1914_0804_01s: The Assault on Liege - FWWC 01 France '14
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| Rating: | 8.15 (23) |
| Games Played: | 23 |
| SM: | 3 |
| Turns: | 27 |
| Type: | Stock |
| First Side: | Central Powers |
| Second Side: | Allied Powers |
Liège, Belgium, 5th August 1914: The Schlieffen Plan called for the German 1.Armee to sweep across Belgium. Because of Moltke's modification to the plan that avoided violating the neutrality of the Netherlands (ironically they inadvertently violated it anyway at the Lixhe crossing), the fortress city of Liège was thus an obstacle that could not be avoided. This city was one of the most heavily fortified cities in Europe, but it was not without weakness. Specifically, Belgium had not yet upgraded the guns of its forts with newer more state of the art pieces, and in some places there were rather large gaps between forts in the perimeter. In order for the German 1.Armee to advance through Belgium unhindered, Liège needed to be reduced and the Maas.Armee was created just for this purpose. This mixed force was commanded by General von Emmich (of the X.Korps) and comprised of five German infantry brigades from five different divisions. On the night of the 5th, with skirmishing to the northwest, German infantry moved forward and were in position to commence their crucial assault on Liège. [Size: medium] *See the notes document for information on scenario design decisions and historical notes.
Mr Grumpy
cazart!
PK Powers| Gaming Records | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Side Player | 2nd Side Player | Result | Score | ||||||
|
 |
Steel God | vs. | LeGeneral |  |
|
Central Powers Major Victory | 54 | 6 |
|
 |
tquinn | vs. | zorak |  |
|
Central Powers Minor Victory | 42 | 18 |
|
 |
Mr Grumpy | vs. | itlnprd |  |
|
Allied Powers Major Victory | 54 | 6 |
|
 |
Shackelton B | vs. | yvan0123 |  |
|
Central Powers Major Victory | 54 | 6 |
|
 |
fastphil | vs. | itlnprd | |
|
Allied Powers Major Victory | 54 | 6 |
My opponent decided to escape from Liege with only a portion of his forces which handed the big vp hex's to me, we ended the game on turn 19.
Excellent fun little scenario with strategy options for both players.
Very enjoyable scenario with plenty of strategy options.
I defended Liege rather than use the exit hex's, it was a close run thing but i just held out.
As the Allied player I defended Liege rather than running for the exit hex's.
I defended Liege rather than running for the exit hex's, just held on the VP hex's.
This scenario seems very tough for the German player to win. However, I've only played as the Belgian side, so would need to play a mirror game to be certain. Due to the type of scenario, the options are perhaps a bit limited, but the Belgian player does have the option of withdrawing troops - something I considered but decided against.
This is a fun scenario. Went down to the wire.
I chose to defend Liege. We got rain and mud the second day and my opponent breached the forts surrounding Liege without many casualties. Fortunately for me, the Belgians in the city disrupted and slowed German troops enough to protect the objectives for the win.
Fast, entertaining. Once the action really starts it´s really about who´s got the stronger nerves.
Game ended in turn 23 of 27 with the VPs in the city of Liege taken by my German troops. Very interesting situation but difficult to play for both sides if played the first time. My opponent did not exit his troops as suggested in the game notes but used them to reinforce the forts which became truly invincible. Through the gaps the Germans managed to get into Liege and take it. In hindsight the Germans shouldn't attack the forts at all and the Belgians should either exit their infantry to get the VPs or concentrate them to defend the city VPs in Liege.
"Tapfer. Standhaft. Treu." - PzGrenB.13 Ried/Innkreis
It looks as if the only way for the Belgians to have a chance is leave the forts to their own devices and run for the exit with all remaining troops hoping to get enough Exit VPs to offset the German objective VPs. The Germans can bypass the forts without being isolated and take Liege and the Belgians cannot stop them.
Takes a while to get going as German forces arrive quite gradually.
Great fun with the CP side trying to break into Liege defended by its ring of forts.
Allied player must decide whether to fight it out or exit the 3eID off the western edge of the map. German player must decide which forts/redoubts to capture to achieve victory. while at the same time preventing a wholesale escape by Belgian 3eID.
There are numerous options for both sides in how to approach this and the fact that what should on it's face be a romp is so well balanced is a testimony to the design talents of Ed Williams.
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