Johnny Horton Gambit

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All Forums >> [Current Games From Matrix.] >> [World War II] >> War In The Pacific - Struggle Against Japan 1941 - 1945 >> The War Room >> Johnny Horton Gambit

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Johnny Horton Gambit - 11/10/2004 1:05:01 AM

Chaplain

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Joined: 8/21/2003
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You know, "North to Alaska, go north, the rush is on ... " (old song)

I'd like to start a discussion about the possibilities for the Japanese on this front in Scen 15. Personally, I have employed two approaches:

1) A very early feint in this direction (raid by Kido Butai, battleship shelling of Dutch Harbor, etc.) to create a nagging neurosis in the Allied players' mind. Force him to spend time and troops reinforcing this region, even though you haze no designs on it whatsoever ...

2) A sudden and massive invasion of Dutch Harbor, Anchorage, etc., launched immediately after the weather clears in late March or early April. If the Allied player has not set up his defenses, this can grab som cheap victory points that he will have to work inordinately hard to reclaim, and it doesn't take much of a commitment (two carriers to provide fighter cover for two invasion task forces which are mostly CA/AK/AP). The likelihood that the Allied player will have carriers operating up here on the defensive is very small.

What do you think? What are your ideas/experiences/analyses?

< Message edited by Chaplain -- 11/9/2004 11:05:48 PM >

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RE: Johnny Horton Gambit - 11/10/2004 1:56:03 AM

sveint

Posts: 3556
Joined: 1/19/2001
From: Glorious Europe
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Good idea, especially nr 1.

On the other hand, the US isn't really worried about losing Alaska, quite the opposite. And if I were the Allies I'd enjoy the chance to (later in the war) isolate and possibly destroy those forces.

(in reply to Chaplain)

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RE: Johnny Horton Gambit - 11/10/2004 2:01:04 AM

Bradley7735

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Well, it's possible that the allied player will have moved most of the land based fighters and bombers to other areas, but by spring 42, Alaska should have a lot of airpower. It's not something that two carriers could defend against.

Basically, unless you came in with enough land units, you'd need to be very lucky or hope that the allied player empties Alaska before you get there. Unless the allied player is a moron, they should have at least two major airfields built up by then. I guess three, since Anchorage is pretty big to start. They should also have pretty well stocked supplies into all bases with troops or planes. I don't think you could blitzkrieg across AK. You'd have to crack each nut, one at a time. All the while defending vs medium LBA.

Also, I think the allied player would be at an advantage to fighting in this theatre. Short supply lines, bases to withdraw air units to. It would take a while, but all those west coast divisions would be marching to Juneau or Anchorage. They couldn't help the individual islands, but they would kick you out of Anchorage.

my 2 cents.

(in reply to Chaplain)

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RE: Johnny Horton Gambit - 11/10/2004 2:15:56 AM

Alikchi2

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I think that the Allies have more oppotunities available in this theatre - the proximity to the west coast and Pearl, etc. You could mount an invasion of northern Japan from here. Alaska isn't as good a prize as India or Australia, and it's more vulnerable. Still, if you CAN take it, you might as well.

< Message edited by Alikchi -- 11/10/2004 6:16:19 AM >

(in reply to Bradley7735)

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RE: Johnny Horton Gambit - 11/10/2004 8:05:34 PM

Chaplain

Posts: 133
Joined: 8/21/2003
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I think I'm being misunderstood -

My point is not to conquer Alaska, but to create a large-scale diversion. The invasion of Dutch Harbor/Anchorage in Option 2 (see above) is not meant as a precursor to a general campaign overland, but just a very large annoyance that requires the Allies to waste time and effort recapturing the region.

The notion of an Allied offensive from Dutch Harbor/Anchorage towards northern Japan has occurred to me, as well. And why not? The problem is that if such an offensive occurs before 1943, the Japs have carrier superiority and will be able to squash it.

(in reply to Alikchi2)

Post #: 5

RE: Johnny Horton Gambit - 11/10/2004 8:32:43 PM

Bradley7735

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Joined: 7/12/2004
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Well, I agree with you that Japan could make a good diversion here. You could take Dutch harbor pretty easy (or unoccupied islands further west). But, bear in mind that the North Pacific gets a LOT of reinforements. The allied player will be able to concentrate and destroy any base you hold. They wouldn't have to wait until 1943. I think sept 42 is about the time that large numbers of LBA would be pounding your bases.

But, with a small number of Japanese troops, you would tie down a large number of allied units. Your diversion would probably work, but be prepared to lose your diversion forces in late 42 to mid 43. I think a competent japanese player would at least force the allied player to deal with a threat from the north.

(in reply to Chaplain)

Post #: 6

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