Thoughts on Game Play

The units are different from the standard game. In general, tanks move further and are more effective in the plains but less effective elsewhere. Bridges and planes are more fragile. Germany's openning battle against Poland is a nice set-piece and can be played multiple times to get use to the unit mix. Play the 'No Poland' or 'No Munich' variants if you would like to start with a set-piece with France or Czechoslovakia respectively.

In the first year of the war, the focus has to be on gearing up your production. You should produce as much PP as possible and research production improvements. A production upgrade takes a few turns to pay back and you want to do as many of these as possible during the quiet periods (e.g., before France attack, before war with Russia starts). Keep in mind that you should improve both your own people and Euro / non Euro people as applicable. Since the cost of an upgrade is a function of the production on the board, improving peoples with small production bases is effective.

Once production levels are where you want them, start to research conversion improvements. This will make your economy more efficient and make you more flexible.

Germany starts out with a production advantage and may want to start researching upgrades like infantry and fighters. The West and Soviets may consider this research of follow Germany by researching industrial espionage. Strategic research (e.g., better training) can also be a real boost. Germany will also have alot of Euro people so should consider researching Euro Coallition before the war in the East starts.

The West will be on the defensive for the first half of the war. However, this does not mean sitting in the home isles. The key to Western defense is to wage an active defense across a broad front. This can be done a few ways:

1. Put ships / subs in the med to interdict any supplies in to North Africa. Plan raids against Greece and Sicily if they are not adequately garrisoned

2. Build a bomber fleet. Make a couple of 1 unit bombers. These can target locations to see if a flak or fighter defense is in place. If the path is clear, send in the large bomber payload to wipe out units. Do not worry if you run out of undefended targets. The key is to get the German side to spread out their forces rather than concentrate against the UK or the Soviets on the eastern front.

3. Force the Germans to keep an adequate garrison. It will be tempting not to guard Western France. A quick, lightly contested raids are ofter possible. Once ashore, you can build an HQ and link to production sites. If the Germans do not respond quickly, you can build up a decent front in a few turns. Denmark is also attractive. If Kiel or Copenhagen is lightly defended, you may be able to capture and then even launch raids in the Baltic.

4. Punish German forces on the channel coast, especially in the plains.

5. In the Pacific, build a dozen or two subs and have them ready to interdict the sea lanes once the war with Japan starts in earnest.

6. For tactical R&D, you might want to research industrial espionage before the US enters the war. It is more cost efficient but means you will lag the US. Once the US is in the war, you can both research and bypass German technical superiority.

7. Be careful with engaging the German airforce. If it starts to go against you, turn off fighter intercept and base you fighters in a hex with lots of flak. If the German's are not aggressive with their air force, it is a good sign they are not likely to invade.

8. Build your own invasion force to time with the German attack of the Soviet Union. Even if they do not stay on the continent, you want to divert German forces during the critical first offensive

9. For all raids, plan your evacuation well. No point in taking senseless casualties.

1. Focus initially on improving your economy and researching key categories (e.g., fighters, infantry, guns and tanks). You should not need to biuld much for the battle in France. Maybe some heavier tanks and more artillery.

2. Make sure Italy has some supply. You can give them a location (like Lille or Dresden) to help with suppply. You might also consider the loan of some tanks and artillery. If the push into the Mid East is successful and Baghdad is captured, you can unhinge the Soviet defense with the capture of Baghdad.

3. The timing of when to bring in the Balkan countries is tricky. You grow stronger by bringing them in early. However, you risk bringing the Soviet Union into the war before you are ready.

4. Consider a coup in Denmark Norway. Capturing the resource hex should not be too tough with the full attention of you airforce. It is probably safer to build 5 decent para regiments to use against both Olso and the Iron ore and keep your fleet in the Baltic.

5. You will need alot of tanks and artillery against the Soviets. You should begin earnest production at least 9 months prior to the invasion.

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