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RE: One Weird Battle - 10/12/2010 9:50:41 PM

Canoerebel

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We're still too early in the campaign to know exactly what's going to happen - how far Brad will come and with how much; how much force the Allies will have to defend with, where the Allies will make a stand, what the supply situation will be like, and whether either or both sides will have carriers present.

Thus I really can't foresee the ultimate outcome of this campaign yet. I am not overly worried yet, mostly because the Japanese have a long way to go, the Allies have reinforcmeents coming, and the calendar keeps flipping over day by day. I'll be sweating profusely, though, if the Japanese have 15 divisions advancing on Karachi with the KB posted offshore. At a minimum, I think we are at least two months away from the Japanese being in a position to move in force on NW India.

I'm not even sure that a complete Japanese victory in India will assure auto victory, but I'm operating on the assumption that it will.

I will fight for NW India. I will commit my carriers to that fight. And I can use any Japanese advance to my later advantage as long as I hold Karachi. The Allies are actively using this interval to position forces, supplies, and fuel in peparation for the offensives that should be able to use the Japanese involvement in India to advantage.

That's why I'm not sweating yet - this will all become an important part of the utlimate Allied plan as long as I don't lose all of India.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 10/13/2010 5:26:27 AM

John 3rd

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My opinion is that India is safe. It is a fool's quest to try to push past THE LINE and trigger all those reinforcements...

Look to the Aleutians, a renewed Australia push, or thrust towards Hawaii (Midway, Johnston, Line Islands).

My .02

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RE: One Weird Battle - 10/13/2010 6:08:32 AM

Cribtop

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I tend to agree with John 3rd. I still think Brad's major objective is to make the road to Tokyo as long as possible, particularly through the oft-used AFB roads of the Burma front and the Darwin-Timor axis into the DEI. In the case of the latter, he may be fighting the last patch's war, but it made sense at the time.

There is also the cool factor of being the first JFB to take a major run at India, but I don't see him going past The Line. That said, India is clearly his main effort for the moment, and he doesn't have many toys to send elsewhere as long as he is focused on the subcontinent.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 10/13/2010 1:14:23 PM

Mike Solli

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quote:

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

My opinion is that India is safe. It is a fool's quest to try to push past THE LINE and trigger all those reinforcements...

Look to the Aleutians, a renewed Australia push, or thrust towards Hawaii (Midway, Johnston, Line Islands).

My .02

What kind of reinforcements are you talking about? (I really pay little attention to the Allied side of things.)

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RE: One Weird Battle - 10/13/2010 1:22:50 PM

Canoerebel

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Mike, a Japanese incursion into NW India - crossing the line of hexes one hex south of Delhi - triggers all kinds of reinforcements including a Pakastani brigade at Karachi, additional reinforcements that arrive at Capetown, British aircraft including Spitfires, and a host of squads and equipment that will be used to flesh out the understrength Indian units already on the map. These reinforcements are detailed at length earlier in my AAR, but you'd have to scroll back four or five pages.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 10/13/2010 1:46:15 PM

Mike Solli

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I was aware of the "line" but didn't know what you got. I'll find it. Thanks.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 10/13/2010 3:31:25 PM

paullus99

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Even in Scenario #2 - that's got to be the majority of his experienced infantry force. I assume that means that he's got to be short-handed everywhere else. What does he have committed to Australia? It can't be full divisions, perhaps a bunch of regiments?

Are you thinking about going on the offensive there? To put some additional pressure on him?

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Post #: 577

RE: One Weird Battle - 10/13/2010 3:46:06 PM

Canoerebel

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The only IJA divisions that I'm seeing are in India and China. Elsewhere he's using smaller units. Of course, this reduces the threat to well-garrisoned Allied outposts, though I can't discount the possibility that Brad may have the odd division or two at his disposal there.

I don't have any present plans to go on the offensive in Oz, simply because doing so would require an amphibious operation, because supplying an army overland through Alice Springs does not appear possible. But if I mount an amphibious operation, it won't be in Australia. I have other things in mind, but I won't delve into them now for OpSec reasons. I'll leave it at this: my long-range plan has remained the same since day one, and Brad's moves have increased the viability of that plan, I believe.

