French Player's Notes

French pre-war production

French set-up

War situation

General disclaimer: this scenario hasn't been played! So these notes are not so much advice as they are an elucidation of some of the decisions you'll have to make, and perhaps an implication or two that is not immediately evident regarding that decision.

1. Western Europe. This is a delightful turn of events: it's 1942 and you aren't destroyed! You even have opportunities for attacking Germany! And that is your first question of strategy: to attack Germany in MJ '42 or not? The bulk of German quality troops are dedicated to attacking the Soviet Union, leaving only a light screen of GAR types units in the west. On your surprise attack, you can probably make some ground, with the support of your Belgian allies. However, weigh the consequenes (German production boost) carefully. How far do you think you can get? Taking 2 or 3 hexes, even if they contain a resource or factory, is probably not worthwhile. You will be left outside your excellent defensive positions and vulnerable to counterattack in JA '42 (when German reserves come on, probably against you.) Most of all, keep a paranoid mindset: the German army could still launch a serious offensive against you in 1943 if they have a mind to try to kill you after all, so be on guard!
   
   
2. The Atlantic. The sea zones from France to the United States are your lifeline and must be defended at all costs. If Germany can sever this, your oil supplies will be cut and you will be extremely vulnerable to a German offensive. This is a difficult situation for you. The German navy is clearly superior to yours, both newer and faster and it may be able to base out of Spain very shortly. Base most of your fleet in the Atlantic. Brest is a better location than Bordeaux as it allows you to try to screen or even to blockade the German Navy in the North Sea - just remember to stick a decent land unit in Brest lest it get invaded! Until the USA enters the war you'll have to fight hard to keep the sea lanes open. Even then, a strong German sub effort will keep the Atlantic vulnerable through 1943 and possibly beyond.
   
   
3. Spain. Spain is a big thorn in your rear, tying down several corps and providing a nifty naval base for the Germans into the Atlantic. The Pyrennes provide a good defensive location for you, but also prevent any chance of an overland attack into Spain. You'll have to wait a while, and then, with US help, try to invade, possibly into Portugal, and come at Spain from the west or south. Placing a few cruisers and some spare convoy points into Toulon or Marseilles is a wise gambit, in case Gibralter falls to Spain and your fleet gets cut in two.
   
   
4. Italy. You have a neutrality pact with Italy, and the chits you have drawn should allow you to commit few troops yet ensure Italy can't attack you. This is a good thing, the northern and Spanish fronts will command your attention in full for a while. Eventually, an attack against Italy is in your interests, but waiting until the CW has led the way seems wisest.
   
   
5. Your economy. Well, compared to the usual situation things look rosy. You have a good number of factories, but are resource-constrained. The USA can change that, but make sure that they do send the goods to you and not the USSR or CW! If you can stabilize at near-full production by winning the Battle of the Atlantic, you have some fine new air and land units that will be entering your force pools in later years that you can build en masse. For now, building your heavy bombers for strategic bombing against Germany is probably the most efficient means of taking the battle to the Germans that you have at your disposal. Require 2 US build points every turn to get those US lend lease planes into your force pool; a CW build point or two for their lend lease planes would also be handy. When the Americans arrive in force, with tanks, air units, and offensive chits, then let the invasion of Germany begin! Be patient, this might not be for 2 years, possibly longer.