@squirecam Perhaps I can make myself clearer with a revision to the post
Converting to a CJF
So up until now I’ve been solidly a KGF guy. Guard against the vapid VC win, and go to town in Europe. However, the politics affects the navy much more in the Atlantic.
With Japan starting at 26, it might be easier to trip them up on their way to 64 than to trip up Germany. Thus I propose a CJF. This is to draw Japanese attention away from Calcutta, China, the money islands, Russia and Australia. You will do whatever it takes to draw the IJN toward Wake or Hawaii Islands. This is for the first 2 rounds at least, 3 normally and possibly 4. Then proceed as need dictates.
You will know you are finding success if:
Japan’s income is between 20 and 41.
The Chinese are making more than 16.
UK Pac is making more than 15.
Anzac is making more than 20.
The Japanese go before America. You must react:
If the IJN moves to or stays in the Mid Pac, you have already half succeeded. They will likely not have the money islands before t4. Calcutta can’t be attacked before t6. China can we a fortress! Ask for aggression from your Asian allies. They should be preparing to recapture Hong Kong before it has even fallen. Perhaps build a sub out of Delhi to stalk unescorted transports. Don’t let them grab income. Anzac can start grabbing money islands turn one.
If Japan attacks Pearl, this is also helpful. Especially if they don’t capture the island. They must move to the Carolines to get the movement bonus. Precious time is being wasted.
If Japan does the standard move to 36 or a J1 attack on the Phil Islands, we may have an opportunity. I discovered that a vast majority of the American units can make their way to Wake Island. Bring transports and units and drop a naval base t1 and you are in position to move to Guam. Anzac can contribute all air and sea units by t2 and can land on newly captured islands to act as scramblers. You can put out blockers as well.
Your purchases would be subs and planes and an occasional destroyer t1, 2, and 3 so that if the force were attacked your reserves would counter attack. I’m calling this the Banana Split.
I assume the death of the initial navy. It’s the reserves and their reserves (more planes and subs) that draw units into the same kill zone. So the initial casualty rate is say 20 or 30 percent of the IJN. The reserves kill another 10 or 20 percent AND makes the battlefield Wake. The 3rd wave goes at Wake and decimates past a threshold that makes the Japanese threat of Calcutta unalterably behind. It is US vs Japan, mano y mano. China thrives; UK sends troops to Yunnan and planes to ME or Moscow.
A capital ship race is sure to fail because you are afraid of losing the expensive units. Try a game where you buy zero capital ships. You depend on the airbases on the board. What I am trying to do is to kill at least 50 percent of the IJN on the cheap OR make Japan buy a shiny expensive worthless navy while the army starves. Navy is the one thing they should not buy since they need to outproduce their enemies on the continent. You are succeeding.
My reserves are planes that can hit the sz around Wake and then land on Wake. And subs which can reach Wake from the west coast. By turn 4 the IJN will need to attend to other matters. When they do, I could reconstruct a fleet if I have to and possibly move fighters to Guam. From there you can land in Yunnan or fortify and move on Phil Islands, having made transit in that area dangerous or impossible. You can also venture to the North Pacific and drop units off in Russia or convoy with subs. Give the Japanese no free lunch.
A J1 move south would allow the Wake Island staging to proceed two full turns without recourse. By then, it might be too late for the Japanese.
G40 is universally recognized as imbalanced in favor of the Axis. I don’t disagree. I’m talking about reshaping the map, the sides, sacrificing, slowing down Europe all just to see if maybe, just maybe I can grab the IJN s attention in the Mid Pac and stunt Japan’s income for 1 to 3 turns. It’s certainly an entertaining puzzle for me.
Korea does not factor into this strategy. Especially given the convoy situation. It’s about shrinking the Japanese balloon before it blows up.
Russia does play a part in this. They hold their Siberian troops near Japan. Not necessarily Amur, but close. Make them attack you. Make them activate the Mongolians. If they leave the area, take over Manchuria. Either way, you pin the troops and make them useless. We like infantry that never get used. You might also consider sending all Russian fast movers to western China to recapture the road if taken by the Japanese.
Japan is more fragile than we thought. By focusing on Japan for at most four turns, China and UKpac and Anzac should be able to contend with the Japanese army. Then you as America can commit powerfully to Europe. Perhaps with the same air power or navy that may has run roughshod over the Pac.
