GHQ Campaign

[jb]

Cama, another thing we should prompt at sign up is what units do you have?
KGPanzer, I think that the beginning of 1941 is a good start.
Paul, I'm interested in getting the info on your north Atlantic campaign...
JB

[kgpanzer]

JB if we start at the beginning of 1941 this will involve the balkan campaign? I noticed on the website no info was given for those nationality forces for those countries
thanks
Ar

[av8rmongo]

jb,

I think it was cbovill that already had an Atlantic campaign sorted out. My question goes more to the theoretical construct of the campaign. Is this campaign trying to refight history - the same operations in the same areas? Or is it refighting the war - same force levels but operations up to overall commanders?

In the first case I don't think there has to be much strategic level effort for naval commanders - or ground commanders for that matter. Naval ops will be focused on convoys and choke point control.

But if we are going to refight the war, try new approaches, then there will have to be a great deal of strategic/operational planning to ensure naval efforts support the war ashore and vice versa.

Make no mistake I think it will be fun either way. I'm just curious what the consenus is.

Paul

[jb]

jb,

I think it was cbovill that already had an Atlantic campaign sorted out. My question goes more to the theoretical construct of the campaign. Is this campaign trying to refight history - the same operations in the same areas? Or is it refighting the war - same force levels but operations up to overall commanders?

In the first case I don't think there has to be much strategic level effort for naval commanders - or ground commanders for that matter. Naval ops will be focused on convoys and choke point control.

But if we are going to refight the war, try new approaches, then there will have to be a great deal of strategic/operational planning to ensure naval efforts support the war ashore and vice versa.

Make no mistake I think it will be fun either way. I'm just curious what the consenus is.

Paul

Sorry my mistake on the N Atlantic campaign,Chris do you have any info on it?
My idea is to start out with the historical setup. i.e. early '41. This would involve-The Balkans-N africa-and the N Atlantic,and of course the Med. Now my idea was to let people play the Axis high command,and the allied high command Minus Hitler,Churhill,Musilini,and Stalin. These high command players would recieve orders for operations from their respective leader.
Say for instance that hitler wanted to invade the Soviet Union in March or April,but this time he didn't want to pull Musilin's nuts out of the fire-german high command is ordered to invade soviet Union.Lets say for instance that the communist forces in the balkans don't give in.This would stop or delay the invasions of Greece and Crete,or maybe they don't get invaded at all. Maybe this time...
One thing is for sure. The Soviet Union will be invaded, N. Africa will be fought in,and supplies from N America will have to get to the United Kimgdom.
Yes we maybe changing the war as it was, but you still need to deal with the dictators. KG I hope this aswers your question too. As for the website it is not ready for recruitment yet. I hope that we can get people to sign so we know where we can get statred at.
What I propose is making maps of the forementioned areas. I will put a hex overlay each of them. These hexs might in reality would represent 15 or 20 miles,but for gaming purposes they will be a tactical battlefield or two. The assigned forces from the high commands will decide where attacks and defenses will take place. RERsults form played battles will come in and strategic maps adjusted.
Naval will play the same way. The Naval high commands will order their units to do whatever they are to do. We will then match up what is happening to see if there are conflicts. If so results are turned in.
I have not discussed this with Cama in great detail,i'm sure if he agrees or wants to change things he will read this.
Back to the Naval,I beleive we need a naval person to handle just that. What do you say Grant? If so,any volunteers? How about you cbovill? Care to dovetail that campaign in so the allies can get supplies or the Axis can sink them?

JB

[av8rmongo]

So you're sticking with the (mostly) historic approach rather than trying something different? One example is instead of attacking Crete, use those forces for an attempt on Faroes/Iceland that Hitler originally envisioned as a precursor to any invasion of England.

Paul

[jb]

So you're sticking with the (mostly) historic approach rather than trying something different? One example is instead of attacking Crete, use those forces for an attempt on Faroes/Iceland that Hitler originally envisioned as a precursor to any invasion of England.

Paul

Please read the above ,I believe we posted pretty close to one another sorry. I would like to start out historically but like I explained ( I also added to the previous post. I had to run and get my daughter from school while in the middle of posting ) that will maybe change historically except that Russia and N. Africa will get invaded
JB

[Mk 1]

So here's my dilema:

I have a very nice, large, broad Soviet WW2 army. At 1-to-5 unit scales I can manage to field very substantial forces for any period on the Eastern Front (battalions, regiments and brigades in 1-to-1 unit scales).

My first choice would be to sign-up to push Soviets.

BUT ...

I don't have a German army. Nor do I have an opponant among my current gaming circle who has a well rounded German army. (CGE, you out there?)

I've got guys who have some Soviet kit, and I think even some Brit/Commonwealth kit. I've got USian kit for Tunisia or Sicily. But no German kit.

And then I have my Italians. Nowhere near as grand of a force (outnumbered maybe 20-to-1 by my Soviet stuff), but at least I can muster a force of Italians, and between my own and my fellow gamers' stuff we could easily come up with something to fight on the allied side.

So ... should I sign myself up as an Italian, even though I'd rather play Soviet? I mean, better to be an active Italian than an inactive Soviet, no?

[jb]

So here's my dilema:

I have a very nice, large, broad Soviet WW2 army. At 1-to-5 unit scales I can manage to field very substantial forces for any period on the Eastern Front (battalions, regiments and brigades in 1-to-1 unit scales).

My first choice would be to sign-up to push Soviets.

BUT ...

I don't have a German army. Nor do I have an opponant among my current gaming circle who has a well rounded German army. (CGE, you out there?)

