Declare war to Italy in 1939 ?

[boudi]

Some Axis players like to send 2 italians corps, from Sicily and Roma, to eastern Africa, before the Gribaltar loops was closed.

One or two turns later, if by chance these two corps are detected again off the coast of South Africa, it's possible to attack, and maybe sunk them, under condition, of course, that Allies declare war to Italy.

If Allies do it, US Mobilization level lost 5 points, and Italy join Axis, meaning that its industry of war rise a lot. By consequence i'm not sure it's a good idea.

Somebody tried this option ?

[EarlyDoors]

Yes I have

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/fb.asp?m=4925341

[boudi]

Thank you it's very interesting. Although doing it for 2 armies was probably more interesting than for two corps, only one of which could be attacked, in my case, I have chosen peace.

Thanks again.

[Alcibiades73]

Is there a benefit to bringing troops to East Africa at all? It seems like it is impossible to hold that position anyways, hemmed in from multiple directions - as well as suffering from low supply issues due to the Suez closing. Also, I suppose you'd deploy an HQ there, too, if you choose to bring troops to East Africa?

[Platoonist]

ORIGINAL: Alcibiades73

Is there a benefit to bringing troops to East Africa at all?

The sole benefit seems to be tying down an army of British colonial troops for some time so they can't be used elsewhere. Being on the offensive in Ethiopia is like being on the offensive in China. Bad roads, lots of mountains, poor supply. It can take some time to completely subdue the place if the Italian player knows what they are doing. I usually bring the Desert tactical bomber over to help since at least there is no aerial opposition.

[Alcibiades73]

ORIGINAL: Platoonist

ORIGINAL: Alcibiades73

Is there a benefit to bringing troops to East Africa at all?

The sole benefit seems to be tying down an army of British colonial troops for some time so they can't be used elsewhere. Being on the offensive in Ethiopia is like being on the offensive in China. Bad roads, lots of mountains, poor supply. It can take some time to completely subdue the place if the Italian player knows what they are doing. I usually bring the Desert tactical bomber over to help since at least there is no aerial opposition.

I see. Would you send the HQ in East Africa, per Event? Or send it elsewhere?

Also, do you ever get good supply in North Africa? I tried to advance with the Afrika Korps and got nowhere in part due to low supply.

[Epekepe]

I usually bring 2 Italian HQ:s and 1 German in N.Africa if i want to conquer there..

Also,this new gameplay might help.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsv6 ... nMZzSd65Q8

[Alcibiades73]

ORIGINAL: Epekepe

I usually bring 2 Italian HQ:s and 1 German in N.Africa if i want to conquer there..

Also,this new gameplay might help.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsv6 ... nMZzSd65Q8

I mean East Africa, not North Africa. Do you try to hold East Africa, too?

And thanks for the link; I will check it out when I am a bit more pain-free.

[Epekepe]

Oh, sorry. I meant to answer that question about good supply in N.Africa.
E.Africa is hard to hold. I've tried many things in there but it's usually just slowing down the Allies. If Allied player really want to take it, there isn't much to do as Axis.

[Alcibiades73]

ORIGINAL: Epekepe

Oh, sorry. I meant to answer that question about good supply in N.Africa.
E.Africa is hard to hold. I've tried many things in there but it's usually just slowing down the Allies. If Allied player really want to take it, there isn't much to do as Axis.

Got it. I guess I shouldn't bother then. I saw Fafnir do it in one MP game, but I guess he's a master, and also it is different when you play MP.

[Epekepe]

This is complicated in MP games. There are some Italian national morale objectives and a little MPP too. So, you don't want to lose that too early. And,like Platoonist wrote: you can tie down Allies forces in there for a long time. For me this is about 50% to send some forces or HQ(or both) there.

[Alcibiades73]

ORIGINAL: Epekepe

This is complicated in MP games. There are some Italian national morale objectives and a little MPP too. So, you don't want to lose that too early. And,like Platoonist wrote: you can tie down Allies forces in there for a long time. For me this is about 50% to send some forces or HQ(or both) there.