In addition to the long-range plan that I'm trying to keep quiet, the Allies are engaging in some visible buildups that I hope will create some pressure in Brad's mind. The main effort is in NoPac, but I'm also doing a few things around Oz.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 10/13/2010 4:18:35 PM

Mike Solli

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

I have other things in mind, but I won't delve into them now for OpSec reasons.

What?! You don't trust us?!

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RE: One Weird Battle - 10/13/2010 4:28:06 PM

JohnDillworth

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quote:

because supplying an army overland through Alice Springs does not appear possible

A thought. As Burma and India are, shall we say, in dispose, you probably don't have anyplace to base your transport planes to supply China. Perhaps moving them all to Australia might allow you to run a Stalingrad style air supply campaign? It would be slow, but once you get a base you should be able to supply a limited number of troops by air. And hey, C-47's are a lot better then Ju-52's

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RE: One Weird Battle - 10/13/2010 4:46:26 PM

Chickenboy

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It takes some time and effort for the IJ to stabilize the defensive front of the Marianas. They start out with pretty pathetic defenses and most IJ players will remove initial infantry commitments after taking Guam, leaving this an open target.

An early two division assault (Marines, Americal) onto Guam and Tinian would likely take one or both if not well defended. If held, this would be a masterstroke and a dagger held at the throat of the home islands.

Think big-there's some nice opportunities available CR-if Q-ball goes for broke on the Western edge of the map. I suspect that's what you're thinking anyways, but didn't want to tell us for OpSec purposes.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 10/13/2010 5:08:01 PM

Canoerebel

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As he concentrates his forces in India, I'm sure Brad is pondering all of the possibilities for an Allied "master stroke" somewhere in the Pacific. I'm doing my best to feed the "paranoia" by building up NoPac. I want to keep him looking there (and it's even possible that someday I will try to overwhelm him there). I'm also doing a little bit around Oz.

Given enough time, I will ratchet up the appearance of threat in several areas in hopes that I can mislead Brad.

I do have one particular target in mind, though, so all of my efforts are going toward that. This has been my plan since the beginning of the game, so even back in December of 1941 my deployments and logistics were done with this plan in mind. Brad may out think me, or I may get unlucky and find his carriers posted nearby, so my plan isn't a slam dunk by any means. Moreover, I'd much rather move in 1943 than in '42, but we'll see if I can afford the luxury of waiting. Brad's offensive in India may force me to move more quickly than I'd like to.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 10/13/2010 5:10:38 PM

Mike Solli

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

It takes some time and effort for the IJ to stabilize the defensive front of the Marianas. They start out with pretty pathetic defenses and most IJ players will remove initial infantry commitments after taking Guam, leaving this an open target.

An early two division assault (Marines, Americal) onto Guam and Tinian would likely take one or both if not well defended. If held, this would be a masterstroke and a dagger held at the throat of the home islands.

Think big-there's some nice opportunities available CR-if Q-ball goes for broke on the Western edge of the map. I suspect that's what you're thinking anyways, but didn't want to tell us for OpSec purposes.

The problem I see with this strategy would be to support such a venture. If he has substantial LBA in the area (difficult to do with the state and capacity of the airfields there), he could cause damage to the invasion fleet on the way in (and also to the invasion forces). Should the islands be taken, they have to be supported for a long term. That would be difficult, IMHO. Without supporting bases along the way, the ships would run the gauntlet every time they sailed, and it would only get tougher.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 10/13/2010 5:29:50 PM

Chickenboy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

quote:

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

It takes some time and effort for the IJ to stabilize the defensive front of the Marianas. They start out with pretty pathetic defenses and most IJ players will remove initial infantry commitments after taking Guam, leaving this an open target.

An early two division assault (Marines, Americal) onto Guam and Tinian would likely take one or both if not well defended. If held, this would be a masterstroke and a dagger held at the throat of the home islands.

Think big-there's some nice opportunities available CR-if Q-ball goes for broke on the Western edge of the map. I suspect that's what you're thinking anyways, but didn't want to tell us for OpSec purposes.

The problem I see with this strategy would be to support such a venture. If he has substantial LBA in the area (difficult to do with the state and capacity of the airfields there), he could cause damage to the invasion fleet on the way in (and also to the invasion forces). Should the islands be taken, they have to be supported for a long term. That would be difficult, IMHO. Without supporting bases along the way, the ships would run the gauntlet every time they sailed, and it would only get tougher.

OK, so you (eventually) retake Wake and maybe Marcus to buttress. Both are small islands, IIRC. Both could be easily overrun, so as to make long-term holding of either indefensible for either player. Unless either or both are turned into Nettie central, convoys from Midway and Pearl (while escorted) should be OK.

Either way, it forces Q-ball to commit the fleet. If CR knew that the fleet was off supporting Karachi, this would give him a week or so to get things done in the Marianas before the IJN arrived. The Allies can unload a lot of supply, CD units, infantry and support in a week. They can dig quickly and fortify substantially within a month.

The Marianas wouldn't trigger HI reinforcements, unlike CR's previous foray into Paramushiro and Onikatan Jima, so Q-ball would have to identify potent LCUs that could immediately (and without preparation) be brought into the fray. The IJ amphibious bonus is no more, so there would be a major catastrophe for any troops 100% unprepped. All of those free IJA divisions are 1500 miles West, prepping for some place in India, I would venture.

Risky, yes. Feasible-absolutely.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 10/13/2010 6:12:40 PM

JohnDillworth

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The Mariana's aren't worth much in this game. The air fields are far smaller than they were historically (Tinian, level 4, even though hundreds of B-29's were based there and it was the largest airfield in the world in 1945 including anything in western Europe), and even if they were not the un-natural number of Japanese fighters vs the very accurate number of B-29's make them of little use for strategic bombing. Maybe useful as a naval base but not much else.
It seems most players have figured out that the DEI route is the way to go in this game.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 10/13/2010 6:43:47 PM

Chickenboy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: JohnDillworth

The Mariana's aren't worth much in this game. The air fields are far smaller than they were historically (Tinian, level 4, even though hundreds of B-29's were based there and it was the largest airfield in the world in 1945 including anything in western Europe), and even if they were not the un-natural number of Japanese fighters vs the very accurate number of B-29's make them of little use for strategic bombing. Maybe useful as a naval base but not much else.
It seems most players have figured out that the DEI route is the way to go in this game.

John,

The feasiblity of the DEI route has changed dramatically with patches that reflect reality for supply movement in N. Australia. Without the cloudcuckooland trail supply that previously existed, N. Australia is much tougher to hold and much tougher to use as Allied springboard into the DEI.

Tinian can be expanded to level 7. IIRC, the other Marianas can be that size or larger. IJ players would be foolish to disregard this threat to their S. Pacific LOC, threat to the Philippines or direct threat against the home islands.

I respectfully disagree with your assessment of the importance of the Marianas. It's a critical piece of real estate, same as it ever was.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 10/13/2010 6:58:33 PM

Canoerebel

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5/28/42 to 5/30/42

Lots of good suggestions, guys, thanks.

India: I got snagged by an oddity. One of my Aussie brigades was 44 miles towards moving to the next hex. An IJA unit entered the hex and the Aussie unit reset to zero miles. (The unit was in "move" not "strategic mode.") This creates the potential for having the unit isolated and destroyed, so that's troubling. I'll see what I can do about it. Also, two reinforcing non-combat units arrived at at Madras, even though the city is a death trap surrounded by Japanese units. So those two units - an engineer and an HQ - are essentially toast. Oh well, unexpectedly bad things happen in war. I do hope, though, that Brad will act reasonably in taking Madras so that this boondoggle doesn't repeat itself. Several infantry and armor units are set to arrive there in the coming months and I'd rather not have them appear magically in an isolated hex. On a positive note, a new Indian brigade just arrived in a base near Delhi.

Political Points: One of the most interesting and challenging aspects of the game right now is the allocation of precious political points. With increasing Japanese activity in NoPac, I am very anxious to bolster my garrisons, especially at Attu and Adak Islands. Maintining a strong position and the appearance of a mounting threat is critical to my plans, so losing my forward positions would be devastating to me. I have severl restricted Canadian units at Prince Rupert prepping for those bases. I really, really want to buy them and move them forward. However, I am even more anxious to buy 27th Division, at San Diego, and transport it to Capetown (and possibly thence to Karachi). This unit costs 1971 PP, and I have accumulated 1889. I will stick to the plan, buy 27th, and then begin buying the Canadian units as soon thereafter as possible.

