G1: 2 subs, 1 bomber
G2: 8 tanks, 2 mech, bombers
G3: 10 mech, bombers
G4 onwards: some infantry, artillery and bombers (Western Front defence)

Goal: Dark Skies, swarm the Med with Luftwaffe to help Italy, bring 20 fast movers to Russian front before G4 so they can be overpowered. Bomb Russian factories back to stone age.

Most targeted unit: UK ships.

J1: 2 transports, 1 mic in shantung
J2: 3 mech, 1 mic in kiangsu (FIC could be take by UK), 1 carrier
J3: 1 naval base FIC, 2 carriers, 4 fighters
J4 onwards: tanks/mechs 2 chinese MIC + carriers and air

Goal: Conquer China completely and keep it with 2 early factories and steady flow of reinforcements, then invade Russia to reinforce German push. Take the initiative by all out J1 incl. Pearl Harbour, splitting fleet in two groups, then go for either Sydney or India based on Allied play. Get money islands asap to get to same economic level as USA. Start pumping carriers from J2 onwards. Keep India and ANZAC as small as possible to isolate USA.

Most targeted unit: Chinese Infantry.

I1: tank and mech
I2: tanks
I3: transport, troops for Africa
I4: mic in Egypt, troops for Africa

Provide German with mechanized can opening army (first 2 buys), reinforcing the starting 2 mainland tanks. Survive in Africa while German airforce flies in to destroy the British, so they can start their offensive I2 or I3 when UK is weakened and can be defeated. After Germans gave them a kickstart in NO, focus on keeping Egypt and in best case scenario start pushing Middle East/Africa.

Most targeted: weak spots in Russian defence.

Overal Axis focus: Egypt and Yunnan, all other are less important.

Update on the game, which was the fastest and most convincing Axis win we had since playing Allies and Allies over last 6 years, Japan took Hawaii in J7 (India in J4).

I could not resist the experience of doing a Pearl Harbour so decided go for a more conservative slow but steady approach for Japan as I indeed became convinced J3 India + Pearl Harbour can easily be stopped by Allied play. I did take Shan State with 1 infantry to leave the option open, but UK retook it in UK1.

J1: 2 transports, 1 mic in shantung
J2: 3 mech, 1 mic in kiangsu (FIC could be take by UK), 1 carrier
J3: 1 naval base FIC, 2 carriers, 4 fighters
J4 onwards: tanks/mechs 2 chinese MIC + carriers and air

I did the all out J1 as I described in my plan of action. UK + ANZAC both very aggressive taking money islands, but I could therefore destroy their fleets in J2 and still take those islands. I send my transports to Caroline Islands J2 together with main fleet, pressuring ANZAC in defensive mode, with USA in pursuit. Then J3 I combined fleet at FIC (taking Malaya) and J4 I took India. All the time I had most of my air destroying China (Siberians in J2) and China was dead in J6.

Germany and Italy also very succesful. UK made a mistake with not doing Taranto and building factory in Egypt, I took Trans-Jordan I1 and Egypt in I2. It had taked Egypt was 1 tank left, then I send 3 german bombers to help defend it. UK could attack with 1 tactical, 2 fighters and 1 infantry. 2 Bombers hit and secure Egypt for the Axis! German started to reinforce it with 2 inf and air the turns after to hold it against UK attacks.

G1: 2 subs, 1 bomber
G2: 8 tanks, 2 mech, bombers
G3: 10 mech, bombers
G4 onwards: some infantry, artillery and bombers

Germany had a very miserable G1, most fleet attacks dying without succes. Also 110 was very painful, losing some air. I sticked to my plan of G3DOW, concentrated my troops and was able to take Moscow in G6 because of Russian defensive mindset in Ukraine + Leningrad, so I could bypass. In G7 I had stalingrad, moscow and egypt and would have take Leningrad in G8.

Italy had 25 IPC throughout the game. Isolated in Egypt but in firm control.

I was helped that both my allies played their nations for first time again since a long time, so had to figure out again how they worked. Also their teamwork could have been stronger, especially in pacific. I did make sure UK had no fleet throughout the game so it was difficult for USA to have can opening allies.

Good points. I want to take out the Money Islands + India + lock the burma road as soon as possible, the rest is less important. This gambit is too easily prevented by the Allies and is more likely to result in a swift break down of Japan, as I am especially afraid of #2.

I will not do Pearl Harbour.

I will first focus 100% on getting the money islands and India, then go for either Sydney or Honolulu.

J1: 3 Transports
J2: Minor, Air, Naval FIC
J3: (India Crush), 3 Mech + start building carriers to counter USA

Maybe keep 1 battleship, 2 destroyer and 2 fighters in Japan to counter an early strike now Hawaiian fleet is alive and USA likely more aggressive.

