British naval forces intercept an Italian convoy 50 miles north of the Libyan coast. Historically, both sides fired furtively, then broke off the engagement before it got too hot--so there was no Battle of Sirte. But our game assumes the belligerents were more, well, belligerent. The battle was fought by the Gourmet Wargaming Club with 1/2400 scale miniatures, using the excellent General Quarters 3rd Edition ruleset, at Richmond Game Central. This game was the first meeting of the revived SFBANG (San Francisco Bay Area Naval Gamers). Click here to download a PDF containing the order of battle. Scroll down to see the action unfold in photos.

The BIG table: 16 x 6 feet!	Our commanders prepare for battle.	A moment of reflection beside the briny deep.	Officers read up on their opponents' vessels.	Italian naval forces arrayed to protect the convoy of cargo ships. At the front are the 1st (flagship) cruiser squadron (2 ships at top right) and the 2nd cruiser squadron (top middle). 3 destroyer squadrons hold the middle. Behind (middle left) are 4 cargo ships.
British naval vessels steam towards the Italian convoy. At top are the 1st cruiser squadron followed by the 2nd (with 2 vessels). 4 destroyer squadrons (of 3 vessels each) furrow the waters in the foreground.	The mainstay of the British force: 1st cruiser squadron, with Naiad, Euryalus, and Leander from left to right.	A close-up of the British 2nd cruiser squadron: Aurora (top right) trailed by Ajax.	The Italian 1st cruiser squadron (2 vessels), with the flagship Gorizia in the foreground.	A closer look at the Italian cargo ships.
Italian 2nd cruiser squadron, with Duca d’Aosta, Attendolo, and Montecuccoli from bottom to top of photo. A destroyer squadron covers their left flank (top).	The British are sighted! Italian vessels begin maneuvers to lay smoke screens to shield the cargo ships from view. The latter 4 vessels (center, right) have turned sharply to the left to stay behind the smoke.	A close view of the German cargo ship Ankara as it changes direction.	The Italian flagship Gorizia begins firing at long range to slow the enemy's approach.	The Italian 3rd destroyer squadron covers the right flank, and has not yet begun to lay smoke.
Colorful British cruisers of the 1st squadron close the gap, firing all the time.	The British cruiser Ajax.	British destroyers of the 1st and 2nd squadrons.	Italian destroyers and larger vessels continue to lay smoke. The nearest ships are destroyers of the 1st squadron. Note the cargo ships (top right) fully turned about and steaming back to safety.	Our referee (left) wrings his hands and secretly wonders "what have I done?!"
British destroyers in the middle of a move.	As rules arguments break out amonst the congregation, Bender's severed robotic head glares its defiance toward the universe.	An overview of the battle from the Italian position. Capital ships of both sides engage each other at long range in the center of the table, while the destroyers weave their smoke trails.	The war room becomes a mess hall in a matter of moments. For pizza, it's pretty close to gourmet.	More smoke trails as the Italian cargo vessels flee off the table (below, out of picture).
The Italian flagship is crippled, and commences to sink. Note large slick of oil and debris spreading from the vessel, as well as the many sailors (who look much like grains of salt at this scale) taking the waters of the Mediterranean. Behind, Trento is struggling with 2 on-board fires.	The British 2nd cruiser squadron, Ajax in the lead, is laying smoke and attempting to close the gap with the fleeing cargo vessels. But the Italian smoke is ubiquitous and effective.	Our naval heroes find themselves awash in an inland sea of roster sheets, tape measures, and pipe cleaners. Even humble objects--and sailors--can be tools for victory.