After Action Reports

[gerwin88]

I would completely agree.  The US lose its fleet and for the next few turns they could do very little.  It neutralized the threat to the Japanese island holdings and allowed a push toward Moscow.  The UK without US help could not hold Europe or even put enough pressure on Germany, that late in the game, to stop them from charging east and ending things.  What always amazes me is how Techs change the game.  W/o heavy bombers the US would have conceded and the game would have ended a turn earlier. Happy gaming!!

[Stoob]

Title:  Allies Take Capitals but Lose Anyway!
Date:  4/10/09
Special Rules:  1942 with Tech + NOs
Victor:  Axis Victory > Allied Concession
Game Length:  8 rounds
Bias: About equal

Code:

Japan Russia Germany UK Italy USA
1 41 29 54 39 12 48
2 46 28 51 33 24 48
3 54 29 39 39 24 47
4 56 27 49 40 28 55
5 60 22 50 37 30 49
6 72 15 52 83 25 43
7 77 11 45 20 19 53
8 68 15 54 24 23 78

Code:

Axis 394 474 185 1053

G J It
1 54 41 12 107
2 51 46 24 121
3 39 54 24 117
4 49 56 28 133
5 50 60 30 140
6 52 72 25 149
7 45 77 19 141
8 54 68 23 145

Code:

Allies 176 315 421 912
R UK US
1 29 39 48 116
2 28 33 48 109
3 29 39 47 115
4 27 40 55 122
5 22 37 49 108
6 15 83 43 141
7 11 20 53 84
8 15 24 78 117

   Major Events                        
1   Russia has bad opening, gets unluckky, Germany sinks a lot of UK fleet, US takes solomons                        
2   UK takes Norway, Germany takes Karelia, Japan begins building factories in Asia                        
3   UK takes Finland, Russia liberates Karelia, UK withdraws from Egypt, Italy takes it                        
4   UK takes france, Italy takes it back, US lands in Morocco                        
5   Japan defeats China, closes on Mosow, Italy own most of Africa, Japan retakes solomons                        
6   UK gets very lucky and takes germany amphibiously, Italy liberates                        
7   Japan attacks Moscow and fails, but Moscow is weakened heavily                        
8   USA attacks and takes Italy
9      Japan takes moscow, allies conceed.                        

[TG Moses VI]

List has been updated. 

[Corbeau Blanc]

Title:  A bridge too far 1941
Date:  April 10th, 2009
Special Rules:  NO's
Victor:  Allies Victory by Concession
Game Length:  4h
Bias:  About equal.
Description:
Allies: Adopted a Kill Germany First (KGF) strategy.  UK divided it's forces between India and Europe. USA made landings in Norway and Congo Africa via Brazil while still sending reinforcements in Pacific.  Russia kept their ground in front of Germany , fighting for the big 3s.   

Axis: Japan conquered  most of Asia but were stalled in the Burma jungles, faced by the dreaded Indian IC, dubbed: ''call center''.  Germany steadily advannced on Russia, marching trough Poland.  Italy was overwhelmed in Africa after breifly holding Egypt.

On their biggest push toward Russia, Germany was stopped near a bridge in  Poland and ambushed by two subsequent massive allies landing that destroyed all of it's panzer forces, luftwaffe and opened a clear way for the Red Army. It was soon followed by surrender.
 
Observations/Recommendations:
Allies won, despite their heavier losses in Poland, they still had a huge production advantage and there was no way for Germany to replaces it's tank and planes. Japan was stalled long enough and failed to take India.
Link:  None

[TG Moses VI]

USA made landings in Norway and Congo Africa via Brazil while still sending reinforcements in Pacific.  Russia kept their ground in front of Germany , fighting for the big 3s.   

How did USA manage to do that all in one game?  To me that seems like a dilution of effort and a logistical nightmare.  You could probably get 2 of 3, but how did the Axis react to all 3?   

On their biggest push toward Russia, Germany was stopped near a bridge in  Poland and ambushed by two subsequent massive allies landing that destroyed all of it's panzer forces, luftwaffe and opened a clear way for the Red Army. It was soon followed by surrender.

You know, I often wondered how the war would've ended in real life if the Allies (USA/UK) attempted a landing closer to Berlin.  Perhaps not on Polish soil but somewhere along the German/Lowlands coastline.  Would've it have been a disaster or shortened the war? 

