Slitherine

Strategy. Close the Med by the capture of Gibraltar and the Suez Canal.

Objectives.

1. Total control of the Med and the destruction of Allied military offensive capability there.

2. Prevent the western Allies (i.e., UK and USA) from being able to launch an effective invasion of Europe prior to 1945.

3. Destruction or significant degradation of Russian military offensive capability by the end of 1942 and the establishment of a double defense deep in Russian territory.

Background.

Poland didn't fall until the 4th turn on October 31, 1939 due to a decision that I made in September 21, 1939 to not go for Warsaw and to clear out units around it for, what I thought would be an easy and low cost conquest the next turn. The problem was that the weather turned from fair to mud that next turn (October 11, 1939) and delayed the conquest to October 31, 1939.

France fell later than I would have like on 8/6/1940 with moderately light losses. The German to UK PP difference was 294 PPs. This is 63 PPs below the average cost for the conquest of France but the fall is two turns later than the average fall date of 6/26/1940. See viewtopic.php?p=116460#116460

When it became apparent that France wasn't going to fall until August I decided to mix things up from my normally predictable play and try something different. I decided on a "Close the Med" strategy. My play as the Axis; especially against Jim and Borger had become too predictable. I followed the standard template of Poland, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, France, Norway, Yugoslavia, Greece and then invade Russia. I would make what gains I could there in 1941 and 1942 and then in 1943 transition to the defensive. In North Africa the transition to the defensive occurred in 1942. Then try to hold out past May 1945 to get a win. The strategy and tactics I used to prosecute this "standard" template also had become highly predictable. I felt it was time to mix it up and try something new.

Note - please bear with me on this digression. It will really lead to a relevant point. I promise. Though I've never played or own WIF, I've been keeping up with the progress on the development of MWIF. I would classify WIF and MWIF as at the very least a very intense and involved game. My read on this game, even though I've never played it or read through the rules, is that a (M)WIF game could take a year or more to complete. I've read that one turn takes 2 to 6 hours. Also, I get the impression that the learning curve is very steep too. For me, CEaW - GS is the perfect game. You can complete the most involved turn in 30 minutes or so. A lot of turns early or late in the game, dependent upon which side you are, can be completed in 10 minutes or less. A full game is 105 turns (May 1945). If you average 1 turn a day you can complete a full game is 3 1/2 months by PBEM. By averaging two turns a day you complete a game in less than 2 months. Also, you can manage multiple games at the same time rather "easily". I've found my limit to be up to 4 games at once. A limit, which I'm currently at.

What was the point this digression? In reading through the MWIF posts I picked up on three basic Axis strategies for Europe that the axis player(s) tended to employ. There may be more than three but those were all that were apparent to me. The three basic strategies are: (1) Standard template, which is outlined above, (2) Sea Lion or (3) Close the Med. I've seen and played a number of games where (1) and (2) were tried to varying degrees of success. However; and this doesn't mean it hasn't been tried by other players, I've never seen a "Close the Med" strategy in action. I though it'd be fun to give it a go. Now, if I blow it and get slaughter, which is quite possible, it doesn't mean this strategy isn't valid it just means that I failed to implement it properly.

Current Situation.

Spain was invaded on October 5, 1940 and was conquered this past turn, which was February 22, 1941. I chose to respect Vichy neutrality and invaded Spain by land from the north and from the south by amphibious assault. The northern push came from the the occupied French corridor between the Atlantic and Vichy France, which is two hexes wide at the Spanish border to north of Bordeaux. The southern amphibious assault landed next to Barcelona with two German corps (infantry and mech) and an Italian tank corps. This landing was reinforced the next turn with an Italian infantry corps. The Italian tank corps raced to link up with a German mechanized corps from the north on turn two of the invasion to provide supply by land to this force. The amphibious landings and attacks on Barcelona were supported by two tactical bombers based just in the occupied French corridor between the Atlantic and Vichy France.

I currently have 3 armor corps, 4 tactical bombers, 4 fighters, 1 strategic bomber, 6 u-boats and 5 mechanized corps. I decided to use my u-boats to support my invasion of Spain. This cost me the loss of 1 u-boat flotilla and serious degradation to two others. This did delay Jim's reinforcement of Spain; but I'm not sure that delay was worth the cost. Oh well, it's done and over and time to repair, upgrade and move on to another mission with this force. I plan to use them to help with the destruction of the RN in the Med before I start going after his convoys. I hate to let his convoys through so I may use two u-boats for that mission and three for the destruction of the RN in the Med.

