Global 1940 & 1943 Expansions Game Reports

[SuperbattleshipYamato]

@barnee

Exciting!

[SuperbattleshipYamato]

@barnee

I’m glad the Axis lasted way longer than historically.

[The Captain]

@barnee

Germany might consider from an early stage to upgrade their most vital Industrial Complexes to Underground Factories to avoid Strategic Bombing.

This would also free the Luftwaffe to take part in ground and naval battles instead.

The Luftwaffe is highly effective when their air units can act as a Mobile Fire Brigade - heavily supported by Waffen-SS units - both during attack and defense.

Great game with massive battles.

[Panzerstahl-Helm]

@barnee

And another fantastic game, which was open for quite a long time until the Allies finally got the upper hand!

Germany’s navy was initially heavily rearmed with the aim of giving the Mediterranean to the Axis and thus supporting the Italians in the capture of Africa and cutting the British off from the important revenue from their colonies. To ensure this, Gibraltar had to be taken and held at all costs, making this theatre of war a fiercely uncontested spot for most of the war. However, this perfidious Albion knew how to exploit this quite successfully, sending waves of paratroopers and landing troops to the German coasts in Western Europe turn after turn.
After the annexation of Italy, the German war machine was fired up again.
On the eastern front, the front line was bitterly contested and, apart from a brief advance far into the Russian north, the Wehrmacht was finished before Belarus. They were never able to reach the gates of Moscow.
The beginning of the end came with the bombing of the Ruhr area and the brief landing of Allied troops there. With the front now directly in the Reich’s territory, it was all over!

Japan had played a wild game in the first few turns and had given the Allies and especially the Americans and Australians, whose teeth Japan was able to pull out completely for a while, a real run for their money in the second half of the game.

Italy did more than well for its standards. The Mediterranean was free of Allied ships for most of the war. Economically, Italy was able to make extensive use of the Mediterranean region to keep its income at a high level. The price for this was a constant and relentless battle side by side with German troops against tireless wave after wave of American attacks in Gibraltar.

Despite all the supposed advantages, the Axis was unable to take advantage of the momentum or the action, and on the other hand, the Allied troops had an extremely talented commander on their side who ultimately brought the Axis powers to their knees!

[SuperbattleshipYamato]

@Panzerstahl-Helm

Sounds sad for the Axis. Hope you win next game. Feels like none of the posts here have Barnee losing (correct me if I’m wrong, my memory’s a bit fuzzy).

[The Captain]

@Panzerstahl-Helm

Great game report.

Reading our way through your game, we would like to add a few comments about the Combined Axis Strategic Plan:

1. Germany & Italy should both prepare for a German Take Over Of Italy in Late 1943. This is also the case even when Italy is expanding is Sphere of Control during the War.
   Why: Sooner or later the Allies will most likely overwhelm Italy - since Italy cannot withstand the pressure from both United States and United Kingdom.

Also, with a German Take Over Of Italy, Germany gets unlimited access to the Mediterranian Ocean - and can easily reinforce troops in Africa and the Middle East.
At the same time, Rome is no longer important - and can easily be re-captured by German forces if the Allies capture Rome.

2. When Germany or Italy captures Gibraltar, the Naval Base should be destroyed before the Allies have an opportunity to re-capture Gibraltar.
   Why: With no Naval Base in Gibraltar, the UK player must purchase a new Naval Base at a cost of 12 IPC - IPC that are much needed elsewhere.

Also, the loss of the Naval Base disrupts the Allied shipping.

3. The Eastern Front could be reinforced with German & Italian troops - using both Landing Craft units and Paratrooper units to attack from Greece, Bulgaria or Romania across the Black Sea into Caucasus, Ukraine and Rostov.
   Why: With German Army Group North and Army Group Center fighting on the Northern and Central part of the Eastern Front, the fighting on the Southern part could easily be fought by German Elite units, such as Paratroopers etc. - with no need for any massive (and costly) Army Group.

This will force the Soviets to either disperse their troops thinly along the entire Eastern Front - or to pull back to a few strongholds.
Either way, this will open up for a German breakthrough.

4. Japan should under no circumstances make any unprovoked attack against US, UK or ANZAC units or areas until Late 1941 at the earliest.
   Why: Japan must focus on capturing China and eliminate any Chinese resistance - before taking up the fight against the Allies.

