2 replies to this topic

[Jim O'Neil]

By skipping the Savo island battle, the IJN gives the allies a chance to land 11,000 troops and even some tanks on Guadalcanal! The odds of the Japanese overcoming this force s remote at best.

The IJN player must refight Savo Island and work to sink some transports. This cripples the Allies some and puts the TAC  start in a more favorable position. The odds are still against the IJN , but this does give them a better chance. IF they can grab Henderson field, they again improve their odds.

The current rules do not allow an attack on the airfield in turn 1, despite Col Ichiki assaulting towards it in the wee hours of 21 August 1942! I suggest that you get your fellow gamer(s) to agree to allow this attack.

This with the potential loss of transports gives the IJN player a chance of getting a better  outcome.

 

 

[W. Clark]

I would argue that Ichiki on his own is not strong enough to take Henderson Field (he failed historically). I think Ichiki's attack to have any chance of success has to be prefaced by fighting Savo and Mikawa has get into the anchorage (as you just did) and sink enough transports and cargo ships to cripple the Marines by taking out their ability to resupply ammo and unload support (arty/tanks and what not), not to mention keeping the Navy's CBs from landing what they need to complete Henderson as they historically did. If that happens, then Henderson is not operational and the Allies have the same problems in providing air support and coverage as the Japanese did. To sum up, the Japanese by doing the above take Henderson out of play. The Allies now need to take Henderson in order to get it into play and of course to win the campaign. IMHO that better illustrates the situation early on before the Allies had totally gotten their ducks in a row. It also IMHO gives TSC more balance. Mikawa's historical choice to preserve his force and withdraw instead of attacking the anchorage doomed Ichiki's effort IMHO.

 

WMC

[Jim O'Neil]

True,except the Marines historically used the IJN equipment (steam rollers, tampers and such) to make Henderson operational, so the Japanese can do so as well.

If I recall correctly , it took the Marines several days to get Henderson operational, so it will take the IJN as long for sure.  Need a die roll to see if the Japanese recovered their Radar set.