I've taken the advice on here to try smaller battles and, although not pretty, I have won a few.
I think learning the symbols will help a lot. I noticed it is important to balance the turn or you can't exploit success.
I then tried Cambrai (being Canadian) and after almost making the town I got pushed back to the original line. I think that imagining it happening in real life is the addicting part....I was a little ticked that my plan didn't work and it cost massive loss of life
I think the reason was I got too tied up in a town on the way but didn't realize how badly at the time.
People have put some hard work into the game.