Godzilla {J: Andav} vs. Rodan {A: witpqs}

[Bif1961]

It is 1 Feb 42 in my game and I just took Singapore and there was only 20 supplies left but he wasn't put of supply in the combay replay. I guess they gorged themselves in one great feast before surrendering.

[witpqs]

1942 February 12

INVADED
Amphibious TF 88 unloading at Tagula Island
Amphibious TF 207 offshore of Tulagi
Amphibious TF 298 offshore of Russell Islands
Kokoda, Bataan, Singapore, Changsha, Liuchow, Kweilin, Toungoo are also invested.

CHANGED OWNERSHIP
Hengyang is occupied by the Japanese
Japanese forces CAPTURE Tagula Island !!!



Overall
• KB2 @ Hong Kong.


West Coast USA, Alaska, Hawaii
• Subs off San Francisco and San Diego.


Pacific
• Subs near Suva.


New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Solomons, Papua New Guinea, New Britain
• Still no sign of KB1 in connection with either the recent SigInt or the current invasions.

• Subs Brisbane to Sydney.


Philippines
• Our boys continue dishing out punushment at Bataan.

Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1527 troops, 113 guns, 95 vehicles, Assault Value = 931

Defending force 31048 troops, 379 guns, 65 vehicles, Assault Value = 597

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 15 (8 destroyed, 7 disabled)
Vehicles lost 3 (2 destroyed, 1 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
15 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled

Assaulting units:
9th Infantry Regiment
Kimura Det
Tanaka
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
48th Engineer Regiment
65th Brigade
16th Engineer Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
47th Infantry Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
803rd Aviation Engineer Battalion
45th PS Infantry Regiment
57th PS Infantry Regiment
51st PA Infantry Division
21st PA Infantry Division
4th Marine Regiment
31st PA Infantry Division
31st Infantry Regiment
301st Construction Battalion
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
1st Constabulary Regiment
2nd Constabulary Regiment
4th Constabulary Regiment
I/Prov'nl SPM Grp
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
192nd Tank Battalion
Clark Field AAF Base Force
US Forces Far East
1st USMC AA Battalion
I/43rd PS Inf Battalion
35th Avn Sup
II/Prov'nl SPM Grp
Bataan USN Base Force
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
24th PS FA Regiment
I Corps
Far East USAAF
!/23rd PS FA Battalion
86th PS Field Artillery Battalion
III/Prov'nl SPM Grp
Manila Bay Defenses
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment

DEI, Dutch new Guinea, Borneo, Malaya
• Quiet.

• Singapore base is repairing again but has a long way to go. Several Imperial death gliders shot down by flak today. Our units have gained great experience due to the daily bombardments; if only they had the firepower to go with it.


China
• Our force near Yenan caught by Imperial armour.

Ground combat at 88,38 (near Yenan)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 378 troops, 0 guns, 71 vehicles, Assault Value = 40

Defending force 7970 troops, 47 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 160

Japanese adjusted assault: 50

Allied adjusted defense: 37

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), disruption(-), experience(-)
Attacker: shock(+)

Allied ground losses:
99 casualties reported
Squads: 1 destroyed, 28 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled

Assaulting units:
15th Tank Regiment

Defending units:
22nd Chinese Corps
19th Chinese Corps
23rd Chinese Corps
6th Group Army

• Another shock attack victory but only a Pyhrric one.

Ground combat at 86,41 (near Loyang)

Allied Shock attack

Attacking force 70485 troops, 319 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2035

Defending force 6750 troops, 38 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 211

Allied adjusted assault: 1339

Japanese adjusted defense: 249

Allied assault odds: 5 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker: shock(+)

Japanese ground losses:
2825 casualties reported
Squads: 70 destroyed, 44 disabled
Non Combat: 40 destroyed, 22 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 4 disabled
Guns lost 20 (5 destroyed, 15 disabled)
Units retreated 1

Allied ground losses:
3470 casualties reported
Squads: 190 destroyed, 295 disabled
Non Combat: 9 destroyed, 49 disabled
Engineers: 5 destroyed, 9 disabled
Guns lost 31 (6 destroyed, 25 disabled)

Defeated Japanese Units Retreating!

Assaulting units:
34th Chinese Corps
1st Chinese Corps
33rd Chinese Corps
57th Chinese Corps
16th Chinese Corps
61st Chinese Corps
76th Chinese Corps
80th Chinese Corps
4th Group Army
7th Group Army
8th Group Army

Defending units:
3rd Ind.Mixed Brigade

• Imperial armour has caught up to our stack on the road from Nanyang to Sian. Will they attack tomorrow?

