CC#45 - Guderian's Gambit (from Darek's PG2 archives)
Posted: 2021-11-11 20:58, Thursday
Darek’s CC#45 at 100
Guderian's Gambit (by Doug Hone) - played with AK4K v.0,83 efile and PG2 2.20 exe - completed in Mar'2010
1. Gambit
At the beginning some . German infantry department of current AK4K 0.83 is simply ridiculous. I haven't noted that issue playing recently with this version on the Polish side, but now seeing those 28 unit types available for purchasing before the first scenario I lost orientation (mostly very crappy ones, and some with overgrown strange names). I can not even imagine that anyone may buy and use some of them instead of old good known types. This is obviously slots wasting, but looks like with 4000 slots to fill nobody cares.
Another annoying thing is that now 12 of 28 prototypes available after this scenario are from infantry class. If other efiles will go similar way, it may be time to consider excluding infantry class from available prototypes again, as it was in original PG2 exe.
This new AK version has many changes in units stats and pricing as well, so Doug's calculations are a little pointless now. You can not buy recommended units, as provided prestige is not enough. Briefing about buying particular unit type (as recommended) is misleading, as it doesn't exist any more (e.g. Ju-87B-1 for 600 pp vanished, but you can find Ju-87B-2 for 792 pp instead). That occurrence put whole idea about purchasing rules (mainly that part regarding precisely recommended unit types for your core) in doubt, as it is not possible to check and update whole campaign after each efile changes (which come quite frequently). Another possible solution - just keep playing the campaign with efile attached to it avoiding newer versions.
Due to described limitations I must adapt Doug's recommendations to my actual abilities. Purchased 2 motorized infantries with cheapest trucks, Pz IIA tank and recon plane for TB role. Whole 17 pp left in my bank afterward.
In the first attempt I distributed my units wrongly, as forces sent to the east were to weak to capture both objectives behind the Wisla river inside BV limit. I stopped and decided to restart. Normally I didn't do that, but with current prototypes limitations if you miss your chance you must wait several rounds for another one, which is hard to accept. That setting encourage to fighting for BV stubbornly in "Protos ON" scenarios. Of course at later stage "Chance for prototype" percentage will have its impact as well, but in the first battle proto should be granted after BV.
In the second attempt, knowing what will come, I sent all my core units towards two mentioned VHs behind the river, when remaining four VHs were left for auxiliaries. The plan worked perfectly, so I took BV with five turns in spare. Got a small para gun as most wanted proto.
Result: BV (-5T) / Proto: 7,5 LG40
Guderian's Corps before the next battle:
Campaign: Guderian's Gambit , Prestige modifier 100% , V-2.0 formula
Current scenario: Battle of Wizna , VH prestige is 400 , All hex prestige is 400
Army value including initial Core and Prototypes: 1560
Total Army Cost: 1248 , Current prestige is 361
BV: 150 , Bialystok , cap 1800 , 16 turn prestige: 320
V : 150 , Bialystok , cap 1800 , 18 turn prestige: 360
TV: 250 , Bialystok , cap 1800 , 21 turn prestige: 420
Ls: 450 , Bialystok , cap 1800 , 21 turn prestige: 420
Infantry
I/Inf/3Pzr , 38 Infanterie (mot) @A[Blitz 1t @T] , 1 bars , 113 exp , 0 kill , 144 pp
II/Inf/3Pzr , 38 Infanterie (mot) @A[Blitz 1t @T] , 0 bars , 57 exp , 0 kill , 144 pp
Tank
I/Pzr/3Pzr , Pz IIA , 0 bars , 60 exp , 1 kill , 240 pp
Artillery
* Waiting Proto (*) , 7,5 LG40 @P , 0 bars , 59 exp , 0 kill , 0 pp
Tactical Bomber
KG , Hs 126B-1 @R , 1 bars , 121 exp , 0 kill , 720 pp
Killed: AD 0 , AT 1 , ATY 1 , INF 4 , REC 0 , TK 1 , FTR 0 , TB 0 , Total: 7
Lost : AD 0 , AT 0 , ATY 0 , INF 0 , REC 0 , TK 0 , FTR 0 , TB 0 , Total: 0
2. Battle of Wizna
I purchased a recon when got some extra cash after capturing Lomza in 6th turn. Afterward I deployed my core (excepting sleeping arty proto) and directed to the east.
The rest of battle was rather annoying for me, as I didn't find good method to keep decent speed here. Having only couple of units I was struggling when tried to force the river and additional obstacles just behind it. The proper order of advanced units (which formed a queue) was important, but I sent tank first unfortunately. The advance was problematic, and when in addition front units went out of ammo I knew it will be hard task to win this battle. Resupplying wasn't possible due to surrounding enemies, as well as simply retreating wasn't easy due to heavy traffic. Maneuvering cost me a lot of time again, so when I finally managed to clear the last enemy VH in the last TV turn, I was lucky avoiding loss.
