Locarnus Addon 2025-07, for Battlefield Europe, Afrika Korps and Grand Campaign East

[Locarnus]

Hi,
thank you for your answer, 2 and 3 are now clear
ad 1: I mean this units have no vehicle but historical they have vehicles which is indicated with (mot) I think:
"5. Inf. (mot) SE Infantrie" or "3. Inf. (mot) Schützen" and all similar units indicated with (mot).
With Battlefield Europe mod 2.3 it works and with Battlefield Europe mod 2.4 it dosn't work. Like Pioneers or Bridge Units which automatically have vehicles.

Oh damn.
I'm really sorry about that!

I just realized you were trying the multiplayer scenario.
The Battlefield Europe multiplayer scenario is unfortunately not compatible with the Addon (anymore).
I regrettably simply forgot marking it as such.
That will be rectified this as soon as possible!
Hope your experience was not too jarring.


Background:
The Addon made significant changes to the older BE 2.3 singleplayer main scenario (topography, units, events, upgrade scripts and so on). The Addon also massively added units, but crucially did not substract units.
Due to the way Panzer Corps scenarios function, those drastic singleplayer scenario changes were not feasible to replicate for the BE 2.3 multiplayer main scenario. But that unmodified BE 2.3 multiplayer scenario still worked with the new Addon unit additions.

BE 2.4 also added units AND changed the scenarios to incorporate those BE 2.4 unit additions.
For various reasons, the Addon could not follow all those BE 2.4 unit additions.
The singleplayer scenarios are adjusted by the Addon, so no problem there.
But now the still unmodified BE 2.4 multiplayer scenario calls for units (and transports) which do not exist in the Addon.

I had left the originally still functioning multiplayer scenario in the scenario list, since I hoped to one day be able to work on multiplayer compatibility as well.
But with next to no community interest in the significant Addon changes to the singleplayer BE scenario, I started to focus on other campaigns instead (like Afrika Korps and Grand Campaign).
And simply forgot about that unmodified BE multiplayer scenario still being in the scenario list.

edit:
I again apologize.
BE 2.4 without Addon is the only balanced multiplayer option on this grand european map.

With some changes, I could at most hope to offer experimental, untested, basic mutliplayer compatibility with the Addon units, but none of all the Addon changes to the scenario itself.

[Locarnus]

Hotfix update addressing the BE multiplayer scenario issue discussed in the previous post (=> by hiding access to currently incompatible scenario).

Also incorporating the easier changes based on faos333 and goose_2 feedback.
More complex changes and unit additions requiring testing are postponed to next update (including great new late game italian scout version based on graphic by Birgeria).


2024-02 Complete "Locarnus Addon" Download: https://bit.ly/3uoLKJr

The bugfixed version of Panzer Corps 1.32 is required, see install instructions in "Locarnus Addon" forum thread

This 2024 Addon version is incompatible with campaigns started on 2023 & 2022 Addon versions!
(But each Grand Campaign chapter like 40, 41, 42East and so on counts as a new campaign, just with imported core unit roster)

BE compatibility, thank you laubbaum13 for bringing it to my attention!
- Hid the BE multiplayer scenario in the scenario list, since this version unfortunately does not work properly with Addon

AK campaign
- Palestine scenario adjusted based on feedback, airfield added (thank you faos33)
- Palestine glider aux units changed, I went with a more mobile, variety composition

Grand Campaign
- Heavier French tanks back to 10 strength, from 8, it got a bit too easy without AI unit spam (thank you goose_2)

Unit Changes:
- Char B1 nerfed (rof 8 instead of 9, and lower initiative)
- Adjusted some Bf 109 and Fw 190 fuel values, though more balancing work is needed there (thank you faos333)
- Bf 110 F available several months later (now Februar 1942 instead of August 1941)
- Me 410 B available several months later (now April 1944 instead of October 1943)
- Italian Re.200x series buffed when switched to tac bomber mode

[faos333]

... Adjusted some Bf 109 and Fw 190 fuel values...

I checked their values, they seem more appropriate now

[McGuba]

- Bf 110 F available several months later (now Februar 1942 instead of August 1941)

Why is that? It looks like it first appeared in the summer of 1941, but then its production was stopped in December, only to be resumed in February 1942. So it looks like the February 1942 avalability is incorrect as it is the restart date of the production (which, by the way, was due to the problems and delay with the Me 210).

http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/we ... _110F.html

https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery ... s-2/bf110/

More complex changes and unit additions requiring testing are postponed to next update (including great new late game italian scout version based on graphic by Birgeria).

Not sure if you are aware, but the Italian AB 43 is already in the BE mod for quite some time (since March 2020/BE 2.0). Due to having a higher hard attack value it stands for the cannon armed AB 43.

