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How can I play kriegsspiel umpire game

clearly, you need to know some background information, otherwise any decision you make will be at best a guess. the basic fact is, the allies are on the strategic defensive at this time in this location. therefore, to blindly send your troops across the river can immediately be classed as "stupid and reckless", so we rule it out. the difference between 1&3 seems unclear, but appears to be only whether or not you use scouts. ALWAYS use scouts, unless you know that it wouldn't work.

my immediate response is: this is a poorly defined problem. - is force preservation a priority? - is rapid advance a priority? - do we know anything about the terrain ahead? - what do we know about the enemy force? without knowing these things (and at least SOME of them WOULD be known), any decision would be nothing more than a guess. there are other factors that WOULD be known, but we have not been told. so, sorry, define the problem properly before asking for answers.

Pausing as requested. I feel that none of these are the best answer this time. We have improved communications to the south, where we are also located, but the enemy and our largest concentration is north of us by ~20 miles. Time to decide is of the essence here, but so is timing of coordination. I would telegraph 2nd Army HQ to concentrate between Thiacourt and Pagny with all do haste and engage the enemy's right if feasible and advantageous. Simultaneously, I am sending a message to 1st Army HQ informing them of the situation and what I am doing, to move on Metz, retake the city and river crossings if the 3rd and 10th have failed in their delay, and drive the French out of the region. While that message went to 1st Army HQ (again, 1st Army would have been notified i was doing this), I also sent messages to each corps of 1st army informing them to move towards Metz and prepare for further orders from their HQ. The reason for the overstep is the natural delay and chance for disruption of orders is reduced as the first and foremost thing for 1st Army to do is concentrate at the river crossings of Metz. 2nd Army will need time to gather forces, and the hopefully rapid response from 1st Army will engage the French well enough to relieve the 3rd and 10th, AND distract from the 2nd Army gathering on their flank. Also, it gives me time to learn more about the situation and develop logistics paths that will be needed for such a large engagement in the coming day or two. The delay in communication methods and distances needed to be covered to carry out those orders can only be made negligible by decisive time utilization and thoughtful appraisal of timing with the execution of those orders. So, in a long-winded way, I reject the 3 options provided.

This is a very interesting and different problem. I don't think I know enough to make a really good guess but I think option 3 to bypass the army headquarters will only result in later confusion and problems, even if it means it takes a little longer to get orders out. I'm not sure which is better between 1 and 2 so I'll just go with 1. We need to get 2nd Army moving first as it's the furthest away and needs time to gather.

That's a different kind of problem. Option 1 follows the chain of command and should cause the least amount of confusion but is probably the slowest response. Option 3 is the most chaotic but probably the fastest. With option 2 somewhere in the middle. With regard to the information that the engaged units are hard pressed speed is important but a good route of retreat might be needed. Therefore, option 2 is my choice. 2nd army should have no problem with the telegraph lines in place to understand the situation and coordinate their units and reestablish the chain of command and communication. 1st army, which has none such luxury, is kept in good order and can coordinate their response.

The solution from Moltke here seems a bit dubious. If you are in telegraph contact with 2nd army headquarters and the individual corps, surely 2nd HQ would be in contact with the corps as well. And probably 2nd HQ would have a better understanding of their local situation and how to get the corps moving than you. So I don't really see going over 2HQ's heads as saving much time versus the disorganisation that could result. Maybe the Guards are where they are for a very good reason and only 2HQ know that. Maybe this is a very classically Prussian attitude we're seeing here, in terms of a readiness to work outside the normal chain of command. I'm not sure that from a retrospective historical perspective it's ultimately wise.

Great video and very interesting first time i came upon such a thing, truth be told i did not solve this correctly i dismised the northern most river crossing as i though that the two batalions in cathbe would be able to react approprietly given the long march north, and the inteligience possesed by the enemy

While I was initially tempted to ford the south and perhaps even attack the isolated Bernberg garrison, I decided to cross north because doing so would effectively isolate the Bernberg battalion, and force the Calbe battalions to intercept me on (hopefully) more favorable terrain, rather than staying in more defensible positions.

