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topeverest -> RE: Allied Losses in early Campaign - pbem (2/5/2010 2:46:49 AM)
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Here are a few tips, but remember it is your game to play. Ultimately, you will learn your own path.
Whether you fight and expend the assets should be a part of your overall strategy. If you have not, you should sit down and determine where and when you are going to make a fight of it, and where you want to challenge the Jap navy / which invasions. Review your reinforcements and replacements. Determine which forces get what. Execute that plan. Do not just react and definately dont overreact. The Japanese will win all their early battles, barring a gross error or extreme luck. Commit where you have no choice and where you can sting the enemy, but be prepare to expend those assets.
I find that pulling what you can back out of the Philippines is a good option. I use subs and PT boats as my only offensive weapons, and I try to get the 4th marine Regiment out of Bataan along with all surviving planes. Aggressive massed sudden sweeps with your remaining fighters can give a few casualties if you are fortunate enough to have some survive, but other than that, it is a total loss. You're goal there should be to occupy as many forces for as long as possible. I generally do not send supply to the Philippines, because all the assets typcially are lost and only 20-30% of the supply gets on Luzon.
In indonesia, burma, and Malaya, you need to pay close attention to where the enemy land based air is - and is being used. Keep your navy at least a dozen hexes away. You have a large navy at your fingertips, I usually aggregate the cruisers and destroyers from Malaya, Java, and Philippines into one or two forces and hope for an opportunity to expend the assets, assuming the Jap player over extends. I also congregate air assets on Java and force the Japs to win an air battle (or pounce on an unsupported attack). Note I will not throw assets away on useless attacks. If you are playing against a prudent Jap opponent that does not overstretch indo-phillipine invasions beyond land based air support, you may never commit to a battle. I do not reccomend committing to any naval battle if the japs have massed land based air available and in range. Your assets will live to be better used later oprations.
I am of the opinion that Singapore is undefendable. You should hold as smartly and long as possible. Do not over commit too high on the peninsula, as follow on invasions are likely. Aggregate your anti air where you plan to defend. It will be your best opporunity to down enemy planes. This is an important tactic to remember in the game. Also, get your attack planes out and find a new home(s). High sweeps with the Buffalos can reap big rewards for a few turns until they are expended or your airbase is bombed.
To your question on getting supply, resources, and fuel out of indonesia - that would be a definitive yes. Australia and the surrounding islands start with insufficient supplies and fuel. Use all your cargo, transports, tankers, and other support ships to move as much of everything out. Expending assets on a last pass for supply and fuel is worth it in my view. You should target 200,000 fuel and 100,000 supply at a minimum. Think about this carefully, as the more you get, the more options you have with Australia as a base of immediate term future operations.
In burma, you are faced with a dilemma if to defend Rangoon &/or Malaya or not. Think carefully on that. there are implications either way. CHina you will have to feel out based on the Jap intensions. An experienced player will want the bases closest to Japan to avert them as B29 bases later in the game.
You have an opportunity at Wake with your CV's right at the beginning of the game. you can committ there are definitively turn that invasion, but be quick about it. You also could go back to Hawaii in the event the Jap player lingers at Pearl - and offer battle. Think that one through before you do it. It is a pretty complex adaptation of surface, sub, and CV tactics that tends to work to drive the Japs off. It can result decisively either way.
Finally do not underestimate the verocity of the Jap forces. Mass triple the forces you think you need to make a stand, especially supply and fuel. Built nearby ports and airfields to support operations, etc. Think through the 'stands' you intend to make.
It will be extermely humbling to play the allies over the first 5 or 6 months, but trust me that you will live to launch your own operations.
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Hopefully this will give you something to go on.
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