HOI3 TFH as Japan: USA joining Allies as early as 1938

[10000 Tanks]

In my game that I just finished, I fired Marco Polo in early 1938 and let the war drag on until the Germans attacked Poland. I then declared war on the UK and finished the Chinese war within two months. Afterwards, I puppetted Australia and New Zealand and invaded Malaysia, Borneo. I delcared war on the Netherlands following the Germans and took Indonesia as well. At around the same time Allied Navies were history.

The USA declared war on me in July 1941, while I was having an army fighting in India. I never needed any defense for Truk and Kwajalein.I had three invasion corps ready and they directly took Guam, Wake, Midway and then Honululu and the Philippines. Tough fights with the US navy, but many of their carriers were apparently in the Atlantic. I overran GuangXi and CommChina and then declared war on the Soviet Union and took their Eastern possessions, and eliminated Mongolia and Tannu. At the same time, I took Panama and the Panama Canal. I finished the India campaign and landed end of the year 1941 in San Diego and LA. Two months later, I landed in New York and Philadelphia and Fall 1942 the USA surrendered. Canada followed one week later.

Re the fleet, I mainly built screens and abandoned the level 1 screens. Otherwise, I only built carriers and had 7 Carriers and 2 Escort Carriers when the US declared war. The next 3 carriers were not completed, before I had defeated the US.

 

[Palmerdale]

In my current Japan game, I DoWed Nat China and put a War Goal of Conquest on Nat China. I didn't get the historical China events and quickly conquered the entire country. In late 39, I attacked Guanchi and took it out in a week, then in early 1940, I joined in the War against England and started the invasion of Borneo and SIngapore. Pretty much when Vietnam swapped to me, and Siam freely became a puppet, the US joined in -- somewhere around mid March, 1940. I only made 2 DoWs plus 3 War Goals (China, UK for Pacific Bases, and France for Pacific Bases). That was more than enough to push the US into action for some reason. Why? I haven't a clue. (This game was focused on Marines, Air, and Screens -- all techs and disciplines).

Mind you, it hasn't been a bad thing. The US and I have Invaded each other several times, with some great battles. But while my planned force to deal with the US threat is still in the production queue, the US has enough troops (and ships) to launch three or four simultaneous invasions. I'm now bolstering the islands near the Bikini islands with additional marines to deal with the invasion threat, and to walk back over some of the various straights. Now, if only I could get some of my ships out of perpetual repair mode long enough to smash some of the runaway US production. If my Imperial Navy can hold out until mid-1942, I may have a new, improved navy to contest the seas. But that's a long, long, long time. (especially at speed 2)

 

[j_k_k]

I can see why it became tough at sea, Palmerdale. If you don't have at least three respectable carrier groups by the time you face off against the US, I think they would be able to overwhelm your naval superiority. Based on what the others have said, and on my own experiences, I think you might have gotten away with taking Guangxi but attacking the British and French took the cake. I was able to keep the US out of war until March 1942 (arguably a little late, but I wanted to feel fully ready, having never done that before). Biggest surprise, besides part of Australia staying free even when they surrendered: to get the Makassar Strait benefit, I have to build infrastructure so we can have control over the spaces in question.

 

[Henryii2]

Don't join the Axis until you're ready for war, esp. in vanilla.

Also, at sea, I generally use as my CTFs 4x CV plus 6x CL (or sometimes 6x CV plus 6x CL). Make sure to appoint generals to your CAGs (merge 2 CAGs into 1 CAG for efficiency's sake).