@carsonbparker:

Wow these rules look really fun. Can’t wait to set the board up to start to see the nuances of the 1939 version. I bet I might have some questions after I do that.  First thing that comes to mind though is when and if the axis attack the Dutch.  I can see a scenario where the Germans wait to take Belgium to allow the Japanese to focus elsewhere before focusing on the money islands.

Ah, we discovered this in a playtest also. However, without control of Belgium/Holland on turn 1. German fighters and tactical bombers can’t attack the Allied fleets in the Channel Area. So it let the allies move them around with no fear, and could send the UK fighters away that were there for scramble cover to do other things.

If the Soviets can attack Finland and win, its all theirs. So Germany might want to get there first.

Yes, the Soviets can attack pro-axis forces, or activate pro Allied territories before it is at war with the germans

Yes, I have been away for quite a while, my new job has played havoc with my opportunities to wargame, however some fans of my 1941 setup on Facebook asked me to create a 1939 setup so here we are.

The world stands on the brink of catastrophe. The rising tide of fascism approaches the breakwater of history, as the dictatorial regimes of Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan, and The Italian Empire seek to expand their rule across the entire planet. A decade of instigation, skirmishes, and attempts to placate these tyrants have failed. And so the world plunges into a new World War. The German Reich, wants “Living Space” to expand it’s nation, which it plans to absorb from it’s west and it’s east. The Italians seek to restore the glory of the Roman Empire and dominate the entire Mediterranean basin. While the Japanese Empire desires to flush out the western colonial powers from Asia, and establish a Pan-Asian Co-Prosperity sphere, with themselves at it’s apex. Their goals are lofty, and if successful these powers would establish a new world order. However, standing against them, weary from the last war, disorganized by purges and economic depressions stand the Allied Powers. The strength of The United Kingdom, its Commonwealth and French Republic may be waning, but they will not see the world fall into a new dark age without a fight. The Soviet Union, stands as their unlikely ally, since it too finds itself in the cross-hairs of the fascist wolves. Will it be able to withstand the coming storm? Though the new world, and the United States stands reluctant to spill blood and treasure in this most trying of times. Political willpower is hard to come by, and though the economy has begun to recover and some strength has been regained, the world holds it’s breath in hope they will decide in time to rescue the world from a new dark age. The year is 1939, and the war to decide the fate of the world has begun.

2nd Edition Rules are in effect with a modified National Objectives package.
Politically the game begins as if it were two turns before a normal 1940 start.
Germany is at war with France, UK, and ANZAC
Japan is at war with China

Special Rules

• Soviet naval units in the Pacific Theater must remain adjacent to original Soviet territory while the Soviet Union is neutral to Japan. (Or until Moscow has been captured)

• The Japanese Kamikaze special rule is deactivated when using the 1939 setup.

• Italy, while not at war may move naval units out of the Mediterranean. The may declare war at any time, however unless Paris has fallen their combat moves may not include attacks on any game space occupied by French or British units.

• The Benelux Faction (Dutch & Belgians) are an independent faction aligned to no power. However, when and if any territory they posses is attacked by an Axis power, all Benelux territories become treated as Pro-Allied

• Factories built on Chinese territory are no longer destroyed/removed if liberated by Allied forces.

Modified National Advantages
GERMANY
Trade with the Soviet Union
5 IPCs while at peace with the Soviet Union

“Liebensraum” - Living Space in the East
5 IPCs for German or Italian control any 7 of the following 9 at the end of your turn. (Baltic States, Belarus, Smolensk, Eastern Poland, Western Ukraine, Ukraine, Bessarabia, Bryansk, Rostov)

Swedish Iron Ore
5 IPCs for control of Norway, Denmark, and pro-axis or neutral Sweden.

