Turn 11 – Mar 1, 1938

Skies are clearing and I take a beating from the air again; however, I launch multiple infantry attacks and again move in on Neustadt. I also move adjacent to Presseck which is lighted defended by ground forces but has a ton of air assets. Apparently New Union is stretched as thin as I am. New Union’s infantry also felt the bit of my aerial fighters this turn! It is an interesting and fun challenge managing a war with only three cities.

Turn 12 – Apr 1, 1938

Presseck falls! Enemy air assets destroyed on the ground. The tide of this war swings in my direction. I start production of some heavy artillery to be used to bombard Neustadt.

Turn 13 – May 1, 1938

Heavy infantry losses this turn: over 100 infantry points eliminated. Despite the loss of air units in Presseck last turn, New Union continues to pound my forces with air attacks. They have also developed level 2 fighters. Ouch! I’m having a tough time stabilizing my lines in a couple areas. I have got to build some factories to help boost production. I pound Neustadt with my heavy artillery.

Turn 14 – Jun 1, 1938

Over 100 infantry points lost again this turn. I again pound Neustadt with heavy artillery and then launch an infantry assault on it. It was repulsed with heavy losses. Ugh! I also conducted a few minor attacks in other areas with modest results. Built a tank factory this turn and started the production of 8 armored cars. Thankfully my fuel supply is still in very good shape.  I cut back on PP production in order to turn out more infantry. Decisions, decisions…

Turn 15 – Jul 1, 1938

Loss 55 infantry this turn but New Union at least suffered 21 infantry losses in those attacks on me plus one fighter. Again pound Neustadt with my heavy artillery (grown to 3 strength points) and followed up with another infantry assault. It almost falls but manages to just barely hang on. If Neustadt falls I think I can win this war. Elsewhere I’ve made some progress. It is almost like we are both punch drunk boxers and my opponent is the more tired.

Turn 16 – Aug 1, 1938

New Union air attacks just don’t let up. Lost 70 infantry, 4 armor and 1 fighter but he lost 5 fighters and 2 non-fighters (bombers). I again pound Neustadt with heavy artillery and my 2^nd Army again attacks. Neustadt finally falls! New Union is crumbling. Will the next turn report I have won? Just in case it does not, I continue to build up on the South East Front where my tank factory is helping a lot.

Turn 17 – Sep 1, 1938

Victory is not yet mine. New Union’s supreme leader has decided to fight to the last city. So be it! Second Army begins mop up operations around Neustadt. Supreme HQ orders an offensive on the South East Front where my fresh armored forces slice off the bulge in my lines and begin to chop up the enemy forces there. I start production of Dive Bombers.

Turn 18 – Oct 1, 1938

Mop of Neustadt area just about complete. Offensive on the South East Front is gaining speed and ground. First Army, largely in a defensive position for most of the war, is now moving to support the South East Front and 3^rd Army. Units assigned to the Supreme HQ are being reassigned to 3^rd Army as the situation permits.

Turn 19 – Nov 1, 1938

Neustadt area has been cleared of threats and 1^st and 3^rd Armies are advancing on Vienn, the final city belonging to New Union. Though the defense of Vienn is still somewhat organized I think New Union’s back is broken. I believe it is only a matter of 3 or 4 turns before victory is mine.

Turn 20 – Dec 1, 1938

My armored forces have fought their way adjacent to Vienn! New Union’ air force however is still potent and again hits me hard while downing some of my fighters and dive bombers. Ouch! Elsewhere on the battlefield, mop up operations continue.

Turn 21 – Jan 1, 1939

Vienn has fallen to my advancing army and the vaulted New Union air force is also destroyed. Finally! That air force was a pain in my side almost the entire game, causing my armies a great number of casualties.

Turn 22 – Feb 1, 1939

Victory! The Holy Empire is declared the winner. Wow! This war was a little tougher than I thought it would be. All in all the AI put up a pretty good fight. As I stated on turn 5, air power alone cannot be depended upon to win a war. Air superiority is important and New Union’s air forces certainly slowed my ground offensive but boots on the ground is what wins wars. My initial plan was to drive north and connect the separate halves of my regime. I accomplished that task but it was not decisive.  On this “deserted lands” map, cities and factories were critical to success. After the war, I noted that the AI had built one gun factory, one tank factory and two aircraft factories. They kept 3 of the 4 factories in their possession until almost the very end. I built only the one tank factory and that was very important to turning the tide of battle for me.

There is a lot to explore in the new version of Advanced Tactics. Even as a VR Designs player tester, I haven’t explored it all. Hope to see some of you on the Advanced Tactics Gold Edition battlefield.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Roy Blackwell started playing board wargames in the early 60s and has a collection of over 200 board wargames collecting dust in his basement. He has been playing computer wargames since 1981. His first computer wargame was Chris Crawford's Eastern Front 1941, published by Atari.