France Strategy Guide – The Third Reich (Avalon Hill)

A practical opening setup and survival doctrine

The Third Reich by Avalon Hill is one of the classic grand-strategy WWII board games. France’s 1939 setup is one of the most critical early-game decisions for the Allied player. A poor deployment can end the war in 1940. A strong one can delay Germany, preserve British strength, and reshape the mid-war balance.

This article focuses on France’s initial setup and early defensive strategy in the 1939 campaign.

Strategic Reality: What France Must Do

France cannot:

• Outproduce Germany long term

• Win a maneuver war in open terrain

• Replace early heavy losses quickly

France must:

• Maximize terrain advantages

• Force German time losses

• Preserve Allied unit strength

• Coordinate tightly with Britain

• Avoid encirclements at all costs

Time is your real objective.

Initial French Setup Strategy

1. The Maginot Line – Anchor, Don’t Overstack

The Maginot Line is strong — but it is also a trap if misused.

Guidelines:

• Fully garrison all Maginot fort hexes.

• Do not stack excessively; German odds will still be unfavorable.

• Use strong infantry with artillery support if available.

• Never strip Maginot early unless Germany clearly bypasses and you can safely reposition.

The Maginot’s purpose is deterrence, not maneuver.

2. The Belgian Question – Forward or Refused Defense?

This is the most important decision.

Option A: Forward Defense (Into Belgium)

Pros:

• Slows German advance earlier

• Protects northern France industry

• Supports BEF landing

Cons:

• Risk of rapid encirclement

• Strong dependence on British coordination

• Vulnerable to breakthrough exploitation

This strategy requires:

• Strong Anglo-French stacking

• Quick BEF deployment

• Solid retreat planning

Best used if the Allied player is experienced and confident in coordination.

Option B: Refused Northern Flank (Conservative Defense)

Pros:

• Harder to encircle

• Shorter defensive line

• Easier retreat paths

Cons:

• Belgium falls quickly

• German momentum increases

Setup suggestion:

• Hold just behind the Belgian border.

• Stack defensively in rough terrain and river lines.

• Prepare fallback lines before Turn 1 begins.

This is safer for tournament or competitive play.

3. Paris Must Never Be Exposed

Paris is not just symbolic — it’s structural.

• Maintain layered defense.

• Keep mobile reserves within reaction range.

• Avoid empty hexes that allow exploitation movement toward Paris.

If Paris falls early, collapse accelerates dramatically.

4. French Armor – Do Not Waste It

French armor is limited but vital.

Use it:

• As counterattack force after German breakthroughs

• To plug gaps, not to initiate risky offensives

• In concentrated stacks, never spread thin

Never trade armor early unless it prevents encirclement.

5. Air Power Allocation

France’s air is limited and fragile.

Use it:

• To support key defensive battles

• To reduce German attack odds

• Concentrated where the main assault occurs

Do not disperse air units across minor fronts.

The Critical German Threat: The Ardennes

Many German players will attempt:

• Armor thrust through Ardennes

• River crossings with air support

• Exploitation toward the Channel

Countermeasures:

• Never leave Ardennes lightly defended.

• Maintain a reserve behind it.

• Plan a retreat path before first contact.

If Germans break through Ardennes with exploitation movement intact, France’s northern armies risk encirclement.

British Coordination

The BEF (British Expeditionary Force) is essential.

Priorities:

• Land early

• Stack with strongest French units

• Avoid isolated British stacks

• Prepare evacuation contingency

British survival matters long-term more than holding every French hex.

Retreat Doctrine – When to Fall Back

A common French mistake is holding too long.

Retreat when:

• Odds exceed sustainable defense

• Exploitation would cause isolation

• Supply lines are threatened

Fighting retreat > heroic last stand.

Example Balanced 1939 Setup Concept

Maginot: Fully garrisoned
Ardennes: Reinforced, not minimal
Northern Front: Strong but not overextended
Paris: Layered defense
Armor: Central reserve
Air: Concentrated support

Goal:
Force Germany into costly 2–3 turn campaign instead of lightning collapse.