Middle Eastern Oil
2 IPCs for each of the following territories occupied by a German land unit. (Persia, Northwestern Persia, Iraq, Saudi-Arabia, Egypt)

Caucasus Oil
5 IPCs for Axis control of the Caucasus

Domination in the East
3 IPCs for Axis control of each or any of the following. (Lenningrad, Stalingrad, Moscow)

Domination in the West
3 IPCs for Axis control of all of the following. (Holland/Belgium, France, Southern France, Normandy/Bordeux)

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SOVIET UNION
Lend Lease
3 IPCs for control of any/each of the following combination of territories and sea zones free of hostile axis warships (Archangel & SZ 125) (Soviet Far East & SZ 3) (Western Allied control of Persia & SZ 80) In the event Moscow is no longer controlled this bonus may be collected and spent in the form of infantry directly on any original Soviet territory. While no Western Allied units are in original Soviet territory. When at war with the European Axis.

Spread of Communism
1 IPC for each Soviet control marker placed on any Axis, Pro-Axis, Pro-Allied, or Neutral territory. (Including Mongolia)

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JAPAN
Subjugated People
5 IPCs if each originally Chinese territory you control contains at least one Japanese land unit.

Trade with the Western Powers
5 IPCs if you are at peace with the Western Allies

Control of Western Power Centers
5 IPCs for control of each or any of the following: Calcutta, Sydney, Honolulu

Army Plan
5 IPCs for control of Korea and any five originally Soviet territories (May not be collected in any turn with the Navy Plan)

Navy Plan
5 IPCs for control of Borneo, Java, Sumatra, Celebs (May not be collected in any turn with the Army Plan)

Pacific Primacy
5 IPCs for Japanese control of any eight Pacific Islands that have no IPC value.

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UNITED STATES
Continental United States
10 IPCs for control of Western, Central and Eastern US, while at war

Philippines
5 IPCs for control of the Philippines, while at war

Pacific Defense Obligations
5 IPCs for control of Hawaii, Alaska, Aleutians, Johnston and Line Islands, while at war.

Central American Defense Obligations
5 IPCs for control of Mexico, Southeast Mexico, West Indies, and Central America, while at war.

Pacific Primacy
5 IPCs for US control of any eight Pacific Islands that have no IPC value.

The Second Front
3 IPCs for each/any continental European territory with a printed IPC value that is controlled by the Western Allies and occupied by US land forces, and the land forces of any other Western Allied power(s).

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CHINA
Burma Road
6 IPCs for control of the Burma Road. (India, Burma, Yunnan, Szechwan) (may build artillery)

Industrial Base
5 IPCs for control of any industrial complex (may build artillery)

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UNITED KINGDOM
Shipping Lanes Secure [European Economy]
5 IPCs for control of United Kingdom, Gibraltar, Malta, Egypt, Trans-Jordan, British Somali-land, West India & India and no hostile Axis warships adjacent to these territories.

The Power of the New World [European Economy]
5 IPCs for control of all Canadian territories, the United States is at war, and no axis warships in sea zones 101-109 or 116-123. When the UK does not control London, this bonus and ONLY Canadian marked IPCs, may continue to be collected, saved and spent at any Canadian industrial complex.

Shipping Lanes Secure [Pacific Economy]
3 IPCs for control of United Kingdom, Gibraltar, Malta, Egypt, Trans-Jordan, British Somali-land, West India & India and no hostile Axis warships adjacent to these territories.

Pacific Power Centers [Pacific Economy]
5 IPCs for Control of Hong Kong and Malaya when at war with Japan

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ITALY
Mare Nostrum
5 IPCs if no hostile Allied surface warships are in the Mediterranean (92-99) OR Axis control of all islands in the Mediterranean (Sardinia, Sicily, Malta, Crete, Cyprus)

Italian North African Empire
5 IPCs for Axis control of North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Tobruk, Alexandria)

Mediterranean Power Centers
5 IPCs for control of 3 of 4 (Gibraltar, Egypt, Southern France, Greece)

Middle East Oil
2 IPCs for each or any of the following territories occupied by an Italian land unit. (Persia, Northwestern Persia, Iraq, Saudi-Arabia)

War of National Defense
12 IPCs (One Time Only) of units to be placed in Northern Italy or Southern Italy at the end of a combat movement phase if you are attacked by the Western Allies while you are still neutral. (Before Paris has fallen)

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ANZAC
Island Security
5 IPCs for control of Dutch New Guinea, New Guinea, New Britain, and Solomon Islands, when at war with Japan.

