Japan's opening strategy

[Cheesehead]

I got some good advice re: Gibralter and Vichy France so I'll go to the well again and ask about Japan. The only game I've played on the Asia/Pacific maps was the Guadalcanal 5 turn tutorial. Now I'm trying to figure out strategy in dealing with Russia and China. My opponent has a strong Russian presence in Siberia. My inclination is to avoid war with Russia until Germany is ready to Barbarossa. I would like to start on China right away, but avoid total conquest until mid-to-late 1940 to delay US entry. Avoid attacking CW and NEI until Strategic materials cut off.

On a related note, my opponent and I are a little confused as to set up demarcations in China and Manchuria. The WiFFE map has '39 marked in red, but there are no red dotted lines marking the territory. We think maybe we should use the pink dotted lines to mark Japans territory as it is the closest to red (if I remember my Kindergarten lessons correctly) but we are not sure. Even the pink dotted lines are confusing as they seem to go all over. Also, does Japan control all of Manchuria in '39 or just those hexes where those confounded pink dots outline?

Thanks for any help!

[vonpaul]

Japan controls all of manchuria, the dots can be confusing especially where they join together, look for where they split apart. The front doesnt change much on a historical basis if that is any comfort.

Japan has heaps of options available to it at the start (more than any other power IMO) So it needs to plan and focus on that plan. I have seen a japanese player become so focused on china that even though they know they are dooming themselves by putting more troops there, they do it anyway. Just remember that the further you get INTO china the earlier the US will enter and the harder it will be to get those troops OUT of china quickly. End scenario, China down to 1pp/turn, however at the expense of Rabaul, Phillipines etc. Large A/C presence in phillipines etc ensure Japan was always on the backfoot and game ended with Axis giving up late '43 with massive US air & fleet incursions into the coast of Japan(from phillipines and rabaul).

The problem with a Japanese/German invasion of Russia is by the time it becomes possible, Japan has bigger problems with the US near entering. Even if Japan does enter the war the amount of damage that can be done agaist Soviet player depends on that players lack of ability as in why fight when you have nothing to defends. Not saying this is always a bad strategy as i've played against heaps of people who have defended worthless terrain much to my joy.

[Mziln]

ORIGINAL: vonpaul

Japan controls all of manchuria, the dots can be confusing especially where they join together, look for where they split apart. The front doesnt change much on a historical basis if that is any comfort.


The problem with a Japanese/German invasion of Russia is by the time it becomes possible, Japan has bigger problems with the US near entering.

[:)] But if the U.S.S.R. strips off too many units early don't forget... [:)]

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Option 50: (USSR-Japan compulsory peace) If Japan controls Vladivostok during the first war between Japan and the USSR, the Japanese player must agree to a peace if the Soviet player wants one. Similarly, if the USSR controls 3 or more resources that were Japanese controlled at the start of the war, the Soviet player must agree to a peace if the Japanese player wants one.

In either case, the new Russo-Japanese border is established by the hexes each controls. Any pocket of non-coastal hexes wholly surrounded by hexes controlled by the other major power becomes controlled by the major power whose hexes surround them.
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Note: Option 50 can only be invoked once.

The U.S.S.R. could strip off Siberian units for a number of reasons. Such as the invasion of Persia for the 3 oil resources. [:D]

[coregames]

Since Japan sets up next-to-last, you have the luxury of tailoring your strategic objectives to the situation you are faced with. If China is set up forward, it's probably a good idea to chew them up and make them pay for their audacity. If Russia is weak around Vladivostok, it might be advisable to grab the factory and as many resources and ports as possible, but remember that while you are at war with her, Russia can take land actions and get a lot more done all over the world. Still, if you can kill some units and cut their production, they will be hard-pressed to stop a '41 Barbarossa.
If Russia is strong around Vlad and the Chinese are hiding in the mountains, I would go after the communists, since they have fewer forces and with only two cities, are much easier to conquer. An important consideration is whether you will wage war against the CW for a while before bringing in the US, or will launch a simultaneous attack on both (probably with a super-combined). Knowing where you stand on this point early will help you build accordingly.
These are just some thoughts, since I'm playing Japan/Italy in our current Global War scenario. Definitely a fun position to play!

[vonpaul]

the real beauty of WIF and I hope CWIF is the ability to think outside the square. Its not just a black and white determination of do I go after Russia/CW or China at start(i dont recommend CW btw) a good strategy is to setup offensively against russia in 1939 and then demand resources/BP[:)] in exchange for a non-aggression pact. Alternitevly you can negotiate from a more equal footing for a 1940 Non-aggression pact (which Russia will love) These do cut down (or remove) your ability to wage war against Russia in '41 so its give and take but can be worth it depending on what you plan to achieve with Japan.

[Cheesehead]

I really appreciate all your advice. It's given me much to consider. Thank you.[:)]