MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR)

[Red Prince]

If I didn't have to begin with a CW Naval Action, I could rail the Cape Town MIL to Nyasaland, but that isn't an option. Instead, the Belgian Congo TERR will have to be sent to India (see next post).

[Red Prince]

Bombay, the destination for the Belgian Congo TERR . . . to replace the Indian INF unit that will use the Spanish TRS to get to the Red Sea. In a slightly risky maneuver, it will then be able to debark into Egypt (again, see next post), if/when one of the CW units vacates Suez. The risk isn't really too high, since it will need a Land or Combined Action, and in either case, Land Movement comes before you can Debark, so there will remain 2 units in Suez to defend it.

[Red Prince]

The situation in Egypt is dire, but not finished yet. Most of the units to the East of the canal are going to be needed to activate Iraq and conquer Syria. The 2 units shown in the insert, in Greece for the moment, can be brought over fairly safely by the 2 TRS in Bardia, giving Italy a somewhat dominating presence, but they'll still have to fight, and if I've learned anything, it's that anything can happen once the dice are rolled.

[Red Prince]

And here you can see that Southeast Asian and the Netherlands East Indies have adequate, though not outstanding, defenses already in place. These can either be reinforced or used as reinforcements, though most of the units will only be able to reinforce India. As for New Zealand and Australia . . . well, at this moment they have a single unit between them, but that can be fixed with Land Unit builds in the next turn or two.

[Red Prince]

I don't want to spend the time to build a collage, but there are also CW-controlled units in the Canary Islands, Spanish Sahara, the Cape Verde Islands, and Nigeria . . . these can all be used either to reinforce other areas ot to hold what they now have, letting the Americans bring in a few units closer to Invasion range when the time comes.

That about covers the CW land forces, though there is also a MIL in Delhi and a GARR in Calcutta.

The French have few units left. There is the CAV in Mogador, the Dakar MIL, and the 2 units in Madagascar (MIL and TERR). I've mentioned that there is a CBV glitch in the program which has caused me to use our testing tools to "place" units that should be free (noted for the MIL units in the End of Turn report). Well, I have noted that the Dakar MOT is assumed to have been built during the last Production cycle, meaning that it will enter the game at the start of J/F '41, but I'm also assuming that the Damascus CAV was not built. It would enter at the same time, but Syria has no chance of lasting that long. Better to wait until Syria is liberated and get it for free at that time . . . though it may take years.

[Red Prince]

Here's what the Japanese face near Kunming. If you are wondering why I placed a BP in such a risk location, it's because it was the safest place left for the Chinese, believe it or not. It should last until next turn (they hope), and if Sian somehow holds, it can be used to build something. If not, China may attempt to send it to the CW or France (though I thik the Burma Road closure is probably a 2-way thing). If that doesn't work, it can always spend it on a naval unit and hope it ends up in the hands of its Allies.

[Red Prince]

Sian, in my opinion, doesn't stand a chance of lasting the turn. I considered a variation on the proposal to put the incoming INF into Sining -- to try for Lanchow . . . the variation being to place it in Ankang. That would have cut supply to the Western forces, which are the larger part of the Japanese offensive, but I finally decided that supply could be regained without too much difficult. That would have left Sian even more vulnerable.

I think the worst thing that happened to the Communists last turn was the successful Ground Strike on Mao . . . which was a last minute decision, really. With Mao out of the picture, Communist mobility was seriously reduced.

I don't regret the decision to defend Sian instead of Lanchow. I still think that if I had attempted it, both cities would have met their ends last turn. At least Sian still has a chance to survive one more turn. If the Fine weather doesn't hold, it might even get into the new year, though that's doubtful. Japan can't afford to wait that long and would need to make low-odds attacks with its units to prevent that from happening.

[Red Prince]

And, now that Barbarossa is anticipated in the next 6-8 months, here's a look at the Finland situation. I've inserted the Murmansk area, too, which is why I'm curious if Mannerheim and some of his troops should head North for the winter or not. It may be more important to rail units from Spain first, but if there's time, it might be worthwhile to make an attempt at Murmansk in the winter.
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By the way, I have to apologize to Orm. He mentioned the CW landing and trying for Petsamo. I always get that confused with Ploesti (Rumanian Oil fields), so my response to his arguments was based on the wrong city.

[Red Prince]

My last image (I think) shows the Nazi-Soviet Pact border. I'm not trying to show individual units, because I haven't even started trying to position them on either side yet. What I have done is added some colored lines. I haven't yet looked up the AIO threads for either German Garrisons or Soviet defensive setups, but this is my first guess as to how things should look. Here's what the lines mean (and should not be taken as a hex-by-hex indication of where units should go):

The purple front lines represents the "speed bump" defenders, cheap units that are quick to build, that create irritating ZOC situations for the Germans.

