Matrix Games Forums

Right so my previous attempt having come to an unfortunate end, lets try another one.

Optional Rules I am going to dispense with:

Synthetic Oil Plants
Fortifications
2D10 Land CRT
Carpet Bombing
Limited Overseas Supply
Limited Supply Across Straits
Oil Rules
Saving Oil Resources & Build Points
Food In Flames
Extended Game Length

Sep/Oct 1939

No Lend Lease

US Entry

Three Ge/It chits picked

Sep/Oct 1939

Scrap Units

The US scrap all aircraft inc carrier air, one low range AMPH and one low range TRS.

The Entire Pacific Fleet goes into San Diego with 2 x TRS and 2 x Subs
Because there is a while to go to entry of war I leave the carrier planes off for now. I can add these nearer the time so I have more idea of who has what.

The Entire Atlantic Fleet goes to New York

Sep/Oct 1939

Scrap Units

USSR: I scrap the 2 and 3 quality I-5 and I-15 plus the worst Transport. I dot the land units liberally around to give me something to move!

Italy: I scrap nothing. The fleet goes into La Spezia and the bulk of the land units are set up to menace the French.

China: I scrap nothing

CW: I scrap the Anson + the 0 Quality carrier air fighters.

France: I scrap the carrier air only

Japan: I only scrap the weakest 0 Quality fighter. As with the Americans, so I leave the carrier air for now - placing all planes on land, and will build up as war proceeds.

Germany: The three weak fighters are scrapped

Sep/Oct 1939
Weather and Initiative

The weather is fine everywhere [8D]
The Axis have the initiative [:(]
Hitler is feeling excited, if a little nervous [8|]
Chamberlain and Daladier are wishing they could have been born at some other time in history [:D]

Meanwhile, in Poland, the country are bracing themselves for war. Marshall Smigly-Ridz is quietly confident: "Don't worry lads, we've only got to hold the boche for a few weeks and our Western Allies will come and save us....."

Sep/Oct 1939
DOW: US Entry

Oooh I say, that was unexpected! - The Germans have declared war on the Poles

Apparently it was all the Poles fault.... they started it by being beastly to the Germans.

Our friends from across the pond are not impressed with that old cobblers - and the US Entry chart takes a notch north - 17 for the Germans/Italians and 6 for the Japanese.

The Poles align with the Commonwealth and prepare to set up...

Sep/Oct 1939
Impulse: 1

The Poles set up - and purposely try and keep their aircraft out so that the CW can get the pilots. The two Polish units in the south are in cities to try and slow the German up and force him to use the Assault table.

Sep/Oct 1939
Impulse: 1

The Luftwaffe send in four aircraft to try and ground strike the surprised Polish forces in and around Warsaw.

Sep/Oct 1939
Impulse: 1

Importantly, the Polish HQ is disorganised in the very first strike - great start for the Germans!

Sep/Oct 1939
Impulse: 1

The Panzers (and horses) roll east - a German Infantry Corps heads for Danzig and then Gydnia to capture the Polish Navy.

A roll of 9 means the destroyer flotilla survives to fight another day alongside the Royal Navy, while a 5 means the same for the merchant navy unit too [:)]

Sep/Oct 1939
Impulse: 1

...onto land combat.

The Germans go for 4 attacks in order to wrap this up quickly. Lodz, the Polish HQ, Katowice and Krakow will be the targets.

Sep/Oct 1939
Impulse: 1

No HQ support is provided, but two bombers attempt to make the attack on Rydz a formality...

The first attack is against Lodz. The Poles choose the Assault table and....

....its a 9. No losses for the Germans and both Poles destroyed.

Sep/Oct 1939
Impulse: 1

The Polish HQ is next - and is quickly despatched. This was not a good Polish set up me thinks - although every ground strike working helps too of course!

Sep/Oct 1939
Impulse: 1

Further south, in Katowice, the Polish Tarnow Cavalry tries valiantly to defend the city against General von Leeb and his 5th Motorised Corps. The Poles choose the Assault table, but even a roll of 8 will not help them at these odds...

Sep/Oct 1939
Impulse: 1

In nearby Krakow, a mixture of Motorised, Infantry and Mountain troops assault the town. AAARRRGGGHHH!!!! exclaims Adolf. I knew it was too good to last! The Germans roll a 1. The Polish Modlin Army is destroyed, but takes an Artillery and an Infantry Corps with it.

Sep/Oct 1939
Impulse: 1

Runstedt uses his reorganisation skills to bring a Stuka and Bf-110 back in play to for the next impulse - the fall of Warsaw should be a formality.

Sep/Oct 1939
Impulse: 2

CW and France declare war on Germany!!!

The Americans did not take too kindly to the western Allies choosing to get involved though, and US Entry slips back a tad to 11.

The Germans decide to call the reserves out.

Sep/Oct 1939
Impulse: 2

The CW and French do the same - suddenly the French line looks at least a little healthier!!

Sep/Oct 1939
Impulse: 2

The RN put to sea to escort the British Expeditionary Force to France.

Sep/Oct 1939
Impulse: 2

A Hampden flies long-range to Hamburg to try and smack-up a few factories and succeeds in destroying one production point.