This reinforces the southern fleet with 2 full carriers, 1 cruiser and 1 submarine.

Then 2 infantry from Siam can take FIC, making the attack on Yunnan stronger with 1 infantry, giving me at least a counter attack with most of my planes and 2 infantry + 1 mech on Yunnan J2. When Yunnan is not retaken, I do not need an airbare there in J2 and could build my #4 carrier in Japan.

Thanks again for another round of excellent and interesting feedback!

As you might have figured so far, I am more like Jorgen Bent Larsen, preferring onorthodox strategies based on surprise and deception. Ofcourse it really helps that my group only plays a game twice a year and now after two years I am Axis again (while both allies will play their nations for the first time in 2 again). I am also the only one that studies this forum inside out as his hobby. This makes my playstyle ofcourse more suitable than hardened TripleA veterans. There is therefore reason to believe they might act as I expect them to act. I do really not mind if I win with a Fool’s Mate the first time I use it, actually I would love it!

Nevertheless Argothair you are absolutely right it is important to be realistic, run battles with a battle calculator in advance and have a detailed plan in how I expect to have a certain amount of units somewhere (India battle). I have improved all my past strategies by sharing it on these forums as you pointed out the wrong assumptions and weak parts. So thats what I will do again.

Japan 1

J1 purchase:
• 3 Transport

Combat move:
SZ 26:
• 1 submarine (SZ 6)
• 2 destroyers (SZ 6)
• 2 fighters (SZ 6)
• 2 tactical bombers (SZ 6)

SZ 35:
• 1 Submarine (SZ 19)
• 1 Destroyer (SZ 19)
• 1 Cruiser (SZ 6)
• 1 Battleship (SZ 19)
• 2 Transports (1 Tank, 1 Artillery, 2 Infantry) – Japan, Okinawa

SZ 37:
• 1 Cruiser (SZ 20)
• 1 Bomber (Japan)
• 1 Fighter (Formosa)

SZ: 43 :
• 1 Transport (1 Artillery, 1 Infantry) (SZ 20)

Philippines
• 1 Tactical Bomber (SZ 35)
• 1 Fighter (SZ 35)
• 1 Tank (Japan)
• 1 Artillery (Japan)
• 2 Infantry (Japan)

Borneo
• 1 Infantry (Kiangsi)

Shan State
• 2 Infantry (Siam)

French Indo China
• 1 Infantry (Kwangsi)

Yunnan
• 1 Bomber (Japan)
• 1 Tactical Bomber (Kiangsu)
• 1 Fighter (Kiangsu)
• 1 Artillery (Kwangsi)
• 2 Infantry (Kwangsi)

Kwantung
• 2 Infantry (Kiangsi)
• 2 Tactical Bombers (Japan)
• 2 Fighters (Japan + Okinawa)

Hunnan
• 1 Infantry (Kiangsi)
• 2 Tactical Bombers (Manchuria)
• 2 Fighters (Manchuria)

Chahar
• 1 Infantry (Jehol)

Anhwe
• 1 Mechanized Infantry (Manchuria)
• 7 Infantry (Kiangsu, Shantung, Jehol)
• 3 Artillery (Kiangsu, Shantung, Jehol)

Noncombat move:
SZ42
• 1 Destroyer (from SZ33)

SZ35
• 1 Aircraft Carrier (from SZ33)

Jehol
• 1 AA, 1 Artillery, 2 Infantry (Manchuria)

SZ31
• 2 Aircraft Carriers
• 1 Battleship

Kwangsi
• Used air craft

SZ31
• 2 Fighters (from Korea + Japan) when needed

Placements:
• 3 Transports in SZ6

Income:

$41 Income
$4 Extra
= $45

Japan 2
Purchase new units

• 1 Naval Base in French Indo China
• 1 Destroyer
• 3 Transports

Combat Movement

Yunnan (if needed, otherwise target Malaya)
• 2 Infantry (Shan State)
• 1 Infantry (French Indo China)
• 1 Mechanized Infantry (Anhwe)
• 6 Tactical Bombers
• 6 Fighters (assuming 1 died against UK BB)
• 2 Bombers

Java (Battleship + Cruiser)
• 1 Tank (Philippines)
• 1 Infantry (Palau Islands)

Celebes
• 1 Artillery (Philippines)

Sumatra (Full Carrier + Destroyer)
• 1 Infantry (Borneo)
• 1 Artillery (Borneo)

Chinese Territories (Suiyuyan, Hopei, Kweichow, Hunan)
• 3 Artillery
• 8 Infantry

