OOB U.S. Marines coastal defences

[rad]

This is a very cool wargame. Can a moderator explain the game logic around the Japanese coastal bunker defences ranged fire ? Don't understand why they cannot conduct ranged artillery fire on incoming vessels (prior to
beach landing) in the U.S. Marines module, with the exception of turreted coastal gun positions ? Thanks !

[Erik2]

If I remember correctly the bunkers were given the ability to target transports/ships which are adjacent to the bunkers in the Marine upgrade.
But they do not have ranged fire.
Previously they could only target land units, so there has been some improvement

Personally, I think a number of Japanese dual purpose weapons (AA/AT, Art/AT) should be able to target sea vessels at range. This would allow them to hit the Marines as they approach the beach. Tarawa is a prime historical example where the Marines suffered large casualties while stuck on the reefs.

[rad]

OK thanks this clarifies - yes Tarawa scenario in particular seemed unduly lenient on US landing craft in light of historic actual events there is no doubt the Japanese
had some capacity to strike US units in the beach approaches etc.