The 2026 Royal Navy - 1/3000 Scale

I am big on WWI and WWII 1/3000 world navies, from anything that could fight in either, so that includes a few pre-dreadnoughts as well as hypothetical (inter-war) ships and WWII-era ships that were never completed (not quite as crazy as the Z-Plan). My interest in moderns was strictly limited to the Falklands 1982 Campaign, a few cold war US/RN/USSR subs and a US Litoral/Carrier Task Force. Looking at the Navwar listing and I saw that the RN 2026 Fleet listing it was "almost" there. There were the Boomers (4 xV-Class SSBN), Destroyers (6 x T45 - Daring Class) and Frigates (7 x T-23 Duke Class) and things that are "close enough" for the minesweepers (5 x Hunt Class). I was missing the CVs (Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales) and the six Astute Attack Subs. For the former a friend printed for me (two) in resin (aka Black Magic spell that summoned out of the "resin goop") and for the latter I cheated as I made do with some older attack subs - they are supposed to be submerged most of the time anyway (see below, metal ships on cardboard bases [un textured and unpainted] - our "new" Grand Fleet of 2026 - I apologize is this sounds rather ironic): 

Note: Since the photograph was taken, one T23 has been decommissioned (HMS Richmond) and another is stripped of its weapons and sensors and is classed as inactive (HMS Iron Duke). 

If the above picture looked small, what is a lot smaller is [on a random day of asking] the ships that were at sea or ready for sea duties (as in not in refit or repair) - T45 x 1, V-Boat x 1 [continuous nuclear deterrence patrol], T-23 x 2 and  MS x 2 [which I must confess was a guess (40%)]! We seem to have a lot of active admirals and not enough active ships to be honest (see below, the "on-patrol fleet and ready for action fleet" - naturally at the day of asking the CVs must have been "in preparation" for something like an extended cruise): 

Ideally we would have one to two of "these" to worry hostile states with (see below, a "RN CV Task Force" consisting of - 1 x CV, 1 x T-23, 1 x T45, 1 x SSN): 

Note to Self: I really should try and field Fleet Auxiliaries too, there are not that many either, but that is another resin printer request I think!. 

Useful internet Wikipedia pages: 

Active RN: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_Royal_Navy_ships

And the future RN?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Future_of_the_Royal_Navy

Active USN:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_ships_of_the_United_States_Navy

Active Russian: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_Russian_Navy_ships

Active Chinese: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ships_of_the_People%27s_Liberation_Army_Navy

Active Japanese: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_Japan_Maritime_Self-Defense_Force_ships

Active French: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_French_Navy_ships

Active Italian: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_Italian_Navy_ships

Active German: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_German_Navy_ships

Active Spanish:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_Spanish_Navy_ships

Active Dutch:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_Royal_Netherlands_Navy_ships

Active Norwegian:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_Royal_Norwegian_Navy_ships

Active Finnish: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_Finnish_Navy_ships

Active Danish:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_Royal_Danish_Navy_ships

Active Swedish: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_Swedish_Navy_ships

Active Portuguese: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_Portuguese_Navy_ships

Der Tag (Minden Games) : The Holy Grail of WWI North Sea HSF v GF Wargaming is found!

For the better part of thirty years I have been searching and experimenting with various rule systems that allow me to play WWI naval games, specifically North Sea actions between the Royal Navy (RN) Grand Fleet and the Imperial German Navy's High Seas Fleet (HSF). This encompassed and included a vast fleet of 1/3000 Navwar ships (the Jutland Battle Pack and much. much more [ahem]) for use with General Quarters (I and II). I have acquired a shelf load of books and various boards games (Avalanche Press - The Great War at Sea Vol II - The North Sea and the Baltic and SPI Dreadnought to name two). There is the History of Wargames project's reprint of Fletcher Pratt's rules, a copy of "Si Vis Pakem" (Prof David Manley's WWI rules), an old copy of A&A's Sea Wars [1894-1945] and teh Jutland scenario booklet, XTR's Command Magazine Jutland zip-lock game and many other things I bet I have forgotten about, but all of which make me think "Jutland". The wilderness years are now over as Minden Games "Der Tag" officially does it for me (see below, a simple and brilliant game, designed originally as a solitaire game, but it was cleverly expanded by a ingenious friend to a multi-player system which we played over Zoom for myself (as Admiral Scheer) and some friends as the various RN "fleets" [most of the Grand Fleet at Scapa, some Grand Fleet elements at Cromarty Firth, at Rosyth the BCF and the "Wobbly Eight" of the Dover Patrol]):   