Only because it looks like you refer to it as a new unit in Bigeria's topic, which should be added to the mod:
https://www.slitherine.com/forum/viewto ... 5#p1022605

- Adjusted some Bf 109 and Fw 190 fuel values, though more balancing work is needed there (thank you faos333)

In response to:

Question regarding Fw 190 and Bf 109 fuel capacity
I examined the equipment file and read the differences in fuel between them.
In general, in the mod all variants of Bf 109 have more fuel than Fw 190.

I can understand that the main reason is to balance the game play and make it more challenging, but reality seems quite different.

I may be wrong, but according to a quick research Focke-Wulf 190 internal fuel capacity (no extra tanks) was one of its advantages over the Bf 109. Pilots such as Hartmann loved the Bf 109 but they had to fly with one eye on the fuel gauge.
In general the Bf-109 had 106 gallons and the Fw-190A had 140 gallons, with no extra drop tanks, which means 32% advantage.

The combat radius for the early versions Bf-109 had a radius of 410 miles (about 660 kilometers). While the later models, such as the Bf 109G, had a slightly longer combat radius, approximately 500 miles (about 805 kilometers). This means that in the early versions the Fw 190 being much better in radius than equivalent BF types, of about 22% advantage.

My point is that the early versions of Fw fuel capacity could be raised a little?, so to reflect this situation. Of course this is easier said than done, since this might break other types of balances. In any case I thought to point it out.

Right, so I guess I should react to this here as well, even though the original question by faos333 perhaps should have been in the BE mod topic and not here in the Addon topic, since the Addon orignially used the same BE fuel stats for these, which were calculated by me.

So basically the in the BE mod I mainly calculated the max fuel stat with the extra range provided by the drop tank(s) in mind, if it was available for the given version. (Well, more or less, as we will see...)

The early verisons of the Bf 109 had no drop tank, the first with a drop tank was the E-7. Hence it has significantly more fuel than the previous E-4 version. Then the F versions have even more range, due to them having improved aerodynamics and more fuel-efficient engines:

the Bf 109 F offered a much increased maximum range of 1,700 km (1,060 mi)[37] compared to the Bf 109 E's maximum range figure of 660 km (410 miles) on internal fuel and with the E-7 with a 300-litre drop tank, double the range, to 1,325 km (820 mi).[38]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messersch ... ts#Bf_109F

Then the G versions have a somewhat lower range angain, due to them having a heavier engine and heavier armament.

There is some confusion here though, as nearly every source gives a different max range to these planes. The root of the problem is that every warplane has a different maximum range depending on the equipment and the mission type. For example there is maximum combat range, which is with a high speed setting during the flight, economic range with cruise speed, maximum ferry range with no ammunition and so on, and so on. And all these are affected by the addition of drop tank(s).

Some special versions could carry a pair of drop tanks under their wings as well, in addition to the one under the fuselage. On top of these, when a fighter encountered an enemy plane it usually jettisoned the drop tank(s), even if there was some unused fuel in it, because drop tanks significantly reduced the performance and thus survivability.

But, as we know, there is only one max fuel stat in the simplified system of Panzer Corps and we cannot reflect all these. Also it is not possible to set the flight speed of an air unit to reduce fuel usage when flying at cruise speed. Air units always use as many fuel units as many hexes they cross in the game. (Except when being idle, when they use a minimum amount in each turn and they use the same minimum amount if they move just a couple hexes.)

Therefore it is not possible to come up with "perfect" fuel stats for air units in the game. It will always be a compromise and every value can be argued pro- and against.

Nevertheless, I do beleive that drop tanks, if available, should be reflected in the fuel stats. These did increase the maximum range of fighter planes, even if they had to be dropped before being fully emptied in many cases, otherwise they would not have bothered adding them.

Now moving to Bf 109 - Fw 190. As I wrote earlier the E-7 version of the Bf 109 was the first to have drop tank and that's why I increased its range.

Checking online photos and images of Bf 109 E-7 to F versions it is possible to spot the drop tank every now and then, however it looks like it only became really widespread from the G version.

In the case of the Fw 190 the A-3 version was the first to have the ETC 501 bomb rack, but only the Jagdbomber (fighter bomber) and recon variants sported these and it looks like the fighter bomber version mostly carried a bomb and not a drop tank. It looks like in standard fighter configuration the early versions of the Fw 190 usually did not have a drop tank. Perhaps it is because the internal fuel capacity was deemed enough in most interceptor missions. Nevertheless, it looks like the Bf 109 with a drop tank had a much better range than the Fw 190 without it.

