The Power of Inexperience / GreyJoy(A)-Rader(J)

[GreyJoy]

Thansk Schwartzikie, managed to find the VP51 and upgraded it to PB4Ys [8D]

Guys, we have an HR that prevents using the 4Es on naval attack except for a single squadron for every base...so the ambush you're talking about cannot be put into action. I need to find something different....

Jan 1, 2 1943

The first two days of Jan didn't see any change.

The KB moved from Mylne bay to a position 8 hexes (i hate this silly 8 against 7 hexes rule!!!!!!!) west of Lunga and the struggle of the Solomons begun again.
300 planes from Torobika (Bouganville) swept Lunga, followed by 300 IJAAF bombers (Helens) and, in the afternoon, by 290 Kates escorted by 200 zeros from the KB...the attacked both AF and port, sinking all my support ships (1 AD, 1 AV, 2 ACMs, 1 AVP, 1 AS and 1 AR)...
This struggle went on for 2 days....again my AA was inconsistent...we shot down 4 kates flying at 10k.... we have 4 AA units there, all 100% prepped for Lunga...what else could i do!?

Luckly enough i had just evacuated Lunga again, moving every planes (but the Cats) to Ndani and Lungaville...cat&mouse...it's a pain but it's the only think i can do for now...running and hiding with my air force...

In the meanwhile 330 Bombers keep on hitting PM...Good Lord how can i fight these numbers!?!?!?...

Coocktown is still closed due to the damage suffered...and now Lunga is closed too....uffff[>:]

At Karachi the usual sweeps of 300 Tojos (i never talked about that but every day it's the same...he sweeps Karachi with 300 Tojos, killing 5/10 of my planes every day)...

Anyway...the SW-SO-PAC theatre remains active...moving troops and stuffs.... 5 SeaBees are moving towards Cairns...they'll be used in NE Oz. More Seabees are being transfered to Perth at the same time.
Most of my ships are upgrading and repairing, while i'm trying to refill the losses suffered in terms of Wildcats (the pool is empty again).

My subs are upgrading and the BB/CAs too (taking their 10/42 upgrades)...will be a slow Jannuary for the allies...while Japan will have free hands everywhere...[:o]

[GreyJoy]

I have a problem.

I have 2 SDB Carrier Group (VS-5 and VS-8) that were removed on 1.1.1943.... they were supposed to be removed on 1 mar 1943!!!...now my SDB groups will be resizing only on the 1st Mar 1943...am i supposed to be short of 36 SDBs for 3 long months!?!?!??!?!

[SoliInvictus202]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

I have a problem.

I have 2 SDB Carrier Group (VS-5 and VS-8) that were removed on 1.1.1943.... they were supposed to be removed on 1 mar 1943!!!...now my SDB groups will be resizing only on the 1st Mar 1943...am i supposed to be short of 36 SDBs for 3 long months!?!?!??!?!

that sounds wrong to me.... :s - that didn't happen to me -and I'm also playing scen 2

[GreyJoy]

oh....so i may be in big trouble? Lord...as if i lacked some more problems....

[Rapunzel]

I would stand down the cap at karachi. If he has no bombers there, why let him kill your fighters? It seems most of his bomber force is around Rabaul now.

Keep up the good work! Additional I would raid the resources at Kushiro (Hockaido - Japan) now. His CVs are far away and his few airgroups in Japan are probably in training mode. With an max range strike you can kill about 100 resource points (I have done this serval times in PBEM). This will force him to protect Japan better. Every time he sends his carriers in the perimeter raid his shipping lines close to japan[:D]

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Rapunzel

I would stand down the cap at karachi. If he has no bombers there, why let him kill your fighters? It seems most of his bomber force is around Rabaul now.

Keep up the good work! Additional I would raid the resources at Kushiro (Hockaido - Japan) now. His CVs are far away and his few airgroups in Japan are probably in training mode. With an max range strike you can kill about 100 resource points (I have done this serval times in PBEM). This will force him to protect Japan better. Every time he sends his carriers in the perimeter raid his shipping lines close to japan[:D]

You know...i was thinking exactly about that![:D] i would target the aircraft factories however.... But he has a good search there...his planes are constantly spotted over Aleutinas during the last days...