It is a high level operational game, German action cards initiating missions but there is a huge emotional buy-in during combat, from a simple but effective combat system that "gets it right". It is set in the 1916 Jutland year and plays for four turns of nerve racking play. We ran the game twice on consecutive days, each game lasting just over an hour of playing time. It was also a great conversational piece and highly entertaining to play as everyone got into teh mood. I can only say "I highly recommend it to you" if you are of a similar disposition as myself to WWI naval warfare. I just wish I had found it sooner! Please also see Board Game Geek's review (and if you get it, enjoy the solitaire version, but do think about translating it to a multi player version to spread the joy): 

• https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/316075/der-tag-1916-solitaire-ww1-naval-game

Footnote: My WWI naval addiction. I must also give a shout out to Paul Hague's two books of naval wargame rules. The first I discovered as a teenager in the Public Library and I ended up making 1:3000(ish) WWI ships out of bits of balsa wood (looking back I am amazed at the fortitude and ambition of that young man, I think I got the BCF, 5th BS and 1st SG of the HSF). The second book was purchased some twenty years later and was a welcome reunion to somebody returning to his hobby's "second life" in his late twenties. 

Board Game Geek Comments: 

• https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3168818/der-tag-is-der-game
• https://boardgamegeek.com/video/542479/der-tag-1916-solitaire-ww1-naval-game/coffee-with-kilroy-panzerschreck-issue-17-fall-202

1/3000 WW2 RN Destroyers bulk basing!

The WWII RN Destroyers get their basing call and proudly get squished together like the good mates they are, or rather the sisters they are (see below, they have been waiting in that box a good few years for this treatment):  

These range from early to mid war, where possible (according to budget) I like to get all of the iconic classes like the Tribals.

Nimitz - Operation Freya (1/3000 Ships)

At last a use for my 1/3000 WWII Navwar naval collection (huzzah), the Nimitz rule set and its hypothetical introductory scenario, Norway 1940 - Operation Freya a RN v KM battlecruiser clash, let the dice roll and decide history (see below, slowly collected over many decades part of my 1/3000 collection which I consider as an ongoing proect): 

I guess the intention in the scenario (from Sam Mustafa's website download section) is to be a WW2 version of a Dogger Bank 'fast and furious' battlecruiser clash, with one side (RN) having destroyers and one side (KM) having a light cruiser, both sides having something capable of firing torpedoes (see below, the ships were fast out of their starting blocks with the KM hurling caution to the wind and sending in their light cruiser [Nurnberg] for a torpedo attack on the RN Hood and Repulse): 

Nurnberg was crippled and sunk, but her sacrifice was not entirely in vain (as the RN battlecruisers paid her some main armament attention) as she allowed the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau to deliver painful blows to the Mighty Hood, taking structural points away (see below, one crippled RN destroyer stays attending to the British main force [aka hiding], while the two healthy attack the German battle cruisers [gulp]): 

With HMS Hood suffering yet again (and the British return shells bouncing off Krupp armour) t'was "the better part of valour" this time for the British as they retired off table under cover of a threatened or rather attempted torpedo attack (see below, the rules showed the nice premise of a running battle - jumping between tactical and operation game boards was possible - something previously hinted at but not really supported by other tactical rules sets): 

I liked the scenario (and the way Nimitz was playing [without cheese]) so much I decided to play it again, this time over at a friend's house who had a much better "sea mat" than me! In a short summary, the British need to get lucky early or the German armour works in the KM's favour over the course of a long range gunnery dual. Note, players don't seem to be the classic missing smoke-screens, not just yet at any rate (see below, in the first run through we forgot about rolling the "dice for advantage" [I like this little tweak] - nothing is equal so KM rolled well enough to "have the advantage2, so they can watch the RN set-up in a limited "floor space" and choose their angle of attack from anywhere in their half of the board (see below, the RN force opt to make a high speed run [hence the yellow counters on their ships]):  

