WW2-Global

Also, if you have less than 512MB of memory, adding memory will help a lot.
 
Have been playing around with a few ideas.

Prepositioned Japanese landing forces in the SWPA, the Dutch East Indies, Indochina, the Philippines and the Thai-Malay border area is really having a positive influence upon their aggression and combative behaviour - the large proportion of their fleet has deployed to the area, and is using carrier airpower and battleships in a reasonably intelligent manner.

This complicates things enormously for the British Empire or US player in the Far East, with flow on outcomes for the Chinas. In reality, the Japanese did have a very successful first 6 months and took Hong Kong, Malaya, Indochina, the DEI, lots of SWP islands and the Philippines, sweeping all before them.

However, given committments of the European powers on the other side of the world and the hapless capabilities of the AI, they can in fact sweep much further than in reality very quickly. I have seen amphibious invasions of Northern Australia and quite decent advances through Burma into India of late.

'Tis a question of how to increase the challenge for certain positions, without going completely alien space bat.

I've cooked up something for my own purposes - Italy and Japan are nominally allied, and I make a point of starting war with them at an appropriate time early in 1940. Very ahistorical, certainly. But it does have some interesting benefits.

As I've previously discussed, being at war with Italy from the start of the game is paradoxically a better position for the British Empire player - the AI sorties the RM and engages in an immediate attritional slogfest with the large French Mediterranean Fleet. The RN Med Fleet can then attack the damaged remnants in the Western Med in a pincer formation; those RM units that sortie from Taranto towards Alexandria tend to be worn down by subs, air attack, carrier strikes and destroyer and cruiser actions before a final destruction by the guns of the heavy cruisers and battleships.

Even when the RM does not eliminate itself through bad judgement initially, it still faces a problem in that the RN Home Fleet can largely reinforce the Med with a large amount of capital ships, carriers and cruisers; the KM dashes it's surface fleet in the same manner initially, requiring only ASW forces, destroyers and cruisers to keep watch for the moment (Bismarcks are an issue, but KGVs can be made in greater numbers and in somewhat quicker time. If one wants to be very conservative about a reconstituted KM, then Nelson and Rodney stay behind at Scapa or Rosyth.)

Thus, because of the limited tactical and strategic capabilities of the AI, the RN does not need to counter a fleet in being or surface raiders threatening to break out with any great strength; there is no need for concerted convoy protection; it does not need to station a reinforced fleet in being in the Mediterranean, with the removal of the RM; and it can subsequently move the main fleet to Singapore in early 1940, to use the parlance of the plan.

Having to tread carefully around the RM and desparately attempt to create a Far Eastern Fleet to face the IJN, the RN is in a more difficult position. It can bring a lot of power to bear on the much vaunted KM destroyers and cruisers *giggles* initially, but needs to distribute its striking power to face many threats simultaneously.

It's not exactly canonical, but it does work. Different positions can be difficult for different people.

Now, making the sortie of the KM contingent on the invasion occupation of Norway, increasing U-Boat range and giving the U-Boats targets and a raison d'etre with a vital convoy situation (rather than the quaint notion of Canada being used as a strategic level tank factory) and then the level of challenge jumps exponentially.

One of the major vexations for me is that there can only be 4 alliance blocs. Combined with artificial triggers or house rules, an increase there could simulate quite nicely the problems with the Soviets and the near belligerence over the Winter War.

It is a credit to Rocoteh and a tribute to his mod that it can spark such thought and fiddling. Such is the mark of a successful product.
 
Another tweak that I would suggest is to take out the land tile NE of Tunis. In the game I played as Britain, the French parked a cruiser between Tunisia and Sicily fairly early in the game, which prevented me from traversing the Mediterranean for the rest of the game.

I also like having Leaders/Corps units, even though I agree that they tend to destroy game balance. In my games I usually severely tweak them so that they can only carry one unit and just add a few hit points. Not that it's a big deal (the mod is fine without them), I just like having that dimension in the game.
 
Simon:

Italy didn't come into the war until 1940 anyway (after they saw that the French were beaten), so I think that is historical.
 