However...i will be thinking about that!...but now i first need to solve the problems related to my CVs...[:(] 2 groups missing is a lot

At Jodpur he still has 600 bombers...they are ready to strike as soon as my fighter force fades away...cannot and don't wanna let him strike Karachi again...not only because i have my shippings there coming and going, but also because of a point of honour! I've won the battle for Karachi and wanna make him feel like that city isn't a good place for his bombers[8D].

[ADB123]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

Thansk Schwartzikie, managed to find the VP51 and upgraded it to PB4Ys [8D]

Guys, we have an HR that prevents using the 4Es on naval attack except for a single squadron for every base...so the ambush you're talking about cannot be put into action. I need to find something different....

Jan 1, 2 1943

The first two days of Jan didn't see any change.

The KB moved from Mylne bay to a position 8 hexes (i hate this silly 8 against 7 hexes rule!!!!!!!) west of Lunga and the struggle of the Solomons begun again.
300 planes from Torobika (Bouganville) swept Lunga, followed by 300 IJAAF bombers (Helens) and, in the afternoon, by 290 Kates escorted by 200 zeros from the KB...the attacked both AF and port, sinking all my support ships (1 AD, 1 AV, 2 ACMs, 1 AVP, 1 AS and 1 AR)...

WHY are you leaving ships close to the Front? In particular, WHY are you leaving Support ships within bombing range of anything?

You knew very well that the KB was around. You should have sent off ALL of your non-combat ships immediately upon seeing the KB the first time.

This struggle went on for 2 days....again my AA was inconsistent...we shot down 4 kates flying at 10k.... we have 4 AA units there, all 100% prepped for Lunga...what else could i do!?

Are you still trying to depend upon AA? Stop trying to find a "magic bullet" and build up combined defences.

Luckly enough i had just evacuated Lunga again, moving every planes (but the Cats) to Ndani and Lungaville...cat&mouse...it's a pain but it's the only think i can do for now...running and hiding with my air force...

Don't just focus on your Air Force. If you are going to bugger out, bugger out with everything - ships and troops included.

You say you can't bugger out with your troops? Well, DON'T put your troops where you CAN'T support them!

In the meanwhile 330 Bombers keep on hitting PM...Good Lord how can i fight these numbers!?!?!?...

Coocktown is still closed due to the damage suffered...and now Lunga is closed too....uffff[>:]

Remember what I wrote about building Air Bases on Rail lines? That's where you need to keep your planes, not on isolated bases that can be attacked by LBA, the KB and bombardment TFs simultaneously.

At Karachi the usual sweeps of 300 Tojos (i never talked about that but every day it's the same...he sweeps Karachi with 300 Tojos, killing 5/10 of my planes every day)...

You removed your good fighters and now you are complaining? Sorry, no sympathy for you. You came up with a half-baked adventure plan and it is turning into garbage, now you have to live with it. We kept on telling you to read the Andy Mac/PzB AAR carefully, but you continue to make the same sorts of mistakes that Andy Mac made by attacking where you are weak.

Anyway...the SW-SO-PAC theatre remains active...moving troops and stuffs.... 5 SeaBees are moving towards Cairns...they'll be used in NE Oz. More Seabees are being transfered to Perth at the same time.
Most of my ships are upgrading and repairing, while i'm trying to refill the losses suffered in terms of Wildcats (the pool is empty again).

My subs are upgrading and the BB/CAs too (taking their 10/42 upgrades)...will be a slow Jannuary for the allies...while Japan will have free hands everywhere...[:o]

Now, stop feeling sorry for yourself and consider where you are strong. Where do you have lots of troops and supplies? Where is the enemy not attacking with all of his forces? Where don't you have to rely on Naval Air support?

And consider the travel time across the Pacific...

(Hint, Hint...look West young man...)

You have tons of troops in India, start them moving forward. Divert your half-baked plans away from isolated island-traps in the Pacific and send more Divisions where they can march to victory.

BTW - you will start to get Corsairs now. Put them in your Marine units and stop trying to use Wildcats for anything but training.

[Canoerebel]

It sounds like ABD needs a glass of warm milk and some cookies.  Relax, man!
 
Some of ABD's advice is good, but some of it is off target.  For instance, we Allied players sometimes have to go out on a limb and invade places where we end up being unable to support our troops.  That's often a good thing.  Sometimes applying pressure makes the Japanese player make mistakes.  Other times, the Allied player can take advantage elsewhere when the Japanese player focuses too narrowly on a "hot spot."  So, the invasions of Port Moresby and the Guadalcanal region were very good ideas IMO.
 
