®

Admiral Yamamoto's flagship, the mighty Yamato

"All wars will be settled by sea power."

Grand Admiral Erich Raeder

US Navy aircraft swarm from the deck of USS Essex

 CONTENTS
THEATRES OF WAR War at Sea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 The Battle of Matapan. . . . . . . . . . . 93
The Atlantic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Additional Rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Cruiser Chase. . . . . . . . . . . . 93
The Washington Treaty. . . . . . . 6 Second Cruiser Chase. . . . . . . 94
Submarines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 The Battle of Cape Matapan. . 95
Atlantic Lifeline . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Submarine Scenarios. . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Pearl Harbor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
The Mediterranean. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Ambush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
War in the Mediterranean. . . . 14 Force Z. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Convoy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Where Were the French? . . . . 20
Harbour Attack. . . . . . . . . . . 66 The Battle off Endau. . . . . . . . . . . 101
The Pacific. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Motor Torpedo Boats. . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Battle of the Java Sea. . . . . . . . . . 103
The Pacific War . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 ABDA Combined Striking Force. . 105
Coasts & Shorelines. . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Kamikaze Attacks. . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Sunda Strait. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Carrier Operations . . . . . . . . . . . 33 SCENARIOS
Second Battle of the Java Sea. . . . . 108
Battle of the River Plate. . . . . . . . . . 76
GAME RULES Battle of Midway . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
German Battleships at War. . . . . . . . 78
The Basics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Battle of the Komandorski Islands. . . . . 112
Attack on the Northern Patrol. 79
The Game Turn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 The Battle of Stromvaer. . . . . 80 Battle of Savo Island. . . . . . . . . . . 114
Glory Hunting . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Battle of Cape Esperance . . . . . . . . 116
Movement Phase. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Battle of the Denmark Strait. . 82
Gunnery Phase. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 First Battle of Guadalcanal . . . . . . . 118
Pursuit of the Bismarck . . . . . 84
End Phase. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Sink the Bismarck!. . . . . . . . 84 Second Battle of Guadalcanal . . . . . 120
Orders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 The Battle of North Cape . . . . . . . . . 86 The Battle off Samar. . . . . . . . . . . 122
Traits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 The Battle of Calabria . . . . . . . . . . . 88 The Battle of Surigao Strait. . . . . . . 124
Aircraft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 The Attack on Taranto . . . . . . . . . . . 90 The Battle for Okinawa. . . . . . . . . . 126

Greyhound brings hell down from on high.

2
FLEET LISTS Aircraft Carriers . . . . . . . . . 204 Motor Torpedo Boats. . . . . . 231
Fleets Lists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128 Cruisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 The Imperial Japanese Navy . . . . . . 232
Building a Fleet. . . . . . . . . 129 Destroyers. . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 Battleships . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Submarines. . . . . . . . . . . . 209 Aircraft Carriers . . . . . . . . . 236
The Royal Navy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Aircraft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 Cruisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Battleships . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 Motor Torpedo Boats. . . . . . . 211 Destroyers. . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Aircraft Carriers . . . . . . . . . 137
Civilian Shipping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212 Submarines. . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Cruisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Ammunition Ship. . . . . . . . 213 Aircraft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Destroyers. . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Armed Merchant Cruiser. . . . 213 Motor Torpedo Boats. . . . . . 257
Other Ships. . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Liberty-class Cargo Ship. . . . 213 The Regia Marina . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Submarines. . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Liner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 Battleships . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Aircraft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Oil Tanker. . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 Aircraft Carriers . . . . . . . . . 261
Motor Torpedo Boats. . . . . . 168
Seaplane Tender. . . . . . . . . 214 Cruisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
The US Navy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 Tramp Freighter . . . . . . . . . 215 Destroyers. . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Battleships . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Troop Ship . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Submarines. . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Aircraft Carriers . . . . . . . . . 178 Victory-class Cargo Ship. . . . 215 Aircraft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Cruisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 Motor Torpedo Boats. . . . . . 270
The Kriegsmarine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Destroyers. . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Battleships . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Submarines. . . . . . . . . . . . 196 Aircraft Carriers . . . . . . . . . 221 Tools & Counters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Aircraft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 Cruisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Motor Torpedo Boats. . . . . . 198 Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Destroyers. . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
The Marine Nationale. . . . . . . . . . . 200 Submarines. . . . . . . . . . . . 229 Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Battleships . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 Aircraft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230 Critical Hit Reference. . . . . . . . . . . 275

CREDITS
Author Miniatures Painting Thanks to
Matthew Sprange & Scenery Max Ayson, Tom Chapman, Wojtek Flis,
Andrés Amián Fernández, Karl Oliver-Kyriacou, Bernard Lewis,
Art Paul Sawyer, Darek Wyrozebski Charlie Monaghan, Marco Sano, Colin Stone,
Tony Bryan, Peter Bull, Ian Palmer, Marcus Vine, Darek Wyrozebski
David Pentland, Paul Wright Photography
Ian Strickland, Adam Want, Special Thanks to
Editing Darek Wyrozebski Cheryl Hely, Pete Hely, Paul Sawyer,
Darron Bowley, Paul Sawyer John Stallard & Sandrine Thirache
Official Navy Boffins (ONB)
Design & Production Richard Bax, Raymond Becker, Thanks to Osprey Publishing for
Dylan Owen, Ian Strickland, Joseph Cowlishaw, David Manley graciously allowing their wonderful
Adam Want artwork to illustrate these pages.

www.victoryatsea.co.uk
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2nd printing

3
The Atlantic
Control of the Atlantic was a vital component for the Allied forces’ efforts to
defeat the Axis powers. At first, convoys carried food and supplies from North
America to a beleaguered Britain but this changed to war materials to fuel the
effort to liberate Europe. Set against this, the Kriegsmarine opposed the convoys
first with ships and then U-boats, and a cat-and-mouse arms race began with
technology driven by the need to hide submarines on one side and locating and
destroying them on the other.
Whoever could dominate the Atlantic would gain a vital advantage in the
European theatre.
N
The shooting of Archduke Franz claim your nation was a serious power, world and, eschewing the numerous
Ferdinand in Sarajevo is often attributed and a real presence on the world stage, secondary batteries of the era, carried
as the triggering event that started the the only way was to give the Royal ten main guns, literally making it two
First World War. Upon closer scrutiny, Navy at least a challenge. and a half times more powerful than
this is not completely the case. Once any other ship afloat. In one stroke,
you start digging into the causes of The government of Britain could see the Royal Navy had made every other
the war, the reasons become twisted what was happening, and the Two battleship in the world obsolete –
and complex. The network of treaties Power Policy was instituted, whereby a including its own.
and alliances that both bound Europe commitment was made to ensure the
together and segregated it into two Royal Navy was at least as strong as the This effectively reset the clock, Britain
camps was certainly the vehicle by next two strongest navies combined. had Dreadnought but now the other
which war arrived, but there is more to This was to be achieved through raw industrial nations had a chance to
it than that. industrial might, by producing twice catch up by producing their own
as many battleships, and through ‘dreadnoughts’. The result was a
The naval perspective had a large technological innovation. It was the dangerous arms race which led directly
part to play in the events leading up latter that started the long spiral to the gap between Britain's navy
to war. Britain was the dominant downwards towards war. and those of other nations shrinking,
world power throughout the 19th culminating in the First World War.
century, controlling the largest empire At the turn of the century, battleships
in history. To do this, it needed an were the most complicated and Despite the drawbacks of battleships,
immense navy able to patrol the powerful vessels on the planet, and an which might not have been quite
waters of every corner of the globe. outward projection of a nation’s status. so obvious at the time, along with
While other nations remained relatively In a way, they were similar to nuclear inconclusive results of the war at sea
weak by comparison, the status quo weapons and carrier groups during the (arguments still rage today as to who
remained. Towards the end of the 19th Cold War or, to a lesser extent, how really won the Battle of Jutland),
century, this precarious balance began stealth and drone technologies are when the armistice was signed and
to topple as the rise of other industrial viewed today. They meant power and peace reigned once more, every
nations, including Russia, America, prestige; they meant everything to an industrial nation began a mad scramble
France, Japan and, of course, Germany, aspiring nation. to build more battleships, and to make
threatened to reach Britain’s level. them bigger.
When the Royal Navy launched HMS
This, in part, manifested itself in Dreadnought in 1906, it took a huge leap Britain still had the world’s largest navy,
the navies these nations started to forward. This ship used steam turbines, but it was being closely followed by the
construct. After all, if you wanted to making it the fastest battleship in the USA and then Japan. In 1920, the USA

Artist's Impression of a Kriegsmarine H-39-class battleship

6
declared it would build a navy second Tonnage Limits of the Washington Treaty
to none, while Japan had already
started its 8:8 programme (the building Nation Capital Ships Carriers
of 8 battleships and 8 battlecruisers). In
Britain 525,000 tons 135,000 tons
1921, Britain showed its determination
to keep pace by ordering the USA 525,000 tons 135,000 tons
construction of the G3 battlecruisers Japan 315,000 tons 81,000 tons
and N3 battleships. This acceleration France 175,000 tons 60,000 tons
of capital ship construction quickly
raised new fears of an escalation of Italy 175,000 tons 60,000 tons
arms, as the similarities to the Anglo-
German dreadnought race leading up two ships were limited to 33,000 tons, So, why did Britain sign up to the treaty,
to the First World War were apparent an exception made because existing if the costs was to be so heavy?
for all to see. battlecruisers under construction were
being converted into carriers (such as By the turn of the century, America’s
Meanwhile, the strategic thinking in the Kaga, Akagi and USS Lexington). industrial capacity had grown
Britain was not aimed at Germany, Guns on carriers were sharply limited, significantly, finally overtaking that of
Japan or even its traditional enemy, so nations could not side-step the Britain’s (Britain’s industrial production
France (the Entente Cordiale having treaty by putting a few aircraft on a at the time was just under a fifth of
been signed a few years earlier), but at battleship and calling it a carrier. the world’s total, the USA’s just under
the rising industrial power across the a quarter). Therefore, Britain could
Atlantic, America. For its part, America New ships could be built or replaced not out produce the USA in the long
was beginning to assume its role as under the treaty, but the other term, as it had managed with Germany,
the leading economic power of the signatories had to be notified of each and it certainly could not consider
world and saw a confrontation (military new build. Fortifications and naval bases maintaining the Two Power Policy with
or otherwise) with the leading trade were untouched by the treaty, though Japan added into the mix. The treaty
power, Britain, as inevitable. no new sites could be built, and many allowed Britain to maintain parity with
existing ones could not be improved, the USA for two vital decades and
What happened next is extremely barring those on the mainland of avoid an arms race that could end in
important, and despite the fact that it signatory nations. disaster, either financially or in outright
happened nearly twenty years before war with America.
the outbreak of the Second World The navies of these nations started
War, it was probably the most powerful building ships in a new heavy cruiser The first casualties were the scrapping
factor affecting how the war was to be class, but few new battleships were of the G3 battlecruisers and N3
fought at sea. It changed everything. built. Instead, conversions were made to battleships. The latter were to be
existing vessels, resulting in fleets that 48,000-ton vessels with reinforced deck
The Washington Naval Conference had a lot of First World War-era ships. armour and carrying nine 18-inch guns,
took place from November 1921 the largest weapons to be mounted on
to February 1922, at the behest of Every participating nation had its own a British ship.
American politicians who started reasons for signing the Washington
having second thoughts about Treaty, and every nation used their own The need to increase armament and
engaging in a dangerous, expensive methods to circumvent it. armour while keeping under the treaty
and unpredictable arms race. It was limitations led to experimental designs,
an unprecedented move. The five such as the HMS Nelson and Rodney,
leading naval powers (the USA, Britain,
Japan, France and Italy – Germany was
BRITAIN which retained some key concepts
from the G3 and N3 ships. These ships
already under heavy restrictions from Britain was the only nation forced to used boiler feed water tanks as part
the Treaty of Versailles) attended, with scrap large numbers of frontline ships of their armour and had unusual gun
the aim of reducing the number and to meet the treaty’s obligations, thus arrangements designed to maximise
power of battleships in the world. This causing it to finally abandon the Two firepower and limit weight. The ships
was to be the first international arms Power Policy (much to the relief of were also designed so that armour
treaty of its type. the Treasury). In all, 28 capital ships could be added to them after any future
were scrapped, close to the combined potential war had begun.
Total tonnage limits were imposed on strength of both the Japanese and
the signatories, along with a maximum American battle fleets.
limit of 35,000 tons for any single vessel
and with no gun larger than 16-inches.
It should be noted that this tonnage
excluded fuel and boiler water, as the
British claimed their global empire
required higher fuel loads and thus, they
should not be unduly penalised.

Also, only two carriers per nation HMS Neptune

could exceed 27,000 tons, and those

7
 The Washington Treaty

USA politicians somewhat. If France were

to come under serious threat, Britain
This was a calculated move on Japan’s
part, as they immediately started an
The treaty immediately stalled the would be obliged to act. aggressive ship building programme
building of new battleships for America designed to forge ahead while their
and, in fact, The USA would build no enemies were still confined by the
new battleships for nearly twenty years,
when the USS North Carolina launched
ITALY Washington Treaty.

in 1937. While other nations used cunning Dedicating itself to technological

engineering developments and carefully superiority, knowing it could not beat
As overall ship length is a factor in its restructured the design of their Britain or America through industrial
speed, and because greater length meant battleships to circumvent the spirit of the strength, Japan immediately started
more weight, America developed high- treaty (which was intended, remember, construction on two of what would
strength boilers to gain greater speeds in to limit not just the numbers and size of become the largest and most powerful
smaller ships. Ships also adopted an ‘all battleships but their power as well), Italy battleships the world would ever see
or nothing’ approach to armour, heavily took a far simpler approach. It just flat – the Yamato and Musashi, each nearly
reinforcing the most critical areas such out lied about the tonnage of the new twice the displacement of the next
as engines and magazines but having very ships it was building. largest warship afloat.
little elsewhere. The reasoning was that
thin armour would be of no use anyway As with France, Italy had little interest The Second London Naval Treaty
in an engagement so the ship would be in its navy fighting far from its own was signed in 1936, imposing further
better off without its weight (which must territory and built no carriers until it limits on tonnage and firepower
have been a great comfort to the crew was clear the Second World War was but, tellingly, a number of clauses
stationed in those areas). However, these actually going to happen. were built into it. Japan had already
approaches allowed American ships to fit walked out of the treaty and Italy had
within their treaty obligations but retain refused to sign, so Britain, France and
heavy protection, spotty though it might
be, and firepower.
JAPAN the USA more or less agreed that
if any nation anywhere in the world
Withdrawing from the treaty in 1936, violated the terms of the treaty, then
The US Navy initially had a low opinion Japan continued its original building their own restrictions would also be
on the use of carriers, even after Billy programme, which included putting allowed to relax. What happened next
Mitchell’s aircraft bombed the German 18-inch guns on the Yamato, a massive was predictable.
battleship Ostfriesland. To the brass at violation of the treaty.
the time, the demonstration actually Once one nation started building ships
demonstrated very little, as it took the Japan was the wildcard. Britain and that violated the treaty (and Germany
aircraft many runs to deliver a knockout America were both deliberately blocking was certainly a factor here – though by
blow on an ageing and stationary target. Japanese trade in favour of their own no means the only guilty party – with
and if Japan had any ambitions in the its construction of the first pocket
The treaty did force the conversion of Pacific, then the extensive British battleships, the Bismarck and Tirpitz), the
the USS Lexington and Saratoga from colonies there hemmed her in. others had to join in or risk being left
battlecruisers to carriers, starting the US behind in a field of military endeavour
Navy on its path to having carriers at its The treaty was modified in 1930 during that decided which countries were
core. The treaty was thus a major cause the London Naval Treaty, which limited actually empires and which were just
of the USA turning from a battleship to a the guns that could be put on cruisers, countries. The result was a treaty
carrier-based force. Pearl Harbor would splitting the class between light and breakdown and an arms race, the
be the final nail in that coffin. heavy cruisers. It also limited the size very thing the Washington Treaty was
and firepower of submarines, ending designed to avoid.
the idea of the big gun submarine,
FRANCE effectively creating underwater
cruisers, which both the British and
The Washington Treaty had a
powerful effect on the ships used
With experimental designs of its own, French had already tried with the M in the Second World War and, to a
such as the Dunkerque and Richelieu, Class and Surcouf respectively. large extent, how they came to be
with their strange turret arrangements, used. It forced carriers upon navies
France started to rebuild its navy. During a round of naval talks in London, before they had been properly proven
Japan stunned everyone present by in battle (though they would be fully
As a nation, France was not happy suggesting the abolition of the battleship embraced quickly enough) and limited
with the treaty, as it was put on parity in its entirety. The argument put the ultimate size of most battleships
with Italy. This was, first, something forward was persuasive, but it fooled that fought in the war, as well as the
of an affront to its dignity as an no one – the battleship was the only size of their weapons. Moreover, its
imperial nation and second, from a weapon that realistically threatened breakdown made peace between
more practical view, put France at a Japan and if Britain and America folded some nations impossible.
strategic disadvantage. For while France their fleets, Japan would be free to reign
had to cover both the Atlantic and in the Pacific. The proposal was refused, All that said, the Washington Treaty
Mediterranean with its fleet, Italy only as Japan had planned and expected, has been much maligned in subsequent
needed to cover the latter. However, its and they left the meeting, eventually years as it obviously did nothing to stop
close tie with Britain mollified French terminating their part of the treaty. the Second World War.

8
The convoys voyaging across the targets were clearly outlined against U-boats might not even be fired upon if
Atlantic were Britain’s lifeline for the the skyline. Radio communications also they were not seen by the escorts.
whole war. Without them, Britain allowed U-boats to assemble quickly
would fall and, quite likely, the entire into a hunting pack when a convoy was From September 1939 to December
Allied cause would fail as well. located – the infamous Wolfpacks. 1940, nearly five million tons of
merchant shipping was sunk, proving
At the onset of war, both Germany Initially, U-boats had to make a just how effective a few U-boats were.
and Britain saw big ships, such as the dangerous journey to their hunting As medals were handed out, the
Scharnhorst and the pocket battleships, grounds in the Atlantic, having to pass U-boat crews began to call this the
as the main threat to shipping. All over close by Britain via the North Sea. Happy Time.
the world’s oceans, Germany’s surface When France fell, a whole new range
raiders tore into the merchant fleet that of Atlantic ports became available, The U-boats also had eyes in the air, and
Britain relied upon for some of its food, allowing direct access to the convoys the Fw 200 Condor could range some
most of its raw materials and all of its without having to run a gauntlet of 1,000 miles out to sea in order to spot
oil (North Sea oil having not yet been ships and aircraft. convoys. The Condor was also capable
discovered by this time). The U-boats of bombing ships, which it did with some
that were to become so dominant Britain protected its ships by assembling success. Only discovered after the war,
in Germany’s naval plans were first them into convoys and protecting German naval intelligence had broken the
supposed to operate only in coastal them with warships, but U-boat tactics codes Britain was using in the Atlantic,
waters, effectively finishing off anything proved superior from the start. A and so the U-boat crews also knew
the big ships let slip through. Both typical convoy at this time might have when ships left port, how many ships
Germany and Britain were wrong in this 34 convoy ships, travelling in several were in the convoy, and even how many
assumption. The U-boat was to become columns, side-by-side. They would escorts were protecting them.
the main weapon against convoys. be protected by just four escorts
positioned at the extremities of the Britain, on the other hand, found
However, in 1939, U-boats were slow convoy. The U-boats would attack at convoys difficult to hide in the Atlantic.
and few in number. Most U-boats night and on the surface, trying to make German U-boats had superior
were in Norway or the Mediterranean, their way past the escorts who would hydrophones to listen for the engines
not the Atlantic, and Hitler would fire star-shells in an effort to find their of merchant shipping and were often
not listen to arguments to redeploy enemy. Once past the escorts, the deployed in a line at right angles across
them. A U-boat did possess certain U-boats would be able to run freely expected convoy routes. Half a dozen
advantages, of course. On the surface, up and down the convoy lanes, looking U-boats could cover well over 100
it was faster than any convoy and, with for the choicest targets – it was like miles in this fashion, making it all but
a low silhouette, it could not easily be serving them a banquet. Entire convoys impossible for a convoy to slip past if
seen, especially at night. In return, its could be wiped out in this way, and the the U-boats knew it was in the area.

The Admiral Hipper and escorts are bracketed by Allied guns

9
 Atlantic Lifeline

The Royal Navy pinned its hopes on to protect any shipping between its remained important to combined
ASDIC (Allied Submarine Detection own shores and Iceland, giving further U-boat operations, allowing them
Investigation Committee), the world’s protection to the convoys. to gather in Wolfpacks to attack a
first underwater sounding and detection detected convoy, but the Allies now
device, to locate U-boats underwater. In Britain, the Western Approaches developed radio direction finding
However, at this time U-boats preferred Command was set up, getting the RAF equipment that could track and pinpoint
to attack convoys while surfaced, and Navy to work closely together for U-boat transmissions. Escorts were
and the Royal Navy was simply not the first time. Now there were enough equipped with radar that could detect
prepared for that. warships to protect the convoys – the U-boats on the surface; often, they
Allies could go on the offensive. could sight a U-boat before the U-boat
While there were relatively few crew knew they were there.
U-boats, they were being used New tactics were developed whereby
extremely effectively, able to hunt down escorts coordinated manoeuvres for ASDIC and other sonar systems
almost any convoy that tried to cross maximum effect when U-boats were were improved, allowing escorts
the Atlantic. In return, the Royal Navy known to be in the area and, at the to track U-boats underwater. New
did not have enough escort ships, and end of 1941, escort carriers started weapons came into service, such as
those it possessed were very short- appearing. Their aircraft could spot the Hedgehog. A development of the
ranged, and had crews that lacked U-boats, allowing escorts to then home depth charge, instead of a single large
training. Because of this, convoys could in and destroy them, while Condors explosive that detonated on a timer
only be properly protected during the could be chased away or shot down. or by depth pressure, it fired several
first and last 300 miles of their voyages, These tactics had a brief effect, and in smaller explosives that detonated on
leaving them vulnerable across a huge the second half of 1941, the amount contact with a U-boat, which was far
swathe of the Atlantic. of merchant shipping sunk was down more effective. This was replaced in
to just under one and a half million 1943 by the Squid, a launcher that could
Air cover was to prove all important. tons. However, the pendulum soon hurl three depth charges at once, timed
This duty first fell to the RAF’s Coastal swung back to Germany’s favour, as by sonar readings.
Command rather than the Navy. they entered the Second Happy Time
However, they had few suitable aircraft in 1942. Throughout this period, Germany never
and no proper navigational aids for appreciated the technological advances
ocean flight, often relying purely on By now, the US had formally entered being made by the US and Britain,
dead-reckoning and watching waves the war, but it kept its peace-time and so never tried to counter them.
to determine the speed of the wind. lights on its ships as they sailed. The real death knell of the U-boat
As the convoy itself could also be off U-boats also started attacking ships then appeared; aircraft equipped with
course, it was not uncommon for an when the convoy was broken up radar. Able to range far and wide,
aircraft to completely fail to find the in sight of land; many ships were and either direct convoy escorts to a
convoy it was supposed to be watching escorted safely across the Atlantic, U-boat’s position or attack with bombs
over. Constant bickering between only to be torpedoed within close themselves, these aircraft extracted a
high-ranking officers of the RAF and range of shore. In the first half of terrible toll on the U-boats.
Navy only made matters worse, despite 1942, over 1,000 ships were sunk,
the fact that the cargoes the convoys totalling over four million tons.
carried were vital to keep Britain going; At that rate, it was inevitable that
it was the crews of the convoy ships the Allies would lose the war. The
who paid the price, with a third being German U-boat officers knew as
killed in open water on the Atlantic. many ships had to be sunk as quickly
as possible, before the Allies came up
In the first half of 1941, nearly three with an effective defence.
million tons of merchant shipping
was sunk. It began to reach the point The U-boat crews can be seen as
where ships were beginning to be heartless killers preying on defenceless
harder to replace than cargo and if the vessels (especially if you were on the
U-boats sank them quicker than they wrong end of a torpedo), but they
could be built, Britain would be starved had their own miseries as well. Depth
into submission. charges could rain down on them
for twelve hours at a stretch as they
It was here that the Canadian Navy played their cat-and-mouse game with
came onto the scene, having been destroyers. By the end of the war,
greatly expanded in size (by a factor of 82% of all U-boat crewmen would be
50), and subsequently took over nearly dead, the highest mortality rate of any
half the burden of escorting convoys. military service, not just of the Second
Yet more convoys started to cross the World War, but of any modern war.
Atlantic, laden with goods, ammunition Small wonder they began calling their
and supplies from the still neutral US U-boats ‘iron coffins.’
under the Lend-Lease agreement.
Despite its neutrality, after Churchill The Allies set to work, trying to find
visited Roosevelt in 1941, the US agreed the solution to convoy defence. Radio

10
 Atlantic Lifeline

However, the sheer size of the Atlantic Improved escorts and convoy ships such ambush. As they moved in to intercept
continued to pose problems for the as the Liberty-class were now being the convoy, they were attacked by
Allies, and even radar-equipped aircraft mass-produced in the US. Liberty ships aircraft from Canada who sank one
had their limitations, chiefly that of range. were built in an average of 42 days but and damaged another before having to
Flying from bases in the US and Canada, the quickest construction, on the Robert return. On the afternoon of 4 May, the
Iceland and Britain, they could cover a E. Peary, was completed in just four U-boats closed in on the convoy and
huge area of the ocean but, crucially, a days, fifteen and a half hours. launched their own assault.
large gap was left in the centre of the
Atlantic. When Allied technology started Germany made countermoves, halting Over the next two days, the U-boats
gaining its measure on the U-boats, they the use of its big ships altogether and made more than 25 separate attacks,
simply dispersed to this Atlantic gap and turning their crews over to the U-boats. successfully sinking several ships.
to the Caribbean where many trade In the early Spring of 1943, there were However, just as more U-boats were
ships, especially oil tankers, did not travel over 400 U-boats in service, with more being ordered into the area to finish
in convoys. being added at an average rate of 17 off the convoy, a heavy fog fell over
per month. This new U-boat force was the sea, greatly restricting visibility. In
Escort carriers were desperately a far cry from the early days of the war response, the U-boats had to come
needed to cover the Atlantic gap, but and it was felt, more than enough to very close to the convoy to spot their
there were simply not enough available. overwhelm Allied convoys. targets but the escorts, aided by radar,
The Allies did possess some very had no problem finding their prey.
long-range aircraft, but the US kept The turning point of the war in the Though eleven merchant ships had
its Liberators for the Pacific campaign Atlantic is usually seen as a battle that been lost by the end of the battle, the
and the RAF much preferred to bomb erupted around a convoy designated largest Wolfpack yet assembled had
Germany with its Lancasters. ONS 5, in May 1943. Unladen, the been beaten off by the escorts, losing
ships were heading back to the US seven U-boats in the process. They had
In the second half of 1942, more in unusually nasty weather. The ships no choice but to withdraw.
than three and a half million tons of the convoy were disorganised and,
of merchant shipping was sunk, and when in sight of Iceland, the U-boats To hammer the point home, the
the war in the Atlantic was hanging attacked. They made several sorties Allies accounted for a total of 41
in the balance. If the Allies lost the and though driven off by escorts, the U-boats in the month of May 1943.
battle in the Atlantic, the whole U-boats managed to sink one ship. Unable to range freely on the surface,
war effort could fall apart for them, The weather continued to worsen, and Wolfpacks were beaten, and never
leaving the US fighting Japan with no ten merchantmen lost all contact with regained the upper hand. Training and
springboard into Europe, and leaving the convoy. To add to the chaos, four technology had combined to defeat
Germany to do as it pleased with a escorts were forced to leave the convoy the U-boat. As Churchill later said,
depleted Britain and Russia. At the in order to refuel. the U-boats had been sent “to recoil
beginning of 1943, both Churchill and and lick their wounds and mourn
Roosevelt made the defeat of the Ahead of the convoy, off the coast of their dead.” The Atlantic lifeline had
U-boat their top priority. Greenland, a line of U-boats waited in been made secure.

Lifeline – a huge US convoy en route to a beleaguered Britain

11
N
The Mediterranean
The Mediterranean Sea was the theatre of many vicious clashes of naval and air forces.
Italy, driven by Mussolini’s desire for a new Roman Empire, sought to dominate the
coastal nations of the sea, while Churchill saw the region as the ‘soft underbelly’ of
Europe that could be exploited to open another front against Germany. This led to vital
supplies destined for the forces of both sides fighting in Africa being constantly attacked,
to the siege of Malta and to the seminal attack on Taranto, the first time one warship was
able to destroy others far beyond its own line of sight.
The Marine Nationale, on the other hand, was almost eliminated by the fall of France.
However, small groups of the Free French were able to retain hold of their warships and
carried on the fight for freedom around the world.
On 10 June 1940, Italy declared war Mussolini rushed his entirely unprepared never popular in the first place can be
on both France and Britain. This was military into war, dragging an unwilling laid squarely at the feet of Mussolini
very much Mussolini’s war, for he had country with him. The fact that he and those responsible for running Italy.
a vision for a new Roman Empire that lacked the resources and industrial The French, at least, can probably
would control the Mediterranean. He capacity to achieve his ambition of sympathise with how far down a bad
went as far as calling the Mediterranean a new Roman empire would be a government can drag a country. Italy
the Mare Nostrum – Our Sea. secondary consideration for him. may have been the centre of the old
Roman Empire, but Mussolini was no
The founder of fascism in Italy, Malta, Corsica, Tunisia, parts of Algeria, Caesar and the Italian people had no
Mussolini was a superb orator Egypt and Sudan, among others, were wish to be legionaries.
and administrator, though his all on the list. This would involve a lot of
famed organisational skills were an land battles, but what happened on land It should be noted that Franco, in
exaggeration. Contrary to popular was most often determined by what Spain, also had ideas for a new Spanish
belief, he did not get the trains running happened at sea. empire, starting with various parts of
on time (he had nothing to do with Africa and the taking of Gibraltar. The
the improvements the Italian train It is from this phase of history that latter was a proposition Germany was
network had received, and they were a lot of the jokes about the Italian very keen on, as it would shut down
not exactly a model of Swiss efficiency military arise, as they suffered a lot of the Royal Navy’s western entrance into
anyway). Hitler initially admired what fairly humiliating defeats on both land the Mediterranean. However, Spain was
Mussolini had done to revitalise Italy and sea, and their campaigns in North already exhausted after its own civil war
and copied both the Roman style Africa, Greece and Albania only avoided (which was really the prelude to the
salute and black shirts of the Italian complete disaster because of German Second World War) and, in any case,
militia for his own Nazi party. intervention. As the war progressed, Franco showed more sense
Hitler became less and less enthused by than Mussolini.
Mussolini, known as Il Duce (Our Mussolini’s capabilities, seeing him
Leader), had watched Germany seize as a liability.
huge amounts of territory in Europe
and became worried that he had left However, the maligned reputation of
BRITISH STRATEGY
Italy’s own empire-building too late. the Italian military is ill-deserved as After the Battle of Britain, Churchill was
He had his eyes fixed firmly on the the lack of training, equipment, and keen to take on the Axis but lacked the
Mediterranean and as France fell, absence of morale in a war that was resources for immediate action. The

Stringbag attack! Fairey Swordfish from HMS Ark Royal hit the Conti di Cavour

14
bombing campaign against Germany was
beginning, but would take several years
FIGHTING IN biplanes (nicknamed Faith, Hope and
Charity). A squadron of Hurricanes
before reaching a meaningful result. He
wanted to find a new theatre in which
THE MEDITERRANEAN soon joined them, but the only other
aircraft present were a few Wellington
to fight, a place where Britain could The Battle of Calabria (see page 88), bombers, Swordfish torpedo bombers
start whittling down the strength of while inconclusive, demonstrated the and reconnaissance planes.
the Axis before committing to a major importance of signal interception and
campaign on mainland Europe. It also decryption in both locating the enemy The nearest enemy airfields, on Sicily,
conveniently made Britain look busy and spoiling their attacks, a factor were only twenty minutes flight time
while it did absolutely nothing to back the British excelled at through their away and, with no effective radar or
up its promise of defending Poland’s breaking of the German and Italian anti-aircraft guns, fighters on Malta had
borders which was the whole point of Enigma code. to be scrambled when enemy aircraft
Britain declaring war on Germany in the were all but over the island and actually
first place. It also revealed that success in the dropping bombs.
land battles depended on convoys
To this end, the Mediterranean getting through to theatre, to support
seemed ideal to Churchill, he had
always called it the soft underbelly
the logistics needed to wage war.
After all, if the Axis powers did
THE IMPORTANCE OF TARANTO
of Europe. However, he ignored the not get ships brimming with oil and Admiral Cunningham knew that
fact that after a force had managed ammunition to their armies in North six of the seven Italian battleships
to plough its way up through Italy Africa, tanks would grind to a halt, were harboured at Taranto. On 11
it would be confronted by the Alps, field guns would stop firing and troops November 1940, the aircraft carrier
which would prove to be anything but would be left with bayonets as their HMS Illustrious took up station 180
soft. Also, that Churchill’s last fixation only weapons. miles away from the port and launched
on the Mediterranean back in the twelve Fairey Swordfish (nicknamed
First World War had ended in utter The other lesson learned was that ‘Stringbags’), followed about an hour
disaster at Gallipoli. air power was all important, both later by another nine. The whole course
for reconnaissance and attack. True, of the war in the Mediterranean, as well
While many of Churchill’s advisors the Regia Aeronautica (the Italian as naval tactics across the world, would
suggested pulling back to Gibraltar Air Force) did not cover itself with rest on the actions of these 21 planes
after the fall of France, believing glory in the Battle of Calabria, but and their 63 airmen.
the Mediterranean an unimportant both sides understood the effects of
distraction, Churchill believed it their attacks could have been much, The Swordfish carried a mixture of
would put Italy under pressure, while much worse. It meant that despite torpedoes, bombs and flares. The
victory might get Vichy France to the presence of land-based bombers bombs were intended for Italian
change sides and convince Spain that on both sides, fleets would need to destroyers and cruisers, while the
inaction was the best course. Still, take their own air cover with them torpedoes were to be used against the
the Mediterranean was the only place wherever they travelled. Three ancient battleships, illuminated by the flares.
Britain had the resources to wage biplanes on the HMS Eagle was not
a convincing war – the only other going to be sufficient should they The Swordfish met a hail of fire as it
alternative was to stay at home while encounter the Luftwaffe. approached Taranto and two were shot
sending the occasional bombing raid down. However, when the smoke had
over Germany. Malta was central to British plans cleared and the Swordfish departed
in the Mediterranean, an unsinkable back for Illustrious, three battleships
The Royal Navy’s main base in the aircraft carrier ideally positioned to fly had been hit. The Caio Dulio and Littorio
Mediterranean was Alexandria, in Egypt, reconnaissance planes across Italian were put out of action for months,
but of vital importance were its bases convoy routes. However, it was also while the Cavour would never be
in Gibraltar, Malta and Cyprus, which lightly defended and Britain, having seaworthy again. In one stroke, the
allowed it to cover the eastern, central lost an army’s worth of equipment in battleship strength at Taranto had been
and western sea respectively. France, was in no position to properly halved, severely gutting the Regia Marina
reinforce it. for the loss of just two British aircraft.
The Regia Marina (the Italian Navy) was The next day, every seaworthy ship
superior in many respects, built around The British rushed to supply the island at Taranto left for ports further away,
seven battleships including the very fortress with what little they could making life a great deal safer for British
respectable Littorio and Vittorio Veneto, while the Axis planned how to best convoys in the Mediterranean.
both 46,000-ton monsters. It also had neutralise it. He who held on to Malta
18 cruisers, 61 destroyers and over a would win North Africa and, likely, the The attack on Taranto was daring and
hundred submarines. Mediterranean as a whole. the balance of power among battleships
had been shifted towards the Royal
In return, the Royal Navy only had four Malta was always difficult to supply Navy but that was not the important
battleships, three of which had not been and defend, but its position made it lesson that arose from this action. For
modernised, and were outgunned and vital to the Royal Navy. The first Axis the first time in history, one ship had
slower than their Italian counterparts. attack was by Italian bombers and, at successfully attacked several others
There were also six light cruisers and the time, the island’s only aerial defence from beyond visual range. The dawn
twenty destroyers. were three obsolete Gloster Gladiator of air power had finally come to naval

15
 War in the Mediterranean

warfare and things would never be the fleet aerial support. The carrier HMS With the loss of Greece came
same again. The age of the battleship Formidable was duly dispatched to his repercussions in the eastern areas of
was fast fading and now fleets could fleet as a replacement. the war in Africa, it was later said the
only take to sea if they also controlled entire fight for Greece had been a
the air, a fact that was soon to be Up to April 1941, during the Greek and strategic blunder that cost the struggle
hammered into the Royal Navy when Crete campaigns, air attacks on Malta for the Mediterranean a great deal
they were at the receiving end. intensified. Up to 80 aircraft attacked and handed the initiative to the Axis
at any one time, and their bases were powers. Certainly, there were plenty
As a footnote, it should be mentioned only 20 minutes flight time away in of Greeks that regretted it, believing
that this attack was watched very Sicily. HMS Illustrious was attacked the British ‘aid’ they had been sent had
closely by the Japanese (who had again while at harbour and though done nothing but hasten and guarantee
traditionally always been keen to take she managed to escape to Alexandria that Greece would be invaded.
the lead from Royal Navy doctrine) for repairs, the dock facilities at Malta
and its success led directly to the were wrecked. From this point on,
attack on Pearl Harbor, from the use
of carriers as the main weapon, to the
any naval operations required the
mustering of all available resources and,
THE FALL OF CRETE
fitting of wooden fins on air-launched without adequate air support, remained With Greece neutralised, Crete was
torpedoes that allowed them to be extremely hazardous. Now, no British next and while it had an influx of
used in shallow harbours. ship was safe. soldiers from the disastrous Greek
campaign, they had been evacuated
Despite this threat, HMS Ark Royal, with little more than the rifles and
THE LUFTWAFFE ARRIVES Renown and Malaya, under Admiral
Sommerville, sailed past the Italian
bayonets carried by each man. A
great deal of improvisation would
Up to this point, the Royal Navy mainland to the Gulf of Genoa, where characterise the defence of Crete.
had been fighting the Italians in the they shelled the port of Genoa in an
Mediterranean and had performed effort to destroy the two battleships Signals intercepts provided the exact
well. When the Luftwaffe showed up, they believed were moored there. date of the German attack, originally
that began to change. Unfortunately, there was only one set for 14 May and then postponed to
battleship present and it was not hit at 20 May. It was also known the attack
The X. Fliegerkorps (10th Air Corps), all by the incoming shells. would come by both air and sea. While
under General Hans Geisler, were preparations were made, the defending
transferred from Norway to Sicily forces were relatively few and pitifully
in early 1941 and had an immediate
effect. They were trained anti-shipping
THE FALL OF GREECE ill-equipped.

specialists and caught a convoy As the land war in Greece turned Not that everything went the way of
Cunningham was escorting to Malta off against the Allies, Cunningham Germany though. Fearing the entire
the island of Pantellaria on 10 January. scraped together all available shipping war would soon be over within a few
Compared to the efforts of the Regia to evacuate the military forces from months, the German paratrooper
Aeronautica, the Luftwaffe’s tactics beaches around Athens and the forces dropped onto Crete without
made them a very different enemy. Peloponnese. The evacuation started adequate intelligence, a lamentable
on 24 April and the fleet comprised decision considering that the Luftwaffe
Instead of relying on land-based 7 cruisers, 20 destroyers, 2 infantry had air superiority and ample
bombers that dropped inaccurate assault ships and 19 troop ships. opportunity for aerial reconnaissance.
bombs against surface vessels, the X. Dreaming of a victory parade through
Fliegerkorps used Stuka dive-bombers The RAF had been swept from the Berlin as the heroes who took Crete,
which allowed precision strikes on ships. skies, with the remaining aircraft retiring the paratroopers instead dropped into
Additionally, the Stukas attacked in to Crete, so the Luftwaffe was in firm heavy defences where they expected
groups of three, coming at targets from control. Two destroyers and four troop to meet little or no resistance at all.
three different directions, forcing anti- ships were sunk during the evacuation They also expected support from
aircraft fire to split its effectiveness. and many troops were diverted to the Cretans and were astonished
the nearer base at Crete rather than when the men, women and children
The aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious their intended destination of Egypt, to of Crete fought them instead, using
was badly damaged in this attack with avoid further loss. The evacuation was knives and clubs.
bombs hitting guns and killing crew, completed on 30 April, though not
and dropping through hangar doors all units had managed to get to a ship However, despite the German attack
to wreck aircraft below, starting fires. in time. Many were captured, as with very nearly ending in disaster, a few
Listing heavily and without rudder the 7,000 strong force surrounded chinks were made in the Allied defence
control, the Illustrious was steered and forced to surrender at Kalamata, and gradually the invaders pushed
into harbour at Malta under engine but a few others managed to slip away forward. All too soon, Cunningham
direction alone, still under constant in fishing boats or were otherwise was looking at having to evacuate Crete
attack. The cruiser HMS Southampton picked up by submarine or seaplane. as well, and under the ever-present
was also hit and disabled and had to The evacuation was seen as a success Luftwaffe threat. The warships involved
be scuttled. The damage to Illustrious but, like Dunkirk, all heavy equipment suffered severely. HMS Warspite
put her out of action for some time, including tanks and artillery, had been was damaged, and the cruisers HMS
depriving Cunningham of his only left behind. Gloucester, Juno and Fiji, along with a

16
 War in the Mediterranean

destroyer, were sunk. In the days that

followed, another four destroyers
were lost, along with the cruiser
HMS Calcutta. Many more ships were
damaged as the Royal Navy took a
savage beating.

The fall of Crete completely gutted

Cunningham’s force and was a victory
for the Luftwaffe. The Royal Navy had
been greatly depleted in number while
the Regia Marina was still very much in
evidence and the Luftwaffe had almost
complete air superiority across the
Mediterranean. Still, Cunningham had to
halt the Axis convoys making their way
to Africa or risk being the man who lost
The Regia Marina prowl the Mediterranean.
the Allies the entire theatre.

The only silver lining for the Royal by frogmen who travelled underwater 18 December, off Malta, the cruiser
Navy was that Crete caused Hitler into harbours where warheads could HMS Neptune was sunk after sailing into
to lose faith in his paratroopers and be attached to the underside of a dense minefield, while the cruisers
the invasion of Malta, which had been ships. Due to defects in the chariots’ HMS Aurora and Penelope were heavily
their next target, was postponed. The warheads, these attacks were ultimately damaged. A destroyer, trying to save the
Luftwaffe too was dispersed, with many unsuccessful, but they did cause the loss crew of the Neptune, also hit a mine and
units being reassigned to Hitler’s next of the cruiser HMS York. was sunk. Once again, the Royal Navy
obsession, the invasion of Russia. was reeling.
The 10th Flotilla did not lose heart
and continued to launch more attacks Air raids were renewed on Malta,
THE BATTLE FOR MALTA across the Mediterranean. Merchant
shipping was hit in Gibraltar but,
with more bombs being dropped than
on London during the Blitz. Civilian
Now Malta stood ready for invasion, on 18 December, the flotilla struck deaths from these attacks rose and
and it suffered daily air attacks from at Alexandria, seriously damaging bombs concentrated on the air bases
the Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica HMS Queen Elizabeth (Cunningham’s quickly eroded the ability of what few
based in Sicily, a mix of dive-bombing, flagship at the time) and HMS Valiant, Hurricanes remained defending the
strafing runs and high-level bombing. as well as destroying a tanker. This island. The RAF’s attacks on the Axis
At best, the defenders could send up attack took only six brave Italian convoys were severely curtailed. It was
six Hurricanes, three Fulmars (originally frogmen and while they were also becoming difficult to supply Malta
from HMS Illustrious) and one Gladiator captured after the attack, it had all itself with oil or food, as convoys met
against them. Still, Malta fought on. but eliminated any strike capability of concerted attacks from both sea and
U-class submarines and Swordfish based the British Mediterranean Fleet. air. The island was beginning to break
there, using signal intercepts, tracked under the assault. There was a faint
down and attacked convoys headed to Hitler briefly turned his eyes back to glimmer of hope when 46 Spitfires were
Africa, depriving Axis armies of oil and the Mediterranean and moved Luftwaffe delivered by the USS Wasp. However,
ammunition. Between them, hardly any units from the Russian front, returning the aerial battle over Malta was so
convoys crossed the Mediterranean them to Sicily with the idea that Malta fierce that, three days later, only six
without suffering some form of attack. had to be neutralised in order for Axis were still operational.
Meanwhile, Wellington bombers convoys to move freely and the war in
managed to launch attacks on the Africa won. By the same logic, Britain’s Food, fuel and ammunition did make it
airbases in Sicily, doing so even while own convoys had to be stopped. to Malta, in subsistence level quantities,
the attacks on Malta itself were at their More U-boats were ordered into the due to the efforts not of convoys but
height. The only break Malta received Mediterranean and their effect was single ships that managed to slip past the
was when many Luftwaffe units were immediate, with the loss of the carrier attackers. In April 1942, the island itself
withdrawn to be redeployed in Russia. HMS Ark Royal to torpedo. No other was awarded the George Cross for the
However, Malta was beginning to have a carrier was available to replace her and bravery of its inhabitants. However, at
serious effect on the war in Africa, and so, in one attack, air support for British the same time, the last submarines based
the Axis had to take action against it. convoys vanished. there were forced to withdraw by the
increasing number of mines the Axis had
In July 1941 the Italian 10th Flotilla Soon after, on 24 November, U-331 lain around the island.
launched a series of attacks on the penetrated the destroyer screen
Maltese harbour at Valetta. They were of the British Mediterranean Fleet The overall Axis plan in the
an elite force that specialised in using and struck HMS Barham with three Mediterranean was for Rommel to halt
motorboats and one or two-man torpedoes, causing her to explode. On at Tobruk while Italian and German
torpedoes, also known as chariots. 13 December, a U-boat sank the cruiser paratroopers, supported by sea-borne
Chariots were designed to be piloted HMS Galatea just off Alexandria. On forces, invaded Malta. Rommel could

17
 War in the Mediterranean

then continue eastwards through nursed into port while still under meant that many starved and disease
Egypt unhindered and thus win Africa. attack. Overall, the convoy had lost swept through the population.
However, Rommel convinced Mussolini nine merchant ships, the Eagle and
that Malta was already ‘neutralised’, and two cruisers, but Malta itself was Backed up by the Luftwaffe, the
that Egypt deserved all efforts. Hitler saved. Now the Axis convoys would Regia Marina made convoy runs to
also agreed with this assessment but, start to pay the price, as aircraft and Malta near impossible. The wrecks
as Rommel had said earlier in the war, submarines began to cut the supply line of many ships lying at the bottom of
“without Malta, the Axis will end by to North Africa, starving Rommel of the Mediterranean are a testament to
losing control of North Africa.” fuel and ammunition. In May 1943, the their efficiency. British sea power, by
siege was finally lifted when the Axis comparison, was thinly stretched. By
The planned invasion was cancelled, forces in North Africa surrendered. May 1942, the situation became acute
and Malta received much needed with the island reported as having no
breathing room. more than six week's worth of food

On 14–16 June 1942, a dedicated

CONCLUSIONS and fuel – after that, Malta would be
defenceless, and its people subject
effort was made to get two large The Allied victory in North Africa led to starvation.
convoys from Gibraltar to Malta. directly to the invasion of Italy and
Admiral Harwood, Cunningham’s the collapse of Mussolini’s regime. For In secrecy, a relief convoy was planned,
successor, leading the Mediterranean Britain, the war in the Mediterranean Operation Pedestal. It was intended
fleet, coordinated air and sea power in was a traditional naval fight but it also to be the biggest and most heavily
an effort to get the convoys through. held the key for victory in the only armed convoy put to sea. All available
However, attacks from both the air and land war Britain could engage in at the resources were committed, making it
from surface units hammered convoy time. By retaining a foothold in the a real all-or-nothing operation. Central
and escort alike. Only two of the Mediterranean, Axis armies in North to this was the SS Ohio, an American
merchant ships made it to Malta. Africa could be starved of supplies tanker with a British merchant mariner
and reinforcements until they were no for a master, Captain Dudley Mason.
longer able to carry on the fight. This ship was the biggest tanker of the
THE TIDE TURNS Everything revolved around what was
day, displacing 9,000 tons, and yet was
also the fastest; more importantly, it
61 Spitfires were delivered to Malta, happening at sea, but war itself in the could carry enough fuel to keep Malta
finally giving the defenders the punch Mediterranean was ultimately won by air fighting for months. Refitted at Glasgow,
needed to ward off aerial attacks. They power and intelligence. Particularly signal the Ohio was armed with anti-aircraft
were used as interceptors, attacking intercepts and decryption of the Enigma guns and its sides fitted with armoured
the Luftwaffe as they approached the code. Strategically, Malta was the central plates to withstand torpedoes, all
island, rather than waiting until they were ‘high ground’ that allowed the British designed to get the ship through the
overhead and these tactics, with the to retain the ability to keep fighting, most dangerous thousand miles of sea.
increased number of aircraft, served to however tenuous the foothold became. Joined by thirteen other merchant ships
punish the attacking planes severely while and nearly 60 warships, the Ohio started
noticeably fewer bombs fell on Malta. From the point of view of the Axis, the voyage from Gibraltar to Malta on
Mussolini’s ambitions of a new Roman 10 August.
By mid-1942, the population of Malta Empire were entirely unrealistic
were down to starvation rations, and this, combined with Hitler’s The first casualty was from a lone
but enough mines had been cleared constantly wavering attention on German submarine (U-73) that had
from around the island to allow the the theatre, caused the Axis to miss stalked the convoy. The carrier, HMS
submarines to return. Meanwhile, a new several opportunities that could well Eagle, was hit by four torpedoes on 11
convoy was being formed at Gibraltar, have swung the entire war in their August and sank. Operation Pedestal
comprising fourteen fast merchantmen. favour; most notably the delay in any had barely begun, and the convoy had
They were escorted by four carriers, attempt to invade Malta and the later already lost its strongest protector.
two battleships, seven cruisers and 24 assumption that the island had been
destroyers. Around 540 Axis aircraft knocked out of the war. The battle was on. The rest of the
were launched against the convoy, along convoy forged ahead, while warships of
with an Italian cruiser squadron. U-73 the Royal Navy fanned out on all sides
sank HMS Eagle north of Algiers, while
fighters kept dive and torpedo bombers
OPERATION PEDESTAL to protect the convoy from further
attack. Early on 12 August, the air
away. However, U-boats attacked The island of Malta suffered greatly attacks began. A thick barrage was put
and sank the cruiser HMS Cairo and during the early part of the war. Though up over the fleet from the anti-aircraft
damaged HMS Nigeria. One torpedo only a small island, barely 17 miles guns from every ship, and the first
tore into the tanker and set it aflame – long, its position in the centre of the attack was beaten off with no damage
the fire was eventually put out, and the Mediterranean made it strategically to any ship of the convoy. However,
crew coaxed her into Malta. vital as a British base. Constant attacks within hours, an Italian submarine
from the air devastated the island, penetrated the convoy’s defences and
The convoy finally made it to Malta with many of the islanders forced to crept up to two of the cruisers among
with its supplies, even though the live in caves after thousands of houses the escort. HMS Cairo and Nigeria had
last merchant ship, the SS Ohio, had had been shattered by bombs, and the been fitted out with long-range radar
been repeatedly bombed and was constriction of supplies getting to Malta to spot incoming air attacks. One salvo

18
 War in the Mediterranean

of torpedoes struck both cruisers with

a torpedo each, disabling both, while
another sped past them to hit the
Ohio, punching a ten-metre hole in its
side and setting light to a fire whose
flames leapt higher than the ship’s mast.
Resisting the temptation to abandon
the ship, Captain Mason allowed the
inrushing seawater to douse the flames
before ordering firefighting teams to
finish off the fire.

The attack had also wrecked the Ohio’s

navigation and it veered dangerously off
course and into the path of other ships.
The convoy began to lose cohesion as
its formation broke down. Right at this
point, when the convoy was mired in
confusion, German and Italian bombers
swept in to attack. Two merchant
ships were destroyed with ease while
another, the Brisbane Star, was disabled. Wolf Pack! German U-Boats fall upon their merchant prey
On 13 August, the convoy began to
pass through a narrow bottleneck called dispatched from Malta to attack the above the ships. The RAF managed to
the Sicilian Straits, the most dangerous Italian warships, a last bid to avert keep the attackers at bay.
part of the route. These waters were disaster. These bombers flew over
heavily defended, and the Axis powers the Italian fleet and, as well as bombs, Along with crews from other ships, the
had concentrated their submarines, dropped illuminating flares. They crew of the Ohio was brought back on
E-boats and bombers there, all tasked then broadcast fake radio messages, board the tanker and they joined the
with destroying the convoy. ostensibly calling in another strike from air battle with the anti-aircraft artillery
American Liberators. The ruse worked. on the deck. However, despite all
E-boats conducted hit and run attacks To those intercepting these messages, appearances of action, the Ohio was still
with torpedoes throughout the night. it appeared as though a massive Allied on the verge of coming apart, regardless
By morning, there were just four air attack was being mounted to of enemy attack. There was every
merchant ships left, escorted by a completely wreck the Regia Marina. possibility she would break up in sight
handful of destroyers, a tiny remnant of Mussolini needed no further convincing of Malta.
what Operation Pedestal had started. and ordered his fleet back to port.
Despite all this damage, the Ohio was Without this threat, Operation Pedestal The situation was indeed desperate, an
still afloat. was still in with a chance. idea from the captain of HMS Bramham
was gambled upon. Two destroyers,
As day broke, the Luftwaffe intensified Within hours though, the Luftwaffe HMS Ledbury and Penn (Bramham would
its attacks. Near misses buckled the swept in to finish off the convoy. This later take the place of Ledbury) took
armoured plates of the Ohio, while time, a 1,000 lb. bomb exploded next position either side of the Ohio and
another filled her prow with water. An to the Ohio, and the shockwave cracked were lashed to the tanker, forming a
aircraft crippled by the remaining fleet’s the tanker’s keel. Though the Ohio did type of trimaran. The destroyers would
guns skittered across the waves to slam not sink, her structural integrity was thus be able to support the stricken
into the side of the tanker – and then shattered. It was now only a matter tanker as they limped their way to
another bomber crashed onto the of time before she broke up and sank. Malta, in what was now a race against
foredeck. The debris was cleared but Captain Mason gave the order to time before the Ohio disintegrated.
then two bombs exploded very close to abandon ship, as he worked furiously
the Ohio, lifting it up out of the water. with his officers and the rest of the fleet One by one, the surviving ships of the
While the bombs had not sunk the ship, to find a way to get the ship to Malta convoy reached the Grand Harbour
the force of their blasts had blown the before it was too late – after all, the of Malta – the Port Chalmers, Brisbane
fires out in the Ohio’s boilers, leaving it island was by now only 90 miles away. Star (which had much of its bow blown
adrift and a sitting target. The mission The destroyer, HMS Penn, tried to tow off), Melbourne Star and Rochester
to re-supply Malta was all but over. the tanker, but Ohio’s rudder had been Castle. Finally, on the shoulders of HMS
jammed by the latest attack, making this Bramham and Penn, the Ohio finally made
Again, with perfect timing, a new threat impossible. The attempted towing made it into the harbour, under the eyes of
was then launched at the remaining the convoy extremely vulnerable, and the people of Malta who cheered the
ships of the convoy, as battleships, the Luftwaffe came back for another ships in. Operation Pedestal was not the
cruisers and destroyers of the Regia attack. This time, however, they were success that had been planned, but it
Marina, under the direct orders of to find that the convoy had just moved brought enough supplies to keep Malta
Mussolini, moved to finish them off. into range of the Spitfires based on fighting and ensure the island would not
A flight of Wellington bombers was Malta and a vicious air battle erupted be forced to surrender due to starvation.

19
On 22 June 1940, France signed an as much space between the turrets colonies, nor that the Vichy government
armistice with Germany, effectively as possible. Even so, a single hit could would not simply hand them over. This
surrendering. For them, this was the still knock out one of the turrets and, caused a problem as, U-boats aside, the
prudent thing to do. They were facing the in so doing, would reduce the ship’s one area the British could convincingly
Wehrmacht at its height, a force that had firepower in half at a stroke. The turrets outmatch Germany was at sea, and a
dominated the rest of western Europe were compartmentalised to reduce the new fleet of French warships under
in less than a year and lost less than chances of this happening, but it was German control would unbalance that.
30,000 men in the process. Additionally, always a potential problem. Thus, Operation Catapult was put into
the French relied on outdated defensive operation, an attempt by the British to
tactics, had serious problems with The Dunkerque was built to counter fully neutralise the French fleet.
communication and control, and had an the threat of the German ‘pocket’
ineffective political structure. France was battleships, which were in effect up- This culminated with HMS Hood,
also a victim of its geography; no army on gunned cruisers and, in this, the design supported by the battleships HMS
Earth could have beaten Germany had its was successful. To deal with larger and Resolution and Valiant, the carrier
country shared a wide land border with more powerful vessels, France built the HMS Ark Royal, two cruisers and
it in 1940. Britain survived only because it Richelieu and started the Jean Bart, two eleven destroyers under the command
had the Channel between it and the rest battleships that were among the most of Vice-Admiral James Somerville,
of Europe. Even the Soviet Union signed powerful in the world at the outbreak steaming to what was then French
a pact with Germany to forestall military of war and used the same double four- Algeria to confront a sizeable French
action, and Russians do not scare easily. gun turret design of the Dunkerque. fleet at Mers-el-Kébir. It did not go
So, France fell and endured under a dark well. On 3 July 1940, Somerville gave
regime, the Vichy government. But what Under the terms of the armistice the French ships four choices: Join
happened to its navy? with Germany, the French Navy was the British and fight the Germans;
to be disarmed but not technically Be escorted to a British port; Have
France certainly had some interesting surrendered, one of the few concessions the ships disarmed under British
ships at the start of the war. The made. However, there was always a fear supervision; Sink themselves (scuttling,
Dunkerque (and, later its sister ship, the among the Allies that Germany would under naval parlance).
Strasbourg) pointed the way for French use its strong position to requisition
battleship design, as this ship had the the ships of the French Navy and thus If the French refused, Somerville would
unusual arrangement of mounting its become a more potent threat at sea. have to sink them himself. This was not
entire load of heavy guns towards the an option the British sailors themselves
front. The British had tried something It has to be said, not all the crew and were keen on and, upon learning this,
similar with the HMS Nelson and Rodney, officers in the French Navy saw things Somerville expressed this view to the
with three turrets each bearing three from the point of view of the Vichy Admiralty. They were not impressed
guns, but the rearmost turret had its government back home. As France fell, and sent a firm communication back
field of fire obscured by those in front. and having no means to influence the that they expected the French ships to
The Dunkerque bypassed this problem land war, the Navy fled. They headed for be destroyed.
by mounting only two turrets and fitting their colonies or British territory, often
each with four guns. overcoming considerable obstacles to Things were not progressing well on
do so. In one instance, the captain of the the French side of the harbour either.
The advantage of this was that the unfinished Jean Bart ordered a channel Admiral Gensoul refused to meet the
full weight of the ship’s firepower to be dug so his ship could reach the sea delegated British officer on board his
could be used as it advanced where, and, after refuelling while under German flagship, the Dunkerque, as Holland was
of course, it also presented the fire, was guided away by a destroyer as not a senior officer (he was chosen
smallest possible target. To match this it had not yet been fitted with useful because he spoke French). So, he sent
assault, any other ship in the world navigational equipment. his lieutenant in his place. Negotiating
would have to turn its beam to fire by proxy is, of course, not the best way
and thus present the largest possible Those reaching Britain had their ships to manage a tense situation.
target. Having two turrets instead of boarded. Many then joined the Allied
three or four also greatly reduced the fight, forming the Free French Navy. Gensoul (via his underling) let Holland
amount of heavy armour needed, an These boardings were conducted know that if the French were attacked,
important consideration when the peacefully in the main, though four men they would respond in kind. When
world was building under the terms of were killed during a skirmish on the Swordfish from the HMS Ark Royal
the Washington Treaty. Surcouf, then the largest submarine in started mining the entrance of the
the world. harbour, nerves began to frazzle
The drawback was that, being so close further, especially when the French
together, both turrets could potentially Churchill was not completely convinced sent Curtiss H-75 fighters after them,
be put out of action by a single hit, and that Germany would not seize ships shooting down an escorting Skua while
so the ships were designed to place lying in the ports of various French they were at it.

20
During this stand-off, Gensoul kept in harbour, negotiate the mines safely, and government in exile in Britain, with no
contact with his superior, Admiral of steam past the British fleet. Somerville real air or naval forces to their name,
the Fleet Darlan. However, it seems ordered a pursuit but, ultimately, the a situation remedied in part when
that Gensoul only ever told Darlan Strasbourg and its escorts sailed into the the British leased a number of ships
about the British ultimatum to sink the night and made it to Toulon (a port city to them. In 1942, Germany tried to
ships and not the other options. To on the south coast of France). This was seize a French fleet at Toulon, but any
counter this, Darlan ordered all available not enough for the British and, believing ship of military worth was scuttled
French ships in the Mediterranean to the Provence and Dunkerque were not before they could get their hands on
immediately head for Mers-el-Kébir to quite as badly damaged as first thought, them, including the Dunkerque and
provide some much needed back up for attacked again by Swordfish from the Strasbourg. The Richelieu, after being
the ships at harbour. HMS Ark Royal. refitted in New York (and taking
three barrels from the Jean Bart’s only
Unfortunately, the British Admiralty The Battle of Mers-el-Kébir was a working turret) served with the British
picked up on these orders and political mess from start to finish that Home Fleet, conducting an operation
communicated them to Somerville, wasted the lives of over 1,000 sailors. in Norwegian waters in 1944, before
letting him know that he would soon However, at the British blockade of being deployed to the British Eastern
be surrounded by a large, and angry, French ships in Alexandria, four days Fleet where she served in many
French fleet. Ultimately, that is what of negotiations between Admiral actions, including Operation Cockpit.
tipped his hand (or, more precisely, Rene-Emile Godfroy and Admiral
Churchill’s hand, as it was he who gave Cunningham resulted in the French fleet This was an attack on Sabang
the final order). agreeing to disarm its ships and stay in Island (near Sumatra) that had
port. Before eventually joining the Allies been requested by the US to divert
In the early evening of June 3, the British in 1943. attention from their own action in
ships opened fire. After a thirteen- Hollandia (now Jayapura, Indonesia).
minute bombardment, the French fleet The battle also increased tensions The Japanese forces there were
was in tatters. Unable to manoeuvre between Britain and Vichy France to caught completely off guard and a
within the confines of the harbour (the near breaking point and ran the risk combined attack from aircraft and a
forward guns on the Dunkerque and of confirming Churchill’s fear that it naval bombardment hit the harbour
Strasbourg did not work out so well would convince the Vichy government and nearby airfield, as well as two
here), the French ships had taken a to fully side with Germany. From the merchant ships, two destroyers, and
pounding. The battleship Bretagne was point of view of the Vichy government, an escort, plus numerous facilities.
the first to sink after a shell exploded the British had already deserted France The British commander leading the
her magazine and she capsized, while after promising to fight side-by-side, and operation, Admiral Sommerville, later
the captain of the Provence was forced now they were shelling French ships said they had “caught the Japanese with
to beach his ship in order to stop her and killing French sailors. All this for a their kimonos up.”
sinking, as did the Dunkerque and a war that the Vichy government truly
destroyer, the Mogador. believed Britain could never win. Eleven ships of the Free French Navy
were present at the D-Day landings, off
Amazingly, through all the smoke and From this point on, however, things got Juno, Gold, Omaha and Utah beaches,
confusion, the Strasbourg and four better for the French fighting forces. providing fire support for the infantry
destroyers managed to escape the The Free French were effectively a landings and silencing German artillery.

The Marine Nationale on a training exercise

21
The Pacific
The war in the Pacific focussed first on the possessions of European empires
but soon evolved into a titanic clash between Japan and the United States.
It was in this theatre that aircraft carriers saw their rise as the principal tool of war
on the seas as fleets battled over control of islands across the ocean. A war of
industry versus increasing desperation, the Pacific saw massed numbers of ships,
inexorable technological development, the horrors of fighting Kamikaze units
determined to kill themselves in order to destroy their enemy, and finally the
release of nuclear weapons.

N
On Sunday morning December 1941 to be a decisive weapon. There was no and at the time there were no
the USA woke up to find it was at war. certainty, indeed not much likelihood of armour-piercing bombs large enough
The Pearl Harbor attack of 7 December war at that time but contingency planning to endanger a battleship. These were
1941 provides a clear starting point went on all the same. improvised out of 16-inch naval shells.
for histories of the Second World
War in the Pacific theatre. However, By the late 1930s, Japan had conquered By the time war became inevitable,
the region was at war for years before much of China and was creating a ‘Co- the Japanese fleet was as ready as it
the conflict spread to include the USA Prosperity Sphere’ by annexing areas that could be. A knockout blow delivered at
and her allies. Japanese expansionism provided critical resources, notably oil. the start of the fight offered the best
in the 1930s heightened tensions and Increased tensions resulted in economic chance of victory but might be an all
the Western response made the Pacific sanctions, backing Japan into a corner. The or nothing attempt – Japanese admirals
War almost certain, but long before this US line of thinking was that Japan would warned that the attack would buy them
the possibility had been considered. not risk war with the USA and her allies. several months of strategic freedom,
Unfortunately, from the Japanese point of but eventually American industrial
After centuries of isolationism, Japan view, there was no alternative and backing strength would tip the balance. In short,
had enthusiastically embraced the down from her position as the leader Japan had to win; America only had to
modern era during the late 19th of an Asian sphere free from Western avoid defeat for long enough to bring its
century, ordering the best vessels interference was unacceptable. If the industry to bear.
available from Britain and Germany, and Western nations were equally unwilling
inviting foreign experts to train crews to compromise, the question was simply
and officers in the art of modern war at
sea. By the time of the Russo-Japanese
when war would break out. THE OPENING ROUND
war of 1904–05, Japan’s Imperial Navy By December 1941, the Second World The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
was a powerful and confident force; War had already been raging in Europe came as a complete surprise; many
sufficiently confident to send destroyers and the surrounding waters for some crews were ashore, and alert levels
into the Russian naval base at Port time. Certain events were noted with were not high. Although the incoming
Arthur and attack the fleet in its home. interest by the Japanese navy. In April air attack was detected, confusion and
1940, British Sea Skua aircraft bombed peacetime complacency prevented any
This daring act was followed by the and sank the light cruiser Königsberg at useful reaction, permitting Japanese
defeat of Russian forces in the Pacific, anchor in Bergen; no major warship pilots to make attacks against ships
and when another fleet was sent, it too had been sunk by air attack before. lying at anchor in known locations,
was destroyed. The utter mismatch that Then, in November 1940, a force mostly without steam up. Anti-aircraft
was the Battle of Tsushima Narrows in of Swordfish torpedo bombers flew weapons were not manned, officers
1905 made the world take notice of Japan into the anchorage of the Italian fleet were ashore, and crews were not on a
and consider her a major naval power. at Taranto and inflicted devastating war footing.
Japan was included in major international damage on the ships there. One
treaties, such as the Washington Treaty battleship was sunk, others saved only Few ships even got underway during
of 1922, which limited the tonnages and by running them aground. the attack, though resistance gradually
types of vessel that could be built by the intensified as gunners brought their
world’s five greatest naval powers. Japan The attack at Taranto was carried out weapons into action. The Japanese
at that time was ranked third, after Britain with low-performance aircraft, yet only Navy lost 29 aircraft in return for
and the USA. two were lost. This was the first time putting almost the entire battleship
a carrier-based strike had been made strength of the US Pacific Fleet out of
The original US plan for war in the against a major target, and it was an commission, at least temporarily. In
Pacific was based around the decisive enormous success. The strategic effects addition, nearly 200 US aircraft were
clash of battlefleets headed, of course, by went beyond lost or damaged ships – destroyed and many more damaged,
battleships and battlecruisers. The impact the Italian fleet was pulled back to a along with infrastructure and other
of the submarine and aircraft carrier was more secure base, limiting its offensive ships sunk or damaged.
not at first appreciated – indeed, had it potential. If this could be cobbled
not been for the circumstances following together amid a war and carried out on There were two possible reactions
Pearl Harbor, the USA might have a shoestring by the British, what might to this shocking start to the conflict
attempted to fight a battleship war. the Imperial Japanese Navy achieve with – fight or agree not to. With its fleet
months to prepare? apparently demolished and the Imperial
This plan, named War Plan Orange, was Japanese Navy in control of the
developed at a time when capital ships The Japanese Navy had several carriers Central Pacific for lack of any credible
were assumed to be invulnerable to air and a large number of high-performance challenge, the USA could have been
attack. It was anticipated that aircraft might aircraft, but technical problems had to expected to agree terms. Instead, it
be useful for scouting or to harass the be solved. Shallow-running torpedoes declared war on Japan as did Britain.
enemy fleet, but they were not expected would be required for in the harbour, War with Germany came a few days

24
 Hard to starboard!

later in response to the German not well positioned and were rapidly British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) force
declaration of war. pushed back by the advancing Japanese. of two heavy and three light cruisers,
plus destroyers.
The US position was, on the face There was also the threat of an
of it, poor. However, many of the amphibious invasion. Defence against this The ABDA force put up what resistance
battleships damaged in the attack could rested upon the only two British capital it could to Japanese expansion, attacking
be returned to service sooner or later, ships in the region, HMS Repulse and invasion forces and trying to forestall
and the carrier force had been away on Prince of Wales. The latter was a modern an invasion of the remaining Allied
manoeuvres. Just as importantly, the battleship whose 14-inch guns had possessions in the region. This brought
infrastructure of the Pearl Harbor base inflicted serious damage on the Bismarck, it into contact with a powerful Japanese
was largely intact; the vital oil tanks had but Repulse was an older battlecruiser. force escorting an invasion convoy, and
survived, this meant the US still had a Together with their escorting destroyers, on 27 February 1942 the joint command
viable base in the Pacific. If it could be these two ships formed Force Z. suffered heavy losses in what became
defended, there would be no need to known as the Battle of the Java Sea.
pull back all the way to San Diego. The Force Z was ordered out in response to
US was still in the fight, but for now reports of a Japanese invasion fleet, and Some survivors of the Java Sea encounter
all it had to hold the line were aircraft whilst en route was found by Japanese fought another action almost immediately
carriers and cruisers. However, as aircraft. A series of attacks with bombs after, resulting in total defeat at the Battle
events of 7 December had shown, the and torpedoes sank both vessels, of Sunda Strait. Others were run down in
carrier was a more potent weapon than making them the first major warships to the Java Sea whilst trying to reach Ceylon;
pre-war planning had assumed. be sunk in open waters by aircraft. The few ABDA ships survived to fight on.
defeat of Force Z left Britain with no Allied land forces in Indonesia were soon
Meanwhile, Japanese land forces had capital ships in the Pacific theatre. overrun, putting the region’s oil reserves
been pushing through Southeast Asia. in Japanese hands and freeing their forces
Until December 1941 they had not Japanese successes followed in rapid to advance towards Australia.
attacked British holdings, but once succession, with Singapore eventually
war was declared these became fair falling to land forces. It was irrelevant by A foray into the Indian Ocean in early
game. British strategy in the Pacific had that time; there were no ships to use its 1942 drove the British from their base at
for a long time hinged on the fortress facilities. However, the loss of morale Ceylon, forcing them to relocate their only
of Singapore, with its extensive naval in losing Britain’s great Pacific fleet base major warships in the region to the east
base. However, there had never been was enormous. Wake Island and Guam coast of Africa. This placed the Royal Navy
sufficient ships to make use of the base also fell, along with British and Dutch too distant to greatly affect the unfolding
or even to defend it properly. Land possessions in Indonesia. The only naval events in the Pacific, whilst the US was still
forces on the Malay Peninsula, although opposition in the western end of the recovering from the bushwhacking it had
deployed to defend Singapore, were Pacific theatre was the joint American- received at Pearl Harbor.

25
 The Pacific War

Although the USS Yorktown was crippled

by the counterstroke and later sunk
(for real this time) by a submarine, the
Imperial Japanese Navy lost four fleet
carriers and – more importantly – the
cream of its naval aviators. This defeat
had enormous strategic consequences;
the dominance of the Pacific theatre
by the Japanese navy was ended and
thereafter the strategic initiative shifted
to the Allies.

GUADALCANAL AND
THE SOUTHERN REGION
Australia was still under threat, with
Japanese land forces grinding their
USS Missouri – the last commissioned US Navy battleship way across New Guinea towards Port
Moresby and the establishment of an
airbase at Guadalcanal in the Solomon
HIGH TIDE By this point, it was obvious that the
aircraft carrier had emerged as at least
Islands. This was of sufficient strategic
importance that both sides committed
As predicted, the Japanese navy ran the equal of the battleship and might large land and air forces to the region.
wild in the Pacific for several months. have supplanted it entirely. This probably These troops had to be supplied
Australia faced imminent invasion and, influenced the thinking of Japanese naval and reinforced, creating an ongoing
with most of its military forces already commanders, who enjoyed a temporary naval and air battle for control of the
committed to the European theatre, advantage in the number of carriers approaches to the Solomon Islands and
was in desperate peril. However, in available. The plan was to attack Midway notably Guadalcanal.
April 1942 Japanese policy underwent Island, which could be used as a base of
a sudden change in response to an air operations against Pearl Harbor. The US The battle for Guadalcanal was
raid on Tokyo carried out by bombers Navy had to fight for Midway or accept a characterised by heavy fighting on land, as
launched from the carrier USS Hornet. worsened strategic situation if it were lost. well as frequent air attacks. US carriers
Led by Lieutenant-Colonel James provided air support to the troops ashore
Doolittle, the raid was incredibly Japanese commanders hoped that the even after the US airbase at Henderson
audacious but not very damaging. US would indeed fight. They had four Field became operational, and also took
carriers available while the US Navy part in naval actions for control of the
The embarrassed Japanese navy had only two – or so they thought. In island group. Among these was the Battle
committed itself to pushing the fact, the USS Yorktown was undergoing of the Eastern Solomons, a carrier action
defensive frontiers of Japan out far repairs after the Battle of the Coral Sea. fought in August. Although inconclusive,
enough that the Doolittle Raid could She was made combat-worthy in just actions of this sort inflicted losses on the
not be repeated. This was beyond the days, despite an estimate of months, Japanese fleet and its air assets, gradually
Japanese navy’s capabilities and spread and joined the US task force headed for driving down the standard of available
its forces too thin. However, this Midway. Her presence was unsuspected Japanese pilots and shortening their life
was not immediately apparent as the by the Japanese Navy as Yorktown had expectancy. As the IJN (Imperial Japanese
Japanese continued their advance on been reported sunk at the Coral Sea. Navy) increasingly fielded ‘green’ pilots,
Australia. The key to this strategy was more and more veterans were emerging
Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea, Given the small size of a carrier task among the US aviators.
and taking it required commitment of force compared to the expanses
heavy land and naval forces. of ocean they operated in, it is not As it became increasingly difficult to get
surprising that the Battle of Midway through to Guadalcanal with transport
The Japanese advance was halted at the was characterised by flights of aircraft ships, the Japanese resorted to what its
Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942. struggling to find their targets. The soldiers called Rat Transport – running
This was a carrier action; the first naval Imperial Japanese Navy struck first, troops and supplies aboard destroyers
battle where ships did not sight one inflicting damage on the base at Midway at night. The allies referred to these
another. Both sides lost carriers as well but this did not prevent its aircraft runs as the Tokyo Express and did their
as other ships and many aircraft but, contributing to the battle. US aircraft utmost to stop them. Initially, this was
from a strategic point of view, the Allies found the Japanese fleet in a disorganised mainly by air – any Japanese ship taking
came off best. Not only was the Port state, suffering heavy losses to no part in the Tokyo Express needed to be
Moresby campaign derailed, but the effect. However, the very confusion out of range of land-based air power by
Japanese Navy could ill afford to replace that weakened the initial attack drew morning or risk being detected and sunk.
the losses it suffered whereas the the Japanese defensive fighters out of
USA would be able to make good the position and allowed later strikes to The Battle of Guadalcanal exposed the
damage in time. press home this advantage. naval forces of both sides to grave risks.

26
 The Pacific War

In August a force of Allied cruisers and The following day, 14 November, a invasion, though the Japanese were still
destroyers, brought in to protect the US force built around two battleships strong in the region and posed a real
approaches to Guadalcanal, was caught joined the fight for Guadalcanal threat until ejected from New Guinea.
at anchor off Savo Island and mauled so and successfully intercepted a
badly that the region became known as bombardment force centred on the The Allied advance was methodical,
Ironbottom Sound. In September, the US battleship Kirishima. The Kirishima was based around the concept of
lost the carrier USS Wasp to submarine sunk and the reinforcement attempt ‘island hopping’ put forward in Plan
attack, leaving only one US carrier in the seriously disrupted. The land battle for Orange before the war. An island
region, and air attacks became a constant Guadalcanal then swung increasingly in was essentially an unsinkable aircraft
threat to vessels operating in the area. favour of the Allies. carrier, providing a base for air
operations in the region. It could be
However, the losses were not one- The Battle of Tassafaronga, at the end of abandoned when no longer needed,
sided. In October the threat to the November, marked the point where the allowing the same land and air forces
Tokyo Express escalated when a US Japanese navy could no longer support to move forward from island to
cruiser force intercepted a convoy operations on Guadalcanal. A force of island, leaving a rear area secured by
headed for Guadalcanal and sank some destroyers attempting to land supplies distance and increasing supremacy.
of the escorting vessels, the first time were attacked by Allied cruisers and In some areas, whole island groups
an interception by heavy ships had taken destroyers, and although losses were were bypassed, leaving the Japanese
place. It did not deter the Japanese heavily in Japanese favour it was obvious forces there cut off from supplies to
commanders, who planned to run a that the resupply mission was becoming ‘wither on the vine’ while the Allies
powerful convoy to the island under impossible. Japanese strategy moved to pushed forward. This advance went
cover of a battleship attack on the US a more defensive footing in the region, on throughout 1943 without a major
airbase there. with troops evacuated from the island, naval action, partly because one was
mainly by destroyer. A final action was not desirable to the Allies.
The bombardment was successful fought whilst this was taking place, the
and caused significant damage but Battle of Rennell Island, an attack by Although pre-war planning had
did not prevent air attacks on the Japanese aircraft on Allied naval forces revolved around decisive fleet action,
reinforcement convoy. Most of the which resulted in the loss of a US cruiser. the new situation imposed by changing
troops and supplies got ashore, and technology made it largely unnecessary.
soon afterward a major attack was The Japanese fleet would have
launched against Henderson Field.
Although hard pressed, the Allies held
THE ALLIED ADVANCE welcomed such a battle – its limited fuel
reserves made it impossible to oppose
out and were able to push the Japanese Arguably, the Battle of the Coral Sea the Allied advance, but if the Allies came
force, by then largely fought out, away was the point where the Allies stopped close to Japanese bases, a successful
from the airbase. losing, and Midway was the point action was a possibility. However, Allied
where they looked like they could win. planners avoided such an eventuality
Whilst this battle was taking place, Guadalcanal and the Solomons Campaign and were content to encroach
Japanese carrier forces attacked their represented the point where the tide steadily on Japanese holdings until
US counterparts in what became finally turned. Australia was no longer they possessed island bases capable of
known as the Battle of the Santa Cruz in imminent danger of isolation and operating bombers against Japan itself.
Islands. The plan was to use the fight for
Guadalcanal to pin the US force – it had
to stay and fight or the land battle might
be lost – so that crippling losses could
be inflicted. This was partially successful,
the US Navy lost one carrier and one
was seriously damaged, but losses
among Japanese aviators were high and
their carriers were also damaged.

In November 1942, the Japanese

decided to make another major
effort at Guadalcanal. This required
reinforcements which would be brought
in under the protection of a powerful
naval force including two battleships.
This was met by a greatly inferior force
whose heaviest ships were cruisers.
The resulting Battle of Guadalcanal
was chaotic and resulted in a heavy
defeat for the Allies. However, the
battleship Hiei was badly damaged and
the Japanese force was prevented from
attacking Henderson Field. Hiei was
sunk by air attack whilst withdrawing. US aircraft take to the skies

27
 The Pacific War

This advance was not without cost. were up against veterans for the most of carrying a handful of seaplanes. They
Japanese land forces put up fanatical part, whereas the Japanese pilots were played little part in the war but in the
resistance in almost all cases, forcing often inexperienced. The senior pilots final stages were dispatched to attack
the US to develop new techniques for who could have taught them were being the Panama Canal. However, the war
amphibious assault and naval support. killed at an alarming rate, crippling the ended before this force could launch
Increasing numbers of carriers were IJN’s naval aviation to a point where it its attack.
available, making air power ever could not recover.
more prevalent, whilst cruisers and Allied submarines were used in a
battleships were increasingly relegated more conventional and far more
to the role of anti-aircraft escorts and
bombardment platforms.
THE SUBMARINE WAR effective manner. Some attacks
were made against warships, but the
At the outbreak of war, neither side greatest contribution was from a
The Allies pushed though the Gilbert had really appreciated the capabilities campaign of unrestricted submarine
and Marshall Islands and by mid-1944 of naval aviation or submarines. Both warfare against transport and logistics
were able to land on Saipan. This was the Allies and Japanese made extensive vessels. The Japanese Co-Prosperity
significant because B-29 bombers could use of submarines, though the Allies Sphere was highly dispersed, requiring
reach the Japanese Home Islands from were far more effective. Japanese goods, particularly oil, to be shipped
bases there. A major offensive was submarines did score the occasional over large distances. Little attention
launched to prevent the Allies from success, sinking powerful vessels was paid to the protection of these
using Saipan, calling for an attack by including aircraft carriers, and were vessels, allowing Allied submarines to
carrier- and shore-based aircraft against useful as pickets. Attempts were also sink large numbers.
the Allied fleet. made to create ‘submarine traps’ that
the Allied fleets would sail over, but As casualties among the Japanese
Although the Japanese plan was sound this was not successful. destroyer fleet gradually increased,
their forces were outmatched. The US this had an impact on all operations
could field fifteen fleet carriers for this Some of the uses that submarines but in particular weakened anti-
engagement, which became known were put to were less conventional. submarine defence. It became virtually
as the Battle of the Philippine Sea Midget submarines were used for a impossible to protect the large
and unofficially as the Great Marianas variety of covert operations, and shore numbers of transport vessels plying
Turkey Shoot. Large numbers of fighters bombardments were carried out by between Japanese-held ports, and
and a huge volume of radar-directed submarines. With their limited gun eventually the fleet had to be based
anti-aircraft fire ensured that Japanese armament this was not very effective, close to sources of oil to ensure it
aviators suffered enormous losses for but it is possible that some positive had any fuel at all. Towards the end
virtually no gain. morale effect resulted. Submarines were of the conflict, the Imperial Japanese
also used for supply runs and, unusually, Navy was heavily constrained by lack
US aircraft sank three enemy carriers as aircraft carriers. of oil, limiting its ability to even fight
during this battle, but it was the losses a defensive action. Allied submarines
of aircraft and pilots that was most The Japanese submarine aircraft were a key component in this element
damaging to the Japanese. Their aviators carriers were very large boats capable of the naval war.

Artist's Impression of a Kriegsmarine P-class cruiser

28
 The Pacific War

THE ENDGAME
Various plans were mooted for the final
advance on the Japanese Home Islands,
including an invasion of Formosa, but
it was eventually decided to liberate
the Philippines and eliminate the
threat posed by the large Japanese air
forces based there. This presented
the Japanese commanders with the
opportunity for a decisive action,
though by this time shipping losses
and lack of fuel made success unlikely. The Zuikaku burns!
Nevertheless, the IJN came out to fight,
resulting in the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
a force of no less than six battleships After Leyte Gulf, the strength of the
Leyte Gulf was the largest naval action and several cruisers. The salvoes fired IJN was essentially broken. Three
of the war, and arguably the largest of by these vessels were the last occasion battleships and several other major
all time. The Japanese fleet deployed in when gun-armed capital ships fired warships remained but they were short
battle groups, of which the largest was upon one another. The lead elements of of fuel. Naval aviation was virtually non-
designated Centre Force. It included Southern Force were devastated, but the existent. The Japanese began resorting to
the battleships Yamato and Musashi as secondary part of the force was able to kamikaze attacks, inflicting painful losses
well as three other battleships, twelve retire. Most of these vessels were sunk on the Allies but never really impeding
cruisers and a force of destroyers. This later in the battle. the advance towards the Home Islands.
force was attacked by US submarines
as it transited the Palawan Passage, On 25 October, the Japanese After the liberation of the Philippines,
sinking two cruisers and forcing a Centre Force pushed through the the Allies advanced by way of Iwo Jima.
third to turn back. This occurred on San Bernardino Strait and found it Despite fanatical resistance including
23 October, and the contact was unguarded. Off the island of Samar, it kamikaze attacks, overwhelming Allied
reported to the Allied command. encountered a US task force consisting firepower and the expertise gained in
of sixteen escort carriers and some long years of island-hopping overcame
As Centre Force entered the Sibuyan destroyers. With no heavy ships to the defenders. Pushed back into a small
Sea on 24 October, it came under heavy oppose it, Centre Force had the perimeter, the Japanese made what
air attack which crippled Musashi. Most opportunity to destroy this carrier amounted to their last stand at Okinawa.
of the force was able to retire, but after group but failed to do so. Spirited
absorbing an enormous quantity of attacks by destroyers (many of which The invasion fleet was attacked by
ordnance, Musashi sank without ever firing were faking torpedo attacks as they had kamikaze aircraft and what amounted
a shot at enemy ships. Japanese aircraft no such weapon aboard) and aircraft to a kamikaze mission by the Yamato.
achieved more, inflicting some damage on disrupted the Japanese force, though at With only enough fuel for a one-way
the Allied fleet and crippling a cruiser, but one point some of the US carriers were trip, the vessel was to cause as much
Centre Force was not yet out of the fight. engaging with their tiny gun armament. damage as possible to the invasion
fleet and then beach itself as a giant
Meanwhile, although the Japanese Torpedo hits, from destroyers that had fortress. The crew would fight ashore
carrier force was virtually incapable of them, inflicted some damage on Centre once their ship was destroyed.
operating aircraft, it was at sea serving Force, and the desperate defence by
as a decoy. This fleet, designated all ships was sufficient to permit the In April 1945, Yamato and her escorts
Northern Force, was ironically not US carriers to withdraw. The Japanese put to sea on their suicide mission. The
immediately spotted. When it was force also withdrew, with several ships force was spotted by US submarines
finally detected, part of the US fleet was heavily damaged. and came under heavy air attack which
sent north to finally destroy the last of sank the battleship and most of her
Japan’s carrier capability. This left the Over the course of the 25–26 October, escorts long before they got into range
Surigao Strait uncovered if Centre Force the Northern Force fought its final of their target. A few major warships
chose to resume its advance, which it action off Cape Engano. A feeble remained after this, but there was no
already had. airstrike was swatted aside by the vastly real naval opposition to the Allies for
superior US fleet, after which retaliatory the remainder of the war.
In the meantime, the Japanese Southern airstrikes sank or crippled most
Force, built around two older battleships, Japanese ships. However, signals were Although Japan did not surrender until
had been attacked by aircraft but came arriving about Centre Force’s sortie August, the last naval action of the war
through without much damage. As it against the escort carriers, and there was a clash between the heavy cruiser
transited the Surigao Strait, it came was grave concern that the powerful Haguro and Allied destroyers in the
under attack by Allied torpedo boats Japanese fleet would get in among the Malacca Strait on the night of 15–16
but still managed to avoid damage. invasion transports. US vessels rushed May 1945. It is perhaps ironic that a
That changed when US destroyers back to oppose Centre Force but war that began with a massive air attack
joined the attack, and after this the lead arrived far too late to intervene; Centre ended in a conventional surface action
elements of Southern Force ran into Force had managed to withdraw. with guns and torpedoes.

