RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR)

RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (Full Version)

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composer99 -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/30/2012 8:58:59 PM)
I believe the USSR also lost a pilot this turn, putting their losses at 56 bp, which is fairly typical for a summer 1941 turn. On the whole, it wasn't too bad, especially since the Germans only just got across the Dneipr south of Dnepropetrovsk and into the Crimea and have only just reached it up north. This next turn, though, will be tough.

Red Prince -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/30/2012 9:20:42 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: composer99 I believe the USSR also lost a pilot this turn, putting their losses at 56 bp, which is fairly typical for a summer 1941 turn. On the whole, it wasn't too bad, especially since the Germans only just got across the Dneipr south of Dnepropetrovsk and into the Crimea and have only just reached it up north. This next turn, though, will be tough. Yes, they did lose a Pilot. Forgot to add that to the image. Thanks. I think the real danger may be a break for Moscow by the German forces. They actually have a good deal of powerful (and fast) units up in the north, and with Fine weather likely for most of the coming turn, these might be hard to stop. Even if they don't head for Moscow, if they break through near Tula and Bryansk, things are going to get very dicey down south. Also, the Russians now have effectively 5 Fronts to deal with: Moscow-Yaroslav, Tula-Gomel, the Dnieper, Crimea, and Persia. If they get the first impulse, I think the the Soviets should seriously consider folding the middle 2 Fronts into a single defense at the Don. That lets them defend from Rostov to Voronezh, then up the river to Tula and Moscow, with some token units up near Yaroslav. I think the incoming 5-1 GARR should be stuck in Archangel. If not, someone is going to have to rail there soon. That just leaves the Kerch-Krasnodar defense to create . . . there is a single unit in Kerch right now, and then nothing else between there and the Turkish border! ----- On a different note, I'm beginning to think that I need to simply return almost my entire Allied fleet to concentrated bases and set up the defenses when I send out the convoys around impulse 7 or 8 of the next turn, leaving small goups of defenders in the few at-risk areas remaining. This might also have the benefit of showing me exactly how much naval power I can muster against the strong Italian fleet in Cape St. Vincent . . . as well as what I can do to counter the expected attempt by Japan to take control of the Arabian Sea. I'm finding naval operations now that the USA is in it to be a little more confusing than before (and that was pretty bad to start with). I hate "regrouping" all the time. I think I've done it 3 times in 11 turns so far . . . but if I can't get the right fleet in the right place, I need to do something about it. Leaving random ships at sea just isn't going to get the job done. Yes, it'll cost a lot of Oil to do this, but America is rich in Oil, and the CW has been hoarding it everywhere it can. All those aligned minors have a lot of regular resources that can be used for production in the place of CW Oil. Now that the CW has lost a lot of its oil-producing territory, they'll need to be a little more careful, but they aren't in danger just yet.

Klydon -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/30/2012 9:40:04 PM)
You could always do what most of the WITE types do and that is Dnepropetrovsk = D-Town. [;)] The Russians may have stopped the Caucasus incursion, but so far it seems the German investment of units down there is paying off in better results for them on the central front. If that southern front push continues, the Russians are going to have some decisions to make when it comes to Caucasus defenses or risk being trapped from the north perhaps.

Red Prince -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/30/2012 9:40:28 PM)
The Allies desperately need the first move next turn. If not, the CW risks having 2 of its TRS trapped in India . . . unless they can dislodge the Japanese fleet that is going to try to take the Arabian Sea. The Americans have Battleships and CVs on the way, but they won't be able to reach a high sea box next turn.

