4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (Full Version)

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rjh1971 -> 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (9/30/2021 8:31:00 PM)

Hi all

We are starting a new AAR with the latest version of AWD that includes the new pbem++ system incorporated in all new other Matrix and Slitherine games.

Cveta (Germany) and Kondor (Japan) will be playing the evil Axis [;)], while Tim and me will be playing the "good guys". I will command the soviets and China and Tim the Western Allies.

Cveta is new to the game, Kondor used to play it when it was released in 2006 and was a very tough opponent but he has to relearn the game as it's been quite a time since he played. Tim is also an excellent player.

In the summer of 39 Cveta took Poland and Denmark as expected suffering no casualties. He tried a trade agreement with Switzerland but failed. Particularly I never waste my supply trying to achieve trade agreements, I believe they are not worth the cost.

Kondor took Foochow but since as I said he is a bit rusty, he forgot to repair the resource in the area as no supply was available.

As for my first turn as Russia, really nothing much I could do. I partly repaired the rail in Eastern Poland so I don't get negative modifiers when the Germans launch Barbarossa and I shifted one infantry also to Eastern Poland in order to force Germany to post more troops in Poland.

[image]https://i.imgur.com/vnpv5aL.jpg[/image]

As for my production I invested in two research cheats and four supplies that will amount of 20 supply points. The idea is to send part of that supply to China and invest in spies to steal technology from any other side. Russia is technologically way behind Germany.

[image]https://i.imgur.com/O6T6bCJ.jpg[/image]

[image]https://i.imgur.com/1ONBXcS.jpg[/image]

As for China I concentrated all Chinese forces in Changsa, but left the AA guns protecting the areas with factories. China won't be able to launch any offensive due to lack of supplies and good technology, but massing all its troops will make it harder for Japan. Hopefully the WA will bring more supply to China. Unless China is knocked out or crippled in the early stages of the game it can be a pain for Japan later on.



rjh1971 -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (9/30/2021 8:52:48 PM)

Autumn 39

Cveta failed to take Norway a brave militia unit was able to fend off the all mighty Wehrmacht, nonetheless the Low Countries were not so lucky and were invaded.

You can see the number of German troops left in TLC and positioned in Germany after the invasion. A bold attack into Germany could knock her out off the war if the Allies are lucky. It happened to me the first time I played against a human opponent. Germany will spawn six militia if it's attack.

[image]https://i.imgur.com/tSEV9cN.jpg[/image]

Japanese bomber pilots were unable to drop their bombs on the factory but destroyed the only Chinese fighter, nonetheless before it went down they damaged a Japanese fighter.

As for Russia, supplies are being sent to China and more troops are moved to the border.

China will not have much to do. Also production in China is every three turns iirc, so no production until Spring 40.



rjh1971 -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (9/30/2021 8:59:46 PM)

Soviets spy network has already started gathering valuable data for our war effort.
[image]https://i.imgur.com/0DqVkH1.jpg[/image]



tcart -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (9/30/2021 10:52:34 PM)

I'm playing the Allies. I scrolled quickly through the other posts so as not to read secrets. But I see a lot more pictures than I have. Seems I'll have to up my AAR game.

The WA plan off the top is going to be pretty standard. I think they, above all other sides, can be conservative early and roll into their power as they go. My priorities are to keep the convoy routes open and my economy humming, hold the Middle East and wait for the US to come on line.



tcart -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (9/30/2021 11:04:14 PM)

WA- Fall 1939 - Churchill rejoices! Norway holds out and the Brits have a Second Front already. Now my plans shift. I must garrison it strongly enough to make it a major pain in the ass for the Axis, especially if Finland enters the war. At this point if I was Germany I'd turn down a Finnish DOW just to prevent the WA from undermining the Eastern front.

It'll cost me in transports, but its a price worth paying.

All else is the standard phony war.




kondor -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (10/1/2021 4:39:45 PM)

Japan airforce still struggles with bombing CH factories.
The entire airforce sent on a single province protected by one flak, and 0 hits.
I'm still contemplating SU or WA as primary targets. I'll have to make a decision soon.
Winter is upon us, not much movement.

