No surprises there. I can only hope that Italy will help me (Turkey will come for Italian centers next) but I don’t expect it. I also hope Russia will focus on protecting Russian centers instead of attack me again. Right or wrong, I expect that.
Spring 1907 Plan
- Turkey has several options for attack. I expect Alb-Tri, Rum-Bud, and support for one of these from Serbia. I assume Turkey will move Ion-Adr and Gre-Ion. Con-Bul is certain. Bla may move to Con or just sit there to wait to take Sev when Russia is falling.
- Russia should focus on preserving MOS now. StP s Mos and Gal-War with support from Moscow makes sense now.
- Italy will probably bounce in TYS. Ven-Tyr with Apu-Ven would make sense to attack me. Ven s Tri with Apu-Adr would make sense to work with me. Impossible to predict now.
- Germany moved to Bal, which allowed England to disband Nwg and keep attacking France. Germany seems committed to EG but will go after Moscow (since it was offered by England last year). Bal-Bot, Lvn-Mos, War s Lvn-Mos, and Sil s War, along with the same French attack all make sense.
- France seems intent on supporting Burgundy and I assume the same will happen now. Spa-MAO might happen, but I don’t think France is really trying much anymore (not too different than me, except France can still hold out fairly well while I have little-to-no hope).
- England will probably order Swe-Fin with support. I think England will try a supported attack on Bre from MAO with Wes-MAO. I also think MAO-SPA with support from WES makes sense. No matter what, France will lose one center this year (maybe two).
As Austria, I will try to survive: Tri-Bud, Vie s Tri-Bud, Bud-Ser. I think this is my best shot at covering both centers right now since I can’t count on Italy to help me. If Italy helps me, I will change my thinking but for now I’m simply defending.
Spring 1907 Movements
Surprisingly, England stabbed Germany! England had played as a player who wanted an ally and must not have felt sufficiently supported by Germany (when England lost StP). This will likely leave the west mired in war for some time, which will allow Turkey to consolidate the east.
Fall 1907 Plan
- Turkey will attack me. I think a supported attack on Bud and a supported attack on Tri. There’s a chance Turkey is spooked by Italy being in Ionian Sea but I doubt it. I also expect Gre-Ion and Sev s Rum (because Turkey uses that fleet for support a lot).
- Russia may try for Norway but will probably support Moscow (now that England finally attacked Germany as Russia has been hoping for).
- Italy will hopefully support Tri again. Not sure what Turkey will do with Ionian Sea (go to EAS?). I expect Tun and Tys to hold (Italy is the nervous sort).
- Germany may stop attacking France now and will cover Kiel. I think Russia takes a shot at Moscow with Warsaw and Sil-War.
- France will probably focus on defending against England now more than Germany.
- England will keep attacking France. I think a supported attack on Spain is the most likely scenario now.
As Austria, I will order Vie s Bud, Bud s Tri, and Tri c Sil-Rum. I am assuming Italy will support me again and hoping Turkey tries to take both Tri and Bud. There’s a good chance Turkey takes Trieste. I’m showing Germany that I would appreciate and help if they attack Turkey. It’s not likely to happen, but I have nothing else of substance to do with Tri (supporting Bud is pointless, even Bud s Tri is probably pointless).
Fall 1907 Movements
Ugh. Turkey took Trieste. I knew it was a possibility, but I hoped it wouldn’t happen. Turkey outmaneuvered me. After this, I was actually too bummed to write and as I write this now, I have been eliminated already (but the game is not yet over). My next post will summarize my demise. The post after that will summarize the remainder of the game. Finally, I’ll write an entry with my reflections on the game and any EOG comments from the other players.
Aside from Turkey’s successful attack, Italy made a substantial movement east (which worked since Turkey was not worried about the Italian fleet in Ionian moving east with a build coming from Sevastopol). Kind of surprisingly, Russia took Norway, even though England was finally fighting Germany (I think this was a bad move—to take a center from your only ally). In my opinion, the Russian player has been very fortunate in this game not to have been eliminated already. If Germany had been a little more helpful of England or if Turkey had waited another year to stab me, Russia would surely be gone.
Germany stopped attacking France and ordered support for Picardy as a show of peace. England kept attacking France, but entered a “Hold” order for the fleet in the Western Mediterranean. If England had utilized that fleet to attack Spain, the supported attack on Brest would have worked (cutting France’s support for Brest attacking MAO would have allowed England to overcome the French attack). This is very odd… Why attack France only partway? The answer would come the next Spring.
BOUNCED Gunboat Journal—Table of Contents
Introduction
1901 | 1902 | 1903 | 1904
1905 | 1906 | 1907
Elimination
Conclusion
End of Game Statements