Global 1940 & 1943 Expansions Game Reports

Today at 19.00 CET our next Axis & Allies Global 1940 Expansion Tournament Event begins.

We have scheduled 2 games this weekend:

• Game 1: Friday-Saturday;
  Allies: Dark Knight
  Axis: The Captain

• Game 2: Sunday:
  Allies: The Captain
  Axis: Keld Rasmussen

Game Reports will be posted here ASAP.

Global 1940, No. 11 Game Report:

This is the only post in the No. 11 Game Report.

Players:
Axis: The Captain
Allies: Dark Knight

Germany:
From Early 1940, Germany launched U-Boat attacks on a minor scale in the Atlantic.
A build up of the German Kriegsmarine began - and included a Heavy Battleship unit among other naval units.
In Late 1941 the invasion of USSR was launched.

Soviet Union:
By Late 1943 the Soviets were still able to slow down the German advance - but as the Imperial Japanese Army had captured China, the Soviets were forced to allocate defensive units close to the borders of China.

Japan:
The Imperial Japanese Army swiftly captured China - and pushed the British back towards India.
By Early 1943 a Japanese invasion of India and the Soviet Union was imminent.

United States:
The United States was planning a Germany First strategy. Due to strong Italian and German offensive operations in the Mediterranian and Africa - the US strategy failed.

United Kingdom:
The United Kingdom was reinforcing London on a massive scale - since the German Strategic Plan was not clear to the British - and a possible German invasion og the United Kingdom Homeland was lurking, due to the massive build-up of the German Kriegsmarine.

Italy:
From Early 1940 the Italians were launching offensive operations in Africa and the Middle East.
By Early 1943 the Italians had captured Egypt and were preparing for offensive operations deep into Africa.

ANZAC:
ANZAC was overwhelmed by massive Japanese attacks - and since the USA had their focus in the Atlantic, ANZAC was continuously fighting a defensive battle.

By the end of Early 1943, the military and strategic situation had become hopeless for the Allies - and further resistance was meaningless.

The Allied Surrender occurred in the beginning of Late 1943. The pictures below show the situation at the end of Early 1943.

Global 1940, No. 12 Game Report:

This is the only post in the No. 12 Game Report.

Players:
Axis: Keld Rasmussen
Allies: The Captain

Germany:
From Early 1940, Germany launched U-Boat attacks on a minor scale in the Atlantic.
In Late 1941 the invasion of the Soviet Union was launched, supported by 1st and 2nd Panzer Armies.

Soviet Union:
The Soviets gradually pulled back as the German Army advanced on the entire Eastern Front.
The Soviets captured Findland, Norway and Iraq as well as several German territories in Eastern Europe that were captured by Soviet Paratrooper units - which strengthened the Soviet economy on a massive scale.

Japan:
Japan launched a massive offensive operation in China - and by Early 1943 all of China was controlled by Japan.
In the Pacific the Imperial Japanese Navy eliminated the 1st US Naval Task Force in the 2nd Battle of The Caroline Islands.
But this massive battle did not bring a decisive Japanese victory in the Pacific, since the 2nd US Naval Task Force was ready to counter attack the Imperial Japanese Navy in the 3rd Battle of The Caroline Islands.

Due to the Japanese offensive operations in the Pacific, there was a lack of support for the Japanese troops in Asia - and the United Kingdom was ready to launch a massive offensive operation from India deep into China and Asia.

United States:
US troops landed in Europe in Ealy 1943 - and from then on the German defense was under extreme pressure.

In the Pacific, the US Navy was heavily supported by UK and ANZAC units - and after the re-capture of the Philippines, the pressure on Japan increased.

United Kingdom:
UK troopes managed to keep the Middle East under UK control - and so the Strategic Rail Movement was possible in order to transfer troops from South Africa to India as part of the Build Up for the counter offensive against the Japanese forces.

In Europe, UK units supported the US invasion - and gradually the German defense started to collapse.

By Early 1944, the Axis forces could no longer hold back the Allied onslaught.

On Germanys turn in Early 1944, the Axis surrendered to the Allies.

These pictures show the military situation in Early 1944:

Global 1940, No. 14 Game Report:

This is the only post in the No. 14 Game Report.

Players:
Axis: Dark Knight
Allies: The Captain

Germany:
From Early 1940, Germany launched several U-Boat attacks in the Atlantic and kept an increased U-Boat production until Early 1942.

After the Fall of France in Early 1940, Germany launched the attack on the Soviet Union in Late 1941.

The German advance was gradually disrupted by continuous massive Soviet Paratrooper attacks behind the German lines - which kept the German frontline units short of supplies.

Soviet Union:
Skillful Soviet Strategic Planning which included Paratrooper units, Mines, small scale counter-attacks all over the Eastern Front and a massive production of Tank units and Red Army Conscription Infantry units - gradually slowed the German advance - and simply wore down the German Army on the Eastern Front.

By Late 1942 the German advance on the Eastern Front came to a halt, as the Western Allies landed in Europe - and the Soviets prepared for Operation Bagration.

Japan:
Japan launched attacks against Asia and the Pacific - triggering the US National Guard to spawn in Late 1941.

After the Japanese capture of all Chinese territories in Early 1942, the Allies started to push the Japanese forces back by jumping from one island to the next.

By Late 1942 the Japanese forces were still building up for an offensive against Soviet Union - but Allied offensive operations in Burma and the South Pacific hindered Japan from launching a massive offensive against Soviet Union.

United States:
In Early 1942 the first US troops landed in North Africa.

From then on, US offensive operations were launched both in Europe and the Pacific.

United Kingdom:
In Early 1942, the United Kingdom destroyed the last German Wolf Packs in the Atlantic.
Gradually the UK economy was strengthened - and offensive operations were launched in Europe, Africa and Asia.

Overall Situation:
By Late 1942, the Allies were pushing back the Axis forces all over the World.

In Early 1943 there were no options left for the Axis Powers to halt the Allied onslaught - and an Axis Surrender was a fact by Early 1943.

The above game report shows a classic example of a War Of Attrition - the Axis were simply outproduced in all types of weapons - and due to a superior Combined Allied Strategic Plan, the Axis were not only outproduced - they were also outmaneuvered.

The pictures below show the situation at the beginning of Early 1943.

@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

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.

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.

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: