Another Solo Global AAR

[Centuur]

From the allied point of view. Be patient. It's a long time till august 1945. Defend important places. Egypt, Australia and Burma/India together with the important ports in the Pacific. Try to send as much aid to the Chinese as possible. The survival of China should be considered top priority.

Let the Axis war machine overextend themselves. And for the USSR: think about a small war against Japan to prevent the collapse of China. The Germans can't DoW you in a long, long time, since the main forces are in Spain and you've got a whole summer for the capture of Manchuria. I don't believe there are much Japanese forces there, aren't there. And how nice it is that you've got two SUB's sitting on their doorstep...

If you don't want to do that with the USSR, DoW the Italians so you can use real land actions and free up the MIL pool for more units on the border. The US isn't going to bother anymore and how nice it is to put those cheap lousy MIL and GAR in the front of the German army if they DoW you. If they still can. You outbuild the Germans in number of garrison points that way for a long, long time.

[Cad908]

I second Peter's advice on the Euro Axis, finish the job in the Med. At this point your strongest play might be an attempt to align Turkey, though it does not seem feasible given the time and distance required. Japan I fear is doomed, as the CW & French fleets are intact and Germany has not prosecuted the convoy war. You are right about German activities to date, just there are consequences. The US can now project its entire fleet against the Japanese and by the end of 1942 it is going to be brutal.

The initiative is already passing to the Allies. Your aggressive early Axis play (again consequences) now has the US active 4 turns earlier than historical. If we figure Entry Option 34 War Appropriations was also triggered 4 turns earlier (Jan/Feb 41 versus Sep/Oct 41 ?) That equates to US BP something like this:

4 turns US production + 20 = 80 BP
the 1942 +.25 multiple 4 turns early = 40 BP
the 1943 +.25 multiple 4 turns early = 40 BP
the 1944 +.25 multiple 4 turns early = 40 BP

So by the end of 1944, the US will have 200 BP beyond what it would normally get. That will translate to lending, CV's, planes, and O-chits. At the start of 1945, with Mexico and Brazil aligned, the US will produce 97 BP per turn.

Again, as Peter suggested, look for opportunities to get the USSR active. Their pressure on Manchuria coupled with the US conducting a Japan first campaign could collapse Japan in 1943. The US & CW should commence a full-scale air campaign against Germany while maintaining pressure in the Med.

Thanks for the AAR. It has been a good read and I look forward to your updates.

-Rob

[markb50k]

Thanks for the advice, gentlemen.

I think I will take it. I'll probably play smart on the Eastern Front with Germany (sitzkrieg) and focus on the Med.

And in Japan, I will try to finish off China while moving back to Manchuria.

Allies wise, USSR will likely DOW on Italy and Japan just to keep the Axis guessing on where they will go. CW will need to hold the line in Africa until the US can lend help troop-wise, while the Pacific is where US will concentrate the fleet.

I'll also pump what I can in Lend Lease wise to China.

[markb50k]

Mar/Apr 1941

Allied Impulse #11 (their 3rd)
Weather turns fine everywhere.

Perhaps the Axis miscalculated, but the chance of the turn ending, even without any passing is 50%. To only get two impulses on the turn Japan declares war on the Allies would be somewhat troubling for the Axis.

The Allies decide to not pass and do their normal turns, and hope the 50% works in their favor.

Russia first declares war on Italy. This allows USSR to do full actions other than combined. It also puts the Militia units into USSR's force pool, creating a cheap way of increasing garrison levels.

USSR decides to not DOW Japan since it gives them little additional advantage given they cant move against Japan right now (only have 1 CAV corps and 1 CAV division in Siberia), and they lose the benefit of surprise. Might as well wait until they can use the surprise to some benefit.

USSR calls out its reserves, and places three corps near the Persian border. A USSR attack on Persia is likely in the immediate future to secure the additional resources with little effort.

The US aligns Mexico as well, giving them 1 more factory up to 43 total. With the 1.25 production multiple it puts the US at a max 54 BP/turn.

US and France calls a combined, Russia China and CW call land.

