Free France Campaign

[ColonelY]

French Indochina: It looks promising!

[...] Note: Chindits are out anyway. [...] while Brigade d'Annam-Laos (BAL), which included Montagnards, served in that province of Indochina.

Yes, well, at first sight... These Chindits/Montagnards could still be involved perhaps toegther with the Force 136?

As for ships, there is not enough room for a full naval battle or an attempt to evacuate Free French ships, but some Japanese DDs could show up to harass what is within their reach...

About these Chindits/Montagnards... it's perfect, as you last map shows a portion of Laos (even small, doesn't matter, there is some) as well anyway!

[ColonelY]

Will you talk about the child soldiers in the German Army at the end of the war ?


Waffen SS "Hitler Youth" surrender in 1945 : [...] German child soldiers belonging to the Waffen-SS were taken prisoner at Schillersdorf (Operation Nordwind).

I don't know, perhaps one event towards the end of 20OperationNordwind, maybe triggered once the SS have taken a certain amount of casualties/damages?

This picture would be a good addition, I think, and... we see some snow there, it matches the climate of the scenario.

But, if it will be added, then I suggest to wait a little before doing a campaign update, as some tests are in the run...

Now, we have a use for this picture as well. It may go with a small but immersive event once the extra 245th VDG is about to show up!

(Photo taken during Operation Nordwind, these youngsters are indeed in the snow, too.)

Suggestion about text elements: The German forces, which have already suffered very heavy losses in the area, are beginning to need to rely on Volkstuurm but also on child soldiers, such as these two SS who have just been captured. Nevertheless, despite their difficulties, the Germans did not give up. It seems that another German division has just arrived on the battlefield... The German war machine is running out of steam, but the beast is not yet on its knees! Hold on, guys, we'll get them!

[ColonelY]

[...]20OperationNordwind:

[...] -> About our Cathedral… In the previous scenario, we’ve had the event “Cathedral Off-Limits”, with its texts starting with “Attention! We will not justify the enemy's barbarous decision to fortify Strasbourg Cathedral […]” So, well, now let’s NOT fortify it ourselves. We aren’t supposed to be barbarians too, so: Remove all XP, all entrenchment & put it to “Impassable Area” (as the Ex-Concentration Camp). [...]

Oops, even if the main idea is correct (don't use the Cathedral to shoot!), there is a consequence that I missed... That was almost a sacrilege! The Free French flag was almost removed (for the Impassable Area one) - Leclerc would never have forgiven that! ( )

Correction: Instead of Impassable Area, it would be much better to have a "Free French" faction of AI "idle" (so, we'll see the flag still proudly flying over the Cathedral ) but like this we shouldn't be able to actually fire from it.

(A little as we did with the Casabianca sub in Corsica - it has as well the Free French flag, but wasn't under our own command. )

So, still no XP nor entrenchement for this Cathedral, but it would be better like this I think.

And like this as well, there is no real need to modify the sec obj "Defend the cathedral and city hall" ("The importance of these edifices, particularly the cathedral, cannot be overstated."), as it could perhaps still be destroyed by German enemy units... (If the Germans manage to get that far anyway, the situation is already very serious... )

EDIT: Well, maybe if the player is able to shoot the Cathedral himself (would he be? ) , then a little "Dismissed!" event will be welcome!
******
Event text of "Snowy Conditions" (a truly awesome picture, really! )

Perhaps it could be completed with something like:

"Snowy conditions have grounded all air units in the region, even if this does not prevent the battle from raging on the ground, with ferocity and intensity!" (Which is perfectly true, even for the second turn!)

[ColonelY]

[...]
Division du Tonkin (DT)
Détachement Motorisé du Tonkin (DMT)
9e Régiment d'Infanterie Colonial (9e RIC)
19e Régiment Mixte d'Infanterie Colonial (19e RMIC) Attention, there is a small error here - it comes directly from the website...
5e Régiment Etranger d'Infanterie (5e REI)
1er Régiment de Tirailleurs Tonkinois (1er RTT)
3e Régiment de Tirailleurs Tonkinois (3e RTT)
4e Régiment de Tirailleurs Tonkinois (4e RTT)
4e Régiment d'Artillerie Coloniale (4e RAC)
[...]

As candidates too, because there is a little portion of Laos too, some of these units of the Brigade:

Reconnaissance :
Détachement Motorisé d'Annam (DMA)

Infanterie :
10e Régiment d'Infanterie Colonial (10e RIC - )
16e Régiment Mixte d'Infanterie Colonial (9e RMIC - NO, same mistake, it should be the 16e RMIC too! )
Bataillon de Tirailleurs Montagnard du Sud-Annam (BTMSA - )

[ColonelY]

About adding the 245th VGD:

Remember what we said about planes (planes vs. 245th VGD?! ; don't worry, it's just like a digression , it should become clear soon enough - at least I hope ), we said that we needed to add some from time to time to keep up the action in the skies? Because if not, once you get past the initial clash, once most of them are gone, then...

The thing is, it's kind of the same in a defensive battle (if you want it to last a bit, you need to have something to keep it going)... otherwise, once the main enemy offensive has run out of steam, well, that's it - or almost!

