RE: Closing the Med

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RE: Closing the Med - 10/19/2011 7:02:15 PM

Red Prince

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And the southern Nazi-Soviet Pact border:

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 61

RE: Closing the Med - 10/19/2011 7:07:26 PM

Red Prince

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And, finally, I give you Spain and N. Africa:

Attachment (1)

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Post #: 62

RE: Closing the Med - 10/20/2011 1:23:43 AM

brian brian

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets

If there are a lot of land units in the UK early in the war, the Axis is discouraged from building sea lift units - and the threat of Sea Lion goes by the board.

There is a pure corollary to that for the Germans ... this is why I like to 'waste' 3 or 6 BPs as the Germans laying down an AMPH or two or finishing one....just to keep the British Army at home for a while and spread far more thin on the ground in the Med. It is about the price of a Condor, a very desirable piece to have when fighting the Royal Navy, so it is hard to spend those BPs, but can accomplish perhaps more than an extra Condor does. Think of it as a big expenditure on an intel op.

I also like to build the Graf Zeppelin early on to that same end, but then keep it safely tucked away in the Baltic until the Tirpitz can arrive with some of the spare BPs in 1942. The Kriegsmarine can't prevent Overlord, but it can surely draw in more USN from the Pacific map and hopefully lower the Allies SB totals when the time comes....but I've drifted too far from the shore for this thread.

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Post #: 63

RE: Closing the Med - 10/20/2011 1:39:50 AM

brian brian

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nice posts, thanks.

like others have pointed out, the CW's main problem is too much naval construction early on. they do need to continually invest in lift with their ship gearing, but the first several turns their Infantry gearing should be as high as you can make it. build out their MIL pool so the London MIL and a few others can always keep appearing at the center of the action, repeatedly; you also need to boost the garrison in India lest Gandhi appear and begin to embarrass the CW production totals. (Even worse can be a rebel partisan appearing in Singapore before it is defended). So you can even consider building some TERR units too; one of those stacked with an elite/white-print INF or MIL can make a fairly strong yet cheap defense of key places.

it will be an interesting game for you. Germany is in for a dime in the Med now and has to go in for the whole dollar; i.e. they should keep driving past Suez and Gibraltar as far as possible (completing the conquest of France in Morocco) to force the Western Allies to come back at them from bases as far away as possible. (The Jolly Green Giant is coming soon.....)

Conversely, the Allies need to develop serious fronts both in north-east and north-west Africa to accomplish several objectives - reducing the force the Axis can attack Russia with, and returning to the Med as soon as possible. The war with Russia will likely develop into a serious struggle along the Persian/Iraq border as each side would likely go 'all in' there in an attempt to get Turkey to join the war while the main front in Russia proper might feature a lower unit density and more fluid tempo than normal as the Axis land forces operate on so many land fronts simultaneously. Even if Turkey does jump in, the Allies should keep fighting because an early entry for the USA leads to a staggeringly powerful war machine, as long as the USA doesn't make the same mistake the CW did here and builds the most incredible fleet the world has ever seen while the Axis run riot everywhere on land.

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Post #: 64

RE: Closing the Med - 10/20/2011 2:15:28 AM

Red Prince

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quote:

ORIGINAL: brian brian

nice posts, thanks.

like others have pointed out, the CW's main problem is too much naval construction early on. they do need to continually invest in lift with their ship gearing, but the first several turns their Infantry gearing should be as high as you can make it. build out their MIL pool so the London MIL and a few others can always keep appearing at the center of the action, repeatedly; you also need to boost the garrison in India lest Gandhi appear and begin to embarrass the CW production totals. (Even worse can be a rebel partisan appearing in Singapore before it is defended). So you can even consider building some TERR units too; one of those stacked with an elite/white-print INF or MIL can make a fairly strong yet cheap defense of key places.

it will be an interesting game for you. Germany is in for a dime in the Med now and has to go in for the whole dollar; i.e. they should keep driving past Suez and Gibraltar as far as possible (completing the conquest of France in Morocco) to force the Western Allies to come back at them from bases as far away as possible. (The Jolly Green Giant is coming soon.....)

