From: epass@nyx.net (Eric Pass) Subject: 33K file of Victory in the Pacific Q&A Alan, here's the 33K Q&A file for Victory in the Pacific. Eric Victory In The Pacific Questions & Clarifications March 15, 1997 Edited by: Glenn E. L. Petroski In the interests of clarity and better understanding of some fine points of Victory In The Pacific, I submit the following for every player's information and greater enjoyment. Format The second edition rules were published in December of 1981, just after Volume 18, Number 6 of THE GENERAL went to print. The second edition did an excellent job of clarifying most of these items. Designer and GameMaster comments and rulings are printed following a number of these questions for your greater understanding. All of these rulings are approved by the game's designer, Rich Hamblen, and The Avalon Hill Game Company. The numbering system is a loose referencing system. The first number is the general section of the rules that deals with the question. The second number is an identifying number for that question in particular. All rule references given correspond to the second edition rules. Questions are further referenced corresponding to the sections of the rules to which they apply, and as to when they were answered. A 2-digit/ 1-digit reference indicates that this was replied to in THE GENERAL of that volume/ issue. A month/year reference indicates that Avalon Hill or Rich Hamblen responded to a letter of that date. RH indicates personal remarks by Rich Hamblen. GP indicates my own comments. Answers to all of these questions are "set in stone" by the time they make it to this sheet. As time goes on, more questions may arise and further clarifications may also be called for. These will be added and inserted as appropriate. Existing questions will not change. Answers will not change. Question numbering will not change. A difference in edition dates will indicate only further additions or clarifications. Abbreviations Throughout these questions and discussions I have attempted to remain consistent in the use of abbreviations and terms which have become standard to artificios of the game. For those a little less familiar, allow me to clarify some of these. Generally speaking, "Islands" and "Ocean" are dropped from the full name of a sea area. Thus Central Pacific Ocean becomes Central Pacific and Hawaiian Islands becomes Hawaiians. AF - Air force or Air Flotilla. Area - Any sea area or sea zone. BB - Battleship. In VITP; any ship with an armor and a gunnery factor both greater than 2. CA - Cruiser. In VITP; any ship with, a gunnery factor of 1, an armor factor less than 3, and no airstrike. CV - Aircraft carrier. Generally any ship with an air strike factor. CVL - Light aircraft carrier. Any CV with an airstrike factor less than 3. base - Any green island base. dp - Damage points. IJN - Imperial Japanese Navy. Depending on usage within the game it also means Japanese, or Japanese player, or Japanese units of any type. LBA - Land Based Air. Marines - This one is always muddled. As used here, Marines, always with a capital "M", refers specifically to United States Marine units, and only these particular units. NLF - Naval Landing Forces. Sometimes referred to as amphibious units, marines (small "m"), Special Naval Landing Forces, or SNLF. OA - Order of Arrival. The specified turns and places when and where units enter the game. The charts which specify this. Pearl - Pearl Harbor. port - Any major red port. US - This is without the "N", and means United States, specifically. Does not mean Allied, Allies, or Allied player. See following. USN - United States Navy. Depending on usage within the game it also means Allies, Allied, Allied Player, or Allied units of any type. VIP - The official abbreviation for Victory In The Pacific. VITP - The unofficial abbreviation for Victory In The Pacific. This has been in use for 20 years. 18 years before VIP was made official. It is not going to die any too soon. Second Edition A number of players probably play VITP by the first edition rule book. Some may not be aware that a second edition was issued by TAHGC in December 1981. This section has been added to clarify the very few changes between the two editions. Anyone who has the second edition is probably already aware of it. There is a diagonal bar, front page, upper right corner, which has SECOND EDITION printed across it. Lack of that bar means that you have the first edition. As another check, look at the copyright date on the last line of the design credits on page six of the rule book. First edition copyright is 1977, second edition is 1981. For