Reducing big troop concentrations

[Grouchy]

Here's the situation. I'm almost done occupying Luzon (PHI).
It did go rather smoothly, and I just found out why. According recon the AI has moved 35 units to Bataan!
Now I got some small *cough* problems to get rid of those 35 units. They are fortified and basically have he numbers.
So how to reduce those troops asap?

With a 14" coastal battery sitting there even travelling through the hex is costly. You get results like this:

[Arnir]

Take this with a grain of salt as it comes from UV, more that WitP, but:

I would assume that you should shift some serious air assets into bombing and strafing the troops to up their disruption factor and lower their morale. Plus keep them cut off from supplies.

None of this is earth shattering, but beyond stealing at atomic bomb via time travel, I can't think of much else to suggest.

[Odin]

Hm, i´ve not yet WITP, but my suggestion is let them there and let them starve to death...is this base really that important for you to slaughter your own men?

[Hammer2001]

Those troops will be isolate unless the allied make an effort to suply them in dangerous waters. I think it will be a good oportunity to sink some allied cargo or even warships. It should divert allied units from better missions.

[Grouchy]

ORIGINAL: Odin

Hm, i´ve not yet WITP, but my suggestion is let them there and let them starve to death...is this base really that important for you to slaughter your own men?

The base is not that important, but i got a tight shedule to keep and can really use those troops elsewhere. Need to occupy those Oz beer factories asap. With only skunky US and Canadian beer, alllied morale will collapse and the world will be mine! [;)]

[DoomedMantis]

A fair proportion of those 35 units are base units, AA etc. Once your troops go in, you will quickly reduce them due to lack of supply

[DoomedMantis]

I would suggest using air power to soften them up as well, and destroy some of there supply

[2Stepper]

<bump>

Yep! Go after port and airfield in the hex with airpower. This will do a number on their supplies and you can move in. I've taken down a superior Japanese force with roughly 2/3rd allied before using this same tactic. And to enhance the effectiveness of your air power? Send recon planes with them. They take BDA pictures to make the bombing more effective... Sounds overly technical, but it works...

They'll be sawing off wood chips for bullets and eating leaves in no time. LOL! Then you can go after the aussie beer. [8D][:D]

[Grouchy]

ORIGINAL: Hammer2001

Those troops will be isolate unless the allied make an effort to suply them in dangerous waters. I think it will be a good oportunity to sink some allied cargo or even warships. It should divert allied units from better missions.

Ooh yes, there where plenty of warships at Bataan. Recon showed TF's containing several CA's. In response i redeployed a lot of air to Clark field.

Out of my head Hr.Ms. Java, Tromp, De Ruyter, Exeter, Durban and ships of smaller classes where attacked [:)]


[edit]

Thanks for the reponses, gonna start to destroy their supplies. After that I'm going to commit my troops and see what will happens.

[Charles2222]

ORIGINAL: DoomedMantis

I would suggest using air power to soften them up as well, and destroy some of there supply

bombardment TF's wouldn't hurt either.

[Hoplosternum]

Charles - there is a very nasty Coastal battery with 14" guns ready to punish your Bombardment TFs. Perhaps best to hold off on those Bombardment runs to Bataan [:D]

[Odin]

14"´s are a good argument to stay on distance.

A Battleship can get hurt....bombardement can be expensive[;)]

[Xargun]

I personally would build up the forts in the nearby bases, leave some good units (divisions) so he doesn't break out and just let his men starve.. Come back in a month or so and attack. Use some bombardments (air and artillery) and then deliberate attack.. By then they should be combat ineffective.

Xargun

[Mr.Frag]

Keep in mind, you don't need to kill them. Wait a month for them to starve. Bombard them with your troops to burn up supplies. Eventually they will go under without major losses on your side.

This game is not about winning a fight, anyone can do that. It is about winning the fight *effectively* while taking the minimum losses to your own troops. There is a huge difference between those two.

[Charles2222]

ORIGINAL: Hoplosternum

Charles - there is a very nasty Coastal battery with 14" guns ready to punish your Bombardment TFs. Perhaps best to hold off on those Bombardment runs to Bataan [:D]

Oh, well just wait for the Yamoto then[:D].

[Mr.Frag]

ORIGINAL: Charles_22

ORIGINAL: Hoplosternum

Charles - there is a very nasty Coastal battery with 14" guns ready to punish your Bombardment TFs. Perhaps best to hold off on those Bombardment runs to Bataan [:D]

Oh, well just wait for the Yamoto then[:D].

Also note the mines [X(]

Also note that getting to Manila goes *through* Bataan's hex so you'll get hit twice. [X(]

[Titanwarrior89]

Geez, Ive got to write that one down.[:D] Soundly put.[;)]

ORIGINAL: Mr.Frag

Keep in mind, you don't need to kill them. Wait a month for them to starve. Bombard them with your troops to burn up supplies. Eventually they will go under without major losses on your side.

This game is not about winning a fight, anyone can do that. It is about winning the fight *effectively* while taking the minimum losses to your own troops. There is a huge difference between those two.