@Morten:
You are a very sharp CIV player. I see above where you figured it out... literally as you typed. You've a 'crisp' mind, totally focusing on getting 'the edge' against all players (as we all try to do).
I used this against you.
Before I get to 'long winded' in answering all of the questions which I know that everyone has regarding operation "Gamble"... and how it was pulled off... especially your questions, which are direct, and to the point... well, actually I need to 'beg off' on answering anything right now.
See, you're a very perspicasious (sp?) individual, and are completely correct: my initial assualt was PLANNED to be totally devestating... assuming it would even succeed (you had options that would have made this bad of destruction actually against Germany, crushing me, limiting me to a smaller role). I planned it to be completely devastating in it's "openning round"... because you're further correct... with regards to my lanes of transportation.
The game is FAR from over, although yes... you might not take back the UK (you always worry me!
If you can't push me out in the next 10 or 12 turns, yes, you and the other allies will have a long 'SLOG' towards victory.
I started this game with the sole intent of allowing Bo another assessment of this scenario (I love it!). Everything you see in the UK right now, all the air support, all the ships, etc... were because of your decision to pursue the 'Wonder of Einstein'.
That 'Wonder' has been VERY expensive for England, no? I tracked your turn one, realized INSTANTLY that you had actually DELETED a WHOLE LOT OF INFANTRY AND OTHER DIVISIONS: the opening 'kill ratio' was much smaller than your known losses.
As such, it was READILY obvious, that you had deleted an incredible amount of military units. This led to Axis KNOWING (pretty much) that you were chasing a wonder, and seriously wanted to receive it on game turn #2... which we all now know you did. The only debate the Axis players had, was WHICH wonder (I thought 'Marlene' would be more advantageous to you, but decided that you'd chase Einstein for the techs... which are quite worthless and meaningless to the allies at this venture of the game, as you guys cannot build a capable military presence fast enough to benefit from it.
Anyway, it was your chasing the wonder that killed you. At this point, I knew from logical deduction that you were doing it in either Burma, because of all the units present at the start (I quickly ruled this one out, as I thought you wouldn't find it 'secure' enough... because I didn't, and believe we think alike). That left, LOGICALLY... only the UK proper for the Wonder. Which obviously made me realize that you had DELETED all those units in UK itself in order to attain this wonder. When you announced turn #2 that you had Einstein, I just about crapped myself with excitement!
At that time, operation 'Gamble' received all and final 'green lights- go, go, go!' and was set into motion, where it had been 'tentative'.
In real life, Britain was on her frigging KNEES against the aggressive Germans, reeling in pre-death throes... but Germany just could NOT deliver the 'knock-out' blow. Had you remembered this... well, I think going after a 'wonder' is fine, but not at the expense of destroying your defense. Oh, yeah, London was even observed to have NO defensive unit in it at all on turn #2! Man, did you delete some units, or what!?)
Anyway, I don't want you to think any of the above is a lecture (or admonishment). I DO respect and admire you... wouldn't do it for that. Mostly, I'm writing the above for everyone else to understand (especially BO...) that this was (completely) a result of your actions, and my observations of your actions, rather than any 'flaw' in the set up design.
Morten... I don't believe there's any way in hell I could have done this had you not destroyed your own defenses, and instead built/improved your defenses.
All this above is just my own observations. Treat it as such, perhaps its all garbage in everyone's eye... who knows? Sorry if it's a long speculation.
But the game is, as stated, FAR from over. It actually is just the beginning of turn #4, as you noted. There are 150-ish turns left to destroy Germany. It took only 44 turns, I believe, in game #1. So what if it takes the allies a whopping 104 turns in this one??? Besides, Mort, you did say something about wanting to see what I could do playing the Germans. Keep in mind... you still worry me!
@Eivind: I DID "promise you" that if you played this game with me, that we'd have a blast!
@Bo: please don't look at the balance of powwer in the game yet, per my above comments about 'why' in actuallity, 'THE GAMBLE' was a success!
Again everyone: I'm at work, and can't focus my entire attention on this write up. Sorry if it comes out as a lecture... I swear that's not my intent.
Game on, Morten!
Where's that famous "I've not YET begun to fight!" spirit!?
(it's not as 'complete' as you may believe...)
With respects,
Gary