Sveint (Axis) vs HB (Allies) Sveint Welcome

[Harrybanana]

Of course, this Italian sub was sunk when I moved some DD units into the same hex. A total of 3 air attacks on the German sub caused 3 hits.

[Harrybanana]

Morocco after my moves.

[Harrybanana]

DECEMBER 20, 1940

My division in Malta also dies of starvation. I expect Sveint to capture it on his next turn.

[Harrybanana]

I expect that the Axis assault on Morocco will begin soon. Gibraltar is guarded by 6 AA.

[Harrybanana]

JANUARY 3, 1941

Malta is captured.

Still no assault in Morocco.

[Harrybanana]

JANUARY 17, 1941

This turn epitomizes the expression "Stupid Luck."

The Main German Battle Fleet joins a wolf pack in terrorizing the convoys off the African Coast. The Fleet sinks 4 MS, the U-Boats 1 while taking 2 hits.

[Harrybanana]

I move my fleet from Plymouth as close as I can to the Germans (5 hexes) with the idea that my CV in the fleet will get a Pursuit Combat. But instead my entire fleet engages the Germans. Is this a Bug? I thought a pursuing fleet other than CVs would have to get adjacent to the enemy. It didn't occur to me until after my turn that my CV could not make a Pursuit Attack anyway because of the heavy rain.

[Harrybanana]

The Italian Navy also sorties to blockade Gibraltar. Again I move my fleet with CVs to a hex where I think I will be able to make a CV attack on the Italian Fleet. To my surprise the Italian Fleet is in Fleet Mode and intercepts me. But I get lucky with an ambush and inflict more damage than I take. I then try to CV attack the Italian Fleet, but of course can't because of the heavy rain.

[Harrybanana]

So I move back to Gibraltar and again the Italian Fleet intercepts and again I get the better of the exchange.

So in these 3 naval battles I lose 1 BB and a CA as do the Italians, while the Germans lose a DD. But overall I score far more hits than the Axis. And all because I was too stupid to realize that my CVs could not attack in the heavy rain. Of course, this is probably the entire reason why Sveint waited until the heavy rain to make this move. He deserved far better than he got.

[Harrybanana]

JANUARY 31, 1941

3 MS sunk and 1 U-Boat hit. The Italian and German Fleets return to port to lick their wounds. The Axis seem to be withdrawing some of their forces from Morocco.

[Harrybanana]

FEBRUARY 14, 1941

Only 1 MS sunk along with the first sinking of a U-Boat (U-138).

The news is not so good in the Mediterranean. Last turn I took a shot with a CV Fleet against the Italian Fleet in Taranto. I couldn't find them of course. But the Italian retaliatory air strike almost sunk the Glorious.

[Harrybanana]

The Germans are definitely pulling out of Morocco, leaving the Italians to man the line.

[Harrybanana]

FEBRUARY 28, 1941

3 MS sunk and 2 U-Boat hits.

[Harrybanana]

MARCH 14, 1941

0 MS sunk by U-Boats raiding the Caribbean. Bloody Pirates!

Meanwhile, the British invade Iraq.

[Harrybanana]

MARCH 28, 1941

Just when I think the BOA is in the bag the Germans sink 4 MS and an escort while taking only 1 sub hit.

The British Conquer Iraq.

[Harrybanana]

APRIL 11, 1941

The Kriegsmarine again joins the U-Boats in raiding the South Atlantic off the African coast. This time the heavy rain prevents my pursuit to find the German Fleet. Why do I think this will be a recurring theme throughout this game.

Unless this is the best deception ever, I am pretty confident that there will be a 41 Barbarossa. The entire Luftwaffe and probably 90% of the Wehrmacht is on the Russian border. No Italians though.

[Harrybanana]

APRIL 25, 1941

6 MS sunk and 4 U-Boat hits scored.

Forces and Casualties. As you can see, my Russian Force strength is about 600 more than Sveint in our mirror game.

[Harrybanana]

Tech Advances. Generally I am not impressed.

[Harrybanana]

Production

[Harrybanana]

MAY 9, 1941

I catch a break as heavy rains delay Barbarossa.

My Russian land forces consist of:

- 66 Large Corps (of which 28 are of the 30% variety). All are 39 tech and in garrison mode.
- 2 Armies, both 41 tech
- 6 Armour, all 41 tech,
- 11 Mech Corps, all 41 tech and
- 3 Mtn Corps of 41 tech.

6 MS sunk. The British invade an unoccupied Rhodes and are on the move towards Tobruk.