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Turn 3. Jan/Feb 1940. End of Turn. Production Spiral. USA.

Turn 3. Jan/Feb 1940. End of Turn. Production Spiral. USSR.

Time to shut the Burma road!

ORIGINAL: Courtenay

Time to shut the Burma road!

Yes. That's on my list. But I like to wait to later in the turn to keep my opponent guessing. That is, I want him to setup the convoy lines to transport the resources and once he's done that I like to close the Burma road.

The only downside is to make a reminder for me not to forget. That would definitely be embarrassing.

Turn 4. Mar/Apr 1940. Start of Turn.

[al] Allied Reinforcements:

[al] China: Chungking MIL to Chungking; 17th Army (3-2 INF) to Chihkiang; CCCP Cavalry (3-4 CAV) to Sian.

[al] Commonwealth:
- pil in reserve to Swordfish cvp1;
- HMS Howe (BB), Indomitable (CV), and Trinidad (CA) to Construction pool;
- Rangoon MIL to Rangoon;
- cvp1 to HMS Glorious in Liverpool;
- HMS Suffolk and Gloucester to Plymouth;
- TRS and 2 cp to Liverpool;

[al] Make that 1 cp

[al] France:
- Jean Bart II (BB) to construction pool;
- ARM and MECH in Paris;
- 1 cp in Doala, Cameroons;

[al] Fr removes cvp1 from Béarn

[al] United States:
- 1 cp to Norfolk;
- USS Wasp to San Diego;

[al] - LV Corps (4-1 GARR) to San Diego;

[al] Soviet Union:
- pil in reserve to I-16 ftr2;
- cruiser Zhelezniakov to construction pool;
- 5th Army (5-3 INF) & 30th Army (4-1 GARR) to Odessa;
- 4th Army (3-3 INF) to Minsk;
- I-16 ftr2 to Odessa;

[al] Sending the file your way at USSR remove aircraft. Simply end the phase and it's on to the Axis.

[ax] Copy that.

[ax] Got it.

[ax] Axis. Place Units.

[ax] Germany.
1 PIL, but not assigned.
2 U-boat flotillas to Kiel.
II Para corps to Frankfurt.

[ax] Italy.
BB Vittorio Veneto, CA Zara and sub group to La Spezia.
No planes removed.

[ax] Japan.
PIL -> D3A1 (Val) to Sasebo, Japan.
MAN Terr (2-3) to Tsitsihar, Manchuria.
No planes removed.

[ax] Resource Lending. Allied. Unless directed otherwise will follow your earlier instructions.
"Lending: US lends China 1 resource, CW lends China 1 oil."

[al] Also, the CW is still lending France the resource & bps.

[ax] Copy that.

[ax] Resource Lending. No changes to Axis. Germany still giving Italy 2 non-oil RPs.

Resource Lending.

Turn 4. Mar/Apr 1940. Start of Turn. Western Front.

Interesting ... my opponent has left the garrison in Rotterdam out of supply. The axis have a +1 advantage on the initiative track and also win ties. I really want to clear out Rotterdam and going first would give me that chance; especially, if the weather isn't storms (20 or 30% I think) and I can flip one or both defenders.

I think I will move first if I win the initiative and even go so far as to request a re-roll if I lose the first roll. But first, I need to take a look at the China to firm that decision up.

Turn 4. Mar/Apr 1940. Start of Turn. China.

I think I see an opportunity in the South for encircling and destroying Chaing. So, I will definitely request a re-roll if necessary and move first if I win the initiative.

Turn 4. Mar/Apr 1940. Start of Turn. Manchuria. Korea.

My to do list is to close the Burma road later in the turn and after the allied player has sent up his convoy lines for the two trade agreements he has made for China. That is: (1) CW, 1 oil to China and (2) USA, 1 non-oil to China.

Though my opponent has the chits in the Japanese entry pool to cover any Soviet DOW on Japan, I just don't see that happening with the forces he has on the border. To me they seem too strong for defense but way too weak to successfully carry out an invasion of Manchuria. So, I'm not sure what's he up to with the Soviets in Asia.

Turn 4. Mar/Apr 1940. Start of Turn. Italy.

Italy's job is to continue to tie down as many CW and French forces as possible and continue to distract them from the real threat which is Germany's threat to France.

Turn 4. Mar/Apr 1940. Start of Turn. Italy. East Med.

Turn 4. Mar/Apr 1940. Start of Turn. Italy. Egypt.

Turn 4. Mar/Apr 1940. Start of Turn. Italy. East Africa.

Turn 4. Mar/Apr 1940. Start of Turn (concluded).

[ax] Axis win the initiative, but the allies didn't make it easy. Axis=9+1=10, allied=10. Axis win tie since the allies held the initiative last turn. Axis elect to move first.

[ax]Turn 4. Mar/Apr 1940. Axis #1. Weather=7+1=8. Fine everywhere except for rain in the Arctic.

[ax] Impulse advance is 2, no die roll modifier.

[al] Not bad, not bad. Except for the defenders of Rotterdam. It's bad for them.

Turn 4. Mar/Apr 1940. Axis #1.

