RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR)

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RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/12/2011 1:44:45 PM

Red Prince

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I swore I was going to do nothing with MWiF today. I had a bad night, and I'm not having a great morning. But, besides the "promise" I made, I just can't stay away from it. It's an addiction of sorts. And I really do want some imput before deciding whether or not the CW should DOW Italy or not.

So, the first image is the "Atlantic" Fleet based in Nova Scotia. Nothing special here:

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RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/12/2011 1:47:03 PM

Red Prince

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Next up are those Nigerian TERR the CW drew . . . all I could think to do with them was to place them in position so that they could liberate any nations that went Vichy . . . . if this was going to be a Vichy game:

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RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/12/2011 1:54:51 PM

Red Prince

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The current fleet in Gibraltar . . . . remember I was a bit delerious when I set up the CW units, so just take it for what it is:

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Post #: 93

RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/12/2011 2:07:57 PM

Red Prince

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I just don't have the energy to edit all the flyouts like I did for Germany before, and I'm stil not all that good at using the Naval Review Details or Naval Review Summary forms, so I'm just going to tell you the basics of what you see here.

Starting in Hull: 11 ship fleet, with 5 CV, 2 BB, and 4 CA
Liverpool is a fleet of 7 very long-range CA, plus the NED SUB and CP
Portsmouth has my Shore Bombardment Fleet: 10 BB, 5 CL, the Polish CP (and an INF Division)
Each of the TRS you see has a good unit under it to send to far off places: London and Bristol have the white prints to reach Gibraltar, and Portsmouth has a 7-6 MECH that might be able to reach Egypt in good time, or be in position to support France in N. Africa.

As you can see, my LND and FTR draws were less than ideal. As I've said, I have no intention of bolstering France, since I've never done it successfully.

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RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/12/2011 2:14:07 PM

Red Prince

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This is what happened to Malta due to that massive mistake I made in forgetting about a known bug. Note the Italian INF Division in position to invade. He was intended to invade either Greece or Syria . . . or even Egypt . . . but being forced to move the 5-4 INF from Malta to Bombay so that I could abort the French navy . . .

Anyway, the CW can't reinforce Malta, so it is a delicious target. This may be the primary reason a DOW is essential.

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RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/12/2011 2:25:01 PM

Red Prince

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Following up on this, what you see here is the current defensive force in Egypt proper . . . minimal, at best. The insert shows the Italian troops waiting for a solid port to enter once they decide who to fight first.

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RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/12/2011 2:31:46 PM

Red Prince

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The Sudan is another unorthodox setup I like to make. The Italian units in Eritrea are Isolated -- until that Supply Unit gets used, which happens as soon as the CW and Italy are at war. Two impulses later, Anglo-Egyptian Sudan is conquered by Italy, and there ain't nothing the CW can do about it, short of abandoning some other important defensive position.

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RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/12/2011 2:38:51 PM

Red Prince

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Moving along the Red Sea, the CW has problems here too. French Somaliland is going to fall, and those damn Nigerian TERR mean that other localities are at risk. The idea behind putting the CV fleet in British Somaliland is because they could get through the Med pretty easily to get CVP from the UK. A DOW on Italy could seriously mess with that.

The two other fleets in Port Sudan (see above post) and Aden were intended to keep supply open through the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea.

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RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/12/2011 2:47:40 PM

Red Prince

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Another concern to the south is the Italian Somaliland TERR setup in a very threatening position. Italy may not be ready to take on the CW yet (even with the Malta temptation), but if the CW does DOW Italy, you can be sure that first Mombasa, then Nairobi, and then Kampala and/or Dar es Salaam are going to fall to Italy. Maybe. It is going to definitely mean Kenya is a goner. And unless TERR picks improve, and/or help is sent, the rest will follow.

Now, Africa really isn't important in terms of Victory Cities, since there are very few there. The ports are useful, though, and the mere fact that Italy is swallowing up the Empire is going to really irritate the CW. I love the nuicance factor of playing Italian TERR in Africa.