Conversely, the Allies need to develop serious fronts both in north-east and north-west Africa to accomplish several objectives - reducing the force the Axis can attack Russia with, and returning to the Med as soon as possible. The war with Russia will likely develop into a serious struggle along the Persian/Iraq border as each side would likely go 'all in' there in an attempt to get Turkey to join the war while the main front in Russia proper might feature a lower unit density and more fluid tempo than normal as the Axis land forces operate on so many land fronts simultaneously. Even if Turkey does jump in, the Allies should keep fighting because an early entry for the USA leads to a staggeringly powerful war machine, as long as the USA doesn't make the same mistake the CW did here and builds the most incredible fleet the world has ever seen while the Axis run riot everywhere on land.

The USA has been building a better mix, limiting naval builds to lift, a few CP, and CVs. Last turn (or the one before), I started a slow build-up of as many land classes as I could afford. The USA is already in Iceland in force, and those troops are just waiting to jump to North Ireland -- I really want the front-line primary supply source there.

Inda has been reinforced heavily, but not before a Partisan showed up in Bombay and destroyed the factory there.

The problem with the Persian-Iraqi border is that Iraq is actually Italian. Therefore, while Germany can afford to place 4 units there to get ready to bring Turkey into the war, the USSR really can't put more than a token unit or two on that border -- they certainly can't go "all in", because they don't get any Neutrality Pact garrison value out of units on that border. If the Soviets want to avoid a '41 Barbarossa, they almost have to concede the Persian lands. (I think).

< Message edited by Red Prince -- 10/20/2011 2:16:53 AM >

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Post #: 65

RE: Closing the Med - 10/20/2011 11:17:37 AM

Red Prince

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Red Prince

And, finally, I give you Spain and N. Africa:

Another related question:

Given this position, should Germany go ahead and DOW Portugal (possibly in combination with a Japanese DOW, in order to take East Timor)?

The benefit would be that Portugal should be easy to take, and that it would allow Germany to simply garrison all of Western Europe. If Portugal is left Neutral, the Allies could make the DOW at a crucial moment and get a rather large plot of land on Europer proper out of it. In order to prevent that, Germany would have to leave troops on that border that would serve better on the Eastern Front.

The downside, of course, is that a DOW on Portugal could mean an extra chit or two (if Japan follows) for the US. If it is to be done, it needs to be done before the end of 1940, I think. And it certainly needs to be done before the USA enters the war -- don't want them to be the aligning Major Power, now, do we?
-----
Edit: My instinct says, "Yes, by all means, DOW Portugal!" The worst case scenario with this (I believe) would be for the USA to be at war with Japan only before this DOW is made . . . or for them to be able to DOW Portugal themselves before being at war with Germany. If this were to happen during Barbarossa . . . well, the Americans would just LOVE to have that land to gather the troops together.

Also, Lisbon would be a lovely base for a SUB fleet, wouldn't it?

< Message edited by Red Prince -- 10/20/2011 11:24:44 AM >

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Post #: 66

RE: Closing the Med - 10/20/2011 1:10:49 PM

AstroBlues

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Have you been building German subs?

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Post #: 67

RE: Closing the Med - 10/20/2011 1:16:49 PM

Red Prince

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Ronster

Have you been building German subs?

Between Germany and Italy, I've been putting about 2 BP per turn into SUBs. It's about a 2:1 split between the two powers. I intend to boost that by another point or two soon, aiming for 2-3 points per turn throughout '41.

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Post #: 68

RE: Closing the Med - 10/20/2011 1:22:09 PM

AstroBlues

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In a WiF game that is on hold now, I did the same thing as I built a sub a turn. I once played a War in Europe game where I conquered both Spain and Portugal and that is where the Allies invaded. The more you conquer the more territory you have to defend.