{...} = private, AAR comments (i.e., no part of the inter-game communications).

[ax] Might as well ask you now. Do you wish to fly CAP over Rotterdam to defend against German ground strikes?

[al] Christopher: Hrm. Got ground strikes, paradrop, and ground support to consider...

[al] Christopher: Yes. Spitfires fly.

[ax] Which ones and which phases?

[ax] Well, I guess since ground strike is first, who flies CAP for ground strike.

[al] Spitfires fly CAP for ground strikes.

[ax] Both?

[al] (Pretty sure other ftr2 is Hurricanes on the counter.)

[al] 5-factor ftr2 (Spitfires) fly CAP for ground strikes. 4-factor ftr2 (Hurricanes) sit tight for now.

[ax] Copy that.

[al] By the way, stepping out for a bit. I'll have my phone with me so can answer questions.

[ax] In for a penny, in for a pound. Germany will also declare war on Belgium this impulse.

[ax] I've got some planning to do.

[al] Woah.

[ax] No special actions. No alignment. But, Germany does DOW Belgium. USE=10, apparently the isolations in the US couldn't care less. No chit added.

[ax] Assume you wish me to align Belgium to the CW?

[al] Yes.

[ax] How do you wish to setup Belgium?

[ax] By the way, this does change the supply situation so you may want to rethink your CAP over Rotterdam.

[ax] Supply could get complicated so I'll defer to you ... but it appears for now, at least, the CW units in Rotterdam are in supply.

[ax] Though that could definitely change as the situation in Belgium changes.

Belgium and Holland. Post DOW. Pre-Setup

Turn 4. Mar/Apr 1940. Axis #1. (continued)

{...} = private, AAR comments (i.e., no part of the inter-game communications).

[ax] Also, do you wish to change your previous CAP instructions?

[al] No, CAP stays the same, methinks.

[ax] Copy that.

[al] Okay, so, by my reckoning, Belgium gets:
- 2 INF, 1 CAV, 1 TERR
- 1 MIL on "production spiral" to arrive next turn
- 1 ftr2 & pilot
- cruiser in construction pool
- 2 cp

[al] With the German set up, Liege is a write-off, and it would be easy to get 2 hexes plus PARA on Brussels

[al] So, what I'd like to do with Belgium is:
- Belgian Congo: TERR in Leopoldville and 2 cps in Boma;
- Antwerp: I and II Corps (both INF);
- Liege: Cavalry Corps;
- ftr2 in hex [51,30], west of Antwerp.

[ax] Copy that.

[al] Looking good... er, well, actually it looks really, really bad with all those Germans just over the border. But it's as good as it's going to get.

[ax] Don't worry about them ... they're just looking for a nice holiday.

[al] I guess the beaches in Holland are too crowded right now?

[al] Too many tourists from East Prussia or something.

[ax] Well, hopefully things will be cleared out shortly.

Belgium. Post Setup.

{I absolutely love this setup! Here is my plan.
1. paradrop in Brussels in combination with land attack from MAAS against the notional. My opponent will likely refuse the notional. Oh well, so be it. Make this land combat first and put Rotterdam out of supply again.
2. Flip one or both defenders (by ground strike) and have an excellent chance to lance this abscess.
3. Flip both inf corps in Antwerp to prevent the Brits from moving in and then take Antwerp next impulse.
4. Take Liege.}

Turn 4. Mar/Apr 1940. Axis #1. (continued)

{...} = private, AAR comments (i.e., no part of the inter-game communications).

[ax] Actions. Japan - land, Germany - land, Italy - naval.

[ax] Port Strike. None.

[ax] Naval Air. He 112 Sicily 75,40 to East Med 2-box.

[ax] Naval Air. SCRATCH He 112.

[ax] Naval Air. None.

{I really wanted to get the German fighter out to the 2-box of the Eastern Med followed, if necessary, by the Italian nav during an air reaction. Also, during this impulse put the Italian CA and BB in La Speiza under this air umbrella (i.e., 2-box East Med). However, Germany needs all four of the air for Rotterdam and Belgium. Paradrop takes 1 leaving them 3 for ground strikes.}

[ax] Naval Movement. Italians.
It sub to North Atlantic, 2-box.
It subs to Cape St. Vincent (1 each in 2 & 3-boxes).
It Coast. 2 CA's in 3-box to 0-box.
East Med. 2 CA's in 3-box to 0-box. BB & CA in La Speiza to 3-box.

[ax] North Atlantic. Italian sub in 2-box initiates. Search. Axis=4, Allies=1. Only the allies find. CA in 3-box.

[al] Looks like the Italians "missed it by that much".

[ax] Yes they did, but really didn't matter that much will an RN search roll of 1.

[al] True that.

[ax] Allies have 4 SPs with 1 ship vs 1 sub. 3 surface vs 1, initial risk of A. Italians have 2 surface vs 1 ship, which is no risk. Allies can use their 2 SPs to increase risk to D, 2A. Assume that's what you want?

[al] Yes, let's do that.

[ax] Italian sub (risk of D, 2A). D=2, damaged and with 2As left, will also be aborted. Italian sub limps back to Malta in need or repairs.