Red Prince -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/30/2012 10:11:45 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Klydon You could always do what most of the WITE types do and that is Dnepropetrovsk = D-Town. [;)] The Russians may have stopped the Caucasus incursion, but so far it seems the German investment of units down there is paying off in better results for them on the central front. If that southern front push continues, the Russians are going to have some decisions to make when it comes to Caucasus defenses or risk being trapped from the north perhaps. I think you're right. For an investment of 6 land units (an HQ-A, 1 ARM, 2 MECH, a MECH Division, and a Tank Destroyer Division), plus 3 LND (2 of which can rebase up to 30 extended range hexes, I believe) . . . well, I just counted, and the Soviets have: 38 land units on the map: 6 of these are Divisions 1 of these units is holding the rail line in Siberia 1 of these units is holding Sevastapol 3 of these units are holding Leningrad (2 Corps +1 Division) 9 of these units are tied up in defending the Persian mountains and Teheran (8 Corps +1 Division) 24 of these units have the task of holding back the German offensive (20 Corps +4 Divisions) That offensive spans 22 hex rows from Vologda to Kerch right now. With a full third of their forces tied up on static defenses, that's going to be hard to cover. Add in the fact that 19 of their units (including Divisions) have 4 factors at most, and you've got even more trouble. The entire Soviet army now has 166 factors (not counting incoming reinforcements), which is an average of 4.37 per unit. That is 4.875 per Corps, and 1.67 per Division. The Germans have 87 land units on the map, 10 of them Divisions. Dedicated to the Soviet campaign are 59 of them, 50 Corps and 9 Divisions. They total 332 factors, or 5.63 per unit. That's actually 6.2 per Corps, and 2.44 per Division. Notice that the forces dedicated to the campaign agast Russia total exactly twice the entire Soviet army. That 2:1 ratio has got to be scary for the USSR. ----- Edit: For reference, in M/A '41 Germany destroyed 16 Soviet land units (15 Corps, 1 Division). In M/J '41, they killed another 20 land units (17 Corps, 3 Divisions). Of those 20, only 5 of them were Militia.

composer99 -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/30/2012 10:17:46 PM)
The naval game is definitely the hardest to get a hang of, no doubt there.

Red Prince -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/30/2012 10:29:08 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: composer99 The naval game is definitely the hardest to get a hang of, no doubt there. I've never played WiF over the table, so I don't know how it compares, but one of the things about playing a Solitaire or Hot-Seat game of MWiF that is giving me some confusion is that for most things you can do, you can switch back and forth between the major powers on the same side. This comes in very handy when you're setting up a Strategic Bombing mission with American bombers and RAF fighter escorts, or when you have to shuffle land movement in the Perian mountains between the Italians and Germans. Where it gives me trouble is with the Naval system . . . I want to make this clear: this is not a problem with MWiF, or a player-interface issue that needs to be resolved. It is simply that I have so little experience with naval operations that it would actually be a little easier to be able to decide who stays at sea and who returns to base from a specific sea area for both USA and CW units at the same time. You can actually do that, by switching between the major powers. But it's hard to do major planning when you're pretty much clueless to begin with. [8D]

composer99 -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/30/2012 10:30:14 PM)
What's the breakdown of German & Axis forces in Persia vs on the main front?

Red Prince -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/30/2012 10:42:39 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: composer99 What's the breakdown of German & Axis forces in Persia vs on the main front? German forces devoted to the Persian campaign: 33 factors from 6 units (4 Corps, 2 Divisions), averaging 5.5 factors per unit, or 7.25 per Corps, 2 per Division That's 10% of the German forces in units, and also 10% in total factors. Soviet forces devoted to the Persian campaign: 38 factors from 9 units (8 Corps, 1 Division), averaging 4.22 factors per unit, or 4.625 per Corps, 1 per Division That's 24% of the Soviet forces in units, or 23% in total factors. ----- Take these figures out of it, and you have 299 German factors and 128 Soviet factors on the main front. Take Sevastopol and Leningrad out of the equation, plus the Siberian defender, and it's 299 to 107 . . . or just under 3:1 odds in factors, and a little over 2:1 odds in units. Now, keep in mind, that Leningrad has 4 German units keeping it boxed up, and Sevastopol will need 2 units there. Additionally, some units will need to stay in Poland and in the Ukraine for Garrison duty, but that's still an overwhelming total, isn't it? Particularly when you add in the 28 units not being used on the Soviet lines, and the Italians in Persia and Iraq helping out. ----- Edit: The Italians have 25 factors, not counting the HQs, dedicated to the Persian campaign.

Red Prince -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/30/2012 10:54:32 PM)
I should also add, though, that the factors coming in for the Soviets, not including Militia units, total 41 factors. The Germans have 18 coming in. ----- It's dinner time for me. This evening I'll return my fleets to base and run through the rest of the end of turn. Probably sometime in the middle of the night (here) I'll post some detailed screenshots of what is on the map before placing the USSR reinforcements that can go into any city. For now, I give you an overview of the situation at the end of the turn: [image]local://upfiles/38062/2902F4DD596E4481A591A6AF76AA81B7.jpg[/image]

Orm -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/30/2012 11:07:56 PM)
Maybe USSR should begin to withdraw to defence lines further back. If USSR manage to end the next turn somewhere close to the lines I marked they might be in a decent position to survive the winter. [image]local://upfiles/29130/C975384EFFAC4599905BB6C73A781A68.jpg[/image]

Red Prince -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/30/2012 11:11:34 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Orm Maybe USSR should begin to withdraw to defence lines further back. If USSR manage to end the next turn somewhere close to the lines I marked they might be in a decent position to survive the winter. [image]local://upfiles/29130/C975384EFFAC4599905BB6C73A781A68.jpg[/image] This would be good. It means one of the reinforcements will have to go into Rostov, since the MIL had to move up to Stalino to keep it in Soviet hands. There should also probably be a reinforcement or a rail move of a MIL unit into Krasnodar. I just don't know what's going to happen in the Caucasus.