In this sense, it is different from an offensive battle where you have to advance by meeting different enemy groups as you progress... "As you go along", it is spread out over time, precisely.

[ColonelY]

French Indochina:

About the French Corps Léger d'Intervention (CLI):

Well, as intro, a quick look here in English: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corps_L%C ... tervention

Then, translated elements from its French equivalent: ( https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corps_l%C ... tervention )

"On November 4, 1943, during the Second World War, in order to organize a French presence in the fight against the Japanese in Indochina, General de Gaulle decided to create a light intervention corps (CLI), an all-European commando unit intended to reinforce the troops in the interior of Indochina, according to a resistance plan prepared by General Mordant, leader of the military resistance in Indochina. Its initial strength of 500 men was later increased to 800 (it would later double).

It was placed under the command of Lieutenant General Roger Blaizot, commander of the French Expeditionary Corps in the Far East (CEFEO), within which it was also planned to integrate the Madagascar brigade currently being regrouped, and two colonial divisions.

[...]

The Corps léger d'intervention was created in French North Africa in 1943, using only carefully selected volunteers, most of whom were active military personnel, reservists or those who had been enlisted for the duration of the world war, to serve in the Far East against the Japanese, and was placed under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Huard.

Its commandos were set up and trained in French Algeria, then in British India, Ceylon or Australia by the British on the model of the Chindits of General Orde Charles Wingate employed in Burma. They were intended to be introduced on the Japanese rear, for commando actions based essentially on surprise, firepower and precision, followed by the immediate breaking up of the fight, a type where cohesion and individual efficiency counted much more than numbers.

[...]

Trained in guerrilla operations and jungle warfare, the first groups, under the name of "Gaurs", were parachuted into Indochina as early as 1944 by the British Force 136.

The "Polar" Gaur, code name for Captain Ayrolles' commando, was parachuted into Traninh (Laos) to prepare for the drop of the CLI. Taken by surprise by the Japanese coup of March 9, 1945, Ayrolles immediately engaged in combat. He blew up 8 bridges on the RC 7, destroyed Japanese detachments and convoys, blew up the airfield bunkers and the depots of the Khan Khai camp, and destroyed a Japanese gasoline and vehicle depot. The Japanese deployed a battalion in vain to destroy it. His action delayed the Japanese entry into Luang Prabang by three weeks.

On March 17, 1945, Captain Cortadellas' Gaur K was parachuted into Dien Bien Phu. Under the orders of General Alessandri, he and 80 legionnaires who had survived from the 3/5 REI were to act as a delaying element and ensure the rear of the "Alessandri column" retreating towards China, over hundreds of kilometers of tracks in the highlands, fighting, in particular, on April 11, at Houei Houn, on April 15, at Muang Khua, on April 21, at Boun Tai, and on April 22, at Muong Yo.

General Alessandri paid tribute to them in these terms:

"The defense of Boun Tai was carried out under the most difficult conditions with true heroism. Fighting foot to foot, in the rain, without supplies, the parachuted elements in conjunction with what remained of the 3/5th Infantry Division contained the Japanese and inflicted heavy losses on them. Only the lack of ammunition supplies forced them to retreat to Boun Neua. "

On April 24, only 3 able-bodied men remained of the Gaur K, who would arrive with their wounded at Sze Mao in China on May 10, 1945.

On March 22, 1945, the Gaur "Dampierre" was parachuted into Tonkin in the Sơn La area to provide assistance to the Sabattier group, also retreating to China. With the Vicaire group, they were about forty surprised at night and violently attacked on the Black River at Ban Tioum on March 28, losing about ten killed. What remained of the Gaur Dampierre disappeared entirely on May 15 near the Chinese border, where Vicaire also arrived with five survivors. More than two thirds of the force were lost, including 40 Europeans.

Until September 1945, 280 air missions of the British Force 136 ensured the supply of these operations, 51 of which dropped CLI or SAS personnel.

Japan having surrendered, the mission of the Gaurs was to occupy as many centers as possible before the arrival of the Chinese occupation army and the intrusion of the Lao Issara and Viet Minh nationalist groups. Thus, the cities of Sam Neua, Xieng Khouang, Dien Bien Phu and Luang Prabang were temporarily reoccupied, sometimes by force, thanks to the support of the Meos of Toubi. The lack of means will not always allow them to be maintained.

With a new Gaur K2, Ayrolles is sent to Middle Laos with the same objectives, and the same lack of means.

All of them, severely tested, finally went to Thailand, from where they joined the CLI in Saigon on December 12, 1945, after more than a year of guerrilla warfare and clandestine life.
"

[ColonelY]

And about French Far East Expeditionary Corps:

"The French Far East Expeditionary Corps (French: Corps Expéditionnaire Français en Extrême-Orient, CEFEO) was a colonial expeditionary force of the French Union Army that was initially formed in French Indochina during 1945 during the Pacific War. The CEFEO later fought and lost in the First Indochina War against the Viet Minh rebels.

