New to Operational Campains...Advice?

[Prussia21]

Hi Guys,

I am specifically joining this ladder for the new introduction of the WWI Series HPS has started. I would be new to this series(Operational Campaigns), but not new to WWI games. I currently play HPS Civil War and EAW series games. I'm currently on the Black Powder/Cold Steel Ladder . Could someone give me some advice as to how this engine works? I just preordered France 1914, so I probably need to learn the engine. I can tell from the screenshots it's a bit different than HPS Civil War or HPS EAW's. I've also played The Campaign Series in my past.
I did my senior thesis in College on the German Military of World War I and why the German's should have in fact won that war(One Can only imagine how excited I am for this new series to begin.....:bow: I cannot wait!!!). I started playing Talonsoft's West Front in 1999 when i was only 15 years old. I didn't start PBEMing until a few years ago. I was heavily into the Campaign series for a good decade, but WWII is addressed ad nasuem and I needed a change. WWI is overlooked in the PC gaming world....Until now?? I've played just about every WWI game there is (espeically all the games on the matrix games website) and it's doesn't phase me.
Finally, my question is, since this engine is basically foreign to me, is it suggested or would it be necessary, to purchase and play one of the WWII HPs OPS games to get a handle on the engine? So I can get going ASAP with PBEMing once I get France '14? Or should I just wait? Thoughts? Thanks in Advance!!

-Gary aka WinfieldScott21