Allies (+16) vs. Axis (darkskies) Coop

[Arthur Bomber Harris]

It is painful to see Japan earning so much money.  At least the forces are now in position to counterstrike.  Hopefully I will have sufficient time to build up my Atlantic navy before Germany crushes Russia.

[ItIsILeClerc]

I hope you can find a way for Russia ;-). I think Germany cannot enter Bryansk without also moving all their bombers (or most of them) there too. At least for a while, but the longer this lasts, the longer the allies have.

Japan is having a hard time to prevent isolation. Much depends indeed on how fast the USA can bring any changes about. Preferrably before Moscow falls. But definately before Germany can start thinking about Cairo.

[oysteilo]

@ItIsILeClerc:

I hope you can find a way for Russia ;-). I think Germany cannot enter Bryansk without also moving all their bombers (or most of them) there too. At least for a while, but the longer this lasts, the longer the allies have.

Japan is having a hard time to prevent isolation. Much depends indeed on how fast the USA can bring any changes about. Preferrably before Moscow falls. But definately before Germany can start thinking about Cairo.

couple of comments: I guess the bombers sort of protect Gibraltar for the time beeing, but maybe it is worthwile sending out a sucide mission for US or UK to remove the italian NO? Italy now keeps their NO with no effort? I am also wondering why Germany gives Russia the NO. Why take out the destroyer? Wouldnt it be better to put the sub in sz 125?

[Arthur Bomber Harris]

Gibraltar is certainly on my hit list this turn for the Allies.  I need to check out my options when I’m back from work.  I will then be able to move my fleet over there in another 3-4 rounds if I can hold it.

[ItIsILeClerc]

You may be right, oysteilo. I’m only human, ofc., so I make mistakes like every1 else ;-).

I’m not sure how Gibraltar will play out. I was not in the mood to do an exact calculation of the situation, but both sides still have options there. For a while; I have ofc given up on Gibraltar in the long run already. Too much FTR+TAC are needed to protect the Wehrmacht from Russian counterattacks. IF Germany had produced a lot of land units instead of bombers, this would have been different, but this is a DS playtest, so DS is what Germany plays… But anyway, this should allow Germany to keep a maximum of bombers active in West, so counterattacks can be made wherever possible with spare ones, but the main German priority is to push the Russians back into Moscow (and keep them there). You think it’s possible to stack both Gibraltar and protect + facilitate the German advance into Russia? If so, please enlighten me!

As for SZ125, you may be right. SZ125 is a strange sort of calculation. Have the sub there and keep attacking the DD’s UK builds with bombers only, and Germany may end up loosing more power (bombers) than it prevented Russia from gaining… worsening power balance for Germany. But of course, I am too prudent. It’s not uncommon for Germany to end up with 1-2 subs after round 1 and if you build 1 more, 1 always should go into #125. But Germany lost all their subs in round 1 and like I said: I am too prudent somtimes ;-).

[Arthur Bomber Harris]

TripleA Turn Summary for game: World War II Global 1940 2nd Edition, version: 3.9

Game History

Round: 3

Purchase Units - Americans
            Americans buy 1 carrier, 2 destroyers, 1 fighter and 5 submarines; Remaining resources: 0 PUs;

Combat Move - Americans

Non Combat Move - Americans
            1 submarine moved from 16 Sea Zone to 26 Sea Zone
            1 infantry moved from Western United States to 10 Sea Zone
            1 armour moved from Western United States to 10 Sea Zone
            1 bomber moved from Western United States to Hawaiian Islands
            1 mech_infantry moved from Western United States to 10 Sea Zone
            1 infantry moved from Western United States to 10 Sea Zone
            1 armour, 2 carriers, 2 fighters, 2 infantry, 1 mech_infantry, 1 submarine and 2 transports moved from 10 Sea Zone to 26 Sea Zone
            1 armour moved from 26 Sea Zone to Hawaiian Islands
            1 infantry moved from 26 Sea Zone to Hawaiian Islands
            1 infantry moved from 26 Sea Zone to Hawaiian Islands
            1 mech_infantry moved from 26 Sea Zone to Hawaiian Islands
            1 fighter moved from Midway to 26 Sea Zone
            1 fighter moved from Midway to 26 Sea Zone
            2 infantry and 1 transport moved from 66 Sea Zone to 63 Sea Zone
            1 infantry moved from 63 Sea Zone to New Zealand
            1 infantry moved from 63 Sea Zone to New Zealand

