Q-Ball
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Joined: 6/25/2002
From: Chicago, Illinois
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This is the #1 strategic decision of the war for Japan, and maybe for both sides: What to do after the SRA is conquered? The "Phase 2" question.
It's tougher in AE, that's for sure. WITP offered a couple strong possibilities; you could sever the supply line to Australia (take NZ, FIji, etc), or take India, or conquer most of Australia. All of these are pretty much off the board for one reason or another, either too tough or supply lines can always go off-map.
So, your main goal has to be to destroy/attrite the Allies, preferably in WARSHIPS, but if not there, then TROOPS and PLANES. The secondary objective is to create space that you can trade for time.
I like the left-hook idea, I would also propose the following:
1. Make "India Hook" the primary Operation. Land 6+ Divisions there at Diamond Harbor, plus all the tanks you have, and detail all your Paras to grab empty bases and cut rail lines. The objective is to destroy the Burma Army, and Attrite the British. Both will help alot.
2. Simultaneously, start prepping 2-4 good divisions in Home Islands/Manchukuo for a base on CEYLON. Save up the PPs to buy them when they are 100% prepped. You can go ahead with this one, depending on how things go. The objective is to deny the RN a base, but mostly to destroy all the units on Ceylon.
3. You won't need the bulk of the fleet once you are firmly ashore. You will need IJN airpower, but not much of the fleet. Move them off to the PACIFIC.
You have the strength, after Java, to mount another operation: Australia.
1. Detail 2 divisions for a landing at Darwin. I have posted before, this is a must-take IMO for Japan. 2 Should do it, IF YOU DO IT IN MARCH.
2. Follow that up by overrunning the North Coast of Australia. You won't need many ground troops, a few Nav Gd will do, as long as you have NAVAL SUPPORT. Shift part or all the fleet temporarily here to support. A CV TF off Exmouth will prevent the Allies from doing anything to stop you. The objective here is just to create "Space", a tripwire to protect the Southern DEI.
3. I would also prep some Kwantung/Home Island units for a target in the New Hebrides. This is assuming you clear Port Moresby, which is a must, and establish the historical perimeter. The objective, in April/May 1942, is to draw the USN into a battle with your fleet. The consolation prize is whatever target you have prepped for. There is a chance they will not give battle. Don't do this unless you bring almost the whole Combined Fleet, and in a manner they don't know you have them.
The most important thing you can do, though the most difficult, is to kill alot of Allies warships, CVs preferably, but cruisers and DDs as well.
In general, because fragments can be pulled, you'll get more mileage attiting UK units than US. That's because UK replacements are limited, and US replacements really aren't; destroying fragments of US units doesn't accomplish anything in the long term other than points.
Also note various other attrition choices:
RAF: Has good Hurri replacements, but not many bombers.
USAAF: Has limited fighter replacements; good attrition target.
USN: Very limited Wildcats and SBDs. Plenty of TBFs.
< Message edited by Q-Ball -- 4/15/2010 3:58:12 PM >
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