AWD deluxe AAR: Marshall Art - Lebatron

[Marshall Art]

The following will be my AAR of Jesse’s game against myself (Axis). The AAR shall focus on the notable differences of AWD deluxe to stock AWD or the other mod, GG 4.040. Of course some noteworthy developments on the battlefields will be reported as well. The AAR will be somewhat delayed so that the FOW remains intact.

Also Jesse's comments were added in italics.

At first sight Europe of 1939 appears similar to the stock AWD. There are some differences however that may catch the Axis player offguard. There are already 2 French tank units on the map, and with several others in the production queue Germany really needs all tanks finished prior to the attack in the West if they want to make use of the combined arms modifier. Also the Allies are able to build units from the first turn in France which makes it much harder for Germany to conquer France. Thus I will order all tanks and some more infantry to be produced, leaving little left for other purposes like Uboats or aircraft.

Germany could focus on building either Infantry or Arty to knock out France. I personally avoid going above 16 Infantry until they hit 6 EV.

[Marshall Art]

A look at Germany's production queue: mostly the same, but note the production time for Heavy Bombers and ships.

The AWD deluxe suppression system generally speaking limits attacking bomber losses (virtually down to zero) but also limits bomber effectiveness. Thus I refrain from building a lot of them except those in production already plus another Stuka.

In the production Que more tanks have been moved to Western Germany. Thus when finished they are positioned to threaten France right away. This helps to keep the Western Allied player honest by making it more necessary to build units rather than convert them extra turns of French production into more tech. Of coarse its always an option to focus French production on tech, but Germany will suffer few casualties and use less supply as a result. Choices are provided with this setup.

[Marshall Art]

The same applies to Artillery: less direct hits on opposing units, with lower land attack factors artillery will have a significantly smaller role in the unit mix. Nevertheless they are necessary to fortify coasts and to obtain the combined arms modifier. Take a look at the battle of Poland:

[Marshall Art]

Before I jump ahead - take a look at the units on the map and in production: Japan enjoys much more naval units in queue but Russia also has more units mostly Infantry on the map. As already mentioned, the French have 2 tanks and the Allies have a lot of Artillery plus 6 Carriers.

Japan now starts with 4 instead of 6 Arty. 2 transports replace them. This was done to weaken Japan's effectiveness against China.
The extra Russian Infantry are tied up in the Siberian Garrison.
The Allies really don't have much Artillery. It's mostly all French which won't be around long.

[Marshall Art]

Germany’s technology is superior in most areas, except H.B. range (3) and sub torpedo attack and range (9) – Japan has the edge there. I find it not worth to waste supplies on spies as Germany can quickly catch up in those fields. However Germany has a lot to loose against Russia and the Wallies thus I spend about 40 resources into SigInt and Security, forcing the Allies either to match or say goodbye to reliable Intel or any results from tech spying. The biggest changes I found lie in the missing tech points for German Armour and some started advances for sub speed and torpedo attack.

[Marshall Art]

A feature that is common for all scenarios in WAD 4.040 is the undeveloped resource. In AWD deluxe there a lots of them, one is even in E.Germany. Knowing that in most cases Germany will run short of resources I start developing it. It will take a full year to get it operational but is should pay off in the long run.
 
The attack on Poland went well, with only one Infantry damaged. However, no medals. The vet sub sails out, misses and blocks the Canadian coast from traffic. I do not take Denmark as all units not engaged in Poland defend W. Germany.  

Let us take a look at the Japanese next.

Japan’s tech situation is much different from Germany’s. Except for Fighters, subs and H.B. range it is at or even below the Allied standard. Thus some spying effort may be fruitful. Knowing that the Wallies must research ASW tech I add a RP there.

The Japanese fighters start with fewer tech points in range, and one point less in Infantry LA. The infantry point was removed to offset the possible freebie's from China. On turn 2 China will have an Infantry LA of 6. Putting them ahead of the Japanese for a few turns. Plus the Chinese get a few carry over points so that they can profit from spies without wasting valuable production to place points in tech.

[Marshall Art]

Japan is facing a China that is full of developed and undeveloped resources, limited in production (only two factories, but they produce each turn) and has a small Army compared to AWD stock or GG. Especially the reduced insta-militia of only 1 per pop point appears to give the Japanese even more incentives to move inland. If the Japanese want a trail connection to Indochina they must capture several Chinese provinces (rail marked in the pic).