The CEFEO was largely made up of voluntarily-enlisted indigenous tirailleurs from the French Union colonial or protectorate territories, the exception was the French Foreign Legion, which consisted mainly of European volunteers. The use of metropolitan recruits were forbidden by the government during the First Indochina War to prevent the war from becoming even more unpopular at home. [...]

The CEFEO was created in early 1945 as a replacement for the older Far East French Expeditionary Forces (Forces Expéditionnaires Françaises d'Extrême-Orient, FEFEO). Its purpose was to support Saigon-based General Gabriel Sabattier, divisional commander of colonial "Indochina French Forces" (Forces Françaises d'Indochine)[5] and Free French Forces resistance small groups C.L.I. then fighting with the Japanese Southern Expeditionary Army Group during the March coup. After the 1944 Liberation of France and the fall of Nazi Germany in Europe the following year, the French authorities wanted to "free" the last Axis powers occupied territories in Southeast Asia, these included the newly established Empire of Vietnam, which was a Japanese colony. On June 7, 1945, Leclerc was nominated commander of the CEFEO. On June 22, Leclerc transferred command of the 2nd Armored Division (2ème D.B.) -the famous unit which had liberated Paris in August 1944- to Colonel Dio. Leclerc received command of the Far East French Forces (Forces Françaises en Extrême-Orient) on August 15." (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Fa ... nary_Corps )

And few paragraphs translated from its French equivalent:

"In July 1943, the French Committee for the National Liberation of Algiers decided that the French fighting forces should participate in the war in the Pacific with, in the mind of General de Gaulle, a double objective: to participate in the war against Japan alongside the Allies and to re-establish France's authority over its Indochinese possessions, which the Japanese had partially invaded in 1940, then totally destroyed the French colonial administration during the 1945 coup de force. Its establishment was laborious and France lacked the equipment and ships to transport it and had to call on American aid.

In June 1945, Leclerc was placed at the head of this expeditionary force. His prestige was used in France to help recruit volunteers. However, the surrender of Japan was announced on August 15, 1945, while the expeditionary force had not yet left France." (Source: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corps_exp ... Ame-Orient )

[ColonelY]

Translated from here (no English equivalent at all this time! ): https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Histoire_ ... _mars_1945

"Japanese invasion:

On August 30, 1940, the Vichy government, faced with a fait accompli, agreed to recognize the "dominant interests of Japan" and granted it important military facilities in Tonkin. An implementation agreement was signed on September 22, but it did not satisfy the Japanese military command in China, which, ignoring it, launched its first offensive the same night. His Kwang Si division, in Canton province, crossed the Chinese border and attacked the garrisons of Lạng Sơn and other border posts. Fallen at the head of his motorized detachment, Lieutenant Colonel Louvet was the first casualty of the Pacific War. The fighting lasted until September 26. Emperor Hirohito finally ordered a cease-fire and the release of prisoners. He also expressed "his deep regret for the unexpected incident at Lang Son" and pledged to respect French sovereignty in Indochina; a pledge that, despite subsequent events (the attack on Pearl Harbor and Japan's entry into the war), would be fully respected until the coup de force of 9 March 1945. It is true that Indochina had to endure the presence of Japanese troops on its soil, but it was a question of stationing and not occupation, with the French administration retaining all of its prerogatives and means (civil and military).

It should be noted that Indochina could not expect any help from France's allies. Fiercely opposed to any form of colonization, the President of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, refused his help. On November 3, 1940, he ordered Edward R. Stettinius, Jr, his Secretary of State, to "abandon the French [in Indochina] to their fate. Roosevelt emphasized that the U.S. government should not give them "arms, ammunition, or support for any military mission - under any circumstances.

[...]

The Japanese coup of March 9, 1945:

At the end of 1944, the Japanese forces retreated throughout the Pacific: the Philippines, Burma, Guam. Tokyo was increasingly threatened by American "flying fortresses", destructive bombers that decimated their squadrons. For its beleaguered government, Indochina represented, more than ever, a territory of the greatest strategic importance, the only viable base allowing it to regroup its troops scattered on different fronts: Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia. In order to ensure the security of communications and withdrawal maneuvers, Japan set up a second offensive. But, unlike the one of 22-25 September 1940, this one was large-scale, since its aim was to eliminate the French presence in Indochina. Thus, between January and March 1945, the number of Japanese troops increased from 8,000 to 60,000.

The Japanese army attacked on Friday, March 9, 1945, taking the whole country by surprise: in the south, Saigon, in the north, Hanoi, the citadel of Lang Son (Lạng Sơn), lock of the China Gate, and Dong Dang, key post of the Tonkin border. With a total strength of only 12,000 European soldiers (French from the so-called "sovereignty" regiments), garrisons, forts and barracks where the tricolor flag flew did not resist these repeated assaults for long. The unequal battles (more than ten to one) ended in atrocities (bayonet fencing on prisoners, evisceration, decapitation).

At Lang Son, the Japanese general staff had invited the civilian and military authorities to a dinner at 6:00 pm. The guests were taken prisoner at the end of the meal. Two of them were shot: Lieutenant-Colonel Amiguet and Battalion Chief Leroy. In the meantime, at the Lang Son citadel, the French troops tried to break the Japanese assault waves for several hours. Because he refused to surrender, General Emile Lemonnier was beheaded, as was Resident Auphelle. Colonel Robert met the same fate two days later. The 400 survivors were brutally executed.