As you can see below he has landed in force in Spanish Morocco. I hope to catch and destroy that force, which will weaken his position in both Egypt and the UK.

My siege of Gibraltar will begin next turn. Fortunately the Allies still only have a garrison there. Also, the Luftwaffe, whose first priority is to support the siege, will be used to attack the UK forces in Spanish Morocco.

I also have a large force on the Egyptian border ready to push into Egypt with the objective to capture the Suez canal. Next turn the Axis armor will be upgraded and the push will start after that.

In terms of Russia, my goal is to invaded in July but absolutely no later than August. I won't be able to build armor so I plan to build a number of mechanized units. I also need to build another tactical bomber and fighter. It will take a minimum of two turns to transfer Luftwaffe units from Spain to eastern Europe for the attack on Russia. I need to keep that in mind.

I was preparing and building up for an invasion of the Balkans but this was put on hold. As it stand now, I will go into Russia with a smaller force than I like and invading the Balkans would make that even smaller. I do need to capture Norway and will probably launch that invasion at the same time I invaded Russia.

Germany currently has 11 labs. 3 Infantry, 2 Armor, 3 Air, 1 Naval (w/focus on subs) and 2 general (w/focus on industry). Italy currently has 6 labs. 2 Infantry, 2 Air, 1 Naval and 1 General.

Turn 29. March 14, 1941

The initial assult on Gibraltar went well and reduced the garrison there to 3-steps. The RAF Canadian fighter lost 6-steps and the depleted UK mechanized corps lost an addition step from an attack by the strategic bomber. I had 2 tactical bombers, 1 fighter and 1 strategic bomber in range. I brought up 2 more tactical bombers and 2 more fighters to get in the mix.

After the captured of Gibraltar my objective will be the destruction of the Allied force in Spanish Morocco.

In the Med, I upgraded the German armor corps (DAK) and will move into Egypt next turn.

Turn 30. April 3, 1941

Those buggers in Gibraltar held out at 2-steps! The odds were pretty solidly with me but they held.

The hidden German u-boats off near Tangier "found" the UK u-boat, which remains hidden. It tried to move to that hex but since it was occupied it got displaced. This displacement indicates the presence of a hidden submarine.

It looks like Jim is rushing to land units in Spanish Morocco in order to block the coast areas. At great risk to the infantry corps the Germans quickly assembled an invasion force of one corps to get ashore. Once ashore it will be supported by massive airpower.

The German infantry in the Med were upgraded this turn. The Italians pushed two hexes forward to allow me to rebase the air forward. This showed up the opposing British forces.

How is your eastern front looking? Can you start Barbarossa this year?

Stauffenberg wrote:How is your eastern front looking? Can you start Barbarossa this year?

I'll post a screenshot from next turn. My target date for Barbarossa is August 1, 1941, which is 6 turns away. Though this may slip to August 21. I should have plenty of infantry and mechanized corps. Also, since I will not invaded the Balkans then that frees up several additional corps that would be needed for guarding my flank. And, I won't have to worry about chasing partisans around in Yugoslavia and Greece.

My concern is for tactical bombers and fighters. I should be able to redeploy two of the fighters in southern Spain fairly soon. But; I want to keep the tactical bombers around to support the invasion of Spanish Morocco and the destruction of the UK force there. I would think losing that force would severely weaken the UK in the Med and in England. I can probably afford to build one or two more tactical bombers. If I build two I may have to attack with only two quality commanders.

rkr1958 wrote: What was the point this digression? In reading through the MWIF posts I picked up on three basic Axis strategies for Europe that the Axis tended to employ. There may be more but three but those were all that were apparent to me. The three basic approaches were: (1) Standard template, which is outlined above, (2) Sea Lion or (3) Close the Med. I've seen and played a number of games where (1) and (2) were tried to varying degrees of success. However; and this doesn't mean it hasn't been tried by other players, I've never see anyone a "Close the Med" strategy in action. I though it'd be fun to give it a go. Now, if I blow it and get slaughter, which is quite possible, it doesn't mean this strategy isn't valid it just means that I failed to implement it properly.

