How do you spell Victory?

[MaxFusion]

"In the first six to twelve months of a war with the United States and Great Britain I will run wild and win victory upon victory. But then, if the war continues after that, I have no expectation of success" Admiral Yamamoto, 1940.

Against a reasonably matched opponent can the Japanese win victory in Pacific War? I would be interested to hear from the Japanese players who think that victory by game standards is possible.

I think a realistic victory plan for the Japanese would be to merely outlast his historical counterpart.

[wflarry]

Outlast his historical opponent?

This was possible in Version 2.3. In version 3.1 I don't think it is possible against a competent Allied Player. Changes were needed, as it was too easy as the japanese player to just roll through china, burma, and india. However, the changes made have really hurt the japanese player too much, I think.

I have always been in favor of historical accuracy as opposed to play balance, but now I don't know.

The japanese air force is now to fragile to put up any type of sustained effort, even in early 1942. The fighter groups just disintegrate as soon as they come up against f4fs or P40s. And forget about opposing those early corsairs - it is just impossible for the japanese to shoot them down.

Initially jap air groups do ok, but experience immediately disappears with replacements, and factories do not seem to be able to keep up. Then the game is quickly over.

Maybe this is as it should be historically. Maybe if my opponent had not quickly taken the northern (arctic) japanese islands and made them into invulnerable huge air bases with P38s and corsairs and B25s I would not have lost all hope so early. Perhaps i need to play some more to get a better feel. But after ~30 enjoyable PBEM games of 2.2 and 2.3, I find myself not wanting to play 3.1 anymore.

[moore4807]

wflarry - as you speak of one of my favorite US play gambles -(northern Japan invasion) Japanese AI has taught me a few harsh lessons

1) when the opponent (US) reinforces Dutch Harbor or moves against Paramushiro,you need to assemble 3 TF's (basically stopping all other offenses) one a bombardment TF of at least 3 BB and 5-6 CA with DD's in or near Tokyo (Yamato finally has an early use!) Your CV TF will need to be first, standing off 2-3 hexes from Midway and 1st attack Midway's air defenses then go after enemy TF's. Your invasion TF (at least 2 regiments & engineers) must come from S.Pacific or India (takes the longest to prepare & travel) I highly recommend a replenishment TF nearby for the CV TF and possibly a 2nd CV TF in reserve or rotate in to limit damages to air groups.

2) I find the primary effect on your opponent (regardless of AI or Human) is approximately the same - Scramble!!! if you do not choose Midway as an HQ target, surprise is easier to achieve vs US intelligence. The AI usually stops everything its doing and rushes to retake Midway (where the CV TF's generally have a field day against them- US CV's are generally in the S.Pacific now). Opponents have tried to re-invade immediately since the gun is now pointed right at PH. its a bloodbath! The IJN Bombardment TF gets reconfigured into 2 to 3 surface TF's and then sent to Dutch Harbor and PH with a 5-6 hex offset with the replenishment TF moved 2 to 3 hexes off Midway. (pretty much makes regular shipping impossible around there)

3) This causes all kinds of problems for the US player (ME!) with one or two CV TF's roaming around and superior surface TF's sinking shipping in my back yard. My only serious reply is air power and is limited to PH and Johnston Is. -choking my supply service to northern units. Now run the invasion TF back to Tokyo, re-equip it, and then send a weaker bombardment TF to Dutch Harbor, Attu etc. along with the 2nd invasion force and PRESTO! I've now lost virtually all my gains and it generally takes me 6-12 mos to recover Midway using ALL of my resources since IJN engineers (SBF's whatever) start building up Midway's air & ports immediately.

4) try this in a game against AI (it takes me about 15 games before US - AI will choose to invade northern Japan-usually goes S. Pacific first) or opponent who uses the northern gambit. Note - live opponents generally react faster to this than AI ***IF*** you dont chooseMidway as a HQ target -choosing it as a target only speeds up supply and defense of the island making it twice as hard to invade.