Florida airbases would certainly help. Could possibly get risky in a bit though. Cutting off California would be a coup!
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Raaritsgozilla Florida airbases are not actually very useful as they provide little more range than the island bases already available and, as you say, they are a little exposed. Cutting off California might be fun but I can't really see it happening given the pitiful forces involved.
BlitzMartinDK A supply convoy from Washington to California would be quite interesting although I suspect the US now has insufficient ships even before I sink them.
WhisperingDeath The intermittent battles of Baton Rouge are always broken off as I absolutely must avoid advancing.
BlitzMartinDK A supply convoy from Washington to California would be quite interesting although I suspect the US now has insufficient ships even before I sink them.
WhisperingDeath The intermittent battles of Baton Rouge are always broken off as I absolutely must avoid advancing.
May 11th-12th 1945
18:00 May 11th 1945
A single enemy division is trying to disrupt operations in the far northwest but I am trying to sustain resistance long enough for airpower to eliminate them. All HQs up here are relatively low on org so the offence could break at any time. Fortunately HQs take no casualties so I really don't need to worry too much about anything except getting cut off.
20:00 May 11th 1945
A quick strike to the Mississippi west bank is immediately turned back but the advancing US force will have to move at enemy territory speed instead of friendly territory speed to reclaim it.
00:00 May 12th 1945
The continuing attack on Culiacán claims new victims. I am now into a series of brief engagements here as the US forces advance piecemeal. They are also entering into the idea of immediate returns so that divisions are simply cycling backwards and forwards without proper rest. I'm thankful for the heavy firepower from the attached artillery as the enemy divisions have quite a selection of fairly chunky brigade attachments. The tactical bomber force is now going through upgrades to their escorts but in the absence of enemy air power this is of limited significance.
00:00 May 12th 1945 b
Here it is finally, the big amphibious adventure you have all been waiting for. One branch of the special forces have had their adventures so now its time for someone else. The defence is now all but completely absent so landing is quite easy. Enemy divisions could appear whilst we are unloading so the landings are all made in significant force.
01:00 May 12th 1945
The assault on Baton Rouge is renewed again to maintain pressure on the enemy to build up their strength here rather than elsewhere. Given the current enemy stack size this hasn't been very successful so far but there is no harm in trying.
04:00 May 12th 1945
On the Canadian border US forces are fighting back with a vengeance making it look like I cannot redirect any forces away without the risk of a rapid US advance. It remains to be seen how this balances out as I really don't want to commit more units and I'm sure the enemy build up will continue.
13:00 May 12th 1945
The immediate German riposte is to flank attack their main offensive force with fresh armoured cavalry with air support. Odds won't be to my liking once this is no longer a flanking attack so this is still just a holding action.
19:00 May 12th 1945
I'm not sure exactly what is going on here but my attack on Baton Rouge seems to be inflicting massive org losses on the defenders. This really should work to draw in more enemy forces or else I'm actually going to win. I need to be a little bit careful here that I don't accidentally actually advance across the river.
23:00 May 12th 1945
The US northern attack into Fargo has now been successful with my HQ sent off into retreat but I have inflicted heavy damage on their attack force in Regina before breaking off my counter-attack. I used the HQ, which takes no losses in ground combat, to keep the cavalry attack as a flank attack for as long as possible. This exchanges HQ org for enemy losses which is always a good thing in my book. Now that the ground fighting has ceased it is down to the Luftwaffe to slowly eliminate the US ground forces so that my ground operations can continue.
The US map is getting increasingly complex, this really should be the kind of situation that the AI has an advantage on (keeping track of multiple battles on multiple fronts in real time could tax a human player but should stretch a computer).
It is therefore somewhat unfortunate that the AI is normally confused by this sort of situation and just reacts (badly) with no attempt at a plan.
It is therefore somewhat unfortunate that the AI is normally confused by this sort of situation and just reacts (badly) with no attempt at a plan.
Shouldn't there be a fleet sitting in the Gulf by Talahassee to provide shore bombardment if the Falschirms are attacked; and to allow for quick withdrawal if the were to be overwhelmed? It is rather funny to see all of the paras covering Florida - and well before Disney too! 
Actually the AI can be quite good dealling with complex situations as long as this is just lots of activity rather than diversity in the situations. In other words if the complexity was parallel combats up and down the Mississippi then the AI will do well. I suppose it can be characterised as the AI being good at making lots of small decisions.
