To Freidland by Snappy Nappy

First up big thanks to Darren for organising this game at the NWS last Saturday.  Brilliant bit of Napoleonic wargaming!  There were four players on the French side, three on the Russian and Darren umpired.  I was Napoleon :-)

This is the map we were provided.  

The Tables were not marked and I have subsequently, 

while on campaign, sketched them in.

Looking North on Table X

Ney and Mortier with the VI and VII Corps respectively

will be marching through the village of Posthenen on their way to Freidland.

Table T

Could this be Freidland?

Table Y

Victor and the I Corps are already defending Heinrichsdorf.

Expecting a major Russian attack this way,

Napoleon with the Reserve Corps and Imperial Guard are marching to join him.

Grouchy has detached a light cavalry division to probe to the north east, towards Schwonau.

This latter move is to protect against any surprise move by the Russians against the French supply depot at Koningsberg.  With the benefit of hindsight I can say that this move might have won the game for the French.  Read on.

Napoleon arrives at Heinrichsdorf, but there are no Russians to be seen.

On to Freidland!

Ney and Mortier are about to engage Bagration.

Freidland

Where in a unexpected development, Grouchy's scouting cavalry have appeared

(unfortunately not in the image, but at the road end on the left hand side).

Note the Russians marching in that direction...

The off table connecting road boxes.

All those troops in the red tray?

That's Napoleon and his army heading to Friedland.

That one unit by itself?

That's the scouting French cavalry beating a hasty retreat from Freidland!

Victor has arrived at Freidland and caught the Russians redeploying.

It seems they are expecting an attack from where the scouting cavalry had appeared.

Wrong!

Napoleon with Lannes and Grouchy and the Guard arrive to really put the pressure on the attack against the poor Russians now trying to head back to Freidland.

Ney has defeated Bagration and will be soon heading to Freidland as well.

The French attack at Freidland has been very successful

and Ney is just about to arrive (top right hand corner).

The Russians are driven into the Alles River

as Ney sweeps into their rear,

Victor approaches the Friedland CBD

and Napoleon and Grouchy mop up.

The major French loss had been Lannes in a series of unfortunate die rolls.

Thanks again to Darren for organising and running this game.  The Russian figures were all his while 99% of the French were mine.  The terrain was mainly Darren's with the rest provided by the club.

The Snappy Nappy rules offer an interesting approach to Napoleonic wargaming.  In our game each unit represented a division and at that scale I would like to see more emphasis on command (by accruing benefits for being on attack or defend orders for example) and less on tactical considerations (such as forming line/square).  Having ideas for "improvements" is one thing, getting them written down and articulated is another.  Time will tell.

World in Flames via FB - 27

After surviving a taste of Russian winter, the Axis launched a massive offensive to break the Soviet defences ahead of summer campaigning season.

AUSGAME 2020 1942 M/J (EOT) – OPERATION BARBAROSSA 42

The Axis kicked off their Barbarossa ‘winter’ impulse with a Naval by Italy, Combined by Japan and Land from Germany – much to the relief of the CW, the GERM U- Boats stayed in port during the bad weather. Italy’s naval saw a Tpt embark a useful Italian ATK Gun from Libya and also sail SCS to both the E Med and Italian Coast to protect shipping and Convs. A search by the British sub patrolling the Italian Coast, hunting Italian convoys continued the trend of the poor performance by the RN as it breaks the surface rather than use its periscope and is promptly found and dispatched by two escorting BS, Italy rolled another 1 as the Sub failed to save its X. Japan’s Combined saw a Tpt sail to the Sea of Japan and embark the Tokyo MIL which lands, inverted in China to bolster the front line and stem the Chinese onslaught, Jap convoys sail out to the sea of Japan under the cover of the storm and are not found by patrolling US subs – they needed 1’s in the storm. There is little other activity by the Japanese as the weather precludes any land attacks, and movement . In Russia the GERM attempt’s a GS on the front line to draw up Russian Ftrs, but the Russian isn’t playing that game, and the GS goes through with a bonus inversion of a Russian Corps. The GERM front line consolidates and reinforcements are railed as Axis units advance occupying empty hexes in E Poland and Latvia – No attacks as the weather is atrocious, and with a guaranteed (well almost) fine weather the GERM Army prepares for the next phase (impulse) of their Barbarossa offensive.

