Back for the First Time – Allied AAR vs. AI - War in the Pacific: Admirals Edition

[Schlussel]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Schlussel: Other Notes:
-No surprises this week regarding enemy capital ships sunk. So the current KIA list consists of 6 CVs, 2 CVLs, and 2 BBs. This knowledge gives the Allied invasion forces better freedom of movement, as enemy LBA and coastal guns are the only main danger.

No surprises- but Haruna is still on your Notables list even though you saw her in action last week?

OMG, like that was soooooo last week BB Fanboy. [:D]

Seriously though, sood catch sir, actually the Haruna was sunk last week during her actions in near Port Blair, so she is still on the list. However, I can see your confusion, because BB Haruna is missing from the screenshot from my last post. For some reason when cropping the screenshot, I cut off the Haruna entry. I am fixing that now. Thanks for catching that my honorable Canadian advisor. [&o] May I buy you a Molson Ice for your efforts?

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: Schlussel

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Schlussel: Other Notes:
-No surprises this week regarding enemy capital ships sunk. So the current KIA list consists of 6 CVs, 2 CVLs, and 2 BBs. This knowledge gives the Allied invasion forces better freedom of movement, as enemy LBA and coastal guns are the only main danger.

No surprises- but Haruna is still on your Notables list even though you saw her in action last week?

OMG, like that was soooooo last week BB Fanboy. [:D]

Seriously though, sood catch sir, actually the Haruna was sunk last week during her actions in near Port Blair, so she is still on the list. However, I can see your confusion, because BB Haruna is missing from the screenshot from my last post. For some reason when cropping the screenshot, I cut off the Haruna entry. I am fixing that now. Thanks for catching that my honorable Canadian advisor. [&o] May I buy you a Molson Ice for your efforts?

No thanks, I'd rather have a good beer!

BTW, the text of your Port Blair action report said Haruna took only 8 bombs and one torpedo. That's not enough to sink her, short of a magazine explosion. The Intel weenies who make up the Sunk Ships list always assume every torpedo hit sinks the ship.

[Schlussel]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

No thanks, I'd rather have a good beer!

BTW, the text of your Port Blair action report said Haruna took only 8 bombs and one torpedo. That's not enough to sink her, short of a magazine explosion. The Intel weenies who make up the Sunk Ships list always assume every torpedo hit sinks the ship.

Agreed, I had to go with a stereotypical one since I am no expert.[:D] So that begs the question, what are some good Canadian lagers?

Yes the initial attack scored 8 bomb hits and a torp hit, however later on in the description the Haruna received another torp from some screening DDs the following day. This hit seemed to have seriously limited her movement, and a combination surface/air attack the next day let to her ultimate demise. I am fairly confidant she sank because I actually saw her slip beneath the waves in the combat replay animation. I could be wrong though, not sure if the animations are affected by fog of war like the text combat reports are.

[BBfanboy]

We chosen frozen tend to go for something with more body, like Ales and Stouts. Need the extra calories in winter, don'tcha know!
So I am no expert on lagers or pilsners, but I hear Shock Top and Steam Whistle make good ones. A lot of our best stuff is craft beers with relatively small production runs so they likely are not available in the U.S.

However, to help your search for a good lager to celebrate the true demise of Haruna, I give you this list. Lagers start around item 29 on the list.

https://www.canadianbrewingawards.com/2017-winner-list/

[Schlussel]

Thanks for the link BBF, I didn't have any luck finding any at our local beverage purveyor, but I'll keep a lookout. On the bright side, I do have some shock top in the fridge, so I cracked open one to celebrate another IJN capital ship slipping below the waves.

[Schlussel]

Situation Report – December 1st 1943





Central/North Pacific:



Capital Ships:
2-CVE, 2-BB @Pearl Harbor

Fuel Reserves:
4,063K @ Pearl Harbor
43K @ Ulithi

Near-Term Plans:
Isolate Marshalls, secure Marianas, and secure a more direct supply line from Pearl Harbor.

Long Term Plans:
Advance on Okinawa/Formosa.





SW Pacific:


Capital Ships:
6-CV, 9-CVE, 3-CVL, 13-BB

Fuel Reserves:
1,619K @ Noumea
329K @ Milne Bay
912K @ Rabaul

Near-Term Plans:
Secure bases Borneo/Celebs/Mindano to assist cutting off oil/fuel from Japanese home islands.

