Cohen vs Enrico - AAR nr. 2

[AlbertN]

End of 1941 - Kunming Besieged

Similar to the previous game, the China has been reduced to Fortress Kunming.
But this time in 1941 they're already surrounded in Kunming, not even having a perimeter about it to hold!
It seems the Japanese here are to get a new factory once the weather improves - or so they hope.

Kunming tally 3 defenders, for a total of 8*2 (Mountain) defense factors. And a 4 Air Factor airplane.


Other happenings in China & Surroundings:

A partisan uprising came in Saigon at the end of October, the Japanese forces landed a division that returned from the NEI to quell down the uprising in blood and bullets.

Chinese patriots claimed the minerary complexes of Haichow and north of Chengchow; the Shangai Warlord was dispatched with his loyalists to deal with the insurgents at Haichow. Yamamoto in person is overseeing to the erasing of the other revolt, alas slower in marshalling not too motivated Manchurian militiamen. (Yes, a bad streak of partisans suddenly denied 3 resources to Japan).

The conquest of the isles is ongoing, Guam was invaded proptly, Brunei, North Borneo, Andaman Isles and other colonies fell quickly.
Japanese marines even landed in the Fiji where 2 UK CPs were parked, without fuel. Fate wanted both of them being successfully captured.

Ceylon is turned into an advanced submarine base for Japan, land based Zero squadron is redeployed there, and a second squadron is arriving.
A third squadron of land based Zero has been deployed in Rabaul, to contrast the Australian NAV bomber (currently a one shot marvel, since Australia is isolated from oil sources).

[AlbertN]

End of 1941 - Manchuria

Nothing relevant is happening on the Manchurian front.

The Soviets have sent only a single INF as reinforcement (admittedly, a 3-3 INF!) meanwhile the Japanese as well are scarce of forces.

The Japanese Imperial Command is evaluating to relocate the bombers to fronts where they could be put on better use.

[AlbertN]

End of 1941 - Britain rules the (Arabian Sea) waves.

Churchill proclaimed the Seycheless the most modern, unsinkable British Carrier!
With 3 FTR2, 1 Sunderland and 1 Beaufort based in the islands, that is surely a huge concentration of airplanes there.

The Allies won the initiative in NOV / DEC, and sent in the escorts in the 0 Box and the Sunderland in the 4 box.
Also UK submarines snuck in the Persian Gulf, but failed to sink the Italian shipping there.

Axis in their turn sent in 1 Condor and 1 Jap-SUB at 4, 2 Jap-SUB at 3, 1 Condor and 1 Falco at 2, and 1 ITA-CP and 1 CR42 at 0.

The Axis finds the UK convoys, and sink both of them for 1 Jap-SUB aborted. Then the combatants do not find each other.
The Royal Navy intervenes en mass, with carriers and all! In the end, one by one the Axis airplanes are shooed from the sea zone, both Condors aborted and the Falco shot down. Only the CR42 remains, failing to protect the convoys from the British Swordfish squadrons. The Japanese submarines too are found in the last combat where one Condor is involved, but when the Condor gets aborted away, in the very last roll guns down the Fulmar squadron of the Ark Royal. Shame a range 5 6 air factor Spitfire just arrived in the Seycheless.

The grand plan for the Axis to keep in supply their German army in Persia has been foiled for this turn (the Italian CP was sunk very quickly alas.)

With the Japanese Navy engaged in other operations, the Regia Marina kept itself in Aden. The Brits favored to not port strike though, even if they had 2 Swordfish squadrons at the ready on their carriers.

[AlbertN]

End of 1941 - Barbarossa Delaying Factors

Believe it or not - a very untimely (and strong) Spanish Partisan appeared, blocking a resource.

Totally understimating the bad rolls of weather possible in the Mediterranean Zone, the Axis overcommitted forces to deal with the Partisan accordingly, and got stuck there for the turn!

Ideally also - since the expanded Axis factory base (Remember, Germany built 2) - there is the desire to have every single resource at avail here, to keep the production kicking in.

