Malta an the "Italian Lake"

[tlintlunfl]

Hi all,
I'm an italian wargamer and having played several times the game found an unhistorical situation plaiyng as Axis.
Malta was in the war a big problem for Axis supplies, many times troops already on african land had supply shortage and even sending more troops was almost impossible due to this fact.
So I decided to take Malta as soon as possible. Playing with normal rules I take it two times, so that Mediterranean Sea become an "italian lake". First to say it seems to me the lack of british naval forces based in Malta is unhistorical. I understand that game's scale is too big for representing naval forces in Malta, but still I think a special rule concerning them should be historically more accurate, could I suggest a sea zone, like a ring, around Malta, from where british naval and air forces could patrol and menace the italian transport routes?
On the other hand, playing two times with advanced rules of supplies and fuel, costs for taking Malta became so high to let me ignore the isle. But for the rest of the game nor supply nor troops' number were affected by british control of Malta, and in 1940 I had a powerful DAK: some 5 inf - 2 armours - 4 aircrafts - 1 antiaircraft - 2 militia ready to run for Cairo; which fell in Axis hands in early 1941, allowing the rush for Caucasus and Persia and a decisive Victory for my side in 1943.
This, in my opinion is to be corrected and the key of the entire process is Malta.
Otherwise an easy Axis victory could be achieved conquering North Africa and Middle East.
Best regards
Max

[sajbalk]

There are potentially opportunity fire issues with Malta, but it is difficult to imagine that in real life, an Axis dedicated to taking over Alexandria and the Suez could not have done so. In any event, a human could give you a much better challenge.

[tlintlunfl]

Hi Sajbalk,
in my opinion Axis had no chance to take control of North Africa in "real life" till Malta controlled Central Mediterranean.
See various and numerous books published about supplies shipping problems had italian Marina.
And see also losses of transports and escort ships that italian Marina suffered, only to mantain the relatively little body of troops in North Africa.
AI cannot obviously make long term plans, nor can plan "sacrifice attacks" whose only aim is to achieve long term plans, nor can understand strategies as "hold at all costs" only to earn, for example, one turn time; all situations a human player could manage.
Playing more and more times the game, it seems to me that first turns see Axis troops too much free to plan whatever conquest they want, due to enemy weakness.
Only Sealion is virtually impossible to achieve.
Viceversa a powerful air force can be placed in Mediterranean Sea, to control it and create the famous "italian lake".
Best regards
Thanks.
Max