Narvil [11]: Outcome of First Battle of Narvik

With the end of the blockade skirmish the loose ends from the First Battle of Narvil draw to a close.

Honours to both sides, but the Germans have the edge as they have a destroyer force that can attempt to make a dash back for Germany (or at the very least Trondhiem which is in German hands). Bunched up for the dash:

Then spread out for the Swordfish attack from HMS Furious (and she jolly well is after the indignantly of HMS Penelope's amidships)!

The RN is stepping up preparations to attack the remaining forces in Narvik (the battleship HMS Warspite and a gaggle of Fleet destroyers), which should be a rather one-sided affair.

Narvik [9]: Death Ride of the German Destroyers

With each successive salvo from HMS Penelope Z3 suffered grievously. Soon Z3 was little more than a wreck. Her speed reduced to 3 inches and upper armament swept away, holding on to a set of torpedo tubes as her only offensive weapon. In an act of calculated desperation Z4 and Z5 charged head on to HMS Penelope out of the protective smoke-screen..

HMS Penelope was still  in complete control of the engagement choosing to shorten the range only for her own benefit with ruthless efficiency. The German guns were still reliant on getting "lucky hits" because even the light armour (LC) of the cruiser was sufficient to protect her at the 30" bands from the German 5" guns. Girding their loins for more losses the German destroyer pair pressed the attack.

Z3 dropped astern retiring back to Narvik. Soon Z4 staggered and sagged under the weight of 'Main' and 'Secondary' armament from HMS Penelope despite violent evasive actions. The cruiser was an altogether better gun platform and her shooting in turn was good. Z4 was reduced to half (6 inch) speed and half her armament boxes were set ablaze. She hung in for the hope of a long range torpedo shot. Z5 knew her turn was next, but at least now the range, although it meant murderous incoming, allowed at last for potentially effective German return fire. 

To be continued ...

Narvik (8): The encounter with HMS Penelope - First Rounds

The "destroyer" that to the horror of the watching Germans turned out to be in fact a "six inch cruiser", the irrepressible "HMS Penelope" (later known as HMS Pepper-pot when serving in the Mediterranean because of the daylight that streamed through the many, many holes the Germans and Italians put into her, yet she still survived).

Her mission to blockade and report on any enemy activity in the vicinity of Narvik.

The deep-blue sea base is my experiment with "cheap oils". Lessons learned being that they take an age to dry! Meanwhile leading the German force into battle is destroyer Z3 followed by Z4 and Z5.

First blood to the RN as Z3 is immediately straddled, good shooting Penelope at the twilight 40" range bracket.  Lucky shots or the taste of things to come?

Z3 makes smoke to cover Z4 & Z5 as the Germans attempt to "close the range". Hoping that Z3 can take the punishment stoically and still remain afloat. Logic being at this range the traffic is all one way in the RN's favour, the destroyers need to half the range to be effective with their gunfire and perhaps have a sporting chance with a torpedo attack. Strategically the Germans want to punch a hole in the blockade and make a run home to Germany with at least some of the destroyers.

It looks likely to be a bloody affair though if HMS Penelope keeps up her good shooting.

To be Continued ...

Narvik (7): Contact German Destroyer Group 1

German Destroyer Group (1):
The Visibility at the murky pre-dawn is under 10,000 yds (5nm)
The German lookouts are watching a mysterious destroyer shape in the distance

Both the other German destroyer groups are at least 6nm away currently yawing long at 6knts helping Von (J) take stock of the wider situation and are waiting for a situation update while conserving fuel stocks

Back of the fag packet calculations: 6 knots = 10 turns to arrive by stealth, 12knots = 5 at a good cruising speed, 24-30 knots hell for leather as destroyers do, 2-3 turns.

"Alarm!"
"Nein Zerstroyer"
"Ein Cruiser!"
"Alarm!"

