Posts made by WILD BILL

Going back to #4 Yunnan. When I’m doing a J1 attack I’ve been toying with leaving Yunnan on J1 and stacking Hunan/Kwangsi (taking FIC, China can’t enter FIC). Then attack Yunnan with more units on J2. Yea they will build some art C1 that could give me trouble if they use them to attack, but they defend the same as inf. The UK can start moving in ground units slowly, but would they risk putting the air there when I have more then enough ground and air to sweep them all away. The only thing I haven’t encountered is if the Russians fly in their air to Yunnnan (as discussed in another post).

Anyway when doing a J1 attack the Japanese will be a little thin in ground units in Asia. Attacking Yunnan J1 will basically be trading it back n forth grinding up Japanese ground forces, so I’m just looking for a different way to go at it. Taking FIC J1 and building a minor J2 is helping in the long run.

I get the whole debate about leaving the Chinese alone because they have the ACME WALL and can’t leave China, but I just can’t give up the income and beating down a lesser opponent lol

@Cow:

^ I do this often, I prefer as USA, to send help faster with handful of bombers to Russia, since it makes it in time to defend against a big showdown… Sometimes Japan is crazy enough to attack into it because they know those forces are what holds Russia.

Yea Germany will be in the Japanese players ear to hit that $hit asap. Taking out 4-5 Russian planes and a few UK planes would lead to a much easier and earlier conquest of Moscow. Yea Japan would take a hit but once that multi national force is off the board Japan can refocus taking the rest of China and threaten India by land and sea. They could even skip India and threaten Persia/Egypt/S Africa helping w/Euro win.

@Requester45:

I feel as though this only furthers the uselessness of a AAA. I suppose that is why there are so many on the board to start the game. I don’t really see a point in transporting them unless you have nothing else to do.

AAA guns are helpful when you are making landings in Europe because the Germans have so many air units. Often times the USA will amphib say Normandy, and the UK will NCM ground/air right after to reinforce. London has mostly inf and a $hit ton of AAA guns so pairing them up and bringing a couple over makes good sense IMO.

@WILD:

@simon33:

Caesar is right. Earlier German DOWs give the investment a shorter pay off period, unless the Germans are repulsed. You can’t assume that will happen.

I disagree, if the Germans are coming G1/G2 you will be losing land/income faster. Russia getting Iraq will help replace the income lost. It is up to the allies to get ftrs to Moscow asap to stall the Germans in an early attack IMO.

@simon33:

Are you saying that you should assume the assault on Moscow would fail because of all the UK reinforcements?

No surely not (it’s a dice game LOL), but the whole idea is to defend Moscow making it a tough nut to crack. Maybe you can’t save it, but make it cost the Germans much more then they would like is my philosophy. As the allies (UK) I know that Moscow is going to need help in most cases. If the Germans attack early the UK is on the clock quicker to get some air power to Moscow. Also the Russians are losing territories earlier so the 5 IPCs for Iraq can make up some of that loss. The allies may not be able to stop the inevitable, but could very well delay it for a couple rounds. That extra time allows the Russians to buy more units. The delay might also allow the UK to get some ground units heading into the Caucasus (all depending on what else is going on in the game)

As a side note:
I see (from the other thread) that some are saying that Russia should take Persia and use those units to aid in the Iraq attack. Not too sure about that because the UK can active Persia on UK1, and I personally like the UK to have Persia for the income boost and a possible IC placement. Some say to never take Iraq w/Russia because you are sending units in the wrong direction, or that the UK might want to place an IC on both Persia and Iraq. I’m not too sure how often the the UK could build and support 2 Mid East IC’s, plus you might also have to defend both ICs against say a sea invasion by Japan.

Anyway I’m not advocating that Russia takes Iraq in every game, but I don’t see a problem taking it with a G1, G2 or G3 attack.  In a G3 attack the UK can open up NW Persia to allow the Russians to blitz through if you set it up.

@simon33:

Caesar is right. Earlier German DOWs give the investment a shorter pay off period, unless the Germans are repulsed. You can’t assume that will happen.

I disagree, if the Germans are coming G1/G2 you will be losing land/income faster. Russia getting Iraq will help replace the income lost. It is up to the allies to get ftrs to Moscow asap to stall the Germans in an early attack IMO.

@variance:

WILD BILL makes a good point. The axis should usually do something to make Taranto difficult, like add a German fighter and maybe sink the cruiser by Gibraltar

Also note worthy.

