Diplomacy zine -- Chapter Four From: Eric_S_Klien@cup.portal.com Date: Mon, 27 Nov 1989 03:38:43 +0000 Issue #117 of ELECTRONIC PROTOCOL: Chapter One contains: NAVARONE, BLITZKRIEG, OPERATION OVERLORD, GETTYSBURG, and HMS HOOD And is published by daybell@aludra.usc.edu/Donald Daybell Chapter Two contains: DRAGONSLAYER, BISMARK, COLD WAR, JACAL, and TRENCHFOOT And is published by tedward@cs.cornell.edu/Ted Fischer Chapter Three contains: TANNENBURG, VERDUN, ENTENTE, MULHOUSE, and DAWN PATROL And is published by dragon@agora.hf.intel.com/Bill Wheeler ------------- Chapter Four ------------- Spring '04 of the game RATATOSK (BNC number 1989IJ) (GM is jall@diku.dk/Mogens Jallberg) Hi everybody, Here is the results, mail me when you find the errors: ([] = fail) England: -------- [ A Mos -> War ] retreat to StP A Lon -> Nwy [ F NAf -> Tun ] F WMe S French F Spa -> GoL F MAO SF WMe F NtS CA Lon -> Nwy Germany: -------- [ A Mun -> Tyr ] A Ruh -> Kie A Bel -> Ruh A Ber -> Pru [ A Sil S English A Mos - War ] A Liv S English A Mos - War F Den -> Bal France: ------- A Par -> Bur [ A Gas -> Mar ] [ A Mar -> Pie ] [ A Pie -> Ven ] F Spa -> GoL Italy: ------ A Rom -> Tus [ A Tyr -> Ven ] A Vie -> Boh A Bud -> Vie A Tun -> Gre [ F Nap -> TyS ] [ F TyS -> GoL ] Russia: ------- A War -> Mos Turkey: ------- A Sev S Russian A War -> Mos A Ukr S Russian A War -> Mos A Ser -> Tri [ A Gal -> Sil ] [ A Rum -> Gal ] A Con -> Bul F Ion C Italian A Tun -> Gre F Bla -> Tun The next deadline is Tuesday November 28, 20.00 GMT. Autumn and Winter '03 of the game BUSHIDO (BNC number 1989IN) (GM is ronin@cory.berkeley.edu/Sam Parazette) [] - indicates unsuccessful order Austria-Hungary =============== F Adr - Tri Position -------- F Tri Supply Centers 1 ----------------- TRI England ======= A NWY - FIN F NWG - BAR F SKA - DEN A SWE S SKA - DEN F NTH S SKA - DEN Position -------- A Edi, A Fin, A Swe, F Bar, F Den, F Nth Supply Centers 6 ----------------- Den, Edi, Lip, Lon, Nwy, Swe Builds ------ A Edi France ====== F ECH S BEL A BEL H A PIC S BUR A BUR H A MAR - PIE F SSPA - GOL Position -------- F Ech, A Bel, A Pic, A Bur, A Pie, F GoL Supply Centers 6 ----------------- Bel, Bre, Mar, Par, Por, Spa Germany ======= A HOL - KIE F KIE - BER A MUN S KIE - BER [A RUH - BUR] Position -------- A Kie, F Ber, A Mun, A Ruh Supply Centers 4 ----------------- Ber, Hol, Kie, Mun Italy ===== A TRI - VEN [A ALB - TRI] Dislodged A VEN - ROM F TUN - ION F NAP S TUN - ION F TYS S TUN - ION Position -------- A Rom, F Ion, F Nap, F Tys Supply Centers 4 ----------------- Nap, Rom, Tun, Ven Builds ------ A Alb Disband A Ven Disband Russia ====== [F BAL S GERMAN F KIE - DEN] No Corresponding Order [A BER H] Dislodged A LIV - STP A GAL - UKR A VIE S Austria-Hungarian ADR - TRI F RUM H Position -------- F Bal, A Stp, A Ukr, A Vie, F Rum, A Pru Supply Centers 6 ----------------- Mos, Rum, Sev, Stp, War, Vie Retreat ------- A Ber - Pru Turkey ====== [F Ion - TYS] Dislodged [F Aeg - Ion] A Ser - Alb A Gre - S Ser - Alb A Bud - S Austria-Hungarian Adr - Tri A Bul - Ser Position -------- F Aeg, A Alb, A Gre, A Bud, A Ser, F Adr, F Smy Retreats -------- F Ion - Adr Supply Centers 7 ----------------- Ank, Bul, Con, Gre, Ser, Smy, Bud Builds ------ F Smy ===== PRESS ===== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GERMANY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- All you Harkonnen's out there beware! Maud Dib Lives! A V-1, A V-1, my kingdom for a V-1. It appears I shall soon be joining the Austrians in the Bene Teilaxu Tanks. Just one darn uncursed long sword and a protect armor scroll and I will be fine. How come I feel like the Picts in Northern England I shall be Bretwalde yet!!!!!!! Well, England despite my flimsy best efforts you seem to be in an ideal position. Good luck and hope the French weree more trustable than you were... Russia, that was a beautiful stab, now let's see if it doesn't cost you Saint Pete. Who knows you just might get enough builds out of me to stave off England. France, no qualms here just good clean trench warfare, however I would suggest some fleet building in the future... Italy, I hope you can convince one the the two Eastern powers to ally with you and stab the other. Good luck!!!! Turkey, due to circumstances beyond our control the your embassy in Berlin was destroyed, apparently by an errant Imperial Russian naval shell, I would suggest further investigation... Austria, now people know why Germanic people are so military. We are in beautiful spots... Of course if it can be done we have been known to win... