How the Axis could have won. Allied AAR RTW

[warspite1]

8th June 1940

France and the United Kingdom
The British get another Destroyer Flotilla which is placed in Glasgow and the two aircraft carrier sisters Illustrious and Victorious. Unfortunately these names are two long. Their counter is therefore named Lusty and Vicky.

The 2nd Submarine Flotilla is pulled out of the Skaggerak for the time being. I am hoping to be able to upgrade him.

The Wolf Pack in the middle of the North Atlantic is free to continue its murderous reign. But in better news:

As a man once said "Scratch-one Wolf Pack!" [:D]


The scene just before the 2nd Escort Flotilla is about to deliver the coup de gras on this wolf pack.

[warspite1]

8th June 1940

Outside Narvik Rupertforce (led by Maj-Gen P Mackesy) and the Chasseurs Alpins (Brigadier A Bethouart) attempt to take the port. I have set the aircraft to 'ground' I'm hoping that means I can use them against Narvik...


The Royal Navy are off shore to lend support. Initial attacks have reduced the defenders for little loss to the attackers.

[warspite1]

8th June 1940

From the extreme cold of Narvik to the extreme heat of the Mediterranean. The Malta Defence Force lands on the island and immediate improvements in AA capability (10 MPP) are made.

[warspite1]

8th June 1940

France and the United Kingdom
Okay - I've been putting off thinking about this [:D] I guess I have to deal with France now...

The British pull back behind the Somme, but the French are exposed on the wrong side of the Marne.

Both Allies have reinforced and upgraded what they can but it now looks fatal for the French.

USA
The US research ASW and AA defence.

[Orm]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

20th January 1940

United Kingdom and France
After much wrangling and debate (well the war in Finland only started two months ago [8|]) the British and French agree to send troops to Finland.

I am sorry that this is a bit late but I've been pondering on this for a while now.

1) How did the French and British forces get to Finland?
2) Does not France, overextend to send forces to Finland? And to some extend Britain as well?
3) Allied troops fighting Soviet troops. Isn't this a German dream come true?
4) Will this cause Finland to side with the Allies instead of Germany?

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Orm

ORIGINAL: warspite1

20th January 1940

United Kingdom and France
After much wrangling and debate (well the war in Finland only started two months ago [8|]) the British and French agree to send troops to Finland.

I am sorry that this is a bit late but I've been pondering on this for a while now.

1) How did the French and British forces get to Finland?
They just get there when acting on these decisions.
2) Does not France, overextend to send forces to Finland? And to some extend Britain as well?
The forces are not taken from your units in the UK or France
3) Allied troops fighting Soviet troops. Isn't this a German dream come true?
Yes, I guess so - but its just a what-if. The upside for the Allies is less chance of Finland aligning with Germany. The Allies can say no.
4) Will this cause Finland to side with the Allies instead of Germany?
To what extent this is possible I don't know

warspite1

See above

[Orm]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: Orm

ORIGINAL: warspite1

20th January 1940

United Kingdom and France
After much wrangling and debate (well the war in Finland only started two months ago [8|]) the British and French agree to send troops to Finland.

I am sorry that this is a bit late but I've been pondering on this for a while now.

1) How did the French and British forces get to Finland?
They just get there when acting on these decisions.
2) Does not France, overextend to send forces to Finland? And to some extend Britain as well?
The forces are not taken from your units in the UK or France
3) Allied troops fighting Soviet troops. Isn't this a German dream come true?
Yes, I guess so - but its just a what-if. The upside for the Allies is less chance of Finland aligning with Germany. The Allies can say no.
4) Will this cause Finland to side with the Allies instead of Germany?
To what extent this is possible I don't know

warspite1

See above

Thank you. [:)]

I really like that what-if events are included. [:)]

But disappointed that some sort of magical 'teleport' is available. [:(] To bad for Finland that this technology was not available to the Allies in '39. [;)]

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Orm

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: Orm



I am sorry that this is a bit late but I've been pondering on this for a while now.

1) How did the French and British forces get to Finland?
They just get there when acting on these decisions.
2) Does not France, overextend to send forces to Finland? And to some extend Britain as well?
The forces are not taken from your units in the UK or France
3) Allied troops fighting Soviet troops. Isn't this a German dream come true?
Yes, I guess so - but its just a what-if. The upside for the Allies is less chance of Finland aligning with Germany. The Allies can say no.
4) Will this cause Finland to side with the Allies instead of Germany?
To what extent this is possible I don't know

warspite1

See above

Thank you. [:)]

I really like that what-if events are included. [:)]

But disappointed that some sort of magical 'teleport' is available. [:(] To bad for Finland that this technology was not available to the Allies in '39. [;)]

warspite1

I think it makes the game less tactical - and given that it is a strategic game, perhaps that is no bad thing. How much replayability it gives remains to be seen.

