04-22-2003, 03:59 AM
![[Image: 1904October.jpg]](http://home.earthlink.net/~rhydderch/_uimages/1904October.jpg)
France gave an unclear order in stating A Pic-Bel, the GM initially voiding the order on the basis that the unit stated is actually a Fleet, not an Army. I've contested the decision on the basis that Fleet and Army identifiers in a set of orders are irrelevant and serve only as reminders, and the order should have carried.
The French player opted for a third choice that I did not take into account: he abandoned a supported defense of Brest and opted instead to stab east and nab Holland from an already too-much-distracted Germany. So, France loses a Home center but keeps his numbers static.
Austria, on the other hand, is blowing everyone away. In the most supreme act of stupidity thus recorded in this game of mysteries, Turkey's army in the Ukraine held place and did nothing to spare Stevastopol from Austrian conquest. Basic logic should have told the poor retarded bastard to move the only army he had not occupying a Supply Center to move the blasted thing into his exposed northern flank! Austria has 2 Bilds coming, a total of 9, and he's got crumbling or incompetent fodder to use as target practice.
Italy is taking second place to the "What were you thinking!?" department. He, at least, is following some reasonable and viable strategy. His trouble is that he's executing them two moves too late. Here, Slow and Steady do not win the race, because the rabbit's got fangs and the tortoise makes for a nice soup.
Austria's builds are forced: two Armies, raised in Vienna and Budapest. The Vienna one can't do a thing in the short term, but he can easily bolster Austria's northern front come Fall 1905. This spells the end for Warsaw or Munich in terms of German rule. Possibly even both. In any case, Germany's toast, and Austria's supplying the flame. And I'm in poor position to do anything to sway it.
I am, however, sending both armies east to cover my left flank. Hope willing, I can get to Moscow before anyone else brings their full attention (and the two units required to take it) to bear on the last remnant of the Czarist regime.
But most my wagons are rolling west. I'm breaking into the Med in Spring 1905. From there, a grab at Spain or Tunis to bolster my numbers for a second try at the West in 1906.
Political Correctness is the idea that you can foster tolerance in a diverse world through the intolerance of anything that strays from a clinical standard.