With a 5 IPC Bonus for capturing China - plus 10 IPC Bonus for not attacking the Allies or French Indochina - plus 8 IPC Advanced Production Capacity - Japan can collect 61 IPC each turn.

With a Massive IPC Income at 61 IPC each turn, Japan can just “lean back” and build up both land forces as well as naval forces on a massive scale - to prepare for either the invasion of USSR - and/or the fight against the Allies.

Important:
The United States will have to declare War on Japan sooner or later (and by doing so, the US National Guard is not activated) - or else Japan will simply overrun the Soviet Union.
Also - if UK or ANZAC unprovoked attack any Japanese units of areas, Japan can counter attack UK and ANZAC units - without activating the US National Guard.

The above will definitely put US, UK and USSR under extreme pressure - and might give the Axis the upper hand by Late 1943 or Early 1944.

[SuperbattleshipYamato]

@The-Captain

Thanks for the great tips!

I wasn’t aware that your rules disincentivize 1940 Japanese unprovoked attacks, in line with history. 👍👍

[The Captain]

Global 1940, No. 15 Game Report:

This is the first post in the No. 15 Game Report.

Players:
Axis: The Captain
Allies: Butch Cassidy

Germany:
From Early 1940, Germany prepared for SeaLion by a combination of Landing Craft units and Transport units.
Germany also launched several U-Boat attacks in the Atlantic, supported by a Heavy Battleship unit and kept an increased U-Boat production throughout the War.

In Late 1941 Germany attacked the Soviet Union - fighting af War of Attrition in order to gradually wear down the Soviet forces.

Soviet Union:
The Soviets were able to hold the line on the Eastern Front from Archangel, Smolensk, Bryansk and Rostov.

In Late 1941, the Soviets attacked Turkey - starting a chain reaction of Allied attacks against Strict Neutral territories all over the World.

Japan:
From Early 1940 to Late 1941 Japan fought only against China.
By Early 1942 all Chinese territories were under Japanese control.

In Late 1941 a Japanese Naval Task Force supported an amphibious assault against Africa - triggering the US National Guard to spawn in Western USA.
The British forces in Africa were simply overrun by Japanese forces - and by Late 1942 Japan controlled most of Africa.

United States:
The Americans followed up on the Soviet attack against Strict Neutrals by attacking Portugal and Spain in Late 1941.

A massive Transport fleet was assembled in the Atlantic - which transported men and weaponry to Spain - to attack Axis forces in Southern France.
The US Strategic Plan was to eliminate German and Italian forces in all of Europe and to capture Rome before a German Take Over Of Italy.

United Kingdom:
London was heavily defended by massive amounts of Infantry and Fighter units - in order to prevent a German invasion.
The British defense plan worked - and the Germans were forced to abandon SeaLion.

The cost however, to defend London on such a massive scale, had a massive impact on the lack of units in both India and Africa.

The following pictures (taken at the beginning of the US turn) show the Military and Political situation in Late 1941 - before the Allied attacks against Strict Neutrals - and the Japanese invasion of Africa.

Note the Massive US Transport Fleet in the Atlantic - and the position of the Imperial Japanese Naval Task Force in the Indian Ocean as well as the Soviet Build Up in Caucasus in preparation for the attack on Turkey.

The second and last part of this Game Report No. 15 will follow soon.

[barnee]

@The-Captain

Nice ! A little different flow to this one :)

Yanks seem a little light in Pacific. I wonder if that allows the JPN Afrika move ?

Maybe the Heavy Sealion threat influenced Uncle Sam to go heavy with the Atlantic Trprts ?

Looking forward to next report. :)

Good Action

[The Captain]

Global 1940, No. 15 Game Report:

This is the second and last post in the No. 15 Game Report.

Players:
Axis: The Captain
Allies: Butch Cassidy

Germany:
In Early 1943, Germany & Italy prepared for a German Take Over Of Italy in Late 1943.

By Late 1942 the Allies have attacked most Strict Neutrals - those few Strict Neutral Nations that survived the Allied attacks have by Late 1942 joined the Axis.

The forces of Sweden, Mongolia & Afghanistan are now fighting alongside Axis forces - and slowly but surely - pushing the Allies back on all fronts.

