TOP SECRET ORMSTER + WARSPITE ONLY

[Orm]

I am pondering on withdrawing from France.

While snow is nice I really needed rain to get the time to get forces there.

So now a CW naval is contemplated. [:(]

[Orm]

Ponder over this: The Germans are slowly advanceing deeper into France, that could indicate that Spain is still on.

Indeed. Or it could indicate that Germany want to make sure that the Allied forces are out of France as fast as possible so they can shift focus faster.

[warspite1]

So I am clear what you are saying.

My understanding is that if the USSR declare war on Finland and the Germans say fight, any Soviet units involved in that war will not count for garrison purposes i.e. the Finns do not become "aligned" to Germany even if the Germans send peace-keepers. Unless the Soviets go in hard (to avoid losses) they will only be hurting themselves in terms of the Nazi-Soviet pact ratio no?

[Orm]

If USSR and Finland is at war then all the units, out of enemy ZOC, are counted as long as they are organized.

Once peace is declared then most of the units (or all?) will not be counted since the common border is far away.

Although, at the moment, I rather not claim the Finnish borderland because then Germany can allow the claim and then align Finland. At the moment Germany is not allowed to align Finland. Hence the Finnish units are not included in the garrison calculations.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Orm

If USSR and Finland is at war then all the units, out of enemy ZOC, are counted as long as they are organized.

Once peace is declared then most of the units (or all?) will not be counted since the common border is far away.

Although, at the moment, I rather not claim the Finnish borderland because then Germany can allow the claim and then align Finland. At the moment Germany is not allowed to align Finland. Hence the Finnish units are not included in the garrison calculations.

warspite1

But surely Germany aligning Finland would be good because those units the Soviets have in Karelia would then be included in the garrison.

[Orm]

Those units in Karelia can be moved to another location where they will be counted. While a unaligned Finland is never counted. Not many Soviet units will be needed close to Finland before the war, unless USSR wants to force borderland issue.

Once the Borderlands are removed from the calculation there is no longer need for USSR forces close to Finland. Last turn reinforcements plus reserves should be, or must be, enough to protect against Finland.

Letting Germany align Finland before a '40 Barbarossa could be really bad. A German HQ there and a few other units will doom the defence of both Murmansk and Leningrad. While a Finland neutral until the actual German DOW might save both cities.

[Orm]

But back to CW and France. What is your current thoughts?

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Orm

But back to CW and France. What is your current thoughts?

warspite1

As you say, the Snow has not done us any massive favours. What are the alternatives - we evacuate Wavell or reinforce him with the 7-4 (which endangers the TRS and whatever escorts we provide)....

Evacuation looks to be the only sensible course unless we take a chance and keep Wavell there on his own until the last minute? The latter seems like a reasonable plan. Get the navy to sea guarding convoys and providing future SB for Wavell, but do not look to reinforce or sacrifice him for nothing. He could be ground struck of course in future but he's in forest so.....

[peskpesk]

ORIGINAL: Orm

But back to CW and France. What is your current thoughts?

If GE is not planing to collapse Vichy stay else go.

[Orm]

ORIGINAL: peskpesk

ORIGINAL: Orm

But back to CW and France. What is your current thoughts?

If GE is not planing to collapse Vichy stay else go.

How would I know what Germany plans. [;)]

[peskpesk]

ORIGINAL: Orm

ORIGINAL: peskpesk

ORIGINAL: Orm

But back to CW and France. What is your current thoughts?

If GE is not planing to collapse Vichy stay else go.

How would I know what Germany plans. [;)]

Make a educated guess!

[peskpesk]

Besides progress on the Battle field the Axis have had luck with US entry ( result/number of possible hits) . My sad but simple suggestion to a plan, is for the Allies to almost stop making US entry actions! Untill 22/34 is passed, unless some critical choice need to be made to help another Allied nation due to more Axis success on the battle field. Of course a small number of opitions need to be passed to get tension, 17 in both pools, but besides actions against JP: burma road, resources and oil. Wait untill the last moment. A Barbarossa could be on its way and no need to waist chits on "Gift of destroyers" when Resources to the USSR could be needed.

The Highest-Priority US Entry Option

This is, without a doubt, Entry Option 34, Pass War Appropriations Bill; for which the US needs entry levels of 34 in both pools, tension levels of 17 in both pools, and it must also have previously passed the Gear Up Production option. Every effort must be made to make this option pass as early as possible. In my analysis, I picked Nov/Dec 1941 as the "standard" date by which the US picks this option, whether it does so because of US entry or because it ends up at war with all the Axis. This means that every option chosen must be done so in accordance with its ability to reach option 34.

Also if Axis attacks any more minor: Spain, Greece , Yugoslavia the CW transport fleet must be ready in advance to ship in 3 army/corp sized units to be able to trigger the suport minor action.

[warspite1]

How to interpret this delay? Either the guys are dealing with real life matters or they are in a quandary over what to do next? If it is the latter then that can only be whether Barbarossa 1940 or Spain 1940 is the way forward I think.

I agree that US Entry is of prime concern - although will state clearly my desire to invade Iraq with the Soviets if I get even half a chance presented.

[Orm]

I think they are considering changing their plans. Again, maybe?

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Orm

I think they are considering changing their plans. Again, maybe?

warspite1

Assuming of course they had a plan - which I assume they did hence the creation of Vichy - but who knows.... curiouser and curiouser..... [;)]

[Orm]

They always have a plan. They are playing the Axis side and plan to conquer the world.

But I have a cunning plan that will outwit their plan. [:D]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp5St7hORyw

[peskpesk]

If they plan to collapse Vichy, they need to do French-Indochina and perhaps Madagascar before right? That is two more rolls.

[Orm]

ORIGINAL: peskpesk

If they plan to collapse Vichy, they need to do French-Indo China and perhaps Madagascar before right? Thatis two more rolls.

If they want Indochina, then, yes they do need to do it before collapsing Vichy. But, I think, they can do at least Indochina in the same impulse as they collapse Vichy. Madagascar can not be until the turn after Indochina is occupied.

[warspite1]

Soviet orders for Impulse 7

Rail
3-3 Tehran to Vilna

Land Moves
1-4 to Cernauti
2-3 AA to Cutatea-Alba
3-2 AT to Kiev
2-3 AT to southwest Bessarabia
3-4 Cav Vilna to 49,49

Re-base
Pe-8 back to Tiflis
Pe-2 to Sevastopol

[Orm]

I briefly considered suggesting that we pass with all nations. But no point is passing with our luck.