The Battle of Australia

Case · October 14, 2001, 02:40

My third scenario 'The Battle of Australia' is now complete. It covers a hypothetical Japanese invasion of Australia in 1942.

Here's a shot of the inital Japanese landings and the Australian and American counter-attack:

Case · October 14, 2001, 02:44

And here's the units used in this scenario:

Case · October 14, 2001, 02:50

Due to problems with my email account, I won't be able to send the scenario to Apolyton & Civfanatics until tomorrow. However, I can make it advailable for download here

Here's part one:

Case · October 14, 2001, 02:54

Part two:

Case · October 14, 2001, 02:58

and finally part three:

BeBro · October 14, 2001, 06:55

And if you agree I´ll bring it up on my site or the CivUniverse (my host) in the next days...

The Apologist · October 14, 2001, 07:32

G'day,

Well, the scenario certainly has a nice look to it, and seems to have been well-researched... but there were some problems, not the least of which was the need for a spell-check.

The 2NZ's withdrawal from the Middle East seems quite odd to me. I mean, really, their route home is longer and more perilous than the route for reinforcements from the States (to NZ). It would, however, make sense for the less distinguished 3NZ to be sent over the ditch. I can't seem to turn up anything in particular on the 3NZ on-line at the moment, except for a picture, here: http://www.kithobbyist.com/AMPSNewZe...r/uniform3.htm
Admittedly, the 3NZ was disbanded in the latter part of the war, to provide manpower for the Italian campaign, but that's not too important in the "here and now" of BoA.

Actually, a lot of the British units being diverted into Australia seemed out of place - I don't really believe that there was the capability (or opportunity) to move them, historically. IMNSHO, the unit slots would have been better used for specials, to help the run of the scenario.

Also, I found it a bit "cheap" to be able to sink almost all of the Japanese heavy ships in the opening stages of the battle (using a B-17). I know there isn't much that can be done to stop the AI from stacking, but the Fortress' range and initial location sets them up perfectly for a Catalina-scouted attack. Hmm. Maybe this is advice for players, rather than criticism, though?

I wonder... maybe if the scenario included actual convoy escort, rather than just abstracting it away into events, it would be more appealing? From the map, having a protected city to represent New Zealand wouldn't be innappropriate, and considering the premise, US convoys would pretty much have to run via NZ. I suppose a city could be placed on the other side of the map, to represent British efforts to reinforce Australia... but as I said above, I don't think there would have been much coming in from the West.

Hope this helps.

Case · October 14, 2001, 21:03

Quote:

Originally posted by BeBro

And if you agree I´ll bring it up on my site or the CivUniverse (my host) in the next days...

BeBro, Thanks a lot. That would be great.

Apologist, I considered that the 3rd NZ division would be kept at home - In mid 1942 it was below its full strength and hadn't completed its training. In contrast, the veteran NZ Second division was at near full strength and was well trained and equiped, and Australia was on the way home

IMHO, it would have been easier for Britain to send convoys into Australia then the US. This is because the British would have sent them via the Southern Ocean, which is completly empty of airbases, and a very bad area to operate carriers in, which cannot be said about the Pacific. I did consider having convoys in the scenario, but the AI is too dumb for this to have posed much of a challenge.

our_man · October 15, 2001, 09:05

Haven't downloaded it yet Case, but I hope it's easier than the playtest version, which after several abortive attempts I was forced to conclude it was unwinnable! Anyway, really looking forward to trying it out.

Case · October 15, 2001, 22:29

Quote:

Originally posted by our_man
I hope it's easier than the playtest version, which after several abortive attempts I was forced to conclude it was unwinnable!

Its easier then the playtest version

(there's less Japanese bombers and more powerful Australian units.)

BTW, I just submitted the scenario to Aployton & Civfanatics

H Tower · October 16, 2001, 01:14

Less bombers? Thankyou ThankYou ThankYou!

The bombers by themselves pushed me to NewCastle with the inf just taking my empty cities

ravagon · October 16, 2001, 01:21

Par Excellent!! Dloading now.