All the French ships suffered similar attacks. When they were not taken prisoner beforehand, the sailors scuttled their ship, opening fire on their own boat or sinking it with cannons in order not to leave it in Japanese hands. This is how they disappeared:
in Cochinchina, the Paul-Bert, the Mytho, the Avalanche and the Admiral-Charner in My Tho, the Marne, the Lapérouse and the Capitaine-Coulon in Can Tho;
in Cambodia, the Francis-Garnier at Kratie;
in Tonkin, the Commandant-Bourdais at Haïphong, as well as the Vigilante.

Only two small gunboats from Tonkin, Frézouls and Crayssac, were able to escape and withdraw to China after an admirable campaign in Along Bay.

The shipwrecked crews joined the fighters on land, either as a group, such as Lieutenant-Commander Mienville's group which, in the Transbassac (western plains of the Mekong Delta), held off the Japanese for three weeks, or as scattered elements seeking refuge in the bush. Like so many others, the mechanic petty officer Raymond Cordier left without food or maps. He found his fellow soldiers who had to disperse in order to survive. At nightfall, they set out to find food in the rare villages of the high moï plateaus. One of Cordier's comrades dies, another loses his mind (he has to be tied up at night), a third is eaten away by dysentery: they have to surrender...

After a retreat to the Three Borders, Lieutenant Romé and his men take to the bush and have to cut their way through dense vegetation where leeches swarm. After incredible tribulations, at the end of their strength, they are denounced by a village chief who had offered them hospitality. In the same region, Lieutenant Commander Moreau's group managed to hold out for three months in an almost inaccessible place on the right bank of the Donnai (today's Dong Nai), but was also denounced by the natives.

However, the exact fate of all those who perished, either from enemy action or from starvation and misery in a savage and hostile Mai country, will never be known.

In his memoirs, Claire Lee Chennault (1893-1958), a U.S. Army major general who commanded the 14th USAAF during World War II, explains the purpose of his assignment. He added: "Les ordres du GQG précisaient que les unités françaises ne devaient recevoir ni armes ni munitions. J'ai appliqué les ordres à la lettre, sans pouvoir me faire à l'idée que je laissais les Français se faire massacrer dans la jungle, tandis qu'on m'obligeait à ignorer officiellement leur sort." [I carried out my orders to the letter, but did not relish the idea of leaving Frenchmen to be slaughtered in the jungle while I was forced officially to ignore their plight].

In spite of its scale and its unprecedented savagery, the coup de force of March 9 did not cause any stir in the metropolis, which was too busy recovering from its ruins. Jacques de Folin points out that Le Monde was the only newspaper to publish an editorial on the annihilation of the French forces by the Japanese army. However, more than one historian now believes that "the Indochina War began on March 9, 1945."

And near the picture showing him: "American Major General Claire Lee Chennault, 14th USAAF, famous airman who organized the "Flying Tigers", was ordered to abandon the French in Indochina to their fate."

[ColonelY]

French Indochina - Japanese OoB?!


こんにちは、私の友人です。日本軍のOoBを検索してみましたが、、、。


Just kidding: "Hello, my friend! I searched the OoB of the Japanese army, and..."

Damn, I had to look it up on a Japanese page! (Source: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%98%8E ... C%E6%88%A6 )

It may be relatively poor English at times, but at least we’ve now much more info. For example, when it’s written “France”, I think it actually means more “French Indochina” – anyway, it should be rather understandable, I guess (and hope). So, I quote some translated parts:

“The headquarters of the 38th Army (reorganized from the Indo-China Garrison Army in December 1944) began to consider an operational plan to disarm the French Indochina Army, which was eventually named Operation Ming-go.

During this time, Lieutenant General Isamu Tsuchihashi, commander of the 38th Army, judged that joint defense would be difficult based on the reaction of the French and Indian leaders at a meeting held at the end of 1944. The demands as an ultimatum were decided at the Supreme War Guidance Council on February 1, 1945. On February 26, the Supreme War Guidance Council explained that Japan and France were not at war, and that military government would be enforced in the areas under the direct control of the Governor-General, but that it would be a temporary control for the outside world. On February 26, the Supreme War Guidance Council decided that Japan and France were not at war, that the military government would be implemented in the areas directly under the Governor-General's control, but that it would be described to the outside world as a temporary administration, that the Indochinese ambassador's office would continue to exist, and that steps would be taken to ensure that the three Indochinese countries became independent "voluntarily. Furthermore, the Japanese forces in France and India had been reinforced by the continental breakthrough operation with the Republic of China.”

Now the OoB found:

“Participating troops.

Japanese Army:

38th Army (Commander: Lieutenant General Isamu Tsuchihashi) - Approximately 30,000 participating troops.
21st Division - in charge of Hanoi and other parts of western Tonkin, northern Laos, and northwestern Annam.
Part of the 22nd Division - monitoring the border between France and India in southern China.
37th Division - responsible for eastern Tonkin, including Lang Son and Haiphong.
29th Infantry Regiment of 2nd Division - Cambodia.
34th Independent Mixed Brigade - in southern Annam.
70th Independent Mixed Brigade - Saigon and Cochinchina.

