MAP
General Changes: The map has been split into a greater number of territories. This will make it more difficult to transfer forces from one theatre to another. A fighter stationed in France can not be used for an attack in West Russia on the same round. A transport off the coast of Algeria can no longer land in Norway. Forces must be committed to the appropriate theatre BEFORE the critical moment. This will benefit skilled players because mistakes will be harder to correct. For example, if Germany over-commits to the Eastern Front, and the Allies make a landing in Northwest France, Germany will be forced to transfer forces from the East. The extra time it takes to move them will neutralize those forces for the duration of the transfer.
While unit costs have gone up, territory values have gone down. It is no longer worth throwing away an infantry unit simply for the IPC value of most territories. This does not mean that territories are not worth capturing. It may be worthwhile to sacrifice an infantry when used as a buffer against a large enemy force to buy time to build up a large counter force. The choice of the appropriate move will now be harder to make as it will be dictated by the situation, not the IPC value of the territory.
Historical Context: While capturing ground and resources was important, destroying the enemy’s forces was of greater importance. The battle of Kursk is arguably the most decisive of the entire war. The contested ground was relatively worthless, but the number of units involved leant the battle its importance.
CHANGES BY THEATRE
Eastern Front:
The many subdivisions offer more opportunity for maneuver. Furthermore, with the increased distance between the Soviet and German capitols, the further a player advances, the more difficult the task becomes. The attacker is pulling away from new reinforcements, the defender is falling back on them. This allows opportunities for the retreating army to deliver "backhand blows" adding excitement to the game. It also simulates the supply difficulties felt by Germany in 1941-'42 and the Soviets in '44-'45.
Moscow is no longer directly connected to Stalingrad. The Russian Player can not transfer forces from one to the other as easily when confronted with unforeseen events.
The Strategic importance of West Russia has increased. German troops massed there simultaneously threaten Stalingrad, Russia, Archangel, Karelia, Tver and even Kazakh. When held by the Soviets it converts the new impassible territory (Prypet Marshes) into a wedge, forcing Axis units to split, or leave either the North or South open to a Red Army attack.
Mediterranean/Africa:
The battle for North Africa is made less linear by the addition of Tobruk. It contains an industrial complex to signify the importance of the port. Meanwhhile, Egypt remains the gateway to lower Africa. Losing control of either will be a blow to the Allies, but splitting forces could result in the loss of both.
The overall value of sub-Saharan Africa has been decreased. Though Africa contained vast untapped resources, the infrastructure was fairly poor and the already stretched war economies of the major powers could not devote resources for development and extraction of those resources.
The Middle East has increased in value slightly to
reflect that it was the UK's main source of oil.
The Straights of Messina (Between Sicily and Mainland
Italy) is now a third canal. Its strategic importance is not as great
as the Suez or Panama, but it does allow the side that controls Sicily
greater freedom of movement in the Mediterranean
Europe:
The value of Finland has been increased to reflect that it was a major source of Iron Ore for the Axis powers. An industrial complex has been added to reflect both that Finland was a major player amongst the minor powers, and that when defeated, Finland attacked German forces.
The value of Romania has been raised because
it was a major source of oil for the Axis.
A complex has been added to Hungary to represent its significant contribution of manpower to the Axis war effort.
The industrial complex in the Low Countries represents the port of Antwerp, which was crucial to supplying the Allied advance into Germany.
The industrial complex in East Prussia represents both the port of Danzig and the fact that East Prussia was considered the spiritual home of the German army. Its loss was a major blow to German morale.
Asia:
The industrial complexes in Central China and Bombay signify the fighting potential of those countries, so long as wealthier nations are willing to pour resources into them.
South Siberia simulates the Siberian railway, with which the Soviets were able to quickly transfer troops from Moscow to the East. Like an actual railway, if captured, it could be used against the USSR.