[Stoob]

Title:  Epic
Date:  5/10/09
Special Rules:  1942 with Tech + $4/8 NOs + Dardanelles Closed + Escort/Interceptor rules
Victor:  Allied Victory > Axis Concession
Game Length:  13 rounds
Bias: About equal

First off what $4/8 NOs means is that instead of being $5 National Objectives we played with all NOs for all countries being worth $4.  The single Russian one was worth $8.  The objectives themselves were unchanged.  Why?  Cause Popeye and Santa told us to do it that way.   

The game got started in an unusual fashion when instead of buying a carrier or more fleet the UK instead bought 2 bombers on their first turn and moved all fighters within striking range of the Italian fleet.  This meant dropping off 2 infantry in Gibraltar and landing 2 fighters Gibraltar in turn 1.  On turn 2, the Italian fleet was attacked off the coast of Egypt by 4 fighters and 3 bombers, who all then landed in Egypt.   Although the UK got higher than average losses, the Italian fleet was sunk after having used it only once - to invade Transjordan.  Throughout the whole game Italy only got more than $9 income when Japan took Egypt and Transjordan for a round or two.  This was in exchange for UK getting a somewhat late start building a fleet.

Prior to turn 7
Allies had adopted an "all in" European strategy to attack France or Italy.  If you've played AA50 more than a couple times you know the drill, the UK builds a fleet and does some little landings in Norway or France maybe.  The US builds a big fleet and ships it over around turn 3 or 4.  The difference in our game is that the US was in SZ12 on Turn 2, since there was no Italian fleet to worry about anymore.

Turn 7
Ok so we pick up around turn 7 when things start to get interesting.  UK and USA do a joint landing and combine fleets in SZ6 and land in NW Europe of all places with about 40 units total.  This is enough to prevent being immediately counter attacked by the Germans and destroyed, but by the turn after it was impossible to hold this position without being wiped out.  At this point Japan was starting to threaten Africa and had secured all of the pacific.

Turn 8
Despite having a low income, Italy had basically been buying infantry all game long, and so now if you do the math they had like 25+ infantry sitting around.  Germany and Italy both had to play somewhat defensively because of big fleets off the coast but Germany was still putting the heat on Russia, and by now Japan had motored up into the Caucus and taken it along with some Germany forces.   Russia decided to take a chance and try to take back Caucus from the combined Japanese and Germany force there.  Russia rolled incredibly well, and although they statistically should have won this battle, they won it by a landslide, and even retained some infantry.  This very will might have been the turning point for the game.  UK and USA, being unable to hold their position, decide to split their fleet, the UK going north to Archangel and beginning to funnel troops from UK to Archangel, 8 at a time each turn.  USA went to SZ12 and kept the threat on Italy and France but not before leaving some troops (about 16) in the Karelia for help to Russia.

Turn 9
About this time USA got the wacky idea to build a transport and a sub in the pacific and start to threaten Japanese holdings in the south pacific with some bombers too.  Japan had just moved all its navy near Egypt, ready to take it and move into the Med.  However, Japan turned some of its fleet around to deal with this new American threat.  USA was maintaining fleet in SZ12 and also dropping troops off in Africa, both to hold it from the Japanese and threaten Italy.  Russia was slugging it out with Germany and had the bright idea to advance into Persia, which held up the Japanese advance in this area, although still Japan was advancing through China and across Siberia.

Turn 10
One thing that was interesting about this game was she sheer amount of USA and particularly UK troops in Russia at this point.  Numbering between them over 40 units, it really stalled what would have been a Russian defeat at the hands of the Germans and also Japanese.  Japanese still building up and doing a good job mobilizing forces and getting ready to take on Russia, but it's not possible yet.  There are just too many UK troops around.  On this turn Japan gets Paratroopers and USA gets Heavy Bombers.

Turn 11
By this time USA had 15 fully loaded transports sitting in SZ12.  Still, Italy and Germany would have been able to at the very least counter attack and destroy any landing force in France or Italy.  The German air force was like 9 fighters and 3 bombers by this time, stalemated against a USA fleet of 3car,6fighters, 1battleship, 1cruiser and a few destroyers.  So if the USA lost any of those fighters attacking Italy, it was a dead fleet.  The Italian/German player is very thorough and careful, and it is extremely difficult to find a weak spot in his defenses to make a meaningful attack.   So the Allies make the decision to head east.  The Japanese kind of over-committed a portion of their fleet to deal with a very small American presence in the Pacific.  The Americans head to the Med (SZ14) but don't actually attack Italy, just take the Balkans for an NO cash-in.  The american pacific bombers withdraw and start the trek east to join in a battle two turns from now....(forshadowing!)