Shipping Security
5 IPCs for allied control of Malaya and all original ANZAC territory, when at war with Japan

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FRANCE
Le Grande Armee
12 IPCs (One Time Only) of French units to be placed in France if it ever contains US or UK land units.

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[Germany] - 14 IPCs
Germany - 16 Infantry, 6 Artillery, 6 Tanks, 1 Fighter, 2 Bombers, 4 AA Guns, Major Industrial Complex
Western Germany - 1 Infantry, 6 Fighters, 4 Tactical Bombers, 4 AA Guns, Major Industrial Complex, Port, Airbase
Greater Southern Germany - 6 Infantry, 2 Mech Infantry, 4 Artillery
SZ 113 - 2 Subs, 1 Destroyer, 2 Cruisers, 1 Battleship, 2 Transports
SZ 112 - 2 Subs, 1 Destroyer
SZ 124 - 1 Sub
SZ 123 - 1 Sub
SZ 86 - 1 Battleship, 1 Transport

Soviet Union - 35 IPCs
Russia - 4 Infantry, 1 Mech Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Tank, 1 Fighter, 2 AA Guns, Major Industrial Complex, Airbase
Samara - 2 Infantry
Novosobirsk - 2 Infantry
Timguska - 2 Infantry
Yenisey - 2 Infantry
Yakut S.S.R. - 2 Infantry
Buryatia - 2 Infantry
Sakha - 2 Infantry
Amur - 6 Infantry, 1 Mech Infantry, 2 Artillery, 1 Tank, 1 Fighter, 2 AA Guns
Siberia - 2 Infantry
Soviet Far East - 2 Infantry
Caucasus - 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery
Volgograd - 1 Infantry, 1 Tank, Minor Industrial Complex
Ukraine - 2 Infantry, 1 Mech Infantry, Minor Industrial Complex
Western Ukraine - 1 Infantry
Belarus - 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery
Novgorod - 4 Infantry, 1 Mech Infantry, 1 Fighter, 1 AA Gun, Minor Industrial Complex, Port, Airbase
SZ 5 - 1 Destroyer
SZ 100 - 1 Sub, 1 Destroyer
SZ 115 - 1 Sub, 1 Cruiser, 1 Battleship
SZ 127 - 1 Destroyer

Japan - 24 IPCs
Japan - 11 Infantry, 2 Mech Infantry, 2 Artillery, 2 Tanks, 2 Fighters, 2 Tactical Bombers, 2 Bombers, 2 AA Guns, Major Industrial Complex, Port, Airbase
Korea - 4 Infantry, 1 Mech Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Tank, 1 Fighter, 2 AA Guns
Manchuria - 6 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Tank, 2 Fighters, 2 Tactical Bombers, 2 AA Guns, Control Marker
Jehol - 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery, Control Marker
Shantung - 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery, Control Marker
Kiangsu - 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Fighter, 1 Tactical Bomber, Minor Industrial Complex (With 6 Points of Damage), Port (With 6 Points of Damage), Control Marker
Iwo Jima - 1 Infantry
Okinawa - 1 Infantry, 1 Fighter, Air Base
Formosa - 1 Infantry, 1 Fighter
Hainan - 1 Infantry
Siam - 3 Infantry, 1 Artillery
Paulau Island - 1 Infantry
Caroline Islands - 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 AA Gun, Port, Air Base
Marshall Islands - 1 Infantry
Marianas - 1 Infantry
SZ 6 - 1 Sub, 1 Destroyer, 1 Cruiser, 2 Battleships
SZ 19 - 2 Cruisers, 2 Carriers W/ 2 Fighters & 2 Tactical Bombers, 2 Transports
SZ 20 - 1 Sub, 1 Cruiser, 1 Carrier W/ 1 Fighter and 1 Tactical Bomber
SZ 33 - 1 Sub, 1 Destroyer
SZ 36 - 1 Destroyer

