AO-General Flasch's Auxiliary Adventures

[Stormchaser]

AO: 1939-Czechoslovakia
Starting Prestige: 18287 (14172 after purchases and repairs)

Hero:

And the good Hero luck continues into 1939, hopefully for a while. Anyway, he's assigned to Trebuchet in preparation for the siege cannon that will soon be available.

Core Purchases and Upgrades:
InfAbt.101 'Standhaft'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz) recruited.
InfAbt.102 'Unpassierbar'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz) recruited.
InfAbt.103 'Unnachgiebig'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz) recruited.
InfAbt.201 'Tapfer'-Pionere (Opel Blitz) recruited.
InfAbt.202 'Ruhm'-Pionere (Opel Blitz) recruited.
InfAbt.203 'Wurde'-Pionere (Opel Blitz) recruited.
InfAbt.S01 'Vanguardia'-Azul Infanterie (Opel Blitz) recruited mid-scenario.
ArtAbt.201 'Belagerung'-Sturmpanzer I recruited.
ArtAbt.202 'Rammbock'-Sturmpanzer I recruited.
Wachter outfitted with (SdKfz 11)
Verteifiger outfitted with (SdKfz 11)
As outfitted with Bf 109E
Windshatten outfitted with Bf 109E
Himmelsfeuer outfitted with Ju 87B

Starting Army Composition:
Core:
Infantry:

• InfAbt.101 'Standhaft'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.102 'Unpassierbar'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.103 'Unnachgiebig'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.201 'Tapfer'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.202 'Ruhm'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.203 'Wurde'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.S01 'Vanguardia'-Azul Infanterie (Opel Blitz)

Tanks:

• PzAbt.101 'Vorhut'-BT-5-**, Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Heroic Defense, Artillery Support

Recon:

• AufkAbt.101 'Wegbereiter'-UNL-35-**, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Leadership, Overrun

• AufkAbt.102 'Pfadfinder'-BT-6-**

• AufkAbt.103 'Grenzer'-SdKfz 222-*, Heroic Defense+1

Anti-Tank:

• PjAbt.101 'Wachter'-45mm M1932 (SdKfz 11)-*, Hit and Run

• PjAbt.102 'Verteifiger'-45mm M1932 (SdKfz 11)

Artillery:

• ArtAbt.101 'Trebuchet'-152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7)-*, Zero Slots

• ArtAbt.201 'Belagerung'-Sturmpanzer I

• ArtAbt.202 'Rammbock'-Sturmpanzer I

Reserve:
Tanks:

• PzAbt.102 'Dragoner'-BT-5-*,Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Heroic Defense+1, River Assault

• PzAbt.103 'Husar'-Bt-5-*,Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, River Assault

• PzAbt.104 'Kataphrakt'-Panzer IIA

• PzAbt.201 'Blitz'-Trubia

• PzAbt.202 'Donner'-Trubia

• PzAbt.301 'Schlachtschiff'-T-26-*, Unstoppable Offense

• PzAbt.302 'Moloch'-T-26

• PzAbt.303 'Ungetum'-T-26

• PzAbt.401 'Inferno'-OT-133

• PzAbt.S01 'Armadura'-Verdeja 2-*,Unstoppable Offense, AT Support

Anti-Tank:

• PjAbt.201 'Sturmer'-Panzer I Breda-*, Unstoppable Offensive

• PjAbt.202 'Brecher'-Panzer I Breda

• PjAbt.203 'Scrapper'-Panzer I Breda

Artillery:

• ArtAbt.102 'Katapult'-152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7)-*

• ArtAbt.103 'Ballista'-152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7)-*

• ArtAbt.104 'Skorpion'-152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7)

Anti-Aircraft:

• FlakAbt.101 'Schrapnell'-8.8cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 7)-*, Camouflage, Cheap Replacements

• FlakAbt.201 'Spuckfeuer'-SdKfz 10/4-Resilient

• FlakAbt.202 'Scattershot'-SdKfz 10/4

Fighter:

• I./JG1 'As'-Bf 109E-*, Aerial Ace, Adolf Galland

• II./JG1 'Windschatten'-Bf 109E-*, Aerial Ace

• III./JG1 'Schall'-Bf 109B

Tactical Bomber:

• I./AG1 'Alderauge'-He 70 Rayo

• I./SG1 'Himmelsfeuer'-Ju 87B-*, Legendary, Double Move

• II./SG1 'Feuersturm'-Ju 87A-*

• III./SG1 'Hagelsturm'-Hs 123a-*

Strategic Bomber:

• I./KG1 'Stratus'-Ju 86

• II./KG1 'Kumulus-Ju 86

• III./KG1 'Zirrus'-Ju 86

Auxiliary:
Infantry:

• 3 Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz)

• 1 Bruckenpionere (Opel Blitz)

Recon:

• 2 SdKfz 222

Anti-Tank:

• 2 3.7mm Pak 36 (Opel Blitz)

Artillery:

• 1 15cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7)

It might seem strange, upgrading my air units when I can't use them this Scenario, however most of the other units I'm looking to upgrade are impractical for various reasons. I haven't fully decided if I want to upgrade the Panzer IIA into a IIC or the 38(t) I get next Scenario (let alone what other changes changes the 38(t) and captured French Tanks might cause for my Tanks), the German 15cm Artillery is identical stat wise to the captured ones already in use and I have a decent stockpile of which has me waiting to worry about that for periods where I don't have 3 actual upgrades I want to make. I also don't have the German heavy Artillery available yet for Trebuchet.


The Bruckenpionere makes it easy to bypass the fortified Plzen and take the two villages to it's south.

Ending Prestige: 15522 (+1352)
Thoughts: The first Scenario of 1939 poses an interesting question for me. With access to Infantry for my Core and no access to other Nations for Units that are stronger than my German ones or fulfill niches I can't get from Germany...what do I spend my Auxiliary Slots on? A question I can only imagine I will be asking regularly going forward from this point on.
In this particular case I go with some extra defensive units to help hold down and secure the Victory Points I need to take as well as a couple of extra units to quickly push to said hexes as fast a possible.

[Tassadar]

Zero Slots is always a beast. Second and third such hero does not give such impact as the first one, but that huge artillery piece core slot free is always great. Interestingly, in my first AAR I also got this hero directly in Czechoslovakia.

I also see the way to cross the river south of Plzen with Bridge engineers proves to be the best default approach (ow course if they are available for various reasons).

As for the question asked in this scenario about what to recruit... I think Bridge engineers and Recon planes are great. The former are not doing any fighting most of the time anyway and recon planes while great in their aiming assistance role if they are experienced, cal also scout ahead and give valuable info. Of course by this time you already have the scenario knowledge, but some extra real time scouting can be the difference between getting accidentally hit and not. Other then that, it will probably depend on the scenario - maybe extra artillery for Orenthal, infantry for Warndt and Warsaw and everyone who can fit the auxiliary slot limit for Raate Road.

[Stormchaser]

As for the question asked in this scenario about what to recruit... I think Bridge engineers and Recon planes are great. The former are not doing any fighting most of the time anyway and recon planes while great in their aiming assistance role if they are experienced, cal also scout ahead and give valuable info. Of course by this time you already have the scenario knowledge, but some extra real time scouting can be the difference between getting accidentally hit and not. Other then that, it will probably depend on the scenario - maybe extra artillery for Orenthal, infantry for Warndt and Warsaw and everyone who can fit the auxiliary slot limit for Raate Road.

Currently I'm using them first to grab Bridge Engineers or other niche units I need (might end up regulating at least some of the Paratroopers I need in 1940 to Auxiliary.). Then I figure out what type of force I want to use for the Scenario, fill out as much of that force with my Core as I can, then fill the gaps with more Auxiliary. For example, in Czechoslovakia I wanted more Infantry and towed guns to help defend the Objectives as well as a few extra Recons to push and cut off the Czechs.
I'll just have to see how it works and adjust as needed I suppose.