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Turkey ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Sultan announced today that he was saddened by the recent Italian invasion of Albania. He said that Turkey has always tried to get along with its neighbors but has prepared itself so that it would be ready to respond to any unprovoked attacks. He invites all of Europe to condemn the Italian massacre of Albanian peasants. The Turkish army in Serbia has been directed to try and liberate Albania. The Sultan said that it was lucky that he had suspected that the Italians would try something like this and that he had sent a fleet into the Ionian just in case something like this might happen. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Italy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Malta: The "Floating Summit" disarmament talks aboard Turkish and Italian naval vessels have broken down. It became apparent that the Moslem leader had a somewhat different concept in mind. Going beyond disarmament, the Sultan pressed for the "dis-legging" and "dis-heading" of all Italian sevicemen, which Il Duce found to be unacceptable. Venice, in a bad part of town: The somber young man paddled his way through the deserted streets. The early morning drizzle permeated his disheveled military uniform. He was Lt. Edouard Viscositi of Il Duce's staff. He soon found what he was looking for, the weathered sign above the door read: *LUIGI'S TAVERN* Cold Beer Pool That was what he needed. He floated restlessly, occasionally bobbing down for a sip, unable to get his mind off his troubles. It all began, he reflected, last winter. His assignment as to be Il Duce's personal representative in Vienna; his eyes, his ears, his mouthpiece. All had been well until that New Year's Eve party at the Russian Embassy. He'd had too much to drink, but they all had. It had been a time of great glory, powerful men of two great nations coming together to celebrate their joint victory. He smiled as he recalled the broom closet, and General Kissoff's young daughter and her long, hairy legs.... The General was furious, of course, but always the diplomat he never let it show. How could Viscositi have known it would come to this? He would miss his job. The mingling with the rich and powerful, the sights and sounds of old Vienna, and especially those tiny suasages. His court- martial would be tommorrow. Fall '02 of the game HUGO (BNC number 1989IO) (GM is willis@trwind.ind.trw.com/Willis Marti) England: Army London --> Belgium OK Fleet North Sea Convoy Army London --> Belgium OK Fleet Wales --> London OK Fleet Skagerrak --> Denmark Fails (Support Cut) Germany: BEL - HOL OK RUH - MUN Fail (1-2) PRU - WAR Bounce (Austria) BAL - SWE Failed (Support Cut) DEN support BAL - SWE Support Cut (England) Russia: A RUM - BUL Fail (2-2) F SEV - BLA Fail F ARM - ANK Fail F BOT - BAL Fails (bounce) A SWE S ENGLISH F SKA - DEN Support Cut (Germany) Turkey: A Con S F Bla - Bul (ec) OK F Bla - Bul (ec) Fail (2-2) F Ank - Bla Fail (own unit) Austria: F Bul(sc)-Con Fail A Ser S RUSSIAN A Rum-Bul OK A Gal-War Fail (bounce) A Boh-Mun OK A Tyr S A Boh-Mun OK Italy: F Aeg - Smy OK F Ion C A Tun - Gre OK A Tun - Gre OK A Ven - Tri OK France: F ECH S English A LON->BEL OK F PIC S English A LON->BEL OK A BUR->MUN Fails A GAS->BUR Fails (own Unit) A SPA->MAR OK Results: Believe it or not, no retreats. I recognize the situations in Swe/Den and Bul are tricky, but I'm pretty sure the results are correct. Because it seems several "relationships" have altered, these builds will be important. Builds due 25 NOV; Spring move will be due 28 NOV. If I get a negative vote BEFORE 25 Nov, we'll due builds by 26 NOV, next move a week later. ------------------- New Positions: England(5):F WAL F NTS F SKA A BEL +1 Germany(4):F DEN