consistency all rulings and comments are made on the basis of the second edition. Second edition rules are clearer and more explicit than the first edition, but not significantly changed until you get into the optional rules. The typographical error of 7.7, Effects Of Damage, has been corrected: "If damage points equal its armor factor, its gunnery [not armor] factor is reduced to 1." One real change is in section 7. End Of The Round. The wording of this section in the first edition made the air raids a "pursuit group". Thus IJN could still call the order of battle. This gave IJN the ability to evade allied air raids and promote his own. Now CVs are assigned to air raids as though they were pursuit groups, but the order of battle is predetermined for them as being LAST! Another change is in section 9. Air Raids. Damage assessment to NLF has been changed dramatically. In the first edition any hits were accorded a damage roll, the same as any other target. The second edition does away with the damage roll entirely and simply assesses a single point of damage for each individual hit. The unit is still removed when damage exceeds its basic armor factor. This has the effect of increasing NLF ability to withstand damage by an average of 3.5 times. Optional rule 19. The 9-Turn Game, is nearly identical. The second edition gives the IJN an added bonus point for every turn he controls Indonesia, as well as the Japanese Islands. Optional rule 20. was the Task Force rule in the first edition. In the second edition it is Pearl Harbor. The Task Force rule was a nightmare! The new rule adds spice to the first turn raid on Pearl. In my own play, I nearly always use it. Optional rule 21. is Gunnery Radar. The first edition did not include the Alaska, the second edition does. Optional rule 22 was Island Combat, now gone entirely. This has been replaced by Damage Control. Both have their appeal to me. Optional rule 23 was Anti-Aircraft. It is now the new Task Force rule. I find both to be cumbersome. The Questions Q.3-1 [3.1; 1/93] I can find no reference to the Dorestshire in any records. In fact, is this the Dorsetshire, misspelled? A. Yes it is. A typographical error that has been carried over to both the counter and the OA, in both editions. Q.3-2 [3.1; 1/93] What is the significance of the mark resembling a depth charge on the Pennsylvania? A. Another typographical error. Some copies of the game have it, others do not. It has no significance, or value, what so ever. Q.4-1 [4.4; 1/93] No place of arrival is listed on the IJN OA for turn 5. Where does the Musashi come on? A. A printing oversight. The Musashi comes on at Yokosuka Navy Yard. Q.4-2 [4.4; 4/92] Newly arriving USN LBA are marked on the OA as "also available". Where are these units supposed to come on? A. Reinforcement air units may arrive at any friendly major red port. Q.4-3 [4.4, 4.42; 11/80] If, at the beginning of turn 5, there are less than 4 British ships in play, does the Victorious become a substitute removal? A. Yes. GP: The Victorious is a British ship, available and subject to removal, the same as any other. Q.4-4 [4.4, 4.42; 11/80, 4/92] May returning US LBA and Marines come on in Ceylon? A. Yes. New or returning LBA and returning US Marines can come on in Ceylon. GP: Second edition rules 4.4 and 17.12 seem to contradict each other here. Replies to other questions, as well as dictates of play reaffirm the answer given here. Specifically: New or returning US LBA and returning Marines may be brought on in Ceylon. RH: 17.12 is not supposed to conflict. In 17.12, "returning" refers to units returning to port/base at the end of a turn, not the return of eliminated units. Q.4-5 [4.41; 11/80] If Pearl has been captured by the IJN, may the Victorious be brought on at Samoa, as the Americans are? A. Yes. GP: Valid question, considering the ambiguity of the Victorious. The clarification is helpful. Q.4-6 [4.41; 4/92] If both Pearl and Samoa have been captured by the IJN, where do the newly arriving USN ships come on? A. The units do not come on! They are eliminated instead! GP: This seems so clear to me, just in reading rule 4.1, that I find it surprising that it has been asked so often. I suppose the consequences are so drastic that many players find this hard to fathom. The ships are eliminated. The Marines are sunk. Marines may return 2 turns later as returning units. Should the USN recapture either Pearl or Samoa, he would then begin receiving new units as per the OA. However, ships listed for the turns in which the IJN retained control would NEVER enter the game. These remain PERMANENTLY lost! RH: In retrospect, I