Matrix Games Forums

Great AAR. Keep it up.

I would be interested in your thoughts on escort carriers. Lots of good players build them. What are their strengths and weaknesses. How best to use them? Thanks.

@Firsteds, thanks! I think the main benefit of CVL is their cost-efficiency as well as their short build time. I find that the main reason that carriers and battleships are irreplaceable, is due to their long build time more than their cost (though that weighs heavily too). The main use of CVLs imo is to act as fighter escort or intercept for your CVs, because CVs have 2 attacks, but only 1 intercept/escort. So CVs are your hammer, while CVLs are your armor so to say, and battleships are your shield. On top of that, CVLs are also great vs submarines, and also good at spotting. They are cheap to build and to upgrade, so I honestly don't think there are any downsides to them. USA can build six, which is more than enough to compensate for the fact that they have less CVs than Japan for a year or so. Though if you combine their CVs with the UK ones, Allies have a massive naval-air superiority. They are among the first units I build with the USA. I usually only make an AA unit first, and sometimes Strat Bombers.

T24 - June 41
The war of wars has begun, Barbarossa. Taifun, the madman, decided to launch his offensive with lvl 1 infantry weapons. Lvl 2 came in last turn, but no upgrades on his units yet. So his tanks must lead the way, and he will upgrade at the end of his advance I guess. But I have inf weapons 2 coming in in 2 or 3 turns as well. So before he really hits my lines, I should have upgrades.

I have opted for a deep defense. The idea is to firmly hold the flanks, while I keep a mobile strike force in the center. However, this mobile force has failed to materialize due to purges and economic hardship in the pre-war years. The center is more sparsely manned than I would've liked, but it's in line with my plan still, which is loosely inspired by Hannibal's battle plan at Cannae. I hope to funnel his forces into the center at Voronezh and Ryazhsk as he meets fierce resistance at Rostov, Stalingrad and Moscow, forcing him to either advance very cautiously or risk overextending his supply lines and possibly encirclement. All his bombers seem to be in the south… I need to send 2 or maybe all 3 of the new AA guns there. It depends on the upgrades on his bombers.

However, I'm not happy with how his DoW went down. Of course, he blockaded my navy in the Baltic sea, I expected that. What I did not expect, was for him to DoW on Latvia before declaring on Russia. For some weird reason, this means the USSR still deploys their units in Latvia instead of further back near Leningrad. So not annexing Baltics turned out to be a really big mistake, and it gave him so much more space. Imo, this never should be possible. Any DoW on a Baltic state should result in the immediate mobilization of Russia.

China is just depressing. Taifun kills a 5 levels deep entrenched army without taking losses, that's the fall of Chongqing. Every attack is just a 2-0, 3-0, 4-0… no mud to slow down his advances. The flanking move through Ningsia is giving me headaches. In his previous AARs he never went that way. But I should have been better prepared for it, since I always do that move myself and know how strong it is. He’s really throwing everything he has at China. 1 or 2 strat bombers + upgrades I assume. 2 cannons, also upgraded by now I guess, 1 mech infantry, with upgrades!!! Wtf. He’s going to knock out China by early 42. Maybe sooner...

India builds SF. UK needs to buy a strat bomber next turn. The USA as well.

T25 - July 41
Of course, Taifun has a party again in China. 5-0 on an army trying to escape from Chongqing... The Great Fighting Retreat has nearly turned into a rout. And the trails leading to Lanchow are dubbed the Trail of the Lost Flowers as best China has to offer is sacrificed in desperate delaying rearguard action, to allow the bulk of what is left of my forces to escape towards Lanchow and sooner rather than later, my final vestige, Urumchi.

So China is pretty much dead. Can I kill Japan early? Is it even necessary? I need to throttle them, kill the convoys and oil from DEI, and then contain their navy. But the USA army also needs to go to knock out Italy. High Command has devised a plan for an amphibious invasion, coined The Italian Job.

His advance in Russia seems somewhat cautious still. He seems wary of a trap. I think I have another full turn before he hits my lines. And then 2 more before his infantry and HQs catch up with his tanks in most parts, and then 1 more turn before the infantry are upgraded and supply is stabilized. Sevastopol will probably fall, as several artillery batteries begin to siege it, but so what. I will try to squeeze in 1 more anti tank.

Luckily also, he’s keeping back significant units to guard the back door. Lowering his unit count by about 10-15% on the active fronts. He has several corps and garrisons in France and Norway, and also in Sicily. He has the Italians back as well, except for 1 tank or something. If he fails to break the front in 42, Russia will survive, I am sure of it. But I do need to bring distractions in the West in early 42, maybe even end 41.

I can't afford strat bombers yet, I need to get amphibious techs for brits, fighters for USA. Also need to upgrade UK navy. India needs to start preparing for Amphibious raids also, to immediately strike back at Japan. So next turn is more Amphibious Warfare for India, and the turn after that, Paratroopers.

Thanks for doing this excellent AAR.

I correctly detected Umeu's investment in diplomacy and imagined that his target was Finland, but I wasn't sure. I decided to wait (error). I calculated that Umeu would need at least 2 hits for Finland to turn against the Reich... or 1 lucky hit above 15% ... In February 1941 he got a hit and Finland came within 1% of becoming pro-Allied . It was a close call. I was happy and content to invest just enough (250 MMPs) to contain a second hit.
After losing half the German fleet in senseless naval engagements, I knew I could no longer cut off the northern supply convoys: my only option would be to cut the Soviet railway line. Therefore I prepared a powerful German army group to disembark in Finland, which included an HQ, 2 artillery, tanks, and mechanized infantry with paras.

The USSR was invaded in June as planned but I was shocked when I saw that Finland did not join the attack: It was listed as 1% pro-Allied !!!!!!!!!!!
It was a very hard blow, a game-changer mistake.
I loved playing this game when I was single, then when I got married it got complicated but with the kids, it's a real challenge! They would surely enter the office during the replay... the thing is that Finland was neutral and I was in trouble.

Apart from the autospanning units, there were no other Soviet units in sight, it was clear that Umeu had planned a defense in the far reaches of the immense country. My infantry units were few and poorly equipped... Our troops advanced into the unknown unopposed during July, capturing Smolensk, Kiev, Dnepropetrovsk, and Kharkov. Supply began to be an issue...

The city of Leningrad and its environs were well defended. There were at least 5 armies backed with anti-aircraft guns entrenched behind forts in marshes!
East of Smolensk there were no troops in sight but some forts were built protecting Moscow...
Infantry units started upgrading to infantry weapons level 2 in the rear areas but the spearheads of our advance were pitiful... Additional Soviet units defended Sebastopol and Rostov.

The good weather is soon over in the USSR... I had to decide and fix an objective before the arrival of the rainy season (1-2 turns). In Army Group North, I found myself unable to take Leningrad, even with 2 artillery units. After several reconnaissance missions, I got a good idea of the disposition of the Soviet defense. - I could attack Moscow from the south and west. Moscow was the obvious target by definition of the German attack.
- Stalingrad was not easy prey, defended by fortifications, and it would be difficult to cross the Don.
- I could capture Rostov and try to enter the Caucasus crossing the Don River, but the crossing would not be easy and I would need to capture Sevastopol first.

I didn't know where the Russian tanks were...

The next turn would be crucial. In the end, I decided to attack... VORONEZH. I concentrated my troops around Kharkov, out of sight of the Soviets and prayed for good weather.

petedalby wrote: Mon Dec 16, 2024 2:55 pm Thanks for doing this excellent AAR.

Thanks for reading!

