Operation Hollywood : Flying the Japanese Air Force off the coast of Gilbraltar

Interesting idea.  Sort of an “all or nothing” move for the Axis.  If they manage to take Washington, basically taking USA out of the game, then they will all probably have enough money and strength to go back to Europe and the Pacific to mop up the other Allies.  Once Japan deals with the large US Navy, it could more or less have a field day throughout the rest of the Pacific and on Asia.  If Germany had enough troops to hold off Russia, they could probably do Sealion now and get ready for Barbarossa.  If the Brits didn’t do too much damage to the Med and/or Italy’s home territories, they ought to have not much trouble going back and cleaning out the Med and Africa, espeically if Germany does do Sealion successfully.
However, if they lose in Washington, I think all three Axis will have left themselves too weak after commiting so much resources to this plan.  Like you said, Japan will start getting pummelled by ANZAC, India and China.  Plus, they will still have that large US fleet to deal with which can now still grow and replace losses.  Britian will be giving the Italians fits in Africa and probably trying hard to get Gibraltar back.  Not sure how strong Russia will be or how much they will be able to bother the Germans offensively.  I guess that depends on how much Germany was able to put up along the border in addition to all the hardware sent to America.
I think this plan could work for you one time.  The next game you played, if you started moving your ships in the same manner, the US player would be like “Not Again!” and buy much differently, thus foiling your plans.  I guess they couldn’t attack any Axis navy until after round 3, so I would bet they would simply stock up on ground units.  Even so, with the US only haveing Minor ICs until at war, they wouldn’t be able to build too much there.  If Italy or Germany could take the Panama Canal first, allowing Japanese Transports to go through and attack Eastern US along with a bunch of planes from both sets of carriers, this might still be possible even if the US player figures out what you are up to.  You know, with the US being neutral for 3 rounds and Axis ships being able to float peacefully through their waters during that time, it can really be a detriment to the US survival in this game.  Plus since Russia is neutral until round 4, the only other Ally you have to worry about is Britain, who is fairly weak early in the game once the Luftwaffe trashes the Royal Navy G1.  You might have found a gaping flaw here.

Hmm, I think Russia might ruin your plans, I dunno though.

I just thought of another possibility.  Suppose the Axis do this and attack Washington.  Then, say the US has just enough defense to hold out, or the Japs get bad dice, whatever but the result is the invasion fails, the US keep Washington and stay in the game.  What if some US troops, or even possibly ANZAC troops, managed to re-take the Panama Canal?  Then, here is Japan with all of their navy trapped in the Atlantic with no land troops or air force left.  What a DISASTER!
Assuming neither Germany or Italy was in the position to reopen the Panama Canal, by the time Japan got it’s fleet all the way around South America and back into the Pacific, I bet most of their possessions in the Pacific and Asia would be gone.  Plus if they built any more navy, it would be small because they wouldn’t be making that much money yet and that large US Navy could float around and smash anything that Japan managed to build.  If I were the US in that situation, once I knew my capital and homeland territories were secure, I would rush over some bombers to someplace close enough to Japan – perhaps Iwo Jima if the US could take that or even Korea if the US or USSR could take that – then SBR Japan to keep them from building too many defense units.  Meanwhile, US builds some transports, men and tanks, floats them over a couple of rounds and WHAM!  Japan is in the bag.  By the time the Jap fleet gets around South America, their capital is gone and US can dust off the remains of the Jap fleet at it’s leisure.  Or not, since that fleet doesn’t include any transports it’s not really a threat anymore, more of a nuisance.

I prefer to move up the field gathering many first downs over the course of the entire game, rather than throwing such a hail mary in the first quarter. Interesting plan, but too much relies on what your opponent will do, if he builds up in Eastern US, your plan is dead and you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere. I believe there is a less vulnerable kill USA first strategy to be had, I just don’t know what it is.

@knp7765:

I just thought of another possibility.  Suppose the Axis do this and attack Washington.  Then, say the US has just enough defense to hold out, or the Japs get bad dice, whatever but the result is the invasion fails, the US keep Washington and stay in the game.  What if some US troops, or even possibly ANZAC troops, managed to re-take the Panama Canal?  Then, here is Japan with all of their navy trapped in the Atlantic with no land troops or air force left.  What a DISASTER!
Assuming neither Germany or Italy was in the position to reopen the Panama Canal, by the time Japan got it’s fleet all the way around South America and back into the Pacific, I bet most of their possessions in the Pacific and Asia would be gone.  Plus if they built any more navy, it would be small because they wouldn’t be making that much money yet and that large US Navy could float around and smash anything that Japan managed to build.  If I were the US in that situation, once I knew my capital and homeland territories were secure, I would rush over some bombers to someplace close enough to Japan – perhaps Iwo Jima if the US could take that or even Korea if the US or USSR could take that – then SBR Japan to keep them from building too many defense units.  Meanwhile, US builds some transports, men and tanks, floats them over a couple of rounds and WHAM!  Japan is in the bag.  By the time the Jap fleet gets around South America, their capital is gone and US can dust off the remains of the Jap fleet at it’s leisure.  Or not, since that fleet doesn’t include any transports it’s not really a threat anymore, more of a nuisance.

