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Don't get me wrong kfsgo, you make an eloquent argument and some enjoyable reading. The thing that concerns me, Japan really is not getting a big bump at the start, and they get some goodies around 43. If we keep to the fall of Italy sometime in late 42 I have no problem with Allied forces coming into the Pacific late 42 or early 43. Also, with the fall that soon, Germany would have serious issues trying to cope with allied troops mid 43 in Italy not to mention the problems in Russia. I don't believe that Germany had the resources to create some of the formations they did any sooner than they did in real life. Having Italy surrender in 42 or early 43 could conceivably end the war a year early.

ORIGINAL: oldman45

Don't get me wrong kfsgo, you make an eloquent argument and some enjoyable reading. The thing that concerns me, Japan really is not getting a big bump at the start, and they get some goodies around 43. If we keep to the fall of Italy sometime in late 42 I have no problem with Allied forces coming into the Pacific late 42 or early 43. Also, with the fall that soon, Germany would have serious issues trying to cope with allied troops mid 43 in Italy not to mention the problems in Russia. I don't believe that Germany had the resources to create some of the formations they did any sooner than they did in real life. Having Italy surrender in 42 or early 43 could conceivably end the war a year early.

Oh no, I totally get what you're getting at, so to speak - although given that the situation in China will likely be cooler (I have a couple of Plans for China at this point that are I guess waiting for the IJA stuff to be completed before I do anything with them) potential diversions can probably be engineered from there. It's just - I'm not sure how you work things narratively to not have a wave of stuff show up at Aden in early 1943 or so.

[quote]ORIGINAL: oldman45

Don't get me wrong kfsgo, you make an eloquent argument and some enjoyable reading. The thing that concerns me, Japan really is not getting a big bump at the start, and they get some goodies around 43. If we keep to the fall of Italy sometime in late 42 I have no problem with Allied forces coming into the Pacific late 42 or early 43. Also, with the fall that soon, Germany would have serious issues trying to cope with allied troops mid 43 in Italy not to mention the problems in Russia. I don't believe that Germany had the resources to create some of the formations they did any sooner than they did in real life. Having Italy surrender in 42 or early 43 could conceivably end the war a year early.


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Fully concur with this spirit. This is the reason I backed off the earlier deployments (except for 1 Aussie ID being available). Things might be too tough for the Japanese at start. FatR's changes to the Fleet adds a couple of BB and upgrades the Carriers but doesn't add much past that. Going down the line with American, British, French, and Dutch aircraft and naval additions makes me pause a bit.

We'll truly find out when the Mod going into testing.

kfsgo: I will have the IJA changes done tomorrow if all goes well. I've made the Mobile Army and that will be it for tinkering within the China OOB. Got to make the IJA Amphib Corps and then I'll be done there. This unit will be the only true Infantry addition to the OOB for the IJA.

This Mod looks like it is leaning towards a Scenario Two feel, however, the Allies get lots of toys right from the very start.

Adding the ships to the Allies is not really that big a deal unless the IJN player misses a convoy and allied ships get in among them. Lets face it, most allied ships early on are torpedo magnets for the nells and bettys. Of the 6 capital ships I added to my mod, 5 of them are in the yards getting major repairs from torp hits, either airborne or long lance. Its adding in the allied troops that really concerns me unless they are showing up in 43.

You might be right regarding that Oldman. The ships are targets but the troops could be major issues. I really like the idea f making Rabaul, PM, and Darwin stronger but not by a TON of troops. Think a Brigade would serve at each to...make it...more...interesting...

I just Posted on the other Thread that I am revamping the troops and aircraft in the Philippines due tot he arrival of the Pensacola TF. There will be A-24's present and so the Americans will have Dive-Bombers available within days of the war starting. The XP of these two or three Squadrons will be low but they will climb and become quite useful (translation: DANGEROUS) to the Allied player.

Will downgrade the Malay AF as we have discussed too...

With the expansion of Japanese power there is a real good chance that the US will still be isolated to the area around Hawaii well into 1943. With that in mind, can we make it so that B-36 bombers will be available in late 1945? The initial production order was made in 1943 (100 planes), but with the apparent lack of need, there was no priority given to the design.

The design should have a low reliability rating, but with a 4,000+ mile combat radius it would allow a US player to utilize bases in Hawaii for bombing of the Home Islands.

We would need a B-36B graphic (without the jet assist) unless there is one that I don't know of. It is a tool that reward an Allied player for playing deep into the game, but would probably have been a realistic reaction to the US not having access to bases for the B-29 in 1944.

That might be do-able. FatR handles the air stuff so I'll refer this one to him.

As I've been reading Racing the Sunrise I think the improved Port and Base facilities going southwards should be Canton. This is the base the Navy/Army planned to expand before the war started. Pago Pago makes better sense with AE hindsight but that is not the case IRL. Need to think on that a bit...

