And now the waiting begins - Xargun (Japs) vs RRoberson (Allies) - No RRobs

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: Quixote

I'll also add, though you're welcome to ignore it, that you may not need all of the merchant shipping that you seem to be building. In DDB-C, maybe. In A, B, or stock though, you may just be wasting HI.

We are playing Babes-B. So you are saying I shouldn't worry about the merchie points at all ? I have never made it past late 42 in any PBeM and always am conscience about losing merchants - afraid I will run out when the allied torps work good. What about all the CVEs that are building ? Should I halt a couple ? I also try to let AKs and such build down to 1 or 2 turns left and then halt them. Figuring a ship not on the map cannot be bombed yet - and I don't really need a ton more until later in the game.

[Quixote]

Accelerate the CVEs that can still do you some good while the KB remains competitive - the rest don't matter. As for all the extra xAKs, etc. I'd suggest you not worry about building too many of them. Unlike real world Japan, you start with plenty of transports. Each extra one you build costs you unnecessary HI in the short term, and eventually provides your opponent with extra VPs in the long term...

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: Quixote

Accelerate the CVEs that can still do you some good while the KB remains competitive - the rest don't matter. As for all the extra xAKs, etc. I'd suggest you not worry about building too many of them. Unlike real world Japan, you start with plenty of transports. Each extra one you build costs you unnecessary HI in the short term, and eventually provides your opponent with extra VPs in the long term...

Ok - maybe I'll place the AKs on hold and accelerate some CVEs and Tankers. Even in mid to late 42 I seem to never have enough Tankers. Thanks for the advice.

[Xargun]

Jan 26th, 1942


Economy:

After some talk with Quixote I am not worrying about my merchies any more. I will allow the changes I made to finish and then I will begin halting a bunch of merchies against the chance I may need them in late game.

I have noticed a lack of HI increasing and am trying to wonder is it because I haven't capture much new HI yet or before of the engine / aircraft expansion I am doing. I am trying to remember my previous game in mid 42 I was banking like 5-7k HI a turn, but then I had a lot more territory too.


Burma:

Troops have reached Toungoo and should be capturing is this turn. The bulk of my men are still moving North along the rail. Recon shows a lot of troops at Prome - which is where I believe all the men from Rangoon fled to. I am going to try to encircle them and kill them off so they can't escape and come back to haunt me later.


Malaya:


Troops at Malacca will attempt to capture the base which will join the rails from both sides and allow me to bring the bulk of my troops all together for the final push south to Singapore.

The last couple sweeps of Singapore have shown less than 15 Buffalos rising up in defense. So a few more turns of sweeps and I should have the fighter opposition destroyed - which will allow bombing of Singapore.


Borneo:

The II/124th Infantry Battalion has reached Sambas and should capture the base. They will then push on overland for Singkawang. Recon has spotted an allied surface fleet near Singkawang and I have dispatched a cruiser-led TF to location near Kuching to deal with them. Recon shows only DDs in the enemy fleet - I doubt he would risk anything bigger against my Netties in Thailand.


Philippines:

My first assault on Clark failed with several thousand IJA losses for a few hundred allied losses. I need more men, but stacking limits is restricting it. Advisors suggest that Clark has less than a month of supplies left, so we will continue the aerial bombing as well as daily artillery bombardments. In a week or so we will attack again.


Mindanao:

Troops have reach Malaybalay and have been ordered to attack - hopefully the base will fall this turn.


South Pacific:

Shortlands have fallen and a small base force is embarking onto ships at Truk to begin the build up. More small units will be landing in the Solomon's securing a few bases for the Empire.

The 14th ID is also loading on fast transports for the run to Noumea. Next turn they will head south with the KB clearing the way and a large BB-led TF escorting them.

The 8th Base Force has just landed at Rabaul and working on enlarging the airfield. Once the AF reaches size 4, we will work on the port and then forts.


Troops have also landed and secured Baker Island. I will leave a small unit here to keep the island secure, and possible base some float planes here for recon, but its nothing more than an early warning station. I don't plan on keeping it against any real attack but it may be a place to use air power to bleed some allied troop ships.