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RE: Closing the Med - 10/20/2011 1:26:15 PM

Red Prince

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Ronster

In a WiF game that is on hold now, I did the same thing as I built a sub a turn. I once played a War in Europe game where I conquered both Spain and Portugal and that is where the Allies invaded. The more you conquer the more territory you have to defend.

That's true, but not taking Portugal allows an uncontested landing on an Allied surprise impulse. Also, the border is longer. While it means more to defend, it should take fewer units to cover the coast, and it also means the Allies will need to go farther to get to the primary goals (Victory cities).

I don't know which way is best, but I'm tempted to try for Portugal next turn.

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RE: Closing the Med - 10/20/2011 1:34:29 PM

AstroBlues

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I would go ahead and conquer Portuagal. A sub base in LIsbon could get you in and around the Horn of Africa with the German and Italian subs.

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RE: Closing the Med - 10/20/2011 2:31:49 PM

micheljq

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quote:

ORIGINAL: brian brian

Conversely, the Allies need to develop serious fronts both in north-east and north-west Africa to accomplish several objectives - reducing the force the Axis can attack Russia with, and returning to the Med as soon as possible. The war with Russia will likely develop into a serious struggle along the Persian/Iraq border as each side would likely go 'all in' there in an attempt to get Turkey to join the war while the main front in Russia proper might feature a lower unit density and more fluid tempo than normal as the Axis land forces operate on so many land fronts simultaneously. Even if Turkey does jump in, the Allies should keep fighting because an early entry for the USA leads to a staggeringly powerful war machine, as long as the USA doesn't make the same mistake the CW did here and builds the most incredible fleet the world has ever seen while the Axis run riot everywhere on land.

USA and Commonwealth can come back in northern Spain or Portugal if Axis invaded it. Allies should even consider invading Portugal and use it as a base to reenter in Spain if Portugal is still neutral when USA is at war.

If Axis is occupied in USSR, they will have logistic issues in Spain most probably. Keeping well supplied garrisons in France and Spain will be difficult for them.

And when the allies will chase the Axis from southern Spain. They can try to retake Gibraltar. Probably they will also need to take bases on the western mediterranean to operate naval airplanes there that can threaten any sortie from the italian fleet.

< Message edited by micheljq -- 10/20/2011 2:38:03 PM >

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RE: Closing the Med - 10/20/2011 7:05:29 PM

brian brian

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I was just trying to point out a common Allied mistake I have seen after the fall of Suez & Gibraltar.....sitting back and building for a year or two or three to invade Europe. This frees up too much of the Axis ground strength to attack Russia. Maintaining a front in Africa can be done simultaneously with that build-up. In the game under discussion, it is only 1940 after all. The CW force pool has several units ideal to harass the Axis with in Africa: 2-5 and 2-6 MOT and MECH divisions, as well as cavalry the original poster just recently built. Back those with a C-47 for air re-supply and the whole Middle East can become supply-challenged for an Axis campaign into Persia (hint: rush something to Kuwait before the Iraqis sign up with Il Duce). A front in north-east Africa (upper Egypt / Sudan) could become dicey for the Allies once Japan enters the war, but then those early investments in the Royal Navy might start to look pretty smart; alternatively, India makes a wonderful base for the USN (though that would be somewhat of an Allied fantasy in real life). Conversely, the Axis will be stretching their logistics to a maximum, and it is good strategy to fight them at the ends of their logistic tether, in addition to closer in (the beaches of Portugal) later on.

I don't think I've ever commanded the Allies after a surrendered France. The only times my Allies have seen a declination of the Vichy offer on the part of the Germans I have been able to hold the river line in SW France & Toulouse (one of the ultimate fortress hexes in the game), and pretty much win the war right there......because the CW invested in the Royal Army early and often. But if I were handed this game as-is, I would be pumping as much as aid as possible into Morocco with a well-defended convoy line for as long as I could...