Checking photos and images of the Fw 190 it appears that the addition of a drop tank was not so widespread with the early versions, even if it was available. In fact, I only remember seeing a few A-5 and A-6 images with drop tanks added, which may be recon versions anyway. It looks like the drop tank only became widespread with the A-7/A-8 (?) versions, later in the war, when these were used aginst the high flying US bombers. Supposedly drop tanks became necessary to provide enough fuel to climb to these higher altitudes and to increase loitering time.


And again returning to:

In general the Bf-109 had 106 gallons and the Fw-190A had 140 gallons, with no extra drop tanks, which means 32% advantage.

It is of course true, however, the Fw 190 A was also heavier and its engine was more powerful compared to the Bf 109 (at least until the Bf 109 G-14) which presumably resulted in higher fuel use. Therefore their normal endurance (the maximum length of time that an aircraft can spend in cruising flight) should have been more or less comparable, with the Fw 190 potentially having some advantage, but only when both are using only internal tank.

However, when the Bf 109 had a 80 gallons (300 litres) drop tank, it nearly doubled its fuel on board. In contrast, since the Fw 190 had the same standard 80 gallons drop tank, compared to its 140 gallons internal tank it was just over a 50% increase. In conclusion, I would say that these two should have around the same max fuel stat, but only when both are known to be having drop tanks and the Bf 109 with drop tank should have an advantage over the Fw 190 with no drop tank.

[Locarnus]

Why is that? It looks like it first appeared in the summer of 1941, but then its production was stopped in December, only to be resumed in February 1942. So it looks like the February 1942 avalability is incorrect as it is the restart date of the production (which, by the way, was due to the problems and delay with the Me 210).
[...]

Background: When releasing the last "hotfix" update, I was in the middle of splitting the Bf 110 line into variants (eg Bf 110 F into F-2 and F-4) to better accomodate having two at the same time with the "rule of 1" for the Grand Campaign.

While reading up on the Bf 110 in more detail, I came across conflicting information on english sites about the transition Bf 110 E to F to G with Me 210 in between.
So the "Feb 1942" date for "Bf 110 F" was something of a stop-gap measure, leaning towards one of the sources.

After some more digging, I now use books now (imho credible and comprehensive), but unfortunately neither digital nor in english.
Thus my current plan is:
20.03.1942 - Bf 110 F-2 availability
10.05.1942 - Bf 110 F-4 availability

It seems that the F-2 was intended for delivery from 12.1941 onwards in limited numbers, but engine issues led to the first ones going to the airforce only in 02.1942. Once those issues were solved, the already produced ones became available very quickly.
I'm not quite sure about F-4 production, but it seems that the early ones did not have full nightfighter equipment and were also used in different roles. Somewhere around 04.1942 or 05.1942 is currently my best guess for F-4 with proper radar equipment.

If not splitting the Bf 110 F, I would probably go for eg 15.04.1942 as an availability start date for a unified F version (my recommendation for BE).


If you are interested in more details, I could try to paraphrase some more of my currently available information about the transition from Bf 110 E to F to G with Me 210 in between.
edit: It is quite different from most of the information I found so far on english websites, including the ones you listed above.
edit2: I assume the information on those english sites regarding Dec 1941 and Feb 1942 could be a translation/misinterpretation mixup (regarding "production" vs "delivery"). Not sure where the "summer 1941" comes from with regards to the F, maybe F-0 prototypes?
edit3: The book with imho the most comprehensive information on the topic (from those I checked so far) is just titled "Messerschmitt Bf 110 Me 210 Me 410" (in german, by Heinz Mankau and Peter Petrick). An english edition appears to exist as well, called "Messerschmitt Bf 110/Me 210/Me 410: An Illustrated History", though an amazon comment says that it is only partially translated?

Not sure if you are aware, but the Italian AB 43 is already in the BE mod for quite some time (since March 2020/BE 2.0). Due to having a higher hard attack value it stands for the cannon armed AB 43.

Only because it looks like you refer to it as a new unit in Bigeria's topic, which should be added to the mod:
https://www.slitherine.com/forum/viewto ... 5#p1022605

Oh, yep, I did not forget the existing AB 43.
I was just thinking that I could use the icon by Birgeria for an "alternate history" AB 44 (eg with stats of german 5cm gun), especially for the ahistorical Africa Corps campaign.
After all, it has the Italians fighting in British India in 1944, after a partial airborne invasion of Russia from south of the Caucasus in 1943.
So restraints for historical reasons are gone at this point anyway.