Sub ops have picked up with subs scoring kills on an xAKL, TK and CMc over the past couple days. Subs along the west coast also missed an opportunity to score some hits against a convoy near San Diego. I believe the convoy was heading to San Diego - possibly for troop or supply loading.

[Xargun]

I am taking a hard look at my aircraft R&D for the next 18 months (basically 42 & 43) and most of its easy to figure out except Fighters. I am looking at the following:


IJN: 42: A6M2 Zero A6M2-N Rufe
43: A6M5 Zero
44: A6M5c Zero

IJA: 42: Oscar Ic IIa Tojo
43: IIb Tojo
44: IIc Tojo


I am planning ahead so I can focus my R&D efforts. I have very little experience doing R&D (usually just get planes when I get them) and never been into 43. Which Fighters for Navy and Army should I be concentrating on ? On the Navy side it looks like the Zero is the way to go all the way into 45 with the A6M8 and maybe some N1K5-J Georges. No idea about Army other than Tojos. Suggestions would be appreciated.

[PaxMondo]

Just remember, the A6M series is pretty useless after '42. Get moving on the A7M series. You won't get it until '44 at best, but don't delay. The KB is really weak in '43 as you get protect it with A6M and your strikes have trouble getting through the allied CAP. A7M gets the balance back a bit.

George is good for Naval ground groups.

Oscar->Tojo->Frank. Again, Tojo is good in '42, but by end of '43 it is pretty weak You need Frank, which means you need to start the R&D now.

I also pick my final IJN and IJA fighter now and start on it R&D. Shinden is about it for the IJN. Ki-93 or Karyu are usually what I choose between on the IJA. Both are 2E fighters, but they are fast with decent armament.

Banzai!

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: PaxMondo

I also pick my final IJN and IJA fighter now and start on it R&D. Shinden is about it for the IJN. Ki-93 or Karyu are usually what I choose between on the IJA. Both are 2E fighters, but they are fast with decent armament.

Banzai!

Are the twin engine fighters that much better than the single engine that its worth twice the cost in HI and engines ?

If I remember correct - someone correct me if I'm wrong please -- that the best stat is pure speed, followed by firepower and durability / armor. Does manuverability matter at all ? Also, as Japan I should ignore range as in 43+ I will be fighting over my own bases whick makes range not as important correct ?

[Lokasenna]

I remember posting last night to not dismiss the Ki-100 Tony models. SR1 and comparable to the -84a version of Frank in most respects.

[Xargun]

Feb 11th, 1942



Economy:

I have been noticing I am not stockpiling many HI per turn and quickly knew the answer - Merchant Shipyards. I had expanded my merchant shipyards by over a hundred in concern over Merchant ships - but I have been advised they don't really matter so I have turned off the 100 extra shipyards and last turn my HI jumped up. I know it doesn't sound like much but I am trying to stockpile as much HI as possible. I will continue to spend a lot of HI on engines and refitting factories / expanding for the next few months as I get my aircraft and engine factories in line, but every HI is sacred I also have not capture much HI yet on the map which will help as well.


Burma:

I have capture Toungoo and Magwe in Burma. For some reason I was thinking Mandalay was the oil center and I didn't want to capture that too early but no, its Magwe and I just took it. I am rushing AV Support, AA and fighters there. Hopefully Rob won't bomb it this turn and I can get units moved around fast enough - 300 oil is a lot to lose for being stupid.

The Brits from Rangoon are retreating along the trails north of Prome and I am trying to cut them off with tanks and slow them down with bombers until I can catch them and finish them off. I don't want a bunch of 'extra' units wondering around Burma in 43.


Malaya:

I just took Johore Bharu and am assembling my troops for the seige of Singapore. I have beaten down the air force at Singapore and can freely bomb it. Not sure how much damage I am doing, but as long as it stops forts from being built thats all that matters. I will be moving into Singapore in a couple turns - letting troops rest and take replacements before beginning the final battle of Malaya.


