Black Cat -> (8/20/2002 4:49:36 AM)
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by GBS [B]Black Cat, Thanks for your comments and your're probably correct in that I need to sharpen my tactics a bit. It seems to me from reading these posts that the only sane tactic for US carriers is to turn and run at the first sign of Jap carriers. Is this accurate. Well I had a carrier TF (2CV's) parked 5 hexes below Gili. to provide air cover for the Transports delivering troops and supplies there. Of Course I had it set for do not react and retirement allowed as i had lost two carriers earlier in the campaign.(the JAPs didn't receive a scratch). Well they took off at sight of the J carriers and left the AP's in port unattended. The Japs just sat there and sunk 8 ap's and 2 DD's. I know as do you I'm sure that if I as much a stick my nose north of Gili That Rebaul throws everything but the kitchen sink at me. It just seems that the AI is slanted unfairly toward the IJN. How in hell did we win that War anyway? [/B][/QUOTE] I always set my CV TF`s at Do Not React & Do Not Retire and micromanage them. ( note: a high level leader will sometimes react anyway ) Your subs can be used to "push" the Japanese CV`s around, they will move away from them. The Japanese CV`s usually will not have replenishment TF`s around, if it`s 2 vs 2 and they have been doing many missions over time you can consider trying an attack after you replensh you CV`s, they may have low action points VS your high. Try to coordinate a B-17 strike from PM with the CV attack, may split up their CAP....hard to do but... You can also have your CV`s " trail their coat" so to say South and West of Gili Gili, staying just out of range of the Japanese and with all fighters set to CAP to sucker them South and into range of the PM Air, worked once, and was great !! sunk 3 CV`s and lost 0 , usually they just sail home after awhile. If you do attack try and close the range to 3 hexs so your short range fighters escort and the SBD`s have 1000 lbs`s. It is though a crap shoot, I think the default morale & experience ratings for the Japanese ( especially the Naval Air Crews ) are too high across the board, which is why I did a modified Scenario #17 using the editor. More: _always_ have a replenishment TF near the CV`s. I keep 3 AO`s + escort in Townsland to refuel units near PM. There will usually be Japanese Subs around Gili Gili, unwise to keep your CV`s sitting in one Hex. The other PM / Lunga Strategy is to wait for the P-38`s with their long range to show up, they will equalize the Zeros to a large degree....and don`t garrison Gili Gili., it`s a Death Trap for the Japanese Army if they take it. Buna ( built up to a large Airbase to take the LBA Bombers and long range fighters ) and Lae are a better Axis of Advance IMO in the SWPac..they will interdict a large area. The strategy for the US is to slowly push them back in small steps, building up overwhelming power in LBA to support the next small step. I`m sure others have useful ideas as well, stay with it, it can be done.
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