Posts made by Afrikakorps

A simulation of the defense of Hawaii against a USA3 attack would be:

(Minus casualties from Pearl Harbour)
6 Fighters, 1 Battleship
3 Tactical Fighters, 1 Cruiser
3 Aircraft Carriers, 2 Destroyers
= 189 IPC

2 Fighters, 1 Battleship
1 Tactical Fighter, 1 Cruiser
1 Destroyer
= 71 IPC

• 52 IPC (USA1) and 72 IPC (USA2) = 134 IPC + 71 IPC = 205 IPC

Based on this simulation (at least it prevented the USA from spending anything on Europe map) it is not a good idea to defend Hawaii against a USA3 attack, better counter-attack again on J4 and make sure you build up enough fleet to hold it for 1 turn as soon as you captured Calcutta.

An alternative option is to sail south to Caroline Islands and Australia to combine it with an India Crush in J5/6. As you forced the USA to build 100% combat ships until USA3 they will lag behind in having transports ready to prevent having you 6 capital cities in J5/6.

@SS:

I take it 2 battleships for sz 6 ?

Yes that was the initial idea as best choice to win the arms race with the USA as with Hawaii you heal the capital ships. Do you have a better suggestion?

Introduction
This is an alternative Japanese opening in standard Axis play where Italy attacks Russia in its second turn and Germany follows in its third for an Moscow attack in G6. The main focus of this strategy however is Japan and in particular its Imperial Fleet. It celebrates the historical surprise attack on Pearl Harbour as opening of the war against the United States of America and by crippling the USA fleet hopes to buy enough time to conquer the Pacific before the USA can recover.

Strategic Goal
By destroying as much initial USA fleet in the first turn of Japan it forces the strongest Ally in a position that it first has to rebuild its fleet before it can go on the offensive. This will buy enough time for Japan to conquer the Pacific before the USA can respond.

Rationale for Strategy
Japan has most expansion potential but is also surrounded at all sides. The Russians in the north, the Chinese in the west, The British and ANZAC in the south and the USA in the west. Against strong and offensive Allied play, Japan will lose territory at the side it retreats. As soon as it commit, it will lose at other areas. While the other naval forces, the United Kingdom and ANZAC are relatively weak, the USA is able to overpower the Japanese fleet in only a couple of rounds. By destroying 1/2 of the initial USA fleet, you buy extra time for Japan to defeat the other allies before it has to deal with the might of the USA. As Axis time is crucial as this allows you to take the crucial VC or even the economic unbalance now in favor of the Allies. Therefore this strategy tries to buy time for the Japan by attacking USA first and make optimal use of the seas to attack either Sydney or Calcutta in J4.

Pearl Harbour
While attacking Hawaii with the full fleet can result into shared destruction caused by the counter-attack of USA and ANZAC, attacking the fleet near Hawaii with only cheap ships and air force you are able to deliver a striking blow while keeping the Imperial Fleet save from retaliation. In order to play as safely as possible you could invade Wake Island in J1, I opt to take Borneo instead. Also keep 2 Fighters in Japan while doing your combat-moves.

Attack SZ26 with 1 Submarine, 2 Destroyers, 2 Fighters and 2 Tactical Bombers. Make sure 1 Destroyer survives to function as blocker against the USA Coast Guard.

In your-non combat moves you move the Imperial Fleet to SZ31 and land fighters from Japan in case you lost any planes in the Pearl Harbour raid.

Dutch East Indies
The most crucial areas for Japan to conquer are the Dutch East Indies. The 20 IPC will lift Japan to a strong economic position while keeping them out of the hands of the smaller Allies (UK and ANZAC) will keep them poor and easy to defeat. Therefore I put a lot of effort in taking the islands as soon as possible. In J1 I attack Borneo with 1 Infantry + Artillery while a Cruiser and Destroyer block it from UK attacks. In J2 I take Celebes and Java with the Borneo forces and surviving troops from Philippines attack. In case you opt for India crush in J2 you also take Sumatra, in case you opt for Sydney crush you take Western Australia instead and take Sumatra in J3.

China
With the main part of the Imperial Fleet doing a Pearl Harbour attack the China and UK might go all-in on Yunnan. You will build a minor factory in French Indo China to battle this, and in emergency case you can also opt to take the money islands in J2 but send the troops to FIC for a J3 attack combined with your other troops and airforce from the mainland. In case you are able to maintain Chine by enough pressure (all not carrier based air force combined with wise movements of your land troops) you will likely secure victory for the Axis in J6.