Allied 3rd impulse, possible EOT roll on a 1 – the Russian gets excited with the unexpected snow in Artic. Russia takes a land and commits to attack the two inverted GERM MECH/ARM of Army Gp North with all the available white prints (5) that it can muster. The attack is at a +7 and rolling a 14, they destroy a 7.6 MECH (1 more on the dice would have seen both the MECH and ARM destroyed – so close) and blitz the other ARM back to Germany for a half invert. Russia elects to upgrade the 6 INF to a 9.4 GBA and advance a hex. The line is strengthened in the North as rivers are defended and AT Guns arrive from Leningrad. In the South, the Russians advance West to meet the GERMs and prepare for the fine weather assault of phase 2 of OP BARBAROSSA. The US takes a naval and the CW a combined as both Navies decide that ‘discretion is the better part of valour’ and abort the S China Sea, leaving it to the Japanese – morale victory to the Japs. The next impulse is likely fine weather, and the Allies access that will be outmatched by the Japanese CV Air groups and Land based air. Being storm, several old battleships are left behind and a CA is sent to the top box to have a speculative search for the Jap fleets in the hope of a large split and a sink on a Jap CV. The CA’s search is a disaster for the crew of the Wichita as it finds the Japanese fleets but with no split it is sunk by 18.1 inch gun fire from the Musashi and Yamato, other Naval searches also fail to find with a predominance of 8’s and 9’s rolled. In the W Med the combined Allied air forces now have air parity – both are at 13.9 on the A2A table – no finds as both roll too high. The CW makes a DOW against Saudi Arabia as it occupies their oil fields – it is always about the oil. The SA 1.5 Cav (Camels) trot back to their Capital to await the British arrival.

Axis 4th Impulse – and as it happens, the last impulse of the turn. The weather roll is a 4, fine everywhere bar the N Monsoon which is rain. The GERM takes a land supported by the Italian air force and declare a Land Offensive with Rundstedt taking the lead and spends a further 5 O-points reinverting Rommel in the North. In total 18 O-Points are spent, leaving only 1 point left. Four Stukas and land bombers fly GS against the front line with average results, with a Russian Corps inverted in each stack - An Italian bomber is shot down by an elite 6 Factor Russian Ftr with its pilot going down in flames. Army Group North, led by Rommel launched a Counter Attack against the recently promoted 9 factor GBA at +8 Blitz rolled 8 (16), forcing a retreat. In the South, there are two attacks as Manstein’s +10 assaults the first hex of Russia and rolls a 11 (21) for 1S. From Rumania Rundstedt launches a bold, and potentially disastrous +5 Blitz to break the Dnieper River line – “trying to create something”, success! as he rolls an above average 13 for an 18 Blitz – the Axis have crossed the Dnieper River and potentially have pocketed their first Russian MECH stack. Average rolling, it could have been worse, could have been better for either side – importantly for GERM no awful low rolls of 3 or 4 which would have cost major units lost – he had his attack roll of 3 last week. The GERM player wipes a sweaty brow and breathe a sigh of relief. Japan takes a combined and sails convoys into the S China Sea to re-establish their convoy chain to the oil of NEI and resources from China. The Army of Manchuria steps back and readjusts its line, removing a dangerous salient and acknowledging that their offensive in the North is over. With their war going badly, it is a time for consolidation and force preservation as they start to focus on retaining their possessions rather empire expansion.

Another great roll for the Axis as they roll the EOT on a 3, it sets up for the GERM a potential ‘double impulse’,– nice roll as all the GERM HQ’s and their bombers were all inverted. If they win the next turns initiative, they have the opportunity to pocket 3 x Russia Corps including a MECH and MOT and Mech Div. If that happens, having successfully crossed the Dnieper they will link up the two Armies of the South – Romania and E Poland. The EOT roll also denied the Allies the opportunity to reset the Russian front line, attack Japanese convoys, conquer Portugal and launch further Chinese assaults against the already stretched Japanese line – a great, well timed roll.

Partisan roll 1 – no Chinese again – fifth failed Chinese Partisans in a row!, the Japanese army is winning the ‘hearts and minds’ as an occupying force, not so much the British in India and the Japanese puppet Govt in Manchuria as a partisan turns up in each.

