RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe)

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/7/2010 3:50:31 PM

Q-Ball

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Mynok

Why Chittagong? Why not south India? Surely all his Burma refugees are in eastern India, while south India looks ripe for the picking.

Back from long weekend out, and thinking strategy:
This is a good question. And in fact, speaks to the "what next" after Ceylon.

First, what do I accomplish with JUST Ceylon? In the short-term, I destroy several allied units (or at least the combat capability of those units, assuming Dan lifts out cadres. I have a major base athwart the supply line between India and Australia. I can't really use the shipyard, though, as long as the Allies occupy Madras.

In the longer-term, Ceylon is impossible to defend. The best I can do it use it to attrite the Allies Air through 1942, then maybe it's a speedbump after that. But committing significant forces there would be a mistake, because it could just be bypassed.

So, a landing on India is a must-do follow-on. But where?

I have troops prepped for Diamond Harbor and Chittagong, and other troops prepped for Calcutta, but nothing else. I have 6 divisions on Ceylon, however, that will be free to prep for whatever, once I have that operation complete. So, here is the plan:

1. Load up 3-4 divisions that are prepped for NE India and land them there, at Chittagong and Diamond Harbor. I will do that as soon as the Ceylon empties return to Singapore. I estimate a landing approx. April 15.
2. By April 15th, I should have Ceylon cleared; divert all the transports I just used to Ceylon, and prep those units for targets around BOMBAY. Yes, BOMBAY. I need to research the right landing points, but if I am invading NE India, I expect them to be lightly defended.
3. How will the Allies react? Either:
A) The NE India landing will mean the Allied troops pile into NE India.
B) Once I land at Bombay, they will probably pile OUT of NE India.

I still, in the end, don't think I have enough to clear all of India; it's a daunting task in AE, and against a competent opponent, I think pretty much impossible. But we will see how far we push it.

Combat Report, March 12, 1942:

CEYLON: 1 Regt and a Tank Regt unloaded at a lightly defended Koggla; they should take the base tommorow. The troops there are already moving elsewhere. Mostly I am taking this, so the units at Trincomalee and Colombo don't retreat to Koggla, but surrender instead.

A Tank Regt reached Domulla, and should clear it tommorow. 2 more Regts are headed for Jaffna, and will unload shortly, giving me probably enough to push over Trincomalee. At this point, I can probably attack Colombo, as Dan will start pulling fragments, if he hasn't already.

The 18th UK Division will take forever to rebuild anyway.

Air Attacks: The RAF attacked Jaffna again; this time there were fewer planes, since we shot down a bunch the other day. 20 RAF planes did not return, mostly Blenheims. The damage to Jaffna was minimal; it's 28% to Level 2. I lost 2 Zeros to OPS losses.

The Fleet: I have a TF of BBs that is replenishing magazines at Port Blair. Part of KB is going to risk a refuel-torpedo restock at Jaffna, where I have AOs and AKEs docked.

Still no sign of the Allied Fleet; I have no idea where anyone is. Dan might be moving USN CVs to this part of the world now, or he might be planning a counter-operation elsewhere.

Defending the Perimeter: So, what can Dan do while I am engaged at Ceylon?

First, he has to prep units prior to landing, so it would be at least May 1 before I would see a diversionary landing elsewhere IMO.

Where would he go? The candidates:

1. KURILES: I feel OK here; I am building Shikuka and Para Jima. I don't have much in the way of ground troops, but a landing here triggers a pile of new units in the Home Islands. If Dan lands here, I would consider it an opportunity.
2. MARSHALLS: I don't have the troops to really defend all of the Marshalls, just a handful of Nav Gd. That will have to do, that and the Betty base at Kwaj; I am counting on NETTY/ZERO to keep the Allies honest.
3. SOLOMONS: We can't really stop an Allied landing here. I have Air HQ at Port Moresby and soon at Rabaul, so New Guinea is relatively safe via Air Fleets, but the lower Solomons are pretty much defenseless on the ground.

I do have a strong Fleet at Rabaul, centered around the 2 NAGATOS, and a collection of cruisers. At this point, the Allies don't have an answer for the NAGATOS, so I would initially rely on surface forces here to repel the Allies.

