Base Units Shortage....abandon other Bases?

[dpazuk]

Hi All:

In my current game, it is September '43, playing as the USN against the Japanese AI. Custom Scenario (17?)

I have just captured Fich. and am in the process of repairing the damage I did earlier to it. Problem is I have a shortage of Base Units.

Would it be unheard of to remove say, all of my base units from Gili Gili or my other bases further south? In the South Pacific I have Shortland, and have built up bases on Buku and Bonis. Rabul, Kaivang (sp) and Wewak are close to or already have 0 supply and they are the only bases (other than Truk) that the Japanese can launch Betty's at me.

I see no threat of invasion from the Japanese as I have sunk all or most of his transports and he only appears to have two light carriers left. Also, I appear to have sunk most, if not all of his battleships. I am in the process of removing most of my GCU's from my backline bases (Port Moseby, Munda) and sending them back to either Brisbane or Noumea for some much needed R&R.

I am a very conservative player, and am content to just use my land based airpower to turn whatever bases they have left to craters. But that can get to be rather boring

What would you do?

[fsnyder91]

hi, i have been playing since aug. i will leave a base in a minute if i need the base force.

[dpazuk]

Yeah, I have to admit that my other bases appear to have lost their usefulness [:D]

I'll just send those base forces forward.

[Drex]

I have another problem with base unit shortages. I lost some base units in an invasion and capture that was reversed by my opponent. Now its into '43 and I have all thses planes coming online and not enough aviation support units to service them. I can put them on bases with no support but they soon go into disrepair or reserve which shouldn't be if they are just parked. I wwish there was some way to send unwanted planes back to tokyo or Pearl.

[dpazuk]

I share your frustration.

While you can withdraw and disband air units, there should be an option to send them back home. I have no shortage of aircraft, just the bases to place all of them on.

[fsnyder91]

hi, what i do is invade with inf and cmb eng. then bring the eab's and sea bees forward to repair or build as needed. then i bring the base forward. takes longer but i dont lose the base in an invasion gone bad.

[AmiralLaurent]

I can believe USN players are lacking base forces.... IJN is for sure but USN has not this problem.

I see no problem to close rear bases airfield to operate the newly taken/build bases.

As for having thousands of planes and not enough base forces to operate them, a base with 250+ air support personnel can take care of an infinite number of planes... operating them with no penaly up to AF size X 50. That means that you can have 450 planes on PM, Dobadura and Lunga, for example, with only 250 base force points on each base.

In 1943, USN has enough base force to have a dozen bases with 250+ air support personnel in each: Noumea, Brisbane for training, Luganville, Townsville for rest and ferrying new units, and then 6-8 big front bases.

On the other hand, the IJN can't afford to have only big bases, B-17 close them too easily. And they can only have 2 big air bases (with 250+ air support points) at any time.

[Gen.Hoepner]

Well my suggestion is : move base forces from non usefull bases.You won't need their support aymore down there.

BTW it is strange that in sept 43 you complain about that. Us base forces are so good and so numerous compared to the japanese that you should consider yourself lucky.

In my courrent game i'm playin' scen 17 as the Inj and the aviation support is really becommin a problem for the advancing rising sun.

[dpazuk]

Gen.Hoepner:

I'm not "complaining" just asking for some advice and I want to thank you for yours.[&o]

AmiralLaurent:

Thank you for this information. I didn't realize this and I need to re-read the manual as to aviation support vs. size of the airfield. Knowing this will help to maximse my base force units.

Thanks for your kind replies [:)]

[MikeH1952]

Good call Admiral Laurent.
I had missed the rule on 250 plus avaiation support at bases exempting them from limitations on aircraft effeciency. I am not sure it's very valid though. Why should 240 avaition support be so different than 255?