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Turn 35. May/June 1945. End of Turn.

Use Oil.
(1) Western Allies, thanks to the US, had EXACTLY the oil (36 total) to oil all their units.
(2) At this point in the war, oiling units is significantly more important that oil for production. Germany. Japan. Isolated, Not Oiled and/or Not Reorg.

Turn 35. May/June 1945. End of Turn.

Conquest, Liberation, Factory Destruction.

Turn 35. May/June 1945. End of Turn.

(1) I've been tweaking my HR 28, "Final Victory" house rule.
(2) While I've tweak it for a "political" process to determine the "allocation" of an enemy held city or port to a side, in looking at the iron curtain being erected in Eastern Europe (black line), I see that I need to include some provision for unallocated non-city/non-port hexes (or hex groups (yellow groups).
(3) My tweak does cover a supply situation in China. Stillwell request the "use" of Ankang, China to supply the Western Allies/Nationalist campaign to liberate Chunking.
(4) This would mechanically be accomplished by a Nationalist unit moving into and flipping control of Ankang from USSR (CCP) to Chinese (Nationalist).
(5) However; the CCP DENIED that request, so Stillwell, US and CW will need to run their supply line into and through Ichang.
(6) The Western Allies & Nationalist are going to keep every impulse next turn (luckily Jul/Aug in the north temperate) to get the supply line necessary for an assault to liberate Chunking.
(7) Especially given the slow speed of all 3 HQs involved (Stillwell, Nimitz & Balmy) and having to chain across mountain hexes.

HR 28. Final Victory
Final scoring & victory determination will be made at the end of turn 36 (Jul/Aug 1945) even if the game continues beyond that point. For this purpose, the major powers are divided into the following five: (1) Germany/Vichy, (2) Italy, (3) Japan, (4) Soviet Union/CCP and (5) Democratic Allied (USA, CW, France/Free France and Nationalist China).

A team’s score is the total number of objective cities for which they’re credited (i.e., controlled or closest to if owning country is neutral) minus their bid.

A major power must return territory to an allied major power even if the two major powers are not on the same team.

A major power may not deny to any other major power on their team access to enter, flyover or supply through hexes they control. This also goes for minor units controlled by a major power’s teammate.

A major power, or any of their teammates, may deny (with exception) an allied major power on another team access to enter, but NOT flyover or supply through, hexes they control. EXCEPTION. Denial to enter non-city hex (hexes) is prohibited if hex (hexes) is NECESSARY for the capture or liberation of an allocated enemy controlled city or port.

If allied major powers on opposing teams wish to capture or liberate the same enemy controlled city (objective or non-objective) or port, the major power allocated that city or port is determined at the start of their impulse as follows. If the city or port is undefended, sum the number of land combat factors of all units that could move into the city that impulse without flipping. Otherwise (if defended), sum the number of modified (by weather, terrain, O-chit) air & land combat factors that WILL assault the city or port THAT impulse.

In either case let AF-Total(Team=i) = total of such combat factors for team=i. Next calculate the likelihood probability for each team=i, as
Like-Prob(Team=i) = AF-Total(Team=i) /[AF-Total(Team=1) + … + AF-Total(Team=N)], where N=# of teams interested in same objective city.

Finally, determine which major power is allocated the given city or port by a D100 roll against the set of likelihood probabilities.

The major power that wins the allocation MUST capture if undefended or, if defended, assault/blitz with all air & land units (including O-chit if applicable) used in the allocation calculation. If an assault/blitz fails to take the city or hex, that major power retains the allocation and may or may not assault/blitz at their own discretion.

This allocation represents political, diplomatic and military negotiations between less than fully cooperating allies. Returning liberated territory to a non-cooperating ally represents the good faith necessary to continue to prosecute war against a common enemy.

Eastern Europe. Iron Curtain. Asian Theater. China.

Turn 35. May/June 1945. End of Turn.

Economy & Production.

Turn 35. May/June 1945. End of Turn.

