DQ2004's AAR #2 - "Ouch. ...that hurt"

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The turn ends after many many rounds of relatively inconclusive naval battles. The RN is frustrated that they haven't sunken any more German ships, but the Germans are also frustrated that they haven't sunk more British ships. But nonetheless the convoys have still not recovered, and Commonwealth production is still not operating at full capacity.
Here is global control at the start of Mar/Apr 1942. The US passes War Appropriations.
A truly global conflict looms large...

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Out of interest, here's a screenshot I haven't done until now.
Here is the global map with units marked in their country colours. It shows instantly where the frontlines are, although the Italian units are a bit hard to see.

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It is Mar/Apr 1942 and the US has just passed War Appropriations. For Japan it is time.
The Allies gain the initiative but this does not matter. The Japanese fleet sets sail...

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In the North Sea, the Royal Navy has left a screening force. The bulk of their fleet, centred around a powerful group of carriers, is in the Bay of Biscay, to prevent the German fleet at Brest from wreaking further havoc on the convoys. It is a colossal error of judgement.
The German Navy steams from Brest ..north! Supply ships set sail from Kiel. Amphibious craft and transport ships from Northern Germany. To their horror the Admiralty realise this can mean only one thing!!

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In the Red Sea, the Italian fleet decides to risk the Swordfish torpedo bombers, and sure enough, they get the surprise points. They choose a surface combat and abort the pesky carriers.

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In the ensuing surface battle the Regia Marina's ships prove equal to the task of handling the damage meted out by the small British squadron

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In the North Sea the Senior Service is greatly outnumbered; the Germans chase the first British group away.
The RN reserves are sent in. It is all they have left to throw at the Germans. The odds don't look good...

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In Northern China, the Communists continue to put pressure on the Japanese. It is costly, but they can afford it; the Japanese cannot.

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It is the 2nd Axis impulse of Mar/Apr 42. Everything is ready. There is a moment of hesitation.

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We find there are plenty of goodies for the Netherlands to set up. In hindsight, they should have set up much more spread out...

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An enormous force of aircraft swoop down on Pearl Harbor.
Even though surprise is total, the defenders manage to shoot down two of the attacking aircraft; Nagumo wanted to use the enormous number of surprise points on increasing his damage ratio, and figured that would be better than reducing the anti-aircraft fire. Not sure if that was the right decision.
The bombers concentrate on the carriers Lexington and Yorktown. They are both sunk, along with the Arizona and the Houston.

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In the North Sea, huge air battles rage. Over multiple rounds of combat, both sides lose valuable aircraft.
But the RAF fails to find the German transport vessels. The Stukas do find the British ships, and their determination costs them one of their newest and best battleships. In the end the British are forced to retreat from the North Sea. For now...

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With only one unit available in the initial landing, the choice of where to land is a tricky one. After much deliberation, Plymouth is chosen. The 1st Infantry Corps storms ashore.
On the continent, more German forces are overwhelming the Netherlands.
Many transport ships are scuttled in Rotterdam harbour.

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In the Med, Athens finally falls.
Yugoslavia will be aligned next turn. It will mean yet more production for the mighty German war economy (Yugoslavia's two blue factories).

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In Northern China the Communists have forced the Japanese back a few hexes. It will mean vital reinforcements will have to be diverted to here.

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The German declaration of war on the Netherlands, their landing on the coast of southern England, combined with the treachery of Japan, means that the United States is easily able to declare war on Germany and Italy in the following impulse. Unfortunately there is little they can do to surprise German forces. Reinforcements for the UK swiftly head across the Atlantic.
The British Army moves to contain the German landing. The next question - do they counterattack? A failure could be disastrous. But a success will be equally vital and could prevent any future landings.

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In Malaya, the Japanese General Yamashita has swiftly overrun the Commonwealth country, and is at the gates of a well defended Singapore.

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The British decide to counterattack.
The attack fails. Fortunately they only lose one unit.
However the Germans are then able to reinforce. The BV-222 flies in another infantry corps, whilst a powerful SS Mechanized corps lands from transports. An FW-190 wing re-bases to England.

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The turn ends. The war is now global.
The destroyed units pool tells the story. Japans successes have come at a high cost.

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Here is global control at the end of Mar/Apr 1942.