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 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:
Fortunately Darren's Torpedo dice rolling is consistently poor. Not so his gunnery however - I lose three Fletcher class destroyers!
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.
I don't see a lot of 1/700 scale naval games, I can see why you needed four tables! The ships and the basing are truly impressive. I haven't tried the Nimitz rules, do you like them? Cheers, Michael
ReplyDeleteThanks Michael! Yes I love the Nimitz rules, they reinvigorated my WW2 naval wargaming. Simple and elegant, yet they deliver authentic outcomes.
DeleteSo good to see 1/700 on the tabletop and using multiple tables was a good way to keep them at a reasonable distance from one another. Beaut stuff!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes, James
Thanks James very kind - Yes really like the visual impact of the larger scale ships.
DeleteAmazing stuff Sparker! A tough battle for everyone.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ben mate!
DeleteThe ships look great, impressive that the rules make this ‘ mini monster’ so playable
ReplyDeleteThanks Norm! Yes a great set of rules.
DeleteGreat to see such large ships in action, but I can see why you needed all those table just to be able to play the game:)!
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve! Yes it was a visual treat but space is an issue...
DeleteGreat looking action! The scale and the seascapes look very impressive. The scenario itself looks interesting enough to try it (or something similar) out with my really tiny navies.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Ion
Thanks so much mate! Glad you are inspired by the scenario. If I were to repeat it I would give the IJN a few more HVUs, otherwise the game can be over very quickly!
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