Free France Campaign

[terminator]

Check Scenario Variable Check Campaign Variable

[bru888]

terminator, once in a while, YOU EARN YOUR PAY AROUND HERE!

I could kiss you. My God, how in the heck could I have missed it? THAT'S IT!!!!!!!

Screenshot 1.jpg (541.53 KiB) Viewed 1765 times

[ColonelY]

Darn, I missed it too... MAGNIFICENT, a HUGE THANK YOU!

[ColonelY]

Wow, so this time we can continue as initially planned. Phew!

[bru888]

Yes, thanks, terminator. I forgive you for "British Babe."

Colonel, forget about all that crisis of confidence stuff I proposed earlier. En avant! Onward and upward! And we'll consider a fix for the accumulating RP's at a later date.

[ColonelY]

Perfect, let's go!

[bru888]

Free France 1940-1945 v0.53 has been uploaded.

Free France 1940-1945 (eighteen scenarios)

This version includes these changes to the Liberation of Paris scenario and the campaign:
• Corrected land experience trigger errors in Liberation of Paris (see below).
• Two new campaign messages between Strasbourg and Operation Nordwind.

Same test as before, forcing the two campaign land experience variables in Mareth Line and Operation Diadem:

Screenshot 1.jpg (484.71 KiB) Viewed 1747 times

Screenshot 2.jpg (508.89 KiB) Viewed 1747 times

The appropriate campaign variable pins in place before Liberation of Paris:

Screenshot 3.jpg (376.11 KiB) Viewed 1747 times

And here it is, 5-star experience! A sight for sore eyes.

Screenshot 4.jpg (568.71 KiB) Viewed 1747 times

[bru888]

Good information and leads in your earlier post, Colonel. For example, I now know about the ring of fortifications around Strasbourg, some of which were occupied at the time. I am locating them with the help of this listing. I won't use all of them, of course; maybe five.

You helped to answer one question: Strasbourg will not be a pushover. I'm starting it on 13 November, near Baccarat. The Allies will need to clear the gap between Sarrebourg and Saverne, among other points, before Leclerc can begin his drive into Strasbourg. And now there will be forts. Whatever turns it requires (most likely more than 15) will make itself evident as the scenario unfolds.

By the way, I sense that this region blends French and German influences to some extent. Therefore, place names will be in English to avoid confusion. So, it will be "Rhine-Marne Canal" rather than "Canal du Rhin-Marne."

[bru888]

I now know about the ring of fortifications around Strasbourg, some of which were occupied at the time. I am locating them with the help of this listing. I won't use all of them, of course; maybe five.

Et voilà. Make it seven! All named and positioned (somewhat) accurately. Rough draft, using a Google map as a template:

Screenshot 1.jpg (457.99 KiB) Viewed 1732 times

[bru888]

Ahh, the city is beautiful when lit up at night, isn't it?

strasbourg.jpg (580.14 KiB) Viewed 1725 times

Before the battle, that is.

[ColonelY]

Very nice!


Ok for English names this time.

Now, here's a tiny little bunch of ideas about what could be used:

1. To somehow depict the "surprise" effect, the differents forts could be on "idle" until either the first damage is done to them or until the first Free French unit is at 3 hexes away (or less) from the golden star flag... then, a pop-up saying that defenders are rushing now to their positions and forts are about to become active...

2. One of the 4 western forts, randomly chosen at scenario start, could be captured instead of simply destroyed (same concept than the bunkers in Paris)... let's make them taste a little their own medicine as well, adding as well more variation to the scenario (another "unique" unit to handle wisely)...

3. The Cathedral... THE Cathedral! Not even a single shot at it, please. One could use there the same concept than in the Keren scenario, with the obj "Lay siege to both monasteries" in Eritrea (no German one hex away, surrounding ground captured by us). When saved, back to neutral because we aren't going to "exploit" this either... The Germans may use this bunker to shoot, though, to increase the challenge.

4. So, one concrete bunker to destroy purely and entirely (the German HQ) and another to liberate intact (the Cathedral)...

5. The 2 bridges at Kehl, over the Rhine River, to be blown up as soon as we get close enough, with then another obj enabled, an obj to repair them and to "clear" the eastern part from enemies...

6. Partisans... even if these units are weak in OoB, I would suggest to add several of them under our direct own command this time (it's historical and immersive - besides, they'll certainly become somehow useful a little later - among others, there will be a lot of forts, with powerful shots... we need targets... ). Perhaps one or two (or even more?) of them on each and every of the main roads leading to Strasbourg once the 2e DB has broken the first German lines of defenses. Perhaps one of them could be named, their commander (using its codename?).

