Happycat

(GAME NOTE: Despite my late start and lack of certain key technologies that I wanted in place before invading Russia, I'm getting where I want to be in the north. Minsk is the only city I don't yet have that I do want to have---that should be no problem. What is a problem is Finland. I hated to move the Helsinki defender, but the only way I could bring in Germans was to move him out. I attacked with that unit first, pushing back the Russian infantry. While I know that the un-entrenched German corps may well be lost, along with its companion division, another turn or two of delay can be a big help---I don't want to see those Russian tanks back in Russia before the end of 1941. In the south, around Kiev and Dnepropetrovsk I didn't do anything worth mentioning this turn, other than strengthen some units, and move some other units to good positions. Judging by what is facing me in the south, I expect that I WILL take Kiev before the end of 1941 but will NOT take Dnepropetrovsk. But if I can take the mine next to it, that would be helpful. The Japanese move last turn of exposing a couple of armies wasn't as random as it may have appeared. Frankly they were bait. Because they are armies, I felt safe in exposing them because they are hard to destroy---low risk proposition it seemed to me. But Marc did not fully cooperate! He moved a couple of his units out, but not quite to where I needed them to go. So while I was able to punch back, it wasn't with the full force of what I had prepared for him. I'll have to try again later. In the south, Japanese units have started to encircle Hanoi, and otherwise just resting up. We are close to seeing Japan go to war with the USA. To make a coordinated attack on whatever targets Japan wants to go after requires forward planning. I am finding that this requires not just plotting the travel times to various targets, but also the cost---amphibious operations are expensive so I'm juggling three factors: time, distance and money. While I cannot disclose pictures, maps, units involved, I can tell you that certain operations are already underway. Warships and transports are moving, now, to fulfill their set goals.)

(GAME NOTE: I will pay for my decision to give France to Italy, I fear. I'm facing superior Russian technology right now, and the advance will be hampered by this. Stopping to upgrade is a pain, but will be necessary unless I want to lose my armour really fast. The attack on Finland by Marc is a good move---it forces me to send Germans to support Finland, or risk losing it. I may lose it anyway. Killing his Baltic Fleet helps a bit. West of Ireland, where Marc's DD's attacked my subs, the wolf pack in turn destroyed a British DD group before moving off. I like to group my subs---it gives great counter-attack ability plus the first DD to discover the pack usually takes a beating because of the surprise element.) DATELINE TOKYO: Nanning has fallen to Japanese Forces! Chinese morale plummets!! Long Live the Emperor!!! (No photos or maps released by GHQ, with a need for secrecy being given as the reason)

The lack of tech for German armour isn't by design or planning (well, except perhaps BAD planning. Letting Italy have France may not have been the brightest move I've ever made. Germany could build units for arrival in '41 or upgrade armour. I chose to have more units, although there is tech coming thankfully!

DATELINE TOKYO: A heavy attack by Japanese ground and air forces near Nanning has destroyed a Chinese division. This attack may well have surprised the enemy as it occurred at the extreme opposite end of the Chinese front line in the south. (GAME NOTE: German income continues to strengthen, and hopefully research into industrial and production tech will soon pay off to make it even better.)

DATELINE BERLIN: The Russian government has indicated some concern about German units near our common border. However, they seem to be happier now that we have explained that these are simple anti-partisan exercises, with no hostile intent towards the USSR. (GAME NOTE: German income is finally at a reasonable level, and there was more good news for the Axis at the end of the turn---infantry tech is fully developed now. At the risk of facing a stronger Russia in 1942, I am continuing to play the waiting game. I'm not entirely sure how Russian entry works now: it seems to be creeping up, but I think (and hope) that by keeping back from the Russian border to some extent, that it will be slow. I'm also wondering if it is worth spending some diplomatic capital on the Russians to try and make them happy. I do NOT want a pre-emptive attack from the USSR, so once they go above 90, I pretty much will have to attack.) DATELINE TOKYO: (GAME NOTE: Japan is getting ready for other operations aside from China, but this does not mean that I can afford to ignore it. De-entrenchment of the 115th Chinese Corps opens the way to dislodging it from its position. I very much want to be able to attack from that direction when I go after Marc's fortified unit sitting just west of the 115th. The units I pulled back a few turns ago are now looking very rested and ready to go, so that will help when I launch any offensive against Changsha).

