The Power of Inexperience / GreyJoy(A)-Rader(J)

Post descriptions of your brilliant victories and unfortunate defeats here.

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Roger Neilson II
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RE: Fighting for surviving

Post by Roger Neilson II »

To 'borrow' a comment from the Crimean War and change it..... this is a great war, but its not the Pacific War.....

'C'est magnifique, mais ce n'est pas la guerre'

from now on I'm commenting on aspects of the game in the thread LoBaron has started, will still watch this with a mixture of awe and disbelief.

Roger
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GreyJoy
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RE: Fighting for surviving

Post by GreyJoy »

Ok, let's try to make a comprehensive report of the last weeks of fightings.

January 1943 is almost over and the allies are fighting with teeth and nails to remain grabbed at the Solomons' shores.

The Japanese, since october, managed to estabilish a chain of mutual supporting bases from Rabaul down south till Choiseul Bay (including Green Island, Torobika and Shortland). With these bases, and with the constant presence and support of the KB, they managed to dislodge the allied Air Force from Lunga, Tulagi and Tessafaronga, and landed at Russell Island (1 hex north of Tassafaronga) with 2 big Infantry units. On the 14th Jan 1943 5 Japanese Divisions landed at Tulagi, after that the Japanese BBs have bombed back to stoneage Lunga AF and Port, forcing the allied air force to move back everything to Ndani.
The allies tried to face the landings with subs, mines and PTs. Few SDBs were moved to Tulagi and Tassafaronga too in order to interdict a bit the enemy shippings at Tulagi.
The landing operations were bloody for Japan, who lost nearly 30 ships due to PTs, Subs, mines or Air Bombing but on the second day they managed to get ashore 2000 very experienced AVs.
The allied barely had 395 AVs, mainly composed of 1 (sep) US Rgt and the 22nd Marines Regiment, along with a USMC Def Unit with the dreaded 155mm (that inflicted several losses to enemy transports), all behind 5 forts.
The first assault of the Japs put down forts to level 4 but obtain only a 1-2 with heavy casualities.
Then the allies, with their shoulders pressed on the wall, with no other choices but to fight and hope, started to hit back.
We sent several Naval surface missions against enemy shippings at Tulagi and at Russell Island. The results were "even"...but not decisive.
The KB remained in a position west of Munda and kept on supporting the operations, bombing Tassafaronga, Lunga and Tulagi.
The allies decided to try to get back with their fighter force on the Solomons and ambushed 4 times enemy bombers over Tulagi, playing "Cat&Mouse" against the heavy sweeps (Tojos and Zeros) that daily arrived over The Solomons.
Despite heavy losses, the allied never lost entirely the grip and, day by day, they managed to get better odds against the enemy planes.

At the very same time the Air Transport Army (150 C-47s) from Ndeni managed to bring to Tulagi another US Regiment and a fast xAKs TFs, escorted by minesweepers, delivered at Tulagi the 3rd USMC Tank Bn. This was possibile only because Rader had to move back his fleet...waters around Tulagi were becoming too dangerous even for the allmighty Combined Fleet.

Between 18th and 24th Jan Tulagi supplies reserves moved from 7000 to 39500, while another Japanese assault was pushed back (1-2 but forts down to 3).

Allied 2Es bombed daily the enemy beacheads at Tulagi, while 4Es closed the newly conquered Russell Island AF. The latter was a very important mission cause it denied the japs a very important base just one hex from Tulagi (with Russell operative any allied activity in the SOlomons would be at risk).

The KB tried to solve all at once the problems posed by the 4Es and by the 2 British BBs (Revange and Ramilles) operating from Ndani and on the 23th came to raid the base. The allies have forseen this move and had moved back to Ndani all their fighting air force. The battle raged fierce through the whole day. Japan sunk 13 AKs and destroyed 20 planes on the ground but didn't achieve its goal cause the BBs went away without a scratch and the 4Es were still operative. The cost for both the opponents was very high but the KB paid a HUGE price in terms of a/c and pilots (with more than 240 Kates lost). The day was the bloodiest day in the war so far with 660 planes lost for the japanese and more than 300 for the allies...

The KB fell back to lick her wounds and the allies decided it was time to be more aggressive. P-38s were sent to sweep Choiseul Bay (the main base for his fighter force), followed by 50 4Es. ...well the rest is present!

So now the situation sees a whole Japanese Army stuck on the beaches of Tulagi and the Solomons that remain contested air, sea and land.