Unfortunately for the AI I have created a situation which requires lots of big strategic decisions - so its stuffed. It is the sort of situation that requires a lot of thought whereas the samll stuff requires lots of arithmetic.
WhisperingDeath If the Fallschirmjägers have to withdraw then initially they will simply use the space I've made in Florida. Evacuation only really applies when they are all back in Miami. Anyway, any fleet waiting to support is likely to get rather bored waiting.
Raaritsgozilla "Going down" may be a slightly premature setiment but it is a beginning.
May 13th-14th 1945
00:00 May 13th 1945
The slow plod of research continues with the development of plastics giving the first industrial technology boost for a long time. This brings a slight improvement in the TC buffer and even more production available for units that I don't really need. Current production includes a lot of new ground units (by normal game standards) but these are not going to be available in time for the main battle of America. In truth I can't really afford for lots of new units as it will overload TC and slow things down - not good.
02:00 May 13th 1945
Us forces return to the west bank of the Mississippi and my ground-capture spearhead retreats again. There is no real intention of directly opposing the US advance, I am merely going to counter-attack any vulnerable advance forces.
22:00 May 13th 1945
Another US advance is thrown back in chaos.
17:00 May 14th 1945
German marines are now ashore in key US territories. This is something that really has to hurt as I have just taken their richest industrial centre in the entire country. Not only was the landing unopposed but there appears to be no defence nearby either so I am looking at expanding into surrounding provinces. As distraction attacks go this is as good as it gets.
22:00 May 14th 1945
US forces have now advanced into Fargo so I am counter-attacking to throw them back and create a perfect air target. As ever enemy troops are advancing piecemeal and will now be defeated in detail. It is hard to find a better example of using a counter-attack to defeat the enemy in detail.
22:00 May 14th 1945 b
Well, I knew that some remnants of the US Navy were in New York but I thought the main force would be in Norfolk and I thought the main forces was nothing like this. I need to break off from this reasonably quickly since transports are present and let other forces complete the battle.
23:00 May 14th 1945
After an hour we have closed to battleship range allowing the enemy to engage all their main units. Their main capability is 4 CV and 4 BB whereas I have 15 rather older CVs (but with modern air groups)
To paraphrase what Rick famously said to Major Strasser: There are some neighborhoods in NYC that should be avoided.
PS: Could this be the last of the US Fleet?!
PS: Could this be the last of the US Fleet?!
May 15th 1945
02:00 May 15th 1945
I retreat as soon as possible to protect the transports and after a successful skirmish battle. I have lost no ships and have other fleets that can engage, hopefully this will lead to a return to successful German skirmish combat.
03:00 May 15th 1945
I have engaged their fleet again with another 15 CV force although this time it is the wrong time of day. I have to use what is to hand as I cannot afford to allow the enemy a free hand in moving north as there are further transport targets, this time with troops still aboard.
03:00 May 15th 1945 b
The US HQ in Fargo is trying to follow up its earlier attack but I rather suspect they won't be going far. The immediate vicinity is already littered with the burning vehicles of a destroyed mechanised division and the HQ will soon be joining them despite having AA.
05:00 May 15th 1945
The battle of Nantucket Sound has now escalated to insane scale as two more German fleets join the melee.
06:00 May 15th 1945
To the north the second marine force reaches shore and the transport fleet landing them runs for cover. We aren't going to hang about making any more beach landings whilst there is a major US fleet present.
07:00 May 15th 1945
The naval battle ends and all forces head north. Withdrawal to port looks to have been in the nick of time.
14:00 May 15th 1945
Back on land the defence of Sioux Falls appears to be working well. The real reason is tat the SP Art brigade on my HQ is the only real ground combat capable unit in the mix (for either side). The Luftwaffe may be making a small contribution as well.
15:00 May 15th 1945
Nantucket Sound is out of range for most of my normal anti-ship forces but my advanced heavy bombers are not totally ineffective. Further damage to US naval units is good groundwork for the next battle.
17:00 May 15th 1945
A couple of hours later the heavy bombers are gone but a few TACs have arrived for their turn. Since the US force is made up of two task forces they have made the mistake of not staying together.
20:00 May 15th 1945
On shore the marine groups split up and head off in all directions to exploit the complete lack of ground defence. This area is packed with IC and manpower and its loss will be a major blow to the US economy as well as a massive distraction from the main front.
The US fleets have combined for one major battle in the Gulf of Maine, which they are resoundingly losing. Yet again we are looking at the final end of the US navy, I don't think I've ever had quite so many last big battles in any game.
