(Allies POV AAR) - Archmache vs ElvisJJonesRambo

[archmache]

This is the final round between Elvis and Archmache, a certified grudge match. We've slugged it out 2-2 and one of us will take home the prize. I'm playing as the vaulted Allies and we seek one goal - unconditional surrender of the Axis powers!

The name of the game is simple as Allies - MPP slugfest. Early on Allies are weak, almost too weak. Inexperienced players can get caught up in Phyrric victories or investing too heavily on defending worthless objectives.

The goal is to drag this game out to 1947 and let the big US of A grind the German and Imperial Japanese war machines to a halt. I've played Elvis before and I know he's a real trickster in game - "Plans within plans within plans" as the Harkonnens says. I can't be taking that bait. I have a feeling it's going to be Russia or bust this game and that's how I will plan Allied Supreme Strategy.

[archmache]

Poland: Simple. ElvisJJones one-turned. That's the way to do it.

Belgium: Turn three Axis attacked, Belgium held out one turn after.

France: BEF had evacuated in early November. Back to England! Not going to waste any precious MPP on the French, lousy folks. Parisi was taken in March, fasted I've seen it in MP. Elvis was on a beeline for it. I've denied his fighters any exp by grounding the RAF. Sun Tzu says to fight without winning.

Italy: Entire Navy was dumped into the Atlantic. Combined with Kreigsmarine, RN does NOT want a fight. Funny enough no subs have raided, a serious calm before the storm. Commonwealth ships are slowly trickling in. I think I will keep my ships close to port, upgrade them, get some ASW tech and aircraft spotting first. Got a feeling the Italian Navy is hiding somewhere and only will pop out to Raid the Russian Convoy lines. With the Italian Navy gone from the Med, I did a first time move - did NOT re-route the convoys. So far, so good have not had any raiding. Just need to capture NA, put some fighters to protect against airborne raiders, then clear out the Atlantic near West France. It's a serious gamble and could cost the UK the entire game, but I've greeded a bit for a few more MPP. If I can invest that into Navy and clear out the Altantic, I'll have a serious good Navy to nit the Nippon, and a powerful economic base to resist the Whermact.

China: Slow. Elvis is moving pretty slow. Popped a IJA corp in north China, rest of line has been static. China invested heavily into AA tech, IW, C&C. I played some fun movement games with the IJA and it cost Elvis. Swapped units to save entrechment, he then attacked a different position. Key points - turns were burning and Japan was making no progress.
China was taking MPP hits on unit repairs, but the railway in the south is still open. 200 MPP a turn feels good. Will change once artillery and his super carriers start pounding Chinese positions.

[archmache]

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Elvis is baiting the RN and RAF to spend resources to clear the English Channel. Frankly, I can't be bothered. Need to keep the convoy lines open. I'll fight the subs away from german fighters with EXP on their HQ's in the mid Atlantic. I still cannot find the Italian Navy!! Are they headed for Japan? South Africa? I'm getting nervous and will have to dump resources into the RN, which I can't stand doing. Expensive to upgrade ships and useless for anything else. Need AWS, Elvis could be doing super-sups. Ah Allies, always a stressful time.

Finland: Allies uber-diplo-ed and got it to flip Allies. This is a HUGE win. Being able to move those units south, take the Leningrad HQ and operate to the south is clutch. Also removed the MPP the Axis get from Finland's convoy. I may invade Norway. Unsure as off now. Its March so the event has not fired (if Elvis chose to invade Norway), but we shall see. USSR did not do the Winter War (No way need to save MPP mobilization numbers).

[baronvonmunchausen]

Fun to read thank you, suspenseful.

[archmache]

The Eagle Has Landed!!!

Fallschirmjager take London under Runsdet's command!! I thought Elvis was going for Russia this whole time, little did I know he prepped for Sealion. I had moved my British HQ to support the North African campaign, leaving the isle uncommanded.

I have no choice but to abandon the England. His port is down to 3 supply, so I will have a couple turns that I can resist, but won't waste time on building English units as when industrial centers fall, production is cut. The CV Glorious is slated to launch in Bristol next turn - if that Corps can hold maybe I can get away with a carrier.

Russia is at 58% and US at 53% mobilization, the war machines are gearing up. Lend Lease has begun and UK is reaping in 330MPP a turn. India has STILL not joined, I'm thinking this is a bug?? USSR got an IW hit, which is clutch and brings in about 150MPP a turn. It's April 1940 - Soviets will be strong. I am going to defend in depth, no units up close all pulled back. I need to operate the HQ's that spawn to make sure each soviet soldier is defended. Technolgy for the Soviets is ramping up. I will defend the Urals with everthing I have now that I don't have to worry about Finland. Vladivostok has been abandoned since Japan will easily take.

