A World at War Tournament, World Boardgaming Championship, 2010

Introduction ...... 2 Overview ...... 2 Plaque Winners ...... 2 Game Summary ...... 3 Detailed Game Descriptions ...... 4 Game 1 ...... 4 Game 2 ...... 9 Game 3 ...... 18 Game 4 ...... 25 Game 5 ...... 31 Game 6 ...... 44

1 A World at War Tournament German advanced submarines. Nuclear strategies were more varied than usual, with World Boardgaming one game not producing atomic bombs at Championships all, and several games producing large numbers of bombs, most of which were used 2010 tactically. The new rules regarding By Mike Crowe submarine warfare generally worked, but they need further tweaking. The new rule for and Gamemaster Paul Milne ground attacks on fortified cities and islands, Proofread and final edit by Tim which guaranteed some losses for the Schroder attacker, worked very well. As usual, play revealed several areas where Introduction rule changes were needed. The first was in Russia, where standard play had been for the This document provides a complete report Russians to run away in the Summer turn, on the A World at War tournament at the instead of defending as they historically did. 2010 World Boardgaming Championships, Penalties were added if the Russians allow held August 2-8, 2010 in Lancaster, PA. It key objectives to be captured without a begins with an overview of the tournament fight. The second area was regarding Italian and the plaque winners. It provides a table forces, which defended in mid-war much summarizing the results of each match. And more effectively than they did historically. it provides a complete description of each Consequently, the Italians almost never match, written by the participants. surrendered in fall 1943, as they actually did. New rules now weaken the Italians after Overview they have been pushed out of Africa, and A World at War attracted its largest number also prevent the fortifying of Italy before its of players ever: 25. This allowed for six full surrender. In submarine warfare, the campaign games, also the most ever. A research rules have been modified to prevent couple of new players joined the grueling the large imbalances that had been six-day, 60-plus-hour event. The game experienced in the Battle of the Atlantic. always attracts a lot of observers, and this year new table markers were added Plaque Winners indicating the time frame and turn for each 1st - Bruce Harper 4th - Elihu Feustal game. This allowed spectators to easily tell (Best Overall) (Best Axis, Pacific) at a glance how each game compared to historical results. Two of the games were 2nd - Jon Hogen 5th - Randy Scheers very decisive Axis victories, two were (Best Axis, Europe) (Best Allies, Europe) Allied victories, and two were very close 3rd - Paul Milne 6th - Vic Hogen Axis victories. Most games generally (Best Allies, Pacific) followed the historical pattern of attacking France, followed by a Barbarossa attack. However, there were some unusual twists, including a Russian attack on Japan in Manchuria, an aggressive Mediterranean campaign along with Barbarossa, and several games that had great success with

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Game Summary Axis Allies Axis Allied Europe Pacific Game Strategy Atomics End End Result 1. Bruce Harper Randy Scheers Su’41 East Above Fa’45 Fa’45 Axis Elihu Feustal Chris Goldfarb Wi’41 Pac average (+1) (0) (+1) [actual] [actual] [actual] 2. Jon Hogen Don Stanley Sp’41 Spain Above Sp’45 Sp’46 Axis Ken Cruz Rob Carl Su’41 East average (-2) (+3) (+1) Ed Schoenfeld Sp’42 Pac [actual] [actual] [actual] 3. Jim Sparks AJ Johnson Su’41 East Unknown Wi’46 Wi’46 Axis Nick Szulczewski Chris Collins Su’41 Pac (+6) (+5) (+11) [est.] [est.] [est.] 4. Vic Hogen Kevin Milne Su’41 East None Su’45 Wi’44 Allied Joe Brophy Paul Milne Su’41 Pac (0) (-3) (-3) [est.] [actual] [est.] 5. Jason Moore Stephen Erikson Su’41 East Abandoned Sp’45 Sp’45 Allied Brian Conway Greg Wilson Su’41 Pac (-1) (-2) (-3) [est.] [est.] [est.] 6. Jeff Mathis Jerry Smolens Su’41 East Unknown Sp’46 Fa’45 Axis Fred Ehler Jeremy Vipperman Fa’41 Pac (+6) (0) (+6) [est.] [est.] [est.]

3 Randy: I'm not sure why Bruce chose to Detailed Game Descriptions attack in Winter. Additional comments provided for each Bruce: Because one of the main reasons game by Mike Crowe. that Germany waits is so that it doesn’t trigger Anglo-French cooperation too Game 1 early. The other factor is that the mining of the Norwegian waters costs Germany European Axis: Bruce Harper five BRPs of builds in Winter 1939; but if Japan: Elihu Feustel Germany attacks, it doesn’t have enough Allies Europe: Randy Scheers BRPs to build up to its construction limit Allies Pacific: Chris Goldfarb in Winter 1939 anyway, so the reduction European Result: Fall 1945 (+1) from Norway doesn’t matter. Pacific Result: Fall 1945 (0) So the Winter 1939 attack was quite logical, and shouldn’t have surprised the Overall Result: Axis (+1) Allies, since they provoked it; there were Game narrative provided by Randy Scheers fewer negatives to the Winter 1939 attack and Elihu Feustal. Additional comments by and the positives still remained. But from Bruce Harper. now on, I will always build the German air force in Fall 1939, because it can Japanese Strategy: My focus during always be used in Winter 1939, whereas mobilizations will be economic growth. I the armor may not be useful, and you plan to mobilize in Fall and Winter 1940. To always want to be as ready as possible for keep tensions low, I won’t increase SBP weird situations like this one. until Winter 1941 (with production). Japan will mobilize more army air, and fewer 1939 Winter Allies: The Allies advance in ground units, than normal (no armor or North Africa, but Russia declines a Winter SBP). This should allow me to build up my War with Finland. carrier force and build forts each turn from Mike: This has become standard practice 1942 onward. I will add two extra transports for most Russian players. In this game it and as much ASW as possible. also avoided a German diplomatic roll for 1939 Fall Axis: Poland falls with medium Norway in Spring 1940 with a +3 losses. Germany declines to raid with its modifier. pocket battleships so it can have 50 BRPs Bruce: The Finnish rules were finally for builds in Winter cleaned up after the 2010 convention, Bruce: Actually because Germany wanted thank goodness. to build up its fleet and didn’t want to start 1940 Spring Axis: Germany attacks into the game off by losing several PBs ... France and is poised to take Paris in the 1939 Fall Allies: In response, Britain mines Summer. The invasion of Norway is the Norwegian waters. Britain also postponed. announces full cooperation with France. 1940 Spring Allies: The Allies deliberately 1939 Winter Axis: The reaction roll for tempt the Germans to invade Britain. Norway yields nothing. This infuriates the Bruce: LOL! Well, I thought it was just a Fuhrer, who attacks the Lowlands and blunder, which goes to show you how convinces Italy to attack too. As a side effect differently people look at the game! I can of the Italian declaration of war, they vacate resist anything but temptation ... eastern Libya as indefensible.

4 1940 Summer Axis: With France in trouble, Allies, with only six transports sunk through Germany invades Britain in order to try to the end of the year. punish the British for defending the beach 1941 Summer Axis: Germany calls Norway hex east of Portsmouth with only a single with four DPs, and rolls a ‘1’! factor. This delays the attack on Paris. Mike: I really hate it when this happens to 1940 Fall Axis: The Germans take me! Portsmouth, and things look promising. Bruce : Me too! It wasn’t easy to keep France surrenders, with a pro-Allied playing at this point, although the Axis surrender level of -3. Despite this, all of the had had some good research rolls, and French colonies go Vichy. that gave them some hope. 1940 Fall Allies: A lucky six on an 11+ The usual mauling of the Russian army attrition roll at -1 forces the Germans to ensues. eliminate the Italian armor in Portsmouth in order to keep Britain from retaking the port. 1941 Fall Axis: Dnepropetrovsk falls. But it also allows Britain to fortify London. Bruce: In this and several other games, Britain gets to the outskirts of Tripoli. the Russians ran away in Summer 1941, Bruce: Without this attrition roll, the so the Axis just attritioned in Fall 1941. It Allies would have been in a lot of trouble; was recognized by all that this had Germany would have been ashore in become the standard defense for Russia, Britain in force in Winter 1940. A five out and that it was so ahistorical that it of six chance to win early is pretty good revealed a serious flaw in the rules. That odds, but now the Axis have to try to win flaw has since been corrected, and future all over again. The German submarine Russian campaigns promise to be more campaign was absolutely horrible in this interesting and exciting, even in 1941. game (this led to some rule refinements), 1941 Winter Axis: The Germans manage to as noted below, so Britain could already take Leningrad, as the Russians elect to push breathe easily. German units away from Kharkov, in order Mike: A World at War has introduced to strengthen their position in the south. cumulative negative feedback modifiers Bruce: I thought this was a mistake that let into all projects that can achieve multiple the Axis back in the game. Had the results. This affects air range and radar Russians kept the Axis one hex from research now, as well as torpedoes and Leningrad, they would have had a good ASW technology. The overall effect is to position. further dampen the probability of a second Japan did a standard Winter 1941 attack. result too soon after an initial result, Japan’s focus during mobilizations was which could result in an unbalancing economic growth, mobilizing in Fall and advantage for one side or the other. Winter ‘40. To keep tensions low, Japan 1941 Spring Axis: Germany abandons the didn’t increase SBP until Winter 1941 (with invasion and prepares for Barbarossa. This production). Japan mobilized more army air, is the end of Sea Lion in this game. Norway and less ground than normal (no armor or and Denmark remain neutral. SBP). Japan has a moderate Pearl Harbor 1941 Spring Allies: The British retreat as attack achieved moderate results, German units start arriving in North Africa. eliminating one BB3 and sinking three The Battle of the Atlantic heavily favors the others in port. Mike: No second strike?

5 Bruce: Not with every American carrier in the Mediterranean. Allied aid via unaccounted for! Murmansk is also shut down. Mike: Apparently the low tension Japan takes Midway, and has enough island Japanese mobilization strategy didn’t pay groups to collect a resistance point per turn the hoped-for dividends at Pearl Harbor! for the next seven turns. Britain defends Manila and Singapore 1943 Spring-Winter Axis: In Russia the heavily, as Japan has only nine air factors Germans have to decide between a static for attacks and overruns. Japan attacks defense and a “Citadel” counter-attack. conservatively with 3:1s and has almost no Figuring that if it worked for Adolf it must losses. Japan lays down several carriers in work now, the Germans attack and chaos Winter 1941. ensues for much of the year. The Germans 1942 Spring Axis: Germany declares war manage to achieve their goal of a dynamic on the United States, following another equilibrium, although by the end of the year diplomatic failure (this time in Vichy). the Russian steamroller is gearing up. The Germany takes Malta, Denmark, and Western Allies make progress in the Norway. Mediterranean, as North Africa falls and Japan builds two extra transports and ASW, Malta is retaken. and begins building one fort per turn. Bruce: The German Summer 1943 attack Offensively, Japan focuses on taking Pacific didn’t do much better than the historical islands. Kursk offensive, but the Russians overextended in their counterattack and 1942 Summer-Winter Axis: In Russia, Germany managed to eliminate four Germany tries to roll up the Russian line Russian armor units with a Fall 1943 from the north, but the Russians are just too attrition, so the end result for the Axis was strong. Moscow is nearly encircled but as good as, if not better than, what they holds. Kharkov falls and the year ends with would have achieved with a purely the Axis gaining some maneuvering room, defensive approach. but Russia holding strong. Bruce: This game, and several others at One consequence of the Japanese the convention, made it clear that Russia mobilization plan (combining growth with rebounds too quickly for 1942 to be low tensions for the surprise attack) is that interesting. Despite having lost Leningrad Japan only had six shipbuilding points and in 1941, Russia was in absolutely no could only build three lights. This isn’t a danger in this game and the best the Axis real problem though, as Japan will be able to could do in Russia was to gain a little keep its oil reserve at 10 until around Fall space to improve their defensive prospects 1944. Japanese submarines sink two carriers for 1943. This flaw in the game, which has as the US advances, but Japan avoids a long been suspected to exist, has finally major naval battle. The convoy is shut down been remedied and subsequent Russian eventually by the US surface fleet, not the campaigns are proving to be much more submarines. interesting for both sides. Bruce: I think a Japanese shipbuilding rate of seven in 1943 is exceptional, so I Germany announces a Naval Nationality wouldn’t use the word “only”! Japan can DRM increase to NDRM 4! With the Italian certainly try to fight the war with only five naval DRM now equal to the British, the shipbuilding points. Western Allies make only limited advances

6 1944 Spring Axis: The Western Allies 1945 Spring Allies: The US begins carrier invade France, but the strong German sweeps of Japanese AAF to clear the way defense forces them to start in Brittany, for the American bombers and possibly for which is as far from Berlin as the Germans an invasion. Japan’s carriers were only could hope. useful as extra air bases. Kamikazes were A major carrier battle occurs with the US ineffective, and would have been better used and Japan squaring off with three full carrier as carrier sweep fodder. task forces apiece. Japan loses one of its 1945 Summer Axis: Two things are clear: carrier task forces, but the other two are neither the Russians nor the Western Allies intact. can take Berlin this turn, and it is equally 1944 Summer-Winter Axis: Hope alone impossible for the Western Allies to force a can’t stop the Allies though, and heavy German surrender by dropping an atomic fighting in France inevitably expands the bomb on Berlin. The Germans have 32 army Allied foothold on the continent. Italy is air factors, 11 Interceptors and four jets invaded in Summer and collapses, despite its covering Berlin. fine navy. Russia pushes Germany back into 1945 Fall Axis: Allied air power will Poland and overruns Rumania. Germany blanket Germany, and the interceptors alone transfers its hopes to its advanced subs, have no chance of stopping an atomic attack which wreak havoc on Western Allied on Berlin, even if the ground defenses shipping. somehow hold. The game therefore ended Bruce: The Germans didn’t really need to with a Fall 1945 German surrender. This hope any longer, because the Western was fortunate from the Allied point of view, Allies were behind the historical curve in because in Fall 1945 the German subs France and it was clear that in Europe the (including six advanced subs) would have Axis were no longer going to lose. While cleared out the Atlantic SW box! Germany failed in Britain and didn’t get The most likely result was for Japan to anywhere special in Russia in 1941-42, surrender in Fall 1945, after getting hit by the German defense in Russia, coupled two strategic nukes, with one tactical nuke with slowing the Western Allies down in supporting a heavily defended beach the Mediterranean (the Naval Nationality invasion. There was a small chance that DRM increase) made an Axis victory Japan could have held out until Winter. We possible. turbo-played the last couple of turns. It came Japan begins to lose resistance points (from down to a SW defense roll. If I got a ‘5’ or controlling island groups) in Summer. In higher on two dice, no SAC would have Fall, Japan's perimeter begins to collapse, gotten through. But I rolled a ‘3’! and the transports are shut down by surface Post-Mortem ships before the submarines can finish the Randy: Europe was a one turn win for the job. Axis; Japan was a tie. The net result was a 1945 Spring Axis: Paris, Warsaw, and one-turn Axis win. There were the usual Breslau fall, and the Western Allies drop an good and bad rolls on both sides: in research atomic bomb on Cologne. the Axis got maximum results in both Bruce: An atomic bomb in Spring 1945 is advanced subs and jets, as well as an pretty unlikely, but there’s not much the important Naval Nationality DRM. Axis can do about it.