[AlbertN]

End of 1941 - "Enhanced" Monroe Doctrine

To fuel their greedy factories, now launched at full speed into wartime production, the USA has elected a war of aggression on the neutral countries of the Caribbeans (and probably South America too).

Meanwhile Mexico immediately agrees to contribute to the USA war effort "willingly", Cuba is getting pursuaded by other means.

An indignated Argentina proclaims itself allied with Germany, though the perspectives of this nationalist moment, welcome with rejoyce of the population for their freedom, is probably a move matching the Yugoslavian coup d'etat in 1941 after their King signed the Tripartite Pact.

[AlbertN]

End of 1941 - Caucasus "Front"

The Germans are getting ready.
But the Soviets have reinforced dutifully their borders too by now.

The was a slim window of opportunity, with proper weather and initiative, to declare war already to the Russia.
At the start of the turn if there was snow and Axis initiative Turkey would have been Axis - but now Soviets have moved units to ZOC the passage, and to counterattack immediately anything that moves and turns into a 1 or 3 Combat Factor. We'll have to wait!

[AlbertN]

End of 1941 - Barbarossa Preparations.

The German Army is preparing, along with Italian aerial assets, to invade Soviet Union.

As in this very turn the USA joined the war as well, and declared war to the European Axis too as soon as Pearl Harbour happened, soon there shall be Total War!

In compliance to the diplomatic expectations, in return Italy and Germany declared war to China (Admittedly, once USA is at war, we just want to get rid of being asked each impulse for war against Major Powers. It won't change the game that China suddenly can produce without gearing limits, even more when at 1 of Production per turn!).

[AlbertN]

Jan / Dec 1942 - Harsh winter, wine and warmth.

The opening of 1942 saw really little action. (The turn lasted 3 impulses total! 2 Allies and 1 Axis).

Japan managed in a Combined Impulse to seize Manila, claiming Philipines (and by the end of the turn, the resource! Yay!).

Germany quelled down the Spain insurrection restoring their resource in the righteous hands (of theirs obviously). Alas as Axis got only 1 impulse, all the troops remained stuck there.

Italy shipped finally the 1st Supply Unit to Beirut and it started to move toward Bagdhad.

USA reached Havana, in Cuba. And declared war to another Minor Country of South America - the greed of resources.

[AlbertN]

March / April 1942 - Control of Arabian Sea

With insight for Barbarossa operation, the Euro-Axis requested the help of the Japanese to secure the Arabian Sea route.

The Italians sent in their fleet, the Germans their Condor (all at 4), an Italian CP with the CR42 at 0, and tons of Japanese ships, including almost their whole carrier assets spread in the 0, 2 and 4 boxes. Alas the Carriers, departing from Japan due to their upgrade of planes, are scattered between the 2 and the 0 box.

The Japanese sent their Zero too on the 2 box from Ceylon and a new Zero squadron lands in Ceylon. In return the submarine of UK sails from Diego Suarez and reached for Bay of Bengal.
The Axis submarine raids are not very efficient and ultimately the Japanese lose a submarine, for a total of 4 CP aborted only.

The Royal Navy after a heated debate (the player thinking) opts to not intervene in the Arabian Sea.

Reasoning: Both sides have CPs there, so +1 to the search roll for both. The Axis though has lots of cruisers and 5 Italian BBs in the 4 sea box with a Condor, meaning they'd find with 1-6; and the Carriers of Japan in the 2 sea box, with a Zero with 7 naval range, 1-5. Meanwhile the CW could be lucky with rolls and inflicts some punishment to the Japanese, that is against the odds and they would risk much more. Since currently the Axis have stronger naval assets but once the USA can pull their weight properly things will change, there is no need to risk the Royal Navy.
Albeit, this maneuver from Axis side is to supply the German forces in Persia - which retain their supply undisrupted, despite the Supply Units not been there still.

[AlbertN]

March / April 1942 - Caucasian Operations

Blessed with good weather and in supply, the Germans start to attack the Soviets.
The Soviets in the while have reinforced the sector though, having placed a 7-5 MECH of reserve in Baku, and a HQ and an INF plus a FTR2 in Tblisi.

