Schlieffen Plan

Schlieffen Plan (Full Version)

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06 Maestro -> Schlieffen Plan (12/13/2008 7:06:46 AM)
The game seems to running in a dependable fashion, so it is time for an AAR. I’m using the G Beta patch-playing as the Central Powers. Situation In August '14 The German General Staff has, after all due consideration, decided to keep the Schlieffen Plan. The alternatives hold no prospect for achieving a situation that would ensure a decisive victory in a reasonable amount of time. There are also other considerations; the most popular idea among the people (apparently) is for a major attack against France. To keep the highest possible National Will (NW), France must be the target. The Austro/Hungarian Empire will also keep its Conrad Plan. For it to deviate from that without German assistance would not be prudent (at this time). There will be advances against both The Russia Empire and Serbia in late August. Eleven event cards have been drawn by the CP-(most I have seen to this point). Plans The Western Front will receive most of the German Army. 33 infantry corps are spread throughout 7 armies, supported by 3 cavalry corps and 8 artillery regiments. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Armies will move into Belgium in early August. The 4th, 5th 6th and 7th Armies will stand on the defense for the expected French attacks. The general idea is to outflank, and out march the French Army. The first Army will advance north of Liege and aim for the Belgian coast. It will then advance south of the Seine River before turning east-attacking the French Armies in the rear. The second Army will capture Liege, Namur, and advance straight to Paris. A detachment from the 2nd Army will besiege Antwerp. The largest amount possible of reinforcements will be allotted to the 1st and 2nd Armies. The 8the Army located in East Prussia will have to hold the Russians alone for about 2 months. Large reinforcements will arrive in time to deal with any Russian offensive. . Intelligence The Russian side had been influenced by Rasputin-there will be no early attack on East Prussia. The French will be using Plan 17.