Place Units - Americans
            1 carrier, 2 destroyers and 5 submarines placed in 10 Sea Zone
            1 fighter placed in 10 Sea Zone

Turn Complete - Americans
            Americans collect 52 PUs; end with 52 PUs total
            Objective Americans 2 Outer Territories: Americans met a national objective for an additional 5 PUs; end with 57 PUs
            Objective Americans 3 Defense Obligations: Americans met a national objective for an additional 5 PUs; end with 62 PUs
            Objective Americans 1 Homeland: Americans met a national objective for an additional 10 PUs; end with 72 PUs

[Arthur Bomber Harris]

TripleA Turn Summary for game: World War II Global 1940 2nd Edition, version: 3.9

Game History

Round: 3

Purchase Units - Chinese
            Trigger Chinese Loses Burma Road: Chinese has their production frontier changed to: productionChinese_Burma_Road_Closed
            Chinese buy 4 infantry; Remaining resources: 1 PUs;

Combat Move - Chinese
            1 infantry moved from Suiyuyan to Shensi
            1 artillery moved from Suiyuyan to Shensi
            1 fighter moved from Kansu to Shensi
            1 infantry moved from Suiyuyan to Chahar
                  Chinese take Chahar from Japanese
            1 infantry moved from Suiyuyan to Hopei
            1 artillery moved from Suiyuyan to Hopei
            1 artillery moved from Suiyuyan to Kansu
            1 artillery moved from Suiyuyan to Kansu

Combat - Chinese
            Battle in Hopei
                Chinese attack with 1 artillery and 1 infantry
                Japanese defend with 1 infantry
                Chinese win, taking Hopei from Japanese with 1 artillery and 1 infantry remaining. Battle score for attacker is 3
                Casualties for Japanese: 1 infantry
            Battle in Shensi
                Chinese attack with 1 artillery, 1 fighter and 1 infantry
                Japanese defend with 1 infantry
                Chinese win, taking Shensi from Japanese with 1 artillery, 1 fighter and 1 infantry remaining. Battle score for attacker is 3
                Casualties for Japanese: 1 infantry

Non Combat Move - Chinese
            1 fighter moved from Shensi to Kansu

Place Units - Chinese
            4 infantry placed in Kansu

Turn Complete - Chinese
            Chinese collect 7 PUs; end with 8 PUs total

[Arthur Bomber Harris]

TripleA Turn Summary for game: World War II Global 1940 2nd Edition, version: 3.9

Game History

Round: 3

Purchase Units - British
            British buy 1 armour, 2 fighters and 2 mech_infantrys; Remaining resources: 1 PUs;

Purchase Units - UK_Pacific
            UK_Pacific buy 1 artillery and 3 infantry; Remaining resources: 0 PUs;

Combat Move - British
            1 infantry moved from Quebec to 106 Sea Zone
            1 artillery moved from Quebec to 106 Sea Zone
            1 artillery, 1 infantry and 1 transport moved from 106 Sea Zone to 91 Sea Zone
            1 carrier moved from 106 Sea Zone to 91 Sea Zone
            1 fighter moved from United Kingdom to Gibraltar
            1 fighter moved from United Kingdom to Gibraltar
            1 artillery moved from 91 Sea Zone to Gibraltar
            1 infantry moved from 91 Sea Zone to Gibraltar
            1 infantry moved from Persia to Iraq
            1 tactical_bomber moved from Egypt to Iraq
            1 fighter moved from Egypt to Iraq
            1 bomber moved from Belgian Congo to Iraq
            1 fighter moved from Egypt to Iraq
            1 artillery moved from Kenya to Italian Somaliland
                  British take Italian Somaliland from Italians
            1 fighter moved from Iceland to United Kingdom
            1 infantry moved from Burma to Shan State
            1 fighter moved from Burma to Shan State
            1 infantry moved from Burma to Yunnan
            1 tactical_bomber moved from India to Yunnan
            1 fighter moved from India to Shan State

