Diplomacy zine -- Chapter Three From: Eric_S_Klien@cup.portal.com Date: Thu, 26 Oct 1989 22:46:20 +0000 Issue #108 of ELECTRONIC PROTOCOL: ***************************************************************** This is late due to some last minute stuff with my ST:TNG script. ***************************************************************** 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, DOUGHBOY, BISMARK, COLD WAR, JACAL, and TRENCHFOOT And is published by Tedward@cs.cornell.edu/Ted Fischer ------------- Chapter Three ------------- Fall '03 of the game TANNENBURG (BNC number 1989HZ) (GM is ebrosius@lucy.wellesley.edu/Eric Brosius) I See You Guys Discovered Where I Hid The Knives! AUS (Ledoux)..A VEN H, ((F APU-ion)), ((A VIE S A bud)), ((A BUD S A ser)), ((A ser H/D-alb, tri)), A TYO S German A mun [6 units]. ENG (Hosek)...A nwy-SWE, F SKA S A nwy-swe, F bar-NWY, ((F LON-nth)) [4 units]. FRA (Snyder)..A mar-PIE, A bur-MAR, F spa(sc)-LYO, F wes-TYS, F PIC S A bel, A BEL S F pic [6 units]. GER (Krywolt).F nwg-EDI, F hol-NTH, F DEN S F hol-nth, A MUN H, A KIE S A mun [5 units]. ITA (Wilson)..F tys-NAP, A ROM S F tys-nap, ((F TUN-ion)) [3 units]. RUS (Jordan)..F bla-CON, F STP(sc) H, A MOS S F stp(sc), ((A RUM-bud)), ((A GAL-vie)), ((A swe-nwy/D-fin)) [6 units]. TUR (Shook)...A gre-SER, A BUL S A gre-ser, F aeg-GRE, F con-AEG [4 units]. RETREATS: Austrian A Ser must retreat to Alb or Tri. Russian A Swe must retreat to Fin--Russia need not send in a retreat. Supply Center Chart: A (4 ctrs): vie, bud, tri, ven remove 2 (lost gre, ser) E (4 ctrs): lon, lpl, nwy, SWE even (lost edi) F (6 ctrs): par, mar, bre, spa, por, bel even G (6 ctrs): ber, mun, kie, hol, den, EDI build 1 I (3 ctrs): rom, nap, tun even R (6 ctrs): mos, war, sev, stp, rum, CON even (lost swe) T (5 ctrs): smy, ank, bul, GRE, SER build 1 (lost con) GAME NOTES: The deadline for Autumn, 1903 retreats and Winter, 1903 builds and removals is *** Tuesday, October 24 at midnight EDT ***. (I then expect Spring, 1904 to be due the following Sunday as usual). I need to hear from Austria, Germany, and Turkey; the rest of you have no orders due, though you may submit press. Don't forget that Winter orders may be conditional upon Austria's retreat. I'm happy to say that I did get orders from everyone in the end. Please submit orders well ahead of time; you can always change them later. PRESS: GM-board: I am pleased to note that I've received press this week from all but one player. Keep it up! From the Des Moines Post-Dispatch Gossip Column: Those "in the know" claim that diplomatic relations between Germany and the United Kingdom are seriously strained by the German fleet currently in the Norwegian Sea and the attempt by the German navy to continue to maintain control over the North Sea. The dispute apparently centers over the non-invitation of the English to a bake sale of some sort. Germany: The Kaiser wises to make it known that the mail system's performance has not achieved the desired goals, and as a direct result of this, the people responsible for shooting the previous Postal Minister have themselves been shot. An official press release of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. GM-Germany: I...uh...hate to mention this, but the new Postal Minister seems to have misfiled the bake sale invitations. Anonymous: The French would like to announce the receipt of an accidentally mis-directed dispatch from the Russians to the Turks which outlines a plan for the division of Hungary by those two nations. In hopes of stopping this plan which would make the eastern powers far to powerful, the French are revealing it to the world. Anonymous: Dateline Vienna --------------- SKIING IN AUSTRIA DEEMED UNSAFE! Due to the current unpredictable Austrian weather, the European Downhill Skiers' Association is warning all potential slope-goers to avoid skiing anywhere in, or near the country. It appears that a wave of warm weather has turned most of the ski hills in Austria into cold-water swamps. It is the EDSA's opinion that the unstable nature of the Austrian winter poses a threat to all European skiers, as at any time while skiing in