Post First Round

After one full round of battle some positions on the board have shifted but the initial territorial integrity remains. The battle for Europe remains to be the hottest on the board. Germany’s hegemonic ambitions have been thwarted early by the Soviets, leaving the Germans to rethink her battle strategy. Meanwhile in the Pacific a naval buildup has begun between the US and Japan. This should eventually favor the US as she uses economic advantage to outspend the Japanese. The United Kingdom has put herself in good position in the North Atlantic and South Pacific. The one area where the British are weak is in Africa where Germany is building up a small force in Libya. The second round of battle will begin with the Soviet Union.

United States Movement

United States : Move 1

Purchase: 1 Cruiser
1 Aircraft Carrier
1 Fighter
1 Artillery
40 IPC (2 extra)

Combat US attacking China
- 2 Infantry from Sinking

Japanese defending
- 1 Infantry

Roll 1 United States
2 dice @1
-miss

Japan defense
1 dice @2
-miss

Roll 2 United States
2 dice@1
- hit

Japan defense
1 dice @2
- miss

Combat Over United States Takes China with:
2 Infantry


Non-Combat

1 Inf. from Central US to Eastern US
1 Inf. from Central US to Western US
1 Des. From Zone 20 to Zone 55
1 Bmb. From Eastern US to United Kingdom

Place Units

1 Aircraft Carrier in Zone 55
1 Fighter on carrier in Zone 55
1 Cruiser in Zone 55
1 Artillery in Western United States

End United States turn

United States Overview

As the last country to move America has already been hit on two fronts, she will have to use her production might to overcome the devastation felt in the Pacific. Uniquely situated with two ocean fronts America is seemingly impervious to attacks on her mainland. America goals are as follows: protect both her eastern and western coasts from attack, build a menacing navy in the Pacific, and assist the United Kingdom from a German takeover of Europe. The Pacific theater is most pressing for the United States at the outset. With only one battleship off of the coast of Los Angeles America is vulnerable to a second Japanese attack, attention should be paid immediately to this area when purchasing. On the eastern front the United States has a few options. The US can produce bombers, send them to the UK and attack German production or their navy. The US can build up its Atlantic navy, and send a troop landing in Africa, or can send units to the UK. America has few if any options for attack on her first move, for this reason America should do more strategizing for later moves.

Japanese Movement

Purchase: 2 submarines
1 destroyer
1 fighter
=30 IPC’s


Japan Combat – Zone 36
- 2 Fighters from carrier in Zone37

United Kingdom Defense
- 1 cruiser

Roll 1 Japan

2 dice @ 3
- 1 hit

United Kingdom defend
1 dice @3
- miss


Combat over: Japan sinks 1 UK cruiser and 1 UK transport


Japanese Combat – Zone 52 (Pearl Harbor)
- 1 Submarine from Zone 45
- 1 Cruiser from Zone 50
- 1 Carrier w/ 1 fighter from Zone 50
- 1 Battleship from Zone 60

America defending
- 1 Submarine
- 1 Carrier w/ 1 fighter

Roll 1 America & Japan (both submarines get a surprise attack)
1 American dice for 2
- miss
1 Japanese dice for 2
- miss

Roll 1 Japan

1 dice @1
- hit
1 dice @2
- hit
2 dice @3
- hit
(all American units hit)

American defense

1 dice @1
- miss
1 dice @2
-hit
1 dice @4
-hit

Combat over: Japan takes Zone 52 with:1 carrier w/ 1 fighter
1 battleship
1 cruiser

Japanese Combat – Buryatia
- 1 Infantry from Japan via transport
- 1 Tank from Japan via transport
- 2 Infantry from Manchuria
- 1 fighter from Japan

Soviet defense
- 5 Infantry

Roll 1 Japan
3 dice @1
- 1 hit
2 dice @3
- 2 hits

Soviet defense
5 dice @2
- 1 hit

Roll 2 Japan
2 dice @1
- miss
2 dice @3
- miss

Soviet defense
2 dice @2
- miss

Roll 3 Japan
2 dice @1
- miss
2 dice @3
- miss

Soviet defense
2 dice @2
- miss

Roll 4 Japan
2 dice @1
- 1 hit
2 dice @3
- 1 hit

Soviet defense (all units hit)
2 dice @2
- 1 hit

Combat over Japan takes Buryatia with: 1 Tank
1 Infantry

Japan Combat – China
- 3 Infantry from Kwangtung
- 1 Fighter from Manchuria
- 1 Bomber from Japan

