x13fox

Year 2 in review The second year of the war is behind us. Although far from victory the Axis powers feel confident and morale is high. We have made numerous gains and have suffered light casualties given the intensity of the war to this point. Although only a few units have been destroyed we have spent a lot of resources to keep our units up to strength resulting in less overall units deployed. Upgrading our forces has been a major priority to keep ourselves ahead of the enemy in technology advances. Germany- A powerful Luftwaffe and Submarine flotilla has shown good dividends. Our long range advanced fighters and tactical bombers are the mobile artillery of our strategy. Our advanced submarines are sinking merchant ships at a high rate. The British income level has dropped significantly since our sub groups finally got into the shipping lanes in force. There response to hunt us down has been sporadic and costly to this date. Although unprepared for the eastern front we have responded with resolve and making gains. Keeping our armies intact and hitting the heavy Russian armor is paramount. Italy- Much success in the Med theater. The Royal navy is silent. We are advancing in North Africa in strength but with caution. Japan- China is slowly being worn down with breakthroughs on the north and south fronts. Maintaining pressure and grinding the defense down slowly. Improving and growing the Combined fleet for Pacific operations while starting our own island hopping campaign. The oil embargo by the US and the loss of the DEI oil is hitting our resources hard. Soon we will have a new adversary but our Imperial Staff is confident of victory. Strength comparison as of 26Oct41 Loss comparison as of 26Oct41

26Oct41 Dispatches from the front- Enemy action- The British carriers avoid contact and withdraw. More bombing runs from the Royal Air Force over Paris and Brussels. The Communists bring in another heavy tank corps in Southern Russia. Chinese forces defending with tenacity. Germany- Our subs avoid battle and some head for port for repairs and resupply. We move our heavy bombers into Norway to assist with spotting of naval forces. Our paratroops, special forces, and tac bombers occupy Crete for future operations in the Med. Tirpitz and Bismarck begin repairs for possible sorties against RN forces. Field Marshal Leeb reports Riga has been occupied. Heavy rains and mud have slowed operations in Russia to a crawl. The Finnish have joined us in our crusade to rid the world of these communist heathens. Italy- Mass sandstorms across North Africa. Our infantry assault and overrun Gen O'Connor's staff while they attempted to flee. Upgrading and starting repairs on our two remaining battleship groups. Japan- Heavy fighting in China. Enemy defenses are tough as they fight for every inch of ground. Special forces take Port Moresby and Port Vila. The Combined fleet starts to sail east. As the oil embargo is no longer tenable, we have decided to initiate a first strike action against the US Navy and bases across the theater to strengthen our Pacific position. New rifles and machine guns are in production along with more improved amphibious landing craft.

28Sep41 Dispatches from the front Enemy actions- 2 British carriers sortied and sunk the Prinz Eugen cruiser and attacked our sub group which dived after taking heavy damage. British bombers hit Brussels in multiple bombing raids. Premier Stalin called for a Great Patriotic War against us as Russian troops shifted their lines and conducted attacks against our troops. Australia has mobilized their home defense troops. Russia has annexed Persia. Germany- U30 contacts Illustrious carrier group diving from British torpedo bombers in the Norwegian sea. U377 contacts Annapolis destroyer group in the Atlantic. Minsk is captured as we contact another heavy Russian tank corps southwest of Smolensk. Our panzer armies are being upgraded. Romanian troops push in the Crimea against heavy resistance. Mud has slowed our advance and reinforcements. New MKIV Panzers arriving on the Eastern Front Italy. Ariete armored corps moves on the Siwa Oasis as our infantry probe east contacting support units of General O'Connors Headquarters. Air assets pushed forward to continue our offensive. Japan- Yenan fortress is assaulted and overrun. 1st Tank group and 37th Army cut the rail line into Sian. We advance on Chungking destroying another Chinese army. Our carriers are in port for supplies and repairs. Kuma destroyer group is operational. 4th Yokusuka Special Naval Landing Force troops outside Lae, New Guinea

I have not played Brute force yet but the smaller scale is appealing. Unit density would increase and there would be a strategic/tactical hybrid result I am guessing. Historical divisions would be great. The Grossdeutschland Panzer Grenadiers, 1st US Infantry Division (The Big Red One), etc.

