Slitherine

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

An invasion of New Zealand would be a gift beyond measure.  New Zealand is about as strategically important as the Solomon Islands, but the release of troops would be most welcome in Oz or India.

I'm not saying there's no way to make trouble for the Allies.  There certainly are, and Oz is a prime candidate (as we all know).  But my suspicion is that having the KB loiter around New Zealand will not prove a productive use of that asset in hindsight.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

An invasion of New Zealand would be a gift beyond measure.  New Zealand is about as strategically important as the Solomon Islands, but the release of troops would be most welcome in Oz or India.

I'm not saying there's no way to make trouble for the Allies.  There certainly are, and Oz is a prime candidate (as we all know).  But my suspicion is that having the KB loiter around New Zealand will not prove a productive use of that asset in hindsight.

quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Yes, most of the land and air units that come in as emergency reinforcements come in at Aden and a few at Cape Town. I think CR indicated he would want to use them in India/Ceylon anyway, so he doesn't have to haul them far.

quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

An invasion of New Zealand would be a gift beyond measure.  New Zealand is about as strategically important as the Solomon Islands, but the release of troops would be most welcome in Oz or India.

I'm not saying there's no way to make trouble for the Allies.  There certainly are, and Oz is a prime candidate (as we all know).  But my suspicion is that having the KB loiter around New Zealand will not prove a productive use of that asset in hindsight.

Back when he reconned Newcastle, it struck me that this fits with recent discussion in other AARs that one should take Australia by an early invasion of the southeast. Before the reinforcements so triggered can be brought in, KB can be in the Indian Ocean hunting troop convoys. Oz has no aircarft to speak of and the militia units are neither well-trained nor well equipped. A well supplied IJA landing could roll up the country in short order. Singapore and the Philippines would go on the back burner, as would the Solomons and New Guinea, to provide the troops and ships needed.

quote:

ORIGINAL: princep01

Or, am I just flat wrong?  Am I about to feel the sting of an incredibly bold and well-thought-out plan?

My guess is no, you shall not feel that sting.

However, as I said a couple of pages back when the New Zealand thing begin to emerge, I do believe John is seriously comtemplating an attack on Noumea/New Zealand with the goal of isolating Oz and then attacking it directly.  The Moose immediately ridiculed my comment (for things I did not say, as I made no comment on the vitality of such a move), but I have read comments elsewhere by John indicating that he is enamoured with the deep battle concept that Nemo (may his tribe prosper) used to discuss in these forums.

The move could just be a raid to "do something" with KB while he decides where he is going in Phase 2, or it could be the precursor to a move on the New Caledonia/New Zealand axis.  However, there has been no indication to date of an invasion fleet moving southeastward.  At this point there are no concrete exhibits, but only circumstantial evidence, to bring to the court's attention.  But, you know John's style of play better than most, so, I ask....would a deep battle invasion of New Caledonia/NZ not be a characteristic of his style of play?

Again (Moose), I make no comment on the advisability of the invasion or an attempt to isolate Oz, rather than just invade it if that is one's goal, but I sure would not write off the distinct possibilty that is what John is up to.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Very early in the game the Allies are certainly vulnerable in Oz and India (or any other single point or handful of points on the map).  The Allies can try to contest moves against those points, though at the risk of getting overwhelmed and losing the battle.  The other strategy would be to put pressure on Japan elsewhere.  I think I would do a little of both.  The first part of my plan would be to make noise in NoPac, which should put pressure on any Japanese player, but even moreso John given our history there.  This part of my plan is already underway.  As soon as that region is addressed, I would shift my carriers south to either help work reinforcements into Oz or, if John imposed a tight blockade using the full KB, which I think would be likely, I might try something in Sumatra or Burma using the triggered reinforcements.  (An alternate plan that I would look at carefully would be to tranship the extra troops arriving at Aden and Capetown to Balboa and then invade the Kuriles and vicinity in a major way - not sure this is feasible, but I would look at it very hard).

quote:

ORIGINAL: princep01

What is this, pile on Moose week?
 
Well, perhaps you should take a step back and review your comment to mine.  I, in no way, endorsed John's "deep battle" strategy, if that is, indeed, in the making.  However, your response indicates that I did endorse it.  My observation was was meerly a suggestion as to what he might be up to, given his playing style.  See comment at top of page 9.


You said: "So, he does deep battle against New Zealand on the east and Perth on the west, isolates Oz, and then moves against Oz itself. Maybe...that would seem to be his playing style. All those subs parked off Kiwiland....is he doing the same over at Perth?"

I said: "Style, smyle.

It's freakin' January 1942! So he "isolates" (huh? It's a darn big CONTINENT), Oz. So what? He has a myriad of undone tasks all over the map and the amphib bonus burning up daily. He's putting awnings on the windows while the foundation is leaking like a sieve. CR should ENCOURAGE such adventuring. Get out of his way, let him rampage 4000 miles from his logistics. Go nuts, Japan. Enjoy."

"Style, smyle" had a grinning emoticon. I was prefacing the next lines. IOW, style is nice, but it can't substitute for content, which John's moves on NZ and Oz lack in a strategic sense. Not that he doesn't have a "style", but that it's a bad one if he wants to win. Nothing about your point, which again I happen to agree with. John is often rash and impetuous, liking to run hither and yon and "blow stuff up." But often at the cost of a cohesive plan. At least to this observer.

The second paragraph is all about John. That's who "he" is.

Sorry if I come off as sensitive, but I feel as if my integrity and writing ability was questioned this week in several places on the forum. I try very hard to say what I mean around here.

Sorry, CR.

Be that as it may, I harbor no umbrage toward you and apologize if I gave you pain.  If there was a foul, it was certainly unintentional.  You have seen me in the Forum before and should know that if I intend a foul it is quite clear.  I just want the record straight that I did not endorse the strategy.  It is too early to tell what John is up to and, I rather suspect John may not have made up his mind yet.

On that we agree. He's hanging his laundry out all over the place.

quote:

ORIGINAL: JeffK

Take steps, but tiny ones at the moment and ignore all thoughts about bombing Tokyo for the moment.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel


DEI:  Very interesting development at Singapore.  John's email noted there was a "phantom" shock attack by one of his divisions at Singers - against orders - but that when he opened his file none of his divisions had been damaged.  I am positive he is dissembling here, because the points total for army losses for Japan jumped from 395 to 430.  That could only be explained by the 295 squads destroyed at Singers as shown on the combat replay.  I think John is dissembling in hopes I won't attack his demoralized rabble of an army.  What I think happened is that he meant to order all of his three divisions to attack, but actually only gave orders to Imperial Guards, which got torched.  John's got problems on his hands at Singers, but it's 100% of his own making.  What's he doing trying to take Singers with just three divisions committed?  An a separate note, DEI Branch of the KB is nearing Merak.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Alfred

Reference has been made to "deep battle" and Nemo.

It is a pity that Nemo no longer frequents this forum because if he did, he would quickly point out that the current KB operations off New Zealand is not a "deep battle" operation. From a strategic POV, he would not be complimentary of the overall Japanese play.

Alfred

quote:

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

quote:

ORIGINAL: JeffK

Take steps, but tiny ones at the moment and ignore all thoughts about bombing Tokyo for the moment.

But ... but .... how will we get rid of Ben Affleck then??