Borneo:

Northern Borneo is mine, as well as most of the NW corner - just took Singkawang. Troops are resting there before pushing on to the last allied base in the north.

I have also landed at Tandjoengselor and taken that base. I have landed plenty of troops and support and are marching overland to Tarakan. Pre-war intel says Tarakan has some CD guns, and I hate landing against them. I have a base force and several engineering units with the Tarakan assault to get the airfield into shape quick and I have fighters waiting.


Philippines:

I am assaulting Clark again this turn and will see if I make any headway - been letting troops get replacements and some rest since the last assault while the airforce has been bombing the airfields to prevent fort building and to destroy supplies.

When not bombing Clark, my planes are bombing Bataan airfields to kill supply and slow down fort building.


Mindanao:

Most of this island has fallen except Malaybalay and Cagayan. I am landing reinforcements to aid in the taking of these bases.


South Pacific:

I have taken Baker Island and plan on using it as an early warning search base. I'm not sure if I want any troops there or just an AV ship and some Float recon. Maybe part of a small SNLF just to hold it - don't want to risk anything big. Maybe a small AV Coy.


Solomons:

I have landed a small combat unit and engineers at Lunga to begin building an airfield.


Noumea:

After a couple days of fighting the 14th Division finally takes Noumea backed by the KB bombing the base. The base is in poor shape, but it is mine now. The 10th Base Force will be landing this turn and being turning this into a small fortress where I hope to base Netties out of for interdiction of the sea lanes to OZ.

My subs had spotted ships sitting at Ndeni and Belep Islands. They had been sitting there for several turns so they were either fleeing merchants that Rob had forgotten about or warships sitting there on react. In the invasion of Noumea I split KB into 3 groups. Group A sailed down the west side of the Solomons. Group B came down the east side - near Efate. And Group C was following the invasion convoy offering protection.

So Group A moved into range of Belep Islands the same turn as Group B moved into range of Ndeni. Aircraft flew and it turned out to be 2 pairs of cruisers sitting at these locations - a CA and CL at each. Over a couple turns I finally sunk CA Louisvill, CL Perth and CL Adelaide and put some hits on CA Canberra.

I had Group A swing west of Noumea and head south while the rest of the CVs converged and covered the landing at Noumea. As the landing was happening, Group spotted a TF at Norfolk Island, so I sent them to hit it - if it stayed. It did and I sunk 4 xAKL, 2 xAK, 1 AMC, 1 AM that were just sitting there. A lot were french ships - didn't know the French had any ships in WitP - oh well they provided me some VPs


China:

Not much is happening on this front as my troops are still gathering together and chasing chinese units all over southern china. I have cleared Western China and control Nanning, Liuchow and Kweilin. I am also clearing central china of stray enemy units and boxing in the enemy troops around Wenchow. Once these are clear I will concentrate on the rail line and take Changsha. Then I plan on pushing north and taking the bases along the roads north of the rail. I would love to push deep into northern china and threaten the inner bases of Chungking through Chengtu but not sure if I would ever get there or if it would be worth the resources needed.


Sub Ops:

My subs are slowly beginning to find some targets - mostly in the DEI around Palembang. Several merchants have been sunk leaving SIngapore and a couple TKs hit entering and leaving Palembang.

[Xargun]

Feb 17th, 1942


Economy:

My HI stockpiles are slowly climbing - roughly 1200 a day (so 2500 a turn). Still not enough, so I must look deeper into my issue.

Perhaps I need to expand some HI? My aircraft are reaching their pool sizes and are slowly being turned off to save more HI and no point building a ton of 1942 aircraft when I can build a lot of 1943 or better down the road. I am leaving the engine factories on full steam to build up pools and to hit the magical 500 engine pool number for increased R&D. By the time the rufe is available I should have enough Ha-35 engines in pool to go full steam for the A6M5 right away. I currently have 4 R&D factories slowly repairing for the Rufe for size 30. If I am remembering correct R&D factories do not rop in half when changing to another R&D type correct ?