[image]local://upfiles/12127/0C344D59E493486F83FAEB38AA307268.jpg[/image]



rjh1971 -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (10/1/2021 5:58:12 PM)

Winter 40

Soviet war readiness goes over 10, production is increased x2.

Once it reaches 34 it will enter the war.

[image]https://i.imgur.com/ybeWqCf.jpg[/image]

Consequences of failing to invade Norway was that it is now garrisoned by British troops and it will be an excellent air base to pound Germany with Strategic bombers.

Besides the two German Transport fleet that carried the German invasion force were an easy prey for the WA, both sunk.

In the next screen you can see the production for the turn of Wi40. This quarter the production output doubled. The units in circle are the ones that have started being produced in the Wi40. The others will be ready this turn. The battleship in the production queue is on hold, not worth the cost yet.

[image]https://i.imgur.com/cSKR8nW.jpg[/image]

Research chits were invested in developing better defense and attack factors for infantry, armour and fighters, the remaining one for improving AA attack in Flak units.

At the end of the turn evasion value for armour was increased from 6 to 7, and spies keep stealing technology.

[image]https://i.imgur.com/IF9jmXN.jpg[/image]

As for China nothing much that can be done, moved five supplies received from the USSR closer to the front.



tcart -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (10/1/2021 7:43:54 PM)

The Western Allies are still facing screenshot issues. But I'm making progress. The images from our other players should give you the situation.

So far it's the standard WA opening plus Norway.

France survives the winter because the weather modifier presumably scared off the Germans. As it probably should. She will fall next turn and I'm not interested in risking the BEF against superior German troops.

My research did manage to push the WA infantry evasion from 4 to 5 in time, so we'll be a little harder to hit.

My main focus is on preparing for what happens next. I have merchant ships in the production queue in case the Germans really invest in Uboats. I'm also sinking research into ASW. Next turn I'll start to do so for heavy bombers as well.

As far as deployments, I'm prepared to kick the Italians out of Ethiopia and deploy a strong enough garrison to Egypt to make it a tough nut to crack. In my experience, if the Germans really push hard they can still take it, but doing so will pull a lot of troops from the Russian front, which is a win for the Allies.

I've left enough naval force to protect the sea lanes up north and sent everyone else south to fight Italy. In a perfect world I will wipe out or neutralize the Italian fleet and then redeploy to the Pacific to press Japan from both sides.

Note that capital ships burn huge amounts of supplies if they move more than half their MP in a single turn. So I'm starting to load up Gibraltar for the offensive and I got everyone in position slowly.

The only other development of note is advance planning for WA production. Two things are relevant: first, build your big, long term units first. So the US invests in carriers, paratroopers, and heavy bombers. Infantry can come later when my industry is rolling.

Also build in blocks of 5. For every 5 units you have in production or on the map your research requirement jumps a notch. So try to avoid having six of something. You're paying more for research and upgrading.

Carriers are key to the Pacific. I'll soon start investing in CAG tech too. If you build in the SW USA remember to build fighters there too or you'll be vulnerable to a San Diego Pearl Harbor.

Paras are great for D-Day. They really help you get ashore and once you have them in the UK you force the Germans to garrison the west a lot more heavily, helping the Russians. Or, if they don't see the threat, you can launch a Dieppe style raid that might only last a turn or two but which can cause massive damage to German infrastructure and force them to redeploy from Russia.

I haven't owned Norway at this point before. Note to Axis players, use your paras and your inf to attack. Staging my paras and bombers there might be fun. It'll be a thorn in the German side no matter what.

Plus, the loss of German transports means I don't fear Sealion. This makes Egypt much easier to defend.




kondor -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (10/2/2021 9:47:53 AM)

I'm still struggling with the airforce.
My first wave missed an undefended railway.
Then my second wave (3CAG-s + 1 heavy) on the defended railway, and got shot down by the hero flak unit.
I don't get why my CAG-s are attacking with 3 dice instead 4, while my HB-s are correctly attacking with 3?
Well, I've damaged the railway and suffered 2 damaged CAG-s (one of them was a veteran unit).



