Battlefield Europe - Operation Zitadelle (Level General)

[GeneralWerner]

Again trying to land in England in winter 43/44 to capture Glasgow and preventing operation Overlord. This time more in the south around Newcastle (the yellow route).

The picture shows there is no chance to land my troops. The British bring in armour to close each hole in their defense.

yellow.jpg (239.69 KiB) Viewed 1411 times

I will give it a last try at the northern (red) route around Aberdeen. My invasion fleet is better prepared now but again in the north the submarine will hinder my troops from a quick landing ...

[McGuba]

It is interesting to read all these attempts to land up north. I have never tried it and not many players did, as far as I know. Obviously German High Command made plans to land in the south in 1940, but theroretically at least, a landing in the north could also have been possible, even if a lot harder due to the large distance from the friendly bases and the close proximity of the main bases of the British Home Fleet. Reading your tests it looks to me it is set up quite right, as it seems to be nearly impossible. And the emphasis is on nearly as I do not want to make it absolutely impossible so that players can have more freedom in their choices to make it more interesting.

And still, I do feel that Operation Sealion should be made somewhat harder, especially in such later stages of the war. E.g. the mod currently does not take into account the new British ships after 1941, like the two new battleships (Howe, Anson), which enetered service in mid 1942. There were also more and more destroyers available and not just for convoy escort but also for Home Defense.

[GeneralWerner]

Nearly...

There is a small weak point in the eastern defense of the British coast.

I am confident to land most of my troops unharmed at the coast (as long as the snow is falling preventing the British forts and battleships to fire in this area). I have decided not to buy any new troops in Aberdeen but to buy them in Norway and ship them over the Northern Sea if necessary (and possible). But I will repair and refuel the already landed troops in England.

If the troops reach the mountain and hill terrain they are not so vulnerable against artillery or bombers anymore.

The British artillery near Glasgow is unprotected from the north and the Gebirgsjäger will reach it and destroy it quickly.

The time window is short. From approx. round 60 when snow fall starts until round 72 when Overlord starts. In that 12 rounds the coastal protection (mines, submarine) has to be neutralized (4-5 rounds), the troops have to land and to move to Glasgow (3-4 rounds), destroy the artillery and the infantry and capture the city (3-4 rounds) while the Germans are under fire by the fort, artillery, bombers and may be even remaining British battleships.

Needs are very precise planning and no bad luck with the weather.