Matrix Games Forums

December 9th, 1940

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

Again in the south we find an assault on Tambov. If this city should fall the Germans could put a drive together that would threaten Moscow from the southeast. A large investment here would present real problems for the Soviets. German sources have long held that an attack from the south was the Heer's answer to the stymied front west of Moscow. All this trouble in the south can be traced back to the decision to pursue Fall Blau rather than continue battering away at Moscow. The captured oil resources are very important, but the operational consequences of the southern drive are critical too.

December 9th, 1940

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

The Germans are now driving below Turkey, heading for the Mediterranean. The Allies cannot fail to see the threat to Egypt. Can Germany possibly have the strength to campaign here against her powerful enemies.

December 9th, 1940

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

The port visit was denied but the Japanese I-boats came any way. In a development, which should be of concern to all Americans, Japan is showing off her submarine strength in Hawaiian waters. Now that her war in China is nearly over Japan may be tempted to further expansion. We trust that the evidence of American resolve she saw at our base at Pearl Harbor has dissuaded her.

January 6th, 1941

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

The Soviets are holding pretty well along the front. In French Indochina indigenous communists have revolted in the borderlands, and have asked the USSR for protection. This will be interesting for the French colonial holdings.

January 6th, 1941

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

It is winter on the East Front but the lack of German success is reassuring. The city of Tambov was a recognized German objective, but the assault there failed. Soviet resistance is impressive.

February 3rd, 1941

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

Our American troops are scrambling to pick up pieces as the Germans move quickly. Here we see a concentration of armor near Murmansk. We hate to see our power dribbled away in penny packets. We understand this is a global war, and that we have commitments to allies, but still.

February 3rd, 1941

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

For quite a while Leningrad had not received much attention, but with the coming of Spring there will be trouble.

February 3rd, 1941

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

In a sad development the Germans have brought in reinforcements and Tambov has fallen. The Soviets need more troops in the south, but do they have them?

February 3rd, 1941

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

Here is an overview of the vastness of the recent German push in the far south.

March 3rd, 1941

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

Our ally the Soviet Union is carrying the bulk of the flight against the Germans, but she is at about half strength. The Germans are putting pressure on from the south as the direct approach to Moscow is into the bulk of Soviet strength. It is hard for the Soviets to raise the manpower for the newly enlarged front.

March 3rd, 1941

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

Leningrad still does not seem to have a lot of attention from the Germans, but its defense is becoming more difficult.

March 3rd, 1941

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

In a stunning development the Germans have reached and taken Suez. They seem to be present there in great force. Our British allies will surely put up a vigorous defense of Cairo and Alexandria, but will it succeed?

Starshi Serzhant Pivo Rebyonek (Phonetic Russian for Senior Sergeant Beer Baby): With Russia now broken, along with France & China; Total Allied & Communist VP of 801 to combined Axis of 1040 - is it game over or play on?
India being attacked from both ends by Japan & Germans. Hanoi captured, Panama captured, Vladivostok & Leningrad under siege surrounded.
So how to play my turn? A peaceful passing of the turn for all to see the end or a fight on to the bitter end?
Russians have fought bravely for a full 3 years and now broken - most units out of supply, many shell units. Some the Germans have seen the entire war but are no longer themselves such as the 4th Czech that escaped when that country fell but now have only a company of Russian rifle and 2 of Russian tanks. Or on the German side some old foes from the start such as the 7th Inf that survived early Russian counter strikes.
I tried every defensive trick I knew but couldn't stop the Axis - blowing bridges, layered defenses, combined arms, extricating spent units to minimize units destroyed, any tech that improved quality. Salute to the mighty German conquerer [&o]

I simply don't have the troops to defend Cairo and/or Alexandria. With Russia, France and China broken the victory conditions say Germany has won. We could play on hoping for a comeback for the allies but I am inclined to end the game unless everyone else wants to continue. I will therefore vote with the majority on whether to continue.

March 31st, 1941

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

The break in the Soviet Union below 50% of VP, along with the entry of Japan into the global war, has caused much soul searching among the Allies. Here in America the feeling is that we "have not yet begun to fight". The loss of the Panama canal is a blow but Japan cannot hope to hold it against a coordinated RN and USN offensive. This is a stunt on Japan's part, nothing more. The USN has war-gamed the attack on the canal, but the Japanese hit us harder than we believed they could. As the president said of the sneak attack on Panama : "This day shall live in infamy". North Africa is a wasteland of sand. Great Britain does not need to defeat panzers there. Rather, she needs to fall back on her mighty shield of Empire, the glorious Royal Navy. India is far from lost, and even if this jewel in the Crown were to be subjugated, the rest of the Commonwealth can fight on.

The Soviet Union is seriously wounded, but if she can hold out as long as possible it will give the sea powers time to secure absolute sea supremacy. America is prepared to become the Arsenal of Democracy. As production ramps up things will change. The Axis cannot defend the bloated "empire" against seaborne raids and invasions. The tide will turn if only our resolve is strong.

Let us now examine the state of our war making.

March 31st, 1941

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

For quite a while the Germans have disengaged the Soviet positions near Moscow. Now they seem to be putting more pressure on there. There is danger for them there. The angry Red Army will strike at every opportunity. The Heer is distracted with global adventuring. They will find they had good reason to beware the bear.

March 31st, 1941

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

When the Germans chose a Fall Blau strategy they not only opened up the Caucasus but they enabled the assault on the USSR from the south. This front is so hard for the Red Army to defend. Our Soviet allies are fighting a Great Patriotic War indeed.

March 31st, 1941

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

Our British allies will probably have to step back from Cairo and may have to head even farther west. The great fortress of Gibraltar is critical now that Suez is lost. It may be time for long range plans to be drawn for a campaign by the Allies in the Med.

March 31st, 1941

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

The German assault on west India has met a vigorous defense. Germany is at the end of an immensely long supply chain, with massive demands on trucking. India has indigenous production and railroads. This will be a battle.

March 31st, 1941

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

It is now time to deal with the greedy, back stabbing, nefarious Japanese. Evidently inspired by German adventurism the pitiful little Empire of Nippon has declared war on the Allied world. Their troops were violating borders on two continents as the diplomatic documents were delivered. The USA had just sent Japan a shipment of oil when the attack occurred. Retribution will be swift.

Let us lookout their unwarranted assault on Burma.