Jutland Scenario AAR: Two Rookies Tackle Each Other

[FDRLincoln]

Two PBEM rookies tackle the Jutland scenario!

FDRLincoln takes the Japanese, KofK takes the Brits!

This AAR will be from my perspective.

First turn has been plotted, waiting for KofK's orders to run the turn. AAR will follow.

[FDRLincoln]

First turn: nothing much happens.

General Japanese strategy: scouting for contact, trying to figure out where his fleet is. Also beginning planning for next step of land operations, which will take place after his fleet is defeated.

I don't have any way to post screenshots, so this AAR may not be very interesting.

[KO]

Screen shots are nice, but I like reading all AAR. Keep it up and good luck![:D]

KO

[String]

It will be interesting to watch another take on this scenario. Have you set any victory conditions? Or is it just an all out VP grab?

[Roger Neilson]

If you are running windows then whilst the screenshots may not have quite the 'flash' quality of one using a powerful digital imaging programme the combination of printscreen and paint will do the trick... both part of the standard windows package.

Ask if you want guidance.

Roger

[FDRLincoln]

The second turn was Bloody.

The British commander sent battlecruisers Hood, Renown, and Repulse escorted by two destroyers to the Pescadore Islands, either on a night bombardment mission or perhaps a simple scouting attempt.

They ambushed the Japanese coastal defense force of six old pre-dreadnought battleships. Four of these old ships were badly damaged, as well as two Japanese destroyers lost. But both British destroyers were sunk, and all three BCs took some hits from the brave pre-dreads before the Japanese disengaged.

Next, the British ran into a Japanese "trigger" force of six old CAs and several destroyers. This combat was inconclusive, but BC Renown took additional damage in exchange for the loss of a Japanese destroyer.

Attempting to withdraw, the British were surprised by the Japanese crack Battlecruiser Squadron of Kongo, Haruna, Hiei, and Kirishima, with six destroyers, in an early daylight combat. Engaging at 20,000 yards, the Japanese scored quick hits on Renown and Repulse, damaging their engines and slowing them down. Although the British made a courageous attempt to withdraw under fire, their damaged ships could not escape the onslaught of the Japanese battlecruiser force. Hood, Renown, and Repulse were all sunk, with only the Kongo suffering moderate damage.

First blood to the Japanese!!

[FDRLincoln]

I have docked the damaged Japanese pre-dreads, and at least three of them are "mission killed" for the remainder of the scenario. I also had to scuttle a damaged destroyer.

I didn't take good enough notes to get admiral names but will do so on the next turn. I made a concerted effort to assign appropriate commanders to each squadron.

[FDRLincoln]

I forgot to mention that a couple of K-class British subs attempted to penetrate the Pescadores anchorage just before the night battle. Neither was able to successfully attack, but ASW attempts were inconclusive.

[FDRLincoln]

We've agreed to avoid each others AARs, so I can be more forthcoming here.

Obviously I am happy about this early victory. Knocking off three BCs in exchange for damage to pre-dreads is a good exhange. But I am still outnumbered in the big picture and don't know where he is going to attack.

Currently I am concentrating my battle fleet at Pescadores. I will maintain light scouting forces and a submarine screen in the Phillipines area, but I intend to make the Hong Kong vicinity the main battle ground. Once my fleet is assembled, I will move towards Hong Kong and try to cut off any attempt to reinforce it. My hope is that he will send his forces in piecemeal so they can be cut off and destroyed in detail.

I have sent submarines to infiltrate Saigon, Cahmran Bay, and Singapore. The carrier Hosho and associated escorts is scouting in general direction towards Singapore.

[FDRLincoln]

Next day resulted in contact between light forces near Pescadores, four British destroyers and two minelayers against six Japanese destroyers on local patrol.

One British destroyer torpedoed and presumed badly damaged.
One Japanese destroyer badly damaged by gunfire.

Japanese Battleship Ise torpedoed by British K-class submarine near Pescadores. Damage moderate but the ship will survive.

British battleship Empress of India torpedoed by Japanese submarine south of Hong Kong. Damage unknown.

I will have my battlefleet gathered at the Pescadores next turn, then will move towards Hong Kong for the decisive battle.

[FDRLincoln]

Light forces engage near Pescadores, Japanese destroyers driving off minelaying attempt.

[FDRLincoln]

In the first battle between aircraft carriers in history, Sopwith Cuckos from HMS Argus successfully torpedo the Japanese CV Hosho. Unfortunately, Hosho's counter-attack was unsuccessful.

Can she make it back to harbor?

This turn also saw the British minelayer Empire Lynx torpedoed and sunk near Hong Kong.

[FDRLincoln]

Operation Niitaka has begun!

The gathering of the fleet near the Pescadores is complete. The glorious Japanese battlefleet is heading out towards Hong Kong, seeking Decisive Battle against the corrupt and arrogant British. . .

[Erik Rutins]

Wow, a carrier on carrier battle...

[FDRLincoln]

It was certainly interesting to see, if indecisive. But Hosho did her job, scouting out the enemy force. I now know where his carrier is as well as a squadron of R-class battleships.

[FDRLincoln]

Next turn should see a decisive battle at Hong Kong. I am sending my remaining pre-dreadnought battleships on a bombardment mission, which will hopefully draw his British fleet out to the waiting guns of my battle line.

I have divided my main fleet into squadrons

Battlecruiser Squadron under Admiral Toyoda: Kongo, Hiei, Haruna, Kirishima, six supporting destroyers
First Battle Squadron: Nagato, Mutsu, Kaga, Tosa with two supporting light cruisers and six destroyers
Second Battle Squadron: Hyuga, Yamashiro, Fuso, with two supporting heavy cruisers, a light cruiser, and six destroyers
Cruiser Squadron: Four armored cruisers, four light cruisers, four destroyers
First Screen: Four destroyers on ASW combat
Second Screen: Four destroyers on ASW combat
First Bombardment squadron: Flagship Settsu, four other pre-dreads with four escorting destroyers
Second Bombardment Squadron: Flagship Mikasa, five other pre-dreads with four escorting destroyers

Bombardment SQ are set to bombard then retire. Other squadrons are set to patrol.

Please let me know what you think of my dispositions. I have never done this before.

[DuckofTindalos]

Looks pretty good. If anything I'd set the CA's to run by themselves, along with some destroyers, but that's a matter of personal preferences.

[FDRLincoln]

Results of the Battle of Hong Kong:

Japanese losses:
BB Nagato
CA Yakumo
CA Asama
CL Hirado
25 destroyers
serious damage to several other ships which may not make harbor.

British losses:
BB Warspite
BB Valiant
BB Barham
BB King George V
BB Ajax
BB Centurion
BC Australia
BC New Zealand
23 destroyers
seroious damage to many others

I'd say a Japanese victory!

[FDRLincoln]

Japanese Discussion terms for peace talks, following Japanese victory in the Battle of Hong Kong:

Japanese control over Hong Kong.
British and US acceptance to Japanese control over Phillipines.
British and US pressure on Dutch for additional access and friendly trading terms for Japan in regards Dutch East Indies oil.
British and US recognition that Japan's "special position" as the leader of the Asian peoples.

[FDRLincoln]

I had to scuttle some immobile ships but I received confirmation that 2 additional British BBs sank.