4. DEI: I have pretty good coverage via air in this area, and alot of troops flowing through Singapore.

In the long-run, I consider SUMATRA to be the #1 danger zone. A landing there would close the Malacca Strait and be a total disaster, stranding all my troops in India. For this reason, Sumatra will receive Priority #1 in terms of defenses. It also happens to be where all the OIL is anyway.

Defensive Resources: I hate thinking defensively right now, but I have to watch my rear and have a plan. What is back there in case I run into trouble?

4th FLEET at RABAUL: 2 BBs, 6 CAs, 4 CLs, and supporting DDs.
22nd and 23rd Air Flotillas: 4 x Betty Units (Truk and Rabaul), plus 2 x Zero and 2 x Oscar (which can escort Betties). I also have some IJA Bombers assets.
IJA RESERVES: My ground reserves outside of the SRA consist of 2 x Regts, 1 Tank Regt, and about 2-3 Nav Gd units. Pretty thin, in other words. They are all at Truk, with sufficient transport to lift them to trouble.

Once I am established on Ceylon, I will have freedom of action with the rest of the fleet. Right now I am tethered to protecting transports, but once Jaffna supports torp-carrying Betties, I can breath more easily.

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/7/2010 4:15:37 PM

veji1

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isn't the risk of doing a two divided invasions that he manages to stall you in one place while he crushes you in the other ? and by that date most of the Burma army is probably back in India, or almost there anyway.... If i were you I would try to steamroll him in one area of your choice with your 10 divs stack... His airforce isn't much of a danger at this stage if your fleets stay together. If I were you I would land as many forces as possible in one of the ports west of Calcutta and go from there, but dividing your troops is a recipe for disaster I fear.

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/7/2010 4:24:40 PM

JohnDillworth

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10 divisions in India is formidable. If the 18th British is reduced at Ceylon the only other high quality stuff the allies have is the Australian divisions. If all of them are in India they can make problems but 10 Japanese divisions is something the Allies can not stand up to right now. Particularly if reinforcements become restricted at Aden. The sheer size of India make it hard to cover everything but if you were just to roll around India destroying stuff CR is going to have a very tough time stopping you.

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/7/2010 4:35:28 PM

Grfin Zeppelin

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India is huge and I fear 10 Divisions are not enough. Maybe for initial landings.But one brings reinforcments soon or it will be a stall very quick.

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/7/2010 5:01:02 PM

veji1

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10 divs is a big hammer, if the blow is efficiently dealt, you can inflict great distress at the beginning, but once the defense solidifies, having retreated and reorganised, it gets a lot more difficult... What is the goal here ? from a strategic point of view I see 2 objectives :
- Destroy troops (for points and to hinder the british capability to counterattack in Burma early)
- Provide a buffer for Burma and the DEI for at least 1943, which means controlling one way or the other east india and the Bay of Bengal.

How do you achieve this is the question... I don't think you can do that by going for Bombay and Chittagong... one of your attacks is bound to get bogged down and with the distance separating them, they can't support each other... If you went for two places you would have to go for a dominant axis, with say 8 or 9 divs, and a small one acting as a diversion.

If I was your opponent I would have garrisoned heavily Chittagong and Diamond Harbour (and/or Calcutta) in the east and have Karachi well covered as well, the rest of the forces would be in a position to move quickly to a threatened area or out the way..

How many troops can you estimate he has in India (starting troops + reinforcements historically sent to Singapore or Burma + Burma army) and where do you think he would put it ?

These are the key questions. Put yourself in his shoes before deciding on your offensive.

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/7/2010 6:21:32 PM

Q-Ball

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RE: Divided Forces; a landing of 5 divisions each at Bombay or NE India, he does not have the strength to crush it. He has 2-4 divisions of decent quality (the Burma refugees, 2 Aussie Divisions, and 1 Indian Div), and more divisions that are not combat capable at the moment (all the new Indian Divisions are VERY low morale and capability; in fact, the best Indian Bdes are ALSO on Ceylon). So, he does not have the strength to beat me down at the moment.

Combat Report, Mar 12, 1942:

Koggla: This base falls instantly to attack; the defenders, about 1500-2000 infantry, surrender.

The Regt. that landed here is now moving to Colombo

Domulla: This base also falls; the Indian Inf Bn, plus two small base forces, surrender. These forces are moving on Trincomalee.

I am surprised those units all surrendered instead of retreating. It's not a big deal, except that Dan may now decide Ceylon won't hold and start pulling troops. To watch this, I am LRCAP-ing both main bases, and will start to attack if he is withdrawing via air, which I would bet he is.

Strange Report: My Intel Screen reported 9 Hurri A2A losses, yet I had no air combat this turn. I hope that's not a sync bug. I have asked Dan what he sees. I may be they were on the ground at Domulla or something when it fell.

Allied Fleet: The I-124 spotted an Allied BB, plus a strong escort, at Karachi, where she was laying mines. This is probably the Royal Navy.

Attachment (1)

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/8/2010 5:32:17 PM

Q-Ball

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Combat Report, Mar 13-15, 1942:

A quiet couple days, though several things are brewing on the horizon.....

Ceylon: Reinforcements have reached Trincomallee, and we begin attacking tommorow. Jaffna is now size-2, so we can also support bombers there now.

It will probably take until the end of March at least to clear Ceylon, but we are in process for sure.

Chittagong: We are beginning to plan a landing at Chittagong, to start the NE India campaign.

I have 1 1/2 divisions already prepped. Though this is not enough to take NE India, it is enough to gain a foothold, to be kicked wide-open by reinforcements from Ceylon and Java.

KB: I am no longer tethered to Ceylon, so I am moving KB up the coast to at least threaten Karachi, and maybe delay reinforcements. According to my excellent Kempetai Intelligence (and my ability to load up the Allied side), the 2nd UK Division appears shortly at Aden, and no doubt this unit is ticketed for Karachi and India. Maybe I can make Dan think twice on that dash to Karachi.

KB did find DD ISAAC SWEERS and severely damage (maybe sink) it off Trivandrum. A very curious spot for a single DD, except the same INTEL CHECk shows that unit appeared at Colombo today; inconveniently for Dan!

Luzon: Nothing to report here, other than troop movements. We bomb Bataan everyday (where I seem to get more supply hits than bombing Clark), and I have reduced the covering force to a mish-mash of Garrison Bdes and other units. The 4th Division is withdrawing, and being sent to India.

I am dying to know what Dan's supply situation is there, but no way of knowing until the AA guns go silent, at which point I know the answer is ZERO.

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/8/2010 5:42:25 PM

Alfred

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Q-Ball,

Back in classical WITP, a co-ordinated paradrop and sea landing onthe same turn, effectively reduced the defenders AV. If you have any paras available (you wouldn't have to even drop an entire para unit, just a few squads would suffice), dropping them on Chittagong simultaneously with your sea landing might pay off handsomely.

Alfred

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/8/2010 5:48:12 PM

John 3rd

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Hey Sir. I have been reading both AARs with great interest and find this highly entertaining to read you two side-by-side. Imagine many readers could have said the same thing in Dan and I's long-running AAR over in WitP.

What ARE your plans in the Kuriles? Are simply going to build them up or will you grab some of western Aleutians?

With all the work I've done with Reluctant Admiral I am not sure of the changes within Scenario Two. Questions:

1. Do you get additional CVs and, if so, when and what?
2. What are the major aircraft changes? You are in mid-to-late March so you have to be thinking Tony/Tojo. Do they come in at a different time? What about Zero variants?
3. I know that, unlike RA, you get a TON of starting supply and fuel. What is your state there right now?

Sorry for stupid questions if you've answered these already!

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/8/2010 5:58:27 PM

JohnDillworth

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quote:

Hey Sir. I have been reading both AARs with great interest and find this highly entertaining to read you two side-by-side. Imagine many readers could have said the same thing in Dan and I's long-running AAR over in WitP.

I too enjoy reading both sides of this. Unfourtunetly, I don't trust myself not to say anything stupid so I have to refrain from commenting most of the time (my wife says my brain has no on-deck circle, I just get up there, open my mouth, and start swinging for the fences). Keep up the good work. This is the first full tilt invasion of India I have seen and it is certainly providing food for thought. I submit India is a heavy lift in scenario #1, but with 2 there seems to be some possibilities. No chance of a Russian winter here so CR should have his hands full!

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/8/2010 6:33:45 PM

Q-Ball

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quote:

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Hey Sir. I have been reading both AARs with great interest and find this highly entertaining to read you two side-by-side. Imagine many readers could have said the same thing in Dan and I's long-running AAR over in WitP.

