Global War Solitaire

[yvesp]

In the Netherlands, the Commonwealth manages to break the lock established by the Germans, who will have to find yet another unit to block the advance. But where ?

[yvesp]

In Russia, Zhukov has launched a large offensive in the direction of Varshaw. It consists of three attacks using armored superiority, as well as aerial bombardments.

The line breaks and panzer delve deep behind the German lines. Unlike what can be thought, the hex left by the panzers is not empty : it is kept by a 3-6 armored division. All German units around are disorganized but one, so while it can be attacked, it is not in extrem danger.

[yvesp]

The second attack, led by Zhukov himself, succeeds too.
This is extremely destabilizing for the German units caught in the pincer: some are already almost lost because they are disorganized.

[yvesp]

In the Carpatian, an assault is launched while the German position is not solidified. Taking hold of the last mountain hex before the plains is a good gamble. If the attack had failed, it would not really have mattered.

[yvesp]

The last attack of the Zhukov offensive.

It also succeeds, and the panzer advance is definitely threatening, especially in combination of all other victories on that front.

[yvesp]

Communist try to mop up some Japanese trailing units.
The result is not that good. Japan sacrifices Yamashita who, in any case, is a liability: disorganized, it is worth 3 in defense, and a +2 bonus to the attacker... As he cannot be saved...

[yvesp]

In Japan, the Americans try to seize a port.

But they fail. This is probably the end of the current invasion, which was too hastily prepared and conducted, unlike the european ones. Anyway, this invasion results are interesting: it forced the Japanese into the move that led to the destruction of half their transport fleet. Of course, that move was also a success: atransport managed to bring back the unit that was the cause of the current defeat.

[yvesp]

The losses at the end of the second allied impulse tell a story.

It is true that the allies were exceedingly lucky in most of their combats. Consider that none of the rolls fell at 9 or below : a 0.5% chance of occurence...

If one adds in the luck the americans had in the previous impulse against the Japanese air fleet, this makes a lot!

[yvesp]

Japan at the 2nd axis imulse in May 44.

It looks like the invasion will be repelled.
It would probably have been smarter to land directly on the port.
Actually, I forgot that Japan could bring back units from the continent...

[yvesp]

France at the start of the 2nd axis impulse.
While the front line looks solid, there are good reasons to believe it could crumble fast: too many disorganized units plague it.

[yvesp]

Italy at the start of the second axis impulse in May 44.

The USA refrained from any serious action for two reasons:
* As long as the Italian fleet is in the area, it can bring defensive bombardment, considerably reducing the chaces of any land attack.
* It seems better to land more units to maximize the odds of the next attacks.

[yvesp]

On the east front, the previous Russian attack was devastating. The advance of the armored units can possibly be stopped, but the lost terrain cannot be regained. This means a general pull back of 2 hexes.

However, there are disorganized units that cannot move, and disorganized air units that have been used in the previous impulses. It seems impossible to save them all.

[yvesp]

The advance in the Balkan.

The axis units able to stop the horde are few and far between.
Ignoring this part of the front may look tempting, because it is far for any significant place (i.e. germany), but that would be a mistake: Russian units could be very fast at the doors of Vienna...

[yvesp]

France at the start of the 3d allied impulse.

Germany doesn't have enough reserve to manage all fronts.
The front in France will have to do with the available units.

[yvesp]

Italy at the start of the 3d allied impulse.

The Italian fleet is still there, a dangerous problem against invasions and attacks alonf the cost line, which Italy has plenty!

[yvesp]

The Russian front at the start of the 3d allied impulse.

Germany has moved what it could, trying not to lose to much: the end of the turn could come anytime now. Furthermore, remaining bombers have been able to blunt the spearhead of the three breakthrough : they won't go anywhere and they won't attack anything. This gives some breath.

[yvesp]

The USA have taken a combined action, hoping to clear the Italian navy from the area.

Tough luck the Italian navy finds the slowest transports and wreak havoc using guns. Three transports are lost, some with cargo.

[yvesp]

Both side stay: the Italians know they have to stick to the area to prevent or diffuse any land attack ; they can also hope to renew with their previous victory.

The USA have no choice but to stay!

This time, lucj is not that lenient on the Italians who suffer some damage. But battleships are tough nuts to crack.

There won't be any third round: searches will fail. This suits perfectly the Italians!

[yvesp]

The Russians attempt a daring move: a paradrop on a lone mechanized unit, in the hope of retreating it. If it succeeds, the units behind it, already disorganized, would be out of supply.

The attack fails absolutely and costs dearly to the Russian army. Now, the sperahead of the initial breakthrough is isolated and out of supply!

[yvesp]

The follow up combat is still a success.
But if the plan ahd worked, all three units would have been destroyed.