Cohen vs Enrico - AAR nr.3

[AlbertN]

New Game!

We rushed through almost a year of game though - being already in the middle of May / June 1940.
The EU-Axis is doing pretty badly (as per suffered lots of losses!) but otherwise progress wise is smooth.
Japan is doing quite good!
But the USA is already pissed to hell.

But let's start with the Optional Rules.

Here is our list, plus we've some House Rules.

1- Minors must deploy their forces in their home nation, unless they're Territorials or Fleets. (So no Belgian 5-3 INF in Belgian Congo to be used later; or their air force deployed elsewhere to recycle pilots).

2- Strategy "En Route" interception. A house rule version of the non coded optional. Pratically if a Strat-Bomber can be intercepted on the way (or better a bomber in a strategic bombing run) it has to stop first on a legal target where it can be intercepted (and the defender must use 1 fighter to intercept if they elect to do so).
This allows Germany to screen Holland, Belgium, and Rhur without having the Allies "teleport" bombers in depth.

3- Naval Air Combat. Only planes with a Air-To-Sea factor can call for Naval-Air Combat. (So a fighter at the 0 box cannot call for Naval-Air combat; nor the other part has to spend Surprise Point.)
This to help the Submarine war. If you want air cover, use proper Naval Bombers! (Or anyhow planes with an Air-to-Sea factor).

[AlbertN]

US Entry - by half May / June 1940

As you can see the USA are already mighty pissed after so few turns of war!

Some unluck with Chinese cities; France assisting Belgium; Japan DoWing Soviet Russia; a few bad rolls on Minor DoW from Axis; and Soviets not claiming Poland and Baltics.

[AlbertN]

May / June 1940 - The Russian-Japanese War

The start has been similar to previous games vs Enrico.

He forfeits Vladivostock, which gets a combined attack of land and seaborne forces the Surprise Impulse.
Also the Soviet Submarines are bombed into the port they've been located in (a minor port, to avoid capture in Vladivostock by invasion).

The Soviets deployed at Chita in force, railed Zhukov away and sent a less powerful HQ in, and advanced.
The resource at the Manchuria borderline there has pratically always remained in Russian control - and now they can operate fully.

The Japanese were trying a defence by the riverline there, but the Soviets have just more troops and better logistic to reinforce their ranks, so the Japanese moved backward in an ordered retreat where they've more rail stations to move in fresh troops.

The Japanese for now resulted victorious in erasing flanking forces of the Soviets (a CAV corp and a CAV division), having the Soviets simply get on the defensive, with both sides mutually watching each other for the time being.

No Japanese losses in that front.

[AlbertN]

May / June 1940 - The Tale of Mao

The Japanese northern force in China was quite weak, and the Communists deployed west of Sian, in the mountains.
But once the Japanese weakness was evident, they've grown bold and advanced, attacking even.

The opening was promising for the Japanese, when the Commies lost a MIL and their INF-HQ in their first attack - at the cost of a Japanese INF-Div.

The Communists though built up over time, Mao returned in the scene and is leading now a successful charge against the Japanese (destroying a JAP INF) conquering back Tungkwan.

Mao's luck though could be somehow shorthanded... because in the South, for his forced colleague in war against the Japanese, things are not going exactly good.

Japanese Losses til now there: 5 BPs (1 INF and 1 INF-DiV)

[AlbertN]

May / June 1940 - China

China deployed in a way to Chikiang and Kweilin, therefore opting to leave Changsha and Hengyang ripe to be taken by the Japanese.
Mountain is my friend, Chiang said.

The Japanese, after the initial difficulties, began to grind their way in, with modest losses (a few MILs, 1 MOT-Div and 1 INF-Div coming from breakdown).

Once sorted the invasion of Soviet Russia, the Japanese recycled their carrier pilot for more (crappy) bombers to help the push against the Chinese, maximizing their war effort in that direction.

The Japan philosophy is sort of 1-2 stacks per turn to be attacked after bombing (for which both artilleries and planes should be used). And then HQ support all the way. Sooner or later the Chinese will crack.

They cracked pretty early though, and with shatters, withdrawals, and bombing runs, the way for a Marine division opened up - seizing first Kweiyang, and then up to Chunking.
Once Chunking falls, their Warlord disappears, leaving a weak spot (only 1 unit) in Chihkiang - which is attacked. And bang, suddenly the remaining Chinese forces in the middle are out of supply and unable to maneuver.

