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The Maps
All my Maps below use 'custom' .units and .tiles definition files (which replace the 'default.units' and 'default.tiles' used in the standard maps). The required units and tiles files are included in the (map).zip download in each section. Using these files, you can use the standard CoMET tool to modify my compiled (.lev) maps if you wish (I retain Copyright to the .units and .tiles files)
To create or modify the maps 'by hand', you can create or modify the ascii .src versions. To play the .src, it must be 'compiled' together with the relevant .units and .tiles files (see individual battles, below), using the cfed.exe the map .src to .lev build utility. To make your own .units from your own .bmp images and .usrc unit definitions, your need the mkunitset.exe tool (from a Command Prompt, "mkunitset myunits.bmp myudefs.usrc mynew.units") To make your own .tiles from your own .bmp tile images and .tsrc tile definitions, your need the mktileset.exe tool (from a Command Prompt, "mktileset myTiles.bmp myTdefs.usrc mynew.tiles") All 3 .exe tools mentioned above are part of Crimson Fields
I retain Copyright to my own Maps, Units and Terrain (artwork and definitions) files, however I grant you the standard open Source Licence for personal use
Alternate history "scenarios"
My historical Maps have 'historically accurate' forces pre-deployed for both sides (as far as possible = toward the end of the war, confusion and limited records mean the Axis forces are sometimes 'best guess'). However, in many cases, this means the players are almost forced into 'historical outcomes', especially when constrained by the (historically accurate) timing (and types) of re-enforcements.
To allow some flexibility, in cases where it would have been possible or reasonable to swap or assign other available units, I've given the human player(s) 'resources' (so they can 'build' their own units from a list of those that were historically available) However, all too often, these historically accurate forces (and the pre-deployments) limit the outcome 'no matter what'. The problem is that the available weapons and forces are always limited by each sides past decisions on weapon developments (and troop training). Further, any student of military history will 'know what to expect' from their opponent - both in terms of weapons and deployment - which really limits the possibility of any surprises :-) Another issue is that the Allies (and British in particular) never seem to make plans for any 'follow-up' (or 'fall-back') in the event that things go better (or worse) than expected (so when they succeed - as at 2nd Alamein - the Axis manage to escape, whilst when they (start to) fail - as at Dieppe - they just feed the rest of their forces into the killing zones). Whilst the players can make their own decisions during actual battle, if no troops were held in reserve historically (to 'follow up' a breakthrough or 'counter attack' to prevent such a breakthrough) then the players just don't have that option In order to provide players with more options, I have to generate my own 'alternative history' ...
First I consider why things 'played out' as they did - for more see "The Constraints of History" below :-
(+) The Constraints of History
To overcome the Constraints of History takes a combination of individual action and luck. The UK has it's fair share of both prior to, and during, WW2, however it was without doubt 'a near run thing'.
With a bit of luck, two individuals could have changed the course of the war - the first is Churchill (who was only made First Lord of the Admiralty on 3 September 1939 and only became Prime Minister on 10 May 1941) his earlier appointment would have made significant differences in British war preparations. The other was Frank Whittle = he was (essentially) ignored for 10 years. With proper backing, Britain could have entered the jet age before 1939 ...
There is a 3rd individual whose malign influence diverted huge numbers of trained men and squandered massive amounts of vital resources. His actions essentially handed Europe to the Americas and Russians - without him, thousands of both German and British lives would have been spared. For more, see how it could have been "Less of a near run thing" below :-
(+) Less of a near run thing - (How UK wins the war and saves lives)
Lucky for Europe, Hitler was a megalomaniac. He just couldn't resist getting his 'military action' in first, even when letting the Poles / Russians strike first would have changed events to his advantage.
Hitler never wanted war against Britain/France - his 'target' all along was Russia. If the Nazis can avoid war in Europe until after December 7, 1941, both Britain and France will become involved with USA against Japan - after which a Nazi attack on Russia can be conducted without fear of interference from the west. For more of how Hitler could have won Europe, see below :-
(-) The Nazi alternative - (How Hitler defeats the Soviets and dominates Europe)
The Nazi "alternative history"
Hitler was plainly unprepared for war in 1939, being forced to use training and scout tanks as part of the Blitz Krieg 'armourded fist' in France, despite the fact that, during the 1930's (especially the later half), Nazi Germany had moved it's economy closer to a 'war footing' than any other country (except perhaps Japan, which was already at war with China).
Further, Hitler was NOT really planning a war against the French (and even less so against the British). His intention was to 'go East' and, eventually, take on the Soviets. The war in the West was thus a mistake, caused by a Hitlers failure to realise that he had pushed the French/British too far when he invaded Poland.
However more than anything else it was the persecution of the Jews that cost Hitler any sympathy had might have gained by his 'anti-communist' stance and also cost him some of Germany's best scientific minds.
In my 'alternative history', before Hitler gains power, his good friend Joseph Goebbels (who becomes Reich Minister of Propaganda in 1933) manages to convince Hitler that the Jews are simply 'un-informed Christians' whilst the 'anti-Christian' Communists and Muslims are the true enemies of civilisation. Hitler is already aware of the Communist peril - soon he learns how, only a dozen years ago (in 1915), the Muslim-majority Ottoman empire launched a campaign to purge "non-Muslim elements", persecuting the Armenians, a Christian ethnic group whose ancestral homeland straddled the border between the Russian and Ottoman empires. Up to 1.5 milion Armenian men, women, and children were slaughtered. Most of the rest fled, producing significant Armenian diaspora populations in the United States, Russia, and elsewhere.. Hitler will thus speak out against the 'un-godly Communists responsible for Germans defeat in WW1' and decry 'the slaughter of Christians by the Turks' at many opportunities
1932 The German Communist Party (KPD, formally the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD)) was the largest communist party in Europe, and polled more than 10% of the vote gaining 100 deputies in the November 1932 elections. In the presidential election of the same year, their leader, Thälmann took 13.2% of the vote, compared to Hitler's 30.1%.
Jan 33 Reports of millions in Ukraine starving to death as a direct result of Stalin and the Soviet communist policies designed to 'eliminate' any possible dissent 'leak out' (as desperate refugees manage to flee to the west). Between 10 and 20% of Ukraine's population (3-6 million) will die. Historically, these reports are largely ignored in the west.
In an alternative world, these reports confirm Hitlers growing conviction that the communists (rather than the Jews) are the true enemies of humanity.
27 February 1933, shortly after Hitlers appointment as Chancellor, the parliament building (Reichstag) is burnt down. A communist council member (Marinus van der Lubbe) was the loan arsonist, however the Nazis blame the communists in general.