I love that thought that Russia will be hamstrung in reinforcing Persia out of desire to hold the pact totals in eastern Europe. Same problem for the Axis (hint: the USSR should be able to exploit this via the use of classical strategic interior lines and the super-mobility of how they base their bombers)......and many say the Pact rules make the WiF:FE rules irretrievably broken, although I am not a fan of an otherwise un-distracted Germany not being able to DoW in the summer of 41 - i.e. I think the rule is good but just slightly tilted towards the USSR a bit too much.

In general, my favorite Axis grand strategy has slowly become not one of knocking Russia or the UK out of the war, but insuring that the Axis control all of the oil in the Middle East for enough turns that their build-up will be big enough to withstand the US Army in Europe and Navy in the Pacific. All too often, the Allies play right into this by focusing on the Ukraine, the shores of western Europe, and the economic desert of the Central Pacific.

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RE: Closing the Med - 10/20/2011 7:08:22 PM

Red Prince

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quote:

(hint: rush something to Kuwait before the Iraqis sign up with Il Duce).

The Iraqis already did sign up with Il Duce . . . and the Iraqi CAV set up within range to take Kuwait on its first land move.

quote:

But if I were handed this game as-is, I would be pumping as much as aid as possible into Morocco with a well-defended convoy line for as long as I could...

Steve might prefer I didn't admit this, but there has actually been a snag recently in getting Build Points from the CW or USA to the French. So, unless I work with some very creative work-arounds (which I could do), France can't produce anything at the moment because she can't get any BP from her allies.

< Message edited by Red Prince -- 10/20/2011 7:13:00 PM >

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RE: Closing the Med - 10/20/2011 7:11:05 PM

brian brian

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oh and I just looked up what turn it is...the beginning of S/O 40....a few high weather rolls (which will be key, as they often are in S/O turns) and Bilbao just might hold out till the next summer.....the Allies have more irons in this world afire than it might first appear...

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RE: Closing the Med - 10/20/2011 7:18:40 PM

brian brian

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anyhow, posts from games-in-progress are always so visually appealing that they get me energized to fire up one of my very slow-motion solitaire games using CyberBoard. I really wish I could just buy this game right now, as-is. All it would need would be an 'override' option allowing players to fix things up after mutual agreement (and then be able to use any House Rules they want). I've been thinking for a while that making a 100.00% bug-free version might be too difficult....the paper game rules currently aren't and probably will never be bug-free, because every possible game situation and rules interaction haven't been discovered yet. just my latest thoughts after all these years. carry on.

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RE: Closing the Med - 10/20/2011 7:45:30 PM

Red Prince

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For those who were curious, here's what the Nazi-Soviet Pact looks like:
-----
The USSR needs 106 more Garrison points, and Germany needs 89.5 more. Nobody is going to be breaking this any time soon.

Attachment (1)

< Message edited by Red Prince -- 10/20/2011 7:47:29 PM >

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RE: Closing the Med - 10/20/2011 8:11:29 PM

Centuur

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I think that it is first priority for the Germans to conquer Spain. This isn't going to be easy, since bad weather might be there soon. I don't know what's under the Spanish MECH, but if it is a nice unit, you are probably looking at a bloody fight. The southern units should continue towards Gibraltar. I don't think you've got enough units left for Portugal yet. You have to prevent CW units entering Spain from Gibraltar to delay you're moves towards Gibraltar.
Portugal can wait a turn or two, but shouldn't be forgotten. Rabat is now also a very important city to capture (since it the capital of France...).
I also noticed that Sudan is Italian controlled. This is nice, since it gives when Ca�ro is captured a supply path towards Italy from Italian East Africa. It might therefore be a good plan to try to put pressure on South Africa in 1941...