[...]
about Bf 109 and Fw 190 fuel values

I unfortunately don't know enough about this.
At the moment I'm just trying to not mess things up too much with the fuel values, between historical realities and BE, AK and GC campaigns and scenarios.
I'll have to revisit this, though I'm pretty sure it is one of those issues without a satisfying solution.
Too many variables, aircraft subvariants, limited game engine, odd implementation of aircraft and so on.

I'll give the E-7 at least some fuel back in the next update, due to droptank support.

[faos333]

Happy to see this discussion on fuel values going on, of course things get more complicated, if we add drop tanks. Certainly is a topic of interest. Below is a quick answer from AI - bing, which is not as analytical but never the less highlights the FW issue:

... combat radius, refers to the distance an aircraft can fly from its base and return without refueling:

In terms of combat radius, the Fw 190 had a slightly longer reach, making it advantageous for longer missions
The Bf 109 had a combat radius of approximately 500 miles.
The Fw 190 had a combat radius of approximately 680 miles.

sources:
https://aviatia.net/fw-190-vs-bf-109/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Bf_109
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focke-Wulf_Fw_190

Sorry Mc Guba I should have posted also to BE topic

[faos333]

....

see above

[McGuba]

Sorry Mc Guba I should have posted also to BE topic

No worries.

Below is a quick answer from AI - bing

Ah, of course AI is a great thing, but its answere is a bit too generic: the Bf 190 and Fw 190 had many different versions, each with different performance and range and different drop tank(s), if any. Early Fw 190 versions had no drop tanks, and my argument is that in general Bf 109 versions with drop tank probably had a longer max range than Fw 190s with drop tank. Most sources seem to claim that Fw 190 A versions with one (?) drop tank had a max range of about 1500 km. At the same time Bf 109 versions with drop tank had more range than this:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/394487248588875149/

However, the max range with drop tank was only theoretical as whenever they encountered enemy aircraft they had to jettison it, even if it was not empty. From then they had to rely on their internal tank. Which was indeed larger on the Fw 190. The only question is how to implement all this in the simplified system of Panzer Corps. I guess there is no perfect solution for that.

After some more digging, I now use books now (imho credible and comprehensive), but unfortunately neither digital nor in english.
Thus my current plan is:
20.03.1942 - Bf 110 F-2 availability
10.05.1942 - Bf 110 F-4 availability
....

And you also mention the F-0 prototype. Which should not be in the game I guess, given the small number produced. But what about the F-1?

By the way, wikipedia seems to refer to the same Mankau-Petrick book when it claims "Eventually, 512 Bf 110F models were completed between December 1941 and December 1942, when production gave way to the Bf 110G.[9]". So yes, perhaps its availability should be pushed to early 1942, or maybe even more when it became available in numbers.

[Locarnus]

And you also mention the F-0 prototype. Which should not be in the game I guess, given the small number produced. But what about the F-1?

By the way, wikipedia seems to refer to the same Mankau-Petrick book when it claims "Eventually, 512 Bf 110F models were completed between December 1941 and December 1942, when production gave way to the Bf 110G.[9]". So yes, perhaps its availability should be pushed to early 1942, or maybe even more when it became available in numbers.

After some more reading in the last few days, I can fully understand any confusion about the Bf 110 production and so on...

The extensive Mankau-Petrick book does not mention a "F-0" (got that from other sources), but even they had their trouble with all the naming schemes (which were sometimes applied retroactively to existing variants or even changed their meaning over the course of a few weeks, or the same aircraft showed up with different names in different lists ).

In fact, that book clearly states that even frontline units requested better naming conventions...
Those authors also stated that they needed to infer some of their information, rather than finding documents for all of it.
And then there were field modifications on top of that .

I'll try to muddle my way through that to translate it into a somewhat workable lineup for this game, but can't give any guarantees. Maybe I'll be able to post some condensed timeline around the E to G events, after all I find such a mess can be quite fascinating.

Back to your question: It seems that there is no evidence for F-1 being produced (at least directly from factories).

For the E version, the main difference between E-1 and E-2 was, that the "-1" could optionally be fitted with a belly tank (instead of bombs under the belly), while the E-2 could not be fitted with the belly tank at all.
It appears that the E was generally the last version able to carry that belly tank and thus the meaning of the "-0", "-1" and "-2" changed once again for the G version (was already different for C version and partially different for D version... ).

edit: Now I also understand why this book has 360 pages about Bf 110, Me 210, Me 410 and some related projects despite only mentioning combat deployments in passing...

[Locarnus]

So, some write up on my current Bf 110 plans.

Please keep in mind that I try to fit a messy situation from several sources into something useable by the Panzer Corps game framework.
That means that I have to condense a lot of information and versions. For example aircraft produced as C-4/B were later renamed to C-7. Sometimes early production aircraft did not have the changes that series became known for, or late production already had changes which were significant for the next series and so on.
I wrote some more about this mess in the previous post above.

