Axis and Allies Turn Five: the Eyes of the World are Upon You

"You are about to embark on the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people march with you." - Dwight D. Eisenhower

At the beginning of the end, the iron curtain advances Westward and retakes Belorussia and the Balkans.

"In Russia it takes more courage to retreat than advance": Soviet forces advance once more

Germany responds by counter-attacking in the Balkans and, fed up with the see-sawing in Belorussia, elects to send its forces into the Ukraine after developing two tanks, two fighters and and infantry unit.

Fight to the last: Germany counter-attacks in the East

The U.K. then sends its infantry and tank from Leningrad to engage a German fighter in Eastern Europe. The fighter takes out the infantry but is in turn shot down by the tank regiment. This brings the territory under British control.
On the other side of the continent, a British transport disembarks an infantry and tank regiment in Western Europe and successfully liberates Paris; thus bringing the Victory City count to eight in the Allies favour. Although this results in a minor victory, conditions aren't checked until the end of the Americans turn.

Victory in Europe: the British liberate Paris

The Japanese then throw all their units from Manchuria into Kwangtung and succeed in bringing Shanghai back under Imperial control.

The United States then moves its transports that have spent the previous turns crossing the Pacific. One ship lands in the East Indies whilst the other lands on Borneo. Both islands are captured which deprives Japan of eight IPC's.
Two American tanks then move out of Sinkiang to try and bring Shanghai back under Allied control. Both tanks roll badly however, and one Japanese tank holds the territory.  

Manifest Destiny: U.S. forces establish island bases in the Pacific

Five turns later, and one year longer than in reality, Nick and Joe decide to capitulate and the game ends in an Allied victory.  

Allied Triumph: The world at the end of turn five

Although the Allies were victorious, there is a clause for an individual winner. This is determined by which nation ends the game with the highest increase in its starting IPC value. Although the Americans ended the game on a staggering fifty IPC's the British, who start on thirty, had increased their total by fourteen making them the individual winner.    

The cost of War: IPC values at the end of the game

The conditions for Peace: Victory City chart at the end of the game

On the whole, a fun gaming session was had by all.  Another game has been planned so it will be interesting to see how strategies change; if at all.

So ends World War II book now for World War III.

John, Supreme Allied Commander.