In worst case scenario, you lost Yunnan, are unable to take it and will lose China in a short amount of time you lost the Pacific. However this strategy empowers the naval capacity of Japan to such extent that the battle is far from lost in this case. Leave Australia for what it is and go for an India Crush in J4 and Egypt Crush in J6. Combined with the G6 attack on Russia this will still result to an Axis win.

Yunnan
You have 4 Infantry, 7 Fighters, 5 Tactical Bombers and 2 Bombers to attack Yunnan J2 while the Allies can have 15 Infantry, 1 Tactical Bomber and 2 Fighters with only Pacific troops. This is too much and will cost you a lot of planes.

Therefore in case of Yunnan fortification do not attack in J2, move your Asian troops to Hunan to you can attack with 1 Mechanized Infantry, 7 Infantry and 3 Artillery extra as reinforcements turning the battle into your favour. Also move your J1 build transports to FIC while building a Naval Base there so you could capture India when UK puts all his troops in Yunnan. In case Russia heavily reinforces Yunnan, also use your naval troops instead of taking the money islands. This results into the following reinforcements (1 mechanized infantry, 12 infantry, 8 artillery, 1 tank) + 4 infantry and air force to attack Yunnan in J3.

This strategy however assumes that the Allied players will not fortify Yunnan and play defensively as I expect my opponents from reacting to a J1. We are less experienced however so your enemy might not react the same way as I expect mine to do.

Watch Russia Closely
The only power that is able to counter this strategy is Russia. It can group all his infantry at Amur in R1 while sending a mech and tank towards Yunnan, building fighters to reinforce it in R2 etc. Japan is not able to stop this and might have to abandon this strategy as soon as it sees Russia doing this. You could still continue the strategy even while Russia do these moves, but it is a lot more dangerous. However your other Axis, especially Germany should give strong signals it will focus on Russia 100% by building only Artillery. As normal Russian play is very defensive and goes in turtle mode they see Germany buying Barbarossa units, this will hopefully prevent the Russians from doing alternative things.

European Axis Help
Both Germany and Italy will support Japan in containing the USA a bit with sneak attacks.

• German Submarine attacks USA cruiser and transport G1
• German fleet will be stationed at Gibraltar G2, can do sneak attack G3
• Italy invades West Indies I2 to chip away National Objective

Japan Turn 1

Purchase new units
3 Transport, 1 Artillery

Combat Movement
SZ26 with 1 Submarine, 2 Destroyers, 2 Fighters, 2 Tactical Bombers
SZ33 with 1 Submarine, 1 Destroyer, 1 Battleship and two Transports (1 Tank, 1 Artillery, 2 Infantry)
SZ37 with 1 Cruiser, 1 Bomber, 1 Fighter
SZ43 with 1 Transport (1 Artillery, 1 Infantry)
Philippines with 1 Tactical Bomber, 1 Fighter, 1 Tank, 1 Artillery, 2 Infantry
Borneo with 1 Artillery, 1 Infantry
Shan State with 2 Infantry
French Indo China with 1 Infantry
Yunnan with 1 Bomber, 1 Tactical Bomber, 1 Fighter, 1 Artillery, 1 Infantry
Kwantung with 2 Infantry, 2 Tactical Bombers, 2 Fighters
Hunnan with 2 Tactical Bombers, 2 Fighters
Chahar with 1 Infantry
Anhwe with 1 Mechanized Infantry, 7 Infantry, 3 Artillery

Noncombat movement
Move 1 Destroyer from SZ33 to SZ42
Move 1 Aircraft Carrier from SZ33 to SZ35
Move 1 AA to Jehol
Move Imperial Fleet to SZ31
Move used air craft into range of Yunnan
Move two Fighters from Japan and Korea to SZ31 when needed

Place new units
Transports in SZ6, Artillery in Japan

Collect Income
$41 Income
= $41

To be clear, I assume no Yunnan Fortification, in case it is fortified change use of transports as earlier mentioned

Japan Turn 2

Purchase new units
1 Minor Fictory in FIC, 2 Artillery, 2 Infantry, 2 Transports

Combat Movement
Attack Malaya with 2 Infantry + lots of air craft
Attack Celebes
Attack Java
Attack Western Australia
Use Asian troops according to Chinese moves
Attack UK / ANZAC fleets when possible

