Belgian Forts

[06 Maestro]

I need some advice on the quickest way For Germany to capture Leige and elimnate its Fortress. It takes me to the end of September to completly capture ths place-this is really crimping my style.

I'm not sure of the negative impact of not being able to convert the railroad there and beyond. I am sure that tyng up a good part of the Second Army for 2 months is making a good offense near impossible.
Any help/tips will be appreciated.

[abulbulian]

I agree, it messed me up bad not being able to take those fast. The germans should be able to blow through Belgium. So I either don't know how to play, very likely, or the game is not very realistic.. not likely.

HELP!!!!

[calvinus]

Why don't you leave a small stack with a corps and one big artillery besieging Liege, moving the remainder of the II army towards Bruxelles?

[Offworlder]

Well Liege normally isn't a big problem (at least for me). First I carry out a bombardment, and if the fort isn't neutralised, I carry out beseiging operations (for all that is worth). The heavy artillery present in II army normally demolishes the fort. If this doesn't work, I delay the siege. Second time round, I repeat these actions and then I assault the place.

When Liege falls, I detach the heavy artillery + the weakest corps and sent it to Antwerp. II Army moves south to support the I Army conquest of Brussels and keep contact with the III army which is the hinge of the whole Schlieffen Plan. At Antwerp I rely on bombardment and siege operations only - no assaults take place. Normally one or two bombardments suffice making the siege train available for th next target in II army's path - Maubege (sp?).

An alternative approach which I have used (and which is historically accurate) is that after the first turn, if Liege doesn't fall, I detach a corps and the siege train and just bombard it into submission, moving on to Antwerp. Obviously this may mean that the siege train could be still tied up in Liege or Antwerp when you need it to crack open Maubege, which is one of the most strategic positions on the Western Front since the road to Paris passes from there.

BTW most of the times I don't really assault forts with the exception of Liege (which is vital for supply reasons) and Belgrade which basically cripples Serbia immediately.

[06 Maestro]

I will try those suggestions-thanks to all.