Plunging through the Ardennes Gap with German panzer divisions seems tobea good initial move in DUNKIRK -- simply because that "gap" is there. In other words it invites a May 10th blitzkreig but to what strategic end?

On one hand the Germans can press towards Sedan, following essentially the original Sichelshnitt or "scythe-cut" plan of moving on Amiens.

On the other a hand a push towards Namur with the intention of cutting off the retreating Belgians can reap early significant tactical gains. Yet against a well-handled Allied mobilization -- i.e. co-ordinated concentration of offensive units -- the Germans could live to regret the committal of its armor into that opening. Since the panzers during the early portion of the game do not have much infantry wpport, they are completely vulnerable to any counter-attacks at even the lowest odds. At the same time a good Allied defensive line from the Maginot through Namur to Antwerp can easily be formed. What follows next is a slugging match.

Where and when any German breakthrough occurs will depend upon attrition. From this point on, however, German STRATEGIC objectives have been pushed into limbo until some sort of tactical advantage is gained (that is if it was lost in the first place!). In short, the Ardennes Gap plunge seems to give to the Allies a fairly solid chance to salvage victory because of limited strategic alternatives for the Germans.

Now why not try a May 11th seizure of Antwerp? It can be done and without too much trouble. Further, this offers the German player considerably more longer range strategic choices. First our attention must focus upon the early tactical end of this operation. A consideration of the strategic possibilities will then follow. (Note: Advanced Dunkirk rules were used in formulating this plan. If basic rules are used, capture of Antwerp takes considerably longer with German initiative somewhat handicapped, but not entirely - so try it.)

FIRST TURN - MAY 10TH

The first turn attacks seal the Dutch off to the area north of the Maas River through the elimination or retreat of its southern defense. This is all accomplished WITHOUT violating Belgian neutrality. Automatic victories are racked up against the 8th and 9th Frontier Guards with the motorized infantry advancing into the vacated hexes.

The Dutch 7th F. G. will either be eliminated or forced to retreat following a 4-1 attack by German infantry. Further north, the 6th F. G. is destroyed by the automatic victory enjoyed by two Landwehr and two regular German infantry. With this, the first defense line of "fortress Holland" has been breached. The onslaught, however, does not end here.

Using the German first turn movement bonus to advantage, armored divisions can penetrate the fortified line to execute attacks against the Peel and 5th Infantry. With Stuka assistance one armored group takes on the Peel at 6-1 while the other dislodges the 5th at an unassisted 3-1.

By dropping a glider infantry unitl onto S-39, should the 5th be forced to retreat, it will have to move northwards onto or over the Maas River. With the armor advance into the vacant hexes, the Dutch Leicht armored division is trapped and doomed to fight a battle which it cannot survive.

To polish off this blitz against Holland, German infantry wins an automatic victory against the 17/1 Cycle (NO ADVANCE) while the Landwehr units easily take on the 4th F. G. With one glider dropped at S-39, a second one should be landed at T-37. This latter drop will prevent the Dutch 10th Frontier Guard unit from assisting the Belgians through a delaying action.

For the moment let's review what this first turn attack has achieved. The Dutch army has been forced to continue the war north of the Maas River as the southern part of the country fell entirely into German hands. The Leicht armor was compelled to counter-attack at a disastrous 1-4 odds the powerful panzer divisions which had encircled it. For it there was no escape, not with German stukas lending air support.

The Dutch may attempt an attack on the glider unit at S-39 which at best would be a 1-1 because of the river and a Stuka lowering the odds. Also the Dutch must endure a painful counterattack against German armor in S-41. In retrospect the first ploy is foolhardy while the second must be unavoidably absorbed. For the Netherlands, the best move is to concentrate behind the second defensive line, perhaps to be supported by some Allied infantry. Dutch hopes for survival maybesmall but they will not be non-existant if a strong defensive posture is assumed.

SECOND TURN - MAY 11TH

The operations north of Liege involve a considerable amount of armor shifting - all of which is designed to maximize odds against key Belgian units. With an automatic victory established against the Belgian 17th, the 7th Panzer Division is thus able to move into a key position slightly southwest of Antwerp. Against the 12th and 13th infantry divisions, the Germans have a healthy 3-1, as a retreat eliminates both units or with an elimination on the German turn, the Belgian 12th will have to suffer one of those "no escape" counter-attacks.

