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RE: One Weird Battle - 11/4/2010 10:03:03 PM

Durbik

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Given the VP gap we're witnessing here, my humble question is: any possibility to win the game for the Allies? Even if Q-ball won't achieve auto victory in 1943, isn't that possible in 1944? He still holds a large chunk of India... And no final word said there probably. So what are the chances?

I know about your super secret operation brewing, and I'm guessing it's target... But will it be sufficient to stop Japan?

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RE: One Weird Battle - 11/4/2010 10:12:35 PM

Canoerebel

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If Brad doesn't win by auto-victory in early '43, the Allies will win the war. They are in good position everywhere. Neither the navy nor the transport fleet has been hit hard (that's a major plus), the airforces are performing satisfactorily and growing stronger, and the Allies are in good shape on the map - especially in NoPac and CenPac. Even India can prove to be a big victory if the Allies can surround and defeat the Japanese army there, or if Brad keeps his army there too long.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 11/4/2010 10:13:07 PM >

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RE: One Weird Battle - 11/4/2010 10:46:04 PM

Cribtop

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I actually agree that committing the US Army openly in India is probably not the way to go at this time. It doesn't seem necessary to hold Bombay's LOC open and counterattacking now could discourage Q from staying in India when you want him there. That said, I do think we may have seen the high water mark in India unless Brad commits more forces.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 11/5/2010 10:37:05 AM

paullus99

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You've also forced him to send in his carriers (for the second invasion of Diego Garcia) which clearly identified their location, which allowed your Baker invasion to proceed with minimal support. He has got to be getting a bit frustrated that you've kept your carriers out of the war, while his have been running around the Pacific & Indian Ocean - not really accomplishing all that much.

At some point, he's going to have to split up his carriers - and you can pounce on the isolated segment with your entire fleet. There is much to gain by concentration & very little by separation.

As long as your pilot training program is continuing, when you do send in the carriers & LBA, they should do the job nicely.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 11/5/2010 5:03:37 PM

princep01

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Well, CR, Paullus and Cribtop, you all may be right, but, as mentioned before, I think the Japanese are going all out in India for an auto victory. What we presently see is just a preparation phase. He is pausing to bring up supplies and to prep his divisions/units for the coming battles. He is probing to see if Bombay and environs is where the Allies (finally) are going to put up a significant fight. At this point, I think he believes you will fight there. I do think he will time his major effort for later in the year to shorten the interval you have to retake enough VPs to prevent auto victory, but this is where the Japanese are going to go for the kill. Further, I think your continued vassilation regarding his strategic intention in India is going to be costly to you in the end. He has a long, vulnerable logistic tail hanging out there. I'd be banging the door on it a bunch, even if it risk a CV battle.

Just one person's eval, but this is what I said way back when he made his first move toward Ceylon. We'll see soon enough if I eat crow, but I think a much more aggressive effort is going to be necessary to avoid the 4-1.

Good luck, CR. I really enjoy your AAR, even if I disagree with your strategic decisions in this game.

And, for those that care that I might be using intel from CR's opponent's AAR, I have never set foot in that story line.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 11/5/2010 5:24:25 PM

Cribtop

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I see your point, princep, and with a big effort and more troops Q-Ball could perhaps take Bombay. However, I don't think he could go much farther as CR could commit the Americans and the "cross the line" reinforcements to any cities further back. Thus, unless Q gets enough out of Bombay for auto-victory, it seems dicey unless CR loses a carrier battle. Also, I think CR's main point is that the Japanese are running out of uncommitted divisions and thus running out of options. I still say watch out for a push right up to The Line in India and a grab for VPs in the Pacific near the end of the year, but I'm not convinced the Japs have the troops to succeed in these ventures.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 11/5/2010 6:27:26 PM

Canoerebel

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I am by nature conservative. I don't like counting my chickens before they hatch. But I'll break from habit here and predict that Japan will not achieve auto-victory in India. I think Brad had a shot at it earlier, but that time has passed. Too many Allied troops and aircraft are coming into India now, and the calendar keeps flipping.