Point #5 for Russia sending units into the Mid East is something I often do. With that said I would still allow the UK to take Persia ASAP (most likely UK1) for a couple reasons. 1) Because if the Germans are slow boating wG3 attack it would be lost allied income. 2) Because the UK would make better use of the 2 inf IMO  3) Over 5 turns the income for Persia gives you a UK ftr that could be heading to Moscow. If the Germans didn’t attack Russia by G2 I would also have UK take NW Persia so the Russians can blitz into Iraq w/air power after a G3 attack (have Russia buy an extra mech?). Yea it could be a little more costly for the Russians but it also means they save a couple of their starting inf that would help to def the motherland. Also the Russians taking Iraq very well might entice a distraction to the axis to take it back. They don’t like when the Russians get that bonus.

Something I think that is missing from your framework is to do a Taronto or Tobruk attack. I think this falls with-in your guide lines as an opening move. Although you have listed mostly axis moves, you do say for both sides, and the UK is generally aggressive in the Med even when threatened.

I understand that there was a need to rule on this. I get that if a powers capital is captured that you didn’t want them to be able to purchase units or make repairs to facilities because they have no IPCs. Ships however don’t require IPCs for repair so IMHO I don’t think ship repairs should have been included in the  capture capital rules. To me how ship repairs are handled in this situation seems a little off.

OK London is captured by the axis (Calcutta still belongs to UK) so UK ships on the Euro side can’t be repaired at UK ports on the Euro map because they are part of the London econ. However those same ports can make repairs on US ships (or other allied ships). I just simply don’t see why those same ports have the men, tools and parts to fix US ships, but can’t repair their own UK ships. It’s like saying if London is captured the Gibraltar port allows US ships to move +1, but UK ships don’t get the movement bonus. Either the port is operational or it isn’t.

I also feel the same if Washington was captured that US ships can’t be repaired in other US ports, but UK ships could? So the Yorktown (US) and Victorious (UK) are both at Hawaii. The Victorious (which was on loan to the USA BTW) is repaired no problem. Sorry guys we’re going to have to scrap the Yorktown because maritime law prohibits us to make repairs to our own ships.

I think it would have been much cleaner to simply allow any functional port to make free repairs. There would be no need to go into captured capitals etc……and would be far less confusing IMO.

@simon33:

@WILD:

2. Once the Russians are at war with Japan the Russians have no movement restrictions on the Pac side. So yes you can fly Russian planes through China to get to India even if the UK/Japan are still at peace because the UK is not a neutral power.

Your first point is correct but this one isn’t.

@Pac:

As a result, if the Soviet Union is at war with Axis powers on only one map, it is still under the restrictions of being
a neutral power (see �Powers Not at War with One Another,� page 15) on the other map

So simon why is this point wrong? If the Russians are at war with Japan by the rule you quoted they would have no movement restrictions on the Pac side. Russia DOW on Japan in many games to send units into China to help prop them up. The UK has some restrictions about moving units into China if not at war w/Japan, but isn’t a neutral power so there are no restrictions stopping Russian planes from landing in India. So I see no problem with Russian units migrating to India through China.

@hcp:

Thank you for your detailed explanation!� Some follow-up questions:

1. Can I say that, after the first control marker is placed in a neutral territory (e.g. Persia, Finland) - then throughout the whole game such territory becomes a new “original territory” for the power who places the control marker on it the first time?

1b) For example, consider the story: UK1 gets Persia => G3 success Sealion => R3 gets Persia => R4 builds Persian factory => R5 produces three tanks => US5 liberate London

Then at the moment when London is liberated (US5), is that all things in Persia revert to UK-Europe control?� A UK control marker is placed on Persia at that moment?

2. When Russia is at war with Japan but not Germany, can Russia fly a plane first from Moscow to Szechwan/Yunnan, then from Szechwan/Yunnan to India?� Does UK-Pacific’s relationship with Japan affect whether Russia can fly the plane to India?

1. First off neutral territories are not considered to be original territories of the power that activates or captures them. Neutral territories are never liberated, they can only be captured. If Persia is activated by the UK then the only way Persia could become Russian is if the axis captured it from UK, and Russia took it from the axis. At that point it would be Russian and the liberation of London wouldn’t bring it back to the UK. BTW this is also how the DEI (Dutch East Indies) work. If the UK activates one of the Dutch islands and the Japanese capture it, but the US takes it from the Japanese it is now a US territory.

