NT: Battle of Moon Island (1917)

[mmaker52]

This was a scenario based on Operation Albion, Imperial Germany's only amphibious invasion. The purpose of the invasion was to seal the Russian Baltic in the Gulf of Finland so they couldn't interfere with Germany's operation against the Russians. The number of ships on both sides have been modified to present a (somewhat) balanced scenario. Historically only two old pre-dreadnoughts were sent against the massive German fleet, and one (Slava) grounded and then was destroyed by the Germans. The objective for the Russians was the German transports, the Germans, to protect same.

Attachments:

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Initial set-up of the German Fleet. The line perpendicular from the island represents shallow water. The Russian fleet is seen advancing from the top left. The Germans weigh anchor and prepare for battle.
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The advancing Russian fleet. The dreadnaughts are on the left, the pre-dreads in the middle, & the AC's to the far right.
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With the alarm raised about an advancing Russian Fleet the German CLs begin laying smoke to mask the vulnerable transports.
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The German capital ships increase speed to meet the Russian threat to their transports. Borodino ranging shot misses the Emden.
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The main heavy units on both sides, Bayern and Borodino trade long range shots.
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The German CLs continue to lay smoke to protect the anchored transports, exposing themselves to gunfire from the Russian dreadnaughts.
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The dreadnaughts from both sides are now within range of each other. Ships are straddled and take hits. The German battleship Bayern at the head of her line is hit by Borodino and a small fire breakout.
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The Russian dreadnaughts take return fire that starts a fire on the Poltava.
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The Russian shooting is accurate with the German Battleships Bayern & Kronprinz on fire and the Markgraf suffering a bridge hit.
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Disaster strikes for the Russians as the Bayern sends 15" shells deep into the Borodino. The magazines are penetrated and the pride of the Russian fleet explodes with a great roar that is even heard by the troops miles inland. The great ship breaks in half and disappears as the bow and stern simultaneously slip beneath the waves. Gangut the 3rd ship in the Russian dreadnaught line is seen with multiple fires that start to overwhelm the damage control parties.
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The remaining Russian dreadnaughts reverse course to try and get at the transports. Gangut's damage control parties valiantly try to put out the fires and save their ship.
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Now badly outnumbered and outgunned the Russians open the range on the Bayern group as it finally gets its bridge issues resolved and reverses course to keep the Russians in range.
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The German CLs and Kaiser class battleships block the Russians from getting at the transports and pour deadly fire into the advancing Russians. Ganguts fires are seen still burning. The damage control teams ravaged by heavy gunfire, fight a hopeless battle to save their ship.
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The battered Russian AC Bayan, with her rudder jammed to starboard, strikes a mine and quickly sinks. Poltava and Gangut quickly follow her down as the massed German gunfire pounds the Russian dreadnaughts into scrap.
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Position of the ships at the last firing turn of the battle. The Germans celebrate their victory, but several ships have taken heavy damage and will require significant dockyard time to repair. The Russians fought well and a few well placed hits might have turned the battle in their favor.
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