[ColonelY]

Other maps?

Here: https://www.e-periodica.ch/cntmng?pid=r ... 2:127::740

-> Look at page 7/38 (or n° 314 of the doc itself): situation on overall (forests, names, etc.)
-> Look at page 9/39 (or n° 316 " " " ): a German OoB on map!

(EDIT: And a few others, later as well... see next posts too. )

[ColonelY]

According to this document:


Area of action => 3 clearly characterized sets:

1. West of the Vosges, a region of plateaus and ponds with, to the south of the national road 4, the main road Paris-Strasbourg, a corridor which allows access without too many difficulties to the western edge of the Saverne gap. It is nevertheless blocked by a series of cuts, among others the Vezouze, the white Saar, the red Saar, the Zorn, the canal from the Marne to the Rhine.

2. In the center, the Vosges. Mountainous barrier, covered with forests (probably pine trees! ). Practically excludes any easy penetration from the east. Nevertheless, at the level of the Saverne gap, the narrowest part of the chain (about 10 km), 5 routes can be used. From north to south: the Petite-Pierre road, the Eschbourg road, the Phalsbourg-Saverne road (used by the national road 4), the Lutzelbourg road, and finally the picturesque but very rough Dabo road.

3. East of the Vosges: the plain of Alsace. Very dispersed habitat, based on hamlets and villages. Important cities especially on the national road 4, among others Sarrebourg, Phalsbourg, Saverne, Strasbourg.
*******
Weather:

November 1944, conditions hardly favorable for the offensive. Poor visibility. Almost no tactical aviation intervention. Incessant rainfall soaked the land, which did not facilitate the manoeuvre of the armoured vehicles off the axes.
=> Some phases of rain or even snow during the scenario. Very little air support.
*******
German defenses:
First, two successive lines of resistance: the "Vor-Vogesenstellung" (or Prevosgian fortified line) and the "Vogesenstellung" (or Vosges fortified line).

The first one runs along two rivers and is based on barricades and roadblocks. In front of this line, especially in the south, there is a series of hamlets fortified in the framework of the "hedgehog tactic", the famous German defensive tactic.

The second line follows the miltary ridge of the Vosges mountain range. It was unfinished in the autumn of 1944, except in the area of Phalsbourg... => Another reason to push now, despite the weather (and the lack of air support): they must not be able to entrench themselves completely!
*******
In the north, the 361st Volkgrenadier Division (VGD) and the 11th Panzer Division (PzD) will be indirectly concerned by the offensive... => But that makes potential reinforcements, plausible at least, in reserve for us during the development of this scenario!

In direct contact, there are essentially 2 German divisions:
553rd VGD (General Brühn), north of the Vezouze
708th VGD (General Krieger, replaced on November 20 by General Bleckwenn)
=> They held first the VOR-Vogesenstellung... the German HQ had foreseen that the second line would be held mainly by the units that could not hold on the first line (lack of manpower for both lines => all the more reason not to wait for them to bring back more defenders!)
Well, some units could move from the first line to the second at some point, but a few units defending the 2nd line from start would be a good idea, I think... (the others may very well not make it and we wish to keep some challenge up!).

& These divisions are of recent creation, formed very hastily. The 708th VGD, in particular, is based on Luftwaffe ground personnel!

Composition (mainly):
- 3 infantry regiments with 3 battalions (including 36 88mm anti-tank guns)
- 1 artillery regiment with 4 groups (36 howitzers 105 mm)
- 1 reconnaissance battalion
- 1 anti-tank battalion (another 36 88 mm anti-tank guns)
- 1 engineer battalion
=> About 8'000 men. Equipment of very unequal value, but very effective against armor (Panzerfaust - 370 per division - and the dreaded 88 mm - 72 per division).

Behind the two fortified lines of the Vosges, there is practically no organization in the depth, "it is the vacuum" until the approaches of Strasbourg (hence the "surprise" effect there!).

Strasbourg: defended by a series of modernized forts & with a garrison of 20'000 men (thus more than the 2 initial divisions! ) under the command of general von Vaterrodt, military governor of the city.

[ColonelY]

The order of battle of the 2nd armored division that we set up still holds the road (American equipment: Sherman tanks, M10 tank-destroyers, 105 mm self-propelled howitzer). Note that a reconnaissance squadron has been attached => a reconnaissance aircraft unit?

