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
As much as Fall 1901 reveals to everyone, Winter 1902 still provides plenty of intrigue…
Winter 1902 Adjudication
England: Build F edi
France: Build A bre, A mar, A par
Germany: Build A ber, A kie
Russia: Build A stp
Italy: Build F nap
Austria: Build A bud, A tri
Turkey: Build F smy
GM Observations
England’s build is VERY friendly to France. Fortunately for England, France reciprocated by ONLY building armies (3 armies!). The reverse Juggernaut (as I like to think of E/F) seems like it will be quite strong in this game (at least, until mid-game when it may be easy for England to stab a French player without fleets).
Austria and Italy’s builds are similarly friendly, but this is more typical in gunboat so it’s not as noteworthy. The same is true for Russia and Turkey: Turkey had moved west in the fall and built a fleet in Smyrna … Russia reciprocated and built an army in the north (which was needed anyway to try to defend against England, who is clearly gunning for St. Petersburg). Turkey may be wishing he moved to Syria instead of Ankara to more thoroughly deter any thoughts of a Lepanto.
Germany built armies because he needs to re-take Munich now. With such a strong E/F showing, I assume Germany is kicking himself for blocking Russia from Sweden. He may support BOT-SWE this year to try to make up for it (unless he thinks he can persuade England to attack France instead).
Player Journals
England
A good result for England. With France taking Munich, F & G will likely be locked at their border for quite a while. This should enable me to take Sweden and Stp then turn to choose a side.
Austria’s move back to Vienna was a great move for him. He probably solidified a Russian ally. Turkey not moving to the Black Sea means Russia will build in StP and try to defend. It will slow me down but StP should eventually fall.
France
2 extra builds, 2 armies. no doubt about my first goals
GERMANY
Germany
So yes, France grabbed MUN. Bit short-sighted I think but we’ll see. What this means for me is I have to build 2 armies when I would much rather have built at least 1 fleet.
Russia
Damn! E set up to be able to take StP unless I build there. Can’t have a foreign army with access in my north. A new army makes most sense I think.
A Fr A MUN is a welcome sight – it should mean no new G fleet. A six unit F so early may make the Brit nervous as he salivates over Scandinavia and StP.
My south is completely exposed, but a vacant Black Sea is a welcome sight. Will A let me off the hook?
Italy
F Rum seems rather pro-Austrian of Russia. Gal-Vie may be a bad sign, Turkey will have a hard time getting its units organized while defending Bulgaria, but trying to take advantage of T’s misplaced army in Ankara seems too risky.
This is not going to be a good game. I doubt I’ll ever get a fifth centre.
Austria
build a tri
build a bud
Happy times in Vienna. Italy is clearly signalling peace and we have 2 builds.
So, now it’s time to take stock of 1901 and consider the next alliances.
It looks like Germany is tied up with France – once MUN is retaken (as it will be), I hope Germany will focus on defeating the French. A stronger Germany also keeps a rampaging Russia under control. So lets assume AG is good.
Italy has made a clear overture by holding back VEN, so I see no reason to make too many enemies at this stage. Can I safely assume that if Italy is at peace with me that his next target is Turkey? On that basis, I won’t antagonise and therefore will go with an army build in TRI.
So that leaves R & T. I don’t want to wake the Juggernaut, so let’s start making some pro-Russian and anti-Turkish moves to complement my assumed new friendship with Italy.
The Russian build will be interesting. If it is a StP build, can we assume that he needs a friend down south? Look no further Nicholas – Von Trapp is here for you!
Now it starts to get interesting!
Turkey
With Italy heading east, I decided to send the fleet in ANK to CON and the army in SMY to ANK (allowing for the building of a fleet in SMY).
In the Spring, I would be able to send a fleet to AEG with support, but I would need to rely on Russia to support my army in BUL.