Matrix Games Forums

ORIGINAL: Uncivil Engineer
Why are there garrison requirements for the Chinese, anyway?

Because 'China' is, politically, an enormous mess, and a lot of troops nominally loyal to a central authority (note not 'the' central authority...) spent most of their time keeping an eye on other Chinese troops who weren't.

Certainly it's monstrously too easy for the Japanese to conquer China; it's not that they're more capable of outfighting the Chinese armed forces than they should be, it's just that they have elves running their logistics rather than horses, riverboats and the occasional motor vehicle. Doing what 90% of players manage to do would probably have caused a logistical crisis in the medium term, but since the game just sees 'a road' rather than 'a road, with 250 horses dropping dead on it every week'...

ORIGINAL: AW1Steve

At the risk of telling tales out of school , let me warn you Thorsen, Mike is VERY good at land warfare.

My feeling as Japan (and obviously I'm not as expericed as a lot of others who've played Japan) is seize only land that you need. Cause once you have it , you need to supply,garrison ,patrol and hold it. Keep your interior lines of communications as short as possible, then fortify the heck out of them. Just think of all the forces you'll spend in Oz that could have been used in "fortress Marianas". Grabbing land to deny it to your enemy is wastefull and expensive.

You want him to waste HIS resources garrisoning places that he thinks you are going to try and take. So instead of taking Oz,India or expanding the China war , why not RAID , and let him think that you are coming? He has the resources and forces to waste (but not early on) and you DON'T. [:)]

I thought about that, too.
Small invasions on a local scale that destroy his forces while I retreat leaving behind only margins or nothing at all.

Still, I am most frightened about the SRA. I need to find a way to secure it. Without Northern Australia, my best hope is that he sticks to the original plans and doesn't think about it - but Its unlikly I'm so lucky...

Maybe I just invade Australia and sink that damn island. That'll make everything easier! [8D]

Good to know that he isn't just aggressive, but also good in land combat... [X(]

Chiming in late here. Good fight Historiker. You chose a dangerous opponent.

Clearly subscribed. [:)]

I chose a friend. Maybe I shouldn't have chosen to fight where I eat - or how was the saying?

But when I visit him this year, I will drink him under the table again and make him send his carriers without Airgroups for Tokyo!

Ah, you made the right decision, I always believed a prerequisite to play PBEM should at least be the possibility of you
and your opponent becoming friends.

Buy him a beer for me.

I will. I introduced him and his wife to good Paulaner (or Erdinger, I don't recall) Weißbier when I visited them in 2010

Convois - or as CT calls it: Transport Tycoon [:D]

The funny thing about this mod is, that it is a totally articial scenario.
No ships are at sea, and because he didn't want the players to find the units either madly spread around or at the 12/7/41 positions, Nik put most of the ships into their respective home ports.
This means, there won't be any sub threat for the first week or so. This also means, that I can setup the "perfect Convoy" for each location (or at least what I understand by that" [;)]

Using the tracker, I am starting to assing convoys for each Oil or Ress producing base considering the output and the harbor size.

Hubs
When I take Mike Solli as reference - and that's a good idea for everyone without a prooven plan - I should create hubs.
So for instance Singapure. This would mean I ship everything around Singapoore to that harbor, unload it and return to the source of the raw good. In Singapoore, another Convoy will pick up everything and ship it to Japan.
While the advantege concerning fewer targets and better protection (the basic idea of convy systems) is obvious, I will have to see how that works out with the harbor capacities.
I will also have to identify my hubs. Mike Solli takes Singapoore, Manila and Truk.

I am uncertain about how that is necessary. This means, I need two ships for every ton. One to take it to the hub and another one to take it home. It seems to make more sense simply collecting all convois at a certain point and combine them to one unit - or at least let all small convois follow some strong ASW groups in one hex.

On the other hand, who am I to critizise Mike Solli? [;)] Also, the Hub-Method means I can name my convois after their destination and keep them in their perfect size. Combining all units would stop that.

I just thought about the media and came to this:

Questions over questions...

I have real problems: I don't know how to play that game [:D]

I'm confident about my abilities on the strategic level. I'm selfconfident that I should be able to see the big picture and act acordingly. Unfortunately, that isn't enough for this game, so I'm bad on the tactical level.
In a `PBEM against a valued German opponent in witp CHS, I invaded Rangoon when he was in northern Burma to invade China. I cut off all his forces there, producing an "Uber-Cannae". It worked perfectly, and it was only august or september 1942. So Singapore 1943 back in British hands was a real possibility.
I did other nice things, too - but especially in AE, this will be of little benefit, I'm afraid.

So far I only played the allied side. Doing so, there weren't much problems. I simply took all I had and threw it on the enemy. If was in vain, I thought "I'll get more later, so wtf?"
This way of playing has prevented effectively to learn the game properly.

