to get at the Germans.

***
A similar question arises with how much effort to put into liberating ports south of the invasion area. I usually land in Normandy and task the 3rd US Army to clear Cherbourg, and 1st Canadian Army with clearing Chanel ports, starting with Le Havre. Killing the V2 launch sites helps the Victory Points.

But how much time and effort for Brittany and further south? I often use those independent infantry regiments and cavalry groups to make contact with the German garrisons. Once I even used XV XXX, packed with the British heavy artillery, and used the airborne divisions packed with British Assault Engineers and US combat engineers to take down some of Brittany's ports. Then come September, when the chase across France is over, and the German lines stiffen, taking the airborne out, refitting them, and letting them do what they do best.

Regards,

Rick