Here's the builds and the press. For the next turn, take your time. I hope everyone is ok and with their significant others and close family still intact. We had a similar tragedy in Finland 1994 when the cruise ship Estonia sunk in the Gulf of Bothnia, taking hundreds of passengers to a watery death. However, this is way worse. My most sincere respects to everyone who has been struck by this tragedy.
Build A Bud
Build F Lvp
Build F Bre
Build A War
Remove A Arm
to Russia: I'm convinced that Turkey has removed Armenia. Then you have a
50/50 guess over Black and Armenia. However, getting your fleet to Black Sea
is better than to Armenia, so you might want to do a tilted randomizing (60/40
perhaps) as to where you'd go. If Turkey removed something else than A
Armenia,
then a move to Black Sea is it, and you'd do well to support yourself to
Sevastopol to make sure you get in and keep Turkey out - the army that'd
arrive
in Sevastopol will definitely come in handy through Armenia. The supported
move
to Sevastopol is obviously a good move no matter what Turkey pulls.
to Italy: Keep minding the Basque, I have little desire for a two-front war,
and I'm sure the same applies to you.
Oh la la, ze Eyetalian ese itaacking, we French are zo scared! Austria is creeping up from behind, I might watch your back if I were you.
Germany to:
England:
If army Paris, HOL to BEL
if anything BRE, Ruh to Bel
Italy:
I'm still in. Thanks for the support
Russia:
I'd rather you not go to Prussia,
but I do need to toss France from
SIL. Help would be appreciated.
BER to SIL in the fall
To France, just Marseilles? I think not, Spain, Portugaul and Marseilles
seems more like it! Teach you to oppress the Basque!
Germany Once in Burgundy I might need help taking out Spain!
Press to A
Glad to see that we have worked things out to a seemingly mutual accord. I
am happy to keep Gal as a DMZ but if you are offering a bounce there this
spring then I will happily accomodate. In the south a lot depends on the
Turks disband. Rum will offer support to Bul this turn.
I am happy to take Ank as my share in Turkey.
Press to E
Good to see that the convoy was successful. I am hoping that we can continue
to keep Scandinavia as a conflict free zone.
Press to I
Interesting looking postion you have there. Remember that if you dislodge
Spain this year then he can retreat to West Med.
austria: poison pen? no. you insulted my intelligence, and the intelligence
of everyone else. that wasn't a poison pen letter.
as for helping you, you never told me how to help you. how would you like to
be helped? tell me, and i will. i have no problem with helping allies,
except when allies set self-fulfilling prophecies up, so that they can stab
me for whatever perceived reasons they have.
Colour Commentary:
Austria:
Very nice take down of the Turkish Ego. However, slight problem -- by moving
to Trieste, he can't build a fleet; which means that he can't get around the
Aegean. This leaves only one direction to go: By Land. And Turkey isn't by
land. Look for Austria to stab one of his neighbors -- Russia probably, due
to the lack of fleets -- and offer Turkey a leg-up, with a diminished roll.
Build: A Budapest (duh).
England:
Solidifies alliance with Russia, gets a build. And "promises" Germany not to
go after him, in exchange for Denmark. So either England is lying to
Germany; he's going to save France from the Italian Interlopers; or....
France gets squeezed between the two. I know where my money is. Build: A
London (to be convoyed into Normandy). Though a F Liverpool (to protect
against Italian freedom fighters in the Irish Sea) wouldn't be uncalled for.
France:
Gets a build, but his options are limited. The rogue army is fairly useless
out in Silesia -- probably the missed opportunity of the game, so far, going
for Berlin instead of Warsaw. Unless England's friendly, has more than he
can handle on his own -- both Italy and Germany are out for blood. Will lose
more than just Marseilles; even Germany can count supports. Will be racing
Turkey for the first-to-be-eliminated prize. And will win. Build: Probably
A Paris. Maybe F Brest. Paris would be more helpful, but not by much.
Germany:
No build, but pretty good situation. If England proves trustworthy, can be
the Junior Partner of the West (with England as Senior). Of course, depends
on England, so he might be joining Turkey on the Road to Nowhere, but based
on current position and statements, he's got the better of France.
Italy:
Wildcard of the game -- attacking full-force, and leaving Austria to his own
devices. If England lends a little help -- or doesn't interfere -- the
France will be sliced and diced soon enough. If Austria stays busy in Turkey
(or Russia), will survive to the end (maybe even win). However, I don't
think Austria will sit on his hands for much longer -- just ask Turkey about
that.
Russia:
Gets a build, gets an ally -- two, in fact. But for how long? Austria has
nowhere to go -- at least not through Turkey -- and Russia will be needing a
build in order to get through to Turkey himself. So where next? Germany
would be my bet, though England could be caught by surprise. Build: A Warsaw
(Germany). Outside chance of A or Northern F St Petersburg (England).
Turkey:
Options are limited -- but so are the opponents options. Austria can't get
through Constantinople without another fleet. Russia can't get through the
Black Sea without the same. If he can get someone (Austria or Russia) to
realize the other is ripe for plucking, has a chance. Continues to
antagonize them both, he's out of there. But it will be slow and agonizing,
no matter which. Disband: A Armenia.