Indian Ocean? Who cares....

[Vanman]

As a Commonwealth player one looks at the Indian Ocean in 1941, 42 and even 43 and realizes they are heavily outgunned in terms of naval power by Japan (Clear cut CV inferiority). You can spare few units for it, and even if Japan runs riot, how much damage can they do? I am not saying abandon it, but its a bit of a conundrum. The Euro Axis are the main threat (Japan cannot win the war for the Axis) so the Indian Ocean almost has to be an afterthought or sideshow. Anyone have any recommendations in terms of British Empire Southern Asia defense in terms of 'Maximization of the Minimum'?

View this within the context of both Madagascar being occupied by Japan and not. Thanks.

[jesperpehrson]

Interesting question.
My thoughts about CW in the Pacific from mid-41 and forward is that you should make it difficult to any easy captures.
India should have more than a token force and support Burma. Burma has good defensive terrain so should be able to be defended for some time at least.
Australia, Malaya and South Africa should have 2 units.
Aden and New Zeeland should have a garrison.

If you can get a whiteprint to Rabaul that is very nice.

As for a fleet it all depends on the situation in the Med and the Atlantic. You could certainly send any SUBs if the Italians are forced back from Africa and a small fleet.

It is not about stopping the japanese from capturing a particular spot but making it cost more than a SCS with a division.
Contain the Japanese until the US is ready to start pushing.

What are your own thoughts?

[Centuur]

ORIGINAL: jesperpehrson

Interesting question.
My thoughts about CW in the Pacific from mid-41 and forward is that you should make it difficult to any easy captures.
India should have more than a token force and support Burma. Burma has good defensive terrain so should be able to be defended for some time at least.
Australia, Malaya and South Africa should have 2 units.
Aden and New Zeeland should have a garrison.

If you can get a whiteprint to Rabaul that is very nice.

As for a fleet it all depends on the situation in the Med and the Atlantic. You could certainly send any SUBs if the Italians are forced back from Africa and a small fleet.

It is not about stopping the japanese from capturing a particular spot but making it cost more than a SCS with a division.
Contain the Japanese until the US is ready to start pushing.

What are your own thoughts?

Agreed, but also because the USSR needs to get resources and build points out of India through Persia from the CW.
India is to important for the Allies to simply give away to the Japanese with it's forcepool, the factories and the resources.
The main CW fleet however, should be hold back and be used against the Italians first. A small but fast task force in a port with FTR cover and a CV is a good thing for the CW to have as "fleet in being". That makes sure the Japanese keeps some fleet units in reserve to protect the convoys in the South China Sea.