2. Once the Russians are at war with Japan the Russians have no movement restrictions on the Pac side. So yes you can fly Russian planes through China to get to India even if the UK/Japan are still at peace because the UK is not a neutral power.

Assuming you are talking about the allies, I agree that a fleet comprised from 2-3 powers is very effective for defense. A typical allied landing fleet would probably include a BB, cruiser, 2 loaded carriers and 3-4 dd’s. After that I would add carriers and/or destroyers as needed (mostly dd’s). I won’t generally buy cruisers, but will have the US buy a BB to back bone the fleet (in Europe). Of course it all depends on what the other side has that can hit you and where his planes are.

In this game (as in the war) the carrier is defiantly the king of the sea because of the attack/def of the planes. Plus your planes can be used in the ground attack if not needed in the sea battle. Once you take and hold the territory for a turn you may also be able to drop those carrier planes on land to defend and retreat the fleet to safety (or reload the carriers with new planes).

@hcp:

@WILD:

If there is a J1 attack w/Sea Lion build-up besides flying over the US bomber you could also bulk up allied ships/ftrs at Iceland on turn 1. Then on US2 a US ftr is also on London to defend. If the Germans attack the Iceland fleet (would have had to purchase a carrier G1 or some subs) they will lose some key units or expose their fleet to counter attack. Either way they wouldn’t be able to over power a well defended London (plus you may have saved parts of the UK navy).

Thank you.  I used to ignore Iceland’s role in defending London in case of J1 attack.

In case of J1/J2 attack (usually the Japanese fleet stack at sea zone 36), shall UK Pacific defend Malaya (with the 4 infantry and potentially UK/ANZAC fighters)?  I struggle between moving those force back to help later Calcutta defense or to diverse Japanese air force from attacking Yunnan/Szechwan stack.

I don’t think I would build up to def Malaya or Shan on UK1 w/air because the Japanese generally have a bunch of air power/carriers down there on J2 and you wouldn’t do much damage. When I’m playing Japan I generally would be targeting Malaya the turn after I take Phil to stop the Anz NO, so if I could also kill off the bulk of the UK/Anz ftrs at the same time to me that would be a bonus lol. Besides the Anz need those planes to help def the US fleet. Now if the Japanese are out of position, and it would be a close battle I might consider it.

If there is a J1 attack w/Sea Lion build-up besides flying over the US bomber you could also bulk up allied ships/ftrs at Iceland on turn 1. Then on US2 a US ftr is also on London to defend. If the Germans attack the Iceland fleet (would have had to purchase a carrier G1 or some subs) they will lose some key units or expose their fleet to counter attack. Either way they wouldn’t be able to over power a well defended London (plus you may have saved parts of the UK navy).

As for the Russian far east units I generally back them off, then if Japan is out of position move 6-12 inf/AA back towards Korea/Manch. I always leave at least a handful to stop a Japanese mechanized force from blitzing those far east territories, but often have 10-12 units heading back in case I need them to defend Moscow, or hold the back door against the Japanese cruising through China.

Nice post Skip, and welcome to AA.org. I like to read game reports like this, especially from players just getting started with G40. I assume that you have purchased the G40 2nd edition that has the latest rule set. I just wanted to point out that the USA can’t upgrade the Southern French IC to a major, and for example they couldn’t build a major on Norway either. The only territory any power can build a major IC on is their own original territories (not islands) worth 3 IPCs or more that have their flag printed on it. So it would also be illegal for Japan to build a major IC on Manchuria because it is an original Chinese territory (although Japan starts the game with it). Japan could however build a major on Korea if they wanted too.

Good gameing

Your other points are valid but the main reality that will determine the game is the push for Moscow in the middle of the map IMO.

I like J1 because I like to kill as many Allied units as possible early (Brit BB, Phil Island and mini fleet etc…). Plus I can start lowering the UK Pac income ASAP. Yes it will slow down the China crush a bit, but building some tps and a couple Asian mainland ICs will help with that.

Besides the normal J1 attacks, I often times will include a hit on the Pearl Harbor fleet too. By taking out both the Philippine and Hawaiian fleets the USA will be stunned (they lose 6 support ships). This will pin them back for a turn or two as they try to figure out what the hell just happened, giving you some much needed breathing room. You can hit the Hawaiian fleet J1 w/o sacrificing more then a sub, and a couple destroyers (maybe a plane) if done right. Attack sz26 with a sub, 2DD and 4 carrier planes. Then noncombat much of your remaining fleet (including 2 carriers and BB) to Wake to pick up your planes. The key is to have a Japanese destroyer survive the sz26 attack (lose a plane if necessary) so it acts as a blocker in sz26 so the US can’t use their San Fran fleet to attack you at Wake. Also taking Wake on J1 will leave the US with fewer planes able to attack you (nowhere to land, and insure a safe place for your air to land if the US does an ill advised air attack (I have found better use of that tpt, but comes w/more risk).