Austria, the slush may freeze without warning, making for treacherous footing even though the hill appears safe. At the current time, the weather is swinging between violent HOT WINDS and very COLD FLURRIES that could possibly turn to BLIZZARDS. The EDSA cautions all skiers planning on attempting to brave the Austrian slopes to instead try the Swiss Alps, which are said to be in good condition this year. As well, those looking for less challenging, but equally satisfying skiing should try some of the French resorts, as they are famed not only for their FAIR conditions but also for good food and impeccable hospitality. Rome Trumpeter/Gazette : We were all astounded by the sneak attack by the Austrians, all the worst because it broke a solemn treaty. But, now that the full truth is out, it is perhaps understandable. We have intercepted a diplomatic exchange betwee n our government and Austria ; WHY? we asked, the reply : We needed the Prosciutto. Anonymous: In Romam dicitur Galliam solam bonam mortem Galliam esse. Cave oculos demanorum! GM-Rabble: Loosely translated, "In Rome we found ten bottles of Gallo and a single piece of good mortadella in an Esso station. We demand caves with windows!" Or something like that--my Latin may be a bit weak. END OF PRESS Autumn and Winter '01 of the gunboat game VERDUN (MNC number 1989AZrb32) (GM is sccs6069@iruccibm.bitnet/Michael O'Regan) BUILDS Austria : A(Vie) England : F(Edi) France : F(Bre) Germany : A(Mun), F(Kie), A(Ber) Italy : F(Ven) Russia : A(StP) Turkey : A(Con), F(Smy) ********** UNIT POSITIONS Austria : F(Tri), A(Gal), A(Ser), A(Vie) England : F(ENG), F(NTH), A(Nor), F(Edi) France : F(Pic), A(Bur), A(Spa), F(Bre) Germany : F(Hol), A(Bel), A(Den), A(Mun), F(Kie), A(Ber) Italy : F(Tun), A(Tyr), A(Rom), F(Ven) Russia : F(Sev), A(Ukr), A(War), F(Swe), A(StP) Turkey : F(BLA), A(Gre), A(Bul), A(Con), F(Smy) ********** Ownership of Supply Centers 00 01 Austria 3 4 Home, Ser Build 0 England 3 4 Home, Nor Build 0 France 3 4 Home, Spa Build 0 Germany 3 6 Home, Bel, Den, Hol Build 0 Italy 3 4 Home, Tun Build 0 Russia 4 5 Home, Swe Build 0 Turkey 3 5 Home, Bul, Gre Build 0 ********** PRESS : ********** GM -> All Well it all came together in the end, I think. There is a Cali- fornian in the game, I hope he's alright and that he still has a computer and a building to keep it in. Shall we try a deadline of :- Spring 1902 Thur Oct 26th since whenever we try to go faster we get slower. ********** Austria surrenders to Russia and Turkey! We are your slaves! Italy shall be our only enemy! The Czar and Sultan may have their choice of our centers, but we hope they will allow us the glory of seeing the defeat of Italy. ********** Austria-Hungary -> Turkey Rather than both of us beating ourselves in the Balkans, I say let us split them between us and go for the Russians. What do you think? ********** London, Eng (UPI) The Prime Minister today expressed his regret over the mis-communication involving the attempt by both England and France to control the English Channel. He went on to say, "I hope that our belated message will convince our French friends that England wants control of the channel only for the purpose of defending our small island. I once again express our willingness to assist the French in the destruction of Germany and feel that our naval assets can be used to achieve this goal." In a later statement, the Prime Minister was hopeful that the Russians would also use their forces in the destruction of Germany as well as the Austro-Hungarians, but the Turks may cause the Czar some problems. ********** France -> Austria This oppression of you is not fair. I will aid you against Italy. ********** France -> England Your help would be greatly appreciated in providing leverage into the Lowlands. We agree - death to the pugnacious Germans; their existence is the most serious threat to continental peace. ********** Germany -> England Die you putrid, Limy scum. How dare you suggest a Franco-English alliance for the purpose of destroying Germany. ********** GERMANY TO FRANCE: LET'S SPLIT UP ENGLAND WHILE HE'S NOT LOOKIN. ********** Germany -> Italy Yes, I can see