(GAME NOTE: The technical issue I was dealing with is now resolved, a bit later than I had hoped for. But, my next turn is now done and sent off to Marc. I am still undecided about when to launch Barbarossa, but it wasn't this turn, which means of course that Marc's next turn (June 22, 1941) will be ahistorical in the sense that he will not be counting how many Russian units were destroyed in the first attack. Actually, I will be surprised to find many Russian units exposed to my initial attack when it does go down---Marc will probably keep his most valuable units well back from the front line, unlike the historical record. I will have to earn my kills, there will be no gifts. The only combat for this turn was in China, near Changsha again, in the eastern part of the mountains. It was inconclusive, but certainly showing better results for Japan than before, as more air is introduced to the theatre.)

Sorry for the delay in getting my turn done and posted. Unfortunately I have a small computer-related technical issue to overcome. I'm sure it will be resolved before too long; certainly by afternoon (Atlantic Canada Time Zone) Meanwhile, since Marc already told me about my goof-up in leaving the bomber on Crete, I can use the extra time to consider how to get the Italian/German war effort back on track. Thank you, all, for your patience

Just a quick note this turn---the only Axis action was in the Mediterranean, where a British cruiser near Crete was heavily damaged. I declined to send in what was left of the Italian fleet, as it may come in handy later in the war, especially when it has new units added. The Italian naval focus now needs to shift to submarines, as they can be very effective anti-invasion tools and are relatively inexpensive to build. Building more BB's at this point takes too long, and just gives the RN more targets for their carriers. Japan continues to build up in China. In retrospect, I might have been better served if I had pushed harder in the interior of China early in the game, but my focus was on securing the coastal cities first, and also on building up the Japanese navy. All-in-all, the overall strategic plan is still on track. And yes, it was a big gamble sending the 23rd division out of North Africa. He wasn't actually escaping, as Marc had speculated. It was an amphibious operation, intended for Crete. I thought, before Crete fell, that I would have to attack it, even though Greece had surrendered. But, I was wrong---Crete falls under Axis control with the surrender of Greece. I'll know better next time

DATELINE BERLIN: Our mighty parachute corps has conducted another successful operation, this time against Crete. Opposition was virtually non-existent. In further developments, the King George V was bombed and heavily damaged. Why it was snooping around near Amsterdam is a mystery. DATELINE TOKYO: Little news to report, other than the Japanese forces in southern China have pulled away from the Chinese lines. Imperial HQ says that the movements are for a couple of reasons: upgrading of equipment, and to make room in the front line for reinforcements recently arrived from Japan. (GAME NOTE: German income is looking fairly decent now that Greece and Yugoslavia, along with minor Axis allies, are all contributing to the national treasury. Italy is rolling in cash, but has limited build options (only light tanks, for example). But the Regia Aeronautica is looking pretty spiffy. Japan has been suffering from a lack of HQ's in China, which has now been remedied. The Japanese land-based air is now more than sufficient to help with operations, meaning the navy can now go home and refit for other future operations)

No maps this time, as there is too much I want to conceal. Nice photograph for you all, however. As you can see, Athens has fallen to the Germans.

I thought I was losing my mind---I moved a fighter in range last turn, so I thought. Turns out I can't count hexes, DOH!!! Try it now Marc

DATELINE BERLIN: FEB 16/41 The Greek government is now paying for its ill-advised friendly overtures to Great Britain. Instead of seeking the protection of a mighty wolf, the Greeks foolishly adopted a toothless lion.

(GAME NOTE: Stupidly, I neglected Kiel and had fighters and anti-air on other targets that I thought would be more likely subjects for British attention. If you make on mistake with Marc, he will make you pay, rest assured!)

Just 'cuz it's not in view doesn't mean it's not there Unlike the Allied side, the Axis side has no hesitation in using all technological means at its disposal (such as Photoshop) to ensure that maps we issue to the press are not TOO informative

As noted above, Japan is starting to show its operational intentions for the Changsha area with a little more clarity now. For the first time, Chinese fighters intervened with our aircraft, but to little effect. We note with amusement that the Chinese speak of "planning operations" when the weather is better. Japanese soldiers fight in ALL kinds of weather, equally effectively. Doctor Tojo also plans "operations", but they are of a type that the "patient" will not survive (GAME NOTE: Significant events for Japan as outlined in the two event notifications below)

DATELINE BELGRADE: The Yugoslav nation has accepted the gracious offer by the Third Reich to protect it from the predatory British. It was unfortunate that some elements of the Yugoslav army saw fit to make a misguided and feeble stand in Belgrade. Artillery, infantry and tanks make such a mess at times---but our brave paratroopers are now in the city to restore order, eliminate any Bolshevik influences, and then hold a nice parade for the citizens of Belgrade. We note that the Greek government, for some inexplicable reason, has entered into a defensive alliance with Britain. Considering how well that worked out for Poland, Belgium, The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, France and Yugoslavia, the Greeks must feel very safe now His Imperial Majesty's aircraft carrier Kaga launching aircraft during the recent operation over central China.

