DBB-B Scenario 30 (extended map with stacking limits)
House Rules:
Restricted units pay PPs to cross boarders (Exceptions: Kwantung Army in Russia, Japanese China Restricted Army in Mongolia, US/Canada units back and forth in the event of an invasion)
No allied units (other than Soviet and Red Chinese), in the Soviet Union.
Altitude limits: 21k in '41-'42, 26k in '43, 31k in '44, unlimited in '45-'46 (exceptions: Recon A/C)
Night bombing of airfields - max 1 squadron / base / turn. All other night bombing ok without limits.
no un-realistic resizing of squadrons. Small resizes to customize the CVW ok
He promises not to strat bomb in China. I will not be so nice [:)] (and I won't hold him to his promise)
low level 4E naval strikes OK
non base hex invasions allowed
single ship blockade runners and picket ships allowed (though picket ships should not be "x" ships (civilian)
Most normal settings. Notable PDU off, realistic R&D, and Historical first turn
Initial thoughts:
Allied intelligence intercepted this tidbit:
"The other rule I think will be important (and partially showing my hand here) is no Allied units on Russian soil and vice versa. Yep I intend to fight the Bear hard this game.
"misdirection? perhaps. We shall see.
West Coast
My biggest concern is the west coast. I don't know what he plans on in this game, but looking over the allied OOB, I'm very concerned about a early west coast smash and grab aimed at destroying A/C factories or ships not yet built.
To this end, I will spend significant effort to defend the west coast for the first few months.
The following cities can not be lost under any circumstances:
Portland
Seattle
San Francisco
LA
Close behind them are
Tacoma
San Diego
Salt Lake (emergency reserves deploy here and it starts the game undefended. Losing it to a para assault will cost precious time for the reinforcement package)
After that
Astoria
Oak Harbor
These 2 seem weird I know, but they are very exposed and you get most of your mine sweepers here. I don't want to have that handicap later in the game.
Finally
Mare Island
Alameda
Sacramento
These 3 are important and will be defended against para assault, however a true assault on them would need to either go through San Fran or come over land from the north or south (giving me time).
San Diego is a bit of a special case. Since it is at the end of the rail line and can be easily cut off, I'll need to add a little extra protection to it early. The rest can be covered by an initial force with reinforcements set to come in via strat mode quickly.
Soviet Union
I can't do much here until he makes his move. For now I will build forts in the south, and infrastructure in the north. I will set the supply spinners down south to full and stockpiling on to get as much supply as I can before he cuts the trans-Siberian rail line.
Once he invades, I'll mostly bug out down south leaving about 80k troops (SL for most bases down there). I'm assuming the rail line will be cut, so we'll go cross country where necessary. I'm not in a hurry here. I want to regroup even if it takes a long time prior to pushing in on him.
From looking at my last game, I assess the Soviets as having the following strengths and weaknesses:
Strengths
'43 and beyond infantry squads are among the best in the game - both in anti soft, anti hard, and replacement rate (better 400/month - better than the Chinese)
the terrain looks good
If I can consolidate up north, I will have shorter supply lines
they have a LOT of arty
Weaknesses:
Their armor sucks, and you get 0 replacements after about 4/42 (or maybe it was 3/42) until the T34 comes online in 5/44
Their aircraft suck, perhaps even more than their armor
that rail line is beyond easy to cut. There is no chance of getting sufficient supplies in by sea
So human wave attacks are about all I can sustain. I'll try to consolidate up north, then send in the cannon fodder.
China
I hope to not misplay China as bad as my last game. Perhaps a Soviet adventure will take some heat off these guys, but I doubt it.
That said, I'm going to go with a modified Alfred plan.
Units that can be bought out, will be and sent to India train and equip. Red Chinese units will be sent toward Russia for the same reasons.
Units will be set up in good terrain blocking positions. Other units will be set off the roads to come back later and make him keep cleaning up.
A large number of units will make for the mountains as a final redoubt.
DEI
Die as slowly as possible
Malaya
run to Singapore, die as slowly as possible
...same with the PI, only replace Singapore with Manila
Oz
This is my early number 2 priority behind West Coast. I'm not at all worried about the northern frontier. I'm also not too worried about a land invasion. However, I need to get AA down there quickly. I'll send some from the US and some from Colombo. The queen will probably be used here.
Pacific
Dig in at Hawaii. Start building bases in the Society islands. Expand west and north from their. CVs will be used as escorts for high value convoys. I may try to strike an odd outpost if the chance arises.
Basically, trade space for time.
NorPac
Nothing at first. I can't afford to lose the west coast. If he leaves it alone, I'll slowly start building up. I may try to occupy Adak to at least make him work for it. First I'll have to find something to occupy it with.
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