What's your strategy in North Africa?

[Grotius]

I've been testing MWIF for nearly a decade, but I'm still virtually a newb when it comes to strategy, having never played the board game. I'm playing solitaire Global War, and I'm puzzling over what each side should try to accomplish in the Med and North Africa. Don't get me wrong, I've hardly mastered the war in Europe or the Pacific, but at least I have a pretty clear idea of each side's objectives in those theaters. I've never really grokked the war in North Africa or the Med.

I'm in July/August 1941, and Italy and the CW have mostly their starting forces in North Africa. I haven't moved any German units there at all. Actually, Italy and the CW aren't at war yet, though France has fallen (and there's a Vichy regime in Syria, among other places.) But the CW is itching to declare war.

I just don't know how many resources either side should throw into Egypt, say. It seems like such a losing proposition for the Axis in particular, what with the Royal Navy and all. But I can't even figure out who should declare war when -- Britain or Italy.

This is one problem with playing solitaire. A skilled WIF player would no doubt punish me (regardless of which side I play) for my passivity. But I can't really commit to a two-player game.

Anyway, I'm curious if anyone has any advice on how to play each side in North Africa.

Edit: Right after I posted this, I found a post on setup in the Med, with emphasis on Malta, right here in this forum. Sorry! But I guess my question is more general, so I hope you'll forgive me for opening a new thread. Thanks.

[paulderynck]

There are a couple general stategies for the Axis. One is to ignore the Med, and the other is to "Close the Med". The job of the Allies is to react appropriately.

In the first, Italy concentrates on builds that will help Germany crush Russia, and just tries to defend in the Med. That can be very successful if Russia gets neutered and then Turkey can be aligned and the Axis can threaten the Middle East from the north.

In the second, Germany sends land forces, 4 and higher range FTRs, builds some NAVs and long range bombers and sends them to help Italy. Italy tries to conquer Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco before Vichy is declared, or the Axis may just keep going after France and take on Spain. Here the primary objective is Gibraltar. Once Gibraltar is taken, the Axis turns back east and goes after Greece and the Suez.

The one thing you won't see in WiF is the back and forth in Libya and Egypt that really happened. This is because success in the Med is entirely dependent on supply and once the Allies dominate, it is much quicker to invade close to Tripoli then to get there overland. The same applies to the Axis going for the Mid-East.

[Grotius]

Thanks for your reply, Paul. I guess my Axis has been going for option 1 -- Italy is trying to help Germany crush Russia. In fact, the Italians have sent some infantry and aircraft to the Eastern front. I suppose the Brits should exploit all this by mounting an offensive in North Africa.

I'm disappointed to hear that the back-and-forth in Egypt and Libya doesn't happen often in WIF. I guess there's no easy way to keep things supplied in the middle of Libya, even along the coast, as ports are few and far between. Plus, I gather that the CW needs only to take Tripoli to conquer (or is it "liberate"?) Libya?

[paulderynck]

Most commonly, you can keep in supply with an HQ on the coast, without needing a port. The problem is in keeping supply flowing through the sea zone. Most players won't chance having an HQ and its army stuck part way without supply for several impulses.

Yes taking Tripoli is all you need to do to conquer Libya and it also gives you one of the conditions needed for Italy to sue for peace.

[Jagdtiger14]

My personal opinions follow: Well, you are pretty far along in the game to ask this question. Axis: I prefer either a full out Med strategy (1942 Barb), or a limited goal Med strategy (1941 Barb). From the get go, Italy needs to prepare and purchase the tools it needs to invade and try to get Gibraltar...this requires Germany to not only keep the Italian factories humming and loaning of BP's, but the use of German units as well. S/O'39, Italy should set up on the Tunisian border...try to get it if possible, but more importantly Algeria and the port city of Oran...even pushing into Morocco. The Axis needs this to try to invade Gibraltar. If invasions fail, then go after Spain. Gibraltar is extremely important if you want to keep Italy in the war longer. After Taking Gibraltar, move into the Mideast and outflank Egypt...easy for me to say. Italy DOW France in S/O'39...but try to limit your exposure to naval losses at the hands of the French fleet.

Allies: CW needs to take Portugal to assist in its defense of Gibraltar...and have the fleet ready to defend the two sea zones around Gibraltar. Did I read correctly that someone suggested an initial set up to heavily defend Malta??? I would be happy to make CW pay severely for that mistake! Be prepared to push into Spain from Portugal if the Axis align Spain...buy time and hope the US can help out sooner than later. After that, as Paul said, the Allies react until they get the critical mass to take it to the Axis.

[Grotius]

Thanks for your input, Jagdtiger14. Yep, I know I'm asking kind of late in the game. I'm already thinking about how I might do things differently next time, so I welcome any advice for any stage of the war, from setup on.

