Posts made by Ozone27

I’m w/ Jondifool: I build up India as a base w/ which to block Japan 1st turn with the purchase of an IC. I will try to protect the IC with at least 1 (preferably 2) INF transported from Syria and/or Egypt. I figure I can handle the Gerry’s in Africa (although this is admittedly a risk) while the USA (in a relatively protected position in East USA) can majorly help! The way I figure, SOMEBODY has to give Japan at least token resistance and as the owner of the most valuable Allied territory in East Asia at the start of the game, UK might as well be it.

Just my $0.02.

Ozone27

A pretty good strategy for the standard “Assault-on-Hawaii” scenario, but you are aware that the BB you mentioned cannot be used in the attack this turn…right? BB’s can only utilize their “Bombard” ability if they are not involved in a naval battle that turn, and a BB cannot be voluntarily kept out of a battle it is present for…

When I decide an attack on Hawaii is necessary I move 1 FTR from Phillippines, 1 BMR from Japan, 1 SUB, 1 BB, and 1 CV to Hawaii SZ, w/ a TR including 1 INF from Japan and 1 from Wake Isl. along w/ the FTR from the CV to attack the Island itself. Everything else is still available for an attack on mainland Asia. Keep in mind that the USA wants you DEAD and a massive force (coupled w/ taking the Island) is MOST NECESSARY to ensure success vs. a counterattack.

Ozone27

[ This Message was edited by: Ozone27 on 2002-02-27 20:07 ]

A bit off-topic, but I take exception to the dissing of “French generals”. The French were defeated in WWII partly because of outdated strategy (massing troops in forward positions, over-reliance on fortifications, inadequate air defense, etc.), and partly because of political weakness. The 1st was a flaw most World Powers had prior to WWII that France suffered most from because she was one of the 1st states attacked by Germany; the second was one which all Democratic powers suffer from time and again–1939 was just a particularly bad time for it.

I would like to point out to all present that France nearly took over Europe in the early 1800’s (under Napoleon)and amassed an Empire (albeit briefly) that DWARFED Hitler’s–and “French Generalship” should be respected just as much as any…

Sorry, pet peeve of mine–I am not even of French descent… :grin:
Ozone27

Yes, movement over the Suez Canal is a wierd one. We always play it as Egypt-Iraq = 1 movement, Red Sea-East Med=1 movement and vice verse–so its a kind of crossroads. Panama is wierd too, with the Naval aspect at least. I just drew a short line between the two land territories and made the two seazones separate, to reflect the rules.

Ozone27

“Grammar”

G-R-A-M-M-A-R

“Grammar”.

Ozone27

It depends on your circumstances. If you decide (as Germany) to move your fleet to the Western Med for any reason, taking Gibraltar is a good idea if you haven’t already. Sometimes if I have a couple spare subs, I’ll move the fleet to the Western Med so the next turn they can hit the Atlantic in a number of locations while the fleet retreats back to Central Med–in this event, control of Gibraltar is essential. Basically, I see taking Gibraltar as a defensive measure in anticipation of Allied air attacks: its all part of a strategy of taking and holding control of the Mediterranean.

Again, just my $0.02.

Ozone27

I’ve been reading a lot about Napoleon Bonaparte and am wondering–has anybody tried taking over Ireland as Germany early in the game? It is a “named island” and therefore available to land on. You could theoretically use it as a cheap CV in the Atlantic, and an IC there, while expensive, could be used to augment the defense. Best part would be that its not adjacent to Karelia! Please give me your thoughts…

Ozone27

I did once and highly regretted it. Japan had attacked India, taken it, lost it taken it back…etc. They called on Germany (I, conqueror of Africa) to help and I took it myself w/ 2 ARM. Unfortunately, Japan chose not to reinforce me and the USSR took India back. Japan took India AGAIN and begged me to land a FTR for defense and I did. They promptly moved OUT and left my precious FTR to die alone. Needless to say I never played alongside this guy again–at least while he was Japan.

Ozone27

On 2002-02-15 05:01, Usul513 wrote:
I like to take Africa as Germany, then once India has been taken, (or evacuated), take a transport or two to go take new zealand, austrailia, madagascar, and then drop the remaining troops in Africa for defense. Hey, if I have an extra man and tranny, I might even use Yanny’s idea and put an IC in switzerland!