And @Taifun, thanks for the update and glad to see you back. Your caution regarding Finland definitely changed the flow of the game. I played a similar strategy vs EarlyDoors, and he immediately blocked me once I went diplo into Finland, so I never got a hit on it. I do think your calculated risk/caution was a mistake, but I also got lucky that it was a big hit, and not a smaller one of which I would have needed 2 or even 3 to sway Finland and would have allowed you to respond. (PS let me know if you would like to still upload the Sino-Japanese front, in which case I can reupload this post after yours.)

T26 - August 41
A little bit of peace in China, comparatively. Still 2 units nearly destroyed, by bombers mostly, but nothing died, and lines still holding somewhat in tact on the trail to Lanchow.

His advance in Russia is still somewhat cautious. Lines are tested, the 2 garrisons screening Rostov are destroyed but they did enough, slowed the tanks and took some with them to the grave. I need to survive 2 more months until winter, 1 more if lucky. Maybe next turn there will be mud.

I must try to squeeze in 2 more forts each at Stalingrad and Moscow. After they these engineers need to go to the secondary lines in the Caucasus and Ural mountains respectively, and prepare for plan B. I've never had to enact plan B before, but it's not a plan B if I'm not ready. And this is Taifun I am playing...

T27 - September 41

The carnage continues. In China, an entrenched army is destroyed in a mountain fortress, no problem. He just moves into every hex without issue, I'm baffled. In Russia, a tank scores 5-0 5-0 vs an 2 lvl entrenched army near Sevastopol, even though it was at relatively low morale due to recovering from earlier damage. That's the end of the Crimean peninsula.

Taifun is the first player I faced who occupied Estonia the correct way vs declined annexation, further showcasing that annexation just must be accepted. He exploited every weakness in my decision to the fullest. I always feared these moves before, but nobody actually did them. And some moves I didn’t even consider, such as declaring on Latvia before Russia. My lines around Leningrad are greatly weakened due to not controlling Narva.

Still the plan is largely working. I barely had losses, his supply lines are stretched, only now catching up. Germany didn't have many losses either, but the ratio would have been 4 to 1 otherwise, so I come out ahead in MPP saved. I would abandon 95% of Russia's land to ensure my army stays in tact. The land only matters if you have troops to hold it. At best I’ll have to fight 1 more turn before weather demands a break in hostilities, 2 at worst. So it’ll be 2, considering his luck in weather so far!

Under normal circumstances that would be enough to do some damage, but his infantry is not upgraded, while most of mine are upgraded this turn. I don’t think he will risk it, but I might be wrong... He demolished the army guarding the Sevastopol passage, as well as the light cruiser blocking the straits… But he did not attempt to probe Rostov, so I think he knows he will lose tanks if he does. There’s a tank in the center that looks ripe for destruction, but I don’t have armored warfare yet, so I can't risk it.

I’m afraid to reinforce Singapore because he has strat bombers… but maybe that’s exactly why I need to send an HQ there, otherwise it’s doomed. But perhaps it’s doomed anyway, and I should just ignore it and instead protect Burma. But he will invade Burma from the north as well, making it almost impossible to defend too. Unless... I will position Paratroopers to capture Mandalay to cut off his advance from the North. Armies will land with an HQ while strat bombers destroy supply in Yangoon to take it easily.

At the end of the turn, Australias home defenses spawned in the North of Australia, so he’s close to northern Australia with his units. I must send stuff to investigate if he doesn’t attack me already.

Heavy cruiser spotted in St. Nazaire port. I’ll position to pick it off next turn I think. German navy has added 4 ships, from 9 to 13. I know there are 3 subs scheduled in that, idk the 4th, a battleship I think. But maybe it’s a destroyer. Japan is at 18, meaning he didn’t make extra carriers or escort carriers. I should be able to contain him with my Joint Navy Strike Force.

Operations on USSR were going awry. By the end of the summer, not only was the Red Army largely intact, but it was a strong army, equipped with level 2 infantry weapons! Normally the Soviets only reach level 2 well into 1942, so Umeu got 2 upgrades! German units were already outnumbered in the East Front and the Soviets were receiving many MMPs from the Allies. Umeu had just proven to be a top-level player, with a deep knowledge of the game. His defense of the USSR was formidable and all my hopes were pinned on the capture of Voronezh.

Rain and mud soon appeared in the Army Group North and Center's area of operations. In September the panzers were withdrawn from the northern front and in the center only very weak forces remained to hold the front facing Moscow.
But in the south the sun was shining and the city of Voronezh was captured, opening a gap in the enemy lines. A gate opened, threatening Stalingrad and the entire rear area of the Red Army.

In Crimea, with the support of the Luftwaffe, the fortified town of Sevastopol was captured after heavy bombardment. The Kuban region in the Caucasus turned out to be heavily protected. One corps was entrenched in fortifications protecting the Kerch Strait. Behind them, a heavy tank waited ready to counterattack. Entering the Caucasus through the strait would be difficult and the Panzer Corps was withdrawn from Crimea.
Meanwhile, our troops reached the outskirts of Rostov supported by 2 artillery units. The next turn would be critical again. If the weather allows it, Stalingrad could be attacked from the north in a coup the main, bypassing the Don fortifications, before the Soviets coud send reinforcements...

Taifun wrote: Tue Dec 17, 2024 5:23 pm Normally the Soviets only reach level 2 well into 1942

In my experience, Russia usually has lvl 2 infantry weapons in autumn or winter 41. September is on the early side, I remember getting 1 breakthrough on it, but I've seen other people have it already in July. Usually I get it in October or November, which happened vs EarlyDoors and Elvis. I would be very upset it lvl 2 didn't come until 42! :O


T28 - October 41
Disaster strikes in Central Russia. I made a major blunder to move the AA unit which is typically at Voronezh to cover the army there, to Rostov out of fear of his major bomber force there. I should have moved the one from Moscow instead. Now bombers destroy half the Voronezh army, and tanks to finish it off. Taifun kills an upgraded and entrenched lvl 2 infantry weapons army and a SF. He takes 2 losses vs 20 kills. Even though I made another blunder not to cover these units by a general as I normally do, again out of fear for his strong presence near Rostov, it’s still just out of this world. Never seen anything like it. The center is breached, and he will likely try to encircle Stalingrad and my units Rostov by driving towards the Caspian Sea. I scramble units into trains near Leningrad and Moscow, dangerously thinning the lines there in order to establish a new line along the river from Stalingrad to Saratov. Let’s see if I can hold. Winter should come next turn. Or at least mud. Though this would also limit my potential to counter attack.

I try to save an army trapped behind Voronezh, one of my Siberian crack troops, but it's unsuccesful, they can't break out but at least inflict pain on the ill-equipped paratroopers that are pinning them down.

Still, I have vital information. He has shown me 2 out of 3 paras, and the bombers are in the center also. I can't be too unhappy, as this was the plan, let’s see if it works vs a top lvl player. I have funneled him through the center, and the flanks are holding strong. I need help from the RNGods though, as winter must come next turn really. Mud might not be enough. He’s inflicting losses at a 4 to 1 value… 680 mpp lost for me, while he lost around 180 only. It’s been like this since the start of the game. His units barely scratched from any attacks. Zhukov and an AA gun need to cover Voronezh next time, actually this is what I usually do, but I feared a combined arms breakthrough at Rostov after he showed up in force there. He shifted the pressure nicely. It took me completely by surprise, and I was unprepared. Even though I am happy he is going through the center, I would have wanted a less decisive breakthrough, or at least to have bled him more.

