06.12.16-predreadnought

A mirror of the Battle of The Yellow Sea

A 1/1000 scale pre-dreadnought naval wargame

using Fire When Ready! rules

Introduction:

In August of 1904 the Russian fleet steamed out of Port Arthur to attempt to escape the Japanese blockade and make for the friendly port of Vladivostok. The enemy fleet was ready to meet them.

This game was a practice battle for an upcoming pre-dreadnought naval campaign that will refight the sea engagements of the Russo-Japanese War at the beginning of the 20th Century. The scenario paid homage to the famous Battle of The Yellow Sea, in which the Japanese navy sent the Russians ships reeling back to Port Arthur in disarray.

The Wargame:

The game was played by the Gourmet Wargaming Club (GWC) at Game Central in El Cerrito on December 16, 2006.

As can be seen in the photos, the Japanese fleet broke into two parts, the battleships heading to the west of the central island to engage the Russian ships at close range, while the Japanese armored cruisers steamed along the east edge of the board and engaged their lighter Russian counterparts with long-range fire. The Russian fleet hugged the west side of the table as it attempted to make a getaway, with the battleships screened by the cruiser squadron.

Unbeknownst to the Japanese, the Russians had placed some mines to the south of the central island. Two Japanese battleships suffered some moderate damage from mines, but not enough by any means to take them out of the combat.

The Aftermath:

Despite the advantages enjoyed by the Japanese, they did not score a victory of any sort. The Russians battered the flagship Mikasa, but the Japanese did not reply with the same ferocity, although the entire Russian cruiser squadron would surely have been sunk if the battle had continued a few more turns. Since the Japanese ships were faster than the Russians overall, they would have continued the pursuit and caused quite a lot more damage over time, although it was agreed that the Mikasa would have inevitably fallen out of line crippled when hit again.

Within the time limits of the game, the referee declared the battle a draw. That surely counts as a moral victory for the Russians!

Russian Forces

Pre-Dreadnought Battleships:

A. Tsarevich, crew Average +0 (Vice Admiral Makaroff, +2 initiative)

B. Retvizan, crew Veteran +1

C. Peresvyet, crew Poor -1 (Rear Admiral Prince Ukhtomsky)

D. Pobyeda, crew Average +0

E. Sevastopol, crew Poor -1

F. Poltava, crew Average +0

Armored Cruisers:

G. Bayan, crew Average +0

H. Pallada, crew Average +0

Light Cruisers:

I. Zhemchug, crew Poor -1

J. Izumrud, crew Poor -1

Japanese Forces

Pre-Dreadnought Battleships:

1. Mikasa, crew Elite +2 (Admiral Togo, +2 initiative)

2. Asahi, crew Veteran, +1

3. Hatsuse, crew Veteran +1 (Rear Admiral Nashiba, +1 initiative)

4. Shikishima, crew Average +0

5. Fuji, crew Veteran +1

6. Yashima, crew Veteran +1

Armored Cruisers:

7. Yakumo, crew Average +0 (Rear Admiral Deva, +2 iniative)

8. Chitose, crew Average +0

9. Kasagi, crew Average +0

The battle opens with the Japanese fleet (bottom) steaming north towards the Russians.	Admiral Togo's flagship Mikasa leads the first battleship squadron. The Asahi is directly behind her, and the armored cruiser squadron is behind them both in this photo.	Russian ships steam to the south, the armored cruisers at top and the battleships below.	The central island, with scenic temple.	A closeup of the Japanese armored cruiser squadron, with the Yakumo in front, followed by the Chitose and Kasagi. The prevailing wind blows the smoke to the north towards the Russians.
A closer view of the Russian cruiser squadron, comprised of the armored cruisers Bayan (foreground) and Pallada, followed by the light cruisers Zhemchug and Izumrud.	This overall view shows the Japanese battleships steaming to the west of the island as the cruiser squadron steams straight north.	Cruisers on both sides exchange ineffectual fire at long range.	As the Japanese Mikasa rounds the island, she comes under increasingly intense enemy fire.	Russian armored cruisers get attention from Japanese cruisers and a battleship.
The Russian battleship Retvizan takes fire from the Mikasa as she steams in the van of the Tsar's ships.	The impressive Sevastopol leads more heavy Russian ships.	Russian light cruisers Isumrud and Zhemchug flanking the heavier ships.	A view showing the Japanese battleships starting to turn east at the island. The Russians are now clearly heading south along the west side of the table.	The Mikasa is blasted by a plethora of Russian guns, and a fire breaks out briefly.
The powerful battleship Asahi (bottom) prepares to turn to follow the Mikasa.	A view of the Russian cruiser squadron under fire.	A closeup of the rearmost Russian battleships. During the battle the rearmost ships were barely fired upon.	The main body of the Japanese battleships. The first squadron is turning at the island.	As the antagonists close the gap, the closest ships come under heavy fire. The Mikasa (nearest the island) is already badly battered, and the Russian cruisers are feeling the heat.
Most of the Russian ships are visible in this photo. Note the battleship line (top) led by the Retvizan.	Gunfire at close range! The Mikasa (bottom) takes multiple hits from the enemy cruisers, but shrugs off much of the fire with her heavy armor.	The second Japanese battleship squadron (bottom) lead by the Hatsuse (nicknamed "Hot Suzy" by the peanut gallery), followed by the Shikishima and Fuji. This squadron is starting to turn directly west to intercept the Russians.	The Russians in all their glory. The Retvizan was the target of the Mikasa and Asahi for a number of turns, but was not heavily damaged.	Japanese battleships as seen from the west.
The Japanese armored cruiser squadron turn about to chase their Russian counterparts. These ship suffered very little damage.	The Mikasa begins to turn about to lead the first battleship squadron in pursuit of the enemy.	The second Japanese battleship squadron (left) is manuvering directly into the path of the enemy.	The stricken Pallada. She was holed by heavy Japanese fire, and began to sink.	Brutal close-range gunfire breaks out as Rear Admiral Nashiba's Hatsuse (bottom) crosses the T of the Retvizan. The damage was limited by poor die rolling.
The rearmost Russian and Japanese battleships exchange ineffectual fire. The Mikasa (bottom right) is moving gingerly along, as another good hit would cripple her.	Brutal battleship fighting at ranges of less than a mile. The surviving Russian armored cruiser Bayan is all but sunk.	A closeup of the action. There was no ramming, but it was getting close!	Belligerent giants poised above the dry bed of the ocean (aka gaming table without blue sheets). Surely the gods are sated by blood of many a mariner on this day!