Slitherine

AO 1940 - Dunkirk


I cannot say no to unique heroes. Especially that Heinrich Bar has a very useful set of abilities. I'd still rate Galland higher on the unique hero list, but with increasingly good enemy planes appearing on the front any improvement to my fighters is a welcome one.



Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 33461

Hero:



Expanding on the air force hero list Gerhard Schmitz joins III./SG 7 making Il-2 Shturmovik even more potent in bombardment under potential heavy fire.

New Units Commissioned:

II./ZG 6 - Bf110D
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87B

Extra core slots in my air force are filled in with a Zerstörer unit and one more dive bomber. I was considering adding one more fighter as well, but against formidable British planes using a green crew would not seem too good - I'll probably postpone the idea until 1941 and the Eastern front. Besides it would require creating a new Jagdgeschwader which would mess with my unit naming.

Starting Army Composition:

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Bf 109E - *** - Fast Rebase - Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Bf 109E - *** - Leadership, Fast Rebase - Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Bf 109E - ** - Legendary
IV./JG 61 - Bf 109E - ** - Aiming Assistance

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 6 - Bf110D - *** - Readiness
II./ZG 6 - Bf110D
I./SG 7 - Ju 87B - *** - Double Move, Crippling Blow
II./SG 7 - Ju 87B - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - * - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87B

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 43 - Ju 88A - ** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - He 111H2 - **
III./KG 43 - He 111H2 - *

Reserve

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz)
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz)
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - ** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - ** - Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (Opel Blitz) - * - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (Opel Blitz) - *
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (Opel Blitz) - *
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - * - Prudent
PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIF - *** - Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIF - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Panzer IIC - ** - First Strike, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Somua S35 - *
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVD - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - *** - Steamroller, Survivor - Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Neubaufahrzeug
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Envelopment
AufkAbt 12 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Field Repairs
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - *** - Field Repairs
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - ** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Panzerjäger IB - * - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Panzerjäger IB - ** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - 3.7 cm Pak 36 (SdKfz 10)
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 3.7 cm Pak 36 (SdKfz 10)
Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support - Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Sturmpanzer I - ** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - *
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/4 - *
I./AG 9 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fi 156 Storch - *
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armored Train - *

Highlights


II./SG 7 under downright absurd amounts AA fire earns the Survivor award.


Once that is over, a RAF fighter arrives to add one more tier to the award. Luckily my experienced II./SG 7 pilots survive this thanks to their fighter covering fire.


Battle over the sea is intense, but so far Luftwaffe comes out of it well ahead.


Same can be said about the combat over the continental part of the map, but even with a lot of air victories losses start to add up.

Summary:

Final Prestige: 34415 (up 954)
CP gained: 4 (7 spent, 10 left)

Overall:

First air only scenario in AO and luckily the balance was just right. It required a decent air force with enough fighters to provide adequate cover, but I did not feel it was too crazy as long as I did not overextend and properly kept my units together. My fighters might be better and more experienced than Hurricane swarms, but it does not mean that if 3-4 of them gang up on a single Bf 109E I can be 100% safe about the result. My biggest concern was the objective that required destroying air defense units, but when I saw they all have just 5 power I felt a lot more confident about this. The only thing that felt odd was that I had perfect weather over the entire scenario - something that was not exactly the case during the historical Dunkirk bombardments where Luftwaffe had to deal not only with some from targets they hit, but also cloudy conditions that limited the number of raids (among many other factors). I wonder if that's coded for simplicity sake as too much random weather could be frustrating in the scenario, or did I simply get lucky.

Way to go! I'm impressed you got the AA guns, I failed to get that secondary. I also lost a fighter here, as towards the end I stopped trimming the AI's fighter swarms and they accumulated too much.

I also got a few 'survivor' 1 and 2 medals here. It feels like, ultimately, that's something the game designers encourage/expect.

I expect you are right about the weather thing. You don't have a lot of rounds, easy to imagine that if weather didn't favor someone they might enter a state where the AA objective was literally impossible.

WalterTFD wrote: ↑Sat Dec 19, 2020 4:45 pm Way to go! I'm impressed you got the AA guns, I failed to get that secondary. I also lost a fighter here, as towards the end I stopped trimming the AI's fighter swarms and they accumulated too much.

I also got a few 'survivor' 1 and 2 medals here. It feels like, ultimately, that's something the game designers encourage/expect.

I expect you are right about the weather thing. You don't have a lot of rounds, easy to imagine that if weather didn't favor someone they might enter a state where the AA objective was literally impossible.

I./SG 7 had Double Move, so if it did not take out the AA target, the second bombardment did. That's more or less 1 AA unit down per round and since I've started immediately focusing on them I managed to do this. Entrenchment Killer 4x on II./SG 7 was also huge, effectively negating dug positions in cities and other difficult terrain.

WalterTFD wrote: ↑Sat Dec 19, 2020 4:45 pm Way to go! I'm impressed you got the AA guns, I failed to get that secondary. I also lost a fighter here, as towards the end I stopped trimming the AI's fighter swarms and they accumulated too much.

I also got a few 'survivor' 1 and 2 medals here. It feels like, ultimately, that's something the game designers encourage/expect.

I expect you are right about the weather thing. You don't have a lot of rounds, easy to imagine that if weather didn't favor someone they might enter a state where the AA objective was literally impossible.

20% cloudcover causing 50% reduction in aircraft accuracy = angry RNG rants. So yes I just brought out the shining sun for this first time appearance of aircraft only, because cloud mechanics would just make this first taste a very awful (even if properly historical) one. Same goes for carefully setting strength values of AD units.

Gameplay first, history second, geography third. That's my design mantra.

AO 1940 - Battle of Abbeville

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 37297

Hero:



Since I have Double Support on one artillery already and with Counter Battery fire I fear it might get too ammo costly to have it everywhere, I assign Gerhard Schneider to Panzerjäger Abt 211. 3.7 cm Pak 36 is not a powerful AT weapon, but it does have six ammo and with support fire provided twice per target it can actually be much more useful now.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - ** - Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (Opel Blitz) - * - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (Opel Blitz) - *
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (Opel Blitz) - *
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - * - Prudent

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIF - *** - Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIF - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Panzer IIC - ** - First Strike, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVD - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - *** - Steamroller, Survivor - Albert Kerscher

Recon

AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Envelopment
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - ** - Hit and Run

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Panzerjäger IB - * - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Panzerjäger IB - ** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - 3.7 cm Pak 36 (SdKfz 10) - Double Support

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support - Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Sturmpanzer I - ** - Skilled Support

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Bf 109E - *** - Fast Rebase - Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Bf 109E - *** - Leadership, Fast Rebase - Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Bf 109E - ** - Legendary
IV./JG 61 - Bf 109E - ** - Aiming Assistance

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 6 - Bf110D - *** - Readiness
I./SG 7 - Ju 87B - *** - Double Move, Crippling Blow
II./SG 7 - Ju 87B - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - * - Lightning Attack

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz)
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz)
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - ** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - *
PzAbt 412 - Somua S35 - *
PzAbt 511 - Neubaufahrzeug
AufkAbt 12 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Field Repairs
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - *** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 3.7 cm Pak 36 (SdKfz 10)
FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - *
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/4 - *
II./ZG 6 - Bf110D
I./AG 9 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fi 156 Storch - *
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87B
I./KG 43 - Ju 88A - ** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - He 111H2 - **
III./KG 43 - He 111H2 - *
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armored Train - *

Highlights


Once again Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) takes no prisoners!