The Japanese are in the process of mopping up the central Chinese army - and in the while a bomber is dedicated on the ready to assist the Marine Division in Chunking in case these pesky Chinese try to attack it!

[AlbertN]

May / June 1940 - Poland

Poland was the joke of the game. Germany lost 10 BPs in Poland (That's a lot).

The plan was "France First", I screwed up with forces in Poland - too many - and managed to capture Lodz the first turn too - and half encircle Warsaw. By then I lost a Garrison in the assault of Lodz.

In Winter all was quiet and calm, and in March / April, with good weather Warsaw is assaulted, and taken at the cost of a MIL.

The Poles attack a Garrison closeby, shattering it. Not content they attack Warsaw too afterwards, and they roll good enough to crush 2 units (with a +1.2 attack). 2 INFs butchered for Germany ... since the Soviets did not claim the Eastern Poland, the Poles were in supply from Brest Litvosk for their attacks.

A way too high cost for Poland, and one of the reasons for which Germany could be screwed.

[AlbertN]

May / June 1940 - France

France surrendered in Jan / Feb 1940.
The Germans suffered horrendous losses in France though, but at least they did not used the O-Chit.

It is relevant to note that France kept 4 units in Algeria (1 MNT, 1 Terr, and 2 INFs); and the UK did not sent any unit in France at all.

The Germans pushed through mud and snow, hoping for a swift result and denial of French production; and the French were losing ground despite the bad weather.

Germany lost 1 MIL, 1 ENG, 1 ARM (yes 1 frigging arm!), 1 GARR and 1 INF-Div. (15 BPs) when France fell.
That deprived Germany of units to push properly toward Spain directly, that ontop of the Poland still kicking and alive.

A 25 BP loss between France and Poland is a bit high for my tastes. But to have saved the O-Chit counts too...

[AlbertN]

May / June 1940 - Where's the BEF?

Britain had other plans. The Allied player had other plans.

French production went into Convoys - at the risk of losing them when France surrenders, but planning so to save on convoy BP expenditure for UK.

French units were deployed upfront to prevent landings on the surprise impulse via ZOC forcing the Italians to advance via land (and admittedly the Italian front in mainland was empty except 1 unit in Nice).

The game has been played with France "lost" - which is why I should have gone a bit slower and saved my German BPs instead.

Instead the UK is planning to make Marocco a fortress to hold and support Gibraltar.

Goering, with his typical nonchalance promises the Fuhrer to turn Cape St. Vincent into the Royal Navy ship graveyard.

In Jul / Aug, in the 2nd impulse, if things go to plan, Germany should start to march into Spain, after the planes rebase from Algeria where they're helping the push.

This last May / June both Algier and the last Frenchmen fell (well one is shattered, but Dakar is far and the French lost their TPS unit. Naval battles with the Italians, that costed dearly to both sides).

On a relevant note, Italy and UK are not at war. Yet.

[AlbertN]

May / Jun 1940 - Start of Impulse #8, Allied

Not much happening in China.

The Japanese sweeps the Partisan in Shangai, and butcher a Nationalist INF army that remained trapped in the mountains.

Nonetheless - with the map expanded in size, Japan definitely needs 1-2 more HQ for supply reasons I dare say. Some kind of non-combat HQ that works only as supply source.

[AlbertN]

May / June 1940 - Marocco, 8th Impulse - Allied

Churchill seems to be truly committed to protect Marocco - and possibly Gibraltar along using Marocco as a solid aircraft carrier.

The port of Oran falls in Axis hands, one of the old battleships manage to slip away from the attacking forces, and to slip through the net of Italian ships in the Mediterranean, and past the submarines in the Atlantic!
The other, modern battleship is not as lucky though and is scuttled in the port to avoid capture.
(Needless to say the Italian submarines failed to sink anything of the French CPs about).

Shall the Axis manage to prevail over the bolstered BEF?

In the while Balbo improvises himself admiral, and reorganizes both Italian TPs, so they can ship in 2 more units if I am given another impulse.
Though quality British units dug in the mountains can prove something too hard for the Italians to crack, time will tell!

[AlbertN]

And the turn ends...

The Brits set themselves on a more tenable position, and mobilize their RAF into the French colonial dominions.

With their sheer luck the turn ends at the 8th Impulse (Very bad for the Axis which needed to press on!). Ontop of that Partisans appear in Siberia as well screwing up more the Japanese resources.

[AlbertN]

Jul / Aug 1940 - Impulse #2 - Kriegsmarine Action

Germany takes a Combined Impulse; doing bits of everything! Same for Italy and Japan!

