Best posts made by Private-Panic

@Wittmann It was a draw witt! Rescued by my marvellous G play of course 🤗

@Private-Panic I had incredible dice in Sinai Entek. Sorry!

@Druss If you are making custom boxes you are really getting in to this game, Mark. Glad to hear it! Look forward to seeing the pics. BTW you might want to expand your A&A collection at some point, which will give you the option of combining pieces from the different games, as I have done, which then requires a bigger box.

@shake118118 Yes - @J-o-C is correct

We had 9 players and elected to play 3 games – one each of 1942.2, Anniversary and 1914.

1942.2

Axis – Dale (Japan) & Dave (Germany)
Allies – Tomas @Dukla-passer

Tomas kindly provided this battle report.

Russia: Front line between G and R established from beginning in West Russia. R well defended and taking on average 24 ipc per turn. Just sitting and waiting and re-taking Karelia and Caucasus from G using its 4 fighters without any problem. At the end of the game 11 Allied fighters together with the rest of the units defending Russia meant that threat of invasion was very small.

Germany: Pretty quickly (and with a bit of luck) destroyed all enemy navy in Atlantic and Mediterranean. G troops enjoying the weather in Africa after UK (focusing on Russia and India) run away. Without enemy navy around all G forces were able to head towards Russia. At the end of the game G got hold of Caucasus and attempted an attack on Moscow but (after first round 16 hits vs 21 hits) the G generals realised that they liked it more in Caucasus so they turned tail. By this point American bombers were preventing any real reinforcement coming from G.

UK: India never in trouble. Big naval battle against J meant that at one point there was no J navy on the board. Fighters from India killed plenty of J units in China and successfully defended Moscow too.

Japan: Kings of the Pacific for few rounds. US navy destroyed pretty quickly. Two factories built in Asia but never really used to their full potential. J did get few units into Kazakh but only for one turn.

USA: Not wasting time with naval battles, instead building only bombers. Was able to do only 1 transport into R territory. It’s always nice to have 7/8 bombers per turn close to Berlin “just in case”.

As the day drew to a close both sides judged the game to be a draw.

Anniversary

Axis – Steve (Germany / Italy) & Mark @Credulous (Japan)
Allies – Mike @Aftertaste (Russia / USA) & Andrew @h0lym0nk (UK)

Steve has promised a battle report, which he or I will add to this thread when it is available.

1914

Central Powers – Adam @Private-Panic
Entente – Colin @GuiltyCol

Usual BoB house rules were agreed: max build in India of 4 units; land units move 2 if every territory involved is friendly.

Sticking to his tried and tested strategy of going for Russia – if it ain’t broke don’t fix it! – Adam followed a Kill Russia first strategy, while sending enough units west to give the Entente something to think about. This strategy was helped no end by G’s skilful naval victories in the North Sea and Atlantic (luck had nothing to do with it Colin!) The Kriegsmarine were to eventually sink 4 allied battleships and still had its starting battleship and two subs patrolling off Kiel at the end of the game.

German land forces also advanced deep into France, surprising themselves by their success. More importantly, G stacked Ukraine whilst reducing Russia to almost no territories beyond Moscow. A-H supported G in Ukraine with a sizeable force, while contesting northern Italy.

Turkey also had considerable success, capturing Sevastapol and pushing GB back towards India. By the end of the game T had a vastly superior force contesting India and had captured Egypt.

So far so good for the CPs! Masterful play by the author of this report! :clap:

R had saved almost every unit in its retreat to Moscow, meaning a significant garrison needing to be overcome there. :white_frowning_face: G delayed its attack on Moscow for as long as possible, building up its force in Ukraine, but eventually the Entente marshalled sufficient F, US and GB forces in northern France to force a G retreat. Over a number of turns G vacated France and Belgium and by the end of the game its stack sat in the Ruhr. Given the need to now focus everything it could to the west, G launched operation “Obliterate Moscow” with a slightly inferior force, expecting the A-H follow-up to finalise the CP victory. However, G lost the air battle and achieved a mere 21 hits vs R’s 38. Disaster! :cry:

Scenting victory, the Entente launched wave after wave of attacks on the Ruhr. F, GB and USA in turn threw themselves at the Siegfried Line (Adam had presciently built it a war early :star: ). Mounds of Entente dead piled up against the G defences. F retained a significant force contesting the Ruhr, but every GB and US division was destroyed. Yet the Entente had not even managed to kill all G’s infantry.