France:
- moves convoy point to US East coast. Allies would like to move all convoys out of North Atlantic, just in case the Axis start getting aggressive with sub warfare. Axis can stage SUBs out of Gibraltar and Brest now.
- French fleet attempts to find Japanese cruiser force in Bay of Bengal but are unsuccessful.

US:
- moves CPs to US East coast and Coral Sea. Also sends home the CP in the Solomons.
- debarks 1-4 ENG and 2-3 DIV to Casablanca

CW:
- strat bombs Cologne, not intercepted by Axis. Rolls a 9 and causes 1 pp. lost
- rails the South Rhodesian TERR, debarked last turn, to Brisbane to Australian defense.
- debarks Spanish 2-3 MIL to UK
- debarks 5-3 PARA and 1-3 DIV to Tangiers
- rebases 6 pt Spitfire to Liverpool. Will be transported to North Africa ASAP

USSR:
- rails Timoshenko to Baku, in prep for invasion of Persia
- rails 4-4 INF and 3-5 Mongolian CAV south as well
- occupy Baltic States
- air rebases two TB3 bombers to Persian border


China:
- communists pull back line on north end to get units out of a near encirclement, and shorten up the line


The roll for turn end is a 4, and the turn ends. The Japanese are unable to finish their conquest of Malaya. The Allies will hope for initiative next turn so they can move another corps there to defend Kuala Lampur.

USSR pulls a "6" defensive chit, which helps greatly in preventing the Germans getting closer to removing the Pact.
Germany starts putting some chits in defense as well since they already have enough offensive chits.

[markb50k]

Mar/Apr 1941

German production

Germany is maxed out resource wise, even with giving a bunch to Italy. Italy returns the favor by sending 4 BPs a turn to Germany. With the 1 point lost to Strat Bombing, Germany is sitting at 34 BPs this turn.

They build:
FTR3, 2 x FTR2, LND3, 4 x Pilot, GARR, MECH, ARM, INF

[markb50k]

Mar/Apr 1941

Italy production
Maxed out on resources, so much that they don't even need the convoys resources as well. With the 4 BPs to German, they sit at 10 BPs this turn.

They build:
AMPH(face up, meaning the 2nd build cycle), Pilot, FTR2, TERR, save 1 bp

[markb50k]

Mar/Apr 1941

Japan production
After losing 4 resources last turn due to the embargo, they gain 2 back during the turn, and an additional for next turn through conquest. Japan at 15 BP.

They build:
NAV3, FTR2, CP1, 2 x pilot, BB(face up)

In the RTB phase, Japan bases a BB/CA fleet in Singapore, their two CV fleets in Japan and Rabaul respectively. They want to be able to start harassing Australia and the French if possible starting next turn.

[markb50k]

Mar/Apr 1941

China production
Hopefully with all options now chosen, a better land lease effort can be done to help out China. But right now they are static at 5 BPs.

They build:
MIL, INF

[markb50k]

Mar/Apr 1941

Commonwealth production
Due to no real sub threat, CW has been maxed out at 22 factories producing for pretty much the whole game. They will look to start providing LL BPs to USSR next turn.

They build:
TRS(FU), 2 x Pilot, FTR2, NAV3, MIL, 4 x TERR

During the end of turn actions, the CW returns their CV fleet back to the UK, as well as staging the Queens in India, hopefully to be able to get reinforcements to Malaya.

[markb50k]

Mar/Apr 1941

France production
None.

France will stop sending resources to USSR, as it is easier and more convoy efficient for CW to do it.

In RTB phase, French ships move to reinforce rest of French fleet in Ceylon. Also, the French TRS rebases to Madagascar to pick up the TERR there, and will bring it next turn to East Africa.

US production
Now fully in the war, and with 19 saved BPs, US can spend 73 BPs this turn, and they do.

They build:
Ships: 2 x CVL, BB, AMPH, 2 x TRS (1st stage), Repair UK CL, Repair UK BB, Repair 3 x UK CA, Repair 2 x BB

Air: 4 x Pilot, 2 x FTR2, FTR3, NAV3, 5 x CP1

Land: GARR, 4 x MIL, ARM, MECH, MAR, INF

[markb50k]

Mar/Apr 1941

USSR production
USSR is maxed out on production, and with the 2 BP from Germany, they stand at 17 BPs.

