Hi Players,

Feliz Navidad, Joyeux Noel, Kurisumasu Omedetoo Gozaimasu, and Merry Christmas!

Before we get to the results, I have wondrous news that I'm heralding far and wide this Christmas Eve Eve Eve.  I'm done with my wrapping!  It's a true Christmas miracle!  Usually I'm still wrapping when Santa is coming down the chimney.  But this year, it was early to shop (Amazon, I love you!), early to wrap, and now I'm just cruisin' into the holiday.  No last minute shopping.  Nothing to put together.  Man, it's all egg nog and cookies for me now!

And who will have a Happy Holiday season in Gumball Land?  Let's see:

. The Archduke has just accomplished what Napoleon
never could.  They're now singing Edelweiss in Moscow.  (Well, maybe not, but they're definitely looking oh-so wholesomely cheerful.)

. The Russians, no dummies they, quit the capital just before the Austrians arrived.  Forget this!  Let's enjoy beach season in the Gulf of Bothnia.  Mmmm, baby.  Refreshing!

. Germany (east) runs towards/away from Austria.  Berlin is safe, and the rubber tanks rebound from Galicia.

. Germany (northwest) reestablishes their very threatening posture towards Scotland, but they had better watch their backs now that the Russians are in Scandinavia.

. Germany (low countries) sits there.  Again.  I think those guys are too drunk to move.

. England keeps hold of Scotland for one more season, and keeps her hopes up thanks to the rambunctious Russians.  Still a tough spot, but who knows what will happen with F/G trying to coordinate.  We've
seen that less-than-efficient pairing before,  haven't we?

. France takes Wales (Yea, victory!) but then has to wonder whether leaving London empty was a good idea.

. Things are looking a little dicier in bouillabaisse territory, as the French army in Marseilles is unceremoniously booted out by the eager Italian forces from Piedmont.  This could be tres important, n'est pas, but all is not lost.  Could that new black army in Piedmont be the white knight come to save the day? 

Tune in again next week, folks, when we'll learn the answer to that question and many more. Here... on your 24-hour Gumball Gunboat Diplomacy Channel!


RETREATS:  English army Wales only has one retreat -- to Yorkshire.  If the king would rather disband the army, he has only to tell me so and it will happen.  France, on the other hand, has a choice.  A Marseilles may retreat to Burgundy, Gascony or OTB. 
Pick one and let me know, Monsieur.

NEXT DEADLINE:  The French retreat is due ASAP.  If I don't get it by 8:00 p.m. tomorrow, the army comes off the board!  After that, it seems that everyone was okay with our usual Wednesday deadline.  That means Fall 1917 is due Wednesday, December 29, at 8:00 p.m. EST.

I'll be on vacation next week, hanging around the house, so if everyone gets in early I'll adjudicate early.  Remember, you don't HAVE to wait until the day before.  A couple of you in particular don't have all that much thinking to do (no offense).

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Santa Chris


Orders as resolved.  Check 'em over and speak up if you spot an error.
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Austria:
A Livonia Supports A Warsaw - Moscow
A Sevastopol Supports A Warsaw - Moscow
A Silesia - Galicia (*Bounce*)
A Trieste Supports A Vienna
A
Ukraine - Galicia (*Bounce*)
F Venice Hold
A Vienna Supports A Trieste
A Warsaw - Moscow

England:
A Liverpool - Edinburgh (*Bounce*)
A Wales - Liverpool (*Dislodged*)

France:
F English Channel Supports A London - Wales
A London - Wales
A Marseilles Supports A Tyrolia - Piedmont (*Dislodged*)
F Mid-Atlantic Ocean Supports F Spain(sc)
F Portugal Supports F Spain(sc)
F Spain(sc) Supports A Marseilles (*Cut*)

Germany:
A Belgium Hold
A Bohemia - Galicia (*Bounce*)
A Munich Supports A Prussia - Berlin
F North Atlantic Ocean - Clyde
F Norway - North Sea
F Norwegian Sea - Edinburgh (*Bounce*)
A Prussia - Berlin
A Tyrolia - Piedmont

Italy:
A Armenia Supports A Sevastopol
F Black Sea Supports A Sevastopol - Moscow (*Fails*)
F Gulf of Lyon Supports A Piedmont - Marseilles
F Ionian Sea Hold
F North Africa - Western Mediterranean (*Fails*)
A Piedmont -
Marseilles
F Tyrrhenian Sea Supports F North Africa - Western Mediterranean (*Fails*)
F Western Mediterranean - Spain(sc) (*Fails*)

Russia:
A Moscow - St Petersburg
A St Petersburg - Finland
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