31Aug41 Dispatches from the front- Enemy actions- Air reconnaissance over the desert reports 3 Commonwealth corps defending Egypt. Their air cover withdrew as Italian tanks were approaching under cover of a sandstorm. A Russian destroyer flotilla engaged U-30 as it was hunting merchant ships bound for the USSR. The British cruiser Southampton responded to assist causing U30 minor damage. The Russian attacked in force with new heavy tanks. Labeled as KV-1 and T-34s they smashed through our infantry defenses. Our 37mm anti-tanks guns were ineffective. We lost communication with our 14th Army south of Riga and assume it was overrun. The Chinese are massing around Chungking building defenses in the city. The USA has imposed an oil embargo on Japan. Germany- New panzers are in production in the way of upgraded Mark IIIs and Mark IV with high velocity 50 and 75mm guns to counter the new Russian heavy tanks(armored warfare lvl 2). U-30 and U-114 with the support of the Prinz Eugen cruiser engaged and sunk the cruiser Southampton in the Norwegian sea. U-377 and U-505 are operational at Brest. We agreed with our Japanese allies to take over the port of Penang. The Graf Spee engaged a British cruiser in port at Aden. We hit the 1st Guard Tank Corps with massive Stuka assaults with devastating effect. Our superior dive bombers and fighters will be vital on the east front to maintain the offensive. After heavy dive bombing and infantry assault our paratroops occupied Athens. Romanian and Hungarian troops occupied Odessa. 9th Army is operational on the eastern front and the 3rd Army is brought to the north of Warsaw by rail from Paris. Ju-87 Stukas in action against Russian armor Italy- Ariete armor overruns the Khartoum inf corp west of El Alamein. Infantry replacements arrive in North Africa. Japan- Singapore surrendered. Yenan fortress in the north front is isolated and prepped for an all out assault. Probing defenses around Chungking. Our tanks overrun the Langchow corps in the open country on the north front. Beach assaults on New Guinea as special forces occupy Lae and another assault on Nauru securing the town, port, and phosphate mines. Zuikaku carrier group is operational. I-20 sub group is operational.

03Aug41 Dispatches from the front- Enemy actions- The British are withdrawing from the Egyptian frontier. Sporadic attacks by disorganized Russian forces. Many deserters are appearing at the lines to surrender. Chinese forces falling back on Chungking and Sian to form a hasty defense. Germany- Gen. Manstein is appointed CinC of the Eastern Front. His strategy is centered around the occupation of frontier cities before the onset of winter. Wearing down the Russians with mass Air and Armor attacks. Odessa, Kiev, Minsk, and Riga are the objectives before the winter sets in. Another panzer and infantry army are deployed on the east front for operations. The Russian battleship Murat is engaged and sunk. Greek troops put up a stubborn defense of Athens, more troops are poised to attack the city. Italy- Gen Balbo reports Italian troops are advancing in the desert towards Egypt cautiously. Japan- Attacks along the whole Chinese front. The main line of defense has crumbled and they are hastily attempting to defend new lines. We have occupied Singapore after heavy air and ground attacks. We landed outside Rabaul and encountered an Australian cruiser attacking it as it tried to sortie out of port causing it heavy damage. Rabaul is occupied. More amphibious landings are being planned.

06Jul41 Dispatches from the front- Enemy actions- No major actions reported. Germany- Various movements forward on the Russian front resulting in one enemy army destroyed. Declared war on Greece to improve our strategic in the Med. Preparing to assault Athens. Italy- Attacks against the WDF have it down to 30 percent strength. Japan- Continued attacks on China. Changsha was taken in an all out assault. Another Chinese army and corps are destroyed. Philippines invasion forces is deployed near Hiroshima. Declared war on Singapore and invaded. Gen. Kama****a reports we will have the city and ports within the month. We landed on Borneo and occupied Brunei.