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RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/12/2011 2:50:48 PM

Red Prince

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Now, there is some hope . . . sort of: The UK has some fast lift capacity, and there's at least one unit protecting Cape Town:

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RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/12/2011 2:57:24 PM

Red Prince

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Wondering where that last TERR ended up? Well, he's in Burma at the moment. I'm not actually unhappy with my Indian setup. I don't like leaving either Oil resources or Factory hexes undefended, because I've had Partisans destroy both before. It's just unfortunate that Malta had to be abandoned in order to make sure Bombay was secure.

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RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/12/2011 3:04:19 PM

Red Prince

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I've already told you about the Liner and MIL headed for Singapore, and I've got the Batavia unit plus 4 ships in the NEI . . . additionally I'll have the CP I need to fill out my plan for shipping my resources around the world without using the Med. I hope now you understand why I try to avoid that whenever possible.

Finally, the last bit is the Pacific Fleet. It had to be set up somewhere, and I wasn't expecting to need reinforcements early on, so here's where they are:

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RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/12/2011 3:14:03 PM

Red Prince

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This is a lot of material to sort through, and I don't know quite what to make of it myself. My gut instinct says that the CW should DOW just to protect Malta from an easy invasion. On the other hand, there isn't a lot that the CW can gain from the Surprise Impulse (I think).

One last thing I should include:

1. The USSR is determined to take Persia ASAP, and screw it's "supposed" allies. (90% chance of -1 chit)
2. The USSR needs to get into Eastern Poland now or risk never being able to claim the Baltic States. (70% chance of -1 chit)
3. A DOW by the CW on Italy means 1 certainly lost chit, and a 20% chance of a second one being taken away.

The USA only has 3 chits in the Ge/It Entry Pool. The CW DOW is the riskiest of them all, since the benefits are unclear. (This time I set things up so that Zhukov would have to plant a land mine and then jump heavily on it in order to get killed).

So, do I risk Italy overextending itself in order to gain Malta? It will mean Greece and Yugoslavia will be later in the game, and it might also delay an attack on Syria for a long time, ruining some Axis plans. What do you think?

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< Message edited by Red Prince -- 11/12/2011 3:16:34 PM >

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RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/12/2011 7:07:34 PM

Centuur

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If the CW isn't able to put a land unit in Malta (so it stays empty), this means personally would DoW the Italians as the CW. Of course, this means that Joe should be convinced to wait with his DoW's.
This is the third allied impulse (or am I mistaken?). Uncle Joe would urge to purge the CW military leadership for not getting a CW land corps into Malta in the first Allied impulse (yes, I know, it's a bug, so probably you'll have to shoot the programmer, uhm...

...).

On the other hand: why didn't the USSR demand Eastern Poland in the second Allied impulse? Was US entry so low that he couldn't do this? If so: the allies have to gamble now. The USSR gets Eastern Poland and the Italian will then DoW the CW (I would) and will occupy Malta and start grabbing those nice CW territories in Eastern Africa (which is a must, since Balbo is there, and he needs to get out of there as soon as possible) OR the CW will keep Malta and the USSR might not be able to get Eastern Poland, if the weather roll for the next impulse is bad or if the US entry rolls for DoW'ing Italy by the CW goes bad... Good luck...

Also, I don't like the way you've put the last CW corps in Bombay at set up. It should have been setup on a certain Med Island or the Rock bordering the Med... A partisan might appear in Bombay, yes, but it's only to happen in about 1 out of 10 games, but an invasion threat by Italy is going to happen every game IMHO. I would sent a SCS with the Italian division out into the Med in the first Italian combined impulse for that reason. Now where is it going to invade? Corsica, Gibraltar, Malta, Oran, Algiers, Tunis, Marseilles? A lot of places to choose from in an Italian surprise impulse, and some of those will be empty. So please CW or France DOW me, or suffer the consequences. That division should be at sea a lot of times in the first turn...

The USSR should also keep a good look on the positions of Yamamoto and the Japanese Marines. My Japanese will go to war in 1939 with the USSR to grab those nice Persian oil fields before he can conquer Persia. So, before the USSR can attack Persia, Yamamoto should be involved in the Chinese campaign and not situated anywhere on a TRS. Remember: he can simply sail to the area and wait for the return to base phase to enter the Persian ports. He stays there during conquest phase, provided the Emperor did DOW the USSR. It will be very hard for Zhukov to get him out of Persia.

