>From elric@imryrr Fri Dec 7 10:46:31 1990 From: elric@imryrr (Rick Heli) To: allan@Sun.COM, andrewh@pyr.csuhayward.edu, elric@Eng, kmarks@Eng Subject: Re: DoD/WiF summary - 1936 Status: RO [My comments added as "US comment"] >From andrewh@pyr.csuhayward.edu Thu Dec 6 21:55:58 1990 From: Andrew Hung To: allan@Sun.COM, elric@Eng, kmarks@Eng Subject: DoD/WiF summary - 1936 Well, here is the breakdown on that interesting game of DoD/WiF. I would appreciate it if you guys send me some comments, especially in term of the decisions by the Allies. Let's clarify one thing, the Axis main objective was the swift destruction of Russia. I am still unsure if Germany would have gone for France or just build the Siegfield line and hold the Allies off until Russia is dead. The format is similar to the earlier article, but will list the winner of the initiative first. Notation next to option indicated P for Primary, and S for Secondary. Only those minors which have +/- will be listed. I forgot to record a number of things(money on track, US entry roll...), so this is not very complete. US Comment: Allied objectives were to try to maximize forces in the home country and to explore possibility of early termination of Japanese ambitions. The first is perhaps unrealistic in light of the relative sizes of minor nation armies -- the second never really found a true test. One more thing, a number of errors were found after the end of the game. So the issue is still undecided on whether DoD is a viable addition to WiF. Despite the moaning and whining of the Russia/France player, I still believe that the module gave us a unique chance to recreate history along a slightly different path. Afterall, some of the decisions made at that time were found later to be based on eitherly false assumptions. :-) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Political Initiative Rolls: Win 2-1 3-1 6-1 ------------------------ Axis 9 1 5 0 Allies 4 1 2 0 ------------------------ Total 13 2 7 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1936 ---- Jan/Feb Init. Rolls: 1,5(Axis) - 1,1(Allies) Axis - 16S Germany occupies the Rhineland, offer mil. support to Belgium. Allies - 12P US gears up PM from 1/8 to 1/4 Minors - Belg(-6), Bulg(+2), Czech(-3), Den(+1), Fin(+2), Greece(-2), Iraq(+2), Neth(-4), Norway(-1), Persia(+1), Pol(-3), Port(+1), Turk(+2) Build - Japan(I,AC), Russia(I), France(I) US entry - 0 Comment: Since the Axis goofed, we didn't take advantage of the 5-1 on the init. roll. However, the goal is set to get back the Rhineland and to swing the Benelux countries toward us. US Comment: Our goal was to get US production going early so as to have a powerful force coming into the war. Playing this early would give us time to suck up to US public opinion later. We were not anticipating this magnitude of Axis emphasis on the collection of minors. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mar/Apr Init. Rolls: 3(Axis) - 2(Allies) Axis - 19S Germany NA pact with Czech, moratorium on build. Allies - 17P (failed) Russo-Japan NA pact offered. Minors - Aust(-1), Belg(-2), Czech(-5), Den(-2), Fin(+1), Greece(-2), Hun(+3), Iraq(+1), Neth(-2), Nor(-1), Persia(-1), Pol(-2), Port(+1), Spain-R(-1), Swed(-1), Turk(-1), Yugo(+1) Build - Japan(2I) US entry - 0 Coup cell - Turkey(CW), Greece(IT) Comment: I'm not entirely convinced that the NA pact should be played due to the ratio of - vs + (10 to 8, with 2(-2)) on the minors. However, I was glad it failed since it gave me an extra turn to consider. I was hoping to decline it in 1937 which mean the US entry advancement is not an automatic. I would say it was a good play by the Allies which is doomed to be declined, due to my initial setup. One thing about coup cells, we (the Axis) have agreed to buy one every turn if possible. US Comment: I believe this play was valid to forestall Japanese ambitions in Vladivostok. The Japanese army was crowded all about this area with nothing but powerful white print units. The USSR could probably not have withstood this onslaught -- this option gave us breathing room. Perhaps it should have been delayed a turn though. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ May/Jun Init. Roll: 4,4(Allies) - 4,1(Axis) Allies - 17P Russo-Japan NA pact offered. Axis - 18S Germany offers NA pact with Poland, mortarium on build. Minors - Belg(-1), Bulg(-2), Czech(-3), Den(-2), Fin(-1), Iraq(+1), Neth(-4), Per(-2), Pol(-4), Port(-1), Rum(-1) Build - Japan(I), Italy(I,N) US entry - 1 Coup cell - Belgium(FR), Bulgaria(IT) Comment: YOW, kissed good bye to those minors!! This was a very effective turn for the Axis, I was very surprise that the Allies try for option 17 again. I think Allied 6 or 7 may be a better bet. US Comment: Perhaps 6 or 7 would have been better, but we deemed holding the USSR in the Pacific to be more important at the time. Of course, if the effectiveness roll could have been made on the previous turn, the way would have been open to play 6 or 7. On the other hand, USSR was reluctant to play 7 (Soviet Purge) in that it would further weaken already outnumbered forces in the Pacific. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jul/Aug Init. Roll: 5(Axis) - 1(Allies) Axis - 3S Japan opens trade with Europe, demobilizes army. Allies - 6S France offer econ. pact with Netherland, offer disarmament. Minors - Belg(+2), Czech(-3), Den(+1), Fin(+4), Greece(-3), Hun(-1), Iraq(-1), Per(+1), Pol(-2), Rum(-1), Spain-R(-4), Swed(+1), Turk(+3), Yugo(-3) Build - CW(N), Russia(I,C), China(I) US entry - 1 Coup cell - Poland(GE) Comment: If Russia have been building INF and CAV, Allied option 7 can be played now(3 INF and 1 CAV to replace the removed 3 INF and 1 HQ around Vlad.)!! The minors continued their slide toward the Axis. A real dilemma in the Pacific, can Japan hold off China while crushing the Russian and also not not building any INFs to replace the losses?? There are no Japanese DIVs to absorb losses, a point overlooked by Russia. French diarmed troops have to come from Mainland France!! If not enough troops then loss of $$ is required according to the rule. US Comment: Allied 6 by way of closing the barn door after the minors. Having a real problem with coups at this point. France, which needs to spend the money for many of the important countries, is always in debt. The Japanese could probably have easily fought a two front war for about 3 turns thanks to the limited nature of the Chinese front and its naval power to assist the attack on the USSR coast. After this, with Chinese gear ups, Japan may have been in serious difficulty. It remains an interesting question whether USSR surrender could have been compelled in that amount of time. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sep/Oct Init. Roll: 4(Axis) - 2(Allies) Axis - 17S Japo-Russian NA pact delcined. Allies - 19P (failed) France & CW guarantee Rumania & Greece. Minors - Aust(-1), Belg(+2), Bulg(-1), Czech(+1), Den(-1), Fin(-1), Greece(+1), Hun(-1), Iraq(-1), Neth(-1), Nor(+1), Per(-1), Pol(-1), Port(-1), Rum(-2), Spain-R(+1), Swed(+1), Turk(-1), Yugo(-1) Build - Japan(AC), Italy(AC) US entry - 2 Coup cell - Neth(CW), Czech(GE) Comment: Another failure on the Allies side(too bad), I'm not sure why Allies option 19 was played this early. Probably would have dropped more minors to the Axis camp faster. What the hack are the Allies spending money on?? US Comment: Note still having to have CW buy coups in less important minors. Allied 19 was an attempt to regain certain strategic minors before all were lost. It is one of the more milquetoasty options in that even though it does not dramatically bring minors over, it does not dramatically send any flying into the Axis camp either, except Turkey, for which we had another option. At this point, I believe minors like Czechoslovakia were in danger of becoming un-coupable. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nov/Dec Init. Roll: 4(Allies) - 1(Axis) Allies - 0 (voluntarily). Axis - 13P Germany gears up PM from 1 to 2. Minors - Aust(+1), Belg(+1), Czech(+1), Den(+1), Fin(-1), Neth(+1), Nor(+1), Per(-1), Pol(+1), Rum(-1), Swed(-1), Turk(-1), Yugo(+1) Special event - Republican party sweeps election(die roll of 12)!!! Build - Germany(I,AC), Japan(AC,N), Italy(N), CW(N), Russia(ARM,HQ,I,N), China(I), US(N,I) US entry - 3 Coup cell - Belgium(GE) Comment: Argh, things couldn't get any worse for the Allies. The arrival of a new administration in US would really hurt the US entry roll. US might not enter the General War until late 1942, plenty of time to carve up Russia and France. I was very surprised to see Russia build an ARM and a HS, there should be better use for the $$ like a coup cell or more INFs to allow it to purge(a total of $18 spend)!! US Comment: We are not sure that the Republican administration was entirely a bad thing. The US fleet had its starting construction pool already cleared by 1938 and would have started construction on the 1942 CV and HS. The Japanese navy would not have had an easy time. At this point, the Allies sought to gain some short term effectivness by playing 0 since we were unable to roll a 6 all afternoon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Yearly