Free France Campaign
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Re: Free France Campaign
Free France 1940-1945 v0.44 has been uploaded. It includes the new Argentan scenario which depicts a portion of the Falaise battle.
Free France 1940-1945 (sixteen scenarios)
Free France 1940-1945 (sixteen scenarios)
- Bru
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Re: Free France Campaign
Nice. Just in time. I've just finished the special forces scenario and moved to Argentan... and was surprised to find no objectives, 10 turns an a draw at the end of it with no action
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Re: Free France Campaign
Hey Steve, thanks for playing. Now, I'm not completely sure of what you meant — I think you are alright, but just in case — it sounds like you were looking at version 0.43 in which Argentan was incomplete. Please make sure you have version 0.44 in which it is complete.stevefprice wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 1:57 pm Nice. Just in time. I've just finished the special forces scenario and moved to Argentan... and was surprised to find no objectives, 10 turns an a draw at the end of it with no action
That's one of the aspects of this ongoing project and why I mention the number of scenarios in the link: currently 16 done out of 23. The shells of the last 7 scenarios are in there as placeholders as we go along in development.
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Re: Free France Campaign
Yeap, that's exactly what occurred. I'd not realised the Falaise pocket scenario was not completed so was a bit taken aback, then checked here
It's a good campaign. Very different experience when you are not dealing with core troops.
Very clever with the 4 scenarios in the one map, by the way. I was confused at first but once started made sense.
For the record I'm playing on medium level (10HP for enemy) and finishing with a surplus RP and generally a few turns spare. I suspect that's more to do with learning to be more careful and a better player after playing conboy's campaign
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Re: Free France Campaign
stevefprice wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 3:41 pmYeap, that's exactly what occurred. I'd not realised the Falaise pocket scenario was not completed so was a bit taken aback, then checked here Good!
It's a good campaign. Very different experience when you are not dealing with core troops. Yes, it sure is, from a designing perspective as well. I'll spare you a search earlier in the thread as to why, unless you want details: Free France faction is very limited and does not lend itself to core features and manipulations.
Very clever with the 4 scenarios in the one map, by the way. I was confused at first but once started made sense. Hopefully! It's a matter of following the script of La Combattante. Some players do not like being scripted, however. Well, there has to be some scripting when one is trying to tell a story.
For the record I'm playing on medium level (10HP for enemy) and finishing with a surplus RP and generally a few turns spare. I suspect that's more to do with learning to be more careful and a better player after playing conboy's campaign It was recently pointed out that, with the 50% refund of RPs spent on aux repairs in each scenario, RPs may pile up. Aside from taking out a few bonuses, there's not much that can be done about that. RPs are gauged to accommodate each scenario individually, and seem to work on that level (I mentioned previously that I may list each scenario separately as stand-alones as well as within the campaign). That said, I do prefer a campaign that presents some challenges but does not require playing over and over to win.
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Re: Free France Campaign
Masca, if you are still out there, here it is as promised. Two campaign messages just before Operation Dragoon:Mascarenhas wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 12:31 pm Is not this a perfect setting for the Brazilian Expeditionary Force show up?
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Re: Free France Campaign
Well, well. Guess what I just found a use for?uzbek2012 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 26, 2021 4:06 pm A Frenchman. commandos in world war 2
http://sof-mag.ru/spec_arms/franse_morpex.html
http://paraparabellum.ru/armiya/morskie ... oruzhenie/
Are we talking about them ?
"To ensure the success of Dragoon and support the initial landings, preliminary commando operations had to be carried out. The first target was the Hyères Islands, specifically Port-Cros and Levant. The guns of the German garrisons on both islands could reach the proposed Allied landing area and the sea lanes that the troops would follow. The First Special Service Force, a joint U.S.-Canadian special-forces unit trained in amphibious assault and mountaineering and consisting of three regiments, received the order to take the islands as part of Operation Sitka."
AND ...