(1) The "value" of German armed forces (Net Cumulative BPs) is almost down to the at-start war value.
(2) This in spite of German being second to the US in total war production (Gross Cumulative BPs).
(3) The Soviets have caught the CW in total war production (Gross Cumulative BPs) but are sill far behind the CW in value of their armed forces.
(4) This is for two reasons, which are the lower start value of the Soviets vs CW armed forces and the high losses taken during the first year or so of Barbarossa.

Gross Build Points.
Per Turn. Cumulative. Net Build Points.
Per Turn. Cumulative.

Turn 35. May/June 1945. End of Turn.

(1) The Western allies had exactly enough oil (29) required to oil all their units.
(2) This did knock the US off max potential production by 22 BPs (85 vs 105 BPs or -20.1%).
(3) However; at this stage oiling is much more important that production.
(4) Only the Soviets are working with an surplus.
(5) And with the exception of Turkey, their combat operations are pretty much at a halt.

Oil Income. Oiling.
Need. Expended. Oil Stockpile (Saved Oil).

Turn 35. May/June 1945. End of Turn.

Turn Summary.
Weather & Actions. Combat Logs.
Turn. All.

Turn 35. May/June 1945. End of Turn.

Global Maps.
Control. Units. Active Axis. Active Allied.

Turn 35. May/June 1945. End of Turn.

Victory Totals.
(1) Made a change to the scoring calculation (2nd graphic below).
(2) Previously, Score(Turn=T) = VPs(Turn=T) - [Historical(Turn=T) + Average(Turn=7)]/2
(3) Now, Score(Turn=T) = VPs(Turn=T) - [Historical(Turn=36) Average(Turn=36)]/2
(4) Reason, wanted the score to track with MPs, team, bids, which are [Historical(Turn=36) Average(Turn=36)]/2
(5) The Democratic allied (Western Allies & China) could stop right now and win outright with a score of 5 vs Germany's score of 3.
(6) However; that would NOT be in the spirit of my counterfactual (i.e., unconditional surrender of Germany) and, in that spirit, would at best create an earlier start to the "Cold War" and at worse, start a "Hot War" between the Western Allies and the Soviets.
(7) So, the Western Allies will press on with the complete conquest of Germany, with the Soviets doing their part in the conquest of Turkey.
(8) Also, the Western Allies need to conquer Hungary too.
(9) Whether or not all this can be completed by next turn, we'll see but if the Soviets wish to finish 2nd behind that Democratic Allied team then the complete conquest of Germany is necessary.
(10) Otherwise, Germany (though incompletely conquered) will finish in second with a score of 0 ahead the Soviets with their score of -4.
(11) So there is an urgency on the part of the Soviets to conquer Italy.
(12) The Western Allies, barring anything brazier, will conquer all of Germany and Hungary.
(13) If completely conquered Germany will finish 4th ahead of Italy because of their later conquer date, turn 36 vs 23.
(14) Germany will be fighting tooth and nail to hold to both all objective cities they control (unlikely), Hungary (unlikely) and Turkey (possible).
(15) Almost forget the necessary conquest of Finland; but the Western Allies should have that covered.
(16) Also, the Soviet offer to conquest Hungary for the Western Allies.
(17) All that's needed is for the Western Allies to give the USSR permission to cross they controlled hex line the Balkans.
(18) The Western Allies thank the Soviets for their offer, kindly reject it and respond that they've got the situation covered and Hungary will completely conquered next turn.
(19) Took the dogs out for a short walk, which gives me time to think through things, in this case my "Final Victory" house rule.
(20) I need to a clause where if the one team decided to "slow roll" and not go for objective cities or conquest "behind" their control curtains, in order to keep an allied team score lower; then that team would have to be given permission to cross that curtain and go for the objective cities or conquest themselves if they wished.
(21) In that vein, the USSR also offers their help in total victory against Germany proper, an offer that's also kindly rejected by the Western Allies, which are now duty bound to do their best to conquer Germany proper.

