CC XXIV @ 100% - whereis

[whereis]

CC XXIV - Steve Brown Worker's Collective FRENCH CAMPAIGN, 1940-45

I've decided to try my hands at Steve Brown's old French campaign 1940-45 with the BP e-file, with contributions from Dennis Felling, Jurgen Smet and others. An file I'm not too familiar with.

I figured I'd try to finish all CCs in the twenties. CC20-29. This one was as good as any to continue with.

First off, time to build a core in turn 1 and turn 8. I followed the advice in the very elaborate and old school README-file. I love those. I built my core around 5 inf and 3 arty with supplementary armour, recon, AT and AD.

The scenario itself was well balanced although in the end the German attackers were few and far between. The attacks came without artillery support... In any case, my gains from this LTTV can't be held and my orders are to retreat further east into France.

OpenGen 0.93.4.0 * 25 Dec 2020 * AI version: Default (0.91)
Efile folder: C:\OG\EFILE_CC24\ * Efile version: Builders Paradise v1.02.11
Campaign: FRENCH CAMPAIGN, 1940-45, * Player prestige modifier 100% * AI prestige modifier 100%

Played Scenarios:
1 Laon , #0 , Victory

..
Current scenario: Laon, VH prestige is 80 , All map prestige is: 120
Army cost: 2172 , Current prestige is 255
Prestige available on map yet is 40 pp ( 0 pp in VH to capture) * Turn: 16
AI stance is Aggressive Using map: 133
if BV: +500, Amiens-Abbeville , cap 2300, 12 turns prestige: 1500
if V : +500, Amiens-Abbeville , cap 2300, 16 turns prestige: 1500
if TV: +500, Amiens-Abbeville , cap 2300, 20 turns prestige: 1500
if Ls: +500, Kufra , cap 2690, 20 turns prestige: 1500

Infantry
Regular , Wagon , , 0 bars , 1 exp , France , 10/10 , 2 kill , 72 pp - U:020
Regular , Wagon , , 0 bars , 27 exp , France , 4/10 , 0 kill , 72 pp - U:022
Regular , Wagon , , 0 bars , 79 exp , France , 6/10 , 1 kill , 72 pp - U:067
Regular , Wagon , , 0 bars , 40 exp , France , 6/10 , 1 kill , 72 pp - U:068
Regular , Wagon , , 0 bars , 31 exp , France , 5/10 , 0 kill , 72 pp - U:072

Tank
H40 , , 1 bars , 110 exp , France , 10/10 , 4 kill , 204 pp - U:069
S35 , , 0 bars , 33 exp , France , 10/10 , 2 kill , 360 pp - U:074

Recon
Panhard 178 , , 0 bars , 54 exp , France , 3/10 , 2 kill , 132 pp - U:073

Anti-tank
APX 47mm M37 , Wagon , , 0 bars , 0 exp , France , 10/10 , 0 kill , 96 pp - U:054

Artillery
105mm C mle36 , Wagon , , 0 bars , 19 exp , France , 6/10 , 1 kill , 312 pp - U:040
75mm C mle97 , Wagon , , 0 bars , 57 exp , France , 6/10 , 0 kill , 180 pp - U:066
105mm C mle36 , Wagon , , 0 bars , 14 exp , France , 10/10 , 0 kill , 312 pp - U:075

Air Defense
47mm Mle39 , Wagon , , 0 bars , 3 exp , France , 10/10 , 1 kill , 156 pp - U:070
25mm Mle39 , Wagon , , 0 bars , 40 exp , France , 10/10 , 1 kill , 60 pp - U:071

Player 1 : France
Killed: INF:15 TNK:7 RCN:4 AT:5 FTR:2 TB:3 Total: 36
Lost : INF:1 TNK:1 Total: 2

BV 0
V 1
TV 0
L 0

Averages:
Infantry * 5 Units * 0 Leaders Total : 178 exp, 4 kill, 360 pp Average: 36 exp, 1 kill, 72 pp
Tank * 2 Units * 0 Leaders Total : 143 exp, 6 kill, 564 pp Average: 72 exp, 3 kill, 282 pp
Recon * 1 Units * 0 Leaders Total : 54 exp, 2 kill, 132 pp Average: 54 exp, 2 kill, 132 pp
Anti-tank * 1 Units * 0 Leaders Total : 0 exp, 0 kill, 96 pp Average: 0 exp, 0 kill, 96 pp
Artillery * 3 Units * 0 Leaders Total : 90 exp, 1 kill, 804 pp Average: 30 exp, 0 kill, 268 pp
Air Defense * 2 Units * 0 Leaders Total : 43 exp, 2 kill, 216 pp Average: 22 exp, 1 kill, 108 pp
* Summary: * 14 Units * 0 Leaders Total : 508 exp, 15 kill, 2172 pp Average: 36 exp, 1 kill, 155 pp


