Imperial Expansion: Phase 2

[Q-Ball]

I am still wrapping my brain around this game, and already thinking ahead to what happens after the obvious first 3 months; after you clear out Malaya, DEI, Rabaul, etc, what is the "Phase 2" target? Where do you point the considerable IJA assets that are freed up after Java, Singapore, and PI fall?

This decision and break point didn't have a name per se in WITP, but every game had it. Seems like decisions revolved around one of several main targets (India, OZ, Hawaii, New Zealand, South Pacific), and AE probably has many similar choices.

Alot of those choices are more complicated now though. Shipping figures to be a much greater factor, as the designers are stating that dedicating too much to an invasion will cripple the economy. In WITP it wasn't, you always had plenty of AP/AK. India and Australia have garrison requirements, and even NZ became a little tougher with Militia that pops up on invasion.

I don't have an answer yet, but what is everyone thinking so far? What targets look tempting?

[Mynok]

I think we are going to find out that the Solomons and PM are not part of Phase 1 anymore and need to be considered in Phase 2.

[Mike Solli]

For me, Northern Oz is always tempting.  It's nice to keep those enemy airfields as far from the SRA as possible.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Mynok


I think we are going to find out that the Solomons and PM are not part of Phase 1 anymore and need to be considered in Phase 2.

I think you're right, Mynok. It sucks though.

[Q-Ball]

I consider Northern Oz to be fairly conservative; shouldn't strain shipping too much (since empties can haul resources home anyway), and there are no garrison requirements up there. It's easy to get troops to as well, since they are already at Sing and Java. It's certainly a very viable option.

If Auto-Victory is an objective, need to think bigger though, and at that point it looks very tough.

Mynok brings up a good point; in WITP I always went for Port Moresby within the first month, is that viable in AE? I think it is still, so far I am thinking following:

1. Truk starts with large store of fuel; this is helpful
2. Divert 1-2 base force units that start loaded on ships at Palau to Truk
3. Land first week or two at Kaveing; set up seaplane base to put "eyes" over Solomons. Same for Shortlands
4. Divert KB to Solomons area after PH raid (send to Truk to re-org, refuel)
5. After Guam taken, prep those forces for Rabaul; pick up and land Rabaul on or about Dec 25 EDIT: Even better, skip Guam, and land these forces right on Rabaul. They include a Base Force, and move 4th Fleet HQ to Rabaul. Guam can be taken by a small unit from Truk or elsewhere later.
6. Meanwhile, prep 2nd Div elements at Sendai turn 1 for Port Moresby; move them to Osaka and collect enough ships to start moving. Transport them to Truk, and re-pack for invasion of PM
7. First week of game, send a BB division to Truk; either Nagatos or a couple Fusos, either will do. (I like to send another division to Palau, to assist in clearing southern DEI)

I think this is all doable early still. Naval support is a big factor, I haven't figured out where all the fleet HQs are coming from yet.

[Canoerebel]

This is interesting reading for an Allied player.

Who are the most uber-aggressive Jap players (I mean, in addition to John 3rd)? What are they thinking?

If India, most of Australia, and NZ are no longer viable targets (not saying they aren't, I'm just wondering), then will the Aluetians become a more tempting target? Also, won't a defensive game become much more important to the Japs? IE, the Japs may concentrate on taking the islands needed to set up a defense in depth of the Empire, then concentrate on strengthening the defense in preparation for the eventual Allied assault.

Also, are the Auto-victory conditions any different? Will the changes in points for ships affect attainability?

[EUBanana]

ORIGINAL: Q-Ball
Mynok brings up a good point; in WITP I always went for Port Moresby within the first month, is that viable in AE? I think it is still, so far I am thinking following:

I don't think the Allies can do a thing about it in December 1941 if Japan has the force, and I think they do - you only need, what, another 120 or so AV?

There will be Banshees and maybe P40s in Port Moresby by February, but I think its still highly vulnerable even then.

[Mike Solli]

With PM, I don't think the issue is troops, I think it is lift capability.  Not that far in my analysis though.  Just guessing.

[Andy Mac]

PM remains vulnerable to an early strike
North Aus and Perth also are vulnerable.
I think Ceylon and a LIMITED attack on Assam are very doable
New Cal/Fiji maybe.
Centpac very doable all the way back to Johnson - attack while you have naval superiority and dig in force the allies to Island hop maybe they will come to early.
Aleutians - yes
Midway - yes
 
NZ probably not worth the grief and resources 
 
The biggest issue for japan is that KB is more and more tied to a defensive stance in CENTPAC - garrisons and LBA probably not enough alone any more.
 
