Post by afilter on Nov 28, 2010 21:48:16 GMT -5
Experienced a great day of gaming today. After adding all the cruisers and flotillas for the full OoB for the Yellow Sea scenario I was able to give it a try this AM with my 14 yr old son.
I suggested that he take the IJN as the odds are heavily in their favor. He insisted on playing Russia and stated he would "school" me despite the odds.
Initial deployments:
IJN Battle line poised to intercept the Russian fleet:
IJN Cruiser force shadowing Russian main battle line at a safe distance:
Russian Battle line making a run for safety to escape Port Arthur:
The Battle Begins:
In 1904 the Battle of the Yellow Sea did not last long after the Russian Flagship took a critical hit to the Bridge and the fleet basically broke up in disarray with the survivors retreating back to Port Arthur.
What the Russians did not have in 1904 was a teenage boy in command determined to best his father agaisnt the odds.
Displaying keen accumen the Russians choose to engage the IJN forces in parts instead of as a whole in hopes to divide and conquer. The Russian opening move was to execute a line abreast and engage the IJN Cruiser force shadowing them before they would be forced to face the big guns of the main IJN battle line.
The other thing the Russians did not have is the unexplainable ability to roll dice like they were possessed....
The Russian Battle line tore into the IJN Cruisers decimating Chitose in quick order and setting Kagusa ablaze while the fast moving flotilla moved in for a kill.
IJN reiforcements were on their way, but would they arrive soon enough to impact the battle?
As the Main Russian Battle line dealt with the IJN cruiser force the Russian Cruisers along with the 2nd flotilla effectively screened the Batttle Line and engaged the other IJN Cruiser force that was closing in.
A heated seperate battle evolved as the two Cruiser forces exchanged salvos while the Main Battle line continued to rake the other IJN cruiser squadron.
Despite the inital Russian Successes (excellent die rolling) the inevitable could not be avoided. Russian Success depended on their force getting past the IJN Battle line and escaping to the open sea. While the Russian line was hotly engaged he IJN Battle line was closing the distance.
Soon the two lines were hotly engaged while the cruisers continued to exchange passing shots and cross the rear of the Russian line.
The initial excahnge was devastaing for both sides. Flotillas rushed the two lines in hopes to get off their fish and sway the balance of power. The Russians had already taken some punishment, but were still giving a good fight. The IJN Struck the first Critical blow forcing the Presviet out of line while the Russians scored two devastaing hits on the Asahi.
Then Just like History the Russian Flag ship was crushed under the ovewhelming fire of the IJN line as they attempted to make a turn back to the East with victory in sight.
With two Battleships out of the fight the Russians could not witstand the withering fire from the IJN Line along with the remaining cruisers that swarmed like sharks to blood in pursuit of the kill.
Only a small Russian Cruiser force was able to make a break for it unscathed.
Like history this day would belong to the Japanese. Unlike history Togo paid a lot higher price for this victory over the Russian Squadron.
Fortunately for the Japanese Trash talk did not count toward victory conditions. Had it a Russian Victory surely would have been in order.
Overall a great battle and always a great time gaming especially when I can get my son involved especially when he actually is interested in the history.
Of course it is always that much better when the old man can "school" the youngster.
I suggested that he take the IJN as the odds are heavily in their favor. He insisted on playing Russia and stated he would "school" me despite the odds.
Initial deployments:
IJN Battle line poised to intercept the Russian fleet:
IJN Cruiser force shadowing Russian main battle line at a safe distance:
Russian Battle line making a run for safety to escape Port Arthur:
The Battle Begins:
In 1904 the Battle of the Yellow Sea did not last long after the Russian Flagship took a critical hit to the Bridge and the fleet basically broke up in disarray with the survivors retreating back to Port Arthur.
What the Russians did not have in 1904 was a teenage boy in command determined to best his father agaisnt the odds.
Displaying keen accumen the Russians choose to engage the IJN forces in parts instead of as a whole in hopes to divide and conquer. The Russian opening move was to execute a line abreast and engage the IJN Cruiser force shadowing them before they would be forced to face the big guns of the main IJN battle line.
The other thing the Russians did not have is the unexplainable ability to roll dice like they were possessed....
The Russian Battle line tore into the IJN Cruisers decimating Chitose in quick order and setting Kagusa ablaze while the fast moving flotilla moved in for a kill.
IJN reiforcements were on their way, but would they arrive soon enough to impact the battle?
As the Main Russian Battle line dealt with the IJN cruiser force the Russian Cruisers along with the 2nd flotilla effectively screened the Batttle Line and engaged the other IJN Cruiser force that was closing in.
A heated seperate battle evolved as the two Cruiser forces exchanged salvos while the Main Battle line continued to rake the other IJN cruiser squadron.
Despite the inital Russian Successes (excellent die rolling) the inevitable could not be avoided. Russian Success depended on their force getting past the IJN Battle line and escaping to the open sea. While the Russian line was hotly engaged he IJN Battle line was closing the distance.
Soon the two lines were hotly engaged while the cruisers continued to exchange passing shots and cross the rear of the Russian line.
The initial excahnge was devastaing for both sides. Flotillas rushed the two lines in hopes to get off their fish and sway the balance of power. The Russians had already taken some punishment, but were still giving a good fight. The IJN Struck the first Critical blow forcing the Presviet out of line while the Russians scored two devastaing hits on the Asahi.
Then Just like History the Russian Flag ship was crushed under the ovewhelming fire of the IJN line as they attempted to make a turn back to the East with victory in sight.
With two Battleships out of the fight the Russians could not witstand the withering fire from the IJN Line along with the remaining cruisers that swarmed like sharks to blood in pursuit of the kill.
Only a small Russian Cruiser force was able to make a break for it unscathed.
Like history this day would belong to the Japanese. Unlike history Togo paid a lot higher price for this victory over the Russian Squadron.
Fortunately for the Japanese Trash talk did not count toward victory conditions. Had it a Russian Victory surely would have been in order.
Overall a great battle and always a great time gaming especially when I can get my son involved especially when he actually is interested in the history.
Of course it is always that much better when the old man can "school" the youngster.
