Canoerebel
Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002 From: Northwestern Georgia, USA Status: offline
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If memory serves, General Vandergrift at Guadalcanal had written up his final retreat and surrender plan. He entrusted it to one of his officers (Merrill Twining?) on strict pledge of secrecy. I had nearly the full 8th Marine Regiment at Akutan Island, but only detachments of RCT at Makin, Tarawa and Abemama - the total at those three were much less than a division. At Luganville, I had an Australian brigade. Here's my point. I'm playing a "shock and awe" opponent. Not only that, he's the architect of the enhanced mod we are playing. That's what I wanted, so this isn't a complaint, but rather just to give context here. Instead of hunkering down and retiring in Sir Robin fashion, the Allies have parried and thrust here and there. Instead of using my combat ships, I'm using amphibious operations that create redoubts and provoke violent responses by my "shock and awe" opponent. This is exactly what I want, and I think it's a tremendously effective counter strategy. I've lost very little shipping in doing so, but John's lost a heckuva lot of destroyers and aircraft. At the same time I'm provoking and prodding John here and there, I've also done much of heavy lifiting to arrange for defense (early in the game) and to prepare to go on the offensive (when the time comes). I've also created what I think is an efficient attritional theater (Burma/Bay of Bengal). So, yes, I think John has been thoroughly outdone - by his own hyper aggressiveness, lack of good planning (failed amphibious operations), and solid Allied strategy. Am I too modest?
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