29
Suicide attacks were not uncommon since early childhood. However, the the exchange rate of one pilot and his
throughout the Pacific War, though Japanese warrior ethos was particularly (possibly obsolete) aircraft for an Allied
bomb-laden kamikaze aircraft did well suited to this form of attack, ship began to look very attractive.
not make an appearance until the though it is notable that deliberate Indeed, the idea of deliberate suicide
situation became desperate in the suicide missions were considered only attacks was proposed by a band of
later years. Well before this, reckless after it became obvious the Japanese veteran pilots rather than the ill-trained
charges by infantry – termed ‘banzai armed forces were losing the war. rookies who were later recruited for
charges’ by Allied soldiers – were a kamikaze units.
tactic considered viable by Japanese One factor in the willingness of Japanese
commanders. These were not always military personnel to make deliberate It is not clear exactly when the earliest
intended to end in death; a suitably suicide attacks was the warrior code of kamikaze attacks took place; there are
aggressive charge could overrun enemy Bushidō. Although less ingrained in the several candidates of which some may
positions, albeit at huge cost. However, ordinary people of Japan than in the well have been the desperate actions
a last all-out charge was considered an warrior classes, Bushidō permeated the of a wounded pilot rather than a
honourable way to avoid the shame of Japanese military at all levels. Defeat deliberate tactic. The first instance of
defeat, and in this case did constitute a was not only a personal dishonour; it a kamikaze unit being ordered to make
form of suicide. was an affront to the Emperor, who an attack came during the battle for
was considered to be a god. the Philippines in 1944. A fleet including
Other equally desperate measures were the battleships Musashi and Yamato
acceptable to the Japanese psyche even Even if a pilot did not much care was ordered to attack US warships
before the Allies began approaching about the warrior code, his actions assembling in Leyte Gulf. Little air cover
the Home Islands. One way to take would be judged by people who did. was available for the Japanese force, as
out a tank was to hide in a hole with Someone who chose to survive a defeat the only available carriers had lost much
an artillery shell and a hammer, using rather than finding an honourable and of their aircraft strength. In an effort to
this rather crude means of detonation purposeful death might find his life offset the deficiency, a special suicide-
to ensure the shell exploded under not worth living, even if he were not attack unit was formed.
the tank’s weak belly. Later in the war executed by a Bushidō zealot who had
this method was used against ships, clearly never been in the position of The logic behind it was sound in the
by positioning frogmen in underwater having to make that choice for himself. context of a losing war; an aircraft
shelters waiting for Allied vessels to Thus, Bushidō created a culture of deliberately flown into an enemy ship
pass overhead before attacking with sacrifice even among those who did not had a better chance of delivering its
explosive charges on poles. follow the code. payload than a bomb dropped from
it and would cause additional damage
Aerial ramming was also used as a Early in the war, Japan possessed a by impact and ignition of its fuel. In
form of attack, particularly against large and powerful naval air arm, whose addition, a pilot who intended to fly
heavy bombers. Late in the war, a pilots gained experience as they won into his target would not be concerned
special ramming squadron was formed their first victories. That collective with anti-aircraft fire; many bombs
for this purpose, with stripped-down experience was eroded by losses in missed because the pilot jinked to evade
aircraft optimised for speed and rate of the Solomon Islands campaign and at defensive fire.
climb. Whilst ramming was extremely Midway. Aircraft and even carriers could
hazardous, it was not suicidal as such; be replaced over time, but the efficiency The suicide force offered a better ratio
numerous pilots of various nations – and therefore, the survivability – of of losses to damage than standard air
made ramming attacks and survived. the carrier force’s pilots was reduced attacks, and there was also morale to
Conversely, not all deliberate crashes of as veterans were replaced by hastily- consider; the US fleet would hopefully
aircraft onto ships were by pilots who trained rookies. At the same time, be demoralised by the willingness of
had set out to die in glory. Many were Allied pilots were gaining experience their enemies to die in order to sink
partly or completely accidental, as a and confidence. Air defences were being their ships. Not only was the suicide
result of being shot down and perhaps beefed up and better aircraft rushed attack itself a frightening concept, it
able to choose between crashing in into production. demonstrated a resolve to fight to the
the sea or onto an enemy ship. Others end by any means which would make
were impromptu or the result of a The net result was a downward spiral victory hugely expensive if achieved
drastic bomb-aiming error. for the Japanese forces. Greater at all. This might deter the Allies from
losses meant less chance of a pilot invading the Home Islands.
Some cultures produced warriors becoming a skilled veteran, and one
more suited to suicide attacks than by one the victors of Pearl Harbor Japanese morale would also benefit.
others. Even Nazi Germany found few were shot down. By 1944 the tide Seeing others make the ultimate
volunteers for such missions despite had obviously turned, and the Allies sacrifice might inspire wavering pilots or
seeking them among Hitler Youth were advancing on the Home Islands. troops, and the sinking of Allied ships
personnel pumped full of propaganda In these increasingly desperate times, would bolster morale at home as well

30
as in the armed forces. The concept outcome of the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The less readily available the D4Y Judy
was named after the Kamikaze (Divine already depleted Japanese fleet lost three dive-bomber emerged as the standard
Wind) that had fortuitously struck the battleships, four carriers, ten cruisers and platform. Almost anything that could
13th century Mongol invasion fleet and nine destroyers to a combination of air fly might be used for an attack, and
saved Japan. The imagery was obvious attack and surface action. commonly obsolete aircraft were
– once again, the Home Islands were optimised for their new role by removing
in danger of invasion and a new Divine Despite the loss of the battle, the modest armour and weaponry. Designs were also
Wind would save them. success achieved off the Philippines developed for specialist kamikaze aircraft,
proved the kamikaze concept to the including cheaply constructed versions
The first kamikaze formation was formed Japanese high command, ensuring of conventional fighters and rocket-
at Mabalacat West airfield and placed additional forces would be raised. The loss powered craft (the Yokosuka MXY-7
under the command of Vice-Admiral of experienced pilots was justified not Okha) which were carried to the target
Takijirō nishi. Named the Shimpu Special just by the damage they caused to the US area by a bomber and then released like
Attack Corps, it was equipped with A6M fleet but also the effects of all subsequent a missile. The Okha was nicknamed the
Zeros carrying 250kg bombs. Orders kamikaze attacks. However, once the ‘Baka Bomb’, from the Japanese for ‘idiot’.
to launch an attack were given on 20 kamikaze programme was implemented Some kamikaze aircraft were designed to
October 1944 and the following day the it became a way to get the best use out jettison their landing gear after takeoff or
unit made its first sortie. of inexperienced personnel and obsolete else had none, as in the case of the Baka
equipment; it became the norm to send Bomb. However, kamikaze pilots were
The initial results were less than out minimally trained and expendable instructed not to waste their lives in
promising – bad weather made it pilots as the guidance system of what was pointless gestures; returning to base after
impossible to find targets and the essentially a manned missile. Anyone who failing to find a target was acceptable.
kamikaze force returned to base. It was could fly a plane, however badly, could
not until 25 October that a flight led make a ramming attack whereas delivering After Leyte Gulf there was little left
by Lt. Yukio Seki found a group of US bombs or torpedoes by conventional (and of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Rapid
escort carriers and attacked. USS St Lo more survivable) means was a difficult expansion of the kamikaze force was
was sunk by Yukio’s attack, and other task. Training aircrew to deliver these undertaken in the hope of destroying
ships were heavily damaged in this, the attacks with any real chance of success or at least weakening the invasion
first ‘official’ kamikaze attack. It came took time and required practice munitions forces. A rapid training programme was
too late, however. The previous day that were not available. implemented, with pilots receiving just
carrier-based Allied aircraft, operating seven days of instruction. However,
in a more conventional manner, had The aircraft chosen were often fighters not all new pilots were assigned to the
mauled the Japanese 2nd Fleet and sunk that no longer stood a chance against kamikaze forces. Some new recruits went
the battleship Musashi. Further losses Allied aircraft but were still effective to conventional ‘fighting’ squadrons,
were inflicted among the US escort kamikaze platforms. A6M Zeros were where their life expectancy was little
carrier force but could not alter the favoured at first, but as these became better than that of a kamikaze pilot.

For the Emperor! A courageous Japanese pilot prepares to make the ultimate sacrifice

31
 Kamikaze Attacks

Those assigned to the kamikaze forces

were given special treatment including
the right to wear a white headband
with a red circle in the manner of
the samurai. They would settle their
affairs, write letters to family and give
away their possessions before receiving
a heroes’ send-off on their mission.
Despite this, not all of these potential
heroes were particularly enthusiastic
about laying down their lives. There is
evidence that at least some kamikaze
pilots changed their minds and dumped
their bombs or bailed out of their
aircraft rather than pressing an attack
home. However, for the most part,
even those forced into the role were
terrifyingly determined.

Although many attacks were made Kawanishi N1K-1 Shiden squadron

with whatever forces were available,
it became standard practice to
group aircraft as three kamikazes already small force. Nevertheless, more enemy vessel and drop depth charges
plus two escorts. Wherever vessels were sunk or forced to retire before fleeing – but others, such as
possible, experienced pilots who had for repairs. the Shinyō, were constructed for the
volunteered for the kamikaze units express purpose of ramming the target
were assigned to fly the escorts, As the Allies advanced, the kamikaze with a huge explosive charge aboard.
enhancing the effectiveness of the unit force was prepared for a final defence Large numbers of these craft were
overall. Tactics also evolved; it was of the Home Islands. Few aircraft built for the final defence of the Home
found that an attack from multiple were assigned to defend Iwo Jima, but Islands and would have been used along
directions and altitudes was more the battle for Okinawa was a different with aircraft and explosives-armed
likely to succeed than a concentrated story. This was the last great effort by frogmen to attack the invasion fleet.
assault. Some pilots were instructed Japanese naval and air forces, launched This capability, demonstrated in the
to drop their bomb at extremely in the hope of preventing the Allies defence of Okinawa, may have been
close range then dive onto the target, gaining a base from which bombers a major factor in the decision to use
and all were taught that hitting the could strike the Home Islands. On atomic weapons against Japan.
deck from above was more effective 6 April 1945 seven hundred aircraft,
than trying to penetrate the better- not all of them kamikaze, were sent The Allied invasion of Okinawa saw
protected sides of the ship. against the US fleet which was headed kamikaze attacks by units of the Imperial
for Okinawa. Japanese Navy. Lacking fuel for much
The expanded kamikaze force inflicted in the way of conventional operations,
serious losses on the advancing US Air-launched human-guided Okha what remained of the Japanese navy
Navy, but tactics to counter the missiles were employed, carried to the was in no position to do much against
threat evolved. Warships had been target zone by G4M Betty bombers. the enormous Allied fleet off Okinawa.
receiving upgraded anti-aircraft These were intercepted well short of However, the battleship Yamato was
armament throughout the war, the fleet and did no damage. A large available, along with lighter vessels, and
with specialist anti-aircraft cruisers proportion of the attacking force was was ordered to make a suicidal run
accompanying many task forces. With shot down short of its targets, but against the Allied fleet. There was no
the surface threat largely eliminated, 28 kamikaze aircraft made successful expectation of survival, and no fuel to
US battleships served mainly as attacks. 1,465 kamikaze sorties were get home if somehow Yamato evaded
anti-aircraft platforms when they launched from 6 April to 22 June, destruction. Instead, she was to fight
were not bombarding shore targets. sinking 26 ships and damaging 164 until disabled then beach herself and act
Destroyers acting as advanced ‘radar more. Even unsuccessful attacks caused as a fortress.
pickets’ were exposed to heavy attack damage; the destroyer USS William D
but provided early warning which Porter received mortal damage when In the event, this one-way mission
allowed interception of a strike by an a shot-down kamikaze aircraft sank came to nothing; Yamato was sunk by
overwhelming fighter force. beneath her before exploding. massive air attack well short of the
invasion fleet. Kamikaze aircraft inflicted
Aggressive actions also countered the Kamikaze attacks were mainly launched losses on the Allied fleet but were
kamikaze threat. Forced to operate by aircraft, though other means were unable to alter the outcome; in this,
from island bases rather than carriers employed. In addition to aircraft, the kamikaze attacks at Okinawa
which could slip away after a strike, watercraft were also used. Some of resembled the last ‘banzai charge’ of a
kamikaze forces were easy to locate. these were not suicide craft as such lost battle, a final, futile gesture intended
Strikes against their bases destroyed – the Japanese army built a coastal more to avoid shame in defeat than
aircraft and munitions, weakening an powerboat designed to approach an salvage the war.

32
Air power played only a small part in The swordfish was well-regarded despite armoured deck of British carriers proved
the sea war during the First World War. its limitations, however. Its nickname useful when under air attack and enabled
Airships and the occasional floatplane of ‘Stringbag’ was not an insult – at the them to stay in action after taking hits
were used for scouting, and shots were time a string bag was considered a handy that might have sent a less well protected
occasionally fired at aircraft, but sea-based do-anything item, and the Swordfish was vessel limping home.
air power was very much an experimental equally capable of doing whatever was
technology. Seaplane tenders offered asked of it, albeit in a modest fashion. The fleet carriers, with a capacity of more
some possibilities, acting as long-range than 90 aircraft in some cases, could
reconnaissance platforms for the fleet, but Three general types of carrier appeared carry a mix of dive bombers, fighters and
there was little belief that naval aviation during the war – escort, fleet and light torpedo bombers and still have sufficient
could become a decisive weapon. carriers. The earliest big fleet carriers numbers to put together a powerful
were often converted battlecruisers strike. However, they also required a large
Indeed, experiments in the inter-war and were thus built at capital ship crew and represented a lot of eggs in one
years showed it was hard for an aircraft displacements. Others were converted basket. Light carriers were simply smaller
to do any serious harm to a ship even if from other big ship designs such as oilers. versions of the big fleet vessels, with a
hits could be scored. Slow, and carrying This large displacement enabled them to subsequently smaller air group. A force
inadequate weapons, the aircraft of the carry a powerful air group. The American of several light carriers could be split up
1920s were simply not up to the job. carrier USS Lexington, converted from a for scouting missions or to provide cover
This did not prevent experimentation battlecruiser during building and fitted out at several points, then recombined when
with dive bombers and torpedo with eight 8-inch guns, carried 63 aircraft. necessary. A fleet carrier could only be in
bombers during the inter-war years and one place at a time.
there was a gradual improvement in air- Big guns were rare on a carrier; they
delivered weaponry, but at the outbreak were occasionally retained from a Thus, although the light carriers were
of the Second World War the carriers conversion, but most carriers relied on perhaps a less efficient way to put
of those fleets that had them were their escorts and air group for everything aircraft to sea, they were more flexible
something of an afterthought. except air defence. Taking a carrier and losing one was not such a huge
within gun range of a ship designed for blow to the fleet’s air power. Light
The main reason for many aircraft surface action was undesirable, and carriers were fast enough to operate
carriers existing at all was the the tonnage saved could be used for with the fleet, which was not the case
Washington Treaty (see page 6), which something else, like the primary purpose with most escort carriers. These were
limited the tonnage of capital ships of operating aircraft. small vessels (by carrier standards) able
and cruisers each signatory could to operate a fairly small number of
have. Since they were considered British carriers used more tonnage for aircraft. Designs ranged from a capacity
to be of lesser importance, carriers protection, on average, than their US of 10 or so up to 36 aircraft. While
were subject to less stringent limits, counterparts. This improved resilience this was a small force, it was enough to
and many powers changed the role but reduced the size of the air group that make the escort carrier a serious threat
of some of their larger ships, either could be carried. There were arguments to enemy submarines in the area.
during construction or by conversion. both ways – more aircraft was in and of
itself a defensive measure, and of course Escort carriers were too slow for
Many warships gained one or more no carrier could ship enough armour fleet operations but could be used
scouting aircraft in the 1920s and 1930s, to stop a 14-inch shell. However, the in groups to add extra aircraft to an
usually seaplanes mounted on a catapult
over a turret or at the stern of the ship.
Some had to be lowered into the water
by crane and then took off under their
Surprise! Japanese aircraft attack a vulnerable US carrier
own power; all had to be lifted back
aboard. These operations took time and
required the ship to stop, and not all
captains were particularly appreciative of
the capabilities their air scouts offered.

Nevertheless, by the outbreak of the

Second World War there were several
carriers in service. Their aircraft were
in many cases obsolete or unsuccessful
land-based models, or simply outdated.
One of the most famous carrier-based
aircraft was the Fairey Swordfish, which
was capable of only 140mph flat out.

33
 Carrier Operations

invasion force. They could also protect attack even though carriers made the matter of time before they were chased
an amphibious force or even a carrier action possible. Carriers were still very down by the triumphant surface fleet.
group supporting one, freeing the fleet much a supporting system for the battle
and light carriers from the need to line at this time, though they were also Whatever their beliefs about carriers and
mount standing reconnaissance and useful in other ways. Carriers could battleships, the Allies had no alternative
anti-submarine patrols. This in turn provide air cover to a convoy, which was but to try to stem the Japanese advance
meant operations with larger carriers especially important when trying to get with sea-based air power. The first major
became more efficient. through to Malta and could ferry aircraft check came at the Battle of the Coral
into a combat zone. They were not yet Sea in May 1942. Carrier-based strikes
The neat designations of fleet, light and seen as the equals of the battleship. were launched by each side at the other’s
escort carrier can be a little misleading. ships, which never sighted one another.
Fleets that built a lot of carriers (such as The Japanese strike against Pearl Harbor Losses on each side were significant,
the US Navy) could standardise designs, in December 1941 brought the carrier to but in the longer term the US Navy
but this was not possible for those that the forefront of naval warfare, for more was better able to replace its lost ships,
only had a few. In many cases, carriers than one reason. Not only did the attack aircraft and men. The potent Japanese
were highly individual vessels reflecting the demonstrate what carriers could do, but carrier force began to be whittled down.
design of whatever they were converted it also made it necessary for the US Navy
from. The Japanese carrier Hōshō, to rely on its carriers in the months to Recognising the US carriers as the
converted from an oiler, underwent come. Were it not for this necessity, US major threat to their plans in the Pacific,
various changes during her construction thinking might have remained fixated on the Imperial Japanese Navy attempted
and conversion. In truth she was not really the carrier as support for battleships, at to draw them out and bring them to
a fleet, light or escort carrier as such; she least for a time. The Pearl Harbor raid battle by threatening Midway Island.
was the Hōshō, a converted oiler that was in some ways Taranto writ large, the This would be a good jumping-off point
could carry 26 aircraft. scale enormously greater. Shallow-running for a renewed attack on Pearl Harbor
torpedoes had to be developed for use in and was an objective the US could not
As already noted, carrier-based aircraft the harbour, and armour-piercing bombs afford to lose. The Imperial Japanese
were behind the times in 1939, and were improvised from 16-inch naval shells. Navy got what it wanted, but things did
doctrine concerning what to do with There were no guarantees these would not go according to plan.
them was equally underdeveloped. At the work as advertised, so the Pearl Harbor
beginning of the war, the British tried to sucker-punch was very much a gamble on Benefiting from rather better intelligence
use carriers to hunt U-boats, losing one the part of the Japanese. and scouting operations than their
in the process, and another was lost to opponents, the US Navy was aware
enemy battlecruisers (HMS Glorious) when In the event, the attack went extremely of the Midway operation and arrived
it was caught with an inadequate escort well, with most of the US battle fleet in greater strength than the Japanese
and unable to launch a strike force. put out of action, at least for a time. planners had anticipated. Despite this,
However, the three US fleet carriers the US strikes struggled to find the
After this inauspicious start, carrier- were away from anchorage that day and Japanese fleet and ended up attacking in
based air power became increasingly escaped the attack. With no battleships a piecemeal fashion that did not achieve
important. In November 1940, British available, these vessels had to carry the much in return for heavy losses. The
Swordfish penetrated Taranto harbour weight of the war, and that meant finding Japanese strike against Midway itself
and successfully attacked the Italian ways to use air power for more than did a lot of damage but did not put the
battleships based there. This audacious supporting operations. Of course, the airfield out of action, and planes from
attack was like nothing that had ever Japanese had just demonstrated how Midway also attacked the Japanese fleet.
been attempted before and showed that might be done, and US planners Some of the US aviators finally got lucky,
that even modest carrier-based aircraft were smart enough to take notice. catching the Japanese in the middle of re-
could take on battleships. Among those arming many of their planes while their
who sat up and took notice were senior Early Japanese advances in the Pacific fighters were out of position, as well as
officers of the Imperial Japanese Navy. were facilitated by air power, some of being low on fuel and ammunition after
it based on captured islands but largely massacring an earlier strike. Three of
Carrier-based aircraft were also projected from carriers. Japanese the four Japanese carriers present at the
instrumental in two of the most doctrine used concentrated multi-carrier battle were sunk, the last succumbing to
important naval actions of the early forces and thus greatly increased the crippling damage from a later strike.
war. In March 1941, torpedo aircraft striking power of the fleet. Of course, it
from HMS Formidable were able to helped that the Imperial Japanese Navy In return, the Japanese sank one of the US
slow retreating Italian vessels, resulting had a large carrier force to do this with. carriers and might have inflicted greater
in a one-sided surface action off Cape losses had they proceeded with a plan to
Matapan where several Italian cruisers Allied naval forces caught without drive at the US fleet using their large force
were lost. Two months later, a torpedo- adequate air cover suffered terribly. of battleships and cruisers. The US Navy
bomber strike from HMS Ark Royal and Capital ships such as the HMS Repulse was still at this time critically short of
Victorious slowed the German battleship and Prince of Wales were sunk without battleships and might not have been able
Bismarck enough that she could be sighting an enemy ship, and carrier-based to prevent the attack from reaching gun
brought to action and sunk. reconnaissance flights made it hard for range, at which point the battleships might
survivors to hide. There were enough have had the advantage over carriers and
In both these cases, it was surface ships planes to harass Allied forces wherever a few escorting cruisers. It was not to be
with heavy guns that delivered the decisive they were found, and it was only a however; the Japanese withdrew.

34
 Carrier Operations

Although the US Navy lost a carrier and The Japanese advance became a retreat was massively outmatched by Allied air
around 150 aircraft, along with most of and, as the defensive perimeter shrank, power and incapable of making much
the aircrew, Japanese losses were both the Japanese faced other problems. difference to the course of the war even
harder to replace and much higher. Four Supplies of fuel for ships and aircraft when it had sufficient fuel. An attempt
carriers and 250 aircraft, plus a cruiser, dwindled, largely due to the extremely by the battleship Yamato and her escorts
were lost off Midway, and from that successful US submarine campaign to intervene in the Allied landings on
point on the Japanese Navy began to against Japanese merchant shipping. Okinawa was summarily halted by carrier
lose the naval war. However, this was Determined efforts to turn the war aircraft, which pounded the world’s
not immediately apparent. around were made, but the odds were largest battleship into a sinking wreck in
getting worse all the time. just a few minutes.
As the Allies began to advance in
the Pacific theatre, carrier air power A Japanese attempt to inflict serious Carriers were the decisive weapon in
became ever more important to losses on Allied invasion forces off Saipan the Pacific theatre, not least because the
supporting the many amphibious in June 1944 was a sound enough plan. long distances between islands made a
operations the campaign required. The Allies were an easy target for a strike mobile airbase necessary if air support
Some islands could be bypassed and cut to find and were constrained by the need were to be available. They fought fleet
off from resupply, rendering the army to protect their invasion ships. However, actions and clashed with their own kind,
forces on them impotent, but many they were also immensely strong, and ushering in a new era of naval warfare
had to be wrested from determined or the Japanese carrier force was a shadow that exists to the present day. In the
even fanatical defenders. Air power was of its former self. The carrier force was Atlantic and the Mediterranean theatres
instrumental in this endeavour, from the committed as support to the surface there were no great carrier-vs.-carrier
reconnaissance phase to the reduction fleet rather than the main striking arm. actions, mainly because the Axis did
of strongpoints that held up the Marine This was not a shift in doctrine or an not have any carriers; plans to build
assault force. unlearning of lessons; it was a necessity them were never brought to fruition.
given the relative weakness of the carrier However, the carrier was still a decisive
The long distances involved in the force. The Japanese attack was pressed weapon in these theatres.
Pacific war made aircraft an ideal with great determination, but the
choice for strikes against enemy bases superior numbers and skill of the more Carrier air power helped protect
or fleets, and the best defence against experienced US pilots turned the battle convoys from submarine and air attack,
air attack was fighters. Battleships and into what became known as the Great and convoy battles were critical to
cruisers were increasingly relegated Marianas Turkey Shoot, with massive eventual Allied victory. In the latter years
to the role of anti-aircraft platforms losses on the Japanese side. Allied air and of the war, small escort carriers were
as well as providing naval gunfire submarine attacks sank three Japanese perhaps more important in the western
support to forces fighting ashore. An carriers but the losses among their air theatre of war than the big fleet carriers;
increasing number of carriers were groups were more critical – after Saipan their small air groups were sufficient for
deployed by the Allies, against which the Japanese carrier force was broken and the task and there were lots of them,
the Imperial Japanese Navy could pit fit only for use as a diversion. which meant more protected convoys. It
only a shrinking carrier force whose is not unreasonable to suggest that fleet
pilots were, increasingly, inexperienced. During the last months of the Pacific war carriers won the Pacific war for the Allies
This was in part due to the odds the Japanese surface fleet attempted to and escort carriers prevented them from
they faced – newly qualified pilots do what the carrier force had already losing the Atlantic and Mediterranean.
often did not survive long enough to proven to be impossible. Despite a Both were essential to the eventual
learn from novice errors and suffered minor success at the Battle of Leyte defeat of the Axis, though in rather
disproportionate losses as a result. Gulf in October 1944, the surface fleet different ways.

Artist's Impression of a Royal Navy Malta-class carrier

35
36
 130
SHIPS IN SS HEAVY CRUIS
ER points

A
VICTORY AT SEA NORTHAMPTON-CL
Every ship in the game is
defined by its ship card, Type: Cruiser
detailing all the game
information you need to play
with that ship. An example ship Flank Speed: 6˝
card can be seen on this page.
Armour: 2+

Hull: 23/7
Class Name
Traits: Aircraft 4
This is the name of the class of AP DD Traits
Extreme AD
the warship. A list of individual Fire Arc Point Blank Short Long
Weapons System
-
ships of that class are named on 24˝ 32˝ 3 - 1
8˝ 16˝
the back of the ship card. nch) -
A Turret (3 x 8-i 24˝ 32˝ 3 - 1
8˝ 16˝
nch) -
B Turret (3 x 8-i 24˝ 32˝ 3 - 1
Type nch)
8˝ 16˝
DP, Restricted, We
ak
X Turret (3 x 8-i 11˝ 15˝ 6 -2 1
This describes the size and 3˝ 7˝
nch) Local 1
function of the ship in the Victory Light Guns (8 x 5-i - - - - -
- -
at Sea game, such as destroyer, AA Battery
cruiser, carrier, and battleship.

Points Value 24/02/2020 15:

18
Every ship has an associated point
value, which reflects how powerful p card.indd 1
_Northampton shi
7451200000_VaS
the ship is relative to all the others. the number of Attack Dice (AD) it
Points values are used when playing the Traits uses, its Armour Piercing (AP) rating
War at Sea scenario (see page 54). Many ships have abilities and rules (i.e. its ability to penetrate Armour),
that allow them to perform actions and the Damage Dice (DD) dealt when
unavailable to others. The USS a hit is scored. Some weapon systems
Flank Speed Northampton has the trait Aircraft 4, also have Traits, as defined on page 48,
This is the maximum distance in meaning she carries and can launch which further influence their effect in
inches a ship can usually move in a aircraft. Traits are detailed on page 48. the game.
single game turn.
Weapon Systems Additional Information
Armour Most warships will have multiple On the back of the ship card you will
The higher the value here, the better weapon systems, all of which are find some biographical information and a
armoured a ship is and the longer it will detailed here. Each line in this section list of any refits made to ships in the class
be able to withstand incoming fire. details a single weapon system (so, during the course of the war. Note that
Light Guns would be one weapon refits are cumulative, so all refits up to
system, A turret another, and B turret and including a specific year are applied.
Hull a third). Every weapon system is
The first figure shows how many points defined by its fire arc, range (point
of damage a ship’s hull, frame and blank, short, long, and extreme),
superstructure can withstand before
being destroyed. The second marks
the point at which the ship has taken
enough damage to become crippled.
On the card shown above, once the
USS Northampton takes 16 points of
damage, reducing her to 7 Hull overall, USS Northampton
she becomes crippled.

37
 The Basics

TOOLS & COUNTERS

Critical Hit Tokens
Re-Arm Token

Engine Crew Weapons

Area Area Area

Turning Gauge

Vital Systems
Critical Tokens
Smoke
Marker

Initiative
Token

Mighty Mo and her destroyer screen strike deep into Japanese home waters

38
 The Basics

Artist's Impression of a Kriegsmarine 0-class battlecruiser

PRE-MEASURING the result of the second roll, even if it

was worse than the first – re-rolls can be
In reality, at the sort of scales and
distances a Victory at Sea battle
You are allowed to pre-measure used to get you out of a tricky situation, represents, true-to-scale models
distances and ranges in Victory at Sea. but they are never guaranteed! You may would be unfeasibly tiny. As such, any
Captains and admirals of the Second only re-roll a dice once, no matter what movement or measurement is made
World War had quite sophisticated fire the circumstances. from and to the bridge of each model.
control systems, sometimes tied into The bridge, therefore, represents a
radar or aided by observation aircraft. truer approximation of the actual

All distances in Victory at Sea are

SHIP MODELS position of the vessel on the open sea.

measured from the bridge of a ship’s The Victory at Sea model ships are used
model. All distances are measured to represent only their relative positions.
in inches.

DICE Destroyer: Fubuki

Victory at Sea uses both six-sided dice
(often abbreviated as D6) and ten-
sided dice (abbreviated as D10). When
called on to roll a dice, take note of the
number rolled then add or subtract any
relevant modifiers – the final number is
known as the result. Sometime the rules
may ask you for a result of a ‘natural 1’
(or 10, or 6). Simply put, this is when the
dice score matches that relevant number Cruiser: Prinz Eugen
before any modifiers are applied.

RE-ROLLS
Some special situations may call for you
to re-roll a dice. This simply means you
ignore the first result a dice has rolled
and roll again. You must always accept

Battleship: HMS Warspite

Flight: Avenger

Carrier: USS Essex

39
In a real naval battle, all ships within At the start of each turn, both effort to destroy their enemies. Players
both fleets are always in motion and players roll a D10 for Initiative, alternate the firing of their ships. The
continuously firing as they go, all at the taking note of the result. Any ties are player who won the Initiative Phase
same time. To make this process of naval re-rolled. The player that rolled the nominates one of their ships and then
combat a lot easier to replicate in Victory highest has won the Initiative Phase attacks with it, resolving all damage
at Sea, the game is split into discrete game and should claim the Initiative Token dealt. Their opponent then nominates
turns. Each game turn is then further split as a reminder of which player holds one of their ships and attacks. The
into four distinct phases. During a game initiative this turn. players continue alternating until all
turn, both players will participate in each ships have attacked or at least had a
phase together and, when each game turn chance to attack.
is complete, every ship on each player’s
side will have had a chance to act and
MOVEMENT PHASE Note that it is not compulsory for a
affect the outcome of the battle. The player who lost the Initiative Phase ship to attack, even if it has a viable
must now nominate one of their ships target. The player may simply nominate
The four phases are played in order and move it. Their opponent then it and choose not to fire. However, they
– Initiative Phase, Movement Phase, chooses one of their vessels and moves may not select it again that turn and
Gunnery Phase and End Phase. When that. Continue alternating moving ships attempt to fire – the player must make
the End Phase has been completed, the in this way until all ships have been the decision to attack there and then,
current game turn ends and the next moved. Note that a particularly large and not hold back!
one begins with a new Initiative Phase. fleet may still have ships to move after
its enemy has finished moving all of its
own. In this case, the larger fleet will END PHASE
INITIATIVE PHASE carry on until they have all had a chance
to move. The End Phase is used to ‘tidy up’
The Initiative Phase is used to resolve the battlefield and make sure all
any actions that do not require players players know what is happening. This
to make any choices and to decide who
will have the Initiative for the turn – in
GUNNERY PHASE is the time Damage Control and
other functions are performed. Once
other words, who has gained a position Once ships have been moved into complete, a new turn begins, starting
of tactical advantage. position, they fire their weapons in an with the Initiative Phase.

British torpedoes narrowly miss their Italian target

40
The ability to manoeuvre a ship into then make a turn
a position of advantage is vital. By of up to 45o to
outwitting your opponent, you will gain either port or
the opportunity to keep your ships starboard (that
at optimum range for their weaponry is left or right,
while keeping out of the fire arcs of respectively). The
your opponent’s most dangerous guns. turning gauge
included helps
Once it has been determined which facilitate this, as
player has won the Initiative Phase, shown in diagrams
players then take turns to move their 1 and 2.
ships, with the player who lost moving
first. A ship may only be nominated A ship may turn
to move once in every turn and every any number of
ship must be nominated. You are not times during its
allowed to skip or ignore ships, even if movement, but
it means moving a ship into a position it must travel at Force 2 hunts the Scharnhorst
Scharnhorst
of disadvantage! least 2" forward
in a straight line
before making each turn. If, for whatever moving ship’s bridge would have ended
MOVING SHIPS reason, the ship cannot move the full
required increment of 2" forward, then it
up on.

When nominated to move, a ship can cannot turn and remains facing forward These are all the rules you need to
move a distance in inches up to its Flank at the end of its move. know in order to move your ships
Speed score. However, unless the ship and begin attacking with them.
has had its Flank Speed reduced to 0 Ship models may never be stacked on However, there are a range of Orders
due to damage, it must always move a top of one another and so you may you can attempt during this phase
minimum distance of 1" forward. never end your movement ‘on top’ instead of just moving normally, from
of another ship. If this occurs, the scrambling fighters on an aircraft
A ship can change the direction of its player moving the ship simply places it carrier to taking evasive action when
movement only after it has moved at wholly to one side or the other of the under attack. See page 47 for a list of
least 2" forward in a straight line. It can stationary vessel, whichever side the these Orders.

Diagram 1 – Using the turning gauge Diagram 2 – Making a turn

41
Now that all ships have moved, it is
time to unleash their raw firepower
and reduce the enemy’s vessels into
sinking hulks of burning metal! From
Beyond the Horizon Attacks
torpedoes of fast attack boats to the Many guns of this era are so that target. If an Observation Flight
immensely powerful main guns found powerful they can hurl a shell far has been assigned to 'spot' that
on board the largest battleships ever beyond the horizon or over small specific target, then all ships in the
to sail the oceans, there are many land masses. Given the difficulty of fleet can attack that target as long
different ways in which you can destroy hitting a target that cannot be seen as it is within the weapons system's
your enemy. (even with radar), this is rarely done extreme range.
during battle but has applications in
Starting with the player who won the other military operations.
Initiative Phase, players alternate the Making the Attack
firing with each of their ships. Rolling to Even with an Observation Flight to
hit, calculating all damage, and resolving Finding the Target make corrections and in perfect
any critical effects before moving onto Only stationary targets, either conditions, accuracy at these ranges
the next attacking ship. This, of course, installations on land or anchored is poor at best.
makes winning the Initiative Phase very ships, may be attacked beyond a
important in some turns. range of 30", or if land lies between All attacks will have the number of
attacker and target. Attack Dice they use halved, rounding
Once a ship has been nominated to fire, down, and each Attack Dice requires
the player follows this process: In order to attack a specific target a natural 6 to be rolled in order to hit
beyond 30", an Observation Flight the target – Beyond Horizon Attacks
• Nominate targets for every is needed to guide attacks onto are never modified for any reason.
weapon system that will fire
this phase

• Check fire arc and range for your target when checking for both fire and engage multiple targets in this
each weapon system range and whether a target lies in an way, all Attack Dice from Main Guns,
appropriate fire arc or not. Torpedoes and Bombs are directed at a
• Resolve firing single target.
Unless your ship has rules to the
• Resolve damage contrary, you may fire each weapon
system once during every turn, and
Torpedoes
every weapon system may be fired at a Each Attack Dice listed for a given
NOMINATE TARGETS different target. Torpedo weapon system represents a
single torpedo. The player thus has the
For an attack to be successfully launched,
two conditions must first be met:
Maximum Visual Range option to fire some or all the torpedoes
at the designated target from that
The maximum range a ship can attack Torpedo system. By firing only part of
1) The target must lie within the a target at is 30". Targets beyond this that Torpedo weapon system’s total
fire arc of the weapon system are considered to be over the horizon Attack Dice, the player is choosing
that is firing; and require a slightly more complicated to hold the remainder in reserve for
approach to hitting their target (see a later attack. If the torpedo system
2) The target must be within range Beyond the Horizon Attacks). has the Slow-Loading Trait (see page
of the weapon system. 49), a torpedo cannot be re-loaded

You must nominate a visible target

Splitting Fire into a partially empty rack if that
specific weapon system fires additional
for every weapon system you intend If a Light Gun or AA Battery weapon torpedoes during that round.
to fire from your ship at the same system has more than one Attack
time, before any attacks are made. As Dice, then it may split its fire among While each specific Torpedo weapon
the ship models themselves are only multiple different targets. This is done system cannot split its torpedoes
representational, they do not block the when targets are being nominated and between multiple targets, ships
line of sight. the amount of Attack Dice allocated equipped with more than one Torpedo
to each target must be declared weapon system, may direct each
You must always measure from the before any firing takes place. Other separate Torpedo weapon system at a
bridge of your ship to the bridge of weapon systems may not split their different target.

42
 A, B; Q, R; X, Y Guns
Each nation has their own system for identifying and naming the guns they carry and their positions. The Germans,
for example, used their phonetic alphabet to assign guns sequential names such as “Anton”, ‘Bruno”, “Caesar”, “Dora”,
etc. For consistency, Victory at Sea uses the Royal Navy system throughout, where A, B, refer to forward guns; Q, R
refer to guns amidships; and X, Y, refer to a ship’s aft guns.

Light Gun
FIRE ARCS These represent the multitude of
do anything else. The use of these
weapons is described with the rules for
Every ship in Victory at Sea has a smaller weaponry that ships commonly Aircraft starting on page 50.
number of firing arcs, all of which are carry. They may be used to attack
shown below. any target in range, on any heading.
Note that smaller ships may only Torpedo
possess Light Guns and have no Main Mounted mainly on cruisers and
WEAPON SYSTEMS Guns – while these smaller weapons
may, technically, be the ship’s primary
destroyers, as well as some aircraft.
Torpedoes are designed to attack
There are several types of weapon weapons, they are still counted as Light ships below the waterline, where
systems used in Victory at Sea, Guns for the purposes of these rules. they are most vulnerable. Torpedoes
though not every ship will possess are launched from the fore, port or
all of them. starboard of most vessels.
AA Battery
Anti-aircraft batteries are usually the
Main Gun only defence a ship has against aircraft. Bomb
These are the main turreted weapons Anti-aircraft batteries may target Carried by aircraft, some bombs are
that made battleships famous. They any aircraft within range and will fire capable of smashing right through
are noted in ship descriptions as being at the start of the Gunnery Phase, armoured decks to explode within a
mounted on turrets. before either player gets a chance to ship’s most vulnerable areas.

Ship Arcs Weapon System Fire Arcs

Fore Arrow denotes direction the ship's bow (front) is facing.
Fore Aft

Fore, Port Aft, Port

Port Starboard Fore, Port, Starboard Aft, Port, Starboard

Bridge

Fore, Starboard Aft, Starboard

Port Starboard
Aft
Fore, Aft, Port, Starboard

Artist's Impression of a Regia Marina Etna-class cruiser

43
 Gunnery Phase

FIRING
Each weapon system on a ship card has
an Attack Dice (AD) score listed. This is
Attack Dice Modifiers
the number of D6 rolled every time the Target is at Point Blank Range 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +1
weapon system is fired.
Target is at Short Range. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +0
For every Attack Dice that results in a 4
or more, a hit has been scored. However, Target is at Long Range. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –1
each Attack Dice will be modified as
follows (all modifiers are cumulative Target is at Extreme Range. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –2
except those for range, where only the
relevant modifier is applied). Target’s Ship Class is Destroyer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –1

Fast Moving Target (target moved more than 6" this turn) 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –1
DAMAGE Stationary Target (target on land, anchored or run aground) . . . . . . . . . . . . +1
Once hits have scored on a target, it
is time to see what damage has been Large Silhouette (you are in the target’s port or starboard arc). . . . . . . . . . . +1
caused. Every weapon system has a
Damage Dice (DD) score listed. This is Weapon System is a Torpedo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –2
the number of D6 rolled for every Attack
Dice that successfully hit the target. The 1
Main Guns can only target battleships, carriers, cruisers and civilian ships at
weapon system’s Armour Piercing (AP) point blank range due to slow turret movement and the inability to depress their
score is then added to or subtracted from guns low enough.
each Damage Dice rolled.
2
Light Guns and AA Batteries are able to track their targets more quickly and
The resulting number on each Damage ignore the penalty for fast moving targets.
Dice is then compared to the target’s
Armour score. For every Damage Dice
that equals or exceeds the Armour score,
1 point of damage is deducted from the
target’s Hull – move the damage sliders
Plunging Fire CRIPPLED SHIPS
on the ship card to reflect this. Shells fired at longer ranges by Main and The Hull score of each ship has a
Light Guns do not travel in a flat line secondary value, as noted on its ship
Each Damage Dice that rolls a natural to their target – instead, they are fired card. When a ship’s Hull is reduced to
1 automatically deflects off the target’s upwards and travel in an arc to dive down this secondary value or below, it has
Armour, causing no damage, regardless upon their target. This means shells fired been crippled.
of the weapon system’s Armour in this way do not usually strike the thick
Piercing modifier. hull armour mounted on the side of ships, For example, the USS Northampton has
but instead tend to plunge down toward a Hull score listed as 23/7. This means
Each Damage Dice that rolls a natural their much weaker deck armour. that she can lose a total of 23 Hull to
6 has the potential to also cause a damage before sinking. However, when
critical hit. For every natural 6 rolled, Main Guns and Light Guns fired at her Hull has been reduced to 7 points
roll that D6 again, even if no damage a target within the weapon system’s or fewer, she is crippled.
was dealt to the target ship due to the long or extreme range gain +1 to their
ship’s Armour. If on this roll you get a Damage Dice results. A crippled ship will permanently have
result of 4 or more then, in addition to its current Flank Speed reduced by half
causing any damage as normal, you will
also score a critical hit! More details on
Heavy Armour and it gains the Lumbering trait (see page
48). The Attack Dice of the ship’s Light
critical hits are given opposite. Some of the biggest and toughest ships Guns, Torpedoes and AA Battery weapon
afloat have an Armour score of 7. This systems will be halved (rounding down).
If a ship’s Hull is reduced to 0, it is means they can only be damaged by In addition, roll a D6 for every Main Gun
considered to be destroyed and sinks. weapons that have a bonus added to their and Trait the ship possesses. On a 4+ the
Remove the model from the playing area. Damage Dice, such as from plunging fire. Main Gun or Trait is rendered inoperable
and cannot be used again during
the game.

Yamato Kagerō-class destroyer

44
 Gunnery Phase

CRITICAL HITS area's Critical Score increases by 1, to a

maximum of 6. Keep track of critical hits
to that area, apply both the extra
damage and penalty for a Critical
Roll one D10 for each critical hit scored by placing the relevant critical hit tokens on Score of 6 again.
and consult the Critical Area table your ship's card. Critical hits against a Vital
below to determine exactly where the System are dealt with differently, see below. Some critical penalties increase the
ship has been affected. Critical Score of other areas, if this
Every time a critical area's Critical Score penalty occurs immediately increase
increases, immediately apply the extra that critical area's Critical Score
D10 Score Target
critical area table

damage to the ship's Hull and apply the and apply the resulting extra damage
1-4 Engine associated penalty. and penalty.
5-7 Weapons
The effects of critical hit penalties are The Escalation penalty means that, if
8-9 Crew cumulative, so if a ship’s Engines have a left unattended, the areas Critical Score
Critical Score of 3, it will have its Flank may increase, as fires and secondary
10 Vital System Speed reduced by a total of -2". explosions spread! The effects of this
penalty are checked for and applied
When either the Engine, Weapons, or If an area already has a Critical Score during the turn's End Phase – see page
Crew area sustains a critical hit, that of 6 and receives another critical hit 46 for details.

Critical Score: 1 2 3 4 5 6
Effect: Props Damaged Rudder Damaged Turbine Damaged Fuel System Ruptured Engines Disabled Fuel Explosion
engine area

Extra Damage: 0 1 2 3 D6 3D6

-1" to Flank Speed
Must move 3" -1" Flank Speed Flank Speed Crew area Critical
Penalty: -1" to Flank Speed
before each turn Crew area Critical
Escalation reduced to 0" Score increases by 1
Score increases by 1
Secondary Secondary
Effect: Weapons Damaged Weapons Destroyed Turret Damaged Turret Destroyed Magazine Explosion Multiple Explosions
weapons area

Extra Damage: 1 2 3 D6 2D6 3D6

Random turret Random turret
–2 Attack Dice* Random turret Crew and Engine
must roll 4+ before destroyed (cannot be
Penalty: –1 Attack Dice* Crew area Critical firing (ignore if no used even if repaired)
destroyed (cannot be area Critical Scores
Score increases by 1 used even if repaired) increase by 1
turrets present) Escalation

Effect: Shrapnel Fire Multiple Fires Heavy Shrapnel Hull Breach Explosion
crew area

Extra Damage: 0 1 2 3 D6 2D6

The ship's crew
Weapon area Critical Engine area Critical Weapon area Critical
Penalty: –1 Attack Dice * Escalation
Score increases by 1
quality checks gain
Score increases by 1 Score increases by 1
a –1 modifier

* Each time this result is gained, roll a D6. On a 1-3, Attack Dice are lost from all Light Guns weapon systems, on a 4-5 from the AA Battery, and
on a 6 from all Torpedoes. If a ship lacks any weapon system rolled, roll again until a system that is present is rolled.
Note that some ships do not possess turrets. In the case of such a ship suffering a Turret Destroyed or Magazine Explosion critical effect, halve the
Attack Dice of all Light Guns, rounding down, instead and apply all other effects of the critical hit as normal.

Vital Systems D6 Score Area Damage Effect

If a critical hit is scored 1 Bridge Destroyed 1 For the rest of the game, the ship is no
longer able to perform any Orders.
upon a Vital System, things
are about to get very, very Roll a D6. For the rest of the game, at every opportunity,
bad for the ship involved. 2 Rudder Jammed D6 the ship must: on a 1-2, always turn left; on a 3-4, no
These are devastating hits longer make any turns; on a 5-6, it must always turn right.
vital system hit

that cause terrible, even

For the rest of the game, the ship cannot
terminal, damage. 3 Fire in Engineering 2D6
perform damage control.
For each Vital System
For the rest of the game, before each weapon system can
critical hit a ship suffers 4 Magazine Ablaze 2D6 fire roll a D6: on a 1-3 the weapon system cannot fire this
roll on this table to see turn; on a 4-6 the weapon system can fire as normal.
what happens. Place the
relevant Vital Systems 5 Secondary Explosions 4D6 Increase the Critical Scores of every area by 1.
critical token on your
ship's card as a reminder. The ship's Hull is immediately reduced to 0 and
6 Catastrophic Explosion –
the ship is lost with all hands.

45
Once all players have moved and stop it from getting worse and, where ignored. However, any increases to other
attacked with all their ships, the End possible, make repairs. critical areas or extra damage sustained by
Phase completes the turn. This phase is the old Critical Score remain.
used to complete any actions needed During the End Phase, each ship can
for special rules, as well as providing a use their damage control to attempt Locations with a Critical Score of 6 and
vital chance for players to repair any to repair damage sustained to a single critical hits to Vital Systems may never
damage their ships have sustained from critical area. The player who won the be repaired.
critical hits. Initiative Phase this turn attempts this
for all their ships first, followed by all
You should go through the following
procedures, in order, during every
the other player’s ships. CHECK FOR ESCALATION
End Phase. Each ship may only attempt one Some critical area penalties indicate
damage control repair a turn. Pick the Critical Score there may suffer
1) Damage Control a critical area (Engine, Weapons, or Escalation. All critical areas subject
Crew) and roll a D6. For every point to the Escalation penalty must roll
2) Check for Escalation the result is above 4 the Critical Score a D6. On a result of 4 or more, its
of that area is reduced by 1, to a Critical Score immediately increases
minimum of 0. by 1. Any extra damage or penalty
DAMAGE CONTROL For example, a result of 6 reduces the
resulting from the new score is
applied immediately. Remember to
Warships train and maintain specialist Critical Score by 2. The ship no longer keep rolling for Escalation every End
groups of crewmen known collectively suffers the penalty associated with the Phase, until and unless the Critical
as damage control. It is their job to old Critical Score; any previous penalties Score drops below the point at which
assess and report damage sustained, associated with the higher scores are Escalation appears.

The mighty Yamato heads the Emperor's fleet

46
A ship’s captain is the most important attempted on all critical areas rather weapon system’s Attack Dice rolls
member of the crew. His leadership, than just a single area. Additionally, the and the ship may not use Torpedoes.
discipline and tactical knowledge ship gains +1 to their damage control Additionally, the ship’s current Flank
are vital to his ship’s, and the fleet’s, rolls. However, during the Gunnery Speed is halved (round up) for this
victory. During a battle, each ship’s Phase, every attack the ship makes with turn. However, all enemy Attack Dice
captain can issue specific Orders to each of its weapon systems suffers a –1 which successfully hit this ship in this
his crew. Whether it is calling on all penalty to their Attack Dice rolls. turn must be re-rolled. Destroyers
available crew to fix damaged systems are particularly good at the Evade!
or desperately manoeuvring the vessel Order, if their current Flank Speed
to avoid incoming attacks, Orders are a
key element of Victory at Sea.
Come About! (before being halved) is greater than
6", enemies retain the Attack Dice
Crew Quality Check penalty for targeting a fast moving
Effect: Pushing the ship’s rudders to target (see page 44), regardless of
PERFORMING AN ORDER maximum deflection, the captain orders
his ship to turn hard to gain a position
how far they have actually moved.

When a ship is nominated to move, of advantage. During its move, the ship
a player can also choose to have
that ship’s captain issue an Order.
can make a single direction change of up
to 90o. However, the ship cannot make
Flood Magazines!
Some of these Orders are followed any other changes to direction until its Crew Quality Check
automatically, while others require a next turn. Effect: An order all commanders hope
crew quality check to succeed. Each to never issue, flooding magazines with
ship’s captain may only issue a single water in order to extinguish fires is only
Order during a turn, though any
number of captains may issue the same
Create Smoke! done in the direst of circumstances.
If the crew quality check is successful,
order every turn. An Order must be Automatic Critical Scores of all locations are
chosen before the ship begins to move. Effect: Burning excess oil, the ship immediately reduced to a level where
If the Order is successful, apply the begins to belch thick clouds of the Escalation rule is no longer present
Order's effect. If not, the ship moves black smoke, cloaking a large area. (so the Crew area will have a maximum
as normal and ignores the effect of the Place one smoke counter in contact Critical Score of 1, and Engine and
Order attempted. behind the ship for every full 3" the Weapons areas a maximum score of
ship moves. No ship may draw a 3). However, one random Main Gun
line through these counters and no weapon system is put out of action for
CREW QUALITY CHECKS attacks can be made through them at
all. The smoke counters are removed
the remainder of the battle and cannot
be repaired (if no turrets are present,
A crew quality check is performed by in the End Phase. halve the Attack Dice of all Light Guns,
rolling a D6 and applying any relevant rounding down).
modifiers, if the result is 4 or more the
check succeeds. Sometimes, a ship will Evade!
be required to make an opposed crew
quality check with another vessel. In this Automatic Scramble!
case, both ships make a crew quality Effect: Turning hard at random Crew Quality Check
check, with the highest rolling ship intervals, the ship tries to throw an Effect: With utter precision born
succeeding in the check. Re-roll ties. attacker off-guard, causing weapons from months of hard training, the deck
to miss simply by not being where it crew work to turn around launching
was predicted. All attacks made by or landing aircraft in rapid succession.
ORDERS a ship performing the Evade! Order
suffer a -1 penalty to each of its
The carrier may launch or recover two
Flights in this turn (see page 52).
The range of Orders available to all
captains are described below.

All Hands on Deck!

Crew Quality Check
Effect: The captain orders the entire
engineering section to alert. During HMS Hood
the End Phase, damage control may be

47
In Victory at Sea, Traits are applied to Agile long as its captain does not perform any
ships, aircraft and weapons. These are Some ships are very manoeuvrable, Orders other than Scramble! this turn.
abilities that in some way alter the either by virtue of their speed and size
core rules of the game. For example, or advanced rudder systems. An Agile
an Agile ship will prove very nimble at ship may change direction after every 1" Lumbering
sea, able to run rings round clumsier of forward movement, rather than after This ship is particularly ungainly in the
vessels. In the same way, there are the usual 2". water. It may only make one change
weapons that are exceptionally of direction during its movement.
powerful compared to normal guns Additionally, Lumbering ships may not
and others markedly less effective. Aircraft X use the Evade! Order.
Though not proper carriers in the
truest sense, many ships carried a small
SHIP TRAITS number of aircraft that were launched Radar
from short catapults or slings, to be The ship is fitted with a surface radar
Ship Traits can affect the game in all used as Observation Flights. They are system that allows it to operate
kinds of ways, including movement, used for scouting (page 56) and guiding effectively at long ranges, ideal for
firing and the ability to resist damage, Beyond the Horizon Attacks (page 42). scouting enemy fleet movements. Ships
as well as wholly new effects that take committed to scouting with the Radar
place outside of normal combat. Traits Trait (see page 56) gain +1 to their dice
are one of the ways that vessels from Armoured Deck roll and can re-roll their dice.
different fleets distanced themselves The ship has reinforced armour lining its
in the ongoing technological race deck. Main Guns and Light Guns firing
throughout the Second World War. upon this ship do not get the +1 bonus Torpedo Belt X
to their Damage Dice roll for plunging A thick reinforced layer of armour,
fire (page 44). Additionally, attacks often supplemented with individual
Advanced Radar against the ship from aircraft with the compartments filled with gas or water,
As the war progressed better surface Dive-Bombers and Kamikaze roles suffer lies beneath the waterline of this ship
radar systems were developed. A ship a –1 penalty to their Damage Dice rolls. and is capable of minimising the effects
with this trait may track enemy fleets of a torpedo hit. Whenever this ship
for longer and from a greater distance. is hit by a torpedo in its side arcs, the
Ships committed to scouting with the Carrier Torpedo Belt score will be deducted
Advanced Radar Trait (see page 56) The ship is an aircraft carrier, serving as from each Damage Dice rolled by the
gain +2 to their dice roll and can re-roll a mobile floating airbase. It may launch Torpedo weapon system attack.
their dice. or collect one aircraft Flight per turn so

WEAPON TRAITS
The Traits used for weapon systems
typically revolve around the capabilities
of the weapon itself and what it can
do in battle. Some weapons are made
vastly superior by these traits, while
others have their effectiveness reduced.

Devastating
This weapon is exceptionally powerful,
capable of blasting small targets apart
and causing serious problems for even
the largest vessels. Instead of causing one
point of damage with each successful
Damage Dice roll, a Devastating weapon
will cause an amount of damage equal
to what each Damage Dice actually
rolls, regardless of whether it exceeds
the target’s Armour score or not. In
Mighty Mo looking for trouble addition, a Critical Hit is scored for every

48
 The Royal Navy on patrol

Damage Dice that rolls a 5 or 6 (before roll an additional number of Attack systems can unleash is awesome to
any modification by Torpedo Belts). Any Dice equal to the Local score, but behold and very difficult to avoid. Any
critical hits scored will have a Critical these may only be used against Attack Dice for this weapon that do
Score set to the roll of one D6 (however, Flights in contact with the ship. In not successfully strike their target may
if the location already has a Critical Score addition, these Attack Dice may also be re-rolled although the second result
that is higher than the dice roll, the new be rolled against any and all Flights applies even if it fails.
Critical Hit is ignored). that physically move over the ship in
the Movement Phase. These attacks
are performed immediately, as the Weak
DP aircraft are moved over the ship. Local Due to small shell size or design, some
Dual Purpose, or DP, Light Guns are weapons may be used any number of weapons are simply not as powerful as
capable of attacking surface shipping times during the Movement Phase and others. Weak weapons cannot cause
or aircraft, making them extremely may then be used (just once!) in the critical hits except against ships of the
versatile. Up to half of a DP weapon’s Gunnery Phase. civilian type.
current Attack Dice (rounding up,
minimum of 1) may instead be used
as AA weapons to attack aircraft or One-Shot AIRCRAFT TRAITS
motor torpedo boats at up to half the Ammunition or payload is limited for
weapon’s normal range. However, this this weapon, so once fired it may not be Traits used on aircraft reflect Flights that
weapon may not be used in the same used again for the rest of the battle. have unusual or notable qualities. Some
turn to attack other units. will make Flights a great deal more
effective in battle while others represent
Restricted aircraft that had some serious failings.
Fast Track Some ships are so large that though
These guns can re-adjust their aim they mount many Light Guns, not all
quickly, making them well-suited to firing can be fired upon the same target. Large
upon rapidly moving ships. Fast Track A Restricted weapon may only fire This Flight is particularly large or
weapons ignore the penalty for firing a maximum of half its Attack Dice ungainly and thus easier for AA Battery
upon a fast moving target and can attack (rounding up) against targets in the port crews to knock out of the sky. All AA
all targets within its point blank range. and starboard fire arcs. Attack Dice rolled against this flight has
a +1 bonus to their result.
Heavy Slow-Loading
Weapons with this trait are capable Some weapons take an inordinate Tough
of blasting through armour to damage amount of time to reload. These This Flight is unusually well-armoured
critical areas of a target. The chance weapons may not fire if they were used and can withstand incoming fire. Two
of a critical hit scored with a Heavy in the previous turn. Ships with Slow- hits are needed from a single AA
weapon on a Damage Dice is 5 or 6, Loading torpedoes may only reload Battery system in order to destroy it.
rather than the usual 6. once, after which they may no longer
be used.
Very Tough
Local X This Flight is exceptionally well-
Most AA Battery weapons mounted Twin-Linked armoured and can endure a tremendous
on ships have very short ranges These weapons are mounted in pairs or amount of incoming fire. Three hits are
and are only capable of protecting even quads, concentrating their available needed from a single AA Battery system
their own vessel. This weapon may firepower. The hail of fire these weapon in order to destroy it.

49
As the design of aircraft advanced, Dive-Bomber
navy tactics employing them evolved First exploited by the Luftwaffe, but
in tandem. With an aircraft carrier, quickly finding favour across the
a fleet gained the ability to strike world, dive-bombers use speed and
at targets hundreds of miles away altitude to gain phenomenal accuracy
with relative impunity. Despite the as well as imparting enough kinetic Junker Ju 87
advance of anti-aircraft weaponry energy to their bombs to pierce Stuka flight
and the presence of defending armoured decks.
fighters, aircraft spelled the eventual
demise of the battleship as the
rulers of the oceans. Kamikaze
These are suicide aircraft which are
A fleet may have supporting aircraft flown into their enemies to cause great A Flight can move in any direction, taking as
directed to its position from land- damage. The rules for their use can be many turns as it wishes. However, a Flight
based airfields or it may possess its found on page 53. of aircraft may never perform an Order. All
own aircraft carrier. If any Flights of measurements are made from and to the
aircraft are bought individually from lead plane on the Flight model, exactly as if
the fleet lists and not assigned to Torpedo-Bomber it were the bridge of a ship model.
a carrier also in the fleet, they are Perfected by Submarines, it was
considered to be land-based for the inevitable that torpedoes would also This reflects the freedom of movement
purposes of these rules, though they be mounted on aircraft. However, the aircraft have in battles involving huge
could also conceivably have been technology of the Second World War warships and keeps things quick and easy
launched from another aircraft carrier had trouble catching up to the task in battles featuring many Flights of aircraft.
far from the battle. and air-launched torpedo attacks were
notoriously hard to perform.
In some scenarios, your entire ‘fleet’
can comprise nothing but aircraft.
GUNNERY PHASE
Observation Flight
Battles of this nature certainly took
place in the Second World War, with Either seaplanes or long-ranged land-
Shooting Down Aircraft
Taranto and Pearl Harbor being the based aircraft, Observation Flights Most ships have some form of defence
most notable examples. operate on their own but provide a vital against aircraft in the form of an AA
service to fleets. These aircraft are used Battery. If enemy Flights are in range, a
for scouting in scenarios that allow it ship’s AA battery is fired automatically
AIRCRAFT FLIGHTS AND TYPE (see page 56), and for guiding Beyond
the Horizon Attacks (see page 42).
at the beginning of the Gunnery Phase
before anything else happens - the ship’s
All aircraft in Victory at Sea are Observation Flights operate differently crew are expecting battle and aircraft
organised into Flights. A Flight of to combat aircraft – see page 53 for will rarely have an easy time attacking
aircraft is represented by a model of information on their use. Because of a ship. Remember that an AA Battery
up to four aircraft on a flying stand. the way Observation Flights work, with the Local Trait may also attack
Many types of aircraft appeared in no model is required for this Flight, during movement (see page 49).
the Second World War, but the although you can field them to add
following types are used in Victory more atmosphere to your games should Aircraft may only be attacked by AA
at Sea. you wish. Batteries, Light Guns with the DP Trait
(see page 49) and other aircraft. When
targeting enemy Flights, roll the Attack
Fighter
Dedicated to gaining air superiority
MOVEMENT PHASE Dice of the AA Battery as normal.
These Attack Dice are never modified.
by annihilating an enemy’s air force, Aircraft move slightly differently to
fighters are tasked with the defence of ships. Once all ships in both fleets Every 6 rolled on the Attack Dice will
the fleet. have moved, the player who won the result in a Flight being hit and destroyed.
Initiative Phase must then choose Against a Torpedo-Bomber Flight that is
whether to move their aircraft first or in base contact with the firing ship, a 5
Bomber force their opponent to do so. Once or 6 is required to hit and destroy it.
Covering a multitude of aircraft from this decision has been made, then all
fighters fitted with under wing bombs aircraft in a fleet are moved at the same An AA Battery may freely split its Attack
to dedicated attack craft, these aircraft time. Then the opposing fleet does the Dice between multiple Flights if desired,
pose a great threat to any fleet. same with its aircraft. but it may never fire into a dogfight.

50
 Evasive action! Royal Navy cruisers scatter as the Luftwaffe pounce

US Navy Aircraft Chart

Flight Commissioned Carrier Role Flank Speed Dogfight Damage Dice Traits Points
Vought F4U-1 Corsair 1942 No Fighter 30" +3 0 Tough 25

Flight
The name of the aircraft in the Flight. Damage Dice and the points values of these Flights
This is a measure of how much damage are included in the point value of the
the aircraft can do against ships and carrier. Players are free to choose
Commissioned other surface targets. whichever aircraft they wish so long as
As with ships, the year in which the the number of Flights does not exceed
aircraft came into service and thus their carriers’ maximum, and only
when it can be used. Traits Flights that are listed as being carrier-
Any traits that should be applied to the capable are chosen.
aircraft or its attacks will be noted here.
Carrier Aircraft may also be included without
Whether the aircraft can be launched a carrier in the fleet. These aircraft are
or recovered from aircraft carriers or Point Value assumed to have taken off from land
not (see page 52). As with ships, this represents the bases or carriers much further from the
Flights' relative power. battle. However, you may only have a
maximum of a quarter of your fleet's total
Role Additionally, carriers have the maximum points value represented by Flights that
This details the Flight’s role in the battle, number of Flights they may carry are not based on one of your carriers.
as described earlier.

Flank Speed F4U-1 Corsair flights

This is the same as for ships, but Flights are
much faster and far more manoeuvrable.

Dogfight
This is a measure of how effective the
aircraft is against other aircraft.

51
 Aircraft

Attacking with Aircraft Flight Type Roll to Hit

attacking with aircraft

To attack a ship, the aircraft Flight Fighter 5+
model must move into base contact
with the target ship model during the Bomber 5+
Movement Phase, to show it is engaging
Dive-Bomber 3+
that particular ship. Multiple Flights (of
any type) may attack any single ship in Kamikaze 4+
the same turn.
Torpedo-Bomber 5+
A player may nominate to attack with
their aircraft in place of nominating a
ship to fire with at any point during the
Gunnery Phase, when it is their turn to
Flights you have in base contact with
your dogfighting Flight, but that are
Combat Air Patrol
nominate a ship. If a player nominates not themselves in contact with any Fleets with carriers often had a combat air
their aircraft instead of a ship, they enemy Flights. A Flight may support any patrol (known as a CAP) flying perimeter
attack with all of the Flights they number of dogfights in this manner but around the fleet, looking for enemies.
have in play, regardless of how many a Flight supporting a dogfight may never Unless the scenario you are playing states
different ships they are engaged with. initiate a dogfight itself. Other than this, differently, you may start the game with
All aircraft attacks are considered to be it is up to the player how they arrange two Flights in the air from each carrier in
simultaneous but for convenience they their dogfights for the best advantage! your fleet. These Flights may be placed
are resolved one at a time, in whichever anywhere in your deployment zone or
order the player wishes. The winner of this roll will automatically moved on to the table with your ships in
destroy the enemy Flight (but not any the first turn, as appropriate.
To make an attack against a ship, supporting Flights).
each Flight rolls a D6, the result
required to score a successful hit If the dogfighting roll is a draw, all
Wind Direction
depends on the Flights type as indicated Flights are left in place and remain Ships of World War Two had their own
on the Attack with Aircraft table. locked in the dogfight. No Flight may engines and were far removed from
move away until all enemy Flights have the days of sail where the direction and
If a Flight successfully hits its target, been destroyed. strength of the wind was all important.
then roll its Damage Dice as normal, as For most battles, the wind can be ignored
described on page 44. Unless otherwise
stated, all weapons carried by aircraft
Escorting but if a fleet includes any carriers, it
becomes a great factor as carriers must
have the One-Shot Trait (see page 49) It was very common for fighters sail into the wind in order to both launch
and must refuel and re-arm before it may to escort slower, more vulnerable and recover aircraft, as the ship’s own
attack a ship again. However, they may bombers, defending them against motion increases an aircraft’s air speed
still dogfight as many times as they like. enemy attack. Only Fighters may escort when taking off and effectively reduces its
A Re-Arm token can be used to mark another Flight. To do so, they must ground speed when landing.
Flights that have spent their payload. remain in base contact with the Flights
they are escorting. A Fighter Flight may Some scenarios will specify the wind
escort any number of friendly Flights, direction. For all other battles involving
DOGFIGHTING and any number of Fighter Flights may
escort one friendly Flight, so long as
carriers, the wind direction will be
random. Roll one dice before any ships
Once one Flight moves into base contact is maintained between Fighter are deployed on the battlefield and
contact with an enemy Flight, they are and the escorted Flight(s). consult the Wind Direction diagram.
considered to be dogfighting. Only
Fighters may move into other Flights in If an enemy Flight moves to attack A carrier is said to be sailing into the
this way. Other types of aircraft may the escorted friendly Flight, it must wind if the table edge rolled for wind
defend themselves in a dogfight, but instead attack one or more of the direction is within the carriers fore arc.
they cannot initiate one. Fighters are unengaged escorting Fighter Flights.
free to move into base contact with
more than one enemy Flight, if they are
If all escorting Fighter Flights are
already involved in a dogfight, then
Launching and Recovering Aircraft
close enough. Once a Flight is engaged the escorted Flight may be attacked Ships with the Carrier Trait may launch or
in a dogfight it may not move further in instead, so long as it is possible to recover a single Flight every turn during
the turn contact was made. move into contact with it without the Movement Phase. In order to do so,
moving through any other Flights. the ship must move in a straight line into
Every Flight in contact with an enemy the direction of the wind without turning
Flight must engage in dogfighting at the and may not perform the Evade! Order.
end of the Gunnery Phase. Both players
roll one D6 each and add their Flight’s
CARRIERS Launched Flights are placed within 1" of
Dogfight score. The advent of the carrier meant that the carrier after the carrier’s movement.
fleets no longer had to take to the The Flights may not be moved further in
Add +1 to this dice roll for every extra ocean without air support. This changed this turn, as they need to assemble into
supporting Flight – that is, other allied the whole basis of combat at sea. formation and gain altitude.

52
 Aircraft

Diagram 3 - Wind Direction 6 Observation Flights assigned to Scouting

are detailed on page 56.

KAMIKAZE
The suicide attacks of Japanese Special
Attack Units (called tokubetsu kōgeki
tai) became known as kamikaze (divine
wind) due to inaccurate translation by
1-2

3-4
the Allies. Japanese kamikaze attacks
sank 81 American ships and damaged
another 195. Thousands of Japanese
pilots died in order to achieve this.

Whether purpose-built or converted

from existing craft, kamikaze units
were essentially human-guided missiles,
packed full of explosives and fuel. They
5 caused far more damage than more
conventional weapons, were more
To be recovered, the Flight model must a player may choose to remove one or accurate and even if they sustained
move into base contact with the stern more of their carriers from the table heavy damage that would render other
(back) of the ship model. before the game starts and place them vehicles useless, they might still be able
in deep deployment. Any number of to carry out their missions.
Only Flights that are listed as being their Flights may be placed on the table
useable by carriers may be launched in the fleet’s deployment zone. The best-known kamikaze units were
or recovered. All other Flights are aircraft, but the Imperial Japanese Navy
considered to be land-based and cannot Any Flights kept on the carrier may be and the Italian Regia Marina also used
be placed upon a carrier. brought into the battle during any turn motor torpedo boats to achieve the
within the game. When launched from same effect.
A carrier may not launch or recover the carrier, place the Flight in contact
Flights if it has a Crew area Critical
Score of 2 or more. Fire was a major
with the fleet’s table edge. The Flight
cannot be attacked in that turn and
Aircraft
problem for carriers, and greatly may move normally in the next turn’s The Imperial Japanese Navy fleet list
reduced their operational capabilities. Movement Phase. features aircraft with the Kamikaze type.
They all use the same rules provided
Refuelling and Re-arming Attacking Deep Deployment Carriers here when attacking a target.

Once a carrier has recovered a Flight, Enemy Flights moved off the carrier A kamikaze attack is declared in the
it may replace any One-Shot weapons fleet’s table edge may launch an Movement Phase, with the Flight moving
the Flight has expended and get ready attack on any carrier placed in deep into contact with its target. Any AA
to send them up for another attack. deployment. The carrier player may Battery fire is resolved as normal, but
Any number of Flights may be rearmed dogfight attacking aircraft with any Flights any Local fire gains a +1 bonus to all
during the End Phase, but a separate still on board their carriers. After they Attack Dice rolls; gunners on ships
crew quality check is required for every have been resolved, any surviving Flights being attacked by kamikazes were not
Flight to be rearmed successfully and may launch attacks on the carriers. known for conserving ammunition!
ready for launch in the next turn. Flights
that are not rearmed in one turn may After all AA Battery fire has been
try again in subsequent turns. OBSERVATION FLIGHTS resolved, the Flight rolls to hit its target
– due to the accuracy of being piloted
Deep Deployment These aircraft travel on board ships that
have the Aircraft trait and are typically
right up to the last moment, any miss
may be re-rolled. All normal modifiers
Carriers are not designed for frontline launched by catapults mounted on the are applied except those for range,
combat, operating far better when deck or on a gun turret. which are ignored. Damage is then
they are over the horizon and out of applied as normal. The Flight is removed
sight from enemy guns. Sending their Before the game starts, each ship from the table as a casualty, whether or
aircraft to support their fleet, they can must assign each of their Observation not it successfully hit its target.
still fundamentally alter the course of Flights to one of two tasks: Scouting or
the battle. guiding Beyond the Horizon Attacks. Whenever a Kamikaze Flight successfully
An Observation Flight assigned to one causes damage to a ship, in addition
Some scenarios allow carriers in fleets task cannot partake in another. The to any other critical hits caused by the
to be placed in deep deployment, effect of Observation Flights assigned attack, the ship’s Crew area’s Critical
keeping them off the table and far away to guiding Beyond the Horizon Attacks Score will increase by 1, applying all
from direct attack. In such a scenario, are detailed on page 42. The effects of effects of the new score immediately.

53
Now you have learned the rules, it is time If you Cripple an enemy ship and later
to put your tactics into practice. While Destroying an enemy ship destroy it, you will gain its points value
many scenarios are possible, covering a Gain victory points equal to the in victory points, not one and a half
range of historically accurate engagements ship’s points value. times its points value.
and common actions throughout the
conflict, the War at Sea scenario provides Enemy ship executes a Tactical Withdrawal
a wide range of interesting battles that
two opposing fleets can engage in.
Gain victory points equal to 25% TACTICAL WITHDRAWALS
of the ship’s points value.
Any ship may choose to retreat from
Cripple an enemy ship the battleground, by simply moving
VICTORY POINTS Gain victory points equal to 50% off a table edge. By doing so, the ship
escapes safely but your opponent will
of the ship’s points value.
Many scenarios use victory points in receive 25% of its normal victory points
order to determine who has won. Destroying a Flight at the end of the game. Note that some
Victory points can be earned in many scenarios may have restrictions on
Gain victory points equal to the
ways specific to each scenario but, which table edges may be exited safely.
unless otherwise stated, they are always Flight’s points value. If one of these edges is not chosen,
gained for damaging the opposing fleet. then the ship will count as if it has
Specifically, victory points are earned Note that you can only gain victory been destroyed and thus give up its full
for the following. points from an enemy ship once. victory points.

A merchant convoy under the protection of the US Navy

54
OBJECTIVES 2D6 Score Objective Priority
2-3 Destroy! High
Both players should agree on a total
points value for their fleets, and then 4 Breakout Low

fleet objective
each should roll on the Fleet Objective 5 Defence Line Low
table to determine their fleet’s objective 6 Attrition Medium
during the battle.
7 Sweep & Clear Medium
Each objective will provide the player 8 Domination Medium
with a set of victory conditions needed 9 Fighting Retreat Low
to fulfil in order to win the battle, as Last Stand Low
well as whether the objectives are 10
considered high, medium or low priority 11-12 Ultimate Enemy High
by the fleet’s high command.
has no ships in the same quarters to
In all cases, the number of ships Defence Line earn a major victory. Make sure you have
required to complete an objective is An enemy fleet has moved into the ships in at least two quarters while your
rounded up and does not include ships area, determined to reach its home enemy has no ships in the same quarters
dispatched for scouting. port. You must hold the line and cause to earn a minor victory.
them to fail in their objectives. Stop the
Fleets with a high priority objective gain enemy from gaining a major victory and
a +10% bonus to the total number of score the most victory points to earn Fighting Retreat
points available for their fleet. Fleets a major victory. Score the most victory The enemy has been pressing hard and
with a low priority objective suffer a points to earn a minor victory. your fleet forms a rearguard for a civilian
-10% penalty to the total number of convoy. Move at least half your ships off
points available for their fleet. Once your own table edge and score the most
players know exactly how many points Attrition victory points to achieve a major victory
they have to build their fleet, they can You must cause as much damage as you (remember that moving ships off the table
start choosing which ships and aircraft can to the enemy fleet while minimising in this way counts as a tactical withdrawal
to take. your own losses. Score 50% more – see previous page). Score the most
victory points than your enemy to earn victory points to earn a minor victory.
a major victory. Score the most victory
Destroy! points to earn a minor victory.
The enemy has gathered an assault Last Stand
force, amassing a great deal of their Your small force is trapped and likely
strength in one place. Sink every ship Sweep & Clear doomed. Fight for your life and victory
and the enemy will be irreparably Roving the sea, you must find an enemy may still be yours! Sink at least one enemy
weakened in this theatre. Cripple or to engage and destroy them without ship and score the most victory points
destroy every enemy ship to achieve a losing momentum. Move at least half to earn a major victory. Score the most
major victory. Score the most victory your ships off your opponent’s table victory points to earn a minor victory.
points to earn a minor victory. edge and score the most victory points
to achieve a major victory. Move at least
half your ships off your opponent’s table Ultimate Enemy
Breakout edge to achieve a minor victory. One enemy ship in the enemy fleet
A superior enemy force has cornered is responsible for the destruction of
your fleet and stands ready to wipe several convoy ships. It cannot be
you out. Break through their line to Domination allowed to remain operational. Destroy
reach safety. Move at least half your This clear water must remain under your the enemy ship with the greatest points
ships off your opponent’s table edge control for future operations at all costs. value and score the most victory points
to achieve a major victory. Score Divide the battlefield into four equal to earn a major victory. Destroy the
the most victory points to earn a quarters. Make sure you have ships in at enemy ship with the greatest points
minor victory. least three quarters while your enemy value to earn a minor victory.

Suzuya

Mikuma

55
 Victory
War atat
SeaSea

DEPLOYMENT Scouting Points Fleet Advantage

The battlefield can be any size, as 2 or more Add 1 to your roll for Initiative each turn for the entire battle.
long as fleets can start 36" apart.
However, a 6' x 4' area is optimal.
4 or more As above, and any carriers may be placed in deep deployment (see opposite).
Both players should roll one D10,

scouting table
re-rolling any ties. The lowest rolling
player must deploy their entire fleet As above and may immediately re-deploy any number of ships (including any
first in one deployment zone, followed 7 or more scouts) in enhanced deployment zone (see opposite), while carriers may start
by their opponent. with half of their Flights in the air.

As above and add a further 1 (for a total of 2) to your roll for Initiative each
8 or more
SCOUTING turn for the entire battle.

As above and may immediately re-deploy any number of ships (including any
When the enemy is known to be in the 10 or more scouts) in superior deployment zone (see opposite), while carriers may start
area, fleets will expend a great deal of with all of their Flights in the air.
effort in reconnaissance. If one fleet
can out-scout the other, it stands to
gain a great advantage before the battle
even begins.
Before the first turn of the game, both
players reveal the ships and aircraft that
VICTORY OR DEFEAT
have been used for scouting. For every The battle will end after 8 turns or when
Both players should secretly remove ship and aircraft listed below used for one fleet is completely destroyed or
all destroyers and cruisers they intend scouting, the player will roll one D6. makes a Tactical Withdrawal. At that
to use for scouting from their fleet point, both players should compare their
before deployment and put them • Every Destroyer objectives and whether they succeeded.
to one side. In addition, they should • Every Cruiser
assign which Observation Flights will • Every Observation Flight • A player with a major victory will
be used for scouting as well. These beat one with a minor victory.
ships and aircraft committed to Every dice that rolls a 5 or 6 will
scouting are not deployed with the earn the player’s fleet one Scouting Point. • A player with a minor victory will
rest of the fleet. Instead, the ships When all dice have been rolled, each beat one with no victory at all.
may return from scouting at some player should total their Scouting Points
point during the battle. and compare them to the Scouting Table. • Any other result is a draw.

In every End Phase, both players roll

one D6 for every destroyer and cruiser
they have committed to scouting. On
FIGHT!
the roll of a 6, that ship has returned to Once any adjustments have been COMPETITIVE BATTLES
the fleet and may join the battle. It will made for scouting, the battle can
move on from any point along a random commence! Players must try to The War at Sea scenario can
edge in the next turn’s Movement Phase achieve their objectives within 8 turns, provide some challenging objectives
(see the Returning Ships diagram on the after which the game ends and victory for players – this is entirely
opposite page). conditions calculated. intentional and reflects the nature
of naval warfare in World War
II. Admirals quite often found
themselves facing unexpected
enemies or difficult objectives and
had to keep fighting whatever the
odds. However, if you wish to play
a more balanced ‘competitive’ or
tournament-style of game, we
suggest the following matched
objectives for each fleet – players
can decide or dice off to see what
their own fleet will try to attempt.
• Attrition vs. Destroy!
• Attrition vs. Fighting Retreat
• Breakout vs. Defence Line
• Destroy! vs. Last Stand
• Sweep & Clear vs. Defence Line
USS New Mexico weaves to avoid the Japanese kamikaze attack

56
 War at Sea

12" Player A Deployment Zone 12" Player A Deployment Zone

36" 36"

12" Player B Deployment Zone 12" Player B Deployment Zone

Normal Deployment Enhanced Deployment

Player A Deployment Zone 5

36" 1-2 3-4

6" 6"

Player B Deployment Zone 6

Superior Deployment Returning Ships

"Hit hard, hit fast, hit often."

Admiral William Hallsey

Artist's Impression of a Royal Navy N5-class battleship

57
The basic rules provide enough for will be communicated to allies. Once a Once a ship has been spotted, it will
you to play most games of Victory at ship has been spotted, it will remain so remain so until it moves further away
Sea, what follows are a collection of until it moves beyond 25". than 20" from all enemy ships. Ships
additional rules allowing you to expand within 5" will be automatically spotted.
your games, add depth, and simulate the If an enemy ship is within 25" but
full range of naval engagements of the has not been spotted, another Crew Ships that fire Main Guns will also be
Second World War on your tabletop. Quality check may be attempted in the automatically spotted, as will ships that
next turn so long as it ends its move are suffering from the Fire or Multiple
within 25". This means it is possible for Fires critical hits.
BAD WEATHER a ship to move in close, not be spotted,
and then move away again with their
Churning seas, heavy rain and high
winds will all cause a problem for
foes none the wiser! SEARCHLIGHTS
warships, greatly reducing their ability Heavy rain and surging waves also Any ship may use its searchlights at night
to fight effectively. Many Admirals in the impact radar performance, causing a -1 to automatically spot any one enemy
past have lamented not having control penalty when detection rolls are made ship within 10" before it makes an attack.
of the weather, and just as many have using radar (see below). The -1 penalty to hit for attacking at
blessed the sudden appearance of night no longer applies for attacks on an
storm clouds. However, ships that have fired their enemy ship spotted by searchlights. As
Main Guns will be automatically spotted. each player designates a ship to attack
In Victory at Sea, weather is defined with, that player also indicates if the ship
as either Good or Bad. The rules assume The Create Smoke! Order may not be is using its searchlights, prior to firing
you will be fighting in Good Weather. used during bad weather. its weapons. Ships using searchlights are
However, if a scenario calls for bad automatically spotted themselves.
weather, the following changes are made.
NIGHT BATTLES
Destroyers and MTBs (Motor Torpedo
Boats, see page 67) may not make any The time and place of a battle is not
STAR SHELLS
attacks with Light Guns or AA Batteries always suited to an Admiral’s best Ships with the Star Shell Trait may fire
during bad weather, and no ships may wishes and many duels at sea have taken star shells from the ship’s Light Guns,
use Torpedoes. place at night. Far from land, it can be using a single Attack Dice for each shell
difficult to appreciate just how dark the (so ships with only 1 Attack Dice of
Destroyers, MTBs and Civilian ships night is at sea or its effects on battles. If Light Guns must choose between using
have their Flank Speed halved. a scenario is set at night, the following a single star shell or making a normal
changes are made. attack). Star shells can be fired to any
All attacks made by both ships and aircraft point within range of the ship’s Light
suffer a -1 penalty to hit, in addition to All attacks made by both ships and Guns with no Attack Dice roll needed.
all other modifiers. A -1 penalty is also aircraft suffer a -1 penalty to hit, in All ships, friend or foe, within 3" of a
applied to all Crew Quality checks. addition to other modifiers, such as for star shell are spotted for the rest of the
range and bad weather. Also, the player turn. The -1 penalty to hit for attacking
Carriers may not launch or recover who won the Initiative can choose to at night no longer applies for attacks on
aircraft (see page 52). force his opponent to fire first during a an enemy ship spotted by star shells.
night battle.
Bad weather affects visibility. Ships more
than 25" away may not be attacked at
all in bad weather. Those more than
In addition, ships more than 20" away
may not be attacked at all at night.
RADAR
15" away must be spotted (see below) Those at closer ranges must be spotted A recent development for World War
before they can be attacked. Ships 15" before they can be attacked. II, the use of radar quickly spread to the
away or less are automatically spotted. sea where it was used to locate enemy
As soon as an enemy ship ends its ships and direct fire. Additionally, radar
As soon as an enemy ship ends its movement within 20" or less of a made fighting battles at night or in bad
movement within 15–25" of a friendly friendly vessel, make a Crew Quality weather easier.
vessel, make a Crew Quality check (as check (as described on page 47).
described on page 47). Success means Success means the enemy ship has been When fighting at night or in bad weather
the enemy ship has been spotted spotted and may be attacked normally a ship with the Radar trait may select one
and may be attacked normally by any by any friendly ship within 20", as its enemy ship within 30", that is also more
friendly ship within 25", as its location location will be communicated to allies. than 5" away from any land, at the start

58
of the Attack Phase. This ship must be a
Battleship if any are present, otherwise it
must be a Carrier or a Cruiser. However,
if only Destroyers or Civilian ships are
present, it may be any one of them.

Radar will detect that enemy vessel

with a successful Crew Quality check
(remembering to apply the -1 penalty
for bad weather, if applicable). Once
detected, an enemy ship remains so
unless it moves more than 30" away or
within 5" of land.

If an enemy ship has been detected by

radar at night or during bad weather,
it will be automatically spotted by the
ship that detected it, as soon as they
move within 20" of one another. Once
spotted, the -1 penalty to hit for being Tough love – the sea can be a harsh mistress
night is no longer enforced. However,
the -1 penalty for bad weather still
remains in place. in a squadron, in order to concentrate individual ships within the squadron as
firepower and allow tactical objectives targets for their weapons, rather than
Note that a ship that detects an enemy to be decided with greater speed. selecting the squadron as a whole.
ship with radar may not pass this Players may also find combining ships
information along to other ships, allowing into squadrons a good way of playing
them to fire at it – they must all detect
the enemy for themselves before they
huge battles involving dozens of
vessels on either side. It is therefore
TORPEDO NETS
attack. In addition, a ship may only detect recommended that you only use the Some scenarios call for the use of
one enemy ship at a time. squadron rules in games of at least torpedo nets. These were heavy steel
2,000 points. mesh nets that were suspended beneath
the surface of the sea, in order to trap
ADVANCED RADAR If you use squadrons, you must
organise ships into them before a
torpedoes. They were also once fitted
to ships as a matter of course, but by
Ships with the Advanced Radar trait scenario begins. Up to six ships may be the time of the Second World War they
use all the previous rules, with the placed in a squadron, though they need were typically found only in harbours,
following exceptions. not be all of the same type. protecting ships at rest.

Advanced Radar gains +1 to the Crew Once ships have been placed into a The position of torpedo nets can be
Quality check to detect an enemy ship. squadron, they must always remain drawn on the table with a marker, or
within 4" of at least one other ship marked out with string, matchsticks,
Enemy ships within 5" of land may in the squadron, unless they become or anything else useful. No torpedo
be detected. Crippled or are destroyed. If either can target a ship if a torpedo net lies
of these events happen, the ship between them.
When an enemy ship has been automatically drops out of the squadron
detected, Advanced Radar may carry on and is treated as single ship as normal.
looking for others in subsequent turns,
potentially detecting several enemy
You may also choose to split the
squadron apart at any time, simply by
BARRAGE BALLOONS
ships at once, given time. moving the ships independently instead A common sight above many cities and
as a whole squadron. ports, barrage balloons are tethered
A ship with Advanced Radar can with metal cables and float above
opt to attack an enemy ship that is While in the squadron, all ships move valuable targets. The possibility of
detected but not otherwise spotted (i.e. and fire at the same time. In effect, collision with either the balloon or the
range greater than 20" at night, in bad you nominate the entire squadron to all but invisible mooring cable made
weather, or behind Smoke (see page move or fire, instead of just one of its areas covered by them difficult to
47). However, there is a -1 penalty for ships. You are under no restrictions approach with aircraft at best.
such radar-controlled fire in addition to to use the same Orders or target
any range penalties. the same enemy ships with the entire Some scenarios call for the use of
squadron – the only requirement is barrage balloons. A barrage balloon
that you keep all the ships within 4" can be represented either by a model
SQUADRONS of each other at all times and make
every effort to maintain this formation
or with a counter. No Flight may move
within 2" of a barrage balloon, except
In larger fleet engagements, Admirals if they are ever split up. By the same for Level Bombers, which fly too high to
will often place several ships together token, enemy ships will still choose be affected by them.

59
Submarines began to affect the way fleets Sector is a 12" x 12" square on the when surfaced but will be more difficult
were deployed during the First World War, table. These are then given numbers, to detect and it may still make attacks
but it was during the Second World War letters or codes (as you desire), as with torpedoes.
that they truly came into their own. From shown below.
midget submarines to the roving Wolf
Packs of the Atlantic, the proliferation of Submarines may be deployed normally, Running Deep
Submarines served to end the dominance but you will find it advantageous not The Submarine is far beneath the waves.
of the battleship, perhaps as much as the to. Instead, secretly mark down which It may not make any attacks but is
widespread use of aircraft. Sector each of your Submarines is almost impossible for all but the most
within. You may place any number of specialised ships to detect.
Submarines require some additional Submarines in one Sector, but some
rules to properly reflect their role on scenarios may limit which Sectors you A Submarine that has not been placed
the oceans of the Second World War. can place them in. on the table but is noted as being within
What follows are all the rules required a Sector is automatically running deep.
to use Submarines. All vessels with
the Submarine trait (see page 63) are DEPTH
capable of using these rules. However,
in all other respects they are treated as A Submarine that has a model on
MOVEMENT PHASE
normal ships. the table is always sailing at one of If a Submarine has a model placed on
three depths. the table, it moves in the same way as
It was impossible to properly co-ordinate a normal ship. Before a Submarine is
Submarines with surface units in the moved, you must state what depth it is
Second World War, so they were mostly Surfaced going to be this turn. If a Submarine is
confined to their own missions, such as the The Submarine is on the surface of the changing its depth, it may not perform
three provided in this chapter (Ambush, ocean and may attack and be attacked any Orders.
Convoy and Harbour Attack). However, like a normal ship. It will likely move
with the permission of your opponent, faster on the surface but be far more A Submarine that is submerged may
they may be used in other fleet battles. vulnerable. It can also use its Light Gun either surface or run deep.
and AA Battery (if it has any).
A Submarine that is running deep
DEPLOYMENT Submerged
or surfaced may change its depth to
be submerged.
Whenever Submarines are used, the The Submarine is at periscope depth. It
table is divided into Sectors. Each will probably move slower than it would Note that spotted Submarines
that become submerged are no
longer spotted.
Submarine Sectors
Submarines have two Flank Speed
scores. The first is used while the vessel
is travelling while surfaced, the second
1 2 3 4 5 6 while it is submerged or running deep.

Submarines that have not had a model

placed on the table may not move from
their Sector. However, their player
7 8 9 10 11 12 may choose to voluntarily place them
anywhere in the Sector at the end of
the Movement Phase. They will be
running deep.

13 14 15 16 17 18
GUNNERY PHASE
While a Submarine is on the surface,
it is treated as a normal ship in
19 20 21 22 23 24 all respects. While submerged, a
Submarine may only attack using its

60
 Artist's Impression of a Kriegsmarine Jade-class carrier

torpedoes. However, other ships may a detected Submarine will remain so other modifiers, and have the weapon
only attack it with Depth Charges until the End Phase. profile shown below.
(or other specialized anti-Submarine
weapons such as the Hedgehog Only ships with the Sub-Hunter trait Squids and Hedgehogs are counted as
or Squid) and then only once the may attempt to detect a Submarine that depth charges in all respects, with the
Submarine has been detected by any is running deep. Other ships lack the exception that they fire into the Fore
ship or Observation Flight (but not specialised equipment necessary. arc instead of the Aft arc.
ASW Flight). A Submarine that is
running deep may make no attacks
but can still be attacked with Depth
Charges (or Hedgehog, Squid), and
DEPTH CHARGES POOR VISIBILITY
again only if it has been detected. The only weapon that may be used to Submarines were notoriously difficult to
attack a submerged or running deep spot when on the surface at night or in
Unlike the surface ships, Submarines Submarine is a depth charge (or similar bad weather, and many of their captains
can fire individual tubes against separate weapon). By the same token, a Depth took advantage of this.
targets (i.e. a Submarine with a 4 AD Charge may not be used against any
forward Torpedo system could target other target. Attacks are performed in If the battle is taking place at night or
four different ships). All of the targets the same way as for any other weapon. in bad weather, surfaced Submarines
must still be located within the firing arc cannot be spotted until they are within
of the Torpedo system. Depth Charges always hit their target 10" of a ship, and are only automatically
on an attack roll of 5+, regardless of any spotted if they are within 3" of a ship.