should have printed the key rule in red, all caps, to indicate that something drastic was happening. Q.4-7 [4.42; 11/80] If the Victorious is sunk, does some other British CV or ship have to be removed as a substitute when the Victorious is called for removal? A. Yes, another 0-2-7, if available. Any other British ship if no CV is still in play. GP: This remains consistent with Q4-3. Q.4-8 [4.42; 18/6] If all British 0-2-7's are sunk, but the Hermes is still in play, must it be removed in place of an 0-2-7 CV to be withdrawn? A. No. Any British ship may be substituted. The Hermes may be removed at the USN choice, but it is not required, as long as some British ship is removed. GP: This is specifically clarified in the second edition rules. Q.4-9 [4.42; 5/79] When an individually named British ship is called for removal, but is bottomed in port, may it be removed, or is a substitute necessary? A. The named ship must be removed, even if bottomed. Q.4-10 [4.42; 4/92] If a named British ship is called for removal, but has been sunk and removed from the game, may another ship that has been bottomed in port be substituted? A. Yes, a bottomed ship, of the right type, may be substituted. GP: These last 2 answers threw me when I first received them, but the rulings stand. RH: Most British removals were decommissioned or inactivated. Instead of removing an active ship and decommissioning it, the British would have just decommissioned the bottomed ship. Q5-1 [5.41; 23/5] Can subs attack NLF at the end of a round, before the landing? A. Yes. That would be the sub's attack that turn, under rule 5.41. Q5-2 [5.42, 8.1; 1/93] May the USN retreat from an area after the IJN already has? A. Yes. In fact, the IJN may also retreat from an area after the USN has, by waiting for 1 more hypothetical round with no combat. Also, either player may withdraw from an area in which there is no combat, or even after air raids only. In any case, this decision must be made at the time that combat for that area has reached its conclusion, before moving on to other areas of combat. Neither side may voluntarily withdraw from an area once that area has been finally settled and the IJN has named another area for combat. Q5-3 [5.72, 14.2; 14/4, 18/6] What happens when a NLF takes a base that is surrounded by enemy controlled sea areas at the end of the turn, and was surrounded by enemy controlled sea areas on the previous turn? A. At the moment that the NLF lands, it captures the island; thus eliminating it as a base for LBA. The NLF is expended, and returns in 2 turns, as usual. However, at the end of the turn, the enemy has had it surrounded for 2 turns, so the enemy then recaptures it. Q5-4 [5.73; 4/92] On turn 2 the USN places the 10th AF in the Marianas. When the turn ends, a damaged LBA controls the Marianas and the USN gets the control flag. On turn 3 the USN does it again, but the IJN is holding Indonesia all this time. When the turn ends the IJN has the Sasebo NLF left in Indonesia. Carefully following rules 5.72 & 5.73 the USN would place his flag in the Marianas, and take control of Saipan. The IJN would place his flag in Indonesia, then the Sasebo would invade the Philippines. The 10th is immediately disabled and returns to Australia. The Sasebo is used up and returns on turn 5. But the USN still has control of both the Marianas and Saipan, in spite of not having a surviving unit in the area. Is this correct? A. The situation is extremely unlikely in that the IJN would more probably have invaded during the course of battle rather than waiting right up to the end. However, the assumption is in error, because rule 12.24 does not prohibit an air unit from changing bases during the course of a turn. Nor does any other rule. In the situation described, the 10th has 2 available bases at the time that the Sasebo finally invades. The IJN does gain the Philippines, but the 10th continues to operate out of Saipan and continues to patrol the Marianas for USN control. RH: A chess player, obviously. Who else would bother to dream up such a puzzle? Q6-1 [6.4, 7.71; 22/2, 4/92] May a ship which has its movement reduced to 1 due to damage attempt a speed roll? A. A ship may attempt a speed roll even if its speed is 1. When it does so, it automatically fails. The ship must actually try to make the move, it cannot just sit in port and roll the die. For example: as a raider, a US ship would have to move at least 2 areas and try to move 3 to make a speed roll. If the first or second area was enemy controlled, the ship would have to stop there without making the speed roll. The same would apply to a similarly