What ARE your plans in the Kuriles? Are simply going to build them up or will you grab some of western Aleutians?

With all the work I've done with Reluctant Admiral I am not sure of the changes within Scenario Two. Questions:

1. Do you get additional CVs and, if so, when and what?
2. What are the major aircraft changes? You are in mid-to-late March so you have to be thinking Tony/Tojo. Do they come in at a different time? What about Zero variants?
3. I know that, unlike RA, you get a TON of starting supply and fuel. What is your state there right now?

Sorry for stupid questions if you've answered these already!

KURILES: I am building Para Jima, and started work on Onnek-Jima, whatever that island is. I have converted both bases to General Defense (R), so I have reserve airpower nearby. I also plan to airlift out an Air HQ to Para Jima, to allow for torps. I will send some Nav Gd, but don't plan a huge ground commit at this point.

RE: Scen 2 Differences:

1. CVs: You don't really get anything extra in CVs, except a) the SHINANO is now a TAIHO-class, so worth building, but still WAY out there, and b) the CVEs have organic airgroups, which is useful. But there are no extra flattops.
2. AIRCRAFT: Some availability dates are moved up; Tojo is 6/42, Jill and Judy come a few months early, etc. The At-start pool had more planes in it, and there are a few more air units available. There is more IJN air in particular.
3. FUEL/SUPPLY: There is a big difference in Fuel, and the economy in general. It seems there are more Resources available, and FUEL all over the place. As a result, I am expanding HI, something I have not done in Scen 1 much.

To JohnDillworth's point, I do have some extra LCUs available as well in Scenario 2 that make India possible, though probably still tough. But you get about another Army (3 Divisions) available the first few months, and lots of extra goodies like an extra Tank Bde, Base Forces, etc.

BTW, I suggested Scenario 1 to Dan, and he preferred #2. I was dubious as I am a stickler for history, but I must say I like it. It allows the Japanese player to really press the Allied more, and though it's not historically realistic, it gives a better overall game. There is no doubt the Japanese have more "Depth" in this scenario.

< Message edited by Q-Ball -- 9/8/2010 8:41:15 PM >

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/8/2010 6:41:48 PM

KenchiSulla

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Have you thought about the garrison requirements in India? Do we even know req. for the japanese?

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/8/2010 6:47:32 PM

Alfred

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Cannonfodder

Have you thought about the garrison requirements in India? Do we even know req. for the japanese?

See my post #139.

Alfred

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/8/2010 6:48:56 PM

KenchiSulla

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Just saw it, missed it on the scan through... so sorry! I am curious about the outcome

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/8/2010 8:39:39 PM

Q-Ball

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Alfred

quote:

ORIGINAL: Cannonfodder

Have you thought about the garrison requirements in India? Do we even know req. for the japanese?

See my post #139.

Alfred

Yeah, it's 3380, which is a HUGE number. Too big that I agree with your assessment on that post Alfred: Even if the Japanese take India, they are completely hamstrung with that garrison requirement.

That 3380, plus the fact that the Allies get something like 5 good divisions if I approach Karachi, means that even in Scen 2, a conquest of India is just about impossible.

So, why am I attempting it you ask?

Well, a few reasons:

1. It hasn't been attempted before in an AAR, so why not
2. It was either that or Australia
3. There should be some long-term benefit from grinding down the British, who do have limitations in replacements, vs. grinding down the US which is a bottomless pit of replacements. It will be helpful to protect my flank in SE Asia againts a massive British land invasion, which is very possible (see Dan's game vs. Miller)
4. It's only a game, so what the hell.....

There aren't alot of good options against an experienced opponent, so we have to make-do.

In the end, I don't think I'm attempting a conquest of ALL India. I anticipate stalling or getting stopped at some point short of the "magic line" that activates all those goodies for the Allies, but I hope at that point I have a good chunk of India, have inflicted alot of casualties on the Brits, and maybe have Auto-Victory.

PS, I have noticed that Dan's AAR is blowing up these days, with alot of comments

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/8/2010 9:17:25 PM

Q-Ball

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Alfred

Q-Ball,

Back in classical WITP, a co-ordinated paradrop and sea landing onthe same turn, effectively reduced the defenders AV. If you have any paras available (you wouldn't have to even drop an entire para unit, just a few squads would suffice), dropping them on Chittagong simultaneously with your sea landing might pay off handsomely.