DETECTION Condition Modifier

Any ship that does not have the
Civilian type may try to detect a Ship has Sub-Hunter trait +2
detection chart

Submarine before it makes any attacks.

Submarine has Silent trait -1
In order to detect a submerged or
running deep Submarine, a ship must Submarine is Running Deep -2
be within 8" of it and make a successful
Crew Quality check. Submarine was detected or Surfaced last turn +1

The modifiers shown on the Submarine fired a torpedo this turn or last +1
Detection Chart are used in the Crew
Quality check.
depth charge
If successful, the Submarine has been
detected. A ship may only attempt to Weapon Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
detect one Submarine in each turn, and Depth Charge 3" – – – 1 – 2 Slow-Loading

61
 Submarines

RADAR ESCAPE surfaced Submarine. Instead, use the

modifiers shown on the chart below.
Radar can only be used against When opposition grows too strong,
surfaced Submarines. Due to their a smart Submarine captain will dive
small size radar can only detect
Submarines at a range of 20" or less
for the depths and wait for trouble to
pass overhead before coming back for
OBSERVATION AIRCRAFT
and then only on a successful Crew another attack. An Observation Flight may be tasked
Quality check. Advanced Radar allows to hunt for Submarines in the area, this
for detection with a +1 modifier If a Submarine that is Running Deep is should be announced before the start
to their Crew Quality check and not detected during the turn, it may of the battle. Any Observation Flight
can carry on looking for others in be removed from the table in the End used to hunt Submarines cannot be
subsequent turns. Phase. It remains in the Sector from used for Scouting or guiding Beyond the
which it was removed but may be Horizon Attacks.
Radar cannot detect Submarines d placed back on the table as normal,
uring bad weather (page 58) as the low anywhere within the same Sector at the At the start of each turn, before
silhouette of a Submarine allows it to be end of the next Movement Phase. rolling to see who has Initiative,
shielded by the surrounding large waves. each Observation Flight hunting
for Submarines can be assigned
AIRCRAFT to attempt to detect a single
SPOTLIGHTS AND STAR SHELLS Surfaced Submarines may be attacked
Submarine. Note that multiple
Observation Flights can be assigned
Spotlights and Star Shells can only be by aircraft as if they were normal ships. to each Submarine. Roll a d6 for
used against surfaced Submarines, but Those that are submerged may only be each Observation Flight assigned to
both are less advantageous. attacked by aircraft with the ASW role a Submarine. On a 4 or more, that
(Anti-submarine Warfare). Submarine has been detected. The
Observation Flight receives a +1
Spotlights bonus to the roll if the Submarine
Rather than automatically spotting
a surfaced Submarine the use of a
ASW AIRCRAFT was detected or surfaced in the last
turn, and a further +1 bonus if the
spotlight adds +2 to the detection roll. Any aircraft can attack a surfaced Submarine fired a torpedo in this turn
Submarine with any weapon it carries. or the last. Observation Flights may
The aircraft must move into contact not attempt to detect Submarines
Star Shells with the Submarine as normal in order that are running deep.
Instead of being automatic, Star Shells to do this. However, a submerged
need a successful Crew Quality check Submarine can only be attacked by
to detect a surfaced Submarine. aircraft with the ASW role. NEW ORDER
Aircraft with the ASW role can The following new Order is available to
LONG-RANGED DETECTION attempt to attack a Submerged
Submarine with a Depth Charge by
use by Submarines.

Ships with the Sub-Hunter trait may

try to detect any Submarines that have
moving to within 8" (instead of the
normal 3") and rolling a d6. On a
Rig for Silent Running!
not yet been revealed. At the start of 5 or more, the aircraft has spotted Crew Quality Check (Submarines only)
every turn, every ship with the Sub- the Submarine and can attack it. The
Hunter trait rolls one d6. On a 6, all aircraft receives a +1 bonus to this Effect: In an effort to avoid detection,
Submarines within the same Sector will roll if the Submarine was detected or the captain of a Submerged Submarine
be placed on the table, though they surfaced in the last turn, and a further orders his engines to be throttled
do not yet count as being detected. +1 bonus if the Submarine fired a back and all other systems made
The Submarine player may place his torpedo in this turn or the last. ASW silent. Vessels attempting to detect the
Submarines anywhere within the aircraft may not attack Submarines that Submarine suffer a -1 penalty for this
12" x 12" Sector. are running deep. turn. The Submarine may not move
a distance more than half its Flank
The usual modifiers to Attack Dice are Speed in this turn and may not change
CRASH DIVE not used when aircraft are attacking a direction or make any attacks.

A Submarine can try to fill its ballast

tanks quickly if an enemy approaches, Condition Modifier
asw attack modifiers

in an effort to hide under the

waves. If an enemy ship or aircraft Flight using a depth charge or bomb -1
approaches within 10" of a Submarine
while it is Surfaced, it may try to Flight using a torpedo -2
crash dive. Make a Crew Quality
check. If successful, the Submarine is Torpedo launched in the target’s Port or Starboard arc +1
immediately submerged, otherwise it
remains surfaced. Bomb or depth charge dropped in the target’s Fore or Aft arcs +1

62
 Submarines

Hidden Depths
Turning up the tracks the two destroyers soon obtained a good contact. Laforey then dropped eight depth charges
and Eclipse five depth charges with instant results, for the submarine surfaced and, at 1623, was enthusiastically taken
under gunfire by Faulknor, Laforey, Eclipse and Raider, although only Lafoery actually scored any hits. Laforey picked up
one survivor who informed them that their victim was the Italian submarine Ascianghi.
Ted Newman wrote:
"We soon got a 'ping' and, after dropping a few charges, brought the sub up. He showed fight, firing torpedoes
and his gun – we then opened up on him and he finally sank. We picked up the survivors."

Peter Smith, 'Destroyer Leader'

NEW TRAITS Sub-Hunter force Wakeless torpedoes to re-roll

A few ships have upgraded ASDIC or successful attacks.
The following new Traits is available to sonar systems that allow them to hunt
use by Submarines, their weapons or Submarines with great effect. The ship
the ships that hunt them. gains a +2 bonus when attempting to
detect a Submarine.
KAMIKAZE SUBMARINES
The Japanese Kaiten was a manned
Depth Charge torpedo and uses the following rules.
Ships with the Depth Charge trait can Submarine
attack Submarines that submerged or Submarines have the ability to render One or more Kaiten torpedoes may
running deep using the rules given on themselves all but invisible to their be purchased as an upgrade for some
page 60. enemies when submerged. A ship with Imperial Japanese Navy submarines,
this trait may use the Submarine rules such as Matsu-class destroyer escorts
detailed on pages 60–62. and late war Kitakami-class torpedo
Silent cruisers. One Kaiten torpedo may be
This Submarine is exceptionally quiet, launched in the Gunnery phase in place
making it hard for surface ships to Wakeless of a normal torpedo. Because of the
detect. Ships trying to detect the Some torpedoes do not leave the Kaiten torpedo's human pilot, a miss
Submarine suffer a -1 penalty to typical wake in the water, making may be re-rolled. A Kaiten torpedo that
their attempts to detect this Submarine them much harder to spot. Ships using successfully strikes a target will detonate,
when it is submerged or running deep. the Evasive! Special Action may not dealing damage with its warhead.

A Kriegsmarine Wolf Pack surfaces

63
 Submarines

Submarine Scenarios
SCENARIO: AMBUSH
While Submarines did not engage
in fleet actions, they would sometimes
be placed in areas where enemy fleets 12"
were known to operate.

Striking without warning, the

Submarines would attempt to sink as
many high-value warships as possible,
likely altering the balance of power in
the next full fleet engagement. Defending Player's 12" Attacking Player's
Deployment Zone Deployment Zone
Fleets
Players are free to decide on a points
value for the battle and the defending
player may choose his fleet freely.

The attacker may only choose 12"

Submarines and will have half the
points value of the defender to spend
on their fleet.
Conditions Victory and Defeat
Pre-Battle Preparation Roll a dice. On a 5 or 6, the battle takes Victory Points are used in this battle.
Roll a d6. On a 5 or 6, a coastline may place at night, using the rules on page 58. However, the defending player only
be placed down one long edge of the gets Victory Points for the ships they
table. The fleets are deployed anywhere
in their own deployment zones as
Scenario Rules manage to exit from the opposite short
edge to their deployment zone. They
shown on the scenario map. The Submarine player has Initiative until will get the full points worth of any ship
a Submarine is detected, after which that exits from the opposite short table
Aircraft Initiative is determined as normal. edge unless it is Crippled, in which case
they will receive half its points value.
As they are caught unawares, the
defending player may have a total of one
Game Length The attacking player scores Victory
Observation Fight during the battle. Until one fleet is sunk or has withdrawn. Points as normal.

Royal Navy Submarines head into open water

64
 Submarines

Artist's Impression of a Kriegsmarine Spähkreuzer-class cruiser

SCENARIO: CONVOY
Submarines were the primary weapon
used to attack supply convoys. Whether
they were shipping food, fuel, materials 12"
or weapons, constant attacks on these
convoys could leave an entire country
starving. If the convoys could be
stopped completely, that country would
soon be out of the war entirely.

Defending Player's 12" Attacking Player's

Fleets Deployment Zone Deployment Zone
Players are free to decide on a points
value for the battle. The defending player
gains a number of Civilian ships equal
to the points value of their fleet. The
attacker may only choose Submarines.

12"
Pre-Battle Preparation
Roll a d6. On a 5 or 6, a coastline may
be placed down one long edge of the
table. The fleets are deployed anywhere
in their own deployment zones as
Scenario Rules Points for destroying or Crippling
shown on the scenario map. The Submarine player has Initiative until them, while the defending player earns
a Submarine is detected, after which Victory Points for exiting them from
Aircraft Initiative is determined as normal. the opposite short table edge. They
will get the full points worth of any
The defending player may start with
one ship-based aircraft (either a Flight
Game Length Civilian Shipping that exits from the
opposite short table edge unless it
or using the Aircraft trait) in the air at Until one fleet is sunk or has withdrawn. is Crippled, in which case they will
the start of the battle. receive half its points value.
Victory and Defeat
Conditions Victory Points are used in this battle.
Roll a d6. On a 4, 5 or 6, the battle However, they are only scored for
takes place at night, using the rules on ships from the Civilian Shipping fleet
page 58. list. The attacking player earns Victory U-boat type IX

65
 Submarines

Fog of War – USS Chicago burns oil to obscure herself from the enemy

SCENARIO: HARBOUR ATTACK

Able to slip past most defences,
Submarines were sometimes used
in daring raids on enemy ports and
harbours. Silently making their way into
the harbour at night, they would target
the most valuable ships, attempting
to cause as much damage as possible
before being discovered or retreating,
still unseen.
12"
Harbour

Defending Player's Attacking Player's

Fleets Deployment Zone Deployment Zone
Players are free to decide on a points
value for the battle. The defending
player may choose to spend up to
half his points on Shore Batteries and
Harbour Defences (see page 70). The
attacker may only choose Submarines
and may only spend a quarter of the
points the attacking player has.

Pre-Battle Preparation
A bay and harbour is placed on the
Scenario Rules Game Length
table, covering at least half the area. The Submarine player has Initiative until Until one fleet is sunk or has
The defending fleet is deployed a Submarine is detected, after which withdrawn.
anywhere in its own deployment zones Initiative is determined as normal.
as shown on the scenario map. The
attacking player moves on from his table All defending ships start at anchor
Victory and Defeat
edge in the first turn. with a Flank Speed of 0". A ship can Victory Points are used in this battle
get under way by making a successful as normal.
Aircraft Crew Quality check at the end of the
turn. However, their Flank Speed cannot
No aircraft may be in the air at the start exceed 2" during their first turn moving.
of the battle.
One Destroyer begins the scenario
Conditions on patrol and is not limited to a Flank
Speed of 2".
This battle takes place at night using the
rules on page 58. S-class submarine

66
One of the most hazardous duties in Though the game Cruel Seas by Warlord Armour
the navies of the Second World War Games covers the actions of such small This is a measure of how much
was to serve within the Coastal Forces. craft in more detail, the following rules punishment an MTB Section can
Many navies showed a passing interest in allow for their use alongside larger withstand before it is sunk or driven away.
motor torpedo boats during the 1930s, warships in games of Victory at Sea.
when war broke out the utility of small
craft to take the fight to the enemy in Smoke
the ‘narrow seas’ was quickly realised. MTB SECTIONS Some motor torpedo boats are capable
of laying down smoke screens.
Germany built up considerable numbers All motor torpedo boats (MTBs)
of their famous Lurrsen-designed in Victory at Sea are organised into
Schnellboote, or S-Boats (although MTB Sections. An MTB Section AA Battery
these were often known to the Allies as is represented by a model of two The Attack Dice of any AA Battery
E-Boats, or Enemy Boats). The Royal Navy motor torpedo boats on a base. MTB weapons the MTB Section carries –
built hundreds of Motor Torpedo Boats Sections have a slightly different set of all Attack Dice will be used with the
(MTBs) and Motor Gun Boats (MGBs), characteristics from ships. Local trait.
with the most prevalent designs coming
from Vospers, Camper & Nicholson
and Fairmile. The US standard Elco and Commissioned Torpedoes
Higgins built PT Boats were to become a As with ships, the year in which the The Attack Dice of Torpedoes the MTB
familiar sight in the Mediterranean and the boat came into service and thus when it Section carries.
Pacific, while the Italians built many fast, can be used
light and successful MAS craft.
Weapons
Main fighting units were supported by Flank Speed A list of any other weapons the MTB
a myriad of gunboats, defence launches, This is the same as for ships, but Section carries, such as Light Guns and
motor minesweepers, minelayers and MTB Sections are much faster and far Rockets, or Traits they can utilise, like
coastal transports. more manoeuvrable. Depth Charges.

German freighters are set upon by Royal Navy small boats

67
 Motor Torpedo Boats

Cruel Seas! Regia Marina and Royal Navy MTBs skirmish

WEAPONS SYSTEMS mtb weapon systems

All weapon systems carried on board Weapon Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
MTB Sections have the characteristics Light Guns – – – – – 1 -2 1 Weak
shown right. The number of Attack
Dice (or Local score) for these weapons AA Battery – – – – – – – – Local*
are listed in the description for each Devastating,
Torpedo – – – – – * – 2
MTB Section. One-Shot
*The AD or Local score is individual to each MTB Section as given in the Fleet Lists.

MOVEMENT PHASE A player may nominate to attack sequence and is because the ship’s crew
In a similar way to aircraft, all MTB with their MTB Section in place of are expecting battle and motor torpedo
Sections in a fleet are moved at the nominating a ship to fire with at any boats will rarely have an easy time
same time. After all ships on the table point during the Gunnery Phase, trying to attack a ship.
have been moved, but before aircraft when it is their turn to nominate a
are moved, the player who won the ship. If a player nominates their MTB When targeting enemy MTB Sections,
Initiative Phase must then choose Sections instead of a ship, they attack roll the Attack Dice of AA Battery
whether to move their MTB Sections with all of the MTB Sections they have weapons as normal. AA Battery
first or force their opponent to do in play, regardless of how many different weapons may freely split their fire
so. Once this decision has been made, ships they are engaged with. All MTB among multiple MTB Sections (and
then all MTB Sections in a fleet are Section attacks are considered to be aircraft Flights) if desired.
moved at the same time. Then the simultaneous but for convenience they
opposing fleet does the same with its
MTB Sections.
are resolved one at a time, in whichever
order the player wishes.
Armour
If an MTB Section has been hit, Damage
MTB Sections can move in any Resolve all weapon system attacks as Dice are rolled against its Armour as
direction, taking as many turns as normal, with all attacks considered as normal, though no modifier for AP is
it wishes, reflecting the relative being at Point Blank Range. used. AA Battery weapons roll one
manoeuvrability small boats have Damage Dice for every successful
compared to larger ships. They have
no facing or fire arcs as ships do and
Shooting at MTB Sections Attack Dice that hits the MTB Section.

may launch attacks in any direction. MTB Sections can only be attacked by If a Damage Dice rolls higher than the
All measurements are made from the Light Guns and AA Battery weapons MTB Section’s Armour score, the MTB
bridge of the frontmost ship in the from ships or Bombs dropped from Section is destroyed and is removed
section. An MTB Section may never aircraft (though see Strafing below). immediately. If the Damage Dice rolls
perform an Order. Larger weapons cannot train effectively equal to the MTB Section’s Armour
on these small targets. score, the MTB Section survives
the attack but has been driven off.
GUNNERY PHASE Attackers never get the Large
Silhouette bonus for attacking MTB
It immediately loses any One-Shot
weapons it was carrying.
Attacking with MTB Sections Sections side-on. They are simply too

To attack a ship, the MTB Section must

small for this bonus. Strafing Aircraft
move into base contact with the target If enemy MTB Sections are in range, MTB Sections can attack nearby
ship model during the Movement Phase, a ship’s AA Battery weapons are aircraft with their AA Battery weapons
to show it is engaging that particular fired automatically at the end of the using the usual rules. However, MTB
ship. Up to a maximum of four MTB Movement Phase, as with AA Battery Sections are incredibly susceptible
Sections (of any type) may attack a weapons used against aircraft. This to aircraft attack, even those not
single ship in the same turn. happens outside of the normal turn normally used in ground attack roles.

68
 Motor Torpedo Boats

Spitting Image
When we first picked up the survivors from this U-boat one of the German officers [this was the First Lieutenant,
Fricke, described by his own fellow prisoner colleagues as, '… an ardent Nazi, a somewhat unpleasant person …']
stepped aboard and gave the Nazi salute and spat on Faulknor's deck. He was immediately hurled back into the sea by
Able-Seaman Crisp (known as 'Crippo') who said he did not so much mind the salute but he strongly objected to him
spitting on the deck which he had washed down that morning.
Peter Smith, 'Destroyer Leader'

An MTB Section may be attacked by a

Flight using Bombs as normal but any
KAMIKAZE ATTACK but any Local fire gains a +1 bonus to its
Attack Dice.
Flight, even one that has expended its Some boats, such as the Japanese
weaponry, may make a strafing attack Shin’yō (Sea Quake) and the Italian ‘MT- After all AA Battery fire has been
on an MTB Section, using machine guns Boat’, were purpose-designed suicide resolved, the MTB Section rolls to hit
and cannon. craft. These use the rules for MTB its target – due to the accuracy of being
Sections, in addition they may make a piloted right up to the last moment, any
A strafing attack uses the following Kamikaze Attack. missed Attack Dice may be re-rolled. All
characteristics and may only be used normal modifiers are applied except those
against MTB Sections. A Kamikaze Attack is declared in the for range, which are ignored. Damage is
Movement Phase, with the MTB Section then applied as shown below. The section
Smoke Screens moving into contact with its target. Any
AA Battery fire is resolved as normal,
is removed from the table as a casualty,
whether or not it successfully hits.
Some MTB Sections carry smoke
dischargers or smoke floats, as noted in
their descriptions. These allow an MTB strafing attack
Section to deploy a smoke screen to
protect itself from enemy fire. Weapon Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

An MTB Section capable of deploying a Strafing Attack – – – – – 1 +4 1 –

smoke screen can do so at the end of
any of its movement and it lasts until
the end of the turn. However, it can kamikaze attack
do this only once per game. An enemy
Weapon Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
attacking an MTB Section that deploys
its smoke screen will have all successful Devastating,
Kamikaze Attack – – – – – 1 – 2
Attack Dice re-rolled. One-Shot

Artist's Impression of a Kriegsmarine M-class cruiser

69
While battles were often fought on the No ship with a starting Hull score They use all the same rules as ships,
open ocean, a great many also took place of 10 or more may come within 1" with the following exceptions.
close to land. Harbours and ports were of land without running aground.
sometimes the direct target of fleets, The exception to this is any areas Shore Batteries have a Flank Speed of
while clustered defences were dangerous designated as being a harbour, wherein 0 and can never move. They count as
obstacles to be suppressed or bypassed. all ships are permitted to move. Stationary Targets.

Ships that have run aground may only Shore Batteries have Structure instead
LAND fire Main Gun, Light Gun, or AA Battery
weapon systems. In addition, they may
of Hull but in all ways this functions
exactly the same as Hull does for
Land is featured on the charts of some not execute any Orders, or launch and ships. All damage is applied to a Shore
scenarios or can be placed by players in a recover aircraft. Their Flank Speed is Battery’s Structure just as it would to a
mutually agreeable manner. The easiest way permanently reduced to 0 for the rest ship’s Hull.
to represent land is simply by denoting one of the game, and they count as being
or more table edges as ‘land.’ However, Stationary Targets (see page 44). Shore Batteries do not have Traits
you can also draw lines on a table or use or aircraft Flights.
specially constructed terrain pieces to
represent coasts, beaches or islands. SHORE BATTERIES Shore Batteries can never be Crippled.

Land blocks all line of sight, and ships Shore Batteries are artillery pieces Shore Batteries never perform Orders.
cannot target one another if land lies employed against approaching ships.
between them (though see Radar and Any fleet defending land may Being mounted on solid ground, Shore
Beyond Horizon Attacks on page 42 for purchase Shore Batteries if the scenario batteries are exceptionally stable firing
a possible, though rare, exception). being played allows it. platforms. All Guns fired from a Shore

D6 Score Extra Damage Effect

1 +1 The Shore Battery now suffers a -1 penalty to each Attack Dice roll.
critical hits

2 +3 One random weapon is destroyed.

3 +3 Roll a D6 for each weapon at the start of each Attack Phase. A weapon may only fire if a 4 or more is rolled.
4 +4 No weapons can fire in this turn or the next.
5 +4 Roll a dice for each weapon, on a 4 or more it is destroyed.
6 – Reduce Structure to 0, the Shore Battery destroyed.

The Kriegsmarine hunts Allied shipping

70
Battery gain a +1 bonus to their Attack
Dice when firing.

When a critical hit is scored against

a Shore Battery, use the table on the
previous page to determine its effect.

Creating a Shore Battery

The creation of a Shore Battery consists
of four steps. The first three involve
defining the characteristics of the shore
battery and include:

• Selecting number and type of

weapon systems in the battery;

• Determining the number of

Structure points the battery has;

• Determining the Armour of Britannia rules the waves – HMS Duke of York on patrol
the battery.

The fourth step is to determine the Follow these steps: 24 Structure and Armour 6+. The cost
points cost of the Shore Battery. would be calculated as:
• Multiply the Cost of each
Weapon Systems weapon system by the number
of each in the battery Step 1. Four 15-inch guns times 40
The first step is to select each (the Cost for each 15-inch) is 160.
weapon systems mounted within • Divide the Structure by 16 and
Shore Batteries. A generic list of then add the Armour Cost Step 2. 24 Damage divided by 16 is 1.5.
guns is defined in the table on the
right, with their various statistics and • Multiply these two totals and round Step 3. For 6+ armour, the Armour Cost
cost. Each weapon system must be up to the nearest value of 10 is 1.0, which added to the Step 2 value of
purchased separately so, for example, 1.5 equals 2.5.
a Shore Battery with three 8-inch For example, a Shore Battery is designed
guns would have a total cost of with four 15-inch guns, Step 4. 160 times 2.5 equals 400 points.
45 points.

Structure shore battery weapon systems

Weapon Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits Cost
The second step is to determine the
number of Structure points the Shore Light Gun 3" 6" 9" 12" 1 -2 1 DP, Weak 5
Battery has. This represents both the
6-inch Gun 5" 11" 16" 22" 1 -1 1 – 10
general size of the Shore Battery and
the amount of construction dedicated 8-inch Gun 6" 12" 18" 24" 1 – 1 – 15
to it. The typical range of Structure 11-inch Gun 6" 13" 19" 26" 1 – 2 – 20
is between 8 (minimal construction/
open field) to 36 (massive concrete 12-inch Gun 6" 13" 19" 26" 1 +1 2 – 25
reinforced structures). 14-inch Gun 7" 15" 22" 30" 1 +2 2 – 30
15-inch Gun 10" 20" 30" 40" 1 +2 3 – 40
Armour 16-inch Gun 10" 20" 30" 40" 1 +2 3 Heavy 50
The third step is the degree of
armour the Shore Battery has. The
table on the right lists the Armour Armour Description Armour Cost
shore battery armour

values, an example description of the 1 No armour 0.1

defences, and their cost, which will be
used in the following step. 2 Sandbag or dirt berms 0.2

3 Hills and natural occurring bunkers 0.4

Purchasing Shore Batteries 4 Built-up natural bunkers 0.6
Having designed the Shore Battery,
it is necessary to determine its 5 Caves, reinforced revetments/entrenchments 0.8

points cost. 6 Massive steel reinforced concret buildings 1.0

71
 Coasts & Shorelines

Gladiator, Scene Shifter

Example Shore Batteries & Piece Maker Railway Guns
then floated out and sunk into position
to provide an offshore defence platform.
Listed here are several historical Shore Three British BL Mk V naval guns from
Batteries and their relevant statistics the First World War (named Gladiator,
and cost. Scene Shifter and Piece Maker) were Prinz Heinrich/Oldenburg Battery
brought out of retirement in 1939 Based near Calais, these two batteries
and mounted on railway chassis. The sported two 8-inch guns and formed
Davis Shore Battery resulting railway guns were operated by part of the Channel defences.
Sited to defend San Francisco from the Royal Marines but moved by a team
naval attack, it caused the city to be of Royal Engineers and, when not in use,
described as ‘a giant cannon aimed at hidden in Guston railway tunnel, near Siegfried/Todt Battery
the Pacific’. With a 16-inch gun, this was the Eythorne railway station on the East The Todt Battery was located near Cap
as good a description as any. Kent Light Railway, among other places. Gris-Nez, Pas de Calais, France. Part of
the Atlantic Wall, the battery consisted
of four 15-inch guns, each capable of
Fan Bay/Lydden Spout Battery Grosser Kurfürst Battery reaching the British coast, and each
These two batteries were built either Located at Cap Griz-Nez in France, protected by a bunker of reinforced
side of Dover, overlooking the English at the narrowest point of the English concrete. Originally named the Siegfried
Channel, and they follow very similar Channel, Grosser Kurfürst sported four Battery, it was renamed in honour
designs. Both mounted three 6-inch guns. 11-inch guns and was intended to deter of the German engineer Fritz Todt,
the Royal Navy. responsible for the construction of the
Atlantic Wall, who died in a plane crash.
Fort Drum Shore Battery
The 14-inch M1909 guns and their two Lindemann Battery
custom built turrets, dubbed Marshall Part of the German coastal defences South Foreland Battery
and Wilson, were delivered and installed in France, this battery housed three The four guns of the South Foreland
in the Philippines by 1916. The secondary 16-inch guns (nicknamed the ‘Adolf battery, positioned near Dover,
6-inch guns, Roberts and McCrea, were Guns’ and originally intended for saw heavy use and were used against
installed later the same year. the discontinued H-class battleship) the German ships Gneisenau,
between Calais and Cap Blanc-Nez. Scharnhorst and Prinz Eugen during the
The battery was named after the fallen Channel Dash.
Friedrich August Battery commander of the battleship Bismarck,
Situated near Wilmille, just across Kapitän zur See Ernst Lindemann.
the Channel from Dover, this battery Wanstone Battery
participated in cross-Channel Located in Dover, this consisted of two
bombardments. Indeed, craters Maunsell Sea Fort Shore Battery 15-inch guns known as Clem (after
from this battery can still be seen Placed off the east coast of England, Clementine Churchill) and Jane (after
outside Dover. these sea forts were built in dry dock, the pin-up).

Shore Battery Armour Structure Weapons Points Cost

Coastal 6-inch Defence Battery 3+ 20 8 x 6-inch Guns 130 points

Hardened Coastal Battery 6+ 24 4 x 15-inch Guns 400 points

Davis Shore Battery 6+ 24 1 x 16-inch Gun 130 points

Fan Bay/Lydden Spout Battery 5+ 8 3 x 6-inch Guns 50 points

example shore batteries

Fort Drum Shore Battery 6+ 24 4 x 14-inch Guns, 4 x 6-inch Guns 400 points

Friedrich August Battery 6+ 24 3 x 12-inch Guns 190 points

Gladiator, Scene Shifter and Piece Maker Railway Guns 3+ 8 1 x 14-inch Gun 40 points

Grosser Kurfürst Battery 6+ 24 4 x 11-inch Guns 200 points

Lindemann Battery 6+ 36 3 x 16-inch Guns 490 points

Maunsell Sea Fort Shore Battery 3+ 18 2 x Light Guns 25 points

Prinz Heinrich/Oldenburg Battery 6+ 8 2 x 8-inch Guns 60 points

South Foreland Battery 5+ 12 4 x 8-inch Guns 110 points

Siegfried Todt Battery 6+ 24 4 x 15-inch Guns 400 points

Wanstone Battery 6+ 24 2 x 15-inch Guns 200 points

Winnie & Pooh Shore Batteries 6+ 24 2 x 14-inch Guns 150 points

72
 Coasts & Shorelines

USS New Mexico delivers a full broadside

Winnie & Pooh Shore Batteries AA EMPLACEMENTS They use all the rules for an AA
Battery on ships (see page 43) with the
The British cross-Channel guns Important coastal regions are heavily exception they can target Level Bombers.
already in place were Winnie protected by Anti-Aircraft Emplacements
(named after Churchill) and, later in
1940, Pooh (named after the bear
(AA Emplacements), as harbours and
ports are extremely vulnerable to
AA Emplacement Weapon Systems
Winnie the Pooh). Later Churchill bombers. Whereas Shore Batteries Weapon systems mounted within
ordered three new heavy gun tend to be large, solid bunkers, an AA AA Emplacements are listed below
batteries to be built in Dover and Emplacement tends to be rather more for reference.
manned by the Royal Artillery: the dispersed in nature, with several separate
Fan Bay, South Foreland, and
Wanstone Batteries.
guns spread around a confined area. Purchasing AA Emplacements
AA Emplacements use the same Any fleet defending land may purchase
rules as Shore Batteries and can be AA Emplacements if the scenario being
COASTAL STRUCTURES considered as smaller versions armed
with different weaponry.
played allows it. The cost for each AA
Emplacement is listed below.
Some scenarios may feature
warehouses, command posts, Coastal Structure Attack Dice Modifier Armour Structure
airfields and other buildings as
important objectives that need to be Bunker -1 5+ 10
defended or destroyed. Players may Church +0 4+ 20
coastal structures

also like to include Coastal Structures Control Tower -1 3+ 10

in other games that feature coasts
and islands. Hangar +1 3+ 12

House (masonry) -1 3+ 8
Coastal Structures use all the same
rules as Shore Batteries and AA House (wood) -1 1+ 4

Emplacements, but they do not Mansion +0 2+ 12

have any weapons (if you want to Revetment Hangar -1 4+ 8
feature a Coastal Structure that has,
say, an Anti-Aircraft weapon, simply Warehouse +1 1+ 16
place an AA Emplacement on or
near it). Coastal Structures can vary aa emplacement weapon systems
significantly in size and strength,
and therefore have separate Weapon Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
modifiers to Attack Dice rolled
Local AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
against them and Armour values. As
Coastal Structure have no offensive Light AA Battery 1" 3" 4" 6" 1 – – –
capabilities, and are mainly used as
Medium AA Battery 2" 5" 7" 10" 1 – – –
scenario objectives, they have no
Cost associated with them. Heavy AA Battery 3" 6" 9" 12" 1 – – –

AA Emplacement Armour Structure Weapons Points Cost

aa emplacements

Local AA Battery Emplacement 2+ 1 1 x Local AA Battery 5 points

Small AA Battery Emplacement 3+ 2 2 x Light AA Battery 25 points

Medium AA Battery Emplacement 3+ 8 4 x Medium AA Battery 50 points

Large AA Battery Emplacement 3+ 16 4 x Heavy AA Battery 75 points

73
74
Scenarios
This chapter showcases many of the most famous naval battles of the Second
World War, along with some of the lesser known ones. From attacks on coastal
bases such as Taranto and Pearl Harbor to the clash of battleships in the Atlantic,
from the sinking of trapped carriers to the mass battles of the Pacific, you will be
able to play through and study the decisions facing real life commanders on
your tabletop.
The world will be watching as history turns upon your victories and defeats!

75
From the onset of war, German U-boats chance of defeating them on their own ship Doric Star, sunk by the Admiral Graf
targeted trade vessels bound for Britain was a ‘proper’ battleship. A ‘treaty’ cruiser Spee, managed to broadcast a distress
and France. The idea was to begin would simply find itself out-gunned from alert. Commodore Harwood, leading
starving both countries of supplies, from the outset. Hence, the three ships were the Royal Navy ships from the light
war munitions to basics such as food. nicknamed ‘pocket’ battleships. With their cruiser Ajax, correctly guessed that the
They were extremely successful and speed and guns, it was obvious from the German cruiser would head to South
when U-47 managed to enter the Royal beginning what their intended purpose America to start hitting shipping near the
Navy base at Scarpa Flow and sink the was – commerce raiding. River Plate estuary (between Uruguay
battleship HMS Royal Oak with impunity, and Argentina). A Norwegian merchant
Hitler was reassured of this approach. The Admiral Graf Spee (pronounced added to Harwood’s hunch when she
He ordered the war on trade widened Sch-Pay, not Sp-Eee) was deployed spotted the Admiral Graf Spee en route
and the so-called pocket battleships to the South Atlantic and was soon using her searchlights and radioed the
joined the U-boats at sea. creating havoc for the merchant ships information on. When Harwood’s force
of the British Empire, who now had to finally encountered the Admiral Graf Spee,
Despite not being a signatory to the contend not only with U-boats but also a Langsdorff moved to engage the British
Washington Treaty, the construction marauder that was much faster than their ships, in the mistaken belief that he had
of the ‘pocket battleships’ such as the own ships and had weaponry that could encountered another convoy.
Admiral Graf Spee, Admiral Scheer and literally sink a battleship. Admiral Graf Spee
Lützow, which carried guns far larger was so successful that the Royal Navy had Thus, commenced the first naval battle
than that allowed for cruisers built to the little choice but to hunt her down (aided of the Second World War.
restrictions of the London Treaty. This by the French battleships Dunkerque
placed the nations that had signed up into and Strasbourg) , though it should be The Admiral Graf Spee’s guns immediately
a bit of a conundrum. Namely, comply remembered that the Admiral Graf Spee’s proved accurate and hit the heavy cruiser
with the treaty and be at the disadvantage captain, Hans Langsdorff, had a policy of HMS Exeter hard, taking two turrets out of
or abuse the spirit and indeed the letter taking on board all survivors of the ships action and filling the bridge with shrapnel.
of the treaty and maintain parity. he attacked. On board the Admiral Graf Spee, Langsdorff
had been willing to accept battle with the
The problem was that despite officially On 13 December 1939, the Admiral British ships, thinking them a single cruiser
being cruisers (heavy cruisers at that), Graf Spee was intercepted off the coast (he had identified the Exeter correctly)
these ships carried weapons normally of South America by a hunting group and two destroyers that were perhaps
only found on battleships. This meant comprising the cruisers HMS Ajax, escorting a nearby merchant fleet. He
that the only vessel that had a reasonable Achilles and Exeter. After the merchant quickly realised his mistake when the light

The Price of Disobedience

In his book, The Price of Disobedience: British cruiser, and that this battle ammunition (less than twenty
the Battle of the River Plate would be a glorious end to the minute’s worth of firing) fight his way
Reconsidered, the author Eric J. Grove Admiral Graf Spee’s tour. clear of even Montevideo, let alone
puts forward a slightly different and reach open seas, and now he believed
Thus, the implication is that, by
somewhat convincing perspective on there was a vastly superior British
disobeying his orders, Langsdorff
the battle. In it he states that Hans force waiting for him just beyond the
lost his ship, many of his crew, and
Langsdorff knew full well that he horizon (an effect greatly encouraged
handed the British their first naval
was engaging three British cruisers, by HMS Ajax and Achilles, and the
victory of the war just when they
and did so against Berlin’s express newly arrived heavy cruiser HMS
needed it most.
instructions which had commanded Cumberland, making smoke which was
him to avoid just this kind of battle. The returning communiqué was less clearly visible from the port).
than helpful. He could not stay
Berlin’s concern was that, even if
in Uruguay. He could not,
the Admiral Graf Spee won such an
with a damaged ship and
engagement, she might be so badly
greatly depleted
damaged that the Royal Navy could
easily catch and destroy her later.
Langsdorff’s reasoning was that his
mission was close to an end anyway,
his ship far more powerful than any
Admiral Graf Spee

76
cruisers, HMS Ajax and Achilles, started way with just a skeleton crew (the rest three British cruisers, simply because the
steaming toward Admiral Graf Spee, forcing being left ashore), but she only sailed a relatively small Kriegsmarine could not
him to break off from the Exeter, probably little way down the River Plate before afford to lose any any ships to Britain.
saving her in the process. Badly damaged dropping anchor. A short while later,
herself, the Exeter withdrew but she had the Admiral Graf Spee blew herself up, The Battle of the River Plate scenario
already done enough; one of her shells intentionally scuttled by her crew. Hitler below, presents an opportunity to try all
had destroyed the Admiral Graf Spee’s fuel was furious at what Langsdorff had sorts of counter-tactics and stratagems
processing system, effectively leaving the done, as he had particular views on by which Langsdorff might have won
ship with just sixteen hours’ worth of fuel senior officers capitulating, a policy that this fight. Why did Langsdorff not simply
and no friendly port to repair or refuel. would cause many problems for army maintain range with the British ships and
officers when they later invaded Russia. blast them apart with his heavier and
After an exchange of gunfire with HMS longer ranged guns? (Counter: Langsdorff
Ajax and Achilles, during which Admiral Graf Langsdorff and the remaining crew knew the British cruisers were faster and
Spee knocked out two of Ajax’s turrets escaped south by boat to Buenos Aires, could dictate the range of the engagement
while managing to evade return torpedo Argentina (who was far more favourably or break it off as they saw fit.) Why not
fire, she finally turned away to limp disposed towards Germany at the time). sail for Buenos Aires first rather than
towards the neutral port of Montevideo. There, he shot himself. Montevideo? (Counter: The journey
The British ships opted to shadow her, was much longer, would have consumed
probably wondering why they had not In the final analysis, Britain had little to lose half of all his remaining fuel, and he had
been blown out of the water by what was in this engagement. Because any German no idea what other British forces were
still a superior warship. raider would eventually have to return lurking nearby.) Why not steam out of
home to Germany, the cruisers only had to Montevideo with all guns blazing and
With the Admiral Graf Spee at port, the damage the Admiral Graf Spee sufficiently to go down like a true hero? (Counter:
British went to work on two fronts. make the journey impossible or downright Langsdorff was unlucky, not mad, and
First, British diplomats put pressure on dangerous. That way, a sizeable portion of did not see the sense in his crew dying
the Uruguayan government. International the Royal Navy, which included full-sized needlessly, despite what Hitler might have
law stated that a ship at war could not battleships, could intercept her long before preferred.) Like so many things, history
stay in a neutral port for more than 72 she reached German waters. If the worst allows us to second guess decisions made
hours, and the British wanted her gone came to the worst, and the Admiral Graf by individuals, but never forget that such
in a lot less time than that. They had the Spee managed to sink all three cruisers, it decisions were made in the heat of the
advantage here as Uruguay had always would have been tragic. Churchill might moment and with far less information
been more disposed toward the Allies have shed few tears at their loss, but their than we possess today
and had strong ties with Britain. loss would have done nothing to change
the balance of power the Royal Navy had The battle was won by bluff rather than
Second, British intelligence services, over the Kriegsmarine. mighty guns, but Churchill did not mind.
operating from the embassy in It was a victory at a time when the world
Montevideo, made sure news reached Conversely, the Admiral Graf Spee was was rapidly turning darker and Europe was
Langsdorff’s ears of a massive Royal operating far from home with little falling under the heel of Nazi Germany.
Navy force steaming towards him, support and if she were seriously
including the carrier HMS Ark Royal and damaged, there would be few places she As Churchill himself said:
battlecruiser HMS Renown. This was in could stop to repair and there was always
fact true, but Langsdorff was unaware the chance a heavier British force would “The brilliant sea fight which Admiral
that they would not be in position for catch up to her when she was critically Harwood conceived and which you
the better part of a week. wounded – with the resulting battle executed, those who are here executed,
being a foregone conclusion. The loss of takes its place in our naval annals, and
Langsdorff asked the Uruguayan the Admiral Graf Spee was comparably I may add that in a dark, cold winter it
government for two weeks in order to more serious than the potential loss of warmed the cockles of the British heart.”
make repairs, but was refused (British
diplomats had, by this time, realised that
they did not want the Admiral Graf Spee
sailing immediately, as their heavy ships
would not be around to defeat her, and
so they organised French and British
merchants to leave the port at staggered
intervals – being an enemy warship,
international law stated that Admiral
Graf Spee would not be allowed to leave
when they did). With limited options,
Langsdorff buried his dead, released
some British prisoners that had been
taken from merchant ships, and then
contacted Germany for instructions.

Left with little choice, Langsdorff

ordered the Admiral Graf Spee under The Admiral Graf Spee heads to Montivideo

77
 Battle of the River Plate

SCENARIO: THE BATTLE OF THE RIVER PLATE

Kriegsmarine Fleet
• Deutschland-class Cruiser (Admiral 1) Exeter; 2) Ajax; 3) Achilles
Graf Spee).
a) Admiral Graf Spee

Royal Navy Fleet

• Two Leander-class Cruisers
(HMS Ajax and Achilles).

• York-class Cruiser (HMS Exeter). a

German Exit Zone
Pre-Battle Preparation
Both fleets are placed on the table
as shown.

Scenario Rules Royal Navy Deployment Zone

1
None. 2 3
6"

Optional Rules
If, as some say, Langsdorff was aware
Game Length Victory and Defeat
that he was engaging British cruisers, The game continues until either If one fleet destroys the other, it gains a
why not engage the enemy cruisers fleet withdraws or has been destroyed. Major Victory.
at night? Thanks to the Admiral Graf
Spee’s fledgling radar, she would have Alternatively, the game ends when the If the Admiral Graf Spee leaves the
been able to play cat and mouse with Admiral Graf Spee leaves the table from battlefield from its designated edge, a
the British cruisers in the dark. Assume the table edge shown on the chart. Minor Victory goes to the fleet that
the battle occurs at night. caused the most points of damage.

In 1918, the German fleet surrendered them to the enemy. This meant having construction programme began.
itself and sailed to the Royal Navy base in the ability to destroy the enemy fleet However, a handful of older vessels
Scapa Flow where they were impounded. (and, in the 1930s, strategic thinking was were still in evidence. The SMS
While there, the German crews scuttled aimed chiefly at the Royal Navy which, Schleswig-Holstein was actually a pre-
every ship, thus both saving face and even after the Washington Treaty, still First World War, pre-dreadnought
depriving Britain of a powerful fleet sailed oceans all over the world), and battleship, displacing just 14,000 tons.
of warships. This proved to be an deny the sea to their merchant shipping. Nonetheless, she has the distinction
important factor at the start of the At the outbreak of war, the battleship for being used to fire the first shots
Second World War, Britain (and many was still seen as the central weapon for of World War Two, bombarding the
other nations) could rely on a number these duties and battle fleets were built Westerplatte fortress outside the free
of warships that were still sailing from around them. city of Danzig (now Gdańsk), in Poland.
the previous war, though modernised
to varying degrees. The Kriegsmarine, Hitler ordered the Kriegsmarine
however, was forced to start almost rebuilt, strong enough to
from scratch, and under the restrictions face the Royal Navy,
of the Treaty of Versailles. and a major

The task of the Kriegsmarine remained

the same as it had in the previous war;
to retain control of the seas and deny Bismarck

78
 German battleships at war

Battle of the sexes

When we got to Kola Bay at Murmansk and hove to, I happened to be on the bridge and the First Lieutenant told me to go down to
the iron deck and escort the Russian pilot up. When the Russian pilot's boat came alongside, a fur-clad figure came over our guard rail
and landed at my feet and I realised it was a woman, just over 5 feet tall (she was a four-ringed Captain in the Soviet Navy). Not knowing
if she spoke English or not I just beckoned to her and walked up the ladder to the bridge and she followed me up. Well, when I got to
the bridge and she followed, I said to No.1, 'The pilot, Sir.' He just stared at her, dumbfounded and then called Captain Scott-Moncrieff
from out of his day cabin. He took one look at the lady pilot, turned his heel and just said, 'Take over, No. 1' and left.
Peter Smith, 'Destroyer Leader'

SCENARIO: ATTACK ON THE NORTHERN PATROL

The Scharnhorst was launched in 1936,
a fast vessel that displaced 32,000
rest of the convoy to escape while the
SS Rawalpindi was sunk.
Scenario Rules
tons; more than three times the size The rules for Bad Weather are used in
allowed for in the Treaty of Versailles. Two British cruisers, answering the this battle.
She was followed two months later by Rawalpindi’s distress signal, moved
her sister ship, the Gneisenau. At the
start of the war, the so called ‘pocket
to shadow the German ships while
the battleship HMS Warspite, and
Game Length
battleships,’ the Admiral Scheer and battlecruisers HMS Hood and Repulse The game continues until the Rawalpindi
Admiral Graf Spee, had already enjoyed raced to engage. Thanks to typical North withdraws or has been destroyed.
great success in the Atlantic and Indian Atlantic bad weather, the Scharnhorst and
Oceans, targeting British merchant
shipping while avoiding a direct
Gneisenau managed to escape. Victory and Defeat
confrontation with the Royal Navy, and
it was envisaged that the more powerful
Kriegsmarine Fleet If the Rawalpindi is destroyed within
5 turns, the Kriegsmarine gain victory.
Scharnhorst and Gneisenau would be • Two Scharnhorst-class Battleships
even more effective. (Scharnhorst and Gneisenau). If the Rawalpindi lasts longer than this
or manages to spot both Kriegsmarine
These two ships were different from
the battleships of the past. Like the
Royal Navy Fleet ships, victory goes to the Royal Navy
as while the ship is doomed, it will have
battlecruisers of the First World • Armed Merchant Cruiser (Rawalpindi) delayed the Kriegsmarine long enough
War, they were constructed light to for the rest of the convoy to escape and
obtain maximum speed but, unlike the alerted the Royal Navy to the presence
battlecruisers, it was not armour they
sacrificed, but armament. While their
Pre-Battle Preparation of the two German battlecruisers.

turrets only carried 11.1-inch guns, Both fleets are placed on the table as
they were more than sufficient for the shown on the chart.
Scharnhorst’s and Gneisenau’s intended
prey – the merchant shipping of Britain.
Their speed allowed them to range
far and wide, while their armament,
though light for a battleship, was more
than adequate to deal with the cruiser 1) Rawalpindi
and destroyer escorts of the early
merchantman convoys once they had a) Gneisenau; b) Scharnhorst
been caught. 1

This concept was proven in November

1939 off the coast of Iceland, when both
the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau caught a
British convoy escorted by the armed
merchant cruiser, Rawalpindi. Captain
Kennedy, commanding the Rawalpindi,
initially misidentified the Scharnhorst a
and thought he faced a single, lighter
commerce raider. When he realised, he b
had been trapped by two of Germany’s
newest battleships, he ordered his
ship to attack, knowing it would be a
hopeless battle but determined to go
down fighting. This decision allowed the 6"

79
 German battleships at war

SCENARIO: THE BATTLE OF STROMVAER

In April 1940, the Royal Air Force
spotted a fleet of German ships heading
across the North Sea to the ports of 1) Renown
Narvik and Trondheim, in Norway.
Though some were disguised, these a) Gneisenau; b) Scharnhorst
ships were carrying troops, signalling
Germany’s intent to invade Norway.
They were escorted by both the
Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. Thirty
U-boats were also deployed to protect
the troop ships.

Despite being alerted, the Home

Fleet of the Royal Navy was slow a
to respond to the presence of this
b
fleet and, under the cover of fog,
the German ships reached their
1
destinations (though one troop ship
had been sunk by a Polish submarine).
The other notable engagement was 6"
with a British destroyer (the HMS
Glowworm) which, after locating the
German fleet, rammed the heavy
cruiser Admiral Hipper and sank.
Pre-Battle Preparation At the end of each Movement Phase,
Both fleets are placed on the table as if Scharnhorst or Gneisenau exceed
The Home Fleet finally got its act shown on the chart. a Flank Speed of 4", roll a D6 for
together and caught up with the that ship. On a roll of a 6, one of
Kriegsmarine, leading to a confrontation
between the Gneisenau and Scharnhorst,
Scenario Rules the forward turrets has failed due
to water-logged equipment. Both
and the battlecruiser HMS Renown. The Royal Navy automatically has forward turrets can fail in this manner,
Scharnhorst developed a malfunction the initiative for the first three turns, but they can be repaired utilising
in her radar, which prevented her during which the Kriegsmarine may Damage Control (see page 46).
from engaging, and both Gneisenau not make any attacks as they have
and Renown sustained minor damage.
The German ships managed to use
been surprised. Game Length
a combination of manoeuvrability, Scharnhorst does not have use of the The battle lasts for 8 turns, after
superior speed and bad weather to Radar Special Trait. which the Kriegsmarine mistake
escape the pursuing Renown. arriving Royal Navy destroyers for a
The rules for Bad Weather are used in larger force.
The following scenario will allow you to this battle.
use the Victory at Sea rules to fight the Victory and Defeat
Battle of Stromvaer. Optional Rules Victory will go to the fleet that deals
Kriegsmarine Fleet The Scharnhorst and Gneisenau were
notoriously poor sea boats, especially in
the most Hull damage to the other
before the battle ends.
• Two Scharnhorst-class Battleships bad weather. This tended to exacerbate
(Scharnhorst and Gneisenau). another early war problem, poor turret
water tightness.
Royal Navy Fleet
• Renown-class Battleship
(HMS Renown).

Scharnhorst

80
 German battleships at war

The Scharnhorst hugs the Norwegian coastline

SCENARIO: GLORY HUNTING

In June 1940, the battle for Norway
was drawing to a close, with defeat 3
for Britain and France. As their fleets 1) Courageous; 2) Acasta; 3) Ardent 2
prepared to evacuate troops, the 1
Scharnhorst and Gneisenau attacked. a) Scharnhorst; b) Gneisenau
They caught the HMS Glorious, an
aircraft carrier used in the Norwegian Wind
a Direction
campaign, escorted by two destroyers
(the HMS Ardent and Acasta).

With a deck full of land-based RAF b

fighters, and following a course away
from the wind, the Glorious could not
quickly launch her available aircraft. A
hit by an early long-ranged shell from
the Scharnhorst ended any chance of
launching aircraft and the Glorious was
soon sinking. Despite this, the two
destroyers continued their attack, with
Acasta scoring a torpedo hit on the 6"
Scharnhorst – they paid for their daring
and were soon both at the bottom of
the sea themselves.
• Two A-class Destroyers
Game Length
Kriegsmarine Fleet (HMS Acasta and Ardent) The game continues until either fleet
withdraws or has been destroyed.
• Two Scharnhorst-class Battleships Pre-Battle Preparation
(Scharnhorst and Gneisenau).
Both fleets are placed on the table as
Victory and Defeat
Royal Navy Fleet shown on the chart. If one fleet manages to destroy
the other completely or force it to
• Courageous-class Carrier (HMS
Glorious, 5 Flights of Fairey Swordfish,
Scenario Rules withdraw, it will gain a Major Victory.

2 Flights of Gloster Gladiators). The HMS Glorious is unprepared to If one fleet manages to Cripple or
launch her flights and must make a destroy all enemy ships, it will gain a
• Note that the rest of the aircraft successful Crew Quality Check in order Minor Victory.
carried are RAF aircraft, incapable of to launch each Flight.
being launched.

81
 German battleships at war

The Channel Dash (Operation Cerberus)

In February 1942, Scharnhorst and ships sailed from Brest to make the 39 bombers actually found the ships,
Gneisenau, along with the heavy dash through the Channel. and every one of them missed with
cruiser Prinz Eugen and escort ships, their bombs. This level of performance
The ships slipped out of the harbour
were at port in Brest (north-western was repeated by the coastal batteries
at night and completely wrong-
France) to refuel and rearm after footed the British from the start, near Dover, who also managed to miss
conducting attacks on Allied shipping who had been expecting them to with every shot fired.
in the Atlantic. While there, they were leave during the day and so pass Finally, the six destroyers tasked
subject to constant air attack and so the chokepoint between Dover and with leaping out of the Thames
the decision was made to bring them Calais at night, when they would be Estuary in a surprise attack were
back to home bases in Germany. in range of coastal batteries. completely surprised themselves,
The Kriegsmarine favoured the They were spotted in the Channel and as the German ships started
long passage north, through the by a couple of Spitfires but, because their Channel Dash, they were in
Denmark Strait, round Iceland the pilots had not been tasked the North Sea, practising with their
and the Shetland Isles, and down with finding the ships and had guns. Quickly steaming south in an
through the North Sea, effectively been ordered to maintain radio effort to catch the German ships,
skirting the British mainland silence, did not report this until the destroyers managed only a single
and keeping it at arm’s length. after they had landed. Even so, the salvo of torpedoes, all of which
However, Hitler had other ideas. news took a long time to float up missed. Return fire heavily damaged
Looking at charts, he saw there to the higher ranks of the Royal one of them, the HMS Worcester.
was a much faster route – through Navy. Motor torpedo boats and It can be argued that this action
the English Channel… six Fairey Swordfish were launched effectively removed German
Given that the orders had come to intercept the ships but achieved capital ships from the Atlantic but,
from the Führer, a great deal of nothing but the loss of all planes. overall, it was a shocking display
preparation went into this operation, When the Royal Air Force woke up of ineptitude by the British. Three
including the deployment of to the fact that German ships were German ships (and big ones at that)
minesweepers, air cover both day slipping past right under their noses, managed to slip through the tightest
and night, radar-jamming stations nearly 700 aircraft were detailed to area of water closest to Britain,
and the redeployment of destroyers. search for and attack them. However, when the British were expecting
It was February 1942 before the out of this massive aerial armada, only them to make the move.

SCENARIO: BATTLE OF THE DENMARK STRAIT

In 1939, the Bismarck was launched. to sea with some dangerous design first mission, to join Germany’s other
This was a big moment for both Hitler flaws. As would become apparent, the battleships and heavy cruisers in the
and the Nazi party in general. This anti-aircraft weaponry was insufficient Atlantic to raid merchant vessels. First,
was the most powerful Kriegsmarine and the crew not as well trained in however, it would have to slip past a
battleship yet launched, defining their use as they might have been, as watchful British Navy.
German engineering and German will, evidenced by their failure to defend the
excelling anything else afloat. It is a ship against a small number of slow- The ship was first spotted by a Swedish
shame she only lasted 277 days. moving and lightly armoured torpedo cruiser as it sailed past Norway, and
bombers (it has to be remembered that this was later confirmed by a Royal Air
Bismarck has been renowned for no ships in this period of the war had Force reconnaissance Spitfire, despite
possessing the most up-to-date the anti-aircraft protection enjoyed by Bismarck being anchored in a deep fjord
technology available to a warship of the later vessels). and wreathed in fog.
time, extremely heavy weaponry and
a very well-trained crew. In exercises, The Bismarck could also not be At this point, the crew had no idea
the Bismarck’s crew managed to get a steered using propellers alone though, they had already been spotted and
broadside fire rate on her main guns despite the nature of its demise, this continued on their way, accompanied
of one round every twenty seconds, a was unlikely to be a factor in its final by the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, to
healthy dose of firepower considering sinking. Also, it should be kept in mind the Denmark Strait (the patch of sea
there were eight of these15-inch main that Bismarck’s greatest triumph was between Greenland and Iceland). It
guns. All of this, when taken together against a lighter-armoured ship 20 was here they would have their first
made Bismarck seem invincible. years her senior. encounter with the Royal Navy, an
engagement with the battlecruiser
However, hindsight gives a different After a personal visit by Hitler in May HMS Hood and the battleship HMS
perspective and Bismarck certainly set 1941, the Bismarck was deployed on her Prince of Wales.

82
 German battleships at war

Bismarck first ran into two British heavy

cruisers, the HMS Suffolk and Norfolk, a
but before she could open fire, they b
disappeared into a thick bank of fog.
Here, the commander of the Bismarck,
Admiral Günther Lütjens (incidentally,
not the ego-fuelled Nazi portrayed in the
film Sink the Bismarck – he was neither
– and even refused to give the Nazi
salute in front of Hitler), made a mistake.
Though both Bismarck and the British
ships had radar, he believed the cruisers
had not only not seen his ship visually,
but that their radar beams would not
return to them to give his position due
to presumed inefficiencies in the design. 1
Despite this low estimation of British 1) Prince of Wales; 2) Hood
radar technology, Lütjens was equally
convinced that the British would be able a) Prinz Eugen; b) Bismarck
2
to detect Bismarck’s and Prinz Eugen’s 6"
radar emanations and thus order his own
radar to be left off.
Kriegsmarine Fleet Holland (British task force commander
He was wrong. The cruisers had seen • Bismarck-class Battleship (Bismarck) on the HMS Hood) ordered firing to
him, and they could track him on begin on the leading ship, Prinz Eugen,
radar, so the British now knew the • Admiral Hipper-class Cruiser believing from her position that she
Bismarck was in the area. Presuming (Prinz Eugen) was Bismarck. HMS Prince of Wales
the Bismarck was going to rendezvous successfully identified and engaged
with Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, a
meeting of superior warships that
Royal Navy Fleet Bismarck, whereas Hood fired at Prinz
Eugen for some time. For this battle
could not be allowed to happen, the • Admiral-class Battleship the German player can choose to swap
British acted quickly, sending HMS (HMS Hood) the position of his ships, and both
Hood and Prince of Wales to intercept Hood and Prince of Wales must make
and engage. • King George V-class Battleship Crew Quality checks to identify which
(HMS Prince of Wales). ship is which. The British may fire at
It has to be remembered that while either even if they are unidentified,
the HMS Hood was ageing (her design
dated back to the First World War),
Pre-Battle Preparation with the German player secretly
tracking the results.
she was not only considered the most Both fleets are placed on the table as
powerful vessel in the Royal Navy and shown on the chart. Both HMS Suffolk and Norfolk tried
its flagship but, at the time, she was to engage Bismarck during the action,
quite possibly the most famous ship
in the world, the symbol of British
Scenario Rules but both started the battle well out of
range and neither possessed a sufficient
Imperial naval might. No special rules are used in this scenario. speed advantage over Bismarck to be
able to close the range. For this battle,
It was not to be the clash of titans
that was expected. Within just a few
Optional Rules assume the two cruisers were close
enough and move them onto the table
minutes of the battle starting on 24 The King George V-class from the northern edge of the chart at
May, the HMS Hood took a direct hit battleship would gain a reputation the start of turn 3.
through its thin deck armour from for inconsistent main battery
one of Bismarck’s plunging shells and
exploded, sinking with all but three of
performance. The freshly
commissioned HMS Prince of Wales
Game Length
her crew. (she still had civilian workmen on The game continues until either fleet
board) was particularly vulnerable. withdraws or has been destroyed.
Prinz Eugen and Bismarck then turned Each time a 1 is rolled for a turret
their attention to the HMS Prince
of Wales, forcing her to withdraw
AD, roll a second dice. On a roll of
a 2 or 3, reduce the turret AD by 1,
Victory and Defeat
under cover of smoke after sustaining on a roll of a 1, the entire turret is If one fleet manages to destroy
damage, including a nasty hit to the jammed and cannot be used. Each lost the other completely, it will gain a
bridge. This was a decided victory for AD and the jammed turret can be Major Victory.
the Kriegsmarine. repaired using Damage Control.
If one fleet manages to sink one
The following scenario will allow you to Bismarck and Prinz Eugen are visually ship and forces the other to make
use the Victory at Sea rules to fight the very similar when viewed from long a Tactical Withdrawal, it will gain a
Battle of the Denmark Strait. range. During the actual battle, Admiral Minor Victory.

83
 German battleships at war

SCENARIO: PURSUIT OF THE BISMARCK

Back in Britain, news of the loss of
HMS Hood was met with disbelief and
outrage; one of the true icons of Empire 1) Piorun; 2) Maori; 3) Cossack; 4) Sikh; 5) Zulu
had been lost and there could only
be one adequate response – sink the a) Bismarck
Bismarck at any cost.

While the Royal Navy and Royal

Air Force scoured the ocean to
find Bismarck, the German ship was a
planning to head to the French port
of St. Nazaire for repairs, as she had 1
developed a serious oil leak and had lost 2
speed. The Prinz Eugen was released to
independently continue her commerce
raiding mission. 3

It was a Royal Air Force Catalina that 4

spotted the Bismarck – now the Royal 5
Navy had its target and began to close in. 6"
However, despite its damage, the Bismarck
could still hold pace with the British fleet
and unless it slowed down, there was a The following scenario will allow you The HMS Maori and Piorun start the
chance it could escape a second time. to use the Victory at Sea rules to fight battle having spotted the Bismarck.
The carriers HMS Victorious and Ark Royal this battle.
deployed their Swordfish armed with The Bismarck has 8 points of damage
torpedoes and attacked the Bismarck.
During the Ark Royal’s Swordfishes’ attack,
Kriegsmarine Fleet and she has suffered a Vital Systems
Rudder Critical forcing her to turn to
the Bismarck was struck by a torpedo and • Bismarck-class Battleship (Bismarck) the left, and her speed is limited to 3".
had its rudder jammed so that it could
only turn to port (left). It was the break
the Royal Navy needed.
Royal Navy Fleet Game Length
• Four Tribal-class Destroyers The game continues until either fleet
In the night of 26 May, the 4th Destroyer (HMS Cossack, Maori, Sikh, and Zulu) withdraws or has been destroyed, or
Flotilla, led by Admiral Philip Vian, the Bismarck is not spotted by any Royal
located Bismarck and launched an • N-class Destroyer (HMS Piorun) Navy ship for a full turn.
attack. Illuminating the bigger ship with
star shells, the destroyers launched
many torpedoes, but failed to score
Pre-Battle Preparation Victory and Defeat
any hits before being forced to retreat Both fleets are placed on the table as If one fleet manages to destroy the
under the threat of the Bismarck’s guns. shown on the chart. other completely, it will gain a Major
However, their constant harrying allowed Victory. If the Bismarck is not spotted
the British to continue to track the
Bismarck’s position while the German
Scenario Rules by any Royal Navy ship for a full turn,
the Kriegsmarine player will gain a
crew was denied much needed rest. This battle is fought at night. Minor Victory.

SCENARIO: SINK THE BISMARCK!

As day broke on 27 May, Bismarck The two battleships had fired over Bismarck capsized and then
was now all but a sitting target, but 700 shells at Bismarck, many at very disappeared beneath the waves, taking
that meant little as the battleships close range, leaving the German ship over 2,000 of her crew with her. The
HMS King George V and Rodney, a sinking wreck, the HMS Dorsetshire most powerful battleship in the world
arriving before the heavy cruisers HMS firing a pair of torpedoes that had been sunk, though she had gone
Dorsetshire and Norfolk, piled in with hastened the sinking. down, not with a whimper, but in a
everything they had. blaze of glory.
It is possible the HMS Rodney fired
The British bombardment lasted an
hour, though Bismarck returned fire as
a torpedo too in this engagement,
which would make it the only time
Kriegsmarine Fleet
strongly as her crew could muster. one battleship torpedoed another. • Bismarck-class Battleship (Bismarck)

84
 German battleships at war

Royal Navy Fleet

1) Nelson; 2) King George V; 3) Norfolk (entry point); 4) Dorsetshire (entry point)
• Nelson-class Battleship (HMS Nelson)
a) Bismarck
• King George V-class Battleship
(HMS King George V) 3

• Two Norfolk-class Cruisers

(HMS Norfolk and Dorsetshire)
1

Pre-Battle Preparation a
Both fleets are placed on the table as 2
shown on the chart.

Scenario Rules
HMS Norfolk and Dorsetshire move 4
on from their table edges on the
fourth turn. 6"

The Bismarck has 8 points of damage

and she has suffered a Vital Systems
Optional Rules Victory and Defeat
Rudder Critical forcing her to turn to The King George V-class battleship If one fleet manages to destroy
the left and her speed is limited to 3". would gain a reputation for inconsistent the other completely, it will gain a
main battery performance. Each time a Major Victory.
Game Length 1 is rolled for a turret AD, roll a second
dice. On a roll of a 1 or 2, reduce the If one fleet manages to sink one ship
The game continues until either fleet turret AD by 1. Each lost AD can be and forces the other to make a Tactical
withdraws or has been destroyed. repaired using Damage Control. Withdrawal, it will gain a Minor Victory.

The Tirpitz
The Tirpitz, the sister ship of sink the Tirpitz, to remove her repairs started immediately,
Bismarck, had a somewhat less ever-present danger. In October and Tirpitz remained a threat
illustrious history, her main benefit 1943, the British tried midget (though whether it was a credible
to Germany being to cause paranoia submarines (also called X-craft). threat strains belief, given the
among the British admiralty. She Towed into position by larger superiority of the Royal Navy over
spent much of her war in the relative Submarines, the X-craft could Kriegsmarine surface ships at
safety of Norwegian fjords but could slide under anti-torpedo nets to this time and the lack of adequate
not be ignored as Tirpitz remained attach mines to their target. Three air cover).
a powerful battleship that could, in managed to make their way to
theory, sally out at any time. The A range of other attacks were
the Tirpitz and though one was
Royal Navy was thus obligated to planned throughout 1944 but
spotted and destroyed, the others
guard against such a possibility. were either cancelled or else came
completed their mission and caused
to nothing. Finally, the big guns,
Tirpitz was used as part of a fleet to a respectable amount of damage to
so to speak, were brought out.
safeguard against a potential break the ship, including the dislodging of
In November 1944 a force of 32
out of the Soviet Baltic Fleet (which a turret which could not easily be
Lancaster bombers dropped 29
never happened) and attempted repaired in Norway.
Tallboys (a 12,000 lb. smaller cousin
two missions to intercept Allied In April 1944, the British tried to the Grand Slam ‘earthquake
convoys to the Soviet Union. again, this time with Barracuda bomb’) on the Tirpitz. Though
However, the only time she dive-bombers launched from the many missed, they destroyed the
fired her guns in anger was in carriers HMS Victorious, Furious underwater sandbank that had been
September 1943, against the island and four escort carriers. The first built to stop the ship from capsizing.
of Spitzbergen (north of Norway,
wave achieved complete surprise As it was, only two direct hits were
inside the Arctic Circle) upon which
and Tirpitz’s anti-aircraft fire was needed to blast a large hole through
was a British refuelling station.
sluggish, resulting in the loss of the ship’s bottom which caused
Of more interest is the methods only two aircraft while the ship the Tirpitz to capsize. The Tirpitz
the British tried to neutralise and took significant damage. However, bogeyman was finally gone.

85
Since late 1941 the Allies had been pushing convinced that the Germans, having Later, as the battle developed, he seemed
a constant stream of supplies to northern missed the chance to engage so many to forget them, failing to recall them
Russia, the famous ‘Arctic Convoys’. These convoys, would certainly come after JW to support the flagship and eventually
were opposed by German air, surface 55B and RA 55A. Thus, the Home Fleet ordering them home – this was unusual
and submarine forces operating out of was on alert and a powerful covering behaviour for an admiral who served
northern Norway; amongst the surface force of cruisers was at sea. On the much of his time in destroyers!
ships arranged against the convoys were evening of 25 December 1943, following a
capital ships such as Tirpitz, Scharnhorst and day of Christmas celebrations, Scharnhorst The Scharnhorst, therefore, continued her
Admiral Scheer. To counter these vessels, set sail from Langefjord with five escorting foray to all intents and purposes alone.
the Arctic Convoys were provided with destroyers, her mess decks still festooned Early on the morning of Boxing Day,
‘distant escorts’, task groups centred on with Christmas decorations. Scharnhorst 26 December, Scharnhorst encountered
one or two battleships, an aircraft carrier and her consorts made a quiet exit but Burnett and his cruisers. Despite superior
(if the season was right – they generally did hopes that their sailing was a secret from intelligence, Burnett’s ships were out of
not operate in winter) and escorting units. the British were unfounded. position, but skilful handling meant they
The convoy itself would be provided with were able to take the fight to Scharnhorst.
its own escort to guard against air and sub- Unknown to the Germans, ‘Station X’, the In a short action the heavy cruiser HMS
surface attack. intelligence facility at Bletchley Park, was Norfolk scored a decisive hit, knocking out
intercepting and de-cyphering German Scharnhorst’s radar. In the poor weather
Despite such spectacular events as the signals. Within hours of the German conditions this reduced Scharnhorst
mauling of convoy PQ 17, the Arctic squadron sailing, the Admiralty was aware to a state of near blindness. Bey drew
Convoys were highly successful, and a of the plan. Fraser, currently at sea in his Scharnhorst off, seeking another way
serious thorn in the Kriegsmarine’s side. flagship, the battleship HMS Duke of York, around the troublesome cruisers. Burnett
Indeed, the successful defence of Convoy was informed that Scharnhorst was sailing, turned away, apparently against the
JW 51B against the Admiral Scheer and exactly as he predicted. He now had time traditions of the Royal Navy, but in fact
Admiral Hipper almost sounded the death to consider the forces available to him and aiming to position himself again between
knell for the German heavy surface units; draw up a battle plan. As well as Fraser’s Scharnhorst and the convoy.
following the failure of Admiral Scheer covering force and the convoy’s own
and Admiral Hipper against a handful of escort, another squadron of Home Fleet Sensing the convoy to be close at
destroyers and light cruisers, Hitler flew cruisers, commanded by Rear-Admiral hand, Bey tried again to force his way
into a rage and demanded that all big Robert Burnett in HMS Belfast was in the through, but was again beaten off by
ships be scrapped. It was only through Barents. Burnett was ordered to close Burnett’s cruisers, which had by this
Admiral Donitz’s careful diplomacy that with the convoy to provide a close escort. time been reinforced by the destroyers
this decision was reversed. Fraser’s plan was for HMS Belfast, with HMS Musketeer, Opportune, Virago and
the cruisers HMS Norfolk and Sheffield, Matchless from Convoy RA 55A. This
However, despite this stay of execution to hold Scharnhorst off from the convoy time Scharnhorst landed several hits on her
things were still on a knife edge. Between and keep her occupied whilst HMS Duke adversaries with HMS Norfolk suffering
the beginning of November and middle of York, accompanied by the light cruiser two 11-inch hits that wrecked X turret
of December 1943, no less than three HMS Jamaica and four destroyers, worked and sliced across 1 Deck amidships.
eastbound and two westbound Arctic round to the south to cut her off from However, again the tenacity of the British
Convoys managed to reach their her home base. cruisers persuaded Bey to draw off and
destinations without loss. Donitz, coming seek another way past. Foiled for the
under increasing pressure from Hitler to Despite early optimism, Bey’s plans to second time, Bey decided to withdraw for
stop the rot, was ordered to mount a find and engage the convoys ran into the moment; Scharnhorst headed south at
sortie by one of the Kriegsmarine’s few early trouble. The sea state was high high speed with HMS Belfast and Sheffield
remaining heavy surface ships to stem which placed an intolerable load on his now in hot pursuit. Unbeknownst to Bey,
the flow of supplies to Russia. One ship destroyers. German destroyers were not he was being herded straight towards
was available at the time, the Scharnhorst, noted for their seakeeping, and the later HMS Duke of York whose radar was
under the command of Admiral Erich 1936A type, of which Bey’s destroyers working well, picking up Scharnhorst
Bey. The targets were to be the Convoys were part, suffered more than most due at 23 miles. In an excellent display of
JW 55B and RA 55A, both timed to to their incredibly heavy forward turrets radar directed gunnery, HMS Duke of
pass the northern tip of Norway over (two of his destroyers, Z29 and Z30 were York succeeded in hitting the German
the next two days. German thinking completed before the heavy turrets were battlecruiser with her first salvo.
was that, since five convoys had passed ready and fitted with single lightweight
unmolested, the British would be lulled mounts – however their seakeeping Despite the surprise, there was still
into a false sense of security and thus the qualities were not that much better than a hope that Bey could outrun her
convoys would be lightly protected. their overweight sisters). The destroyers pursuers; Scharnhorst could outpace her
were almost reduced to a state of pure larger attacker by a good 3 knots. Bey
On the contrary, Commander-in-Chief survival. Bey detached his destroyers early headed for home and soon extended the
Home Fleet Admiral Bruce Fraser was in the campaign to form a search line. distance between himself and Fraser in

86
Duke of York. A dejected Fraser realised was aided by a German mistake – early in More torpedoes followed. HMS
the fruitlessness of continued pursuit and the action the crews of the German AA Belfast and Jamaica were ordered to
ordered his ships to disengage, but as guns were sent below to shelter. Their sink her with torpedoes, but as HMS
he did so Scharnhorst appeared to slow. 4.1-inch AA mounts would have been Belfast launched her fish, Scharnhorst
A 14-inch shell from what would have excellent anti-destroyer weapons but disappeared from the radar screen.
probably been Duke of York’s final salvo the order sending the crews away was A series of muffled underwater
had penetrated Scharnhorst’s armoured never countermanded and Scharnhorst’s explosions marked her sinking as she
deck, wrecking one of the boiler rooms powerful close-in armament lay quiet). slipped beneath the waves. Only 36
and cutting her speed to 22 knots. That HMS Saumarez was hit in the bridge, but of her complement of 1,963 men
one shot sealed Scharnhorst’s fate. by and large the destroyers were able to survived. A survey of the wreck in
engage Scharnhorst at close range with 1999 by the Royal Norwegian
HMS Duke of York’s continued radar- little in the way of opposition. Hit by at Navy, showed her bows to have
directed gunnery began to tell as hit after least three torpedoes and pounded by been blown off back to the start of
hit was scored. Eventually Scharnhorst’s 14-inch shells at point blank range, the the superstructure by a magazine
fire slackened sufficiently to allow Admiral German battlecruiser was now dead in explosion, caused by one of the
Fraser to send in his destroyers (in this he the water. destroyer’s torpedoes.

SCENARIO: THE BATTLE OF NORTH CAPE

Royal Navy Home Fleet Force 1
(Admiral Burnett)
Norway
• Edinburgh-class Cruiser
(HMS Belfast)

• Norfolk-class Cruiser
(HMS Norfolk)

• Southampton-class Cruiser
(HMS Sheffield)

• Two M-class Destroyers Scharnhors

t
(HMS Musketeer and Matchless)

• Two O & V-class Destroyers

(HMS Opportune and Virago)
Home Fleet Force 1 Home Fleet Force 2

Royal Navy Home Fleet Force 2 6" Deployment Zone Deployment Zone

(Admiral Frazer)
• King George V-class Battleship
Scenario Rules Type 1936A-class destroyers (Z29 and
Z30), and three Type 1936A(Mob)-class
(HMS Duke of York) The game is played at night. destroyers (Z33, Z34, and Z38) to the
Kriegsmarine fleet. Deploy them within
• Fiji-class Cruiser (HMS Jamaica) The Scharnhorst does not have the 4" of Scharnhorst.
Radar trait
• Four S-class Destroyers
(HMS Saumarez, Stord, Savage, The Scharnhorst starts the battle
Game Length
and Scorpion) detected by HMS Duke of York. The game is played over 15 turns or
until Scharnhorst hasn't been detected
Kriegsmarine Fleet Before the battle begins, HMS Duke
of York will fire one salvo against
or spotted for 3 consecutive turns.

Scharnhorst-class Battleship
(Scharnhorst)
Scharnhorst. The first turn then starts
as normal.
Victory and Defeat
The British player wins if Scharnhorst
Pre-Battle Preparation Optional Rules has been sunk or Crippled by the end
if the game and HMS Duke of York is
The fleets are placed on the table This is a very challenging scenario not Crippled.
as shown on the chart. The Home for the Kriegsmarine player. To
Fleet forces can be arranged within make things a little easier, you can The German player wins if the
their deployment zones as the assume that Admiral Bey did actually British player fails to meet these
player wishes. remember his destroyers. Add two victory conditions.

87
On 9 July 1940, the Italian battle fleet Cunningham’s fleet included his on Cunningham’s ships and forged
clashed with the British Mediterranean flagship, the battleship HMS Warspite, ahead for battle, hoping for a weakened
fleet off Sardinia. The Italian fleet, led by as well as the battleships HMS Malaya enemy. In any case, Campioni knew
Admiral Inigo Campioni, included two and Royal Sovereign. His single aircraft his battleships could both out-run the
modernised fast battleships, the Conte di carrier, HMS Eagle, carried nothing British and out-range them. His cruisers
Cavour and the Giulio Cesare, along with more than Fairey Swordfish and three were also superior in both numbers and
16 cruisers, all protecting a convoy of Gloster Gladiators (the fleet’s only firepower. What was there to risk?
merchants taking supplies to land forces fighter protection) – hardly state of
in Libya. the art. The initial British response was a flight
of five Swordfish, launched by the HMS
The British had broken the radio codes Seventy-two bombers of the Regia Eagle, but they failed to score any hits
the Italians were using and knew what Aeronautica rained down bombs on with their torpedoes.
they were up to – this was subsequently the British fleet, but their weapons
confirmed by aerial reconnaissance. were too small to seriously affect By mid-afternoon, the two fleets finally
The Mediterranean fleet, based at the warships and were not all that came into sight of one another and the
Alexandria, sailed to intercept. accurately delivered in the first place Italian heavy cruisers started firing their
– their pilots had not been trained to 8-inch guns at the British light cruiser
The British were protecting a convoy attack moving ships, and the resulting screen at a range of about 13 miles. The
too, ships destined to take supplies to lack of solid hits was evident. The light British cruisers replied with their own
Malta and then carry evacuees from the cruiser HMS Gloucester was the only 6-inch guns but were outmatched until
island, back to Alexandria. Despite this, seriously damaged ship, having taken a the HMS Warspite moved in and began
Admiral Andrew Cunningham, leading hit to the bridge which killed the captain using her 15-inch main guns.
the British fleet, was determined to and several others present.
bring the Italians to battle. To that end, The Italian cruisers, wanting no part in
he steered his fleet for Taranto, hoping A Sunderland flying from Malta, located a duel with the larger ship, turned away
to put his ships between the Italian the Italian fleet and Cunningham under the cover of smoke. Now, the
force and their principle naval base. moved to engage, with the HMS Eagle battleships came within range of one
then launching Swordfish to find and another, and started to trade long-
However, the Italians had broken the shadow the Italians. By this time, the ranged fire.
British wireless codes as well, and they Regia Aeronautica had completely lost
were hoping to lure Cunningham into the British fleet and had no idea where Initial fire from the two Italian
range of their land-based bombers. they had sailed to. However, Campioni battleships was quite accurate, but
Indeed, they had no intention of actually launched several seaplanes from his no significant hits were made. Then a
engaging until this happened and the cruisers, which managed to locate the 15-inch shell from the HMS Warspite
British ships had been weakened or, incoming British. Campioni presumed crashed into the Giulio Cesare from an
better yet, sunk. the land bombers had taken their toll unprecedented range of 26,000 yards
(one of the longest naval artillery hits
in history) causing a raging fire on her
decks. The damage caused Campioni
to turn away, again under smoke.
Cunningham’s older, less updated
battleships could not match the speed
of the Italians and eventually he was
forced to give up the chase.

It was at this point that the heroes

of this piece, the Regia Aeronautica,
decided to show up and have another
go at a bombing run. Unfortunately
for Campioni, several aircraft mistook
his fleet for the British. Fortunately,
they proved no more effective than
they had earlier, and Campioni’s
fleet was able to sail back to Italy
while under their repeated attacks.
Interestingly, the Italian airmen
claimed damage to HMS Eagle,
Warspite and Malaya, although none of
Duel in the Med – British and Italian battleships slug it out them were hit.

88
SCENARIO: THE BATTLE OF CALABRIA
Regia Marina Fleet
1) Sidney; 2) Orion; 3) Liverpool; 4) Neptune; 5) Warspite;
• Fifty Flights of Savoia Marchetti SM.79 6) Malaya; 7) Royal Sovereign; 8) Eagle; 9) Gloucester
Sparviero with bombs
• Two Conte di Cavour-class Battleships
(Conte di Cavour & Giulio Cesare)
1
• Four Zara-class Cruisers 2
(Zara, Fiume, Gorizia & Pola) 3
• Two Trento-class Cruisers (Trento & Bolzano) 4 Regia Marina
Aircraft Flight
• Two Alberto da Giussano-class Cruisers Deployment Zone
(Alberico da Barbiano & Alberto da Giussano)
• Two Duca d’Aosta-class Cruisers 5
6
(Duca d’Aosta & Eugenio di Savoia)
7
• Two Raimondo Montecuccoli-class
Cruisers (Raimondo Montecuccoli & Muzio 6" 9
Attendolo)
• Two Duca degli Abruzzi-class light cruisers
8
(Duca degli Abruzzi, & Giuseppe Garibaldi) Regia Marina Deployment Edge
• Four Oriani-class Destroyers
(Vittorio Alfieri, Alfredo Oriani, Giosuè Pre-Battle Preparation Optional Rules
Carducci & Vicenzo Gioberti)
Some Royal Navy ships are placed on During the course of the battle, HMS
• Two Freccia-class Destroyers
the table as shown on the chart. The Warspite was forced to temporarily
(Freccia & Saetta)
rest are deployed as indicated here: breakoff engagement in order to allow the
• Two Navigatori-class Destroyers slower HMS Malaya to catch-up. While
(Leone Pancaldo & Ugolino Vivaldi) The Stuart is placed within 2" of the two ships had approximately the
• Eight Soldati-class Destroyers HMS Sydney. same top speed, Malaya’s hull was heavily
(Artigliere, Camica Nera, Aviere, Geniere, fouled, slowing her down. Treat Malaya’s
Lanciere, Carabiniere, Corazziere & Ascari) HMS Decoy, Hereward, Hero, Nubian top speed as 4" and the Warspite can
and Mohawk are placed within 3" of never be more than 10" away.
HMS Warspite.
Royal Navy Fleet The modern Italian battleships Littorio
• Two Queen Elizabeth-class Battleships HMS Hostile, Hasty, Hyperion, and Vittorio Veneto were both at Taranto,
(HMS Malaya & Warspite) Dainty, Defender, Ilex, Juno, Janus, almost ready for action and only a few
Vampire and Voyager are placed within hours from the scene. However, both
• Revenge-class Battleship 4" of HMS Malaya, Royal Sovereign, were still undergoing trials and Littorio
(HMS Royal Sovereign) or Eagle. had suffered an electrical mishap on one
• Eagle-class Carrier (HMS Eagle, carries of her main turrets. Add one or both
6 Flights of Swordfish) Eighteen Regia Marina aircraft Flights battleships, but Littorio’s B Turret is out
• Perth-class Cruiser (HMS Sydney) are placed in their deployment zone, as of action for the entire battle.
shown on the chart.
• Two Leander-class Cruisers
Cunningham dismissed the HMS Royal
(HMS Neptune & Orion)
• Two Gloucester-class Cruisers Scenario Rules Sovereign as a ‘constant source of anxiety,’
and did not even bother to try and push
(HMS Gloucester, 4 points of damage At the start of the third turn, all her forward into the battle. Royal Sovereign
sustained and Vital System Bridge Hit Royal Navy ships are moved 12" must remain within 5" of HMS Eagle to act
& HMS Liverpool) towards the east table edge and the as a full-time escort.
• Scott-class Destroyer (HMS Stuart) Regia Marina ships are deployed along
• Two Tribal-class Destroyers the south table edge, facing north. Game Length
(HMS Mohawk & Nubian)
At the start of the tenth turn, the The game continues until either fleet
• Five H-class Destroyers (HMS Hostile, remaining Regia Marina aircraft Flights withdraws or has been destroyed.
Hasty, Hyperion, Hereward & Hero) move on from the south table edge.
• Two J-class Destroyers (HMS Juno & Janus)
• Three D-class Destroyers
However, 12 of these Flights will be
under the control of the Royal Navy
Victory and Defeat
(HMS Dainty, Defender & Decoy) player who is free to use them to attack If one fleet manages to earn twice as
the Regia Marina fleet. many Victory Points as the other, it will
• I-class destroyers (HMS Ilex)
gain a Major Victory. Otherwise, the
• Two V&W-class Destroyers Flights may not dogfight one another in fleet that earns the most Victory Points
(HMS Vampire & Voyager) this scenario. will gain a Minor Victory.

89
At the outbreak of the Second World defended anchorage at Taranto. If this guns, rather than coming out to sea
War, Great Britain had the world’s strike succeeded, it could put one or where the attack might be a little less
largest and most powerful navy. No more Italian battleships or cruisers out suicidal. While the positions of barrage
single rival could threaten Britain’s naval of action, at least for a time. It was balloons at the port had been plotted,
might. That is, if it was all in one place even possible that a ship might be sunk. the slow Swordfish would still face the
– the only problem was, it couldn’t be. There was no way to know for sure, combined firepower of six battleships,
British naval strength had to cover a as this had never been tried before. nine cruisers, destroyers and twenty-
worldwide empire and trade network. Indeed, many naval experts were sure one shore-based anti-aircraft batteries,
In addition to maintaining a powerful aircraft alone could not seriously harm a along with two hundred-odd automatic
fleet in home waters, British ships had capital ship. weapons guided by searchlight. The
to deploy to the Far East, the Indian presence of the flying boat, despite the
Ocean, the North and South Atlantic, Air-dropped torpedoes had to be valuable information it provided may
and the Mediterranean. modified to work in the shallow have also alerted the defenders that
waters of a harbour and a new way of something was about to happen.
Britain had bases at each end of delivering them from very low altitude
the Mediterranean, at Gibraltar and had to be invented. To do this, torpedo- The British force included an escort
Alexandria. These protected the vital bombers would have to fly right into of cruisers and destroyers, but it was
shortcut through the Mediterranean the enemy base, which was defended by only aircraft from HMS Illustrious
and Suez Canal, and eventually to barrage balloons and anti-aircraft guns, that actually engaged the enemy. Half
India or Singapore. If that route were ships that had their own anti-aircraft of the Swordfish ambling into the
cut it meant a tedious voyage around armament, and likely Italian fighters on harbour were to attack the Italian
the Cape of Good Hope, which was patrol too. This was a job for a fast, fleet with torpedoes. Others were
rather optimistically renamed when high-performance aircraft that could fly equipped with flares to light up
the original title – Cape of Storms – in and out before the defenders could the harbour, and bombs to attack
proved unpopular. begin to react. anything else. The whole course of
the war in the Mediterranean would
Italy joined the Axis side soon after the Unfortunately, the British did not have rest on the actions of these 21 planes
outbreak of war. The Italian army was any aircraft like this. and their 42 airmen.
a little outdated, but the Regia Marina
was a lot more modern. The Italians had They used Swordfish instead. The Fairey In the harbour at Taranto were six
a strong force of submarines, destroyers Swordfish was in a lot of ways a pretty battleships, two of which were amongst
and cruisers, not to mention some of good aircraft. It was easy to fly and the best battleships in the world, seven
the most powerful battleships in the tolerant of abuse, versatile, and crews heavy and two light cruisers, and eight
world. Many of these ships berthed at liked it. It was also an obsolete biplane destroyers, with a whole lot of anti-
Taranto, right on the path of any vessel barely capable of 140 mph, and not very aircraft gunners. The Swordfish duly
trying to transit the Mediterranean. manoeuvrable. However, the Swordfish split into two attack waves.
was all the Fleet Air Arm had, so the
The British could match this force, but plan was put into action. In complete The first wave attacked from the
only by being weak somewhere else. defiance of the odds, the strike was south-west just before 2300. It
The Italian fleet posed a severe threat timed for 21 October – Trafalgar Day. consisted of twelve planes, six with
to the British war effort, and the threat Britain’s greatest naval triumph would torpedoes and six with bombs, in two
had to be reduced. Fortunately, there be celebrated by a new victory in the groups. The attack was disjointed,
already existed a plan to do just that. age of steel ships. What could possibly since part of the strike force had
go wrong? become lost in the clouds, but they
It had been obvious that war was stuck to their general orders: find
coming, and that the Italians (with their Well, both aircraft carriers earmarked the Italian ships and attack them. In
fleet) would join the Axis. As early as for the raid were damaged before the face of enthusiastic, but not very
1938, British planners had come up with they could assemble. HMS Eagle was well aimed, anti-aircraft fire from the
a way to neutralise the Regia Marina. damaged by the enemy, while HMS harbour defences and the ships, one
This was not a matter of just thinking Illustrious caught fire. of the bomb-armed Swordfish spotted
outside the box; their plan had never some oil tanks and successfully
even been attempted before and was HMS Illustrious was repaired in time attacked them.
thought by some as impossible. The for a rescheduled strike but HMS
tools to do the job existed, mostly, but Eagle remained out of commission and That set the standard for everyone
they were inadequate. donated her aircraft to Illustrious. A else; nobody was going home with
reconnaissance of Taranto by a flying a torpedo or bomb still under their
On 11–12 November 1940, the Royal boat launched from Malta confirmed aircraft. A torpedo-bomber outdid
Navy launched a torpedo-bomber strike the Italians were still sitting in their the first bomber by putting a torpedo
against the Regia Marina in its heavily fortified anchorage, surrounded by into the battleship Conte di Cavour but

90
didn’t live to tell the tale. Despite being and the ship was rapidly filling up with as well, a follow-up strike had been
sunk, the battleship survived. It was water. Her captain, an experienced planned but was cancelled due to bad
later raised and repaired. However, the naval officer, ran his ship aground to flying conditions). However, the move
Conti di Cavour never fought again, so prevent her from sinking. to Naples reduced the Italians’ ability
one plane had effectively been traded to interfere with Allied shipping in
for an entire battleship. Another Swordfish lined up on Caio the Mediterranean. The Royal Navy’s
Duilio and put a torpedo neatly into her astonishing nerve in launching the strike
Other Swordfish attacked the ship forward section, flooding the magazines contributed to a generally conservative
Andrea Doria, without success. However, serving the forward turrets. A torpedo- attitude on the part of the Regia Marina.
they somehow managed to emerge bomber trying to do the same to Vittorio
alive from the maelstrom of anti-aircraft Veneto was repeatedly hit by anti-aircraft The attack on Taranto was daring and had
fire. The rest of the wave put two fire. Understandably distracted, the crew a significant effect not just on the war in
torpedoes into the battleship Littorio missed their shot. Another aircraft was the Mediterranean but on naval warfare
and sent another towards Vittorio shot down around this time, bringing the as a whole. The balance of power among
Veneto, though it missed. Given that the Italians’ score up to two – two obsolete battleships had been shifted towards the
torpedo was dropped into in the middle biplanes, in return for heavy damage to Royal Navy but that was not as important
of a crowded harbour, it presumably hit the battle fleet. as it had first seemed. For the first time in
something but in a raid this audacious, history, one ship had successfully attacked
only capital ships counted. By that The embarrassment was completed others beyond visual range. The dawn of
reckoning, the bombs dropped on and when the last Swordfish, launched late air power had come to naval warfare and
around the cruiser and destroyer force and unable to catch up, flew into the things would not be the same again. The
didn’t get any points either. harbour alone and bombed a cruiser age of the battleship was fading and now
despite the focused attention of every fleets could only take to the sea if they
An hour later, after the anti-aircraft anti-aircraft gun. The strike force then also controlled the air.
crews had found time to reload their ambled home, leaving half of the Regia
guns, the nine Swordfish of the second Marina’s battleships out of action, one It should also be mentioned that this attack
wave (one had launched late and not of them permanently. was watched very closely by the Japanese
caught up en route) came in from the (who had always been keen to take the
northwest. Once again, the Italians fired Despite the odds being stacked against lead from British naval doctrine) and its
an enormous amount of ammunition them, the strike was a massive success. success led directly to the attack on Pearl
into the air as the torpedo-bombers Not only was Italian naval strength Harbor, from the use of carriers as the
attacked. Littorio was attacked by two greatly diminished but the fleet was main weapon to the fitting of wooden fins
torpedoes, one of which struck her. moved to Naples where it was less on air-launched torpedoes to allow them
This was the third hit she had taken, vulnerable (this was probably just to be used in shallow harbours.