I am not positive Brad is still coming. I've only received one SigInt report of a Japanese unit prepping for Bombay (it was 12th Division weeks ago). On the other hand, he is actively building airfields in the area and shows no sign of backing off. But it will take Japan too many troops and too much time to reduce and capture Bombay. And all the time the Japanese flank will be threatened. At some point Brad is going to conclude that his own army is at risk of isolation and destruction. That point probably is at least 60 days away (when 27th Division USA will arrive), but if he doesn't timely begin pulling back his troops, he may find himself in a hasty, messy, costly retreat. It's a long way from Bombay to the nearest Japanese port.

The biggest risk of auto victory is if Brad wins one or more naval battles involving carriers and big combat ships. That doesn't mean I won't sally forth if the circumstances are right, but it does mean I won't be taking unnecessary risks. Since interdicting the Japanese LOC between India and SE Asia isn't necessary, might not accomplish anything worthwhile, and might stumble into a big naval battle, I'm not going to try it. Add to that the tangible benefits of maintaining the "force-in-being concept."

I know this sounds crazy since Japan holds more than one-half of India and is within shooting distance of auto-victory, but the Allies are in very good position.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 11/5/2010 6:45:38 PM

paullus99

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I believe, as long as you keep one eye on the key bases / VP locations & the other focused on your ultimate objectives - you'll do just fine. Just don't get sloppy - I've noticed from past AARs that, especially during your offensive phase, that you can overlook key areas or units - so try not to make too many mistakes....

I also agree that the time for a full-blooded attempt by Q to take all of India & get autovictory that way is past - I believe he was probably hoping you'd have to send in your carriers to prevent his invasion, but your defensive strategy seems to have worked without the need to show your hand.

I know you'll try to take advantages of any opportunities & once Q realizes that autovictory isn't in the cards, I would expect to see him make some pretty dramatic defensive shifts (probably abandoning the outliers & not easily defendable bases).

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RE: One Weird Battle - 11/5/2010 6:46:05 PM

Canoerebel

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7/29/42 to 7/31/42

India on the Ground: At least two IJ divisions (1st and Guards Tanks) are advancing north on the road from Bombay to Indore in pursuit of the Allied army that bloodied 6th Guards/C. The Alies are pulling back to favorable terrain to (hopefully) entice the IJ units further forward. Meanwhile, a Brit armored unit is moving down the coastal road to Bombay reopening the supply lines. In addition to the 2,600 AV at Bombay, the Allies have 500 at Surat and roughly 900 at the dot hex south of Indore (with two more Brit brigades on the way from Karachi). Brad probably needs to commit at least six divisions to have a chance at controlling the situation north of Bombay, and that number will be increasing as Allied reinforcements arrive.

India in the Air: Mirror image ambushes cost both sides about 15 bombers - the IJA losing that number of Sallies in South India, the Allies losing an equal number of Blenheims and Wellingtons in the north.

India Reinforcements: 5th Marines and the rest of the Marine tank and artillery units are ashore at Karachi. 1st Marines and a Marine 'chutes battalion are about a week away. 27th Division is aboard transports enroute from Mombasa to Aden.

Baker Island: Quiet here. All the Allied ships departed. I-15 picked off AO Kaskaskia near Christmas Island, the first casualty of the unexpectedly easy invasion. Brad seems to be working hard to track the elements of the Allied invasion TFs by sub and long-range air patrol. Concerend that he might have orchestrated some kind of ambush, I split the TFs up days ago. They are now scattered all over the place. All are heading east - most will eventually turn north and make for Hawaii, but CVE Long Island and a few other TFs will make for San Diego.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 11/5/2010 6:49:23 PM >

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Fun in India - 11/5/2010 8:23:24 PM

Capt. Harlock

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quote:

I know this sounds crazy since Japan holds more than one-half of India and is within shooting distance of auto-victory, but the Allies are in very good position.

I have to agree -- Jubal Early got within shooting distance of Washington, but eventually he had to retreat. The Allies are getting more goodies all the time. (But be careful with those Wellingtons: they can't be replaced nearly as fast as Mitchells or Liberators.)

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RE: One Weird Battle - 11/5/2010 8:31:22 PM

Canoerebel

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8/1/42

India: It appears that the Japanese are concentrating at Benares (three divisions are there or adjacent). Brad may push forward here in an effort to threaten the north flank of the Allied army that is threatening the north flank of the Japanese troops in and near Bombay. If so, my next decision will be whether to try to hold at Cawnpore or retreat. I'm leaning toward the former. Currently, I have about 325 AV at this "minor urban" hex, but I can bring additional troops forward from Karachi and the Delhi vicinity.