Noncombat movement
Move Imperial Fleet to Caroline Islands
Send loaded transports to Caroline Islands
Land your planes in Siam

Place new units
Transports and troops in SZ6, Factory in FIC

Collect Income
$56 Income
= $56

Japan Turn 3

Purchase new units
1 Minor Fictory in Malaya, Troops in FIC and Japan

Combat Movement
Attack Sumatra
Attack China
Destroy ANZAC blockers so Imperial Fleet can invade Sydney next turn

Noncombat movement
Move two new transports to Imperial Fleet at Caroline Islands
Send your air force to Western Australia

Place new units
Factory in Malaya, troops in FIC and Japan

Collect Income
$60 Income
$5 Bonus
= $65

Japan Turn 4

Purchase new units
Buy more troops and start expanding your fleet

Combat Movement
Crush Sydney
Push to India
Push into China

Noncombat movement
What is needed

Place new units
Dependent on buy

Collect Income
$65 Income
$10 Bonus
$5 ANZAC Income
= $80

Personally I am convinced I found the best way to play Russia.

In my last game I did not build a single normal infantry (lots and lots of mechanized infantry instead) and I got a mass of troops very fast to could both north, south and east to advances. My luck is that my enemies have not mastered the Italian can opening and feel obliged to keep the baltic fleet alive against USA bonber spam however so this is really in my advantage.

You start with lots of infantry as Russia so logically the first buy is always minimum 6 artillery, you could even opt 9 so the South depending on Germany buy. These artillery greatly enhance your starting troops and later your mechanized infantry. Make sure you lose those initial infantry on both offense and defense while preserving your other precious troops.

Gargantua proposed 6 tanks but I prefer that initial artillery buy and start buying some tanks per turn afterwards. Novgorod and Bryansk are your strong points.

Put effort in holding the Eastern countries and save China as long as possible, this provides Russia with lots of earned IPC while all troops (besides the Siberians) can 100% focus on Germany. For me it it usually Russia north, China west, USA east and UK + Anzac south hurting Japan from 3 sides if it decides to commit to a place. I have absolutely started to love the Guerilla China so extremely difficult to kill completely.

With the S125 bonus and the East I was making around 38 IPC per turn for a long time, buying 5 mech and 3 tanks per turn. Because of all your troops being mechanized (and thus able to move 2 spaces) I find the two fighters and tactical bomber sufficient as airforce and rather buy 2 tanks or a tank + mech instead.

Again the Allies returned from a convincing victory over the Axis. Especially there synergy between heavy bomber builds from USA (100% first 4 turns) worked very well again as Germany tried to keep control over the Baltic / Leningrad.

Russia build
6 art, 3 mech
3 tank, 5 mech for about 4 turns
Since turn 6 I was expanding rapidly as Germany was overwhelmed at all sides.

Pacific also worked very well again, I even got to save the flying tigers to the end of the game. Lost all chinese and siberian forces but stayed alive long enough to mess up Japan plans and forced them to retreat back instead of full out UK that could therefore survive and later on counter-attack also.

Next time I am Allies and will likely do either Russia Crush or Afrika Korps.

How do you do a standard and effective Russia crush? (builds, DOW and advances?)

Hello there!

Tomorrow I am Russia, USA and China again and will use the Bright Skies + Red Tide strategy again for a third time before I get to play the Axis again. The last two games were very succesful doing this strategy.

Lessons so far:

Bright Skies: USA bomber opening (2 turns) to destroy baltic fleet

Red Tide: a combination of artillery, mechanized infantry and tanks combined with Russian geographical advantage leads to a counter-charging Russia for their defense.

By sending early USA bomber fleet to Europe map they can take out baltic fleet or force Germany to expand its fleet. Both are great for Russia and equals Germany and Russia in power.

Russia will concentrate north to save time, can attack Scandinavia but also retreat to Moscoe, however will always be ready to strike for a counter-attack. Russia will be played with hit and run, many small battles with reserves to tire out Germany.

Best defense for Russia is offense as it negates Germany greatest strength: luftwaffe. Air can strike on offense but not participate in defense.

Italy can can-open but only from turn 4 onwards, by then time has been buyed against Germany. Also USA initial fleet will destroy Italy as there is war.

Russia keeps Siberian forces in the north to work together with UK and USA to give China more time to survive. China alive means a safe eastern border for Russia and lots of saved IPC needed for the war.

