Slitherine

MUD arrives preventing me from taking Wilhemshaven again.

It's slow but steady progress as the allies whittle down the German defenses in the west, and the Russians advance at their two-hex limit.

My opponent has told me he has run out of oil, but my worst enemy is the weather at the moment.

I get FAIR weather and make good progress, only Germany, an undefended northern Italy and Bulgaria remain.

A FAIR weather turn adds impetus to the Allies efforts, another couple of turns should see Germany fall.

Congratulations on your Ultimate Victory. It's nice to see the reverse spanish gambit can work, though I think it's a strategy that depends on how the Axis are fairing elsewhere. If the Russians are getting their butts kicked, then the Germans can fortify the Pyrennes and hold out for years. If the Russians are pressuring them, then they don't have the resources to seriously challenge the Allies' invasion of Spain. So I think you really won this game with your strong performance in the USSR. The British and Americans certainly contributed, but (as usual) Russia was where this game was decided.

joerock22 wrote:Congratulations on your Ultimate Victory. It's nice to see the reverse spanish gambit can work, though I think it's a strategy that depends on how the Axis are fairing elsewhere. If the Russians are getting their butts kicked, then the Germans can fortify the Pyrennes and hold out for years. If the Russians are pressuring them, then they don't have the resources to seriously challenge the Allies' invasion of Spain. So I think you really won this game with your strong performance in the USSR. The British and Americans certainly contributed, but (as usual) Russia was where this game was decided.

Thanks, agreed, but could have been different if the Axis hadn't let AGC wander into Central Russia and instead held a defense line at Voronezh - Stalingrad - Moscow - Leningrad. They would then have had spare reserves to send to Hispania which would have made it harder for the Anglo-Americans. That's what I was hoping to show, that the reverse Spanish gambit isn't as easy as I found it. It's not like I didn't warn the Axis that it was coming, taking Portugal in early '42 should have been enough warning.

IMHO one of the key elements for the Axis in 42-43 is working out what the Anglo-Americans are going to do, allowing them an easy entry into Europe will in the end hamstring the Axis efforts in the East. It's a fine balancing act between offense and defense for the Axis.

I felt it was a bit touch'n'go when Moscow fell in late '42. But the Russians are very resilient and the Western Allies managed to draw off enough German reserves to allow the Russians to catch their breath and gain the initiative.

I was able to capture Berlin from the east and some surplus Russian units were able to help the Anglo-American forces capture Hamburg from the South. Not sure why Hamburg wasn't garrisoned.



I'll leave Ronnie to update my victory stats.