• Blitz Shadow Player
  • Caius
  • redboot
  • Rules
  • Chain of Command
  • Members
  • Supported Ladders & Games
  • Downloads

1914_0804_01s: The Assault on Liege - FWWC 01 France '14

There are 18 comments
1914_0804_01s: The Assault on Liege Image
Tiller Operational Campaigns Ladder

1914_0804_01s: The Assault on Liege

By Edward Williams
Central Powers 9 - 1 - 13 Allied Powers
Rating: 8.06 (24)
Games Played: 23
SM: 3
Turns: 27
Type: Stock
First Side: Central Powers
Second Side: Allied Powers
Liège, Belgium, 5th August 1914: The Schlieffen Plan called for the German 1.Armee to sweep across Belgium. Because of Moltke's modification to the plan that avoided violating the neutrality of the Netherlands (ironically they inadvertently violated it anyway at the Lixhe crossing), the fortress city of Liège was thus an obstacle that could not be avoided. This city was one of the most heavily fortified cities in Europe, but it was not without weakness. Specifically, Belgium had not yet upgraded the guns of its forts with newer more state of the art pieces, and in some places there were rather large gaps between forts in the perimeter. In order for the German 1.Armee to advance through Belgium unhindered, Liège needed to be reduced and the Maas.Armee was created just for this purpose. This mixed force was commanded by General von Emmich (of the X.Korps) and comprised of five German infantry brigades from five different divisions. On the night of the 5th, with skirmishing to the northwest, German infantry moved forward and were in position to commence their crucial assault on Liège. [Size: medium] *See the notes document for information on scenario design decisions and historical notes.
Player Voting Stats
Member Balance Enjoyment
Mr Grumpy's ProfileMr Grumpy Well Balanced 9
cazart!'s Profilecazart! Well Balanced 7
Mr Grumpy's ProfileMr Grumpy Well Balanced 9
PK Powers's ProfilePK Powers Moderately Pro Allied Powers 6
Mr Grumpy's ProfileMr Grumpy Well Balanced 9
Mr Grumpy
Major
Mr Grumpy
My opponent decided to escape from Liege with only a portion of his forces which handed the big vp hex's to me, we ended the game on turn 19.
Mr Grumpy
Major
Mr Grumpy
Excellent fun little scenario with strategy options for both players.
Mr Grumpy
Major
Mr Grumpy
Very enjoyable scenario with plenty of strategy options.
Mr Grumpy
Major
Mr Grumpy
I defended Liege rather than use the exit hex's, it was a close run thing but i just held out.
Mr Grumpy
Major
Mr Grumpy Sun Oct 19, 2014 8:08 pm
As the Allied player I defended Liege rather than running for the exit hex's.
Mr Grumpy
Major
Mr Grumpy Sun Oct 19, 2014 8:12 pm
I defended Liege rather than running for the exit hex's, just held on the VP hex's.
Rich White
Corporal
Rich White Tue May 05, 2015 9:59 am
This scenario seems very tough for the German player to win. However, I've only played as the Belgian side, so would need to play a mirror game to be certain. Due to the type of scenario, the options are perhaps a bit limited, but the Belgian player does have the option of withdrawing troops - something I considered but decided against.
Aces8
Corporal
Aces8 Thu May 14, 2015 2:01 pm
This is a fun scenario. Went down to the wire.
Partizanka
1st Lieutenant
Partizanka Frid Nov 11, 2016 7:16 pm
I chose to defend Liege. We got rain and mud the second day and my opponent breached the forts surrounding Liege without many casualties. Fortunately for me, the Belgians in the city disrupted and slowed German troops enough to protect the objectives for the win.
Fhil
Warrant Officer
Fhil Sun Nov 29, 2020 1:24 pm
Fast, entertaining. Once the action really starts it´s really about who´s got the stronger nerves.
KAreil
Sergeant
KAreil Sat Aug 28, 2021 11:28 am
Game ended in turn 23 of 27 with the VPs in the city of Liege taken by my German troops. Very interesting situation but difficult to play for both sides if played the first time. My opponent did not exit his troops as suggested in the game notes but used them to reinforce the forts which became truly invincible. Through the gaps the Germans managed to get into Liege and take it. In hindsight the Germans shouldn't attack the forts at all and the Belgians should either exit their infantry to get the VPs or concentrate them to defend the city VPs in Liege.
"Tapfer. Standhaft. Treu." - PzGrenB.13 Ried/Innkreis
krmiller
Corporal
krmiller Frid Sep 24, 2021 12:29 pm
It looks as if the only way for the Belgians to have a chance is leave the forts to their own devices and run for the exit with all remaining troops hoping to get enough Exit VPs to offset the German objective VPs. The Germans can bypass the forts without being isolated and take Liege and the Belgians cannot stop them.
Shackelton B
Private 1st Class
Shackelton B Wed Apr 06, 2022 7:12 am
Takes a while to get going as German forces arrive quite gradually.
Mr Grumpy
Major
Mr Grumpy Thu Mar 16, 2023 6:25 pm
Great fun with the CP side trying to break into Liege defended by its ring of forts.
tquinn
First Sergeant
tquinn Thu Jan 04, 2024 4:39 pm
Allied player must decide whether to fight it out or exit the 3eID off the western edge of the map. German player must decide which forts/redoubts to capture to achieve victory. while at the same time preventing a wholesale escape by Belgian 3eID.
Steel God
General
Steel God Tue Apr 30, 2024 1:10 pm
There are numerous options for both sides in how to approach this and the fact that what should on it's face be a romp is so well balanced is a testimony to the design talents of Ed Williams.
General Mod
Private 1st Class
General Mod Sat May 04, 2024 12:44 pm
Mr GrumpyExcellent fun little scenario with strategy options for both players.

I found the Belgians to be in a very tough spot. Now I only played once so far, and the weather had visibility down to nothing until the last day. Is this typical?

I'm curious though what the Belgian player's best strategy is when deciding to stay and fight. Very low-level units, no air recon, limited cavalry (like a dumb I had my cav lost within the first 5 turns. Though in my defense I was playing the current #1 ranked FWW player on this site). The Germans can move freely and attack at their leisure.

What is the pro-Belgian argument that makes this a balanced battle?
General Mod
Private 1st Class
General Mod Sat May 04, 2024 12:48 pm
Take into account that my rating is after only playing one time and against a very skilled opponent. I would like to play it again and from both sides to get a real feel for it.

Balance aside this is a very fun scenario. It's the type of game that is small enough to not be a time sink but with enough space and units to not feel like a one-night stand (couldn't think of anything else to say lol).