F BAL A RUH A HOL A PRU -1 Russia (6):F GOB F SEV F ARM A RUM A SWE +1 Turkey (2):F BLA F ANK A CON -1 Austria(5):A TYR A MUN A GAL A SER F BUL(sc) +0 Italy (7):A TRI A GRE F ION F SMY +3 France (5):A MAR A GAS A BUR F PIC F ECH +0 =================================== The Weekly Crier "All the news that fits, we print." =================================== PARIS (AP) -- The French Navy has apparently taken control of it's own destiny. According to King Jordan: "Last year, I told Admiral Johnson to take control of the Mid Atlantic with the Navy, and he moved into the English Channel. I assumed that was just an honest mistake, since they're so close to each other. But now, supporting an English convoy?". Admiral Johnson was known to complain loudly about the fact that he never got into any battles. Sources in Paris point to this fact as the "spark" that started his rebellion. Other Paris officials expressed disbelief, King Jordan: "He was the most patriotic Frenchman I knew. I can't believe that he'd do something like this." Measures are being taken to bring the situation under control. There was no comment on what those measures might be, and for now the French Navy is following orders from no government, but only from the rebel Johnson. Italy Today (TM) VENICIAN ARMY DIVISION ATTACKS AUSTRIA! EMPEROR: WAIT, LET'S SEE, AREN'T WE ALLIED WITH THOSE GUYS VENICIAN COMMANDER ORDERS ATTACK ON AUSTRIA EMPEROR: MISTAKES WERE MADE EMPEROR CLAIMS ATTACK ON AUSTRIA WAS "UNAUTHORIZED" ... Our Emperor claims that he did not order General Jack D. Ripper of the 2nd Italian Army stationed in Venice to attack the Austrian province of Trieste. While recovering from "a tough second shot" on the fifteenth hole at Tunis Greens, the Italian Leader told reporters that "General Ripper acted without proper authority," and that "we're sure Austria will understand." Rome Enquirer/Star VENICIAN GENERAL: ALIENS TOLD ME TO ATTACK AUSTRIA EMPEROR: LOOKS LIKE WE'RE IN A SHOOTING WAR INSIDE: WHAT TO WEAR WHEN VISITING TRIESTE THIS SUMMER (Budapest) Fred the Elf, sole monarch of Austria, declared today that he wished to attend Oktoberfest this year. Spring '02 of the gunboat game VERSAILLES (MNC number 1989JErb32) (GM is sccs6016@iruccibm.bitnet/Gearoid Casey) Not Received. Spring '01 of the game JUGGERNAUGHT (BNC number not known) (GM is rdesper@eagle.wesleyan.edu/Rick Desper Didn't get yet, will contact GM about this. But here is: Fall '01 of the game JUGGERNAUGHT (BNC number not known) (GM is rdesper@eagle.wesleyan.edu/Rick Desper IMPERIALIST WAR SPREADS NORTH FIGHTING IN BEERHALLS OF MUNICH, SNOWFIELDS OF SWEDEN DUAL MONARCHY VALIANTLY BATTLES BACK GREECE, TUNIS, NORWAY, HOLLAND, BELGIUM, PORTUGAL FALL TO IMPERIALISTIC LAND- GRUBBERS JUGGERNAUGHT FALL 1901 French moves (Lebrun) English moves (Protoolis) (A Bur -> Munich) (GER 1-1) F North Sea -> Belgium F MAO -> Portugal F Norwegian Sea C A Edi -> Norway A Spa Holds A Edi->Norway German moves (Scardamaglia) Italian moves (Walker) (F Denmark->Sweden) (RUS 1-1) (A Ven-> Tri) (AUS 2-2) (A Ruhr->Munich) (FRA 1-1) A Tyr S A Ven-> Tri A Kiel->Holland F TyS -> Tun Turkish moves (Litvin) A Bulgaria -> Greece A Smyrna -> Const F Const -> Bulgaria (sc) Russian moves (Kottmann) (The Baltic Fleet goes looking for a girl named Olga. (F Both -> Swe)) (GER 1-1) (The Troops in Galacia find a map to Bohemia, unfortunatley, none of them can read...as a result: (A Gal -> Vienna)) (AUS 1-1) The Black Sea Fleet looks for Count Dracula. (F Rum Hold) The Ukranians get a grip (on Rumania). (A Ukr Sup F Rum) Austrian moves [ahem] (Fleet Albania returns to Trieste for minor dock repairs.) (ITA 2-2) Army Serbia maintains our holdings there and, for lack of anything better to do, supports the Fleet movements to her west. (Army Budapest, in a panic, marches back to the capital (Vienna) to resume a defensive posture.) (RUS 1-1) Press Releases: The NKVD announces the Russian Imperail Army has made a bold move into Bohemia. The fact that the troops have actually moved towards Vienna is a western deception and does not obscure the real facts which are that the Russian army will not be stopped from moving in any direction they feel like which