Summary

A better session for the Axis after the bad (worst you can roll) weather. GERM use of his O-Points and average rolls has allowed him to break the Dnieper River defence and in his words “create something”. With a lucky roll at only +5, the GERM was able to cross the Dnieper and potentially pocket 3 Russian Corps including a handy Mech Corps and link up his two Army’s of the South (Rumania and the Army from E Poland). For the Japanese another ‘No Chinese Partisans’ roll has saved his resources and given him a breather, with the handy EOT roll of 3 the Japanese has finally been able to establish convoys and ship resources and oil back to Japan. Japan’s contesting the S China Sea has secured for a turn or two that valuable sea area. The Axis EOT roll meant that the Allied failed to conquer Portugal, wasting another turn for the Allies and makes the major port of Lisbon unusable for rebasing and redeploying.

The losses for this session have been more than expected for the Axis – 20 BPs, and the loss of 3 Italian acft (2 x Nav and 1 x Land) will be missed in the next few turns. The loss ratio was 20 BP for the Axis and 15 BPs for the Russian – not the outcome the GERM was hoping for, but if the Axis can win the JUL/AUG Initiative they will trap 3 Russian Corps and exploit their bridgehead across the Dnieper. In the North progress will be slow, although the GERM reinforcements of ARM/MECH/ACFT will be arriving from East Prussia.

From the Allies perspective, the EOT was annoying as they were not able to reset the Russian line and extricate their units from the potential trap that the GERM has orchestrated – it will now depend on the initiative roll – both sides will want it, so there will be a re-roll next turn no matter who wins the first roll. The Russian line is still intact and only two hexes are in GERM hands, importantly the Rumanian/Russian city of Chisinau remains in Russian hands and the bonus winterise attack that the Russian was able to effect, generated an INF GBA and cost the GERM a 7.6 MECH. In the North the terrain, rivers, AT Guns, Siberians and GBA’s will make progress there somewhat slow, as the GERMs have yet to clear E Poland or the Baltic States. Russian build is not affected and the Allies LLease can now start being shipped in earnest now they are at war. Most importantly for the Russian, the GERM has spent all its O-Points and there are no more coming for the JUL/AUG turn so defending will be significantly easier knowing there will be mass doubling of GERM attack factors. The US submarines were unable to have another chance to search for Jap Convs and the Chinese were keen to have another attack on the hard pressed Japanese front line – and kill more Japs. The Communist Mech Corps will arrive in the recently liberated Peking which will be concerning to the Japs. Singapore, Batavia and Manila are all double stacked and in supply. US Submarines operating out of Batavia continue to threaten Convs and the Japanese lines of communications, and the US is another turn closer to the arrival of the first two Essex class CVs (Bunker Hill and Yorktown II) – the clock is ticking.

The Russian Front J/A 1942

Army Group South - its a trap - J/A initiative is huge for the Russian

Army Group North - still fighting in E Poland and Latvia.

Saudi Arabian Oil falls into the hands of the CW (BP)

The Far East - the Japanese seize control of the South China Seas from the Allies.

Manchuria - the Japanese start their withdrawal.

China - looking grim for the Japanese - but at least there are no Partisans

Allies consolidate in Singapore and Batavia - MacArthur - watches on.

The West Coast of France - Axis Mech and Arm head inland away from GS allied air.

The Western Front - all quiet.

Portugal is invaded, but not conquered

Losses - axis losses mounting - the Russian losses from Op Barbarossa are sustainable.

Snappy Nappy 2D

A quick game of Snappy Nappy ahead of Saturday's big game, using Darren's fabulous 2D figures and a scenario from one hour wargames.

I was the British.  The units and their quality were generated by die roll.

Each of the ten turns of the randomly chosen out right attack scenario,

had the chance of a random event.

Just our luck: rain all game!

The question became would we get into contact?

Essential if we really wanted to test the rules.

Hard when the French were doing a Brit and sitting on their derrières.

But contact was made.

Victory achieved.

From Salerno to Rome - Part Three

After the confusion of the landing, the US V Army has been able to link up with the Commonwealth VIII Army.  Now they are working their way up the spine of Italy.

The images don't capture the excitement of this game.

Lots can happen during movement

with both players being able to call in bombardments and airstrikes 

(weather permitting).

The US V Army is trying to break onto the Naples plain.

The Eight Army has been delayed by blown bridges (which are fatal in bad weather).

The Eight Army is now in contact with the Germans,

although the Indian Division has held back (nearest the Adriatic coast).

The US V Army trying to force its way around the enemy flank (eh centre...)