They build:
5 x MIL, FTR2, LND3, Pilot

[markb50k]

May/Jun 1941

Reinforcements

the Mar/Apr turns end with conquests of Phillipines, NEI, Kenya by the Italians, and French Indochina.

As May/Jun starts, lots of reinforcements this turn.

[markb50k]

May/Jun 1941

May starts with the Axis wanting to finish conquering Malaya and the Allies wanting to increase their foothold in North Africa. The USSR also has plans for Persia to secure some easy resources.

Haven't shown this yet, so to give you more of the big picture, here are the current trade agreements.

Germany and Italy are maxed out, but Italy is providing some BP support to Germany as they carry the heaviest burden in the Euroaxis.

The allies will work on getting convoy routes setup to contribute BPs to China. Likely a full convoy route from either the UK or the US will be the only way of that happening, since I don't think the game allows BPs to flow from say Australia to China

[markb50k]

May/Jun 1941

Axis 1st Impulse

In the initiative roll, Axis rolls 2, Allies roll a 3. With the bonus, Axis +2, they win and chosse to go first.

Weather roll 4. Fine everywhere except N Monsoon (Rain). This may complicate things in Malaya. We'll see

Ge, IT call a land. JA combined

JA moves NAV out to Bay of Bengal
JA moves BB fleet out to Bay of Bengal
JA moves CV fleet out to Pearl Harbor (Marshalls)

Here's the details on the CV fleet stationed off of Hawaii. Right now the American's don't have the CVs or CVPs setup to battle the Japanese, so this will force a move by the Americans. Right now the Japanese want to keep the Americans reaction to them, instead of the other way around:

[markb50k]

May/Jun 1941

Axis 1st Impulse

Here, the Japanese send out a BB fleet from Singapore to provide bombardment for the coming attack on Kuala Lampur. They also send out a NAV for protection, say the French come out to play.

[markb50k]

May/Jun 1941

Axis 1st Impulse

In Morocco, GE ground strike two hexes including Tangiers with 2 FTRs based there. Basically the Luftwaffe is trying to lure out British fighters, with the best way is attempting to groundstrike their hex, then they basically have to take off to defend.

CW sends up Spitfire II and Beaufighter intercept. On first round, Stuka cleared and Spitfire shot down. Beaufighter aborts.

Results: Gort and DIV disorganized in the one hex (missed the 5-3 PARA), 3-3 Canada TERR disorganized (missed the 7-6 MECH)

[markb50k]

May/Jun 1941

Axis 1st Impulse

In other air attacks, the Japanese perform two ground strikes:

They attack the Communist hex with the Mao HQ and 7-3 INF. Mao is disrupted on a roll of 3 by the Japanese NAV.

In the South, they attempt to hit Chiang but miss.

In other Axis moves:

Japan rails 4-2 Manchurian TERR to Manchuria. 3 units there now.

Germany rails 2 DIVs to Poland, 1 GARR to Spain
Italy rails Badoglio HQ to Spain. This HQ will handle Spanish defense while the German HQs move on, either back to the Eastern Front or into Africa.

Italy moves 6-5 MECH to port. Want to maybe move it to N Afr this turn if they dont hit Malta, which they are also considering.

Germany also starts moving its newly arrived Marine corps towards the Med. Eventually, the Axis want to hit Malta with both Axis MAR units.

In Egypt, Italy moves Graziano East towards CW forces, which will eventually allow landing of Yugo forces in Egypt, since they cannot enter Libya.

Italy moves 4-3 Algerian TERR to cover Resource hex and southern flank of line.

With 2 CW units disrupted in tangiers, and Alexander not next door, Germany considers an attack across the Straits of Gibraltar. I believe it was sitting at +4 or so. They decide to wait one more turn, so that perhaps the Italian fleet could be called out to provide bombardment support.