Andy

[EUBanana]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli
With PM, I don't think the issue is troops, I think it is lift capability.  Not that far in my analysis though.  Just guessing.

You don't need many APs for 120 AV though. Whats that - two APs max?

Depends where the troops are coming from...

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: EUBanana

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli
With PM, I don't think the issue is troops, I think it is lift capability.  Not that far in my analysis though.  Just guessing.

You don't need many APs for 120 AV though. Whats that - two APs max?

Depends where the troops are coming from...

There are troops that are pre-loaded in TFs at Palau headed for Truk and "historically" destined for Kavieng, Hollandia, Lombrum (wherever that is) and the Shortlands. These troops are:

I & II/66 Naval Guard
1 JNAF Co
2 JNAF Co

Then there are additional troops at Truk, but not much. Maybe enough. Need to look closer. There are also additional troops at Palau.

[EwingNJ]

Lombrum is on Manus island in the Admiralty Islands.

[Mike Solli]

Ahh, thanks. [:D]

[Q-Ball]

The 144th Regt. is loaded and ready turn 1 at Chichi Jima; the more I think about it, the more I think it's wise to just skip Guam and land it at Rabaul ASAP. If you do that, and get some supply shipping moving too, you can pick that up from Rabaul and land on PM within the first month. The fact that TF has a Base Force with 100+ Nav Support, and Truk has an extra Naval HQ, means you can make that move pretty quickly. I think there is enough shipping. The CA's covering Guam, and a couple BBs from japan should be plenty of surface coverage. Truk begins with a pile of fuel, so you're good to go in that department.

Not alot of LBA though, I think KB will be needed to cover all this.

[Mike Solli]

Q-Ball, I agree.  I'd forgotten about the 144th.  In WitP I always would skip Guam with the SSD (144th) and send them east or SE.  Guam can be taken at our leisure with some podunk unit from the Home Islands.  The CAs you refer to always went to the SE Fleet. 

[EwingNJ]

I haven't looked at the Japanese side yet in my GC against the AI. It is possible, though, that the AI did just what you and Q-Ball are talking about. A whole bunch of folks just showed up at Rabaul on December 12 while Guam was not invaded and captured till the next day.

[Mike Solli]

They're just tourists. [:D]

[Q-Ball]

ANGRY tourists![:@]

[Fletcher]

I have my own vision of the first phase of Japanese strikes, with PI and Malaya assault planned, I will shipping my 4th Infantry Division at Osaka with a Shipping Eng. Regiment to sail to Truk (ETA Dec 26 to rendezvous with CarDiv 1 and CarDiv 5). BB´s Ise, Yamashiro, Hyuga and Fuso will join like Close Support and SCTF. When the force will join at Truk will sail to strike at Nueva Guinea (Port Moresby like the main objetive).  If the allied is weak in this area, I have planned to attack the facilities in the East coast of australia (industry, airport and ports).
Nagato´s can not reload main armament at Truk (it must will be sent with CarDiv 2 to Tarakan amphibious ops with 65th Brigade.
At Phillipine my main objetive will be Cagayan (naval amphibious strike with XVI Army elements -8th Tank Regiment, 1st Eng Regiment, 17th Arty Regiment) and Sasebo´s SNLF. When falls in my hunger hands, all the Air Flotilla at Formosa will be redeploy at Mindanao (Jolo will be captured by parachute assault from 1st and 3rd Yokosuka SNLF).
After the main strikes at Nueva Guinea, the KB force will be refit and will sail with the 21st Division to capture Timor with Car Div 1 & 5 and Kendari with the support of CarDiv 2.
The Palembang assault will be released by 2th (after Malaya campaign is over control) and 38th Division with heavy elements and after the air superiority in the area will be complete with massive air assaults with KB elements over dutch airfields.

After that, my main thinking is a heavy reinforcement the position to be fortified as strong as possible and attack in the Indian Ocean to avoid the naval traffic between british and Aussies (that´s will be more easey that try to avoid the american traffic between west coast and Oz). Air attacks over Ceylan (March-April, like historical) are on my planning, of course is a temptation the north of Australia (but I´ll try to destroy facilities, not invasion to avoid the free british-aussie reforcements), IMHO.

That´s my way of thinking to launch the first strke join to Malaya-Phillipine islands operations.
Replies will be appreciated.
Regards.

[Mynok]

ARMED angry tourists....