Free France Campaign

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ColonelY
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Re: Free France Campaign

Post by ColonelY »

bru888 wrote: Sat Jul 24, 2021 4:33 pm [...] How to make Black Forest challenging and satisfying?
There are several parameters. The size of the battlefield and the number of units, of course, but also all that may impact the immersion, such as the way of presenting the elements...

It is notably possible to go and say hello to Pétain in his castle (or in a castle), feasting, as well as to force the doors of a school for future SS officers; that counts.

On the air side, it must be rather quiet (almost only French air forces) , even if from time to time some German jet(s) might appear.

Then we can "play" with the objectives too... :wink: the initial attack along three axes, one of the main goals being to cut the German forces in two.

Then the fact of going along the Swiss border... and the fact of reducing the German pocket in the West - :idea: there may be a mechanism with troops arriving as reinforcements FROM inside this pocket (survivors of other units regrouping and forming new battle units as best they can) - this is historical... so, once the pocket is closed, roughly speaking, it's in your interest to take it without too much delay, otherwise reinforcements keep coming out of these woods, again and again. :twisted:

Very powerful German artillery :shock: including motorized and armored (especially in the western part, with SS), I think, if I remember correctly.

Maybe, nevertheless, :idea: to put a deadline to catch Pétain... it is that it would not be necessary, all the same, that this one is evacuated to Berlin, damn! :lol:


So here are the first few points that come to my mind about that... :D
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Re: Free France Campaign

Post by bru888 »

Good stuff. Keep your thinking cap on just a little longer!

The other thing that I thought of is: Two entire German corps must be annihilated entirely! :evil:

By that, I don't mean massacre, of course. As I usually do, I will work the word "surrender" into the text so that, for the most part, "annihilating" means that and not mass killing.

But it is late in the war, and the Allies were/would be incentivized to reduce the German military to nothing, not allowing any viable units to be left standing. One of the concerns, I recall from reading, was the possibility that surviving Werhmacht units would "go guerrilla" in the mountains, prolonging the war by months or years.

Going back to Battle of Authion for a moment, if you can think of another secondary objective that works in conjunction (that is, does not negate or duplicate) with the others, feel free to suggest it. No pressure, though; this does not mean that I expect you to come up with one. Battle of Authion is a relatively simple operation.

I am thinking of another event concerning the BIMP and Nord-African units, bemused and bewildered in this snowy environment!
- Bru
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Re: Free France Campaign

Post by bru888 »

bru888 wrote: Sat Jul 24, 2021 5:28 pm I am thinking of another event concerning the BIMP and Nord-African units, bemused and bewildered in this snowy environment!
Free France 1940-1945 v0.73 has been uploaded. It includes the following event popup messages in the Battle of Authion scenario.

Free France 1940-1945 (23 of 24 scenarios)

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- Bru
ColonelY
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Re: Free France Campaign

Post by ColonelY »

23Authion: 8)
(v0.73, lvl III)

We are almost there. :wink:

Major Victory obtained during the 40th turn (the victory messages appear well, by the way), time to finish pursuing a German infantry unit in the north in the mountains, and to take care of the very last Italian bunker in the south... so, as it is, 36 turns may still be a little bit too tight. :?

(Even with more turns, this scenario is still shorter to play than many other scenarios, as it contains far fewer units. :wink: )

A unit of Chasseurs Alpins (Scouts) :P could definitely be very useful to maneuver in these mountains, but let's leave that. :(

:arrow: What could be helpful, rather than actually just directly weakening the defenders, would be :idea: to provide a module allowing some of them, under certain conditions, to surrender (and thus "exit" the battlefield immediately). After all, you've presented the first primary objective like this: "All enemy infantry units to surrender or be killed.", but right now not any single (infantry) unit can surrender at all...

:arrow: You've asked for a potential other sec obj... Well, what about this: :idea: Establish a supply connection between the two "Italian" sites!? :arrow: So, use our fast tanks there (where the ATs are, so caution required), and at the same time discreetly help the player to discover the engineers in that area (because we have to defeat them anyway)... Official reason (obj descr), or why? To secure the supply lines in preparation for the next step in this area, which is the invasion of Italy from southwest France...

-> Now, towards the end of the scenario, we can't deploy back our planes... :?
-> Perhaps adding a +75 supply output on the SE road as well (just for overall cohesion)... :wink:

By the way, you've put some really great pictures in this scenario! :D
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Re: Free France Campaign

Post by bru888 »

Free France 1940-1945 v0.74 has been uploaded. It includes the following event popup messages in the Battle of Authion scenario.