Burma:

Not much going on here as my men race north to try to cut off the fleeing troops from Rangoon. I have stopped advancing along the rails to the other bases as I try to cut off and destroy the fleeing Burmese troops. I have moved some bombers into Rangoon to bomb them to force them out of Move Mode and into slower Combat mode. The bombing is also doing considerable damage to the units as they move around in the open.

I also have some AV Support and fighters at Magwe now, so my oil there is relatively safe for the time being.

I have bought a few Tank Units out of Manchukuo and they are unloading at Bangkok for the drive north into Burma. I like to use the tanks in Burma as they can move quick and overrun smaller enemy units easily.


Malaya:

An additional division just arrived at Johore Bharu and is leaving Strat mode. Next turn the whole mess will surge south and begin the assault on Singapore. Bombers have been alternating between Airfield and Ground attacks to stop fort building and soften up the defenders.

The 6th Guards Division arrived at Cam Ranh Bay and is being shipped to Malaya to aid in the assault on Singapore. The troops will not wait for the division and will begin to cross into Singapore next turn.


Borneo:

A small TF of 3 RN DDs attempted to catch my merchies unloading near Tarakan but instead ran into the BB TF I had there escorting them. In a drawn out battle, all 3 RN DDs were sunk, with 2 IJN DDs being minorly damaged. The DDs are heading for Hong Kong for Repair.


Philippines:

My men attacked Clark and finished destroying all forts and weakening the defenders more. The next attacks should capture me the base and force the defenders to flee to Bataan. Once Clark is mine I will begin the final stage of the Luzon Conquest.


Noumea:

All supplies and men have been landed at Noumea and the various task forces are retiring north to meet up with the refueling TF near the Solomons. Ships will be topped off and everyone will return to Truk to repair damage and take on more ordnance for KB.


China:

Bombing and abusing more chinese units - forcing them either north to Changsha or south to Wenchow. My reinforcement Brigades from Shaghai are arriving in theater and will begin the push to surround and destroy Wenchow over the next couple turns. First stop is taking Chuhsien which is held by a beat up chinese unit. Then we will push on to Wenchow and obliterate all chinese units there.

I have bought out several Tank units from Manchukuo and they are moving on the rail to Kweisui. Once there they will help clear the immediate area and then either push into nothern china or head for lanchow along with some infantry units. Usually the bases in northern china are sparesly guarded and there is oil at Urumchi and some resources at the other bases too. Every drop of oil helps - especially somewhere like in china where its easy to transport to my industry.


Sub Ops:

Subs picked off another xAKL this past turn between OZ and Port Moresby.


I have enough PPs to buy another division out of either Manchukuo or Japan. I need to take a look and see which is the best unit to buy out. I am thinking of sending it to actually take Port Moresby. I don't really want Port Moresby, but everytime I let Rob keep it, he builds it up and uses it to harash everything in the area with bombers. So better I have it and use it as bait to kill bombers than letter him have it to kill ships.

5 Naval Guard units just arrived at Tokyo and are all being loaded up on transports for shipment south. I think I will use these units to take and hold important islands in the SW Pacific such as - Luganville, Efate, Lunga, Tulagi, and maybe leave on for Port Moresby after I take it.

[Quixote]

If I am remembering correct R&D factories do not rop in half when changing to another R&D type correct ?

This only applies when upgrading to the immediate successor in a chain, so for the Rufe->A6M5 conversion, you're safe. Change those same factories to anything else though and you'll lose 33% of the line capacity and along with all progress on research.

I have bought a few Tank Units out of Manchukuo and they are unloading at Bangkok for the drive north into Burma. I like to use the tanks in Burma as they can move quick and overrun smaller enemy units easily.

Early on, Japanese tanks are great not just in Burma, but everywhere. Buy every single one of them out, regardless of where you choose to send them.

I have enough PPs to buy another division out of either Manchukuo or Japan. I need to take a look and see which is the best unit to buy out.