The follow-up attack into Moscow by A-H was moderately successful. While Moscow retained a significant garrison it was insufficient to attack the combined G & A-H stack and R income was almost non-existent. A-H also captured Venice and Piedmont in the final turns of the game.

Even so, the game was agreed to be a likely CP victory, as the capture of Moscow was some turns away.

Thanks Steve. Try not to kill too many brave Brits. Witt’s cowardly Frogs are fair game though.

@fenderbender4 Hi there. I certainly do not mean don’t attack anywhere. Where there are easy victories make the most of them. But don’t place a significant G force at the mercy of a superior R one.

@fatoumas said in A Genius First Move For Russia / 1941:

@Private-Panic

1. Do you play with bid for allies? If yes what is the recommended one? 8-12? Do you suggest a destroyer for UK? If yes on SZ10 or SZ14?

We put a GB destroyer off Canada - so a bid of 8 really.

2. At the end of R1 do you have 1 inf in Karelia and 1 inf on Caucasus? Most of the times i have everything on WR except 4 inf and 1 tank+ fighter in Caucasus.

You have to judge your opponent, but against a decent player I have nothing in either Karelia or Caucasus. It is all in WR.

3. Do you move the 2 inf from siberia to Urals in order to get it with the rest land units?What i do is to have 1 inf in Siberia and move the other 2 with the rest.

I move them all back to Moscow.

But these moves are “conditioned” by the opponents I play.

Thanks to Steve for the following battle report:

Anniversary
Axis – Steve (Germany / Italy) & Mark @Credulous (Japan)
Allies – Mike @Aftertaste (Russia / USA) & Andrew @h0lym0nk (UK)

Turn 1 – Spring/Summer 1942

The Japanese begin the year with 2 sweeping offensives, manoeuvring Taskforces so as to unleash concentrated airpower against allied forces in the Indian Ocean and off the coast of Hawaii threatening and ultimately forcing the withdrawal of both Commonwealth and United States Naval forces from these areas. Several Infantry divisions push their way through eastern China with the intention of fighting their way up the coast.

The Soviet commanders clearly began to believe their own propaganda and conceived of an ambitious plan to unleash a full blown assault across the whole German front. Army Groups’ North, Central and South all advance west with the intent of pushing the Germans back. The Germans had other plans however and manage to almost annihilate all but the South Army Group. The Soviets withdraw into the Caucasus and shore up their defences around Moscow.

After their successes in the east, Germany found herself in a very strong position and sent forces north into Karellia and successfully take and adapt the Russian industrial facilities and recently acquired Eastern labour for their own production needs. Meanwhile across the Mediterranean the Afrika Korps stationed in Libya were reinforced with units from the Balkans in the absence of Allied shipping. U-Boat Wolfpacks cross the Atlantic and sink several transports in Hudson Bay.

The British Empire sorted its accounts, production and despatch forces to the Hudson Bay to deal with the submarine threat. No Kriegsmarine returned.

For the Italians, Africa was a tempting target, with Egypt held with only a few British Divisions and so send more Italian units to Libya to bolster the German and Italian presence there. Other units are sent to France to help defend the Atlantic wall and the rest are sent toward the Eastern Front to partake in some of the glory that their German allies had recent enjoyed.

The United States prepare more materiel ready to be shipped to both the Pacific and Europe.

In the Far East Chinese forces manoeuvre in an attempt to concentrate their units for a defensive campaign against the Japanese.

Turn 2 – Autumn/Winter 1942

The Emperor’s Imperial forces continue their operations in China, forcing their way further along the Chinese coast and either obliterating or pushing Chinese forces out of their way.

Despite Soviet pride taking a hit during the previous seasons the Russian forces manage to push into and take Ukraine. Meanwhile more units are brought to bear in and around Moscow.

