Hello everyone, I’m new to this forum.

Let me introduce myself: I’m Oliviero, I’m 53 years old, I’m Italian and I’m a teacher in a school for foreign adults. I played the very first edition of A&A a long time ago; I stopped because I didn’t have people to play with in my area, but I remember how I studied the strategies of both sides in depth to “theorize” the best “initial openings” (I’m a chess player, so I’m “deformed” in that sense). Now I’ve picked up that edition again (which has remained in my heart), but I’ve bought practically all the best A&A games released in recent years: Europe 40, Pacific 40, WWI, Anniversary edition … and North Africa (tell me if I’ve forgotten something worth buying). I can’t wait to start playing with all these games, but for now I’ve started with North Africa (perhaps the most complex, or in any case the most different from the others in the A&A series). I would like to have (if there are people available) advice from experienced players about the strategy to adopt as UK (and Allies in general) because I think I will play the first games on that side of the deployment, especially in the Rommel Last Push scenario. I would also like to have an overview of the various units (utility, best use, purchasing strategies), obviously not what concerns the rules found in the rulebook, but advice on which are the most effective in attack and defense based on the cost/effectiveness ratio.

I thank in advance those who will want to respond.

@Witt I am a history enthusiast (like all wargamers I think) and I have taught it for many years.

I wanted to know how exactly the German anti-tank works, i.e. whether, in the same turn, it can shoot both as an anti-aircraft and as an anti-tank (i.e., shooting 2 times). For example, if a territory that also contains a German anti-tank is attacked by 2 infantry, 2 tanks and 2 planes, should the anti-tank first shoot as an AAA (this happens before the attack begins), then, shoot again as a defensive unit (choosing, among other things, the tank target of its shot for the first combat turn)?

A&A North Africa - TO I8.pdf Hello everyone, I propose the position on the board at the beginning of the eighth turn of Italy in the “Operation Torch” scenario to have your opinions on the strategy of the game in practice (often “abstract” considerations are made, before playing, which then “clash” with what actually happens on the board). In this game I was assigned the American (we decided to draw by lot at the beginning of each game the power with which we will play in order to be able to experiment and try the game under various aspects). This is only the third game we play and the first ever with “Operation Torch” (so there may again be involuntary errors in the rules, but games also serve this purpose: to clarify doubts and avoid errors for the future). The English have (as I think is obvious) heavily attacked MM in the first turn and took Tobruck in the second, wiping out all Axis resistance, but they lost Malta (this also seems to me an almost inevitable thing if the Axis decides to concentrate on it) and a good part of the fleet has sunk due to the mines around the Mediterranean Channel (very lucky shots by the Axis) and the action of the Italian air force, managing however to eliminate some German supplies. The Axis has destroyed a good part of the American convoy with its 3 U-boats (it sank the 2 destroyers and part of the cargo) and is preparing for an offensive to the West towards Casablanca. The Italians I imagine will try to create a front around Tripoli, waiting to be able to organize a counteroffensive against the English if the latter “stretches too far” without due preparation. As an American I plan to invest in the very first turn in planes (forbidden in turn 7) that can serve as escorts to convoys against the terrible German U-boats, but also as attack/defense units; I will also take destroyers and some ground troops (in addition to the fixed 10 supply) trying to contain the German initiative in Algiers to try to organize a counteroffensive as soon as there are enough troops. I also have to understand which convoy to use and which is more convenient (considering that in the seventh turn I could not choose being forced to use the one in Casablanca). It is the first time that we play this scenario which, however, gives me the impression of being a bit unbalanced in favor of the Allies (maybe it will have depended on the initial moves, on strategic and tactical errors, I don’t know). However, it seems clear to me that only the Allies can, in this scenario, aim for a total victory (since Tunis is a concrete and achievable objective, if everything goes well), while Cairo seems to me really a utopia for the Axis. But I would like your considerations as experienced players. Eventually I will update you on the continuation of the match (I think we will resume it on Saturday).

@barnee ok sorry, done

@Panther ok, thanks for the clarification, then we will restart the game with the National Objectives (since they are not optional, like in the Anniversary edition, for example). I hope someone can give some strategic and tactical advice on the game.