that you are after Austria. Please vacate Tyrolia by Fall of 1902 or I will respond. ********** Germany -> Russia Sweden is yours, no problem. Take Norway, please ;-). Just don't come at Germany from the mainland. ********** Rome (UPI): The Italian government has expressed discontent over the inability of the forces stationed in Rome to leave the city and bolster other Italian forces. Mr. Roberti, the Italian foreign minister, has been especially critical of the upper eschelons of the armed forces, using words like "impotent " and "worthless." General Garibaldi responded with "but the food is better in Rome...." In other news, the Italian Second Fleet has been stationed in Venice in an effort to counteract Austrian attacks in the area. The Navy has been in high level meetings with admirals of the Turkish navy and usually com away smiling. Apparantly, Admiral Ashram, the spokesman for the Sultan in these matters, is arranging leave for his men in the Balkans, which the Turks expect to control in the near future. A gleam appears in his eye whenever bloodshed is mentioned. ********** Italy -> France I here that Marseilles is nice in the Spring. The Iberian peninsula looks nice too. ********** RUSSIA - AUSTRIA: Since I don't like to see anybody get completely eliminated in this game, I'll help you out before your gone entirely. I'm not as boodthirsty as the Turkish Towel Heads and the Grease balls from Italy. However, I didn't like you blocking my move into Rumania and for that you must pay. I really for the life of me can't see why you tried that instead of blocking Turkey from moving to Greece. Now he's got you right where he wants you and with Italy storming in from the west, you need all the help you can get. I'll determine when you have paid enough for your silly attempt at getting Rumania. ********** RUSSIA - GERMANY: Stay off my border if you know what is good for you. ********** Turkey -> Italy It should be easy now. Austria won't be able to stop all the bad possible things that could happen to him. You should easily be able to pick up on Vienna and Trieste in the next 3 or 4 turns. ********** Turkey -> Russia Well, looks like Rumania is all yours if you want it. I'll even give you support as long as you take it with UKR. ********** Fall '15 of the 1914 variant ENTENTE (MNC number 1989IJrv17) (GM is matt@oddjob.uchicago.edu/Matt Crawford) Not Received Fall '02 of the Blind variant MULHOUSE (MNC number not known) (GM is barry@vax1.acs.udel.it.udel.edu/Barry T. Fausnaugh) I know they have based this season, but have not got results. Fall '01 of the game DAWN PATROL (BNC number 1989II) (GM is sinhaa@mcmaster.ca/Anand Sinha) A player had to be replaced due to e-mail problems. Fall '02 of the game RATATOSK (BNC number 1989IJ) (GM is jall@diku.dk/Mogens Jallberg) England: -------- Orders: A Fin -> StP F Nwy SA Fin -> StP [ F Ech -> MAO ] F MAO -> Wes Builds +1: F Lon Position: A StP, F Nwy, F Ech, F Wes, F Lon Centers 5: London, Edinbourgh, Liverpool, Norway, St. Petersburg France: ------- Orders: [ A Pic -> Bre ] [ A Par -> Bre ] A Bre -> Gas A Spa SA Bre -> Gas [ F Por -> MAO ] Position: A Pic, A Par, A Gas, A Spa F Por Centers 5: Paris, Brest, Marseilles, Portugal, Spain Germany: -------- Orders: None recieved, GM goofed for the last time and held units, mistake will not happen again! Builds +1: A Ber Position: A Pru, A Bel, A Mun, A Ruh, A Ber F Swe Centers 6: Berlin, Munich, Kiel, Denmark, Sweden, Holland Italy: ------ Orders: A Ser -> Bud A Tun H A Tri SA Ser -> Bud F Ion -> Tys Builds +1: A Ven Position: A Bud, A Tun, A Tri, A Ven F Tys Centers : Rome, Naples, Venice, Trieste, Budapest Russia: ------- Orders: A Mos -> War A Gal -> Vie [ F Bal -> Swe ] Position: A Mos, A Vie F Bal Centers 3: Moscow, Warsaw, Vienna Turkey: ------- Orders: A Bul -> Rum A Sev SA Bul -> Rum A Con -> Bul F Aeg -> Gre F Bla SA Bul -> Rum Builds +2: A Con, A Ank Position: A Rum, A Sev, A Bul, A Con, A Ank F Bla, F Gre Centers 7: Constantinoble, Ankara, Smyrna, Bulgaria, Rumania, Greece, Sevastopol Austria-Hungary: ---------------- Orders: None recieved, GM goofed for the last time and held units, mistake will