India at Sea: I-10 damaged a TK trying to sneak by Socatra's eastern tip. Transports carrying half of 27th Division (USA) are about to navigate the western passage, so all eyes will be there the next two turns.

KB: No sign of it since the Diego invasion. Could be around Indian waters, or Brad might have moved it to the Pacific. I don't care where his carriers are as long as they aren't in or around Karachi or Socatra. Anywhere else is gravy at the moment.

Baker Island Force: Nothing untoward happening as these scattered TFs make their way east and/or north.

Future Allied Plans: If 27th Division makes it safely to Karachi, the role of the Allied carriers in the Arabian Sea will conclude (without revealing their presence, which is a big plus). At this point, I do not intend to move up the big Allied invasion plans set for spring or summer of '43 (because I don't think I'll have to bump it up to stave off auto victory). Therefore, I may move the carriers back to the Pacific to cover one or more invasion that I may undertake in the autumn and winter. I'm currently evaluating targets - Marcus, Wake, Tabituea, the Solomons, and New Caledonia are possibilities.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 11/5/2010 11:18:00 PM

Canoerebel

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8/2/42 and 8/3/42

India Reinforcements: The first of the two TFs carrying 27th Division safely made the Aden Channel. The second will make the channel in two days. 1st Marines and the Marine 'Chutes will reach Karachi in a day or two. After these groups arrive, the next schedule reinforcements are two Indian armored brigades at Aden - one in about 25 days, the other about ten days later.

India on the Ground: The Allies reopened the LOC between Karachi and Bombay. Two days later, supplies jumped from 86k to 113k. SigInt reported 2nd Recon unit on a Maru bound for Calcutta. So Brad seems to bringing troops into theater rather than extracting them.

India in the Air: Brad has a huge concentration of aircraft at Poona, a level seven airfield (how unlikely would it be for Japan to have the logistical capability to invade, move a vast army across country, and then build a field from level one to level seven in about six weeks? I'm not complainin' - that's just the nature of our game). The Allies have about ten USA fighter and bomber squadrons aboard ships gathering at Mombasa. These will make the sprint toward Aden shortly.

India at Sea: The thought has crossed my mind that the Allies could engage in an amphibious assault on the SW India coast to threaten the Japanese army at Bombay with isolation and destruction. This carries all kinds of potential risks, but I'm keeping it way in the back of my mind.

Baker Island Group: Some of the faster TFs have safely arrived at Pearl Harbor. Most of the troop transports are still way out at sea avoiding Jap recon patrols. I suspect Brad is using an AV with seaplanes, but I'm not positive.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 11/6/2010 1:25:32 PM

Canoerebel

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8/4/42

India: A quiet turn with no air activity, nothing going on at sea, and ground troops seemingly static. A large IJA unit reported at Nagpur, in the central part of the front that extends from Bombay up to Benares. I'm sending bombers to see if I can get an i.d. on this unit. This is another indication that Brad may be building up for a drive from the east.

China: Brad has been manuevering troops in the vicinity of Liuchow and Kweilin, but not in enough numbers to pose a threat to these two bases. Now, however, there's a stack of eight units in the forested hex south of Kweilin. I'm sending a few more units to the region from both the Changsha area and from the west.

CenPac: Most of the TFs that took part in the Baker Island invasion are at or nearing Hawaii now.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 11/6/2010 2:05:08 PM

JohnDillworth

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quote:

I'm currently evaluating targets - Marcus, Wake, Tabituea, the Solomons, and New Caledonia are possibilities.

Wake & Marcus serve to reinforce the North Pacific feint. Wake in particular is good because it's an isolated base. It's useless, except as a distraction. You want to be careful in the south pacific as LBA is more of a threat. You don't want to chance any of your carriers getting dinged for little gain. This also might trigger a Carrier showdown. Wake is interesting from an independent observer point of view. Be lots of fun watching you go for Wake and maybe Brad go for Midway at the same time. I am reading both AAR's and this does not reveal and general or specific intentions.