NoPac: 5th Marine CD just arrived at San Diego. She'll prep for Attu, move to Seattle, and thence board transport for the front. The two SeaBee units deployed to Dutch Harbor and Umnak Island arrived safely.

CenPac: The SeaBee unit bound for Midway begins unloading there tomorrow. I will exceed the garrison limit a bit, so I'll pull out a fragment of the unit. Another SeaBee unit unloaded safely at French Frigate Shoals. The fifth, and final, SeaBee unit is aboard transports that will make the dangerous run to Canton Island, arriving in about a week.

SoPac: I've divided the transports carrying 6th Marines to Suva. The lead element should arrive in two or three days. Further out, transports carrying an Army battlion and an artillery unit should be ready to make the run to the island wiithin a week. These are my final reinforcements for Fiji for the near and medium term, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Australia: 32nd Division and the last RCT of 40th Division have safely arrived at Adelaide. This makes three U,S, divisions (40, 41, and 32) in Oz. I don't think Brad is aware of their presence, which is an important security item. Once 27th Divison arrives at Capetown, that will add a fourth division to the Indian Ocean theater.

Sub Wars: I-20 got an empty xAK near Pago Pago.

Intel and OpSec: There has been some discussion of Japanese auto-victory in a thread in the War Room. I didn't get a single shred of useful info from the posts until Brad chastised ckammp for posting. That alerted me to the fact that Brad considered ckammp's thoughts potentially useful to me. Brad also made a comment something to the effect that I didn't know his plan. While that's true as to the specifics, I have received so much useful SigInt over the past few months that I think I have a good idea as to what his intentions are. I've detailed much of this SigInt in my AAR. While I don't know if he'll actually push to take all of India - he may intend to and later decide to back off, for instance - I do know that a massive force has been sent here. Some of that force is prepping for Bombay. I haven't received any SigInt of forces prepping for Delhi, Karachi, or Ahmadebad.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 10/13/2010 7:17:29 PM

JohnDillworth

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quote:

Tinian can be expanded to level 7. IIRC, the other Marianas can be that size or larger. IJ players would be foolish to disregard this threat to their S. Pacific LOC, threat to the Philippines or direct threat against the home islands.

I respectfully disagree with your assessment of the importance of the Marianas. It's a critical piece of real estate, same as it ever was.

Opinion noted and respected. I have argued long and hard over Tinian in particular and lost. I know I can go to 7 but I submit to you 7 is not big enough. I am not kidding when I say the largest airfiled in the world was on Tinian in 1945. And there were 2 others besides the largest in the world. Level 7 does not cut it unless every other airfield in the game is knocked down to level 6.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/tinian.htm

Agreed about Northern Australian, although I have had some success running supplies to Darwin by ship. The Marianas can be a pain to the Japanese, but I stand by my point that the a-historical number of fighters the Japanese player has makes extended range strategic bombing not really worth the risk. Good staging area perhaps. It might be interseting to see an AAR of a well executed central pacific offensive.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 10/13/2010 7:36:11 PM

crsutton

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

It takes some time and effort for the IJ to stabilize the defensive front of the Marianas. They start out with pretty pathetic defenses and most IJ players will remove initial infantry commitments after taking Guam, leaving this an open target.

An early two division assault (Marines, Americal) onto Guam and Tinian would likely take one or both if not well defended. If held, this would be a masterstroke and a dagger held at the throat of the home islands.

Think big-there's some nice opportunities available CR-if Q-ball goes for broke on the Western edge of the map. I suspect that's what you're thinking anyways, but didn't want to tell us for OpSec purposes.

You just have to be carefull in scen #2. If KB is kept intact and not squandered, a Japanese counteroffensive anywhere on the map is viable until mid 1943-especially if you try to snatch land that is in range of decent Japanese land airbases. Japanese LBA superiority is pretty much absolute until well into 1943 due to the abililty to produce amazing amounts of air frames. And KB is well equipped to handle the Allied big six and a handful of CVEs-really until Essex and Victorious arrive. Assuming you (Allied) have not lost any carriers.