The Italian Navy is still missing.

North Africa. The RN has done a good job. All ports have been blocked and Mussolini's forces are trapped! I expect to mop them up slowly over the course of the next 6 months. Will have to be cautious of Axis airforce, but with carefull consideration should be able to deny any reinforcements. Once the fortress at Benghazi folds, the rest is easy pickings.

[archmache]

Keep Calm and Carry On!!

German forces crash through the isle. The Glorious CV is destroyed in its birthing yards by two panzer corps.

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The Axis high command has committed a serious ground invasion force in England. The Kreigsmarine has posted up in the channels and tonnage loss is high. USA decided to stop Lend Lease.

A short naval skirmish ensued west of Ireland. Two Kriegsmarine CC's (Scharnost and Gnesienau) ambushed a British CL and DD on sub duty, but the RN retaliated fast and sunk both. No losses so far in RN, but I suspect the Mare Regina will be out hunting. RN will have to scramble back to Canada!!

The Australian and New Zealand navies had cruised fast and hard and will link up soon. Two more turns and their should be a nice pincer movement on the Axis ...

[archmache]

In Africa, Italians hold Triploi. That fortress is hard to crack. RN pounds the ports. UK has no tanks so its hard to punch any battle lines and the artillery weapons is not yet hit lvl 1. Italians managed to sneak an AA gun in (how???) which provides some defensive cover to the Strat Bomber campaign by the British.

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Axis are firing rocket Artillery into Malta. I suspect it will fall in 2-3 turns. Axis put in diplo chits, presumably in Finland. They have a 5% chance of success (25% german + 15% japanese - 25% UK - 10% chinese). Let's hope they can hold the line until Barbarossa and Soviets can add their diplo.

The Italians are a real thorn. If Egypt can be secured, the loss of the isle is not so bad. But both, that's game over.

[archmache]

In China, the slogfest continues. Japan is pushing slow and steady. I suspect total collapse on the Big 3 cities within 5 turns. Chinese will retreat to the "don't approach or US mobilization hits" line.

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Chinese are awaiting Lvl 1 IW.

[Duedman]

My bets are on you. England hurts but Barbarossa is approaching fast.
The island is not yet conquered and those units need to be transported to the east. Really expensive. Also hurts readiness.
Finland is huge.

Keep it coming!

[archmache]

In the North Atlantic, the RN escapes scot-free after sinking the two German Battle Cruisers, Scharnhorst and Gnesisneau. The Manchester tank core attempts a daring escape through u-boat lines and makes a break for island! Will be a while until it can reach Egypt.

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A Strategic look at the Naval Pincer. Commonwealth Navy steaming from the South, hard and fast. Picks up some naval skirmishes with uboats and destroyers sailing from recently occupied France. Weather ensures little damages and the Commonwealth units head back to sea.

Note the lone tank core in a trasnport north of Island. This tank is sorely needed in Egypt. I may attempt a daring raid to run it through the Med ...

[archmache]

In the Med, Tobruk STILL HOLDS. Its been sieged down but I cannot break it. British received lvl 1 IW at the end of the research phase this turn so eventually it will fall. Benghazi and Tobruk ports are down to zero, but I noticed an Italian BB moved into the Med that raided the Egypt convoy.

I think the Axis are shifting their Naval power back to the Med. Two Italian subs were snooping near Malta. I could not venture the BB and CV out to hit the Tripoli port. I believe it is at strength 3. Next turn I may sacrifice the royal navy to knock it back to zero. Egypt CANNOT FALL. Last game vs Elvis I had lost egypt as Italy and he had bombed every port, but I snuck in the Africa core, one at a time via a bombed port and managed to conquer the middle East. It rests on the edge of a knife!

The LRDG was formed, but at strength 3. They will need a couple turns before they are fit for action.

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[archmache]

To my surprise, the big 3 cities hold in China. Japan is taking heavy MPP losses. I am thinking about shifting Russian troops back East. May invade Manchuria and go for Japan first. If Egypt holds, Chinese troops could be transported and Invade the Balkans, while the US and Egypt take care of the Isle. Choices ...

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[archmache]

Horrible News for the Allies!! With the loss of London, the Finns feel embolded against their neighbor the Soviets, even though they didn't Winter War. Axis diplo hits a 21% chit and now they are 17% Axis. USSR defence Cheifs scramble, Stalin ordered three diplomats to be executed, Zhukov claims he can't defend Russia from all sides, and the Commissars conscript new garrison units to defend the Karelia. I was banking on this strategy of USSR not having to fight Finland. This is rough.

