France 14 Il Ne Passeront Pas

[jlbetin]

I dedicate this AAR to both my Grand Fathers who fought in real this part of the world war one.

This AAR related the bloody fights which occured Between DeconMan The German Hun against JLBETIN the mighty French :D
The scenario France 14 relate the first 3 months of the german Offensive against France.
One Hex = 15 Km

First have a look to the initial situation.

German outnumber the French, Brits are not immediatly available, and a part of French army is on hold. Look on next post what were my initial decisions

[jlbetin]

To be clear for the rest of the AAR I will cut the scenario in 2 zones The Belgium Front and the French Front

Have a look to the French Front. As Todd klemme point it this is not WW2, I need to fix the German by a 2 hex deep line of defence, with all HQ and Arty with a range of 2 in second hex line
here is the result.
As discussed in the general TOAW opinion thread, I used a lot of Division in local reserve mode ( Look at red arrows). In this case it prooved to be very useful as it has blocked very often german or it occupied retreated hexes without letting time to german to take it. I had just to dig the unit latter.
This front won't be discussed a lot as it is an attrition front. Massive attack, some units retreate German could or could'n occupy the hex, Immediatly I took divided troops or wounded units to recombine them and create a nex second line of defense. Twice DeconMan was nearly to make a breakthrough but I had enough local reserve to counterattack from all direction and anhiliate the huns. The reserve were very used intensively with railroads. Never Neglect the territorial units ( light blue ones). They can give good result in counter attack.

[jlbetin]

Return now to the Belgium Front. As you can see it in the attached picture, DeconMan attacks bravely with his cavalry, bypassing local units. For me one solution to create a provisional front line to stop him. Problem part of the French Army is in hold mode. "A que celà ne tienne" I pick up Calvalry corp and send it to Antwerpen, in the same time I order a forward move to Belgium army to block the Huns, I took some reserve troops to to help Belgium in Namur and Dinand. Once again Division in reserve mode were used, and well used.

[jlbetin]

And now in turn three the situation is more or less stabilized. Have a look. The BEF arrive, the french units are released. I was abble to create a trench line, with which I will hold the German hordes more or less, at worst situation I was still in a Draw situation.

From now up to turn 10 for both Front, it is an attrition war, Attacks counter attacks, I will lost Nancy, Epinal, worst Verdun, Antwerpen, Brussel but never my oponent was abble to make the breakthrough that the German did in September 14.

[jlbetin]

We are in turn 10, situation is partially better than it was in the real war look at French front. German pressure is constant, I lost Verdun ( sad ) but the line hold firmly. I will loose Epinal soon but I will evacuate most of the units.
Nearr St Dizier, south of Verdun, my north African troops ( light blues in backgound and medium blue in center ) have fought bravely some regiments have been eliminated, but in next turn I will recombine 2 divisions and boarded them in train to join the Belgium Front, why ??? look at next post !

[jlbetin]

Turn 9 Belgium front

Antwerpen and Brussel are lost, German are pushing hard but I always counter attack, I follow by this the French infantry School of 1914, Charge with "Rosalie" nickname of the frecnh baïonet.

But look Antwerpen is alone with an HQ unit. héhéhé the JLBETIN smell a possible shoot in the back

[jlbetin]

Using My reinforcement I prepare a little surprise to the Kaiser with British and Indian trrops

[jlbetin]

And now the Firework is done have a look to the result.

UK and Indians Lands in antwerpen yeepee !!!

German units are eliminated or oblige to retreats round Brussel, The Brits give air round antwerpen, in the same time I pick up French division on the French front to reinforce the Belgium one, I'm pretty sure to get a margianl victory. The Train is essential here, In 1900 France have developed ten thousand kilometers of Railroad all over France to permit mobilized people to join their Garison town to be incorporated.

[jlbetin]

We are on turn 13, I inform DeconMan that I won't try to get Brussel, and I will stay on Marginal victory.
Why?

1st) my units are exhausted, and a general attacks on Brussel could not gave a retreat of all its units!
2nd) I have no idea of Germen reinforcement in rear, I can lost all the benefits of my surpise attack.

So we decide to stay on this result; Marginal victory for French

Conclusion: This scenario is fun, it is not a big manoeuvering one, but to be abble to hold the lines you need concentration, and to be responsive on all the events. I was lucky to seize antwerpen and hit in the Back the German.
Try it you may have other results. But IMHO The 2 first turn will condition all the rest of the game.

Best Regards

Der WanderJoffre