Supply Lines revisited and "To Rangoon or not to Rangoon...what is the strategy"?

[ruffels]

Furthur to a post I put up last week. The question was regarding hex ownership and its effects on atack ability. I had been asking whether it I owned a hex (the "w" button) or line of hexes whether that would effect whether the enemies ability to get supply through. We decided that it did and I'm just writing to say I had that confirmed in my "big game" against the AI.

To revisit...The Japanese AI had been beseiging Akyab for almost a year with 4 Divisions and multiple smaller units. I had worn them down through Bombardment with a huge number of units in Akyab and was attempting a 2 to 1 ratio before attacking. In the meantime I had moved units south and had finally claimed ownership of all the road hexes up to Rangoon thereby cutting them off. I had also landed units at Moulmein with the idea of cutting off Rangoon from supply as well.

I was wondering if this was proper tactics when I posted. I continued with my plan and captured Rahaeng as well. This had a HUGE effect on the Akyab units. In two deliberate assaults the AI lost some 20,000 units in two or three days! I ended up taking it within five or six days of my capturing Rahaeng. So cutting off supply is a great way to go!

Now my next question is...Do I lay seige to Rangoon for the 1350 points, which would probably take at least 6 months and multiple casualties or do i forget it and go for Bangkok and Tavoy (and who knows eventually Singapore)? If it was a human player I wouldn't be able to leave 100,000 troops in my rear, but with the AI? I don't think it's coming out. I'm sending in a recon in force to sus it out and see just how tough a nut it is.

Thoughts? What would you do?

[ChezDaJez]

Now my next question is...Do I lay seige to Rangoon for the 1350 points, which would probably take at least 6 months and multiple casualties or do i forget it and go for Bangkok and Tavoy (and who knows eventually Singapore)? If it was a human player I wouldn't be able to leave 100,000 troops in my rear, but with the AI? I don't think it's coming out. I'm sending in a recon in force to sus it out and see just how tough a nut it is.

My thought is that if you don't need the port or airfield there, bypass it. Force the Jap player to try to keep it supplied by sea or air. You will need to maintain enough troops in the area to prevent a breakout.

If you decide to go for Bangkok, this gives the Jap player multiple headaches as he will now need to defend against 2 possible lines of attack: 1 down the Malayan penninsula, the other towards Saigon. I doubt the Japanese player can defend both effectively and will have to choose which to put all his marbles in. Basing air units in Bangkok is going to hurt to the Japanese shipping efforts to keep Malaya and Indochina sufficiently supplied.

As this game is against the AI, I'm not sure but it will probably try to do both and end up doing neither.

Chez

[Lord_Calidor]

ORIGINAL: ruffels
Now my next question is...Do I lay seige to Rangoon for the 1350 points, which would probably take at least 6 months and multiple casualties or do i forget it and go for Bangkok and Tavoy (and who knows eventually Singapore)? If it was a human player I wouldn't be able to leave 100,000 troops in my rear, but with the AI? I don't think it's coming out. I'm sending in a recon in force to sus it out and see just how tough a nut it is.

One advice on playing the AI (if you ever plan on starting a PBEM).
Don't adjust your playing style for AI, play as though you are facing a smart human opponent, or when you start PBEMing, you'll get some rude awakening surprises.
I always think of what would I do in those cicrumstances, not counting on passive AI routines, and adjust my tactics accordingly. So, in your Burma situation, I would march a strong force (about equal to Japanese) into Rangoon and leave it there sieging, with occasional bombardment, occupy Moulmein (all this to prevent enemy breakout), then with the rest of the troops move southwards. If you don't have enough assault values for this, then either try to take Rangoon or leave status quo until you get a bigger hammer.

[Marten]

I did the same. my forces have tied three AI's divisions in akyab and one just south of kohima. after fierce battle i've lost akyab, but also i've managed to push this lone div into the jungle and to head south to mandalay. about the same time i've lended some troops in moulmein to cut off entire japanese army in burma. after this cunning [;)]move japs have abandoned akyab (so my troops could retake it without fireing a single shot) and went to mandalay only to meet my troops just two hexes north east from rangoon. rangoon was conquered swiftly, two weeks later same thing happened to tavoy.
present situation is: i have every base in burma under my control, one japanese division stucked in the jungle far behind the frontline, and three other divisions are spread all over the coast south of akyab without supply and not fighting back.

[Twotribes]

Is Bangkok one of the cities that the Computer wont recognize allied control of for basing and using aircraft?

[Yamato hugger]

Im a huge fan of prison camps. By-pass, bomb them out of supply and then attack for the points, but keep rolling in the meantime.

[ruffels]

Thanks All
My recon discovered that there are two tank regiments, one artillery unit and the rest are a Base Force and Construction units. I think I'm going to try a seige and see how it goes. If it looks like it will take too long, I'll tie them down and move south as recommended above. I also like the recommendation of acting as if it is a human player.

Now, what is this about Bangkok?

[Fafner]

What about taking Rangoon so you can get your troops more experience.

I ended up overstacking my troops in Myitkyina, destroying a big Japanese corp (or small army). All my Indian units suddenly had like 70-90 experience.

They made short-shrift of the Rangoon garrison.

Also, Rangoon is a beautiful port/base - I moved HQ SEAC there and was pleased to find out how quickly units recover when they aren't in malaria infested jungle.


OH, the AI does jack! Granted I've totally eliminated 4 divisions and tons of independent brigades so not sure if it has anything left to make counter attack.


You've got clear sailing into Singapore - leave a division or two in Bangkok to protect that flank.

[tsimmonds]

You oughta at least pull into town with a couple of reinforced divisions, and hit 'em with a deliberate assault to see what they've got (doesn't really sound like much). If you get a fat one-to-one, shock attack 'em and then you won't have to worry about them any more.