[Stormchaser]

AO: 1939-Sarreguemines
Starting Prestige: 17272 (14092 after purchases and repairs)

Event:

After my performance as the most aggressive pacifist ever in Czechoslovakia, Kerscher joins the party.

Hero:

My only complaint is that I wish this and the Zero Slots had been switched around so I could have had him in Czechoslovakia. Assigned to Grenzer to become a useful capture tool.

Core Purchases and Upgrades:
I.ZG1 'Adler'-Bf 110C recruited.
II.ZG1 'Falke'-Bf 110C recruited.
III.ZG1 'Wurger'-Bf 110C recruited.
Blitz outfitted with Panzer 38(t)A
Donner outfitted with Panzer 38(t)A
Trebuchet outfitted with 21cm Mrs 18

Starting Army Composition:
Core:
Infantry:

• InfAbt.101 'Standhaft'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.102 'Unpassierbar'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.103 'Unnachgiebig'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.S01 'Vanguardia'-Azul Infanterie (Opel Blitz)

Tanks:

• PzAbt.101 'Vorhut'-BT-5-**, Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Heroic Defense, Artillery Support

• PzAbt.102 'Dragoner'-BT-5-*,Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Heroic Defense+1, River Assault

• PzAbt.201 'Blitz'-Panzer 38(t)A-Albert Kerscher

• PzAbt.S01 'Armadura'-Verdeja 2-*,Unstoppable Offense, AT Support

Recon:

• AufkAbt.101 'Wegbereiter'-UNL-35-**, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Leadership, Overrun

• AufkAbt.102 'Pfadfinder'-BT-6-**

• AufkAbt.103 'Grenzer'-SdKfz 222-*, Overwhelming Attack, Heroic Defense+1

Anti-Tank:

• PjAbt.201 'Sturmer'-Panzer I Breda-*, Unstoppable Offensive

Artillery:

• ArtAbt.101 'Trebuchet'-21cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7)-*, Zero Slots

• ArtAbt.201 'Belagerung'-Sturmpanzer I

• ArtAbt.202 'Rammbock'-Sturmpanzer I

Fighter:

• I./JG1 'As'-Bf 109E-*, Aerial Ace, Adolf Galland

Tactical Bomber:

• I.ZG1 'Adler'-Bf 110C

• II.ZG1 'Falke'-Bf 110C

• I./SG1 'Himmelsfeuer'-Ju 87B-*, Legendary, Double Move

Reserve:
Infantry:

• InfAbt.201 'Tapfer'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.202 'Ruhm'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.203 'Wurde'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)

Tanks:

• PzAbt.103 'Husar'-Bt-5-*,Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, River Assault

• PzAbt.104 'Kataphrakt'-Panzer IIA

• PzAbt.202 'Donner'-Panzer 38(t)A

• PzAbt.301 'Schlachtschiff'-T-26-*, Unstoppable Offense

• PzAbt.302 'Moloch'-T-26

• PzAbt.303 'Ungetum'-T-26

• PzAbt.401 'Inferno'-OT-133

Anti-Tank:

• PjAbt.101 'Wachter'-45mm M1932 (SdKfz 11)-*, Hit and Run

• PjAbt.102 'Verteifiger'-45mm M1932 (SdKfz 11)

• PjAbt.202 'Brecher'-Panzer I Breda

• PjAbt.203 'Scrapper'-Panzer I Breda

Artillery:

• ArtAbt.102 'Katapult'-152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7)-*

• ArtAbt.103 'Ballista'-152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7)-*

• ArtAbt.104 'Skorpion'-152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7)

Anti-Aircraft:

• FlakAbt.101 'Schrapnell'-8.8cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 7)-*, Camouflage, Cheap Replacements

• FlakAbt.201 'Spuckfeuer'-SdKfz 10/4-Resilient

• FlakAbt.202 'Scattershot'-SdKfz 10/4

Fighter:

• II./JG1 'Windschatten'-Bf 109E-*, Aerial Ace

• III./JG1 'Schall'-Bf 109B

Tactical Bomber:

• I./AG1 'Alderauge'-He 70 Rayo

• III.ZG1 'Wurger'-Bf 110C

• II./SG1 'Feuersturm'-Ju 87A-*

• III./SG1 'Hagelsturm'-Hs 123a-*

Strategic Bomber:

• I./KG1 'Stratus'-Ju 86

• II./KG1 'Kumulus-Ju 86

• III./KG1 'Zirrus'-Ju 86

Auxiliary:
Infantry:

• 2 Wehr Infantry (Opel Blitz)

• 2 Bruckenpionere (Opel Blitz)

Tanks:

• 2 Panzer 38(t)A

Anti-Tank:

• 3.7cm Pak 36

Anti-Aircraft:

• 2 SdKfz 10/4

Fighter:

• 1 Bf 109E

Tactical Bomber:

• 1 Ju 87B

Pz38(t)s to provide replacements for at least some of my aging tanks, a whopping 21cm cannon for my Zero Slots Artillery, and my first Fighter-Bombers make great additions to my Core, while Auxiliary is regulated to reinforcing my unit count.


One of my Bruckenpionere enables a small strike force to attempt to cut Bliesbruck off from the rest of the French forces.

The French making a tactical error, how historically accurate.

Ending Prestige: 19977 (+5885)
Thoughts: The Saar Offensive chapter of 1939 begins with an excellent start. The bridge engineers and extra units in general make this Scenario even easier to steamroll than it already is for the most part.

[Tassadar]

Overwhelming Attack sounds interesting - if you indeed get more captures you can play around with deploying captured units as auxiliaries more even if it a one-shot usage to just take a few hits instead of the actual core. Of course seeing how you're already using captured units nicely as part of the main army this has many other applications as well - with some luck you can arrange a decent Char B1 supply still in 1939.

[Stormchaser]

AO: 1939-Warndt Forest
Starting Prestige: 22077 (19512 after purchases and repairs)

Hero:

It's no Zero Slots but slot usage reduction is always nice. I decide to attach him to Schlachtschiff for later payoffs with high slot heavy tanks like the KV-2 at the end of this leg of the Campaign.

Core Purchases and Upgrades:
Schall outfitted with Bf 109E
Feuersturm outfitted with Ju 87B
Hagelsturm outfitted with Ju 87B

Starting Army Composition:
Core:
Infantry:

• InfAbt.101 'Standhaft'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.102 'Unpassierbar'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.103 'Unnachgiebig'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.201 'Tapfer'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.202 'Ruhm'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.203 'Wurde'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.S01 'Vanguardia'-Azul Infanterie (Opel Blitz)

Tanks:

• PzAbt.201 'Blitz'-Panzer 38(t)A-Albert Kerscher

• PzAbt.S01 'Armadura'-Verdeja 2-*,Unstoppable Offense, AT Support

Recon:

• AufkAbt.101 'Wegbereiter'-UNL-35-**, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Leadership, Overrun

• AufkAbt.103 'Grenzer'-SdKfz 222-*, Overwhelming Attack, Heroic Defense+1

Artillery:

• ArtAbt.101 'Trebuchet'-21cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7)-*, Zero Slots

• ArtAbt.201 'Belagerung'-Sturmpanzer I

• ArtAbt.202 'Rammbock'-Sturmpanzer I

Fighter:

• I./JG1 'As'-Bf 109E-*, Aerial Ace, Adolf Galland

Tactical Bomber:

• I.ZG1 'Adler'-Bf 110C

• II.ZG1 'Falke'-Bf 110C

• I./SG1 'Himmelsfeuer'-Ju 87B-*, Legendary, Double Move

Reserve:
Tanks:

• PzAbt.101 'Vorhut'-BT-5-**, Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Heroic Defense, Artillery Support

• PzAbt.102 'Dragoner'-BT-5-**,Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Heroic Defense+1, River Assault

• PzAbt.103 'Husar'-Bt-5-*,Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, River Assault

