This is an introductory, hypothetical scenario set in the Pacific - the US vs Japan. It is similar to the full-scale 'Pacific 1' scenario but with much reduced forces and a simplified number of bases to make the scale of play easier for a beginner. Both sides also have 'aggressive' strategy settings in order that there will be some action for you to see in the very first turn.
It is designed as a support tool, to be used with the how to play a turn in 5 minutes help page. But you can continue to play the game for as long as you want. Its small scale makes it useful as a practise campaign.
As with all SAS WW2 scenarios, you can play for either side against the computer, or another player; and you can swap sides at any time during game play. For the US, you play as Alfred Mahan II, a descendant of the greatest US naval strategist of all time; for the Japanese, you carry the name of your grandfather, the glorious victor at Tsushima who showed that Japan had truly arrived as a naval power of the first rank.
In the game, the Japanese are at the historical limit of their expansion, but are still pursuing an aggressive strategy; so do not be surprised to see a computerised Japanese opponent push for more!
The starting resources are intentionally small - enough to build a navy on each side of a few hundred thousand tonnes - just a quarter to a fifth the historical size.
The odds are rated as "extremely easy" for the US and conversely "extremely hard" for the Japanese, mainly due to America's far superior industrial production, the influence of which will progressively be felt as new ships enter the game.
But the US player cannot exactly sit back and do nothing - the Japanese have a very lucrative trade with the Dutch East Indies and Malaya, and if left unimpeded, will also be able to develop resources at a strong rate.
The map size is huge - over 28 million square nautical miles, stretching from the US West Coast to Singapore, and from Brisbane in the south to the Aleutians in the far north.
Both sides start with historical levels of technology. With proper resourcing and focussed priorities by the US, expect to see US developments in radar especially; the Japanese will do well to increase their ASW capabilities. The US should also seek to improve the performance of their torpedoes at the earliest opportunity. The US has better construction techniques and is able to build ships more quickly and cheaply. This is also an area that the Japanese may wish to invest in.
Troops are included in this scenario. The US is set to develop strong amphibious capabilities and forces but it will be a while before combined operations of any strength can be mounted against Japanese positions that are well defended by strong disciplined troops and, for the most part, very well-prepared defences.
Both sides have sizeable air forces; and carrier and land-based air strikes will feature prominently in the many battles to come.
| GENERAL SETTINGS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Countries | US, Japan | |
| Start Date | June 1942 | |
| Map | Pacific. 69 * 45 hexes; hex scale = 96nm. | |
| Land-based air? | Yes | |
| Carrier-based air? | Yes | |
| Design your own ships? | Yes | |
| Troops? | Yes | |
| COUNTRY-SPECIFIC SETTINGS | ||
| US | JAPAN | |
| Ports | *San Francisco (Home Port) *Pearl Harbour Dutch Harbor Wake Is. Palmyra Noumea *Brisbane Townsville Darwin Fremantle Port Moresby |
*Tokyo Bay (Home Port) *Truk Rabaul Manila Guam Biak Guadalcanal Surabaya Singapore |
| (* = has ship construction and repair facilities) | ||