Jeff Schulte - Jun 30, 2008 9:17 am (#23239 Total: 23272) www.jerseygamers.com On Saturday at the JAG meeting I got to play GWAS Navy Plan Orange as the Japanese. While we did not finish the scenario we had a good variety of operations that are portrayed in the game. We used the advanced tactical rules from the Dreadnoughts booklet. August 2, 1930 A force of 5 fast battleships and 5 battlecruiser led by the Kaga sets sail from Yahoku on intelligence that the Americans have set in motion an invasion of Japanese islands. The potential targets are Formosa, Okinawa or other islands on the Ryukyu chain. In support of the Japanese battle line three new carriers are sailing in support escorted by a force of light cruisers and destroyers. A submarine flotilla of 5 subs spots an American force of the west coast of Luzon, and proceeds to attack. The American force has 8 capital ships and 22 light ships. After a report from one sub of having torpedoed the battlecruiser United States, nothing more is heard of the flotilla (all five subs destroyed by the American escorts). August 3, 1930 Aerial recconaisance from floatplanes off the Notoro have spotted once again the American force just clearing the northwest corner of Luzon. The Japanese main battle line is still about 120 miles to the north of this force and sets an intercept course. Planes from the Hosho, Akagi, and Amagi are sent to strike at the Americans. In the meantime, early in the day, American planes spot our battle line. The Kaga radios the carriers to provide cap for the battleships. As expected, American planes make an appearance over the Japanese forces. Our own planes are greatly outnumbered and have a poor showing in air to air combat. our air defenses also only ward off a few planes, while most press on with torpedo attacks. Fortunately, this large strike doesn't do too much damage. The Takao takes two hits with fires putting the ship in a precarious position. Fortune though smiles on the rest of the fleet as several of the American torpedoes apparently hit but fail to detonate. Takao is detached from the force and is sent homeward with an escort of three destroyers. News from the Akagi however is very good! Our planes spotted the Americans and concentrated their strikes on two large carriers. One (Lexington)is sunk by a single torpedo hit. The other (Saratoga) is left ablaze and dead in the water. These naval aviators have proven there worth to the Emperor! Submarines also report a second force heading northeast off the western coast of Luzon. We expect these to be the invasion force as no transports have been spotted as of yet. The Kaga's battle force sets an intercept force in order to finish off the American carrier hoping to catch it at first light the next day. In the afternoon, our battleships our attacked once again by American planes. We are astonished once again at the numbers available to our adversaries. The remaining fighter screen is swept aside as the American planes proceed with there strikes. Several hits are obtained against Nagato, Kii, and Owari. once again, though we are fortunate as American torpedoes misfire and inflict only minor damage (bad damage rolls with only 1 hull hit each). However, the hit on Mutsu is catastophic as the great battleship explodes and capsizes with all hands. Our plans are to continue the intercept of the carrier, but we decide that further operations within range of American land based planes are too dangerous. Plans are made to set course for Yahoku after combat to refuel and replenish. August 4, 1930 Our submarines off the northern coast of Luzon spot an American force and attack. This force consists of only light cruisers and destroyers. The submarines attack for no result. This information adds another piece to the puzzle. At the same time, intelligence from the Philipines reports that a large American force passed eastward through the Surigao Strait and turned to a northerly course. This new report leads the high command to believe that the forces that ran north along the west coast are a diversion, and the force moving along the east coast is the invasion! (I didn't notice until this time that a fleet marker had moved south and then through the straits) During the night our battle line sprints to the last reported position of the American carrier. Our carriers though have hung back outside range of American planes so we have no capacity for air strikes. At dawn we spot our foes on the distant eastern horizon. We order full speed for the attack! The attack is led by a screen of destroyers. On our left are our new Fubuki class with heavy torpedo armament, while on the right are our Minekaze class destroyers. Our battle line is in line astern led by the new fast battleships Kaga, Tosa, Owari, and Kii. Behind them are the battlecruisers Atago, Kongo, Hiei, and Kirishima. A general engagement takes place between opposing destroyers. The American destroyers are supported by four light cruisers. In the distance appear two battlecruisers (United States and Constellation). A black plume of smoke indicates the stricken carrier. We choose to close range heading straight for the Americans. American forces split with the battlecruisers turning south and the light cruisers turning north. We turn to engage the light cruisers which were mistaken for heavier units. The American battlecruisers engage our light cruiser division. At first, the engagement is dominated by the destroyer actions. Destroyers on both sides fight a slashing battle between the heavy ships of both sides, obscuring the situation for the capital ships. As the battle proceeds though the Japanese numbers with support of secondary batteries of the battleships begins to tell against the American screen. The battle line finally obtains a bearing on the American cruisers and both sides close the range as the Americans realize they cannot escape so choose to close for torpedo attacks. The Japanese destroyers ignore the light cruiser and dash ahead in an effort to catch the escaping battlecruisers and the fleet train and carrier. Salvoes erupt from the battleships/ battlecruisers of each side and the toll is heavy on the light ships. Omaha, Memphis, Richmond, and Detroit are annihilated by the heavy Japanese guns. The United States though also is able to sink the light cruisers Nagara, and Oi as well. (The Constellation kept failing ranging rolls throughout the battle). In the final phase of battle, seven destroyers stalk the crippled Saratoga and sink her with torpedoes. Two tankers are also swept up by the Jap destroyers. The United States and Constellation however are able to withdraw to the southwest with about 8 destroyers as visibility decreases. With the ever present threat of further American airstrikes, the Japanese decide not to pursue. The casualties for the surface action are Saratoga, 4 light cruiser, and about 9 destroyers for the Americans, and 3 light cruisers, 8 destroyers, and 1 crippled light cruiser (Kiso) for the Japanese. At this point we run out of time. The overall situation thus far is mixed. The American losses have been significant. The loss of the Saratoga and Lexington while costly, are mitigated since the aircraft were able to land on airfields on Luzon. The United States and Constellation though were able to escape the Japanese intercept. Japanese losses are also considerable including Mutsu, and a number of destroyers. Takao is also out of action until she can put out her 2 fires. The American invasion force is untouched with all the battlewagons. If we were to continue, the American plan was to invade Okinawa supported by all 16 submarines patrolling those waters. The Japanese would have had to regroup at Yahoku and then be dispatched again for an interception.