Important question regarding Sea-Lion

The best US move is to build a NB in Smx and position it’s fleet in SZ64, so it can reach Gib in one turn or Hawaii in one turn, depending on what the Axis player does. Go look at my previous posts for the way I play the US. I’m in favor of a KGF strategy during the first 3 rounds for the Allies, then shift gears and focus on Japan. However, most people are in favor of a KJF strategy.

I should clarify, this is Turn 1. If Germany invades Scotland on Turn 2 and builds a lot of transports(i.e. Sea Lion), then you should position your fleet even closer to the UK on Turn 2.

The important thing is: make sure you take it back with enough force to keep it for 2 turns.

Liberated, UK can’t buy anything its first turn (and receives money at the end of its turn).
If Germany takes London again after that, it gets UK’s money as a bonus. Again. Which is alot more IPC’s to Germany compared to letting London be.

Moving the fleet…. would depend on what Japan does (J1 or no)

In a couple of our games where the Allies end up winning, USA didn’t end up liberating London until after they had stomped Italy, Liberated France and taken Western Germany.  By the time Berlin was taken, the UK hardly had anything on the board yet.

@knp7765:

In a couple of our games where the Allies end up winning, USA didn’t end up liberating London until after they had stomped Italy, Liberated France and taken Western Germany.  By the time Berlin was taken, the UK hardly had anything on the board yet.

What was the highest USA income in such games?

@SSPanther:

<snip>Those are the details of our game. Basically I am not sure what to do with the US. Drop a huge fleet in the Atlantic?? Let the UK be and keep pressing hard in Pacific?</snip>

Slap Japan around with a large trout.

1. UK has about 24 or so infantry, with all original fighters plus the one from Gibraltar. I just dropped 2 destroyers in north convoy zone and moved my fighters to Scotland in an attempt to rid those German subs. - A : Where is the rest of the German fleet? Can’t they take out your 2 DD’s?

2. Germany is two turns out from Sea-Lion, so at least I will see it coming if/when they move their transports. They could throw in 10 ground units plus all of their aircraft, which are also out of position (on russian front). Germany has a huge army in east poland, with about 22 infantry or so plus a lot of tanks (around 8-10) with some mech and artillery. They seem to be going with the traditional, huge army push towards moscow to deter a russian counterattack and force a Moscow turtle.

• Germany is eating away at UKs money with 6 subs in convoy zone off London
• they also have 2 subs in mid-atlantic which could be used to roadblock US fleet - A : What turn is it? Btw, subs can’t block other naval units. 10 German ground units is not enough to take the UK, especially if you have your UK airforce still in the UK. The German 10 ground units vs. the 24 UK Inf won’t be enough, especially if his airforce is out of position. Start building Arm, FTR’s & Tacs in Saf. Build DD’s in SZ106 out of Quebec. On the eastern front, you have already done something wrong. Never build just all inf w/Russia. Every turn you need to build Art & Arm. If you don’t have enough firepower to attack back, you’re toast. Read my other post on how to defend Russia. Also, if the German stack is in Epl, then you should have your Russians in Bel & Nukr for a counter attack.

3. Italy has not broken through into sub-sahara africa, or past the coastline in the middle east. However they are sitting at Gibraltar with 3 transports which could mean a second wave (6 units) at Sea-lion, or to reinforce if Germany takes it. - A : Block w/one of your US or UK naval vessels.

*4. Here is where I have to make a decision……The US: I only have 2 destroyers, 1 cruiser, and 1 transport off east coast. I have been going ALL Pacific, and have a huge fleet at Hawaii. This has put the Japs on the defensive in the Sea of Japan. Japs are crushing China, and seem to be threatening India strike, but are 2 turns out for that unless they build a naval base. Would still be risky though IMO. - A : You have already done the US wrong, IMHO. I know a lot of people say Japan first. I believe going against Japan first is a mistake. KGF! For the first 3 turns, then shift your focus to Japan. Go to the Board Games section and see my 1st turn builds w/the US under the games I’m playing against Cymru. That will give you a good idea of what to do w/the US. On Turn 1, you should build a NB in Smx, so you can get from SZ64 to SZ26 in one turn or SZ91 in one turn. It allows the US to shuffle units from the E. Coast to the W. Coast very easily. If you don’t have a NB in Smx build one this turn. Then, I would focus 100% on Germany/Italy.

So USA is at war, right? How’s the situation in the DEI?

1. i hope germany won’t snatch those planes. How is the German escort fleet? (the one protecting their transports?)

2. see somewhere below.

3. Has Italy taken Gibraltar already? Take it back ASAP! or block SZ91 immediately if you can’t reach Gibraltar with enough troops.
You can pick SZ91/Gibraltar as your US bridgehead (good reach to basically everywhere)

4. Don’t retreat your Hawaii fleet, keep the pressure on Japan. You have enough money to spawn a fresh one in E-USA, strong enough to withstand Axis fleet/air.

Personally i like the Atlantic sub-approach…
Start with building some subs (about 6 or even more but make sure you don’t loose them, so always watch out for enemy destroyers withing reach) and a destroyer to get those subs around england, you’ll need 1 destroyer to send to SZ91 to block the italians. All these subs will come in very handy later (massacre of the italian fleet and convoy raids in the med (or UK if it falls). If those 2 mid-sea subs are within reach of the US coast, build at least an AC or BB this turn, and always keep at least 1 DD present.
The subs will also make Germany have to worry about their transporter fleet (either bothering their movement or making them have to invest in more ships, which is a good thing). if you have enough money, already buy an AC with 2 fighters (for ex: 6 SUB + 1 DD + AC + 2 FIG = 80IPC), this way the current fleet is completely safe.

Next turn build up your surface fleet:
You don’t need a HUGE fleet, but make sure it is more than strong enough to survive a German (possibly followed by an italian) attack. Ships cost money and bringing them to Europe costs time.
I’d say: at least 1 BB (or 2 if you can afford it), 2 AC’s (filled with 2 fighters and 2 tacs, or 3 fighters and 1 tac), at least 2 destroyers (1 to protect from crazy subs, another one to do some blocking or provoking actions oir suicide runs). never fall shoret of destroyers.

And of course a few transports.  :)