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

[Nemo121]

I don't believe Air HQ Preparation makes any difference to administration bonuses.

As to your plan... Hmm, you haven't gone through the questions you need to go through to draw the parameters of a plan. I think you may be trying to run before you walk again but, let's see.

[GreyJoy]

Here's the plan:

The goal:

The main goal is to keep India alive.
Secondary target is to keep India last as long as possible, thus forcing him to keep committing his main assets (naval, air and land) in this corner of the map as long as possible.

How to achieve:

I respect and admire CR and Bull's suggestions about the role of Bombay and Karachi, but i respectfully disagree. With Diego and Scoodra in Allies hands probably Bombay is more important than Karachi, but with Diego and Scoodra in japs' hands the only hope for India is to keep the Aden-Karachi communication line open. And to do so my opinion is that the gravity center of my defensive operations must be Karachi.
I also believe that Karachi is far more easy to defend than Bombay, even if the terrain bonus is weaker.
I think so because if you look at the map Karachi has only 2 bases close to it that can be used by the japs as operational bases for a siege (where to base his planes): Hydebaran (shynd) and Jodpur, while bombay has a lot of bases close to it.
To arrive at Jodpur and later at Hydebaran Japan will be forced to use only 2 approaching ways because th road system is very limited in that part of the map. If Japan will want to flank my positions (as Radar has always done) he will have to move in desert terrain without a single road and pretty far away from any close supporting base (that means also that his LRCAP will be less effective, while i could finally give him some havoc with my bombers).

Considering what i've experienced so far in China and in southern India, Japan bases its land supremacy on the control of the skies. His blitz-krieg operations have been so effective because he was able everywhere to gain easily the controll of the skies, bombing my units to oblivion and forbidding to my units any offensive or defensive movements (something like Normandy 44).
In India, so far, we have not tried to contest the skies because our defensive line was too exposed and his communication lines with his main bases were too short.
Now we want to make him fight on our very own terrain, where my CAP will be operating very close to our bases and our bombers will be able to interdict his flanking movements.

So the first defensive perimeter will be estabilish at Jodpur, while the second at Hydebaran (S.).

Also consider that to arrive close to Jodpur Rader will have to pass the line of Death and activate my reinforcements.

In this plan Bombay will be however reinforced. I'm planning to leave there 750 AVs behind 4 forts and with some air units. Bombay will eventually fall but he will have to committ a lot of forces to take the city and the time gained there will be used to fortify my northern positions.

Karachi,Hydebaran and Jpdpur will have more than 3000 AVs for their defence, but the real defensive power will be my air force. I'm committing everything i have there. 320 fighters (hurricanes, P40s and p39s) with 430 pilots (all of them above 60 a2a skill), 50 torpedo bombers, 20 dive bombers, 200 medium and heavy bombers, plus a bunch of aux planes (recon, patrol etc). To this guys i give the key of India.

The RN and the India air Army will have the task of keep The Adenn Channell open, while 25 subs (mainly dutch subs plus some us S-class units) will try to make life hard for the Combined fleet sieging Karachi.

More details, screenshots and analysis will follow....

[Alfred]

A couple of observations about post #382 before additional details/screenshots sre provided.

1. On this AAR, it has often been posted favourably that garrisoning both Karachi and Bombay is a good move. Specifically the contention is put forward that if Karachi (or vice versa) is the main defence bastion, the other will buy significant time because it will occupy considerable enemy forces. This contention is based on a false assumption.

As proposed, there is absolutely no reason why Japan has to invest Bombay with anything more than a division if Rader has determined to drive on Karachi. A Japanese division will constitute about 50% of the Allied Bombay garrison and it will not be ejected by a mere 750 Allied AV. Such a disposition of Allied forces will neither weaken nor slow down the enemy drive on Karachi, rather it will aid the enemy drive on Karachi.

