Opening Moves in the West

[Bismarck1940]

Would be neat if a Veteran gave folks insights into their moves with the CP forces in Belgium/Germany for first turn. E.g., what moves you plot with what forces.

[minipol]

Every game is different and the game as such is too young to produce "Veterans".
There are different styles of play however.
As for Belgium, IMHO, you need to take out Liege, and divert some troops to Antwerp unless you want to live on the edge.
You can isolate Antwerp and still dash for Paris but if your assault on Paris fails, you flank will be exposed and that might
result in the need of a tactical withdrawal or face annihilation of an army if you don't.
You really have to think about the attainability of the Von Schlieffen plan before you decide what to do.
If you are confident that you can take Paris, no need to divert troops. But if taking Paris fails or takes to long, your supply routes
will be very important and Antwerp can be a real thorn in the side

[Arne]

I've played the beginning several times ... and the opening moves of the western powers sometimes dictate what you do. The AI is surprisingly variant on how it plays. I go for Antwerp right from the start and try to capture it with the 2nd Army by September. I use the 1st army to head for the coast (Calais). I also combine all the German Naval power, including Kiel, and see if I can sink any transports. I use as many CP forces as I dare spare as I attempt to sweep around watching out not to get flanked or letting enemy forces slip through the cracks. Enemy forces behind the lines can be a real pain.

[Blond_Knight]

I captured Antwerp fairly easily in two turns in the Western front ten turn scenario. Unfortunately the BEF started landing in strength about two to three "areas" west of Antwerp and turned my flank and I lost. But this was only my first real game. Would sending the Battlecruiser squadron into the channel to interdict the troop convoys be effective?

[Arne]

If you send the entire German Navy (11,000+) they can have an effect ... a lot depends on where the British Navy is.

[Blond_Knight]

Yeah but Im very leary of that. Even if there isn't an event to historically prevent me from doing as I like with the High Seas Fleet, I know I don't have numerical parity with the Royal Navy. Although Id love a chance to stomp on Beaty.