Combat - British
            Battle in Shan State
                British attack with 2 fighters and 1 infantry
                Japanese defend with 1 infantry
                British win, taking Shan State from Japanese with 2 fighters and 1 infantry remaining. Battle score for attacker is 3
                Casualties for Japanese: 1 infantry
            Battle in Yunnan
                British attack with 1 infantry and 1 tactical_bomber
                Japanese defend with 1 infantry
                British win, taking Yunnan from Japanese with 1 infantry and 1 tactical_bomber remaining. Battle score for attacker is 3
                Casualties for Japanese: 1 infantry
            Battle in Iraq
                British attack with 1 bomber, 2 fighters, 1 infantry and 1 tactical_bomber
                Neutral_Axis defend with 3 infantry
                British win with 1 bomber, 2 fighters and 1 tactical_bomber remaining. Battle score for attacker is 6
                Casualties for Neutral_Axis: 3 infantry
                Casualties for British: 1 infantry
            Battle in Gibraltar
                British attack with 1 artillery, 2 fighters and 1 infantry
                Italians defend with 1 harbour and 2 infantry
                British win, taking Gibraltar from Italians with 1 artillery and 2 fighters remaining. Battle score for attacker is 3
                Casualties for British: 1 infantry
                Casualties for Italians: 2 infantry

Non Combat Move - British
            1 fighter moved from Gibraltar to 91 Sea Zone
            1 fighter moved from Gibraltar to 91 Sea Zone
            1 bomber, 2 fighters and 1 tactical_bomber moved from Iraq to Egypt
            2 infantry moved from Persia to Eastern Persia
            3 aaGuns, 8 infantry and 2 mech_infantrys moved from Burma to India
            2 fighters moved from Shan State to India
            1 tactical_bomber moved from Yunnan to India
            1 armour moved from Union of South Africa to Belgian Congo
            1 mech_infantry moved from Union of South Africa to Belgian Congo
            1 mech_infantry moved from Union of South Africa to Belgian Congo
            2 infantry moved from Union of South Africa to 71 Sea Zone
            1 cruiser, 2 destroyers, 2 infantry and 1 transport moved from 71 Sea Zone to 83 Sea Zone
            1 infantry moved from 83 Sea Zone to French West Africa
            1 infantry moved from 83 Sea Zone to French West Africa
            1 armour moved from Egypt to Tobruk

Place Units - British
            1 armour and 2 mech_infantrys placed in Union of South Africa
            2 fighters placed in United Kingdom

Turn Complete - British
            Total Cost from Convoy Blockades: 4
                Rolling for Convoy Blockade Damage in 109 Sea Zone. Rolls: 3,1
            British collect 27 PUs (4 lost to blockades); end with 28 PUs total
            Objective British 1 Original: British met a national objective for an additional 5 PUs; end with 33 PUs

Place Units - UK_Pacific
            1 artillery and 3 infantry placed in India

Turn Complete - UK_Pacific
            Total Cost from Convoy Blockades: 2
                Rolling for Convoy Blockade Damage in 37 Sea Zone. Rolls: 6,5,4,6,3,6,4,5
                Rolling for Convoy Blockade Damage in 39 Sea Zone. Rolls: 5,1
            UK_Pacific collect 5 PUs (2 lost to blockades); end with 5 PUs total
            Some Units in India change ownership: 1 artillery and 3 infantry

[ItIsILeClerc]

TripleA Turn Summary for game: World War II Global 1940 2nd Edition, version: 3.9

Game History

Round: 3

Purchase Units - Italians
            Italians buy 1 fighter, 1 infantry and 3 mech_infantrys; Remaining resources: 0 PUs;