The German high command face a quandary and in the end hesitate with regards to taking out the Soviet capital and instead declare two large offensives into Archangel in the North and the Caucasus in the South. Both fall to the Axis and Soviet forces withdraw further into the Motherland. German Panzer production begins to increase almost exponentially with the abundance of captured resources and factories. Whilst Western Europe appears quiet more units are sent east to try and tie up the Russians.

Whilst Western Europe is certainly quiet, an Allied landing to relieve pressure on the Russians occurs in Norway, shifting the theatre of operations into Scandinavia and Northern Russia.

Italians forces in Southern Russia manage to push the Russians out of Ukraine. Meanwhile in North Africa a moderate contingent of Italian Divisions invade and take Egypt destroying all Commonwealth forces in Africa and the Middle East. Il Duce is thrilled as now both Japan and Italy have a clear path to India. More units are sent from Italy to the Atlantic wall and South Russia.

For the United States poor Roosevelt is getting pulled in all directions. Japanese expansion in the Pacific has MacArthur practically eating a Pipe a day. Meanwhile, Eisenhower wants US forces in Scandinavia to relieve the pressure on the Russians and Commonwealth forces. In the end more units are transported into Norway and a bombing campaign of Berlin commences in an attempt to stem the steel tide churning its way East.

Unfortunately for China the Japanese successes left few resources or stomach for fighting the invaders and units begin withdrawing to north-west China.

Turn 3 – Spring/Summer 1943

Japanese forces continue their operations in China, meanwhile more troops mobilise for the coming attack on India.

Russia turns to a policy of holding what they have. More units emerge around Moscow.

The Germans, pre-empting a western allied thrust into Karellia, reinforces the area and prepar to defend their factories. German troops also reinforce some parts of France and conquer Trans Jordan so as to open up the Suez canal for Italian naval operations.

As expected, the Commonwealth begin their offensive into Karellia, but are stopped by superior axis armour and tactics.

Italy, now with free access through the suez canal, ship an infantry division off to start taking British and former French overseas territories. Meanwhile, an armoured division blitzkrieg through central Africa, robbing the allies of more resources. In the Caucasus the Italians seize and adopt the Soviet industries they’ve captured.

For China, their country continues to be carved up by the marauding Japanese. Without any airpower to speak of or mechanised units the Chinese stay holed up in their North-western provinces.

With the US unable to show superiority in either Europe or the Pacific MacArthur moves his Taskforces to Wake island hoping that taking it might improve morale and home support for the war. A fear of long range Japanese airpower forces the US to keep their distance. In Europe the daylight raids over Berlin continue, however US losses are higher than anticipated and the frequency of bombing missions and their successes begins to tail off as the year continued.

Turn 4 – Autumn/Winter 1943

Japanese forces sweep in and take India. Since China is essentially out of the war, Japanese forces cross into eastern Russia bringing several armoured divisions and aircraft with them.

In the Soviet Union news of Japanese forces entering the country is met with little surprise and all available units are continually funnelled to Moscow.

With Moscow now heavily defended with perhaps 30 divisions and Karellia now having to withstand attacks from Scandinavia the Germans realise that they’ve most likely missed their opportunity to take Moscow without huge casualties. However with Japanese, Italian and German forces constantly arriving, Russia doesn’t seem like it will have much fight in her anyway. German factories continue to churn out more and more Panzer and Infantry division all destined for the eastern front and the Atlantic wall.

The UK, despite their financial losses, still have enough land units to threaten Germany in Russia and enough airpower to take on the vastly undervalued German fleet. The RAF enters the Baltic Sea and proceeds to sink everything it finds, leaving the whole of Western and Central Europe open to naval invasion by the allies. However, with so much of their overseas territories under Italian and Japanese control they can’t purchase enough units for another major landing. With the loss of German shipping, however, the whole of the North Atlantic is now open for Allied shipping.

Italy continues to seize African territory unopposed and Il Duce decides that perhaps a naval invasion of Brazil with impunity may just put the Allies noses out of joint. Unfortunately due to some manifests going missing during the Italian conquest of South Africa the ships required are not made available in time. Italian forces flank around Moscow meaning the Axis powers almost completely encircled the Russians.