The KPD is banned and it's leaders arrested. 22 March 1933 the first concentration camp is opened at Dachau near Munich and it soon starts to fill with 'activist' communists (members of the KPD) as the Nazis track them down. Hitler soon bans communists from all public jobs and the Nazis start to 'purge' the civil service. Anyone who applies for a Government post of any sort must answer the question 'Are you now, or have you every been, a member of the Communist Party ?' 1933 CensusSince the politics of your parents plainly influence your own beliefs, the Census Form has a new question 'Have you, your father or your mother ever been a member of the Communist Party ?' Under 'Religion' is another new question, not seen as significant at the time, which instructs 'List those of your parents/grandparent's that are Muslim' Under 'Religion' you can choose from 'None', 'Christian and pre-Christian (Catholic, Protestant and Jewish)', 'Muslim' or 'Other'. Both the Catholic Church and Jewish officials complain to Hitler that Jews are not 'Christians' - Hitler asks members of both delegations if they would rather join the communists in Dachau ...
1934 When Hitler comes to power he has no wish to go to war against anyone in the West and especially not the French or British. In fact he even pursued a policy of rapprochement with Poland, culminating in the ten-year Polish-German Non-Aggression Pact of 1934 !
Since his ultimate goal is to seize 'living space' from territories to the east (with Poland being the nearest), this plainly indicates his plan (at that time) to 'avoid war for the next 10 years' (i.e. until the Pact expires in 1944) Of course he must still propare for war - and this must be done in such a way that he avoids 'shocking' any of the major powers (France, Britian, Russia) into doing anything that makes an early war inevitable. This means a gradual build-up with (for example) a small 'professional' army whose main task is to train troops who then return to their 'civilian' jobs, and where munitions can be produced 'gradually' (in factories running well below their real capacity) and 'stockpiled' for later use. More to the point, by keeping troop numbers low, the number of 'major cost' items - tanks and aircraft - can also be kept low. This means that the cost of improvements, enhancements are replacements (all of which will be required over the next 10 years) will also be low. Finally, when military equipment is 'shown off' (as in 'parades' etc), plainly the older and more obsolete the kit shown the better = showing off the 'latest and greatest' might shock a potential enemy into trying to 'match' it ! As part of the Polish-German Non-Aggression Pact of 1934, Hitler obtains permission to build a new "high capacity goods train line" across the Polish Corridor to better link East Prussia to Germany itself. The agreement calls for 'all goods' to be moved by 'sealed windowless goods wagons' on the new rail connection across the Corridor without stopping (i.e. without inspection). The inspection of passengers on the existing line will be lifted provided the trains do not stop (for any reason). The number of the train tracks is not defined, nor is the exact route, however the Germans immediately start work on a 2 track line running alongside the existing (passenger) line. This proves most popular with the locals who are paid handsomely to do most of the work. A paved road is built running alongside the line to 'facilitate construction traffic'. During construction, Germany seeks permission to link both rail and road to the Free City of Danzig. They also offer to improve it's port facilities at no cost to the Polish Government. Agreement is soon reached.
Historically, armed conflict started with the German invasion of Poland, however it could be argued that the real start of German military operations was when their armed forces breached the 100,000 'man power limit' set by the Versailles Treaty).
In the 1930's the German military build up was conducted in secret, so even when (some) British and French became 'concerned', the lack of evidence allowed the politicians in charge to avoid taking any real action.
The first real evidence anyone had of German intentions was at the League of Nations Disarmament Conference, when Hitler demanded equality of arms with France and Britain. When he didn't get this, in October 1933, he withdrew from the Conference and the League, blaming the French.
Under the Treaty of Versailles the Germans were required to attend the Conference and work toward disarmament. Walking out was a clear breach of the Treaty, however instead of arresting him and his delegation (and charging them with criminal conspiracy to breach the Treaty of Versailles) he was allowed to 'get away with it'. Many in Britian had sympathy for the German 'case' (the 100,000 limit was plainly too few troops to even provide internal security against, say, a communist overthrow). So the British tried to persuade Germany to return to the conference and this angered France, who wanted to keep the German military as weak as possible (but without actually doing anything military themselves) and feared a ‘sell-out’. Historically, the Conference ended in April 1934 when France announced it would no longer play any part in the Conference, but would "look after its own security in whatever way was necessary", which, in the event, turned out to be 'do nothing'. In my "alternative history", Hitler knows the League of Nations is a 'toothless talking shop'. So the longer he can keep the British and French (and Russians) talking (and toothless) the better. So, immediately after the French walk out, and before Britain and the other nations can declare the Conference 'dead', he returns and apologizes for his "inexcusable fit of temper" and promises to never walk out on a 'peace conference' again, no matter what. He then proposes (to the British) that the Germany restrict it's 'self-defence force' to "75% of that of the French" (the French Army consisted of some 2 million men in just over 90 division at the time, so this would be about 1.5 million) After another 6 months of talking (Sept 35), his delegation eventually concedes a figure of 50% (1 million, about 45 divisions). The British gleefully wave the Agreement in the faces of the French (and Hitler is overheard to say "I like the British - they are a sensible people I can do business with" - he is also overheard to say "The French are a bunch of intransient fools. They will never have anything to fear from Germany. Let them hide in their Maginot holes in the ground forever"). More important (for Hitler) the League of Nations is 'saved' when, in January of 1936, the French ratify the Agreement.
Historically, German re-armament had been going on secretly since at least 1933, however in 1935 Hitler held a huge ‘Freedom to Rearm’ military rally, and in March 1935 he reintroduced conscription.
Conscription was specifically forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles. With Germany 'in breach', the French should have immediately moved it's armed forces to occupy the Rhineland (as it was allowed to under the Treaty). However the French, no doubt with the British urging they 'keep the peace', did nothing. In my "alternative history", in January of 1936 Hitler holds a 'Freedom for self-defence' rally. He declares that "all citizens from 18 to 28 have the right to train for self-defense" and this will consist of a 'few weeks' in the self-defence forces. With an eye on the French (and the Treaty of Versailles), he announces that this will be 'purely voluntary' and there will be only 500,000 training places available at any time - when added to the 500,000 now in the 'permanent' armed forces, the number 'in uniform' is thus limited to less than 1 million at any one time. Training classes will start at the beginning of each month from 1 April 1936 and last for at least four months (longer for 'specialist' troops). Trained citizens will receive a 'small pension' (which the non-trained will pay for out of increased taxes), thereby more or less guaranteeing as many volunteers as needed. Whilst both the French and British realise that this means Germany will be able to build up a 'pool' of trained troops, they are reassured that Hitler is sticking to the '50% agreement' - and a rolling 4 month training scheme will mean it will take more than 3 years to train an 'overwhelming force' (trench warfare mentality suggesting that the Germans will need at least 5 million infantrymen before they can attack the French), so plainly there is no urgency to do anything Historically, on 21 May 1939, the Germans had only 1.4 million in uniform. On 31 May 1940 it was 5.6 million.
