Crete campaign - first scenario

[johntindall]

Has anyone cracked this yet?

I've come close twice out of twenty or more attempts.

Any tips guys?

[GottaLove88s]

Do you mean the very first game, where you parachute into fields around an olive grove on a small hill? I've got admit that I lost first time, won second.

*** CRETE SPOILERS - SKIP IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW ***

A few things to be aware of:

1. Unit placement (at least for German paras, not sure about Brits/Greeks) is random. That means some games can be very easy, some darned near impossible.
2. Only go for your mission objectives. That means go for the cannisters immediately.
3. If the enemy is in sight, ALWAYS move in hunt mode... For some reason, he might not see you, even if he really should.
4. Only use "fresh paras" to go for cannisters. These contain MGs and rifles to convert those fresh paras into mean fighting machines (without the cannister they're not exactly feeble, but they're sure not tough). Using an already armed para to go for a cannister, doesn't help you.
5. Order of priority for enemies: Hit the Brit regulars hard first. They can hurt you. Then the Greek regulars. Then the Greek civilians. The latter two lose morale very quickly.
6. You don't need to kill everything, although by midgame you're going to have so many armed paras running around that you'll be able to, if you've got the urge. Just remember to keep ticking off your mission objectives.
7. Kill the tank in a bunker with an airstrike. Then follow up with a para grenade as required.

Have fun John!
GL88

[johntindall]

Thanks, GL88s. That was very insightful as usual. Particularly because in the now over two dozen times I've attempted this, I've never seen an air strike option! I'm playing on iPad from a version downloaded two seeks ago- there's no difference in an iPad version is there Pip?

Last attempt was 15 enemy plus 3 support killed for 5 of mine, and still failed with one turn to go. So I'm hoping it's a version issue and not my gameplay!

[Old_Warrior]

I get torched in this one. Have yet to win. I just moved on to the next one!

I plan on trying it out again when I get a chance. Paras a blast in the game with their random landing pattern.

[johntindall]

Just cracked it! Key was lucky initial drops (near cover and canisters) then applying GL88's tip of neutralizing strongest enemy first. Also preserved my units that had satchel charges until the end. No air strike capability seen at any time, though. Final tally was 23 enemy inf plus 5 support at cost of 5 friendly units.

This a very tough scenario and landing sites are critical (and out of your control). In addition to the above, next time I will try to get into cover early, then use half a hunt move to fire and the rest of the hunt move to get back into cover. When killed 15 or so, push forward hard with mutually supporting units.

Good luck!

[bjarmson]

This one is all about luck. If your paras come down near canisters and you get to most of them before the Brits do, you stand a chance to win. If they are not near canisters or if the Brits beat you to them, you inevitably lose. I've won about one game out of ten.