Of course, getting valuable ships sunk repeatedly isn't a good idea.  But you're still young, Grasshopper.  Sometimes the best way to learn is by making mistakes.
 
 

[GreyJoy]

[quote]ORIGINAL: ADB123


[quote]ORIGINAL: GreyJoy


WHY are you leaving ships close to the Front? In particular, WHY are you leaving Support ships within bombing range of anything?

You knew very well that the KB was around. You should have sent off ALL of your non-combat ships immediately upon seeing the KB the first time.

[quote]

th AGP was there to support the PTs based at Lunga and Tulagi.
The AR was there in order to support the damaged ships that got damaged during the re-supplying missions of Lunga-Tulagi_Tessafaronga-Russell Island
The ACMs in order to keep the mines present...

I thought those ships SHOULD be stayin in front lines cause in the rear i have enough troop-support...i know i was risking but i needed them...






In the Solomons i just have to rely on island bases...and i DID tried to create a combined defence. CD Guns in all the 4 major bases (Lunga, Tulagi,Tessafaronga and Russell), AAs everywhere and enough AVs...I was just complaining about the inefficiency of my AAs...



I think i can efford to support my troops in the Solomons...PM is a different matter i know...but i have a good heavy reinforced chain from Suva to the Solomons, passing through Lungaville, Efate and Ndani. What i only miss there is a decent air cover.Nothing else. I have enough troops and enough supplies...i just need some fighters!




At the moment there's no place on map tha fulfills these requirements mate. Not even Oz... but the Solomons are the closest place to your example...4 different bases with decent AFs...he cannot bomb them all simultaneusly (sp!?)...and now i'm forcing myself to jump in and out with my fighters...like i did in India during the darkest days of the aerial battle... and in the meanwhile i'm building my bombing air army...




I wasnt complaining in that particular instance ADB! I was just referring to you readers what was happening in India...
I think it was not a mistake to move back the Spits VIII from there. That battle is won. Karachi is safe. No need anymore to keep my best assets there. The P-40Ks and the P-39s will suffer, no doubt, but they can keep the bombers away...and we still exchange a 1-1 ratio over Karachi, even without the P-38s and the Spits...so well enough for me

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

It sounds like ABD needs a glass of warm milk and some cookies.  Relax, man!

Some of ABD's advice is good, but some of it is off target.  For instance, we Allied players sometimes have to go out on a limb and invade places where we end up being unable to support our troops.  That's often a good thing.  Sometimes applying pressure makes the Japanese player make mistakes.  Other times, the Allied player can take advantage elsewhere when the Japanese player focuses too narrowly on a "hot spot."  So, the invasions of Port Moresby and the Guadalcanal region were very good ideas IMO.

Of course, getting valuable ships sunk repeatedly isn't a good idea.  But you're still young, Grasshopper.  Sometimes the best way to learn is by making mistakes.

The problem is that i need to keep some naval assets even in dangerous area. Without my CVs and with my LBA harmless, i need to have something ready to strike if an opportunity arises or a particular danger springs up.
For ex, even if i have moved back my major ships, i'm keeping at Lungaville 20 DDs, 3 CLs, 2 CAs and two british BBs...you never know...if he counterinvades the Solomons and i have my CVs at PH!?...in that case i need something to throw into the meatigrinder...think it's logical to keep something in a so important theatre...same goes for transport ships...they are important and fragile...i know...but if i want to move in and out troops and supplies, i need to risk them....

[ADB123]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

It sounds like ABD needs a glass of warm milk and some cookies.  Relax, man!

Some of ABD's advice is good, but some of it is off target.  For instance, we Allied players sometimes have to go out on a limb and invade places where we end up being unable to support our troops.  That's often a good thing.  Sometimes applying pressure makes the Japanese player make mistakes.  Other times, the Allied player can take advantage elsewhere when the Japanese player focuses too narrowly on a "hot spot."  So, the invasions of Port Moresby and the Guadalcanal region were very good ideas IMO.

Of course, getting valuable ships sunk repeatedly isn't a good idea.  But you're still young, Grasshopper.  Sometimes the best way to learn is by making mistakes.