Alternatively, the enemy can concentrate on Bombay and both the quantity and quality of the Bombay garrison, which will be largely without any Allied air support (it being stationed around Karachi), will not hold the city for long. The very little time gained for improving the Karachi defences will be of no benefit. A Karachi under land, sea and air blockade, separated from its interior supply sources/raw materials, will starve and that will reduce a garrison of unadjusted 3000 AV down towards 1000 AV and ground the airforce.

2. Too much reliance is being placed on the efficacy of the airforce. First supply consumption, both for operaations and airframe relacements, will make that airforce impotent. Secondly there is no point in having more aircraft present than the facilities can service. Thirdly a large slab of the British airforce is lost in mid 1942. Fourthly pilots with air skill in the 60s still do not have good combat survival odds.

Alfred

[Nemo121]

GreyJoy,

Your plan sets up precisely the sorts of situations you should avoid in terms of splitting of force and allowing the enemy to use their mobility and OODA advantages against you. In addition your faith in your airforce is misplaced.

What you will find if you try this plan is that:
a) your opponent will invest Bombay with 1 division as Alfred says and it won't slow him at all.
b) trying to base bombers at Karachi will waste huge amounts of supply and hasten Karachi's fall. In addition your ability to stop IJA manoeuvre with bomber strikes won't live up to your expectations.
c) the enemy tank regiments will easily use those desert hexes you seem to think of as a barrier to outflank you and continue the defeat in detail you invited by moving troops into Karachi.


Your plan is too complex and makes anumber of basic errors in terms of splitting forces and gifting the enemy opportunities to use manoeuvre. I also don't think you've properly considered the logistics portion properly. If you enact that plan your opponent actually may be the first player to take India in total.

There was a reason I suggested you work through the planning process question by question as that's the only way whe you are starting out to properly plan and prioritise things whilst ensuring you don't forget anything.

Sorry to rain on the parade but this plan weakens the British position and is based an assumptions regarding opponent actions which require him to make sub-optimal decisions ( this is probably tied into your inexperience with the game and thus not realising that investing Bombay is a superior strategy. Stopping to take Bombay before Karachi in this situation is a sign of poor play in your opponent. Given his overmatching you I don't think you can assume that at this stage. ), lack of awareness that the desert wouldn't form a barrier and your excessive faith in the performance of your air force. I think you may need to use the air force but if used at all I'd simply keep almost nothing but fighters in Karachi, place them on CAP and hope that they use less supplies than they save from destruction via IJAAF and IJNAF bombing raids.

[GreyJoy]

Thanks Alfred and Thanks Nemo.
As always what you say makes a lot of sense and opens up my eyes to problems and situations i have not considered.
If even the above-described allied air power isn't sufficient to estabilish a decent defence, well, then i think i'm doomed anyway. if he manages to get to Hydebaran(S.) and create an airbase there, every effort to reinforce Bombay or Karachi will be doomed anyway.
 
if i understand correctly what you are suggesting, you are basically sayin i should move everything to Bombay, leave a small garrison to Karachi, enclose myself there as a turtle and hope to last as long as i can... But i don't see how will i be able to turn the tables in this situation. If Karachi and/or Bombay is completely sorrounded and sieged, nothing could relief those strongholds. He will base 100 zeros and 100 betties on naval attack at Poona and Hydebaran, put in the contested hex some 1500 AVs and then bomb with the IJAAF the place back to stoneage...he could even move back his KB to the pacific at that point...for sure i won't be able to counterinvade (with Diego and Scoodra in his hands) till 1944... strategically speaking that would be the same as if i'd lost India once for all.
 
His tanks will move easily on the desert? yes, maybe, but without a decent road system i hope that his supply lines will have some problems...and also i'm planning to use my tanks too for the first time. I have some decent armoured units and the 2pounders AT guns should do their jobs against the light jap tanks...
 