• The road west of Ichang has been cut.

• West of Shaoyang there are two enemy units on the road so our stack will not shock attack but instead move on into the forest.


India, Burma, Thailand, Indochina
• The Imperial division which captured Rangoon and Prome has passed to the west of Toungoo and is heading for Magwe.


Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Russia
• All quiet so far.


Complete combat report attached.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

It is 1 Feb 42 in my game and I just took Singapore and there was only 20 supplies left but he wasn't put of supply in the combay replay. I guess they gorged themselves in one great feast before surrendering.

Sounds similar. I am hoping the capture destroys all facilities of value too!

[jwolf]

The Japanese advance in China seems incredibly rapid to me. So far, you have (I think) only fought a bit to delay while trying to seek better ground for a defensive line. But how long until you get to that line?

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

The Japanese advance in China seems incredibly rapid to me. So far, you have (I think) only fought a bit to delay while trying to seek better ground for a defensive line. But how long until you get to that line?

Mostly there now.

Will defend hard at Sian and the terrain behind Sian is fallback of the terrain to the east of Sian. The terrain to the south of Sian *is* the good terrain, just needed to move those troops before they were retreated. They still might get retreated, but I hope to have other units join them before they are attacked in great force again, and/when needed they will retire into Sian itself. Some additional units will go to the terrain west of Sian to defend against/delay Imperials making it onto the Chungkung plain.

Near Changsha final movement to terrain behind Changsha plain in final stages. Same for units now moving out of Kweilin and Liuchow. Nanning is not yet threatened but forces there will move north into good terrain when enemy moves on that city.

I am trying to reduce the number of times units are retreated because that results in disproportionate destruction of devices. Destroyed units regenerate without any heavy weapons, so also trying to save as many of those as possible as they contribute greatly to combat power.

Sian has good industry so I want to deny that to enemy as long as possible. Changsha the same except most of it is damaged (I think it started scenario that way). Still will takes measures to allow for retreat or withdrawal from those cities when the time comes, but the Empire might object.

Definitely more rapid Imperial advance than in last game, but seems in line with what I recall reading about in some others' games. Last game we both made many mistakes in China and while that hurt each of us the overall impact was probably to slow the Empire's advance. This time the Empire has not had significant forces punished. Capture of Wenchow was much faster which has freed up forces. Empire's plan is significantly different too. It seems the multi-avenue approach to find cracks in defenses commenced form day 1 and significant infiltration efforts began in each area as soon as positions against our forces attained.

Devious!

[witpqs]

Differences in plans extended to Burma. I have not looked at last AAR but I think there has been earlier commitment of larger forces to Burma by Empire than in last game. On my part there is much less forces committed to Burma, the combination making for stark contrast.

Not sure but I think Port Moresby hit earlier this game too. Anyone recall?? Other advances into this area were small and likely considered expendable until strong carrier support appeared. Current invasions are also of same character.

Advances in Philippines much more rapid up to a point, then slowed down to very measured pace behind a wall of air power.

Advance in Malaya rapid and possibly a *little* faster than last time but as I recall not much. There seem to be fewer Imperial casualties in assault on Singapore this time than before, and perhaps greater force ratio than last game. Even though our forces are recovering enemy forces are so superior few additional deliberate assaults will be required to take Singapore, especially if key assault units rest & recover adequately. It seems they are doing so.

Advance into DEI rapid at first but stopped cold; perhaps fuel/oil from northern and western Borneo 'adequate' for Empire while stockpiling in other places?? Allies' successful B-17 campaign against Oil in western Borneo might have contributed to present consolidation period. Imperial submarines have interdicted flow of fuel/oil out of DEI by Allies. Thrusts by IJN forces was only to limit of air cover except where Allied naval forces not present, or invasions were small and expendable.

It is clear Empire is disciplined about advance not exceeding available assets ability to cover each other. Empire is avoiding punishment handed out by Allies early in last game during Empire's expansion.

