7 replies to this topic

[Thomas Ruta]

Gentlemen,

 

Hopefully this is a simple question with a definitive answer.  In a night scenario, if I Acquire a target on turn 4 can I launch torpedoes on turn 5?  Yes, my ship "steamed a straight course during the latter half of" turn 4.  Did I "develop a fire control solution" on turn 4?  Or, since the Detection Phase comes after the the Movement Phase, do I need to set up the fire control solution on turn 5 and launch on turn 6?  The only applicable rule I can find is 1.4.5 Attack Plots.  The Night rules don't address torpedo attacks and the turn sequences are very general.

 

I'm considering a Battle of Tasafaronga scenario.  Everything I can find says the Japanese DDs were 'surprised', but were quickly able to launch torps at the US cruisers.  Launching two turns after Acquisition doesn't seem to fit the historical accounts.

 

Thanks,

 

Tom.

[Jim O'Neil]

My take would be that aquisition has occurred and the firing solution was input in turn 4 [all navies hed some sort of simple calculator to provide a solution in a minute at most] , so the torpedoes are plotted and fired in turn 5. Determining hits is a function of range, so could be in turn 5 or 6 or...

[Thomas Ruta]

Hello Jim,

Do you have a rule reference?  I appreciate your input, but I'm looking for a definitive rule reference that specifies when the firing solution is generated and when torps can be launched.

Thanks,

[Dave Franklin]

Tom,

Unless you put in a special scenario rule, it's just a symptom of the Game Turn Sequence.  In the RAW Game Turn Sequence, if in the Detection Phase of T4 you Acquired a target, in the Tactical Plot Phase of T5 you can launch torpedoes at it, as long as the firing ship satisfied the movement restrictions (which you identified it did) and her torpedoes bear on the target.

 

If a side in a historical battle was surprised (or fatigued, e.g. Allies at Savo Island), you might put in a special scenario rule they can't fire torpedoes that quickly, and perhaps also not fire guns in the immediately following Gunnery Phase (which comes after the Detection Phase).  However, as you note, at Tassafaronga, the Japanese DDs were able to respond quickly, so it probably wouldn't be as appropriate for a special scenario rule limiting their response.

 

Dave

[W. Clark]

Confusing, isn't it? That is night combat for you. Don't you just love it when the rules leave you as confused as the historical players were? Maybe not if you're the Ref and trying to give straight answers. I had the same issue and came to the same conclusions as Jim and Dave did. Perhaps, Lonnie will chime in here and clarify for all of us.

 

WMC

[Kenny Noe]

Crit traffic sent to CNC

[Lonnie Gill]

G' Day Thomas,

 

Jim and Dave are right, as usual.  The Game Turn sequence was constructed so that you can plot and launch torpedoes in the Tactical Plot Phase early in the Game Turn using acquisition data for night/low visibility situations acquired in the Detection Phase of the previous Game Turn. This provides time to develop a torpedo fire control solution, have torpedo crews input the solution, prepare tubes and launch before movement. Gunnery combat takes place after the Detection Phase to simulate the quicker response for gun batteries.  Thus in the case you presented, torpedo attacks can be plotted and launched in GT 5 using target information acquired in GT 4. 

 

And, as already noted, the movement restrictions need to be met to launch.  Resolution of a torpedo attack is a function of range and firing arcs.  INJ torpedo attacks were not necessarily faster, but tended to be more accurate due to better optics and procedures honed by extensive practice in different weather conditions.  The wonder of Tassafaronga is that the Japanese DD crews were able to launch torpedoes with decks cluttered with supplies without time consuming delay.  

 

Hopefully, this clarifies it for you,

 

LONNIE  

[Thomas Ruta]

Gentlemen,

 

That clears it up.  Many thanks to Jim, Dave, Kenny and especially Lonnie.  I'm going to print this thread and tuck it into my rule book.

 

Regards,

 

Tom.