A&A North Africa - TO I8.pdf Hello everyone, I propose the position on the board at the beginning of the eighth turn of Italy in the “Operation Torch” scenario to have your opinions on the strategy of the game in practice (often “abstract” considerations are made, before playing, which then “clash” with what actually happens on the board). In this game I was assigned the American (we decided to draw by lot at the beginning of each game the power with which we will play in order to be able to experiment and try the game under various aspects). This is only the third game we play and the first ever with “Operation Torch” (so there may again be involuntary errors in the rules, but games also serve this purpose: to clarify doubts and avoid errors for the future). The English have (as I think is obvious) heavily attacked MM in the first turn and took Tobruck in the second, wiping out all Axis resistance, but they lost Malta (this also seems to me an almost inevitable thing if the Axis decides to concentrate on it) and a good part of the fleet has sunk due to the mines around the Mediterranean Channel (very lucky shots by the Axis) and the action of the Italian air force, managing however to eliminate some German supplies. The Axis has destroyed a good part of the American convoy with its 3 U-boats (it sank the 2 destroyers and part of the cargo) and is preparing for an offensive to the West towards Casablanca. The Italians I imagine will try to create a front around Tripoli, waiting to be able to organize a counteroffensive against the English if the latter “stretches too far” without due preparation. As an American I plan to invest in the very first turn in planes (forbidden in turn 7) that can serve as escorts to convoys against the terrible German U-boats, but also as attack/defense units; I will also take destroyers and some ground troops (in addition to the fixed 10 supply) trying to contain the German initiative in Algiers to try to organize a counteroffensive as soon as there are enough troops. I also have to understand which convoy to use and which is more convenient (considering that in the seventh turn I could not choose being forced to use the one in Casablanca). It is the first time that we play this scenario which, however, gives me the impression of being a bit unbalanced in favor of the Allies (maybe it will have depended on the initial moves, on strategic and tactical errors, I don’t know). However, it seems clear to me that only the Allies can, in this scenario, aim for a total victory (since Tunis is a concrete and achievable objective, if everything goes well), while Cairo seems to me really a utopia for the Axis. But I would like your considerations as experienced players. Eventually I will update you on the continuation of the match (I think we will resume it on Saturday).
Optional rules questions
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Hello, i have some questions regarding some of the optional rules.
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If you play with the global supply rule for planes and ships, how is the amount of supply determined? And do you need to re-use supply for every combat round. Ex: germany attacks malta with 2 planes, the malta convoy zone with 2 subs and tobruk with a plane making 5 units total. Does this cost 1 global supply for the units or 3, one for every attack? And if the combat goes on for multiple rounds do you need more?
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Regarding the mining of the suez, can the UK just keep a sub or destoyer there or does it have to move to the med with the convoy? If so, can you sail back into the suez?
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Regarding ANZAC reinforcments, are these just free inf spawning in the india convoy every round or does the uk have to buy them and then deploy them in the zone? Therefore skipping the atlantic convoy zone.
Thanks in advance
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The amount of supply used with that option is 1 supply for every 5 attacking air/sea units (or fraction thereof). As noted in the optional rule, it is paid “After declaring all attacks…”
That happens only once, so the payment is also made only once. -
The UK can’t park a sea unit in the Suez to prevent mining. No, you cannot sail back into the Suez.
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Not free, as the unit must come from the Reinforcements Zone. They only get there if you buy them.
Thanks,
Matt -
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@Matt-Hyra Hi Matt,
Thank you for responding, my friend and I have been loving the game.
I’ve got some follow up questions:1: If malta is defended by just an AAA and a plane attacks it, after missing its shots the AAA is removed right?
2: If a defender decides to retreat are mines still allowed to be triggered?
3: Do you need supply for blitzing into/through empty territory? Lets say tripoli is undefended and the americans have a sherman in Kessarine pass with 0 supply in the pass itself, can they blitz down into the desert square below the pass en then into Tripoli itself without needing supply since there is no combat? Blitzing is still a combat move so we are a bit unsure on the matter.
Thanks again.
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Correct.
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Yes. Detonating mines happens prior to the decision on whether or not to stay and fight.
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Blitzing is always a unit’s first move into an adjacent territory, and does not require supply. As for Tripoli, page 18 says: “Attacking a hostile territory that does not contain enemy combat units still requires an attack declaration, but as no actual combat will occur, you don’t spend any supply tokens (instead, take the attack arrow from the general supply pool).”
Thanks,
Matt -
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