summary: Well, the wheel of destiny was rolling fast and favorable for the Axis. Most of the minors are on the Axis side of the track and this only after a year of play. The Allies have yet to set an agenda and continue to react to the Axis moves. My initial setup has really shocked the Russian and he has reacted likewise. Of course, at that time I wouldn't even think of starting the limited war with Russia until my DIVs arrived. On the other hand looking back at it, I probably could have trounced him real good and might even have taken all his cities on the Pacific Map before he can surrendered(Political effectiveness of < 8). Looking at the init. rolls for 1937, Russia can not roll alone to get an option done. The best time is around May/Jun 1937 and the failed rolls in Jul/Aug with the US being active for the Allies would probably means the fall of Russia on the Pacific Map. I would probably go for a drive to E. Siberia in hope of getting there first and just cordoned off the Vlad. defenders. I would like to get a couple of coup cells into Mongolia and if my die rolls(after the game stopped, I rolled a 2 and then a 1) have been good then Russia is mine!! I should probably revived my mothballed fleet of 1CV, 4HS & 6LS to get enough for shore bombardment. US Comment: A defensive coup cell in Mongolia would have been a good buy. --andrew >From elric@imryrr Fri Dec 7 11:01:36 1990 From: elric@imryrr (Rick Heli) To: allan@Sun.COM, andrewh@pyr.csuhayward.edu, elric@Eng, kmarks@Eng Subject: Re: DoD/WiF - article 1937/1938 Status: RO >From andrewh@pyr.csuhayward.edu Fri Dec 7 01:36:14 1990 From: Andrew Hung To: allan@Sun.COM, elric@Eng, kmarks@Eng Subject: DoD/WiF - article 1937/1938 This is the second part to the article about that DoD/WiF game. The outlook so far is very grim for the Allies, but the worst is yet to come. However, since we quit at 1938 Jan/Feb, we will never know the entire course of the war and how our decisions would have affected it. The notations remain the same, P for primary option and S for secondary. The US entry indicated the guarenteed US entry status and the notation for build is as per WiF. Your comments will be deeply appreciated!! The inclueded comments are just my reflection on the course of events and not any real criticsim on anyone. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1937 ---- Jan/Feb Init. Roll: 5(Allies) - 2(Axis) Allies - 13P France gears up PM from 1/2 to 1. Axis - 5P Hitler supports Bulgarian land claim against Rumania. Minors - Aust(-2), Belg(-1), Bulg(-2), Den(-1), Fin(+1), Neth(-1), Nor(-1), Per(-1), Port(-1), Rum(+3), Spain-R(-1), Turk(+2) Yugo(+2) Build - Germany(2I,ARM), Japan(N), Italy(I), Russia(C,AC), US(2N) US entry - 3 Coup cell - Greece(IT), Poland(CW) Comment: Here and next two turns, Germany played off the Axis minors against each other to get them of our side. A Republican President allowed the US to build more weapons but ignored the world events due to greater isolationism. All US entry die roll at this point on is at +1. This is the sort of nightmare I have imagined, unless the Allies can roll a couple of 6's for init. and get the US political effectivenss up. It didn't help for the US to gear up early, since it reduced US effectiveness by 1. That's the reason for using Allies 12 secondary to counter this, at least this would make the Axis more careful about US entry. At this point, I can build all the Japanese ships that I want. It would have been interesting to see if I can launch a port strike on both Pearl Harbor and the West Coast at the same time. The only problem is getting crunched by the US navy early! US Comment: France attempts to catch up with what is by now nearly full German production. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mar/Apr Init. Roll: 2,3(Allies) - 2,2(Axis) Allies - 0 (voluntarily). Axis - 12S Germany concluded econ. & mil. pact with Rumania. Minors - Aust(+2), Belg(+1), Bulg(+3), Czech(-2), Den(-1), Fin(-1), Greece(+2), Hun(+2), Iraq(+1), Neth(+1), Nor(-1), Per(-1), Port(-1), Rum(-4), Spain-R(+1), Swed(-1), Turk(+2). Yugo(-1) Build - Japan(I,HQ), Italy(I), CW(I,N), Russia(I), France(I,N), US(2N) US entry - 3 Coup cell - Mongolia(JA), Yugoslavia(FR) Comment: This is the third turn in a row the Allies has the initiative but unable to capitalize on it. Lousy weather continued to plague the Pacific Map, could have try to attack Russia this turn at the earliest. However, I have made the decision to wait until 1938 to start it. This is due to the availability of 2 more DIVs and time to build more INFs. I also forgot to build the ARM(argh!!) early in order to drive toward Siberia. The only good thing about not attacking China is the slow rate of build for it, $1 per turn is really slow for China. I was wondering if China might considered a NA pact with Japan!! US Comment: In absence of good options, improve short term effectiveness. China never considered a pact so that she would be free to declare war in the event of Japanese declaration of war on USSR. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ May/Jun Init. Roll: 6(Axis) - 2(Allies) Axis - 7P (failed) Axis Anti-Comintern Pact signed. Allies - 27P (failed) US gears up PM from 1/4 to 1/2. Minors - none Build - Germany(I), Japan(2I), Italy(2I,AC), CW(I), Russia(I,ARM), France(I,AC), China(I) US entry - 3 Coup cell - Finland(GE), Denmark(CW) Comment: The net result of the Political Effectiveness changes are Japan(+1), Italy(-1), Germany(-1). A really strange thing happened at this point on, the Axis won ever single init. roll with 2(majority) & 3(3-1). This is really critical as the Axis knew the options played by the Allies and can maximize the favorable shifts for the minors. Still don't understand why Russia is building ARM instead of lots of INFs and CAVs. The only failure for the Axis occurred when I rolled a big 11(argh!). I wondered if Allies option 27 should be played with secondary effect to get a big shifts for some of the minors. US Comment: Allies trying to keep with the Axis production wise and failing yet again. I believe USSR building ARM because of limited frontage in Pacific zone, still the area most likely to erupt in war. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jul/Aug Init. Roll: 6(Axis) - 5(Allies) Axis - 6S Hitler supports Rumanian land claims against Hungary. Allies - 27P (failed) as above. Minors - Aust(-1), Bulg(+1), Czech(-1), Greece(+1), Hun(+2), Pol(-1), Rum(-2), Turk(+2), Yugo(+1). Build - Japan(2I), Italy(ARM,AC), CW(I), Russia(I,C,N), France(2I), US(N) US entry - 2 Coup cell - Rumania(GE) Comment: Another change in political effectiveness for the Axis, Germany(0), Japan(+1), Italy(+1). I couldn't believe it, but my political effectiveness is the highest I've seen. What?!?! I think Phil is confused about the naval build req. and try to build his navy before the General War. Otherwise, I see no reason building the ship instead of INFs. Also he adamantly refused to purge which locked out a lot of options. Allies continued to fail at option, I hate to think what would have happened if Japan was at war with Russia and Russia tried to surrender quickly and failed. The +4 to Russia Political Effectiveness is absolutely vital to its survival. On the other hand, Phil has some pretty amazing die rolls. Although I would have like to see him do so with the dices included with the game!! Sometimes I wondered if his dices are loaded! As he liked to say, "A die is a die and it didn't matter which one he rolls!" US Comment: At no time did the USSR ever feel safe enough to allow Germany to remove 3 of her land units -- the situation in the Pacific was untenable already. I don't understand the naval build either though. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sep/Oct Init. Roll: 3(Axis) - 1(Allies) Axis - 2S Italy signs NA pact with Yugo., offer disarmament. Allies - 4S CW signs econ. & mil. pact with Turkey. Minors - Aust(+1), Belg(-3), Bulg(-4), Czech(-3), Den(-2), Greece(-5), Hun(+5), Iraq(-1), Neth(-3), Nor(-3), Per(-4), Pol(+2), Port(+1), Rum(-1), Spain-R(-3), Swed(-1), Turk(+7), Yugo(-1) Build - Japan(I,ARM), Italy(I,ARM), Russia(I), France(AC) US entry - 1 Coup cell - Netherland(GE) Comment: Well, now the Allies have Turkey firmly in their camp, but the Axis got the rest!! I couldn't believe that the Allies initially want to pass and do nothing. I think anything is better than watching all the minors fall to the Axis camp. I would suggest the Allies to read the player's notes at the end of the rule book and defined an objective ahead of time. Despite the fact that a lot of the Allies options dependent on Axis option as requirements, there are quite a number that don't!! Can't let Axis moves dictate the action or there won't be any minors left for the Allies. US Comment: Turkey was one of the few minors left to us. Eventually I believe it came all the way into Allied control, which might have helped a little against the German drang nach Osten. The Allies were considering declaring war against Italy, which had left herself rather vulnerable. Since it was crucial that this option work the first time (or else lose all its surprise value), we were considering 0 so as to improve Effectiveness. As for Allied strategy, it followed those objectives I listed at the outset, which again, may have been flawed, but were certainly flawed given Axis emphasis of play. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nov/Dec Init. Roll: 4,3(Axis) - 4,1(Allies) Axis - 7P Axis Anti-Cominterm Pact signed. Allies - 0 (voluntarily). Minors - Aust(-1), Belg(-1), Bulg(+1), Czech(+1), Den(-1), Fin(-3), Greece(-1), Hun(-1), Iraq(-1), Neth(-1), Nor(-1), Per(+1), Pol(+1), Port(-1), Rum(-2), Spain-R(+1), Swed(+1), Turk(-1), Yugo(-1) Build - Italy(I,ARM), CW(I), France(I,AC), US(I,N) US entry - 1 Coup cell - Persia(GE), Persia(RU) Comment: The Allies might considered extending the Maginot line, with so many minors in the Axis camp. US Comment: Still considering war with Italy, but likelihood of bad weather persuaded against. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1938 ---- Jan/Feb Init. Roll: 5(Axis) - 4(Allies) Axis - 11S Germany signs econ. & mil. pact with Sweden. Allies - 24P (failed) CW gears up PM from 1 to 2. Minors - Aust(-1), Belg(-1), Bulg(-1), Czech(-1), Den(+1), Fin(+2), Hun(-1), Neth(+1), Nor(+2), Pol(+1), Port(-1), Rum(-1), Swed(-4) Build - N/A US entry - 1 Coup cell - Mongolia(JA), Spain(RU) Comment: Well, at this point we decided to quit, but things are looking real grim for the Allies. The proposed invasion of Italy might have worked but I think there was an Italian INF in Rome. That is a risky proposition at best. Two things which worked against the Allies are: the lack of a clear agenda and the loss of political init. to the Axis. I think we will have to give this game several more tries before I'm convinced that it's imbalance. Still I would prefer this addition to WiF, at least Japan don't have to be stuck in a stalemate in China! US Comment: The Italian INF was NOT in Rome, it was in the port. Agreed that it was a risky proposition, but certainly a justifiable risk at this point. Again, the Allied agenda was clear, just not particularly useful in light of the Axis one. Add that to the luckiness of the Axis die rolling and Japanese infantry draws and this result is not particularly surprising. I agree that DOD still has much to offer however and the Allies would play much more effectively in hindsight. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --andrew >From andrewh@pyr.csuhayward.edu Fri Dec 7 14:36:39 1990 From: Andrew Hung To: allan@Sun.COM, elric@Eng, kmarks@Eng Subject: DoD/WiF comments Status: RO Well, I finally got some insights into the Allies decision making process. I think the Allies did okay considering the various misfortunes that had befallen on them. Beefing up the home nation is certainly a good idea and getting US to gear up early would really help. Upon reviewing the options available to the Allies, I was not surprised to see the small number of the options without pre-req of any sort. I'm still not convinced that an early Purge by Russia might not be better. I must said that the Japanese initial draw for the INFs were utterly disgusting...all but one are white printed INFs. The reinforcements were even more disgusting...all white printed INFs. It would have been interesting to see if I can hold off the Chinese troops while marching on Siberia. One thing though, the limit on the number of attacks really made it impossible to do much harm to each other. About the Republican President, I diagreed on this since US entry is really handicapped by the isolationism. So what if the US navy has been built, you can't prevent the Japanese build up!! I could have build up my navy in no time, starting in 1936 Nov/Dec build phrase. I would have to gear up by attacking either China or Russia, preferably the latter. To get the extra resources it would mean going into China but this should not be a real problem after capture of Vlad. area. Japan would also have the extra year and a half to do so. I don't expect to see US entry anywhere near 5 before General War breakout.(note: the US entry was at 1 when we stopped the game!) I would have much prefered(as US) to have Deomcrats at the helm and also League of Nation, let see the Axis do anything without angering the US public!! Of course, this would mean a slower buildup but the end justifies the means! Imagine US entry in early 1940, what a nightmare for Japan. Definitely need to give it a couple more tries, hopefully the events won't be so loopsided for the Allies...of course, this is dependent on who we get at the helm for Germany. Well, any taker?? --andrew(new motto: one minor for the Allies, the rest for us... :-P )