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Meanwhile in the Atlanic, Commonwealth naval ships hit sub lines and take some hits, but no ships damaged. Two Axis CA raiders are found, with one sank. British ships have taken heavy hits - all are wounded. Italian Navy is nowhere to be found. IF axis is clever they will commit an all out assault to weaken the wounded Navy.

Next turn RN will high-tail it to Canada for repairs, ASW upgrades, and wait for the USN to conquer London.

[archmache]

Tobruk Finally Falls. Italian Morale drops, but is still over 100% due to the success in London. An Axis fighter is spotted. The daring Med RN task force bombs the ports once again. Two Italian subs keep snooping, Malta is shelled again, and a I have a feeling the Regina Marina is here. Carriers will retire to ports next turn. With Barb so close, I can't image Axis will commit ground troops to NA, but given I didn't think Sea Lion would occur I still need to be cautious. SA troops are repaired and will head for Ethiopia soon. But need to clear that pesky Italian Destroyer so they are not pounced upon. British HQ reaches vet 2, but still the Italian Fighter seems to be beating the British airpower.

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[archmache]

Action In the Med! The Mare Regina has returned and blasts the cruiser ships screen protecting the carriers. Fortunately, the clever spacing and surprise attack bonus keeps the carriers safe. The RN retaliates, sinks 2 BBs and retires near Greece to take advantage of the natural path blocking. The Italians have 7 ships, 1 in the Pacifc, 2 subs and 1 destroyer in the Atlantic which leaves 2 left unseen.

Before spotting with carriers:

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After action - fighers took serious damage using up intercepts.

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Desert Forces rest and recover strength and morale. Will upgrade to lvl 1 Infantry, repair fighters and then push on Benghazi. Still nervous about the Tripoli port. It should be on 3. May have to do another port dash to knock it out! If any panzers show up, egypt will be toast. The british tank core has begun its long trip around South Africa. Will show up in about 5 turns.

[archmache]

North Atlantic action is still going heavy. Uk loses two CA, and the RN retaliates to the Germans sinking Admiral Hipper CA. A destroyer screen protects remaining surface ships. The North Atlantic task force has naval cruised to Canada. It will rest, upgrade, and repair. Next turn battle group commonwealth will vacate the sea west of Spain to also repair. UK will provide the cover for the Invasion of the UK by the US of A.

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[redrum68]

Interesting start. Not having one of the corps or armies in London definitely had a huge impact on this so far. I've never lost London and all of England so not sure how possible it is to win then.

[archmache]

State of the Soviets.

Research is plugging along for the Red Army, but have had slim breakthroughs - one on Infantry Weapons and the other on Command and Control.

From now until mid late 1941, the USSR will be focused on unit production. Namely anit-tank and shock armies. The war in the East will be a slogfest and the goal is to get the most MPP out of each unit - and that's by buying back destroyed units. I've already purchased every AA gun and created a no-fly zone in Russia. Lvl 1 AA is not too bad for Axis, but when I get lvl 2, bombers will be grounded.

Stalin has invested in Anti-Tank and one will be rolling off the production line to defend Ukrains mines, and another 2 will be ordered next turn.

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[archmache]

In North Africa, stalemate has ensued while the British Armies upgrade, rest, and bring up some light artillery. Kreigsmarine land based bombers and marine-bombers cleaned up the RN CLs; however, the CV's retired to Cairo unharmed, but lacking planes and experienced pilots.

The German fighter near Benghazi seems to have left, did the "Star of Africa" retire to party with the Furher? Image is of Hans-Joachim Marseille next to a downed Hurricane.

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The British Strategic bomber command received drop tanks (LRA lvl 1) and will proceed to bomb the Benghazi port to ensure no reinforcements arrive. However, the port of Tripoli should be back to full strength next turn!! British High command thinking of risking a gamble to prevent reinforcements ... bring up the SB to the front lines, risk German fighers in Sicily and then bomb the port? RN has offered the carriers for a suicide run if needed. Once again, Egypt CANNOT fall!!

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[archmache]

In the Atlanic, the Bismark is spotted with upgraded naval weapons, pops a few destroyers, recieves the Iron cross and retires back to France.

RN high tales it back to Canada for R&R, waiting on the Americas. The Commonwealth is only pulling in around 200 MPP a turn. It will be a colossal effort to turn this war around.

In Africa, Sudan has recieved Infantry weapons, but the Italian Garrisons gives them a bloody nose. Some SA boys have arrived in Ethiopia and are site seeing. The Manchester tank core begins its long journey around the Cape of Good Hope.

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