Man, who are you playing against? If it’s a human being, then I must request a briefing of your strategy–these results are incredible! I figure its a good game if I (as Germany) still have a Navy on the last turn…

Ozone27

If you are talking about A & A classic, standard rules, then BB’s are normal and require only a single hit to sink them, just like other pieces. However “2-hit BB’s” is a common house rule in classic A & A and many players enjoy it.

Ozone27

It’s the same old German Trans-Atlantic Problem: If you throw a lightly-armed fleet (that is 1 BB w/ a few TR w/ maybe a couple subs) out past Gibraltar, whether you are going for UK, USA or Brazil/Central America, the Allies will TOTALLY see it coming and reinforce the territories and/or annihilate your fleet. If you build up the fleet w/ a CV and a few fighters, your European forces could be so weakened that you could be invaded before any effect is achieved. Therefore usually (though not always) if Germany takes Brazil, the game is already over–the Axis have pretty much whomped the Allies.
Regardless of these musings, know this for a fact: the USA player is very aware that Brazil is the boards ONLY unoccupied 3-IPC territory, and will be keeping a close eye on it. The idea of “sneaking” a German fleet under their noses to South America, while tantalizing, is not often a viable prospect.

Just my $0.02 on the matter.

Ozone27

The only way I’ve found is to take great care not to take unnecessary risks with the fleet and to make the Allies CHOOSE between sinking the fleet and performing some other equally pressing action. Having a few ships GREATLY helps–try building 2 TR and a sub along w/ the BB. In the event of a “suicide sttack” becoming necessary, the sub may be good for a couple hits, and if the Allies do attack, you might be able to lose a sub and a TR and save 1 TR for the next turn. Backing up the BB never hurts: while your fleet will never be very strong in reality, you can often intimidate the Allies just by having a ship capable of scoring 1 reliable hit every round of combat backed up by a few “cannon-fodder”.

Above all, don’t get too attached to the fleet: build it up, cherish every moment you get to spend with it–but when and if it is sunk, don’t let this get you down. Have a reliable plan ready for this event!

Ozone27

Seems to me you’ve got a 50-50 chance of taking Egypt as Germany T1 with just what you have in Africa anyway. A FTR increases the odds. Put in another ARM and add a TR and you’re doing pretty good. Why put 8 INF in there if you don’t have to? Do you know what that 8 INF could do for you on the Eastern Front?
As far as UK is concerned I can’t see how a 30-IPC investment in Industrial Complexes to defend a continent worth an extra 9-IPCs to the Germans can possibly be viable. 30 IPCs could buy you a HOST of other potentially more useful items in other areas (for instance a CV and FTR in North Sea or an IC and 3 ARM teh following turn in India). Putting 2 IPCs in Africa (or even 1 in my humble opinion) would be like USSR putting an IC in Yakut: sure it might secure the far east against the Japanese, but it would require SO MUCH CASH as to be an empty gesture: the Axis would defeat you in other more decisive theaters while you were spending your limited resources elsewhere. You can defend Africa (or as Germany, take Africa) with less resources than this.

Ozone27

A Japanese attack on India (if reinforced as above) can work, but its iffy. At maximum, Japan can attack w/ 2 INF from Burma, 2 INF from the Philippine TR, 1 FTR from Burma, 1 FTR from Manchuria and a BMR from Japan–facing 4 INF 1 FTR in India. 1 FTR from the Carolines CV must be used to sink the UK TR. These are fairly decent odds: except that they pretty much preclude any other attack that turn unless you want to hit Hawaii w/ purely BB’s and 1 sub! Or hit China w/ 5 INF 1 FTR–either way, you face HEAVY losses by the end of the turn. Not to mention that the attack on India could itself lead to such losses that the US could retake it w/ 2 INF & 1 FTR: very bad news. I like this move because it forces Japan to react to the UK, not vice verse. Of course it also requires a heavy commitment by UK to the Far East, which may be bad for the Western Allies if the USA isn’t on the ball. I dunno, but I DO know that at least 1 Ally should spend at least some IPCs countering or at least slowing Japan, or USSR can be quickly surrounded.

Just my $0.02…

Ozone27

Oh–1 FTR from the Philippines could also hit the UK TR. You can switch around the forces however you want, but my point was that this is the MAXIMUM you could throw at India T1.

[ This Message was edited by: Ozone27 on 2002-02-11 22:20 ]

But on UKs turn they could beef up those 2 INF by using the TR in India to pick up 1INF from Syria-Iraq, 1 INF from Egypt (if it lives) and bring them back to India. Would seriously weaken Africa, but you could Transport more guys there from UK…? This way you could put down an IC in India T1 and feel fairly secure.