7 Mike: What was the importance of the game: exciting, interesting and played with Axis naval DRM? How did it materially great civility by everyone. affect your game? Finally, because the level of play in the Randy: The Axis DRM meant that Britain game was high (there were no “blunders”, was fighting Germany at -2 NDRM; that only the inevitable (possible) errors by all pretty much stopped any Murmansk sides), this game was invaluable to me from convoys and limited what the WAs could the design point of view, as it confirmed risk in the Atlantic. It also meant that the what many players had suspected. For Italians fought even up with the British in example, apart from the issues mentioned the Med. As a result, the WAs were much earlier, in this game the Germans had two more restricted in what they could do 3x3 infantry units on every French beach in navally through 1943. 1943, as well as beach defenses (and I think Randy: The Western Allies virtually won the even in 1942 in some hexes). This also submarine war with an air range result in occurred in at least two other games at the 1939 and two ASW results in 1940, and had convention, and everyone agreed that the a very strong atomic program. Diplomacy Germans shouldn’t have to devote so much was poor for both sides; most of the minors to defending France that early. This led to wanted nothing to do with the war. A key some rule modifications which have one-in-six attrition result turned back the weakened the effect of “premature” Western improvised Axis invasion of Britain, but in Allied invasions. the east the 1941 and 1942 Winters were So from every point of view, this was a great mild. All things considered, the final result game, and I certainly learned from it. (a virtual tie) was a fair one and the game was great fun in both theaters, with constant fighting everywhere. Bruce: As is usual in A World at War, you remember the bad luck and forget the good luck. I actually think the Axis were unlucky in this game; their bad luck came early – the failed conquest of Britain and several important diplomatic die rolls. The 1941 weather roll in Russia was good for the Axis, but I still think it wouldn’t have had much effect had the Russians not allowed the attack on Leningrad. By the time the 1942 weather roll came along, the German invasion of Russia had already failed. But later on the Axis research (jets, advanced submarines) came through, and there was no skill involved! This gave the Axis an unexpected new lease on life, and Germany managed to squeak out a one-turn victory. By the end of the game, everyone’s nerves were shot, as you can imagine. It was a great

8 Kriegsmarine to oppose the Allied fleets Game 2 later in the game, so a BB5 and several other European Axis: Jon Hogen battleships are laid down in Kiel. Japan: Ken Cruz Jon: The losses on the first turn in Poland Western Allies Europe: Don Stanley influenced my decision to delay the conquest of France until Fall 1940, so I Russia: Rob Carl could do it in a more low-risk, high-odds Western Allies Pacific: Ed Schoenfeld manner. The small overall losses allowed European Result: Spring 1946 me to build a large BRP base and a large (+3) German navy for use later in the game. Pacific Result: Spring 1945 (- 1940 Spring-Fall Allies: The US skips 2) some shipbuilding in 1940 in order to reach Overall Result: Axis (+1) 300 BRPs in the 1941 YSS. Game narrative provided by Ed Schoenfeld. 1941 Spring Axis: Germany conquers Spain Additional comments by Rob Carl, Jon in Spring 1941, and places a railhead in Hogen, and Ken Cruz. southern France. 1941 Spring Allies: Axis Strategy, Europe: Rob: I planned to have a 4o5 armor in the Mike: Jon pursues his patented Fortress line for the Summer 1941 turn. The second Europe approach, beginning with a Winter die roll of the game cancelled that – no attack, followed by a conquest of Spain, military breakthrough. I still came up with attack into Russia, and conquest of a good defense, very strong in the north. Gibraltar. After doing lots of damage with 1941 Summer-Winter Axis: The Axis have submarines and ground attacks, and enough redeployment capacity to bring off a amassing a huge wad of BRPs, he sits respectable Barbarossa. Germany halts its back and defends aggressively until he offensive at approximately the historical wins (at least, in Europe!) front line of 1943, the normal stopping point Japanese Strategy: for Jon's 'Defensive Barbarossa'. Germany Ed: Ken elects a Japanese tension plan pulls back its air to besiege Gibraltar. with the goal of declaring war on the US 1941 Summer-Winter Allies: Russia holds jointly with Germany in Spring 1942. He in Europe. varies this by producing/mobilizing all Rob: I form a Fall defense with just 5 three Japanese 3o3s, and takes two full BRPs of aid. That was all I would get until offensives in China. The goal is to secure late 1942. I was actually in East Prussia a more or less permanent resistance and held the Baltic States at the 1942 YSS, modifier by taking Chunking. the first Allied power on German soil! We 1939 Fall-Winter Axis: The Axis open with have snow in Winter 1941, and we both a Winter 1939 attack. simply consolidate. 1940 Spring-Winter Axis: France falls in The German sub war is strong, especially Fall 1940 (FSL = 0). Vichy is not with the Spanish ports (and later, Gibraltar), established. Syria goes Free French and aggravated somewhat by the Allies’ decision North Africa independent. Germany sends to build CVEs as quickly as allowed. raiders on some turns, but the damage they Transport levels became quite low, and do is not too great; Germany’s naval Britain is under oil effects through most of strategy is more to build up the

9 1941. The Allies spend heavily on grants to At the end of Spring 1942 there are China. significantly fewer than 30 factors in Mike: Just how heavy can that be? Manchuria, and Germany is clearly not 1941 Spring-Winter Axis: The US opposes pushing forward on the European map – so the Japanese plan to take Chunking by Russia declares war on Japan. This has an sending 28 BRPs of grants to China over the interesting effect on the overall position. course of the year. This gives the Chinese Russia spends 1942 bringing a bunchaton of enough construction capacity to keep up Russians, including 20 AAF, to Siberia. with their losses. It also allows for a few Rob: Ken was pounding China. He counter-offensives to slow down the declared war on the Western Allies in Japanese advance on Chungking. Spring 1942, and with so many troops in China, he couldn't get his garrison back 1942 Research: Japan has bad luck in up to 30 BRPs. Since I have Jon stopped at strategic warfare research. The Allies get a a good line in the west, I declare war on Torpedo result in 1942. Ken to relieve some pressure on China. I Rob: My military research was averaging was hoping to pull some Japanese out of 1.75. I didn’t even have a modifier for China and settle down to an attrition war. rolling for CTL. I even left a minimum garrison in 1942 Spring Axis: Japan breaks off its Vladivostok to tempt him away from premature Ichigo to attack Britain and the Chungking. US in Spring 1942. Only one carrier strikes Mike: Since Jon has all his air over Pearl, just enough to cut down the US Gibraltar, even if he stopped the siege to redeployment capacity on the surprise turn, attack Rob, he could not do so before Fall. but not enough to actually accomplish So he would only have one or two turns to anything. US strategic and wild MAGIC attack in 1942, depending on the winter cards shift the surprise level enough to let weather die roll, with Rob fully built and the US air defense roll eliminate all three getting stronger. Also, does it go without Japanese eNAS before they could attack the saying that Allied aid to Russia is fleet. On the DoW turn, Japan does not unimpeded? advance far in the Pacific, taking only Ed: Russia is supported by the maximum Wake, Rabaul (on a 1:1 after an Australian BRP grants from 1942 onward. CA2 sunk the DD carrying a unit to the empty beach adjacent to the objective), one 1942 Summer Axis: Gibraltar falls. Gilbert, and one Aleutian island. The Mike: Well, that didn't take long. Since the Australian fleet managed to turn back a air did not head West until Winter, Jon single DD invading Bougainville. Lae is attacked after two turns of siege, meaning never attacked. Meanwhile, the rest of the Gibraltar was tripled. If defended by two Japanese carriers help conquer the Dutch 3x4s, it would have a defense of 18. To get East Indies in a single turn, although strong a straight up 2:1, Jon would need to attack forces at Singapore (including 10 fleet with two 4o6s, a paratroop, and 27 air factors) slow the Japanese advance in factors. However, Jon often uses an mainland South East Asia. invasion from both sides of the strait of 1942 Spring Allies: The Allies have to Gibraltar to increase his chances with abandon the SW box in Spring 1942, which shore bombardment. Once Gibraltar is fortunately is also the turn Germany declares taken, Jon can send most of the air East war on the US. again in time to attack or defend starting

10 in Fall 1942. Ed: So the first effect of the Russian Jon: Actually, by Summer 1942 Gibraltar declaration of war is to equalize the had been out of supply for three turns. Japanese conquest of Chungking (which Fall 1941 supply was cut with about seven hasn’t even happened yet!). The second is or eight air and the German fleet - just to further preserve China as an intact enough to make it look difficult. By Winter force by absorbing most of Japan’s 1941 I had increased the air to over 10 offensive power. factors total. Spring 1942 saw close to 20 Mike: The permanent loss of the Gilberts air factors in the area. By my Summer on the DoW+2 turn is not good for Japan. turn, Gibraltar was only doubled. The key A US port may show up there, but perhaps here was getting that first out of supply not if the WA required more than two turn in Fall 1941 with the minimum years to achieve one of their naval commitment. breakthroughs. With presumably all of his 1942 Summer Axis: Japan has its armor in air tied up in Southeast Asia and Asia, it is port, intending to use it against Manila. understandable that Ken does not contest Instead it is diverted to Manchuria in order this. The Russian DoW should help Jon a to stop Russia. The Japanese take great deal, but it will be difficult for Ken Vladivostok and drive deep into Siberia. to stabilize the Pacific game. Rob: I was the first Allied power on 1942 Fall Axis: Japanese soil. But I overlooked a port that Rob: Jon made a good move and got the was in range for his armor to get to the Baltic States. I still had enough air in the front line. When you swat at a bee, you west to limit what he did, and after that might get stung. I always have to blunder the front slipped into attrition warfare, something. Ken had produced two 3o3s. until I had some shock troops and enough He was going to use them against the air. Philippines. Ken used the armor to Japan takes both Irkutsk and (finally!) surround most of the Russian Far Eastern Chungking. army. My DoW on Japan was a strategic Mike: I hope everyone remembered that move, and would have worked very well if Siberia has “winter” weather in Fall done right. turns. Japan still takes Manila, but needs most of Rob: After losing so many troops, as well its carrier fleet to do so; it loses six eNAS in as Vladivostok, I put a minimum garrison the exchange, while the US sub damages a in Irkutsk, while trying to build a line. Ken CV. As a result, the Japanese advance in the could only get a 1:1 on it, without the Pacific during Summer 1942 is very weak. exchange covered. With enough snow in Only one TF supports Japan’s second try at Fall he could not have attacked at all. But invading Bougainville, against the entire US it did not snow, he intercepted my DAS, carrier fleet, and is turned back. and with my air combat dice, he got the 1942 Summer Allies: The US kicks Japan 1:1 and took Irkutsk with a thin supply out of the Aleutians and Gilberts to pick up line. a pro-Allied cumulative resistance modifier Ed: While the net cumulative resistance for controlling eight island groups. This will modifiers favored Japan for four turns, neutralize the modifier Japan will eventually Ken’s position was entirely defensive for get for Chunking, as the US never gives up the rest of the game, and the Japanese its early advantage in the islands. collapse became only a matter of time.

11 Mike: Yes, but how MUCH time? And Singapore. what price would Russia pay in getting its Mike: No doubt to Ken's amazed European steamroller moving for its focus disappointment! on Japan? More naval battles are fought in the Atlantic Slowed by monsoon weather in Summer, than the Pacific, though the Americans and Japan does not clean up the Malayan British can never quite get the German BB5 peninsula and Burma until Fall 1942. The Grossdeutschland. Japanese transport level declines steadily 1942 Fall-Winter Allies: beginning in Fall 1942. Rob: I was able to surround Irkutsk in my Mike: Payback for the Germans clearing turn, and would have gotten it back in the Atlantic SW box. Winter if it snowed. It didn’t snow, and 1942 Fall Allies: The Allies quickly recover Ken reopened a supply route. from abandoning the SW box, helped in part 1943 Research: The Allies get a second (!) by mobilizing transports, and in Fall 1942 torpedo result. the WAs invade Portugal (though that position was eventually lost). 1943 Spring Allies: The Allies try to invade Norway, but are stopped by the Mike: The invasion of Portugal implies Kriegsmarine and its BB5, which inflict that Jon had shifted his air back to the sufficient naval losses to reduce the odds East. But with so much Russian air going below 1:1. towards Japan, it was easy enough for Jon to transfer air and units back to Spain to 1943 Spring Allies: The US takes Majuro in crush this. the Marshalls. The US takes advantage of early carrier 1943 Summer Allies: The Allies invade parity, taking Rabaul under Allied air cover. Morocco. Mike: Given that Japan did not DoW until Rob. I took a 1.5:1 on Irkutsk and, of Spring 1942, how did the US achieve course, blew out! I had to try, to at least carrier parity so quickly? prove that I am not afraid of the dice. But it’s just THE WAY IT IS! I rebuilt the Ed: The US laid down CVLs in Spring and losses on the Western front, in preparation Summer 1941, so these had launched in for attacking there. Spring and Summer 1942, respectively. Along with a CV laid down in Winter 1939 The US takes Hollandia and Kavieng, and (and launched in Winter 1941), this gave builds a port in Majuro. the US 22 carrier factors available in Fall Mike: This let Ed turn up the heat on 1942. Guam and Truk. With a port in Majuro Mike: The US appeared to be several and possession of Hollandia and Rabaul, turns ahead of schedule at this point, he could project 150 fleet factors onto although the Russian DoW had something Guam or Truk. If he had them. to do with it. So did keeping Lae and Port 1943 Fall Allies: The Allies retake Moresby in Allied hands. Gibraltar. 1942 Winter Axis: Outside of the first few Jon: Fall 1943 for me was a critical turn. turns in the South Pacific, the only naval Don really wanted to land SOMEWHERE action is a Japanese raid in Winter 1942, and I really wanted him to make that when a CA2 and a British CVL from the landing as far away from Berlin as South Africa box sink one Japanese BC3 possible – Gibraltar for instance. I pulled and damage another as they raid from air out of the east and stacked defensively

12 everywhere. The one relatively weak spot available. I assume that Ed had enough of was Gibraltar, which is where the those, coupled with fully intact pre-war invasion came. carriers, to confidently sail under The US takes Manus, Ambon, and Sorong. Japanese LBA. When Japan intercepts the invasion attempt 1944 Spring Axis: Japan begins to in the East Carolines, the US does not withdraw steadily on all fronts. engage, as Japan has added a few CVLs, the 1944 Spring Allies: The Japanese transports US has not yet launched many carriers, and are completely cleared from the SW box this the US has a horrible MAGIC card draw turn and hereafter. The US takes Guam. (the worst of the game). Russia attacks Russia retakes Vladivostok. aggressively along the entire front – in Mike: The US moved decisively forward. classic Rob Carl form, heavy exchange Japan could now be invaded, provided Ed losses are considered merely an easy way to could clear out Ken's AAF, not to mention redeploy units back to Europe. Russia takes cope with the kamikaze threat. Irkutsk. 1944 Summer Allies: 1943 Winter Allies: The Allies conquer North Africa, but Sicily is still too strong to Rob: I used a good two-pronged attack invade. Instead, they invade Spain. A second through East Prussia and Poland to drive invasion of Norway fails. on Berlin. But I could only get a 2.5:1 on one of the two breakthroughs. I would Ed: The effects of turn after turn of combat have had two bridgeheads, stacked with losses and bombing had begun to tell, and armor, across the Vistula, with all of East Germany also started to trade space for Prussia secured. I had my 5o6 in the time. That didn't mean a lack of fighting, rightmost attack, so that was where the however, as Jon shrewdly contested the odds were 2.5:1. The left attack went with Allied liberation of France, Italy, and a 2:1. Of course I blew out! With my Eastern Europe. whole left flank exposed, Jon Mike: The Allies were about a year behind counterattacked and wiped me out. It set the Western Allies’ historical progress in me back two or three turns, at least. the Mediterranean, but that's par for the 1944 Summer Allies: The US takes a course when they have to take Gibraltar weakly held Iwo Jima . Bombers now take first and are suffering under a brutal sub over for the subs in pressuring the Japanese campaign. Ed did not mention an invasion economy. of France in 1944, so I assume that an invasion of Spain was substituted. 1944 Fall Axis: Japan’s slow withdrawal continues, and the home islands are built up Rob: I suggested to Don that he invade to contest the expected invasion. To keep the France at 1:1, but he preferred to come up Japanese AAF at peak availability, Japan through Spain. does not declare kamikazes. 1943 Winter Allies: Russia uses deep 1944 Fall Allies: The US takes Okinawa. breakthroughs to liberate Peking in Winter. Throughout 1944, Russia keeps up the The cumulative resistance modifier now pressure in Asia, taking Nanking, Harbin, favors the Allies, and will for the rest of the Vladivostok, Mukden, advancing adjacent to game. The US takes Woleai in the East Seoul, and clearing Japanese troops out of Carolines. Shanghai. Meanwhile, the Nationalist Mike: This is the first turn that US CVs Chinese (financed by massive and laid down in Spring 1942 could be continuing US BRP grants), recover

13 Chunking, liberate Canton and Foochow, would need to roll a ‘6’! This gave the and clear the Japanese out of Hong Kong. Allies one bomb immediately, and then an They cannot move in (they are prohibited by A-bomb every two turns (Spring 1945, the 99-year lease – and by rule), but the Fall 1945, Spring 1946, Fall 1946). Australians invade Hong Kong with a single 1945 Spring Allies: Russia charges into DD on the next turn. Similarly the Poland and eventually reaches the Oder, Nationalists occupy a Shanghai that has while the Allies are also ready to push hard. been cleared of Japanese units by the Liberal use of Very Expensive Russians. This provides the US with fully Redeployments (voluntary elimination of a supplied airbases on the Asian mainland. unit that is then rebuilt at double cost) brings 1944 Winter Axis: Japan is on its last gasp, most of the US Pacific forces into Europe in but drama ensues! A careful analysis of the time for the Summer turn, and allows the strategic warfare table shows that Japan has great joy of spending the entire US to stop the bombers – a firestorm would construction limit of 339 BRPs (though trigger a Japanese surrender – but so might some of that was taken up by grants.) air combat losses! Japan will inevitably surrender. Of course 1944 Winter Allies: The US concentrates this is the turn in which the USN sees the on Pacific and SEA objectives while setting most action! And, no, it is not during an up to invade, as they await the launch of a American invasion of Japan – it is during a few more carrier TFs. Russian invasion of the Kurile Islands! Mike: This was a direct result of the late Russia invades with a 1x2 and the entire Japanese DoW, and part of the pay-off of Russian Pacific fleet (all nine factors). (Rob: Ken's strategy. This is the only invasion of Japanese territory!) The WA plan to clear out the last Japanese Japan intercepts with the Yamato troops outside Japan and Korea (except for and a BC3, but intends to fight only with the one stack of 3x2s in the Thai jungle- Yamato. The US counter-intercepts with mountain hex). A ‘12’ would have killed four TFs from Guam and an artificial port in enough Japanese AAF to trigger another Saipan, sailing just outside Japanese LBA surrender modifier, but the roll is an ‘11’. In range. ground combat, Russia needs any result that Mike: This counter-interception (in the causes Japanese casualties in a 1.5:1 on interception hex) is illegal. The Russians Seoul. In classic Rob Carl fashion, the result are on their own! However, that did not is a ‘1’, ‘1’. Sigh. detract from the glorious naval battle, Rob: I got a 1.5:1 on Seoul, and any Jap which both sides were happy to fight. losses would have forced Japan to Japan counter-counter-intercepts with five surrender one turn sooner. But NO!!! I get TFs. The US plays a tactical card to get a a ‘1’. Then I couldn't even get an Ex at 1:2 search advantage, and the fight is on. The with a +1 on the die roll. CG1s find each other and enter fleet combat. 1945 Research: The Allies achieve the Ohio takes on Fuso while the Wisconsin maximum research result for Uranium sails against two BB4 and two BB3, sinking Separation. Yamashiro while sustaining three hits. Japan launches two surprise airstrikes against US Mike: Well, that is impressive, requiring a CG2. Two radar results reduce the surprise result of ‘12’. The Allies could only have effects sufficiently that American CAP with had three RPs in this project at this point. NDRM 4 plus the CAP bonus wipe out most With three atomic breakthroughs, they of the attackers. The first wave has no

