Singapore Defense

[4th Bn 66th Reg]

So the game manual doesn't explain what the pros and cons are for the British to expand the port and defenses of Singapore? What do the allies gain by doing this other than Singapore joins the allies in 1940? Of course, this costs the British 50 MPPs for I think four turns. Thoughts from the Forum?

[xwormwood]

Well, if Singapore is active, you can send reinforcements.

With reinforcements, you can try to stop the japanese invasions force.

If Singapore remains inactive until the japanese war declaration, it might be too late or simply impossible to bring in reinforcements.

This decision event gives you a choice and an option to defend the far east.

If you want to pay a price which you historical counterparts weren't willing or able to pay for.

So you are in charge, you decide about what will happen to the British Empire.

But than you need every single pence for the defence of the British Isle and Egypt.

If Singapore fell because YOU refused to send help early, than only YOU are to blame. Explain that :eek: to your voters once the war has ended.

What is right, what is the wrong decision?

Where should the UK take its stand?

That is what this decision event is about.

Make you think, think hard, and sweat a bit about the future of your Empire.

[JonS]

I think the question is more about the practical, in game, effects, rather than the real world moral dimension and considerations

[SeaMonkey]

I like this DE, exactly like xwood explained, it is a dilemma for the UK player and further has historical premise to back its inclusion.

[Strategiclayabout]

Hello ^^ ,

(only my opinion)

Pros:

- delays/stops Japan's advance in early 1942, buys you time

- very good defensive position (jungle/narrow)

- blocks the main/shortest naval way between Japan and India

- RN can operate more or less freely in Indian Ocean

- allows you to launch preemptive attacks against Thailand or even Brunei to deny Japan easy wins

- allows you to reinforce/protect DEI quickly

- will probably distract some first strike japanese forces from other key objectives

- a good chance to evacuate troops quite safely to India it everything goes bad

Cons:

- event cost a lot of MPPs you could need somewhere else

- organizing a solid defense will eat even more MPPs and units

- low supply so you absolutely need a HQ to make a stand

- you'll need at least one fighter unit to cover your land troops

- heavy japanese naval/aerial superiority to be expected on the east coast

- constant threat of japanese amphibious assaults

Hope it will help .

[carverrt]

This one of my favorite DEs. It gives you a significant option and depending how both the Germans and Japanese are played really can change the historical outcome in SE Asia.

[4th Bn 66th Reg]

Doesn't Singapore's activation provide additional MPP's? If so the investment would pay for itself with MPP's and Corps that is based there. Thanks for all the Forum comments.

[Strategiclayabout]

Yes and no ,

- Because Singapore is overseas (not railroad linked to your capital), MPPs arn't maxed out so you'll only get 10 MPPs/turn out of it (5x2 as capital). Also, it doesn't provide any convoy lane once activated (like some other UK minors do).

- So you'll get around 150 MPPs a year plus a corps at 5 strength worth 75 MPPs (need 25 MPPs to replenish it though you can only max to 8 without an HQ so 15 MPPs). All in all, when Japan begins to knock on your door, you'll barely have gotten back what you spent and I didn't add the cost of shipping/buying the necessary troops to bolster your defense .