Anyway, so far I like such small scale battles, when despite rather big amount of turns action goes quickly due to your small core and only few auxiliary units.
Result: TV (LT)
Guderian's Corps before the next battle:
Campaign: Guderian's Gambit , Prestige modifier 100% , V-2.0 formula
Current scenario: Bialystok , VH prestige is 240 , All hex prestige is 240
Army value including initial Core and Prototypes: 1932
Total Army Cost: 1620 , Current prestige is 689
BV: 150 , Brest , cap 2300 , 17 turn prestige: 255
V : 150 , Brest , cap 2300 , 22 turn prestige: 330
TV: 250 , Brest , cap 2300 , 27 turn prestige: 405
Ls: 450 , Brest , cap 2300 , 27 turn prestige: 405
Infantry
I/Inf/3Pzr , 38 Infanterie (mot) @A[Blitz 1t @T] , 3 bars , 339 exp , 1 kill , 144 pp
II/Inf/3Pzr , 38 Infanterie (mot) @A[Blitz 1t @T] , 1 bars , 102 exp , 1 kill , 144 pp
Tank
I/Pzr/3Pzr , Pz IIA , 1 bars , 179 exp , 4 kill , 240 pp
Recon
Auf/3Pzr , sPzSpWg (8rad) , 0 bars , 80 exp , 0 kill , 372 pp
Artillery
* Waiting Proto (*) , 7,5 LG40 @P , 0 bars , 59 exp , 0 kill , 0 pp
Tactical Bomber
KG , Hs 126B-1 @R , 3 bars , 317 exp , 1 kill , 720 pp
Killed: AD 1 , AT 1 , ATY 2 , INF 10 , REC 0 , TK 1 , FTR 0 , TB 0 , Total: 15
Lost : AD 0 , AT 0 , ATY 0 , INF 0 , REC 0 , TK 0 , FTR 0 , TB 0 , Total: 0
3. Bialystok
Before the battle upgraded small proto arty to the biggest available one. It may be used finally. The tank was upgraded to Pz IIIE.
Movement restrictions seems to be typical for this campaign. Almost all rivers are impassable, frequently unused bridges and rough terrain limits tactical choices and force you to go slowly in directions where you are expected to be. Significant is that auxiliary units come usually without fuel, so you can not use them promptly.
According to briefing before the battle I sent both core infantries with the arty to the east, when tank and recon went directly south. After couple of rounds I was afraid that southern group consisting all armored units may be in troubles when assaulting cities, but luckily two groups of auxiliary infantries arrived and joined both of my task forces. Afterward my advance went still slowly, but continuously as planned. BV was out of question here, but I got comfortable regular Victory 3 turns after BV limit. My bomber got leader - unfortunately not very helpful in the battle.
Result: V (T#20)
Guderian's Corps before the next battle:
Campaign: Guderian's Gambit , Prestige modifier 100% , V-2.0 formula
Current scenario: Brest , VH prestige is 160 , All hex prestige is 160
Army value including initial Core and Prototypes: 2328
Total Army Cost: 1704 , Current prestige is 596
BV: 450 , Chelm , cap 3750 , 15 turn prestige: 225
V : 450 , Chelm , cap 3750 , 18 turn prestige: 270
TV: 550 , Chelm , cap 3750 , 22 turn prestige: 330
Ls: 750 , Chelm , cap 3750 , 22 turn prestige: 330
Infantry
I/Inf/3Pzr , 38 Infanterie (mot) @A[Blitz 1t @T] , 4 bars , 408 exp , 2 kill , 144 pp
II/Inf/3Pzr , 38 Infanterie (mot) @A[Blitz 1t @T] , 1 bars , 198 exp , 3 kill , 144 pp
Tank
I/Pzr/3Pzr , Pz IIIE , 2 bars , 250 exp , 4 kill , 324 pp
Recon
Auf/3Pzr , sPzSpWg (8rad) , 1 bars , 164 exp , 0 kill , 372 pp
Artillery
* I/Art/3Pz (*) , 15 sFH37(t)[SdKfz 8] , 1 bars , 115 exp , 3 kill , 0 pp
Tactical Bomber
KG (DD) , Hs 126B-1 @R , 4 bars , 421 exp , Determined Defence , 2 kill , 720 pp
Killed: AD 3 , AT 3 , ATY 4 , INF 22 , REC 0 , TK 1 , FTR 0 , TB 0 , Total: 33
Lost : AD 0 , AT 0 , ATY 0 , INF 0 , REC 0 , TK 0 , FTR 0 , TB 0 , Total: 0
Guderian's Gambit (by Doug Hone) - played with AK4K v.0,83 efile and PG2 2.20 exe - completed in Mar'2010
1. Gambit
At the beginning some . German infantry department of current AK4K 0.83 is simply ridiculous. I haven't noted that issue playing recently with this version on the Polish side, but now seeing those 28 unit types available for purchasing before the first scenario I lost orientation (mostly very crappy ones, and some with overgrown strange names). I can not even imagine that anyone may buy and use some of them instead of old good known types. This is obviously slots wasting, but looks like with 4000 slots to fill nobody cares.