may or may not be Bohemia. So there. The Imperial Fleets have put into port for the winter, a fool (ahem, fuel shortage) being to blame. The Army of Moscow, after brutally--successfully preventing a riot in the Ukraine, now is helping the Black Sea Fleet find Count Dracula. The Czar has noticed a curious lack of noise coming from the French consul. He cautions the French to remember the lessons of Napoleon III. (But not to remember the ones of Napleon I.) The Russians expect another glorious RUSSIAN WINTER. Those parties expressing an interest in bringing their families to our winter retreats should move their armies towards Berlin, where we will have transportation arranged. Those that live off-continent should bring them via Denmark, where they will be moved to Berlin. In case the Germans put up a fuss, be sure and support your movements. The Kaiser and his recently formed People's Congress stood divided over the treaty negotiations with Russia. Specifically, the Kaiser seemed to think Russia thought he had a hole in his head, while the Congress seemed to think Russia thought his brains were Spam (tm). The Kaiser and the People's Congress did agree to return Italy's declaration of war with one of their own. The PC voted down the Kaiser's motion to include the words "nyah" and "ptptpth." NEWS FLASH The Kaiser has spent the last 4 days in recluse at his olive gardens in Trieste. He returned after finally settling his love problems with his consort of the moment. During his absence, the PC carried a motion that THEY thought his brains were Spam (tm). His first action on returning to the palace was to have the PC disbanded and its leaders summarily commited to the Asylum of their choice. London, September 1 1901 In response to pleas from the people of Norway and Belgium, the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Great Britain have today begun a campaign to free Belgium and Norway from their opressive monarchies. "This is not a move of hostility," said Wilberforce Rumble, of the Foriegn Office, "we are responding to the demands of the populace.". When asked to compare the British assistance with the problems in Austria and the Balkans, Mr Rumble said, "They are not related at all, that is war and invasion, what we are doing is providing assistance to a neighbour". FINAL POSITIONS ENG: A NWY, F NWG, F BEL FRA: A BUR, A SPA, F POR GER: F DEN, A HOL, A RUH ITA: A VEN, A TYO, F TUN A-H: A SER, F ALB, A BUD TUR: A GRE, F BULS, A CON RUS: A GAL, A UKR, F RUM, F BOT CONTROL: ENG: LON, LPL, EDI, NWY, BEL (builds 2) FRA: PAR, BRE, MAR, POR, SPA (builds 2) GER: BER, KIE, MUN, HOL, DEN (builds 2) ITA: ROM, VEN, NAP, TUN (builds 1) A-H: VIE, TRI, BUD, SER (builds 1) TUR: CON, ANK, SMY, GRE, BUL (builds 2) RUS: MOS, WAR, STP, SEV, RUM (builds 1) Country 01 A-H 4 ENG 5 FRA 5 GER 5 ITA 4 RUS 5 TUR 5 Well, it certainly was lively! Keep it up! Good Hunting, Warmongers! Your omnipotent GM, Rick Spring '01 of the game TOKUGAWA (BNC number not known) (GM is joseph_harold_thomas@cup.portal.com/Joseph Thomas) Didn't get yet, will contact GM about this. But here is: Fall '01 of the game TOKUGAWA (BNC number not known) (GM is joseph_harold_thomas@cup.portal.com/Joseph Thomas) Builds due Tues Nov.28th 12:01AM---Spring '02 due Tues Dec 5th 12:01 AM Germany Italy A Ruh-Bel A Pie S French A Spa-Mar (no french move) F Hol S A Ruh-Bel F Tyrr Sea C A Tus-Tun A Kie-Den A Tus-Tun SC:Mun,Kie,Ber,Den,Hol,Bel SC:Ven,Rom,Nap,Tun 3 builds!!!! 1 build France Turkey A Spa-Por A Bul-Gre (fails:bounce Austrian F Alb) F MAO-Spa (sc) F Ank-Con A Bur-Mar A Arm-Ank SC:Par,Mar,Spa,Por SC:Ank,Con,Smy,Bul 1 build 1 build Austria England A Bud-Rum (fails 2:2 Russia) A Yor-Norway A Ser S A Bud-Rum (fails 2:2) F Nts C A Yor-Norway F Alb-Greece (bounce Turk Bul) F Eng-Bre SC:Bud,Tri,Ser SC:Lon,Liv,Edi,Norway,Bre even 2 builds Russia F Sev S A Uke-Rum (fails 2:2 Austria) A Uke-Rum (fails see above) A Gal-Vie F Gob-Swe SC:Sev,War,Mos,Stp,Vie,Swe 2 builds first blood is drawn, Europe is in turmoil Final positions Germany:A Bel, F Hol, A Den Italy: A Pie, F Tyrr Sea, A Tun France: A Por,F Spa (sc), A Mar Turkey: A Gre, F Con, A Ank Austria: A Bud, A Ser, F Alb England: A Nor, F Nor Sea, F Bre Russia: F Sev, A Uke, A Vie, F Swe Spring '01 of the game PETAIN (BNC number not known) (GM is ssmith@ms.uky.edu/Scott Smith PETAIN -- SPRING 1901 ORDERS: Austria (Quarnstrom): Italy (Capwell): F Tri - ALB F Nap - ION A Bud - SER A Rom - APU A Vie - TRI A VEN H England (Ames): Russia (Jog): F Lon - NTH F StpS - GOB F Edi - NWG F Sev - BLA A Liv - YOR A Mos - UKR A War - GAL France (Chow): F Bre - ECH Turkey (Bartlett): A Par - PIC F Ank - CON A Mar - SPA A Con - BUL A SMY H Germany (Hasting): F Kie - HOL A Mun - TYR A Ber - KIE Capitals indicate final position of the unit. ----- UNIT POSITIONS: Austria: A Ser Tri F Alb England: A Yor F Nth Nwg France: A Pic Spa F Ech Germany: A Kie Tyr F Hol Italy: A Apu Ven F Ion Russia: A Gal Ukr F Bla Gob Turkey: A Bul Smy F Con ----- PRESS: Geneva: No retreats were ordered this season as all moves succeeded. The press office here in Geneva will be shut down until Saturday. The vote on Saturday moves was 4-0 with 3 abstentions. It therefore passes. Fall 1901 moves will be due on Saturday 25 November. Monaco(AP) -- Rumors abounded in this small principality today that France and Germany had made a secret pact of some sort. No one seemed to know exactly what it was for, although trade in grapefruit was often mentioned. Sofia (AP) -- Bulgarian officials have come out with a new line of perfume, called "Sofia". The Sultan of Turkey announced today his desire to develop extensive trade with the Bulgarians. Being a peace loving type, the Sultan will only enslave half the population. The Venetian people are celebrating their superiority and are too busy to worry about military matters. The Roman Legion is fleeing from the Pope, who has been possessed. The Neapolitan fleet is looking for ice cream flavors in Malta or thereabouts. Spring '01 of the game DUNKIRK (BNC number not known) (GM is sjzwange@phoenix.princeton.edu/Steven Jacob Zwanger) Austria: [A Vie-Gal] A Bud-Ser F Tri-Alb England: F Lon-Nth F Edi-Nwg A Lvp-Edi France: A Mar-Spa F Bre-MAO A Par-Bur Germany: A Ber-Kie F Kie-Den A Mun-Ruh Russia: F StP-GOB A Mos-StP F Sev-Rum [A War-Gal] Italy: A Ven-Tyo A Rom-Apu F Nap-Ion Turkey: F Ank H A Con-Bul A Smy-Con from Russia: The Czar's spies have uncovered a far reaching plot to attack Russia from the West; the Imperial Border Operatives have moved to block its enemies' advance by occupying the Galician province. Austria, acting as a no doubt unwitting dupe of the Western Imperialists, should note that the B.O. has no designs on their country, and will not encroach further. Besides, union rules won't let us. *That's* the job of the proper army, and they are off galavanting around up north somewhere. GM comments: First some really important news: I finished the game Dragon Warrior! This Nintendo game was pretty easy, but a lot of fun. And here is some less important news: The Russian empire is crumbling and we will soon have world peace and harmony. (Sell your defense stocks now!) Apologies: Sorry about misspelling Steven Jacob Zwanger's name a hundred times! Answers: One GM asked: "Eric, how do you handle retreats/disbands/builds? Do all of the disbands need to be performed first or only the ones that are a direct result from an attack. I.E. if a country loses some supply centers and need to disband some units, is that done and published before and of the builds are announced? Or, are only the disbands that were disbanded due to an attack and they decided to disband instead of retreating, need to be announced." Since my e-mail connection with him seems to be down and for the benefit of all, here is my answer: In the autumn, retreats and annhilations are done. In the winter, disbands and builds to match amount of supply centers are done. Normally, these are reported together although you may do differently in complicated situations. Also, players can make their winter orders conditional on autumn orders from other players. **************************************************************** Transmitted via scribe code name Larry Hardouin/att!druwa!hardlj **************************************************************** Diplomacy Convoys: As Good As They Look? by Jeff Breidenstein