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Turn 11. Axis. January 19, 1940. Germany. Battle of the Atlantic (2/4).

1. Graf Spee continues their blockage of Cape Town, RSA.
2. Though the crew doesn't know this but basically this raider it pretty much consider lost already (i.e., it's expendable). It's job to sink what convoys it can but mostly force the RN to further dilute their ASW effort and forces.

Turn 11. Axis. January 19, 1940. Germany. Battle of the Atlantic (3/4).

1. With Kiel expected to be tied up with the reinforcement and upgrade of U-35 (next post), the upgrade of U-30 has been delayed.
2. U-30 was ordered to continue their convoy hunt just west of the North Channel. Again, the hope if for further dilution of allied ASW effort and forces.

Turn 11. Axis. January 19, 1940. Germany. Kiel. Dogger Bank.

1. The reinforcement of U-35 is taking so long because when spending priority gets around to these items there just isn't many MPPs left. Maybe enough to reinforce 1 or 2 steps as was the case this turn.
2. In the Dogger Bank an allied sub is spotted interdicting the Swedish iron ore coming out of Norway.
3. I was tempted to send a KM DD to deal with the sub but guessed that the allied sub was also bait to draw the KM out.
4. With both the RN and French navy about now is not the time for either the KM or Italian RM to leave port.
5. Besides, operation Wesenbung I told is planned which will clear all this up in a couple of months.

Turn 11. Axis. January 19, 1940. Japan. Research.

1. Japan adds a research chit in Command and Control for 150 MPPs and another in Artillery Weapons for 125 MPPs.
2. These 2 additional investments puts Japan 150 MPPs under the max cap of 2000 MPPs.
3. Next turn Japan will invest either 150 MPPs in Advance Subs or 125 MPPs in Anti-Aircraft Defense. Right now I'm leaning towards the AA defense.

Turn 11. Axis. January 19, 1940. Japan. Production.

1. Japan buys 16th gar in order to free up more of the corps/armies currently being used for garrison in Manchuria and against the Soviets.

Turn 11. Axis. January 19, 1940. Japan. Manchuria (and Northern China).

1. Umezu HQ and 2nd Kwantang army move adjacent to Seishan for transport to the Southern China (i.e., Nanning) front next turn.
2. Also, I just realized or figured out that the Japanese corps (XIII) southwest of Blagovyeschchensk isn't needed for garrison.
3. So with some reshuffling that make sure that their was a Japanese unit in or adjacent to the "required" Manchurian garrison cities of Tsitsihov, Kiamusze, Yenki, Harbin & Hsinking, the Japanese 5th corps in Kiamuze was moved for redeployement elsewhere. Likely to the Central Chinese front.
4. Also, the 15th gar was transported from Hiroshima to Seishn to free up another Japanese corps for redeployment elsewhere.

Turn 11. Axis. January 19, 1940. Japan. Central Chinese Front.

1. No attractional attacks made with the weather and the unfavorable expected losses.
2. Very little movement too.
3. Mostly static this turn.

Turn 11. Axis. January 19, 1940. Japan. Southern Chinese Front.

1. Maximum air and land effort continues against Nanning, this turn occupied by the Chinese CXIII corps.
2. Did manage to knock 5 of 10 steps off.
3. Again, need that second Japanese HQ to help with the command there.

Turn 11. Axis. January 19, 1940. MPPs.

1. RN sub did manage to knock off a few MPPs coming from Sweden.
2. Again, this shouldn't be an issue after Operation Wesenbung in a couple of months.

Turn 13. February 16, 1940. Axis. Decision Event.

I must say that I was sorely tempted and almost responded yes to the German Annexation of Lithuania. Though after reading the attached notes which annexation would push the Soviets closer to the allies I decided to follow the historical precedent and not have Germany annex Lithuania.

Turn 13. February 16, 1940. Axis. Research.

Both Japan and Germany max out their research, each coincidently with the addition of an AA Defense chit for 125 MPPs (each).

Turn 13. February 16, 1940. Axis. Germany. The Western Front.

1. After the purchase of AA Defense research chit, Germany was left with 65 MPPs, which was just enough to upgrade their 3rd and 4th panzer corps.
2. 1st and 7th FSJ put in prepare mode.
3. Next axis turn for Germany will be about completing upgrades and reinforcements for units on the Western Front.

Turn 13. February 16, 1940. Axis. Italy. Northern Italy.

1. Reinforcements: (1) Garablodi HQ, (2) I corps and (3) 13th garrison. Garablodi and I corps were placed in and adjacent to Turin. 13th gar placed in Ancona on the Adriatic.
2. In northern Italy on the border with French, Garadlodi takes change of 3 corps and 2 air groups. The 1st medium bombers was reinforced by 1-step for 18 MPPs.
3. Not sure if, when, how Italy can DOW the allies, or even if that's a good ideal, but I'm looking for this Italian army commanded by Garadlodi at a minimum to draw French forces and attention from the main battle front with Germany.

Turn 13. February 16, 1940. Axis. Italy. Eastern Libya.

1. Guzzoni HQ reinforced 1-step to 6-steps for 18 MPPs.
2. The Italians are looking to push into Egypt and drive towards the Suez Canal as soon as they are at war with the allies.

Turn 13. February 16, 1940. Axis. Italy. Eastern Africa.

1. Some saber rattling here as Italy moves to Italian corps to the border of British and French colonies.

Turn 13. February 16, 1940. Axis. Battle of the Atlantic (1/4).

1. U-35, though 1 step short of max but newly upgraded, is ordered to sea and back to allied convoy lines to hunt convoys.
2. U-32, which took a bit of a beating from the RN last turn (lost 2-steps), is ordered immediately to proceed to Kiel for rest, reinforcement and upgrade.
3. The captain of U-35 makes a tactical error by staying in hunt move instead of running silent which transitioning from Kiel to allied convoy line.
4. An allied sub continues to brazenly operate of the coast of Denmark targeting German convoys from Norway.

Turn 13. February 16, 1940. Axis. Battle of the Atlantic (2/4).

1. The Adm Graf Spee continues her blockade of Capetown.
2. She had a try at inflicting damage on the port but the exchange resulted in no damage to either size.
3. By good fortunate, the Graf Spee is working in calm seas versus 1-hex row lower which are apparently, "Roaring Fifties Seas". Even though it just turn 1940. [;)]

Turn 13. February 16, 1940. Axis. Battle of the Atlantic (3/4).

1. U-32 also took a bit of a beating from the RN last turn.
2. To evade U-32 went silent and moved towards Gibraltar.
3. This turn is was all about getting away from the RN, forget allied convoys for now.

Turn 13. February 16, 1940. Axis. Battle of the Atlantic (4/4).

1. U-47 moves north along an allied convoy line, taking up position at the southern exit/entrance to St George's Channel.
2. U-47 remains on the hunt for allied convoys.

Turn 13. February 16, 1940. Axis. Japan. Manchuria.

1. Japan continues to replace Japanese corps, armies and HQ with garrisons in Manchuria.
2. This turn Umezu HQ for 46 MPPs and 2nd Kwantung Army for 35 MPPs were transported out of Seisha.
3. Umezu was sent to and disembarked in Haikou to help out with the command situation for the fight for Nanning and Southern China.
4. The 2nd Kwantung Army was sent to and disembarked in Foochow to reinforce Japan's Central Chinese Army Group.
5. The Japanese V and XXXIII corps have been relieved of their garrison duties are are headed to Seisha for transport to more active fronts in China.