Although we call em "low capacity ferries"
(a few cases exist of RR ferries and 'high capacity ferries' - mainly in Japan - these
are secondary RR and secondary roads)
they represent a host of coastal vessels, not just ferries. [In Full RHS you get the
actual ferries if of significant size - they are outstanding amphibious and mine warfare vessels
often used by navies as auxiliaries].
Not every island or coastal mainland-island strait is a candidate for an RHS ferry -
only a minority are. They generally exist when there is a substantial local population
with a significant number of minor vessels available to be seized (although indeed
most armies have collapsible and inflatable boats they also can use to supplement the
local craft). The mechanism is semi-abstract. The fact it is fairly slow is more or less a simulation
that it is difficult to do such an operation - it needs organizing of material for one thing -
and sometimes also of manpower. These crossings also are treated as if they are river crossings -
and indeed they are very similar. [The modern PLA has "river crossing brigades" which are, in fact,
tasked with landing operations on offshore islands - same basic concept.] So in RHS such
an attack will be forced to be a shock attack.
FYI we did a lot of work on invading Hawaii in WITP (pre AE) days - and had a scenario dedicated to it.
Invading the ISLANDS OTHER THAN OAHU may be a good idea - it ties down the US forces and almost guarantees
they will fight for control of the area - a battle Japan can afford to lose (my favorite kind).
But it is NEVER practical to capture Oahu. Due to the size of the force, supply stocks, and terrain,
compounded by fortifications. Also any actual ships bombarding the hex or landing troops in the hex are
ALWAYS obliterated by the largest coast defense force in the world. I do not fear the fall of Oahu -
and no Allied player should. The ATTEMPT defeats Japan - it requires too many forces for too much
time supported by a huge fraction of the transport shipping. I did not bother to work up a scenario for AE
and no one has asked for one. I did begin to do a monster game on this - the map was about 8 feet square -
but research indicated it was not going to be a fair fight. The terrain is formidable on the island of Oahu.
If Japan DID occupy Oahu, how could they feed the population? Japan studied the problem since 1910. See
Hawaii Under the Rising Sun, University of Hawaii Press. The idea Japan "should have followed up with an
invasion force" is based on unrealistic assumptions. But, in fact, Japan DID intend to do that in WWII.
The Battle of Midway was stage one of the invasion. No less than three divisions were allocated - although
I doubt that was enough for a late 1942 invasion. See in particular The Pearl Harbor Papers, University of Hawaii
Press.
ORIGINAL: Yaab
I guess the trails in Hawaii islands represent coastal ferries. Imagine if Japs landed in Lanai City - they can walk into PH from there using the trails. Since the ferries still exist as individual ships, maybe the trails can be removed?