[witpqs]

Strategic Musings

In no particular order...
• No meaningful Allied invasion of Burma.
• Practically invite the Empire into India opposite Burma. Hold them at that forward position.
• As many Chinese ground units as can be bought brought into India for building, for holding Japanese units just inside India, and slight 'menacing' advances into Burma to hold Japanese units there. Chinese air force units supporting Chinese ground units.
• No protracted early campaign against Imperial positions Solomon Islands, New Britain/New Ireland, New Guinea.
• Bypassing South Pacific, earliest serious invasions of Central Pacific into Marshalls/Gilberts (specifics undetermined).
• Indian Ocean advances to bypass Burma, probably Sumatra and/or Java. Timing undetermined but shipping dependent so might cause target change.
• Kuriles/Hokkaido likely.

Tenets
• Pose different problems for Empire to solve than last game.
• Great economy of forward motion.
• Maximum earlier pressure on Empire's inner perimeter.

[dave sindel]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Strategic Musings

In no particular order...
• No meaningful Allied invasion of Burma.
• Practically invite the Empire into India opposite Burma. Hold them at that forward position.
• As many Chinese ground units as can be bought brought into India for building, for holding Japanese units just inside India, and slight 'menacing' advances into Burma to hold Japanese units there. Chinese air force units supporting Chinese ground units.
• No protracted early campaign against Imperial positions Solomon Islands, New Britain/New Ireland, New Guinea.
• Bypassing South Pacific, earliest serious invasions of Central Pacific into Marshalls/Gilberts (specifics undetermined).
• Indian Ocean advances to bypass Burma, probably Sumatra and/or Java. Timing undetermined but shipping dependent so might cause target change.
• Kuriles/Hokkaido likely.

Tenets
• Pose different problems for Empire to solve than last game.
• Great economy of forward motion.
• Maximum earlier pressure on Empire's inner perimeter.

Very interested in how this all plays out.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: dave sindel

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Strategic Musings

In no particular order...
• No meaningful Allied invasion of Burma.
• Practically invite the Empire into India opposite Burma. Hold them at that forward position.
• As many Chinese ground units as can be bought brought into India for building, for holding Japanese units just inside India, and slight 'menacing' advances into Burma to hold Japanese units there. Chinese air force units supporting Chinese ground units.
• No protracted early campaign against Imperial positions Solomon Islands, New Britain/New Ireland, New Guinea.
• Bypassing South Pacific, earliest serious invasions of Central Pacific into Marshalls/Gilberts (specifics undetermined).
• Indian Ocean advances to bypass Burma, probably Sumatra and/or Java. Timing undetermined but shipping dependent so might cause target change.
• Kuriles/Hokkaido likely.

Tenets
• Pose different problems for Empire to solve than last game.
• Great economy of forward motion.
• Maximum earlier pressure on Empire's inner perimeter.

Very interested in how this all plays out.

With my luck:

[witpqs]

1942 February 13

INVADED
Kokoda, Bataan, Singapore, Changsha, Liuchow, Kweilin, Toungoo are also invested.

CHANGED OWNERSHIP
Russell Islands is occupied by the Japanese
Japanese forces CAPTURE Tulagi !!!



Overall
• Possible KB2 @ Hong Kong. KB3 (2x CVE) @ Tarakan.


West Coast USA, Alaska, Hawaii
• Subs near West Coast and Hawaii.

• The aircraft convoy for Pago Pago is proceeding without detection.


Pacific
• Subs off Suva.

• The convoy of AP/AK/fast xAP is leaving Pago Pago for San Francisco with the destroyers in escort. The APD which provided extra escort will remain in this area for utility duties.


New Zealand, Australia, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, Solomons, Papua New Guinea, New Britain
• Subs near Brisbane.

• USA 132 IR has arrived at Melbourne. The 164 IR is at Pago Pago; the 182 IR will arrive at Melbourne in 10 days to complete the Americal Division. Although all 3 regiments are half or better prepared for Noumea they are only Experience 40 and so not stout enough to defend new Caledonia.


Philippines
• Still feisty.

Ground combat at Bataan (78,77)

Japanese Bombardment attack

Attacking force 1527 troops, 110 guns, 94 vehicles, Assault Value = 935

Defending force 31036 troops, 377 guns, 65 vehicles, Assault Value = 599

Japanese ground losses:
Guns lost 23 (9 destroyed, 14 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
13 casualties reported
Squads: 0 destroyed, 1 disabled
Non Combat: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 2 disabled

Assaulting units:
65th Brigade
1st Formosa Inf. Regiment
47th Infantry Regiment
Tanaka
Kimura Det
16th Engineer Regiment
20th Infantry Regiment
9th Infantry Regiment
48th Engineer Regiment
4th Tank Regiment
2nd Mortar Battalion
8th Medium Field Artillery Regiment
15th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
2nd Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
1st Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion

Defending units:
1st Constabulary Regiment
21st PA Infantry Division
301st Construction Battalion
57th PS Infantry Regiment
45th PS Infantry Regiment
26th PS Cavalry Regiment
31st PA Infantry Division
4th Marine Regiment
2nd Constabulary Regiment
803rd Aviation Engineer Battalion
31st Infantry Regiment
51st PA Infantry Division
4th Constabulary Regiment
24th PS FA Regiment
88th PS Field Artillery Regiment
III/Prov'nl SPM Grp
35th Avn Sup
200th & 515th Coast AA Regiment
II/Prov'nl SPM Grp
86th PS Field Artillery Battalion
I Corps
192nd Tank Battalion
I/Prov'nl SPM Grp
1st USMC AA Battalion
Manila Bay Defenses
Clark Field AAF Base Force
Bataan USN Base Force
!/23rd PS FA Battalion
I/43rd PS Inf Battalion
Far East USAAF
US Forces Far East
301st PA Field Artillery Regiment

DEI, Dutch new Guinea, Borneo, Malaya
• No air attacks on Singapore at all today and the base is repairing, Several more days needed and no idea if we will be afforded them.


China
• Armour-only today but tomorrow our units will still be in-hex and will be hit much harder.

Ground combat at 84,43 (near Nanyang)

Japanese Deliberate attack

Attacking force 4350 troops, 143 guns, 625 vehicles, Assault Value = 969

Defending force 33203 troops, 192 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 679

Japanese adjusted assault: 87

Allied adjusted defense: 1933

Japanese assault odds: 1 to 22

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+), experience(-)
Attacker:

Japanese ground losses:
Vehicles lost 45 (2 destroyed, 43 disabled)

Allied ground losses:
976 casualties reported
Squads: 7 destroyed, 103 disabled
Non Combat: 1 destroyed, 5 disabled
Engineers: 1 destroyed, 8 disabled

Assaulting units:
3rd Tank Regiment
41st Division
5th Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Regiment
37th Division
13th Tank Regiment
11th Tank Regiment
7th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
15th Ind.Medium Field Artillery Regiment
11th Ind.Art.Mortar Battalion
8th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
3rd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
2nd Medium Field Artillery Regiment
5th Ind.Hvy.Art Battalion
2nd Hvy.Artillery Regiment
6th Ind.Hvy.Art. Battalion
10th Medium Field Artillery Regiment

Defending units:
120th Red Chinese Division
30th Chinese Corps
42nd Chinese Corps
115th Red Chinese Division
3rd Chinese Corps
92nd Chinese Corps

• A little more complete accounting: there are 5 Chinese infantry units bought out and on their way to India. There are 11 more eligible but 3 of those have been destroyed and reanimated. They are less useful without heavy weapons but I suppose if they are last to go they could be flown out in their entirety.


India, Burma, Thailand, Indochina
• A speed bump flattened.

Ground combat at 57,51 (near Toungoo)

Japanese Shock attack

Attacking force 3807 troops, 20 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 127

Defending force 267 troops, 1 guns, 0 vehicles, Assault Value = 2

Japanese adjusted assault: 188

Allied adjusted defense: 1

Japanese assault odds: 188 to 1

Combat modifiers
Defender: terrain(+)
Attacker: shock(+), leaders(+)

Allied ground losses:
312 casualties reported
Squads: 19 destroyed, 0 disabled
Non Combat: 12 destroyed, 0 disabled
Engineers: 0 destroyed, 0 disabled
Guns lost 1 (1 destroyed, 0 disabled)
Units destroyed 1

Assaulting units:
112th Infantry Regiment

Defending units:
13th Burma Rifles Battalion

Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Russia
• No detections of our subs or by our subs.


Complete combat report attached.

[Macclan5]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

Strategic Musings

In no particular order...
• No meaningful Allied invasion of Burma.
• Practically invite the Empire into India opposite Burma. Hold them at that forward position.
• As many Chinese ground units as can be bought brought into India for building, for holding Japanese units just inside India, and slight 'menacing' advances into Burma to hold Japanese units there. Chinese air force units supporting Chinese ground units.
• No protracted early campaign against Imperial positions Solomon Islands, New Britain/New Ireland, New Guinea.
• Bypassing South Pacific, earliest serious invasions of Central Pacific into Marshalls/Gilberts (specifics undetermined).
• Indian Ocean advances to bypass Burma, probably Sumatra and/or Java. Timing undetermined but shipping dependent so might cause target change.
• Kuriles/Hokkaido likely.

