Slitherine

quote:

And once again you are too quick with the "they would have" or "they wouldn't have" like they are KNOWN factors. E.g you mention the Dunkirk hex. You obviously do not recall the CW units being out of supply at one point? A few well placed ground strikes on these black print units and shore bombardment means jack. Re the air - yes maybe its a miscommunication but in post 797 you state "the Germans would not have taken their air out".

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jagdtiger14

Is there any way to show us the entire Vichy fleet?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Orm

Jan/Feb '40

Both sides rolled a 4 on the initiative roll, but since Axis had a positive modifier (+1), they win the initiative.

Now the world holds its breath while we wait and see if they will use the initiative to go first this turn.

quote:

Following a tripartite pact conference, the Axis powers graciously invite their Allied counter-parts to open the batting for this turn.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Orm

Nov/Dec 1939

Production:
China (5):
INF
GARR

CW (13):
INF
FTR2
2 x Pilot
TRS (1st)
CP
CVP0
CVP1

USA(11):
GARR
BB (1st)
TRS (1st)
NAV3
Pilot

USSR (10):
GARR
2 x INF
Pilot

quote:

ORIGINAL: brian brian

I like to defend the Alps with four units - the MTN in Nice, 4 pt INF to the north, inf division along the Alpine hexsides, CAV near the Swiss border.

Then bring the Syrian garrison to Nice on first impulse, though this risks a surprise port strike on it.

Italy's best chance to crack the Alps is on the surprise impulse with doubled air and HQ support from Balbo (risks 'Magic 14'). Nice is also vulnerable to shore bombardment. But if they get the first hex, the ooze begins and that eventually becomes serious.

But if the Italian set-up or DOW leads them in other directions, the CAV can move north, the Alpine hexsides can be uncovered, and the INF from Syria can rail north. Local MIL can handle the area best from turn 2 onwards, releasing the Infantry division and the other INF to the north as well.

quote:

ORIGINAL: brian brian

The key to defending Belgium is fast units that can enter Brussels in the rain. Let REServes cover the two Maginot cities.

After that it is imperative to keep two stacks of three units in the clear hexes in Belgium, each with anti-tank assets. Those are tough for the Germans to crack, but the other hexes don't allow a breakthrough, there is the Meuse river, etc. If the Germans DOW Belgium in 1939, abandon the Maginot immediately.

After Belgium keep the anti-tank guns stacked with two units in the hex most desired by the Germans, never take them as a loss, pick for the Shatter unit if necessary. Never place them with only one other unit - they are the most valuable French units.

In a non-France First game, a loan from the CW on turn two can build the third French AT/AA if not drawn at set-up - very handy in spring of 40.

quote:

I rarely pull the French INF from Algeria, unless the Italians DOW early and don't invade on the surprise impulse. I use the TRS for the Syrian INF first and the Senegal MIL second. Lately I like the knock-on effects of an instant Italian amphibious invasion of Syria though, very interesting for the Axis.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets

quote:

ORIGINAL: Orm

Nov/Dec 1939

Production:
China (5):
INF
GARR

CW (13):
INF
FTR2
2 x Pilot
TRS (1st)
CP
CVP0
CVP1

USA(11):
GARR
BB (1st)
TRS (1st)
NAV3
Pilot

USSR (10):
GARR
2 x INF
Pilot

For what it's worth, ...

I agree completely with the China and Commonwealth builds.

But not for the USA and USSR builds. Early in the war I prefer to build carriers for the USA. They take a long time and will be needed against Japan. I do not build anything that take only a short time to come in for the USA. They will not have any use for them until they are in the war. If desperate for something to build, I'll build the marine units. The CVP0 builds are okay as fillers. AMPH and TRS are my other preferred builds. My idea is to plan on the USA entering the war sometime in 1941 and having the ships to fight Japan and the sea lift to get stuff over to Europe or out to the Pacific. The air, land, and pilots can be delayed until mid-1940 and still arrive in time for spring 1941. ATRs and paratroops are always useful too, so I sometimes put them into production fairly early.

For the USSR, I like to get in one or two MECH and stay away from building the GARR until things look threatening on the western front. I'm not real keen on pilots or air units either. If the USSR husbands it air units early in the conflict with Germany, they shouldn't be desperate for air cover. My experience is that the Germans outrun their best air units so the USSR doesn't have to defend against a whole lot of German air missions. Now, if the Axis is bringing every air unit Italy can build to the fight - then that is a different story. But the decision to build pilots and air units can be delayed for a bit. Getting as many land units on the map as possible is my goal as the USSR.

- Again, for what it is worth.

quote:

How did the USSR get 10 BP on turn 2? Save 2 on turn 1?

quote:

ORIGINAL: brian brian

I think that is a purely historical result on the Vichy / Free France colonies?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jagdtiger14

quote:

I rarely pull the French INF from Algeria, unless the Italians DOW early and don't invade on the surprise impulse. I use the TRS for the Syrian INF first and the Senegal MIL second. Lately I like the knock-on effects of an instant Italian amphibious invasion of Syria though, very interesting for the Axis.

Oran needs defended (Gibraltar).

Nice one Brian! I'll have to look into that Syrian gambit!

quote:

ORIGINAL: Centuur

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jagdtiger14

quote:

I rarely pull the French INF from Algeria, unless the Italians DOW early and don't invade on the surprise impulse. I use the TRS for the Syrian INF first and the Senegal MIL second. Lately I like the knock-on effects of an instant Italian amphibious invasion of Syria though, very interesting for the Axis.

Oran needs defended (Gibraltar).

Nice one Brian! I'll have to look into that Syrian gambit!

I want to get a unit out of Syria and one out of Algeria to France in the first two Allied impulses. So I always set up the French TRS in Syria, move it with the INF into Marseilles, reorganise the ship with a French HQ. Next impulse, the French take a combined, move the TRS into the zero box of the Western Med, picks up a unit in Algeria and that unloads in Marseilles too. During the RTB phase, the French move the TRS into Senegal. That's to say: if the TRS survives his stay in the Western Med...

The defense of the USSR starts in the west. Defend Oran? Let the CW take care of the defense of that port. Every unit counts against Germany.

England expects that every man will do his duty. Horatio Nelson October 1805

quote:

The choices a player makes are his own, they might turn out to be good choices, or simply lead to disaster.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Orm

Nov/Dec 1939

Production:
China (5):
INF
GARR

CW (13):
INF
FTR2
2 x Pilot
TRS (1st)
CP
CVP0
CVP1

USA(11):
GARR
BB (1st)
TRS (1st)
NAV3
Pilot

USSR (10):
GARR
2 x INF
Pilot

quote:

What did the axis build?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Courtenay

The US builds for carriers are all about the five Essex class they get in the 1941 force pool. Everything the US builds should be to get those as quickly as possible. Thus one must build one naval unit (at least) M/J 40, two J/A, 3 S/O, and 4 N/D. Then one must be able to pay for five CVs J/F 41. Then one must be able to build finish them N/D 41; again one must pay strict attention to gearing limits. Plan out the whole US build schedule until early 1942. See how many build points you need. You won't know when you get gear up; be pessimistic in your assumptions.

Those carriers are what you need to win the the naval war in the Pacific. (You will also need AMPHS and TRSs, too, off course.) Plan for the stuff that takes a long time to build. After that, HQs. After that, if you want BB's, those come next (they take a long time, too.) Stuff that takes a short time can wait until the war.

quote:

Which are the planes in the respective reserve pools?