It certainly is historical; however, this game is not a simulation. Their is no compulsion on behalf of the player to emulate history, and thus all manner of things can be done.

I enjoy following a fairly close to reality "storyline" for my experiences playing as the British Empire, and as such, do follow certain 'house rules'.

However, my recent tinkerings have been more with the intent of raising the level of challenge and replayability than following history precisely - that was the reasoning behind the alliance between Japan and Italy. It was the best compromise I could figure in the situation.

I've encountered the MN problem before.

Another thought I've been having is a derivation of the original fleet in being idea; cutting off Hamburg from the North Sea. Ahistorical and indeed ageographical it is, but it does save the KM from the compulsary September 1939 death ride.

The next step will be arranging minefields and terrain so that Norway needs to fall completely before any breakout. Hopefully.

The fleet is the big edge for Great Britain at the start. If it is forced to be dispersed to cover 3 major threats, cover trade routes and troopships as well as convoy work and long term ASW, then there is a twofold effect - the challenge level is significantly raised, and as a pleasant secondary outcome there is some emulation of historical problems.

As for making the Atlantic fully important for a human player, raw materials or industrial goods could be produced in Canada through buildings or resources. These could be worth some combination insignificant levels of victory points in one case and be able to be disbanded for a few useful sheilds in another.
Throw in Canadian Infantry, arty, some armour, aircraft (in kit form to be upgraded?) and the trans-Atlantic route assumes importance.

We know from El Justo's AoI Deluxe that naval activity is greatly increased by resource convoys, and through the terrain trick, the German response could be concentrated on their U-Boats.

US-Britain convoys and the Arctic route would seem to be beyond all but multiplayer, and even then be difficult.

Likewise, the great British concern of the fate of the French Fleet (which lead to Catapult) does not lend itself to being implemented in the game. Shame.

The increased locations, victory points, pre-poised Japanese forces and transports in the Pacific are raising the activity there quite nicely. I will see how this can be tweaked to allow a kick off further than the start.

Tally ho.

Edit: For a precise placement orbat, http://www.world-war.co.uk/ has a terrific little tool that allows you to display which RN ships are where at any month of the war. Useful for getting the deployments accurate.
 
I have made a version of the scenario that starts on may 10 1940.
I have been working for a few hours or so on this mod.
It is far from perfect and toward the end I left some of the eastern front and reserve units unnamed.
But I think it is a good start.
If you see something I did wrong please tell me about it.
 

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Looks fair, and is a good start.

I like seeing units other than the Italians and Germans named.

Scheer is still in its 1939 position, as is most of the KM.

The RAN and the 2nd AIF is still poised at home in the Southern Hemisphere, rather than in the Mediterranean and Egypt, respectively. Similar for the Canadian divisions.
I'd put some heavy arty with the BEF; there were several Superheavy Regiments over there.


RN could do with a complete reworking. Refer to the tool in the above post, which will give you a full accounting for May 1940. This will also allow naming, using the appropriate 'HMS X YY' convention. You will find that a number of ships have been commissioned since the beginning of the war, particularly cruisers and carriers - Lusty had just been commissioned, and was working up.

The American position could also benefit from some research and appropriate adjustment. Their fast battleships of the NC and SD class will be coming in about a year, plus cruisers.

Given that the Japanese are at war from the start, the old trick of placing units and transports close to or at their objectives may be in order.

The Regia Marina are at this stage working the first pair of Littorios up, among their additions and modifications. I might look at what the Italians have in the Western Desert as well.
 
I have made a version of the scenario that starts on may 10 1940.
I have been working for a few hours or so on this mod.
It is far from perfect and toward the end I left some of the eastern front and reserve units unnamed.
But I think it is a good start.
If you see something I did wrong please tell me about it.
Could you give us a more detailed discription of what kind of changes you made thanks in advance.
 
Hello everyone!