Player 1 France has 31 units total (core+aux):
Infantry : 9
Tank : 8
Recon : 1
Anti-tank : 2
Artillery : 4
Air Defense : 4
Fighter : 3

Player 2 Germany has 10 units total (core+aux):
Infantry : 2
Tank : 2
Anti-tank : 1
Artillery : 2
Air Defense : 2
Fighter : 1


* <- original core (don't count against cap)
+ <- BV prototype
pp <- prestige points

[Parabellum]

Good morning, general! That's good news! I am happy that you started the next challenge right away .

I was just reading my AAR on this campaign to refresh my memories.
Some scenarios gave me a real headache and it wasn't always fun. But don't let my experiences scare you.

[whereis]

I was just reading my AAR on this campaign to refresh my memories.
Some scenarios gave me a real headache and it wasn't always fun. But don't let my experiences scare you.

Already at the second scenario Amiens-Abbeville I'm beginning to question my choice...

The scenario intro gives you a hint to halt your advance until the major German attack in the center has been repulsed, but the attack never comes. Only a few units. Then when you advance they all seem to wait in ambush and sneak in for perfect guerilla attacks. Which is fine, but for such a scenario the BV limit should be a bit more generous than 5-6 turns IMO. I have weak armour and an inf and art-heavy core with horse transport (which the readme says would be fin for this stage of the campaign). It would be hard for me even to reach the farthest VH in time on an empty map. But I seem to remember many of Steve's campaigns having the BV limit more as a symbolic figure than a reachable goal...

What's your opinion on this, if you've read through your AARs? Is this a question of a more advanced AI in OG than when the campaign was designed, or is this just questionable design to begin with? Again, I wouldn't criticize it if it was meant to be a defensive AI scenario where you had to punch your way through enemy defenses, but I don't get that feeling.

[Parabellum]

...
What's your opinion on this, if you've read through your AARs? Is this a question of a more advanced AI in OG than when the campaign was designed, or is this just questionable design to begin with? ...

I don't think the AI is to blame for the difficulties. My run in 2020 was standard with the AI version (0.91). I don't know how the AI versions developed in the early 2000s, how much change there has been and which AI version was current at the time this campaign was built (I've only been playing OG since around 2015).
My feeling is that the problems come from the design of the campaign. For example, the use of a radar bunker on the German side is not an AI trick, but a conscious design.

[whereis]

2 Amiens-Abbeville , #1 , Tactical Victory

After realizing there were no protos to be had I took it nice and slow and got a last turn TV. I lost a recon and an inf due to bad management. It was hard to account for and counter all the German attacks that came in the middle of my advance. As I complained above, the scenario intro warns you to wait for a major enemy attack in the center, but if you do, you'll wait forever since it never comes.

My troops are saved and sent to Africa. No leaders yet...


OpenGen 0.93.4.0 * 25 Dec 2020 * AI version: Default (0.91)
Efile folder: C:\OG\efile_cc24\ * Efile version: Builders Paradise v1.02.11
Campaign: FRENCH CAMPAIGN, 1940-45, * Player prestige modifier 100% * AI prestige modifier 100%

Played Scenarios:
1 Laon , #0 , Victory
2 Amiens-Abbeville , #1 , Tactical Victory

..
Current scenario: Amiens-Abbeville, VH prestige is 80 , All map prestige is: 480
Army cost: 2088 , Current prestige is 347
Prestige available on map yet is 160 pp ( 0 pp in VH to capture) * Turn: 18
AI stance is Aggressive Using map: 140
if BV: +600, Kufra , cap 2690, 9 turns prestige: 0
if V : +600, Kufra , cap 2690, 13 turns prestige: 0
if TV: +600, Kufra , cap 2690, 18 turns prestige: 0
Ls: Loss , turn prestige: 0

