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Ah, the historic approach. Except with those forts you'll probably be fine this time. 
Ah, the historic approach. Except with those forts you'll probably be fine this time.
Well, my own experience has shown that German armor can still crack a level 4-5 fort in the Plains of northern France, so some caution will still be warranted.
Saithis, I wouldn't call it the historic approach. I just loaded up the Blitzkrieg (September 1939) start date for comparison, and that France has 12 more air wings, no dedicated artillery brigades, higher concentrations of infantry along a narrower front, no extended fortifications in the north or improved fortifications in the south, and far less advanced tank technology.
eqqman, if the Germans don't attack me until May (which was the case historically), I still have a chance to push up those critical plains fort ratings in Dunkerque, Hazebrouck, Lille, and Longuyon, which are the only plains provinces on the northern border. Likewise, by May I should have several divisions of heavy armor. A more calculating defensive solution might have been AT brigades in plains provinces, but le CCGG is still thinking in terms of tank divisions that can slowly push a trench warfare front forward.
eqqman, if the Germans don't attack me until May (which was the case historically), I still have a chance to push up those critical plains fort ratings in Dunkerque, Hazebrouck, Lille, and Longuyon, which are the only plains provinces on the northern border. Likewise, by May I should have several divisions of heavy armor. A more calculating defensive solution might have been AT brigades in plains provinces, but le CCGG is still thinking in terms of tank divisions that can slowly push a trench warfare front forward.
Sounds hopeful... I've read plenty of discussion in the main forum about people using HARM as (somewhat) mobile fortresses, France seems like a good position to try it.
I've only played as France twice myself, and went the fort route both times. In the first game the Germans cracked the lines at the Belgium border and I went down pretty hard, which was fun as it's the first serious game I'd ever lost as a Major Power. The second time I made a harder push for forts *and* also attacked and eliminated Italy before 1939; as a consequence, I also had an additional line of forts running along the Austrian border well-staffed with Mountain troops. In that game I was reasonably confident that I wasn't going to lose, but at the same time, I couldn't figure out how to advance into Germany as I was pretty helpless once past the forts. If you focus on small local advances backed up by advancing HARM, that might do the trick. My tech focus was on air and infantry power so I didn't have any tanks at all available.
Shame you didn't AAR the pre-war invasion of Italy. Did you have to threat up/neut down from '36 onwards?
I don't think I can win the war on my own, or even close, but if I can keep the Allies on the continent, maybe stifle Italy in the Mediterranean, maybe retake some colonies, maybe even liberate the Low Countries while the Soviets crush Germany, I'll be pleased with that.
I don't think I can win the war on my own, or even close, but if I can keep the Allies on the continent, maybe stifle Italy in the Mediterranean, maybe retake some colonies, maybe even liberate the Low Countries while the Soviets crush Germany, I'll be pleased with that.
I was running FtM, so the only option available is to increase threat, but using Spies in Germany you can get France to pick up over 60 threat in only one year. Unfortunately AARs take too long for me to write to hit all the games that are pretty interesting.
Even if the best you can pull off here is `not losing`, I'd say that is still pretty good for France. If the USSR ends up taking out Germany in this game, then you'll be perfectly placed for a nice WW III finale. We'll be watching to see how it turns out!
I was more referring to the late interwar panic building of extra forts along the Belgian border, as opposed to the French OOB.
I'd say its about medium difficulty taking the fight back to Germany. But the downer is that your already probally a bit late to do it early.
France has the advantage that the British throw in their fighters over Beligium and Holland meaning that you can concentrate your fighters south. If you break the German aircover/fighter groups your in a possition to start your own bombing campaigns. Which are far less costly than massing a few divisions to break through the westwall.
However you've gone defensive and sunk a fair amount of IC on the Belgium border, so probally have a few less bombers. Doesn't matter that much though, since whatever Germany can use as a weakness, so can you. Let the Germans fight through Holland and Belgium, let those forces retreat back to your line, then everything to 'sort itself out', then go for a reverse attack through Beligium and Holland to sit on the Ruhr. Again wait for a status quo, then go again for the next river line (I forget which river that is). Wait for settling, then go for Berlin.