In China, several armies dislodged and destroyed. Very unfortunate forced retreats. Lanchow seems like it will fall much quicker than I would like. The engineers are en route to Urumchi where I will make my last stand.

Japanese Transport spotted in Bismarck archipelago. Pacific war coming soon. Are they just going to the islands or is he’s trying to take out Australia?

The heavy cruiser is picked off in St. Nazaire. Italy built heavy artillery and is sending the tank into Russia, but is otherwise resigned to garrison duty. Knocking out Italy in 42 seems to be my best option. It would open up a lot of possibilities I think.

USA cant afford the last strat bomber it seems. I need to make SF now to ensure I can hit the timing push into Italy when Russia needs the most help. Together with the British ones, I should have 3.

And as I have ended my turn, I realize I left the backdoor into the Caucasus open and he is probably jumping on Poti since his paratroopers have lvl 1 long range ☹ I already wanted to move a garrison there last turn but ran out of MPP and this turn I forgot… it might cost me the game if he has paratroopers in the Crimea, ready to make the jump.

T29 - November 41
Of course, it’s summer in Ukraine while it’s October for him… No snow. No mud, not even rain. I can't believe my bad luck. Rostov army is destroyed by an immense bombardment of about 5 artillery batteries. 2 corps in the forts north of Stalingrad as well. An armored train gets demolished near Stalingrad by a tank who hits 5-0, 5-0. To make matters worse, there is mud on my turn, naturally. So I can’t even counter attack. I lose about 1000 mpp worth of stuff in Russia, he loses only like 300. I'm about to uninstall the game.

However, Zhukov seizes one last chance to hit back before winter comes when a fortunate bout of clear weather presents itself, despite the mud in several places. Several Axis units are damaged, an out of supply Italian tank is destroyed. More units are rushed to defend Stalingrad, and in desparation, even anti-air personnel is thrown into the front lines. I don't expect them to survive, but I need them to buy time!

Elsewhere in Russia Taifun seems to be withdrawing in preparation of Russian Winter… next turn needs to be snow for him or my Stalingrad line will just disintegrate. He’s in terrible supply though, I really don’t understand how he can still just waltz through my armies…

China is the same. No bad weather either on his turns. Mud on my turn, making my retreat nearly impossible. China is down to 60 mpp per turn and dipping below 20 combat units.

Paras are spotted, ready to jump on Guam. I might consider sending an AA unit. A sub is sent to Samoa to pick off the spawning cruiser. He is really pulling out all the tricks. More units spotted in the Bay of Bengal… so tempting to pick them off (we agreed that under certain circumstances, amphibious units in Imperial waters is akin to an act of war and would elicit a possible response from the UK) but I would have to declare war on Madagascar or Papua… and it will delay USA. Not sure if I want that. He can then wage a partial war in the Pacific I think, and not sure that will go well for me. I decide to wait.

Excellent read on the AAR.
Excellent military recon photos.

This is going as expected, exactly as expected.

Taifun is going with his standard Axis-Fun plays
--Quality over quantity.
--Special Units (Jap Mech unit, love it), Italian/German Maritime Bombers
--Paratroops are Angels from above, always in the right spot.
--Super Smash Brothers against China. North/South, not Central to avoid USA mobilization
--Mediterranean perfection with the Greece/Malta gambit require small amount of units
--No rush in Russia in 1941. The ass kicking will be perfect in 1942.
--No fumbled over attacks in Russia, with room to switch targets.
--Buttons-up before Winter
--Perfectly placed Artillery against Rostov, and able to take the Crimea with little MMPs
--Taifun locks down MedFront & his U-boat/Kriegsmarine maximization is powerful (not talked about enough)
--All the perfect DOW exploits.
--Only needs couple Elite units doing the killing.
--Toss in a Strategic Bomber/Artillery, to close the Chinese Coffin. Master of the de-trench.

YouMeYou
--On his best behavior, getting a nice dose of weather, weather, weather comments.
--Watching those Tech rolls, and gotta make them birdie putts to stay under par on the front 9.
--Finland specialist.
--Tripoli treated properly.
--Success at sea in North Atlantic, spot on.
--Staying back in Russia is smart, you'll get waxed by Taifun with any upfront gambits in 1941.
--Lennigrad & Rostov on the Don heavy defenses. Taifun will dismantle Leningrad weaknesses if not.
--China, no hope in the Pope.

Had this match booked at Taifun -600, bringback +450 pre-game.
Live ingame odds Taifun -3500, bringback +2400
Over/Under for conceding March 1945.

Interesting thoughts Elvis!

October 1941. The enemy tanks and mechanized troops threatening our positions north of Voronezh withdrew to our great surprise.
The skies remained clear in the south and the advance could continue. Starting from Voronezh our forces crossed the Don and, after eliminating several enemy units, Italian tanks reached the outskirts of Stalingrad! It is true that we were on the verge of winter, that supplies were scarce, and that most of the Luftwaffe bombers had left for milder climates, but with a little luck the great city of Stalingrad could fall in the next few turns.
The strategic city of Rostov was also captured but I decided to retreat to the north and leave Rostov unoccupied in case the heavy tank unit counterattacked.
To force the crossing of the Don in this area and enter the Caucasus, 3 new artillery pieces were transported toward Rostov, making a total of 5 in all. An elite Siberian Soviet army was surrounded near Voronezh. November 1941
The skies remained clear during the Allied turn and the Russian army counterattacked in force. The Romanian tank unit on the Don survived miraculously and retreated towards Voroshilovgrad with 2 strength. The paratroopers near Voronezh were likewise nearly wiped out, surviving also with strength 2. The brunt of it was taken by the Italian tank unit near Stalingrad which was annihilated by 2 Red Army infantry corps (one damaged) at odds 6-0, 4-0. I was surprised by the strength of the Soviet attacks. Regular Red Army infantry corps dealt a tremendous amount of damage. To make matters worse, numerous enemy reinforcements arrived in Stalingrad by train, including at least 2 armies, 1 AA, and 1 infantry corps.

This was the situation at the beginning of my turn. Rainy weather. Except 2 fully refitted panzerkorps the German army was in dire need of a rest and refit period. I was obliged, with the arrival of winter, to stop the offensive in the USSR. Stalingrad and the Caucasus will have to wait until next year.

After eliminating the bridgehead that the Soviets still had on the Don near Rostov, the German troops retreated to defensive positions to wait for the Russian winter. For the first time, a Soviet shock army appeared on the front, a rare unit that I never acquired in my games. A bad omen. Does this mean that the Russians have already bought all the tanks and mechanized units on their roster?

@Elvis... lol glad you liked the read and the weather comments, they were made with you in mind! In fact this diary turned AAR because you kept asking about the game. But like I said at the start, most of these comments were made in the heat of battle during the game. So expect some salt. It's not meant to take away from Taifun's skill. Other than that, I have no idea what most of your comments mean lol. I must polish up my Golf and Gambling vernacular.

T30 - December 41
I'm pressured more around Rostov, despite him abandoning the city to avoid a salient. Several artillery scoring repeated 2-0 hits on fortified corps under Zhukov’s command, paving the way to destruction. Shock troops are placed on line, my first choice of combat unit, because they take 1 month less than an army to throw into battle, which also means they are returned faster once reformed. And they have 1 more action point and more demoralization, both which are useful on the offense, while they are as good as an army in defense. I never had enough money to buy tanks and the like, these are fancy fragile toys for rich boys.

