Upon entering the game Italy’s position was rather bleak being pretty much split in two. My choice was to try and fight my way back to Italy or give it up and consolidate in the east. Russia didn’t seem interested in my continued participation in the game (I would have taken the same position in his place) so moving west would have resulted in my early demise. Unfortunately for Russia his Austrian neighbor was a little more accommodating. “Mr. T” agreed to a leisurely takeover of the Italian mainland and to a non-aggression pact in the Balkans.

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This allowed me to maintain my forces and focus on Russia. The end result was that I was able to drive Russia out of Turkey. Having only one army to work with (hereafter referred to as the “Ever Victorious Army&rdquo the fleet in the Black Sea was key in providing a number of options while also allowing me to move back and forth from Russia to the Balkans as needed. Russia allowed itself to get caught in some bad situations resulting in the destruction of most of his force in Turkey and allowing me to take Sevastopol.



While securing Turkey I kept egging “Mr. T” on to strike at Russia who was over extended in Germany. When Austria made its move against Russia I immediately offered to work with Russia. I figured with Russia and Austria going at it I had a slim chance of making it back home. Unfortunately, Russia was a bit indignant that I had attack Austria without asking his permission (and probably was a little peeved about events in the south) and I found myself trading spaces in the Balkans with Austria.



Without Russian support the writing was on the wall and I again was saved by “Mr. T’s” chivalrous nature and another truce was secured. Having none of the moral fortitude exhibited by “Mr. T” I would again break the truce when it seemed France was on the move. Finally it became apparent that my continued meddling in the game would result in nothing more than either a French or Austrian solo. “Mr. T” again showing his angelic nature of forgiveness and sense of fair play (I do wonder how he has ever survived in a game of Diplomacy) acknowledged that a solo was out of reach and that he would settle for a tie with France and allow me to continue to exist.


--- On Wed, 11/12/08, F Bielschowsky <bielschowsky.f(at)googlemail.com> wrote:

From: F Bielschowsky <bielschowsky.f(at)googlemail.com>
Subject: DC176 - Spring 1915: we have a French - Austrian Draw: afterpost
To: dc176(at)diplomaticcorp.com, "Brian Schoner (DC176 FRA)" <brianschoner(at)bellsouth.net>, "David Ellsworth (DC176 ENG)" <davidellsworth(at)sbcglobal.net>, "Dean Gardiner (DC176 RUS)" <gardinerdean(at)aol.com>, "Former Trout (DC190 South Africa / DC176 Austria / DC195 Argentina / DC201 France)" <former.trout(at)gmail.com>, "Jason K (DC176 RUS)" <githraine(at)yahoo.com>, "Matthew Kelly (DC176 ITA)" <kelly058(at)verizon.net>, "Willie Wonder (DC176 GER)" <willie.everytime.wonder(at)gmail.com>
Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 10:15 PM

I saw that my summary didn't give France the credit it deserves, so I added the following text at the end (see website):

"However, France had also moved far into the Mediterranean and captured Munich from the Austrians. A fight between these two titans could have gone either way."

Frank

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: F Bielschowsky <bielschowsky.f(at)googlemail.com ([email]bielschowsky.f(at)googlemail.com[/email])>
Date: 2008/11/12
Subject: DC176 - Spring 1915: we have a French - Austrian Draw
To: dc176(at)diplomaticcorp.com ([email]dc176(at)diplomaticcorp.com[/email]), "Brian Schoner (DC176 FRA)" <brianschoner(at)bellsouth.net ([email]brianschoner(at)bellsouth.net[/email])>, "David Ellsworth (DC176 ENG)" <davidellsworth(at)sbcglobal.net ([email]davidellsworth(at)sbcglobal.net[/email])>, "Dean Gardiner (DC176 RUS)" <gardinerdean(at)aol.com ([email]gardinerdean(at)aol.com[/email])>, "Former Trout (DC190 South Africa / DC176 Austria / DC195 Argentina / DC201 France)" <former.trout(at)gmail.com ([email]former.trout(at)gmail.com[/email])>, "Jason K (DC176 RUS)" <githraine(at)yahoo.com ([email]githraine(at)yahoo.com[/email])>, "Matthew Kelly (DC176 ITA)" <kelly058(at)verizon.net ([email]kelly058(at)verizon.net[/email])>, "Willie Wonder (DC176 GER)" <willie.everytime.wonder(at)gmail.com ([email]willie.everytime.wonder(at)gmail.com[/email])>
Cc: "Steve Lytton (DC195 Columbia / DC201 Norge)" <stevelytton(at)hotmail.com ([email]stevelytton(at)hotmail.com[/email])>


After several seasons of Rulers with stagefright to engage in a Draw, we now have a YES vote from all remaining Powers.
And thus, after 15 years of war, Europe will know peace again.
And thus the game has ended at the brink of Spring 1915. As shown in the attached picture.

This means that the Draw between France and Austria leaves two other Powers as survivors of the 15 years of fighting: Russia and Italy.
Both driven out of their home territory, they managed to survive. Often the Italian Special Forces left everyone wondering what strategy sat behind their moves: survival, yes, but at times it seemed like only the lack of Home Supply Centers was stopping it from expanding again.

Early on in the game, Spring 1904, after it was heavily beaten by the Italians, Turkey went into Civil Disorder. Germany, was forced out of its Home supply centers in Spring 1906 due to a battering it took from French, English but mainly Russian forces; it managed to escape elimination by moving south and it even went into Spain for one season. But Fall 1908 marked its end. England managed to survive a bit longer but after the demise of Germany, England was next on the list of the French and Russian predators. And by Winter 1907 England had also taken a serious beating. Year after year England had to give up one of its units, until in Winter 1911 it was all over.
In 1909 Austria started its advance north and in the years to follow managed to work its way up until it had driven Russia out of former Germany by Winter 1911 (coincidence that this is linked to the demise of England during this year?). That's also when Italy had taken Sevastopol. To be followed shortly by its capture of Moscow. In Summer 1913 Russia recaptured Moscow but had to give it up again in Fall of that year; that's also when Austria took possession of Warsaw, Moscow, and Sevastopol. And in Spring 1914 Austria forced Russia out of its last home SC. Meanwhile in the last few years France had been creeping up to the borders of the Austrian empire. And although it had broken the Piedmont defense, it didn't seem like it was going to last very long.

My thanks to all the replacements: Trout, in the 2nd season, Matt, in the 13th season, and Jason, only recently in the 24th season, for taking up the abandoned powers of Austria, Italy, and Russia.

Hope to see you all again in one of my games or find you to be one of my allies (rather than foes) in another.
End-of-game statements are encouraged.

Frank