Canoe is right in that you have to slam Japan in a big way in some unexpected area by mid 43 in order to force Japan to react and dilute its advantages, but it is not going to be easy vs a top notch player. The big question is what is the time for Qball to call it off in India and look to his flanks. Scen #2 allows some more leeway than #1. But none of us have seen a big push into India like this, so who knows. If QBall is able to pull of AV then as I said in another post, in the future any Allied agreement to play scen #2 should be accompanied by an agreement that there will be no auto victory.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 10/13/2010 7:41:44 PM

Panther Bait

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Regarding the Marianas, it also begs the question of what would you do with them in late 1942 or early 1943? You don't have B-29s yet, or anything else with the range to bomb the HI or interdict supplies from the DEI reliably. It would be a mistake for the IJ player to react rashly to a Mariana invasion in 1942, IMHO. Interdict resupply/reinforcement with the KB/Saipan and isolate initially, then prep troops when you can to take them back eventually. And if the Allied player builds nice shiny airfields for you in the meantime, call it a bonus.

Mike

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RE: One Weird Battle - 10/14/2010 5:35:49 AM

John 3rd

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

I have other things in mind, but I won't delve into them now for OpSec reasons.

What?! You don't trust us?!

I have NEVER said that Dan was stupid!

Playing his cards close to the vest has been an entertaining opportunity to ponder what he plans to do. For what it is worth, I wrote down my official 'guess' about a month ago.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 10/14/2010 8:11:07 AM

JeffroK

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I'll put 2 bob on replicating Flintlock and Catchpole

Except I found the islands irritatingly small.

It provides enough of a position that japan has to react but if you clear the islands behind you (cant remember if you still hold Wake?) to provide a reasonable LOC to PH.

Except you have 3 Army Divs at Glenelg Beach!!

Comment about OPSEC, I would like to see little except cheering by those posting on both threads, I had a look at QBall's AAR about 2 mths back, and knowing both sides could

work out a few little facts. Unless you have amazingly brilliant pieces of

strategy like mine, how about sitting back and cheer the TWO protagonist

s from the sidelines!

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RE: One Weird Battle - 10/14/2010 4:55:43 PM

Canoerebel

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5/31/42 to 6/2/42

India: I have two pressing needs at the moment - an Aussie brigade serving as a rearguard got clobbered. I think she's free now, so that problem may be resolved. The second need is to get 20th Indian Division out of southern India. I may have to send her to occupy urban Bangalore, and from there extract part of the unit by air transport. The Japanese are present in force in India, but at the moment they are mainly rattling around the southern end (10th, 52nd, 1st, 6th Guards, Imperial Guards, and perhaps 12th divisions), plus trying to isolate and destroy the troops retreating from Calcutta (using 4th Guards, 4th, 54th, 18th, 38th, 2nd, and 21st). 48th is out there somewhere too, plus another division or two. At this point I can't identify a concerted vector of attack towards Bombay or Delhi, but I have pickets posted along interior roads and trails.

Allied Reinforcements: I withdrew a bunch of short-timer aircraft squadrons to bolster my political points, and then on the 30th bought 27th Division and a restricted Canadia unit. These were immediately ordered to board transports, 27th bound for Capetown via Balboa, and the Canadians bound for Attu or Adak. I was fortunate that I acted when I did, because I forgot that about 10 zillion ships were set to auto-upgrade the next day. So now half my ships are in the yards for a couple of weeks.

NoPac: Transports carrying an artillery unit were escorted to Attu by a stout Allied combat TF. Upon arrival on the 2nd, the combat ships duked it out with an IJN sub. This gave Brad an eyeful of good American combat ships - something he's seen very rarely in the game and never in NoPac. This adds another element to the appearance of "seriousness" that I'm trying to create in NoPac. To my knowledge, Brad doesn't know the location of a single USA Army division. Since most of his divisions are currently tied up in India, I would think he has to at least consider the possibility of: "What happens if Dan loads up a huge amphibious TF with six divisions and lands them on Sikhalin Island and the Kuriles in the autumn of '42?" If all his infantry is in India, the prospect of such a move on my part should encourage him to keep the KB handy as that would be his only method to stop such a move. I want him to think that way. In turn, that forces me to keep the whereabouts of the American divisions and the Allied carriers top secret.