08Jun41 Dispatches from the front- Enemy actions- Sporadic attacks across all theaters of war. Germany- Gen Manstein assumes command of the south Russian front. Upgrading and reinforcing our air power. Cautious advances into Russian territory. More sub groups hitting the UK shipping lanes. Italy- Reinforced our air power in North Africa. Attempting to stabilize the front lines. Japan- Expedition Army and Special Forces are behind the Chinese lines on the north front. Attempting to isolate Changsha. Special forces groups embarking in the Pacific. Multiple assault landings are planned all over. Carrier and surface ships massing near Singapore.

11May41 Dispatches from the front- Enemy actions- The Russians are forming a solid front. The Brits attempt to get their 9th Australian corps pulled back but fail. The Chinese are making sporadic and feeble attempts to stop the offensives. Germany- We are getting our east front formed and ready to move east. We cause heavy damage to a Russian Army and Corps. The 2nd Army is deployed near Konigsberg. Our subs are astride the British supply lines hunting merchantmen. Our heavy bombers conduct a daylight raid over London to test British air cover and resolve. Minimal damage reported. Italy- 9th Australian corps is overrun near Tobruk. We sink another British destroyer group near Malta. Japan- Two more Chinese corps are destroyed. The Chinese flanks are in trouble as we press the attack. Upgrades and replacements across the theaters.

13Apr41 Dispatches from the front- Enemy actions- The British press the attack in North Africa. 9th Australian Corps pushes our 5th Army back inflicting considerable casualties. Our preemptive invasion of Yugoslavia has caused the USSR to declare war on us. Germany- The Eastern Front is now active and we have been caught unprepared. Our armies are still moving into position and we are rushing forces to the front. Our two panzer corps on the border attacked a Russian corps and destroyed it. We will not advance until we are ready. Our paratroops occupy Belgrade and await a surrender. The Tirpitz battleship is in port upgrading with final troops and supplies. Our sub groups make their way slowly around Great Britain. Italy- We surrounded 9th Australian corps and attacked causing heavy casualties. Sandstorms are hampering the British air cover. Japan- We received many our Pacific special forces and are equipping and reinforcing them. Our Pacific offensives are being planned and finalized. We destroyed the Chinese 5th Army outside of Changsha. Gen Umezu reports a breakthrough on the north front. Troops are advancing into open country. More tactical bombers arrive near Seoul to support our northern offensive. Side note- On this day on 23Feb45, men of the 2nd Bn, 28th Marines raised the American flag on Mt. Suribachi.

16Mar41 Dispatches from the front- Enemy actions- The British maneuver on Tobruk. The Valiant battleship bombards our defenses. Germany- Our sub groups continue north in search of Royal Navy ships while heading to the Atlantic. Following intelligence suggesting a Pro Allied coup in Yugoslavia, our forces invaded anticipating occupying the capital next turn. Preparing for the east front. Italy- With the help of German dive bombers we sunk the Valiant Battleship. Our Ariete armored corps along with 5th Army destroyed the 33rd Engineer group. Ramb III destroyer and German cruiser Graf Spee attacked a naval tranport off the east coast of Africa. Japan- Forces growing in the north front to continue our offensive. We sacked the 33rd Chinese Corps near Changsha and hit the 5th Chines army hard. 1st Bomber group is deployed. More improved industrial technology is implemented.

16Feb41 Dispatches from the front- Enemy actions- British troops continue to pressure Tobruk. The Royal Navy has withdrawn from the North Sea. China is reeling from the loss of Nanning readjusting their lines. Germay- We sortie our subs back into the North Sea searching for the RN with no luck. Bulgaria now joins the Axis alliance and we help with conscription and training. Troops are moving to the east to reinforce our borders with the USSR. We have new fighters coming into production and start to upgrade our Air fleets(aerial warfare level 2) Italy- II Corps captures Malta. We hit the 33rd Engineer group and cause significant damage. Japan- More advancements in our naval warfare tactics (level 2). We attack the 33rd Chinese Corps southwest of Changsha keeping the pressure on in the southern front. 1st Tank group is operational. We have hit the British navy hard the last few turns and hope to cause more casualties. Our losses so far in this war has been light minus the Italian Navy.

