German strategy for building AC

Hey all,

I have never chosen to have the Germans build a navy when Russia was still in play I would always put troops on the front line to make a stale mate. As I would do that I would buy fighters to strafe any allied navy nearby. So my question is when would you buy the Navy what ever you decide it should be? Should it be sooner or a few turns into the game after the line is drawn between Germany and Russia?

-LT04

Let me be more specific:

I use the Luft Waffe to strafe the Allied Navy on combat movement. Then on NCM I move them back to the front line to reinforce. I think this way gets the most blood for the buck, serving both the land and sea.

If your buying Navy units with Germany it must be on R1 (and more later if you wish depending on strategy) But to not do it is to lett the alies kill your fleet. (baltic that is, atleast if your facing me as allies)

Hey Nix,

What would a G1 purchase look like then if it were you? Also when you get your Navy where would you ideally deploy them?

I agree with Nix that if you are going to build a navy for Germany it is on R1.  I never go for naval dominace with germany but you have to keep the UK and US busy while you batter down Russia’s door.  If you build a navy put it in the Baltic but spend so much that you detract from the Russian front.

OK so if you put the German Navy in the Baltic Sea do you consider buying DST’s and BTL ships for coastal bombardment for taking / strafing / retaking, Norway, Karelia S.S.R. and Eastern Europe? Or do you only keep a navy to primarily disrupt UK and US forces from gettin a foothold situation on mainland Europe?

-LT04

For the R1 builds it is just to keep the Allies from getting that foothold.  After Russia is on the ropes (if your opponent doesn’t give up) you can build DST, TRNS, and BB.  For the R1 purchase the standard is an AC.  It defends well (even better if you land planes on it) and makes the allies commit more than they want to in order to destroy your fleet.

So you tend to build a diverse navy. Do you buy any subs as fodder?

I usually avoid subs because if the Uk and US attack with Airforce I want my ships to fire back even if it is with a 1.  I would use TRNs as fodder.  Not only because they do get 1/6 chance of hitting something but also a German fleet with several TRNs makes the UK player defend against a possible invasion attempt.

Good point. Then you said you keep them in the Baltic Sea Zone for the most part?

Yes in the baltic.  The only time I would build ships in the Med is if my strategy called for me going heavy into Africa but the Baltic fleet is much more effective at stalling the UK and US.

No what I meant was do you keep the Navy you place in the Baltic sea or do you have the ambition to move it to SZ 6 or 7? Its obvious you would to kill off any unprotected or ill deafened Navy, but do you keep them in the Baltic sea for the most part to keep them out of the way so you can pounce on any US Navy you can see coming for 1 or 2 turns out as you please or do you make them an active force raising h*** in SZ’s 3, 6, and 7?

Yes you keep it in the Baltic if your not doing some other “strange” strategy, like me against U-505, there i built an IC in Western And moved my fleet uot of Baltic, but in 99% of the cases you´ll need to have them in Baltic to prevent UK landings in Eastern Europe/Germany…

I see you keep a cold way Navy handy. Thats always better hot war Navy’s tend to sink faster.  :-(

Yeah I would keep it in the baltic.  Moving it out of the baltic tends to make your fleet sink faster.  Just have it there and make the allies destroy it.

I haven’t built a navy with Germany yet, but I think I would consider a 3 trn buy in the baltic on G1.  Here is why:
1. UK has to protect against a possible London invasion
2. Bolsters the defense of the existing Baltic fleet enough to discourage a round 1 attack on it.
3. Very useful for counterattacking any UK/US foothold in Norway and/or moving troops to EE/Karelia from the Western Front

There is a paper written about this purchase over at Caspian Sub with lots of analysis (sorry, don’t have the URL handy).

I have seen that purchase made and it is effective.  I generally go with the AC to save 8 IPC, have a better chance of taking something down with me, and because Germany taking London is tough.

I would also prefer 3 trn over 1 ac if I get a chance to strafe the Allied fleet with Germany.  even though the ac attacks at 1, and the transports all attack at 0, that is 3 more hits I can absorb with my fleet before I start loosing air.  I start with 2 sub, 1 trn, 1 des.  Add 3 trn and I have 7 boats for fodder on an attack on allied shipping.  Who knows I may even be able to strafe for 2 rounds without risking air.

Even 2 trn on G1 might be enough to discourage an attack on that fleet in round 1, and costs the same as an ac.

The Caspian sub paper you refer to is a pretty good read.

But I feel it does not address the “instant loss” factor.

By this, I refer to a strategy that can LOSE you the game right away, depending on your opponent’s move, or dice rolls.

–

True, the UK player may not even attack, and will PROBABLY hedge bets by sending the UK bomber to Anglo-Egypt.

However, if the UK player DOES attack, AND the UK player gets LUCKY, then it is immediately crippling to Germany.

Of course, if the UK player attacks and has only regular luck, it’s a solid German move.  But I think that, even though 2-3 Baltic transports is a feasible move for Germany that is important to consider, I think that it is not necessarily “sound”, in the sense that pawn to king four is sound.  I get more of the feeling that it’s like an opening of pawn to queen bishop four - not wrong, but not a conservative line of play either.

I always assume as Germany that I will lose the baltic fleet at some point.  I don’t see how the UK destroying early equals an “instant loss”.  I have not read the Caspian papers so if you could enlighten me I would be obliged.  It may make me rethink the way I make my purchases as Germany.