mlees
Posts: 2263
Joined: 9/20/2003 From: San Diego Status: offline
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OK. I had time to contemplate the universe while sitting in the head. I am making a couple (or more) assumptions about this AAR that may not be accurate; 1) PzB is close (3000-4000 points) to an autovictory. 2) India is doomed, and will be overrun within two months. The points from that may put PzB "over-the-top". With that in mind, I would attack Java, as Wobbly is contemplating. An attack near his sea supply lines to India requires a response from PzB. It wont net enough base victory points for Wobbly (Bombay alone is worth more to Japan than Java), but it will bring a response from PzB. (PzB can, at this point, ignore what happens in the Marshalls or the Solomons, if my assumptions given above are correct.) The question, which only Wobbly can answer with some authority, is what that response will be. A) If PzB panics (which I don't think is likely), than he may pull valuable air units, and ground units bound for India, and send them to Java to fight Wobbly. This would be the best result for Wobbly, as it might give the India Front enough time to stabilize or stalemate. B) If PzB is doing real well in China and/or Russia, air and ground units can be redeployed to counter Wobbly. This, however, will not slow down things in India, but it might provide enough "unit kill" vp's to stave off a PzB autovictory, if Wobbly stays smart and lucky, as PzB needs 4-1 kill points in his battles to retake Java. This is the most likely reponse to happen, given my limited knowledge of the players' disposition of forces. C) PzB ignores the Java Gambit. While American heavy bombers can reach IJN shipping at/near Singapore from Java, they will be unescorted. Oil/Resource centers in the DEI can be pounded, some within escort range, some not. This will adversly affect Japanese Industry, but that will take some time (which you may not have) to happen. The kill victory points will be low, if PzB left little in Java to kill. This is the least palatable (for Wobbly) result. Some points to consider: KB is nearby. Going to Java direct will leave you mostly outside of Australian based LBA cover. Your CV's may not be usable for AC ferry duties, as they need to be providing fighter cover to the Allied shipping in the area. (Canadian) Hurricanes and RCAF/RAAF/RNZAF Spitfires will not be able to rebase directly from OZ to Java. From Darwin, they can reach Timor, but not Kendari. From Makassar, they can not reach Seorabaja. Don't know about F4F's, but I dont think they can go direct from OZ to Java, but can if staging through West Timor. P40/Kittyhawk's can go from Darwin to Kendari, so they might be able to go from Broome to Java, but I doubt it. Hudsons and longer ranged aircraft CAN go direct to Java. Therefore, your gonna need CV fighter cover for a tense few days, to a week, as freighters ship in LB fighter cover to Java, and those planes uncrate ("repair"). Damaged ships are gonna hafta sail to Sydney/Pearl/West Coast for repair, as India is blockaded. Yuck. Yuck again. Thanks for your patience...
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