In Egypt, the Italians almost launch a +6 breakthrough attack on the CW but conservatively decide not to.

In China, the Japanese do attack the hex in Malaya with support. Rain helps the defender so the attack is done only at a +6. Japan gets lucky on a roll of 17.

[markb50k]

May/Jun 1941

Allies 1st Impulse

USSR DOW Persia. Probably could of waited on this but want to get this over with before a possible German attack.
US Aligns Panama

US Naval
China Land
UK Comb
Fr Naval
USSR Land

With US doing repairs for CW, the decision is made to move all American SCS, save the short range BBs, to Pacific.
US CV fleet in Hawaii moves out of port to avoid port strike
US starts shifting CPs to Australia to maybe set up LL to China
US keeps Ranger, Wasp, and Bearn in Atlantic. When CVPs are available, will move them to Europe.
US CV Lexington and Yorktown, with no CVPs, moved back to San Diego
US moves 8-5 MOT towards N. Afr
US moves 5-1 GARR towards Midway
US moves 6-4 MAR towards A. Samoa

The CW needs to get more aircraft to Africa so they load a 6 pt Spitfire on TRS and put it out to sea.

FR attempts to find JA fleet in Bay of Bengal. Searches unsuccessful
GE attempts to find CW NAVs in W. Med. Brings out some fighters into 0 box to cover CPs. Searches unsuccessful.

CW attempts to Strat Bomb Berlin. No effect.

USSR ground strike Tehran with 2 long range bombers. Disorganized the defending 3-5 CAV.
CW sensing an attack on Tangiers, tries to groundstrike Gibraltar with DB7. Germany intercepts with its last available fighter. CW bombers cleared through. No effect.

CW moves Alexander HQ behind Tangiers for possible def. support.

USSR invades Persia. Nothing really going on as it may take a while to reach capital. With it being summer, they hope to take it by the end of the turn.

Heres the report from the air battle mentioned above:

[markb50k]

May/Jun 1941

Axis 2nd Impulse

Weather improves to Fine everywhere.

Japan DOW's USSR. They figure, at least they take away surprise from USSR. Neither has enough to do anything about it right now, so not a big risk.

GE calls a Land. Kinda taking a risk here, but they decide to OChit with von Bock for an attack on Tangiers
IT Combined. WIll send out fleet for bombardment
JA Land

IT moves fleet to West Med with 2 DIV on SCS. Not sure Italy wants to invade Tangiers, as it may make attack harder.

GE ground strikes Alexander. Ju88 hits with a 3.

CW has no aircraft with air-to-air except a 0 factor CVP. Don't intercept.

Italy decides not to do the invasion, but Germany does perform a paradrop.

GE conducts attack on Tangiers across Strait of Gibraltar. Reinforced with O-chit doubling, paradrop, and Naval bombardment.

GE/IT throws everything in ground support escorted by IT fighter. CW responds with ground support mission, 2 CVP and Beaufort, with 0 factor CVP as escort. Figure, what the hell...

Amazingly with a +4 advantage for the Axis, the Allies abort IT fighter, and then Axis aborts Allied fighter (by mistake -- I should have aborted the bomber, oh well). All ground support points are added (11 axis, 4 allied)

Overall, with Italian shore bombardment, and Von Bock HQ support, the ratio for Tangiers end up being 58:28.

Here are the results:



The only good news is that Gort will arrive next turn in UK. Also more reinforcements are coming in, but the fact is that the Germans can now start moving their army across the straits with a nice beachhead. For the rest of the turn, the CW has no available HQ not disorganized.

[markb50k]

May/Jun 1941

Axis 2nd Impulse

In China, Japan ground strikes Chiang. In another stunner, the B5N1 hits Chiang with a 2. Wow. thats some lucky rolls for the Axis, 2s and 3s shouldn't hit this well.

With Umezu throwing in HQ support and a couple more points in groud support, here are the results of a very important attack on Mao and the strongest Communist Chinese unit on the map.






Oof. In their euphoria, the Japanese breakthrough their 6-6 MECH to try and cause some havoc. Maybe they shouldn't have done that, we'll see next impulse...