Panzer General Diaries: Scenario 01 - Poland - Axis - Advanced A.I.

The first scenario can be finished, with A.I. Intermediate Level and a little luck, in four turns, while at A.I. Advanced Level it takes five turns to win. So, let's fight!

The strategy is the same used in the previous attempt, avoid destroying enemy units so Polish cannot purchase reinforcements, as only eleven units are allowed. Do not attack other cities, Kalisz in particular, but just concentrate on the objectives. Split army in two and take Kutno and Lodz in the same turn. The difference in Advanced Level is the Polish units don't just stand waiting to be attacked, but they move and attack, and often a cavalry unit tries its luck with Breslau. Let's go!

Initial position of units on September 1, 1939

Kutno Army Group

Best thing should be to pass through the corridor between Warta River and Kalisz, and head directly towards Kutno, but the passage will probably be blocked, anyway it's worth a try. German units approach Kalisz but keep out of fire range from Polish artillery defending the city. The tank unit chosen to spearhead the attack is 9th Panzer IID, the fastest tank unit available to the German player, topping at 6 movement allowance.

Kutno Army Group: position in the evening of September 1st 1939 in front of Kalisz.

Lodz Army Group

The goal here is to cross the Warta River as soon as possible, unfortunately the bridge in the south east near the town of Rodomsko will not be useful, as an enemy Cavalry unit will pass through it. Advancing, a German tank attacks Polish 10th Cavalry unit to reduce its strength and prevent it to attack next turn. Three infantry units are on the banks of the river, waiting to ford it the following day, September 2.

Lodz Army Group: situation on the evening of September 1, 1939

Breslau

In Breslau, the 8th 39 Wehr Infantry occupies the home base against possible raids by Polish Cavalry, and four units are purchased, a PSW 231/6r and a Panzer IID for Kutno Army Group, and two Panzers IB for Lodz Army Group, using all the available prestige.

Breslau in the evening on September 1, 1939

At the beginning of September 2, 1939, the enemy has moved two cavalry units, one is now quite blocking the road to Kutno, while the other one has crossed Warta river near Rodomsko and is now threatening the back of Lodz Army Group.

Kutno Army Group

German units try to flank the town of Kalisz. The most dangerous enemy unit is the artillery whose strength should be reduced to keep it busy replacing the losses. The attack from the Panzer IID is not so lucky, only 3 points lost and, most important thing, the enemy unit doesn't retreat. The advancing PSW recon unit reveals that the Polish garrison once in Posen has now crossed the Warta River, heading towards Kutno, so the mounted infantry occupies the empty town.

Lodz Army Group

To the south-east of Kalisz, the Lodz Army Group is fording the Warta River. The enemy Cavalry is attacked and reduced in strength, so that it can't be dangerous.

It's September 3, 1939 and on this day United Kingdom and France declare war on Germany, Second World War begins.

Kutno Army Group - Unexpectedly, the Polish infantry unit in the north blocking the bridge through Warta river moves towards Kalisz, so the passage is now free and the German units rush through the Posen bridge and are now in sight of the final objective, Kutno. in Kalisz, the remaining units try to open a passage but the enemy counterattacks reducing attackers strength.

Lodz Army Group - The first German infantry unit gets in touch with Lodz, so preventing the Polish from purchasing reinforcements there, the other units follow. Tanks and artillery are now fording Warta river.

Monday September 4 is showdown day. It's time to attack.

Kutno Army Group - Axis player has reached the goal of attacking Kutno defended by just one unit. The Polish tank defending the objective is attacked and softened, losing 4 strength points. Tomorrow four units will repeat the attack.

Kalisz - Nearly half of Polish units are concentrated in Kalisz, to hold a city which is, in fact, irrelevant. A German infantry unit has been attacked and has risked elimination, so it retreats outside of enemy spotting.

Lodz Army Group - Lodz is attacked and the Polish infantry unit defending the city is destroyed, but no German unit can occupy the objective, as the road is blocked by a Polish infantry arrived from the south.