@sargon:
Thank you for your kind words. I will look at the other sites. The reason I asked the question is just because we use Alpha 2 does not mean it alleviates the other rules set forth in the rule book such as those at pages 27 (Europe) and 26 (Pacific). Since it stated that the sea zone and island group are counted as one movement I understood this to mean that a strategic bomber could hit the Philippines on movement #4 and retreat to Kwangsi by move #7. If this is a correct interpretation it would significantly affect Japan’s strategies and movements. Same if it is not the correct interpretation.
What would be the correct interpretation?
Again regarding Japan’s strategy and again an interpretation of the rules as to U.S. ships not being able to end their movement in sea zones adjacent to a Jap controlled island group. One could state that sz #23 is adjacent to Jap controlled Marianas or Marshall. Other interpretation is adjacent to island group such as sz 22 or sz 32.
Which is it?
Per page 27, second paragraph, Europe 1940, 3rd sentence: “When flying to an island group, count the surrounding sea zone(1st move) and the island group itself (2nd Move) as one space each.” This means 2 spaces are consumed to reach the island. While I can see how it might be misread, the modifier “one space” before “each”, means each consumes one space. Hence 2 moves.
From Japan a bomber flies: sz6, 19,20,35,THEN the island called Philippines, THEN 35, and crash in your choice of 20,21,34,36,43,44,45 hence making it an illegal move as you must be able to land in order to make the combat move.
Sea zone 23 is empty of and territories to be controlled. As an empty sea zone, Yes USA can move there as there are no Japanese controlled “territories” within it to prevent the move.
Hope that helps, also I am not the “official” answer guy, just looking to help.