I'm currently testing 2 versions of the improved EA 2012 with 3 different opponents. These tests are still at an early stage of the game (between T45 and T70).
So its still too early to make any final considerations on how AD 8 is adding on a more sound combat resolution and its direct effect on forces replacements situation.
Forces replacements situation is a key issue in this scenario and the previous versions had reached a very balanced and trully realistic level which is essential not to spoil.
What i'd like to comment at this moment are some of the "strategic" changes which can already be verified and some of which, i think, deserve some discussion:
Reorganize the Canadian Army.
I understand this "special care" with Canadian army. However the level of abstraction on all EA OOB's don't justify such a fine tunning of any particular army. I'm sure the early entry of 1 Canadian division and its presence in Britain during Sealion was already prefectly represented by the full equiped UK's OOB 2 strong corps in which the Canadians would always be included.
But much more important are the half strength Canadians corps later appearence. To be put to full strength they will absorb badly needed rifle squads (RS) replacements from other Allied forces. Allied RS are a limited equipment - which realistically represent British and other Alllies manpower shortages (US forces use HRAT-S) - and this not compensated new demand for such equipment will lead to an obvious unbalance of Allied RS critical replacement situation.
Replace Sea Supply Roads with Sps, modify current SP level of some current SPs.
As you said "the sea supply roads system did a pretty good job". They aren't pretty but at this scale scenario they represented very sound logistical requests TOAW doesn't fully simulate.
Hasty changes of sea supply roads by supply points (SP) without further considerations can bring some deep distortions on logistical reality.
Some examples of these logistical distortions:
- In this version Allies can perform amphibious attacks (and be supplied) on Sicily even without holding Malta or Tunes. In reality where would the Allies take the supply from on such poor strategical conditions?
- Could Allies forces in Sardinia be supplied without Allies holding Tunis? Where from? Not from Gibraltar for sure. In this version they can.
Some carefull thoughts are requered on these and other linked situations. I think it's possible to replace sea supply roads by SP's but these must not be "automatic" and should only be depending on events.
Variable level of SP's doesn't solve, in this case, the main question by any means.
Invasion SPs: This needs more thought, but for now:
Allied invasion SPs
Northern France:
Added 33% SP to La Rochelle.
Added 50% Sps to St. Nazaire, Lorient, Brest, Cherbourg, Le Harve, and Dieppe.
I agree on more Northern France SP's available to Overlord. And adding Brest, Cherbourg, Le Harve, and Dieppe to the existing ones is more than enough.
The new SP's at St. Nazaire, Lorient and La Rochelle make absolutely no sense. Again we have to compensate some TOAW logistical and strategical shortcomings (it wasn't bild for this scale scenarios).
Any Allied planner suggesting an invasion area out of full air cover and forcing the invasion armada to sail on open ocean for almost an extra day would be sacked on the spot...
Not to mention the non sense of heading a huge fleet against German's biggest U-Boat bases. And if we remember Allied incredible investement on surprise effect, i don't think is wise to believe they would ruin it while taking the option for those invasion beaches.
Again variable level of SP's doesn't make things any better.
Italy:
50% SPs at Genoa, Livorno, Anzio, Salerno, Pescara
100% SPs at Naples, Taranto.
For the same reasons as above a SP at Pescara (or any other on the Adriatic sea) is clearly exagerated. Please don't forget amphibious resources were scarce and these kind of operations were much more complicated than pushing "embark unit" button...
Greece:
50% SPs at Durazzo, Thessalonika, Kalami, and Navplion.
100% SP at Athens.
SP's at Thessalonika, Kalami, and Navplion (at any supply level) would in reality only be logisticaly possible if Crete is under Allied control. Not otherwise.
Allied Durazzo SP, as any other Allied SP in Adriatic sea, is out of proportion.
Some additonal notes:
Please note Vichy units are fixed on hex 26,147 and the SP is placed on hex 29,144 resulting on unsupplied Axis units. Axis SP must be moved to 26,147.
East Africa
The Allies now have 75% SPs at Mombassa, Berbera, Djibouti, and Port Sudan.
Allied unit in Aden was forgotten in supply terms.
Deploy 15th Army Group in ‘42.
I can't find any new units or trace of this deployment but probably i'm missing something...
This isn't an issue from this version, it was always there but it's a good oportunity to repair it:
V-2 Rockets unit (Axis Wunderwaffen OOB) is set to appear on hex 92,57. It will never do so because it's a super river hex. It must be changed to hex 93,57 (Stettin).
As to the other (many) changes i understand and support them and i think they will result in a better EA and that's what we all want...