Japan vs Allied Subs

Thanks fellas !

Yep, you’re right, Saburo.  Man, it’s been a long time since I’ve played Pacific.   :oops:

Previous post corrected and +1 karma to Saburo.

Thank you

I generally have a hard time keeping all of the sub rules straight between the 4 games that use them :x which I find frustrating. If Guadalcanal is going to have subs I’m in big trouble.

Sometimes I have to tap my head with the heel of my hand to shake the correct rule out.  :roll:

It is not my essay.  As I mentioned, it was prepared by James Redford, a former DOI member.  I don’t know how to contact him, but the best bet is to contact Rich at wargamer’s Club at this email:  info[at]wargamersclub.org… He may be able to get or give approval for publishing.

SS

You mean if you have an ally’s fighter on your carrier as you move into combat with it? This is a fascinating question. I think that the fighter can’t take part in the battle in any way, including as fodder. Since the fighter is cargo on the carrier, I would treat it like any other cargo on a transport, since it’s basicly the same thing except with a fighter. Since the ally’s fighter cannot attack with your forces and it didn’t take off before the carrier moved, it must be considered on the carrier if it sinks. “If the fighter doesn’t take off before you move the carrier, the fighter is treated as cargo for the remained of your turn and may not fly, fight or be used as a casualty” (p. 32)

I think that if your going to win with Japan, do it either by capturing India, or victory points. Both of which I’ve seen done. Here’s my views on the following ways of Japan achieving victory. If Japan focuses on….

Australia

Problems with Invading Australia

America can fly planes down for support by the time Japan has assaulted Northern Australia Australia is a richer nation then India, raking in 20 IPCS as opposed to India’s 15 If you focus on taking down Austrlian IPCS (eg: invading java, and sumatra) in the islands, that by the time you reach New south wales, they have to much defense. Harder to get air support for your attack on New South Wales

Good things about Invading Australia

Going for Australia might be a good idea, only if the British player is anticipating an Indo Swing, and gives all the convoy money to India. Forcing Australia to have less money. If the British player makes poor purchases for Australia (eg: subs, and not any land defense units)

India

Problems with Invading India

Hard to get air support for assault on India, unless you capture Shan State or Yunnan by J2 or J3. Chinese forces, seeing a possible Japanese invasion of India, may send infantry to help, or invade your Korean, and Manchurian forces. Not a significant problem, but one to consider.

Good things about Invading India

You can mass a HUGE fleet in Sumatra, by J2. Composed of many destroyes, battleships (which are good for shore amphibious assaults), and 10-12 transports full of infantry, artillery, tanks. If by J2 you can capture Shan State, J3 you can land your planes there, and the planes will be in range of attacking the Indian Capital on J4. Even if India moves his forces up to Burma and trys to attack Shan State’s Japanese men, which they wont because they wont have enough men to defend India capital, the Burma forces will treat back to the captial because if they dont the ships and transports sitting in Sumatra sea zone will take the unguarded captial on J3. Farthest Capital away from USA, hard for USA to send fighter support If you go after India, you might be able to take China as well, not neccessary, but fun taking 2 capitals.

Victory Points

Problems with winning by Victory Points

Can make the game alot longer If you don’t pressure India or Australia, they will attack your helpless stray ships America can moblize an attacking force to invade Japan Capital

Good things about winning by Victory Points

If you can foritfy Java, Sumatra, Malaya, Borneo, with infantry and fighters, it will be difficult to invade them (all these islands and coastline territory have a combines IPC net of 14 IPC If you can keep a good supply line of transports going from Japan to the mainland (French Indo China, Siam) you can delay any India mainland attacks If you rake in 40 IPC a turn, and are holding that amount for 5 turns, you are almost guarenteed a victory

I just realized I was quite inexperienced when I first replied here. I’ve since switched to a somewhat more boring, yet rather intense, strategy for taking India. I nab as much in the northern dutch east indies that is of value, while cutting convoy routes and killing as much enemy navy as possible. I then move as many troops into southeast asia as possible (taking the offensive forces from Manchuria and Shantung as well) and continuously build infantry with perhaps some artillery and fighters; these all, of course, will be sent into French indo-china at the earliest possible convience. It is quite important to ignore China (possibly advancing in the north if the oppertunity presents itself) and to consolidate most of the navy in the central Pacific (perhaps some destroyers with the transports to protect against wayward enemy ships). we’ll see how unreliable this will be after being exposed to my play group for a few months.