Rader is surely getting ready for another push. He cannot let 60k men rotting at Tulagi. At the same time the allies have no choice but to fight.

So now we're sending the 3rd USMC Division to Tulagi along with 2 USMC Artillery Units. Allied CVs are on the move too (safe for the Hornet which is still repairing). We have 5 fleet CVs and 7 CVEs...not so much but not even bad if we manage to fight under favourable conditions.
These favourable conditions imply that the 4Es must keep enemy LBA as far as possible from the Solomons.

40 subs allied subs, all equipped with radar and with the latest upgrade will support the upcoming operation operation.

He must bring more troops to Tulagi. We have to do the same. We both have our best assets in the area...a clash of titans is inevitable

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GreyJoy
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RE: Fighting for surviving

Post by GreyJoy »

The situation map on the 25th Jan 1943

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Itdepends
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RE: Fighting for surviving

Post by Itdepends »

For a laugh- go back 2 or 3 pages and read the posts by the "other" Greyjoy. You know- the one that was lamenting all hope of any victory and getting his ass kicked by the invincible Japanese.
Nice to see things are looking up.
Daniel
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GreyJoy
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RE: Fighting for surviving

Post by GreyJoy »

ORIGINAL: Itdepends

For a laugh- go back 2 or 3 pages and read the posts by the "other" Greyjoy. You know- the one that was lamenting all hope of any victory and getting his ass kicked by the invincible Japanese.
Nice to see things are looking up.
Daniel

Yes, i re-read very often what i do write the previous days and what the readers suggested.

The ups and downs in terms of morale are something really deep inside my character...but i have to say that the defeats i've suffered were so bad that probably many others would have been scared like me.

However the battle is far from being over. Japan has still a Huge advantage in terms of troops and planes...but for sure we've scored some good points in the last 2 weeks and we've halted (temporarly maybe) the tide at Tulagi.

If we manage to hold on in the Solomons the war may change its course...could be the turning point we were looking for...

At the same time if we lose them (along maybe with my carriers) the allies will have to go back and lick their wounds for another year at least

Thanks for coming in Daniel! Welcome aboard
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SoliInvictus202
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RE: Fighting for surviving

Post by SoliInvictus202 »

how many "useful" APs and AKs do you still have? - he pretty much smashed your entire fleet of those at PM - didn't he?
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GreyJoy
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RE: Fighting for surviving

Post by GreyJoy »

I still have 13 APs (of which 3 are so badly damaged that i'll need more than 1 year to have them back online) and 12 AK (with 1 so damaged that it would be better to scuttle it).

I know...my landing capabilities will be limited for some time...but LSTs and other vessells are starting to arrive in good numbers...hopefully by mid-summer 1943 i'll have enough decent landing ships again
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MAARTENR
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RE: Fighting for surviving

Post by MAARTENR »

Nice to follow your fight GreyJoy. Goodluck. How much hours are you spending at your game?

ps how do i make mine picture smaller?[X(]
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GreyJoy
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RE: Fighting for surviving

Post by GreyJoy »

Ok, now we MUST keep the controll of the skies over Lunga and Tulagi. We have to use the time gained draining the KB (she'll take few days to replenish at Truk) to estabilish again the air supremacy over the Solomons. Our CVs are moving in. I will badly need their firepower ...but i have to be carefull...i bet Rader, as soon as he sniffs their presence, will come hunting them with the KB.
So to keep the waters between Ndani and Lunga a not safe place for his KB, i need to keep his LBA as far as possible. My 4Es will be used intensively and we'll devote every possible effort to keep open Handerson Field.
We'll be resupplying Tulagi with xAKs and C-47s and hopefully we'll be able to start transfering there the 3rd USMC Div by the end of January.

Finally some fuel is arriving at Lungaville and Ndani. The Christmas Island Bottleneck has been solved and now a decent quantity of fuel is flowing towards Pago Pago, Suva and Lungaville. We're also moving along with the CVs, 2 replenishment TFs with 240k fuel.

Our modern BBs will arrive along with the CVs and finally also the Hornet has left the SF drydock
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GreyJoy
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RE: Fighting for surviving

Post by GreyJoy »

ORIGINAL: MAARTENR

Nice to follow your fight GreyJoy. Goodluck. How much hours are you spending at your game?


defenetly too many[:'(]
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Erkki
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RE: Fighting for surviving

Post by Erkki »

ORIGINAL: GreyJoy

Ok, now we MUST keep the controll of the skies over Lunga and Tulagi. We have to use the time gained draining the KB (she'll take few days to replenish at Truk) to estabilish again the air supremacy over the Solomons. Our CVs are moving in. I will badly need their firepower ...but i have to be carefull...i bet Rader, as soon as he sniffs their presence, will come hunting them with the KB.