Even as those words are uttered the cruiser mechanically trains her broadside towards the German destroyer group and seems to be intent on closing the range for some business. It is now obvious broadside on, as an Arethusa class light cruiser of the Royal Navy, mounting 6 x 6", lightly armoured but with a speed to match that of the German destroyers.

Odds: Cruiser would still have a evens [50% = good in my book] chance of  hitting the German destroyers. Cruisers being far better gun platforms than destroyers and can deal out a more punishing rate of fire, whereas in return the German ships have only at best 30% of hitting the Cruiser. There are more Germans, but their guns would need to be firing under 22" to be guaranteed of penetrating (hull hits for example being halved).

Tactical situation tabletop: Cruiser is 40" away turning broadside to the Germans who are currently facing it line abreast.

Von (J) orders:
Increase speed from 3" to 8"
Evasive action (3/4 of normal movement [6"] but you will wiggle to put the enemy gunners off -10% and -10% to German shooting)
Simultaneous division turn to face broadsides to enemy
The range to the enemy closing slightly as both sides advance
Signal to other destroyer groups to make haste in support of Destroyer Group 1

Other tactics under consideration:
Make Smoke

A ripple of flame belches across the breadth of the cruiser
The destroyers begin returning the fire
Next ... Under fire

Narvik (6): German Perimeter Search

Von (J) disposed of the active German Destroyers as follows:

Search Patrol (1):
Dispatched immediate:
One Destroyer
Out to a range of six nautical miles
North West sweeping in an arc down south

Search Patrol (2):
Dispatched one hour later that (1)
Three destroyers
Out to a range of six nautical miles
South sweeping in an arc upwards

Reinforcement Group
Dispatched two hours later than (1)
Two destroyers
Station keeping two miles outside of Narvik
Von (J) with this group

If uneventful both patrols should meet approximately WSW of Narvik six nautical miles out.
As night breaks into twilight ... Contact [South 6nm, unidentified ship - probable destroyer] reported from Patrol Group (2)

Note:
In addition there were three destroyers still in the process of refuelling in Narvik.
The Von Roeder was moored in the outer Fjord as a floating gun platform, though still capable of raising steam and minor movement, she is as such not sea worthy.

Narvik (5): The cunning KM plan [Hypothetical Wargame]

Studying his options Captain Von(J) decided that his worst enemy was the complete lack of accurate intelligence. The best the German Naval High Command could offer was to inform that they expected half the Royal Navy to be potentially outside the entrance of Narvik Fjord in less than twenty four hours time.

German Naval Intelligence estimates of Royal Navy strength in the Narvik Region:

Definite Information:

• The flotilla of destroyers identified (5 destroyers, of which 1 was sunk and 1 badly damaged)
  

Probable:

• An Unknown Destroyer Flotilla (4+ destroyers)
• Light Cruiser

Whereabouts unknown:

• Light Cruiser Squadron 4 ships
• Battleship HMS Warspite + destroyer escorts

Possibly within 24 hours steaming:
Three separate RN battlegroups:

• Battlecuiser HMS Hood + 6 Destroyers
• Battlecruisers HMS Repulse and HMS Renown + 4 destroyers
• Aircraft Carrier HMS Ark Royal +  2 light cruisers + 6 destroyers

The unexpected appearance of Royal Navy destroyers in the Fjord had obviously upset the KM Naval Intelligence Community and Staff Planners alike. Previously all these ships had been plotted in Scapa Flow. The clarification that there was five German U-Boats on station, but not where, did not really help him much either. Nevertheless Von(J) determined that if at all possible he would attempt to break out, but was it possible?

Quickly he organised a search plan.in two steps. A small patrol (single destroyer) to the North West of the Fjord as a safety check in a region unlikely to be seeded with RN vessels, which would sweep down to rendezvous with a stronger patrol exploring the South West of Narvik. The second patrol was three destroyers strong and expected to encounter a Royal Navy picket, if any were at all there.This would indicate whether an immediate breakout was feasible as the three destroyers oiling desperately tried complete the process as fast as possible.