CenPac: The SeaBee unit landed at Midway. With 6,200 troops, I'm a little over the garrison limit, but I'm going to see if that has a radical impact on supplies before I withdraw anything. I hope the SeaBee will facilitate construction of forts (currently three) and the port (building from level one).

SoPac: A goodly part of 6th Marines have landed at Suva, with one more AP heading that way. In about two days, ships carrying an Army battalion and a field artillery regiment will arrive. If I can get those guys ashore without incident, I'm through reinforcing Fiji. Both Nadi and Suva will have something like 275-300 AV, so it would take a two division invasion by the Japanese, and I just don't think Brad has very many spare divisions at the moment.

SWPac: Pretty quiet at the moment.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 10/14/2010 8:27:52 PM

Capt. Harlock

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quote:

Since most of his divisions are currently tied up in India, I would think he has to at least consider the possibility of: "What happens if Dan loads up a huge amphibious TF with six divisions and lands them on Sikhalin Island and the Kuriles in the autumn of '42?" If all his infantry is in India, the prospect of such a move on my part should encourage him to keep the KB handy as that would be his only method to stop such a move.

It seems to me that landing in winter would be even more of a problem, since the KB would not be reliably able to interfere. (And would be exposed to greater risk.)

Did Dan see any of your transports, or just the combat TF?

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Post #: 594

RE: One Weird Battle - 10/14/2010 9:03:43 PM

Canoerebel

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From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
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Well, I'm Dan, so I did see my transports as well as the combat TF.

Opposed landings in Arctic winter conditions are a no-no. Your troops come ashore in pathetic shape, completely disrupted, meaning that they can be held off by an enemy perhaps 1/10th the size.

So Brad will recognize that any peril to NoPac is absent for four months once we reach November 1. So, if I'm going to use NoPac as a big, bad, diversion, I have two likely windows: autumn (September and October of this year) and then again in spring (beginning March 1).

I would much prefer to go with Spring '43, but if I'm threatened by auto-victory in India, I may have to move as soon as autumn of '42.

P.S. Unopposed landings in the Arctic during winter can be very effective, because you seize the base and your opponent can't counterattack until winter ends. I did this in a WitP PBEM game to very great effect. But Brad is going to have his NoPac bases garrisoned by autumn of this year, and the KB in place to thwart me (I hope).

(in reply to Capt. Harlock)

Post #: 595

RE: One Weird Battle - 10/15/2010 2:21:10 AM

princep01

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From: Texas
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Canoe, would it be possible to get a map of India posted showing where the units of the respective sides are? It would be helpful to follow the flow of the campaign underway there.

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 596

RE: One Weird Battle - 10/15/2010 11:00:48 PM

Canoerebel

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6/3/42 to 6/8/42

India: The Allies continue to retreat in good order in northern India, but one of my Indian divisons has been cut off in southern India. I'm trying to find a route to escape. If I fail in that, I'll find a city, hole up, and try to air evacuate a cadre.

India Strategic: I cannot yet tell whether Brad is coming full bore or not. I think good arguments could be made on his behalf either way (striving for the knockout punch or, instead, withdrawing in good order so that he doesn't get caught with most of his army at the far edge of the map). Were he intent on coming full bore, I think he would make a more concerted effort to choke off the Aden/Abadan to Karachi supply pipeline. I also think he would pay more attention to the island off Italian East Africa. Were he to take that island, I would no longer be able to feed reinforcements from Capetown to the Middle East (for goodness sakes, folks, please don't mention that to Brad; he's probably considered it, but I don't want to reiinforce any notions he might have).

India Reinforcements: With Madras in Japanese hands, reinforcements bound for that city switched over to Aden. In the coming 30 days, a British division arrives at Aden. 27th Army Division is on transports making for the Panama Canal (ETA Capetown four weeks). Marine artillery and tank units are on transports making for Capetown (ETA two weeks). Two Marine regiments are on transports heading to Capetown (ETA four weeks). These units will go to Karachi if, when they reach Capetown, it looks like India is at risk. If, on the other hand, it then appears that Brad won't press for the entire subcontinent, then these troops (plus the Brit division going to Aden) will be positioned in Capetown for future use.

