Holding Singapore, PI, and DEI

[ladgosh]

Has anyone ever had success holding onto Singapore, PI, and/or DEI in an AI game (I assume it would be impossible in a PBEM game, at least against a decent opponent)? I've had success delaying the capture of PI and DEI, but whenever I've felt like I actually might be able to hold on to at least a part of them, the KB comes along and smacks me down. I've had little success in delaying the capture of Singapore, however, and it usually falls fairly close to the historical date.

Normally I look at the three areas as a balance between husbanding your resources to fight another day and delaying the Japanese advance for as long as possible to prevent resources and oil from falling into their hands and to prepare elsewhere. It doesn't really seem practical to be able to hold on to any of them since they can all be cut off from resupply and support fairly easily, but I'm curious if anyone has had a successful strategy.

Thanks!
Kevin

[Feinder]

It's been a while since I played the AI, but I think I held Sing vs. the AI the last time (which is exactly why I started playing PBEM). They key is slowing/stopping his initial drive. Air vs. his shipping as he tries to unload more guys. Grab guy in Burma/India ASAP and move them to the Penensula (to even the odds). While that's happening, make sure you defend at better spots (clear terrain isn't worth holding).

Just grind him down. It'll get to the point where AI gets stalled vs. Sing, because it's troops and transports are mauled, and you keep reinforcing. It just impales itself.

At that point is when I decided to take on my first PBEM game.

-F-

[ladgosh]

How long are you able to keep significant air forces in Maylay/Singapore? I've tried to use the LBs and TBs there to interdict the Japanese transports, but whenever they start to have some success the AFs in the area get bounced by the Japanese air power out of Saigon (or wherever). Did you find shuffeling the bombers between different airfields enough?

The same thing happens in the DEI. I use the bombers there to interdict incoming transports, but whenever I start seeing success with this strategy the KB shows up.

Cheers,
Kevin

[doktor1957]

I've managed to hold onto Timor vs. the AI. I got every air unit out of P.I. and Singapore, and more importantly, the base units. I also rushed everything I could get into Rangoon and Moulmein. Whenever KB became too obstreperous I would raid with U.S. carriers and KB would rush toward the threatened sector. Timor became an unsinkable carrier, hammering Kendari. By August '42, I've sunk nearly 500 IJN ships, held Guadalcanal, Timor, and Buna, and taken Bangkok, and invaded Indochina.

[Q-Ball]

I played once against the AI, Hard, and held pretty much everything except Singapore.

For the PI, you can sneak single ship AK TF's into Manila via Wake/Marcus, just steer them clear of Saipan. You might lose a few, but the supplies make all the difference. In my game, I had a stockpile by around 2/42, and turned replacements back on, which filled out the PI divisions with artillery and other equipment. They turned the tables on the Japs, and all the full strength Base Forces were plenty to man Appari and Clark, and I ferried in Beuforts via Cebu that basically closed the straight b/w PI and Taiwan to IJN shipping. Move your air units to Manila if you are making a stand there, so they can spring back to life with new A/C once you get supplies. That game ended in 6/43.

As for Malaya, I evacuated almost all the forces to Palembang and Java, using all the Dutch transports you get early on. Looking back I probably could have held it, but the 2 Malaya brigades, plus base forces, and other troops brought in from India easily repulsed a division-size invasion on Palembang. An extra Aus Brigade from Malaya did the same on Amboina, which was key to getting A/C to PI. Java was only invaded by a small force that just died on the beaches. Sabang became a key British base later used to land and Georgetown, and retake Singapore. The only thing completely lost was Borneo.

Also, once you clear PI, you can get supplies to China effectively, and that really changes things. When the game ended, I had cleared most of China proper, and were attacking Harbin. Those supplies allow you to fill out all the Chinese units with full complements of artillery.

BTW, didn't even bother with attacking Marianas or Solomons, once PI is a base, went to Bataan Is/Okinawa/Matsuyama/Sasebo. Then it was over.

With Palembang and PI held, I don't think much oil got to Japan, and at games end the Home Islands were bone dry