The problem is that i need to keep some naval assets even in dangerous area. Without my CVs and with my LBA harmless, i need to have something ready to strike if an opportunity arises or a particular danger springs up.
For ex, even if i have moved back my major ships, i'm keeping at Lungaville 20 DDs, 3 CLs, 2 CAs and two british BBs...you never know...if he counterinvades the Solomons and i have my CVs at PH!?...in that case i need something to throw into the meatigrinder...think it's logical to keep something in a so important theatre...same goes for transport ships...they are important and fragile...i know...but if i want to move in and out troops and supplies, i need to risk them....

Fine, you have your combat ships at Luganville, so that's where your support ships should be too. The Front is no place for an AD, an AS and an AR! They should have been back in Luganville or even further back.

And WHY do you want to throw ships into a "meat grinder"????????????????????????

You should be making your opponent throw his ships into your meat grinder...

Let's ask a question - have you built up the islands around Luganville enough so that you can withstand a KB attack there? How many maxed-out Air Fields do you have? How many maxed-out Ports?

And if you don't see the opportunities to build up northeastern Oz, then you aren't looking at the map correctly.

For example, Chaters Towers can be built to a Level 9 Air Base. That means that you can base an infinite number of planes there. It is on the Rail line and is not a coastal base. There are plenty of other similar inland bases in eastern Oz.

And getting back to India, why bother with a Naval invasion. Just build up overwhelming troops and march forward. Start your 4Es on a Total Destruction campaign and wipe out the opposing bombers. Put in first line fighters to defeat and destroy the opposing Air Force.

If you keep on trying to fight WW II in the South Pacific you will end up like Andy Mac, marching through Burma in 1944 because you threw away everything else in 1942/1943.

Remember, this isn't WW II in the Pacific - this is an alternate world where the Japanese prepared much better and have a better unified command that knows your strengths and weaknesses. What worked in History won't work here.

[ADB123]

It sounds like ABD needs a glass of warm milk and some cookies.  Relax, man!

Yeah, I didn't have my coffee. [:D]

[hkbhsi]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy
The KB moved from Mylne bay to a position 8 hexes (i hate this silly 8 against 7 hexes rule!!!!!!!) west of Lunga and the struggle of the Solomons begun again.
300 planes from Torobika (Bouganville) swept Lunga, followed by 300 IJAAF bombers (Helens) and, in the afternoon, by 290 Kates escorted by 200 zeros from the KB...the attacked both AF and port, sinking all my support ships (1 AD, 1 AV, 2 ACMs, 1 AVP, 1 AS and 1 AR)...

How can he have so many Kates aboard the KB? That total may mean that he has all his available CVs, CVLs, and CVEs in the area.

Regarding the 8 hex range for Japan it is mostly just a theoretical advantage. In fact, after the last Patch the only Japan carrier bombers that have that range are the Jill and the 3 and 4 versions of the Judy (only at extended range and reduced load). Right now his normal range of operation is limited to 7 hexes for the Kates (9 at extended range and reduced load) and 6 for his DBs (7 at extended range and reduced load).

[ny59giants]

If you basing some warships at Luganville, have you or are you in the process of building up Ndeni (Santa Cruz Islands)?? It would be an important base to have PBYs fly out of in multiple roles.

Beaufort VIII - have you devoted a few groups to train up pilots in NavT?? I would combine them with your newest P-38s at a base with torpedo ordnance. Their range of 8 hexes with a torpedo should be used with care, but will be great in the anti-shipping role. Another great thing is that any BB (Bombardment) TF will not be able to run far enough away to get out of their range. They were my personal favorite in old WITP. [:D]

[ADB123]

The thing to keep in mind as an Allied player is that you get huge numbers of Engineer units. These units allow you to build up regions from Dust Motes into Death Traps in reasonably short periods of time, if you plan in advance and understand how to best move your forces forwards. Your most valuable Engineering units for this process are actually your Port Services units – you should “cherish and protect” these with all of your might because they make a huge difference in the time it takes to move in forces.

So, for example, when you want to build up an area, send in Amphibious TFs with Port Service units first (one per base). Then send in Amphibious TFs with Seabees (multiple per base). Next, send in some Marine Defense units (one per base). Then send in Base Forces (1 Naval, 1 USA or USAAF). Then send in AA (1 per base.)