Majestic Regia Marina battleships launch a night raid against the Royal Navy

91
SCENARIO: THE ATTACK ON TARANTO
Regia Marina Fleet Royal Navy Second Wave Deployment Zone 7 8 9
11
• Two Littorio-class Battleships 15 1 10
(Littorio and Vittorio Veneto). 16
17
• Two Caio Duilio-class Battleships 19 2
18 20
(Caio Duilio and Andrea Doria)
21 3
• Two Conte di Cavour-class
Battleships (Conte di Cavour and 4
Giulo Cesare) Torpedo
Barrage Balloons Nets 12 5
• Four Zara-class Cruisers Anti-Aircraft
(Zara, Goriza, Fiume and Pola) Emplacements 13 6
• Three Trento-class Cruisers
(Trento, Bolzano and Trieste) 14
• Two Duca degli Abruzzi-class Royal Navy
Cruisers (Duca degli Abruzzi and First Wave
Deployment Zone
Giuseppe Garibaldi)
• Four Oriani-class Destroyers 6"
(Alfredo Oriani, Vittorio Alfieri, Giosuè
Carducci and Vincenzo Gioberti) 1) Caio Duilio; 2) Giulio Cesare; 3) Littorio; 4) Vittorio Veneto; 5) Andrea Doria; 6) Conte di Cavour; 7) Trieste;
• Three Folgore-class Destroyers 8) Trento; 9) Bolzano; 10) Giuseppe Miraglia; 11) Libeccio; 12) Folgore; 13) Baleno; 14) Lampo; 15) Giosuè
Carducci; 16) Vittorio Alfieri; 17) Alfredo Oriani; 18) Vincenzo Gioberti; 19) Fiume; 20) Zara; 21) Goriza
(Folgore, Baleno and Lampo)
• Maestrale-class Destroyer (Libeccio)
• Seaplane Tender (Giuseppe Miraglia) The Royal Navy splits its Flights into The ships in the harbour are easy
two waves. The first wave is deployed targets. If a Royal Navy attack roll
• Twenty-One Medium normally as shown on the chart. The scores a natural 6, make two separate
AA Emplacements second wave moves onto the table damage rolls (the ship has been struck
from their zone in the sixth turn. by two torpedoes or bombs). In
addition, all Royal Navy Damage Dice
Royal Navy Fleet Scenario Rules may be re-rolled. These benefits do not
apply against a Regia Marina ship that is
• 5 Flights of Fairey Swordfish (each This scenario takes place at night, and the under way.
Flight armed with either Torpedoes British have Initiative for the entire scenario.
or Bombs). Bomb-armed Swordfish also carry
The Italian fleet is at anchor and begins aerial flares, which act like star shells.
Pre-Battle Preparation the battle at Speed zero. A ship can get
under way by making a successful Crew
The flares are released at the same
time bombs are dropped and can be
The Regia Marina fleet is placed on the Quality check at the end of each turn dropped with the bombs or separately.
table as shown on the chart. Barrage after the third turn and its Flank Speed
balloons and anti-aircraft emplacements
are also placed as shown on the chart.
cannot exceed 2" until it has been
under way for two turns.
Game Length
The game continues until all
Royal Navy Flights have withdrawn
or been destroyed.

Victory and Defeat

The Royal Navy gains a Major Victory
if it manages to cripple or sink at least
one battleship and at least one Flight
moves off the table.

If no Flights leave the table and a

battleship is crippled or sunk, the Royal
Navy gains a Minor Victory.

Anything else is a Major Victory for the

Regia Marina.
Under cover of darkness, British Swordfish make their torpedo runs

92
Despite possessing some excellent The Allies had to maintain their own naval There were two problems with
ships, the Regia Marina was distinctly forces in the area in case the Italian ships this plan. First, the Royal Navy
conservative during the Second World suddenly appeared, and that tied down was not really at a low ebb in the
War. Allied convoy escorts consisting of ships badly needed elsewhere. The Allies Mediterranean. In fact, it had an aircraft
only a few destroyers and the odd cruiser could not re-deploy their ships because carrier and three battleships in the
managed to see off powerful forces sent that would give the Regia Marina a free area. True, they were older designs,
out to intercept them, and much of the shot at the vital Mediterranean convoys, so but they had been modernised and
time the fleet did not come out from its they were forced to hang around, waiting were quite capable. Second, the Royal
harbours at all. Instead it hid in its bases, for something to happen. This was how Navy had rather better intelligence
where it was perfectly safe unless someone the Regia Marina weakened the Allies’ war than its opponent and already knew all
decided to wander in with a few obsolete effort for zero risk. However, it could not about the Italian plan.
biplanes and torpedo anything anchored continue forever. Convoys were getting
there. Perhaps due to the humiliation it through and Hitler was becoming more Alerts that the Italian fleet was about
had received at Taranto in 1940, the Regia impatient with his ally. to sortie came by way of signals
Marina was very nervous about aircraft and decryption, effectively reading the
the poor performance to date of the Regia Never the most reasonable (or rational) Italians’ own orders. This capability was
Aeronautica had not helped. of people, Hitler demanded action from so secret that the Allies would never
Italy, pressuring Mussolini to show his act upon information they received
Ultimately, the Regia Marina was forces were doing their part. It fell to the in this way unless they could pretend
unhappy about the idea of operating admirals to demonstrate what the Italian the intelligence had been obtained by
where enemy aircraft might encounter armed forces could do, and so a plan other means. In light of this, they sent a
its ships and preferred to make short was hatched to attack the Allied convoys reconnaissance plane to an area where
sorties under friendly air cover, or better in force. Learning from intelligence the Italians’ orders said they should be
yet, to employ a ‘fleet in being’ doctrine. sources that Allied naval strength in and acted surprised to see the Regia
This translated to a policy of having some the Mediterranean was at a low point, Marina fleet. They also made sure the
ships that were capable of coming out to the Regia Marina decided to launch a Italians knew they had been spotted by
fight, but rarely actually did anything. The raid in force – lots of force: seventeen the aircraft, ensuring nobody asked the
Italian ‘fleet in being’ policy succeeded to a destroyers, two light cruisers, six heavy obvious question, ‘How did they know
great extent. cruisers and the battleship Vittorio Veneto. we would be at sea today?’

SCENARIO: CRUISER CHASE

As the Italian force sailed towards Crete, Veneto spotted the British cruiser force, his superior force, Iachino ordered his
with the goal of hitting an Allied convoy or which was headed away to the south-east. cruisers to give chase and, for some time,
two, Admiral Cunningham was coming up Assuming the British were running from they pursued the British cruiser force.
from Alexandria with his three battleships
and the aircraft carrier HMS Formidable, Cape of
6"
while a force of cruisers was also en route Matapan
to join the ambush. Both groups had a
destroyer escort, and additional destroyers
could be detached from nearby convoys
if they proved necessary. It was about
now that the Italian commander, Admiral
Angelo Iachino, found out from his own
signals-intercept team that the British were CRETE
at sea, in force, and looking for a fight.

This was worrying, but Iachino’s ships 3 4 7

were faster than their likely opponents
2 6
and he was under great pressure to sink
something for the sake of Mussolini’s pride. 5
1
If he could hit a convoy and then steam
for home, it might appease Hitler for a 1) Ajax; 2) Orion; 3) Gloucester; 4) Perth; 5) Hasty; 6) Hereward; 7) Ilex a b
while and salve some national pride. For a e
while it looked like Iachino might do better a) Trieste; b) Trento; c) Bolzano; d) Ascari; e) Carabiniere; f) Corazziere d
c
than that as a seaplane from the Vittorio f

93
 The Battle of Matapan

• Gloucester-class Cruiser
Regia Marina Fleet (HMS Gloucester) Game Length
• Three Trento-class Cruisers • Two H-class destroyers After six turns, the Regia Marina will
(Trento, Bolzano and Trieste) (HMS Hasty and Hereward) break off the pursuit, making all efforts
to leave the table by the northern or
• Three Soldati-class Destroyers • I-class Destroyer (HMS Ilex) western table edges.
(Ascari, Corazziere and Carabiniere)
Victory and Defeat
Royal Navy Fleet Pre-Battle Preparation Victory Points are earned as normal in
• Two Leander-class Cruisers The fleets are placed on the table as this battle, though none are earned for
(HMS Ajax and Orion) shown on the chart above. Tactical Withdrawals. If one fleet gains
more Victory Points than its opponent, it
• Perth-class Cruiser (HMS Perth,)
Scenario Rules earns a Minor Victory. If one side manages
to earn more Victory Points and sink an
None. enemy ship, it gains a Major Victory.

SCENARIO: SECOND CRUISER CHASE

Eventually, worried that a larger British
6" Cape of
force might soon appear, the Italian
Matapan
cruisers turned back to rejoin the Vittorio
Veneto, at which point the British cruisers
also turned around and followed them. 7
This suited the Italians, who hoped they 3
could now lead the British into the guns 4
of their powerful flagship. This worked
reasonably well, and the Vittorio Veneto 6 2 CRETE
was soon able to open fire on the British 5
cruiser force at long range. 1

Deducing from the gigantic shell splashes

that they were under fire from something e b a
bigger than a cruiser (an officer on the 1) Ajax; 2) Gloucester; 3) Perth; 4) Ilex; f
bridge of the HMS Orion, while munching 5) Hereward; 6) Orion; 7) Hasty c
away on a sandwich, actually said “What’s g
a) Vittorio Veneto; b) Trento; c) Trieste;
that battleship over there? I thought d) Bolzano; e) Corazziere; f) Ascari; d
ours were miles away”), the British again g) Carabiniere
reversed course and made a run for it.
The Italians gave chase, but only managed
to cause some minor damage.
• Two H-class Destroyers
Game Length
Regia Marina Fleet (HMS Hasty and Hereward) The battle ends at the end of the
Eighth turn.
• Littorio-class Battleship • I-class Destroyer (HMS Ilex)
(Vittorio Veneto)
Victory and Defeat
• Three Trento-class Cruisers
Pre-Battle Preparation If the Royal Navy survives for eight
(Trento, Bolzano and Trieste) The fleets are placed on the table as turns and earns more Victory Points
shown on the chart. than the Regia Marina, it gains a Minor
• Three Soldati-class Destroyers Victory. If it does this without any ship
(Ascari, Corazziere and Carabiniere)
Scenario Rules being crippled or sunk, it gains a Major
Victory. Any other result is a Major
Royal Navy Fleet The Regia Marina player
automatically gains the Initiative
Victory for the Regia Marina.

• Two Leander-class Cruisers in the first turn.

(HMS Ajax and Orion)

• Gloucester-class Cruiser
(HMS Gloucester)

• Perth-class Cruiser
(HMS Perth) Vittorio Veneto

94
 The Battle of Matapan

Bristol Beaufighters

SCENARIO: THE BATTLE OF CAPE MATAPAN

Admiral Iachino reconsidered his options stop in order to avoid a collision. This the British fleet switched on powerful
when a flight of Albacore torpedo- made her an easy mark for a torpedo searchlights to illuminate their targets
bombers from the British aircraft carrier that caused serious damage. Pola’s halt (one of them, incidentally, manned by
made an appearance. Although no hits became pretty much permanent as the the future Duke of Edinburgh, Prince
were scored, the attack brought back rest of the fleet continued homeward. Philip). The Italian crews had no time to
uncomfortable memories of Taranto. About an hour later, an astute lookout react before the first shells hit. These
As a result, Iachino decided to head for noticed one of the cruisers was missing, shells were designed to penetrate the
home where he believed his force would and Admiral Iachino ordered some of main armour of a battleship, so firing
be safe. However, before the Italian his ships to turn back and see what them at a cruiser, at point-black range,
fleet could reach its own land-based air had happened to her. Completely was simply devastating. The internal
cover, a second strike arrived and put a discounting the possibility that the explosions blew some of the cruisers’
torpedo into Vittorio Veneto, damaging British might still want to fight, Iachino turrets right out of their mountings.
her propellers. The damage was serious continued on his own way to safety
but not crippling and, after a quick fix, while the cruisers Zara and Fiume plus The first targets were the Italian
the fleet was able to resume a retreat destroyer escort went back and located cruisers that could actually move,
that was looking increasingly prudent. the crippled Pola. They found her with Fiume and Zara. Once these were
boilers and steam lines completely out obviously crippled, a couple of
The main Royal Navy force was of action. destroyers got the same attention.
labouring along as fast as its old engines With four ships disabled or sunk
could manage, but even slowed by the The Regia Marina did not train for within five minutes, the Italians were
torpedo damage to the Vittorio Veneto, night action, did not possess radar, completely demoralised. Some of the
the Regia Marina fleet was too far ahead and apparently had not considered escorting destroyers made a credible
to be caught before it reached safety. the possibility that anyone else would attempt at a torpedo attack but failed
The only way to hit at the Italians at this be able to launch an attack in the to hit anything. They then wisely
point was to launch another air strike dark. Thinking themselves completely disappeared into the night.
from the carrier HMS Formidable, which safe, the Italians began looking at the
was joined by a couple of Swordfish possibility of towing Pola home. While After considering towing the crippled
torpedo-bombers flying out of Crete. their deliberations were going on, Pola to their base at Alexandria, the
This attack found the Italians prepared. the British battleships were closing British decided they had inflicted
Though smoke and heavy anti-aircraft the distance. Guided by radar, they enough damage on the Regia Marina for
fire prevented another successful attack closed to within just 3,500 metres and one night, and settled for boarding her
on the battleship, the cruisers and brought their main guns to bear on the to steal anti-aircraft armament – anti-
destroyers were forced to manoeuvre unsuspecting Italian ships. aircraft guns were in such short supply
in order to avoid torpedoes. at the time that stealing Italian weapons
Finally deciding that the only way the was a valid tactic. The British then
They also had to manoeuvre to avoid coming action could be any more unfair picked up as many survivors as they
one another, and the heavy cruiser Pola was if the Italians were not manning could, finished off the helpless Pola with
was forced to come almost to a dead their guns (it turned out they weren’t), a torpedo, and sailed homeward.

95
 The Battle of Matapan

HMS Warspite battles the elements in rough seas

British losses in the massacre off • Two H-class Destroyers damage and has received damage to her
Cape Matapan (it was hardly a battle) (HMS Havock and Hotspur) engines and cannot move at all.
amounted to one torpedo-bomber
crew shot down. Balanced against the
theft of the anti-aircraft weapons from
• Two G-class Destroyers
(HMS Greyhound and Griffin)
Game Length
Pola, it is possible that the Royal Navy The game continues until either fleet
achieved the rare distinction of coming
home stronger than it set out. It was
Pre-Battle Preparation withdraws or has been destroyed.

a different story on the other side,

however. In addition to the damage
The Regia Marina and the Royal Navy
fleets are placed on the table as shown
Victory and Defeat
suffered by Vittorio Veneto, the Regia on the chart. The Royal Navy gains a Major Victory
Marina lost three heavy cruisers, two if it manages to cripple or sink all
destroyers and what was left of its
nerve – the Regia Marina would not sail
Scenario Rules enemy ships.

again until it was to surrender to the This battle takes place at night. The Regia The Regia Marina gains a Minor (moral)
Royal Navy at Malta. Marina may not move, attack or perform Victory if it manages to make a Tactical
any Special Actions in the first turn, and Withdrawal of at least one ship.
Regia Marina Fleet the Royal Navy automatically gains the
Initiative in the second turn. The Pola Anything else is a Minor Victory for the
• Three Zara-class Cruisers starts the scenario with 6 points of Royal Navy.
(Zara, Fiume and Pola)
Cape of
• Four Oriani-class Destroyers Matapan
(Alfredo Oriani, Vittorio Alfieri, Giosuè
Carducci and Vincenzo Gioberti) f
g
e
Royal Navy Fleet d
c 8
• Three Queen Elizabeth-class
Battleships (HMS Warspite, Barham b CRETE
7
and Valiant) 6 10
a
• Two J-class Destroyers 9
(HMS Janus and Jervis)
3
• Two Tribal-class Destroyers 1) Warspite; 2) Barham; 3) Valiant; 4) Nubian;
1 5) Mohawk; 6) Stuart; 7) Havock; 8) Hotspur;
(HMS Mohawk and Nubian) 4 5 2
12 9) Greyhound; 10) Griffin; 11) Janus; 12) Jervis
11
• Scott-class Destroyer a) Zara; b) Pola; c) Fiume; d) Oriani e) Alfieri;
(HMS Stuart) f) Carducci; g) Gioberti
6"

96
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor,
Hawaii, on 7 December 1941 was
conceived as a knockout blow that
would eliminate US naval strength in
the Pacific. It was delivered as part of
a series of coordinated attacks which
split the available naval strength but
permitted blows to be struck against
unprepared foes in several places.

The Japanese task force was protected

by three cruisers and two battleships,
but only the six aircraft carriers took
an active part in the battle. A small-
scale attack was made with midget
submarines launched from larger fleet
boats, and some of these managed
to enter the harbour but achieved "Climb Mount Itaka" – Japanese aircraft are unleashed on Pearl Harbor
little. Some were engaged by patrolling
destroyers. The fleet submarines
were also committed but played little resistance, though they fought back as was the battleship USS Nevada,
significant role in the action, much like best they could and may have managed which attempted to put to sea but
the heavy surface ships. Had the US to get a warning signal off. Nevertheless, was deliberately grounded in case
managed to get part of its fleet out the first most US personnel knew about her damage caused her to block the
to sea, they might have become more the attack was the sound of explosions. harbour entrance. The destroyer USS
important but in the event Pearl Harbor As a result, the first wave met virtually Aylwin actually got out to sea and put
was overwhelmingly an air-versus- no resistance. herself between the fleet and Japanese
surface action. navy, despite being temporarily
The first wave of 183 Japanese aircraft commanded by an ensign of less than a
The attack was launched in waves, not began its attack at 0749, Pearl Harbor year’s service.
least because the airspace over Pearl time. Pre-mission briefings allowed for
Harbor would be very crowded during either an initial attack by the relatively The second wave of 170 aircraft
the attack. Each wave was to comprise slow and vulnerable torpedo aircraft if arrived at 0849. This force’s anti-
three elements: fighters tasked with surprise was achieved or by bombers shipping element was assigned to target
gaining air superiority and attacking if it were not, since this would cause cruisers and aircraft carriers and was
whatever targets presented themselves, confusion that would cover the vulnerable armed with general-purpose bombs
a force of bombers armed for attacks on torpedo bombers’ runs. In the event, the which stood little chance of seriously
land targets, and an anti-shipping element. signal was confused, and the attack was harming a battleship but could impede
made more or less simultaneously by all damage control efforts. The US aircraft
The first wave’s anti-shipping attacks sections of the force. carrier force was absent at the time of
were to be carried out against the the attack, but damage to other vessels
highest-value targets: the battleships. This wave dealt torpedo hits on five was considerable.
The force included torpedo bombers battleships and two cruisers in addition
armed with shallow-running to bomb hits on ships and aircraft With resistance mounting, the
weapons and bombers armed with that had been parked in neat rows, third wave of the attack was called
armour-piercing bombs. These were wingtip-to-wingtip. By 0825 the first off as expected losses seemed to
converted from naval shells, as no strike force was withdrawing, with outweigh the benefits. The Japanese
bombs capable of penetrating a crews struggling to fight fires, raise fleet withdrew, leaving the US with
battleship’s deck armour existed steam and man their anti-aircraft guns. six battleships sunk and two more
at that time. Meanwhile, general- Many officers were ashore, leaving damaged. Other losses included three
purpose bombs were used to attack the defence of the fleet in the hands destroyers and three cruisers, 164
targets on the ground including of junior officers who were in many aircraft destroyed and 128 damaged.
closely parked aircraft. cases very inexperienced. This did On the Japanese side, 29 aircraft were
not prevent a gallant and determined lost and 74 more suffered damage.
Some warning was available in the form response. Anti-aircraft fire intensified The mini-sub force was also lost. Most
of radar contacts, but the US fleet throughout the attacks, a few fighters of the US battleships were eventually
was still in a peacetime mindset and got airborne and did what they could returned to service, but for a time the
responded sluggishly. The few aircraft against impossible odds, and some defence of the Pacific rested with the
aloft were unable to put up much ships got underway. Among them aircraft carrier force.

97
 Pearl harbor

Japanese Entry 2 Japanese Entry 4 Japanese Entry 6

5 6 East Loch Aiea

Pearl
City
7 Bay
8
Middle 1
Loch

2
4
6" 9
3
an
g ars 10
neH

Japanese Entry 5
Pla
lity nd n
Uti
d Isla Statio 11
For l Air 12
va
Na
13
14
16
15
hua
lan
e Kua
lP s
tro ngar
17 21 22
a
P Ha
25
26
27
28 CINCPAC HQ
18 23 29 Oil
Storage
Sou
30 thea
Waipio st L
19 Navy och
Peninsula
20 24 Yard
Officers'
Club
Japanese Entry 1 District HQ 31 Japanese Entry 3

1) Utah; 2) Tangier; 3) Curtiss; 4) Medusa; 5) Raleigh; 6) Detroit; 7) Solace; 8) Phoenix; 9) Nevada; 10) Arizona; 11) Vestal; 12) Tennessee; 13) West Virginia; 14) Maryland;
15) Oklahoma; 16) Neosho; 17) California; 18) Avocet; 19) Helm; 20) Ward; 21) Oglala; 22) Argone; 23) Helena; 24) Pennsylvania; 25) Swan; 26) New Orleans; 27) St Louis;
28) Ramapo; 29) Rigel; 30) San Francisco; 31) Honolulu

SCENARIO: PEARL HARBOR

US Navy Fleet Oglala, Sea Plane Tenders – USS Wave 2
Curtiss, Tangier, Avocet and Swan,
• Nevada-class Battleships Oil Tankers USS Ramapo and Neosho, • 2 Flights of Nakajima B5N Kate bombers
(USS Nevada and Oklahoma) Repair Ships – USS Medusa, Vestal • 19 Flights of Aichi D3A Val dive-bombers
• Pennsylvania-class Battleships and Rigel, Hospital Ship – USS Solace, • 2 Flights of Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighters
(USS Pennsylvania and Arizona) Transport Ship – USS Argonne)
• Tennessee-class Battleships • Florida-class Battleship (AA Gunnery
(USS Tennessee and California) Training Ship, USS Utah) Pre-Battle Preparation
• Colorado-class Battleships • 1 Flight of Curtis P-40C Warhawk fighters The US Navy ships and IJN Wave 1
(USS Maryland and West Virginia) • 1 Flight of Douglas SBD-2 Dauntless Flights are placed as shown on the chart.
• New Orleans-class Cruiser dive-bombers Place the P-40C Warhawk and SBD-2
(USS New Orleans and San Francisco) Dauntless Flights over Ford Island.
• Brooklyn-class Cruiser Imperial Japanese Navy Fleet
(USS Phoenix and Honolulu)
• St. Louis-class Cruiser Wave 1
(USS St. Louis and Helena) • 12 Flights of Nakajima B5N
• Omaha-class Cruiser Kate bombers
(USS Raleigh and Detroit) • 10 Flights of Nakajima B5N Kate Nakajima B5N1
• Bagley-class Destroyer (USS Helm) torpedo-bombers ‘Kate’ bombers
• Wickes-class Destroyer (USS Ward) • 7 Flights of Aichi D3A Val dive-bombers
• Support Ships (Minelayer – USS • 5 Flights of Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighters

98
 Pearl harbor

USS Utah Weapons Chart

Scenario Rules
The Japanese have the Initiative for the Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
entire battle.
Light Guns (12 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 3 -2 1 DP, Weak
Treat the Minelayer, Repair Ships, Light Guns (12 x 5-inch) 3" 7" 10" 15" 3 -2 1 DP, Weak
Hospital Ship and Transport Ship as
AA Battery 1" 2" 4" 5" 3 – – Local 3
Liberty-class cargo ships.

The USS Arizona, Tennessee, and Maryland Total Score Result

cannot be attacked with torpedoes as Use 1 Attack Dice of Local AA
they are inboard of other ships. 6

under way table

8 Use 1 Attack Dice of Ranged AA
The USS Pennsylvania cannot be
attacked with torpedoes nor may she 10 Use 1 Attack Dice of Light Guns
ever get under way as she is in drydock. 12 May use Special Actions

Use the following for the USS Utah. 14 Use 3 Attack Dice of any weapons
Hull: 36/12, Armour: 5+, Flank Speed 4". 16 Get under way (may act normally for the rest of the game)
Its only weapons are listed on the USS
Utah Weapons chart.
D6 Score Target
At the start of the tenth turn: No AA fire occurs and add 1 flight of D3A Vals at Japanese Entry
1 Point 4.
• Place Wave 2 B5N Kates at Attack 1 flight at random (including US flights) with 1 Attack Dice of
Japanese Entry 1 2 AA fire.
aa fire table

Attack 2 flights at random (including US flights) with 1 Attack Dice of

• Place Wave 2 D3A Vals at 3 AA fire each.
Japanese Entry 6
Attack 3 flights at random (including US flights) with 1 Attack Dice of
4 AA fire each.
• Place Wave 2 A6M Zeros at
Attack 4 flights at random (including US flights) with 1 Attack Dice of
Japanese Entry 4 5 AA fire each.
Attack 5 flights at random (including US flights) with 1 Attack Dice
With the exception of the USS Helm
6 of AA fire each and add 1 Flight of P-40C Warhawks at a random
and Ward, which are already underway, Japanese Entry Point.
the US fleet is unprepared for action.
At the end of each turn, every ship
not under way rolls a D6, adding the If all eight battleships are crippled and Otherwise, the US Navy wins a Minor
current turn number to the score. Refer at least a dozen buildings destroyed, Victory unless no battleships are
to the Under Way table to determine the Imperial Japanese Navy wins a crippled or sunk, in which case the US
the result. Minor Victory. Navy wins a Major Victory.

Until there is a successful activation, a

ship cannot do anything.

At the end of each turn after the first,

roll a D6 and then consult the AA Fire
table to gauge the effectiveness of US
Army AA fire.

Game Length
The game continues until all aircraft
ordnance has been expended.

Victory and Defeat

Victory is based on the number of units
sunk or crippled, and the number of
buildings hit.

If all eight battleships are sunk and at

least a dozen buildings destroyed, the
Imperial Japanese Navy wins a
Major Victory. Imperial Japanese aircraft hug the treetops en route to Pearl Harbor

99
The importance of the British naval There were good reasons to assume Tenedos were redirected towards this
base at Singapore is illustrated by the that Force Z could survive without air more important target.
fact that war plans for the Pacific were cover. Just days before, battleships had
based upon the ‘Singapore Strategy’. been sunk by air attack, but they were The strike appeared piecemeal as
However, there were never enough at anchor and unprepared – a fast, groups of Japanese aircraft arrived over
warships in the Royal Navy to permit well-armoured ship in open water was the target. HMS Repulse was hit once
a standing deployment of the sort a different matter. Indeed, the best that and suffered several near misses, but
the base was built to accommodate had yet been achieved against a major her fighting ability was not impaired.
and plans to rush capital ships to ship at sea was a crippling torpedo hit, Then, at 1140, a second, and far more
Singapore through the Suez Canal if war and it was not thought that there was coordinated strike, arrived. Seventeen
threatened in the east were derailed by much likelihood of a repeat performance. torpedo bombers split their attacks
the situation in Europe. between HMS Repulse and HMS Prince
The Japanese, for their part, had prepared of Wales, striking Prince of Wales close
Despite various plans to deter Japanese for this very encounter. When the British to her propeller shafts. A single torpedo
aggression by basing a powerful force declared they were sending capital ships hit on a more well armoured part of
at Singapore, no major assets were to Singapore as a deterrent, Japanese the ship might have achieve little or
sent until the beginning of December aviators began training specifically to nothing, but distortion to a shaft at full
1941. Designated Force Z, the sink them. Additional aircraft were revolutions caused internal damage and
supposed deterrent took the form assigned to the region to deal with British allowed water into the vessel as well as
of the old battlecruiser HMS Repulse battleships, and by 10 December there reducing her speed. The Prince of Wales
and the far more modern battleship was also sufficient Imperial Japanese remained afloat and underway but
HMS Prince of Wales, escorted by Navy battleship strength in the region to was crippled. Power loss and a severe
four destroyers. These were to be counter the British force. list made much of her anti-aircraft
reinforced by an aircraft carrier, but the armament inoperable, and she could no
first ship assigned, HMS Indomitable, Whilst searching for the invasion flotilla, longer manoeuvre to evade the next
was under repair after running aground Force Z was spotted by a Japanese attack. Struck by three more torpedoes,
and her replacement, HMS Hermes, submarine and aircraft. Despite being she lost all but one of her propeller
was still en route when war broke out. shadowed, the force made no request shafts but still remained afloat.
This left Force Z reliant on land-based for air cover. It was obvious that there
air cover or else forced to operate was no longer any chance of surprising HMS Repulse was sunk at this time.
without it. the invasion vessels, so Force Z turned After evading numerous torpedoes, she
back towards Singapore. During this was hit at least four times in the course
After the flurry of war declarations period the force was lucky; a submarine of a few minutes by attacks that came
resulting from the Pearl Harbor attack, attack failed (indeed, went unnoticed) in from both sides. Lacking a more
it became obvious that Singapore was a and a plan to launch an air strike at modern ship’s torpedo protection and
target and invasion was imminent. Land night was foiled by weather. the robust construction of a battleship,
forces were driving down the Malay the old battlecruiser took on water and
Peninsula, and an amphibious invasion In the early hours of 10 December rapidly sank.
force was reported to be at sea. Force 1941, a report came in that Japanese
Z was sent to intercept it. Additional troops had landed at Kuantan, and However, HMS Prince of Wales fought
vessels were available at Singapore, but Force Z changed course to attack on, albeit ineffectually, against a bombing
some were under repair and others them. The report was found to be attack that started at 1241 but was
deemed too slow to operate with the mistaken, but in the meantime the hit again and began to list even more
force. Critically, the commander of destroyer HMS Tenedos, detached to severely. She turned over and sank
Force Z, Admiral Sir Tom Phillips, chose return to Singapore as she was low soon afterward, just as the fighter
to operate without air cover from the on fuel, had come under air attack. cover that had finally been requested
land base, preferring to maintain radio Tenedos was not hit but, as the position arrived overhead. The three remaining
silence in the hope of evading detection of Force Z had been reported to the destroyers recovered as many survivors
and achieving surprise. Japanese, the aircraft sent to attack as possible, then returned to Singapore.

"There were no British or American capital ships in the Indian Ocean

or the Pacific except the American survivors of Pearl Harbor, who were
hastening back to California. Over all this vast expanse of waters Japan
was supreme, and we everywhere were weak and naked."
Winston Churchill

100
SCENARIO: FORCE Z
Royal Navy Fleet

Deployment Zone
1) Repulse; 2) Prince of Wales; 3) Vampire;

Japanese
• King George V-class Battleship 4) Electra; 5) Express
(HMS Prince of Wales)

• Renown-class Battleship (Group 2)

(HMS Repulse)
1 2
• Two E-class Destroyers 4
(HMS Electra and Express) 3

• Admiralty V-class Destroyer 5

(HMS Vampire)

Imperial Japanese Navy Fleet

• Six Flights of Mitsubishi G3M2
Nell torpedo-bombers

• Six Flights of Mitsubishi G3M2 6"

Nell torpedo-bombers

• Seven Flights of Mitsubishi G4M1 At the start of the fourth turn, seven Repulse, it gains a Major Victory. If both
Betty torpedo-bombers Betty torpedo-bomber Flights enter are crippled, the Imperial Japanese Navy
from the Japanese deployment zone. gains a Minor Victory. If only one is
Pre-Battle Preparation At the start of the seventh turn, four
crippled, the Royal Navy gains a Minor
Victory, while if neither are crippled the
The Royal Navy forces are placed as Nell bomber Flights enter from the Royal Navy gains a Major Victory.
shown on the chart. Japanese deployment zone.

Two Flights of Mitsubishi G3M2 Nell

bombers are placed in the Japanese
Game Length
deployment zone. The game continues until either both the
HMS Repulse and Prince of Wales are sunk,
Scenario Rules or all aircraft ordnance has been expended.
Mitsubishi G3M
'Nell' bombers
At the start of the second turn, six Nell
torpedo-bomber Flights enter from the
Victory and Defeat
Japanese deployment zone. If the Imperial Japanese Navy sinks
either the HMS Prince of Wales or

After the loss of HMS Prince of Wales and Navy attempted to intervene in Japanese formidable escort, the initial attempt
Repulse in December 1941, no British landings at Endau in Malaysia. to intervene on 26 January was all but
capital ships remained in the Pacific suicidal, consisting largely as it did of
theatre. However, some smaller vessels On 20 January, a Japanese convoy Vildebeest biplanes.
were available, including British, Dutch and of eleven transports left Cam Ranh
Australian destroyers and cruisers. Several Bay bound for Malaysia. Most of this The Vildebeest was an elderly design
Dutch submarines were also available, and force was headed for Singora while which was horribly vulnerable when
these attempted to disrupt the invasion some were bound for Endau. The making a daylight attack. Consequently,
fleets as much as possible. The Japanese force was escorted by six destroyers these aircraft had been restricted to
advance pushed ahead despite this led by a light cruiser, plus several night operations until this point. The
resistance until, in January 1942, the Royal minesweepers. Against this fairly Vildebeests were escorted by a force

101
 The Battle off endau

of the equally outmatched Brewster This force was initially misdirected destroyers, the Allied force attempted
Buffalo fighters as well as rather more towards an imaginary invasion force to break off and were pursued. HMS
effective Hurricanes. Nine Hudson elsewhere but reached Endau in the early Thanet was hit in the engagement and
bombers also took part in the initial hours of 27 January 1942. Their first crippled. After first attempting to lay
raid, which caused some damage among contact was with a Japanese minesweeper a smokescreen to protect Thanet,
the disembarking troops. mistaken for a destroyer and attacked HMS Vampire was driven off by the
(unsuccessfully) with torpedoes. Contact concentrated fire of the enemy force
A second strike of Vildebeests and was then broken, and the destroyers headed back to Singapore. After the
Albacore torpedo bombers was pushed on, finding the convoy and Japanese landed at Endau, the Allies
launched against the convoy but failed escorting force soon after. were forced into further retreats which
to coordinate with its assigned escort ultimately led to the retirement onto
of fighters and was savaged. A final After attacking the Japanese destroyer Singapore Island and its subsequent loss
attack by Hudsons also suffered losses. Shirayuki with torpedoes, the Allied in February 1942. Amphibious assaults
Further air strikes were not possible, vessels fired on the troop transports of this sort were used by the Japanese
but a small naval force was available, in and were in turn engaged by the entire to support their advance all the way
the form of the destroyers HMS Thanet Japanese escort squadron. Under down the Malay Peninsula and outflank
and Vampire. fire from a light cruiser and several Allied defensive positions.

SCENARIO: THE BATTLE OFF ENDAU

Royal Navy Fleet
• S-class Destroyer
(HMS Thanet)

• V-class Destroyer
(HMS Vampire)
Japanese Main Escort Group

Japanese Patrol Group

Imperial Japanese Navy Fleet

British Entry Zone

• Sendai-class Cruiser (Sendai)

• Three Fubuki-class (Group 1)

Destroyers (Fubuki, Hatsuyuki
and Shirayuki) 5" 5" 5"

• Three Fubuki-class (Group 2)

10" 15"
Destroyers (Amagiri, Asagiri and Yugiri)

Pre-Battle Preparation 6"

The Japanese player places the Sendai The British player places HMS Thanet No torpedoes may be fired by Japanese
anywhere in the Main Escort Group and Vampire anywhere in the British forces for the entirety of the battle.
deployment zone, with the Fubuki, Entry zone within 2" of each other.
Hatsuyuki and Shirayuki within 2" of Both destroyers are heading east. British ships that exit the chart by the
Sendai, all heading in the same direction north edge gain Victory Points equal to
either to the left or the right.
Scenario Rules their ship’s value as they go on to attack
the anchored troop ships.
The Japanese player places the Amagiri Allied forces have the Initiative
and Yugiri anywhere in the Patrol Group
deployment zone, no closer than 10" to
until detected. Then roll for Initiative
as normal.
Game Length
each other. Both destroyers are headed The game continues until all Allied
either to the left or the right. The battle occurs during night. forces are destroyed or withdraw.

The Japanese are under orders to

conserve torpedoes for high value
Victory and Defeat
targets only. If one fleet manages to earn twice as
many Victory Points as the other, it will
gain a Major Victory.

Otherwise, the fleet that earns the most

Victory Points will gain a Minor Victory.
Fubuki-class destroyer

102
After the fall of Singapore, the Japanese against the invasion convoys. The largest Somewhat unusually, the Allies had
advance in South-East Asia proceeded of these resulted in the Battle of the an advantage in terms of air power.
into the islands of Indonesia. Much Java Sea. Operating close to friendly airbases in
of this area was Dutch territory; its poor weather meant the Allies could
maritime approaches were defended by In theory, the ABDA force was potent, get air support at least some of the
a mix of mostly elderly vessels belonging with two heavy and three light cruisers time. Whereas the Japanese fleet was
to the Australian, British, Dutch and supported by several destroyers. bereft of an advantage it usually enjoyed.
American navies (collectively referred to However, some ships were elderly
as the ABDA force). designs greatly outmatched by more The battle opened shortly after 1600
recent vessels, and some had damage on 27 February 1942, with a gunfire
Against this force was ranged a from air attacks. Their crews were exchange followed by a Japanese
powerful Japanese fleet supported disheartened by the near-constant torpedo attack. The Allies achieved
by fighters and bombers operating run of Japanese victories and their little with their fire, but in return HMS
out of bases in conquered territories. command structure was poor as a Exeter received a crippling hit in the
Each port or island captured enabled result of the force’s vessels belonging to engine compartment. She was forced to
Japanese aviators to operate from a four different nations. withdraw, taking one of the Allies’ heavy
forward base against the next target. cruisers, and the destroyer assisting her,
Coupled with an effective strategy and Nevertheless, the ABDA force out of the fight. Soon after, an ABDA
energetic commanders, this enabled a attempted to intercept a Japanese destroyer was sunk by a torpedo.
rapid advance through the region. If the invasion fleet headed for Java through the Devastating as this loss was, it might
Japanese gained possession of Indonesia, Makassar Strait. This was escorted by a have been worse – over 90 torpedoes
they would have control over the Straits force of two heavy and two light cruisers were launched by the Japanese force for
of Malacca – knows as one of the ‘keys plus fourteen destroyers, creating what only one hit.
to the world’ – and a base capable of might at first glance resemble a fair
striking against Australia. fight. The goal of the ABDA vessels was Both sides suffered damage but the
not to win an engagement against the ABDA fleet came off worst until around
It was thus imperative to halt, or at Japanese navy as such; it was attempting 1800, when the Allies broke contact
least slow, the Japanese advance but to prevent an invasion of Java. The target and began to retire under the cover of
forces available were inadequate. A was the invasion transports, making smokescreen and torpedo attack by
handful of submarines did what they fighting the escort a necessity rather four US destroyers. These then retired
could, and surface forces made attacks than an objective. in a different direction to the rest of the

USS Houston mixes it with IJN destroyers

103
 Battle of the Java Sea

fleet and thus escaped the destruction flagship) were sunk. The remaining two More importantly perhaps, the ABDA
that subsequently followed. These four Allied cruisers, USS Houston and HMAS fleet was finished as a fighting unit and
destroyers fought a brief skirmish with a Perth, broke contact and retired. This no serious naval opposition to Japanese
Japanese destroyer en route but arrived left the Allies with three cruisers – two expansion in the region remained. The
safely in Fremantle. heavy and one light – in the region but all Battle of the Java Sea was the largest
were damaged and low on ammunition. naval action of the war to date; the
In the meantime, the destroyer HMS The attempted intervention did no more greatest since the Battle of Jutland in
Jupiter was sunk by a mine before the than delay the fall of Java by a few hours. 1916. There was now no real prospect
fleets clashed again around 2300. After of holding any part of Indonesia
another gunfire exchange the cruisers Those hours were bought at the price and an invasion of Australia seemed
HNLMS Java and De Ruyter (the ABDA of two cruisers and three destroyers. increasingly likely.

SCENARIO: THE BATTLE OF THE JAVA SEA

ABDA Combined Striking Force 6"
e
• Northampton-class Cruiser
(USS Houston) d 11

c 10 6
• York-class Cruiser (HMS Exeter) 5
14 9
b
13 4
• Java-class Cruiser (HNLMS Java)
a 12 8 3
• De Ruyter-class Cruiser 7
(HNLMS De Ruyter) 2
i h g f 1
• Perth-class Cruiser (HMAS Perth)
k j
• Four Clemson-class Destroyer 1) Wille de With; 2) Kortenaer; 3) J.D. Edwards; 4) Alden;
(USS Alden, John D. Edwards, 5) J.D. Ford; 6) Paul Jones; 7) De Ruyter; 8) Exeter; 9) Houston; 10) Perth; 11) Java;
John D. Ford and Paul Jones) 12) Electra; 13) Jupiter; 14) Encounter
o n m a) Jintsu;- b) Yukikaze; c) Tokitsukaze; d) Amatsukaze; e) Hatsukaze; f) Ushio;
• Two E-class Destroyers l g) Sazanami; h) Yamakaze; i) Kawakaze; j) Nachi; k) Haguro; l) Naka; m) Murasame; n)
r q p Samidare; o) Harusame; p) Asagumo; q) Mineguma; r) Yudachi-
(HMS Electra and Encounter)

• J-class Destroyer (HMS Jupiter)

• Two Fubuki-class (Group 2) and earn twice their Victory Points for
• Two Admiralen-class Destroyer Destroyers (Sazanami and Ushio) the ADBA players as they attack the
(HNLMS Kortenaer and Witte de With) Japanese invasion convoy.
• Four Kagerō-class Destroyer (Amatsukaze,
Imperial Japanese Navy Fleet Hatsukaze, Tokitsukaze, and Yukikaze) Early Japanese doctrine was to
hold the range while their ‘superior’
• Two Sendai-class Cruisers
(Naka and Jintsū)
Pre-Battle Preparation long range gunnery scored significant
hits, after which the destroyers
The ABDA and Japanese forces would be sent in to clean up the
• Six Shiratsuyu-class Destroyers are placed on the table as shown on remnants. Japanese destroyers must
(Kawakaze, Yamakaze Harusame, the chart. remain within 6" of a Japanese
Murasame, Samidare and Yūdachi) cruiser until at least one Allied cruiser

• Two Asashio-class Destroyers

Scenario Rules is crippled.

(Asagumo and Mineguma) The Japanese have the Initiative

throughout the battle.
Game Length
• Two Myōkō-class Cruisers The game continues until either fleet
(Haguro and Nachi) The USS Houston’s X-turret was withdraws or has been destroyed.
destroyed in an earlier Japanese air
attacks and cannot be used in this battle. Victory and Defeat
The US Clemson-class destroyers must If one fleet manages to earn twice as
retreat after firing all their torpedoes. many Victory Points as the other, it will
gain a Major Victory. Otherwise, the
ABDA ships that exist the north edge fleet that earns the most Victory Points
Kagerō-class destroyer of the chart are removed from play will gain a Minor Victory.

104
 Battle of the Java Sea

ABDA COMBINED STRIKING FORCE

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 15/5 Traits: Agile, Aircraft 2, Armoured Deck 80
DE RUYTER-CLASS CRUISER

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 560.3 ft. Speed: 32 kts. Ships of this Class: De Ruyter
Commissioned: 1936 Displacement: 7,548 tons Crew: 480
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (3 x 5.9-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
X Turret (2 x 5.9-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 1 -1 1 Fast Track, Twin-Linked
Y Turret (2 x 5.9-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 1 -1 1 Fast Track, Twin-Linked
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 2 – – Local 1
The single-ship De Ruyter-class was commissioned in place of the third Java-class cruiser and armed warship. Some compromises were still evident, however; the light anti-aircraft
built to a more modern design. Severe financial constraints limited the cruiser’s specification, armament was tightly grouped and suffered from limited arcs of fire. However, this was not
but an initially modest design eventually developed into a longer, faster and more heavily De Ruyter’s undoing, she was sunk by surface action during the Battle of the Java Sea.
JAVA-CLASS LIGHT CRUISER

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 16/5 Traits: Agile, Aircraft 2, Armoured Deck 80
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 509.5 ft. Speed: 30 kts. Ships of this Class: Java, Sumatra
Commissioned: 1925 Displacement: 8,208 tons Crew: 525
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (10 x 5.9-inch) 1
6" 12" 18" 24" 5 -1 1 –
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 1 – – Local 1
1
Light Guns (10 x 5.9-inch): Only 2 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arcs, and only 4 Attack Dice in the port or starboard arcs.

The Java-class was an ambitious design for its day. These large light cruisers were intended available in the mid-1920s. The third ship in the class was cancelled, but Java and Sumatra
to counter the large Japanese light cruisers then considered to be a threat to Dutch holdings soldiered on into the Second World War, receiving upgrades at refits in the mid-1930s.
in the Pacific. Had they entered service as planned in 1918 these ships would have been Java was sunk at the Battle of the Java Sea, whilst Sumatra saw little action and eventually
formidable, but delays in construction meant they were obsolete by the time they became became part of a Mulberry harbour breakwater during the invasion of Normandy in 1944.

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 3/1 Traits: Agile, Aircraft 1, Depth Charge 50
points
AMIRALDEN-CLASS DESTROYER

Type: Destroyer Length: 322 ft. Speed: 34 kts. Ships of this Class: Series 1: Evertsen, Kortenaer, Piet Hein, Van Ghent
Commissioned: 1928/1930 Displacement: 1,640 tons Crew: 129 Series 2: Banckert, Van Galen, Van Nes, Witte de With
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch) 1
5" 10" 15" 20" 2 -1 1 Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 1 – – Local 1
Port/Starboard V53 Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard V53 Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
1
Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arc.
Aircraft: To launch or recover the observation aircraft requires an entire turn at Flank Speed 0.
Refits – All
1942 Remove Aircraft for -5 points.

The Admiralen-class consisted of two near-identical groups of four destroyers, the Van Ghent- the Van Ghents. One unusual feature was the provision of a seaplane. There was no room
and Van Galen-classes. Both were based on British designs, adapted to meet Dutch needs, for a catapult to launch the plane, so it would be lowered by crane onto the water surface,
including the capability for minesweeping in the case of the Van Galens and minelaying in though by 1942, the aircraft had been permanently removed.

"[Allied] opposition [in the Java area] was so light that the Japanese forces were not put to a severe test
and consequently they concluded that equipment available and the tactics used were satisfactory for future
operations. It would have been better for the Japanese if they had encountered more opposition."
Captain Mitsugo Ihara, staff officer of the Japanese 3rd Fleet

105
After the disastrous Battle of the Java
Sea, the survivors of the ABDA fleet
were dispersed into three groups. One
of these, consisting of four US Navy
destroyers, successfully made its way to
Fremantle in Australia. The other two
groups remained in the Java Sea area
and fought further actions against the
Japanese navy.

The first of these began on 28 February

1942, the day after the Battle of the Java
Sea. Low on both fuel and ammunition,
cruisers USS Houston and HMAS Perth
had retired to Tanjung Priok. From there
they were ordered to Tjilatjap on the
southern coast of Java. This required
sailing through the Sunda Strait between
Sumatra and Java. There was no intention USS Houston heads to Tanjung Priok to refuel and rearm
on the Allies part to seek action – quite
the opposite; both cruisers needed repairs
and ammunition before they would the two ABDA cruisers were able to Mogami missed and found targets
be combat-worthy again. HMAS Perth press ahead, firing at whatever targets among the invasion fleet. Mogami sank
was down to 20 rounds for each of her presented themselves. For a short time, three transports, a minesweeper and
main guns; USS Houston had about 50. the cruisers were able to steam parallel the headquarters vessel of the 16th
However, if the survivors of the ABDA to a group of Japanese transports and Army with this salvo, though two of the
force could be replenished, repaired and shell them more or less unimpeded. vessels were subsequently raised and
regrouped then they might be able to Soon, however, the vessels of the IJN put back into service.
threaten the Japanese advance once more. escort force began to concentrate on
This was to be accomplished at Tjilatjap. the intruders. By now it was obvious that the USS
Houston was not going to escape.
Similarly, the Japanese fleet was not By 2310 the cruisers were heavily Her captain ordered an attack on
seeking action. It did not need to; its engaged with multiple Japanese vessels. the transports, hoping to do as much
mission was to protect the invasion In the next ten minutes no less than damage as possible. As she fought her
convoys and that could be accomplished 28 torpedoes were fired at the two way past the escorts, Houston damaged
just as well without contacting the Allied cruisers, though they remained several enemy ships, passing so close
enemy. One such convoy happened unstruck. The engagement became that her crew were able to shoot at
to be off the north coast of Java near chaotic, with vessels at times close enemy searchlights with rifles. Then, at
the entrance to the Sunda Strait when enough to machine-gun one another. 2340 she took a hit in the engine room,
the Allied ships approached. They Both cruisers were hit, with USS followed by a torpedo. Ten minutes
were sighted by a picket destroyer and Houston’s bridge catching fire, and at later her magazines had to be flooded
observed from a distance, but combat 2319 the Japanese heavy cruisers were to control a fire started by a penetrating
was not immediately initiated. close enough to join the action. The hit, and soon after at least three more
Allied vessels, meanwhile, were running torpedoes hit her. At 2355 the order
The invasion convoy was very large, out of ammunition. was given to abandon ship, and USS
with 56 transports protected by a Houston sank quickly thereafter.
powerful escort and an aircraft carrier HMAS Perth had fired off her torpedoes
in the vicinity. It was perhaps inevitable and all ammunition except practice At 0130 the Dutch destroyer
that the Allied cruisers would contact rounds. She continued firing with these HNLMS Evertsen, which was to have
some element of the force, and just even after a torpedo struck her. When accompanied the cruisers but was
after 2300 this occurred. Unsure of the this was followed by two more at 2335, delayed and had followed instead,
identity of a vessel sighted ahead, the the order was given to abandon ship. arrived in the vicinity. Despite
cruisers challenged her. The unidentified Another torpedo hit Perth while her attempting to evade contact, Evertsen
vessel turned out to be a Japanese crew tried to abandon her; she sank was spotted and attacked. She broke
destroyer, which launched a spread of soon afterward. contact but was sighted again whilst
torpedoes and made smoke. making a second attempt on the strait.
The Japanese did not have it all their After firing off all her torpedoes, and on
The invasion force and its escorts own way. A spread of torpedoes fired at fire, HNLMS Evertsen was beached and
were widely dispersed, and for a time the USS Houston from the heavy cruiser her crew abandoned ship.

106
SCENARIO: THE BATTLE OF THE SUNDA STRAIT
Allied Forces
• Northampton-class Cruiser 1) Houston;
2
2) Perth
(USS Houston)

• Perth-class Cruiser (HMAS Perth) 1

• Admiralen-class Destroyer
(HNLMS Evertsen)

d
Imperial Japanese Navy Fleet

orage
a) Mikuma;
b) Mogami;

Fleet Anch
• Two Mogami-class Cruisers c) Shikinami;
d) Fubuki; c a
(Mogami and Mikuma) e) Natori;
g

Invasion
f) Hatsuyuki; f
• Nagara-class Cruiser (Natori) g) Shirayuki; b e h i j
h) Asakaze;
i) Hatakaze; k l
• Five Fubuki-class (Group 1)
j) Harukaze;
Destroyers (Fubuki, Hatsuyuki, k) Shirakumo;
Murakumo, Shirakumo and Shirayuki) l) Mukakumo
6"
• Fubuki-class (Group 2) Destroyer
(Shikinami) The battle occurs during night. into the Invasion Fleet Anchorage,
has a chance of hitting a ship in the
• Three Kamikaze-class Destroyer The HNLMS Evertsen was delayed invasion convoy. Roll a D6 for each
(Asakaze, Hatakaze and Harukaze) and trailed the cruisers. Roll a D6 such torpedo that misses. On a roll of
at the start of the battle; the result a 6, the torpedo hits convoy ships and
Pre-Battle Preparation is the turn number in which the
HNLMS Evertsen arrives at the
grants 50 Victory Points to the Allies.

The Allied and Japanese forces are

placed on the table as shown on the
starting location of the HMAS Perth.
Game Length
chart. The Allied forces may fire into the The game continues until all Allied
Invasion Fleet Anchorage. Assume they forces are destroyed.
Scenario Rules are firing at Battleship targets moving

Allied forces have Initiative until detected.

at Flank Speed 0". Each successful hit
scores 5 Victory Points with light guns,
Victory and Defeat
Once detected, roll Initiative as normal. 10 Victory Points with turrets, and 50 If one fleet manages to earn twice as
Victory Points with torpedoes. many Victory Points as the other, it will
The USS Houston’s X-turret was gain a Major Victory. Otherwise, the
destroyed in an earlier Japanese air attacks Each Japanese torpedo that misses, fleet that earns the most Victory Points
and cannot be used in this battle. whose direction of fire also takes it will gain a Minor Victory.

The USS Houston‘s fate is sealed

107
After the disaster at the Java Sea, headed for the Sunda Strait by way of her escorting destroyers made smoke,
some remnants of the ABDA force a wide loop that would hopefully take Exeter began to exchange fire with
regrouped at Surabaya. Heavy cruiser her clear of Japanese forces. She was her pursuers. Her shooting was poor,
HMS Exeter, her boiler room penetrated escorted by HMS Encounter and USS but that of the Japanese ships was
by a Japanese shell, arrived late on 27 Pope; HNLMS Witte de With was also worse; Ashigara and Myōkō, with more
February and began making repairs. supposed to have accompanied her ammunition than Haguro and Nachi, fired
She was accompanied by the Dutch but poor communications between off over 1,100 rounds between them
destroyer HNLMS Witte de With, the Allies left her without orders until without hitting anything.
ordered to escort her from the battle it was too late to join the departing
area, and USS Pope, which had been force. Witte de With was trapped at The Japanese force was closing in on
making repairs at the time of the Battle Surabaya and scuttled along with other HMS Exeter all the time, and with no
of the Java Sea. vessels including a destroyer and three prospect of outrunning or outfighting
submarines. her pursuers she sought cover in a rain
Four more US destroyers arrived squall spotted ahead. To delay pursuit,
later that evening, and finally HMS By dawn on 1 March, HMS Exeter and she and USS Pope launched torpedoes.
Encounter, which had been rescuing her escort were in open waters and This caused the Japanese cruisers to
survivors of the Java Sea action. well on their way to safety. Repairs turn away for a time and gain some
This brought the Allied strength to her boilers continued, eventually distance, during which HMS Encounter
to a theoretical one heavy cruiser increasing top speed to 23 knots. and USS Pope attacked the destroyers
and seven destroyers, but damaged Unidentified vessels were sighted in the Akebono and Ikazuci, which were closing
ships and lack of torpedo reloads distance, but the force had apparently in from a different direction.
greatly reduced the force’s fighting evaded detection. However, by 0930
capabilities. Meanwhile Japanese Exeter had been spotted by a Japanese At 1115 the cruisers Haguro and Nachi
forces were closing in from several force centred on the heavy cruisers were close enough to open fire without
directions, cutting off the Allied Haguro and Nachi. These vessels were wasting scarce ammunition. Shortly
vessels’ escape routes. There was no assigned to protect invasion transports afterward they launched torpedoes, as
possibility of staying put – Surabaya as their primary mission and were did the destroyer force. HMS Exeter
was about to be attacked and the low on ammunition after the Battle of suffered another boiler room hit at
Allied force would be crushed unless the Java Sea. Rather than immediately 1120, slowing her to 4 knots. Her
it slipped out of the trap. engaging, they requested reinforcement captain ordered his escorting destroyers
whilst maintaining contact. to flee, and USS Pope was able to do so,
The force left port on 28 February, with finding cover in a rain squall.
the four US destroyers of Destroyer By 1000, additional Japanese forces
Squadron 58 (DESRON 58) heading including heavy cruisers Ashigara and HMS Exeter and Encounter were
for the Bali strait. This was thought Myōkō were sighted to the west. With pounded into wrecks as USS Pope –
to be too narrow for HMS Exeter, the original force closing from the temporarily – escaped. Both sank just
coupled with her top speed limited south, the only option for HMS Exeter after 1200, at which point elements of
to 16 knots by damage. Instead, she was to turn east, away from safety. As the Japanese force returned to their
station. Some survivors were picked up
by Japanese destroyers. Pope, meanwhile,
made repairs and tried to hide in a series
of rain squalls but was spotted and came
under air attack which reduced her
speed. Then, at 1335, aircraft from the
distant carrier Ryūjō arrived and made
an attack. Although the USS Pope did
not take a direct hit, she was clearly
doomed. As the crew abandoned ship
the distinctly trigger-happy Myōkō and
Ashigara arrived and pounded her with
8-inch shells.

USS Pope sank at 1410, bringing the

Second Battle of the Java Sea to a close.
Some vessels did escape, either to
Australia or west into the Indian Ocean,
but after 1 March 1942 there was no
significant naval obstacle to Japanese
US Navy destroyers speed towards Surubaya operations in Indonesia.

108
 The ocean erupts around a US destroyer as the enemy unleashes its broadside

SCENARIO: THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE JAVA SEA

Allied Force
Squall 1) Pope; 2) Exeter;
• York-class Cruiser (HMS Exeter)
3) Encounter
• E-class Destroyer (HMS Encounter) - - c) Ikazuchi; d) Akebono;
a) Ashigari; b) Myoko;
e) Nachi; f) Haguro; g) Kawakaze; h) Yamakaze
• Clemson-class Destroyer
(USS Pope)

Imperial Japanese Navy Fleet h

g
• Four Myōkō-class Cruisers
(Haguro, Nachi, Ashigari and Myōkō) 3 e f
2
• Fubuki-class (Group 2) Destroyer 1
(Akebono)

• Akatsuki-class Destroyer (Ikazuchi)

b
• Two Shiratsuyu-class Destroyers d
c a 6"
(Kawakaze and Yamakaze)

Pre-Battle Preparation Early Japanese doctrine was to hold the

range while their ‘superior’ long range
Victory and Defeat
The Allied and Japanese forces are gunnery scored significant hits, after which If the HMS Exeter escapes or one
placed as shown on the chart. the destroyers would be sent in to clean Japanese heavy cruiser is sunk, the Allies
up the remnants. Japanese destroyers win a Major victory.
Scenario Rules must remain within 6" of a Japanese
cruiser until the HMS Exeter is crippled. If both destroyers escape, or one
The HMS Exeter is limited to Japanese heavy cruiser is crippled, the
Flank Speed 5" (23 knots) due to
previous battle damage, which cannot
Game Length Allies gain a Minor Victory.

be repaired. The game continues until all Allied ships Any other result is a Japanese
are lost or have entered the rain squall. Minor Victory.
There is a rain squall on the chart.
Allied ships which reach this area have
successfully withdrawn.

109
Still seeking a decisive battle, the this move, which deprived the IJN of The order was given for the Japanese
Imperial Japanese Navy began an part of its force rather than weakening aircraft to be armed with bombs,
operation against Midway Island in its opponents. Likewise, the submarine suitable for land targets, and as further
June 1942. If the island could be patrol line failed to intercept the US land-based strikes arrived the necessity
occupied, it would serve as a base fleet and inflicted no damage. of putting Midway out of action seemed
to operate against Pearl Harbor ever more apparent. Then, at 0740,
and also help anchor the extended The Japanese fleet was sighted by US a report arrived of US carriers in the
defensive perimeter needed to prevent aircraft from Midway as it approached, vicinity. The Japanese first strike aircraft
a recurrence of the Doolittle Raid. and a strike was made by B-17 bombers were returning, low on fuel, and had to
Believing that the USS Yorktown had which caused no damage. A follow- be recovered before the strike aircraft
been sunk at the Coral Sea along up strike by flying boats succeeded in could be rearmed with torpedoes
with USS Lexington, Japanese planners torpedoing a transport vessel. More to attack the US carrier force. This
thought they had a strategic advantage importantly, the US carrier force operation was further delayed by strikes
in terms of carrier strength. An attack had access to good reconnaissance from the US carriers which suffered
on Midway would draw out the US information from these aircraft, whereas massive losses for no hits.
carrier force into a one-sided battle that the Japanese commanders did not know
could only end with its destruction. where the US carrier force was. These delays meant that the Japanese
carriers’ decks were packed with
In fact, USS Yorktown had been made The first Japanese strike arrived over aircraft and, worse, there were
battle-worthy in an incredible three the Midway Atoll around 0600 and bombs on deck which had not been
days and was available to join the US was met by a rather outmatched air taken back to storage in the hurry
fleet headed for Midway. This brought defence force. US fighters came off to rearm for an anti-shipping strike.
US aviation strength up to three worst in engagements with Japanese At this point, a force of US dive
fleet carriers, plus the aircraft based Zeros and failed to inflict much damage bombers arrived over the IJN carrier
at Midway for a total of 360 aircraft. on the strike force. Serious damage was fleet. These bombers had struggled
Ranged against them was a formidable inflicted on Midway, but not enough to to find their targets and arrived late,
IJN force of four fleet carriers plus ensure a successful invasion by Japanese at a point when the massacre of the
cruisers, lighter carriers and several land forces. earlier strikes had drawn the defensive
battleships, including the huge and fighters down low and expended most
powerful Yamato. Japanese aviation At 0700, the first US air strike found of their ammunition. The fleet was
strength was some 248 planes. The IJN the Japanese carrier force and was also in disarray due to violent evasive
also deployed 20 submarines as scouts mauled first by the defensive fighters and manoeuvres and had lost much of the
and in a patrol line that would hopefully then by anti-aircraft fire. After suffering benefit of its interlocking air defence fire.
be able to ambush US ships. tremendous losses for no gain, the
survivors of this attack retired towards The US dive bombers targeted the
Part of the Japanese force was detached Midway. This attack did, however, carriers Kaga and Akagi. Kaga was hit by
to the north, threatening the Aleutian convince the Japanese commanders that bombs that detonated ordnance and set
Islands in the hope that some elements a follow-up strike against Midway would fire to aviation fuel, as well as disabling
of the US fleet would be drawn off. In be needed, which would in turn influence the carrier’s bridge. Her crew fought
the event, there was no response to the outcome of the battle. the fires for a long time but eventually

Japanese ships make for Midway

110
abandoned ship around 1700. In the USS Yorktown’s strike planes home. more could be done to save her. She,
meantime, unsecured ordnance on deck Their strike scored three hits on USS too, was abandoned at around 0350 the
and bombs aboard planes waiting to Yorktown and reduced her speed to following day.
take off, also detonated aboard Akagi. At 6 knots. This was partially remedied,
1040 her engines failed, and she burned with the carrier soon able to make Up to this point the Imperial Japanese
until abandoned later in the day. 20 knots. However, a second strike Navy had lost four carriers for sure and
inflicted crippling damage that the US Navy might potentially lose one,
As Kaga and Akagi burned after the attack eventually, at 1500, forced USS but it seemed that USS Yorktown might
by USS Enterprise’s air group. Sōryū was Yorktown’s crew to abandon ship. again survive serious damage. She was
targeted by dive bombers from USS taken under tow and boarded by a salvage
Yorktown. Three bomb hits near her Just minutes before the order was crew but presented an easy target for the
elevators detonated ordnance and started given to abandon USS Yorktown, Hiryū Japanese submarine I-168 and was sunk
fires. Her crew were ordered to abandon was attacked by rearmed planes from by torpedo.
ship at 1045, though Sōryū remained USS Enterprise. Some attacked nearby
afloat until just after 1920 when – despite battleships, without much success, but Meanwhile, after an abortive run to
efforts to save her – she sank. four bombs hit Hiryū. Her situation bombard Midway, the Japanese cruisers
seemed initially redeemable, with Mogami and Mikuma collided whilst
The confusion among the Japanese assistance from other vessels partially evading a torpedo attack by a US
carrier force may have saved Hiryū containing her fires. However, her own submarine. They were attacked by aircraft
from attack; she remained undamaged firefighting equipment had been disabled as they withdrew; Mogami was badly
and launched a strike that followed and once the fire spread below nothing damaged and Mikuma sunk.

SCENARIO: THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY

US Navy Fleet 6" Hornet and Enterprise
Deployment Zone
• Twelve Flights of Douglas SBD-2
Dauntless dive-bombers

Imperial Japanese Navy Fleet 9 10

• Kaga-class Carrier (Kaga) 8 11
7 12
4 13
• Akagi-class Carrier (Akagi) 1 2
5
• Hiryū-class Carrier (Hiryū) 14 3 6
17
• Sōryū-class Carrier (Sōryū) 15 19
16
18
• Two Kongō-class Battleships
(Haruna and Kirishima) 1) Kazagumo; 2) Hiryu;- 3) Tone; 4) Kirishima; 5) Tanikaze;
6) Kaga; 7) Nagara; 8) Nowaki; 9) Hagikaze; 10) Chikuma;
11) Akagi; 12) Maikaze; 13) Hamakaze; 14) Makigumo;
• Two Tone-class Cruisers - - - 17) Haruna; 18) Urakaze; 19) Isokaze Yorktown
15) Yugumo; 16) Soryu;
(Chikuma and Tone) Deployment Zone

• Nagara-class Cruiser (Nagara)

in the USS Hornet and USS Enterprise
Game Length
• Seven Kagerō-class Destroyer deployment zone. The game continues until all aircraft
(Hagikaze, Hamakaze, Isokaze, ordnance has been expended.
Maikaze, Nowaki, Tanikaze Four Flights of Douglas SBD-2
and Urakaze) Dauntless dive-bombers are placed in
the USS Yorktown deployment zone.
Victory and Defeat
• Three Yūgumo-class Destroyer If the US Navy sinks two carriers,
(Kazagumo, Makigumo and Yūgumo) Scenario Rules or cripples all four, it gains a Major
Victory. If the US Navy sinks one
Pre-Battle Preparation The Japanese aircraft carrier flight
decks are covered with refuelling
carrier or cripples two carriers it
gains a Minor victory. If only one
The Japanese Navy is placed as shown aircraft and hangars are full of carrier is crippled, the Imperial
on the chart. ordnance. The US Navy player may Japanese Navy gains a Minor Victory,
re-roll any and all Damage Dice when and if no carriers are crippled it gains a
Eight Flights of Douglas SBD-2 attacking aircraft carriers. Major Victory.
Dauntless dive-bombers are placed

111
The US blockade of Japanese-held torpedoes in the water were assumed escorting destroyers were ordered
islands in the Aleutians was effective in to be mistaken. to cover her with a torpedo
restricting the flow of supplies to forces attack and although this order was
stationed there. In February 1943, an At 0850, Nachi was struck by a salvo from countermanded once her speed
unescorted transport was sunk by USS the heavy cruiser USS Salt Lake City, and was restored, the threat caused her
Indianapolis, making it obvious that then by another shell soon after. Losing pursuers to keep their distance.
future supply runs had to be escorted. power to her guns’ turning mechanism,
Nachi was unable to fire for some time. Despite a torpedo attack by Japanese
A supply convoy of three transports Meanwhile the US force turned away, destroyers at around 1150, it seemed
was put together, to be escorted by pursued by their opponents. USS Salt Lake the US force would escape until an
the Northern Force of the Japanese City was able to evade most of the fire error by damage control personnel put
5th Fleet. This consisted of two directed at her by salvo chasing – turning USS Salt Lake City’s oil burners out. She
heavy and two light cruisers plus five towards the impact point of the latest came to a stop, with the light cruiser
destroyers; an enormous escort for salvo in the hope that enemy gunners USS Richmond standing by to take off
such a small convoy. US intelligence will over-correct – but was hit, suffering her crew if she could not get underway.
was aware of the impending supply minor damage. As the US destroyers again turned to
run but underestimated the size of the make a torpedo attack the heavy cruiser
available escort force. Even when US The Japanese light cruiser Tama began to limp ahead once more.
naval forces in the area were informed attempted to close as the US force
of the convoy’s approach to their gradually curved westwards but was No torpedo hits were scored, though
position, the size of the escort was not driven off by salvoes from USS Salt Lake gunfire damaged ships on both sides
communicated to the US commander. City. However, the heavy cruiser began before both forces turned away from one
to suffer steering difficulties, possibly another. Low on ammunition and fuel,
The convoy was intercepted off the due to a hit on her quarterdeck. IJN with a convoy to protect and unaware
Komandorski Islands on 27 March 1943 light cruiser Abukuma now attempted of how much trouble the main US ship
by a US naval force consisting of one to close in but was also forced to open was in, the Japanese commander may
heavy and one light cruiser plus four range by fire from USS Salt Lake City. also have misinterpreted bursting high-
destroyers, initiating the only purely explosive shells as bombs from aircraft.
surface action in the entire Pacific War. At 1002, the US heavy cruiser suffered For their part, the US force was lucky to
Expecting a lightly protected convoy, another failure of her steering gear, escape – the high-explosive shells USS
the US force closed aggressively, whilst reducing her agility and making her an Salt Lake City was firing were all she had
the Japanese deployed to protect their easy target. She was hit and penetrated left, having run out of armour-piercing
transports. By the time the size of the by a shell that failed to explode, at ammunition capable of seriously harming
IJN force was apparent, the engagement which point the US commander her opponents.
was well underway. ordered his destroyers to make smoke.
Soon after the US force turned south, The outcome of the only action of the
Cruisers on both sides exchanged a move to which the pursuing Japanese Pacific War fought without aircraft or
fire, with near-misses and some slight were slow to respond. Nevertheless, Submarine involvement was, at first
damage to one of the Japanese ships. USS Salt Lake City was hit again and glance, inconclusive. However, the
The IJN destroyer Nachi launched began to list. US force accomplished its mission of
a spread of Long Lance torpedoes preventing supplies from reaching the
which achieved only near misses. At A Japanese torpedo attack made at Japanese garrisons in the Aleutians and
the time, the US Navy was not aware around 1110 failed to score any hits, survived against a greatly superior force.
of the capabilities of the Long Lance, but USS Salt Lake City was slowed to 20 From a strategic point of view, victory
notably its range, and reports of knots by machinery trouble. Her went to the US Navy.

"Don’t worry, you won’t hear the one that gets you."
Captain Rodgers, commander of USS Salt Lake City, remarking on a near miss

112
 Kumano under attack by US carrier aircraft, by Paul Wright © Osprey Publishing Ltd.
Taken from New Vanguard 176: Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruisers 1941–45.

SCENARIO: THE BATTLE OF THE KOMANDORSKI ISLANDS

US Navy Fleet
• Pensacola-class Cruiser 6
(USS Salt Lake City)
5
• Omaha-class Cruiser 4
(USS Richmond)
3
• Two Benson-class Destroyers
(USS Bailey and Coghlan) 2
1
• Two Farragut-class Destroyers
(USS Dale and Monaghan) f a
g
b
Imperial Japanese Navy Fleet h
c 1) Bailey; 2) Coghan; 3) Richmond;
• Myōkō-class Cruiser (Nachi) 4) Salt Lake City; 5) Dale; 6) Monaghan
d
• Takao-class Cruiser (Maya) e a) Nachi; b) Maya; c) Tama; d) Wakaba;
• Kuma-class Cruiser (Tama) e) Hatsushimo; f) Abukuma; g) Ikazuchi; h) Inazuma
6"
• Two Hatsuharu-class Destroyers
(Hatsushimo and Wakaba) Scenario Rules Victory and Defeat
• Nagara-class Cruiser (Abukuma) On turn 3, Nachi suffers a power failure If one fleet manages to earn twice as
to all her turret guns, which cannot fire many Victory Points as the other, it will
• Two Akatsuki-class Destroyers for that turn only. gain a Major Victory.
(Inazuma and Ikazuchi)
Game Length Otherwise, the fleet that earns
Pre-Battle Preparation The game continues for 15 turns
the most Victory Points will gain a
Minor Victory.
The US and Japanese forces are placed after which the Japanese force must
as shown on the chart. withdraw off the east of the chart.

113
Bases at Tulagi and Guadalcanal in of command and concentration of saw the enemy vessels, enabling the
the Solomon Islands were critical to force, as well as the Japanese preference Japanese force to approach the Allied
Japanese strategy, and thus controlling for mounting powerful Long Lance cruisers without alerting them.
these islands became a vital part of torpedoes aboard their cruisers.
Allied plans to defend Australia. Allied The crews of these ships were well At 0130 on 9 August, the Japanese
landings in the Solomons came as a trained in night fighting, whereas their force opened fire on the complacent
surprise to the Japanese high command, opponents were not. cruisers. The first target was HMAS
which nevertheless reacted quickly Canberra, which was put out of action
with an operation to attack the Allied On 8 August 1942, the Japanese force without firing a shot. Flares dropped
transport fleet. Covering the landing was spotted by Allied air patrols, but its by Japanese floatplanes illuminated the
and subsequent supply runs was a task composition was misreported and its Allied fleet as crews struggled to their
force comprising heavy units including objective misinterpreted. The reported action stations, revealing a confused
battleships and aircraft carriers. This force was insufficient to seriously situation compounded by the fact that
force was deployed in more open threaten the invasion flotilla, so Allied the senior Allied captain was too busy
waters with a force of cruisers and commanders deceived themselves into fighting his own ship to issue coherent
destroyers providing a screen for the believing its objective was to establish orders to the task force.
transport fleet among the islands. a base ashore. No urgent warning was
issued, whilst poor communications and The Allied response was disjointed
This Allied force was theoretically a defective plan caused the heavy to the point of being self-destructive.
very potent, containing no less than covering force to withdraw. This was A spread of torpedoes fired by the
eight cruisers and eight destroyers, compounded by the decision to hold destroyer USS Bagley hit HMAS Canberra
with additional destroyers attached as a conference to discuss the changed and endangered other Allied vessels.
close escorts to the transport flotilla. situation, which took the flagship of the As they turned to avoid the salvo,
However, it was subdivided to cover screening force off station. they became vulnerable to Japanese
the approaches to ‘the Slot’, as the area torpedoes incoming from the opposite
of open water between the eastern Thus, as the united Japanese force side. USS Chicago, acting as flagship in
and western Solomon Islands was approached the Slot, Allied screening the absence of the force commander,
called. Within this body of water lay vessels were dispersed and their was hit and forced to limp out of action,
Savo Island, soon to be the scene of a commander absent. A patrolling though she did engage Japanese cruisers,
tremendous Allied defeat. destroyer, despite her radar, failed Yūbari and Tenryū, which were firing on
to spot the Japanese force whose a US destroyer. This was spotted by the
The Japanese force sent to attack the lookouts did a better job. Avoiding Northern Group of the Allied command
Allied transports was built around the contact, the Japanese passed a second but misinterpreted as an engagement
heavy cruiser Chōkai, with four other destroyer, the USS Jarvis, damaged by with light forces.
heavy and two light cruisers and a an air raid and en route for repairs
destroyer. On paper, this force was with no working radio. USS Jarvis could The Northern Group initially did
outgunned, but it benefited from unity not send a warning signal even if she little, waiting for orders from the task

USS Chicago falls prey to superior Japanese night fighting skills

114
force commander. Even when shells Japanese force lost cohesion, but with aircraft. It left behind three Allied
started incoming it was not clear if targets illuminated by searchlight the cruisers sunk and one more that had
this was enemy action or the result of three Northern Group cruisers were to be scuttled, plus two damaged
mistaken identification. The situation pounded with guns and torpedoes. destroyers, in return for relatively light
soon became clear, but by this time the damage to three cruisers. So many ships
three cruisers of the Northern Group The Japanese force decided not to press were sunk in this and later engagements
were under heavy attack by a superior on to attack the transports but retired that the waters around Savo Island
force. The action became chaotic as the to avoid retaliation from carrier-based became known as Ironbottom Sound.

SCENARIO: THE BATTLE OF SAVO ISLAND

Allied Forces h
- b) Aoba; c) Kako; d) Kinugasa;
a) Chokai;
6"
Southern Group g f e) Furutaka; f) Tenryu; - h) Yunagi
- g) Yubari; -
• Kent-class Cruiser (HMAS Canberra)
e d
• Northampton-class Cruiser
(USS Chicago) 12
c b
• Two Bagley-class Destroyers
(USS Bagley and Patterson) a
8
Northern Group
Savo
• Three New Orleans-class 7
Island
Cruisers (USS Astoria, Quincy and 9
Vincennes) 1) Blue;
2) Patterson; 1 10
3) Bagley; 4) Canberra;
• Bagley-class Destroyer (USS Helm) 5) Chicago; 6) Jarvis; 3 11
7) Helm; 8) Wilson;
• Benham-class Destroyer (USS Wilson) 9) Vincennes; 10) Quincy; 2 4 5 6
11) Astoria; 12) Ralph Talbot
Guadalcanal
Patrol Destroyers
• Three Bagley-class Destroyers
(USS Blue, Jarvis and Ralph Talbot)
Pre-Battle Preparation Japanese would be able to detect it.
USS Chicago cannot use its Radar trait
The Allied force and Japanese forces are until another ship fires or USS Chicago
placed as shown on the chart. spots an enemy ship.
Imperial Japanese Navy Fleet
• Takao-class Cruiser (Chōkai)
Scenario Rules Game Length
The battle occurs during night. The game continues until either fleet
• Two Aoba-class Cruiser withdraws or has been destroyed.
(Aoba and Kinugasa) The Imperial Japanese Navy starts

• Two Furutaka-class Cruiser

the first turn with Initiative and has
USS Blue spotted.
Victory and Defeat
(Furutaka and Kako) If one fleet manages to earn twice as
The use of radar by the US Navy is many Victory Points as the other, it will
• Tenryū-class Cruiser (Tenryū) relatively new, and not handled well. The gain a Major Victory. Otherwise, the
US Navy’s radar range is reduced to 20". fleet that earns the most Victory Points
• Yūbari-class Cruiser (Yūbari) will gain a Minor Victory. Japanese ships

• Kamikaze-class Destroyer (Yūnagi)

Optional Rules that exit the south-east corner of the
battlefield gain addition Victory Points
The captain of the USS Chicago ordered equal to their points cost as they attack
his radar turned off as he felt that the Guadalcanal invasion force.

USS Chicago

115
Despite the disaster suffered at the five destroyers. This force was ordered Kinugasa then fought a gunnery
Battle of Savo Island, Allied naval forces to intercept the Japanese convoy and duel against USS Salt Lake City, with
continued their efforts to deny the headed towards Savo Island from the both ships taking damage, while the
waters around Guadalcanal to the west. Reconnaissance aircraft from both remaining Allied vessels tried to chase
Japanese. The fighting on Guadalcanal sides were active but did not initially down and finish off their opponents.
required reinforcements and supplies provide any sightings, while Allied radar This was not an easy undertaking in
from both sides, without which the contacts were also misinterpreted due the dark, and with their formation
island would be lost. In October 1942, to a misunderstood manoeuvre order. in disarray the Allied ships were
Japanese naval forces escorted a large This had taken some Allied vessels out vulnerable to any additional enemy
resupply convoy towards Guadalcanal, of their formation; radar contacts were forces that might make an appearance.
bringing about the second in a series of assumed to be these ships returning to The battle gradually wound down as
surface engagements. their station. a result.

Given the success of the recent raid by During this time, the Japanese force Meanwhile, the Japanese resupply
(on paper, at least) outgunned Japanese was sighted by Allied ships, which convoy had been unloading and began
cruisers and destroyers, the convoy assumed that others (and the task force to retire along the coast of Cape
seemed to be well protected. Its close commander) also knew about them. Esperance, at the northerly tip of
escort force comprised six destroyers The destroyer USS Duncan launched a Guadalcanal. Destroyers were detached
and was supported by two seaplane torpedo attack which achieved no hits to assist the covering force but were
tenders, though these were carrying and the cruiser USS Helena requested unable to do more than pick up
troops and heavy weapons rather than permission to open fire. This was assumed survivors and help cover the retreat.
being present as combat assets. More to be granted due to poor signalling, Furutaka remained afloat for a time but
importantly, the operation was covered resulting in USS Helena opening fire on her damage was too severe for her to
by a force containing the heavy cruisers the Japanese force, followed by other be saved and she sank before dawn.
Aoba, Furutaka and Kinugasa. These, ships, before the overall commander Aoba, although so seriously damaged
escorted by two destroyers, were to knew that action was imminent. in the initial engagement that Allied
bombard the Allied base at Henderson gunners thought she was sinking, was
Field and provide heavy cover to the The Japanese force was equally able to limp away northwards with
convoy if required. surprised. Although the Allied ships Kinugasa. Despite air attack, the cruisers
had been sighted, they were assumed escaped, though other Japanese vessels
The convoy was sighted by Allied to be friendly vessels. At around 2345 were not so lucky.
reconnaissance aircraft, though the it became very apparent what was
supporting force was not. However, really happening, when the Japanese In all, the Battle of Cape Esperance cost
since the Japanese ships were flagship Aoba was hit repeatedly. As the Imperial Japanese Navy a cruiser
misidentified, the Allied commanders she turned away with serious damage and three destroyers, with other vessels
were informed they were facing at least – including two turrets out of action damaged, in return for one Allied
two cruisers and supporting destroyers, – the Allied fleet engaged Furutaka. Hit destroyer sunk. This was USS Duncan,
which was not far from the actual many times by shells and a torpedo, whose lone torpedo attack put her
enemy strength. Furutaka was also heavily damaged. The between both fleets where she received
third Japanese cruiser, Kinugasa, initially hits from her own side as well as the
In the area was a task force which had avoided damage and launched a gun and enemy. USS Boise was heavily damaged
been covering Allied reinforcement torpedo attack which caused severe but returned to service.
landings, comprising four cruisers and damage aboard USS Boise.
The Allied victory at Cape Esperance
was of no great strategic significance
– the Japanese resupply convoy was
not stopped, and others were pushed
through afterward while Henderson
Field was bombarded by Japanese
battleships on 13 October. However,
it provided a boost to morale after
losses at Savo Island, and ensured
Allied troops bound for Guadalcanal
were not prevented from landing.
Overall, this inconclusive action was
more beneficial to the Allies than
the Japanese; an unaltered strategic
situation off Guadalcanal was more to
Furutaka en route to Guadalcanal the Allies’ benefit.

116
 The Allied fleet engages Furutaka

SCENARIO: THE BATTLE OF CAPE ESPERANCE

US Navy Fleet 1) Farenholt; 2) Laffey; 3) Duncan; 4) Boise; 5) San Francisco;
• New Orleans-class Cruiser 6) Helena; 7) Salt Lake City; 8) Buchanan; 9) McCalla
(USS San Francisco)
a) Kinugasa; b) Furutaka; c) Aoba; d) Fubuki; e) Hatsuyuki
• Pensacola-class Cruisier
(USS Salt Lake City)

• Brooklyn-class Cruiser (USS Boise)

1
• St. Louis-class Cruiser (USS Helena) 2
e 3
• Two Benson-class Destroyers 4
(USS Farenholt and Laffey) d
5
• Three Gleaves-class Destroyers c 6
(USS Duncan, Buchanan and McCalla)
b 7
Imperial Japanese Navy Fleet a
6"
8
9
Two Aoba-class Cruisers
(Aoba and Kinugasa)

Furutaka-class Cruiser (Furutaka)

The US Navy starts the first turn with
the Initiative.
Game Length
The game continues until either fleet
Two Fubuki-class (Group 1) Destroyers USS Helena, Boise and Duncan all withdraws or has been destroyed.
(Fubuki and Hatsuyuki) have detected the Japanese destroyers
and Aoba.
Victory and Defeat
Pre-Battle Preparation The Japanese are under orders If one fleet manages to earn twice as
The US Navy and Japanese forces are to bombard the Allied airfield on many Victory Points as the other, it
placed as shown on the chart. Guadalcanal (called Henderson Field by will gain a Major Victory. Otherwise,
the Allies). They must exit the south of the fleet that earns the most Victory
Scenario Rules the chart to continue their mission. Points will gain a Minor Victory.
Japanese ships that do not exit the
The battle occurs during night. south of the chart are treated as
Crippled with regards to Victory Points.

117
After the battle of the Santa Cruz
Islands in late October, the Allies were
left with severely depleted aviation
strength in the region of Guadalcanal.
With carriers sunk or damaged, only the
airbase at Henderson Field remained
to cover the Allied resupply efforts and
counter Japanese convoys. A timely
repeat of the bombardment carried out
by battleships in early October might
have crippled Henderson Field, at least
for a time, and thus made Japanese
convoys into Guadalcanal much safer.

However, the airbase remained

operational and so the struggle
continued. To support a new ground
offensive against Henderson Field, the
Japanese Navy would run a convoy
containing thousands of reinforcements,
supplies and ammunition, covered
by the light carrier Jun’yō and further
protected by a force of fast battleships.
These were to undertake successive
bombardments of Henderson Field, US and Japanese ships trade salvoes
reducing its ability to resist both the
convoy run and coming offensive, and
would outgun any Allied cruiser force advantage. Cruisers stood no chance Hiei and various Japanese destroyers,
sent to intervene. in a line-of-battle slugging match with though without success. On the other
battleships, but in a confused night hand, USS Barton was torpedoed by
The Japanese plan was known to the action they might be able to strike a Amatsukaze and USS Monssen was
Allies as a result of good intelligence telling blow. However, Japanese training shattered by gunfire. So close was the
work, but resources with which to for night fighting was superior to that of action at times that 20mm anti-aircraft
respond still had to be pulled together. the Allies. guns raked the superstructure of
The escort of an Allied resupply convoy passing ships, and the Japanese admiral’s
at Guadalcanal was left there, leaving The shooting began with an exchange flag bridge was hit by machinegun fire
the retiring transports lightly protected between the light cruiser USS from USS Laffey.
but putting a force of five cruisers and Atlanta and the fast battleship Hiei,
eight destroyers off Guadalcanal. at just 1,500 yards. USS Atlanta was At 0226, the commanding officer of
crippled by gunfire and a torpedo and USS Helena ordered survivors to break
Neither side positioned their ships very staggered out of the fighting only to off the action, and what was left of the
well. The Allied flagship had an older be attacked by her own side’s flagship, US force attempted to retire. The IJN
and less capable radar than the other USS San Francisco. USS San Francisco ships also withdrew, many with varying
vessels, and the most experienced then briefly exchanged fire with Hiei degrees of damage. Hiei had fires and
destroyer captain was in command of before receiving damage that forced steering damage while among the
a group at the rear of the formation, her out of action. With USS Portland destroyers, Yudachi was crippled and
where his expertise was less useful. The unable to do more than steam in a Akatsuki was gone.
Japanese, for their part, advanced in a circle due to torpedo damage and
complex formation that quickly broke USS Helena struggling to find a target Further casualties followed the battle.
up due to bad weather. This left the after firing on the Japanese destroyer Hiei was caught by aircraft from
Japanese destroyer screen behind the Akatsuki, the Allied cruisers were Henderson Field and bombed to a
main force instead of in front, scouting unable to contribute much more to wreck which sank the next day. USS
for the enemy. the action. Juneau, heavily damaged but salvable,
was torpedoed by a submarine en
The IJN formation was still in total However, despite losses early in route for Espiritu Santo. Both sides
disarray when the two forces sighted the engagement, the US destroyers lost heavily, but the Japanese plan was
one another, and an initially confused found themselves close enough for thwarted by an inferior force, which
US response brought about a chaotic torpedo attacks on whatever targets might be considered a modest, albeit
melee which was probably to the Allies’ could be identified. These included very expensive, victory for the Allies.

118
SCENARIO: THE FIRST BATTLE OF GUADALCANAL
US Navy Fleet a) Nagara; b) Hiei; c) Kirishima; d) Akatsuki; e) Ikazuchi;
• Portland-class Cruiser (USS Portland) Savo f) Inazuma; g) Samidare; h) Murasame; i) Asagumo; j) Harusame;
Island -
k) Yudachi; l) Teruzuki; m) Amatsukaze; n) Yukikaze
• New Orleans-class Cruiser i
c
(USS San Francisco) g n
m
h l
• St. Louis-class Cruiser (USS Helena) k
b
d a j
• Two Atlanta-class (Group 1) Cruisers f e
(USS Atlanta and Juneau) 2
1 4
• Mahan-class Destroyer 3
(USS Cushing) 6
Guadalcanal
Island 5
8
• Two Gleaves-class Destroyers
7
(USS Aaron Ward and Monssen) 1) Portland; 2) San Francisco; 3) Helena; 4) Atlanta; 5) Juneau; 10
6) Cushing; 7) Aaron Ward; 8) Monssen; 9) Barton; 10) Laffey; 9 12
• Two Benson-class Destroyers 11) Fletcher; 12) O'Bannon; 13) Sterett 11 13
(USS Barton and Laffey) 6"

• Two Fletcher-class Destroyers

(USS Fletcher and O’Bannon) Pre-Battle Preparation Optional Rules
• Benham-class Destroyer (USS Sterett) The US Navy and Japanese forces are Place Admiral Hiroaki Abe on either
placed as shown on the chart. the Hiei or Kirishima, secretly marking
Imperial Japanese Navy Fleet which ship he is on. Thus, the US

• Kongō-class Battleship
Scenario Rules player does not know which is the
Japanese flagship.
(Hiei and Kirishima) The battle occurs during night.

