Some questions about France '40

[Dog Soldier]

I am seeing Belgian HW units with a defense of 16 in the Multi-Strategies version.

Plenty of good French units with 14 and 16 defense values. The majority of the French with a twelve defense are fortress troops IIRC. Best to leave them in their bunkers of dig them in woods or cities.

JMB, you appear to be ignoring the BEF whose defense values are equal to the Germans. The BEF artillery is a darn sight better than the German in most respects too.
There were some BEF reserve divisions, 5th & 12th in I Corps IIRC, that had poor defense ratings. Perhaps these were second line troops send to the continent in haste? Otherwise, in this particular F40 CG the German with no respect of the BEF is going to get his head handed to him, IMHO.

Good Allied play is not easy in F40. It is very rewarding though. Just figuring out a way to save the bulk of the Belgian Group K is well worth the effort. Those boys know how to tweak a Hun's nose!

The F40 Allied commander has to follow this advice:
1.You got to know when to hold 'em,
2. know when to fold 'em,.
3. Know when to walk away,
4. know when to run.

Defending in PzC is more of an art form than the science of being the attacker. A good defensive player is one of the best in the club IMHO. Defending France in the F40 CG scenario 0510_91: The Invasion of France and Belgium (w/German Strategy) is a PzC player's final exam in the defensive arts school.

As others have mentioned, the Allies can not stop a competent German player, but they can make it take too long and cost too much.

Full disclosure: This is one of my favorite scenarios. Either side has very different challenges. Never the same game twice.

Dog Soldier