1st Southern Expeditionary Fleet - small naval vessels, some aircraft, etc.


French troops:

The main force of French troops stationed [there] was the French and Indian local troops. In addition, there was the 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment and others. Many of the weapons were obsolete, for example, there were only a few FT-17 tanks. However, modern fortifications were built in the border areas against the ROC such as Lang Son.
French and Indian Army (Commander: Lieutenant General Emme) - Headquarters in Hanoi. About 15,000 French general and foreign troops and about 35,000 local soldiers Northern Group Army (Commander: Lieutenant General Gabriel Sabatier (English version)) - Tonkin
Central Collective Force (Commander: Lt. Gen. Tulkan) - Annam and Laos
Southern Collective Force (Commander: Lieutenant General Dershuk) - Cochinchina and Cambodia
Security Forces (Armed Police Force)
Naval Forces Far Eastern Fleet - some reporting ships, etc.
Indochina Fleet - Some river vessels.”

Now that we have the name of these Japanese divisions, regiments and brigades, it would be much easier to look for a detailed OoB of each and every one of these units...
And one can find very good info about the OoB of each Japanese division here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_J ... _divisions

This already clears the field...


Phew, believe me, that was something! ( )

[uzbek2012]

French Indochina - Japanese OoB?!


こんにちは、私の友人です。日本軍のOoBを検索してみましたが、、、。


Just kidding: "Hello, my friend! I searched the OoB of the Japanese army, and..."

Damn, I had to look it up on a Japanese page! (Source: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%98%8E ... C%E6%88%A6 )

It may be relatively poor English at times, but at least we’ve now much more info. For example, when it’s written “France”, I think it actually means more “French Indochina” – anyway, it should be rather understandable, I guess (and hope). So, I quote some translated parts:

“The headquarters of the 38th Army (reorganized from the Indo-China Garrison Army in December 1944) began to consider an operational plan to disarm the French Indochina Army, which was eventually named Operation Ming-go.

During this time, Lieutenant General Isamu Tsuchihashi, commander of the 38th Army, judged that joint defense would be difficult based on the reaction of the French and Indian leaders at a meeting held at the end of 1944. The demands as an ultimatum were decided at the Supreme War Guidance Council on February 1, 1945. On February 26, the Supreme War Guidance Council explained that Japan and France were not at war, and that military government would be enforced in the areas under the direct control of the Governor-General, but that it would be a temporary control for the outside world. On February 26, the Supreme War Guidance Council decided that Japan and France were not at war, that the military government would be implemented in the areas directly under the Governor-General's control, but that it would be described to the outside world as a temporary administration, that the Indochinese ambassador's office would continue to exist, and that steps would be taken to ensure that the three Indochinese countries became independent "voluntarily. Furthermore, the Japanese forces in France and India had been reinforced by the continental breakthrough operation with the Republic of China.”

Now the OoB found:

“Participating troops.

Japanese Army:

38th Army (Commander: Lieutenant General Isamu Tsuchihashi) - Approximately 30,000 participating troops.
21st Division - in charge of Hanoi and other parts of western Tonkin, northern Laos, and northwestern Annam.
Part of the 22nd Division - monitoring the border between France and India in southern China.
37th Division - responsible for eastern Tonkin, including Lang Son and Haiphong.
29th Infantry Regiment of 2nd Division - Cambodia.
34th Independent Mixed Brigade - in southern Annam.
70th Independent Mixed Brigade - Saigon and Cochinchina.

1st Southern Expeditionary Fleet - small naval vessels, some aircraft, etc.


French troops:

The main force of French troops stationed [there] was the French and Indian local troops. In addition, there was the 5th Foreign Infantry Regiment and others. Many of the weapons were obsolete, for example, there were only a few FT-17 tanks. However, modern fortifications were built in the border areas against the ROC such as Lang Son.
French and Indian Army (Commander: Lieutenant General Emme) - Headquarters in Hanoi. About 15,000 French general and foreign troops and about 35,000 local soldiers Northern Group Army (Commander: Lieutenant General Gabriel Sabatier (English version)) - Tonkin
Central Collective Force (Commander: Lt. Gen. Tulkan) - Annam and Laos
Southern Collective Force (Commander: Lieutenant General Dershuk) - Cochinchina and Cambodia
Security Forces (Armed Police Force)
Naval Forces Far Eastern Fleet - some reporting ships, etc.
Indochina Fleet - Some river vessels.”

Now that we have the name of these Japanese divisions, regiments and brigades, it would be much easier to look for a detailed OoB of each and every one of these units...
And one can find very good info about the OoB of each Japanese division here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_J ... _divisions

This already clears the field...


Phew, believe me, that was something! ( )

Oh you're already getting to Indo-China that's nice ) And then I would have started playing this game The Saboteur a little more )))
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Saboteur


The Foreign Legion in Indochina in the 1940s and 50s.
https://centercigr.livejournal.com/212272.html

https://sozero.livejournal.com/5705918.html


Photo of the day: Japanese in Vietnam
https://warspot.ru/3608-vietnam-strana- ... m-est-delo
https://warspot.ru/10070-foto-dnya-yapontsy-vo-vietname

Japanese soldiers in the ranks of the Viet Minh.