< Message edited by JohnDillworth -- 11/6/2010 2:14:39 PM >

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RE: One Weird Battle - 11/6/2010 3:55:41 PM

Cribtop

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SW India sounds like Inchon. Fun, but MacArthur had air and sea supremacy. Still, a cool idea if you know KB is elsewhere near D-Day.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 11/6/2010 6:13:23 PM

Canoerebel

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8/5/42

India in the Air: Massed waves of Japanese fighters targeted Bombay. The Allied fighters did well against the Zeros, but not against the Tojos. Overall, though, air losses were close to even. The Allies have a bunch of American squadrons on the way (they've come from the East Coast via Capetown). I think I'm really gonna need them once Brad really starts hammering at Bombay. Bombay's airfield, by the way, has reached level nine.

India on the Ground: A Japanese unit is on the move trying to re-sever the supply line between Bombay and the north. 54th Division has moved from Benares down to Nagpur. Brad has spread his "northeastern divisons" a bit, but I'm not sure if it's a defensive posture or a prelude to an advance.

SigInt: Report that 18th Division is prepping for Bombay. This is not one of the 14 divisions whose whereabouts are currently known, but it was a Chittagong some months ago. Other divisons that have been in India but that I currently haven't info on include 2nd and 21. If these three are actually in India - and I suspect that's the case -then Brad has at least 17 divisions here. Wow, that's quite a force! Also a report that 10th Tank Regiment is aboard a Maru bound for Calcutta (reports like these could be deception, but I have to assume they are accurate and indicate that Brad is still beefing up his India Expeditionary Army.

Allied Reinforcements: I made several small and frustrating goofs. First, the advance TF carrying part of 27th Divsion arrived at Aden...and began unloading. I don't believe I didn't have her set to "do not unload"! Secondly, the two TFs carrying 1st Marines and 'Chutes from Abadan to Karachi suddenly slowed down so that the trip was going to take ten days. I think the problem was including two ML as ASW escort. Their "short legs" apparently screwed things up. I've recalled one the the two TFs and allowed the other to continue. So it may be ten days before these troops arrive.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 11/6/2010 6:15:39 PM >

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RE: One Weird Battle - 11/7/2010 4:54:51 AM

Canoerebel

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Just logged on.� Bullwinkle's thread about Socatra and Karachi really caught me by surprise.� The information posted will be of serious benefit to Q-Ball.� I think it's safe to assume that Brad was actively exploring these very issues and�might have tested them himself to find out this information.

I had assumed all along that Socatra was eligible for invasion without triggering the reinforcements, so I am not dealing with anything new on my end.� But it's clear that this clarification may lead Brad to conceive a new plan.

I have sent a PM to Bullwinkle asking for more information about the strength of the units released to the Allies.� I am most interested in those arriving at Karachi, Abadan, and Aden, since they are the ones closest to the theater.

In light of this,�I have�some decisions to make post-haste:

1.� Do I redeploy 27th Division (USA) - currently at Aden - to Socatra to prevent her fall?

2.� Irregardless of that�decision (IE, either way), do I employ the Allied carriers in the defense of Socatra, knowing that it will be closer to�a friendly port�(Mumbasa) for the Allies than to a friendly port of Japan?� IE, this will be truly "neutral" ground.

3.� Do I instead send the Allied carriers on to Abadan so that they can escort any reinforcements to Karachi (I don't think so, for it's not a given yet that reinforcements will be released).

4.� I need to attend to transports ASAP to make sure I have lift capacity to carry troops from Abadan and Aden to Karachi.� I recently had a bunch at Abadan and Aden, but with all the APs carrying 27th Div., 1st Marines, and 5th Marines arriving in theater, I sent about an equal number of empties to Capetown to make sure that I didn't get caught with too many APs in one corner of the map.

Additional�thoughts:

1.� Barring "triggering" by Brad, no�further reinforcements will be shipped from Capetown to Karachi (all have already come and gone), so�holding Socatra isn't necessary from that aspect, but if in enemy hands it will choke off supply runs.� At present, India and Aden/Abadan have good supply levels.

2.� I don't believe Brad has the strength to conquer Bombay or Karachi, especially with the Marine and US Army reinforcements in theater.
�

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 11/7/2010 5:02:34 AM >

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RE: One Weird Battle - 11/7/2010 5:07:56 AM

JeffroK

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I always wondered why people thought the triggering of reos was automatic heaven to the Allies, well done AndyMac for having them arrive in an historical location.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 11/7/2010 7:54:35 AM

Astarix

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I don't know if you will need to worry about bringing supply from Capetown to Aden. Aden receives supply convoys that drop about 500K of supplies once a month in 1942 (if I recall correctly), they start coming every 15 days in 1943. And Abadan produces all the gas you will need. I would check the Ground Reinforcement schedule. They sort as CD units. In fact check the Reinforcement Q anyway, there are an amazing number of units that should start showing up if they haven't already.

