Another Solo Global AAR

[markb50k]

Jul/Aug 1940

Europe
EDIT: I forgot to mention a very important event. The whole Hungary/Bulgaria/Greece gambit's goal was to allow Aligning of Yugoslavia to the Italian side!

Well, at the beginning of this turn, Italy does align Yugoslavia, and no US Entry hit, amazingly. It would have required a roll of 3, but it seems that so many actions the Axis has taken have resulted in no US Entry.

Also, with this alignment, Italy is looking pretty good from a production standpoint, and with a new trade agreement in place between Germany and Italy, Italy is about maxed when it comes to production! Mussolini is very pleased, to say the least.

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On the 3rd Axis impulse, no attacks. Italy decides that they want to put a larger effort into taking Algiers. So they call a Naval, and move the 4-3 Marine and 4-3 INF into the West Med. The idea is that once those two units are landed, along with the 1-4 TERR and naval bombardment support they may be able to take Algiers.

The Germans continue to move forces to the south, but things are a bit slowed due to the fact that Rundstedt is disorganized. This also prevents more forces from being sent to support the siege on Nantzes.

On the 4th Axis impulse, Italy calls a Land impulse, and debarks the two corps into Bone, Algeria. Italian forces, reinforced now with Yugoslavian forces encircle the last French unit in Southern France, the 3-5 CAV. It is destroyed during the combat phase.

Germany does overrun the saved Build Point (BP) and takes Toulouse as well.

Here is the situation prior to the attacks:

[markb50k]

Jul/Aug 1940

China
During the reinforcement phase, China gets some help with the Stilwell HQ and the shattered 4-2 INF arriving in Ichang.

On Japan's first impulse, they call a Combined impulse to move over 3 corps over to China:
6-6 MECH
3-3 Kyoto MIL
5-1 GARR

On Japan's second impulse, Japan starts to maneuver to gain some good attack odds, but still won't commit to declaring an attack. However, in the north, once the Umezu HQ gets in range, Japan is able to send the 3-2 Peking warlord up north to attack the Communist partisan. The attack is an automatic and the resource is now back in Japanese hands.

On Japan's third impulse, things are starting to look good for an attack. Japan's 1-4 Marine Div has the ability to maneuver around Stillwell to the north and take Ichang. The Axis's US Entry luck takes a break as the roll is made! As a result a "4" is drawn into the Japanese pool!

Japan declares 2 attacks this impulse: 1 on Stilwell and the 4-2 INF, and 1 on the two garrison corps guarding Chiang's flank.

Both attacks are successes, except that Stilwell is able to retreat back across the river hex, saving him from destruction.

Here is the situation in the 3rd impulse with attacks circled:

[markb50k]

Jul/Aug 1940

China
After retreating, Stillwell is reinforced with another INF corps for protection.

In the 4th Axis impulse, the Japanese ignore him and instead do attacks on three lone Chinese units trying to shift over from Chiang.

After the three attacks, 3 more Chinese units are destroyed:
1-2 DIV (broken down)
2-2 Kunming MIL
2-3 AA

A total of 3 more Chinese cities are captured: Wuhan, Changsha, and Nanchang. No US Entry hits.

Here are the attacks circled in red:

[markb50k]

Jul/Aug 1940

Losses
The Allies 4th impulse has them passing to end the turn, and they do with a roll of 1.

Another costly turn for the Allies end, here are the losses:

[markb50k]

Jul/Aug 1940

France at end of turn
France is on its last legs. Only 1 factory hex is still out of Axis hands.

The Axis is given the option of declaring Vichy France. They have thought on this much, and honestly they are not sure what they should do.

Since they want to attack Spain, only benefit to Vichy is it allows Japan to take French Indochina without a declaration of war on France. I actually did some experimenting here, and even in my last playthrough I have declared Vichy, then on the next turn claimed Indo China then collapsed Vichy immediately. Gives the Axis what it wants but causes a lot of US Entry rolls. This is generally acceptable to the Axis, but one thing happened that they didn't expect to happen: Italy became neutral again, because when they rolled for Vichy all territories went Vichy, which is not likely but it can happen, and France was completely conquered. Also, I noticed that collapsing Vichy the next turn left a lot of territories still in German hands like New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Martinique. This is a bug in my opinion, and an unfair advantage to the Axis, so even more reason not to Vichy.