Long Term Plans:
Capture Java/Sumatra




SE Asia/China:


Capital Ships:
1-CV, 1-CVE @ Colombo

Fuel Reserves:
1,834K @ Colombo
1,139K @ Rangoon
135K @ Bangkok

Near-Term Plans:
Capture Saigon. Advance down Malaya Peninsula to threaten Singapore

Long Term Plans:
Capture Singapore. Link up with Chinese in Indochina.




Base Supply/Construction Status:

Babeldaob:
Port Size: 5.00 (MAX)
Airfield Size: 7.00 (MAX)
Supplies: 12K (3 Weeks of normal operations)

Bangkok:
Port Size: 6.09 (+0.09)
Airfield Size: 8.07 (+0.07)
Supplies: 25K (3 Weeks of normal operations)

Eniwetok:
Port Size: 5.00 (MAX)
Airfield Size: 2.27 (+0.35)
Supplies: 7K (6 Weeks of normal operations)

Guam:
Port Size: 3.52 (+0.52)
Airfield Size: 5.75 (+0.75)
Supplies: 33K (3+ Weeks of normal operations)

Milne Bay:
Port Size: 6.00 (MAX)
Airfield Size: 8.00 (MAX)
Supplies: 19K (25 Weeks of normal operations)

Manus:
Port Size: 7.00 (MAX)
Airfield Size: 8.00 (MAX)
Supplies: 161K (24 Weeks of normal operations)

Mussau:
Port Size: 4.00 (MAX)
Airfield Size: 8.00 (MAX)
Supplies: 339K (33 Weeks of normal operations)

Pago-Pago:
Port Size: 4.33 (+0.10)
Airfield Size: 6.63 (+0.07)
Supplies: 40K (20+ Weeks of normal operations)

Pearl Harbor:
Port Size: 8.00 (MAX)
Airfield Size: 10.00 (MAX)
Supplies: 4,474K (100+ Weeks of normal operations)

Rabaul:
Port Size: 7.00 (MAX)
Airfield Size: 9.00 (MAX)
Supplies: 400K (15 Weeks of normal operations)

Rangoon:
Port Size: 9.00 (MAX)
Airfield Size: 9.00 (MAX)
Supplies: 285K (28+ Weeks of normal operations)

Ulithi:
Port Size: 5.10 (+1.08)
Airfield Size: 1.69 (+0.22)
Supplies: 27K (10 Weeks of normal operations)

Yap:
Port Size: 4.00 (MAX)
Airfield Size: 6.00 (+0.86)
Supplies: 28K (9 Weeks of normal operations)

[BBfanboy]

Looks like you are pressing hard everywhere. Exciting times!

[Schlussel]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

Looks like you are pressing hard everywhere. Exciting times!

For sure. Enduring those dark times of '41 to mid-'42 really make this experience even more enjoyable. I need to conjure up my inner TJ Jackson and keep the pressure on...although I must me mindful to not get too eager...so methinks I'll shy away from anything resembling scouting for night attacks.[:D] I'm not sure if this game models friendly fire, but I wouldn't be surprised if it did.

[Schlussel]

Week 104: December 1st – December 7th 1943
North Pacific:
No IJN activity.




Central Pacific:
BB bombardments are making a definite impact, as this week’s deliberate attack drops the forts on Tinian from 5 to 4. 5 Liberator squadrons (operating from Guam) are pounding Tinian daily. AE’s to Guam are proving vital, allowing me to quickly rearm the BB bombardment TFs. I currently have two groups of BBs (2 BBs in each) bombarding, one bombards while the other rearms…the next night they switch roles…then rinse and repeat.

On Morotai, the Japanese manage to add another brigade sized infantry unit right under the Allies noses. The 3 Allied DD blockade force does catch the Japanese ships the next day, but only after the Japanese have unloaded most of their cargo. AV advantage is about 639:362, and this week’s deliberate reveals the forts have increased from 2 to 3. The bombing campaign has been non-existent for the past two week as Liberators have been focusing on the Marianas…so the enemy engineers have been free to build up the forts…not good. The silver lining here is the daily infantry bombardments are now disabling 5-10 squads per turn, maybe the additional mouths to feed will help intensify the supply shortage. Now if only I can keep enemy transports from running my blockade. A TF composing of CA Indianapolis and 4 DDs will see if they can help things. They are currently steaming from Rabaul and should reach Morotai on the 8th.




Southern Pacific:
No IJN activity.




South-West Pacific:
IJA presence is isolated around Ataipe and Wewak. Enemy garrisons are without supply and subject to daily bombing raids.
B-24 Liberator squadrons on Manus and Mussau are continuing to hit Truk. Damage is unknown, but approx. 1-2 planes per day are destroyed on the field.




