AAR - PBEM Game 2 (The FIRST public AAR)

[Pkunzipper]

Ok, Thx, I understand!

Waiting for the next updated (and also some of the testers describing what he is planning and doing!)[:)]

[paullus99]

Ok guys, here is the beginning of the second AAR we've just started.

Here's my starting position as Germany....

[paullus99]

Now, given that I only want to fight one enemy at a time (and Russia is sending me resources as part of our non-aggression treaty), I am going to concentrate on the Western Allies for the time being.

I send one infantry corp/army into Denmark (which has no standing army) and take the territory.

I parachute my airborne unit from Western Germany into Norway with one Tac Air unit in support - taking Norway.

For the rest of the Western Front - I send the remainder of my infantry & seven armored units into the Low Countries, capturing them with only one infantry unit damaged (sent back to the production screen to be rebuilt). The armored units, which can travel up to two territories, move into Northern France, along with a Heavy Air Unit & Tac Air support - capturing Paris & forcing France's surrender. I have one armored unit damaged, but that is acceptable to capturing the rest of France's industry and resources intact.

Our navy is fairly active as well, with three U-Boat units sent into the Atlantic, sinking one transport unit. Disappointing, but its a start.

My African Adventures to follow:

[paullus99]

In Africa (my gateway to the Middle East) I needed to move quickly before the Western Allies could reinforce their position. Taking a chance, I moved the entire Italian Fleet into the Med (the Western Med to prevent intervention by Force H, Central Med to supply my forces in Libya, and the Eastern Med for my invasion of Egypt).

Rather than wait for additional land units, I moved a transport unit into the Eastern Med & launched an amphibious assault on Cairo/Egypt directly. It was a risky move, but with only one infanty unit there at the moment - it was an acceptable risk. The gamble paid off & Egypt (along with free passage to the Middle East) was mine. I reinforced my position with an additional infantry unit & some artillery & look forward to securing my southern flank.

To the south, the Italian militia in Somalia wasn't doing anything, so I sent it into undefended Sudan.

In general, I am happy with the first turn - I secured all my initial objectives with few losses & hopefully created some long-term problems for England in Africa. My production is focused on additional subs, infantry, some air & armor. I need to take out Yugoslavia to gain access to troops in the Balkans (Romania, Bulgaria & Hugary), but I do not plan on getting Greece involved.

My one big problem is repairing the industries & resources I've already captured, which will put a dent in my supply stream.

[a19999577]

So far, so good. I've got a question: How does Vichy France work out?

[bigbabyhead]

Turn one for the Japanese player is pretty simple. I haven't made any changes to the starting positions, except for moving some troops into SE asia where there was no defense, and reinforcing a province in China. The only combat so far was some strategic bombing against the northern front-line in China. I need to avoid making the WA angry until I can build up some more.

Below is the "local" map at the end of my first turn.

[bigbabyhead]

I'll add a shot of Japan's production this turn as well, it's mainly leaning on building up supplies for the coming fight. I threw in a little bit of research, and put some heavy bombers in to the queue as well as I think they'll be handy later.

[paullus99]

Vichy France & the North African colonies are considered frozen German Territories. They contribute resources & population - but I cannot move troops to or from those areas until they are attacked by the Western Allies.

[a19999577]

Ok, how about Indochina? I just noticed it seems to be under Japanese control. Does this happen automatically upon French surrender or must the Japanese player occupy the area?

[Tacoma]

Okay, I have NOOB question. How does the combat work? How is the outcome determined? Quantity, strength and type of unit and so on...? Just curious?

[Oleg Mastruko]

OK, I play this as USSR. Unlike my PBEM buddies I will not post screenshots nor my plans, mainly because I have none (plans that is) [:D]

I guess you can have pretty good idea of what's going on from other guys screenies, but I will chime in with some stupid remark when it's my turn in the game just so let you know I do exist [8D]

BTW, it is my belief I am the least experienced of the players in this game, other players being more experienced with the system (for now).

So, after this first turn Soviet leaders cheered in Kremlin, seeing corrupt imperialistic western "democracies" being slaughtered by their German allies! Nazdravye Adolf!

Just to be sure in this unstable world of today, and not let our glorious workers and peasants sit idle, we put some Red Units into production.

Paullus, if you need safe passage for your commerce raiders just be sure to tell me...

Koba/Oleg

[bigbabyhead]

Indochina converts to Japanese control upon French surrender automatically, with no troops in garrison.

[Joel Billings]

ORIGINAL: bigbabyhead

Indochina converts to Japanese control upon French surrender automatically, with no troops in garrison.

Before eveyone chimes in to say that this is not right (i.e. Japanese didn't go there until Summer 41), we had to simplify this. Basically the Japanese get to take it right away. However, it really doesn't help them as they can't go any further to the west or south without activating the Allies (except taking out Thailand). We couldn't deal with this issue (Vichy French area ultimately taken over by Japanese) very easily so we fudged it. The Allies stop giving aid to the Japanese in Summer 1941 (I think) or earlier if the Japanese go inland in China so we penalize the Japanese on the historical move into Indochina. There are a few cases in the game where we have removed player flexibility in order to minimize the diplomatic aspects of the game.

[MButtazoni]

it's important to note this is not a political game.

[DoomedMantis]

is there anything to stop Russia going on the offensive from the start?

Also why the 3 month turns? are they split into pulses?

[MButtazoni]

most of Russia is "frozen", so he can only build and move supply around. Russia becomes unfrozen when attacked by Germany or Japan, or Spring 1943 (i believe)

it's 3 month turns because it was designed that way [:D], no impulses either.

[MButtazoni]

Spring 1940

The Western Allies:
- reinforced Iraq
- took out the upstart italians in the Sudan (an Invasion from the Red Sea)
- did some strategic bombing or Western and Eastern France
- removed some sub threats in the atlantic

here's a picture of the Middle East at the end of the Spring 1940 turn:

[MButtazoni]

Here is the Force Pool and Production queue details at the end of Spring 1940

[MButtazoni]

Here is a sample of one of the many Unit Detail screens.

It is showing the Infantry attributes for all 5 nations (and all Neutrals) and where research is being conducted. Notice that Japan is researching to increase their infantry units land attack strength, the WA are researching their infantries evasion attribute, and Russia is researching to increase both. (Germany please disregard this observation please [:D])

[paullus99]

German Turn #2 - Summer 1940

SEALION is a success! Although not where it was expected. German Infantry, ably supported by the Heavy Air units of the Luftwaffe landed in Scotland & succeeded in capturing the territory.

Reinforcements were rushed to the area - and Army Group Northern England was formed. We look forward to seeing fall in London.

An English sub unit was eliminated proceeding our successful invasion - while Afrika Corps, ably led by Erwin Rommel captured the remaining Egyptian territories & moved into TransJordan & Palestine. The Oilfields of Iraq should be ours by the Fall of 1940.

With luck, we may be able to finish this before either Russia or the USA can get themselves involved (and since I've very personal friends with Stalin at the moment - I have no problems sharing the spoils!)