1939 World at War Allies (warspite1) vs Axis (AI)

[warspite1]

Having played a couple of games of the European game a couple of years or so ago, I thought I would give this game a try. Playing the whole war appeals. As usual it will be a case of just getting stuck in and seeing what happens.

As is my weapon of choice I will play as the Allies and will manually control all nations.


Nice splash screen (I think they are called) boys

[warspite1]

Playing smaller scenarios holds no interest. I see there are two 1939 Campaigns and not sure what exactly the difference is (the Race to Victory blurb states more restrictive victory conditions) so I'll stick to the first on the list and see how that goes.

[warspite1]

These are the Victory Conditions for this scenario. So basically as the Allies I have to take Berlin, Rome and Tokyo (and take Seoul) while keeping/regaining London, Paris, Moscow, Washington, Chunking and Delhi under my control.

[warspite1]

I can't think who the Allied power is on the extreme right but I'm sure it will become clear.

I make no changes to the settings that are shown for Difficulty and Computer Bonuses. I will stick - for better or worse - with Intermediate for difficulty.

[warspite1]

The next screen allows me to choose unit view. This is obviously personal preference but for me its NATO counters or nothing.

Other options chosen:

Fog of War (self-explanatory)
Weather - The map is divided into various weather zones and weather can change in each zone. Sounds reasonable.
Undo Moves - I will keep on as its my first time - but will try and not use it.
Retreats - allows low strength units to retreat when attacked - sounds realistic.

[warspite1]

I don't change the Advanced settings except the National Morale Bars and the Escort Range Highlights. I don't see why I wouldn't want maximum info as I'm new to the game so I tick these.

I leave Soft Builds unticked. Soft builds allow flexible build limits so that 'what-ifs' can be explored. I don't see the need for this in a first game.

[warspite1]

Turn 1 - 1st September 1939

Well that's a bit of a shocker. The Germans have attacked Poland.

[warspite1]

Turn 1 - 1st September 1939

Surrounded on three sides by the Germans, the Poles - needing to gain time for their mobilisation to be completed, and in order to protect their industry, are strung out along the border with a distinct lack of reserves. One of the Polish Armies has gone walkabout but the six armies available are supported by 3 Cavalry Brigades, an infantry corps and a Garrison unit. No aircraft or ships that I can see.


Okay boys - just have to sit tight and wait for the British and French to attack in the west.....

[warspite1]

Turn 1 - 1st September 1939

Meanwhile in China I have the following forces opposing the Japanese. I don't know if this is all my forces (this is the Axis view of the first turn so there may be more units hidden by FOW).

I have (from north to south):
1 army and 1 corps around Paotow
3 armies and 2 corps around Chengchow
2 armies and a corps around Ichang
1 army and 3 corps around Changsha
2 Corps guarding the south against any incursion from the coastal region

[warspite1]

Turn 1 - 1st September 1939

Grim!!

[warspite1]

Turn 1 - 1st September 1939

I'll have to read up on the Chinese Communists as there is a large area around Yenan that is seemingly a no go area.

The Japanese don't appear to have made too much ground here - except in the south which I will need to reinforce.

[warspite1]

Turn 2 - 15th September 1939

A summary of the combat losses (above) is shown below. There is much gnashing of teeth in the corridors of power but the Aussies and South Africans don't want to play it seems....

[warspite1]

Turn 2 - 15th September 1939

The UK have a decision to make. I am asked if I want to send the British Expeditionary Force to France.

The consequences of not doing so makes this a bit of a no-brainer.

[warspite1]

Turn 2 - 15th September 1939

The Soviets are asked if they want to advance into Poland as per the secret protocol of the Nazi-Soviet Pact.

I say Yes. This is historical and so I agree to this without really worrying about what the consequences of a No decision would be.

[budd]

AAAAA....A warspite special

[warspite1]

Turn 2 - 15th September 1939

So what is the state of play chez Poland after the mauling by the Germans?

I have 25 Military Production Points (MPP). What can I do with these?

There is a button in the interface that states Hide/Show Reinforceable Units. When I click on this some of the strength numbers turn green. I right click on the Karpaty Army but the reinforce button is greyed out. That is because I just moved this army into the old fortress of Przemysl. I need to think carefully about what I am to reinforce and what I need to move.

As for building units, there is not much I can do. I can build a cavalry brigade but this does not become available until the end of October. Call me old fashioned but I don't think Poland is going to last that long....

[warspite1]

Turn 2 - 15th September 1939

I spend 12 MPP each on the Lodz Army and the mechanised corps to increase their strength by 1 point each.

[warspite1]

Turn 2 - 15th September 1939

To China now and I have 120MPP to play with. Now I am hoping the Chinese will be around for a while so I think I had better think about Research. Sadly however I don't seem to have enough MPP. I will therefore need to be selective about my reinforcements/build so I can save MPP for Research in later turns.

However, my plan to save significant MPP comes to nothing after I reinforce all units engaged with the enemy. My saving comes to just 7MPP. I will need to do better....


China (Centre-South)

[warspite1]

Turn 2 - 15th September 1939

Apart from the reinforcements mentioned, I make no moves in the north. Don't yet know what the ChiComms are all about but I'll worry about that later.

I make no attacks anywhere. I figure the Chinese is all about survival.


China (Centre-North)

[warspite1]

Turn 2 - 15th September 1939

The US have 35MPP - I'll ignore them for the moment.

That other Allied flag that I did not recognise appears to represent India. India has 100 MPP but I don't think is at war yet? If not that seems odd as the British Government declared her at war on her behalf. I'll ignore them too for the present.

The Soviet Union has 75MPP so again, not much to do here.

The French look so weak. But with 75MPP I decide to do nothing except reinforce 3rd and 9th Armies with a point each. I save 51MPP.

The British and French put some destroyers onto the convoy routes - otherwise its another quiet one. The British have 125MPP but again this is too small to get Research started.