Lowpe
Posts: 22133
Joined: 2/25/2013 Status: offline
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I think I forgot to mention that when Shikotan fell, I had managed to fly out splinters of all the defenders so as to avoid having to buy troops back with precious PP. So there are 5 or so open ground hexes available for the Allies to land on pretty easily if they don't get Hakodate, I will cover each with 2 divisions, a base force for with DP guns, and artillery, plus lots of engineers building forts. They have forts 3 now. More troops there as they become available. I need some kind of reserve on rail cars ready to react at a moments notice. I need to protect every base in the HI from para landing. I need to protect the industry/plane production everywhere too. I have to watch out for long range port strikes. So many things to consider... However, if the weather clears, perhaps my sweeps can work just because of overwhelming numbers. I really am curious to see if the high Kami strike can go in. I would trade 100 planes right now for 1 or 2 CVEs. I guess that is asking too much out of 27 Judys. For bomber defense, I set altitude between 10-13K, with settings of 40 percent on, 10 percent rest, and range 2. Pretty much every base has a squadron (all the smaller ones) with several of the important centers have 2 or more. Lots of A6M5c on this duty, as well as Jack (since production hasn't ramped up enough for them to fight his fighters (plus it is five hexes to Kushiro). I also put back any fighter squadron with poor morale (mostly Oscars) but they have a setting of 30 CAP/ 20 Rest. I also have a couple of really small George squadrons (9 planes each) and they are doing industry protection too. I thought about putting some planes on LRCAP, but that to me seems to simply raise fatigue. I got to thinking how the Lightnings have been quiet for two weeks or so, so there is probably a full strength squadron somewhere...so long range sweeps past 10 hexes are likely on the HI. So ultimately, that will mean I need to devote some high altitude George squadron to industry defense too. I really, really need more radar sets. And more AA. Well, more everthing. Here are some tips for you AFB Fanboys that are thinking about emulating this strategy. Bring paratroops and hit all the bases that have airplane factories in it. You might get lucky and find one without any troops or just 0 AV units. Especially the interior ones. You don't care if they die...right? Target either plane factories or manpower. I think I would tend to target the plane and engine factories first. And always use your P47s to sweep. But on the other hand, I don't think you will find an opponent so wholly unprepared for this move like I was. I thought he would either consolidate the Marianas, go for Luzon or go for Bonins. Thinking back he did telegraph the move: Bombardments and bombing of Saipan tailed off pretty quickly signalling a lack of interest in taking the base. Shipping fell away in the Marianas. The Aluetians were built to the max; while Darwin still isn't even improved. Hokkaido wasn't the weakest area for him to attack, he could have landed on Luzon. From Luzon he could strangle all fuel and oil shipments back and that was what I was expecting. Wouldn't have been able to stop it either.
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