I'd do number 2 as it takes advantage of the lakes to reduce the avenues of approach the enemy can take. Of course, Moltke is gonna disagree with me and probably say 1 because even up north you can threaten the enemy's line of supply and so they have to attack you in the heights.

Hey, I got to this video quick this time. 😅 Pausing as requested. I would use "Option 2" as an amazing staging ground with the natural choke points and defensible ground with the lakes and connecting branches/streams. Taking the largest of my divisions, let's assume 5th, I would deploy them to the southern chokepoint near Treplin using the terrain to their utmost advantage. I would then stack 3rd and 4th divisions on our left, with 3rd a little back to act as an emergency reserve. Relatively flat valley between Mallnow and the lake. This position protects the main paths east to Berlin, and assuming that the enemy does try the most direct path to Berlin, which would be the southern path near Treplin at this point, you can use a malformed oblique to crush the enemy's right with 2 whole divisions. If they choose the northern path through Karzig we have two divisions there to hold it, and possibly also flank with the largest of the 3 on their left. Either way, using such advantageous terrain effectively gives you the area of denial effect of at least one division. Also, should the need to fallback arise, you can return to the heights in good order from "Option 2" and the enemy would still have to navigate worse terrain buying you time. If you are victorious, pushing them back across the river would be ideal, but bottling them at Lebus or Schonfleiss would work well too!

Option 1 leaves a lot of room for the enemy to bypass my force, but I could threaten his supply and communication lines if he does so. Option 3 is the most aggressive of the three. It would be perfect if we could prevent a crossing of the oder river, but it is very unlikely to succeed and there should be a reason we retreated in the first place. Most likely we would be to late and can't win in open field. Option 2 is my favorite as it takes advantage of the terrain. This is not intended as a glorious last stand but as a delay of the enemy. If they really cross at Lebus they have to fight us at adventurous positions. If things look bad we can fall back to position 3. In the best case they move of and try to cross somewhere else. In any case we are buying time. So let's see.

What an excellent AAR

Wow I actually got this one correct.

Pausing as requested. I would hybridize Options 1 and 2, leaning more into 2. Our objective is to defeat the enemy, best to do that concentrated. We also have a secondary objective to protect the supply convoys heading to Belfort, as applicable. So, taking the 29th and joining with the advanced guard force the enemy to engage a delaying action through favorable terrain (as far as I can tell on the map) near Brucken Weiter (sorry for the spelling). While keeping the enemy engaged we distract from the convoy and buy precious time to concentrate. I would suggest focusing around the Gild Weiter area and then with a reunited 28th, 30th, and cavalry detachment, counter attack the enemy with the 29th in reserve so as to rest them from what I intend to be (again, as best I can decipher from the map) a 1 or 2 day delaying action.

Smashing the much smaller enemy division is juicy and tempting, but it's ultimately a distraction from the mission, so that's a hard pass. They'd just retreat like crazy and divert you from doing your job of screening for the siege. The enemy's numerical superiority isn't all that huge, so just sitting tight and seeing how the situation develops isn't a bad idea, especially since your job isn't to destroy the enemy, but to delay him. Going for the good defensive position is also a viable option, if it doesn't restrict your future options too much. I doubt 3000ish men can do much about the siege. I suppose Moltke would like to remind us that the mission always comes first, so he'd advise us to sit tight and wait to see what the enemy is up to.