Invert this: YOU are going to hunt the KB!

As you know, the air groups can only pull 12 planes/week from the pool. He will need at least 14 days (after reaching a port) + 2-3 days of replacement A/C repairs to get back in full ready A/C strength, and with the rate hes been losing pilots during the entire war, I dont think his replacement TB pilots(that need NavT, LowN and NavS skills) are any good at all.

Sure you might, and probably will, get hurt more than him, but even 2:1 losses will favor YOU in the long run, not him.

If you can engage him so that any cripples of yours will not be in Netty range the following day or can be CAPed by LBA Wildcats, P-38s or others, I would seriously consider forcing a CV battle, possibly even before Wasp arrives. If you wait till the Essexes, he will get Taiho, 2 CVEs and possibly, or knowing Rader, probably, 1 or 2 Unruys before you achieve carrier parity again.

BTW, theoretical KB strength is now Akagi(81), Kaga(72), Hiryu(71), Shokaku(72), Zuikaku(72), Soryu(63), Junyo(53), Hiyo(53), Zuiho(30), Shoho(30), Ryujo(48), Hosho(20), Ryuho(31), Taiyo(27), Unyo(27), Chuyo(27) = 777 aircraft.
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ny59giants
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RE: Fighting for surviving

Post by ny59giants »

I know you have lost lots of ships to date. But, you have been receiving the new Fletcher Class DDs and Cleveland Class CLs. I am many months away from trying to form some hunter killer SC TF with one Cleveland CL and 4 to 6 Fletcher DDs. If I can I may try to double those numbers (2 CLs and 8 DDs). to start the attrition process. You need to keep your CVs protected with your CAs and enough DDs, but these new class of ships have the armor and weapons to cause him some pain as long as they don't go up against BBs. Just a thought. [;)]

Sub placement - If you have any, I would place some (4 to 6 in each area) in Patrol Zones 5 hexes west (looking for fuel from SRA), south (warships coming and going) and north (reinforcements and supply from Japan) of Truk (extreme range of Helens) to start to get some shots and hopefully some needed intel on his movements.
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Canoerebel
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RE: Fighting for surviving

Post by Canoerebel »

GreyJoy, I think you came up with a new title for your AAR. Here's a quote from your summary post up above:

"...no other choices but to fight and hope."

That's exactlly what you've been doing - fighting with great passion and hope. Well done, considering the odds against you - the scenario, your inexperience (at the start, which certainly cost you China and therefore put you beind the eightball from the word go) and an opponent who is willing to do just about anything incuding marching 5,000 AV across the Owen Stanleys. No matter what happens, you have much to be proud of.

I haven't posted as much lately because you are getting tons of advice, much of it contradictory to each other. Also, you have shown a willingness to dig in and fight, sifting through the advice to help you make your choices. That's the way it should be done!

I will say this before yielding the floor - don't bring your carriers to the fight in the Solomons. Rader will expect that, of course, and he knows how to orchestrate a carrier battle. Even with the great aircraft losses suffered by the KB, your carriers will almost certainly be outnumbered and outclassed. You will almost certainly lose the resulting clash. Can you imagine, one month from now, being in a position of have five or eight or ten less carriers, and your opponen having perhaps two or three less?

(That's the gloomy side of me. There is a small chance you could win a carrier battle, and then just laugh at me. But the odds are against that, and I don't think you're going to like the game very much when you've lost your best (only?) means of striking for a year or so.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
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Canoerebel
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RE: Fighting for surviving

Post by Canoerebel »

Perhaps I should explain my thoughts about your use of the Allied carriers.

The Solomons are and will be a target-rich environment that is also incredibly hazardous.  A very experienced player might well commit his carriers there, knowing when not to use them and when to use them.  He would be very nervous the whole time, because he would remember the times when he was a newb, committed his carriers, and got thrashed.

If your carriers are in a target-rich environment, you're going to succumb to the temptation to use them.  You won't be able to help yourself.  And rader, being a very experienced player, knows how and when to use the KB.  Since the KB is almost always stronger than the Allied carriers in 1942 and 1943, your almost certainly going to lose the resulting fight.  Lose it in a very big way.  It's going to crush your spirits like nothing else has done in the game to date.

