After being here about 5 weeks, and reading all of the various Allied strategies, etc. that made folks move to the “bid” process in an effort to equalize the game, it makes me wonder…
Is the best way for the Axis to play this game (no bid) for Germany to engage a “Fortress Europe” strategy and rely on Japan to make the gains to allow the Axis to win? (assume RR since a no-bid game without RR is a war of attrition that the Axis can;t win if the Allies are played well)
By Fortress Europe, here is what I am thinking:
Germany pulls back in Europe, as HARD as it can. Moving forces out of Finland/Norway to Germany as long as that tranny lives, abandoning Ukraine (save 1 INF to avoid blitz) and pulling those forces back to Eastern. And sending what forces are possible to Africa, until such time as the Med fleet is destroyed.
In G1, Germany wipes out the UK fleet (and probably the Russian fleet as well), pulls some forces out of Norway and from Ukraine. Transports troops to Africa, and builds a single fig and the rest INF; keeping up this build as long as possible (switching to all INF when Russia gains superior combat forces facing Eastern).
The reason for the Fig build is to be able to maintain strikes on the UK navy. Germany is good for only TWO strikes on that navy before they are out of airforce and navy. With RR, the 2 subs are an essential factor to limiting German AF loses in G1. With RR, and some fair rolls, UK fleet is gone, and Germany still has most of its AF (probably down only 2 figs). 1 Gets replaced with the G1 build.
If the most popular method posted here is used for UK, there will be NO allied fleet built until UK2, allowing Germany to make it’s second (and probably final) strike against allied navy on G3 with 5 figs and a bomber on the combined US/UK fleet. Maybe not enough for total destruction, but enough ro decimate the amphib component. Germany again builds 1 fig in G3 (for defense and to go after any “stray” tranny’s that are unprotected).
This delays the US and UK from landing forces in Europe until Round 4, during which time Germany was stacking to the best of its ability in an INF defense of Eastern, Germany, and Western (with a couple of reserve forces in Southern, some of which may or may not have been trannied to Africa). Germany counters their Europe IPC loses with the Africa gains, keeping them approximately even through the first 3 rounds (average build 1 fig and 6-7 INF).
Meanwhile, Japan has been doing the two-prong tranny attack on Russia’s backside: 1 prong whittling at the Yakut Stack, the other workign through China & Sinkiang, with some additional forces also raiding in the South Pacific or into the Indian Ocean; possibly combined with SBR’s on Russia just to help control the INF growth in Karelia.
Using that strategy, can Germany hold on long enough for Japan to make a difference?
I realize that, with Germany not in a position to strike Russia’s Western front, that Russia will be able to mount a formidable defense against eastward bound Japan forces; but can Japan take enough Russian territories to weaken Russia, while also taking the US and UK territories in Asia, and the South Pacific, and eventually into Africa, to turn an Economic Victory? (this is the equivalent of Germany losing Norway and Ukraine; and the combined German/Japan forces taking all of Africa, all UK territories in the Mid-East and Asia, plus Australia and NZ; US territories in Asia, plues Russian territories of SFE, Yakut, and at least 1 of Kaz/Novo/Evenk.)