After playing some hearts of iron 2 doomsday, I decided its time to play a few games of this great scenario again. But last time I played it(think its about 4-5months ago) I missed a few french units? And graphic? But its possible I confuse this scenario with another one. But I remember a ww2 scenario that I played 1-2years ago that included great graphic of french tanks(char,Somua Renault etc) And I recall France having lots of tanks by the start of the war, altough many outdated and from ww1? Are they dropped for game speed? (Note I havent tried the 2.4 version yet, but last time I thought the number was kinda low?

Since I LOVE ww2 games that gives me the option to play the french, and I really like if they have unique units and graphic, and that they are poorer than the rest :D

So what happend? Am I completely wrong? Im very sorry if im way out of line, just wanted to check, and now im gonna enjoy the best scenario ever made.

Thanks
 
Hello everyone!

After playing some hearts of iron 2 doomsday, I decided its time to play a few games of this great scenario again. But last time I played it(think its about 4-5months ago) I missed a few french units? And graphic? But its possible I confuse this scenario with another one. But I remember a ww2 scenario that I played 1-2years ago that included great graphic of french tanks(char,Somua Renault etc) And I recall France having lots of tanks by the start of the war, altough many outdated and from ww1? Are they dropped for game speed? (Note I havent tried the 2.4 version yet, but last time I thought the number was kinda low?

Since I LOVE ww2 games that gives me the option to play the french, and I really like if they have unique units and graphic, and that they are poorer than the rest :D

So what happend? Am I completely wrong? Im very sorry if im way out of line, just wanted to check, and now im gonna enjoy the best scenario ever made.

Thanks
I dont think there has been any graphic updates in this scenario lately i think you have it confused for another scenario but you was right about one thing this is the best scenario.
 
Sorry I have had a bad cold for a few days and have not been able to post.
I have done some more work on the 1940 scenario.
I think the ORBAT is pretty good.
I have some ideas I may try out.
1.Make ships much weaker by about 1/2 to make them more vulnerable to air attack. IMHO I think sending 20 bombers to sink 1 battleship is unrealistic.
2.Make Thailand part of Japan.
3.Preposition Japanese units by objectives.[It is a year early but they are at war a year early and IHMO I think it is more realistic in the long run.][@Simon Darkshade what objectives and how many units did you have in mind?]



@dferrill
You asked for a list here is one for version 1.1.
Germany
Deleted all German army units replaced them with the units Germany had on may 1940.
I think army groups A & B are done right.
Norway has all the right land units I think but they may be misplaced.
I'm 99% sure the 2 Divisions in Denmark are OK.
As for Army group C the garrisons next to the Maginot Line represent it.
As for Eastern front units named some of them but left most of them unnamed.
The German reserve divisions I left unnamed and spread them out.
Added some KM ships & U boats.
As for the Luftwaffe it is the same as 1939 I just moved it around. And added a few fighters and a few air units in Norway.
Moved a few KM ships around.
Italy
Moved some units to Albania.
Great Britain
Added some RN ships and moved a few around.
Added the BEF as it was in May 1940.
USA
Added the Wasp.
Misc.
Deleted sunken ships.
Poland, Denmark, and Norway controlled by Germany.

@Simon Darkshade
What are the RAN and the 2nd AIF?
 

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A few points to go through.

The RAN is the Royal Australian Navy. You may find its dispositions on the website I previously recommended, as they are often included in RN consideration of the time.
Key unit strength at this time was 2 County class heavy cruisers (HMAS Australia and HMAS Canberra)
3 Leander/Perth class light cruisers (HMAS Perth, HMAS Sydney and HMAS Hobart). Sydney particularly had a good combat record against the RM.
one obsolescent light cruiser (HMAS Adelaide)
The 'Scrap Iron Flotilla' - 5 V&W class destroyers - Stuart, Vampire, Vendetta, Voyager and Waterhen. Good combat ships, despite their age.

A great deal of the RAN was attached to the Mediterranean Fleet. Australia was in operations. Hobart was in the Indian Ocean/Red Sea area; Perth and Sydney in the Med along with the destroyers. Look up for full details.

The 2nd A.I.F was the 2nd Australian Imperial Force, or the volunteer army put together as an expeditionary force. Made up of four divisions - 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th. 6th was in North Africa at this time, 7th and 8th were in Australia forming, and 9th followed shortly in late 1940. For the purposes of the mod, that can translate to 4 ANZAC Infantry Divisions, with 3 in Australia in the relevant locations, and one in the Western Desert.