American defense
- 2 Infantry
- 1 Fighter

Roll 1 Japan
3 dice @1
- miss
1 dice @3
- miss
1 dice @4
- hit

American defense
2 dice @2
- 1 hit
1 dice @4
- miss

Roll 2 Japan
2 dice @1
- 1 hit
1 dice @3
- miss
1 dice @4
- hit

American defense (all units hit)
1 dice @2
- hit
1 dice @4
-miss

Combat over Japan takes China with: 1 Infantry

Non-Combat

1 battleship from Zone 37 to Zone 48
1 Trns. From Zone 59 to Zone 61
3 fighters land in Kwangtung
1 bmb. Lands in Manchuria

Place Units

2 Submarines in Zone 60
1 Destroyer in Zone 60
1 Fighter in Japan


End Japan Turn

Japan Overview

When analyzing Japan the obvious strength lays in the sea. Having the strongest navy on the board (2 battleships, 2 aircraft carriers, 1 submarine, 2 transports, and 1 cruiser) will bode well for Japan to maintain superiority in the Pacific. Japan has the unique ability on its first turn to attack all three of the Allies. The Soviet Union has a small, five infantry, troop buildup along the Japanese-Soviet boarder in Buryatia. The Americans have troops in China and naval units in the Pacific. The British have drawn first blood and moved from India into French Indo-China, and have a cruiser in zone 36 and a submarine in zone 47. All of this adds up to Japan needing solid combat and non-combat strategy on her first turn.
Japan is in a bit of a conundrum on its first turn. The obvious move for Japan is to attack Pearl Harbor. This is a great move to maintain Pacific superiority and can easily cripple the American fleet. However, with a British cruiser, sub and transports lurking around in the South China Sea the Japanese must not over extend itself on an abhorrent attack on America and risk losing New Guinea or allowing the British cruiser to escape Japanese waters. The Japanese can hold off a Pearl Harbor attack one round, if she invests heavily in strong naval units. The Japanese ground war being fought in Eastern Asia is undoubtedly important if Japan has interest in helping her ally fight the Soviets. What makes this land battle interesting is a lack of allied reinforcement troops. America’s foothold in China is weak due to a lack of an industrial complex. Once America’s troops are killed they will essentially be defeated in China. Similarly, Great Britain does not have the resources to shore up her troop defense in Asia and has one to two rounds at best to hold off the Japanese. The one power that can provide reinforcements, the Soviet Union, has to focus most of her attention in the west and thus has little resources to fight off a Japanese force. This all bodes well for the Japanese, Japan is able to add more IPC’s by taking over much of the Asian continent and ultimately squeeze the Soviets into submission. The key for Japan is to produce enough troops to send to the mainland, to accomplish this goal, production of transports and possibly later in the game construction of an industrial complex on the mainland will benefit the Japanese greatly. Furthermore Japan has lost significant IPC’s to British attacks on French Indo-China and New Guinea, Japan must move quickly to regain purchasing power for turn two. Just like Germany, balance is of utmost importance for a Japanese victory.

United Kingdom Movement

United Kingdom : Move 1

Purchase: 2 destroyers
1 cruiser
=28 IPC’s (2 left over)

Strategic Bombing Raid on Germany
- From United Kingdom: 1 bomber

German Defense
- Germany: 1 Anti-Aircraft Gun

Roll 1 Germany

1 dice @ 1
- miss

United Kingdom bombing raid
1 dice
- 4 damage


United Kingdom Combat – French Indo-China (land & sea)
(1 Infantry & Anti-Aircraft gun load onto transport in zone 35)
- 2 Infantry from India
- 1 Fighter from Aircraft Carrier in Zone 35
(Cruiser gets shore bombardment)

