Another Solo Global AAR

[markb50k]

Nov/Dec 1942

Axis 1st Impulse:

Land Moves (continued):
In Syria, with the Soviets abandoning Baghdad, the Italians send one Yugo unit into the capital and start heading everything else back west. From their analysis, it is unlikely they can keep a supplied army in Iraq and attack Russia from the south. So, all of those troops could be better used in Europe. They'll build an Iraqi unit to take Kuwait, or at the very least cut the rails to Russia.

The rest will probably be needed in Spain, I would think.

[markb50k]

Nov/Dec 1942

Axis 1st Impulse:

Land Moves (continued):
One of the key things the Axis wants to do in Russia is cut off all the resources from the Caucasus to the rest of the country, so Mannstein and a couple units are heading to Stalingrad. If possible they'll try to cut the rail lines.

They also make two overwhelming attacks on units put in blocking positions.

In other news, an Italian unit finally reach French Chad and runs through the capital.

[markb50k]

Nov/Dec 1942

Axis 1st Impulse:

Land Combat:
Both attacks are automatics, and Russia doesnt waste any of their air on fool's errands

After both attacks, things look a bit cleaner now for the Axis, but the Soviets have a much more solid line, and they are giving up room enough that they may survive to the new year without many more losses.

[markb50k]

Nov/Dec 1942

Allies 2nd Impulse:
Allies turn again, and time to open up another front on the Germans in Western Europe.

Weather:
A roll of 5 brings similar weather to before, pretty mild, except for the Arctic where its storm. No air power in Russia at this point.

[markb50k]

Allies may have to call off invasion of Portugal. Portugal has some really choice setups that cause some nasty business for the CW if they attack, namely losing either Bombay or South Africa.

With no units in South Africa, the CW needs to rethink this. Ugh.

[markb50k]

In the interest of fun, and sanity on my own part, I will assume a more straightforward Portuguese setup, and allow the invasion to go forward. In return, the CW will move a South African unit home to provide a semblance of home defence.

Stay tuned.

[Centuur]

It is wise for the USSR to get a land unit into Bandar Shapur, to prevent the Iraqi's from grabbing the Persian oil fields. Also, if the Yugo/Italian troops withdraw from the area, attack Iraq with the USSR again. I would suggest to try to move a HQ in Persia and start being a little aggressive there with the USSR. With all the things the Wallies are doing in the west, the trick is to prevent a withdrawal from Axis units from any front. The Euroaxis are overstretched and they are rapidly using the momentum and you should pin them down in all area's on the map. Iraq included.

So if the Axis force there withdraws, the USSR needs to advance! Also, this prevents the capture of Kuwait (and perhaps it is wise to put a CW unit in that port if you can...

Sure. It looks like the USSR is under pressure, but that won't last during the winter and look how nice: during winter, weather is usually pretty good in the Med for Russian operations in Iraq. Just make sure that you force the Euroaxis to keep more units in the area than they would like to have there. Remember: every unit withdrawn from Iraq means a unit more on the Eastern front to deal with as the USSR...

[markb50k]

Nov/Dec 1942

Allies 2nd Impulse:

Declaration of War:
The Allies all declare war on Portugal. The Axis aligns Portugal to Germany

Actions:
USSR - Land
CW - Land
US - Land
Fr - Land

Here is the setup for the Portuguese.

[markb50k]

Nov/Dec 1942

Allies 2nd Impulse:

Ground Strikes:
US does two strikes on the defending Portuguese forces, both are with surprise, so two rolls

1st one in a forest hex (halved). 2 rolls at '2' missed.

[markb50k]

Nov/Dec 1942

Allies 2nd Impulse:

Ground Strikes (continued):
2nd strike at Lisbon is a HIT.

[markb50k]

Nov/Dec 1942

Allies 2nd Impulse:

Rail Moves:
USSR rails out Saratov factory threatened by Germany.
USSR rails ARM HQ to Persia. They will need at least one HQ in their Caucasus stronghold. Next impulse they will try to rail a unit to the Persian Gulf.

Land Moves:
Soviet positions after moves

[markb50k]

Nov/Dec 1942

Allies 2nd Impulse:

Land Moves (continued):
Building up in Caucasus

[markb50k]

Nov/Dec 1942

Allies 2nd Impulse:

Land Moves (continued):
In the Pacific, the US launches two amphibious invasions, the smaller one at Ponape with an INF DIV (automatic).

The second one at Saipan with two MAR corps-level units. Currently at +21 although the Japanese will likely try to provide ground support, we'll see..

UPDATE: max ground support could get odds to 22:2 which is still an automatic, so no ground support.

[markb50k]

Nov/Dec 1942

Allies 2nd Impulse:

Land Moves (continued):
In Portugal, the US forces in Spain drive down the coast to hit the northern defender.

Around Lisbon, multiple amph. invasions down the coast. The battle for Lisbon will have shore bombardment and air support.

[markb50k]

Nov/Dec 1942

Allies 2nd Impulse:

Land Combat:
We'll go from toughest battle to easiest.

The 1st amph. landing in Portugal by the US HQ Clark. The game is a bit confusing how it keeps including then NOT including the notionals, so you never REALLY know what the odds are until the combat resolution screen comes up. When it finally showed the final ratio, its was a 5.5:1, or a +13 modifier. Germany chose the Assault table.

US rolled a 13, the US forces are ashore in Portugal.

[markb50k]

Nov/Dec 1942

Allies 2nd Impulse:

Land Combat (continued):
Next we go to the battle for the capital of Portugal, Lisbon. One unit defending against the Royal Marines and a 6-1 GARR. With shore bombardment, ground support, and surprise, the modifier ends up being +14.5.

Germany chooses the Assault table, US gets the fractional and rolls a 13. Lisbon is in Allied hands!

[markb50k]

Nov/Dec 1942

Allies 2nd Impulse:

Land Combat (continued):
Up the coast of Portugal for the 3rd attack, a land attack led by American forces coming down from Spain. With shore bombardment the modifier ends up a healthy +16.6667

US chooses the Blitz table, and its a victory.

IN OTHER NEWS: Ponape, Saipan, and the other amphibious landing in Portugal are all automatics.. Its Nov/Dec 1942 and the US has the Marianas. Truk may have just become irrelevant.

[markb50k]

Nov/Dec 1942

Axis 2nd Impulse:
The Axis needs to react to yet another front opened up in Western Europe, while the Japanese need to figure out what to do with Truk.

Actions:
Japan - Land
Germany - Land
Italy - Land

Ground Strikes:
Getting choosy about their strikes, given growing Allied air strength, Germany makes one strike on Stalingrad in the rain, sending two bombers at half-effectiveness with 2 escorts. USSR decides to take its chances and not launching their fighter cover.

In retrospect, probably a bad decision. the fighter and 1 of the defending units are hit.

[markb50k]

Nov/Dec 1942

Axis 2nd Impulse:

Rail Moves:
Germany and Italy rail 4 corps to Spain.
Japan exchanges their ARM HQ for the INF HQ in Manchuria

Land Moves:
Germany makes some tightening of the line in Russia but no attacks other than an attempt at STALINGRAD!!

[markb50k]

Nov/Dec 1942

Axis 2nd Impulse:

Land Moves (continued):
Here are the Axis moves in Spain, in reaction to the new invasion in Portugal. At this point, the Axis wouldn't mind the turn ending as most of their units in Spain are just railed in and disorganized.