I played some WiF (board game) years ago, it remains the best game on WWII period. However, the time needed to complete a game is daunting. As you say, the Gib-Suez close the Med strategy is a valid alternative. Several advantages to this for the Axis, the Italian Navy is free to hunt convoys in the Atlantic, and all those troops garrisoning Italy can be railed off elsewhere. With this strat a push for the Mideast oil is also viable.

In your game, I am not sure it is worth the cost and effort to root out the Brits from Morocco... the damage they can do there is highly limited. As long as you hold Gibraltar their options are very limited. Perhaps better to use forces to hit Russia or rush the Egypt invasion...

trulster wrote:In your game, I am not sure it is worth the cost and effort to root out the Brits from Morocco... the damage they can do there is highly limited. As long as you hold Gibraltar their options are very limited. Perhaps better to use forces to hit Russia or rush the Egypt invasion...

I'm looking at the destruction of that UK force from both an economic and threat point of view.

From an economic point of view the cost to replace that force is: 100 (2 Mech) + 100 (1 fighter) + 95 (1 strat) + 35 (1 inf corps) + 15 (1 garrison) = 345 PPs. That's a major impact on the British economy and would certainly weaken them. It's not often where the Axis player gets a chance to engage this size force with this much air power at their disposal in 1941.

From a threat assessment point of view I may agree somewhat with you until the US enters. But even before then their presence would require two or three corps and at least 1 fighter unit in and around Gibraltar. After US entry this force and Spanish Morocco would likely be the spearhead from which Jim launched Torch.

The directive has gone out to the OKW, "Destroy all Allied forces in Spanish Morocco and liberate it from Allied occupation."

Another possibility that I have not seen mentioned here is the potential to throw a big fat wrench into the Torch operation when it does occur. If you have a substantial force there, you could REALLY slow down Allied progress. I am assuming of course that you will or already have eliminated the Allied navy from the Med, effectively lifting the Malta restriction. I really like the way the Spanish invasion changes the game. North Africa is no longer a foregone conclusion, especially if you are able to take the Suez Canal.

ftgcritt2 wrote:Another possibility that I have not seen mentioned here is the potential to throw a big fat wrench into the Torch operation when it does occur. If you have a substantial force there, you could REALLY slow down Allied progress. I am assuming of course that you will or already have eliminated the Allied navy from the Med, effectively lifting the Malta restriction. I really like the way the Spanish invasion changes the game. North Africa is no longer a foregone conclusion, especially if you are able to take the Suez Canal.

I would hope that if I close the Med that that would eliminate Torch as a threat. The only viable landing would be Vichy Morocco on the Atlantic coast. This is one reason I want to eliminate the UK presence in Spanish Morocco. I don't want them to have a base from which that can prosecute and support Torch.

Turn 31. April 23, 1941. Gibraltar Falls!

Jim evacuated the Canadian fighter. The second picture shows the tracks and my estimate of where it was. I was right on target. The problem is that it looks like he's got most of the RN providing escort. My sub will take damage but I should get intel on whether or not he deploys that large naval force to the Med. It'll be a miracle if my hidden u-boat escapes detection. Dive! Dive! Dive!

The last screen shot show the status of my buildup on the eastern front. As you can I have a long way to go. Having enough ground units doesn't bother me as much as having enough air.

The capture of Gibraltar gave me another 10 supply points in North Africa. After I get the situation in Spanish Morocco under control I'd like to move another German tactical bomber, fighter and two infantry corps there. So many opportunities but not enough forces.

Turn 32. May 13, 1941.

My u-boat took a pounding! The UK DD uncovered it and this was followed up by attacks from the two adjacent BBs. I moved it south to make it less likely Jim can find it if he tries to pursue it and to spy on what forces he sends to the Med. The badly depleted fighter went through last turn. The UK transport you see is a mechanized corps.

Clearly, Jim is pulling the plug on Spanish Morocco and saving what he can. I moved the Italian sub in position to a have a chance to ambush either his mechanized corps or strategic bomber. I would love to bag his bomber. Four German u-boats are back to full strength and upgrade and are moving south. One is visible in the second picture.

I also launched my initial attack into Egypt. My quality units are trying their best to reach the front line there but they're one to two turns away. I'm in the process of redeploying two fighters to Spain and plan to send one to the Med. I also paid for a fifth fighter this turn, which will be ready in 3 turns.

I continue to rail units west. It takes two turns to rail from Spain to eastern Europe.