However as an NZer I am going to take great pleasure in crushing the Aussies

Banzaaaiii!!!

Case · October 16, 2001, 02:08

Quote:

Originally posted by ravagon
However as an NZer I am going to take great pleasure in crushing the Aussies

Banzaaaiii!!!

That should be easy

(the scenario is designed for play as the Australians only)

ravagon · October 16, 2001, 02:47

I did realize that!

This should match my epic trouncing of the Commies in Red Front!

Shaka Naldur · October 16, 2001, 12:41

i´ve just downloaded, it looks very good

Mao · October 16, 2001, 22:37

Is it possible to win? There seems to be perpetual bombers out of no where and regenerated infantry...

Case · October 16, 2001, 23:57

Quote:

Originally posted by Mao
Is it possible to win? There seems to be perpetual bombers out of no where and regenerated infantry...

It's possible (but not easy) to limit the Japanese to a beachhead in Northern Australia. Some of my playtesters even managed to kick them out entirely

However, IMHO a more realistic goal is to aim for an objective points win in week 52.

Shaka Naldur · October 17, 2001, 10:03

Quote:

Originally posted by Case

It's possible (but not easy) to limit the Japanese to a beachhead in Northern Australia. Some of my playtesters even managed to kick them out entirely

However, IMHO a more realistic goal is to aim for an objective points win in week 52.

I was going to ask you if it is a challenging scenario

there seems to be really few japanese units but I see that is a hard one,

good job

Paul Hanson · October 17, 2001, 18:25

Those bloody Betty bombers! Little did I realise that if the Japanese clear out that airbase near Rockhampton, then the Betties regenerate there after one dies! Being stuck with an inexhaustable supply of enemy units right next to your front line is not pleasant!

Hobbes · October 19, 2001, 18:15

wanna know what would be cool? A scenario about a Japanese invasion of North America! does anyone know where info can be found out this topic?

Case · October 19, 2001, 19:35

Quote:

Originally posted by Hobbes
wanna know what would be cool? A scenario about a Japanese invasion of North America! does anyone know where info can be found out this topic?

Most history books write that Japan never had a chance of invading North America, and the Japanese never even thought about doing so. Still, the same really applies to a Japanese invasion of Australia

There's definetly the makings of a good scenario in a Japanese invasion of America (perhaps combined with German invasion of the East Coast?), and there's some very nice maps of the US on Mercators website.
I hope this means that you haven't abandoned your WW1 scenario though...

Mao · October 20, 2001, 18:13

How do you kick the Japanese out if each time you kill one they get reincarnated into a fortress or airbase?

Grothgar · October 20, 2001, 18:39

get a unit into the fortress they appear in and then they wont. duh

ravagon · October 22, 2001, 02:19

Quote:

Originally posted by Hobbes
wanna know what would be cool? A scenario about a Japanese invasion of North America! does anyone know where info can be found out this topic?

3rd attempt to post. This site really doesn't like me very much today.

SSI's Pacific General features an Invasion of the US West coast as the final scenario on the Japanese side. From what I remember about it this assumed the Pacific war went much more in favour of the IJN than it really did (No hiccup at Midway for starters

) and was an attempt to neutralize San Diego and the Pacific Fleet for once and all, but it could make a good starting point.

Case · October 22, 2001, 02:30

This scenario was inspired by the invasion of Australia scenario in Pacific General

(and, IMHO, it's a hell of a lot better)

MarkG · October 22, 2001, 19:03

http://apolyton.net/cgi-bin/civ2/db/review.cgi?ID=543

Case · October 22, 2001, 19:18

Thanks Mark

The ANZAC · October 22, 2001, 21:29

the link doesn't work

Case · October 22, 2001, 23:17

Quote:

Originally posted by The ANZAC
the link doesn't work

Thanks. I'll PM Mark and notify him.

In the meanwhile, the scenario can be downloaded from Civfanatics here: http://www.civfanatics.com/civ2scenmod.shtml
(the link is about a quarter of the way down the page)

MarkG · October 23, 2001, 02:29

it's an error you might get at busy times

just hit refresh

eventually, it works