DQ2004
Posts: 770
Joined: 9/29/2013 From: Hobart, Tasmania Status: offline
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Hi all, OK well here we go with AAR number one. A 'sort of' AAR that has very few screenshots (sorry) because I've been spending more time playing the game than wanting to take screenshots. It might also be termed a 'Litany of Mistakes'. Because there's been plenty! Please bear in mind this has been/is being played with me learning to use the computer game systems while I go along, so there has been, unsurprisingly, a long list of mistakes. However, having played and owned WiF 4.5, WiF 5 & WiF 6 (FE), I have some knowledge of what goes where and who does what, so you would think that the strategy mistakes wouldn’t be so bad. Not so. Well, that’s because I’ve hardly played WiF the boardgame in the last 10 years, mostly due to lack of space. The first few turns also have no screenshots at all, because I was so busy enjoying the game. In fact, on that note, I must say I have been thoroughly enjoying myself over the last few weeks, and a huge thanks and well done to Steve and all of the others who have helped. You have done an amazing job. I think my first real moment of 'WOW' was not when I started playing (although it was a wow), not when I got the manuals (although that was a wow), but when I overran some of the Netherlands navy when the Germans invaded the place. The way the game digressed into naval moves, naval combat and then returned to land movement was very impressive. I've had a couple of bugs but only one serious one so far, so I am very impressed. Anyway, on with the war! Sep/Oct 1919 The usual stuff happens, Germany attacks Poland, France and Britain are outraged. The BEF is moved to France. Germany then does a few other things, like overrun Denmark (the Peder Skram is scuttled by the Danes) and declare war on Hungary. The bad weather then intervenes, and Hungary thus survives the first turn (if I’d done the German setup a little better, they probably wouldn’t have). Nov/Dec 1939 Hungary is falls but before she does so the Soviets demand Bessarabia. Seeing the large force on their borders the Germans advise the Romanians to acquiesce to the Bolshevik demands. However the next message that pops up says that the Hungarians and the Bulgarians now want their pound of flesh also. Well this creates a difficulty – we’re at war with Hungary!! Why would we allow them Transylvania? And why would we want Bulgaria on our side anyway? Their army is useless. So we say no. This is where I made my next big mistake – I forgot to immediately declare war on Bulgaria! So the next impulse Bulgaria is aligned by Stalin! Damn his hide! In Jan/Feb 1940 the weather is still dreadful, and the Germans content themselves with moving units forward in readiness for the attack on the west. In Mar/Apr 1940 the invasion of Belgium is underway, and proceeds fairly OK, but with some German losses that they can ill-afford. Norway is even worse – never invade if it’s raining! Or at least, not if you don’t have overwhelming force (which they didn’t). The 9-4 INF and a DIV die on the rocky beaches at Kristiansand. The UK gleefully relocates dozens of Norwegian convoys. Another costly mistake by Grofaz. After Belgium is overrun the French re-form their defensive line and the turns ends early. Oh I should mention in China, over all this time, the Japanese have been slowly but steadily forcing what was a forward Chinese defence back, taking Chang-sha and various other places. May/Jun 1940 The Germans throw an offensive chit at Rundstedt who smashes the French line. The French look at their situation and think; ‘We’re damned if we do, and damned if we don’t!’ Fortunately for the French the weather intervenes and they are able to retreat into France. For their last attack, however, the Germans smash the line again, destroying the one French armoured corps. Jul/Aug 1940 commences with the French line looking decidedly dodgy. But they decide to ignore the panzers and 88’s (as it were), and they counterattack, destroying the German reserve mech. The shot below is just after the French attack declaration. Note that the Germans hadn't attacked the Netherlands at this point. Unfortunately they also lose two units and their entire northern line is disorganized, except for the forces at Lille. The Germans quickly ensure they too, are disorganized, and attack again, breaking through in the same place and reaching Paris.
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< Message edited by DQ2004 -- 11/24/2013 2:03:23 AM >
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"Look at you - you have HORSES! What were you thinking?!?" - Paratrooper David Webster
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