So this is where he was hiding all that time. Time to kick his...


...wait, nemesis heroes have friends now? OK, let's take it slow and assemble a defensive formation, since things might end up badly otherwise.


My forces have an occasion to earn some medals fighting such a huge army detachment.


Units get these awards one by one now.


While a massive panzer battle happens in the west, my army army near Mareuil-Cauberty just chills as Spanish volunteers take make the rest of the force jobless as long as fighting continues in close terrain.


Trophies once again. Infantry admitted in 1939 starts to gain more of these after long last.


Same for AT units that followed me since SCW, it took a while to get this first level!


Things are now finally more under control with the French elite force either in retreat or taken out.


Just when I was about to relax, French reinforcements arrive.


Of course 7th Pazner Division only reports about events in their range. The southern part of the map is equally swarmed with new French units.


A lucky 21 cm Mrs 18 hit takes out the nemesis. This time things are settled for good, but the defensive bonus combination made this equally difficult as in Sedan.


Double Support on the towed AT guns comes in handy as I hoped for.


More reinforcements arrive...


...and my forces have the chance to earn even more awards fighting them.


The waves keep coming, but now that I have set up optimal defensive positions, it it difficult for them to make a difference.

Summary:

Final Prestige: 40849 (up 3552)
CP gained: 2 (up to 12)

Equipment captured in scenario:

Renault R35 - 2 - (up to 7)
Hotchkiss H35 - 3 (up to 18)
Panhard 178 - 9 (up to 32)
25mm CA mle 39 - (up to 4)
37mm mle 30 - 6 (up to 10)
105mm mle 1913 - 17 (up to 23)
75mm mle 1897 - 3 (up to 13)

Overall:

A long, epic fight that's quite the experience with the campaign in France slowly coming to an end. Yet again cooperation with 7th Pazner Division went quite well, with the rare exception of their recon cars attacking targets near the dug in AT guns near the bases west and getting absolutely destroyed as a result. Appearance of the nemesis with a small army was a surprise, but a really pleasant one. It's yet another thing that positively expends on the idea and improves on Vega's character. In SCW Vega was much easier to handle not only due to less efficient defensive traits and being prone to surrenders, but also since he mostly operated alone. The new nemesis now appears with friends that are also overstrengthened and experienced, which in turns means that careful planning is requited, I could not just storm in like crazy even with experienced units full of heroes. Hopefully that's going to be the trend moving forward, I could get used to this approach. Also, there is a thing to say about the map itself. Unless the central airfield is captured, tactical bombers operate just a few hexes short of the advancing French elites, so it is not possible to just bombard them into oblivion and not care. Intentional by design or not (great if it's the former!), it gave the airfield's location meaning, as 7th Panzer Divison had to secure it first and then I had to help them defend it to allow for important air raids against key nemesis army targets.

AO 1940 - Neufchateau

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 43797

Hero:



I'm not going to be original, Torsten Schmitt joins II./ZG 6 for hopefully the same defensive combination of traits as I would like to set up for I./ZG 6 in the future.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - ** - No Surrender
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - ** - Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (Opel Blitz) - * - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (Opel Blitz) - *
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (Opel Blitz) - *

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIF - *** - Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIF - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Panzer IIC - *** - First Strike, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVD - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - *** - Steamroller, Survivor - Albert Kerscher

Recon

AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Envelopment
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - ** - Hit and Run

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Panzerjäger IB - ** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support - Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Sturmpanzer I - ** - Skilled Support

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Bf 109E - *** - Fast Rebase - Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Bf 109E - *** - Leadership, Fast Rebase - Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Bf 109E - ** - Legendary
IV./JG 61 - Bf 109E - ** - Aiming Assistance

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 6 - Bf110D - *** - Readiness
I./SG 7 - Ju 87B - *** - Double Move, Crippling Blow
II./SG 7 - Ju 87B - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - * - Lightning Attack

Armored Train

Panzerzug Hamburg - Armored Train - *

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz)
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz)
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - * - Prudent
PzAbt 412 - Somua S35 - *
PzAbt 511 - Neubaufahrzeug
AufkAbt 12 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Field Repairs
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - *** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Panzerjäger IB - * - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - 3.7 cm Pak 36 (SdKfz 10) - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 3.7 cm Pak 36 (SdKfz 10)
FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - *
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/4 - *
II./ZG 6 - Bf110D - Readiness
I./AG 9 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fi 156 Storch - *
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87B
I./KG 43 - Ju 88A - ** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - He 111H2 - **
III./KG 43 - He 111H2 - *

Highlights


With some extra bridge engineering support my force takes the direct approach of attacking French fortified positions.


Things start out with an award for Infanterie Reg 99 (span.), but with the powerful combat results it provides it is not a surprise at all.


Awards for my recons as well - with Hit and Run attacking infantry became 100% safe, so AufkAbt 22 picks up experience quickly.


PzAbt 411 also picks up an award and the unit's specialized anti-infantry/soft target usage paid off.


There indeed no defenders after clearing the initial blockade. Surely the French army still has something to offer?


With a forward remote airfield taken, my air force can now operate to support the advance closer to the front line. PzAbt 502 is unlikely to be pushed out of the location.


I need to bring in my fighters as soon as possible, so glad I secured that airfield! The French planes make me taste my own medicine and a sudden appearance of the nemesis surprises me even more! I am sure I took him down last scenario, so it looks like permanently killing them will not be as easy moving forward. He again has friends, so that's even worse for my advancing force that was sure nothing bad will happen in close terrain with artillery support.


My own dive bombers arrive with a vengeance!


Meanwhile Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 traversing the forests and Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 landing unexpectedly secure the airfield behind Neufchateau, forcing remaining French planes to rebase to a much less advantageous location.


Artillerie Abt 602 finally joins the Skilled Support club.


I./JG 61 and I./JG 61 with Fast Rebase are able to quickly hunt down any retreating French planes and take them out for good.


Despite many gorund forces being cleared out the enemy is still numerous and PzAbt 501 runs into multiple attackers.


Meanwhile Oleh Dir's squad becomes even better again.


Neufchateau finally falls and the nemesis is about to. I wonder however if this will be the last I hear from him, as I was was for sure surprised by his appearance despite getting destroyed. My bet is on yes, he'll be back just like the T-800.


An interesting surprise. For sure something for the Panzermon run, but maybe also for Wunderwaffe one - makes me think about setting up rules to allow for captured prototypes and very rare units there to add some spice.


Interesting and unexpected - a rare case of the enemy having a "hero" granting negative effects.


Done, but I don't thinks it's over and de Gaulle will probably return...

Summary:

Final Prestige: 45198 (up 1401)
CP gained: 0 (12 remaining)

Equipment captured in scenario:

Somua S35 - 5 (up to 25)
Panhard 178 - 6 (up to 38)
155mm C mle 1917 - 9 (up to 20)
105mm mle 1913 - 5 (up to 28)

Other equipment received:

Char 2C - 35 (up to 35)

Overall:

France defeated, onward to England! That was a fitting finish to the whole French campaign with multiple different scenarios along the way and all sorts of missions. Tho last ones were indeed large in scale and against tough opposition. I like those concentrated tough opponents appearing more and more commonly as the war efforts go on, but do not necessarily mean that every enemy unit is now somehow extremely experienced. This bothered me somewhat in Pazner Corps 1 where in later scenarios every single enemy was a veteran. The hero system gives that experience more meaning and while it will have to constantly grow to match the player's forces, it seems a better idea than just globally upgrading every unit. As for the mission itself, I did not expect such a huge force not only on the ground, but also in the air. I need to take note of this, since it might be much easier now to loose a fighter by accident if I fly them too far without proper recon done first. This is even a concern for future playthrough, since I might learn where the forces are and what to expect, but they still might just rebase to catch me unprepared. With the next missions moving across the Channel, RAF will be an ever tougher opponent than Armée de l’air.

