Empire of the Sun Example of Play: Turn 2, 1942 Campaign Game
Japan Offensive #6
Ha-Go Operation(3)
Activate S HQ for an EC Offensive = 6(logistic) + 1(HQ) = 7 activations (ground and air only)
Movement
- 2nd AD(Singora) to Kulua Lampur. Declare Battle A in Singapore
- Kor,[16th](Batavia) to Tjilatjap. Declare Battle B
- 25th AD(Makassar) to Soerabaja. Join Battle B
- [17th](Makassar) to Sarong. 6/7 ASPs used
- 21st AF(Davao). Declare Battle C in Manila
- 5th AD (2812). Join Battle C
Allied HQs MA and SW Pac remain isolated
After movement, the SW and MA HQs are still isolated. ABDA is not but does not have any viable reaction opportunities. The CA US Asia could join a battle but it would only be cannon fodder. Note that the US cannot use a Special Reaction vs. Sarong because it is not in a US ZoI.
Reaction
- Intelligence Die Roll = 3 - 2zoi < 7 Intelligence Value, Intercept.
- No reaction.
The Ha-Go Offensive
Combat
- Battle A – Singapore
- Japan attacks with 20 factors, dr = 9, 100% x 20 = 20 hits. Elim MA AF
- MA AF fires back with 6 factors, dr = 9, critical hit. Flip 2nd AD
- Battle B – Tjilatjap
- Air/Naval
- Japan attacks with 10, dr = 2 => 3 hits, no effect
- Dutch defend with 7, dr = 5 => 4 hits, no effect
- Ground
- Japan attacks with 27, dr = 0 -2mixed = -2, => 13 hits flips the Dutch division
- The maximum damage the Dutch can do in return is 12 hits which is not enough to flip the Kor army which must take a hit before the already reduced 16th army is eliminated
- Dutch Division retreats to 1918
- Battle C – Manilla
- Japan attacks with 38 so the minimum result is 10 hits which eliminates the FE AF
- The FE AF fires backing looking for a critical hit, dr = 4
Post Battle Movement
- 21st AF to Sarong
- 25th AF to Makassar
Dutch AF emergency move to Palembang
The Allied HQs are now isolated the old fashioned way--with un-neutralized ZoI. Note that moving the Dutch AF to Bali would put it in supply if ANZAC is placed in Darwin on turn 3. In Palembang it would remain OOS but it would require Japan to eliminate it in order to get an air drm for a ground invasion. The most efficient way to take Palembang is with a single 9-12 ground unit and a CVL. With the Dutch air in the picture though, additional force would need to be brought to bear. On the other hand, having the Dutch air in supply would allow the Allies to react with it into a battle.
US Offensive #6
Designate last card as Future Offensive
No need to play "Heroic Repairs" as an OC offensive, or is there?
Japan Offensive #7
Mahatma Ghandi(3)
Activate CF HQ for an EC Offensive = 3(logistic) + 3(HQ) = 6 activations
Japan has a couple of options here for its last card: Attack Manila to conquer the Philippines; attack Guadalcanal to take the Mandates; attack Port Moresby and Gili-Gili to set-up taking New Guinea next turn; attack Biak to secure northwestern New Guniea; take a shot at the US carriers. Japan rolls the dice here; if successful, there is a good chance that Japan can get the PW hit for carriers for turn 2 and turn 3. (Of course this is from the Japanese perspective. Since we know that the US has Emergency Repairs, it is unlikely Japan would be able to eliminate all the US carriers on turn 3 as well.)
Movement
- ED(Tokyo) to Truk by Strategic Movement
- CV Shokaku, CV Akagi(Truk) to 5020. Declare Battle A in Funafiti
- CV Soryu (Eniwetok) to 5020, join Battle A
- BB Nagato(Truk) to Funafiti, join Battle A
- CA Aboa(Rabaul) to Funafiti, join Battle A
Reaction
- Intelligence Die Roll = 8 – 2zoi > 5 Intelligence Value...uh-oh, Surprise!
The demise of the US carrier fleet
Combat
- Japan attacks with 68, dr = 4 + 3surprise = 7, 100% x 64 = 64 hits, eliminate CV Enterprise, CV Lexington
- US has no forces left to return fire
Post Battle Movement
- CV Soryu, BB Nagato to Eniwetok
- CV Shokaku, CV Akagi, to Truk
- CA Aboa to Rabaul
Attrition Segment
Australian units in Australia and the PM brigade flip. R corps in Manila flips. Commonwealth forces in Malaysia flip.
National Status Segment
No surrenders. -1 PW for Strategic Naval Situation (carriers), PW to +7
A disastrous ending for the US. That is a permanent PW loss and will continue to haunt the US for the rest of the game (but at least India is safe from Ghandi). The US play in this example is questionable, starting with playing Arcadia at a time that Japan could easily neutralize ABDA. The play of the chindits was also questionable since it allowed Japan to go last and thus minimized the usage of Heroic Repairs. Finally, I recommend that the US keep at least one carrier and in most cases two carriers in Pearl on turn 2 and instead reposition MacArthur to Australia. Moving carriers gives Japan the chance to play a Sub card and puts them further from the US air units. The one instance that it is advisable to move a CV unit is when Japan is pressing the Solomons and New Guinea on turn 2. Being able to move a CV into a port in New Guinea on turn 2 can allow you to place reinforcements and HQs on the big island so as to better contest it.
Japanese play was OK, IMO and could have been more efficient. Japan has a lot of work to do on turn 3—namely conquering Sumatra to finish off the DEI, taking Manila, setting up a defensive perimeter in the Pacific (taking Tarawa, Wake, Guadalcanal) and taking Rangoon before the big Brits show up. The US could try to reinforce the Far East areas but those forces would be moving into an out of supply situation and this is probably to the Japanese advantage. Japan accomplished its primary objective on turn 2 which is to isolate the Far East HQs and take the ports on Sumatra, Java and Borneo.
Looking ahead to turn 3, Japan can hope that the deck is stacked in favor of offensives after only receiving one in turn 2. Japan will have at least 4 or 5 battle hexes in the Far East (Medan, Palembang, Manila, Burma border and Rangoon). Without offensives, Japan’s defensive perimeter in the Pacific will be weak.