Italy's Navy

@Smack

Rulebook says:

When Germany Is at War with the Soviet Union:
• 5 IPCs per territory if Germany controls Novgorod (Leningrad), Volgograd (Stalingrad), and/or Russia (Moscow).
Theme: High strategic and propaganda value.

The “or” indicates that it is 5 IPC per territory. Be it one , two or three.

They start with major ICs in Europe 1940 and in Pacific 1940.

Minors that automatically upgrade to major when at war in Global 1940.

Hello. And Bye.

When I play test, I set up the board and try to find counters to an idea as I work though the turns, so no opponent. Obviously, that will not mean the idea works until I try it live. Its just to test the concept. If the concept is sound, I use it in a live face to face game and see how the other guy(s) respond.

This first game I focused on the subs for blockading. That part does not seem reasonable at this point. Its still interesting that it delayed the US transports and gave Germany a nice income, but I don’t think the axis will pull a win out of the bag. By the way, when I meant to blockade I would leave the surface fleet back in the face of a large air force and wait for additional subs, you could then counter attack a DD build with air and sea, taking the air units off so that the carriers can stay back. Even convoy raiding for 22 IPCs would be nice.

Next test, I want to build a G2 transport wave as well, this will force UK to keep with Infantry making Italy’s job easier, and give me the resources to secure S. America while the US is neutral, with enough, I hope to divert 3 towards West Africa again, as having the German land unit in Egypt is a nice thought. I realize UK is the same amount of IPCs as S. America, but I’m testing the concept of taking an area out of America’s way plus they have multiple factory sites if it seems possible to use them.

There are some early risks I discovered. The G2 move to Gibraltar in the first game put the German Fleet of CV,BB,CA,2FTR in range of a UK CA,3 FTR and TAC…a bold player might take that shot. I also had UK do a weak attack [CV+FTR+CA] on the Italian fleet, it worked [damaged CV with a CA] while leaving the Tac for London.

Turkey was a tight fight G3, as I only had 5 inf, 3 arm, 1 tac, 1 bomber in range…I ended with 1 inf, 3 arm and the 2 air. Losing 2 units in Greece could have made it 4 inf for the assault. Turkey missed a lot, I could see losing armor in the future as an outcome.

Other concerns are if Russia stages north and drives on Norway, Germany’s income would plummet. With many transports, I hope to discourage that option.

I had UK protect Quebec, but I’m curious about how many players would suspect a G3 three transports full landing on Quebec? The potential to send planes staged in Gibraltar to sz 101 has merit as building carriers in 106[Quebec] would allow them to land and enable a weak looking axis force to “surprise” the US navy round 4. The transports can then hit Venezuela, West Indies and/or Central America turn 4. [This may prove to be a great move for a failed Sea Lion as sinking a US fleet would delay the US a round or more.]

The South American concept seems crazy since the US can just build large amounts of land forces. However, the US must choose fleet or land, and typically will go fleet, meaning there is “some” time for early gains and possible factories. I’m trying to limit the investment to two German productions as I want turn 3 and 4 builds to prevent Russia from getting their foot in the door.

In my curent game, the UK attacked the Italian BB, CA and Trn fleet losing a Tac Bomber and one hit on the UK carrier, letting the fighter from Alexandria land on the island in the UK Med.  This move put a serious hurt on the Italians.  They were faced with three bad problems.  The French fleet would have to be ignored during Italy-1.  The Italians could move 2 inf with their other transport to Trans-Jordan to close the Med via the Suez, but then this would doom the transport.  Or the Italians could attack the UK fleet of 1 damaged CV, CA and DD with 1 CA, 1 DD & 2 figs.  I opted for this attack and brought the tranny hoping it would be able to survive after the UK-2 turn.  The UK got a hit and I killed the UK fleet.  France came over with their CA and DD and finished the job so the Italians have no fleet in the Med at all at the end of turn 1.  It will be a miracle if the Italians make anything happen before the US runs into and all over Africa.

The UK-1 attack of the Italian fleet looks so strong I can’t imagine it not being done.  Can the UK not build enough infantry to prevent any possible Sealion so they will always be able to execute the Med attack on the Italian Navy?

@calvinhobbesliker:

It’s not that hard to roll dice. For example, to roll 2 infantry, a tank, and a bomber, you’d type : aaa 2@1 1@3 1@4 : without the spaces

DiceRolls: 2@1 1@3 1@4; Total Hits: 32@1: (4, 1)1@3: (1)1@4: (1)
This also tells you how many hits you got

Perhaps if my computer and board were in the same room I’d be willing to do it, but since they aren’t I would have to write all the rounds down on paper and THEN type it out on the computer.  I’ll probably just wait till my friends can get together to play it in person.  Unless there is someone out there willing to play an email game without all the rounds of combat being shown?