DATELINE BERLIN: Another raid by Axis aircraft in the Mediterranean north of El Alamein damaged a British cruiser, although estimates of how much damage was incurred are unreliable. One German medium bomber flight took moderate damage as it flew without escort. Subsequent sorties by tactical/naval bombers and a fighter group against the same target appeared to cause further damage to the naval vessel, but our own losses were very slight. In other news, the Kriegsmarine announced that German submarines operating southeast of Iceland appeared to be in trouble, but after inflicting some damage on another British DD, successfully escaped. Our Italian allies issued a press release, announcing advancements in infantry weaponry. Soon they expect that their infantry formations will be as well armed as our own! DATELINE TOKYO:

Minimal, but classified (seriously, very minimal)

As October fades into November, 1940, the Japanese forces in China were frustrated by poor weather, which has further delayed the long-awaited "Operation Shinsai" (English translation for Shinsai = Earthquake). (GAME NOTE: No action in German and Italian areas, although it is likely something will happen soon, now that both Romania and Hungary have seen fit to join the Axis. So far I am not regretting giving France to Italy. It does of course mean a very different plan of action for both countries, but I hope that it will prove entertaining for everyone following this AAR and it will certainly demonstrate the flexibility and capabilities of AoD-WaW. One bit of bad luck this turn---one of my U-boats "found" a British DD. I had another, level 2 U-boat nearby and attacked the DD, but although damage to the DD was significant, the U-boat suffered worse. Guess I now know the answer to a question I had asked myself: i.e. can a level 2 U-boat badly hurt a DD?" )

(GAME NOTE: One British cruiser paid the price for sticking its nose into Axis business at Tobruk. Otherwise, fairly quiet this turn for the Axis. The Axis is preparing for new operations in eastern Europe. Some air units currently in Africa will soon need to rebase back in Europe, but I am happy if I get a shot or two at British naval units, and also there is the option, time permitting, of bombing some land targets in Egypt, should I decide to move the airbases closer to Tobruk. In China, the Japanese are still adding to their strength there, but otherwise didn't do much this turn except launch a new submarine.)

(GAME NOTE: Axis forces had another successful run across the Med to North Africa. While the British may have wrecked the Italian fleet, the Italian air arm is doing an awesome job of recon in the Med, spotting where the danger lies and thus allowing transports to avoid the enemy. It helps that the French Navy is out of play now. For my usual secretive reasons, no pictures of anything from North Africa this turn, sorry)

I should elaborate on my earlier comment a bit: while it is true that the Italian fighter unimproved can more than hold its own when intercepting RN carrier air, even for its full two interception allotment, Marc has a nasty habit of also ground striking fighters before (if possible), and certainly after the fighter has intercepted. Therefore, I submit that the Italian fighter, after it has run two interceptions and been either bombed, bombarded by naval gunfire, or both, will be shattered. It served me much better in its role in France, and so I think I was right not to risk it. As events unfold over the next few turns, we'll know better, but right now I think I'm happy with my decision about the fighter. Thanks for your comments; it certainly makes posting an AAR more fun when readers take an active interest in things---and as I said earlier, I'm happy to hear people tell me if they think I make a mistake. Based on my track record, and the law of averages, the chances are pretty good that if someone says I made a mistake, that they will be right

(GAME NOTE: Reinforcing North Africa may in the medium to long term be wasteful of the ground units I have sent and may yet send, but on the other hand, I'm not just going to roll over on my back and give it to the British either. My real interest now is in delaying the British so that when they are ready for Sicily or Italy, I will be MORE than ready myself) (GAME NOTE: The Axis strategy I am employing here is risky, but whatever happens, it won't be boring --- as for Japan in China, I have a definite plan there, so the lack of activity is not because I forgot that China is there. In fact, although I can't show the map this turn for reasons of security, the Japanese land forces on the China Sea coast have started marching northward. Perhaps they just like mountain climbing, but I think you will find that they have more in mind than just keeping fit.) (PERSONAL NOTE: As always in our games, Marc is keeping me off balance, interested, curious, nervous, and most of all---entertained. He is always a superb opponent and always a gracious winner. I haven't seen how he is about losing 'cuz I haven't had that experience yet LOL. And even though he's in the USA and I'm in Canada and we've not met face to face, I certainly do consider him a good friend also).