It depends on the force ratios. Is my army big enough to defeat the enemy armies in detail without taking particularly nasty casualties? Does the enemy lack artillery that they can park on the hills to make the Northwestern road a kill-zone? If the answer to both of these questions is "yes" then I leave a small garrison at Glatz to hold off the enemy southwestern group for a bit, while the bulk of my forces squishes the enemy force around Branau, before marching back along the road and smashing the enemy force coming from the South-West as they emerge from the heights. Remember, they're slow, because they are marching through trackless hills, right? Finally, relieve the Glatz garrison and celebrate our victory. In any case, letting the enemy concentrate is a bad idea, but forcing your troops to whiz around and fight multiple exhausting battles within a short space of time is also a bad idea, especially if the enemy also happens to take the high ground and pepper you with artillery as you march, and *especially* if they might be stronger than you expect, giving them the ability to cut of your supplies/line of retreat. Sitting around Glatz is the safe-ish option, because you will have plenty of time to support Silberberg if the enemy goes towards it, while Glatz itself is easily accessible to the enemy via roads, and is therefore the most likely target for the enemy to attack. Let's see how I did. Heh. Moltke's works in mysterious ways. It really isn't like him to be this defensive.

It really depends on how quickly they can cross the river and how much of an advantage I have over them in terms of numbers and morale. They are retreating after a defeat, true, but my guys are also tired from fighting and pursuing. Also, I have no cavalry to screen or scout for me, so the enemy may be bringing up reinforcements without me knowing. If they're really worn down and can't get across the river in time, then attacking them directly might actually be a good idea. It's possible I can smash their rear-guard just quickly enough that only a *part* of the enemy main force manages to cross, leaving the other part in a very vulnerable position, where they can be defeated while in the chaos of an incomplete river crossing. Even if their entire main body manages to get away, I still get to destroy their advanced guard. Option 3 might be a good idea, if there is more than one viable river-crossing, because that way we have the initiative and can concentrate to overcome the enemy's defensive advantage. On the other hand, if there is only one crossing, then the enemy can easily anticipate and block us, inflicting heavy casualties. Knowing Moltke, he's probably going to invent some absolutely crazy but ingenious reason why 2 is the best option, 1 is acceptable and 3 is the worst possible option. My guess is that it's going to be something like this: "Even if you fail to catch the enemy main body with their pants down/mid-crossing, you at least annihilate their advanced guard, making them weaker in the long run. Option 1 wastes this opportunity. Option 3 is terrible, because the enemy can save his main force AND his advanced guard while you are dithering/wandering South. Also, don't forget that you don't have cavalry to scout ahead, so the enemy might be bringing up reinforcements which will stop you dead in the South, while the erstwhile retreating enemy counterattacks you in the back. Did I mention that if the enemy sees your main body moving south, they'll just stop retreating, smash your advanced guard and cut off your retreat/supplies while you're crossing the river?" Let's see how I did: Ah, apparently I was under the delusion that I didn't have cavalry and that there were only two viable river crossings, the one just next to Halle and the one in the South.

The problem seems kinda weird. I don't see what the differences between the options are supposed to be, at least not from the text itself. The map gives me some pointers though. My gut instinct is to take the option to attack the enemy forward element as quickly as possible before the main enemy force can concentrate, and then just dig in in Frankfurt and trust the inherent advantage of the defense, together with the advantage of dense urban terrain will allow me to weather the enemy onslaught. I kind of think that using the southern approach isn't a good idea, due to the rough terrain, which will slow my troops down, but other than that, it's a toss-up between options 1 and 2. Also yes, the map does seem to show that the high-road really does lead into elevated terrain, while the southern approach seems to go through less-than-passable woodlands. However, since there is no explicit information with regard to the speed of the different options, I tend to gravitate towards option 1, because it means I can take the high ground away from the enemy, especially since I have cavalry and he has only infantry and artillery, meaning I can get there first. Ergo, send the cavalry division North to occupy the heights and hold them until the infantry marches along the main road to face the enemy. Depending on whether we have the time, we can send a division of infantry to relieve the by bow beleaguered cavalry, set up our artillery on the heights, bombard the enemy, send in the infantry to break them and finally send the cavalry to mop them up as they retreat. But since we probably don't have time, we probably have to whack the enemy ASAP before we can set up an ideal infantry-artillery position. Let's see how I did:

I chose 2. Usually he's concerned about lines of communication and protecting the route to Belfort is part of the scenario info. Option 2 would enable 2 divisions and the avantgarde to concentrate closer to Belfort and meet the enemy on the ridgeline ahead of Traubach with most of the corps. The 30th and cavalry coming up behind provide a manoeuvre element and reserve. Going for Option 3 seems to abandon Belfort for the safest solution

I'd do option 2. Gotta give time for my army to gather so I wouldn't do 1. 3 is still an option if necessary but 2 holds the good terrain and keeps an eye on the ultimate goal of clearing a path west.

