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  • Welcome to Axis & Allies .org Forums!

    Player Help
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    U

    Hello! I have played axis and allies on and off throughout the years with friends and family(when I can convince them to play) and own both Global 1940, anniversary edition, some other axis and allies games, and a good number of Pieces from Historical Board gaming and combat miniatures. I am very pleased to have found this forum!

  • Topics related to using the forum or website. Look here for help and changes.

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    B

    @djensen

    yes i’ve noticed time of day as well. Is fine currently. 7 pm Central US

  • Blog posts from individual members. (Previously called Article Submission).
    108
    Topics
    875
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    The_Good_CaptainT

    The Russian strategic video for AnA: Europe is posted. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDtErFBMCHA

  • News, rumors, and discussion about the Axis & Allies franchise.

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    P

    @thethedew I don’t own the game, but I think the main point of it is that it is not WW2 based. This way the game has appeal to people who aren’t that interested in WW2.

    Let us know what you think after you’ve played a couple of games.

  • Use this forums to annouce and discuss up coming events.
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    The CaptainT

    The 6th Northen European A & A Wiking Con is scheduled to begin in Friday 31. October 2025 19.00 CET and end Sunday 2nd November 2025 16.00 CET.

  • Use this forums to find other players near you.

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    P

    @jwad I live in Kaysville and would be up for playing.

  • Tell us about your custom Axis & Allies projects.

    House Rules Other Axis & Allies Variants
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    FranceNeedsMorePowerF

    @Witt 1943 Setup Global

    Japanese Navy has been edited.

    Also, last time a person helped me put this into triple a would anyone be querius to do that again when we make the final touches in this one.

    France:

    London, 2 Infantry, 1 Fighter

    Algeria, 2 Infantry, 1 Mechanized Infantry

    French West Africa, 1 Infantry

    Syria, 1 Infantry

    Sea Zone 98, 1 Transport

    Sea Zone 110, 1 Destroyer

    Italy:

    Southern Italy, 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 2 AAA Guns, 1 Tank, 1 Fighter, 1 Bomber, Air Base, Naval Base, Major Industrial Complex.

    Northern Italy, 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 2 AAA Guns, Major Industrial Complex

    Albania, 1 Infantry,

    Greece, Control Marker, 1 Infantry, 1 Tank

    Crete, Control Marker, 1 Fighter, 1 Tactical Bomber

    Sea Zone 95, 1 Transport, 1 Battleship

    Sea Zone 97, 1 Transport, 1 Cruiser

    Sea Zone 93, 1 Destroyer

    Staring IPC: 34 United Kingdom/Starting IPC: 9 United Kingdom Pacific:

    United Kingdom, 6 Infantry, 2 Mechanized Infantry, 1 Artillery, 3 AAA Guns, 1 Tank, 3 Fighters, 1 Tactical Bomber, 2 Bombers, Major Industrial Complex, Air Base, Naval Base

    Scotland, 2 Infantry, 1 AAA Gun, 1 Fighter, 1 Air Base

    Egypt, 1 Infantry, 1 Mechanized Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Tank

    Trans-Jordan 1 Infantry

    Malta, 1 Infantry, 2 AAA Gun

    Alexandria, 1 Infantry, 1 Tank

    Tobruk, Control Marker, 1 Infantry, 1 Mechanized Infantry

    Libya, Control Marker, 1 Infantry, 1 Mechanized Infantry

    Ethiopia, Control Marker

    Italian Somaliland, Control Marker

    Quebec, 1 Infantry, 1 Tank, Minor Industrial Complex

    New Brunswick, Naval Base

    Eastern Persia, Control Marker

    Persia, Control Marker, 1 Infantry

    Northwestern Persia, Control Marker

    Gibraltar, 1 Fighter, Naval Base

    Iraq, Control Marker,

    Union Of South Africa, 1, Infantry, Naval Base, Minor Industrial Complex

    West India, 1 Infantry

    India, 11 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 3 AAA Guns, 1 Fighter, Air Base, Naval Base, Major Industrial Complex

    Burma, 4 Infantry, 1 Fighter, Airbase

    Sea Zone 106, 1 Destroyer, 1 Transport, 1 Cruiser

    Sea Zone 109, 1 Destroyer, 1 Battleship

    Sea Zone 110 3 Transport, 1 Destroyer, 1 Cruiser, 1 Battleship

    Sea Zone 111, 1 Destroyer, 1 Cruiser

    Sea Zone 119, 1 Battleship

    Sea Zone 91, 1 Destroyer

    Sea Zone 96, 1 Transport, 1 Destroyer, 1 Cruiser, 1 Aircraft Carrier (Carrying 1 Tactical Bomber)

