Dark Days - the allied perspective

[IS2m]

Jan 5, 1942

In Malaya, the Japanese have taken Johore Bharu. Three divisions and a pile of engineers swarmed across the Singapore causeway like ants. They lost 3,000 men on the causeway, but that didn't stop them. Singapore will fall any day now.

Japanese Glen boats are watching all of my ports in the South Pacific. I have located a couple of subs, and have shot down 1 Glen. (Upon further review, it turned out to be a Jake)

I count 50 LCU's in Malaya. Patrol aircraft from Andaman Island have begun photo recon missions over Trincomalee. I have redeployed fighters to Ceylon in an attempt to shut him down. They are flying at 6,000 feet, so I should catch some of his scouts.

In China, my opponent and I are preparing to duke it out over Yenen. He has stopped bombing the city, shortly before I sent AVG to Sian: Very frustrating. All I can do is wait. On the other hand, I am debating sending a couple of corps toward Kuikang, and threatening Wuhan. Any thoughts?

More P-40b's are en route to Oz and India.

I have pulled fragments of every unit that I want to save from PI, Malaya, and Java.

Soerebaja will be under siege soon. His Timor divisions have apparently been rerouted, or did I already say this? At this rate, the entire Pacific basin outside of Manila will have fallen by the end of the month. This will give the Japanese a free hand for at least 5 months before I can even contemplate a counteroffensive.

On the bright side: a RCT arrived at Midway, along with a stack of supplies. When the fortifications at PH are completed, I will send engineers. I recieve a pile of reinforcements in 7 days, stacks of AK's, TK's, Yorktown, several AV Regiments and 3 Bde's worth of troops. This will allow me to improve my defenses in the South Pacific. Troops will begin arriving at Canton Island in a few days.

Gotta go...

[IS2m]

Jan 11, 1942

Singapore fell today after a massive assault. The s**t is about to hit the fan. All major holdings in the NEI are under siege, and are not expected to survive the month. However, there is some good news:

TF 4 encounters mine field at Soerabaja (22,65)

Japanese Ships
CA Aoba, Mine hits 1, on fire

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Naval bombardment of Soerabaja, at 22,65 - Coastal Guns Fire Back!


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
B-17E Fortress: 1 destroyed

110 Coastal gun shots fired in defense.
Japanese Ships
CL Tenryu
CL Kitakami, Shell hits 8
CA Aoba, Shell hits 13, on fire, heavy damage
CA Mikuma, Shell hits 8
CA Mogami, Shell hits 3
CA Myoko
CA Chokai, Shell hits 13
BB Hyuga
BB Fuso
BB Nagato


Allied ground losses:
3256 casualties reported
Guns lost 67
Vehicles lost 17

Airbase hits 3
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 18
Port hits 1

I love lighting up Japanese ships, they burn so brightly!

Fragments of every unit I am salvaging for NEI/Malaya and PI are at or en route to India or Australia. I am continuing to move forces into the South Pacific, and will recieve plenty of reinforcements in 2 days. I can't wait....

The situation in China appears to be stable for now. AVG is in-country, and a game of cat-and mouse has developed. My opponent keeps shifting his airstrike targets, and I keep having to react. More P-40B's are on the way...

All BDE's in Burma are deployed at Mitkyuna (I still can't spell the name of that place, you know what I mean). I am going to try and hold the Burma road open as long as possible. Wish me luck...

[IS2m]

Jan 12, 1942

Again, I know I was not going to post a turn-by-turn recap of a 1300 turn game, but I have to tell you about this. The AVG conducted its first successful ambush of a Japanese training group in China today...

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Day Air attack on Pakhoi , at 39,39

Japanese aircraft
A5M4 Claude x 56
Ki-15 Babs x 2

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 13

Japanese aircraft losses
A5M4 Claude: 21 destroyed, 1 damaged


Airbase hits 1
Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
11 x A5M4 Claude bombing at 2000 feet
12 x A5M4 Claude bombing at 2000 feet
2 x A5M4 Claude bombing at 2000 feet
2 x A5M4 Claude bombing at 2000 feet

That's 21 Zero pilots I won't have to worry about in 1943. [;)]

I am looking forward to the day when all 3 P-40B groups are operational in China. Soon my precious, soon.......