14 aircraft reach the ships, and the second (by impossible to drop a bomb on Berlin in Japan's remaining eNAS) inflicts only one Winter. hit. The CG3s find each other and the US Mike: Jon was nonchalant in the face of gets to launch an air strike and conduct fleet this rain of atomic bombs, and survived combat. Japanese CG3, a decoy made up of for two more turns! As Jon likes to say, lights, is entirely wiped out. The US also "It's what I'd hoped you'd do!" The Allies make a non-surprise airstrike on Japanese couldn't drop an A-bomb because they CG4, sinking a CVL. The Japanese were out of targets, unable to successfully withdraw. The Americans take their each Berlin, Leipzig, or Breslau. Ed additional die rolls to help the Russians, as doesn't mention that Jon denied Norway to the small forces in the Kuriles struggle to the Allies by pumping the defense of find each other. The Yamato gets one shot Bergen up to 60 (!), preventing them from that sinks a Russian CA2 and DD1, but does taking Swedish hexes in range of Berlin. not turn back the invasion. Since the 1946 Spring Allies: Since a German Americans are too close, the Yamato surrender is inevitable in Spring 1946, we withdraws and Russia gets the Kuriles. call the game at about 9 PM Saturday, with a The Japanese surrender is a -2 Allied result +1 net Axis victory. on the Pacific board. Japan is never invaded. Europe Post-Mortem Mike: Nor did the Allies use the A-bomb. Jon: The first third of the game was Nor could they have, until the next turn! successful from a German point of view. By 1945 Summer Allies: The WA roll that I mean that I was able to achieve successfully for the A-bomb. One bomb is territorial gains economically with a expended tactically in Europe. minimum of losses (although I had about the 1945 Fall Allies: Plutonium production worst losses in Poland on the first turn that I provides the maximum result in Fall, giving can remember). the Allies eight bombs for 1945 and (if Throughout the middle third of the game needed) three per turn for 1946 – another and into the beginning of the final third, the good century for California wine. German navy continued to be a force that Mike: Another impressive roll, requiring had to be calculated into the equation. If I an ‘11’ result. With three RPs and three remember correctly (it’s a little different Atomic breakthroughs, a ‘5’ or ‘6’ was each game depending on sub losses), I laid needed. This gaves the Allies one A-bomb down a BB5 that I double-accelerated at immediately and one every other turn, so least once, plus perhaps two additional BB4s they got one in Fall 1945, Spring 1946, and then a smattering of CAs and DDs. The and Fall 1946. Since Ed said they had additional battleships were the framework eight A-bombs for 1945 and three per turn though. The Italians were also turning out for 1946, this means the Allies had three their paper ships every turn as fast as Uranium Plants and two Plutonium possible to attrition the Brits a little. I forget Reactors (!). They've been busy. the exact timing, but I had a good-sized A second A-bomb is expended tactically. navy that matched up pretty well from turn Two more are dropped successfully on the to turn. Each turn it got a bit more robust as Rhur, followed by conquest on the ground. the Allied navy did as well. Sometimes it 1945 Winter Axis: Germany cuts supply to prevented a landing (Norway) and the forward Allied air bases, making it sometimes it made a landing less effective (Portugal). Sometimes it prevented an

15 invasion just by its presence. I tried to Mike: Sometimes the things Jon doesn’t do encourage a Gibraltar-to-Berlin path, as it are more interesting than the more would give me a nice long run of territory to conservative, less risky strategy he likes to give up, allowing me to sometimes switch employ. east to pound Rob. Ed: It’s worth commenting on the effect of This all worked out very well. I gave a little the bombers. Don and I had originally ground on both fronts turn after turn. If Rob thought to try an early bombing strategy in got a little too far, I’d give a little more in Europe, and in fact we managed to send the west and go blast Russia with a bombers on almost every turn from mid- counteroffensive. Denying Norway to Allied 1941 on. We felt the bombing campaign was hands was critical, since the end game very worthwhile; even though it often did became a Bomb-tossing contest. I was able little direct economic damage, it did force to keep forward air bases from the Allies Germany to spend construction BRPs on until Spring 1946. I could have used a AAF and interceptors. One negative was slightly different tactic to delay the Berlin that British AAF often had to bomb, because bombing until Summer or Fall 1946, but this the need for a rapid advance in the Pacific would have involved increasingly more risk. put a premium on deploying US AAF to that And by that time, with Japan out of the war, theater. The resulting losses materially everyone knew that Spring 1946 survival slowed Don’s rebuilding of the British resulted in an overall Axis win. So, as usual, forces. In retrospect, we might have done I went with the more conservative approach, better to take a few more chances on a securing the Spring 1946 victory for Japanese naval interception in the Pacific, in Germany and the one-turn overall win. order to get the US involved in the European Mike: Jon is being coy about his “slightly bombing campaign sooner. different tactic to delay the Berlin Rob: I finally convinced Joe Brophy that the bombing”. He has alluded to this before dice just are not on my side. Joe bought me (he mentioned it in my con game with him some dice with a skull and crossbones for two years ago), but he has not used it yet. the ‘1’! He is keeping it under wraps. I am waiting Pacific Post-Mortem for someone to press him hard enough to Ed: It could just as easily have been a net force him to use it, whatever it is. draw or one-point Allied win save for a few Jon: Part of the anti-bombing strategy is poor rolls and errors on the last turns in each no secret. I was contemplating pulling theater. Many thanks to Jon and Ken for an some forces from the east and taking a enjoyable and competitive game, and to Don large counteroffensive along the Rhine, and Rob for excellent partnership and which could have set Don back a turn or outstanding resilience, as the board often maybe two. The risk there would have looked like I was doing so well and they so been twofold: could I build back all my poorly (but we should all know the board losses if too many exchanges were rolled, position lies – you can’t make an accurate and would Rob have gotten closer in the assessment unless you know the strategies east? As it was, I was maintaining a nice involved.) pear-shaped air defense with airbases out Mike: I don't think the board position lied of Allied reach in central Germany. So in this game. ultimately I thought I could pull off the Ed: Special thanks to Ken for joining in my Spring 1946 survival without the blather on Saturday to construct an elaborate additional risk.

16 Japanese surrender ceremony and But the most fun by far was playing with subsequent alternate history. Ken! I kept teasing Ken about finding Ken: I really don't have much to add. Ed is volunteers for the Eastern front! Of course an excellent writer and his summaries are most of them were 1x3s. At first he would spot on. Japan would have held out longer, just hand them back the next turn saying, but Ed got a torpedo result in 1942 and “Here’s your volunteers.” Most of his another in 1943. Japan could only muster attacks were without losses. Later, even he one ASW result in 1943 (with maximum saw how bad the dice were treating me on RPs allotted there and one naval everything, including attrition rolls. That’s breakthrough). That meant the premature when he started saying, “I'm sorry, Rob” end to the Japanese transport line. It was a when he handed me my dead troops. very fun game. The surrender ceremony Ed As well as getting to play against Ken, I and I conjured up was a lot a fun too. Is it have always dreamed of getting my next year yet?! Russians going against the Japanese and Rob : I always say every year that I had more Germans at the same time. And then to get fun than any previous year. But this year the chance, only to blunder the first turn. was BY FAR the best I ever had!! I was Leave it to me! But I think it at least worked looking forward to playing Jon and out for the best in the long run. especially Ken. When I found out Ken was playing the Pacific, I was a little let down. So when Ken left the garrison short in Manchuria, there was nothing in the world that was going to stop me from DoWing him. Not even the fact that I only got 5 BRPs of grants in 1941, and knew from the board situation that I wasn't getting any for a while. Then, after my royal screw-up, and fighting the dice, and fighting on two fronts, to come back and have one or two die rolls turn the game to a draw or one-point victory, I felt like I had won my own first place trophy! This is certainly not to say I did it on my own. On the contrary, we would not have pulled it off if those guys had not fought back as hard as I did. But fighting my own dice is tough. I am certainly used to really bad combat losses, but to blow out on so many key things, including research! Roll three dice and take the middle number, and roll for three years, and see if you can average 1.75 in the military category! And for Russia, military is the only thing that really matters.

17 1942. I’m not sure if Jim continued the Game 3 torpedo research or not. I would consider European Axis: Jim Sparks Axis air range to be more than a Japan: Nick Szulczewski “normal” commitment, and Jim did not go for air range. For production, generate Western Allies: AJ (Ashley) Johnson enough subs to keep the maximum allowed Russia: Chris Collins in the Atlantic SW box, with the possibility European Result: Winter 1946 (+6) of a sub operating on the board in certain [est.] turns, and add a shipbuilding point to Kiel Pacific Result: Winter 1946 (+5) in 1940 or 1941. [est.] If it turns out Germany will go against Overall Result: Axis (+11) [est.] Russia, the plan is to get three Russian Game narrative provided by Nick Occupation Policies results by 1942, to Szulczewski, Jim Sparks, and AJ Johnson. boost the amount of infantry available on the eastern front. Axis Strategy, Europe: The plan for the Mike: I like this plan. European theatre is to be flexible and see Japanese Strategy: The Japanese plan is to where research and opportunity lead. The leave open the option to DoW in Summer, initial goal is to take Suda Bay by diplomacy Fall, or Winter 1941 depending on the form or force, to protect supply and transport into the German strategy ends up taking and the Tobruk under the cover of air. At the same overall board position. Jim mentions to me time, the plan is to hold Italy out of the war that he may go for a Sea Lion strategy if the until Fall 1940, to obtain the favorable opportunity presents itself, so I will prepare diplomatic modifier for Yugoslavia. for a Summer DoW if it becomes necessary Germany will lay down DDs that will due to the tensions increase of a British launch no later than Summer 1940, to leave surrender. open the possibility of a Fall 1940 Sea Lion. Nick: I noticed that the WA player did not If that opportunity doesn’t pan out, the plan produce any air in 1940, nor was any NAS is to apply pressure in the Med until a or AAF from mobilization going to be on standard Barbarossa can be launched in board until Fall 1941 at the earliest. This, Summer 1941. For research, Germany wants along with a somewhat weak defense by to focus on air defense and air NDRM the WAs led me to make the DoW in research, along with a normal BotA research Summer, before the oil embargo set in . plan. I plan to mobilize Japan’s entire infantry Mike: Why the emphasis on air NDRM? force pool, and have the only military What is a "normal" BotA plan? production be the two marines. This way I Nick: I could be mistaken about the won’t have to go for a military general German air NDRM. I know air defense breakthrough at all. Japan will be a little was rolled every year, and Jim got like light on AAF for the DoW turn. Another four or five results before we ended in disadvantage Japan will face is that with my 1943. That wouldn’t be possible under the mobilization schedule (Fall and Winter post-con research changes. 1940), I’ll defer taking Saigon until Spring A “normal” BotA plan would be to go for 1941, to keep tensions low enough so the oil the 1940 torpedo result, with the embargo will not be enacted until Summer possibility of going for another one in 1941 at the earliest.

18 The research plan is to go light in the Russia demands the Finnish border, and military category (only the marines will be attacks but fails to take more than one hex. produced), heavy into air, and moderate into AJ: I believe a 2:1 was attempted and navy. blown out on a ‘1’. AJ: The Japanese achieved two or three Mike: I hate it when that happens! air defense results by 1943 and got an air 1940 Spring Axis: The real showdown NDRM result in 1942, a turn before the begins. Germany DoWs Belgium/ WAs achieved theirs. A double ASW result Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and was achieved in early 1943. Japan also Denmark/Norway. increased shipbuilding once with the final mobilization, and produced shipbuilding Germany invades the Norwegian beach, in 1941, 1942, and 1943, bringing Tokyo conquers Belgium/Luxembourg, attacks the up to seven SBPs, allowing up to four Maginot hex east of Metz, exploits into both lights (transports) to be built per turn as of the other Maginot hexes and into the two of 1943. hexes northwest of Sedan. Calais, Dieppe, and Sedan are isolated. Mike: Being ready to DoW in Summer as Japan, especially when playing as Jim's Italy controls all of Greece north of the partner, is very wise! I like the flexibility Athens hex row. Russia continues to fight in of thinking, the planning, and the Finland, and still does not finish the job. adjusting to events along the way. This is Mike: The post-con rules changes give the the essence of playing AWAW well. Russians some relief from bad luck here by 1939 Fall Axis: The Axis put two DPs in requiring that only two border hexes be Greece, but miss the hex control (or better) taken to bring Finland to her senses (or let result, so Italy DoWs Greece. German Russia attack all the way to Helsinki, and raiding is ineffective. Italy invades the beach knowing Jim, I would not be surprised to in Crete. see him go this route just to see what would happen). Under the pre-con 2010 Mike: This is a nice plan. Controlling rules, many, if not most, Russian players Suda Bay lets the Axis potentially attack were leaving Finland alone and trying to Egypt immediately in Fall 1940, by keep it out of the war diplomatically. The allowing air cover for a sea transport of post-con rules make attacking Finland two 4o6 armor into Tobruk. more attractive. 1939 Winter Axis: Germany conducts the 1940 Summer Axis: Germany finishes off Sitzkrieg and builds up, while Italy pushes in France and Norway. Italy continues to push Greece and occupies Suda Bay. in Greece. 1939 Winter Allies: The WAs mine the AJ: I successfully hurt German UCL with Norwegian waters (without permission). Norwegian mining operations, and Mike: It is often better to mine in the Fall actually got a ‘-1’ FSL result after the fall turn, as then it reduces the German Winter of France, so I was feeling pretty good. UCL by 5 BRPs, resulting in fewer Mike: What was the disposition of the German troops to attack in Spring 1940. French colonies? Of course, the Axis could just decide to attack in Winter and make this moot, as Nick: All the colonies went Vichy, and Bruce did in Game 1. But he was also Germany got control of all of them when facing Anglo-French cooperation and had Vichy allied with the Axis. nothing to lose.

19 1940 Summer Allies: Russia demands conquered or allied with Germany Bessarabia, and is still fighting in Finland. anyway. Rumania resists and Russia is unable to 1940 Fall Axis: Germany calls the Balkans occupy all of Bessarabia. The US mobilizes while Russia is still involved in a border in the Atlantic. war. Germany bombs Britain. Italy DoWs Mike: Ordinarily, Russia masses enough Britain. Italy finishes the conquest of force on the Bessarabian border to Greece. German raiders sink two transports. convince Rumania not to resist. If they Russia continues fighting in Finland, though resist, they risk losing their entire army, the Rumanians concede Bessarabia. Japan which hurts both their chances to ally with mobilizes. The US mobilizes in the Atlantic. Germany and to be fully built for 1940 Fall Allies: Russia makes big mistakes Barbarossa. It is ominous that Jim could in the Winter War with Finland, as well as in afford to resist, and succeed. The Russians Bessarabia. A dubious strategy and were undoubtedly hampered by having TERRIBLE dice rolling leave the Finnish substantial force tied up in Finland. border hexes still Finnish after four turns of Because the Rumanians fought and lived offensive options by the USSR!! Very to tell the tale, Jim was in an enviable similar results in Bessarabia cause the diplomatic position. All the Balkans got a Russian BRP and UCL to be way too low +1 for Russia and Rumania having fought, when Barbarossa is launched. as well as a +3 for an on-going war, so Mike: What were the Balkan diplomatic Jim got a +4 for all the Balkans. The likely results? result was full alliance by Hungary, Nick: Germany got 10 BRPs each for Bulgaria, and Yugoslavia. Hungary, Bulgaria, and Yugoslavia, and To avoid going to war with Russia 5 BRPs for Rumania. immediately, Jim could postpone the roll Mike: Only 5 BRPs for Rumania? for Rumania, pull his troops out of 1940 Winter Axis: Germany and Italy both Bessarabia (thus conceding the hexes), conduct full offensives in the Med. There is and make rolls in Winter 1940 and again an opportunity for the Axis to blow the in Spring 1941. And the Rumanian roll, in British defenses in Egypt wide open on a addition to the default of +4, would also 2:1, which would be followed up by have +1 for Russia and Rumania having exploitation. It fails on a ‘1’, ‘1’ combo. fought, +2 for Russia making demands, +1 for Russia entering Bessarabia, and +1 Mike: Wow. for RGT level over 10 (for a total of +9), German raiding is ineffective. plus whatever DPs Jim had in Rumania. 1940 Winter Allies: Russia continues Assuming he lost six Rumanian infantry fighting (ineffectively) in Finland. Russia units, he could rebuild one in Fall, giving spent 56 BRPs on offensives in 1940 (some him a net +4 modifier in Winter, before on the attack on Rumania in Summer), and considering DPs. In Spring 1941 it would spent 41 BRPs to build (but mostly rebuild) be at +5. units in 1940. Russia ends 1940 with 35 Of course, the Russians could attempt BRPs. subversion in Winter 1940 if they had a Mike: It's hard to believe the war in result, and again in Spring 1941. This Finland isn't over yet. Russia can only might be enough to keep Rumania out of grow by around 23% in the 1941 YSS, but the war and turn the tables. They have that's still 10 BRPs less for the Russian nothing to lose if all the other Balkans are base because of the 56 BRPs spent on