• PzAbt.104 'Kataphrakt'-Panzer IIA

• PzAbt.202 'Donner'-Panzer 38(t)A

• PzAbt.301 'Schlachtschiff'-T-26-*, Unstoppable Offense, Reduced Slots

• PzAbt.302 'Moloch'-T-26

• PzAbt.303 'Ungetum'-T-26

• PzAbt.401 'Inferno'-OT-133

Recon:

• AufkAbt.102 'Pfadfinder'-BT-6-**

Anti-Tank:

• PjAbt.101 'Wachter'-45mm M1932 (SdKfz 11)-*, Hit and Run

• PjAbt.102 'Verteifiger'-45mm M1932 (SdKfz 11)

• PjAbt.201 'Sturmer'-Panzer I Breda-*, Unstoppable Offensive

• PjAbt.202 'Brecher'-Panzer I Breda

• PjAbt.203 'Scrapper'-Panzer I Breda

Artillery:

• ArtAbt.102 'Katapult'-152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7)-*

• ArtAbt.103 'Ballista'-152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7)-*

• ArtAbt.104 'Skorpion'-152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7)

Anti-Aircraft:

• FlakAbt.101 'Schrapnell'-8.8cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 7)-*, Camouflage, Cheap Replacements

• FlakAbt.201 'Spuckfeuer'-SdKfz 10/4-Resilient

• FlakAbt.202 'Scattershot'-SdKfz 10/4

Fighter:

• II./JG1 'Windschatten'-Bf 109E-*, Aerial Ace

• III./JG1 'Schall'-Bf 109E

Tactical Bomber:

• I./AG1 'Alderauge'-He 70 Rayo

• III.ZG1 'Wurger'-Bf 110C

• II./SG1 'Feuersturm'-Ju 87B-*

• III./SG1 'Hagelsturm'-Ju 87B-*

Strategic Bomber:

• I./KG1 'Stratus'-Ju 86

• II./KG1 'Kumulus-Ju 86

• III./KG1 'Zirrus'-Ju 86

Auxiliary:
Infantry:

• 5 Kavallerie

Artillery:

• 1 7.5cm FK 16 nA (SdKfz 10)

Fighter:

• 2 Bf 109E

Tactical Bomber:

• 1 Ju 87B

I supplement my Core Infantry with some Cavalry that will hopefully be more mobile amongst the trees, particularly thick patches where Transports can't go. I also round out my air force a bit, and with the small amount of Auxiliary Slots remaining I buy a small Artillery to provide support for a particular mission.


A small group head down the east side to set up an encirclement of St. Avold. I never actually realized this tactic was possible before until I saw some AARs, so it will be nice to try it out.

Blitz ends up in a bit of hot water, but fortunately was in a spot of open ground and not Close Terrain otherwise this might have been a completely different message.

Man, this is so much easier than brute forcing it from only one side.

Ending Prestige: 22663 (+3151)
Thoughts: Now this Scenario is a good trial by fire for my new Infantry. In Czechoslovakia conflict was to be avoided and in Sarreguemines there is plenty of open ground for your veteran tanks to shine. But in the close terrain of the forest you want Infantry, not Tanks, as the main thrust of your force.

[Tassadar]

On a roll with heroes in 1939 I see! All three so far are great and much better thank most of SCW ones, aside from the Double Move and Camouflage ones.

Nice idea to use cavalry to encircle the town! I've tried a few different unit combinations whenever I did the encirclement idea, but this one seems to have some considerable benefits - quick units speed both being able to get there fast and also "snipe" artillery if needed, being able to use close terrain and being good against infantry as well. I wonder how did it end up for you? From the huge prestige gain it seems it was worth it despite the high replacement costs for cavalry units.

[Stormchaser]

On a roll with heroes in 1939 I see! All three so far are great and much better thank most of SCW ones, aside from the Double Move and Camouflage ones.

I know, it's amazing, isn't it?

Nice idea to use cavalry to encircle the town! I've tried a few different unit combinations whenever I did the encirclement idea, but this one seems to have some considerable benefits - quick units speed both being able to get there fast and also "snipe" artillery if needed, being able to use close terrain and being good against infantry as well. I wonder how did it end up for you? From the huge prestige gain it seems it was worth it despite the high replacement costs for cavalry units.

Honestly, the 2 Cavalry that went with the main force often ended up being the cleanup crew for Strength 1-3 Units or Capture/Encirclement assistance, and while the 20 Strength Cavalry at St.Avold could have hit them pretty hard I was able to encircle it and start bombarding it with some of my Artillery pretty much the next turn after that screenshot which rendered it impotent. After that most of my Cavalry stayed behind at St. Avoid since I couldn't remember if any reinforcements showed up on that side or not (A single Char B1 did alongside some air support, but I promptly encircled it and it couldn't break out.). So casualties were all in all fairly light for them compared to some of my other units this Scenario, and I never really needed to give them Replacements.

I also never quite understood this expensiveness issue people often bring up regarding Cavalry. I mean even compared to the contemporary standard Infantry, the addition of an Opel Blitz makes the Infantry only about 45 Prestige cheaper, while the Heavy Infantry and Pioneers+Opel Blitz are only about 20 Prestige cheaper. And as better Transports become available, this gap narrows even further, if not disappearing completely or even inverting which is the more expensive option.
Well, what about Replacements then? Maybe that's where it gets really expensive. Well, healing an 11 Strength Kavallerie costs 61 (15.25 per Strength healed) Standard or 116 (29/Strength) with Elite Replacements. Compared to Strength 11 versions of my Core Infantry Units (All with Opel Blitzs) we have Grenadier and Pionieres at 58(14.5/Strength) and 110(27.5/Strength) and Azul Infantrie with 65 (16.25/Strength) and 122 (30.5/Strength). Now, I will acknowledge the fact that these other Infantry are generally superior to Cavalry in every way save for mobility so the pricetag is arguably better deserved, but I'd also like to argue that the mobility provided by Cavalry can be just as if not more useful in various situations (And of course, one of the aforementioned transported Infantry combined with Fast Redeploy blows Cavalry out of the water but that's another issue ).
...Well that turned into a longer topic than planned, so thanks for listening to my Ted Talk I suppose.

Anyway, gonna try to get through Orenthal and the bonus Scenario as well today. Really need to get back in the groove after falling off so hard after the 1940 DLC release+holidays.

[Stormchaser]

AO: 1939-Orenthal
Starting Prestige: 24763 (22193 after purchases and repairs)

Hero:

A support fire Hero with more limited targets than AT and Artillery Support Heroes, but still a very useful one. Assigned to Katapult.

Core Purchases and Upgrades:
Blitz outfitted with Somua S35
Schlachtschiff outfitted with Char B1
Moloch outfitted with Char B1

Starting Army Composition:
Core:
Infantry:

• InfAbt.101 'Standhaft'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.201 'Tapfer'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.202 'Ruhm'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.S01 'Vanguardia'-Azul Infanterie (Opel Blitz)

Tanks:

• PzAbt.101 'Vorhut'-BT-5-**, Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Heroic Defense, Artillery Support

• PzAbt.102 'Dragoner'-BT-5-**,Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Heroic Defense+1, River Assault

• PzAbt.201 'Blitz'-Somua S35-Albert Kerscher

• PzAbt.301 'Schlachtschiff'-Char B1-*, Unstoppable Offense, Reduced Slots

• PzAbt.S01 'Armadura'-Verdeja 2-*,Unstoppable Offense, AT Support

Recon:

• AufkAbt.101 'Wegbereiter'-UNL-35-**, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Leadership, Overrun

• AufkAbt.103 'Grenzer'-SdKfz 222-*, Overwhelming Attack, Heroic Defense+1

Anti-Tank:

• PjAbt.201 'Sturmer'-Panzer I Breda-*, Unstoppable Offensive

Artillery:

• ArtAbt.101 'Trebuchet'-21cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7)-*, Zero Slots

• ArtAbt.102 'Katapult'-152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7)-*, Counter Battery Fire

• ArtAbt.201 'Belagerung'-Sturmpanzer I

Fighter:

• I./JG1 'As'-Bf 109E-*, Aerial Ace, Adolf Galland

Tactical Bomber:

• I.ZG1 'Adler'-Bf 110C

• II.ZG1 'Falke'-Bf 110C

• I./SG1 'Himmelsfeuer'-Ju 87B-*, Legendary, Double Move

• II./SG1 'Feuersturm'-Ju 87B-*

Reserve:
Infantry:

• InfAbt.102 'Unpassierbar'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.103 'Unnachgiebig'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.203 'Wurde'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)

Tanks:

• PzAbt.103 'Husar'-Bt-5-*,Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, River Assault

• PzAbt.104 'Kataphrakt'-Panzer IIA

• PzAbt.202 'Donner'-Panzer 38(t)A

• PzAbt.302 'Moloch'-Char B1

• PzAbt.303 'Ungetum'-T-26

• PzAbt.401 'Inferno'-OT-133

Recon:

• AufkAbt.102 'Pfadfinder'-BT-6-**

Anti-Tank:

• PjAbt.101 'Wachter'-45mm M1932 (SdKfz 11)-*, Hit and Run

• PjAbt.102 'Verteifiger'-45mm M1932 (SdKfz 11)

• PjAbt.202 'Brecher'-Panzer I Breda

• PjAbt.203 'Scrapper'-Panzer I Breda

Artillery:

• ArtAbt.103 'Ballista'-152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7)-*

• ArtAbt.104 'Skorpion'-152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7)

• ArtAbt.202 'Rammbock'-Sturmpanzer I

Anti-Aircraft:

• FlakAbt.101 'Schrapnell'-8.8cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 7)-*, Camouflage, Cheap Replacements

• FlakAbt.201 'Spuckfeuer'-SdKfz 10/4-Resilient

• FlakAbt.202 'Scattershot'-SdKfz 10/4

Fighter:

• II./JG1 'Windschatten'-Bf 109E-*, Aerial Ace

• III./JG1 'Schall'-Bf 109E

Tactical Bomber:

• I./AG1 'Alderauge'-He 70 Rayo

• III.ZG1 'Wurger'-Bf 110C

• III./SG1 'Hagelsturm'-Ju 87B-*

Strategic Bomber:

• I./KG1 'Stratus'-Ju 86

• II./KG1 'Kumulus-Ju 86

• III./KG1 'Zirrus'-Ju 86

Auxiliary:
Infantry:

• 3 Kavallerie

Artillery:

• 2 10.5cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz)

Fighter:

• 2 Bf 109E

Tactical Bomber:

• 2 Ju 87B

I have 2 objectives on this map. 1. Lay siege to Orenthal and 2. Charge southwest ASAP before the French can break through Bliesbruck. So, I tried to set up a force that can split into two groups to perform both tasks.


A team of fast moving units heads southwest.

Meanwhile, while the majority of my remaining forces begin the siege, I have a few take a wide circle around, clearing out some Victory Points, with the intention of using them to strike from the rear.

Oh...right...the reinforcements from the south...Just gonna click undo and try to lure some of them back south or something.

Meanwhile, things are also getting a bit chaotic down by Bliesbruck.

But hey, at least we got a medal out of this, eh?

Ending Prestige: 24988 (+2795)
Thoughts: Well that didn't exactly go quite as planned. Note to self, when making your plans based on meta knowledge when the last time you played the Scenario was a couple months ago, keep in mind that you might be forgetting some crucial details. Somehow, probably as much from luck as opposed to actual skill, I managed to keep things from spiraling out of control on either front, and once the big trouble spots were dealt with I managed to deal with the last spots of resistance just in the nick of time before the Scenario ended.

AO: 1939-Forbach
Starting Prestige: 24988 (24988 after purchases and repairs)

Starting Army Composition:
Reserve:
Infantry:

• InfAbt.101 'Standhaft'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.102 'Unpassierbar'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.103 'Unnachgiebig'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.201 'Tapfer'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.202 'Ruhm'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.203 'Wurde'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.S01 'Vanguardia'-Azul Infanterie (Opel Blitz)-*

Tanks:

• PzAbt.101 'Vorhut'-BT-5-**, Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Heroic Defense, Artillery Support

• PzAbt.102 'Dragoner'-BT-5-**,Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Heroic Defense+1, River Assault

• PzAbt.103 'Husar'-Bt-5-*,Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, River Assault

• PzAbt.104 'Kataphrakt'-Panzer IIA

• PzAbt.201 'Blitz'-Somua S35-*, Albert Kerscher

• PzAbt.202 'Donner'-Panzer 38(t)A

• PzAbt.301 'Schlachtschiff'-Char B1-*, Unstoppable Offense, Reduced Slots

• PzAbt.302 'Moloch'-Char B1

• PzAbt.303 'Ungetum'-T-26

• PzAbt.401 'Inferno'-OT-133

• PzAbt.S01 'Armadura'-Verdeja 2-*,Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, AT Support

Recon:

• AufkAbt.101 'Wegbereiter'-UNL-35-***, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Leadership, Overrun

• AufkAbt.102 'Pfadfinder'-BT-6-**

• AufkAbt.103 'Grenzer'-SdKfz 222-**, Overwhelming Attack, Heroic Defense+1

Anti-Tank:

• PjAbt.101 'Wachter'-45mm M1932 (SdKfz 11)-*, Hit and Run

• PjAbt.102 'Verteifiger'-45mm M1932 (SdKfz 11)

• PjAbt.201 'Sturmer'-Panzer I Breda-*, Unstoppable Offensive

• PjAbt.202 'Brecher'-Panzer I Breda

• PjAbt.203 'Scrapper'-Panzer I Breda

Artillery:

• ArtAbt.101 'Trebuchet'-21cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7)-*, Zero Slots

• ArtAbt.102 'Katapult'-152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7)-*, Counter Battery Fire

• ArtAbt.103 'Ballista'-152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7)-*

• ArtAbt.104 'Skorpion'-152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7)

• ArtAbt.201 'Belagerung'-Sturmpanzer I

• ArtAbt.202 'Rammbock'-Sturmpanzer I

Anti-Aircraft:

• FlakAbt.101 'Schrapnell'-8.8cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 7)-*, Camouflage, Cheap Replacements

• FlakAbt.201 'Spuckfeuer'-SdKfz 10/4-Resilient

• FlakAbt.202 'Scattershot'-SdKfz 10/4

Fighter:

• I./JG1 'As'-Bf 109E-**, Aerial Ace, Adolf Galland

• II./JG1 'Windschatten'-Bf 109E-*, Aerial Ace

• III./JG1 'Schall'-Bf 109E

Tactical Bomber:

• I./AG1 'Alderauge'-He 70 Rayo

• I.ZG1 'Adler'-Bf 110C

• II.ZG1 'Falke'-Bf 110C

• III.ZG1 'Wurger'-Bf 110C

• I./SG1 'Himmelsfeuer'-Ju 87B-*, Legendary, Double Move

• II./SG1 'Feuersturm'-Ju 87B-*

• III./SG1 'Hagelsturm'-Ju 87B-*

Strategic Bomber:

• I./KG1 'Stratus'-Ju 86

• II./KG1 'Kumulus-Ju 86

• III./KG1 'Zirrus'-Ju 86

Auxiliary:
Tank:

• 2 Somua S35

• 1 AMC 35

• 2 Renault R35

• 2 Hotchkiss H35

Recon:

• 2 Panhard 178

• 1 AMC P16

...So I turn away for a bit while the French Turn 2 is processing, and apparently a Blue truck strayed too far to the east? I still send the P16 down to keep stirring things up just in case, but that's still quite amusing.

Ending Prestige: 25912 (+924)
Thoughts: What can I say about his mission? It fun, yes, but once you have a good handle on how it works it's fairly simple. And it's not like my AAR setup really affects it either. Only thing really special was that Blue truck doing it's best to do my job for me.