The Germans are pulling back,

at least from the US V Army's attempt to work round their flank.

Success, the  US V Army has now broken through the German river defences.

Will they have the armour to match the Germans on the plain?

The Eight Army has the 1st Canadian Division advancing in tandem with the V Army.

The dark green is open, the light green hills and the brown mountains.

There's also a volcano in there!

Practicing, testing and trying Snappy Nappy

Just took the one photo of this practice game we had at the club ahead of the big game scheduled for the 29th.  Multiplayer, a Corps each, French versus Russians.

Big People's House

The system has a lot of promise.  If anything I think it can be simplified more.  I've been collecting my ideas and trying to marry them with Napoleon's Battles.  Whether anything will come out of it, only time will tell.

World in Flames via FB - 26

Another impulse of Barbarossa sees set backs for the Axis.  The Allies invade Portugal and the Chinese retake Peking.  Then the weather turns bad.

AUSGAME 2020 1942 M/J (CONT) – OPERATION BARBAROSSA 42 STALLS

Slow session last night - 1 impulse each side – due in part to some big decisions made - should I go or should I stay – Japanese Fleet Admiral. In typical Code of Bushido ethos, he decided to contest the S China Sea – with a long deliberations, numbers counted, A2A ratings manipulated and worse case scenarios considered – Japan sallied his three fleets and all his LB air into the 2 box to challenge the combined US/CW fleet. Risk on both sides, as any ‘big split’ would be calamitous for either side. As it was, the rolls were anti-climatical as the US and Jap rolled a 7 and 8 – no one found despite there being 10 acft , 15 CVs and 35 SCS in the S China Sea - I didn’t think that sea area was that big enough sea area not to have a find! Naval ‘non-action’ completed, Japan adjusted its front line as it desperately filled the hole made by the Commies last attack and reinforced as best he could against a likely Commie attack against the old capital of Peking.

Italy took an Air to support GERM land Ops, allowing naval searches, GS and rebasing of Ftrs to counter the Russian rebases and long-range bombers. In the W Med the Axis air wall continues to press its advantage and searched for the Combined Allied air force while it still has an advantage. They succeed again rolling a 1 and the CW lends a helping hand with a 9, giving the Axis 10 surprise points, 5 shifts. A bit of luck for the Allies as they get an abort (6 US Ftr) from an average die roll from the GERM on the +6 table and manage in return to abort a GERM Nav on the -6 table. With 10 surprise points against them, after the mandatory one round of combat they abort back to the W Med with neither side finding a second time. In the Bay of Biscay, with the opportunity to X, D or A loaded Allied Amphs the GERM elects to contest the sea area and fly two Ftrs and react 3 x Navs. In a surprise for Allies the CW roll a 1 and the GERM an 8 to gain a solid split, rather than just abort the combat the CW decides with 4 shifts in his favour it’s a chance to attrition the Axis air force at the risk of being found again. Luck for the CW on the +4 table as they shoot down an Italian Nav with the Italian pilots successfully bailing out and being rescued by S-Boats operating out of Brest. With a large split against them the Axis air abort back to the sea area, and elect to search again, the GERM making up for his previous roll, rolls a 1 but in an astounding piece of luck. not seen for years. the CW rolls a second 1 in a row – a probable first in this game and a roll that favours the Allies as it brings into play his 7 factor in the 1 box. They are again successful in the air, shooting down a GERM escorting 6 Ftr for no loss – the Axis recognising that this is a loosing battle, abort to the French coast for Cognac and French hospitality. The Allied invasion force breathe a sigh of relief as it could have easily gone against them as any average dice by the Allies in the air combat would have seen NAV air cleared through and loaded Amph and Tpts X, D or aborted, jeopardising the invasion of Portugal. A relieved CW and US player wipe a sweaty brow.

With no luck at sea the GERM turned to the war against Russia and the second impulse of Op Barbarossa 42. This was not going to be a good impulse. The Axis launched multiple GS with Stukas and Italian LB air, but the Russian air force contested the air shooting down one of the bombers and its pilot for no loss. But one for the record books was the Russian AA rolls, these were most impressive rolling 3 lots of lowest 1 of 6 dice and on two rolls against Stukas, rolling not less than 4 on every dice! Only one Stuka got through rolling 1’s for no effect – the Russian front line remained intact and upright – with few opportunities the GERM elected not to attack in the South. In the North three land attacks were declared, two automatics as Russian Gar/Cav units are overwhelmed – but in a reversal of the fortunes of war, a +12 blitz attack failed badly as the GERM stumbled, and rolled a 3 for a 1/1 but full invert, losing a 4.1 SS Gar. With only a single HQ in the North (Rommel) only 2 units were reinverted, importantly for the Russian, the two Army Group North Vanguard Arm and MECH Corps remained inverted.

