Shannon V. OKeets
Posts: 22095
Joined: 5/19/2005 From: Honolulu, Hawaii Status: offline
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Some of my notes from the Europe trip that I just typed in. This section is incomplete, so perhaps you could suggest additions? Or corrections? -------------- 1.1.3.1 Bulgaria Advantages of DOW Bulgaria ∙ A 1939 attack on Bulgaria can usually cut off both the Turkish and Bulgarian resources, even if Bulgaria is not conquered. Disadvantages of DOW Bulgaria ∙ It takes planning, units, and time. ∙ If the USSR declares war on Bulgaria, Italy can align Bulgaria and hence create a pretty safe second home. Of course this assumes that Bulgaria is not conquered by the USSR. Plan for conquering Bulgaria ∙ Set up the USSR naval transport and good DIVs in the Black Sea. ∙ There is a good chance of successfully invading Bulgaria during 1939. ∙ The goal is not to necessarily to conquer Bulgaria, but rather to deny Germany the Bulgarian and Turkish resources. 1.1.3.2 Rumania Demand Bessarabia ∙ Always demand Bessarabia. But it has to be backed up by both bombers and land units, thereby posing a serious threat to capture the oil in Rumania. Never demand Bessarabia unless certain Rumania can be conquered. ∙ This gives the USSR an increased buffer zone when Germany’s Barbarossa attack begins. Seizing more land to put between Germany and the Ukraine is the primary reason for claiming Bessarabia. ∙ Prepare for the Germans railing in and acting as peace keepers. So keep a cavalry unit in western Poland to cut Germany’s railroad connection to Rumania. ∙ Demanding Bessarabia decreases the USSR’s lending to Germany which increases the USSR’s production and lowers Germany’s. ∙ There is no US Entry cost. ∙ If Germany denies the claim, then conquering Rumania and burning the oilfields is very hard on Germany. Next, the CW can DOW on Hungary, which forces Germany to align it, meaning even less lend-lease from the USSR. Altogether, this is a great reduction in BPs for Germany. In addition, the USSR will build more than usual and be in a strong position to stuff the border during 1941. Because of Germany’s reduction in BPs, France might even survive until 1941. Don't demand Bessarabia ∙ Demanding Bessarabia makes it possible for Italy to align Yugoslavia prior to the attack on Russia. ∙ Not demanding Bessarabia means Germany has to attack Yugoslavia prior to attacking the USSR in order to be able to align Rumania and start Barbarossa adjacent to the Ukraine. ∙ The USSR can delay demanding Bessarabia if Germany is not ready to DOW Yugoslavia. The USSR can therefore wait until Germany redeploys to DOW Yugoslavia. The timing is critical though, for as soon as Germany DOW Yugoslavia, Germany is immediately able to align Rumania, and Russia can no longer demand Bessarabia. Plan for conquering Rumania ∙ On the Nazi/Soviet border always set up to defend against a possible attack by Germany in 1939 or early 1940 ('Russia First' gambit). This should include a DOW Rumania setup in case Germany declines the Bessarabia land claim. ∙ If the optional rule for oil is being used, place every strategic bombing factor possible within range of the Rumania oil fields to discourage the Axis from denying the land claim. ∙ 1.1.3.3 Persia It is a good idea to attack Persia in 1939, but it requires planning and entails some risk if Japan responds aggressively. Advantages of DOW Persia ∙ The one oil that is railable is useful to produce at maximum level while Russia is giving 5 RPs and 2 oil to Germany. ∙ The 3 oil come in handy when Russia reorganizes oil dependant units. ∙ The one oil that is railable is useful if the USSR loses a lot of resources to Germany. ∙ Russia can use the Siberians and Zhukov for this, and leave Vladivostok and its environs to the defense of several weak units and reserves. Disadvantages of DOW Persia ∙ Using the Siberians and Zhukov for the war with Persia might lead to a Japanese attack on Vladivostok. However, if Japan plans on taking Vladivostok and its surrounding area, there isn’t much the USSR can do to prevent it. ∙ If the USSR DOW on Persia, it must conquer Persia quickly because an aggressive Japan can ship a couple of elite units into the Persian oil hexes. The elite units will be very difficult to destroy. Therefore, failure to conquer Persia runs the risk of giving the Japanese 3 extra oil. Plan for conquering Persia ∙ Persia is conquered once Teheran is taken. ∙ The USSR needs 2 Siberians, the CAV DIV, 2 or 3 bombers (to ground strike the Persia unit and to provide ground support), Zhukov, and one convoy in the Caspian Sea (for supply). ∙ Instead of Zhukov, another HQ could be used, which would allow Zhukov to stay in Siberia until the USSR is sure that Japan will not attack the USSR. 1.1.3.4 Finland It is a bad idea to attack Finland before Barbarossa. Advantages of demanding the Finnish Borderlands ∙ Reduces the RPs sent to Germany by 1. ∙ Might gain the RP in northern Finland for the USSR if the claim is denied. ∙ Makes possible a full scale war and conquest of Finland. But Finland is difficult to conquer. ∙ Provides some (slight) extra protection for Leningrad. Disadvantages of demanding the Finnish Borderlands ∙ The Finnish army can make this a 1914-1918 trench warfare campaign which will cost the USSR precious units. With Barbarossa impending, this is very bad. ∙ Finland can immediately be aligned by Germany. This is bad because Germany can transport Finnish units into Poland for the main thrust of Army Group North in Barbarossa. Plan for conquering Finland ∙ 1.1.3.5 Portugal ∙ Invading Portugal in late 1940 is a possibility if the Axis is setting up for a “Close the Mediterranean” strategy. Portugal has few land troops so it is easy to conquer once figuring out which home port to use for the invasion. After it’s conquered, the CW and USA can land troops there and Germany can't respond until Germany DOW the USSR. Advantages of DOW Persia Disadvantages of DOW Persia Plan for conquering Portugal ∙
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Steve Perfection is an elusive goal.
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