All can switch between in-game tac bomber and fighter class, with the class specific traits (eg only fighter class provides defensive fire for adjacent bombers). Primary mode is always tac bomber for all Bf 110 (and Me 210 - 410).

Heavy fighters (roughly up until mid 1940, plus E-1) have 3 soft attack, 2 hard attack in tac bomber mode, but 2 soft attack and 1 hard attack in fighter mode.
They also have 1 more initiative in fighter mode, but the same air attack and defense values.

Fighter bombers (from mid 1940 onwards, except E-1) have 6-7 soft attack, and 4-5 hard attack in tac bomber mode, but 2-3 soft attack and 1-3 hard attack in fighter mode (depending on available bomb and gun options for those variants).
They also have 1 more initiative AND one more air attack in fighter mode, though same defense values.


Background:
Due to restrictions on Germany regarding an airforce and rapidly advancing technology, there was initially no clear doctrine to follow. Instead of aircraft manufacturers responding to tightly set requirements, they were often encouraged to make up their own mind with some more or less vague purposes communicated to them.
In the early 1930s there were 4 broad concepts formulated, but the requirements were not fully defined in detail:
Rüstungsflugzeug I -- multi-seat medium bomber
Rüstungsflugzeug II -- tactical fighter bomber
Rüstungsflugzeug III -- multi-seat heavy fighter
Rüstungsflugzeug IV -- single seat fighter

The concept III superceded the concept II in 1934.
It seems not unusual that the people working at the design and manufacturing companies had doubts about the requirements handed to them by the people in charge at the airforce and made their own contingency plans for a time when reality corrects the latter...

Crucially the Bf 110 was mainly intended for the multi-seat heavy fighter concept (Rüstungsflugzeug III), but the designers also planned it as a baseline airframe for further development (to potentially fit recon and light bomber roles). Development started in 1934 and the first one flew in 1936.

In mid 1939 (thus well before Poland, with lessons learned from Spain), the long planned further development Me 210 was intended as a tactical bomber and medium range fighter (thus more fitting for the earlier Rüstungsflugzeug II concept).
The ETC 500 bomb racks for the Bf 110 were most likely also ordered before Poland.
In July 1939 the development of the 30 mm cannon was emphasized.


At the start of Poland, the Bf 110 was a dedicated heavy fighter, with elite pilots (even compared to Bf 109).
The C version had considerably bigger engines than the Bf 110 B (new DB 601 A).
About 30% of the Bf 110 ready for combat on the eve of Poland were B versions.
Roughly 70% of the Bf 110 at the start of Poland were C versions.

start of war: Bf 110 B -- starting heavy fighter model
13.9.1939 -- Bf 110 C-1 -- availability date chosen for gameplay reasons, +1 def compared to B

The polish airforce had limited fighters, so the Bf 110 could help against ground targets.
But the Bf 110 problems against single engine fighters became apparent, though not to a degree to warrant quick changes.
In late 1939, variants got their own numbers, depending on changing characteristics (eg radio sets and weapon loadout). So eg the already flying Bf 110 C were renamed Bf 110 C-1, some more variants with smaller changes were introduced.


1940, adjustments to reality and naming mess

1940 is the time when the naming mess went into high gear. I guess it is a response to the rather theoretical doctrines and preferences being swept away by full wartime reality and the various actors trying to adjust to it with a flurry of changes.

03.1940 Production start of "extended range" Bf 110 D-0 (called Bf 110 D/R1 under older naming scheme). Also DB 601 A engine, but now producing 1100 PS instead of 1000 PS. Another significant change for the D-0 was the addition of a large "conformal" fuel tank mounted to the belly and additional wing fuel tanks.
Parallel production of C (normal range) and D (extended range) versions, with changing ratios.
04.1940 First prototype of a D-0 with ETC 500 bomb rack instead of conformal belly tank.

9.4.1940 -- Bf 110 D-0 -- like C-1, heavy fighter but a lot more movement range
17.5.1940 -- Bf 110 C-4 -- like C-1, but better air attack, summarizes further C development as heavy fighter
15.7.1940 -- Bf 110 D-3 -- summarizes fighter bomber variants of D series, less range than D-0
1.8.1940 -- Bf 110 C-7 -- summarizes fighter bomber conversions of C series, less range than D-3

In mid 1940, many C and D became fighter-bombers, the D having more range due to available wing tanks, but the C being usually good enough as a fighter bomber.
There were unauthorized conversions by the frontline troops. Eg. some dismounted the belly tank from D-0 variants, some mounted the belly tank to D-2 and so on.
D-0 heavy fighter had the conformal belly fuel tank for even more range.
D-1 heavy fighter did not have the belly tank and no bomb rack, some built
D-2 either bomb rack or conformal belly tank . Original name D-0/B.
D-3 no conformal belly tank, to stop the unauthorized conversions in that direction and focus on the bomb racks.

