Winston's Soft Underbelly -- A Dream Realized?

[rkr1958]

31. Sep/Oct 1944. Bismarck, Marianas, Solomons.

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31. Sep/Oct 1944. Papua and New Guinea.

As well as the USA and CW are doing against the IJN in the Pacific, they are struggling mighty against the IJA on land. This turn, the USA and CW had a 70%, or maybe 60%, chance of clearing the strong, but out of supply, IJA army group (i.e., stack of 3 units) holding out east of Port Morsby. Though in looking at the attack post combat, the odds of a successful result for the allies were likely much lower. The allies did manage to exchange a division (i.e., lose) for the IJN marine division in the stack.

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31. Sep/Oct 1944. CW Oil.

Fighting this World War across the globe has finally exhausted both the CW and USA strategic oil reserves.

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31. Sep/Oct 1944. USA Oil.

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31. Sep/Oct 1944. Country Economic Reports.

Even through exhausted strategic oil reserves and horrendous convoy losses, both the CW and USA were able to maintain maximum war production. For this turn at least.

On the other side, German PP output dropped to levels below that at the start of the war on Sep 1939. Though, BP output is still a healthy 40 BPs and is significantly higher than in 1939 due to a 2.00 versus 0.75 production multiplier. Even though German production is still healthy, it's on the verge of collapse and with it the nation of Germany.

[rkr1958]

31. Sep/Oct 1944. German Production.

Specifically, German oil income is limited to 3 resources. 2 other oil resources in Austria and Iraq, though still under the control of the Germans, are cut off from the Reich and have gone idle.

The RAF flew 4 strategic bombing raids did try to reduce German production further. However, all four raids failed to find their target and inflict any damage on German production. This was also a bad turn for RAF strategic bombers. Though, they took no losses.

[rkr1958]

32. Nov/Dec 1944. The (Western) Allies Dodge a Bullet.

(Recap) The Western Allies messed up in the last turn by not leaving any naval or air units to escort the 5 USN CPs in the Faeroes Gap. 4 of these CPs were being used to help ship 6 USA BPs to the London. And as I pointed when I realized the mistake, this was a classic FUBAR on the allies part.

Well, the allies dodged that bullet. They won the initiative, decided to go first, the weather was fine across the map and the USA took a super combined to take full advantage of the fine weather on the ground and still be able to address the foul up in the Faeroes Gap.

[rkr1958]

32. Nov/Dec 1944. Victory Totals.

Germany's victory total was reduced by 3 from 11 to 8, with the loss of Munich, Paris and Belgrade.

The USA total increased by 2 (Munich and Paris) and the CW's by 1 (Belgrade).

[rkr1958]

32. Nov/Dec 1944. The Collapse of the Reich.

The turn was composed of three impulse pairs with the allies moving first and the axis last. The first impulse pair was fair weather across the world. The second saw blizzard in the arctic and snow in the north temperate. The third pair saw rain in these two weather zones.

Both the Western Allies and the Soviets continued to press their attacks against the crumbling Germany army.

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32. Nov/Dec 1944. Destroyed Pool.

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32. Nov/Dec 1944. Liberation of Free France.

The USA was ready to agree to the liberation of Free France, however, a bug prevented that and forced the USA to NOT agree to liberation in order to continue the game (i.e., war).

[rkr1958]

32. Nov/Dec 1944. Balkans.

In the Balkans the CW liberated Yugoslavia and the USA agreed to return capture territory back to them too. All that's left to do in this theater is to finish off the last Italian strong hold, which is in Albania, left in Europe.

[rkr1958]

32. Nov/Dec 1944. East Africa.

Speaking of Italy. They just want concede that they're defeated and stop fighting. The Italians completely conquered Kenya this turn and are poised to do the same to Uganda next turn.

[rkr1958]

32. Nov/Dec 1944. The Pacific.

Moving to the Pacific. The Japanese "naval shield" is beginning to crack. However, the allies have yet to land any real "body blows" against the nation of Japan.

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Nov/Dec 1944. USSR Invades Manchuria.

In a move that was both surprising and bold, the USSR declared war on China and moved troops into Manchuria.

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32. Nov/Dec 1944. China. North Temperate.

The Soviet invasion of Manchuria immediately drew a reaction from Japanese forces in China, some of which are now on the move to reinforce Manchuria and drive back the Soviet invaders.

Also Japan beefed up their presence in Korea to deal with the new threat and new enemy.

[rkr1958]

32. Nov/Dec 1944. China. North Monsoon.

The Nationalist Chinese would really like to do something, but their attack weakness (optional rule) makes it very difficult to accomplish anything except through maneuver. That is, overwhelming forces are required to make any land combat remotely attractive.

[rkr1958]

32. Nov/Dec 1944. South China Sea. Siam, Indo-China, Philippines.

One area that the Japanese naval shield is still holding together (for now at least) is in the South China Sea. Though the allies clearly have the advantage, the IJN is still holding their own and protecting their convoys there. The two year stalemate in Siam will likely go on until the stalemate in the South China Sea can be broken and the allies gain full and total control of that area.

[rkr1958]

32. Nov/Dec 1944. Papua, New Guinea, Coral and Timor Seas.

This is one area where the allies have started pushing the Japanese army back. This turn they were able to clear out the remnants of the Japanese army that invaded Papua and were holding out east of Port Morsby. The allies expect (hope) to capture Lae and take full control of New Guinea next turn.

After that ... allied strategic planners are debating when to after that.

Will it be west towards the Philippines and South East Asia?

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32. Nov/Dec 1944. Japanese Coast. China Sea.

Or north towards the Japaneses Coast and the China Sea?

And if that direction what about the islands of Truk and Siapan? Are they to be bypassed or invaded and conquered. To invade and conquered either or both will be risky and if, successful, costly and lengthy.