Turn 12
USA fleet heads to SZ34, within striking distance of Japan's IC in India, Burma, and East Indies.  The fleet is an even match for the Japanese fleet in the area, but the USA has 30+ ground forces and the Japanese have more like 20.  Russia adds 15 tanks to the mix and it's advantage allies.  USA Heavy Bombers mean a strike on the Japanese fleet is a good idea.  Germany and Italy figure out what is going on and start heading east with massive amounts of troops they were saving in the west to fight a USA landing in France, but it will take 4+ turns to get to Moscow.

Turn 13
Japan, knowing it cannot hold India this turn, withdraws from India.  Russia advances into India.   UK immediately builds 3 ground forces there.  USA moves 20+ more troops to India --- then also to East Indies and there is a big sea battle.  4 carriers on each side, a battleship and a cruiser.  But the USA brings 4 heavy bombers to the party and it's lights out for the Japanese.  Japan lose their fleet and their IC in East Indies.  A smaller 2nd battle in the carolines goes badly for the Japanese and at this end of this round Japan has 4 transports and one destroyer left.  USA has 3 carriers full of planes and about 15 transports in the vicinity of very underdefended pacific holdings.  Japan has now lost 2 ICs in two rounds and a 3rd in Burma is in jeopardy.

Axis concede.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Economically speaking the stats aren't much to look at.  The Allies were down consistently about $10 a turn compared to the Axis.  Germany hovered in the 40s most of the game, Japan in the 60s, peaking at 71.  USA was consistent at 42-48.  UK was generally in the 30s.  Russia was in the 20s, higher earlier on, lower 20s later on.

[Stoob]

Title:  Allies Snatch VCSs
Date:  5/15/09
Special Rules:  1941 with Tech, Without Nos, Dardanelles Closed, With Interceptor/Escort SBR
Victor:  Allied Victory > Axis Concession
Game Length:  5 rounds
Bias: About equal

Allies won in turn five by attacking 4 underdefended Victory Cities (Paris, Warsaw, Manilla, Calcutta) and holding them we were playing a reduced VC game.

As you can see here the economics were than Allies were up by 22 in the first round, and then in later rounds up by 3-6 IPC until the last round when taking France and Poland helped boost the money

We were playing with Tech and UK was the only country to get something, Increased Factory Production, which never helped the UK once.

Code:

G R J UK I US
38 27 30 35 10 38
36 29 42 27 10 38
35 26 44 28 12 38
33 28 43 27 14 38
32 26 44 35 14 46

[TG Moses VI]

The game got started in an unusual fashion when instead of buying a carrier or more fleet the UK instead bought 2 bombers on their first turn and moved all fighters within striking range of the Italian fleet.  This meant dropping off 2 infantry in Gibraltar and landing 2 fighters Gibraltar in turn 1.  On turn 2, the Italian fleet was attacked off the coast of Egypt by 4 fighters and 3 bombers, who all then landed in Egypt.   Although the UK got higher than average losses, the Italian fleet was sunk after having used it only once - to invade Transjordan.  Throughout the whole game Italy only got more than $9 income when Japan took Egypt and Transjordan for a round or two.  This was in exchange for UK getting a somewhat late start building a fleet.

Interesting.  Given these turn of events, I'm not sure what the Axis Counter to this would be. I would suppose the Germans would have to make a forced invasion of Egypt G2.  Still, it seems like a very strong move. 

UK and USA do a joint landing and combine fleets in SZ6 and land in NW Europe of all places with about 40 units total.

With 40 pieces why not just wheel backwards into France?  That would threaten both Italy and Germany at once. 

Other than that, that was a pretty Epic game.  I'm surprised by the sheer amount of units on the board at one time.  Also heavy bombers seemed swingy, tipping the scales of the American fleet. 


--

Title:  Allies Snatch VCSs

How many VCs did you declare necessary for victory? 

[Stoob]

With 40 pieces why not just wheel backwards into France?

Well at the time the Allies landed in NW Europe that was the only place the fleets could meet and join up.  UK had been up near Archangel and USA had been in SZ12.  The reason the Allies didn't stay in NW Europe or move to France is that Italy had 25+ pieces they moved to France and Germany had 40+ pieces in Germany.  Completely outnumbered, the Allies would have been destroyed in France.

How many VCs did you declare necessary for victory? 

12

[Covertsniper88]

First time poster.. but here it goes.