You are struggling to survive against an experienced opponent who is able to mass forces beyond anything ever seen in AE (due to his conquest of China and most of India).  Your carriers are the one thing that permit you to impose temporary superiority in any location in which your carriers are and the KB isn't.  That means you stil pose a strategic threat to Japan.  But once you lose your carriers, you become much less of a threat...and you also find yourself in the position of only being able to fight under cover of LBA until 1944.  The game becomes a real drudge for an Allied player fighting under those circumstances.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
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GreyJoy
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RE: Fighting for surviving

Post by GreyJoy »

Erkki, NY59 and CR, thanks as always for your contributios and wise suggestions.
 
I'm not willing to fight a pure carrier battle. Not now. Not with wildcats. However i need those planes and i need the "presence" of my CVs around. Be sure that Rader would not have dared to raid Ndani like he did, far away from his bases, if my CVs were around. I need him to sniff them. To feel their presence...their shadow lingering on the Solomons...where 5 of his Divisions are trapped (well, maybe they are not trapped yet, but they're risking to be trapped).
he knows how to fight a CV battle, while i don't. I know. But i really feel i cannot efford to lose the Solomons. I cannot efford to lose 110,000 of my best men.
He probably feels the same right now. Can he efford to lose 5 Divisions? don't think so, even if he has plenty of them...
 
However i promise (to you and to myself) that i'll be cautious. I won't be seeking for troubles, nor i won't be chasing the KB. Not now (sorry Erkki but his CVs are already back at Truk and would be madness to go hunting for them in those waters). Not like that.
But i'll be willing to use the smashing air power of my CVs if an opportunity arises.
If he wants to take Tulagi he needs his more troops and more landings. Then he will need to bring in his BBs and the KB in cover/supporting role. Under that conditions he will be voulnerable. I imagine moving my Carrier SDBs to Tassafaronga while he's landing at Tulagi...or something like that.
 
Here we have to fight. Here we will stand.
 
NY59Giants: yes, wise suggestion about subs. I'll try that disposition asap!
 
I have just sent 35 subs hunting between Calcutta-Port Blair and Singapore, while 4 more are patrolling southern Borneo waters. now the 40 in the pacific will be the eyes of my CVs. I wanna know where and when he moves from Truk.
 
I'm moving in more Catalinas and the newly arrived Conrados, along with the PB4Ys. The moment i fear the most is when we're moving...his subs are hidden now but i bet they'll spring up in the moment we move...and his fast CVs may always attempt to catch us off guard while we're transfering...so we're all well allerted.
 
CR: my Cvs will be outclassed and outnumbered...but if i manage to stay under the umbrella of my LBA (say P-38s, Corsairs and Spits) we can fight at equal terms.
 
for what concerns my new CLs and Fletcher DDs, yes, they're coming down with the CVs and the modern BBs...they'll be part of the giant drama that will take place.
 
771 A/Cs? ...wow...i should have 90x6 + say 25x7...let's say 600/650... I've chosen the less aggressive leaders and i've splitted my CVs in 3 TFs on 2 CVs each, with the CVEs operating togheder in another TF.
 
if there was a right moment where to bring them in...well this is the one...when the KB is licking her wounds and replenishing...i need to move now.
 
3 more regiments are on their way for Suva, along with engineers, base forces and tanks....
 
Again, thanks to everybody for making this experience so interesting and delightfull
 
Thx
 
 
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GreyJoy
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RE: Fighting for surviving

Post by GreyJoy »

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

Perhaps I should explain my thoughts about your use of the Allied carriers.

The Solomons are and will be a target-rich environment that is also incredibly hazardous.  A very experienced player might well commit his carriers there, knowing when not to use them and when to use them.  He would be very nervous the whole time, because he would remember the times when he was a newb, committed his carriers, and got thrashed.

If your carriers are in a target-rich environment, you're going to succumb to the temptation to use them.  You won't be able to help yourself.  And rader, being a very experienced player, knows how and when to use the KB.  Since the KB is almost always stronger than the Allied carriers in 1942 and 1943, your almost certainly going to lose the resulting fight.  Lose it in a very big way.  It's going to crush your spirits like nothing else has done in the game to date.