Russia has got about 4 months to replenish and replace losses. Last turn losses were light, but he’s pulling out with his airforce and maybe also his tanks, so the winter war might be not so bad for him. 1600 MPP maybe… maybe even less. He seems to be cutting every corner. I need to recover some of the lost ground around Moscow, where he seems to have retreated, but also reinforce the southern part of that line so he can't swing upward from Voronezh.

Japan executes Pearl Harbor. He seems to have ammassed a spectacular amount of units, despite investing so much in Japan's army in China already, I suspect he has 3 maritime bombers, as well as all amphibious tranports. Several had been spotted in the Bay of Bengal and around Indonesia and other islands. I positioned some of my fleet in the hopes of intercepting, but he skillfully managed to evade all.

DEI is seized, but the Philippines survive for one more turn, though the strat bomber and fighter are destroyed. Guam is taken, the Solomons, Burma, Thailand and PNG as well. But most shockingly, taking me by surprise, he lands several units in the Hawaii islands. One AA unit is cut off on Oahu, and the fighters on Hawaii are jeapardized as well. All in all, it looks grim.

As normal, the battleships at Pearl are destroyed, but to make matters worse, he has sent a detachment to kill the cruiser and destroyer at Samoa. Some naval units were also sent to escort the transports toward DEI and Burma. That might prove to be a mistake, as the British fleet has been mostly repaired and upgraded, and several carriers were waiting near Malakka to provide support wherever needed. They strike, destroying 1 carrier off the Thai coast and 1 light cruiser near Burma.

He’s also attacking Russia with Japan. Vladivostok is already under siege, protected only by a corps, so it will fall soon. Railway lines are cut, and I send an army and 1 garrison to Irkutsk to prevent paratroopers from taking too much land.

Taifun was a busy man during his turn. In an Axis attempt to eat up the whole world, war is declared on Vichy (and the Netherlands too? Or was that later? My memory fails me), and the Italians occupy it. Not sure if that’s good for him or me. It gives him more coast to defend. But it might be bait. I’ll probably stick with the Italian plan. I guess he took it to boost Italian income, which is now up to 160mpp per turn. If I knock out Italy now, I might also liberate Vichy if he doesn’t remember to put a German aligned unit in Vichy. And if he has an Italian unit in Paris… well idk what happens lol.

Summary 1941
The second year of the war has been eventful to say the least. Let's tally the score, tick goals achieved and make new war aims.

Events:
Finland is persuaded by the UK to stay neutral.

Germany launches Barbarossa in June, invading Russia after first taking several Baltic states. The Russian navy is ambushed in the Baltic sea. However, on land, things look better. Most of the German infantry is still equipped with outdated weapons. Stalin has decreed a defense deep in the interior of Mother Russia. Major lines of resistance are created at Leningrad, Moscow, and at Rostov-Stalingrad-Voronezh along the Don. However, the Germans advance more rapidly than the Stavka anticipated, due to motorization of their armies, and they manage to breach the Don-line at Voronezh just before winter falls. Rostov is also razed to the ground but then abandoned. Fighting at Moscow and Leningrad is light to non-existent however, and the Red Army holds in tact, often better equipped than their German counter part.

Japan continues their advance in China, but are slowed down by the rugged terrain. The Chinese army pays a heavy price for this though. Chongqing, Xian and Yenan fall to the enemy. Langchow is under siege and won't last much longer. Orders are given to the rearguard. No step back, fight to the death so that the rest of the army can escape to Urumchi where engineers are preparing fortifications for a final, heroic battle.

In December, Japan also attacks the US at Pearl Harbor, the Philippines, Guam and Samoa, delivering a heavy blow to the US navy, which loses 4 battleships, 1 sub, 1 destroyer and 1 heavy cruiser. The British Empire is attacked at Burma, Papua New Guinea and the Solomons. Thailand is annexed and DEI surrenders. Even more worrisome, Japanese Special Navy Landing Forces lay siege to Honolulu and Hilo on Hawaii. Vladivostok is also surrounded by armies and devastated by strategic bombers.


Considering the dire situation the Allies now find themselves in, a conference is called in Moscow, called ANKLET. Stalin receives Churchill and Harriman on behalf of Roosevelt. Plans are laid out for the joint response to the Axis threat in the crucial next few months, as well as more long-term war aims.

Immediate 1942 response plan:
The Greater Russian Front is considered stable, though not as favorable as desired. Vladivostok is lost, but General Zhukov is confident the Deep Defense strategy will prevail without having to yield too much ground. Therefore, the Unified Allied Command (UAC) decides to operate the Northern Convoy only at 50% capacity. Also because not many losses due to u-boats are anticipated as the Royal Navy is in control of the Atlantic.

Two carriers, initially en route to help defend Gibraltar are sent to the Pacific, as the UAC deems the situation in Hawaii the most critical security threat. Orders are given to speed up the repair of the Royal Navy Indian Fleet so they can help out in defending Hawaii.

The first units of the Indian Expeditionary Force embark to land between Burma and Thailand, in order to cut off reinforcements and establish a base of operations to retake Burma. Operations are being overseen by Mountbatten...

Further units are prepared for seizing oil fields and other factories in DEI vital to the Japanese war effort. Orders are given to occupy the oil in Tarakan, Ledok and around Palembang in the next few months. Also the mine in Padang. Units are on the way to defend Sarawak and Brunei. Plans are laid out to potentially land at Saigon to cut off supplies to Thailand.

Now that the Americans are in the war, Churchill tasks the British Tank corps in North Africa to occupy Iraq and its precious oil. Plans are made to seize as many precious recourses as possibly, and also to lower Axis morale which is now at peak point. Nepal is a target, as well as the Portuguese colonies in Africa, Madagascar, Dutch Guyana (Suriname) and he also has his eye on Yemen. Tunis is to be the main priority though, the coast of North Africa must be secured at all cost, to prevent having to fight a land battle there against German tanks. It is also needed as a base for strategic bombers to support the Italian Job.

Operation PARADISE SHIRT is conceived for the situation in Hawaii, which is desparate. Defending Honolulu carries immense risk, if the defense fails, the allies have lost the war. If it succeeds, it might be pyrrhic, unless the core of the IJN is destroyed in the process. However, Taifun won’t hesitate to trade Japanese MPP for US MPP to take pressure off Europe.

But the UAC decides they must fight, since losing Hawaii will have a disastrous effect on National Morale, bringing the US below 85%, and it will cost another 1.5% per year it is occupied. If Hawaii is evecuated, it will be very hard to dislodge the Japanese navy from it, which can then also threaten the West Coast.


The plan devised by the UAC is as follows. The out of supply AA gun embarks into port to cover Honolulu’s right flank in the mountains. That should buy the Marines at least 2 turns. Honolulu will fall if the Japanese manage to destroy its supply. But his strat bombers seem deployed against Vladivostok, so he will need his battleships. This will leave them in a vulnerable position, so he might not risk it. The Americans immediately prepare their carriers for battle. In anticipation of a Landing on the West Coast, US high command had already moved two armie and a corps from the East Coast. One army is prepared for battle. The others will soon follow once resources become available.

The Air Force on Hilo is evacuated. The Marines retreat into Hilo. In the next few weeks, the US carrier force will take up position to pick off battleships that attack Honolulu. The armies and corps will prepare a long range amphibious transport to relieve the Marines in Hawaii and buy another turn of time. By then, the rest of the navy must have arrived from the East Coast and together with the British Indian Fleet, I should be able to pincer the IJN and either force a retreat or destroy it.
The outcome of the war hangs in the balance...