Many people know about the war in Vietnam with the participation of the Americans, but few people know about the other first Indochina war and that Japanese soldiers participated in it. They will be discussed.
To begin with, a small quote about the work of the French historian Gauche, who studied this topic in detail and published his work on it:
In Hanoi, a Western-educated Japanese scientist named Kyoshi Komatsu ran the Viet Minh-controlled " International Aid and Support Committee for the DRV Government." In Quang Ngai, the Viet Minh Officer School had six Japanese officers among the teachers; in South Chungbo, 36 of the 50 military instructors were Japanese. Major Ishii Takuo, a young officer in the 55th Division in Burma, defected with a few comrades to Cambodia in December 1945 and went to Vietnam, where he became a colonel in the Viet Minh, the interim head of the Quang Ngai Military Academy, and later the "chief adviser" to the Communist guerrillas in the south. Some specialists, including doctors and artillery experts, were forced to work for the Viet Minh against their will. The French identified eleven Japanese nurses and two doctors who worked for the Viet Minh in north Vietnam in 1951.
"One of the results of the Japanese presence in the Viet Minh army was the increase in French losses at the beginning of the war," Gauche writes. During the first battles in the north, Japanese soldiers served on the front line. In 1947, in Hue, the French reported a battle with a Japanese assault force of 150 men. Also in 1947, Colonel Ishii helped set up an ambush that killed over 70 French soldiers.
Kosiro Iwai commanded Vietnamese units in combat and conducted commando raids behind French lines; in 1949, he was the deputy commander of a Viet Minh battalion. Later, he was involved in planning for the 174th Regiment, helping the Viet Minh operate the newly acquired Chinese guns.

In 1951, the Viet Minh began repatriating their Japanese (and European) helpers, via China and Eastern Europe. After the Geneva Accords of 1954, which divided Vietnam into two halves, 71 Japanese left Vietnam and went home, others returned years later. "A handful remained in Vietnam even in the 1970s," Gosha writes. "Some never came back." This does not necessarily mean that they helped in the war against the Americans; rather, these remaining ones simply became locals.
The reasons for their entry into the service of the Viet Minh were different, someone supported their ideology, many in Vietnam had families, children, homes, someone forcibly worked for them, and someone thus hid from the court that was waiting for them in their homeland. Some of them died in this war, some returned, but some stayed. Here is such a fate befell the Japanese soldiers in Vietnam.

https://elena-2004.livejournal.com/315886.html


The British in Vietnam
https://warspot.ru/11894-britantsy-vo-vietname

[bru888]

20OperationNordwind — Beta testing responses:

• "the enemy is very too weak in the South now…" — adopted all recommendations including the Wurfrahmen 40. +5 land units. The player will view this message when the Wurfrahmen is seen by the Allies:

Screenshot 1.jpg (156.08 KiB) Viewed 1558 times

• "About the 6th SS ... The division has lost its artillery on the way now…" — I had left everything else out because this division starts in the mountains and artillery cannot move in mountains. But, as you astutely observed, there are two or three forest hexes just to the east where 6th SS wheeled units could start and "participate." So I nudged the 25th PzG to the east, moved a few units of 47th VGD east, and freed up four spaces for "1 Nebelwerfer plus 2 mountain guns units" and "some light AA capability." All are towed, and they can tiptoe around the mountains as necessary. I did not bother with reconnaissance — space is limited — but since you liked the Jäger 'Norge' / 6th SS Gebirgs, I added another unit of them. + 5 land units.

• "But German don’t have heavies, except as garrisons…" — substituted a heavy infantry unit for "one for the 25th PzG AND later one for the 17th SS PzG." Each has transport; I always provide transport for heavy infantry unless they are garrisoning.

• "two adaptations related to the apparition of these divisions…" — added a trigger condition to change supply to 100 in Loudrefing and 30 in Belles-Forêts. Excellent point about the AI hanging back to protect this hex and/or the player exploiting the situation by cutting it off with a Chaffee tank (while I like the supply requirement in this game, I don't like the way that it can be exploited like this; for a single unit to be able to disable two enemy divisions in that manner is not realistic, so I usually plan against this). So I added two garrison units that appear with the 17th SS PzG and 36th VGD in Loudrefing and Belles-Forêts. +2 land units.