Historically, the next 'red flag' was the Anglo-German Naval Agreement of June 1935, conducted in secret and, when revealed, denounced by the French (and Italians) as a betrayal, which it was = it betrayed Hitlers determination to build up his armed forces 'no matter what', even when there was no logical reason to do so (who needs Battleships to fight a land war ?) and even when Germany didn't even have the industrial capacity to get anywhere near the 'allowed' tonnage. It also betrayed the British determination to do almost anything to 'keep the peace'
Under the Versailles Treaty, Germany was only 'allowed' 6 battleships - so how the British managed to convince themselves that Hitler would 'honour' some new 'arms limitation' agreement baggers belief. Anyway, the British (and German) Navy was fixated on Battleship 'tonnage' and at this time concerned that the Germans were building massive Battleships that they (the British) could not hope to beat. So it was all about getting the tonnage down to avoid the 'Battleship tonnage arms race' that the British could ill-afford. However in an alternative world, Hitler realises that German industry can never build a fleet of Battleships big enough to defeat the British, let alone the British and French combined. Further, Hitler is planning a land war against the Russians, so the only use he will have for ships would be to 'blockade' the British from sending aid to the Russians - and for a blockade, U-boats are a far better choice than Battleships. So Hitler, despite the resistance of his Admirals, offers to scrap all of Germany's Battleships and proposes that Germany's largest warship be half the size of the smallest British Battleship and all this in exchange for a simple agreement that the German 'self defense Navy' tonnage never exceed 25% of the British Navy total tonnage. He also throws in a proposal for 'free trade in raw materials, especially iron ore and coal' - thus is actually a 'throw-away' gambit intended only to give the British the impression that Germany is short of raw materials ... so he is surprised when the British (who see this as a way of making Germany dependent on British coal) immediately agree the 'free trade' clause. After much heated discussion on what constitues a 'Battleship' (the British "dreadnought", Iron Duke, is 25,400 tons and the German Admiral Hipper-class heavy cruisers is 14,000 tons) the British eventually conceed that their smallest true Battleship is the Revenge-class at 29,150 tons. A 'max warship' figure of 15,000 tons is thus agreed. Further negotiation by the British gets the German total down to a 20% limit. Hitler even agrees to allow the British to 'inspect' the scrapping of the German Battleships, and the Naval Agreement is signed in December 1935. The British press gleefully hails the Agreement as a 'triumph for peace' and the British politicians even more gleefully wave the agreement in the faces of the French. Hitler is overjoyed - he's managed to avoid any mention of the fact that the most common German U-boat, the Type VII, weighs in at only 770 tons (so he can build almost 20 U-boats for instead of one Heavy Cruiser). Further, the smallest British aircraft carrier (HMS Hermes, which carried 20 aircraft) is a only 13,000 tons, well under the 15,000 ton limit ... to build a Navy 'heavy' in U-boats and Aircraft Carriers might not even require be 'betray' the Agreement ! During the next 2 years (1936/7), British inspectors watch as each German Battleship is returned to a shipyard where their guns, super-structure and internal magazines are removed. The now 'empty' hulls are then hauled out of the water into a covered workshop where they will be 'cut up'. The British protest when they find that the (250mm (10") and larger) Battleship guns are being mounted on railway carriages, however they are 'reassured' when these are simply moved to sidings near major German cities for 'self defense'. The fact that the Germans are doing a lot of work on their railway network, especially in the eastern part of the country (and the new links to East Prussia), goes un-noticed as the German press hails the construction of the first 'autobahn'. As the British inspectors return home, they are unaware that some of the Battleship hulls in the covered dry-docks, far from being 'cut up', are being converted into Aircraft Carriers ... whilst far from the docks (and prying eyes) new U-boat designs are being built and tested in new covered boat yards along the Rhine. The Inspection teams report back to British Intelligence that the German car and aircraft industry seems to be 'taking off', with new factories springing up almost everywhere. German farming also seems to undergoing a revolution if the number of new 'tractor factories' is anything to go by. It seems that even small German towns now have their own airports due to the amazing take-up of 'gliding' as a 'national sport' sweeping the country as every airport has many new hangers where, it seems, many dozens of 'private gliders' are being stored. Finally, it's noted that trade is also 'on the up', with lots of massive new warehouses in evidence (although their contents, in large unmarked 'tank sized' crates, is is not discovered)
In 17 July 1936 the Spanish Civil War starts. For Germany this is a fantastic 'training ground' for military equipment and tactics, especially aircraft. The Soviet Union sends some of their light tanks (and it's their poor performance against the German 37mm anti-0tank guns that prompts the development of the T34).
When the Spanish Civil War started, the Spanish Second Republic (Socialists) turned to the Soviet Union and France (where a coalition of left wing parties, the Popular Front had won the May 1936 elections) for support, whilst the Nationalists turn to Hitler's Germany and fascist Italy (the first request is for 10 German transport aircraft on 22 July 1936). The French prime minister, Leon Blum, initially agrees to send aircraft and artillery. However, after coming under pressure from Stanley Baldwin and Anthony Eden in Britain (and the more right-wing members of his own cabinet), he changes his mind and, under a joint British / French initiative, in September 1936 a "Non-Intervention Agreement" was drawn-up and signed by 27 countries (including Germany, Britain, France, the Soviet Union and Italy). In my 'alternative history', when Hitler learns of the French promise he immediately leaps up at the League of Nations and proposes that any aid to both sides be limited to a list of 'non-military' equipment - and starts the 'list' with 'transport aircraft' ! Since almost anything can have a military application, he knows this will result in months of arguments as the 'list' of 'permitted' items is drawn up. Even before the arguments start he sends 'transport aircraft' (some, of course, are normally used to transport bombs :-) ) to the Nationalists. Months later a "Non-Intervention Agreement" is still being discussed when it is discovered that Hitler has sent fighter aircraft (early, slower Me109) and (air-transported) artillery and anti-tank guns to the Nationalists. When "called to account", Hitler simply states that he is breaking no Agreement and the Nationalists will use the arms "only for the protection of German transport aircraft providing humanitarian aid against the agressive tanks and artillery delivered by the Russians and French". When it is pointed out that the French have sent nothing, he says "I'm surprised to hear the French have defaulted on their promise, however in the spirit of peace, I will make no new commitments to the Nationalists" (whilst, of course, not actually spelling out exactly what has already been "committed" to them). He also states that he is "unable to leave German transport aircraft unprotected" until the Soviets withdraw their tanks etc. - but then offers to withdraw all German equipment if the Soviets withdraw theirs first (the Soviets couldn't do this even if they wanted to, as all the kit has already disappeared into the hands of the Socialist forces). Hitlers goal, as ever, is to appear to be 'reasonable man of Europe' and keep the French and British (and Russians) from making any actual military preparations. Hitler learns one extremely important lesson from the Spanish war - the need for 'instant response' air-mobile forces. His 'commercial' transport aircraft do not have the carrying capacity to lift any decent sized artillery (or tanks) - he directs the German aircraft industry to start work on a 4 engine 'heavy transport plane'.