Allied War Aims for 1941
Convince Finland to not join the Axis > successful
Contain German submarine threat and naval raids, especially the USSR convoy, with the support of amphibious landings if necessary > very successful, the German navy is no longer considered a major threat.
Keep hold of Chungqing and Sian in China, failing that, cling desperately to every mountain hex. > very unsuccessful
Check the advance of the German army with my Russian Deep Defense. But if ground must be yielded, it must be yielded only in the center. The flanks must remain strong at all times. I would rather lose Moscow than Stalingrad. > Inconclusive
Seize Italian East Africa > successful

Allied War Aims for 1942
- Russia holds the first lines, but falls back to the secondary lines in the Urals or Caucasus to avoid the destruction of the Red Army where necessary. There will be no senseless sacrifice of troops for worthless land.
- UK and US navies link up to hunt down the IJN, and contain or crush it.
- Japan must be hamstrung by denying key positions and access to oil. This task will primarily fall to India and ANZAC
- India will also liberate Burma and possibly Thailand with support of UK/US strategic bombers.
- US and UK will launch a massive amphibious campaign to knock Italy out of the war in one surgical strike by marines and strategic bomber support.
- China will make their last stand at Urumchi, hoping to survive long enough for the Indians or US Air Force to send support. If this support can't materialize, they must make their demise as costly as possible for Japan.
- Hawaii must be defended or taken back if lost, at all cost. Once the battle for Hawaii has been won, the US must restore dominion of the Pacific and find a backdoor into China in order to diminish the Imperial Japanese threat.

Intelligence report on Incomes:
USA = 440
UK = 475
USSR = 780
IND = 140
CHI = 62
Total = 1900

GER = 700
JAP = 280
ITA = 160
Total = 1140

Allied research breakthroughs 39-40|41|42|43
UK> 11|6|| = 17 total
US> 14|14|| = 28 total
USSR> 9|8|| = 17 total
Subtotal> 34|28||
Total Main Allied = 62

China> 4|-||
India> 4|2||

UK and USA both have infantry weapons 2 coming in. USSR already has it.


Intelligence Report on the IJN
4 CV
2 CVL
4 BB
3 HC
2 DD
2 SS
17 total > and 1 more super battleship incoming.
If we include that he potentially has up to 6 bombers with 2 strikes, his strength is really 29… but he’s scattered.

Intelligence Report on the Kriegsmarine
2 DD
6 SS
2 BB
1 HC
1 ???
12 total

The Italian navy is also still in tact. Therefore, a heavy contingent must be sent to Gibraltar to prevent the two regional forces of Italy and Germany to link up and create a strike force that can project global power.

T31 - Early January 42
Winter slows Taifun down a little… but not much. A fortified corps screening Stalingrad is destroyed easily despite snowy weather. The artillery he has amassed near Rostov is just overpowering everything. I don’t see how I can hold vs that, since there’s no real counter to it. Perhaps the best way to play against it is to hold the front with corps, and then counter attack with armies and tanks.

Hilo is taken, despite intelligence reports stating the marines there would hold out for at least two more weeks. He hits a 4-0 with his SNLF, and two 2-0 carrier bomber hits to finish them off.

Honolulu holds reasonably though, the defense is tested but no major losses. He will bring in bombers now that he controls Hilo. Maybe an HQ. 1 of his strat bombers is taking down Vladivostok, which remains under siege and is holding out for now, not sure where the other is, if he has a second. Maybe still in China. Maritime bombers near Hawaii for sure though. One sunk a sub near Wake…

A corps is destroyed in China also, in the mountains near Langchow.

I must prepare my British forces in the Med for amphibious transport, as well as the marines in Scotland to intervene in Spain soon, meaning I won't be able to attack Norway. Although, he might be there preemptively? Thinking that I will attack spain soon? If he takes Spain and Gibraltar though, my Italian plans will be in trouble… so I gotta prevent that.

Intelligence reports reveal a lot of enemy activity in Saigon, so I can’t cut it off. I maybe should’ve brought more of the British navy to the Pacific… I probably still should.

Paras are spotted by spies in Toulouse, the south of France… so he seems to be preparing to take Spain. It reminds me to place my own Indian Paras at Imphal to cut off Burma if necessary, or otherwise near Ledo, to jump on Kunming. In preparation of the US navy bolstering the defenses in Honolulu, I move out my carriers, covered by a few destroyers and subs, while my battleships remain in port for upgrades to their weapon systems. The British Indian fleet is also en route, moving into the Java sea en force.

T32 - Late January 42
Disaster…

Taifun spots my carriers, and somehow I miscalculated his maximum range and he can attack one of my carriers with a heavy cruiser… To make matters worse, my british contingent got intercepted by 2 maritime bombers. 2 ships took heavy damage but at least not the carriers. I made a mistake not to travel with normal fighter mode but still on bomber mode, and so the Japanese maritime bombers escaped unscathed.
2 out of 3 of my US carriers took heavy damage… I’ve managed to make a precarious situation even more dicey. I did not expect such aggression by him. There are several battleships on the prowl, supported by 3 carriers and maybe a CVL as well. Perhaps if I can kill his battleships, maybe I’m ok? I've got 6 ships coming in from the East Coast. It might be best not to take the engagement, but then again, if I try to flee, I might just lose my carriers without trading them for anything. If I can trade the 3 carriers for 3 battleships, will that suffice? In the end, I decide to run. I took damage, and will lose 1 destroyer for sure, but nothing that can’t be salvaged. The sub screens the escape path, and the carriers make their way to Canada.

In a daring feat, the 1st American army and a corps, in conjunction with the Marines on Honolulu manage to beat back the SNLF threatening the left flank of Honolulu. The city is saved, for now.

As I had feared, he operated most of his tanks out of Russia because there wasn't a lot of fighting, and he puts them to good use. Spain is attacked, and Franco surrenders when panzers show up on his door step. The Netherlands is not attacked yet, but it will probably be next..

Winter damage was low… only like 1400. Stalin locks himself up in his office when he hears the news, and he considers another purge of his Stavka...

Vladivostok will hold at least 1 more turn due to winter. Perhaps it can last 1 more even. But corps will die out of supply, so no cheap reforming.

I am not sure if it’s possible to defend Gibraltar now. Three panzer corps showed up in Spain. But if he holds it, then I can’t kill Italy easily. So Churchill decides to strike now. Montgomery is sent to Gibraltar, commanding 3 armies, 11th, BEF, and WDF. Next turn, Tunis & Algeria will be seized to establish a bigger base of operations, and to prevent the Axis from using the port in Spanish Morocco to establish a beach head in North Africa. I want to avoid fighting there at all costs.

He is definitely blocking off the MedSea with Italian subs, maybe surface ships too. So I'm not sure if I can even get through to Gibraltar. And the next question is, can I even defend it, or will he bleed me dry there? Another reason for his attacks seems to be to offset the winter morale penalty. I must cause my own surrenders to counter his. The Canadians can seize Paramaribo. Leclerc can take Port East Africa. Indians need to take down Nepal, but that’s a corps, so need 3 units I think… or 2 + strat bomber and take it in 2 turns... There is much to do, but he doesn't allow me any second to breathe...

T33 - February 42
I lose the 2 units that counter attacked the panzers near Stalingrad. His artillery wreaks havoc on my line. One even scored a 3-0 hit, which I have never seen before. It’s nuts. His units have already recovered from the winter morale shock… Taking Spain and Vichy France was all it took. I can't counter attack him because of usual pattern, there was clear weather on his turn in the Ukraine, but I'm stuck in the snow. All we can do is dig in deeper and pray for the snow to continue.

