Ouch dude!

Just saw your article on Axis strategy posted by djensen.  I agree with you 100% on the need to take towns and not worry about piececount. Thanks for all your work on the article!

Just a thought as a strategy opportunity:
Since aircraft combat precedes ground combat and since the allies have an overwhelming superiority in airpower - it seems that it would be advantageous for the allies to tank blitz to form an unreatreatable ZOC especially at the end of turn 4 and following. In this way, they start turn 5 with the offensive against any German hex with ZOC issues. Before the German ground forces can attack the allied hex causing the ZOC problem, the allies are saying “bombs away!” Even though the German player may counter with their own airforce, it is stilll 12 planes against 3 planes and the remaining allied units get to pummel the German ground forces.

Germans first battles were a failure. They did not take the hex for the 9th infantry to the east of Eupen; they did not take Diekirch or Clervaux. This allowed the allies to reinforce strongly, especially in the eastern hex between Eupen and Malmedy. A struggle ensued in the north. As Germans pushed towards Bastogne, Allies continued to destroy German units in the North. By turn 7, allies tank blitzed from Eupen into Monschau. Although St. Vith was taken, none of it’s supplies were available to the Germans as they were consumed by the allies in the northern battles. Bastogne was reinforced steadily and though under siege, never fell.
I think the early German dice failure was the key to being behind the rest of the game. Once allied air power arrived it was hopeless.

Dear frimmel,
Played another game using your strategy. Germans stymied by turn 5 with poor initiative rolls and poor dice in battles. It was just a matter of allied air corps mopping up the map. In fact, by the end of turn 7, the allies had captured the German town at the right side top of the map. “Holy diaster Batman!”
Thanks. I am starting to wonder if the Germans can recover from this strategy without winning initiative and having good push towards Bastogne early on.

Dear Frimmel,
The Germans lost on turn 8 because time ran out. They were also down to one available truck to bring in fresh supply as two others were stuck in ZOC. All others were destroyed by air power. That was fun! It might have been possible for Germany to win on turn 9 as supply could stilll be brought to the front, however allies were blitzing towards Malmedy from Eupen in an attempt to reduce the Victory points. In all my other games as the allies the battle was over by turn 4 or 5 and so this was much more interesting.

Dear Frimmel,
In response to your query,Yes, I had one win so far with this strategy. Germany only needed one good die to win by eliminating the last unit in the town just west of Bastogne. But it was not to be. I think if I was Germany, I would have concentrated my forces more. With the loss of initiative that Germany suffered in this last game, they seemed confused as to whether or not to attack north or south. This divided effort I think led to their defeat. It was close. A real squeaker for the allies. It helps to blitz the allied tanks off the reinforcement boards to penetrate the ZOC thrown up by German penetration. Thanks for asking.

Dear Frimmel,
I appreciate the time you took to elaborate on the Allies strategy. I have used it to good effect. Thanks for your thoughtful plan.