19Jan41 Dispatches from the front- Admin note- I hit next turn before saving the game to recap the last turn so I will play this turn out and show the maps of the current situations. Enemy actions- The British are moving on Tobruk in force. Engineers and Tac Air have been spotted along with the Western Desert Force. A Royal navy battleship is spotted east of Tobruk. The Royal Navy also sortied out of Scapa Flow(1 battleship, 2 cruisers, and 3 destroyers) and engaged our sub groups running deep in the North Sea. Germany- The Hungarians also have joined the Axis alliance. We strike back in the North Sea sinking the St. Clair destroyer flotilla, Niagara destroyer flotilla, and the Exeter cruiser. Our surface fleet headed by the Bismarck sorties and we relocate air assets from the Med to the north coast of France to provide air cover if the Royal Navy pursues our retreating sub groups. Plans are being forwarded for offensive actions against the USSR should the need arise. Italy- Heavy combined air assaults have destroyed the Malta garrison. II Corps has embarked and will conduct an assault landing on the island fortress. The Andrea Doria battleship and Pola cruiser engage the Malaya battleship and sink it. The Ariete armored corps arrives in North Africa and pulverizes the Long Range Desert group into oblivion. Japan- We have achieved breakthroughs in naval warfare(level 2) and motorization(level 1). High command has come to the conclusion that war with Britain and the USA is inevitable. Additional reinforcements for the Pacific will be forthcoming. The Zuiho carrier group is deployed at Taiwan. We hit the Chinese 41st Army with heavy air and ground attacks destroying it northeast of Nanning(which we secured last turn). Gen Umezu is advancing on the North Chinese Front. Our troops are being reinforced and equipped with new trucks.

24Nov40 Turn 17 Dispatches from the front- Enemy actions- The Royal Navy battleships and cruiser withdraw out of the central Med leaving the Ark Royal carrier group which conducted air raids over Tobruk. LRDG moved west around Tobruk and British armor is now moving against our 10th Army. Germany- Continue repositioning our forces. Tactical bombing sorties began on the island of Malta to prep it for a future invasion and take over to improve our Med supplies and position. Upgraded Sub groups sortie into the North Sea. Increased Russian activity near Riga has our high command on alert in this sector. Romanian armies still filling out their ranks. Italy- Our navy exacts more revenge for the loss of our prized battleship. The British carrier Ark Royal is sent to the bottom of the Mediterranean as we engaged it in a night surface action hitting it at close range with our surface ships. The LRDG attempting to flank our Tobruk defenses gets hammered by our 10th and 5th Armies. The Royal Navy is cleared from the Central Med Italian artillery in action near Tobruk Japan- A Chinese corps on the north front is destroyed by our experienced and battle hardened troops of the Expedition Army. The Indochina army has moved up to the southwest of Nanning. The hard hitting Expedition Army on the North Front

27Oct40 Turn 16 Dispatches from the front- Enemy actions- The Royal Navy hit us once again in the Med sinking the Veneto battleship. Long Range Desert Group is probing our defenses at Tobruk. Germany- We gladly accepted Romania into our glorious alliance and assisted with conscription to get their armies up to strength. We moved massive air support into the Med theater to assist the Italians with air supremacy. New panzers are rolling off the production line and ready to be outfitted into our armored corps. The naval base at Brest is being upgraded to hold our submarine fleets. Italian- We mourn the loss of our flagship. All available surface ships went into action against the RN and we have hit them hard. The LRDG attempted probes and infiltrations of our lines at Tobruk but were beat back by our 10th Army. We engaged a transport vessel and the battered Cumberland cruiser east of Djibouti with our weakened destroyers and the heavily damaged Graf Spee German cruiser. Gen. Balbo arrived in Tripoli to take over the defense of North Africa. Heavy naval actions in the Med Japan- Continued attacks against Nanning and the northern front.

