Bogo Mil
Posts: 286
Joined: 1/28/2008 Status: offline
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I don't know which time you have in your game - early '43 perhaps? I think it is almost suicide to attack Kwajalein without taking one or two other Marshall Islands first - especially if you don't know anything about it's defenses. Even if the base is only weakly defended, it won't be a walk in the park - the Japanese have many airbases in the area, KB might show up... All you have is your carriers. If they manage to put them out of action, they can sink all your troops, battleships and whatever you have in the area. You may take the base if it's weakly defended, but then YOU have to defend a base which is isolated and surrounded by many enemy bases. Should you run into strong defenses, you will face an utter desaster. Damaged ships (from mines, CD guns, airstrikes, ...) have virtually no chance to be safed, your troops will be slaughtered, and the USA can't do any serious offensive action for at least half a year. Why taking such a risk? For a shortcut between PH and Cairns, which makes the route 1 week shorter? Thats NOT worth it. You can take an island at the edge of the Marshalls (e.g. Maloelap) and provoke some war of attrition there, then take 1 or two more weakly defended atolls, then close Kwajalein with your bombers. In the meantime, just route your traffic around the area. You have enough transports to do so (and if not, it's an even worse plan to risk a lot of already scarce transport ships in such an adventure).
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They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. (Benjamin Franklin)
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