AO 1940 - Jersey

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 47476

Hero:



Infanterie Reg 57 can now use both Avenger and Prudent, that is actually quite flavorful.

New Equipment Provided:

I./SG 7 - Ju 87R
II./SG 7 - Ju 87R
III./SG 7 - Ju 87R

Starting Army Composition:

Looking forward to gain experience on my relatively green troops. Especially infantry was not gaining as much as I hoped for earlier.

Infantry

Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (Opel Blitz) - * - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (Opel Blitz) - *
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (Opel Blitz) - *
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - * - Avenger, Prudent

Tank

PzAbt 412 - Somua S35 - *
PzAbt 511 - Neubaufahrzeug

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Panzerjäger IB - * - Field Repairs

Reserve

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz)
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz)
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - ** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - ** - Oleh Dir
PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIF - *** - Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIF - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Panzer IIC - *** - First Strike, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVD - *** - Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - *** - Steamroller, Survivor - Albert Kerscher
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Envelopment
AufkAbt 12 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Field Repairs
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - *** - Field Repairs
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - ** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Panzerjäger IB - ** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - 3.7 cm Pak 36 (SdKfz 10) - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 3.7 cm Pak 36 (SdKfz 10)
Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support - Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Sturmpanzer I - ** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - *
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/4 - *
I./JG 61 - Bf 109E - *** - Fast Rebase - Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Bf 109E - *** - Leadership, Fast Rebase - Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Bf 109E - ** - Legendary
IV./JG 61 - Bf 109E - ** - Aiming Assistance
I./ZG 6 - Bf110D - *** - Readiness
II./ZG 6 - Bf110D - Readiness
I./SG 7 - Ju 87R - *** - Double Move, Crippling Blow
II./SG 7 - Ju 87R - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - * - Lightning Attack
I./AG 9 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fi 156 Storch - *
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87R
I./KG 43 - Ju 88A - ** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - He 111H2 - **
III./KG 43 - He 111H2 - *
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armored Train - *

Highlights


Quick landing and immediately the chance to gain some overrun instances, very useful for new tank units.


A medal for training? I guess it still counts.


Nice little discovery I need to take note of for some future runs.

Summary:

Final Prestige: 47676 (up 200)
CP gained: 0 (12 remaining)

Other equipment received:

Hurricane Mk.IIC - 25 (up to 25)
Spitfire Mk.II - 9 (up to 9)

Overall:

Quick and useful training mission that allowed a few of my units get that much needed experience. I'm a fan of this approach. In Panzer Corps 1 gift units later in the game often were utterly useless since they could not compare to seasoned veterans. With this solution in place however, things can be equalized easier and make these new units much more tempting to use instead of old favorites.

AO 1940 - Dover


That's a huge prestige sink and I'm unlikely to use the awards anyway from a sneak peak at available ones, but this first run is all about discovering possibilities and making notes for the future, so expanding the collection is not a problem, if only for the information purposes.

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 7410

Hero:



I've yet to test Fast Deployment on infantry, so I assign Udo to Pionier Bataillon 33 to check how fast moving pioneers will impact the battlefield.

New Units Commissioned:

Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10)
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuG IIIB
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuG IIIB
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (Opel Blitz)

As a huge StuG fan I'm excited with this new purchase. These won't assist me at Dover, but later on I hope to gain a lot by their usage. Werfer Abt 621 appears to further expand on my rather short artillery unit list and FlaK Abt 274 got purchased since I had an extra free slot and thought some light AA cover won't hurt - I probably won't upgrade this one to have that 1 slot cost unit to deploy from time to time depending on exact slot amount available.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIG
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIG
I./JG 61 - Bf 109F
II./JG 61 - Bf 109F
III./JG 61 - Bf 109F
IV./JG 61 - Bf 109F

Small, but valuable improvements to tanks and fighters - I'm especially happy with the latter with RAF around the corner.

Starting Army Composition:

Looking forward to gain experience on my relatively green troops. Especially infantry was not gaining as much as I hoped for earlier.

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - ** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - ** - Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (Opel Blitz) - *** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (Opel Blitz) - *** - Fast Deployment
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (Opel Blitz) - ***
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *** - Avenger, Prudent

Tank

PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVD - *** - Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - *** - Steamroller, Survivor - Albert Kerscher

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Panzerjäger IB - ** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor

Recon

AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Envelopment

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support - Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (Opel Blitz)

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase - Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Leadership, Fast Rebase - Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Bf 109F - ** - Legendary
IV./JG 61 - Bf 109F - ** - Aiming Assistance

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 6 - Bf110D - *** - Readiness
II./ZG 6 - Bf110D - Readiness
I./SG 7 - Ju 87R - *** - Double Move, Crippling Blow
II./SG 7 - Ju 87R - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 43 - Ju 88A - ** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - He 111H2 - **
III./KG 43 - He 111H2 - *

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz)
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz)
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - *
PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIG - *** - Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIG - *** - Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Panzer IIC - *** - First Strike, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Somua S35 - **
PzAbt 511 - Neubaufahrzeug - ***
AufkAbt 12 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Field Repairs
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - *** - Field Repairs
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - ** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Panzerjäger IB - *** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - 3.7 cm Pak 36 (SdKfz 10) - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 3.7 cm Pak 36 (SdKfz 10)
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Sturmpanzer I - ** - Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuG IIIB
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuG IIIB
Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10)
FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - *
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/4 - *
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - * - Lightning Attack
I./AG 9 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fi 156 Storch - *
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87R
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armored Train - *

Highlights


Initially, the RAF is not as scary as I thought it would. My forces take down multiple British planes with quite limited losses, so all is going well.


As if confirming usefulness of Fast Deployment, Pionier Bataillon 33 gains an award in battle, being able to reach targets much easier and thus fight more often.


RAF now shows they are a force to be reckoned with despite their lackluster early performance. II./KG 43 barely escapes a mass attack and that's despite fighter cover!


Luckily my forces landing on the beaches have better luck. Perimeter Control helps negate encirclement that would otherwise take place after landing.


The British do not pose a serious threat once the supply hexes have been secured and my army is allowed to establish a proper base of operations.


Involving FlaK Abt 274 in the operation was a good choice, it quickly has an occasion to see some action.


Ashford is better defended than actual beaches themselves, but not enough to stand up to my forces especially that I brought my heavy artillery to assist with the sieges.

Summary:

Final Prestige: 8727 (up 1317)
CP gained: 9 (up to 21)

Equipment captured in scenario:

Cruiser Mk.I - 3 (up to 3)
Daimler Dingo - 4 (up to 7)
40mm Bofors - 5 (up to 5)
QF 25 pdr - 5 (up to 5)


Overall:

That was less scary that I thought it would be, but only due to the strange absence of the Royal Navy. With no ships to contest my landing forces and just some planes in the sky (but not too many after all), the landing crafts could maneuver quite freely. This gave time to set up optimal landings and put no pressure on my forces to rush things. Experienced troops pushed through fast to get the supply hexes and while some losses were inevitable due to the nature of the operation things could have gone a lot worse if the British were more aggressive. Seeing the briefing part of Brighton I now see why, but at first this was quite strange to see resistance much smaller than anticipated. I have a feeling that is going to be the only comfortable scenario in this invasion however, and that Brighton briefing is a sign of things to come...