I continue my buildup for the invasion of Russia. When will I go? Even I don't know for sure.

Turn 33. June 2, 1941

You seem quite weak in the east, but it doesn't matter if you only intend to get to the Dnepr line. The main thing is to have enough airpower to bombard all the weak garrisons so you don't take much losses. You can produce 3-4 corps units per turn so you don't need to have lots of armor . Just make sure you engage all the front line garrisons on turn 1 so they can't rail to the east. If you kill these units then you can hope for a nice 1942 offensive. You won't take Omsk, but you can keep the Russians engaged for so long with the bulk of your army so they can't push westwards until late 1943.

The Allies should have some problems doing much in 1942, but you have a very long front line to defend. The Allies can invade Spain if they like to instead of going via Morocco. France is also an alternative. So I don't think you will have the strength to defend all the important coastal hexes, but you can let them invade far from France.

It will be tough to take out Egypt without having Crete as for airbases, but eventually you will succeed. Prepare for a long fight, though.

Stauffenberg wrote:You seem quite weak in the east, but it doesn't matter if you only intend to get to the Dnepr line. The main thing is to have enough airpower to bombard all the weak garrisons so you don't take much losses. You can produce 3-4 corps units per turn so you don't need to have lots of armor . Just make sure you engage all the front line garrisons on turn 1 so they can't rail to the east. If you kill these units then you can hope for a nice 1942 offensive. You won't take Omsk, but you can keep the Russians engaged for so long with the bulk of your army so they can't push westwards until late 1943.

The Allies should have some problems doing much in 1942, but you have a very long front line to defend. The Allies can invade Spain if they like to instead of going via Morocco. France is also an alternative. So I don't think you will have the strength to defend all the important coastal hexes, but you can let them invade far from France.

It will be tough to take out Egypt without having Crete as for airbases, but eventually you will succeed. Prepare for a long fight, though.

The fall of Gibraltar gave me an additional 10 supply points. So I now have 11. I plan to immediately move a German fighter, tactical bomber and infantry corps to Egypt. That's 7 points so that leaves me with 4. I really one like to use those 4 points to move third tactical bomber to Egypt but I don't think I can space if from the eastern front. Counting next turn I have 7 turns before expected Russian activation. However; since their activation is +/- 1 turn that means 6 turns. So I need to DOW them no later than September 30, 1941.

Having enough air for Russia certainly concerns me. My first priority for air is fighters. Right now I'll have 3 German, 1 Finnish and 1 Romania for a total of 5 fighters. I should be able to deploy 3 tactical bombers and 1 strategic bomber assuming I can finish off Spanish Morocco soon. I will do what I can to push up the timetable for the invasion.

Turn 34. June 22, 1941.

The infantry corps and garrison in Spanish Morocco stayed put and didn't try to evacuate. The Italian and German navies have their exited blockaded.

A German u-boat heading to the Med sighted a heavily escorted "troop" convoy. This "troop" convoy is the strategic bomber that I though was headed back to the UK. I guess Jim reversed course now that he realizes that my strategy is to close the Med based on my strong push into Egypt.

In Egypt, the Axis destroyed a UK infantry corps. The UK fighter there was depleted to 5-steps. The other fighter evacuated from Spanish Morocco should be showing up soon. However; it was badly depleted and will take Jim a couple of turns to repair. A second German fighter just made its way to North Africa. This gives me three there. A German tactical bomber based at Sicily and is headed to North Africa. A German fighter headed to the Russian front also based on Sicily to provide CAP for the bomber base in case the UK fighter on Malta attacks. A German infantry corps and Italian tank corps are also being redeployed to North Africa to support the push to take Suez.

have 9 supply points available for North Africa. Taking Gibraltar, which gave me another 10 points, really helped. The German tactical bombers (4 pts), Italian tank corps (3 pts) and German infantry corps (1 pt) will still leave me with 1 pt.

I've decided to deploy four of the five German u-boat flotillas to the Med in order to go after and destroy what I can of the Royal Navy there. The fifth flotilla is working with the Italian navy to maintain the blockade of Tangier.

Can´t you enter and conquer Gibraltar airport? If this is so, it should be changed this and then to allow a land unit enter in airbase hexes.

leridano wrote:Can´t you enter and conquer Gibraltar airport? If this is so, it should be changed this and then to allow a land unit enter in airbase hexes.

