France and Commonwealth declare war against Italy

[celebrindal]

I know off topic, but couldn't resist. One game, I was playing Japan, my friend US, our search rolls were so bad, after 6 months of almost no naval combat we both secretly agreed to dump our fleets in the same sea zone so we could have at least one good naval fight... and of course we both couldn't find for the whole turn [X(]

ORIGINAL: Centuur

ORIGINAL: paulderynck

I thought it was a good idea but you have to sail the CW fleet out to get in position to port strike, and thus risk a Surprise impulse if Italy DoWs first.

Tried it six times in a row and all six times the Ark Royal was sunk. I don't try it any longer.

So you're an unlucky admiral too... [:D]

[tom730_slith]

I really appreciate this thread! In many solo games I have had the Allies wait for Italy to declare war. While waiting, Italy built up a potent force in Libya having already placed all the "anywhere at start" units there! As a result, as long as they maintained supply into the East Mediterranean they were able to kick the British out of Egypt and move through the Middle East, activating both Iraq and Persia as minor allies but MAJOR sources of Oil!
By having France and UK DOW on Italy earlier this time, ONE TRNS was destroyed, ONE TRNS damaged, PLUS all Convoys at sea destroyed!
This obviously sets back Italian plans and even isolates a good portion of their land and air power in Libya with no supply!
I also noted someone mentioned the Supply unit in Italian East Africa - next time the Italians will definitely move that to Libya early on!

Amazing how much fun this game still is to me! If we ever get AI opponent I may do nothing else!!! [:D]

[AlbertN]

In the occasion CW comes for a port attack when 1 ITA TRS is in the Red Sea, Italy can DoW France and pull back the TRS if needs to be and shuffle around the other naval assets to escape the port strike.
Given I believe the threat of a port strike is first and foremost a move to -force- Italy to DoW, not anything else.

Italy is already short of production to replace losses and cannot afford - not just on the TRS - a port attack by various carriers with the surprise benefits that erase their chance to defend with fighters and halve the AA.