The next historical step occurs in March 1938, with the "Anschluss", the incoproration of Austria into Nazi Germany
At the time, this evoked few protests and caused no real 'alarm' amongst the British, French or Russians, however there is still a need an 'alternative history'. Jan 1938, Hitler arranges the Austrians to call a meeting of the League of Nations. At this meeting, the Austrian delegation address the League and announce their wish to 'merge' with Germany to form the 'Germanic Peoples Partnership' (GPP). Hitler then gets up and accepts, stressing that this will be 'a partnership of equals' and asking the League of Nations to start an initiate to encourage further national mergers in the hopes that this will eventually lead to the "United Nations of Europe". Those capable of 'reading between the lines' will, of course, realise that he is just laying the ground work for further 'mergers' into the 'Germanic Peoples Partnership' (GPP)
Historically, alarm bells did ring when, on 1 October 1938, Hitler demanded the incorporation of the Sudetenland into Germany
Coming so soon after the "Anschluss", Hitlers territorial goals become obvious to all and it's at this point that many realised that war was inevitable. This then, is where we have to depart from the historical time-scale. In an alternative world, Hitler adopts a much more cautious approach. Instead of the Nazi Party's blatant 'rabble rousing' in the Sudetenland, he spends the next 2 years quietly supporting the (new, not the Nazi Party, honest) 'Sudetenland Germanic Peoples Self-determination Socialist Party' (SGPSSP) .. With financial and organisational help from the Nazi Party, in June 1940 the SGPSSP holds a vote in the Sudetenland regions on the question of 'succession' (from Czechoslovakia) and 'merger' (with the 'Germanic Peoples Partnership'). The Czechoslovakia Central Government tries to prevent the vote however, with the help of the Nazi party, this results in violent classes outside the polling stations with pictures of civilians being beaten down by baton wielding Policemen (i.e. baton wielding men in Police uniforms) being splashed across the front pages of many European newspapers. When, as expected, SGPSSP get a landslide 'yes' on both votes, and, as expected, the Czechoslovakian Central Government refuses to recognise the result (and starts to mobilse troops) the SGPSSP appeals to the League of Nations. To no-ones surprise it turns out that 20 Divisions of the German 'self protection' force are 'training' near Czechoslovakian border, however whilst Hitler makes sure this fact is well known, he makes no threats or demands. Indeed, his speech is recognised as a model of restraint as he calls for 'justice' for the 'poor oppressed and down-beaten peoples of the Sudetenland' and announces that he welcomes their 'application to join the Germanic Peoples Partnership' however will take no action 'until the League recognises their right to self-determination'. Eventually, after weeks of discussion and escalating violence between the well armed 'Black Shirts' of the SGPSSP and the Czechoslovakian militia (and Hitler begging the League to 'stop the slaughter of more innocent civilian lives'), to prevent a civial war in Czechoslovakia, on 1 Oct 1940 the League recognises the Sudetenland as part of the Germanic Peoples Partnership. As the ink is drying on the document, German 'peace keeping' forces march in to the cheering of mass crowds. Reporters of the International Press (which has been waiting with the Germans for weeks) give Hitler the front page news he hopes for - specifically, lots of marching troops pushing their bicycles, lots of horse drawn (WW1 vintage) artillery and horse drawn supply wagons led by a few Panzer I 'tankettes' with biplanes flying overhead (and not a 'real' Panzer, APC or Stuka in sight)
Historically in October 1938 (only days following the Munich Agreement which handed the Sudetenland to the Nazis), Poland occupies the Zaolzie region of Czechoslovakia (which was only created in 1920, when Cieszyn Silesia was divided between Czechoslovakia and Poland)
In an alternative world it's not mid Oct 38 but mid Oct 1940. However the Poles, after seeing the Sudetenland merged with Germany, still feel justified in annexing the Zaolzie region. Unfortunately, whilst their forces are (mostly) welcomed by the population, they haven't spend years preparing the ground and there is no 'vote of succession' to take to the League of Nations. So Hitler goes to the League of Nations and condemns the Poles as 'aggressors'. His 'grandstand' speach as the 'outraged voice of reason' is a 'master of restraint' - instead of proposing military action to force the Poles to return the Zaolzie region to Czechoslovakia, he offers instead to 'protect' the remainder of Czechoslovakia from 'further Polish aggression' (with the 'peace keeping' troops already stationed in the Sudetenland) ! Having been fooled by the photos on their own newspapers front pages, the British, French and Russians (and Poles) interpret this as proof that the German Army is too weak to even take on the Poles ! However, the rest of the Germany Army (the 20 'permanent' divisions with all the modern equipment) are moved up to the Polish border without much fuss (and without too many complaints from either the British or Russians (both of whom discover what's happening quite quickly) or the French (who have no idea of what is going on)
Historically, the Germans march into Czechoslovakia on 15 March 1939 aganist no opposition.
In the alternative history, Czechoslovakia is eventually 'pursuaded' to 'invite the Germans in to protect them' in April 1941, some 6 months after the Poles annexed the Zaolzie region.
Historically, it was the German annexation of the rest of Czechoslovakia that was the 'trigger' for the British and French attempts to form an alliance to defend Poland, and the obstinacy of the Poles, that leads to the Nazi-Soviet Pact (in Aug '39)
In the alternate time-line, Britain and France are concerned about Hitlers future intentions, however they have just condemned Poland for annexing the Zaolzie region of Czechoslovakia. By now their own intelligence services (with some help from the Nazi's) have discovered the 20 modern and well equipped divisions near the Polish border and fear that Hitler night well be preparing to invade Poland in order to 'grab back' the Zaolzie region of Czechoslovakia for himself. So they approach Stalin with a view to defending the Poles anyway, but the Poles (as they did historically) refuse to be defended by the Russians. Stalin, having seen Hitler 'maneuver' his way into Czechoslovakia (and the rest of Europe do nothing), and noting the German troops on the PPolish birder, fears that Hitler will grab all of Poland has his next prize. So he approaches Hitler with a plan to 'divide up' Poland. Hitler immediately sees the advantages of this, so the Nazi-Soviet Pact will still be signed. The British / French will respond by making their 'guarantee' to the Poles. However it's now Aug 1941 (not Aug 1939) and soon the British & French will have other things to worry about. Whilst Stalin might then have expected Hitler to invade Poland in Sept of the same year (as indeed he did historically, in Sept 39), Hitler will claim he is 'too weak' to fight a winter war and suggests to Stalin they both delay until May of 1942.
