Global War Solitaire

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All allied powers have again chosen land moves.

The USA have used a chit to turn up all HQ, despite the fact that there is a high risk that the turn could terminate. The USA can afford it, and with luck, an offensive could be lauched the next impulse to break the lock around Lyon.

The British will renounce their assault on Paris: not enough strength available, especially after a failed carpet bombing on Paris. Instaed, they will focus on Rouen to try and get the road on the coastline opened.

The Russians will not attack seriously this turn: they will used the fact that the German army is almost immobilized now to push their advantage by getting more troops through the hole.

This is France and Netherlands at the start of the 5th allied impulse in May 44.

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The East Front at the start of the 5th allied impulse in May 44.

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The balkan and southern Italy at the start of the 5th allied impulse in May 44.

Note that Italy has vacated Greece: troops are badly in need in more important areas.

The Americans hoped to launch an assault on Rome. For that purpose they made a carpet bombing (at 17 factor) that failed. It was followed by a ground strike (at 5 factors), that also failed against all three units. The attack was postponed...

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China at the start of the 5th allied impulse in may 44.

Chinese have lured the Japanese into a false sense of security since the start of the turn. Moving little, titghly pocketing the Ex-Yamashita army corps. Thing will change with brutality.

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The Chinese suddenly turn north and anihilate Umezu.
Anyway, there was little hope for this army now: no reinforcement will be forthcoming, and evacuation will not be possible, if at all, for most units.

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The Americans clear up the trailing German units in the Rhone Valley.
These units have been slowly moving to the north, to strengthen the wavering front.
Most have escaped.

Note that there was a combat two hexes north. It ended up with the retreat of the german forces, but there were no losses on either side.

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In Rouen, the British hopes shatter. This is another of these attacks that breaks the chance of any more progress there for the turn. The losses are heavy, and will likely be felt in the next turn.

Germany is at least now ensured that this part of the front is secure.

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But the British have the satisfaction of victory in the North.
The small expeditionary force still continues its devastating mop up.

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A costly victory for Russia in the Balkans.
But there is no doubt that the presure must be kept high.
This front is weak and can be broken.

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France at the start of the 5th axis impulse in May 44.

The axis powers have a choice to all pass. This may be tempting, for a 60% chance of end of turn. But if it fails, this means giving the allied a free impulse, that is sure to be extremenly devastating on the east front : it is necessary to prevent the Russians to penetrate the prepared fortification line behind the Vistula.

Elsewhere, passing would be a good option: there is no specific move to do now in France, where the defense lines stand well and no ajustments are necessary. The same applies in the Balkans, and the Japanese know that anyway, most of their troops in China are doomed ; furtermore, they now serve no purpose, most resources being now under Chinese control.

In Italy, there is no obvious move that requires being done.

So the axis chooses 2 pass actions and a land action (Germany.)

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East front, 5th axis impulse in May 44.

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China, 5th axis impulse in May 44.

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The axis did the right choice.

The end of turn roll was 9. It is good for Germany to have been able to move.
It has retreated many units to the "Adolf line", a long fortification running from Königsberg to Krackow, following the river course, protecting half of Poland. That fortifictaion line is still in building in the south, where protections are being built around Bratislava an Vienna.

If at all possible, the fortification should later extend into the mountains.

Thereis a similar line in the West, but the current invasion in the Netherlands makes it more or less useless. Still, time will show if it can serve any purpose.

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In China, the attack on the 7th infantry does not meet with the expected success.

Note that instead of shattering the unit, I choose to keep it in China: shattering would send it back teleporting to Japan: this is not what I want. All units in China must end up destroyed.

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In Rouen, the British try agin but fail again. Still, the city is vacated, but the cost was steep!

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In the Carpatians, a trailing Italian division is swallowed.

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Northwest of Lyon, the offensive by Bradley succeeds. This success might open up the passage for the US troops, east of the Seine. Only one line of defense remains.

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Near Lyons, the last metropolitan Vichy unit falls.

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In Germany, the British expeditionary corps meets it first difficulty, although this is not exactly a defeat.

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In Hungary, Germany and Hungarian corps repelled out of the protection of the mountains are no match to the superior Russian forces.