What small bases do you capture and use as the Japanese?

[loader6]

I was wondering what small bases people capture and use as the Japanese? I've seen some talk of Dobadura (or something like that, it's right by Gilli Gilli) and other locations and I was wondering what are the main ones people go for. Also, why go for those locations? Is it used to unload supply and transfer it to barges, as an airbase, to deny it to the enemy, etc? Thanks,

Loader6

[Tuomas Seijavuori]

Dobadura is a SPS 6 airbase. Next to Buna, actually, not GG.

Munda and Irau are other good spots. My PBEM opponent has occupied Rennell, Russel and Rossel Islands as the japanese to serve as forward scouting bases and to deny them from me.

[mogami]

Greetings, As the Japanese I try to build at least level 2 ports and airfields within 3-4 hexes of bases. I also recently began building Kiriwna Island (Island north of Buna 1/2 way between Rabaul and Gili Gili. I use it as an unsinkable replenishment TF for my CV/bombardment TF's. Also if something bad should happen to a CV the airfield is an emergancy landing field for the airgroups.
I build Buka and Buein and then a chain of bases to Lunga. My ASW/minesweeper TF's operate from them and scout float planes (I place a couple of AV's down there with the planes assigned to the base but drawing support for the AV's) The allies love to send minelaying subs into these narrow waters so the Japanese must be on the look out and patrol them round the clock. I really do not try to build any advance base to far intill I have established this chain of rear bases. I stockpile supply and fuel (10k-20k fuel 40-50k supply) even at bases that have no ground units. (so if needed I can fast transport the troops and not have to worry about them running out of supply) Gasmata, Hotkins, and Sag Sag have supply and level 2 port and airfields to connect Lae with Rabaul. Each little active base has 5-10 barges homeported and the short distances allows them to keep everything supplied.
Of course the system will collapse (just as any Japanese defense arrangment) if the fleet is not on hand to react to USN activity.. I keep a CV TF at both Rabaul and Shortlands and surface TF's at bases not at front line but within reaction distance to advanced bases. The LBA groups move to level 4 airbases (at least 1 group per base. The fighters base at fields where the reaction TF's are kept. (they still fly escort but CAP over the TF's is important.)
As new airgroups arrive they are sent to build up certain key locations (Port Moresby, Gili Gili, Lunga, )
The reserve infantry formations are kept at Rabaul and Truk. I try to keep the barest force down south where wear and tear from just sitting eats the units. I use the small Naval Garrision units down south and keep 1/2 of the rest at Rabaul and 1/2 at Truk (not counting the actual large formations down south)

For example the Lunga garrison is the 2nd and 38th Infantry divsions. At any one time only one of these formations is deployed at Lunga. the other is dividied between Rabaul and Truk
(and the unit on Lunga actually has a portion moving between Rabaul and Lunga) The small bases in between make it possible to keep the flow steady and safe.