Thanks SS. I re-read the report: minor clarification: It looks like I’m recommending that Britain can’t be attacked at all R1, but actually meant that Italy specifically needs to wait until R2 to attack (preventing the total annihilation of all UK forces from the mediterranean on R1). Also, I thought there was little the UK could do with these house rules to prevent a takeover if Italy was allowed to attack the UK in R1, but this was assuming Italy could set up their fleet and transports to attack England on R2 with Germany, but skilled Allied players could put naval ships in the path to block Italy from joining in on R2. With that, I think it’s appropriate to play that Italy can attack the UK on R1… especially since the Italian player only earns 10 IPC’s at start and with no National Objectives, it could be a slow climb to more income if Britain has a chance to maintain it’s fleet and holdings in Africa.
Global 1940 & 1943 Expansions Game Reports
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@The-Captain Thanks again!
It’s been a while, but I’ll try to remember in brief and then review in detail in a video. Gargantuan said to me once that the Allies goal must be to slow down the Axis expansion. So I plan on making it more difficult for Japan to get to 60 in oob or the equivalent here. In Europe, to keep the Germans under 63 oob or the equivalent here. (There is a lot of money in this game. And I kept a careful eye, aiming to be well above the Axis.) Suppress growth and income.
I accomplished this by demanding attention in four different directions in the ETO. The north Atlantic, the Med, The Eastern front and another area must call for orders and units. This makes battles smaller and I have the assumption that I can lose battles better than the Axis because of the income disparity. The other area in the beginning was Karelia. Later it was Spain. Later still I was able to make Turkey and the Balkans a hot spot. Death by a thousand cuts? I call it my pizza dough strategy. Ground units in particular can be rendered useless by a tempting easy victory that leaves them at the front line, but unable to reach a different front line. When I accomplished naval superiority, I was able to make the front almost any coastal territory at will.
In the Pacific, I like to go high. And on most occasions, I didn’t seek a large Napoleonic victory, but skirmishes with reserves to make it so that no front was ever settled. Some fronts were hotter than others. Some were drips that could be easily defeated if maintained.
One of my proverbs is for my enemy to win every battle but lose the war. The Rocky Bilboa strategy. I offered many battles in Asia that made my enemy feel good but controlled the position of his aircraft since the battle would only be easy if he brought them into the fight.
The pizza dough strategy means five different areas remain warm at least in the PTO. China for sure. Calcutta and southeast Asia with a focus on Malaya. The money islands convoyed, demanding destroyers. Or destroyer blockers that fill the ocean and make for many skirmish battles that occupy air units that are needed everywhere. Flood the zone might be the football analogy.
We all know that when we attack one unit, we want three units. Preferably two ground units and an air against a ground. Same for the sea. This is a strength and a weakness. That means your smaller enemy can keep more of you occupied. An enemy willing to go 1v1 or 2v1 might gain an edge in a lucky turn. And the Allies have ground to give.
Back to 5 areas.
- China, particularly central.
- Southeast Asia, Malaya more than Calcutta. This is the responsibility of the British.
- Money Islands, Philippines. Anzac is to harass. If possible, UKP can pop out a sub. Kill any lone destroyer at any cost. Hyperbole but not much.
- Sea zone 7 and then 6 and then 19. This is 100 percent the goal and the responsibility of the US navy and air force. My strategy was generally a 75/25 until Japan is sub 40 oob or the equivalent. That was never accomplished in this game.
- Russia threatening and eventually losing to the Japan in Korea and Manchuria. Resupply area after the Japanese have passed through. Also fight the expeditionary force from the West or buzz them with lend lease air until destroyed.,
Caucasus became a battlefield that drained resources and went back and forth on account of the Higgins boats. I am sure I underused those. The super wacky subs that were unstoppable unless I took over Denmark caused me much angst. I’m glad they’ve been rolled back.
The constant purchase of bomber is so important to any allied strategy. They can reach areas that your enemy does not expect. On several occasions I treated them like cruise missiles that I knew would be destroyed in combat or easily killed upon landing.
Those are some quick thoughts. Maybe this is all old hat, but maybe I have revealed something new. Thank you Barnee. Much appreciated. You’re a gentleman and a scholar!
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Global 1940, Game Report:
Game #2 between:
Axis player: Mussolini Pizza Emperor
Allied player: TroutEarly 1940
G1: Germany clears Sea Zones 110 & 11 but loses 106 as he only attacked with one U-Boat. France, Normandy, S. France, Yugoslavia all taken and Bulgaria/Finland activated. Collect 83 IPC’s after deploying five U-Boats in SZ 112.
J1: Tojo attacks Yunnan and Hunan provinces and builds two minor factories in Chinese provinces.
UK1: Captured Sumatra, killed the G Battleship anchored in SZ 111 and cleared SZ 96 while building a minor factory in Egypt.
Italy 1: Destroyed the Marine Nationale located in SZ 93 and captured Greece, Tunisia, Algeria
ANZAC 1: Activated Dutch New Guinea and Java
Late 1940
Germany 2: Axis strategy was to dominate the Mediterranean and Middle East after all his name is Mussolini Pizza Emperor. As such, the Luftwaffe performed an air raid on SZ 92 destroying the main UK Royal Navy anchored there which was two destroyers, two cruisers, and one loaded carrier at the price of three Luftwaffe fighters. Luttwaffe fighters and tac bombers landed in Algeria after the fight. Bismarck was built in Toulon/SZ 93
UK 2: The Luftwaffe based in Africa opened the door for the RAF to kill the cruiser & transport located in SZ 112 and the Allies at that point decided upon a strategy of the Soviets & Brits focused on European theater while the US & ANZAC focused on the Pacific theater.
