Q-Ball
Posts: 7336
Joined: 6/25/2002 From: Chicago, Illinois Status: offline
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Combat Report, April 10, 1943 Next Steps: Nemo, you make some good points, and I agree that any troops on Java can be faced again in the PI. It's a problem. I considered Java only because there are 2 primary Allied objectives in the game: 1, Cut Oil shipments to Japan, and 2, establish strategic bombing bases within range of Japan (meaning big airfields you can supply). Invading Java does nothing, of course, for #2. Taking Java, though, would pretty much accomplish #1. If I occupy Batavia, it's game over in terms of Oil to Japan. An airbase there will be able to interdict Palembang, or support landings at Toboali, Muntok, Billiton, pretty much invading Sumatra isn't even necessary to end all shipment of Oil to Japan, except for the stuff off north Borneo, or whatever flows overland from Burma. If that happens, it's game over within a few months. Japanese industry grinds to a halt. The quickest way to end the game is to take Java, IMO. The Phillipines I think is actually EASIER at this point up to Luzon. There are forces on Mindanao, but Mindanao also has too many points to defend; landings at Zamboanga and Dadjangas would probably not face strong opposition initally, yield large buildable bases, and be fairly easy to defend against counterattack. I would have to probably leave a division in each just in case, maybe less. Once those are taken, the Phillipines Archipelago up to Luzon is completely indefensible on the ground (too many bases to defend, lots of clear terrain too), so getting to the doorstep of Luzon shouldn't be too hard on the GROUND. (Air/Naval opposition being another story, I am more concerned about number of ground troops avaiable). I have not compeltely decided, I need to soon to start my preps. I am going to go for Banjermasin, taking that base would open the possibility of landing on the North Coast of Java. I envision a tactical plan of simultaneous landings at Tjitilap and a base on the north coast to quickly cut the island in two, send a blocking force toward Soerbaya, but send the bulk of my troops to Batavia. The tactical plan in the PI would be landings at Tarakan, Jolo, Dadjangas, Zamboanga, Tawi Tawi, Sandakan, Puerto Princesa, San Jose, etc, probably in about that order in rapid succession. I might go for Java, only because there are alot of AARs that include invasions of the Phillipines, but not many with Java, so it would be kind of new. Ternate: In the meantime, an invasion fleet is steaming toward an empty Ternate, with base troops close behind. I expect only air oppossition, if that. Another fleet is loading for Garontalo; the objective is to isolate Menado and compelte the conquest of Celebes. To keep my Mindinao options open, I am prepping troops for Talaud Is., a nice stepping stone northward. Even if I decide on Java, it will be useful to keep an eye on the area. Eyes in the Sky: See below
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