A&A North Africa - RLP game 1 - ITA3.pdf Ok, I’m exposing myself to public ridicule by posting the situation of my first ever game. We started and stopped the game at the beginning of Italy’s third turn (we’ll continue from Phase 1 of ITA3), I took pictures of the various areas and then uploaded the setup to the file I’m attaching. I’ll try to give you a brief account of the first few turns (from what I remember), to report mostly my impressions. I’m the UK, as I anticipated. Gross errors are evident on the map, errors due to not knowing the map accurately, not being able to create deep strategic plans yet, not being able to predict the long-term consequences of the various maneuvers having to, in these first games, take into account all the rules, the peculiarities of the new units and the combat/supply/convoy mechanisms. For example, I did not mine the border between Tobruck and Bir Hacheim, concentrating only on the Tobruck-Benghazi border and thus allowing the Germans to enter from the South undisturbed, or like the gross error by the Axis to leave Tripoli undefended for the English Scout Car (which was in the Sahara Desert J). The Axis took away my RPs from Malta by bombing it, but I took it back by purchasing Destroyers and submarines and by converging the English fleet of Gibraltar and Egypt around Malta, protecting the English convoy of Malta and managing to attack the German convoy (3 inf and 1 tank will arrive in Benghazi, the rest were eliminated along with the Italian escort). I imagine I will continue to invest in the Navy and any Aircraft for Malta, hoping to be able to slow down the Axis on the mainland and Mersa Metruch to resist as long as possible in Cairo. The point is that, as I have said several times, I still can’t figure out what the most effective combination of troops is both for the attack and, especially in the case of the UK, for the defense. However, it seems clear to me (but this is my first impression) that the only chance of victory for the Allies is (as happened historically) to have control of the Mediterranean to block the convoys and therefore the supplies of the Axis, otherwise holding Cairo I think becomes impossible, perhaps even after the entry into the war of the USA. I imagine Italy will try to overcome the problem and I think it will focus on the restoration of its Navy to counter the English one and try to remove Malta’s support from the UK. This, however, will inevitably take away troops for Africa and I don’t know if the German, (almost) alone will be able to take Cairo (every turn gained works against the Axis due to the entry into play of the USA which will open the second front). I imagine we will replay a few turns in the next few days and eventually, if you want, I will update you. In the meantime, I hope to receive some of your considerations.

@Witt Yes, if you read my previous post (but I also posted one today where I report yesterday’s game), you know what I think: I am an International Chess Master and strategy games have always been my passion; I played the very first edition of A&A many years ago (and for many years), then I gave up because I had no one to play with. Now I have bought practically everything that has come out (Europe and Pacific 40 SE, Anniversary, WWI and Nord Africa. My son (20 years old) is also passionate about wargames and so we often play together and with some of his friends). We started with Nord Africa (and I think we will continue to play it for a while because I really like how it is made), even if we will start Europe 40 soon.

@Matt-Hyra Ok, after a week in bed with fever, last night, finally, I was able to resume and finish the first game of A&A North Africa (from the situation I posted above). At the end of the sixth turn (so just before the arrival of the United States in Africa), the Axis surrendered since the situation was actually very compromised. I’m not here to say that the allies are advantaged (or that the Axis is): one game is too little to be able to express judgments. And it must be considered that it was the first game for everyone, so with many involuntary violations of the rules on both sides and many strategic and tactical errors. However, as I said, I will try (for what it’s worth) to summarize what happened (thereby expressing some of my considerations). The Axis managed to take Mersa Metruh quite easily (as expected), but the assault on Cairo was difficult, also given the lack of supplies available. This was the result of the strong English presence in the Mediterranean and the aircraft stationed in Malta (supplied thanks to the presence of the English fleet), which significantly reduced everything that the convoys should have brought from Italy to Africa. At that point (perhaps belatedly), both Italy and Germany began to invest heavily in the fleet in order to revitalize their convoys, but this gave the English time to organize a heavy counteroffensive right at Mersa Metruh which drastically reduced the Axis supplies, paralyzing it, in fact. The English therefore also had the time and resources to rebuild their fleet, Cairo being “safe”. This was the situation immediately before the Americans entered. At that point the Axis players decided to sign the surrender.

