TopGunBoat Journal—Table of Contents
Introduction | Spring 1901 | Fall 1901
Winter 1902 | Spring 1902 | Fall 1902
Winter 1903 | Spring 1903 | Fall 1903
Winter 1904 | Spring 1904 | Fall 1904
Winter 1905 | Spring 1905 | Fall 1905
Winter 1906 | Spring 1906 | Fall 1906
Winter 1907 | Spring 1907 | Fall 1907
Winter 1908 | Spring 1908 | Fall 1908
Winter/Spring 1909 | Fall 1909
Winter/Spring 1910 | Fall 1910
Winter/Spring 1911 | Fall 1911
1912 | Conclusion | End of Game
In my opinion, 1902 lays as much of a foundation for the game as 1901 does. Let’s see what the players are doing with their foundation from 1901…
Spring 1902 Adjudication
England
F nth – ska
F bar – stp/nc
A nor S
F bar – stp
F edi – nth
France
A mun S
A par – bur (*cut, dislodged*)
A spa – gas
F por – mao
A mar – pie
A par – bur (*bounce*)
A bre – pic
Germany
A hol – ruh
A bel – bur
(*bounce*)
F den – swe
A ber S
A kie – mun
A kie – mun
Russia
A war – lvn
A ukr – mos
F bot C
A stp – swe
F rum H
A stp – bot – swe
(*bounce, dislodged*)
Italy
A tun – ion – apu
A ven S
Austria A tri
(*void*)
F ion C
A tun – apu
F nap – tys
Austria
A vie – gal
(*bounce*)
A ser – bul
(*bounce*)
F gre S
A ser – bul
A tri – ser
(*bounce*)
A bud – gal
(*bounce*)
Turkey
A bul S
Russia
F rum (*cut*)
A ank – smy
F con S
A bul
F smy – eas
GM Observations
Russia turned north! Perhaps Russia saw Austria’s move to Vienna as a show of peace as I did. Certainly, Austria self-bouncing in Galicia is a sign of peace! Russia seemingly has two friendly neighbors in Austria and Turkey and gambled well in moving north. Of course, either Austria or Turkey may see this and decide to attack Russia now that Russia is focused north. Italy’s movements will certainly play a great impact on their decisions.
Italy convoyed to Apulia. I view this as a defensive movement. Does Italy see Austria as not being a good potential ally? I certainly think that moving to TYS could indicate a desire to move West (so the convoy could be defensive to make sure Austria doesn’t get greedy while Italy moves against France). Of course, France’s move to Piedmont would not be welcome to Italy in this scenario.
Speaking of this, when I saw the builds, I wondered if France may move to Piedmont in order to get maximum impact in attacking Germany with those 3 army builds. If France retreats to Bohemia, he/she could support PIE-TYR and have Munich (potentially) surrounded next year. France probably doesn’t need to support PIE-TYR because Germany would probably not risk MUN-TYR, so retreating to SIL would be more strategic. Unless France wants to attack Italy, which would not likely be successful right now with the convoy to Apulia.
England continues the northern attack, which will be much tougher now with Russia moving north. Germany surprised me by blocking Russia in Sweden again. Perhaps Germany is hoping this will garner favor with England? Germany surely doesn’t want E/F working together, so garnering favor with England may create E/G instead of E/F. If this is the case, I think Germany is in for a rude awakening. It would be hard for England to pivot against France after opening so thoroughly north. Also, Holland is completely open right now. I suppose Germany is likely to self-bounce in Holland with BEL/RUH but this would guarantee that France is able to move into Burgundy (which is likely to happen no matter what Germany does).
In my opinion, France is the greatest beneficiary of this. If England doesn’t get a build this year, France could be guaranteed of taking LVP next year (MAO-NAO/IRI can’t be stopped from taking LVP the next phase unless England gets a build and builds in LVP). Or, France could move to ENG and convoy an army to WAL without being stopped (which could get to LVP without being stopped too). England has really left himself exposed.
Finally, Austria vs. Turkey has started as it typically does. Turkey moved to EAS to block a Lepanto (I think moving to AEG would have been better since the army was moving to cover SMY). Regardless, Turkey is in a great defensive position unless Russia’s fleet orders support for the Austria attack. This may be a good way for Russia to prevent the southern fleet from becoming a casualty of Austria (there’s nothing to stop Austria from a supported attack on Rumania). Turkey’s support of Rumania from Bulgaria was friendly but would be useless in the event of GRE-BUL and SER/BUD-RUM with support.
Of course, Rumania may eventually become a casualty of Austrian growth even if Russia completely allies with Austria right now.
One thing in gunboat that is hard for me to understand is why players take risks in trusting others when they do and why it works out. In this case, it worked out very well for Russia to trust Austria (and vice-versa). Both made (mostly) neutral movements in regards to the other from the beginning. Is that simply luck that the other didn’t try to take advantage of it? Did they analyze the movements and ascertain the likelihood of this working out for them? More importantly for me, can I learn to do that when I’m playing and not observing? Of course, if Austria takes Rumania, I will have a different view of this than I do right now. I look forward to reading the thoughts of the players to find out why they did what they did!
Player Journals
England
Just setting up to take either Sweden or StP this year.
France
full attack eastwards, also Mar-Pie-Mun is the idea, combined with a probably dislodged unit.
fleet Por-MAO-ENG
Germany
Re-taking MUN and trying to keep France out of BUR. Hope England doesn’t try for HOL!
Russia
With F building no new fleets, E has a free hand in attacking Scandinavia and my north. I will risk the south to keep E at bay, particularly keeping his army out. An all-or-nothing proposition.
I am convoying the army to Sweden. If it succeeds, great. If bounced and dislodged, it can retreat to Finland. I should have no difficulty holding StP and (perhaps?) have two on Sweden for the Fall.
Italy
So now, try to cut off Turkey or bring the army back to the mainland? Better get the army back.
England is going to have a fairly easy time of things with no F/G fleet builds. I wonder who’ll get Sweden.
Austria
vie – gal
ser – bul
gre S A ser – bul
tri – ser
bud-gal
My rationale was that I was hoping that I could test whether Russia is anti-turkish and take BUL with RUM support if possible.
I would bounce BUD & VIE in GAL to show good will to Moscow, but keep the two in VIE & GAL at the end of the move in case Italy popped into TRI.
My TRI-SER move is to show good will to Italy.
Turkey
This game is for high-ranked players, but some players are making rookie mistakes. For example, the Lepanto opening by Italy is great for Austria but rarely brings success for Italy. France decided not to build fleets, hoping to maintain friendship with Italy and England while focusing on Germany. But, it will be easy for Germany to stalemate France, leaving France with a lot of useless armies. England will have his hands full with Russia, making it difficult for England to help France fight Germany.
I have two choices for my Spring moves: a) go for CON-AEG with support from SMY (relying on support from RUM to avoid losing BUL), or b) go for SMY-EAS, blocking Italy from moving there. I decided to go with b). One reason is that I suspect Austria may try to take BUL. It is a guessing game, but going for EAS provides for a better defensive position.
Spring 1902 Retreat Adjudication
France: A mun – sil
Russia: A stp – fin