Whomped up a couple of Omaha mods...

Moderators: wdolson, MOD_War-in-the-Pacific-Admirals-Edition
ORIGINAL: Terminus
Would be unlikely. There was no political will in the dominions to foot that sort of expense.
Article 8
Subject to any special agreements which may submit them to limitation, the following vessels are exempt from limitation:
(a) Naval surface combatant vessels of 600 tons (610 metric tons) standard displacement and under;
(b) Naval surface combatant vessels exceeding 600 tons (610 metric tons), but not exceeding 2,000 tons (2,032 metric tons) standard displacement, provided they have none of the following characteristics:
(1) Mount a gun above 6.1 inch (155 mm) calibre;
(2) Mount more than four guns above 3 inch (76 mm) calibre;
(3) Are designed or fitted to launch torpedoes;
(4) Are designed for a speed greater than twenty knots.
ORIGINAL: JWE
Not sure that would work in terms of the game parameters, Joel. Having Japan do invasion and amphib ops against China might break the shipping and troop availability model. Think Japan needs a foothold on the coastal areas of China before opening day. This gives them the shipyards and factories they need to keep the Econ model from breaking down, but also forces them to use that China Expeditionary Army for actual ops, rather than a cheap source of reinforcements.ORIGINAL: Blackhorse
According to your parameters methinks a more plausible (and interesting!) scenario is that the Japanese control Manchuria and Korea, as you describe, but the rest of China is controlled by the Chinese, and Chiang Kai-Shek has 20 high-quality German-trained divisions at the heart of his army. IRL, only 8 of these divisions had been trained before fighting broke out in 1937 -- and they were destroyed in the fighting around Shanghai, but it took the Japanese over three months to crush them.
. . . just a thought. [:)]
The IJ Army coulda been slapped hard, but never totally suppressed. And Hakku Ichiu was endemic in the culture. And Japan really, really, really thought it had certain rights in China.
Maybe the 'Marco Polo Bridge' thing happened somewhere else or a bit later (put a pressure cooker on med and it will still explode after a longer time). Maybe they didn't whack Zhang Tso-Lin when they did, but poisoned the swine a year or two later, after Chiang Kai-shek got beligerent in Beijing and he did nothing. And then, for lack of anything better to do, they went after Peanut. So there's Beijing, and it's entirely plausible for Japan to go after the industrialized coast, even down to Canton.
Heck, that would be the political sharpie in the butt that would tick off the US China lobby and get things moving. People tend to learn how to live with slowly rising levels of crap. Today ain't that much worse from yesterday, so ... Ok, then rather than the slowly rising ramp of tension, Japan gets a longer time frame in which to develop infrastructure a bit more. Then, when the fewmets finally do hit the windmill, it has the same "prompt" impact on the West's bleeding heart's as Nanking.
Just trying to find a plausible scenario where Japan starts in roughly the same circumstances, but has a hiatus in which to develop industry and discover efficiencies.
Love to hear more from you on this as well. You can always find enough corn for a side dish in a big enough pile of Cavalry horse manure [:D]
[ed] redleg devil made me say that. Garry Owen, bro.
Good observation, and quite likely true. Westerners, those in power at least, were far from convinced about air naval until too late. Take away the Yamato and her sisters, and the IJN is looked upon like the Italian Navy by USN and RN. That would not be a good thing at all, much lower preparation. Very scary for the allies in '42 under this scenario ...ORIGINAL: mike scholl 1
What I meant was if the Japanese hadn't drawn so much attention to their program of "super" ships, the West might have ignored it far longer.
You must have been chasing Pancho Villa and chewing horse-corn. That was brilliant !! Thought your take on Wang Jingwei was absolutely inspired.ORIGINAL: Blackhorse
Well, OK. If the "kindler, gentler" Japanese simply must hold most of the Chinese economic centers at game-start, then how about this:
As I noted, unacceptable.ORIGINAL: Terminus
You can't plan to abandon Singapore. That's political suicide.
ORIGINAL: FatR
Besides, there is no pressing reason for US to build up Guam or Wake. Guam is too isolated. Without investment of comparable to, say, historically made into defence of Luzon, it is just sending troops where they will be cut off and waiting for rescue. And why Wake needs more defences, if USN expects to start (and end) the war by launching an island-hopping offensive through the Central Pacific with superior numbers? In the text provided by oldman45 above might be notices that Wake is seen as a future base for air and sub operations, not a forward outpost in great danger... Prom pre-PH viewpoint, the Japanese should be thinking about defending in the region.
ORIGINAL: John 3rd
DOCUP: I truly understand your pain at having read all that. Had the read the Vinson Acts when writing my Thesis. BORING!
Good notes regarding the islands and Philippines.
1. Concur with building up and fortifying Guam more.
2. Wake would get more attention.
Philippines
1. Slightly more fighters.
2. What about 1-2 2EB squadrons?
Got to go to the zoo in Denver so cannot run farther then that!