After you buy out all the tanks [:)], you have several worthwhile candidates to use PPs on in Manchuria. There are several good divisions and regiments, and at the beginning of the game (it's not too late to start now) it's a good idea to assign each one of them a separate target. When the times comes to buy one out, you can then decide where you need to send a division/regiment and then pick one that's already prepped for your target. Trading 5 points of experience for 100% prep is a worthwhile trade, and this gives you a lot more flexibility then you'd have if you only picked your absolute best division or regiment to buy out first. (It also plays hell with Allied intel when you always have one division prepping for Suva, one for Bombay, one for Sydney, etc.) Secondly, you have a lot of engineers in Manchuria, and they are extremely inexpensive to buy out. As Japan, especially in a two-day turn game, it's never too early to put some of your engineers to work building up airfields and getting some fort building started in areas where you know you'll need it a year from now.

[Lokasenna]

Not to mention that there are plenty of 60+ XP units there, and some 80+! It'll be a while before you're trading off points of XP for 100% prep, given the national exp caps.

There are also some high-XP units there with the final portions of the division arriving later (28th ID with 80 XP comes to mind). I think it's a good idea to preposition them for the arrival point of their final elements, thereby cutting down on the recombine/shipping out delays.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Xargun

While I wait for the next turn I am trying to figure out what to convert the worthless xAKLs into as well as some xAK conversions. I definately need more PBs for ASW, some AGs to rearm them, more ARs, ARs, AKEs. I am toying with the idea of a couple more ADs (I get 5 total), as well as a few more AVs - possibly only the ones that come with free air groups. I will also need some more ACMs to maintain my minefields. How much do you guys usually convert ?

Hi Xargun. I just found your AAR so I'm late in commenting. First of all, I never played this version, nor have I played 2 day turns. 2 day turns scare me. So much unknown on that second day. Anyway, my 2 yen....

The vast majority of my xAKLs convert to PBs I ended up with 200+ of them. Also some ACMs, as you said. They're expendable. I opted for a couple dozen AGs this game. I put them in all the ports where I ship something out. They aid in small ship repair and, while not used often, do help with repairing sys damage as it creeps up. All of my To'su, Kiso and Ansyu-C classes were converted to something else.

I ended up converting 6 ARs early on. They take a year to convert. I plan on using them in pairs in various strategic bases near where the fighting is when done.

I haven't converted any ADs. Usually 1 placed in strategic bases where DDs may get damaged is good. I haven't found the need for more.

I converted 4 or 6 (can't remember offhand) AKEs. I use them in pairs as well. In the expansion phase of the war they were indispensable but now I don't really need them much.

I didn't convert any AVs either. I've been fine with what I have.

One thing I would consider is converting xAKs to the -t. I converted all the Tohos because they are very nice 14 kt transports that can be teamed up with the Ansyu-C PB (also 14 kt).

Personally, for a large target, I would consider China. It can easily be reinforced from Kwantung Army. You can buy units out from there and assign them to Southern Army so they are available after the China conflict is concluded. (Some people may find that gamey.) In particular, the heavy artillery units in Kwantung Army are cheap and pack a nice punch. Attached to your offensive armies in China, they pack a nice wallop.

Good luck! I'm definitely watching this one. [:D]

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Xargun

Economy:

I have also noticed that my supply of resources is not that great on Honshu - with just over a month of stockpiles. I need to get resources flowing. I am starting convoys from Sakhalin I with Resources and Oil and soon will be making China runs as well. I need to sit down a look at Japan as a whole for resources and see how much time I have.

I recommend increasing Ominato and Hakodate to port size 7. The resources produced there (and what you ship in from Sakhalin) will build rapidly. I sent all my Akasis there and they couldn't keep up. I keep adding more xAKs to haul to the mainland.

ORIGINAL: Xargun

Burma:

Moulmein has fallen and I am beginning the push up to Pegu and then Rangoon. I am awaiting 2 divisions form Japan before pushing on Rangoon itself, but the smaller bases are easy takings. I keep Sweeping Rangoon and killing any allied fighters in the air there. Trying to kill as many as I can before the real battle for Burma bases begin.

I ship a new division to Burma roughly every other month, either from 25 Army (after Singapore falls) or Kwantung Army. The British/Indian buildup is staggering over time. They will have as hard a time supplying their army as you will though.

