Defense of France

[John D.]

OK,
  Â  A few defensive strategies have played out very well concerning the defense of France with the help of the UK. If the Axis do not focus ALL of their attention on France, they may be in trouble early on.
  Â  Â In the ongoing development of strategies and counter-strategies, what would be some optimal builds and moves for the Germans early on?

Here are some ideas (many untested):

1 - Threaten the UK early on - bluff or no bluff - forcing them to strongly defend the home island. Germany can buy a transport or 2 and another paratrooper unit. Don't want to buy too much in case the UK calls the bluff. Germany needs all the resources for the land war, UNLESS you actually CAN take the spot and hold on to it for a few turns. Afterall, London is a big trigger territory.

2 - Depending on what is left in Provence, the southern French territory, the Italians could declare war on their first turn, using their fleet for an amphibious assault (with the aid of the German paratrooper), meanwhile using the combined Axis air power to destroy the French Fleet to clear the sea zone. Germans could even mech move into Provence for reinforcements.

3 - The Germans can build extremely defensively, i.e. troops, AT Guns, 88s, etc, and move slowly with the idea of taking territories in the Spring and holding them against counter attacks. This is a way to try to minimize expensive losses and may offset the lost income of France not falling early. The Italians would need to attack in the Spring as well, forcing the French capitulation roll. Even if France does not fall, the Axis may be able to surround Paris in the Summer and put it out of supply, which significantly dilutes an Allied counter attack.

That is it for now...

John

[Mark]

I think the Germans have two options:

One: Aggressive - build 5 tanks and 5 PzGr's out of the gates and just roll over the French and on into Paris in the Spring, losses be damned and put an end to French resistance.

Two: Conservative - build men and anti-tank units and march over the maginot line in the Spring, take a French counterattack and then try to take the French out in the Summer.

I think it is good to at least threaten the French with the Italians.  If the Allies can't really threaten Italy for a turn or two and you can keep the Italian fleet safe - declare war and take them into Provence in the Spring.