His progress in China is slower, the airforce seems to have been moved or inactive for repairs and upgrades.

In Hawaii, things settle down. His marines escaped from Honolulu in amphibious transport, as I expected. There is nothing I can do about it. My Navy is in need of repairs already. Luckily, he only killed my 2 destroyers, but didn’t chase my CVs to Canada, scared of Bombers maybe. Or just content with damage done. The naval warfare is my achilles heel so far. Maritime bombers damage a British sub sheltering in Nauru port.

His other maritimes in South East Asia did not attack my destroyers there, so I think he relocated them to intercept the British contingent en route to Hawaii, or prepare for counter attack.
While war on land is in a winter lull, the war on seas is in full swing. I spot the German navy moving out to pincer Gibraltar. I’m considering turning 1 or both of my CVs which were rerouted to the Pacific around to deal with it. But I have 3 escort carriers nearby, and another CV which just came in, though it won’t be ready for 2 more turns due to refitting. The Italians already cut off the Med from the other side, killing my destroyer which escorted Montgomery and his army group to Gibraltar. They are now trapped on all sides.

Vladivostok held, but will fall next turn.

I am taking Tunis because I’m afraid he will jump from Spain into Algiers, which must be prevented at all cost. I’m also afraid now of him taking the west coast from Hilo in a sneak attack. I must bring the garrisons from the Carib to protect it. I do wonder if he is spreading himself too thin now, or whether he actually has made enough units to pull it off. If he takes Gibraltar, which he very well might if he brings the entire airforce, then the Italian plan is doomed and I must maybe land in Western France instead. Or I can try knocking out Norway & Denmark. I need more fighters though. And more upgrades on them.

Leclerc is almost ready to take East Africa, but the Canadians still need to be prepared for Paramaribo.

T34 - March 42
Calm on land, but wild seas. Encounters in the bay of Biscay and off the Malaysian coast, all in his favor. I lost 4 destroyers, 7 in 2 turns. I can suffer these losses, but must be more careful. 2 were lost without real purpose off the Malaysian coast, though I know where part of his IJN is now. He has an escort carrier + his super battleship separate from the fleet. Surprisingly, he didn’t relocate his maritimes out of East Asia, which I did expect him to do.

Despite relatively little combat, he’s been probing everywhere though. Trying to find weaknesses in Russian lines. He seems to be throwing everything at Stalingrad in an attempt to also reach the Caucasus and the oil. With so much artillery, and also the airforce again, I am not longer sure I can hold. I need to make sure my AA guns are positioned in the right spots. Need to bring the ones from Leningrad and Moscow also. It looks like he might have gotten lvl 3 tanks. As he has pulled them back everywhere, probably for upgrading. USSR is about 8-10 months behind. UK about 12-14. USA 2 lvls. It will be a big onslaught once the snow melts.

I prepare to take Algiers. And must make preparations for Portugal too, if I can’t keep Gibraltar.

UK needs to tech long range next turn. USA needs production tech + 1 more strat bomber. Maybe both USA and UK need to make 1 more maritime bombers, should’ve made more months ago. He's giving me the run around with his own.

T35 - April 42
Again relatively calm on land, action on the high seas.

I'm shocked to learn that the axis can move through Gibraltar straits after damaging the port down to 0. I didn’t know this was possible and it means I definitely lose Gibraltar now, since he has too many subs in the area, linking up German and Italian subs, and moving the Italian navy into the Atlantic. What I had feared is now reality, the German and Italian navy have formed one great force, and suddenly I need to be very careful. I lost a couple of destroyers already. He has about 9 subs in total, though not all present near Gibraltar, and more surface ships than me in the area too, 5 BBs vs my 2, even though I have 3 CVs (I decided to turn back the 2 CVs that were en route to the Pacific) and 3 CVL. However, the subs mean I can’t just attack, and he also has fighter and maritime bomber support off the coast of Spain.

To add insult to injury, he found the contingent of ships moving from the East Coast to the West, who were gathering in the south Pacific… he manages to pick off a few ships for free… and of course it ffin storms on my turn so I can’t even really punish him for it. But at least he now seems trapped. I decide to overwhelm him with numbers, cruising all my ships in the vicinity to surround his fleet and that should be the end of his IJN.

After that, I can send some units to deal with the Med + Atlantic, and some to start taking back the pacific islands.

I need this success, because elsewhere, the world is on fire, and I'm the one burning. Burma is turning into a disaster. His paratroopers beat me to the punch. I should’ve jumped last turn, to secure the center of Burma, instead I waited for upgrades and now I'm too late. His paratroopers took Mandalay, I forgot about their range upgrades and didn't realize he could make the jump. 2 armies stranded in Moulmein are going to be lost now, and an HQ has been damaged, in a renegade attempt to conquer Mandalay... IDK what I was thinking there. The entire Burma campaign has been thoroughly mishandled. Stalin suggests to Churchil that he should take Mountbatten's head.

I need to seize initiative, currently I’m just a step behind on every move, and all I'm doing is helping him dig my hole even deeper.

Most active fronts look like a disaster for me right now.

Burma-Malaysia > disaster, 2 armies about to be lost near Moulmein, HQ damaged near Mandalay... Malaysia indefensible.
Gibraltar-Atlantic > disaster, 3 armies about to be lost, and 1 HQ. This threatens NA as well.
China > Impossible for a while now. Can’t even call it a disaster.

Next turn I will know the update on the other fronts. Pacific Ocean might go my way now… though I will take a lot of damage for sure. His offensive will open in Russia also, with lvl 3 tanks no doubt, he has been holding them back for a while now. And I will see next turn whether I can salvage NA…

I decide to make all motor torpedo boats next turn for UK and US to take back control of Atlantic.

T36 - May 42
The German summer offensive is renewed. Taifun swipes my frontline at Stalingrad with minimal losses. His tanks just kill everything. He's unstoppable. The stavka bickers about what to do next. Either implement space for time again, before I am cut off, hold fast, or counter attack. It boils down to fight, flight or freeze.

I lost 1000 mpp, and I can replace only 750. He lost around 100mpp in that assault. 10-1… it’s bizarre. I really don’t understand it. I’ve seen my own lvl 3 tanks struggle vs entrenched units so often. And he just cuts through my fortified positions like a knife through melted butter.

Fight... Flight... Freeze...

In the Pacific, the IJN suprisingly opted flight. Covered by maritime bombers from Hilo and Tarawa, several carriers and battleships attempt to breakthrough the encirclement. They run smack into the British Indian fleet, and 2 of my carriers turn out to be exposed where I had thought them safe. I should have kept them back... I lost them for no reason... However, plenty other ships, including 2 carriers cannot break through the encirclement, and I know where the majority of his ships have gone. What I can't kill this turn, I will hunt down in the next. The IJN is a wounded animal, but still a force to be reckoned with once the 3 carriers are repaired. However, this victory will have severe consequences for his troops on Honolulu island and Hilo island. I will attempt to prevent their escape. There are 3 SNLF, 1 HQ and 2 maritime bombers. The latter will be operated out but I can kill the rest hopefully.

In the Atlantic, my contingent got spotted as well, there Taifun chose fight. He’s throwing his subs at me in a delaying action to secure Gibraltar which will live for at most 2 more turns, but probably only 1. It depends on whether his tanks left for Russia or were just getting upgrades. Luckily, my screening force was strong enough, and my escort carriers and carriers retaliate on his subs, sinking 2 and busting out to kill several destroyers and heavy cruisers of the overzealous Italian navy. Suddenly, I am in firm control of the oceans once again. Now, I must make sure I don't muck it up a second time.