29Sep40 Turn 15 Dispatches from the front- Enemy actions- The British fleet in the Med attacked the Italian navy. The Trieste and Fiume cruisers were sunk with all hands lost. British forces secured Addis Ababa. Germany- The BEF stood firm and we attacked successfully. Prisoners are being rounded up and equipment secured. Continue to redeploy and replace. Our sub groups were recalled to be outfitted with new and improved torpedoes(advanced subs level 2). We now have 4 Air fighter wings, 4 Tac bomber wings, and 1 heavy bomber wing. We will deploy the majority to the Med theater and with the Italian navy and army achieve dominance and start our chokehold on the United Kingdom. Italy- We struck back at the RN and sunk the HMS Warspite. Preparing for troop deployments to the North African theater. Japan- Indochina surrendered. We hit Nanning with massive air and ground attacks but the defenders stood firm although they sustained massive casualties. Our navy is on the move along with special operations group. General Yama****a and his staff have become operational. The north front is almost ready for an offensive. General Yama****a arrives in theater

01Sep40 Turn 14 Dispatches from the front- Enemy actions- The USA has increase lend lease activity to the United Kingdom. More British units arrive in the African theater. Germany- France has formally surrendered and we set up a puppet government to administer southern France and colonial possessions. The BEF is dug in Nantes and we attack with 3 armies but our old adversaries hang on. Our sub groups have sortied into the North Sea. More fighters and tactical bombers are formed and we await to deploy them. The Brandenburger Special Forces group is forming as well. Reinforcements arrive to fill out the depleted ranks of our forces from the spring and summer campaigns. The Brandenburger Special Operations group Italy- We have started to outfit our armies with new small arms and light artillery. The British destroyer Amazon was spotted off the north African coast. We went after it and hit it hard but she is still afloat. The situation in East Africa is untenable as 5 allied corps and a HQ group are reported. Gen Graziani, while falling back discovered the British cruiser Cumberland at Djibouti. The 7th Blackshirts infiltrated the port at night and set satchel charges causing heavy damage to the cruiser. Naval actions in the Med Big trouble in East Africa Japan- Declared war on French Indochina and the Indochina army landed on the beaches and secured Hanoi. Sporadic fighting across the Chinese front. Our main objectives remain the capture of Nanning and opening an offensive in the North. Our two Special forces groups have embarked on amphibious landing craft for undisclosed landings. Occupation of Hanoi

1st Year AAR A year has passed and thought I might give a recap and share my thoughts so far. The campaign has been really enjoyable so far. Doing the AAR just adds to the excitement as my success and failures are out there in the open. I truly feel like a beginner in this campaign. My last Strategic Command game was SC1 back in 2009 and things have certainly changed and for the better I might add. My overall objective of this campaign is to learn the game while I play. Of course winning is right up there also. I learn quicker through trial and error and seeing the actions played out. I am referring to the game manual as I go such as reading about using paratroops after I bought them. This has hampered my planning and execution to a degree. I am playing a conservative approach so far with the Axis. This is now the big decision event for the Axis after the fall of France at least in my opinion it is. Even with a clear cut strategy from the beginning no plan ever survives first contact with the enemy. With the French navy out of the way Germany and Italy have a little bit more freedom of maneuver on the water. I honestly did not start the war with a clear cut overall strategy after this point. So now I will have to figure out what my plan of action is. Japan has been most challenging so far. This is my first time dealing with the Asian and Pacific theaters in SC. Between the terrain, weather, and oceans it can be quite daunting. I have learned more in 13 turns of play then I ever could reading the manual from start to finish but that is just me. My overall evaluation of this game so far is definitely gold! I am avid reader of military history and especially World War 2. The decision events in the game are great and the historical units, generals, ships just add to it. The map is superb also. I am sure I will learn to love it even more as I get the rules and gameplay down better. Well enough rambling there is much work to do. Hitler, Mussolini, and von Runstedt meet in the field to discuss operations.