    Sea Zone 98, 1 Destroyer

    Sea Zone 39, 1 Destroyer, 1 Cruiser, 1 Battleship

    Sea Zone 38, 1 Destroyer, 1 Cruiser, 1 Battleship

    Staring IPC: 12 China:

    Hopei, 6 Infantry, 1 Artillery

    Suiyuan, 3 Infantry

    Kweichow, 4 Infantry, 1 Artillery

    Hunan, 2 Infantry

    Kiangsi, 4 Infantry

    Kwangsi, 4 Infantry

    Kwangtung, 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery

    Szechwan, 6 Infantry, 1 AAA Gun, Air Base

    Yunnan, 6 Infantry, 1 AAA Gun, 1 Fighter, Air Base

    Starting IPC: 52 United States of America:

    Eastern United States, 2 Infantry, 1 Mechanized Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 AAA Gun, 1 Tank, 1 Fighter, 1 Bomber, 1 Air Base, 1 Naval Base, 1 Major Industrial Complex

    Central United States, 1 Infantry, 1 Mechanized Infantry, 1 Major Industrial Complex

    Western United States, 2 Infantry, 1 Mechanized Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 AAA Gun, 1 Fighter, 1 Air Base, 1 Naval Base, 1 Major Industrial Complex

    Brazil, Control Marker, 1 Infantry

    Morocco, 2 Infantry, 1 Mechanized Infantry

    Algeria, 2 Infantry, 2 Tanks

    Tunisia, 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery

    Alaska, 2 Infantry

    Midway, 1 Infantry, Air Base

    Wake Island, Air Base

    Hawaii Islands, 2 Infantry, 2 Fighters, 1 Bomber, Air Base, Naval Base

    Solomon Islands, 2 Infantry, Air Base

    Marshall Islands, Control Marker, 1 Infantry

    Caroline Islands, Control Marker, 1 Infantry, Air Base, Naval Base

    United Kingdom, 1 Mechanized Infantry, 1 Fighter, 2 Bombers

    Sea Zone 101, 4 Transports, 1 Destroyer, 2 Cruiser

    Sea Zone 92, 2 Transport, 1 Destroyer, 1 Cruiser

    Sea Zone 94, 1 Destroyer

    Sea Zone 10, 1 Transport, 1 Destroyer

    Sea Zone 26 , 1 Submarine, 1 Destroyer, 1 Cruiser, 1 Battleship, 1 Aircraft Carrier (Carrying 1 Fighter and 1 Tactical Bomber)

    Sea Zone 25, 1 Submarine

    Sea Zone 47, 1 Submarine, 1 Transport, 1 Cruiser, 1 Battleship, 1 Aircraft Carrier (Carrying 1 Fighter and 1 Tactical Bomber)

    Sea Zone 33, 1 Submarine, 1 Transport, 1 Destroyer, 1 Cruiser

    Sea Zone 32, 1 Destroyer

    Starting IPC: 10 Anzac:

    New South Wales, 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Fighter, 1 Naval Base,
    1 Air Base, 1 Minor Industrial Complex

    Queensland 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Fighter, 1 Air Base, 1 Naval Base

    Northern Territory, 1 Infantry

    Western Australia, 1 Infantry

    New Zealand, 1 Infantry, 1 Fighter, 1 Air Base, 1 Naval Base

    Egypt, 1 Infantry

    Alexandria, 1 Infantry

    India, 1 Infantry

    Burma, 1 Infantry

    Sea Zone 62, 2 Transports, 1 Destroyer, 1 Cruiser

    Sea Zone 54, 1 Submarine

    Sea Zone 63, 1 Cruiser

    Sea Zone 98, 1 Transport

    Sea Zone 56, 1 Submarine, 1 Destroyer

    Starting IPC: 49 Japan:

    Japan, 11 Infantry, 1 Mechanized Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Tank, 3 AAA Guns, 4 Fighters, 2 Tactical Bombers, 1 Bomber, Naval Base, Air Base, Major Industrial Complex

    Korea, 2 Infantry, 1 Fighter

    Manchuria, Control Marker, 3 Infantry, 1 Mechanized Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 AAA Gun,
    1 Fighter, 1 Tactical Bomber

    Jehol, 1 Infantry

    Chahar, Control Marker, 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Fighter, 1 Tactical Bomber

    Anhwe, Control Marker, 2 Infantry

    Shantung, 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Mechanized Infantry, 1 Bomber