Free France 1940-1945 (23 of 24 scenarios)

• Changed the description of the "Suppress Authion Massif defences" objective to "All enemy infantry units to be destroyed." I think I was being too sensitive and actually calling attention to the distinction between killing and surrendering. The unit itself is being destroyed, whether its members survive or not. This, I think, is implicit to the player.
• Added 75 supply to two roads leading out of the area. (A third road in the east actually loops before leaving the map, so no supply there — the configuration of roads on this map is accurate, I believe; care had to be taken to not confuse hiking/ski trails with roads.)
• Increased the number of turns from 36 to 42.
• Provided for air deployment hexes up to Turn 42. (I had neglected to adjust for this last time, hence "towards the end of the scenario, we can't deploy back our planes...")
• Added two units of Chasseurs Alpins with full experience to compensate for these units dating to 1940.
• Added four Axis reconnaissance units guarding perimeter roads, in part to compensate for the added French units.
• Adjusted faction incomes to coincide with these additions.
• Created an "Establish the perimeter" secondary objective:

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- Bru
ColonelY
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Re: Free France Campaign

Post by ColonelY »

You've added a third air redeploy hex, that's perfect. :D

We're almost there, but now the new sec obj is considered as achieved much too early... :shock: that comes certainly from the fact that they start all connected... even if German hands. :? Therefore, perhaps completing this with some "check hex ownership" triggers should do the trick! :wink:
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Re: Free France Campaign

Post by bru888 »

ColonelY wrote: Mon Jul 26, 2021 9:35 am You've added a third air redeploy hex, that's perfect. :D

We're almost there, but now the new sec obj is considered as achieved much too early... :shock: that comes certainly from the fact that they start all connected... even if German hands. :? Therefore, perhaps completing this with some "check hex ownership" triggers should do the trick! :wink:
Ach, it is so easy to overlook the obvious in designing for this game. I guess I had in mind only the player's perspective but as usual, the programming is quite literal; without specifying WHO, a supply connection applies to either side. Fixed, thanks.

Free France 1940-1945 v0.75 has been uploaded. It includes this change in the Battle of Authion scenario.

Free France 1940-1945 (23 of 24 scenarios)
- Bru
bru888
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Re: Free France Campaign

Post by bru888 »

Black Forest, the last map of the campaign. And it's a beauty, if I do say so myself. :)

It's big, so I will show the editor image, then portions of the in-game map:

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Tomorrow, Colonel, I will go over what you said about Black Forest so far, and then I believe I will ask your advice on certain matters. Please stay tuned.

Here is a stripped-down copy of the scenario; map only. Please keep it handy so that we can coordinate as to things like hex ownership and unit placement.

24BlackForest.zip
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- Bru
ColonelY
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Re: Free France Campaign

Post by ColonelY »

Excellent map! :D


Downloaded. 8)

With my previous posts, you at least already have the complete order of battle on the French side. :D

Okay, I'll stay close by; I'll wait to hear/read from you. :wink:
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Re: Free France Campaign

Post by bru888 »

Kindly consider this. Here are the campaign messages leading into Black Forest:

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Taking those into account, I did not want to repeat too much. Yet, there has to be some description in case this scenario is being played standalone. So, this is the scenario description:

Baden-Württemberg, Germany, 18 April 1945

France has territorial and geopolitical designs for Baden-Württemberg. At the very least, a foothold in this area would support a French zone of occupation in Germany, thus giving France the national prestige and power that it seeks in the post-war world. Perhaps even a French client state abutting Alsace is feasible.

While the British were confined to the North Sea coast, the Americans were to seize the Ruhr, then push towards the Elbe and the Danube in order to destroy the German army and finally make contact with the Soviets as near to Berlin, Prague and Vienna as possible. The French were to stand aside. General de Gaulle would not do so.

Having ordered General de Lattre to capture Stuttgart, de Gaulle now directs him to advance further east. But first, there is the need to complete the conquest of the Black Forest. De Lattre cannot afford to leave formidable forces behind him in the south.

Moreover, the Swiss, fearing desperate remnants of German forces penetrating their territory to seek passage or refuge, have urgently requested that French troops secure the Germany-Switzerland border along the Rhine from Basel to Lake Constance (Konstanz). Guerrilla operations in the mountains would prolong the war for months, maybe years.