NoPac: Japanese subs picked off an xAK and ACM Barracuda at Attu Island. I don't want to lose the ships, but this continues the appearance of a an Allied buildup here, which I very much want to perpetuate. Most of the artillery unit made it ashore at Attu. A Canadian unit (Rocky Mountain Brigade) and 5th Marine CD are aboard transports heading for Attu. Once they arrive, I think the only remaining troops that will go to the Aleutians will be Canadians and "surplus" support units mean to give the appearance of a massive Allied build up.

CenPac: The SeaBee unit arrived safely at Canton Island. I do not foresee any further Allied reinforcement activity in CenPac at this point. Midway has about 175 AV. Canton has 75 AV. I doubt Brad would ever try for Christmas, Palmyra, etc. The next possible action would be an invasion of Baker Island. I have about 300 AV prepped or prepping at San Diego, but no D-Date in mind at the moment.

SoPac: All reinforcements arrive safely at Suva, much to my surprise. A sub did hit an AP, but damage was minor and the TF later departed without further incident. This gives Suva about 400 AV. Nadi has about 200 AV. That's good enough. Brad hasn't taken Funafuti Island, yet. Just in case he continues to delay, I have a Marine regiment prepping at San Diego. Base forces are currently aboard transports heading for Savaii and Wallis Islands.

SWPac: Lord Howe Island airfield just went to level one (I hope Brad noticed). The Allies are about to set up a fuel convoy system - Los Angeles to Tahiti, and Tahiti to Hobart, Tasmania. I intend to make Tasmania a big fuel dump. If Tahiti to Hobart is too far, I'll use another interim base in New Zealand. Brad is busy building a massive airbase at Corunna Downs (north of Perth). I really, really want him to fear an Allied move from Perth up the coast or towards Timor, so I like what he's doing.

(in reply to princep01)

Post #: 597

RE: One Weird Battle - 10/16/2010 12:01:15 AM

Canoerebel

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6/9/42

SigInt: Received one of the best signals intercepts I've ever seen - that CV Kaga is moving to hex 22, 53 (a point between Colombo and Addu Atoll). I had no idea where the KB was - I would have given even money that it was in NoPac, the Celebes, or Truk. I'm not sure why it's heading to 22,53, but I'm sending a few subs to that hex.

India: Kaga and KB may be providing cover for an invasion of Diego Garcia.

NoPac: I-27 got a supply xAK near Adak Island. Several subs are operating in this region now, so even supply convoys will require escort. Fortunately, Brad waited too late (I think) to pay attention to the Aleutians. I've had months of peace and quiet to get my defenses organized.

SoPac: A sub hit empty AP J. Franklin Bell with three TT on her way out of Suva, despite the presence of a DD escort. I do not like losing troop transports as I'm going to need a zillion of them eventually. Here, too, the heavy lifting is done - all troops destined for Suva are now present and accounted for.

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 598

RE: One Weird Battle - 10/16/2010 12:13:38 AM

Bullwinkle58

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

SoPac: A sub hit empty AP J. Franklin Bell with three TT on her way out of Suva, despite the presence of a DD escort. I do not like losing troop transports as I'm going to need a zillion of them eventually.

There are a zillion pre-war xAKs that can convert to xAPs about now in your game. I think most are about 8-12 days pierside; no need for shipyards as I recall. I did far more than I did in the first game. The Liberty/Victory ships carry the ball on supplies in 1944-45, and you never have enough xAPs to haul the huge troop formations in those years.

< Message edited by Bullwinkle58 -- 10/16/2010 12:14:16 AM >

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Post #: 599

RE: One Weird Battle - 10/16/2010 12:33:19 AM

RUDOLF

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Joined: 4/29/2010
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quote:

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

My opinion is that India is safe. It is a fool's quest to try to push past THE LINE and trigger all those reinforcements...
My .02

Oh really?
I did it in my prev game. All of India mine at 3/43!

Btw. Moved out 11 div from Mansuria and China via units like 2nd Air Div by mid 1942!
(Cost very few PP when moving internally, and then at end moving the air hq to SRA, .. No its not Gamy, its WAD they said)

< Message edited by RUDOLF -- 10/16/2010 12:34:00 AM >

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(in reply to John 3rd)

Post #: 600