1940 build for Germans to take out France?

[Khayman7]

What would you use to stop the mighty French, and how? I like playing the French but to play devil's advocate is fun too :)

Maybe something like this if I had to face them...

Elite Pz IV x2
88mm Flak 36 (Tempted to use either a Flak 38 and more inf. or another Elite)
Wehrmacht Vet x3 (SSPG if wanting to go with that theme)
Expert Sniper x1
Grizzled Vet x1
SS Haupt x1
Pillbox x1
Tank Obstacle x2

Strategy: Set up the 88 in a great field of fire in the pillbox in your starting area because it won't move after that. Obstacles to limit choke points and then move in with force as a group and try to headshot one Char before it gets a shot at your tanks and at least take one out (if more than one) before losing an Elite and then get into CA with Vets (even better to use SSPG but I just seem to be against using them lately) or hero. The 88 should be able to fire on the objective for sure no matter what the map, since they will avoid it, but will have to take the objective and the Vet inf should make quick work of MAS even in cover and have a nice advantage at med range (again even better with SSPGs) leaving their armor to hold the objective. I've never tried this out but it could be fun. To make it more challenging you could use regular Panzer IIIs and get extra points for more units.

[Remember-OWS-]

You need some Fallschirmjäger!
That is the way I have won against a good France built

Add a ammo dump... really sure the Elite will work out the Bis and Renault more easily.

[zkraut]

Elite Pz IV x2
88mm Flak 36 (Tempted to use either a Flak 38 and more inf. or another Elite)
Wehrmacht Vet x3 (SSPG if wanting to go with that theme)
Expert Sniper x1
Grizzled Vet x1
SS Haupt x1
Pillbox x1
Tank Obstacle x2


Hmm, more infantry IMO. Char bis always elude the flak 36, so your gonna have to get after the cowering french with elite panzers!


Well here is my build if I were you

6x SS PG
Grizzled Veteran
3x Elite Panzer
Haupsturmfuhrer

99 points.


An SSPG can handle a MAS rifleman anyday. SSPG can handle renaults and char bis with their close assault also if the elites go down. Suicide charge the elites at the char bis, it works. Damaged char bis can be ruthless'd by SSPG Close assault.

[Richter von Manthofen]

The 88 while interesting is a sitting duck - if you cant shoot its poinbts are wasted take another Elite instead.
(France lacks planes, so AA is not necessary - a decent plane (I prefer the Bf110 as planes are no danger 9/7 is good against all France can field 1939)

A Fallschirmjäger is almost too costly 3* Mauser instead gives much firepower.

A Panzergrenadier (CA8) might be another option against the Tanks...

The sGrW - Mortar is an option against infantry.

[polish_horsy]

sniper x3 = 33
elite panzer x2 = 36
SS-PG x2 = 10
SS-Haupt = 7
Hero = 8
Mauser x2 = 6

sniper is the death of the Char. Once hit by a sniper the Char can be hunted at will by the Elite. If he brings a Somua even better. Those are sniper-fun. Go first and hit it and the damn Somua will never get to fire back.

[FSSF]

I agree that the 88 is too fragile. The heavy mortar is the same problem.
A couple of Partisans could take them out easily.

My choice would be:
2 x Werhmacht Expert Sniper (22 pts.)
2 x Elite Panzer IV (36 pts.)
1 x Grizzled Veteran (8 pts.)
1 x SS Hauptsturmfuhrer (7 pts.)
3 x BMW R75 (15 pts.)
4 x Mauser Kar 98k (12 pts.)
13 units for 100 points.

French Build will usually have 2 x Char B1-bis. So one WESniper for each of them to disrupt. The new French Armored Car can also be a pain, it can even be a menace to your tanks! The BMW bikes are a cheap and fast option to hunt them down (or go for a Ammo Dump). I don't think that Elite soldiers (5/5 defense) are necessary, France doesn't have any mortars or any strong anti-soldier unit. The Panhard & Levassor is probably the biggest threat against german infantry.

[Khayman7]

I think that the SSPG's are the best infantry availiable for this type of work I just am tired of using/seeing them :). The builds posted I agree would have a good chance of winning.

I guess I defeated my own purpose in posting because I put in a build I would like to play and see if I could make it win even though it had some problems, like a fragile 88. I like to use seldom used units and see if I can put together a force that can still pull off the win.

Now the next question would be could you put a more realistic/non-elite German force together (no elite pz IVs, or SSPG's, 6 snipers with headshots etc...) and still have a good chance of winning?

[Surfer_Sam]

The german cannot defeat the french!:)

[polish_horsy]

Now the next question would be could you put a more realistic/non-elite German force together (no elite pz IVs, or SSPG's, 6 snipers with headshots etc...) and still have a good chance of winning?

Will the French be able to bring any Char? If so... no.

[FSSF]

Now the next question would be could you put a more realistic/non-elite German force together (no elite pz IVs, or SSPG's, 6 snipers with headshots etc...) and still have a good chance of winning?

Would be real tough!
France really shines in 1939-1940.

Your Anti-tank options would then be:
Panzer III Ausf. F (AT: 10/8/6)
Panzer II (F) Flamingo (AT: 11/2/2 + Flamethrower)
PzKpfw 38 (t) (AT: 8/7/5)
PAK 38 Antitank Gun (AT: 11/9/7)

Not very strong... Your best bet would be a battery of PAK 38 well spread out and protected from the french partisans. A flamingo might get lucky if it manages to get real close to a Char B1-bis but at 17 points each it's a costly gamble.

How about:
3 x PAK 38 (30 pts.)
3 x BMW R75 (15 pts.)
2 x Panzer III Ausf. F (26 pts.)
1 x Ammo Dump (10 pts.)
1 x SS Hauptsturmfuhrer (7 pts.)
4 x Mauser Kar 98k (12 pts.)

Use the Panzer III's Smoke Screen SA to protect your advance, then try to flank with the tanks while the PAK 38 pound from the front. BMW bikes need to take care of the french Panhards before they target the PAKs. Musers are protecting the PAKS vs. partisans, then they rush to the objective.

I would still bet on France.:o

[Khayman7]

I think I'd avoid the Pz IIf option, too much luck involved, and go with something like this.

4x Panzer III
2x Pak 38
2x BMW
3x Weh Vet
1x mauser

Use Panzer IIIs to get to close range and trade shots. Vets should be able to protect AT guns and also have the ability to CA at 7, While attacks are +2 at all ranges compared to mauser. I was thinking of the SS-HF but decided that I could handle losing init. The mauser is effective for the last 3 points. Maybe also trade out one of my Pak 38s for a an ammo dump. Motorcycles would be used as others have stated to handle lighter armored threats/support units.