Naming was all over the place, eg some aircraft were produced as D-0, but then declared lost as a D-1 or D-3 and so on...
The production ratios for the Bf 110 D version changed as well, earlier the belly tank was favored roughly 3/5 vs 2/5, in mid 1940 that ratio was reversed.
Together with conversion of C aircraft to fighter bombers, the primary role of the Bf 110 changed.
In 1940 there were also trials of Bf 110 as a night fighter.

[faos333]

Very detailed thanks

[Locarnus]

Very detailed thanks

You are welcome, it is quite a fascinating story.


Planned to be the last Bf 110...
The E version from late 1940 to late 1941

The Bf 110 had been designed as an aircraft destroyer (heavy fighter), but in 1940 this concept proved to be a failure against the more nimble and economical single engine fighters.
While the Bf 110 did a decent job when converted to a fighter bomber, the long planned Me 210 was purpose designed for that role. And thus even in late 1940 the Me 210 was already scheduled to fully replace the Bf 110 E production at the end of 1941.

Until then, several lessons learned and improvement were gradually incorporated regardless of the version. For example the last D models already got better armor, while not all of the first E versions got the better engine.
Mainly due to that new "DB 601 N" engine being priority distributed to the Bf 109 F-1 and F-2 single engine fighter until late 1940. When that engine (designated "DB 601 P" for multi engine aircraft) became available in numbers, earlier Bf 110 were quickly retrofitted with it (even some Bf 110 C-1).

Another project in early 1941 was the heavy transport glider Me 321, for which Bf 110 conversions were scheduled as a "tug".

There were three main Bf 110 E variants, early on 2/5 were produced with conformal belly fuel tank, 3/5 without it (like D version ratio before). Contrary to the D version, the E could carry 2x50kg bombs on each wing, allowing bombs even when having the conformal fuel tank on the E-1.
E-1 could mount either conformal belly fuel tank or bomb racks under the belly
E-2 no conformal belly fuel tank
E-3 recon, many produced, but imho a bit hard to make really useful in PzC engine

For in-game differentiation, all E versions are considered to have the "DB 601 N" engine.
1.12.1940 -- Bf 110 E-1 -- long range heavy fighter, with better than D-0 ground attack in tac bomber mode
1.12.1940 -- Bf 110 E-2 -- fighter bomber, better in either mode than E-1 (but less range)


The F version as a stop-gap measure in late 1941

In the summer of 1941 the delays regarding the Me 210 became urgent, since Bf 110 production was long scheduled to end between September and November (for different factories), after winding down already since May 1941.
Finally in late September the decision was made to continue Bf 110 production at a limited pace of 30 aircraft per month.

Deliveries were intended to start in December 1941. Some improvements intended to be used by the Me 210 and Bf 109, like better armament and the new "DB 601 E" engine, were to be incorporated as well (designated "DB 601 F" for multi engine aircraft).
Unfortunately the new engine proved troublesome and thus final delivery and acceptance of the then already completed aircraft could only begin in Februar 1942.
No conformal belly fuel tank for the F anymore, but instead in April 1942 radar sets became available in quantities. Those made the Bf 110 a proper night fighter, and thus finally allowed it to fulfill its original role as an aircraft destroyer.
There were also a few F-3 recon variants produced, but far fewer than the E-3.

20.3.1942 -- Bf 110 F-2 -- fighter bomber, improved Bf 110 E-2
10.5.1942 -- Bf 110 F-4 -- night fighter, heavy gun armament, less bomb load than F-2 when in tac bomber mode

[Locarnus]

GrandCampaignNoSpam mini mod updated to 2024-03.

Changes from former GrandCampaignNoSpam 2023-12 to current 2024-03 version:
- Issue fixed that prevented purchase of Italian units (by also editing each GC campaign.pzdat file).
- GC 42-43 West, 44 West and 45 West adjusted, thus the full Grand Campaign East and West branches are now modded

Download here from its own forum thread:
https://www.slitherine.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=113550



Also significant update to Locarnus Addon incoming (coming days).
Mainly focused on Grand Campaign compatibility (especially 41-45), requiring lots of "unit ID" changes beneath the hood.
Bf 110 line split and adjustments based on info outlined in posts above, though still with balancing gaps like fuel values.
Many smaller stat and availability changes for various units.