Common French Mistakes

1. Overcommitting into Belgium

2. Ignoring Ardennes

3. Dispersing armor

4. Stacking without retreat paths

5. Exposing Paris too early

Avoid these, and France often survives longer than Germany expects.

Advanced Concept: Trading Space for Attrition

If you:

• Preserve British strength

• Preserve French armor

• Avoid catastrophic encirclement

Then even if France eventually falls, Germany:

• Loses time

• Takes higher step losses

• Enters Barbarossa weaker

In experienced play, a strong French defense can change the entire war trajectory.

Final Thought

In The Third Reich, France is not about winning in 1940.

It is about:

• Denying Germany an easy victory

• Preserving Allied strength

• Forcing strategic consequences

A disciplined initial setup is the difference between historical collapse and competitive resistance.

If you’d like, I can also provide:

• A hex-by-hex recommended setup diagram

• An aggressive Allied alternative strategy

• A German counter-strategy analysis

• Tournament-level France optimization

Just tell me which direction you want to go.

Clear & Practical France Setup Guide

The Third Reich (1939 Campaign)

The Third Reich by Avalon Hill

This version removes theory and gives you clear, actionable setup instructions for France in 1939.

Your goal is simple:

Make Germany spend time and lose units — without getting encircled.

STEP 1 – Lock Down the Maginot Line

Do this first.

• Place solid infantry in every Maginot fort hex.

• Add artillery if available.

• Do NOT overstack.

• Do NOT strip units early.

Purpose:
Germany should never attack here. The line is an anchor, not an attack zone.

STEP 2 – Properly Defend the Ardennes (Most Important)

Most French losses happen here.

Never leave Ardennes lightly defended.

Place:

• 2–3 solid infantry corps minimum

• Back them with a reserve one hex behind

• Keep 1 armor unit within 2 hexes

If Germany breaks here with armor exploitation, your northern army gets surrounded.

The Ardennes must slow them at least one full turn.

STEP 3 – Choose Your Northern Plan

You have two safe options:

OPTION A – Conservative (Recommended)

Hold just inside France.

• Do NOT advance deep into Belgium.

• Defend behind rivers and rough terrain.

• Keep line compact.

• Maintain retreat routes.

Advantages:

• Harder to encircle

• Easier to reinforce

• More forgiving

Best for competitive play.

OPTION B – Forward into Belgium (Risky)

Only do this if you are confident.

• Move strong stacks forward immediately.

• Coordinate tightly with the British.

• Plan retreat BEFORE first combat.

Risk:
German breakthrough → encirclement → collapse in 1–2 turns.

STEP 4 – Keep Armor Central

French armor is precious.

DO:

• Keep it stacked together.

• Use it to plug gaps.

• Counterattack only when odds are favorable.

DON’T:

• Spread armor along the front.

• Attack just to “do something.”

• Leave it exposed to air-supported German attacks.

Armor = emergency response force.

STEP 5 – Protect Paris with Layers

Paris must never be one hex away from German exploitation.

• Keep at least one defensive stack between front and Paris.

• Maintain a reserve near the city.

• Never create open corridors.

If Paris falls early, French collapse accelerates dramatically.

STEP 6 – Concentrate Air Power

French air is limited.

Use it:

• On the main German attack

• To reduce odds where breakthrough is likely

Never scatter air units across the map.

SIMPLE OPENING TEMPLATE (Safe Setup)

Maginot: Fully garrisoned
Ardennes: Strong defense + reserve
Northern Front: Compact line
Armor: Central reserve
Paris: Layered defense
Air: Concentrated support

Goal:
Germany needs 2–3 turns to break you instead of 1.

When to Retreat

Retreat if:

• You risk encirclement

• German exploitation can isolate units

• Supply lines are threatened

Do NOT fight to the last man on the frontier.

A fighting withdrawal is a win.

5 Biggest French Mistakes

1. Ignoring Ardennes

2. Advancing too far into Belgium

3. Spreading armor thin

4. Leaving no retreat path

5. Exposing Paris

Avoid these and France becomes much harder to defeat.

Bottom Line

France will not win the war in 1940.

But in The Third Reich, a disciplined setup can:

• Cost Germany time

• Increase German losses

• Preserve British strength

• Change the entire mid-game