I'll copy over my post from elsewhere in the forums first:
On a whim, I started up the GC again. I lost my save when I moved on to a new computer way back when.
I just finished 1939, I was taking in some tips from the tips topic and elsewhere on the forums. Normally I disband the initial A/T unit, but this campaign I've decided to try and utilise it. I'm also trying to not get so hung up on decisive victories in later scenarios, because the Grand Campaign is really good in allowing 'marginals' to count as victories anyway, with the decisives only really influencing certain battles (thankfully).
So, at Poznan I checked the initial starting group and it was:
2x Infantry,
1x Mountaineers,
2x awful tanks
1x Fighter,
1x Tactical Bomber
1x Arty
1x Anti-tank
1x Recon
I think my initial three purchases were, an extra artillery, an extra recon and a Strategic bomber. I added an 8.8 AA to the core pretty quickly, I think at Lodz perhaps.
I must admit, having *two* recon units has pretty much changed things completely. I organised my units into battle groups: An infantry, Arty, Tank, Anti-Tank (or 88) and the group that goes without the 88 has the fighter for air cover. The campaign throws a lot of free units at you, so there's seldom a need to add to the core imo.
Anyway, two recons are a god-send, because suddenly I'm not charging into things blindly or taking risks. I tended to use just the one in the past, but now I can get very good coverage. More if I can use Recon Rudel, though I'm trying to babysit him for obvious reasons. (Had a heart attack when in one scenario he got ganked by an AA and two fighters and had to limp home at 2hp...)
My opinion might change when I get to Russia. I distinctly remember recon getting wiped out easily at that period of time, but I hope to champion their cause. We shall see.
Anti-tanks, the initial 3.7cm PAK is at full experience, I am actually surprised (or lucky) at how often I've manoeuvred it into a position so that enemy tanks end up 1 hex away the following turn, or even blindly charge into the space next to them when already deployed. It has already proven it's value in the many battles in 39, which has turned my opinion on the class so far. I'm hoping I get him some heroes and switch him to a mobile A/T in the future scenarios. I probably need to get another one of these in 1940... They were benched in Norway since the terrain and enemy forces didn't really warrant an A/T unit imo. (You can farm easy exp with them in Kampinoska Forest if you wheel them out against the trains there, or the Polish tanks in bad terrain, whatever.)
The 8.8 is amazing as an anti-tank, but I haven't had much success with it as an AA in terms of kills. It seems to get about 2-3 kills, and the Messser Bf109E is miles better, capable of hitting 7-8 in one attack. I'm thinking of adding either another 8.8 in the future or a mobile A/A, I'm just trying to remember when air becomes an issues in the GC.
Still, I think a massive reason why I'm exploiting the AT units strengths now is the fact that I have good eyes in the recon squads, which allows me to plan better.
I guess, TL:DR my point is, if you've had bad experiences with certain unpopular units like the A/T or recon, stick with them but change your tactical play up a bit to take advantage of their use. It helps if you can identify the 'why' you can't exploit them successfully. In my case, a lack of visibility and ergo a lack of planning (and luck).
Hopefully my opinion will remain this positive come GC 1944 East though!