[Tassadar]

Ha, I never tried to strike towards Bliesbruck in the Orenthal scenario actively. I just left the French army to their own bunker/minefield busting fun and just had had some units make sure no units get lost and attack me as well. In the Panzermon run a lone cavalry actually did so, but that seemed like a odd one-off. For the most part if left alone, the French don't try to do anything too bad.

As for Forbach, wow! That's a rare thing to see. I never saw it happen, but the AI decisions seem to be somewhat set at the start of the scenario depending on some moves and weather. I tried to decipher it quite hard, but the AI continues to surprise me in this mission...

[Stormchaser]

AO: 1939-Saarbrucken
Starting Prestige: 28712 (25012 after purchases and repairs)

Event:

Welcome to the team Mr. Dir, I feel you'll fit right in with Vanguardia.

Hero:

Well well now, where to assign you I wonder...After some debate with myself I assign him to Schlachtschiff. Those KV-2s I'm going to get in Finland are going to be fun.

Core Purchases and Upgrades
Donner outfitted with Somua S35
Wegbereiter outfitted with Panhard 178
Pfadfinder outfitted with Panhard 178

Starting Army Composition:
Core:
Infantry:

• InfAbt.101 'Standhaft'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.102 'Unpassierbar'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.103 'Unnachgiebig'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.201 'Tapfer'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.202 'Ruhm'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.S01 'Vanguardia'-Azul Infanterie (Opel Blitz)-*, Oleh Dir

Tanks:

• PzAbt.101 'Vorhut'-BT-5-**, Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Heroic Defense, Artillery Support

• PzAbt.301 'Schlachtschiff'-Char B1-*, Unstoppable Offense, Reduced Slots, Rapid Fire 1.5x

• PzAbt.302 'Moloch'-Char B1

• PzAbt.201 'Blitz'-Somua S35-*, Albert Kerscher

• PzAbt.S01 'Armadura'-Verdeja 2-*,Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, AT Support

Recon:

• AufkAbt.101 'Wegbereiter'-Panhard 178-***, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Leadership, Overrun

• AufkAbt.102 'Pfadfinder'-Panhard 178-**

• AufkAbt.103 'Grenzer'-SdKfz 222-**, Overwhelming Attack, Heroic Defense+1

Anti-Tank:

• PjAbt.101 'Wachter'-45mm M1932 (SdKfz 11)-*, Hit and Run

• PjAbt.102 'Verteifiger'-45mm M1932 (SdKfz 11)

Artillery:

• ArtAbt.101 'Trebuchet'-21cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7)-*, Zero Slots

• ArtAbt.102 'Katapult'-152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7)-*, Counter Battery Fire

• ArtAbt.103 'Ballista'-152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7)-*

• ArtAbt.104 'Skorpion'-152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7)

Anti-Aircraft:

• FlakAbt.101 'Schrapnell'-8.8cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 7)-*, Camouflage, Cheap Replacements

Fighter:

• I./JG1 'As'-Bf 109E-**, Aerial Ace, Adolf Galland

• II./JG1 'Windschatten'-Bf 109E-*, Aerial Ace

• III./JG1 'Schall'-Bf 109E

Tactical Bomber:

• I.ZG1 'Adler'-Bf 110C

• I./SG1 'Himmelsfeuer'-Ju 87B-*, Legendary, Double Move

• II./SG1 'Feuersturm'-Ju 87B-*

• III./SG1 'Hagelsturm'-Ju 87B-*

Reserve:
Infantry:

• InfAbt.203 'Wurde'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)

Tanks:

• PzAbt.102 'Dragoner'-BT-5-**,Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Heroic Defense+1, River Assault

• PzAbt.103 'Husar'-Bt-5-*,Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, River Assault

• PzAbt.104 'Kataphrakt'-Panzer IIA

• PzAbt.202 'Donner'-Somua S35

• PzAbt.303 'Ungetum'-T-26

• PzAbt.401 'Inferno'-OT-133

Anti-Tank:

• PjAbt.201 'Sturmer'-Panzer I Breda-*, Unstoppable Offensive

• PjAbt.202 'Brecher'-Panzer I Breda

• PjAbt.203 'Scrapper'-Panzer I Breda

Artillery:

• ArtAbt.201 'Belagerung'-Sturmpanzer I

• ArtAbt.202 'Rammbock'-Sturmpanzer I

Anti-Aircraft:

• FlakAbt.201 'Spuckfeuer'-SdKfz 10/4-Resilient

• FlakAbt.202 'Scattershot'-SdKfz 10/4

Tactical Bomber:

• I./AG1 'Alderauge'-He 70 Rayo

• II.ZG1 'Falke'-Bf 110C

• III.ZG1 'Wurger'-Bf 110C

Strategic Bomber:

• I./KG1 'Stratus'-Ju 86

• II./KG1 'Kumulus-Ju 86

• III./KG1 'Zirrus'-Ju 86

Auxiliary:
Infantry:

• 5 Wehr Infantry (Opel Blitz)

Tanks:

• 2 Panzer 38(t)A

Artillery:

• 2 Sturmpanzer I

Anti-Aircraft:

• 1 2cm FlaK 38 (Opel Blitz)

Tactical Bomber:

• 4 Bf110C

Been awhile since I I could deploy this many Auxiliary units, feel a bit spoiled for choice. Ultimately I reinforce my defensive line with infantry and guns, plan to achieve air dominance with some extra Bf110s, and grab a couple extra tanks to round thinks out.


While my western forces get into proper defensive positions, my eastern force begins a hard and fast push south to try to take out the 4th Army air support ASAP. This leaves only an Auxiliary Infantry supported by a lone 152mm Artillery to hold Halberg, but if all goes well that shouldn't be an issue.

An extra unit is always welcome, even when I already have a lot more than usual.

8.8cm Flak+Lethal Attack+Camouflage=pure carnage for the AI air force. 20 points of strength across 4 units, gone in a single turn.

And just like that the land and sky are clear of 4th Army units...for now at least.

Big battle gives lots of opportunities for medals.

Ending Prestige: 30561 (+5549)
Thoughts: And the Saar Offensive comes to a conclusion with a decisive German victory. Once again, Auxiliary Force really shines in defensive Scenarios where you can load up on support guns and Infantry to help secure Close Terrain positions as well as extra air support to secure the skies. Add in the fact that the terrain immediately south of the defensive positions is nice and flat, perfect for my veteran Panzer divisions to run wild, and I'd actually say I had an easier time here than in Warndt and Orenthal.
One thing that I was able to confirm this scenario is that Artillery fire (both support and direct) does count for the acquisition of the Survivor Award. Something Unpassierbar is now very much aware of with their maxed out Survivor medal (Misclicked an attack into an enemy supported by 2 75mm Artillery, which all attacked back alongside another infantry on their turn.)

Edit Notice: So when I started the next scenario I suddenly realized that the Somua Commendation reward never showed up. Pretty sure it's because I saved at the end of turn 1 when I first started that Scenario because I had to leave it suddenly, and I vaguely remember reading about a bug for these types of events where you save and load between when you spend the Commendations and when the reward arrives. I'm kinda okay with it, my Somua stocks are probably enough till 1940 and it's not like I needed the extra unit, and I'd rather not redo that whole Scenario.

[Tassadar]

Ah, the famed Rapid Fire hero! Luck is really adding up in this campaign. It of course could have been the 2x variant, but that's greedy - I'm on my fourth AAR and did not see Rapid Fire 1.5x even once so far.

Also, interesting approach to defending Saarbrucken - I actually never considered setting up my units on the other side of the river. That can be somewhat dangerous but was for sure better for gaining experience on the infantry units.

[Stormchaser]

Ah, the famed Rapid Fire hero! Luck is really adding up in this campaign. It of course could have been the 2x variant, but that's greedy - I'm on my fourth AAR and did not see Rapid Fire 1.5x even once so far.

Also, interesting approach to defending Saarbrucken - I actually never considered setting up my units on the other side of the river. That can be somewhat dangerous but was for sure better for gaining experience on the infantry units.