[image]local://upfiles/12127/CDF6B28E9AC646DAB2B5AE591C0DEAD0.jpg[/image]



kondor -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (10/2/2021 9:49:45 AM)

If it's some modifier taking -1 dice from attack, why aren't the HB-s impacted as well?


[image]local://upfiles/12127/DB988EB377BA49639D27FF2F85EB31EB.jpg[/image]



kondor -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (10/2/2021 9:54:50 AM)

I've decided to connect the coast, so I've attacked the Liuchow, w/o losses there.
Will China have enough balls (and supplies) to launch a counterattack?

Air units have me puzzled, I'll have to get back to the manual for some more clues.

Chinese partisans appeared in one province and knocked out my resource point, the yellow warning didn't go off, or I've missed it?

And on that terrible disappointment, we are sending over the rains to our enemies. [:D]

[image]local://upfiles/12127/487A3D9E2A6E413AA0231E9A2853C166.jpg[/image]



rjh1971 -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (10/2/2021 4:12:46 PM)

Spring 40

Nothing much to report, an artillery unit moved to Eastern Poland, I wonder if Germany's garrison of four units is enough. Soviet war readiness jumped from 11 to 16.

Goran if you get a red human symbol that's a warning your are not meeting the garrison conditions.

In China lack of supplies prevents any action. One rail damaged for two CAGs hit is a great victory against the invading Japs.



tcart -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (10/2/2021 5:55:45 PM)

WA Spring 1940

France falls as expected. My strategy here, as usual, is to avoid getting sucked into a losing battle and instead to be prepared for the next phase of battle. You can't win at this stage, but you can lose

Several Free French naval units flee to England. That's a nice bonus.



[image]local://upfiles/22670/2FAF30B4C2A445539789850314725BC2.jpg[/image]



tcart -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (10/2/2021 5:59:25 PM)

Otherwise, we're waiting for an opportunity to strike.

Most WA production now is going into long-term assets and research. If I was feeling more pressure on the uboat front or on land I'd have to divert to transports and land units. IMO the Germans need to do something to keep the WA from a free run to build as they please. Otherwise 1943 is going to be tough.

Here's the WA build strategy. Note paras, carriers, and bombers.

[image]local://upfiles/22670/28E817017D044C32AF5375A59D7309F2.jpg[/image]



rjh1971 -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (10/2/2021 9:33:40 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: kondor

If it's some modifier taking -1 dice from attack, why aren't the HB-s impacted as well?


[image]local://upfiles/12127/DB988EB377BA49639D27FF2F85EB31EB.jpg[/image]


I think this is because they CAGs are operating at their maximum of their autonomy (2 areas) and they get a negative modifier.



kondor -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (10/3/2021 7:45:57 AM)

Ty Rafael, that might be it.
Again some half results from the railway bombing campaign in China.
Managed to destroy railway where there were no enemy units, but failed to do so (despite the odds) on the area where are enemy units.
I'm running out of time.



rjh1971 -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (10/3/2021 11:49:14 AM)

Su 40 USSR + China

The Polish border keeps being reinforced. This usually is a risky bet an experience German player would most probably wipe all forces in Eastern Poland or isolate and decimate them in the next turn.

[image]https://i.imgur.com/LKCIMxW.jpg[/image]

Soviet war readiness increased another 5 points, now at 21.

Soviets keep investing in research, they are way behind the Germans and they need to be even in technology or it could be a disaster in the combat field.

Take a look at the values in the next images:

Infantry

[image]https://i.imgur.com/4iG5o1u.jpg[/image]

Armour

[image]https://i.imgur.com/hr7T7Zo.jpg[/image]

Artillery

[image]https://i.imgur.com/38Mqq3u.jpg[/image]



kondor -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (10/3/2021 12:16:59 PM)

I suppose that the German progress research info is visible due to the spies action?
As this is a learning game, I've looked into the WA data, and WA arty at 8 already is a real concern to the IJ forces.[X(]



tcart -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (10/3/2021 6:17:17 PM)

WA Summer 1940

The Axis proceed in a predictable fashion. He's had some bad luck in Italy only joining now. I can see this by moving my cursor over Italy. Though shaded neutral, it says 'Axis' in the popup.