To prevent this, the French must surround and destroy two entire enemy corps: the German LXIV Corps and XVIII SS Corps.


I believe that does the job?

Regarding the map, I have made the following changes:
• Shortened the name Freiburg im Breisgau to Freiburg.
• Split the town of Villingen-Schwenningen into Villingen and Schwenningen for legibility (which is accurate; it is one town but comprised of two villages).
• Created the town of Engen northwest of Singen.
• Created the towns of Eggingen, Stühlingen, and Bietingen, all on the Swiss border.
• Continued the road through Gailingen and across the Rhine.
• Made the following towns secondary VPs for the objective of "Seal the German-Swiss border":
- Weil am Rhein
- Bad Säckingen
- Waldshut-Tiengen
- Eggingen
- Jestetten
- Stühlingen
- Blumberg
- Bietingen
- Gailingen
- Konstanz
• Made the following towns primary VPs for the objective of "Capture 15 important towns":
- Offenburg
- Freiburg
- Freudenstadt
- Horb am Neckar
- Rottenburg
- Tübingen
- Oberndorf
- Schramberg
- Rottweil
- Balingen
- Sigmaringen
- Villingen
- Schwenningen
- Tuttlingen
- Singen

Here is a new copy of the map:
24BlackForest.zip
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The primary objectives are:

Destroy both German corps

The German LXIV Corps and XVIII SS Corps must be surrounded and utterly destroyed.

Capture 15 important towns

At a minimum, these 15 towns must be taken in order to secure the region.

Seal the German-Swiss border

All 10 border crossing points must be in French hands to prevent remnants of German forces from crossing into Switzerland.

I think those suffice as primary objectives, unless you can think of something else. For a secondary objective, we have the Pétain/Sigmaringen gambit — exactly what that is remains to be seen. Anything else come to mind for secondary objectives?

By the way, I thought of putting some sort of timer on the border sealing objective. Such as, after a certain amount of turns, German units will start disappearing south. I rejected this for two reasons: 1) It's complicated getting the timing down pat for exiting units, and 2) Every German unit that exits makes the destroy the two corps objective easier. What we could do is to stipulate that the player seal the border by Turn X which would replicate the urgency of surrounding the enemy and cutting him off.


As far as unit placement, the French will own Strasbourg and everything west of the Rhine, of course. Also Kehl on the east bank. I am thinking of starting the French divisions in this box:

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I have already allotted 60 turns because the French are beginning the scenario on a small portion of a large map. Now, as I usually do, there will be garrisons in all 25 VPs; these are in addition to the six German divisions in the two corps (see below — the two brigades are the equivalent of one division, I suppose). Where to place these German divisions? I assume one or two or three will be in the Black Forest itself?

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We could concentrate the XVIII SS Corps in the Black Forest and deploy the LXIV Corps in the fields to the east, as this map suggests:

Approximate Black Forest scenario map.jpg
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Also, as to the German units, weaken them like we did in Battle of Authion? 8 strength to start?
- Bru
ColonelY
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Re: Free France Campaign

Post by ColonelY »

bru888 wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 6:21 pm [...] So, this is the scenario description: [...] I believe that does the job? Yes, that's perfect. :D

[...] I think those suffice as primary objectives, unless you can think of something else. Um, like that, nothing more for the moment... It's already an excellent set of objectives anyway.

[...] For a secondary objective, we have the Pétain/Sigmaringen gambit — exactly what that is remains to be seen. Yes, but there one may use some timer... much easier to implement: reach this location before turn XYZ, otherwise Pétain may be evacuated to Berlin or something...

Anything else come to mind for secondary objectives? Perhaps taking the SS school for future officiers? (That's "less" important than capturing Pétain, but still...)

[...] As far as unit placement, the French will own Strasbourg and everything west of the Rhine, of course. Also Kehl on the east bank. I am thinking of starting the French divisions in this box: Definitely, yes, we must. The French order of battle I gave you automatically "directs" the player to follow the main historical attack axis (3)... anyway, we must have French divisions both West and East of the forest from start. So, yes, definitely, use at least this box. But this box should at least be bigger... as it may contain the town of Freudenstadt (according to the battle map we've at disposal as source). :wink:

[...] I assume one or two or three will be in the Black Forest itself? Yes. The German device must allow to isolate the group from the west, to "cut" the German lines in two. Not too easily, that is, but this must be taken into account.


