A Midsummer Night's Nightmare - First Test

Von der Tann

Schlachtkreuzer
Joined
Oct 2, 2008
Messages
719
Reaction score
1
Location
Münster
Country
llGermany
Some time ago, I tried a scenario involving an Atlantic convoy, and as we were only two people today, we tried if it was playable at all. A small group of German raiders, two BC and two fast CL with long ranges (Derfflinger, Seydlitz, Graudenz and Straßburg) are sent past the blockade to attack a convoy. In accordance with the information provided by Blutarski and BH (a big Thank you again), the convoy is only protected by two CA (Frenchies) and four AMC plus two CL, but a fast response force is rushing in to reinforce (10th Destroyer Flotilla plus Repulse and Renown). The Germans discover the convoy at sunset on Midyears Day high up in the north, but the reinforcements are not far away. Sadly, I clean forgot to check the ACH settings, so both were ON... :OHNO:

The Germans (me) were coming in from NE, but the ships were dispersed for maximum sighting range. Seydlitz was closest to the convoy and engaged the AMC, one of which (Victorian) was sunk fairly quickly, the other (Teutonic) got away. The convoy turned away towards S, then W, and the CA were doing their best to keep me occupied, when Derfflinger finally came into range - but the reinforcements were already showing, with DD coming up from SE. The light was fading quickly, and visibility dropped to 9km, then 7km only. FL Nimrod was hit badly by Derfflinger, but when she began to target the convoy, Straßburg was sunk in a matter of minutes as the cavalry arrived on the scene from SE. Immediately, the BC turned away from the convoy and attacked the enemy capital ships behind their destroyer screen. Torpedoes were dodged, and despite both ships were hit several times by 15" shells, Renownwas badly damaged, Repulse was more fortunate. A further torpedo run could be dodged, and the German BC turned to pursue the convoy, taking on the French CA and damaging them heavily. Graudenz had suffered many hits from the CA and AMC, but was not very heavily damaged. Her DCC was quite low in the end, however, and she probably wouldn't have been able to stomach much more damage.

Despite some incongruities, the scenario seems to be more playable than I initially expected. The German BC are strong opponents, but have to watch their ammo against a great number of small escorts. I am not certain whether Repair and Refit are the best choice for the cavalry, but they are accompanied by many DD, and a nightly battle with them may well prove lethal to the Germans. I will be making a few variants of this scenario to explore the possibilities, it was more fun than expected.

I thank my gallant opponent Admiral Hipper for the test. Well fought indeed.
 

Von der Tann

Schlachtkreuzer
Joined
Oct 2, 2008
Messages
719
Reaction score
1
Location
Münster
Country
llGermany
A continuation of the battle would have been even more interesting, but the lack of any usable savegame function in the MP game prevented this. Please, please, pretty please include this feature, SES!
 
Top