2nd New Zealand Infantry Division was constituting in Egypt, with one Brigade there, one on the way and one in Britain, deployed later with VII Corps on anti invasion defences.

The two South African Infantry Divisions are forming at this time..1st by August and 2nd by October.

1st Canadian Infantry Division should be in Britain. The 2nd was just forming in Canada.

Then there is the Indian Army...some good stuff on that from orbat.com is available.

I'd poise the Japanese inside Indochina, the Burmese border, the Malay border, outside Hong Kong, on each of the Philippine islands, in the top parts of New Guinea, in the Solomons and in a position to hit Guam and Wake. The last is a problem, as one cannot place loaded transports.

Perhaps adding an extra land tile to some Pacific islands purely as a gameplay enabler. Make them both victory points, and the non-city one an airbase or fortress.

It is a bit drastic, particularly for May 1940, but it stimulates the Pacific, kicks things off on a historical note, and gets the Japanese to use their fleet in support, as well as getting the RN and USN going.

It is something that would have to be playtested so they do not have an overwhelming warwinning capability from the start balanced with a need to get action and warzones going. I'd be careful with the SNLF units, which are powerful, and give a lot to the IJA. There are some orbats about the place...I remember reading one on the Warships1 forums.

Name as many divisions and ships as possible. It adds to the polish of the game. It could also extend to naming aircraft fighter and bomber wings. Certainly for the RAF, the information is there.

4 Polish divisions in France, plus the Independent Highland Brigade, 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade and the Polish Independent Carpathian Rifle Brigade for the Battle of France. Badge them under British control, as then there is a chance they can be evacuated. Of course, some units were not up to combat strength...definitely 2 divisions.

Some Czechs also, but it is touch and go as to whether the full division can be constituted. If in, under French control.

More flak for Great Britain, along with radar towers.

Thailand as part of Japan would work and gets my approval. The circumstances of the time were quite different and complication, but the aim is not to present a 100% facsimile of history.

I would not recommend decreasing ship strength, as this would apply to their strength against other ships, u-boats and artillery as well. There is no way to lower defences against one type of attack.

Whilst a single bomber unit, representing a squadron, can sink a ship, it is not too inaccurate at this time for large capital ships to take a heavy pasting in order to sink them.

We cannot represent types of weapons beyond labelling some aircraft as dive bombers and torpedo planes, and making appropriate adjustments to their numbers.

If anything AA numbers could do with a bit of a boost for some types of ships, considering the AA value thingy that vingrjoe deduced from TCW, and that some vessels carried a lot of very effective AA.

USN dispositions are also not difficult to find.
 
An amusing annecdote:

It is 1946. War has been raging across Europe for years, with the AI hanging on through kindness. RAF Bomber Command has been hammering German cities with conventional heavy bombers for some time now.

This time, there is something different.

This time, there is only one bomber and one bomb.

All the massive expense of Tube Alloys was about to come to fruition.

At 40000 feet over Berlin, the specially modified Lancaster opened its bomb bay doors.

In a top secret bunker somewhere in South East England, a group of military and civilian leaders wait silently for the report.

Success. The bomb has done its job. The men congratulate one another. A large step has been taken towards victory.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a brown complexioned male head with some sort of bizarre topknot appears, and exclaims with a frown that 'The Soviet Union has declared war on us!'

Only in Civ3.
 
1.2
The 2nd A.I.F. added.
Cut Novvy Port.
Tweaked north Africa.
Moved the RAN around.
Poised Japan around the Pacific.
Added Polish units in France and 1 Czech unit.
 

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HMS Courageous is still afloat, which it should not be.

Some of the RN has been moved to appropriate positions. A lot remains scattered, unnamed and out of position. The aforementioned tool will help with this. It is definitely improved, but there is still the detritus of before.