damaged ship attempting to reach a second area for patrol duty. It could attempt the move, and if successful, patrol normally. If it fails, even if failure is certain, it would function as a damaged raider. NLF can never make speed roll moves, so they can never use this tactic. GP: It is a technicality, but a useful trick to evacuate a port that is in danger of being air raided, and perfectly legal. RH: As you observed, this is a slick tactic for redistributing your ships, but you cannot use it for ships that are closely surrounded by enemy control. Q6-2 [6.42; 1/93] When raiding ships fail speed rolls, are they returned to port one at a time, as they are rolled, or after all of the results of all the speed rolls have been determined? A. All speed rolls for each player on each phase are done "simultaneously". After all IJN raiding ships are moved, all of those speed rolls, for all areas, are made. Then all that fail are returned to port. Q7-1 [7.21; 1/93] Do you have to shoot? A. Attacking is always volitional. No ship or unit is ever required to attack in any way, at any time. You may "pass" on any round of combat, give your opponent his opportunity to attack, and go to the next round. Q7-2 [7.33; 14/4] Is it legal to choose a "day action" even when you have no airstrikes in the area, just to avoid enemy gunnery attacks? A. Yes. You may always choose day or night, regardless of what forces you have in an area. Q7-3 [7.33; 17/4, 4/92] If neither the retreating nor the pursuing groups include CVs, is the day/night determination ignored and all subsequent rounds considered night? A. No. You may always choose day or night actions, regardless of what forces you have in an area. However doing so only to antagonize your opponent (or GM) is not the way to make friends. Courtesy, consideration, and good sportsmanship do count for something. See Q7-2. Q7-4 [7.42; 17/4, 23/5, 11/80, 1/81] THE GENERAL, Vol 17 #4 states that a CV without a gunnery factor may screen during a night action. A letter that I mailed in November of 1980 asked the same question and got the opposite answer! Which is correct? A. THE GENERAL was WRONG! We have had other letters on this, too! GP: This error in THE GENERAL Vol 17 #4 has led to endless arguments. Every letter to TAHGC has brought back the answer given here. It has also been correctly restated in subsequent articles, most notably in Vol 23#5. The second edition spells the final ruling out in no uncertain terms. To clarify: Without a gunnery factor no ship may screen another ship! However, all ships are still required to screen all friendly NLF's. See Q7-15. Q7-5 [7.421; 1/93] May a ship screen without attacking? A. Yes. However, to do so the ship must have the ability to attack (i.e.: a gunnery factor). If it is a CV the owning player must clearly state that it is "on the line" and screening. It may then be attacked by enemy ships on that round of combat, even though it does not actually fire itself. Q7-6 [7.421; 1/93] May a ship attack without screening? A. No. When a ship attacks during a night action it is automatically "on the line" and screening. Q7-7 [7.44; 14/4] When an airstrike attacks, do all the factors attack the same target (like gunnery attacks), or does each factor strike a separate target (like War At Sea)? A. All of the factors attack the same target (like gunnery attacks). GP: Human nature, being what it is. Those of us who also play War At Sea can't help wondering. The rule does say it the way it is. Neither air nor gun attacks may be split in VITP. Q7-8 [7.551; 17/4, 18/6] In the Vol. 14 #6 replay, marines were destroyed when damage equaled their armor factor. This contradicts rule 7.551. Which is correct? A. Rule 7.551. Damage points must exceed the damage factor of NLFs to sink them. Q7-9 [7.64, 7.8; 5/79] May a retreat be ordered between a day/night action when such has been called for by a drawn die roll? A. No. This represents a mixed air and surface action as at Guadalcanal. GP: A valid question. Both editions of the rule do say this, but not real clearly. When the day/night determination results in a drawn die roll, both sides are committed to both actions before either can withdraw or invade. Q7-10 [7.71; 4/92] Does damage reduce a NLF's movement factor? A. Yes. Q7-11 [7.72; 14/4] In rule 7.73, isn't it a ship's GUNNERY factor reduced to 1 when it takes damage equal to its armor factor? A. YES! Not the armor factor. This was a typographical error. GP: A simple typo that has been corrected in the second edition. Q7-12 [7.73; 17/4, 18/2] Rule 7.72 states: "A ship's gunnery factor loses the attack bonus if the