United States - 52 IPCs
Eastern United States - 1 Infantry, 2 Mech Infantry, 1 Fighter, 1 Bomber, 2 AA Guns, Minor Industrial Complex, Port, Air Base
Central United States - 1 Infantry, 2 Mech Infantry, Minor Industrial Complex
Western United States - 1 Infantry, 2 Mech Infantry, 1 Fighter, 1 Bomber, 2 AA Guns, Minor Industrial Complex, Port, Air Base
Central America - 1 Infantry, 1 AA Gun
Alaska - 1 Infantry
Hawaii - 1 Infantry, 1 Mech Infantry, 1 Fighter, 1 AA Gun, Port, Air Base
Wake - 1 Infantry, Air Base
Midway - 1 Infantry, Air Base
Guam - 1 Infantry, Air Base
Philippines - 2 Infantry, 1 Fighter, Port, Air Base
SZ 101 - 1 Cruiser
SZ  10 - 1 Sub, 1 Destroyer, 1 Cruiser, 1 Carrier W/ 1 Fighter & 1 Tactical Bomber
SZ 26 - 1 Sub, 1 Battleship, 1 Transport
SZ 29 - 1 Destroyer, 1 Carrier W/ 1 Fighter & 1 Tactical Bomber
SZ 35 - 1 Destroyer, 1 Transport

China - 14 IPCs
Kiangsi - 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery
Kwangsi - 1 Infantry
Yunnan - 1 Infantry, 2 AA Guns
Burma - 1 Infantry, 1 Fighter
Szechwan - 1 Infantry
Hunan - 1 Infantry
Kweichow - 1 Infantry
Hopei - 1 Infantry
Anhwe - 4 Infantry
Shensi - 1 Infantry
Suiyuyan - 1 Infantry
Chahar - 1 Infantry
Kansu - 1 Infantry
Sikang - 1 Infantry
Tsinghai - 1 Infantry

United Kingdom [Europe] - 27 IPCs
United Kingdom - 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Tank, 2 Fighers, 1 Bomber, 4 AA Guns, Major Industrial Complex, Port, Air Base
Scotland - 1 Infantry, 1 Mech Infantry, 1 Fighter, 1 AA Gun, Air Base
New Brunswick/Nova Scotia - Port
Quebec - 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Tank, 1 Fighter, Minor Industrial Complex
Ontario - 1 Infantry, 1 AA Gun
Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba - 1 Infantry
British Colombia {Western Canada} - 1 Infantry, 1 Mech Infantry
Gibraltar - 1 Infantry, 1 Fighter, 1 AA gun, Port
Malta - 1 Infantry, 1 Fighter, AA gun, Airbase
Alexandria - 1 Infantry
Egypt - 1 Infantry, 1 Tank, 1 AA Gun, 1 Tactical Bomber, Port
Trans-Jordan - 1 Infantry
Anglo-Egypt Sudan - 1 Infantry
Kenya - 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery
Southwest Africa - 1 Infantry
Union of South Africa - 1 Infantry, 1 Mech Infantry, 1 Aritllery, 1 Fighter, 1 AA Gun, Minor Industrial Complex, Port
SZ 106 - 1 Destroyer
SZ 109 - 2 Cruisers, 1 Battleship
SZ 110 - 1 Cruiser, 1 Transport
SZ 119 - 1 Carrier W/ 1 Fighter
SZ 93 - 1 Destroyer, 1 Battleship, 1 Transport
SZ 98 - 1 Sub, 1 Destroyer
SZ 71 - 1 Destroyer, 1 Transport
SZ 84 - 1 Cruiser
SZ 83 - 1 Transport

