Matrix Games Forums

ORIGINAL: Jagdtiger14

What happened to the Western Front? Looks like the French will be around in 1941, maybe 1942 as well. Was this an experiment?

warspite1

No, no experiment.

The game was pretty much lost (though not 100% certain) when I attacked the Soviet Union with Japan. I had in my mind (from 5th Edition) that I could get Vladivostok and force a peace. Well even if my memory was correct, there is no such mechanic in MWIF.

Declaring war on the Soviet Union gave Japan nothing significant really and gave the Soviets a boost in production and allowed them to take other than Combined options (which of course stops the restriction on Chinese Communist moves).

I then compounded the error of the USSR/Japan by attacking Belgium without Holland first - and the CW were able to reinforce Belgium. Allied air power meant clearing even Belgium (let alone) France was going to be tough. I could not seem to get the initiative from memory so there was always going to be a huge shore bombardment assistance.

By this time the Soviets were committed in Persia and the Far East so I thought I would try attacking a lightly defended Russia. If I had not then by the time I had got through Belgium and France, the Soviets would have evicted the Japanese from the north completely. I hoped I might be able to make some quick wins - for example knocking the Soviets out of Murmansk as they had 3 units disorganised. But the attacks quickly bogged down - iirc the impulse after I attacked the weather turned to rain! and then remained rubbish in the Arctic so the quick win on Murmansk fell flat on its face.

Attacking with so few units obviously meant I needed the weather and the dice to be favourable - but even if that was the case, this was not a war winning strategy, just trying to prolong the game.

Take-away from the game. Never attack Japan with the Soviet Union. Only with a lightning strike in the west (enabling the Germans to launch a 1941 Barbarossa) would this be useful as the Soviets will need to put units in the East. However, the boost to Soviet production and the assistance it gives the Chinese Communists make this just too risky.

Ok. Good sportsmanship that you are still playing though!

I would like to see the Japanese/USSR surrender rule implemented. Maybe the first thing after Netplay is fixed.

I don't think its a big deal for Japan to lose Manchuria/China if it means German focus is westward. Japan can retreat and defend what ever resources and factories are close to the coast...and probably still take Vlad and hold on to it (with defensive SB). Japan can then focus on naval/air builds and invasion packages.

I really need to buy new dies. [:@]

Well, that was a waste. [:D]


Picture from Jul/Aug 40 Impulse #7 (Allied) - Strategic Bombing

No ground strikes. No rail movement.

China liberate Suchow.

CW debark a corps in Benghazi.

No land combats. No reorganization.


Picture from Jul/Aug 40 Impulse #7 (Allied) - Reorganization

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 8

The Japanese rail Terauchi east to help the supply situation of the vaunted 1st Tanku Army.

4 attacks are declared:

Finland
Odessa
China
Manchukuo

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 8

Rundstedt declines HQ Support against Odessa.

A Dornier is used in Finland to try and get a Fractional Odds increase.

No aircraft are used in the Far East.

In Manchukuo, where the odds are 1:1, the Soviets have one bomber and a fighter. The Japanese can bring a fighter in too. What do the Soviets want to do? One Bomber will make this 1:2.

The Axis still has two offensive chits that could do serious damage to the Allies. Use them on the Western Front? Looks like the French will be around in 1941, maybe 1942 else. Use them on the East front could be a fun experiment? I say use them sooner than later and before US enters the war.

ORIGINAL: peskpesk

The Axis still has two offensive chits that could do serious damage to the Allies. Use them on the Western Front? Looks like the French will be around in 1941, maybe 1942 else. Use them on the East front could be a fun experiment? I say use them sooner than later and before US enters the war.

warspite1

I am saving these for when I'm holed up in the bunker and I need Steiner to counter-attack [:D]

I'll be off line until about 2:30 - 3 O'clock

I think the only other decision (aircraft wise) is whether to use bomber at Odessa. This is one strength and I have a 4-quality fighter to counter.

Also what tables of course. Will assume Assault unless you say otherwise.

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 8

Rundstedt declines HQ Support against Odessa.

A Dornier is used in Finland to try and get a Fractional Odds increase.

No aircraft are used in the Far East.

In Manchukuo, where the odds are 1:1, the Soviets have one bomber and a fighter. The Japanese can bring a fighter in too. What do the Soviets want to do? One Bomber will make this 1:2.

USSR bombers are grounded at the moment.

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 8

The Japanese rail Terauchi east to help the supply situation of the vaunted 1st Tanku Army.

4 attacks are declared:

Finland
Odessa
China
Manchukuo

Assault, if it is my call, on these attacks.

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 8

As said there are four attacks, the first of which is a 3:1 +1 on the Assault table....

...fractional odds make it 4:1. The dice skidded along the 8 and then rolled to a 10. The Soviet infantry is destroyed.

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 8

The turn moves onto Odessa and a 4:1 +1 attack...

...ah... not so good. Its a 1 and that probably finishes the Germans in the south.

Annoyingly had I used the computer nos I would have got an 8 and a 6 [:@]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 8

So to China and a 3:1 no modifiers on the Assault table...

...Fractional odds make it 4:1 and the dice roll is 7 which removes the Commie b*****d but at a cost of disorganisation.

I hesitate before moving into the city as I am worried about US Entry, but take it anyway....and throw a 2, thus suffering a US Entry hit....[&:]

Jul/Aug 1940
Impulse: 8

So to the final attack. It's a 1:1 no modifiers on the Assault table....

I get very lucky with the dice and the odds increase to 3:2 - and then get luckier with another 10. The Japanese are disorganised unsurprisingly.

That would have been a really good turn had it not been for Odessa..

And then the turn ends on a 2.

US place a entry chit in the European pool.

----

Production

Germany
INF
MECH
LND (2)
Pilot
AT

Italy:
Guilio Cesare Repair
LND (3)

Japan:
MIL
TERR
Shokaku (2nd)
Yamato (2nd)
CVP1

China (8):
INF
Warlord
Pilot
Cav Div

CW (16):
MIL
2 x Pilot
CV (1st)
CP
HMS Cleopatra (2nd)
Repair HMS Valiant
LND4
FTR2

France (9):
MIL
FTR2
LN3
Pilot

USA(11):
BB (1st)
CA (1st)
NAV3
Pilot
Garr
CVP1

USSR (26):
4 x INF
HQI
Cav Div
2 x FTR2
2 x Pilot

----

Latvia is conquered by USSR

----

Reinforcements:

Nat China:
FTR2
INF
CAV

CW:
LND4
CVP1
MIL (SA)
HMQ Queen Elizabeth
HMS Frobisher

France:
MIL
2 x FTR2
LND3
MOT

Com China:
INF

USSR:
FTR2
AT
GARR
2 x INF
ARM

Germany
Tirpitz in Stettin
2 x Air in Konigsberg

Italy
NAV (Z.506B) in Genoa
INF in Naples

Japan
2 x INF in Hiroshima
FTR in Sasebo
Manchurian in Changchun

----

Axis wins the initiative after the Allies demanded a re-roll

And the Autumn rains begin.


Picture from Sep/Oct 40 Impulse #1 (Axis) - Weather

Sep/Oct 1940
Impulse: 1

The Italians do a Naval, the Japanese a Combined and the Germans a Land.

The Italians try a port attack against Malta with an old Sparrowhawk they found undamaged and ready for action.

The Maltese defenders have found three Gladiators - christened Faith, Hope and Charity - in a warehouse on the island. They dust them down and Biggles, Ginger and Algy have confirmed they are free this afternoon to take them up for a bit of jolly ol' whizz bang sport, what?

Would the CW wish to avail themselves of this kind offer?