04Aug40 Dispatches from the Front- Enemy actions- The French fleet sorties into the central Med. Sudanese Defense Corps skirmishes with our 7th Blackshirts outside Addis Ababa. Germany- After tough and heavy fighting we have captured Paris! The defeat and humiliation of the Great War has been avenged. We continued subduing French positions along the Maginot Line. 19th Panzer Group, while moving to contact, ran into the BEF outside Nantes. Fighting erupted and our panzers took the worst of it. The Prinz Eugen cruiser and U73 are operational. Our troops march into Paris Italy- 6th Bomber group is brought up to full strength. 1st Air Group engaged a French submarine north of Sicily inflicting minor damage. Our Bronzo submarine submerged and sortied into the western Med. Reports from Gen Graziani suggest 4 allied corps moving on East Africa. He requests immediate reinforcements. Our intelligence has underestimated allied strengths and positions in the Africa theater. Japan- Heavy rains stall our offensive on Nanning. Adjustments are made along the front. Gen Umezu is planning a possible offensive on the North Chinese front. We have deployed the 23rd Naval Tac Air group to Seoul to support his planning.

07Jul40 Turn 12 Dispatches from the Front- Enemy actions- French forces retreating in good order back to Paris. HMS Electra destroyer engaged Graf Spee while she was attempting to skirt the right coast of Africa. Ship is heavily damaged, low on supplies and morale is low. Attempting to make port at Mogadishu and come under available Italian air and destroyer cover. Germany- Norway has surrendered. We have reallocated the ore mines to Swedish control and allowing us to readjust our convoy routes to the Baltic. Two more French armies are destroyed and we have reduced the BEF to 50 percent strenght. Our panzer forces have suffered casualties in the process. An all out assault on Paris is scheduled. We have improved our industrial output considerably. Graf Spee has limped to neary Mogadishu. Hopefully the Italians can help us. Italy- High Command has reported that preparations for war are nearly complete. Expect a formal declaration of war soon. Japan- We attack Nanning with mixed results. Defense is stubborn and heavy. Reinforcements have arrived across the Chinese front.

09Jun40 Turn 11 Dispatches from the front- Enemy actions- The French still show some fight. 1st DCR tank group and two armies assaulted our 3rd Army in the Ardennes forest. The fighting was intense and 3rd Army was forced to retreat following massive casualties. The HMS Rodney appeared on the coast and shelled our 8th Army. The Chinese were able to infiltrate our lines and reinforce the 4th Army. Their infiltration tactics are being studied and counter tactics being developed. Germany- We declared war on Norway fearing a British take over. 6th Mountain Corps assaulted the beaches and moved on Oslo after our heavy bombers softened up the target. Fighting was fierce but in the end we captured Oslo. Our Panzers moved along the north coast of France, destroying the Free Polish corps in the process. 8th Army while moving to contact encountered the BEF northwest of Paris. Our Stukas hammered the 7th and 4th French armies. 15th Panzer Group was deployed along the west wall and will go into action soon. Our paratroops, no longer needed for Norway are redeployed for possible action on the French front. 6th Mountain Corps troops advancing on Oslo, Norway. Italy- Nothing to report Japan- Gen Umezu conducted another all out assault and broke the back of the 4th Chinese Army overrunning the fleeing defenders. We continue our movements for the attack on Nanning. 2nd Yokosuka Special Forces group is deployed on at Takao. Japanese Infantry attacking the 4th Chinese Army in the mountains.