The ability to make use of my armored units as a hammer to clear out weakened enemies after they assault the anvil that is my fortified positions+being able to take out Bridge units and Artillery or head off attempts to go for the less fortified bridges before they can become proper threats can not be underestimated . Normally, it is lot more challenging because it's really easy to overextend your handful of armor units and you kinda want to keep them close enough they can retreat behind your defensive lines for repairs, but with Auxiliary Forces allowing for a much bigger assault force those problems just don't really crop up as much.
It also helps that I'm a fan of more proactive defensive strategies than reactive ones, the good old 'Best defense is a good offense' strategy comes to mind, although I fully acknowledge that that isn't always possible or wise.

As for the Hero, hey, I'm just glad to actually have some good hero luck after SCW. Besides, the 1.5x vs 2x is kinda like the Double Move vs Phased Movement argument in that one may be technically better than the other, but they are still both amazing Heroes.

[Stormchaser]

AO: 1939-Battle of the Bzura
Starting Prestige: 33361 (29759 after purchases and repairs)

Hero:

Well, the Hero luck had to end eventually. Assigned to Brecher since eventually it will be able to be upgraded to some pretty big and expensive tank destroyers.

Core Purchases and Upgrades
Husar outfitted with AMC 35
Grenzer outfitted with BA-6
Wachter outfitted with 47mm SA 37

Starting Army Composition:
Core:
Infantry:

• InfAbt.101 'Standhaft'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.201 'Tapfer'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.202 'Ruhm'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.203 'Wurde'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.S01 'Vanguardia'-Azul Infanterie (Opel Blitz)-*, Oleh Dir

Tanks:

• PzAbt.101 'Vorhut'-BT-5-**, Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Heroic Defense, Artillery Support

• PzAbt.102 'Dragoner'-BT-5-**,Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Heroic Defense+1, River Assault

• PzAbt.103 'Husar'-AMC 35-*,Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, River Assault

• PzAbt.201 'Blitz'-Somua S35-*, Albert Kerscher

• PzAbt.202 'Donner'-Somua S35

• PzAbt.301 'Schlachtschiff'-Char B1-*, Unstoppable Offense, Reduced Slots, Rapid Fire 1.5x

• PzAbt.S01 'Armadura'-Verdeja 2-**,Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Anti-Tank Veteran, AT Support

Recon:

• AufkAbt.101 'Wegbereiter'-Panhard 178-***, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Leadership, Overrun

• AufkAbt.102 'Pfadfinder'-Panhard 178-**

• AufkAbt.103 'Grenzer'-BA-6-**, Overwhelming Attack, Heroic Defense+1

Artillery:

• ArtAbt.101 'Trebuchet'-21cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7)-*, Zero Slots

• ArtAbt.102 'Katapult'-152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7)-*, Counter Battery Fire

• ArtAbt.201 'Belagerung'-Sturmpanzer I

• ArtAbt.202 'Rammbock'-Sturmpanzer I

Anti-Aircraft:

• FlakAbt.201 'Spuckfeuer'-SdKfz 10/4-Resilient

Fighter:

• I./JG1 'As'-Bf 109E-**, Aerial Ace, Adolf Galland

• II./JG1 'Windschatten'-Bf 109E-*, Aerial Ace

Tactical Bomber:

• I.ZG1 'Adler'-Bf 110C

• II.ZG1 'Falke'-Bf 110C

• I./SG1 'Himmelsfeuer'-Ju 87B-*, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Anti-Tank Veteran, Legendary, Double Move

• II./SG1 'Feuersturm'-Ju 87B-*

• III./SG1 'Hagelsturm'-Ju 87B-*

Reserve:
Infantry:

• InfAbt.102 'Unpassierbar'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)-Heroic Defense+2

• InfAbt.103 'Unnachgiebig'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)

Tanks:

• PzAbt.104 'Kataphrakt'-Panzer IIA

• PzAbt.302 'Moloch'-Char B1

• PzAbt.303 'Ungetum'-T-26

• PzAbt.401 'Inferno'-OT-133

Anti-Tank:

• PjAbt.101 'Wachter'-47mm SA 37 (SdKfz 11)-*, Hit and Run

• PjAbt.102 'Verteifiger'-45mm M1932 (SdKfz 11)

• PjAbt.201 'Sturmer'-Panzer I Breda-*, Unstoppable Offensive

• PjAbt.202 'Brecher'-Panzer I Breda-Cheap Replacements

• PjAbt.203 'Scrapper'-Panzer I Breda

Artillery:

• ArtAbt.103 'Ballista'-152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7)-*

• ArtAbt.104 'Skorpion'-152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7)

Anti-Aircraft:

• FlakAbt.101 'Schrapnell'-8.8cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 7)-*, Camouflage, Cheap Replacements

• FlakAbt.202 'Scattershot'-SdKfz 10/4

Fighter:

• III./JG1 'Schall'-Bf 109E

Tactical Bomber:

• I./AG1 'Alderauge'-He 70 Rayo

• III.ZG1 'Wurger'-Bf 110C

Strategic Bomber:

• I./KG1 'Stratus'-Ju 86

• II./KG1 'Kumulus-Ju 86

• III./KG1 'Zirrus'-Ju 86

Auxiliary:
Infantry:

• 3 Wehr Infantry (Opel Blitz)

• 3 Kavallerie

Tanks:

• 2 Hotchkiss H35

• 1 Renault R35

Recon:

• 1 UNL-35

Artillery:

• 2 10.5cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz)

Anti-Aircraft:

• 1 SdKfz 10/4

Tactical Bomber:

• 2 Bf 110C

Went fairly heavy on additional Infantry this time. The Polish have a considerable number of Tank Buster Cavalry if I recall, so having alternative ways to deal with them is important. add in the amount of well fortified Close Terrain positions I'll need to siege and a tank heavy force is not the best idea here.


Taking the cities was the easy part, it's holding them that's usually the challenge. And once again the extra units provided by Auxiliary Force make that easier.

Along with several other awards, Kruger finally manages to enable Wegbereiter to acquire permanent Overrun access, and I have an interesting idea for who he's getting assigned to next...

Ending Prestige: 33364 (+3605)
Thoughts: I really noticed myself having an easier time here than from what I remember. Maybe it was because of the Infantry emphasis I set up for or just the extra Auxiliary forces in general, but whether it was fending off counterattacks or setting up encirclements around fortified positions, the number of units I have made a difference. And by the end I had taken every city and spent several turns in a defensive line surrounding the reinforcement spawn destroying anything that emerged. This is something that I have been fairly aware of, but it really stood out to me this Scenario do to my memories of it going in. Honestly, while expensive to maintain maxed Auxiliary Slots, until I start facing Scenarios where pretty much every enemy has 1 or more star of Experience Auxilliary Force is a lot more powerful than I thought it would be when I started this thanks to the sheer number of units it enables you to field eve with the -10% Slots drawback (Which does seem to affect Auxiliary Slots, do to those equaling half your Core Slots so a reduction to Core also reduces your Auxiliary).
Hmm...I need to do some thinking, a hare-brained idea is cooking in my head for the next Scenario...

By the way, does anyone know what the Polish Cargo Trucks are for in this Scenario? Do they lay minefields like we did back in if they reach a certain point or something?

[Tassadar]

By the way, does anyone know what the Polish Cargo Trucks are for in this Scenario? Do they lay minefields like we did back in if they reach a certain point or something?

I'm almost sure they are meant to represent civilians fleeing from the incoming German army. Word about Einsatzgruppen and war crimes spread around, so the civilians were fleeing most endangered areas, alongside a lot of beaten troops trying to flee towards Romania once the war was clearly lost. Luftwaffe was particularly infamous for shooting everything that moved on the ground - regardless if it was soldiers or civilians.

[Stormchaser]

AO: 1939-Modlin
Starting Prestige: 34764 (31583 after purchases and repairs)

Event:

Welcome to the force, Panzerzug Eisenwolf.