Alfred

I did not know this....REALLY? Is this still true in AE?

That's good to know. YES, I have paras at Mandalay; I planned to drop them on Dot bases in NE India. I will use them if this works....

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/8/2010 9:56:39 PM

Nemo121

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Yes, if you drop paras on the enemy on the same turn as you attack it should halve base AV ( which should halve adjusted AV ) and makes assaults which would be impossible suddenly successful. Some people find it an exploit though. I tend not to use it BUT it was the way things worked in WiTP and should still work in AE.

As to Ceylon... I think that this is going to be the speedbump which makes the invasion of India impractical. I really think you'd have been better to bypass if you were seriously going for India proper. It is a side effort which is not absolutely essential to the capture of mainland India and which takes time which will allow the defenders in India to be boosted in terms of strength and preparation.

What efforts are you making to utterly prevent reinforcements from Aden and Capetown while the battle for Ceylon rages? Right now whatever reinforcements are in either place won't be being sent to Oz, they'll all be heading for India. Are you going to prevent their entry into the region over the next fortnight while Ceylon ties your troops up?

< Message edited by Nemo121 -- 9/8/2010 9:57:50 PM >

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/8/2010 9:57:35 PM

BrucePowers

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Evil Smile. I like it..............

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/8/2010 10:18:03 PM

witpqs

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I think the para thing is OK if you drop a unit (or attempt to, sometimes transports are interdicted). Of course if it's a huge battle maybe you should drop a big para unit or multiple small ones.

It's an exploit if you just use a few squads to get the effect.

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/8/2010 11:09:17 PM

Q-Ball

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Nemo121
As to Ceylon... I think that this is going to be the speedbump which makes the invasion of India impractical. I really think you'd have been better to bypass if you were seriously going for India proper. It is a side effort which is not absolutely essential to the capture of mainland India and which takes time which will allow the defenders in India to be boosted in terms of strength and preparation.

What efforts are you making to utterly prevent reinforcements from Aden and Capetown while the battle for Ceylon rages? Right now whatever reinforcements are in either place won't be being sent to Oz, they'll all be heading for India. Are you going to prevent their entry into the region over the next fortnight while Ceylon ties your troops up?

I don't disagree that Ceylon takes away from the impact of a whole India invasion. But I don't think taking all of India was ever practical; though I thought of it, it's not really my goal. My goal is to attrite the British, and sieze enough territory to possibly get Auto-Victory; NE India might do it.

The reason I don't think taking India is practical:

1. The garrison requirement of 3380 AV is extreme, and right there will use up more and more divisions the deeper I get

2. Once I approach Karachi, the Allies get about 2000 quality AV in instant reinforcements, some of them on the continent.

So, the Allies gain 2000 AV while I lose 3380 AV....that's bad math.

In order to absolutely prevent the reinforcement of India, I would need to occupy an airbase close to Karachi....which triggers the 2000 AV Allied reinforcement, thereby negating any benefit I would gain by isolating Karachi. Not to mention that isolating Karachi by air is dicey; convoys can enter from off-map and unload quickly, and that assumes your Bettys launch in a nice neat package, which you can't count on 100%. Even if you do hit the transports, as long as a good chunk of troops unload, you don't win that battle.

The only way to for sure keep Karachi closed without triggering a massive Allied Army is to park Combined Fleet off Karachi. That would work, but also create mucho problems elsewhere, not to mention exposing those ships to attack from the Allied Fleet eventually.

I am sending KB up the coast to threaten Karachi, but this has to be more of a raid than a real long-term attempt; I am just hoping to buy a few days.

So, to attain my primary goals of A) Attrition of the British, and B) Securing points for possible auto-victory, Ceylon does fit. There is nowhere to retreat, so although Dan will undoubtedly take out cadres to rebuild, I should destroy the equivalent of 2 good divisions in the process (the 18th UK, plus 2-3 quality Indian Bdes, and other odds and ends), not to mention the 100+ RAF planes I have shot down for minimal loss.

Against a good opponent, there are not a ton of great options. Australia presents many of the same problems as India, save for the garrison requirements are smaller, but you are more likely to bump into the US Army there, which is why I chose India.

