FROM WIKIPEDIA:
On 4 September, Little and Gregory brought a detachment of Marine Raiders to Savo Island on an unfounded rumor that enemy forces had occupied it. The troops were returned to Lunga Point, Guadalcanal. That night was unusually dark, so Division Commander Hugh W. Hadley decided to patrol off Lunga Point rather than attempt to negotiate Tulagi Harbor with no visible landmarks.
About 0100 on 5 September, Little observed gun flashes to the east and believed this to be an enemy submarine. Moments later a Navy PBY Catalina flying over Savo Sound released a string of five flares to illuminate what he also thought was a submarine. The flares illuminated the APDs instead. A surprised Japanese surface destroyer force, engaged in shelling Henderson Field after delivering a "Tokyo Express" shipment of troops and supplies to Guadalcanal and the source of the flashes presumed to have come from a submarine, shifted their guns toward the APDs, and searchlights stabbed through the darkness. Though outgunned, Little opened fire on enemy destroyers, Yūdachi, Hatsuyuki and Murakumo, but took direct hits from salvos which left her helpless and ablaze by 0115. Gregory suffered the same fate. The Japanese, to assure their kill, steamed between the two stricken ships firing shells and strafing survivors. Gregory sank stern first about 0140. Little went down on an even keel about two hours later. Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz paid sincere tribute to these gallant ships: "With little means, the ships performed duties vital to the success of the campaign." 65 officers and men from Little, including the commanding officer of Transport Division 12 and the commanding officer of Little were killed.[2]
So that is the historical action, this is a modified version to grant the US a fighting chance.
This scenario has been altered by adding the USS Charleston, a gunboat, whose Mk-3 FC Radar, early Surface search set (Not
SG, but rather SF) can provide some protection and US combat power. Note that USS Charleston’s SDS is slightly off,
as the Machinery spaces are protected with CL class (3.5 inches [90 mm] )homogenous armor. The guns and ammo are less
well armored, but also employed other means to prevent a catastrophic explosion.
Setup:
The top of the table is North.
Guadalcanal is on the South and Southwest map edge. The IJN DDs are in column heading E to SE [95 to 150º] approximately to a spot 10,000 yards off of the shoreline near Henderson Field at 15 Knots.
The US Force is traveling in an oval pattern about 10,000 yards long somewhere between Savo Island and Henderson Field at 12 knots. The direction of the oval is up to the US commander, but should be stipulated. The US force travels the width of two blocks [2,000 yards] per 6 minute turn.
That should have them off the IJN formations port side somewhere.
Weather was clear and dark with a new moon. The sea was calm. This can be rolled for if the players wish some variation.
US Commander may dictate which ship is leading and where each ship is. The US Commander is aboard USS Charleston.
The US Commander will make the normal rolls to see if his Radar shows anything. If the IJN force is detected, his guns may be trained at the enemy, otherwise they are in normal travel mode aimed in all directions. The US Commander may initiate the action once the enemy is acquired.
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The US 6” and 3” Guns can fire illumination rounds. A gun firing Illumination cannot also fire against the target, so if Charleston uses one gun to illuminate, she only has 3x 6” guns firing on the enemy. The US 3” cannot fire Illumination rounds past 12,000 Yards.
The IJN Destroyers may fire illumination from any turret on any DD, but must subtract that turrets fire from attacks on the US ships.
The US Commander has communications with the PBY overhead and has cautioned him about dropping flares without knowing whom he is illuminating. The Commander can ask the Pilot to drop flares on the enemy ships ONCE. Roll a D12- 1-5, five flares are dropped along the IJN column and last the turn minute. 6-9 the pilot cannot identify the ships to illuminate, try again in 2 turns. 10-12 - He has them insight and drops 5 flares along the length of the US column.
The US Marines have a half battery (2 guns) of 5”/51 dug in to protect the beaches from attacks like this. They will fire at any clear target within 10,000 yards.
Ship values are as listed on the SDS with the following adjustments. IJN DDs are worth 1.5 times the SDS value if sunk and the SDS value if seriously damaged. US APDs are worth double their SDS values due to their usefulness at this time.
Attached Files
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Iron Bottom Sound.PDF 385.47KB
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