Firstly I would like to thank you all for your responses to the Samoa problem. Many ways to handle a situation certainly and most of you are probably aware of what I would want to do given my tactics and rules. I will respond to non related comments and then go into detail about what will happen with Samoa.
Maj. von Mauser, Thurak - My Armoured spearhead is almost better than the Soviets now
genbrad - Given the current American Carrier doctrines even my Battleship fleet would lose even in ideal conditions.
RioBrancoBaron - Your welcome and thank you for providing the name
Kanil - For this AAR that is certainly one huge Carrier stack
MCG_Man - Thank you and welcome to both the boards and this AAR even though you have been lurking for a very long time
I am researching the Oil Conversion techs to get to the Material Science techs that follow. These will boost my IC quite a lot and I might even need the conversion tech as well.
Black Watch - Amazing how these things happen. Coincidences with comments seem to be running high lately
opaqueice - Thank you and welcome aboard
Reado - Welcome back. You didn't miss much and I didn't get mobbed so that is a fair result
Krogzar - I hope your move went well and welcome back to waiting for updates
Ruodnane - Thank you and welcome back. Russia is going fairly well for now
And so we come to Samoa. I will cover the options and why I won't do some things but will do others.
1. Edit a port or move the fleet and edit. I won't edit. I don't like to edit when there are in game solutions and I also do not like altering the game code which could make it not work for people wishing to use a save.
2. Blow them to pieces. An obvious choice and there are good enough reasons to do it. I can do it without a doubt and it would be costly as has been pointed out. Unfortuantely my ground rules prohibit my destroying these ships even if they are cheating as well. An AI exploit of this kind is just too large for me to legitimately consider when there are choices.
3. Invade. Very risky and maybe impossible given that the AI knows where my fleets are at all times. It does solve the problem once and for all if the AI doesn't take it back.
4. Constant patrols around the island. Even this could be considered gamey as I would know exactly when they leave which would allow my bombers to pursue them regardless. I don't think anyone actually expects me to engage these fleets with my own and they will all probably be sunk by aircraft anyway. If I let them out they do at least have some chance.
5. The fleets might leave of their own accord. Some have done it before so it is a possibility. Remote but possible.
I think that covers the options and reasoning leads me to the following approach:
1. The Emperor will decide that the island is too well defended to bomb. He will order patrols around the island to detect enemy fleets and I will chase them if they leave.
2. My secret operations included the invasion of Samoa. Why and when that was being planned I will cover at the time of the attempt or attempts, if they go ahead. Suffice to say I had assets moving to invade and they are still moving that way. The detection of the US Carrier fleet does alter my timing considerably and greatly increases the risks.
So option 4 with a probably invasion is the current choice of action. This prevents exploiting the AI and preserves my airforce which would have suffered very high losses if I attacked. Pulling off a successful invasion might not be possible but this is War after all.
Update to follow ...