Combat Move - Italians
            2 infantry moved from Romania to Bessarabia
            1 armour moved from Eastern Poland to Western Ukraine
            1 bomber moved from Western Germany to Bessarabia
            1 fighter moved from Western Germany to Western Ukraine

Combat - Italians
            Battle in Western Ukraine
                Italians attack with 1 armour and 1 fighter
                Russians defend with 1 infantry
                Italians win, taking Western Ukraine from Russians with 1 armour remaining. Battle score for attacker is -7
                Casualties for Russians: 1 infantry
                Casualties for Italians: 1 fighter
            Battle in Bessarabia
                Italians attack with 1 bomber and 2 infantry
                Russians defend with 1 infantry
                Italians win, taking Bessarabia from Russians with 1 bomber and 2 infantry remaining. Battle score for attacker is 3
                Casualties for Russians: 1 infantry

Non Combat Move - Italians
            1 armour moved from Yugoslavia to Eastern Poland
            2 aaGuns and 2 infantry moved from Yugoslavia to Romania
            2 mech_infantrys moved from Northern Italy to Romania
            2 fighters moved from Western Germany to Southern Italy
            1 aaGun moved from Northern Italy to Southern Italy
            2 infantry moved from Yugoslavia to Northern Italy
            1 bomber moved from Bessarabia to Northern Italy

Place Units - Italians
            1 fighter and 2 mech_infantrys placed in Southern Italy
            1 infantry and 1 mech_infantry placed in Northern Italy

Turn Complete - Italians
            Italians collect 15 PUs; end with 15 PUs total
            Objective Italians 1 Control The Mediterranean: Italians met a national objective for an additional 5 PUs; end with 20 PUs

[ItIsILeClerc]

Please edit 2 Italian FTR from Southern Italy back into Romania.

I know Belarus is the usual way to go, but with DS I’m not so sure. Russia can project a lot of power into Bryansk and if Germany wants to reach the Russian Oil Fields, moving into Bryansk becomes mandatory after Belarus. This requires Germany to fly most (if not all) of its bombers there as well and I’m not sure this is such a good move.

Therefore I’m thinking to move Western Ukraine->Ukraine instead of Belarus->Bryansk.
This should remove the requirement to move (almost) all bombers east, leaving no power projection into the west and the med around Gibraltar.

If any1 feels my thinking is not right about this, please enlighten me and I could redo the turn for Italy.

[Arthur Bomber Harris]

TripleA Turn Summary for game: World War II Global 1940 2nd Edition, version: 3.9

Game History

Round: 3

Purchase Units - ANZAC
            ANZAC buy 1 artillery, 1 infantry and 1 transport; Remaining resources: 7 PUs;

Combat Move - ANZAC
            EDIT: Resetting and Giving Bonus Movement to Units
            EDIT: 1 carrier moved from 62 Sea Zone to 54 Sea Zone
            EDIT: 1 infantry moved from Burma to India
            EDIT: ANZAC undo move 1.
            EDIT: 1 destroyer moved from 54 Sea Zone to 62 Sea Zone

Non Combat Move - ANZAC
            EDIT: Cleaning up during movement phase
            EDIT: 1 artillery moved from Queensland to New South Wales
            EDIT: 1 infantry moved from South Australia to New South Wales
            EDIT: 1 aaGun moved from Queensland to New South Wales
            EDIT: 1 aaGun moved from Queensland to New South Wales
            EDIT: 1 fighter moved from Queensland to 62 Sea Zone
            EDIT: 1 infantry moved from Queensland to New South Wales
            EDIT: 1 fighter moved from Queensland to 62 Sea Zone

Place Units - ANZAC
            1 artillery and 1 infantry placed in New South Wales
            1 transport placed in 62 Sea Zone

Turn Complete - ANZAC
            ANZAC collect 10 PUs; end with 17 PUs total
            Objective ANZAC 2 Control Strategic Islands: ANZAC met a national objective for an additional 5 PUs; end with 22 PUs

