Are Port size 1's worth anything???

[incbob]

Recently I have come to the conclusion that any port size 1 is not worth any effort toward taking. I finally understood this a couple days ago when, as Japan, my enemy did not take Wake Island. I figured I was in good shape, but then began to realize the implications of port size 1.

== Port Size 1's only supply 20 strength (STR) worth of units, 1 naval group, and offer zero protection.

== If you take with a division (10 STR) you will not have supply for an air group (normally 20 STR). I guess you could wait till an air group was so beat up it was down to 10 STR and then turn off its reinforcements and move it in, but that is a major stretch.

== If you remove the land unit and just go with the 20 STR air unit according to the manual it still would not get supply. Oil using units use 20% more supply so a 20 STR air unit takes 22 supply. Also all I have to do is send a couple DD's your way with a transport, invade, and you lose the air group as it is overrun.


So, what are port size 1's worth? Is there any purpose to taking a port size 1?

I note that port size 2 would provide 40 supply and that could be worth it as an air base.

[eskuche]

I would probably garrison them with 3-5 strength infantry (which can't be taken immediately) and ~15 strength air unit. An island cluster would require a more heavy blockading force, as single squadrons would be shot down pretty regularly.

[incbob]

So, you think it is worth spending an air unit and some infantry on a size 1 port?

[generalfdog]

depends on where it is right? wake island not all that important but some of them down by new Guinea and Guadalcanal, can be useful stepping stones

[stjeand]

You can't cover every port as either side. You just do not have the units.

There are ports that you do not really have to worry about...BUT ones close to where you play to stage say your navy as Japan you better keep them all or the Allies will get recon, i.e. Rebaul...You need to take all the Allies island and hexes.


AIR units do NOT garrison. They will get destroyed if the enemy takes the port via invasion. Do not place them anywhere alone except in the middle of China or places that can not be reached by landing.

[kennonlightfoot]

ORIGINAL: generalfdog

depends on where it is right? wake island not all that important but some of them down by new Guinea and Guadalcanal, can be useful stepping stones

Why are they useful as stepping stones?
US Fleet after 42 can take any garrisoned Island it wants to without needing land bases support from Islands. So why waste landing craft taking useless Islands?

The only thing of value to the Islands I have seen so far are as intel sources but they are usually to far from anything worth wanting intel on to be useful.

[stjeand]

And the islands are useful to base aircraft...since it is one per airfield.

[kennonlightfoot]

ORIGINAL: stjeand

And the islands are useful to base aircraft...since it is one per airfield.

I am not sure that is all that useful. Yes they can be on an Island but what can they do from that Island?
Most of the Islands are near anything worth attacking with air. And, neither side has so much air they run out of bases on the large multi hex land masses. There may be special situations that make occupying an Island for its bases worth while. Maybe some of the Islands off Japan if you plan to invade the mainland and want some support.

[stjeand]

The islands by Rabual are the ones you really want...or one within range of Truk.

The other islands...just for recon.


In my games the Japanese players have not taken them...And when I see their fleet is in Rabaul, bombing time. Not a good thing for the Japanese player...
Then I rolled in my bombers and the American fleet follows.

Yes I am not strong enough to take them head on but I hit one CV for 2 damage and bottomed another with my air.

You take one off Japan and just start rolling your strat bombers through you can cripple the Japanese economy.


Just one option.


Each game it different and situations change.

[eskuche]

For some reason I am able to sustain a full air division and a half division in the South central (Carolinas etc.) islands along the convoy path for only 8 supply. (12/20 remaining).

[ago1000]

There importance is for recon. If you control the hex, your recon in that area increases. Considering the Pacific was all about who sees who first, I think they are important to capture. You don't need to camp out there, but you should try to control them.

[sajm0n]

recon and planes