Crete: Operation Mercury Add-on

[citizen6]

Hey all

Can anyone beat the first level of this add-on campaign? I find most of my FJ units are assaulted or gunned down within one turn of landing. I realise that this is somewhat historically what happened but I just cannot see how to beat it. Generally I can destroy the Bofors but have after the carnage of getting to the canisters or just even getting into cover I have only one or two units left to get to the North Road which isn't going to happen with all the brens, infantry and the light tank the Allies have. Most other campaigns I can beat comfortably on the difficult setting but I can't even get this scenario done on easy.

Suggestions please?

[LandMarine47]

Hey all

Can anyone beat the first level of this add-on campaign? I find most of my FJ units are assaulted or gunned down within one turn of landing. I realise that this is somewhat historically what happened but I just cannot see how to beat it. Generally I can destroy the Bofors but have after the carnage of getting to the canisters or just even getting into cover I have only one or two units left to get to the North Road which isn't going to happen with all the brens, infantry and the light tank the Allies have. Most other campaigns I can beat comfortably on the difficult setting but I can't even get this scenario done on easy.

Suggestions please?

Yes this mission is rather hard and where the troops and supplies land is what will decide your fate. All you can do here is cross your fingers.... You ain't seen nothin' yet! Try Maleme Airfield and Galatas. The easiest mission is the last one.

[cyberay]

Same here I looking for some suggestions.

[bjarmson]

The first mission is all about luck. If you drop near weapons pods you stand a chance to win, if you don't it's mostly a slaughter. Restart and try again. I've only managed to win about 1out of 10 games.

[yosefbenami]

The first mission is all about luck. If you drop near weapons pods you stand a chance to win, if you don't it's mostly a slaughter. Restart and try again. I've only managed to win about 1out of 10 games.

I totally agree. I finally beat the first mission and realize it was matter of luck of the placement of units, the number of units and the content and placement of pod drops. The second mission was almost as difficult.

[dcoffin]

I agree with Wyona and bjarmson,

I got destroyed the first six times and just lucked out the seventh time. I may be missing something but based on the game it is a surprise that the Germans were able to take Crete.

[gortwillsaveus]

From a historical perspective,....

Because the German Paratroopers got so badly mauled,...the German Command decided to refrain from using paratroopers again.
Except in small scale rescue operations like the one to free Mussolini.

[leci]

Again from a military perspective ie not a human perspective, Felix ie Axis invasion of Gibraltar and Herkules ie the Axis invasion of Malta would have been initiated had not Crete been such a disaster sponsored by Student.

Of course the above two 'non' Operations were influenced by other factors, but the Axis use of paratroops (way ahead of the Allies) would have dictated WW2 events if Crete had not happened. Also, bizzare really that Hitler should have been been potentially relunctant to waste paratroops when he condoned large scale troop wastage/attrition in North Africa, Russia etc., and tolerated Ribbontrop and Italian incompentance. Clearly Hitler was a Corporal and not a General - good job (war games apart) really!

Gilles