For instance:
Invasions:
In may 1942, the Amphib bonus should be gone, right? This means, I suffer heavy losses whenever the unit isn't prepared 100% on the target, right?
But which ships should I use for invasions? I always thought APs to be the ship of choice, to read from Mike Solli that he seems to deliberatly not use them in invasions.
I'd guess that it is needed to have 100% of the troop capacity in the fleet for the units on board.

Defending on the ground:
How to do that? I tried it in my allied games in Malaya, but always failed. Once the unit is forced to retreat, its strength is weakened so much, its almost useless for weeks. So I either defend where I am sure I can hold - or I do Sir Robin.
Unfortunately, I can't do that any more, playing the Japanese.
IRL, I would order two dozend soldiers to dig in and fight until they are seriously endangered to be overrun. If that happens, they should fall back 500m (depending on the terrain, of course), where another two dozend have digged in meanwhile. Doing that, I might be able to make an advance really slowly.
But how do I do something that can be compared in AE? How do I defend an Island like Java?

ORIGINAL: Historiker

In may 1942, the Amphib bonus should be gone, right?

The bonus gone 1st of April. It's better to do most of your invasions before April. [:)]

Fleet operations:

AMCs:
I still have 8 AMCs left, and I plan to use them. I like AMCs way too much to convert them back to AKs and APs.
I divide my AMCs into three categories:
1. Those that carry FPs.
2. Those that carry no FPs but have mines
3. THose that neither carry mines nore FPs

Category 1 will be used in areas where I consider warships unlikely as surface raider. One area in mind is the region where ships from Africa enter the map sailing to Australia. Usually, the allied player will have TKs full of fuel for Australia heading this way. Maybe even without escorts, as most escorts don't have the legs to do that journey.

Category 2 will lay mines at enemy ports, most likely in the South Pacific. After having dropped their presents, they will either return home for another run, or they will be used as surface raiders. To support them, I will have to have Subs with FPs in the area as their chance of finding pray in another way seems more than unlikely.

Cateroy 3 will either operate as a seperate Surface Raider in the region of Category 1, in support of FP-subs, or for invasions. I like having troop carrying ships that can do some fire support by themselves and help fighting off an enemy surface attacker.

If it were up to me, I would even create new AMCs


Glen-Subs:
Right now, I have 16 subs able to carry FPs.
They will be used to recon enemy movements, guide other subs and surface raider and serve as pickets.

So far, I plan to use my FP-subs here:
- 2 about 10 to 15 hexes south of the Maledives and Ceylon to find out whether he transfers ships to australia. They might inform me in time to use the KB to intercept those ships. Maybe they even find out whether he combines his brit and US CVs.
- 1 in the Great Austrian Bight to help me find out whether ships are heading to or from Perth
- 1 a few hex west of Carnavon(NW Australia) to find help me find out whether ships are on rout to Darwin.
- 1 in the Coral Sea to recon movements of Warships into the Solomones or PM-Area
- 1 between Ellice Ilslands and Santa Cruz Islands for the same job
- 2 in a line south of Dutch Harbor to see movements towards the Attu area
- 4 in a line roughly south of Midway and West of Johnston Island to serve as a picket for the Carolines-Wake area.
- 2 east of Palymra Island and Christmas Island to see which harbor he uses as hub, as many ships don't have the legs to go to Australia directly and he'll have to refule somewhere in that area.

The other two will be held as reserve. I'm not sure yet, where to send them.
Which I-Boats can carry midgets?

ORIGINAL: Puhis

ORIGINAL: Historiker

In may 1942, the Amphib bonus should be gone, right?

The bonus gone 1st of April. It's better to do most of your invasions before April. [:)]

luckily, eveything necessary except PM is already conquered. [:)]

But as I'm still undecided whether or not to go after Northern Australia, I will have to find out how to do a propper invasion [;)]

Air HQs:
Unfortunaltey, having a lvl4 airfield isn't sufficiant to have my Bettys carrying Torpedoes. Consequently, I have to plan where my small number of Air HQs goes.

The unrestricted and transferable Air HQs are:
(Name, command range, current position)

11th Air Fleet, 5, Rabaul
21st Air Flotilla, 1, Soerabaja
22nd Air Flotilla, 1, Singapore
23rd Air Flotilla, 1, Kendari
24th Air Flotilla, 1, Kwajalein
25th Air Flotilla, 1, Rabaul
26th Air Flotilla, 1, Truk
2nd Air Division, 4, Harbin
3rd Air Division, 4, Palembang
4th Air Division, 4, Changchun
5th Air Division, 4, Rangoon

So a mere 11 Air HQs are available.