Another annoying thing is that now 12 of 28 prototypes available after this scenario are from infantry class. If other efiles will go similar way, it may be time to consider excluding infantry class from available prototypes again, as it was in original PG2 exe.
This new AK version has many changes in units stats and pricing as well, so Doug's calculations are a little pointless now. You can not buy recommended units, as provided prestige is not enough. Briefing about buying particular unit type (as recommended) is misleading, as it doesn't exist any more (e.g. Ju-87B-1 for 600 pp vanished, but you can find Ju-87B-2 for 792 pp instead). That occurrence put whole idea about purchasing rules (mainly that part regarding precisely recommended unit types for your core) in doubt, as it is not possible to check and update whole campaign after each efile changes (which come quite frequently). Another possible solution - just keep playing the campaign with efile attached to it avoiding newer versions.
Due to described limitations I must adapt Doug's recommendations to my actual abilities. Purchased 2 motorized infantries with cheapest trucks, Pz IIA tank and recon plane for TB role. Whole 17 pp left in my bank afterward.
In the first attempt I distributed my units wrongly, as forces sent to the east were to weak to capture both objectives behind the Wisla river inside BV limit. I stopped and decided to restart. Normally I didn't do that, but with current prototypes limitations if you miss your chance you must wait several rounds for another one, which is hard to accept. That setting encourage to fighting for BV stubbornly in "Protos ON" scenarios. Of course at later stage "Chance for prototype" percentage will have its impact as well, but in the first battle proto should be granted after BV.
In the second attempt, knowing what will come, I sent all my core units towards two mentioned VHs behind the river, when remaining four VHs were left for auxiliaries. The plan worked perfectly, so I took BV with five turns in spare. Got a small para gun as most wanted proto.
Result: BV (-5T) / Proto: 7,5 LG40
Guderian's Corps before the next battle:
Campaign: Guderian's Gambit , Prestige modifier 100% , V-2.0 formula
Current scenario: Battle of Wizna , VH prestige is 400 , All hex prestige is 400
Army value including initial Core and Prototypes: 1560
Total Army Cost: 1248 , Current prestige is 361
BV: 150 , Bialystok , cap 1800 , 16 turn prestige: 320
V : 150 , Bialystok , cap 1800 , 18 turn prestige: 360
TV: 250 , Bialystok , cap 1800 , 21 turn prestige: 420
Ls: 450 , Bialystok , cap 1800 , 21 turn prestige: 420
Infantry
I/Inf/3Pzr , 38 Infanterie (mot) @A[Blitz 1t @T] , 1 bars , 113 exp , 0 kill , 144 pp
II/Inf/3Pzr , 38 Infanterie (mot) @A[Blitz 1t @T] , 0 bars , 57 exp , 0 kill , 144 pp
Tank
I/Pzr/3Pzr , Pz IIA , 0 bars , 60 exp , 1 kill , 240 pp
Artillery
* Waiting Proto (*) , 7,5 LG40 @P , 0 bars , 59 exp , 0 kill , 0 pp
Tactical Bomber
KG , Hs 126B-1 @R , 1 bars , 121 exp , 0 kill , 720 pp
Killed: AD 0 , AT 1 , ATY 1 , INF 4 , REC 0 , TK 1 , FTR 0 , TB 0 , Total: 7
Lost : AD 0 , AT 0 , ATY 0 , INF 0 , REC 0 , TK 0 , FTR 0 , TB 0 , Total: 0
2. Battle of Wizna
I purchased a recon when got some extra cash after capturing Lomza in 6th turn. Afterward I deployed my core (excepting sleeping arty proto) and directed to the east.
The rest of battle was rather annoying for me, as I didn't find good method to keep decent speed here. Having only couple of units I was struggling when tried to force the river and additional obstacles just behind it. The proper order of advanced units (which formed a queue) was important, but I sent tank first unfortunately. The advance was problematic, and when in addition front units went out of ammo I knew it will be hard task to win this battle. Resupplying wasn't possible due to surrounding enemies, as well as simply retreating wasn't easy due to heavy traffic. Maneuvering cost me a lot of time again, so when I finally managed to clear the last enemy VH in the last TV turn, I was lucky avoiding loss.