Shannon V. OKeets -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/31/2012 12:07:27 AM)
To quote Monty Python: "Run away, run away!" If the Russians can get far enough away from the German bombers, the first impulse will be a lot easier. All those clear hexes in the south should be given away immediately. It looks like the defensive line will be every other hex using mostly cities. Those units that are too slow are going to die.[:(] Have them pick someplace scenic. You want a good unit holding the east side of the Kerch Straits. The 2-3 Mil can join him (or maybe rail to Archangel for the ice-fishing). Stalino-Kharkov-Kursk-woods hex-Tula-woods hex-Talinin- swamp hex might be the best available. Do not put two stacks next to each other. The Germans will destroy the weaker one and encircle the stronger. Then you will lose all those units. I think Orm is optimistic. Counting the hexes from Rostov to Yaroslavl I get 16. I don't think the USSR has 32 corps for that front (i.e., 2 per hex). Hold the factory line, then hold the Don, then retreat as best you can towards the Urals. I recommend having the Russian troops practice running as fast as they can while holding their hands together in prayer.[;)] Occupying Archangel with a reinforcement is premature (I think). The unit in Vologda can rail there if needs be. Or it could simply walk there. The Germans are going to have trouble getting supply that far north. === Here the defensive lines that Peter S. and I worked out for the AI Opponent. The idea is that each Area of Operation (wide borders) contains a set of Land Regions. The commanding officer in each of those gets allocated a certain amount of units to hold his area of responsibility. The borders we decided upon reflect good defensive lines. This screenshot is for the eastern half of eastern Europe. [image]local://upfiles/16701/D7F0A8347B8740EC98FD31BBFFCFA5E7.jpg[/image]

Red Prince -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/31/2012 12:24:52 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets To quote Monty Python: "Run away, run away!" If the Russians can get far enough away from the German bombers, the first impulse will be a lot easier. All those clear hexes in the south should be given away immediately. It looks like the defensive line will be every other hex using mostly cities. Those units that are too slow are going to die.[:(] Have them pick someplace scenic. You want a good unit holding the east side of the Kerch Straits. The 2-3 Mil can join him (or maybe rail to Archangel for the ice-fishing). Stalino-Kharkov-Kursk-woods hex-Tula-woods hex-Talinin- swamp hex might be the best available. Do not put two stacks next to each other. The Germans will destroy the weaker one and encircle the stronger. Then you will lose all those units. I think Orm is optimistic. Counting the hexes from Rostov to Yaroslavl I get 16. I don't think the USSR has 32 corps for that front (i.e., 2 per hex). Hold the factory line, then hold the Don, then retreat as best you can towards the Urals. I recommend having the Russian troops practice running as fast as they can while holding their hands together in prayer.[;)] Occupying Archangel with a reinforcement is premature (I think). The unit in Vologda can rail there if needs be. Or it could simply walk there. The Germans are going to have trouble getting supply that far north. === Here the defensive lines that Peter S. and I worked out for the AI Opponent. The idea is that each Area of Operation (wide borders) contains a set of Land Regions. The commanding officer in each of those gets allocated a certain amount of units to hold his area of responsibility. The borders we decided upon reflect good defensive lines. This screenshot is for the eastern half of eastern Europe. [image]local://upfiles/16701/D7F0A8347B8740EC98FD31BBFFCFA5E7.jpg[/image] How long (and how strong) chould the Persian mountains be defended? Once the Don is lost . . . or if the Germans break the line in the south, it's only about 2-3 impulses to the Turkish border. If the Allies get the first impulse, I think this line can be created. If not, the northern half might still be possible, but the south is going to have problems, I think.