Why is it bad for the CW to set up to defend Malta robustly? My guess is that doing so weakens the defense of Gibraltar.

[Jagdtiger14]

Malta: CW does not really have a lot at the start of the game. I usually put a gun or something light there just to not give it away for free. More than that puts other things at risk...yes, Gibraltar. Also, after France falls, its very easy for the Axis to put Malta out of supply, ground strike it, and take it fairly easy...what ever you put there will be eliminated...to no real effect since the Axis do not need Malta before France falls, or even before Gibraltar falls (Malta is a defensive position for Italy - it can wait)...so those CW units are being wasted from an opportunity cost stand point...of better use somewhere else. I prefer to commit heavily as the CW to the defense of France, and of course Gibraltar/Portugal/Spain, and then Egypt/Mideast.

[Grotius]

Cool. Thanks for the explanation. Lots to think about for my next game.

[AlbertN]

I am a strong believer of closing the Mediterranean.

To land in WiF is very easy once the Allies have the tools for, '42 and '43 onward. And the Axis cannot have enough forces everywhere - and push in Russia at once - to repel a landing anywhere.
Axis needs Italy force pool and production too, to defend all around, and Italy can produce discreetly with Spain, Ciprus, Grece and Algeria as well in their hands (or in german hands providing resources).

The major tradeoff for the closing the Med is a lot of extra USA chits.
Spain, Gibraltar, Suez are pratically 3 extra USA chits.

[paulderynck]

...and very likely a Barb 42 or a Sitz, which means a much stronger USSR.

[Jagdtiger14]

1942 Barb is a very legit strategy, especially if you can get a southern front going against USSR.

One of the reasons I like Fall Gelb is if you can take down France quickly, get Gibraltar quickly, Syria, align Iraq and Persia you could do a late 41/early 42 Barb and have that southern front earlier. Its a very hectic time table for the Axis, but possible.

[nilssone85]

What would be the strategy for Vichy in a close the med scenario? Declare Vichy France just to colapse it and go for Spain? Or just take France as a hole?

[Centuur]

ORIGINAL: nilssone85

What would be the strategy for Vichy in a close the med scenario? Declare Vichy France just to colapse it and go for Spain? Or just take France as a hole?

That depends totally on the situation on the map, the timetable (what turn are you in) and the estimated US entry at the time of the capture of Paris.

Generally speaking: if France can still properly defend Toulouse (which is one of the most difficult hexes to take on the map), than it's better to declare Vichy and collapse it in the next turn. But it all depends on other things too...

[AlbertN]

In my latest game I tried an UK first - and it does not work. The RN just rules the waves no matter what and minces through anything the Italians can throw at them.

[paulderynck]

The Italians can put their NAVs in the 2-box and put their 6-range fighter and some German 3-factor 5-range fighters (the FTR3 and FTR2) with them and later add the German 6-factor 4-range fighter and some German NAVs and they can mince the RN. The CW carrier planes will get shot out of the sky and then the RN must leave or get pounded by the NAVs.

Early on if the axis concentrates on fighting air-to-sea in the Med they can make it an axis lake without putting their precious SCS and TRS at risk.

[Jagdtiger14]

I agree with Paulderynck...that is pretty much how it goes in the Med post France...and with those units mentioned.

With the Italians well prepared (German resource and BP support) they can be in position to invade Gibraltar (Oran/Algerian hexes are required). The Western Med is normally cleared of allied air and naval assets.

[Barbuesque]

The CW can build 2 very decent FTR3s in J/F 1940 and unlike the 1940 axis fighters, can reach the 3 box.

[AlbertN]

The problem is when as Axis you also need to operate in Afrika, and not just prevent RN operations in the Med. Then you need to keep your convoy lines open.
And in my latest game the UK shot down alraedy 3 out of 4 Italian planes!

[Jagdtiger14]

I assume you mean 'supply' lines open? Cp's need not only be used for this...you can also use TRS in higher boxes as well. Obviously die rolls come into play...the Axis can have lots of advantages and still fail to inferior forces. Also, what time frame are you talking about? What are the Axis objectives in the Med?

[paulderynck]

ORIGINAL: Barbuesque

The CW can build 2 very decent FTR3s in J/F 1940 and unlike the 1940 axis fighters, can reach the 3 box.

I wouldn't call them decent - they may have 5 factors but they roll next-worst. And they won't show up until JA. And then, you have to get them there. And to guarantee getting the best 2 as fast as possible, you have to spend 13 BPs for planes and pilots and build the crappy 6-range FTR3 as well.

I try to get the 8-range and 7-range US lend lease FTR2s to the CW too, but you have to be lucky to pluck them. (Usually I end up pulling out all the Defiants first...)