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mogami -> Lost CV (9/24/2003 9:10:32 PM)
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Hi, You can read the AAR between Erik R (USN) and myself. And the first AdmiralDadman and myself. Both games saw the USN lose their CV (without getting the Japanese CV) Both games the IJN lost.
I've taken over a game where the USN CV were destroyed and the player resigned and I've noticed that losing the USN CV early (1942) is less damaging to future success then losing them in 1943 at the start of offensive operations.
This may be confusing so I'll try to clarify. If the USN CV are lost early in 1942 the Allied player simply adopts a slower approach. He builds bases for his bombers and waits for long range escorts. (and hopefully the Japanese allow their CV to engage LBA and lose)
If both sides retain their CV into 1943 and then fight a carrier battle (with USN losing their CV) Then there is less time to switch to the slower approach and the Japanese are far less likely to send their CV in range of LBA. (They likely will not attempt an auto victory)
This places the burden of success on the USN surface forces. They have to seek out the IJN surface forces and defeat/exchange them off to where USN transport TF's covered by LRCAP can move. (with IJN CV lurking about)
As long as the IJN has surface ships that can appear at landing sites the USN cannot undertake any landings. (The IJN CV and LBA can not be counted on to prevent a landing. Transports only need 3 phases to unload. LBA can be shut down by weather,bombardment and heavy bombers. CV have endurance concerns and weather can prevent strikes. Also the ALlies can use medium bombers escorted by long range fighters to keep enemy CV at a distance. )
So while the loss of the first 6 USN CV lengthens the game to be sure it does not mean a Japanese victory. (Unless the Japanese can exploit the loss by capture of auto victory base)
By mid 1943 the USN player can afford huge loss if in exchange he deprives the Japanese of units to respond to landing with. The Allied heavy bombers with bases in normal range of Japanese concentrations produce a large number of victory points with practicly no Japanese counter ability.
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