With respects to those who think otherwise, I disagree with Canada being separated from the UK. Just not enough cities to make it viable. I play the small countries too,and it is tough to get any meaningful amount of troops together, period. also, if the UK does get overrun in the British Isles, having Canada as a staging point for counterattacks is much better for the AI. Well, I suppose it COULD work, but you would have to be very focused, and you would not have a very big influence on the course of the war in general.
Italy 2.1, Emperor. Week 34, 1940- not a huge amount has happened since last report, but a very interesting development and some minor news. Japan has taken 3 more Chinese cities, in addition to the two coastal ones they had seized earlier. They are finally moving down south.
They also took the Dutch city due south of Singapore(also japanese controlled),so they are close to getting their resources from the south. A very good job for a Japan AI, I think the lower number of island cities over there has helped the AI focus on goals better.
With all the evidence of the AI being bad at naval invasion, I have a few counter arguments going. At one point there were FOUR amphibious task forces entering the Med, and if I was not doing well with the Navy I would be in big trouble by now. The AI does seem to love 3 escort/1 transport task groups, but lately these have included a lot of BBs.
Actually I am in a real bind atm; the last two groups included a BC,2 BB,and a KGV, and they managed to attack Cagliari with infantry, and then landed a Matilda, Mark IX?, and 2 Canadian infantry. I had the initial 3 garrison units there, and only one survived the amph. attacks with 1 hp left. What is mystifying to me is that the 2 Canadian Inf. they landed after those attacks on the same turn both had 1 MP left. One only had 2 hp, OK, but the other was Elite and has 5 hp left. All I had left was that garrison unit with 1 hp left. Why the AI did not conduct another amph. attack and finish me off I don't know. Luckily I just completed an Inf. unit, and had a transport able to ship in emergency reinforcements, so I have 7 units there now; I even drafted a conscript.
They still might take the city next turn, but I hope I can hold them off. I moved all my air units within range, so if they don't take the city they are dead meat.
I took down the aforesaid escort groups, but it cost me a dozen subs, and a C2 BB; well worth it I think. I am slightly less afraid of the KGVs now that I realized their defense is actually a couple points less then a C2, but they are still scary!
To give you a better idea of how bloody the naval war has been in the Med, realize Italy starts with a 100 subs, I built at least 15 more, and currently have...8. Add in 3 BB, at least 6 LC, 1-2 CA, and 10-20 DD lost by the Italian Navy. And we are winning.
I currently have 3 BB,9 CA, and a brand new CV(what does one name an Italian CV? I called it 'Falcone di Mare' but that is probably stupid.
) in the Med, the closest Allied shipping I can see is a 3 KGV/1 TR group off La Coruna. That Infantry I put up there has served me well!
I also took Switzerland, and Thessaloniki/Crete. Athens to fall soon. I am actually feeling more positive about my prospects lately, I seem to have gotten a little critical mass going. Though that can change in a hurry if the Allies send in another 10 BBs.
I got the Axis to declare war on USSR, but little has happened so far. USSR has HUGE numbers of troops, I don't know if Germany can take them, but earlier is better then later for sure. I may have to put up some kind of expeditionary corps to help on the Eastern Front, but my troops are pretty weak. I am using about 10 artillery so far, and I have absolutely no shame in doing it either; Italy's ground units are pathetic!
I think my success in the Med has influenced the Allies quite a bit; they keep sending in invasion groups in any event. Japan, at one point looking very anemic, has built up 9 Yamatos, and actually has more capital class ships then the UK. I plan on going after Egypt next, to get my resources linked via friendly Turkish roads.
Rocoteh: I noticed you gave Italian motorized Inf. +2 to attack and defense, but not the German unit. You might want to consider upping their stats the same way, they would cover the Panzer IIIgs better that way, since they would have the same defense. If the tank has a higher defense, it will get picked first when the stack is attacked, NOT good!
