New Scenario Feedback Requested

[Mike Carroll]

I am considering attempting my first scenario and would request feedback on some items.

Setting: 1926. Failure of the Washington Navy talks has spurred an arms race in the Pacific and a very aggressive attitude by Japan in Manchuria. By 1926 Manchuria has basically become a client state with Japan exercising control. Here is what I am thinking, would like some feedback:

1) In Scenario 8 Japan receives approximately 20,000 supply and 4,000 fuel per day. The vast majority in Japan. I propose to do the following:

a) Move 35% of the supply to Korea/Manchuria and add 1500 supply per day in Korea/Manchuria.

b) Move 50% of the fuel to Korea/Manchuria and Sakalin Island (roughly 70/30 split)

This would represent the importance of Manchuria as a source for food, iron, oil, coal.

2) Add approximately 50 to 70 destroyers to the US fleet as reinforcements. (The US had built some 300 flush deck destroyers during and after WWI)

3) Add approximately 50 destroyers to the Japanese as reinforcements.

4) Add about 70 to 100 subchasers/patrol boats to both sides. I think a considerable number of smaller vessels would be pressed into service as escorts and pickets.

5) Add 2 to 4 late war "fast cruisers" to the US reinforcements. Probably something along the lines of the Pensacola class (32kts, 6x8" guns) or maybe just some more Omaha class.

6) Add some late war Japanese cruiser reinforcements and maybe a battleship.

7) Add Chinese Warlord Allies for Japan in Manchuria - approximately 5 or 6 divisions.

8) Allow a small Chinese military that is not frozen - perhaps 8 divisions.

9) This would be a US/Japanese War - so house rules would be that the British Empire/French and Dutch would only be active if attacked.

10) Because of the heightened tensions 50% of US destroyers would have their ASW upgrades completed.

11) US garrison on the Philippines would be slightly stronger.

12) US would not be allowed to use Hong Kong, Singapore, or French Bases. Chinese bases would be ok.

13) Add a couple of converted merchant carriers to each side.

Well that is the start. I would like some feedback. Also what would be a Japanese victory. Should there be some sort of auto-victory?

[Rysyonok]

Just a thought: do you want all of those additional ships on top of historical and conjectural (projects that were wrapped up due to Washington treaty) builds?

And how about forcing Japan to attack NEI? Aggressive arms race would have undoubtedly bled their oil reserves dry...

[Tankerace]

Just a note to help you out: All US Destroyers Built in WWI are included in the OOB (even the pre Flush Deckers). Even though not all are used, all are listed. So all you would have to do is remove the 9999 delay and add a base and start date.

[orabera]

Along the lines of #2 and #3, the US would be able to build between 500-800 new destroyers during the timeframe covered. I'm working on my own hypothetical scenario and using U.S. DE construction during WWII as my base, I have 470 new DD's. Still working on Subs reinforcement schedule.

Once you enter the world of potential, U.S. production would swamp Japan within two years.

[Rysyonok]

Once you enter the world of potential, U.S. production would swamp Japan within two years.

Maybe, maybe not.

What if USN BBs on their World Tour of 1907 get ambushed and sunk while in Japan? ^_^ Remember, most of USN fleet is in Atlantic and Panama Channel is not ready...

[Mike Carroll]

Thanks TankerAce!!! I was not looking forward to that part:-) (US destroyers). Now all I have to do is get 50 or so names for Japanese Destroyers.

[Mike Carroll]

I think US and Japanese Production in WWII was more advancedthan it would be in the 1920's, especially the US as they were already ramping up somewhat to support an on-going war. The US just did not flip a switch after Dec 7. They certainly ramped up, but the base had been building for a number of years.

I think we would all like to see a game where both sides have a chance to win. Frankly I am having some troubles along these lines. I think both countries are extremely stubborn and I am not sure at what point "war weariness" would set in. In WWII, Japan was knocked back to an almost pre-Industrial stage and only the threat of continued nuclear bomb attacks brought the end of the war. Japan lacks the capacity to do the same to the US, nor would the US stay in the war that long. But I do not see that anything Japan could do, would make the US quit the war. So you almost need a Japanese Auto-Victory - just not sure what that should be.

In any event I believe there would be more smaller ships - destroyers, patrol boats etc. than are in the current scenario's. I do not know Japan's capabilities in the 20's but I believe that through various means they would be able to replace more than the 18 Destroyers that on the current reinforcement list. I also think many smaller ships would be pressed into service as coastal patrol and escorts etc.

[Mike Carroll]

ORIGINAL: Rysyonok

Just a thought: do you want all of those additional ships on top of historical and conjectural (projects that were wrapped up due to Washington treaty) builds?

And how about forcing Japan to attack NEI? Aggressive arms race would have undoubtedly bled their oil reserves dry...

I considered this as well. But I believe that coal is still the dominant form of fuel for ships and industry- again Korea and Manchuria are a major source of this very important raw material. I think Sakalin Island which is a major source of oil for Japan would be modeled by putting some fuel production there.

Without the production system turned on I do not think I could model the benefit to Japan in capturing the NEI. Correct me if I am wrong but Daily Supply/Fuel disappears when a base exchanges hands. (Part of the reason for giving Japan all of Manchuria to start).

Would be good if TankerAce finishes his version of the scenario with the production system on[:D] Then I could modify from there.

[Rysyonok]

ORIGINAL: Mike Carroll

Thanks TankerAce!!! I was not looking forward to that part:-) (US destroyers). Now all I have to do is get 50 or so names for Japanese Destroyers.

Easy. Get a Japanese dictionary or reuse all those pre-RJW names (Harusame class, etc).

If you need a list, PM me. Or pick up Conway's All the world's fighting ships 1860-1905.

The dictionary is better though. =)

[Rysyonok]

P.S. I doubt that Sahalin had any potential for oil/supply production in those years... I wouldn't move any supply sources there. Vladivostok, however, was a nice source until 1924 or so...

[String]

ORIGINAL: Mike Carroll

Thanks TankerAce!!! I was not looking forward to that part:-) (US destroyers). Now all I have to do is get 50 or so names for Japanese Destroyers.

Give them numbers.

[Mike Carroll]

ORIGINAL: Rysyonok

P.S. I doubt that Sahalin had any potential for oil/supply production in those years... I wouldn't move any supply sources there. Vladivostok, however, was a nice source until 1924 or so...

I was not looking to move supply there only some fuel production, probably around 500 or 600 a day. Better study up on that and see if there had been anything found then. I am basing this loosely on "The Great War" by Bywater and he mentions it as a major source of oil. So assuming that is correct and he wrote the book in 1925, there should be something there. Thanks

[Mike Carroll]

Some other changes:

1. Going to add some Japanese tankers probably 10 or 15.

2. USMC units will not be assigned to restricted HQs to start the game.

[Mike Carroll]

OK here is my latest thought.

1. I am going to place bases in the Indian Ocean and the far lower right corner. These will be Japanese "Commerce Bases".

a) They will generate a small amount of daily supply and fuel. (between 300 to 500 supply and 200 to 400 fuel per day)

b) No warships of either side will be allowed to approach within 3 hexes of the base.

c) The bases may not be invaded or attacked by the allies.

d) The Indian Ocean base may not be used if the British come into the war.

Here are my thoughts. This is not WWII. Japan will have an on-going trade with the rest of the world and there will be some commerce raider operations going on. The Japanese will be able to send merchants to these bases to get supply and fuel. The US will be able to raid that commerce.

Ok what are your thoughts?