I've got guys who have some Soviet kit, and I think even some Brit/Commonwealth kit. I've got USian kit for Tunisia or Sicily. But no German kit.

And then I have my Italians. Nowhere near as grand of a force (outnumbered maybe 20-to-1 by my Soviet stuff), but at least I can muster a force of Italians, and between my own and my fellow gamers' stuff we could easily come up with something to fight on the allied side.

So ... should I sign myself up as an Italian, even though I'd rather play Soviet? I mean, better to be an active Italian than an inactive Soviet, no?

Your Soviets could also work for the Yugoslavians. I'm sure you are a more expert on those balkan armies than me.
I understand your dilema about someone to fight against. I don't know what to say except you need to find someone,OR be on the High command of an army(actually you could still play tactically,if the need arouse. Like if you did find someone to fight on a future date).
Also weren't the ITs the ones that started the Balkans fiasco?
And then Greece I guees we could use UK troops as greeks,i dunno you tell me.
In the next few weeks i would like to see who we got that will go where. From there we will have a definite direction to steer.
JB

[kgpanzer]

So you're sticking with the (mostly) historic approach rather than trying something different? One example is instead of attacking Crete, use those forces for an attempt on Faroes/Iceland that Hitler originally envisioned as a precursor to any invasion of England.

Paul

Paul I like that idea on kinda of the what ifs....this will leave the players to do historical but with a twist if they choose to....If i do play Germany I might concider invading say sweden or spain...? just a passing thought

Ar

[kgpanzer]

Another note on command for this campaign, we are talking here on the idea of a naval commander over seeing this area or that...what about a Ground commander..this would leave more room for command and control....ie: same thing in the ocean as on land? If i miss this part of the topic sorry just asking
Ar

[jb]

Another note on command for this campaign, we are talking here on the idea of a naval commander over seeing this area or that...what about a Ground commander..this would leave more room for command and control....ie: same thing in the ocean as on land? If i miss this part of the topic sorry just asking
Ar

The idea I have of a high command are peole that would play a strtegic part in the game. Yes naval would definitely be naval.
BTW if Hitler to invades Iceland this might bring the US into it quiker than December. Also I beleive the Royal Navy would have a great big say so. Just some thoughts.
If some people just want to simply wargame(tactical) thats great! The more here the merrier. Some might just want to do strategy ,high command.
Cama,how do we find out who will be on the High Commands?
JB

[cbovill]

The way we were setting up our naval campaign for the Atlantic was to have one side be the Axis forces, the other the Allied forces. Each side would have their own campaign map of the Atlantic from Narvik to Freetown and from Gibraltar to the Eastern seaboard of the US. Then each side would plot where they were positioning their forces on the map including what ships are patrolling what areas, which ones are in port, which are en route, which are in repair/overhaul. This would be compared on a third map by an umpire. Whenever opposing sides met in a hex at sea, we would roll to see if they spotted each other. If they did, we would game out the battle. We also plotted out when specific ships became available according to history to account for reinforcements to replace losses. At least that is the plan, we haven't conducted more than practice battles so far as we have been busy shipbuilding.

For this grander campaign, I would love to be involved. I can represent the Admiralty for the British or Germans, or I can game out battles. Whatever you need me to do. I can certainly supply the ships for the British and the Germans. Unfortunately, no USN yet.

Chris

[kgpanzer]

This campaign has such a potential to be a great game...it will take a long time to do however the rewards would be well worth it
Ar

[jb]

The way we were setting up our naval campaign for the Atlantic was to have one side be the Axis forces, the other the Allied forces. Each side would have their own campaign map of the Atlantic from Narvik to Freetown and from Gibraltar to the Eastern seaboard of the US. Then each side would plot where they were positioning their forces on the map including what ships are patrolling what areas, which ones are in port, which are en route, which are in repair/overhaul. This would be compared on a third map by an umpire. Whenever opposing sides met in a hex at sea, we would roll to see if they spotted each other. If they did, we would game out the battle. We also plotted out when specific ships became available according to history to account for reinforcements to replace losses. At least that is the plan, we haven't conducted more than practice battles so far as we have been busy shipbuilding.

For this grander campaign, I would love to be involved. I can represent the Admiralty for the British or Germans, or I can game out battles. Whatever you need me to do. I can certainly supply the ships for the British and the Germans. Unfortunately, no USN yet.

Chris

Your idea will work out fine with this campaign. The naval forces will be needed to bring shipping to the UK,and inturn will need to ship to the Med,and the USSR. Of course the Axis will need to ship in the med and stop the Allies elsewhere.
We will just need to figure out the conversion points of the GHQ game to the shipping stats of your ships.
JB

[av8rmongo]

jb wrote:

BTW if Hitler to invades Iceland this might bring the US into it quiker than December. Also I beleive the Royal Navy would have a great big say so. Just some thoughts.

Yes, those are reasons (based on very recent, very limited research) why German Navy was able to persuade Hitler to not do that. But... the US didn't really take over the defenses until mid '41 (I think). And IF Germany was able to pull it off the Royal Navy would HAVE to respond. What would that effect be? Weakening their strength in the Med maybe the far east. What effect would that have had? Would Malta fall? Would North Africa have been lost? Who knows.

I know this is dragging the discussion off topic so one more thought then I'm done. Tthe Atlantic convoys are the fulcrum around which the whole war in Europe pivots. What if Germany had really seized upon that idea and thrown all their efforts into blocking those crucial supplies - that would make this campaign a very exciting proposition IMHO.

Paul