UK / ANZAC fleets when possible instead of guarding transports

Noncombat movement

SZ 30
• 2 Aircraft Carriers
• 1 Battleship

SZ 6
• 1 Cruiser (S35)

SZ36
• 3 Loaded Transports (Unload FIC)

Shan State
• All planes

Place new units

• Transport in SZ6
• Factory in French Indo China
• Naval Base in French Indo China

Collect Income

$56 Income
$5 Island Bonus
= $61

Japan 3
Purchase new units

Combat Movement

India (5 transports supported by 1 battleship, 1 carrier, 1 cruiser, 1 destroyer)
• 1 Tank (Sumatra)
• 5 Infantry (French Indo China, Sumatra, Java)
• 4 Artillery (French Indo China, Sumatra, Java)
• 6 Tactical Bombers (Shan State)
• 6 Fighters (Shan State)
• 2 Bombers (Shan State)

Likely UK Forces: 2 Fighters, 1 Tactical, 15 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 2 AA Guns
According to my battle calculations, that gives me 97.3% to win.

Hawaii (3 Transport, 1 Carrier, 1 Cruiser)
• 6 Infantry (Korea)
• 2 Fighters
• 2 Tactical Bombers

Chinese Territories (Kansu, Shensi, Szechwan, Yunnan)
• 3 Artillery
• 8 Infantry (minus casualties J2)

Noncombat movement

SZ 9
• 1 Destroyer (S6)

SZ 12
• 1 Battleship (S30)

SZ 11
• 1 Carrier (S30)

Shan State
• All planes

Place new units

Collect Income

$63 Income
$5 Island Bonus
$10 City Bonus
$ 9 UK Bonus
= $87

Quirky Turtle, very good to point this out! I will bring 1 cruiser to S6 in J2 + build a destroyer. I could keep 1 or 2 fighters in Japan that then fight in sea battle of Hawaii, depending on how much fighters there are stationed.

Another important observation is that USA only has its first turn to counter this sneak attack on Hawaii J3, 52 points in total. I hope ofcourse that he spends this on ships.

It can only work when the USA thinks it has to rebuild its fleet after J1 and because of its close distance, can attack or reinforce Hawaii in a single turn, which you negate by sacrificial blockers. The longer you wait the more difficult it is to pull it off I guess. Nevertheless it is something you can always keep in mind when the situation occurs you can do this trick. You need 1 ship at Japan and 2 ships at Caroline Islands to block Hawaii.

Even in later stages of the game, when you control India or Sydney, you can steal victory from an unaware USA player.

Thanks a lot for the feedback, after thinking about it I still like the 4 transport buy in J2 when Pearl Harbour has been attacked. I agree I will stretch myself to the maximum, making optimal use of the starting fleet the Japanese have.

Yet in South East Asia, you do not face much naval resistance:

UK: 1 cruiser, 1 destroyer
ANZAC: 1 cruiser, 1 destroyer

Japan: 1 battleship, 1 cruiser, 1 destroyer, 1 full carrier (assuming sub + destroyer died in philippines attack)

The USA fleet in SZ10 is already powerful and could start hunting your northern fleet directly, this is indeed a problem. Even if this is the case, you can move your fleet to caroline islands and send 3 fighters from Kwangsi (most of my planes will land there in J1) to the aircraft carriers so you have 3 more planes scrambling giving you the advantage. You have to discard this plan immediately however as you can not build transports in unprotected S6. If USA is aggressive, take the slow conservative approach while taking money islands asap.

I hope (and assume) my pearl harbour attack with german sub in atlantic and philippines invasion will influence the USA to be more defensive in the first two turns, building up his fleet (having lost 3/4 of his fleets in J1). This gives me breathing space to manoeuvre my fleet and have unprotected transports build in S6.

Fleet balance between Japan and USA after succesful J1:

USA: 1 battleship, 1 cruiser, 1 destroyer, 1 transport, carrier w/tac & ftr

Japan: 1 battleship, 1 cruiser, 1 destroyer, 2 carriers w/tac & ftr (assuming all fodder besides blocker died in pearl harbour)

Without the airbase, how can the air come to kill India?
Shan State. You take it with 2 infantry from Siam. My experience is that Allies find Malaya so essential you prefer defending that place. They also like to use its air for Iraq or other missions. In case they do wipe Shan State, retake it in J2 in favour of a money island. Securing Shan State the turn before you attack India is crucial. I do realize now that with continued focus of UK on taking Shan State you indeed face a problem for your planes to land.

How can we get 4 TT’s worth of troops without budgeting for those?
I take the 8 infantry I left in Korea for keeping the Russians honest. Northern china is then indeed undefended. It does mean I have 10 transports full of troops, this gives me the flexibility to go for India, Sydney or Honolu in proposed sneak attack.

