IJN Tactics.......Objectives.

[Mike Scholl]

Originally posted by TIMJOT
Well, I believe only 1 IJA division was used to take HK, but Im sure players could find plenty of better things to do with that division if they so wished. Something like taking that pesky PM in Dec 41 might be in order. Not sure what the incentive would be to take HK. If there were to be ship capture in the game, that might be a good reason, but that is unlikely. In the end it might be a matter of expediencey. It probably will be faster to take HK and embark your troops there for other operations, rather than marching them overland to the nearest friendly port.

...That this Division was already in the area for a reason---
it was garrisoning occupied Chinese territory, You might be able
to use an "RCT" from it elsewhere on December 7th---but the majority would be stuck there anyway.

[TIMJOT]

Originally posted by Mike Scholl
...That this Division was already in the area for a reason---
it was garrisoning occupied Chinese territory, You might be able
to use an "RCT" from it elsewhere on December 7th---but the majority would be stuck there anyway.

Historically that division, I believe it was the 32nd IIRC, was sent immediately to NEI ( specifically Sumatra )after capturing HK, It was replaced by the 4th Division for garrison duty, but that division too was later sent to help out Homma when things bogged down in the PI. Not sure what replaced 4th division though, but the point is there should be enough lesser units available for garrison duty. In the end I agree if you want to use the 32nd Division for other operations your best bet is to capture HK as fast as possible.

[Mike Scholl]

Originally posted by TIMJOT
Historically that division, I believe it was the 32nd IIRC, was sent immediately to NEI ( specifically Sumatra )after capturing HK, It was replaced by the 4th Division for garrison duty, but that division too was later sent to help out Homma when things bogged down in the PI. Not sure what replaced 4th division though, but the point is there should be enough lesser units available for garrison duty. In the end I agree if you want to use the 32nd Division for other operations your best bet is to capture HK as fast as possible.

THANKS. I knew some one out there would have the actual facts
at hand.

[madflava13]

Thanks for the info guys... I must admit my knowledge of the early japanese movements and units is a little shaky. I appreciate having some people around who can set me straight.

Does anyone have a suggestion or two for a good book on the land combat in SE Asia/Malaysia? Info on who fought who where specifically. I know practically nothing about the Dutch units, for example.

[Apollo11]

Hi all,

Originally posted by Chiteng

<snip>

I just saw 9 B-17 strike at 6k feet hit 57 Zeros, ignore them
and go in and get a hit. They lost NOTHING.
The strike was from Cairn and the Target Rabual.

<snip>

Cairns to Rabaul is too far away (Cooktown to Rabaul is as
well too far away).

If Allied player looses Port Moresy the Rabaul is temporarily safe.

Please clarify this...


Leo "Apollo11"

[mogami]

Hi, Concerning Hong Kong. It is captured by the 38th Div of the 16th Army. I always send minesweepers and transports to Hong Kong on turn 1. After the div captures the base it loads onto the transports for movement south.

[Chiteng]

Originally posted by Apollo11
Hi all,



Cairns to Rabaul is too far away (Cooktown to Rabaul is as
well too far away).

If Allied player looses Port Moresy the Rabaul is temporarily safe.

Please clarify this...


Leo "Apollo11"

I was wrong it was Cooktown

[TIMJOT]

Originally posted by Mogami
Hi, Concerning Hong Kong. It is captured by the 38th Div of the 16th Army. I always send minesweepers and transports to Hong Kong on turn 1. After the div captures the base it loads onto the transports for movement south.

My bad, thanks for the clarification Mogami. I knew it was a 30 something division. Your strategy sounds spot on with the historical. Just for kicks how far is the nearest friendly port for the Japanese in the area?

[mogami]

Originally posted by TIMJOT
My bad, thanks for the clarification Mogami. I knew it was a 30 something division. Your strategy sounds spot on with the historical. Just for kicks how far is the nearest friendly port for the Japanese in the area?

Hi, The 38th begins in a port. But in the time it takes for transports to move there the 38th can capture HK and the transports simply move there instead.

[TIMJOT]

Originally posted by Mogami
Hi, The 38th begins in a port. But in the time it takes for transports to move there the 38th can capture HK and the transports simply move there instead.

Hmm... If the 38th starts in a port then I guess a by-pass HK is a vialble option after all. I can see a player might not want to fatique his troops by attacking HK , but instead sends the division off somewhere he believes more important.

May I ask, how many days does it generally take you to capture HK in your Alpha testing?

Also as an aside. How does the 38th Division cross Kowloon bay to attack HK island? Do you need to embark it on barges? More to the point how does the came handle crossing bodies of water like Kowloon bay and Singapore straights that are within a hex?

Any insight is greatly apreciated

Thanks

[mogami]

Originally posted by TIMJOT
Hmm... If the 38th starts in a port then I guess a by-pass HK is a vialble option after all. I can see a player might not want to fatique his troops by attacking HK , but instead sends the division off somewhere he believes more important.

May I ask, how many days does it generally take you to capture HK in your Alpha testing?

Also as an aside. How does the 38th Division cross Kowloon bay to attack HK island? Do you need to embark it on barges? More to the point how does the came handle crossing bodies of water like Kowloon bay and Singapore straights that are within a hex?

Any insight is greatly apreciated

Thanks

Hi, I think the Japanese captured HK in 18? days (I think it surrendered on the 25th) In the game it only takes 3-4 days. (but this is alpha the unit may not be dug in (in the data base) That would slow things down (but I often send a few extra units. )
In the game the units just move (march) onto HK.

There are a few rules not yet in place (riverine movement is being studied)
In game terms I find it is just as quick to take HK (since there are not enough transports in port to move it.) So it can sit and do nothing or it can take HK. (and then board transports there.)

[TIMJOT]

Thanks for the info Mogami, it will be interesting to see what they come up with regards to riverine movement.