Just a thought…

Ozone27

All tha Allies should tooth-and-nail defend USSR territory. Taking UKs Empire is highly desireable to the Axis but nothing will win the game quicker than defeating Russia. My theory–USSR is in somewhat the same position as Germany: they must concentrate on the closest foe (Germany) while keeping the other (Japan) at bay while using the least possible IPC investment to do so. If you start pumping large numbers of forces into East Asia, you may prevent Japan from defeating you, but Germany will take advantage and destroy you.

Also, if Japan takes Yakut, the USSR should try to take it back. If it can’t, block them by putting INF in their way. DON’T let them march to the gates of Russia before countering them–they’ll just get so strong you will be forced to face them, allowing Germany to take over.

Ozone27

Sounds like your friend is spending a lot of dough on research. This will backfire on him in a big way. He will not get heavy bombers or long range aircraft all the time, not even most of the time. Before trying to take USA, use his weakness against him by conquering Africa. Fight USSR meanwhile and let USA make their dice rolls. You might get enough money to start rolling for your own research!

It sucks when someone wins after talking so much trash, but it happens. Study what he does and fight back next time. Also, tell him it’s easy to talk big as USA; safe behind their vast seas and prodigious economy. Make your friend play USSR or Germany next time–may shut him up!

Ozone27

But the ARM in Yakut CAN’T be used in Europe T2, and USSR has NO troops in Russia to speak of! So AT ABSOLUTE MOST USSR can attack Caucases on T2 with 3 INF unsupported, with 9 INF 2 FTR against Ukraine. My admittedly unscientific analysis says they’ll take it w/ probably 6 INF. Enough that Germany can waste them with their units in East Europe supported by FTRs and ARM from the rest of Europe. If Germany purchases a lot of INF and ARM T2, it is in fact USSR who will be in a bad way–plus if UK didn’t get crazy w/ the BMR T1, you should still be able to withdraw your fleet to South Europe and augment it w/ a TR: MAYBE you can salvage the situation in Africa T3–I dunno. Point is: the USSR situation has been ameliorated for now and the game should continue T3 w/ a good chance for an Axis victory.

Just my thoughts.

Ozone27

This is true. To get down to the nitty-gritty: as Germany you start the game making 32 IPCs a turn, right? So if it was just you and USSR in a straight fight, you’d waste them in a few turns, right? Problem is you’ve gotta deal with the threat from the Western Allies at the same time–and still have enough money to grind down Russia. That is the tough part. The trick is holding off the Western Allies from invading Europe WITH THE LEAST POSSIBLE IPC INVESTMENT, so the vast majority of your IPCs can be spent against USSR. You MUST increase your economy in order to have enough $$$ do do this. The more you can weaken USSR’s buying power, the better–try strategic bombing Karelia and hope you get lucky. Get your ally (Japan) to help by bombing USSR as well. The Allies will gang up on you–gang up on them whenever you can! Watch what USSR buys carefully–it will clue you in to what you need to buy to counter it. Remember as attacker you have the option to retreat–against USSR, at least, any battle where you score more hits against them than they against you can be a victory: the war against USSR is an economic war, and whoever can best manage their resources correctly will get stronger and stronger, while the enemy gets weaker and weaker. And the best advice is to play a few games as the Allies: once you get a feel for their tactics and strategic needs, you will be able to anticipate some of their moves and take measures to counter them.

Ozone27

Aha! The classic “Japan 1st Strategy”! It’s a good’un!:D

As far as USSR, I wouldn’t try the attack. You may get VERY lucky and cream Japan’s Manchu forces. But Japan MUST control Manchuria to be effective so what do you think they’ll do? Then you’vs lost all those guys and must commit resources to East Asia waaay too soon. I’m not the best USSR player but I will always try to maintain a force of 2 INF 1 ARM in Novosibirsk at all times. Then each turn if at all possible, 1 INF moves to Yakut and is replaced by 1 from Russia (while moving forces to SFEast if necessary). This force is a strategic reserve specifically for counterrattacks wherever the threat is, whether it be Yakut, Ssinkiang or Karelia (w/ the tank).

A word on colloquial nomenclature :grin: : when you guys use the term “tranny” to describe “transport” I think “transvestite”–the “short forms” are the same. Guess that’s what you get for living so close to San Francisco. :grin: Just an observation!

Ozone27