"Meanwhile, at Cap Nègre to the west of the main invasion, a large group of French commandos destroyed German artillery emplacements as part of Operation Romeo. Their main effort was supported by diversionary flank landings by other commando teams."
Part of the Operation Dragoon order of battle:
- US-Canadian 1st Special Service Force
- French Groupe de Commandos:
Commandos d'Afrique (750 men)
Groupe Naval d'Assault de la Marine en Corse (67 men)
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Re: Free France Campaign
Yes, so there shall be some good French commando units...
*******
Back to the Me 262 Schwalbe... available according to OoB records from the 2.8.1944 - the scenario 16Argentan starts the 12th of the very same month. So now these planes may appear in a plausible way!
Some of the best enemy land units have already shown up in this campaign (namely the Tiger tanks), perhaps it's time to let few of their best air units show up as well...
We could imagine adding a single unit of Me 262 Schwalbe towards perhaps the middle of this 16th scenario. As a first German operational test or something... This shall spice up a little more the 16Argentan.
Sure enough, together with another secondary objective once this unit come in sight to destroy it. Via a campaign variable, reward: make less likely the apparition of more units of this kind in future scenarios (or maybe instead only reduce their numbers... like a single unit instead of 2 or 3 in case of success in later scenarios, or something).
Of course, I can't at all be question of Me 262 Schwalbe in 18LiberationOfParis or 21Indochina, but otherwise it may appear, mostly only from time to time I would say, in some of the upcoming scenarios...
*******
Back to the Me 262 Schwalbe... available according to OoB records from the 2.8.1944 - the scenario 16Argentan starts the 12th of the very same month. So now these planes may appear in a plausible way!
Some of the best enemy land units have already shown up in this campaign (namely the Tiger tanks), perhaps it's time to let few of their best air units show up as well...
We could imagine adding a single unit of Me 262 Schwalbe towards perhaps the middle of this 16th scenario. As a first German operational test or something... This shall spice up a little more the 16Argentan.
Sure enough, together with another secondary objective once this unit come in sight to destroy it. Via a campaign variable, reward: make less likely the apparition of more units of this kind in future scenarios (or maybe instead only reduce their numbers... like a single unit instead of 2 or 3 in case of success in later scenarios, or something).
Of course, I can't at all be question of Me 262 Schwalbe in 18LiberationOfParis or 21Indochina, but otherwise it may appear, mostly only from time to time I would say, in some of the upcoming scenarios...
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Re: Free France Campaign
ColonelY wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 9:46 am Back to the Me 262 Schwalbe... available according to OoB records from the 2.8.1944 - the scenario 16Argentan starts the 12th of the very same month. So now these planes may appear in a plausible way!
Some of the best enemy land units have already shown up in this campaign (namely the Tiger tanks), perhaps it's time to let few of their best air units show up as well...
We could imagine adding a single unit of Me 262 Schwalbe towards perhaps the middle of this 16th scenario. As a first German operational test or something... This shall spice up a little more the 16Argentan.
Sure enough, together with another secondary objective once this unit come in sight to destroy it. Via a campaign variable, reward: make less likely the apparition of more units of this kind in future scenarios (or maybe instead only reduce their numbers... like a single unit instead of 2 or 3 in case of success in later scenarios, or something).
Of course, I can't at all be question of Me 262 Schwalbe in 18LiberationOfParis or 21Indochina, but otherwise it may appear, mostly only from time to time I would say, in some of the upcoming scenarios...
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Re: Free France Campaign
It's up there now, in case you want to test it (same version number). Maybe you should test it, since it was your suggestion! ( ) I'm concerned about throwing the air battle out of balance. Too much for the FF to handle?
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Re: Free France Campaign
Nice, thanks.
No worries, I'll test it (relatively) soon.
I expect it to spice things up, adding both to the variation (obviously ) and to the challenge...
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Re: Free France Campaign
Heh, I think he means "most powerful." Although, he is not advocating for the Gloster Meteor yet, is he? Suspicious.stevefprice wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 9:35 pmPlease tell me you mean in game terms rather than real life?