20 offensives. I could see spending 30, but Jim took Malta in Spring, as Italy did a 56? What is HAPPENING in Finland?? full offensive on the Med front that turn. Nick: Very poor rolls by the Russians. Japan DoWs the USA, catches one carrier at Several 2:1s were blown out with a ‘1’. Pearl, and sinks it. A second strike on Pearl And when hexes were taken, it was usually is conducted. Japan lands in Lae, Rabaul, the by full exchange. The FBH never Gilberts, the Solomons (not in Guadalcanal, completely fell to the Russians, and the since it was defended by one factor), Wake, Winter War continued indefinitely. and the Aleutians – all without a fight. Japan Mike: I would give up after the second takes both oil centers, as well as Batavia (for blowout on a 2:1, if not the first. Russia the BRPs). Hong Kong falls on a 3:1. The can't afford this much reduction in its Malaya beach was left empty, so Japan hits base, even if discounted by 80%. Attacking the beach and moves into Kuala Lumpur. Rumania when still engaged in Finland is Japanese troops land in Lingayen and take also simply taking on too much as the T15 in Burma. Japan fortifies Canton, and Russians. You want to scare the ends Summer with 41 BRPs. Rumanians into giving you the border Mike: I'd like to know what the total hexes, not fight them! carnage was at Pearl. 1940 Winter Axis: Japan mobilizes. Nick: All the air units were wiped out in 1940 Winter Allies: The US mobilizes in the first strike. I think there were a couple the Pacific. BBs damaged or sunk across the two rounds, but the damage was not 1941 Spring Axis: Germany calls Sweden particularly severe. The US had at least a and gets 5 BRPs. German raiders sink two few BBs surviving undamaged. I don’t transports. Japan occupies Saigon and sets recall the exact carnage. up to attack in Summer. Mike: Managing to grab Batavia, along 1941 Spring Allies: Russia still does not with all the other usual targets, is pretty finish off the Finnish border, but withdraws stellar for a Summer 1941 attack. to set up a defense against Germany. The However, since Saigon was not occupied US mobilizes in the Atlantic. until Spring, Nick couldn’t yet take Mike: What is the status of Rumania? Rangoon and risked not being able to Nick: I believe Germany had at least hex occupy the jungle/mountain hexes in control going into Barbarossa. Burma. Taking an Aleutian was nice, Mike: I assume Jim rolled again in Spring possible since this wasn’t a Winter attack. and got hex control. 1941 Summer Allies: Russia withdraws to 1941 Summer Axis: Germany gets Vichy as set up a defensive line outside of German a full ally. Germany DoWs Russia, takes air/infantry range. Kiev, and encircles the Russian army. Mike: How badly was Russia mauled on German raiders sink four transports. the opening turn? They should have been Mike: Jim's luck with raiders made up for pretty strong if Rumania was not in the the 2:1 blowout in Egypt. FOUR war yet. transports?? Also, I'm curious about why Nick: As I said, I think Germany had at Jim rolled for Sweden before Vichy. least hex control of Rumania. Jim did a Nick: I think Jim was waiting to gain very good job of surrounding most, if not another modifier for Vichy, either on the all, of the Russian army. He is very adept board or from research. It’s possible that at finding any little weakness in a defense.

21 1941 Fall Axis: Germany advances, more Australians and Indians there than occupying eastern Poland, the Baltic States, they might have otherwise. Bessarabia, Kharkov, and Dnepropetrovsk – The Allies were already in trouble on all all without conducting a full offensive. In fronts: Britain had major transport spite of limiting his attacks, Jim encircles problems, Russia was praying for a cold the Russians a second time. winter, and Japan was overrunning the Mike: Since Bessarabia was not occupied South Pacific and piling up resistance in Summer, I deduce that Rumania wasn't modifiers. It looked like the Allies might in the war yet. Is that correct? lose Noumea, which is always painful. I Nick: No, Rumania was in the war, or at fear for how many Allied shipbuilding least had granted hex control to the Axis. I points were being sucked up by transport think Jim just opted not to take both builds. Bessarabian cities in the first turn of the On the plus side, the US was in the war attack. Perhaps he exploited around them. early in the Pacific, so it could build up a Mike: It sounds like Jim attacked in Fall large carrier force a couple of turns early. but did not exploit, gaining him a +1 And the Allies did have opportunities in winter prep bonus for the Winter 1941 Burma. turn. Under the post-convention rule For a game in which a Summer 1941 changes, that bonus modifier no longer Japanese attack was successfully rebuffed, exists. Also, Russia can no longer concede see Game 5. objectives and ICs without a diplomatic 1941 Winter Axis: The Russian Winter is penalty, providing more incentive to fight mild (the roll was a ‘1’), and with the extra in Fall. winter prep from Fall, Germany is able to Japan finishes off Singapore, Balikpapan, occupy Rostov and exploit across the Don. and Manila. Thailand associates, allowing Germany bombs Britain. The Russian army Japan to attack and occupy Mandalay, T14, is encircled for a third time. and Rangoon. Japan lands units in the Ellice Mike: If Jim could take Rostov, cross the Islands, the New Hebrides, and a second Don, AND bomb Britain (in addition to the Aleutian island. Japan ends Fall 1941 with transport damage already done), the Allies 15 BRPs. were in a world of hurt. The Russians 1941 Fall Allies: The US attempts to were in a very difficult board position counter-invade one of the South Pacific already. The game may be decided by the islands, but Japan succeeds in a moderately Summer 1942 German attack in Russia. long interception. A US carrier is sunk and Even if Russia could be fully built by then, another is damaged; the invasion is aborted. their line will be long, and Jim is likely to At the end of the US turn, there are only two find a hole somewhere. The British will be operational US carriers in the Pacific. Japan finishing the year at a deficit of some kind, controls seven island groups and four are and will not be in a good position to divert contested, so Japan gains +2 cumulative the Axis attention on Russia. No mention resistance points. has been made of the US entering the war Mike: Things were going swimmingly for in Europe, but it would be hard to believe Japan in the Pacific. It sounds like the that they didn't come in by Winter. Summer 1941 offensive took the Allies by 1941 Winter Axis: Japan occupies Rangoon surprise. Also, Jim's pressure on Egypt and the jungle/mountain hexes in Burma. may have encouraged the British to keep

22 Japan invades Midway, the remaining New they should be able to do with infantry and Hebrides island, and Guadalcanal (finishing air. the conquest of the Solomons). 1942 Summer Allies: 1941 Winter Allies: Japan controls nine Jim: Chris had a good idea for using island groups and three are contested, for +3 attrition to re-supply the Russian army, cumulative resistance points (now +5 total). but I was able to kill units in the attrition Mike: The good news was that the Allies after his limited offensive. That allowed still held Port Moresby and Noumea, but me to retreat without overstacking and for how long? maintain isolation. I cut sea supply to 1942 Spring Axis: Baku with air, and blocked land supply Jim: I got Vichy as an Ally in Summer with an armored unit advancing from 1941, and somehow broke through in Persia. I offered to allow him to redo his Egypt and took out the Middle East. turn, but he again declined. He was forced to retreat to the Urals. Japan invades Dutch Harbor. Japan fortifies Lae and constructs a port on Tamana in the The Japanese are able to cut supply to Gilberts. Noumea, so the ground units on the New Caladonian beach are eliminated out of 1942 Spring Allies: The US liberates supply. Nationalists again get frisky, attack Niutao (Ellice islands). The Nationalist Nanking at 1:1 odds, and succeed. At the Chinese get frisky, attack Foochow at 1:1 end of the turn, there are only two odds, and succeed. Japan controls nine operational US carriers in the Pacific. Japan island groups and two are contested, for +3 controls 10 island groups and three are cumulative resistance points (now +8 total). contested, for +4 cumulative resistance Mike: Well, some good news for the Allies points (+12 total). from China! Mike: Things were bleak in the Pacific 1942 Summer Axis: outside China. Jim: I saw a flaw in the Russian defense, 1942 Fall Axis: The Axis occupy an and was able to overrun and then exploit undefended Baku. off the second line. Meanwhile, I was able Jim: With all his oil and most of his ICs to push from the south from Persia, and gone, Chris eventually gave up the game, pocketed Russians in the Caucasus. I and I played other games. offered Chris the opportunity to amend the turn, but he declined. I was able to The Japanese press their carrier advantage, surround most of the Russian army. invading the rest of the Ellice islands and the vacant New Caledonian beach. The Japanese run a patrol to strike a US TF 1942 Fall Allies: which had been left in range. The US The US gets a full carrier intercepts instead of taking the air strikes; TF on the board in the Pacific for the first two US carriers are damaged. Japan re- time – finally! Japan controls 11 island invades Niutao and also lands in the Fiji groups and two are contested, for +5 islands. cumulative resistance points (+17 total). Mike: Is there a reason the US fleet was Mike: And an assault on Noumea seemed not concentrated in Noumea with five air imminent. factors on it? The US only needs to hang 1942 Winter Axis: The Japanese decide to on to the ports in the South Pacific; this start defending in the Pacific, despite their

23 carrier edge. (Though they will deal with the Winter). The modifiers won’t start going Chinese in Asia.) negative until Summer 1944, and there will 1942 Winter Allies: The WAs push into a only be -1 per turn, so a total -3 prior to the jungle/mountain hex in Burma. The US YSS. Japan would have +28 to its resistance invades an Ellice island. Japan controls 10 level going into the 1945 YSS. Even if all island groups and three are contested, for +4 the other relevant resistance modifiers net to cumulative resistance points (+21 total). 0 (which seems unlikely, even if the entire Mike: That resistance total is impressive! might of the US is pressed on Japan until Nick executed the Summer attack, and then), the US election would be -23, which reaped its potential benefits, extremely would force the US out of the war in the well. Pacific and keep them out for several turns at least. 1943 Spring Axis: Japan conducts a full offensive in China, attacks Nanking and Post-Mortem exploits into Changsha. Foochow is invaded Nick: Jim and I both wanted to play the and the bridgehead is re-established. Allies, but AJ and Chris wanted to play 1943 Spring Allies: The WAs make some them, so we took the Axis. Jim and I both progress in Burma and a little progress in the thought that had AJ and Chris played the Pacific. Japan controls 10 island groups and Axis, the game would have lasted much three are contested, for +4 for cumulative longer, since it is very difficult to force a resistance points (+25 total). very early surrender of either Axis power, much less both of them. We feel that it is Russia offers to surrender, likely probably better for the newer players to play permanently. The resulting US election the Axis for that reason (to avoid the would push the US out of the war in Europe. blowout wins). Germany could gain significantly in the west (by concessions and by restarting the war at Also, AJ and Chris divided up their forces in a time of its choosing). A Sea Lion is an unusual manner (at least for the Con). AJ possible – even likely. took the Global WAs while Chris took Russia (and the Chinese). I think this setup Adjudication works fine for Warplanner games or with The Allies throw in the towel and the game very experienced players, but Jim and I both is called at this point. A decisive Axis felt like AJ got overwhelmed once he had to victory is projected on both boards. play on both boards. The Japanese will continue to gain AJ: The bottom line is that Chris and I got cumulative resistance modifiers for several “smoked”. The game was pretty much over turns. The US doesn’t even have carrier in 1943. parity yet (though will soon), and simply does not have enough time to get enough cumulative resistance modifiers of its own by the 1945 YSS to prevent a US withdrawal in the Pacific (much less what would happen in Europe at that time). Even if the US manages to retake one full island group per turn (a daunting task – probably impossible in this situation), Japan will receive another +6 cumulative resistance modifiers (+3 in Summer, +2 in Fall, +1 in

24 Finland capitulates and Russia gains control Game 4 of the border hexes. Sub losses are 2/1. European Axis: Vic Hogen 1940 Summer Allies: Significantly, Russia Japan: Joe Brophy mobilizes because of the early German activity in the Balkans. Germany establishes Allies Europe: Kevin Milne Vichy. Allies Pacific: Paul Milne 1940 Fall Axis: Italy DoWs the WAs. European Result: Sum 1945 (0) [est.] Germany rolls for the Balkans again and Pacific Result: Winter 1944 (-3) allies with Rumania and Hungary, but Overall Result: Allied (-3) [est.] makes no further headway with Bulgaria. Game narrative provided by Paul Milne. The Germans do not bomb Britain. Sub Additional comments provided by Mike losses are 6/1, but raiding fails. Crowe, Joe Brophy, and Vic Hogen. Japan takes its first mobilization and it’s all infantry, so the US begins to smell an early 1939 Fall Axis: The Germans take Poland war. while losing a 3x3 and an AAF. Three 1940 Winter Axis: Sub losses are 5/2 and transports are lost to subs and raiders. raiding again fails. Germany DOWs and 1939 Winter Axis: In diplomacy Ireland invades Greece, but can’t conquer it in one becomes tranquil for the rest of the war, and turn. the Axis gain hex control of Yugoslavia. Japan occupies Saigon, so it’s all but certain Germany rolls for all the Balkans and takes there will be a Summer 1941 attack. ‘7’ results for Rumania and Hungary. Subs 1940 Winter Allies: Supply is cut to Malta. cause a 4/1 loss. Russia again mobilizes. Mike: Well, THAT was interesting! Vic 1941 Spring Axis: The Axis invade Malta spotted the Russians an early mobilization and take it with light losses. The British schedule in return for a few extra BRPs in navy does not intervene due to the amount 1939. It is an interesting play if one hopes of German air. Sub losses are 6/1. Greece is to go for the Russian oil. Or maybe Vic conquered. was just greedy for BRPs. 1941 Summer Axis: Germany DoWs 1939 Winter Allies: Russia demands the Russia. The attack kills or isolates virtually Finnish border hexes; the Finns lose two the entire Russian army. Sub losses are 5/1. counters through attrition. The Axis attrition in Africa, with the line at 1940 Spring Axis: The Germans do a the Qattara Depression. traditional attack and conquer the Japan DoWs the US and takes Malaya, Netherlands, Belgium/Luxembourg, and Hong Kong, Palembang, Brunei, Kavieng, Denmark. Norway is invaded. The border and Bougainville. The Philippines are hexes of France are taken in exploitation. invaded. Significantly, the lack of destroyers Sub losses are 3/1. and other resources prevents invading either 1940 Spring Allies: The WA attrition Lae or Rabaul. Two carriers are sunk at accomplishes nothing. The Russians attrition Pearl Harbor, but will be raised to fight Finland again and eliminate two more another day. There is no second strike. counters. Mike: Why no second strike? With two 1940 Summer Axis: Paris falls on carriers caught at Pearl, that seems odd. exploitation with the Germans taking very light losses. Norway is also conquered.

