Slitherine

Hi there,

I'm trying to get a clear idea of what happens if Germany does NOT invade Russia in 1941. Here's what I think I understand so far:

+ Russian starts to improve significantly starting in October of 1942 (not sure how much – 100% economy?)
+ Russia automatically DOWs in May of 1942.
+ Convoys to Russia from the US do NOT start until hostilities have commenced.
+ Russians can place new units (in Russia) but other than that, no 'action' or movement is allowed until hostilities.

Question: if Germany DOWs on Russia BEFORE May of 1942 but after October 1941, is there still a 'surprise' penalty to efficiency? I gather it is somewhat weather dependent, but not entirely clear on the details.

Any thoughts on this? I'm still not able to find this in the manual.[/b]

metolius wrote:Question: if Germany DOWs on Russia BEFORE May of 1942 but after October 1941, is there still a 'surprise' penalty to efficiency? I gather it is somewhat weather dependent, but not entirely clear on the details.

No. Beginning is October 1941 Russia is to be considered in a mobilizing state and will no longer be surprised by a German invasion.

What is the actual DOW date? 8-May-1942 or 28-May-1942?

And is this covered in the manual? Happy to put together a short section if not.

Russia mobilizes in October 1941 and that boost war effort by 20. Russian units can still not move and Russia won't receive any convoys or lend lease via Persia

You can still get a surprise effect upon Russia if you attack in 1942, but only if you launch the attack when it's fair weather in Moscow when you attack. If not you get no surprise effect.

If you manage to attack Russia before they enter in May 1942 (+/- 1 turn) then you get a surprise effect of 10. So the question is if you dare to wait long enough hoping for fair weather before Russian entry or if you attack in April during mud in Moscow and no surprise. You might get lucky and have fair in north weather in April (15%) and attack then even if weather is severe winter in Moscow. Then you get no surprise, but you can at least attack in fair weather terrain.

Great! Thanks for that. You say 'May +/- 1 turn'. Is it 8-May 8, or 28-May? And is the +/- 1 turn a random factor?

May 8th 1942

I think if USSR don't join allies by time when reserves arrive in November, reserves should arrive to Moscow, not to Urals.
Or even closer to western borders maybe. Elite troops standing in heart of USSR far from any enemy all the time from november to spring makes no strategic sence at all.
And redeploying them for front consumes all soviet rail points for couple of turns.

I think Plaid is correct in this - not sure about the programming but it does seem silly for them to be stuck in the Urals.