PS on the PARAS: I agree that sounds like a cheap exploit. I won't be doing that. Not unless I want Dan doing the same thing to me later on, which I don't. What's good for the goose as they say.....

For the same reason I am not doing "Cheap" PP buys using the 25% exploit and flooding troops into India, just buying "The Old Fashioned Way". Even so, I almost have enough PP to buy another Division from Manchukuo or Home Islands. (I have already bought the 1st Div, and 52nd)

< Message edited by Q-Ball -- 9/8/2010 11:12:24 PM >

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RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/8/2010 11:19:02 PM

crsutton

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I might add that as an Allied player it is virtually impossible to take Northern OZ back via the overland route if Japan keeps a strong force there. The supply will just not flow. One of the patches did this. So, in scen #2 N. Oz can be held much longer than in scen 1. I suppose that is pretty much the whole idea of scen #2

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Post #: 171

RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/8/2010 11:19:26 PM

JohnDillworth

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From here it looks like Bombay does not trigger the re-enforcements. Is that within sweep range of Karachi? you can go 2 ways supress Karachi from the air and guard the exit chutes with surface forces. Or keep the KB based at Bombay. Split it (yes, split it)and keep 1/2 it within striking distance of the exit chutes. Block all re-enforcements and go for the auto victory. Also, line every hex from the chute to Karachi with subs and have good search.

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Post #: 172

RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/8/2010 11:37:01 PM

Nemo121

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Well, why garrison? You only need garrisons if you want to preserve the LOCs and means of production.

Personally I would suggest that preserving one LOC to Karachi and allowing the other cities to all lose their means of supply is the optimum solution. Why?
1. It allows you to supply the drive to Karachi.
2. It avoids tieing down many IJA troops in meaningless garrisons and thus preserves the strength of your main drive.
3. Since the recapture of India is impossible to avoid you might as well focus on letting the Allies recapture an empty husk which has no supply production and which thus necessitates the committment of more of their AKs to hauling supplies and making an overland attack into Burma even less promising than ever.

So, why commit those garrison troops? Only a small fraction are actually essential. Perhaps it would be better to simply garrison the Calcutta region so as to gain some HI benefits from India but leave the rest of the country ( except for one inland supply route to Karachi ) to whither away and die in terms of HI, LI and resources. If necessary a temporary garrison of the port nearest Karachi could allow 150,000 tons to be brought in there once Karachi was besieged, enough to take Karachi and then a additional supply drops could be made to coastal bases to allow their defences to build up. Inland regions can be left whither.

Certainly that was my analysis of the most effective means of utilising troops during the invasion of India.

As to closing Karachi... If you are committing 10+ divisions then you shouldn't be chary of committing KB. India is a strategically vital objective. As such it warrants the committment of your primary strategic decider - KB. IMO you have got to commit fully to this sort of thing or don't do it at all. Right now I think it is time for you to begin thinking about parking KB off Karachi with some elements at Ceylon to oppose raiding of your SLOCs/ allow shuttle replenishment etc.

That's just my take of course.

< Message edited by Nemo121 -- 9/8/2010 11:39:57 PM >

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Post #: 173

RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/9/2010 12:11:46 AM

Mistmatz

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If the idea is to conquer all of India to achieve autovictory he has to garrison. Otherwise he would loose VPs every turn for ungarrisoned bases messing up the 4:1 quota.

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Post #: 174

RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/9/2010 12:29:03 AM

Nemo121

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Indeed... Sorry, I don't think about autovictory conditions. Others do, of course, justifiably differ. That;s just my personal preference.

So, yes, that changes the equation a bit. Thanks for reminding me of that. Best to disregard my non-garrisoning plan then.

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Post #: 175

RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/9/2010 4:47:10 AM

Q-Ball

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'Tis a problem, isn't it, on how to get Auto-victory, and get the Allies? This is why I think it's harder to play Japan. And I've played both.

Combat Report, Mar 16-17, 1942:

Ceylon: At Trincomalee, back to back attacks dropped the forts to 1, both attacks at 1-1 odds. I am shock attacking tommorow to hopefully topple the place; if that doesn't work, I have more troops coming up, so should be able to clear it in a couple more days.