The situation in India-Malaysia is worse than I thought. The HQ picked off while it was trying to retreat. He landed an amphibious unit, and suddenly he is knocking at the doors of India, while I have 2 armies in impossible positions. And a 3rd trapped in Malaysia. I’ve got some reinforcements coming in at least. With the strat bombers, it might be enough to hold. I might be able to escape 1 Indian army in Malaysia but I will speed up the fall of the peninsula. Not sure what is better. In the end I decide to save the army and move it to hold Calcutta.

I do manage to secure Algiers, Oran and Tangiers in one swift operation, called CANDLE. Maybe the Italian Job isn't done yet... I will lose Gibraltar, but if he can move through it by damaging the port, then so can I.

Langchow in China is about to fall. The question is just, can they hold long enough for the USA to put pressure on Japan from the rear. Maybe Russia could help, if they don’t collapse, but it’s also looking bleak in Russia.

Stalin gave his stavka the green light to fight as well, Zhukov got his way, since some of the German units were too exposed to ignore it. But I feel that it was probably a mistake to counter attack. Predictions were pretty good, 2-4’s and 5-5s even though Taifun has a tech lead and better generals, but in the end I took a lot of losses on my turn also now, and the next turn I’ll take another 1000 more. I won’t be able to replace all of that for a few months, if ever again. I fear he might jump with his Italian and German paratroopers to cut my lines of retreat off. This will put me in low supply everwhere west of Stalingrad. Stalingrad itself will fall next turn too. Though perhaps the rest might hold?


Gibraltar still a disaster… idk if the Brits can recover from losing 3 armies and 1 HQ. but maybe I can hold long enough to get some of them out?

Burma is even worse… 2 armies lost and 1 HQ. These units could’ve been holding Malaysia. Now Malaysia is doomed. And Japan is barreling down the door of in India. Probably he won’t be able to take it. Though I hope he tries, I will grind him down with strat bombers. That said, the Brits need all their MPP to take out Italy.

Next turn the Americans and Canadians must board for Italy, the turn after that, the Scots and then, the North Africans. Italy is quite undefended, and they are at 50% morale now, low enough for a 1 hit KO.

This is the Zenith of Taifun's power, and what a force he has been. I have never been pressed so hard in so many places at the same time. China has been reduced to less than a regional warlord. Russia will most likely be forced to yield the Don-Line and implement the yet untested Plan B. India is suddenly on the back foot, and even the UK is facing massive losses despite very successful campaigns on the seas and in Africa.

The year started in a relatively even position, with quite a few promising leads for the Allies to pursue. Now, a few months later, the situation has disintegrated into a mess of epic proportions. It's hard to see a way out that doesn't lead to surrender. 1942 truly is the Axis High Tide, and I am drowning.



On this sorrowful note, I bid you all a happy 2025!

T37 - June 42
Not as bad as I had expected it to be in Russia or elsewhere. Burma and Gibraltar went as I thought, though Gibraltar might be able to salvage 1 army? Port is at 4, I need to survive 1 more turn.


Still, in Russia, I lost 6 units, mostly my offensive capacity engaged in Zhukov's counter attack. Stalingrad was taken as expected. I can’t counter attack anymore, but the core of my defensive line has held in tact. He didn’t drop his paras behind my lines as I had feared, so the option to evacuate deep is possible. And I feel like it might be the best play. Then again, maybe I should fight here? And buy as much time? The ground I yield is like 150 mpp worth. The generals cannot agree on what the best strategy is. Zhukov advocates for another counter-attack, despite having lost all his tanks and the muddy ground, claiming that his previous attack was a great victory, and we need to show the Germans that the Russian bear still has claws. Voroshilov supports his idea, but I believe that another one of Zhukov’s victory will ruin the army and our chances of winning this war. Timoshenko wants to conduct dogged and staunch defense, to hold our ground until death. But ground must not be clung to for its own sake, because what good is ground with no man to inhabit it? Holding ground here will buy us one, maybe two months at most, and then a retreat will be necessary yet impossible, as our supply lines will be cut off, and the tanks will be hot on our heels. Meretskov is the only one to remember the lessons of the Great War, where the Great Retreat saved the imperial armies from destruction in Poland and allowed them to fight on for 2 more years. This is the only way. I will order our Southern armies to take up position in the mountains, in the Urals and the Caucasus. We will trade space for time once more, and rely on the depth and generosity of Mother Russia to bring us victory. Will it be remembered as a tactical retreat that saved the Red Army, or a cowardly flight that turned into a full rout?

He knows I can’t be in two places at once, and his subs have begun raiding my Russian convoys. I must suffer it for now, Gibraltar is more important. But a maritime bomber is spotted on the Spanish coast near La Coruna. So if I advance on Gibraltar, he’ll have my range. Stiil, I must start putting the Italian plan into action this very turn. All UK and US resources must be prioritized for this. Next turn I must upgrade my strat bombers, and the turn after put them in position in NA. The next wave of amphibious embarking is in Scotland and maybe some in NA as well.

It seems like 1 Japanese DD might escape destruction in the Pacific. The rest of his straggling fleet has been destroyed, he's down to 2 carriers. I need to put the pressure on him immediately. Though I must also regroup and repair. The question is also, where do I put the pressure. On Korea? On China? On Thailand or on DEI? I think it might be DEI first. And roll him up bottom to top?

The situation in India seems manageable.


T38 - July 42
In terms of losses, not a bad turn in Russia, but he gains way more depth than I would have liked. He motorized many of his infantry units, and also the paras were ready to jump. Did I make the right move to retreat?

China is a matter of months until surrender. Winter can maybe buy some time… idk. Probably early 43 they will surrender.

Burma is finished. The armies have been encricled and strat bombed out of supply. What a waste.

Gibraltar is almost as bad, though I at least managed to get 1 army outt. He has bombers (maritime and tacs) as well as fighters there. Undoubtedly also subs in ambush. But I need to clear a path for my amphibious transports to move on Italy.

Upgrading strat bombers now. Also refitting the ships in India, I need bodies to block attacks on my amphibious transports. And embarking the Scots.

Mostly uneventful turn, carrying out the Great retreat in Russia and China. And the Italian Plan elsewhere. Also throttling Hawaii now, getting ready to take that and Suriname next turn.

T39 - August 42
Taifun's advance in Russia hardly slows down, but the damage is relatively minimal. He is exposing his flanks though, if only I still had tanks to hit him, he would be in trouble. His contingents for the Caucasus and Leningrad have arrived. They look small. But have artillery. I need to upgrade the general there, when I can afford it. And I also need to send a general to Leningrad so I can counter attack there and force him to defend the Baltics. I need 1 more HQ asap. Probably 2. I need to reform my strike force asap. I need time to dig in.

Despite his relentless pressure, I think the defense in depth in Russia is working as intended. His bigger strike force at Stalingrad has splintered into several smaller groups, but the main thrust is trying to beehive to Perm and the Urals. Now it must be seen whether the other smaller forces are strong enough to take their objective. I think they might not be, since they are going in mostly without tanks. Everywhere except Moscow, I am now fighting in terrain unfavorable for tanks (mountains or swamps, sometimes both). So perhaps another anti tank needs to go to Moscow, to make sure it doesn't fall to a surprise attack. The one in the Caucasus seems like it was a misplacement. Perhaps I should ferry it across the Caspian sea and send it to Moscow.