    Kiangsu, 3 Infantry, 1 Mechanized Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 AAA Gun, 1 Tank, 1 Fighter, 1 Tactical Bomber, 1 Bomber, Naval Base, Minor Industrial Complex

    French Indochina, Control Marker, 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Fighter, Naval Base, Air Base

    Siam, 2 Infantry

    Shan State, Control Marker, 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Fighter, 1 Tactical Bomber

    Malaya, Control Marker, 2 Infantry, 1 Fighter

    Sumatra, Control Marker, 2 Infantry, Naval Base

    Java, Control Marker, 2 Infantry, Naval Base

    Borneo, Control Marker, 1 Infantry

    Celebes, Control Marker, 1 Infantry

    Dutch New Guinea, Control Marker, 1 Infantry

    New Guinea, Control Marker, 1 Infantry

    Palau, 1 Fighter

    Philippines, Control Marker, 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Fighter, Naval Base, Air Base

    Formosa, 1 Fighter

    Okinawa, 1 Infantry, 1 AAA Gun

    Iwo Jima, 2 Infantry, 1 AAA Gun

    Guam, Control Marker, 1 Infantry, Air Base

    Sea Zone 6, 1 Submarine, 1 Destroyers, 1 Cruiser, 1 Battleship, 1 Aircraft Carrier (Carrying 1 Fighter and 1 Tactical Bomber)

    Sea Zone 19, 1 Transport, 1 Destroyer

    Sea Zone 36, 1 Destroyer, 1 Cruiser

    Sea Zone 37, 1 Destroyer

    Sea Zone 41, 1 Battleship

    Sea Zone 42, 1 Cruiser

    Sea Zone 44, 1 Destroyer

    Sea Zone 35, 1 Destroyer, 1 Cruiser

    Sea Zone 20, 1 Transport

    Sea Zone 34, 1 Aircraft Carrier (Carrying 1 Fighter and 1 Tactical Bomber)

    Sea Zone 22, 1 Submarine

    Sea Zone 17, 1 Destroyer

    Starting IPC: 30 Russia:

    Russia, 6 Infantry 2 Mechanized Infantry, 2 AAA Gun, 1 Tank, 1 Fighter, Air Base,
    Major Industrial Complex

    Archangel, 3 Infantry

    Karilea, 6 Infantry

    Vyborg, 3 Infantry

    Novgorod, 6 Infantry, 2 Artillery, 2 AAA Gun, 2 Tank, 2 Fighter, 1 Air Base, 1 Naval Base,
    1 Minor Industrial Complex, EVERYTHING MAX DAMAGE!

    Volgograd, 2 Infantry, 3 Tank, 1 Fighter, 1 Tactical Bomber, Minor Industrial Complex

    Rostov, 6 Infantry, 2 Artillery

    Smolensk, 6 Infantry, 2 Artillery

    Archangel, 6 Infantry, 2 Tanks

    Bryansk, 4 Infantry, 1 Artillery

    Caucasus, 2 Infantry

    Amur, 6 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Tank

    Siberia, 6 Infantry

    Soviet Far East, 1 Infantry

    Sea Zone 5, 1 Destroyer,

    Sea Zone 127, 1 Submarine

    Starting IPC: 52 Germany:

    Germany, 6 Infantry, 1 Mechanized Infantry, 2 Artillery, 3 AAA Guns, 1 Tanks, 1 Fighter, 1 Tactical Bomber, Air Base, Naval Base, Major Industrial Complex

    Western Germany, 6 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 3 AAA Guns, 1 Tank, 1 Fighter, Air Base, Naval Base, Major Industrial Complex

    Greater Southern Germany, 1 Infantry

    Holland/Belgium, 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 AAA Gun

    Slovakia/Hungary, 3 Infantry, 1 Mechanized Infantry

    Romania, 3 Infantry, 1 Mechanized Infantry, 1 Tank

    France, Control Marker, 6 Infantry, 2 Mechanized Infantry, 3 AAA Gun, 1 Tank, 1 Fighter, Air Base, Major Industrial Complex

    Normandy/Bordeaux, 4 Infantry, 4 Artillery, 4 AAA Gun, 1 Tank, Naval Base, Minor Industrial Complex

    Denmark, 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery

    Southern France, 2 Infantry, 2 Artillery, 2 Tanks, 1 Tactical Bomber, Naval Base, Minor Industrial Complex

    Northern Italy, 1 Infantry

    Southern Italy, 1 Infantry

    Poland, 2 Infantry, 1 Tactical Bomber

    Baltic States, Control Marker, 3 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Tank

    Eastern Poland, Control Marker, 1 Infantry, 1 Tank

    Bessarabia, Control Marker, 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Tank