composer99 -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/31/2012 1:57:57 AM)
Rostov needs a strong defence. That hex is key to preventing the Axis from ranging at will into the Caucasus. Doubled factors on defence and half-strength LND should keep the Germans from seizing it straightaway (at the very least, if they want it they will need 4-5 hexes attacking to get a decent attack). Following that, you want a decent defence on the far side of the Kerch straits to keep the Axis out. Your Ukrainian front will essentially split into two after you abandon the 'factory line': - A northern force which will form up around Voronezh and then run east - this group can include your mobile blitz forces and a few slower defenders to use as speedbumps in cities - A southern force, which can have slower INF - this group will form your Caucasus defence Your Moscow front will form up around Moscow and then run east as required, leaving behind a strong force in Moscow which the Germans will have to also siege well to reduce effectively. The Germans are relatively numerous, but in the south they don't IMO have the forces to push hard against the Caucasus and push east at the same time. Overall, expect Soviet losses in July/August to be comparable to last turn.

composer99 -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/31/2012 2:01:02 AM)
Keeping in mind the restrictions imposed by the USSR wanting the others to pass to max out end-of-turn chances this turn, the Western Allies should expand their beachhead in Denmark (ideally by blitzing the Bulgarians on the island and breaking through into Frederikshavn). They should have carriers and land-based air at the ready to fight in the air against that Stuka and use the bombers in UK to disorganize Axis defenders in Denmark. They need to be a big enough nuisance that Germany has to put reinforcements in Hamburg & Kiel (or even better, rail units back).

Red Prince -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/31/2012 3:02:32 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: composer99 Keeping in mind the restrictions imposed by the USSR wanting the others to pass to max out end-of-turn chances this turn, the Western Allies should expand their beachhead in Denmark (ideally by blitzing the Bulgarians on the island and breaking through into Frederikshavn). They should have carriers and land-based air at the ready to fight in the air against that Stuka and use the bombers in UK to disorganize Axis defenders in Denmark. They need to be a big enough nuisance that Germany has to put reinforcements in Hamburg & Kiel (or even better, rail units back). Germany already has that hex in Denmark pretty well sealed off. The CW doesn't have anything to Blitz with at the moment, and the USA is still getting its troops on the map. The CW also doesn't have enough useful carriers to add a whole lot to an attack here, especially since they are needed for convoy duty, but it does have Shore Bombardment factors. Still, I don't think the attack would have much of a chance The best they can do just now is a 2:1 Assault against 11-12 factors or so. Pictures of this later. I'm setting up my "study" of potential Soviet reinforcements right now, and then I'm off to bed.

Red Prince -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/31/2012 3:15:09 AM)
Here's what I propose to do with my Soviet reinforcements: [image]local://upfiles/38062/86989616D9D043F3AF69C21AF8A2E39A.jpg[/image]

Shannon V. OKeets -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/31/2012 5:27:00 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Red Prince Here's what I propose to do with my Soviet reinforcements: [image]local://upfiles/38062/86989616D9D043F3AF69C21AF8A2E39A.jpg[/image] I agree with most of this. I think the Para should go in Voronezh with the ATR that is already there. Kharkov is too far forward. There are going to be unit fleeing into Kharkov so the Para would have to leave the hex anyway. Then I would put the ATR reinforcement in Gorki. I would seriously consider running the 51st Inf into the swamp two hexes to its NE. The ATR could reorganize it later when/if necessary. That might discourage the Germans from pressing forward in the north. My main reason for doing this is that the 6-3 Inf would block the rail line that runs north of Moscow. When Moscow is reduced to a Hero City, the Germans will have trouble using the rail line thereabouts for supply unless they attack those 12 strength points in the swamp.

Red Prince -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/31/2012 8:59:57 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets quote: ORIGINAL: Red Prince Here's what I propose to do with my Soviet reinforcements: [image]local://upfiles/38062/86989616D9D043F3AF69C21AF8A2E39A.jpg[/image] I agree with most of this. I think the Para should go in Voronezh with the ATR that is already there. Kharkov is too far forward. There are going to be unit fleeing into Kharkov so the Para would have to leave the hex anyway. Then I would put the ATR reinforcement in Gorki. I would seriously consider running the 51st Inf into the swamp two hexes to its NE. The ATR could reorganize it later when/if necessary. That might discourage the Germans from pressing forward in the north. My main reason for doing this is that the 6-3 Inf would block the rail line that runs north of Moscow. When Moscow is reduced to a Hero City, the Germans will have trouble using the rail line thereabouts for supply unless they attack those 12 strength points in the swamp. I agree with your changes. I forgot for a moment that land movement comes before a Paradrop is made. I was trying to find a location that offered some nice targets deep behind enemy lines. Krasnodar or Rostov could also make for decent locations, except that I'm worried about the Germans getting the first impulse. Better to stick with Voronezh and force the Germans OOS at a crucial moment later in the turn, if possible.