not happen again! Retreats: A Bud -> Gal A Rum -> Ser Builds -2: A Ser disbanded, F Adr disbanded Position: A Gal Centers 1: Serbia Status: ======= Turkey : 7 Germany : 6 France, Italy, England : 5 Russia : 3 Austria-Hungary : 1 The next deadline is Thursday Nov 26 @ 19:30 GMT. I remind you that GMT is PST - 8 hours or EST - 6 hours. Summer '01 of the game BUSHIDO (BNC number not known) (GM is ronin@cory.berkeley.edu/Sam Parazette) Nothing happened. Fall '01 of the game BUSHIDO (BNC number not known) (GM is ronin@cory.berkeley.edu/Sam Parazette) Not Received. Fall '01 of the game HUGO (BNC number not known) (GM is willis@trwind.ind.trw.com/Willis Marti) Game delayed by Earthquake until next Sunday. This is real funny considering that the game was named after a natural disaster! Winter '00 of the gunboat game VERSAILLES (MNC number not known) (GM is sccs6016@iruccibm.bitnet/Gearoid Casey) Winter 1900 press Please note that in any case where the player's real name appears, I have replaced it with {deleted} - it's a small Email Diplomacy world! Austria to Italy: To quote a familiar source, "...On no account should Italy stab Austria [A Venice - Trieste]. The short-range gains may be all right, but the long-range price is not something Italy would wish to pay." Look west, and you shall be rewarded. But if you must, Venice to Tyrolia would be tolerated. Austria to Turkey: I hold hope that we might someday understand our differences. Perhaps now is the time to begin? The war is certainly in the North... Let us not invite it south! Austria to Russia: Stay out of Galicia, your worries are to the west. Austria to England, France, Germany: What havoc have you brought to our peaceful continent! ========================================================================= Press from Russia's Feudal Weekly: The antiquated and primative government of Russia has committed to a peaceful coexistance with the Austria-Hungarian nation. As was stated by General {deleted}, commander of the southern defence forces," The Secretary of Foreign Policy has directed me remain out of Galicia at all costs, for ever." Also, in a statement by Czar {deleted} earlier in the week," Russia shall value the peace with Germany as long as our two nations continue to remain non-agressive toward one another." These statements have given the European community a look at the road ahead for Russian foreign policy. Reaction to these commitments have been mixed as other nations begin to brace for the eminent conflict. ========================================================================= The King of England has asked me (his humble servant Worsil) to offer his best wishes to all. The King is not a fighting warrior and will only attack in defense of the Island. We seek agression against no one, but will fight to the death to remain free. The peoples of Norway have asked for England's protection during the coming years, and the King has accepted this challenge. "I hope that a mutually agreeable arrangement can be worked out with the Czar of Russia in the area of Scandinavia. Any and all communications from the Czar will be looked upon in a kind light. We certainly understand Mother Russia's desire to safeguard the citizens of St. Petersburg." ========================================================================= The Italian government has invited the 6 other European powers to a summit in Rome to discuss the tensions that have resently developed between various powers. The hope is that a meeting on neutral ground could forestall a more violent confrontation later, should the situation deteriorate. Italy and France have agreed that they will remove all troops from the Piedmont region, in order to enhance the wine production of the area (and consumption in the rest of their countries). Italy, Austria, and Germany have decided to try an unprecedented new strategy for dealing with the Tryolia area, long a source of unrest and sedition for all three great empires. Tryolia has been allowed self-rule on the condition that it raises no army. All three empires have agreed not to attempt to influence the internal govering of the region, as long as