In my opinion keep the U.S. Carriers hidden, unless you absolutely have to use them for some reason. Like if you can get a fight on your terms, such as if you see an opportunity to pick off a piece of the KB. Your biggest worry should be letting him corner you and then disrupting your troops with bombers. Realistically the battle for India is at the tipping point and has probably already crossed into your favor. You have a number of divisions that are a par with the Japanese in terms of experience. Your divisions have more and larger caliber guns and inherent armor, or soon will. Unlike in the early battles of the war and in China the Indian army while thin on experience in 1941 is at least as well, if not better equipped than the Japanese. The Australians, Africans, American and British formations can fight the Japanese on an even footing or better. You are going to have the same advantages fighting the Japanese in India that the Japanese usually have fighting the Chinese, Burmese, Dutch and Philippine forces, in terms of more and better equipped troops. The Japanese armored units are not comparable to comparable sized Allies formations. A British, Aussie or American Armored unit should normally be able to smash a similar sized Japanese unit and the Indians get or may already have some very powerful units already.

One thing you might want to think about is possibly massing your Americans and/or armor somewhere he seems week and drive toward Calcutta. You can use infantry troops to secure your flanks. If you can manage to cut his forces off from their supply.... Fighting on land in India is much different than fighting from Atoll to Atoll in the Pacific. This fight is a fight the allies can win decisively without having to worry about interference from KB. From reading your AAR, I think Q is already overextended in India and I would look for chances to hurt him where you can do so with out much risk, like when you picked off his fragment of a division blocking the flank to Bombay.

Also, remember that he has penny packets of troops spread hither and yon about India garrisoning all the cities he has captured. Some of the cities require a division or large brigade to garrison, which may explain why you can't account for all of them or you get the reports of units prepping for them. In 1943 the Indian troop quality goes up dramatically and their forces start to modernize pretty rapidly. Plus if he is attacking you and losing, they should be gaining experience. The real problem is the relatively low Infantry replacement rate for the British troops. By the middle of '43 at the latest, unless he pours more troops in, you will have him badly outnumbered. I think I counted 20+ full divisions and numerous independent brigades/regiments of infantry, tanks and artillery. When all is said and done, I think just the forces that arrive in Aden, Africa and India amount to about 12k AP by Mid 43. A good piece of it is normally stuck in India due to restricted commands and garrison requirements. You've lost a couple of divisions, but you will still have the advantage in the long run. Once if feels like you have the chance to go over to the offensive in India, you should at least retake everything up to Calcutta. He is going to be receiving a ton of HI that he doesn't need to ship Resources into the Home Islands to feed, or at least retake Ledo to cut it off from its source of fuel.

Sorry for the wall of text.

Jason

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RE: One Weird Battle - 11/7/2010 12:30:55 PM

Canoerebel

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8/6/42 and 8/7/42

India Reinforcements: 27th Division (USA) will continue to Karachi. The Battle of India and the outcome of the war will be determined here (at least from an auto-victory standpoint), so these troops will be of more use on the mainland than at Socatra. 27th is about five days out of Abadan, then another five days or so to Karachi. (Looking at the troops triggered by crossing "The Line," I don't believe Brad will ever do so.)

India in the Air: 100 Tojos hit Bombay, tangling with about 20 P-38E and a handful of Hurricanes. Losses were light on both sides, but Brad can probably overwhelm Bombay any time now - and could have for weeks now. I'm not sure what he's waiting for. Maybe he needs supplies. In a few more weeks the Allies will have a bunch of USAAF squadrons - bombers and fighters - arriving at Karachi.

India at Sea: A Brit PBY squadron was moved from Hyderabad to Socatra. The Allied carriers remain at Mombasa. I haven't decided whether I would commit them in an action against Socatra.