Turn 36. Jul/Aug 1945. Start of Turn.

Reinforcements.
NOTE: Germany did get an O-chit, which I'm sure will come in handy for HQ reorg after 2 HQs reorg other units. Germany. Unable to Place (No Room). Trade Agreements.
(1) Only the mandatory ones. Initiative Track.
(2) No fancy commands voting for instructions on moving first and for rerolling.
(3) Being the last turn for scoring, everyone wishes to move first.
(4) The axis want to minimize the number of allied impulse and a short of turn as possible.
(5) The opposite is true for the allies (i.e., as many impulses as possible and the turn continuing for as long as possible).
(6) However; only the axis may request a reroll, and will do so if necessary.
(7) This gives the axis a 55% chance of winning the initiative on the first roll and 45% on a reroll (if necessary).
(8) Which means overall the axis have a 75.25% chance of winning the initiative and moving first.
(9) This leaves the allies with a 24.75% chance.

Turn 36. Jul/Aug 1945. Axis #1. impulse #249.

Initiative.
(1) Initiative D10(R/O=AX/AL): AX=7+1=8, AL=5 -> axis win the first roll and elect to move first.

Weather & Actions.
(2) Axis hoping for a 10! Weather D10=7 -> fine everywhere, except storm in North Monsoon. Adv=1, DRM=0.

Turn 36. Jul/Aug 1945. Axis #1. PTO.

Naval Searches.
(1/2) [fine] China Sea.
(1) The IJN makes 2 desperate naval plays to extend their control over the objective city, Chunking; hopefully for them through the end of this turn.
(2) The 2 plays are attempt to break supply to allied forces in China through the China Sea & Sea of Japan.
(3) The IJN move 3 of their 4 I-boat squadrons into the China Sea.
(4) Sq 4452[4] searches.
(5) No air reaction (either side).
(6) I-boats committed, Allies do NOT commit subs.
(7) Search(R/O=AX/AL): IJN=10, USN=3, massive USN, RN, Soviet TF[3] finds, USN will fight a carrier air battle with 20 a2s vs all 3 I-boat squadrons.
(8) USN use 4 of 7 SPs to increase IJN risk from 2X,D,2A to 3X, 1D, 2A.
(9) IJN Risk(3X,D,2A) RES: (1) X(USN) vs I-boat Sq 4460 (3-6-7)=2 -> sunk, (2) X(USN=3SP) vs I-boat Sq 4452 (2-6-7)=1 -> sunk, (3) X(USN) vs I-boat Sq 4465(5-4-7)=4 -> sunk.
(10) Well that went poorly for the IJN.
(2/2) [fine] Sea of Japan.
(11) Well, that plan went out the window!
(12) But, honor dictates that the IJN in the Sea of Japan fulfill their mission.
(13) Also the Sea of Japan is Japan's sea! B5N1[3] searches.
(14) No air reaction (either side). Lone remaining (surviving) IJN I-boat Sq does NOT commit.
(15) Allies do NOT commit there subs either. Search(Y/G=AX/AL): IJN=6, USN=10, IJN fails to find the lone USN CPs.
(16) The IJN missed by 1!

Turn 36. Jul/Aug 1945. Axis #1. Western Front.

Combat Logs. Land Combat & Support.
(1/1) Germany 50,38.

Turn 36. Jul/Aug 1945. Axis #1. Western Front.

Reorg. End of Impulse.

Turn 36. Jul/Aug 1945. Axis #1. Turkey.

End of Impulse.

Turn 36. Jul/Aug 1945. Allied #2. Impulse #250.

