Free France Campaign

[bru888]

This will be fun in Strasbourg, I think.

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[ColonelY]

Wow, it looks wonderful!

[bru888]

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[ColonelY]

Excellent! And first time seeing this warbeast on a battlefield within this campaign... Now we do want to go catch this German general!
*******
Replayed 13OperationDiadem, in its last version + the "wet" climate activated (to simulate the famous sticky mud which was present at the time) :

I made this tiny change in the editor, saved this change and replayed the scenario, in standalone (lvl III as usua).

Result: I finished it without seeing any difference in terms of necessary turns... It's better for the immersion and visually, and it's a change from the previous scenarios. But we won't have the problem of being completely stuck in the mud (timing wise)!

Otherwise, seeing how the action develops, a slight increase in RP income for both the Polish and the Indian would be welcome, but the British income could safely be slightly reduced.

[ColonelY]

Hey, I've found this excellent map (just on time, I hope ) showing the localisation of the various pockets of German defenders, and the motion of their main divisions, for the scenario Strasbourg: https://www.voiedela2edb.fr/wp-content/ ... urg-gm.jpg

(In red, the paths followed by the various French "groups". Blue, pockets and arrows, the Germans. The other smaller arrows for the US infantrymen. And the US 41st Inf Div was in the North... the 79th more in the South. The 41st about to try handling the two German divisions from the NW. Etc.)

The most interesting are (among others):
1. The 3 German pockets between Saverne and Strasbourg (so, it was not a completely empty zone, contrary to what I thought according to my information)
2. The two arrows in the north showing the German reinforcements arriving in the battle... (we already knew about the two divisions to the northwest, but there is a smaller force coming from the north as well, east of the Vosges)...

[bru888]

(just on time, I hope )

I'm just finishing up the objective triggers, so there is time. Here are the three main maps that I am using for approximate unit positioning:

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Notice that only the last one, from that PDF file, includes 716 VGD. The thing is, I want to use that division because it augments the number of enemy units covering a good-size map. I think I will.

As for the rest of it, I will have the German divisions placed generally where these maps indicate — they are in general agreement.

11th PzD and 361 VGD will be approaching from the northwest. 553 VGD will be covering the Saverne gap. 708 VGD will be the first line of German defense west of the Vosges. 716 VGD will be guarding the other mountain passes. There will indeed be pockets of resistance between Saverne and Strasbourg: a nest of Waffen SS vipers in and near Natzweiler; German garrisons where the Americans need to secure the flanks (which will include the "smaller force coming from the north as well, east of the Vosges"); and garrisons in some of the towns in between. (By the way, Panzer Lehr, shown in the middle map, would arrive too late anyway so it is disregarded.)

It will be fine.

[ColonelY]

[...] includes 716 VGD. [...] I think I will. Yes, keep this Division.

[...] It will be fine. Yes, it looks already very, very good.

[ColonelY]

[...] Thanks for your opinion on the 11th PzD. Remnants will appear as you suggest and be explained by a popup message. [...]

When this event will pop-up, then it could be nice and immersive to indicate that this Division (the 11th PzD) was nicknamed the Gespensterdivision ("Ghost Division")!

Source: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/11e_Panzerdivision (the English equivalent don't contain this cool info https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/11th_Panz ... Wehrmacht) )...
The logo of the 11th PzD: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... uselang=fr

[bru888]

[...] Thanks for your opinion on the 11th PzD. Remnants will appear as you suggest and be explained by a popup message. [...]

When this event will pop-up, then it could be nice and immersive to indicate that this Division (the 11th PzD) was nicknamed the Gespensterdivision ("Ghost Division")!

Source: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/11e_Panzerdivision (the English equivalent don't contain this cool info https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/11th_Panz ... Wehrmacht) )...
The logo of the 11th PzD: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... uselang=fr

Thanks. Good stuff. Will use it. You know, from its vague beginnings as a lead-in to Operation Nordwind, Strasbourg has come a long way. It's shaping up very nicely to stand on its own and shine. Now, how will Operation Nordwind be able to follow this act?

[ColonelY]

First things first, we'll see this later... and we'll certainly find some very good things as well about Operation Nordwind. I've done a few researches about it and found some nice elements already. But for now, let's stay focused on Strasbourg.

[bru888]

Back-to-back messages in Turn 3:

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And if you are wondering about the name of the plane:

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take a good look at the name on the nose of this C47:

c47_in_flight.png (192.61 KiB) Viewed 1701 times

[ColonelY]

And that's another excellent immersive step. Great!

