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jrcar -> RE: WITP AE AAR Feb 09 Cathartes-JRCAR (Jap) (2/1/2009 4:50:08 AM)
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The first thing that strikes you with AE is the map, it is Huge!
There are lots of new bases, and old favorites have changed. You need to spend time reviewing the map, as assumptions from stock are not valid!
So lets look at some of the key theatres, starting with Malaya.
Malaya hasn't changed too much from stock from a Japanese invasion perspective. You have three points where you can land that are allied controlled. And you have several bases that you control at start.
Lets look at those you control.
First ports are now MUCH more important than stock, although the Japanese do get some unloading bonus's early war to represent the prepartion and planing they had done.
Second for airbases you now have limits based on the size of the airfields. Overstack and you will pay for it!
Third torpedoes can only be used where a base has an AirHQ with torpedoes, otherwise they drop bombs. This means that detachments of torpedoe aircraft need an AirHQ, limiting their Uberness.
Japanese Controlled Bases
Singora is your main point of entry. It is a level 2 port (the best on the east coast), and it is on the railline, which you need to conduct strategic movement later. This is where your followon forces should head to get them into the battle as quickly as possible as the battle moves south.
Patani is a Lvl 1 Port and 3 Airfield. It starts off with minimal airsupport and a Mavis unit. With more airsupport (plenty in Vietnam) it makes a useful base early on for level bombers.
To really get moving you need a level 3-4 airfield (4 preferred). The only ones available are allied controlled... which leads to...
The Invasion Targets
You have three options, Kota Bharu, Kuantan or Mersing.
As the Japanese in PBEM against humans I've landed at all three, although my landings in Mersing resulted in some changes. Kota Bharu and Kuantan are both Lvl 1 ports and 4 airfields. You are securing them mainly so that you can base airpower to start supressing Singapore.
Mersing is a Lvl 1 port and 0 airfield, with a potential for 6. So you could land, and build it up... but you will pay a large price. The benefit is you will cut off most of the northern Allied units, and focus the Allies in the south leving the nth less molested.
The further south you land, the easier it is to supress Singapore, but the greater the risk from the Allies, from the air and from the sea. All bases will fall if you get the initial assualt ashore.
Of coarse the main game involves moving down the much better rail and road network on the West Coast... but you can never have too many decent airfields now (4 and above is decent) due to the stacking restrictions.
Last game I was happy landing at Kuantan, although I did loose more ships than they did historically, it is viable just... Mersing I don't consider viable, you need CV support, and you will many more ships...
[image]local://upfiles/6237/91F98A02524F4A71A923253AA6506FD4.jpg[/image]
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