    Yugoslavia, Control Marker, 1 Infantry, 1 Mechanized Infantry

    Bulgaria, Control Marker, 1 Infantry, 1 Mechanized Infantry

    Norway, 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery

    Finland, Control Marker, 3 Infantry

    Belarus, Control Marker, 1 Infantry

    Ukraine, Control Marker, 2 Infantry, 1 Tank

    Western Ukraine, Control Marker, 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery

    Volgograd, 1 Infantry

    Rostov, 1 Infantry

    Sea Zone, 114, 1 Destroyer

  • The marketplace for Axis & Allies board games and miniatures.
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    DallinDD

    Recently, while putting away the second panel on the 1940 Europe board (containing areas such as Russia, Egypt, and the Middle East) it accidentally bashed against the wall and ripped across the seam. I want to buy a replacement, but preferably not an entire board, and especially repurchase the actual game. Are there any websites or places where I can buy individual panels of the Axis and Allies Global board so that I can save money?

  • Released Sept. 2024

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    S

    @Sergeant-Steve

    Agreed. I didn’t mean giving more units to the Allies though, I meant replacing a British infantry piece with an ANZAC/French infantry piece

  • Released Oct. 2008, re-released Oct. 2017 & Jun. 2024

    1941 Scenario 1942 Scenario
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    R

    Hi,

    I Bought this boardgame for my dad for fathers day (and also for myself of course).

    Since he does not speak English nor understand a word of it, I wanted a translated version of the Rule Book, but couldn’t find any.

    Apart from that, I also found it a bit hard for beginners to get started and catch up on the game rules. It’s just a bit overwhelming in my opinion.

    So I figured I let AI generate a full playthrough scenario, that will allow you to follow along while learning the rules during the process. I tried ChatGPT but it had hard time, I then gave the new Claude Sonnet 4 model a try, which did a really good job in my opinion. I first let it read the Rulebook and then create a playthrough scenario that covers all the game rules and all sorts of scenario’s to learn the rules by following along. And I let it translate it into Dutch.

    I created a github repo mainly for the Dutch version. I am a new player myself so no clue if AI made any mistakes but I think it did a great job. Perhaps it is helpful for Dutch beginners that don’t speak/understand English to well.

    Direct PDF download: leerscenario.pdf

    Github Repo: https://github.com/RensTillmann/axis-allies-anniversary-nl-leerscenario

  • Released June 2024

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    Posts

    P

    Howdy, you get what you put into it, the figure cards reminds me of the minis, in the old Buck Rogers in the 25th. Century Game.
    You can always House Rule the game, to one’s delight. I plan to RoundRobin it, in the near future(another post, another day).
    I already gotten some minis from my old die casts Triacs and Vrocs sets.
    Adding to the game fighter bombers, hover copters, VTOL Fighters that operate from the Cruisers, Recon. Jeeps, and, a “Sour Grapes” land missile carrier.
    You can order the Bucket of Modern Air and Sea Forces, where you can pick up some nice nuke attack submarines.
    Also APCs and Hover tanks, from Fortress America and transports from A&Allies Games.
    Supplements of Forces will add more spice to your gaming, it work wonders for the old Buck Rodgers game.
    My RoundRobin will only use the original units of eight, that came with the game.
    After all Zvezda used the Command and Colors system quite nicely for some of their games.
    G.I. Joe powered by Axis and Allies rules will go quite nicely, give it time.
    Who knows what the future brings, Lord of the Rings Battle of the Five Armies powered by Axis and Allies would be interesting, thanks, Pellulo

  • Release date: October 2018
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    B

    @Krieghund Thank you for the swift reply. I don’t think that thought crossed my opponent’s mind (we usually play Global, so the idea of attacking Germany…and leaving oneself open to counterattack…is not on the radar).

    Zombies is a different game.

  • Release date: July 27, 2012
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    Imperious LeaderI

    @EmanuelRS Yes mate this is VECTOR ARTWORK. Its not some Jpeg. it can be printed 50 miles wide and have no issues with pixelation

  • The Global 1940 game is when you combine Europe 1940 with Pacific 1940.
    Axis & Allies Europe 1940 Axis & Allies Pacific 1940
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    AndrewAAGamerA

    Yes. Any adjacent sea zone to a naval base gains the bonus. This assumes the ship started its turn in that sea zone and it is a friendly naval base.

