Defending Gibraltar and Malta and Another Question

[canuckgamer]

I am thinking that I should place a 10 factor corp in Gibraltar and Malta. I would be interested in hearing if other players replace the two starting units in those places.

On another subject it is my understanding that if a port has a supply value of less than 5, units moving in to that port hex cannot land until the following turn. Let's say the port is defended by a garrison. If I bomb the garrison with a tactical bomber or strategic bomber will a hit also reduce the supply value of the port?

Any comments or feedback would be much appreciated.

[Taxman66]

Gibraltar: If you expect an attack via Spain, whatever unit you have here is doomed. Best bet might be to just upgrade the garrison and hope to inflict some damage. If the attack is going to come from Algeria (i.e. bombed into oblivion then paradrop or sea invasion), your best bet is to put an upgraded AA unit there. It may stall your opponent a turn or two and also do damage.

As for Malta the AA unit really is the best option.

In either case it can also help to upgrade the hex AA value in addition to the unit.

Port question: No. You would have to bomb the port directly (note it is a different hex). Other options include attacking the port with naval units (warning this can be painful the shot or two) to reduce it quickly. You can also blockade the port with 2 naval units adjacent to it. This will reduce the port value by 1 per turn.

[PvtBenjamin]

Agreed

My first 2 turns (except the game I just started where I forgot ) as Brits I invest 125 (2x) in anti air. If you have a reasonable defense of France the Axis will face lv 2 AA for Sealion and Malta. Wont stop them from taking Malta but will cause a decent amount of casualties.

Taxman is correct on Spain. If US & SU are already at war you can declare war on Spain right before they join the Axis. This way you have first strike. Still a tough slog.

This is also a good tactic (declaring war first)for Turkey if the occasion arises.

[canuckgamer]

The only way that Gibraltar and Malta can be taken is to bomb the unit until it is destroyed so wouldn't it be better to have a 10 factor unit which would take longer to attrition down? In addition, I thought the port itself has AA.

It seems that keeping Spain from joining the Axis is a priority so that Gibraltar can't be taken quickly from the land and also so the Germans don't have the use of Spanish units.

[PvtBenjamin]

Gibraltar has some significant implications so eventually the Axis will take it. Putting an entrenched corp or army will certainly slow that. Just a question of resource management.

Yes investing in Spain diplo early for Allies is very important. The Allies have an advantage from the start until France Falls. The Axis from about from when France falls until USA joins. There are several Axis events (conquering France etc etc) that will move Spain towards Allies.