Not long after departing, a mere six nautical miles, South West of the fjord the second group encountered a lone RN destroyer on picket. Captain Von(J) immediately ordered the two remaining fully fueled destroyers to sea and the concentration of his forces against whatever the Royal Navy was mustering outside Narvik.

Visibility conditions five nautical miles (twilight)
Sea state - slight swell

Next related post will be of the resulting GQ2 Naval Wargame: Narvik Breakout [Hypothetical]

Narvik (4): The German Player's Call [Hypothetical]

This is where my mini-naval campaign departs from the historical, as after the Narvik (1), (2) and (3) postings the short-term initiative rests with the German Player Captain Von (J).

The clatter of Enigma exchanges between the German Naval High Command and the Captain Von(J) goes as follows:

------------------------------

To: C-in-C KM from Captain Von(J) Narvik Force
Narvik Situation Report

Local Weather conditions poor, driving snow and poor visibility

Have rebuffed RN destroyer probe of Fjord 18th December

Fierce engagement
1 Enemy Destroyer Sunk (HMS Hotspur)
1 Enemy Destroyer Crippled (Unknown)
Von Roeder (KM) Destroyer Crippled "cannot make return journey, function is now purely of static harbour defence value - disembarking majority of crew to fight as infantry"

Remaining OrBat:
6 Destroyers Fueled
3 Destroyers Fueling

Awaiting your orders
-------------------------------------------------
From: C-in-C KM Forces to Narvik Commander

Your Situation Report is understood
Additional intelligence suggests heavy build up of RN forces in or heading to the Narvik area

Composition unknown but traffic indicates presence of Destroyers, Cruisers and/or Capital Ships
U-25,  U-46, U-48, U-51 and U64 remain on station in Narvik area

[Umpire's Note: not under KM player's control]
No additional KM forces available

Luftwaffe promise long range reconnaissance tomorrow

What are your intentions?
Can you defend Narvik or will you attempt to break out before being trapped?

Von Raeder
-------------------------------------------------
Game Options:

(i) Defend Narvik .. possibly face heavy RN units
(ii) Order immediate break-out (6 Fueled Destroyers)
(iii) Order delayed break-out (9 Destroyers)

(iv) Another Plan

Note to readers, feel free to advise Captain Von(J) as to the merits of his above options and even offer other cunning alternative plans ;)

The Boys from Narvik: Scenario Roll Call

Given that the photography from the First Battle of Narvik was a tad fuzzy (a hand held phone in my unsteady hands and harsh complaints as I nearly knock the table askew) I thought it a quick and worthwhile project to take some shots of the Navwar 1/3000 miniatures used on the night.

The Royal Navy Second Destroyer Flotilla (from left to right, HMS Hunter, HMS Havoc, HMS Hardy (FL), HMS Hotspur, HMS Hostile):

Three packets of Navwar RN destroyers is all you need, at today's prices that is £3.30 (and a spare ship to boot: 4 x N1514 H Class Destroyer, 1 x N1515 Flotilla Leader) and you have a piece of RN History.

Meanwhile lurking in the shadows is the 2nd Flotilla's nemesis (on the replay night only, historically a tad different) the "deadly" Von Roeder (Z17):

Then the members of "The Friends of the Von Roeder" society who came to its rescue to chase away the RN 2nd Destroyer Flotilla from delivering a "coup de grace" on the then 'limping home' Von Roeder:

Not actually named on the night they were: Hans Ludemann (Z18), Herman Kunne (Z19), Wilhelm Heidkamp (Z21), Anton Schmit (Z22). Navwar serial number N3503 (all Von Roeder class), and again the princely sum of £3.30 for three packets buys you this piece of history (and a spare valid historical destroyer).
    
Lurking in distant corners of the fjord and too distant to play a part in my concocted scenario were yet more German destroyers.

