Hey Noll,
I started a game using your new setup and rules last night. We have just ended round 3 and decided to take a break. Probably pick it up again tomorrow night. The first 3 rounds seem to take the longest. I’m playing Germany by the way.
USA and USSR are still neutral so they both are just building up forces. USSR is trying to build up 4 large armies that can counter-attack the 4 main German armies when they attack – only leaving 3 inf in each border territory. USA has built a massive fleet in the Pacific: 3 CV w/5 fighter + 1 tac, 3 BB, 4 CA, 3 DD, 2 SS and 3 transports with 4 inf and 2 art. They are in the process of massing around the Philippines. Not sure about that strategy. Right now the US fleet actually outnumbers the Japanese fleet, but USA has 5 more rounds of being neutral and need to build some stuff in the Atlantic. Plus, Japan will start buying more warships before much longer. One more thing, the Philippines is within range of Jap air force on Kwangsi and Kiangsi so if Japan decides to attack, the US fleet will have more than just warships to deal with.
Meanwhile, Britain is in pretty rough shape. Germany managed to sink the two destroyer/transports in SZ 106 and 109 but left that massive Brit fleet in SZ 111 alone. The Brits scrambled 6 fighters (5 UK and 1 French) from London and Scotland to SZ 109 to go up against 3 U-boats, 3 fighters and 3 Stukas. The U-boats rolled three "2"s so sank the destroyer and transport right away. The fighters and Stukas got three more hits killing the French and 2 UK fighters while the Brits got five hits with their planes (the destroyer missed). Since the Destroyer was hit but still present, 3 of the UK hits were taken on the subs, plus 1 fighter and 1 Stuka. This left 4 German planes against 3 British. The next roll went south for Germany as they lost 2 more planes and the Brits only lost 1, so Germany retreated. Still, mission accomplished since they killed that transport.
That massive British fleet attacked on UK 1 into Sea Zone 112, where the Germans had 1 damaged BB, 1 CA, 1 CV w/1 fighter & 1 Stuka, 1 DD, 1 SS and 1 transport. Also available for scramble were 1 fighter and 2 Stukas on W Germany. The British outnumbered the Germans and should have crushed them, but the dice went bad for Britain. In the first combat round, Britain only got 3 hits while Germany got 7. Even with taking out the UK CV, which doomed the 2 fighters sent to escort the strat bomber on an SBR, the Brits barely had half their force left, but were still about even with the Germans. They rolled again and got wiped out, with Germany surviving with 1 BB (damaged), 1 CA 2 fighters and 2 Stukas. A very bad day for Britain.
Italy is just having a ball in the Med and Africa. They were frustrated with Greece which put up more of a fight than expected (sort of like the real war, huh?) They took Egypt round 1 and by round 3 have controle of all N Africa, and are working toward the interior of Africa AND the Middle East. The IC in S Africa is giving them a little trouble, but it shouldn’t be able to hold out too much longer.
Since Japan doesn’t want USA in the War, they have been very careful to not provoke them or UK/ANZAC. Of course, UK/ANZAC does not want to deal with Japan without US backing, so they also have been careful not to start anything. The result being that Japan has sent everything into China and has just about wiped them out totally (only 3 Chinese territories left with 0 Chinese infantry). Japan has also massed a fair amount of units in Manchuria and Korea. The Russians massed all their Far East infantry plus 2 AA guns in Amur and have 2 tanks and 2 mechs racing west across Russia to join them. I think Russia intends on attacking Japan once they get a few pieces with some punch to supplement all the infantry. However, my Japanese ally has told me she intends to attack Russia very soon, she just wants to build up a little more.
That reminds me. The Russian DOW is delayed until turn 6 (unless attacked of course). Is Japan included in that ? Or is that just for the European Axis powers? Our Russian player mentioned wanting to attack earlier, when Japan didn’t have nearly as much men in Korea or Manchuria, but we were confused and went with the assumption that ALL Axis were included in that rule. Could you clarify this for me? Actually, it wouldn’t matter as much now because Japan has really built up and it will be hard for a Russian attack. However, if we decide to play this set up in the future, it would be nice to know for sure. Thanks.
I’ll let you know how the game ends, but for right now, I think your changes strongly favor the Axis.