Post by afilter on Nov 13, 2010 0:45:12 GMT -5
Tonight my newly painted RJW Battle of Ulsan fleets we able to leave dry dock for the first time and meet on the high seas to do battle.
I used this link to set up the battle:
www.navalwargamessociety.org/scenarios/The%20Battle%20of%20Ulsan.pdf
As the Russian admiral Lesson's cruisers patrolled the Northern approaches to the Tsushima strait The IJN Cruisers under Admiral Kamimura set an intercept course closing to a range of 17,000 yrds the battle opened.
The IJN gunnery was accurate and drew first blood on the Rossia. The Russians knew that had to manuever past this threat to reach the safe port of Vladivostok.
Admiral Lesson could not hope to out run the Japanese cruisers so he choose to mauever head on into them in order to bring his full broadsides to bear.
As he two forces closed in line abreast a fierce melee erupted until finally the two columns closed to Torpedo range letting loose thier deadly salvos as they passed eachother.
True to form the Torpedoes of the time did not run staright except for one lucky strike on the Rossia opening a huge hole in her hull.
The Russians were not done though. As the Japanese raked the Rosssia the Russian cruisers focused their fire power on the Japanese Cruiser Azuma tearing her apart with several well placed salvos while crossing the Japanese line including another exchange of torpedoes.
Fires started on both Azuma and Iwate, but Azuma took the brunt of the gunnery from two Russian cruisers. The savage exchange proved two much and Azuma's fires were soon extinguised as she slipped below the waves as the first victim in this contest of wills.
Despite the loss the Japanese also dished out a savage hailstorm of fire with main and secondary guns as well as unleashed another salvo of torpedos that tore into the huge Russian flagship ripping her massive hull from stem to stern with massive flooding.
At the same time the Gromoboi also took multple critical hits. Rossia's speed was drastically reduced and Admiral Lesson knew it was time to transfer his flag before it was to late. As he made his way to Gromoboi he looked back just in time to see Rossia slip into the depths.
Meanwhile Iwate and Tokiwa massed their fires on the slower Rurik as they crossed the T of the Russian ship. The Rurik took several penetrating hits causing flooding that reduced her speed to a crawl.
Not being able to manuever Rurik was overcome by the combined fire of the Japanese cruisers and soon capsized leaving only the Gromoboi who was also taking on water.
Now outnumbered 3 to 1 the Russian cruiser stodd little chance against the Japanese firepower and manueverablity. She to was overcome and soon slipped below the waves.
Despite the overwhelming victory sending all three Russian cruisers to the bottom the Japanese received some severe punishment in return. One cruiser was lost early on and 2 of the three surviors were reduced below 50% .
War is no romantic affair and this engagement proved no different. As the surving Japanese cruisers limped for home they had a new respect for their foe. Yes they had won a victory, but had definatelky paid a heavy price.
Despite the odds being staked against the Russians both times I played this scenario (Navcon and tonight) it was very exciting and fun to play. Tonights version saw early good fortune for the Russian commander sinking the Azuma. It was not meant to last and the odds ovewhelmed the depleted Russians before they could claim a second victim.
Hope you Enjoyed it.
I used this link to set up the battle:
www.navalwargamessociety.org/scenarios/The%20Battle%20of%20Ulsan.pdf
As the Russian admiral Lesson's cruisers patrolled the Northern approaches to the Tsushima strait The IJN Cruisers under Admiral Kamimura set an intercept course closing to a range of 17,000 yrds the battle opened.
The IJN gunnery was accurate and drew first blood on the Rossia. The Russians knew that had to manuever past this threat to reach the safe port of Vladivostok.
Admiral Lesson could not hope to out run the Japanese cruisers so he choose to mauever head on into them in order to bring his full broadsides to bear.
As he two forces closed in line abreast a fierce melee erupted until finally the two columns closed to Torpedo range letting loose thier deadly salvos as they passed eachother.
True to form the Torpedoes of the time did not run staright except for one lucky strike on the Rossia opening a huge hole in her hull.
The Russians were not done though. As the Japanese raked the Rosssia the Russian cruisers focused their fire power on the Japanese Cruiser Azuma tearing her apart with several well placed salvos while crossing the Japanese line including another exchange of torpedoes.
Fires started on both Azuma and Iwate, but Azuma took the brunt of the gunnery from two Russian cruisers. The savage exchange proved two much and Azuma's fires were soon extinguised as she slipped below the waves as the first victim in this contest of wills.
Despite the loss the Japanese also dished out a savage hailstorm of fire with main and secondary guns as well as unleashed another salvo of torpedos that tore into the huge Russian flagship ripping her massive hull from stem to stern with massive flooding.
At the same time the Gromoboi also took multple critical hits. Rossia's speed was drastically reduced and Admiral Lesson knew it was time to transfer his flag before it was to late. As he made his way to Gromoboi he looked back just in time to see Rossia slip into the depths.
Meanwhile Iwate and Tokiwa massed their fires on the slower Rurik as they crossed the T of the Russian ship. The Rurik took several penetrating hits causing flooding that reduced her speed to a crawl.
Not being able to manuever Rurik was overcome by the combined fire of the Japanese cruisers and soon capsized leaving only the Gromoboi who was also taking on water.
Now outnumbered 3 to 1 the Russian cruiser stodd little chance against the Japanese firepower and manueverablity. She to was overcome and soon slipped below the waves.
Despite the overwhelming victory sending all three Russian cruisers to the bottom the Japanese received some severe punishment in return. One cruiser was lost early on and 2 of the three surviors were reduced below 50% .
War is no romantic affair and this engagement proved no different. As the surving Japanese cruisers limped for home they had a new respect for their foe. Yes they had won a victory, but had definatelky paid a heavy price.
Despite the odds being staked against the Russians both times I played this scenario (Navcon and tonight) it was very exciting and fun to play. Tonights version saw early good fortune for the Russian commander sinking the Azuma. It was not meant to last and the odds ovewhelmed the depleted Russians before they could claim a second victim.
Hope you Enjoyed it.