The blue line represents the "primary front" defenders, the place where my strongest INF and some heavier divisions (particularly AT or AA) will try to make their stand. This is also where the Soviet FTR force should probably begin the war, since it is far enough from Stuka range, but close enough to defend important targets.

The yellow back line represents the "mobile" defenders, such as fast MOT, MECH and ARM units, which can be used for counter-strikes, as well as some of the slower HQs. This is also probably where my long-range LND should go, well out of the range of the German bomber and fighter forces.
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While I intend to spend part of today looking through the pages and pages of posts in the AIO threads, I'd appreciate any comments you have, particulary concerning when (based on relative garrison values or other factors) the Soviets should begin their retreat. Of course, if China surrenders and Japan is forced to DOW the USSR, this becomes less of an issue, but a smart Japanese player may be willing to endure a turn or even two turns of inconvenience . . . for a price [;)] . . . if it helps the overall Axis war effort.

So, here's what I've been talking about:

[Red Prince]

I actually have one more image, and this regards Orm's concerns about the Turkish threat. You might have noticed that I built 2 CP for the USSR last turn. Those are intended for the Caspian and Black Seas, for internal supply maintenance.

Once the Soviets decide it's time to get out of harm's way, they are going to end up outside of the 3-hex border anyway, so some units can be moved to the southern border, though it may weaken the fornt lines a bit.

This is what I'm thinking for a defense in this area; the colors mean basically the same as above:

The purple line indicates hexes where maybe 3 units could slow things down a bit.

The blue line is where I'll really need to defend, particularly in the 2 hexes with double lines. If I commit to defending the region, these two hexes will need strong double stacks to prevent the activation of Turkey.

The yellow line here represents 2-3 units that can provide either backup or defense, depending on what is needed and when. Ideally, they should include armor types, but that may be unrealistic.

To properly defend this border (assuming the Germans get there in time for the planned Barbarossa, I don't think anything less than 10 total units will suffice. That's quite a commitment. It is a catch 22 . . . These units may be required to keep Turkey from causing massive devestation in the region, but pulling them off the Polish border might weaken it enough that the Germans can plow through the defenses there.
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This may be the best argument for a Chinese surrender. A Japanese DOW on the CW or France means an almost instant entry into the war by the USA, but a Japanese DOW on the USSR means they can begin building lots of cheap MIL units before the Germans are ready to go to war . . . these units might even be enough to prevent a 1941 Barbarossa, for all I know . . .

It all depends on how desparate Japan is to remain in a state of war, and that means gambling on both sides.

Anyway, here's the concept I have in mind:

[Shannon V. OKeets]

ORIGINAL: Orm

It is time for CW to begin acting in stead of just reacting. Show us that you are as good and daring attacker with the CW as you are with Axis.

I just tried to say that you can't wait for all that wonderful sea lift before beginning to act on the offensive.The war in USSR might be over by then. You need to prepare for offence now.

Edit: At the moment there is small need for sea lift against Japan. Singapore has its defence already. Australia and India might need more units but you do not need sea lift to reinforce there. Only place that might require sea lift is to get a unit to Burma.

I disagree about having the CW attack everywhere. Driving the Italians out of east Africa I do agree with. But other than that, building strong defenses with land and air units is what I would do. Once a comfort level has been reached that there are not going to be any more invasions by the EuroAxis, then those units can be reassigned to offensive operations. That will probably not happen until after Barbarossa starts. It will be difficult for Germany to commit all the units that it wants into the attack on Russia and at the same time hold the enormous perimeter they have created.

Threatening to do stuff (like strategic bombing) is better than actually doing it. Make Germany keep a lot of fighters in Europe if you want to help out Russia. And only actually commit your strategic bombers when they can go in unopposed. The worst thing that can happen for the CW is to lose their best strategic bomber to a bad die roll. When well placed, a single bomber can threaten factories throughout Germany, France, and northern Italy.

[Shannon V. OKeets]

ORIGINAL: Red Prince

The situation in Egypt is dire, but not finished yet. Most of the units to the East of the canal are going to be needed to activate Iraq and conquer Syria. The 2 units shown in the insert, in Greece for the moment, can be brought over fairly safely by the 2 TRS in Bardia, giving Italy a somewhat dominating presence, but they'll still have to fight, and if I've learned anything, it's that anything can happen once the dice are rolled.

Move the 4-2 IND unit one hex west and all the Italian units south of that are OOS. If the Italian units in Transjordan come scrabbling back to attack Wavell, the French can advance and take Jaffa. I do realize this will have to wait until the next Allied impulse when land moves are available.[:(]

[composer99]

I agree with Steve: the CW does not yet have the forces to go on the attack on various fronts (especially since they are still on the defensive in their little Suez pocket).

