Decline & Fall AAR v2

[composer99]

Long faces, lurching stomachs, and other general ill feeling must predominate the Allied military headquarters (to say nothing of the troops sitting in transports on the heaving seas).

The weather roll was a 1, which in May/June means it is simply awful. Except in the Arctic and the Mediterranean weather zones, planes are grounded.

Only the USSR feels it can get by, what with the nice burst of late-spring snow.

Edit: I have posted an image showing the weather overlay. You can see snow in the Arctic zone, storm in the North Temperate zone, and just a fraction of a sea hex with its lightning bolt weather. (Other screenshots with more horrible weather sure to follow.)

[composer99]

As far as the USSR is concerned, snow is brilliant. A -4 penalty to land combat die rolls that it can easily overcome with its many winter-ready units, but the Germans cannot, is a big plus while most of the front is still in the Arctic weather zone. Halved bombing factors of airplanes is a minor issue, but one that the hardy Soviet infantry and tank crews can manage.

For the Western Allies and the Chinese, though, the weather is nothing short of atrocious.

What is more, because the impulse numbers advance faster, the turn will end sooner. The Allies may have to expend their offensive chits on super-combined impulses (which they wanted to avoid this turn) in order to get ashore before the turn ends.

Germany and Japan can feel some reprieve (Germany less so because the Red Army could still get up to some mischief).

[brian brian]

we call such an event "Hitler Weather" when playing the game. Sunny 39-42, Rainy 43-45.

[Ur_Vile_WEdge]

ORIGINAL: composer99

Not surprisingly, the partisan is swiftly dispatched.

The Germans do not advance after combat.

Was that wise? I mean, I doubt the Germans are in a position to make a general offensive, and that was just a land attack made in the home country of the USSR. Partisans can be annoying, but killing him just gave the Soviets an extra 7 or so BP.

[composer99]

ORIGINAL: Ur_Vile_WEdge

ORIGINAL: composer99

Not surprisingly, the partisan is swiftly dispatched.

The Germans do not advance after combat.

Was that wise? I mean, I doubt the Germans are in a position to make a general offensive, and that was just a land attack made in the home country of the USSR. Partisans can be annoying, but killing him just gave the Soviets an extra 7 or so BP.

It could be an issue down the road, but the partisans are basically sitting on the eventual defense line the Germans want to take up, so they would have to go anway.

In addition, as long as the USSR suffers at least that many build points in casualties (whether from its own poor combat rolls or from german attacks) this turn - which I suspect is likely - it will wash out the production bump.

[composer99]

I'd like to say I'd have more to post about this scenario, but the last two evenings I had parenting stuff get in the way, and then this weekend (it's a holiday weekend here in Soviet Canuckistan) I'll be out of town and away from my computer (sadly, it won't fit in the bag). So no updates to speak of until next week. Possibly Sunday night if I decide to stay up late.

[Klydon]

ORIGINAL: composer99

I'd like to say I'd have more to post about this scenario, but the last two evenings I had parenting stuff get in the way, and then this weekend (it's a holiday weekend here in Soviet Canuckistan) I'll be out of town and away from my computer (sadly, it won't fit in the bag). So no updates to speak of until next week. Possibly Sunday night if I decide to stay up late.

Ah, that's right. Happy Thanksgiving to you sir and enjoy the weekend. [:)]

[composer99]

Here is some typical Pacific weather this impulse.

It's not pretty.

[composer99]

The USSR, at least, has no uncertainty regarding impulse calls. What it does have uncertainty about is whether or not to throw down the offensive chit on Zhukov or not.

[composer99]

Allied Impulse 3

Faced with awful weather, the CW and US play combined impulses, the French call a land impulse, and the Chinese decide to pass.

For its part, the USSR decides to be daring, and calls a land impulse and throws down an offensive chit on Zhukov.

[composer99]

The Allies decide they have no port attacks or naval air missions to fly.

The CW moves some ships to the W. Med and picks up units.

[composer99]

The US sends a transport to the Solomons sea area (from San Diego) and some cruiser escorts.

The US also sends a transport in the Pacific back towards San Diego to pick up reinforcements.

[composer99]

With the stormy weather keeping Japanese naval bombers at bay, the US submarines brave the waters of the China Sea again.

[composer99]

This time, they are able to just barely get the drop on the Japanese.

With only 1 convoy point to attack, just barely is good enough.

[composer99]

Because the damage the US inflicts is enough to sink the Japanese convoy unit, it will focus its surprise points on reducing damage taken.

[composer99]

Japanese merchant mariners know the terror of the torpedo as their convoys are lashed with high winds, heavy rains, and swelling seas.

[composer99]

Their mission accomplished, the US submarines submerge and scatter, awaiting the deployment of more merchant ships. The combat ends.

The Commonwealth submarines try to accomplish a similar feat in the South China Sea, but are unable to find their quarry.

[composer99]

The damage, however, is done, as Japanese forces are out of supply.

[composer99]

The CW and US don't get up to any bombing on land, but the USSR does launch some ground strikes in the south.

[composer99]

The Germans send up fighters to fight, but they clear through the Sturmoviks and nothing much comes of it.