@WILD:

@weddingsinger:

I usually play as Axis, but in the past the worst problem for me is if the U.S. can gather its starting assets together, maybe a US1 buy, too, all of Japan’s starting isn’t enough to fend it off, so you either have to abandon SZ6, or overspend to keep up, which leaves the money islands vulnerable.

Its why, as Japan, I now prefer J1 and taking out Hawaii and Philippines.  At most you lose a sub, putting the U.S. behind for a change while your other assets shield your transports from the weak Anzac fleet.

I agree, but as discussed I generally do a hit and run on the Hawaiian fleet, and end up at Wake with about 1/2 the IJN. I typically lose a sub and dd in the sz26 battle, and also my dd blocker left in sz26 in the US counter attack for a total of 3 ships (1ss, and 2 dds). I still think it is well worth doing though. Hitting both sz26, and sz35 will kill off 47 IPCs worth of US navy, plus the Phil ftr making it 57 IPCs in navy/air. That is more then the spending allowance of the US in the first turn (52 IPCs). These are units that would get away in a J2 or later attack in most cases. Then add the Brit BB and territorial gains and yea it is a pretty damn strong opening move.

Sucker punching the US in the face causes some issues for them, and they will be torn on what side to build on. If they go Pac they are way behind so can’t challenge the Japanese for several turns. They would need to spend most of their income in the Pac for 2-3 turns just to get to even par w/Japan (and the Germans will love it). Yea they can probably send the home fleet up to Hawaii on the first turn as long as the Anz backs them up, but they really can’t do anything once they get there. Maybe move to the safety of Queensland and wait for their supply chain to catch up. The Japanese can just hop scotch to Caroline’s then probably to Philippines where they set up a defensive posture (maybe merging some more of the Imperial navy/air force).

I don’t see the US sending the home fleet over to Europe (something they do on occasion), because then there is no chance in the Pac. So if they want to go Europe they pretty much have to start from scratch because they only have a cruiser and transport. So going Europe means the Japanese don’t have to worry for a long time.

Oh BTW if you really want to F with the US have the Germans hit the US 101 mini fleet G1 with a sub (when you know there will be a J1 attack). If you get lucky the cruiser may not even get to fire, and the transport sinks too.

Very nice idea, will try it out as Axis this year

@Omega1759:

@Afrikakorps:

Is this really true? Imagine turn 6 that Germany has Caucasus in Russia Crush

Germany has around +75 with Afrika Korps
Germany has around +53 with Russia Crush

Italy has around +20 with Afrika Korps
Italy has around +3 with Russia Crush

Germany + Italy have around +95 with Afrika Korps
Germany + Italy have arouns +56 with Russia Crush

Nearly twice as much!

Yes, you have to kill a lot more non-Allied infantry to achieve this, but you can achieve this nonetheless (if it works). Besides that, you have your 7th VC, so when you take Moscow you win the game. Around the time that you take Moscow with Russia Crush you face a heavily reinforced Middle East and possibly being supported by the USA.

The only thing that gives me difficulties is Spain! It is absolutely not a place where I want to send initial troops to take it G3, Italy is to weak to do it after Turkey I3 and nothing stops the UK or USA from taking it turn 3 when I want to do India Crush J4.

There is one big upside though, I personally think Spain is a trap for the Allies. Nothing within reach of importance and enormour production output for the Axis to defend against it. Much better USA focuses on holding / expanding Spain, than infesting the Med, amphibious assault on Rome or Egypt and convoying Italy to death. After all, Spain can maximally just produce 3 units + landing troops of which 1 infantry per transport.

I do find my France attack risky, with only 7 infantry, 3 artillery and 6 tanks? With the Romanian buy the UK might full scramble so need all Luftwaffe. I might send in the German Tactical? Do you think it is enough?

Do you want to try your strategy? I’ll take allies and we’ll see how it goes.

Yes love to, but travelling until end March currently and last time I tried to play online it was frustrating and could not figure it out yet.

Is this really true? Imagine turn 6 that Germany has Caucasus in Russia Crush

Germany has around +75 with Afrika Korps
Germany has around +53 with Russia Crush

Italy has around +20 with Afrika Korps
Italy has around +3 with Russia Crush

Germany + Italy have around +95 with Afrika Korps
Germany + Italy have arouns +56 with Russia Crush

Nearly twice as much!