ship has any damage." Does a damaged CV lose its airstrike attack bonus. A. No. Not until damage equals its armor factor, at which time it loses its airstrike capability entirely. GP: The second edition makes this absolutely clear. As long as a CV can operate planes, it retains its attack bonus. Q7-13 [7.42, 7.421; 10/93] May a player screen a ship that is not a CV? A. No. Not under any circumstances! Q7-14 [7.423, 13.2; 8/96] May a NLF screen another unit? A. No. Not even another NLF! Q7-15 [7.423, 13.2; 8/96] During a night action, may an attacking force which outnumbers the opponent's surface ships attack an enemy NLF without attacking all enemy CVs? A. No. Before any NLFs can be attacked during a night action, at least 1 attacking ship with a gunnery factor must be assigned to each and every defending gun ship and CV. See Q7-4. Q8-1 [8.31; 14/4] Can ships and units retreat thru enemy controlled sea areas to get to a friendly port? A. Yes. GP: A good question for clarity. Both editions imply the answer, but neither states it unequivocally. When a ship or NLF retreats or is disables it may go to any friendly island base that touches the area that it is in or to any unrestricted friendly major red port. This major port may be anywhere on the board, regardless of enemy control flags. Restrictions are: British may return only to Ceylon, Singapore, Saigon, or Yokosuka Navy Yard. US ships may not return to Ceylon. There are no basing restrictions on the Australia, Canberra, DeRuyter, or Victorious. See 10.1. Q8-2 [8.41; 17/4] If retreating ships withdraw in more than one group, and are pursued, is there one day/night determination affecting all groups in the area? Or does each group resolve its own day/night determination? A. Each group rolls individually for itself on each round of combat. GP: The second edition does say this, but it has to be read carefully. Q9-1 [9.1; 4/92] Which comes first, Retreats or Air Raids? A. Retreats always come before Air Raids. GP: The first edition rules clearly stated that Air Raids were considered to be retreat actions. As such the IJN called the order of battle and could name an Air Raid as another action in that sea area at his own discretion. In the second edition, retreats become an extension of regular combat that has to be completed before any Air Raids in a given area may be conducted. In short, Retreats always come before Air Raids. RH: The second edition didn't just clarify the first edition rules- it also changed those rules that were functioning incorrectly. The Air Raid rules are a perfect example. In the first edition, Air Raids were just another round of combat in battle. This led to the following mare's nest: When retreating units split into two or more groups, the group that resolves its battle earlier must do its air raids while the latter groups are still at sea, fighting it out. Thus the latter groups are air-raid-proof from the first group. This emphasized the importance of the order in which the retreating battles were resolved, which encouraged the players to waste time thinking about unrealistic tactics. So I simply changed the rule in the second edition. Q9-2 [9.1, 9.3, 7.1; 14/4] Suppose I have CVs in an area, but cannot make air raids because there are no enemy units in the ports or bases of that area. As the turn progresses enemy units return to those ports or bases. Can I then make an air raid attack against those units? A. Not if the combat in that sea area has already been resolved. The IJN player chooses the order in which battles are fought. If the IJN chooses to resolve the fighting in an area, even if he has no units there, then the CVs in that area must make any air raids there as soon as the combat, if any, is finished. Any CVs that do not make air raids at this time, lose all chance to do so for the rest of the turn. Q9-3 [9.22; 1/81, 23/5] When a NLF receives damage during an air raid which exceeds its armor factor, but not exceeding twice its armor factor, is it bottomed? A. The NLF is sunk! GP: The second edition makes stipulation for NLF to withstand greater punishment while ashore. This change has the effect of tripling, on an average, the NLF's ability to withstand air raids! Still, they are partially damaged or completely sunk. Never bottomed. Q9-4 [9.23; 1/81] If either the Kitakami or the Oi take only 1 damage point while air raided in port, are they bottomed? A. No. Either of them would be eliminated. GP: Mathematically correct, and according to the rules. This also applies to Zuiho, Shoho, and Ryuho, as well. Q9-5 [9.23; 1/81] When a ship is air raided in port, is it removed from play