Anyway, so far I like such small scale battles, when despite rather big amount of turns action goes quickly due to your small core and only few auxiliary units.
Result: TV (LT)
Guderian's Corps before the next battle:
Campaign: Guderian's Gambit , Prestige modifier 100% , V-2.0 formula
Current scenario: Bialystok , VH prestige is 240 , All hex prestige is 240
Army value including initial Core and Prototypes: 1932
Total Army Cost: 1620 , Current prestige is 689
BV: 150 , Brest , cap 2300 , 17 turn prestige: 255
V : 150 , Brest , cap 2300 , 22 turn prestige: 330
TV: 250 , Brest , cap 2300 , 27 turn prestige: 405
Ls: 450 , Brest , cap 2300 , 27 turn prestige: 405
Infantry
I/Inf/3Pzr , 38 Infanterie (mot) @A[Blitz 1t @T] , 3 bars , 339 exp , 1 kill , 144 pp
II/Inf/3Pzr , 38 Infanterie (mot) @A[Blitz 1t @T] , 1 bars , 102 exp , 1 kill , 144 pp
Tank
I/Pzr/3Pzr , Pz IIA , 1 bars , 179 exp , 4 kill , 240 pp
Recon
Auf/3Pzr , sPzSpWg (8rad) , 0 bars , 80 exp , 0 kill , 372 pp
Artillery
* Waiting Proto (*) , 7,5 LG40 @P , 0 bars , 59 exp , 0 kill , 0 pp
Tactical Bomber
KG , Hs 126B-1 @R , 3 bars , 317 exp , 1 kill , 720 pp
Killed: AD 1 , AT 1 , ATY 2 , INF 10 , REC 0 , TK 1 , FTR 0 , TB 0 , Total: 15
Lost : AD 0 , AT 0 , ATY 0 , INF 0 , REC 0 , TK 0 , FTR 0 , TB 0 , Total: 0
3. Bialystok
Before the battle upgraded small proto arty to the biggest available one. It may be used finally. The tank was upgraded to Pz IIIE.
Movement restrictions seems to be typical for this campaign. Almost all rivers are impassable, frequently unused bridges and rough terrain limits tactical choices and force you to go slowly in directions where you are expected to be. Significant is that auxiliary units come usually without fuel, so you can not use them promptly.
According to briefing before the battle I sent both core infantries with the arty to the east, when tank and recon went directly south. After couple of rounds I was afraid that southern group consisting all armored units may be in troubles when assaulting cities, but luckily two groups of auxiliary infantries arrived and joined both of my task forces. Afterward my advance went still slowly, but continuously as planned. BV was out of question here, but I got comfortable regular Victory 3 turns after BV limit. My bomber got leader - unfortunately not very helpful in the battle.
Result: V (T#20)
Guderian's Corps before the next battle:
Campaign: Guderian's Gambit , Prestige modifier 100% , V-2.0 formula
Current scenario: Brest , VH prestige is 160 , All hex prestige is 160
Army value including initial Core and Prototypes: 2328
Total Army Cost: 1704 , Current prestige is 596
BV: 450 , Chelm , cap 3750 , 15 turn prestige: 225
V : 450 , Chelm , cap 3750 , 18 turn prestige: 270
TV: 550 , Chelm , cap 3750 , 22 turn prestige: 330
Ls: 750 , Chelm , cap 3750 , 22 turn prestige: 330
Infantry
I/Inf/3Pzr , 38 Infanterie (mot) @A[Blitz 1t @T] , 4 bars , 408 exp , 2 kill , 144 pp
II/Inf/3Pzr , 38 Infanterie (mot) @A[Blitz 1t @T] , 1 bars , 198 exp , 3 kill , 144 pp
Tank
I/Pzr/3Pzr , Pz IIIE , 2 bars , 250 exp , 4 kill , 324 pp
Recon
Auf/3Pzr , sPzSpWg (8rad) , 1 bars , 164 exp , 0 kill , 372 pp
Artillery
* I/Art/3Pz (*) , 15 sFH37(t)[SdKfz 8] , 1 bars , 115 exp , 3 kill , 0 pp
Tactical Bomber
KG (DD) , Hs 126B-1 @R , 4 bars , 421 exp , Determined Defence , 2 kill , 720 pp
Killed: AD 3 , AT 3 , ATY 4 , INF 22 , REC 0 , TK 1 , FTR 0 , TB 0 , Total: 33
Lost : AD 0 , AT 0 , ATY 0 , INF 0 , REC 0 , TK 0 , FTR 0 , TB 0 , Total: 0