The Germans during the surprise impulse use both of the LND3, disrupting both the 9-5 ARM and 6-3 INF; alas the bombing run on the 5-3 at the Turkish border gives no result.

Presently it seems the Soviets are more focused in keeping the Baku Oil fields (but they still have to move in their impulse now).

In the while Germany has got the first supply unit in Baghdad, ready to be railed to the front, and the 2nd supply unit reached Trieste - where the Italy, with their Naval Impulse, sent a TRS and sent a TRS at sea to reorganize the TRS sitting in Trieste so that they can lift the supply unit to Beirut in their next impulse (And Germany move it toward Baghdad!)

Guderian reorganized a LND3 with its 4 points (We use the optional rule of variable reorganization costs). It has 4 tactical factors, will they suffice to disrupt the 5-3 at the Turkish border?

[AlbertN]

March / April 1942 - Barbarossa (North)

There is little advance, it rains, and the Germans are severely hindered in their operations.
Minor losses from the Soviets.

For now only Brest-Litvosk and Kaunas were conquered. In the south Odessa by the Romanians (A factory seized!) and Lvov.

Reasoning: The longer the Germans wait, the stronger the Soviet go now that they produce with a better modifier. And the sooner the Germans declare war, the sooner they can start to get their Minors, which tally 4 factories (2 in Yugo, 1 in Romania and 1 in Hungary). Also the idea is to start to move in to be ready for the kill in May / June 1942, once the Germans hopefully have established their forces in front of the Soviet riverlines, with the Luftwaffe at the ready to strike.

[AlbertN]

March / April 1942 - Barbarossa (South)

[AlbertN]

March / April 1942 - "Enhanced" Monroe Doctrine

The USA declared war on Perù too, preparing to invade it, as other units are getting ready to invade Colombia at Cartagena.

In the while General Clark is tasked to lead a mix of USA and Brazil forces deep into Argentina to conquer that country as well (and fuel more factories to USA war effort).

The USA aligned Mexico and Brazil both by now, and with the factories they produced, their production is 60 already.
In accord to the previous game though there was the realization that oil won't be enough if one wants to keep the production at 100% once there will be more aerial assets and ships operating around the world. Hence the campaign in the South America (at the cost of VPs but we're still to get to the endgame to see how badly the Axis gets trashed.)

[AlbertN]

End of March / April 1942 - When things do not go down to the plan.

Similarly to January & February, March & April was a very short turn - 4 impulses total, 2 per side.

Axis alinged Romania and Hungary only, but the worst is that their land forces managed only measly headstart in Soviet Russia - far from the prefixated objectives.
And the Luftwaffe is stuck behind - it will take a long, long time to send all the planes upfront.

In the Caucasus too the snow fell, and that made impossible to attack the defenders of the Turkish borderline. And now the Soviets have sent more troops there, planes, and can equally match the Germans in the sector.

[AlbertN]

End of March / April 1942 - "Enhanced Monroe Doctrine"

The Brazilians were more than happy to be backed up by the USA in their "scoring" the end of their ancient feud with Argentina.
The Brazilian army spearheads in the lands of Argentina, which helpless in its cause due to geographical factors, cannot really hope for German assistance. (Nonetheless, Germany is getting the production from Argentina).

The US forces are currently diverted in the South America - the premature end of the turn - as Peru mobilized quickly enough to prepare a weak defence to their capital; meanwhile Colombia has mobilized as well - and it seems the Panama expedition is settling by holding the oil resource but not proceeding to assault Bogotà until the US can spare troops.

For the time being the US are also neglecting land forces production and are expanding their navy and airforce at incredible pace.

[AlbertN]

End of March / April 1942 - Production & Other facts

In the Arabia Sea the RAF providing cover to the shipping to India suffered a first check - losing a Spitfire squadron against the might of the Japanese Zeros.
Ensured the air superiority with no losses the Japanese proceeded into sinking the CPs keeping the connection to India.