when the damage points EQUAL or EXCEED twice the armor factor? A. EXCEEDS. Q9-6 [9.231; 18/6] If Pearl, or any base with a repair capability, is captured and there are ships "on the bottom", may these ships be destroyed by the occupying player? A. YES. GP: The second edition rules make it MANDATORY that the bottomed ships be removed from play when the port that they are in is captured by the enemy. Q9-7 [4.4, 9.232; 22/2, 1/81] If a ship is bottomed in a port or base that has no repair capacity, are they automatically eliminated? A. No. They may remain as targets to future air raids. In the case of Samoa and Pearl Harbor, they may remain in anticipation of repair capacity switching between bases. Voluntarily, a player may permantly remove his own ships from play, at any time, regardless of condition. Q10-1 [10.1, 13.33; 23/5] Can a NLF go to any friendly major red port at turn's end? A. Yes. See rule 13.33 and section 10 of the rules. Invasion is not required, as long as the port or base being entered is friendly. Q10-2 [10.1, 17.22; 18/6, 4/92, 5/92] If Pearl is IJN controlled, the Victorious enters at Samoa, but according to 10.13 MUST return to Pearl and therefore would be lost per 10.14.What should happen? A. The Victorious appears at Pearl, or Samoa, like a US ship. From then on it may return to ANY friendly major red port. RH: In other words, IGNORE THE FIRST EDITION RULES ABOUT THE VICTORIOUS! This is another case where I simply changed the rule in the second edition. It takes too many rules to explain everywhere the Victorious might return, considering that she must leave at the beginning of turn 6 anyway. Q10-3 [10.2; 3/93] When a raiding ship fails its speed roll, where may it return? A. A raiding ship that fails its speed roll is essentially disabled. The ship first makes its move to the area which it is attempting, then the die would be rolled. Failing the speed roll, it may then return to any friendly green island base that touches the area it attempted to move to, or it may return to any friendly major red port, within restrictions. Q11-1 [11.1; 14/4] Can damaged LBA or NLF be repaired (ignoring optional rules)? A. No! This refers to the first edition optional rule which have been replaced. The second edition is completely silent on the subject. The final determination is that no, there is no way that NLF or LBA can be repaired. Q11-2 [11.51; 18/6] If Pearl is captured, does its repair capability continue to increase per the turn record chart? A. Yes. GP: Should Pearl be captured by the IJN, all of its capabilities are passed, in total, to Samoa. Q11-3 [11.4, 5.2] When are ships actually repaired? A. The repairs are actually performed at the time that patrol ships are moved. GP: This does tell your opponent that these ships are not available as raiders. It also clearly shows that they may be available for potential air raid targets. Conversely, it effects repairs well before those possible air raids can actually occur. Q12-1 [12.24; 18/6] The rules state that LBA are based in ports. However, the mechanics of play usually make this irrelevant. Are LBA required to be based in port? A. LBA may operate in any area provided that they have a friendly island base or friendly major port touching that area. Whenever they retreat, are deprived of their last operating base, or return at the end of a turn, they MUST return to a friendly MAJOR RED PORT. Q12-2 [12.24; 18/6] Does LBA deprived of their base really have to return to a major red port? A. Yes, although barring poor play, this is irrelevant. It should not make a difference as long as LBA returns to a port that cannot be air raided during that turn. Q13-1 [13.1; 17/4] Rule 13.1 says that NLF "move like ships, except they can always move two sea areas and they never make speed rolls." Do NLF have to stop on entering an enemy controlled sea area? A. Yes. The intent of 13.1 is to exempt NLF from speed rolls. GP: I am a bit surprised that the second edition did not clarify a bit better. NLF must stop upon entering an enemy controlled sea area. Q13-2 [13.42; 5/92] When both sides have a number of NLF surviving a round in a combat area, is the IJN required to declare all of his invasion intentions before the USN announces any of his? A. All of the IJN NLF which are invading that round must complete their invasions before any Marines invade. Q13-3 [13.44; 14/4] Both the IJN and USN have NLF in an area with only one USN island base there. Does the IJN land first, thus disabling the USN LBA? Or do the Marines land at the same time, so that the USN keep the air base and the LBA remains operational? A. The IJN