3 replies to this topic

[W. Clark]

Torpedo Junction

TSC GT1

In an attempt to give additional variance to the OOBs for both sides in the Solomons Campaign, I offer the Allied player(s) (at the start) the option of adding DesRon 2 to their OB on GT2 along with Hornet (a historical reinforcement). However, if they elect to take that option then the Japanese get the 9^th Cruiser Squadron (Oii & Kitakami under RAdm Nishii) at Rabaul or Truk (Japanese option) on GT1. The 9^th Cruiser Squadron was present historically at Truk at that point and is not included in the IJN OOB there as per the RAW. For anyone not acquainted with the Oii and Kitakami, these are modifications of the Kuma class CLs that convert them to torpedo cruisers with 5 quad Type 93 (Long Lance) mounts per side. I do this to beef up the IJN force at Rabaul without the need to expend CDs on transfer missions as well as to add variety to game play.

 

This scenario presupposes that the players elected to forego Savo Island and skip directly to GT1 and that the IJN took the 9^th Cruiser Squadron at Truk. In this supposed campaign the Allies have elected to sortie 2 CG and 2 supply missions (a common Allied selection IMHO) while the Japanese have sortied a CG, a Decoy CG and a Bombardment mission from Truk as well as a supply mission from Rabaul in response. We will only resolve the Bombardment mission’s contact with an Allied supply mission. The IJN capital ship sortie limit for this GT is 5.

IJN Bombardment Force OOB

Combined Fleet: Adm Yamamoto                 4^th Destroyer Flotilla: RAdm Takama

IJNS BB Yamato FF                                          IJNS CL Yura FLdr

4^th Cruiser Squadron: VAdm Kondo              2^nd DesDiv

IJNS CA Atago SF                                             IJNS DD Harusame DLdr

IJNS CA Maya                                                  IJNS DD Murasame

5^th Cruiser Squadron: VAdm Takagi              IJNS DD Samidare

IJNS CA Haguro SF                                          IJNS DD Yudachi

IJNS CA Myoko                                               9^th DesDiv

9^th Cruiser Squadron: RAdm Nishii               IJNS DD Asagumo DLdr

IJNS CL Oii SF                                                  IJNS DD Natsugumo

IJNS CL Kitakami                                             27^th DesDiv

                                                                        IJNS DD Ariake DLdr

                                                                        IJNS DD Shigure

                                                                        IJNS DD Shiratsuyu

 

 

 

 

Allied Supply Mission Escort OOB

1^st Division: RAdm Crutchley (RAN)              DesRon 4

USS BB North Carolina                                   USS DD Selfridge SF

HMAS CA Australia FF                        DesDiv 1

2^nd Division: RAdm Scott                               USS DD Bagley DLdr

USS CA Astoria DF                                          USS DD Blue

USS CA New Orleans                                      USS DD Helm

USS CA Minneapolis                                      USS DD Henley

3^rd Division:                                                     DesDiv 2

USS CA Vincennes DF                                     USS DD Jarvis DLdr

USS CA Quincy                                               USS DD Mugford

USS CA San Francisco                                     USS DD Patterson

                                                                        USS DD Ralph Talbot

Allied Supply Mission OOB

DesRon 1                                                         Supply Ships (at Anchor)

USS DD Phelps SF                                           USS AP Formalhaut

DesDiv 3                                                          USS AK Athena

USS DD Dale DLdr                                           USS AK Bellatrix

USS DD Dewey                                               USS AP Fuller

USS DD Farragut

USS DD Hull

DesDiv 4

USS DD MacDonough DLdr

USS DD Worden

USS DD Wilson

Allied Set Up

The supply ships are at anchor at point B (Lunga Point anchorage). DesRon 1 is patrolling at 5 knots in a NW to SE racetrack pattern 2,000 yards from the anchored supply ships. Roll odd/even to determine which end of racetrack to start at.

The Escort is patrolling at 15 knots 4,000 yards plus D6 from the anchored ships in a NW to SE racetrack pattern. Roll odd/even to determine which end of racetrack to start at.

IJN Set Up

The IJN starts 20,000 yards from the nearest Allied ship (varies with Allied placement) on a SE heading parallel to the Guadalcanal coast at 15 knots.

IJN Mission

Abort Allied supply mission by engaging anchored transports and then bombard Henderson Field.

 

Force Morale

Japanese: Veteran (as long as) Yamamoto is present, Regular as long another Admiral is present and reduced to Green if no admiral is functional.

