Matrix Games Forums

October 13th, 1941

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

There is a real challenge to the operational level defense in these times. A single depth line can be pierced at a weak spot and then is no line at all. A defense in depth seems to be the only way to implement a linear defense. The Anglo-Indian defense was caught in this dilemma and now it has resulted in large pockets. Please understand that this could well have been the best that could be expected against such a strong force. The troops fought well against big odds.

October 13th, 1941

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

India is being carved up, and the Japanese are getting their share.

There is large amount of naval action involving submarines but no one seems sure there is a victor yet.

October 13th, 1941

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

Let's discuss why we are so hesitant to tell much about the naval war. The oceans cloak movement very effectively. It is often sloppy humans who reveal locations and we must not contribute to this. Here is what we can say.

First, the Japanese have a lot of carriers. USN submarines attacked two carrier groups in the Atlantic and estimates are that there were sixteen carriers. This is almost certainly an over estimate. It is improbable they could have so many, but clearly they have a lot. Japanese carriers are reported off Singapore, near Wake Island, near Baja California, spies saw them in the Panama Canal.

Second, German U-boats under Japanese command hold the strait between New Guinea and Australia. Australia itself has been invaded in multiple places, all in the north. Japanese ASW operations range across the Pacific. Kagerō class destroyers, B1 class submarines, and H6K4 flying boats range far where submarine activity is detected. The IJN has publicly committed to keeping the sea lanes open.

The distances in the Pacific are huge. Room enough for a big fight.

November 10th, 1941

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

The Americans near Murmansk staged a brilliant counterattack and destroyed a great deal of German artillery, but cold and hunger were their only reward. Th entire force died or surrendered.

November 10th, 1941

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

The Greeks cannot believe that they are going to maintain their independence. They can be tough fighters, but here there is nothing worth fighting for.

November 10th, 1941

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

In North Africa some French troops surprise the Germans.

November 10th, 1941

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

Bombay and New Delhi are both still Anglo-Indian, but the Axis are very close to capturing the sub-continent. This conquest has been one of the more difficult in the string of Axis achievements. With 100% or 200% more troops this would have been a battle.

November 10th, 1941

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

In the North Sea tragic news that an escorted convoy of troopships, probably headed for Norway was ambushed by 50+ U-boats and a task force containing five Flugzeugträger. The entire convoy was sunk. There had been sightings of German Flugzeugträger, and their aircraft had struck Norway. The Royal Navy will have to provide much heavier escorts for traffic in these waters. It is possible the Kriegsmarine was alerted to the presence of the convoy by destroyers intercepting coastal shipping in interdiction actions.

November 10th, 1941

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

The Japanese advances in Australia are troubling. We know they are there and the speed of the advance implies mechanized forces, but the strength is a question.

Thanks again for the AAR. I have to say it seems to look very grim for the Allies.

Thank you for reading the AAR, John.

Yes, we are continuing the game after the Axis victory has been accomplished. The United States has vast industrial capacity and we would like to see if this capacity can allow them to carry on. Continuing also allows exploration of the naval war. As the Axis player it is fun for me to have German Flugzeugträger (aircraft carriers) which are not seen often. I also get to see that my "coup" of taking the Panama Canal with the Japanese is very hard to support.

If we continue for a bit longer we will begin to research, and produce, and battle with, units that come later in the war. We are all part gamers, and part play testers now.

I will take this opportunity to thank my gaming partners, who began this game before Christmas. We have had spectacular turnaround, quite possibly a record number of turns per month.

I hope you continue to read. Please let me extend an invitation for you to join a game.

Chuck de Young

December 8th, 1941

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

The threat to Gibraltar is huge. Everyone knows Germany is working on Franco. He will not hold out much longer.

December 8th, 1941

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

There is no particular reason for more blood to be shed in Greece. The American officers in Greece could simply disband these forces.

January 5th, 1942

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

The Franco-British position in Casablanca is reasonably strong but it is threatened. Any position on an Axis dominated landmass is threatened.

January 5th, 1942

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

Greece is attacked at a slow pace.

January 5th, 1942

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

The Germans take Oslo, but Finnish cavalry gets a bloody nose trying to enter Narvik.

January 5th, 1942

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

The assault on Ireland is a real test for Great Britain. If they can throw the Germans out of Ireland the defenses of Great Britain will look much more impressive. If they can not these defenses will look vulnerable.

January 5th, 1942

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

The Philippines are a long way from the mainland United States. Getting supplies and reinforcements to the islands will be difficult with Japanese submarines in the path. The islands have been garrisoned and the USN has long been planning for their defense.

January 5th, 1942

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

The forward naval base of Hawaii has been attacked by the Japanese. A mixture of carrier and land based air participated in the attack. Our losses have been described as "not damaging" and the enemy losses described as "severe".

January 5th, 1942

Baldwin Hanson, Military analyst, New York Tribune

The British have shown that strongly held cities can defend themselves for months. If Great Britain had naval supremacy in the East all would be well. As it is the Japanese can reduce them at her leisure.