Flashback Finland... WTF?

[Mantis]

I just recalled skimming a post some time ago where someone was saying that in the opening of the war between the Russians and the Finns that the Russians can surround and overwhelm the Finns on the border before they can retreat into the chokepoints.

Now it clicks...

If that is possible, it means that the Russians get to move the units first? Even though the Finns are allowed (gamewise) to have the first move? Otherwise, it couldn't be done...

No one responded to point out the 'error' in this post, so I'm assuming that if the Allies declare war on a nation, the Axis player is forced to not move the newly activated units even though the game allows him to? So the aggressor can have the first move?

If this is true, I'm DAMNED pissed off cuz I let the Finns move first, and here it is, 30000 LRSs later... :ar15:

If it's NOT true, then why didn't someone reply to that post so I didn't age two years today? :p

[Mark Stevens]

Aha. Although the Axis always move first in a PBEM game (in this scenario) we built in a one turn delay before the Finns mobilise in the Winter War, as it was the Russians who started the thing.

So they probably can surround at least one Finnish Corps at the start, although that's hardly decisive.

[Dan Neely]

Originally posted by Mark Stevens
Aha. Although the Axis always move first in a PBEM game (in this scenario) we built in a one turn delay before the Finns mobilise in the Winter War, as it was the Russians who started the thing.

So they probably can surround at least one Finnish Corps at the start, although that's hardly decisive.

2 corps, 2 regiments, and the Petsamo garrison, basically everything along the eastern border. They might not be destroyed outright, but they'll be encircled and finished off in a turn or 2. If the finns reorg, the 2 corps on the istmus north of Lenningrad will be cut off as well.

[SkyVon]

Is the Petsamo garrison allowed to retreat into Norway? Looking at the map I see 7 Norweigean <sp> hexes available for the Axis player. You'll also notice, on the map, that there is no visable border around Petsamo. The Finland/Norway border ends one hex southwest of Petsamo.

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Originally posted by Dan Neely
2 corps, 2 regiments, and the Petsamo garrison, basically everything along the eastern border. They might not be destroyed outright, but they'll be encircled and finished off in a turn or 2. If the finns reorg, the 2 corps on the istmus north of Lenningrad will be cut off as well.

That is a shame considering the historical outcome.

[Chuck?]

In my game against SkyVon Petsamo held out for ten turns or so. The Soviets don't have much firepower at this point in the war, making it nearly impossible for them take out Finland.

[Mark Stevens]

With a coastal artillery, garrison and one infantry brigade in Petsamo, which is also a supply point, I don't think that it's that easy for all but an overwhelming number of Russians to just overrun it.