The Georg Thiele (Z2), Wolfgang Zenger (Z9), Bernard Von Arnim (Z11), Erich Giese (Z12) and the Erich Koellner (Z13). All Maas class destroyers, Navwar code N3504, again £3.30 for three packets buys you these piece of history (and another spare valid historical destroyer).   

The First Battle of Narvik for less than a tenner, a bargain :) 

I'm still hoping to play a follow on battle from this, somewhat diverging from the historical second battle (as the German KM took much less damage in my re-run of The First Battle of Narvik) which could mean even a spirited German attempt at a breakout. All depends to Captain Von (J)'s reply to my next email.

GQ2 Mal-Rule applied on the night: Rather late apologies to Captain (D) the British player, one rule I did get wrong on the night was not flipping the initiative of who moves first in the sequence of play. By this I mean [First Turn] Side A moves first then Side B moves, to [Second Turn] Side B moves first then Side A and so forth in an alternate sequence. However as a matter of fact (IMHO) it mattered little in this short sharp action, a stern chase and then quick retreat (gunnery is taken after all movement and is simultaneous). The German player at most may have got one broad-side (perhaps) advantage on the HMS Hunter early on.

Wargame Night (Cont): The Battle of Narvik (3)

Decision time for the RN.

Captain (D) knew secrecy was blown as the Germans defenders were obviously wide awake to the 2nd. Flotilla's presence in the fjord. Signal flares were going off the length and breadth of the fjord and even the cackle of light arms echoed from the shore. However visibility remained diabolically short so this was all window dressing to the real events. Captain (D) reasoned that given the cataclysmic destruction of HMS Hotspur and the coldness of the water there seemed little reason to stop and look for survivors. This thought was completely abandoned when three darkened shadows were seen lumbering out of the swirling snow squalls ahead (see bottom left in the photograph below). German destroyers, big ones at that!

For Captain (D) on HMS Hardy this was quite enough and while the initiative lay with him, and the range still permitted it to be carried out unopposed, he ordered the Second Destroyer Flotilla to "Break off Action". HMS Hardy and HMS Hostile executed simultaneous emergency turns and departed whence they came up the fjord (see bottom right in the picture below), using their superior speed and smoke to break off the action. The Von Roeder thanked its lucky stars, although wrecked as a fighting unit, it was still afloat and under its own power (just).

Over on  the other side of the fjord HMS Havoc had remained on guard station covering the heavily damaged HMS Hunter's tactical withdrawal. It too sighted an equally sinister silhouette of yet another German large destroyer approaching. Discretion being the better part of valour, HMS Havoc used her superior speed to break contact, then made a tortuous extradition covering HMS Hunter struggle out of the fjord under half power. However as the Kriegsmarine were content to put on a defensive show of strength, assisting the damaged Von Roeder back into Narvik and searching the wreckage of HMS Hotspur for survivors. None being found.

Postmortem:

A tactical German success (win). RN: losses being 1 destroyer SUNK and 1 HEAVILY DAMAGED, while the KM: had 1 destroyer CRIPPLED, barely afloat but incapable of making the return journey to Germany as planned. It would have to remain as a Narvik harbour defense ship and await developments. The bulk of her crew would probably be used as infantry as Narvik had no repair facilities to speak of.

Strategically it is still "To Be Decided" as the RN would be back to fight another battle bringing heavier assets to bear. The prize of a clutch of German destroyers would be too tempting and tantalising for Winston as the First Sea Lord to miss and his badgering the Admiralty for another go would continue. It's a question of whether the German player Von (J) wishes the KM to fuel up and attempt break out or wait to sit it out in defensive mode. I eagerly await his decision.   

Was it a Good Game? It certainly was a quick filler that did the job on the night, though you had to be of a certain nautical mind set to let the game flow. You either like the abstraction in GQ2 or hate it and I find that as a player that can (nay, usually) depend on the dice you throw.