AO 1940 - Brighton


A quick "verification" trade off for the sake of future runs. While I now have access to Spitfires, poor Galland will have to wait.

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 10514

Hero:



PzAbt 402 becomes the escort unit that will help move my artillery an other vulnerable units in the open. I just need to remember to use it this way...

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - ** - Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (Opel Blitz) - *** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (Opel Blitz) - *** - Fast Deployment
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (Opel Blitz) - ***

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIG - *** - Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIG - *** - Provocator, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVD - *** - Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - *** - Steamroller, Survivor - Albert Kerscher

Recon

AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Envelopment
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - ** - Hit and Run

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Panzerjäger IB - *** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Panzerjäger IB - ** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - 3.7 cm Pak 36 (SdKfz 10) - Double Support

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support - Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuG IIIB
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuG IIIB

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (Opel Blitz)

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase - Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Leadership, Fast Rebase - Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Legendary
IV./JG 61 - Bf 109F - ** - Aiming Assistance

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 6 - Bf110D - *** - Readiness
I./SG 7 - Ju 87R - *** - Double Move, Crippling Blow
II./SG 7 - Ju 87R - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 43 - Ju 88A - ** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - He 111H2 - **
III./KG 43 - He 111H2 - *

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz)
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz)
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - ** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *** - Avenger, Prudent
PzAbt 411 - Panzer IIC - *** - First Strike, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Somua S35 - **
PzAbt 511 - Neubaufahrzeug - ***
AufkAbt 12 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Field Repairs
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - *** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 3.7 cm Pak 36 (SdKfz 10)
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Sturmpanzer I - ** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10)
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - *
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/4 - *
II./ZG 6 - Bf110D - Readiness
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - * - Lightning Attack
I./AG 9 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fi 156 Storch - *
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87R
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armored Train - *

Highlights


Hello! Looks like an unexpected survivor joins the fleet to combat the Royal Navy. That's a really pleasant surprise.


Scouts, can you please define "extreme numerical superiority"? That report is not too helpful, let's talk about your military school training...


Time to sink some British navy units, as two capital ships are spotted and quickly sunk.


This is all done by Galland on the defense of I./KG 43. Cost? 4 strength of Ju 88A lost with 24 Spitfire strength shot down. Yup, that's fine by me.


Pionier Bataillon 33 now moves into the fight quicker with Fast Deployment, but it looks like it also gets into the trouble easier because of that.


Son of a... He's a stubborn one!


Moving into river positions on the other hand is not the best decison and helps me combat the nemesis much esier despite all his defensive traits.


So much for the Kriegsmarine. I've tried, but the "extreme numerical superiority" proved to be true.


An award for Artillerie Abt 601 as it's essentially my anti-nemesis weapon of choice now, dealing the killing blow each time.


Revenge! Last remaining Royal Navy ships go join the Bismarck and his escorts.


Nemesis comes back yet again, but at this point I'm sure it's not the last appearance.

Summary:

Final Prestige: 12689 (up 2175)
CP gained: 3 (6 used up, 20 remaining)

Equipment captured in scenario:

Matilda I - 8 (up to 24)
Matilda II - 8 (up to 18)
Cruiser Mk.IV - 4 (up to 4)
QF 3 inch - 4 (up to 4)

Other equipment gained:

Spitfire Mk.II - 31 (up to 40)

Overall:

The Kriegsmarine does not stand a chance is this scenario due to the way Royal Navy is aggressive, spread out and uses numerous capital ships and torpedo planes. Fighting directly is not an option and there's no room to run. A shame to see the ship I saved go down now, but this gives historical accuracy credit. The fact that failure can be used to a positive effect in terms of mission planning shows promise for later years as the tides of the war turn. As for the mission itself, getting to Newhaven can be done rather quickly. Brighton is far and remote, but not too heavily defended, but on the other hand Royal Tunbridge Wells is a powerful fort that has to be slowly brought down with artillery fire and air raids, turn by turn, hex by hex. Encirclement could be an option, but the sheer density of enemy units and presence of the nemesis makes it one of the cases where it's more troublesome to set up than the gains it would grant. Finally, I am so glad that aircraft carrier based Spitfires chose to attack my bombers and get slaughtered by Galland. I am 100% sure that if they attacked any of my fighters instead they would take it down and cost me a unit. I certainly did not expect to see so many enemy planes at once and it makes me want to use my own fighter force more and more conservatively as time goes on. It's not longer the early SCW DLC where each air combat gave predictions with a maximum of 2 points on each side...

AO 1940 - Epsom


A few tanks not really worth the points, but for science I take the offer.

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 14566

Hero:



Ugh... Matthias Lange will be assigned to Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 and stick to making bridges rather than making mistakes.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - ** - No Surrender
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - ** - Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (Opel Blitz) - *** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (Opel Blitz) - *** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (Opel Blitz) - ***
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *** - Avenger, Prudent

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIG - *** - Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIG - *** - Provocator, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVD - *** - Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - *** - Steamroller, Survivor - Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Neubaufahrzeug - ***

Recon

AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Envelopment
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - *** - Hit and Run

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Panzerjäger IB - *** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Panzerjäger IB - ** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support - Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuG IIIB
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuG IIIB

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - *

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase - Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Leadership, Fast Rebase - Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Legendary
IV./JG 61 - Bf 109F - ** - Aiming Assistance

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 6 - Bf110D - *** - Readiness
I./SG 7 - Ju 87R - *** - Double Move, Crippling Blow
II./SG 7 - Ju 87R - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - * - Lightning Attack

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz)
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - *
PzAbt 411 - Panzer IIC - *** - First Strike, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Somua S35 - **
AufkAbt 12 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Field Repairs
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - *** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - 3.7 cm Pak 36 (SdKfz 10) - * - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 3.7 cm Pak 36 (SdKfz 10)
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Sturmpanzer I - ** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10)
FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/4 - *
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (Opel Blitz)
II./ZG 6 - Bf110D - Readiness
I./AG 9 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fi 156 Storch - *
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87R
I./KG 43 - Ju 88A - ** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - He 111H2 - **
III./KG 43 - He 111H2 - *
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armored Train - *

Highlights


Airfield captured during rainfall on turn one and that's one less Spitfire to worry about. Little things like that add up over the scenario.


After the weather improves and my fighters rebase, they engage the RAF using more traditional means and with good results.


Western part of the front and my heavy hitters moving through forests manage to quickly gain a lot of ground, but come to a stall once it becomes obvious that the defenses here are larger than expected.


The central part is quite crowded and not that easy to occupy. However, Infanterie Reg 57 proves useful in taking key hexes, as the Avenger/Prudent combination means it stays dangerous despite losses.


Something this makes me smile - the famous 303 Squadron piloted mostly by my fellow countrymen. It's indeed extremely deadly with the Rapid Fire trait on 12 air attack Hurricanes, but luckily can be softened up by AA fire.


I. Hate. This. Nemesis. So. Much. But that's probably best praise a nemesis can get really.


I./JG 61 becomes the ultimate ace squadron.