Manpower: about 16'000 men! Of various origins: former members of the Free French Forces, soldiers from North Africa who came back to fight after 1942, resistance fighters who fled occupied France, volunteers who were incorporated after the first fights of the liberation of the territory... They are very different, very disparate, but they are united by an uncommon state of mind: "Shady, jealous of their glory", they consider themselves to be "Leclerc's boys", as if to mark a real filiation with their leader and, as a result, the personality of General Leclerc undoubtedly dominates this division. Worth being mentionned, right?
*******
Map: first part of the battle, p 12/38!
*******
15th American Corps of General Haislip: 3 large units:
- 2 U.S. infantry divisions, the 79th and 44th
- 1 French armoured division, the 2e DB

Classic device to obtain the breakthrough towards Saverne:
First echelon, the 2 American divisions break through the defenses. Second echelon, the French armoured division will exploit towards Saverne.

The French must thus support the attack of the American infantry, protect the right and rear flank of the corps, then move in the area of Avricourt to face any threat coming from the north after the breakthrough (=> thus possibility to add a threat, if only to occupy the US infantry units while the French push towards Strasbourg after having exploited towards Saverne as planned!)

Map p. 14/38 of the document...

=> The objective assigned to the French, it is only Saverne, and not Strasbourg! L'audace, toujours l'audace! (In conjunction, as we have seen, with the local partisan movements... a few thousand men mobilized, nevertheless!)

Note that the French divisional artillery was reinforced by 3 American artillery groups of 155 mm which will act initially in action together.

Battle in 3 phases (see map page 16/38): the rupture (from November 13 to 18), the operation on Saverne (from November 19 to 22) and the charge on Strasbourg (from November 23)...

On the 13th, the attack began in appalling atmospheric conditions, including snow and fog.

The German resistance was stubborn, especially south of the Vezouze and the allied offensive "stalled" for several days ... Leclerc had to send several units in order "to increase the possibilities and the chances of making the hole". And the action of these groups will prove to be decisive.

Oh, by the way, quotes confirm it: there are pin (and fir) forests in the Vosges! (But there was no time to take in the scenery. )

There is also confirmation that the groups north of the battlefield jostled the retreating elements of the 11th Pz Div (which retreated towards the Vosges range in the face of pressure from the 3rd American army in the north in the Saar region!) and the 361st VGD.
*******
With the capture of the pass and the town of Saverne, the French division carried out, and even beyond, its initial mission: it held the outlets east of the Saverne gap. But it is isolated with practically only one possible way of communication, with an insignificant flow, congested with vehicles, the road to Dabo.

Also, the control of the national road 4 between Saverne and Phalsbourg (this point of support does not fall until the morning of November 23) is capital for the division, because it allows, on the one hand, the assurance of a regular delivery of ammunition and fuel; on the other hand, the rapid advance of the American infantry essential for the protection of the large rear of the division. But, above all, exploitation "further" then becomes possible. This is the third phase, on November 23, 1944, the "charge on Strasbourg".

For action on Strasbourg, General Leclerc's intention is remarkable for its conciseness. Here is the exact title: a) take Strasbourg and if possible Kehl, b) continue to watch and keep the Saverne gap between Dossenheim and Wasselonne, c) keep facing south, preventing any enemy reaction coming in particular from Moslheim => points b and c can be the object of a new objective, right?

[ColonelY]

The charge begins in the rain (and fog), along 4 axes; it's like a real race between French groups.

The progression is very fast in the plain ("empty" as we have seen) but, at the beginning of the morning, most of the armored columns come up against the fortified belt...

Alas, the French will not be able to enter Germany! Yes, because Kehl IS in Germany, no longer in France!

[ColonelY]

On a technical level, however, it should be noted:

1. The concern for safety, which is never neglected in the rush (one group remains in the Vosges, another in the Saverne gap);

2. The logistical concern (to alleviate the possible rupture of the supply chain, a "mobile snack" (the term already exists at the time) of 80 GMC trucks is incorporated in the head columns & priority on the upward routes is granted. refueling); => this deserves at least an event! (If not even perhaps a truck and a sec obj to keep it intact but in front…)

3. The combined arms cooperation (artillery, engineers and train with infantrymen and armored vehicles ... engineers played a significant role with, proportionally, losses as important as infantrymen or armored vehicles);

4. The concern for information (including the squadron of piper-cups of Captain Callet for reconnaissance missions of the massif and the Vosges routes. The captain, responsible for this escarille, affirms: "According to our logbook, never our activity was only as intense as in November 1944, despite very harsh weather conditions.") => this deserves at least an event and probably a recon plan unit, whatever the meteo may be, for historical and immersive sakes!