Before Hitler can actually invade Poland (and thus before the British and French can declare war on Germany), events across the Atlantic will intervene = historically, the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
On the 8th December 1941, following the Japanese attacks on Malaya, Singapore and Hong Kong, the British declare war on Japan. On my alternate time-line, the French (having not been defeated in 1940), bound by a mutual defence pact with Britain, and concerned for their own colonies in Indo-China, follow suite Whilst Germany is 'not involved', Hitler does mad with rage. He has spent years avoiding war (and keeping the British and French in a state of 'peaceful sleep') and now the Japanese have 'woken them up' ! However, when he calms down, he starts to see the advantages ... the Russians are 'not involved' either, however they have good reason to fear the Japanese, so might well focus on the far east (and not on Europe) = maybe Stalin can be pushed into making a fatal mistake ?
Historically, the Tripartite Pact, between Germany, Japan and Italy was signed on 27 September 1940 i.e. AFTER the German invasion of Poland in Sept 1939. It was also a 'defense' pact - so even had it been signed earlier, Hitler would be under no obligation to declare war on anyone just because Japan has gone to war against them.
In my 'alternative history', Hitler has no intention of getting directly involved in the war between the Allies (USA/UK/France) and Japan, and, in this 'alternative' time-line, having NOT (yet) invaded Poland the Allies have no reason (yet) to declare war on Germany ! Indeed, Hitler (who has been trying to get Japan to support his goal of dismembering Russia) is incensed that Japan has now forced UK/France onto a war footing. So he decides to 'cozy up' to the British / French, and secretly offers to sell them arms and ammunition (he makes the same offer to Japan, of course). This, he feels, will justify an increases in German production of munitions - so the factories move over to a pre-planned 3 shift 24x7 hour operation (although, in keeping with Hitler's 'division of labour' philosophy, the men take on a 12 hr shift, whilst two additional shifts are made up of female operators (on 6 hour shifts). The 'tractor' and 'transport aircraft' factories move onto a dual 8 hour shift system (the 3rd shift can be added later). Hitlers next step is to persuade Stalin to invade Poland first, which he will do in mid April '42 by convincing Stalin that "we have to move now or never, because I have confirmed intelligence that the Japanese intend to attack in the East at the end of this year". Hitler now activates the 'major war equipment' plan, bringing the aircraft and tank factories to 24x7 working and starts the call-up of trained men. On becoming aware of the German 'call-up' Stalin again fears that the Germans will ;grab the prize' - so he issues immediate orders and his ponderous Red Army crosses the eastern Polish border, encountering fierce opposition. In the west, the German forces on the Polish border remain in their barracks (however Stalin is initially unaware of this and assumes the Germans have already moved). The Poles appeal to the British, French (and, reluctantly, the Germans) for help. The British and French are already at war against Japan, and find themselves unable to honour their 'guarantee' to the Poles, since doing so means declaring war on Russia. Hitler, however, immediately offers assistance, but only if it is kept secret. He immediatly renews the the Nazi-Polish non-agression pact (still in force) for another 10 years and the Polish forces on their western border start to move East. Soon train loads of German artillery, guns and ammunition (which have been waiting at siding near the border) cross over and start to unload. Hitler stands up at the League of Nations and announces that he intends to 'rescue' the Poles from the Russians (whilst assuring Stalin that his forces will be attacking that same day). Neither the French nor the British, having abandoned the Poles to the Russians, will oppose the German 'rescue' plan, however (as usual) arguments start immediately on the types of forces that should be 'allowed' to rescue the Poles, the routes to be taken and the exact defensive positions to be adopted. The Poles, hard pressed by the Russians, say nothing - they don't want to be 'rescued' by the Germans but if they refuse they could end up fighting on 2 fronts. Their only hope is to fight the Russians to a stand-still and agree a ceasefire before the Germans arrive in force - and for that they will need the German arms and ammunition now starting to arrive. However, this time Hitler does not wait for the League to agree. As soo as his 'offer' is made known to the Poles his forces actually start crossing the border. The Poles offer no resistance (in general, they would rather be occupied by the Germans that the Russians) so, by 1 May '42, Hitler has occupied half of Poland but, as per the Nazi-Soviet 'non-aggression' pact, his forces have halted and 'dug in' on the 'pre-agreed' diving line (even though the Russian forces still haven't reached those positions). As German units dig in on the dividing line, many Poles are helping them. Soon remaining Polish Army units (and streams of refugees) are crossing the German 'front line'. The Germans allow any Pole wishing to do so to cross their lines and move west. Polish resistance to the Russians soon collapses as the Polish army seeks the safty of the west. When the Soviets reach the German line, the world (and Hitler) holds it's breath = but Stalin sticks to the Pact and fighting stops. Although they have lost all their heavy equipment, almost the entire man-power of the Polish Army has 'escaped' to the west. Here they are welcomed by the Germans but prevented from immediately returning to the East to fight the Russians. The German Army is soon integrating units of the Polish Army into the German forces with the promise that "they will soon be fighting against the Russians". When Stalin discovers the Poles have 'escaped' (along with the entire population of many towns near the 'division line') he complain to Hitler who reassures Stalin that it's all just a 'clever trick' to 'neutralise the Poles without firing a shot'. This plays to Stalins belief that the Germans are too weak to actually fight, so he ignores the fact that the Polish Army units are not being disbanded but are housed in the 'camps' that are springing up around border towns. The Poles are Germans are soon feverishly adding to the railway links between the two countries and soon many 'supply' trains bringing in 'food' in large (tank sized) box cars are to be noted. Before they are abandoned, the Polish code breakers will still share their knowledge of Enigma with the French - and some will even escape to the UK during the confusion of the Russian invasion and German 'rescue' operation.
Historically, the Soviets go on to invade Finland, some 3 months after the Polish campaign, on 30 November 1939. The Finnish campaign ends some three and a hlaf months after that with the Moscow Peace Treaty of 13 March 1940.
Even more than their performance against the Poles, it is the Red Army's abysmal performance (and huge losses) against the Fins that reveals to Stalin the hopeless state of his forces and causes him to start to rectify matters. If we assume much the same delay, Stalin will invade Finland in Aug 1942. However in the alternative time-lone, Stalins purges and 'political officers' have had an extra 3 years to ruin the effectiveness of the Red Army. The quick Polish 'collapse' (as the Polish Army retreats to the safety of the German line) has revealed little of the Red Armies deficiencies - indeed, the instructions to the political officers to make sure the army 'stops on the dividing line' and 'do not fire at the Germans' were so well enforced that Stalin gets a false impression of how easy it is to control his forces. So despite starting 2 months before the winter sets in, progress will be even slower and losses even higher than historically. No-one will tell Stalin how his actions have wreaked the armed services, however there will be no way to hide the massive losses and Stalin will wake up to the hopeless state of his army by start of 1943.