DEI/Philippines:
The return to the Philippines officially occurs on December 4th 1943, almost 2 years after the initial Japanese acts of aggression. Boots hit the ground (along with MacArthur’s SW Pac HQ) on the 4th and Cotabato is captured on the 5th, as the cities garrison was a small base force. From here Allied forces fan out, with one unit heading north to Oroquieta, while the other heads south to Dadjangas. Once the 33rd Division arrives (ETA Dec 12th-13th) it will drive on Davao.

After some deliberation, Allied command has updated one of Chimera’s targets. Tarakan in the DEI has been replaced by Jolo, an island to the west of Mindano. The thought here is that Jolo has a bigger airfield potential (Size 8 vs. 5 for Tarakan), is already fully developed, and will better protect the flank of the Philippine operations. Troops (3 INF/1 ARM/1 ART) are already fully prepped as well, so there will be little downtime adjusting to this new target.

In the DEI, no IJN activity noted.




SE Asia/China:
The envelopment of the ousted Bangkok garrison is still in motion, although lack of roads means the last hex capture (Chathanburi) won’t happen till the end of this upcoming week. A slight delay, but this effort is not impacting the drives on Saigon or Singapore, so there’s no rush here.

Allies are now marching on Chumphon, however the lack of any roads (do you sense a theme this week?) is slowing the pace considerably. The main force should arrive in Chumphon around December 20th if the current pace is maintained.
Lots of progress in Thailand as the combination of good roads and lack of any meaningful resistance are allowing for speedy advances. In the north, a recon unit is less than 46 miles from Vinh, and the city shows no sign of a garrison. In the midlands, the Allies have captured Ubon and are approaching Pakse, on their way east to the coast. In the South, Phnom Penh is captured, and is quickly being set up to base fighters & bombers to be used in the assault on Saigon. The rail line from Bangkok to Phnom Penh is proving to be invaluable, as troops and supply move effortlessly. Also, once Saigon falls, the railway will mean troops will be able to be repositioned fairly quickly without the need for naval shipping.

In China, the Chinese take Nanning fairly easily. The remnanats of the Japanese garrison retreat, but are ultimately destroyed in the hex SW of Nanning late in the week. The Chinese horde is now advancing on LangSon. Intel reports there will be minimal resistance until the Hanoi/Haiphong area is reached.




IJN Watch:
-No capital ships sighted this week




Notable Base Captures:
- Nanning [China] captured by the Allies (12/3)
- Cotabato [Philippines] captured by the Allies (12/5)
- Phnom Penh [Thailand] occupied by the Allies (12/6)
- Ubon [Thailand] occupied by the Allies (12/6)




Campaign Overview:
Aircraft Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 8,255 [+135]

Japanese: 23,487 [+272]


Ship Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 641 [+1]
Notables: CV Enterprise, CV Victorious, CVE Copahee, CVE Nassau, CVE Corregidor, CA Astoria, CA Portland, CA Adelaide, CL Durban, CL Sumatra, CL Java

Japanese: 1,386 [+9]
Notables: CV Soryu, CV Kaga, CV Junyo, CV Akagi, CVL Shoho , CV Shokaku, CV Hiyo, CVL Zuiho, CVL Ryuho, CVE Taiyo, CVE Hosho, BB Kongo, BB Fuso, BB Mutsu, BB Kirishima, BB Nagato, BB Haruna, BB Hiei, BB Yamato, CA Mogami, CA Mikuma, CA Suzya, CA Aoba.


Army Losses to date [change]:
Allies: 10,938 [+15]
Japanese: 10,316 [+105]
A/J Ratio: 1.06 to 1


VP Totals [change]:
Allies: 63,613 [+589]
Japanese: 33,402 [+123]
A/J Ratio: 1.90 to 1




Operation Aperture:
Phase 1:
-Assault & Capture Guam [COMPLETE]
-Assault & Capture Tinian [AV 339:101, Forts at 4]
-Assault & Capture Saipan [AV 778:424, Forts unknown]

Phase 2:
-Assault & Capture Marcus




Operation Chimera:
Phase 1A:
-Assault & Capture Cotabato [COMPLETE]
-Secure Mindano [IN PROGRESS - 33rd Inf inbound from Rabaul]

Phase 1B:
-Assault & Capture Balikpapan
-Assault & Capture Jolo
-Reinforce Brunei

Phase 1C:
-Assault & Capture Watampone
-Assault & Capture Kolaka
-Assault & Capture Makassar
-Assault & Capture Kendari




Other Notes:
-Roads have been the big factor in the land war this week. Allied advances in areas that have roads aplenty are swift, while ones without are slowed to a snail’s pace.

