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rsunley -> Global War take 1 (7/7/2020 3:44:03 PM)
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We've been playing Global War for several months now since we had to temporarily suspend our FtF WiF 5e game due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Its our first game so there have been some mistakes along the way, but here is a summary up until now (near the end of Nov/Dec 40).
In Europe:
The Germans crushed Poland with ease in Sep/Oct 39. Someone in Vyacheslav Molotov's office neglected to inform Stalin of a secret codicil dividing Poland, so it was completely conquered by Germany as the Soviets failed to advance into East Poland. Needless to say there were some nighttime visits by the NKVD to certain officials.
The Netherlands was quickly dealt with in Jan/Feb 1940. Poor weather delayed the German attack in the west until the historic turn of May/Jun 40. Belgium capitulated quickly under ground and paratroop assault. The French main line of resistance crumbled in the face of Blitzkreig, with Guderian making good use of an OC. The Maginot line was then cut off as the Germans swept through and took Paris in Jul/Aug with very minimal ground losses (2 land units in total). The BEF was left alone until France was declared Vichy however only a small remnant was able to be evacuated back to Britain as Gort and a mechanised unit perished under overwhelming odds.
Italy also declared war in May/Jun 40. With marine troops at the ready, disarray at Italian High Command let a golden chance to invade an undefended Malta slip through their fingers. The island was quickly reinforced by a lone French Militia unit but that proved to be to no avail as the Marines backed up by air and naval support still managed to seize the strategically vital outpost. Meanwhile Italian mechanised forces quickly overran Tunisia and Algeria before a Vichy government was declared. In Nov/Dec 40 the Commonwealth made a desperate attempt to reinforce Egypt from Gibraltar. The Italian and German Naval air forces backed up by fighters from Malta were waiting. Axis air power shot down 6 CW air units (5 carrier based) and sank the CV Hermes plus the transports loaded with the infantry for only 3 losses of their own. Meanwhile Rommel has landed in Egypt and has the Suez canal and Alexandria within his grasp as Wavell decided to make his final stand in Cairo. Extremely favourable weather at the end of the year has aided the Axis advance.
Russia finds itself in a difficult position without the buffer of East Poland but it has conquered Estonia and Latvia. Lithuania remains neutral as forces there would easily be outflanked by Germans units in the Wilno area. It has not declared demanded any territorial concessions from other countries as yet. Perhaps the surviving members of the Soviet Foreign Office are too fearful to approach Stalin with any ideas at this point.
In the Pacific
Japan has found it hard going against the Chinese. They have concentrated their best forces against the nationalists but due to the mountainous terrain progress has been slow. The low quality Japanese air force and poor weather have also hindered their advance. In the North the communists have recovered from an early bloody nose they received when attacking a Japanese unit in the mountains and are now slowly advancing, but the winter weather will soon set in to stymie much further activity for a while. In a positive for Japan, the Burma road has been cut and the southern rail line is completely under control, alleviating supply issues.
Partisans have been an issue for both sides, forcing the Japanese player to hold units back from the front line to deal with them in Occupied China. The CW are not immune either - the factory in Bombay was destroyed and Malaysian dissidents currently occupy Singapore with a 1 factor unit.
In the Atlantic
The Axis submariners have been unable to launch a single successful attack but they are growing in number and now have the French ports to base from. American ships have been sighted off the US East coast providing escort to shipping there.
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