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Canoerebel -> RE: Singapore, Manila and Burma (8/10/2013 2:36:17 PM)
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For every "rule of thumb" there are many exceptions. The more knowledge and experience and skill a player has, the better able he is to employ unusual strategies outside the norm. But for a relatively new player, some general rules:
1. Singapore is a critical hex for both sides early in the game. Japan needs to take the base early if possible. This requires a full commitment of ground troops (lots of divisions, engineers, and HQs - and have them getting prepped) and bombers. You need to bomb Singers to smithereens to reduce supply and to prevent fort buidling. Also, you have to remain alert to minimize or prevent the enemy from reinforcing by sea or airlift. For the Allies, the flip side of this is true - do things to hold Singers as long as possible. It can be a real thorn in the enemy's side. For Japan it's important to take Singers by January or February of 1942.
2. Manila/Clark Field: As a general rule, this area is too remote for the Allies to make good use of offensively in 1942, so it's quite possible for Japan to largely bypass the area, focus on critical areas farther forward, and then come back to attend to Luzon later when things have slowed down. To do this effecitvely, it's generally necessary to initially land a stout enough army to force the Allies back to Manila and Clark. Then, Japan can withdraw some of the divisions for use elsehwere, keeping the Allies bottled up by using perhaps a few mixed brigades or the like. It is important early to hit the Luzon airfields hard to suppress fighter and bomber activity and to suppress supply and base-building. Again, keep your eye open for Allied efforts to re-supply buy using small an d expendable xAK/xAKL TFs. The Allies can make some offensive use of Luzon - forward airfields to support patrols and occasional bombing raids, for instance.
3. Burma: It just depends. If the Allies defend strong and forward, you can consider feinting that way but landing a big amphibious force at Chittagong to come in behind them. If the Allies pull back and defend lightly, then you might prefer to push hard in Burma to then establish your strong defensive line in the jungle (for an excellent demonstration of this strategy, see GreyJoy's AAR vs. Q-Ball).
Good luck!
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