China: Several Chinese units were shifted by rail from the Changsha area to Kweilin, bolstering the defenses there. Brad's going to try to reduce Kweilin and/or Liuchow. Both have defenses AVs in excess of 2,000. In additional, I'm trying to gather some additional units to bring down on Liuchow from the west in order to give me a force to fight some of the small IJA concentrations adjacent to this city.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 11/7/2010 6:45:13 PM

Wild

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Hi Canoerebel
I've been away from the game for awhile,but just wanted to say how much i've learned and enjoyed your AAR, which i've just spent the last couple of days reading.
I would like to ask a question about the RAF. I've heard they are low on replacements. What have you found with the added pressure of an invasion of india?
Now on to read Q-Balls AAR. Don't worry i won't make any comments so i don't inadvertently give away any intel.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 11/7/2010 11:14:28 PM

Canoerebel

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In both my PBEM games I've found that replacement rates for the RAF are incredibly low. It is nearly impossible for the RAF to maintain any kind of regular action in India and Burma in 1942 (assuming that the Japanese player is competent and is working the theater hard, as both my opponents have).

RAF bombers are almost completely useless - they will get completely wiped out by enemy fighters. You can try to use them on "surprise" raids against bases in hopes that they are undefended, but once your opponent gets lucky a few turns your bombers evaporate. In this game, I have about seven Wellingtons left and zero Blenheims. I have lots of Lysanders, but I disbanded them. Since they reformed in Aden 60 days later, I employed them in a training capacity.

Hurricanes perform adequately, but cannot stand any attrition due to very low replacement rates. They are fine against Zeros, but Tojos handle them.

The fact that Brad has such a stout air-arm in India exacerbates the situation, but my impression is that the RAF in AE is a shadow of what it should be, especially given the ability of Japan to easily replace aircraft and to train pilots.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 11/7/2010 11:55:09 PM

JohnDillworth

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quote:

2. I don't believe Brad has the strength to conquer Bombay or Karachi, especially with the Marine and US Army reinforcements in theater.

What if he isolated Bombay and brought everything he there with the intention of conquering Bombay and all the troops stationed there? If he could do this (I think you have about 2,500 AV) does he have enough points for auto-victory? I don't see any other decent strategy in India that would require 17 Divisions. Triggering the reinforcements does not work for Brad and it sure don't look like he is pulling out.

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RE: One Weird Battle - 11/8/2010 12:08:44 AM

cookie monster

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You could always try a night bombing campaign with your Indian airforce. Plus transfer some US Army 4E bombers. I would transfer thru the off map system to Capetown. They are not all in use in 42 unless Australia is invaded. 50 4E bombers night bombing would soon turn the tables on his airforce.

(in reply to JohnDillworth)

Post #: 774

RE: One Weird Battle - 11/8/2010 1:38:35 AM

Canoerebel

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From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: JohnDillworth
What if he isolated Bombay and brought everything he there with the intention of conquering Bombay and all the troops stationed there? If he could do this (I think you have about 2,500 AV) does he have enough points for auto-victory? I don't see any other decent strategy in India that would require 17 Divisions. Triggering the reinforcements does not work for Brad and it sure don't look like he is pulling out.

A conquest of 2600 Allied AV at Bombay would probably give Brad an auto victory, but I don't think he can do it.

Bombay currently has 2625 AV behind seven forts. This is a major urban hex. Earlier, Brad had two divisions at Calcutta that had trouble taking that base from 70 AV. Imagine what will happen to his units when he tries his first deliberate attack.

Moreover, he cannot bring everything he has because he can't leave his flanks unguarded. He certainly can't afford for his army at Bombay to be surrounded and isolated.

The Allies have something on the order of 3,000 AV north of Bombay that I can use to threaten Brad's flank. So he needs a stout army of his own to protect his flank.

I'm guessing he needs at least five divisions outside of Bombay - maybe more. If he ends up devoting the rest - say 12 divisions - to Bombay, that would give him perhaps 6,000 AV. I don't think that's enough to take the base since his own losses would be very high.

Cookie, I'm not sure I want to engage in a night campaign, because Brad could turn the tables and do the same. I don't see a net advantage. But the Allies are bringing alot more USA squadrons to India as detailed in recent posts.

(in reply to JohnDillworth)

Post #: 775

RE: One Weird Battle - 11/8/2010 2:14:37 AM

pat.casey

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My $0.02 here is that Japan has over committed to India, which makes her weak on other fronts.
Your goal should be to put the minimum necessary force into India to hold the place, and then use your other forces to counterattack in other theaters.
The delicate dance, of course, is to put *just enough* into India to hold the place, but not *so much* that you, yourself, are weak elsewhere.

