I think the Level 1 harbour is fine as it forces you to grab a serious port to keep up the campaign, I only object to the total lack of supplies to begin with. I don't believe the allied forces in the area had entirely run out of supplies by the 20th of June, but in the game that's what's modelled. If they had given all the forces there about 5 days of supplies to start with it would have been closer to historical.Mulburries were not a big success historically.
On 20 of june, one was destroyed by storm. And that after a lot of problems like sinking supplies. It may fit with the level 1 harbour and explains why Allied HQ decided to grab a deep water port.
Yes, units still have some combat ability without supplies, but it's severely hampered (-50%), and casualties tend to be significantly higher. Basically it's as if they're fighting with bayonets, and using their immobilised vehicles as protection against incoming enemy fire.I think that the 0 supply at start does not mean no ability for allied troops. I checked that a bit and they are able to resist with honor even at this level of supply.
Yes, I think those transports and paratroopers were in reserve historically, so it does make some sense.There are US transport planes in London and some UK airborne troops in England. Possible to drop them with the supply benefit.
Do what you're comfortable with. I just think your approach is interesting and the results are worth being shared.Not sure to make a complete AAR but peraphs i'll give some historical comparisons. The biggest problem is that the more you are far from the initial date of the scenario and the more you will get away from History of course because ennemies won't replay History (AI...). To make a complete replay of History, HOI III isn't the best after initial date. An old but good boardgame about battle of Normandy in solo mod seems to be the best way to illustrate what happened (no use for AAR there... books are better).
I think the annoying enemies not playing along is what would make such an endeavour interesting. To still try to recreate the historical campaign, and inevitably slowly drift away from the history, while still attempting to stay as close to it as possible. Then again, I can be a bit of a masochist when it comes to wrestling with HOI3... The thing is that, once you've sorted out the lack of supply problem, the 1944 scenario is a cakewalk for the Allies, especially if you control the units individually. Therefor some kind of restriction like having to broadly follow the historical road-map and timeline despite enemy action can make it much more interesting.
Unlike @Wraith11B I'm not set up to play several nations at the same time, also my ocd with division names and my tendency to take time to ponder every move I make works against my playing multiplayer. That said, I'd love to see an AAR of such a multi-player game.That's only a pity that it is now not possible to play multi by internet. I would dream to play a US/UK/SU against GER/JAP/IT with a partner on net.
Yes, I'm holding out until they announce HOI5 before I buy the complete edition with all of the DLCs... Sure HOI4 has some interesting features, but it's far from 'being there', as you say. Having seen how much better HOI3 TFH is when compared to the v1 vanilla game, I'm holding out and playing that.Unfortunately, HOI IV may be used for that but the level of the game isn't here yet.
As for your campaign, I'd suggest expanding the port in Cherbourg immediately and grabbing more ports, like Le Havre etc. Keep the supplies flowing!