|
Anachro -> RE: May 16th, 1943 (8/3/2019 6:58:09 PM)
|
Regarding the value of Port Moresby, Milne Bay, and the others (though I still want to get Horn to make this truly the case), is that it opens up two major pathways for further expansion.
[image]https://i.imgur.com/9sisA8x.png[/image]
First, I can push directly towards Darwin and the DEI through the Celebes Strait. This is a direct path to push directly into the DEI and threaten John's oil supply. The disadvantage here is the overlapping Japanese airfields and interior lines of LoC, narrow passages, etc. that make it a dangerous place to operate, especially in the face of strong Japanese carriers and surface forces. Moreover, John seems to be retrenching and allocating his forces to cover the passage through the Torres Strait and Arafura Sea and I expect this is where he is really preparing to cause pain.
Second, the areas beyond John's outward line of defense around PM, Guadalcanal, etc. are ripe for moving on and taking. The places beyond New Britain especially are exposed: Manus, northeast New Guinea, etc. Going this route can isolate and cutoff his garrisons while again, threatening multiple areas: the DEI, the Philippines, even the Marianas. In this way, John is forces to stretch his forces and army units over a very wide area, which leaves him exposed.
While this is going on, John is clearly trying to bring some units back from the periphery, which opens up areas to attack that can improve my LoC/LoS, such as the Marshalls and parts of the Solomons. And then there are other areas: Malaya and Burma from India, the Aleutians, etc... John can't be everywhere at once. Concentration of my forces for each effort is key.
|
|
|
|
