Noumea gambit opening

[stjeand]

Sorry that sub sinking was a horrible luck and an anomaly...that should not happen in 1942 but it did.

I have had subs on that line before for months without taking damage.


Don't assume that will happen.

[ncc1701e]

Other than that, they can produce an engineer specialty around March 15th, 1942 with a production of 13 points per turn.

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Japan Engineer 3.JPG (109.83 KiB) Viewed 766 times

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And yes, this is a PBEM strategy. It happens to me here too but I was not ready to handle it.
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 6&t=384906

[ncc1701e]

Sorry that sub sinking was a horrible luck and an anomaly...that should not happen in 1942 but it did.

I have had subs on that line before for months without taking damage.


Don't assume that will happen.

Yes, that's why Japan subs on the South Pacific convoy lane is a good strategy. Maybe, your previous opponents were not using the sub hunter bonuses?

[stjeand]

Well I normally have 5 subs there and they stay a float but this time I did not...
Just bad luck.

[ncc1701e]

I build up port is a pretty good option. I think even in WitP it isn't a large port at the start of the game. But then the Japanese go after the other large port instead in the area.

What might be better is to put port activation restrictions like I have in the game for other ports.

Well, after playing a little bit the game where Noumea was blockade turn 1 and invade turn 3. I wonder if you are not finally right about port activation restriction. There are not enough planes to destroy all the ships coming around. Not enough oil also.

Maybe the port activation restrictions must be that :

The Japanese player may not draw supply to any port in Santa Cruz Islands, New Hebrides Islands and New Caledonia if the Allies control Rabaul, Lae, Port Moresby, Manus, Kavieng, Buin, Jayapura, Wewak, or Henderson Field. (all the size 2 or larger ports in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands)

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Port restriction.JPG (124.72 KiB) Viewed 727 times

[ncc1701e]

Here is the overall situation:

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Noumea.JPG (206.38 KiB) Viewed 724 times

[ncc1701e]

By August 1942, Japanese player can perfectly bring an engineer for its army in Noumea. Plenty of ships there now doing port blockade in night move each turn. Even a Carrier Strike from time to time (when it is not missing its target) is not enough.

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Noumea 2.JPG (65.76 KiB) Viewed 721 times

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Carrier Strike.JPG (127.08 KiB) Viewed 721 times

[ncc1701e]

I build up port is a pretty good option. I think even in WitP it isn't a large port at the start of the game. But then the Japanese go after the other large port instead in the area.

What might be better is to put port activation restrictions like I have in the game for other ports.

Well, after playing a little bit the game where Noumea was blockade turn 1 and invade turn 3. I wonder if you are not finally right about port activation restriction. There are not enough planes to destroy all the ships coming around. Not enough oil also.

Maybe the port activation restrictions must be that :

The Japanese player may noy draw supply to any port in Santa Cruz Islands, New Hebrides Islands and New Caledonia if the Allies control Rabaul, Lae, Port Moresby, Manus, Kavieng, Buin, Jayapura, Wewak, or Henderson Field. (all the size 2 or larger ports in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands)

But, I still would like Noumea to be lowered to port level 3 when the scenario starts.

[ago1000]

Just a thought:
Have you considering trying giving the US 3 or 4 Naval Supply points at start and leaving the port size 6 and the engineering unit.

With the weather the way it is, hard rain works against the Allies because the engineer unit cannot be supplied by air when moved one hex from port. But it is to the Allies advantage when DDs can move in and resupply the unit a couple of times. It may delay the taking of Noumea for a months or two.(Usually Jan. 18-without delay)

This would give the Allies time for the US 4 carriers to come out and play and repair it surface fleet. Does add some interesting battles early game that could go both ways if mistakes are made.

On one of my hotseat test it rained from Mid dec to end March, IJN couldn't even invade.

[ncc1701e]

This would give the Allies time for the US 4 carriers to come out and play and repair it surface fleet. Does add some interesting battles early game that could go both ways if mistakes are made.

With the Japanese player committing 8 to 10 CVs/CVLs, this is just an invitation to lose all your Allies CVs on turn 4 or 5.

[ago1000]

This would give the Allies time for the US 4 carriers to come out and play and repair it surface fleet. Does add some interesting battles early game that could go both ways if mistakes are made.

With the Japanese player committing 8 to 10 CVs/CVLs, this is just an invitation to lose all your Allies CVs on turn 4 or 5.

Your statement is true, however I was able to inflict damage to IJN carriers where I sank 2 of their CVs to 1 of mine by T13. It can happen.

The strategy that was used is a very good one. It is an early game trap and the Allies are limited to their response. Your solution will work as it will delay the advanced sub base becoming fully operational (size 5) by Apr-May 42.

However, the question that still remains unanswered is this game breaking the way it is? I guess more HvH would need to speak up.

I can only suggest a strategy I would try if playing HvH against this move:

IMO,

I would delay the taking of Noumea as much as possible trying to inflict the invading force with as much damage as possible. I wouldn't waste my time attacking the subs but bomb (with air) the surface fleets in the area during the invasion (any fleet on the beach hex get the most hits).

Once Noumea falls, my DDs would already be in place for convoy sub hunter duty (New Zealand). Before the fall, I would be shipping as much resources and oil to UK (R93,O7-4 turns then adjust) as you can see this move coming on T1. As always be careful moving my air units to islands and units to the island as they may get intercepted.

There are four zones in which subs can hide without being seen. I've indicated them in the pic below. They grow a bit and shift a bit depending on weather but usually these are the areas where subs can hide. Zone 4 can be covered by the home fleet. Early game you have a lot of DDs and you can keep the CVs for zone 4. Continue to supply your Allies with much needed resources but turn off the lane at times to let your DDs refuel. I would overload zones guessing where he might be as the sub hunter bonus will sink IJN subs especially zones 2 and 3. Also be careful not to be baited as he may place sub units where they are visible and when you place your sub hunters adjacent(20 hexes available), he may have a fleet in waiting to intercept and sink your sub hunters so you need to stay invisible also and in raider mode.

If you think about, if the fleet is in port, then his first move out must be to either zone 2 or 3 as all fleets are limited to 48 hexes[(70,3) to (160,25)] most hexes being sub visible.

Allied resources will be spent getting the convoys through but to protect Axis subs resources will need to be spent hunting down your sub hunters and repairing and replacing subs. You may also find that you may be sinking Axis subs faster than they can be replaced. Yes, you may need to spend some production pts to buy MMs but you would have done so anyway as the US is the main supply of everything to everyone. Meanwhile I would be garrison my lower island chain Canton and Johnston as they are my naval highway to Australia with my early turns.

[ncc1701e]

This strategy is very good yes. My only problem is that it is too easy to do. Allies planes (NZ and AUS) are too weak to damage anything, low on fuel.

With Japanese not losing any transport shipping or MMs to supply Noumea, they can hold it quite easily. And from there, everything derails in term of timing. The time for the Allies to have a decent navy, this is not before 1943 that you can do something. Axis is sure to win by points at the end of the game.