• Nagara-class Cruiser (Nagara) The Japanese Navy has the Initiative for
Game Length
the first turn. The battle lasts for 8 turns.
• Akatsuki-class Destroyer
(Akatsuki, Ikazuchi and Inazuma) USS Helena has detected the Nagara
but does not realise the contact is
Victory and Defeat
• Two Kagerō-class Destroyers hostile – USS Helena cannot attack the If one fleet manages to earn twice as
(Amatsukaze and Yukikaze) Nagara until it is spotted. many Victory Points as the other, it will
gain a Major Victory. Otherwise, the
• Akizuki-class Destroyer (Teruzuki) The Hiei and Kirishima main turret fleet that earns the most Victory Points
guns are prepped with high-explosive will gain a Minor Victory.
• Asashio-class Destroyer (Asagumo) rounds for bombardment of
Henderson field. This reduces their AP Japanese ships that do not exit the
• Four Shiratsuyu-class Destroyers rating to +0. Each gun must fire two south of the chart are treated as
(Harusame, Murasame, Yūdachi rounds before normal armour-piercing Crippled with regards to Victory Points.
and Samidare) rounds can be fired.

Admiral Hiroaki Abe, commander of

the Japanese force, was a conservative
Admiral. If his flagship is Crippled or
receives a Bridge Hit, the entire fleet
must attempt to withdraw.

USS Portland
Fletcher-class destroyers

119
After the First Battle of Guadalcanal, First Battle of Guadalcanal, they were similar reasons), the Japanese force
the Allied force which had attempted virtually non-existent now. The only was dispersed to cover all avenues of
to prevent Japanese reinforcements significant force available was the escort approach. As a result, the Allied force
reaching the island was in no fit state to of USS Enterprise, which was undergoing was spotted around 2300 on the 14
fight and headed for Espiritu Santo. The repairs and did not need the protection. November 1942; the US vessels had
Japanese force had also suffered losses, The escort was built around the picked up nearby Japanese ships a few
of which the worst was the battleship battleships USS Washington and South minutes earlier. A brief skirmish took
Hiei – sunk by air attack as she retired Dakota. Accompanied by four destroyers, place, after which contact was lost.
from the battle area with damage. these ships were ordered into the Slot to Minutes later the light cruiser Nagara and
However, the way was now open for the intercept the Japanese force. her accompanying destroyers engaged
Japanese supply convoy to push through. the US destroyer force, mauling it. USS
Although the Allied force looked Preston and Walke were sunk in minutes;
As the Japanese convoy continued its formidable on paper, it was hastily USS Gwin and Benham were put out of
slow progress toward Guadalcanal, thrown together and had not exercised action and the latter sank the next day.
additional forces were sent to support as a unit. Nor had the Japanese
it, including the battleship Kirishima and vessels operated as a single unit; they USS South Dakota then suffered an
several heavy cruisers. Some of these were pulled together from different electrical malfunction that put most of
bombarded Henderson Field whilst formations, some of which had fought her guns out of action, though she did
other vessels took up station to protect at the previous Battle of Guadalcanal. remain in the combat zone and assisted
the convoy against surface attack. This Two battleships and four destroyers the only way she could; by drawing fire
did not materialise, but air attacks caused versus one battleship, two heavy and away from the one remaining functional
heavy losses among the transports and two light cruisers, plus nine destroyers Allied warship off Guadalcanal. This was
also sank the heavy cruiser Kinugasa. was a mismatch in terms of force, but it USS Washington, which had just crippled
US submarines also made contact with could still go either way. Whoever won the destroyer Ayanami and was seeking
the force but were not able to make the coming battle would gain control other targets. As the USS South Dakota
a successful torpedo attack. They did, of the waters around Guadalcanal and was turning away, on fire with her
however, report the Japanese position. ultimately come to dominate the island. remaining guns now inoperable after the
destruction of her radar and fire control
If Allied resources to counter the In a move reminiscent of the Allied systems, USS Washington was closing in
resupply mission were scarce before the dispositions at Savo Island (and for on Kirishima.

USS New Mexico, by Paul Wright © Osprey Publishing Ltd. Taken from New Vanguard 220: US Standard-type Battleships 1941–45 (1)

120
Distracted by the burning USS South The Japanese force also retired, Guadalcanal but was insufficient to
Dakota, Japanese lookouts did not intending to protect the convoy alter the course of the land battle,
spot the USS Washington until she was which was still struggling towards which gradually swung in favour of the
within 9,000 yards. At that range, her Guadalcanal. Kirishima was taken Allies. Similarly, no bombardment of
gunners could be sure their target was under tow but was beyond saving. Henderson Field was possible which
not the USS South Dakota and opened She sank in the early hours of the enabled Allied forces there to continue
fire. Kirishima was hit repeatedly and 15 November. their dominance of local airspace. The
forced out of action, after which Second Battle of Guadalcanal was thus
Washington turned away, evaded What remained of the heavily a solid Allied victory which had great
torpedo attacks, and broke contact. depleted transport convoy reached strategic significance.

SCENARIO: THE SECOND BATTLE OF GUADALCANAL

US Navy Fleet 6"
i
e
a) Nagara; b) Shirayuki; c) Hatsuyuki;
• North Carolina-class Battleship j d) Samidare; e) Inazuma; f) Asagumo;
d
(USS Washington) g) Atago; h) Teruzuki; i) Kirishima; j) Takao;
h c k) Ayanami; l) Sendai; m) Shikinami; n) Uranami

• South Dakota-class Battleship g b

(USS South Dakota)
a n
f
• Sims-class Destroyer (USS Walke) m
Savo
• Benham-class Destroyer l
Island
(USS Benham) k

• Mahan-class Destroyer
(USS Preston) 1) Walke; 2) Benham; 3) Preston;
4) Gwin; 5) Washington; 6) South Dakota
• Gleaves-class Destroyer (USS Gwin)
1 2 3 4 5 6
Imperial Japanese Navy Fleet Guadalcanal
Island
• Kongō-class Battleship (Kirishima)

• Takao-class Cruiser
(Atago and Takao)
Scenario Rules of ‘over aggressive’ damage control repair.
At the end of any turn in which the USS
The battle occurs during night. South Dakota or North Carolina perform
• Nagara-class Cruiser (Nagara) damage control, roll a d6. On a result
The main turret guns of the Kirishima, of a 6, that battleship loses all electrical
• Sendai-class Cruiser (Sendai) Atago and Takao are prepped with high- power and can no longer attack, use radar,
explosive rounds for bombardment of or turn. At the end of each subsequent
• Asashio-class Destroyer (Asagumo) Henderson field. This reduces the AP turn, the ship may make a Crew Quality
rating of the Kirishima’s main guns to +0, Check. If it succeeds, the ship can function
• Three Fubuki-class (Group 1) while the main guns of the Atago and properly in the next turn only.
Destroyers (Hatsuyuki, Shirayuki Takao are reduced to AP -1. Each gun
and Uranami) must fire two rounds before normal
armour-piercing rounds can be fired.
Game Length
• Two Fubuki-class (Group 2) The game continues until either fleet
Destroyers (Shikinami and Ayanami) If the Kirishima is sunk, the Japanese withdraws or has been destroyed.
must attempt to withdraw.
• Akizuki-class Destroyer (Teruzuki)
Victory and Defeat
• Shiratsuyu-class Destroyer
Optional Rules If one fleet manages to earn twice as
(Samidare) Japanese torpedo performance during this many Victory Points as the other, it will
battle was not good – several torpedoes gain a Major Victory. Otherwise, the
• Akatsuki-class Destroyer (Inazuma) missed at close range or exploded fleet that earns the most Victory Points
prematurely. For this battle, the Japanese will gain a Minor Victory.
Pre-Battle Preparation use the US torpedo rules on page 170.
Japanese ships that do not exit the
The US Navy and Japanese forces are During the battle, the USS South Dakota south of the chart are treated as
placed as shown on the chart. suffered a complete electrical failure as part Crippled with regards to Victory Points.

121
After the catastrophe at the Philippine were being made. Although the strike The force that should have been
Sea, Japanese naval aviation was was not large, the carrier USS Princeton covering the exit had been called
virtually destroyed, but a potentially received a direct hit that set her afire. away to chase the Northern Force,
effective force of cruisers and Air operations became impossible which was in fact a decoy. Heading
battleships remained. The Allied and eventually the carrier suffered an south along the coast of Samar, the
decision to liberate the Philippines, internal explosion so severe that it Centre Force encountered elements
rather than moving north to take damaged the USS Birmingham, which of the Allied escort carrier force,
Formosa and essentially isolate them, was alongside assisting, and forced the protected only by destroyers and
gave the Japanese high command a final cruiser to retire from the battle area destroyer escorts. The latter had no
chance to reverse the string of defeats seeking repairs. torpedoes, and thus no weapons that
by attacking the invasion fleet. The could harm a battleship.
odds were not good, but not going to Already down three heavy cruisers,
get any better. Thus, the decision was the Centre Force came under US As the US escort carriers made a
taken to counterattack at Leyte Gulf, air attack which scored hits on the hurried retirement, seeking cover in
bringing about the largest naval battle super battleships Musashi and Yamato, nearby rain squall, they launched every
of the war. and the battleship Nagato. The heavy plane available – whatever it was armed
cruiser Myōkō, also attacked, was with – and radioed for help. The escorts
Both sides fielded three fleets. Those forced to retire with serious damage. made smoke and charged at Centre
on the Japanese side were named A second strike arrived around Force, and those that had torpedoes
Northern, Central and Southern for 1030, targeting Musashi which took would use them if they could. Those
their operating areas in the vicinity at least ten hits. Eleven more bomb that did not could pretend they did and
of the Philippines. The Centre Force hits and eight torpedoes from the hope to draw fire. It was a desperate
contained five battleships including next strike also hit Musashi. One situation to which the escort force
Yamato and Musashi, the ultimate torpedo penetrated her armour by responded gallantly.
expressions of the battleship, along with way of a hole left by an earlier hit and
twelve cruisers and fifteen destroyers. exploded internally. As the Centre Force responded to
The latter proved inadequate to its ‘general attack’ order, the cruiser
guard against submarine attack – the Musashi was still afloat after this Kumano was torpedoed by USS
heavy cruisers Atago and Maya were pounding and began to retire, escorted Johnston. Johnston took heavy damage in
torpedoed and sunk as the Centre by a cruiser and two destroyers. the attempt but continued to fight with
Force moved through the Palawan However, her damage was simply too her guns until disabled by overwhelming
passage. Takao was also torpedoed and severe and at 1835 she capsized and fire. USS Hoel and Samuel B Roberts
forced to return to base. sank. In the interim the Centre Force were sunk more quickly, though USS
had retreated to escape air attack, but Heerman came through the encounter
Atago had been the force flagship, but as night fell it reversed course again and still afloat.
now Yamato took over in that role, headed for the San Bernardino Strait.
and the force pushed on towards Although depleted and with some ships Meanwhile, even the escort carriers
the Sibuyan Sea. It was located by air damaged, the Centre Force was still were engaging the Japanese fleet with
reconnaissance on the morning of 24 combat-worthy and looking for a fight. their guns. USS Gambier Bay was hit
October 1944, and the order was given repeatedly and sank, but the rest of
to launch air strikes. However, one of As the Centre Force passed through the task force escaped, largely due
the carrier task groups came under the San Bernardino Strait, it found to the ferocity of the counterattack.
land-based air attack as preparations the path ahead unexpectedly clear. With no air cover and a sky full of

The Yamato comes under concerted US torpedo attack

122
hostile aircraft – and not knowing that to dodge torpedoes. With a force of Leaving behind three cruisers sunk,
many of them were unarmed – the Allied battleships rushing to the area Centre Force retired through the San
Japanese task force was also having there was nothing left but to retire. Bernardino Strait.

SCENARIO: THE BATTLE OFF SAMAR

US Navy Fleet a) Yahagi; b) Kongo;- c) Isokaze; d) Nowake; e) Urakaze; f) Yukikaze; g) Kumano; h) Suzuya;
- p) Shimakaze;
• Six Casablanca-class Carriers i) Tone; j) Haruna; k) Chikuma; l) Yamato; m) Nagato; n) Haguro; o) Chokai;
(USS Fanshaw Bay, St. Lo, White Plains, q) Noshiro; r) Kishinami; s) Fujinami; t) Akishimo; u) Okinami; v) Hayashimo; w) Hamanami
Kalinin Bay, Kitkun Bay and Gambier Bay) b

Squall Line
• Three Fletcher-class Destroyers f d
a
(USS Hoel, Heerman and Johnston) e c
j 4
• Four John C. Butler-class Destroyers h 3 5
k 10
(USS Dennis, John C. Butler, Raymond g 2
i 9 11
and Samuel B. Roberts)
m 1
v l
• Twenty-four Flights of F4F Wildcat t r 8 12
fighters (4 flights per carrier). p n
w o 13
u s 7

Squall Line
q 6
• Eighteen Flights of TBM Avenger
torpedo-bombers (3 flights per carrier). 1) Johnston; 2) Hoel; 3) Raymond; 4) Samuel B. Roberts;
5) John C. Butler; 6) Heermann; 7) Dennis; 8) Gambier Bay;
9) Kalinin Bay; 10) Saint Lo; 11) White Plains; 12) Fanshaw Bay; 13) Kitkun Bay
Imperial Japanese Navy Fleet 6"

• Yamato-class Battleship (Yamato) Scenario Rules presumed were fast carriers while
• Nagato-class Battleship (Nagato) The rain squall is treated as night in obstructing his battleships’ line of fire,
terms of spotting and gunnery. While ordered them to remain behind the
• Two Kongō-class Battleships units are inside the squall they must main battle line. Thus, no Japanese
(Kongō and Haruna) be spotted (searchlights and Star destroyer or light cruiser can be closer
Shells cannot be used). Roll a d6 at to the US ships than battleships or
• Myōkō-class Cruiser (Haguro) the end of each turn and on a 6 the heavy cruisers.
squall begins to dissipate. After two
• Takao-class Cruiser (Chōkai) more turns, the effects of the squall
are removed.
Game Length
• Mogami-class Cruiser The game continues 20 turns after
(Kumano and Suzuya) In order to launch as quickly as possible, which the Japanese must withdraw.
the Avengers were loaded with the first
• Two Tone-class Cruisers
(Tone and Chikuma)
available weapons. With each Flight
launched, roll a D6 for their armament.
Victory and Defeat
If one fleet manages to earn twice as
• Two Agano-class Cruisers
(Noshiro and Yahagi)
Optional Rules many Victory Points as the other, it will
gain a Major Victory.
The Japanese commander, Admiral
• Shimakaze-class Destroyer Takeo Kurita, concerned that his Otherwise, the fleet that earns
(Shimakaze) destroyers would burn too much the most Victory Points will gain a
fuel in a stern chase against what he Minor Victory.
• Six Yūgumo-class Destroyers
(Hayashimo, Akishimo, Kishinami,
Okinami, Hamanami and Fujinami) D6 Score Target
1 Nothing – the flight can only make fake torpedo runs
• Four Kagerō-class Destroyers
armament table

(Nowake, Urakaze, Isokaze 2 Depth Charges: -1 to hit, DD 2, AP -2

and Yukikaze)
3 Rockets: +1 to hit, DD 1, AP +0

Pre-Battle Preparation 4 Light Bombs: DD 2

The US Navy and Japanese forces are 5 Bombs: DD 4

placed as shown on the chart. 6 Torpedo

123
Although less powerful than the Centre However, their position was constantly were joined in retirement by the only
Force, the Japanese Southern Force reported and ahead lay a line of capital two vessels remaining of the primary
was still potent. Comprising a primary ships ‘across the T’ of the approaching force – the destroyer Shigure and heavy
group of two battleships and a heavy formation. Before the big ships were cruiser Mogami, the latter accidentally
cruiser, plus four destroyers and a in range, however, the destroyer force ramming the secondary force’s flagship,
secondary group of three cruisers and made its attack. The first group to Nachi. Mogami was slowed and thus
seven destroyers, this force was to pass launch torpedoes sank Fuso along with caught by pursuing Allied vessels, which
through the Surigao Strait and attack the destroyers Michishio and Yamagumo. shelled her until she was unable to
the US fleet in conjunction with the Yamashiro was damaged, as was the move. After these vessels withdrew,
Centre Force. Despite the Centre Force destroyer Asagumo. Asagumo managed to Mogami was finished off by air attack.
having turned back, the Southern Force turn away but was subsequently sunk. Nachi reached Manila for repairs but
pressed on. Its two component groups was repeatedly attacked from the air
remained widely separated for reasons Yamashiro pressed on, only to be and sunk on 5 November.
that remain obscure. torpedoed again by the second group
of destroyers. Damaged, but still The battle, if it can be called that,
The Southern Force was sighted and battleworthy, she continued slowly of the Surigao Strait was the last
came under air attack on 24 October northwards towards the Allied battleship occasion upon which capital ships
1944 but was able to continue without line. It was not known that Fuso had fired upon one another. None of the
significant damage. It entered the been sunk; contact had been lost but it capital ships sunk were destroyed
Surigao Strait around 0200, sailing into was thought that, at any moment, the by battleship gunfire, but it was the
what can best be described as a death battleship might catch up to her consort. decisive factor that turned Yamashiro
trap. Nearly fifty torpedo boats were Of course, she did not, and Yamashiro back into the destroyer force and
positioned along the sides of the strait, steamed on alone, into range of the sealed her fate.
ordered to report the position of the Allied guns. Of the six battleships arrayed
Japanese fleet and then attack with across the strait, some had older radar Although elements of all three Japanese
torpedoes. Behind this gauntlet was a and struggled to obtain a firing solution. forces survived the larger Battle of
cordon of destroyers, with a battleship However, all but one managed to fire Leyte Gulf, the Imperial Japanese Navy
and cruiser force waiting to destroy on Yamashiro, forcing her to turn away was no longer capable of challenging
anything that broke through. and run south. This took her back into the Allies with any chance of success.
the destroyer cordon where she was Critically short of fuel and, after the
The primary element of the Southern torpedoed again and sank. loss of the Philippines, cut off from the
Force, built around the battleships captured territories in south-east Asia,
Yamashiro and Fuso, ran the torpedo- The secondary group, realising that only the IJN’s remaining ships played little
boat gauntlet without being hit. massacre lay ahead, turned away. They further part in the war.

US Navy destroyers move into position

124
 Death From Above
Bush, Colhoun, Mannert L. Abele, and now the Pringle–four destroyers downed by kamikazes off Okinawa in three weeks.
After the loss of the Pringle, Adm. Raymond Spruance reported to Admiral Nimitz:
"The skill and effectiveness of enemy suicide air attacks and the rate of loss and damage to ships are such that all
available means should be employed to prevent further attacks. Recommend all available attacks with all available
planes, including Twentieth Air Force, on Kyushu and Formosa fields."
John Turner, 'Fight for the Sea'

SCENARIO: THE BATTLE OF SURIGAO STRAIT

Allied Navy Fleet 7
• New Mexico-class Battleship 15 16 17
(USS Mississippi) 1 8

• Two Colorado-class Battleships 9

(USS Maryland and West Virginia) 2 18 19 20
21
10 22
• Two Tennessee-class Battleships 23
(USS Tennessee and California) 3
11 a e
24 b d f
• Pennsylvania-class Battleship
4 25
(USS Pennsylvania) c g
26
12
• Northampton-class Cruiser 5
(USS Louisville) 27
28
13 29 30
• Portland-class Cruiser (USS Portland) 31
6 33 32
14 34
• New Orleans-class Cruiser 6"
(USS Minneapolis)
1) West Virginia; 2) Maryland; 3) Mississippi; 4) Tennessee; 5) California; 6) Pennsylvania; 7) Louisville; 8) Portland; 9) Minneapolis;
• London-class Cruiser 10) Denver; 11) Phoenix; 12) Columbia; 13) Boise; 14) Shropshire; 15) Remey; 16) McGowen; 17) Melvin; 18) Robinson; 19) Halford;
(HMAS Shropshire) 20) Bryant; 21) Albert W. Grant; 22) Richard P. Leary; 23) Newcomb; 24) Leutze; 25) Bennion; 26) Heywood L. Edwards; 27) Hutchins;
28) Daly; 29) Minneapolis; 30) Bache; 31) Beale; 32) Killen; 33) McDermut; 34) Monssen
• Two Cleveland-class Cruisers a) Michishio; b) Asagumo; c) Shigure; d) Yamagumo; e) Yamashiro; f) Mogami; g) Fuso
(USS Denver and Columbia)

• Two Brooklyn-class Cruisers

Imperial Japanese Navy Fleet The Allied forces have the Initiative for
(USS Phoenix and Boise) • Two Fuso-class Battleships the entire battle.
(Yamashiro and Fuso)
• Eighteen Fletcher-class Destroyers
(USS Newcomb, Richard P. Leary, • Mogami-class Cruiser (Mogami)
Game Length
Albert W. Grant, Robinson, Halford, The game continues until all Japanese
Bryant, Heywood L. Edwards, Bennion, • Three Asashio-class Destroyers units are destroyed or have withdrawn.
Leutze, Hutchins, Daly, Bache, Killen, (Asagumo, Michishio and Yamagumo)
Beale, Remey, McGowen, Melvin
and McDermut) • Shiratsuyu-class Destroyer (Shigure)
Victory and Defeat
If one fleet manages to earn twice as
• Gleaves-class Destroyer
(USS Monssen)
Pre-Battle Preparation many Victory Points as the other, it will
gain a Major Victory. Otherwise, the
The US Navy and Japanese forces are fleet that earns the most Victory Points
• Tribal-class Destroyer placed as shown on the chart. will gain a Minor Victory. The Japanese
(HMAS Arunta) gain Victory Points equal to the value
Scenario Rules of any ship (if not Crippled) or half (if
Crippled) that exits the north end of
The battle occurs during night. the chart.

125
The island of Okinawa was the last and destroyers acting as radar pickets It was not only aircraft that made
American objective short of the Japanese suffered particularly badly since they kamikaze attacks. Motorboats packed
Home Islands. As with Iwo Jima, there were not covered by the massed anti- with explosives were used, and
was no prospect of the Japanese aircraft fire of the fleet. Operation Ten-Go (Ten-gō sakusen),
successfully defending the island, but a naval counterattack, had the
nevertheless strong defences were The initial American landings were characteristics of a suicide mission as
emplaced with the intention of delaying on a relatively small scale, to provide well. The super battleship Yamato, in
the Allied advance and making it as costly security for the main force coming company with the light cruiser Yahagi
as possible. The days of a ‘crust’ defence ashore. This began on 1 April 1945 and eight destroyers, was ordered to
along the beach line were long gone; and met minimal resistance. The attack the Allied fleet off Okinawa. Even
Japanese strategy now revolved around northern end of Okinawa was secured discounting the fact that there were
defence in depth, with successive lines of over the next three weeks, but the literally hundreds of Allied warships
bunkers and emplacements supported by reduction of the main Japanese force around the island, the ships involved
fortified artillery. in the south took a lot longer. The first in Ten-Go had only enough fuel for a
major opposition was encountered on one-way trip. Yamato was to fight until
Another integral part of the Japanese 4 April, when the Allies encountered disabled, then beach herself and act as a
strategy – for the first time – was the the first of a series of defensive lines. coastal fortress.
use of kamikaze attacks on a large scale. This was followed on the 6 April by
Attacks had been made previously, the beginning of a major Japanese air This gallant, if pointless and supremely
but now they were a major part of campaign against the invasion fleet and wasteful, gambit came to naught.
the plan. The concentration of ships its supports. By the time it was over, Yamato and her consorts were found
around Okinawa would provide a nearly 1,500 kamikaze aircraft had and attacked by over three hundred
target-rich environment for even the been expended, and large numbers of aircraft. The battleship and cruiser, plus
most inexperienced kamikaze pilot, conventional attacks also made. four of the destroyers, were sunk on

F4U Corsairs

126
17 April 1945 in return for ten aircraft defenders waited to be attacked, Organised resistance ended in the
shot down. After this, there was forcing the invaders to make costly last week of June and, despite some
no prospect of any support for the assaults against well positioned remaining holdouts, the island was
defenders of Okinawa – not that there bunkers. Assisted by the largest air declared secure on 2 July 1945.
had ever really been any – other than and naval bombardment of the Pacific Okinawa had been comprehensively
air attacks on the invasion fleet. Which War, US land forces ground their way wrecked, with huge casualties among
inflicted damage and sank nearly forty through the Japanese lines, only to be the civilian population as well as
ships but could not affect the outcome counterattacked by troops who had both sides.
of the battle. survived the ferocious bombardment
in their bunkers. The way was now open for an invasion
The first Japanese line was broken of the Home Islands, but this was
on 24 April, but this merely revealed Despite a bold attempt to outflank a daunting prospect. The ferocity
another line behind it. There were the invaders with an amphibious of the defence at Okinawa and Iwo
no massed counterattacks which attack of their own, the Japanese Jima suggested that the cost of finally
would have played to US strengths forces on Okinawa were gradually subduing Japan would be enormous.
in terms of infantry firepower and pushed south into the Kiyan Peninsula, This was, of course, a factor in America’s
heavy support; instead the Japanese where they made a final stand. decision to use atomic weapons.

SCENARIO: THE BATTLE FOR OKINAWA

US Navy Fleet Wave 1 US Entry Point 1
1) Yahagi; 2) Isokaze; 3) Hamakaze; 4) Yukikaze;
US Entry Point 3

• 16 Flights of F6F Hellcat fighters 5) Fuyutsuki; 6) Hatsushimo; 7) Yamato; 8) Kasumi;

9) Asashimo; 10) Suzutsuki
• 16 Flights of F4U Corsair fighters

• 12 Flights of SB2C Helldiver

dive-bombers
3 4
2 5
• 24 Flights of TBM Avenger 1 10
torpedo-bombers
9 6
8 7
US Navy Fleet Wave 2
• 6 Flights of F6F Hellcat fighters

• 6 Flights of F4U Corsair fighters

• 6 Flights of SB2C Helldiver

dive-bombers US Entry Point 2 6" US Entry Point 4

• 8 Flights of TBM Avenger

torpedo-bombers
Pre-Battle Preparation On Turn 8, place Wave 2 of the US
forces on any of the four US Entry
The Japanese Navy is placed on as Points, split up as desired.
Imperial Japanese Navy Fleet shown on the chart.

• Yamato-class Battleship (Yamato) Place Wave 1 of the US forces on

Game Length
any of the four US Entry Points, split up The game continues until all aircraft
• Agano-class Cruiser (Yahagi) as desired. ordnance has been expended.

• Three Kagerō-class Destroyers

(Isokaze, Hamakaze and Yukikaze)
Scenario Rules Victory and Defeat
All US fighter Flights are equipped If the US Navy sinks the Yamato, Yahagi
• Yūgumo-class Destroyer with 500 lb bombs. Treat them as and half of the destroyers, the US player
(Asashimo) dive-bombers. gains a Major Victory. If the US Navy
sinks Yamato, the US player gains a
• Two Akizuki-class Destroyers All Helldivers are equipped with a 1,000 Minor Victory.
(Fuyutsuki and Suzutsuki) lb bomb (Damage Dice 2) and two
250 lb bombs (Damage Dice 1). Prior If, after the attack, the Yamato is not
• Asashio-class Destroyer (Kasumi) to making an attack roll, the US player sunk, the Japanese Navy gains a Minor
must indicate if both sets of bombs are Victory, while if the Yamato is not
• Hatsuharu-class Destroyer released or just one. This allows for the Crippled the Japanese Navy gains a
(Hatsushimo) option of making two attacks. Major Victory.

127
128
These Fleet Lists provide all the essential The cost of these Flights is included in the
game details for each of the major navies cost of the Carrier, and players are free to National Rules
fighting in World War Two. With this choose whichever aircraft they wish so long Some nations have unique rules that affect
information, players can build fleets to either as the number of Flights does not exceed the nation's fleets. In each case, these
re-enact historic battles, generate interesting their carriers’ maximum, and only Flights that national rules are given here.
'what if…?' scenarios, or build point-matched are listed as being carrier-capable are chosen.
forces that are balanced against each other. However, if commissioned dates are being used,
this will also limit the choice of aircraft available. Fleet List
This is a comprehensive list of every ship
POINTS COST Aircraft Flights may also be purchased
without a Carrier in the fleet. If you do not
available to the nation. The list is split
into the various Types of ship: Battleships,
Every ship detailed in this section has a points have any carriers or do not have enough Carriers, Cruisers, Destroyers, and
cost, which is derived from how powerful space upon them for all the Flights you wish Submarines. After the ships, details of the
the ship is relative to all the others. This to use, any excess are assumed to have aircraft Flights and Motor Torpedo Boats
allows you to build fleets that, under normal taken off from land bases or carriers much are given.
circumstances, should be fairly balanced against further from the battle. However, unless the
one another. Simply decide a maximum points scenario you are playing permits otherwise, Each fleet list may also include a selection
value with your opponent for the scenario you you may only have a maximum of a quarter of hypothetical ship designs that, for one
have agreed to play, and purchase ships from of your total points spent on such Flights reason or another, did not actually serve in
your fleet list up to this value. that are not based on one of your carriers. World War Two and, in some cases, were
never even built!

COMMISSIONED DATES MOTOR TORPEDO BOATS They are included in this book for players to
try various 'what if…?' scenarios featuring
Every ship within a fleet's list has a Motor torpedo boats (often abbreviated as these ships.
commissioned date, which lists when a ship first MTBs) may also be purchased for a fleet.
came into service. As an optional rule, players However, motor torpedo boats have no
might like to decide on a specific year for each place on the open ocean and are confined Ship Descriptions
scenario or campaign. For example, if a scenario to regions near land, typically used for fast Each class of ship in the fleet is detailed
is decided to be taking place in 1943, no ship, strikes rather than major fleet actions. If you separately, providing all the game
aircraft or refit having a commissioned date of choose to include motor torpedo boats in information needed as well as biographical
1944 or beyond may be chosen, while anything your fleet, you may not include more than information and any refits available to
listed as 1943 or before is valid. one Battleship or Carrier. individual ships within the class.

Refits
AIRCRAFT THE FLEET LISTS Fleets have the potential to upgrade or
All Aircraft Flights must be purchased from a Each nation is introduced with a brief refit their ships. A ship may take any
fleet’s points allowance. description of its navy and involvement in number of options available to it. Unless
the Second World War. otherwise stated, options listed by year
Carriers in the fleet lists have the maximum assume you have already taken (and
number of Flights they may carry detailed in In addition, every fleet presented in this paid the points for) the options for all
their descriptions. book comprises the following sections. preceding years.

USING REFITS
The use of refits and options will bring an additional level of complexity into your games, as just about every ship that floated was
modified and re-equipped in some way as technology progressed and new lessons were learned in battle.
We recommend that, for your first few battles with your own fleets, you do not use refits. They are included for historical
accuracy and not as a means for ‘improving’ ships or gaining a competitive edge (indeed, some refits removed weapons and
equipment!). The base entries for each ship are very much representative of what each vessel was capable of and they will reward
you with many fine hours of play.
That said, once you have learned the full rules of Victory at Sea, and start looking for truly historical battles, refits will provide you
with everything you need.

129
The Royal Navy of Great Britain was the Despite budget restrictions, the Royal Navy region, but the Royal Navy could not be strong
world’s greatest navy at the outbreak of had, where possible, updated its ships to everywhere. Lone cruisers and small destroyer
World War Two, as might be expected from eliminate the weaknesses discovered during squadrons or Commonwealth forces were all
an island power with a far-flung empire. the First World War and to incorporate that was available to cover many areas.
However, as a result of the Washington advances in propulsion and communications
Treaty, Britain went to war with mainly technology. Sufficient anti-aircraft armament Although badly stretched, the Royal Navy lived
World War One vintage vessels, plus those was lacking at the outbreak of hostilities, up to its traditional ‘can do!’ ethos, fighting hard
built in the post-war naval race subsequently and British ships lacked fire control radar. in all theatres. Many actions were critical but
curtailed by the treaty. However, these deficiencies were steadily less than glorious, such as the endless anti-
eliminated as the war progressed. submarine operations of the convoy routes.
With interests in every part of the These were affairs for corvettes, escort carriers
world, Britain needed large numbers In addition to the battleship forces, the and even armed trawlers, and not the stuff of
of ships to cover her trade routes and Royal Navy maintained a handful of fast legend – yet it was here taht the Second World
foreign territories. Since the Royal Navy battlecruisers – some of them quite old – War might well have been lost for Britain.
already possessed many powerful units, and aircraft carriers. These were backed up
construction of the most modern designs by a strong cruiser force and light forces As the war went on, aircraft carriers became
was limited and many upgrades were not including destroyers, motor torpedo boats increasingly important and air defences
possible, forcing existing vessels to soldier (MTBs) and motor gunboats (MGBs). were steadily improved on all ships. Yet the
on regardless. Among other things, this big guns of the battleships and cruisers still
meant that at the outbreak of World War British submarine forces were deployed with played a vital role in many theatres of war.
II Britain had far more battleships than some success, mainly against naval targets
most other nations, but they were generally rather than in commerce raiding. Despite British capital ships saw action in the Arctic
slower and had smaller guns than those the experiences of the First World War, and the Atlantic against German commerce
built to the most recent trends. and the expectation that British submarines raiders, in the Mediterranean against Italian
would perform sterling service in the forces, and ventured into the Pacific in an ill-
These old and slow ships did not stand next conflict, anti-submarine forces were fated attempt to stem the Japanese advance.
up well in battle against a modern naval inadequate at the start of the war. Cruisers and destroyer forces fought
force, but they did perform sterling service worldwide, mainly against submarines and
in some areas, such as the old battleships Not counting Commonwealth units, the Royal aircraft but also in surface actions against
that escorted convoys across the Atlantic. Navy deployed over 3,300 ships of all types their own kind and larger vessels.
Because German surface raiders had during World War Two. The main battle force
standing orders not to engage any convoy was kept concentrated in home waters, mainly The great fleet actions planned for and
including a vessel that could seriously harm at Scapa Flow and Rosyth, with lighter forces desired by the architects of the Royal Navy
them – and since any battleship would further south, and strong destroyer and MTB/ did not materialise during World War Two,
qualify – the presence of these ageing MGB flotillas on the English Channel. Task but the Royal Navy adapted well to the war
warriors saved many convoys from an forces were assigned to many distant areas, it was destined to fight and emerged with
otherwise devastating attack. often in response to raids or a crisis in the great honour.

Royal Navy cruisers engage the heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper

130
HMS Duke of York

Royal NAvy national RULES

The following special rules are applied to fleets of the Royal Navy.

Depth Charge Attacks

British motor torpedo boats developed a tactic whereby they dropped Depth Charge close to enemy vessels in the hope
underwater explosions would damage the ship.
To conduct a depth charge attack in this manner, a Motor Torpedo Boat Section must be moved into contact with the target ship.
It may then use a Depth Charge in the Gunnery Phase by rolling a D6. On a 6 or more, the attack is successful. Roll 6 Damage Dice
against the enemy ship, with an AP score of +1.

VT Fuses
The variable time fuse (VT fuse), the name of which was deliberate camouflage for its operating principle, used a small radar system
inside the shells to detonate by proximity to a target instead of relying on direct hits or pre-set altitudes. This made DP guns much
more effective against aircraft.
VT fuses may be equipped by any light guns with the DP trait, and all such guns on a ship have to be upgraded if this option is
taken. Any ship equipped with DP guns and VT fuses may use their entire AD against incoming aircraft instead of the usual half. VT
fuses have a commissioned date of 1944 and may not be equipped prior to that.

131
 Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 5+ Hull: 96/32 Traits: Torpedo Belt 2 400
points
Type: Battleship Length: 860 ft. Speed: 31 kts. Ships of this Class: Hood
Commissioned: 1920 Displacement: 46,680 tons Crew: 1,477
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 15-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 2 +2 3 –
B Turret (2 x 15-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 2 +2 3 –
ADMIRAL-CLASS BATTLESHIP

X Turret (2 x 15-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 2 +2 3 –

Y Turret (2 x 15-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 2 +2 3 –
Light Guns (12 x 5.5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 8 -2 1 Restricted, Weak
Light Guns (8 x 4-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 4 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 5
Port Mk IV Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 2 – 2 Devastating, Slow-Loading
Starboard Mk IV Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 2 – 2 Devastating, Slow-Loading
Refits – Hood
1940 Change Light Guns (12 x 5.5-inch) to Light Guns (14 x 4-inch) with Attack Dice 7 for -25 points. 1942 (Projected but never performed). Add Aircraft 2 and Armoured Deck. Replace all weapons except A,
1941 Add Radar for +60 points. B, X and Y Turrets with the following for +250 Points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (16 x 5.25-inch) 5" 11" 17" 23" 8 -1 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 10

At one time, the HMS Hood was possibly the most famous ship in the entire world. It was certainly the May 1941 during one of the more controversial naval engagements of the war. Accurate shelling
largest afloat and represented the supremacy of British sea power. Armed with 15-inch main guns, from the German ship caused a massive explosion on the Hood which sank within minutes, leaving
she also remained one of the fastest warships on the sea. However, like all battlecruisers, this came only three survivors. Theories continue to be explored as to why this happened, but many believe
at the expense of armour. During the Second World War the Hood remained attached to the Home a high trajectory shot from the Bismarck pierced the thin deck armour of the Hood to explode its
Fleet and also took part in the sinking of the French fleet at Oran. She was sunk by the Bismarck in magazines. In any event, it was certainly one of the more spectacular deaths of any capital ship.

Flank Speed: 5" Armour: 7+ Hull: 89/29 Traits: Aircraft 2, Armoured Deck, Radar, Torpedo Belt 3 600
points
Type: Battleship Length: 745 ft. Speed: 27.5 kts. Ships in Class: Anson, Duke of York, Howe, King George V, Prince of Wales
Commissioned: 1940 Displacement: 44,650 tons Crew: 1,900
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
KING GEORGE V-CLASS BATTLESHIP

A Turret (4 x 14-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 4 +2 3 –

B Turret (2 x 14-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 2 +2 3 –
Y Turret (4 x 14-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 4 +2 3 –
Light Guns (16 x 5.25-inch) 5" 11" 17" 23" 10 -1 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 6
Refits – Anson 1944 Add Sub-Hunter for +20 points. Refits – Howe
1942 Increase AA Battery to Local 10 for +20 points. 1945 Remove Aircraft, add Advanced Radar, increase AA Battery to 1942 Increase AA Battery to Local 10 for +20 points.
1943 Increase AA Battery to Local 12 for +10 points. Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 2 and Local 21 for 1943 Increase AA Battery to Local 12 for +10 points.
+105 points. 1944 Remove Aircraft, add Advance Radar, add Sub-Hunter, and
1944 Add Sub-Hunter for +20 points.
increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack
1945 Remove Aircraft, increase AA Battery to Range bands Refits – King George V Dice 2 and Local 15 for +100 points.
1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 2 and Local 20 for +105 points. 1942 Increase AA Battery to Local 10 for +20 points. 1945 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 5 and Local 18 for +30 points.
1943 Increase AA Battery Local to 11 for +5 points.
Refits – Duke of York 1944 Remove Aircraft, add Sub-Hunter, increase AA Battery to Refits – Prince of Wales
1941 Increase AA Battery Local to 10 for +20 points. Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 2 and Local 15 for 1941 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack
1943 Increase AA Battery to Local 11 for +5 points. +100 points. Dice 1 and Local 10 for +25 points.

Built to defend Britain in the war that was clearly coming, the King George V-class of battleships compromised their
main armaments, which were reduced to 14-inch guns, to fulfil treaty obligations. However, by mounting ten
of them, the HMS King George V could pack a fearsome punch. It was also very fast for such a well-
armoured ship. The King George V served successfully in many campaigns, including
the invasions of Sicily and Italy and finished the war in the Pacific fleet. The
HMS Prince of Wales was deployed with the HMS Repulse along the
Malayan Coast, where it was sunk by Japanese aircraft.
HMS Duke of York

132
 The Royal Navy

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 7+ Hull: 93/31 Traits: Advanced Radar, Aircraft 3, Armoured Deck, Torpedo Belt 3 900
points
Type: Battleship Length: 785 ft. Speed: 30 kts. Ships in Class: Lion, Temeraire, Conqueror, Thunderer
LION-CLASS BATTLESHIP

Commissioned: Not completed Displacement: 46,300 tons Crew: 1,680

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (3 x 16-inch) 10" 20" 30" 41" 3 +2 3 Heavy
B Turret (3 x 16-inch) 10" 20" 30" 41" 3 +2 3 Heavy
X Turret (3 x 16-inch) 10" 20" 30" 41" 3 +2 3 Heavy
Light Guns (16 x 5.25-inch) 5" 11" 17" 23" 8 -1 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 9
The Lion-class was essentially a repeat of the King George V-class design but substituting and smaller warships so all four were cancelled in October 1940. Some studies were
the twin/quad 14-inch gun arrangement for triple 16-inch turrets and incorporating some conducted examining the possibility of using the incomplete hulls for aircraft carriers, and
other improvements. Four vessels were planned and the first two were under construction even hybrid battleship/carriers, but these were abandoned when it was realised that new
at the start of the war. However, priority for construction was for cruisers, carriers construction was a more efficient route to follow.

Flank Speed: 5" Armour: 7+ Hull: 108/36 Traits: Armoured Deck, Lumbering, Torpedo Belt 2 950
points
Type: Battleship Length: 815 ft. Speed: 23.5 kts. Ships of this Class: St George, St David, St Andrew, St Patrick
Commissioned: Not completed Displacement: 48,000 tons Crew: 1,680
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
N3-CLASS BATTLESHIP

A Turret (3 x 18-inch) 11" 22" 33" 44" 3 +2 4 Heavy

B Turret (3 x 18-inch) 11" 22" 33" 44" 3 +2 4 Heavy
Q Turret (3 x 18-inch) 11" 22" 33" 44" 3 +2 4 Heavy
Light Guns (16 x 6-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 8 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Restricted
Light Guns (6 x 4.7-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 4 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 8
Port Mk I Torpedoes 4" 9" 13" 18" 1 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading
Starboard Mk I Torpedoes 4" 9" 13" 18" 1 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading
The N3 battleship (and companion G3 battlecruiser) were Britain’s first post-war capital The N3 would also have had the biggest guns ever mounted on a British warship. Resource
ship designs and incorporated the hard-won lessons learnt from the Great War. Horizontal constraints led to an unusual arrangement where the third turret sat between the forward
armour (up to 9-inch thick) was testament to the increasing ranges that gunnery duels were and aft superstructures. In the end the design was killed off by the Washington Naval Treaty,
fought, as well as an early acceptance of the risk posed by bombs from high flying aircraft. but elements of the design lived on in the Nelson-class battleships.

Flank Speed: 5" Armour: 7+ Hull: 83/27 Traits: Armoured Deck, Torpedo Belt 2 600
points
Type: Battleship Length: 710 ft. Speed: 23 kts. Ships in Class: Nelson, Rodney
Commissioned: 1927 Displacement: 37,780 tons Crew: 1,640
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
NELSON-CLASS BATTLESHIP

A Turret (3 x 16-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 3 +2 3 –

B Turret (3 x 16-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 3 +2 3 –
Q Turret (3 x 16-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 3 +2 3 –
Light Guns (12 x 6-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 6 -1 1 Restricted, Twin-Linked
Light Guns (6 x 4.7-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 3 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 3
Forward Mk I Torpedoes 4" 9" 13" 18" 2 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading
Refits – Nelson Refits – Rodney
1940 Increase AA Battery Local to 8 for +25 points. 1943 Increase AA Battery to Local 12 for +10 points. 1939 Increase AA Battery to Local 5 for +10 points.
1941 Add Radar for +60 points. 1945 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack 1941 Increase AA Battery to Local 10 for +25 points.
1942 Remove Torpedoes and increase AA Battery to Local 10 for Dice 3 and Local 13 for +20 points. 1942 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 11 for +65 points.
+0 points. 1944 Increase AA Battery to Local 13 for +10 points.

An oddity among other capital ships of the Royal Navy, the Nelson-class had a triple painful disadvantage was the ship’s slow speed. The 16-inch guns of the HMS Rodney played
configuration of turrets in front of the bridge structure and no rearward facing main guns. It was a part in the final destruction of the Bismarck, this was only possible because the German ship
also the only British battleship to be armed with 16-inch guns and, though it could not fire to its had lost speed and manoeuvrability. Both ships of the class survived the Second World War and
aft, having nine of these massive weapons to the fore negated any tactical disadvantage. A more though they always seemed ungainly in appearance, proved to be solid warships.

133
 The Royal Navy

Flank Speed: @@"

5" Armour: @@+
5+ Hull: 73/24
@@ Traits: @@ 2, Torpedo Belt 2
Aircraft @@
375
points
Type: Battleship
Battleships Length: 645
@@ft.ft. Speed: 24
@@ kts.kts. Ships
Shipsofofthis
thisClass:
Class:(Group 1) Barham, Malaya;
@@@@@@@
Commissioned: 1914/5*
@@ Displacement: 36,821
@@ tonstons Crew: 1,184
@@ (Group 2) Queen Elizabeth, Valiant; (Group 3) Warspite

Weapons (Group 1)
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
@@@@@@

A Turret @@
(2 x 15-inch) 6"
@@ 12"
@@ 18"
@@ 24"
@@ 2
@@ +2
@@ 3
@@ –
B Turret @@
(2 x 15-inch) 6"
@@ 12"
@@ 18"
@@ 24"
@@ 2
@@ +2
@@ 3
@@ –
X Turret @@
(2 x 15-inch) 6"
@@ 12"
@@ 18"
@@ 24"
@@ 2
@@ +2
@@ 3
@@ –
Y Turret @@
(2 x 15-inch) 6"
@@ 12"
@@ 18"
@@ 24"
@@ 2
@@ +2
@@ 3
@@ –
Light Guns@@
(12 x 6-inch) 3"
@@ 6"
@@ 9"
@@ 13"
@@ 8
@@ -2
@@ 1
@@ Restricted,
– Weak
Light Guns@@
(8 x 4-inch) 5"
– 10"
– 15"
– 20"
– –4 -2
– –1 DP,
– Restricted, Weak
AA@@
Battery –
@@ –
@@ –
@@ –
@@ –
@@ –
@@ –
@@ Local
– 3
@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ –
Weapons (Group 2) Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Refits – @@ 1944 @@
A Turret (2 x 15-inch)
1941 @@ 7" 15" 22" 30" 1945 @@
2 +2 3 –
B Turret (2 x 15-inch)
1942 @@ 7" 15" 22" 30" 2 +2 3 –
QUEEN ELIZABETH-CLASS BATTLESHIP

1943 @@
X Turret (2 x 15-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 2 +2 3 –
Y Turret (2 x 15-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 2 +2 3 –
@@@@@@@
Light Guns (20 x 4.5-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 12 -1 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 7

Weapons (Group 3) Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 15-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 2 +2 3 –
B Turret (2 x 15-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 2 +2 3 –
X Turret (2 x 15-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 2 +2 3 –
Y Turret (2 x 15-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 2 +2 3 –

FlankLight Guns @@"

Speed: (8 x 6-inch)
Armour: @@+ 3"
Hull: @@6" 9"
Traits: 13"
@@ 6 -2 1 Restricted, Weak
@@
Light Guns (8 x 4-inch) 5" 10" @@15"kts. 20" 4 of this-2 Class: @@@@@@@
1 DP, Restricted, Weak points
Type: Battleships Length: @@ ft. Speed: Ships
AA Battery
Commissioned: @@ –
Displacement: @@ tons – @@ –
Crew: – – – – Local 6
*Commissioned: (Group 1) 1915 (Refit inFire1934);
Weapons Arcs (Group
Point 2)Blank
1914 (Refit
Shortin 1940); (GroupExtreme
Long 3) 1915 (RefitADin 1937) AP DD Traits
Malaya – Decrease Hull to 71/23. Costs 370 points.
@@@@@@

@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ –
Refits – Barham Refits – Valiant
@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ –
1941 Increase AA Battery to Local 8 for +25 points. 1943 Remove Aircraft, add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 8 for +40 points.
Refits – Malaya@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ 1944 @@ @@
Add Advanced Radar and@@ increase AA–Battery to Local 9 for +20 points.
1942 Increase AA@@Battery to Local 7 for +15 points. @@ @@ @@ @@ 1945 @@ Badly damaged
@@in August@@ of 1944. Repairs
– completed after war’s end.
1943 Remove Aircraft, add Radar and increase Light Guns (8 x 4-inch) to Light Guns (12 x 4-inch) with
Attack Dice@@6 for +50 points. @@ @@ @@ @@ Refits –
@@ Warspite@@ @@ –
1944 Shifted to reserves. Remove Light Guns (8 x 6-inch) and increase AA Battery to Local 9 for -30 points. 1942 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 7 for +55 points.
@@ – – – – 1943 Remove
– Aircraft – and increase– AA Battery
– to Local 8 for -5 points.
Refits – Queen Elizabeth
@@
1941 Add Radar for +50 points.
@@ @@ @@ @@ 1944 @@ Badly damaged
@@in September@@of 1943.– Decrease Flank Speed to 4", add Advanced Radar, X-Turret
inoperable (may still be hit) and remove Light Guns (8 x 6-inch) and increase AA Battery to Local
@@ and increase AA Battery to Local 9 for@@
1943 Remove Aircraft +0 points. @@ @@ @@ @@10 for -20 @@
Points. @@ –
1945 Shifted to reserves.
Refits – @@ 1944 @@
battle in the First World War, the Queen Elizabeth-class of battleships were described 1945 @@
Designed for1941 @@ as ‘the most perfect example of the naval constructor’s art put afloat’. They were the
first fast battleships
1942 @@ to mount 15-inch guns and, at the time, were among the most advanced warships in the world. Despite numerous refits, the remaining ships were beginning to
show their age in the Second World War but still they achieved distinguished service.
1943 @@
Perhaps the most famous was HMS Warspite, which saw action during the Battle of Jutland in the First World War and
was deployed in the Mediterranean against the Italian fleet, where she gained the record for the longest ranged
@@@@@@@
unguided hit against a moving target over ten miles, a record still held today. The Warspite was hit by German
fighter-bombers during the evacuation of Crete and, after repairs, was seriously damaged by radio-
controlled bombs during the allied landings at Salerno in Italy. Limping home, the Warspite was
repaired once more and served in the Normandy landings though she hit a mine soon
afterwards. Within two months, she was back in action. It is possible a ship was
never better named, as the Warspite was sold out of the Royal Navy
after the war with fourteen battle honours to her name but, refusing
to go to the breakers, she ran herself aground off Cornwall. HMS Warspite

134
 The Royal Navy

Flank Speed: @@" Armour: @@+ Hull: @@ Traits: @@ The sinking of the Repulse, by Tony @@ Bryan
© Osprey Publishing Ltd. Taken from New Vanguard points
88
Type: Battleships Length: @@ ft. Speed: @@ kts. Ships of this Class: @@@@@@@
– British Battlecruisers 1939-45
Commissioned: @@ Displacement: @@ tons Crew: @@
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
@@@@@@

@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ –
@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ –
@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ –
@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ –
@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ –
@@ – – – – – – – –
@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ –
@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ –
Refits – @@ 1944 @@
Flank Speed:
1941 @@ 6" Armour: 5+ Hull: 74/24 Traits: Aircraft1945 @@
2, Armoured Deck, Torpedo Belt 2 370
1942 @@ points
Type: Battleship Length: 794 ft. Speed: 30.25 kts. Ships of this Class: (Group 1) Renown, (Group 2) Repulse
1943 @@
Commissioned: 1916 Displacement: 38,300 tons Crew: 1,205
Weapons (Group 1) Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
@@@@@@@
A Turret (2 x 15-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 +2 3 –
B Turret (2 x 15-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 +2 3 –
X Turret (2 x 15-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 +2 3 –
Light Guns (20 x 4.5-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 12 -1 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 5
Port Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
RENOWN-CLASS BATTLESHIP

FlankStarboard
Speed: Mk@@" Armour: @@+
IX Torpedoes Hull:
3" @@
6" Traits:
9" @@
12" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot @@
points
Type: Battleships Length: @@ ft. Speed: @@ kts. Ships of this Class: @@@@@@@
Weapons
Commissioned: @@ (Group 2) Fire Arcs Point
Displacement: @@ tons Blank Short
Crew: @@Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A TurretWeapons
(2 x 15-inch) Fire Arcs Point6"Blank Short
12" 18" Extreme
Long 24" 2
AD +1
AP 3
DD –
Traits
B Turret @@
(2 x 15-inch) 6" 12" 18" 24" 2 +1 3 –
@@@@@@

@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ –
X Turret @@
(2 x 15-inch) @@6" 12"
@@ 18"
@@ 24"
@@ 2
@@ +1
@@ 3
@@ –
–
Light Guns@@ (12 x 4-inch) 1
@@3" @@7" 10"
@@ 14"
@@ 4
@@ -2
@@ 1
@@ Weak
–
Light Guns@@
(4 x 4-inch) 2 4"
@@ 8"
@@ 12"
@@ 17"
@@ 2
@@ -2
@@ 1
@@ DP,
– Restricted, Weak
AA@@
Battery –
@@ –
@@ –
@@ –
@@ –
@@ –
@@ –
@@ Local
– 3
Port Mk@@
IX Torpedoes 3"
– 6"
– 9"
– 12"
– –2 –
– –3 Devastating,
– One-Shot
Port Mk@@
IX Torpedoes 3"
@@ 6"
@@ 9"
@@ 12"
@@ @@2 –
@@ @@3 Devastating,
– One-Shot
Starboard Mk
@@ IX Torpedoes 3"
@@ 6"
@@ 9"
@@ 12"
@@ 2
@@ –
@@ 3
@@ Devastating,
– One-Shot
Starboard Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Refits – @@ 1944 @@
Repulse – Decrease Armour to 4+, increase Hull to 77/25. Costs 360 points.
1941 @@ 1945 @@

1942 @@ 1
Light Guns (12 x 4-inch): Only 2 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arcs, and only 3 Attack Dice in the port or starboard arcs.

1943 @@ 2
Light Guns (4 x 4-inch): Only 2 Attack Dice may be fired into the front, port or starboard arcs and 1 Attack Dice in the aft arc.
Refits – Renown Refits – Repulse
@@@@@@@1942 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 6 for +40 points. 1940 Decrease Light Guns (9 x 4-inch) to Attack Dice 3 and increase AA Battery to Local 5 for
1943 Remove Aircraft and increase AA Battery to Local 7 for +0 points. +0 points.
1944 Increase AA Battery to Local 9 for +10 points. 1941 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 6 for +45 points.
1945 Remove Torpedoes for -20 points.

These ships joined the Royal Navy after the Battle of Jutland in 1916 and were with the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau but the battle was inconclusive as the two German
completely re-modernised for combat to serve again in time for the Second World War. battlecruisers were able to pull away, despite accurate fire on the part of the Royal
Radar and additional anti-aircraft weapons were added and, uncommon among capital Navy. The Renown later saw action in the Mediterranean and the Far East before being
ships, the torpedo tubes retained. In 1940, the HMS Renown fought an engagement scrapped in 1948. The HMS Repulse was sunk by Japanese aircraft in December 1941.

135
 The Royal Navy

HMS Revenge by Tony Bryan

© Osprey Publishing Ltd. Taken from New
Vanguard 154 – British Battleships 1939-45

Flank Speed: 4" Armour: 5+ Hull: 67/22 Traits: Torpedo Belt 2 375
points
Type: Battleship Length: 624 ft. Speed: 21 kts. Ships of this Class: Ramillies, Resolution, Revenge,
Commissioned: 1916 Displacement: 35,390 tons Crew: 1,146 Royal Oak, Royal Sovereign

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

A Turret (2 x 15-inch) 6" 12" 18" 24" 2 +2 3 –
B Turret (2 x 15-inch) 6" 12" 18" 24" 2 +2 3 –
REVENGE-CLASS BATTLESHIP

X Turret (2 x 15-inch) 6" 12" 18" 24" 2 +2 3 –

Y Turret (2 x 15-inch) 6" 12" 18" 24" 2 +2 3 –
Light Guns (12 x 6-inch) 3" 6" 9" 13" 8 -2 1 Restricted, Weak
Light Guns (8 x 4-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 4 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 3
Resolution – Decrease Hull to 65/21 and add Aircraft 1. Costs 375 points. Royal Oak – Decrease Hull to 66/22. Costs 370 points.
Revenge – Decrease Hull to 65/21. Costs 365 points. Royal Sovereign – Decrease Hull to 65/21. Costs 365 points.
Refits – Ramillies 1942 Add Radar, increase Turret Range bands to 7"/14"/22"/30", Refits – Royal Sovereign
1942 Add Radar, increase AA Battery to Local 5 for +40 points. and increase AA Battery to Local 5 for +75 points. 1941 Increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +5 points.
Flank Speed:
1943 @@"
Decrease Light Guns (8 xArmour: @@+
6-inch) to Attack Dice 6 and Hull: @@RemoveTraits:
1943 Aircraft and @@
decrease Light Guns (10 x 6-inch) to @@
1942 Add Radar, increase AA Battery to Local 5 for +45 points.
increase AA Battery to Local 6 for -5 points. Attack Dice 6 for -20 points. 1943 Increase AA Battery to Local 7 for +10 points. points
Type: Battleships Length: @@ ft. Speed:
1944 @@ from
Withdrawn kts. service. Ships of this Class: @@@@@@@
1945 Withdrawn from service. 1944 Decrease Light Guns (8 x 6-inch) to Attack Dice 6 for
Commissioned: @@ Displacement: @@ tons Crew: @@
Refits – Revenge -10 points. Transferred to Russia.
Refits – Resolution
1941 IncreaseWeapons
AA Battery to Local 4 for +5Fire Arcs Point Blank 1942
points. ShortAdd Radar,
LongincreaseExtreme
AA Battery to Local
AD 5 for +40APpoints. DD Traits
1944 Withdrawn from service.
@@@@@@

@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ –
The Revenge-class battleships were regarded as the finest ships of their type when they joined problematic, with the result that the class entered the Second World War as very much a
@@
the fleet in 1916. The class represented a change in thinking from@@ @@Queen@@
the preceding @@ @@First. Armour
relic from the @@ protection
@@ was –good but tailored to a short-range engagement,
Elizabeth-class. Smaller and@@slower, the Revenge-class design used@@a mix of coal
@@ and oil @@ protection
@@ against
@@ plunging
@@ fire was much–weaker. These flaws meant that the class was largely
@@
propulsion – prompted by concerns that oil supplies might be cut off; if this happened, the class relegated to escort and shore bombardment duties. HMS Royal Oak was an early war casualty,
would still be able to operate.
@@The small size and cramped layout@@of the class made
@@ upgrades @@ sunk by Gunter
@@ @@ Prien’s@@ U-47 within
@@Scapa Flow
– in 1939.
@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ –
Flank Speed: @@6" Armour: 7+ –
Hull: –
103/34 –
Traits: – Radar,
Advanced – Aircraft –3, Armoured– Deck, Sub-Hunter,
– Torpedo Belt 3 650
points
Type: Battleship@@ Length: 760 ft. @@ Speed: 30 @@
@@ kts. @@ Ships of this
@@ @@Class: Vanguard
@@ –
VANGUARD-CLASS BATTLESHIP

Commissioned:@@ 1946 Displacement: 51,420@@

tons Crew:
@@ 1,893
@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ –
Refits – @@Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme1944 @@
AD AP DD Traits
1941 @@
A Turret (2 x 15-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 1945 @@
2 +2 3 –
1942 @@
B
1943 @@Turret (2 x 15-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 +2 3 –
X Turret (2 x 15-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 +2 3 –
@@@@@@@ Y Turret (2 x 15-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 +2 3 –
Light Guns (16 x 5.25-inch) 5" 11" 17" 23" 12 -1 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 15 – – –
Having built the world’s first modern battleship, HMS Dreadnought, it was perhaps armament utilised turrets from the World War One large light cruisers HMS Courageous
fitting the Royal Navy should complete the last of their kind, HMS Vanguard. The ship and Glorious, but the 15-inch guns were fully modernised and probably better than the
appeared as a slightly enlarged King George V-class with improved bows and far better 14-inch weapons in the King George V-class. However, Vanguard was completed in 1946,
performance at sea (she was probably the best at sea of all battleship designs). Her main too late to see action.

136
 Flank Speed: @@" Armour: @@+ Hull: @@ Traits: @@ @@
points
Type: Battleships Length: @@ ft. Speed: @@ kts. Ships of this Class: @@@@@@@
Flank Speed: @@
Commissioned: 4" Armour: 1+ @@ Hull:
Displacement: tons Crew: @@Traits: Carrier, Radar
29/9 Aircraft: 3 Flights 60
points
Type: Civilian Length: 512 ft. Speed: 18 kts. Ships of this Class: Activity
ACTIVITY-CLASS

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

CARRIER

Commissioned: 1942 Displacement: 14,250 tons Crew: 700

@@@@@@

@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ –
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ –
Light Guns (2 x 4-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 1 -2 1 DP, Weak
@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ –
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ –
Whereas HMS Audacity was essentially
@@ nothing more than a transport @@ ship with a@@flat deck added,
@@ and lift as well
@@ @@as a flight
@@ deck. Aircraft
@@capacity
– was as high as 18, depending on the type of aircraft.
HMS Activity was in many ways the prototype for the later escort carriers, with an integrated hangar HMS Activity survived the war and reverted to mercantile status in 1946.
@@ – – – – – – – –
@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ –
Flank Speed: @@3" Armour: 1+ Hull:
@@ 26/8
@@ Traits:
@@ Carrier
@@ @@ @@ Aircraft:
@@ 4–Flights 60
points
Type: Civilian Length: 492 ft. Speed: 16.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Archer
Refits – @@ 1944 @@
ARCHER-CLASS

Commissioned:
1941 @@ 1941 Displacement: 12,860 tons Crew: 555 1945 @@
CARRIER

1942 @@ Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
1943 @@
Light Guns (3 x 4-inch) 3" 7" 11" 15" 1 -2 1 Weak

@@@@@@@ AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1

Refits – Archer
1942 Increase Light Guns (3 x 4-inch) to Range bands 4"/8"/12"/17" and add DP trait for +5 points. 1943 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 1 for +5 points.

HMS Archer was yet another mercantile conversion. She was plagued with mechanical only as an accommodation vessel in Scottish waters. She survived the war and was
problems and, after only a short time in active service, was taken into reserve and used converted back into a merchant ship in 1945.

Flank Speed: 4" Armour: 1+ Hull: 34/11 Traits: Carrier Aircraft: 5 Flights 80
points
Type: Civilian Length: 576 ft. Speed: 21 kts. Ships of this Class: Argus
Commissioned: 1918 Displacement: 16,750 tons Crew: 401
ARGUS-CLASS CARRIER

Flank Speed:Weapons
@@" Armour: Fire
@@+ Arcs PointHull:
Blank Short
@@ Long Extreme
Traits: @@ AD AP DD Traits @@
points
Type: Battleships
None Length: @@
– ft. – Speed:
– @@–kts. – Ships
– of this– Class: @@@@@@@
– –
Commissioned:
Refits – Argus @@ Displacement: @@ tons Crew: @@
1940 Add theWeapons
weapons below for +10 points.
Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme1942 AD
Increase LightAPGuns to (4 DD
x 4-inch), Attack
TraitsDice 2, and add Restricted for +5 points.
@@@@@@

Weapons
@@ Fire Arcs Point@@
Blank Short
@@ Long
@@ Extreme
@@ AD
@@ AP
@@ DD
@@ Traits
–
Light Guns@@
(2 x 4-inch) 4"
@@ 8"
@@ 12"
@@ 17"
@@ 1
@@ -2
@@ 1
@@ DP,
– Weak
AA @@
Battery –
@@ –
@@ –
@@ –
@@ –
@@ –
@@ –
@@ Local
– 1
@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ –
HMS Argus was the world’s first aircraft carrier. She was converted from the Italian service as British carrier losses mounted during the first full year of World War
liner Conte Rosso in 1917@@ @@ camouflage
and sported a famous zebra stripe @@ scheme @@ @@
Two. She@@ @@ in the
served mainly @@Mediterranean
– until going back to the reserve fleet
in the First World War. She went into reserve status but was recalled to front line in 1944.
@@ – – – – – – – –
@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ –
Flank Speed: @@6" Armour: 3+ @@
Hull: @@
55/18 @@
Traits: @@ Torpedo
Carrier, @@Belt 2 @@ @@ 15
Aircraft: – Flights 250
points
Type: –Carrier
Refits @@ Length: 800 ft. Speed: 31 kts. Ships of this Class: Ark Royal
1944 @@
ARK ROYAL-CLASS

1941 @@
Commissioned: 1938 Displacement: 27,720 tons Crew: 1,580 1945 @@
1942 @@
CARRIER

1943 @@ Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (16 x 4.5-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 10 -1 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
@@@@@@@ AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 7
Refits – Ark Royal
1941 Increase AA Battery to Local 10 for +15 points.

One of the most famous carriers of the war, the HMS Ark Royal received many air. Better remembered is the Ark Royal’s role in the sinking of the Bismarck, where
battle honours in its service. The first enemy aircraft shot down by the Fleet Air Arm her Fairey Swordfish launched a torpedo attack that damaged its rudder, leaving it
was with one of her Blackburn Skuas, while her bombers sank the German cruiser vulnerable to the rest of the fleet. In 1941 she was struck by a single torpedo and
Königsberg, the first example of a capital ship being sunk by an attack from the sank while under tow.

137
 The Royal Navy

Flank Speed: 4" Armour: 1+ Hull: 28/9 Traits: Carrier, Radar Aircraft: 5 Flights 85
points
Type: Civilian Length: 496 ft. Speed: 18.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Attacker, Battler, Chaser, Fencer, Hunter, Pursuer,
Commissioned: 1942 Displacement: 14,630 tons Crew: 646 Ravager, Searcher, Stalker, Striker, Tracker
ATTACKER-CLASS
CARRIER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (2 x 4-inch) 3" 7" 11" 15" 1 -2 1 Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 2 – – Local 1
Refits – Battler Refits – Searcher Refits – Fencer, Pursuer, Striker
1943 Increase Light Guns to (3 x 4-inch) and Range bands 1944 Change AA Battery to Attack Dice 3 for +5 points. 1945 Change AA Battery to Attack Dice 3 for +5 points.
4"/8"/12"/17" and add DP trait for +10 points.

The Attacker-class were US-built ships supplied under the Lend-Lease agreement. All survived the along British lines for improved fuel handling safety. These carriers served in three major roles: trade
war and were returned to the US in 1945 and 1946. Their entry into service was delayed as a result of protection carrier, assault carrier, and transport. Some ships served exclusively in one role while others
an explosion that sank HMS Dasher – their fuel systems were subsequently redesigned and refitted worked in several different roles as operational requirements changed.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 92/30 Traits: Advanced Radar, Armoured Deck, Carrier, Torpedo Belt 2 Aircraft: 19 Flights 300
AUDACIOUS-CLASS

points
Type: Carrier Length: 804 ft. Speed: 32 kts. Ships of this Class: Audacious (renamed Eagle),
Irresistible (renamed Ark Royal)
CARRIER

Commissioned: 1947 (estimated) Displacement: 49,950 tons Crew: 2,740

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (16 x 4.5-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 10 -1 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 13 – – Local 16
The Audacious-class was the last armoured deck carrier designed for the Royal Navy. They and Eagle formed the core of the post-war Royal Navy carrier fleet. They were extensively
were laid down in 1942 and were to have been completed in 1946–47. They were to be modernised and only retired from service in the late 1970s. Note that the characteristics
agile ships with a tactical diameter not much bigger than that of the sprightly Yamato. provided in the fleet list are for the original design and not the post-war modified designs
The end of the war saw the Audacious-class being cancelled while the new HMS Ark Royal that were actually completed.

"It takes three years to build a ship; it takes three centuries to build traditions."
Admiral Cunningham

Flank Speed: 3" Armour: 1+ Hull: 22/7 Traits: Carrier Aircraft: 2 Flights 50
points
AUDACITY-CLASS

Type: Civilian Length: 467 ft. Speed: 15 kts. Ships of this Class: Audacity
CARRIER

Commissioned: 1941 Displacement: 11,000 tons Crew: 300

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (1 x 4-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 1 -2 1 DP, Slow-Loading, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
HMS Audacity was the prototype escort carrier. Formerly (and ironically) the ex-German to remain submerged or risk drawing down an air attack, and this in itself was often
transport Hannover, she was fitted with a flight deck on which her aircraft sat (there were enough to negate the effect of a Wolfpack. She was sunk on 21 December 1942 by three
no hangars or lifts). Escort carriers were designed to provide Anti-submarine Warfare torpedoes fired from U-751, maintaining a tradition of British carriers tasked with ASW
(ASW) and reconnaissance cover for convoys. The presence of aircraft encouraged U-boats falling prey to the quarry they hunted.

Flank Speed: 3" Armour: 1+ Hull: 30/10 Traits: Carrier, Radar Aircraft: 3 Flights 60
points
Type: Civilian Length: 492 ft. Speed: 16.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Avenger, Biter, Dasher
Commissioned: 1941 Displacement: 15,125 tons Crew: 555
AVENGER-CLASS

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

CARRIER

Light Guns (3 x 4-inch) 3" 7" 11" 15" 1 -2 1 Weak

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Biter – Increase Hull to 31/10. The Biter costs 65 points.
Refits – Biter, Dasher
1942 Increase Light Guns to Range bands 4"/8"/12"/17" and add DP trait for +5 points.

These three ships were converted from US transports. HMS Avenger was torpedoed and in 1943 (attributed to poor design of the aircraft fuelling systems). HMS Biter was
sunk by U-155, while HMS Dasher exploded and sank under controversial circumstances transferred to Free French command in April 1945 and served as the Dixmude.

138
 The Royal Navy

Flank Speed: 3" Armour: 1+ Hull: 32/10 Traits: Advanced Radar, Carrier Aircraft: 3 Flights 65
points
CAMPANIA-CLASS

Type: Civilian Length: 492 ft. Speed: 16.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Campania
CARRIER

Commissioned: 1944 Displacement: 15,125 tons Crew: 555

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (2 x 4-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 1 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 4
Campania was similar to the Vindex-class escort carriers. Her Swordfish aircraft sank exhibition in the Festival of Britain. She also served as the UK command ship for
U-365 in December 1944, and after the war she served in an unusual role as a mobile atomic bomb tests in the Pacific.

Flank Speed: 5" Armour: 1+ Hull: 36/12 Traits: Advanced Radar, Carrier, Sub-Hunter Aircraft: 9 Flights 130
points
Type: Carrier* Length: 695 ft. Speed: 25 kts. Ships of this Class: Colossus, Glory, Ocean, Venerable, Vengeance,
Commissioned: 1944 Displacement: 18,300 tons Crew: 1,300 Theseus, Triumph, Warrior, Perseus, Pioneer
COLOSSUS-CLASS

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

CARRIER

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 7
*This ship is a Carrier type, but takes damage as a Civilian type.
Refits – Ocean Perseus, Theseus, Triumph, Warrior
1945 Change AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 3 and Local 6 for +10 points. Completed after the war.
Refits – Colossus, Glory, Venerable, Vengeance
1945 Change AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 3 and Local 5 for +5 points.

This class of light fleet carriers had an almost fragile appearance and resembled smaller ex-Allied navies their first taste of real carrier operations, with ships going to Holland, Brazil
versions of the Illustrious-class. They were based on mercantile construction techniques and and Argentina, as well as France. The HMS Venerable eventually served in the Argentinian
were thus quick to build (the first of the class went from concept to completion in about a navy as the Veinticinco de Mayo, taking part in the Falklands conflict in 1982 (opposite HMS
year). Despite their light construction, they were good ships. Many were sold overseas to give Hermes, also of the same vintage).

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 55/18 Traits: Carrier, Torpedo Belt 2 Aircraft: 12 Flights 180
points
COURAGEOUS-CLASS

Type: Carrier Length: 786 ft. Speed: 30.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Courageous, Glorious
Commissioned: 1917* Displacement: 27,560 tons Crew: 1,216
CARRIER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (16 x 4.7-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 8 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 5
*Refitted later as carriers: Courageous in 1928, Glorius in 1930.

HMS Courageous and Glorious were half-sisters to HMS Furious, and began their lives as centrepiece of a carrier anti-submarine force but was herself torpedoed and sunk by U-29 in
15-inch armed large light cruisers. Both were rebuilt as aircraft carriers between the wars and 1939. HMS Glorious was sunk by gunfire from Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, while ferrying
differed from Furious in having much larger island superstructures. Courageous formed the RAF aircraft back from Norway in 1940.

Flank Speed: 4" Armour: 3+ Hull: 54/18 Traits: Carrier, Torpedo Belt 2 Aircraft: 5 Flights 110
points
Type: Carrier Length: 667 ft. Speed: 22.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Eagle
Commissioned: 1924 Displacement: 27,229 tons Crew: 1,087
EAGLE-CLASS CARRIER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (9 x 6-inch) 5" 10" 17" 23" 4 -1 1 Restricted, Weak
Light Guns (4 x 4-inch) 1
4" 8" 12" 17" 1 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 3
1
Light Guns (4 x 4-inch) – Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arcs.

Refits – Eagle
1942 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +25 points.

HMS Eagle was a conversion, initially into a seaplane carrier, of the ex-Chilean
battleship Almirante Cochrane. This started in 1917 but was delayed until
after World War One as the redesign was expanded to create a full fleet
carrier. She served in the hunt for the Admiral Graf Spee and continued HMS Eagle
operating mainly in the South Atlantic and later in the Mediterranean.

139
 The Royal Navy

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 54/18 Traits: Carrier, Torpedo Belt 2 Aircraft: 9 Flights 160
points
Type: Carrier Length: 786 ft. Speed: 29.35 kts. Ships of this Class: Furious
Commissioned: 1917 Displacement: 27,165 tons Crew: 1,218
FURIOUS-CLASS
CARRIER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (12 x 4-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 5
Refits – Furious 1942 Increase Hull to 57/19 and AA Battery to Local 7 for +10 points.
1925 Converted into carrier. 1943 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 8 for +45 points.
1941 Increase AA Battery to Local 6 for +5 points. 1945 Converted to training ship.

HMS Furious began life as a large light cruiser armed with two single 18-inch guns but lower and sleeker. Despite her age, she saw extensive service in the Atlantic, Mediterranean
was gradually converted into an aircraft carrier through a series of refits. Her appearance and Norwegian Sea where she took part in air strikes against the Tirpitz. Furious’ torpedo
was somewhat akin to that of the Japanese conversions, Akagi and Kaga, although she was protection was increased in 1942, which also increased her displacement and stability.

Flank Speed: 5" Armour: 2+ Hull: 27/9 Traits: Carrier, Torpedo Belt 2 Aircraft: 5 Flights 95
Type: Carrier Length: 600 ft. Speed: 25 kts. Ships of this Class: Hermes points
HERMES-CLASS

Commissioned: 1924 Displacement: 13,700 tons Crew: 700

CARRIER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (6 x 5.5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 4 -2 1 Restricted, Weak
Light Guns (2 x 4-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 1 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
HMS Hermes was the first ship designed from the outset as an aircraft carrier (she was abortive attack on Dakar and then transferred to the Far East. She was undergoing repairs
designed prior to the Hosho). She was obsolete by the start of World War Two and served in Trincolamee during Nagumo’s foray into the Indian Ocean and was sunk North of
in the relatively low-threat environment of the South Atlantic. She took part in the Ceylon by over 70 Japanese carrier aircraft on 9 April 1942.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 57/19 Traits: Armoured Deck, Carrier, Torpedo Belt 2 Aircraft: 8 Flights 180
points
Type: Carrier Length: 753 ft. Speed: 30 kts. Ships of this Class: Formidable, Illustrious, Victorious
ILLUSTRIOUS-CLASS CARRIER

Commissioned: 1940 Displacement: 28,661 tons Crew: 1,299

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (16 x 4.5-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 10 -1 1 DP, Weak, Restricted
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 9
Refits – Formidable Refits – Illustrious Refits – Victorious
1941 Increase AA Battery to Local 10 for +5 points. 1941 Increase AA Battery to Local 10 for +5 points. 1941 Increase AA Battery to Local 10 for +5 points.
1943 Add Advanced Radar for +25 points. Increase Aircraft to 1943 Add Advanced Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 1943 Add Advanced Radar and increase AA Battery to Range bands
13 Flights for +25 points. 12 for +35 points. Increase Aircraft to 13 Flights for 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 3 and Local 12 for +50 points.
1944 Add Sub-Hunter and increase AA Battery to Local 12 for +35 points. +25 points. Increase Aircraft to 13 Flights for +25 points.
1945 Change AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 1944 Add Sub-Hunter, increase AA Battery to Range bands 1944 Add Sub-Hunter and increase AA Battery to Local 13 for +30 points.
3 and Local 11 for +10 points. 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 1 for +30 points. 1945 Change AA Battery to Attack Dice 4 and Local 12 for +0 points.

Designed as the next generation of advanced carriers, the Illustrious-class was shorter for its part in the attack on the Italian fleet at Taranto, where its Fairey Swordfish disabled
than the HMS Ark Royal but displaced a similar amount. Greater armour meant a small or sunk their targets with great success. After celebrated service in the Mediterranean, the
hanger, however, and so less aircraft could be carried. The HMS Illustrious is best known Illustrious was later to see service with the Eastern Fleet and then the Pacific Fleet.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 64/21 Traits: Advanced Radar, Armoured Deck, Carrier, Torpedo Belt 2 Aircraft: 20 Flights 300
points
Type: Carrier Length: 766 ft. Speed: 32 kts. Ships of this Class: Implacable, Indefatigable
IMPLACABLE-CLASS

Commissioned: 1944 Displacement: 32,110 tons Crew: 2,300

CARRIER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (16 x 4.5-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 10 -1 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 11
Original Design Refits – Implacable Refits – Indefatigable
1944 Change to 15 Flights for -50 points. 1945 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", 1945 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and
Attack Dice 1 and Local 13 for +15 points. Attack Dice to 2 for +10 points.

The Implacable-class was a further extension of the Illustrious-class design which again service lives. HMS Indefatigable was one of the success stories of the armoured deck.
attempted to increase aircraft capacity. Initial operating air groups were less than 60 On 1 April 1945 she was hit at the base of the island superstructure by a bomb-carrying
aircraft, but a year later would see air groups rising to over 80 aircraft. Limitations on kamikaze aircraft. The armoured deck withstood the damage and she was cleared for air
hangar height meant they were unable to operate Corsairs which ultimately lead to short operations a few hours later, once the debris had been swept over the side.

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 The Royal Navy

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 59/19 Traits: Radar, Armoured Deck, Carrier, Torpedo Belt 2 Aircraft: 11 Flights 220
points
Type: Carrier Length: 754 ft. Speed: 30.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Indomitable
Commissioned: 1941 Displacement: 29,730 tons Crew: 2,100
INDOMITABLE-CLASS

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

CARRIER

Light Guns (16 x 4.5-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 10 -1 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 5
Refits – Indomitable
1942 Increase AA Battery to Local 10 for +25 points. 1944 Add Sub-Hunter, increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5",
1943 Increase to 14 Flights 14, add Advanced Radar, and increase AA Battery Attack Dice 3 and Local 13 for +50 points.
to Local 11 for +50 points. 1945 Change AA Battery to Attack Dice to 5 and Local 11 for +0 points.

HMS Indomitable was planned as the fourth ship of the Illustrious-class, but her her to carry 45 aircraft initially, increasing to over 60 once revised aircraft handling
design was altered to increase aircraft storage space. Less armour was carried, and her practices and more space efficient aircraft were put in place. She was bombed twice
flight deck was raised by 14 feet to accommodate a second hangar deck. This allowed and torpedoed once.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 114/38 Traits: Advanced Radar, Carrier, Torpedo Belt 3 Aircraft: 24 Flights 325
points
Type: Carrier Length: 916 ft. Speed: 32 kts. Ships of this Class: Africa, Gibraltar, Malta, New Zealand
MALTA-CLASS
CARRIER

Commissioned: Not completed Displacement: 56,800 tons Crew: 3,535

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (16 x 4.5-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 10 -1 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 2 – – Local 9
The Malta-class would have been the Royal Navy’s equivalent of the US Navy’s Midway-class. Mediterranean waters to a more world-wide approach and recognition that AA batteries and
They were a departure from previous Royal Navy design practice with open hangars, regular combat air patrols would provide the main line of defence against the principal air threat. All
use of deck parks and reduced armour, reflecting a shift from operations in Atlantic and four ships were cancelled by the end of World War Two, prior to any construction.

Flank Speed: 2" Armour: 1+ Hull: 32/10 Traits: Carrier, Radar Aircraft: 1 Flight 40
points
Type: Civilian Length: 483 ft. Speed: 13 kts. Ships of this Class: Empire MacAlpine, Empire MacKendrick, Empire MacAndrew,
Empire MacDermot, Empire MacRae, Empire MacCallum, Empire Mackay, Empire MacCol,
MERCHANT
CARRIER

Commissioned: 1943 Displacement: 16,265 tons Crew: 107 Empire MacMahon, Empire MacCabe, Acavus, Adula, Alexia, Amastra, Ancylus, Gadila, Macome, Miralda, Rapana

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (1 x 4-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 1 -2 1 Slow-Loading, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 1 – – Local 1
The famous ‘MAC’ ships were even more basic conversions than the carrier escorts. holds. The Gadila and Macoma were operated by the Dutch merchant marine and
Essentially nothing more than the minimum amount of flight deck required to carry embarked Dutch-operated Swordfish aircraft.
their small embarked flight (generally four aircraft), they also carried supplies in their

Flank Speed: 4" Armour: 1+ Hull: 47/15 Traits: Carrier, Advanced Radar Aircraft: 3 Flights 75
PRETORIA CASTLE-

points
Type: Civilian Length: 592 ft. Speed: 18 kts. Ships of this Class: Pretoria Castle
CLASS CARRIER

Commissioned: 1943 Displacement: 23,450 tons Crew: 666

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (4 x 4-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 2 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
HMS Pretoria Castle started life as a Union Castle liner. She was requisitioned in 1939 and deck, lift and catapult. She never saw combat deployment but was employed exclusively
became an armed merchant cruiser (essentially a liner with 6-inch guns added) but was as a training and trials carrier during World War Two. She had the distinction of being the
purchased outright in 1942 and converted to full escort carrier status, with a hangar, flight largest escourt carrier in the world.

MV Empire MacAlpine by Paul Wright

© Osprey Publishing Ltd. Taken from New Vanguard 274 –
British Escort Carriers 1941-45

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 The Royal Navy

Flank Speed: 4" Armour: 1+ Hull: 31/10 Traits: Carrier, Advanced Radar Aircraft: 5 Flights 85
points
Type: Civilian Length: 492 ft. Speed: 18 kts. Ships of this Class: Ameer, Arbiter, Atheling, Begum, Emperor, Empress, Khedive, Nabob,
Patroller, Premier, Puncher, Queen, Rajah, Ranee, Reaper, Ruler, Shah,
Commissioned: 1943 Displacement: 15,390 tons Crew: 646 Slinger, Smiter, Speaker, Thane, Trouncer, Trumpeter
RULER-CLASS
CARRIER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (2 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 1 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 3 – – Local 2
Refits – Arbiter Refits – Trouncer
1945 Increase AA Battery Attack Dice to 4 for +5 points. 1945 Increase AA Battery Attack Dice to 6 and to Local 1 for +10 points.

These ships were an improvement of the Attacker-class, and they proved to be tough little in an escort role or to ferry aircraft but could also operate as an offshore strike platform.
ships. The Ruler-class was built on the hull of a C3 merchant vessel, a general-purpose HMS Nabob was torpedoed by U-354, a hit which blew a 150-foot hole in the side of
design that was converted to a number of military uses during the war. The Ruler-class the ship. Despite this, she sailed over 1,000 miles to safety under her own power. This
design incorporated lessons learned with the Attacker-class and was generally similar, with demonstrated the considerable increase in strength and survivability over previous escort
a slightly larger flight deck and more powerful catapult. The class was intended to serve carrier designs, where a hit like this was generally fatal.

Flank Speed: 5" Armour: 1+ Hull: 41/13 Traits: Carrier, Radar Aircraft: 9 Flights 135
points
Type: Carrier Length: 646 ft. Speed: 24 kts. Ships of this Class: Unicorn
UNICORN-CLASS LIGHT

Commissioned: 1943 Displacement: 20,300 tons Crew: 1,200

CARRIER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (8 x 4-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 4 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 4
Refits – Unicorn
1944 Add Advanced Radar and Sub-Hunter for +15 points.

HMS Unicorn was built as a maintenance carrier rather than a frontline warship, and her size, although much of this space was devoted to workshops. Despite her less than
intended to service the aircraft of other carriers. She had extensive hangars for a ship of warlike origins she also served as a light fleet carrier and served for some time off Korea.

Flank Speed: 3" Armour: 1+ Hull: 34/11 Traits: Advanced Radar, Carrier Aircraft: 4 Flights 75
points
Type: Civilian Length: 524 ft. Speed: 17 kts. Ships of this Class: Nairana, Vindex
VINDEX-CLASS
CARRIER

Commissioned: 1944 Displacement: 17,210 tons Crew: 558

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (2 x 4-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 1 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 4
These ships were originally built as fast cargo ships and, like many of their sisters, were was lent to the Royal Netherlands navy and served as the Karel Doorman from 1946
converted with hangars, lifts and flight decks added. Both survived the war. HMS Nairana to 1948.

HMS Eagle launches her Fleet Air Arm aircraft

142
 Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 13/4 Traits: Agile, Aircraft 1, Sub-Hunter 80
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 506 ft. Speed: 32.25 kts. Ships of this Class: Arethusa, Aurora, Galatea, Penelope
Commissioned: 1935 Crew: 500 Displacement: 6,715 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked
B Turret (2 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 – Twin-Linked
ARETHUSA-CLASS CRUISER

X Turret (2 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked

Light Guns (4 x 4-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 2 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Aurora – Remove Aircraft and increase Light Guns to (8 x 4-inch), Range bands 5"/10"/15"/20", and Attack Dice 4 for +0 points.
Galatea & Penelope – Increase Light Guns to (8 x 4-inch), Range bands 5"/10"/15"/20", and Attack Dice 4 for +10 points.

Refits – Arethusa 1941 Add Radar for +10 points.

1941 Add Radar, remove Aircraft, and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +10 points. 1944 Change Torpedoes to Mk IX** and increase Range bands to 3"/7"/10"/14" for +5 points.
1942 Increase Light Guns to (8 x 4-inch), Range bands 5"/10"/15"/20", and Attack Dice 4 for
+10 points. Refits – Galatea
1944 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 2, decrease to Local 1, and 1941 Remove Aircraft and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +0 points.
change Torpedoes to Mk IX** and increase Range bands to 3"/7"/10"/14" for +10 points.
Refits – Penelope
Refits – Aurora 1941 Add Radar, remove Aircraft, and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +10 points.
1940 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points. 1944 Change Torpedoes to Mk IX** and increase Range bands to 3"/7"/10"/14" for +5 points.

The Arethusa-class was designed to be the smallest possible ‘useful’ cruiser. They were based otherwise were a successful design – HMS Aurora and Penelope both survived underwater
on the Perth-class but lacked one turret aft. Design flaws meant they were vulnerable to damage away from the machinery spaces. Aurora was sold to the Chinese as the Chun King,
torpedo hits in the machinery spaces (causing the loss of HMS Galatea and Penelope) but and was sunk by air attack during the Chinese civil war.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 15/5 Traits: Agile, Radar, Sub-Hunter 85
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 512 ft. Speed: 32 kts. Ships of this Class: Bellona, Black Prince, Diadem, Royalist, Spartan
Commissioned: 1943 Crew: 530 Displacement: 7,410 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
BELLONA-CLASS CRUISER

Light Guns (8 x 5.25-inch) 5" 11" 17" 23" 6 -1 1 DP, Weak

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 3
Port Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (8.5 x 5.25-inch) – Only 3 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arcs.

Refits – Bellona Refits – Diadem

1945 Increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +5 points. 1945 Increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +5 points.
Refits – Black Prince Refits – Royalist
1944 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 1, and Local 4 for +10 points. 1943 Increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +5 points.
1945 Change AA Battery to Attack Dice 2 and Local 3 for +0 points.

The Bellona-class was a development of the Dido-class (and are often confused with sunk by a German Hs-293 guided bomb in January 1944, sinking after an 11-hour effort
them). They were designed from the outset with only four 5.25-inch turrets and, by the to save her. HMS Bellona, Black Prince and Royalist served with the Royal New Zealand
time of their construction, the delivery of guns was no longer an issue. HMS Spartan was Navy after the war, and HMS Diadem was sold to the Pakistani navy as the PNS Babur.

HMS Bellona by Paul Wright © Osprey Publishing Ltd. Taken

from New Vanguard 194 – British Light Cruisers 1939-45

143
 The Royal Navy

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 11/3 Traits: Agile 50

C-CLASS CRUISER (TYPE 1)
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 450 ft. Speed: 29 kts. Ships of this Class: Coventry, Curlew
Commissioned: 1918* Crew: 334 Displacement: 4,950 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (10 x 4-inch)1 4" 8" 12" 17" 5 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
*Refitted in 1936.
1
Light Guns (10 x 4-inch) – Only 2 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arcs, and only 4 Attack Dice to the port or starboard arcs.

Forming a group of 28 light cruisers spread across seven classes (Caroline, Calliope, HMS Coventry and Curlew were refitted as AA cruisers and, like her later namesake of the
Cambrian, Centaur, Caledon, Ceres and Carlisle), the C-class ships were tough and 1980s (also an AA ship, albeit armed with surface-to-air missiles) Coventry fell victim to an
extremely seaworthy, having been designed for the North Sea. air attack and was scuttled.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 10/3 Traits: Agile 70

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 450 ft. Speed: 29 kts. Ships of this Class: Caledon, Colombo
C-CLASS CRUISER (TYPE 2)

Commissioned: 1917* Crew: 334 Displacement: 4,950 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (6 x 4-inch)1 5" 10" 15" 20" 3 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5” 1 – – Local 1
*Refitted in 1943. 1
Light Guns (6 x 4-inch) –
Colombo – Increase Hull to 11/3 for +5 points. Only 2 Attack Dice may be fired into the front arc, and only 1 Attack Dice may fire into the aft arc.