Red Prince -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/31/2012 10:38:07 AM)
I've finished up the End of Turn sequence, so I'll start with the chit summary for M/J '41 (Turn #11): Impulse: 1 USA attempts to DOW Germany and Italy at 60% odds, Roll = 3 = Success; .....USE-8 (2 chits moved, 5 of 8 [2], 2 of 7 [1]) Germany .....USE-5 (3 chits moved, 6 of 6 [6], 2 of 5 [1], 4 of 4 [3]) Italy .....USA moves no other chits USA aligns Panama; USE-7 (no chit) Impulse: 3 USA attempts to DOW Japan at 90% odds, Roll = 1 = Success; USE-8 (2 chits moved, 2 of 18 [1], 11 of 17 [3]) ----- The USA is now at Total War, so this is the last chit summary. ----- Once again, I have a different image I want to post in the End of Turn report, so here's how the world looks at the start of July, 1941 (Turn #12): [image]local://upfiles/38062/12AC993C242D4C5DA72431BAC1DAA92D.jpg[/image]

Red Prince -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/31/2012 12:54:24 PM)
And here it is, my End of Turn Report for M/J '41: Partisans No Partisans Pre-Build Scrapping CW scrapped 1 x FTR-2 USSR scrapped 2 x FTR-2 Minors Added Germany added Finland's units to its Force Pools USA adds Brzilian, Mexican and Panamanian units to its Force Pools Strategic Bombing CW conducts a Strategic Bombing Raid on Lille, Roll = 7 = 1 PP Destroyed CW conducts Strategic Bombing raid on Paris, Roll = 5+1 = 6 = 1 PP Destroyed USA conducts Strategic Bombing raid on Brussels, Roll = 6 +1 = 7 = 1 PP Destroyed USA conducts Strategic Bombing raid on Cologne (Night Mission, intercepted), Roll = 9 = 1 PP Destroyed CW and USA conduct a Strategic Bombing raid on Essen, Roll = 10+1 = 11 = 2 PP Destroyed USA conducts a Strategic Bombing raid on Dusseldorf, Roll = 9+1 = 10 = 1 PP Destroyed Totals: 7 German Production Points Destroyed Convoys Destroyed Attack on Vladivostok: Assault, Roll = 8 = /2S (SUB rebases to Petropavlovsk, CP intercepted using CL Katori, Roll: 4, Allied Roll: 8 .....Japan spends 8 Surprise Points to Increase Columns .....Japan Destroys 3 Soviet CP Germany initiates combat in N. Atlantic, using SUB 4837; Axis Roll:2, Allied: 10; Axis selects the 0 Section only; Germany chooses Submarine Combat .....Allies Damage SUBs 4835 and 4837 .....Germany spends 10 Surprise Points to Increase Columns .....Axis Destroys 2 French, 5 Panamanian, 4 CW CP, Aborts 1 CW CP Italy initiates combat in N. Atlantic, using SUB 5043; Axis Roll: 1, Allied: 10; Axis selects 0 Box only; Axis chooses Submarine Combat .....Axis spends 4 Surprise Points to Decrease Columns, 6 to Increase Columns .....Allies Abort SUB 5043 .....Axis Destroys 6 CP, Aborts 1 CP Totals: 20 Allied Convoys Destroyed (10 CW, 2 French, 5 Amercian, 3 Soviet) Builds: China (0): Nothing CW (10): 1 x INF Division, 2 x CP, 1 x FTR-2, 2 x Pilot France (0): Nothing USA (55): 4 x MIL, 1 x CAV, 1 x ARM, 1 x AT, 1 x Supply, 8 x CP, 1 x SUB(1st), 2 x CVP-1, 1 x SynthOil, 2 x TRS(2nd), 3 x Pilot USSR (17): 1 x INF, 4 x MIL, 3 x GARR Germany (23): 2 x INF, 1 x INF Division, 2 x FTR-2, 1 x FTR-3, 2 x SUB(Repair), 3 x Pilot / 1 x Kiev SS MIL (free), 1 x Vasslov CAV (free) Italy (17): 1 x MIL, 3 x TERR, 1 x LND-3, 1 x LND-4, 1 x Pilot Japan (22): 2 x TERR, 1 x AMPH(1st), 1 x TRS(1st), 1 x FTR-2, 1 x NAV-3, 4 x CP, 2 x Pilot / 1 x Saigon MIL (free), 1 x Vladivostok MIL (free) J/A '41 Gearing Limits (above 1): China: Extinct CW: 2 x Infantry, 2 x Ship, 2 x Air, 3 x Pilot France: None USA: 5 x Infantry, 2 x Cavalry, 2 x Armor, 2 x Artillery, 2 x Supply, 7 x Ship, 2 x Submarine, 3 x Air, 4 x Pilot, 2 x Factory USSR: 9 x Infantry Germany: 4 x Infantry, 3 x Submarine, 4 x Air, 4 x Pilot Italy: 5 x Infantry, 3 x Air, 2 x Pilot Japan: 3 x Infantry, 5 x Ship, 3 x Air, 3 x Pilot Conquest: & Liberation British North Borneo cc by Japan Sarawak cc by Japan Brunei cc by Japan China cc by Japan .....China selected USA to control Naval Units Germany liberated Latvia Germany liberated Estonia CW liberated Nyasaland Factory Destruction: None