5. The flexibility in the articulation of forces (it did not go without saying if we refer to the structures; however, in this maneuver, it was necessary to "strike hard" at the opportune moments, therefore to be able to balance the forces. means on the points chosen, without loss of time, while maintaining intact the "unity of command" of the division; therefore make modifications to the initial device "practically in stride" ... and these modifications will be repeated several times Admittedly, this dissociation of tactical groups was, it must be admitted, traditional in the 2nd Armored Division since the fighting in Normandy. But never in such a short time has the articulation been so modified. not known, according to military criteria, “of a similar example of change, in full battle, to the initial device in the other armored divisions of the allied forces.” The Saverne-Strasbourg maneuver is partly indebted to this extraordinary flexibility in the attachment of are sub-groups. But this flexibility required at the very least very reliable communications, a very thorough training of personnel, as well as mutual trust, even esteem, and sustained at all levels of the division.)

6. The initiative granted to the major subordinates (of course, the groupemet commanders were imperatively fixed the objective to be achieved: Saverne then Strasbourg, but they must then act as best as possible in the direction of the mission received; the order
The preparatory work of November 12, 1944 is revealing in this regard: "initiative for all, no jump is fixed before reaching the outlets of the Saverne gap."; this initiative contributes to the success of the maneuver;
The authority of Leclerc is therefore not constraining, sterilizing; Leclerc covers initiatives, provided they take place in the sense of the mission received; moreover, for him, it is "better a questionable initiative than no initiative at all "according to all the testimony of the elders of the division)


In short, this armored action on Saverne and Strasbourg is characterized first of all by exemplary tactical preparation.
It is far from an improvised rush! (Although it may look like it at first, if we haven't studied the case in detail.)

[ColonelY]

We've many ingredients for a truly epic scenario, haven't we?

[ColonelY]

The basis of General Leclerc's tactical reasoning rests on the answer to the following question: "According to the enemy, what am I incapable of doing in such terrain?"

Illustration here already: "[...] The enemy awaits you by the roads of Saverne, he does not wait for you by the Dabo, because no one will ever be able to suppose that an armored division engages in this mountain route." (Leclerc speaking to one of commanders.)

=> Tactical surprise & speed of execution (so that a lot of prepared destruction does not play)!

=> Exploitation "as close as possible" (Saverne - literally taking many of the German defenders from the rear), exploitation "further" (reaching Strasbourg and Kehl) ... but downright even "strategic essence" because, aiming for Kehl, therefore the outlet on German soil, this risked at the time entirely modifying the data of the theater of operations. Hitler prepares the push in the Ardennes, but therefore considers the area of the country of Baden and Kehl "as very secondary" ... he should then have reviewed all his plans!

[ColonelY]

The Saverne-Strasbourg armored maneuver:

- German side: (EDIT: depending on sources, up to) 12,000 prisoners (here a picture of a column of German POWs in Strasbourg: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ ... 435693.jpg ) including 3 generals (Brühn, 553rd VGD, Freiher v.u. zu Gilza, commander of the 89th AK, von Vaterrodt, military governor of Strasbourg), 850 tracked vehicles including 50 tanks destroyed, a somewhat dislocated device.

- French side: 120 killed and wounded, 80 armored vehicles have been destroyed, including 10 tanks, the Vosges crossed, Strasbourg liberated.

Well, it's rather clear, isn't it?
*******
Leclerc was known, among others, for his willpower!
He also knew how to forge and animate "la Division blindée éclair" (or "the Lightning Armored Division"), "Die Blitz-Panzerdivision", as his adversary, General Brühn, would call him.

This maneuver has become legendary. This makes sense because, so many years later, it still remains a classic operating maneuver.

[ColonelY]

[...]Strasbourg will not be a pushover. [...]

Fortunately!
*******

In the light of these few additions, do you really want to continue with this idea of having the very same map for these two next scenarios or rather consider making now two distinct maps altogether?

EDIT: Well, now I'm not sure about it... it may definitely be a good idea (if the base map is big enough), and definitely a gain of time as well, so...