Historically, the Nazi invasion of Russia (Operation Barbarossa) begins some 15 months after the end of the Russian campaign in Finland (on Sunday, 22 June 1941) and catches the Red Army still essentially unprepared.
Given that Stalin has had 3 extra years to totally wreak the Red Army, if Hitler waits 15 months (i.e. until Mar/Apr 1944) we can assume the Red Army will still be unprepared (and units on the border will still collapse). However we can also assume that the distances, weather and (especially) the winter will give Stalin time ne heeds to rebuild the Red Army using the 'infinite reserves' of the Russian population. But in this alternate reality, both the UK and France are on a war footing and engaged against the Japanese. So there is essentially no chance that either the French or British will go to war with Germany (and especially not to support the 'aggressive Soviets' who are 'slaughtering innocent Finish civilians') unless they are actually attacked by Germany first. Further, the Germans have no Treaty obligations with either the Italians or Japanese ... so even if (when) Mussolini decides the British / French are too weak to protest - and invades Yogoslavia - and too weak protect their North African territories - and 'gets involved' there as well, there will be no Africa Korps (and no Rommel) to rescue him. So when Stalin invades Finland (Aug 1942), Hitler can once again stand up at the League of Nations and plead for peace - and then hold secret talks with the British and French on how to 'oppose the Russian aggression'. Needless to say, neither the British or French will be in a position to do anything - so it's entirely possible for Hitler to demand (and get) their support not only for the 'freeing' of the remaining half of Poland but also for the 'freeing' of the western territories from the USSR. Wishing to tie the British into his war against the Soviets, he asks for the loan of 500 British heavy (4 engined) bombers. In exchange, Hitler offers the British the use of 10 Aircraft Carriers he has secretly built from salvaged Battleship hulls. When the British (and French) decrypts of Enigma traffic reveal that he is indeed planning to attack the Soviets, they see no reason to mistrust him. The British agree to a secret 'Carrier Bomber' deal (the British will pretend to have built the Aircraft Carriers 'in secret' whist the Germans will say the same about the Bombers). The British also note that the ex-Battleship railway guns are being moved to the north Polish front along with their 'specialist handing units' and wonder what the code word 'Sarin' means.
However when the Fins are forced to sign a Peace Treaty 3 months later (now Dec 1942) the moment will seem to have passed as the Russian winter has set in and the roads have turned to mud
The only question is, can Hitler move fast enough to invade Russia at the earliest possible moment after the unpaved roads in Russian become passible again following the spring thaw, in mid April 1943 ?? If so, Stalin will have only 15 weeks (rather than 15 months) to reverse the mistakes of the last 5 years that have led to the ruination of the Red Army ! More to the point, the T34 tank (design completed in 1939) which many in the Soviet military thought too expensive and unnecessary, was introduced mainly as a result of the poor performance of existing Soviet tanks (T26 and similar) in Finland (historically, production started in 'late 1940 with only 115, then 3,016 in '41, and over 12,000 in '42). With no need to maintain forces on the 'western front' nor the diversion of forces to North Africa, Crete or Greece, plus 2 extra years to prepare, Hitler should have ample forces to achieve all his objectives starting in April 1943. The war against Japan is going well for the Allies - soon Britain and France could be 'interfering' in his plans in Europe once more. Finally, the Poles are starting to become restless - they expected to move against the Russians whilst the Red Army was 'diverted' in Finland. So Hitler decides to 'go for it' in spring of 1943, instead of waiting another year (to Apr 1944). Although mass production of war material only started in Dec 41, the German forces will have years of stored ammunition. The same can not be said for modern tanks and aircraft. However Hitler has prepared well = the tank and aircraft factories have been running 24x7 since the start of '42, so, by April 43 he has over 1 years production available 'at the front'. More to the point, these will be the long-75mm gun armed Panzer IV (which is effective against the T34) and long 50mm gun Panzer III (less effective against the T34 but will eat the lighter Soviet tanks for breakfast). Adding the 'hidden' tanks to the historical German war production in '42 means he has at least 1,000 Panzer 38(t) (Czech tank equiv to PzIII), 5,000 Panzer III, 1,500 Panzer IV and, to lead the attack, 50 'experimental' Tigers (which Hitler intends to use as a 'propaganda weapon' to demoralise the Russians). During the build up in the late 1930's, when it became apparent that the Panzer II would not be effective, the chassis was 're-purposed' and, along with some Czech chassis, means some 2,000 Marder II (self-propelled 75mm anti-tank gun on a Pz II chassis). The Pz III has also been identified as 'obsolescent', so some 1,000 have been converted into the Stug III F/G (long 75mm gun) Assault Gun. The Poles had around 1,000 AFV's however almost all of these are lost fighting the Russians, who are equipped with a very effective 76mm anti-tank gun. The Poles are re-equiped with Panzer III's. In all, the Germans (and Poles) have 10,000 AFV's. The Soviets have well over 30,000 tanks, however the vast majority of these are T26 or lighter. They are also largely 'well spread out' across the front. The reliability of all Soviet mechanical equipment is appalling, so it's doubtful if much more than half of their tanks are actually serviceable. Most of the Soviet army moves on foot, with all it's supplies and artillery dragged by horses. They have very few trucks, but then they have very few roads ... the only 'quick' means of mass-movement of anything (and especially military equipment) is the railway network. Of course Hitler knows that the Soviet railways (including the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), Ukraine, Belarus, the Caucasian and Central Asian republics and Finland) use the "5ft" (1520mm) guage, whilst the rest of Europe (including Poland) use the narrower 1435mm (4ft 8.5") 'standard gauge'. During the spring floods and melting of the first autumn snows, Soviet unpaved roads (i.e. almost all the roads in Ukraine and Russia proper) will become impassible. Whilst Hitler plans to conscript millions of Russian peasants into paving the existing (and building new) roads, German designers have developed a 'track adjustment engine' (it has adjustable wheel spacing so can travel on either gauge). Using hydraulically operated tools it unbolts and lifts one rail, moves it 85mm closer to the other, and bolts it back down again. A typical 32ft rail segment has 13 sleepers. Within the 'adjustment engine', 26 men can position hydraulic spanners to remove the rail from the sleepers, the rail is them moved and rebolted automatically, taking 10 miniutes to move one rail. 1km is 3280.84ft, so at 102.5 segments per km. each 'engine' can modify 1.4km of track per day. To 'keep up' with the Panzers, the Germans plan to use 20 engines on each rail line, to achieve 28km/day. They also have an engine that automates the laying of totally new railway track 'segments' (the Germans have pre-fabricated thousands of miles of pre-assembled