Infantry
Regular , Wagon , , 0 bars , 75 exp , France , 2/10 , 2 kill , 72 pp - U:001
Regular , Wagon , , 1 bars , 145 exp , France , 1/10 , 3 kill , 72 pp - U:002
Regular , Wagon , , 1 bars , 155 exp , France , 3/10 , 2 kill , 72 pp - U:007
Regular , Wagon , , 0 bars , 64 exp , France , 3/10 , 0 kill , 72 pp - U:011

Tank
H39 , , 2 bars , 252 exp , France , 3/10 , 9 kill , 324 pp - U:008
S35 , , 1 bars , 114 exp , France , 2/10 , 12 kill , 360 pp - U:013

Anti-tank
APX 47mm M37 , Wagon , , 0 bars , 30 exp , France , 9/10 , 2 kill , 96 pp - U:004

Artillery
105mm C mle36 , Wagon , , 0 bars , 66 exp , France , 10/10 , 3 kill , 312 pp - U:003
75mm C mle97 , Wagon , , 1 bars , 143 exp , France , 10/10 , 2 kill , 180 pp - U:005
105mm C mle36 , Wagon , , 0 bars , 74 exp , France , 10/10 , 2 kill , 312 pp - U:014

Air Defense
47mm Mle39 , Wagon , , 0 bars , 29 exp , France , 10/10 , 2 kill , 156 pp - U:009
25mm Mle39 , Wagon , , 0 bars , 40 exp , France , 10/10 , 1 kill , 60 pp - U:010

Player 1 : France
Killed: INF:32 TNK:17 RCN:9 AT:10 FORT:3 ATY:4 AD:2 FTR:4 TB:4 Total: 85
Lost : INF:5 TNK:3 RCN:1 AT:2 AD:1 FTR:1 Total: 13

BV 0
V 1
TV 1
L 0

Averages:
Infantry * 4 Units * 0 Leaders Total : 439 exp, 7 kill, 288 pp Average: 110 exp, 2 kill, 72 pp
Tank * 2 Units * 0 Leaders Total : 366 exp, 21 kill, 684 pp Average: 183 exp, 11 kill, 342 pp
Anti-tank * 1 Units * 0 Leaders Total : 30 exp, 2 kill, 96 pp Average: 30 exp, 2 kill, 96 pp
Artillery * 3 Units * 0 Leaders Total : 283 exp, 7 kill, 804 pp Average: 94 exp, 2 kill, 268 pp
Air Defense * 2 Units * 0 Leaders Total : 69 exp, 3 kill, 216 pp Average: 35 exp, 2 kill, 108 pp
* Summary: * 12 Units * 0 Leaders Total : 1187 exp, 40 kill, 2088 pp Average: 99 exp, 3 kill, 174 pp


Player 1 France has 28 units total (core+aux):
Infantry : 9
Tank : 4
Anti-tank : 3
Artillery : 6
Air Defense : 4
Fighter : 1
Tactical Bomber : 1

Player 2 Germany has 7 units total (core+aux):
Anti-tank : 4
Fortification : 1
Air Defense : 1
Tactical Bomber : 1


* <- original core (don't count against cap)
+ <- BV prototype
pp <- prestige points

[whereis]

3 Kufra , #2 , Victory

When playing this game I often come back to the question of what challenging vs. frustrating means. This scenario gives a couple of good examples of frustrating over challenging, like giving the enemy a 40 spotting range radar bunker in the middle of the desert and continuous air reinforcements.

The scenario idea isn't bad at all and explores some blitz elements together with a defensive sector in the south. I think the scenario is just too long. You get bored of the same thing after a while and with that radar bunker you just can't protect all your assets from air attacks.

I also encountered moving minefields (horse transported)! But that must be considered more of an error than a consciously made bad choice in design.


OpenGen 0.93.4.0 * 25 Dec 2020 * AI version: Default (0.91)
Efile folder: C:\OG\efile_cc24\ * Efile version: Builders Paradise v1.02.11
Campaign: FRENCH CAMPAIGN, 1940-45, * Player prestige modifier 100% * AI prestige modifier 100%

Played Scenarios:
1 Laon , #0 , Victory
2 Amiens-Abbeville , #1 , Tactical Victory
3 Kufra , #2 , Victory