Once the bulk of German armies have left Morocco and Spain for Poland, IMO the CW wants to have forces built up in the UK to invade in Spain to establish a nuisance toehold (with possible expansion once the US is in) and forces building up in Spanish Sahara & the Canary Islands to push back in Morocco (again, with US help in all likelihood).

I also recommend the CW sending a small force of real (non-TERR) units to crush the roving Italian TERR in southeast Africa. CW TERR can then march up East Africa while the CW lands in Anglo-Egypt Sudan (preferably relocating Wavell there as well) and builds up to push back into Egypt.

[Centuur]

Don't even think about surrendering China in 1940 [;)]. If the Japanese conquer China: fine.

Second: the USSR border is looking good until the last turn of 1940 starts. From that turn onwards: sorry Commies: no movements for your units, I need to look at myself... Signed: Uncle Joe.
Starting that turn, you should start moving units away from the border, starting with the precious HQ's and expensive aircraft and MECH/ARM units. If possible: try to screen Odessa in Bessarabia with the goal of getting that factory railmoved out of the place in the first allied impulse of the war (this means defending with double stacks, and that might become difficult).
If Mannerheim opts for a capture of Murmansk, rail another unit to Murmansk and double stack the place. Double stack always in USSR cities with cheap INF units. Retreat the GAR near Leningrad into the city and get that INF out of Hangö to the USSR.
Double stacks in Riga, Kaunas, Vilna and Minsk are difficult to put out of supply (since the ZOC's there will mean the German Panzers cannot move past those cities). A speed bump in Brest Litovsk or Lvov is useless IMHO, since a ground strike in the surprise impulse will disorganise the defenders. Movement of Euroaxis units will than put the defenders out of supply and with only 2 defense points, they will die without doing a lot of good. A defense of the Carpathian mountains is also not advisable (yes, I now, it's double defense points), because of the fact that the Axis can affort to bypass these units, which than means they are out of the action. Also, a double stack in Cernauti might look nice, I usually give it up, in favour of defending further backwards at the Dnjepr river. Only if the USSR has got some land units to spare, I would put a double stack in the place.
I would suggest defending in the Persian/Iraq border mountains and not in the USSR itself. There are only Italian units now at that front and at least 2 Axis HQ's will be needed in the Syrian desert to keep Axis units in Iraq in supply. It isn't that easy to fight through the mountains there towards Teheran and the Turkish-USSR border. 2 double stacks in the Persian mountains with an Russian HQ (Zhukov, I would prefer him to be in Persia) to provide supply should do the trick.
Now: I hear you say: "that's 24 INF/CAV type units you are talking about on the Western European border and in Persia"... Yes it is: so build INF/CAV type units and the coming HQ from now on by the USSR, and nothing else, untill it looks like the USSR can affort it (and believe me, it will take a long time, before you are going to put an MECH or ARM on the spiral for the USSR). Never, use a MECH or ARM for a speedbump. Even with the reserves you are getting (and look closely where they appear, don't make the mistake of having a double stack somewhere, so you can't place a reserve), you should have this kind of a defense in place in M/A next year at the latest...
This is my advice on the defense of the USSR. Preparations should start about... now...

[Orm]

Regardless that CW is to weak to go on the offensive now CW will need to make something in a few turns when Germany is aiming to conquer USSR. Unless CW (and USA) manage to distract the Axis by making some noise then USSR will fold like a badly built gingerbread house in a storm. And the units needed to do that needs to be built now. Territorials to stop the conquest of Africa by a couple of Italian territorials is not going to bother Germany one bit.

[Red Prince]

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets

ORIGINAL: Red Prince

The situation in Egypt is dire, but not finished yet. Most of the units to the East of the canal are going to be needed to activate Iraq and conquer Syria. The 2 units shown in the insert, in Greece for the moment, can be brought over fairly safely by the 2 TRS in Bardia, giving Italy a somewhat dominating presence, but they'll still have to fight, and if I've learned anything, it's that anything can happen once the dice are rolled.

Move the 4-2 IND unit one hex west and all the Italian units south of that are OOS. If the Italian units in Transjordan come scrabbling back to attack Wavell, the French can advance and take Jaffa. I do realize this will have to wait until the next Allied impulse when land moves are available.[:(]

That's the general idea. But the troops won't be coming back for Wavell, since he'll then have another INF stacked with him. This is the hope for the CW, that they can keep bringing in just enough units to prevent Italy from mounting a strong attack.

I haven't yet decided if Italy will need a Land, Naval or Combined Action to start with. It probably will be Land or Combined, since half the Italian navy was not able to reorganize. Too much Oil was needed, and Italy used up all of its navy in the Gibraltar and Egypt attacks, disorganizing practically everyone. The Combined Action would let the Italians load the TRS with 2 units, plus block the 4-2 unit from ZOCing the supply lines. The Land Action is probably less likely, since S/O should give this region pretty good weather most of the turn, and that means more time to get the job done here.