After the Battle Considerations:

Alert Status of Kriegsmarine: This was far greater than historical so to give both sides an even matched scenario. Firstly in the ability of the German destroyers to move once alerted to the British presence, this allowed a stronger response to be organised far quicker than the historical event. Having said that I halved the total number of German destroyers available from ten to five to compensate somewhat for this and represent the refueling activities taking place. I was still happy with the overall scenario balance given that this was a reconnaissance in force, effectively a "meeting engagement".

Magnetic North: German torpedoes experienced repeated failures due to the magnetic pistons malfunctioning due to the unusual geology (rich in ferrous iron-are) affecting their behaviour and poor quality control factors in construction and design principles. Heads literally rolled in scientific departments after this fiasco was investigated. This I effectively ignored, so the crew of HMS Hotspur should bear me a hard grudge. Having said that, eight torpedoes, two hits, both registered as SUNK. I'll say that's enough of a convincing statistical outcome to say it could have happened.  

Scale: I would be tempted to run The Second Battle of Narvik (if it ever happens) using cm instead of inches, particularly as HMS Warspite and/or a cruiser may be involved (that should upset or influence Von (J)'s decision if he is reading this). If truth be told I am slightly annoyed I didn't use the cm scale for the first battle.

Hidden movement and Solo Game Potential: Once the models were in the table the "Fog of War" was hard to maintain without sending players out of the room, something I am not (or no longer) keen to do. Replay value methinks would be with a more complicated solo game or a RN 'team' exploring the fjord and its side channels and reacting to random events.

Any constructive thoughts or comments appreciated ;)

Wargame Night (Cont): The Battle of Narvik (2)

With the crackle of gunfire still echoing around the fjord the Von Roeder makes smoke and executes what it hopes to be a speedy exit to meet up with friendly forces further down the fjord. Note: The many wargame uses of a poker chip. Green equals part of a smoke screen, red a visibility limit, simple but it was working well enough on the night. Back to the Von Roeder. Racing around the lee of the island she gains protection from two RN destroyers (HMS Hunter and HMS Havoc) but the Von Roeder (top middle trailing green "smoke" poker chits) is blissfully unaware that she is on a collision course with the rest of the RN 2nd Destroyer Flotilla (bottom right). 

"Enemy sighted" and HMS Hotspur engages and trades minor hits with the startled Von Roeder. HMS Hardy soon joins in the battle as the Von Roeder and HMS Hotspur enter into a close (or rather effective) range torpedo duel in the fjord. Both captains decide to unload 'all' their fish and it's a case of who guesses right under the GQ2 basic torpedo rules, but I like it that way. A sophisticated bottle top marks the torpedo launch points. Both sides write down their predictions and wait nervously.  

The Von Roder bears to port (top middle), but Captain (D) guessed straight ahead therefore MISS, while Von (J) picked correct, straight ahead and HMS Hotspur obliged, though at rather a high speed. [Note: Only now do I see an umpire omission, that they could have spread their fish to different sectors - my fault, but it was the same mistake for all sides - I honestly knew these rules once!] The result being a Torpedo Attack on HMS Hotspur. The dice roll, the players wait with baited breath. Then follows then is a catastrophic explosion (two in fact) on the brave and valiant little HMS Hotspur, as she simply disintegrates [Umpire: SUNK result twice].

The euphoria is short lived on the Von Roeder as she is then subjected to a withering fire from HMS Hardy and HMS Hostile seeking a bloody vengence for the Hostspur. For the first time the Von Roeders normally crack aim (aka Von(J)'s deadly dice roll) deserts her, Lady Luck is such a cruel girl. The Von Roeder is now reduced to a single armament and hull box, limping lowly along, truly "peppered". Von (J)'s previously humorous comment about sticking close to shore to run aground if in trouble looks a rather good pragmatic option now.

Is it time for the RN to rethink its plans? Do they press on or break off?