In Norway the two ARTY Divs, a 3 and 4 factor, GS the CW defenders of Navik and again little success as they only invert a single Div, in the stack of five CW units – so no attack here. In the South the GERM HQ reinverted two Stukas, so that they can GS again next impulse as the Russian AA gunners have hopefully run out of ammunition or luck or both. The GERM destroyed a 3 Russian land units, for the loss of 1 GER Mil and an Italian Bomber and its pilot, and gained only marginal hexes of E Poland and the Baltic States. Not the heady start desired by the Axis, as many primary and secondary objectives still remain in Russian hands.

Allied impulse and the Allies DOW on Portugal as the Portuguese Govt wanted to remain neutral and not allow allied acft to rebase there – so war, of a sort it is, as the Allies invade the two adjacent hexes of Lisbon and take the port of Porto. The land units are ‘well pleased’ to be off the Amphs and tpt – it is dangerous out at sea with Axis Acft and U-Boats operating from France. The invading units are forced by the Axis to drop to the 0 box presenting an excellent high value target of opportunity for the GERM U-Boats if the weather deteriorates and the search die rolls are kind. Russia’s land sees his units drive forward to double and triple stack the front line key hexes against the invading Hun and its minor allies. Making a tough job harder, they rebase three Ftrs forward to protect their defenders from the impending second round of Stuka attacks. The first LLease Hurricane arrives in Russia, courtesy of the CW and their pilots exchange greetings, a quick lesson on how to fly these acft and a vodka or two. With both the CW and USA taking Combined actions, there is little naval acty, other than the Iowa arriving in the Pacific Theatre and several Tpts collect cargoes off the coast of the US. The CW abort the Conv from the S China Sea to remove the +1 search for the Japanese from this, and future naval actions.

China buoyed by previous success launches +11.5, led by Mao and attack the ancient capital of Peking and roll an average 10, which is enough to retake the city – another hole in the line for the Japanese to fill, as the advancing Chinese are now only one hex from the coast and cutting the Japanese land armies in two.

Axis 3rd Impulse and the vindictive Weather Gods turn on the Axis as they roll a 1, the worse weather possible with Snow in the artic and storm just about everywhere else. Storm in the S China Sea functionally renders Japans air advantage mute. Japan in the one box cannot afford to search as it would be a gun fight, and attrition of SCS, especially exchanges work significantly in the Allies favour. Japan now cannot press its air advantage as both carrier and land air Ops are shut down by the Storm. They are unlikely to search and with the Chinese continued successes on the mainland they will need a combined or land to rectify their crumbling front line which is now stretched to breaking point, the loss of Peking is significant.

Summary

A great Allied session and conversely a nightmare session for the Axis. Germ advances have been minimal and any advances in the next impulse will be marginal - measured in single hexes as the snow and storm weather will significantly affect the ability to successfully GS and the -4 is prohibitive for an Army with few winterised units. Worse, the EOT roll with a 1 can commence with the next allied roll, thanks again to the weather +2 advance – not what the Axis wanted. The impressive AA rolling by the Russian AA gunners stopped any attacks or advance in the South, even the city of Chisinau still remains firmly in Russian hands. In the East Japan seems helpless to stop the Chinese advances on land and if they do not find and win the battle of the S China Sea they will have little to show for the expenditure of their valuable oil. Japan may have to sign a pact with Russia to relieve the pressure and release a few valuable land units - the diplomats are talking.

From the Allied point of view the war is definitely turning in their favour as US reinforcements, especially Acft and HQs arrive in Europe. They are able to contest the W Med air dominance, and still have acft spare to LLease to Russia and protect their Naval assets. The important clear weather J/A turn will determine where the 1942 front lines will be drawn.

Portugal is invaded to aid the Allied rebasing of short range fighters and Navs

- the extra resource is welcome as well.

The W Med air war continues unabated.

