Until 1948: The war that never ends (A solo AAR)

[Rysyonok]

Ah, yet another AAR.

You're right, of course. Oh, and it's a solo one, too. You could have easily done yourself.

Still, there is a chance this might be a good one. And wait, it says 1948! Does it mean, this AAR might actually go all the way? Why, now that you ask, it just might.

Still, this is a one-man band. And as such, it might be bland at times; unless you, my mysterious reader, are willing to offer a crazy suggestion or two; why, those are always cordially welcome.

But for now, sit down, sit down and relax; this is going to be a steady journey, one full of history, of thoughts, hopes, and ideas.

For this is a story of a true total war. With every optional rule in play (save for Blitz bonus, as it can't mix with 2D10). And with no holds barred. A story where units will be hardened, and some names may possibly change to their real counterparts; where the craziest ideas are likely to be realized; where "what if" might just get pushed to the possible limit...

Strap on.

Off we go...

[Rysyonok]

US Setup: Pretty basic, except for an extra CP in Bering Sea. The pre-war goal is to establish Dutch Harbor up north and Pago Pago in the south as mixed sub- and fast-CL/CA bases for quick supply line disruption.

USSR Setup: All Asian units are lined up as far west as possible, with the intent to use them in the wars against Finland and Rumania.

[Rysyonok]

Italy Setup: After a lot of thinking, I had to abandon the idea of Indian Ocean raiding by Italy; instead, Italian might is concentrated around Alps. I would have loved to know the logistics in making that possible; I just don't see them right now.

[Rysyonok]

Nationalist China setup: A pretty conservative lineup, with a heavy garrison in Kaifeng, a small one just against Canton and Hainan, and a cavalry army NW of Wuhan - essentially, everything is about drawing away IJN forces along the most possibly wide front.

[Rysyonok]

Interlude, the scrapped lists so far are quite aggressive, assuming no older units would be needed.

[Rysyonok]

Communist China setup: Quite an aggressive one, assuming an ability to attack IJA right from the start.

[Rysyonok]

Commonwealth setup: An INF in Singapore, a split INF to cover Gibraltar and Malta, most UK-based units pre-staged in Plymouth (for French deployment) and Liverpool (just in case). Convoys are primarily based to capture African resources; Venezuelan and DEI ones are set to save.

[Rysyonok]

French setup: Essentially all along the border, the strongest units up north, and with the fleet towards the south.

[Rysyonok]

Japanese setup: All ships in Tokyo, except for transports; most of the land force in the northern China - against the communist Chinese, with only holding forces towards the South.

[Rysyonok]

Interlude, Central powers are quite aggressive in their scrap lists as well.

[Rysyonok]

German setup: Everyone against Poland except a single Pz Destroyer gearing to take over Denmark

[Rysyonok]

Germany declares war, and Poland sets up in a defensive fashion, aiming at least to save two pilots for the Commonwealth.

[Rysyonok]

Axis Impulse #1, North China:

Japanese forces are starting to envelop Chengchow, wisely protected by two CHI garrisons and an anti-tank unit.

IJA command is demanding to know how did a "deploy anywhere" 6-3 IJA INF ended up back in the homeland rather than on the frontlines.

[Rysyonok]

Sep/Oct 1939, Axis Impulse #1, Eastern Europe:

Not the best start for the campaign, as carpet bombing on Warsaw fails, and ground strikes only disable 2 units out of 3, but it's better than nothing. Germans prepare to encircle Polish units one by one.

[Rysyonok]

Sep/Oct 1939, Axis Impulse #1, Land combat resolution:

Fortunately, all three assaults go through without a single German loss.

[anarchyintheuk]

Looking forward to the aar.

[Rysyonok]

ORIGINAL: anarchyintheuk
Looking forward to the aar.

Thank you, I'm looking forward to not disappointing the readers

[Rysyonok]

Sep/Oct 1939, Allied Impulse #2, Naval movement:

Commonwealth engages in a major naval reshuffle. Essentially, the goal is to concentrate all range 6 CL and CAs in United Kingdom, with a mix of 5-5, 5-4, and 6-4s in Gibraltar. The bulk of range 4 battleships, originally set up in Egypt, starts their slow trek to Singapore; Hood and a handful of move 5s stay in UK. It's a mess on the high seas, but a calculated one, half-designed to either trigger Italy or Japan into declaring an early war, or to slow down Germany in Poland.

USA is going to do the opposite; all the fast movers - to the West Coast and eventually to Dutch Harbor and Pago Pago, with all the slower ships staying east.

[Rysyonok]

Sep/Oct 1939, Allied Impulse #2, Naval movement:

The Queens are going to be a major workhorse in this campaign, constantly shuffling territorials to beef up garrisons. South African units arrive in India to buffer against possible partisans; in the background, Nigerian territorials arrive in Gibraltar.

[Rysyonok]

Sep/Oct 1939, Allied Impulse #2, Strategic Bombing:

Both CW and France go all out for the strategic bombing, using the element of surprise.

Each raid costs Germany a single build point (and thus, the chance to build both synthetic oil plants right off the bat).

CAPs were in place, but you know how those surprise war declarations go...