USXpat
Posts: 388
Joined: 8/26/2010 Status: offline
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Quick update - Axis PO version is about to go into testing. Almost out of events between implementing a slightly simplified strategic warfare component that is tied to the EEV and setting up a "mostly" historic opening and use of the TO disbands. Should have just enough to make something interesting out of the naval component and then maybe a few more formation orders. The "best of" changes will be rolled over and integrated into the PBEM version. The "strategic warfare" component consists of the Wehrkreis System, a number of Industrial and Logistical "Abstracts". As these are destroyed, disbanded and in some cases, simply attacked (for temporary damage) - they will increase the EEV - producing incremental losses to Axis Supply, Replacements, ZOC Hex Costs, reduction of Rail Transport, reduction of Supply Radius, and at the extreme - Pestilence. 18x Wehrkries disbands cost between 1 and 4 EEV; 24 logistical abstracts count for 2 EEV each; 12 Axis industrial abstracts count for 2 to 4 EEV; 4 more count for 6 to 14 EEV. These can be bombed for roughly 1/2 damage - but on a turn by turn basis (out of events). Not pegged to the EEV, the Axis receives periodic boosts to its replacement rates and supply levels. The net effect is that these should be all be fluctuating, particularly from 1943 onward. It should have the Axis player seriously debating how many air units to keep in Germany... and the Allied Player doing everything possible to establish air supremacy, get forward air bases... etc. It's probably not scientific-exact... but it should capture the essence of this element of the war with reasonable and realistic effects. For the PO version, the Axis will be keeping the current progression on the Caucasus oilfield repairs. The PBEM version will see the repair progression become somewhat slower. Lendlease disband cadres are now distributed for arrival between Murmansk (Dec - Feb), Kandalaksha (Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr) and Archangelsk (Spring/Summer). If the Axis hold these locations, then these units will (unfortunately) simply be delayed until the Soviets recapture them. (Sorry, about out of events and didn't want to rearrange the Allied formation/unit structure...). The Soviets have had about 18 militia divisions added as garrisons to various cities - bringing the Allied unit count to 1999 - so no units will divide. Both PBEM and PO versions will start with the Allies moving first. Turn 1 starts with a cease fire for any redeployments. This is the second draft for the PO - and it should have a pretty good opening. Karelia, AGN/AGC/AGS and the Balkans should be reasonably challenging. I had to cheat to get the proper effect in Italy -- with prestaged deployments of German forces. North Africa is likely to be a weak PO. France... hard to tell, some parts likely to be very easy, some parts likely to be very hard. Germany itself... should be pretty darned hard to take. Either way, it is doubtful that I will start working on an Allied PO until either a) we get a TOAW 3.5, or b) the Axis PO version is performing to expectations. So, a few more days for the Axis PO... and then a new PBEM version a few days after that.
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