Second Impulse of Op Barbarossa - Hitler is not pleased

- primary and secondary objectives have not been met and he is seeking an answers.

Army Group North - led by Rommel has stumbled with a unlucky die roll of 3,

as Russian units advance to seal off the advance.

Army Group South - still has yet to cross the Dnieper or take Chisinau

The collection of Axis allies, most of whom cannot cooperate with each other,

is not helping the Army commanders.

Excellent AA work by Russian AA gunners have driven of the Stukas.

S China Sea - Japanese fleets (x 3) on the hunt for the combined Allied fleets o no success yet.

China - the Japanese line now stretched to breaking point as Peking is captured/liberated by the Communist led by Mao.

Situation no change

The Far East - Japanese and Russian diplomats have now opened an exchange of letters

- perhaps a pact is in the offing

Losses at the end of the second impulse - with Storm and Snow rolled (1) this wont change significantly.

From Salerno to Rome - Part Two

Richard and I have now completed the first turn of this game.  Still coming to terms with the mechanics and more importantly the best tactics to use in attacking and defending.

Both sides are running low on Activation Points.

This means lost opportunities to attack, create defensive positions or exploit gaps in the enemy's lines.

The US 45th Division was directed to pursue the retreating Germans

and link up with the 1st Canadians.

The Eight Army is strung out on the east coast

as German reinforcements race to establish defensive positions.

Weather will now be a factor and we will have to watch supply as while it is generous, it will be curtailed by bad weather, particularly if rivers are involved (they become impassable except at bridges).

Losses can be relatively easily recovered by pulling divisions out of line and resting them for a month.  Provided you have enough divisions to swap in and out, oh, and the Activation Points to do so. 

World in Flames via FB - 25

No surprise really when the Axis makes a surprise attack on the USSR.

AUSGAME 2020 1942 M/J – WORLD IN FLAMES

This week’s session commenced with M/A rebase, production and the M/J reinforcement. GERM rolled for the initiative and rolled a 10, which with their carefully husbanded +1 modified their roll to an incontestable 11, so the Axis took the initiative. The dice gods favoured the Axis with a weather roll of 4, fine everywhere but rain in the N Monsoon. With these omens from Mars the God of War, GERM broke the Russian pact, DOW against Russia, aligned Finland and launched Operation Barbarossa 1942 – the world is at war.

GERM took a land, Italy a no cost(oil) Comb and Japan a paid Comb. With the Russian dispersion of its front-line Germ elected not to ground strike using its massed bombers – Stalin was pleasantly surprised as he had expected an air from Italy as there were 4-5 Italy bombers set to strike the Russian defenders, not to mention a full suite of Stukas paused on runways with their engines running. The GERM balanced single inverted Russian units, electing to being able to rebase forward Ftrs and Land Bombers. Italy sailed a CA into the W Med high box to ensure presence, railed another Italian INF to France and redeployed its acft in support of GERM Land Ops. GERM advance into Russia was somewhat restrained conducting 8 attacks against Russian MIL and Garrison border guards. The first attack roll of OP Barbarossa and a portent of what was to come was an impressive 20!, double 10 against a 5.1 Blitz attack at +16 for an impressive modified total of 36! – it doesn’t get much higher than that. The average attack roll was 14 which did include a 4 as a motley collection of GERM Mil and Gar attacked a Russian defender in the Pripet Marsh, inflicting the only losses (2 x Mil) on the attacker on that first impulse. The Hungarians also failed to clear the border mountains with a modified roll of 13 for a -/- leaving the Russian 2 Cav to ‘run away’. GERM destroyed 7 Russian Corps, mostly Gar and advanced into E Poland and the Baltic States with little urgency.

The Japanese Comb saw them securing the Sea of Japan and landing a MIL in China. In a nicely executed attack against the 2 factor Part in Korea, the Japanese deftly eliminated it with a no loss ½ invert to secure the Korean resource and the rail line to Southern China.

Allied 1st impulse saw CW and the US take Naval actions with Russia and China Land. The US and CW sail into the Bay of Biscay with an invasion fleet under the cover of Land based air and CVs to threaten both France and Portugal. Convs were sailed and naval escorts placed – a GERM Sub attempted a search and failed to find as did the Allied escorts. In the W Med Allied FTRs/Nav searched for the Italian SCS and convs with the Axis reacting 12 acft to the W Med 1 box. Again, the Allies fail despite a find as their search roll of a 3 which is outmatched by the Italian’s 1, giving the Axis two shifts – continuing the trend of poor CW rolls v Italian. The air combat again favours the Axis, resulting in a loss of the only Nav, a handy Albacore and its pilot for no loss to the Axis. The Allies acft abort to the sea area and both sides roll 10’s!