Reinforcements: CW assigns 2 Pilots to FTR, 1 to NAV-2 CW places 2 FTR in London, NAV in Glasgow, 2 TRS in Liverpool USA assigns 2 Pilots to FTR, 1 to NAV-3 USA places MIL in Veracruz, Rio de Janeiro, New York, Mexico City, Panama City, New Orleans, Atlanta, Chicago USA places HQ-I Clark, INF and MECH Division in Boston, NAV and 2 FTR in Botson, MOT in Fortaleza USSR assigns Pilots to FTR-2 and LND-4 USSR places MIL in Sevastopol, Sverdlovsk, Moscow, Kharkov, FTR in Moscow, LND in Gorki, PARA and HQ-I Koniev in Voronezh USSR places INF in Tula, Siberian INF and ART in Rostov, GARR in Krasnodar, MECH in Kursk Germany assigns Pilots to 2 FTR Germany places Supply in Vienna, FTRs in Magdeburg and Saarbrucken, ARM and MECH in Breslau, MIL in Kiev Italy places MIL in Venice, TERR in Berbera, Nairobi, Mogadishu, HQ-I Badoglio in Trieste, SUB in La Spezia Japan places TERR in Palembang, Saigon, INF, HQ-I Yamashita, 2 CA, 2 TRS in Tokyo, CP in Bangkok, MIL in Saigon and Vladivostok Trade Agreements: Germany alters its Trade Agreement with Italy, making it 3 non-Oil resources France creates new Trade Agreement with USSR, sending 1 resource Victory Totals Axis: 40 Allies: 26 (27-1 for aligning both Brazil & Mexico) ----- Okay, everyone. Brace yourselves. You ready? Allied Initiative is failing. [:(] It goes from bad to worse, and then to "you've got to be kidding!" ----- Initiative: Axis wins the Initiative 8-8 (Allies demand Re-Roll) Bad* [:(] Axis wins the Initiative 3-2 *Worse* [:@] Axis chooses to move first in J/A '41 Turn 12 J/A '41 Axis wins the Initiative 8-8 (Allies demand Re-Roll) Axis wins the Initiative 3-2 Axis chooses to move first in J/A '41 +1 Allied Initiative Impulse: 1 Weather: 1 *You've got to be kidding!* [sm=00000018.gif] (Fine everywhere) ----- For the Allies, things could not be worse right now. They worked hard to gain the Initiative advantage, and it paid off last turn, but this is the crucial turn . . . and they failed to gain the Initiative this time, and also moved down to +1 on the Initiative track. Add to that the 1 in 10 chance of Fine weather in the Philippines, India, Southeast Asia, and a critical part of Africa -- during an impulse that will almost certainly require the CW to take a Naval Action -- and it's even worse. Here are some of the most significant problems: The Soviet retreat may not have a chance to begin properly, with the possibility of Ground Strikes and Attacks creating major problems. With a little planning, the defender in Kerch can be overrun, and the ARM can still cross the strait, setting up a future attack on Krasnodar. Anyone have directions to the Turkish border? Even if the Allied fleets had not been forced to regroup, the Japanese and Italians can now easily set up an overseas supply path to Iraq and Persia with a force strong enough to maintain it. Part of the USA fleet has reached Aden, but the big CVs and BBs are still only as far as Adelaide, so there is virtually no way they can contest the Arabian Sea. 2 CW transports will likely be trapped (and/or sunk) in Bombay. A land move by the Italian HQ-I Balbo this impulse, followed by a rail move next impulse, could lead to the liberation of Teheran by mid-turn. Part of the Japanese Arabian Sea fleet includes a MAR Division which could invade the Seychelles, Oman (leading to Trucial Oman and Bahrain), or possibly the coast of Aden (unlikely). The Commonwealth and American SUB fleets don't have the range to be a threat to the Japanese convoys, allowing Japan to take a Combined Action rather than a Naval Action, and letting them take advantage of the Fine weather impulse. And these are just the big problems. The CW has an INF that could take back Mandalay and the Burma oil within 2 impulses, and they could take advantage of the weather to move up in East Africa and close in on the enemy Marines sitting on the Indian coastline if they take a Land Action to start Impulse #2, but they are unlikely to be able to expand the beachead