German Scorched Earth Policy

[Edwin P.]

During WWII Germany considered executing a scorched earth policy as it was being forced back on the western and southern fronts. The High Command even considered burning down Paris.

Perhaps German units, and only German units, should have the ability to conduct scorched earth on controlled cities after the USA enters the war.

I suggest that a German unit in a city hex wanting to raze that city could do so if it does not move or attack that turn and is under the command of a HQ unit. Limiting this ability to units under HQ command reflects the reluctance of field generals to execute such a policy.

[Michael Dorosh]

Originally posted by Edwin P.:

During WWII Germany considered executing a scorched earth policy as it was being forced back on the western and southern fronts. The High Command even considered burning down Paris.

Perhaps German units, and only German units, should have the ability to conduct scorched earth on controlled cities after the USA enters the war.

I suggest that a German unit in a city hex wanting to raze that city could do so if it does not move or attack that turn and is under the command of a HQ unit. Limiting this ability to units under HQ command reflects the reluctance of field generals to execute such a policy.

I think you will find that several brave individuals - notably Albert Speer - were able to convince local commanders that "scorched earth" was not in the best interests of the Germans and the policy was circumvented in many if not most instances.

The policy was not a military one, incidentally; the largest proponents were the civil authorities and party types - so the existence of military HQ control may be largely irrelevant to the decision making. Command structures in the Third Reich were notably overlapping and hence chaotic.

[Edwin P.]

Originally posted by Michael Dorosh:

The policy was not a military one, incidentally; the largest proponents were the civil authorities and party types - so the existence of military HQ control may be largely irrelevant to the decision making.

I agree, the problem is how to reflect the unwillingness of military units to follow these commands while giving the overall commander the ability to order it. Perhaps - If you give this order there is a 75% that it will not be followed. Now, do you give an order that may not be followed knowing that the unit so ordered can not move or attack this turn.

Note; Scorched Earth Order

Chance for Russian Unit following this order is 100%

Chance for German Unit following this order is 25%

Chance for Italian Unit following this order is 0%

Chance for UK unit obeying this order is 0%

Chance for USA unit obeying this order is 0%

[ January 26, 2005, 12:41 PM: Message edited by: Edwin P. ]

[SeaMonkey]

Edwin,

How would this fit in with German HQs random application of that favorite "No Retreat" order that Hitler seemed to throw around indescriminately?

[Michael Dorosh]

Originally posted by Edwin P.:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Michael Dorosh:

The policy was not a military one, incidentally; the largest proponents were the civil authorities and party types - so the existence of military HQ control may be largely irrelevant to the decision making.

I agree, the problem is how to reflect the unwillingness of military units to follow these commands while giving the overall commander the ability to order it. </font>

[Edwin P.]

SeaMonkey,

The supreme axis (or allied) commander can now order his units not to retreat, even if faced by impossible odds and they will obey - 100% of the time. In fact, in most military units from the 1st world if you order units not to retreat they will, in some cases foolishly, obey. As for 3rd world armies, if you order them not to retreat they will probably break and run if they think they are losing the battle.

[pzgndr]

There's another way of looking at this besides razing cities and literally scorching the earth behind you as you retreat, as the Soviets did. Shouldn't there be a natural delay in a conquering power's ability to benefit from captured resources? It's not like the Soviets could have immediately benefited from Ploesti oil or the Allies to immediately benefit from the Ruhr industries. There would be war damage to the resources themselves, damaged infrastructure to move those MPPs, displaced workers, etc.

All countries could have scorched earth as an option, and this is possible in SC2. It might be appropriate to question who should not have this. Maybe France, since they were historically overrun quickly and a sympathetic Vichy government installed. As for the others, there should be that natural delay in rebuilding those resources before a conquerer benefits, yes?

Anyways, this will be an option for all countries in SC2. Not sure what the default game will have at this point, but whatever happens players will be free to edit and experiment.