The RN strategy is "run fast, shoot with a full broadside and then get lucky" whereas the KM felt an uncontrollable urge to charge at the enemy with the Nurnberg - two separate [unrelated so I don't think it's genetics] German players did this (see below, in the exchange the Scharnhorst suffered light damage [structural] and the KM player learned it pays to "move fast when you can" because you are harder to hit - even if it makes your shooting slightly worse): 

The Nurnberg meets a watery grave from a bucket load of torpedoes from the leading RN destroyer (which was crippled in the process - a medal for someone) - Nurnberg's back was broken and  she went straight down (see below, he RN's strategy was working for two thirds of their battle plan - keep going fast, shooting away with full broadsides but alas missing with their shooting - whereas the KM just "got lucky" and HMS Hood (that fateful old girl) suffered accordingly, losing lots of structure points and a nice 15" turret to boot):     

A RN admiral discussion concluded that whereas the German armour was saving them from serious damage and the Admiralty would like to get HMS Hood back to Scapa to be repaired (see below, the two fresh RN destroyers were able to chase the German battlecruisers away as the RN battlecruisers disengaged):  

After seeing what torpedoes can do to KM ships the German admiral was satisfied to claim honours and retire just after the British had retired from the map (see below, the game worked really well, credit to the Germans in both games with sound tactical victories - note in the Halsey campaign this would be set up for a nice running battle over several encounters and other Task Forces trying to intercept [or hide if you were a convoy], all good stuff): 

This all bodes well for this rule system methinks and future battles. Nimitz is easy to pick up, fun to play and gives more or less, plausible historical results in a much quicker time than the likes of GQ II (my previous preferred WW2 naval rule set). I can recommend watching the SaturdayNightFights of the Armchair Dragoons fame, playthrough of Operation Freya:

https://www.armchairdragoons.com/events/wn/saturdaynightfights-operation-freya-for-nimitz/

Murmansk Convoy Ships: 1/3000 Navwar

 Seen from a distance, a sneaky German recon plane spies its target in the cold, northern waters - radios its position and expect all hell to break loose (see below, my "dirtied up" [aka with a rusty brown wash] Navwar, 1/3000 British Convoy): 

This is in preparation for "Halsey" Murmansk Convoy operation, with tactical game play using "NIMITZ".

Audible Book: Pedestal - Max Hastings

With my current diet of dog walking, car journeys and kitchen washing-up duties I have managed to ply through some Audible books running nicely in the background (see below, one of the latest being Pedestal by Max Hating which concerns the epic 1942 convoy run to relieve the siege of Malta):   

A straightforward chronological churn (not meant in a bad way, but in the same way the convoy made its sojourn to its Malta destination under intense Axis fire) of the convoy battle and all its different phases. It did up-end my rather simplistic narrative (probably based on post war Allied propaganda and black and white war films) of a valiant mission fought through with outstanding RN pluck (which there certainly was plenty of, alongside that of the Merchant Marine) to a worthy win in the expected traditions of the RN. Rather it was a game of two halves, the first with the convoy holding formation under duress with the heavy covering force present (albeit taking casualties, such as HMS Eagle [sunk], HMS Indomitable [damaged] and HMS Nigeria [damaged]), then when the heavy covering force withdrew (with its reduced intrinsic air support) a second brutal half of chaos and confusion under increased Axis air and small boat (MAS and E-Boat) attack - but with utter confusion on the British side (the convoy losing its formation and defensive structure). The Axis reigned superior here sinking many merchantmen and more cruisers [HMS Cairo and HMS Manchester (sunk) and HMS Kenya (damaged)]. Despite the disorganisation and confusion, the battered and brave remnants "got through" - some like the Brisbane Star making her "own way". Many curious and potentially ill thought decisions on both sides were highlighted, albeit with the benefit of hindsight, but it seems to have been a major Axis "missed opportunity" despite the dreadful toll inflicted. All it would have took was a sally by the Regina Marina and better target priority of the Axis bombers to sink the merchantmen [there was certain fixation on aircraft carriers and large warships] where and whenever possible (discuss). I enjoyed it and it is a battle on my wargaming "bucket list" (maybe with the Nimitz ruleset). 