[jwolf]

That was a bit embarrassing at Morotai. I hope you can seal the door shut this time for sure. Jolo is a really good base.

[Macclan5]

ORIGINAL: Schlussel

SE Asia/China:

... A little less than half of the Allied force will advance on Saigon, while the rest will head southwest and aid in the drive on Singapore. Railroads in this area will really help the shuffling of troops once I determine where the enemy concentrations are.

Nice updates thanks.

This is very interesting and I am curious what forces you brought to the table.

Perhaps a mini OOB ?

The "double pronged approach" is very seductive to the Allied Supreme Commander but I wonder if it is a bit of a Pyrrhic victory tactic .... in some senses.

I am interested in others view points... so please opine [8D]


1) French Indo China may turn out to be an hallow husk - a mere shell. A concentrated Allied Army cuts through like a hot knife and butter - the old analogy. Very satisfying advance.

Then unexpectedly a number of garrison requirements pop up and you have to plan and move back troops / garrisons from India / Burma to fill them. You advance only to dilute your spearhead....and it takes time to build up if you intend to march on to Victory in China with this spearhead.

2) The march to Singapore also seems to come off easily... at first.

The the AI will deploy some very entrenched and significant forces at key choke points that are difficult to surround, could have sea borne supply, and ... well frankly the AI at any level seems to fight well on defense... it is the 43 / 44 counterattacks that often frustrate AI detractors.

The reason I solicit your opinion (s) is the interestingly each has "the ultimate award"

Indo-China >> Hong Kong >> Shanghai are some of the most valuable hexes on the map esp Shanghai as I recall

Malaysia >> Singapore >> on to Palemebang again some of the most valuable hexes on the map esp Singapore as I recall

It appears to me frankly that the game is very balanced and will permit both in due time as reinforcements come along in late 44 and 45. Another Indian Division or 2 and a Para division as well.... for example.

[jwolf]

Schlussel is still pretty early in his game. I expect he will be able to do both Vietnam and Malaya/Singapore, in some combination, in plenty of time so that both of these areas contribute meaningfully to the ongoing Allied cause. Singapore can be tough to crack but everything else in Malaya and Vietnam should go pretty easily. Also he should have some smaller units available for garrisons where they are needed; he just has to plan for that up front.

[Schlussel]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

That was a bit embarrassing at Morotai. I hope you can seal the door shut this time for sure. Jolo is a really good base.

Totally agree with you here. I felt I had the base in the bag and took my foot off the pedal...that's all on me. However 3 Fletchers should have been able to catch a juicy slow moving transport TF. (They actually did have two intercepts, but both times the Japanese force evaded the Allied DDs...unacceptable) To rectify the situation, I have a second fast TF (with cruiser support) inbound, and the offending TF commander has been since reassigned to something more worthy of his low aggression skills. He is now commanding a cargo TF hauling rubber dog excrement outta Rangoon.

ORIGINAL: Macclan5

Nice updates thanks.

This is very interesting and I am curious what forces you brought to the table.

Perhaps a mini OOB ?

The "double pronged approach" is very seductive to the Allied Supreme Commander but I wonder if it is a bit of a Pyrrhic victory tactic .... in some senses.

Heres a quick rundown of the primary combat forces in SE Asia:

Group A - 3,000AV [Malayan Force] - Prep is 42 to high 70's for Singapore
251 Recce Bn.
72nd British Bde.
14th Chindit Bde.
23rd Chindit Bde.
22nd East African Bde.
25th Australian Bde.
63rd Indian Bde.
26th Indian Div.
5th Indian Div.
23rd Indian Div.
6th Australian Div.
9th Australian Div.



Group B - 2,900 AV [Saigon Force] - Prep is 68 to low 80s for Saigon
2nd Recce Regiment
268th Motorised Bde.
Provisional Tank Bde.
18th Australian Bde.
21st Australian Bde.
45th Indian Bde.
16th Chindit Bde.
4th British Bde.
5th British Bde.
6th British Bde.
29th British Bde.
53rd British Bde.
54th British Bde.
55th British Bde.
25th Indian Div.
20th Indian Div.