Given the combat modifiers here (you are defending and can choose beneficial terrain), it seems like 1 AV of your troops her can hold off least 2AV and possible up to 4 AV of his. That's a *great* ratio to keep up with since it'll tie down lots of his AV at low cost to you.

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 776

RE: One Weird Battle - 11/8/2010 7:25:00 AM

CaptBeefheart

Posts: 2301
Joined: 7/4/2003
From: Seoul, Korea
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I haven't read the other AAR in quite a while (all I remember was he said he was going for India--so nothing shocking there). You might consider moving your CVs toward the map, but only as long as you could reverse them if necessary (I haven't checked to see if that is feasible). Also, this massive hit on India by Q-Ball smacks of rope-a-dope. You should be racking up gains elsewhere as long as you know where the KB is. Baker was good, but why not Tabiteaua (sp?; I call it "Tabi"), which is my favorite in lower Cenpac due to its size?

Cheers,
CC

_____________________________

Beer, because barley makes lousy bread.

(in reply to pat.casey)

Post #: 777

RE: One Weird Battle - 11/8/2010 12:34:59 PM

Canoerebel

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The Allies have just gotten the Baker Island troops back to Pearl Harbor where they can begin prepping for the next assault.� Islands under consideration are Marcus, Wake, and Tabituea.� No date set for the next operation yet, in part because it may be part of a larger operation.

I'm having real trouble deciding whether to proceed with my big invasion yet.� On the one hand, Brad has nearly all his infantry in India.� On the other, late '42 is too early for a major invasion of the sort I have planned, at least for�Scenario Two.� The objective is distant from any Allied support and thus subject to isolation by the KB.� That's why I had originally planned this operation for mid or even late 1943.� By then I can simply overwhelm the enmy with carriers and troops, establishing a major "colony" right in the guts.

I'm trying to decide whether I can afford to wait until '43, whether I should proceed now, or whether I should cobble together something major but safer for late '42 to take advantage of the KB's absence (assuming the KB is still in India and I get confirmation of that fact).

Western Oz and New Caledonia are two possibilities. I am currently reconning the IJ bases in New Caledonia and vicinity and was surprised to find Noumea lightly held.

I'm not sure yet what I might do in this regard, but I do think I might feel free to release my carriers from their current duty in about a month.

By the way, I've had no trouble sending TFs into the various off-map channels and then recalling them.� I've done this perhaps ten times without incident.� I think I'd feel comfortable doing this with my carriers, which are currently stationed at Mombasa.� And Mombasa is just a few days sailing from Socatra, where I have a PBY squadron that hopefully will provide at least a little advance notice of an invasion.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 11/8/2010 12:39:16 PM >

(in reply to CaptBeefheart)

Post #: 778

RE: One Weird Battle - 11/8/2010 3:01:24 PM

Canoerebel

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From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
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8/8/42 to 8/10/42

India: Wow, just got SigInt that an IJ engineer unit is aboard a Maru bound for Bhaunagar, the port across the "bight" from Surat. This would be a most interesting move. Most importantly, it would give Brad an airfield within range of Karachi. But any advance out of that hex would trigger the "Line of Death" reinforcements. I don't want to give up this hex if possible. Currently, in this hex I have 75 AV 100% prepped. I have a bunch of reserve units scattered in fairly close proximity (though prepped for other bases) that I'm going to send here. Given three or four days, I will have as much as 300 to 400 AV here including some high experience British and Indian units. I don't think Brad has much in reserve at this point, but he could bring a division or two, I suppose. At the same time, a bunch of USA troops are to arrive in Karachi over a stretch beginning in five days to about twelve days. Barring a KB blockade, these guys will make it before Brad could do anything major at this base if it should fall. And I would quite likely commit all Allied reserves to re-take the base. Things could get very interesting if this isn't some kind of feint or deception.

China: The Chinese won a decided victory over 1/3rd of an IJA division that was feeling it's way between Liuchow and a base to the west. This was nice and will allow the Chinese to gang up on another 1/3rd divisions a hex west of Liuchow in about a week. I think the Chinese have shifted enough troops to Liuchow and Kweilin to meet the Japanese advance.

< Message edited by Canoerebel -- 11/8/2010 3:05:06 PM >

(in reply to Canoerebel)

Post #: 779

RE: One Weird Battle - 11/8/2010 3:31:19 PM

witpqs