Discoveries in a Bookshop - British Recognition Plates (late 19th Century to WWII) and a Trireme Book

There is always something to be found in a bookshop, the more rambling the better and I particularly like the buzz you can get when you comes across something you thought could not possible exist. Hence the sheer joy I felt when touching a physical book like this one (see below, spoiler alert I could not justify the purchase, but I still love the thought that this book collection exists):

https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Richard-Perkins/a/2685

Seven volumes of illustrated warship plates exist (gulp which comprise Richard Perkins life's work). Something to compliment [perhaps dwarf would be be better phrased] my trio "Janes" [two volumes], "Conway" [three out of four volumes] and "Brown" [two volumes] warship collections - but ultra specific to the RN. In the (physical, sigh) book shop there were only three out of the seven volumes (but priced at £19.99 each which was so, so tempting). Back home, shopping around on Amazon and the like, I see you can get them cheaper than the Pen and Sword (even with there current discounted prices [approx £50]) but I think it might take some creative search energy to get the complete set. I was almost crying (inside, not in front of the children) leaving the store .. but hid it well. It was that "buy the set or nothing" moment.

There was a brighter note as I did purchase "something interesting" from the store, something pre "age of sail", back to those Greek trireme rowing days (see below, the selling factor being, albeit crude, the maps included inside - suitable for a stab at scenario creation or two): 

Something of an excuse or incentive for my 1/1200 Navwar trireme collection to come out to play sometime later this year or early next.  

Black Seas and the USN

Here's my story. Many, many moons ago I purchased Black Seas and expected to dive into the "age of sail" in 1/700 scale and be a Horacio Hornblower reborn. Except, the wargaming butterfly that is I moved onto another project (anybody not see that coming?) way before paint met model and rigging sail lead to s a sense of frustration, so the box sadly languished in a dark place the loft. I did construct the free (well you had to but the magazine) giveaway frigate from the cover of a Wargames Illustrated magazine, but no further progress was made with a fleet. Then (several years later) a wandering eye in the local model store, sees a bargain but - end of stock - USS Constitution, the rest is predictable history (see below, "a love story starts" with an American super frigate):  

Size can matter (see below, a case of we only budgeted for six but as the Carling beer advert says it all, probably the best in the world - normal frigate [RN/French/Spanish] in the background): 

The master plan being that with the Master and Commander starter set and WI giveaway I have six brigs and four frigates, plus the USS Constitution ("old ironsides" herself - good timbers apparently). That means a basic USN fleet of two brigs and USS Constitution, a RN fleet of two brigs and a normal frigate and two brigs and a frigate for the French! Leaving two frigates in excess, whether to reinforce the French or British fleets, or make a Spaniard is the question (perhaps a wandering Russian frigate?). The only "possibly needed" expansion would be to include the bizarre fleets of the Barbary Pirates of the Mediterranean (where the teething battles of the USN were fought on the shores of Tripoli, as per the US Marines song) or the addition of a lazy fat merchantman or two. A small self-contained project, what could go possibly wrong, provided it gets off the painting tray. 

Naval Book Wish List: Mal Wright

 Author. British and Commonwealth Warships WW2 Camouflage.

http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/British-and-Commonwealth-Warship-Camouflage-of-WW-II/p/6818/

http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/British-and-Commonwealth-Warship-Camouflage-of-WW-II-Vol-2-Hardback/p/10930

http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/British-and-Commonwealth-Warship-Camouflage-of-WW-II-Hardback/p/12168

Imperial Japanese Navy 1932-1945. Warships and Colours. Nimble books.