I also don't understand why my bombers should not be able to do what his bombers have done to my units so far till now...i mean, without an air cover (and if he wants to move northwards than Dehly he won't be able to operate his units under a decent LRCAP umbrella) his tanks will be exposed...
 
...well, maybe i'm just building up my hopes on false assumptions...maybe i just wanna hope i have some chances...maybe it's like that...but i don't wanna retreat again...i wanna try something this time.
And if this strategic plan will lead my armies to the final distruction...so will be. Will mean that Rader has defenetly outclassed me and he'd have deserved a full victory.
 
i'm sorry guys, but this time i'll try to follow my instinct. I'd just like to underline that i keep your suggestion under the best consideration and i know you're 99% right while i'm wrong...but i feel this time i have to learn it in the hard way...bumping my head against a stone wall.
 
And thanks again for everything. And i really mean that

[Nemo121]

NO, neither Alfred nor I said that you should move to Bombay and concentrate everything there.

Again, you are jumping to conclusions without going through the process of planning. As such you are stating that we are promulgating a plan which we aren't and then deciding that's a bad plan ( a plan we never suggested).


As to the desert interdicting supplies. I suggest you read the portion of the manual relating to % supply loss from through supply through a desert hex. I don't think it will have the effect you hope for.

As to hoping you have some chance.... Oh I do believe you have a chance. In fact I think you should expect to be able to hold out in India and counter-attack sooner rather than later to relieve the garrison you have holding out IF you follow an appropriate plan. I also believe that if you undertake the plan you've outline you will throw away that chance.... Of course I respect your decision to decide to do it your way, I just don't believe that has a chance of success unless your opponent hugely messes up.

[ADB123]

I also don't understand why my bombers should not be able to do what his bombers have done to my units so far till now...i mean, without an air cover (and if he wants to move northwards than Dehly he won't be able to operate his units under a decent LRCAP umbrella) his tanks will be exposed...

Are you playing with Advanced Weather "on" or "off"?

Either way:

- Don't base your plans on the assumption that you can do daily bombing raids
- Don't assume that your opponent can't LR CAP his advancing units
- Don't assume that 2E attacks will deter armoured advances

- Assume that your opponent can advance on multiple axes
- Remember that your opponent can do long range sweeps over any location that isn't under his control
- Remember that your opponent can attack your airbases too

Air Power is "nice" but in continental battles it isn't as important as in island invasions. In the end the things that matter in this situation are:

- How good are your ground troops
- How good are your opponent's ground troops

If you try to defend with troops that are inherently weak, or have been previously defeated, you will have great difficulties.

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: ADB123

Are you playing with Advanced Weather "on" or "off"?

Either way:

- Don't base your plans on the assumption that you can do daily bombing raids
- Don't assume that your opponent can't LR CAP his advancing units
- Don't assume that 2E attacks will deter armoured advances

- Assume that your opponent can advance on multiple axes
- Remember that your opponent can do long range sweeps over any location that isn't under his control
- Remember that your opponent can attack your airbases too

Air Power is "nice" but in continental battles it isn't as important as in island invasions. In the end the things that matter in this situation are:

- How good are your ground troops
- How good are your opponent's ground troops

If you try to defend with troops that are inherently weak, or have been previously defeated, you will have great difficulties.

Think we're playin with adv weather on...but gotta check!

However i'm not contemplating he's not going to fight back with his mighty air armies. I'm just saying that i think i finally have a chance to fight at similar terms in the air. He can sweep and bomb me, but if i stay on the defensive he should be having some hard times cause range will be on my side. I have some 4Es that can keep him at bay on his own bases and some decent fighter units that can fight back defending their AFs.
My opponent's ground troops are for sure better than mines, at least in terms of exp, but i have some decent units (brit and aus above all) that hopefully can have a chance if defending fortified hexes and with the aid of the air bombers.
The weaker troops will remain in Karachi while the best ones will be moved to our forward perimeter bases (J. and H.)

[modrow]

GreyJoy,

let me be quite direct: I think you throw away a great opportunity.