Japanese Defense
-2 Infantry
-1 Fighter

Roll 1 United Kingdom

1 dice @ 3 (shore bombardment)
- 1 hit
3 dice @1
- 1 hit
1 dice @3
-miss
Japanese defend
2 dice @2
- 1 hit
1 dice @4
- 1 hit
Roll 2 United Kingdom
1 dice @1
-miss
1 dice @3
- hit
Japanese defend
1 dice @4
-miss

Combat over United Kingdom takes French Indo-China with:

1 Infantry, transport offloads anti-aircraft gun

United Kingdom Combat – New Guinea
(2 Infantry from Australia load onto transport in Zone 40)

Japanese defending
- 1 Infantry

Roll 1 United Kingdom
2 dice @1
- 1 hit
Japanese defense
1 dice @2
- miss

Combat over United Kingdom takes New Guinea with

2 Infantry

Non-Combat

1 Inf. from Persia to India
1 Inf. from Trans-Jordan to Anglo-Egypt Sudan
1 Tnk. from Eastern Canada onto transport in Zone 1
1 Trns. from Zone 1 to Zone 2
1 Inf. from S. Africa to Rhodesia
1 Sub. from Zone 40 to Zone 47
1 Inf. from Kazakh to Sinkiang
1 Des. from Zone 15 to Zone 33
1 AAC. from Zone 35 to Zone 33
1 fighter lands in India

Place Units

2 Destroyers in Zone 2
1 Cruiser in Zone 2


End United Kingdom Turn

United Kingdom Overview

A strong Navy to protect its island shores and to control the Atlantic waters is key for UK success. There are two areas for inquiry in analyzing the British for war. It is an island nation, and its expansionist endeavors are in Africa, Southeast Asia (India), and Australia. Its position as an island nation has one major advantage and one major disadvantage. Its advantage is water, which provides a natural buffer for holding back the strong German war machine. The drawback is that it cannot attack land without producing many transports which are vulnerable to attack. Likewise, being colonialist has it its advantage, providing the UK with more IPCs. Its drawback is that its military and resources are far stretched from the mainland, requiring more logistical management which can be difficult to maintain and execute.
The British navy, following the London Naval Treaty of 1930, is weak, unprepared for this war and simply does not have the resources needed to match the Germans. This compounded with the sinking of a cruiser in the Mediterranean (by the German battleship on the previous turn) highlights much needed attention to the theater at sea. It will take both production of new naval units along with American intervention to help win the battle for the Atlantic. With no immediate threat to the mainland, the UK can focus on building a strong navy. Along with naval units production of long range bombers will help the British simultaneously attacking both German industrial complexes and assist in naval battles.
One immediate threat that the UK faces is in India where three troops are stationed along with a transport, aircraft carrier (carrying 1 fighter), and cruiser along its shores. This fleet is easily outmatched by the Japanese naval fleet that is threatening. In India the three troops are almost just a feint as given some time they will easily be defeated. There are two options for the British, retreat or try and hold India. There are good arguments for either of these two options. If retreating, a fighter and two troops can be transported to Anglo Egypt-Sudan. This move helps hold off a German takeover of Africa and its nine IPCs, but allows the Japanese to take India’s three IPC’s. This should be considered if the UK wants to save the Southeast Asian naval fleet. I will post the British move next.

German Movement

Germany : Move 1

Purchase:
1 Cruiser
3 Tanks
1 Fighter
1 Infantry
40 IPC

Attack (Naval) Zone 13
- From Zone 14: 1 Battleship
- From Zone 8 : 1 Submarine

British Defense
- Zone 13: 1 Cruiser

Roll 1 Germany

1 dice @ 2 (sneak attack)
- miss
1 dice @ 2 (begins battle)
- miss
1 dice @ 4
- hit

British (cannot defend, battleship takes a hit)

Combat over, Germany takes Zone 13 occupied by:

1 German battleship, 1 German submarine

Attack (Land) Karelia
- From Norway: 1 Fighter
- From E. Europe: 2 Infantry

Soviet Defense
- Karelia: 1 Infantry

Roll 1 Germany

2 dice @ 1
- miss
1 dice @ 3
- miss
Soviet defend
1 dice @ 2
- hit
Roll 2 Germany
1 dice @ 1
-miss
1 dice @ 3
- miss
Soviet defend
1 dice @ 2
-hit
Germany retreats
Fighter lands back in Norway