Refits – Caledon Refits – Colombo

1944 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 2 for +5 points. 1945 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 2 for +5 points.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 10/3 Traits: Agile 50

points
C-CLASS CRUISER (TYPE 3A)

Type: Cruiser Length: 450 ft. Speed: 29 kts. Ships of this Class: Cairo, Calcutta, Carlisle, Curacoa
Commissioned: 1919* Crew: 334 Displacement: 4,950 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (8 x 4-inch) 1
5" 10" 15" 20" 4 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
*Refitted in 1939. 1
Light Guns (8 x 4-inch) –
Carlisle & Curacoa – Increase Hull to 11/3 for +5 points. Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front arc, and only 2 Attack Dice may fire into the aft arc.

Refits – Cairo Refits – Carlisle Refits – Curacoa

1941 Add Radar for +10 points. 1941 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +15 points. 1941 Add Radar for +10 points.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 10/3 Traits: Agile 65

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 450 ft. Speed: 29 kts. Ships of this Class: Calypso, Capetown, Caradoc, Cardiff, Ceres
Commissioned: 1917 Crew: 334 Displacement: 4,950 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
C-CLASS CRUISER (TYPE 3B)

Light Guns (5 x 6-inch) 1

4" 9" 14" 19" 3 -2 1 Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 4" 1 – – Local 1
Port MkVII Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port MkVII Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard MkVII Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard MkVII Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Capetown, Carlisle, Cardiff, Ceres – Increase Hull to 11/3 for +5 points. 1
Light Guns (5 x 6-inch) – Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arc.

Refits – Capetown Refits – Caradoc Refits – Ceres

1942 Add Radar for +10 points. 1942 Add Radar for +10 points. 1943 Add Radar for +10 points.
1944 Converted to training ship. 1944 Converted to accommodations ship.
Refits – Cardiff
1943 Add Radar for +10 points.

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 The Royal Navy

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 12/4 Traits: Agile 70

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 472 ft. Speed: 29 kts. Ships of this Class: Danae, Dauntless, Delhi, Despatch, Diomede, Dragon,
Commissioned: 1918 Crew: 469 Displacement: 5,925 tons Dunedin, Durban
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (6 x 6-inch)1 5" 11" 16" 22” 4 -2 1 Weak
Light Guns (3 x 4-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 1 -2 1 DP, Weak
Port Mk VII Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port Mk VII Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
DANAE-CLASS CRUISER

Starboard Mk VII Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot

Starboard Mk VII Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
1
Light Guns (6 x 6-inch) – Only 2 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arcs.

Refits – Danae Refits – Diomede

1943 Add Radar, decrease Light Guns (5 x 6-inch) to Attack Dice 3, remove Light Guns (3 x 4-inch) 1943 Add Radar for +10 points.
and increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +10 points. 1944 Converted to training ship.
1944 Transferred to Poland and renamed Conrad. Add Light Guns (2 x 4-inch), change Range 20”,
Attack Dice 1 and add DP trait, reduce AA Battery to Local 2 and remove all Torpedoes for Refits – Dragon
-20 points. 1943 Transferred to Poland. Add Radar, decrease Light Guns (5 x 6-inch) to Attack Dice 3, add
Slow-Loading to Light Guns (1 x 4-inch) and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points.
Refits – Dauntless 1944 Remove Slow Loading from Light Guns (2 x 4-inch) and increase Range bands 5"/10"/15"/20"
1942 Add Radar for +10 points. and increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +10 points.
1944 Converted to training ship.
Refits – Dunedin
Refits – Delhi 1941 Add Radar for +10 points.
1942 Converted to an AA cruiser. See Delhi-class Anti-Aircraft Cruiser.
Refits – Durban
Refits – Despatch 1942 Add Radar for +10 points.
1942 Add Radar for +10 points.
1944 Converted to headquarters ship.

The ships of the Danae-class were based on the preceding C-class design but were bigger and more capable ships for more punishing duties. HMS Delhi was rebuilt as an
lengthened to include an additional 6-inch gun. They were generally given less AA cruiser, while HMS Dragon and Danae were handed over to the Polish Navy in 1943
glamorous, but no less important, assignments than their later cousins, often freeing and 1944 respectively.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 12/4 Traits: Agile, Radar 60

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 472 ft. Speed: 29 kts. Ships of this Class: Delhi (1942)
ANTI-AIRCRAFT CRUISER

Commissioned: 1942 Crew: 469 Displacement: 5,925 tons

DELHI-CLASS

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (5 x 5-inch) 1
4" 9" 13" 18" 3 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
1
Light Guns (5 x 5-inch) – Only 1 Attack Die may be fired into the front or aft arcs.

Refits
1944 Increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +5 points.

HMS Cleopatra at the Second Battle of Sirte, 1942, by Paul Wright

© Osprey Publishing Ltd. Taken from New Vanguard 194: British Light Cruisers 1939-45

145
 The Royal Navy

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 14/4 Traits: Agile, Radar, Sub Hunter 90
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 512 ft. Speed: 32.2 kts. Ships of this Class: Bonaventure, Dido, Phoebe
Commissioned: 1940 Crew: 530 Displacement: 6,850 tons
DIDO-CLASS CRUISER (1ST GROUP)

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (8 x 5.25-inch)1 5" 11" 17" 23" 4 -1 1 DP, Weak
Light Guns (1 x 4-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 1 -2 1 DP, Slow-Loading, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Port Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Bonaventure & Phoebe – Remove Radar for -10 points 1
Light Guns (8 x 5.25-inch) – Only 2 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.

Refits – Bonaventure Refits – Phoebe

1941 Add Radar for +10 points. 1942 Add Radar, remove Light Guns (1 x 4-inch) and increase AA Battery to Local 5 for +20 points.
1943 Change AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 2, and Local 3, and change to
Refits – Dido Mk IX** Torpedoes, increasing to Range bands to 3"/7"/10"/14" for +10 points.
1942 Increase Light Guns (10 x 5.25-inch) to Attack Dice 5 and remove Light Guns (1 x 4-inch) for +5 points.
1943 Change to Mk IX** Torpedoes and increase to Range bands to 3"/7"/10"/14" for +10 points.

The Dido-class was designed around five 5.25-inch dual purpose turrets of the same type used on the King George V-class battleships as secondary armament. It was developed from
the Arethusa-class and shared some of its design weaknesses and strengths. Production problems meant the supply of 5.25-inch guns could not keep up with demand – as a result the
ships of the 1st group were completed with four turrets instead of five, whilst two others shipped with 4.5-inch dual purpose guns instead.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 14/4 Traits: Agile, Radar, Sub-Hunter 95
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 512 ft. Speed: 32.2 kts. Ships of this Class: Argonaut, Cleopatra, Euralyus, Hermione, Naiad, Sirius
Commissioned: 1940 Crew: 530 Displacement: 7,575 tons
DIDO-CLASS CRUISER (2ND GROUP)

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (10 x 5.25-inch) 1
5" 11" 17" 23" 5 -1 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Port Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Naiad – Remove Radar for -10 points. 1
Light Guns (10 x 5.25-inch) – Only 3 Attack Dice may be fired into the front arc, and only 2 into the aft arc.

Refits – Argonaut Refits – Euralyus

1944 Add Advanced Radar, decrease Light Guns to (8 x 5.25-inch) and Attack Dice 4, increase 1943 Increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +5 points.
AA Battery to Local 4, and change to Mk IX** Torpedoes with Range bands to 3"/7"/10"/14" 1944 Decrease Light Guns to (8 x 5.25-inch) and Attack Dice 4, increase AA Battery to Local 4, and
for +25 points. change to Mk IX** Torpedoes with Range bands to 3"/7"/10"/14" for +10 points.
1945 Increase to AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" Attack Dice 2 for +10 points.
Refits – Sirius
Refits – Cleopatra 1944 Increase to AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 1 for +5 points.
1945 Add Advanced Radar, decrease Light Guns to (8 x 5.25-inch) and Attack Dice 4, change AA Battery 1945 Change to Mk IX** Torpedoes, increasing to Range bands to 3"/7"/10"/14" for +10 points.
to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 3, Local 1, and change to Mk IX** Torpedoes with
Range bands to 3"/7"/10"/14" for +25 points.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 14/4 Traits: Agile, Radar, Sub Hunter 85
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 512 ft. Speed: 32.2 kts. Ships of this Class: Charybdis, Scylla
DIDO-CLASS CRUISER (3RD GROUP)

Commissioned: 1941 Crew: 530 Displacement: 6,975 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (8 x 4.5-inch)1 5" 10" 15" 21" 4 -1 1 DP, Weak
Light Guns (1 x 4-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 1 -2 1 DP, Slow-Loading, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Port Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
1
Light Guns (8 x 4.5-inch) – Only 2 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.

Refits – Charybdis Refits – Scylla

1943 Remove Light Guns (1 x 4-inch) and change to Mk IX** Torpedoes, increasing to Range bands to 1944 Increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +5 points.
3"/7"/10"/14" for +5 points.

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 The Royal Navy

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 26/8 Traits: Aircraft 3 130

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 614 ft. Speed: 32.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Belfast, Edinburgh
Commissioned: 1939 Crew: 850 Displacement: 13,175 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
EDINBURGH-CLASS CRUISER

B Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 -1 1 Fast Track

X Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
Y Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
Light Guns (12 x 4-inch) 1
5" 10" 15" 20" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 3
Port Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
1
Light Guns (12 x 4-inch) – Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arc.

Refits – Belfast Refits – Edinburgh

1943 Increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +5 points. 1941 Increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +5 points.
1944 Add Radar and Sub-Hunter, and increase AA Battery to Local 5 for +35 points. 1942 Add Radar for +15 points.
1945 Remove Aircraft, add Advanced Radar, decrease Light Guns to (8 x 4-inch) and Attack Dice 4, increase
AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 1 and Local 8 for +25 points.

Designed to displace 10,000 tons standard, these ships exceeded their original specifications, and the aft
turrets were raised, giving the ships an unusual appearance. HMS Belfast was out of service from
November 1939 to October 1942 due to mine damage while HMS Edinburgh was seriously
damaged by submarine-launched torpedoes (her stern broke off as a result of the
damage) but survived long enough to repulse an attack by destroyers three
days later, sinking one of them. She had to be scuttled as a result of
damage sustained in this action, however.

HMS Belfast

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 2+ Hull: 20/6 Traits: Aircraft 1, Sub-Hunter 110
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 570 ft. Speed: 33 kts. Ships of this Class: Emerald, Enterprise
Commissioned: 1926 Crew: 572 Displacement: 9,770 tons
Weapons (Both) Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (3 x 4-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 1 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
EMERALD-CLASS CRUISER

Port Mk VII Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot

Port Mk VII Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk VII Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk VII Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot

Weapons (HMS Emerald) Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (7 x 6-inch) 1
4" 9" 14" 19" 4 -2 1 Weak
1
Light Guns (7 x 6-inch) – Only 2 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arcs.

Weapons (HMS Enterprise) Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 6-inch) 5" 11" 16" 22" 1 -2 1 Twin-Linked, Weak, Fast Tracking
Light Guns (5 x 6-inch) 2
4" 9" 14" 19" 3 -2 1 Weak
2
Light Guns (5 x 6-inch) – Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front arc and 2 Attack Dice into the aft arc.

The Emerald-class (or 'E'-class) was among the last cruisers laid down for the Royal supporting the Normandy landings before re-joining the reserve fleet in early 1945.
Navy during the First World War. They were believed surplus to requirements and HMS Enterprise, along with the cruiser HMS Glasgow, sank three German destroyers
placed in reserve in the late 1930s, but hurriedly reactivated and restored to service and damaged four others during an action in the Bay of Biscay in December 1943.
in 1939. Both ships were employed in ferrying British gold reserves to Canada in She was later fitted with special jamming gear to defeat German glider bombs and
the first few months of the war. HMS Emerald then served in the Indian Ocean until took part in operations to support the Normandy landings. Like her sister, she was
commencing a long refit in 1942. On completion, she re-joined the Eastern Fleet, sent to the reserve fleet in 1945.

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Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 21/7 Traits: Aircraft 2, Armoured Deck 135
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 555 ft. Speed: 31.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Bermuda, Fiji, Gambia, Jamaica, Kenya, Mauritius,
Commissioned: 1940 Crew: 980 Displacement: 10,450 tons Nigeria, Trinidad
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
B Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
X Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
CROWN COLONY-CLASS CRUISER (FIJI GROUP)

Y Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 -1 1 Fast Track

Light Guns (8 x 4-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 4 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Port Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Refits – Bermuda Refits – Kenya
1942 Add Radar for +15 points. 1942 Add Radar for +15 points.
1943 Increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +5 points. 1943 Increase AA Battery to Local 3 and change to Mk IX** Torpedoes, increasing to Range bands to
1944 Remove Aircraft and add Sub-Hunter for +0 points. 3"/7"/10"/14" for +15 points.
1945 Add Advanced Radar, remove X Turret, increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack 1944 Add Sub-Hunter for +10 points.
Dice 1, Local 5, and change to Mk IX** Torpedoes, increasing to Range bands to 3"/7"/10"/14" 1945 Remove X Turret, increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 1 for
for +20 points. -15 points.
Refits – Fiji Refits – Mauritius
1940 Add Radar for +15 points. 1943 Remove Aircraft, add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +10 points.
1944 Add Sub-Hunter for +10 points.
Refits – Gambia 1945 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 1 for +5 points.
1942 Add Radar for +15 points, Increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +5 points.
1943 Remove Aircraft for -10 points. Refits – Nigeria
1944 Transferred to New Zealand. Add Sub-Hunter and change to Mk IX** Torpedoes, increasing to 1942 Add Radar for +15 points.
Range bands to 3"/7"/10"/14" for +20 points 1943 Increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +5 points.
1944 Remove Aircraft and add Sub-Hunter for +0 points.
Refits – Jamaica
1945 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 1, and change to
1942 Add Radar for +15 points. Mk IX** Torpedoes, increasing to Range bands to 3"/7"/10"/14" for +15 points.
1943 Increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +5 points.
1944 Add Sub-Hunter for +10 points.
1945 Remove Aircraft, add Advanced Radar, remove X Turret, increase AA Battery to Local 6 and change
to Mk IX** Torpedoes, increasing to Range bands to 3"/7"/10"/14" for +0 points.

A compact design, the Crown Colony-class was considered to be the way forward for light cruisers HMS Fiji survived being torpedoed but was sunk some months later by bombs. HMS Trinidad is
in the early 1940s. The X turret was removed from some ships in late 1941 and from all by 1944. famous for managing to torpedo herself, though she managed to survive this.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 22/7 Traits: Aircraft 2, Armoured Deck, Radar 125
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 557 ft. Speed: 31.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Ceylon, Newfoundland, Uganda
CROWN COLONY-CLASS CRUISER (CEYLON GROUP)

Commissioned: 1943 Crew: 920 Displacement: 10,800 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
B Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
Y Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
Light Guns (8 x 4-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 4 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 3
Port Mk IX** Torpedoes 3" 7" 10" 14" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk IX** Torpedoes 3" 7" 10" 14" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Refits – Ceylon Refits – Uganda
1944 Add Sub-Hunter and increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +15 points. 1943 Increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +5 points.
1945 Change AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 1 and Local 3 for +0 points. 1944 Add Sub-Hunter and decrease AA Battery to Local 3 for +5 points.
1945 Transferred to Canada and renamed Quebec. Remove Aircraft, add Advanced Radar and increase AA
Refits – Newfoundland Battery Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 2 and Local 2 for +25 points.
1944 Remove Aircraft, add Advanced Radar and Sub-Hunter, and increase AA Battery to Range bands
1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 2 and Local 4 for +30 points.

The Ceylon group was created by modifying vessels of the Crown Colony-class to carry As with many conversions, the armament carried by each vessel in the class varied
a greatly improved AA armament. Initially this was intended to include more 4-inch somewhat. Both HMS Kenya and Newfoundland survived being torpedoed and HMS
guns, but lighter weapons predominated in the final design as close-range defence was Uganda, though out of action for more than a year, managed to make port after a guided
considered critical. bomb wrecked her aft engine room.

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 The Royal Navy

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 23/7 Traits: Aircraft 2 135

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 592 ft. Speed: 32.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Gloucester, Liverpool, Manchester
Commissioned: 1938 Crew: 883 Displacement: 11,650 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
GLOUCESTER-CLASS CRUISER

A Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 -1 1 Fast Track

B Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
X Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
Y Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
Light Guns (8 x 4-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 4 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Port Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Refits – Manchester Refits – Liverpool
1940 Add Radar for +15 points. 1944 Add Radar and Sub-Hunter for +25 points.
1941 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 1 for +5 points. 1945 Remove Aircraft, remove X Turret, and increase AA Battery to Local 7 for -5 points.

An enlarged version of the Southampton-class, these ships were designed to have to service only to be hit again. This time she had to be scuttled. HMS Liverpool’s bow
better protection for the main armament in particular and heavier armour in general. was blown off by an internal explosion after being hit by a torpedo, but she survived
HMS Gloucester was lost after being hit by several (probably four) large bombs and this, and another torpedo hit in 1942 which put her out of action until the very end of
HMS Manchester was put out of action for nine months by a torpedo hit and returned the war.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 26/8 Traits: None 85

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 712 ft. Speed: 29.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Frobisher, Hawkins
Commissioned: 1919* Crew: 690 Displacement: 12,800 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
HAWKINS-CLASS CRUISER (TYPE 1)

Light Guns (7 x 7.5-inch) 1

5" 10" 15" 21" 7 -1 1 –
Light Guns (4 x 4-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 2 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port Mk IV Torpedoes 3" 5" 7" 10" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port Mk IV Torpedoes 3" 5" 7" 10" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk IV Torpedoes 3" 5" 7" 10" 1 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading
Starboard Mk IV Torpedoes 3" 5" 7" 10" 1 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading
*Returned to service: 1940 for Hawkins and 1942 for Frobisher
1
Light Guns (7 x 7.5-inch) – Only 2 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arcs and only 6 Attack Dice into the port or starboard arcs.

Refits – Frobisher Refits – Hawkins

1942 Add Radar, decrease Light Guns (5 x 7.5-inch) to Attack Dice 5, and increase AA Battery to 1942 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +15 points.
Local 4 for +15 points. 1944 Remove One-Shot Port and Starboard Torpedoes and increase AA Battery to Local 4 for -10 points.
1944 Remove One-Shot Port and Starboard Torpedoes for -20 points.
1945 Converted into a training ship.

The Hawkins-class had its origins in the need for a counter to First World War German The magazines were also encased in an armoured box. Anti-aircraft armament was
raiders. It was developed from the Birmingham-class but was a much larger ship upgraded during the war, though the exact fit varied from one vessel to another.
incorporating what were, at the time, innovative features. Propelled by a mix of HMS Hawkins served mainly in the Indian Ocean, and Frobisher worked in home
coal and oil to ensure fuel would be available anywhere in the world, the Hawkins- waters and supported the Normandy landings. All were relegated to the reserve fleet
class benefited from the arrangement of her coal bunkers to protect critical spaces. in 1945.

HMS Frobisher by Paul Wright © Osprey Publishing Ltd.

Taken from New Vanguard 190 – British Heavy Cruisers 1939-45

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 The Royal Navy

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 25/8 Traits: Aircraft 1 90

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 605 ft. Speed: 29.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Cavendish, Effingham
HAWKINS-CLASS CRUISER (TYPE 2)

Commissioned: 1925* Crew: 712 Displacement: 12,800 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (9 x 6-inch)1 4" 9" 14" 19” 6 -2 1 Weak
Light Guns (8 x 4-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 2 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 3
Port Mk VII Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk VII Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
*Refitted in 1938. 1
Light Guns (9 x 6-inch) – Only 2 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arcs.

Refits
1941 Add +1 Aircraft for a total of 2, increase Light Guns (8 x 4-inch) to Attack Dice 4 and Range bands 5"/10"/15"/20" for +20 points.

The Hawkins-class was based on the earlier Birmingham-class cruiser. All four cruisers of converted back to a cruiser and then demilitarised before the war. HMS Effingham was
this class saw extensive modification. HMS Cavendish was actually completed as a carrier, rebuilt as a light cruiser.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 30/10 Traits: Aircraft 3 150

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 633 ft. Speed: 31.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Australia, Berwick, Canberra, Cornwall, Cumberland, Kent, Suffolk
Commissioned: 1928 Crew: 784 Displacement: 14,910 tons
Weapons (All) Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 23" 31" 2 – 1 –
B Turret (2 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 23" 31" 2 – 1 –
X Turret (2 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 23" 31" 2 – 1 –
Y Turret (2 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 23" 31" 2 – 1 –

Weapons (Australia) Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (8 x 4-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 4 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port Mk VII Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk VII Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
KENT-CLASS CRUISER

Australia –Decrease Australia's Hull to 27/9 and her Aircraft to 1. Increase points cost of Australia to 165 points.

Weapons (Berwick, Cornwall) Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (8 x 4-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 4 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 3
Berwick & Cornwall –Decrease points cost of Berwick and Cornwall to 130 points.

Weapons (Canberra) Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (4 x 4-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 2 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port Mk V Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 4 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk V Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 4 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Canberra –Decrease Canberra's Armour to 2+, her Hull to 27/9 and her Aircraft to 1, and add Armoured Deck. Increase points cost of Canberra to 165 points.

Weapons (Cumberland) Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (2 x 4-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 1 -2 1 DP, Weak
Light Guns (4 x 4-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 2 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Cumberland –Decrease points cost of Cumberland to 125 points.

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 The Royal Navy

Weapons (Kent) Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (4 x 4-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 2 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 3
Kent –Decrease points cost of Kent to 135 points.

Weapons (Suffolk) Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
KENT-CLASS CRUISER (CONT.)

Light Guns (4 x 4-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 2 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Suffolk –Decrease points cost of Suffolk to 130 points.

Refits – Australia Refits – Cumberland

1941 Add Radar for +10 points. 1941 Add Radar for +10 points.
1942 Remove all Torpedoes for -20 points. 1943 Remove Aircraft and increase AA Battery to Local 3 for -5 points.
1944 Remove Aircraft, add Sub-Hunter and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +20 points. 1944 Add Sub-Hunter for +20 points.
1945 Damaged with repairs completed after war. Remove X Turret and increase AA Battery to Range
bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 2 and Local 0 for -20 points. Refits – Kent
1941 Add Radar, increase Light Guns (8 x 4-inch) to Attack Dice 4, Range bands 5"/10"/15"/20" and
Refits – Berwick increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +25 points.
1941 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +15 points. 1943 Remove Aircraft for -10 points.
1942 Remove Aircraft for -10 points. 1944 Add Sub-Hunter for +20 points.
1944 Add Advanced Radar and Sub-Hunter for +30 points. 1945 Removed from service.
Refits – Canberra Refits – Suffolk
1941 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +25 points. 1941 Add Radar and increase Light Guns (8 x 4-inch) to Attack Dice 4, Range bands 5"/10"/15"/20"
1942 Increase Light Guns (8 x 4-inch) to Attack Dice 4 for +10 points. for +20 points.
1943 Remove Aircraft and increase AA Battery to Local 3 for -5 points.
1944 Add Sub-Hunter for +20 points.

The Kent-class was the Royal Navy’s first group of heavy cruisers with county names. experienced mixed careers; HMS Cornwall was sunk by Japanese dive bombers
Five were built for the Royal Navy, and two for the Royal Australian Navy. They off Ceylon, and HMS Suffolk suffered heavy bomb damage during the Norway
were completed with limited aircraft facilities, although some ships had a larger campaign (she was repaired and took part in the hunt for the Bismarck). HMS
box hangar added later. Top weight problems caused by this conversion resulted Australia was hit by six kamikazes but survived, while HMS Canberra was scuttled
in HMS Cumberland and Suffolk having distinctive cut down quarter decks. They after the battle of Savo Island in 1942.

Royal Navy cruisers steer clear of the rocks

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 The Royal Navy

HMS Ajax at the Battle of the River Plate, 1939, by Paul Wright
© Osprey Publishing Ltd. Taken from New Vanguard 194
– British Light Cruisers 1939-45

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 18/6 Traits: Agile, Aircraft 1, Sub-Hunter 120
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 554 ft. Speed: 32.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Achilles, Ajax, Leander, Neptune, Orion
Commissioned: 1932 Crew: 680 Displacement: 9,280 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
B Turret (2 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
X Turret (2 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
Y Turret (2 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
Light Guns (4 x 4-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 2 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
LEANDER-CLASS CRUISER

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Ajax, Neptune & Orion – Replace Light Guns as follows. Increase ship's cost to 130 points. Leander – Increase Hull to 19/6. Increase ship's cost to 125 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (8 x 4-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 4 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
Refits – Achilles Refits – Leander
1942 Transferred to New Zealand. Remove Light Guns (4 x 4-inch) for -10 points. 1941 Remove Aircraft for -5 points.
1944 Remove Aircraft, add Advanced Radar, add Light Guns (as Ajax, Neptune, and Orion, shown above), 1942 Transferred to New Zealand. Add Radar and Aircraft 1 and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +20 points.
increase AA Battery to Local 4 and change torpedoes to Mk IX**, increasing Range bands to 1943 Remove Aircraft for -5 points.
3"/7"/10"/14" for +30 points. 1945 Remove X Turret and increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 2 for +0 points.
1945 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice to 1 for +5 points.
Refits – Neptune
Refits – Ajax 1941 Add Radar for +10 points.
1942 Add Radar, and increase to AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points.
1943 Change AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 2 and Local 1 for +5 points. Refits – Orion
1944 Change torpedoes to Mk IX** and increase Range bands to 3"/7"/10"/14" for +10 points. 1941 Remove Aircraft for -5 points.
1942 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +15 points.
1943 Change AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 2 and Local 1 for +5 points.

With an empire and trade commitments that spanned the entire globe, the Royal Navy which, together with a cruiser of another class, out manoeuvred the Admiral Graf Spee
had a clear need for small, light cruisers that could be produced in large numbers. Though during the Battle of the River Plate. Despite it being a victory won more by bluff and guile
displacing more than their intended 6,500 tons, the Leander-class fulfilled this requirement rather than effective gunnery, the scuttled Admiral Graf Spee was welcome news at a time
admirably. Perhaps the most famous examples of this class were the HMS Ajax and Achilles when Britain was in the depths of its darkest hour.

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 The Royal Navy

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 27/9 Traits: Aircraft 1, Armoured Deck 175
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 633 ft. Speed: 32.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Devonshire, London, Shropshire, Sussex
Commissioned: 1928 Crew: 700 Displacement: 14,580 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 23" 31" 2 – 1 –
B Turret (2 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 23" 31" 2 – 1 –
X Turret (2 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 23" 31" 2 – 1 –
Y Turret (2 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 23" 31" 2 – 1 –
LONDON-CLASS CRUISER

Light Guns (8 x 4-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 4 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port Mk VII Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk VII Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Refits – Devonshire Refits – Shropshire
1941 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +25 points. 1941 Increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +10 points.
1943 Increase Light Guns to Range bands to 5"/10"/15"/20" and increase AA Battery to Local 6 for 1942 Add Radar, increase Light Guns Range bands to 5"/10"/15"/20", and increase AA Battery to
+20 points. Local 4 for +20 points.
1944 Remove Aircraft, add Advanced Radar and Sub-Hunter, remove X Turret, and change torpedoes to 1943 Transferred to Australia. Remove Aircraft for -5 points.
Mk IX, decreasing Range bands to 3"/6"/9"/12" for +0 points. 1944 Add Sub-Hunter for +20 points.
1945 Add Advanced Radar, increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 3 and Local
Refits – London 3, and remove torpedoes for +0 points.
1941 Increase Armour to 3+, Hull to 29/9, Aircraft to 2, remove Armoured Deck, add Radar, increase
Light Guns Range bands to 5"/10"/15"/20", and increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +45 points. Refits – Sussex
1942 Increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +5 points. 1942 Add Radar, increase Light Guns to Range bands to 5"/10"/15"/20" and increase AA Battery to
1943 Remove Aircraft for -10 points. Local 4 for +20 points.
1944 Add Sub-Hunter, increase AA Battery to Local 5, and change torpedoes to Mk IX and, decreasing 1944 Remove Aircraft, add Sub-Hunter, increase to AA Battery Local 5 and
Range bands to 3"/6"/9"/12" for +20 points. change Torpedoes to Mk IX and decrease Range bands to 3"/6"/9"/12" for +5 points.
1945 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 1 for +5 points. 1945 Add Advanced Radar, remove X Turret, increase AA Battery to Local 10 and remove Torpedoes for
-10 points.

The London-class was a repeat of the Kent-class but had no bulges. HMS London a handsome ship with a similar appearance to the Royal Navy’s later light cruisers,
was extensively refitted just prior to the war and resembled a Crown Colony-class on the additional structure over-stressed the hull and she leaked badly. However, all four
completion. Unfortunately, the reconstruction was not a great success; despite being ships survived the war.

"Sink, burn and destroy; Let nothing pass."

Admiral Cunningham

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 27/9 Traits: Aircraft 1, Armoured Deck 175
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 633 ft. Speed: 32.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Dorsetshire, Norfolk
Commissioned: 1930 Crew: 950 Displacement: 14,600 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 23" 31" 2 – 1 –
NORFOLK-CLASS CRUISER

B Turret (2 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 23" 31" 2 – 1 –

X Turret (2 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 23" 31" 2 – 1 –
Y Turret (2 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 23" 31" 2 – 1 –
Light Guns (8 x 4-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 4 -2 1 DP, Weak, Restricted
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 3
Port Mk VII Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk VII Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Norfolk – Increase Hull to 29/9 for +10 points.

Refits – Dorsetshire 1943 Remove Aircraft for -5 points.

1941 Increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +5 points. 1944 Add Sub-Hunter for +20 points.
1945 Add Advanced Radar, remove X Turret, increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack
Refits – Norfolk Dice 2 and Local 7, and change torpedoes to Mk IX, decreasing Range bands to 3"/6"/9"/12" for
1941 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +20 points. +20 points.

The HMS Norfolk spent almost the entire war serving as a convoy escort in the North Atlantic. Bismarck with radar. The Norfolk was the first ship to make visual contact with the Bismarck after
However, she participated in the search for the Gneisenau and Scharnhorst and helped track the the destruction of HMS Hood and aided in its destruction the same day.

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Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 19/6 Traits: Aircraft 1, Agile, Sub-Hunter 145
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 562 ft. Speed: 32.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Hobart, Perth, Sydney
Commissioned: 1943 Crew: 680 Displacement: 9,420 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
PERTH-CLASS CRUISER

B Turret (2 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track

X Turret (2 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
Y Turret (2 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
Light Guns (8 x 4-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 4 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Perth – Decrease damage to 18/6 for -5 points. Sydney – Decrease Hull to 18/6, reduce Light Guns (4 x 4-inch) to Range band 4"/8"/12"/17” and
Attack Dice 2 for -15 points.

Refits – Hobart 1945 Add Advanced Radar, increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 2 for
1942 Remove Aircraft, add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +10 points. +20 points.

Somewhat similar to the Leander-class, the Perth-class cruiser featured two self-contained Japanese force while HMS Sydney’s loss is somewhat controversial; she engaged in a point-blank
machinery rooms, giving greater survivability. These ships were built for or transferred to the gun and torpedo duel with the German raider Kormoran and was last seen on fire and listing
Royal Australian Navy. HMS Perth was lost in action in the Sunda Strait, against a vastly superior badly. HMS Hobart survived a torpedo hit in 1943 but was under repair for the next year and a half.

"Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently

overwhelming might of the enemy."
Winston Churchill

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 23/7 Traits: Aircraft 2 135

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 592 ft. Speed: 32 kts. Ships of this Class: Birmingham, Glasgow, Newcastle, Sheffield, Southampton
Commissioned: 1937 Crew: 833 Displacement: 11,350 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
B Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
X Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
SOUTHAMPTON-CLASS CRUISER

Y Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 -1 1 Fast Track

Light Guns (8 x 4-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 4 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Port Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Refits – Birmingham Refits – Newcastle
1942 Add Radar for +15 points. 1941 Add Radar for +15 points.
1943 Remove Aircraft and increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +0 points. 1942 Increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +5 points.
1944 Remove X Turret, add Advanced Radar and Sub-Hunter, increase AA Battery to Range bands 1943 Remove Aircraft and change Torpedoes to Mk IX**, increasing to Range bands 3"/7"/10"/14" for
1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 3, and change Torpedoes to Mk IX**, increasing to Range bands +0 points.
3"/7"/10"/14" for +50 points. 1944 Add Sub-Hunter for +20 points.
Refits – Glasgow Refits – Sheffield
1940 Add Radar for +15 points. 1942 Add Radar for +15 points.
1943 Increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +5 points. 1943 Increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +5 points.
1944 Add Sub-Hunter for +20 points. 1944 Remove Aircraft and add Sub-Hunter for +15 points.
1945 Remove X Turret and Aircraft, add Advanced Radar, increase AA Battery to Local 5, and change 1945 Remove X Turret, add Advanced Radar, increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and
Torpedoes to Mk IX**, increasing to Range bands 3"/7"/10"/14" for +20 points. Attack Dice 3, and change Torpedoes to Mk IX**, increasing to Range bands 3"/7"/10"/14" for
+25 points.

The five ships of the Southampton-class were fitted with slightly different anti-aircraft HMS Glasgow, Newcastle and Birmingham were all torpedoed, and HMS Sheffield was
armament at various times in their career but, overall, were regarded as tough ships. HMS damaged by a mine. All survived – Glasgow’s back was broken, and she took 9 months to
Southampton was disabled by two or three 550lb bombs and had to be abandoned, while repair, but was able to make 16 knots even with her damage.

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Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 23/7 Traits: Advanced Radar, Armoured Deck, Sub-Hunter 125
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 555 ft. Speed: 31.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Minotaur, Swiftsure
Commissioned: 1944 Crew: 960 Displacement: 11,480 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
SWIFTSURE-CLASS CRUISER

A Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 -1 1 Fast Track

B Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
X Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
Light Guns (10 x 4-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 5 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 5
Port Mk IX** Torpedoes 3" 7" 10" 14" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk IX** Torpedoes 3" 7" 10" 14" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Refits – Swiftsure Refits – Minotaur
1940 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 3 and Local 3 for +5 points. 1940 Transferred to Canada as Ontario. Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice
1 and Local 4 for +0 points.

The Swiftsure-class were a development of the Crown colony-class, designed from the improved stability. HMS Swiftsure was the only ship of the class to see active service in
outset with only three 6-inch turrets, heavier AA armament and increased beam for World War Two. HMS Ontario was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 23/7 Traits: Advanced Radar, Armoured Deck, Sub-Hunter 125
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 605 ft. Speed: 31.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Bellerophon, Blake, Defence, Hawke, Superb, Tiger
Commissioned: 1945 Crew: 867 Displacement: 11,560 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
TIGER-CLASS CRUISER

A Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 -1 1 Fast Track

B Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
X Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
Light Guns (10 x 4-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 5 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 2 – – Local 4
Port Mk IX** Torpedoes 3" 7" 10" 14" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk IX** Torpedoes 3" 7" 10" 14" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Note – Only HMS Superb completed before war’s end

As originally designed, the Tiger-class would have resembled the earlier Swiftsure-class twin automatic DP 6-inch turrets, with a rate of fire three times that of the originals. HMS
(HMS Tiger began as a ship of that class and was converted). Only three were completed; Blake and Tiger were eventually converted into anti-submarine warfare helicopter carriers,
HMS Lion, Tiger and Blake, and they replaced the original triple 6-inch turrets with new with a large hangar and flight deck replacing the aft turret.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 21/7 Traits: Aircraft 1 115

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 575 ft. Speed: 32 kts. Ships of this Class: Exeter, York
Commissioned: 1930 Crew: 630 Displacement: 10,490 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
YORK-CLASS CRUISER

A Turret (2 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 23" 31" 2 – 1 –

B Turret (2 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 23" 31" 2 – 1 –
X Turret (2 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 23" 31" 2 – 1 –
Light Guns (4 x 4-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 2 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port Mk VII Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk VII Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Refits – Exeter
1941 Add Radar, change Light Guns (8 x 4-inch) to Range bands to 5"/10"/15"/20" and Attack Dice 4, increase AA Battery to Local 4, and change Torpedoes to Mk IX, decreasing Range band to 3"/6"/9"/12"
for +20 Points.

The HMS York took part in the Norwegian campaign but was later sunk by Italian River Plate but was seriously damaged. It was later repaired and took part in the Battle of
motorboats in the Mediterranean. The HMS Exeter, famously, took part in the Battle of the the Java Sea but was soon sunk after by Japanese gunfire and torpedoes.

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Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 4/1 Traits: Agile 40

points
Type: Destroyer Length: 323 ft. Speed: 35 kts. Ships of this Class: Acasta, Achates, Acheron, Active, Antelope, Anthony, Ardent, Arrow,
Codrington, Basilisk, Blanche, Boadicea, Boreas, Brazen, Brilliant, Bulldog,
Commissioned: 1930/1 Crew: 194 Displacement: 1,747 tons Eagle, Keith

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 2 -2 1 Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Mk V Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 4 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard Mk V Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 4 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arc.

Refits – Achates Refits – Anthony Refits – Boadicea

1940 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points. 1940 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points. 1940 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points.
A AND B-CLASS DESTROYER

1942 Add Radar and replace all weapons as shown below for 1941 Decrease Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1 for -5 points. 1941 Add Radar, decrease Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to
+0 points. 1942 Add Radar, add one set of Torpedoes for +15 points. 1 for +0 points.
Refits – Acheron 1943 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points. Refits – Boreas
1940 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points. 1944 Replace all weapons as shown below and add AA Battery 1940 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points.
Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 1 for +5 points.
1941 Add Radar, decrease Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to
Refits – Active 1 for +0 points.
1940 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points.
Refits – Arrow
1940 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points. 1944 Transferred to Greece as Salamis.
1941 Decrease Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1 for
-5 points. 1941 Decrease Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1 for Refits – Brilliant
-5 points.
1942 Add Radar for +5 points. 1940 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points.
1942 Add Radar, add one set of Torpedoes for +15 points.
1944 Replace all weapons as shown below and add AA Battery 1941 Add Radar, decrease Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to
Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 1 for +5 points. Refits – Codrington 1 for +0 points.
Refits – Antelope 1940 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points. Refits – Bulldog
1940 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points. Refits – Beagle 1940 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points.
1941 Decrease Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1 for 1940 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points. 1941 Decrease Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1 for
-5 points. -5 points.
1941 Decrease Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1 for
1942 Add Radar for +5 points. -5 points. 1943 Add Radar and replace all weapons as shown below for
1944 Replace all weapons as shown below and add AA Battery +5 points.
1943 Add Radar and replace all weapons as shown below for
Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 1 for +5 points. +5 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 2 -2 1 Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Mk V Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 4 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot

Developed in the late 1920s, the A-class destroyer fell victim to the difficult economic conditions capability, whilst the B-class was targeted towards anti-submarine warfare (ASW). Both groups
of the time. Its original and ambitious specification was revised to create what was nevertheless were modified during the war, with upgraded anti-aircraft weaponry and a reduced torpedo fit.
an effective vessel. The A-class was equipped for minesweeping, with minimal anti-submarine Some ships were later given upgraded ASW armament at the expense of one of their main guns.

HMS Saumarez at the Battle of the Malacca Strait, 1945, by Tony Bryan © Osprey Publishing Ltd. Taken from New Vanguard 253 – British Destroyers 1945-39

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Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 3/1 Traits: Agile, Depth Charge 50
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 276 ft. Speed: 36 kts. Ships of this Class: Sabre, Saladin, Sardonyx, Scimitar, Scout, Shikari, Stronghold,
Commissioned: 1918 Crew: 90 Displacement: 1,225 tons Sturdy, Tenedos, Thanet, Thracian
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
ADMIRALTY S-CLASS DESTROYER

Light Guns (3 x 4-inch) 3" 6" 9" 12" 1 -2 1 Weak

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Mk IV Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard Mk IV Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Stronghold, Sturdy, Thracian: Converted to Minelayer. Remove all Torpedoes and all Depth Charge for +10 points.

Refits – Sabre, Saladin, Sardonyx, Scimitar, Shikari Refits – Scout Refits – Thracian
1941 Add Sub-Hunter Trait, add Slow-Loading Trait to Light Guns (1 1941 Add Sub-Hunter Trait, add Slow-Loading Trait to Light Guns (1 1941 Captured by Japanese.
x 4-inch), remove all Torpedoes and increase Depth Charge x 4-inch), remove all Torpedoes and increase Depth Charge
Attack Dice to 2 for +10 points. Attack Dice to 2 for +10 points.
Add Radar Trait, remove all Torpedoes and increase Depth Add Radar Trait, remove all Torpedoes and increase Depth
Charge Attack Dice to 3 for +10 points. Charge Attack Dice to 3 for +10 points.
1945 Relegated to training. 1944 Accommodations ship.
1945 Relegated to training.

Originally, sixty-seven destroyers of this class were completed at the end of World War while six were converted early in the war to escorts. Only two remained in their original
One, but by World War Two, only eleven remained. Three were converted minelayers, destroyer format, and both were lost early in the war.

"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last."
Winston Churchill
Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 3/1 Traits: Agile, Depth Charge 25
Vanity, Vega, Verdun, Vimiera, Vivien, Viceroy, Valentine, Valorous, Vanessa, Vanoc, Vanquisher, points
Type: Destroyer Length: 312 ft. Speed: 34 kts. Ships of this Class: Velox, Versatile, Vesper, Vidette, Vimy, Viscount, Venetia, Vivacious, Vortigern, Vampire, Vendetta,
Voyager, Westminster, Whitley, Winchester, Wolfhound, Wolsey, Woolston, Wryneck, Walker, Warwick,
Commissioned: 1917 Crew: 134 Displacement: 1,188 tons Watchman, Westcott, Winchelsea, Wrestler, Wakeful, Walpole, Wessex, Whirlwind, Windsor, Waterhen

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (4 x 4-inch) 3" 7" 10" 14" 2 -2 1 Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Mk IV Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
ADMIRALTY V AND W-CLASS DESTROYER

Port/Starboard Mk IV Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot

Light Guns (4 x 4-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arc.
Vimiera, Vanoc, Velox, Versatile, Vortigern: Decrease AD for one set of Torpedoes to 2 for -5 points.
Wakeful, Walpole, Wessex, Whirlwind, Windsor: Add Sub-Hunter for +5 points.

Converted to Long Range Escort 1943 Add Sub-Hunter for +10 points. Refits – Voyager
1941 Vimy 1933 Transferred to Australia.
1942 Vanessa, Viscount, Winchelsea Refits – Velox, Versatile, Vortigern 1940 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points.
1943 Vanquisher, Vesper, Vidette, Walker, Warwick, Watchman, 1940 Remove the 2 AD set of Torpedoes for -5 points
Wrestler Refits – Walpole
Refits – Vampire 1944 Add Radar, reduce Light Guns (2 x 4-inch) Attack Dice to 1
1944 Vanoc, Veloc (Under conversion to 1933 Transferred to Australia.
Long Range Escort but converted to Air Target Ship), Versatile and increase AA Battery Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" Attack
1940 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points. Dice to 1 for +5 points.
Converted to WAIR
Refits – Vendetta Refits – Waterhen
1939 Valentine, Whitley
1933 Transferred to Australia. 1933 Transferred to Australia.
1940 Vanity, Vega, Verdun, Vimiera, Vivien, Valorous, Westminster,
Winchester, Wolfhound, Wolsey, Woolston, Wryneck 1940 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points.
1943 Add Radar, add Sub-Hunter and reduce Refits – Westcott
1941 Viceroy 1940 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points.
Light Guns (3 x 4-inch) to Attack Dice 1 for +10 points.
Refits – Vanessa, Vanquisher, Vesper, Vidette, Vimy, Viscount, 1941 Converted to Long Range Escort.
Venetia, Vivacious, Walker, Warwick, Watchman, Winchelsea, Refits – Vivacious
Wrestler, Walpole, Waterhen 1943 Add Radar, add Sub-Hunter and reduce Refits – Windsor
1940 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points. Light Guns (3 x 4-inch) to Attack Dice to 1 for +10 points. 1940 Reduce Light Guns (3 x 4-inch) Attack Dice to 1, increase AA
Battery Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" Attack Dice to 1 and
Refits – Vanoc Refits – Vortigern remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points.
1940 Remove the 2 AD set of Torpedoes for -5 points 1941 Add Sub-Hunter for +10 points. 1943 Add Radar for +5 points.

Emergency building programmes during the First World War produced large numbers of the most potent destroyer types of the period. By the outbreak of the Second World War
what were at the time advanced and effective vessels. The V-class was designed with two these vessels were obsolete and had passed into the reserve fleet but remained capable
sets of twin torpedo tubes; W-class vessels had triple tubes. Built with 4-inch guns, the V- of fulfilling a variety of escort roles, while others where converted to WAIR (W-class anti-
and W-classes proved capable of carrying a 4.7-inch gun armament, making them one of AIRcraft) vessels.

157
157
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Flank Speed: @"

5" Armour: @+
1+ Hull: 4/1
@ Traits: @
Agile, Radar, Sub-Hunter 40
@
points
V & W-CLASS DESTROYER

Type: Destroyer
@ Length: 312
@ ft. Speed: 24
@ kts. Vanessa’42, Vanoc’44, Vanquisher’43, Versatile’44, Vesper’43, Vidette’43,
Ships of this Class: @
Vimy’41, Viscount’42, Walker’43, Warwick’43, Watchman’43, Westcott’41,
Commissioned: 1941
@ Crew: 134
@ Displacement: 1,188
@ tons Winchelsea’42, Wrestler’43

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns@@
(2 x 4-inch) 3"
– 7"
– 10"
– 14"
– –1 -2
– –1 Weak
–
AA@@
Battery – – – – – – – Local
– 1
@@@@@@

@@Radar and Sub-Hunter for -10 points. –

Vimy, Westcott: Remove – – – Viscount:–Add one set –
of Torpedoes –
as follows –
+10 points.
@@ Fire Arcs Point–Blank – – – – – – –
ADMIRALTY

Weapons Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

@@ – – – – – – – –
Port/Starboard Mk IV Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 -2 2 Devastating, One-Shot
@@ – – – – – – – –
Refits – Viscount Refits – Vimy, Westcott
@@
1943 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points. – – – – 1943 Add
– Radar and–Sub-Hunter–for +15 points.
–
@@ – – – – – – – –
The V- and W-class were converted to a long-range convoy escorts, reducing speed to 24 retaining their original performance. Unsuitable for Arctic or North Atlantic convoy work,
knots. Not all were suitable@@
for this conversion, and were designated
– short-range
– escorts,– they were –
– used for escort
– duty – close to –
home ports.

@@ – – – – – – – –
Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 3/1 Traits: Agile 25
@@ – – – – – – – – points
ADMIRALTY V AND W-CLASS

Type: Destroyer Length: 312 ft. Speed: 34 kts. Ships of this Class: Valentine, Valorous, Vanity, Vega, Verdun, Vimiera, Vivien, Viceroy,
Note @@ Westminster, Whitley, Winchester, Wolfhound, Wolsey, Woolston, Wryneck
Commissioned: 1939 Crew: 134 Displacement: 1,188 tons
Refits – @@Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long ExtremeRefits –AD@@ AP DD Traits
DESTROYER

1940 @@ 1940 @@
Light Guns (4 x 4-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 2 -2 1 DP, Weak
Refits – @@ Refits – @@
1940 @@ AA Battery – – – – 1940 @@
– – – Local 1
Light Guns (4 x 4-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arc.
@@@@@@@
Refits – all except Valentine and Whitley
1941 Add Radar for +5 points.

The WAIR conversion created a new class of anti-aircraft destroyer on the hull of a W-class weapons, and an extensive rebuilding of the superstructure followed. Depth charges
ship. The existing 4-inch and 4.7-inch guns were replaced with high-angle 4-inch
Flank Speed: @" Armour: @+ Hull: @ Traits: @were fitted but these were primarily air defence ships. @
points
Type: @ Length: @ Speed: @ Ships of this Class: @
Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 4/1 Traits: Agile 40
Commissioned: @ Crew: @ Displacement: @ points
Type: Destroyer Length: 329 ft. Speed: 36 kts. Ships of this Class: Fraser, Ottawa, Restigouche, St. Laurent, Assiniboine, Dainty, Daring,
Weapons
Commissioned: 1931-3* Crew: 146 Fire Arcs PointDisplacement:
Blank Short Long Extreme AD Decoy,
1,865 tons APDefender,DDDelight,Traits
Diamond, Diana, Duchess, Duncan
@@
Weapons Fire Arcs Point–Blank Short– –
Long –
Extreme –
AD –
AP –
DD –
Traits
@@ – – – – – – – –
Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 2 -2 1 Weak
@@@@@@

@@ – – – – – – – –
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
@@ – – – – – – – –
C AND D-CLASS DESTROYERS

Port/Starboard Mk V Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 4 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot

@@ – – – – – – – –
Port/Starboard Mk V Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 4 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
@@ – – – – – – – –
*Note Commissioned: 1931 (C-class), 1933 (D-class) C-class: Prior to the war, all vessels of this class were transferred to Canada and renamed.
Light Guns (4 x @@
4.7-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into–the front or aft
– arc. – – D-class:–Replace Torpedoes
– with Type
– IX and–increase Damage Dice to 3 for +5 points.
@@
Refits – Assiniboine – Refits–– Defender
– – – – – Refits –– Ottawa
1940 Remove one@@ set of Torpedoes for -10 points. – 1940 – Remove one – set of Torpedoes
– for -10–points. – – 1940 –
Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points.
1941 Add Radar for +5 points. 1941 Decrease Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1 for 1942 Add Radar for +5 points.
@@ – – -5 points. – – – – – –
1943 Decrease Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1 for
-5 points.@@ Refits – Restigouche
– Refits–– Diana – – – – – –
1940 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points.
Refits – Dainty, Delight, Diamond
Note @@ 1940 Transferred to Canada and renamed Margaree. 1942 Add Radar for +5 points.
1940 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points. Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points.
1943 Decrease Light Guns (2 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1 and
Refits
Refits –– @@
Decoy Refits – Duncan Refits – @@ change AA Battery Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" for +0 points.
1940 @@
1940 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points. 1940 Remove one set of Torpedoes1940 @@
for -10 points. Refits – St. Laurent
Refits
1941 –Decrease
@@ Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1 for 1941 Decrease Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch)
Refits Attack
– @@ Dice to 1 for - 1940 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points.
-5 points. 5 points.
1940 @@ 1940 @@ 1943 Add Radar, decrease Light Guns (2 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice
1943 Transferred to Canada and renamed Kootenay. Add Radar 1942 Add Radar for +5 points. to 1 and change AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5",
for +5 points. Attack Dice 1 for +5 points.
@@@@@@@
Larger than preceding destroyers, these ships had increased endurance and anti- carried as well. Together, they saw service across the globe, being particularly active in
aircraft capability, and were based around 4.7-inch guns, though torpedoes were the North Atlantic where they escorted convoys.

158
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Flank Speed: @"

7" Armour: @+
1+ Hull: 4/1
@ Traits: @
Agile, Depth Charge 45
@
points
Type: Destroyer
@ Length: 329
@ ft. Speed: 36
@ kts. Ships of this Class: Echo,
@ Eclipse, Electra, Encounter, Escapade, Escort, Esk, Express, Exmouth,
Commissioned: 1934-5*
@ Crew: 146
@ Displacement: 1,940
@ tons Fame, Fearless, Firedrake, Foresight, Forester, Fortune, Foxhound, Fury, Faulknor

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns@@
(4 x 4.7-inch) 4"
– 8"
– 12"
– 17"
– –2 -2
– –1 Weak
–
AA@@
Battery – – – – – – – Local
– 1
DESTROYER
@@@@@@

Port/Starboard@@
Mk IX Torpedoes 3"
– 6"
– 9"
– 12"
– –4 – –3 Devastating,
– One-Shot
Port/Starboard@@
Mk IX Torpedoes 3"
– 6"
– 9"
– 12"
– –4 – –3 Devastating,
– One-Shot
@@1934 (E-class), 1935 (F-class),
*Note Commissioned: – – – – Light Guns– (5 x 5-inch):–Only 1 Attack
– Die may–be fired into the front or aft arcs.
E AND F-CLASS

@@Escort, Exmouth and Faulknor

Refits – All except – –AA Battery–Range bands–1"/2"/3"/5"
– and Attack–Dice 1, –Refits ––Forester
1940 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points. and remove all Torpedoes for -5 points.
@@ – – – – – – –1941 Add
– Radar for +5 points.
Refits – Faulknor 1943 Decrease Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1
Refits – Echo for
1944 Transferred@@
to Greece as Navarinon. – 1941 – Remove one–set of Torpedoes
– for -10–points. – – – -5 points.
1942 Add Radar and return second set of Torpedoes for
Refits – Electra,@@Foresight, Fury – –+15 points.– – – – –Refits ––Fortune
1941 Add Radar for +5 points.
1941 Add Radar@@
for +5 points. 1944 Decrease Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack
– –Dice to 1 and
– increase AA– Battery to –Local 2 for +0– points. –1943 Transferred
– to Canada and renamed Saskatchewan. Decrease
Refits – Escapade Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1 for -5 points.
1943 Add Radar@@
and decrease Light Guns (2 x 4.7-inch) – Refits–– Fame – – – – – –
Refits – Foxhound
Attack Dice to 1 for +0 points. 1941 Decrease Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1 for -5 points.
Note @@ 1941 Add Radar for +5 points.
1944 Add Advanced Radar for +5 points. 1942 Add Radar for +5 points.
1943 Decrease Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1
Refits – Express
@@ Refits – Fearless, Firedrake Refits – @@ for -5 points.
1943 Transferred to Canada and renamed Gatineau. Add Radar,
1940 @@ Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice 1944 Transferred to Canada and renamed Appelle.
1941 Add Radar and decrease Light1940 @@
decrease Light Guns (2 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1, increase to 1 for +0 points.
Refits – @@ Refits – @@
Larger than preceding
1940 @@ destroyers, these ships had increased endurance and anti- carried as well. Together, they saw service across the globe, being particularly active in
1940 @@
aircraft capability, and were based around 4.7-inch guns, though torpedoes were the North Atlantic where they escorted convoys.

"Loose lips might sink ships."

@@@@@@@

Wartime propaganda slogan

Flank Speed: @" Armour: @+ Hull: @ Traits: @ @
Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 4/1 Traits: Agile, Depth Charge points
45
Type: @ Length: @ Speed: @ Ships of this Class: @ points
Type: Destroyer @
Commissioned: Length:
Crew: @323 ft. Speed: 36 kts. @
Displacement: Ships of this Class: Gallant, Garland, Gypsy, Glowworm, Grafton, Grenade, Greyhound, Griffon,
Commissioned: 1936-7* Crew: 146 Displacement: 1,854 tons Grenville, Hasty, Havock, Hereward, Hero, Hostile, Hotspur, Hunter, Hyperion, Hardy
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
@@ – – – – – – – –
Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 2 -2 1 Weak
@@ – – – – – – – –
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
G AND H-CLASS @@@@@@

@@ – – – – – – – –
Port/Starboard Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
@@ – – – – – – – –
DESTROYER

Port/Starboard Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot

@@ – – – – – – – –
*Note Commissioned: 1936 (G-Class), 1937 (H-Class) Glowworm: Increase both sets of Torpedo Attack Dice to 5 for +5 points.
@@ – –
Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch): Only 1 Attack Die may be fired into the front or aft arc.
– – All H-class:
– Add Sub-Hunter
– for +5 –points. –
@@ – – – – – – – –
Refits – All except Gallant, Gypsy, Glowworm, 1943 Replace all Weapons as follows and add AA Battery Range Refits – Hero
Glenville, Hunter,
@@ Hardy – –bands 1"/2"/3"/5",
– Attack
– Dice 1 for – +5 points.– –1943 Add
– Radar and replace all weapons as below for +0 points.
1940 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points. Refits–– Griffon– 1944 Transferred to Canada and renamed Chaudiere.
@@ – – – – – –
Refits – Garland 1941 Add Radar and decrease Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch)
@@ – –Attack Dice–to 1 for +0 –points. – – –Refits ––Hotspur
1940 Transferred to Poland. 1943 Add Radar and replace all weapons as below for +0 points.
@@Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1 for –
1941 Decrease Light 1943 –Transferred–to Canada and
– renamed Ottawa.
– – – –
-5 points. Replace all weapons as below for -15 points.
Note @@
1942 Add Radar for +5 points.

Refits – @@Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long ExtremeRefits –AD@@ AP DD Traits
1940 @@ 1940 @@
Light Guns (2 x 4.7-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 1 -2 1 Weak
Refits – @@ Refits – @@
1940 @@ AA Battery – – – – 1940 @@
– – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
@@@@@@@
Larger than preceding destroyers, these ships had increased endurance and anti- carried as well. Together, they saw service across the globe, being particularly active in
aircraft capability, and were based around 4.7-inch guns, though torpedoes were the North Atlantic where they escorted convoys.

159
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Flank Speed: @"

6" Armour: @+
1+ Hull: 3/1
@ Traits: @
Agile, Radar, Sub-Hunter, Depth Charge 30
@
points
Type: Destroyer
@ Length: 264
@ ft. Speed: 27
@ kts. Ships of this Class: Atherstone,
@ Berkeley, Cattistock, Cleveland, Cotswold, Cottesmore,
HUNT-CLASS DESTROYER

Commissioned: 1940
@ Crew: 168
@ Displacement: 1,625
@ tons Mendip, Meynell, Pytchley, Quantock, Quorn, Southdown, Tynedale, Whaddon
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns@@
(4 x 4-inch) 5"
– 10"
– 15"
– 20"
– –2 -2
– –1 DP,
– Weak
AA@@
Battery – – – – – – – Local
– 1
@@@@@@

@@Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the–front or aft arcs.

Light Guns (4 x 4-inch): – – – – – – –
Refits – All @@ – 1942 – Add Port/Starboard
– Mk –
IX Torpedoes –
with Range – –1945 – AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5"and
Increase
1941 Increase Light 3"/6"/9"/12", Attack Dice 2, Damage Dice 3, with Attack Dice 1 for +5 points.
@@Guns (6 x 4-inch) to Attack Dice 3 for – – Devastating–and One-Shot– traits, and–increase Depth
– Charge – –
+5 points.
Attack Dice to 3 for +15 points.
@@ – – – – – – – –
The Hunt-class was designed @@ to fulfil the role of heavy convoy escort,
– optimised
– for – errors in the
– – calculation
– of stability.
– They–were used extensively to cover convoys in home
anti-aircraft and anti-submarine defence. As such, they were smaller and slower than waters and the Mediterranean and called in to act in more traditional destroyer roles,
@@carried no torpedoes. The initial–vessels were–the victims
their fleet cousins and initially – –
particularly–in the Channel
– and–eastern–Atlantic where they were teamed with cruisers to
of a design error that saw a@@third of their main armament landed – to compensate
– for – form surface
– – action groups.
– – –
@@ – – – – – – – –
Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 4/1 Traits: Agile, Sub-Hunter, Depth Charge 50
@@ – – – – – – – – points
Type: Destroyer Length: 323 ft. Speed: 36 kts. Ships of this Class: Icarus, Illex, Imogen, Imperial, Impulsive, Intrepid, Isis,
Note @@
Commissioned: 1937 Crew: 145 Displacement: 1,890 tons Ivanhoe, Inglefield
Refits – @@Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long ExtremeRefits –
AD@@ AP DD Traits
1940 @@ 1940 @@
Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 2 -2 1 Weak
Refits – @@ Refits – @@
1940 @@ AA Battery – – – – 1940 @@
– – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 5 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
I-CLASS DESTROYER

@@@@@@@ Port/Starboard Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 5 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot

Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arc.

Refits – All Refits – Illex, Impulsive, Intrepid Refits – Inglefield

1940 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points. 1942 Add Radar and decrease remaining Torpedo Attack Dice to 4 1942 Add Radar and return the second Torpedo set but decrease
Flank Speed: @" Armour: @+ Hull: Traits: @
@for +0 points. both Torpedo Attack Dice to 4 for +10 points. @
Refits – Icarus points
Type: @ Length: @ Speed: @ 1943 Replace all weaponsShips of
as below, this Class:
and add @
AA Battery Range
1942 Add Radar and decrease remaining Torpedo Attack Dice to 4 Refits – Isis
Commissioned: @
for +0 points. Crew: @ Displacement: @bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 1 for +0 points. 1942 Decrease remaining Torpedo Attack Dice to 4 for -5 points.
1943 Replace all weapons as below for -5 points. Refits – Imperial
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank 1941 ShortAdd RadarLong Extreme AD
for +5 points. AP DD1943 Traits
Add Radar, replace all weapons as below, and add AA Battery
Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 1 for +5 points.
@@ – – – – – – – –
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
@@ – – – – – – – –
Light Guns (2 x 4.7-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 1 -2 1 Weak
@@@@@@

@@ – – – – – – – –
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
@@ – – – – – – – –
Port/Starboard Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
@@ – – – – – – – –
@@ follow-on from the previous–H-class, with–enlarged–
The I-class was a slightly redesigned –armament.–As with many
– vessels,
– the I-class
– received modifications to its armament as the
torpedo armament and both anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and minesweeping capability.
@@ – – – –war continued,
– with some
– vessels
– temporarily
– gaining extra ASW capability at the expense
Conversion to a minelaying role was possible, though it required removal of some of gun armament.
@@ – – – – – – – –
@@ – – – – – – – –
@@ – – – – – – – – HMS Jupiter by Tony Bryan
@@ – – – – – – – – © Osprey Publishing Ltd. Taken from New
Vanguard 253 – British Destroyers 1945-39
Note @@

Refits – @@ Refits – @@
1940 @@ 1940 @@
Refits – @@ Refits – @@
1940 @@ 1940 @@

@@@@@@@

160
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Flank Speed: @"

7" Armour: @+
1+ Hull: 5/2
@ Traits: @
Agile, Sub-Hunter, Depth Charge 50
@
Jackal, Jaguar, Janus, Javelin, Jersey, Jervis, Juno, Jupiter, Kandahar, Kashmir, points
Type: Destroyer
@ Length: 357
@ ft. Speed: 36
@ kts. Ships of this Class: @
Kelly, Kelvin, Khartoum, Kimberley, Kingston, Kipling, Napier, Norseman, Nerissa,
Commissioned: 1939
@ Crew: 218
@ Displacement: 2,230
@ tons Nestor, Nizman, Noble, Nonpareil, Norman
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns@@
(6 x 4.7-inch) 4"
– 8"
– 12
– 17"
– –3 -2
– –1 Weak
–
AA@@
Battery – – – – – – – Local
– 1
@@@@@@

Port/Starboard@@
Mk IX Torpedoes 3"
– 6"
– 9"
– 12"
– –5 – –3 Devastating,
– One-Shot
Port/Starboard@@
Mk IX Torpedoes 3"
– 6"
– 9"
– 12"
– –5 – –3 Devastating,
– One-Shot
J, K AND N-CLASS DESTROYER

@@ 1940
Note N-class commissioned – – – – – – – –
Light Guns (6 x 4.7-inch): Only 2 Attack Dice may be fired into the front arc and 1 in the aft arc.
@@ – – – – – – – –
Refits – All but@@
Juno, Kandahar, Khartoum – Refits–– Nerissa– – – – –Refits ––Noble, Nonpareil
1941 Add Radar, remove one set of Torpedoes and add Light Guns 1940 Transferred to Poland and renamed Piorun. Add Radar, remove 1942 Transferred to Netherlands and renamed to Van Galen and
as follows,@@
for +0 points: – –one set of –Torpedoes and–add Light Guns
– as shown–below for – – Hiddes. Add Radar for +5 points
Tjerk
+0 points.
Refits – Janus,@@
Javelin, Jervis, Kelvin, Kimberley – – – – – – –Refits ––Norseman
1943 Add one set Refits – Nestor, Norman
@@ of Torpedoes and remove Light Guns (1 x 4-inch)
– – – – – – –1942 Transferred
– to Australia and renamed Nepal. Add Radar and
for +10 points. 1941 Transferred to Australia. Add Radar, remove one set of increase AA Battery to Local 2 for 10 points.
@@ – –Torpedoes and
– add Light–Guns as shown – below for–+0 points. – –
Refits – Juno, Kandahar 1942 Add one set of Torpedoes, remove Light Guns (1 x 4-inch) and Refits – Piorun
Note @@
1941 Add Radar for +5 points. increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +15 points. 1942 Add one set of Torpedoes, remove Light Guns (1 x 4-inch) and
increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +15 points.
Refits – Napier
Refits – @@ Refits – Nizam Refits – @@
1940
1940 @@ Transferred to Australia. 1941 Transferred to Australia. Add Radar,
1940 @@ remove one set of
1941 Add Radar, remove one set of Torpedoes and add Light Guns Torpedoes and add Light Guns as shown below for +0 points.
Refits –as @@
follows, for +0 points. RefitsLight
1942 Add one set of Torpedoes, remove – @@Guns (1 x 4-inch) and
1940 @@
1942 Add one set of Torpedoes, remove Light Guns (1 x 4-inch) and increase AA Battery to Local 21940 @@
for +15 points.
increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +15 points. 1945 Remove one set of Torpedoes and change AA Battery to Range
bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 1 for -5 points.
@@@@@@@
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (1 x 4-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 1 -2 1 DP, Slow-Loading, Weak

The role of theFlank

destroyer
Speed:in a fleet
@"is to keep pace with
Armour: @+other long-ranged
Hull: warships
@ and Traits: @small warships will also be engaged, allowing the rest of the fleet to concentrate on larger
@
provide them with an effective screen against small, short-ranged attackers. Primarily, objectives. These destroyers reversed the trend of the Tribal-class, emphasising torpedoes
points
these will be aType: @
combination Length: @ and torpedoSpeed:
of aircraft, Submarines boats,@
though other Ships of guns.
over this Class: @
Commissioned: @ Crew: @ Displacement: @

"The dangers of the seaFireshould

Weapons
always take
Arcs Point Blank Short
precedenceAPoverDDthe Traits
Long Extreme AD
violence of the enemy."
@@ – – – – – – – –
@@ –
Rear–Admiral
–
Benjamin
– –
Bryant– – –
O-CLASS DESTROYER @@@@@@

@@ – – – – – – – –
Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 4/1 Traits: Agile, Radar, Sub-Hunter, Depth Charge 50
@@ – – – – – – – – points
Type: Destroyer Length: 345 ft. Speed: 36 kts. Ships of this Class: (Group 1) Offa, Onslaught, Onslow, Oribi
@@
Commissioned: 1941 Crew: 212 – – –
Displacement: 2,220 tons – – – – – Opportune, Orwell
(Group 2) Obdurate, Obedient,
@@ – – – – – – – –
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
@@ – – – – – – – –
Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch) 4" 8" 12 17" 2 -2 1 Weak
@@ – – – – – – – –
Light Guns (1 x 4-inch) 4" 8" 12 17" 1 -2 1 Weak, DP, Slow-Loading
@@ – – – – – – – –
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
@@ – – – – – – – –
Port/Starboard Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
@@ – – – – – – – –
Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arc. (Group 2): Replace Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch) and Light Guns (1 x 4-inch) with the
Note @@ following and add a second set of Torpedoes for +10 points.

Refits – @@Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long ExtremeRefits AD

– @@ AP DD Traits
1940 @@ 1940 @@
Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 2 -2 1 DP, Weak
Refits – @@ Refits – @@
Refits
1940 @@– Onslaught, Onslow Refits
1940 @@– Offa, Onslow, Obdurate, Obedient, Orwell
1944 Remove Light Guns (1 x 4-inch) and add a second set of Torpedoes for +10 points 1945 Add the Advanced Radar Trait for +5 points.

The O-class (and the P-class which followed) were wartime emergency vessels,
@@@@@@@ machinery and a new bow design. Main armament varied from 4-inch to 4.7-inch
intended to be rushed into service to provide much-needed escort capability. They guns, with some vessels shipping an additional gun in place of torpedo tubes. Some
were developed from the J-class and built on a slightly smaller hull with the same vessels were equipped for minelaying.

161
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Flank Speed: @" Armour: @+ Hull: @ Traits: @ @

points
Type: @ Length: @ Speed: @ Ships of this Class: @ HMS Savage by Tony Bryan © Osprey
Commissioned: @ Crew: @ Displacement: @ Publishing Ltd. Taken from New Vanguard 253
– British Destroyers 1945-39
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
@@ – – – – – – – –
@@ – – – – – – – –
@@@@@@

@@ – – – – – – – –
@@ – – – – – – – –
@@ – – – – – – – –
Flank Speed: @@7" Armour: Hull:
1+
– 5/1
– Traits:
– Agile,
– Radar, –Sub-Hunter,–Depth Charge
– – 50
points
Type: Destroyer@@ Length: 362.7 ft. Speed:
– 36.75 kts.
– – Ships
– of this Class:
– Saumarez,
– Savage,
– Scorpion,
– Scourge, Serapis, Shark (Svenner),
Commissioned: 1943 Crew: 225 Displacement: 2,545 tons Success (Stord), Swift
@@ – – – – – – – –
Weapons
@@ Fire Arcs Point–Blank Short– Long
– Extreme
– AD
– AP
– DD
– Traits
–
Light Guns@@
(4 x 4.7-inch) 4"
– 8"
– 12
– 17"
– –3 -2
– –1 Weak
–
S-CLASS DESTROYER

AA@@
Battery –
– –
– –
– –
– –
– –
– –
– Local
– 1
Port/Starboard Mk IX Torpedoes
Note @@ 3" 6" 9" 12" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard Mk IX Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Refits – @@ Refits – @@
Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the
1940 @@ Shark, Success: Norwegian crewed and1940 @@
renamed Svenner and Savage: Replace Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch) with following for
front and aft arc. Stord, respectively. +20 points.
Refits – @@ Refits – @@
1940 @@ Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme1940 @@
AD AP DD Traits
A Light Guns (2 x 4.5-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 1 -1 1 Weak, DP
@@@@@@@ Y Light Guns (2 x 4.5-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 1 -1 1 Weak
Refits – Saumarez Refits – Scorpion, Scourge, Serapis, Svenner, Stord, Swift
1945 Add the Advanced Radar Trait and increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +10 points. 1945 Add the Advanced Radar Trait for +5 points.

The S-class followed on from the

Flank Speed: @"R-class to which it@+
Armour: was generally
Hull:similar. One
@ major Traits: @The main gun mounts were also redesigned, allowing greater elevation. Anti-aircraft@
difference was in the bow shape; the S-class used the bow form of the Tribal-class armament varied from the design specification on some vessels and was increased
points
destroyers inType:
order@ Length:
to reduce the wetness @ encountered
forward Speed:
in the@preceding classes. Shipsduring
of thistheClass: @ a mix of additional 40mm Bofors guns and 20mm cannon.
war with
Commissioned: @ Crew: @ Displacement: @

Flank Speed:Weapons
7" Armour: Fire1+Arcs PointHull:
Blank Short
4/1 Long Extreme
Traits: Agile, AircraftAD2, Depth Charge
AP DD Traits
50
@@ points
Type: Destroyer Length: 332 ft. Speed: 36 kts.–
– – – of this Class:
Ships – Campbell, – Douglas,
– Mackay,
– Malcolm, Montrose, Stuart
Commissioned:@@
1918 Crew: 164 Displacement:
– –2,050 tons– – – – – –
@@@@@@

@@
Weapons Fire Arcs Point–Blank –
Short –
Long –
Extreme –
AD –
AP –
DD –
Traits
Light Guns@@
(5 x 4.7-inch) –
4" –
8" –
12" –
16" –2 –
-2 –1 –
Weak
AA@@
Battery –
– –
– –
– –– –
– –
– –
– –
Local 1
SCOTT-CLASS DESTROYER

@@
Port/Starboard Mk IV Torpedoes –
2" –
5" –
7" –
10" –3 –
– –2 –
Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard@@ Mk IV Torpedoes –
2" –
5" –
7" –
10" –3 –
– –2 –
Devastating, One-Shot
@@ – –
Light Guns (5 x 4.7-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arc. – – – – – –
@@ – – – – – – – –
Refits – Campbell Refits – Mackay Refits – Montrose
@@Speed to 6", add Radar Trait, reduce Light–Guns
1941 Reduce Flank 1941 – Reduce Flank
– Speed to –6" and add Radar – Trait for–+0 points. – 1941 –Reduce Flank Speed to 6" and add Radar Trait for +0 points.
(3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1 for +0 points. 1942 Reduce Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1, remove 1942 Reduce Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1 for -5 points.
@@
1944 Increase AA Battery Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and
– – one Torpedo– rack, increase
– Depth Charge – Attack Dice
– to 2 and – 1944 –Increase AA Battery Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and
Attack Dice 1 for +5 points. add Hedgehog trait for +5 points. Attack Dice 1 for +5 points.
Note @@
1944 Increase AA Battery Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and
Refits – Douglas Attack Dice 1 for +5 points. Refits – Stuart
Refits
1942 –Reduce
@@Flank Speed to 6", add Radar and Sub-Hunter Traits, Refits – @@ 1941 Reduce Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1 for -5 points.
1940 @@ reduce Light Guns (2 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1, remove Refits – Malcolm 1940 @@ 1942 Remove all Torpedoes for -10 points.
one Torpedo rack, increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 and 1942 Reduce Flank Speed to 6" and add Radar Trait, reduce Light 1943 Add Radar and Sub-Hunter Traits, increase Depth Charge
Refits –add@@
Hedgehog trait for +10 points. Refitsto 1–and
Guns (2 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice @@ remove one Torpedo Attack Dice to 2 and add Hedgehog trait for +10 points.
1940 @@ rack for -5 points. 1940 @@ 1944 Converted to Troop Transport. Add Slow-Loading Trait to Light
1943 Add Sub-Hunter Trait, increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 Guns (1 x 4.7-inch), removal Depth Charge and Hedgehog
and add for +10 points. trait for -10 points.
@@@@@@@
The first leader class designed for the V- and W-class, the class was initially known the original ten served during World War Two, with HMS Stuart serving with the
as an Admiralty type leader but was more typically known as the Scott-class. Six of Australian navy.

162
 Victory
The RoyalatNavy
Sea

Flank Speed: 7"

@" Armour: 1+
@+ Hull: 4/1
@ Traits: Agile, Depth Charge
@ 50
@
points
Type: Destroyer
@ Length: 329
@ ft. Speed: 36
@ kts. Ships of this Class: Keppel,
@ Broke, Wallace
Commissioned: 1917
@ Crew: 183
@ Displacement: 2,000
@ tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
@@@@@@DESTROYER

Light Guns@@
(5 x 4.7-inch) 4"
– 8"
– 12"
– 16"
– –2 -2
– –1 Weak
–
AA@@
Battery – – – – – – – Local
– 1
Port/Starboard@@
Mk IV Torpedoes 2"
– 5"
– 7"
– 10"
– –3 – –2 Devastating,
– One-Shot
SHAKESPEARE-CLASS

Port/Starboard@@
Mk IV Torpedoes 2"
– 5"
– 7"
– 10"
– –3 – –2 Devastating,
– One-Shot
Light Guns (5 x 4.7@@
in or 4 x 4-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be – – or aft arc.–
fired into the front – – – – –
Wallace: Converted to WAIR. Add Sub-Hunter trait and replace all Weapons with as follows for -10 points.
@@ – – – – – – – –
@@
Weapons Fire Arcs Point–Blank –
Short –
Long –
Extreme –
AD –
AP –
DD –
Traits
Light Guns@@
(4 x 4.-inch) –
5" –
10" –
15" –
20" –2 –
-2 –1 – DP
Weak,
Refits – Keppel@@ – Refits–– Broke – – – – – Refits –
– Wallace
1941 Reduce Light
@@ Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1 for -5 points.
– 1941 – Reduce Light
– Guns (3 x – – Dice to 1 for– -5 points. – 1941 –Add Radar Trait for +5 points.
4.7-inch) Attack
1942 Add Radar Trait and add Hedgehog trait for +10 points. 1942 Reduce Flank Speed to 6", add Radar Trait, increase Depth 1943 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points.
@@Speed to 6" and increase Depth Charge Attack
1944 Reduce Flank – – Charge Attack
– Dice to 2 – – trait for–+10 points. –
and add Hedgehog –
Dice to 2 for +0 points.
Note @@
Three ships from a class of five from World War One, two of the Shakespeare-class were be converted into a WAIR, but unlike the other WAIRs, she lacked depth charge throwers but
Refits which
converted escorts, – @@by 1942 included the Hedgehog system. The HMS Wallace would Refitsa quadruple
gained – @@ pom-pom.
1940 @@ 1940 @@
Refits – @@ Refits – @@
Flank Speed:
1940 @@ 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 5/2 Traits: Sub-Hunter, Depth Charge
1940 @@ 35
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 377 ft. Speed: 36 kts. Ships of this Class: Afridi, Ashanti, Bedouin, Cossack, Eskimo, Gurkha, Maori, Mashona,
@@@@@@@
Commissioned: 1938 Crew: 250 Displacement: 2,559 tons Matabele, Mohawk, Nubian, Punjabi, Sikh, Somali, Tartar, Zulu
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (8 x 4.7-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 4 -2 1 Weak
Flank Speed:AA Battery
@" Armour: @+ –
Hull: –
@ –
Traits: @– – – – Local 1 @
Port/Starboard Mk IX Torpedoes 3" @ 6" 9" Ships
12" of this Class:
4 @ – 3 Devastating, One-Shot points
Type: @ Length: @ Speed:
TRIBAL-CLASS DESTROYER

Commissioned:
Light Guns (8 x 4.7):@ Crew:
Only 2 Attack Dice @ Displacement:
may be fired into the front or aft arcs. @

Weapons
Refits – Ashanti Fire Arcs Point Blank Refits
Short– Eskimo
Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
3, and add Light Guns as shown below for +10 points.
1941 Add Radar, decrease Light Guns (8 x 4.7-inch) to Attack Dice 1940 Decrease Light Guns (8 x 4.7-inch) to Attack Dice 3, and add 1944 Add Advanced Radar and increase AA Battery Range bands
@@
3, and add Light Guns as shown below for +10 points.
– – Light Guns–as shown below
– for +5 points.
– – – –1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice to 1 for +10 points.
@@Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 2 –
1944 Add Advanced for 1941 – Add Radar–for +5 points.
– – – – Refits –
– Sikh, Zulu
+5 points. 1944 Add Advanced Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for 1941 –Add Radar, decrease Light Guns (8 x 4.7-inch) to Attack Dice
@@@@@@

@@ – – +5 points.– – – – –
Refits – Bedouin, Maori 3, add Light Guns as shown below for +10 points.
1941 Add Radar,@@
decrease Light Guns (8 x 4.7-inch) to Attack–Dice Refits–– Mashona,
– Matabele,
– Punjabi,–Somali – – Refits –
– Tartar
3, and add Light Guns as shown below for +10 points. 1940 – Decrease Light
@@ – – Guns (8 –x 4.7-inch) to–Attack Dice–3, and add – 1941 –Add Radar, decrease Light Guns (8 x 4.7-inch) to Attack Dice
Light Guns as shown below for +5 points.
Refits – Cossack 3, and add Light Guns as shown below for +10 points.
@@ – 1941 – Add Radar–for +5 points.
– – – – –
1940 Add Radar, decrease Light Guns (8 x 4.7-inch) to Attack Dice 1944 Add Advanced Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for
3, and add@@
Light Guns as shown below for +10 points. – Refits–– Nubian– – – – – –+5 points.
1942 Add Radar, decrease Light Guns (8 x 4.7-inch) to Attack Dice
@@ – – – – – – – –
Weapons
@@ Fire Arcs Point–Blank Short
– Long
– Extreme
– AD
– AP
– DD
– Traits
–
Light Guns@@
(2 x 4.-inch) 5"
– 10"
– 15"
– 20"
– –2 -2
– –1 DP,
– Weak
@@ – – – – – – – –
Often called the Afridi-class, this destroyer began the tradition of gunnery over torpedoes. However, the class had a
frightening lack of anti-aircraft defences, especially against dive-bombers. The Tribal destroyers were the Royal Navy’s most
Note @@
advanced escorts of the time and saw action in nearly every theatre.
Refits – @@ Refits – @@
1940 @@ 1940 @@
Refits – @@ Refits – @@
1940 @@ 1940 @@

@@@@@@@
Tribal-class destroyer

163
 Flank Speed: 2" Armour: 3+ Hull: 17/5 Traits: Agile, Armoured Deck, Torpedo Belt 2 110
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 405 ft. Speed: 13 kts. Ships of this Class: Erebus, Terror
Commissioned: 1916 Crew: 315 Displacement: 8,450 tons
EREBUS-CLASS CRUISER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

A Turret (2 x 15-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30” 2 +2 3 –
Light Guns (6 x 4-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 4 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Refits – Erebus Refits – Terror
1943 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +20 points. 1941 Increase Hull to 19/6 for +5 points
1944 Increase Hull to 20/6 and AA Battery to Local 4 for +30 points.
1945 Add Advanced Radar for +10 points.

HMS Erebus and Terror were earlier World War One era monitors. Apart from their age, HMS Terror was damaged by Luftwaffe Stukas off Benghazi and sank while under tow
they were similar in design and operation to the later Roberts-class. In February 1941, to Alexandria.

Flank Speed: 3" Armour: 1+ Hull: 2/1 Traits: Agile, Radar, Depth Charge, Sub Hunter 25
FLOWER-CLASS DESTROYER

points
Type: Destroyer Length: 205 ft. Speed: 16 kts. Ships of this Class: Abelia, Acanthus, Aconite, Alisma, Begonia, Bellwort, Bergamot, Bittersweet, Calendula, Camellia, Campanula,
Campion, Dahlia, Delphinium, Dianella, Dianthus, Eglantine, Erica, Eyebright, Fennel, Freesia, Fritillary, Gardenia,
Genista, Gentian, Geranium, Harebell, Heartsease, Hibiscus, Honeysuckle, Hyderabad, Kingcup, Lobelia, Marguerite,
Commissioned: 1940 Crew: 109 Displacement: 1,170 tons Monkshood, Peony, Poppy, Rockrose, Rose, Snowflake, Spikenard, Violet, Wallflower, Windflower, Woodruff, Zinnia

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (1 x 4-inch) 3" 7" 10" 14" 1 -2 1 Slow-Loading, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Refits – All
1942 Add Hedgehog trait for +10 points.

The Flower-class corvette was the quintessential North Atlantic convoy escort. Based on and a good hull, made them excellent U-boat hunters during the worst battles of the
trawler hulls, they had excellent seaworthiness. The radar, combined with depth charge North Atlantic campaign. They served with many Allied fleets.

Flank Speed: 3" Armour: 1+ Hull: 2/1 Traits: Agile, Advanced Radar, Sub Hunter, Depth Charge, Squid 50
points
LOCH-CLASS DESTROYER

Type: Destroyer Length: 307 ft. Speed: 20 kts. Ships of this Class: Loch Achanalt, Loch Achray, Loch Alvie, Loch Ard, Loch Arkaig, Loch Assynt,
Loch Boisdale, Loch Craggie, Loch Cree, Loch Dunvegan, Loch Eck, Loch Fada,
Commissioned: 1944 Crew: 114 Displacement: 1,433 tons Loch Fyne, Loch Glendhu, Loch Gorm, Loch Insh
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (1 x 4-inch) 3" 7" 10" 14" 1 -2 1 Slow-Loading, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Refits – All
1942 Add Hedgehog trait for +10 points.

The Loch-class was the Royal Navy’s ultimate sub-hunter in World War Two and was Squid launchers, advanced sonar and a powerful short-range radar, the Loch-class was
also used by the Canadian, South African and New Zealand navies. Armed with two a formidable enemy for U-boats.

Flank Speed: 2" Armour: 3+ Hull: 18/6 Traits: Agile, Armoured Deck, Radar, Torpedo Belt 2 120
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 373 ft. Speed: 12.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Abercrombie, Roberts
ROBERTS-CLASS CRUISER

Commissioned: 1941 Crew: 460 Displacement: 9,717 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 15-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 +2 3 –
Light Guns (8 x 4-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 4 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 4
Refits – Abercrombie Refits – Roberts
1943 Increase Hull to 19/6 for +5 points. 1945 Increase Hull to 19/6 and increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 2
1945 Add Advanced Radar, increase Hull to 20/6 and AA Battery to Local 5 for +35 points. for +15 points.

Monitors armed with battleship calibre guns were almost exclusively British. The modern types and saw extensive service in the Channel, often supporting or being
Royal Navy had experience of them from the First World War and found them supported by Coastal Forces in attacks on German coastal shipping and invasion
ideal for shore bombardments. HMS Abercrombie and Roberts were the most transports in the early years of the war.

164
 The Royal Navy

Flank Speed: 3"/2" Armour: 2+ Hull: 2/1 Traits: Agile, Sub-Hunter, Submarine 50
points
Type: Submarine Length: 216 ft. Speed: 14 kts./10 kts. submerged Ships of this Class: Sealion, Seawolf, Sea Rover, Seraph, Sirdar, plus 45 more
Commissioned: 1932* Crew: 38 to 110 Displacement: 990 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
S-CLASS SUBMARINE

Light Guns (1 x 3-inch) 3" 6" 9" 13" 1 -2 1 Slow-Loading, Weak

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Forward Mk VIII Torpedoes 1" 3" 4" 6" 6 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading
*Note Commissioned: 1935 for Group 2, 1942 for Group 3 Group 3: Add Aft Torpedoes as below for +10 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Aft Mk VIII Torpedoes 1" 3" 4" 6" 1 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Refits – All
1943 Add Radar for +5 points.

Designed for use in North European and Mediterranean waters, the S-class was large salvo of torpedoes, this was a successful design of pre-war years that was soon
manoeuvrable with a noted ability to crash dive extremely quickly. Combined with a updated and put back into production.

"You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word. It is victory.
Victory at all costs. Victory in spite of all terrors."
Winston Churchill
S-class submarine

Flank Speed: 2"/2" Armour: 2+ Hull: 1/0 Traits: Agile, Silent, Sub-Hunter, Submarine 50
points
Type: Submarine Length: 196 ft. Speed: 12 kts./10 kts. Ships of this Class: Undine, Unity, Ursula, Umpire, Una, Unbeaten, plus 43 more
U-CLASS SUBMARINE

Commissioned: 1944 Crew: 33 Displacement: 732 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns 3" 6" 9" 13" 1 -2 1 Slow-Loading, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Forward Mk VIII Torpedoes 1" 3" 4" 6" 4 - 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading
Refits
1941 Add Radar for +5 points.

The U-class submarine was in many ways the Royal Navy equivalent of the German Type where U-class boats operating from Malta took a heavy toll on Axis convoys heading to
VII. Small and manoeuvrable, they earned a fearsome reputation in the Mediterranean North Africa.

Flank Speed: 3"/2" Armour: 2+ Hull: 3/1 Traits: Agile, Sub-Hunter, Submarine 100
points
Type: Submarine Length: 273 ft. Speed: 15 kts./9 kts. submerged Ships of this Class: Triton, Tabard, Taurus, Thorough, Tiptoe, Tapir, plus 46 more
Commissioned: 1938* Crew: 61 Displacement: 1,575 tons
T-CLASS SUBMARINE

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (1 x 4-inch) 2" 5" 7" 10" 1 -2 1 Slow-Loading, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Forward Mk VIII* Torpedoes 1" 3" 4" 6" 6 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading
Forward Mk VIII* Torpedoes 1" 3" 4" 6" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-shot
*Note Group 2 commissioned in 1943

Refits
1943 Add Radar for +10 points.

Constantly improved throughout the war, the T-class had a very powerful torpedo armament obligations, but these vessels still carried an impressive fuel load which was supplemented with
and was designed for long-ranged patrols. Its relatively small size was due to pre-war treaty external tanks when operating in the Pacific.

165
Blackburn Roc Fairey Firefly Grumman Martlet
The Roc was a pure fighter version of The Fairey Firefly was a heavy fighter and Called the F4F Wildcat in the US,
the Skua but carried its armament of four reconnaissance aircraft derived from the the Martlet was in service with the
machine guns in a powered dorsal turret. This earlier Fulmar. It was both fast and powerful, British Fleet Air Arm before it was
made it heavier and slower than the Skua and quite manoeuvrable and heavily armed. ever purchased by the US Navy. It was
was generally regarded as unsuccessful. The Fireflys would later serve as dedicated anti- intended as an interim replacement
Roc was withdrawn early in the war as better submarine aircraft (carrying sonobuoys and between the two-seater Fairey Fulmar
fighters became available. depth charges) and performed very well as and the naval Spitfire, which was in
gound attack aircraft during the Korean War. greater need with the RAF at the time
in 1940. It was to prove a superb fighter
Blackburn Skua for escort carriers and was pivotal in the
The Skua was a radical development for Fairey Fulmar defence of convoys.
the Royal Navy when it was introduced in Initially rejected by the RAF, the Fulmar
1938. A Skua was the first British aircraft to fulfilled the Fleet Air Arm’s requirement
shoot down an enemy aircraft in the Second for a fighter with the same firepower as a Hawker Hurricane
World War, when a Dornier Do 18 flying Spitfire or Hurricane. Though inferior to a After having gained fame in the
boat was downed over the North Sea on dedicated single-seat fighter, the Fulmar was Battle of Britain where it was the mainstay
September 26, 1939 by three Skuas from reliable and long-ranged, making it suited of the RAF, the Hurricane went on to
the carrier Ark Royal. On 10 April 1940, 16 for carrier operations. However, it was to serve throughout the war. As the war
Skuas flying from the Orkney Islands sank be replaced halfway through the war by the progressed, it was slowly outmoded as a
the German cruiser Königsberg in Bergen much more capable Seafire. frontline fighter but adopted other roles
harbour during the German invasion of such as ground attack and tank busting.
Norway, the first large warship to be sunk The Sea Hurricane was an important
by Allied forces in the war. Skuas served Fairey Swordfish development but rapidly fell out of favour
both in the fighter and dive-bomber role but Arguably already outdated when it first for carrier operations.
were withdrawn in 1941 after heavy losses entered service, the Fairey Swordfish
and replaced with more effective fighters nevertheless managed to cover itself in
such as the Fulmar and Seafire. battle honours during the war, despite Hawker Typhoon
being outclassed by almost every enemy Designed as a successor to the Hurricane,
it encountered. In fact, some of the Royal the Typhoon first flew in 1939. Production
Bristol Beaufighter Navy’s most celebrated victories have been was suspended at the outbreak of war
Based on the Beaufort, this aircraft was first due to this biplane. It was Swordfish launched to allow for more Hurricanes to be
used as a long-range heavy fighter. However, from Illustrious that hammered the Italian constructed and resumed in 1940. Armed
it was also to see service as a night fighter, fleet at Taranto, one of the first times a ship with twelve .303 machineguns or four
torpedo bomber, anti-shipping and ground had been able to destroy another beyond 20mm cannons, the Typhoon’s thick wing
attack aircraft by both the Fleet Air Arm and visual range. It was also Swordfish, this time reduced performance at altitude but,
the RAF. from the HMS Ark Royal, who disabled the closer to the ground, it was a formidable
Bismarck, enabling it to be caught and sunk. aircraft. Not the world’s best fighter, the
Typhoon was used in a strike role with
Fairey Albacore bombs or rockets, but Typhoons were
The Albacore was the successor to the Gloster Gladiator sometimes used for anti-shipping strikes.
Swordfish. Its most notable improvement The Gloster Gladiator represented the final About 60 examples of a reconnaissance
was the addition of a fully enclosed cockpit. generation of biplane fighters before being made version also flew.
obsolete by the appearance of the Hurricane,
Spitfire and Bf 109. In 1937, the Fleet Air
Fairey Barracuda II Arm decided there was a need for single seat Short Sunderland V
An all metal construction monoplane, the fighters and the Gladiator was chosen to fill The Sunderland was a flying boat, developed
Barracuda was the replacement for both the the gap. The resulting Sea Gladiator variant was for general reconnaissance from the
Swordfish and Albacore. Initial models were used to protect Scapa Flow, and saw service S.23 Empire or C-class flying boat, the
under-powered, but this changed with the in the Norwegian campaign, in the defence of flagship of Imperial Airways. When British
introduction of Merlin and Griffon engines. Malta, and on carrier operations against Greek shipping came under constant attack by
Barracudas served in the Atlantic and Pacific forces in the eastern Mediterranean. It was German U-boats, Sunderlands patrolled
theatres, and their most famous action was largely phased out by the end of 1940 as it was the approaches, or flew convoy protection
against the battleship Tirpitz. outclassed in air battles. missions. When a U-boat was sighted,

Don't judge a book...

