Playing Germany and the Fall of France

[dag231]

Playing Germany on the hard level, and after I invade Poland in March of 1936, France et al declare war on me.

Not a big problem because I redeploy my armour and 6 infantry divisions across from Luxembourg, declare war on it, and then march quickly to Paris..... after which, Vichy France pops up and the Western Front collapses......

seems a bit odd to have France collapse without virtually one battle being fought.....

Dean

 

[unmerged(1973)]

Originally posted by Dean
Playing Germany on the hard level, and after I invade Poland in March of 1936, France et al declare war on me.

Not a big problem because I redeploy my armour and 6 infantry divisions across from Luxembourg, declare war on it, and then march quickly to Paris..... after which, Vichy France pops up and the Western Front collapses......

seems a bit odd to have France collapse without virtually one battle being fought.....

Dean

Yep, had a similar experience in my first (and only) campaign as Germany. My mighty german army of 3 divisions smashed through the Maginot line when the french declared war in 1939, and then moved directly and unopposed to Paris.

 

[unmerged(9895)]

that seems one bad thing about occupation being determined by important cities. Sure, france probly would of fallen if paris was taken even if the french army was still intact, but there is no way the french army would of been intact because it would of never allowed an unopposed german march to paris. Only probly is that the AI is not smart enough to react to a players moves so all you have to do is out manuver it and the war is over without losing a single man.

 

[dag231]

Capture of Paris

It was interesting how the AI handled this:

[setting: very hard/furious]

After declaring war, France went south, attacking Saarrbucken and Stutgart. I have 3 divisions and 4 divisions garrisoned there, respectively. After the declaration of war, I strategically redeployed 7 infantry divisions and 3 armored divisions. After the wait, placed them in Koln, declared war on Luxenbourg, and entered unopposed. The 10 divisions were split into three armies of 3, 3, and 5 (3, 2). Metz fell quickly, and 3 divisions stayed behind to ensure supply. The AI realized what was about to happen and attacked just after 7 divisions entered Chaumont. 4 more stayed behind, and were attacked, while the 3 armoured and the 2 remaining infantry drove on to Reims and then Paris. End of the Western Front.

I suppose house rules should have applied and I should have refused the Vichy offer, which I think I might do and write it up, but even then, the bulk of the French troops would be out of supply, as I could take the armor and drive south to Dijjon, while the infantry drive north to Lille.

Germany seems way, way too unbalanced, especially after adding in the leadership bonueses. As of now, it is March 15, 1936, a coup in Finland makes them Fascist, Sweden, Bulgaria, Rumania, Latvia, Estonia and Hngary are being influenced nicely, Belgium, Netherlands and Denmark are just about to fall (not that they are worth a tinker's damn, but the experience is nice), and 10 divisions are on order, waiting to strike at the Russians.