My first attack on Colombo was 1-1, and dropped the forts to 3; we need to wait a bit before another attack however.

We should have Ceylon cleared relatively soon though with those results.

Soerbaya: Soerbaya, and the remnants of the KNIL, fell on the 16th. All units surrendered.

That took a little longer than anticipated; then again, I was only using 1 division plus a few odds and ends, so if I wanted it sooner, I would have used more.

These units are all now either a) prepping for India, or b) the most banged-up ones are resting, and will constitue a strategic reserve in case Dan tries something in the DEI.

With the fall of Soerbaya, 78 Allied aircraft were destroyed on the ground; that was a little surprising, particularly since the flying boats could have flown to Menado or Dili, the last Dutch bases with any kind of support. But they didn't; they just died. So much for the Dutch airforce.

So, the SRA is completely conquered.

Australia: I pulled the single unit off Palm Island; with India underway, no sense attempting to sell Dan anymore on an Australian adventure. I do still occupy Cooktown, but the unit there is scheduled to withdraw in 60 days anyway, so no harm, no foul.

Troops are approaching Daly Waters; I have kicked the Aussies down south. I am having trouble drawing supplies, though, from Darwin; I think this is courtesy of the latest patches, seems to cut both ways, though that hurts the Allies more. That's OK.

China: I should pay more attention to China, but for the most part, I have halted operations there. Dan basically ceded control of any clear terrain and outlying cities I wanted and fled to high-ground, where I don't really have the strength to kick him out. Looks like we are both settling into a stalemate, for now there.

I am scraping up enough troops to attack Nanning in the south, but other than that, I am positioning troops and building trenches to build a defense line against the Chinese.

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Post #: 176

RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/9/2010 4:48:11 AM

Alfred

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

PS on the PARAS: I agree that sounds like a cheap exploit. I won't be doing that. Not unless I want Dan doing the same thing to me later on, which I don't. What's good for the goose as they say.....

For the same reason I am not doing "Cheap" PP buys using the 25% exploit and flooding troops into India, just buying "The Old Fashioned Way". Even so, I almost have enough PP to buy another Division from Manchukuo or Home Islands. (I have already bought the 1st Div, and 52nd)

In his previous games, your opponent has demonstrated a great willingness to use paradrops (think of 50th Indian in CBI in particular). I would therefore strongly urge you to get him to agree to a HR to prevent paradopping simultaneously with sealanding attack.

Same also re "cheap" buys. When you want to achieve a MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction) environment, it is best to establish the agreed parameters in advance rather than stumbling into a potentional Cuban Missile crisis. It would be a shame if you so restricted yourself now only to find out later that your opponent, for whatever reason, did not demonstrate the same self control.

Alfred

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Post #: 177

RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/9/2010 4:57:40 AM

witpqs

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Q-Ball,

My comment was meant to convey that IMO para drops can be used in a gamey way, not that combined sea+para ops are always gamey. IMO sea+para are fine unless done in a gamey way.

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Post #: 178

RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/9/2010 5:19:08 AM

Alfred

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball

'Tis a problem, isn't it, on how to get Auto-victory, and get the Allies? This is why I think it's harder to play Japan. And I've played both...

...China: I should pay more attention to China, but for the most part, I have halted operations there. Dan basically ceded control of any clear terrain and outlying cities I wanted and fled to high-ground, where I don't really have the strength to kick him out. Looks like we are both settling into a stalemate, for now there.

I am scraping up enough troops to attack Nanning in the south, but other than that, I am positioning troops and building trenches to build a defense line against the Chinese.

Shameless plug for my earlier posts #84 (re VPs in India) and #110 (re China)

There are a lot of VPs which can be garnered by destroying Chinese army units. IMHO as you are trying to achieve an Auto Victory, it is wrong to halt operations in China. A single thrust against Nanning alone is probably insufficient to place enough pressure to crack open the Allied position.

I would be looking at creating the conditions leading to breaking the Chinese position in the summer. That entails maneouvering now to find weak spots and turning positions but above all creating a consumption of supply through the autumn to spring period to result in Chinese starvation come summer.

Alfred

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Post #: 179

RE: Illinois Yankee in Showa Court (Q-Ball v Canoe) - 9/9/2010 6:36:46 AM

witpqs

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Allied supply IS the big deal in China.

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