Soviet Union holds Karelia

Attack (Land) W. Russia
- From Belorussia 3 Infantry
- From E. Europe 1 Tank, 1 Fighter
- From Ukraine 3 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 1 Fighter
- From Germany 1 Fighter, 1 Bomber
Soviet defense
- 5 Infantry, 1 Artillery, 3 Tanks

Roll 1 Germany
5 dice @ 1
- 2 hits
2 dice @ 2
- miss
4 dice @ 3
- 1 hit
1 dice @ 4
- hit
Soviet defense
6 dice @ 2
- 2 hits
3 dice @ 3
- 2 hits
Roll 2 Germany
1 dice @ 1
- miss
2 dice @ 2
- 1 hit
4 dice @ 3
- 2 hits
1 dice @ 4
- miss
Soviet defense
2 dice @ 2
- miss
3 dice @ 3
- 2 hits
Roll 3 Germany
1 dice @ 2
- miss
4 dice @ 3
- 3 hits (all Soviet units hit)
Soviet defense
2 dice @ 3
- 1 hit
End Combat; Germany takes W. Russia occupying with:
1 Tank


Non-Combat

1 Inf. from S. Europe to Libya via transport
1 Art. from S. Europe to Libya via transport
1 Inf. from Algeria to Libya
1 Art. from Algeria to Libya
1 Tnk. from S. Europe to W. Europe
1 Inf. from S. Europe to W. Europe
2 Inf. from Balkans to Ukraine SSR
1 Tnk. from Balkans to Ukraine SSR
1 Ftr. from Balkans to Ukraine SSR
1 Tnk. from Germany to Norway via transport
1 Inf. from Germany to Norway via transport
1 Tnk. from Germany to Belorussia
1 Inf. from Germany to E. Europe
2 sub. from Zone 5 to Zone 7
3 ftr. Land in Ukraine
1 bmb. Land in Germany

Place Units

1 cruiser in Zone 5
2 tanks in S. Europe
1 tank in Germany
1 fighter in Germany
1 infantry in S. Europe


End German turn

German Overview

Germany faces a lot more questions on her first move. German strength at the outset of the game is unmatched by any of the Allies’ players. This plays heavily into the early stages of the war. Although their military might is great, Germany must use this strength to accomplish three critical areas: defend its western and northern front from a British landing; counterattack and push Soviet forces at the Eastern front; and maintain its naval superiority in the Mediterranean, Baltic and Atlantic.
A successful British amphibious assault on either Norway or Western Europe could prove to be devastating to German success and would greatly hinder any eastern expansion by the Reich. For this reason, Germany must provide ample defense in these areas to thwart any such attack while still producing and sending troops to the front lines in the east. German non-combat movement is equally important to combat movement; this is the German plight, to precisely play this balancing act that proved to be too much for even Hitler to accomplish.




Areas where Germany is vulnerable to a British amphibious attack





Like the Soviet Union Germany does in fact have two ways to approach its combat move either attack or not. Unlike the Soviets the decision is not very difficult to make, the Soviets have left Karelia nearly undefended and this alone warrants combat to take over Karelia and gain back the two IPC’s. Two other combat moves against the Soviets are either trying to take back Western Russia or attacking Caucasus. Of these two spaces the Caucasus have the most to gain with one Soviet industrial complex however the Soviets have left the Caucasus well defended and would prove to be nearly impossible to take over. Western Russia is also well defended but with the amount of German resources available seems like a viable option for takeover. Another combat option for the Germans is at sea in the Mediterranean, a German battleship and transport are sandwiched between a British cruiser and destroyer. The battleship has the option of engaging either of these ships and has a high probability of sinking either. If Germany decides to combat the cruiser a German U-boat has the option of joining the battle and getting one sneak attack. In Africa Germany has the option of combating British forces in Anglo Egypt-Sudan but with a stronger British force the Germans will likely hold off.
With so many areas of focus for the Germans purchasing is critical. A good strategy is to focus a little bit on all areas (land, air & sea). With a good amount of purchasing power the Germans have many options. I will post the German’s move next.