Yes, you have to kill a lot more non-Allied infantry to achieve this, but you can achieve this nonetheless (if it works). Besides that, you have your 7th VC, so when you take Moscow you win the game. Around the time that you take Moscow with Russia Crush you face a heavily reinforced Middle East and possibly being supported by the USA.

The only thing that gives me difficulties is Spain! It is absolutely not a place where I want to send initial troops to take it G3, Italy is to weak to do it after Turkey I3 and nothing stops the UK or USA from taking it turn 3 when I want to do India Crush J4.

There is one big upside though, I personally think Spain is a trap for the Allies. Nothing within reach of importance and enormour production output for the Axis to defend against it. Much better USA focuses on holding / expanding Spain, than infesting the Med, amphibious assault on Rome or Egypt and convoying Italy to death. After all, Spain can maximally just produce 3 units + landing troops of which 1 infantry per transport.

I do find my France attack risky, with only 7 infantry, 3 artillery and 6 tanks? With the Romanian buy the UK might full scramble so need all Luftwaffe. I might send in the German Tactical? Do you think it is enough?

@Maxiheimer:

Hi Africakorps,

I have followed this thread with great enthusiasm, and think its great when somebody tries to re-think the way this game is played.
I would really like to give this strat a go my self.
Is the game plan in your initial post updated according to all the input other players have responded with?

Great! I also can not wait to finally test it out myself.

No not yet, I will update it the following days. Now it is still the old version, although the theory has remained the same.

Also, the current plan and build assumes the highest possible reinforcements and focus of the UK in the Middle East and Egypt. It assumes the Toronto attack. All other options will benefit me and I will be able to devote less to the UK there and more to Russia. Keep in mind that Japan will threaten India from its first turn, so it is unlikely that the Indian airplanes come to the Middle East.

Then more personal based. We have never done a Neutral Crush so early and it is very rare, so my opponents will be deceived and surprised this first time I use the strategy. Secondly, I have punished them several times of not defending London, so sort of auto-buy has become the fighter and 6 inf give me 1more turn

You are right that the USA will using the Spanish beachhead and Russia will have enough forces to either counter-attack or at least not be being crushed yet.

However by killing the UK in the Middle East and taking over both the gold as the oil (it does not matter that Caucasus is skirmishes instead of absolute control around this time) you have changed the situation for the Axis drasticly.

Germany is a juggernout with 70/80+ IPC and two strong strategic fleets difficult to snipe with bombers. Italy has its NO’s and therefore very healthy, able to defend Italy on its own and maybe even strong enough to man Fort Europa, allowing Germany to focus on the offense only. I do not need Spain retaken every turn, I can even lose France if I must. It will not matter, I will have the IPC to spawn infantry and artillery in Western Germany against UK/USA and Romania against Russia.

Normally you need to have a clear advantage against Russia in G4, because if you don’t, the Western Allies come and break you down. You only have enough IPC to focus on 1 side at a time. My suggestion is that when you captured the oil and gold, this is not the case anymore. You can take it steady but slowly, as your internal logistics and economy is very well organized.

PS. Ah I see what you mean with the French! Yes indeed they must not be allowed to flee in F1 to block in F2 to Italy.

@weddingsinger:

@Gargantua:

Because Russia faces the “accordion” and the “Can Opener”  it’s only real oppurtunites are on it’s turn of attack; or atleast, forcing the enemy to be weary of such attacks.

When building defensively only,  the germans don’t have to worry about making missteps or mistakes,  they are never caught on them.  When you change the game up, with russian offense,  suddenly the balance is very delicate.

How about fighters instead of tanks?  I usually am Axis, so I haven’t worked out much about Russia myself, but am curious about things like fighters, which can both be used for counter attacks without ending up at risk themselves, and scrambled in SZ 115 and maybe keep Russia’s fleet, or at least force Germany to spend more on navy than it wants.  And, as a bonus, help counter the bombings.

But maybe I just think that would be so useful because it would play well against my Germany strategies, which include constant bombings of Russian factories, amphibious assaults of Leningrad with my Sea Lion assets.

I’m also curious about Russia being aggressive into Finland/Norway.  I’m thinking next time I’m the Allies, I’ll put pressure on Germany’s navy because, among other things, it means Scandanavia is lost to them easily.

Take a look at the Bright Skies strategy how to do exactly rhat!

