In this update5
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Full Combined Arms Operations Series update
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Repeated intro
Greetings! Let's take a deep-dive into one of the 2 new OBs coming in update 1.0.8.2: Heersgruppe Nord as it stood at the start of Operation Barbarossa! Heeresgruppe Nord (HGN) is a robust order of battle that lacks raw armored might, and suffers from inadequate air support, but enjoys deep reserves, great engineering potential, and strong artillery support. Next week we will explore their Soviet adversaries, but for now, let’s dive into one of the most unique German OBs yet included in CAOS!
What changed
- Gameplay
- Balance
Combined Arms Operations Series changes
Heeresgruppe Nord: June 22, 1941:
Type: Historical OB Preferred Playstyle: Attrition Warfare
Basic Composition:
| HG Totals: | # | Inde. Units | # |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armies | 3 | Arty Bns | 29 |
| Corps | 8 | Flak Bns | 15 |
| Pz. Divs | 3 | Cbt Eng Bns | 10 |
| Mot. Divs | 3 | Constr. Bn | 25 |
| Inf Divs | 17 | TD/AG Bns | 4.66 |
| Sec. Divs | 3 | Spec Bns | 2 |
Strengths:
Heersgruppe Nord has a few very powerful hammers, and a whole bunch of anvils. If you just want to hold an enemy in place and bludgeon them to death, this is your OB. HGN has enough panzers to make a breach, enough infantry to outlast virtually any opponent, a high concentration of engineers, and excellent artillery support. If you have a problem, HGN has a 15cm howitzer, or a Czech siege mortar, or a random French 155 long-gun, waiting to solve it. This is one of, if not the, most formidable defensive OB currently in CAOS, but its still imminently capable of offensive action, as its Soviet opponents can attest.
Weaknesses:
HGN has 2 key weaknesses: 1) limited armored reserves, and 2) inadequate air support. Skilled opponents will know that you only have 3 panzer regiments, and of those 2 are strong, and 1 is mediocre. Expect your armor to be relentlessly bombarded the moment they’re spotted. Moreover, you do not have solid options to create your own alternative armored battlegroups. The Sturmgeschutz units at your disposal lack numbers, and the 559. Panzerjager Abteilung is secretly awful because it uses an R-35 based panzerjager that is both slower than every other motorized unit on the OB, and has an extremely prone to breakdown.
HGN’s dedicated air cover from Luftflotte I is insufficient to support the army group, and historically Luftflotte II assets supporting Heersgruppe Mitte were diverted to ameliorate this deficiency. The air cover available to HGN consists of 6 fighter groups, of which 2 are reserve/training units. No Stukas. 8 bomber groups, and an impressive 13 recon squadrons. However, this relatively high concentration of bombers and recon aircraft will swiftly be slaughtered if you lose air superiority. Experienced opponents will go all-in in the air war because it is your greatest weakness and the quickest way to endanger your precious artillery and armored units. Do not trouble yourself with struggling for air supremacy, this OB is not built for it, instead preserve your aerial might so it can be activated at the decisive moment. Play this air game like late-war Germany, not early-war Germany.
Diving Into Details:
Let’s take a closer look at the capabilities of the panzer/motorized, infantry, and artillery assets at HGN’s disposal.
Panzer/Motorized Divisions:
The 1st and 6th Panzer Divisions are both formidable, but for different reasons. 1st Panzer Division has the fewest tanks on hand of the army group’s PzDs, but it boasts both a high allotment of modern Panzer III F/Js and 2 mechanized infantry battalions, compared to the single mechanized company of 6th and 8th PzD. It also possesses a Sturmpanzer company, but you are only ever 1-unlucky battle away from losing them, so don’t get too excited. 6th PzD draws its strength from sheer numbers
Source
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