Looking to cause the Germans headaches and having the luxury of an extra transport I can burn, I beefed up the Malta garrison. All other things being equal, next turn I should have air cover over the Central Med, allowing me to stack a big fleet there and block Libya. Or trigger a huge battle under advantageous conditions.

If the Germans want to counter this they'll need to throw a ton of air power into Italy, hopefully messing up Barbarossa. Or at least creating some attrition.

Everything else is business as usual. The Allies build up slowly and start to commit more resources to research and espionage.

[image]local://upfiles/22670/C151A288F0A344D89A277F4B23719276.jpg[/image]



kondor -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (10/3/2021 7:52:14 PM)

IJ airforce continued their bad streak, 3 tactical bombers + 2 HB-s vs militia & flak, no hits.
Maybe I just should disband them?

[image]local://upfiles/12127/3E0B24CD0C9D48D18D7D3013B0E191AD.jpg[/image]



kondor -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (10/3/2021 7:54:07 PM)

Now, this is what concerns me.
USA war readiness is 17, and the next turn will be 30!? I can respect them to unfreeze in two turns?[X(]

[image]local://upfiles/12127/A13DE5BF89D34195A67CD33CF09B7840.jpg[/image]



tcart -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (10/4/2021 1:02:00 AM)

Hey Kondor,
Mostly I'm trying not to look at the enemy's postings, but I caught this as I was scrolling. The War Readiness is a range. So as of that turn the US WR is somewhere between 17 and 30. If your spies do better you might see the range narrow. It doesn't mean the US is only 2 turns away, but of course it could.

Cheers,
Tim



rjh1971 -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (10/4/2021 5:49:16 PM)

FA 40 USSR + China

With the invasion of Spain by the Axis powers WR for the USSR is now between 23 and 32. This is the information the axis players are getting. The real WR is 27, this is a learning game for Cveta so no problem in sharing this info which otherwise it would be kept highly confidential.

Taking Spain imo was not a smart thing to do, Germany will lose the supply gift they received from Spain and the resources, plus they spent supply to attack and more will need to be spent to repair the resources and factories, besides a garrison will have to be placed which will mean less forces invading the USSR, Uncle Joe is pleased...

Time is running out, the Axis will have to swift forces from Spain and Greece towards the Soviet border.

In the map you can see how Axis forces are deployed

[image]https://i.imgur.com/X1HwCxD.jpg[/image]

Current Germany's supplies are 103, they will have to increase the supply production in order to repair resources in Spain Yugoslavia and Greece or they will soon face their factories will not be able to produce due to lack of raw materials.

No units were sent to Poland this turn, but supplies to China were still sent.

Russia invested in 8 research chits and in Sigint (Signal and Intelligence) this turn.

[image]https://i.imgur.com/OfuDtFG.jpg[/image]


[image]https://i.imgur.com/hkd2g2E.jpg[/image]

Air attack value has now increased to 6 and spies keep doing their work. More funds were invested in the spy web.

As for China three infantry were sent to Kumming, need to put some pressure into Japan, they either attack Changsa and spent supply or when PH takes place and they need to invade and use their armies, Chinese will be a pain in the butt.
Japan having only 53 supplies it doesn't seem like they would launch a major offensive into China facing an embargo from the USA, also no presence (yet) of Japanese armour so no combined arms bonus.

As railroad was not hit very hard the transport of units was made using the rail system so no spending of supplies took place.

[image]https://i.imgur.com/dieyAo3.png[/image]



tcart -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (10/4/2021 6:34:14 PM)

WA Fall 1940

Shocker! Hitler invades his ally Spain. I guess the negotiations with Franco didn't go too well. In the short run, this causes a major rethink in Allied strategy. There's no way to hold Gibraltar, and I didn't want a Western Singapore type situation by attempting it and failing.