This is, of course, your game, so you can decide how to play it. I respect an approach which states "I'll do it my way and learn from my mistakes" which I believe you are about to take.

However, you are given the chance to be walked through a strategy bootcamp by seasoned strategy drill sergeants like Nemo "Chuck Norris" 121 and Alfred and seem to intend to dismiss it.

The difference is the result: In your approach you will perhaps learn how not to do it. Perhaps, because even if you are successful there is still the possibility that you blundered, but your opponent outblundered you.

The question-answer-approach suggested by Nemo, will make you learn how to do it. Yes, you will have used some help. Yes, you will not have done it all by yourself. But that's a cheap price for having learned something.

Just my 2cts.

Hartwig

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: hartwig.modrow

GreyJoy,

let me be quite direct: I think you throw away a great opportunity.

This is, of course, your game, so you can decide how to play it. I respect an approach which states "I'll do it my way and learn from my mistakes" which I believe you are about to take.

However, you are given the chance to be walked through a strategy bootcamp by seasoned strategy drill sergeants like Nemo "Chuck Norris" 121 and Alfred and seem to intend to dismiss it.

The difference is the result: In your approach you will perhaps learn how not to do it. Perhaps, because even if you are successful there is still the possibility that you blundered, but your opponent outblundered you.

The question-answer-approach suggested by Nemo, will make you learn how to do it. Yes, you will have used some help. Yes, you will not have done it all by yourself. But that's a cheap price for having learned something.

Just my 2cts.

Hartwig

Thx Hartwig,

but do you really all feel that i'm not approaching the strategic problem with a "question-answer" approach? because i do feel i'm trying to do exactly that...

Ok, let's try to express my thoughts in a clearer way.

Question nr. 1: Bombay, Karachi or both.

I chose the Karachi option, keeping at Bombay enough forces just not to give it away to Japan as an easy gift. the troops devoted to Bombay defence will mostly be low-experienced-armoured troops (mainly what was left after the Burma retreat). This choice is made by the assumption that those burmese units won't be able to oppose anything good in front of the japs in clear terrain, so in order to boost their capabilities i'll use them in the best fortified hex i have: Calcutta (forts level 5).
I chose Karachi as a main defensive position because i think that my hopes rely on my capabilities to keep the Aden Channell open. And that is possible, with the KB around, only if i'm able to keep karachi well alive and fed with troops, supplies and planes.
If i'd chose to defend Bombay i will probably be able to hold the hex for a long time...but Karachi won't be able to be held and with Karachi in japs' hands i think i'll be doomed anyway. what takes to have bombay if bombay is permanently isolated from the rest of the world??
Another thing i'm considering is that taking Karachi will take longer than isolate Bombay...so considering that my secondary goal is to keep him busy in India as long as possible i think Karachi is the best option.

Question nr. 2: How to defend Karachi.
I really think abbandon everything and dig in Karachi is the worst possible option. I need to fight and i need to slow him down as much as i can. probably the desert won't stop him but for sure the desert and the absence of a decent road system will slow him down much more than the developed road system that can be found near Bombay.
My Air forces may not win an attrition campaign but i hope that they can, if used correctly, give an hand in the slowing down process of the advancing jap armies.
I gotta say that i really don't have a clue about how my Aus and Brit troops will perform facing the mighty japanese divisions...but for sure they'll do better than the burmese battallions used in Burma or than the chinese corps i've experimented so far...For sure the AVs will be in my s-favour, and that's why i consider my bombers so much...without them i KNOW i won't be holding the line...but i have seen what the japs bombers can do to our troops in terms of destruction and fatigue so i want to believe that mines will have a similar impact.

....to be continued

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy


but do you really all feel that i'm not approaching the strategic problem with a "question-answer" approach? because i do feel i'm trying to do exactly that...

Ok, let's try to express my thoughts in a clearer way.