Later.

[IS2m]

Jan 16, 1942

The Japanese are lunging towards Noumea. Battle is about to be joined. The strategic implications for loosing Noumea are grave. Japan would be in a position to strike against South Australia, New Zealand, or Suva. However, I still have a trick or two up my sleeve...

In the NEI, Balikpapan fell today, and the siege of Sorebaija continues.

In the PI, I have decided to counterattack Clark Field. I believe that he only has one division in the area, and they have been tossed out of Manila twice. Maybe I can throw a monkey wrench into his works for a change...

I got one of my air groups whacked at Wuhan today. Piles of Nates and Oscars attacked the place shooting down 27 I-153's for the loss of 3 of his a/c. He still hasn't beaten my 21-0 ratio, however, so I will take this loss in stride. Soon I will have more P-40's in China than he can shake a stick at.

Here is a map of the Noumea sector, I will keep you posted on what happens...

[IS2m]

Jan 17, 1942.

Well, my opponent called my bluff. I have no land forces at Noumea, and he knows it. I have decided that discression is the better part of valour, and will cut my losses and run. Rain prevented any carrier action from developing today, so someone got lucky. The CV groups that I have in the area are bugging out at top speed. If he wishes to pursue me into my air umbrella, he is welcome to do so. I do not believe that my opponent is that foolish, though.

I have one BB group (Colorado and a couple of cruisers), one CA group (Australia and friends) and two PT groups. All will charge into Noumea and attempt to engage as many Japanese ships as possible. I may get lucky and blast his transports before they have a chance to unload troops. It may also continue to rain, negating his carriers. I don't care about loosing the Colorado, and any CA's I loose will simply be replaced with Baltimores in 1943.

I am not abandoning Noumea because I am afraid of loosing CV's. I thought that I might have a chance to hit his landing groups, but that looks unlikely. When he took PM, his CV's charged in ahead with his landing forces a couple of days behind. This time, he set his CV's and BB's to follow his transports. What a weenie stunt. This suggests to me that my opponent may be more risk-averse than I had originaly thought, perhaps I can use this to my advantage in the future....

If (when) Noumea falls, I will be at a decided disadvantage in the game. My opponent will have close to 4:1 points, and he will be in an excellent position to strike me wherever he chooses. On the other hand, wherever he goes, he will run into strong opposition. The troops sent to Canton are being rerouted to Suva (ETA very soon), Two fresh Divs are moving up towards Canton, and PH is well protected. In addition, I will soon have a fighter group at each location, Tac air, and all my CV's. If he turns south to New Zealand, He will run into a large force. All of NZ is parachute-proofed, and I have CAP there. Australia is also well prepared for an invasion. I do expect my opponent to use Noumea as a base for his para's, though, to grab lots of SP real-estate.

To date I have learned two lessons:

1) Never play the Dec 8 scenario (Enterprise starts at PH, with KB in striking distance. I got big E out of dodge, but it was a close thing)

2) Always insist on a house rule to restrict amphib/airborne landings to units with at least 7 prep points. At this stage of the game, I am in a terrible stategic situation after less than 6 weeks. I had better not catch my opponent whining on the boards about 'realism' or 'this game moves too fast', or 'WitP is a poor historical simulation', or any of that nonsense.

On the bright side, this should be his last relatively bloodless conquest.

I will let you know what happens..

[IS2m]

Jan 19, 1942.

Well, the engagement at Noumea was a near-disaster. The island is now safely in Japanese hands...

[IS2m]

Jan 18, 1942.

Instead of going to Noumea, he unloaded at La Foi (sp?)

[IS2m]

Jan 19, 1942.

The battle of Lafoi was not a complete disaster. Two of my surface groups never bothered to show up: they are now heading out of the area. Colorado group got jumped at night and shot to bits, but not before crippling one of his BB's. I lost a bunch of cruisers, but they will be replaced by bigger and better toys...


