[Fall of France #11] Initial German Setup

[Matt W]

Having looked at the scenario I have to agree that your current setup is a bit too stretched. Vince's positioning seems fine and the focus on seeing the French is critical since you can't move until you do see them. By deploying to the west of the main town you force the French to slide around the town and towards the hill, delaying them and giving yourself the chance to respond. This is important as their only real asset in an assault on the town is the HMG. Without it, the most they can generate in an assault hex is 13 factors (ESC and the two armored cars, or two ESCs and the P16). Interestingly even if they have the HMG they will still only be on the 13 column before column shifts and in the town, even with a leader they will be down one to the "9" column meaning a 1/6 chance of causing a step loss. The key from here is whether you have any reserves to feed into the assault hex to cause the French to fight at a disadvantage.

One of the biggest concerns I have, however, with the initial setup was the placement of the Major right in the front line if the French had advanced in that fashion. A potential decapitation would leave the Germans with a possible mess on their hands before they even get a chance to react to the French advance. So,

Defend with some troops outside of town to cause delay and increase your spotting capability
Have reserves ready to reinforce assaulted hexes (possibly by not garrisoning the smaller town)
Protect your senior commanders in the setup.

See you Saturday!