Question nr. 1: Bombay, Karachi or both.

I'm certainly not in Neno or Alfred's class on this stuff, and I've re-read their posts looking for a clue for what they "want" you to see or do, and I'm still not sure. However, to Nemo's points, look at the quote above. Those ARE NOT your only choices. One of them might be your best choice, but they are not your universe of choices for a response to your opponent. Your focus on air power is also IMO blinding you to the multi-faceted issues you face. For me, supply is far more a critical variable than air power of any kind, and your plans to date have limited to no naval aspects to them. Re supply, Karachi and Bombay have very large structural differences related to the economic model in the game. Re naval, you still own Ceylon, for just one example. Are you using it?

Think bigger.

[Nemo121]

Preconceptions blind us. Inexperience blinds us. The combination of inexperience and preconceptions leads to blindness to strategic options.

When you only have 2 or 3 options to consider ( due to inexperience and preconceptions ) it is highly unlikely that those will be the best 2 or 3 options available.

In addition, in the longer-term how will you ever learn about the other 7 or 8 other options available if you never consider them or go through the process of abandoning preconceptions and engaging in the planning process required to generate a plan with people who don't suffer from your preconceptions and inexperience?

E.g. In my current game I am playing as Japan in September 1945. I am on the defensive, obviously, My navy comprises 1 BB, 2 CA, 1 CL and about 30 DD. The USN outnumbers it about 25 or 30 to 1. They also have Okinawa, a dagger which allows them to thrust directly at the mainland. Japan has no purpose-built amphibious force ( I think it has about 6 xAPs and an LSD as well as some LSTs ) and can only use xAKs to move troops around. My air force is outnumbered and inexperienced compared to the Allies. My planes are also all worse. 99% of the time the situation would lend itself to trying to cobble through a defence to try to muddle through. Since I decided that that simply wouldn't work out as I wished I took the opportunity to attack and have mounted a 500 ship amphibious invasion of Okinawa in order to recapture it from the Allies. My initial landing occurred on 8th September 1945.

Preconceptions would have such an approach being impossible. Was it highly risky? Yes. Impossible? No. Successful? We'll see... The thing isn't just taking Okinawa, it is using that victory to crush the USN long-term.

My point is that you, undoubtedly, aren't seeing all the options and are thinking small. There's nothing wrong with that of course.

[GreyJoy]

Yes, you're right. I am sure i don't see all the viable options...but not because i have preconceptions...just because i don't see them[:(]. My only experience so far has been only a defeat after another defeat and i'm sure this past is obscuring a correct and open view on the possibilities i have.
 
Ok, let's start it back again. Let's say i chose Karachi (it's too late to change it back again now). What should i do? Is that so wrong to base the defence of Karachi on Hydebaran (S.)?
The RN will have a big part in the defence of Karachi. The brit CVs are acting as a fleet in being (he knows he cannot move back his KB), while the surface ships will sacrifice themself in covering the arrival of the reinforcements once the LOD is activated. We'll coordinate these actions with the air forces based at Karachi (fighters and torpedo bombers) and with the subs which are acting as a shield for Karachi harbour.
 
I'm not understimating the supply issue. I have 100k supplies and 100k fuel at Bombay, while Karachi has 250k supplies and 100k fuel (the patch with the ability to stockpile has saved me!...litterally!!)
 
turns are flowin in again...soon the first update of may!
 
...and again...thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[Nemo121]

Choosing Karachi is already a preconception... It assumes that you must pick one or the other AND that you should defend a city AND that you don't have the possibility of going on the offensive. It also limits you to considering a single theatre.

It may be that all of those assumptions are valid but you need to start planning without preconceptions.

Also people who think they have no preconceptions are generally just people who are unaware of their preconceptions.

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Nemo121

Choosing Karachi is already a preconception... It assumes that you must pick one or the other AND that you should defend a city AND that you don't have the possibility of going on the offensive. It also limits you to considering a single theatre.