[warspite1]

8th June 1940

United Kingdom
The British are asked if they want to re-route their Mediterranean convoys. I will say yes as I don't know what chances I get to do this later. I would prefer to wait and see what the Italian Fleet do but I will play safe and accept the reduced tonnage....

[warspite1]

30th June 1940

Wow - the RAF are absolutely rubbish. They get creamed just looking at a German aircraft [X(] The BEF is no more - although the Corps that make up the BEF are still in play - sort of. The French lost 1 Army, 2 Corps and a Garrison....

[AllenK]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: Orm

ORIGINAL: warspite1

warspite1

See above

Thank you. [:)]

I really like that what-if events are included. [:)]

But disappointed that some sort of magical 'teleport' is available. [:(] To bad for Finland that this technology was not available to the Allies in '39. [;)]

warspite1

I think it makes the game less tactical - and given that it is a strategic game, perhaps that is no bad thing. How much replayability it gives remains to be seen.

Hopefully the multiplayer option will be available soon, which would add to replayability.

[operating]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

2nd March 1940

United Kingdom
After the recent foray off Denmark (a kind of Jutland II) I have a number of ships that could do with repairing; HM battlecruisers Renown and Repulse and HMS Manchester from the 2nd Cruiser Squadron. However, on the basis that I need to assist France, and that the Kriegsmarine should be quiet for a while, I ignore these needs and look elsewhere for spending my MPP. I do not spend any MPP this turn as I want to get some tanks to beef up the 3 infantry corps.

France
The French spend their MPP on bringing XI Corps back up to full strength, reinforcing their bomber group and upgrading their fighter squadrons. When upgrading the fighter unit a little number appeared in the bottom right. I cannot see what this is from the manual but hopefully its a way of being able to tell upgrade levels of units?

USSR
The Soviets research infantry warfare.


All Quiet(ish) On The Western Front

That little white number you question, usually means that there is an upgrade available. At least that the way it is in SCWWI, often there are more than one upgrade at presented, thus white 1, or white 2, ect.. Usually the earliest upgrade has to be done before latter upgrades can be fulfilled...

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: AllenK

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: Orm



Thank you. [:)]

I really like that what-if events are included. [:)]

But disappointed that some sort of magical 'teleport' is available. [:(] To bad for Finland that this technology was not available to the Allies in '39. [;)]

warspite1

I think it makes the game less tactical - and given that it is a strategic game, perhaps that is no bad thing. How much replayability it gives remains to be seen.

Hopefully the multiplayer option will be available soon, which would add to replayability.

warspite1

Hopefully - of course they will have the same choices (although I understand that there is an element of manual movement). That said I have been attacking Narvik with my Special Forces that were landed as part of a Decision card. I have been able to attack, but having done so and moved the German out of the town, I can't advance. Weird or maybe WAD?

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: operating

ORIGINAL: warspite1

2nd March 1940

United Kingdom
After the recent foray off Denmark (a kind of Jutland II) I have a number of ships that could do with repairing; HM battlecruisers Renown and Repulse and HMS Manchester from the 2nd Cruiser Squadron. However, on the basis that I need to assist France, and that the Kriegsmarine should be quiet for a while, I ignore these needs and look elsewhere for spending my MPP. I do not spend any MPP this turn as I want to get some tanks to beef up the 3 infantry corps.

France
The French spend their MPP on bringing XI Corps back up to full strength, reinforcing their bomber group and upgrading their fighter squadrons. When upgrading the fighter unit a little number appeared in the bottom right. I cannot see what this is from the manual but hopefully its a way of being able to tell upgrade levels of units?

USSR
The Soviets research infantry warfare.


All Quiet(ish) On The Western Front

That little white number you question, usually means that there is an upgrade available. At least that the way it is in SCWWI, often there are more than one upgrade at presented, thus white 1, or white 2, ect.. Usually the earliest upgrade has to be done before latter upgrades can be fulfilled...

warspite1

I think when its green there is an upgrade available - the white symbols mean an upgrade has been carried out.