One of the more popular moves in Diplomacy is the convoy, which uses a fleet to transport an army across one or more sea/ocean spaces. The convoy's main advantage is that the army can move more than one space in a season. Although it is a far-reaching move, there are a number of disadvantages associated with it. Keep in mind that this applies only to the regular Diplomacy convoy and not to the Piggy-Back Convoy (which is also known as the Abstraction Convoy) that is used in a number of Diplomacy variants. In his book "The Gamers Guide to Diplomacy" (which he wrote for The Avalon Hill Game Company in 1978), Rod Walker has this to say about the convoy: "The convoy is the most powerful move in DIPLOMACY. Even the threat of it is likely to send an enemy into fits. Depending on circumstances the convoyed attack's power is derived from one or more of four factors: (1) it provides rapid reinforcement, (2) it is flexible, (3) it may be unexpected, and (4) it is more secure." He then goes on to describe each of these four factors in greater. However, in his review of "The Gamers Guide to Diplomacy" in his magazine "Diplomacy Digest" (issue 15/16, 1980), Mark Berch has this to say about Rod's view of the convoy: "Unfortunately, Rod's bias has gotten the better of him again. As he considers it 'the most powerful move in Diplomacy', he certainly isn't going to tell you any of the drawbacks, is he? He won't, but I will: 1. The convoy ties up extra units. Even an unsupported convoy uses two pieces at the very least. A long convoy that fails is a grievous waste of resources. Even if it succeeds, movement to the front of the fleets is delayed. Thus, in 1972CR, Doug Beyerlein convoyed A Con-Spa, and as a result, at least two fleets never got to the front. 2. For multifleet convoys, the move previous to the convoyed move can be harmed. During the move in which the last fleets are positioned, the others will often be restricted in what they can do, for fear of steeping out of position. 3. Security can actually be less. A fleet that is convoying might be supporting another fleet instead." I happen to agree with Mark Berch: The convoy is not as powerful as it would seem. However, let us look at some examples of the convoy first: EXAMPLE 1 England A Edi - Nwy F Nwg C A Edi - Nwy This, of course, is the use of a convoy to move an army from one land area to another via the seas. The convoy is vital to both England (who cannot truly invade the continent without it) and Italy ( who cannot obtain Tun without either a convoy or the garrisoning of a fleet there). EXAMPLE 2 France A Mar - Smy F Lyo C A Mar - Smy F Tyr C A Mar - Smy F Ion C A Mar - Smy France is at war with Russia, and has occupied Turkey. This is an example of using the convoy to move newly-built armies to the front. If the army moved overland(via Italy and Austria), this move would take 3-4 years (or more if actively opposed), as opposed to a single season with the convoy. EXAMPLE 3 France A Spa - Bre F Mid C A Spa - Bre Germany F Eng - Mid A Bur - Pic In this example, Germany has tried to cover both bases. If Fre F Mid moves to Bre (the obvious move), then Ger F Eng takes Mid (and supports A Pic into Bre the next season). If Fre F Mid holds to keep Ger F Eng in place, then Ger A Bur - Pic means that Bre will more than likely fall the next season. But, by using the convoy, an army is placed into Bre that otherwise would have to have been built there, and the German moves fail to operate as planned. As I see it, these are the only 3 situations where the use of a convoy is vital: 1) the "Continent-to-Continent" Convoy - used to convoy armies to/from England or North Africa. This is the only way for armies to get there. 2) The "Distant-Front" Convoy - used where the active front is distant from the homeland, and a convoy is necessary to bring these new armies up to the front more quickly than an overland route. 