Colours of the Battle of the Atlantic. 1939-1945. (In preparation)

Journey to the end of the earth. https://www.amazon.com/Journey-End-Earth-Wargames-Frozen/dp/160888006

Rising Storm. https://www.spiritgames.co.uk/single.php?menu=3&sub=6&game=13423

Atlantic Convoy. https://clashofarms.com/Convoy.html

Falklands Book: Harrier 809

"Operations Corporate" is on my bucket list of battles to do, so books like "Harrier 809" by Rowland White can only but stir my interest (see below, evocative imagery from my childhood):  

A cracking fast paced read which sent me into the Falkland's shelf for books about teh era still as yet unread. "Razor's Edge" being the next one!

Now this is an interesting game: Atlantic Chase - GMT Games

From the moment I saw this game advertised on the GMT P500's I knew there was something special about it and after wantonly staring at it over several visits I finally subscribed, six months later a very heavy thud on the doormat announced the beast had arrived (see below, lovely box art of "you know who" as they are making their breakout run into the Atlantic in search of convoys):   

Oh, it has not disappointed me, in fact I feel very invigourated as it shows a fresh new approach to naval campaigning .. but more of that later. The rules are beautifully laid out and theer are accompanying explanatory videos. Even better, I had the great fortune to receive great 1-2-1 tuition via Table Top Simulator (TTS) at the recent Connections Online Conference hosted by the Armchair Dragoons for the Connections family based in the US. 

I must give a shout out to Karl and Tom for their sterling work in instructing me on the nuances of the game as we hunted down the Bremmen! Now that was one German ship I do not have in 1/3000 scale as she is a fast liner!

Modern Navy News

South China Seas Simulator Game:
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/i-fought-battle-south-china-sea-us-navy-was-crushed-81721

The new HMS Prince of Wales:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-49727151

Nice to see she is not going straight into mothballs then!

Note to self: WWII "Fleet Tender" or rather when a ship is not really "that ship after all"

Well I never ...

Interesting Wikipedia Article on RN "Fleet Tenders" which in fact were three dummy battleships (HMS Resolution, HMS Revenge and HMS Anson) and an aircraft carriers (HMS Hermes):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleet_tender

I had heard about HMS Centurion pretending to be HMS Anson in the Mediterranean however teh others I knew nothing about! The only other "dummy" battleship was the WWI fake HMS Audacious which was faked after the real battleship foundered on a mine in the early days of the war.

I followed this thought up to the following link (apparently there were 14 mock WWI RN Battleships:
http://www.gwpda.org/naval/dummybbs.htm
https://www.amazon.com/Liners-Battledress-Wartime-Camouflage-Passenger/dp/0920277500

Wish Me Well on Cruel Seas (the Warlord Games Version)

A "Merry Little Xmas" present to myself indeed (See below, and more successful than the "air blown" Happy Snowman shown in the background):

Warlord Games had a little problem with the shipping as they are sending on the "wake markers" as soon as they get them, which all-in-all as there is plenty of reading and assembling to be done in the meantime.

Myself a veteran 1/600 Skytrex range I am looking forward to see how it plays and hope for a game or two over the Christmas period and early New Year. I think it is a "Game in a Box"  to my mind. I cannot see myself running after the "bigger items" as they would be almost too big to get on table (admittedly there are some "big" 1/200 - 1/350 - 1/400 model ships about). I cannot see myself travelling far outside of the North Sea as the other theaters have "lesser appeal" (famous last words). I think January's WI may carry some more Cruel Seas ships which is good news even if they are repeats!

 

Note to self: Now there is an Interesting Modern Asymmetrical Wargaming Scenario if ever there was one

Russia a 'risk' to undersea cables, defence chief warns

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42362500

Update: Follow on in the BBC News 03/01/18, Russian "deep sea snipping capability":
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-42543712

The historic US Sub-Spy action [New York Times]:
http://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/08/us/a-tale-of-daring-american-submarine-espionage.html
Note: Also see Blind Man's Bluff

Interesting Naval Site:
https://www.naval-technology.com

17th Century [Hypothetical] Anglo-French v Dutch Naval Clash (Part 4) Finale

"Run for home" as the Flying Dutchman tears away from the teeth of the storm (top right). The French and British desperately clasp and claw at the coat-tails of the Dutchman, but with a running wind behind them the Dutch seem homeward bound. The second Dutch man-o-war is now quite out of the reach of the Royal Navy as a British battleship exchanges fire with her (see below):