AFTER ACTION REPORTS FOR 01/18/42

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Night Time Surface Combat, near La Foa at 68,112


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
SOC-3 Seagull: 4 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 2
BB Yamashiro
BB Ise, Shell hits 9
CA Haguro, Shell hits 3
CA Nachi, Shell hits 1
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 1
CA Kumano
CA Kinugasa
CL Oi
CL Tatsuta
DD Hatsuharu
DD Yugure
DD Ariake
DD Ikazuchi
DD Inazuma

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Shell hits 9, Torpedo hits 1
CA Louisville, Shell hits 14, Torpedo hits 2, on fire, heavy damage
CA Chicago, Shell hits 4, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
CL Phoenix, Shell hits 4
DD Porter, Shell hits 1, on fire
DD Selfridge, Shell hits 5, Torpedo hits 2, and is sunk
DD John D. Edwards, Shell hits 3, on fire

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night Time Surface Combat, near La Foa at 68,112


Allied aircraft
no flights


Allied aircraft losses
SOC-3 Seagull: 4 destroyed

Japanese Ships
BB Mutsu, Shell hits 2
BB Yamashiro
BB Ise, Shell hits 2, on fire (one 14" shell from Colorado will wreck your day [;)])
CA Haguro
CA Nachi, Shell hits 2
CA Suzuya, Shell hits 1
CA Kumano, Shell hits 2
CA Kinugasa
CL Oi
CL Tatsuta, Shell hits 4
DD Hatsuharu
DD Yugure, on fire, heavy damage
DD Ariake
DD Ikazuchi
DD Inazuma

Allied Ships
BB Colorado, Shell hits 19, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
CA Louisville, Shell hits 5, and is sunk
CL Phoenix, Shell hits 18, Torpedo hits 1, on fire, heavy damage
DD Porter, Shell hits 11, Torpedo hits 1, and is sunk
DD John D. Edwards, Shell hits 12, and is sunk

On to the good news:

There is only one beat-up Japanese division in the Phillipines. the 18th Division and a couple of arty Rgts had been tossed out of Manila twice. A Jap tank Rgt had been trying to pinn two trapped PA divs in Vigan for a while, so as to use the place as a 'training base'...

I sent tanks out of Manila, to have a look around. He has a SBF south of the city, and the battered 18th division at Clark field. So why don't I make a pain-in-the-*ss out of myself? 4 divs. and all my RCT's charge into Clark Field and shock attack it...







On the other hand. This means that he has three extra divisions somewhere else....

I have lost track of seven Japanese divisions. He had four in Singapore, two more in PI (last sighted in Borneo), and another one also in Borneo. Taking Noumea puts him in a powerful position to go wherever he wants. Something big is in the works.

I suspect that a large invasion of southern Australia is in the works, but I can not rule out an attack on India yet. If he hits Oz, I will fight for the south: that is where all the points are.

The waiting is driving me mad.

[IS2m]

Game mechanics/ tactics.

I have a few questions, and would really appreciate some advice.

What do you think about this:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day Air attack on Finschafen , at 55,87

Japanese aircraft
G3M Nell x 40

No Japanese losses

Runway hits 1

Aircraft Attacking:
18 x G3M Nell bombing at 9000 feet
14 x G3M Nell bombing at 9000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 9000 feet
3 x G3M Nell bombing at 9000 feet
2 x G3M Nell bombing at 9000 feet

This is an unoccupied base in New Guinea, and has been bombed every turn for over a week. Is this Koshur? Is this a way around having to face my fighters in order to train (you know how much mt pilots love Nell's, one tracer round and they go up like a roman candle.)

And how about this:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASW attack at 47,44