[Centuur]

On the CW issue: I would suggest rebuilding Gort next turn (an HQ is always important). Also: I would wait and see what the Germans will do in regard of the French still being in Morocco. In Egypt: it sure looks like a nice move with that MIL, however: Wavell is going to get attacked with a 3-1 against him, if the Italians use the airplanes in ground support, together with the MECH and the HQ stack. And that's not so very nice, IMHO. No: keep that double stack in place, blocking Italian access to the Red Sea for the moment.

I agree with Steve that the only place the CW can start going on the offense is East Africa. I would suggest the TRS of the HQ in Britain, together with the MECH and some INF towards that area. Together with some TERR already in the area, you get a force of about 5 units, who should be able to eliminate those few nasty Italian TERR and can than start moving north.

[Red Prince]

ORIGINAL: Centuur

On the CW issue: I would suggest rebuilding Gort next turn (an HQ is always important). Also: I would wait and see what the Germans will do in regard of the French still being in Morocco. In Egypt: it sure looks like a nice move with that MIL, however: Wavell is going to get attacked with a 3-1 against him, if the Italians use the airplanes in ground support, together with the MECH and the HQ stack. And that's not so very nice, IMHO. No: keep that double stack in place, blocking Italian access to the Red Sea for the moment.

I agree with Steve that the only place the CW can start going on the offense is East Africa. I would suggest the TRS of the HQ in Britain, together with the MECH and some INF towards that area. Together with some TERR already in the area, you get a force of about 5 units, who should be able to eliminate those few nasty Italian TERR and can than start moving north.

The 3rd impulse (Allied) will allow the 4-2 to move to another hex (probably southeast) AND have a reinforcement debark into Suez. With so much of the fleet in Aden, I can spare a few of those units to provide them with Defensive Shore Bombardment. I took Steve's advice a few pages ago to heart. Make the Italians work to win Egypt . . . or Suez, at least.

The only problem here is that the Italians, if they wish, can reinstate supply to any units along the Red Sea, by flying the NAV out there. Unless the CW commits a lot of AA factors, it's unlikely to get aborted. There are 2 TERR units in the Horn of Africa at the moment that would benfit from this. I also intend to build more TERR units with Italy, along with ship repairs each turn. Italy knows the CW can easily start taking back Africa, and the more "speed bump" TERR it puts in the way, the better off it will be.

If Italy does manage to take Suez, which is looking more difficult now, then the CW might have a problem with an East Africa attack. They could get bogged down, and Italy would be fine if that happened anywhere short of Eritrea and/or Somaliland.

The problem with sending the HQ from the UK to S. Africa is that I may need him to reorganize as many as 8 Convoys . . . if I want to reset my pipelines this turn. I'm not going to start playing this turn for a day or two, because I want to really examine the map to see what is possible, when it is possible, and what should be the priorities here.

[Centuur]

ORIGINAL: Orm

Regardless that CW is to weak to go on the offensive now CW will need to make something in a few turns when Germany is aiming to conquer USSR. Unless CW (and USA) manage to distract the Axis by making some noise then USSR will fold like a badly built gingerbread house in a storm. And the units needed to do that needs to be built now. Territorials to stop the conquest of Africa by a couple of Italian territorials is not going to bother Germany one bit.

True. However the CW can't affort to let those TERR to continue grabbing nations in Africa. They should be stopped. Also: what if the Axis suddenly decide on invading the UK? They are capable of putting 5 corps into the place if they are really lucky. First things first: if the German airforce, the PARA and the Italian TRS aren't in a position for a Sealion end of this turn, the CW can look at building another strategic bomber this turn, together with some FTR2 two turns later, to keep the Axis FTR's in Western Europe next spring. Also: are there enough convoy points available to the CW? He should aim for putting a line in place towards Murmansk in the USSR, because the USSR should rail one or two factories there for the resources the CW is going to lend to them. I would suggest building some convoys this turn, since they take 4 turns to arrive and that's about the time the USSR will be at war.

[Centuur]

Also: I noticed that the CW units in Singapore aren't in a double stack. Put those two units together in Singapore. Single stacks are quite vulnerable in this game (as you should know by now). And how is the Indian - Burmese - Chinese border looking? There might be a Japanese invasion coming from China along the Birma road, if Kunming falls. Units are needed there in the mountains. If there isn't anyone there now, I might be tempted as the Japanese to start walking towards Calcutta if I go to war with the USA anyhow...
Did anyone say it's time for the CW to start looking at some offensive capabilities? [8|]