@WILD:

Afrikakorps just reading through your last couple post I think you can probably get Egypt on G3 if Italy opens up the Turkish straights (although I havn’t ran the numbers w/possible UK movement, builds and reinforcement). If the Germans fail to take it down, the Italians will finish it off on Ity3 (they must be at Alex Ity2 w/Luftwaffe backing them up). The one hitch that I can see (as remote as it might be) is that the French dd moves to the Red Sea on F1 (normal), and got really lucky and managed to sink your Italian cruiser/transports in sz99, survived the battle to block out the Germans (which is a possibility lol)

As the allies seeing you built that Romanian Major I will feel all warm and fuzzy inside as UK (no Sea Lion), but see it as a threat to the Russians. Egypt and Persia would be my focus for UK (which I realize could work right into your hands). Might build a minor IC on Egypt UK1, and/or a carrier or transport for S Africa?. I also sometimes build an an air base for Egypt which would force you to account for my scramble on G3 (ties up some of your German air power). The UK Med fleet would probably be gone (Taranto), but the UK Pac fleet would defiantly be heading that way to take its place (possibly joining a new carrier built in S Africa?). With most of your emphasis in the Black Sea G2/G3, Russia will get aggressive. If you split your starting ground forces to go north and south you will find more Russian resistance then you are used to, and a series of counter attacks. Leningrad won’t be a cake walk, and you may find yourself having to defend your own assets up there.

The thing is that the Western allies would love to get into a naval race with the Euro twins, because that means they aren’t building troops to take Moscow early on. Both London and Moscow will feel safe for at least the first 8-10 turns. As soon as you drop those expensive capital ships in the Black Sea G2/G3, the allies will make them a target (thinking they are trapped). The western allies will see this as a challenge and w/o much resistance in the Atlantic the US very well may build up fleet in DC, which will end up being the Spanish Beach Head after the Turkish assault. Don’t think the Euro axis can defend a landing in Spain (Germany would have to kill off the 6 free Spaniards in the 3rd turn if the Japanese attack J3) and push into Northern Africa, Middle East and Southern/Northern Russia all at the same time.

Interesting take though, imagine if the Allies were planing a neutral crush as well lol

Great you see it. Germany will have a tactical in Rome so I can sacrifice the sub and the tactical when France get lucky and two hits.

Yes thats de he thing, the UK thinks: yes he is all Russia and might invests in Cairo. At the other hand Russia thimks oh shit, he comes for me, and buys + plays with defensive mindset. Second turn can still be Russiam focused. Maybe UK builds another factory in Iran. Now I2 I play my trump cart with Turkey, and G3 I take unsuspected Egypt (that I weakened with I2 Africa attack). In the meantime 3 tanks and 4 mech from the Afrika Korps roll in the ME. Both fleet + armour can take Iran next turn, eliminating the UK while possibly giving me two more production zones against Russia.

Yes Russia will have easier time at the beginning. However I hope by my first 2 buys he will think and play defensive (therefore lacking counter-attack builds and options). Especially with the fleet in SZ100, he is not able to hold it, so might withdrawn to Stalingrad or Moscow.

Leningrad is difficult, especially because of Sweden crush. Therefore the Baltic Fleet buy, to get those troops to Leningrad G4 after they crushed Sweden G3.

Explanation of the Romanian Major

Afrika Korps focuses on getting Egypt and Southern Russia fast because of the $$. The only way to do this with success is to eliminate the UK in the Middle East. Therefore its aim to re-balance the game into long term Axis favour instead of short term. It assumes that when the Axis control the oil and gold when they start the war with the USA, they are able both crush Russia as hold off the Allies at the Western Front.

The other focus of Germany is on Leningrad, as the most easy Russian city to overpower and conquer from Germany itself. Therefore most initial land troops go towards Leningrad, while the mechanized Afrika Korps invades the Middle East / Caucasus through Turkey.

This leaves a weak spot at the border of Romania, a place difficult to reinforce with normal infantry. Personally I love infantry and artillery as Germany, because they are still great on the offensive with my Luftwaffe, but I don’t mind losing them on the counter-attack (in constrast to tanks). The Romanian Major cancels this weakness and allow me to quickly hold or overpower any Russian assault or defense there.

However it is also able to greatly empower the surprise blitzkrieg through Turkey by adding Infantry or more importantly, to take Egypt and the Caucasus at the same time. Also the UK power in Egypt of that of Russia in stalingrad should not be underestimated. The German Tropical fleet will be able to funnel cheap troops to wherever I want from G3 onwards.