25 Joe: The failure to take a second strike shipbuilding mobilizations, and stretches against Pearl Harbor was just a blunder. out the U-boat war. 1941 Summer Allies: The WAs are able to The Allies force supply into Lae and occupy supply the Gilberts and land a unit at some of the Burmese jungle/mountain Tamana. hexes. 1941 Fall Axis: Yugoslavia becomes a full Mike: That’s far too early for the Allies to Axis ally. In Russia, Kiev and have entered the Burmese jungle/mountain Dnepropetrovsk are captured; Kharkov is hexes. But unless the Japanese enter them isolated. Germany does not exploit or fly in their Winter 1941 turn, it can’t be any offensive air missions. Sub losses are stopped. If the Axis attack more 5/3. historically in Winter 1941, they can Japan continues its attack and takes the actually wait until Fall 1942 to occupy Philippines with the help of carrier air. Japan those hexes – the Allies are prohibited in also takes Rabaul and Singapore. Adak and the first two turns, and the Summer Kiska are occupied. Japan calls off the monsoons keep both sides out for a third Rangoon attack when it drops to a 1:1 (there turn. is a 2x2 in Rangoon, covered by Allied air). 1942 Spring Axis: The Germans attrition 1941 Fall Allies: Russia establishes a line in the Russians with very little effect. Germany preparation for the Winter turn. deactivates Vichy; the Italians occupy The Allies supply Lae, and build a fort there. Tunisia. Sub losses are 7/3. For the first time Rangoon is fully supplied and reinforced. raiders get through, but on a roll of ‘2’ fail to kill any transports. Mike: This Summer attack does not appear to have gone well. It is being used more Mike: Vic was brave to send the raiders frequently by Japanese players, but with out with the US in the war! somewhat mixed results. Japan patrols in the Gilberts and finally 1941 Winter Axis: Germany doesn’t do takes Tamana, completing the Gilberts’ anything significant in Russia. Sub losses conquest. are 4/3. 1942 Spring Allies: The Allies are able to Japan takes Rangoon with a land based and gain a strategic hex through attrition in amphibious attack supported by the North Africa, and the Italian position begins Japanese carriers. crumbling. The Allies land in Morocco and Algeria. The Russians attrition the Germans Mike: This put the Japanese carriers out with very little effect. of position so that they could not defend 1942 Summer Axis: the perimeter. Germany conducts a full offensive in Russia and takes Kharkov 1941 Winter Allies: The Russian attrition and Rostov; Leningrad is isolated. Italy causes moderate casualties. The US DOWs retreats in Libya. Note that Germany never Germany. Africa continues to be a put many resources in Africa. Sub losses are stalemate. 5/3. Mike: The Winter 1941 US entry was Japan patrols in the northern Solomons to probably due to the Axis taking Malta in run supply to Rabaul, and also invades an 1940. I’m not sure why Vic chose to do empty Santa Isabel. A CV3 is lost to an this, as Malta is easy enough to take in American submarine, but there is no naval Spring 1942, and a later invasion keeps battle. Japan also attempts to invade the US out one more turn, delays double Midway, but is intercepted by two TFs

26 (thanks to US MAGIC cards). The invasion 1942 Winter Allies: The WAs bypass the is thwarted; the Japanese lose another CV3 Italians in Tripoli and Tunisia and invade an while the US has a BB4 damaged. unfortified Malta. Russia attritions. Sub Mike: Well, the US got revenge for its two losses are 5/6. carriers at Pearl. Ouch. On the bright The Allies invade Bougainville and side, the Japanese didn’t lose FOUR Kavieng. A port is built at Manus. The US carriers like in the real war! sub war hurts the Japanese for the first time 1942 Summer Allies: The US retakes Adak. with a 5/1 result. Paul: A strategic note: Due to the Mike: A 5/1 result in 1942 is pretty fortifying of Lae and the generally good devastating for the cash starved Japanese. Allied position in the Pacific, we decided Given the rapid nature of the Allied to send more than the usual share of Allied advance thus far, it looks like a big Allied resources (especially air) to the Pacific. win was brewing. 1942 Fall Axis: Germany attritions in 1943 Spring Axis: Sub losses are 6/6. The Russia. Italy is retreating towards a fortified sub war continues to go well for Germany Tripoli. Sub losses are 5/6. because of the Axis’ commitment of RPs to Mike: Germany ATTRITIONED in it and the Allies’ use of their CVEs for Russia? This is a little mystifying to me, Mediterranean invasions. given that so much Allied air was in the Mike: I’ll say! Those look like Happy Time Pacific. losses! Joe: I think the reason Vic took a Fall 1943 Spring Axis: The Russians mount a 1941 attrition in Russia was just the LA large offensive and kill most of the German style of play. They generally have the infantry on the front by exploiting sideways. Germans take some land, build a wall of The German armor remains largely intact. steel, and let the Russians knock Mike: I can only guess, but it seems that themselves out until 1944, when they can perhaps too much German air was in the finally make some headway. Med. It is difficult for the Germans to Vic: I didn’t push one last turn with the replace so much infantry, given the Germans when I could have, electing to go relatively few objective hexes in Russia on the defensive in Fall 1942. That was under Axis control. intentional – but I believe a mistake. 1943 Spring Allies: Sicily is invaded, while Japan attempts to supply Kiska, resulting in cleanup of the Italians in Libya and Tunisia a naval battle with old BBs and CAs. Japan continues. wins and the supply gets through. Hollandia is taken. Sub losses for the 1942 Fall Allies: The US invades and Japanese are 7/2. retakes Kiska. The US also takes Manus in Mike: Ai yi yi! the Bismarcks and Santa Isabel in the 1943 Summer Axis: The Germans retreat to Solomon Islands. the Dnepr and send some armor to Italy to 1942 Winter Axis: The Germans attrition in save the situation there. Sub losses are 4/6. Russia. 1943 Summer Allies: The Russians pull up Japan brings down a large amount of air to to the Dnepr and attrition. The siege of try to cover supply to Rabaul. A large air Leningrad is broken. The Allies cross to battle ensues, but goes badly for the mainland Italy from Messina. Japanese; supply is cut.

27 Truk is captured with a massive invasion. counter-intercepts, and supply gets through. The British (with American help) begin to Mindanao is invaded. A port is then built on attack in Burma to link up with China. Sub Saipan. losses fall to 3/1 as Japan finally gets an Mike: Not getting the port on Saipan ASW result, but Japan is already starting to would have allowed Japan to survive an suffer from a shortage of oil. extra turn, so this was a very significant Mike: Yes, the loss of 15 transports in event. three turns will do that. 1944 Spring Axis: The Germans dig in for 1943 Fall Axis: Sub losses are 5/7. the next onslaught. Sub losses drop to 2/5. 1943 Fall Allies: Russia takes a huge 1944 Spring Allies: The WAs invade offensive, attacking along most of the front. France at Caen and exploit one hex. They There are large German losses and large also attack in the Naples area and exploit territorial gains for Russia. However during adjacent to Rome. The Russians hit the combat and the subsequent breakout Rumania hard and get close to Bucharest attempts of the Germans in the next turn, the and Ploesti. They also hit hard in the center Russians suffer huge armor losses. and drive into eastern Poland. Mike: I was beginning to worry that the Foochow is invaded from Mindanao. Also Allies would have it too easy! the two undefended oil centers and Saigon The Allies take another Italian hex and Italy are invaded. The Japanese are almost surrenders. eliminated from northern Burma. In the Pacific, the Allies invade Saipan, Mike: Obviously Joe held on in Burma bypassing the very heavily defended Guam. despite losing some of the jungle/mountain The offensive continues in northern Burma. hexes. It’s actually difficult for the Allies Transport losses are 4/2, but the damage has to advance in this theater against NO been done. opposition! The terrain alone limits most Mike: I am beginning to doubt that Japan advances to one hex a turn. I hope Joe had could survive until 1945. a decent oil reserve! 1944 Summer Axis: 1943 Winter Axis: The Germans try to The Germans fall back form a line along the Rumanian border and to the Warsaw line; the Italian line is then north from Cernauti to Riga. The established at Florence, abandoning Rome. Germans form a new line in Italy at Naples. They form a better line in France. The sub war continues with a 4/5 result. 1944 Summer Allies: The Russians attack Mike: The sub war was very strong in around Warsaw and are able to take Ploesti 1943. I notice that Germany did an and Bucharest. The oil situation has excellent job of keeping the Allies out of Germany concerned. France. An unfortified Okinawa is invaded as Japan 1943 Winter Allies: The Russians attrition is concentrating on building the defense of while they bring forward infantry and the home islands. Carrier strikes are made rebuild their armor. against the remaining Japanese navy in port, eliminating most of it. The Allies almost get caught napping. Mike: That was a rather inglorious early Unprotected supply is sent to Saipan, and end to the IJN. Paul must have had a LOT the Japanese intercept at long range with a of carriers by this point, given he could good roll. Fortunately, there is a spare TF in begin laying them down in Summer 1941. Manus which gets an equally good roll and

28 The forces in Burma link up with the Allies are hampered by a lack of armor and Chinese but are not as useful as the Allies air (a 5o6 was sent to the Pacific, and there had thought they would be. SRs are almost still is a lot of air there). impossible, as they always seem to have to In the Pacific, Kagoshima is invaded. It is pass next to a Japanese unit. defended by two 3x2s and three special units 1944 Fall Axis: The conventional subs peter with a fort and beach defense, giving it a out (CVEs are finally protecting the defense of 36. After D-Day most of the convoys), but an advanced sub is Allied navy was sent to the Pacific, and 12 encountered. TFs invade, carrying six marines, a British 1944 Fall Allies: There is bitter fighting 2o3 and 3x2, with a 5o3 for exploitation. around Warsaw but it holds out, now Assuming most ships survive, it has an isolated. In the south the Russians drive for attack value of 83, a straight up 2:1 attack. Hungary and Yugoslavia. The WAs attack Kamikazes are a very real threat, so every the Florence line and break through, task force has at least one fleet carrier for isolating the surviving Germans. In France, CAP and enough capital ships to spread out Paris is taken, but there is still a double line the hits. All TFs carrying troops also get protecting the German border. LBA cover from Okinawa. Kamikazes find Peking and Shanghai are attacked using a TF carrying two marines but the CAP, Chinese infantry supported by all of the LBA, and AD reduce them so that only a carrier air plus some LBA that was sea CA is lost and a BB damaged. transported to China or staged from Burma. For the ground attack … a ‘1’ is rolled! The 1944 Winter Axis: In Italy the Germans invading force loses 18 factors and the retreat to the Alps. Another advanced attack is reduced to 1:1. A ‘5’ is then rolled Mike: Big sigh of relief from Paul submarine appears and the Allies are very ( ), worried. eliminating the defenders. With air support from China, Nagasaki, defended by a 1x2, is Mike: Paul didn’t mention how successful overrun. Living on the edge, the 5o3 attacks the conventional subs are at this point, or the 1x2 on the main island at 2:1 and wins if they are still operating. If the Germans the battle. That, with the capture of Canton, could actually field all of their is enough to force surrender. It should be conventional submarines (16 at this point) noted that the WAs had not developed and two advanced submarines, they could nuclear weapons, so it had to invade Japan. still get a 5/11 result. With three (and They did have CTL 3, however, virtually another conventional sub) they could ensuring a successful invasion. score 7/13, leaving only 10 transports (or fewer) in the Atlantic SW box in Spring Mike: Paul attacked with abandon, forcing 1945. If more advanced subs keep Japan’s surrender in Winter 1944. But it appearing, the Allies will need to win just was close. Paul achieved a three-point to stay on the continent! Allied victory against Japan, which is about as well as I have seen the Allies do 1944 Winter Allies: The Russians finally since the atomic bomb rules were revised. take Warsaw and drive to the Oder. In the Mike: Unless there were some additional south, Yugoslavia goes down and Budapest exploiters not mentioned, the exploitation is threatened. The Allied force in the west in Japan wasn’t legal. A single exploiter links up with the Italian front. The cannot move from Kagoshima to Nagasaki remaining forces in France are eliminated, and back to Kagoshima (in order to attack and Belgium and Luxemburg are taken. The into Honshu); that’s two hexes, even if the

29 armor is “backtracking”, and an Europe; a Fall conquest would be a one- exploiting armor would have had to point Axis victory. The final result is a two- remain in Nagasaki (the first hex) to or three-point overall Allied victory. maintain the required chain of [Pacific] Europe Post-Mortem exploiters. Another exploiter would have Joe: I did my best thinking in research. The had to remain in Kagoshima (the second successful German strategic warfare hex) in order to allow the 5o3 to advance program was my idea. after combat into Honshu (the third hex). (Neither Honshu hex adjacent to Vic: I was playing for a draw. I intended to Kagoshima is adjacent by land to conduct as strong a sub campaign as I could Nagasaki, so it is not a lateral advance.) without taking Spain, hold in the Med, and try to take down Russia while activating as Paul: In my mind at that time, if the chain many of the minors as I could without was not broken it was legal move. We all driving RGT over 40. I did not try to build a missed that. I kind of think many people large German navy, although I did try for miss that judging from what I have seen in and get the maximum advanced sub result. It the Malaysian campaigns. However after had the effect of reducing the US buildup the attack Kevin pointed out to me (which quite a bit, giving me time to focus on happens way too often) that I should have slowing Russia. I then used Winter 1943 to done a combined attack on Nagasaki and fall back out of air and infantry range. My hex M29. These 2 1x2's would have thinking was that preserving my army was defended at 3 and I could attack with the preferable to standing and fighting. I believe 5o3 and and 10 AAF from Shanghai which the Summer 1945 surrender was correct. I would have been at 5 to1. This was think the new Russian rules would have possible because of the rule (15.44) that allowed me to push even deeper into Russia allows air support that can touch any of before giving up the initiative. the hexes to count for the combined attack. He was obviously quite right. So the Mike: Vic’s plan is similar to the one Jon outcome would have been the same and Hogen often uses, but instead of taking frankly much easier. Spain, building a large navy, and mauling but not trying to defeat Russia, Vic hoped

to possibly obtain a surrender. 1945 Spring Axis: Another advanced sub Pacific Post-Mortem appears and the Atlantic SW situation is getting serious for the Allies. Joe: The Japanese plan was to build a port in the Gilbert Islands and sweep up as many 1945 Spring Allies: The Russians attack island groups as possible, but that did not and get next to Berlin. The WAs take work, obviously. The Summer 1941 Cologne and exploit two hexes. The Allied Japanese attack can work but this was the forces in Italy attack into the Alps. Hungary first time I tried it. Obviously it needed falls, and the Russians move into southern some fine tuning. Germany. The Germans are out of oil. However, the convention is out of time. Adjudication The game is called. We decided that Germany might fall the next turn (Summer 1945) or certainly the turn after that (Fall 1945). A Summer conquest would be a tie in

30 Getting eight points by the end of 1942 is doable. Then the Japanese just have to Game 5 hold some islands, and they will build up a European Axis: Jason Moore great number of resistance points. Given that as Japan I have done this twice, I am Japan: Jason Moore, worried about getting the same treatment Brian Conway as the Pacific Allies. Allies Europe: Stephen Erickson Mike: I'm glad to see that Greg is working Allies Pacific: Greg Wilson on the antidote to his own poison! European Result: Spring 1945 (-1) [est.] To guard against this we plan to have as Pacific Result: Spring 1945 (-2) [est.] much Allied force as allowed in the Pacific. Overall Result: Allied (-3) [est.] This includes a British force of three CA2 in Singapore, and Australians positioned in the Game narrative provided by Stephen Solomons, Gilberts, and New Hebrides. Erickson and Greg Wilson. We’ll also attempt to hold the Golden Triangle (hex S15 in Burma) by beefing up Allied Strategy: I persuade Greg to adopt a northern Burma at the expense of a weaker “Japan first” strategy that I developed earlier Singapore. this year in a game within our West Coast play test group (Jon Hogen, Vic Hogen, Ken 1939 Research: Axis research rolls are Cruz, and I), which resulted at that time in a stellar; Allied rolls are poor. two-turn victory for the Allies in the Pacific. 1939 Fall Axis: Axis research rolls are All mobilized and produced AAF goes to stellar, Allied ones are poor. Germany the Pacific through mid-1942 and two conquers Poland, losing one AAF. Germany Australian factors are added to the lays down its seventh DD. Australian force pool upon DoW. Greg fine- 1939 Fall Allies: Russia enters eastern tunes our strategy, requesting a CVL and Poland and the Baltic States. other British warships amounting to a small 1939 Winter Axis: The German army sets TF, to head into the Pacific at war’s onset. up to attack west. We settle on this strategy without regard for 1939 Winter Allies: Russia demands the strengths or inclinations of our Bessarabia. The Rumanians do not resist, opponents. It is just something Greg and I and Russia gains Bessarabia. were curious to explore. 1940 Research: The Axis continue with Greg agrees to be vigilant with me during stellar research rolls, and Allied rolls are the early turns in Europe, looking for the poor once again. Japanese AND German spy unconventional approaches characteristic of rings appear in Allied atomics! our wily and immensely capable foe. 1940 Spring Axis: Germany DoWs the Low Mike: Jason is the only person to win first Countries and Norway/Denmark. Germany place in the AWAW tournament three advances through Belgium and one hex into times. France. All attacks are at high odds, and Greg: I have played Japan twice recently there are minimal German losses. The and attacked in Summer 1941 to preserve Germans invade the Norwegian beach Japanese oil and get good surprise at southeast of Oslo and airdrop into Bergen. Pearl. This then allows the Japanese to Germany’s seventh DD launches. strike deep into the island groups, and to start to rack up resistance points in 1942.

