Matrix Games Forums

Strategic bombing is a big part of the game system. Unfortunately the Allies strategic bombing of Nazi occupied Europe was largely ineffective. The terror bombing of civilians had actually the opposite effect, it simply united the Germans with more resolve. The attempt to cripple the German war industry also failed. German war production actually increased in the last stages of the war, factories were moved underground. The strategic bombing WAS a factor in final victory though because it forced the Germans to divert lots of forces and industry from the Eastern front to defend the threat from the bombers.

So basically when you play the strategic air war aspect of this game, it's all ultimately done as a distraction if it purports to be a realistic game. The Allied fight against the Nazis was the biggest and most focused effort in human history. All the latest technology, the best strategic planners went into the air campaign against German and failed. The idea that a wargame enthusiast can better the results of the Allies in a computer wargame seems a little absurd.

I enjoy the game as flexible and immersive game, but it just seems that I'm playing a fantasy game that has a WW2 theme added to it than a truly realistic portrayal.

Hello, not quite sure I'm following what point you're trying to make. Do you mind clarifying a few things?

Are you saying that the air war in the game is important but not decisive on it's own? If so, isn't that pretty well aligned to what happened historically? Yes some of the air war proponents (eg Harris) made exaggerated claims about what could be achieved but they still caused huge disruption in Germany to industrial output.

You mention factories being moved underground. That takes time and time = delays. The fact that German production peaked late in the war doesn't mean that bombing wasn't having an effect. Imagine what Germany could have achieved with Speer's production line optimisation if the workers hadn't needed to move factories, wade in rubble and evacuate the factories 2x per day for bombing raids...

The allies did actually come close using your criteria...https://www.maxwell.af.mil/News/Display ... roduction/

When you say that the air campaign against Germany 'failed', what's your criteria? If there's no way in the game to 'win' the war solely through air power doesn't that match the historical outcome?