Cribtop
Posts: 3890
Joined: 8/10/2008 From: Lone Star Nation Status: offline
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No doubt from the Japanese perspective, the earlier you take it the easier it is to take (no matter what target you're after). Thoughts: - I second the concern re Allied CVs. There are more of them and they like to cruise the SOPAC & SWPAC theaters, sometimes very early. - An early start to the Aleutians could serve as a great diversion in addition to the stated objective of securing the Kuriles from canoe raids. If you're going to the Aleutians, I'd take Adak and possibly Dutch Harbor. No harm in grabbing Kiska while you're at it, but Adak is the key. - I think the Canton - Pago Pago - Suva Op is generally sound, but identify the ENG, BFs, HQs you'll need on day 1 and get them moving to the theater asap (particularly naval support to offload fuel & supplies at small forward bases) - It seems to me the NE Australia Op should be conducted strictly as a raid. Take one base to throw them off kilter, then pull out. - The Allies go where the IJN is not. While the Pago Pago - Suva moves will cause them a headache, their counter, particularly with more CVs than stock, may be a move into the Marshalls, Wake or even Marcus to threaten your flank. Be prepared for this with Netties and reaction forces. Of course, this could create a favorable opportunity for KB plus LBA to smash the Allied CVs if you can get there in time. - More later, have to go for now. Really psyched you guys are discussing the planning as this will allow us new JFBs to learn a lot. - OK, back from dinner. Darwin is a good target, but it seems to be every JFB's favorite target in AE. This is why I like the NE Australia Op, but as a raid. I can envision seizing Cooktown or Cairns, causing panic and re-deployment, then hit Darwin & environs about 2 weeks later. They probably won't pull anything from Darwin in response to NE Australia, but they may get their reserves around Sydney moving in the wrong direction and thus out of position. If Darwin goes well, Perth becomes an option as well. - A feint toward India (say a KB raid on Colombo a la the real war or taking Akyab) may have a similar paralyzing effect on the Allies. - Don't forget that one of the key differences in AE is lack of Allied airframes (although this mod may change that?). They will have more trouble establishing air superiority and the period of parity may extend until late '43 or early '44 if you play it right.
< Message edited by Cribtop -- 2/13/2010 5:35:50 AM >
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