EDIT: Interesting. That plane did make it into the war. No. 616 Squadron RAF was flying it as of July 1944. They had some luck with it against V-1 flying bombs but they never did face the Me 262. Apparently, the RAF was very careful with their Meteors so that they would not fall into German (or Soviet) hands. Also, anti-aircraft batteries sometimes mistook the Meteor for the Me 262!
EDIT 2: Holy smokes, it is in the game! Don't get any ideas, Colonel. ( )
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Re: Free France Campaign
Do not consider it bravado but Ivan Kozhedub perfectly shot down German jet planes on a propeller ))) And why such a plane which is so secret that you had to ask for permission in London to fly on it )))bru888 wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 10:30 pmHeh, I think he means "most powerful." Although, he is not advocating for the Gloster Meteor yet, is he? Suspicious.stevefprice wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 9:35 pmPlease tell me you mean in game terms rather than real life?
EDIT: Interesting. That plane did make it into the war. No. 616 Squadron RAF was flying it as of July 1944. They had some luck with it against V-1 flying bombs but they never did face the Me 262. Apparently, the RAF was very careful with their Meteors so that they would not fall into German (or Soviet) hands. Also, anti-aircraft batteries sometimes mistook the Meteor for the Me 262!
RAF_Meteor_at_Melsbroek_Belgium_1945_IWM_C_5658.jpg
EDIT 2: Holy smokes, it is in the game! Don't get any ideas, Colonel. ( )
Screenshot 1.jpg
https://zen.yandex.ru/media/provsenasve ... 7373acb85c
https://zen.yandex.ru/media/id/5af094cf ... ebf4bc005b
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Re: Free France Campaign
I read that he meant the Tiger tank was the best land unitbru888 wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 10:30 pm
Heh, I think he means "most powerful." Although, he is not advocating for the Gloster Meteor yet, is he? Suspicious.
Re: Free France Campaign
Well, it was indeed in the sense of (among the) "most powerful", in terms of OoB stats...stevefprice wrote: ↑Sun May 02, 2021 7:17 amI read that he meant the Tiger tank was the best land unitbru888 wrote: ↑Sat May 01, 2021 10:30 pm
Heh, I think he means "most powerful." Although, he is not advocating for the Gloster Meteor yet, is he? Suspicious.
Of course, some German tanks have better stats than the Tiger tanks against infantry, and even some have better stats than the Tiger tanks against armored units (like the Königstiger, Maus or E-100, if I'm not mistaken)... so it wasn't (but I may very well have been not precise enough ) about THE very best (German!) land unit of the entire game.
But these tanks are (already) so powerful that we hesitated to include them in some of the previous scenarios, to avoid unbalancing them...
So the point was, why not making the equivalent for the air component, why not letting some of the best (German) air units appear once plausible in terms of (date) availability? I had already proposed adding some Me 262 Schwalbe but when I did it was too soon from that perspective.
*******
It was more in terms of OoB stats than 100% historically accurate. Of course, Tiger tanks had their weaknesses too (and were at first rather badly used against the Soviets - badly for the Germans, that is, as they could have become much much more efficient if used otherwise). As for the Me 262 Schwalbe, they were so fast that it was actually difficult for them to stay in long dogfights, as they couldn't turn as much as other planes... and they needed a long time to decelerate before being able to land - that's when they were almost perfect targets for British or US fighters... following an obvious trajectory, relatively slowly, unable to turn on very quickly their reactors... How could this be represented in OoB, a plane unit changing stats just one turn or two before landing or after having taken off?
*******
The British Gloster Meteor... Well, well... A duel of jets in prospect? Still too soon for the Meteor to show up anyway (not the 20th January 1945 yet)... so, for now...
(Purely in terms of statistics, the German jet wins slightly a little everywhere compared to the British jet...)
Re: Free France Campaign
16Argentan:
Played entirely for the first time, very last version, difficulty lvl III (as usual)
Another really excellent scenario!
Very good balance and action throughout the entire scenario. MV during the 27th turn (out of 32), so that's already fine.