  • World War I. Released April 2013

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    C

    Re: Best Strategy & Tactics For Both Sides Well I just finished 2 games as the Central Powers one with contested territory and one without… I somehow won both!! Both of my opponents were very capable but I figured out a way to win. If you are playing with the allies I have no strategy for you but here is my strategy for the CP contested territory version as that is what most people are playing. Here goes:

    AH: Charge your navy at Italy because there is an ok chance you might win. Then attack Venice with both of your adjacent territories. Attack Romania with all of Budapest and Galacia. then move troops from Vienna and Bohemia to Galacia. After that you can attack Russia from both Ukraine and Sevatapol with those forces because as you will see with Germany Poland will be tied up. It is pretty self explanatory after that. I bought a battleship every turn just to keep Italy from being able to land troops.

    Germany: Throw all your navy (including subs) at Brittons home fleet on the first turn then take out Belgium with Alsace and the rurh’s forces and move Munich’s into Alsace. that will settle the western front for a while. so move the men in Prussia and Silesia into Poland(no mater the amount of Russians) then send everything else to the Russian front. I also bought a battleship a turn untill my navy was completely destroyed then I bought 2 a turn. you should also probably send a few extra troops to the western front each turn just to help out a bit. after that it should be self explanatory. But I would suggest going straight for Moscow instead of signing the armastice unless you don’t have enough troops.

    Otoman Empire: Don’t buy troops… ever… just buy battleships because if Italy’s navy gets destroyed then you can go after Brittons fleet. You can hold out with the troops you have already until your fleet is ready. also I chose to attack Serbia with the Bulgarian troops I got but it’s kinda up to you.

    As you can probably tell by now the CP need lots of navy to survive not just stonks of infantry. I also employed a very swift advance on the Russians and bogged down the allies with as little infantry as needed. A timely purchase of tanks will secure your victory on the west after the fall of russia. I really hope this helps!! And have a fun time playing the CP!!!

  • Release date: June 19, 2012
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    KrieghundK

    @Rescue55-joe I believe the “10 IPCs for each country” that you are referring to are actually the National Control Markers, which are used to track both conquered territories and national production levels. As barnee pointed out, IPCs are not physically provided, and the Rulebook instructs us to track them on paper, but any proxy (such as Monopoly money) will do. See page 7 of the Rulebook for details on both National Control Markers and IPCs.

    In a nutshell, the National Production Track is used to chart your “income” using a National Control Marker. and every turn the “money” goes into your “bank account”, which is represented by IPCs, where it can be spent on new units (or saved for later).

    I hope this helps.

  • The original MB Gamemaster Series game from 1984-2004

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    KrieghundK

    @Mn-guy Yes, other units can participate in the sea battle. Other than being a prelude to an amphibious assault, it is just like any other sea battle. The rules on page 15 mention only battleships and transports because they are the only units that can participate in the land battle.

    As a side note, attacking air units must, of course, be assigned to either the sea or the land battle, as indicated by where they end their combat movement. They cannot participate in both, even if the amphibious assault is against an island.

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    P

    Now back to the RR, this is based on the first scenario given in the rule book. Except for a single trooper and one aircraft( to have combine arms), all air and land units costs are converted into Cruisers.
    First references: Cobra’s main base is called North Pole Base(cause it is on the North Pole), the Joe’s main base in Greenland is called Apogee Base. With an imaginar symbol of Cobra base for game purposes is North, the Joe’s base is going South with to the West (left of the game board) is the Americas. Now if you go to the East(right of the game board) is Western Europe.
    Now if you go from Cobra’s North Pole Base going South(towards the top of the game board), you most likely run into Asiatic Russia(the old Soviet Far East). Russia makes up 53% of the coastline boarding the Arctic Ocean.
    Second Reference: Cobra Commander units are just to be called Red, Destro is Black, Admiral is Blue, Snow is White. Cobra Commander and Destro probably have Generals and Admirals assigned to them. Admiral Haul probably has USMC Joe General and troopers, with Snow Job has a General and Admiral assigned to him.
    Scenario 1: Take opposite base, or, have 10+ VP at end of round, or, most VP at end of Round 7, ties are permitted. This will be Cruiser versus Cruiser, with a trooper and jet/war ground attack jet for each colors( in order to have combine arms). Non Cruiser units are cashed in for Cruisers.
    White Base 12 Points Value, has 2 C, 1 Trooper, and, 1 Jet.
    White/Blue Base 12 Points Value 2 White C and 1 Blue C.
    Blue Base 12 Points Value 5 C, and, 1 Trooper and 1 Jet.
    Total 36 VP
    Red Base: 5 C
    Red/Black Base: 2 C and a trooper and Air Gunship all red. Also Black 4 C and trooper and Air Gunship.
    Black Base: Has 5 Black C.
    Total 24 VP

  • A forums to discuss other games.
    Global War War Room The War in Vietnam
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    jim010J

    @SuperbattleshipYamato

    Planes have to operate from bases, so whenever they are used to attack or defend, they must always return to their base. When defending, they can defend any space up to their range. There are optional rules that decrease teh effectiveness of planes the further from their base they operate.

