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composer99 -> RE: Bob Flemin's MWIF AARse IV - Nice AArse (8/28/2014 12:48:09 PM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: warspite1
Tactical Question:
I would be interested to hear how experienced players set about the defence of France and the Low Countries once Barbarossa is underway. How many units? What quality? Stationed where?
Similar question for Italy. What do the Italians try and defend? Assume Sardinia? Albania? Sicily? Taranto? Rome? Naples? and at least a couple of Corps in the north?
For France/Low Countries:
In a 1941 Barbarossa, land units are often scarce, so the Germans should restrict themselves to using third-string units (especially Axis minor units) stationed in Paris and in cities and major ports along the coast (and the port in the mountains at the Spanish frontier), with the understanding that additional units can be shuttled back (or put on the board as reinforcements) if the CW invades.
In 1942, presumably you have more units to choose from, so a few extra corps to try and put every hex in a ZoC to boost notional defenders. Depending on German armour advantage over USSR, a MECH corps and division (mech or mot) would do well, placed centrally, to counter-strike against invasions.
If there is a substantial German fleet in Brest or Bordeaux, those ports should have 2 units in them (2 corps if you can spare them) and an HQ providing supply (Italian or Axis minor for preference).
For Italy:
How much land unit defence to place in Italy depends on how much of the rest of the Med Italy has secured.
Malta, Egypt, and Algeria are Axis controlled? Probably not much.
Malta, Egypt, & Gibraltar in Allied hands? The best defence for Italy is to keep Allied naval forces out of the Italian Coast sea area, thus reducing their land unit garrison burden in the vast majority of the country. That means naval air ready to pounce in that area.
The northern hexes that open on the West Med are hard to invade, but La Spezia should have a unit in it (corps + either corps or div, for preference), and the other hexes can make do with being in a land unit ZoC. Rome & Albania should always be garrisoned. While unconquered Sardinia should have a unit in each port, and a counter-strike force (in Italy) ready to pounce if the Allies land - take care to see whether they can follow up with an attack on Italy proper, though.
If it becomes apparent that the Italian Coast will be contested by a serious Allied presence, Italy has to make sure it has a garrison in every city and port, starting with factory cities and major ports.
Don't be afraid to ask for lots of German land units to help. If there is a big Italian air force helping fight in USSR, defend the skies of the Reich and France, and keep the Allies at bay at sea, and Italian submarines helping the Battle of the Atlantic, the longer the Italians can keep going the better, so the Germans ought not be stingy.
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