Japanese Ships
ML Tokiwa
ML Tsugaru
ML Okinoshima
ML Ikitsushima
AS Jingei
AS Chogei
AS Taigei
AS Nagoya Maru
AS Rio de Janiero Maru
AS Yasukuni Maru
AS Manju Maru
AS Tsukushi Maru
DD Yugumo
DD Akigumo
DD Kamikaze
DD Harukaze
DD Tsuga
APD APD-34, heavy damage
APD APD-35, heavy damage
MSW Wa 10
MSW Wa 14
MSW Wa 19
MSW Aoi Maru
MSW Asahi Maru #2
MSW Ataka Maru
MSW Bisan Maru
MSW Hagoromo Maru
MSW Mejima Maru
MSW Noshiro Maru #2
MSW Shonan Maru #7
MSW Shonan Maru #8
MSW Tama Maru
MSW Tama Maru #2
MSW Tama Maru #3
MSW Tama Maru #5
MSW Takasago Maru
MSW Tokuho Maru #5
MSW Tomozono Maru #3
MSW Toroshima Maru
MSW Toshi Maru #1
MSW Toshi Maru #5
MSW Toshi Maru #7
MSW Toshi Maru #8
MSW Yoshino Maru
ML Katsuriki
ML Shirataka
ML Yaeyama
ML Kamome
ML Tsubame
ML Natsushima
ML Nasami
ML Sarushima
ML Sokuten
ML Shirakami
ML Naryu
ML Kyosai
ML Ukishima
ML Hirashima
ML Hoko
ML Ishizaki
DD Samidare
DD Yudachi
DD Harusame
DD Murasame
DD Shigure

That's right folks, a 65 ship ASW group. I was under the impression that only about 5 ships conducted searches or attacks. If that is correct, then what is the purpose of such a large stomp-stack? It would appear to make him vulnerable elsewhere. Does this give my opponent any kind of advantage that I should be aware of?

More about ASW: My search a/c almost never spot his glen boats. Should they be set to ASW instead, and will they spot incoming TF's if I do so? I noticed that my opponent uses float planes (Alfs, etc) to spot my subs: I am considering stripping all of my CL's of their Kingfishers, and using these units to spot subs. Does this sound like a good idea?

My opponent is using search a/c and glens to fly photo-recon missions over my bases. I am redeploying fighters to deal with this, but my fighters are having a hell of a time catching his a/c. I am considering setting the fighters to max altitude for a couple of days, then dropping down in increments of 5,000 feet until I start hitting his planes. Is this a good idea, or am I smoking too much pipeweed? I had them set to 6,000 feet, but they weren't doing the job. Is photo-recon more effective than naval search?

Help me Obi Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope!

[John 3rd]

Good narrative within your AAR. I hate constant battle screens with little insight as to how the player is THINKING. What have you gotten to Pago Pago?

[IS2m]

At the moment I hve 2 Divs and 1 RCT somewhere in the South Pacific. Another Div is on it's way, to be followed by two more in the next few days/weeks. The three bases that I need to hold are Suva, Canton and Pago Pago. I really don't want to discuss specific OOB and deployment questions for reasons of operational security. Needless to say, I realize that YH can and will drop paras anywhere he wants. So to answer your question, I have enough at Pago Pago that any air drop would result in a massacre of Japanese shark-bait, er... I mean paratroopers, Yeah...

[:)]

I have also set up AA and CD units at various key points in the South. To date, my coastal guns have done more damage to his surface fleet than my navy has.

[IS2m]

Jan 20, 1942.

I think that my opponent is mad at me. [:D]

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Day Air attack on Kweiyang , at 41,35

Japanese aircraft
A6M2 Zero x 15
Ki-43-Ib Oscar x 95
Ki-21 Sally x 46

Allied aircraft
P-40B Tomahawk x 15

Japanese aircraft losses
Ki-43-Ib Oscar: 4 destroyed
Ki-21 Sally: 1 damaged

Allied aircraft losses
P-40B Tomahawk: 10 destroyed

Airbase hits 2
Airbase supply hits 1
Runway hits 9

Aircraft Attacking:
17 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
11 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
14 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet
2 x Ki-21 Sally bombing at 9000 feet

OK, time to pull my air back to the rear for a while, reorganize, and prepare for the next round....

[IS2m]

Still Jan 20, 1942.

The USAAF regrets to announce the loss of Major G. Boyington in action over China today. Major Boyington had distinguished himself in action prior to his loss by destroying 4 Japanese aircraft over Singapore and China. On his final mission he claimed another two enemy fighters before being overwhelmed by the vast hordes. His loss will be deeply felt.





Now who am I going to get to command VMF-214? Do I have any volunteers from the Audience? This could be your chance...

