Today, we had a game of Coastal Forces (using my own rules) We were supposed to be 3 players against the solo system, but Phil was a bit unwell, so it was just Lawrence and I.
As usual we used a couple of S-Boats against a randomly generated Allied convoy off the English coast in 1942-3.
As a scenario, we decided to hunt a tanker, if one was with the convoy.
As usual we used a couple of S-Boats against a randomly generated Allied convoy off the English coast in 1942-3.
As a scenario, we decided to hunt a tanker, if one was with the convoy.
Lawrence's boats were facing the centre of the convoy (at this stage just markers, as we hadn't spotted anything yet!) Our boats were moving slowly, on electric motors, to make us harder to acquire.
I started near the front of the convoy.
One of my boats almost immediately spotted trouble...
...an Algerine class minesweeper.
Her 20mm cannon could seriously hurt our boats
Lawrence's boats were out of sight of the escort...
...and having more luck than me, spotted a 3,000 ton merchantman...
...Rapidly seeing another behind it.
In all, there were 3 in column, none of them had seen the stealthy German boats...
...yet!
My boats managed to spot the foremost 3,000 tonner, but also saw another escort, a Hunt type 2, bristling with guns!
At the rear of the convoy, Lawrence spotted an armed trawler. Not quite in the same league!!!!
With a 3" gun and 20mm cannon, dangerous enough, but slow.
My boats turned to bypass the two RN escorts...
...but as they did so...spotted the Tanker behind the 2 big escorts!
A fourth 3,000 tonner was seen next, screened by the Isles trawler.
Having spotted our primary target, I threw caution to the wind, and turned my boats to attack!
If the Hunt saw me, this could end badly!
My boats fired their torpedoes (including several dummy markers to confuse the British lookouts)
The Hunt heard the torpedoes on her hydrophones, and turned to attack (and comb the incoming fish!)
The Algerine, far ahead of the action, continued off the table.
The Hunt, being aware of our attack gave the tanker a greater chance of spotting and evading my torpedoes.
Her radar allowed the hunt to fire her guns, which straddled one of my boats.
I turned away to avoid the fire.
One of Lawrence's boats had fired its torpedoes too, and joined my boats in heading back to Cherbourg.
His other boat was still spotting for good targets.
No longer on electric engines, his boat fairly sped down the line of the convoy!...it fired its last torpedo and departed soon after.
My boats reached safety, having broken the Hunt's radar lock.
Lawrence's first boat escaped, having never been spotted.
My torpedoes bypassed the fast moving Hunt.
The Tanker saw them too late, and only slowly began to turn.
My other torpedoes were heading for the foremost 3,000 tonner.
One of Lawrence's torpedoes hit a 3,000 tonner amidships, fatally holing her.
My first torpedo reached the tanker...but it was a dud!!!!
One of my other torpedoes neared the leading 3000 tonner...
...but skimmed past the turning freighter's stern.
One of Lawrence's torpedoes also hit, but passed harmlessly under the same freighter.
My second torpedo headed towards the tanker.
Success!
The Tanker exploded in a ball of flame!
The last of Lawrence's torpedoes now reached a third 3000 tonner...
...it exploded in the ship's wake, causing minor damage and flooding only.
The freighter continued on with her speed unaffected.
And so the battle ended, I had got the tanker, and Lawrence a 3000 tonner, we had 3 duds or torpedoes passing under the ship results, and several misses. That was one tough convoy!!!
Looks like an excellent game.
ReplyDeleteCheers Alastair! - Its always fun!
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