Fall Green

[John B.]

One of the great things about this game is the wide number of scenarios that are available. So, it's time to explore the hypothetical invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1938 by the Germans who have just been spurned at Munich.

Although France and Britain were willing to make a deal, President Benes stormed out gambling that the longer a war lasted, the more likely France and Britain would be to intervene. After a half week of maneuver, Hitler sent his minions storming into the Bohemian heartland, blitzed the tiny Czech airforce, and attempted to take Bratislava in a coup de main from the newly founded airborne troops.

As you can see, it is turn 4 and the Germans have major penetrations to the West, North and South while they race for Prague. There is heavy city fighting in Bratislava and the push from the East appears to be stymied. In the West a light division has the Czechs on the brink of cracking but it's spearheads are out of supply.

Insurgent troops of Sudeten Germans have been hunted down and Czech reserves, including many armor units, are about to head north to deal with a reported breakthrough. Unfortunately, Czech theater recon is low so we know the Germans are there, were just not sure where. But, this attack must be stopped because they are just a few miles from Prague.

[John B.]

Meanwhile, Britain and France did declare war but now France and Germany are in "talks" to end the crises. That is sure to help matters. No Germans have had to head to the Western Front and, in fact, the Germans have been able to release several infantry divisions from their reserve. There are 16 more turns to go. With no help from the West the Czechs are not going to make it. But, they are making the Germans pay for every mile.

[John B.]

The Czech's got in some nice attacks on their part of turn 4 and managed to push back some of the German spearheads. There are lots and lots of losses in this war!

[John B.]

Alas, at the start of Turn 5 the Germans released another infantry division and no news from the Western Front. But, I have no doubt that the British and French are just about to start spilling over the German border. You will note the destruction of a German airborne battalion. In the scenario notes killing those units (and panzer units) are worth more.

[John B.]

Sorry, here is the news from turn 5.

[John B.]

No real territorial advances for the Germans in turn 5. In either the north

[John B.]

Or the south. You can't see it on here but the remainder of the airborne is trapped near Bratislava so I'm going to try to take them out. In the west, he is low on supply so I'm just throwing units in the German's path to try to keep him away from Prague (50 VP) as long as possible. The Luftwaffe rules the skies and my long distance moves are subject to numerous interdiction strikes.

[John B.]

Turn 6. Well, let's hope that bad weather helps more than the Allies. I did not see any reduction in air attacks so I suppose not. On the bright side, no new German divisions were released for combat.

[John B.]

In the north the Germans are really pressing to Prague from the West. Some of my divisions have been in combat a long time and they are starting to fall apart as their cohesion gets battered down. He did not make much progress from the north but he does not have far to go and I'm starting to run a bit thin on reserves.

[John B.]

Pretty soon I can fit this all on one map. As you can see, things are getting thin in the south as well. I'm blowing up bridges and trying to stay behind rivers. In the east the line still looks pretty solid and down near bratislava there is a stalemate. I'm almost up to Fortified status in the urban ruins and I have plenty of supply so the fascists are welcome to try and come dig me out.

[John B.]

Ah, Czechs may be battered but they are not out. The Germans put too many support troops near the front line (including their supply units which, I guess, help them with supply). I attacked one stack that retreated the wrong way. My advance sealed the pocket and the next attack got the entire stack in the bag. [:D]

My overall losses thus far are at about 10% of my army. My t38(t)s have gotten in some good attacks but my airforce is basically target practice. Only 14 more turns to hold out! The Germans had 24 attacks last turn so it's going to be a long game.

[Zorch]

How does the scenario handle the Poles? They were threatening the Czechs over the disputed province of Teschen (sic).

[John B.]

I do not believe that there is any provision for Polish intervention. The small amount of Poland on the map but it appears to be no go territory.

[John B.]

Turn 7 comes with good news. As you can see, the Germans have been taking heavy losses with a 5 loss modifier as compared to a 2 for the Czechs. I think this is a relative measure but they did have some costly assaults this turn.

[John B.]

And, even better news. The Soviets actually send a relief force. This one has both monoplane and biplane fighters but I'll take what I can get. At least France is not talking peace these days.

[John B.]

As you can see, the situation has basically stabilized in both the East and West. In the East, the Germans launched two very costly frontal attacks on divisions that were fully dug in and well supplied. They gain no ground at all. In the North, they are next to Prague and launched one attack that did push most of my units out of one of the Prague VP hexes but one brave regiment stayed and saved the day. I think that the Germans are regretting their decision to bypass roads in most cases and I suspect their logistics are very shaky.

[John B.]

In the South, however, they are making slow progress. I have not sent many reinforcements down here as the situation at Prague beckoned and I have ground to give in front of these pushes. My losses here were not light but we're still fighting on the river line in most cases. In Bratislava, the Germans have not attacked at all.

[John B.]

But, Bratislava was the scene of the only Czech attacks this turn. The german airborne division is trapped and the scenario notes state that these are worth extra VP if they die so I've been putting effort into killing them. Here are the Czech losses in the turn 7 attack.

[John B.]

Sorry, that last one was the German losses. Here are the Czech losses. A nice disparity. Looks like General Student is going to need to find a new line of work.

[John B.]

The Czech forces then failed a proficiency check but the Germans were not able to really capitalize on the extra time they gained in turn 8. Only a few attacks and several of them were only weakly pressed. I begin to wonder if the German attack is flagging due to supply/fatigue/and weather. We can only hope!