German build up on the Soviet border, Vladivostok holds, Iraq conquered, Iran in the grip of Partisans.
Elsewhere, Commonwealth invades Morocco, Vichy fleet largely destroyed.
AUSGAME 2020 1941 – S/O 41 EOT
Due to time constraint, abbreviated summary of this week’s session:
No GERM DOW from the US. The CW DOW Vichy France and invaded Morocco – no USE Chit, 5 needed, Russia DOW Iraq 1 x USE entry Chit lost, 9 needed, GERM Aligned Yugoslavia 1 x USE Chit gained, GERM rolled 2, 3 needed.
EOT Losses – see photo
Notable events:
• The weather in S/O was diverse went from 10 to 1 in two impulses – storm to fine everywhere.
• 4 impulse S/O turn both sides – Axis started, Allies ended.
• Last bonus fine weather GERM failed to dislodge the British from Trondheim, + 6 Aslt needed to roll 14 or more rolled 12, so close.
• British RN again failed to find GERM Surface ships in the N Sea (Bismarck) rolled 7 and 8 or find anything else except for teh poor V French ships.
• On the Surprise attack 4 x V French ships BS Ricelieu, CA’s Colbert, Algerie, Primaguet and 3 x Conv were scuttled by their crews as British invade the ports but captured CA Duquesne
• Manchurian Front - No Change
• Russia rolled a 4! v Iraq 2 Cav – Russia lost Cav Div
• 2 factor Partisan in Iran oil port of Bandar Shapur still causing angst for the Russian, denying oil and tying up units, likely to take two full turns to eliminate.
• Japan lost the CA Chikuma and DIV with an unlucky find by the US CA Salt Lake City – she rolled a 1, 1 – 8 split in US favour.
• GERM continues to build up on the Russian front. GERM GV now 64 + 18 chits average at 2 (36) or average at 3 (54) Total either 100 or 118. Russian GV 42 +27 chits + 7 points reinforcements. Total GV 76 – GERM needs 152 to break Pact until M/A 42 when GV is halved.
• Japanese oil constraints will ease a little as Japan has captured 2 x NEI oil (Borneo) and now have an oil factory in Japan – 3 oil per turn still marginal to wage war. Japan’s build still only 8 BPs as she has not cleared partisans occupying Chinese resources yet – been busy with the Russians and the US.
• EOT rolled by Allies - no shift in Initiative tracker – still +2 Axis.
• EOT Partisan roll 5 – 2 x Partisans turn up in China.
• Japan did miss an opportunity to destroy a Part in S China in the bonus clear – distracted by the US Naval ops – he won’t do that again.
Summary
The early US DOW v Japan is going to be a significant challenge for the Japanese, juggling a land war with China and Russia whilst keeping the US at bay with only 3 oil and 8 BPs per turn is not an easy ask – especially with Rabaul, Kwajalein Singapore and Batavia in Allied hands. The focus needs to be capturing the other NEI Oil, Malay resources and dealing with the pesky Partisans to free up more resources. On the brighter side winter will see little action so oil should be accumulated and there are free resources in Malaya that the CW can do little to protect, Singapore is only marginally garrisoned and is currently OOS and the Japanese CV fleet is larger and has significantly better CVP than the US – so the US has to be a little cautious. GERM looks as it is preparing for a 42 Barbarossa whilst defending the Med, Norway and Western Europe. GERM was a little unlucky not to take Trondheim but did need an above average roll – this is tying up 9 units including two x Arty and 4 acft – many of which will be needed in Russia. Italian acft, bombers have arrived near the Russian front and this will give the GERM a bonus ‘Air’ on the surprise impulse, one significant weakness of the GERM is his lack of aircraft in Russia.
The Allies are well position, the CW loss of Egypt is still annoying and the loss of the Suez strategically limiting. However, the build-up, albeit slow in India and Arabia is gaining momentum and being able to reinforce Batavia and challenge the Japanese if they stray too far east bodes well for future operations. The Royal Navy continues to be the bane of the CW with few successful finds, luckily the axis subs seemed to be plagued by the same malaise and the conv lanes remain intact. With the US entering the war this will be less concerning as both supply, extra US convs and escorts will be arriving in the next couple of turns. Russia is struggling to remove a single Part off their Iranian oil fields, which may take two turns and an inordinate number of units – and with bad weather and the threat of Barbarossa this will need careful management, and further assessment if it is worth the late investment? The USA is very happy as it finds itself in the enviable position of having achieved all its 1943 objectives in 1941! He will be able to operate his main fleet out of Rabaul and his subs out of Batavia. Truk is very vulnerable and the biggest risk to the US is the US itself becoming overly confident and risking a major naval CV battle too early – needs to control his blood lust. China will continue to ping away against single ‘at risk’ Japanese land units in a war of attrition that will be uncomfortable for the Japanese, especially if the dice are kind to the Chinese.
The Battle of Norway - the British are still in Trondheim despite the best efforts of the GERM.
The Russian Front - the 1942 OP BARBAROSSA build up continues.
All the Way USA - convoys and escorts out patrolling the high seas
Morocco invaded by CW forces.
Morocco invaded by CW forces.
Morocco invaded by CW forces.
Destruction of V French Hvy Ships the harsh realities of War.
The Axis W Med blockade - a NAV Wall of Death and Naval destruction - none shall pass!
Arabia - in Allied hands ATM
China - little change
The Far East
Manchuria No Change
The USA claims the Pacific in S/O 1941 - two years early!
Losses mixed bag.
No comments:
Post a Comment