Taking all that into account, the Axis decided to just attempt to incompletely conquer France next turn, which gives the Allies pretty much the entire French navy, and also quite a number of territorials as well. But the US Entry hit is much lower. Japan also accepts the fact that they won't get Indochina yet, but since they are doing so well in China they can accept it.

So here is France at the end of the turn. If all goes well, Germany will conquer next turn.

[markb50k]

Jul/Aug 1940

Mediterranean at end of turn
Here we see the Italy driving on Algiers (another benefit of no Vichy).

Italy and CW are still not at war, so no new news on the Egypt front.

One thing not on this screenshot is the fact that the CW landed the Gort HQ and the 7-6 MECH in Oran at the end of the turn. That should assist in preventing the fall of Algeria against such low-quality Italian troops.

[markb50k]

Jul/Aug 1940

China at end of turn
In the north, we see most of the Japanese troops lined up against Mao. But we also see that some of the Japanese troops have to stay back to screen the two Communist units defending in the city-hex.

In the south, no other way to describe it but dire. Stillwell and Chiang are out of supply and surrounded, and will likely be destroyed next turn if the weather cooperates. Notice that all the cities are captured in the area so no new reinforcements are going to spring up to save them.

Japan is actually starting to think about their campaign in the Pacific against the US, and begins preparations to pull out the Marines for invasion duty.

Notice the 4-3 MIL trying to move east through the mountains. If the opportunity presents itself to capture Chihkiang without being OOS and disrupted they will take it (which may be difficult with no HQ around).

[markb50k]

Jul/Aug 1940

US Entry

Things are not looking too bad anymore for US Entry, with quite a turnaround from last turn. With the "4" chit being added to the Japanese pool by the capture of the Chinese city, another "2" is pulled into the pool at end of turn. This gave the US the needed entry level to select "Rebase fleet to Pearl Harbor". But amazingly, again, the tension roll wasn't made allowing the US to also select "Freeze Japanese assets". With the fleet moving to Pearl Harbor, the US can control the tension rolls for the Japanese pool with more efficiency.

Another great development for the Allies is now the tension in both pools is above 11, so next turn as long as an additional 2 can be added to the German pool, US can select Gear Up. Not sure how that stacks up, still feel US Entry is lagging behind. But concerns about US Entry will soon go away with the events over the next couple of months..

[markb50k]

Sep/Oct 1940

The turns end up having 4 axis and 4 allied impulses. Axis wins initiative and moves first. Overall, at this point the Axis wants to finish off any pockets of French resistance that prevent the conquest of France. Germany also wants to declare war on Spain ASAP.

Europe
Weather roll is fortuitous, with Fine everywhere. Perhaps a perfect invasion plan could be done by waiting an impulse, but Germany decides to strike when they have momentum. The DOW results only in the 1 mandatory chit being pulled into the GE/IT pool, a "2". The US is pleased as that should be enough to choose "Gear Up" at the end of the turn.

Before the turn begins, the French Bilotte HQ, shattered last turn, comes back as a reinforcement and is placed in Nantes with the 5-4 MTN.

Germany calls a Land impulse. I don't have a screenshot of the Spanish setup, but I do have one of the aftermath. Spain puts 2 corps in Bilbao, 2 + DIV in Barcelona with the other units screening the border. The Franco HQ and a 3-3 INF guard Madrid. Spain's fighter, the Chirri, is poised to fly to Portugal next impulse to give the CW another pilot for a better plane.

Back in France, the Germans decide to finally attack the isolated and OOS 7-6 Armor corps and the 3-3 INF just outside of Paris.

3 attacks done by Germany this impulse. 1 against the French stack, 1 against a Spanish 2-5 CAV at the border, and 1 against a Spanish 3-1 Garrison in the mountain gap near Toulouse. The 3-1 GAR is groundstruck and is also put OOS by maneuvering German forces. Ground strikes also disorganize 1 defender in Bilbao and the two corps in Barcelona, which should help on the attacks later in the turn, hopefully.