• So far, that's a total of 202 German land units in the scenario. I must trust your judgment on two accounts: 1) that this is not a terrible number of units for an average player to face — I would have thought it might be but your being essentially done by Turn 15, I have to credit this — and 2) that the game is not being bogged down by all of these AI units. Taking these two things as granted, however, then it is a good idea for "another division [to] appear, as reinforcement, around the middle of the battle or something, well once the German offensive begin to lack some power, some steam, that is…" According to this source (http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA ... ra-26.html — search for "245th Volks"), the 245th VGD was already beat up during fighting in December: "weak," "severe losses," "fall apart," "collapse," "remnants." So I cobbled those remnants together with some from the 256th VGD which was also in the area, plus a bit of additional whimsy:

"The last gasp of German reserves enters the battlefield. These are elements of the battered 245th and 256th Volksgrenadier Divisions now operating in tandem ..."
(2) 935th Reg / 245th VGD
(1) 936th Reg / 245th VGD
(1) 937th Reg / 245th VGD
(1) Pionier / 245th VGD
(1) Panzerabwehr / 245th VGD

(1) 456th Reg / 256th VGD
(1) 476th Reg / 256th VGD
(2) 481st Reg / 256th VGD
(1) Aufklärung / 256th VGD

"... along with some mechanized equipment salvaged in the wake of the 21st Panzer Division" (see the last "245th Volks" reference in that linked article for the plausibility of this — it eases my mind because I usually don't include armoured units with infantry regiments):
(1) SdKfz. 135/1
(1) sIG 38(t) Grille H
(1) Wespe
(1) Hummel
(1) SdKzf 7/1

+16 land units. A grand total of 218 land units.

When to have these last reserves enter? I like your suggestion of "perhaps when they’ve [the Germans] lost between 50 to 60 units." Specifically, 56 which is almost exactly one-third of the number of German land units on the map to begin the scenario! Because the player may have already taken one or more of those northern towns, I have this amalgamated division spawning in the northeast corner of the map, along with additional supply (I corrected the spelling of the message title ):

Screenshot 2.jpg (634.86 KiB) Viewed 1558 times

• "Anyway, 50 turns, that’s definitely too much…" — reduced turns to 36. Also did the following:
- Moved the Northwest Breakthrough up to Turn 12.
- The weather clears on Turn 8 instead of 6, delaying all air units another two turns.
- Increased the threshold for ending the scenario early from 100 to 175 enemy land units killed (80% of 218 total units).

• "Now, a little of more little elements, maybe" — did the following:
- Created a trigger that spawns three German airstrips in out-of-the-way hexes on the east side of the Rhine if the Germans at a turn start do not own either airfield. If these hexes are occupied by the Allies, or about to be, then the air war is over anyway. The reason for doing this: I have been avoiding AI off-map air supply source because it does not return exited aircraft to the battle.
- I've also been avoiding recon planes for the Allies because the U.S. doesn't have any except the NAVY OS2U and PBY Catalina which would look dumb over Alsace. (It's rather a lame oversight, frankly.) That's why I used the "Leclerc borrowing a C-47" strategem in Strasbourg. Here, I brought in Great Britain as a neutral faction in order to use two of their Lysander planes, under the Free French flag. I do not chose to explain this to the player, because it might sound even more dumb than an OS2U over Alsace.
- Fixed the situation in the Saverne Gap with the 409th, 410th, and Machine Gun battalions of the 103rd Infantry.
- "Norge," "Algérienne," "Merci beaucoup!" and "37e Grp Antichar / 3e DIA" are all corrected.
- It's now "Former Concentration Camp" and it remains off-limits, as it should.
- On the other hand, you're absolutely right about the Cathedral except for one thing: In my mind, now we are defending it from the barbarians who would seek to destroy it out of spite or from some misguided tactical scheme. Besides, it is involved in some complicated and delicate trigger schemes as a land unit to be counted, etc. So I left this alone.

• "Event text of 'Snowy Conditions' ... Perhaps it could be completed with something like ..." — I took your suggestion but reworded it just a bit (final comma removed and replaced with a period ):

Screenshot 3.jpg (160.73 KiB) Viewed 1558 times

Together, we have really scrubbed these two scenarios! Strasbourg was updated in version 0.56. These changes to Operation Nordwind will be in version 0.57. Colonel, you stated that would be so kind as to replay both; if so, please do so when you have time. At this point, I am no longer looking for major revisions to either scenario, though. I will be looking for any typos, bugs, or minor adjustments to turns, timing, etc. Thanks very much for all you do.

[bru888]

Free France 1940-1945 v0.57 has been uploaded. It includes all of the changes discussed in the preceding post.

Free France 1940-1945 (twenty scenarios)

[GabeKnight]

Thanks for the update.

BTW: If you want a greater challenge for the human players, you have to give them less arty. And the AI more - in comparison. No B-17 strat. bombers and such for the player. Too overstrength.
(Although the AI-arty-mechanic would be the first thing I would change, TBH, if I would be in charge of OoB)

...and please, join the Mobile Infantry. Would you like to know more?

Mobile_infantry.png (211.34 KiB) Viewed 1523 times

[bru888]

Thanks for the update.

BTW: If you want a greater challenge for the human players, you have to give them less arty. And the AI more - in comparison. No B-17 strat. bombers and such for the player. Too overstrength. I believe we have rebalanced things with these latest changes. The sheer number of enemy units (218! I never thought I would ever do so many but this thing grew like a mushroom. I used to chastise Erik for this ... ) is challenge enough for most human players (the Colonel needs to change his forum name to Thor the Thunderer).
(Although the AI-arty-mechanic would be the first thing I would change, TBH, if I would be in charge of OoB)

...and please, join the Mobile Infantry. Would you like to know more? No thanks.
Mobile_infantry.png

[bru888]

Free France 1940-1945 v0.58 has been uploaded. It includes the one change discussed below.

