ARDENNES No. of Turns: 32 Battle Posture: Axis = Attack Allies = Defense Per Turn Prestige Boosters: Axis = 0 Allies = 0 No.of Units Available for purchase: Axis = 1 Allies = 37 - There are few objectives but this campaign is a slugfest with hard fought battles fought for each objective. Americans will be reinforced three times with a big 5000 prestige bonus. It is because of this fact that the time favors the defender. The German units are slowly ground under by superior Allied numbers and by turn 20 they could be completely overrun. It is imperative that the Germans get out into the open roads early and lay seige to Liege and Namur. No. of Objectives: 8 Axis: take all objectives, but Brussels. - Three are in the hands of the Germans and Brussels is not a necessary objective to attain to win the game. Therefore forces can be concentrated on taking only four objectives. However it is necessary to capture as many cities as possible in order to deny staging areas for Allied reinforcements. In addition, the German player will find the prestige point boosts vital to carrying on the campaign. Prestige: Axis = 1106 Allies = 1288 - The Allies receive big bonuses of prestige to the tune of 5000 prestige points on the 4th, 12th, and 20th turns. This will serve as big defensive boosts to objective cities and the ability to form counterattacks upon wounded German units. This will give the advantage to the Allies. New Unit Exp: Axis = 2 Stars Allied = 2 Stars Air Superiority - This scenario is not meant to be decided in the air. The Allies start with four planes and the Germans begin with three and neither airfleet is sporting their best. While the Allies can later spend more on air power, more likely it will go to ground units to get some push on the Germans around objectives. Still the German player shouldn't be surprised to see a few extra planes around turn 20 or so. The advantage is even with the allies getting the advantage as the scenario progresses. Ground Superiority - The Germans will have a decided advantage in the beginning of the scenario. They completely outclass and outnumber the Allies in every category but air power. Even this may not be much of an advantaged when confronted by entrenched American infantry. One good rugged defense and that Tiger tank could be scrap metal. The primary duty of the Allied player is to delay long enough to receive reinforcements from the big prestige bonuses. So it is imperative that the Germans make use of their advantage while they can. The Axis has little prestige to waste on new units when many of the German's best units will be damaged by entrenched infantry during the initial assault. The defense for the Allies lies behind the Meuse River. If the Allies can hold Liege against the forces crossing the river and prevent a flanking manuever then the game reinforcements will win the day. AXIS: Bad weather is a key factor but a mixed blessing in this famous battle. It freezes rivers and protects you from Allied airpower, but your key spearhead units will consume fuel at a disturbingly high rate. The terrain is rugged but has numerous roads, an interesting challenge for both sides. You need to strike quickly before Allied reinforcements can intervene, so force breakthroughs and let the rear-echelon units mop up isolated enemy left behind you as you advance. The easiest route in the north is through Malmedy and Spa, but this leaves a dangerously large Allied force on your northern flank. The main battlegroup must fight through and take Liege before it can be reinforced, then sweep down upon Namur from the north before linking up with the southern battlegroup and continuing around the Dyle River through Nivelles to Brussels. The southern battlegroup must take Bastogne ("Nuts!") and Rochefort before joining up for the final push from Namur. ALLIES: Bad weather, bad terrain and good defensive tactics will fatally slow the German advance through the Ardennes and allow reinforcements to swing the tide of battle. Smashing Axis airpower early on is a priority so you can attack their ground units on the march with impunity. Delay the enemy at Bastogne and in the northern towns as much as possible, while using your remaining front line troops to harass the flank and rear of the advancing Germans. This may give you the time you need to prepare an appropriate reception for the enemy at Liege and Rochefort. General Information - "The Weather outside is frightful..." The scenario begins snowing and is wholly unreliable for the entire time. The terrain is difficult and vital to the Allied success because it is full of good defensive positions in the dense forests. Roads connect most cities but clever deployment can prevent rapid mechanized movement. Allied units can be positioned in heavily wooded areas to slow down swift moving mechanized units. Final Evaluation -- Prestige Experience Axis +3 +1 Allies 0 0