< Message edited by Centuur -- 10/20/2011 8:26:57 PM >

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RE: Closing the Med - 10/20/2011 8:42:05 PM

brian brian

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it is fun to run around in Central Africa with some Axis Territorial units, for sure, but without a rail link, Euro-Axis pressure on South Africa can only come by sea, and this makes it more likely to be a Japanese land operation, though an Italian task-force can aid this immensely to cover for the IJN during a Japanese land impulse (Yes, I like Japanese operations in the Indian Ocean). An Italian attack on South Africa was my grand strategic plan in my very first game of World in Flames way back in the 3rd edition. I was handed Italy, and on the first turn I laid down a Transport. My plan never got any farther than that, buried under an avalanche of newbie mistakes.

I noticed that too in the world hex-control map though. This allows out-of-supply Italian units, such as the INF that starts there, to re-organize after moving while oos, as soon as Sudan is conquered, without needing Egypt at all actually. In this game, the Italians already have Kenya it appears......some would say any Italian TERR builds are a waste of BPs; I would disagree in some games, and only for one of them at the most and more so with the 2008 optional rule of allowing choice of TERR being constructed in exchange for an extra turn of build-time.

Back to this game...it is unfortunate that the Allies appear to have lost all ports on the Red Sea....I would fix that.

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RE: Closing the Med - 10/20/2011 9:12:42 PM

Red Prince

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Centuur

I think that it is first priority for the Germans to conquer Spain. This isn't going to be easy, since bad weather might be there soon. I don't know what's under the Spanish MECH, but if it is a nice unit, you are probably looking at a bloody fight. The southern units should continue towards Gibraltar. I don't think you've got enough units left for Portugal yet. You have to prevent CW units entering Spain from Gibraltar to delay you're moves towards Gibraltar.
Portugal can wait a turn or two, but shouldn't be forgotten. Rabat is now also a very important city to capture (since it the capital of France...).
I also noticed that Sudan is Italian controlled. This is nice, since it gives when Ca�ro is captured a supply path towards Italy from Italian East Africa. It might therefore be a good plan to try to put pressure on South Africa in 1941...

The total defense factors in Bilbao = 20

Plus, the CW rebased a few LND there, though they don't help all that much. However, using an O-chit, Germany can get about 100 factors against it (They just cleaned up the 3-1 GARR and now surround the city). Praying for good weather for Germany next impulse.

Because I screwed up the CW builds, everything they can get into the Gibraltar area is already at sea and about to land. This means that Gibraltar will, in fact, have a good enough defense to survive a few attacks, at least. Therefore, Japan is going to DOW Portugal next impulse (already has units at sea to take East Timor), which should let Germany attack it, too (unless I align it to China, which I suppose I could, but would the Allies do that in a real game?) Perhaps Germany will have to DOW also to prevent that.

Anyway, Germany can roll over Portugal, and there's nothing the Allies can do about it. Once that is secure, I'll return those units south. The CW can't do much to reinforce Spain, really.
-----
Edit: Besides, I just realized I need to get my PARA and ATR down there before I try for an attack on Gibraltar. That means a rail move and a rebase, so I probably can't take it this turn, anyway.

< Message edited by Red Prince -- 10/20/2011 9:23:31 PM >

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RE: Closing the Med - 10/20/2011 9:14:01 PM

Red Prince

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quote:

ORIGINAL: brian brian

it is fun to run around in Central Africa with some Axis Territorial units, for sure, but without a rail link, Euro-Axis pressure on South Africa can only come by sea, and this makes it more likely to be a Japanese land operation, though an Italian task-force can aid this immensely to cover for the IJN during a Japanese land impulse (Yes, I like Japanese operations in the Indian Ocean). An Italian attack on South Africa was my grand strategic plan in my very first game of World in Flames way back in the 3rd edition. I was handed Italy, and on the first turn I laid down a Transport. My plan never got any farther than that, buried under an avalanche of newbie mistakes.