rails+sleeper segments that only have to be laid onto a pre-prepared stone foundations). This achieves much the same speed (but has to be 'fed' continuous stream of prefabricated segments). From the western frontier of the Ukraine to Moscow is about 1,000km. At 28km/day it will take the Germans 36 days to run (or convert) each railway line. The 'plan' calls for the lead Panzers to reach Moscow in 4 months i.e before the first autumn snows. With 100 engines allocated to each of the two main Armies, each should be 'serviced' by up to 15 rail tracks. The German plan is for 2 main simultaneous attacks. Army North starts in Poland, and moves via East Prussia into Lithuania / Belorussia before turning north into Latvia and Estonia, past Leningrad (and the Finish border) before turning south east to Moscow. The Polish Army, re-equipped with German tanks and aircraft, can be counted on to 'free' Poland with minimal help from the Germans and then push into Belorussian and (northern) Ukraine. Minimal resistance is expected along the frontier or within Ukraine, Lithuania and Latvia, all of which will be 'recruited' against the Russians. The second thrust, starting from Austria and Czechoslovakia cuts through Hungary and Romania before splitting into two, with a smaller component cutting South into Bulgaria whilst the main thrust foes into Ukraine and toward Stalingrad and the Caucuses. There is every possibility that the Nazi's will immediately capture both the 'breadbasket' of the Ukraine and the Oil Fields of the Caucasus (and so long as Hitler avoids the temptation of attempting to exterminate the locals, there is every chance that both regions will support the Nazi's against the Russians). Soviet cities that resist (Leningrad, Stalingrad etc) will simply be surrounded, cut-off and isolated behind the Germans lines. No German Army will be lost in any pointless house-to-house street fighting. If they refuse to surrender, they will be pounded by hundreds of 14" railway guns. Given the minimal chances of French/British protest, let alone intervention, the railway guns will deploy the first Nazi 'secret weapon' of mass destruction (historically developed in late 1938), Sarin Nerve Gas (against which gas-masks are ineffective as Sarin is absorbed through the skin). There is every chance that the German forces will get all the way to what is left of Moscow after mass bombing and long-range artillery (which will likely surrender before it is gassed) before the winter of 1943 sets in .. and this might well be faster than the Russians can 'pack up their industry and move it across the Urals' .. The French and British (who blame the Russians for forcing them to abandon the Poles) won't offer much sympathy (let alone supply convoys) and there will even less reason for any American aid. With their forces nice and snug in Moscow (and other Russian cities) during the winter, after a few months of 'mopping up', by mid 1944, the Germans can declare victory, announce a 'ceasefire' and sit back to enjoy their success. After pressure from the British, it's even possible Hitler will grant the Poles full independence (in the interests of avoiding future conflicts)
The US/UK/French war against the Japanese will end in Aug 1945 when the USA drops Nuclear bombs. When this happens, any plans Hitler has of moving his forces west will be put on hold.
When the UK and France gain the bomb before the Germans, this will lead to 'permanent' peace in Europe, although it can be expected that low-level fighting will continue between the Nazi's (who will hold everything from the borders of France to the Urals) and the Russians resistance (who hold everything east of the Urals)
This note last modified: 8th Jul 2020 03:45.
Next I look at how Britain could end up dominating Europe. There is no military solution I can see = even an alliance with Germany against Russia (and France) leaves the Germans, not the British, 'in charge'.
The two things that prevent British domination are the Nazi's and the Communists - and both of these are a direct result of WW 1. Further, prior to WW1, the British Empire spanned the globe. Two World Wars later and the Empire was all but gone. So we have to find a way avoid WW1 - and that's not easy.
Without doubt, WW1 was the result of allowing politicians to direct 'foreign policy'. Instead of working to improve the wealth of their citizens, the politicians of every European country focused on territorial expansion and 'power grabs' at the expense of their own and the citizens of other countries. Britain, in particular, squandered the advantages of being the first country to industrialise by wasting it's wealth on ever more and ever bigger Battleships, most of which go to the scrap yards without ever firing a shot in anger.
Instead of confrontation, we need co-operation = and the ingredients are there for this to happen. Many of the Royal Families of Europe are the direct descendants of Queen Victoria. If, after Queen Victoria, the Royals of Europe take the lead in foreign policy, co-operation is more or less guaranteed. With Britain leading the industrialisation of nations, it's not too much of a stretch to envisage the formation of the 'United Kingdoms of Greater Europe' (including Russia, but excluding France, and led by Britain, of course) in the early 1900's.
The key is to avoid military conflict = Communism was just a crack-pot theory promoted by a few 'ivory tower' intellectuals = it would never have taken root if it wasn't for the food shortages and famine caused by WW1.
It's entirely possible that Japan would be deterred from attacking USA by the existence of the United Kingdoms of Europe (who, of course, would be quick to sign trade and defense treaties with USA). However without US interference Japan would eventually win their war against China and Korea.
Japan then gets to play the role of Hitler as they demand 'independence' for Malaysia, Vietnam and the other Asian territories from the 'oppression of the Europeans'. No doubt they will have the sympathy of American citizens, which will help them achieve their aims (the 'Greater Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere'). However, just like Hitler, at some point they will go too far - the invasion of India perhaps ? - and war will come to the world after all ... except this time the USA will not be directly involved. As a result, it will the (German) scientists of Europe that build the Atomic Bomb. For more on this, see :-
(+) The British alternative - (How the United Kingdom of Europe is formed)
1) Ardennes, 1940
The French are sitting in the Maginot Line, the BEF is advancing through Belgium and the Germans are coming through the Ardennes. You are caught unawares, your tanks are slow and dispersed. The Germans are fast and determined to cut you off - can you stop their Blitzkrieg before it reaches the channel ?
You play the Allies. Europe is lost if the Axis reach the channel, else you win. The computer can play the allied side, however the Allied side really doesn't stand much chance
In this game, the AI won't halt the German tanks before Dunkirk, so I've not bothered to provide the Allies with any boats to evacuate the BEF
2) Battle of Brody (aka Dubna), 23-30 June 1941
Notable for the employment of the Soviet KV (approx 140 present) and T34 (approx 171), this was one of the most intense armoured engagements in the opening phase of Operation Barbarossa and probably the biggest tank battle in history.
Responding to this chaotic Soviet counteroffensive, 750-800 German tanks defeated between 2,500 and 3,500 Soviets = see Wikipeadia. German losses were approx 200 tanks, Soviets approx 800.