[ColonelY]

There is an event that should be added near the end of the 19Strasbourg scenario:

As a basis to build up the text of the event, here are elements translated from the "Mémoires de Guerre" written by De Gaulle (3rd Tome, pp 159-160):

"November 1944 saw the start of a general offensive by the Allies in the West. From the North to the South, their armies enter successively in action. For example, on the 14th, it was the turn of the 1st French Army. It had to force the Belfort gap and enter Haute-Alsace.

General de Lattre put the 1st Corps in charge of the main operation, while in the north the 2nd Corps (which should not be confused with Leclerc's 2nd Armoured Division) had to take the Vosges passes in this sector.

The objective was reached after 15 days of fighting in the mud and snow, despite the fierce resistance of 8 German divisions belonging to the 19th army. The enemy held on well and carried out numerous counter-attacks... Some of the French forces advanced along the Swiss border.

In the end, it was the progress of the 2nd Corps in the Vosges that allowed the 1st Corps to obtain the decision on the plain. Finally Belfort and Mulhouse were taken. In fifteen days, the 1st army killed 10'000 Germans, captured 18'000 prisoners and took 120 guns. At the end of November, de Lattre was in a position to bring the whole effort of his army to Colmar."
*******
You remember, in the long, long list of possible scenarios, of battle locations, well, it was a long list, precisely partly because many cities could be on the same scenario (as Saverne and Strasbourg are on the same one, for example, as well as Baccarat whose action is left out - good choice, by the way).

Belfort and Mulhouse could have been on the same new potential scenario, on a larger scale. But there would have been some modest concerns, starting with:

1. The number of units involved: 8 German divisions plus all those of the 1st French army, we would not have been far from (or even a little above perhaps) the number of divisions involved in Operation Diadem... and it was still a lot to handle and we had said that this would be the last time we would have so many units on a battle map in this campaign.

2. Because of the dates, we would have to add a branching in the campaign:
- The Strasbourg scenario under construction, with Leclerc's division, goes, in terms of dates, from November 13 to maybe... 25 or 26 (the time to finish the "cleaning").
- On the 14th, it is the de Lattre de Tassigny Army that goes into action. Mulhouse was liberated on November 21, but there was still some fighting and the "cleaning" had to be finished...
So, clearly overlapping dates, which would induce a branching... Well, it may be nice in itself, but, I think we will agree on this point: after having put so much time and effort on the Strasbourg scenario, it would be a shame to offer the player the possibility to "skip" it!

3. There are already quite a few scenarios in the campaign, so one should be very selective about choosing a new scenario...
(And for that, I now have a much better candidate than the cleaning of the Belfort-Mulhouse area. Part of a battle, on a smaller scale, just between the two scenarios showing the city of Strasbourg, a new scenario with somewhat unusual initial positions, hence an additional attraction for us - it's varied!, where the French have again played a crucial role. But again, first things first... but it will come back very soon, believe me! )

So, it could certainly make a new scenario, but I would say: NO, not in this campaign!
*******
However, I think we really should mention it as an event!

- Why? It was important, it concerns the French, it allows us to make a little wink, a little reminder about Provence... and, also, it will help to make the transition when we will see Strasbourg under the snow, protected by 2 divisions of this 1st French army, precisely! (Which ones and why, we'll come back to that later, ok?)

- When? As a historical event, on November 21 or 22, 1944, during the 19Strasbourg scenario (so towards the end of it)... or even better, just before seeing the results at the end of the scenario. Why is that? In case the player finishes it earlier , so before he can see this information.

- Picture? I think this one looks awesome and will do it nicely: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... uselang=fr

[ColonelY]

Strasbourg is in lower Alsace, while Colmar is in upper Alsace.

Anyway, I continue reading, here are some selected passages (selected and translated):

"The routes that Leclerc chooses there, to get his tanks, his guns, his trucks along, are the least good, the most risky, but those that give him the most chances to pass without a blow. The advance of our troops was so rapid, their axes of march so unexpected, through Cirey, Voyer, Rehtal, Dabo, that the enemy fractions encountered were almost everywhere surprised, captured or routed, to the point that our columns often overtook those of the fugitives. [...]