Two hexes over, the 10th Panzer supported by a 5-5-10 morotized infantry have an automatic victory against the 18th infantry. Further east against the 11th infantry and the M.C. motorized infantry the Germans have two 3-1 attacks. The I Ith, either through elimination or a retreat will vacate its hex into which German infantry will move, thus blocking off any retreat for the MC unit. Again with another empty hex (the MC's) in front of it, German infantry will advance.

Now look what has happened. German infantry has safely positioned itself between the two parts of the Albert Canal defenses (Pte Nethe). Belgian atacks on their part of the turn will be against doubled defensive positions. But before we examine the precarious situation which the Belgians are now in, Army Group A operating south of Liege deserves our attention.

German operations south of Liege are rather straight-forward. For the most part it follows any standard penetration of the Ardennes. If the Allies think that this is their big chance to seal off entry into France from the forest, especially after one turn of mobilization, they will have lost sight of the strategic objectives for the German attack.

Slow as it may seem, the German army has little to worry about. A 3-1 surrounded on the Belgian CA eliminates that unit. A 5-1 against the 1st armored cavalry leaves it with little hope for survival. Automatic victories are racked up against the 4th Bicycle regiment and the 1st L. Armored cavalry. With Paratroopers attempting to destroy the unoccupied Belgian fortress at BB-47, the Front Bicycle Infantry is subjected to a potent 3-1 attack. Now that Army Group A's activities has been covered, we ought to now consider the overall position in which both attacker and defender have been left.

Using this scissor-like opening has pushed the Belgians off of a defensive line which normally would have linked them with the Dutch fortifications. It also has prevented the Meuse from becoming a strong defensive line by stretching the Belgian front to its westernmost limits -- the English Channel.

Now the German player has more options open to him than he would have had in darting through the Ardennes. Armor can drive for a link-up at Brussels. Utilizing its great mobility it might attempt to concentrate towards Ghent, signifying an early push on Ostende. Should this course be followed, the ever advancing infantry in the Ardennes will be expected to carry on the war of attrition, On the other hand all armor may drive south - leaving the infantry to cover the march to the coast. It must be remembered though that all ploys will depend upon the Allied reaction which in itself holds many interesting alternatives. This response must be closely examined before deciding upon a strategy.

If the Allies suspect that Brussels might be the German objective for an armor link-up, they will have to fight a tooth-and-nail battle to maintain some form of a defensive perimeter. One line behind the rivers running east-west from the coast to north of Brussels (Demer R.) can easily be established.

As for the east, a fall-back action to establish a north-south line behind the Aisne River through Namur and up to Brussels seems more logical. With less territory to cover, troop concentrations of the retreating Belgians and the advancing French-British units can readily be created. Any attempt to hold the Meuse, short of a minor delaying action, would be wasted. Similarly, as the Allies one must succumb to the "fall-back phobia." By rushing back towards the Escaut River as I saw one player do, the Germans were allowed to penetrate into the open expanses of the eastern Flanders field area. Here the "battle of Belgium" was lost. Again wasted territory was given up. On the whole, the first defensive posture seems to be the best.

For the "I'll risk anything" generals, a small counter-offensive in the area north of Ghent might be considered. This, however, will have to be started early, before German infantry arrive to support the armor. A minor pincer action from the north of Brussels and east of Ghent could send those Panzer units scurrying back to Antwerp.

In fact all throughout the game attacks at any odds against German armor only - where even a 1/2 elimination is possible -- might scare many a German player who believes that those Black Beauties of his armored divisions are the sacred calves of the entire army! Again this latter counter-punch does not have the probabilities working for it. But the psychological possibilities!

It has not been mentioned to this point but it should be obvious that the completion of operations in Holland and along the Maginot has been left to one's own planning: German and Allied. Again the possibilities for attack and reaction are endless. This in fact raises some general observations about DUNKIRK. There have been very few games lately which have offered a genuine play excitement to players. There are several classic AH games from the early sixties which have that indescribable magic of a dynamic historical situation and subtlely intricate play mechanics. Any reading of old GENERALS or a STALINGRAD STRATEGY booklet can easily support this statement.

While it might be too early to evaluate the game, DUNKIRK, I think, has captured some of those same classic qualities to make for a great game. After all, a re-reading of this article will show how a German plan of blitzkrieg shifted into a case for Allied reaction. Such are the dynamics of the game. Anyway, enough planning and praising. Polish up the panzers and dust off the Maginot. Someone has to enjoy an early summer of fun in Paris.