late war strategy

[steve99x]

just asking our panel of experts...
I'm finishing up my first full campaign... it's january '44 and I've got long range bombers on Bonin ready to hit Tokyo

considering that the entire Japanese navy is now gone, their bombers are scarce and most of their LCUs are in China... what is the best bombing strategy to force a surrender? factories? heavy industry? oil?
or do I need to invade?

[AmiralLaurent]

You need to score points to win the game. Bombing B-29s with Japan will score many but probably not enough. So an invasion will probably be necessary.

To score more strategic points, hit everything. Bombing oil first is a good idea, it will shut down the Japanese economy (and so an invasion will be easier) but then bomb everything and everyplace. Bombs falling on an allready damaged target are less efficient (part of it hitting the damaged part). At least I think so from my experience.

[steve99x]

then basically invade the crucial bases/ports to gain the most points and like you say, bomb everything!
I'm already hitting Hong Kong & Singapore... so maybe just keep mixing up the bombing assignments?

[AmiralLaurent]

No, I was thinking of bombing Japan industry, oil and ressources. Then you will score strategic points. If I remember well, all industry outside Japan isn't giving any points. A B-29 raid on Tokyo will give more than 1000 points (at start).

[Bill Durrant]

From what I've seen so far Laurent your end of war stategy is to hold on to N Australia as the Japs[;)]

BTW - turn is in your inbox[8D]

[riley555a]

Capture Okinawa, from there use B-29's, B-25's, B-24's and other bombers and fighter bombers with P-51 and P-38 escorts, also use all possible carrier airpower and naval bombardment to strike at cities. I did that in my game and it works great. I captured Okinawa, transfered almost every bomber on the map to it, along with almost every fighter/ fighter bomber, as well as every American and British aircraft carrier, Battleship and Cruiser. I have complete mastery of the air and I bombard and strafe at will. Given a year and I could probably raze Japan from the face of the earth.

[AmiralLaurent]

ORIGINAL: Bill Durrant

From what I've seen so far Laurent your end of war stategy is to hold on to N Australia as the Japs[;)]

BTW - turn is in your inbox[8D]

No, my end of war strategy is to hold California... If you land in USA in 1945, the bonus troops won't appear, they are allready on the map !!!

[steve99x]

since I have all my CV's intact and deployed, I'm thinking of using long-range bombers from Okinawa (next on the invasion list) and Bonin to take out Japan's airfields... then move in the carriers to bomb industry...

whattaya think?

and I'm also taking ports on Borneo and up toward Singapore... is it worth it to take back the resources?

[AmiralLaurent]

Ressources don't matter much for you, but it can be useful to have supplies and fuel available on the frontline. Most important are the political targets, that bring back points: Manila and Singapore are both valued more than 1000 points for you.

Raiding Japan with carriers is a good idea if you have an Allied death star. Just send some AR in an advanced base in case kamikazes work for once ! I will rather bomb industry with my heavy bombers and let the Japanese airmen commit suicide against the heavy CAP and AA covering the CVs.

[steve99x]

having basically won the war at this point... I'm going for points...

as for forming a CV death star... would still suggest keeping the TF to 15 ships?

[Wolfie1]

ORIGINAL: steve99x

having basically won the war at this point... I'm going for points...

as for forming a CV death star... would still suggest keeping the TF to 15 ships?

What? 12 CV's plus 3DD's escort?[:D]

[riley555a]

ORIGINAL: steve99x

since I have all my CV's intact and deployed, I'm thinking of using long-range bombers from Okinawa (next on the invasion list) and Bonin to take out Japan's airfields... then move in the carriers to bomb industry...

whattaya think?

and I'm also taking ports on Borneo and up toward Singapore... is it worth it to take back the resources?

Sounds like a plan. Just remember to also make use of the British navy at Colombo. There are about 5 CV's, 5 BB's some CA's, and I think about 10 CVE's at Colombo, British Carriers are pretty good and their Battleships are superb.

[Titanwarrior89]

Invading Japan is not require to when. Ive played it thru until the victory pop up came up in aug 45(started in 41). I landed just about everywhere they did historically. I hit them with the B-29's and tore their shipping up.

I never set foot on the main land. So you can win without invading japan. However this was against the ai. Not sure about pbem.[:D]