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Thursday, 2 December 2010

The Battle of the Java Sea: The Maelstrom [2]

In Summary:
  • All eyes on the crazy little destroyer (HMS Encounter)
Never rely on the concept of average dice rolls as when they needed it most the IJN fire was very poor. HMS Encounter got away scot free. With her final approach cleared and to the great consternation of the IJN Admiral, a spread of four fish went in the water, sent at "effective range" and heading straight for the IJNS Haguro. A tense dice roll followed by an ABDA cheer that briefly stopped wargaming on other tables across the other side of the club.


A large column of water soared into the air to the height of some 100' as the Haguro lurched savagely under the force of the impact. The Haguro was reduced to a crawl by massive three box hull damage and a main 8" turret out of commission too to boot. The IJN Admiral was livid at this plucky 'heart of oak' which had caused such an upset. The only thing on his mind was VENGEANCE!

 
All hell was then let lose on HMS Encounter. Although now stricken, the Haguro still could pack a deadly punch. In an incandescent rage "both" heavy cruisers turned all batteries back onto her and reduced her topside and most of the hull to a burning wreck. The forward gun crew of HMS Encounter were last seen standing fast to their positions and returning a pitiful fire by comparison (but a die nevertheless rolled) hoping to seek out a vulnerable soft spot in the Japanese behemoth's armour.
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6 comments:

  1. David Crook2 December 2010 at 19:20

    Hi Geordie,

    I am loving this! Adding some dramatic dialogue to a report really makes it rattle along! We all like a plucky underdog (trust me, I have a Turkish navy...)and this is EXACTLY the way to do it, cheers and all. Very well done sir!

    All the best,

    DC

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  2. Geordie an Exiled FoG2 December 2010 at 21:36

    Cheers David,

    Seeing this attack going in did make me stop and think "Gawd what is this simulating"? It seemed close to certain death

    It seems more so plucky as the situation was getting rather desperate for ABDA

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  3. Tim Gow2 December 2010 at 22:51

    Great report. I'll keep a lookout for pipe cleaners next time I'm on a boat! Seriously though, what a great way to represent torpedoes.
    Tim

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  4. Geordie an Exiled FoG2 December 2010 at 23:56

    Fourteen years ago I had to pretend to be a pipe-smoker to get them (and they have lasted me well)

    My cover was broken under casual examination from the shop keeper who asked what type to which I naturally replied:

    "Which one that looks most like a 21" Whitehead torpedo or a Japanese 24" Long Lance?"

    He nearly refused to sell me some, Blue Peter "Craft" types were obviously the bane of his life

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  5. Paul3 December 2010 at 01:39

    Great report and good story about the pipe cleaners. More please!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Tim Gow3 December 2010 at 08:16

    Happily one of my wargaming group is actually a pipe smoker, so he can acquire them quite legitimately.
    Tim

    ReplyDelete