Mike Solli
Posts: 15792
Joined: 10/18/2000 From: the flight deck of the Zuikaku Status: offline
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Hi guys. Man, all the questions. First of all, Bruce, I owe you a lengthy message. I'll try and find the time tomorrow. Now on to the questions. Grotius: xAK <--> xAK-t <--> AK delimma: Currently I haven't converted anything to the -t. There really aren't any to spare where I am able to do it. I need to study the different types and see what model I will convert. So far, I've used xAPs to move divisions around, and it's been all Transport TFs for that. My intent is to not use any xAPs for invasions. I've been able to move an entire division using 4-6 xAPs so it may not be necessary, but I'm still going to do an analysis to determine what I should convert to the -t if necessary. I also don't expect to convert many xAKs to AKs. I will probably convert a handful for invasions after Apr 42, but I'm pretty conservative and don't expect to do a lot of invading after late spring 42. When you convert to the AK, you lose capacity. Gotta see if there will be excess capacity after the SRA is liberated. APD Conversion: I'm not convinced we need more APDs. They're great for small unit in or out missions. I'll see what's left over after the invasion phase is complete. I believe we start with 6. To be honest, I haven't analyzed this either. Sending units to places they weren't prepped for: It worked for me initially, but it wasn't against any tough defense. Guam comes to mind. I sent the SNLF prepped for Batan Island there. It fell in one attack. My major units are all committed right now (either in their theater or on the way. The only large unit I can divert easily is the 2 Division, which is north of the Philippines and headed for Malaya. As I capture areas, I'll prep for the next target. I don't plan on having units attack without at least some preparation. The big places will also have a HQ present and prepped. Ideally, I'd like to invade Java with 3 armys, 25, 14 and 16 (north, center and south) if possible, but it'll most likely be just north and center (25 & 16 Armies). At any rate, at the beginning of the game, attacking without prepping worked well, but I see it becoming more important as time moves forward. Ted will have more time to build forts and prep his defense. Chickenboy: Java: When I mention Java, I'm talking about the island proper. I'm going to take Singkawang soon. It has an airfield of 3(6). I'll move the 22 Air Flotilla there to keep the Allied navy at bay. (The 22 Air Flotilla will move to Pt. Blair after the Java operation is concluded.) Then I'll move to Billiton 0(5) and build that up to level 2. Then I'll move to Tobali 0(7) and use it as my main airfield to attack Batavia. When Billiton get's its first airfield level, I'll base Nates there. They'll be used to cover the invasion of Tobali. Tobali will base my Oscars. The reason for this is that Tobali is 5 hexes from Batavia (normal range for an Oscar) while Billiton is 6 hexes (extended range for an Oscar). I'll continue to build up Billiton and base bombers there. I would like to use Palembang 4(4), but it's 7 hexes from Batavia - too far for IJA fighters. About 2/3 of the 3 Air Division will be used for the northern Java operation. (The remainder will be in Burma.) Southern Java: I'll use Bandjermasan 3(3) for fighters from the 21 Air Flotilla. Makassar 3(6) will house their bombers. 5 Air Division will support if the Philippine campaign is over. Otherwise, they'll be in the Philippines. Makassar is 10 hexes from Soerabaja and Bandjermasan is 7 hexes away. Ground forces: Northern Java will get the 25 Army and Central Java will get the 16 Army. I haven't broken down exact forces but here's the general idea. I have the following divisions available: 25 Army - IG, 5, 18, 56 14 Army - 16, 48 (+ the 65 Bde) 16 Army - 38, 2 Southern Area Army - 4, 21 (+21 Mixed Bde) I'm assuming the 14 Army will be tied up in the Philippines. 25 Army will attack in northern Java and 16 Army will attack in central Java. I'll also bring in all the armor, engineers, AA and artillery I can scrape up. Southern Area Army will be used for Timor. Ted'll be expecting me in the north and south. I'll hit the north first. I expect he'll send forces from the center north but keep his southern forces guarding Soerabaja. A few days to a week later, I'll hit the center with 16 Army. Hopefully, I'll be able to cut Java in two and destroy the northern forces then overwhelm the south. One other thing about keeping divisions divided vs. recombining them. I will combine all divisions in Burma. I've read too many AARs where regiments are wiped out very easily. It'll be harder to control but that's my initial though. I still haven't made up my mind about the other divisions. I like the flexibility I currently have.
< Message edited by Mike Solli -- 1/14/2010 4:02:03 AM >
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