After going through the notes for the Pensacola TF that now arrives in Manila prior to the war starting, I have made the following changes:

1. The 16th, 17th, and 81st Bombing Squadrons start with A-24 Banshees. They may only have 2-4 ready but they may repair their planes to 16 each. All three Squadrons start in Manila. Like other Philippine planes they must withdraw by 06/01/42.
2. The 34th Pursuit Squadrons starts with P-40E instead of P-35. They are also mostly disabled on Dec 7th but can repair up to 18 planes in the Squadron. The P-35 are thrown back into the pool.
3. Reflecting the arrival of all those 75MM Howitzers, the Philippine ID may have 12 of these instead of the original 8.
4. The LCUs brought with the convoy begin at Manila as well.
5. As detailed earlier the Convoy's ships have left Manila and are about a day's steaming to the SW heading for Tarakan.

Went through the Malaya Bases and did the following changes:

Alor Star AF reduced from 4 to 2
Georgetown AF left at 4 (planes spread around the north will be concentrated here at this somewhat protected base)
Taiping AF reduced from 3 to 1
Kota Bharu AF reduced from 4 to 1
Kuantan AF reduced from 4 to 1
Kuala Lumphur AF left at 2
Johore Bharu Forts raised to 3
Kloung and Mersing Forts raised to 2

Georgetown serves as the main northern base with all other planes concentrated at Singapore or Johore Bharu. If worked on quickly, the Allied player ought to be able to create a defensive line in the south PRIOR to Singapore.

Nice work to you John and all the others.  I like your new ideas.  Keep up the good work.

JFB BEWARE! I have gotten the redeployment of aircraft and LCU done in Malaya and this place is now a very tough nut to crack. Think we have achieved the goal/vision the Brits THOUGHT they had when the war started.

Changes:
1. 9th Indian ID is spread between Kuantan and Temoluh (2/3 of the ID is at Temoluh). It can be concentrated fairly quickly if wanted.
2. 11th Indian ID is at Alor Star and can be rebuild immediately. Look out for this. This unit could have an assault value of over 300 once rebuilt and defending.
3. 8th Aussie ID is fully deployed in Southern Malaya: Bird Bns at Kloung (can be immediately rebuild), one Brigade at mersing, and the last Brigade at Johore Bharu.

All aircraft (306 Planes!) are stationed at either Georgetown (58 Planes), Johore Bharu (54 Planes), or Singapore (202 Planes). Several BF were moved to either Georgetown or Johore Bharu to reflect changes and increase support.

Since Georgetown is much more important now, the Forts have been raised to 3.

Couple these changes with the reinforced Force Z and LOOK OUT! AFB can actually DEFEND Malaya and the JFB had better make sure they bring ENOUGH to take this place out...

Good Luck to both sides here...it is a whole new scenario...

As per our discussions the 6th Aussie ID starts the war deployed in the Pacific. Since the 8th ID is fully committed to Malaya, the 6th must be broken up and spread around: 17th Brigade is at Rabaul, 16th brigade begins at Port Moresby, and 19th Brigade is at Darwin. Comments:

1. The net benefit of this is Rabaul begins the war quite tough to crack. It will probably take a full ID to grab the base.
2. The small Inf Coy that started at Rabaul is now moved to join the other Coy in New Guinea. It begins at Finschhaven.
3. 19th Brigade can be a substantial, quick reinforcement from Darwin to some point if wanted.

Only negative is that it will take some serious work to rebuild this unit into ID strength...

If any of the regular readers get the chance take a look on the other thread at the probable start to the war in China. Holy Cow. It is very different then anything we've dealt with! Comments would be appreciated...

Hong Kong may not be threatened at the start of the war. This may mean that some of her troops could go elsewhere. Translation: The Canadians might get a second lease on life. Any ideas as to where to place them?

I see three options;

1) Stationed in Sydney looking for a home.

2) Stationed in Capetown looking for a home.

3) Stationed in Singapore wishing they were home.

Joking aside, those troops would make a nice fire brigade so putting them in Capetown might not be a bad thing.

One Canadian at Port Blair and maybe the second at Cocos Island to act as a very small reserve. The Allies could use CW and/or Dutch APs to pick it up quickly for a deployment somewhere as the flee from the Japanese hordes. 

Man that changes alot.  I like the idea of the Canadian's be a fire brigade. 

Thanks for the thoughts! Ideas for the Canadians:

1. Singapore (to die)
2. Darwin (Fire Brigade)
3. Emergency Reinforcements: Pt Blair/Cocos
4. Distant Reserve: Sydney

What do you guys think of that China Map that kfsgo put up on the other thread?

Darwin and I liked the map.

I don't understand why they don't control Canton, it would make sense to me that they would have that city under their control.