Option 1: bad. One would be not fast enough to concentrate there, leaving oneself vounrable to defeat in detail. Option 3 is also bad but for another reason. Here one concentrate just fine but support for belfort is not possible anymore. Also the wagons are now easy pickings. Option 2 seems best. 2 divisions should be able to hold until the cav and 3rd arrive. Also the units are close enough to prevent the red force to turn around and attack the wagons or belfort.

This more fun than Wordle! Got this one right by Moltke!!!

Awesome video!❤

I would have gone for option 2 because then you can take the Autobahn...

Are problems 9 and 10 in a different playlist?

Okay so if you're the enemy why wouldn't you pick the forces off one at a time?

It seems to me that 1 is the better approach, it offers better speed thus enabling you to defeat the enemy in detail

This is an excellent idea for a playlist

Got this one right!

Tasdorf eat Worldorf!!!

Somehow I missed this one when it came out. I'll do number 2. Number 1 is too aggressive when you don't know the enemy strength yet. 3 seems like you're not complying with your mission as you're falling back too hard and giving up good ground too easily. Of course I'm wrong because Moltke and I never agree.

This thing about finding the central position sounds like the "hold your center line" from kung fu, but with lots of people instead just your own body.

Sneaking 'cross the Saale to Halle...

Seems straightforward. Takes the initiative away from red and leaves you options

So the enemy have held the river crossings for most of a day and we've only seen about a division of their army. Sounds like a screening force for a defensive deployment. If they were attacking they should have had more forces across by now

There are benefits and drawbacks to each option, realistically I'd probably want Cavalry to further define the locations of the enemy and make further decisions from there but **Within the context of the problem** the first option is likely the best as the other two more easily allow two OPFOR groups to join together

So. My opinion would be as follows: 1. The cavalry should rush to valdieu, and then entrench in the town and vicinity. Recon in force should be ordered, but forbid any large scale attack. Valdieu appears to be within a foresty area, and thus, they should act as skirmishers in the lead up. 2. The second division should take positions at Menoncourt, ready for when enemy division strike. 3. Here i am assuming that: i) the divisions in question are 'square divisions' (read: two brigades formed by two 3-battalion regiments), ii) a prussian style division, were companies and battalions had a certain latitude to operate independently. The 1st division should detach a battalion from each regiment. Regiments from brigade 1A should take positions at Chalonvillars and the ones from 1B at Valdoye. These battalions *should* make their presence known to belfort's garrison. This is done for two reasons: a) it makes the enemy think that the first division is poised to lay siege at belfort and thus dissuade them from sallying forth to valdieu and getting their backs exposed; b) in the case of the the 1B battalions, it gives the 2nd division an additional reserve and deffensive depth. c) In the case the garrison sallies to attack either position (this assumes they got good intel or called the bluff), they can reinforce the other position with ease in order to avoid a two-to-one or three-to-one advantage. Now, this is assuming that valdoye and chalonvillars are less than a day's march of each other and that valdoye is also within a day's march of menoncourt. If the distance is larger, shift said battalions further east so they can support the other formations more effectively. 4. The bulk of the 1st division should go to gros magny. 5. The 3rd division should take positions at gyro magni. 6. Once these two divisions and what is essentially a reinforced brigade are in position, advance to meet the enemy at St Germain. If possible, these divisions should fan out and attack in a 'zulu' style pattern. By these i mean that the 2nd division fans to the east and tries to find a flank and the 3rd division strikes headlong, possibly finding the western flank of the enemy. Once these two divisions are engaged, the weaned off 1st divisions should strike at the center of the formation, which is quite possibly pretty thinned out and brittle. 7a. Once the enemy division's been beaten, the 2nd divisions and the 1st division should turn and help the cavalry brigade. 7b If the second division's been battered by the attack, send them two valdieu and rotate the cavalry brigade. 8. All the forces not sent to valdieu shall lay siege.

