This is what I don’t understand, Jim. True, Japan starts with a lot of planes, but if you lose half your planes taking Sydney or Hawaii, what’s been destroying India and China during that offensive? You can’t do both at the same time with the same effectiveness as a single target. And what’s left to counter the ever-growing American fleet?
The key to beating Japan is dividing and conquering their navy. Even when Japan is getting 60+ IPCS, they still have to split it against India/China, ANZAC and building a navy to counter the US. They can’t keep up with America if they’re spending IPCS on land units.
As the allies, I try and stretch the Japanese navy. If Japan goes all out against India, I have them build a navy. The Japanese planes won’t be in range for several turns, and every fighter/naval unit lost helps America out. So to does any fodder that Japan sends there way (destroyers/subs).
Knowing there is nothing you can do to stop India from being sacked, I figure the best thing is to take out the units that matter most to America: navy. You start with enough planes to be able to build a carrier per turn for some time.
When Australia is left for last, I tend to have at least 2 loaded carriers (all fighters) with a transport threatening the DEI. Same as above, if They break off more to deal with it, or take out Sydney first, it’s less attacking India and threatening the US fleet.
While Japan can most certainly crush India, Sydney, or Hawaii at will, taking one of those is by no means a guaranteed victory.