Brutal vengeance is taken on the second and third man-o-war in the Dutch line of battle. The disabled Dutch third ship is doomed, exchanging shot with both British and French facing over 2:1 odds and being much more static due to the loss of much of their sails (see below):

The crowded middle and flotsam and jetsam of torn and shredded sail litter the sea. Critically the second Dutchman has lost her some of her sails. Escape for her is now highly unlikely. Her Captain knows his duty to his Admiral and is prepared to exact a dear price for the life of his ship and crew (see below):

In these final moment the British and French Squadrons form line of battle to sail by the de-masted Dutch ships and mercilessly pound them into submission. This is more of a punishment to the insolent Dutch who have stolen their treasure from beneath their very noses (see below):

Looking more like a yacht-race than a formed line-of-battle the wind gathers in the sails of all sails as the (futile) stern chase begins. Dutchman number two is still fighting like "a fury" (see below): 

As the British and French Squadrons are no longer capable of catching the Dutchman they call a halt to the chase. They are more likely to meet additional Squadrons of Dutch or the Dutch coastline. The French Admiral is the more despondent as he now fears he has lost the "most". His explanations (or rather excuses) will probably fall on deaf ears. The Royal Navy Rear-Admiral can lay the blame on his counterparts shoulders. He tried to close with the enemy but was hindered by the Dutch fire-ships and the (lack of) tacking ability of the French who (in the British Admiral's words) both endangered his ships and lost him valuable time (see below):

The final wreckage of battle lays strewn across the playing cloth. The Dutch flagship has escaped with the "treasure" (material, moral and perhaps even more of the personal variety) and the French and British Admirals are left distinctly red-faced. Naturally they will try and make the most of the two captured Dutch warships when towed into home waters. For official consumption the treasure was "chests of silver and gold" from the Indies but in reality? As previously mentioned, though sailors are notorious in their tall-tales but some swear oaths on Davy Jones Locker that the most precious form of treasure taken that day was the mysterious lady and the "man in the (iron?) masked cowl". Sailors speculate how much (if any) treasure you could really load from a ship in the midst of battle? (see below, the final watery battlefield): 

A riveting little scenario that completely immersed all the players and umpire into a gripping story line. It also served to introduce another two players to these naval rules allowing perhaps for bigger battles in the future. As it is I will end it in true Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean) fashion with the waving figure of the Dutch Admiral and damsel at his side, not forgetting cast of cut-throat (or noble - delete as applicable)  musketeers swords raised disappearing into the sunset (or rather the murky North Sea gloom).

I now have the sudden urge to make more ships ;)

17th Century [Hypothetical] Anglo-French v Dutch Naval Clash (Part 3)

The "middle phase" of the battle starts. A long line of ships of various nationalities are now intermingled amid the din of battle. The British and French squadrons (left of picture) obstruct each other "tacking" while the middle and rear Dutch warships set upon the rear French ship (frigate/fire-ship) at a advantageous 2:1 odds, trading vicious blows. The Dutch Admiral has meanwhile "with his eyes fixed on the goal" pulled alongside the merchantman and a boarding action ensues (see below):

The British and French Squadrons have completed their tacking and now spurred on by the wind close to the two Dutch ships that have interposed themselves as a barrier between the entangles merchantman and Dutch Flagship. The British fire-ship now tries to make an influence on the battle (see below):

The two Dutch rearguard ships suffer critical mast damage which means that they won't be able to escape, nevertheless they fight on to ensue success of the overall mission. It seems that the crews have been primed for their mission and fight with grim determination. Desperate men obviously given desperate pay for their services, I would suggest paid in advance to their families. They are fulfilling their part of this Devil's bargain (see below):

The Boarding Action: The exact events of the boarding action are clouded in conjecture, shrouded in mystery and fable. One account is as follows:

"It started as a fierce and confused melee, but suddenly a hush descended upon the deck as a horn pierced the air, followed by a challenge in French to the captain and master of the ship. The details are unclear, but the merchantmen seems to have been protected by a company of special (Cardinal?) guards whose Captain pushed the merchant master (a regal looking French Officer) rudely out of the way, then suddenly there are other French (musketeers?) who came from the Dutch ship duelling with these special French guards(?). Their swordplay was so distinctly flamboyant and French in the "old style". The "normal" French sailors and marines simply stood back and watched (these Cardinal Guards were evidently very unpopular). The Dutch at this point also seemed to play no active part in the boarding. The climax of the duel ended with the villainous (Cardinal) Captain, obviously losing, threatening to kill a mysterious female passenger. The silenced French master of the ship intervened and was mortally wounded. The French sailors and marines enraged turned upon the special guards and threw them overboard weighted down with cannon balls. The Master and Captain with his dying words ordered the ship scuttled and ordered all true Frenchmen on-board to join pledge their allegiance to the Countess and her "true heir" and go board the Dutchman with her. Around him knelt the mysterious band of French (musketeer?) boarders who raised their swords in salute. In a matter of minutes the merchantman was abandoned, ablaze and the crew were in boats or on the Dutchman"

Note: The above account has been discounted as a concoction of pure sea-folk fiction and the work of a drunkard hack listening to too much tavern talk and penning lies to keep himself out of a debtors prison. Others however have kept more open minds ... and maintain the actions of the battle in general were extreme and outside the realm of pure reason; the Dutch seemed to be driven by a reckless battle madness outside of tactical objectives, as if something higher was at stake and there seemed to have been a band of foreign mercenaries of sorts on the Dutch flagship.

Returning to the more conventional account. As the last chest of treasure (and two mysterious passengers plus others, this was documented though some still repudiate it) are finally hauled aboard the Dutch Flagship. She casts off with an avenging pack of French and British ships in hot pursuit. One Dutch man-o-war is disabled (de-masted) and another about to be embroiled with a Royal Navy fire-ship (see below): 

The Dutch rearguard succumbs in an uneven fight, but they bravely gave their Admiral vital time he needed. Despite the efforts of the British and French wolves who surge forward to almost within touching range of the Dutch Flagship the Dutch Admiral still holds the weather gauge and the initiative (see below):

To the delight of the Dutch the wind fills the sails of the Dutchman and she surges away to the sound of terrible French and then behind them British curses. They still have two men-o-war running before the wind but it is doubtful if both can escape (see below):

Next: Can the "Hounds" catch the "Foxes" somehow?

17th Century [Hypothetical] Anglo-French v Dutch Naval Clash (Part 2)

The maelstrom erupts as the leading Dutch fire-ship bumps into the leading British "ship of the line" fails to ignite and carries on. The fire-ship crew at this point have already manned the boats and themselves sailed away. The second Dutch fire-ship clatters into the stationary British vessel and starts a fire (which disappointingly they soon manage to put out). Meanwhile the plucky French fire-ship that attacks the Dutch is severely mauled. The Dutch captain deciding to try and sink rather than de-mast the craft, which in hindsight was not the best tactic (see below, note the French Squadron closing in line-abreast): 

The British are in disarray and how the Dutch hoped they would become, effectively "out of the battle". This the odds are suddenly 1-to-1. In addition the first Dutch fire-ship has swooned into the French formation and start chaos afresh. As the French are approaching in line-abreast and the Dutch are moving in line-astern the local superiority switches to 3-to-1 in favour of the Dutch. Something the plucky little French fire-ship is about to find out as the second Dutch man-o-war is about to pass her (see below):   

The British Squadron take wicked vengeance in the second Dutch fire-ship, which is fine by the Dutch Admiral as it allows his Squadron time to form up and attack the French. Cynics would perhaps suggest the British are not adverse to see the Dutch wear themselves out on the French and thus become easy meat for the British. The Dutch maintain the 3-to-1 local superiority. The French fire-ship bumps off the Dutch second in line while the van of the Dutch fleet engages with the only French man-o-war in position to defend the valuable merchantman, which now finds itself perilously close to the action (see below):   