the Tyroians keep to themselves and do not try to cause unrest in neighboring territories. External affairs will be handled for Tryolia by a board from all three empires, chaired by the Austrian representative. GM comments: ********************************************************************* Transmitted via scribe code name Video Dienstag/CS107124@YUSOL.BITNET ********************************************************************* Taken from The Watergate Vol.1 Issue 13: The Influence of Switzerland by Don Kellogg In the game of Diplomacy, the country of Switzerland is labelled "impassable," that is, a foreign army may not enter or occupy its territorial space. This upholds the neutrality that Switzerland has maintained through history. The result would be the same as if one ignited his butane cigarette lighter and promptly burned a hole in the middle of the board. This hole in the center of Europe changes the policies of the four countries which border on it: Italy, Austria, France, and Germany. Italy is probably the most influenced by the position of Switzerland for not only is Italy surrounded by four seas, but because of Switzerland in the north, the Italian armies can more east or west, but not straight north. This makes Italy a veritable island, much like England, but she only starts with one fleet and not two. Italy's main concern seems to be the Austrian fleet at Trieste, which is within easy striking distance. France is not to be forgotten, but with Piedmont as a buffer, Italy will hardly be surprised. Though only the the smallest part of Austria's western border is on the Swiss border, the neutrality of Switzerland alters the view that Austria must take. While Austria's initial thrust is southward to pick up the suply centers of Greece and Serbia, she can never fully take her eyes off the Italian army at Venice. By moving the IA Ven-Tyo and IA Rom-Ven, the Italians can place enough leverage against Trieste that a block by the Austrian Army at Vienna would not be enough to keep the Italians out. This places almost an essential agreement for Austria with Germany to help block Italian movements into Tyo or at worst, keep the Germans from supporting the Italians. For the French, Switzerland might easily be called a blessing. IN the first year or two, France can take the comfort of moving her army at Marseilles to Spain and not have to worry about an Italian land invasion. Thus, Switzerland acts as a block or a "fourth army" for France. Unless France totally ignores Marseilles and moves all of his armies northward, Italy cannot capture Marseilles by land attack only, mainly as a result of a lack in tactical advantage. Therefore, Italy must build fleets to lend support to land attacks. However, this can also be blocked as in the following example: IA Spa/S/FA Mar, FA Mar/H/, and FF MAO-W.Med. The Italian fleet in the W Med had tried to cut the support of the French army in Spain; however, by FF MAO-W.Med, the IF W.Med must turn to fight the French, and the odds remained even with a stalemate resulting. This can be very frustrating to the Italians for this strategy can go on for several years. The Italians then must realize the necessity for an Italian-German Alliance to halt the deadlock. The main significance for Germany is that because Italy must spread in two directions, the German player can easily form and Italian-German Alliance in either direction. Against the French, the Italian could easily need an alliance to break the stalemate, and against the Austrians the support of a German army in Munich for IA Ven-Tyo might be needed, and the Italians would be happy with even a neutral Germany. Germany might need to break a stalemate against the French herself. For example: GA Pic-Par and GA Bur/S/GA Pic-Par. By placing FA Par-Pic and FA Gas-Bur, this can effectively block German advancement without the addition of a German fleet in the English Channel, which would surely make England uneasy. If no other country comes to Germany's and Italy's aid, it could conceivably be a long time before the French defense would break. If Switzerland were nonexistent, a German or Italian army could