Norway - My Operational Concept

[MikeAP]

ALL,

Had a blast in Norway. The campaign was challenging in a few different aspects. My biggest challenge is keeping my forces aligned together, supporting each other throughout the fight.

Here's the concept of my ground offensive through Norway.



As you can see, I've split my forces into three Battalions. Each battalion had two infantry companies with tank and artillery support - I had made 3rd BN slightly over-strength by giving them an additional tank company in the case that they would make a dash up the right flank in order to encircle the enemy. That was a little foolish on my part - the amphibious landing was too cluttered (I didnt realize Sweeden was out of play!) and the mobility corridor on the right flank proved to be entirely too narrow to effectively deploy 2 tank Companies.

Everything went well. When 2nd BN was done clearing the south, I had them take a tactical pause to resupply, and had the Artillery Battery and Tank Company support 1st and 3rd Battalions.

Phase 1 was complete when all forces had captured their objectives and were resupplied and prepared for Phase 2. Phase 2 began with an paradrop...

[adherbal]

So, no specific plans to deal with the British naval presence?

[Xerkis]

So, no specific plans to deal with the British naval presence?

If you stay on land - you don't need to worry about the sea.

[massi]

very coolllllllllll! great mike!
how can you represent a division in panzercorps? or how many pieces you put on the field for a Panzer Division, from your point of view?

[MikeAP]

So, no specific plans to deal with the British naval presence?

I already played the campaign. I kept it at a minimum, but my heavies had no problem wiping the British navy clean. I was more concerned with the ground operations. At one point, I had considered a second amphibious invasion, but decided to scap it because there were too many Brits floating around.

very coolllllllllll! great mike!
how can you represent a division in panzercorps? or how many pieces you put on the field for a Panzer Division, from your point of view?

I represent each piece as a COMPANY. The way I saw it, was that each HEX can only be occupied by a single unit. Realistically a COMPANY can cover the amount of land that a HEX (seems) to represent.

[MikeAP]

Alright gentlemen, Phase 1 went well. My forces are aligned south of the ridge, and ready to move forward.

My concern is for 3rd Battalion moving up the right flank in the valley that runs to the North. I have an over-strength Battalion moving through that corridor. If the enemy has deployed AT guns or ambushes me with infantry at close range, my tanks companies will suffer and not be able to support each other due to terrain constraints.

I will prep the battlefield by landing in 1st Paratroop BN - 3 Paratrooper Companies in order to cut the north portion of the valley and allow my 3rd BN a safe passage.



2nd Battalion will push toward the sea, while 1st BN supports the attack with an Artillery Battery and remains in operational reserve - fully supplied and ready to deploy at a moments notice

[Kaiser]

So what was the outcome? Desisive victory? what level are you playing?

I'm very curious how you wiped the british navy clean with your heavies??

I think i'll go back and replay the one...i didn't do that great with the navy.

[MikeAP]

So what was the outcome? Desisive victory? what level are you playing?

I'm very curious how you wiped the british navy clean with your heavies??

I think i'll go back and replay the one...i didn't do that great with the navy.

I have no idea how to really employ the Navy. I was using the subs to scout, then bringing up my Destroyers and air support to conduct direct engagements. I'm playing on Lieutenant.

[texican]

The key to most of these Panzer Corps/Panzer General scenarios is to have some kind of dedicated task force already heading for every objective you can, even the far off ones if possible.

So, for Norway, up at the top of the map is an area for three amphib landings (tank, mountain infantry, artillery should work), Get them inland before they get too blasted up by the navy, then have them focus, in time, on that northern port city. Have paratroops fly up and focus on the topmost city just above that; fly them in during the rain if possible, because they will be beyond range of fighter support. Also, watch your ME 109's in this scenario; I run out of fuel all the time if I'm not paying attention.

The OP's original map is fine, but that leftmost city in midmap need only have three infantry with naval bombardment take it, and no need for linkage with or help from other forces. Also, the main southern thrust up the coast is fine too, but it peters out mid-map as there is no need to send it further up.

(I score decisive in this scenario the couple of times I tried it, so I think the above strategy is sound.)

Navy: send heavies up the coast and send light stuff back just a bit to combine with it, then keep the U.K. fleet tied up and eliminate it (you don't want the U.K. Navy blasting your land units is the main thing; keep them tied up). Use a level bomber here. Later, this level bomber will fly up and help to take those two northern cities. The level bomber may be one of the most crucial units in this strategy to tip the balance.

[MikeAP]

Later, this level bomber will fly up and help to take those two northern cities. The level bomber may be one of the most crucial units in this strategy to tip the balance.

I wish I had known that. I'm still struggling to effectively employ the level bomber. I'm getting terrible results.

[texican]

Later, this level bomber will fly up and help to take those two northern cities. The level bomber may be one of the most crucial units in this strategy to tip the balance.

I wish I had known that. I'm still struggling to effectively employ the level bomber. I'm getting terrible results.

The level bomber will knock around 3 hits per attack off a battleship; really pounds them down. Also, suppressing entrenched infantry in cities pretty well.

Overall, remember, it is a mistake to take Norway as a South-to-North blitz; you got mud, mountains, and a couple of narrow roads. Instead, take it from all angles.

[dickesKind]

I represent each piece as a COMPANY. The way I saw it, was that each HEX can only be occupied by a single unit. Realistically a COMPANY can cover the amount of land that a HEX (seems) to represent.

If a single Hex represents a town or even a whole city a single company would have trouble to attack and occupy it.
Since 1994 I ask myself what scale PG and now PC represents. I thought a Hex has a diameter of about 10km (I think I read something liek this somewhere). In this case an infantry unit should represent at least a regiment.

[texican]

I represent each piece as a COMPANY. The way I saw it, was that each HEX can only be occupied by a single unit. Realistically a COMPANY can cover the amount of land that a HEX (seems) to represent.

If a single Hex represents a town or even a whole city a single company would have trouble to attack and occupy it.
Since 1994 I ask myself what scale PG and now PC represents. I thought a Hex has a diameter of about 10km (I think I read something liek this somewhere). In this case an infantry unit should represent at least a regiment.

I think they mentioned, and I always thought of it, as a varied scale. Non-determinant. Invading Malta or Crete, your units might be brigades, but in Barbarossa, they might be more like divisions, heck even corps some of the time.

[lordzimoa]

I think they mentioned, and I always thought of it, as a varied scale. Non-determinant. Invading Malta or Crete, your units might be brigades, but in Barbarossa, they might be more like divisions, heck even corps some of the time.

Spot on.

[dickesKind]

Thanks for this guys!
So Mike should not talk about companies in the case of Norway

[MikeAP]

Battalions might seem more fitting, then