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/13/2008 7:15:39 AM)
This was the opening choice of events for the Central Powers. I have seen as few as 4 choices-11 is a good thing. I decided on taking the events choices for both Germany and the A/H Empire-in spite of the 5 NW hit for each. Hopefully, it will pay off. [image]local://upfiles/18421/043D76AAB4DA48F68D2121A9C08BDABE.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/13/2008 7:36:20 AM)
The starting positions on the Western Front. [image]local://upfiles/18421/2E6B34D1A316427999C377BEAD3A47AB.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/13/2008 10:09:44 PM)
The French have launched major attacks on Colmar, Metz, Thionville, and Luxembourg. The 5th German Army was driven out of Metz, but was able to reorganize and counterattack. The French have generally suffered greater losses in these battles, but several were very close calls for the Germans. The French have also apparently have run low on artillery ammo. The following screen shots are from the western battles. Both early August and (late) August military phases are included. [image]local://upfiles/18421/25F437EA28194397A53F04A5392C6D95.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/13/2008 10:21:07 PM)
The battle of Thionville [image]local://upfiles/18421/231E6E763FAB4E8D9A0D7770887C00C3.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/13/2008 10:30:35 PM)
The Battle of Luxemburg. [image]local://upfiles/18421/115104DFAB9F474FB2305CCA8E7A4C87.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/13/2008 11:07:49 PM)
The second battle of Mechelin-a French victory. This was in late August. Note: Crossed saber's point up denote the winning side. [image]local://upfiles/18421/56C57D50287B4C439E83B4B4928F4A60.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/13/2008 11:14:30 PM)
East Prussia Front in late August. Due to the Rasputin Plan, there was no early Russian attack. Hmm-issues with my pictures. It will be corrected.-(Corrected.) [image]local://upfiles/18421/441087A3849F4565945570DFC3D66335.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/14/2008 12:33:13 AM)
The Galacian Front was also genrally quite in Early August. The A/H 1st Army made a successful attack into Kliece, and the Russians did not move (at the front, anyway). In Late August, things have really begun to shake. The A/H were required to lauch attacks along the whole front-as were the Russians. The A/H forces are getting into a tough situation. [image]local://upfiles/18421/19FF7EFBFEE34E3B9B34F94FEADF160D.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/14/2008 12:35:20 AM)
The Battle of Penczow was a nasty affair for the A/H Army. [image]local://upfiles/18421/943282093CAC4DAE816A5DBE5887166F.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/14/2008 12:39:39 AM)
The Battle of Chotin was another failure for the A/H forces-bad luck will soon be tempered with being badly outnumbered. [image]local://upfiles/18421/1CB2EAD979AA47A4A2D69E583653F63E.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/14/2008 12:45:40 AM)
This is a zoomed out shot of the "strategic map mode". Its a good place to look for the total front line positions-the colors, while dark, are certainly clear. This shot is of the starting frontier in the east. BTW, North is to the left-you get use to it. [image]local://upfiles/18421/00C2AF6A982942D4B03295FF5D50ED4C.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/14/2008 1:04:03 AM)
There many other things going on while the fighting is just getting started. Here is a view of Germany's "Political Actions". I have chosen only a couple of actions to attempt. The need for conscription is likely for one. Germany can afford, for a little while, in not choosing some more costly actions such as "improve wartime economy". Besides, if all goes as planned, there will never be a need for it. There are several pages of actions to chosen from, but those are not needed at this point. The A/H Empire has a need to increase wartime production, and to choose some other actions. These will hurt her national will (NW), but there is not much choice. [image]local://upfiles/18421/85D76B7CB9A24C32A4094B62AA6F9B6A.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/14/2008 1:08:16 AM)
Germany has a decent budget, it can afford a good amount of munitions, and new unit construction. If the war drags on, it will have to switch to more of a war time economy. [image]local://upfiles/18421/A4BBFC8CDE1E4ED9A6644DC4CBA799FA.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/14/2008 1:09:38 AM)
The A/H Empire is not quite as well off, but they have considerable resources. [image]local://upfiles/18421/197761182578444BB63103A92ABC3015.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/14/2008 1:19:37 AM)
The political front can't be ignored either. I have put an added emphases on keeping Italy out of the war. Even if this delays the entrance of the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria into the conflict, Italy must be kept out until the summer of 1915. Some good ambassadors is the key to that solution. The A/H Empire has its own Ambassadors', they look somewhat like the Germans, just not as many. They are working in conjunction with the German Ambassadors'. [image]local://upfiles/18421/789CE0921EAA446192AE72B230AB0962.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/14/2008 1:22:30 AM)
One more tidbit of interesting info before bloody September breaks; the OT Empire is seriously leaning to the CP cause. It is possible they will join the fight in September. The A/Hs' will surely appreciate it. [image]local://upfiles/18421/471E89609BD2480A88AF84216C035281.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/14/2008 7:27:39 AM)
The campaign has come to a critical point in the west. The conquest of Belgium is near complete, and the French are finished with their attacks into Alsace and Lorraine. Time is of the utmost importance at this stage. The French, working with interior lines and an intact RR system will rapidly be shifting forces to the west to block the German Right wing from advancing on Paris. The German dilemma is how to move an adequate force to the extreme right wing. RR's are not an option,; so, somehow the front line units need to shift west-without breaking contact with the enemy, or crossing into another friendly armies' zone. The solution to this situation is, of course, to attack, The 7th Army will advance to the Moselle, the 6th Army will capture St Michael, the 5th Army will capture Longwy, the 4th Army will attack towards Sedan, capturing the railway between that city and Longwy, and the 3rd Arm will attack back through Bastogne towards Sedan. This should enable the 2nd Army to advance through Mons and beyond with a safe left flank. The First and Second Armies will finish the conquest of Belgium and press into northern France. A detachment from the 2nd Army will besiege Antwerp, while the main body move on to Namur. The first Army is to capture Ghent in preparation for an advance down the coast. This is the plan for September 1914 on the Western Front. If all goes well, the Chief of the General Staff will be sipping fine wine in Paris by December-we shall see what happens. [image]local://upfiles/18421/1301FD2320AE40E0BD18F8BF2408FDF2.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/14/2008 7:57:05 AM)