Position ships in port at Gibraltar, Alexandria and Sydney (where, incidentally, there are 5 DDs above and beyond RAN numbers; the RAN DDs were also in the Med or on their way about this time)

A thought for RN battleships, carriers and cruisers is giving them appropriate labels. Rather than simply "Queen Elizabeth", "HMS Queen Elizabeth BB" makes a distinction as to what she is. She certainly cannot be confused with the liner.

The Armstrong Whitworth can have its actual name added on - the Whitley.
Consider adding the Vickers Wellington, using the graphics for the aforementioned unit. It is a far more fitting unit to have as the first RAF medium bomber, and unlike the Whitley, was in production on a far larger basis.

Possibly more Blenheims.

Possibly introduce the Fairey Fulmar as a buildable RN FAA fighter. Entered about this time, and in more numbers than the few Sea Gladiators.

Put Chain Home radar towers in place.

Perhaps shift the American airbase to East Anglia, and add some more RAF Fighter Command airfields.

Boost Fighter Command numbers, both Hurricanes and Spitfires.

For the Japanese prepositioned in Malaya, they can go higher up, on the Thai border. Preposition relevant British, Commonwealth and Empire forces in Malaya if we are accelerating 18 months.

IJA can also be in the DEI, Solomons and in Northern New Guinea.

If this should prove troublesome, then one of your triggers for them and the Italians might be interesting.

If you are cutting cities, then there are a number of other far north contenders.

Consider removing the Domination Victory option. WW2 did not end when there were more Allies than Axis, but when the enemy countries had been bombed flat and occupied. It behoves a scenario about the greatest war in history to follow certain aspects of total war, although that is only my thinking.

I'd consider increasing Luftwaffe numbers, particularly in tactical aircraft such as the Stuka.

Perhaps make US Artillery and US Heavy Artillery available to the other major Allied powers at the appropriate juncture in the fullness of time.

Overall, your best effort thus far.
 
"HMS Courageous is still afloat, which it should not be."

Give me its location and it will be sunk.



"the RAN DDs were also in the Med or on their way about this time"

They are in the red sea @ X213 Y127.



"Perhaps shift the American airbase to East Anglia, and add some more RAF Fighter Command airfields."

As for the American base I think it is good where it is.[P51s can escort to Dortmond]



"For the Japanese prepositioned in Malaya, they can go higher up, on the Thai border. Preposition relevant British, Commonwealth and Empire forces in Malaya if we are accelerating 18 months."

What I am aiming for is to try to stay historical as I can.
My purpose is to try to reasonably place IJA units were they most likely would have attacked if they were at war in 1940. If you think they had the ability to invade the DEI in May 1940 then please tell me.


"Consider removing the Domination Victory option. WW2 did not end when there were more Allies than Axis, but when the enemy countries had been bombed flat and occupied. It behoves a scenario about the greatest war in history to follow certain aspects of total war, although that is only my thinking."

Agreed.



"Boost Fighter Command numbers, both Hurricanes and Spitfires."
What do you have in mind?


@Simon Darkshade
Thanks for all your helpful info on the CW.
 
Courageous is currently poised off Scapa, rather than sunk.

The destroyers off Australia can be removed then. Think about concentrating the Mediterranean Fleet as I suggested; it is aimed at controlling the Med, rather than the Red Sea.

P-51s had the range to go to Berlin and back from real life US airbases, so their range can be adjusted. Furthermore, the notion of them escorting bombers is rather troublesome.

The text for the Anti Aircraft Battery results in "Our plane has been shot down by an enemy SAM"

In reality, the Japanese did not have the sealift required to invade half those places in 1940. December 1941 was a stretch, and was made possible largely by already having Indochina. I think we may have to bend history a little here.

As it is, there is nothing stopping the Japanese taking over Malaya and Singapore without the Allies, particularly the British Empire, being able to do a damn thing about it under the current troop dispositions. I'll put something together. At the moment, there is no way that the AI can put together a proper invasion of the DEI, let alone the SWPA.

With an extra 7 months production, a fair proportion. Look for a Battle of Britain orbat, and it will be about right.

You are welcome. I like adding a little bit of detail and accuracy to scenarios.
 
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