Group C - 600 AV [Eastern Indochina] Prep is 35-55 for Haiphong
44th Indian Bde.
88th Indian Bde.
111th Chindit Bde.
44th Calvary Reg.
Guides Calvary Reg.
+2,500 AV of Chinese troops approaching Haiphong from the East


I think I have more than is needed to take Saigon, however my plan is to overwhelm the city quickly and then transfer these troops to the Malaya and Haiphong theatres, utilizing the excellent rail network in SE asia.

ORIGINAL: jwolf

Schlussel is still pretty early in his game. I expect he will be able to do both Vietnam and Malaya/Singapore, in some combination, in plenty of time so that both of these areas contribute meaningfully to the ongoing Allied cause. Singapore can be tough to crack but everything else in Malaya and Vietnam should go pretty easily. Also he should have some smaller units available for garrisons where they are needed; he just has to plan for that up front.

I put priority on indochina (specifically Saigon and Cam Ranh Bay) because both of these bases have excellent ports and their proximity to shippping lanes will help isolate the home islands from the DEI. As you mentioned, I have brought along small forces (4th Assam rifles Btn, 2nd King Own, etc.) to be able to garrison cities that require it, although I have not ran into any in indochina as of yet.

[Macclan5]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

Schlussel is still pretty early in his game. I expect he will be able to do both Vietnam and Malaya/Singapore, in some combination, in plenty of time so that both of these areas contribute meaningfully to the ongoing Allied cause. Singapore can be tough to crack but everything else in Malaya and Vietnam should go pretty easily. Also he should have some smaller units available for garrisons where they are needed; he just has to plan for that up front.

Yes yes sorry - not being specific enough.

I am certain he can accomplish both 'in time'. No question.. he has noted above many Brigades in tow for garrisoning but admits some such as the 4th Aslem are not brought forward.

My broader questions is 'why split the spearhead now".

The broader question is not just at Sch.... at anyone following the AAR.

Both directions have rewards in terms of Victory Points or even more abstract prestige. Singapore / Shanghai being the plums.

I don't think there is a wrong answer - Sch has indicated targeting Saigon as a port - fair...

But its still hard to get ships to Saigon except around the Cape of Singapore [8D]

My personal opinion...note opinion only... [:D]

1) Leave enough to hold at Bangkok and create a DMZ buffer zone..
2) Focus all in on Singapore.

[Bif1961]

So Rangoon is where rubber dog dodo comes from? I was looking for a new supplier since they closed all the Spencer stores a decade ago.

[jwolf]

Macclan: it works both ways. You want to take the good ports such as Saigon and Cam Ranh Bay both to deny them to the enemy and, eventually, use them for your own ships. Singapore will be difficult to take (well, it was in my game) but not too hard to render it unusable to the other side. At that point any Allied ports in the Gulf of Siam or South Vietnam can be put into real service.

Further -- I'm not sure if this makes any sense but it's what I saw in my Allied offensive in this theater -- a really large army can't operate very effectively in Malaya. Until you get to a really hardened target, normally Singapore, you don't need the whole army there. Indochina in comparison is much more wide open although movement is still generally slow there.

Disclaimer: my game, as is Schlussel's, is against the AI. Against a genuine opponent maybe things would be a lot different.

[Schlussel]

ORIGINAL: Macclan5

Yes yes sorry - not being specific enough.

I am certain he can accomplish both 'in time'. No question.. he has noted above many Brigades in tow for garrisoning but admits some such as the 4th Aslem are not brought forward.

My broader questions is 'why split the spearhead now".

The broader question is not just at Sch.... at anyone following the AAR.

Both directions have rewards in terms of Victory Points or even more abstract prestige. Singapore / Shanghai being the plums.

I don't think there is a wrong answer - Sch has indicated targeting Saigon as a port - fair...

But its still hard to get ships to Saigon except around the Cape of Singapore [8D]

My personal opinion...note opinion only... [:D]

1) Leave enough to hold at Bangkok and create a DMZ buffer zone..
2) Focus all in on Singapore.

Geeze MacClan, don't you understand?!? My tactics are flawless and my AAR is no place for dissenting oppininons. I know I'm fighting to preserve democracy, but I refuse to practice it when holding a council of war.[:D]

Seriously though, you make good points as usual. I took a look and the cities that require a garrison in Indochina are:
Saigon (120)
Hanoi (40)
Haiphong (40)
Quinhon (10)

I planned on maintaining a presence in Saigon and the Hanoi/Haiphong area. So really the only incoinvienence garrison requirements cause is in Quinhon. I have a small unit that is heading that direction and will camp out there for the remainder of the war.