During odd periods of rest from the bedlam of the Anzio beachhead they anchored off Capri. On one occasion they secured
alongside a very large and shiny new American destroyer, all gleaming paintwork and bristling with guns. The US sailors looked
down at Faulknor's rusty paint and peeling gun barrels and made continuous derogatory remarks about a rust bucket, which did not
endear our Allies to the crew one little bit. Of course, Faulknor had been fighting this war for five years non-stop so far and had
probably seen more sea time in any one month of that time than the Yankee boat would see in her entire career, so it rankled a bit.
Peter Smith, 'Destroyer Leader'

166
 The Royal Navy

Sunderlands tried to attack it before it Supermarine Seafire hard-hitting firepower, making it a superb
submerged. Although sometimes described Officially known as the Sea Spitfire, this choice for fleet defence. It was upgraded
as depth charges, its bombs were set to was the naval version of the RAF’s Spitfire. throughout its life to add folding wings, a
explode at a shallow depth and were equally Though short-ranged, it retained much Griffon engine and contra-rotating prop,
effective against surfaced submarines. of its cousin's speed and agility, as well as staying in service through the Korean war.

Royal Navy Aircraft Chart

Flight Commissioned Carrier Role Flank Speed Dogfight Damage Dice Traits Points
Blackburn Roc 1940 Yes Fighter 15" -1 0 – 5
Blackburn Skua II 1938 Yes Fighter 16" +0 0 – 15
Blackburn Skua II 1938 Yes Dive-Bomber 16" -1 1 Devastating 15
Bristol Beaufighter IC 1941 No Bomber 21" -1 2 (3 in 1943) Tough 15
Bristol Beaufighter VIC 1943 No Torpedo-Bomber 21" -1 4 Devastating, Tough 15
Fairey Albacore 1940 Yes Bomber 12" -2 3 – 10
Fairey Albacore 1940 Yes Torpedo-Bomber 12" -2 4 Devastating 10
Fairey Barracuda II 1943 Yes Dive-Bomber 16" -1 4 Devastating 20
Fairey Barracuda II 1943 Yes Torpedo-Bomber 16" -1 4 Devastating 20
Fairey Barracuda II 1943 Yes ASW 16" -1 0 – 20
Fairey Firefly I 1943 Yes Fighter 23" +2 0 – 20
Fairey Firefly I 1943 Yes Bomber 23" +1 2 – 20
Fairey Fulmar I/II 1940 Yes Fighter 17" +1 0 – 15
Fairey Fulmar I/II 1940 Yes Bomber 17" +0 1 – 15
Fairey Swordfish I 1936 Yes Bomber 10" -2 3 – 10
Fairey Swordfish I 1936 Yes Torpedo-Bomber 10" -2 4 Devastating 10
Fairey Swordfish I 1936 Yes ASW 10" -2 0 – 10
Gloster Gladiator I 1939 Yes Fighter 18" +0 0 – 10
Grumman Martlet II 1941 Yes Fighter 21" +2 0 Tough 20
Grumman Martlet II 1941 Yes Bomber 21" +1 1 Tough 20
Hawker Sea Hurricane I/II 1941 Yes Fighter 22" +2 0 – 20
Hawker Sea Hurricane I/II 1941 Yes Bomber 22" +1 1 – 20
Hawker Typhoon I 1941 No Fighter 29" +3 0 Tough 25
Hawker Typhoon IB 1942 No Bomber 29" +2 4 Tough 25
Short Sunderland 1938 No Bomber 13" -3 4 Tough, Large 20
Short Sunderland 1938 No ASW 13" -3 0 Tough, Large 20
Supermarine Seafire IIC 1942 Yes Fighter 26" +3 0 – 25
Supermarine Seafire IIC 1942 Yes Bomber 26" +2 1 – 25

HMS Formidable at the Battle of Cape Matapan, 1941, by Tony Bryan © Osprey Publishing Ltd. Taken from New Vanguard 168 – British Aircraft Carriers 1939-45

167
 were used by the Royal Air Force for long-
range rescue of downed airmen.

Thornycroft MTB
Eight of these boats were built and all
formed the 11th MTB Flotilla operating
out of Portsmouth, Dover and Portland.
Though there were faster MTBs than the
Thorneycroft, its heavy wood construction
and armoured wheelhouse and bridge
ensured it could suffer a lot of punishment.

Fairmile gun boats on patrol Vosper Type 1 MTB

The boats of this type were built from 1943
onward and were armed with four 18-inch
BPB MTB be produced by small businesses such as torpedoes, a twin 20mm Oerlikon and twin
Originally designed by the British Power furniture manufacturers, which would then be .303-inch Vickers guns mounted on the
Boat Company for the Royal Air Force, this assembled at shipyards. Capable of 25 knots, after tubes. They were powered by three
60 ft. boat carried two 18-inch torpedoes it mounted a 3-pounder gun and a pair of Packard engines which were supercharged
and had a top speed of 33 knots. 18 were .303 machine guns, as well as depth charges. to produce 1,400b.h.p, which gave the boats
ordered but they were painted with different a maximum speed of 39.9 knots.
numbers to give the impression the Royal
Navy possessed more than they actually did. Fairmile B ML
Designed with the form of a destroyer’s Vosper Type 2 MGB
hull, the Fairmile B (like its predecessor, Very similar to the Type 1, this craft lost two
Denny SGB the Fairmile A) was intended primarily torpedo tubes but gained a 6-pounder gun.
The Steam Gun Boat was intended to be as a submarine-chaser, and so was fitted This made it much more versatile, and able
used as both torpedo carrier and ‘super’ gun with depth charges. Manufactured in large to act as a motor torpedo boat or a motor
boat, an answer to the German E-boats. It numbers, the Fairmile B was also famously gun boat, as required. All Type 2 craft, like
was large enough to operate in rough seas used on the raid at St. Nazaire. the preceding Type 1, were operated in
and, unlike other comparable craft in the home waters.
Royal Navy, was made from steel rather
than wood and powered by a steam turbine. Fairmile C MGB
Capable of 26 knots, the Fairmile C was a Vosper 73’ MTB
motor gun boat, mounting two 2-pounders The 73’ Motor Torpedo Boat was the
Elco MTB and eight machine guns of various calibres. It culmination of a period of experimentation
Brought in from the United States under the was mainly used for close escort duties and intended to create a much faster and more
Lend-Lease agreement, the Elco mounted some clandestine missions. heavily armed boat. Vosper’s experimental
four torpedo tubes which, combined with its designs influenced Admiralty thinking, resulting
speed, made it a serious threat to larger ships. in an unofficial specification for future boats
Fairmile D which the prototype MTB 102 matched. The
Nicknamed ‘Dog Boat,’ the Fairmile D was main armament evolved from two 21" to
Fairmile A ML highly adaptable and could be fitted with a four 18" torpedo tubes, placed alongside the
The Fairmile A was designed from the outset range of armament that meant it could act bridge in what would become the standard
to use prefabricated components that could as both motor gun and torpedo boat. Some configuration for such craft.

Royal Navy Motor Torpedo Boat Chart

Section Commissioned Flank Speed Armour Smoke AA Battery Torpedoes Weapons Points
BPB ’60 MTB 1936 7" 4+ Yes 1 2 Depth Charge* 20
Denny SGB 1942/1943 7"/6" 2+/3+ Yes 1/2 2 Light Guns (1943+) 20
Elco ’77 MTB 1942 8" 3+ Yes 1 2 Depth Charge* 20
Fairmile A ML 1940 5" 3+ No 1 – Depth Charge 20
Fairmile B ML 1940 4" 3+ No 1 – Depth Charge 20
Fairmile C MGB 1941/1944 5" 3+ Yes 1/2 – Depth Charge* 20
Fairmile D MTB 1943 6" 3+ Yes 1 2 Light Guns, Depth Charge* 20
Thornycroft ’75 MTB 1939 5" 3+ Yes 1 2 Depth Charge* 20
Vosper ’73 MTB 1940 7" 4+ Yes 1 2 Depth Charge 20
Vosper Type 1 MTB 1943 7" 4+ Yes 1 4 Depth Charge* 20
Vosper Type 2 MTB 1945 7" 4+ Yes 1 2 Light Guns, Depth Charge* 20

* May only be used to for Depth Charge Attacks described in the national rules for the Royal Navy (see page 131).

168
 The Royal Navy

Royal Navy destroyers are struck by Stuka dive bombers

"We are so outnumbered there's only one thing to do. We must attack."
Sir Andrew Cunningham, First Sea Lord 1943-1946

The Grand Old Lady pursues the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau

169
Although the United States of America hard-pressed early on but as the industrial the Japanese never took adequate steps to
contains a vast area of land, almost all of its might of the US was brought to bear, new defend their commerce, allowing merchant
allies and trading partners are overseas, and carriers and air groups for them were ships to sail alone or in convoys defended
overseas interests require a powerful navy deployed in such numbers that the enemy by totally inadequate escorts. The result
to support them. The US Navy fielded over simply could not match their strength. was a massacre. Many US submarine
2,100 vessels of all kinds during the Second commanders were willing to fight destroyers
World War, fighting in two oceans at once. US battleships did see action in some rather than hide in order to gain a clear
dramatic battles, though for the most part sea, they would then surface and sink the
The US Navy possessed some of the largest their role was that of escort for carriers defenceless merchant ships with deck gun
and most modern battleships in the world and naval gunfire support for troops fire. Commerce raiding of this type was not
at the outbreak of World War Two, and fighting on islands as glamorous as the great carrier battles or
despite losses during the Japanese attack big gun actions, but it contributed in a major
on Pearl Harbor, was able to maintain a Cruiser and destroyer forces were active way to the downfall of Imperial Japan.
powerful presence in the Pacific. However, in as escorts for the carrier battle groups and
the vast reaches of that ocean the battleship among the islands, supplying naval gunfire Americans have always been great
was no longer the king of battle. It was support and battling enemy surface forces, innovators, and the US Navy was not afraid
fortunate for the Allies that the handful of and light vessels such as PT (Patrol Torpedo) of technology. Radar-guided guns gave US
aircraft carriers then in service with the US boats were found to be very useful among warships a major advantage over their
Navy escaped destruction; given later events the islands and atolls. Japanese opponents, especially at night.
it is doubtful that a pure battleship force Radar was also critical in dealing with air
could have defeated the IJN. It is not generally appreciated that it was attacks that became more common as the
the US Navy, and not the Kriegsmarine, war progressed.
As a matter of necessity more than choice, who was the most prolific and successful
the aircraft carrier became the main US naval commerce raider during the Second World US naval forces were primarily engaged in
asset during the Pacific war, which was very War. Japan imported vast amounts of the Pacific, but some capital ships and larger
much a conflict between the air assets of necessary materials from her captured numbers of destroyers were deployed to
opposing fleets or those based on the many territories, making her vulnerable to attacks the Atlantic theatre where their primary
islands of the Pacific. US carrier forces were by submarines. However, unlike the Allies, opponents were German U-boats.

US Navy national RULES

The following special rules are applied to fleets of the US Navy.

Torpedoes
US-made torpedoes in the early to mid-war period were, to put it bluntly, awful. Navy training did not put much emphasis on
torpedoes but by far the biggest problem was the arming mechanism of the torpedoes, which failed more often than it worked.
For every successful Attack Dice rolled for torpedoes in scenarios taking place up to the end of 1943, roll an extra dice. On a 5
or more, the torpedo actually arms properly and explodes, causing damage as normal. If a lower score is rolled, the Attack Dice is
treated as having missed.

VT Fuses
The Variable Time Fuse (VT Fuse), the name of which was deliberate camouflage for its operating principle, used a small radar
system inside the shells to detonate by proximity to a target instead of relying on direct hits or pre-set altitudes. This made DP
guns much more effective against aircraft.
VT Fuses may be equipped by any Light Guns with the DP trait, and all such
guns on a ship have to be upgraded if this option is taken. Any ship equipped
with DP guns and VT Fuses may use their entire Attack Dice against
incoming aircraft instead of the usual half. VT Fuses have a
Commissioned date of 1944 and may not
be equipped prior to that.

USS Idaho

170
A US fleet is bracketed by Japanese vessels

"The reason that the American Navy does so well in wartime is that
war is chaos, and the Americans practice chaos on a daily basis."
Karl Dönitz

USS Indianapolis escorting the carrier USS Essex

171
 Flank Speed: 4" Armour: 6+ Hull: 71/23 Traits: Aircraft 3, Armoured Deck, Torpedo Belt 2 400
points
Type: Battleship Length: 624 ft. Speed: 21 kts. Ships of this Class: Colorado, Maryland, West Virginia
Commissioned: 1921 Crew: 2,100 Displacement: 39,400 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 16-inch) 8" 17" 25" 34" 2 +2 3 –
B Turret (2 x 16-inch) 8" 17" 25" 34" 2 +2 3 –
X Turret (2 x 16-inch) 8" 17" 25" 34" 2 +2 3 –
Y Turret (2 x 16-inch) 8" 17" 25" 34" 2 +2 3 –
Light Guns (12 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 6 -2 1 Restricted, Weak
COLORADO-CLASS BATTLESHIP

Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) 3" 7" 11" 15" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Refits – Colorado Refits – Maryland
1942 Decrease Aircraft to 2, add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +45 points. 1941 Add Radar for +40 points.
1943 Add Advanced Radar for +40 points. 1942 Decrease Aircraft to 2 and increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +5 points.
1944 Decrease Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) Attack Dice to 4, change AA Battery to Range bands 1943 Add Advanced Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 5 for +50 points.
1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 7 and Local 2 for +20 points. 1944 Decrease Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) to Attack Dice 4, change AA Battery to Range bands
1945 Increase AA Battery Local to 4 for +10 points. 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 7 and Local 3 for +15 points.
1945 Increase Hull to 81/27 and replace all weapons with exception of Turrets as shown below for
+45 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

AA Battery 1" 3" 4" 6" 2 – – Local 1
Starboard Mk 8 Mod Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 3 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot

Refits – West Virginia 1944 Rebuilt After Pearl Harbor. Increase Hull to 81/27, add Advanced Radar, replace all weapons with
1941 Increase AA Battery to Range bands to 1"/3"/4"/6" and Attack Dice 1 for +5 points. exception of Turrets as shown below for +110 points.
1945 Increase AA Battery Local to 4 for +5 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (16 x 5-inch) 1" 3" 4" 18” 10 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 4" 8" 12" 5” 8 – – Local 3

The last of the Great War ships to be commissioned for the US Navy, these (appropriately enough), was sunk as a bomb target. All three remaining ships
vessels were not completed until 1920–21. Unfortunately, they came under the were deployed in the Pacific theatres in a variety of support operations and
scrutiny of the Washington Treaty and so a fourth ship, the USS Washington survived the war, though all were damaged by kamikaze attacks.

A US Navy fleet on the move

172
 US Navy

USS Missouri
Missouri,, US Navy flagship

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 6+ Hull: 115/38 Traits: Advanced Radar, Aircraft 3, Armoured Deck, Torpedo Belt 3 850
points
Type: Battleship Length: 887 ft. Speed: 32.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Iowa, Missouri, New Jersey, Wisconsin
Commissioned: 1943 Crew: 2,858 Displacement: 57,540 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
IOWA-CLASS BATTLESHIP

A Turret (3 x 16-inch) 10" 21" 31" 42" 3 +2 3 Heavy

B Turret (3 x 16-inch) 10" 21" 31" 42" 3 +2 3 Heavy
Y Turret (3 x 16-inch) 10" 21" 31" 42" 3 +2 3 Heavy
Light Guns (20 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 14 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 12 – – Local 4
Refits – Iowa Refits – Missouri
1944 Change AA Battery to 15 Attack Dice and Local 3 for +10 points. 1944 Change AA Battery to Attack Dice 16 and Local 3 for +15 points.
1945 Increase AA Battery to Local 5 for +10 points. 1945 Increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +5 points.
Refits – New Jersey Refits – Wisconsin
1943 Change AA Battery to Attack Dice 16 and Local 3 for +15 points. 1944 Change AA Battery to Attack Dice 16 and Local 4 for +20 points.
1945 Increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +5 points.

One of the largest battleships ever built. Based superficially on the South allowed it to mount more anti-aircraft guns, making it a formidable prospect for
Dakota-class, the USS Iowa had heavier armour and was 200 ft. longer. It was attacking planes. Invariably used as flagships for task forces, the Iowa-class was
also incredibly fast, due to increased output from the engines, and its greater size also supremely equipped to act as escorts for the fast carrier fleets of the Pacific.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 7+ Hull: 141/47 Traits: Advanced Radar, Aircraft 3, Armoured Deck, Torpedo Belt 4 950
points
Type: Battleship Length: 925 ft. Speed: 28 kts. Ships of this Class: Montana, Louisiana, Maine, New Hampshire, Ohio
MONTANA-CLASS BATTLESHIP

Commissioned: Never Crew: 2,149 Displacement: 70,500 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (3 x 16-inch) 10" 21" 31" 42" 3 +2 3 Heavy
B Turret (3 x 16-inch) 10" 21" 31" 42" 3 +2 3 Heavy
X Turret (3 x 16-inch) 10" 21" 31" 42" 3 +2 3 Heavy
Y Turret (3 x 16-inch) 10" 21" 31" 42" 3 +2 3 Heavy
Light Guns (20 x 5-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 18 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 15 – – Local 3
The Montana-class underwent a long design process in which 18-inch which were at that time under development, including an anti-aircraft cruiser,
armament was considered but was finalised with 16-inch guns. The result was and was to have provided the Montana-class with excellent anti-destroyer
a very large ship which was to be equipped with a new 5-inch weapon as its defence. Five ships were authorised but difficulties in procuring sufficient steel
secondary battery. This weapon was to be used aboard a number of designs caused long delays. The project was cancelled in 1943.

173
 US Navy

Flank Speed: 4" Armour: 6+ Hull: 63/21 Traits: Aircraft: 3, Torpedo Belt 2 390
points
Type: Battleship Length: 583 ft. Speed: 20.2 kts. Ships of this Class: Nevada, Oklahoma
Commissioned: 1916 Crew: 1,374 Displacement: 31,706 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Turret A (3 x 14-inch) 9" 18" 27" 37" 3 +2 3 –
Turret B (2 x 14-inch) 9" 18" 27" 37" 2 +2 3 –
NEVADA-CLASS BATTLESHIP

Turret Y (2 x 14-inch) 9" 18" 27" 37" 2 +2 3 –

Turret X (3 x 14-inch) 9" 18" 27" 37" 3 +2 3 –
Light Guns (12 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 6 -2 1 Restricted, Weak
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) 3" 7" 11" 15" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Refits – Oklahoma Refits – Nevada
1941 Sunk at Pearl Harbor. Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1943 Rebuilt after Pearl Harbor. Increase Hull to 71/23, decrease 1944 Decrease AA Battery to Local 2 for -5 points.
1"/3"/4"/6" and Attack Dice 1 for +5 points. Aircraft to 2, add Advanced Radar, and replace all Light 1945 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 8 for +5 points.
Guns and AA Battery as shown below for +125 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (16 x 5-inch) 1" 3" 4" 18” 10 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 4" 8" 12" 5” 7 – – Local 3

The Nevada-class battleships carried the United States Navy’s first triple gun turrets unprotected. These ships also marked the end of the mid-ship turret, which had
but, more significantly, introduced the so-called ‘all or nothing’ armour scheme, in traditionally proven problematic. Finally, they were also the Navy’s first to use oil as
which protection of vital areas was maximised, leaving the rest of the ship essentially their primary fuel and the last to have twin-screw propulsion.

Flank Speed: 4" Armour: 6+ Hull: 72/24 Traits: Aircraft 4, Armoured Deck, Torpedo Belt 2 395
points
Type: Battleship Length: 600 ft. Speed: 22 kts. Ships of this Class: Idaho, Mississippi, New Mexico
Commissioned: 1917 Crew: 1,930 Displacement: 40,181 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Turret A (3 x 14-inch) 9" 18" 27" 37" 3 +2 3 –
Turret B (3 x 14-inch) 9" 18" 27" 37" 3 +2 3 –
NEW MEXICO-CLASS BATTLESHIP

Turret Y (3 x 14-inch) 9" 18" 27" 37" 3 +2 3 –

Turret X (3 x 14-inch) 9" 18" 27" 37" 3 +2 3 –
Light Guns (12 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 6 -2 1 Restricted, Weak
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) 3" 7" 11" 15" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Refits – Idaho Refits – Mississippi Refits – New Mexico
1941 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6", 1943 Decrease first set of Light Guns (6 x 5-inch) to Attack 1941 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6" and
Attack Dice 1 for +10 points. Dice to 4 and increase AA Battery to Range bands Attack Dice 1 for +10 points.
1942 Add Radar and change AA Battery Attack Dice to 0 and 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 2 for +0 points. 1942 Add Radar and change AA Battery Attack Dice to 0 and
Local 2 for +60 points. 1944 Add Advanced Radar, increase AA Battery Attack Dice to 4 Local 2 for +60 points.
1943 Remove Light Guns (12 x 5-inch), increase AA Battery and Local to 3 for +75 points. 1943 Decrease first set of Light Guns (6 x 5-inch) to Attack
Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 8 and Local 1945 Remove first set of Light Guns, increase remaining Light Dice to 4 and increase AA Battery to Range bands
to 3 for +15 points. Guns (16 x 5-inch) to Attack Dice to 12, and increase AA 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 2 for +0 points.
1945 Add Advance Radar and replace remaining Light Guns with Battery Attack Dice to 11 and Local to 2 for +0 points. 1944 Add Advanced Radar and increase AA Battery Attack Dice to
Light Guns (10 x 5-inch) Range bands to 4"/9"/13"/18", 4 and Local to 3 for +75 points.
Attack Dice 8, Weak, Restricted, DP for +70 points. 1945 Increase AA Battery Attack Dice to 10 for +30 points.

The New Mexico-class was an improvement on the Nevada-class design. The twelve-gun main
battery incorporated improved 14-inch guns in better triple turrets. Hull design was also upgraded,
with a ‘clipper’ bow for better sea keeping. They also introduced turbo-electrics, in which
steam turbines turned electrical generators and the ship’s propellers were driven by
electric motors. In order to counter the German threat, these ships were
transferred from the Pacific to the Atlantic in 1941 and were thus not
present during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Sent back to the Pacific,
they were active in the war with Japan until final victory was
achieved in 1945.
USS New Mexico

174
 US Navy

USS Nevada by Paul Wright © Osprey Publishing Ltd. Taken from

New Vanguard 220 – US Standard-type Battleships 1941-45

Flank Speed: 4" Armour: 5+ Hull: 64/21 Traits: Aircraft 3, Radar, Torpedo Belt 2 350
points
Type: Battleship Length: 573 ft. Speed: 21 kts. Ships of this Class: New York, Texas
Commissioned: 1914 Crew: 1,530 Displacement: 32,000 tons
NEW YORK-CLASS BATTLESHIP

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

A Turret (2 x 14-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 2 +1 2 –
B Turret (2 x 14-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 2 +1 2 –
Q Turret (2 x 14-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 2 +1 2 –
X Turret (2 x 14-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 2 +1 2 –
Y Turret (2 x 14-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 2 +1 2 –
Light Guns (16 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 8 -2 1 Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 1" 3" 4" 6” 2 – – Local 1
Refits
1941 Decrease Light Guns (10 x 5-inch) to Attack Dice 6 and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for -5 points. 1943 Change AA Battery to Attack Dice 6 and Local 4 for +15 points.
1942 Add Advanced Radar, decrease Light Guns (6 x 5-inch) to Attack Dice 4 and increase AA Battery 1944 Change AA Battery to Attack Dice 9 and Local 3 for +10 points.
to Local 5 for +65 points. 1945 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 10 for +5 points.

These ships were very similar to the old Wyoming-class battleships, with the before being redeployed to Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The USS New York was slightly
main difference being main armament upgraded to ten 14-inch guns. Both the damaged by a kamikaze attack and later expended as an atomic target after the
USS Texas and New York served in the North Africa and Normandy landings, war. The USS Texas was preserved and remains as a memorial at Galveston.

"Sighted Sub, Sank Same."

AMM 1/c Donald Francis Mason

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 6+ Hull: 89/29 Traits: Aircraft 3, Armoured Deck, Torpedo Belt 2 800
points
Type: Battleship Length: 729 ft. Speed: 28 kts. Ships of this Class: North Carolina, Washington
Commissioned: 1941 Crew: 2,125 Displacement: 46,795 tons
NORTH CAROLINA-CLASS BATTLESHIP

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

A Turret (3 x 16-inch) 9" 18" 27" 37" 3 +2 3 Heavy
B Turret (3 x 16-inch) 9" 18" 27" 37" 3 +2 3 Heavy
Y Turret (3 x 16-inch) 9" 18" 27" 37" 3 +2 3 Heavy
Light Guns (20 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 14 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Refits – Carolina Refits – Washington
1942 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 5 for +95 points. 1942 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 5 for +95 points.
1943 Change AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 11 and Local 3 for +45 points. 1943 Change AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 12 and Local 4 for +55 points.
1944 Add Advanced Radar and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 12 for +85 points. 1944 Add Advanced for +80 points.
1945 Decrease AA Battery to Local 2 for -5 points. 1945 Increase AA Battery to Local 5 for +5 points.

The first of a new generation of fast battleships for the US Navy, the North both ships were in the Pacific theatre for the main part of the war. The USS
Carolina-class mounted nine 16-inch guns and though she was a little slower Washington was renowned for having sunk the Kirishima during the Second
than foreign equivalents, this was never seen as a major drawback. The Battle of Guadalcanal, though she was laid up soon after the war and finally
USS Washington spent a brief period in the Atlantic, escorting convoys but scrapped. The USS North Carolina survived to become a war memorial.

175
 US Navy

Flank Speed: 4" Armour: 6+ Hull: 72/24 Traits: Agile, Aircraft 3, Torpedo Belt 2 390
points
Type: Battleship Length: 600 ft. Speed: 21 kts. Ships of this Class: Arizona, Pennsylvania
Commissioned: 1916 Crew: 1,720 Displacement: 39,224 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Turret A (3 x 14-inch) 8" 17" 25" 34" 3 +2 3 –
PENNSYLVANIA-CLASS BATTLESHIP

Turret B (3 x 14-inch) 8" 17" 25" 34" 3 +2 3 –

Turret Y (3 x 14-inch) 8" 17" 25" 34" 3 +2 3 –
Turret X (3 x 14-inch) 8" 17" 25" 34" 3 +2 3 –
Light Guns (12 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 6 -2 1 Restricted, Weak
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) 3" 7" 11" 15" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Refits – Arizona Refits – Pennsylvania
1941 Sunk at Pearl Harbor. Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6" and Attack Dice 1 1941 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6" and Attack Dice 1 for +5 points.
for +5 points. 1942 Add Advanced Radar and change AA Battery to Attack Dice 0 and Local 3 for +85 points.
1943 Replace all Light Guns and AA Battery as shown below for +30 points.
1945 Change AA Battery to Attack Dice 9 and Local 2 for +0 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (16 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 10 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 8 – – Local 3

The Pennsylvania-class battleships were an enlargement of the Nevada- Battle Fleet. Reconstructed between 1929–31, they received greater
class; having two additional 14-inch main battery guns, greater length and main battery gun elevation, improved gun directors and modern aircraft
displacement, four propellers and slightly higher speed. Serving in the catapults. The ships’ secondary gun batteries were updated, as was
western Atlantic, they were thereafter stalwart members of the Navy’s protection against gunfire, aircraft bombs and torpedoes.

"It is the function of the Navy to carry the war to the

enemy so that it will not be fought on US soil."
Admiral Nimitz

Flank Speed: 5" Armour: 6+ Hull: 89/29 Traits: Advanced Radar, Aircraft 3, Armoured Deck, Torpedo Belt 3 825
points
Type: Battleship Length: 680 ft Speed: 27.5 kts. Ships of this Class: South Dakota, Indiana, Massachusetts, Alabama
Commissioned: 1942 Crew: 2,257 Displacement: 44,519 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
SOUTH DAKOTA-CLASS BATTLESHIP

A Turret (3x 16-inch) 9" 18" 27" 37" 3 +2 3 Heavy

B Turret (3x 16-inch) 9" 18" 27" 37" 3 +2 3 Heavy
X Turret (3x 16-inch) 9" 18" 27" 37" 3 +2 3 Heavy
Light Guns (20 x 5-inch) 2" 4" 6" 8" 14 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 5 – – Local 1
Refits – Alabama Refits – Massachusetts
1943 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 8 and Local 4 for +30 points. 1942 Change AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points.
1944 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 10 for +10 points. 1943 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 10 and Local 4 for +35 points.
1945 Decrease AA Battery to Local 3 for -5 points. 1944 Decrease AA Battery to Local 2 for -10 points.
1945 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 15 for +25 points.
Refits – Indiana
1943 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice to 10 and Local 3 for +35 points. Refits – South Dakota
1942 Decrease Light Guns (16 x 5-inch) to Attack Dice 10 for -20 points.
1943 Change AA Battery to Attack Dice 14 and Local 2 for +50 points.
1944 Increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +10 points.
1945 Increase AA Battery to Local 5 for +5 points.

The South Dakota-class was designed to mount 16-inch guns and be not exceeding 35,000 tons. In the event, it slipped over but, despite some
protected against 16-inch shellfire and underwater attack in return, as well cramping in the design, emerged as an excellent warship. All four vessels in
as being as fast as the preceding North Carolina-class – and all on a hull this class survived the war.

176
 US Navy

Flank Speed: 4" Armour: 6+ Hull: 66/22 Traits: Aircraft 3, Armoured Deck, Torpedo Belt 2 400
points
Type: Battleship Length: 624 ft. Speed: 21 kts. Ships of this Class: California, Tennessee
Commissioned: 1920 Crew: 2,375 Displacement: 33,190 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Turret A (3 x 14-inch) 8" 17" 25" 34" 3 +1 2 –
Turret B (3 x 14-inch) 8" 17" 25" 34" 3 +1 2 –
Turret Y (3 x 14-inch) 8" 17" 25" 34" 3 +1 2 –
Turret X (3 x 14-inch) 8" 17" 25" 34" 3 +1 2 –
Light Guns (12 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 6 -2 1 Restricted, Weak
TENNESSEE-CLASS BATTLESHIP

Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) 3" 7" 11" 15" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Refits – Tennessee
1942 Add Radar, change Turrets to Range bands 9"/18"/27"/37", AP+2 and Damage Dice 3, and increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +90 points.
1943 Rebuilt. Increase Hull to 81/27, add Advanced Radar, and replace Light Guns and AA Battery to as shown below for +150 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (16 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18” 10 -2 1 DP, Fast Track, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5” 8 – – Local 3
Refits – California 1944 Rebuilt after Pearl Harbor. Increase Hull to 81/27, add Advanced Radar, replace all weapons as
1941 Add Radar for +40 points. shown below for +265 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Turret A (3 x 14-inch) 9" 18" 27" 37" 3 +2 3 –
Turret B (3 x 14-inch) 9" 18" 27" 37" 3 +2 3 –
Turret X (3 x 14-inch) 9" 18" 27" 37" 3 +2 3 –
Turret Y (3 x 14-inch) 9" 18" 27" 37" 3 +2 3 –
Light Guns (16 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 10 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 11 – – Local 5
USS Tennessee and California were the first American battleships built to a by two heavy cage masts supporting large fire-control tops. This feature
‘post-Jutland’ design, giving greater underwater protection than that of earlier distinguished them from the rest of pre-World War II battleships. USS Tennessee’s
battleships. The Tennessee-class, along with the Colorado-class, were identified main guns could elevate to 30 degrees, allowing them to shoot ‘over the horizon.’

Flank Speed: 4" Armour: 5+ Hull: 61/20 Traits: Agile, Aircraft 3, Torpedo Belt 2 250
points
Type: Battleship Length: 554 ft. Speed: 21 kts. Ships of this Class: Arkansas, Wyoming
Commissioned: 1912 Crew: 1,242 Displacement: 30,610 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
WYOMING-CLASS BATTLESHIP

Turret A (2 x 12-inch) 6" 12" 18" 24" 2 – 2 –

Turret B (2 x 12-inch) 6" 12" 18" 24" 2 – 2 –
Turret Q (2 x 12-inch) 6" 12" 18" 24" 2 – 2 –
Turret R (2 x 12-inch) 6" 12" 18" 24" 2 – 2 –
Turret Y (2 x 12-inch) 6" 12" 18" 24" 2 – 2 –
Turret X (2 x 12-inch) 6" 12" 18" 24" 2 – 2 –
Light Guns (16 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 8 -2 1 Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 1" 3" 4" 6" 2 – – –
Refits – Wyoming Refits – Arkansas
1931 Demilitarised and used as a gunnery training ship. 1942 Add Radar, decrease Light Guns to Attack Dice 2 and increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +45 points.
1943 Change AA Battery to Attack Dice 9 and Local 2 for +30 points.
1945 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 10 for +5 points.

The size of this class allowed for six main turrets as well as increased role of USS Arkansas was that of convoy escort in the Atlantic. She also
armour. Both ships served in World War I but, prior to World War II, USS participated in the Normandy invasion prior to transfering to the Pacific
Wyoming was demilitarised and converted to a training ship. The primary and was later a target ship during atomic bomb testing at Bikini Atoll.

177
 Flank Speed: 3" Armour: 1+ Hull: 28/9 Traits: Carrier, Radar Aircraft: 7 Flights 100
points
Type: Civilian Length: 495 ft. Speed: 18.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Altamaha, Barnes, Block Island, Bogue, Bretan, Card, Copahee,
Commissioned: 1942 Crew: 908 Displacement: 16,620 tons Core, Croatan, Nassau, Prince William
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (2 x 5-inch) a/p/s 4" 8" 12" 16" 1 -2 1 Weak
AA Battery all – – – – – – – Local 1
BOGUE-CLASS CARRIER

Refits – Altamaha, Barnes, Bogue, Bretan, Card, Core, Nassau Refits – Croatan
1943 Change all weapons to the following for +10 points. 1943 Change all weapons to the following for +10 points.
1945 Add Advanced Radar and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 4 for +20 points. Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 3 for +5 points.
1945 Add Advanced Radar for +10 points.
Refits – Block Island
1943 Change all weapons to the following for +10 points. Refits – Prince William
1944 Add Advanced Radar for +10 points. 1943 Change all weapons to the following for +10 points.
Decrease AA Battery to Attack Dice 1 for -5 points.
Refits – Copahee 1944 Add Advanced Radar for +10 points.
1943 Change all weapons to the following for +10 points. 1945 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 4 for +15 points.
Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 3 for +5 points.
1945 Add Advanced Radar and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 4 for +5 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (2 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 1 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 2 – – Local 2

An early Liberty merchant ship conversion ordered by the British (who screw (a distinct disadvantage in handling damage), and they were not
called it the Attacker or Ruler-class), this design included a steam-turbine optimally suited for aircraft handling, even with their larger hangars. A
power plant, rather than the typical diesel system. The design was an slightly improved second group of ships were subsequently built and sent
admirable success, though there were several flaws. The crude installation in its entirety to the Royal Navy and was known as the Ameer-class in
of the aft elevator made aircraft handling difficult, the ships had only one British service.

"Yesterday, December 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy –

the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately
attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan."
President Roosevelt

Flank Speed: 4" Armour: 1+ Hull: 22/7 Traits: Advanced Radar, Agile, Carrier Aircraft: 6 Flights 95
points
Type: Civilian Length: 498 ft. Speed: 19 kts. Ships of this Class: See below
CASABLANCA-CLASS CARRIER

Commissioned: 1943 Crew: 764 Displacement: 10,902 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (1 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 1 -2 1 DP, Slow Loading, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 2 – – Local 1
Ships of this class: Admiralty Island, Attu, Bismarck Sea, Bougainville, Cape Esperance, Casablanca, Coral Sea, Corregidor, Fanshaw Bay, Gambier Bay, Guadalcanal, Hoggatt Bay, Hollandia, Kadashan Bay,
Kalinin Bay, Kasaan Bay, Kitkun Bay, Kwajalein, Liscombe Bay, Lunga Point, Makassar Stait, Makin Island, Manila Bay, Marcus Island, Matanikau, Mission Bay, Munda, Natoma Bay, Nehenta Bay,
Ommaney Bay, Petrof Bay, Roi, Rudyerd Bay, Saginaw Bay, Salamaua, Sargent Bay, Savo Island, Shamrock Bay, Shipley Bay, Sitkoh Bay, Solomons, St. Lo, Steamer Bay, Takanis Bay, Thetis Bay, Tripoli,
Tulagi, Wake Island, White Plains, Wingham Bay
1945 – All but Bismarck Sea, Gambier Bay, Kalinin Bay, Liscome Bay, Ommaney Bay, St. Lo
1945 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 3 for +5 points. 

The Casablanca-class was the most numerous escort aircraft carrier ever Leyte Gulf, when a task force composed of these ships and a group of
built. Fifty were laid down, launched and commissioned in less than a year. destroyer escorts gave battle against the Japanese main fleet and succeeded
Surprisingly, in order to reduce bottlenecks in turbine construction, these in turning them back. The USS St. Lo is the only aircraft carrier to ever
ships were equipped with reciprocating engines instead of more common record a hit on an enemy warship by its own guns, when she hit a Japanese
turbine engines. The shining moment of the class came in the Battle of destroyer with a single round from her aft-mounted 5-inch gun.

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USS Essex and Clemson-class destroyer

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 70/23 Traits: Advanced Radar, Carrier, Torpedo Belt 3 Aircraft: 22 Flights 270
points
Type: Carrier Length: 872 ft. Speed: 33 kts. Ships of this Class: See below
Commissioned: 1943 Crew: 3,240 Displacement: 34,880 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 6 -2 1 DP, Weak
ESSEX-CLASS CARRIER

Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 3 -2 1 DP, Weak

AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 6 – – Local 3
Ships of this class: Antietam, Bennington, Bon Homme Richard, Boxer, Bunker Hill, Essex, Franklin, Light Guns (8 x 5-inch): Only 3 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
Hancock, Hornet, Intrepid, Kearsarge, Lake Champlain, Lexington, Leyte, Oriskany, Philippine Sea, Light Guns (4 x 5-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
Princeton, Randolph, Shangri-La, Tarawa, Ticonderoga, Valley Forge, Wasp, Yorktown
Refits – Antietam, Lake Champlain, Princeton, Tarawa Refits – Bunker Hill, Intrepid, Lexington, Wasp, Yorktown Refits – Hornet
1945 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 15 for +40 points. 1945 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 14 and Local 4 for +40 points. 1945 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 8 and Local 2 for +0 points.
Refits – Bennington Refits – Bon Homme Richard Refits – Randolph
1944 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice to 8 for +5 points. 1944 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice to 8 for +5 points. 1944 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice to 8 for +5 points.
1945 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 15 and Local 4 for 1945 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 14 and Local 4 for 1945 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 15 for +35 points.
+40 points. +30 points.
Refits – Shangri-La
Refits – Boxer, Hancock, Ticonderoga Refits – Essex 1944 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice to 8 for +5 points.
1945 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 15 and Local 4 for +45 points. 1945 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 9 and Local 4 for +15 points. 1945 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 9 and Local 7 for +25 points.

One of the most numerous class of warships, the Essex-class carriers were to see stronger armour and safer fuel-handling capabilities. The Essex-class carriers
service in almost every major action within the Pacific, with a total of 24 being arrived as a change in doctrine was made within the US Navy, deriving strength
commissioned. They represented a step forward in US carrier design, having from numbers, with sometimes as many as six carriers working as a single group.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 30/10 Traits: Advanced Radar, Carrier Aircraft: 7 Flights 105
points
Type: Carrier Length: 622 ft. Speed: 31.6 kts. Ships of this Class: Bataan, Belleau Wood, Cabot, Cowpens, Independence, Langley,
INDEPENDENCE-CLASS

Commissioned: 1943 Crew: 1,569 Displacement: 14,751 tons Monterey, Princeton, San Jacinto
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
CARRIER

AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 5 – – Local 2

Refits – Belleau Wood, Independence Refits – Langley, San Jacinto
1944 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 6 for +5 points. 1945 Decrease AA Battery to Attack Dice 4 for -5 points.
Refits – Cabot, Cowpens, Monterey Refits – Bataan
1944 Decrease AA Battery to Attack Dice 4 for -5 points. 1945 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 6 for +5 points.

The Independence-class carriers owe their existence to President Franklin D. aircraft carriers. The Independence-class design featured a relatively short and
Roosevelt’s interest in Navy shipbuilding plans. He noted that no new carriers narrow flight deck and hangar, with a small island. The added top weight required
were expected before 1944 and proposed converting cruisers then under the cruiser hulls be widened but, despite the widening, the USS Independence
construction. The US Navy was initially opposed to this, sighting the serious remained limited-capability ships, with sea keeping problems and relatively high
limitations of cruiser conversion, but Pearl Harbor revised their response, aircraft accident rates. Protection was modest and some of the munitions were
resulting in the ordering the conversion of Cleveland-class light cruisers to stowed at the hangar level, contributing to the loss of USS Princeton in 1944.

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Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 4+ Hull: 86/28 Traits: Carrier, Torpedo Belt 2 Aircraft: 20 Flights 260
points
Type: Carrier Length: 888 ft. Speed: 34 kts. Ships of this Class: Lexington, Saratoga
Commissioned: 1927 Crew: 3,300 Displacement: 43,054 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Turret A (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –
Turret B (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –
LEXINGTON-CLASS CARRIER

Turret X (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –

Turret Y (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –
Light Guns (12 x 5-inch) 3" 7" 11" 15” 8 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Refits – Lexington Refits – Saratoga
1942 Add Radar, remove all Turrets and increase AA Battery to 1942 Add Radar, remove all Turrets, replace Light Guns as follows, 1944 Increase Hull to 97/32, add Advanced Radar, and change
Local 4 for –50 points. and increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +25 points. AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 19
1943 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and and Local 2 for +115 points.
Attack Dice 3 for +15 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns #1 (8 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 6 -2 1 DP, Weak
Light Guns #2 (8 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
Light Guns #1 (8 x 5-inch): Only 3 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.

These were the first operational aircraft carriers in the United States Navy. in favour of more anti-aircraft weaponry. The success of these ships set the
Originally laid down as battlecruisers, they were converted to carriers under pattern for future American carrier design: very large, long ships, with a
the Washington Treaty. Both were initially armed with a battery of gun topside flight deck, starboard-side island combining command and control
turrets. However, after Pearl Harbor, both ships’ batteries were removed spaces and the ship’s funnels, and a capacious, remarkably deep hangar deck.

Flank Speed: 3" Armour: 1+ Hull: 28/9 Traits: Carrier Aircraft: 4 Flights 75
points
Type: Civilian Length: 492 ft. Speed: 17.5 kts. Ships of this Class: USS Long Island, HMS Archer
LONG ISLAND-CLASS CARRIER

Commissioned: 1941 Crew: 408 Displacement: 16,620 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (1 x 4-inch) 3" 7" 11" 15" 1 -2 1 Slow-Loading, Weak
AA Battery 1" 3" 4" 6" 1 – – Local 1
Refits
1942 Add Radar and change Light Guns as shown below for +10 points. 1944 Add Advanced Radar for +10 points. 1945 Increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +10 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (1 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 1 -2 1 DP, Slow-Loading, Weak

In 1940, President Roosevelt asked that the Navy design a merchant-ship for conversion into escort carriers. The design was swift and while the Navy
conversion aircraft carrier to escort Atlantic convoys. The obvious source wanted a ship with typical full carrier specifications, Roosevelt demanded that
for a merchant-ship conversion was the Liberty Ship. In early January, the it settle for something less, emphasising speed of construction. The result was
US Navy acquired two to convert, one for itself and one for the Royal Navy, the USS Long Island and the HMS Archer.

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 3+ Hull: 120/40 Traits: Carrier, Advanced Radar, Armoured Deck, Torpedo Belt 3 Aircraft: 34 Flights 450
MIDWAY-CLASS CARRIER

points
Type: Carrier Length: 900 ft. Speed: 33 kts. Ships of this Class: Midway, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Coral Sea
Commissioned: 1945* Crew: 4,104 Displacement: 47,387 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (18 x 5-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 16 -1 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 17 – – Local 2
*Note Commissioned 8 days after the Surrender of Japan. None saw service in the war.
The Midway-class was developed in a response to the threat from Japanese capable of carrying a powerful air group but which would take a long time
cruisers. It had armour capable of withstanding the armament of a heavy to build. Despite doubts about the efficiency of such a large air group and
cruiser, in addition to an armoured flight deck and protection for the hangars. the possibility that the ships would not be ready before the war ended, two
Underwater protection was similarly heavy. The result was a very large ship, vessels were approved, followed by a third. Additional ships were cancelled.

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Lexington at the Coral Sea, by Tony Bryan © Osprey Publishing Ltd.

Taken from New Vanguard 114: US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1922-45

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 1+ Hull: 35/11 Traits: Carrier Aircraft: 19 Flights 220
points
Type: Carrier Length: 769 ft. Speed: 29.25 kts. Ships of this Class: Ranger
RANGER-CLASS CARRIER

Commissioned: 1934 Crew: 2,184 Displacement: 17,577 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) 3" 7" 11" 15" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Refits
1941 Increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +5 points.
1942 Add Radar and change AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 5 and Local 2 for +40 points.
1943 Remove Light Guns and increase AA Battery to Local 3 for -25 points.
1944 Reassigned as training carrier. Add Advanced Radar and decrease AA Battery Attack Dice to 0 for -10 points.

The Ranger-class was the first ship of the United States Navy to be rest of the US carrier fleet and could not carry as many aircraft. In addition,
designed and built from the keel up as an aircraft carrier. USS Ranger her ammunition storage capability was far smaller than other carriers (thus
was smaller than the proceeding USS Yorktown as a study of small carrier excluding torpedo aircraft), and she was not as well armoured - all of which
performance and was closer to USS Langley in tonnage. Originally designed would have been a serious problem in the Pacific. Instead she spent the
without an island, a small one was added after construction. Following war in the Atlantic, alternating between US and Royal Navy fleets. By war’s
America’s entrance into the war, serious consideration was made to end, she had become a training carrier, when not otherwise employed for
transfer USS Ranger to the Pacific, but she was smaller and slower than the aircraft transport.

Flank Speed: 4" Armour: 1+ Hull: 48/16 Traits: Carrier, Radar Aircraft: 7 Flights 100
points
SANGAMON-CLASS CARRIER

Type: Civilian Length: 553 ft. Speed: 18 kts. Ships of this Class: Chenango, Sangamon, Santee, Suwannee
Commissioned: 1942 Crew: 830 Displacement: 23,875 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (2 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 1 -2 1 Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 2 – – Local 1
Refits
1943 Change Light Guns (2 x 5-inch) to Range bands 4"/9"/13"/18" and add the DP for +5 points.
1944 Add Advanced Radar for +10 points.
1945 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 6 for +30 points.

The Sangamon-class was a group of four escort carriers that served with the catapult, sonar gear, aircraft ordnance magazines, workshops, and stowage
United States Navy during World War II. All four were originally constructed space for aviation spares. Their accommodations had been enlarged to house
as Cimarron-class oilers, launched in 1939 for civilian use. They were soon increased complement and embarked aviation personnel, and armament
acquired by the US Navy, decommissioned as oilers and converted to escort changed to increase anti-aircraft defence.
carriers. The conversion added a flight deck, elevators, a hangar deck, a

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 US Navy

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 1+ Hull: 38/12 Traits: Carrier Aircraft: 21 Flights 240
points
WASP-CLASS CARRIER

Type: Carrier Length: 741 ft. Speed: 29.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Wasp
Commissioned: 1940 Crew: 2,184 Displacement: 19,116 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Refits
1942 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 1 and Local 4 for +35 points.

As soon as USS Yorktown and Enterprise were authorised, the US Navy chased a Hornet-class with acceptable speed and aircraft capacity. Following the attack
15,200-ton replacement for the obsolete USS Langley – but to directly replace on Pearl Harbor, she served escort and transport duties in the Atlantic then,
her with another carrier would have been a violation the Washington Treaty. after a short refit, was transferred to the Pacific, where she took part in the
However, the subsequent London Treaty created an additional 14,500 tons of Guadalcanal landing. She was subsequently used to shuttle valuable aircraft to
carrier tonnage. The result was the USS Wasp, a scaled down version of the the Cactus Air Force, during which she was sunk by Japanese submarine I-19.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 51/17 Traits: Carrier, Torpedo Belt 2 Aircraft: 24 Flights 280
points
Type: Carrier Length: 761 ft. Speed: 32.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Enterprise, Hornet, Yorktown
YORKTOWN-CLASS CARRIER

Commissioned: 1937 Crew: 2,200 Displacement: 25,484 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Refits – Enterprise Refits – Hornet
1940 Add Radar for +20 points. 1941 Add Radar for +20 points.
1942 Increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +10 points. 1942 Increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +5 points.
1943 Increase Hull to 60/20, add Advanced Radar and change AA Battery to Range bands
1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 8 and Local 3 for +65 points. Refits – Yorktown
1945 Change AA Battery to Attack Dice to 11 and Local 2 for +10 points. 1940 Add Radar for +20 points.
1942 Increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +5 points

Built in a series of three, only the USS Enterprise survived the war, with the USS decorated US carrier of the war, even earning the British Admiralty Pennant, the
Yorktown sunk during the Battle of Midway, and the USS Hornet during the Battle only ship outside of the Royal Navy to do so. She was finally put out of action in
of Santa Cruz. The USS Enterprise went on to become the most frequently 1945 by a kamikaze attack that severely damaged the hanger deck.

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 5+ Hull: 69/23 Traits: Advanced Radar, Aircraft 4, Armoured Deck, Torpedo Belt 1 250
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 791 ft. Speed: 33 kts. Ships of this Class: Alaska, Guam
ALASKA-CLASS CRUISER

Commissioned: 1944 Crew: 1,517 Displacement: 34,253 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret A (3 x 12-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 3 +1 2 –
B Turret A (3 x 12-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 3 +1 2 –
Y Turret A (3 x 12-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 3 +1 2 –
Light Guns (12 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 8 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 11 – – Local 2
The Alaska-class fell midway between a heavy cruiser and a battleship, and resembled current generation battleships in appearance, with the familiar
the United States Navy considered these vessels large cruisers rather than two forward, one aft main battery turrets, massive columnar mast and a
battlecruisers. They were designed as cruiser-killers, tasked with destroying multitude of 5-inch dual purpose guns along the sides of the superstructure.
post-Washington Treaty heavy cruisers. As a result, they were given 12-inch However, they were built to cruiser standards, lacking the armoured belt
guns, significant armour protection, and could travel at up to 33 knots. They and torpedo defence of capital ships.

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 Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 16/5 Traits: Radar, Depth Charge 70
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 541 ft. Speed: 32.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Atlanta, Juneau, San Diego, San Juan
ATLANTA-CLASS CRUISER (GROUP 1)

Commissioned: 1941 Crew: 623 Displacement: 8,340 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (16 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 11 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Port Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (16 x 5-inch): Only 4 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
Refits – San Diego Refits – San Juan
1943 Add Sub-Hunter for +20 Points. 1943 Add Sub-Hunter for +20 Points.
1944 Add Advanced Radar, and change AA Battery Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 2 1945 Add Advanced Radar and change AA Battery Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 3 and
and Local 1 for +15 points. Local 1 for +20 points.

The Atlanta-class was the smallest US cruiser of the era, intended to Tucson onwards) mounted additional anti-aircraft armament and improved
work with destroyers and anti-aircraft/anti-destroyer escort ships. Their protection, though the increase in top-weight became a problem. USS
5-inch armament was light by cruiser standards but later ships (USS Atlanta and Juneau were lost in action in November 1942.

"Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!"

Lieutenant Forgy

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 17/5 Traits: Advanced Radar, Sub-Hunter, Depth Charge 100
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 541 ft. Speed: 32.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Oakland, Reno, Flint, Tucson, Juneau, Spokane, Fresno
ATLANTA-CLASS CRUISER (GROUP 2)

Commissioned: 1943 Crew: 623 Displacement: 8,340 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (12 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 8 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 3 – – Local 1
Port Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch): Only 4 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs. Juneau, Spokane, Fresno: Completed after the war.
Refits – Oakland Refits – Tucson
1945 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 5 and remove all 1945 Remove all Torpedoes for -30 points.
Torpedoes for -10 points.

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 4+ Hull: 34/11 Traits: Advanced Radar, Aircraft 4 150
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 664 ft. Speed: 33 kts. Ships of this Class: Baltimore, Boston, Bremerton, Canberra, Chicago, Columbus, Fall
Commissioned: 1943 Crew: 2,039 Displacement: 17,031 tons River, Helena, Los Angeles, Macon, Pittsburgh, Quincy, St Paul
BALTIMORE-CLASS CRUISER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Turret A (3 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 3 – 1 –
Turret B (3 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 3 – 1 –
Turret Y (3 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 3 – 1 –
Light Guns (12 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 8 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 10 – – Local 2
Refits – Pittsburgh Refits – Bremerton, Chicago, Fall River, Los Angeles, Macon Refits – Columbus, Helena, St. Paul
1944 Decrease Aircraft to 2 and reduce AA Battery to Local 1 for 1945 Decrease Aircraft to 2 for -10 points. 1945 Decrease Aircraft to 2 and reduce AA Battery to Local 1 for
-15 points. -15 points.

The Baltimore-class cruisers were the last US heavy cruisers to be built during 8-inch guns. Used primarily as escorts for the aircraft carrier fleets, several
World War Two. The ships were essentially enlarged Cleveland-class ships with were kept in service into the 1980s as refitted classes of guided missile cruisers.

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 US Navy

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 25/8 Traits: Aircraft 4 110

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 608 ft. Speed: 32.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Savannah, Nashville, Phoenix,
Commissioned: 1937 Crew: 868 Displacement: 12,700 tons Boise, Honolulu
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
BROOKLYN-CLASS CRUISER

B Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 2 -1 1 Fast Track

Q Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
X Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
Y Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) 3" 7" 11" 15" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Refits – All (except Savannah) Refits – Savannah
1941 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6" and Attack Dice 1 for +5 points. 1941 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6" and Attack Dice 1 for +5 points.
1942 Add Radar, decrease AA Battery Attack Dice to 0 and Local 2 for +10 points. 1942 Add Radar, decrease AA Battery Attack Dice to 0 and Local 2 for +10 points.
1944 Add Advanced Radar for +10 points. Change AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 5 and Local 1 for +20 points.
1944 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 6 for +5 points 1944 Add Advanced Radar for +10 points.
(except Boise, Phoenix) Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 6 for +5 points.

In the wake of the London Treaty of 1930, the construction of 8-inch heavy cruiser of the same displacement, but with 6-inch armament and
cruisers was severely limited. The Brooklyn-class was therefore built on a improved protection. Innovative features included a hangar sunk into the
design displacement of 10,000 tons and the same propulsion as an 8-inch hull far aft and changes in the internal layout of the hull frame.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 28/9 Traits: Aircraft 4, Radar 100
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 610 ft. Speed: 32.5 kts Ships of this Class: See below
Commissioned: 1942 Crew: 1,285 Displacement: 14,131 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Turret A (3 x 6-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
Turret B (3 x 6-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
Turret X (3 x 6-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
CLEVELAND-CLASS CRUISER

Turret Y (3 x 6-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 2 -1 1 Fast Track

Light Guns (12 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 8 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 2 – – Local 1
Ships of this Class: Atlanta, Cleveland, Columbia, Dayton, Denver, Santa Fe, Birmingham, Mobile, Montpelier, Vincennes, Pasadena, Springfield, Topeka, Biloxi, Houston, Providence, Vicksburg, Duluth, Miami,
Astoria, Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Amsterdam, Portsmouth, Wilkes-Barre
Refits – Biloxi, Houston Refits – Pasadena, Springfield, Vincennes
1943 Add Advanced Radar and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 5 for +50 points. 1944 Add Advanced Rader and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 5 for +50 points.
Refits – Birmingham, Mobile Refits – Amsterdam, Portsmouth
1943 Add Advanced Rader and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 6 for +55 points. 1945 Add Advanced Rader and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 5 for +50 points.
Refits – Cleveland, Columbia Refits – Dayton, Little Rock, Providence
1943 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 3 for +5 points. 1945 Add Advanced Rader and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 6 for +55 points.
Refits – Denver, Montpelier, Santa Fe Refits – Topeka
1942 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 5 for +15 points. 1944 Add Advanced Rader and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 5 for +50 points.
1945 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 6 for +5 points.
Refits – Astoria, Atlanta, Duluth, Miami, Oklahoma City, Vicksburg, Wilkes-Barre
1944 Add Advanced Rader and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 6 for +55 points.

The Cleveland-class was essentially an updated pre-war Brooklyn-class. They sacrificed one turret
of main armament, with its three 6-inch guns, for an enhanced anti-aircraft armament. Twenty-
seven were eventually completed, the largest number of any cruiser class in history, and it was
very successful. The powerful anti-aircraft armament, an attribute whose importance grew
throughout the Pacific war, was well laid out, while the main armament was
adequate. The basic hull would be used to develop the Independence-
class series of light carriers.

USS Houston

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Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 4+ Hull: 42/14 Traits: Advanced Radar, Armoured Deck 180
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 716 ft. Speed: 33 kts. Ships of this Class: Des Moines, Newport News, Salem
DES MOINES-CLASS CRUISER

Commissioned: 1948 Crew: 1,799 Displacement: 20,934 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Turret A (3 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 3 – 1 Twin-Linked
Turret B (3 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 3 – 1 Twin-Linked
Turret Y (3 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 3 – 1 Twin-Linked
Light Guns (12 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 8 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 1" 3" 4" 6" 13 – – Local 2
Original Plans: Change AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 10 and Local 1 for -20 points.
Des Moines: Add Aircraft 4 for +10 points.
Appearing after the war, these were the last of the all-gun heavy cruisers in with a new automatice 8-inch gun. The last (USS Newport News) being
the US Navy. Based on the Baltimore-class, these ships were more capable, decommissioned in 1975 after having served in the Vietnam War.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 29/9 Traits: Advanced Radar, Aircraft 2 105
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 608 ft. Speed: 32.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Fargo, Huntington
Commissioned: 1945 Crew: 1,100 Displacement: 14,131 tons
FARGO-CLASS CRUISER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Turret A (3 x 6-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
Turret B (3 x 6-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
Turret X (3 x 6-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
Turret Y (3 x 6-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
Light Guns (12 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 8 – 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 6 – - Local 2
A development of the Cleveland-class, the Fargo-class had improved but, with the ending of the Second World War, only USS Fargo and
Anti-aircraft coverage. Thirteen ships of this class were planned Huntington were completed.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 4+ Hull: 25/8 Traits: Agile, Aircraft 4 150
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 578 ft. Speed: 32.7 kts. Ships of this Class: New Orleans, Astoria, Minneapolis, Tuscaloosa, San Francisco,
Commissioned: 1934 Crew: 868 Displacement: 12,493 tons Quincy, Vincennes
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (3 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 3 – 1 –
NEW ORLEANS-CLASS CRUISER

B Turret (3 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 3 – 1 –

X Turret (3 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 3 – 1 –
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) 3" 7" 11" 15" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Refits – Astoria Refits – New Orleans
1941 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points. 1941 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points.
1942 Add Advanced Radar for +40 points. 1942 Add Advanced Radar for +40 points.
1943 Change AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 5 and Local 1 for +20 points.
Refits – Quincy, Vincennes 1944 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points.
1942 Add Advanced Radar and Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +45 points. 1945 Decrease Aircraft to 2 for -10 points.
Refits – Minneapolis Refits – San Francisco, Tuscaloosa
1941 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points. 1942 Add Advanced Radar and Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +45 points.
1942 Add Advanced Radar for +40 points. 1943 Change AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 5 and Local 1 for +20 points.
1943 Change AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 5 and Local 1 for +20 points. 1944 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points.
1944 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points. 1945 Decrease Aircraft to 2 for -10 points.
1945 Decrease Aircraft to 2 for -10 points.

The New Orleans-class represented a move towards a better protected in a single engagement off Guadalcanal, casting some doubt as to the
breed of 8-inch cruisers, as the capabilities of directed gunfire became effectiveness of the protective improvements, but other ships of the class
apparent and hits at great ranges more likely. Three vessels were sunk fared better in action.

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Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 23/7 Traits: Aircraft 4 130

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 582 ft. Speed: 32.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Augusta, Chester, Chicago, Houston, Louisville, Northampton
Commissioned: 1930 Crew: 617 Displacement: 11,420 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (3 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 3 – 1 –
NORTHAMPTON-CLASS CRUISER

B Turret (3 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 3 – 1 –

X Turret (3 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 3 – 1 –
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) 3" 7" 11" 15" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Refits – Augusta Refits – Chicago 1944 Decrease Aircraft to 2 and increase AA Battery to Attack
1941 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +15 points. 1940 Add Radar for +10 points. Dice 5 for +0 points.
1943 Add Advanced Radar, and change AA Battery to Range bands 1941 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points. Refits – Northampton
1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 3 and Local 1 for +20 points. 1942 Increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +5 points. 1940 Add Radar for +10 points.
1944 Decrease Aircraft to 2 and increase AA Battery to Attack
Dice 4 for -5 points. Refits – Houston 1941 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6" and
1941 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6" and Attack Dice 1 for +5 points.
Refits – Chester Attack Dice 1 for +5 points. 1942 Change AA Battery to Attack Dice 0 and Local 2 for +0 points.
1940 Add Radar for +10 points.
1941 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points. Refits – Louisville
1944 Decrease Aircraft to 2 and change AA Battery to Attack Dice 1941 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points.
4 and Local 2 for +0 points. 1943 Add Advanced Radar, and change AA Battery to Range bands
1945 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 5 for +5 points. 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 3 and Local 1 for +20 points.

The US Navy attempted to improve the Pensacola-class design, as armour boiler rooms separated by a transverse bulkhead. The secondary armament
and seakeeping had been sacrificed for the USS Pensacola’s ten-gun battery. equalled that of the earlier class with an initial outfit of four 5-inch guns,
Accordingly, a nine-gun ship was suggested, along with a higher freeboard and upped in 1936 to eight, while the initial six torpedo tubes were removed.

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 2+ Hull: 19/6 Traits: Agile, Aircraft 2 90

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 550 ft. Speed: 34 kts. Ships of this Class: Cincinnati, Concord, Detroit, Omaha, Cincinnati, Concord, Detroit,
Commissioned: 1923 Crew: 468 Displacement: 9,150 tons Marblehead, Memphis, Milwaukee, Raleigh, Richmond, Trenton
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Turret A (2 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 24" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
Turret Y (2 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 24" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
Light Guns (6 x 6-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 4 -1 1 –
AA Battery 1" 3" 4" 6" 1 – – –
Port Mk 12 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
OMAHA-CLASS CRUISER

Starboard Mk 12 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot

Light Guns (6 x 6-inch): Only 2 Attack Dice may be fired into the front arc, 1 Attack Dice into the aft arc and 2 Attack Dice into the port or starboard arcs.
Concord, Marblehead, Memphis, Milwaukee, Omaha, Richmond, Trenton: Increase Light Guns (8 x 6-inch) Attack Dice to 6 for +5 points. Only 2 Attack Dice may be fired into any one arc.
Refits – Cincinnati Refits – Marblehead Refits – Omaha, Trenton
1941 Increase AA Battery to Local 1 for +5 points. 1941 Reduce Light Guns (7 x 6-inch) Attack Dice to 5 and increase 1941 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 2 and Local 1 for
1942 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 2 for +15 points. AA Battery to Attack Dice 2 and Local 1 for +5 points. +10 points.
1943 Add Advanced Radar for +15 points. 1942 Add Radar and reduce Light Guns (6 x 6-inch) Attack Dice 1942 Add Radar and reduce Light Guns (6 x 6-inch) Attack Dice
1944 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice to 4 and remove to 4 for +5 points. to 4 for +0 points.
Torpedoes for -10 points. 1944 Add Advanced Radar and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 1944 Add Advanced Radar and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice
to 3 for +20 points. to 3 for +20 points.
Refits – Concord
1941 Increase AA Battery to Local 1 for +5 points. Refits – Memphis Refits – Raleigh
1942 Add Radar, reduce Light Guns (6 x 6-inch) Attack Dice to 4 1941 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 2 and Local 1 for +10 points. 1941 Increase AA Battery to Local 1 for +5 points.
and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 2 for +5 points. 1942 Add Radar for +10 points. 1942 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 2 for
1944 Add Advanced Radar and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 1943 Add Advanced Radar for +15 points. +15 points.
to 3 for +20 points. 1944 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice to 3 for +5 points. 1944 Add Advanced Radar for +15 points.

Refits – Detroit Refits – Milwaukee Refits – Richmond

1941 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 2 and Local 1 for +10 points. 1941 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 2 and Local 1 for 1941 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 2 and Local 1 for
1942 Add Radar for +10 points. +10 points. +10 points.
1944 Add Advanced Radar and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 1942 Add Radar and reduce Light Guns (6 x 6-inch) Attack Dice 1942 Add Radar and reduce Light Guns (6 x 6-inch) Attack Dice
to 3 for +20 points. to 4 for +0 points. to 4 for +0 points.
1945 Reduce Light Guns (4 x 6-inch) Attack Dice to 3, increase AA 1944 Transferred to Russia. Add Advanced Radar and increase AA 1944 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice to 3 for +5 points.
Battery to Attack Dice to 4 and remove Torpedoes for -20 points. Battery to Attack Dice to 3 for +20 points.

The Omaha-class was the oldest class of cruiser still in service with the US Navy for a fleet of battleships, they featured sufficient speed to operate with destroyers
at the outbreak of World War Two. Designed after World War One as a scout and 6-inch guns to overpower any destroyers the enemy might send against them.

186
 US Navy

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 4+ Hull: 34/11 Traits: Advanced Radar, Aircraft 2 170
OREGON CITY-CLASS CRUISER
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 673 ft. Speed: 32.4 kts. Ships of this Class: Oregon City, Albany, Rochester, Northampton
Commissioned: 1946 Crew: 1,142 Displacement: 17,000 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Turret A (3 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 3 – 1 –
Turret B (3 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 3 – 1 –
Turret Y (3 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 3 – 1 –
Light Guns (12 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 8 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 10 – – Local 1
A modified Baltimore-class, there were four ships of this class with one of ended before any of these ships were commissioned, and the USS Oregon
them, the USS Northampton, built as a command ship. However, the war City herself was decommissioned after just 18 months of service.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 23/7 Traits: Agile, Aircraft 4 125
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 586 ft. Speed: 32.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Pensacola, Salt Lake City
Commissioned: 1929 Crew: 631 Displacement: 11,512 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
PENSACOLA-CLASS CRUISER

A Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –

B Turret (3 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 3 – 1 –
X Turret (3 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 3 – 1 –
Y Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –
Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) 3" 7" 11" 15" 2 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Refits – Pensacola Refits – Salt Lake
1940 Add Radar for +10 points. 1941 Increase Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) to Attack Dice 6 for +20 points.
1941 Increase Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) to Attack Dice 6 for +20 points. 1942 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points.
1942 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points. 1943 Add Radar and change AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 3 and Local 1 for
1943 Add Advanced Radar and change AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 3 and +20 points.
Local 1 for +25 points. 1944 Decrease Aircraft to 2 and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 5 for +0 points.
1944 Decrease Aircraft to 2 and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 5 for +0 points.
1945 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 6 for +5 points.

The Pensacola-class was the first of the US ‘Treaty’ cruisers. They were sea boat and were modified before the war to add a deeper keel and remove
intended primarily to defeat destroyers and light cruisers and were only the torpedo mounts originally installed. Both ships survived the war and were
armoured against 5-inch weapons. Both Pensacola-class ships were not a good sunk as target hulls off the western seaboard of the United States in 1948.

US cruisers in formation

187
 US Navy

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 26/8 Traits: Aircraft 4 140

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 610 ft. Speed: 32.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Portland, Indianapolis
Commissioned: 1933 Crew: 807 Displacement: 12,775 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
PORTLAND-CLASS CRUISER

A Turret (3 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 3 – 1 –

B Turret (3 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 3 – 1 –
X Turret (3 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 3 – 1 –
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) 3" 7" 11" 15" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Refits – Indianapolis Refits – Portland
1942 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +15 points. 1942 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +15 points.
1943 Decrease Aircraft to 3, add Advanced Radar, change AA Battery Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5", 1943 Decrease Aircraft to 2, add Advanced Radar and change AA Battery to Range bands
Attack Dice to 3 and Local 1 for +15 points. 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 3 and Local 1 for +10 points.
1945 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 5 for +10 points. 1944 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 5 and for +10 points.

Originally conceived as a class of five ships, only two Portland-class ships protection. During development the class gained more light armament
were actually built. The design was derived from the Northampton- but lost their torpedo fit. USS Indianapolis was the last major US ship to
class, with some minor modifications, including somewhat improved be lost in the war.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 27/9 Traits: Aircraft 4 110

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 608 ft. Speed: 33 kts. Ships of this Class: St Louis, Helena
Commissioned: 1939 Crew: 888 Displacement: 13,327 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
ST. LOUIS-CLASS CRUISER

A Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 2 -1 1 Fast Track

B Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
Q Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
X Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
Y Turret (3 x 6-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Refits – Helena Refits – St Louis
1941 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6" and Attack Dice 1 for +5 points. 1941 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6" and Attack Dice 1 for +5 points.
1942 Add Radar and change AA Battery to Attack Dice 0 and Local 2 for +20 points. 1942 Add Radar and change AA Battery to Attack Dice 0 and Local 2 for +20 points.
1943 Change AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 5 and Local 1 for +20 points. 1943 Change AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 5 and Local 1 for +20 points.
1944 Add Advanced Radar and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 6 for +20 points.

A class of two ships (USS St. Louis and Helena) based on the Brooklyn-class, these was sunk at the Battle of Kula Gulf in 1943, while USS St. Louis went on to serve
vessels had improved anti-aircraft armament as well as new boilers. USS Helena throughout the war until being transferred to the Brazilian Navy in 1951.

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 4+ Hull: 26/8 Traits: Aircraft 4 145

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 608 ft. Speed: 33 kts. Ships of this Class: Wichita
Commissioned: 1939 Crew: 929 Displacement: 13,224 tons
WICHITA-CLASS CRUISER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

A Turret (3 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 3 – 1 –
B Turret (3 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 3 – 1 –
X Turret (3 x 8-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 3 – 1 –
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 5 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Refits
1941 Add Radar for +10 points. 1944 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 4 for +5 points.
1942 Add Advanced Radar and increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 3 1945 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 5 for +5 points.
for +25 points.

The only ship of her class, the USS Wichita was the last US cruiser built under war, in the Atlantic and Pacific theatres, as well as missions during Operation
the limitations of the Washington Treaty. She saw heavy service throughout the Torch and the invasion of Okinawa, earning 13 Battle Stars along the way.

188
 Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 4/1 Traits: Depth Charge 60
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 341.3 ft. Speed: 36 kts. Ships of this Class: Bagley, Blue, Helm, Mugford, Ralph Talbot, Henley,
Commissioned: 1937 Crew: 158 Displacement: 2,245 tons Patterson, Jarvis
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 2 -2 1 DP, Weak
BAGLEY-CLASS DESTROYER

AA Battery – – – – – – 3 Local 1
Port Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arc.
Refits – Bagley Refits – Helm, Mugford, Patterson Refits – Jarvis
1942 Increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 for +5 points. 1942 Increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 for +5 points. 1942 Increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 for +5 points.
1943 Add Radar Trait for +5 points. Add Radar Trait for +5 points.
1944 Add Advanced Radar Trait for +5 points. 1944 Add Advanced Radar Trait for +5 points.
Refits – Blue, Ralph Talbot Refits – Henley
1942 Increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 for +5 points. 1942 Increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 for +5 points.
Add Radar Trait for +5 points. 1943 Add Radar Trait for +5 points.

The Bagley-class drew on other classes in terms of general layout and quadruple mounts. The original anti-aircraft armament was upgraded as the
powerplant. However, the Bagley maximised torpedo armament instead. They war processed and would have been expanded further (at the expense of
retained four 5-inch guns but mounted sixteen heavy torpedo tubes in four torpedo armament) in 1945, but was subsequently dropped.

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 5/2 Traits: Depth Charge 60

points
Type: Destroyer Length: 340.7 ft. Speed: 36.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Benham, Ellet, Lange, Mayrant, Rhind, Rowan, Stack, Sterett,
Commissioned: 1939 Crew: 184 Displacement: 2,250 tons Trippe, Wilson
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 2 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
BENHAM-CLASS DESTROYER

Starboard Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot

Starboard Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (4 x 5-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arc.
Refits – Benham Refits – Rhind, Stack, Trippe, Wilson
1942 Add Radar Trait for +5 points. 1942 Remove one Port and one Starboard set of torpedoes and increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2
for +0 points.
Refits – Ellet 1943 Add Radar Trait and increase AA Battery Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice to 1 for
1942 Add Radar Trait for +5 points. +10 points.
1944 Add Advanced Radar Trait for +5 points. 1944 Add Advanced Radar Trait for +5 points.
Refits – Lange Refits – Rowan
1942 Remove one Port and one Starboard set of torpedoes and increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 1942 Remove one Port and one Starboard set of torpedoes and increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2
for +0 points. for +0 points.
1943 Add Advanced Radar Trait and increase AA Battery Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack 1943 Add Radar Trait and increase AA Battery Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice to 1 for
Dice to 1 for +10 points. +10 points.
1945 Remove remaining torpedoes and increase AA Battery Attack Dice to 2 for +0 points.
Refits – Sterett
Refits – Mayrant 1942 Remove one Port and one Starboard set of torpedoes and increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2
1942 Remove one Port and one Starboard set of torpedoes and increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 for +0 points.
for +0 points. 1943 Add Radar Trait and increase AA Battery Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice to 1 for
Add Radar Trait for +5 points. +10 points.
1943 Increase AA Battery Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice to 1 for +5 points. 1944 Add Advanced Radar Trait for +5 points.
1945 Remove remaining torpedoes and increase AA Battery Attack Dice to 2 for +0 points.

The Benham-class was essentially a three-boiler version of the Bagley-class. of the class were later modified in a similar manner. Torpedo armament was
The ships assigned to the Atlantic fleet early in the war received additional guns completely deleted in the case of some examples, making room for late-war
and anti-submarine equipment in exchange for some torpedoes, other ships expansion of anti-aircraft capability.

189
 US Navy

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 5/2 Traits: Depth Charge 60

points
Type: Destroyer Length: 348.3 ft. Speed: 35 kts. Ships of this Class: Benson, Charles F. Hughes, Hilary P. Jones, Lansdale,
Commissioned: 1940 Crew: 208 Displacement: 2,591 tons Madison, Mayo
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
BENSON-CLASS DESTROYER

Light Guns (5 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 3 -2 1 DP, Weak

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/ Starboard Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 5 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/ Starboard Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 5 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (4 or 5 x 5-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arc.
Refits – Benson, Charles F. Hughes, Hilary P. Jones, Madison Refits – Lansdale Refits – Mayo
1941 Remove one set of torpedoes for -5 points. 1941 Remove one set of torpedoes for -5 points. 1942 Add Radar Trait, reduce Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) Attack Dice to 2 and
1942 Increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 for +5 points. Add Radar 1942 Increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 for +5 points. increase AA Battery Local to 2 for +10 points.
Trait for +5 points. Add Radar Trait for +5 points. 1944 Add Advanced Radar Trait, increase AA Battery Range bands to
1944 Add Advanced Radar Trait, reduce Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) Attack Dice 1944 Add Advanced Radar Trait, reduce Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) Attack 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice to 1, decrease Local to 1 and return
to, increase AA Battery Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice Dice to, increase AA Battery Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and removed set of Torpedoes for +10 points.
to 1 and return removed set of Torpedoes for +10 points. Attack Dice to 1 for +10 points.

The first examples of the Benson-class were ordered in 1938 as a derivative appeared. Some were due to construction streamlining efforts, such as the
of the Sims-class with a modified torpedo armament arranged in two banks deletion of many curved surfaces from 1941 onwards. The original five 5-inch
of five. A new machinery layout was implemented, using four smaller boilers main armament was amended to four 5-inch guns and a reduced torpedo
rather than the three of the Sims-class. During production, several variants armament in later ships, making room for enhanced anti-aircraft weaponry.

Task Group 31.2 en-route to Vella Gulf, by Paul Wright

© Osprey Publishing Ltd. Taken from New Vanguard 162
– US Destroyers 1934-45

190
 US Navy

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 3/1 Traits: Depth Charge 60

points
Type: Destroyer Length: 314 ft. Speed: 35 kts. Ships of this Class: Clemson, Alden, Semmes, Mason, Graham, Goldsborough
Commissioned: 1919 Crew: 130 Displacement: 1,699 tons and 150 more
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (4 x 4-inch) 3" 7" 11" 15" 2 -2 1 Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port Mk 8 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Port Mk 8 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk 8 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk 8 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (4 x 4-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
Alden, Barker, Borie, Bulmer, Chandler, Dahlgren, Edsall, Fox, John D. Edwards, John D. Ford, Parrott, Paul Jones, Peary, Pillsbury, Pope, Stewart, Whipple:
Equipped with Mk 8 Mod Torpedoes, increase Range bands to 4"/8"/12"/16" for +5 points.
Refits – Abel P. Upshur, Aulick, Bailey, Bancroft, Branch, Edwards, Herndon, Hunt, Laub, Mason, McCalla, McCook, Refits – Hopkins
McLanahan, Meade, Rodgers, Satterlee, Shubrick, Swasey, Welborn C. Wood 1940 Converted to Minesweeper. Decrease Flank Speed to 5", remove Light Guns and Torpedoes, and increase AA Battery Range bands
1940 Transferred to the British in the Destroyers for Bases Agreement. The ships were collectively classified by the Royal Navy as 1"/3"/4"/6" Attack Dice to 1 for -30 points.
Town-class. 1944 Add Radar for +5 points.
Refits – Alden, Barker, Borie, Bulmer, John D. Edwards, John D. Ford, Parrott, Paul Jones, Whipple Refits – Hovey, Perry, Southard, Trever
1943 Reduce Flank Speed to 6", add Radar, remove one Port and Starboard set of torpedoes, and change remaining torpedoes to Mk 1940 Converted to Minesweeper. Decrease Flank Speed to 5", remove Light Guns and Torpedoes, and increase AA Battery Range bands
15 with Range bands 2"/5"/7"/10" and increasing the Damage Dice to 3, for +0 points. 1"/3"/4"/6" Attack Dice to 1 for -30 points.
Refits – Bainbridge, Decatur 1943 Add Radar for +5 points.
1941 Converted to Destroyer Escorts. Reduce Flank Speed to 6" and replace all weapons as below for +0 Points. Refits – Hulbert
1942 Add Radar for +5 points. 1939 Converted to Sea-plane Tender. Decrease Flank Speed to 5", reduce Light Guns (2 x 4-inch) to Attack Dice 1 and remove all
1943 Add Hedgehog for +10 points. Torpedoes for -30 points.
Refits – Broome, Dallas 1943 Add Radar, remove Light Guns, and increase AA Battery Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6" Attack Dice to 1 for +5 points.
1941 Converted to Destroyer Escorts. Reduce Flank Speed to 6" and replace all weapons as below for +0 Points. Refits – Kane
1942 Add Radar for +5 points. 1942 Reduce Flank Speed to 6", add Radar, remove one Port and Starboard set of torpedoes, and change remaining torpedoes to Mk
CLEMSON-CLASS DESTROYER

Refits – Ballard, Gillis 15 with Range bands 2"/5"/7"/10" and increasing the Damage Dice to 3, for +0 points.
1940 Converted to Sea-plane Tender. Decrease Flank Speed to 5", reduce Light Guns (2 x 4-inch) to Attack Dice 1 and remove all 1943 Converted to assault transport. Reduce Flank Speed to 5", increase damage to 4/1, remove Light Guns and Torpedoes, and
Torpedoes for -30 points. increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6" and Attack Dice 1 for -25 points.
1942 Add Radar, remove Light Guns, and increase AA Battery Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6" Attack Dice to 1 for +5 points. Refits – Long
Refits – Barry 1940 Converted to Minesweeper. Decrease Flank Speed to 5", remove Light Guns and Torpedoes, and increase AA Battery Range bands
1943 Reduce Flank Speed to 6", add Radar, remove one Port and Starboard set of torpedoes, and change remaining torpedoes to Mk 1"/3"/4"/6" Attack Dice to 1 for -30 points.
15 with Range bands 2"/5"/7"/10" and increasing the Damage Dice to 3, for +0 points. 1944 Add Radar for +5 points.
1944 Converted to assault transport. Reduce Flank Speed to 5", increase damage to 4/1, remove Light Guns and Torpedoes, and Refits – MacLeish, Simpson
increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6" and Attack Dice 1 for -25 points. 1940 Converted to Destroyer Escorts. Reduce Flank Speed to 6" and replace all weapons as below for -15 Points.
Refits – Belknap 1942 Add Radar for +5 points.
1940 Converted to Sea-plane Tender. Decrease Flank Speed to 5", reduce Light Guns (2 x 4-inch) to Attack Dice 1 and remove all 1943 Add Hedgehog for +10 points.
Torpedoes for -30 points. Refits – McCormick
1943 Add Radar, remove Light Guns, and increase AA Battery Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6" Attack Dice to 1 1941 Converted to Destroyer Escorts. Reduce Flank Speed to 6" and replace all weapons as below for -15 Points.
for +5 points. 1942 Add Radar for +5 points.
1944 Converted to assault transport. Increase Hull to 4/1 for +5 points. 1943 Add Hedgehog for +10 points.
Refits – Brooks, Gilmer, Humphreys, Sands Refits – McFarland
1942 Converted to Assault Transport. Reduce Flank Speed to 5", increase Hull to 4/1, add Radar, remove Light Guns and Torpedoes, 1940 Converted to Sea-plane Tender. Decrease Flank Speed to 5", reduce Light Guns (2 x 4-inch) to Attack Dice 1 and remove all
and increase AA Battery Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6" Attack Dice to 1 for -20 points. Torpedoes for -30 points.
Refits – Chandler 1943 Add Radar, remove Light Guns, and increase AA Battery Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6" Attack Dice to 1 for +5 points.
1940 Converted to Minesweeper. Decrease Flank Speed to 5", remove Light Guns and Torpedoes, and increase AA Battery Range bands Refits – Noa
1"/3"/4"/6" Attack Dice to 1 for -30 points. 1943 Converted to assault transport. Reduce Flank Speed to 5", increase damage to 4/1, remove Light Guns and Torpedoes, and
1942 Add Radar for +5 points. increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6" and Attack Dice 1 for -25 points.
Refits – Childs, William B. Preston, Williamson Refits – Osmond Ingram
1939 Converted to Sea-plane Tender. Decrease Flank Speed to 5", reduce Light Guns (2 x 4-inch) to Attack Dice 1 and remove all 1943 Add Radar, remove Light Guns, and increase AA Battery Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6" Attack Dice to 1 for +5 points.
Torpedoes for -30 points. 1944 Converted to assault transport. Increase Hull to 4/1 for +5 points.
1942 Add Radar, remove Light Guns, and increase AA Battery Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6" Attack Dice to 1 for +5 points. Refits – Overton
Refits – Clemson 1941 Converted to Destroyer Escorts. Reduce Flank Speed to 6" and replace all weapons as below for -15 Points.
1939 Converted to Sea-plane Tender. Decrease Flank Speed to 5", reduce Light Guns (2 x 4-inch) to Attack Dice 1 and remove all 1942 Add Radar for +5 points.
Torpedoes for -30 points. 1943 Converted to assault transport. Reduce Flank Speed to 5", increase Hull to 4/1, remove Torpedoes, and decrease AA Battery to
1940 Converted to Sea-plane Tender. Decrease Flank Speed to 5", reduce Light Guns (2 x 4-inch) to Attack Dice 1 and remove all Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6" and Attack Dice 1 for -15 points.
Torpedoes for -30 points. Refits – Preble, Pruitt, Sicard, Tracy
1943 Add Radar, remove Light Guns, and increase AA Battery Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6" Attack Dice to 1 for +5 points. 1939 Converted to Minelayer. Reduce Flank Speed to 6", remove all Torpedoes for -25 points.
1944 Converted to assault transport. Increase Hull to 4/1 for +5 points. 1942 Add Radar, remove Light Guns, and increase AA Battery Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6" Attack Dice to 1 for +0 points.
Refits – Dahlgren, Fox, Goff, Hatfield, King, Lawrence, Litchfield Refits – Reuben James, Sturtevant, Truxtun
1942 Reduce Flank Speed to 6", add Radar, remove one Port and Starboard set of torpedoes, and change remaining torpedoes to Mk 1941 Converted to Destroyer Escorts. Reduce Flank Speed to 6" and replace all weapons as below for -15 Points.
15 with Range bands 2"/5"/7"/10" and increasing the Damage Dice to 3, for +0 points. 1942 Add Radar for +5 points.
Refits – George E. Badger, Goldsborough Refits – Thornton
1939 Converted to Sea-plane Tender. Decrease Flank Speed to 5", reduce Light Guns (2 x 4-inch) to Attack Dice 1 and remove all 1940 Converted to Sea-plane Tender. Decrease Flank Speed to 5", reduce Light Guns (2 x 4-inch) to Attack Dice 1 and remove all
Torpedoes for -30 points. Torpedoes for -30 points.
1943 Add Radar, remove Light Guns, and increase AA Battery Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6" Attack Dice to 1 for +5 points. 1942 Add Radar, remove Light Guns, and increase AA Battery Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6" Attack Dice to 1 for +0 points.
1944 Converted to assault transport. Increase Hull to 4/1 for +5 points.
Refits – Wasmuth
Refits – Greene 1940 Converted to Minesweeper. Decrease Flank Speed to 5", remove Light Guns and Torpedoes, and increase AA Battery Range bands
1940 Converted to Sea-plane Tender. Decrease Flank Speed to 5", reduce Light Guns (2 x 4-inch) to Attack Dice 1 and remove all 1"/3"/4"/6" Attack Dice to 1 for -30 points.
Torpedoes for -30 points.
1943 Add Radar, remove Light Guns, and increase AA Battery Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6" Attack Dice to 1 Refits – Zane
for +5 points. 1940 Converted to Minesweeper. Decrease Flank Speed to 5", remove Light Guns and Torpedoes, and increase AA Battery Range bands
1944 Converted to assault transport. Increase Hull to 4/1 for +5 points. 1"/3"/4"/6" Attack Dice to 1 for -30 points.
1942 Add Radar for +5 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

AA Battery 1" 3" 4" 6" 1 – – Local 1
Port Mk 8 Mod Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 3 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk 8 Mod Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 3 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot

The Clemson-class was a redesign of the Wickes-class and was the last pre- States. In all, 156 of these destroyers served with the US Navy from after
World War Two class of flush-decker destroyers to be built for the United World War One and on into World War Two.

191
 US Navy

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 4/1 Traits: – 60

points
Type: Destroyer Length: 341.3 ft. Speed: 36.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Aylwin, Dale, Dewey, Farragut, Hull, Macdonough,
Commissioned: 1934 Crew: 160 Displacement: 2,064 tons Monaghan, Worden
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 2 -2 1 DP, Weak
FARRAGUT-CLASS DESTROYER

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (4 or 5 x 5-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arc.
Refits – Aylwin Add Radar Trait for +5 points. 1942 Increase Hull to 5/1, reduce Flank Speed to 6", and increase
1941 Add Depth Charge for +5 points. 1944 Add Advanced Radar Trait for +5 points. Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 for +5 points.
1942 Increase Hull to 5/1, reduce Flank Speed to 6", and increase 1943 Increase AA Battery Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and
Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 for +5 points. Refits – Dewey Attack Dice to 1 for +5 points.
Add Radar Trait for +5 points. 1941 Add Depth Charge for +5 points. 1944 Add Advanced Radar Trait for +10 points.
1943 Increase AA Battery Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and 1942 Increase Hull to 5/1, reduce Flank Speed to 6", and increase
Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 for +5 points. Refits – Hull, Worden
Attack Dice to 1 for +5 points.
Add Radar Trait for +5 points. 1941 Add Depth Charge for +5 points.
Refits – Dale, Macdonough, Monaghan 1943 Increase AA Battery Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and 1942 Increase Hull to 5/1, reduce Flank Speed to 6", and increase
1941 Add Depth Charge for +5 points. Attack Dice to 1 for +5 points. Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 for +5 points.
1942 Increase Hull to 5/1, reduce Flank Speed to 6", and increase 1944 Add Advanced Radar Trait for +5 points. 1943 Increase AA Battery Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and
Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 for +5 points. Attack Dice to 1 for +5 points.
1943 Increase AA Battery Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and Refits – Farragut Add Radar Trait for +5 points.
Attack Dice to 1 for +5 points. 1941 Add Depth Charge for +5 points.