Considerations: as I said, one game (and the first game with all the errors included) is not enough to give a definitive judgment on the game or the strategy, but it allows me to make a very first assessment and share some considerations with you (for what they are worth and that will have to be tested in the following games anyway). First of all, I like the game a lot, I find it very deep strategically and I am convinced that I will spend several hours playing it.
I do not know what exactly happens when the United States enters the game (the next game will be on Operation Torch and I will try to understand), but I have the feeling that in RLP, if the Axis does not manage to break through and seriously threaten Cairo by turn 5-6, the game is decided in favor of the Allies. The problem for the Axis is to be able to balance the escort to the convoys with the purchase of troops to attack Cairo. The supplies (navy) take time and resources away from the ground troops intended for the attack on Cairo, but if this aspect is neglected, the Axis risks (as happened in my game … and in 1942 …) to remain bogged down at the gates of Cairo without sufficient supplies and therefore exposed to the English counteroffensive. Germany has a formidable army (the German troops are all much superior to the English ones) and this is an important factor to keep in mind and that can represent a point in favor of the Axis (if exploited) and the 1-2 game with Italy for the attacks can, in some cases, make the difference … but …
… However I have the feeling that in the end the Allies are to be considered slightly preferable (and I repeat, I do not know what will happen when the Americans enter the game). The English must have nerves of steel and resist, retreat, raid even single supplies if necessary with scout cars or bombers, heavily mine the Cairo-Mersa Metruh border (turn by turn, starting from the first turn) and resist. The Axis blanket (as in other games of the A&A series) always seems to be too short (but history has taught us this): if you defend the convoys, you allow the English to breathe and organize the defense of Cairo, if you attack head on, but you can’t break through to Cairo, you risk getting stuck in Mersa Metruh (except for dice rolls that tip the scales in their favor) waiting for the English counteroffensive. Obviously I would be happy to have the opinion of others, especially experienced players and/or with many games behind them.

I certainly have to compliment Matt Hyra for the splendid game he created.

@Matt-Hyra Thanks, that’s what I thought, but I wanted to be sure.

@Panther ok, thanks for the clarification, then we will restart the game with the National Objectives (since they are not optional, like in the Anniversary edition, for example). I hope someone can give some strategic and tactical advice on the game.

Hello everyone,
even if late, I started playing Europa 40 second edition. With my group we only started one game, completing only the first turn (I play the UK), without using the National Objectives (I think we will use them later). To do a bit of “practice” I played some games on Triple AAA (but there the National Objectives are always active and I don’t think there is a way to “deactivate” them … in fact I will be grateful to anyone who can give me some “tips” in this regard).

I hope this first post of mine can open a discussion on the strategies of Europe 40 and only Europe 40 (I opened a new post because everything I found around was about Global 40, which becomes much more complex: I want to see Europe and Pacific separately first to better understand the maps and strategies before diving into Global)
My first impression (but only as a first impression while it’s hot) is that the Axis is heavily favored (and, I repeat, I think that the National Objectives accentuate this advantage even more).

Germany has a disproportionate military potential in troops and the possibility it has of being able to declare war at will before the turns in which the USSR and the USA will enter the war anyway, puts it, in my opinion, in a position of further advantage. It has many strategic options (Sealion, Barbarossa) that make it not easily contained.
Of course, the AI ​​of Triple AAA did not help me to get a clear idea of ​​the balance of the game: when I played with the UK, the USA spent its time colonizing South America while the Germans took Moscow; when I played with the USA, the Soviets launched suicide attacks while the English colonized Africa and South America while Moscow fell. I will have to play games of Triple AAA using all three Allies, but I should first learn more about the game and its strategy.

I ask all the experts of the game and those who have played several games of Europa 40 to write down their impressions of the game, what are the most effective short and long term strategies with each power and, of course, the initial openings with each power and the related purchases.

Thanks in advance to everyone.

@barnee ok sorry, done

If sea mines are placed in the SZ of a convoy when can they be detonated? Is it necessary for a unit (friendly or enemy) to pass through the SZ (or end its movement there) to trigger the detonation? That is: if no sea unit passes through an SZ with a convoy, does placing troops in the convoy not trigger the detonation?
Thanks.