..
Current scenario: Kufra, VH prestige is 80 , All map prestige is: 80
Army cost: 2544 , Current prestige is 552
Prestige available on map yet is 0 pp ( 0 pp in VH to capture) * Turn: 20
AI stance is Aggressive Using map: 161
if BV: +600, Bir Hakeim , cap 3000, 15 turns prestige: 510
if V : +600, Bir Hakeim , cap 3000, 22 turns prestige: 510
if TV: +600, Bir Hakeim , cap 3000, 25 turns prestige: 510
if Ls: +600, Kufra , cap 2690, 25 turns prestige: 510

Infantry
Regular , Wagon , , 1 bars , 148 exp , France , 6/10 , 3 kill , 72 pp - U:001
Infantry , Truck , , 1 bars , 193 exp , France , 6/10 , 5 kill , 156 pp - U:002
Infantry , Truck , , 2 bars , 269 exp , France , 2/10 , 5 kill , 156 pp - U:006
Regular , Wagon , , 1 bars , 114 exp , France , 7/10 , 1 kill , 72 pp - U:010

Tank
H39 , , 3 bars , 309 exp , France , 3/10 , Bridging , 11 kill , 324 pp - U:007
S35 , , 2 bars , 235 exp , France , 4/10 , 16 kill , 360 pp - U:011

Anti-tank
APX 47mm M37 , Wagon , , 0 bars , 84 exp , France , 8/10 , 5 kill , 96 pp - U:004

Artillery
105mm C mle36 , Truck , , 0 bars , 97 exp , France , 4/10 , 3 kill , 384 pp - U:003
75mm C mle97 , Wagon , , 1 bars , 191 exp , France , 10/10 , 3 kill , 180 pp - U:005
105mm C mle36 , Truck , , 1 bars , 128 exp , France , 8/10 , 4 kill , 384 pp - U:012

Air Defense
47mm Mle39 , Truck , , 0 bars , 95 exp , France , 10/10 , 4 kill , 228 pp - U:008
25mm Mle39 , Truck , , 0 bars , 40 exp , France , 10/10 , 1 kill , 132 pp - U:009

Player 1 : France
Killed: INF:36 TNK:21 RCN:11 AT:12 FORT:12 ATY:5 AD:3 FTR:10 TB:4 Total: 114
Lost : INF:5 TNK:3 RCN:1 AT:2 AD:1 FTR:2 TB:1 Total: 15

BV 0
V 2
TV 1
L 0

Averages:
Infantry * 4 Units * 0 Leaders Total : 724 exp, 14 kill, 456 pp Average: 181 exp, 4 kill, 114 pp
Tank * 2 Units * 1 Leaders Total : 544 exp, 27 kill, 684 pp Average: 272 exp, 14 kill, 342 pp
Anti-tank * 1 Units * 0 Leaders Total : 84 exp, 5 kill, 96 pp Average: 84 exp, 5 kill, 96 pp
Artillery * 3 Units * 0 Leaders Total : 416 exp, 10 kill, 948 pp Average: 139 exp, 3 kill, 316 pp
Air Defense * 2 Units * 0 Leaders Total : 135 exp, 5 kill, 360 pp Average: 68 exp, 3 kill, 180 pp
* Summary: * 12 Units * 1 Leaders Total : 1903 exp, 61 kill, 2544 pp Average: 159 exp, 5 kill, 212 pp


Player 1 France has 21 units total (core+aux):
Infantry : 8
Tank : 2
Anti-tank : 1
Artillery : 4
Air Defense : 3
Fighter : 1
Tactical Bomber : 2

Player 2 Italy has 30 units total (core+aux):
Infantry : 16
Tank : 1
Recon : 1
Anti-tank : 1
Fortification : 11


* <- original core (don't count against cap)
+ <- BV prototype
pp <- prestige points

[whereis]

4 Bir Hakeim , #3 , Tactical Victory


The next scenario was a purely defensive one, but it was mostly a long wait and a chance for my very effective AA to prove its worth. The "containment DH:s" in the northwest puzzled me. It's for deploying the units you don't want to use in the DH:s to the south where the actual battle happens. I can't remember if some earlier version of PG forced you to deploy all your units before starting a scenario, but today it mostly seems like an anomaly or unnecessary.

Not much to say really. I waited a bunch of turns and used the VH when I was about to get overrun. I did note some pretty weird AI reinforcements coming in, like one single leadered arty placed 6 hexes from my VH, along with two recons... Weird...


I'm not posting about my core, since virtually nothing has happened to it since scenario one. I've upgraded a tank and a few inf. I've gained a few leaders as well, although not very desirable ones for their class...

