@trihero:
But Jen, you’re going backwards on the statistics. We already discussed that the average result is a loss of 2 transports, which is 16 IPCs, when you first attack the German navy. That’s not 8 IPCs, so no need to sugarcoat it with the low end of results. You’re also forgetting that the US needs to block off SZ12 with something, a transport, otherwise the BB/tran will slip out and provide fodder for the luftwaffe.
Actually, I’m not. YOU decided that you were going to attribute 3 hits to the axis. However, there’s at least a 40% chance that you only get two hits and, for the sake of argument, to truely ensure that Germany is cowed into submission, if, by some miracle, you get a 3rd hit, England could kill a fighter and have America land the E. USA fighter to restore the strength.
Meanwhile, yea, America puts a transport in SZ 12 landing 2 infantry in Algeria. So? America can build 5 more that round, not like losing one is going to cripple it’s war making ability.
And no, the allies do not always own the Atlantic. Germany can keep the Allies out of SZ 5 and SZ’s 13, 14, 15 and 16 if they want.
But yes, you can pretty much force a waste of 16 British IPCs by threatening a Unification. But what, exactly, is that buying the Germans? Now England has two carriers, a battleship, 2 destroyers, 4 transports and a full contingent of air and land power. Germany is now out of Africa earlier. She’s without any defense of SZ 5 and no threat to SZ 3. If she’s foolish, she’s also out of an air force.
All in all, pretty bone-headed move. IMHO.