One of the crucial aspects to FRANCE '40 is the movement system. The French player must always use the inhibiting effect of zones of control, whether in slowing down advancing German units orconducting strategic withdrawals. However, the truly ingenious French player must use it to make up for units he doesn't have.

Specifically this refers to the defense of Belgium and Holland, which are crucial opening problems which every French player faces. The Germans can crush these positions and send his armor on through, forcing the Allies to give up ground that could be best used for defense. If the Allied positions are not of good quality, this will also mean the Germans will quickly engage the French, and will destroy a good deal of the Belgian-Dutch forces.

This doesn't have to happen. By yielding territory in Belgium and Holland which cannot be held the Allies can actually prevent the invading German from engaging the Belgian forces on the turn of invasion, allowing the French player to shore up a good defensive line.

Now all this sounds great intheory, but in practice things change somewhat. Mainly because the Belgians can get away with it in the center plain, and perhaps to the north, but he cannot afford to give up the precious Ardennes. The Ardennes are the pivot upon which the Allied defense rests; at least until the French begin their usual strategic withdrawal towards Paris, leaving German infantry behind (following the principle I outlined above). This usually happens around turn 6 or 7. So until then, the French must defend. This means the Belgian units cannot be placed back far enough without damaging Allied chances in the long run.

Not only the Ardennes must be taken into consideration, but the northern border of Belgium also creates similar problems. Firstly, the Germans can very easily invade Holland, crush its forces, and then go on into Belgium outflanking the Antwerp-Namur axis, which is important to the Allied defense. This line is held for a much shorter period than the Ardennes, as it may pivot towards the Channel coasts earlier than other units may begin the withdrawal towards Paris. Still it is harder to replace than the Ardennes, as retreated units may stand in the open or retreat to another river line. In the Ardennes, a set-back such as this would only move the line back a short ways.

So the Belgian units must use a "defense indepth" technique in the north and in the Ardennes; whereas the center may be defended with my forementioned "mobile defense" technique. One such defense follows, although there are many variations possible, this given defense embodies the concepts I have discussed and is sufficient for example's sake.

Dutch 4-6's: 525, 622
Belgian 2-7's: 309, 432
Belgian 4-6's: Antwerp (657), 560, 530, Namur (533), 403, 406, 342, 345, 312
French 6-6's: 249, 281

This defense assumes the Maginot line is still there, and for all OB's this defense is workable. I suggest you set it up and take a look at it - it speaks louder and more eloquently than I can.

If the German decides to blitz through all three of the Low Countries on the first turn, he won't get extremely far. On his first turn he will be able to attack the 4-6's at 312 and 403, both of the 2-7's, and a French 6-6. If the German is foolhardy enough to do this, then the Allies will gain all the advantages inherent in the defense. However, the German is likely to follow a more profitable course.

By taking Holland and Luxembourg on the first turn, and hitting Belgium at its weakest point (in this defense near Antwerp) on the second (or even third) turn, the German stands a good chance of increasing his gains. The Germans could then attack the Dutch units and the 4-6 at 560 , besides the other earlier attacks, on the second turn. This will allow a German penetration at 560, as odds as low as 2-1 can mean success (with a 1-2 counterattack) - for the unit only has to be retreated, not destroyed.

Another possibility I hinted at was a third turn attack. On the second turn the Dutch units would be attacked. Then on the third turn he could create his much waited for hole by attacking Antwerp and 560. This does create a rather troublesome strategic problem for the French, as it unhinges their line where it anchors on the Channel.

However, before you can accurately pass judgment, it might be a good idea to examine the German prospects. If the German attacks on the first turn, he forfeits his chances of breaking up the Allied defensive line. What he loses in disruption, he gains in time. If we assume that (for the sake of discussion, anyway) the French player begins his strategic withdrawal on turn 7, this will leave the German six turns in which the major part of his army can engage the French.

If the German wishes to gain this disruption he will not destroy as many units per turn, nor will he have as many turns to operate against the French. If he invades on the second turn, he can only attack French units on the 1st turn (in Luxembourg and southern France). Then he will also only have five turns of engagement. A third turn attack only kills one more 4-6, and then limits the engagement to about four turns before the withdrawal, which eases the effect of the threatening position the Germans have gained.

So, perhaps the German 1st turn invasion doesn't look so foolhardy after all. Usually, no player likes to attack along the lineof greatest enemy expectation, mainly because it is often the downfall to many attacks. But the German player is caught because no matter what he does, it can be put to the advantage of the French player. However, it also requires a good French player to translate potential advantage into real advantage - the defense I have put forward merely sets up the potential advantage.

The German's usual course against most Belgian defenses includes some sort of armored advance through the central plain. This is so because no French player in his right mind will leave the Ardennes open. However, the German will usually attack the suggested defense by massing armor for a slow-but-sure assault through the Ardennes. This is because the French armor is usually poised to go to Belgium, and cannot be redirected without some delay. Add that to the fact that French armor is almost immobile in the Ardennes and you can see there are very good reasons for doing the unexpected - but that's the subject for another article.