OpenGen 0.93.4.0 * 25 Dec 2020 * AI version: Default (0.91)
Efile folder: C:\OG\efile_cc24\ * Efile version: Builders Paradise v1.02.11
Campaign: FRENCH CAMPAIGN, 1940-45, * Player prestige modifier 100% * AI prestige modifier 100%

Played Scenarios:
1 Laon , #0 , Victory
2 Amiens-Abbeville , #1 , Tactical Victory
3 Kufra , #2 , Victory
4 Bir Hakeim , #3 , Tactical Victory

..
Current scenario: Bir Hakeim, VH prestige is 80 , All map prestige is: 120
Army cost: 2820 , Current prestige is 152
Prestige available on map yet is 40 pp ( 0 pp in VH to capture) * Turn: 13
AI stance is Aggressive Using map: 216
if BV: +600, Fondouk el Aouareb , cap 3300, 0 turns prestige: 0
if V : +600, Fondouk el Aouareb , cap 3300, 1 turns prestige: 0
if TV: +600, Fondouk el Aouareb , cap 3300, 18 turns prestige: 0
Ls: Loss , turn prestige: 0

Infantry
Engineer , Wagon , , 1 bars , 172 exp , France , 5/10 , 3 kill , 312 pp - U:001
Infantry , Truck , , 2 bars , 203 exp , France , 5/10 , 5 kill , 156 pp - U:002
Infantry , Truck , , 2 bars , 297 exp , France , 9/10 , 5 kill , 156 pp - U:006
Regular , Wagon , , 1 bars , 114 exp , France , 10/10 , 1 kill , 72 pp - U:010

Tank
S35 , , 4 bars , 428 exp , France , 8/10 , Bridging , 16 kill , 360 pp - U:007
S35 , , 3 bars , 325 exp , France , 10/10 , 20 kill , 360 pp - U:011

Anti-tank
APX 47mm M37 , Wagon , , 1 bars , 129 exp , France , 9/10 , 5 kill , 96 pp - U:004

Artillery
105mm C mle36 , Truck , , 1 bars , 114 exp , France , 6/10 , Resilience , 3 kill , 384 pp - U:003
75mm C mle97 , Wagon , , 2 bars , 286 exp , France , 10/10 , 3 kill , 180 pp - U:005
105mm C mle36 , Truck , , 1 bars , 150 exp , France , 6/10 , 4 kill , 384 pp - U:012

Air Defense
47mm Mle39 , Truck , , 2 bars , 249 exp , France , 10/10 , 5 kill , 228 pp - U:008
25mm Mle39 , Truck , , 0 bars , 40 exp , France , 10/10 , 1 kill , 132 pp - U:009

Player 1 : France
Killed: INF:38 TNK:21 RCN:15 AT:13 FORT:12 ATY:6 AD:4 FTR:10 TB:5 Total: 124
Lost : INF:5 TNK:3 RCN:1 AT:2 AD:1 FTR:2 TB:1 Total: 15

BV 0
V 2
TV 2
L 0

Averages:
Infantry * 4 Units * 0 Leaders Total : 786 exp, 14 kill, 696 pp Average: 197 exp, 4 kill, 174 pp
Tank * 2 Units * 1 Leaders Total : 753 exp, 36 kill, 720 pp Average: 377 exp, 18 kill, 360 pp
Anti-tank * 1 Units * 0 Leaders Total : 129 exp, 5 kill, 96 pp Average: 129 exp, 5 kill, 96 pp
Artillery * 3 Units * 1 Leaders Total : 550 exp, 10 kill, 948 pp Average: 183 exp, 3 kill, 316 pp
Air Defense * 2 Units * 0 Leaders Total : 289 exp, 6 kill, 360 pp Average: 145 exp, 3 kill, 180 pp
* Summary: * 12 Units * 2 Leaders Total : 2507 exp, 71 kill, 2820 pp Average: 209 exp, 6 kill, 235 pp


Player 1 France has 15 units total (core+aux):
Infantry : 4
Tank : 2
Anti-tank : 1
Fortification : 3
Artillery : 3
Air Defense : 2

Player 2 Germany, Italy has 37 units total (core+aux):
Infantry : 7
Tank : 2
Recon : 1
Fortification : 6
Artillery : 6
Air Defense : 2
Fighter : 1
Tactical Bomber : 4
Submarine : 8


* <- original core (don't count against cap)
+ <- BV prototype
pp <- prestige points