Finally its fleet will be farthest away from USA bombers or UK airforce when the Middle East, Cairo and Southern Russia is captured, so I could it as fleet building zone even while the Med is being invaded by a large USA fleet.

As my next game I will play the USA and USSR again, I will perfect my play with them. Gargantia if you are still around, how does your China usually look when you retreat the Siberians?

Current Afrika Korps builds

G1: build Romanian major - 30
G2: build Battleship, Aircraft Carier, 3 Transports - 57
G3: build Destroyer, Aircraft Carrier, 3 Transports - 43

I1: build Transport (Turkey) - 7
I2: build Transport (Gibraltar) - 7
I3: build troops/fleet

J1: build 3 Transports - 21
J2: build 4 Transports - 28
J3: build naval base FIC - 15

Targets
G1: UK fleet, France, Yugoslavia strafe into Romania
G2: Rest of France, Taranto left over, Greece
G3: Egypt, Caucasus, Sweden, Iraq, Russian Frontier
G4: Spain, Leningrad, Iran, Russian frontier

I1: Yugoslavia, Reinforce Tobruk and Ethiopia, keep fleet in SZ95. Advance in Africa.
I2: Turkey with 1 bomber, 2 fighter, 2 tanks, 2 artillery, 2 infantry and 1 cruiser bombard. Egypt to inflict some casualties for the German attack.
I3: Gibraltar
I4: Defend against USA

J1: China, move fleet south
J2: China, FIC, move fleet to position
J3: China, attack UK where you can also attack India from
J4: India
J5: other 2 Money Islands,
J6-8: Philippines, Sydney

Likely IPC income
G1: 68
G2: 54
G3: 70
G4: 85

I1: 16
I2: 20
I3: 27
I4: 35

J1: 40
J2: 35
J3: 53
J4: 64+12

Likely income for UK
Europe 1: 35
Pacific 1: 21

Europe 2: 29 (lost control over the med)
Pacific 2: 25

Europe 3: 30 (lost egypt)
Pacific 3: 13

Europe 4: 30 (lost the middle east)
Pacific 4: 0

It access to Southern Africa and South America neutrals will stabilize the UK Europe income, but their forces will be isolated and difficult to send to where needed. This gives Italy and Germany ability to keep the med and start taking over Africa or at least keep Northen Africa under control.

@thespaceman:

I think both sides should see the neutrals as the enemy and aim to crush them if the opportunity arises.

If axis can get turkey spain portugal sweden. It cancels out the ipc from south america.

Turkey is a great way to gain access to the middle east. The other options are by sea or through rostov. If italy can open that door it makes life a lot easier for the axis.

If the allies are unprepared then axis can easily grab a stack of territories.

I think that Japan will have to go hard against Russia and germany still needs to go hard to at least to leningrad and or sevastopol so that the Russians dont go having it too easy.

I think that uk factory build in persia iraq and a us landing on morroco could cause further problems for this strategy.

Uk and russia could also team up against fin/swe/nor which would be costly and difficult if all of germany’s ships are in the med. I would probably keep the baltic fleet there and reinforce the northern attack on russia to keep that area strong and busy while the bulk of the axis europe forces go south.

Good analysis, I agree on them all. I think Japan should wait with declaring war, so JDOW3 or JDOW4 and crush China + Russia in the meantime, preparing for an Indian Crush in J4 or J5.

Keeping the Baltic Fleet in place is crucial, as otherwise indefesible against UK or Russia sneak attacks. However German fleet in the med also crucial. My first idea was build new fleet in G1, second idea was to build fleet in G2 Southern France but my current and I think best idea is to build German fleet in the Black Sea, so minor or major in Romania G1 (I will go major). If you are going to crush neutrality, why not optimize it?

German fleet builds in Black Sea allows fast acccess to Egypt, Middle East and Southern Russia, while far away from USA reach.

Ofcourse this all needs investment which means less/no troops in first two turns. I hope to cancel this out by using diplomacy to my advantage against the Allies.

@taamvan:

Your plan?  Yes, dave goes through Turkey to slay the middle east, from time to time.   The most direct path avoids this and just pours units into Russia but UK has a bastion in the ME with some relief and that’s what your cool plan was trying to lance

Great to hear! Yes exactly! Good to know it has been used with succes.

Do you have by accident his battle logs he did this or short summaries of those games if it was against you on the board? In March going to be Allies for the last time, but hope to play as Axis several times after that.

Has anyonr tried it already?