When does this plan not work?

• USA is aggressive in its first turn or reinforces Hawaii
• Shan State is taken by the UK

Ofcourse an important aspect of this is surprise and forcing the Allies to play defensively. As USA (not one too experienced) on the board my enemy would likely first rebuild and then start to attack (when 3/4 of my fleet is wiped). Same for UK, Japan that is super aggressive would likely result in UK wanting to preserve Malaya and India, not attacking but turtling. Only when they indeed react defensively to my first turn, it can work.

A proactive and aggressive Allied from the start will make it much harder for Japan. Yet even when that happens, Japan is not doomed, it needs to change course from this plan, unite its fleet again (can be done in J3) and push through Sydney or India more slowly (but still within J5).

Do remember I can have 7 transports full of reinforcements in FIC J3 to fight the Chinese in this plan + the Money Islands in J2.

About atlantic help
Italy will indeed not be helpful, Germany however does not detract much from its normal course. Instead of attacking S106 with 2 subs, you now attack it with 1, the other to USA cruiser + transport. In case you get lucky, that sub killed 19 IPC + convoy cost to USA.

Hello there,

I got this insidious idea while working on my Japanese strategy. It is focused on a J3 India Crush combined with J3 Hawaii Attack, therefore stealing the victory in J4.

Germany and Italy can help Japan to attack the USA at atlantic map (G1 sub attacks cruiser + transport) and (I2 invades west indies with transport that took gibraltar)

J1: 3 Transports
J2: 4 Transports, Naval Base FIC
J3: Whatever you like
J4: You won

J1: Standard JDOW1 attack with Pearl Habour Attack, Chinese Moves, FIC, Philippines, Borneo, Kwantung, UK Battleship.

J2: Take rest of islands, move to India with transports and planes. Make sure you have 3 ships available that can block S9, 11 and 11 (this is crucial).

J3:
Crush India with all southern forces (5 transports + air)
Attack Hawaii with 4 transports + aircraft planes (4 total)
Move blockers to S9, 10 and 11 so USA fleet can not re-take Hawaii in 1 turn.

In case you captured India and Hawaii, you will win the game in J4

Rationale
The idea is that you do not allow the USA to slowly take control of the Pacific. After you did a pearl harbour attack in J1, combined with Philippines and possibly even G1 submarine attack, the USA desperately needs to rebuild its fleet. This gives you a head start, as the USA is likely not going to be aggressive and building transports, but aircraft carriers and other surface ships. It forces him to play defensively on which you can capitalize as Japan by using weakness of defence of Hawaii (4 transports + 4 planes can take it when not reinforced). The insidious part is that even while his fleet is likely stronger than your Japanese one after two rounds of building ships (and so his idea that Hawaii can be retaken and is therefore safe) you deny him that access by blocking his stronger fleet, capturing victory because of the rules (6 capital cities for 1 turn)

USA only gets to build two times, USA1: 52 and USA2: 65 to counter this sneaky surprise tactic.

USA can counter by reinforcing Hawaii from the start and by being very aggressive. 1 succesful G1 attack with submarine on his cruiser and transport in that sense could be very helpful attracting attention away from Hawaii.

Thoughts?

Hello all,My group played the submarine the following:

When there are no destroyers, submarines can submerge or try a sneak attack (hit at 2). When they do a sneak attack, they are not able to attack normally.

Therefore, in case at attacking a lone cruiser, it can try to kill it in 1 hit, while the cruiser can not shoot back. However, after this try, it can not attack again for a second hit. It exchanges its normal attack for a sneak attack.

Is this correct?

Or can a submarine that attack a cruiser first send its sneak attack (torpedo) and in case of miss, start its first round of combat (so another try) however now the cruiser can try to strike back?

I have indeed become convinced a standard overwhelming Axis opener (besides maybe Italy who is in a desperate state with not much to lose and lots to gain) is the best option as Arthur has been warning me for a long time. Fortitude is an important aspect of a good general, but luck can also conceal the skill of a general.

There is one moment in the game you can absolutely decide what happens and that is G1 and J1. To win (important) battles is to attack with overwhelming odds.

I also realized there is no way to attack that UK cruiser while sending two subs to S110. I would like the Bismarck to strafe S111 so the two subs are a must.

S111: 2 sub, 1 bb, 1 fighter, 1 tactical
S110: 2 sub, 3 fighters, 3 tacticals, 2 bomber
S106: 1 sub

My goal is helping Italy out by/while weakening the UK in the first three rounds while preparing for a succesful Barbarossa. Cruiser is indeed greater priority.