Turkey is liberated by Italy in Late 1941 - an Italian naval assault launched from Syria by Landing Craft units wiped out the massive Soviet Tank force in Turkey - leaving the Soviets with almost no Tank units left to counter attack the invading Germans on the Eastern Front.

In Early 1942 German Landing Craft units landed in Egypt - and German Tank units and Infantry units easily captured Egypt - destroying the few Allied forces that were left behind.

The following pictures show the Military situation at the end of Early 1943 - after France’s turn is over:

In Late 1943, Germany takes over Italy - note the German Total IPC Income:

After the German Take Over, Germany purchases Total War units on a massive scale:

Germany launches Massive Offensive Operations on all fronts - and even the US Stronghold in Southern France cannot withstand the German assault.

By the end of Germany’s turn in Late 1943, the Allied resistance has simply collapsed - with no chance for the Allies to regain the initiative.

The following pictures show the Military situation after the German attacks - and Place New Units phase:

[SuperbattleshipYamato]

@The-Captain

Very cool! Another win for The Captain. Glad the Axis won.

[The Captain]

Global 1943, No. 5 Game Report:

This is the only post in the No. 5 Game Report.

Players:
Axis: The Captain
Allies: Dark Knight

Germany:
In Early 1943, Germany started a massive troop re-organization on the Eastern Front.
Army Group North was heavily reinforced in Novgorod and Army Group South was withdrawn to Ukraine - waiting for fresh reinforcements to arrive in Late 1943.

The remnants of the German Africa Korps were transported to Europe in preparation for a German Take Over Of Italy in Late 1943.

Soviet Union:
In Early 1943 the Red Army liberated Stalingrad - and launched several massive offensive operations along the entire Eastern Front - pushing back the Germans.
In the Soviet Far East the last few Soviet Infantry units were transported by rail to the Eastern Front - leaving all of the Far East unoccupied.

Japan:
All Chinese forces were eliminated by the end of Late 1943 - and in Early 1944, Japanese forces crossed the Soviet border in the Far East and at the borders to China - gradually reducing the Soviet economy.

In the Pacific the Imperial Japanese Navy was heavily reinforced with Air units, Aircraft Carriers, Submarines and Destroyer units.
Offensive operations were targeted against enemy strongholds on several islands.

United States:
The Atlantic Fleet was increased in size - and loaded Transport units launcehd attacks against Normandy and North Africa.
In the Pacific the US Navy was forced to stay at Pearl Harbor due to the threat from the enormous Japanese Navy & Air force.

United Kingdom:
From Late 1943 British forces were constantly engaged in combat against German Paratrooper units and the newly re-formed German Africa Korps in Egypt and the Middle East.
In Asia, the UK strengthened the defense of India - and launch small scale counter attacks against Japanese strongholds in the Pacific.

Early 1945:
The German Luftwaffe was reinforced with Me262 Jetfighter units and the scale of the Luftwaffe was by Late 1945 in a position to eliminate the entire Allied Fleets in the Atlantic.

A massive German counter-offensive supported by the 4th Waffen-SS Army was launched against Normandy - destroying all Allied resistance.

On the Eastern Front German Strongholds were preparing for a re-newed offensive against the Red Army in preparation for the adavnce on Moscow.

With both German and Japanese superiority in economy and equipment the Allied economy and forces simply started to collapse.

By Early 1945, the Allies surrendered.

The following pictures show the situation in Early 1945:

[barnee]

@The-Captain

Awesome !

[SuperbattleshipYamato]

@The-Captain

Nice! Another win for the Axis! Truly a master player.

[VictoryFirst]

About to start a new game with Barnee soon! I will follow the moves along with my board and post pictures.

[Cornelis Post]

@VictoryFirst looks great, we are ready to meet and play 💪🏻

[The Captain]

@VictoryFirst

Hi Victory - that looks awesome.

Can’t wait to see the Paratrooper units, Waffen-SS units and massive Army Groups.

We’ll follow your game closely.

[SuperbattleshipYamato]

@VictoryFirst

Sweet map!

[VictoryFirst]

Global 1940 House Rule Expansion Game Report
via TripleA

This is our 4th game.

Axis: barnee
Allies: VictoryFirst

Link to our game thread: https://www.axisandallies.org/forums/topic/40822/barnee-vs-victoryfirst-exp-boxes-game-4

Save file: exp-game-4-victory-f1.tsvg

Round: Early 1940 (Round 1)

Note: I will go into detail just this first turn, then I will give a more general overview of what happened.