31 1940 Spring Allies: The Allies announce a 1940 Fall Allies: British units use naval ‘5’ result in Anglo-French cooperation. A redeployment (NR) into Oran, and use French attrition fails to take a hex. Britain tactical redeployment (TR) to move forward. places beach defenses in L22 and L23. Britain speeds reinforcements into South Stephen: Jason was poised for a Summer Africa, as the Axis are poised for a potential conquest of France, but I was pleased with major strike into Egypt. The Allies retreat in what I saw. The lack of an eighth DD and Egypt into row 26 to consolidate their second air transport implied Sea Lion forward position. would be less than full strength, if it was Stephen: I was pleased with several attempted at all. France was tightly things: the sub war was going fairly well, defended and the lack of an Italian DoW enabling me to lay down the occasional kept the southern front quiet. DD or CVE. Germany did not elect to 1940 Summer Axis: Italy declares war. mass for a Winter DoW on Spain – Germany exploits into Paris. This was a very something I see nearly every game in Los clean campaign with minimal losses. The Angeles; that was novel. Germany’s Axis complete the conquest of Norway. inability to diplomatically annex Yugoslavia meant he would invade it next 1940 Summer Allies: The Allied defense of turn. I surmise that is why Jason didn’t Great Britain is solid. The defense of the bomb London: he was concerned about eastern Med is solid with two TFs, and units tensions. Four Axis armored corps in port controlling all three Egyptian border hexes. in the Med, disguised as part of the Germany ends the turn with no units in Yugoslavian campaign, were a huge France south of Paris. The French surrender concern, but I could only do my best. If he level is ‘-2’, favoring the Allies. Germany didn’t respect my presence in west Africa, establishes Vichy. The west African I would roll into Tunis in Winter. colonies go Allied. 1940 Winter Axis: Stephen: Still I was pleased – as pleased The sub war improves as any Allied player can be at that stage of for Germany, sinking four transports rolling the game, especially going against Jason. at a +2 modifier. Germany DoWs, invades, I would benefit from the favorable French and conquers Yugoslavia. Germany invades surrender, and the good luck gaining the Tunisia, and advances through Tunis into west African colonies was welcome. the westernmost hexes of Algeria (DD15 and EE14). The supply line into Africa is 1940 Fall Axis: Rumania and Hungary ally well protected. Germany continues to set up with Germany, but Germany fails to gain for Barbarossa. Germany and Italy both lay control of Yugoslavia diplomatically. There down two DDs. is no Sea Lion; there is no bombing of Greg: Japan did not build DDs in Winter London. Germany whiffs on the sub war, 1940 in order to get an extra growth RP. sinking zero transports. Much of the German That left the attacks in 1941 a bit short on army masses at the Yugoslavian border, destroyers. with three German armor and an Italian armor in the ports of Venice and Trieste. 1940 Winter Allies: British forces meet and The Italians gain one hex in Egypt: LL25. attrition the Germans in western Algeria, The remaining German land units begin while others arrive to reinforce Egypt. heading east for Barbarossa. Italy lays down Britain remains weak in Egypt, as all unbuilt two DDs. Pacific units are built, preparing for the possibility of a Japanese Summer 1941 DoW. All Australian and Indian units to

32 leave the European board to be in position in prevent more than a three-hex penetration the Pacific. along the front. Stephen: Germany could still land a Stephen: At this point I was pleased. The significant punch in the Med, but only at French surrender was positive. Britain the cost of weakening Barbarossa. Jason, was not invaded; Gibraltar was secure; diabolically, seemed to be executing what the Allies were solid in the eastern Med for him must certainly have been his most and had the advantage of air superiority unconventional strategy ever – a historical at the Tunisian border. The German U- Barbarossa! boat campaign had been kept in check. Britain ends the year in solid economic The British economy was as solid as could shape. Necessary units were built, BBs be expected, which meant I had BRPs to advanced, etc. go on the offensive a bit in north Africa. The most the Germans could advance in 1941 Research: Germany continues its Jason’s Summer Barbarossa would be stellar research rolls. Including all 1941 three hexes. Life seemed good, given that rolls, the Axis roll two ‘6’s, three ‘5’s, seven it was Spring 1941. ‘4’s, eight ‘3’s, and only one ‘2’ and one ‘1’. The Allied rolls improve but the damage has 1941 Summer Axis: Barbarossa is a bold, been done; they consolidate RPs into “must tactically beautiful German attack. Germany have” projects, which means passing on takes Riga and sets up three exploitation others for now. For example, the Allies do attacks, each at a straight 2:1, which, if not allocate RPs to air production, successful, will encircle 90% of the Russian transports, or military production in 1941. line. Each attack succeeds! The sub attack at The spy rings in Atomic research are taking a -1 modifier eliminates three transports. their toll on the program. With RPs/DPs Italy retreats from Egypt toward the row 20 limited for intelligence, the Allies eliminated bottleneck. In unit construction, Italy one spy ring, only to have it return the advances and double accelerates two BB4s. following turn. Validating the Allied fears, Japan attacks 1941 Spring Axis: Germany rolls for Vichy and catches two carriers in Pearl. and gets a 2x3 to send east, and rolls for Greg: Finding carriers in Pearl is a mixed Finland (which was protected by Russian blessing: you hope to catch them there; DPs) but gets only 5 BRPs. however, the extra NAS usually means you Mike: One wonders why Jason didn't wait do not get a chance to surprise the BBs if until Summer to roll for Finland. you concentrate on the carriers and air. Germany masses for a Summer Barbarossa Mike: As you should, to pave the way for a with about 35 AAF in position. The sub war second strike. However, one disadvantage remains just moderately effective. Germany of the Summer 1941 attack is that Japan takes Malta. only has five carriers . 1941 Spring Allies: An Allied offensive in As the rolls turn out, Japan destroys the US the Med succeeds in gaining a hex row in air, destroys the Lexington, and sinks the western Africa and a hex row in Egypt. The Enterprise in port. The Enterprise in fact Russians painstakingly establish an overrun- takes five hits, but the critical hit roll failed. proof defensive line on the Eastern front. It’s Greg: With the new critical hit rule (post- not an armor-forward defense, but one convention), the Enterprise would have which is just able to deny overruns and been destroyed.

33 Mike: That was it? No second strike? No In Summer and Fall, Japan cleans out the damaged or sunk BB3s? Southeast Asian colonies. Due to the Allied Greg: Naguamo decided enough had been focus on islands and forcing the Japanese to done and declined a second strike. protect their TFs against the Dutch, Mike: That seems like a mistake. Australian, and British navies, things get a bit tight. As a result, Japan has to spend 1941 Summer Allies: A Russian attrition most of the opening two turns clearing out leaves the bulk of the Russian army the Dutch East Indies and Philippines. No destroyed and a hole blown wide open in the push is made in the Solomons until later. center. Russia tries to piece together a 1941 Fall Allies: defense but finds it impossible, and the Russia manages to string planned “line” shifts further and further together a line, but really needs bad winter back. Russia settles on a defense anchored in weather. The line stretches from Tula down E42, arching along the northern forest-line row 46, then curls around the southern Don down to Smolensk. The south, anchored at into Rostov. In Africa, the British take a full U41, centers on defending Rostov. The offensive: armor exploits adjacent to Tunis middle is the vast Russian steppe, wide open and armor breaks into NN19, penetrating for the taking. through the “bottleneck”. Stephen: I remained on pins and needles The Allies take a Med attrition, conserving in Russia. However everywhere else was BRPs, because, while advancing to the good. My armor adjacent to Tunis meant Libyan bottleneck, they could not mount an the Axis couldn’t fortify it. I was ahead of attack from the east this turn. The Allies schedule in the Med. The loss of two capture Tobruk and Bengasi. Russian ICs raised the Fall tensions to 46, Stephen: I was shocked. I don’t see this in which meant a virtually certain US DoW L.A. The guys don’t risk 2:1 attacks on the in Winter. Germany was not doing well opening turn of Barbarossa. In that with the sub war. Modest transport losses situation, from the defense I had set up, I meant I had launched six CVEs and would can always recover a line, usually close to get the first CVE modifier in Spring 1942, the front. Not here. Jason ripped the front partially mitigating the “happy time”. open wide. :-( The Allied supply line to Rabaul (still held) Mike: Jon Hogen (L.A.) doesn't usually try is critical, as the Allies have a fort in to conquer the Russians – just hurt them a reserve. If the Japanese miss cutting supply lot. Rather than destroying everything in from Truk, the Allies would have Rabaul the Summer turn, he is happy to have held tight. Japan, however, cuts supply. The something to attack in the Fall. He usually Allies reinforce the Gilberts, New Hebrides, attacks in Spring anyway! and Solomons. 1941 Fall Axis: The German attack in 1941 Winter Axis: Germany DoWs the US. Russia advances to within two hexes of The Russian weather roll is a ‘5’ for a ‘6’ Moscow. German armor end the turn effect, allowing up to three Axis attacks. adjacent to Rostov. Smolensk, Kiev, The Germans take Rostov and push into Dnepropetrovsk, and Kharkov are taken. N47 and O47, pressing on Stalingrad. At a The Axis protect supply and transport lines +3 modifier, the Germans sink seven into Libya with five to eight AAF and transports. Axis forces begin to strengthen reinforce both sides of the desert front. The the coastal defense of France. Five to eight subs roll snake eyes, blowing out and AAF remain in Sicily, ensuring continuous sinking only one transport.

34 supply to North Africa, as well as the NR of Japan uses their whole navy to take out new units into the fight. Rabaul. Mike: I’m not sure what happened with 1941 Winter Allies: The end of Winter the Winter weather. The Axis had two 1941 sees the Japanese holding Rabaul, winter prep results (at most), so on a roll Wake, Burma, and Singapore. However, no of ‘5’ should have suffered the level ‘8’ resistance points have been earned. The effects (5+5-2=8). Maybe the roll was a Allies consider this a success, as the Allied ‘3’? fleet is being laid down at an accelerated 1941 Winter Allies: A targeted Russian rate. attrition mirrors history, and the Russians 1942 Spring Axis: The Axis call Greece, advance into I45, J45, and J46, pushing the but it is protected by Allied DPs: no effect. German line three hexes from Moscow. The In Russia, Germany maximizes an attrition Russians are able to build all their ground and edges closer to Stalingrad. units, but the frontline is lengthy. The Stephen: Jason knew his best chance for Russians are stretched past their ability to victory rode with the Summer offensive. create a two-hex deep line, whereas the German panzers and Luftwaffe have the The sub war is effective, sinking four power and the concentration to continue to transports and inverting five. Tripoli is advance at will. The US Atlantic fleet is put fortified. to immediate use protecting a Murmansk 1942 Spring Allies: Given the Russian convoy, and US troops land in Britain. The situation, the Allies immediately open both British bomb for the first time, causing three the Alaskan highway and the Persian route. BRPs of damage and eliminating one The Germans have a TF in Bergen available interceptor. Tunis falls and the Allies to oppose Murmansk convoys, but do not eliminate armored “speed bumps” on each challenge the Allied TF sent to escort the side of the Libyan front, consolidating gains. BRPs. Stephen: I was very happy with the US The Allies and Japanese spar over the same entry into the war. Because of our “Japan ground for much of 1942. The Allies send first” strategy, I would not receive any all the air they can to help hold the Japanese AAF and only a few 3x4s in 1942, but the while they have the fleet advantage, and a US TF is very welcome. (As were the British CVL is used to help increase the US BRPs!) The Allies were in clear control of BB3 TF’s interception range. Instead of the Battle of the Atlantic. I was spoiling fighting over the Solomons, the big fights for a naval battle in the Med, but the are over the Gilberts. The Allies hold opportunity hadn’t arisen. Tarawa and build a port there in Spring The Germans had little armored threat in 1942. Most of the fights are smaller actions. Russia to the north, so the northern front Both sides patrol to wipe out the enemy as well as the defense around Moscow was LBA, with the defender deciding not to risk tight. The center line between Moscow and attacking the patrols, which are usually Stalingrad, while backed by armored under protective air cover. ZoCs, was weak overall – weak enough 1942 Summer Axis: In Russia, the Germans that the German Summer offensive would – radically continuing to strictly adhere to be certain to gain ground wherever Jason historical precedent – launch a southern chose to concentrate. Russia was by no offensive. To the north of the salient they means out of the woods. capture Stalingrad. To the south, Maikop is cut off and isolated, and panzers exploit

35 south of Stalingrad into P48, Q48, S47, and “Japan first” strategy. The Allies do have the T46. navy to carry a 2o5, a 3x4, and a 4o5. 1942 Summer Allies: On the Allied side, The Allies decide to invade France! A TF concern for Russia remains paramount. 35 pins the German TF in port. The 2o5 and BRPs of aid flows in (20 BRPs via 3x4 attack the Lorient beach (N19) at 2.5:1. Murmansk, 5 BRPs via Persia as a partisan The exploiting 4o5 moves through Brest must be cleared, and 10 BRPs via Alaska). (N18) capturing the port and attacks both Regardless, Germany’s attack leaves an 3x3s in Rennes (N20) at 2:1. The WAs and isolated Maikop which is now defenseless, Communists agree to build partisans in St. and Grozny is indefensible save for units in Nazaire (O19) and O20. the city itself. Everywhere else is fine. A In the Med, the Allies consolidate their second CVE modifier means the battle of position, isolating and encircling Tripoli and the Atlantic has nearly been won. Two US moving armor to ports. Bombing nets no 3x4s enter Ethiopia, and the Axis in North BRP damage. The Allies have no DDs left Africa have retreated to a fortified Tripoli to NR units into the BH port at Lorient. The and one adjacent hex. Twelve AAF shift into WAs send one oil to Russia via Persia, range of Malta and Sicily, dwarfing the Axis enabling Russia to build around 75 factors AAF and three NAS there. The commando and end the turn with three oil in reserve – lands in Sardinia. Summer bombing of both which is now the most Russia can generate Essen and Cologne eliminates only three on her own. BRPs, plus 12 BRPs of Axis air losses. The Stephen: I was very satisfied with the Axis have two air defense results and an shoestring invasion. I felt Germany must overall +2 modifier (a product of superior respect it, or it could expand and become research rolls). dangerous. Winter would be a critical 1942 Fall Axis: In Russia the Axis advance turn. into all hexes west of the Volga below Mike: It seems from the Winter Axis turn Stalingrad. Germans penetrate into M50. that the 4o5 advanced into Rennes after Maikop falls, meaning Russia must start eliminating the two 3x3s there. With only a counting oil. Grozny is isolated, and armor lone exploiting unit, moving/advancing advances into the southern mountains and three hexes from Lorient (the V46. breakthrough hex) to Brest to Lorient to Stephen: Bold moves would be necessary Rennes wasn’t legal. The first exploiting to force the Axis to put the brakes on. If armor can move only two hexes (it doesn’t Baku were to fall, Russia would be hard get a pass on the rule even if it moves back pressed to continue the fight. to the breakthrough hex) unless the third 1942 Fall Allies: The Russians organize a hex is a lateral advance after combat, strong defense of Baku, involving two 5o6s, which Lorient-to-Rennes was not. two 3o5s, several 3x3s, and 15 AAF. In the 1942 Winter Axis: The turn starts out well west, the Allies study the Axis defense of for the Axis: the winter weather roll is an France: there are two 3x3s on the five unmodified ‘2’, inflicting the level ‘3’ easternmost beach hexes, but no beach effects on the Axis. Germany takes a limited defenses and no armor or AAF in the area. offensive, occupying F43 with armor and Lorient is defended with a 3x3 and a 1x3. cutting supply to the forward Russian units, The Allies only have 12 AAF in Britain and then takes a punishing attrition. Germany no American 5o6s – the result of their elects not to attack the Russian line

36 defending Baku, although armor advances to 1942 Winter Allies: In Russia, taking full Y45 threatening to flank the defenses. advantage of the Axis’ elongated front and In France, Germany eliminates both defensive posture south of Stalingrad, the partisans, advancing into their hexes. The Russians attack. In an eerily historical attrition (at +5 for the difference in winter parallel, the Russians cross the Don (with a prep) gains a hex, but the Allies take the loss BH at N47) and the Volga (BH at O49), from Rennes (N20) preventing Axis advance isolating a 3x3 and 4o6 in N48, a 5o6, 3x3, into it. and airborne in Stalingrad, and two corps in Mike: Again I’m unsure about the Winter M50. Exploiters from O49 move into P48. weather. In Russia it looks like the Axis From the Baku pocket, armor bounces off had four winter prep results (two the Axis armored rear guard units reaching produced and two from the 1941 Winter?) V47 and W44. In the center, the Russians since 2 + 5 - 4 = 3. That should have retake K45 and L45 killing German infantry. made the modifier in France +4 (or less if In France, the decision is made to protect the the WAs had any winter prep). And I hope invasion. Twelve AAF sea transport from everyone remembered that the units that the Med to Britain, and the resulting air attacked and advanced into the two parity enables the WAs to run supply into partisan-occupied hexes were ineligible to France. The Allied attack captures O19 and attrition – though with a +4 even a one- O20. factor attrition gains a hex on a roll of ‘5’ Mike: Something is wrong. You can't sea or better. transport air to protect supply, because The WAs are caught off balance: previously the supply phase occurs before sea eliminated US replacement counters have transport. not reappeared in Britain – they headed to Stephen: My write up would benefit from the Pacific instead – so the German attrition more clarity and detail. Jason ended his forces the loss of four 3x4 infantry corps. turn with 25 uninverted German AAF in Germany builds a fort in N21, shifts four France, giving him air superiority of 25 to armored corps and 25 AAF into France, and about 13. He could have, and if I were him sets up a 2o5 and 2o6 forward defensive I would have, attempted to cut my supply front near Baku. during initial supply determination. But he Stephen: Jason’s intent was now clear. based the 25 AAF that he brought west in With a 13 AAF air superiority in France, rear positions such as Lyon and Vichy; I he was poised to cut supply and quickly don't recall any air as far forward as kill my invasion. The armor came west Paris. He may have wanted to cut supply, from his juggernaut in southern Russia; but didn't have enough forward bases to however, should my invasion fail, the enable him to concentrate a massive armor and AAFs would certainly return to amount of air on more than one sea supply the east. hex. He could have (but didn't) TR to La Mike: It is hard to second guess Jason Rochelle (where 10 AAF could base), but I without seeing the board position. If Baku was adjacent to Caen and Cherbourg. So could have been taken and significant perhaps the most air he could have gotten damage done to the Russian army, that within range of Brest was 15: five in La may have been worth letting the Allies Rochelle and ten from two airbases he keep their bridgehead in France. could construct. Had he been in position to attack the supply line, I would have elected to defend the supply convoy in

