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
With only a couple short thoughts provided for Winter 1909, I decided to combine these two into one post.
Winter 1909 Adjudication
England: Build F lon
Austria: Build F tri
Winter 1909 GM Observations
A fleet for both England and Austria. Italy has to feel nervous now (probably already did). France probably felt nervous before and would feel nervous no matter what England builds. Actually all the players should feel nervous about England’s positioning.
Winter 1909 Player Journal
Austria
build f tri
Well, the fleet build worked! But now starts the next tricky bit!
Spring 1909 Adjudication
England
F fin S A nor – stp
A lvn – mos (*bounce, dislodged*)
F wes – tys (*bounce*)
F mao S F lon – eng
F kie – bal
F tun S F tys – ion
A nor – stp
F tys – ion (*bounce*)
F lon – eng
France
A bur S A mun
F por – spa/sc
A pru S A ber – sil
A ber – sil (*bounce*)
A pie NMR[1]France accidentally ordered Mar-lyo-tus
A mun S A ber – sil (*cut*)
F bre NMR
F lyo NMR[2]France accidentally ordered Lyo c Mar-tus
Russia
A stp S Austria
A war – lvn
(*cut, dislodged*)
Italy
A rom S A ven
A ven S Austria
A tyr (*void*)
F smy – eas
F ion S Austria
F tri – adr (*cut*)
Austria
A vie – tri
A ank – arm
F aeg S Italy F ion
A con – bul
A ukr – war
A war – lvn
A mos S A war – lvn
A sil S A ukr – war (*cut*)
A boh S A sil
A bud – gal
A tyr – mun (*bounce*)
F tri – adr
Spring 1909 GM Observations
Austria seems to be sticking with Italy… not really sure why that is. Also, France mis-ordered and PIE/LYO did nothing (giving Italy a reprieve). There’s a chance that A/I force a stalemate here. Again, not really sure why Austria is doing this but that is at least a possibility right now. If Austria continues to correctly predict what E/F will do, a 4-way draw is a likely outcome.
England sitting in MAO leads me to believe that England will make a solo attempt. Losing LVN hurts and taking Munich would be quite difficult since Austria has surrounded it. If England doesn’t take Naples (not likely anymore) and still goes for a solo, this would likely end in AEI or AE (if Austria would finally turn on Italy).
What can I learn from this? Carefully check my orders. France’s mis-order drastically hurt E/F’s tempo here. Even highly experienced players can make mistakes in entering orders so I should always carefully check my orders. Simple lesson? Yes. Important lesson? Yes.
Player Journals
England
And now we move in to the end game.
It looks like Austria decided not to save Russia. I do expect Austria to help Italy defend the Ionian. Unless France and England can break through somewhere, it looks like this might end in a 4-way draw.
I do have the option of turning back to attack France. Even though that would likely be successful. I don’t see being able to hold a position that will prevent Austria from the win if I do.
France
Educated guess: three-way draw E/F/A
Try to take out Italy and defence against Austria
PRu is at risk
Russia
Only a matter of time now I believe. With three E units bordering StP, perhaps WAR – LVN might elliminate one of them.
Italy
An interesting decision here. England’s getting into ION would be so unsettling that I might as well gamble this turn and see if I can keep England out of Naples.
I occasionally get blasted by others in EOG statements for not defending against stabs, but I find most of the time that such play is almost pointless, and just facilitates being taken out all the sooner.
Austria
mos s war-lvn
war-lvn
ukr-war
sil s ukr-war
boh s sil
tyr-mun
bud-gal
vie-tri
tri-adr
aeg s ion
con-bul
ank-arm
Lots going on here. I am assuming it is A/I vs E/F.
I am resigned to StP becoming English, but need to get nearer to surrounding MUN whilst there is only a fleet in KIE and England can’t get an army across.
TRI-ADR and AEG s ION are attemptsto start firming up Italian defences in the Med.
All here depends on how England/France play PRU/SIL etc.
Interesting times!