Note – you may ask “where is the Infantry”? Well, you aren't trying to defend an individual base against an invasion, you are trying to build up a region. If your opponent comes in while you are building, you will lose even if you have troops in place. So what you do is build where your opponent can't easily come, but where the next cluster or potential bases is within 4E range.

When your forces are weak the best place to do this is in continental land masses such as Australia or India. Island chains, such as the Aleutians are a good second choice. Atolls are your worst choice, but are better than nothing if you can build them up in isolation.

So let's look at some regions with potential. You are backed into a corner in India, so we will leave that for now. First Australia. You want to control/contain PNG, so northeastern/eastern Oz is your first priority.

If you build up the coastal bases your opponent can do to you what he just did – combine LBA, CVA and Naval Bombardments to close your bases. But there are alternatives – a number of bases with very good potential that are inland and attached to the Australian Rail lines. Here is a list:

Base Name – Air Size Normal and Potential Max Air Size

Charters Towers: 7 = 9 (meaning, you can build it up to Level 9)
Hughenden: 7 = 9
Winton: 6 = 9
Emerald: 7=9
Toowoomba: 5 = 8
Conanium: 7 = 9
Tamworth: 6 = 9
Bathhurst: 6 = 9
Wagga Wagga: 7=9
Conclurry: 7 = 9

There are also two good non-railroad bases:

Coen: 6 = 9
Canberra: 6 = 9

If you build those bases up to at least level 4 then you can base bombers and fighters and attack anything that comes near the Coast. Build the northern bases up to Level 7+ and you can menace PNG with your 4Es. Build three or four nearby bases to Level 4+ and you can mass enough AC there to seriously threaten the KB. (No sane Japanese player wants to send the KB against 200+ Fighters and 200+ bombers). (This is where NY59Giants' suggest does very well!)

And remember, your Carrier Planes can take part in the Fun – by flying them off of your CVs and having them operate from Land. This has the added opportunity that if you do damage the KB you can send your CV planes back to your undamaged CVs and then chase the KB.

Now, what about your Solomons Adventure. You have nearby the New Hebrides where you have built up Luganville. But you are missing an opportunity there to build up a region that can threaten the KB. Look at the bases in the New Hebrides and area:

Torres: P – 0=3, A – 4=7
Vanua Lao: P – 1=4, A 2=5
Santa Maria: P – 0=3, A 2=5
Aoba Island: P – 0=3, A 5=8 (!)
Luganville: P – 3=6, A 5=8
Lahtoro: P – 0=3, A 5=8 (!)
Pentecost: P – 0=3, A 3=6
Ambrym: P - 0=3, A 3=6
Efate: P - 2=5, A 5=8
Eromanga: P – 0=3, A 5=8 (!)
Tanna: P – 1=4, A 5=8 (!)

You have the potential of having 6 Level 8 Air Bases, 1 Level 7 Air base, 2 Level 6 Air Bases and 2 Level 5 Air Bases in that cluster of islands. You can then control the entire region from there.

However, for any of this you have to have a plan and patience. If you only build up one region your opponent can take the chance to interfere with your build up and score easy victories. So it is best to build up at least three regions simultaneously. This way you opponent is faced with throwing everything at one and letting the others become threats, or splitting his forces and going on the defensive.

But if instead you want to try to “react” to your opponent or “surprise” him, you stand a very good chance of continuing to be surprised yourself in continuous set backs. Sure, you can't always be “unlucky”, but as long as you make more mistakes than your opponent luck will be more on his side than yours.

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: hkbhsi

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy
The KB moved from Mylne bay to a position 8 hexes (i hate this silly 8 against 7 hexes rule!!!!!!!) west of Lunga and the struggle of the Solomons begun again.
300 planes from Torobika (Bouganville) swept Lunga, followed by 300 IJAAF bombers (Helens) and, in the afternoon, by 290 Kates escorted by 200 zeros from the KB...the attacked both AF and port, sinking all my support ships (1 AD, 1 AV, 2 ACMs, 1 AVP, 1 AS and 1 AR)...

How can he have so many Kates aboard the KB? That total may mean that he has all his available CVs, CVLs, and CVEs in the area.