[Arthur Bomber Harris]

TripleA Turn Summary for game: World War II Global 1940 2nd Edition, version: 3.9

Game History

Round: 3

Combat Move - French
            EDIT: Resetting and Giving Bonus Movement to Units
            EDIT: 1 fighter moved from United Kingdom to 112 Sea Zone
            EDIT: French undo move 1.
            EDIT: 1 fighter moved from United Kingdom to Gibraltar
            EDIT: 1 infantry moved from French Equatorial Africa to Anglo Egyptian Sudan
            EDIT: French undo move 1.
            EDIT: 1 destroyer moved from 71 Sea Zone to 83 Sea Zone

Combat - French
            EDIT: Recording Battle Statistics

Non Combat Move - French
            EDIT: Cleaning up during movement phase

Turn Complete - French

[Arthur Bomber Harris]

As you can tell, I couldn’t figure out the Edit mode to get the Italians into your desired location.  Sorry about the mess on my turn reports….

You are right that the Germans need to take the southern route.

[Arthur Bomber Harris]

The French plane was supposed to be on Gibraltar.  Could I trouble you to move it there?

[ItIsILeClerc]

Consider it done. But I’ll do my German turn much later today.
It takes a little time to get to know the edit. Once you know it, it’s quite simple. Maybe I should do the edits in this game untill you practised with editing a bit.

[ItIsILeClerc]

TripleA Turn Summary for game: World War II Global 1940 2nd Edition, version: 3.9

Game History

Round: 4

Research Technology - Germans

Purchase Units - Germans
            Germans buy 4 bombers; Remaining resources: 1 PUs;

Combat Move - Germans
            1 submarine moved from 109 Sea Zone to 91 Sea Zone
            1 destroyer moved from 112 Sea Zone to 91 Sea Zone
            1 bomber moved from Southern Italy to 91 Sea Zone
            3 bombers moved from Western Germany to 91 Sea Zone
            1 mech_infantry moved from Eastern Poland to Ukraine
                  Germans take Ukraine from Russians
            2 infantry moved from Karelia to Novgorod
                  Germans take Novgorod from Russians
            2 infantry moved from Vyborg to Novgorod
            3 fighters and 4 tactical_bombers moved from Western Germany to Baltic States
            1 infantry moved from Eastern Poland to Baltic States
            1 infantry moved from Eastern Poland to Belarus
                  Germans take Belarus from Russians

Combat - Germans
            Battle in Baltic States
                Germans attack with 3 fighters, 1 infantry and 4 tactical_bombers
                Russians defend with 1 infantry
                Germans win with 3 fighters and 4 tactical_bombers remaining. Battle score for attacker is 0
                Casualties for Germans: 1 infantry
                Casualties for Russians: 1 infantry
            Battle in 91 Sea Zone
                Germans attack with 4 bombers, 1 destroyer and 1 submarine
                British defend with 1 carrier, 2 fighters and 1 transport
                Germans win with 3 bombers and 1 submarine remaining. Battle score for attacker is 23
                Casualties for Germans: 1 bomber and 1 destroyer
                Casualties for British: 1 carrier, 2 fighters and 1 transport

Non Combat Move - Germans
            3 bombers moved from 91 Sea Zone to Southern France
            2 fighters and 2 tactical_bombers moved from Southern Italy to Western Ukraine
            3 aaGuns, 6 armour, 8 artilleries, 25 infantry and 2 mech_infantrys moved from Eastern Poland to Western Ukraine
            3 fighters and 4 tactical_bombers moved from Baltic States to Western Ukraine
            3 armour moved from Romania to Western Ukraine
            3 infantry moved from Bulgaria to Romania
            1 infantry moved from Norway to 112 Sea Zone
            1 aaGun moved from Western Germany to 112 Sea Zone
            1 aaGun, 1 infantry and 1 transport moved from 112 Sea Zone to 127 Sea Zone
            1 aaGun and 1 infantry moved from 127 Sea Zone to Novgorod
            6 bombers moved from Western Germany to Western Ukraine
            1 aaGun and 3 artilleries moved from Holland Belgium to Western Germany
            1 aaGun moved from Greater Southern Germany to Western Germany

