Base HQ Assignments

[dave sindel]

I am wondering about how Base HQ's are determined when a base is retaken. Port Moresby starts the game with an Australian HQ assignment. I just retook the base from the Japanese, and now it is flying a US Flag and shows "Southwest Pacific" as the HQ the base is assigned to. I used Australian troops almost exclusively in the battle - only 1 USMC Defense Battalion was involved. I also retook Nauru Island with 100% NZ troops - and it also flys a US Flag now. So apparently the nationality of the conquering troops doesnt affect the HQ designation. The issue this created for me with Port Moresby is that I wanted to base some Aussie air groups there - but with the RAAF HQ being restricted, the game wont let me transfer these air units there. So I have a PP penalty either way I proceed - pay PP's to convert the Port Moresby HQ to Australian command, or pay PP's to transfer the Aussie air groups to an unrestricted HQ. Is there any way to avoid this ?

[btd64]

NOPE[;)]....GP

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: General Patton

NOPE[;)]....GP

Only by going back in time and NOT putting the US Def. Bn. in the stack. The conquered base is always awarded to the HQ of the first unit in the stack, and US units are listed ahead of any others (because of their lower index numbers in the DB). Even if the US unit does not actually take part in the battle, they get the base. Example - I brought in US Combat Engineers, artillery and tanks to assist the Chinese with grinding down the IJA in Shanghai. When it was clear the IJA forts were down and supply was gone, I started marching the US units out of the hex and when I figured all the units would exit the hex next turn, I ordered the Chinese to shock attack and take Shanghai. Unfortunately, one US unit stopped to look at the cute pandas ... and Shanghai went to the Americans.

[bradfordkay]

It is also possible that his Australian and Kiwi troops were assigned to SWPac HQ because their home HQs are permanently restricted and thus cannot perform invasions

[dave sindel]

ORIGINAL: bradfordkay

It is also possible that his Australian and Kiwi troops were assigned to SWPac HQ because their home HQs are permanently restricted and thus cannot perform invasions

@bradfordkay - that's a good thought and a possibility I hadnt considered.

@bbfanboy - thanks for that insight. Pretty sure that the Nauru Island invasion was 100% Kiwis but I need to double check.

[dmaramba]

ORIGINAL: dave sindel

The issue this created for me with Port Moresby is that I wanted to base some Aussie air groups there - but with the RAAF HQ being restricted, the game wont let me transfer these air units there. So I have a PP penalty either way I proceed - pay PP's to convert the Port Moresby HQ to Australian command, or pay PP's to transfer the Aussie air groups to an unrestricted HQ. Is there any way to avoid this ?

There actually is -- if you really want to take it. There are two unrestricted commands under the restricted Australia Command [R]: I Australian Corps and II Australian. To accomplish what you describe above, (1) as BBfanboy says, go back in time; (2) remove the marines from the attacking force; (3) make sure all the Aussies are attached to I Australian Corps or II Australian. When you take Moresby, it will be attached to Australia Command [R]. This is how I took Milne Bay and was able to fly Australian air groups to New Guinea without buying them out.

Pretty sure that the Nauru Island invasion was 100% Kiwis but I need to double check.

I'm sure they were all Kiwis, and I'm sure they were all attached to South Pacific, and that is why Nauru is now attached to South Pacific and flying the U.S. flag. There is no unrestricted command under the restricted New Zealand Command [R]; there is only 3rd New Zealand Division (and 1 Group RNZAF) under South Pacific and South Pacific itself. Your Kiwis would have to be attached to one of these commands; otherwise, as bradfordkay says, they wouldn't be able to perform invasions.

The key point in all this is that it isn't the nationality of the winning side, but the HQ they are attached to, that determines the HQ that the base is assigned to.

[BBfanboy]

Going back to the OP - retaking PM from the Japanese means the Allies are starting to move forward and in all likelihood will continue to do so. Australia does not have that many aircraft to employ at PM but will keep getting more as the game goes on. Will they all be stuck in the backwater areas when the war moves on? It may make more sense to just start buying out the air units to SOPAC so that they can stay in the war.

[pontiouspilot]

ahhh....now I see why it might matter, other than aesthetics. I guess if you wanted to spend the pol pts you could change the base after fact. I would only do in undeveloped sense or it gets costly however.

[dave sindel]

ORIGINAL: dmaramba

ORIGINAL: dave sindel

The issue this created for me with Port Moresby is that I wanted to base some Aussie air groups there - but with the RAAF HQ being restricted, the game wont let me transfer these air units there. So I have a PP penalty either way I proceed - pay PP's to convert the Port Moresby HQ to Australian command, or pay PP's to transfer the Aussie air groups to an unrestricted HQ. Is there any way to avoid this ?

There actually is -- if you really want to take it. There are two unrestricted commands under the restricted Australia Command [R]: I Australian Corps and II Australian. To accomplish what you describe above, (1) as BBfanboy says, go back in time; (2) remove the marines from the attacking force; (3) make sure all the Aussies are attached to I Australian Corps or II Australian. When you take Moresby, it will be attached to Australia Command [R]. This is how I took Milne Bay and was able to fly Australian air groups to New Guinea without buying them out.

Pretty sure that the Nauru Island invasion was 100% Kiwis but I need to double check.

I'm sure they were all Kiwis, and I'm sure they were all attached to South Pacific, and that is why Nauru is now attached to South Pacific and flying the U.S. flag. There is no unrestricted command under the restricted New Zealand Command [R]; there is only 3rd New Zealand Division (and 1 Group RNZAF) under South Pacific and South Pacific itself. Your Kiwis would have to be attached to one of these commands; otherwise, as bradfordkay says, they wouldn't be able to perform invasions.

The key point in all this is that it isn't the nationality of the winning side, but the HQ they are attached to, that determines the HQ that the base is assigned to.

I think that you have it on the key point - that it is the HQ of the attacking forces not their nationality that is the deciding factor. This is a PBEM and I cant go "back in time" as BBFanboy suggested. It's my first PBEM and first campaign game so I am still learning the nuances and quirks of this fine game.

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: pontiouspilot

ahhh....now I see why it might matter, other than aesthetics. I guess if you wanted to spend the pol pts you could change the base after fact. I would only do in undeveloped sense or it gets costly however.

Good point. Base buy out cost is based on the sizes of airfields and ports.
Best to buy them out BEFORE you develop them.

You also need a unit under the HQ you want to buy it out for in the hex.
All buy out choices will be grayed out except those of the HQs of the units occupying the base.

This creates real hardships for the Dutch.
Against the AI I often create a bastion somewhere in the DEI, transferring all ground troops there by airlift.
Once the Allies start liberating the DEI the restricted Dutch units can NEVER reoccupy their liberated territory and have to stay concentrated in their bastion for the duration of the war.
Quite frustrating.