With any luck the Soviets will still be in east Poland, since your tricking the AI to match your strenght each time here, rather than trying to force a front movement (because your attacking when you have local firepower by waiting for troops to be redeployed to the east. You can improve this even more by gambling with moveing divisions back from the front line where you can to make yourself appear weaker than the Soviets, again tricking the AI.
Because its a bit micro management, I don't consider this gamey like overruning divisions, or crazy naval invasions.
France has the advantage that the British throw in their fighters over Beligium and Holland meaning that you can concentrate your fighters south. If you break the German aircover/fighter groups your in a possition to start your own bombing campaigns. Which are far less costly than massing a few divisions to break through the westwall.
However you've gone defensive and sunk a fair amount of IC on the Belgium border, so probally have a few less bombers. Doesn't matter that much though, since whatever Germany can use as a weakness, so can you. Let the Germans fight through Holland and Belgium, let those forces retreat back to your line, then everything to 'sort itself out', then go for a reverse attack through Beligium and Holland to sit on the Ruhr. Again wait for a status quo, then go again for the next river line (I forget which river that is). Wait for settling, then go for Berlin.
With any luck the Soviets will still be in east Poland, since your tricking the AI to match your strenght each time here, rather than trying to force a front movement (because your attacking when you have local firepower by waiting for troops to be redeployed to the east. You can improve this even more by gambling with moveing divisions back from the front line where you can to make yourself appear weaker than the Soviets, again tricking the AI.
Because its a bit micro management, I don't consider this gamey like overruning divisions, or crazy naval invasions.
PARIS, Feb. 1940
IT IS POSSIBLE THAT FRENCH FORCES WILL BE OUTNUMBERED 10 TO 1 IN CRITICAL AREAS SUCH AS HAGUENAU
We are deeply concerned that the deployment of additional divisions is not being adequately expedited. Certain segments of the Maginot Line are vulnerable to concentrated attack from large areas of Germany. With the fall of Poland and the failure of the British landing at Wilhelmshaven, it will be possible for the Germans to concentrate their forces on France.
Although we cannot dispute the importance of improving fortifications along the defensive lines, we presently have the manpower for around 25 additional divisions of three infantry brigades and one supporting artillery brigade. While the previous policy of retaining a reserve pool of recruits for reinforcement purposes is sound, it should not be pursued to the exclusion of at least some addition to our present forces. Depth of reserves will do us no good if we are overrun.
As the new government formed by the Radical Party has largely chosen to retain our previously selected ministers in military posts (especially Flandin and Gamelin), we do not anticipate political problems interfering with the war effort, particularly in light of the new state press laws. Indeed, the people seem more supportive of Maurice Thorez than they ever did of Lebrun.
Therefore we suggest without reservation that fortification projects become second priority, and 10 to 15 new infantry divisions with artillery support be assembled, hopefully in time to play a part in resisting the Germans as soon as their assault begins in earnest.
On another topic, we deplore the inefficacy of anti-submarine warfare efforts by the French navy. While U-boats continue to pick off vulnerable merchants, two fuel-costly three-week fleet patrols from Brest in November '39 failed to destroy any of the submarines rampaging off the Galician coast. There are far too many small, separate French convoys to dedicate full fleets to individual escort missions.
Therefore we suggest that, for the time being, the destroyer flotillas be detached from the fleets to operate under special leadership as convoy escorts for the most vulnerable and targeted ships, and possibly also as fuel-conscious regional patrols in the Galicia area.
Lastly, we are deeply skeptical about the decision to allow the United Kingdom to run a trade deficit with France.
With confidence,
Staff
CCGG
PARIS, Feb. 1940
IT SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED THAT OUR ADVICE ON GERMAN U-BOATS WAS ENTIRELY CORRECT
Mere weeks after implementing our destroyer taskforce plan, the navy reports the outright destruction of an entire U-boat flotilla by a UK naval element. That we did not land the killing blow should in no way detract from our doubtless critical role in weakening the U-boats and reducing their operability.
