Normandy 44 Bunkers

[Volcano Man]

To immediately unfix all the Axis troops seems a bit over the top to me.

I am not sure where you are referring to that axis troops are immediately unfixed? In regards to Sword, some of the German units are on high ground south of the beaches, are these units are in direct LOS with the landings. Once you land then all of these units that have sight with the beach are released. That is something beyond my control, unless you are referring to something else? To my knowledge I haven't changed any release dates or created any triggered releases in this area that is different from the stock settings.

Obviously any Axis player is going to load as much into the bunkers from whatever source available, it catching "like wildfire" is the Axis ability to do so in the modified scenarios!

Yes, I know what you mean. However, whether it is modified or stock, it is generally smart practice to man bunkers and pillboxes to maximum capacity. It can happen in the stock N44 campaign just as much, it is just that the bunkers in the stock are easily overrun in most cases. The only way to counter it is by bypassing the max capacity fortification and isolate it. The issue with doing so in the Omaha sector is that there is a uniform strength across the entire beach, making multi hex breakouts very difficult. The only thing I can say here is that I am adjusting Omaha to make it more balanced and require less luck on the US part. I also want to encourage historical multi hex breakout locations as well so lets wait and see what happens.

As for Gold, Juno Sword sector, I think the fortifications are fine: they are such that it takes a while for the allies to clear them but they aren't to the degree that that British cannot get off the beaches. However, if there are specific suggestions for fortification changes then I will consider it. I did not have a problem in the tourney's Caen sector myself. It is important to keep in mind that the GJS beaches are strong because that is where the primary German resistence *must* take place in the British/Canadian sector. Once the British and Canadians are inland, they can gain ground relatively quickly until the 12th SS Pz Div arrives. If the British and Canadians can get off the beaches too quickly or easily, then Caen is lost right away. It is a fine balance between delaying the British long enough that German resistence can solidify around Caen.

The changes made in the GJS sector are from years of complaining that the Germans cannot historically defend Caen and the areas west of it. Omaha changes are from years of complaints that the US could quickly overrun the defenders and be in the bocage near St Lo on the secord or third day (most people probably remember this, the German player would usually immediately pull back 20 hexes or so to the Bocage south of Omaha). Omaha changes were generally good, but given the nature of hex to hex fortifications they naturally need constant tweaking. I think that with the changes I am making now, Omaha will be as accurate as it can humanly be.