This will be the first post in a series of brief AARs for my solo full campaign of Unconditional Surrender! from GMT Games. I picked this game up a while ago and have been dying to get the full game played. Grant and I played the Case Blue Scenario from C3i Magazine #28 last November and really enjoyed it. I cannot speak highly enough about this game system and its playability.
September 1939 – The Invasion of Poland
Setting up took more time than I’d like to admit, even with the low counter density. Most of that was putting the units on the turn track, but once it was done, I was itching to get started.
I’m doing the historical opening, so during the declare war phase, the Axis powers declared war on the Western Allies, and then proceeded to invade Poland, who joined the Western Allies faction.
The Poles put up some stiffer than expected resistance and the 2nd Panzer and 16th Infantry Army actually caught themselves out of supply I believe. The Polish National will is dangerously close to breaking, however, and likely won’t last through October.
The Western Front was a little stickier. The Axis forces gambled on trying to take Belgium and draw the French forces northwards as well as to avoid the mighty Maginot line. The Belgians put up a stout defensive effort, unlike the Dutch who were swiftly swept aside. The French counterattack against Amsterdam was a huge failure and the French army took a step loss. I could very well see the Western Front getting bogged down quickly.
During the diplomacy phase the German’s pulled a Pro-Axis counter (placed in the cup due to the conquering of Holland) and both the Western Allies and the USSR pulled political success markers. So it was a very active phase. The German’s made Italy a pro Axis country, the Western Allies are trying to bring Spain into the War, and the USSR is trying to bring communism to Turkey.
Mostly, I just wanted to try some new things and see if Spain could become a player in the war effort. The Italians hopefully joining the Axis will help to expand the Axis forces and give them a stronger base of power in central Europe and the Mediterranean. The USSR is just being opportunistic and trying to spread politically whilst the Nazi-Soviet Pact is still in effect. They know what is coming!
All in all, I’m having a total blast! I’m going to try and do a turn every night, so these AARs might be more sporadic but will contain more info in them. I love this system, I love the low counter density, and I love how wide open, and non-scripted the war is already. I’m probably butchering some rules, so if you see anything egregious, just let me know!
-Alexander
The Players' Aid 
I couldn’t agree more. I’ve been working my way through the training scenarios. I am on the France 1940 scenario currently. I love this game so far. So much so that I P500 ordered a second copy and the mounted map boards. Consider that I am using VASSAL which I struggle with and generally don’t enjoy.
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Do yourself a solid and get that physical copy onto the table already! As much as Vassal is a great tool, for a game on the scale I HAVE to see it all in one view without the scrolling around to try and get the grand picture, so to speak.
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A buddy gave me the link to this. Hope you have a good time playing. If you did not realize it, attacking Belgium caused the West Invaded Conditional Event to be triggered. There is a lot that is associated with that event. If you did not realize this, you should check it out what happens and then decide if you want to roll back the action and just stick to attacking Poland.
Also, if you don’t have them yet. The most current Living Rules are uploaded on BGG and CSW.
Sal
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Hi Sal!
Thanks for your input! I made the mistake that you were talking about. I invaded The Netherlands without realizing the consequences (bringing in the extra French air force and units etc). I chose to not roll it back because I wanted to see what would happen if the Germans were extra aggressive. I think that’s one of my favourite things about your game: the what ifs. I can already see – even after two turns – that the flow of the war will be wildly different on the western front.
Are the rules in the next printing going to be updated from the living rules?
Alexander
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Yes, an Axis “Quick Fuse” strategy makes for a wild game. Just be understanding if it comes off the rails as it is more susceptible to that.
The 2nd edition will incorporate all the changes included in the Living Rules. The main difference between the current version of the GMT Living Rules that I uploaded and the 2ed is that the Living Rules have changes noted in blue text. Otherwise, they are virtually identical. If more changes are needed after the 2nd edition comes out, they’ll be made to the 2ed rules.
Sal
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I can already see the western front is a little sticky. Luckily the weather turned poor in October so the stalemate will allow the allies to strengthen their defenses. The War may well come to a swift end for the Axis come spring. Fascinating game.
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Also impacts the Eastern Front as the Appsmt or Pact Ends marker is on the Turn Track a year sooner than historical. However, it also means the scenario ends a year earlier as well. The early end to the war means the Axis aren’t feeling the might of the USSR for as long.
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