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ORIGINAL: brian brian

One extra chit/turn is far more significant than taking an occasional Chinese city.

Hmmm ... that could be a bit of a deal-breaker.

Interesting question. The US is able to declare war earlier and gear up production accordingly but would it be enough to make a significant difference? Being able to declare war is one thing, having the forces to be able to prosecute it is another.

The alternative may be a very passive Pacific while Japan accumulates oil, builds units and avoids combat losses other than in defence.

It's not what the USA can do in 1941 that matters. It's how much combat power they will have in 1944 and 1945 when they will squash Japan like a bug. Will Japan get enough Return On Investment - expand far enough and build enough forces - to resist that? That is the essential decision for Japan in the game. Japan has powerful forces at start - amphibious units when no one else has them, strong fleet carriers, good ground units, and can do whatever it wants against any enemy it selects. The 2 long-range Zeroes that can be built in 1940 are strong assets as well.

You should explore the question however you wish though.

I always find the hardest decision when playing World in Flames solitaire is how Russia and Japan will interact.

ORIGINAL: brian brian

It's not what the USA can do in 1941 that matters. It's how much combat power they will have in 1944 and 1945 when they will squash Japan like a bug. Will Japan get enough Return On Investment - expand far enough and build enough forces - to resist that? That is the essential decision for Japan in the game. Japan has powerful forces at start - amphibious units when no one else has them, strong fleet carriers, good ground units, and can do whatever it wants against any enemy it selects. The 2 long-range Zeroes that can be built in 1940 are strong assets as well.

You should explore the question however you wish though.

I always find the hardest decision when playing World in Flames solitaire is how Russia and Japan will interact.

You are right, the return on investment won't be good enough. The initial +2 oil will soon disappear as the US entry options kick into place that much quicker and the embargoes start. The US is then gearing up that much quicker and a shed load of nastiness hits the Axis that much earlier.

In Tokyo, the hot-heads from Military Planning are summoned to the Emperor. The first draft of their war-plans has been overseen by two wise and learned masters of the mysterious and subtle arts of putting a world in flames. Orm-San and Brian Brian-San politely pronounce the designs "Brave" and "Naively optimistic" and it's back to the drawing board.

Meanwhile the initial demands of the war are upon them. What actions to take?

Germany land, Italy combined. With the USSR looking like it might DoW, the Japanese choose naval to get some escorts in place in case the subs sortie.

No port attacks or naval air.

This AAR will be proceeding at a more leisurely pace as I will be prioritising the game with Mayhemizer.

ORIGINAL: AllenK

This AAR will be proceeding at a more leisurely pace as I will be prioritising the game with Mayhemizer.

warspite1

Yes, I had to stop AARse V when I gratefully accepted Orm's invitation for a PBEM. It was just too difficult - more from a motivational point of view than anything else i.e. going back to playing solo after playing a human once more. The challenge just is not there. You only really learn from getting your bottom handed to you [:D]

Hope you enjoy the PBEM - I will be watching.

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: AllenK

This AAR will be proceeding at a more leisurely pace as I will be prioritising the game with Mayhemizer.

warspite1

Yes, I had to stop AARse V when I gratefully accepted Orm's invitation for a PBEM. It was just too difficult - more from a motivational point of view than anything else i.e. going back to playing solo after playing a human once more. The challenge just is not there. You only really learn from getting your bottom handed to you [:D]

Hope you enjoy the PBEM - I will be watching.

Yes, it's your AAR's with Orm that have inspired this attempt to give it a go, so thanks for pointing the way forwards.

S/O 1939 Naval Movement.

Japan loads a Mil unit and ships it direct to Haichow. Another Trans stops in the China Sea and loads a Eng and AA.

The Italians send a Trans to the Red Sea where it picks up the supply unit.

The Germans ground-strike Warsaw, Lodz with a Stuka each and send two Lnd at extended range to hit the HQ. At Lodz, 1 of the 2 units is disorganised. At Warsaw, both but the HQ is untouched.

3 land combats are declared by the Germans, with 4 points of ground support to the attack on Warsaw.

The two high odds attacks go without hitch. Warsaw is taken but 3 units are disorganised.

Italy rebases a Nav to Tripoli.

No reorgs.

S/O 1939 Allies 2.

The CW/French DoW on Germany causes a loss of 1 US entry chit.

Germany deploys reserves, as do CW and France.

All combined except NatChina Land and CW Naval.