The Kriegsmarine is ordered to sail from Kiel, and reach the Atlantic.
Their journey is not long - for there is a pesky Danish cruiser in service to the W.Allies cruising the North Sea. (In presence of the Enemy, slows down German ships). Ultimately they get quite low in Faroes Gap, possibly a good prey for the Royal Navy - which anyhow is based in Gibraltar with the almost total of its major ships.

The Kriegsmarine fails in finding the CW shipping, nor it is found by the escort cruisers patrolling the sea.
Land based naval planes are scrambled too to protect the convoys.

Said that, Admiral Raeder is to wait for the British retaliation.
Shall the Royal Navy try to hit - and hit hard the Germans, or remain in standby to keep the Italians honest? Italy and Britain are still at peace!

[AlbertN]

Jul / Aug 1940 - Impulse #2 Axis: Operation Felix preparations ultimated.

The Luftwaffe empties the North Afrika, leaving the Italians on their own in the air (except the Naval Bomber Germany starts with); and reposition to the bases closeby the Pyrenees, expecting to have to support the ground advance in full force and to crack the Spain defence there.

But who knows how the Spain will deploy.

Regia Marina in the while - exploiting the peace status with UK - has got ready to ship minor invading forces, German divisions, for any unprotected landing in the Spanish domains.

[AlbertN]

Jul / Aug 1940 - Where's the BEF?

In Marocco, you know of that already.

The Brits are pouring more and more troops, fighters and assets in general in Marocco.
The Germans, shipped by the transports of Regia Marina, land in Oran a HQ and a MNT, which will hopefully do well for Marocco mountain warfare. But soon the Axis has to start to think to Suez too.

On a note if significance, Italy in future insight of a need of large shipping across the sea has already in the production queue the 1st part of an AMPH and a TPS.

The Axis plan for Marocco is quite simple, somewhen later on in late '40 or '41, they'll be dominating the sea via airforce and sink lots of UK ships! So Goering promised, and Mussolini likes the plan!

[AlbertN]

Jul / Aug 1940 - Mao Tse-Tsung Tale.

The Imperial Japan Command has started to grow weary of Mao's incursions in the Northren China and they dispatched grand forces to retaliate against infiltrators, partisans, and the Communists.

All what the Japanese are short of is ... a frigging HQ!

In the while strong Japanese units deal with the Partisan presence in Peking, giving an exemplar solution of the problem, praising no more insurgents will rise. (There is one in Siberia too ... which is somehow troublish to get since it requires as per usual a HQ to attack it!)

[AlbertN]

Jul / Aug 1940 - Impulse #2, Axis - Southern China

Meanwhile Umezu (HQ) start to march to a railway, Yamamoto is in wait.
Its armed forces should assault Chengtu in the good season meanwhile screening somehow the south from possible pressure coming from Kunming.

On the coast Japanese forces are tasked to seize the port of Pakoi, a limited supply source for a small range inland.

[Centuur]

What I don't understand is why the CW navy is passive in Gibraltar. Sail only one ship in the Western Med and the Germans in Algeria are out of supply...

[AlbertN]

Jul / Aug 1940 - #2 Impulse, Axis - Manchurian Front

The Soviet penetration in Manchuria came to a halt once the Japanese were dug in into established position, lurking in swamps and entrenched behind a riverline.

For now the two factions are just looking at each other from their designated positions, leaving land of none in the middle.

[AlbertN]

ORIGINAL: Centuur

What I don't understand is why the CW navy is passive in Gibraltar. Sail only one ship in the Western Med and the Germans in Algeria are out of supply...

Italy is at war with France, so the Germans are still in supply.

They did in the previous turns, sailed 2 cruisers in the 4 Box.

[Centuur]

Are you sure? A CW ship in the Western Med should, according to the rules, block supply for all German units in Africa. If that isn't the case in MWIF, we've got a bug reappearing, which was fixed earlier. Can you check please?

From the RAW:

You cannot trace a supply path into a sea area that
contains:
an enemy CV, SCS or aircraft unit with an air-to-sea
factor;
unless it also contains a surface naval unit, or aircraft
unit with an air-to-sea factor, (SiF option 11: convoy,
TRS, or AMPH only) controlled by any major power or
minor country at war with that enemy unit.

Since the CW is NOT at war with Italy, Italian units cannot provide supply to German units, if there is a CW ship in the Western Med...