So, time for another feedback:
-> So, first of all, I think that the Me 262 is a great addition that don't (even) throw the air battle out of balance.
You give the hint to concentrate planes against this unit, so anyone has this info. Besides, our (single) AA unit is really efficient against the Me 262... each time 2 or 3 strenghts pts removed... 2 times attacked and it was reduced to 4-strenght. Then another element is that the enemy has no airstrip nor airfield... so once a plane run out of fuel, it has to leave the map (for good due to OoB mechanic).
-> It may actually be indeed better not adding a campaign variable about destroying this jet... because it's (obviously) much faster than other planes, so it would be really hard to prevent it from leaving the battlefield once running low on fuel...
Otherwise, one would be forced to deal with this unit before it runs out of fuel and leaves, but (the point is now that) when this unit spawns our own fighters are starting to run low on fuel, so...
-> One could perhaps consider adding another of these AA units for us, under the US flag... it's not required in terms of balance, but it may look strange to only have one single AA unit on our side. (We've 4 divisions on overall, but 2 are armored... so if it's one AA unit per armored division... on the other hand, you want the air defense to be purely in French hands.)
-> Pri obj "Secure the flanks"... the counter isn't updated each turn which may be confusing... you've made possible an early major victory end, that's great! But I think it would look better with this counter being updated, at least each turns.
'cause seeing "0/8" always, especially when you controll almost all of them...
-> Once Alençon(*) has been taken, one or two airstrips nearby would become of much use... especially when the (air) fights will take place in the top northern parts of the map, otherwise our fighters would have only few turns of action up there between their travels for (re)fuelling reasons.
Perhaps spawn one or two of them southwards of Alençon once there is no single enemy unit left within perhaps 4 or 5 hexes away from the flag?
(The other alternative would be one or two Construction Groups in the South of the map... but then the time to move them northwards, then to build the airstrip... though it may look less "artificial" like this, perhaps? But then, spawned sooner, once we're closing in near Alençon, so that the time we "clean" the town and its surroundings, these Construction Groups may move north...)
(*) EDIT: I made at first a little confusion here between Alençon and Argentan , sorry for that. For these AFs, it's of course near Alençon, around the center of the map.
-> On overall, it would look "smoother" if you change some flag ownership at rivers to avoid keeping artificially some "enemy pockets"... for example, I think at the flag "Rivière Sarthe" between "Le Mans" and "Beaumont-sur-Sarthe", or at "Rivière L'Huisne" between again "Le Mans" and "La Ferté-Bernard", or at several similar locations... no need to do this for absolutely all of them (especially not for the ones in the northern part of the map), but I would say for all of them in the southern or central part of the map.
(This may be less visible if our planes don't have to move from North to South and vice-versa too frequently in order to refuel...)
-> 4 US units are now starting deployed over a river (but not at a bridge location), thus that's one turn to move them out of there... thus one turn "lost"... I get it, it may look more compact like this, but... okay, avoid starting straight near a MG-fox, but you've another bridge ready to be used for deployment as well as a bunch of free hexes North from the "Le Mans" flag...
-> Now, two very little details:
1. "Prend Ça!" (event title) would be better like "Prends Ça!"... But don't worry at all, it's not directly obvious to all French speakers either. ( https://french.kwiziq.com/questions/vie ... e-prend-ca )
2. About event "Leclerc and (the?) 2e DB", in the text "[...] His X L Force has [...]", you've a double space at the location of the "X"...
Et voilà!
Very nice job, congrats!
Played entirely for the first time, very last version, difficulty lvl III (as usual)
Another really excellent scenario!
Very good balance and action throughout the entire scenario. MV during the 27th turn (out of 32), so that's already fine.
So, time for another feedback:
-> So, first of all, I think that the Me 262 is a great addition that don't (even) throw the air battle out of balance.