[goose_2]

Finished Amiens this morning...good grief...
This will be 3 Broadcasts....that 2nd one with the counter that comes from Reuen is crazy hard. It took me spending a lot to pull off successful, but it was all worth it.
I hope you enjoy and I have saved so I can apply all updates for Dunkirk and beyond.

I want to start soon, but will wait until full upgrade comes.

Blessings,

[Locarnus]

Finished Amiens this morning...good grief...
This will be 3 Broadcasts....that 2nd one with the counter that comes from Reuen is crazy hard. It took me spending a lot to pull off successful, but it was all worth it.
I hope you enjoy and I have saved so I can apply all updates for Dunkirk and beyond.

I want to start soon, but will wait until full upgrade comes.

Blessings,

Strong AI counterattacks increase tension, which makes playthroughs so enjoyable.
Amazing to see how well you do on Napoleon difficulty, with that 25% experience and prestige setting!

edit: After installing the update, you'll have to recheck your two existing Bf 110.
One will be an outdated Bf 110 C-1. You'll have to upgrade that to make it competitive again (eg to a C-4).
The other one will be a Bf 110 D-2, which should not be available for France in that configuration. For historical flavor, I recommend downgrading it to a time appropriate D-0 configuration (especially since you already play on Napoleon difficulty). At least the D-0 has a significant range advantage and better air attack in tac bomber mode.

Fuel values in general and for Bf 110 in particular are still on my todo list.
edit: This is currently not at the top of my todo list, but I can provide Bf 110 fuel values for different versions and variants for anyone willing to take this on.


I had to fix (or work around) some issues with grand campaign unit availability (eg desert variants and Soviet fighters).
My unit ID switching solution is not great, but it seems to work.
Italian AB 44 added with icon from Birgeria, thank you for that!

I also had to fix an issue preventing the purchase of Italian units in 1941.
This one got fixed a few days ago in the GrandCampaignNoSpam mod: https://www.slitherine.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=113550


So first install GrandCampaignNoSpam-2024-03 from the link above.
Then on top of that the Locarnus Addon 2024-03:


2024-03 Complete "Locarnus Addon" Download: edit: deactivated due to serious bug

The bugfixed version of Panzer Corps 1.32 is required, see install instructions in "Locarnus Addon" forum thread

This 2024 Addon version is incompatible with campaigns started on 2023 & 2022 Addon versions!
(But each Grand Campaign chapter like 40, 41, 42East and so on counts as a new campaign, just with imported core unit roster)

GC, AK & BE compatibility
- Unit ID swaps for several Soviet fighter planes (see "unit changes section below")
- Those swaps keep the original "unit ID" bound to the rough "availability time frame" from unmodded Panzer Corps
- And then I assigned the proper fighter models to those "availability time frames"
- The logic is backwards, but this way I only have to adjust the main BE scenario & AK Caucasus, instead of dozens of GC scenarios
- US fighters and many Western Allies Lend Lease units switched to being aux units in the main BE scenario
- Afrika Korps and BE scenarios adjusted for italian unit ID changes

Unit Changes:
- Another rebalancing pass for Soviet fighters, with the Grand Campaign in mind
- Soviet Lavochkin fighter family are not bonus units anymore (which they were in BE), for GC compatibility
- Unit ID swapped between Yak 7 & Yak 7B for GC compatibility
- Unit ID multi swap between La 5FN, La 7, Yak 9U & Yak 3 for GC compatibility
- Unit ID swapped for two "Fw 190 F & G" normal and "BE bonus" variants for GC campaign compatibility
- Unit ID swapped for all "Semovente" units (except 47/32), between normal vs desert variants
- Unit ID swapped for italian "L3/35", "P26/40" and "M15/42", between normal vs desert variant
- Unit ID swapped for many capturable British and US tank units, between normal vs desert variant
- Capturable British and US tank units can switch between normal and desert variant, for compatibility
- Breda BA.65 split into normal and desert variants (so far only stats, not graphics)
- Bf 109 E-7 a bit more range again due to drop tank availability
- Bf 109 F-4 until G-4 have one more initiative
- Early Bf 110 models better air attack, very early models weaker ground attack, some availability fine tuning
- Bf 110 & Me 410 split into more sub versions and variants, making 2 concurrent ones more viable with "rule of 1"
- StuG III short barreled variants rof buffed from 10 to 11, but only when switched to arty mode
- Pz III N and StuG III E+ close defense buffed, Pz III N+ air defense buffed
- 2cm Flakvierling air attack nerfed from 13 to 12 (including SdKfz 7/1)
- StuIG 33B back up to 5 movement, ISU movement reduced to 4
- 47mm AT gun buffed (France), and French best fighter has 1 more ini
- Italian AB recons cheaper, new AB 44 upgrade, thank you Birgeria for the great icon!
- Several units availability date changed across the GC (usually some weeks), more for some Bf 110 & Jagdsturmtiger

Incomplete balancing and ToDo List:
- Bf 110 fuel values not yet balanced
- Big unit icons are incomplete and partially incorrect regarding "non-upgrade" information, especially for captured units

[goose_2]

We have a huge problem!!!