11th Air Fleet will stay in Rabaul. With its range of 5, I can build and use 12(!) airfields for Torpedo operations!
21st Air Flotilla will be transfered to Soerakarta (west of Soerabaja) for 5 airfields
22nd Air Flotilla, will move to Georgetown for 3 airfields
23rd Air Flotilla, undecided. Maybe Hollandia or Batavia. Should I decide to invade Austriala, Exmouth Port Hedland or Taberfane is an option. If I invade the Aleutians, it'll be in Attu providing Torpedoes for Attu and the two islands close to it. Wake Island might be an option, too. Especially as he might not expect Bettys to operate with torpedoes from there.
24th Air Flotilla, will move to Tabiteuea, as soon as it is replaced in that area. It will allow 4 airfields for torpedo operations and secure my SE flank
25th Air Flotilla, will be transfered to Tulagi and enable up to 5 airfields to operate TBs
26th Air Flotilla, will transfer to Praboemoelih (base SW of Palembang) for 3 airfields
2nd Air Division, will transfer to Maloelap allowing 4 airfields in the Carolines for TB operations
3rd Air Division, will transfer to Dilli, 5 Airfields in range
4th Air Division, 4, Changchun - still undecided. Propably stays in China.
5th Air Division, will stay in Rangoon, allowing 7 airfields to use Torpedo operations

Four more Air HQs arrive in 42, nine more in 43. So when it really starts to count, there shouldn't be any problems to provide the proper support.

ORIGINAL: Historiker

I will. I introduced him and his wife to good Paulaner (or Erdinger, I don't recall) Weißbier when I visited them in 2010

Franziskaner dunkel

ORIGINAL: Historiker
11th Air Fleet, 5, Rabaul

Historiker,

With the range of this air HQ, why not consider deployment to Gasmata on New Britain? It would cover all your bases on P/NG in the "Lae corner" (Finschafen, Gasmata, Lae) as well as Rabaul with torpedo-capable aircraft. Plus, an air HQ on new Britain could be more safely extricated than one stuck on P/NG when the inevitable counterattack comes down on you.

Also, I recommend consideration of an air HQ (range =1) on Tulagi. From there, it will provide coverage to Guadalcanal too. Also, Thousand Ships Bay is within range for support.

ORIGINAL: castor troy

ORIGINAL: Historiker

I will. I introduced him and his wife to good Paulaner (or Erdinger, I don't recall) Weißbier when I visited them in 2010

Franziskaner dunkel

Ja, Dunkles ist auch mein Favorit!

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: Historiker
11th Air Fleet, 5, Rabaul

Historiker,

With the range of this air HQ, why not consider deployment to Gasmata on New Britain? It would cover all your bases on P/NG in the "Lae corner" (Finschafen, Gasmata, Lae) as well as Rabaul with torpedo-capable aircraft. Plus, an air HQ on new Britain could be more safely extricated than one stuck on P/NG when the inevitable counterattack comes down on you.

Also, I recommend consideration of an air HQ (range =1) on Tulagi. From there, it will provide coverage to Guadalcanal too. Also, Thousand Ships Bay is within range for support.

Chickenboy, thanks for participating
I intend to leave this HQ in Raubaul. The long range of my Bettys and Nells should be sufficiant, so I don't have to station them in the Lae corner, which can be bombed by him more easy. I think about deveolping all islands in the Rabaul-Kavieng area to a level that allows at least CAP, if not Betty strikes. This way, I can split my troops on to many airfields for him, so he might have trouble to close them all.
Still, Gasmata seems indeed like a good place as well. When I have PM secured, it will make sense to get the Bettys closer to front as well.

The 25th Air Flotilla is already planned for Tulagi

I am informed correctly that a lvl 2 airfield will be sufficiant for a Betty and a Nell to carry torpedoes when in the command range of an Air HQ?

I had something on a Rhine River cruise a year or so ago... my god it was delicious...[&o]

Maybe I'll expand my company to the US one day to help you finally get some good beer! [8D]

Japan does not have enough xAP and you must rely on xAK. The troop in cargo space offset is 3 for Japan's xAK and xAKL (vs. 6 or 8 for the Allies), so you can carry more troops with slightly fewer ships. However, in my current game playing Japan I avoid putting an entire unit on one ship, for the obvious reason that not all the Allied sub torpedoes are duds. Since you are past the expansion phase in your game, you should have much lower troop transport needs. I also try to have a reasonable number of escorts with every convoy, which is not always possible.

In reality Japan has no way to defend against the Allies after 1944. In fact, the war really only lasted 6 months - Dec 7 to Jun 4 - Pearl Harbor to Midway. The best you can hope to do is have enough air power to sink enough Allied invading transports to delay the inevitable. Of course, that assumes your air power survives the Allied CV prep of the area. Having a strategic reserve of air units is probably better than a reserve of army ground units, as air can respond quickly and ground units need to be transported to the fight. Once supplies at an island base are exhausted, your ground units won't recover and your air units won't fly. Fortify bases to the max (again consuming supplies), but that's the only way to slow the Allies. Defend Java? Do you really think the Allies will bother trying to recover Java? That doesn't mean you can leave it undefended, but the shortest route to Japan is the Central and Northern Pacific.