Hero:

Assigned to Standhaft, and in somewhat related news, I reassign Kruger the Overrun Hero to Vanguardia. Normally I wouldn't say Overrun works with Infantry do to their limited non-transport based movement capabilities, but with Oleh Dir that's pretty much a non-issue. I'm now eager awaiting Warsaw for a proper test drive of this setup, although it should also come in handy here as well.

Core Purchases and Upgrades
Panzerzug 'Eisenwolf'-Armored Train recruited.
Stratus outfitted with He 111H2
Kumulus outfitted with He 111H2
Zirrus outfitted with He111H2

Starting Army Composition:
Core:
Infantry:

• InfAbt.101 'Standhaft'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)-*,First Aid

• InfAbt.201 'Tapfer'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)-*

• InfAbt.202 'Ruhm'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.203 'Wurde'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.S01 'Vanguardia'-Azul Infanterie (Opel Blitz)-*, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Oleh Dir, Overrun

Tanks:

• PzAbt.201 'Blitz'-Somua S35-*, Unstoppable Offensive, Albert Kerscher

• PzAbt.301 'Schlachtschiff'-Char B1-*, Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Reduced Slots, Rapid Fire 1.5x

• PzAbt.S01 'Armadura'-Verdeja 2-**, Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Anti-Tank Veteran, AT Support

Recon:

• AufkAbt.102 'Pfadfinder'-Panhard 178-**

• AufkAbt.103 'Grenzer'-BA-6-**, Overwhelming Attack, Heroic Defense+1

Artillery:

• ArtAbt.101 'Trebuchet'-21cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7)-*, Zero Slots

• ArtAbt.102 'Katapult'-152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7)-*, Counter Battery Fire

• ArtAbt.103 'Ballista'-152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7)-*

• ArtAbt.104 'Skorpion'-152mm M10/30 (SdKfz 7)

Fighter:

• I./JG1 'As'-Bf 109E-**, Aerial Ace, Adolf Galland

• II./JG1 'Windschatten'-Bf 109E-*, Aerial Ace

Tactical Bomber:

• I.ZG1 'Adler'-Bf 110C

• I./SG1 'Himmelsfeuer'-Ju 87B-**, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Anti-Tank Veteran, Legendary, Double Move

Strategic Bombers:

• I./KG1 'Stratus'-He 111H2

Armored Trains:

• Panzerzug 'Eisenwolf'-Armored Train

Reserve:
Infantry:

• InfAbt.102 'Unpassierbar'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)-Heroic Defense+2

• InfAbt.103 'Unnachgiebig'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)

Tanks:

• PzAbt.101 'Vorhut'-BT-5-**, Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Heroic Defense, Artillery Support

• PzAbt.102 'Dragoner'-BT-5-**,Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Heroic Defense+1, River Assault

• PzAbt.103 'Husar'-AMC 35-*,Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, River Assault

• PzAbt.104 'Kataphrakt'-Panzer IIA

• PzAbt.202 'Donner'-Somua S35

• PzAbt.302 'Moloch'-Char B1

• PzAbt.303 'Ungetum'-T-26

• PzAbt.401 'Inferno'-OT-133

Recon:

• AufkAbt.101 'Wegbereiter'-Panhard 178-***, Unstoppable Offensive, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Leadership

Anti-Tank:

• PjAbt.101 'Wachter'-47mm SA 37 (SdKfz 11)-*, Hit and Run

• PjAbt.102 'Verteifiger'-45mm M1932 (SdKfz 11)

• PjAbt.201 'Sturmer'-Panzer I Breda-*, Unstoppable Offensive

• PjAbt.202 'Brecher'-Panzer I Breda-Cheap Replacements

• PjAbt.203 'Scrapper'-Panzer I Breda

Artillery:

• ArtAbt.201 'Belagerung'-Sturmpanzer I

• ArtAbt.202 'Rammbock'-Sturmpanzer I

Anti-Aircraft:

• FlakAbt.101 'Schrapnell'-8.8cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 7)-*, Camouflage, Cheap Replacements

• FlakAbt.201 'Spuckfeuer'-SdKfz 10/4-*,Resilient

• FlakAbt.202 'Scattershot'-SdKfz 10/4

Fighter:

• III./JG1 'Schall'-Bf 109E

Tactical Bomber:

• I./AG1 'Alderauge'-He 70 Rayo

• II.ZG1 'Falke'-Bf 110C

• III.ZG1 'Wurger'-Bf 110C

• II./SG1 'Feuersturm'-Ju 87B-*

• III./SG1 'Hagelsturm'-Ju 87B-*

Strategic Bomber:

• II./KG1 'Kumulus-He 111H2

• III./KG1 'Zirrus'-He 111H2

Auxiliary:
Infantry:

• 4 Wehr Infantry (Opel Blitz)

Tanks:

• 2 Panzer 38(t)A

Artillery:

• 1 10.5cm leFH 18 (Opel Blitz)

Tactical Bomber:

• 2 Ju 87B

For lack of many better upgrades opportunites atm I decide it's time to overhaul my dusty Strategic Bombers, especially for what I have planned today. For I have decided that, considering that A)I'm already going to be losing a lot of Prestige next Scenario regardless thanks to the Prestige Sink and B) Auxiliary Force gives me about as good of a set up for it as I could probably ask for, I'm going to do something very stupid and try to conquer Modlin Fortress.What the hell am I thinking...this is going to end in fire isn't it?


After several turns of encircled assault I manage to crack open one of the strongpoints protecting Modlin's core, which should give my forces more freedom of movement for the main assault, especially once the other northern strongpoint falls a couple turns later.

After Zakroczym and Nowy Dwor were taken, I sent Schlachtschiff down to take out the supply dump and wait by the last Victory Hex in case I I ran out of turns to defeat Modlin.

Encircled and alone, Modlin still stands strong. Now the question is whether or not I can defeat it in the remaining few turns I have...

The answer is yes, if barely. If I had started the assault even a turn later I wouldn't have been able to finish it off, especially since even surrounded and suppressed with both Pioneres and Recons next to it providing buffs the only things that seemed to be able to even scratch it were said Pioneres and my Ju87s.

Ending Prestige: 29525 (-2058)
Thoughts: My first Scenario Prestige deficit since the SCW and a much greater deficit besides, but I pretty much expected it when I decided to lay siege to Modlin. But as I mentioned, with the Prestige Sink I'm taking next Scenario this is about as good a time as any to waste Prestige. Anyway, Modlin is, as expected, a very tough nut to crack. The fortress itself is a pain (It firing on your Artillery when said Artillery are in range to fire back is arguably the best way I found to deal with its attacks, on an unrelated note my 152mm M10/30 stocks seem to have taken a big hit. ), but the real problem is probably the Strongpoints, Infantry, and support guns entrenched around it. Once you manage to get through them it becomes much simpler, as an encircled Modlin runs out of ammo very quickly and it just becomes a slog to drop its Strength to 0 (Himmelsfeuer's Double Move was critical here for helping get that extra damage I needed to kill it in time.).
In hindsight, there are definitely things I would have do differently if I were to repeat this.
1. Try encircling the whole encampment from the start instead of brute forcing through the front like I did at first. Suppressed enemies are much easier to deal with, and the prestige from surrenders would have possibly meant not having a Prestige deficit. I don't usually play this map and didn't realize how sparsley defended the rear was and how well the river enables encirclements if you take the bridges until partway through.
2. More Pioneres. These were the only ground units that seemed capable of harming Modlin even after it was encircled and defenseless, if I had 1-2 more it would have fallen much faster. They also would help with destroying the Strongpoints faster.
3. Ditch the Strategic Bomber, by the time I could use it to try to weaken Modlin without getting blasted to bits by the 2 heavy AA guns defending it I already had the fortress surrounded. Not sure exactly what I would have used instead, but whatever it was probably would have been more useful. I don't know if it's me but I still see no real point to using Strategic Bombers except for anti-ship purposes.
Anyway, kinda looking forward to next Scenario now. I usually take the other path because I don't usually like dealing with Modlin, so I don't get to play Brest-Litovsk very often.