Dunkirk has a fatal flaw. When you capture the Matilda it will not let you click on the unit and it corrupts the game.

I am not sure what you can do about it. Please look at the scenario and fix it as I think my game is broke now.
Please let me know what you find out.

Dunkirk is unplayable until this gets fixed, or it means I cannot capture the Matilda. Yikes!

[Locarnus]

We have a huge problem!!!

Dunkirk has a fatal flaw. When you capture the Matilda it will not let you click on the unit and it corrupts the game.

I am not sure what you can do about it. Please look at the scenario and fix it as I think my game is broke now.
Please let me know what you find out.

Dunkirk is unplayable until this gets fixed, or it means I cannot capture the Matilda. Yikes!

Oh no!

Do you still have the savegame from the end of Sedan?

If yes, can you post it here as an attachment (not sure, but might need to be put into a .zip archive file so that the forum allows it as an attachment)?

[Locarnus]

Dunkirk is unplayable until this gets fixed, or it means I cannot capture the Matilda. Yikes!

Found the (stupid) issue.
I recommend going with option 2) listed below, since you are already pretty far into Dunkirk scenario.

So just do not capture the objective that rewards the Matilda II tank ("De Panne" at coordinates (21,5)).
At the end of Dunkirk scenario, install the bugfixed version 2024-03a below, and then progress to Reims.
At the start of Reims, use the debug codes to give yourself at least 386 prestige (374 for the missed tank, 12 for the missed capture of that town) and purchase a Matilda II tank.
Then use the debug code to give the Matilda II tank at least 37 experience (it should have started with 150 experience times 0.25 = 37 experience due to Napoleon difficulty).
edit: Debug codes: https://www.slitherine.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25990

The Matilda II will be purchasable until the next Addon version.
That tank is worth the hassle, even if it is slow!
Sorry about the issues.




2024-03a Complete "Locarnus Addon" Download: https://bit.ly/3wVD5iy

This bugfixed Addon version is a complete single download replacement for 2024-03, although only the equipment file has really changed

Game Breaking Bug Fix:
- Capturable British and US tank units fixed (clicking on them in the last update would result in a crash to desktop)

The fix only takes effect when starting the next scenario after this update has been installed
So if you have this issue in an ongoing scenario you either need to:
1) Load an earlier save from the end of the previous scenario, after installing this fixed Addon version
2) OR you do not capture the objective that rewards the capturable US or British unit in your ongoing scenario
The affected units have been made purchasable for this Addon version, as compensation if you have to choose option 2.
So you may buy them afterwards and use cheat/debug codes to reimburse you for the prestige costs.

I apologize for that stupid modding mistake with those units.

[goose_2]

I think I got a workaround because I will not be able to start over, but do not want to start from day 7. I will play off line starting from round 7. I want the same number of kills and want to end with a similar amount of ending prestige after a DV which with Matilda would be 1566 (With bonus for Matilda) but I want the exp on my units and kills. I ended up with a +2 attack hero on Goose boy, but that will not be able to be replicated. Festival ended up with +1 defense hero. 1st broadcast so t will be kept. Bummer.

[Locarnus]

I think I got a workaround because I will not be able to start over, but do not want to start from day 7. I will play off line starting from round 7. I want the same number of kills and want to end with a similar amount of ending prestige after a DV which with Matilda would be 1566 (With bonus for Matilda) but I want the exp on my units and kills. I ended up with a +2 attack hero on Goose boy, but that will not be able to be replicated. Festival ended up with +1 defense hero. 1st broadcast so t will be kept. Bummer.

You might be able to get the Matilda, but then you have to make sure to never select it during Dunkirk.
So never use the "next unit" or "previous unit" buttons when you have it and never click on it.
Install the patch before transitioning to Reims.

I'm not sure this works, chances might be 50:50!
But if you try it, at least try to wait until the penultimate turn for capturing that objective, so that you only receive the Matilda in the last turn of the scenario.

And please use multiple savegames.
Ideally, you should never overwrite the savegame from the end of the previous scenario, so you can return in case of such serious issues.
I do what I can, but sometimes stuff slips through and the PzC engine is not very forgiving in that regard.