in Denmark. In fact, they may not even be able to stop a devestating Ground Strike by the Italians on HQ-I Alexander . . . the North Sea CVP aren't very strong, and there hasn't yet been an opportunity to swap out the relatively weak FTR defending there with a stronger one. The USA is starting to build up a nice selection of units. They have a good number of TRS and AMPH, and the CW has 3-5 that can be used to help out, too. I'd like to be able to land one of the American HQs in Murmansk, but I don't think they are in position yet since it's only the 2nd turn of the war for them. It won't be long, though, before they can make a difference, I think. Counting 2 convoys as 1 unit, the USA built 21 units this turn . . . and that was only due to gearing limits. Having 55 BP to spend this turn (one resource couldn't reach Belfast), the USA nearly out-produced all 3 Axis major powers combined! It won't take long to build out the Force Pools at this rate, and to start advance-building some key units. The only question remaining is if they can do it before the Soviet Union collapses completely . . . The USSR is dead. They may be able to hold on in some fashion for a few more turns, but if this turn lasts as long as the last, the Axis double-move is going to destroy them. Even before I knew the Axis was going to go first I was worried. The convoy losses in the Atlantic, combined with a questionable Soviet position, made me decide to send only 1 resource to the Soviets this turn -- from France in Senegal. The Archangel factories don't arrive until next turn, and it's possible that Kalinin will fall on the first impulse of this one now. I could have sent a BP or two to Murmansk and/or tried to get 5 through Archangel to Moscow, but with no Persian or Siberian route, Archangel possibly cut off this turn, and a shortage of convoys, I thought it would be best not to waste them. ----- From the Axis perspective, things could not have worked out better. Japan's convoys are fairly safe this turn, and a 3rd impulse Naval Action should be able to keep them safe. The campaign in India might not work out now that the CW has heavily reinforced it, but there are other opportunities all around. Taking the Philippines is just a matter of time now, and the Combined Action invasion will probably be in the Seychelles or the Maldive Islands. There are 3 other divisions that can sail next impulse to invade the Arabian peninsula and other distant lands. Not to mention the 2 Marines, 3 AMPHs, and 6 Transports at their disposal. If Italy or Germany can liberate Persia this turn, it's time to build 3 fresh convoy points, spread over the next 3 turns since only 1 can be placed in aligned minors each turn.The first gets set up on the coast of the Caspian Sea, and 2 of them go in the Persian Gulf. This creates a supply link to Turkmenistan, and allows the Oil resources to go through the Persian Gulf into Basra, then overland to Italy or Germany. Italy would be the better choice, since Germany is likely to have fewer chances to take a Naval or Combined action. On the main front in the war against Russia, Germany is going to leave Leningrad and Sevastopol alone. 6 units can keep them from breaking out for the next few turns. The primary goals here are to break through at Kalinin/Moscow and Stalino, and to get 4 Corps to the Turkish border, one way or the other. If the pincers can be closed at the end points of the Soviet lines, it's possible that a good portion of the Red Army can be tackled before it gets as far as the Don. Kalinin may be the more difficult of the 2 cities to take, since it has less German air cover available, and Stalino has 3-4 fighters and a few bombers that can be used against it -- with only 1 Soviet FTR to cover each city. Whatever comes, this should be an interesting turn, indeed. ----- A look at the Initiative and Weather Rolls for the start of July, 1941: [image]local://upfiles/38062/EB8D66BE6C8A4BD488215F48D07CE411.jpg[/image]