Regarding 'splitting the spearhead', I agree this is an experiment in scarcity, and in my case, I am slowing my campaign down the Malayan Penninsula in favor of capturing Saigon/Cam Ranh Bay. My reasons for this are three-fold:

1.Saigon and Cam Ranh Bay will serve to effectively blockade the DEI trade routes through the South China Sea. As you stated, the British will have a hard time making the voyage from their bases in and around Colombo, however I am content keeping them in that area, and letting the American Navy handle the South China Sea blockade.

2.Capturing Indochina will allow the British/Indian forces to assist in the destruction of Japanese military presence in SW China (Hanoi/Haiphong). This will allow Chinese forces to then focus on recapturing their coastline (including the Shanghai plum), and hopefully this will also allow more supply to flow into China as well.

3.The advance down the Malayan penninsula is inherently slow anyway. Specificly I'm talking about he remote area between Chumphon and Surat Thani that has no roads whatsoever. It's got a railroad, and while that helps supply, it doesn't make LCU movement any faster. What is nice is once the Allies capture Surat Thani, units will be able to use the railroad to move through that stretch of road-less jungle with ease. My plan is to have indochina secured before this occurs, and the nice railroad network in indochina will allow me to shift reinforcements back to Malaya in time to expliot the miltiple axis advance opportunities that occur once the penninsula widens at Singora.

Thats the plan anyway, and this is my first experience with it, so I will undoutebly encounter issues with my course of action. My goal is to avoid getting an email from MacClan in mid-1944 saying "I told you so", (although he could have said this many times in the past). [:D]

ORIGINAL: Bif1961

So Rangoon is where rubber dog dodo comes from? I was looking for a new supplier since they closed all the Spencer stores a decade ago.

Actually all cheap crap comes from China, so untill a major Chinese port is recaptured, the Burma road is our only reliable source. [;)]

ORIGINAL: jwolf

Macclan: it works both ways. You want to take the good ports such as Saigon and Cam Ranh Bay both to deny them to the enemy and, eventually, use them for your own ships. Singapore will be difficult to take (well, it was in my game) but not too hard to render it unusable to the other side. At that point any Allied ports in the Gulf of Siam or South Vietnam can be put into real service.

Further -- I'm not sure if this makes any sense but it's what I saw in my Allied offensive in this theater -- a really large army can't operate very effectively in Malaya. Until you get to a really hardened target, normally Singapore, you don't need the whole army there. Indochina in comparison is much more wide open although movement is still generally slow there.

Disclaimer: my game, as is Schlussel's, is against the AI. Against a genuine opponent maybe things would be a lot different.

Well put jwolf, I was only thinking about what I could glean freom capturing Saigon/Cam Ranh Bay, but theres also the value of denying those ports to the Japanese. And like you said, this is an AI game, so I'm unsure how it would translate when playaing against another humanoid.

[BBfanboy]

The places the AI will try to defend are defined in scripts, so many of the places you attack will result in no reaction but a few key points will. Part of the script-writer's headache is that there are not enough forces to defend every place so he would have to guesstimate how many should result in counterattack and then figure out which ones to put on the list.

[jwolf]

I think Phnom Penh also needs a garrison. Not sure how to spell that thing. [:'(]

Also if your troops walk along a RR they do move a bit faster than with no path at all, but not nearly as fast as on a road.

[Schlussel]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

The places the AI will try to defend are defined in scripts, so many of the places you attack will result in no reaction but a few key points will. Part of the script-writer's headache is that there are not enough forces to defend every place so he would have to guesstimate how many should result in counterattack and then figure out which ones to put on the list.

Morotai must definately be one of those bases on that counter attack list. Twice the Japanese have reinforced their garrison, and they have tried resupplying at least 5 times. While it hasn't blunted my offensive into the Celebes, its definately delaying it a bit, as I would really like to have Morotai to help subdue Ternate.

ORIGINAL: jwolf

I think Phnom Penh also needs a garrison. Not sure how to spell that thing. [:'(]

Also if your troops walk along a RR they do move a bit faster than with no path at all, but not nearly as fast as on a road.

Good catch, yes Phnom Penh (you spelled it right...I had to look on the map[:D]) has a 20 AV garrison requirement.

I'm getting 4 miles per day from my INF units, and 3 miles per day from my ART units. It might be slightly faster than without a road, but its still slooooooooooooooooow. I'll be glad when I can take Surat Thani and my troops can ride the bullet train through this area.