For China their war is pretty much over. With few, if any recruits coming to Mao’s cause the Chinese are marginalised in their own lands.

US forces need a victory and send marines to the Soloman Islands, Japan loses their foothold but with Japanese supremacy across much of Asia and the Pacific the US are low on options following the gain.

Turn 5 – Spring/Summer 1944

1944 begins with the Japanese subjugating more and more of the Chinese and in their arrogance they decide to invade Alaska. Miraculously a small Japanese force successfully seizes this part of the US mainland without the Allies putting up a fight or indeed noticing.

For the Soviets they push the Italian forces out of their rear and begin sending units west to try and provide a buffer to delay any future German offensives. The Russians are reasonably successful, however they are unwilling to extend their forces too far from their Capital and the Russians defer to adopting small tactical victories instead of larger strategic ones.

With the North Atlantic, Baltic and English Channel now open to the allies the Germans push units into their Atlantic Wall. In the east they continue to reinforce Karellia as well, so as to keep pressure on the smaller contingent of Allies in Scandinavia and to keep Russia focused on Moscow. Germany also begins to build up its submarines wolfpacks again.

The Commonwealth cannot reach a decision on what to do. Pulling units out of Norway and Sweden to be shipped elsewhere would leave the Russians open and alone. Across the globe much of the British overseas territories are lost and each of Axis powers looks to exceed the combined Industrial Capacity of the Allies.

Diplomats are summoned and talks begin. Whilst fair to say that Russia may not have fallen to the Germans, with Italian and Japanese forces around a prolonged effort by all Axis powers is likely to have taken Moscow and with Italian and German production so high a strong flow of men and weapons would have kept flowing to keep the axis war machine running indefinitely.

Thanks Leo!

Steve - so many Americans claimed to have kicked British ass that it is hardly a distinction. American foundation mythology disguises the fact that without French help you would have lost!

I have seen it suggested that Cruisers should be house-ruled to have on-board AAA. Found it an interesting idea, although I have not as yet tried it.

@Admiral_Nimitz A strategy for the allies? Hmmm! 🤔

US keeps J busy in the Pacific while helping the UK to get a fleet off W Europe with pesky landings to rob the Russian front of G and J units. In this A&A variant it is relatively easy for G & J to combine in Caucasus, which can mean the end of Moscow.

Not very helpful is it!

Typically in turn 1 I might buy 2 inf for UK (1 for GB and the other for India) and 2 destroyers for US, probably one for each coast. The rest of the UK income being saved for a fleet deployment in turn 2. But all this depends on what the Axis do - where G planes are being a key example.

R just buys inf. I have very recently posted my ramblings on R strategy.

Early in the game the Axis are attacking and the Allies responding due to the difference in unit value on the board and the difficulty getting UK and US going. So Allied moves can vary considerably. But one constant is that UK should build a unit in India every turn.

We now have 14 players listed, with 11 to 13 of these coming on the 12th January.

At this rate we will soon be faced with needing to find a larger venue! :grin:

Can anyone explain what a combat hit differential of -5 actually means? Leo has tried but I am too thick to understand his accented English.

Here?

Using Triple A and posting turns on this forum. Or does that not work for you?

My preference is withdrawing to Moscow.

I don’t think I have yet lost Moscow before they get there, but with perhaps 20+ games of G40 under my belt there are plenty of lessons for me still to learn.

And quite often the Mongolia rule keeps Japan out of all but the three most easterly territories for quite a number of turns.

While those Amur units can slow down Japanese progress in China and/or India, it is easier for Germany to win this game than Japan. The defence of Moscow is much more crucial than those eastern territories. And if/when Moscow falls a saved Russian stack retreating to the Middle East can save the game for the Allies.

@barnee Do you mean their A&A game?! :game_die:

I am not in this game and yet I see Wittman is still addressing his inane comments to me! What do I have to do to lose him?:pray:

@djensen Every 3 months, with dates set 6 months in advance. In central England.

Happy to set up a date as early as you need if that makes things easier for you.

@Afrikakorps Hi. You are correct. The sub gets only one attack with each round of dice, so if it is able to conduct a surprise (or sneak) attack it does not get a further dice roll when all the other units involved are rolling.