I noticed that too in the world hex-control map though. This allows out-of-supply Italian units, such as the INF that starts there, to re-organize after moving while oos, as soon as Sudan is conquered, without needing Egypt at all actually. In this game, the Italians already have Kenya it appears......some would say any Italian TERR builds are a waste of BPs; I would disagree in some games, and only for one of them at the most and more so with the 2008 optional rule of allowing choice of TERR being constructed in exchange for an extra turn of build-time.

Back to this game...it is unfortunate that the Allies appear to have lost all ports on the Red Sea....I would fix that.

The CW still controls Aden, which is on both the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea.

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RE: Closing the Med - 10/20/2011 10:23:17 PM

composer99

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Red Prince:

When I was referring to the CW defending Malta (e.g. leaving the garrison behind), I meant Malta. No overland attack possible.

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RE: Closing the Med - 10/20/2011 10:28:27 PM

Red Prince

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quote:

ORIGINAL: composer99

Red Prince:

When I was referring to the CW defending Malta (e.g. leaving the garrison behind), I meant Malta. No overland attack possible.

I actually figured that out when I re-read it, but decided not to bother changing my post . . .

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RE: Closing the Med - 10/21/2011 3:45:08 AM

Orm

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China is not allowed to align any minors so no need to DOW Portugal for just this reason.

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RE: Closing the Med - 10/21/2011 7:09:43 AM

Red Prince

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Orm

China is not allowed to align any minors so no need to DOW Portugal for just this reason.

Thanks! I'd forgotten about that. In that case, I'll leave it to Japan to make the DOW. I'd think surprise against Portugal is less important to Germany than reducing the chances of giving the USA another entry chit at this point.

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RE: Closing the Med - 10/21/2011 3:48:06 PM

composer99

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Is Japan at war with the CW? If not I am not sure Germany can attack Portugal once Japan does.

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RE: Closing the Med - 10/21/2011 4:11:45 PM

Red Prince

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quote:

ORIGINAL: composer99

Is Japan at war with the CW? If not I am not sure Germany can attack Portugal once Japan does.

Japan is only at war with China right now. Why does that prevent Germany from going to war with Portugal?

The CW is an active power, as is France -- the only ones on the Allied side (other than China). So, Portugal has to align with one of them. Once it aligns, Germany is at war with it:

quote:

RAC 9.7 Controlling new minors
You now allocate control of minor countries declared war on this step, to a major power on the other side (see 19.2), in order of declaration.

The minor country is at war with everyone its controlling major power is at war with, as well as the major powers that declared war on it.

Whoever takes control of the minor sets up its forces immediately (see 19.4).

I added the underline. Shouldn't this mean Germany can attack a CW-aligned Portugal?

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(in reply to composer99)

Post #: 87

RE: Closing the Med - 10/21/2011 4:53:19 PM

Centuur

Posts: 8802
Joined: 6/3/2011
From: Hoorn (NED).
Status: offline

Yes, Germany can attack a CW aligned Portugal, since Portugal is automatic at war with any Major Power the controlling Major power is at war with, in addition to the Major Power which declared war on the minor.

If the USSR is at war with Japan, then Portugal can align to the USSR. If not:
It might be better to surrender Portugal to Japan (by not aligning to the CW). Portugal than becomes Japanese territory, which the Germans can't enter until Japan is at war with the CW (or the USA is both at war with Japan and Germany). Also, Germany has to have an HQ in Portugal to do so, since Japan and Germany don't co�perate (foreign troops commitment). This makes things for the Germans not very pretty...
Now, that leaves another question: is the Portuguese resource in that case available for the Euroaxis? Not in the turn of the Portuguese conquest, since there has to be a trade agreement between Japan and Germany for that, and this doesn't exist in this turn. Next turn: Japan can make a trade agreement with Germany or Japan, so the resource can be used by them (this is how I read the rules...).

It would be nice to see if MWIF is programmed will run it this way...