I got it right!!!

My thoughts were as follows: 3 has some merit as it allows you to deal with that division nice and easy, but unless you’re troops are super fast then you’re not going to make it in time to stop the reinforcements and supplies arriving. 2 seems to me to be quite a bad idea. You’re open to an attack in the rear by a sortie, and you can’t stop the Thann force if it decides to come to the aid of the Belfort force. Especially if this happens your ideal line of retreat is cut off leaving you the retreat option only of going into what I believe to be enemy territory. 1 allows the lovely central position from which you can cut off communications between the forces, which means they will likely not coordinate well and you can defeat in detail. Worse comes to worst you’ll be fighting all three forces at once, but operating on interior lines you should be able to do a tactical defeat in detail. And if you lose you still have a decent line of retreat.

I’ll be honest I have no clue on this one, more complex than most, so instead of guessing I’m just gonna sit back and listen

find the central position, so "THEY COULD BE COMING FROM ALL SIDES"

I'd do 3 to try to knock out the Thann force separately and quickly before the other reinforcements before Altkirch arrive. I think 1 or 2 would end up with me fighting both the Thann force and the Altkirch reinforcements at the same time.

Pausing as requested: I am once again going to modifiy the answers provided. We are a full corps, we need to use those numbers to our advantage, but we are currently spread out a bit much. Utilizing a modified "Option 1": concentrate the infantry near the terrain advantage of Menoncourt along what looks to be an eacape route for Belfort. The cavalry division will deploy to our right with orders to attempt to capture or destroy the reinforcements, and in failing that, prevent them from reinforcing. I would take 2 regiments from 1st division and deploy them in Chalonvillars and Valdoye so as to antagonize Belfort that we have that blocked off, also they will scout for any sallies from Belfort or any odd far-flanking reinforcements from the north. Once obtaining this position you can use the bulk of your forces to deal with the enemy in the field first before concentrating for a siege should one occur as your positioning, and hopeful destruction of reinforcements will persuade the enemy to abandon the position without a fight as you gave them a route to leave due south. Best outcome, you take the fort without a siege and defeat a whole enemy division in the field. Worst case there is an entire enemy corps past that known division, the cavalry fail and Belfort is reinforced and you are forced to reposition to prevent a pincer.

Pausing as requested: I think a modified "Option 2" to Thann is the better position. Your division, blocking that passage places you near enough to your brother unit that should an engagement or disaster happen you can call them up the next day or fall back to them in Mullhausen. The modification would be to detach 75% of your cavalry to escort the caravans in segments. The segments should be timed out that your cavalary guides them 3/4 of the way there, and then goes back for another caravan. 1st caravan will have orders to relay to the fort city of this plan and request they cover the last 25%. This usage of option 2 will leave you nearly blind, yes, but it threatens French entry into the region, protects the caravans that supply a fortification, and protects your deploying fraternal division. Option 1 throws you far too of of the way to be much help or to get help. 3 would stretch you too thin along that caravan line to be effective should the french attack. Modified 2 is the better option.

wow.. actually got this one right lol

This one is tricky as all 3 options have something to them. Let's start with the super aggressive option 3: the advantage is that i probably can defeat a division with minimal losses. The disadvantage is that the supply will reach the fort and even the division at thann might retreat to the fort. The option to block the road is feasible and blocks the supply but you have to pass by the fort and the line of communication is gone. The best option is to gather north of the fort. From there you can raid the road and block any advances from thann.

I'd probably do Number 3. 1 is good but I don't want to march too hard and I'd rather remain centrally located to have the flexibility to face a threat from any direction.

You mixed up the "colours" Usually blue are own troops and red are OP-Force.

Amazing Video. Tahnk you for sharing it with us.