Now, in front of Leclerc and his men, there is Strasbourg. To reach it, they had to cross 35 kilometers of plain, and then break the resistance of a garrison that outnumbered them and was supported by powerful defenses. But our troops felt the wind of victory rising. Leclerc asked for an order to march on Strasbourg. General Patch knew why the 2nd French Armored Division had been assigned to his army. He understood that the hot iron had to be beaten immediately. He gave Leclerc the objective he deserved. [So Leclerc knew how to create the opportunity, but still asked for approval before moving in, thus respecting the chain of command within the Allied Armies.]

On November 23, one of the most brilliant episodes in our military history came to an end. In 5 columns - as many as there are roads - the 2nd Armoured Division charged on Strasbourg. The Germans, surprised on all sides [, etc. The surprise! Important. Then, as we know, the fighting continued at least until the 25th, when the German governor, General von Vaterrodt was forced to surrender].

[...]

However, the success of the French and Americans in the Upper Rhine (or Upper Alsace) [de Lattre de Tassigny!] and around Strasbourg [Leclerc!] did not in any way determine the enemy to abandon Alsace. On the contrary, he persisted in holding on to the south, west and north of Colmar, waiting to take the offensive to recapture what he had lost. Hitler intervened, ordered Himmler to take over the military, political and police leadership in Alsace, and had the 7 divisions of his 19th army reinforced by a mountain division from Norway, a panzer division armed with brand new "Panther" tanks that outperformed the "Shermans" of our own units, and multiple contingents sent in haste from the interior. The Colmar pocket presents good conditions of defense.

[...]

At the beginning of December, the 1st army started the action towards Colmar. Fifteen days of stubborn fighting earned it some successes, in the south towards Thann, which it liberated, and in the north in the region of Sélestat and Ribeauvillé. At the same time, on the Vosges ridge, the Hohneck and the Bonhomme pass were bitterly fought over. But, in this linear effort deployed simultaneously on all the points of a vast front, de Lattre did not have the means to win the decision.

Suddenly, the Germans launched a powerful offensive in the Ardennes. As a result, ammunition and air support, which had already been granted to our troops very sparingly, were almost entirely directed towards the sector penetrated by the enemy. The 1st French Army was therefore forced to suspend the attack. Seeing that the outcome they had foreseen was slipping away, leaders and soldiers were disconcerted. After so much enthusiasm, uncertainty and doubt made them feel weary.

It was on my return from Russia, in the middle of December, that I saw the moral ordeal of our army in Alsace. I was concerned but not surprised. Knowing what warlike energy the Germans are capable of, I never doubted that they would be able, for months to come, to keep the Westerners in check. I must even add that, from a national point of view, I do not deplore these delays, which increase the importance and weight of France in the coalition. Still, it is necessary that, in our forces, the souls keep their spring."

[ColonelY]

Oh, by the way, it's simply excellent too that you've used one of the Leclerc's expression in the text of this recon plane event!

[bru888]

I have Belfort, Mulhouse, and Colmar covered in an introductory message. The way I am phrasing it, there is no need to try to time it with the days elapsing in the Strasbourg scenario. I did use your information to improve the message, however. The photo, unfortunately, is too out of step with the current weather which is primarily rain and mud, not snow.

[bru888]

Oh, by the way, it's simply excellent too that you've used one of the Leclerc's expression in the text of this recon plane event!

That should be an indication that I do read everything that you provide.

[ColonelY]

Hey, I sure hope so.
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Nice, an improved message, that's already something.

[...] The photo, unfortunately, is too out of step with the current weather which is primarily rain and mud, not snow.

Well, that's true... but this image can certainly find its place later.

[ColonelY]

Don't do much research on Operation Nordwind yet!

I have quite a bit of information on it, with maps, orders of battle, suggestions for adapting it to the Strasbourg scenario map we have, etc. It would be a shame to do the same work twice.

I'm finishing up some research and annotations, then I'll put it all here... Including the whys and wherefores of a new (modestly sized) scenario!

[bru888]

Don't do much research on Operation Nordwind yet!

I have quite a bit of information on it, with maps, orders of battle, suggestions for adapting it to the Strasbourg scenario map we have, etc. It would be a shame to do the same work twice.

I'm finishing up some research and annotations, then I'll put it all here... Including the whys and wherefores of a new (modestly sized) scenario!

Good. For continuity, no structural changes to the map, though, other than climate, and the forts and VPs changing hands. And if that "modestly sized scenario" is about Belfort, Mulhouse, or Colmar, kindly forget it. I have no desire to deal with that, as I stated some time ago.