3) The "Protection" Convoy - used to bring up an army quickly to defend a certain province where one cannot be built and otherwise none would be available in time. However, there are other situations where a convoy can be useful: a) The "Accidental" Convoy - used when your fleets are in just the right position for a convoy where one was not originally planned. If the enemy does not notice, great surprise can be achieved. b) The "Keep-Em-Guessing" Convoy - used simply as a lark to keep the enemy (and possibly your allies, as well) from guessing your true intentions. If done often enough, opponents may come to expect a convoy, and you may be able to get around their defenses. However, overuse of this can cause you more trouble than you cause others. ROD VS. MARK Both Rod Walker and Mark Berch make some interesting comments about the convoy. Let's take Rod's views first: 1) It provides rapid reinforcement - No arguments here, as the army can (theoretically) move from one end of the board to the other in one season. But unless you can get your fleets into position this doesn't mean a thing. 2) It is flexible - Yes, but only to a degree. Since you must usually plan ahead in order to have fleets in position for convoy, it is not something you can just go ahead and do. Under Flexibility, Rod says that ... "Convoys keep the enemy guessing. The fleet which can convoy an army to a space can itself attack the same space if it does not convoy. This ability to play three roles (attack or convoy or support) gives the fleet it's greatest flexibility." However, what Rod fails to tell you is that you can do only one of those things (or move, instead) at a time. This means that additional support is needed if you attempt a convoy in the face of the enemy. He also says ... "Another element of the flexibility inherent in the convoyed attack is the rapidity with which it can be developed." In certain cases this is true, but it is very difficult to do so later in the game when there are more fleets roaming around the board. 3) It may be unexpected - True, but after being burned by unexpected convoys in past games I now usually keep an eye out for these. And if your opponents are keeping a watch for a convoy they have a tendency to either not work as well as planned or not work at all. 4) It is more secure - False. A fleet that is convoying cannot support, and this is the heart of the matter: A fleet can convoy OR support but NOT both. Each convoying fleet can not move that turn, and (if they are already in position) even be forced to remain where they are for fear of losing their position. Unless your fleets are in a position where the enemy cannot dislodge them, you stand a good chance of having your convoy disrupted. Now, let's look at Mark Berch's views: 1. The convoy ties up extra units - True, and since each fleet involved can only convoy or hold until the move is completed, their impact on the board can be negligible until the convoy is completed. 2. For multifleet convoys, the move previous to the convoyed move can be harmed - The awful specter of the convoy, in that after all your work setting up the necessary fleets one is dislodged by the enemy. Since any fleets involved in convoying cannot support each other, just 2 enemy fleets can disrupt the convoy (unless you have additional fleets supporting the convoying fleets, in which case the entire convoy becomes a logistical nightmare). 3. Security can actually be less - True. This not only refers to the fact that a fleet can only do one thing (move, convoy, or support) at a time, but that: a) the enemy may take advantage of the convoy to either dislodge your convoying fleet or move around it; or b) by moving or supporting the fleet instead of convoying you might achieve the same goal just as quickly, (or with an acceptable delay) and with less chance of something going wrong. THE RIGHTS AND WRONGS OF CONVOYS Too many people attempt to use a convoy at the wrong time for the wrong reason. There are several "never's" that should be kept in mind when you are attempting to convoy: 1) Never convoy if another equally good alternative is available (unless, of course, you believe in the "Keep-Em- Guessing" Convoy). 2) Never convoy if the enemy is in a position to disrupt the convoy by the dislodgement of one or more of your fleets (unless you feel that you either have surprise or that something else can be gained by doing it). 3) Never use more than one or (at most) two fleets in a convoy unless absolutely necessary. 