Wargame Night: The First Battle of Narvik (1)

I'm a happy man, no more thinking about it, but a bit of doing. A "night pass" (married folk will understand) is secured, hurriedly a box of toys tucked safely under an arm and off we go to actually ... wargame. It's been over a month, well over, I am so looking forward to it even though I am only going to be the umpire tonight. Now perhaps you would expect a 20mm WWII battle. No that would be far too sensible a thing for me to do. Far better to blow the dust off some of my old Navwar 1:3000 scale miniatures and try and to remember the GQ2 (General Quarters 2) rule set. I have not (and probably will not) made the transition to GQ3 as it unfortunately drops what I liked about the original rules, namely simplification and a pleasant level of abstraction.

The scenario was a bit of a thrown together "what shall we do at the last minute tonight affair" based on the hectic First Battle of Narvik in December 1940. The game was played in a serious (as becomes an Englishman playing a commander in the Royal Navy) but friendly fashion with a few embarrassing breaks as I fluttered through the rule book. Ahem, I knew these rules once!

A quick Google will tell you that in 1940 the Germans transported an invasion force to Narvik by destroyer (ten large ones in fact) and soon took control of the port facilities and hinterland. A sea journey so far north all but exhausted the fuel range of the destroyers so cunningly replenishment oil tankers accompanied them to top then up for the return journey. This extra complexity cost time and gave the Royal Navy the opportunity to strike a blow against the Kriegsmarine. Unsure of the exact size and strength of the German presence a reconnaissance in force was organised. The Admiralty after much procrastination sent the Second Destroyer flotilla of five 'H' Class destroyers under the command of Captain Warburton-Lee to aggressively probe and attack enemy shipping in the Narvik fjord system.

Players (J) and (D) took center stage. The British player (D) took the brief in his stride and in a damn-the-torpedoes style line-abreast, battle ensigns fluttering in the breeze, entered the fjord aggressively as shown below. Note: The terrain below is a completely haphazard concoction thrown together on the night, serving to facilitate a close action to the shore working with little or no room for maneuver. It probably bears little or no historical relevance, please accept this as so. Black hexes represent the sea, therefore it follows green gaps with 25/28mm rock scenery represent islands and/or shoreline.

The red poker markers indicate the furthest line of visibility (D) could see the moment the RN entered the fjord, the ships have moved their full allowance. The German player (J) has plotted his hidden patrol(s) in true "Fog of War" fashion. The visibility was randomly rolled for and came back with a very historical poor line of sight as per the snow-bound night of the 10th December 1940. Maximum visibility range was a mere 16 inches which meant gunnery combat (when it happened) would be in the murderous rapid fire category. In hindsight perhaps I should have used cm to widen the fjord and give the British more room to play with, for example if they wanted to try and dodge the/any patrols. As it was the British player intended to make contact with whatever was in the fjord, so strategically I think nothing was a miss here. The three British player bounded forward three turns until "contact".

The moment of "Contact":

The German "designated" Patrol destroyer (Von Roeder - bottom middle) is sighted by two RN destroyers (HMS Hunter and HMS Havoc). Gunnery ensued, with the Von Roeder coming off better after a brief but bloody exchange of gunfire over the next two turns. Key to this being the KM's ability to broadside and cross the T's of the Royal Navy flotilla (again, only two of which could engage due to the visibility and even then only for for half gunnery effect). HMS Hunter took the brunt of the firestorm, taking a critical in the boiler halving her speed, plus numerous hull and armament box hits (both being reduced by two). She was effectively out of the game in Captain (D)'s eyes.

In return the Von Roeder picked up only a half a hull hit. The Germans were blessed by the Brit(D) just rolling poor on the "to hit" dice. Nevertheless following written orders when faced by a superior force the Von Roeder made smoke RN and retired back to friendly forces behind the lee of a convenient small island. An alert (by signal flares and the sound of gunfire) was also sent to activate "other" German forces in the Narvik fjord area.