And in other news:

SigInt assets report that the Japanese '17th Mixed Brigade' is on its way to Bataan to 'sort this mess out'. When asked for his comments on this report, an anonymous allied supreme commander said "Oh no! It's K-K-K-Kenji C-C-C-Coming to K-K-K-Kill me!"

And a Jap DD was torpedoed by a PT boat near Noumea today. [;)]

[IS2m]

Jan 25, 1942.

The Japanese are steaming towards Pago-Pago with a CV group. A second CV group is sniffing around Brisbane. I haven't seen any troop transports heading for Pago-Pago yet. I hope that this is just a raid, but I doubt it. As I see it, my opponent is doing one of three things:

1) setting up a 'wedge' between Canton & Noumea. He has 1 Div and 1 Bde on New Caledonia, but he hasn't marched into the base yet. The turn before he landed, I sent him an email that said 'I hope you brought more than just a Bde to Noumea'. His caution suggests that he believes I have troops in Noumea. I don't have anything there, but maybe he believes that I do...

2) Conducting a CV raid on Pago-Pago in an atttempt to force a CV battle. In January 1942, the Japanese still have a +4 bonus for their Zeros. A CV battle would be to my disadvantage, but I do have 3 CV groups nearby in case he does invade.

3) The hammer is going to fall in the South Pacific. My opponent is going to attempt to chase me back to Hawaii while he still has time. I have Suva and Canton Island well garrisoned, so he can land at either place if he wishes to, and I won't particularly care. A Japanese landing at Pago-Pago is the last thing that I could tolerate, however, and I may be forced to fight on his terms. If I can stall him for about 4 days, the Yorktown will arrive to join the party....

However, a CV battle at this stage of the game may not be decisive. He only has 3 CV's and a CVL in that TF, against my 3 CV's, plus I have some fighters at Pago-Pago to provide extra cap. If he conducts an air strike at Pago-Pago, he is in for a rude surprise. I have recently unloaded 3 AA Rgts at the base. I also have a coastal arty unit there, but the nearest real troops are about 10 days away. Half of his CV's are hunting for the Colorado, which slipped into Brisbane a couple of days ago. Any CV's that I loose will respawn as Essex classes, whereas any CV's that he looses will be rusting at the bottom of the Pacific until the end of time.

That being said, I will not fight this early unless I have no choice.

[IS2m]

Meanwhile back in the Phillipines...

The Japanese have landed two Bde's and lots of Paras in an attempt to bork my withdrawl from Vigan. So far he is succeeding. There will be several battles this turn, so stay tuned....

[Feinder]

Do you some feed back on strategy? Having no bearing on what I may, or may not know of your oppoents strategy. Just some advice. I'm always open to it, but I don't want to offer unwelcome.

-F-

[IS2m]

I would appreciate any insights that you may offer.

[Feinder]

Keep your CVs far, far away from Japan's CVs. Just because the Zero bonus is ticking down, don't forget that the IJN pilots are EXCELLENT. Even in May, with zero Zero bonus (that's redundant), they'll clobber your USN squadrons, sink your CVs, and you'll likely damage, maybe sink ONE in return. If he's keeping KB together, it looks like he is. Leave it alone.

Pago Pago isn't worth losing your 4 or 5 CVs over.

Yes, play a tight game vs. his surface forces (except his BBs, since you have none). But stay away from his carriers.

In late summer of 1942, you maybe stand up to KB, if it's pilots have slowly been whittled down. But until you have Lex, Sara, York, Ent, Hornet, and Wasp + RN CVs, he can clean your clock. He -will- destroy in piecemale if you go at him early. If he does that that, it's 1943 before you can confront him.

Yes, use your CVs. But not against KB. Pago Pago isn't worth it.

Enjoying your AAR. Keep it up!

Regards,
-F-

[IS2m]

Feinder, I Appreciate your candor. As I said before, I have no intentions of fighting his CV's unless I have to.