4) Never keep trying season after season to get one or more fleets into position for a long convoy. Fleets that keep making the same unsuccessful move over and over tend to tip your hand, especially if any other of your other fleets in the area simply remain in position! Avoiding these things can help in making a convoy succeed. Alternatively (for the defense), keep an eye out for any possible convoy by the enemy, especially if there are one or more of the following: 1) Any fleet adjacent to a coast, especially where a convoy to this area can be useful. 2) Two or more fleets together anywhere on the board, and especially when near or next to a coast. 3) A fleet next to an army where that army can be convoyed without leaving the vacant space open to an immediate attack. 4) A fleet next to one of its coastal home Build Centers (especially in Fall, setting up for a Spring convoy). A multinational convoy is always possible in a game, especially where one of the nations convoying is an "ally" setting you up for a stab. There is little one can do about this except for keeping your eye open to treachery. I hope that this article helps you to accurately weigh the pros and cons of convoying, and hopefully you'll never again fall prey to the "surprise" convoy! *********** CONVOYS: AN HISTORICAL FOOTNOTE Larry Peery Convoys, without the element of surprise, have usually been tactical flops. Everybody knew D-Day was coming, the Germans most of all. And yet, because of the weather, Eisenhower achieved tactical surprise; and the rest was history. The famous PQ convoys to Murmansk during World War II were tactical disasters; and yet their strategic importance was unmeasureable. Some historians say that one convoy, even though it lost half its ships, kept Russia in the war; and the rest was history. I remember, during the fall of 1962, watching the Marines move from Camp Pendleton to the Amphibious Base in Coronado and the Naval Station in San Diego, as they prepared to board their transports; and become a part of the American invasion fleet headed for Cuba. Who would have thought then that twenty-seven years later that same Marine division would be staging a landing demonstration for Soviet Defense Minister Dimitri Yazov? Fortunately, the rest wasn't history. For a picture of what the significance of convoys in World War III might be like, I suggest you read RED STORM RISING by Tom Clancy. The tactical success of convoys in support of Iceland and Norway, or the strategic importance of the convoys to supply NATO forces in Europe, will match the significance of any of the World War I or II convoys. And that will be history. Many of these lessons from history apply to Diplomacy as well. Tactical surprise is a key ingredient in any successful convoy; otherwise they are too easily blocked. But a convoy for the sake of convoying, is worthless. The successful convoy must have a larger strategic purpose. The mere threat of a convoy, or the potential to carry one out, may be enough to bring matters to a successful end. Some convoys are almost SOP in a Diplomacy game: The Italians into Tunis, the British into Norway, or Belgium; etc., but creative convoys have fallen by the wayside. We still see an occasional French convoy into England, or a German end-run into Livonia to break a stalemate with the Russians; or somebody trying to sneak into Greece across the Ionian or Aegean. We may even see, rarely, a real attempt at a long-range convoy designed to upset the strategic balance of power in a major way. England into St. Petersburg, the Italians into Spain, the French into Tuscany, etc. It is ironic, I suppose, that today the only Powers that really appreciate convoys are those that are not historically noted as great naval powers. Britian had to press into service commercial ships, including the QE II, for service in the Falkans. The US Navy's escort fleet is a joke. But the Russians learned, in a little known operation on the Sea of Azov, the possibilities of a convoy. And a Russian never forgets. That is something we shouldn't forget. I am enjoying moderating this zine, keep that mail coming! Eric Klien. Up