5 replies to this topic

[Thomas J Fitzgerald]

Time: 0100 7/13/43

WX: Squalls, 10 kt wind, quarter moon

 

USN force of 3xCLs and 10 DDs tasked to interdict IJN supply run to Kolombangara. IJN force comprised of 1XCL and 5 DDs escorting 4 DDs loaded with troops and supplies. Numerous squalls in the area reduced the effectiveness of the USNs SG radars, however the flagship USS Honolulu gained contact on all IJN ships early in the engagement. 

 

 

The IJN had a couple ships equipped with radar detectors which did alert them to the presence of a USN force. While the USN closed the range the Japanese transport DDs detached and headed south to their drop off point using a convenient squall line to mask them from USN eyes (but not radar). The USN acquired visual contact on a CL and DD but still held fire hoping to close the range further. Finally the IJN lookouts woke up and spotted 3 of the leading USN DDs at around 8Kyds. Both sides opened fire simultaneously with the USN illuminating the enemy CL and DD with star shells, while the IJN DD snapped open its searchlight focused on the leading USN DD.

 

 

 

While Japanese gunfire was less than satisfactory they were able to get off 10 torpedoes and begin a hard starboard turn under cover of a smoke screen. The American gunfire was more accurate landing a couple 6" rounds on the IJN CL and multiple 5" hits on the IJN DD causing it to momentarily lose all power as well as knocking out both banks of torpedo tubes and the aft 4.7" gun.

 

 

As the damage control party on the Japanese DD frantically worked to restore power before coasting to a dead stop, the torpedoes the IJN fired started passing through the USN formation. Only one torpedo made contact hitting the Honolulu at the extreme bow resulting in hull damage limiting her speed to 29 kts and putting a forward turret OOA .

 

 

The USN then executed a 90 degree turn to starboard and visually acquired a group of 4 IJN DDs off the starboard side. Due to bad luck or bad lookouts the group of IJN DDs had still not visually spotted any USN targets but was aware of their presence due to a radar detector on the division flagship.

 

 

This group was maneuvering to take cover in a nearby squall when the lead two DDs where smothered by 6" USN cruiser fire. the Yukikaze and Hamakaze were severely hit and the division made a hard port turn to duck into the squall. Unfortunately the lead 2 DDs turned tighter than the rear 2 DDs resulting in collisions between Kiyonami and the Yukikaze as well as the Hamakaze. Due to this and the damaged suffered by gunfire the Hamakaze foundered.

 

 

With only one ship undamaged the division commander decided it was time to head for the exit and using the squall as cover disengaged.

 

    

 

Meanwhile virtually unnoticed by the USN force the Japanese transport DDs launched 24 torpedoes after clearing a squall line. These torpedoes intersected the American formation at the point of their 90 degree turn but only for the rear division of DDs who elected not to follow the turn and steamed straight ahead. Although several DDs had close calls, only one torpedo found a target resulting in the sinking of the USS Ralph Talbot.

 

The 4 clear tape marks are the launch locations of the transport DDs torpedoes.

 

At this point with all IJN targets opening range and obscured by squalls the USN commander broke off the engagement. 

 

[healey36]

Thanks for that, a very nice scenario which is entirely plausible/believable. Ingenious use of packing material for smoke-screens and what looks to be bits of wax or parchment paper delineating the squalls. How big was your table? This seems a scenario that could be fought in a relatively small space.

[Thomas J Fitzgerald]

Thanks for that, a very nice scenario which is entirely plausible/believable. Ingenious use of packing material for smoke-screens and what looks to be bits of wax or parchment paper delineating the squalls. How big was your table? This seems a scenario that could be fought in a relatively small space.

 We are playing with 1/2400 minis using the 1cm=100yrd scale. table is 7' x 12' but if you use the 1cm=200yrd scale you would obviously only need half of that size. The smoke is indeed packing material and squalls are wax paper cut to size. these are very easy to move. The scenario itself is based on the actual battle of Kolombangara fought 7/13/43 with some order of battle variances. The differences stem from what has transpired in our previous actions (this is the 5th engagement in a Central Solomons campaign game). As an example, the USN CLs in our engagement were Honolulu, Helena and St. Louis, historically Helena was sunk a week earlier and replaced with the New Zealand cruiser Leander. I unfortunately as the IJN did not have the opportunity to shoot as well with torpedoes in the previous engagement leaving the Helena in the lineup for this action.  

[W. Clark]

Great AAR. I love gaming vicariously almost as much as I like doing it myself. I like the discussions they raise, heck I like everything about them. Many thanks and I hope many more AARs.

 

WMC

[healey36]

 We are playing with 1/2400 minis using the 1cm=100yrd scale. table is 7' x 12' but if you use the 1cm=200yrd scale you would obviously only need half of that size. 

 

Thanks for the table dimensions...it's a real hang-up of mine, lol. A 7x12 area is a lot of space, more than I have here. Most 1/2400 actions we put together are cruisers and smaller, fought at night or in abysmal weather. BBs/BCs and we typically go to 1/6000. Biggest thing we've ever run was a battlecruiser clash in Jutland-esque fashion; roughly sixty ships on the table in 1/6000. We just used counters for the DDs.

 

Anyway, enjoyed the AAR...keep 'em coming.

[Peter M. Skaar]

That is a great AAR, Thomas.  An interesting situation.  One of these days when I am done painting tanks or just need a break from painting tanks I will get back to painting ships again.  I definitely have lots of them including a very nice collection of GHQ 1/2400 WWII American and Japanese ships for the earlier part of the war.