Here is the problem: My opponent has taken Noumea, probably realising that there was nothing I could do to stop him. Now Pago-Pago is being threatened. If this base is taken, I will be effectively cut off from Australia, and the whole of the South Pacific will fall. Assuming that I take your advice and run, the next question is: Where and when do I stop running and attempt to give him a bloody nose? If the South Pacific falls, it will be impossible to mount a serious counteroffensive. Any offensive in the South will simply give him more time to build up in Cent Pac. The best strategy that I can imagine right now is to hit Wake , Marcus and Iwo Jima sometime in 1943. That should make for a fun game....

If I hold the South Pacific, I can contemplate an offensive into the Marshals, before going to Rabaul, the Marianas, and PI. Additionally, my opponent has split KB into two groups. Each group has 3 x CV and 1 x CVL. I reason that 3 US CV's split into three TF's, and fighting under air cover from land based fighter units, may stand a chance of inflicting substantial damage. In addition, I will not commit to a fight until I see transports on the way to Pago-Pago. I have not seen anything from SigInt that suggests such an invasion is in fact taking place. If this is just a raid, my opponent is welcome waltz in and bomb the daylights out of the place. I will provide the music...

I agree that fighting his CV's with the zero bonus is foolhardy. I realise that even without said bonus, his pilots are still excellent. The real question is 'where do I draw the line?' What are your thoughts?

[Feinder]

This first thing you have to do is toss the historical perspective. Both you, and Japan, can do all sorts fo crazy things in WitP.

1. Who cares if he cuts the line to Oz. Oz will be swimming in supplies by summer. Fuel, no. Supplies, yes. It has plenty of troops there to defend it, except that it's all spread out. Move stuff to place he'll want to invade in Oz (Darwin, Derby, Cairns, Tville). But Oz gets plenty of troops as reinfocemtents.

2. Even if he actually invades Oz. He can't TAKE Oz. It might take you until 1943 to push him out. But he can't stay.

3. Frankly, the only important base in SoPac is Noumea, because it's worth a gazillion points for YOU, for each base level. But it's already fallen, so don't worry about it.

4. Attrit his planes.

5. Attrit his planes.

6. Where do you draw the line? I'd hold onto the line islands (Midway, Johnston, Palmyra, and Christmas). You MIGHT be able to hold Canton, but it's kind of far to go for you. You can do anything about Pago-Pago, that other one, Suva. I'd have dumped the works on Noumea, but you chose Suva. Don't recall how much you have there. Think in Divisons. He can, and WILL dump 2 divisions on you. If you can't hold vs. that, don't try. He'll just kill your troops (and troop losses are the #1 point loss for Allies, if you didn't notice). Problem with Suva is he can "surround" you with Noumea and Pago-Pago.

6. Atrrit his planes.

7. Nothing wrong with fighting him. Just don't risk your major fleet assets doing it.

8. Keep in mind that your opponent knows exactly your starting disposition of forces, and your reinfocement schedule. I can't remember who you're playing. But he knows EXACTLY what he's doing.

9. Raiding the Marshals or Wake or whatever, is certainly historical. But again. Toss that. Sending your CVs vs. Marshalls will accomplish...? You'll put some holes in his runway. He'll know where your CVs are. He'll have a LOT of LBA iwth torps ready to kill you. It's not worth risking your CVs to put a couple crates in his runways, that will be repaired 2 or 3 days.

10. Your "parity date" with KB is about September '42. That means you've enough USN CVs, and RN CVs to actually stand a chance vs. KB. His "willy nilly date" is about June '42 (which means he can do just about anything he wants until about June, when your own LBA will be able to deter, not beat him). The "willy nilly date is fairly static +/- 2 months. But for every CV that you lose, you push that parity date back by about 3 months. As in, if you go vs. KB now in January, and he sinks 2 CVs, he can continue to run willy nill until about July August, you have little or nothing to show for it, and your parity date gets pushed back to about March '43.

11. Attrit his air. Your 4e bombers can clean his clock. Foget Zerons in air. Kill 'em on the ground.

12. TOSSS THE HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE. I'd love it if it -was- historical. But it's not. You're opponent obviously isn't constrained by a historical perspective. Toss it. It doesn't apply in WitP. Look at as a chess game, with certain units having better qualities than others, with certain squares being worth more points that others. But forget about playing historically, because it's just going to get you clobbered.

-F-