United Kingdom [Pacific] - 17 IPCs
India - 6 Infantry, 2 Artillery, 2 Fighters, 1 Tactical Bomber, 2 AA Guns, Major Industrial Complex, Port, Air Base
West India - 2 Infantry
Malaya - 3 Infantry, 1 AA Gun, Port
Kwangtung - 2 Infantry, Port
SZ 39 - 1 Sub, 2 Destroyers, 1 Cruiser, 1 Transport
SZ 37 - 1 Battleship

Italy - 10 IPCs
Southern Italy - 6 Infantry, 1 Fighter, 2 AA Guns, Minor Industrial Complex, Port, Air Base
Northern Italy - 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Tank, 1 Fighter, 1 Bomber, 2 AA Guns, Major Industrial Complex
Albania - 2 Infantry, 1 Tank
Sicily - 1 Infantry, 1 Tactical Bomber, Air Base
Libya - 4 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Tank, 1 AA Gun
Tobruk - 4 Infantry, 1 Mech Infantry, 1 Artillery
Ethiopia - 2 Infantry, 1 Artillery
Italian Somaliland - 1 Infantry, 1 Mech Infantry
SZ 95 - 1 Sub, 1 Destroyer, 1 Cruiser, 1 Transport
SZ 96 - 1 Destroyer, 1 Transport
SZ 97 - 1 Cruiser, 1 Battleship, 1 Transport
SZ 99 - 1 Sub

ANZAC - 10 IPCs
New South Wales - 1 Infantry, 1 AA Gun, Minor Industrial Complex, Port
Queensland - 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Fighter, 1 AA Gun, Port, Air Base
Northern Territory - 1 Infantry
South Australia - 1 Infantry
Western Australia - 1 Infantry, Airbase
New Zealand - 1 Infantry, 1 Fighter, 1 AA Gun, Minor Industrial Complex, Port, Air Base
Malaya - 1 Infantry
SZ 54 - 1 Destroyer
SZ 62 - 1 Cruiser, 1 Transport
SZ 63 - 1 Sub
SZ 65 - 1 Cruiser

France - 19 IPCs
France - 11 Infantry, 1 Tank, 1 Fighter, 2 AA Guns, Minor Industrial Complex, Air Base
Normandy/Bordeaux - 2 Infantry
Southern France - 1 Infantry, 1 Artillery
Morocco - 1 Infantry
Algeria - 1 Infantry
Tunisia - 1 Infantry
Syria - 1 Infantry
French Central Africa - 1 Mech Infantry
SZ 105 - 1 Battleship, 1 Transport
SZ 93 - 1 Destroyer, 1 Cruiser
SZ 94 - 1 Cruiser
SZ 98 - 1 Destroyer

Pro-Allied Neutrals
Poland - 10 Infantry
Eastern Poland - 0 Infantry
Denmark - 1 Infantry
Norway - 3 Infantry
Iceland - 0 Infantry
Greenland - 0 Infantry

Pro-Axis Neutrals
Vyborg - 2 Infantry
Baltic States - 1 Infantry
Bessarabia - 0 Infantry
Romania - 5 Infantry
Slovakia Hungary - 5 Infantry
Northwestern Persia - 1 Infantry (no longer Pro-Allied)
Persia - 1 Infantry (no longer Pro-Allied)
Eastern Persia - 1 Infantry (no longer Pro-Allied)

Benelux [Dutch/Belgian] (Treat as Pro-Allied after any of their possessions are attacked)
Holland Belgium - 4 Infantry
Belgian Congo - 1 Infantry
Java - 1 Infantry

Sorry I havent been able to respond in forever guys, glad to hear all the admiration the setup is still getting, thank you all. I got a new job as a Tractor Trailer driver a few years back and it has ruined my ability to play A&A consistently. I popped back on the forum to look to see if there has been any work on writing an updated ruleset for AA Anniversary to bring it in line with Global 40 rules. That has been scratching at the back of my mind.

