Polish Airborne

[SkyVon]

In my game against Jason, due to early fort extentions by both sides it's now turn 44 and the only fighting is on the east front.

The Poles have joined the Axis and Jason is airdropping like mad moving rapidly towards Stalingrad/Baku. I asked Jason about the Polish airborne and he replied that they are almost better than the German airborne.

Polish Airborne?!?! Can anyone enlighten me as to their history and involvement in this scenario.

[Mark Stevens]

I take it this is an 'Eastern Crusade' game?

Purely hypothetical of course, but after the Poles joined the Germans the latter quickly despatched supplies, extra armoured and motorised equipment, and instructors to modernise the Polish Armed Forces for the drive to the East. The Poles proved quick learners, and Goering, ever eager to expand his personal empire at the expense of the Army, sent Student and a large staff to train a Polish airborne unit, drawn from of the cream of the infantry and lavishly well-equipped.

How does that sound?

[SkyVon]

LOL, sounds good...ever think of writing professionally?

BUT, this unit is created and deployed in less than six months? They sure were fast learners :)

[Mantis]

Yeah, that's a sweet little unit, isn't it?

[SkyVon]

Being on the receiving end of this unit....sweet?...I'd have to say no.

[Mantis]

Nope, can't say I have. But on the German side, ahhhhhh! Adding more airborne to the arsenal, along with the prewar builds, is a pleasure indeed!

[Mantis]

I take it that Raver is using the airborne rather agressively? How about a small action report?

[SkyVon]

Let’s see....

The war started peacefully enough. Both sides built forts and Raver also added pre-war builds. In the summer, the Soviets moved into Persia and a few turns before winter hit, they declared war on Finland (wanted those DOW perks). In those few turns the Soviets were, surprisingly, able to advance quite far into Finland. Grabbing quite a bit of territory.

During winter, I could see Raver moving his troops all around like mad getting ready for some sunshine.

Meanwhile, France buffed up the front units...all at 100% ent now and England (yes, I finally learned my lesson) built up Malta and Gibraltar. Don't think the entire German army could take Malta now :)

With the end of winter came a one turn defeat of Yugoslavia and a DOW on Russia.

Ravers main push into Russia is to the south. With several airdrops he was able to capture a few bridges and some other key locations. All my front units froze for the first two turns so I was unable to blow anything...kind of like the anti-Monica turn.

Now at turn 46, all of northern Finland is part of the USSR and the front there seems to have stabilized. The Russians have just received their first large number of reinforcements and they are racing to the south in hopes of cutting him off before he reaches Stalingrad and all points south. A large Rum mech unit was destroyed as it was caught on that road hex at the Sea of Azov. The naval unit that destroyed it paid the ultimate price though.

It seems there are Poles dropping from the sky every 2-3 turns and with me having little to no air there isn't much I can do about them. I'm really hating those Poles. The northern and central front is not moving at all. A mix of German/Polish troops is staring at the Russians.

[Chuck?]

What chance do the Soviets have in a Eastern Crusade game? The Axis get to throw their full weight against the USSR and get the bonus Poles. Even in a non-EA game the Soviets have only a moderate chance of making it. This is after the Germans have been somewhat worn down by fighting in France and Africa.

Are the allies allowed to ship reinforcements to the Soviets? Do the Soviets get any extra units?

[Dan Neely]

france/UK are initially nuetral and can't do anything. OTOH the german oob is alot thinner in spring 40 than in spring 41.

[SkyVon]

Not near as thin as the Soviets in sping 40 though. I'm PRAYING for reinforcements.

In addition to the Poles, Rumania/Hungary/Bulgaira are fighting. And don't forget those uber Polish (quick learners) Airborne :p

[Dan Neely]

Originally posted by SkyVon
Not near as thin as the Soviets in sping 40 though. I'm PRAYING for reinforcements.

In addition to the Poles, Rumania/Hungary/Bulgaira are fighting. And don't forget those uber Polish (quick learners) Airborne :p

most of the poles are only 25% proficiency which means they're near useless (only the later units are worthwhile, none of the ones that are around when the game starts). The bulgarians aren't supposed to be fighting anywhere outside the balkans, so unless you're not playing by houserules they're near useless.

[SkyVon]

Your right, the Bulgarians are busy in the Balkans with the Yugo parts. As for the Poles...time will tell ;)