First off, this website is a blast to read. I am glad it is a resource!
With all the happy crap out of the way, I pose a question to the community at large. I have grappled with my feelings about Sea Lion. I do not like the fact that its success is a foregone conclusion, but it is if the German player is determined.
However, with a static setup from any historical game, there are going to be parameters. I am OK with that. However, I want to come up with some good responses. The most creative I have seen is the surrender of England posted by James Aleman. If you think it is pure nonsense, put your pieces on the board and go through several turns. It is interesting.
However, I like options. I am working on an option in which the German boon becomes a net loss. If UK builds land units etc. as if to offer a determined defense, Germany will build many transports by necessity. However, this is not a problem in that they can use them to swing around in the North Sea and hit Russia quickly. I would like to develop a plan that causes Germany to pay for their evil!
Specifically, I am interested in building some Russian Navy units. In conjunction with scrambling fighters at the Leningrad territory (Novgorod?) some defensive punch can be built up quickly if the initial battleship and planes are used. I realize that Russia must strike a balance and cannot allocate TOO MANY resources here. At the same time, if they neutralize a second front and lead to greater expense for Germany or stall them, it is worthwhile!
This fleet would not be enough, of course. I would think whatever remnants of the UK fleet would also be useful in catching the German fleet between a hammer and an anvil. If the German fleet can be quickly neutralized after Sea Lion, I argue that taking UK might not be worth it. Specifically, after taking it, the US will come and reclaim it. It is only a problem for the allies if the Germans can resupply and draw repeated landing from the US.
I am asking for assistance from anyone who likes to think theoretically about the game for entertainment in crafting a plan whereby the Germans take UK for a round or two before giving it back for good. Such a plan would not have to destroy the German fleet immediately but keep it bottled until such time as it can be beaten or buy Russia an extra turn or two.
Another thought I had was in conjunction with a Russian fleet and in consolidating the UK’s was to play some games in Great Britain. Specifically, some folks Sea Lion calls for a direct landing on London. Others stage a fight from a captured Scotland as well as from a landing on London. I was thinking about walking a line of offense and defense from the UK. Specifically, if they build up in London with Artillery and Infantry, they could attack a piecemeal landing on Scotland and then defend (not likely successfully) London with their retreating elements and production.
Any thoughts about the development of this initial at-work between clients purely theoretical plan?