You are struggling to survive against an experienced opponent who is able to mass forces beyond anything ever seen in AE (due to his conquest of China and most of India).  Your carriers are the one thing that permit you to impose temporary superiority in any location in which your carriers are and the KB isn't.  That means you stil pose a strategic threat to Japan.  But once you lose your carriers, you become much less of a threat...and you also find yourself in the position of only being able to fight under cover of LBA until 1944.  The game becomes a real drudge for an Allied player fighting under those circumstances.

I know CR...i know the temptation will be huge...and difficult to resist...but if i don't bring them in, i won't be able to react when the time of another invasion will come (and i'm sure it will). I won't be able to stand another push. We all know that. If Tulagi falls, if Rennell and Russell become operative japanese AFs...everything will be lost. the whole Guadalcanal will be lost.
I cannot lose my Carriers, i know. But can i efford to lose 130,000 men? (consider that i've already lost 20,000 of them at PM).... don't think so. if the Solomons get penetrated, i won't be able to defend Ndeni, or Lungaville nor Noumea...the SOlomons are my shield at the moment and i need to fight with everything i have to keep this shield still on my left harm. Solomons are the rock against which the japanese waves must be crushed. We have to resist...and hope.
Soon those 5000 AVs that conquered PM will be ready to land somewhere else. Tassafarong for or Lunga for example...my fleet is the only thing that can keep them away.

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Canoerebel
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RE: Fighting for surviving

Post by Canoerebel »

You're letting him dictate things.  He wants to fight at the Solomons?  He wants to bring overwhelming force there?  Then you need to pick a different battlefield where you can bring the overwhelming force.
 
You cannot go toe-to-toe with Japan right now.
 
You can afford to lose men.  If you were to lose everything you've taken plus your troops, you wouldn't even notice it six months or a year down the road...as long as you still have your carriers.  Besides, the battle has cost him dearly too.  It's not like it's been a one-sided affair.
"Rats set fire to Mr. Cooper’s store in Fort Valley. No damage done." Columbus (Ga) Enquirer-Sun, October 2, 1880.
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GreyJoy
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RE: Fighting for surviving

Post by GreyJoy »

ORIGINAL: Canoerebel

You're letting him dictate things.  He wants to fight at the Solomons?  He wants to bring overwhelming force there?  Then you need to pick a different battlefield where you can bring the overwhelming force.

You cannot go toe-to-toe with Japan right now.

You can afford to lose men.  If you were to lose everything you've taken plus your troops, you wouldn't even notice it six months or a year down the road...as long as you still have your carriers.  Besides, the battle has cost him dearly too.  It's not like it's been a one-sided affair.

I simply don't have enough LCUs to do that CR. I cannot evacuate the Solomons under these conditions, nor i cannot find forces strong enough to attack somewhere else being sure that he won't come and splash me again with overwhelming forces. Now i got him pinned down and he's in a not-so-shining position at Tulagi. As i see things, this is an opportunity to remain on the defensive (so not risking any offensive landing operation) but, at the same time, to have the chance of bleeding him strongly.

Consider that our next major offensive operation will be this summer in India....so if i can keep him "trapped" here i'll have an easier time with my indian adventure.

If he conquers the Solomons, then he'll be free to land at Ndeni, Lungaville and Noumea...i'll lose more than 250,000 men in the process...no, it cannot be and that's why i need my CVs in theatre.

What if he takes his 5000 AVs he has in reserve and land in New Caledonia now? What will i have to oppose him?...only my CVs...

I understand what u say CR. I really do. But i really do see that without the CVs' power i cannot win the battle for Tulagi...and i need to win this battle. If won, this batgtle may change the course of the entire war. If lost...no matter how many CVs i have...losing all those units and transports will be a tragedy.

I'll remain focused. I promise. Focused and coutious. Won't throw them away...but i need to have them with me now.
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GreyJoy
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RE: Fighting for surviving

Post by GreyJoy »

Sorry guys but i have another question.

Does it really matter to spend PPs to get the correct chain of command when talking about LCUs?

I mean, at Tulagi i have the base which is attached to SWpac, while the units are differently attached to Pacifc Areas, Sopac or SWpac. Now i'm ready to move in a corp HQ...should i do something like:

Tulagi - SWPAC
Corp HQ - SWPAC (so changing it from Pacific Areas)
LCUs - Change them and attach them to the corp HQ

Is worth to spend all these PPs?
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WLockard
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RE: Fighting for surviving

Post by WLockard »

No.
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