[...] We could concentrate the XVIII SS Corps in the Black Forest and deploy the LXIV Corps in the fields to the east, as this map suggests: Yes! :D

[...] Also, as to the German units, weaken them like we did in Battle of Authion? 8 strength to start? No. :wink: We'll have many, many divisions at our disposal, so no need... The German units that could be reduced, perhaps, could be those spawning (not from scenario start) in the Black Forest itself, as remnants of various German units are gathered to make more combat units... :arrow: Those could be spawn, in due time, at 8 strenght or something. But not the main divisions present from start.
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Re: Free France Campaign

Post by ColonelY »

8) The scenario begins on April 18. According to this source (http://www.fondationmarechaldelattre.fr ... eau_18.pdf - in the middle of the page :wink: ), Freudenstadt was taken on April 17... (Kehl on the 16th) so, yes, our troops can also start in the vicinity of this city, which must also fly the French flag. :wink:
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Re: Free France Campaign

Post by bru888 »

Okay on everything, including Freudenstadt. To balance the French advancement, they will start in Offenburg as well. I have not looked closely yet, but I believe I will need this number of hexes, and perhaps more, to place French units (if not enough, perhaps I will stagger deployment or expand French territory to the west and east, but no further south). To compensate for losing Freudenstadt and Offenburg as primary VPs, I substituted Lahr and Bad Krozingen along the Rhine River.

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ColonelY
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Re: Free France Campaign

Post by ColonelY »

Ah, French flags are popping up now! :D

Okay for not going further South, but further west and east may be required. But first things first.
Fortunately, at least one French division (the 14th) will arrive as a reinforcement and will not have to be deployed from the very beginning... that will make us a little space. :wink:
ColonelY
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Re: Free France Campaign

Post by ColonelY »

In fact, thinking about it, we could add :idea: another pri obj with timer, to put a little pressure while tending to make respect these three historical axes of attack:
On the XYZ2 turn, one must have taken, let's say, perhaps Reutlingen (all in the North-East), but also Freiburg (W of the Black Forest) and Tuttlingen (E of the Black Forest). Motives (and part of obj descr): to cover the flank of the French troops who are going to attack the city of Stuttgart on the one hand, to encircle the Germans who are in the forest (thus cutting their troops in two) on the other hand.

And the Lebel group can/should be deployed from the beginning a bit in the vanguard... so not much further South, indeed, but still perhaps a little further South, for this group. :wink:
Erik2
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Re: Free France Campaign

Post by Erik2 »

01Dakar

A few very, very minor comments.

Barham = Queen Elisabeth Class (which has been added to the unit types).
I think British companies were generally labeled A,B etc and not 1,2.
I wonder if the unit faction conversions would be more realistic if they only worked if the Free French were leading the columns. The French were not particularly fond of the British after the debacle at Mers-el-Kebir in July '40, only a couple months earlier.

Major vic at turn 44/50
344 FF resources in the bank.
bru888
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Re: Free France Campaign

Post by bru888 »

Thanks, Erik. At this point, the only improvements I am looking for are:

1) Corrections of obvious bugs, and
2) A mechanism that will correct the build-up of Free French resources as one proceeds in the campaign.

As to that second item, I know how to do it: At scenario start, a negative adjustment of resource points. I know it cannot go negative; zero is the lowest, but is zero appropriate? On the one hand, I would say yes because each of these scenarios could be played individually. On the other hand, there should be some reward for playing better.

So what should that adjustment amount be for each scenario? -100, -250, -500, -1000? A tough question.
- Bru
ColonelY
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Re: Free France Campaign

Post by ColonelY »

bru888 wrote: Thu Jul 29, 2021 1:28 pm [...] On the other hand, there should be some reward for playing better. Indeed.

So what should that adjustment amount be for each scenario? -100, -250, -500, -1000? A tough question. Yes...
:arrow: This is what needs to be defined. But I think that's probably going to change over the course of the campaign... I mean, from one scenario to another. :wink: Maybe from the second to the (let's say for the example!) tenth scenario it will be that much less, then for the next ten scenarios another amount, etc. But this is yet to be defined. :?
ColonelY
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Re: Free France Campaign

Post by ColonelY »

8) A priori rather off topic for the scenario, but actually the Black Forest is the home of the classical cuckoo clock and the setting of many Grimm fairy tales... :wink:
ColonelY
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Re: Free France Campaign

Post by ColonelY »

:arrow: Will the player succeed in saying cuckoo to Pétain? :lol:
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