Italy calls a Land, and moves the 5-4 MTN and the Balbo HQ to Marseilles. They want to move both corps to North Africa this turn if possible.

In the Allied 1st impulse, the CW reacts to the DOW on Spain with a tough decision. Gort and the 7-6 MECH corps are in Algeria. Should they stay there and guard against the Italians (still not at war with CW) or send them to Spain. CW chooses a combined and immediately moves the two corps to Cartagena.

They also move a Beaufighter to the 0 box in Bay of Biscay and will rebase it to Gibraltar at the end of the turn.

The CW also pulls a nice trick and Ground Strikes the German 5-4 outside of Nantes and rolls a 1! The French in their first impulse maneuver the MTN corps to cut off supply and the 5-4 MOT is destroyed.

The CW also strat bomb Germany with both of their Hampden's, with only 1 causing a Prod point lost. The Alexander HQ reorganizes one of the Hampden's for use later in the turn.

The Spanish Chirri is rebased to Portugal as planned.

Here is the pic of the aftermath of 1st impulse. Also shown is the position of the 5-4 MOT and the locations of where the two poor Spanish corps were destroyed:

[markb50k]

Sep/Oct 1940

Europe
The 2nd Impulse for both Axis and Allies has no attacks. Weather turns bad with rain in the North Temperate and Rain in the Med.

Italy calls a combined and moves the fleet out with Balbo on a TRS. He is landed in Algeria during the Debark phase. If possible, Italy wants to take Algiers this turn and will need Italian shore bombardment.

Germany calls a land, and tries to maneuver on the French MTN for revenge but isn't able to get a good ratio, so no attack. In Spain, more maneuvering but the weather prevents a good enough attack.

In response, CW calls a Land.

They move Gort and the 7-6 MECH towards Madrid.

CW strat bombs Germany again successfully for another 1 PP lost. The Partisan in India is finally caught and destroyed by a newly arrived 7-5 Indian MECH. They also transfer the longer range Whirlwind FTR to Spain.

France calls a combined, and moves their TRS into Cape St Vincent. If by some good luck some French units survive in Nantes this turn, they will evac them next turn...

The 3RD impulse for the Axis is a very good one indeed.

The Weather turns Fine everywhere, and all Axis powers call a LAND.

Germany is able to maneuver for good attacks on Barcelona and the 4-1 GAR guarding Bilbao's flank. An additional ground strike disorganizes the last defender in Bilbao as well.

Germany also targets the Billotte HQ and the 5-4 MTN corps, and with Rundstedt throwing in HQ support, attack with good odds.

Italy surrounds the Algerian territorial, and provides bombardment support.

All attacks are successful destroying the defenders. In the Barcelona battle, the German 2-3 AT gun is lost as well as half disorganized.

Here is the pic of the attacked hexes:

[markb50k]

Sep/Oct 1940

Europe
The Axis get one last impulse before the allies all pass and end the turn.

In it, the Axis launch one last attack on Bilbao. All units are disorganized, and Germany throws in HQ support as well. The defenders are destroyed and another factory hex is captured. At this point, Germany only needs Madrid to complete the conquest of Spain, but that will not happen this turn.

Italy, now with Algeria to be conquered at the end of the turn, start moving forces to the West. They call a combined and move the 5-4 MTN corps to North Africa. Also, in East Africa, the Italian Somaliland TERR begins moving to the border of Kenya.

Here is the last attacks of the turn in Spain:

[markb50k]

Sep/Oct 1940

China
Japan's first impulse has fine weather in North Temperate. Ground strikes disorganize Stilwell who is currently out of supply and surrounded.

Both HQs are attacked and destroyed.

In the pic, I also show the Communists defenders who will be attacked on the Axis 3rd Impulse as well.

[markb50k]

Sep/Oct 1940

Losses
With these losses, the Nationalist Chinese are pretty much decimated. The only thing that they can salvage from this is that they still are pulling 5 pp a turn so they can start rebuilding, and the Japanese are still pretty far from Chungking.

[markb50k]

Sep/Oct 1940

Europe at end of turn
Things look bad for Spain, as CW has only been able to get 2 corps in-country.