    Ships work the same as planes.

    Supply is like AA bulge and North Africa, but is required for planes and ships as well.

    Combat is similar to classic AA, but there are differences in how planes work in combat to reflect their roles of fighter vs tac

    Paratroopers have unique rules reflecting their actual roles.

    Terrain is a big feature of the map

    Movement is unique in that you complete 1 entire move (combat and interceptions and all) before you do the next one. This means you could attack a space and fail, and then attack it again all in the same turn. Or you could driveup supply to your units, and then use those units to attack.

    Complexity would be ~ AA Bulge. There is a basic version using more classical rules in the works for that want to keep it simple and familiar.

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    bartokB

    Scenario Betio Campaign Takarongo Point
    Bloody Tarawa Web Version Historicon 2010
    Scenario_DD3 Regina Rifles at Nan-Green

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  • Friends of Axis & Allies .org

    Forums for our friends who make the Axis & Allies community even better.

    SmoreySwamp Young Grasshopper
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    B

    @Afrikanerhart

    well, if you ever decide to play online with triplea, you might like the UHD map :)

    Screenshot from 2024-08-07 16-11-59.png

    Screenshot from 2024-08-07 16-14-41.png

    Screenshot from 2024-08-07 16-20-47.png

  • No decsciption available
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    D

    Hello, my daughter found a fascinating letter from her great great uncle who arrived on the Normandy beaches D-Day +13 (19-June). He was British army royal signals. Sergeant Frank Sandys 2591478.

    I’ve looked at the NARA database and some of the other posts about LST logs on here, but I’ve not been successful in locating any information about Frank’s two journeys. Unfortunately, I haven’t got the vessel registration numbers of either. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. Or indeed any information that would help build a bigger picture for my daughter of Frank’s journey and experience through Normandy as the campaign continued.

    The initial LST left just after midnight in the morning of 18-June and in the heavy storm the cargo doors were broken open at 4:00 and the ship had to return to a port in England. It was apparently not repairable and Frank the British artillery and US forces with them boarded another landing ship tank which set off at around midnight on the 18th. They arrived in the early hours of the morning on the Normandy beaches on the 19th.

    There was a major Richard Milliken, who may have been with Frank he sadly was killed by a German 88 mm shell in a vehicle with two other officers on the 20th of June (the day after Frank arrived).

    I’ve shared a transcript of Frank’s letter below for anyone who might be interested in the personal account of those days. I think it gives a fascinating insight into that generations quiet stoicism and understated fortitude under fire and deprivation.

    I’ve copied below a transcript of the letter and the timeline I created. We found records at the British National Archives in Kew (War Office ‘diaries’) that record Major Milliken’s death and the two other officers and we found their war graves. If anyone would like more information or the original images of the letter, let me know and I’ll post them also.

    The new baby at home that Frank refers to, that he doesn’t know the name of yet, is my daughter’s still living grandad 🙂

    Transcript:

    2591478 Sgt Sandys. F.,

    Csos Branch,

    HQ Second Army Main,

    B.W.E.F.

    23 Jun 44

    Dear Eldon and Ruth,

    It’s a bit late in the day to be writing to thank you for your good wishes and cigarettes which you sent for my birthday, but I can assure you that the delay has not been indifference on my part. I was delighted with your long letter and very pleased to have the cigarettes (at the time I hadn’t got any, and couldn’t get any). Together with, a small parcel from home, and letters from Wilfred and Charlie, they all made the day a pretty good one. Thanks very much for everything anyway.

    When we arrived in France your letter saying that you now have another son, was waiting for me.

    Congratulations! I understand from a letter mother has since sent that both Ruth and the youngster (I don’t know what you have decided to call him), are doing well and I sincerely hope they are well and still progressing.

    You would be thankful, I’m sure when it was all safely over and you had another boy in your family. Have you, I wonder, decided his name? You’ll have plenty to do for the next few months, what with Michael and the new arrival but as Eldon says, when they get a little older, as Michael now is, they are very good company and provide endless interest.

    I should like to send something along for him, but at the moment it’s not possible for there are no shops here, and no facilities of any kind.

    3

    You will have had father over since the event. Mother told me that he came up and apparently had a quiet journey - not many people on the train – far different to what he expected in fact.

