This opening turn is based upon a frsh look at the game using standard rules. It incorporates the way I have used to play with GErmany on the opening turn, but I have tried to be a bit more solid about it. What is novel is that Germany in no way engages Rusiia on the opening turn. There is one major reason for this mainly that Germany is left with two options if it goes this path. It must either use planes for the offensive thrust of tanks. Using planes allows the British navy to persist which will grow to be lethal. Using tanks, requires loosing those tanks to the Russian counterassault, loosing you valuable IP’s (tanks for infantry) and thereby forcing you to invest heavily in armour when you already have scads of it.
Purchase:
1 Transport (8)
4 Infantry (12)
1 Fighter (12)
Total: 32
The transport is purchased to replace the possile loss of your southern transport. The fighter is purchased to replace the possible loss of one of your fighters from the assault on the British navy (you may possibly lose two). The four infantry will be split between the German capital to reinforce from moving men to the eastern front and to replace those in southern europe in order to land in Africa with the purchased Transport.
Battle One: Fighter from Finland/Norway engages British transport off Eastern Canada
This is a fairly clear cut battle. Although you might get unlucky, a loss here is certainly not too detrimental. The fighter lands in Western Europe to reinforce the positions which will be thined here.
Battle Two: Fighters from Eastern Europe, Germany, Ukraine S.S.R, and Western Europe engage British home fleet.
Here a loss is likely and perhaps two losses. This should be a sure victory in the end however. Likely, the russian transport will have docked here to help the British fleet take a casualty as it is largely useless. Return all to Eastern Europe.
Battle Three: Bomber from Germany attacks British submarine in mediteranean
Either a kill or a retreat out of the suez. A retreat is not entirely detrimetal as you should control one half of the Suez by next turn when you rreturn your southern fleet to harbor so that the submarine is no longer a threat. Return to Germany
Battle Four: Battleship and Transport from Southern Europe Attack Battleship at Gibraltar along with submarine stationed outside Gibraltar
Here the transport will likely be lost, with the possibility of two losses though unlikely. By any account your Battleship which is crucial should survive. One loss is certainly preferable as the British may decide to try to trade their Bomber for your Battleship if it left alone.
Playing Out Africa:
Now you will notice that the Battleship and Submarine prove to be potent threats to any U.S. incursion. A movement to Africa on the first turn will not only cost them a transport but the soldiers they drop as well most likely. This play fends off Africa well. If the U.S. lands a transport you have the options of sending the sub alone in a trade (Briain will take the sub with a bomber). This is good as the U.S. cannot afford a transport on the first turn in the east as they must restore their Pacific fleet or end up with a Japanese blockade on California which will disallow them form placing any further sea units in the West. Typically, Britain will buy a second bomber on the first turn, requiring you to retreat you Battle ship back into the Med. If they do not you are gravy.
Battle Five: Send Infantry from Algeria into French West Africa to guard against American invasion.
No defenders.
Battle Six: Send Armour from Libya into French Equitorial Africa then bakc to Algeria to guard against less likely U.S. invasion.
No Defenders. This also keeps you sole African armour safe from British attack.
Non-Combat Movement and Placement:
Move two armour from Western Europe to Germany putting them in range of rich targets.
Move one infantry from Germany into Western Europe. (Ilike to do this now as infantry can get sparse late and two infantry is too little.
Move two infantry from Southern Europe into Eastern Europe.
Move two armour back from Ukraine S.S.R. to Eastern Europe.
Move two infantry from Eastern Europe to Ukraine S.S.R.
Move three infantry from Germany into Eastern Europe.
Place transport, fighter, and two infantry in Southern Europe. Place two infantry in Germany.
This is of course only a useful strategy if Russia does not attack you in Eastern Europe on the first turn, but that is a crappy strategy any ways, as it leads to the destruction of all Russia’s armour (at the cost of a few German infantry, and leaves Germany armour used on the counteract in a safe position) and does ont allow maximal use of Russia’s airplanes.
Critique anyone?