Of course, a USSR-Japan war might mean an end to those nice attacks you're now doing in China (you have to defend Manchuria), however its Oil we're talking about here. And Oil is everything for Japan in the war. If Japan hasn't any oil left, he's like a dead fish in the water. Take than also into account that in 1939, the USSR hasn't got a lot of land units (and some of there are in Persia, keeping Yamamoto in check) to put pressure on the Manchurian border.
My advise to Uncle Joe would be to DOW Persia later in the game (f.e. in 1940, when he's got more land unit on the Manchurian-Soviet border to put pressure on the Japanese). Against 10-12 Soviet Corps in Siberia, I wouldn't DOW the USSR as the Japanese. Against 7, I would DOW the USSR and try all kind of nasty things.
Now, if the USSR uses his European Army against the Persians, I would go in conference with Berlin and see if it wouldn't be possible to go for a Barbarossa starting in J/F 1940, since there's only going to be about 10 Russian Reservecorps in Europe. This is of course a huge gamble, with France still in the game, but you'll be getting a nice Rumanian and Finnish army and a good starting position from those two countries as well, since the Borderlands and Bessarabia can't be grabbed by the USSR (his army is far, far away in Persia and Manchuria..). With a little luck (please: good weather in M/A 1940), you'll be able to grab a whole chunk of land and resources in the USSR to give you the economic power to crush the French). If Belgium is still neutral, don't attack them in 1939 and keep the army in Poland.
So the question is really: where are the USSR corps at this moment?

< Message edited by Centuur -- 11/12/2011 7:09:13 PM >

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RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/12/2011 8:33:02 PM

Rasputitsa

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Thanks for the screen-shots, but the image on the 'Harrow' air unit, in the East of UK, looks more like an Avro 'Anson'.

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RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/12/2011 8:53:32 PM

Red Prince

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Centuur

If the CW isn't able to put a land unit in Malta (so it stays empty), this means personally would DoW the Italians as the CW. Of course, this means that Joe should be convinced to wait with his DoW's.
This is the third allied impulse (or am I mistaken?). Uncle Joe would urge to purge the CW military leadership for not getting a CW land corps into Malta in the first Allied impulse (yes, I know, it's a bug, so probably you'll have to shoot the programmer, uhm... ...).
On the other hand: why didn't the USSR demand Eastern Poland in the second Allied impulse? Was US entry so low that he couldn't do this? If so: the allies have to gamble now. The USSR gets Eastern Poland and the Italian will then DoW the CW (I would) and will occupy Malta and start grabbing those nice CW territories in Eastern Africa (which is a must, since Balbo is there, and he needs to get out of there as soon as possible) OR the CW will keep Malta and the USSR might not be able to get Eastern Poland, if the weather roll for the next impulse is bad or if the US entry rolls for DoW'ing Italy by the CW goes bad... Good luck...

Also, I don't like the way you've put the last CW corps in Bombay at set up. It should have been setup on a certain Med Island or the Rock bordering the Med... A partisan might appear in Bombay, yes, but it's only to happen in about 1 out of 10 games, but an invasion threat by Italy is going to happen every game IMHO. I would sent a SCS with the Italian division out into the Med in the first Italian combined impulse for that reason. Now where is it going to invade? Corsica, Gibraltar, Malta, Oran, Algiers, Tunis, Marseilles? A lot of places to choose from in an Italian surprise impulse, and some of those will be empty. So please CW or France DOW me, or suffer the consequences. That division should be at sea a lot of times in the first turn...

The USSR should also keep a good look on the positions of Yamamoto and the Japanese Marines. My Japanese will go to war in 1939 with the USSR to grab those nice Persian oil fields before he can conquer Persia. So, before the USSR can attack Persia, Yamamoto should be involved in the Chinese campaign and not situated anywhere on a TRS. Remember: he can simply sail to the area and wait for the return to base phase to enter the Persian ports. He stays there during conquest phase, provided the Emperor did DOW the USSR. It will be very hard for Zhukov to get him out of Persia.