In the East the CW and US sail fleets into the South China Sea under the cover of Land based Ftrs from Batavia to challenging the Japanese to fight for their NEI oil. Australian’s reinforce Singapore and the Iowa arrives in Pearl Harbour. China launches a communist +6 attack against a lone 5 INF Corps, and they continue their successful land attack rolls, with another high 17 for a top of the table roll, the Jap Corpse is eliminated, and the Commies advance another hex inland threatening the Japanese NS rail line.

Russia places its Res and realigns its line, which is all in good order as the Axis acft did not fly GS mission allowing the Russian a greater degree of freedom of action than he had expected. Spending 5 O/Points he reinverts Yeremenko to allow him to reinvert 3 x Inf Res units. The Odessa Factory is shipped to the East. The Russian advance and defend the Dniester River as this was not breached on the opening assault and will now form a substantial obstacle for the GERM, the GERM combat power is only marginally better than the Russian in the South and progress here will be slow baring the GERM expenditure of O/Points and high attack rolls – still early days. The GERM combat ratio is 135 factors in 35 units for an average of 4 in contrast the Russian has 155 factors in 32 units for an average of 5 – certainly the GERM will need to be cautious in his attacks. He has all his Stukas in the South so that will give him an advantage for a short time. In the North, the Russians withdraw to city and river defensive positions as they wait for much needed reinforcements as the North is significantly more vulnerable as the GERM/Russian combat ratio here is in the GERM favour. Russian long range Land Bombers arrive from Iran as Zhukov and Yeremenko reinvert 8 Res units to face off against the GERMs next impulse.

Axis 2nd impulse next week with the weather rolled - another definitive 10 – the GERM dice are hot tonight – fine everywhere, GERM will take another land as will the Japanese as they try and fill holes made by the Chinese attacks, and with fine in the N Monsoon the Nationalist may well have another go.

Summary

Two long impulses, GERMs Op Barbarossa land impulse and the Allied US and CW Naval impulse. With the world at war, it is now clear what the Axis strategy is - a limited war against Russia, inflicting losses on the Russian air and land units whilst minimise Axis losses or in military terms - their aim is force preservation. The heavy Atlantic Wall defence of France and Europe, denying an early invasion into France and W Europe, denial of the W Med with massed air/Nav and ensuring that there is no advance in N Africa based on a mountain defence line of GERM INF in the vicinity of the mountainous border of Algeria and Morocco.

The CW continued failure to find and attrition the Axis air forces has seen the Axis FTR/NAV air walls remain intact and remain a viable and potent defence. A check back on the air losses over the last two years of game time reveals that the CW has not been able to inflict an Axis Acft loss – either Italian or GERM since S/O 1940 – it is no surprise that the Axis is wining the current air war. Hopefully with the US contribution especially its massed 2 build point Ftr Acft this trend will cease; nothing will help of course if you roll 10’s on the search!

In winning the initiative and already two clear weather rolls the GERM continues to push into Russia inflicting losses on land units – how far GERM will get will depend on continued fine weather and the attack rolls. GERM needs to inflict maximum losses, gain territory, and minimise Axis losses, in order to maintain its combat power. Unless the GERM gets lucky in the South with its G strikes and attack rolls Russia has the ability to stall the advance of the GERM in the Ukraine as the Soviet has more combat factors, more ARM and AA/ATank guns – the GERM may struggle to make progress in the Southern Ukraine. Russia has the ability to counter attack, but failure (a poor dice roll) will be initially a greater risk for the Russian than the GERM.

Game on.

Invasion fleet sails - France or Portugal?

Gibraltar

W Med Air War - Axis supremacy

Army Group North Op Barbarossa start of GERM 2nd impulse fine weather

Army Group South Op Barbarossa start of GERM 2nd impulse fine weather

China - the Chinese are attacking and are being rewarded with high rolls

The Far East - Japan under pressure

The US and Japanese Fleets - The US and CW have sailed into the South China Sea

Central Pacific Truk still holds

Saudi Arabia

Losses after the first impulses 7 soviet v 2 German