Changing base HQ

[wga8888]

I did a rules search without finding an answer. Rather than spend a great amount of time further, I will ask.

HQ SWPac starts at Brisbane. All 'swpac' bases are initially controlled by SoPac. If I want to change Noumea and others to SWPac, I do not have the option (other hqs are grayed out, have lots of PolPts). I assume I have to move the SWPac HQ to the region first (out of Australia) as my be some HQ range needed to change a base?

Allies start 1941 with hordes of AKs/AOs in India, US and Australia. I cannot find uses at present for a lot other than auto convoys as face a shortage of escorts.

[Mongol_Horde]

I don't think you have to have SWPac HQ at Noumea to change.
IIRC, the condition is that one LCU of the target command has to be at that place.

And I'm not aware that changing Noumea from SoPac to SWPac makes any difference gamewise.....

[wga8888]

I will try to change the HQ of the end unit already there. I believe the location of the HQ defines its command range. At present I have several air groups belonging to the SWPac but have no bases belonging to the SWPac. Concern with Noumea is its weak initial defense in terms of boots on the ground.

[tankboy]

Historically SW Pacific covered the war in PM/Buna and South Pacific based in Noumea covered the war in the Solomons. I move SW HQ N. to Townsville or so and get South Pacific to Noumea. Your concerns about defending Noumea are valid. I struggle with the decision to reinforce PM with every free unit or leave some in Noumea.

Ref. plethora of AK/AP/AO/TK. I recommend you get them back to the big supply bases in Indian and West Coast and start pushing big supplies to Oz first then Pago Pago then Hawaii. I convert a huge amount of 7000 AK to AR, MLE and AV as soon as I can. 4 x MLE with surviving DMs can save the US if the Japanese push hard in the E. Pacific. Having 10 - 15 AR in PH, Seattle, SF, LA and SD will get the US fleet back in action, especially subs in PH, very quickly. I try to get the damaged BB from PH back in the mix by OCT '42. You need a lot of AR that arrive in JUN '42 (180 turns after PH raid) to make this happen.

[turkey]

I reckon it depends if you are playing the AI or a human player. if you defend PM vs. a human, he will simply go and take Noumea, leaving PM to rot and this is a far more serious loss strategically and in terms of VP. The AI is not so smart and will attack PM heavily defended or not.

[engineer]

I wouldn't go overboard on the AR's. My understanding is that each AR adds one port level to a harbor for ordinary report. However, this effect is capped at 3 AR's so the incremental AR's over 3 don't do any good. However, spreading your ships out in multiple harbors will put more hands at work so fully loading all your major ports with 3 AR will still consume dozens of AK to AR conversions.