[operating]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: operating

ORIGINAL: warspite1

2nd March 1940

United Kingdom
After the recent foray off Denmark (a kind of Jutland II) I have a number of ships that could do with repairing; HM battlecruisers Renown and Repulse and HMS Manchester from the 2nd Cruiser Squadron. However, on the basis that I need to assist France, and that the Kriegsmarine should be quiet for a while, I ignore these needs and look elsewhere for spending my MPP. I do not spend any MPP this turn as I want to get some tanks to beef up the 3 infantry corps.

France
The French spend their MPP on bringing XI Corps back up to full strength, reinforcing their bomber group and upgrading their fighter squadrons. When upgrading the fighter unit a little number appeared in the bottom right. I cannot see what this is from the manual but hopefully its a way of being able to tell upgrade levels of units?

USSR
The Soviets research infantry warfare.


All Quiet(ish) On The Western Front

That little white number you question, usually means that there is an upgrade available. At least that the way it is in SCWWI, often there are more than one upgrade at presented, thus white 1, or white 2, ect.. Usually the earliest upgrade has to be done before latter upgrades can be fulfilled...

warspite1

I think when its green there is an upgrade available - the white symbols mean an upgrade has been carried out.

You might be correct, it's been a year or so since playing SCWWI.

[mariandavid]

Most enjoyable and useful!

[warspite1]

Thank-you.

I have to say I spent a large part of the weekend on this (not ideal from the brownie point perspective, but a testament to how much fun the game is).

As said I have no experience of these games so a big thanks to people that have helped too – especially nOknOk. I don’t think I asked that many questions – and did not use the manual that much (will wait for the hard copy when I can properly get into it). This is testament to how intuitive the game is, that I have been able to basically just get on with it.

It’s too early to make too much by way of judgement of the game, but it’s definitely a case of so far so very good. There are a few niggles – I dislike the HQ and Army and Corps idea. It’s hardly a game-breaker but there is no need for it. There needs to be one more zoom level – to help us old wrinklies. Those without perfect eyesight are spoilt with the zoom levels on MWIF. This game is almost perfect, but an extra level of closeness would help with viewing the upgrades and a few other things.

From a stability perspective I’ve had a problem where the Poles simply failed to surrender – thus effectively ending that game – and I cannot view the convoy map on my current game as the game crashes if I do.

On the plus side – the game is fun. Lots of fun. And whilst I have been able to open it up and play straight out of the box (or whatever the computer equivalent is!) there is clearly much more to the game – research, diplomacy, upgrades etc – that I need to learn to increase the experience. I like the sound effects, the map is growing on me, and overall the aesthetics are positive. The plusses massively outweigh the negatives.

I can’t wait to continue with this – and even more, I can’t wait for the manual to arrive!

[warspite1]

30th June 1940

Sadly not too much time tonight [:(], but I'll try and get what I can done in the short time available.

France and the United Kingdom
The last turn was something of a disaster. The Germans, who opened up the Allied defences previously, have now exploited the gaps opened, with the result that the British and French suddenly look very weak in front of Paris.

The whole weight of the German armour was sent north and the British melted at the sight of the panzers - allied to which the RAF appear to be flying Gloster Gladiators or something.

First off though lets get a report summary from last turn:

Well that's disappointing - the reports won't come up when I press hotkey 'l' [&:]

EDIT: I re-opened from Autosave and that works - phew [8D]

This is depressing reading - let's move on [:D]

[warspite1]

30th June 1940

So, hiding my head in the sand, what's happening elsewhere?

USSR
The Soviets have claimed Bessarabia. Northern Bukovina is not mentioned but I'm sure that's included too.

France and the United Kingdom
I have the two Canadian Escort Flotillas in port in Canada. I cannot reinforce, but can upgrade. However the upgrade is limited to naval weaponry and AA. I have better things to spend my MPP on at present - although would of course jump at the chance to increase ASW when available.

Not having access to the convoy map is a bit annoying. I see that a northern convoy route exists now and I need to get more destroyers in play. The RN looking stretched even with the help of the French (who will no doubt disappear soon).

The 1st Destroyer Flotilla reaches Glasgow, but it too cannot reinforce. That's a blow because I need every convoy escort possible!

[warspite1]

30th June 1940

France and the United Kingdom
Irritatingly, bearing in mind my troops could not advance into Narvik last turn, the German garrison has reinforced and moved back into the town.

I found out the FAA aircraft were not in range of Narvik which is why I could not get them to fly.... As a result the RN send their carriers into Vestfjord to try and soften up the Narvik defenders. Their contribution is negligible and the attack by the Anglo-French forces investing the town is not much better.....