ORIGINAL: DOCUP
ORIGINAL: John 3rd
DOCUP: I truly understand your pain at having read all that. Had the read the Vinson Acts when writing my Thesis. BORING!
Good notes regarding the islands and Philippines.
1. Concur with building up and fortifying Guam more.
2. Wake would get more attention.
Philippines
1. Slightly more fighters.
2. What about 1-2 2EB squadrons?
Got to go to the zoo in Denver so cannot run farther then that!
Nice storyline Blackhorse.
John if I may call you John? And hope you had a great day at the Zoo.
PI I agree with slightly more fighers and 2 squadrons of bombers. Maybe some Havocs and Banshees. (I really like DBs now)
Witht he treaty gone maybe some fortification in the PI would have been built.
Your idea of having the 3 New Mexico BBs in the PI at the start. Would the Alantic command allow that since the Pacific Fleet still had all of its BBs floating at PH.
I've read some articles online about the modernisation of the Big Five, if anyone would want to share what the books say about the plans for them that would be great.
A thought just popped into my head. A little out there. What about some of the French Fleet defects (disobeys orders) leaves the Med and joins the free French in the Pacific?
FatR
Wake could prob have a little fortifications 1 or so and bring the Marine CD unit up to strenght. I agree the islands should be brought up a little bit between PH and Oz.
doc
ORIGINAL: John 3rd
Blackhorse: Your 'history' is EXCELLENT! I like the ideas, progression, and situation that players would have for the start of the war. Very different and, possibly, exciting...
I think the Nine Power Pact precluding base fortification is quite important to remain intact, however, as FatR said there is lots of time to implement base building for the Allies. Here is a proposal:
Central Pacific Air Bridge:
Midway and Wake--Raise Forts by 2, have a full Marine CD unit in place, small BF, small Construction Bat, and a squadron of PBYs in place on Day One. Essential bases that would be highly favored by Hepburn for immediate improvement as the air bridge to Philippines and front door to Hawaii.
Guam--Raise Forts by 1, add a partial Marine unit, tiny BF, and raise AF by 1. This base will fall no matter what so it doesn't get as much attention other then improvements to allow aircraft movement to Philippines.
South Pacific Air Bridge:
Have preliminary work starting--just in case the Central Pacific FALLS [X(]--with detachments at Palmyra, Canton, Suva, Noumea, and Port Moresby. These could simply be add-on Construction Battalions and small Marine Inf units for protection.
Many of these units could start at 25-40% and, if allowed to fill out, could be highly useful as the war begins...
ORIGINAL: John 3rd
ORIGINAL: DOCUP
ORIGINAL: John 3rd
DOCUP: I truly understand your pain at having read all that. Had the read the Vinson Acts when writing my Thesis. BORING!
Good notes regarding the islands and Philippines.
1. Concur with building up and fortifying Guam more.
2. Wake would get more attention.
Philippines
1. Slightly more fighters.
2. What about 1-2 2EB squadrons?
Got to go to the zoo in Denver so cannot run farther then that!
Nice storyline Blackhorse.
John if I may call you John? And hope you had a great day at the Zoo.
PI I agree with slightly more fighers and 2 squadrons of bombers. Maybe some Havocs and Banshees. (I really like DBs now)
Witht he treaty gone maybe some fortification in the PI would have been built.
Your idea of having the 3 New Mexico BBs in the PI at the start. Would the Alantic command allow that since the Pacific Fleet still had all of its BBs floating at PH.
I've read some articles online about the modernisation of the Big Five, if anyone would want to share what the books say about the plans for them that would be great.
A thought just popped into my head. A little out there. What about some of the French Fleet defects (disobeys orders) leaves the Med and joins the free French in the Pacific?
FatR
Wake could prob have a little fortifications 1 or so and bring the Marine CD unit up to strenght. I agree the islands should be brought up a little bit between PH and Oz.
doc
You may certainly Sir!
The zoo was a lot of fun. We had 4 of my former college students (now turning 29-30) and their families get together with my wife and boys. Good time had by all and Beau Jo's pizza cannot be beaten!
Reactions:
1. Figure bump the Philippine AF by (say) 18-24 P-40s, 1 Squadron of A-20 (12-16), and a B-25 or A-20/SBD Squadron (12-16). This would add a bit of teeth to the Philippine AF.
2. How about the STUPID American Commander in the Philippines actually plans and FOLLOWS the plan to retreat to Bataan? Raise the Forts there and add 10-20,000 Supply within the hex. Wouldn't be much but it would help...
3. Am not sure regarding King's view on the Atlantic Fleet but placing a few BBs in Manila sure would be fun. How about even a pair of the older BBs from Pearl? The BBs could be supported by a couple of cruisers and 6-8 more DDs.
4. Big Five modernization plans? I have no knowledge in this area.
5. The French Fleet is an interesting thought...