johnjohn
Posts: 130
Joined: 9/18/2010
From: Arvada, CO
Status: offline
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This could be interesting. I, for one, am in my first campaign against the AI, though using 1 day turns. I must admit the learning curve is a significant issue for the first time player. It is more than strategy, though following the historical strategy of the allies does work--or at least it worked for me. Just a few simple concerns from the beginning.
1. Read the manual. There are lots of details that affect use of ships, land units (LCU's), aircraft, headquarters, sub ops, and so forth. The more conversant a player is with the manual, the less confusion results from the orders.
2. Beware the KB! The AI will try to form the Pearl Harbor attack force again and again. As the allies, your carriers, which are limited to two carrier task groups in the first year unless you want to suffer immense ops penalties, are no match for six CVs, even if ship for ship the enemy's are not as capable as yours.
3. Train, Train, Train! The allied forces are underprepared for war. Read how to set LCUs, A/C Sqd or Detachments to training status. Start training right away. Remember, if you set the carrier air groups to train and then send them out on operations, re set the air groups to operations. Read the manual for how to do this and which operations for each component, fighters (escort), dive bombers (naval or land attacks plus some search component and ASW) and torpedo bombers (naval or land attack plus search or ASW if DBs not doing that).
4. Hording resources. The enemy strategy historically is to hit the Philipines, Hong Kong, start the Malaysia campaign to take Singapore and then turns toward Burma and the Dutch East Indies. It also will attempt to take the Noumea, Suva, Pago Pago line. If you cannot hold any of those islands, then you must think about where to base South Pacific Operations and how to move supplies to them. (Tahiti, Bora Bora--which needs lots of supply and improvements--and Auckland are your main options. Hording means moving supplies and resources out of the danger areas to more secure places, like Perth, Sydney, Calcutta, and Columbo. It is essential to try and get as much of the oil/fuel out of the DEI before it falls. It also means turning off replacement aircraft in all rear area squadrons, and expansion for all bases in the PI, DEI, Malaya, and Burma--and especially in China. Those expansions suck up supply--which in most areas, before you start lifting it in, is a real problem. Lastly, move all major warships to safe areas. Consider for you what bases (like Pearl Harbor) that you cannot afford to lose. Defend those with troops and dig in deep. Do not be afraid to keep significant parts of your fleets on the West Coast or Cape Town. Also, when possible, operate only within friendly airbases with fighter and naval/marine bomber support. Developed land bases with defenders (the unsinkable aircraft carrier) is very helpful to support naval air operations. Lastly, use the "Sir Robin" tactic. Runaway is not cowardice, but a prudent way to preserve essential assets for later in the war.
5. If this is your first foray with Admiral's Ed., you will be amazed at what happens in 1943 when the supply, support pipeline starts producing in large quantities. New planes, new ships, and plentiful transports and assault ships will allow you to take the initiative. The object until then is to survive.
6. Keep Austrailia (Oz or Aussie) in the war. You will have to decide if returning forces from the Middle East should go to Aussie or India. That really depends on what is happening in Burma and if the enemy decides to invade India. I sent all SWPAC LCUs to Sydney which allowed me to divert to India a number of experienced Aussie divisions coming home from the middle east.
7. Read the AARs of other opponents and learn from their mistakes. Sieze the tactical advice even if you cannot implement it. One thought in turn one is to make sure the Prince of Wales task force goes South, not North (which is certain destruction). Both PoW and Repulse are good carrier escorts if you save them. Another strategy is to pull the Lark and other battalions out of their forward positions so as to form a combined unit. The same goes for the 8th Aussie in Singapore. Extraction of these units may not be possible, but it is something to think about. These are the tips you find from players who are further along than you may be.
There is much more to learn than I can remember to include. One piece of advice for an aggressive allied player. Always keep track of the KB. If you know where the main enemy carrier fleet is operating, then you know where they are not operating, which may provide an opportunity to hit the enemy where they ain't. But remember Sir Robin, and run away if it comes for you.
Lastly, intelligence and how you handle it is very important. Read every Intel report and try to track who is where. That will give you some idea of what is available and where it may be going. Otherwise, the enemy may show up at your front door and kick it in before you can load the shotgun.
Johnjohn
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