12May40 Turn 10 Dispatches from the front- Enemy actions- The French 6th Army has moved up to the southwest of Brussels attempting to stall our offensive. The Chinese 4th Army has infiltrated our lines on the North Chinese front threatening Gen Umezu Headquarters. Germany- Our offensive is going according to schedule. Stukas fill the skies as our Me109s provide an umbrella of air cover. We have swung into the low countries. Belgium has surrendered promptly. After heavy fighting the 1st, 2nd, and 6th French Armies have been completely destroyed. Our 8th Army is on the coast facing a lone Free Polish Corp. 4th Army has flanked the northern Maginot line defenses. Our two panzer Groups are ready to advance into the breached allied lines. KG 51 heavy bombers have been deployed to Denmark. Our paratroops are once again preparing for an airborne assault as the 6th Mountain Corp is embarking on amphibious assault ships. Our high command believes that the time is right for a quick occupation of Norway in the next month. Another Stuka air wing is deployed. We will have undisputed control of the air. U25 is deployed in Danzig port. Italy- Disturbing reports from East Africa as a Rhodesian Inf Corps is spotted to the west of Mogadishu across the border. The Vittorio Veneto battleship is deployed near the Venice ports. The Italian Navy Flagship Vittorio Veneto is commissioned Japan- Heavy rains along the entire Chinese front have grounded all air operations and brought maneuvers to a stand still. Gen Umezu attacked the 4th Chinese from all sides. The tough veteran defenders held their ground but lost half their strength. The Akagi carrier group has moved into range to begin tactical bombing of this stubborn army promptly. Gen Okamura is using the heavy rains as cover to move his new forces into position opposite Nanning. The Indochina Army has embarked on amphibious assault craft for landings at the Pakhoi ports south of Nanning. Our battleships are bombarding the port in preparation for the landings. Kongo battleship is refitted with new naval ordnance.

14Apr40 Turn 9 Dispatches from the Front Enemy actions- Nothing to report Germany- With clear skies overhead, we declared war on Belgium and our armies started the westward advance. Our ultimate objective is Paris and the surrender of our nemesis from the Great War. Our Stukas went into action around Brussels pounding enemy positions.4th and 8th armies attacked the Belgians while 19th Panzer Group blitzed the city and occupied it. The French 2nd Army attempted a relief and we beat it back. Awaiting an anticipated Belgium surrender. Our paratroops were brought up to full strength. War correspondents followed our Panzers as they maneuvered through the Low Countries. Italy- Nothing to report. Japan- Continued tactical bombing of Nanning by our carrier air wings. 21st Tactical Bombing wing arrives in Foochow to assist in Nanning offensive. 11th Army and 2nd Kwangtung Army disembarked at Hainan and are marching to front. Akagi carrier receives full complement of aircraft and crews. Sporadic fighting is taking place along entire Chinese Front. Kongo battleship deploys at Osaka port. Suiyuan infantry corps deploys at Tokyo.

17Mar40 Turn 8 Dispatches from the Front Enemy actions- Malaya has declared war on us. Singapore is upgrading its ports. Germany- Denmark has surrendered following our airborne invasion. Weather along the west front is snow and mud. U 30 is reporting low supplies and has gone silent as it maneuvers through Iceland and England. Graf Spee despite damage has resumed anti shipping operations northwest of Cape Town as it maneuvers south. Italy- 7th Blackshirts are brought up to full combat power in East Africa. Japan- Carrier air wings have gone into action bombing Nanning. Continued attacks against defenses southwest of Chengchow. 21st Naval Tac Bombers are operational in Okinawa. Armies are staging for naval transports from central China front to southern China front. Gen Okamura has his orders. Take Nanning!

18Feb40 Turn 7 Dispatches from the front: Enemy Actions- Nothing to report Germany- We declared war on Denmark. 2nd STG Tactical Bombers conducted terror raids on Copenhagen. 1st Parachute Corps jumped soon after among the confusion using Junkers and Gliders. Gen. Student reports the city is in our hands but 40 percents casualties have been sustained mainly from anti aircraft fire. Deployments along the western front are almost complete. Italy- No actions to report. Japan- Attacks against fortifications southwest of Chengchow were conducted. Heavy rain, fog, and mud have made offensive operations almost impossible. 1st Air Army is operational northwest of Nanking. Kaga and Soryu carrier groups enroute to South China sea. 3rd Army receives upgraded weapons and equipment.