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Ah, yet another AAR.

You're right, of course. Oh, and it's a solo one, too. You could have easily done yourself.

Still, there is a chance this might be a good one. And wait, it says 1948! Does it mean, this AAR might actually go all the way? Why, now that you ask, it just might.

Still, this is a one-man band. And as such, it might be bland at times; unless you, my mysterious reader, are willing to offer a crazy suggestion or two; why, those are always cordially welcome.

But for now, sit down, sit down and relax; this is going to be a steady journey, one full of history, of thoughts, hopes, and ideas.

For this is a story of a true total war. With every optional rule in play (save for Blitz bonus, as it can't mix with 2D10). And with no holds barred. A story where units will be hardened, and some names may possibly change to their real counterparts; where the craziest ideas are likely to be realized; where "what if" might just get pushed to the possible limit...

Strap on.

Off we go...

US Setup: Pretty basic, except for an extra CP in Bering Sea. The pre-war goal is to establish Dutch Harbor up north and Pago Pago in the south as mixed sub- and fast-CL/CA bases for quick supply line disruption.

USSR Setup: All Asian units are lined up as far west as possible, with the intent to use them in the wars against Finland and Rumania.

Italy Setup: After a lot of thinking, I had to abandon the idea of Indian Ocean raiding by Italy; instead, Italian might is concentrated around Alps. I would have loved to know the logistics in making that possible; I just don't see them right now.

Nationalist China setup: A pretty conservative lineup, with a heavy garrison in Kaifeng, a small one just against Canton and Hainan, and a cavalry army NW of Wuhan - essentially, everything is about drawing away IJN forces along the most possibly wide front.

Interlude, the scrapped lists so far are quite aggressive, assuming no older units would be needed.

Communist China setup: Quite an aggressive one, assuming an ability to attack IJA right from the start.

Commonwealth setup: An INF in Singapore, a split INF to cover Gibraltar and Malta, most UK-based units pre-staged in Plymouth (for French deployment) and Liverpool (just in case). Convoys are primarily based to capture African resources; Venezuelan and DEI ones are set to save.

French setup: Essentially all along the border, the strongest units up north, and with the fleet towards the south.

Japanese setup: All ships in Tokyo, except for transports; most of the land force in the northern China - against the communist Chinese, with only holding forces towards the South.

Interlude, Central powers are quite aggressive in their scrap lists as well.

German setup: Everyone against Poland except a single Pz Destroyer gearing to take over Denmark

Germany declares war, and Poland sets up in a defensive fashion, aiming at least to save two pilots for the Commonwealth.

Axis Impulse #1, North China:

Japanese forces are starting to envelop Chengchow, wisely protected by two CHI garrisons and an anti-tank unit.

IJA command is demanding to know how did a "deploy anywhere" 6-3 IJA INF ended up back in the homeland rather than on the frontlines.

Sep/Oct 1939, Axis Impulse #1, Eastern Europe:

Not the best start for the campaign, as carpet bombing on Warsaw fails, and ground strikes only disable 2 units out of 3, but it's better than nothing. Germans prepare to encircle Polish units one by one.

Sep/Oct 1939, Axis Impulse #1, Land combat resolution:

Fortunately, all three assaults go through without a single German loss.

Looking forward to the aar.

ORIGINAL: anarchyintheuk
Looking forward to the aar.

Thank you, I'm looking forward to not disappointing the readers

Sep/Oct 1939, Allied Impulse #2, Naval movement:

Commonwealth engages in a major naval reshuffle. Essentially, the goal is to concentrate all range 6 CL and CAs in United Kingdom, with a mix of 5-5, 5-4, and 6-4s in Gibraltar. The bulk of range 4 battleships, originally set up in Egypt, starts their slow trek to Singapore; Hood and a handful of move 5s stay in UK. It's a mess on the high seas, but a calculated one, half-designed to either trigger Italy or Japan into declaring an early war, or to slow down Germany in Poland.

USA is going to do the opposite; all the fast movers - to the West Coast and eventually to Dutch Harbor and Pago Pago, with all the slower ships staying east.

Sep/Oct 1939, Allied Impulse #2, Naval movement:

The Queens are going to be a major workhorse in this campaign, constantly shuffling territorials to beef up garrisons. South African units arrive in India to buffer against possible partisans; in the background, Nigerian territorials arrive in Gibraltar.

Sep/Oct 1939, Allied Impulse #2, Strategic Bombing:

Both CW and France go all out for the strategic bombing, using the element of surprise.

Each raid costs Germany a single build point (and thus, the chance to build both synthetic oil plants right off the bat).

CAPs were in place, but you know how those surprise war declarations go...