@DoManMacgee A&A North Africa - OT ITA11.pdf Ok, I’m sending the last post about the first game played in the “Operation Torch” scenario (with the usual file that reproduces the situation on the battle table). The Axis players decided to sign a surrender at the beginning of Italy’s eleventh turn. Maybe the abandonment was a bit premature (they could have fought a bit longer until the capitulation of Tunis), but I think it is largely justified by the situation on the table. As I said in the previous post (before the tenth English turn), the UK (after our “war council”) has invested heavily in the fleet and air force to try to regain control of the Mediterranean and with it:
a) interrupt the flow of convoys towards the African continent of the Italian-German troops,
b) reopen the convoys to Malta (the Suez convoys would have been useless given the turns remaining at the end of the game).
As expected (me and the English ally), this attracted the Italian fleet and the Italian-German air force in SZ 6 (Algiers) giving life to an epic battle that contributed (definitely I think) to give a precise course to the continuation of the battle. An English destroyer was left in SZ3 to prevent the powerful German U-Boats from joining the party (and it certainly deserves a medal of valor, like the Italian submarine in SZ8 of the previous post). The survivors of this clash were very few, but this is certainly to be considered an advantage for the Allies.
On land the Axis did not fare better: the English swept away the Italian contingent of El Aghelia in a devastating way and my Americans occupied the Kesserine pass suffering very few losses (also thanks to the support of the French troops). The axis, taking note of the extremely difficult situation (and also considering the lack of supplies in the Tunis/Mareth area and the imminent arrival of the English from the East), decided to acknowledge defeat and put an end to the clash. I repeat: probably it could have tried to fight a little longer, but I think the fate of this battle was already sealed.
General considerations on the game.
After the game, we stopped, while it was still hot, to try to review the course of events. Surely tactical and strategic errors were made by both sides (first of all the incorrect or inappropriate use of mines … to understand their optimal deployment), but it was the first game on this scenario (and in any case the general experience with this game is very limited unlike other editions of A&A, at least mine). I reproached my son (who played with Germany) for being too cautious and not trying to push the Americans (me) when he had the chance (i.e. in the early turns): I think that if the Americans “settle down” it is difficult to avoid the continuous influx of troops and their push towards Tunis. It always remains (but this was a problem for all of us) to understand well which troops are the most effective and in which situations (and I think this is a “crucial point” of the whole game): the Axis has the Germans who have superior units to all the other players, truly devastating (to compensate for the Italians who instead … but it’s all historical, so ok), but the Allies have many resources, many more than the Axis and this risks making the difference in the long term (but this is also historical, so ok). And this was especially evident in the two naval battles that had opposite outcomes: in the first major clash the Italian navy and air force wiped out the English fleet in the central-western Mediterranean, in the second (possible after the English decided to invest everything in ships and planes) the Anglo-Americans prevailed, but this practically ended the battle. A note on the French troops: they risk becoming a really annoying presence for the Axis due to their ability to be self-sufficient (and therefore allowing flanking attacks … for free that help the allies and not a little). What to say in conclusion: I renew my compliments to Matt for the masterpiece he created (and I can’t wait to play Stalingrad), I confirm the impression that Axis and Allies North Africa is a very deep game strategically. This was only the first game (I think of many others) and I hope to be able to become an expert of this game soon, being a great fan of the entire A&A series. Obviously I await your comments (if you want to participate in this discussion). See you next time.