37 order to force him to commit most or all of to retake Grozny in Spring and (unless his air. Even if he had the ability to significant reinforcements arrived) concentrate all his air on Brest, enough to Maikop in Summer. Going into Spring hit my escorting TF(s) once and cause mud, the German line was overextended some damage, I may have elected to take and soft. Seven Axis corps were isolated in the hit in that one hex to get supply in. the Stalingrad pocket. I ended the turn with 30 AAF, because five The Allies take one of the Marshall islands inverted AAF also NRd in from the US. If (Majuro), which earns them their first Jason wanted to cut supply in Spring, he cumulative resistance point. Instead of the would have to add 15 AAF to the 25 AAF Japanese piling up resistance points, the he already had in France – his entire air Allies will start to rack them up! force. I decided to transport the 12 AAF in 1943 Research: Research rolls are even. from the Med was to reestablish air parity The Axis have crippled Allied attempts to going forward, and to ensure that a build the bomb – and they know it. Axis air reinforced invasion could then continue its defense and other research results are progress deeper into France. minimizing the bombing damage. In the Med, with Malta and Sicily in sight, 1943 Spring Axis: The Axis roll a ‘1’ and the withdrawal of all but three Allied AAF get hex control of Finland . The Axis have a stops everything. Ethiopia is conquered. The 3 DP edge in Greece, but fail to get a pro- German partisan threat in Persia is Axis result. vanquished. Russia, sent another oil through Mike: I've been there many times. Persia, is reduced to two oil – but its massive army is now built. With the Battle In a game fast becoming surreal in its of the Atlantic effectively over and the eastern front historical parallels, Germany Kriegsmarine pinned, aid can flow to Russia feeds two fresh 4o6s into the Stalingrad uncontested. The Axis have surviving BRPs pocket, replacing the seven corps which will to grow modestly at the end of 1942. die out of supply. Germany anchors the southern front, securing Rostov and Mike: Where was the German Navy and defending along the western side of the Don. how was it pinned? Armor in Maikop and Q47 constitute a rear Stephen: The German navy was based in guard speed bump. A 2o6 sea transports into Bergen. I believe we played with the new Helsinki and advances adjacent to an rules regarding Bergen and Murmansk. unfortified Leningrad. If Germany can take Regardless, I had a TF escorting Leningrad, the Russian oil reserve will be Murmansk convoys that would have been further compromised, but it is a last-ditch more than a match for the German navy, effort – Germany lacks the punch in the had Jason tried to intercept Murmansk north to get a 1:1 on Leningrad. In France, convoys. Germany conducts a punishing attrition but Stephen: I was elated. The decisions made gains no hexes. The sub campaign this turn had won the game for the Allies. continues, but no longer causes significant The invasion of France survived the winter transport losses. Paris is fortified, but and expanded. The large force the Axis Germany is unable to rebuild all its units. brought to reinforce France and destroy Japan takes Majuro back and reclaims the the invasion had to remain in France to Marshalls. contain the invasion. The threat to Baku 1943 Spring Allies: The Russians swing was over and the Russians would be able two armored corps defending below

38 Stalingrad into L48 to become exploiters. Realizing the threat, the Italian navy Attacks into N46 and N45 lead to counter-intercepts. Allied TFs win each of exploitation into O45. A misplayed exploiter two separate engagements. The Italian navy that should have entered P45 doesn’t, but breaks off, preserving enough of a TF to combined with armor advancing into R45 a protect Taranto. The Allies land. A 2o5 bigger pocket of Axis infantry is encircled. exploits into Y24 and another into Rome. In In the far south, Maikop is retaken. Soon France, the Allies are still not strong enough Russia will no longer have to track oil. L44, to attack fortified Caen or drive on Paris, but M44, and J44 all fall to attacks aided by expand to the south into hex row Q. Italy shock armies. In the Med the commando surrenders at the end of the turn. takes Ajaccio. Tripoli is attacked at 1.5:1 Stephen: At the end of this turn I had to and taken. In France, the Allies take P19 hide my joy. It was just the Summer of with an airdrop, establishing a BH, and P18. 1943 but Germany was in dire straits: Five newly-built AAF are arriving each turn. over 130 BRPs of German units were off Because the German AAF strength in the the board. (Germany was building about west remains 25, surplus Allied AAF 70-73 BRPs per turn.) The Russian front reinforces the Med once again. was scary: the north was encircled, the The US again takes Majuro to earn a middle shredded, and the south reeling. cumulative resistance point (counted at the The sudden loss of Italy took away end of the Allied turn). absolutely essential land and air units and Stephen: This island was fought over and BRPs at the worst possible time. Jason traded back and forth for three turns had NO units in northern Italy at all. At before the Allies finally held it and the the end of the turn Jason conceded; we Japanese pulled back. were both talking a two-turn Allied Mike: The game description in the Pacific victory. It was 5 PM on Saturday, ends here. There is more discussion in the convention time, but Jason decided to soldier on. The crafty German had yet to Pacific post-mortem. put on his thinking cap and conjure up a 1943 Summer Axis: The units in Stalingrad remedy … and the hexes to its west die in isolation. 1943 Fall Axis: Germany strengthens its front along hex The Axis defensive reaction row 43 in the center, and uses the Donets in was beautifully simple: stay strong in the south. France, plug the Italian front with armor in the mountains above Rome, and in Russia 1943 Summer Allies: Russia lowers the … flee west at top speed. Not even offering boom. Armor swings to the north. H43 and a “paper bag” defense, Germany flees and J44 become breakthrough hexes. 5o6s reconstitutes a line in hex row 39. The line is exploit behind the German line into H42 and strong with AAF and land units in Riga and I42, and armor takes Smolensk. Armor also the north, where the Russians could reach it, moves into F42. Army Group North is fully but the line in the center and south is encircled. The center of the German front completely out of Russian reach. Half the line is decimated by units attacking into L43 unbuilt German units are constructed and and M43. In the south, the Donets is filtered into the ranks. Germany, hoping for crossed. minimal combat losses in the Allied Fall In the Med the Allies have the capability to turn, would then attempt to fully rebuild its invade Malta or Sicily. Noticing no armor in army before the Allied Winter offensives. southern Italy, the Allies invade AA23.

39 Stephen: And that was where the game (down 110-130 BRPs) would be facing not ended on the European board. only the full weight of the massive Red Europe Post-Mortem Army in the east, but would also be Stephen: Both Jason and I agreed that this defending a line in the west stretching across game would result in an Allied victory. France and Italy. In addition, I was going to Factors suggesting it might turn out to be a open a third front; that's a huge kill zone. one-turn victory include Jason’s tactically In a “normal” game, a fully-built Germany skillful and resourceful defensive abilities can absorb the punishment in the east, since and the fact that the Allied atomic bomb the Allies haven't established much of a project was stillborn. But I am certain it western front by this point in the game. would have been at least a two-turn victory 2) My position in France at the beginning of for several reasons: my Fall 1943 turn was where I would 1) Jason had 130+ BRPs of units off the normally hope to be by the end of Summer board. His massive retreat in Fall 1943 1944. would allow 70 BRPs or so to be rebuilt in Mike: Wouldn't you normally be in Paris Fall, and would enable him to attempt to by Summer? build most of the remainder in Winter and Stephen: My experience (in games for the have them in place for my Winter attack. past year or so) is that with a Spring 1944 However, I would easily be able to kill at invasion against a good German defender, least 45 BRPs of German units in my Fall Germany can protect Paris until Fall 1944. attacks. Against a good defense, the Allies can Mike: So Jason didn't retreat far enough? only manage to land in the south of Stephen: Jason retreated to a very good France, and they don't get further than one position. On the center and southern fronts hex past the beachhead in the invasion my units could only race forward but not turn. Germany builds a fort in Paris and make contact; that would save him BRPs masses enough troops so that the Allies by avoiding unit losses in those areas in can advance adjacent to Paris in Summer, my Fall turn. In the north he had to form but can't take it. I was four turns ahead, the line along hex row 39; it’s the perfect measured against that standard. place for a line. He was faced with a I had the strength to push forward on land in difficult choice: either retreat out of my France as my second and third 5o6s were in reach but cede territory that he absolutely play, and my air superiority continued to can't give up this soon (Winter 1943 is too grow. Fall and Winter would see soon for a fully-juiced Russian army to be consequential Allied advances in France, just eight hexes from Berlin!) or retreat to along with significant German losses each the line he chose but incur losses from my turn. Fall attack. 3) The loss of Italy was significant. The Germany couldn't mount a strong defense Axis needed both the Italian units and BRPs for Winter 1943 with 105+ BRPs of units (Mike: And UCL!). Jason effectively sealed off the board at the end of my Fall turn. But northern Italy on his Fall turn, but my Med that's what was certainly going to happen forces would quickly have become active given my Fall attacks in France, Italy, and elsewhere. There were several places these the northern part of the Russian front. forces could go that would have had an Spring 1944 was unavoidably going to be a immediate and severe impact on Germany, crushing turn for him: his weakened army

40 and that Germany simply could not Mike: With only about 60 BRPs of units adequately defend. unbuilt at the end of the Fall turn, if you Mike: Yugoslavia and Greece are the killed 45 BRPs of units in Fall, he would obvious candidates, if they were actually be down 105 BRPs of units. If he rebuilt staying in the Med. Or perhaps they could 70 BRPs worth, he’d start Winter with 35 have attacked through European Turkey. BRPs unbuilt, and you would need to kill They could also have invaded Norway. another 65 BRPs to reach 100. Have I left anything out? But wherever Stephen: He wouldn't be able to build they were to go, they couldn't continue 70 BRPs, due to bombing and partisans. putting much pressure on Italy at the same But let's go with your math that far. He time, could they? would be starting Winter with at least 35 By the end of the Allied Winter offensives I BRPs of unbuilt units. That's a fair number would expect with near certainty the of armor corps and AAF. So his Winter following: lines would be weaker, and he’d face the 1) In France I would be in Paris and Vichy full brunt of a massive attack along both and driving through southern France. I had western and eastern fronts. three 5o6s, two 4o5s, and a total of seven Mike: How effective would your Winter armored corps attacking in France. Given offensive be on the Western front? The my air and land superiority there this would Germans would attrition you first (adding be hard to deny. +6 to the die roll), so they could gum up Mike: That would put you two turns ahead the works by advancing armor at key of schedule in France, but you could lose points. And you would be attacking under ground in Winter to a good winter a ‘6’ weather result, which prohibits attrition. exploitation. With no airdrops, bridgeheads are difficult to create, and Stephen: It would leave me three turns sneaky Atlantic invasions aren't possible. ahead of schedule, as this position And since he’d still have plenty of room to normally seems to happen after Fall 1944, retreat, and more units on the board to usually against a more completely “built” make things more difficult, it isn't obvious Germany – it’s normally tougher sledding that he would be down by 100 BRPs of than it will be for me here in Winter 1943. units. 2) On the Russian front, a Winter push with Stephen: It is not difficult to kill 65 BRPs three shock army results, two air transports, of units in a situation like this. If he were and three airborne would net me front line to keep his air back I would mince him in Riga and Kiev at the very least. I would also attacks and exploitation attacks. If were to severely deplete his line in the center and fly DAS, he'd protect some secondary south. positions and have fewer units encircled, Mike: Winter weather might ground the but would lose a bunch of air. And most airborne. significantly, he does not have plenty of The German territorial BRP shrink from all room to retreat … he has no room to of this would be significant, impacting their retreat! He played that card with his ability to build in 1944. Germany would end Summer and Fall collapse in Russia and in the year with well over 100 BRPs of units allowing my early invasion in France. I unbuilt, and would quickly be in a was poised to attack along hex row 39 in downward spiral. Winter 1943! That's several turns too

41 soon. He has to stand tall – with a line that surrender in Summer 1943, combined with is nowhere near full strength. the fact that I was already well into France, Mike: One rule of defense is not to stand meant that no less than 100 naval factors tall when you can't afford the losses and would exit the European board in Summer still have room to run. And there is room and Fall 1943. Also the sub war was over to run. If he took your attack on hex row well before the fall of Italy. In Summer 39, he’d have to run anyway, so why wait? 1943, 18 CVEs were headed to the Pacific. It would make more sense to me for him That's huge, and to me adds another turn to to have retreated to hex row 35 in Fall, our victory in the Pacific. where only your armor could get at him. Mike: I agree – that’s huge! That would eliminate the possibility of any Greg: The trick is where to go next: Guam casualties in the east and allow him to or Truk? Both would be attacked under large defend more heavily in the west, Japanese air forces; however it could be a minimizing his casualties there. good attrition play to force the Japanese to Mike: A Winter 1944 conquest of Germany trade carrier for carrier with the US. With is not out of the question, but given Jason's another full TF coming out of the shipyards, reputation, I don't think it's a lock. The the Allies could afford huge carrier losses, biggest factor in the Allies favor, besides while Japan could not. unbuilt units, seems to me to be the fact that Japan did very well in research. The US sub Italy is already out of the war. war was shut down by three ASW results Stephen: A Spring 1945 conquest would be and two air range results. Meanwhile, the a huge disappointment. Winter 1944 I US had horrible research. The A-bomb believe it would be – and that's factoring in project actually failed, helped on by Jason's Jason's defensive skills. Italy helped as it double spy rings in the WA atomic program. went quickly and cheaply. I feel the unbuilt So Japan was going to have to be dug out German units are far more important. with marines. Still, I predict that Japan Mike: Unfortunately, the Allies don't have would have fallen by Summer 1945, given the atomic bomb! It's too bad you couldn't the head start the Allies had on island play this one out. groups. By Summer 1945, Japan would have Stephen: This was a tremendous game, one -10 cumulative resistance points because of where Jason and I had the time to move the early US island group advantage – efficiently and the time to execute tactically certainly worth an A-bomb! – each move was our best move. Jason’s Stephen: I concur with Greg’s evaluation. focus was especially impressive as he was Seen from the Japanese side, their carrier handling both boards until Brian’s arrival. I strength was fundamentally intact, BRP base had such a great time, so much fun with strong, oil maxed, transport line in good Jason, my partner Greg, who often provided shape, and Brian knew that the Allies would such insightful timely advice, and Brian. never get the bomb. However, our “Japan What a harrowing game. first” strategy successfully prevented the Pacific Post-Mortem Japanese from getting any cumulative Greg: Mid-1943 found the Allies with five resistance points for island chains. Not one! full carrier TFs versus Japan’s two full The US had been getting one per turn since carrier TFs. Winter 1942 and would continue to do so for the rest of the game. The US had massive Stephen: The WA Atlantic navy is heading carrier air superiority with five complete to the Pacific very early. The Italian

42 carrier TFs on the prowl and two more forming. Japan reaped none of the advantages of their early DoW (Summer 1941), and would face the downside against a huge American navy that mobilized early. The lack of a bomb could save Japan for one additional turn; however, -10 cumulative resistance points effect by Summer 1945 is a huge hit. I feel that even if Japan won a significant naval engagement and turned back a key invasion for a turn, those -10 points might still be enough only to gain a draw in the Pacific. Greg: I don’t think it would be possible for Japan to win such an engagement. Mike: Given that Guam or Truk falls in 1943, or the Japanese fleet is sunk preventing it, I agree that a Summer or Spring 1945 surrender, or possibly even a Winter 1944 surrender, is the likely outcome. Especially so with all the Allied naval forces from Europe arriving by late 1943 or early 1944.

43 Fred: The air umbrella worked great, but I Game 6 didn't get the opportunity to use the European Axis: Jeff Mathis strategic cards. Japan: Fred Ehler 1939 Fall-Winter Axis: Poland is Western Allies: Jerry Smolens conquered without incident in Fall, and the usual Sitzkrieg follows in Winter. Russia: Jeremy Vipperman 1939 Fall-Winter Allies: France defends European Result: Winter 1946 (+6) very heavily in the north, going so far as to [est.] have the explicit objective of having enough Pacific Result: Fall 1945 (0) [est.] in the south to prevent the fall of Paris in Overall Result: Axis (+6) [est.] Spring, but no more. Game narrative provided by Fred Ehler and 1940 Spring-Summer Axis: Sun Tzu would Jeff Mathis. not approve of a direct assault on the massive Anglo-French army in the north, Introduction: Jeremy is an experienced but more importantly, the Axis see an A3R player, trying his hand at his first opportunity to set up a Fall campaign AWAW game at this year's con. His ally against Spain. They send everything south Jerry plays AWAW once a year at the con, and open a wide enough corridor to redeploy and agreed to assist Jeremy by taking on the a lot of armor and infantry into southern Western Allies in both theatres. I [Fred] was France. I meet my objectives without too about to embark on my first face to face much trouble, since the WAs decide to play match. To prepare, I played a learning game the two turns conservatively, opting to with Tim Schroeder via Warplanner during evacuate the British rather than make a stand the previous year. My ally Jeff has attended in France, and then prioritizing the defense the con two or three times in the past and of Gibraltar over the defense of Spain plays by email. His experience with the proper. Meanwhile in the Med, six armor game more than made up for my lack factors are sent to Libya. thereof. 1940 Fall Axis: A risky forward defense by Axis Strategy, Europe: The only dedicated the Allies allows a successful 1.5:1 attack … German strategy is to focus on bomber followed by exploitation into Suez. production and submarine warfare. I plan for Mike: Although not exactly spelled out, the a standard Summer 1941 Barbarossa. Other Axis conquered Spain in Fall 1940. Ouch! than that, Germany is prepared to react to opportunities. Mike: And took Suez! Double ouch!! The US should be in the war in Europe in Fall, Jeff: And as it turned out, a few presented though that is not mentioned here. With themselves! Spain conquered, Gibraltar under siege, Japanese Strategy: I am just hoping for a Suez lost, and Barbarossa about to kick off better DoW versus the US and Britain than I on schedule, things looked very dark for had in the Warplanner game. I want to build the Allies. up my AAFs and create a large air umbrella 1940 Winter Axis: Winter is predictably over the Bismarcks. I will add two airbases uneventful. The Axis consolidate their gains to assist basing in the Bismarcks and two and prepare to siege Gibraltar and assault strategic cards to prevent MAGIC Russia. The eastern front is almost devoid of interception. Germans at the end of the turn, with most armor units still in France and Spain.

