Post by slojax on May 29, 2011 20:00:09 GMT -5
Here is a scenario that I've used several times to introduce newbies to the wonders of naval wargaming. I'd like to take credit for it but I found it in a book: "Naval Wargames -World War 1 and World War 2" by Barry Carter.
The Defense of a Convoy
Situation:
The time is early autumn of 1915, and the scene is the Adriatic Sea where fighting has occurred intermittently since Italy's entry into the war in May. For the most part, the fighting has been on a small scale. However, an allied cruiser force has recently inflicted severe damage on the road and rail routes which run along the Dalmatian coast. As a consequence the effectiveness of the U-boat base at Cattaro could be much reduced. The Austrian government needs to find an alternative means of supplying the base with torpedoes and spares if the submarine offensive is not to lose its momentum. A convoy has therefore been prepared at the northern base os Pola with the intention of sending it overnight down the Adriatic. Because of Allied mining along the Dalmatian coast it is felt necessary to route the convoy well out to sea; the shelter of the islands west of Dubrovnik only being sought towards dawn when the last leg of the journey would be beginning. A strong screen is to accompany the convoy which, at best, is expected to make about eight knots. Austrian U-boats may also be at sea to give assistance with any Allied forces that appear.
Thanks to the shrewd observations of Italian spies in Pola and their promptness in getting a message to Venice, the Italian naval authorities there have been able to dispatch two vessels only a few hours after the convoy sailed. Steaming in excess of 20 knots for most of the night they have, by dawn, closed the gap between the convoy and themselves to less than 20 miles. Additionally, a British force has been ordered away from it's patrol station east of Bari to intercept the convoy.
The Austrians hope that at least half of the freighters with their cargoes of torpedoes and spare parts will get through. The escort commander has been urged to risk a great deal to see that this objective should be achieved.
For their part, the Allied commanders have orders to destroy or turn back the convoy; the sinking of more than half of the freighters being considered a victory even if several warships are lost in the process.
Allied OOB:
Roma (Italian battleship)
Libia (Italian protected cruiser)
Dublin & Dartmouth (British light cruisers)
5-British 'M' class destroyers
Austrian OOB:
Radetzky (battleship)
Saida & Helgoland (light cruisers)
4-Tatra class destroyers
3-Uboats
The Defense of a Convoy
Situation:
The time is early autumn of 1915, and the scene is the Adriatic Sea where fighting has occurred intermittently since Italy's entry into the war in May. For the most part, the fighting has been on a small scale. However, an allied cruiser force has recently inflicted severe damage on the road and rail routes which run along the Dalmatian coast. As a consequence the effectiveness of the U-boat base at Cattaro could be much reduced. The Austrian government needs to find an alternative means of supplying the base with torpedoes and spares if the submarine offensive is not to lose its momentum. A convoy has therefore been prepared at the northern base os Pola with the intention of sending it overnight down the Adriatic. Because of Allied mining along the Dalmatian coast it is felt necessary to route the convoy well out to sea; the shelter of the islands west of Dubrovnik only being sought towards dawn when the last leg of the journey would be beginning. A strong screen is to accompany the convoy which, at best, is expected to make about eight knots. Austrian U-boats may also be at sea to give assistance with any Allied forces that appear.
Thanks to the shrewd observations of Italian spies in Pola and their promptness in getting a message to Venice, the Italian naval authorities there have been able to dispatch two vessels only a few hours after the convoy sailed. Steaming in excess of 20 knots for most of the night they have, by dawn, closed the gap between the convoy and themselves to less than 20 miles. Additionally, a British force has been ordered away from it's patrol station east of Bari to intercept the convoy.
The Austrians hope that at least half of the freighters with their cargoes of torpedoes and spare parts will get through. The escort commander has been urged to risk a great deal to see that this objective should be achieved.
For their part, the Allied commanders have orders to destroy or turn back the convoy; the sinking of more than half of the freighters being considered a victory even if several warships are lost in the process.
Allied OOB:
Roma (Italian battleship)
Libia (Italian protected cruiser)
Dublin & Dartmouth (British light cruisers)
5-British 'M' class destroyers
Austrian OOB:
Radetzky (battleship)
Saida & Helgoland (light cruisers)
4-Tatra class destroyers
3-Uboats