Regarding the 8 hex range for Japan it is mostly just a theoretical advantage. In fact, after the last Patch the only Japan carrier bombers that have that range are the Jill and the 3 and 4 versions of the Judy (only at extended range and reduced load). Right now his normal range of operation is limited to 7 hexes for the Kates (9 at extended range and reduced load) and 6 for his DBs (7 at extended range and reduced load).

I think, but i may be wrong, he has replaced his Vals with the Kates LB groups...
He always attack with Kates (not Vals) from 8 hexes...and they bring 2x250 Kg SAP bombs...not bad...enough to give me headhaces

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: ADB123

The thing to keep in mind as an Allied player is that you get huge numbers of Engineer units. These units allow you to build up regions from Dust Motes into Death Traps in reasonably short periods of time, if you plan in advance and understand how to best move your forces forwards. Your most valuable Engineering units for this process are actually your Port Services units – you should “cherish and protect” these with all of your might because they make a huge difference in the time it takes to move in forces.

So, for example, when you want to build up an area, send in Amphibious TFs with Port Service units first (one per base). Then send in Amphibious TFs with Seabees (multiple per base). Next, send in some Marine Defense units (one per base). Then send in Base Forces (1 Naval, 1 USA or USAAF). Then send in AA (1 per base.)

Note – you may ask “where is the Infantry”? Well, you aren't trying to defend an individual base against an invasion, you are trying to build up a region. If your opponent comes in while you are building, you will lose even if you have troops in place. So what you do is build where your opponent can't easily come, but where the next cluster or potential bases is within 4E range.

When your forces are weak the best place to do this is in continental land masses such as Australia or India. Island chains, such as the Aleutians are a good second choice. Atolls are your worst choice, but are better than nothing if you can build them up in isolation.

So let's look at some regions with potential. You are backed into a corner in India, so we will leave that for now. First Australia. You want to control/contain PNG, so northeastern/eastern Oz is your first priority.

If you build up the coastal bases your opponent can do to you what he just did – combine LBA, CVA and Naval Bombardments to close your bases. But there are alternatives – a number of bases with very good potential that are inland and attached to the Australian Rail lines. Here is a list:

Base Name – Air Size Normal and Potential Max Air Size

Charters Towers: 7 = 9 (meaning, you can build it up to Level 9)
Hughenden: 7 = 9
Winton: 6 = 9
Emerald: 7=9
Toowoomba: 5 = 8
Conanium: 7 = 9
Tamworth: 6 = 9
Bathhurst: 6 = 9
Wagga Wagga: 7=9
Conclurry: 7 = 9

There are also two good non-railroad bases:

Coen: 6 = 9
Canberra: 6 = 9

If you build those bases up to at least level 4 then you can base bombers and fighters and attack anything that comes near the Coast. Build the northern bases up to Level 7+ and you can menace PNG with your 4Es. Build three or four nearby bases to Level 4+ and you can mass enough AC there to seriously threaten the KB. (No sane Japanese player wants to send the KB against 200+ Fighters and 200+ bombers). (This is where NY59Giants' suggest does very well!)

And remember, your Carrier Planes can take part in the Fun – by flying them off of your CVs and having them operate from Land. This has the added opportunity that if you do damage the KB you can send your CV planes back to your undamaged CVs and then chase the KB.

Now, what about your Solomons Adventure. You have nearby the New Hebrides where you have built up Luganville. But you are missing an opportunity there to build up a region that can threaten the KB. Look at the bases in the New Hebrides and area:

Torres: P – 0=3, A – 4=7
Vanua Lao: P – 1=4, A 2=5
Santa Maria: P – 0=3, A 2=5
Aoba Island: P – 0=3, A 5=8 (!)
Luganville: P – 3=6, A 5=8
Lahtoro: P – 0=3, A 5=8 (!)
Pentecost: P – 0=3, A 3=6
Ambrym: P - 0=3, A 3=6
Efate: P - 2=5, A 5=8
Eromanga: P – 0=3, A 5=8 (!)
Tanna: P – 1=4, A 5=8 (!)

You have the potential of having 6 Level 8 Air Bases, 1 Level 7 Air base, 2 Level 6 Air Bases and 2 Level 5 Air Bases in that cluster of islands. You can then control the entire region from there.

However, for any of this you have to have a plan and patience. If you only build up one region your opponent can take the chance to interfere with your build up and score easy victories. So it is best to build up at least three regions simultaneously. This way you opponent is faced with throwing everything at one and letting the others become threats, or splitting his forces and going on the defensive.