Never ending story of nemesis destruction continues and Artillerie Abt 601 takes the credit. Elsa Kloss - Charless de Gaulle 5-0.


Taking the airfield near London lures some of the defenders out and allows to take them out in the open, making the assault much easier.


Infanterie Reg 57 is now a much more common target of enemy attacks as it often operates heavily damaged.


Units aroud Epsom are no joke and take a while to take out. I unfortunately do not have the numbers to complete an encirclement this time.


Now that's an unusual pickup. Nothing I can use to my advantage for now, but perhaps at one point it will come in handy.


London Bridge is falling down
Falling down, falling down
London Bridge is falling down
My fair lady

Summary:

Final Prestige: 17759 (up 3193)
CP gained: 3 (8 spent, 15 remaining)

Equipment captured in scenario:

QF 2 pounder - 2 (up to 2)
40mm Bofors - 6 (up to 11)
Vickers AA - 4 (up to 4)
QF 25 pdr - 2 (up to 7)
BL 6 inch 26 cwt - 5 (up to 5)
BL 4.5 inch - 5 (up to 5)

Other equipment gained:

Matilda II - 35 (up to 53)
Meteor Mk.III - 1 (up to 1)

Overall:

I enjoyed Epsom for two main reasons. First is how it expands on the fact from earlier scenarios that the invasion essentially fails and the retreat is justified overall, allowing to progress with the historical turn of events normally. Yet at the same time it allowed for some offensive action, not limiting the mission to just building a unit wall. This helps set up future DLC and keep things open for possible independent historical/fictional DLC options. Secondly it is a really challenging, large scale map with multiple experienced, dangerous enemy units - de Gaulle, 303 Squadron, artillery hero in Epsom and so on. Those elites, often accompanied by other formidable units make for good puzzles to solve when it comes to approaching objectives.They also punish careless gameplay and give the AO a more epic feel than the regular campaign. Among other things, I was really satisfied with the performance of both of my Sturmgeschütz battalions that often took more of a tank/blocker role guarding any other units. Plus, a tank, Sturmgeschütz, AT tank triangle is quite powerful in the open. RAF really showed their power this time and my Bf 109F fighter had to be careful not to get into 3 vs. 1 situations. Can't wait to move to Russia where once again I can probably enjoy air dominance for a long time.

A lot of extra attention to detail definitely went into 1940. Glad to hear it's being noticed. Had a whole list of Battle of Britain special squadrons sprinkled throughout the Sea Lion scenarios.

They add much needed spice to the content. As you said, it wouldn't be a proper nemesis if it wasn't very much a serious obstacle and not just enemy unit #713636 to overrun once again.

AO 1940 - Portsmouth


Quite a few nice gifts. At this point, why not, time to add some to the museum room.

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 17745

Hero:



PzAbt 412 will be built up as a mobility focused tank unit, at least I hope to do so in the future.

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVE

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - *** - Oleh Dir
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (Opel Blitz) - *** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (Opel Blitz) - *** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIG - *** - Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIG - *** - Provocator, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVE - *** - Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - *** - Steamroller, Survivor - Albert Kerscher

Recon

AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Envelopment

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Panzerjäger IB - ** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support - Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuG IIIB
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuG IIIB

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - *

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase - Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Leadership, Fast Rebase - Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Legendary
IV./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Aiming Assistance

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 6 - Bf110D - *** - Readiness
I./SG 7 - Ju 87R - *** - Double Move, Crippling Blow
II./SG 7 - Ju 87R - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - * - Lightning Attack

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 43 - Ju 88A - ** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - He 111H2 - **
III./KG 43 - He 111H2 - *

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz)
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (Opel Blitz) - ***
PzAbt 411 - Panzer IIC - *** - First Strike, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Somua S35 - ** - Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 511 - Neubaufahrzeug - ***
AufkAbt 12 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Field Repairs
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - *** - Field Repairs
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - *** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Panzerjäger IB - *** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - 3.7 cm Pak 36 (SdKfz 10) - * - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 3.7 cm Pak 36 (SdKfz 10)
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Sturmpanzer I - ** - Skilled Support
Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10)
FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/4 - *
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (Opel Blitz)
II./ZG 6 - Bf110D - Readiness
I./AG 9 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fi 156 Storch - *
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87R
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armored Train - *

Highlights


My scouting force encounters an absolutely huge tank formation.


Not surprisingly this ends up quite badly and luckily the units survive...


...but that was close for sure!


In the meantime II./JG 61 becomes the second ultimate air ace.


One of the scout cars tries to sneak up on my airfields. I do not approve of such behavior and send my planes with some persuasive dive bomber skills.


The effects of triple Counter Battery Fire. British artillery does not get to suppress anything.


British tanks are finally dealt with after my reinforcements arrived.


As advised in the briefing, submarines help with encirclement of the port.

Summary:

Final Prestige: 19156 (up 1771)
CP gained: 3 (9 spent, 9 remaining)

Equipment captured in scenario:

Matilda I - 9 (up to 33)
Humber AC Mk.I - 3 (up to 3)

Other equipment gained:

Matilda II - 9 (up to 62)
Spitfire Mk.II - 11 (up to 51)
Hurricane Mk.IIC - 6 (up to 31)
Beaufighter Mk.IF - 29 (up to 29)

Overall:

That was a short trip to Great Britain that contrary to previous Panzer Corps and Pazner General games was not meant to last. The final scenario of the bunch is both an occasion to take revenge on Kriegsmarine (however the game does not remember I've already sunk those ships earlier, oh well) and a reminder that rushing an evacuation does not work if flanks are not properly defended. I tried to achieve things too fast and as a result did get my forces into more trouble than it was needed. A slower approach will be needed next time with proper care given to securing the moving forces and the rear airfields. The turn limit is not too restrictive, so there's no need to charge head on.

AO 1940 - Battle of Pindus

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 19677

Hero:



Nice, a second Zero Slots Hero. For sure not as crazy as the first one, but really welcome nonetheless. Helmut becomes and officer in Artillerie Abt 602, partially because of the specifics of the current scenario and partially since having two "free deployment" artillery units seems really powerful. The only reason I do not upgrade the gun to another 21 cm Mrs 18 is because of the already existing Counter Battery Fire hero and my unwillingness to change hero assignments mid-campaign.

New Units Commissioned:

Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger

New Equipment Provided:

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIH
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIH

Minor tank armor upgrades and ones I'm unlikely to use in the course of the current DLC.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger - *** - Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (Opel Blitz) - *** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (Opel Blitz) - *** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (Opel Blitz) - ***
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor

Artillery

Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10)
Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support - Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuG IIIB - *
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuG IIIB
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Sturmpanzer I - ** - Skilled Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (Opel Blitz)

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz)
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - *
PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIH - *** - Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIH - *** - Provocator, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Panzer IIC - *** - First Strike, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Somua S35 - ** - Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVE - *** - Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - *** - Steamroller, Survivor - Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Neubaufahrzeug - ***
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Envelopment
AufkAbt 12 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Field Repairs
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - *** - Field Repairs
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - *** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Panzerjäger IB - *** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Panzerjäger IB - ** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - 3.7 cm Pak 36 (SdKfz 10) - * - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 3.7 cm Pak 36 (SdKfz 10)
FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - *
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/4 - *
I./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase - Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Leadership, Fast Rebase - Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Legendary
IV./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Aiming Assistance
I./ZG 6 - Bf110D - *** - Readiness
II./ZG 6 - Bf110D - Readiness
I./SG 7 - Ju 87R - *** - Double Move, Crippling Blow
II./SG 7 - Ju 87R - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - * - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87R
I./AG 9 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fi 156 Storch - *
I./KG 43 - Ju 88A - *** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - He 111H2 - **
III./KG 43 - He 111H2 - **
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armored Train - *

Highlights


What's there to say, I continue to be impressed by the Spanish...