I also have most of the 3 Air Division stationed here. Keep pounding him from the air. Occasional CA/BB bombardment of Akyab, Cox's Bazaar and Chittagong will help encourage your opponent to keep his fighters away from the front line.

ORIGINAL: Xargun

Philippines:

Taking bases fairly easy here. Got the 4th ID sitting at Clark holding his troops there. Also got about 700AV worth of various trops moving into Manilla - they all should arrive next turn (from north and south). There is another 355 AV worth of men and tanks at Iba and a tank unit just moved into Subic bay, blocking retreat of units there. I plan on taking Subic bay and Manilla in the next couple turns, then converging everything at Clark for the final battle. Once Clark is cleared all allied units will run to Bataan and that will be a quick fight - crippled units from Clark will be next to worthless.

Once Luzon is under control I will pick off the remaining islands and then everything will move into the DEI. I plan on leaving a base force or two on Luzon and some engineering units to repair all the bases and build infrastucture to later in the war when I will need it.

Push them into Bataan and leave the 16 Division and 65 Brigade there to keep an eye on them. Let them rot. There's no reason to push it here.

ORIGINAL: Xargun

South Pacific:

I have never taken either Noumea or Suva before. Which is the better target ?

They both scare me. They are so easy for the Allied player to cut off. You can place enough air power there to make an Allied move against it dangerous for them, but you also have to resupply it. Unless you send a huge chunk of supply with the invasion, you'll have to risk your merchants to keep them fed. It does screw with the pipeline to Australia, but doesn't cut it off. Also, all the air power you have at these bases is out in the boonies and not protecting your real perimeter.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Xargun

Borneo:

Jesselton falls to a small invasion force as I solidify my hold over northern Borneo. Brunei's oilfields are fully repaired and work continues at Miri. I am still not sure whether I should repair the refineries completely at Miri or not. I do have tons of excra refineries in Japan that will soon have nothing to refine. Might be a good way to save a lot of supply.

I recommend against expanding refineries here. That's supply spent where it is unneeded. There is excess in Japan and whether you ship oil or fuel to Japan, it's the same number of points and thus the same number of tanker loads.

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: Xargun

Feb 17th, 1942


Economy:

My HI stockpiles are slowly climbing - roughly 1200 a day (so 2500 a turn). Still not enough, so I must look deeper into my issue.

Perhaps I need to expand some HI? My aircraft are reaching their pool sizes and are slowly being turned off to save more HI and no point building a ton of 1942 aircraft when I can build a lot of 1943 or better down the road. I am leaving the engine factories on full steam to build up pools and to hit the magical 500 engine pool number for increased R&D. By the time the rufe is available I should have enough Ha-35 engines in pool to go full steam for the A6M5 right away. I currently have 4 R&D factories slowly repairing for the Rufe for size 30. If I am remembering correct R&D factories do not rop in half when changing to another R&D type correct ?

I didn't really make much headway in my HI stockpile until I got my armament pool to 100k, my goal. After that, I shut off 500 of the 620 armament factories and now my HI pool is climbing nicely, over 100k a month. The 120 remaining armament factories that are on are keeping up with usage.

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli
Hi Xargun. I just found your AAR so I'm late in commenting. First of all, I never played this version, nor have I played 2 day turns. 2 day turns scare me. So much unknown on that second day. Anyway, my 2 yen....

The vast majority of my xAKLs convert to PBs I ended up with 200+ of them. Also some ACMs, as you said. They're expendable. I opted for a couple dozen AGs this game. I put them in all the ports where I ship something out. They aid in small ship repair and, while not used often, do help with repairing sys damage as it creeps up. All of my To'su, Kiso and Ansyu-C classes were converted to something else.

Yeah I am running the second group of PB conversions right now. I have noticed a lot of these can't convert until later - some are 4/43 and some are like 4/42 so have to do it in stages.

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli
I ended up converting 6 ARs early on. They take a year to convert. I plan on using them in pairs in various strategic bases near where the fighting is when done.

