@SubmersedElk:
Allies could potentially stack Java SZ after J1 with 1 BB, 2 cruisers, 3 DD, 1 sub and can put 4 inf 5 ftr 1tac on Java proper.
As Japan I could theoretically respond to that by sending in 2BB 2 cruisers 1 sub 3AC 2bmb 2ftr 2tac, allowing a landing on Java with 6 inf 5 art 1 arm 2 ftr 2 tac. Running the numbers that’s about a 95 IPC swing, and of course the Allies would have zero warships, zero transports and zero airforce afterward. US could ship in what’s in Hawaii and a bmb for a counter but it would be facing 5-7 capital ships and a half-dozen air 1-2 DDs defending, so that would be another big win for Japan if it were tried.
Japan’s force does not need to be that large. Japan could choose to ignore the US units in a naval attack by not declaring war on the US. Japan can kill the US units during the next round because those US units cannot escape. The US units would watch the battle, then watch the amphibious assault. They could stick around for futile combat on US-next, or can run on US-next, and then be just as dead on Japan-next.
@SubmersedElk:
Alternatively, Japan could be prevented from taking Java for one round by picketing 5 different sea zones using 3 DD 2 cruisers. In the J2 scenario an ANZAC DD build or the French DD could prevent amphibious bombardment the next round, and those fighters if stationed in Java could counterstrike one or two of the picket killers, and that’s about as difficult as they could make it. With no air threat left except perhaps the US bomber, Japanese transports wouldn’t need warship cover for most of their movements for a few rounds.
This is true, as long as you use only ANZAC and UK destroyers and cruisers for the purpose. Oops, not quite enough of those…
@SubmersedElk:
I don’t like how those numbers add up for Allies, they’re better off consolidating a fleet off Queensland that could do some real damage to the IJN defensively and would have some protection from airbase fighters stationed there as well as backup 1 turn away in Hawaii moved there from western US SZ. If you sacrifice all that material then Japan is not under naval pressure at all for quite some time.
Again, Japan can ignore the US ships in the sea zone off Queensland. Of course, there the US ships could potentially escape unless Japan actually takes Queensland with an amphibious assault after decimating the fleet. If that’s the plan, wait for the US to declare war on you on its turn and then kill the piddly US fleet that cannot escape. Why fight the combined navy of three powers when you can take 1/3 of it out of play simply by not declaring war?
Marsh