Direct approach to Karachi?

[Sarganto]

I am playing as the Japanese in the stock 15 scenario. Right now, I am at the 5th february 1942 and I am thinking about my next steps.

I am so far in a very good position. Malaya is secured, on Java only Batavia is remaining. I control everything down to Timor. In the PI, all of the allied troops have gathered in Bataan to starve. I was bombing the airfields almost without any interruption, so I think they are already out of supply and dying. I have 1300AV sitting in Clark Field, waiting and resting for a few weeks more and then approach Bataan.

Looking more down to the south, I have taken Rabaul, Port Moresby, garrisoned Lunga and been building it up and now I am approaching Noumea with a full division together with KB to raid some shipping. In a port strike at Brisbane, the Lexington got sunk an the Saratoga got hit by a torp close to Pearl and is surely sitting in Frisco for repairs...so there is not much to be afraid of in the Pacific. I didn't lose any major shipping yet, only like 5 DDs and 20-30 AP/AKs.

But this only to give you a rough overview about my situation. I am now gathering most of my free forces in India, for a huge approach into India. But I still have no idea, where to land and what I want to achieve.
I thought about approaching Karachi directly, maybe taking Ceylon first but then quickly marching on to capture Karachi. This would prevent any new British reinforcements and I could start to roll down all over India from there. Without Karachi, they should be out of supply soon, what would make the following fights much easier.
Of course, I know that taking Karachi will not be easy, but if I use 6-7 divisions, with tanks and lots of arty, it should be doable.

What do you think? Any ideas and experiences regarding invasions of India?

[Alfred]

Have a read in the AARs - many feature invasions of India.  Even when other mods are involved, the principles still remain applicable to scenario 15.
 
Amongst the most recent relevant AARs, in particular look for AARs from:
 
(a)  Nemo121.  Although he only plays his own mod (Empire Ablaze), his operational approach is masterful and relevant to all Japanese players.  Search for his old AARs against 2ndACR and Panzer(something),
 
(b)  John 3rd against Canoerebel (IIRC it was a BigB mod starting on 7 December 1941) who decided to invade India in 1944.  The discussion in that AAR (involving the player and several readers) regarding the wisdom of the plan and its execution should be quite useful,
 
(c)  the Take2 AAR which is still alive and regularly updated.  This is another invasion of India by John 3rd (this time in company with another co-Japanese player v 2 Allied opponents) but this time executed in early 1942.
 
Generally speaking you will find it easier and more effective to land either on the (real) south coast (Trivandrum) or east coast (Madras to Diamond Harbour), protecting your flank with the capture of Ceylon.  A well executed early 1942 campaign should see you at the gates of Karachi after about 2 months, well before any meaningful British/Indian reinforcements arrive.
 
Alfred