Red Prince -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/31/2012 12:59:04 PM)
I forgot to mention that part of the reason for choosing a Combined Action for Japan is that you get 4 Air Missions, double what you get with either a Naval or Land Action. Since I used so many of the Japanese NAVs to finish off Kunming, most of them need to rebase, and there are 2 in Canton that can fly to the 0 Box of the China and S. China Seas to cover the convoys. The other reason for a Combined Action is to let the troops move up toward Manila and to make an invasion in the South Monsoon zone while the weather is Fine.

Red Prince -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/31/2012 1:28:57 PM)
Okay, there's even more disaster to report . . . the Allies were so determined to get the first impulse, and to defend india, that they (meaning I) didn't realize that if Japan moved first and was able to clear out the Arabian Sea . . . a fleet of 21 American and Commonwealth ships in Aden would be put out of supply. [sm=Christo_pull_hair.gif] Yes, yet another lesson in my naval system education. Feel free to laugh in my face now. [sm=happy0005.gif]

composer99 -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/31/2012 1:30:30 PM)
Nothing you can do when the dice go against you... Obviously, it's going to be a bad turn for the USSR. Been there, done that. At least in a solo game you can look forward to playing the Germans & the Americans and have good impulses. [:)] The USSR will just have to make the most of a bad situation. Speaking of which, I note despite the crappy CW and USSR production, the Allied total production is 82 vs the Axis 62. IMO this makes it even more important for the Allies to make a big noise in the Western Front somewhere to draw away Axis reinforcements, blitz forces & HQs.

Red Prince -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/31/2012 1:50:07 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: composer99 Nothing you can do when the dice go against you... Obviously, it's going to be a bad turn for the USSR. Been there, done that. At least in a solo game you can look forward to playing the Germans & the Americans and have good impulses. [:)] The USSR will just have to make the most of a bad situation. Speaking of which, I note despite the crappy CW and USSR production, the Allied total production is 82 vs the Axis 62. IMO this makes it even more important for the Allies to make a big noise in the Western Front somewhere to draw away Axis reinforcements, blitz forces & HQs. I agree completely. I don't think they can make a splash this turn, but they should be set up by S/O '41. The problem is that the AMPHs are very short ranged, and the high-factor American forces are only now going to be able to cross the Atlantic. And, while the forces may not be strong at the moment, the entire Western coast of Europe is covered in ZOC (except for some mountains in Spain). This shot was taken before German and Italian land movement, so there are going to be some shifts in the forces using units railed in last turn. Morocco may be the weakest part of this defense, but that is a strong (60-factor) Italian fleet in the Cape St. Vincent 3 Box, with 7 Air-to-Sea factors and 2 fighters ready to assist. A buildup in Spanish Sahara is logistically difficult as long as the Italians control Cape St. Vincent. That was part of the goal in regrouping both fleets at the end of last turn, to try to build a fleet that could compete here. ----- Edit: I think the CW needs to build its PARA and ATR units, ASAP. [image]local://upfiles/38062/499269262F924330A27EDC97AF62D881.jpg[/image]

Red Prince -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/31/2012 2:40:38 PM)
The Soviets caught a minor break when the Germans tried to immobilize part of the Dnieper defense. Between Germany and Italy, 5 Ground Strikes/Bombardments were planned this impulse against the Allied forces. At risk were 13 units, 7 of them Russian, but the Axis only managed to disorganize 4 of them (2 Russian). In fact, the Italian bomber in Denmark didn't even get a chance to attack its targets. If you're wondering why the strike on Stalino wasn't intercepted, it's because the Germans have 3 FTRs within range to get +3/-3 odds against the USSR. As for the Bolo in Dover, I know you're not supposed to leave Oil-dependent units there, but after its Strategic Bombing mission last turn it had nowhere else to go. [image]local://upfiles/38062/29A8DAD43CC248C39F7960DBF3C94F17.jpg[/image]

Klydon -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/31/2012 3:36:18 PM)
Good thing for the Russians the Germans still don't have an O-chit. [:D]

brian brian -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/31/2012 4:02:48 PM)
[Question: Last turn, when the Japanese CL Katori intercepted Soviet CPs escaping from Vladivostok, did it have a NAV or CV w/ 4+ range CV plane in the box with it? I ask because at 4 MP for Katori, it could only make the 3 box. A roll of 4 could not intercept CPs unless it had a +1 to it's Search Number via the presence of NAV or CV. There should not be a -1 to the die roll for CPs during an interception attempt. Jus' checkin'.]

Red Prince -> RE: MWiF Global War Hot-Seat (AAR) (1/31/2012 4:05:19 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: brian brian [Question: Last turn, when the Japanese CL Katori intercepted Soviet CPs escaping from Vladivostok, did it have a NAV or CV w/ 4+ range CV plane in the box with it? I ask because at 4 MP for Katori, it could only make the 3 box. A roll of 4 could not intercept CPs unless it had a +1 to it's Search Number via the presence of NAV or CV. There should not be a -1 to the die roll for CPs during an interception attempt. Jus' checkin'.] The CL Katori was the unit I used to initiate the interception. There were also 2 CA in the 4 Box (and maybe something else, but I don't think so).

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