An advanced beginners AAR, and what i've learned so far and hope to learn

[Banjo]

Germany land
Italy combined.
Japan needs to take Sian. The weather will probably not clear to give the bombers a chance to do their work effectivly.
They will make the attack on Sian in the snow, so they choose land.

[Banjo]

The Italians fly their NAV into the Italian Coast to cover the convoy unit, then sail the transport from Tripoli to La Spezia.

This game gets so boggling that I saw no units in Rome and thought that I had missed something, and that the CW or France could sail right in and take it. Then I remembered after that short panic moment that they would have to declare war first and that the Rome unit would "magicly appear and save the day.

The Germans not wishing to risk their NAV unit this turn, let the CW have the North Sea. The NAV really got lucky with the abort roll last turn.

[Banjo]

Looking for possible rail moves for Japan, I realized that Mukden was wide open for the partisans, and railed the militia from Tsitsihar that arrived as reinforcement. I have no idea why i placed them therr instead of Mukden. Probably because I was tired. I went to bed shortly afterward.

A shot of the units in Manchuria and Vladivostok.

[Banjo]

Germany rails the Engineers from Poland, to the west.

[Banjo]

Italian 4-5 motorized INF moves to the border of Tunisia from Tripoli adding an additional worry for the Allies.

I am wondering if taking Tunisia, and Algeria if possible is wise.

Would it be better to have them Vichy in the long run?

Something to ponder.

[Banjo]

Also the territorial in Bengazi moves east toward the Egyptian border, to join the rest of the Italian forces there.

I don't think I am going to risk Italian losses from combat in Egypt, when war breaks out. Benito might have been eager for action there, I am not. Yet.

[Ur_Vile_WEdge]

You really do want to have the Italians take as much of French North Africa as is feasible.

Because either the Germans are going for a full conquest of France, which lends itself to attacking Spain, and holding on to North Africa helps out in that, or you're just going to do a quick Vichy. And North Africa almost always goes Vichy, which means it's a relatively softer target when the Allies start to counterattack. Ideally, you'll get all the way to Morocco, but that's something that tends not to happen, if only because the Germans crack Paris first.

[Banjo]

Germany continues to prepare.

In my last two games where I actually learned enough to continue past the Polish campaign, and continue until a few impulses past the fall of France, I used two startegies for the Germans.

The first was declaring war on both the Netherlands and Belgium at the same time. France fell Jul/Aug.

The second I decalre first the Netherlands, followed by Belgium, where France did not fall until either SEP/OCT, or NOV/DEC, I don't remember.

In the second of these games, the French air force was able to abort enough of the German ground strikes without loss to themselves to frustrate the German attacks. They were able to achieve favorable rolls during the German land attacks to the point that they were able to mount a stubborn retreat, and clever inside line moves to make their line as strong as possible for the following German impulses.

While playing this AAR, I learned several things that may have made a difference in what in how I used my German forces, that have nothing to do with fancy diagrams and plans drawn on screenshots.

The building of a synth plant and subs, has taken BP away from INF that could help when units become disorganized after attacks, but this is something I have to live with, and it will take a bit of luck and smarter play to bring the campaign to an end a quickly as possible while taking care to attack where I can keep losses to a minimum. Losses will be taken of course, and I made sure to have an ample amount of divisions available for that purpose.

[Banjo]

Hi Wedge, you have me staring at the map, which is a good thing. I agree that taking northwest Africa is a good thing. I am i bit hesitant about Spain however. Not because of the strategy, but my own lack of experience with the game beyound the fall of France. There is so much to consider at this point in the game concerning the long haul.

How long will France last being one of them, and how much will it cost the Germans to do so. One of the weakpoints that I see in the game in its current form, is the fact that bomber interception en route has not been enabled yet. There is too much economic damage that can be inflicted by not having enough fighters to cover everything, and still have enough to put support the ground forces. At this point it is not a agme breaker for me because I know it will be enabled in the future, by which time I hope to be familiar enough with the game all around.

Air coverage if and when Gibralter can be taken either through Spain or if lucky directly, will need enough air units to cover both Morocco and the Cadiz areas. That does not include the eastern Med. and the Russian front.

If I can make it through some major naval actions where the outcome is determined as much by the roll of the dice and good play, instead of doing something really stupid, that costs the game, I will be happy. An honest fight and good general overall strategy is what I am hoping for. Once this game is under my belt, I hope to consider and explore the Spain option a bit more seriously. That does not mean it will not happen in this game however[:D]

[Banjo]

Japan has moved, and commited its entire force into the attack on the Sian Garrison. The Cav has taken possesion in a forward hex in the mountains to the north. These mountains create a lot of trouble if the Chinese are allowed to get in there.

[Banjo]

Drum roll please.

And the winner is......

[Banjo]

Sian falls.

[Banjo]

There was no reaction by the US again.

[Banjo]

With Sian and the mountains to the north secure, the threat from the Chicoms has been greatly reduced. In my games focusing on Changsa, The Chicoms were not only able to hold the mountains, but were able to begin flanking the Japanese. Sian with no factory, but one resource, is a medium target for the production value, but a strategic one for keeping the Chicoms at bay.

If I pursue them toward Lanchow, the circled area becomes a concern, with my main force shifted a few hexes west. A few hexes is not very far, but when the rains come and supply range and movement is reduced, being able to shift a unit or two back to help cover that area becomes a problem.

[Banjo]

The Japanese rebase two air units.
The Germans move a weak bomber into a rear area city in order to remove it at the end of the turn to free up a pilot. The ATR is moved forward to a city in order to have the paras available when they are placed on the board, close to the fronnt.

[Banjo]

Allied 2nd impulse JAN/FEB 40

[Banjo]

China land, everyone else combined.

[Banjo]

The French transport moves to the Cape Verde Basin, to pick up a 5-3 militia in Sengal.
The US moves the convoys into Hawaii

[Banjo]

The CW rails a 1-4 DIV from Calcutta to Bombay to protect it from partisans.

[Banjo]

The weather enabled the Chicoms to move into their defensive positions. Their situation looks bleak.