anav
Member
En Passant Round two. 2 players on each side, ACH options both turned OFF this time. AAR from the German Commanders View.
CL/DD forces in the lead combined and scouted to the the North West. The BC's of SG 1 continued North to back them up, While the Konigs of the center column went ahead flank. The intent was for them to take the lead on whatever course the fleet deployed on. The older CL's of SG IV on the left flank turned back to the rear of the fleet.
CL's and later the BC's were soon engaged with RN forces located to the NW of the KM fleet and headed generally NE or E. Soon the BC's of SG 1 turned West and ran into the British Battle line formed up and steaming to cut off the German escape to the North. A bit later the RN BC's appeared to the West on cse 000. Since we were cut off to the North, we turned West in an attempt to take on the RN BC's and the rear of the RN line. Once on West the BL turned NW again by divisions to try and close with the British and take some of the pressure off the German BC's which were at this time taking overwhelming fire from the RN. Soon though these ships turned South to open the range. Von Der Tann took a pounding here and was slowed to a maximum of 21 knots. The view of the KM BC force from Konig at this time was inspiring. Heavily engaged with shell splashes all around it as it came South was a sight be behold.
The KM Battleline was still trying to get in the fight as the KM scouts all returned and tried to get into a single formation. At this time the fleet was in single line ahead on cse 315, with the BC's in the Van. Course was soon changed 15 degrees to the right, but the enemy was still out of range to the North so a right turn to 045 by divisions was conducted to quickly close the range. It was intended to come back to a base course of 330 as soon as possible once within range, but by this time the English were now NE of us and circling around back to the South. So the KM line continued right to course 145 to intercept the British. Within a few minutes a general engagement started between both fleets with tremendous fire on both sides. The RN line on course 160, with the KM line now to the West of them and on course 145. The BC forces of both sides were at this time in the rear of both lines.
The battle did not start off well for the Germans, as battleship Konig blew up, followed a few minutes later by Battleship Thuringen. These were the only two CH of the whole battle, and they occurred within minutes of each other. As the range closed between the two vans though German fire began to tell. Soon Ajax rolled out of line in a sinking condition followed a little later by 3 other RN BB's at moderate or heavy damage. It was the assesment of the RN side that none of these ships would have survived to see England again.
Still the German line was slowing and being taken apart by the heavy fire of a superior force, the Helgolands in particular were getting pounded and 2 of the 3 remaining were down to 17 knots. It was time for the KM to make its escape, so the fleet turned away from the British by divisions, then headed North. At this time the only torpedo attack of the battle was conducted by the KM side against the RN van to try to break up any pursuit. This it did though at the cost of the Rostock and 3 DD's. No torpedos found there mark as far as we knew. however the KM did manage to break off the fight.
So ended a good, hard fought, and very smart battle by both sides.
Regards ANav
CL/DD forces in the lead combined and scouted to the the North West. The BC's of SG 1 continued North to back them up, While the Konigs of the center column went ahead flank. The intent was for them to take the lead on whatever course the fleet deployed on. The older CL's of SG IV on the left flank turned back to the rear of the fleet.
CL's and later the BC's were soon engaged with RN forces located to the NW of the KM fleet and headed generally NE or E. Soon the BC's of SG 1 turned West and ran into the British Battle line formed up and steaming to cut off the German escape to the North. A bit later the RN BC's appeared to the West on cse 000. Since we were cut off to the North, we turned West in an attempt to take on the RN BC's and the rear of the RN line. Once on West the BL turned NW again by divisions to try and close with the British and take some of the pressure off the German BC's which were at this time taking overwhelming fire from the RN. Soon though these ships turned South to open the range. Von Der Tann took a pounding here and was slowed to a maximum of 21 knots. The view of the KM BC force from Konig at this time was inspiring. Heavily engaged with shell splashes all around it as it came South was a sight be behold.
The KM Battleline was still trying to get in the fight as the KM scouts all returned and tried to get into a single formation. At this time the fleet was in single line ahead on cse 315, with the BC's in the Van. Course was soon changed 15 degrees to the right, but the enemy was still out of range to the North so a right turn to 045 by divisions was conducted to quickly close the range. It was intended to come back to a base course of 330 as soon as possible once within range, but by this time the English were now NE of us and circling around back to the South. So the KM line continued right to course 145 to intercept the British. Within a few minutes a general engagement started between both fleets with tremendous fire on both sides. The RN line on course 160, with the KM line now to the West of them and on course 145. The BC forces of both sides were at this time in the rear of both lines.
The battle did not start off well for the Germans, as battleship Konig blew up, followed a few minutes later by Battleship Thuringen. These were the only two CH of the whole battle, and they occurred within minutes of each other. As the range closed between the two vans though German fire began to tell. Soon Ajax rolled out of line in a sinking condition followed a little later by 3 other RN BB's at moderate or heavy damage. It was the assesment of the RN side that none of these ships would have survived to see England again.
Still the German line was slowing and being taken apart by the heavy fire of a superior force, the Helgolands in particular were getting pounded and 2 of the 3 remaining were down to 17 knots. It was time for the KM to make its escape, so the fleet turned away from the British by divisions, then headed North. At this time the only torpedo attack of the battle was conducted by the KM side against the RN van to try to break up any pursuit. This it did though at the cost of the Rostock and 3 DD's. No torpedos found there mark as far as we knew. however the KM did manage to break off the fight.
So ended a good, hard fought, and very smart battle by both sides.
Regards ANav