Title: Can't stop Japan

Date: 5/17/09

Setup: NOs,no Techs 1942 scenario

Victor: Axis won, Germany took moscow, Japan too strong

Game length: 7 Rounds,  10 hours

Bias: Nearly equal skill level. Maybe a little bit in Allies favor

Description: As being Axis, I wanted to establish myself heavily of course in Asia. However my main focus was weakening UK, because a weakened UK player means no Allies victory in my opinion. As Japan I ended up buying 3 complexes the first 3 rounds ( First in Burma, 2nd in Manchuria, 3rd in India.) Germany sunk every single british ship in the Atlantic round 1 except for Cruiser and transport near canada. Axis took over both Egypt and India both in round 2. Everything from this point looked to be a footrace towards moscow, and as the Axis player I actually got worried because the US nicely reinforced in the Atlantic and UK started to build up a little bit so that was going to be a bit of a problem eventually. Turning point in the war though was in turn 4 when Germany got a bit lucky with dice rolls and was able to take Caucasas with hardly nothing left in Russia so Russia fell the next turn without even a single Japanese force there. From this point it was definitely over, as the next turn for Germany they purchased 7 bombers which was the end of the allies.
Observations/recommendations: Basically in this version if Japan is played right, there is nothing the allies can do. The US actually in round 4 purchased some navy and tried to threaten Japan but since Japan was so strong and saw them coming they just matched them which ended up being a waste for the US. UK was making right around 25 Ipcs the whole game which is a very good thing for the Axis. Italy actually wasnt much of a threat, they assisted with a lot of the Africa campaign but mostly Germany was just strong and well played. Russia made a few purchase mistakes, as they need to be ready for anything. They lost a bomber in a worthless battle and actually purchased a fighter in round 3 which they really can't afford. What I found very useful is after the Navy battle around india in round 1 the Japs will usually have a batteship and carrier left from that fight and using them to help defend Italy's fleet worked really well. Having that flexibility and defense over there was very useful. Overall the turning point was Caucasas falling to good rolling by the axis. The odds were pretty close but Germany still had a such a force left that they just tore right into russia. In regards to Japan, who was making 50+ ipcs all game, are incredibily hard to stop. I feel if the US did a full on Pacific theatre, then that would leave Germany to be even stronger as then they wouldn't have the US breathing down there neck. This is the only game Ive played with this strategy and maybe there is a counter that I will find eventually, however right now Japan looked pretty awesome.

[TG Moses VI]

Bitten by the Axis bug I see.  How many times have you played the 1942 scenario total? 

[Covertsniper88]

This was the fifth time I played the 42 version. Previous times were with a lot less experienced players, so this game marked the first where the 2 skilled players got to face each other 

[Hone Heke]

Title: Hang on...where'd my empire go?
Date:  June 9, 2009
Special Rules:  Played 1941
                    NO's + Tech (increased factory production tech works on territories with 2 or more IPC's)
                    also due to a misread of the rules, players can build ICs in territories captured that turn, and build units from ICs the turn they capture them. (ruins british capture france,build IC, recapture france,build 6 men strategy lol)
Victor:  Axis Victory by Concession
Game Length:  2 hours, 2 1/2 turns
Bias:  equal experience (4 players with 8 games each), axis slightly better
Description:
Allies: russia built man man artillery combo, only attack was manchuria turn 3.
         U.S. ran away from pacific, sent planes to england, attacked north africa. started building subs in pacific to harrass japanese shipping
         england built a factory in france, recaptured it turn 2. didn't build factory in asia (would be gifting it to japan)
Axis: Germany unlocked IFP, sunk some british fleet, attaked EVERYTHING into russia(karelia first turn, caucuses 2nd, moscow 3rd)
       Italy took egypt, then put everything into defending france.
       Japan attacked some U.S fleet with planes, rushed india with 3 transports + entire fleet. took china, south-east asia with fighter backup(lost all but 2Inf but no opposition so who cares?). invaded africa,pacific on 3rd turn.

Observations/Recommendations:
The first game where the axis have won  (finally got it sorted). it seems that our usual containment tactic doesn't work against super aggressive axis players. allies had an effective navy/airforce in europe but were being far outproduced with no realistic way of crippling the axis(turn 2/3 assaults on Europe seem suicidal). what am i missing?
Link:  None

[keplar galvin]

how did england build a factory in france and then recapture it in turn 2? this seems impossible....

[TG Moses VI]

What is IFP?  Increased factory production? 

I'm assuming you played the 1941 version of the game.  Under game bias you stated that each player had played 8 games.  Yet, under Observations you state this was the first time the Axis won.  Furthermore you stated you don't see a good Allied counter to this strategy.  Am I missing something?  Were your first 7 games Allied victories?