I like putting ARs in larger bases to help with repairing. I will be converting 5 as soon as the date comes round (5-42).

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli
I haven't converted any ADs. Usually 1 placed in strategic bases where DDs may get damaged is good. I haven't found the need for more.

I made 5 more ADs - I like them as they help with repairs on small warships as well as replenishing TTs on them as well. Makes a DD TF more of a threat if they get TT refills. Plan on using them just behind the front lines.

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli
I converted 4 or 6 (can't remember offhand) AKEs. I use them in pairs as well. In the expansion phase of the war they were indispensable but now I don't really need them much.

I didn't convert any AVs either. I've been fine with what I have.

AKEs are soo important for IJN that I can't believe they only built like 2 or 3 during the war. How else will you re-arm BBs and CVs ? I always keep 1 around any area my CVs are operating in just so I can rearm the TTs and aircraft ordnance on them. Sometimes if I expect an extended CV battle, I sneak a AKE forward to a nearby base and park it there for quick / easy reloading. They are a must to keep your BBs loaded for bombardments - especially in the Solomons.

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli
One thing I would consider is converting xAKs to the -t. I converted all the Tohos because they are very nice 14 kt transports that can be teamed up with the Ansyu-C PB (also 14 kt).

This mod has several AKs already converted. I'm not so worried about moving troops as I am about moving supplies and resources after the initial expansion phase.

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli
Personally, for a large target, I would consider China. It can easily be reinforced from Kwantung Army. You can buy units out from there and assign them to Southern Army so they are available after the China conflict is concluded. (Some people may find that gamey.) In particular, the heavy artillery units in Kwantung Army are cheap and pack a nice punch. Attached to your offensive armies in China, they pack a nice wallop.

Good luck! I'm definitely watching this one. [:D]

I plan on taking most of china this game and am slowly killing Chinese units and securing bases - I will be feeding Arty units from Manchukuo into here and some air power to help. Usually I take the rail line and area but this time I want to try for 'Inner' bases -Chungking, Chengtu, etc...

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

I recommend increasing Ominato and Hakodate to port size 7. The resources produced there (and what you ship in from Sakhalin) will build rapidly. I sent all my Akasis there and they couldn't keep up. I keep adding more xAKs to haul to the mainland.

Yeah these two bases are very important and both receive port building up to max permitted (size +3). They are a nice pair and I have multiple TFs moving between them already.

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli
I ship a new division to Burma roughly every other month, either from 25 Army (after Singapore falls) or Kwantung Army. The British/Indian buildup is staggering over time. They will have as hard a time supplying their army as you will though.

I also have most of the 3 Air Division stationed here. Keep pounding him from the air. Occasional CA/BB bombardment of Akyab, Cox's Bazaar and Chittagong will help encourage your opponent to keep his fighters away from the front line.

So you send all of your bought out Divisions to Burma ? Do you really need that much ? Should I take just the Rangoon Rail bases, or move north and take the next bunch too ?

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

Push them into Bataan and leave the 16 Division and 65 Brigade there to keep an eye on them. Let them rot. There's no reason to push it here.

I was thinking of this - push him back to Bataan and let him rot. The problem there is as long as Bataan is in enemy hands, Manila is useless to me. The supply situation on Luzon has to be horrible for him so I'm hoping to make quick work of it. Speaking of supply in Luzon, mine almost went to 0 and my attack on Clark has stalled. I am about 25% over the stacking limit at Clark and consuming supplies like crazy. I am moving the beat up units to Manila for some R&R and shipping in as much supply as I can - in fact I have like 7 small TFs docking at each port unloading supply and will keep it up for a couple turns until Clark Falls.

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli
They both scare me. They are so easy for the Allied player to cut off. You can place enough air power there to make an Allied move against it dangerous for them, but you also have to resupply it. Unless you send a huge chunk of supply with the invasion, you'll have to risk your merchants to keep them fed. It does screw with the pipeline to Australia, but doesn't cut it off. Also, all the air power you have at these bases is out in the boonies and not protecting your real perimeter.