North Atlantic.

Turn 4. Mar/Apr 1940. Axis #1. (continued)

{...} = private, AAR comments (i.e., no part of the inter-game communications).

[ax] Cape St. Vincent. Italian sub in 2-box initiates. Don't believe allies have any possible air reactions, but will ask if they do.

[al] No, with the ftr2 off in southern Tunisia, they don't have any.

[ax] Search. Axis=7, allied=3. Again, on the RN finds. SPs=4 or 5 depending on which boxes they include (2 and/or 3).

[al] This is what you get sending Italians to to the Germans' job.

[ax] Yes. They have been less than impressive with their subs.

[al] By my reckoning, both sides are in the same damage column; subs are firing against 1 ship and RN is firing against 2 ships.

[al] So Italians inflict 1A and CW inflicts 2A as it stands.

[al] RN picks both boxes, spends 4 surprise to boost damage to 1D 3A and eats its own A.

[ax] Copy that.

[ax] RN. Risk=A=1, aborted. Where to?

[al] RN aborts to Gibraltar.

[ax] RM. Risk=D on 5043 (5-2)=10, aborted. With 3A risks left, the second Italian sub is also aborted. Both abort to La Spezia.

[ax] RN ASW clears out the 3 Italian sub groups, damaging 1 in the process.

Cape St. Vincent.

Turn 4. Mar/Apr 1940. Axis #1. (continued)

{...} = private, AAR comments (i.e., no part of the inter-game communications).

[ax] Strategic Bombing. None.

[ax] RAF CAP. Spitfire I (5 a2a) flown over Rotterdam.

[al] If there's no air combat, or if the ftr is aborted, it returns to Dover.

[ax] Copy that.

[ax] Ground Strikes. Germany.
(1) Rotterdam. Bf 109 E-2 F/B (2 TAC) & Stuka Ju 87 B (5 TAC) escorted by Bf-109 E2 (5 a2a)
(2) Antwerp. Ju 87 B Stuka (5 TAC).

[ax] Ground Strike. Italians. None.

[ax] Ground Strike. Japan x 1.
Ch[86,138]. Chaing HQ-I + Warlord + A/T div.
D3A2(Val) (3 TAC) & Ki-51 (2 TAC).

[ax] Rotterdam. Air-to-Air.

[ax] Round 1. Allied=20. 😡 Which fighter do you wish to shoot down.

[al] You're playing the Axis, but your dice wanted to play the Commonwealth.

[ax] I have a love-hate relationship with this game. This impulse it's mostly been hate!

[ax] Your choice of which aircraft is shot down. German fighter or fighter/bomber?

[al] Let's go with the fighter.

[ax] Axis=14, which is good enough to abort the RAF fighter CAP. Though both German bombers get through, a win for the RAF!

[ax] Ground Strike. Rotterdam.
Stuka (5 TAC). vs MIL=6 (missed), vs GAR=8 (missed).
Bf 109 E-2 F/B (2 TAC). vs MIL=5 (missed), vs GAR=5 (missed).

😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡

[al] Wow, no kidding all the angry face emojis.

[ax] Don't you just love this game.

[al] Well, I'm loving it just this instant. 😉🥳

Rotterdam. Post Land Movement.

{I lost a fighter w/pilot and my ground strike failed to flip any of the defenders (84% chance that I'd get at least one). This left me with a situation that once again the odds were just too poor to risk an attack. I can't control the die rolls (i.e., turn continuing two turns ago, losing initiative last turn, failing to flip this impulse) but I can show discipline and not attack in situations like this. So I'm once again postponing the attack on Rotterdam. But it's taking all the discipline I can muster not to tilt and attack.}

Turn 4. Mar/Apr 1940. Axis #1. (continued)

{...} = private, AAR comments (i.e., no part of the inter-game communications).

[ax] Ground Strike (surprise). Antwerp.
Ju 87B (5 TAC). vs BEL II Inf=7, 2 (flipped). vs BEL I Inf=3, 2 (flipped).

{Well, I won the coin flip this time. It was 50/50 (actually 56%) whether or not I'd flip both Belgium infantry corps during this surprise ground strike. I got them both with means I locked out the CW from Antwerp.}

Turn 4. Mar/Apr 1940. Axis #1. (continued)

{...} = private, AAR comments (i.e., no part of the inter-game communications).

[ax] Japan. Ground Strike. Chaing's 3-stack.
D32A (Vall) (3 TAC). vs Chaing HQ-I=6 (missed). vs Chungking Warlord=6 (missed). vs A/T gun=2 (flipped).
Ki-51 (Sonia) (2 TAC). vs Chaing HQ-I=5 (missed). vs Warlord=7 (missed).

[al] Nice. That at gun is an expensive unit to leave out in the open by itself. I might just have to do that, depending on the turn.

[ax] I'm definitely going to try to cut Chiang's stack off. This will require that the Japanese successfully capture Chinkiang.

[ax] Rail. Japan. None.

[ax] Rail. Germany. None.

[ax] Rail. Italy. None.

Japan's Ground Strike.

{I really wanted Chaing ... but could only manage to flip the A/T division)}.