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Tancred -> RE: Sea Lion (12/3/2004 5:56:28 PM)
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When we started our last game of WIF, and I knew I was to play Germany, I decided on going for Sealion. i had read the memoirs of Manstein, where he outlined the simple strategic concept of finishing off your enemy before you start a new war.
But the more I thought about it the harder it seemed. The Royal Navy is tough in 1939 and will usually become even stronger. The potential strength of the RAF in FTR and NAV is very discouraging. Perhaps the greatest drawback in WIF:FE is the fact that if you land in England you will not only upset the US, but CW production will increase by 50%!
It would be much better to prepare for Sealion in 1936...
I decided to take a shot at it, but was terrified of being drawn into the UK and then halted before I could capture several factories.
The Key to defend the UK, however is to watch GE production. My opponent didn't. I laid a detailed production plan that would allow an invasion in M/A 1941 WITHOUT the Italian fleet, and most likely before an assault on Gibraltar. This surprised him, standard strategy is to wait for the Italian fleet.
I also planned meticously to keep all forces and especially the Luftwaffe away from the Channel for as long as possible.
In the end he didn't expect anything untill in J/F 1941 the entire Luftwaffe suddenly took up position on the Channel and North Sea coasts.
My invasion was cautious, but with a small but strong fleet and a superior airforce he was not able to stop me. He managed to sink most of my fleet, but in the end I had 15 corps in England compared to 6 of his, and more than 20 air units compared to 5 of his.
Some advice:
1. Plan carefully - expect your plan to be modified by the RAF Bombers
You need PARAs, MAR, MTN, Divs and plenty of air units.
2. Invade Spain - This is to draw attention and maybe some CW units there. Remember though, this will delay Vichying France.
3. Encourage aggressive Italian play - especially against a CW player who would like to attack Italy early on.
4. Focus on strategic air war - this means build a superior airforce that can dominate the North Sea and England. You need several ATRs as well to carry PARA and extra reinforcements. I advance-built long-range FTR and the BV-222 from 1941 in 1940. Strategic air war means 1st priority is to kill as many CW planes as possible.
5. Surprise is worth 10 SS Panzer Corps! - It is great to have the Italian Fleet in the Atlantic. It's even better to invade an empty England!
6. Be realistic - If the CW builds up a stong army and a big airforce in the UK, I say forget about it. Keep the initiative. Use your NAVs and Fleet to harass his convoys, and use your AMPHS and MAR to invade the Soviets instead.
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