Allied: Regular as long as either admiral is functional or reduced to Green if not.

Allied Mission

Prevent IJN completing its missions.

Control Measures

Ships may not change speed or heading until they make contact (Allied radar) acquire (see) an enemy ship.

Scenario Notes

1. The CG mission (2 carriers) prevented the IJN adding the Nagato and Mutsu to their OOB.
2. The scenario will lend itself to multiple players and set up limitations on both sides make playable with just 2 players.

 

 

 

[W. Clark]

I'm solo gaming the scenario out and will post the AAR when I'm done.

[Jim O'Neil]

Bill Clark and I go back a few years as fellow gamers, about 46 years I thiink. I bought a copy of TSC, which it turned outI had also purchased many years ago… anyone need a copy? Anyway I asked him to do an online game. Bill was not thrilled, as he said in his experience the Allies always won.

So we decided to adjust the rules  slightly and this is what we did and what we learned.

 

 1. Accepting Savo Island as it historically ended is a disaster for the Japanese. The rules specifically single out transports as key, and Admiral Gunichi Mikawa did not attack them as he was concerned about allied air retribution.  The Japanes admiralty saw it as a mistake on his part, but celebrated the great victory. The allies were horrified and withdrew the transports, BUT they had landed over 10,000 Marines and four light tanks, a number which the Japanese vastly under estimated. Thus Col Ichiki’s assault was doomed from the start. The allies had an uphill battle ahead, but the Japanese were behind the curve and couldn’t make up the difference.

So you either replay the battle of Savo Island with modern knowledge or you roll a D6+2 for transpoorts lost in additioon to  historical allied losses. Now the camapign is off to a more even start.

 

GT 1 makes no allowance for Col Ichiki’s landing and attack. So if the Japanese player rolls a 1-4 on the Theater Even Table (with the adjustment to the Tactical Index) OR the Japanese player runs two supply missions to Guadalcanal unimpeded, he may conduct an attack to seize Henderson field [which becomes Ichiki field, named for the courageous colonel]. The Japanese  player should have some feel for his success chances, be careful. NOTE that this puts pressure on the Allied player to stop supply missions, which could cause naval actions, likely at A, D or E  on the Tactical map.

 

If they take the airfiled, they may bring aircraft in on the following turn. If they don’t the allies may bring aircraft in the following turn.

 

The Navy Air Corps at Rabaul may also conduct attacks on the allied ships in Iron Bottom Sound during the day, They have a limited number of Betty Bombers [72 less unavailable aircraft] and Zero fighters [Not sure,, 24?] to do this with, so track losses on both sides. Initial allied aircover must come for carriers supporting Guadalcanal (a CG mission). Allied Ground Based Radar was not set up until 2 September historically; the SCR-270 sets came with seven vehicles and seven crewmen, it could be set up in about six hours and took 50 people to keep oerational 24/7

 

IF the USS Washington arrives on turn 1 or 2, it does not have SG radar, so search radar is a =, with land shadow limitations.

 

Radar availability - Numerous US Navy ships do not have the latest radar install, as they have been out fighting. I am posting a list of which ship has what radar as best I have been able to determine. This WILL make things tougher for the USN in particular.

 

US SC & SC-1 radar is seriously affected by land shadow, Th rules are generous as written. Once more than 50 miles from any land it is much more relieble for surface detection. Land shadow is no where near as great a factor with Air Warning, as the speed of the target is clear … land shadows don’t move. However the radar equiped ships movement may make he land “Move” on the screen at the ships speed.

 

On GT 2 the IJN again hunted Transports, you don’t get as big a plus for sinking them, but the Allied forces can’t grow. If the IJN can keep delivering supply runs, the Allies are in trouble. 

 

Note that the Japanese ignored Tulagi for the time being, but they still need Allied supply !

 

Lastly, the IJN has great torpedoes, if you can get a launch before the Allied sships realize the danger and react, you add to the Japanese strength. We called this game at the end of GT 2 with the TAC index at -25. These adjust,ments may have over balanced the game … try it and see what you get.

 

I have a map for then Savo Island Battle and list of dates for radar installations on US Cruisers but can't post it because Dropbox dropped off my computer ... If I can get it back up, I'll post those here too.

[Jim O'Neil]

Not sure how this will work, but here are (I Hope) the documents I promised above.

 

https://www.dropbox....SMuAAAAAAAAAADw

 

https://www.dropbox....SMuAAAAAAAAAAEA

 

https://www.dropbox....SMuAAAAAAAAAAEQ