Matrix Games Forums

ORIGINAL: Jagdtiger14

Here is an option to consider. Once you have Bulgaria...taking the USSR Balkan invasion gambit to its ultimate dream conclusion is this (which I have never done or debated...Centuur might be better able to comment on its possiblities):

Do not request Bessarabia yet (so Axis can not align Hungary). Build up Soviet forces in Bulgaria (1 HQ, no MECH or ARM) to the point you can take Yugoslavia. Remember to keep enough force in Bulgaria and east of Bessarabia in case the Germans align Romania. Bessarabia border is a good place for the MECH/ARM. This build up occurs N/D'39, J/F'40 with the possible attack vs Yugo happening the first fair weather impulse in M/A'40. Once you have Yugo, you now aim for Hungary. Then you demand Bessarabia.

Now this is all utopian of course because the Axis will respond, but the question is how? In this game, the Germans decided on Fall Weiss. This means they could have Paris no sooner than near the end of J/A'40. It's very possible this could take longer of course (my fear and why I'm a true believer in Fall Gelb) which would play well into Soviet hands in this gambit.

So how might the Axis respond (happening while Germany is building up/fighting France/CW/low countries)?
1. As soon as a build up of Soviet forces begins, the Axis DOW Yugo to prevent this gambit going any further (this is what I would expect)...but this could cause Axis losses in Winter, units taken from Germany's western front.
2. Axis allow Soviet DOW on Yugo and send in peace keepers making it more difficult, but taking units away from the western front and losing those units.
3. Perhaps Centuur has other possibilities?

The important thing to remember is to not be caught with your Soviet pants down with units deep in the Balkans while the Germans finish off the French. This would make Barbarossa very easy and cost the Soviets dearly.

No matter what you decide to do, leave white print cheap units to garrison what you have taken after you leave.

If you decide on only Bulgaria, keep some quality units there before you demand Bessarabia...in all likelihood Romania will give up, but if not, you have a two front war vs them.

Centuur?

I don't have the rulebook available now, but I believe that Germany can break the pact the moment a Soviet unit enters Yugoslavia. And that's something the USSR doesn't want, I believe.

ORIGINAL: Jagdtiger14

I don't have the rulebook available now, but I believe that Germany can break the pact the moment a Soviet unit enters Yugoslavia. And that's something the USSR doesn't want, I believe.

19.5.3 Breaking the Nazi-Soviet Pact: If a Soviet controlled unit enters any hex in Denmark, Greece, Hungary, Norway, Sweden, or Yugoslavia, then the German player can break the Nazi-Soviet pact during any Axis declaration of war step.

Maybe that's why I never went further with it?[8|] Perhaps the Soviets can send in peace-keepers if/when Germany DOW's Yugo?

19.5.3 Breaking the Nazi-Soviet Pact: If a Soviet controlled unit enters any hex in Denmark, Greece, Hungary, Norway, Sweden, or Yugoslavia, then the German player can break the Nazi-Soviet pact during any Axis declaration of war step. Maybe that's why I never went further with it? Perhaps the Soviets can send in peace-keepers if/when Germany DOW's Yugo? Sure they can, if they want Germany to break the pact... It's simply not an option. The Soviet Union can only conquer Bulgaria (and if the Bulgarian army gets setup in Sofia, that's not simply done).



_____________________________ Peter