[Marshall Art]

A note to the political events. While I like some of them, such as the incentive to attack Norway to increase chances to get Sweden and Finland onboard I wonder if the 100% chance of some events is warranted. There is not even a remote possibility that history might play out differently.

What ones should not be 100%? Lets look at "Axis conquest of key British strongholds..." Sure it's guaranteed to trigger but that all depends on a lot of big Ifs. For flavor, Spain turns Pro-Axis only in games where the Axis take London, Gibraltar, or Cairo. Since none of these are standard conquests, I fail to see how your comment that there is no remote possibility for historical variety applies. Some games Cairo may not fall. Result: Spain stays leaning only. In another Cairo does, and Spain turns Pro-Axis. And in yet another Cairo falls, and Spain turns full Axis from a Coup.

The last 3 events that are all 100% correspond to events that are all integral to my design. First the Vichy one. This ones needs to be 100% so that it's guaranteed to trigger on the turn Spain falls to the WA's. In this way, Germany can move into Southern France to garrison the Pyrenees Mtn without having to fight their way there. Considering that turns are 3 months it would not make sense for an event like this to have any delay before it triggers.
The same logic applies to Russia responding to Germany moving into bordering territories. This event makes it possible for Russia to get some additional troops into the Caucasus region without delay. To be fair, the last one, Soviet Siberian garrison could be reduced from 100% to say 50% and then moved back a turn. But will that improve it? IMO it's just easier to remember the way I have it now. Besides Russia can swap 2 militia for every regular unit they remove from this garrison at any time after Barbarossa, so things are not as fixed as they seem.

Added with 1942's results in mind: The Siberian garrison event I'd like to see moved ahead about one year, and given an 75% chance or so. Any reinforcements in 1943 come too late - as can be seen in this game.

[Marshall Art]

Back to the map: I noticed in a few tries against the AI that there is a number of regions particularly in the Southermost Indian and Pacific Oceans that are blocked from traffic (Politically Frozen). Although I am not sure if that is intentional as there seems to be no unfreezing at any case this limits Allied transport routes in the South. The sailing close to Antarctica is over and Axis commerce raiders and subs have easier access to the Allied network.

Yes, this is WAD.

[Marshall Art]

Faced with the option to battle China or prepare for the big war I choose the latter and finish some of the numerous ships Japan has started. That will not spare Foochow from its fate though.   Kyushu has also an undeveloped resource which is even more valuable than those in the rest of Asia. Foochow yields no losses to the Japanese. Two medals and a promotion from Militia to Infantry are awarded to the Japanese.

[Marshall Art]

Fall 1939 – After the Soviet attack on Finland 2 Militia are created. Same as in stock AWD or GG, the vet sub gets an extra torpedo in the Atlantic. The sub damages another trannie, causing raised eyebrows in the U.S.

[Marshall Art]

Looking at the total strengh of the French forces (6 tanks, 10 Infantry, 4 Arty), Germany (4 tanks, 16 Infantry, 6 Arty) remains passive and waits for Winter. An attack on TLC would have allowed France to counterattack at superior strengh since W. Germany needs to be defended besides occupying TLC with large forces.

Significant success was made on the diplomatic front both Persia and Turkey joined the Axis camp. I have rarely been so lucky, hopefully I did not use up all of my luck...

Japan starts the great pilot training excercise, hitting on infrastructure and resources. One CAG gets the vet status. Despite some investments no success from spying yet. Even the Chinese now have better infantry than the Tenno – an inquiry is started in the Army.

[Marshall Art]

Winter 1940 – Jesse just commented on the Allies being short on resources on his Fall 39 turn. That may have to do with my attempt to reduce Allied WR until Russia hits its FM2 event at 13 WR points. So far no neutral has joined the Allied camp. My eyes are on Portugal because I’d really like to see it Axis to deter any possible action against Spain by the Wallies.

Romania gets the same treatment as the Fins and 4 militia are created. Yugoslavia sees a coup and this will allow Germany to strike sooner than usual. With its last (3rd) torpedo the vet sub goes elite, time for a parade in Kiel.

Opposing the French forces (6 tanks, 13 Infantry, 5 Arty) are now 6 German tanks, 17 Infantry, 6 Arty. Time to subdue TLC. Jesse screens the Dutch coast with 2 Fighters and a BB to escort the Durch DD to English ports. Without losses the Wehmacht marches in, leaving only a screening force in W. Germany. The Winter weather an fortress bonus should help prevent any French advance into Germany whereas the troop count in TLC almost matches the French strengh. Portugal remains neutral.  

