ORIGINAL: Nemo121
The most viable course of action right now is NOT for Japan to mount an amphibious invasion of Iwo Jima. It just needs to interdict the supply lines, close the airfield ( and keep it closed ) and then bomb the supply base to nothingness. 8 Division in impregnable positions on an atoll with no bullets and no transport off the atoll are as useless as if every soldier in them were dead.
I agree.
I believe John is preparing a single massive blow aimed at forcing the withdrawal of Canoerebel's carrier forces so he can isolate Iwo Jima and pound it to smithereens.
I think ceding the initiative to John, allowing him time to get his forces organized for such a blow, letting him launch it when he's ready and only reacting to it when it comes is something of a mistake.
Considering John's style of play as has been related in this AAR, odds are low that John had all the forces required for such an attack already concentrated.
That would explain the seeming lack-luster response to the Iwo Jima invasion on John's part.
He needs to get the Combined Fleet concentrated.
As Canoerebel noted when his sub attacked Yamato, the probability that John's concentration point has been identified is high.
As John's concentration point has likely been identified, and as it's also likely that it's currently manned by only a portion of the Combined Fleet, it seems to me that an possible opportunity has been presented to destroy the Combined Fleet piecemeal, before all of John's forces are in position.
Such an attack would have the added benefit of helping to retain the initiative that was gained with the Iwo Jima invasion.