I guess I better experiment both paths then!

[ThunderLizard11]

For PBEM, I often send 2 corps to E. Africa - it allows defense from attack in all directions and as others said ties down a number of allied units that could be attacking you in N. Africa or elsewhere. I also send the event HQ there. Curious what top players do in E. Africa - other option I've never tried is just letting E. Africa fall and using units elsewhere.

[Alcibiades73]

ORIGINAL: ThunderLizard2

For PBEM, I often send 2 corps to E. Africa - it allows defense from attack in all directions and as others said ties down a number of allied units that could be attacking you in N. Africa or elsewhere. I also send the event HQ there. Curious what top players do in E. Africa - other option I've never tried is just letting E. Africa fall and using units elsewhere.

Yes, I'd like to hear more opinions on Italy's Africa options.

Wait, I'd like to hear more on how to play Italy in general - as they seem to me a lost cause from the get-go! ;(

[Epekepe]

Actually the question is, how to play Axis in general.
Without Germany, Italy is not going to last long. Well, usually(against human player who have played at least few times this game) it's doomed any way. But you should keep it alive as long as possible. Keep an eye on national morale(NM), Italy likes[;)] to give up really easily. At this point(NM~30) you should have other Axis units in all key points. And in all partisan hexes, it's nasty surprise to get few partisan popups and you can't do anything,been there[:D].

Don't know how is it against AI, haven't played in a while.

[OldCrowBalthazor]

ORIGINAL: Epekepe

I usually bring 2 Italian HQ:s and 1 German in N.Africa if i want to conquer there..

Also,this new gameplay might help.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsv6 ... nMZzSd65Q8

Oh...that's me [:D] Thanks Epekepe.[8D]

Yeah..I got two 2 Italian HQ's into North Africa asap, along with Rommel. It seems to have done the trick...especially later on when I pushed on the Nile...and got an It HQ onto Siwa Oasis to have a meaningful flanking maneuver (or threat of one) while the other supported Rommel on to Cairo..and beyond. Rommel couldn't have done it without the help of those two Italian HQ's.

[DrZom]

ORIGINAL: Alcibiades73

I see. Would you send the HQ in East Africa, per Event? Or send it elsewhere?

Also, do you ever get good supply in North Africa? I tried to advance with the Afrika Korps and got nowhere in part due to low supply.

I let E. Africa fend for itself. In N. Africa I send two Italian corps plus an extra Panzer and German army with Rommel. Once Egypt and the Nile are captured the Italians go south to retake what was lost, and Rommel heads east to the oil fields.

Supply is always tricky in N. Africa, as it should be. Gotta use those HQs and not crowd too many units into tight spaces. Play test it by reloading; you are not cheating anyone. [;)]

[Bo Rearguard]

ORIGINAL: DrZom


Once Egypt and the Nile are captured the Italians go south to retake what was lost.

Ha! I did too once. By the time the Allies surrender offer was made, the Italian Army was headed for the Cape of Good Hope.

Africa. As Toto would sing, "Hurry boy, it's waiting there for you". [:D]

[Alcibiades73]

ORIGINAL: Bo Rearguard

ORIGINAL: DrZom


Once Egypt and the Nile are captured the Italians go south to retake what was lost.

Ha! I did too once. By the time the Allies surrender offer was made, the Italian Army was headed for the Cape of Good Hope.

Africa. As Toto would sing, "Hurry boy, it's waiting there for you". [:D]

Did you give Italians steroids? My Italians never do that well!

[DrZom]

ORIGINAL: Alcibiades73

ORIGINAL: Bo Rearguard

ORIGINAL: DrZom


Once Egypt and the Nile are captured the Italians go south to retake what was lost.

Ha! I did too once. By the time the Allies surrender offer was made, the Italian Army was headed for the Cape of Good Hope.

Africa. As Toto would sing, "Hurry boy, it's waiting there for you". [:D]

Did you give Italians steroids? My Italians never do that well!

Patience is required to keep them moving without taking too many supply hits.