[Marshall Art]

The soviet spies bring home several blue prints. The Abwehr is pursuing them with increased vigor.  

Axis reconnaissance revels large portions of the US Pacific fleet. The position of the large surface fleet off San Francisco prevents any attack on the carrier fleet except if this fleet is defeated first. But even then heavy AA defense will reduce the CAG effectiveness to a level where it is questionable if just one carrier can be hit. Two fighters on Midway seem out of place as only with range 2 they can get back to Hawaii. I am still pondering ideas what to do with the Japanese Carriers if Japan is supposed to strike. For now, the CAG pilots are still training in China...  

Japan steals Infantry and HB land attack – from China!

As you mention, the 2 fighters on Midway need to be at range 2 to be effective from there. Previously, they were not effective at all sitting back on the continent. A smart player will make sure they are teched up before Fall 1941. My decision to place them fighters on Midway was to give the US some air power that they could project on the very turn of Pearl Harbor. Placing them on Hawaii would not work for obvious reasons, and leaving them on the continent puts them out of action for to many months. Given a 3 month turn length, I think it's preposterous that the Japanese can camp around Hawaii after their air strike. They should turn tail and be happy with what they got, which this change models well.

[Marshall Art]

Spring 1940 – The assault on France is a novelty as Germany has to fight for combined arms. The French TacAir in W. France is damaged and the bonus helps to reduce losses which still appear higher than in the stock game. A lot of rolls were close so even higher losses might have occured. A German victory was never in doubt however.  

Now is the time to lure Portugal into the Axis camp – success! I still have some luck left...  

Average losses in France are usually around 3 depending on German build choices.

[Marshall Art]

An update from the military forces screen – Russia is mass producing artillery, so are the Wallies – hmm I thought the role of Arty was reduced to what is should be? The war in Russia will tell...   Japan steals Infantry and HB land attack – from China again! No success with spying from the Wallies yet.

[Marshall Art]

Summer 1940 – After the Russian FM jumped to 2 it is time to say hi to the leaders of the Yugoslavian coup. Italy and all SE Europe minors join the Axis as a result.

As Denmark and Norway are invaded, too, several South American counties moved towards the Allied camp. No more resource problems for the Allies? Also it seems the Russians spying on Germany has come to an end.

[Marshall Art]

Japan does the same as last turn and likely the next to come – bomb the hell out of China but stay away from any ground action. Two CAGs get the vet status and one goes gold. I consider elite CAGs the most important weapon the Japanese can put on the table against a superior US fleet. If the first Japanese blows against it are to be meaningful they must come as hard as possible. The +4 modifier can make a big difference between hit or no hit. Finally Japan’s Infantry is at the level of China.

[Marshall Art]

Fall 1940 – It became obvious for Mussolini that Italy can only get their share of victory if they join the Axis, so in a combined effort Greece is subdued.  

Looking towards Eastern Europe, troop movements started towards the Soviet border in preparation of a large scale excercise... Since Winter 1940 German factories are occupied with tank production, now the short runners like Infantry and Artillery are also on the list.  

The downside is that Britain remains rather unmolested, except for a sortie of Uboats following a breakthrough in Evasion tech. They should have 2-3 turns to get a few trannies  and possibly reach vet status before the Allies advance their ASW tech and even the playing field. The Atlantic sees the first 2 wolf packs creating havoc. Unfortunately there must have been US citizens on board of some damaged ships.

[Marshall Art]

In Africa Jesse has prepared everything for a quick strike against the Italian positions. As the Axis cannot afford to give up all of Africa at this point some reinforcements are sent to North Africa, knowing that they will have to hold ground for at least two turns before more troops can arrive. The additional sea zones, combined with only 2 transports available, severly hinder Italian supplies. The CV in the Cicilian Sea blocks Italian ships from pursuing the Greek DD which flees to Egypt. The risk of loosing a BB was not worth to try sinking the DD against enemy CAG cover.  

Japanese HBs damage one of the Chinese factories. At land attack of 4 Chinese production was halfed. Only the Chingking factory is still operational due to fighter cover. So far, Japanese spies were highly useless, as only Chinese tech was acquired.