Slitherine

I am playing GC 42-43 for the first time starting with GC 39, 40, 41 and importing my core each time. Well I got to Syracuse and I am getting overwhelmed by planes and the number of units. Any suggestions on what my core should be? I have 4 fighters, Ju-88 and Me-110.

Feeling overwhelmed is, I think, pretty much the whole point of Syracuse. Remember that you don't have to hold any objectives--your mission is to evacuate your forces with as many Italians as you can take along. You will not be able to achieve air superiority; IIRC, I concentrated my air forces on the landing craft to the east. As soon as any of my planes took serious damage, I flew them out via the exit hexes. You should be able to get out all of your units along with a fair number of Italians long before the clock runs out.

I tend not to include JU-87s in my core for the west given so many Allied fighters and the need to protect the 87s. I usually go with 2 109s and 2 110s.

I am interested in what others take as their 8 core units from their 1941 cores.

I have chosen (8 Core plus 4 SE units) and of these I chose those with the highest prestige/hero combinations.

Infantry
2 SE Gebirgsjager
1 Grenadier (or Pioniere)

Panzer
2 SE Panzer (I IIIH and I IVD)

Artillery
2 Wurgrahmen 40
1 15 cm sFH

Fighters
2 Bf 109f

Tactical Bombers
2 Bf 110f

Cheers

Schneides

My core starting 42-43 West was:
Infantry
2 Pioniere
1 SE Grenadier

Panzers
Panzer IVD
2 SE Panzer IVDs

Artillery;
Sturmpanzer

Fighters:
2 Bf 109f

Tactical Bombers
Ju-87

Recon
Sdkfz 232 Rad 8

Similar to the rest except for the fighters - went for three (it takes time for them to gain experience) and one strategic bomber.
Special notice for my 88 that I had as far as Poland. That monster served me exceptionally well later on (in 44 when it managed to one shot 10 strength enemy fighters during Normandy landings!).

My core when I start this scenario is:
2 Pioniere
1 SE Grenadier
1 SE Tiger
1 SE Pz IVG
2 Panther D's
Pz IVG
2 sig38s
Sdkfz 232
2 Bf 109g
2 Fw 190s
2 Me 410s

Bump

I am very interested in hearing what 8 units people choose to take with them at the start of GC:42-43 West.

Cheers

Craig

I wasnt to concerned about what forces I used but more to the point which had the best heroes and the most SE units. As I have played Panzercorps so much I had a dozen files to choose my 8 units plus SE units from. I found that the SE units were a choice between either 3 tanks and one infantry unit; 3 infantry units and one tank or two of each. I personally went for 3 tanks and one infantry unit. As for the 8 core units I went for units with 3+ attack then 3+ defence 1+range for artillery heroes and if you are really lucky a combianation of two heroes ie I have a tank with +5 attack . Fortunately it worked out that you would have a fair spread of unit types. This would fill up 5 to 6 slots. Then use the remaining two to three slots to balance up your forces ie you may need an artillery unit or a fighter etc. Happy fighting

My starting core force GC 42/43 West:

1 Me 109
1 Me 110
On the eastern front I like to include strategic bombers. In the west expecting the masses of enemy fighters later on, I prefer tactical bombers.

all SE units (usually four)

3 artillery units
2 StuG IIIB
1 Wurfrahmen
I prefer mobility to firepower and range on the western front. The Wurfrahmen is a bit tricky. It is really expensive and therefore losses hurt a lot especially considering your low initial prestige. On the other hand its mobility and [1] passive anti air as well as its firepower especially against infantry makes it an interesting alternative. Sometimes I use a Sturmpanzer I instead, although it has an inferior mobility and no air attack, but it is a lot cheaper.

Tanks and Infantry depends on what SE units I've got.
If I have four infantry SE units
I add 3 tanks (usually 3 PZ IVF or 2 Pz IVF and 1 Pz IIIJ/1 depending on the heroes)
As the last unit I add a recon or a StG IIIF depending on what heroes are available.
If I have less SE infantry - and SE tanks instead - I add less tanks but include maybe a Kradschützen unit (depending on the heroes) and a motorized Fallschirmjäger unit. I upgrade all regular infantry and Gebirgsjäger (SE) to Grenadiere.

As 2010sjones2010 pointed out: The heroes often make the difference. Fortunately you start with an experienced force. Unfortunately you badly need them.

Alternatively I have started a western campaign once using no aircraft at all and Flak instead. Right now With that I am at Etna north now and my core includes six SdKfz 7/2 and one 12,8 cm Flak. You can imagine, that it is a totally different game experience.

Thanks for these comments, I agree the heroes are a major factor.

I am intrigued by the idea of no aircraft and will try it.

I was thinking of going the other way with a force of the SE units (2 infantry and 2 tanks) supported by one or two artillery and the rest aircraft and perhaps one or two recon units to clean up weakened units where necessary.

Cheers

Craig

I agree heroes determine which units to keep. If you disband the units you can't take take with you you get the prestige and can upgrade your units to whatever you like. I usually take two Me-110s since when you get to Italy the Stukas are too vulnerable and you can upgrade 110s to 410s. I keep all the SE units, 2 Stumpazers, 2 Pionieres, 1 recon, 1 Me 109, 2 Me 110s.

the default units you get without importing core actually have very good heroes, with multiple bonuses. Try them out they might be better then your own