The Japanese Cruisers remained with the Condor, a Zero and the Regia Marina whole in the sea (at the 3 Box) meanwhile the rest of the Japanese (All carriers too) rebased to Singapore.
Japanese marines arrived in Birmania and Ceylon along with a garrison to protect the island.
What will be their next target? India? Seychelles themselves? A daring pointe to Diego Suarez (Thogh the presence of a 7-3 INF of UK in Diego Suarez does not greet an assault with high chances of success).

In the while - the Jul / Aug production and the one of Sept / Oct. As you can see the USA dominate already the screens!

[AlbertN]

End of March / April 1942 - More Production.

It seems both sides are doing a naval race somehow.
On an additional note - the German factory is a new one (The 3rd they'd get newly produced. Japan got 1 themselves already).
Also Japan has built a carrier ahead of time, it will get there in May / June '43 (In the Construction Pool, that's it).

Note: Meanwhile it could be interesting to see how it unfolds in a 2 players per side game, the more players are around the harder is to define working schedules for gaming. I like to think the Japan agreed to assist the Axis with securing the Arabian Sea, if the Axis were to produce ships to concern the W.Allies in the Atlantic as well to be relieved from some pressure later on. It can be a losing choice - but possibly fun. Sure by how things are turning out the Japan can as well have gains in India by now.

Note nr.2: I think the Allies are producing too few land units if any at all. That means for quite a while the Axis won't be troubled with an invasion in France or elsewhere. But from my past experience it is not too useful to invade with a measly force that cannot push. On the other hand I've seen lots of games where the Allies are pushing the Axis hard already in mid '42 with lots of USA and UK troops. I am not sure how they manage. Probably both me and my friend are somehow bound by historical knowledge and dates. But right now the UK and USA have very little ground forces.

[AlbertN]

May / June 1942 - Barbarossa

Being last impulse of the session - Axis won initiative and the Allies forfeit their reroll.

The Germans rushed in once the weather improved and the ground solidified rushed in, seizing at once Riga, Minsk, and Kiev.

Unless the rain hits, the Germans are well set for the follow up operations, exception made for the Luftwaffe that is straggling behind.

We started the Allied impulse, but halted at the land move due to the allotted time running out - the Soviets launched bombing missions to disrupt the Axis forces, but in Kiev sector the Luftwaffe repelled the attacks with their fighters; meanwhile in the Baku sector the VVS bombers proved not so successful, disrupting only 1 German unit in the mountains. (On a note, Germany managed to get 4 Corps adjacent to Turkey.)

The RAF established their Bomber Command - with their first LND4 - and proceeded to bomb Lille. The Luftwaffe scrambled to intercept, but the RAF escorts cleared through their bombers successfully. Though the lack of experience of the crews was felt, and the mission server the purpose to crater the landscape of France!

[AlbertN]

May / June 1942 - "Enhanced Monroe Doctrine".

Reaching Impulse #6 - Allied, the US Marines have seized Lima, the capital of Peru, with heavy aerial and naval support; subsequently rebased there 2 ATP and 2 TPS, used the ATP to reorganize the TPS in a Naval Impulse, and got ready to invade Chile as well - which is rich of resources!

The two US Marines Corps are ready now to land in the surprised Chile, the plan being to invade in the north and seize first the resources; and eventually get in the Pacific meanwhile subsidiary troops will move in to finish off Chile in due calm.

[AlbertN]

May / June 1942 - "Enhanced Monroe Doctrine".

In the while the US Army, alongside with their Brazilian allies slugged in Argentina, limiting their advance and waiting for overwhelming forces to trample the thin line of defenders.

For how long the Argentinian factories will be able to contribute to the Axis war effort?
My expectations this turn, if I am lucky, is the last one. But the railway can easily be severed to the resources.

Another puzzling thing is the Argentina Navy - which is German, and it's hard to move it away. A combined or super-combined impulse would be nice, it's a lot of BPs to save - but Barbarossa is hard pressing on the Germans admittedly, and Land Impulses are pratically a must. Hard choice there.

On a note about the Argentina Navy, USN Ranger, sailing under heavy escort at the Argentina shore launched a port strike, that thanksfully got only the BB Moreno with minor damage, forcing it in port for a month for repair (Disorganized).