Eastern Front September 1914 Galacia The Austro/Hungarian forces will be switching to a defensive mode, while attempting to settle into good positions. The A/H Army must make one more attack to capture a rail line south to friendly territory. There were some large reinforcements, including the Second Army, so the situation should stabilize in an acceptable situation. Large Russian attacks are still expected in Galacia. East Prussia/ Eastern Germany Russian forces are continuing to mass around East Prussia. There is no sign of a move toward Posen, or Breslau. Large reinforcements will not be ready for the east until October, so it is a good thing the Russians are taking their time. The 8th Army is moving toward the town of Tannenburg-just in case the Russians try to cut through the middle of East Prussia. The 8th Army will initiate battle with the Russian Army south of Tannenburg at an opportune time. Reinforcements have arrived in Koenigsberg. [image]local://upfiles/18421/FA10F091142A4EC8A3F6519AA75C7073.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/14/2008 7:59:46 AM)
All is quiet in East Prussia-that is a good thing at this point. [image]local://upfiles/18421/1F9C9B8B5F9B4172BC3A5B1D4917DFFD.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/14/2008 8:03:34 AM)
The A/H forces are not quite stong enough for a major invasion of Serbia. The fifth Army will besiege Belgrade as the main attack in this area. The fall of Belgrade will hurt the Sebians' badly-so this one effort needs to be made, The KUK will be entrained for the Belgrade area with some heavy artillery. [image]local://upfiles/18421/F0CABE36D60145D8AB047194B1B9EAC2.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/15/2008 1:25:35 AM)
Right off the start, thing are not going to well for A/H. The Serbians attacked into Belgrade, and after inflicting some losses, drove out the A/H Army. It will be a while before Serbia will be conquered. [image]local://upfiles/18421/438597E5D20242DBA3E28C294E5A318B.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/15/2008 1:31:42 AM)
King Albert is going crazy-he launched a major attack against the main body of the German 1st Army located in Brussels. The results were predictable. This did have the unpleasant side effect of delaying the 1st Army's move toward the coast. I do not know of the AI is smart enough to figure these kinds of things out, but it did move some French forces north of Ghent while the Belgians sacrificed themselves. [image]local://upfiles/18421/7DA1FB5225F14F969FC536E98B558C69.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/15/2008 1:37:26 AM)
The German 3rd Army is trying to clear the Ardennes. It has finnaly been able to attack one French army without being hammered first. It might be a case of bad luck, or a General that needs a different line of work, but the 3rd Army has the worst recod of any of the German Armies so- far. In any event, the battle of the Ardennes was a German victory-better late than never-maybe. [image]local://upfiles/18421/01510E209F8E440E8D834CCB314749AB.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/15/2008 1:47:41 AM)
The German 8th Army finally got some action. The Battle of Soldau was a cheap victory. It might be time for a thrust on Warsaw. There is a slim chance of success for that operation, but it would take some heat off the A/H forces. [image]local://upfiles/18421/C264C3B981A9480FAA7BA6F4FD947BB7.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/15/2008 1:55:29 AM)
On the Galician Front, the A/H Army has held its own. There were several battles in which the the Russians were attacking. The Russians have suffered slightly more losses, but had achieved victory more often than not. The Battle of Zamosc was one the Russians lost. [image]local://upfiles/18421/FE9C09C69E5B4503ABDB831AFE6A1BE6.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/15/2008 2:16:04 AM)
The east had several small battle with light loses. One notable exception was the battle of Chelm. The A/H were on the offense to secure a rail line. The Russians must have been out of supply, as they did worse than I expected. As it was, it was very close. I had to throw in the cavalry corps at the end. Every unit in the 1st Army was damaged, but none destroyed. It was an important victory which has left a hole in the Russian lines south of Warsaw. [image]local://upfiles/18421/D657DB564D844E10BA7048CBE08233A4.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/15/2008 6:32:37 PM)
This is the situation in Belgium and N.W. France at the start of Nov/Dec. It appears that the Germans have not made great progress, but that is not the whole story. The Entente AI made a major effort to save Belgium. The French Army has paid a big price in trying to hold back the German invaders. It was not really a cheap fight for Germany either, but 2 French corps were surrounded and will soon be destroyed. The Belgium Army should be just about finished. When the ET lines give way, there should not be much left to stop the Germany Army from marching into France-except for the BEF-ha ha ha-they shall be brushed aside. [image]local://upfiles/18421/325DA972F2DB4415BE837DD1EBF070EA.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/15/2008 6:46:18 PM)
There have been some interesting development along the Moselle. The French have stubbornly clung on to Longwy. After several brutal battles, they are still there. Their position is now becoming vulnerable due to the flanks giving way. To take advantage of this situation, the German 5th Army will attack south of Longwy in an effort to cut off the French Army located there (along with the GHQ). If this operation can be pulled off, France may be left at a permanent disadvantage. The 4th Army will make an effort to take Nancy. This is risky, as there is at least a garrison there along with a major fort, and the 4th Army only has regular artillery. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. If this attack is successful, France may be done. Everyone may be back home in time to see the cherries bloom-the leaves have already fallen. [image]local://upfiles/18421/281DAB0FF09E45A38A0512489BB2AAF4.jpg[/image]

06 Maestro -> RE: Schlieffen Plan (12/15/2008 6:54:04 PM)
The Army cuts off the French 3rd Army and the GHQ!. The Battle of Cote de Meuse was a close affair. German losses were significant, and it took all reserves to push through victory. Note: I do not entrust the AI with offensive battles. There are some special considerations for saving units from being over used which the AI sometimes seems to ignore. I frequently let it handle a defensive battle if I'm sure of the outcome. If a "retreat" may be a smart move to save units, I will conduct that myself. [image]local://upfiles/18421/D2A83F5880C94EE388D2F15CC3AB93BB.jpg[/image]

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