Of course, a USSR-Japan war might mean an end to those nice attacks you're now doing in China (you have to defend Manchuria), however its Oil we're talking about here. And Oil is everything for Japan in the war. If Japan hasn't any oil left, he's like a dead fish in the water. Take than also into account that in 1939, the USSR hasn't got a lot of land units (and some of there are in Persia, keeping Yamamoto in check) to put pressure on the Manchurian border.
My advise to Uncle Joe would be to DOW Persia later in the game (f.e. in 1940, when he's got more land unit on the Manchurian-Soviet border to put pressure on the Japanese). Against 10-12 Soviet Corps in Siberia, I wouldn't DOW the USSR as the Japanese. Against 7, I would DOW the USSR and try all kind of nasty things.
Now, if the USSR uses his European Army against the Persians, I would go in conference with Berlin and see if it wouldn't be possible to go for a Barbarossa starting in J/F 1940, since there's only going to be about 10 Russian Reservecorps in Europe. This is of course a huge gamble, with France still in the game, but you'll be getting a nice Rumanian and Finnish army and a good starting position from those two countries as well, since the Borderlands and Bessarabia can't be grabbed by the USSR (his army is far, far away in Persia and Manchuria..). With a little luck (please: good weather in M/A 1940), you'll be able to grab a whole chunk of land and resources in the USSR to give you the economic power to crush the French). If Belgium is still neutral, don't attack them in 1939 and keep the army in Poland.
So the question is really: where are the USSR corps at this moment?

1. Nope, still just the start of the 2nd Allied Impulse.
2. Because this is the 2nd Allied Impulse . . . they could have in the first, but I wanted to be able to rebase the Polish aircraft for the Pilots (interned) for immediate CW use.
3. He was in Malta, but the bug made me move him . . . so I chose Bombay, since I was already set to reinforce Gibraltar.
4. I usually wait a bit before threatening the CW with Italy in the W. Med. I like to try to close out Egypt and the Middle-East first. It also lets me try for a landing in Greece if I go that route.
5. I misspoke. None of them are on TRS, but stacked with them in Japanese cities, waiting to sail to wherever they are needed. Given that I'm trying to crack China, I really don't feel I can afford a 2nd war at this time. At best, I can send in "peace-keepers" when the USSR attacks Persia.

And, finally, there are about 3 USSR units on the Manchurian border, but while I would normally want a 1939 quick war to take Vladivastok and force a peace . . . . compulsory peace is not going to be included inthe initial release, so the war would just keep going on and on and on. I don't like that, but that's the way it is. The rest of the Siberian forces are in place to take Persia in 2 impulses, so Japanese peace-keepers might not even get there in time. They are much better off being used in China.

If Italy can still align Iraq, that means the USSR has other issues to deal with based on a 2nd front for Barbarossa . . . more on that later, if it happens (which I probably will make sure does happen, since I want to test bringing Turkey into the war that way).

Somehow I knew you'd be the first to respond to this, and I get the sense that you think the CW should not risk the DOW, and simply hope they can get away with reinforcing areas Italy begins to threaten.

I should also note that, while Unlimited Breakdown is in use, Reforming units is still being worked on (this week, I think) by Steve, and I'm hoping it will be ready for me to put to good use once Japan starts going ballistic in the Pacific. So, I am working under a few limitations here.

Hope this explains the weird things that you've noted. If I'm wrong about the CW DOW, please let me know.
-----
Edit: On the other hand, since it was a bug that left Malta open to attack, I could just leave it alone, even if Italy does DOW the CW . . . . but where is the fun in that?

-----
2nd Edit: If I don't hear differently in the next 12 hours or so (my general sleep schedule), I'll assume I should not DOW with the CW and try to get at least one more impulse complete.

< Message edited by Red Prince -- 11/12/2011 11:37:30 PM >

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RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/12/2011 8:54:51 PM

Red Prince

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Rasputitsa

Thanks for the screen-shots, but the image on the 'Harrow' air unit, in the East of UK, looks more like an Avro 'Anson'.

Talk to ADG about that . . . we just use the counters as they were printed.