With the wind behind then the avenging (or cautious) British position themselves to attack the Dutch rear. However the French try they are still outgunned in the middle, their second and third ships-of-the-line are still trying to close. Better news is that the third Dutch man-o-war has lost a mast, and thus speed so will be easy prey to the British (when they show up). The bad news is that the van of the Dutch fleet has been given a clear opportunity to run down and capture the prized merchantman. While the French and British warships vie for local tactical positioning their Admirals have taken their eyes off the strategic goal. The Dutch seem to still have the initiative (see below): 

The British battleships zig-zag not wanting to befoul each others lines, losing valuable time. The British fire-ship is hopelessly out of position and won't get into the game. The French savage the rear most Dutch man-o-war whose function now is to sell herself dearly. These Dutch have stout heats and courage. The remaining two Dutch warships are in the process of overhauling the merchantman and preparing boarding parties (see below):

Slowly the British again tack into the action. They have not been helped by the shifting and strengthening winds, These (random) factors have strongly favoured the Dutch as fortune often favours the brave. The French merchantman desperately tacks away but is now withing gun range and the Dutch are sure to target her sails. She has little in way of defence and her protection lay mostly in her escorts so out of position. She is desperate to play for time and somehow rejoin their consort (see below):

Next: The Chase and Scarifice

17th Century [Hypothetical] Anglo-French v Dutch Naval Clash (Part 1)

Another run out for the 17th Century naval rules. This time instead of a fleet engagement it was a peculiar "protect the convoy" scenario. A joint Anglo-French force is protecting a valuable merchantman. A squadron of Royal Dutch warships appear and although outnumbered 2:1 make a daring attack on the convoy. The Dutch sail into battle with a slight tactical advantage as the weather gauge runs left to right in their favour (see below, note this could always change as the weather is fickle): 

The British and French escorts tack to meet the Dutch threat (see below):

The Dutch disregarding their inferior numbers plough on ahead ambivalent seemingly to the odds and dangers of closing with the enemy (see below):

The British take the lead in the attack while the French squadron guards the prize merchantman closely (see below):

The British Squadron "crosses the Dutch Tee" but is well outside of effective gun range but the cunning Dutch Admiral sends his two fire ships into action with the aim of throwing the British line into chaos while turning to attack the French (see below)

Much mischief is caused by the fire-ships amongst the British. Meanwhile the French man-o-war close in on the Dutch. The valuable merchantman is hanging back, laden with silver and gold from the Indies it is rumoured. Others say there is a stranger cargo on board. What ever it is she is valuable enough to be escorted by six ships of the line and two small fire ship frigates (see below):

Next: Has the Dutch gambit payed off or are they all doomed?

Experimenting with Naval Visuals (1/1200) for The Battle of the Denmark Strait (1941)

Like it says on the tin I was experimenting with a "small tactical sea base" to mount 1/1200 ships on to represent their configuration in a long range naval gunnery duel. First up is the KM Bismarck (see below, as yet no foaming wake or cutting white bow spray):

Is this a more dirty looking "Atlantic green sea" (see below, pulling back the shot to get a full profile):

The German "raiding party" together for Operation Rheinuburg on the circular tactical base (see below, a way of reducing the 20,000' General syndrome or is this just another case of wargaming madness?):

The Royal Naval guardians of the Denmark Strait, HMS Hood leading HMS Prince of Wales (see below):

Part of the "cloak and dagger" operation to shadow HMS Suffolk (see below, HMS Norfolk is still suffering from my reluctance to customise the my duplicate HMS Suffolk into a reconfigured HMS Norfolk. The more I look into it I keep seeing more bits I have to do):

A single ship does seem the more sensible basing (see below, you can see that I envisage putting on counters around the outside of the 360 degrees of the "tactical board". Peoples thoughts honestly appreciated!):

Finally something 'caught inbound' on the "Mighty Hood" (see below, the Bismarck fires eight but two "straddle-splash markers" unaccounted for, something is brewing inside HMS Hood. Also note 'X' and 'Y' turrets are about to 'clear arc'):

More thoughts and experimentation to follow and perhaps even a walk-through war game using the old favourite GQII.