We must ask, however, why the Dakar Headquarters Brigade refuses to cease operations. All forces and all responsibilities have been removed from the Dakar theater. If the emergency in Europe comes to a favorable end, we shall have no choice but to treat the Dakar offices as an enemy force and invade them without mercy.
With confidence,
Staff
CCGG
PARIS, Apr. 1940
THE FALL OF LUXEMBOURG IS A STEP IN THE GERMAN PLAN WHICH WE ANTICIPATED
The German conquest of Luxembourg, combined with a general movement north by much of the German force arrayed against the Maginot line, leads us to believe that they are preparing for a general invasion of the Low Countries. This means we should make absolutely sure our line in the north is ready to withstand the pressure.
In the short term, this also makes Cattenom more vulnerable. However, we believe Cattenom is adequately defended for now.
With confidence,
Staff
CCGG
PARIS, May 1940
THE LOSS OF DUNKERQUE IS A BLOW TO THE HOPES OF THE FRENCH PEOPLE
We have no reply to the loss of Dunkerque. Though heavily defended (with help from the British) and deeply fortified, it was occupied by a mere two German divisions. Their success is baffling and inexplicable. The so-called Mobile Reserve Army is tied down on the Maginot line as a permanent defensive force, and there is nothing to plug the Dunkerque gap. We shall be encircled unless we abandon the line.
At the same time, abandoning the line would be suicide. We are gravely outnumbered, and it appears that even where we have the numerical advantage we are profoundly outmatched. None of us can understand the power of the German offensive and we are all profoundly shaken by it.
We have no advice at this time.
With confidence,
Staff
CCGG
PARIS, Jun. 1940
ITALY'S ENTRY TO THE WAR CHANGES NOTHING
The long-predicted Italian betrayal has come to pass. No one should be the least bit surprised, nor the least bit concerned, for while Italian convoy raiders destroy French merchantmen in the Mediterranean, remember that the critical battles were already lost.
Efforts by the local forces to take back Dunkerque were obviously foolhardy and quickly abandoned.
A new, unfortified defensive line from Calais appears so fragile as to be worthless.
With confidence,
Staff
CCGG
PARIS, Jun. 1940
THE THIRD REPUBLIC IS DOOMED
Who can say what terrible internal weaknesses and failures of resolve have sealed the fate of France.
The African colonies are under Italian attack and have no hope whatsoever of resistance.
The breach occurred on the Dunkerque-Hazebrouck-Lille line, where we had taken every precaution.
The last-minute deployment of seven brand-new heavy armor brigades in Paris is not expected to accomplish anything.
With confidence,
Staff
CCGG
CHERBOURG, Jun. 1940
EVACUATION
With Paris fallen, we are preparing for evacuation across the channel. As top strategists, we demand priority over any other refugees.
With confidence,
Staff
CCGG
LESSONS IN REMEMBERING THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR: FRANCE
MOSCOW, 1958
On the tenth anniversary of the triumph over the Fascist foe, all citizens of the Motherland and all the satellite soviet republics ought to remember the fatal flaws which left the decadent capitalist democracies of Western Europe unable to resist the imperialism of Benito Mussolini, Adolf Hitler, and Hideki Tojo.
In France, citizens are encouraged to reflect on the cowardice of the defenders of Dunkirk and Paris, the inability of the rival capitalist nations to work together against a common foe, and above all the uselessness of French tanks, which were developed by plutocratic factory owners as show ponies for the government, which in turn purchased these expensive products from their industrialist cronies with the money of the people. Likewise, the French obsession with fortifications ultimately benefited no one but the owners of cement factories. Cadres should seek to educate the people on these critical failings, and not accept subversive revisionism that invents alternate causes for the fall of France.
Now is the time to remind the entire world of the horrors that would have befallen the entire world were it not for the advances of International Communism.
Long live the fraternal friendship and the unshakable unity of the peoples of the USSR!
With pride and deepest regrets for the fallen,
J. Stalin
J. Stalin
Very nice read and interesting concept, just the letters make it fun to read and I felt sorry for the council members.