It may be that all of those assumptions are valid but you need to start planning without preconceptions.

Also people who think they have no preconceptions are generally just people who are unaware of their preconceptions.

After all the defeats i suffered so far it would difficult for me not to think about defending a single hex instead of going on the offensive Nemo...You're probably right but try to walk on my shoes for a moment...it's been hard to get here...it's been hard to try not to throw the towel when i realized that i was far from being ready for a Pbem with an opponent like Rader...i now need to stop him for once and boost my morale and the awereness in my means...one step behind another one...step by step...probably what you're suggesting ("think bigger") it's too demanding for a player of my level...it's like asking to a 10 years old boy to seduce a woman using the charm...maybe there are someone who dares and who have the capabilities but for sure that's not the average.

Anyway as you'll all see it's already too late to change.
War has gone on and we're now at the 4th of May. Japan has used in the last 4 days a lot of paras in order to conquest undefended bases and then rail in his mighty units. At Jalgaon (5 hexes east of Bombay) there are already 42 units!!!!
He also tried to get Surat with his paras but luckly i've placed there an Indian bde to keep the railroad to Karachi open as long as possible...however in less than 1 week the communications between Bombay and Karachi will be cut once for all.
At the same time the KB remains parked 12 hexes west of Karachi...probably he's waiting for the Scoodra invasion fleet to come in (the 5th Guards has been reported planning for Scoodra).
He didn't come for Addu Atoll as i thought...probably he considers it useless at this stage...he left me starve there (however i managed to get an AK full of supplies there [;)]).
Positions at Jodpur and Hydebaran are being prepared.

In the pacific we've sunk a CL raider between PH and SF...the CA Camberra, after a prolonged fight, managed to prevail and to save the transports she was guarding...We're now slowly getting ready for the Marshalls...lots of ships are moving now. Think i'll need one more month before i can launch the first assault...

[GreyJoy]

Few words about the plan for the Marshalls.
First of all i'll send with a fast transport invasion fleet a marine raider and a marine para unit to get a foothold on Baker. As far as i can tell (i need to recon more offcourse) baker is lightly garrisoned.
After the marines will come a base force and with it some 20 catalinas that will provide some air coverage and recon.

The plan has grown bigger in the last weeks (probably even psicologically pushed by those who believe i should do something more). Now we'd like to conquer Tarawa, Ocean, Naru and Mili with the first 2 waves. If the recon will confirm that the marshalls are all lightly garrisoned i think we may succeed. I need to get there en masse and fast, before he can finish India and send the Combined fleet back.
We have 7 regiments for this operation, along with 3 tanks units, 8 arty units and many aux LCUs (base forces, AAs, CD guns etc).
The navy will operate with what she has at hand at the moment. So to say 5 CVs, 7 BBs, lots of Cruisers and DDs, 20 subs plus some 250 transports.

[Canoerebel]

GreyJoy, I applaud your effort to organize a massive counteroffensive to take advantage of the enemy's preoocupation with India.

One question: does your opponent currently know where the American carriers are? If not, the possibility of their presence would be a deterrent to him in the Indian Ocean. Once he knows they are in the Marshalls, can he take advantage of that knowledge elsewhere? Will the knowledge he gains be of more use to him that what he might lose in the Marshalls?

If he already knows where the carriers are, or if he can't make sufficient use of the knowlege when they do appear, then revealing them may not hurt you or may be worth it. Just make sure you've evaluated it before you proceed - the Marshalls aren't worth losing India, or making the enemy's task in India alot easier.

[GreyJoy]

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

GreyJoy, I applaud your effort to organize a massive counteroffensive to take advantage of the enemy's preoocupation with India.

One question: does your opponent currently know where the American carriers are? If not, the possibility of their presence would be a deterrent to him in the Indian Ocean. Once he knows they are in the Marshalls, can he take advantage of that knowledge elsewhere? Will the knowledge he gains be of more use to him that what he might lose in the Marshalls?