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RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/13/2011 4:30:16 AM

paulderynck

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That CW fleet set-up is most unfortunate. Usually you find the Asiatic fleet in Aden and a good portion of the European fleet in Gibraltar. An early DoW by Japan on the CW is possible but really unlikley due to what happens to US Entry.

With a forceful set-up threatening both ends of the Med, the Italians ought to be terrified of a surprise impulse. Given this set-up I wouldn't risk losing US Entry chits by DoWing Italy and doing much with Russia, especially since severe bad luck could mean the US can't ever DoW Germany or Italy. Get the fleet to where it can do some good and the Itlalians will need to start looking over their shoulder.

You've already got a lot of good entry chits, so in your position with the USSR, I would just do Poland. The Baltic States can wait for a long time. Not sure why you are linking the two?

IMO drawing such good entry chits should immediately modify the Allied strategy (mind you I usually play 2-player). In WiF you must be willing to change strategy as situations develop, you can't always dogmatically follow the initial plan.

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RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/13/2011 8:58:56 AM

Red Prince

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quote:

ORIGINAL: paulderynck

That CW fleet set-up is most unfortunate. Usually you find the Asiatic fleet in Aden and a good portion of the European fleet in Gibraltar. An early DoW by Japan on the CW is possible but really unlikley due to what happens to US Entry.

With a forceful set-up threatening both ends of the Med, the Italians ought to be terrified of a surprise impulse. Given this set-up I wouldn't risk losing US Entry chits by DoWing Italy and doing much with Russia, especially since severe bad luck could mean the US can't ever DoW Germany or Italy. Get the fleet to where it can do some good and the Itlalians will need to start looking over their shoulder.

You've already got a lot of good entry chits, so in your position with the USSR, I would just do Poland. The Baltic States can wait for a long time. Not sure why you are linking the two?

IMO drawing such good entry chits should immediately modify the Allied strategy (mind you I usually play 2-player). In WiF you must be willing to change strategy as situations develop, you can't always dogmatically follow the initial plan.

The reason I link the two is that if the USSR doesn't claim Eastern Poland, it is not allowed to claim the Baltic States. I usually wait until mid-40 to claim the Baltic States . . . however, Poland must but claimed before Germany completely conquers it . . .

It's somewhere in the 19.x rules . . . I'm too sick to look it up, Paul. I'm sorry.

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RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/13/2011 11:32:48 AM

Red Prince

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Just want to let you all know that I'm now in the hospital, getting new xrays and IV fluids. Probably will end up with another schedule of antibiotics, too. Just had an ECG and my heart looks fine. I'm plugged in more ways than I knew I could be, and am learning to type without my left-hand index finger.

Don't worry. I don't believe this is serious. I just was becoming too weak to stay out of hospital. I may be able to maintain my internet access while here (if I have to stay), but if not, I'll let you know how things go.

-Aaron

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RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/13/2011 12:17:34 PM

Centuur

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Red Prince

Just want to let you all know that I'm now in the hospital, getting new xrays and IV fluids. Probably will end up with another schedule of antibiotics, too. Just had an ECG and my heart looks fine. I'm plugged in more ways than I knew I could be, and am learning to type without my left-hand index finger.

Don't worry. I don't believe this is serious. I just was becoming too weak to stay out of hospital. I may be able to maintain my internet access while here (if I have to stay), but if not, I'll let you know how things go.

-Aaron

Take care of yourself. Pneumonia is a very serious illness and especially in Winter (I believe snow is already there, isn't it. I remember reading something here in the papers stating that snow was very early in the North East USA?) you should be carefull with this.

