ORIGINAL: obvert
[I don't think he'll go Russia before taking out India. He knows the price there already, and in his previous game it took all of 42 and some of 43 to consolidate the gains there. It also releases so many units he would not be able to have the kind of free reign in India he will have now until he hits the tripwire.
That said, all of the preparation for an attack should still be happening, especially field building and pilot training.
You're getting a lot of advice here. I won't add much more to the pile except to say that you might read Canoerebel's AAR about defending India, (which I'm sure Rader has had a look at), and see what worked for him in his game against Q-Ball. A lot of talk by everyone there about what will work, where the line is, what Japan should have done as well.
In Russia i'm preparing myself for an attack since 7th Dec. Training, building and stockpiling supplies up north.
I've read most of the CR-QBall AARs (from both sides.
Have to say that most of the considerations put there are creating more confusion into my mind than if i had not read it!
Nemo and others said Q had to land directly at Karachi, others that he had to concentrate on Bombay...others that he had to bypass Colombo that took him 3 weeks...
However, despite of that, my considerations are the following:
1. Q-Ball never really wanted to conquer the WHOLE India. Since the first day of the operation his goal was an action that delayed the future allied advance. Only on a second stage, pushed by all the supporters and readers, he tried to advance further than Bombay but discovered it was too late.
2. Q-Ball begun his adventure exactly 1 month later than Rader. One month means a lot in terms of supplies,troops,planes brought to India.
3. I'm pretty sure Rader is going for the entire and final price...exactly like in China or in Russia in his other game.
4. Bombay is the key. CR managed to defeat Q because he was able to hold Bombay.
5. The trigger-line hasn't been exactly identified. I've studied a lot in the forums and haven't found a precise indication of where this line is.
6. CR was able to fight so long (and finally to win) because he sacrificed the 18th UK div at Colombo, creating a deep delay in japanese scheldue. heavy price to pay for an awesome result.
7.Q-ball didn't put all his land assets in India like Rader seems to be doing...
In the end i find that there are really a lot of differences between these two matches and i don't know if it's a good thing to base my strategy on that match...
He's advancing with a corps of 6 tanks units from Cox's Bazar (the main body - 80 units - is still marching south of Chittaong)....i'll have to try to march all the way towards Calcutta, hoping to be able to run faster than tanks (obviously i cannot).