Stewart Newman - 04:34am Dec 11, 1998 PST (#59 of 63)

As promised : the after action report. (Myself - US, my cousin - Spain).

As neither of us had played the game before, we started out with a couple of
the introductory scenarios to get a feel for things.

Battle Of Santiago (Naval) - The damned Spanish managed to escape, but only
after sinking the Iowa, Texas and Flot #4. (Not a good start for US arms).

San Juan Hill (Land) - A major improvement: the US forces enter Santiago
City on the 2nd US land phase of the 1st turn.

Campaign -

APRIL - The US blockade Havana with a small force, whilst attempting to
reorganise their squadrons to meet the variety of Spanish threats. The US
plan is to cover Cuba, the US East Coast and still have enough ships left
over to deal with enemy fighting squadrons. Despite superior forces, the
options open to Spain look like the 'New Navy' will have its work cut out.
The Spanish, for their part, commence running cargo to Cuba.

MAY - A US AuxC spots the Cape Verde Sq. (Oquendo, Teresa, San Aug.,
Vizcaya, Colon & Flot#4) approaching Puerto Rico from the Windward Isles.
Battle stations ! Fortunately San Juan is blockaded by the 1st N Atlantic
Sq. (Iowa, Indiana, New York, Marblehead, Detroit and a collier).Perhaps the
US can crush part of the Spanish main force early ? No need to search
however as the Spanish admiral boldly attacks to relieve the blockade. A
fast and furious encounter ensues which leaves the Oquendo, Teresa & Flot#4
on the bottom of the Atlantic and the rest of the once-proud squadron badly
damaged. For the US, the Detroit is lost and medium/heavy damage done to the
other ships. The fleets disengage mutually although, in the confusion, a
Spaniard blockade runner slips out of San Juan to ply it's dubious trade
once more. The battered but doughty 1st N. atlantic Sq. puts in at Norfolk
to a hero's welcome and a much-needed refit. Meanwhile, preparations begin
on an invasion fleet designed to wrest Cuba from the Spanish yoke. As if to
underscore the urgency of the situation, more cargo is unloaded on Cuba.

(Continued in next post.....)
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Stewart Newman - 04:59am Dec 11, 1998 PST (#60 of 63) [ Mark ]

Campaign Report Part II

JUN - The month opens with a sortie by the Havana Sq. (Alfonso XII,
Venadito, Ensenada, I.Isabel & Flot#6). They are met and destroyed by the
small, but valiant South American Sq. (Columbia, Minneapolis, Nashville,
Montgomery, Helena & Wilmington). However, the cost is high as only the
Columbia & Minneapolis escape (light damage on each). In addition, a
blockade runner is caught at Santiago. The prescence of several of these
pesky transport ships at Santiago persuades the US High Command that this is
the place for the Army to try its mettle. Accordingly, troops step ashore
south of Mazamorra (hexes 2122 & 2221). The Spanish garrison is spread
between Santiago city and two staging posts nearer the coast (one east, one
west). The US troops land unopposed and push inland destroying/forcing back
the western coast forces. A shaky Spanish line forms up on the Rio Cobre.
Reinforcements arrive to the NW and at Guabitas. The unstoppable US push up
to the river line and beyond. Spain cannot draw troops from the city
garrison as Cuban insurgents have appeared to the rear in the El Caney area.
The remains of Spanish forces from El Rio Cobre fall back on the city as
further forces are rushed forward from Guabitas to defend the northern
approaches to Santiago.

(Continued in next post....)
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Stewart Newman - 05:32am Dec 11, 1998 PST (#61 of 63) [ Mark ]

More Campaign....

JUN cont. - Meanwhile at sea, the US blockade has been extended to every
Cuban port (although many of these ships are obsolete monitors and weak
gunboats). A blockade runner in Santiago port sees which way the wind is
blowing and tries in vain to escape the tightening US net.

On land the US continue their advance towards Santiago, over-running more
enemy blocking units. An attack at dos Caminos del Cobre however fails to
break through and leaves as many American as Spanish casualties. Parallel to
this, an advanced US column tests the defenses of Santiago but finds the
entrenchments too strong and pulls back. To the north, the Cubans biuld
their strength at El Caney watched by further Spanish reinforcements at
Guabitas.

Back in the chilly waters of the Atlantic, several Spanish ships try their
luck at raiding the long eastern seaboard of the US. The northernmost has an
early success before being tracked down by the Iowa and sent to the bottom.
Further south, two raiders slip through the US guard, only one succeeding in
his mission.

Attention then shifts to the east where the US Flot#4 sights a sizeable
Cadiz Sq. (Pelayo, Carlos V, P.Asturias, Alfonso XII, Aragon, Lepanto and
Flots#2,3 & 7). They punish the American scout by blowing it out of the
water.

Back at Santiago, the battle moves into its climactic phase as the Cubans
finally attack their oppressors at Guabitas. A surprising show of ferocity
forces the Spanish regulars into retreat. Simultaneously, the Cuban's US
allies bring the weight of their strength against Santiago town itself. The
defenders hold off the first assault with some losses but, when a confident
US commander offers the garrison an honourable way out, they accept with
alacrity. Amongst the rejoicing, US forces also celebrate the capture of the
transports Mercedes and Montserrat abandoned by their crews in port.

Stewart Newman - 05:00am Dec 17, 1998 PST (#62 of 63) [ Mark ]

JUL- In an effort to scare off Spanish coastal raiders, US Coastal
patrolling is stepped up with the arrival of two small, but powerful
squadrons.

The victorious US troops at Santiago are temporarily abandoned while Navy
squadrons re-deploy to meet the threat of the large Spanish fleet sighted
off the Windward Isles.

