Germany dows on russia, cruiser on transport, does it stop it loading up?

@Amalec:

To add to the above, the transport can only still load IF it is used on the same turn to make an amphibious attack. If it isn’t being used to make an amphibious attack, then it can’t load those troops until the non-combat phase - but at that point it’s already taken part in the combat against the sub and so can’t be used again.

Are your sure about this one?
A defenseless Transport which make no move and no loading in Combat Move phase cannot be use in Non-Combat Move if there was a naval battle in the same SZ.

It is like throwing a UK’s Battleship amongst Japanese TPs before DOW.
Japan DOW on its turn but cannot load IJN TPs, but still may move them outside the embattled SZ in Combat Move Phase and can load and unload land units if it there is some in another friendly SZ during Combat Move Phase.

So, such empty TPs are totally neutralized if they stayed in the hostile SZ, even it becomes friendly after battle?

Yeah, well I meant if you want to be sure you don’t lose a playmate…

Where do you station these bombers, and what do you do with them (only bombardments?)?

I say Germany always because Germany is your powerhouse as far as income, and the more income you can bring in for Germany the better chance you have of taking Russia since you can spend more, while I do like to bring an Italian Force into Russia this force is there to support the German force, take the first hits in counter attacks and keep my German units around much longer, Southern France also allows the Germans to build their own fleet to transport units to africa which can give you a big boost and can usually bring an Axis victory in the Med.

Quoting the rule book:

If Japan attacks any Soviet-controlled territory that is adjacent to any Mongolian territory, all Mongolian
territories that are still strict neutral or pro-Allies, or have joined the Allies as a result of a failed Japanese attack, are placed under the control of the Soviet Union at the end of Japan’s Conduct Combat phase.

So technically speaking, they first become pro-allied as Japan attacks them, and then become Russian.

On a side note, I suppose that the Mongolians would remain neutral when Japan attacks a bordering territory that was originally Russian but is now no longer held by the Russians. For example: Germany takes Moscow, and a German tank drives all the way to Amur, capturing it. Next, the US captures Amur from the Germans. And then, Japan attacks the Americans in Amur. I think the Mongolians would remain neutral in that (unlikely) sceanrio.

No neither is gamey in my book, it’s part of the game that can lead to a victory (should be a 1 or 2 trick pony). Once your group see’s these moves, it’s up to your opponent to do something about it. Our group see’s a couple Italians at the Russian front often, which can help the Germans to push deeper into Russia. So if this is happening the Russians might need to picket with 2-3 inf in key territories, so you have a chance to kill off the Italian ground unit(s). A few Italians can allow you to sack some Russians, or simply bring your German air to the front so the Russians can’t strafe your German stack w/o air cover. Can also get you to Stalingrad or Caucasus faster, but often times it risks your German mech/tanks if the Russians see it and set up a counter. Sometimes Russia has to deal with a 3 ring circus if both Italy and Japan are knocking on the door w/Germany, it is up to the other Allies to even up the score. Even if Moscow falls, it’s all about what they can take with them, and if the western allies are in position to put the hurt on. Besides, if those Italian bombers are picking off Russians, they aren’t helping much in the Med (although the range allows them to threaten both theaters through the Black Sea).

Hi Wittman,  That does help and thank you.

If you try it out, you’ll see that the U.K. can’t sufficiently reinforce France, even with the additional 6 French troops, from having Germany crush it on round 2.  Even if every available plane is landed there, and the strafe leaves 2 tanks plus the fighter, it’s impossible to hold.  So all that landing planes accomplishes is wiping out the British airforce (and keeping France from falling to Italy).  The payoff isn’t worth it.

The biggest downsides I can imagine are that (1) it is much more difficult to hold off serious landings at Normandy by the US and/or UK.  Italy then has to protect Western Europe and the Med–although with Germany taking S France, they can dump ships in the Med as well if it comes to that (subs backed up by planes would be cheap).  And (2) delaying the war on the Pacific side until round 3 (which would make this work much better at times, depending on the US builds) means that UK Pacific can shuttle some troops over.

The really nice thing about this strategy is that it’s more efficient to have Italy be the 1 force in the Med, and not have to worry about building enough ships off the S France factory right away to protect them from UK planes.

I think it’s going to be the standard opening in our play group for the foreseeable future.

The counter someone mentioned above about making sure to buy troops in S Africa–either mechs, or infantry/artillery to go with transports, in combination with some shuttling from India, is probably the safe response.

Grover and I just started another game, with me being the Axis, and I’ve got to say I’m enjoying the big Italian boost.