< Message edited by Centuur -- 10/21/2011 4:59:35 PM >

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Peter

(in reply to Red Prince)

Post #: 88

RE: Closing the Med - 10/21/2011 4:59:38 PM

Red Prince

Posts: 3686
Joined: 4/8/2011
From: Bangor, Maine, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Centuur

Yes, Germany can attack a CW aligned Portugal, since Portugal is automatic at war with any Major Power the controlling Major power is at war with, in addition to the Major Power which declared war on the minor.

If the USSR is at war with Japan, then Portugal can align to the USSR. If not:
It might be better to surrender Portugal to Japan. Portugal than becomes Japanese territory, which the Germans can't enter until Japan is at war with the CW (or the USA is both at war with Japan and Germany). Also, Germany has to have an HQ in Portugal to do so, since Japan and Germany don't co�perate (foreign troops commitment). This makes things for the Germans not very pretty...
Now, that leaves another question: is the Portuguese resource in that case available for the Euroaxis? Not in the turn of the Portuguese conquest, since there has to be a trade agreement between Japan and Germany for that, and this doesn't exist in this turn. Next turn: Japan can make a trade agreement with Germany or Japan, so the resource can be used by them (this is how I read the rules...).

It would be nice to see if MWIF is programmed will run it this way...

Actually, FTC rules don't apply here, since Portugal isn't the home country of Japan. You can enter aligned minors without an HQ (if you are a Major Power).

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Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done and why. Then do it!
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(in reply to Centuur)

Post #: 89

RE: Closing the Med - 10/21/2011 5:12:56 PM

brian brian

Posts: 3191
Joined: 11/16/2005
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Aden is on the wrong side of the Red Sea for the purpose I envisaged. It is an important place, well worth a garrison....the Axis can sneak in quick after landing in Yemen.....but won't help you threaten a return to Suez overland, where the CW now has a long way to go. I'd still send the British CAV (ideal unit in African terrain) and C-47 or Harrow to Tanganyika once the horses are all saddled up in a turn or two.

In general, I would get the DOW on Portugal out of the way this turn or next to keep the 30% chance of yet more US Entry hit as low as possible as the average chit values are at their lowest in 1940. Germany needn't worry about reinforcements in Portugal itself; though I would send in a few BPs of cheap delaying units if I was the CW.

The bigger picture is the Portuguese empire....Germany should to be ready to seize the Azores upon DOW. I would probably set up the Portuguese GARR overseas....oh, the gamey horror! Given this is a solitaire exercise I might roll a dice to make that decision.

Japan should do the DOW as you have deduced as the Allies would have little choice but to align it to the CW. I'm not sure the no-alignment-for-China rule, a 2008 errata I believe, is part of the MWiF rule set, though it should be if only in the interest of preventing bizarre bug situations, though OTOH that might help test things like Free French and Vichy French alignments, which generate plenty of rules snafus, particularly with minors who have their own aligned minors.

But Japan has far better targets to consider than East Timor, starting with an easy walk on to Macao but an even more pressuring move on the Allies via a landing in Mozambique, adding yet more protection to the budding Italian empire in Africa. (Hint: the Japanese can make logistic preparations via friendly Italian ports in the Horn of Africa). You could also consider a landing in Goa to pressure the CW some more, though I wouldn't suggest developing a campaign out of that base. This should be a good game for Japan as the Italian navy will be in play in the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean (Seychelles, here I come), threatening normally secure CW troop movements....I might even repair their two older BBs. The Axis do have some big decisions to make on who supplies what....I would eventually build an overseas supply route around the Arabian peninsula and use the Japanese carriers and an Italian squadron to keep the RN and USN away from it while the Germans drive towards Russia from northern Iraqi/Persian railheads. All without forgetting an Axis Prime Directive: Keep the US out of the war as long as possible.

I still find it completely absurd that Macao is it's own hex complete with minor port, while Goa has no port due to the bias of the map editor not wanting the game played that way.

(in reply to Red Prince)

Post #: 90