Germany:
Purchase: 5 Waffen inf, 2 Waffen art, 1 elite, 2 combat engineers, and 2 U-boats.
The Germans successfully attacked France, although they suffered heavy losses during the attack on Paris. The UK ships in sz 111 and sz 110 were attacked and destroyed. The UK destroyer in sz 106 survived an attack from a German submarine. Yugoslavia was attacked, but the Germans retreated after one round of combat into Romania (that’s what I call a ping-pong move 😄 )
During NCM, they reinforced Norway and moved some units east. Finland and Bulgaria joined the war on behalf of the Axis. They ended the turn with 83 IPCs.

Soviet Union:
Purchase: 1 elite, 1 commissar, 1 tank, 4 paratroopers, 6 mines and saved 2.
The Russians concentrated forces in Belarus and Western Ukraine, anticipating a possible German attack. Three Soviet troops in the Far East moved by rail to reinforce Western Ukraine. The remaining troops in the Far East massed along the Manchurian border, making Hirohito sweat (hopefully lol 😀). 1st Soviet Army Corps was formed in Moscow, containing three tank units.
They ended with 39 IPCs.

Japan:
Purchase: 1 elite, 1 infantry, 1 artillery, 1 transport, and a minor factory.
All four Chinese border territories were successfully attacked.
In the NCM, most of the Imperial Japanese Air Force landed in Kwangsi, along with 6 infantry coming from Formosa, Okinawa, and Korea. A tank and an art from Japan were transported to Kiangsi. The remaining troops in Asia moved west towards China. The Home Fleet went to sz 20, and the remainder to sz 36.
The minor factory was placed in Shantung
They collected 48 IPCs.

United States:
Purchase: 4 fortifications, 2 facility-destructs, 1 destroyer, 1 carrier and saved 21.
Aleutian Islands were reinforced with 2 inf and 1 AA. Most of the US Pacific Air Force flew to Wake Island. Both US submarines in the Pacific moved to sz 54.
The naval units were placed in the Pacific in sz 10. The Air and Naval Bases in the Philippines were destroyed, and the four infantry stationed there were fortified. They ended with 73 IPCs.

China:
The Chinese recaptured Yunnan and massed troops in Szechwan and Shensi.

United Kingdom:
Purchase: 2 fighters, 2 destroyers, 1 elite, 1 fortification, two naval base destructs, and saved 1.
In Europe, the German battleship in sz 111 was attacked and destroyed along with a German sub, at the cost of a UK destroyer and two fighters. The Italian destroyer and transport in sz 96 were attacked and destroyed. Ethiopia was successfully captured. Gibraltar was abandoned. The UK transports moved to sz 106 and the two destroyers were placed there as well, the remaining units were placed in London.
In the Pacific, Sumatra was captured and the British forces in India moved up to Burma. The naval bases in Kwangtung and Malay were destroyed, in case of a Japanese attack. The infantry in Borneo was fortified.
They ended the turn with 61 IPCs.

Italy:
Purchase: 2 Landing Crafts and 1 paratrooper.
During Combat, the empty Gibraltar was scooped up. Greece was successfully attacked and captured. The remaining Allied ships in the Med were attacked and destroyed. Italian forces in Africa moved east and massed in Alexandria. The Italians are now collecting bonuses for controlling Gibraltar, Southern France, and Greece, as well as for having cleared the Med from enemy ships. They received 24 IPCs.

ANZAC:
Purchase: 1 transport
The Australians captured Java with an AA and an inf, as well as Dutch New Guinea. The naval units moved to sz 54. One fighter flew to Malaya to bolster the defense. They ended with 19 IPCs.

France:
The French fighter destroyed the Italian transport that went to attack Gibraltar. The French in the UK moved up to defend Scotland. The destroyer in the Indian Ocean moved east to the Pacific.

Income totals
Germany: 42 / 64
Japan: 29 / 47
Italy: 12 / 25

USSR: 37 / 37
United States: 52 / 52
China: 9 / 15
United Kingdom: 49 / 55
ANZAC: 16 / 16

Axis: 83 / 136
Allies: 163 / 175

[Cornelis Post]

@VictoryFirst the axis are doing great 💪🏻