are described FYI.
ORIGINAL: archita
I readed the notes of RHS mod on Japanese strategy on Russia. I want ask if a sort of successfull operation Kantokuen in '42 in game against allied AI in 105 scenario has political effects on Russia like active part of game ? I mean that if Japan neutralize, with luck and opportunities and many risks in other theatres, Vladivostok in '42, Russia may be pushed to negotiate with Japan or Russia will continue to hold far east divisions active in theatre and eventual partisan activity for whole lenght of war ( in this way several ground forces of Japan risks to be trapped as well with great advantage of allied player in other theatres ) ?
Russia is a special case. RHS in fact has two very different variations - Russians Passive like stock in Simplified RHS and Russians Active - a very different kettle of fish - in Full RHS.
This gives power to the players - you decide which you prefer? But note that AI does not grasp Russians who are Allies but are NOT at war with Japan -
so Russian active scenarios are only practical with humans on the Allied side. Otherwise, AI will start a war on its own!
The REASON we have active Russians is NOT to start a war early per se. It is, instead, to avoid some problems the ALLIES have with
a passive Russia:
1) You cannot build fortifications where you want;
2) You cannot move units where you want;
3) You cannot upgrade air units where and when you want;
4) You are forced to passively watch if Japan decides to invade - you may not
pre-empt and you may not move reserves in a prudent way. This is unfair.
5) You cannot start a war no matter what the situation is. So Japan can
"cheat" and send Kwangtung Army out of Manchukuo with no risk. The garrison
requirement is inadequate. For one thing, there is no rule about airplanes -
they can put all junk in Manchukuo - or even no planes at all - but it won't
trigger any penalty in VP terms - or tempt Russia into invading.
If an invasion by Russia in 1942 is virtually impossible - waiting until 1945 might not really
happen in all circumstances either. The design intent of active Russians (note it IS in AE
as an option to begin with) is to address all these issues. The Allies should not abuse
the benefits of active Russians by attacking Japan in circumstances Stalin would not have
allowed it.
Frankly I don't think Japan can cope with Russia - alone - never mind with Allies. Togo -
when Minister of War (he was a general in the IJA) - said
"Every night I go to sleep worried about Russia. Every morning I wake up without an answer."
Just so. Because there isn't one. Unless the Russians are badly managed. In particular, Russia
has strong defensive terrain where it matters (near Vladivostok) - and it has armor which is
superb compared to the Japanese - both in technical terms and in terms of troops trained to use it.
Nor can Japan afford another source of attrition on its air forces - it would just lose faster.
There IS intense interest in Russia - in particular by players who live in Russia (go figure).
I hope to work in some kind of Russian campaign during demonstration game RHS Test Ten Bravo.