move in and add the extra support to break the French camel's back. Thus the placement of Switzerland in central Europe affects four of the seven powers. To the Germans and Austrians, it is a nuisance never to be totally disregarded, for the Italians Switzerland is a boulder in a flowing stream forcing the waters to part in two directions, and for the French, it is a "fourth army" which can be utilized in preventing the flow of foreign invasion. Taken from The Watergate Vol.1 Issue 8: How Austria-Hungary Can Dominate The World (Or at Least Survive to the End of the Game) By Bruce Wachtler Austria-Hungary enjoys the worst reputation of any country on the Diplomacy mapboard. The reasons for this are her large borders, and the fact that she is surrounded by Italy, Russia, and Germany right on her borders, and Turkey, on the other side of the Balkans. The following is some advice that will give Austria a fighting chance to survive the game, and possibly even reach that nirvana of first or second place. The Balkans are very important to Austria. Therefore before any moves even occur, Austria should try to set up one or more of the following: 1) An alliance with Italy against Turkey 2) An alliance with Russia against Turkey 3) A Russo-Turkish War 4) German neutrality As you can see from the above, it is my opinion that Turkey poses the greatest threat to Austria. The reason for this is simple: once Turkey gets in the Balkans it is virtually impossible to drive her out. Imagine Austria's problems if Turkey has, let's say, an army in Serbia, a fleet in Albania, and an army in Rumania. Even if the Austrians have a unit in Budapest, Trieste, and Vienna, Turkey will have Austria guessing as to her intentions. Therefore you can see that if Turkey has the Balkans, Austria is dead. Now to get back to the objectives I set up for Austria above ... Objective #1 means that in the first year an Italian fleet should be in the Ionian Sea ready to go to the Aegean Sea, Eastern Mediterranean, or support Austria in Greece. In return for such help, when a combined attack against Turkey occurs (Austria attacking in the Balkans, Italy convoying into Turkey), Italy should get all of Turkey and possibly Greece. This may be followed up by an attack on Russia. Objective #2 requires that Russia be in the Black Sea. If Russia gets into the Black Sea, then Turkey is as good as finished. In this option, Russia gets all of Turkey. If you get worried about Russian power, an army in Galicia with another army in Rumania or Budapest is a fair amount of protection. Objective #3 is hard to work out as any intelligent Russian or Turkish player knows that a Russo-Turkish war (at least at the start of the game) gets neither player anywhere. If these two players are inexperienced, however, a war for even a few turns can leave Austria alone long enough to make some gains in the Balkans. Objective #4 allows Austria to concentrate in the south without fear of attack from the north. This is the easiest of the four objectives to accomplish as Germany has plenty of other fronts to worry about. Later in the game, this can be turned into an alliance against Russia. As far as some general hints go, here are a few. In 1901 get Serbia and Greece as this will give you a good foothold in the Balkans. An army in Galicia and/or Tyrolia is very good in defense and can be useful in attacks. If attacked by Turkey allied with Italy, appeal to France for help. If attacked by Turkey allied with Russia, appeal to Germany and/or England for help. If attacked by Turkey, Russia, and Italy, find a nice funeral parlor in Vienna and purchase a coffin as there is no help for you in that situation. All the aforementioned suggestions may not win the game for you when you play Austria, but they're a hell of a lot better than being wiped out in the first few game-years. ************************************************************************** Remember that the more that you guys type in, the more articles that I can print! ************************************************************************** I am enjoying moderating this zine, keep that mail coming! Eric Klien Up