In a normal circumstance I wouldn’t build a minor on Scotland unless it was late in the game and the UK needed more production to fill transports heading to Europe. With that said as the UK you would be hard pressed to build more then 10 units per turn though because 5 inf/5 art is 35 IPCs. if for some reason you have more then that I would just sprinkle in some tanks.  An early IC build on Scotland would defiantly get the attention of the Germans as it is often a stepping stone for the invasion of London anyway. Even if the Axis weren’t thinking Sea Lion, it would be hard to pass up a gift like that as Germany LOL.

Now in the situation at hand (after the liberation of London) it really depends on how much income/territories the UK has at the time, and where the allies (UK) want/need to build. Maybe the UK has lost most of Africa, and will only be generating 15-20 IPc’s and wouldn’t be able to build more then a half dozen units for the next couple turns. They could also conclude that their focus be elsewhere once London is liberated. Maybe the English have IC’s in the Egypt/Middle East and want to produce in that theater. If that’s the case then they wouldn’t need 10 production up there because with their limited income they simply wouldn’t be building many units in their Island kingdom anyway.

A miner added to Scotland would give them 6 production, and save them 8 IPCs (vs upgrading the London IC back to a major). W/Scotland IC added you can still build 6 ground units per turn, and transport them to mainland Europe. Plus with your transport fleet based in sz110 you would still get the benefits of the London AB/NB.

On the other hand, if the allies are planning on using London as a base for invading Europe, then a major would be the way to go (although it could be several turns before the UK could meet that goal of 10 units per turn).

Just to add to wittmann, the Russians are played with different political rules on each map (Europe/Pacific). They are still one power though, so you can send units from the Euro side to the Pac side if you want. For example if you are at war w/Japan you can send Russian ground and air units that start on the Euro map into China to help prop them up (because the Chinese are also at war w/Japan). You could even send those Russian ftrs to Burma or India (via China) once the UK Pac is at war with Japan (but just because you can doesn’t mean you should LOL)

I can’t think of any reason to build a NB on Line Is. Even if you plan to bounce to the Atlantic it would be just as well to depart from San Fran sz10 where you already have a NB (both are 3 spaces to sz89). As the US you are looking for forward bases to operate in the Pacific, not working backwards? You need to interfere w/Japan in the South Pacific (Money Islands), and Line Is doesn’t get you anywhere near there. Plus Line isn’t a good place to set-up to defend against a more powerful Japan if you go heavy Europe either.

Better to stage off the coast of Queensland, or to have the US take the Caroline’s (both have AB/NB), and  the Anz can reinforce w/support ships and ftrs to scramble. Once you establish a good defensive posture you can start adding in subs/bmrs and go offense. Make the Japanese block you out feeding you destroyers that you take out with subs/air power. At some point hit hard w/USA, and have Anz clean up the Japanese Capital ships. You could also set up the Pac allies in a good defensive position and entice the Japanese to hit you, then clean up. Once Japan starts loosing big chucks of the Imperial Navy they fold up like a cheap suit.

@Amalec:

I send 12 Inf 1 AA back to Moscow and leave 6 Inf 1 AA in the East. It’s enough to get Moscow the manpower it needs while still keeping Japan honest*. They’ll usually be worth most of their value in preserved income by the time Germany can realistically attack Moscow anyway, and will pay off and then some if you dissuade Japan from the Far East altogether.

I said 30% of the time, but really I split them up sending most towards Moscow (didn’t have a split in the poll)

This is what I would normally do as well. 6 inf+AA stay to block Japan from easily taking my northern territories, and the other 12 +AA head back to defend Moscow. Plus I also find that the Japanese often pushes through China to my back door, and those Far East units are better use to me if they help prop up the Chinese wall or are in range to set-up defenses on Red territories as the Japanese close in (protecting the back door).

The only way I would leave them all out in nowhere land is if the allies are going all in on Japan and you might need those Russians to either take a hit chewing up Japanese units/air power, or to assist/def getting US units on the Russian/Chinese/Korean coast.