German Naval and Air forces attacked the British fleet blocking the Baltic yesterday. 2 Bombers, supported a heavy cruiser group and U Boats which made straight for the home fleet. Losses on both sides are heavy.

"The British fleet, which included many transports was Sunk, the Hood exploded on the surface after receiving a salvo from the Bismark."

The US 'Independent' New Agency confirms the following losses

British
Battleship HMS Hood
Cruiser group
2 Convoy class vessels

German

2 Submarines
1 Cruiser

Poland

This morning confused reports were received from the Polish Government appealing for aid in the wake of the latest Nazi Aggression.

Brave little Poland was attacked by the Germans, and following boarder skirmishes during the night, German forces crossed the border at dawn attacking Plock and Modlin in the North, between Kolisz & Kruezberg and also Katowice in the South. Poland's field armies are now engaged along the whole front! The Polish Premier last night declared "NO Surrender!....We Shall Avenge our French Brothers In Arms".

POLAND FALLS

Poland has now fallen, German forces over running the Poles but with heavy casualties. German casualties were 5 counters in all and in line with recommendations about splitting loses fairly accross attacking troops (and defenders). I am going to count this as 3 infantry counters and 2 armour counters in total. This includes any losses suffered during the earlier table-top battles. Polish losses are of course total, and Western Poland now falls under German Occupation.

RULE CHANGE

We are halving all points values from now on for infantry, armour and guns but they will still cost the same in IPC's, its just a scaling thing.

I am dropping the air interception rule from the options, but navy's may still attempt to intercept fleets leaving there territories.

The German submarine menace is to be increased in line with a suggestion that for each German sub on the high seas in the North/South Atlantic, North Sea areas 1d6 worth of IPC production is wiped off the Anglo/American lend lease (at the end of Germany's turn). There is a slight change for the allies in that its Anglo/American and not just British so the Americans can, if they want to, pay Britians loses. This is to reflect American convoys and equipment going to the Bottom. Likewise any lendlease between America or Britain and Russia is similarly affected.

This indeed comes as grave news to the British People in the aftermath of the sinking of "The Hood" and and the heavy loses in the Baltic.

BRITISH AND ITALIAN

British forces took action in the Mediterranean, the Italians lost 1 battleship, 1 cruiser, 1 submarine, and 1 transport. The British lost 1 Cruiser, 1 fighter and 1 bomber.

Other British actions saw the Eastern Canadian fleet move to the North Sea, having launched its fighter to attack the shipping (1 German transport sunk ) in the Baltic (and to land back on the carrier as this has reached the North Sea ).

The British Maldives fleet to moved to India, pick up 2 infantry and attacked Italian East Africa. A Fighter lands in Egypt. The Sudan was also successfully attacked by 2 infantry and an Armour from Egypt.

JAPANESE FIRST TURN

The Japanese first turn:

Japan invades eastern China. Japanese losses are 7 infantry and 2 armour. Chinese losses are 18-19 infantry, 1 ftr, 1 artillery and 2 AA guns.

Only 2 infantry lost in the first assault--most lost on the assault on Shensi and Kwangsi North and South China.

Japan purchases 5 infantry and a transport and gains 4 territories worth 10 points.

Japanese fleets off Philippines, Malaya, Japan, Kwangtung. There is also a sub lurking off the Carolines.

Italian-German Turn (Sept 40-Feb 41)