Moderators: Happycat, rkr1958, Slitherine Core
This is the part of the game where the transition from mid game to end game begins. Also, this is the most enjoyable part of the game for the Allies. In the start game they must take blow after blow throw by the Axis player. Their objective is simply to survive. In the mid game, where the initiative starts shifting slowly to them away from the Axis they're able to do more than just counter punch (e.g., Torch, winter Russian offensive) but still are vulnerable. It's the end game when where the initiative has fully swung to them and the Axis are on the defensive where they can go for the throat and try to take Rome and Berlin out before May 1945. This the Allied player's time to have fun. Now the question is can I take Rome and Berlin before May 1945. I'll do my best but no matter what this is the fun part for the Allies. I play to enjoy it!My email to Jim (8/11/43) wrote:The US/UK continued their strategic bombing of Germany.
The US/UK continued their push in southern Italy. They captured Taranto and make a push for Naples. They got close to capturing Naples but couldn't quite finish off the garrison there. Also, the Brits have four invasion transports lined up to attempt an "Anizo" type operation; expect this one might be called "Florence". I'm not sure how this one will play out but I wanted to put pressure on the Axis to respond.
Speaking of putting pressure on the Axis, the Russians continued their slow advance and in the process destroyed one German infantry corps and one Axis minor infantry corps. It's all too apparent that the Russian airforce is inferior to the Luftwaffe; however, they're necessary to soften up targets so ground attacks can finish them off and they force the Germans to burn oil.
As the Axis player isn't it a comfort to know that now with the new "Country.class" file that now you'll always have a small amount of oil each turn. It is to me. Also, knowing that the Allied tactic of taking the Axis oil level negative and keeping it negative for the rest of the game is a thing of the past. And that you'll have some capability to move and attack with your oil consuming units through the end of the game. I think this changes the end game for the Axis significantly and makes the game more balanced.
Jim, Axis 8/31/43 wrote:The attempted amphibious flanking move in the Med drew a sharp response from the Axis forces. One transport group was destroyed, and the other three have been denied their landing beaches. More Germans than you can shake a schnitzel at have arrived in the area. Resting the Luftwaffe for a couple of turns seems to have helped immensely, the fighter combat was on fairly even terms.
Jim, Allies 8/31/43 wrote:I expected a strong response to my flanking invasion in Italy but not that strong. The invasion was called off. The US/UK destroyed the two Italian corps in front of the Gustov line and captured Naples.
Jim, Axis 9/20/43 wrote:The situation with the Anzio type invasion shows how well balanced this game is now. Historically, Anzio was a terribly ill-conceived and executed operation, and while it can work in the vanilla game, it doesn't work too well in our mod. I do think it is worth posing the threat, however, because it certainly forces the Axis player to move units that he would probably rather not move (at least not in that direction!).
My email to Randy for the turn wrote:I'll let me secrets out of the bag. Germany's out of oil and their manpower is below 0. This is the perfect game to evaluate the impact of the new "Country.class" file. Because without it I wouldn't stand a chance. At least now I have a fighting one.
The Allies are like ants. I step on 10 and 20 more show up! Army Group North is shattered! My only saving grace is the bit of oil I get at the start of each turn and the relatively large number of PPs that I get to build infantry with. Lots of infantry. Lots of -2 quality, -2 survivable infantry.