On the strategic point of view: since it is the second Allied impulse and the weather is still clear, you will get a third allied impulse. This changes things a lot. First there is Persia:
There are only three corps in Siberia now. Together with the USSR reserves this means 7 USSR corps there, if you go to war with the USSR. Personally I will DOW the USSR with the Japanese (forget about the peace) if he's going into Persia. I want the OIL and those 7 corps can be held in check by the Japanese. Of course this means things are going to be a lot slower in China. However, since there are no gearing limits, the Japanese can build a lot of INF/MIL/TERR units to be sure to have a good army to counter the Soviets.
Now, if the USSR will wait until next turn or 1940, the Japanese can't react by building a lot of land units, since gearing limits will prevent this. That's another reason why, if the USSR DOW's Persia in SO 1939, I go to war with the USSR. I know I'm able to defend Manchuria with my army with those corps if the Euroaxis will do a 1941 Barbarossa. I also will be able to keep those oilfields Japanese controlled, with Yamamoto and the Marines there. The major Axis strategy decisions should wait, until the end of the action segment in SO 1939. If the USSR will grab Persia in the first turn, the Axis should say: it's Barbarossa after France and the Japanese should assist by being very, very aggressive against an overconfident USSR.
The USSR IMHO can wait a turn for taking Persia and should do so. This move will commit the Axis to a strategic plan (since gearing limits are than in place). Also the USSR can wait an impulse to grab Eastern Poland and should do so. The CW can't wait to reinforce Malta. If he can't do this, his only option is to DOW Italy or stand down and accept the loss of Malta. The latter thing isn't very good. However, US entry chits are very good at this time. So gamble and let the Axis DOW you. Then, in the third allied impulse, grab Eastern Poland as the USSR. Also, if the European army is in place, claim Bessarabia.
In the first turn, let the Axis fill the US entry boxes and be patient as the USSR. You'll be rewarded next turn, with the Persian oil fields, since a Japanese DOW on the USSR without being able to build a lot of land units is a huge risk for the Japanese.

_____________________________

Peter

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Post #: 111

RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/13/2011 6:27:33 PM

paulderynck

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Red Prince

The reason I link the two is that if the USSR doesn't claim Eastern Poland, it is not allowed to claim the Baltic States. I usually wait until mid-40 to claim the Baltic States . . . however, Poland must but claimed before Germany completely conquers it . . .

It's somewhere in the 19.x rules . . . I'm too sick to look it up, Paul. I'm sorry.

Yes of course. I just meant you only need to do Poland this turn and can wait for more chits.

However, do take care of yourself and get well soon.

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Paul

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Post #: 112

RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/14/2011 1:44:28 PM

Red Prince

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As of this morning I was eating solid food again. That is a huge step forward. I've got the little IV tower that I have to drag along with me whenever I go to the bathroom, or anywhere else . . . and hospital food is hospital food, anywhere you go . . . which, I suppose, makes it doubly impressive that I'm keeping it down without causing a major cauging fit

Havn't done a bit of MWiF work, you'll be happy to hear

and have limited myself to the computer version of Settlers of Catan that I discovered. It doesn't come with a set of rules, which I find less than thrilling, but if you know the game, it is a good way to brainlessly waste time while being pumped full of drugs, etc.

I've been following the discussion, and I still haven't decided what should happen next. The CW is going to have to risk letting Italy get the jump on them, and therefore hand over Malta pretty much free and clear. I'm worried that if I don't take Persia with the USSR this turn it could encourage a more agressive Ialian stance in the Mid-East. I'm not going to get Japan and the USSR into a war with each other, period, until much much later in the game. This is mostly because I just don't want to deal with the turn after turn questions about "do you want to offer to surrender x, y, and z to the enemy" for each side.

I'm sure I've missed some points here, but I have no idea what they are. Later I'll look through the most recent notes again and figure it out.

-Aaron, alive and coughing (kicking)

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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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Post #: 113

RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/14/2011 10:25:53 PM

Red Prince

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Alive and home, in fact! My white count dropped so much that they let me come home today, with pill form of the antibiotics they were pumping into my arm. Much more comfortable, and better food, too.

I still haven't looked at anything more on this, and I don't plan to for another few days. It's going to take at least 3 weeks to fully recover from this, probably longer. I'll be back into this before then, but as you've all said (and I truly appreciate it), I'm going to get healthy first.

Thanks for all of the support.

-Aaron

_____________________________

Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done and why. Then do it!
-Lazarus Long, RAH

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Post #: 114

RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/15/2011 5:07:24 AM

Kham

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thanks for posting this. great screenshots.