So the Allies must commit. I evacuated the Gib garrison to the other side of the straits, where Spanish North Africa is now conveniently allied. This keeps the Italians from breaking out should the naval war go badly for me.

However, since I feel good about the North Atlantic, I push Force H to Malta and look to bottle up the Italian fleet and/or force a battle. Once again, the Allied plan is less about decisive victory this early on and more about distracting the Germans and buying time for the Russians. If he throws his whole air force into Italy I'll have to back off. But air units in the South can't pummel the Russians.

I also meant to take a screenshot of the build queue but somehow forgot. I saw there that the Germans had rebuilt their transport fleet. So I'll have to watch for amphibious threats, though I think my Home Army is more than strong enough.

Long term, Spain may cause major problems for the Germans. They were getting resources and possibly supplies from Franco. So aside from Gibraltar they don't gain much. It's one more region to garrison and it may well slow Barbarossa, which ultimately will decide the war.

But kudos to the Axis. WA was cruising up til now, and he forced me to make some tough choices.



kondor -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (10/5/2021 12:14:28 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: tcart

Hey Kondor,
Mostly I'm trying not to look at the enemy's postings, but I caught this as I was scrolling. The War Readiness is a range. So as of that turn the US WR is somewhere between 17 and 30. If your spies do better you might see the range narrow. It doesn't mean the US is only 2 turns away, but of course it could.

Cheers,
Tim


Ty Tim, I really appreciate the help.





kondor -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (10/5/2021 12:17:31 PM)

I've had another brilliant idea. As what awaits me in Pearl H. is unknown, I've sent my sub to the area for intelligence gathering.
And it got stuck there, I've been unable to move it out of the area. So, not to provoke the US, I've disbanded it. (who needs enemies ;)).


[image]local://upfiles/12127/EE565A7568FC4C249C7F9059DE49F56E.jpg[/image]



kondor -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (10/5/2021 12:19:11 PM)

The bombing campaign in China was a lot better this turn.
A few railroads were destroyed.

[image]local://upfiles/12127/292F288C66A7422E8901E0BFFCA0D7E2.jpg[/image]



kondor -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (10/5/2021 12:23:27 PM)

Army has its list of desires, IJN their own, and of course, airforce would like some new bombers as well!?
I've dished out few thousand rifles, 2 supply tracks, a few socks, and told them to get by. I've also told them if they have some problems with that, let them suggest Hirohito to cut down the number of concubines...
The men will win or lose this war, not tanks, rifles, and battleships!

For the emperor!



rjh1971 -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (10/5/2021 5:19:19 PM)

Winter 40 USSR + China

The Axis has strengthen the border with the Soviet Union, they say they will be performing some manoeuvres hopefully they will stay on their side and do not trespass the border line (sorry I didn't take a pic of the situation)

USSR meanwhile keeps investing in technology and some progress is being made. More supplies were sent to China.

[image]https://i.imgur.com/AN0VaIg.jpg[/image]

[image]https://i.imgur.com/Q0GCvwr.jpg[/image]

Chinese partly repair the railway system.



tcart -> RE: 4 Player Game AAR with new PBEM++ (10/5/2021 5:47:29 PM)

quote:

WA Winter 1940

The Germans redeploy towards the Eastern front. This is the right move, IMO, but it may offer opportunities for the WA in the near future. For now we have to bide our time and proceed methodically. There's no rush.

A quick check of the tech chart shows that the German uboats began to deploy into the North Atlantic while still at EV2. Meanwhile WA ASW tech just jumped a notch, to an attack of two. A rare moment of parity for the allies early in the war. I used a standard allied strategy to knock out two German subs, hopefully putting that threat to rest and leaving me free to throw supplies to the Soviets and units to Norway next turn.

The trick is to attack first with aircraft. You have no chance of hitting, but it imposes the 'already attacked' penalty on the subs. Then attack with every LF within range until you get a hit.

[image]local://upfiles/22670/40CAB5B468FE466BA54783CC2E0B9ED8.jpg[/image]



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