... but my Italian friends do not get equally amazing combat predictions.


Greek infantry and captured tanks move to attack, but my forces are prepared.


The same cannot be said for my Italian allies, who get encircled in the mountains despite my attempts to pull them out quickly from the more than obvious ambush.


Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 works independently to take a few remote victory hexes.


Greek troops up north are defeated and an evacuation of Italian survivors can begin.


All of this accompanied by multiple awards for my infantry...


...some of them earned the hard way...


...and some granted to artillery troops as well.


Using the snowstorm as cover, a lone Greek mountain infantry unit approaches my army from the rear and attempts to take a few locations. Luckily I still have a part of my forces nearby.


Artillerie Abt 601 has ridiculous firing range. Very useful in this rough terrain.


Final approach is now just a formality, but the turn limit was quite tight.

Summary:

Final Prestige: 19338 (down 339)
CP gained: 2 (up to 11)

Overall:

It's good to see mountain infantry in action, not as good to see my allies get their rear parts kicked. It's been a while since I've lost prestige and it's partially because of the unusual terrain and partially due to my own errors in positioning - I keep forgetting that with alpine movement my enemies can reach places that normally would be safe. It is nice that AO had room not only for paratrooper specific scenarios and a air only scenario, but also has some room to experiment with Gebirgsjäger units that are quite effective at their job and need more advertising in most cores. The mission shows a rare situation where the player is the side who's in trouble and also needs to creatively find a solution (or just abandon the Italian entirely). The turn limit is also quite tight, so contrary to many previous scenarios one can be surprised as the clock continues to tick away.

AO 1940 - Valona


I am also certain we would make much better use of these than our allies, but perhaps not during this particular run.

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 20302

Hero:



Udo has a lot of potential and ultimately gets assigned to AufkAbt 12 to have my recon vehicles serve more versatile roles.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger - *** - Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (Opel Blitz) - *** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (Opel Blitz) - *** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (Opel Blitz) - ***
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 411 - Panzer IIC - *** - First Strike, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Somua S35 - ** - Ignores ZOC

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Panzerjäger IB - ** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - 3.7 cm Pak 36 (SdKfz 10) - * - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 3.7 cm Pak 36 (SdKfz 10)

Artillery

Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10)
Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support - Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuG IIIB - *
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuG IIIB
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Sturmpanzer I - ** - Skilled Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (Opel Blitz)

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz)
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - *
PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIH - *** - Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIH - *** - Provocator, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVE - *** - Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - *** - Steamroller, Survivor - Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Neubaufahrzeug - ***
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Envelopment
AufkAbt 12 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Distraction, Field Repairs
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - *** - Field Repairs
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - *** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Panzerjäger IB - *** - Field Repairs
FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - *
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/4 - *
I./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase - Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Leadership, Fast Rebase - Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Legendary
IV./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Aiming Assistance
I./ZG 6 - Bf110D - *** - Readiness
II./ZG 6 - Bf110D - Readiness
I./SG 7 - Ju 87R - *** - Double Move, Crippling Blow
II./SG 7 - Ju 87R - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - * - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87R
I./AG 9 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fi 156 Storch - *
I./KG 43 - Ju 88A - *** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - He 111H2 - **
III./KG 43 - He 111H2 - **
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armored Train - *

Highlights


Italians in a pinch again, maybe they will hold a few turns?


No, does not seem so...


At least one of my tanks gets a valuable award...


... and so does the experienced AT battalion.


Best defense is a counter attack. Greek forces trying to run towards Valona get ambushed instead.


Klisura retaken!


My forces set up defensive positions near Greek camps to catch any attackers early.

Summary:

Final Prestige: 19510 (down 792)
CP gained: none (4 spent, 7 remaining)

Other equipment gained:

L6/40 Lf - 35 (up to 35)
20/70 quadruplo - 35 (up to 35)

Overall:

Interesting, I've lost prestige again. In hindsight, the decision to engage the enemy directly was correct, but I should have moved more conservatively and not charge as much since the terrain does not favor such strategies. Lessons learned that I hope to use in later, more difficult scenarios involving mountain combat. It's so easy to forget to secure a flank and get artillery demolished by accident. Oleh Dir being assigned to Gebirgsjäger really shines here as the unit can cross any kind of mountains to take out a key artillery piece.

AO 1940 - Summary

Starting Prestige: 25811
Final Prestige: 19510 (down 6301)

Final Army Composition:

Infantry

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz)
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger - *** - Oleh Dir
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (Opel Blitz) - *** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (Opel Blitz) - *** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (Opel Blitz) - ***
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (Opel Blitz) - *** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIH - *** - Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIH - *** - Provocator, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Panzer IIC - *** - First Strike, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Somua S35 - ** - Ignores ZOC, Stemaroller
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVE - *** - Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - *** - Steamroller, Survivor - Albert Kerscher
PzAbt 511 - Neubaufahrzeug - ***

Recon

AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Envelopment
AufkAbt 12 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Distraction, Field Repairs
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - *** - Field Repairs
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - *** - Hit and Run

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Panzerjäger IB - *** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Panzerjäger IB - *** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - 3.7 cm Pak 36 (SdKfz 10) - * - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 3.7 cm Pak 36 (SdKfz 10)

Artillery

Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10)
Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support - Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuG IIIB - *
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuG IIIB - *
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Sturmpanzer I - ** - Skilled Support

Anti-Aircraft

FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 18 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack (need to remeber to upgrade this to the 36 variant for flavor!)
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - *
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/4 - *

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase - Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Leadership, Fast Rebase - Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Legendary
IV./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Aiming Assistance

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 6 - Bf110D - *** - Readiness
II./ZG 6 - Bf110D - Readiness
I./SG 7 - Ju 87R - *** - Double Move, Crippling Blow
II./SG 7 - Ju 87R - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - * - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87R
I./AG 9 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fi 156 Storch - *

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 43 - Ju 88A - *** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - He 111H2 - **
III./KG 43 - He 111H2 - **

Armored Train

Panzerzug Hamburg - Armored Train - *

Trophies of War:

Tank:
FT-17 - 35
Vickers Mk.III - 13
BT-5 - 39
T-26 - 78
Trubia - 57
Char B1 - 27
AMC 35 - 26
Somua S35 - 25
Renault R35 - 7
7TPdw - 33
7TPjw - 11
TKS - 18
FT-17 (pl) - 7
KV-2 - 35
T-15 - 4
Hotchkiss H35 - 18
Matilda I - 33
Matilda II - 62
Char 2C - 35
Cruiser Mk.I - 3
Cruiser Mk.IV - 4
L6/40 Lf - 35

Recon:

Bilbao - 25
UNL-35 - 58
AAC-1937 - 15
BA-6 - 3
AMC P16 - 6
Panhard 178 - 38
SP wz. 29 - 27
SP wz. 34 - 2
DK Motorcycle - 6
Daimler Dingo - 7
Humber AC Mk.I - 3

Anti-Tank:

37mm M1930 - 12
45mm M1932 - 6
25mm SA 34 - 15
37mm wz. 36 - 3
AT-1 - 2
T-13 - 4
QF 2 pounder - 2

Artillery:

105mm Vickers M22 - 31
70mm Schneider M08 - 21
203mm M1931 - 29
152mm M10/30 - 13
122mm M10/30 - 25
75mm Schneider M06 - 16
75mm mle 1897 - 13
155mm C mle 1917 - 20
105mm mle 1913 - 28
105mm wz. 29 - 12
155mm wz. 17 - 6
75mm wz. 97 - 3
76.2mm M1939 - 11
BL 5.5 inch - 1
QF 25 pdr - 7
BL 6 inch 26 cwt - 5
BL 4.5 inch - 5

Anti-Aircraft:

20mm M33 - 48
75mm Vickers M1931 - 6
76.2mm M31 - 8
37mm mle 30 - 10
75mm mle 39 - 5
25mm CA mle 39 - 8
40mm wz. 36 - 23
75mm wz. 36 - 15
85mm M1939 - 2
20mm M/38 - 3
75mm FRC M27 - 5
40mm m/36 - 3
40mm Bofors - 11
QF 3 inch - 4
Vickers AA - 4
20/70 quadruplo - 35

Fighter:

I-16 - 30
PZL P.11c - 18
I-15 - 19
Fokker D.XXI - 30
D.520 - 35
Spitfire Mk.II - 51
Hurricane Mk.IIC - 31
Meteor Mk.III - 1

Tactical Bomber:

Breguet 693 - 30
Beaufighter Mk.IF - 29

Strategic Bomber:

PZL P.37B Los - 17

Thoughts:

Out of the three AO DLC so far this one I enjoyed the most. There is increased mission variety, better nemesis heroes and a natural flow of the scenarios that should satisfy most players. There are air missions, paratrooper missions, tank missions, mountain infantry missions, beach landings, sieges, evacuations and tons more. The training scenarios proved to be another welcome bonus. I did my fair share of errors on this initial approach, but things should improve in the future runs now that I got to know what to expect. Collecting all the equipment for Paznermon will be tons of fun and likewise trying to use my under-powered Retrograde core with no paratroopers in first few missions (I'll try it at least and if not possible, wait for an update). As far as the run details, I feel like on average I was quite lucky with my heroes and got some very important bonuses. My usual fault of getting sloppy at the end showed, but mountainous terrain was bound to cost me some prestige. While I ended up with less than after DLC 1939, this is also partially due to the flat reduction offered. I never felt however that I'm looking against a wall and enjoyed things. Ready to move to 1941 and Barbarossa, plus possibly some earlier interesting missions that I hope will surprise us all.

One AAR down, 2 to go.
Retograde will certainally be interesting, although I believe by now Germany's production capabilites should be picking up compared to previous segments so hopefully things won't be too bad?

Stormchaser wrote: ↑Sat Dec 26, 2020 3:16 pm Retograde will certainally be interesting, although I believe by now Germany's production capabilites should be picking up compared to previous segments so hopefully things won't be too bad?

I had a look at the equipment csv file dates and mission dates. Compared to Denmark, nothing new can be upgraded prior to Jersey. Panzer I and II are here to stay and that lone Panzer 38(t)A will have to somehow take on the entire French tank force.

Tassadar wrote: ↑Sat Dec 26, 2020 6:57 pm

Stormchaser wrote: ↑Sat Dec 26, 2020 3:16 pm Retograde will certainally be interesting, although I believe by now Germany's production capabilites should be picking up compared to previous segments so hopefully things won't be too bad?

I had a look at the equipment csv file dates and mission dates. Compared to Denmark, nothing new can be upgraded prior to Jersey. Panzer I and II are here to stay and that lone Panzer 38(t)A will have to somehow take on the entire French tank force.

Oh, oh wow...That's going to be interesting, especially a certain Frenchman's secret weapon for his last hurrah before he evacuates to Britain.
I guess I kinda forgot about the time delay from normal Retrograde, lol.

AO 1941 - Zargeb

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 19594

Hero:



Starting of a new DLC with extra Fast Rebase that I grew to respect a lot. Happy to assign Kristian to III./JG 61.

New Equipment Provided:

Panzerjäger Abt 211 - 5 cm Pak 38 (SdKfz 11)
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 5 cm Pak 38 (SdKfz 11)
FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7)
I./KG 43 - Do 217E
II./KG 43 - Do 217E
III./KG 43 - Do 217E

New AT guns pack a lot more punch (or Pak a lot more punch, that's a better pun...) but are 2 slots each, that's costly and might not always justify them. New bombers look good and I finally got to that 8.8 cm FlaK 36 upgrade that's been bugging me despite the fact 18 variant has identical stats.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 251/1) - *** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger - *** - Oleh Dir
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - *** - Fast Deployment, Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 411 - Panzer IIC - *** - First Strike, Steamroller
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - *** - Steamroller, Survivor - Albert Kerscher

Recon

AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - *** - Field Repairs
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - *** - Hit and Run

Anti-Tank

Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Panzerjäger IB - *** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor

Artillery

Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support - Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuG IIIB - *
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuG IIIB - *

Reserve

Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz)
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (SdKfz 251/1) - *** - First Strike
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - ***
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (SdKfz 251/1) - *** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - No Surrender
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - *
PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIH - *** - Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIH - *** - Provocator, Steamroller
PzAbt 412 - Somua S35 - ** - Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVE - *** - Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 511 - Neubaufahrzeug - ***
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Envelopment
AufkAbt 12 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Distraction, Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Panzerjäger IB - *** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - 5 cm Pak 38 (SdKfz 11) - * - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 5 cm Pak 38 (SdKfz 11)
Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10)
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Sturmpanzer I - ** - Skilled Support
FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - *
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/4 - *
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10)
I./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase - Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Leadership, Fast Rebase - Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Legendary
IV./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Aiming Assistance
I./ZG 6 - Bf110D - *** - Readiness
II./ZG 6 - Bf110D - Readiness
I./SG 7 - Ju 87R - *** - Double Move, Crippling Blow
II./SG 7 - Ju 87R - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - * - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87R
I./AG 9 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fi 156 Storch - *
I./KG 43 - Do 217E - *** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Do 217E - **
III./KG 43 - Do 217E - **
Panzerzug Hamburg - Armored Train - *

Highlights


Note to self - potential fun stuff for Panzermon.


I grab the supply hex and deploy the rest of my core. Interesting scenario design concept here, might get used more as it's got potential.


Yup, knew things will get ugly...


You can't really call it a true ambush if Hit and Run prevents the enemy from firing back.


Whoops!


I'm sorry Mein General, your prince is in another castle.


Onward to secure the target then. I jsut hope there's not too many ambushes.


Constant rain is actually tricky, even obsolete forces can be dangerous if they appear out of nowhere.


At least we tried, but the next mission will probably be more challenging.

Summary:

Final Prestige: 21580 (up 1986)
CP gained: 3 (up to 3)

Overall:

There are a lot of things I like about this mission and just one I'd say against it. The constant rain makes for a really interesting setup with high uncertainty as to what can appear, constant fear of ambushes and greatly increased danger from weaker units. The enemy does not resupply almost at all - reasonable prestige set up since otherwise it would poorly combine with the weather, making the mission tedious. I also liked the fact that just part of the core can be deployed initially and a supply hex has to be first taken. This has potential for some tactical challenges in the future. The scenario is quite fun, does new things, but the "rendezvous" objective can be quite confusing the first time - I wondered how many players will go for side objectives first and if this will trigger the messages in the wrong order. I even reloaded a save to check it pout and it in fact does.

