I have heard more than enough about the “Essay”. All I heard for weeks, when one of our play groups found them on the web, was you gotta read this, it is great. Week after week after week after week. Finally, we get a chance to play and this guy has GB. I am playing US, well, at least I am trying to play US, but the Brits keep saying, that’s not how the essay says you should do that, or you should do this because the essay says so. I like to play the game my way, in a concerted effort with my allies, however, when one person starts trying to play all three sides, the games loses its interest quick.
We were victorious anyway, because Russia and the US played the way we usually play and followed our basic stragegy.
Myself and our resident expert had heard enough essay talk. We told him to pick a side to play and use his essay strategy as the entire side. He chose allies. I will give the essay credit, the strategy was sound and the game was tight until the end, but we were able to oveerpower the fleets and hold the oceans. Game Over.

I think that Germany should not be the one to take Brazil. Japan should take it in order to aid in the Atlantic Offensive.
Germany needs its resources to pressure Russia and Britian. With Japan making a move to Brazil, the US will need to divert precious resources to the cause.
I think this could be an effective strategy, but a little risky as well.

One of our Japan players will try for it on occasion. I, am trying to figure out:
A. Is it strategic enough to take as Germany?
B. Is it too costly for Germany to go after early?
C. If you were playing the US, how hard would you try to take it back?

You can’t get too it except by sea, so it seems secure.

Is it just me, or is there 3 IPC’s there for the taking that never seem to change hands? Brazil just sits there, game after game with no counters on it. Is it too far away to deal with? Would the US allow this to happen? What are your thoughts on taking, or re-taking Brazil?

After much deliberation, and many computer generated scenairos, I have given in to popular opinion and agree that there is no way to take UK on the 1st turn and win the war.
If Germany was successful in it’s bid for the UK, it would be at the expense of everything else. This would put Germany in a bigger bind.
Also, when I played this weekend, I went with most of the basic move I mentioned above. Germany wiped out the naval fleets with minimal losses and was able to move the Fin/Nor Tank to Africa for a quick takeover of that continent.
The Axis actually won one as we danced on in the Red Square of Moscow while owning most, if not all of Europe, Asia & Africa.
Of course, the Allies were back on top the next game.

Win some, lose some. But always play again.

I am considering leaving FIN/NOR alone to start. NOT do the Karila first strike. And leave the Baltic Transport out of the Naval Battle. Then, after the naval battle, ferry some infantry (2) over to FIN/NOR each turn for as long as I keep my transport afloat. If I keep massing troops in E. Europe and can spare the extra two troops to FIN/NOR each round, Russia will find it harder to spare the troops to take FIN/NOR or face an attack from E. Europe.

My group plays with Russia Restricted, so I would have first shot.

I am very thankful for the input. I am re-considering some of my stratiges now. I hate to lose the tank in Finland Norway to a Russian press, but if I consolidate on Karlia’s door with everything else, I don’t see how Russia could do much about it. And, if I keep my transport out of the North Sea naval battle, I could transport in additional foot troops for defense. Thanks for helping me think through this.

BladeRunner

Probably. I am going for the Afrika Expansion. I could leave a man or two there, but I prefer to pull everyone back to E. Europe to hold what I have until Japan can hit russia from the east

We are also looking at meeting in India ASAP

If everything works out, we can cripple UK early

I have included the NE Atlantic Sub in my attack on the North Sea.

The Sub and transport from the Baltic and the NE Atlantic Sub will strike the British Battleship and transport (Hopefully without Russian re-enforcements) with three fighters.

If they can protect the transport, then can the two men, 2 fighters and a bomber overcome the British Bomber, 2 fighters, 2 men and 1 Armor? That’s the big question I guess.

I haven’t played Germany much, but I have noticed that it may be possible to take UK in T1. It seems possible, but is it plausible?
If Russia fails to move their Barrets fleet or moves them to canada, there would only be a 2HBS and a transport in the north sea.
First, can 2 subs and three fighters protect the loaded transport?
Second, can 2 Inf., a bomber and 2 fighters take the UK away from the 2 Inf., 1 Armor, 2 Fighters and a bomber?

This seems risky, but not impossible. Any thoughts?

Also, Does this seem to be a sound “Basic” first round of action for Germany?
Purchase 9 Inf & 1 Armor
A. NE Atl Sub vs. US Transport in USA Atl.

B. Germany Bomber vs. UK Transport in Labrador Sea (add fighter from W. Eur. if Russian fleet goes there.)

C. 5 fighters from Fin/Nor, WEu, Ger, EEu & Ukr. (4 if fighter used in B above) and Baltic Fleet (Sub & Tran) vs. North Sea Fleet (MIN- UK 2HBS & Tran, MAX- UK + USSR Sub & Tran)

D. 2 Men transported from SEu to Egypt along with Blitzing Lybian tank and inf. vs. UK Inf & Arm. 2HBS along to handle UK Sub in E. Med.

E. Algeria Inf. to FWAf.

F. FOR ONE ROUND ONLY (Used to consolidate forces)
All forces from Fin/Nor, Ukraine, & EEu (9 Inf & 4 Armor), plus 2 Armor from Germany & 1 Armor from SEu into Karelia. Retreating to EEu after 1 round.

Again, any comments. Thanks.
Bladerunner

[ This Message was edited by: BladeRunner on 2002-01-21 10:42 ]

[ This Message was edited by: BladeRunner on 2002-01-21 10:43 ]

[ This Message was edited by: BladeRunner on 2002-01-21 10:44 ]