Norway suggestion

[Schnurri]

It is difficult in a corps level game to simulate smaller group action. This is particularly true for Norway where in reality the Germans used small units (ca. 1500 men) to secure strategic points while the main force went for the capital. In CEAW the Brits typically intervene by flying an air unit or two to Bergen followed by ground units. I have tried taking out Norway many different ways and the intervention by the Brits makes the exercise an overall negative for the Axis and I know many simply ignore Norway even though a number of incentives have been put into effect to make it more attractive. If others agree that it is still a problem I have two possible solutions:

1) delay movement of Norwegian forces for 2 moves to give time to take Oslo and prevent landing of Brit strat unit in Bergen.

or

2) make Bergen and Trondheim Axis controlled (not occuppied) upon declaration of war on Norway to simulate occupation of these ports by small numbers of troops - the ports could easily be retaken by Brit intervention by sea but would delay this action long enough to make it possible for the Axis player to get troops there. Would prevent simple occupation of the port by air units. Would allow Germans to reinforce by sea if so inclined.

[rkr1958]

With the addition of the new resource type, rail depots, which will be in the upcoming RC11 release in a day or two; the simplest solution might be to place rail depots near or adjacent to Bergen and Trondheim. Thus, the Germans could capture these two cities 2-turns after the conquer Oslo by railing adjacent to them instead of slogging on foot to them.

[Peter Stauffenberg]

I don't think adding rail depots adjacent to cities is a good idea. Rail depots are smaller cities with rail capability so we clutter the map if we do that.

The real Germans had to land invasion forces in Bergen and Trondheim in addition to Kristiansand, Stavanger, Narvik, Egersund etc. In GS they can just land near Oslo and Norway surrenders. In the real war Germany fought for 60 days before Norway was completely controlled. The real Germans actually marched up the Norwegian valleys clearing up resistance.

If you land with 2 corps units adjacent to Oslo it doesn't take long to march to Bergen and Trondheim. From there you can sail back to Germany to rail back to Oslo. We have Stavanger not so far away from Bergen that can be used to rail units to. We could add e. g. Lillehammer north of Oslo so you can rail there to get a headstart on the move to capture Trondheim.

I only see the Allied air units in Bergen and Trondheim as a minor nuisance and it won't stop me from taking Norway. The corps unit you have in Oslo has nothing else to do for some time so you can just move it to capture Bergen and Trondheim.

With Ronnie's blitz attack on Norway the Allies don't get time to send more than the strategic bomber to Bergen. So cleaning up is easier.

[metolius]

Agreed. The Germans took two months to take Norway, and it could easily have been a lot worse for them, had the Allies been more effective in their reinforcement efforts, and had the Norwegians not been so unprepared.

It does seem like we could twist the arm of the Axis to attack Norway by increasing the importance of the Swedish iron ore to the German war economy.

[rkr1958]

An interesting fact, the British were so ill prepared in their Norway landings that their troops were equipped with snow shoes but had no leather straps to hold them on. The allied Norway operation was hastily throw together that in one of the ironies of history was heavily pushed by Churchill; but cost Chamberlain his job as PM. And we all know who took his place ... what a twist of fate.