If he already knows where the carriers are, or if he can't make sufficient use of the knowlege when they do appear, then revealing them may not hurt you or may be worth it. Just make sure you've evaluated it before you proceed - the Marshalls aren't worth losing India, or making the enemy's task in India alot easier.

does your opponent currently know where the American carriers are? If not, the possibility of their presence would be a deterrent to him in the Indian Ocean. Once he knows they are in the Marshalls, can he take advantage of that knowledge elsewhere? Will the knowledge he gains be of more use to him that what he might lose in the Marshalls?

Thx CR!

He knew their presence in the pacific untill the end of March (he for sure has spotted with glens my CVs when i was moving them chasing down his raiders).
Now he doesn't know...my CVs could be sailing for CT right now... but...there's always a BUT

Without my CVs i cannot hope to sustain a major offensive operation...
...A fast and deep advance in the Marshalls can mean a pressure on his left flank...i'll bypass the whole Solomon and drive directly to Truk...i cannot lose more time here...it's important to start the whole operation while his assets are still so deeply involved in India...If the KB comes back everything in the pacific will be stopped till mid 1943...i have to move.
I don't think either that the absence of my US CVs in India will change much...he knows he has to keep the KB there to keep the RN at bay...at the moment the deterrent is the RN which has already proven to play the cat and mouse game as soon as the KB moves back.

I'll stick for the Marshalls CR...risky or not the americans have to do something to help their cousins opening a second front...and the time is now...by the end of June 42...

[jeffk3510]

GreyJoy- I am continuing to read your AAR, and I am really enjoying like I mentioned. Do not under estimate yourself, and you do have some very experienced players helpnig you out (NOT ME, I know nothing compared to them. I enjoy sub warfare, logistics, and raiding..I merchandise grain for a living...logistics, logistics, logistics....)

CR is onto something with your carriers. ...I saw an AAR about sending US CVs raiding the Jap home islands...I think QBalls maybe? He sank maybe 8-12 ships, nothing big, not a lot of victory points, or anything crazy like that. It kept his opponent on his toes, had NO idea where his carriers were at until they showed face, and it drew his attention away from other theaters (Maybe India in your case...doubt that much though). It was over by USSR up by Sapparro(s). He mentioned he plays that Empire a lot and knew of those shipping lanes.....

I guess what I am saying is. Relax, take everyones advice on India (including your own) and do not send back any turns until you feel you have THE plan. Then look at your Marshalls campaign, and listen to CR about not showing your CVs where you probably don't need them IMHO. Consider a raid, because you know where KB is. Consider hitting the HI like I suggested...can be done and has been. I would raid first, then invade Marshalls, not visa versa.

Also, you mentioned Diego Garcia would be tough even impossible to take back...maybe not, can't remember your exact words. To take it back, just use off map movement with your invasion force, a little air cover maybe, and blitz in from off map and take it. It is right there, and tough for him to combat if you ask me...(this is just a minor thing I noticed, don't read too much into this idea at present in your game. Consider it when you have secured India)

You seemed to jump into the game and learn on the go, which is great. I have a great deal of respect for that. I can also tell that you are learning a lot as you go.

Like I mentioned, you have numerous followers who are more than willing to share proven advice with you and strategies. Put those to good use, enjoy yourself, and watch the plans unfold before your eyes.

I am not saying your strategies are bad and theirs are the best. I have no idea which plan is the best. To be honest I would have done some of the things you are doing or are planning.

For what it is worth, I am learning from your AAR and the advice given to you in it.

Keep up the good work and have fun. That is the main thing.

ALSO--- the Allies can take a butt kickin' and recover the majority of the time it looks like from reading the majority of posts on this website...so don't throw in the towel! (Doesn't sound like you are going to)

[Nemo121]

Anyway as you'll all see it's already too late to change.

I seriously doubt that.