Free France 1940-1945 (twenty scenarios)

I awoke this morning thinking of Strasbourg Cathedral. Not the real one, but the one in Operation Nordwind.

I had to settle matters with God.

Therefore, rather than making changes to the cathedral (as I said earlier, it figures in trigger land unit counts and I wanted the thrill of defending it), I explain as shown below. In Turn 3, these messages pop up back-to-back:

Screenshot 1.jpg (173.15 KiB) Viewed 1502 times

Screenshot 2.jpg (186.06 KiB) Viewed 1502 times

My conscience is now clear.

[ColonelY]

It's a perfect fit, excellent addition.

[ColonelY]

19Strasbourg:
(v0.58, lvl III, 2nd test)

Nice addition, these patrolling units… a part of them has (even) surprised me as I wasn't expecting them there (you certainly know which ones ) – that’s perfect!
*******
I could have had a Major Victory during the 43rd turn, but there was a little something that has made it last longer…

So, 43 now, 44 before (previous playthrough), so 50 turns, that’s perfectly fine and doable. (And these +2 FF Sherman are welcome without being too much either! ) Definitely, let’s keep it at 50 turns.

What make it last longer? Well, “Franz Vaterrodt”, severely beaten, “retreated” after a strong punch… East of Kehl, behind the guns of Kehl!

And then, well, my land units can’t pursue him on the other side of the Rhine without failing one primary objective… so, back to artillery and planes to finish him off – on the other side! Which makes then his “capture” a little unlikely, somehow. ( )

As fix, one could perhaps add up to 4 Volkssturm units on the other side of the Rhide, to “block” the way eastward (but can one guarantee it would be enough anyway – or could this tank “retreat” throughout two friendly units “in a row”? )… Or, one could rather, simply, remove both “Spawn point”(s) A & B (AND in the “Random trigger” as well, of course!).

(During this playthrough, it spawned at point A...)

Thus, this scenario lasts until the 48th turn, when, finally, this strong tank was destroyed for good! (Several turns only to try to make him surrender! ) And only then, Major Victory, phew!

But so much the better. We were lucky that it happened ( ), because it allows us to adjust that point.
*******
-> Brief. 1/5: “Next to our liberation of Paris, our taking this city will be the most momentous occasion of our campaign.” => Perhaps “our taking of this city” or “our forces taking this city”?

-> The C47 Skytrain can’t use the airstrips! (Doesn’t matter whether it’s US or FF – not working.) I haven’t seen this during my first test because this plane was shot down before refuelling, so… As easy fix, I suggest adding (but ONLY for this scenario, not for the next one) ONE single air exit hex allowing return NEAR the three airstrips.
Why near these airstrips? So that the player won’t realize that these airstrips are not working for the C47 once this unit has no more fuel and when the exit hex is at some other corner of the map! ( )

-> Speaking of airstrips, all of them to be put as US (BOTH maps this time!).
Why? Now with the campaign variables working, the Free French (land) airstrip may show up with full XP (whereas the US ones of course have none)… and an airstrip with XP, well, that looks rather strange…
EDIT: Another alternative: Or, in order to keep the Free French airstrip without having it with XP: well, remove it first, and then spawn it, perhaps together with the planes.

-> Related to the forts: When the Germans lose control of these forts, now we’ve forts spawning under the “Impassable Area” flag… so far, so good. But I suggest making them spawn without XP!
Nobody manipulates them, activates them, these forts. So, no experienced servant can bring his science to the efficiency of the building in question.

And, with these few points, I think it's ready for good.


Et voilà !

[terminator]

19Strasbourg

2 typos: Bouxviller -> Bouxwiller, Hotchfelden -> Hochfelden


The Supply system is surprising, most cities do not have direct supply, supply comes from roads :

Capture d’écran (66).jpg (111.68 KiB) Viewed 1421 times

2 anti-tank guns side by side on the German line of defense, they could be better distributed :

Capture d’écran (65).jpg (439.33 KiB) Viewed 1421 times

[uzbek2012]

19Strasbourg

2 typos: Bouxviller -> Bouxwiller, Hotchfelden -> Hochfelden


The Supply system is surprising, most cities do not have direct supply, supply comes from roads :


Capture d’écran (66).jpg


2 anti-tank guns side by side on the German line of defense, they could be better distributed :


Capture d’écran (65).jpg

And you can somehow replace this baby towel with a real Nazi flag ( not a Nazi himself, but for historical reality )
Please note: This mod is not intended to condone or endorse Nazism, it's only for historical purposes
viewtopic.php?f=464&t=76834&start=320
viewtopic.php?f=147&t=30687&p=286970&hi ... od#p286970
viewtopic.php?f=374&t=85579

[ColonelY]

Well, one could, but as it's a campaign rather than really a mod, then one has to go with the vanilla SS flag as well...


But you could put this campaign in some mod folder, like perhaps the "Historical German Flag Mod 1.4", then open this mod and then start the campaign. If this mod is fully compatible with the last version of OoB, then you should play this Free France campaign with the flags they've put in there!