44 Rumania, Hungary, and Bulgaria are was that the Med force fresh off its victory activated; Yugoslavia and Greece are not. in Egypt was perfectly positioned for a Jeff: Even though I activated all the little gambit. Balkans (other than Yugoslavia), which I The Axis DoW Lebanon-Syria and attack consider a dead giveaway of German Damascus, using the poor French as a intentions, I think the Allies were unsure springboard catapulting exploiting armor or even doubtful that a Barbarossa into the newest member of the Axis – campaign was in the works! Turkey! Japan wants to build up its air force, and Jeff: Including tactical redeployment, mobilizes a lot of AAFs. Besides air, only some of these units must have traveled infantry are mobilized. Japan produces 14+ hexes to the Caucasus border, where marines, infantry, NAS, and adds a strategic I now had a German 4o6, German 2o6, MAGIC codebreaking card to (hopefully) Italian 2o5, and Turkish 2o5, supported by neutralize US MAGIC interception. a generous supply of Turkish infantry! Japan had no intention of advancing in The Panzer corps in France and Spain show China, and takes only enough hexes to link the logistical prowess for which they are up with Foochow. Attrition losses are light famous, and they all redeploy to the eastern and Japan grows 25+ BRPs in the 1940 front. (Well almost all of them.) YSS. Japan occupies Saigon. 1941 Spring Axis: Germany announces a 1941 Spring Allies: spy ring in Turkey and is shocked to Jeff: Spring also saw the most discover one lone Russian DP opposing the questionable strategic decision of the German fat stack, the spy ring, and the game by the Allies. Having conquered covert op in Ribbentrop’s pocket. Spain in Fall, I was able to start the siege Jeff: This was the most curious diplomatic of Gibraltar the following turn. With a decision of the game by the Allies. With good amount of Axis air power having Spain already in Axis hands, and Vichy nothing better to do, supply was easily cut dissolved to make room for the panzers in the Allied Winter turn. Spring would be that came crashing in, where were the a different story I had suspected, since the Western Allied DPs??? Luftwaffe flew east along with all Italian Germany decides to go ahead and roll for AAF. Nevertheless, I figured it wouldn’t Turkey in Spring; Turkey offers full hurt anything to leave a small contingent alliance! of three Italian NAS that wouldn’t be too Jeff: Still, I had a decision to make, since useful for Barbarossa anyway. To my accepting the alliance would cost me surprise, the Allies decided not to attempt surprise. I was a little gun-shy at first, the supply mission, allowing Gibraltar to never having attacked Russia without reach Iso-2! I suspect the Allied rationale surprise before, and I wasn’t really sure of was that the Axis air force would be tied the implications. I credit Fred and some up in Russia for at least another turn, and players from other games for convincing he could just punch supply through in me it was a good trade-off (Rob Carl in Summer. particular was quite sure passing on the 1942 Summer Axis: Barbarossa’s primary “electric can-opener” was not an option.) thrust is stronger than expected, even though The coolest plot-twist here (well it was the Axis botch the northern pocket due to an cool if you like schnitzel and wheat beer) annoying oversight. The Germans attempt

45 the gambit whereby they invade Saare, them there. But the game was completely airdrop into Parnu, and then NR an armor out of control by this point. into Parnu at the end of the turn. 1941 Summer-Winter Axis: Seeing a real Unfortunately, the bulk of the Kriegsmarine opportunity in Gibraltar, Germany manages is squirreled away in the Murmansk Box to spare some air from the Russian where it can raid with impunity and shout campaign and redeploy it to Spain to insults at passing Allied convoys, and no continue the siege. German air remains to protect the mission. Jeff: I don’t remember for sure, but my So the sea escort was successfully repulsed guess is that I decided to counter-air the by the Russian navy! Russians only half-heartedly, opting to Mike: The Russian interception was only keep a force back for potential DAS legal if Helsinki and Tallinn were neutral counter-interception instead. When Russia or under Russian control. I assume unsurprisingly decided not to contest, I Finland was neutral, as activation isn’t had some un-inverted air to play with. The mentioned. Maybe some Allied DPs were Allies would never supply Gibraltar again, there. Under the current rules, the and eventually I just attacked the six Kriegsmarine can raid with impunity and factors there at face value and captured it insult passing Allied convoys from Bergen, without losses. from where it can also sortie to sink the Despite the circumstances and Jeremy’s Russian navy if necessary. inexperience in the subtle differences of On the other hand, Russia’s southern front is defending against Barbarossa in AWAW practically undefended, and the Axis vs. A3R, Russia didn’t just roll over and combine an advance from the Turkish die; in fact, they showed some serious bite. border with an invasion through the The original Russian force in the north Dardanelles and into the Black Sea to (which included Vilna) was freed up twice, capture or surround all three oil centers. thanks to another German blunder in its Jeff: I believe Baku could still draw supply Fall encirclement, so Russia carried the through Persia, but it was far enough Baltics and eastern Poland into the 1942 behind German lines to be impractical to YSS! defend in the long-term. Another Russian gambit was actually Mike: Activation of Turkey as an Axis ally picked up by German intelligence before and the successful relocation of several the German turn was done (due to an ill- Axis armored units to Russia’s southern advised finger-point), but I still failed to border make defense of Russia very stop it! The Russians combined a snake- difficult. But defense of the oil fields is like partisan formation along the entire essential, even at the expense of ultimately Turkish border with a daring attack near losing Leningrad, Moscow, and even the Sea of Azov to create a nightmarish Vologda. The US would soon be in the pocket comprising the entire Caucasus war, and the Western Allies would be able region, and containing probably no less to put up a fight in the Middle East. than 40 ground factors of various types! Russian airborne, 1x3 infantry, and Fortunately, I was able to free the pocket produced units could help man the and preclude any similar future efforts, so defenses against the Turks and Germans, the only real impact was a temporary even if the Russians have to eliminate and defensive reprieve. re-build some of them in Spring to get

46 Despite all of this, the writing was on the and San Cristobal, and a NAS redeploys to wall. each island. Fred: Jeremy did not see the trouble in 1941 Fall Allies: Lae, New Britain, the Russia until it was too late. With Solomons and Gilberts are isolated. US Germany's gains in the west, and bombers forces deploy into the South Pacific in the east, Russia got pounded into a -14 (Noumea, Suva, and Port Moresby). A 1x2 surrender. The US pulled out of the war in and three NAS are sent to Kiska. The New Europe, leaving Britain to face the Hebrides and the northernmost Ellice island Germans alone. remain empty. Jeff: The Allies had been fighting a 1941 Winter Japan: Again, no strategic hopeless cause for several turns when we MAGIC card. Japan advances into the finally decided to call it and focus on the Burmese jungle/mountains. Dacca is weak, Pacific theater. and falls to Japan; there is still Japanese air 1941 Fall Japan: Because of high tensions in the area. in the ETO, Japan declares war in Fall 1941. Fred: In hindsight, to take Dacca I had to They do not draw a strategic MAGIC card to give up the northernmost jungle/mountain help with surprise, but still catch a carrier at hex to the Indians, and would likely not Pearl. Two strikes of 18 NAS take out all the trade that hex for Dacca again. air, sink and destroy the CV and two BB3s, Fall’s Sumatran invasion force is sink one BB3 in port, and damage two reconstituted to take Java, and Java falls to a BB3s. One carrier task force is in the US; marine invasion from Sumatra at 3:1. Fall’s the other is five hexes away, but misses Sarawak invasion force is reconstituted to interception. invade and take Balikpapan. The Rabaul Mike: I usually keep at least one NAS on invasion force is reconstituted to take an CAP during the second strike to guard isolated Lae. Two 1x2s in Lingayen and six against a US carrier interception, which AAF attack and take Manila at 8:3. There can be nasty. However, that may have are no bad losses. Japan invades Midway (a been overly conservative if the Pearl TF and 1x2) and Adak in the Aleutians (a Harbor column was low. TF and 1x2), as well as Niutao (Ellice Hong Kong is taken at 3:1 with no losses. Islands), Espiritu Santos, and Efate (both Rangoon, Malaya, and Singapore are taken New Hebrides islands) with a 1x2 each. with the help of mobilized air; four DDs Mike: The invasion of the Aleutians in transport a 1o3, 2o3 and 1m2 into Singora. Winter is illegal (rule 34.23 A). The DEI navy and air are neutralized with a The US has no codebreaking cards for small patrol (two CVLs, two BB3s, CA2). A MAGIC interceptions, but is able to 1n2 (DD2) invades Brunei at 3:1, while 1x2 intercept the TF going to Midway. Japan’s + 1n2 (DD4) invade Palembang at 3:1. 1x2 force of CA10 and DD1 escapes with CA2 + 1x2 (DD4) and AAF from Formosa take and DD1 sunk and CA2 damaged. Lingayen at 3:1. 1x2 + 1n2 (DD4) invade Fred: Its purpose was to draw the MAGIC Rabaul at 3:1. One 1x2 (DD1) invade and interception if Jerry had one. take each of Kuching, Kavieng, San Cristobal, Wake, Guam, Tarawa, Beru, and The US also intercepts in the New Hebrides, Attu. One CA2 and a 1x2 are lost in ground but is turned away when the IJN sails out to combat. Unused AAF redeploy into Rabaul counter-intercept. A couple US lights are sunk and some heavies are hit (but not

47 damaged or sunk). The Japanese suffer some Summer, four CVLs in Fall, and four CVLs eNAS losses to LBA, but no ships are sunk. in Winter. The three NAS from Kiska are shot down or Fred: I was using all of Japan's and inverted by air defense. Germany's printed CVL counters! Fred: That worked well. The entire US Mike: (!) navy was inverted, as well as the LBA over 1942 Spring Allies: The US begins to the New Hebrides. I had saved exactly attrition the Japanese air cover in the South nine DDs to sea escort three 3x2s to my Pacific. The US also manages to pull new islands in the New Hebrides and to together sufficient strength to invade and Niutao (Ellice Islands). The 1x2s that take Niutao back. Dutch Harbor is defended invaded, however, had to be eliminated for with a 3x2 and a 1x2. overstacking. The 3x2s looked like a good 1942 Summer Allies: speed bump for the US to deal with while I set up my air umbrella in the Bismarcks Mike: What turn did Russia surrender? and Solomons. At the end of my turn I had Fred: Summer 1942, but only because 9½ island groups. Jerry was the only Allied player left, and Mike: This was a lot to accomplish on the we wanted to shut the ETO down. Jeff first two turns. would have gone all the way to the Urals box otherwise, because the entire US Fred: The US was upset I had gotten a forcepool was in the PTO. second Aleutian island with his NAS there. Jeff and Jeremy lost interest in going Mike: He did have a reason to be upset, through the motions in Europe, with one but he didn’t happen on the right one! day left. A close game is of much more 1941 Winter Allies: The US removes all interest to both players. naval and air units from the ETO and sends Mike: With Russia out of the war, did them to the PTO. Germany attempt to invade England? Mike: This seems like it was an over- Fred: Jerry tried to play both boards on reaction. After a Fall 1941 attack, the US Friday, but it took all day to get through should focus on building carriers one turn two turns (Winter 1941 and Spring 1942). earlier (starting in Fall rather than Winter Jeff and I spent most of the day talking 1941), and getting into position to attack and socializing with the other players, earlier than normal in 1943. while Jerry tried to play both maps. 1942 Spring Japan: Japan adds a second Germany controls everything in the ETO strategic MAGIC card to assist in but Britain and about one-fourth of neutralizing US MAGIC (but neither is Russia. The only thing for Jeff to do is to drawn this turn). The US isolates Niutao bomb and build up an invasion force. (Ellice Islands). Japan’s eyes are on Dutch Jeff does not want to play this out with Harbor, and it takes this turn to set up for the Jeremy gone, and only Jerry left to play us push north. Three marines are deployed both. Jerry, who only plays once a year, is back to Japan. No attacks are made. All reluctant to lay down his sword and wants ships are in Japan or Truk. The air umbrella to continue playing the PTO. To get some begins building in the Solomons and faster play in, I suggest we not play the Bismarcks; Japan still holds 9½ island ETO at all. Then I talk Jeff into assisting groups. An ambitious shipbuilding program Jerry so the turns will go faster. We use is begun: three CVLs are laid down in the British units that are already Spring, two CVLs will be laid down in

48 committed to the PTO, and simply Mike: If you can resist an invasion with abandon the ETO. To further speed things substantially more force than the enemy is up the US does not track BRPs. bringing, under your LBA, that’s a good I am now on the defensive and never time to fight (and something your enemy having played this far into the game, I will typically avoid). If you wait for a want to see how things progress. large naval battle, it is unlikely to come in a way that favors you. The US can simply 1942 Summer Japan: Still no strategic card build up overwhelming force. 1942 is a is drawn, but the time has come to make one good year to fight. final push with or without a strategic card. Two TFs with just over 20 factors in base in 1943 Spring Japan: Japan grows by more Truk, and four TFs with about 90 factors than 50 BRPs during the 1943 YSS. Its UCL base in Japan. The US isolates the New is over 50 and its oil reserve is full Hebrides. The two TFs in Truk invade Fred: I add a third strategic card to my Guadalcanal. One TF from Japan invades stack just to see if I can draw one. Kiska and the other three TFs invade Dutch Japan stages air forward and waits to see Harbor. All landings are successful, and where the Allies will go next. Japan holds Japan finishes its turn with 10 full island eight island groups. groups. Fred: I was about to continue my 1942 Summer Allies: The US again shipbuilding using Italian CVLs, but it attritions the Japanese air umbrella and didn't look like we'd make it to Spring invades and takes back Efate (New 1944. I was hoping to slow the US down Hebrides). with AAF in the Bismarcks and 1942 Fall Japan: Japan sits tight and enjoys carriers and land-based NAS in the its new empire. Air stages forward for the Marshalls. We never got far enough in the US to counterair, and the outward islands game to see how long I could hold that are filled with infantry. Japan holds 9½ line. island groups. Mike: Based on what ended up happening 1942 Fall Allies: The US attacks the in the Summer 1943 turn, I would guess Japanese air umbrella again, and invades Spring 1944. and takes back Espirito Santos, regaining 1943 Spring Allies: The US invades and complete control of the New Hebrides. takes Wake (which was only weakly 1942 Winter Japan: Japan sits, stages air garrisoned), San Cristobal (in the forward, and holds its lines. Japan controls Solomons), Nauru (in the Gilberts), and nine island groups. Wotje (in the Marshalls). The Indians get 1942 Winter Allies: The US steps it up and Mandalay back. invades Santa Cruz (Solomon Islands) and 1943 Summer Japan: The invasions are Tamana (Gilbert Islands). The Indians also getting close enough to Truk to intercept recover Dacca. without air assistance. Japan bases the entire Mike: Did Japan attempt to oppose these IJN in Truk and Palau, stages air forward, moves? If not, why not? and awaits the USN. Japan has launched five Fred: Although I had only lost CA4 and new CVLs, and has nearly three full carrier had my entire fleet to oppose these attacks, TFs (32 carrier factors, with more on the I wanted to save the fleet for an all out way). Midway style battle. Fred: It was Sunday morning and we were just about to give it up and go home, so I

49 encouraged a full naval battle. I told Jerry Mike: What were the Japanese and US and Jeff that the American navy, even with NAT rates? all the ships from ETO, is afraid of the Fred: I forgot to add a NAT increase in IJN, and that if they come within range I 1941, but added one in 1942 and 1943, so will attack them with or without LBA had NAT 5. It is a very good guess that the cover. US did not add enough NAT results. 1943 Summer Allies: A US invasion of the Mike: This is a classic problem for the US Marshalls is the spark. Japan attempts in AWAW. I always increase the US NAT interception with everything it has. The US rate by two per year starting in 1942, once counter-intercepts with everything they the second WA naval breakthrough is in have. A huge naval battle takes place, place. This rate can never be too high. It is without any LBA on either side. The also important to build as many pre-war Japanese navy pounds the entire US navy NAS as possible, although there are a lot into submission. The US withdraws after of other demands (like armor, AAF, and Japan damages or sinks four CVs and all the transports). US BB4s. The US does take Marcus. Fred: After the big naval battle, we finally Mike: What were the Japanese losses? packed up and went home. Fred: Japan lost two CVLs, had two CVs Pacific Post-Mortem damaged, but had no capital ship damage. Fred: I have offensive experience but my I had some really lucky die rolls in one defensive abilities need work. With Jeff and round, damaging all four CVs in a CG. I Jerry both working against me, it wouldn't found that CG again later and sank all surprise me to have gotten a draw in the four. Pacific (had we had the time). My lack of Jeff: The dice gods favored you way too ground forces (because of mobilizing mostly much. You rolled four ‘11’s with one AAF) was causing defensive issues in both eNAS each to damage those four CVs! Asia and Southeast Asia. Mike: How many carriers did each side Mike : A draw is probably fair, assuming the have at this point in the game? Allies A-bomb program was on track. The Fred: I can't remember how many CVs the biggest error the US made was not US had (I only sank the one in Pearl increasing NAT sufficiently. Harbor). I know Jerry had a lot of carriers Fred: I had it easy in the PTO because laid down. I'm not even sure how many I Jerry's attentions were divided. I spent a lot had laid down. I know I had quite a few of time following Game 2, listening to Jon that I kept deferring; I had his carriers and Ken plot against Ed, Rob, and Don (and outnumbered and wanted to build as little vice versa). The convention turned out to be as possible to grow my base. During our quite the social event for me, and I'm very naval battle, the US had at least two full happy to have met everyone. Next year, if I carrier TFs. make it, I'll buy the cooler and first case of The trouble for the US was there were beer, Elihu. more carriers than NAS to put on them. I had my ports and five airbases full of

AAF, which attritioned his carrier air. The US had a massive unbuilt NAS forcepool, while Japan's NAS forcepool was two turns from being fully built again.

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