But if instead you want to try to “react” to your opponent or “surprise” him, you stand a very good chance of continuing to be surprised yourself in continuous set backs. Sure, you can't always be “unlucky”, but as long as you make more mistakes than your opponent luck will be more on his side than yours.

Wow...thanks ADB!

Please consider that my advance in the Solomons HAD to take some compromises. I did exploit his absence...and i had to do it quickly! Till the end of summer 42 the only bases i had in the area were Fiji and Noumea...when i did understood that he wasn't garrisoning his conquests in SOPAC i had to throw all i had very fast (all my troops were supposed to partecipate to the Gilberts/Marshalls operation...that has been aborted at the very last minute due to his stiff countereaction with the KB) so i sent everything to 3 objectives: Efate, Lungaville and Lunga (but first i had occupied and built up Erromango which was the only green dot base in the area). Then i started to build some other places in order to create a "chain" of fortified islands. So i went for Ndani, Tulagi, Tessafaronga and now Russell Island.

I simply didn't have enough engineers and base forces to cover everything...so i decided to max out only those bases.

Now i have the following bases well built up (i think).

Suva and Nadi (maxed out)
Noumea (6-6)
Erromango (2-5)
Efate (3-5)
Lungaville (6-8)
Ndani (4-7)
Lunga (4-7)
Tulagi (4-3)
Tessafaronga (1-4)
Russell Island (1-2)

All these bases have forts between 5 and 7....

Was a hell of an effort if you think that i had to do it under the enemy pressure and in only 6 months. More could have been done and more could be done in the nearby future...but my resources are limited and i always have to make choices...

In NE Oz i gotta say that i didn't focused too much on other bases but Cairns and CookTown. Now with those 5 Seabees coming in from Brisbane i'll have more units to be used and my will is to follow your advice...however i do fear that it's already too late...i think that in the next months the front will be more concentrated in NG than in Oz...and i don't have much Aviation support to properly cover all those bases...but i'll max them out anyway!

The other 5 Seabees are being sent to Perth. I wanna start building up NW coast of Oz in order to be ready to threaten his SW perimeter by the second half of 1943... But again, my resources are limited...i need to bring many forces to UK for the upcoming India operation...so we'll see how fast we can advance in Western oz...

For what concerns India...if you look at the map with the roads in it you'll see where the problem of a "simple" advance from Hyderabad to Multan lies (sp!?)...this was one of my defensive strongpoints (one of those that made me chose Karachi instead of Bombay)...but now becomes a problem...

The road from H. to M. is very long and ends up in no more than a trail near Multan. during this long march i'll be exposed to his mighty bomber army and i won't be able to LRCAP my units...having placed so many AA at his main bases (Jodpur and Multan) means i cannot "splash" his bases with my 4Es...last time i tried i've lost 50% of my 4Es due to flak or CAP...without achieving nothing.....so a simple advance there isn't possible. I will advance but only as a "feint"...the game will be played on the coast...if i manage to get ashore and estabilish a strong beachead at Surat then he will be forced to move away his forces from Multan...and then i'll be able to open the way...once Multan is in my hands everything will change...but till then, an advance towards Multan will only mean a bloody nose for me. I do imagine 9 forts there and nearly 5000 AVs...at least!

I'm more and more convinced to divide my Carriers.
The CVEs will be fulfillled only with fighters and sent to UK, while the CVs will remain in the pacific...so that he won't be able to move the KB back to India...and i'll have free hands to land at Surat (will "only" have to deal with LBA).

How many CVEs will i have for this operation? 7 i think...meaning room for 200 fighters...should be enough if the KB doesn't pop up.

So my goal will be to keep the KB busy in the pacific...and to do that i'll have to "show" him my CVs...but without risking them...easier said than done obviously but this plan sounds sound to me.

My 4Es based in India will have the task of keeping suppressed all the bases around Surat....at least untill we're not ashore...when we'll conquer Surat everything will become easier cause it's a lvl 9 AF and i could easily transfer in the CVE fighters plus more units from Karachi (where i'm training a lot those units that are not involved in the daily fights against the Tojos).

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: ny59giants

If you basing some warships at Luganville, have you or are you in the process of building up Ndeni (Santa Cruz Islands)?? It would be an important base to have PBYs fly out of in multiple roles.