Is the Zagreb scenario historic with this story of a rendezvous with a Prince and these British troops defending Zagreb?

AO 1941 - Yugoslavia

Starting Prestige (after purchases and replacements): 22036

Hero:



I'm curious about the effects of Butcher hero on infantry, so I'll assign Torsten to Pionier Bataillon 34.

Starting Army Composition:

Infantry

Infanterie Reg 99 (span.) - Azul Infanterie (SdKfz 251/1) - *** - Ignores Entrenchment, No Retaliation, Survivor
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 1 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - No Surrender
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz) - Learns From Mistakes
Pionier Brücken Bataillon 3 - Brückenpioniere (Opel Blitz)
Fallschirmjäger Reg 1 - Fallschirmjäger - *** - No Surrender
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 88 - Gebirgsjäger - *** - Oleh Dir
Pionier Bataillon 33 - Pioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - *** - Fast Deployment, Survivor
Pionier Bataillon 34 - Pioniere (SdKfz 251/1) - *** - Butcher
Infanterie Reg 57 - Wehr Infanterie (SdKfz 251/1) - *** - Avenger, Prudent, Survivor

Tank

PzAbt 402 - Panzer IIIH - *** - Provocator, Steamroller
PzAbt 411 - Panzer IIC - *** - First Strike, Steamroller
PzAbt 501 - Panzer IVE - *** - Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 502 - Verdeja 2 - *** - Steamroller, Survivor - Albert Kerscher

Artillery

Werfer Abt 621 - 15 cm Nblwf 41 (SdKfz 10)
Artillerie Abt 601 - 21 cm Mrs 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Zero Slots, Skilled Support - Elsa Kloss
Artillerie Abt 602 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Zero Slots, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 701 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Skilled Support
Artillerie Abt 702 - 15 cm sFH 18 (SdKfz 7) - *** - Counter Battery Fire, Double Support, Skilled Support
Sturmgeschütz Abt 751 - StuG IIIB - *
Sturmgeschütz Abt 752 - StuG IIIB - *
Panzer Artillerie Abt 611 - Sturmpanzer I - ** - Skilled Support

Fighter

I./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase - Adolf Galland
II./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Leadership, Fast Rebase - Heinrich Bar
III./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Fast Rebase, Legendary

Tactical Bomber

I./ZG 6 - Bf110D - *** - Readiness
I./AG 9 - He 70 Rayo - *** - Prudent
II./AG 9 - Fi 156 Storch - *
I./SG 7 - Ju 87R - *** - Double Move, Crippling Blow
II./SG 7 - Ju 87R - *** - Entrenchment Killer 4x, Survivor

Strategic Bomber

I./KG 43 - Do 217E - *** - Survivor
II./KG 43 - Do 217E - **
III./KG 43 - Do 217E - **

Armored Train

Panzerzug Hamburg - Armored Train - *

Reserve

Gebirgsjäger-Reg 89 - Gebirgsjäger
Gebirgsjäger-Reg 90 - Gebirgsjäger
Grenadier Reg 4 - Grenadier (SdKfz 251/1) - *** - First Strike
Fallschirmjäger Reg 2 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 3 - Fallschirmjäger - **
Fallschirmjäger Reg 4 - Fallschirmjäger - *
Fallschirmjäger Reg 5 - Fallschirmjäger - *
PzAbt 401 - Panzer IIIH - *** - Fearsome Reputation, Steamroller, Survivor
PzAbt 412 - Somua S35 - ** - Ignores ZOC
PzAbt 511 - Neubaufahrzeug - ***
AufkAbt 11 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Envelopment
AufkAbt 12 - SdKfz 222 - *** - Distraction, Field Repairs
AufkAbt 21 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - *** - Field Repairs
AufkAbt 22 - SdKfz 232 8Rad - *** - Hit and Run
Panzerjäger Abt 201 - Panzerjäger IB - *** - Field Repairs
Panzerjäger Abt 202 - Panzerjäger IB - *** - Double Attack, No Retaliation, Survivor
Panzerjäger Abt 211 - 5 cm Pak 38 (SdKfz 11) - * - Double Support
Panzerjäger Abt 212 - 5 cm Pak 38 (SdKfz 11)
FlaK Abt 271 - 8.8 cm FlaK 36 (SdKfz 7) - ** - Fast Learner, Lethal Attack
FlaK Abt 272 - SdKfz 7/1 - *
FlaK Abt 273 - SdKfz 10/4 - *
FlaK Abt 274 - 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (SdKfz 10)
IV./JG 61 - Bf 109F - *** - Aiming Assistance
II./ZG 6 - Bf110D - Readiness
III./SG 7 - Il-2 Shturmovik - * - Lightning Attack
IV./SG 7 - Ju 87R

Highlights


Historically Yugoslavia had access to many German planes including fighters and bombers. This makes for a challenging air combat situation!


Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 acts as bait to lure infantry out of entrenched potions. Thanks to support fire losses are minimal and the formation is broken.


First awards of 1941 - Pionier Bataillon 33 picking up experience quickly due to Fast Deployment.


My historical knowledge says all is OK, the gamer in me screams it's a trap...


Looks like Wagner is not sure as well. I wont's spoil the final result.


Pionier Brücken Bataillon 2 again literally learning from mistakes and being targeted repeatedly. Little do my men know this is intentional.


After many campaigns, occasional attack on infantry with fighter planes finally result in some bonuses.


Paratroopers finally get the same award...


...while on a risky lone mission to secure a remote airfield and town. Fortunately my fighters with Fast Rebase can provide some cover.


In such concentrated force even FT-17 tanks pack a punch!


Even more awards, this time for Infanterie Reg 57. Even without being specialized infantry this unit proves quite useful.


Copying the AI from the Saarbrucken mission, I use bridge engineers to not only provide crossings, but also harass unprotected artillery.

Summary:

Final Prestige: 24955 (up 2919)
CP gained: 2 (up to 5)

Overall:

Another nice mission with some twists and challenges. I was expecting a large city encounter only and the racing towards the objectives in the south and was surprised to see so many units in the mountains as well. Enemy mountaineers are always dangerous as it's easy to forget about their alpine movement and get artillery into trouble. It's one of the reasons I like the StuG IIIB so much, since it just does not care about such things and moves unprotected just fine, which has extra value on my first attempt at a scenario when the map is totally unknown. I did not care for captures partially because there weren't many interesting targets to get and partially since I was slightly concerned with the speed of my advance. In the end I could have rushed my attack less as the turn limit is perfectly balanced, but common rainfall yet again made things more uncertain many times as there was always the risk of my forces getting slowed down too much.

jeannot le lapin wrote: ↑Fri Mar 19, 2021 2:04 pm Is the Zagreb scenario historic with this story of a rendezvous with a Prince and these British troops defending Zagreb?

I guess to the degree a game can. I'm sure Wagner was not present there in person in his little tank. Ironically his half-track strangely reminds me of lieutnant Gruber and the Sd.Kfz. 222 he had, the namesake of this whole run.

Jokes aside, the situation seems well researched in terms of small details grounding it in history, but overall the events are significantly adjusted to the purpose of the game mechanics.