This is a Java applet designed to simulate battle sequences from the board game Axis & Allies. There are two sides fighting each other with armies made of 9 different units. A unit's effectiveness is different for attacking and defending. The interface should be rather simple to figure out - select the unit, type in how many, and then click the appropriate button to either add them to the attacking or defending forces. Select the speed for the battle to take place, and then click the "Battle" button and the battle will begin!
A unit's attacking and defensive strength is measured as a number. This number is what a die roll must be less than or equal to to inflict a casualty on enemy forces. For example, an armor attacks two infantry. The armor's attack strength is 3, so a 3 or less on a die will result in a hit. An infantry's defense strength is 2, so a 2 or less on a die will result in a hit. In the first round, the armor rolls a "2": a hit. The infantry roll two dice and get a "6" and "3", both misses. An infantry is removed as a battle casualty and we proceed to the next round. The armor rolls a "4", a miss. The infantry rolls a "1", a hit. The armor is removed as a battle casualty and the battle is resolved with a win for the defense with one infantry unit remaining. It is possible for a battle to result in a draw.
Each unit has a worth expressed in I.P.C.'s, or points. An infantry is worth 3 points, an armor is worth 5 points, and so on. The point total of each army is displayed in the applet. It is quite possible for an army with a lower point total to come out victorious in a conflict most of the time. Try playing around with numbers somewhat. Hint: infantry are good defenders with 2 defense at a cost of only 3, while armor are good attackers with 3 attack at a cost of only 5.
Anti-aircraft are special units. There can be a maximum of one per territory. An anti-aircraft weapon fires at each airplane in the attacking force, hitting it if the die roll is a "6". At only 5 points, an anti-aircraft weapon is a very effective defensive weapon because it can hit multiple enemy planes per round, each of which costs 12 or 15 points!
Certain units can only shoot at certain other units. Ground units can only hit ground and air units. Sea units can only hit sea and air units (except for the submarine, which can only hit other ships). Air units may hit all three. Anti-aircraft guns shoot at air only. Note: it is not possible for anti-aircraft to die in the battle; it is captured by the attacking forces if they take over. The battle is effectively over when forces on each side can no longer shoot at each other (for example, if only infantry and battleships are remaining). At this point you can press the "Battle" button to halt the battle. Transports have no attacking value and thus serve the sole purpose of being cannon fodder for an attacking force.