Unfeasibly Large Naval Game : Reinforcing Tarawa

This week at the Wollongong Wargamers, for some oversized 1/700th scale naval fun we are in the Pacific, November 1943. Darren came up with a convoy protection scenario: The US is preparing to invade the Gilbert Islands, so the Imperial Japanese Navy has set in train a series of reinforcement convoys, most of which have come to grief at the hands of the USN. 

But for this next convoy, consisting of the LPD Akitsu Maru, failure will not be tolerated! It will be properly escorted! But two US Task Groups are lying in wait. The mission is simple - the Japanese player has to get the High Value Unit (HVU) from one corner of the 13' x 9' playing area to the other...

The first US Task Group is based around the CA USS Portland...

Accompanied by the CL USS Atlanta and scads of DDs:

The other US Task Group, hitting the convoy from the other flank, is led by the CL USS Cleveland, also escorted by a DESRON. The combined US points are 88.

The Imperial Japanese Naval escort also consists of 88 points, lead by the CA Atago, with CLs Nagara and Kinu, and a host of DDs. Their task is daunting, as all US forces will be focused on sinking the HVU!

Darren volunteered for the challenging role of Japanese Admiral, and set up two heavy screens of CLs and DDs way out front:

As US commander I had to ignore these as much as possible whilst attempting to close the HVU.

The jaws of the trap start to close...

But I'm paying a high price - whilst Darren can afford to spray torpedoes at me, I have to save mine for the HVU - if I ever get close!

Fortunately Darren's Torpedo dice rolling is consistently poor. Not so his gunnery however - I lose three Fletcher class destroyers!

Finally a lone surviving DD - USS Jarvis - despite having lost one of her two torpedo launchers, gets the rest of her fish into the HVU - game over.

Despite it being somewhat of a challenging game given the task, it was great fun and a visual treat! As usual the Nimitz rules made a large game play smoothly and fast, giving realistic outcomes.

Pickett's Charge redux

 

The Scenario

After setting up the table, the Confederates seemed closer to the Union than ideal - Rifled Musket range was reduced from 24" to 18".

The Union Lines

Hays and Gibbon's troops were deployed historically, making full use of the stone wall defences running south of the Bryan House. But with only 3 brigades to the Confederate 7, they were looking at a a long, hard day...

Doubleday's troops were deployed en potence to the Taneytown road in March Columns, so that Amos as Union Commander could rapidly deploy them as he chose. - they would get 4' of movement if they doubled along the road.

The Confederate had 2 rounds of pre-game bombardment. Targeting the Union guns, they caused significant damage.

The Confederates Form Up

Above, Bob's Command: Pettigrew's division in front, Trimble's behind. 

Below, John's Command: Picketts Division. 

John has encroached across the post and rail fence marking the divisional boundaries - not a good start!

The Confederate Advance

The Union redeploys

Amos identified the Confederate drive on his right hand objective on Cemetery Hill by Ziegler's Grove as the biggest threat, and duly sent Doubleday north.

Where he was able to deploy in the nick of time to contest the objective!

The Northern Flank: Ziegler's Grove & Cemetery Hill

Bob aimed two of his three Brigades at the objective on Cemetery Hill and Ziegler's Grove. The latter was the site of fierce fighting with successive waves of attacks and counter attacks!

As was the objective on Cemetery Hill:

After many rounds of fierce firefights and deadly assaults, both features were taken by the Rebs, and Hay's troops were forced off the ridge:

Centre - 'The Angle'

Its the New York Fire Zouaves against the 1st Louisiana Zouaves, whilst Wheat's Tigers charge the Angle itself:

The Rebs are over the wall!

A Union counter attack goes in:

But now its Gibbon's brave defenders who are steadily forced back...

The Southern Flank

John took his time with a lengthy approach march right around the Union left flank - possibly why Amos decided to commit his reserves on his right flank. But eventually they were in place to assault:

The view from the Union left flank. With the artillery weakened in the preliminary bombardment, there was just not enough infantry to hold the whole line:

Outcome

The final tally was Confederates 7, Union 1. But the score line does not reflect the tenacious and skilled defence the Union put up against the odds. Conversely, John and Bob worked really well together to put in a coordinated set of attacks which impacted in successive blows all along the Union line. With hindsight, the Union lost the battle as soon as their artillery was attrited in the opening Reb bombardment. Next time I will give the Union more batteries or factor in the long range artillery support coming down from Little Round Top.

However, an Epic and fun day's gaming in great company!