What happens after the invasion fails is a moot point as the game is lost with 99% certainty. I think the Axis’ only chance is to aim a European victory with the aid of the Japanese navy. Heavy IJN presence in the Atlantic would make it difficult for the Allies to threaten landings in western Europe, and the Germans would thus have their back free for Barbarossa.

Framk T- Wow, sweet plan!! It reads like a political thriller or the end of the world… Japan and Germany teaming up to attack the East Coast?!?! Unheard of!

Overall, I agree with everyone else in that it would be very risky, but A&A is about having fun, so I would say go for it!! Have some fun, it’s just a game. Great idea… don’t know if it will succeed, but it’s worth a shot.  :-D

Seems interesting.

However…

IF Japan can get to Gibraltor and land there, doesn’t that AUTOMATICALLY bring US into the War?  If I remember correctly, Japan cannot attack (or land) on any UK territory without bringing the US into the war.  If Japan does land on Gibraltor and bring the US into the War, the US factories AUTOMATICALLY AND IMMEDIATELY get made into Major Factories.  Even if they only have 52 IPC, That is plenty to hold off any invasion on Japan Turn 4.

Also, on a side note, if I saw this as the UK player, I would put at least one ship in the way somehow.  Even if it’s to make you not be able to reach Washington.

I like the idea, but the Allies would have to be idiots to let this happen.

Doc

I think it states that the JPN planes are landed on the German carriers not Gibraltar

Nice plan by the way, and as a side note, if the US proves too strong you can sail on to the UK and do a a sea lion with the JPNese…

Landing on Gibraltar does not automatically bring the US into the war. It only allows the US to declare war.

One of the most interesting plans of war I have heard in a long time…  I will give you that!

@Commando:

Landing on Gibraltar does not automatically bring the US into the war. It only allows the US to declare war.

Close enough

Germany is already at war w/the UK, so this doesn’t allow the US to declare war on Germany, Italy or Japan. If Germany takes Gib, Japan can feel free to land there if it wants w/out fear of a US DOW on the Axis. If Italy declares war on Russia, then that allows Russia to declare war on the Axis. Germany does not need a DOW on Russia if Italy took Epl, as this is a non-combat move.

I should clarify, the DOW by Russia is meant against Germany/Italy(Axis). A DOW on Japan, still requires a separate DOW by Russia on Japan.

@Piet:

I think it states that the JPN planes are landed on the German carriers not Gibraltar

Nice plan by the way, and as a side note, if the US proves too strong you can sail on to the UK and do a a sea lion with the JPNese…

I like this idea. Japan holding London with a LARGE navy should give Germany lots of time to finish off Russia for the European win.

I tried a similar move to this before, but i was just thinking… What if Japan comes around south america and takes brazil and builds an IC there?!? Could be crazy…

@Frank:

@keplar:

I tried a similar move to this before, but i was just thinking… What if Japan comes around south america and takes brazil and builds an IC there?!? Could be crazy…

Well in the plan I was thinking of time is of the essence and if the Axis do not sack Washington they pretty much lose the game.  I am not sure a minor in Brazil would hold for Japan very long with the USA having 3 major factory’s a stone toss away.

That may be true. however coupled with Germany and Italy’s presence at Gibralter, they could help with defending the territory.

I’m not saying that Japan should do this, but sometimes it’s fun to think of and maybe try new things to keep the game from becoming too stale (which is the point my gaming group is at unfortunately)

@keplar:

I’m not saying that Japan should do this, but sometimes it’s fun to think of and maybe try new things to keep the game from becoming too stale (which is the point my gaming group is at unfortunately)

UGH!  I know exactly what you mean.  In our games, many times the first 2-3 rounds are almost exactly the same.  In fact, just about the only way they DO change is from the roll of the dice.
Example: 
Game 1= Germany sends all the Luftwaffe and subs against the British fleet.  Germany has good dice, Royal navy is trashed with most German planes surviving.  Next round, prepare for Sealion. 
Game 2= Germany sends all the Luftwaffe and subs against the British fleet.  Germany has bad dice, Luftwaffe is mauled, many British warships remain.  Next round, rebuild Luftwaffe.
Game 3= Germany sends all the Luftwaffe and subs against the British fleet.  Germany has medium luck with dice, Britain has a couple of capital ships but rest is lost, Luftwaffe loses 1/2 planes.  Next round, replace some planes and CONSIDER Sealion.

See what I mean?  It would be nice to try something new and unexpected.