Place Units - Germans
            4 bombers placed in Western Germany

Turn Complete - Germans
            Total Cost from Convoy Blockades: 3
                Rolling for Convoy Blockade Damage in 125 Sea Zone. Rolls: 3,5
            Germans collect 46 PUs (3 lost to blockades); end with 47 PUs total
            Trigger Germans 5 Swedish Iron Ore: Germans met a national objective for an additional 5 PUs; end with 52 PUs
            Objective Germans 2 Control Novgorod Or Volgograd Or Russia: Germans met a national objective for an additional 5 PUs; end with 57 PUs

[Arthur Bomber Harris]

TripleA Turn Summary for game: World War II Global 1940 2nd Edition, version: 3.9

Game History

Round: 4

Purchase Units - Russians
            Russians buy 1 armour, 8 artilleries and 1 infantry; Remaining resources: 0 PUs;

Combat Move - Russians
            1 infantry moved from Northwest Persia to Iraq
                  Russians take Iraq from Neutral_Axis
            1 infantry moved from Rostov to Ukraine
            1 infantry moved from Bryansk to Belarus
            1 fighter moved from Russia to Belarus
            1 fighter moved from Russia to Ukraine
            1 tactical_bomber moved from Russia to Ukraine

Combat - Russians
            Battle in Belarus
                Russians attack with 1 fighter and 1 infantry
                Germans defend with 1 infantry
                Russians win, taking Belarus from Germans with 1 fighter and 1 infantry remaining. Battle score for attacker is 3
                Casualties for Germans: 1 infantry
            Battle in Ukraine
                Russians attack with 1 fighter, 1 infantry and 1 tactical_bomber
                Germans defend with 1 factory_minor and 1 mech_infantry
                Russians win with 1 fighter and 1 tactical_bomber remaining. Battle score for attacker is 1
                Casualties for Germans: 1 mech_infantry
                Casualties for Russians: 1 infantry

Non Combat Move - Russians
            1 fighter moved from Belarus to Russia
            1 fighter moved from Ukraine to Russia
            1 tactical_bomber moved from Ukraine to Russia
            1 mech_infantry moved from Bryansk to Russia
            1 mech_infantry moved from Bryansk to Russia
            1 armour moved from Bryansk to Russia
            1 armour moved from Bryansk to Russia
            4 aaGuns, 14 artilleries and 31 infantry moved from Bryansk to Russia

Place Units - Russians
            1 armour, 8 artilleries and 1 infantry placed in Russia

Turn Complete - Russians
            Russians collect 31 PUs; end with 31 PUs total
            Trigger Russians 1 Lend Lease: Russians met a national objective for an additional 5 PUs; end with 36 PUs
            Objective Russians 2 Spread Of Communism: Russians met a national objective for an additional 3 PUs; end with 39 PUs

[Arthur Bomber Harris]

This was truly painful… I couldn’t block your progress without risking losing my capitol.  I can’t stop your Italians without losing six infantry; I can’t afford using that many troops to slow you down by a single round.  Dark Skies is powerful!

[ItIsILeClerc]

Amen to that!

On the other hand, pushing Russia back into Moscow is not that hard with any strategy.
I am still worried about the huge number of planes Germany now requires in the east (or at least needs to keep in range of Moscow area) to keep its advance alive.

I reckon the DS is stronger than I thought, but not overpowered in comparison with the other axis strategies I know as ‘strong’.

[Arthur Bomber Harris]

The major difference with a typical strategy is that you can force the Allies to spend massive amounts to build up a sufficient navy to advance to Europe.  I will need 3-4 full turns of spending in the Atlantic just to build up sufficient defense to support transports.  That is 2-3 extra turns compared to typical strategies.  You won’t have to worry about a significant invasion force until US8… that is quite late.