Yeah they scare me, but I would rather lose some aircraft to kill his ships then lose my ships killing his ships. I plan on holding Noumea as long as its reasonable. With Netties flying from there killing anything I can hit. I want him to have to bring CVs in to take the base back. If he skips it and moves north Netties can still hit him in the Solomons. So if he wants to fight in the Solomons he has to take or suppress Noumea - which means CVs and BBs have to come knocking. I don't believe there are any bases close enough for him to use LB fighters.

I will probably leave a Regiment or a Guards unit there along with and Air HQ for torps and then evac the Air HQ if he is about to land. Ground units are not as valuable as they used to be since you can buy them back

[Xargun]

ORIGINAL: Mike Solli

I recommend against expanding refineries here. That's supply spent where it is unneeded. There is excess in Japan and whether you ship oil or fuel to Japan, it's the same number of points and thus the same number of tanker loads.

See I am torn with that - supply is in abundance right now and I like the idea of only hauling fuel out of Borneo instead of both fuel and oil. But I think you are right, the 100k+ supplies I can save and use elsewhere. The refineries are repaired to around 180 and I will be turning repair off soon. I have 3 construction units at Brunei doubling my harbor there to ship everything out of while the Base Force at Miri works on the airfield and forts. Mostly working the airfield to increase the supply / fuel capacity of the base to avoid spoilage. Right now I am shipping fuel from Brunei to Cam Rahn Bay and some to Samah. Soon I will need to ship it home.

[Xargun]

Feb 23rd, 1942


Economy:

Here is a quick rundown on my Industry stats:

HI Stockpile: 75,442 (Dropped this turn as I expanded some more air R&D and engine factories)
Armaments: 50,471
Vehicles: 6,052 (When I hit 10k I will turn these off -- I like tanks)
Naval Shipyard: 5,307 (I am hovering around this number for past few turns - so it seems I've found the balance)
Mechie Shipyard: 5 (I am so in the red here and not caring)

I am building up my Air R&D of the Rufe (so I can switch to the A6M5) - already have 1 size-30 Factory working on the A6M5. I am also building up some Tojo R&D factories. I am no where near having the 500 engines for the bonus R&D but right now I am only building fighters with those Ha-35 engines and nothing with the Ha-34s.


Burma:

The peasants around Prome decided to join the Co-Prosperity Sphere this past turn even though the evil British are only 1 hex away from them. I will never figure out how the AI decide when bases auto switch.

I am still chasing the fleeing troops but I think they will escape - even if I catch them they will retreat further and further north. I guess I should just keep following them and smashing them as much as possible and allow my second wave of troops to take the bases I leave behind.

I have a regiment at Magwe and Rangoon so the important bases are sevure from the handful of little British units populating the landscape behind.


Malaya:


MY troops crossed into Singapore this turn and got 1 to 2 odds. 12k IJA casualties (mostly disabled) and 4k Allied casualties. The troops will sit a turn or two to recover some strength before attacking. LBA groups are standing down this turn as well for some rest.


Borneo:

Not much has changed here - my troops are still marching through the swamp near Tarakin - its taking forever and I wonder if I should have just assaulted the base from ships and risked the damage.


Philippines:

My troops at Clark were 25% over the stacking limit and going through supplies like crazy. I wasn't paying enough attention and I ran out of supplies. I have moved a bunch of men to Manila to recoup and am shipping in tons of supplies - small 1-2 ship TFs are docking at all ports and unloading supplies. When supply level has been restored and the troops rested I will attack again - should take the base on first try.


Mindanao:

Waiting on troops to march to Malaybalay to help take it.


South Pacific:

Several Naval Guard units have arrived at Tarawa from the Home Islands. I am trying to figure out where to place them - the stacking limits make most islands tough to leave me. Tarawa is 20k limit (I think) so I may leave them there for now.


China:

My chinese troops are moving again. Chuhsien and Pingsiang have both fallen. My troops are pushing enemy troops to Wenchow where they will be smashed. I am also pushing chinese north of the rail lands and moving my troops into larger groups to assault the bases.