21:00 May 15th 1945
The theatre overview shows significant change from the last one. There has been a major expansion in the northwest, Mississippi front movements now suggest a drift to the north rather than just a pull back and the east coast now has two major German landings. Viewed superficially from great height it looks like the USA is completely screwed, it is only when you zoom in closer and see that I am outnumbered 2:1 that you realise this campaign is very far from over.
22:00 May 15th 1945
Despite earlier appearances the naval battle hasn't turned into a resounding German victory. I have lost 2 CA and 2 DD against US losses of 2 CVs. This doesn't sound particularly impressive until you look at the next image …
22:00 May 15th 1945 b
This explains the naval battle. The US navy actually lost 12 ships including 4 CVs and 1 BB, no doubt all the extra losses are credited to the Luftwaffe who no doubt finished them off after heavy Kriegsmarine preparation. This isn't quite the last battle but this fleet is so badly damaged it cannot put up a decent fight unless they go and cower in a safe port for a couple of months (and I don't think there is a safe port anywhere now)
Holy hell that naval battle ended badly for the US.
So with paratroopers in Florida, marines in New York and panzers to the west, will the AI react properly?
So with paratroopers in Florida, marines in New York and panzers to the west, will the AI react properly?
It will react like a headless cichen. For now I think it will try to parry you in forces on eastern coast. And since it probably has the same number of divs there as you he will feel confident. Until you make significant gains. THEN he will try overwhelming force, and will try to withdraw almost all forces from the western front (tough I think he will try to maintain numerical parity there too.
Couldn't that navy retreat to Canada? Or maybe go to the West Coast?
I don't see how it could survive the trip to California, too many German ships and planes in the way.
Ha Ha Very funny. :rofl:
Canada is not a safe haven now. Any naval base is vulnerable to potential German attack.
There is certainly no way they can retreat to the west coast although the AI has been known to do exactly that sort of thing.
May 16th-17th 1945
02:00 May 16th 1945
On the northern front more US divisions have come forward breaking the defence of Sioux Falls. With Luftwaffe support I don't believe the US can advance much more but it does all look a little dangerous. If US troops take Sioux Falls then even if they can't defend it there is risk of isolation for the cavalry divisions to the east.
04:00 May 16th 1945
On the Mississippi front German troops moving north across the front have encountered the US advance and, in this case, blocked it. If I don't keep troops in Oklahoma City to at least detect US advances then air units will have to be removed from the airfield, as I won't know when it might be occupied. It is a great pity that you cannot monitor the progress of enemy advances to know when to retire.
06:00 May 17th 1945
Further north other US troops following their advance plan encounter a much stronger defence that definitely isn't going to be defeated. Generally speaking these attacks are down to US divisions given orders when they were on the other side of the Mississippi indicating the extent of the AI plan triggered by my retreat.
07:00 May 17th 1945
Kansas City is now being attacked by a major US force giving an eastern prong to the advance progressing south through Sioux Falls. This is now a real threat to pinch off my north eastern forces although the real threat is as yet someway off.
12:00 May 17th 1945
In the west US troops have finally turned to begin pushing eastwards. This is of little concern as there remains a great deal of free space they must push through before it becomes a problem.
14:00 May 17th 1945
On the east coast a further landing at Norfolk will give me a foothold south of Washington and take another major naval base. This area is slightly better defended but it remains to be seen how long it takes these troops to react.
Strategic air power is operating in this area as it has been when not detoured to naval attack. The bombers have dented US industrial capability but overall the impact whilst of value is far from causing a collapse. US production has been reduced significantly all across the eastern USA but occupation of territory has greater long-term impact.
15:00 May 17th 1945
It looks like there are still stray allied fleets floating around to cause the odd convoy loss. Hunting will begin immediately.
16:00 May 17th 1945
A port strike on Norfolk reveals the paucity of US ships in this last visible fleet. It seems like it is made entirely of dummy targets.
21:00 May 17th 1945
Naval air patrols have picked up a lone US raider, which is a little puzzling since the popup said it was a Canadian raider. Hopefully this really is the ship and there will be no more convoy problems.
23:00 May 17th 1945
The battle for Kansas City has been going on all day with surprisingly little US progress possibly due to the appalling weather but there is no realistic chance of holding unless something happens to those attackers.
Given the buildup of manpower and the limited effect of any new divisions being built and reaching the theater in time, is it worth it to allow for some attrition fighting in the midwest?