captures the base FIRST. All USN LBA must leave IMMEDIATELY! Then the USN may recapture the base, but the LBA is still gone. Q14-1 [14.2; 5/79, 1/81] Suppose the Yokosuka NLF survives turn 1 in the Central Pacific, invades, and then the USN win the naval action and retain control of the flag. Who then controls Midway, and the garrison at the end of turn 1 and the beginning of turn 2? A. The USN. GP: The control rule has been entirely rewritten. The actual effect remains unchanged, but clarity has been improved dramatically. Rewriting of this rule also covered this, and other potential situations arising out of turn 1, extremely well, leaving no room for question. Q15-1 [15.31; 23/5] Can NLF control a sea area? A. No. Q16-1 [16.0, 7.8; 11/80, 4/92] The submarine in play is present in an area, but has withheld its shot for some reason. The enemy now has ordered a retreat. What options does the sub have? A. If there is a retreat, the sub may still attack at the end of any round of combat during the retreat. Or, the sub may attack when all combat is finished, if it is still at sea in an area with available targets. Q17-1 [17.12, 5.74, 13.33; 11/80] May Marines return to Ceylon at the end of the turn? A. Yes. Q17-2 [17.12, 5.74; 11/80] May US LBA return to Ceylon? A. Yes. Q17-3 [17.12; 11/80] May US LBA base their operations out of Ceylon? A. Yes. Q17-4 [17.23; 18/6] While on loan to the US, the Victorious arrived in Pearl, and then operated in the South Pacific. Is it exempt from movement restrictions imposed on British ships? A. No. GP: This is still a British built, British operated ship, with British limitations. Q17-5 [17.31; 14/4] May Australian and Dutch ships base in Ceylon or Pearl? A. Yes, either. Only British and US ships are restricted. GP: The Australia, the Canberra, and the DeRuyter have no basing restrictions other than the "friendly" requirement. Q18-1 [18.22; 14/4] On turn 1, when USN survivors move out of Pearl, and the Location Uncertain groups are rolled for, may these ships then move into other areas on that same turn? A. No! They must remain where they are or retreat in the specified manner at the appropriate time. GP: Moving out of Pearl into the Hawaiians, or the Location Uncertain die rolls, are their patrol moves for the turn, and all the movement they are entitled to prior to withdrawals and returns. Q18-2 [18.22; 14/4, 5/79] Are the Location Uncertain ships that arrive on turn 1 raiders or patrollers? A. They are patrollers, and control the Hawaiians and/or the Central Pacific if they remain at sea at the end of the turn. Q18-3 [18.3; 14/4, 22/2]Can IJN ships making th Pearl surprise attack control the Hawaiians on turn 1? A. No! They are raiding ships. Furthermore, they MUST leave before the end of the turn. GP: Raiding nothing! They are out of fuel and MUST LEAVE. You cannot control an area that you do not occupy at the end of the turn. Same net effect. No control! RH: Good Answer! Q18-4 [18.3, 18.31; 23/5] Can the IJN Raid Force engage USN units at sea in the Hawaiians? A. Yes. If the USN does not withdraw under rule 18.25, the IJN may attack the Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Pearl survivors at sea, the 7th AF, and/or groups W,X,Y,Z. IJN is limited to two combat rounds (which can be day or night under rules 7.3-7.33), and must retreat after the second round. Attacks at sea are performed instead of against Pearl. The IJN may not further pursue retreating units under rule 18.33, due to the same fuel restrictions. Q18-5 [18.4; 14/4] Can the 5th AF be attacked by the surprise attack in Indonesia on turn 1? A. Yes. GP: It even says so in the second edition! Q18-6 [18.43; 14/4] What happens when a disabled is rolled against a target during the initial surprise attacks? A. NOTHING! The surprise attacks are AIR RAIDS (even in Indonesia), and during air raids disabled results are ignored. Notice that any units that survive the surprise attacks in Indonesia must go through one round of normal combat before they can retreat. GP: More plain English out of the second edition. Although I would also note that during any round of normal combat in Indonesia, after the initial air raids, the British ships could be disabled as usual. Q20-1 [20; 23/5] Optional rule 20 limits the IJN Raid Force to 10 ships, and requires the IJN to select third round targets before USN rolls for Location Uncertain groups. May this be used in conjunction with 18.4? A. Yes, but in this application rule 20 applies to the two air raids and the third round of combat in the Hawaiians. Rule section 18 still covers the fourth and final round and mandatory retreat.