When it comes to losses, it's to be noted that even at this stage of the war the Germans had superb 'recovery and repair' services, even capable of operating 'under fire'. Further their tank crews had sufficient mechanical education and training to repair many faults (such as track damage) on their own. The Soviets crews had essentially no mechanical training and they had essentially no battlefield repair teams. They may have had the ability to repair tanks after a battle, however any immobile Soviet tank left on the battlefield for any reason ended up in German hands so was a total loss. The Germans had total air-supremacy, so I've given no fighters to either side (the Soviets didn't have any, the Germans didn't' need any). The Stukas thus operate with impunity (the Luftwaffe claimed some 200 Soviet tanks destroyed, but more significant was their ability to separate the Soviet tanks from their supporting infantry and deny them resupply of fuel and ammunition). Best played as the Germans, since only the AI would be stupid enough to behave as the Soviets did on the day :-)
3) The Dieppe Raid, 19 August 1942
Ineptly planned by some "Royal" relative (who took over when the original planners (correctly) predicted disaster), characterised by lack of co-ordination (or, to be more exact, lack of co-operation) between the Army, Navy and Air Force, with 'political considerations' and 'hidden objectives' that none of Canadians (who were used as diversionary 'cannon fodder') knew, this was doomed to failure from the start
Interestingly, tanks were landed on the beaches at Dieppe, which should have told the Germans something (they were apparently quite surprised when the 'DD' Shermans swam ashore on D Day). However even this was messed up by using the heavily armoured (operative word here is HEAVY) slow and poorly armed (6pdr pop-gun) 'Churchill' tank. It turned out that a combination of heavy tank, narrow tracks and a shingle beach made for 'sitting ducks' as half of them got stuck on the beaches. Still it could have been worse = we might have used the even more heavily armoured, narrow tracked and poorly armed Matilda !
Best played as the allied side, your objective is the 4 rotor Enigma machine and code books in the German HQ in the township itself. You win if your 'special forces' take the building, but you really don't stand much chance (although you don't have to sail your 'special forces' up the river into the teeth of the German port defenses, as the Allies did on the day)
The Germans win by wiping out the allied 'special forces', or if the Allies fail to take the HQ within X turns
4) Kursk (and the Battle of Prokhorovka on the 12th), July 1943
Operation Citadel (Kursk and the battle of Prokhorovka) is significant for the introduction of the German Tiger 1 (heavy tank), Panther (medium tank) and the mass employment of the Soviet T34 (medium tank). Both sides had numerous other tanks - the Germans were still using the Panzer 4 (medium) and Panzer 3 (light tank, mostly in the infantry support role, eg as a flame thrower) and the Soviets had the KV-1 (a slow medium tank) as well as the T-60 and T-70 (light tanks). Both sides had self-propelled anti-tank guns - especially the Germans (who had the 'Elephant' (heavy) to complement the StuG's, for a total of more than 1/4 of their armoured strength), whilst the Soviets had the SU-76 & 122 (but in much fewer numbers, about 5% of their armoured forces).
Despite the many delays, the Germans started with far fewer tanks and other resources that they really needed if they were ti stand much chance of success. In fact, the Soviets started with approx 4679 tanks + 259 SP guns, the Germans approx 2078 tanks + 850 SP guns, so the Germans were outnumbered about 2:1. Worst, from the German point of view, the Soviets knew they were coming and had had plenty of time to fortify the Kursk salient and lay extensive minefields. Finally (for once) Stalin managed to resist the temptation of pre-emptive strike (the only result of which, up to that date, had been the loss of the entire attacking force), waiting until the Germans had bled themselves dry against the defences before launching their usual frontal attack (with no consideration for casualties) which this time succeeded against the weak German allied forces that had been stripped of armour for the Kursk offensive
The CF A.I. must, of course, play the part of the Soviets, where the A.I's 'charge the enemy (and get killed)' perfectly mirrors the Soviet tank 'tactics' of the time. The human player has to play the German side (especially as the 'repair' of 'damaged' tanks before they are totally wiped out is going to be the key to any chance of 'winning')
Normally, the AI has no 'concept' of defense = i.e. it will always move it's infantry out of the trenches/pill boxes etc. and charge the enemy tanks. The only way to stop this (short of giving their Infantry a '0' movement allowance) is to line the front of the Soviet trenches with mines. Since units can't move through any other unit (and the AI can't attack it's own mines) this will stop the AI moving it's Infantry forward before the enemy has blown a hole in the minefield. The occasional unit that the AI has wandering off to the rear (in an effort to find another way to reach the enemy) also matches the 'reliability' of the Soviet forces. The AI's 'reinforcements' are generated by using the Events system to load 'crystals' into (unmarked) 'factory' hex's on the road access points of the AI base line. To prevent the AI building the 'wrong' unit, each factory can produce only one type. Te German player gets 'mobile repair workshops' (these can only 'repair' tanks, not infantry :-) ). To simulate the German resource problems, the Repair Workshops come with only a few 'crystals' - to 'replenish' these a 'carrier' has to make the journey from the German base line rail head 'depot' .. For the purpose of the game, the Germans 'win' by capturing and holding all the villages as well as Kursk itself. The Soviets win by wiping out the Germans
The Battlefield
The Kursk salient was 250 kilometres (160 mi) long from north to south and 160 kilometres (99 mi) from east to west. The Tiger 1 could knock out the T34 at a range of about 3-4km (and the Elephant / 88mm field gun at a range in excess of 6km). Since we want to reflect this in the 'units' ability, we give the Tiger a range of 1-2 hex's (and the 88/Elephant 1-3), making 1 hex = 2km. This gives us a battle field 125 (wide) x 80 (high) hex's in size (for a total of 10,000 hexes) = which is (just) playable.
5) Market Garden ('a bridge too far') - 17 Sept. 1944
A very good Documentary can be found on yourtube
You play the Allies (the AI can't cope with multiple 'objectives'). Whilst the focus is on the airborne forces (Market), especially at Arnhem, success depends on getting XXX (30) Corps (Garden) across the Waal at Nijmegen and then across the Arnhem bridge. So you play all 3 elements of the Allied forces - the 3 British and one Polish Brigades at Arnhem, the US 82nd Division (3 brigades) at Grave / Nijmegen and (from day 2) XXX Corps arriving South of Nijmegen.
You win by taking (both sides of) the Rhine Bridge at Arnhem and "holding until relieved". You loose if you don't hold the Bridge and haven't been relieved by the end of day 9.
6) Battle of the Bulge (16 December 1944 – 25 January 1945)
Just when you think the Nazis are beat and you are sitting down with your feet up and looking forward to a nice Xmas meal, it's Blitzkrieg time again
As the Allies, you have to stop the Axis reaching Antwerp.
Again, the computer can play the Allied side, but really has no idea of how to defend - although (to some extent) this is mitigated by giving the computer extra units