I can enter it with an air unit since I now control Gibraltar. I just haven't a need to do so yet. I'll demonstrate this next turn.

Bottom line. Gibraltar is mine and so is the airfield.

Turn 35. July 12, 1941.

leridano wrote:Can´t you enter and conquer Gibraltar airport? If this is so, it should be changed this and then to allow a land unit enter in airbase hexes.

It turns out that we do have a minor bug. I was NOT able to base an Axis air unit in the Gibraltar airfield. Borger put together a prototype for a patch, which I'll try out next turn. A check is made at the end of every turn for ownership of adjacent bases (i.e., Gibraltar, Malta, Scapa Flow). Whoever controls the base controls the airfield. Airfields on islands will never change control. I would classify this bug as non-critical. I'll post this same information in the beta patch thread as soon as we've have tested the prototype out.

Paul brought up a good question and one I don't know the answer to and that is what happens to control of the island airfields when a country is conquered? Though, since only the UK and USA have airfields I would think that surrender of one of these countries would be extremely rare.

The Brits Bite Back in Egypt. It looks like the UK has committed fully to defending Egypt and the Suez Canal. He has deployed the bulk of the RN, including two carriers, there. He hit me hard this last turn and depleted the tank corps down to 3-steps. I pulled back slightly in order to regroup. His attack attack will delay ground operations for two turns (at least). However; this is not a retreat and I am not abandoning my push for the Suez Canal. A German fighter and tactical bomber joined the DAK. This gives me 3 fighters (2 German and 1 Italian) against 1 active UK fighter, 1 soon to be active Canadian fighter and 2 CVs. In order to achieve fighter parity I redirected the fighter on Sicily providing CAP for the tactical bomber there last turn to North Africa. In order to stay within North Africa limits I canceled the plans to send the Italian tank corps there. A German infantry transport made it to Tripoli and the redeployed fighter is in position to provide CAP against the Malta fighter.

The fact that I won't have any ground operations for 2 turns (or so) doesn't mean that the DAK won't be active! The Luftwaffe and Italian air will target the RN. One advantage that land base fighters have over CVs is that land base fighters can repair losses where they are. CVs must return to port. So my strategy will be to attack his DD with tactical air, draw out his CV airwings that protect the fleet and then hit the CV again with another fighter. I have two objectives here and they are: (1) deplete his CVs and force them back to port to repair and (2) knock his DD(s) out of action. All Axis subs are headed to the Egyptian coast now to support operations against the RN there.

In Spain, I moved an infantry corps to Gibraltar in order to land next to Tangier next turn, which will be an invasion, to support an attack on the garrison there. If I capture that city then the infantry corps will be trapped and out of supply. I also lifted the blockade of Tangier by moving the subs to support action against the RN in the Med. However; I kept the Italian BB in position. My hope is if Jim correctly assessed the last turns that I had u-boats there than he would continue to believe that I still do.

Four turns before I must absolutely declare war on Russia. I will have sufficient infantry and mechanized corps; however I'll be really low on air. For air, my first priority will be on building more fighters. This will prevent the Russians from trying to exploit the situation by going after Finland or in some other area.

Turn 36. August 1, 1941

Tangier fell. I had expected it to hold out for 2 turns given the garrison at maximum entrenchment. I hit it with two tactical bombers, one Italian BB, a German mech and the invading German infantry corps. Fall of Tangier will allow me time to transfer the two tactical bombers there to the Russian front and be in position to support the opening salvo on September 30. I did build another German fighter this turn, which won't be ready until the turn of the invasion.

In the Med, Jim pulled back the RN but I did manage bomber attacks against the DD and fighter attacks against the CV in port. The UK fighter also engage with losses fairly equal.

All Axis subs are converging as fast as possible on RN positions in the east Med. I must close the Suez Canal; and thus, the Med before the USA has time to reinforce after entry. The Axis have it from good sources that the Japanese plan a surprise raid against the US fleet in Pearl Harbor on December 7th. To support their ally the Germans plan to declare war on the USA after that attack.

How are things going in the east? It's already August and still no Barbarossa. Winter may strike as early as October so you only have 2 more guaranteed turns of fair weather. You need at least 2 turns to finish off all the front line units. Failing to kill these units means you will not get far in 1942. They will instead withdraw to the best defense line and hold you there for a long time.