Beaufort VIII - have you devoted a few groups to train up pilots in NavT?? I would combine them with your newest P-38s at a base with torpedo ordnance. Their range of 8 hexes with a torpedo should be used with care, but will be great in the anti-shipping role. Another great thing is that any BB (Bombardment) TF will not be able to run far enough away to get out of their range. They were my personal favorite in old WITP. [:D]

Yes, Ndeni is already an importan base with bombers, fighters and cats-

I just recieved the first group of Beaufort VIII and i'm training them hard. Soon they'll be ready to fight...i just miss some P38s...only have 1 group of them with 23 planes...the production is soooooo low and i've used them instensively in India

ADB: i've seen your pools...Impressive! however you hadn't been forced to throw everything you had to save your last redoubt...i've lost all my pools keeping Karachi alive...i've lost 700 P-40Es, 200 P-39s, 300 hurricanes....and then P38s, P-40ks etc etc...but those losses saved my day...so i think it all depends on what kind of situation you have to face...

However, believe me guys: i will be more carefull now with my pools...even if i won't simply run away. Rader wants to drain my pools dry...and he's constantly exposing his KB offensively...good...sooner or later this will cause him some trouble...

For example...today he went for Lunga...and he used the Sweeps to clean the path of the KB...what if i had based my Cactus force at Tessafaronga instead of Lunga and put all my fighters on escort with drop tanks and my SDB on naval attack? and what if i had my CVs ready at Lungaville...he would have risked a lot...his sweeps would have cleaned nothing, and the KB will have striked an empty Lunga, while from Tessafaronga (or Tulagi for what it matters) my planes will have taken off and attacked the KB...

Anyway...these are just speculations...i need to fix my CVs first, defend the Solomons and keep on building in all the theatres i've already mentioned...the day will come

[crsutton]

ORIGINAL: SqzMyLemon

ORIGINAL: ItsAMadhouse

Have you considered a KB trap?  Something like gathering as many 2E (and 4E if you want) bombers together that you can.  Hold them out of sight.  Send an expendable TF (transports or warships, whatever you feel like you can afford to lose).  Maybe it could look like a relief force for PM?  Where depends on many factors.  When the KB and LBA smacks it run back towards Australia (or wherever home is).  Hopefully KB follows and gets within strike range of your 2E/4E bases.  I'd keep the bombers back off the front lines so Rader doesn't smell the trap and stay away.  Once he commits to following is when I would move them to their operating bases.  Hopefully they can at least score a few bomb hits on some of his CV's and take some of them out of the fight.  Then your CV's can come in and have some better odds.  A flood of subs can help pick off stragglers.  Any thoughts?

Best of luck!

IAMH

I think a lot of Allied players forget about what the 4E's and B-25's can do to Japanese naval CAP. Nevermind trying to hit the Japanese CV's with them, if they do it's gravy. What the 4E's will accomplish is the decimation of the enemies carrier CAP. Then they can be in serious trouble if Allied carriers appear right after or even a day later after a few rounds with the B-17's. The Allied 4E's are the best fighters you'll ever have! [:D]

Yes, which is why I tend to not do it. Unless my opponent likes to do it as well with his ronsons (er bettys) [;)]

[ADB123]

I'm going to present my alternative to an amphibious landing. Below is a map of northwest India with the Roads highlighted as well as "hexsides" shown, including "no cross" marks.

I assume that you have armour as well as infantry in your bases. What I would do is:

1 - Send out the armour on all four roads forward, and have the infantry move on the better roads.

2 - Bring those 200 Wildcats on your CVEs and put them in your two bases to add to your Air power

3 - Put your fighters on rotating LR CAP over your advancing units

4 - Send your 4Es out at 12K feet over different bases each turn

5 - Start Sweeping nearby Japanese Bases with P-38s

Your opponent doesn't have "infinite" Air Units, so give him more than "2" targets. He can't hit multiple moving columns effectively all at the same time. And if he tries he can't hit your Air Bases at the same time too.

If he has 300 fighters and 600 bombers, bring in 300 fighters of your own and as many 4Es as you can.

If you attempt an amphibious invasion he will clobber your from the south and you will never know what hit. His Bettys and subs will put your CVEs under faster than you can believe. If you pressure him all over you can force him to make mistakes, and the odds for "good luck" will increase on your side.