I did actually engage the KB last turn and it was kind of an draw. If I understand correctly you say that when I will move ahead than go through Pago Pago and surrounding bases.
Hmm, not sure I'd classify it as a draw. Essentially any Japanese CV not sunk before 1st January 1944 is, under most strategies, irrelevant except insofar as it exists as a threat in being. In other words it doesn't form much of a threat in actually engaging enemy forces.
So, trading a couple of CVEs an CVL Ryuho ( given poor Japanese damage control I would suggest that this is what he actually lost) in return for sinking 1 Allied CV and, at the very least, seriously damaging one more and moderately damaging another is a pretty good deal. These aren't fatal blows to the Americans but they do tend to limit your options for attacks on isolated bases. Strategically and operationally I'd have to call this a win for the Japanese.
As to where to advance... If you advance from Pago Pago you face a long, long march through many easily identified atolls each of which must be taken in series and in range of only limited LBA. No, I think that you need to gamble, land where he isn't and focus on the air bridge of the Aleutians to Parmashiro Jima ( sp?). This is the area in which you can maximise your LBA power and have the greatest ability to cut off his reaction forces and land where he isn't.
Here's what I would have suggeste.... Using the bad weather as cover land a division and CD/AAA units and several EAB Bns at both Amchitka and the other unoccupied but Japanese-controlled islands in the Aleutians. Fortify them ASAP an then build up your airfields. Forget about the isolated Japanese forces in your rear and then push on towards the Kuriles. Tight focus along a very prescribed ( and, importantly, proscribed) axis will benefit you at this stage.
Risky but very beneficial and attacking will tend to limit the enemy's offensive potential at far less cost than defending given the force correlation and geographical situations in this game. In any case that is the strategy I am applying in the game I've started as the US. I'm retreating in some places but also ordered my first large-scale offensive on December 8th 1941. I think that's the way to go in limiting Japanese expanionism. Attack them while they are focussed elsewhere and rip their throat out while they are focussed on their own sword arm. When the sword is turned on you it will be wielded by someone already significantly weakened by blood loss. I think you can apply the same thinking to benefit.
Apologies if this is unwanted input. I understand that many people are rendered uncomfortable by rational exposition and invest it with a wide variety of emotional contexts it does not contain.
and this is just advice. It may well prove that my advice is horribly inappropriate.