    I am sorry not to have written to you sooner but, during May and till the invasion started we were literally working night and day, and found it hard to get a few hours sleep even.

    When D day came, however, things started to slacken off on the clerical side, but loading & packing was then the order of the day. This was a lengthy business on account of the waterproofing of loads, and all papers etc, but it was finished eventually with a few hours

    4 .

    to spare, and we were called forward for shipment in the early hours one morning. The order was a typical Army one, for we were all asleep in the tents when the Rsm came round and told us all to be at a point 2 miles away, with all our kit inside 15 minutes. Needless to say, we hung around all that day, moving towards the embarkation point, with our lorries, at the rate of a ½ mile in an hour. In the evening we embarked on a Yankee L.S.T. and sailed in convoy about midnight or shortly afterwards. The sea was rough, and being a flat bottom ship, she rolled abominably. You may have seen this type of ship in Glasgow. They are quite big really and take a fairly heavy cargo.

    Fortunately, I and the Draughtsman Sgt managed to get one of the few bunks which were available in the ship and so got in a little shut-eye till about 4 am when we awoke to the sound of terrific thuds against the ship’s side and the ship trembling as well as rolling. This didn’t make me feel very happy but when I saw the crew, with whom we were sleeping, getting on their M. West lifejackets, I felt genuinely alarmed. What had happened was that the Bow doors – huge things which are used for loading vehicles off the beach, had broken open with the rough sea, and were swinging against the ship’s side every time she rolled, making a terrific din and shaking the whole ship. Furthermore, the hold was taking water and the vehicle hold already had six inches in it.

    We dropped out of the convoy then with a Corvette standing by about

    one mile away – not near enough for my liking. At dawn I went on deck but it was impossible to move about. The crew were all clustered round the bows and waves coming over them every few minutes whilst the ship’s side rails were alternately in the water as she rolled. Presently we turned around and Major Millikin [sic: Maj R. Milliken 123370] who was in charge of our party said we were returning to England. We were only sailing very slowly now and so we continued for about 2 hours when the Capt. turned round again and continued to port in reverse – stern first.

    We arrived in harbour about 2pm, staying on the ship till about dinner time the following day when we went into dock. Apparently nothing could be done about repairs as later in the afternoon, we left the dock and sailed up coast

    7

    to the beach where unloading could take place. At tea time we disembarked and were provided with cigarettes, chocolate, biscuits, newspapers and a good meal.

    I must say the yanks do you very well on the ships – the food was excellent – all tinned but really good stuff and plenty of it.

    It was funny to see all the lads dashing off to the nearest pub as soon as we disembarked, only to find when they got inside that they had only French money in their pockets, having changed all English money previously.

    We hung about the beach for 4 or 5 hours watching ships loading and unloading and landing craft disgorging long lines of wounded, until we embarked in another ship ourselves about midnight.

    8

    We sailed again that night and arrived here at dusk the following night, coming ashore after dark. It was just coming light when we were passing through the first French village and very strange it all seemed in the half light.

    When we arrived in our area it was raining heavily and it continued to do so all day which wasn’t so good whilst we were erecting tents, particularly as each tent had to be dug in 2 ft or so. However we worked hard and finally completed the putting up of camp by tea time.

    The following day Maj Millikin [sic: Milliken] and 2 other offrs were killed when a shell hit their vehicle. It is very noisy around here with bombing and A.A. Once or twice the Germans

    9

    have shelled our area with their 88 mm guns, but didn’t do much damage and there were only a few casualties.

    We are situated in a farm. There aren’t many French civilians about but what few there are look remarkably well fed, and prosperous for an alleged starving country. Prices seem to be high though for they charge 5 francs (about 6d) for an egg, if you can get one.

    Our own food isn’t so bad though. All canned stuff, of course, but quite good apart from the hard biscuits instead of bread. Your jaws tire before you’re full, eating these biscuits.

    Today is a beautiful hot day and I’ve taken the opportunity of having a bath – 2 biscuit tins,

    10

    full of water, a piece of canvas for a little screen, all the lot underneath our apple tree, is how I organised it.

    Well, I’m afraid I’ve gone rambling on in this letter, longer than I intended. I should be glad tho’ to have a few lines from you to hear how baby is going on.

    Thanks again for the birthday present. Hope you are all well.

    Love to you all,

    Frank.