I am seeing some challenges with the way you play. I like that you try to establish a grand strategy and then have at it but it seems almost impossible not to have such decisions influence the play in ways that it would not do in a game with an opponent - even an AI opponent ;)

For CE declaring war on the Italians... in my experience some shaking with the carriers practically forces Italy to make a pre-emptive declaration. If you succesfully port strike one or both TRS that is certainly worth the US entry hit. Malta is not that important IMO.

Again, thanks, and glad to hear you are better.

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Post #: 115

RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/15/2011 5:17:44 AM

Red Prince

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Thank you, and you're right, it all does influence how I play other nations. It just can't really be helped, which is part of why I asked people to add their thoughts to this thread. They can seek weaknesses that I might not have planned to exploit, thinking of something else.

On the other hand, there are sometimes occassions when I do "surprise" myself. The CW question of a DOW came about because I had no clue Italy would be so successful against the French. I've heard a lot of people say Matlta isn't important, and a lot of other say it is key to a return to the Med . . . no idea which is right, and I am guessing it depends on how thigs play out. It certainly looks like Malta is going to be lost to Italy very soon, so we'll get to test your theory on this one. That should be fun, indeed.

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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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RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/15/2011 1:24:45 PM

Klydon

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Very happy to see this AAR and also very happy to see you got home. Hopefully you get recovered sooner than later.

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RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/15/2011 3:09:55 PM

Red Prince

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I am still not certain what to do in Persia. I realize I forgot to show you what troops I set up there, so here it is:

Attachment (1)

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Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done and why. Then do it!
-Lazarus Long, RAH

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Post #: 118

RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/15/2011 3:10:55 PM

Red Prince

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And this is where the Japanese transport fleet is at the moment, waiting to decide what to do with the troops available:

Attachment (1)

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Always listen to experts. They'll tell you what can't be done and why. Then do it!
-Lazarus Long, RAH

(in reply to Red Prince)

Post #: 119

RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) - 11/15/2011 3:36:00 PM

Red Prince

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I've been reviewing all of your thoughts, and here's what I think I've found:

1. The CW should not DOW Italy this impulse, because my setup for them was obviously made while on heavy drugs . . . or at least in need of some. (Paul, Centuur?)
2. The USSR should take Eastern Poland now, but wait until '40 for the Baltic States (most everybody)
3. Persia can wait (Paul), but I'm not clear on how long . . . sometime in '40, when ready to battle Japan, too (Centuur)
3a. Things are going well for Japan in China, so a DOW on the USSR could damage that (Centuur), but might be worth the risk to get the Oil.

My feelings are that the USSR should try to take the Persian Oil ASAP because it forces Japan to make a choice between trying to eradicate China or going to war with the USSR. As the Axis, I don't like the idea of making the USSR an Active power this early, since it means alignment of Greece could go to them, among other nations (strange as the choice may be), plus without being able to force a Compulsory Peace with the USSR, this lets the Russians take any Action choices they want, making things easier for them in all theatres.

So, assuming I have got #1 and #2 right, I still need to decide on #3.

Yes, a DOW on Persia probably means a lost US Entry chit, but remember that Germany is going to DOW Belgium and Greece, and that Italy is also going to DOW the CW and Greece. That means it is likely that at least 1 or 2 chits will get replaced. The double DOW on Greece is for the ability to align Bulgaria, which means another chance for another chit.

The USSR doesn't "know" this, but both claims (Finland and Bessarabia) are going to be awarded, so they don't have to worry about chits there. In fact, in order to replicate the Balkan situation of the previous game (experimenting with Rumania as a full Axis ally) is going to make me wait until J/F '40 before making that claim. This is completely selfish and cheating of me. I want Germany to have the same units as before, which means waiting until the Rumanian HQ will be a "free" unit. Finland can be aligned at any time after the claim is approved, so there is no need to "time" that one with the USSR.

So, given these facts (?) and concerns, what does the USSR do now in Persia? With a Fine Impulse #4, Persia will certainly fall before the turn ends, probably in Impulse #6. That means more production (I think) for the USSR. I do have to check Peter's AIO examples before choosing a defense for Persia, but I'm guessing it'll be the Capital Defense . . . tell you what, I'll check on that now . . .