Japan - To what extent is it worth rebuilding shattered industry?

[JoV]

In my current game I just took Soerabaja. Direct assault (i.e no shock attack) the day after the forces arrived in the hex. Was shocked to discover the joint was annihilated, with not one stone left standing on another [:D]



Part of the randomness of the game, have to roll with it of course (was the fact the enemy had no retreat path and was forced to surrender a contributor to the devastation?). Was wondering though what opinions people had as to the value of rebuilding the place, given its early March 42 and in a fairly distant location. The HI and Oil I can imagine would be useful, but even then that requires a hefty supply investment.

Should I just write if off instead? Just curious as to what the 'efficiencies' might exist in terms of supply expenditure vs long term gain.

[jdsrae]

I’m still learning but I think Oil and repair shipyards yes, maybe HI as the supply payback time is half LI, but generally no to LI and Refineries. Definite no for Manpower. Maybe a few refineries for local fuel supply to save shipping it around but that would probably be rare.

You have excess Refineries in Japan but depending on what else you capture (or gets trashed) they might run out of Oil.

I trashed Manila in my current game. I rebuilt the Repair shipyard (and expanded it to 50) but left the LI and Resources trashed. I did ponder it for a few days but it needed something like 130k Supply and I won’t have that spare for a while, by which time I think it will be too late to worry. I now need to import a bit more supply to feed the army though.
Checking Palembang for damage after capture is the big heart stopper! Who has a lazy million spare supply sitting around!?

[Mike Solli]

In your situation, I'd repair the oil and the repair yard. That yard comes in handy. You may want to consider expanding it a bit, to say, 15 or so.

You may want to consider repairing a small amount of the refineries, say 10, just to provide fuel to the TK convoys hauling out the oil.

HI is a difficult decision. There are a lot of bases that provide modest amounts of resources nearby. But you'd also have to rebuild some refineries to support the HI. I don't think it is worth the supply expenditure.

How did Batavia fare?

[JoV]

Thanks for the replies.

Batavia was taken without a scratch, despite a much longer siege against far larger defenders (go figure [:D])

I was thinking the repair yard was worth rebuilding. Get it up to 10 and use it for destroyer rebuilds/sub/patrol maintenance etc. Everything bigger could go to Singapore.

Will rebuild at least some of the oil (was pretty lucky at Palembang etc with oil so its not desperate). I thought as HI pools are universal its a good idea generally to rebuild it, but as Java is somewhat exposed, wasn't sure of the turnaround time on any investment.

[Chickenboy]

Depending on the scenario, there are refineries on Semarang (a couple hexes N of Soerbaja) and Batavia. If those are intact, you may be OK on refineries per se. But I'd like to have some functional refineries on Java, for the fuel production and (in stock) some supply production as well.

Definitely repair the oil. Fully.

Agree with others in repairing the repair yard-it's the farthest 'forward' one you'll have and it is useful for all but the largest ships. But Mike Solli is off his nut-repair it to size 20, not 15. Pfft... [;)]

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy
But Mike Solli is off his nut-repair it to size 20, not 15. Pfft... [;)]

[:D]

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: JoV

Thanks for the replies.

Batavia was taken without a scratch, despite a much longer siege against far larger defenders (go figure [:D])

I was thinking the repair yard was worth rebuilding. Get it up to 10 and use it for destroyer rebuilds/sub/patrol maintenance etc. Everything bigger could go to Singapore.

Will rebuild at least some of the oil (was pretty lucky at Palembang etc with oil so its not desperate). I thought as HI pools are universal its a good idea generally to rebuild it, but as Java is somewhat exposed, wasn't sure of the turnaround time on any investment.

You can never have too much oil. Chickenboy maybe, but not us mortals. [;)]

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

Depending on the scenario, there are refineries on Semarang (a couple hexes N of Soerbaja) and Batavia. If those are intact, you may be OK on refineries per se. But I'd like to have some functional refineries on Java, for the fuel production and (in stock) some supply production as well.

Definitely repair the oil. Fully.

Agree with others in repairing the repair yard-it's the farthest 'forward' one you'll have and it is useful for all but the largest ships. But Mike Solli is off his nut-repair it to size 20, not 15. Pfft... [;)]

I'd consider around 30, actually - or really, about double the size of your CAs (I forget their tonnage). I'm not sure where the threshold is on this, but yards that are significantly bigger than the ship they are repairing will repair the ship much faster.

So maybe 25... big enough that you get a boost, but small enough that when the Allies recapture it they can't repair BBs or CVs there.

[John 3rd]

Thoughts:
1. Go to 25 on this yard for the repair, upgrade, and conversion capability.
2. YES to all oil.
3. Refineries are good because if you opponent comes after the DEI, you can use that fuel to power your Kaigun without need for tankers/AOs.
4. HI is good for a bit of supply and to contribute to the overall total.
5. LI helps take care of the garrisons so you don't have to bring so much supply from the Home Islands.

I consider 1-3 essential. If doing well with excess supply (yaaaaa...right!) then work on 4-5.

My .02...