Weather, Actions, Negotiations.
(1) The allies came to stark realization that only 2 allied impulses are guaranteed.
(2) There's (only) a 90% chance that they'll get at least 3.
(3) While 90% is pretty good odds, it uncomfortable less than 100%.
(4) The median (i.e., 50%) number of allied impulses is 4.
(5) So the allies are guaranteed 2 impulses and expect 4.
(6) Also, the table below is based on not seeing two consecutive weather rolls of 10.
(7) Now that's assured for the next allied impulse given the first weather roll was a 7.
(8) Obtaining the unconditional surrender of Germany this turn is required for the USSR to finish in 2nd; otherwise they'll likely finish 3rd behind Germany.
(9) Not wanting to start a war, cold or hot, with the Soviets so soon after ending, or even before ending, this second world war; the Western Allies enter into sensitive negotiations with the Soviets on how to proceed this turn.
(10) Specifically; maximizing the chance that Germany will be completely conquered if the unlikely, but uncomfortable 10% happens and the turn ends on Axis #5 with the allies only getting 2 impulses.
(11) Bulgaria has been reassigned to the Soviet sphere of influence with the Red Army tasked with their conquest.
(12) The conquest of Turkey (i.e., capture of Ankara) has been reassigned to the Western Allies with full support as possible from the Red Army and Airforce (approaching from the East).
(13) The Western Allies commit to their best (but not reckless) effort to capture Ankara as quickly as possible this turn; though next allied impulse may not be possible.
(14) The Western Allies agree to put forth their best effort to capture the objective cities of Helsinki, Berlin, Munich, Prague and (non-objective) factory cities Nuremberg, Dresden, Leipzig this allied impulse or next.
(15) This will at least guarantee an incomplete conquest of Germany and a Soviet a tie for second with Germany IF the turn ends before Turkey can be conquered (i.e., Ankara captured by the Western Allies).
(16) The port of Viipui (in the Finnish borderlands) is allocated to the Soviets.
(17) The port of Vorna and adjacent German controlled hexes are allocated to the Western Allies.
(18) The German controlled hexes (2 or 3) in Slovak are (also) allocated to the Western Allies.
UPDATED
(19) USSR super combine (vs land).
(20) Western Allies have agreed to garrison Baghdad to ensure that objective city continues to be counted for the USSR.

Turn 36. Jul/Aug 1945. Allied #2. RN Naval Moves.

Western
Baltic Sea & North Sea.
(1) Reinforcement, naval bombardment & air supply RN task forces join up with USN task forces in the Baltic Sea.
(2) The allies should have the strength to capture Helsinki even if the fail to flip both the isolated Wehrmacht (non-elite) garrison corps and organized Finnish bomber.
(3) But the allies will make a significant effort at flipping both, so stay tuned.
(4) 6 resupply TRS/Amph Gps put to sea in Baltic Sea and 6 (also) in the North Sea.
(5) Intention is to resupply RAF land based at the end of this impulse given the unlimited RAF air actions.
(6) Though, for an air wing to be resupplied the RAF will have to remember to rebase after mission to a coastal hex on either the North Sea or Baltic Sea. Faeroes Gap.
(7) Only two sea areas are at (some) risk from the axis (Faeroes Gap & Sea of Japan).
(8) Though the sub risk is the Faeroes Gap is small, it's not in the RN nature to ignore when they can respond, which they do.
(9) Will the remaining organized German Sub Gp search (the British Admiralty thinks so).

Turn 36. Jul/Aug 1945. Allied #2. RN Naval Move.

MTO.
East Med.
(1) RN providing the sea lift to redeploy significant allied ground forces from Syria to Western Turkey for the allied push to take Ankara.
(2) These forces NOT needed for the assault led by De Gaulle this impulse to take Istanbul (will be automatic).

Turn 36. Jul/Aug 1945. Allied #2. RN Naval Move.

PTO.
Sea of Japan.
(1) The RN moves 2 carrier task forces to take on the IJN in the Sea of Japan. RN Ships Not Moved (Left in Port).
(2) Not needed and/or not in a position to be of use these RN "gas guzzlers" were left in port.

Turn 36. Jul/Aug 1945. Allied #2. Naval Searches.

PTO. Sea of Japan.
Combat Logs.