Matrix Games Forums

Hi guys,

Well, I'm still on my first and only WiTP game as Allies vs AI Japanese. Its April 1943 and I'm finally on the offensive. Its now that I realise it would be most helpful to know what I'm up against when planning my offensives. So forgive my ignorance here but would some kind soul explain to me what the different Jap LCU's are and which particular Divisions are Japan's elite?

e.g I'd like to know what a SNLF, an NLF, an Ind. Brigade, aVM division etc is? And any others you'd care to mention.

Thanks in advance.

[:)]

Okay, let's see...

NLF = Naval Landing Force
SNLF = Special Naval Landing Force

Both are fielded by the Japanese Navy, and are basically the Jap Marine Corps. The SNLF probably (though I'm not sure) start out as being more experienced than the NLF's, and maybe a bit bigger, but by 4/43 I don't know how that's evened out (Am at 1/43 in my own game vs. the Jap AI).

Ind. (Independent) Brigades are small infantry divisions in all but name.

VM divisions: I think VM stands for Vietnam Militia, and these only appear if you invade Indochina. They aren't worth much. I pushed a Chinese army group across the border and took Hanoi in 7 or 8/42 and have held it since, conveniently blocking the overland exit from Haiphong by the Japanese 21st Division..[:)]

Another unit type you'll encounter is the Nv.Gd., or Naval Garrison force, which should be of something like batallion size. Not really a threat unless you don't land in force yourself.

Generally speaking, expect the Japanese island garrisons to fight like hell and take a long time to overcome. Attack from the air, bombard from the sea, blockade the base to ensure he can't reinforce, and then just pile on and get it done!

You should be aware that the standard assault division is substantially larger for the Japanese than the Allies. While Allied divisions have 300-375 rifle squads in them the main Japanese divisions have about 450. Japanese light divisions and brigades (which are found most commonly in China and Manchuria) have about 300 rifle squads.

The heavy Japanese infantry didvisions often have a small internal arnour component but are usually weak in terms of engineers. The Japanese have specific combat engineer brigades that need to be used in conjuction with infantry divisions when assaulting a fortified position.

Thanks guys. I did wonder if the VM divs were militia, even my Chinese have managed to beat up on them. The other significant difference I've been noticing is that Japanese base forces take part in assaults and even on their own are capable of beating off assaults from combat units.

The Japanese base forces have TOE that typically gives them about 40 squads of SNLF or infantry, which gives them a respectable assault value. Special base forces have even more assault strength as well as substantial AV support. All bfs are weak in engineers and essentially lack engineering vehicles however, and and so are much slower to build bases (without additonal construction units).

The Japanese base forces typically arrive on the board at about 50% strength and have no infantry component to begin with. It takes two to three months with replacements on to build them up to full strength.

VM stands for the Vietminh, the fore runners of the Viet Cong

And you think the Japanese could raise 3 or 4 divisions of Vietminh to fight FOR them?

And you think the Japanese could raise 3 or 4 divisions of Vietminh to fight FOR them?

I believe they are modeled on the premise that if Indo China gets invaded by Whitey. These Divs are formed by VM collaborators who fight for independence under a Jap flag; like the Indian National Army in Burma.

Could be possible, I suppose...[:)]