Hi!
I had done experimental scenario of summer'44 campaign. I can send it to you if you want.
It is based on standard WiR campaign'44 which is imho very obsolete due to game changes and seems to be never seriously revised since the creation(certanly Ricky supplied it with new tank and aircraft data everytime but play balance is too much shifted to Soviet side far beyond historical situation in 1944)
Here are major changes:
<ul type="square">[*]Initial Axis readiness is 99[*]Some very weak axis infantry divisions are strengthened upto 30% of full strength[*]Luftwaffe is more capable initialy[*]Ready panzer reserves are concentrated on South[*]Since Axis side starts the game 29/06/44 which is a week after the begining of Bagration some panzer reserves will be ready near Minsk as two not strong panzer korpses.[*]Axis forces on other fronts are reorganized and usualy wont shatter on first turn.[*]Soviet troops are redeployed to be ready to break through only in AGCenter(initialy). Preparations to attack on other directions will take some time(3-4 weeks).
[/list]
As a result, the begining of campaign is IMHO very historical, though I was not sure about historicity of some changes on divisional level.
Dramatic campaign begins when Axis side is initialy capable to hold ground everywhere except Center.
AGC is usualy smashed and its poor remnants are retreating fast toward Minsk(which is ordered to hold by Hitler in short game) to regroup and form new line of defense. AGN holds ground steady but its south flank becomes dangerously open as far as Red Army advances into Byelorussia. AGs N.U.& S.U were preparing for Soviet strike starting from the spring, have concentrated panzer reserves and are much better prepared. But events in AGC force German commandment to send more and more of South reserves to center. This serously weakens two South Army Groups. By this time Red Army is already finishing preparations for South offensive operation.
Other fronts are also in danger(long campaign), but if player likes risk, he may withdraw some forces from West and Italy and pray for good luck.
Such idea will come to his mind very very soon. It is so seducively to form strong panzer reserves behind sturdy infantry trenches to make Soviet player to pay high price for deep penetrations. But be aware. Other fronts may shatter and this will lead to another catastrophe. But this time it will happen on both West and East fronts.
Luftwaffe tries to do its best to protect FaterLand and important oil fields from raids of USAAF with variable result, though situation on East front may demand to make hard solution. It is player's choice to use airpower.
<ul type="square">[*] Will Luftwaffe be able to challenge air suppremacy against VVS if concentrated on East or may be they will do better job protecting German industry?[*] Is there a better way to use panzer reserves than it was done historicaly?[*] How much would fast retreat to pre-war boarder help Wehrmacht to defend Germany?[*] Should Germany continue to protect Romanian oil with large amount of its troops and airpower while they are badly needed to protect their home?
[/list]These are questions which will face German player on his first moves. And remember:
One who defends everything, defends nothing. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">
I find this campaign very interesting for both sides if played human vs. human. Though multiple interdiction makes it possible to breakthrough everywheve(this time for Soviet side). This means that game may be played without it if one wants interesting challenge instead of meat gringer.
Campaign may be played both as limited game(12-16 turns with alternative objectives) and as long campaign(with standard objectives)
P.S. Arnaud had reduced strength of multiple interdiction. That's surely good news for everyone. <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
P.P.S. Looks like resources will be MUCH more important in future versions. <img src="cool.gif" border="0">
[ November 21, 2001: Message edited by: Mist ]</p>