It seems to me that the best move Taifun can make in this situation is the boldest one, if he steers his tanks towards Kirov, he will cut my army in half or at least threaten to do so. However, he’d be caught in the middle, and I don’t think he’ll dare it. It would cause me huge problems if he did. I don’t have many means left to counter attack. Whatever means I do still have, I am throwing at his flanks right now, forcing him to remember that he is surrounded now at all sides by my troops, and he cannot neglect his flanks. He must respond to it, or risk a cauldron.
Burma and Gibraltar are resolved. Disasters. But not the end of the war.

China disintegrates further. It will probably surrender spring 43. All in all, his speed to Urumchi is similar to mine, but his Japanese are much better prepared everywhere else. The only place I'm dominating, is on the high seas. It offers me a glimmer of hope, reflected off the rowdy waves.

It reminds me I need to start dealing with his raids on my Russian convoys. A german destroyer is spotted in Norway, he is moving his surface fleet into the convoy lanes as well.

The Italian Job needs 1 more turn to properly unfold, but I'm not sure I have that time. He should be catching on to it by now. But I need to put generals on my strat bombers and also board more UK troops. Also the strat bomber from India still has to come… There is an Italian maritime bomber near Rome, that complicates things. It means I need to send my carriers to take it out, though hopefully it relocates. Brindisi is empty, he doesn’t have enough troops to cover all his ground.

Axis mpp has been steadily climbing every turn though… which is worrying. I am losing MPP. US convoys to Russia are shut down from Vladivostok. Just the UK one is open, but raided. And the Persian one. Germany is now the top net earner. So I really need US industrial lvl 5 to come in soon.. it’s been on a frigging crawl.

USA = 825
UK = 525
USSR = 750
IND = 150
CHI = 50
Total = 2300

GER = 850
JAP = 400
ITA = 200
Total = 1450

Difference = 850

T40 - September 42
Taifun is always on top of his reconaissance. He has spotted my invasion force, I guess I should have hidden it better, but I'm in a hurry and moving through hostile territory. It was a risk, now his airforce spotted it, otherwise maybe his subs would’ve. He is now preparing Italy for the defense for sure. But I need 1 more turn to set it up. Let’s hope he doesn’t properly respond to the threat.
The die has been cast. The Rubicon will be crossed. And something with dogs of war slipping.
I Tried to cut off Sicily from major supply, failed by 1… I should have moved that strat bomber from India 1 turn earlier ☹ It was my plan but I forgot.

Next turn, I must first deactivate his fighters. Then, I take out his maritime bomber. And then I land near Rome. Hopefully he is only 1 layer deep, but if he has fully surrounded Rome, it should work still, but it might be costly since I won’t be able to land everything I want. And I think he will bring in his own bombers now. Especially since I taunted him in chat lol perhaps not the best idea... This timing on Italy is just 3 months or so late. His progress in Russia is almost done, winter and mud are arriving there, so he won’t hesitate to pull his airforce, maybe even a tank. So I must land everything next turn, before he can use his bombers on me. Though if he brings his bombers… and Italy surrenders... it'll be FUBAR. I’ll only get 1 chance to get it right. If the Italian Job doesn’t work, I fear I might have lost the game.



Elsewhere, he is advancing more in Russia, but he's not taking anything I haven't yet considered lost.

A heavy cruiser is accompanying his subs on the Russian convoy, I lost the Russian Destroyer. Not much I can do about it now until I finish up with the Italian Job.

The US fleet at Hawaii is refitting. Will take a while…

The escaping Japanese destroyer is spotted south of Fiji. One CV is back in Korea for repairs, but his super BBs are out on the prowl, supported by a heavy cruiser and probably escort carriers and maritimes.

T41 - October 42

Taifun counter attacks my invasion fleet with all that remains of the Italian Navy. 1 LRAT is almost destroyed in the port of Cagliari, another one only took minor damage. It could have been way worse. What is worse though, is that it's bloody raining again. I fear that might be a death sentence for my Italian Job as my carriers won't be able to kill the battleship nor the maritime bomber near Rome to clear a path for my landing force.

I am forced to rethink my Italian Job. Luckily, Naples is actually as valuable as Rome in terms of National Morale. There is no ship near Naples, so I have a better chance there. I decide to risk it, it's now or never. I can't be sitting ducks in the MedSea for another turn. Also, landing in the south of Italy also gives Russia a bonus in NM.

My landing force smashes into the boot of Italy at Taranto and Naples. I take both without many losses. That should be 13000 NM lost + a boost of 12k for Russia. This should bring Italy down to 20%, hopefully 19%... Which means they will surrender soon. After Italy Surrenders, I’ll pour into whatever hole they leave open. Into Vichy, into Greece/Balkans, and/or into Spain.

Elsewhere, nothing really happened this turn. Winter has forced a temporary cease fire in Russia. Malaysia fell, but that was expected. The most notable event is the start of the invasion of India by Japan. But I think I should be ok. Indian paratroopers are cut off, but they were ready to jump, so I can get them out. However... I somehow managed to put another HQ in jeopardy in Bangladesh. After the Italian job resolves, I’ll have to move my strat bombers to India to deal with the threat there. Also moves some fighters. Soon I gotta start spamming armies and tanks with US and also UK.

Partisans spawned in Lanchow, a nice bit of luck, potentially slowing down his advance to Urumchi.

There are more raiders on my convoy lines, but nothing can be done about it for a few turns when my US motorboats have crossed the Atlantic…

T42 - November 42

Italy surrendered! Seized by nazis, but still. Albania, Greece and Vichy have been liberated, Vichy itself remains in Axis hands. However, Taifun's counter attack is furious! Naples is immediately lost, and a race against the clock begins. Can my forces in Sicily link up with those in the boot of Italy before the Panzers close the corridor?

I also swarm the Spanish Medcoast, and I’m sending marines to take Burgos, to cut off spain. Hopefully, this gives me enough time to liberate it.
It seems like Taifun underestimated my Italian Job, and he didn’t send enough bombers. He would not have been able to stop Italy from surrendering, but he could have made it more costly for me. Then again, I tried to stay out of bomber range. Still, medium bombers could’ve reached me since he has long range lvl 1. Overall the plan was successful, I have Sicily, though I will get kicked out of the boot soon I think. He has to respond in many places now though, Greece, Albania, Vichy. He can’t even reach Spain except by boat.

Also in Russia, several places were occupied by Italy, and are now back under my control, cutting off supply lines.
Crisis in India.

Another HQ lost, idk how I am managing it... and the paras jumped into safety only to get mauled and annihilated. the situation is maybe more serious than I thought. A surge of popular dissatisfaction due to the callous way the lives of Indian soldiers have been thrown away, as well as the rise of the Free Indian Legion in the service of Japan has caused a major supply crisis. Suddenly, my troops are running out of bullets and morale plummets. oh man this is bad.

The US navy needs to apply pressure now, but I fear it will be a trap. He has a fighter there, all his land bombers, and probably 3-4 maritimes as well. I will have to roll him up from bottom to top. Take DEI first, and then bring my own airforce. I order the navy to depart from Hawaii, despite some ships still being in need of repairs. There's no time to waste however.

Calm on the other fronts. Germany is retreating in some parts of Russia, but he does seem to keep the Caucasus offensive going.

I need to send stratbombers, more fighters and HQs to India. I need to send the cruisers and CVs to India, as well as the US navy. Destroyers, CVLs and Battleships need to go back to the Atlantic. I need to build a US and UK HQ. India needs to save 250mpp to rebuild Slim HQ. I honestly need more of everything, tanks, anti tanks, fighters, and mostly, boots on the ground to keep a toe in Europe.