Tenets
• Pose different problems for Empire to solve than last game.
• Great economy of forward motion.
• Maximum earlier pressure on Empire's inner perimeter.

I continue to follow sir.

To your earlier points both of you playing a very different game [8D]

The honorable Andav is clearly paying closer attention to China / Burma in a manner that was not evident last game (Pacific centric).

Literally a pivot geographically.

Holding the line at the Burma India border (with Chinesse units or not) will be interesting.

I am unsure of the mod specifics you are playing but India gets a number of restricted divisions - all of them weak, poor morale, and little or no artillery to support them in 1942 as you might recall - a few mountain gun regiments.

They can be built up and effective as per your Asian land war but that's not till 1944.

You do not intend to let him get on the rail head at Chittachong ?? You were not specific.

- Primeminister Churchill - Sir if this is the plan - I think you need the Aussies ... better call John Curtain 'trunk call' asap.

[witpqs]

Yes, hold them to that whole area. Keep Calcutta for certain, although that depends on whether the Empire has/does separately commit to an all-out invasion of India. I think it's been established that Japan can take Calcutta if they commit enough to the job. When it comes to Imperials crossing from Burma I am pretty sure we can hold the line.

The Australian I Corps (hope I am getting the reference correct) is heading into India. The first of the Bdes is half unloaded at Karachi and will head to Calcutta, as will the whole corps.

Loads of Allied troops are already at Colombo as part of the Ceylon defense because with this strategy I consider holding Ceylon key. The problem is they have little experience. Just as you point out for India itself.

The drain of PP's to buying out Chinese units puts a crimp on Pacific operations of course. However, if the Empire does make a major invasion of India that will require substantial naval commitment which will give the USN carriers some leeway. I will have to consider what planning targets to give the USMC Rgts currently in-game since they are the only units will any decent experience. The saving grace might be that Imperial defenses can't be so tough as they will be later.

Walter feels that he screwed up the defense of Burma last time. I know what he means but he didn't screw up he just didn't cover 100% of what he would have with hindsight or perfect Intel and such. no one can. He obviously has a plan for the defense of Burma this time better than last time. If I bypass Burma... muhahahahahaha.

I'm not sure about the timing of major offensive ops in the Indian Ocean. Still developing those notions, and of course the Empire will have much influence on the matter. The big picture point is I want as many Imperial units as possible as far forward as possible for when Allied units make a deep invasion which will require lots and lots of time and logistics effort for the advanced Imperial units to oppose.

[jwolf]

I'm wondering how can Japan make a powerful invasion of India at this time when they have just barely started to take the DEI? [&:] Won't they run out of fuel or something else vital? I admit I haven't played Japan so I don't know how robust or brittle their economy is, in game, but naively I think they can't have a lot of leeway -- or can they?

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

I'm wondering how can Japan make a powerful invasion of India at this time when they have just barely started to take the DEI? [&:] Won't they run out of fuel or something else vital? I admit I haven't played Japan so I don't know how robust or brittle their economy is, in game, but naively I think they can't have a lot of leeway -- or can they?

I think you are quite right. I am talking about a bit later. When it comes to Japan invading Australia or India or Hawaii the Japan player has to walk a tightrope between the problem of too little force available to Japan and too much force available to the Allies at the objective.

I don't know what the Empire has planned for the forces that will be freed up when Philippines/Singapore/DEI/Burma are secured. I hope China will take longer, but I know DAW HQ is intent on capturing all of China. If so of course that will free up a frightening load of forces.

[witpqs]

Case in point, Indian 84th Bde just arrived at Madras with 0% preparation, 20 experience, and 20 morale. But disruption and fatigue are both 0! [:D]

[witpqs]

It looks like I can keep the turn for a couple of days as Walter is busy. Let me know if you have any special requests for maps, info, whatever.

[AlessandroD]

You are buying out Chinese troops for the India defence (interesting strategy btw) but how many American units are outside their country?

Is there any chance that your opponent will skip the India area for the Australia/South Pacific ones? If so what about your plans?

Inquiring mind wants to know [:D]

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: jwolf

I'm wondering how can Japan make a powerful invasion of India at this time when they have just barely started to take the DEI? [&:] Won't they run out of fuel or something else vital? I admit I haven't played Japan so I don't know how robust or brittle their economy is, in game, but naively I think they can't have a lot of leeway -- or can they?