    Abbreviations:

    Sgt = Sergeant

    Csos Branch = CSO’s Branch = Chief Signals Officer’s Branch

    HQ = Headquarters

    B.W.E.F. = British Western European Force, later redesignated British Liberation Army (BLA)

    Rsm = RSM = Regimental Sergeant Major

    L.S.T. = Landin

    g Ship, Tank

    M. West = Mae West

    A.A. = Anti-aircraft

    Timeline:

    Sergeant Frank Sandys’ Normandy Timeline (June 1944)

    Pre-D-Day (May 1944 - June 6, 1944):

    Activities: Frank was engaged in intense, “night and day” clerical duties until the invasion started.

    Post-D-Day Preps (June 6, 1944 - approx. June 16, 1944): After D-Day, clerical work “started to slacken off”, but “loading & packing was then the order of the day”. This was a “lengthy business” involving waterproofing all loads and papers, which was eventually finished with “a few hours to spare”. This period covers roughly 10-12 days after D-Day.

    First Embarkation & Incident (Estimated: June 17, 1944):

    Early hours: Frank and his unit were “called forward for shipment” from their tents.

    All day: They “hung around all that day, moving towards the embarkation point, with our lorries, at the rate of a ½ mile in an hour”.

    Evening (about midnight or shortly afterwards): They “embarked on a Yankee L.S.T. and sailed in convoy”.

    LST Incident & Return to England (Estimated: June 18, 1944):

    ~4 AM: Frank awoke to “terrific thuds against the ship’s side”. The “Bow doors…had broken open with the rough sea”, and the “hold was taking water”.

    Dawn: They “dropped out of the convoy” with a Corvette standing by. Major Milliken confirmed they were “returning to England”.

    Journey to Port: They sailed “very slowly” for “about 2 hours”, then the captain turned around and continued to port in reverse, stern first.

    ~2 PM: They “arrived in harbour”.

    Time in England & Second Embarkation (Estimated: June 18 - 19, 1944):

    Remainder of June 18th - Dinner time June 18th: They stayed on the LST in the harbour until “about dinner time the following day when we went into dock”.

    June 18, 1944 (Later Afternoon): “Apparently nothing could be done about repairs as later in the afternoon, we left the dock and sailed up coast to the beach where unloading could take place”.

    June 18, 1944 (Tea time): They “disembarked” from the damaged ship at the beach. They were provided with cigarettes, chocolate, biscuits, newspapers, and a good meal.

    June 18, 1944 (4-5 hours): They “hung about the beach for 4 or 5 hours watching ships loading and unloading and landing craft disgorging long lines of wounded”.

    June 19, 1944 (~Midnight - early hours of June 18th/19th crossing): They “embarked in another ship ourselves”. This embarkation took place around midnight on June 18th, leading to an early morning arrival in Normandy on the 19th.

    Normandy Arrival & Camp Setup (June 19, 1944):

    Early Morning (June 19th): After sailing “that night”, it was “just coming light when we were passing through the first French village and very strange it all seemed in the half light.”

    Day (June 19th): They “arrived in our area” while it was “raining heavily” and they worked hard erecting tents, “digging in 2 ft or so”.

    Tea time (June 19th): They “completed the putting up of camp”.

    Major Milliken’s Death (June 20, 1944):

    June 20, 1944 (Confirmed Fatalities): “The following day Maj Millikin [Milliken] and 2 other offrs were killed when a shell hit their vehicle”. Frank notes the area was “very noisy… with bombing and A.A.” and “the Germans have shelled our area with their 88 mm guns”. They were situated on a farm.

    June 21 - 22, 1944 (Activities after Major Milliken’s Death):

    Frank’s letter implies events continuing, but does not provide specific day-by-day actions for these two days. He mentions being on a farm and general conditions like prices for eggs and their food.

    June 23, 1944:

    Letter Written: Frank writes the letter home from Normandy, describing the "beautiful

    hot day" and taking a bath.

  • Discussion about anything except politics.
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    P

    Go to a good size library, they might have the 20 Vol.

    series of History of the First World War by Marshall

    Candelvish Publications(they did the W.W.2 series).

    Pictures, illustrations, charts, graphs, side articles of W.W.I,

    written by the generation who went thru it, and, the ones

    afterwards.

    Your library might have a loaner series, to take a book home,

    or, order it thru the state library system.

    I read my series at Buffalo Main Branch at the turn of the

    century, took me under two years to go thru the whole series

    of books.

    Impossible one does not get a feel for The Great War, much

    less ideals for House Rules, thanks, Pellulo

  • Software, spreadsheets, calculators, or other digital tools to assist with Axis & Allies game play.

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    P

    Somewhere way down the road, perhaps that mobile Holographic version will be available. Perhaps for the 50th. Anniversary of the 1980s GameMaster Series, thanks, Pellulo

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