Synjin
Posts: 46
Joined: 6/6/2003 Status: offline
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Here's the way I did it, so far it's worked for me (especially my sub use), but I guess I'll find out in the long run. I basically fight a complete rearguard action, and in someplaces, all out retreat. I just want to stall the IJA long enough to evacuate as many US units as I can. I sent about 7 APs and 10 AKs to Manila from nearby DEI islands and disbanded them. I set every unit in the North end to fall back to Clark. I evacuated all other ships except for 1 AS and the PTs. Load any TKs with fuel (I actually brought in a couple from nearby DEI islands) and ship it to some of the DEI bases you'll be using to support your surface tfs (Soerabaja, Tarakan, Balakipena). Remember to keep your evacuation ships to 1-2 ship TFs to avoid big air strikes... you're ships are much harder to detect that way. Since there were soooo many subs, I figured I could have some fun. I took all the subs, set about 2/3rds of them to base in Soerabaja, and with the final 3rd, I set half of them to base back in Pearl, and left the rest based at Manila... The ones I left based in Manila, I used as a subscreen between the northern PI and the IJN, along with a couple along the NE coast of the PI (I also used a couple of the Soerlabaja-based subs in this action). With the subs I based in Pearl, I sent them to screen Guam, Palua, and Tinian islands (use high-endurance subs for this). I took all of the rest of the subs and placed them right along the Chinese coast, ESPECIALLY along the line from Camrahn Bay to Saigon. I didn't double up any hex with subs. This line from Camrahn Bay to Saigon will catch a LOT of transports. So many that after just 2-3 days, you will likely have to replace these subs since they've run out of torpedoes. Working in concert with the Dutch Navy subs, keep this line covered. Now back to the PI, I sent the CA Houston to Tarakan to meet up with some Dutch CL's and the evacuating DD's from Manila. With this TF (12 or so ships) I really put a smack down on the IJN invasions once they started dropping troops off in the South PI, especially around Davao. If you wanted to, you could also swing the Repulse/PoW TF around the southern side of Borneo and have a 2nd TF to play with, but they aren't as fast and might not be as useful. I use all the AKs and APs to evacuate units from the Manila/Bataan/Clark area. As I gain enough PP, I use them to switch the HQ to SWPAC. I've since evacuated both Warhawk FGs, the B-17 sq in in the south (which I actually sent to SE Asia). I've also gotten out both Tank, both Artillery units, and the 4th USMC Reg from Bataan, and the USMC CD unit and the AA unit in Manila. Base forces and fighter groups were the last things to leave, and I just got them out as the IJA marched into Clark. All of that stuff is in PM right now or at least on its way. As for the land war, I have everyone retreating to Clark except for the units around Naga. They were holding strong up until just a few days ago when the tide seems to have turned. I give it another 3-4 days before I'm forced to retreat those as well. It's Christmas Eve, 1941. My strategy in Malaya is the exact same, except I was able to evacuate about 90% of my forces to India becuase I didn't need PP to move them. Singapore fell last night.
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