I think you are quite right. I am talking about a bit later. When it comes to Japan invading Australia or India or Hawaii the Japan player has to walk a tightrope between the problem of too little force available to Japan and too much force available to the Allies at the objective.

I don't know what the Empire has planned for the forces that will be freed up when Philippines/Singapore/DEI/Burma are secured. I hope China will take longer, but I know DAW HQ is intent on capturing all of China. If so of course that will free up a frightening load of forces.

At the minimum the Japanese have to have Singapore, Palembang, and have secured air superiority over that area of Sumatra and Malaya. Then the KB can actually come around to the IO side of Java and Sumatra to close the door for the Allies. After Singapore enough troops are freed up to make a move on India.

The PI can wait, as can Java, but it makes sense to take Java with the troops usually located to fill in on the PI and get it out of the way.

The Japanese have decent fuel reserves for a few years. In my game against Lowpe I've prioritised destroying or taking oil/fuel centres in the DEI and elsewhere, but it'll still be a long while before he's hurting. The Japanese economy is fine for a few years, it's just 44-45 when things start to squeeze if you haven't taken care of business getting oil/fuel reserves and managing supply and HI savings.

A moe to India is a knockout blow anyway, so you're not worrying much about the future. You're trying to achieve AV.

[jwolf]

A move to India is a knockout blow anyway, so you're not worrying much about the future. You're trying to achieve AV.

That makes sense, and clarifies things a lot. Thanks.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: AlessandroD

You are buying out Chinese troops for the India defence (interesting strategy btw) but how many American units are outside their country?

It's also a way to keep China relevant even if all of China is captured. Many patriots from the countryside in China will filter their way through mountain passes to form replacement squads for the Chinese units in India!

What US units are outside of the US? Both USMC regiments are at Pago Pago, as is one regiment of the Americal Division. Another regiment of Americal recently arrived at Melbourne. A USMC tank Bn is at Pago Pago and a USA tank Bn is at Suva. A USA regiment (of 24th or 25th Division, forget which) is also at Suva. There are smaller USN, USMC, and USA units at Pago Pago. There are 4 USA base forces and 1 air HQ in Australia. 1 USA base force and 1 USN base force at Kokoda, formerly at Port Moresby. There are base, defense, and Bn size units of USA, USN, and USMC at Midway, Palmyra, Christmas, Canton, Penrhyn, Bora Bora, Johnston. 1 USA base force in China, 1 USA base force in India.

I did not attempt to list Alaska and Hawaii. Also of course are many air units, a number of which had to be bought out.

Is there any chance that your opponent will skip the India area for the Australia/South Pacific ones? If so what about your plans?

Inquiring mind wants to know [:D]

Of course there is. I also wish to make clear I am not expecting an all-out attack on India, I simply must account for the possibility of one and be ready.

I am working to make Australia a very tough nut to crack. Even without much Allied action in the South Pacific Australia is a most major undertaking for Japan. I am fortifying everything I can in Australia in lieu of base building. In fact I am only building one base: Charter Towers, for B-17's. I realize it would become enemy in a substantial invasion but so be it. All the bases with aircraft in the northeast and others on the coast have been garrisoned against raider or paratroop capture. I am getting all the SWPac LCU and Sqn to Australia. Right now there is a backlog but that's being cleared with the availability of APD for ASW escort and more xAP arrived from points around the globe (about the last batch on the way from Panama to West Coast). Some fuel has already been delivered to Australia and the beginning of regular fuel and supply shipments are in transit, about halfway there.

The second component of Australia defense preparation is defense of the South Pacific SLOC to Australia. I am making Pago Pago and Fiji bastions that would require major efforts to capture. Noumea I will when I can but it might be a candidate for counter-invasion and/or isolation if seized in the meantime. The presence of Hawaii and the US fleet striking from there is a large part of defending the South Pacific. So far in fact the USN carriers have been stationed at Pago Pago both to better defend that place while its defenses are built up and to strike as opportunity might present.

New Zealand is not being afforded US troops but is being shipped fuel and supply from the US and - so far - resources from Noumea. All bases are fortifying. The presence of strong forces to support naval operations from Pago Pago and Fiji is meant to aid the defense of New Zealand.

Around the globe units are upgrading squads as possible, in lieu of adding numbers of squads as necessitated by availability. Many more months will be required for the first round of upgrades, most notably in New Zealand.

Did I cover what you were looking for?