@Shr3dZ:
Im just throwing this out there, I havent played enough to know for sure, but if the Japs invest heavily into airfields and supplies, the equal and opposite maneuver would be for the Yanks to go all units. If NG has an airfield on the first turn, and they are spending even more on trannies and supply for more airfields, the Yanks should have a good shot at taking NG for themselves no (assuming you go with all unit purchases)?
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Have tried these unit heavy approach. Bought only one token, fall behind VP from second turn on. Attack New Georgia heavy: Lost three land units, one cruiser, several air units before land attack, and attacked with 25 or 26 dices against 25 japanese.
Was lucky with my two subs, could get one CV. Was more lucky with the japanese counter attack via air to my carriers - lost only the defending DDs.
Regardless of some disastrous dices (not controlled Santa Isabel on first turn; four japanese ART hit three ships on amphibic assault to New Georgia; 24 japanese dices hit 12 times) I got so much land units to New Georgia that I failed the control of the island only about one point. With normal dices I could get control of New Georgia. But is that enough? No! You have to eliminate all japanese ground units before get control over the airfield, and I didn’t come close to that.
My clonclusion so far: If the japanese bunkered on New Georgia, no land victory is possible (normal dices).
Perhaps I will try an air based assault to the japanese airfields in next game, with an amphibious assault to New Georgia only for bind the air above this island and the japanese navy.
If the japanese act as I described above, I see these scenario:
Should be possible to get four fully loaded carriers with the US navy to sea zone I and four additional FIGs to the airfields on Santa Isabel and Guadalcanal to protect the fleet. Attack in the third round as second player and attack the two airfield on Bougainville with eight fighters. These airfields should not protected except with one AA gun, at these moment the japanese have to protect to many objectives: New Georgia themselve and two flotillas.
Protect the US fleet in zone I with the four FIGs from Guadalcanal and Santa Isabel, if needed. If not, save these FIGs four next turn, perhaps attack japanese navy in sea zone B (the japanese carrier group should be there) if not protected.
With some luck both airfields could be damaged. Will perhaps instantly repaired from the supply tokens that the japanese player might have in game right now, but with that tokens the fifth airfield on New Georgia will not build.
With some more luck the battleship and the cruiser in sea zone I can damaged one more airfield on New Georgia. Than the japanese should lose some air units because of missing landing slots.
Do not landing any ground units on that turn! They will be only cannon fodder. Fall back on turn four, bring four bombers to your airfields, replace any loss of FIG. Attack New Georgia again on turn five. Same procedure with the FIGs, additional attack with the bombers. Bomber from Malaita and Guadalcanal can reach Choiseul or sea zone B to attack airfield and/or carriers. Could be a good move to attack Choiseul (suicidal) with four bombers to bind japanese FIGs there.
Could be possible to hold position in the VP run or take the lead. Could buy some time for perhaps some US subs, that can be added to the plot for sinking of the japanese carriers.
Of course the japanese could decide to re-attack the amphibic force in zone I, but then I would return my own carriers to New Caledonia for better protection and put all naval and air unit in that attack. Should be all navy, 12 FIGs and five BMR. Sounds good … ;-)
Of course the japanese can try to protect the airfields with additional FIGs, but this will bring a gap on other places.
Of course the japanese can attack the CVs in zone I with their subs, but such thing happens: The american navy have to risk their carriers near Midway and lost one, if I remember right, but the reward …
We will see … :-)
