A pre-dreadnought naval engagement in the Saigon River, 1906

A Pre-Dreadnought Naval Battle on the Saigon River, 1906

Introduction:

This fictitious battle explores a possible Japanese attack on French colonial holdings in Indo-China at the beginning of the 20th Century. A clash of empires.

The Japanese send in their navy to sweep aside opposition in preparation for the landing of ground forces to complete the occupation of enemy territory.

We played this game with 1/1000 scale metal models offered by Houston's Ships.

Rules used were Fire When Ready second edition.

The Wargame:

Two Japanese protected cruiser squadrons steamed up the Saigon River to intercept a French floating drydock protected by a number of French vessels.

The Japanese used their superior speed to their advantage, passing the slower French ships and steaming straight up to sink the drydock. But in doing so, they narrowly escaped losing several ships to grounding. This battle saw furious fighting at point-blank ranges, but paradoxically no ships were sunk!

The Japanese would have had to fight the French on their way back out down the Saigon, but probably would have managed this without great loss.

Japanese Forces:

1 squadron with 3 protected cruisers Hashidate, Itsukushima, and Matshuhima, and 1 old battleship Chen Yen.

1 squadron with 2 protected cruisers Chitose and Kasagi.

French Forces:

1 squadron with 3 battleships Courbet, Trident, and Richelieu, plus 1 armored cruiser Vauban.

1 squadron of 3 torpedo cruisers Forbin, Cosmao, and Condor.

The area of engagement, near Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City).	Initial French deployment. Floating drydock and tugs at center, flanked by battleship squadron (above) and torpedo cruiser squadron.	A closer view of the French torpedo cruiser squadron. From front to rear: the Forbin, Cosmao, and Condor.	A close-up of the French floating drydock, towed by tugs Le Tarn and Castor. The dock is the target of the Japanese sortie.	The French battleship squdron. From left to right: the armored cruiser Vauban, following the battleships Richelieu, Trident and Courbet (leading).
The Japanese cruiser squadron enters at speed. In front (left) is the old battleship Chen Yen which was caputured previously from the Chinese navy. Following are the protected cruisers Hashidate, Itsukushima, and Matsushima.	Japanese vessel Hashidate is now leading the squadron, and comes under fire from French battleships and the shore batteries.	And in return, the Japanese open fire on the lead French battleship, the Courbet.	A view of French dispositions as the first shots open.	The Japanese protected cruisers out-steam the older Chen Yen as the first French fire comes in.
The commander of the French torpedo cruisers steers his ships to thread between the line of battleships.	This is a very dangerous manuver, and should only be attempted by expert mariners.	The Japanese have rapidly steamed to the center of the battlefield, and the French battleships have turned to meet them at close range. Fire is intense!	A closer view of the torpedo cruisers threading the battleship line. No collisions resulted--no French captain was cashiered.	Another view of the close-range engagement of cruisers versus battleships. The Japanese line has been split by the rocky outcropping in the center.
A second Japanese squadron of protected cruisers enters the batttle. These are the Chitose (at front, right), and Kasagi. These are long, fast vessels.	A wider view showing the elderly Chen Yen with the newly-arrived second Japanese squadron in the background.	The speed and course of the Japanese cruisers have got them into trouble. Opposing ships are near collision; the Japanese Matsushima (bottom right) has sheared off to avoid grounding.	A passing albatross snapped this photo. Note the approaching Japanese second squadron (top), and the French torpedo cruisers (bottom) hugging the coastline. The French fort can be seen at lower left, steadily firing at any targets in range.	The ill-fated Matsushima is forced off into a narrow side channel. Fear of grounding is intense. A Japanese sailor composes a Haiku: "Jagged rocks approach, dragon teeth rising from the sea. I accept my fate. "
Another bird's-eye-view showing the French drydock fleeing with the lead Japanese ship Hashidate behind.	Opposing ships have moved too close, and the Itsukushima attempts to ram the Richelieu.	The japanese second squadron exchange fire with the French torpedo cruisers.	French battleships lag behind the faster Itsukushima, but the Japanese cruiser is under steady fire.	A closer view of the French fort with friendly vessels.
The second enemy squadron slips past the aging French battleships.	The feisty torpedo cruisers finally whip in against the Chen Yen. Too late. The Japanese were too quick to be torpedoed.	The shamed captain of the Matsushima steams through the narrow channel in a vain attempt to rejoin the battle.	Endgame. Japanese cruisers surround the drydock. French tugs have long since cut the lines and steamed off to safety.	The French flagship Courbet (closer) and the Trident steam up the river in vain behind the Japanese attackers.
A running battle continues between the torpedo cruisers and Chen Yen, with neither side suffering much damage.	Collision! The Itsukushima has rammed the Richelieu, and both ships have come to a shuddering halt. Brutal fire is exchanged at close range, but neither ship is sinking.	Woe to the French! Their floating drydock is neither. Flames consume the superstructure as the victorious Japanese steam upriver.	Salty seadogs celebrate another foray into brown-water naval exercises. And not a ship sank!