Interesting, but not at all realistic.

From an attackers POV he can lose 12 IPCs or destroy 18 IPCs (if his bomber shoots down a dogfighter and rolls 6+2)

That’s a window of 30 ipcs that comes down to a few die rolls either saving you the game, or sending you up shit creek.

In all honesty, the bomber piece in AA should really be this

Bomber
8 IPCs
Attack 3 Defense 2 Move 6
Special Rule: Air Superiority - While a battle involves hostile enemy air units, bombers attack value is reduced to ‘2’ representing the interference from enemy aircraft.

I have been considering a rule that says “when japan attacks a Chinese territory, place a free infantry unit there” represents a peasant army kind of thing. So that way the Chinese don’t have this massive army able to attack and stuff, but they get an annoyingly growing defense as japan attacks it.

The problem with AAs entire economic warfare model is, more often than not, the attacker runs the risk of losing more material in the bombing run than he causes in damage.

If you send in two bombers, and lose one to AA fire, you just lost 12 dollars and reduced your max damage from 16 to 8. Then, to add insult to injury you roll a 1 and do 3 damage.
SBR is a mess. I don’t think taking away the advantages for the attacker of bombers shooting in dogfight is a good idea, because it will just make SBR even worse of an option.

I have also for a while been dabbling in the concept of changing how AA works drastically that on rolls of ‘2’ it “scares away” an air unit. Meaning the unit simply doesn’t participate in combat but survives. A roll of ‘1’ would still be a kill shot. In all honestly this would eventually lead me to what my next idea was, which was another change. That facility AA can only “scare away” bombers, never kill them. and actual AAA gun pieces had to be at a factory to get kill shots during SBR and they fire after the dogfight step (if present). And even further (getting out of hand here) rolls of ‘1’ to hit during SBR count as a “hit” the bomber may allocate to a unit corresponding to their bombing target INSTEAD of damage.

So to summarize my wild and crazy SBR house rules.
Dogfight as normal. All air units fire at ‘1’ in one round.
AAA guns fire (if present) at Bombers/Tac Bombers only. Rolls of ‘1’ kill, rolls of ‘2’ “scare away” a bomber, forcing it to retreat.
Bombers select targets. Strategic bombers deal an automatic 2 damage to targets they select.
Facility AA fires. The weaker AA equipment can only deal “scare aways” on ‘1’ to bombers.
Bombers then roll for damage.
Rolls of ‘1’ count as bombing “hits”, all other rolls as pure damage.
An allocated hit can be:

• If a factory was targeted, a land unit, AAA, Tank, Infantry, Mech, Artillery

• If an Air Base was targeted, a Fighter, Bomber or Tactical Bomber

• If an Port was targeted, an adjacent Sub, Transport, Destroyer, Cruiser, Carrier or Battleship.

This addition is bonkers, but has been on my mind for a while. Take it for what its worth.

An alternate setup idea I had involved adding 6 Allied AA guns.

Two for each faction.
One for the US in China and in Hawaii.
One for the UK in Egypt and Australia
One for the USSR in Siberia and Lenningrad

Because I felt the Allies are the underdog in 1942, so this way they get added units that don’t offer offensive value but do cause the axis to hesitate a bit in certain areas.

Totally different suggestion I have been considering.
Bombers ALWAYS do their +2 damage, even if hit by AAA.
To make SBR more attractive.

You could consider this rule to offset your beefing up of fighters.

From a realistic standpoint it has always been gut-wrenching to send over 2 bombers and get snake-eyed. Knowing that you just sent over probably 1000 bombers and not a single bomb fell on anything important.