Spain progresses from attempted raids on US waters to an attempted
bombardment of a US port. Their force (2 x ACD & 1 x GB) is caught and sunk
off the NE US coast by Indiana and its two cruiser escorts before it can
strike.

The increased coastal patrolling pays dividends for the US as the Spanish
'southern' raiding force is finally tracked down and sunk after a thrilling
sea-chase.

The expected Cadiz Sq. finally appears in Caribbean waters and falls on the
hapless US blockade force at Matanzas (Amphitrite, Terror, Newport &
Vicksburg). All of the obsolete US ships are destroyed for no loss to the
resurgent Spanish.

US troops finally begin embarking from the Santiago area. Some yellow fever
outbreaks in the expeditionary force caused casualties during the enforced
encampment, but fortunately losses were low.

Continual Spanish cargo runs into Cuba mean that the 2nd North Atlantic Sq.
(Massachusetts, Oregon, Texas & Brooklyn) scours the area south of Cuba in a
commerce-raiding operation. Their efforts are crowned with success when they
catch an enemy transport loaded with a regiment of troops and sink the
vessel with the loss of all aboard.

With the Cadiz Sq.'s location identified (and the season advancing) the US
Navy takes the gamble of intercepting the enemy ships in the Straits of
Florida with a swift, but slightly weak Flying Sq. The two forces line up
and battle commences (Flying Sq: Iowa, New York, Newark, Marblehead and
Flot#3). The cost is high for the US as, after the greatest naval encounter
thus far in the war, every one of their ships is consigned to Davy Jones'
Locker. The triumphant Spanish are also heavily battered (Vizcaya, Alfonso
XIII, Carlos V, & P.Asturias - sunk; Lepanto, Aragon & Flot#2 - survived)
but left in command of the seas. However, all is not rosy for the forces of
Spain. Although the Americans have lost some of their best, they have others
to replace them; whilst the Spaniards have virtually no fleet left to speak
of.

They remain undaunted however, as can be seen from their haughty reply to a
US Govt. demand for their unconditional surrender.
-------------------------
Stewart Newman - 05:51am Dec 17, 1998 PST (#63 of 63) [ Mark ]

AUG -

Due to military commitments, a reduced US economic blockade of Cuba means an
upturn in the number of Spanish cargo runs. One Spanish MS is caught and
sunk at Cienfuegos, another ecsapes at Manzanilla. One AuxC is also caught
at Puerto Rico but manages to damage the attacking Massachusetts before
itself succumbing to superior US fire.

With time drawing on (and the easy success at Santiago fresh in their minds)
the US Govt. authorises the Army to take the bull by the horns and strike at
the centre of Spanish land power. "On to Havana!" is the cry as US troops
rush ashore onto the Cuban coast for a second time. (Hexes 1602 & 1703).

Havana is not Santiago however. Of the two landing areas, the easternmost is
unguarded and the US assault brigades storm ashore. To the west, their
comrades find their landing opposed by two of the best Spanish units in the
area. Fortunately for US arms, the enemy is caught napping and has to give
ground in the face of a determined American attack.

The Spanish recover from their initial surprise and deliver powerful
counterattacks supported by generous artillery fire at either end of the
small US beach-head. The US troops in the east retreat back onto their
landing area, but those in the west do not have the luxury of space and one
US brigade suffers annihliating casualties.

Again, as at Santiago, US-backed Cuban rebels attempt to distract Spanish
resources from the landings by concentrating 'behind' the main front (this
time in the Santiago de las Vegas area).

The Spanish refuse the bait however and continue to press their attacks on
the shrinking US beach-head. To begin with, another US brigade is wiped out
after being cut off from its fellows on the coast. Alongside this, Spanish
forces sweep forward once more with artillery support and succeed in
squeezing both American columns back into their respective landing areas.
Disaster looms for the US at Havana.

News of yet another succesful running of a decidedly leaky blockade of the
island further dampens spirits in the US camp.

The only hope now lays with the Cuban people themselves. Having collected
together their force of irregulars, they push inland boldly to threaten
Havana from the south. Unperturbed, the Spanish commander demonstrates his
military skill by rushing cavalry (and well-timed reinforcements from near
Calvario) to surround the hapless locals, who rapidly cease all resistance.

Back at the coast, the Spanish have the scent of victory as they bring down
fire directly onto the eastern US beach-head. The single US unit present
refuses to be daunted and holds firm. Another US column has meanwhile pushed
forward in the centre in an effort to enlarge the shallow position.
Immediately they become the focus of a powerful Spanish onslaught.
Miraculously, when the smoke clears, it is the US who hold the field, whilst
their enemies withdraw.

Sensing a possible recovery from the jaws of calamity the US squeezes
reinforcements into the tiny coast area. Spain merely views this as an
oppotunity to destroy more of their enemy and hurls its troops forward once
again. Sheer density of troops mean that those Americans at the edge of
their perimeter have nowhere to withdraw to and many perish as the Spanish
pour volley after volley into their ranks.

Once again, the Americans stand with their backs to the sea. Again they
attack but, this time, they walk into a veritable hail of Spanish fire.
Seizing the initiative, the Spanish surge forward, overunning US artillery
and pushing US troops (foot soldiers, cavalry, even Gatling guns!) literally
to the water's edge.

The strength of the Spanish advance results in the capture of most of those
Americans still left standing. At last, seeing little use in a senseless
slaughter, the US commander emerges from his lines bearing a flag of
surrender! The landings have failed!

Immediately, news of the debacle is rushed to Washington. Soon after, a
cable arrives in Madrid from the US President himself. Although still
defiant at sea (though much reduced in naval strength) the Americans submit
that Spanish rule on Cuba will never again be contested by them.

Amid delirious scenes of rejoicing in the Spanish capital, the people and
their leaders celebrate total victory. The war is over !

(VP's : -6, Spanish Crushing Victory).