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Canoerebel -> RE: One Weird Battle (1/25/2011 7:23:12 PM)
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Reflections prompted by Operation Krelm:
I'm currently re-reading Stephen Ambrose's D-Day. (Man, could he write!) At the moment, I'm reading the chapter about the selection of the invasion target and the development of deception plans. The last time I read this book, perhaps seven years ago, I had much less comprehension of the enormity of such an undertaking, but years of playing WitP and AE have given me a much better grasp of things.
Interestingly, the Allies were concerned that the Germans would have a "heads up" on Allied deception plans since the Germans had done something similar on the Russian front in 1942. Operation Krelm was the massive German deception giving the appearance that the Wermacht offensive would be in the Moscow sector rather than the Stalingrad sector. It worked - and how!
But so did the Allied deception plan, Fortitude, for D-Day. This was a vast operation with tremendous payoff. Just one example: The Allies created the appearance that Norway was a target, a deception that fed Hitler's own preoccupation with that country. The Germans had 13 divisions in Norway. Ultimately, in May 1944, Rommel persuaded Hitler to withdraw five (or seven?) and send them to Normandy, but just then German intelligence received new information that Norway was to be targeted. Hitler cancelled the transfer.
For most (all?) AE players, deception plans are a hugely important, and immensely satisfying, part of the game. The use of SigInt, counter-SigInt (creating false reports), build-ups where you aren't going, mock invasion fleets, etc. is a critical part of the game. Consider, for instance, Q-Ball's deception in his game vs. Cuttlefish, Nemo's tactis, etc.
Whereas Operation Fortitudes are possible - even vital - in AE, I doubt they are really possible in other theater level games. For instance, is an Operation Krelm possible in WitE? Oh, you can create false build ups, but not the layered, elaborate, believable hoaxes so much a part of AE.
That's one reason I don't think WitE will eclipse AE.
Edited to correct number of German divisions in Norway.
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