You give the hint to concentrate planes against this unit, so anyone has this info. Besides, our (single) AA unit is really efficient against the Me 262... each time 2 or 3 strenghts pts removed... 2 times attacked and it was reduced to 4-strenght. Then another element is that the enemy has no airstrip nor airfield... so once a plane run out of fuel, it has to leave the map (for good due to OoB mechanic).
-> It may actually be indeed better not adding a campaign variable about destroying this jet... because it's (obviously) much faster than other planes, so it would be really hard to prevent it from leaving the battlefield once running low on fuel...
Otherwise, one would be forced to deal with this unit before it runs out of fuel and leaves, but (the point is now that) when this unit spawns our own fighters are starting to run low on fuel, so...
-> One could perhaps consider adding another of these AA units for us, under the US flag... it's not required in terms of balance, but it may look strange to only have one single AA unit on our side. (We've 4 divisions on overall, but 2 are armored... so if it's one AA unit per armored division... on the other hand, you want the air defense to be purely in French hands.)
-> Pri obj "Secure the flanks"... the counter isn't updated each turn which may be confusing... you've made possible an early major victory end, that's great! But I think it would look better with this counter being updated, at least each turns.
'cause seeing "0/8" always, especially when you controll almost all of them...
-> Once Alençon(*) has been taken, one or two airstrips nearby would become of much use... especially when the (air) fights will take place in the top northern parts of the map, otherwise our fighters would have only few turns of action up there between their travels for (re)fuelling reasons.
Perhaps spawn one or two of them southwards of Alençon once there is no single enemy unit left within perhaps 4 or 5 hexes away from the flag?
(The other alternative would be one or two Construction Groups in the South of the map... but then the time to move them northwards, then to build the airstrip... though it may look less "artificial" like this, perhaps? But then, spawned sooner, once we're closing in near Alençon, so that the time we "clean" the town and its surroundings, these Construction Groups may move north...)
(*) EDIT: I made at first a little confusion here between Alençon and Argentan , sorry for that. For these AFs, it's of course near Alençon, around the center of the map.
-> On overall, it would look "smoother" if you change some flag ownership at rivers to avoid keeping artificially some "enemy pockets"... for example, I think at the flag "Rivière Sarthe" between "Le Mans" and "Beaumont-sur-Sarthe", or at "Rivière L'Huisne" between again "Le Mans" and "La Ferté-Bernard", or at several similar locations... no need to do this for absolutely all of them (especially not for the ones in the northern part of the map), but I would say for all of them in the southern or central part of the map.
(This may be less visible if our planes don't have to move from North to South and vice-versa too frequently in order to refuel...)
-> 4 US units are now starting deployed over a river (but not at a bridge location), thus that's one turn to move them out of there... thus one turn "lost"... I get it, it may look more compact like this, but... okay, avoid starting straight near a MG-fox, but you've another bridge ready to be used for deployment as well as a bunch of free hexes North from the "Le Mans" flag...
-> Now, two very little details:
1. "Prend Ça!" (event title) would be better like "Prends Ça!"... But don't worry at all, it's not directly obvious to all French speakers either. ( https://french.kwiziq.com/questions/vie ... e-prend-ca )
2. About event "Leclerc and (the?) 2e DB", in the text "[...] His X L Force has [...]", you've a double space at the location of the "X"...
Et voilà!
Very nice job, congrats!
Last edited by ColonelY on Sun May 02, 2021 1:29 pm, edited 4 times in total.
Re: Free France Campaign
About Operation Dragoon... probably another opportunity to use (together with many other Allied formations) the "Escadron Corse" from the "USS Corsica".
Re: Free France Campaign
Oh, and by the way, you've put some really nice events in 16Argentan and as campaign events just after this scenario...
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Re: Free France Campaign
Will do. Keep in mind, though, that as we go on, German air defenses will be less and less. To the point where I am wondering whether an air conflict module will be even advisable. Overwhelming air superiority: Boring on the one hand, and over-balancing Allied offensive power on the other? I mean, that is the way it turned out in real life, but how to make it an interesting challenge in these last scenarios?
Thanks; I try.
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