Early 1941
Italy captured Gibraltar and dominated the Mediterranean while max German paratroopers built last turn staged to Romania and U-Boats continued to be launched in SZ 93 & 112. However, UK managed to detonate the Gibraltar naval base before its capture.
Late 1941
Germany launches Barbarossa taking Baltic States, E. Poland, Karelia, and Bessarabia but Soviets not too worried as the Axis focus on the Mediterranean kept the push from being overwhelming. Nonetheless, the Soviets retreated to Bryansk while building the Russian Guards and making some paratroop drops where possible in Axis-held European provinces. Meanwhile, Japan launched a surprise attack on the Allies this turn. Capturing Hong Kong, Indochina, Shan State, and the Philippines. Major battle in Kansu left the Chinese with just one infantry in Tsinghai but Japanese losses were not insignificant. USA activated the National Guard and attacked Iwo Jima but the Kriegsmarine anchored in SZ 91 prevented any offensive action in the Atlantic. UK believes that the fall of Egypt is eminent so the minor factory is moved underground in case detonation is necessary. Three UK fighters fly to Soviet Union to prepare for rearmament as Soviet aircraft. Italy repairs the naval base in Gibraltar & builds a shiny new air base in Greece.Early 1942
Kriegsmarine reinforces SZ 91 with several additional U-Boats. Barbarossa stalled in E. Poland. Soviet Union calls up full Red Army Conscription and rearms three Spitfire squadrons for service in the Soviet Air Force. Japan completes the conquest of China. USA captures Caroline Islands with naval forces of USA & ANZAC now concentrated in SZ 33. Kriegsmarine U-Boats are so numerous that USA & UK move their Atlantic fleets to SZ 64 and build naval base in Central America to retain ability to reach SZ 91 and 106. Allies concede Atlantic to Germany for now and USA builds air transports in order to supply UK with infantry for London defense in case Axis consider winning via Sea Lion. Italy has massed forces in Alexandria and activated Iraq. Regia Marina surface combat ships anchored in SZ 98
Late 1942
Germany stages max paratroopers to Alexandria and begins full convoys of the UK & Scotland. Barbarossa remains stalled in E. Poland. Soviet Union pushes its main land force back into Belarus and captures Finland. Japan captures Malaya and Sumatra while the majority of the IJN is anchored in SZ 35. USA liberates Philippines after a massive naval battle in SZ 35 leaves USA as the victor barely with only damaged battleships left. UK decides to not retreat from Egypt but instead strafes Axis forces in TransJordan while capturing Iraq via amphibious assault supported by shore bombardment. UK income now under 40 due to loss of Malaya & Sumatra plus convoying naval units in SZ’s 109 & 98. Italy attacks Egypt with all available assets and wins with one tank plus the Regia Aeronautica remaining. ANZAC Navy moves into SZ 35 to prevent the IJN from sinking the USA Super Heavy Battleships.Early 1943
Soviets capture Norway. USA’s first contingent of infantry on London defense duty arrive via air transport. Italy in its last turn prepares itself for German takeover. In the Pacific, Japan consolidates naval forces in SZ 36 along with newly mobilized navy in SZ6 which forces USA/ANZAC to retreat back to SZ 33.
Late 1943
Germany completes the Italian Takeover and builds majority of its cash pile on the Wehrmacht to stop Soviets from advancing into Eastern Europe. German paratroopers land in AES. Soviets push 1st Army into Persia along with a contingent of supporting infantry. Japan captures Borneo and recaptures Philippines. USA/ANZAC continue to mass naval ships in Caroline Islands. USA takes Okinawa and AZAC takes Formosa with transports as they had no defensive forces in place. UK attacks Burma in force and intends to hold. UK income drops to 22 as Africa continues to be assaulted by Axis while UK itself is convoyed without mercy.
1944/1945
By late 1944, Germany continues to turn the African continent into Lebensraum for the Reich, the Allied navies continue to be shut out of the Atlantic by the large Kriegsmarine flotilla in SZ 91. Middle East now firmly Axis as well. Only joy for the Allies in the European theater is Soviet Union capturing and holding Norway/Finland. In the Pacific, Japan continues to have China, DEI, and Philippines in firm control of the Rising Sun. ANZAC holds Carolines and USA has Iwo Jima.
In early 1945, a large land battle takes place in Eastern Poland and the Soviet Army is destroyed. Allies surrender. Photos follow -
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Hi Trout,
Is this an OOB game ?
If this is a G40 HRE game, where are the expansion units…?
What are the LEGO units in Middle East representing…?
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@The-Captain Using LEGO in honor of the Captain’s heritage :) MPE is my 15-year old son and he still has his LEGO’s from his younger years. We have our own system for the HRE rules using G40, A&A WWI, A&A Classic and LEGO pieces. So for example:
- Classic G infantry are SS infantry
- WWI chips are 10 chips because our Eastern Front big stacks often run out of red chips
- WWI Russian infantry are Russian Guards
- Elite Infantry are an Infantry with a roundel under it
- LEGO pieces are the Panzer Generals, Commissars, Waffen Armies, etc.
Maybe someday we will have enough games under our belts to earn the free HRE pieces then we can use the real stuff. Until then this is our system for our G40 HRE Board Games using pieces we have readily available to us.
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Great invention - use what you have to make it work.
Please note:
The G40 HRE rulebook includes all the original Full Color game pieces (markers & roundels) that you need to play the game.You just need to print out these pages in the rulebook - and cut/punch out the roundels & markers.
You can print and cut out the Army Boards etc. in the same way.
This is what most players do - as you can see on this Game Report thread - which also saves space on the game board.
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