A&A North Africa - RLP and TO Setup 02.pdf @DoManMacgee
I’m updating the post after having been able to play (finally) a couple of turns. We are at the tenth turn, after the German round and therefore in phase 1 of the UK (I always play as an American). In the turns played the Axis has managed to gain control of the Mediterranean, taking Malta from the English and thus being able to effectively activate the convoys for Tunis and Tripoli. The English fleet has been swept away by the Italian air force and ships (thanks to a lot of lucky shots … the real hero is the Italian submarine in SZ8 that “resisted” countless attacks). The English has however decided to rebuild it, starting from the battleship and the destroyer built on turn 9. The English has also taken Benghazi and is preparing to continue its advance towards the West through El Aghelia to continue to Tripoli and Mareth. The Italians have created a “wall” at El Aghelia (which remains to be seen if it will withstand the English shock). On the Western front, American troops have landed in Africa and have begun their march towards the Tunisian capital. The Kesserine Pass (a “dead zone” for both sides) has been taken, lost and retaken by the Axis and the Allies at every turn. It is a crucial area for the game, since it could give the Allies access to both Tripoli and Mareth, but it could allow Axis counterattacks from both territories after a possible occupation of Kasserine Pass by the Americans.
This is the situation so far.
Strategic considerations on the game: I can’t understand exactly which side the balance is leaning towards. These turns I think have been to the advantage of the Axis who have put the Mediterranean under control and have been able to reinforce their troops on the mainland. The English, in his next turn, I think will invest heavily again in the fleet (and subsequently in the air force) to be able to counter the Italian fleet, to be able to reactivate the 15 RPs of Malta and to be able to harass the Axis convoys. As an American I think I will take Kasserine Pass heavily, trying to exploit the “superiority” in terms of Supply compared to the German in the attacks and counterattacks that I imagine will follow. The American presence at Kasserine Pass should “distract” the Axis from the eastern front (allowing the English to advance). This could be the general strategy, which we will have to see how it can then be applied, also based on the opponents’ moves.
Strategic considerations on the game in general: as already said, this is the first game in this scenario and therefore I still can’t understand exactly how the situation will evolve and, above all, how it will end. Some things seem obvious to me, however: the Allies’ supply lines are extremely long (the Axis has an advantage in this sense) and the time needed to allow the Allied troops to reach the hottest areas of the front is crucial time for the Axis to settle. Another thing I notice are the “holes” in these supply lines (by “holes” I mean continuous and uninterrupted influx of troops), but this is inevitable if you have to invest in fleet and aviation (for the reasons stated above). In short, “balances” in purchases are still to be discovered. There have not yet been heavy and decisive “clashes” and therefore the real importance of supplies must also become clear to me. Obviously I would appreciate your comments and I intend to make a new report when we resume the game.

A&A North Africa - TO I8.pdf Hello everyone, I propose the position on the board at the beginning of the eighth turn of Italy in the “Operation Torch” scenario to have your opinions on the strategy of the game in practice (often “abstract” considerations are made, before playing, which then “clash” with what actually happens on the board). In this game I was assigned the American (we decided to draw by lot at the beginning of each game the power with which we will play in order to be able to experiment and try the game under various aspects). This is only the third game we play and the first ever with “Operation Torch” (so there may again be involuntary errors in the rules, but games also serve this purpose: to clarify doubts and avoid errors for the future). The English have (as I think is obvious) heavily attacked MM in the first turn and took Tobruck in the second, wiping out all Axis resistance, but they lost Malta (this also seems to me an almost inevitable thing if the Axis decides to concentrate on it) and a good part of the fleet has sunk due to the mines around the Mediterranean Channel (very lucky shots by the Axis) and the action of the Italian air force, managing however to eliminate some German supplies. The Axis has destroyed a good part of the American convoy with its 3 U-boats (it sank the 2 destroyers and part of the cargo) and is preparing for an offensive to the West towards Casablanca. The Italians I imagine will try to create a front around Tripoli, waiting to be able to organize a counteroffensive against the English if the latter “stretches too far” without due preparation. As an American I plan to invest in the very first turn in planes (forbidden in turn 7) that can serve as escorts to convoys against the terrible German U-boats, but also as attack/defense units; I will also take destroyers and some ground troops (in addition to the fixed 10 supply) trying to contain the German initiative in Algiers to try to organize a counteroffensive as soon as there are enough troops. I also have to understand which convoy to use and which is more convenient (considering that in the seventh turn I could not choose being forced to use the one in Casablanca). It is the first time that we play this scenario which, however, gives me the impression of being a bit unbalanced in favor of the Allies (maybe it will have depended on the initial moves, on strategic and tactical errors, I don’t know). However, it seems clear to me that only the Allies can, in this scenario, aim for a total victory (since Tunis is a concrete and achievable objective, if everything goes well), while Cairo seems to me really a utopia for the Axis. But I would like your considerations as experienced players. Eventually I will update you on the continuation of the match (I think we will resume it on Saturday).

@Matt-Hyra Thanks, that’s what I thought, but I wanted to be sure.

I wanted to know how exactly the German anti-tank works, i.e. whether, in the same turn, it can shoot both as an anti-aircraft and as an anti-tank (i.e., shooting 2 times). For example, if a territory that also contains a German anti-tank is attacked by 2 infantry, 2 tanks and 2 planes, should the anti-tank first shoot as an AAA (this happens before the attack begins), then, shoot again as a defensive unit (choosing, among other things, the tank target of its shot for the first combat turn)?

@Witt I am a history enthusiast (like all wargamers I think) and I have taught it for many years.