Not shown here is a 7-6 ARM at sea, that will land at Tangiers at the RTB phase. Also, the CW moves the North Rhodesian TERR to Malta to reinforce the Royal Engineers there.

Unfortunately, with limited TRS assets flying all around the globe each turn, a new 5-2 MIL unit from Montreal is still sitting in Halifax waiting to get into the fight. A TRS is RTB'd there will intentions of moving it to North Africa next turn.

[markb50k]

Sep/Oct 1940

China at end of turn
Japan is now intent on getting their attacks against the CW and USA under way and has moved both Marine corps units to Canton. Other Division size elements are also being moved towards Chinese cities where they can be railed down to the South next turn.

[markb50k]

Sep/Oct 1940

US Entry
The US pulls a "4" chit into the Japan pool, and has enough to choose the "Gear Up" entry option, which increases the US production multiple from .25 to .5

Choosing that option also moves a "1" chit to Tension.

Just before turn end, Germany conquers France (Senegal is now the French home country), and two chits, a "1" and a "4" are added to the GE/IT pool.

With that, US Entry is now looking very healthy and its possible that War Appropriations could be done in the Jan 41 turn.

[markb50k]

Nov/Dec 1940

Europe
Not a whole lot to show for this turn, as it is a short one. 3 Axis impulses, 3 Allied impulses.

I will write up all actions I can remember for the turn, and then post up the situation in each theatre as 1940 comes to a close..

First, Europe.

Spanish reinforcements show up in Seville (6-5 MECH, 3-3 MIL) and in Cartagena (2-3 MIL). The weather turns snow in North Temperate and Rain in Med, which doesn't give the Axis much room to maneuver, but they are able to surround the Spanish Franco HQ. The CW intercept the German ground strike air, but the Whirlwind is shot down by German fighters. With 2 Stuka's hitting Franco, 1 rolls a lucky shot and disorganizes him, as well as the 3-3 INF in Madrid. Gort is missed and is given the option to provide defense HQ support for the German attack on Franco. He declines as doing so would put both defenders in Madrid disorganized. The attack destroys Franco, but at the cost of half units disorganized. This is not a big deal to the Germans who have 4 HQs in Spain (with Rundstedt on his way as well).

After that loss, the CW decides to conserve strength and begin to pull out of Spain. Gort is railed to Tangiers, and the remaining Spanish forces, the MECH and the 2 new MIL's move towards the ports to be evacuated. Actually, the MECH moves to Gibraltar to defend there. As long as they aren't on Spanish soil by end of the turn, they will live to fight another day. Unfortunately, for the Spanish units disorganized in Madrid, they are left to defend on their own and are destroyed the next impulse.

The CW buildup in North Africa continues. By the time of turn end, the CW 7-6 MECH is evacuated to North Africa as well as the Alexander HQ and the Canadian 5-2 MIL. The Harrow ATR and the American Lend Lease DB7 are also rebased to Morocco.

The Germans push towards Gibraltar, and the Italians continue to land troops in Algeria, including the 5-3 Yugoslavian INF and the 5-3 Rome MIL. Italy also rails a YUG corps to Athens to reinforce the area.

Here is the situation in Spain at the end of the year.

[markb50k]

Nov/Dec 1940

France at end of turn
Here is the garrison situation in Occupied France at the end of the year.

[markb50k]

Nov/Dec 1940

Eastern Front at end of turn
We haven't really seen much going on here, but the Germans have been pulling Offensive chits while the Russians have been pulling Defensive chits. Right now, the Germans are being forced to pull more units to the Eastern Front and throughout the last turn, units are beginning to arrive there from Spain.

[markb50k]

Nov/Dec 1940

China at end of turn
During the turn, the Japanese are able to kill one more Chinese corps. On the 3rd impulse, 2 Japanese NAV bombers are thrown against the 5-3 INF on the northern end of the Chinese defense line. All of the Chinese units were OOS and with the lucky roll of a 1, the Japanese are able to kill the 5-3.

Here is the situation at the end of the turn and year. Yamamoto is pushing west while forces are being assembled in the South for the attack on the Western Allies. Newly arrived corps (4-3 INF and the 5-4 MTN corps) are sent to Canton as well. They will be broken down into DIVs and used for the invasions on the attack on the NEI, etc.