[Tassadar]

Curiosity question - is there anything special mentioned in the debriefing if you take out the fortress?

Also, on the Wunderwaffe run I'll go the same path, but I'll do an attempt of not getting Pioneers and dive bombers involved, just overstrengthened units. That's probably not going to work at all even with 15 power stacks, but it's an experiment for science.

[Stormchaser]

Curiosity question - is there anything special mentioned in the debriefing if you take out the fortress?

Also, on the Wunderwaffe run I'll go the same path, but I'll do an attempt of not getting Pioneers and dive bombers involved, just overstrengthened units. That's probably not going to work at all even with 15 power stacks, but it's an experiment for science.

Nope, debriefing still mentioned leaving Modlin to be conquered by another force now that you have cleared its surroundings. It would be neat to have some kind of reward or even just an acknowledgement, but I guess then everyone would want to take it our for said reward so I kinda get why there isn't one.

Trying to destroy it with no Pioneres or Tac Bombers? That will be...an interesting time I'm sure.

[Stormchaser]

AO: 1939-Brest-Litovsk
Starting Prestige: 7732 (5837 after purchases and repairs)

Event:

Whelp, there goes my Prestige. At least its for a pretty good cause.

Hero:

A welcome addition after losing most of my stockpile of Prestige. Assigned to Adler.

Core Purchases and Upgrades
Kataphrakt outfitted with Panzer IIC
Katapult outfitted with 15cm sFH 18
Ballista outfitted with 15cm sFH 18

Starting Army Composition:
Core:
Infantry:

• InfAbt.101 'Standhaft'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)-*,First Aid

• InfAbt.201 'Tapfer'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)-*

• InfAbt.202 'Ruhm'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)-*

• InfAbt.203 'Wurde'-Pionere (Opel Blitz)

• InfAbt.S01 'Vanguardia'-Azul Infanterie (Opel Blitz)-*, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Oleh Dir, Overrun

Tanks:

• PzAbt.101 'Vorhut'-BT-5-**, Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Heroic Defense, Artillery Support

• PzAbt.201 'Blitz'-Somua S35-*, Unstoppable Offensive, Albert Kerscher

• PzAbt.301 'Schlachtschiff'-Char B1-*, Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Reduced Slots, Rapid Fire 1.5x

• PzAbt.S01 'Armadura'-Verdeja 2-**, Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Anti-Tank Veteran, AT Support

Recon:

• AufkAbt.102 'Pfadfinder'-Panhard 178-***

• AufkAbt.103 'Grenzer'-BA-6-**, Overwhelming Attack, Heroic Defense+1

Artillery:

• ArtAbt.101 'Trebuchet'-21cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7)-**, Zero Slots

• ArtAbt.102 'Katapult'-15cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7)-*, Counter Battery Fire

• ArtAbt.201 'Belagerung'-Sturmpanzer I

• ArtAbt.202 'Rammbock'-Sturmpanzer I

Fighter:

• I./JG1 'As'-Bf 109E-**, Aerial Ace, Adolf Galland

• II./JG1 'Windschatten'-Bf 109E-*, Aerial Ace

Tactical Bomber:

• I.ZG1 'Adler'-Bf 110C-Legendary

• I./SG1 'Himmelsfeuer'-Ju 87B-**, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Anti-Tank Veteran, Legendary, Double Move

Reserve:
Infantry:

• InfAbt.102 'Unpassierbar'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)-Heroic Defense+2

• InfAbt.103 'Unnachgiebig'-Grenadier (Opel Blitz)

Tanks:

• PzAbt.102 'Dragoner'-BT-5-**,Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Heroic Defense+1, River Assault

• PzAbt.103 'Husar'-AMC 35-*,Unstoppable Offense, Anti-Infantry Veteran, River Assault

• PzAbt.104 'Kataphrakt'-Panzer IIC

• PzAbt.202 'Donner'-Somua S35

• PzAbt.302 'Moloch'-Char B1

• PzAbt.303 'Ungetum'-T-26

• PzAbt.401 'Inferno'-OT-133

Recon:

• AufkAbt.101 'Wegbereiter'-Panhard 178-***, Unstoppable Offensive, Anti-Infantry Veteran, Leadership

Anti-Tank:

• PjAbt.101 'Wachter'-47mm SA 37 (SdKfz 11)-*, Hit and Run

• PjAbt.102 'Verteifiger'-45mm M1932 (SdKfz 11)

• PjAbt.201 'Sturmer'-Panzer I Breda-*, Unstoppable Offensive

• PjAbt.202 'Brecher'-Panzer I Breda-Cheap Replacements

• PjAbt.203 'Scrapper'-Panzer I Breda

Artillery:

• ArtAbt.103 'Ballista'-15cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7)-*

• ArtAbt.104 'Skorpion'-15cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7)

Anti-Aircraft:

• FlakAbt.101 'Schrapnell'-8.8cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 7)-*, Camouflage, Cheap Replacements

• FlakAbt.201 'Spuckfeuer'-SdKfz 10/4-*,Resilient

• FlakAbt.202 'Scattershot'-SdKfz 10/4

Fighter:

• III./JG1 'Schall'-Bf 109E

Tactical Bomber:

• I./AG1 'Alderauge'-He 70 Rayo

• II.ZG1 'Falke'-Bf 110C

• III.ZG1 'Wurger'-Bf 110C

• II./SG1 'Feuersturm'-Ju 87B-*

• III./SG1 'Hagelsturm'-Ju 87B-*

Strategic Bomber:

• I./KG1 'Stratus'-He 111H2

• II./KG1 'Kumulus-He 111H2

• III./KG1 'Zirrus'-He 111H2

Armored Trains:

• Panzerzug 'Eisenwolf'-Armored Train

Auxiliary:
Infantry:

• 3 Wehr Infantry (Opel Blitz)

Tanks:

• 2 Panzer IIC

Recon:

• 2 SdKfz 222

Artillery:

• 1 Sturmpanzer I

Tactical Bomber:

• 2 Bf 110C

Kataphrakt gets the only real upgrade this Scenario, the Artillery just no longer have to rely on stockpiles of Soviet Artillery, which is ironic since I'm hitting the first mission of 1939 where I have chances to restock said Artillery.


Hey, Tassadar, I don't suppose you wanted some visual proof of that recent addition to your 1939 Captured Units review?

Insert Seagulls: Mine! Mine! Mine!.gif

Armadura led the charge into the Soviet nest, so it's no surprise really that it bore the brunt of the counterattack.

Ending Prestige: 11352 (+3620)
Thoughts: I don't often play this particular Scenario do to not wanting to deal with Modlin in most games so far (Although that may change going forward now that it isn't quite as intimidating) and one thing that stands out is that there is a much smaller Soviet presence on this map. In the other path the whole eastern border is crawling with Soviet Infantry and guns, but here its just the northeast corner. At least the Katyushas are still there, that's the important part. I do feel like I had an easier time this Scenario compared to said counterpart, probably because of the diminished Soviet presence. Which was good, because it allowed me to focus on captures, both for a shiny new Artillery and for building up my Prestige again. Kinda sad though, I managed to capture 12 T-38s but the Panhards are almost completely superior and the BA-6s are good enough comparitvely and have a bigger stockpile that even if I got a Field Repairs Hero at Warsaw I'm probably going to pass on fielding one.

[Tassadar]

Appreciate the T-38 confirmation - I stumbled upon a mention elsewhere and checked it in the equipment file to see if it's at lest semi-legit, but this proves the point.

I hope that T-38 will come back in 1941 at least in some early missions and if it does my Panzermon AAR will be one of hunting this particular unit, since it's likely to quickly become obsolete and stop appearing.

Overall agreed that Brest-Litovsk seems like the easier scenario, but then on the earlier path Lvov is much easier than Modlin, so it balances out. Still for maximized captures I'd always take the Lvov/Wlodawa path. Only giving up on T-38 seems like a good trade for potentially scores of artillery to capture.