The Farragut-class was the first to use the 5-inch gun which armed all US charge racks they were not fitted during initial production. Later modifications
destroyers thereafter. It also moved from a flush-deck design to a high forecastle included the removal of one 5-inch gun to make room for enhanced anti-aircraft
to improve seakeeping. The need to stay under displacement limits imposed armament. By 1944, the Farragut-class had gained an even greater anti-aircraft
by international treaties meant that whilst provision was made for depth capability along with depth charges for anti-submarine warfare work.

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 6/2 Traits: Radar, Depth Charge 60
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 376 ft. Speed: 36.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Fletcher, Hudson, Picking, Taylor, Wren, plus 170 more.
Commissioned: 1942 Crew: 329 Displacement: 2,500 tons
FLETCHER-CLASS DESTROYER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (5 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 3 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 1 – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 5 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 5 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (5 x 5-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
Refits – All Refits – Fletcher, Nicholas, O'Bannon
1943 Add Advanced Radar for +5 points. 1942 Change AA Battery to Attack Dice 0 and Local 1 for -5 points.
1944 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 2 for +5 points.
Refits – Jenkins, Stevens, Halford
Refits – Radar Pickets 1942-3 Add Aircraft 1, reduced Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) to Attack Dice 2, remove one set of Torpedoes
1945 Remove one set of Torpedoes and increase AA Battery Attack Dice to 3 for -10 points. for -15 points.

The Fletcher-class is almost synonymous with the word destroyer when destroyers were built throughout the war and the basic Fletcher-class
used in context with World War Two. Over 175 of these versatile would lead to numerous other destroyer designs.

USS Dewey by Paul Wright © Osprey Publishing Ltd.

Taken from New Vanguard 162 – US Destroyers 1934-45

192
 US Navy

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 5/2 Traits: Depth Charge 60

points
Type: Destroyer Length: 348.3 ft. Speed: 35 kts. Ships of this Class: Eberle, Edison, Ericsson, Gleaves, Grayson, Gwin, Ingraham, Kearny,
Livermore, Ludlow, Meredith, Monssen, Niblack, Nicholson, Plunkett,
Commissioned: 1940 Crew: 208 Displacement: 2,572 tons Swanson, Wilkes, Woolsey
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 2 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
GLEAVES-CLASS DESTROYER

Port/ Starboard Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 5 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot

Port/ Starboard Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 5 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (4 or 5 x 5-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arc. Gleaves, Kearny, Niblack, Plunkett: Increase Light Guns (5 x 5-inch) to Attack Dice 3 for +10 points.
Refits – Eberle, Edison, Ericsson, Livermore Refits – Grayson 1943 Increase AA Battery Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and
1942 Add Radar Trait for +5 points. 1942 Add Radar Trait for +5 points. Attack Dice to 1 for +5 points.
1943 Increase AA Battery Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and 1943 Add Advanced Radar Trait and increase AA Battery Range 1944 Add Advanced Radar Trait for +5 points.
Attack Dice to 1 for +5 points. bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice to 1 for +10 points.
1944 Add Advanced Radar Trait for +5 points. Refits – Swanson, Woolsey
1945 Remove all torpedoes and increase AA Battery Attack Dice
1945 Remove all torpedoes and increase AA Battery Attack Dice to 3 for -10 points. 1942 Add Radar Trait for +5 points.
to 3 for -10 points. 1943 Add Advanced Radar Trait, increase AA Battery Range bands
Refits – Gwin to 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice to 1 and add one set of
Refits – Gleaves, Kearny, Niblack, Plunkett 1942 Add Radar Trait for +5 points. Torpedoes for +10 points.
1941 Remove one set of Torpedoes and increase Depth Charge 1943 Add Advanced Radar Trait and increase AA Battery Range 1945 Remove all torpedoes and increase AA Battery Attack Dice
Attack Dice to 2 for +0 points. bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice to 1 for +10 points. to 3 for -10 points.
1942 Add Radar Trait for +5 points.
1943 Add Advanced Radar Trait, increase AA Battery Range bands Refits – Ingraham, Meredith, Monssen Refits – Wilkes
to 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice to 1 and add one set of 1942 Add Radar Trait for +5 points. 1942 Add Radar Trait for +5 points.
Torpedoes for +10 points. 1943 Add Advanced Radar Trait, increase AA Battery Range bands
1945 Remove all torpedoes and increase AA Battery Attack Dice Refits – Ludlow, Nicholson to 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice to 1 and add one set of
to 3 for -10 points. 1942 Add Radar Trait for +5 points. Torpedoes for +10 points.

The Gleaves-class was built alongside the Benson-class, to an almost more than this between ships of the same class – and the use of round funnels
identical specification. The main differences were an ‘official’ ten tons greater in the Gleaves-class and flat-sided funnels in the Benson-class. Both classes were
displacement in the Gleaves-class – though in practice displacements varied modified and received upgraded anti-aircraft armament during the war.

"The battle of Iwo Island has been won … Among the Americans who
served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue."
Fleet Admiral Nimitz

Flank Speed: 8" Armour: 1+ Hull: 4/1 Traits: Depth Charge 60

points
Type: Destroyer Length: 334 ft. Speed: 38.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Craven, Gridley, McCall, Maury
Commissioned: 1937 Crew: 158 Displacement: 2,245 tons
GRIDLEY-CLASS DESTROYER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 2 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (4 x 5-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
Refits 1944 Add Advanced Radar for +5 points.
1943 Add Radar and Sub-Hunter for +15 points. 1945 Remove one Port and one Starboard set of Torpedoes for -20 points.

The Gridley-class pioneered the next advance in machinery while retaining the basic these in four quadruple mounts – two on each side of the weather deck, fitted
hull of the Mahan-class but featuring a single stack. It mounted 16 torpedo tubes, abaft the stack. What set the Gridley-class apart from preceding classes was their
the heaviest battery among American destroyers, reflecting the increased emphasis advanced power-plant, with enlarged turbines operating at greater pressure. This
on torpedo tactics that was in fashion at the time they were designed. They carried gave them some of the highest speeds ever recorded for an American destroyer.

193
 US Navy

Flank Speed: 5" Armour: 1+ Hull: 4/1 Traits: Agile, Advanced Radar, Sub-Hunter, Depth Charge, Hedgehogs 60
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 334 ft. Speed: 38.5 kts. Ships of this Class: John C. Butler, O’Flaherty, Raymond, Richard W. Suesens, Abercrombie,
JOHN C BUTLER-CLASS

Commissioned: 1944 Crew: 158 Displacement: 2,245 tons Oberrender, Robert Brazier, Edwin A. Howard, Jesse Rutherford, Key and 70 more.
DESTROYER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (2 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 1 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 1 – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Refits
1945 Increase AA Battery Local to 2 and remove Torpedoes for -5 points.

The US Navy built huge numbers of destroyer escorts for the Second guns rather than the three 3-inch of most other escort destroyer designs,
World War, all to the same general design. The John C Butler-class used and had a lower bridge than the heavily British-influenced 3-inch gunships.
Westinghouse Geared Turbines for propulsion and is often referred to as a The original triple-tube torpedo armament was deleted from many vessels
WGT-class because of this. Vessels of this class were built with two 5-inch to make room for enhanced anti-aircraft weaponry.

"Never before in the history of warfare has there been a more convincing
example of the effectiveness of sea power than when, despite this undefeated,
well-armed, and highly efficient army, Japan surrendered her homeland
unconditionally to the enemy without even a token resistance."
Admiral Halsey

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 4/1 Traits: Depth Charge 60

points
Type: Destroyer Length: 341.3 ft. Speed: 36.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Case, Cassin, Conyngham, Cummings, Cushing, Downes, Drayton, Dunlap,
Commissioned: 1936 Crew: 158 Displacement: 2,103 tons Fanning, Flusser, Lamson, Mahan, Perkins, Preston, Reid, Shaw, Smith, Tucker
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (5 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 3 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
MAHAN-CLASS DESTROYER

Port/Starboard Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot

Light Guns (5 or 4 x 5-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arc.
Refits – Cassin, Downes 1943 Reduce Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) Attack Dice to 2 and 1943 Add Advanced Radar Trait, reduce Light Guns (4 x 5-inch)
1941 Badly damaged at Pearl Harbor and under repair until 1944. increase AA Battery Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice to 2 and increase AA Battery Range bands to
1944 Add Advanced Radar Trait, reduce Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) Attack Dice to 1 for +0 points. 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice to 1 for +10 points.
Attack Dice to 2, increase AA Battery Range bands to 1944 Add Advanced Radar Trait for +5 points. 1945 Increase AA Battery Attack Dice to 2 and remove all
1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice to 1, add second Port/ Torpedoes for -5 points.
Starboard Torpedoes, remove Port and Starboard Torpedoes Refits – Cushing, Preston, Tucker
and increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 for +5 points. 1942 Add Radar Trait and increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 Refits – Perkins
for +10 points. 1942 Add Radar Trait and increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2
Refits – Case, Drayton, Fanning, Flusser, Mahan, Reid, Smith for +10 points.
1942 Add Radar Trait and increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 Refits – Dunlap 1943 Reduce Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) Attack Dice to 2 and
for +10 points. 1942 Add Radar Trait and increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 increase AA Battery Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and
1943 Add Advanced Radar Trait, reduce Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) for +10 points. Attack Dice to 1 for +0 points.
Attack Dice to 2 and increase AA Battery Range bands to 1943 Reduce Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) Attack Dice to 2 and
1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice to 1 for +10 points. increase AA Battery Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and Refits – Shaw
Attack Dice to 1 for +0 points. 1942 Add Radar Trait and increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2
Refits – Conyngham, Cummings 1944 Add Advanced Radar Trait and remove Port/Starboard for +10 points.
1942 Add Radar Trait and increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 Torpedoes for +0 points. 1943 Add Advanced Radar Trait, reduce Light Guns (4 x 5-inch)
for +10 points. Attack Dice to 2 and increase AA Battery Range bands to
Refits – Lamson 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice to 1 for +10 points.
1942 Add Radar Trait and increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 1945 Increase AA Battery Attack Dice to 3 and remove all
for +10 points. Torpedoes for -5 points.

Early examples of the Mahan-class were built with their 5-inch guns in open the basis of later ships’ machinery, including scaled-up versions used in
mounts, though a crew shelter was provided for the forward mountings. larger vessels. As with many destroyer classes, wartime experience caused
The last vessels of the class used fully enclosed mounts, which became the additional anti-aircraft armaments to be added at the cost of reducing the
norm thereafter. Similarly, the steam plant used in the Mahan-class formed torpedo fit.

194
 US Navy

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 5/2 Traits: Depth Charge 55

points
Type: Destroyer Length: 372 ft. Speed: 37 kts. Ships of this Class: Balch, Clark, McDougal, Moffet, Phelps, Porter,
Commissioned: 1936 Crew: 194 Displacement: 2,597 tons Selfridge, Winslow
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 6 -2 1 Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
PORTER-CLASS DESTROYER LEADER

Port/Starboard Mk 12 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot

Port/Starboard Mk 12 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch): Only 3 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
Refits – Balch, Clark, Moffet 1945 Add Advanced Radar, decrease Light Guns (5 x 5-inch)* to Refits – Porter
1941 Add Radar for +5 points. Attack Dice 3, Range bands to 4"/9"/13"/ 18", and add 1941 Add Radar for +5 points.
1942 Change Mk 12 Torpedo to Mk 15, increasing to Damage DP for +5 points. 1942 Change Mk 12 Torpedo to Mk 15, increasing to Damage
Dice 3 for +10 points. Dice 3 for +10 points.
Refits – Phelps, Winslow
1943 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and
Attack Dice 1 for +5 points. 1941 Add Radar for +5 points. Refits – Selfridge
1944 Add Sub-Hunter, decrease Light Guns (6 x 5-inch) to Attack 1942 Change Mk 12 Torpedo to Mk 15, increasing to Damage 1941 Add Radar for +5 points.
Dice 4 and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 2 for +5 points. Dice 3 for +10 points. 1942 Change Mk 12 Torpedo to Mk 15, increasing to Damage
1943 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and Dice 3 for +10 points.
Refits – McDougal Attack Dice 1 for +5 points. 1943 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and
1941 Add Radar for +5 points. 1944 Add Sub-Hunter, decrease Light Guns (6 x 5-inch) to Attack Dice 1 for +5 points.
1942 Change Mk 12 Torpedo to Mk 15, increasing to Damage Attack Dice 4 and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 2 for 1945 Add Advanced Radar, add Sub-Hunter, decrease Light
Dice 3 for +10 points. +5 points. Guns (5 x 5-inch)* to Attack Dice 3, Range bands to
1943 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and 1945 Add Advanced Radar, decrease Light Guns (5 x 5-inch)* to 4"/9"/13"/ 18", and add DP, and increase AA Battery to
Attack Dice 1 for +5 points. Attack Dice 3, Range bands to 4"/9"/13"/ 18", and add Attack Dice 3 and remove all Torpedoes for -5 points.
944 Add Sub-Hunter, decrease Light Guns (6 x 5-inch) to Attack DP, and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 3 and remove all * Light Guns (5 x 5-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the
Dice 4 and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 2 for +5 points. Torpedoes for -10 points. front and 2 into the aft arcs.

The eight handsome ships of the Porter-class were built in response to the gun battery, the Porter-class also mounted eight 21-inch torpedo tubes in two
large destroyers the Imperial Japanese Navy was building at the time. Essentially centreline mounts. They were initially intended to be leaders of destroyer flotillas
enlarged versions of the Farragut-class, they had a better machinery arrangement but proved too top heavy. As a result, during the war, the number of 5-inch guns
and an increased main battery, consisting of super-firing 5-inch twin mounts. The was reduced, and more, smaller anti-aircraft guns were installed. Porter-class
resulting layout gave them a balanced, cruiser-like look. In addition to a heavy destroyers served throughout the war in both the Pacific and Atlantic theatres.

USS Essex at the centre of a US Navy task force

195
 US Navy

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 5/2 Traits: Depth Charge 60

points
Type: Destroyer Length: 348.3 ft. Speed: 35 kts. Ships of this Class: Anderson, Buck, Hammann, Hughes, Morris, Mustin, O'Brien, Roe,
Commissioned: 1939 Crew: 192 Displacement: 2,313 tons Russell, Sims, Wainwright, Walke
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 2 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard Mk 15 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (5 or 4 x 5-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arc. Anderson, Hammann, Hughes, Mustin, Sims: Replace all torpedoes with the following for +10 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

SIMS-CLASS DESTROYER

Port Mk 15 Torpedoes p 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot

Starboard Mk 15 Torpedoes s 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard Mk 15 Torpedoes p/s 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Refits – Anderson 1942 Add Radar Trait and increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 1942 Add Radar Trait and increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2
1940 Replace all Torpedoes with two Port/Starboard Torpedoes for +10 points. for +10 points.
for +5 points. 1943 Add Advanced Radar Trait and increase AA Battery Range
Refits – Hughes bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice to 1 for +5 points.
1941 Reduce Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) Attack Dice to 2 for
1942
Add Radar Trait and increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 1945 Increase AA Battery Attack Dice to 2 and remove all
+0 points. for +10 points.
1942 Add Radar Trait for +5 points. Torpedoes for -5 points.
1943 Add Advanced Radar Trait and increase AA Battery Range
1943 Add Advanced Radar Trait, increase AA Battery Range bands bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice to 1 for +5 points. Refits – O'Brien, Walke
to 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice to 1 and increase Depth 1941 Reduce Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) Attack Dice to 2 for
Charge Attack Dice to 2 for +15 points. Refits – Morris, Russell +0 points.
1941 Reduce Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) Attack Dice to 2 for 1942 Add Radar Trait and increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2
Refits – Buck, Roe +0 points. for +10 points.
1941 Reduce Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) Attack Dice to 2 for 1942 Add Radar Trait and increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2
+0 points. for +10 points. Refits – Wainwright
1942 Add Radar Trait and increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 1943 Add Advanced Radar Trait and increase AA Battery Range 1941 Reduce Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) Attack Dice to 2 for
for +10 points. bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice to 1 for +5 points. +0 points.
1943 Add Advanced Radar Trait and increase AA Battery Range 1945 Increase AA Battery Attack Dice to 2 and remove all 1942 Add Radar Trait and increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2
bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice to 1 for +5 points. Torpedoes for -5 points. for +10 points.
1943 Add Advanced Radar Trait and increase AA Battery Range
Refits – Hammann, Hughes, Sims Refits – Mustin bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice to 1 for +5 points.
1940 Replace all Torpedoes with two Port/Starboard Torpedoes 1940 Replace all Torpedoes with two Port/Starboard Torpedoes 1944 Increase AA Battery Attack Dice to 2 and remove one set of
for +5 points. for +5 points. Torpedoes for +0 points.
1941 Reduce Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) Attack Dice to 2 for 1941 Reduce Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) Attack Dice to 2 for 1945 Decrease AA Battery Attack Dice to 1 and return one set of
+0 points. +0 points. Torpedoes for +5 points.

The Sims-class was designed at a time when the London Treaty had been revised much larger vessels, and partly to ensure the anticipated large number of hulls
and the upper limit on destroyer sizes replaced by a total tonnage restriction. would be available on a reasonable time frame. The Sims-class used a very similar
Although now permitted to build destroyers of up to 3,000 tons, the US Navy armament layout to the Mahan-class, though with four 5-inch guns, but weight
decided on a more modest increase. This was partly to avoid delays in designing considerations necessitated a reduction of the intended torpedo armament.

Flank Speed: 4/2" Armour: 2+ Hull: 5/2 Traits: Agile, Submarine 50

points
Type: Submarine Length: 312 ft. Speed: 20.75/8.75 kts. Ships of this Class: Albacor, Dace, Darter, Finback, Growler, Wahoo, and 73 more
Commissioned: 1941 Crew: 74 Displacement: 2,410 tons
GATO-CLASS SUBMARINE

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (1 x 3-inch) 3" 7" 10" 14" 1 -2 1 Slow-Loading, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Forward Mk 14 Torpedoes 1" 3" 4" 6" 6 – 2 Devastating, Slow-Loading
Aft Mk 14 Torpedoes 1" 3" 4" 6" 4 – 2 Devastating, Slow-Loading
Refits 1943 Replace Mk 14 Torpedoes with Mk 24 Torpedoes, decreasing 1944 Replace Mk 24 Torpedoes with Mk 18 Torpedoes, adding
1942 Add Radar and Sub Hunter for +15 points. Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/4" but increasing Damage Dice Wakeless Trait for +10 points.
to 3 for +15 points.

196
Bell P-39 Airacobra Grumman F6F Hellcat strike aircraft. In April 1942, the Mitchell
Being an early design, the Airacobra was Relatively easy to handle for a well-trained quite literally altered the course of the war
already beginning to look lacklustre by the pilot, the Hellcat was built specifically to when it was used in the ‘Doolittle Raid’
start of the war. Limited at altitude and with defeat the Japanese Zero, a role it excelled on the Japanese mainland, causing a shift in
an unusual centreline cannon arrangement at. Its nickname of ‘Ace Maker’ was well- Japanese strategy which overstretched her
through the spinner, like most American earned, and the Hellcat went on to become armed forces.
aircraft, it was capable of sustaining heavy the US Navy’s standard choice of carrier-
damage before being forced to withdraw. based aircraft, projecting superior airpower
in 1943 and 44. North American P-51 Mustang
A contender for best fighter of the war, the
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Mustang was designed at the behest of the
The Flying Fortress is the iconic American Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger British, who were interested in obtaining
bomber of the European theatre. A durable A blessed relief to Devastator pilots when a fighter from overseas to supplement
aircraft, they were also used by RAF Coastal it finally rolled off the production lines, the the Royal Air Force. The final design was
Command, where they sank eleven U-boats. Avenger was a good torpedo bomber, though a superb amalgamation of American and
this duty took its toll even on purpose- British technologies which resulted in an
designed aircraft. With a crew of three, it had agile aircraft capable of long-range missions.
Curtiss P-40 Warhawk at least a fighting chance of defending itself
One of the most prevalent designs of the and a well-placed torpedo often meant the
war, the P-40 fought with honour in the loss of several aircraft was a worthwhile trade Consolidated PBY 5 Catalina
Pacific, the Mediterranean and on the Russian for sinking an enemy warship. The Catalina was used for Anti-Submarine
Front with the air forces of the USA, Britain Warfare (ASW) duties, convoy escort, patrol
and Russia, as well as being widely exported. bomber and transport. Armed with five
Although not an exceptional design, the P-40 Lockheed Hudson machine guns for defence, it was capable of
was tough and dependable. The Hudson was hurriedly developed from carrying either a bomb or torpedo load and
a civilian passenger aircraft, creating a design was responsible for sinking many submarines
for a reconnaissance bomber that could be in both the Atlantic and Pacific theatres.
Curtiss SB2C Helldiver put into production quickly and cheaply.
Regarded by some as one of the worst With a long range and good performance,
aircraft of the war, the Helldiver was slow, the Hudson proved suitable for the maritime Vought F4U Corsair
hard to fly and delivered late. This was not patrol and anti-shipping strike roles and was The gull-winged Corsair was an
to say it was not good at its main role and, operated in large numbers by RAF Coastal exceptionally good aircraft, sporting heavy
indeed, it proved quite versatile, but the Command. Although tricky on take-off, the armour, superb firepower and tremendous
overall design was responsible for the deaths Hudson was a stable and reliable platform in acceleration. However, in common with
of many US pilots before it was phased out flight, earning the nickname ‘Old Boomerang’ many excellent combat aircraft, it was also
completely. Its nickname of ‘Son of a Bitch, in honour of its ability to get its crews home. a handful in many respects, and earned its
Second Class’, was apt. nickname of the Rookie Killer.

North American B-25 Mitchell

Douglas SBD Dauntless The B-25 Mitchell served in a variety of Vought Vindicator
Until replaced by the Helldiver, the Dauntless roles and with varying armament, including An early dive bomber, the Vindicator was
was the main dive-bomber of the US Navy. Its a nose-mounted 75mm gun. Some versions withdrawn from active service in 1943, after
crowning glory was during the Battle of Midway, had a tail-gunner position; others deleted it. proving too vulnerable to Japanese fighters.
where it was responsible for sinking four Mitchells served in a variety of attack and It was nicknamed the ‘Vibrator’, due to the
Japanese carriers and damaging two cruisers. bomber roles in all theatres, contributing to noise and shaking endured by its crew.
Circumstance played a great part in this attack, the Pacific War as a low-level anti-shipping
but it was nonetheless highly effective.

Douglas TBD Devastator Gull-winged F4U Corsairs take

A world leader when it was introduced into off from USS Essex
service in 1937, the Devastator quickly fell
behind in terms of performance to the point
where the aircraft was obsolete only four
years later. The inadequacies of the design
were made painfully aware at Midway in 1942
where Devastators suffered 37 losses from
41 aircraft launched against the Japanese.

Grumman F4F Wildcat

Gaining Grumman a reputation for building
tough aircraft, the Wildcat was never given an
operational speed restriction. Barrel-shaped
and with stubby wings, it was a natural
carrier-based aircraft. Popular throughout the
US Navy, it also saw service within the Royal
Navy’s Fleet Air Arm, where it was initially
known as the Martlet.

197
 US Navy

US Navy Aircraft Chart

Flight Commissioned Carrier Role Flank Speed Dogfight Damage Dice Traits Points
Bell P-39D Airacobra 1941 No Fighter 26” +2 0 – 20
Bell P-39D Airacobra 1941 No Bomber 26” +0 1 – 20
Boeing B-17D Flying Fortress 1941 No Level Bomber 23” -3 16 Heavy, Large, Very Tough 15
Curtiss P-40C Warhawk 1940 No Fighter 25” +2 0 – 20
Curtiss SB2C-1 Helldiver 1943 Yes Dive-Bomber 20” -2 2 Devastating 10
Douglas SBD-2 Dauntless 1941 Yes Dive-Bomber 18” -1 2 Devastating 15
Douglas TBD-1 Devastator 1937 Yes Bomber 15” -2 2 – 10
Douglas TBD-1 Devastator 1937 Yes Torpedo-Bomber 15” -2 4 Devastating 10
Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat 1940/1941 Yes Bomber 23” +0/+1 1 (-2 AP) Tough 15
Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat 1940/1941 Yes Fighter 23” +1/+2 0 Tough 15
Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat 1943 Yes Fighter 27” +3 0 Tough 20
Grumman TBF-1C/TBM-1C Avenger 1942 Yes ASW 18” -3 2 – 20
Grumman TBF-1C/TBM-1C Avenger 1942 Yes Torpedo-Bomber 18” -3 4 Devastating 20
Lockheed Hudson 1939 No Bomber 17” -3 6 Large 15
North American B-25C Mitchell 1944 No Bomber 20” -2 6 – 15
North American B-25C Mitchell 1944 No Torpedo-Bomber 20” -2 2 Devastating 15
North American B-25C Mitchell 1944 No ASW 20” -2 6 – 15
Consolidated PBY-2/3/4 Catalina 1937 No ASW 13” -3 3 Large 20
Consolidated PBY-2/3/4 Catalina 1937 No Bomber 13” -3 8 Large 15
Consolidated PBY-2/3/4 Catalina 1937 No Torpedo-Bomber 13” -3 8 Devastating, Large 15
North American P-51A/D Mustang 1941/1944 No Fighter 28”/31” +2/+4 0 – 10
North American P-51A/D Mustang 1941/1944 No Bomber 28”/31” +1/+3 2/4 – 20
Vought F4U-1 Corsair 1942 No Fighter 30” +3 0 Tough 25
Vought F4U-4 Corsair 1944 Yes Fighter 32” +4 0 Tough 25
Vought F4U-4 Corsair 1944 Yes Bomber 32” +3 4 Tough 25
Vought SB2U Vindicator 1940 Yes Dive-Bomber 17” -2 2 Devastating 5

Japanese cruisers feel the full force of US torpedoes…

198
 US Navy

‘Seven minutes of hell’ by Peter Bull

© Osprey Publishing Ltd. Taken from New Vanguard 169 – US Fast Battleships 1936–47

Elco MTB used by the US Navy, the Elco is also notable for future President
The Elco mounted four torpedo tubes which, combined with its Kennedy commanding one. Crews of these boats relied on their
speed, made it a serious threat to larger ships. The largest PT boat smaller size, speed and manoeuvrability – and darkness – to survive.

US Navy Motor Torpedo Boat Chart

Section Commissioned No. Flank Speed Armour Smoke AA Battery Torpedoes Weapons Points
Elco’77 MTB 1941 39 8” 3+ Yes 1 4 Depth Charge 20
Elco’80 MTB 1942 332 8” 3+ Yes 1 4 Depth Charge 20

Zeroes for heroes

We flew right on the deck most of the time. We often attacked shipping but did not often see fighters. However, when we hit
airdromes Zeros would sometimes be waiting for you. You'd go over the strip, hit it, and the Zeros would dive on you: make one
dive–we'd turn inside that–they'd go across you–and we'd come back again the other way–and so on. They could make about three
passes if they jumped us with altitude advantage. But once we leveled out we were home-free. They could stay with us nearly even
for a few miles, but they couldn't get any height on us. They used to come and sit on their wing about a hundred yards from you. we
couldn't fire at them because we had nothing firing sideways and neither did they, so after a bit they'd peel off and go home. So we
could hold them at deck level and fortunate for us.
Eric Bergerud, 'Fire in the Sky'

199
At the outbreak of the Second World managed to re-join the Allies and served in arrangement was tried in some British
War, the Marine Nationale of France was all corners of the world, giving good service. ships, with the same rationale – it was
a powerful force with modern battleships, Most of the remainder of the once-powerful an way around the limitations of the
which should have been a major asset to French fleet was scuttled at Toulon in 1942. Washington Treaty. Of course, this reduced
the Allied cause. However, the rapid fall of firepower while steaming away, but neither
France in the land war and the creation of It is interesting to speculate how the French the British nor the French fleets were
neutral Vichy France meant these forces fleet might have affected the course of the particularly concerned with their ability to
might be used against the Allies, something war, consisting as it did of eight battleships run away effectively!
that could not be risked. Neither could the (with another under construction), an
French government order its navy to join aircraft carrier, seven heavy and eleven light French vessels fought on both sides during
the Allied cause, nor the navy surrender its cruisers, 59 destroyers and 81 submarines. the war. The battleship Richelieu served
ships without orders. Thus, British forces This powerful force was built up to support with the Allies, mainly in Southeast Asia and
were forced to undertake the hateful duty France’s traditional position as a maritime with the British East Indies Fleet. Her sister
of bombarding their former allies as they lay and colonial power and was sufficient to Jean Bart, partially completed and with only
helplessly at anchor, effectively taking the influence events in any theatre. one turret operational, was deployed to
French out of the war as a naval power. Casablanca where she saw action against US
Some French battleships were rather forces and was heavily damaged. A number
Some French units did remain at large and elderly, modernised World War One of other French vessels were lost in the
many of these came over to the Allied vessels. Others were of modern and quite same engagement, attempting to prevent
cause, fighting on as the Free French Navy unusual design, including the fast battleship Allied landings in Algeria and Morocco.
alongside Free Poles, Dutch and other Richelieu (and her planned sisters, Jean
diehards. The Free French Navy initially Bart and Clemenceau). These ships were French vessel losses to combat and related
consisted of one battleship, an auxiliary unusual in that their main armament was causes included nine cruisers, 39 destroyers
cruiser, four frigates and four submarines, all forward of the superstructure, with a and 61 submarines during the course of
plus smaller units. Other forces eventually heavy secondary armament aft. A similar the war.

French aircraft form up before a dawn attack after launching from the Béarn

200
 The Marine Nationale's Béarn comes under fire

Flank Speed: 4" Armour: 5+ Hull: 53/17 Traits: Torpedo Belt 2 350
points
Type: Battleship Length: 541 ft. Speed: 21 kts. Ships of this Class: Bretagne, Provence, Lorraine
Commissioned: 1916 Crew: 1,133 Displacement: 26,600 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Turret A (2 x 13.4-inch) 7" 14" 21" 29" 2 +1 2 –
BRETAGNE-CLASS BATTLESHIP

Turret B (2 x 13.4-inch) 7" 14" 21" 29" 2 +1 2 –

Turret Q (2 x 13.4-inch) 7" 14" 21" 29" 2 +1 2 –
Turret X (2 x 13.4-inch) 7" 14" 21" 29" 2 +1 2 –
Turret Y (2 x 13.4-inch) 7" 14" 21" 29" 2 +1 2 –
Light Guns (14 x 5.5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 8 -2 1 Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 1" 3" 4" 6" 2 – – Local 1
Provence: Disarmed and then scuttled at Toulon, 27 September 1942. Lorraine: Free French in 1943.
Refits – Lorraine 1940 Reduce Aircraft to 3, remove Light Guns (8 x 3.9-inch) and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 2
1939 Remove Q Turret, add the Aircraft 4 trait, add the following Light Guns and decrease AA Battery for -5 points.
Attack Dice to 0 for -20 points. 1944 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (8 x 3.9-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 4 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak

Seeing no action during the First World War, these ships were Marine Nationale might fall into German hands, attacked the French port.
modernised throughout 1920–30. Stationed in the Mediterranean at the Bretagne capsized from the combined fire of HMS Hood, Barham and
outbreak of World War Two, Bretagne and Provence sailed to Mers-el- Resolution. Provence was damaged and forced to beach. She was later re-
Kébir after the French surrender. The British, worried that the powerful floated and scuttled at Toulon to prevent capture by the Germans.

201
 The Marine Nationale

Flank Speed: 3" Armour: 5+ Hull: 51/17 Traits: Torpedo Belt 2 250
points
Type: Battleship Length: 541 ft. Speed: 21 kts. Ships of this Class: Courbet, France, Ocean, Paris
Commissioned: 1913 Crew: 1,069 Displacement: 25,850 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Turret A (2 x 12-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 – 2 –
COURBET-CLASS BATTLESHIP

Turret B (2 x 12-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 – 2 –

Turret Q (2 x 12-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 – 2 –
Turret R (2 x 12-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 – 2 –
Turret X (2 x 12-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 – 2 –
Turret Y (2 x 12-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 – 2 –
Light Guns (22 x 5.5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 12 -2 1 Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 1" 3" 4" 6" 1 – – Local 1
Courbet Ocean
Served as training ship. Captured by British in 1940. Transferred to Free French as training ship. Disarmed Disarmed in 1937 and then scuttled at Toulon, 27 September 1942.
in 1941 and then scuttled as a breakwater at Normandy landing, 9 June 1944.
Paris
France Served as training ships. Captured by British in 1940 and transferred to Free French as a barracks ship.
Wrecked in 1922. Survived the war.

The Courbet-class was the first of the dreadnought generation and given some measure of anti-aircraft armament. In 1940, Courbet
constructed for the Marine Nationale. The class mixed the relatively and Paris were re-commissioned for active duty, with additional anti-air
new concept of super-firing main battery turrets with the equally dated artillery. Jean Bart, now renamed Ocean, was deemed too degraded for
concept of main battery wing turrets and backed them with a large refitting. Paris and Courbet took part in the fighting at Cherbourg, before
number of casement-mounted secondary guns. During the First World evacuating to Portsmouth, England. In the wake of the Armistice, they
War, all four ships were involved in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. were both forcibly boarded by British forces. Both would be used as hulk
Following the war, the remaining three ships (France was lost in a collision barracks for the remainder of the war. Ocean was scuttled in Toulon to
with an uncharted rock) were upgraded from coal-fired to oil-fired boilers prevent her from falling into the hands of the Germans.

"Let us be firm, pure and faithful; at the end of our sorrow, there is the
greatest glory of the world, that of the men who did not give in."
General de Gaulle

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 5+ Hull: 70/23 Traits: Aircraft 3, Armoured Deck, Torpedo Belt 3 360
points
Type: Battleship Length: 706 ft. Speed: 29.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Dunkerque, Strasbourg
DUNKERQUE-CLASS BATTLESHIP

Commissioned: 1938 Crew: 1,431 Displacement: 36,380 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (4 x 13-inch) 11" 23" 34" 46" 4 +2 2 –
B Turret (4 x 13-inch) 11" 23" 34" 46" 4 +2 2 –
Light Guns (12 x 5.1-inch) 5" 11" 17" 23" 9 -2 1 Weak
Light Guns (4 x 5.1-inch) 5" 11" 17" 23" 9 -2 1 Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Light Guns (12 x 5.1-inch): Only 8 Attack Dice may be fired into the port or starboard arc.
Strasbourg Dunkerque
Increase Hull to 73/24 for +10 points. Scuttled at Toulon, 27 September 1942. Crippled at Mers-el-Kébir and scuttled at Toulon, 27 September 1942.

The French obsession with speed resulted in the Dunkerque-class being given carried aft. Until the French surrender, the two ships of the class covered Allied
very light protection for a capital ship – for this reason they are sometimes convoys in the Atlantic, providing a powerful deterrent to raiders, and both
rated as battlecruisers. Protection and general design were determined with escaped to Oran after the surrender. Dunkerque was crippled by British aircraft
the German Deutschland-class pocket battleships in mind. The Dunkerque- there and Strasbourg moved to Toulon where she was joined by her partly
class was unusual in that they mounted their entire main armament up front in repaired sister. Both ships were scuttled at Toulon to prevent them falling into
two quadruple turrets. The secondary armament of 5.1-inch guns were carried Axis hands. The Regia Marina later salvaged Strasbourg and returned her to
alongside the superstructure and just aft of it, with two aircraft catapults also France in 1944. She was sunk by an air raid later that year.

202
 The Marine Nationale

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 6+ Hull: 95/31 Traits: Aircraft 3, Armoured Deck, Torpedo Belt 3 450
points
Type: Battleship Length: 813 ft. Speed: 30 kts. Ships of this Class: Richelieu, Jean Bart (Gascogne and Clemenceau unfinished)
Commissioned: 1940 Crew: 1,946 Displacement: 47,548 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
RICHELIEU-CLASS BATTLESHIP

A Turret (4 x 15-inch) 11" 23" 34" 46" 4 +2 3 –

B Turret (4 x 15-inch) 11" 23" 34" 46" 4 +2 3 –
Q Turret (3 x 6-inch) 7" 14" 21" 29" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
R Turret (3 x 6-inch) 7" 14" 21" 29" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
X Turret (3 x 6-inch) 7" 14" 21" 29" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
Light Guns (12 x 3.9-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 4 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Refits – Richelieu Refits – Jean Bart
1943 Free-French. Remove Aircraft, add Advanced Radar, and increase AA Battery to Range bands 1940 Incomplete. Remove Aircraft, remove all Turrets except A, and remove Light Guns for -275 points.
1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 11 and Local 3 for +135 points. 1942 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/3"/4"/7" and Attack Dice 3 +15 points.
1945 Change AA Battery to Attack Dice 12 and Local 2 for +0 points. 1943 Badly damaged November 1942 and not repaired until 1949.

There were to have been four ships of this class, with the first two laid was almost complete, escaped to Dakar and was damaged by the British
down in 1935 and the second pair following in 1935. Gascogne was strike there. In 1942 she joined the Allied cause and, after a refit in the
cancelled and Clemenceau never completed. The last ship followed a USA, was deployed to the Far East to serve with the British fleet. Jean Bart
modified design which placed one of the turrets aft of the superstructure – was only three-quarters finished when France was overrun but managed
the original design had both main armament turrets forward, much like the to escape to Casablanca. It was not until 1942, after a refit in the USA
Dunkerque-class. Designed as a counter to the powerful Italian battleships during which she received her second turret, that Jean Bart became combat
being built, the Richelieu was protected against 15-inch shells and mounted worthy. She participated in the Allied landings in North Africa where she
eight 15-inch guns of its own, on what started as a 35,000-ton hull. Neither was badly damaged and not made combat-capable again until after the war.
ship was quite finished at the time of the French surrender. Richelieu, which

Vichy French aircraft make a bombing run on a Royal Navy destroyer

203
 Flank Speed: 4" Armour: 2+ Hull: 57/19 Traits: Carrier Aircraft: 10 Flights 160
points
Type: Carrier Length: 599 ft. Speed: 21.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Béarn
Commissioned: 1927 Crew: 875 Displacement: 28,400 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
BÉARN-CLASS CARRIER

Light Guns (8 x 6.1-inch) 7" 14" 21" 29" 4 -1 1 Restricted

AA Battery 1" 3" 4" 6" 1 – – Local 1
Port 19V Torpedoes 1" 2" 3" 4" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard 19V Torpedoes 1" 2" 3" 4" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Refits
1943 Demilitarised and converted to an aircraft transport. Add Advanced Radar, remove all Flights and replace all Weapon Systems at no cost, as follows:

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 2 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 5 – – Local 2

In 1923 it was decided to convert an incomplete Normandie-class battleship to a carrier.

Despite a refit in 1935, she was far too slow for fleet operations in World War Two and
was demilitarised in 1942. In 1943 she joined the Free French Naval Force where she
served for a time before being converted to an aircraft transport. Béarn was the only
French aircraft carrier to serve in the war – of the two ships of the projected
Joffre-class, one was cancelled and the other was not completed.

Béarn

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 27/9 Traits: Aircraft 2, Armoured Deck 135
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 590 ft. Speed: 31 kts. Ships of this Class: Algérie
Commissioned: 1934 Crew: 748 Displacement: 13,461 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
ALGÉRIE-CLASS CRUISER

A Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 33" 2 -1 1 –

B Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 33" 2 -1 1 –
X Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 33" 2 -1 1 –
Y Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 33" 2 -1 1 –
Light Guns (12 x 3.9-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 4 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
1942 Scuttled at Toulon, 27 September 1942.

This excellent cruiser was much more heavily protected than the preceding the form meant that although the machinery was not as powerful as that of the
Suffren-class, being intended as a counter to the Italian Zara-class then being Suffren-class, the Algérie-class was no slower. Mounting eight 8-inch guns and
built. Bomb and torpedo protection were especially important. A better hull torpedoes, she was a formidable vessel but was scuttled in 1942.

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"France has lost a battle. But France has not lost the war. …
In the free universe, immense forces have not yet been brought
into play. Someday these forces will crush the enemy. On that
day France must be present at the victory."
General de Gaulle

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 19/6 Traits: Agile, Aircraft 2, Armoured Deck 145
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 596 ft. Speed: 33 kts. Ships of this Class: Duguay-Trouin, Lamotte-Picquet, Primauguet
Commissioned: 1926 Crew: 578 Displacement: 9,350 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
DUGUAY-TROUIN-CLASS CRUISER

A Turret (2 x 6.1-inch) 7" 14" 21" 29" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track

B Turret (2 x 6.1-inch) 7" 14" 21" 29" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
X Turret (2 x 6.1-inch) 7" 14" 21" 29" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
Y Turret (2 x 6.1-inch) 7" 14" 21" 29" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
AA Battery 1" 3" 4" 6" 1 – – Local 1
Port 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Duguay-Trouin: Add Sub-Hunter for +20 points.
Refits – Lamotte-Picquet Refits – Duguay-Trouin
1942 Laid up in Saigon and used as training hulk. 1943 Free French. Remove Aircraft and remove one set of Port and Starboard Torpedoes for -25 points.
1944 Add Radar, increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 2, and remove all Torpedoes for +0 points.

Dating from 1922, this class of light cruiser was designed to mount an existing disarmed at the French surrender but came over to the Allies in 1943. At this
6.1-inch gun already in use with the Armée de Terre (the French Army, lit. time, she lost her aircraft and torpedo tubes but gained additional anti-aircraft
Army of Land). They were good sea vessels and fast, being able to maintain armament. Lamotte-Piquet served in the Far East and fought against Thai
30 knots at half power. The class was intended to carry 24 torpedoes, with vessels in 1941, though she was lost in 1945. Primaguet was given extra anti-
12 in the tubes and reloads being carried in a magazine. Duguay-Trouin was aircraft armament in 1942 but was beached later that year.

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 2+ Hull: 24/8 Traits: Aircraft 2, Armoured Deck 135
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 607 ft. Speed: 33.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Duquesne, Tourville
Commissioned: 1928 Crew: 605 Displacement: 12,200 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
DUQUESNE-CLASS CRUISER

A Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 33" 2 -1 1 –

B Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 33" 2 -1 1 –
X Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 33" 2 -1 1 –
Y Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 33" 2 -1 1 –
AA Battery 1" 3" 4" 6" 2 – – Local 1
Port 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Refits – Duquesne, Tourville
1943 Free French.
1945 Remove Aircraft, add Advanced Radar, increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 3, and remove Torpedoes for -20 points.

The Duquesne-class was the first French design under the constraints of the consisted of eight 8-inch guns in four dual turrets. Both vessels joined the
Washington Treaty, and owed a lot to the preceding Dugua-Trouin-class. Like Allies in 1943 and were refitted in the USA, receiving improved anti-aircraft
those ships, the Duquesne-class could maintain 30 knots under half power armament. Both survived the war.
and were seaworthy ships, though protection was rather light. Armament

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 The Marine Nationale

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 17/5 Traits: Agile, Aircraft 2, Armoured Deck, Depth Charge 100
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 581 ft. Speed: 34 kts. Ships of this Class: Émile Bertin
Commissioned: 1935 Crew: 711 Displacement: 8,480 tons
ÉMILE BERTIN-CLASS CRUISER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

A Turret (3 x 6.1-inch) 7" 14" 21" 29" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
B Turret (3 x 6.1-inch) 7" 14" 21" 29" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
Y Turret (3 x 6.1-inch) 7" 14" 21" 29" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
AA Battery 1" 3" 5" 7" 1 – – Local 1
Port 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Refits
1943 Free-French. Remove Aircraft, add Radar, increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 6, and remove Torpedoes for +10 points.

Originally planned to be a minelaying cruiser, the single vessel of the Émile before later joining the Allied cause. Refitted in the USA in 1944–5, she lost
Bertin-class became a very fast light cruiser. She was stationed at Martinique her aircraft and torpedo tubes but gained additional anti-aircraft weaponry.

Flank Speed: 5" Armour: 1+ Hull: 18/6 Traits: Agile, Aircraft 2, Armoured Deck 75
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 558 ft. Speed: 25 kts. Ships of this Class: Jeanne d’Arc
Commissioned: 1931 Crew: 648 Displacement: 8,950 tons
JEANNE D’ARC-CLASS CRUISER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

A Turret (2 x 6.1-inch) 7" 14" 21" 29" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
B Turret (2 x 6.1-inch) 7" 14" 21" 29" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
X Turret (2 x 6.1-inch) 7" 14" 21" 29" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
Y Turret (2 x 6.1-inch) 7" 14" 21" 29" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
AA Battery 1" 3" 4" 6" 1 – – Local 1
Port 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 1 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 1 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Refits
1943 Free-French. Remove Aircraft, add Radar, increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 2, and remove Torpedoes for -10 points.

The single vessel of the Jeanne d’Arc-class was designed to use the same Martinique, she joined the Allies in 1943, receiving a refit in which her
guns as the Duguay-Trouin-class. She was considered a training vessel torpedo tubes and aircraft were removed, and improved anti-aircraft
and as such didn't require the speed or armour of a cruiser. Stationed in armament was fitted. After 1943 she served in the Mediterranean.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 18/6 Traits: Agile, Aircraft 3 90

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 589 ft. Speed: 31 kts. Ships of this Class: La Galissonnière, Jean de Vienne, Marsellaise, Gloire,
Commissioned: 1936 Crew: 540 Displacement: 9,100 tons Montcalm, Georges Leygues
LA GALISSONNIÈRE-CLASS CRUISER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

A Turret (3 x 6-inch) 7" 14" 21" 29" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
B Turret (3 x 6-inch) 7" 14" 21" 29" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
X Turret (3 x 6-inch) 7" 14" 21" 29" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
AA Battery 1" 3" 5" 7" 2 – – Local 1
Port 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
La Galissonnière, Jean de Vienne, Marseillaise: Scuttled at Toulon, 27 September 1942.
Refits – Gloire Refits – Georges Leygues, Montcalm
1943 Free-French. Remove Aircraft, add Radar, and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 7 for +25 points. 1943 Free-French. Remove Aircraft, add Radar, and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 7 for +25 points.
1945 Add Advanced Radar for +15 points.

The six vessels of the La Galissonnière-class were fast and well protected in 1942. The others were refitted in the USA in 1943 and lost their aircraft
for their size. La Galissonnière, Jean de Vienne and Marsellaise were scuttled but gained radar and additional anti-aircraft armament instead.

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Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 26/8 Traits: Aircraft 2 125

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 643 ft. Speed: 32 kts. Ships of this Class: Suffren, Colbert, Foch, Dupleix
Commissioned: 1935 Crew: 752 Displacement: 13,429 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 33" 2 -1 1 –
B Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 33" 2 -1 1 –
SUFFREN-CLASS CRUISER

X Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 33" 2 -1 1 –

Y Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 33" 2 -1 1 –
AA Battery 1" 3" 4" 6" 2 – – Local 1
Port 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Colbert, Foch: Increase Aircraft to 3, and increase AA Battery's Range bands to 1"/3"/5"/7" for +10 points.
Dupleix: Increase Aircraft to 3, add Armoured Deck, and increase AA Battery's Range bands to 1"/3"/5"/7" for +30 points.
Colbert, Foch, Dupleix: Scuttled at Toulon, 27 September 1942.
Suffren: Free French in 1943.
Refits – Dupleix Refits – Suffren
1942 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points. 1945 Remove Aircraft, add Advanced Radar, increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 3, and remove all
Torpedoes for -20 points.

The four vessels of the Suffren-class were based on the Duquesene-class, Suffren-class had a much more modern look about them. Armour protection
though each was built to slightly different standards as lessons were learned was somewhat better than the preceding class, though speed was reduced as
from the preceding ship. Their hull form was sleek and graceful, taking a a consequence. Suffren remained at Alexandria from 1940 to 1943, when she
classic cruiser form. While the Duquesne-class lineage was apparent, the joined the Allied cause. The other vessels of the class were scuttled at Toulon.

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 4/1 Traits: Agile, Depth Charge 40
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 347 ft. Speed: 33 kts. Ships of this Class: Bourrasque, Cyclone, Mistral, Orage, Ouragan, Simoun, Sirocco,
Commissioned: 1926 Crew: 145 Displacement: 12,780 tons Tempête, Tornada, Tramontane, Trombe, Typhon
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (4 x 5.1-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 2 -2 1 Weak
BOURRASQUE-CLASS DESTROYER

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (4 x 5.1-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs. Trombe: Scuttled at Toulon, 27 September 1942. Salvaged by Italy as FR31 and returned to
France in October 1943.
Refits – Mistral, Ouragan Refits – Tempête, Trombe
1941 Free French. Add Sub-Hunter and replace Light Guns as shown below and remove one set of 1943 Free French. Add Radar, add Sub-Hunter, reduce Light Guns (3 x 5.1-inch) to 1 Attack Dice,
Torpedoes for +0 points. increase AA Battery to Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 1, and remove one set of
Torpedoes for +5 points.
Refits – Typhon
1942 Remove one set of Torpedoes and reduce remaining Torpedoes AD to 2 for -15 points. Refits – Simoun
1943 Free French. Add Radar, add Sub-Hunter, reduce Light Guns (3 x 5.1-inch) to 1 Attack Dice,
Refits – Tramontane increase AA Battery to Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 1, and remove one set of
1942 Remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points. Torpedoes for +5 points.
1944 Remove second set of Torpedoes for -10 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 2 -2 1 Weak
The French developed a number of smaller destroyer designs in the years heavily armed, the Bourrasque-class was originally intended for the calmer
before World War Two. One of the more successful was the Bourrasque- waters of the Mediterranean. Its early successes led to sales of a pair to the
class. Smaller than most of their current contemporaries, and thus less Polish in the form of the Wicher-class.

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Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 1+ Hull: 6/2 Traits: Agile, Depth Charge 40
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 392 ft. Speed: 35 kts. Ships of this Class: Chacal, Jaguar, Léopard, Lynx, Panthère, Tigre
Commissioned: 1926 Crew: 195 Displacement: 3,050 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
CHACAL-CLASS DESTROYER

Light Guns (4 x 5.1-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 2 -2 1 Weak

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (4 x 5.1-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
Refits – Léopard Refits – Tigre Lynx, Panther, Tigre
1940 Free French. Add Sub-Hunter, and add additional Light Guns 1944 Salvaged after Toulon. Free French. Add Radar and Sub-Hunter Scuttled at Toulon, 27 September 1942.
as shown below for +15 points. and increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and
1942 Add Radar for +5 points. Attack Dice 1 and remove one set of Torpedoes for +0 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (1 x 4-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 1 -2 1 DP, Slow-Loading, Weak

Commonly known as the Jaguar-class, they were designed to attack enemy mounted no anti-submarine weapons, and had woefully inadequate anti-
shipping in the Mediterranean. As a result, they possessed poor endurance, aircraft fire, especially in the face of the German Luftwaffe.

Flank Speed: 8" Armour: 1+ Hull: 7/2 Traits: Agile, Depth Charge 60
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 434 ft. Speed: 42 kts. Ships of this Class: L’Audacieux, L’Indomptable, Le Fantasque, Le Malin,
Commissioned: 1935 Crew: 220 Displacement: 2,569 tons Le Terrible, Le Triomphant
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
LE FANTASQUE-CLASS DESTROYER

Light Guns (5 x 5.5-inch) 5" 11" 16" 22” 3 -1 1 Weak

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (5 x 5.5-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
Refits – Le Triomphant Port/Starboard Torpedoes, and increase AA Battery to Range Refits – Le Terrible
1940 Free French. Add Radar, add Sub-Hunter, reduce Light Guns bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 1 for +0 points. 1943 Free French. Add Advanced Radar, add Sub-Hunter, remove
(4 x 5.5-inch) to Attack Dice 2, and add Light Guns (1 x Port/Starboard Torpedoes, and increase AA Battery to Range
4-inch) as shown below, for +15 points. Refits – Le Fantasque, Le Malin bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 1 for +10 points.
1944 Add Advanced Radar, increase Light Guns (5 x 5.5-inch) to 1943 Free French. Add Advanced Radar, add Sub-Hunter, remove
Attack Dice 3, remove Light Guns (1 x 4-inch), remove Port/Starboard Torpedoes, and increase AA Battery to Range L`Indomptable
bands 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 2, for +15 points. Scuttled at Toulon, 27 September 1942.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (1 x 4-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 1 -2 1 DP, Slow-Loading, Weak
In 1930 France began construction of a new series of contre-torpilleurs guns and 9 torpedo tubes, these destroyers lived up to their names by
(destroyers of destroyers), called Le Fantasque-class. Mounting five 5-inch managing sustained speeds of 42 knots, and even short bursts of 45 knots.

Dewoitine D.520 fighters protect the coastline

208
 Flank Speed: 8" Armour: 1+ Hull: 8/2 Traits: Depth Charge 65
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 429 ft. Speed: 39 kts. Ships of this Class: Mogador, Volta
Commissioned: 1939 Crew: 264 Displacement: 3,954 tons
MOGADOR-CLASS DESTROYER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (8 x 5.5-inch) 5" 11" 16" 22" 6 -1 1 Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard 23DT Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (8 x 5.5-inch): Only 3 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs. Mogador, Volta: Scuttled at Toulon, 27 September 1942.
Refits – Mogador
1941 Damaged at at Mers-el-Kébir and repaired. Decrease Light Guns (6 x 5.5-inch) to Attack Dice 4 and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for -5 points.

The Mogador-class evolved from the Le Fantasque-class but was open mounts. Backed up by ten torpedo tubes, their firepower
enlarged to carry guns in enclosed twin turrets rather than in single approached that of a cruiser. Both ships were scuttled at Toulon.

Flank Speed: 3/2" Armour: 2+ Hull: 2/1 Traits: Agile, Submarine 60

points
Type: Submarine Length: 223 ft. Speed: 14/9 kts. Ships of this Class: Ceres, Iris, Junon, Minevre, Palas, Venus
MINERVE-CLASS SUBMARINE

Commissioned: 1932 Crew: 42 Displacement: 856 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (1 x 3-inch) 2" 4" 6" 8" 1 -2 1 Slow Loading, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Forward 24M Torpedoes 1" 3" 4" 6" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Aft 24M Torpedoes 1" 3" 4" 6" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard M26V Torpedoes * 1" 2" 3" 4" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
* These torpedoes may only be fired when the vessel has surfaced.
Based on a series that included the Argonaute-, Diane- and Orion-classes, the While Ceres, Iris, Palas, and Venus were retained by the Vichy government,
Minerve-class was better armed with four torpedo tubes forward, two aft, Junon and Minerve were sailed by the Free French and served throughout
and an on-deck triple mount used when surfaced. the war.

Flank Speed: 4/2" Armour: 2+ Hull: 9/3 Traits: Aircraft 1, Sub-Hunter, Submarine 90
points
Type: Submarine Length: 360 ft. Speed: 18.5/10 kts. Ships of this Class: Surcouf
SURCOUF-CLASS SUBMARINE

Commissioned: 1934 Crew: 118 Displacement: 4,304 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Turret A (2 x 8-inch) 3" 6" 9" 13" 2 -1 1 –
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Forward 24M Torpedoes 1" 3" 4" 6" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading
Port/Starboard 24M Torpedoes 1" 3" 4" 6" 2 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading
Port/Starboard M26V Torpedoes 1" 2" 3" 4" 4 – 1 Devastating, One-Shot
* The Surcouf cannot submerge if it takes any damage. Only the Forward Torpedoes may be fired while submerged.
When launched, the Surcouf was the largest submarine in the world. Her When France fell, Surcouf escaped to England, where she was seized by
intended role was that of commerce raider. However, she was a very British sailors. She was subsequently turned over to the Free French who
complex design, plagued with mechanical troubles. regarded her with pride.

209
Dewoitine D.520 Loire-Nieuport LN.401 Potez 630
With the distinction of having fought on With its distinctive gull-wing, the LN.401 The original Potez 630 was built to meet the
both sides of the war, this aircraft could was often confused by allied pilots for the requirements of a heavy fighter. However,
conceivably fight among the likes of the Bf Ju-87 Stuka, leading to many French pilots more than 700 Potez 630 were delivered as
109 and Spitfire but mass production did becoming the victim of friendly fire – in two-seat, light bombers by the war’s start.
not start until after the war had begun, fact, it was sometimes dubbed the ‘French They were an attractive aircraft, capable of
thus limiting its effect on history. During Stuka’. Designed for hunting submarines, absorbing a considerable amount of battle
the Battle of France, this aircraft claimed the LN.401 suffered heavily in the Battle damage. Unfortunately, the Potez 630 family,
108 confirmed kills and 39 probable, against of France. like many French aircraft of the time, simply
54 losses. did not have sufficiently powerful engines to
endow them with adequate performance. In
Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 the stern test of war, more than 220 were
Latécoère 298 By virtue of its numbers, the M.S.406 destroyed or abandoned. The Potez 630
Based on a French Navy requirement was France’s most important fighter continued in service with Vichy and Free
for a torpedo bomber, the Latécoère during the opening stages of the French forces in North Africa. Production
298 (or the Laté 298, as it came to be Second World War. Generally free was resumed under German control and
known), entered in service in 1938. While of problems, the M.S.406 was under- significant numbers used mostly in liaison
capable of carrying a diverse payload of powered, weakly armed and lacked full and training roles.
a torpedo, bombs, or depth charges, its armour protection when compared to
anti-air fit consisted of only three small its contemporaries. Unsurprisingly, it
machine guns. The Laté 298 initially was outperformed by the Messerschmitt
saw some action in its original role of Bf 109E during the Battle of France,
maritime patrol and anti-submarine resulting in high casualties amongst
duties, but as the Wehrmacht drove French pilots, despite their valiant
through France, they were instead efforts. The design held its own in
used to harass and interdict armoured the early stages of the war (the so- Loire-Nieuport
columns. Despite not having been called Phoney War), but when the war LN.411 flight
designed for this role, they performed restarted in earnest in 1940, 400 were
reasonably well, suffering fewer losses lost in combat and on the ground for
than units equipped with other types. 175 kills in return.

La Marine Nationale Aircraft Chart

Flight Commissioned Carrier Role Flank Speed Dogfight Damage Dice Traits Points
Dewoitine D.520 1939 No Fighter 24" +2 0 – 20
Latécoère 298D 1939 No Bomber 13" -1 3 – 15
Latécoère 298D 1939 No Torpedo-Bomber 13" -1 4 Devastating 15
Levasseur PL.7 Series 2 1927 Yes Torpedo-Bomber 7" -3 4 Devastating 10
Loire-Nieuport LN.411 1939 Yes Dive-Bomber 17" +0 2 Devastating 15
Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 1938 No Fighter 22" +1 0 – 15
Potez 630 1937 No Bomber 19" -1 1 – 5

Ammo Dump
Our orders were to lay 2,000 yards offshore and to get rid of our ammo by 0800.
On our port side lay Free French destroyer La Combattante, a Hunt-class ship
smaller than us, and she was anchored closer in than we were. Our pom-pom was
given a specific target, which was some woods near the shore, and we smothered
it. It was not long before we were given the order 'Cease Fire'. We were then
under order to return at once to Portsmouth and re-ammunition ship.
Peter Smith, 'Destroyer Leader'

Foch

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The Battle of Mers-el-Kébir, 3 July 1940, by Paul Wright

© Osprey Publishing Ltd. Taken from New Vanguard 266 – French Battleships 1914-45

CH.1 Some were captured and taken over by the serving until 1946. They were supplied
Designated as submarine-chasers, the vessels German coastal forces. without any significant alterations from the
of the CH.1 class were coastal patrol vessels version in British service.
with a light gun armament in addition to
depth charge projectors and racks. Some Free Forces Fairmiles
members of the class were scuttled at A handful of Fairmile Bs were transferred to VTB8
Toulon and later salvaged for service with the Free French forces in 1943, where they Based on British MTBs, the VTB8 was
German coastal forces. served as submarine-chasers and rescue designed for a top speed of 46 knots but
boats. They were fitted with ASDIC and managed 52 knots in its trials.
depth charges for its primary role.
CH.5/CH.41 Like most similar boats of French
Lightly armed submarine-chasers, several manufacture, the VTB8 was notable
examples of these classes served with MTB90 (Vosper’73) for having a stepped hull which made it
the Royal Navy and were later Several Vosper Motor Torpedo boats were extremely fast in calm water but unstable in
transferred to the Free French. loaned to the Free French Naval Forces, rougher weather.

La Marine Nationale Motor Torpedo Boat Chart

Section Commissioned Number Flank Speed Armour Smoke AA Battery Torpedoes Weapons Points
VTB8-VTB11 1935 7 9" 4+ No 1 2 Depth Charge 20
MTB90 (Vosper’73) 1942 9 8" 4+ Yes 1 2 Depth Charge 20
CH.1 1934 4 4" 3+ No 1 – Light Guns, Depth Charge 15
CH.5/Ch.41 1940 15 3" 3+ No 1 – Light Guns, Depth Charge 15
Fairmile B ML 1943 – 4" 3+ No 1 – Depth Charge 20

211
One of the main reasons to maintain a navy of empty ocean out there – hopefully Armed merchant ships could also function
is to deny use of the oceans to the enemy, raiders would not even find the convoy. It as raiders. Germany made extensive use of
preventing the movement of industrial also made escorts more effective, but in the such vessels, with mixed success. Even less
goods and materials, troops and supplies. event a convoy was hit by a surface raider successful were Armed Merchant Cruisers
Commerce raiding formed a critical part of such as a heavy cruiser or battlecruiser, the created by adding thin armour plate and a
their naval strategy for some nations, and concentrated targets could be devastated few guns to a liner or fast merchant vessel.
indeed represented the Axis’ best hope for in short order. Nevertheless, the convoy Big, slow and horribly vulnerable, such
victory over Britain. That victory was almost system helped a great deal. vessels were no match for a real warship but
achieved, while in the Pacific US submarines were deployed for lack of anything better.
gradually starved Japan of raw materials by Other measures included mounting a few
much the same methods. light guns on merchant ships, often with Overall, merchant ships were vital assets
army or navy reserve crews. While a couple that had to be protected – or destroyed
Preventing attacks on defenceless merchant of 4-inch guns in open mounts would be – as part of a warfighting strategy rather
ships is the other main role of the navy, and no use against a serious warship, they than combat assets. They might have been
it was here the war was fought, day in and might be able to deal with a submarine. able to put up some anti-aircraft fire or
day out, by the humble corvette, frigate and Many submarine attacks were carried even engage a surfaced submarine with
destroyer escort, and later by escort carriers. out on the surface with guns, in order guns but faced with any serious threat,
These vessels battled the submarine threat to save torpedoes. This practice became they were helpless. It would fall to the
for the duration of the war, and at times were dangerous and Q-ships (armed merchants escorting ships (usually destroyers or the
forced to do what they could against a major with concealed weapons) were deployed. occasional cruiser) to defend them until
surface raider, usually resulting in being sunk. Revealing her armament at the last second, either a heavy covering force could come
a Q-ship could quickly sink a submarine up in support or the merchants could make
There were, however, other ways to defend if it could be lured in close enough to the their escape. Some of the most heroic, and
merchant ships, or to give them a measure ‘defenceless’ merchant. This was one reason worst mismatched, actions of the war took
of self-protection capability. Grouping ships why unrestricted submarine warfare was the place in defence of convoys of merchants
into convoys meant there was more expanse only effective strategy. or troop ships.

Allied Merchant Convoy

212
 Flank Speed: 3" Armour: 1+ Hull: 13/4 Traits: Lumbering 25
points
Type: Civilian Length: 455 ft. Speed: 16 kts. Ships of this Class: –
Commissioned: 1939 Crew: 90 Displacement: 16,000 tons
AMMUNITION SHIP

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (1 x 5-inch) 2" 4" 6" 8" 1 -2 1 Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Explosive: If an ammunition ship is hit by a torpedo, bomb or any gun without the Weak Trait, Explosion, roll a D6. On a roll of a 6 the ship immediately explodes and sinks immediately. Any
or if the ship suffers any kind of critical hit that results in Fire, Multiple Fires or any kind of ships within 4" will have one dice’s worth of Damage Dice rolled against them.
Refits
1942 Increase Light Guns to Range bands 4"/9"/13"/18" and add DP, and increase AA Battery Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6", Attack Dice to 1 for +10 points.
1944 Increase AA Battery Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6", Attack Dice to 2 for +5 points.

As well as fuel, armies and navies need enormous amounts of ammunition also posed a severe risk to their own forces close by due to the explosive
in order to function. Ammunition ships were vital to the war effort, but nature of their cargo.

Flank Speed: 3" Armour: 1+ Hull: 15/5 Traits: Lumbering 25

points
Type: Civilian Length: 475 ft. Speed: 16 kts. Ships of this Class: –
Commissioned: 1939 Crew: 90 Displacement: 16,000 tons
ARMED MERCHANT CRUISER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (8 x 6-inch) 3" 6" 9" 13" 6 -2 1 Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
German Raider: Reduce Hull to 12/4, add Aircraft 2, and replace all weapons as below for +25 points.
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (6 x 6-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18” 4 -2 1 Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 1 – – Local 1
Port Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 2 – 3 Devastating
Starboard Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 2 – 3 Devastating
Allied and Axis nations alike pressed cargo liners and other ships into weapons) aimed at intercepting and capturing blockade runners, while
service as auxiliary warships. In particular, the British organised regular Germany operated a number of highly successful commerce raiders such as
patrols by armed merchant cruisers and Q-ships (merchants with concealed the Stier and Kormoran (the latter was credited with sinking HMAS Sydney).

Flank Speed: 2" Armour: 1+ Hull: 10/3 Traits: Lumbering 25

points
LIBERTY-CLASS

Type: Civilian Length: 441 ft. Speed: 11 kts. Ships of this Class: 2,710 completed
CARGO SHIP

Commissioned: 1941 Crew: 70 Displacement: 7,000 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (1 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 1 -2 1 DP, Slow-Loading, Weak
AA Battery 1" 3" 4" 6" 1 – – Local 1
The need to replace the merchant tonnage lost to enemy commerce raiding However, their simplicity and ease of production, coupled with the fact
prompted the design of the Liberty-class ships. Simple and easy to build, they could be built in many locations to a standard design, meant that these
these rather basic merchantmen were put together in large numbers and workhorse vessels entered service at an impressive rate. At 11 knots the
very quickly – which was exactly what was needed. The first was launched Liberty ships were not fast, and they were certainly not pretty. However, they
in 1941. The fastest construction of a Liberty-class ship (done as a public were there when the job needed doing.
relations exercise) was four days, most took rather longer.

Liberty ships

213
 Civilian Shipping

A Royal Navy Submarine targets German shipping

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 1+ Hull: 72/24 Traits: Lumbering 25

points
Type: Civilian Length: 1,019 ft. Speed: 33 kts. Ships of this Class: –
Commissioned: 1039 Crew: 1,100+3,000 troops Displacement: 82,000 tons
LINER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (1 x 4-inch) 3" 6" 9" 12" 1 -2 1 Slow-Loading, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Light Guns (1 x 4-inch): May only be fired into the X Turret arc.
During the 1920s and 1930s, liners plied the seaways as the ultimate and served as fast troop transports, carrying thousands of troops across
symbol of travel luxury. After September 1939, many were requisitioned the globe.

Flank Speed: 4" Armour: 1+ Hull: 15/5 Traits: Lumbering 30

points
Type: Civilian Length: 500 ft. Speed: 12 kts. Ships of this Class: –
Commissioned: 1939 Crew: 50 Displacement: 10,000 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
OIL TANKER

Light Guns (1 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 1 -2 1 Slow-Loading, Weak

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Volatile: If an Oil Tanker is hit by a torpedo or bomb, or if the ship suffers any kind of critical hit that results in Fire, Multiple Fires or any kind of Explosion, roll a D6. On a roll of 6,
the ship explodes and sinks immediately.
Refits (General) British Navy (Dale-class) 1942 Increase Light Guns to Range bands 4"/9"/13"/18/"
1942 Increase Light Guns to Range bands 4"/9"/13"/18" and Change Light Guns (1 x 4-inch) to Range bands and add DP trait, and increase AA Battery to Range bands
add DP Trait, and increase AA Battery to Range bands 3"/7"/10"/14" and add DP Trait, and increase AA Battery to 1"/3"/4"/6", Attack Dice to 1 for +10 points.
1"/3"/4"/6", Attack Dice to 1 for +10 points. Range bands 1"/3"/4"/5", Attack dice to 1 for +10 points.
1944 Increase AA Battery Attack Dice to 2 for +5 points.
1944 Increase AA Battery Range bands 1"/3"/4"/6", Attack 1944 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points.
Dice to 3 for +10 points. Japanese Navy (Shiretoko-class)
US Navy (Cimarron-class) Remove Light Guns and increase AA Battery to Range bands
Increase Flank Speed to 4" for +5 points. 1"/3"/4"/5", Attack Dice to 1 for +0 points.

The oil these tankers provided proved to be the life blood for nations and their convoys. The most famous example during World War Two was the SS Ohio
armed forces, and often represented the single most important ships within which reached Malta as part of the Pedestal Convoy – her arrival saved the island.

Flank Speed: 4" Armour: 1+ Hull: 12/4 Traits: Aircraft 6, Lumbering 25

SEAPLANE TENDER

points
Type: Civilian Length: – Speed: – Ships of this Class: –
Commissioned: 1927 Crew: – Displacement: –
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 2 -2 1 Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Various vessels were converted to seaplane tenders, most of them small chasing off or shooting down reconnaissance aircraft and at spotting surfaced
merchant ships fitted with light anti-aircraft armament. Whilst of little value Submarines. Seaplanes were unlikely to be able to sink a Submarine but could
against advanced fighters and bombers, seaplanes were sometimes effective in drive it underwater, allowing a convoy to outrun the threat.

214
 Civilian Shipping

Flank Speed: 2" Armour: 1+ Hull: 6/2 Traits: None 10

points
FREIGHTER
Type: Civilian Length: 408 ft. Speed: 10 kts. Ships of this Class: –
TRAMP

Commissioned: 1920 Crew: 18 Displacement: 2,000 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (1 x 4-inch) 3" 6" 9" 12" 1 -2 1 Slow-Loading, Weak
Covering a multitude of individual classes of merchant shipping, tramp freighters freighters were lucky enough to be escorted in convoys by warships, thus
can be found in every sea of the world, plying their trade while avoiding the keeping them relatively safe from submarines and commerce raiders. Any such
larger political issues around them. In the Second World War, many tramp ship caught alone at sea by so much as a destroyer was utterly helpless.

Flank Speed: 3" Armour: 1+ Hull: 16/5 Traits: Lumbering 25

points
Type: Civilian Length: 550 ft. Speed: 25 kts. Ships of this Class: –
TROOP SHIP

Commissioned: 1940 Crew: 200 + 500 troops Displacement: 20,000 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (1 x 4-inch) 3" 6" 9" 12" 1 -2 1 Slow-Loading, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
While the big liners represented the glamorous end of conveying duties) smaller cargo liners performed as valuable a role carrying both
armies around the globe (if such a word can be applied to those troops and supplies.

Flank Speed: 3" Armour: 1+ Hull: 14/4 Traits: Lumbering 30

points
VICTORY-CLASS

Type: Civilian Length: 455 ft. Speed: 17 kts. Ships of this Class: –
CARGO SHIP

Commissioned: 1944 Crew: 90 Displacement: 15,580 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (1 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 1 -2 1 DP, Slow-Loading, Weak
AA Battery 1" 3" 4" 6" 1 – – Local 1
From 1943 onward, the Allies perceived a need for faster transport ships. The result was the Victory-class ships, capable of 15–17 knots and propelled by a
The desperate shipping crisis of the early Battle of the Atlantic had receded steam turbine rather than a simple steam engine. Hundreds of Victory-class ships
somewhat, and emphasis could now be placed on improved quality and speed. served as cargo vessels and attack transports for the remainder of the war.

A merchant convoy under protection from the US Navy

215
The Kriegsmarine had to be rebuilt virtually large for their size and powerful compared sortie of the Bismarck and Prinz Eugen
from the ground up after the First World to those of other nations. Ship-for-ship, resulted in a desperate scramble involving
War. Forbidden to own capital ships and they were a match for any destroyer afloat. dozens of ships – the devastation that two
submarines, Germany nibbled away at first German destroyers mainly operated in the such powerful vessels could wreak was too
one clause of the Treaty of Versailles, then North Sea and English Channel, where they awful to contemplate.
another, until a powerful force of destroyers fought running battles with British light
and submarines existed. forces throughout the war. They also gave a German capital ships were built according
good account of themselves in the invasion to principles tried out in World War One,
At the outbreak of World War Two, of Norway and against Arctic convoys with internal compartmentalisation and
relatively few capital ships were in travelling to Russia. Fortunately for the Allies damage control measures that made them
commission, and no aircraft carriers. Had there were never enough of them. very difficult to sink, while their power
war come according to Hitler’s original plants ensured a good top speed, essential in
timetable, more battlecruisers and The Kriegsmarine also had several powerful a raider. Coupled with excellent fire control
battleships, including some of extremely cruisers at its disposal. Some, like the Prinz – using radar and other means – and big
large size along with an aircraft carrier, Eugen, were conventional designs, while guns to make use of it, these vessels were
would have been available. There was never others were ‘pocket battleships’ mounting extremely potent weapons.
any prospect of matching Britain in terms heavier guns than a ship of their displacement
of capital ship numbers, but the qualitative normally would, such as the Admiral Graf It has been said that Hitler never really
advantage of the proposed super-battleships Spee. German cruiser forces operated mainly understood naval warfare; be that as it
might have made a difference. in the Baltic and North Seas after the early may, the Kriegsmarine suffered from a
months of the war, which saw the famous lack of funding and materials, and from
In any case, the Kriegsmarine was not a navy early cruises of the pocket battleships. the internal politics of the Nazi leadership.
designed to tackle a major fleet head-on in Among its greatest detractors was Herman
fleet engagements. Instead, it was a commerce German capital ships caused little direct Goering, who connived constantly to ensure
raiding force, a tactic that has always been the damage. Even the most active capital ships, resources flowed into his Luftwaffe to
preferred course of weaker navies. the battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, the detriment of the Kreigsmarine. Major
sank relatively little tonnage. However, the warship projects suffered from constant
The Kriegsmarine was an excellent tool for main effect of the big ships was as a threat. stops and starts as allocated resources were
its role. Relatively primitive submarines had The Tirpitz tied down several British and routinely redistributed to other projects.
inflicted massive losses on British merchant American battleships that were needed
shipping in World War One; the U-boats elsewhere simply by the threat that she Eventually, as the tide of war turned against
of World War Two were capable of longer might sortie. The Allies could not risk such Germany, Hitler gave up on his navy and
patrols and consequently greater damage a mighty vessel getting loose among their transferred guns originally intended for ships
to the enemy. They were even, as events convoys and had to maintain sufficient forces to the coastal fortifications of the Atlantic
would show, capable of entering a defended to destroy her on station, even if she was Wall. The Kriegsmarine continued to fight
harbour and sinking a major warship doing nothing. on with dwindling resources. U-boats and
moored in supposed safety. destroyers remained a menace to allied
The mere rumour that Tirpitz might be shipping to the very end of the war.
The destroyers (often referred to as about to leave port caused the British
torpedo boats, but a world away from Admiralty to order convoy PQ17 to scatter, It is interesting to speculate how the
what the Royal Navy meant by that term) allowing it to be carved up by aircraft and Kriegsmarine might have served under a
of the Kriegsmarine were excellent vessels; submarines at leisure. The famous Atlantic different master.

The Kriegsmarine national RULES

The following special rules are applied to fleets of the Kriegsmarine.

Radar
German radar technology led all nations at the start at the start of the war, but quickly began to lag behind that of the British as
the war progressed. Even as their technology improved, poor operating procedures started to hamper its use.
When using Radar on Kriegsmarine ships, you must specify you are using it in the Front, Aft, Port or Starboard arc. You may only
detect targets in this arc and will automatically lose all Detected targets if you switch to a different arc (or a target moves out of
the current arc).

216
Fleet Air Arm pilots beset the Scharnhorst

German pocket battleships battle with Royal Navy destroyers

217
 Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 6+ Hull: 131/43 Traits: Aircraft 4, Armoured Deck, Radar, Sub-Hunter, Torpedo Belt 3 700
points
Type: Battleship Length: 911 ft. Speed: 30 kts. Ships of this Class: Hindenburg
Commissioned: 1944* Crew: 2,600 Displacement: 65,592 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
H-39-CLASS BATTLESHIP

A Turret (2 x 16-inch) 10" 20" 30" 40" 2 +2 3 Heavy

B Turret (2 x 16-inch) 10" 20" 30" 40" 2 +2 3 Heavy
X Turret (2 x 16-inch) 10" 20" 30" 40" 2 +2 3 Heavy
Y Turret (2 x 16-inch) 10" 20" 30" 40" 2 +2 3 Heavy
Light Guns (12 x 5.9-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 6 -1 1 Twin-linked, Restricted
Light Guns (16 x 4.1-inch) 4" 9" 14" 19" 8 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 3
Port G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading
Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading
*Note: Planned
In keeping with the decision to have heavy German warships resemble one necessitated two stacks. Long range was desired for these battleships and
another, the H-class design was to appear as an enlarged Bismarck at first the diesel-powered design had significantly greater range than those based on
glance. However, the design of the H-class varied in many important points steam plants. The H-39 design gave the ship a range of 16,000 nm 218at 19-knots,
from the earlier battleship. The most noticeable difference was the two-stack compared to Bismarck’s range of 9,500 nm at the same speed. The turret design
arrangement of the H-class. The large volume required for intakes and uptakes of the H-class ships was to be similar to those on Bismarck but larger in order
for twelve propulsion diesel engines, providing a top speed of 30-knots, to mount a new class of 16-inch guns.

"As far as the Navy is concerned, obviously it is in no way very adequately

equipped for the great struggle with Great Britain … The surface forces … are
so inferior in number and strength to those of the British Fleet that, even at full
strength, they can do no more than show that they know how to die gallantly..."
Grand Admiral Raeder

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 4+ Hull: 71/23 Traits: Aircraft 4, Armoured Deck, Radar, Torpedo Belt 2 360
points
Type: Battleship Length: 814 ft. Speed: 33.4 kts. Ships of this Class: –
Commissioned: 1944* Crew: 1,950 Displacement: 35,720 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
O-CLASS BATTLESHIP

A Turret (2 x 15-inch) 10" 20" 30" 40" 2 +2 3 –

B Turret (2 x 15-inch) 10" 20" 30" 40" 2 +2 3 –
X Turret (2 x 15-inch) 10" 20" 30" 40" 2 +2 3 –
Light Guns (6 x 5.9-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 3 -1 1 Twin-Linked
Light Guns (8 x 4.1-inch) 4" 9" 14" 19" 4 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 3
*Note: Planned
Light Guns (6 x 5.9): Only 1 Attack dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs. Only 2 Attack dice may be fired into the port and starboard arcs.
In addition to the battleships of the H-class, a group of twelve new but none of the ships were started. These ships were planned with
armoured ships, successors to the Admiral Graf Spee, Admiral Scheer and the idea of commerce war in mind. Therefore, they were intended to
Lützow, were planned. The design studies for the three Schlachtkreuzer get a mixed propulsion system – diesel engines, for long range medium
(battlecruisers) of the O-class (Schlachtkreuzer O, Schlachtkreuzer P, speed cruising, and additional turbines, for high speed combat action.
Schlachtkreuzer Q) were simultaneously started to those of the new The main role of these battlecruisers would have been to engage enemy
Panzerschiffe (armoured ship) design in 1937. In 1939, an option was convoys and destroy transports and cargo ships. Unlike the heavily
explored to replace the three existing Panzerschiffe with the same number protected H-class battleships, these battlecruisers would have had armour
of new battlecruisers. Construction orders were given in the same year, protection only slightly better than that of a cruiser.

218
 The Kriegsmarine

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 6+ Hull: 78/26 Traits: Aircraft 3, Armoured Deck, Radar, Torpedo Belt 3 425
points
Type: Battleship Length: 770 ft. Speed: 31.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Gneisenau, Scharnhorst
Commissioned: 1938 Crew: 1,840 Displacement: 37,224 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (3 x 11.1-inch) 11" 22" 33" 45" 3 +1 2 –
B Turret (3 x 11.1-inch) 11" 22" 33" 45" 3 +1 2 –
X Turret (3 x 11.1-inch) 11" 22" 33" 45" 3 +1 2 –
SCHARNHORST-CLASS BATTLESHIP

Light Guns (12 x 5.9-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 6 -1 1 Restricted, Twin-Linked
Light Guns (14 x 4.1-inch) 4" 9" 14" 19" 7 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Refits – Scharnhorst Refits – Gneisenau
1942 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 and add Torpedoes as below for +65 points. 1941 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points.
1943 Increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +5 points. 1942 Add Torpedoes as below for +60 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Port G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Planned 1944 Refit (Never Completed)
1944 Increase Hull to 84/28, add Advanced Radar and replace A, B, and X Turrets and AA Battery as below for +200 Points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

A Turret (2 x 15-inch) 10" 20" 30" 40" 2 +2 3 –
B Turret (2 x 15-inch) 10" 20" 30" 40" 2 +2 3 –
X Turret (2 x 15-inch) 10" 20" 30" 40" 2 +2 3 –
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 6
While serving as commerce raiders, the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau were cruisers HMS Norfolk, Belfast and Sheffield, escorted by four destroyers.
responsible for sinking over 105,000 tons of allied shipping in a single Hit several times before increasing range, the Scharnhorst was struck by a
cruise. During the allied retreat from Norway, the Scharnhorst sank the shell fired by HMS Duke of York at a range of more than 18,000 yards (more
aircraft carrier HMS Glorious and two destroyers, and though torpedoed than 10 miles), which destroyed a boiler room, reducing her speed. The
and attacked by aircraft from HMS Ark Royal, she returned safely to Kiel. Royal Navy destroyers were then able to close distance and torpedoed the
In 1943, while intercepting a convoy, the Scharnhorst was attacked by the Scharnhorst until she exploded and sank.

Scharnhorst and Prinz Eugen

219
 The Kriegsmarine

"Courage and candour, obedience and comradeship, love of

Fatherland and loyalty to the State; these are ever the distinguishing
characteristics of the soldier and sailor."
Grand Admiral Raeder

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 6+ Hull: 102/34 Traits: Aircraft 4, Armoured Deck, Radar, Torpedo Belt 3 450
points
Type: Battleship Length: 823 ft. Speed: 30 kts. Ships of this Class: Bismarck, Tirpitz
Commissioned: 1940 Crew: 2,092 Displacement: 50,956 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 15-inch) 10" 20" 30" 40" 2 +2 3 –
BISMARCK-CLASS BATTLESHIP

B Turret (2 x 15-inch) 10" 20" 30" 40" 2 +2 3 –

X Turret (2 x 15-inch) 10" 20" 30" 40" 2 +2 3 –
Y Turret (2 x 15-inch) 10" 20" 30" 40" 2 +2 3 –
Light Guns (12 x 5.9-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 6 -1 1 Restricted, Twin-Linked
Light Guns (16 x 4.1-inch) 4" 9" 14" 19" 8 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak 220
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Refits – Bismarck Refits – Tirpitz
1941 Increase AA Battery to Local to 2 for +5 points. 1941 Add Sub-Hunter, increase AA Battery to Local 3, and add 1943 Increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +5 points.
Torpedoes as below for +65 points. 1944 Increase AA Battery to Local 5 for +5 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Port G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot

One of the most renowned classes of ships to be launched, the Bismarck stopped any chance of escape. The Bismarck was then sunk by combined
and Tirpitz have become legendary, though the Deutschland and a fourth fire from HMS King George V and Rodney. The Tirpitz, now Germany’s most
hull were never completed. The Bismarck sank HMS Hood in the North powerful warship, was to spend the war in port where she was the target
Atlantic, causing Winston Churchill to order her sunk at any cost. The of increasingly obsessive attacks by the British, including runs with midget
Royal Navy set sail with no intention of letting her live and she was submarines. She was finally sunk in a raid by Lancaster bombers using
finally cornered after a lucky torpedo to the rudder by a Fairey Swordfish 12,000 lb. Tallboy bombs.

The Bismarck makes a run for safety as the Royal Navy shells rain down

220
 The Kriegsmarine

Flank Speed: 4" Armour: 4+ Hull: 28/9 Traits: Torpedo Belt 1 130
points
Type: Battleship Length: 418 ft. Speed: 22 kts. Ships of this Class: Schlesien, Schleswig-Holstein
Commissioned: 1908 Crew: 743 Displacement: 14,218 tons
DEUTSCHLAND-CLASS BATTLESHIP

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

A Turret (2 x 11-inch) 7" 14" 21" 28" 2 – 1 –
Y Turret (2 x 11-inch) 7" 14" 21" 28" 2 – 1 –
Light Guns (10 x 5.9-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 6 -1 1 Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 2" 4" 6" 8” 2 – – Local 1
Refits
1936 Refitted as training ships. 1944 Replace all Light Guns and AA Battery as below for +0 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (6 x 4.1-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 3 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 2 – – Local 2

The pre-dreadnaught era Schleswig-Holstein enjoyed the dubious the city. She was scuttled in March 1945, and some of her armour was
privilege of firing the opening shots of World War Two. Her barrage of taken to the Westerplatte to be used in sculptures commemorating the
the Westerplatte in Gdansk heralded the start of the German attack on defence of the city of Gdansk in 1939.

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 3+ Hull: 67/22 Traits: Carrier, Radar, Torpedo Belt 2 Aircraft: 10 Flights 210
points
Type: Carrier Length: 820 ft. Speed: 34 kts. Ships of this Class: Graf Zeppelin
GRAF ZEPPELIN-CLASS

Commissioned: 1943* Crew: 1,760 Displacement: 28,090 tons

CARRIER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (16 x 5.9-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 8 -1 1 Restricted, Twin-Linked
Light Guns (12 x 4.1-inch) 4" 9" 14" 19" 6 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 3
*Note: Planned Light Guns (12 x 4.1-inch): Only 3 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
Though laid down and launched before the start of the war, the Graf However, the Graf Zeppelin was almost completed in 1943 but Hitler,
Zeppelin was never completed or commissioned, and it never saw action. disapointed with the Kriegsmarine, halted all surface fleet construction.

Flank Speed: 4" Armour: 1+ Hull: 49/16 Traits: Carrier, Radar, Lumbering Aircraft: 6 Flights 110
points
Type: Carrier* Length: 627 ft. Speed: 21 kts. Ships of this Class: Jade
JADE-CLASS CARRIER

Commissioned: 1943** Crew: 880 Displacement: 18,160 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (12 x 4.1-inch) 4" 9" 14" 19" 6 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 4
* Takes damage as a Civilian Light Guns (12 x 4.1): Only 3 Attack dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
** Planned
The passenger ship Gneisenau (not to be confused with the battlecruiser done. Interestingly, her sister, the passenger ship Scharnhorst (again not to be
Gneisenau) of the North German Lloyd line was one of three passenger ships confused with the battleship of the same name), was converted into an aircraft
selected to be converted to auxiliary carriers. She was originally intended for carrier by the Japanese. At the outbreak of the war, the Scharnhorst was in
passenger cruises to the Far East but following the start of World War Two Japan where, in July 1942, she was sold to Japan and modified into an aircraft
was used as a troop transport. Like the Europa, her poor stability and high fuel carrier. Now named Shin'yō, the ship entered service in December 1943 and
consumption forced the project to be halted prior to any modifications being was sunk by the US submarine USS Spadefish northeast of Shanghai in 1944.

221
 Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 32/10 Traits: Aircraft 2, Radar 280
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 610 ft. Speed: 28.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Admiral Graf Spee, Admiral Scheer, Lützow
Commissioned: 1933 Crew: 1,001 Displacement: 16,020 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (3 x 11.1-inch) 10" 20" 30" 40" 3 – 2 –
Y Turret (3 x 11.1-inch) 10" 20" 30" 40" 3 – 2 –
DEUTSCHLAND-CLASS CRUISER

Light Guns (8 x 5.9-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 6 -1 1 Restricted

AA Battery 2" 4" 6" 8" 2 – – Local 1
Port G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Admiral Scheer, Lützow: Reduce Hull to 30/10 for -5 points.
Refits – Admiral Graf Spee 1945 Change AA Battery to Attack Dice 0 and Local 5 for +0 points.
1939 Add Light Guns and replace AA Battery as below for +20 points.
Refits – Admiral Scheer
Refits – Lützow 1940 Add Light Guns and replace AA Battery as below for +20 points.
1941 Add Light Guns and replace AA Battery as below for +20 points. 1942 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points.
1944 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 2 and Local 3 for +20 points. 1945 Increase AA Battery to Range bands 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 1 and Local 4 for +15 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits 222
Light Guns (6 x 4.1-inch) 4" 9" 14" 19" 3 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Light Guns (6 x 4.1-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front arc and 2 in the port, starboard, or aft arcs.
The launch of the new Deutschland-class of warships marked a turning well armoured and carried the type of armament traditionally seen only on
point for the Kriegsmarine and Germany as a whole. While the rest of the battleships. It quickly became apparent that only another battleship could
world followed the dictates of the Washington Treaty, these vessels broke successfully defeat one in open combat and so the term ‘pocket battleship’
all rules imposed on Germany. Though still relatively small in size, they were was coined to describe this new breed of warship.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 14/4 Traits: Agile, Armoured Deck 75
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 511 ft. Speed: 29.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Emden
Commissioned: 1925 Crew: 685 Displacement: 7,100 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (8 x 5.9-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 5 -2 1 Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 1 – – –
Port G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
EMDEN-CLASS CRUISER

Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot

Light Guns (8 x 5.9-inch): Only 2 Attack dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
Refits
1940 Increase AA Battery to Local 1 for +5 points. 1942 Add Radar and change Light Guns as below for +20 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (8 x 5.9-inch) 5" 11" 17" 23" 6 -1 1 –
Light Guns (8 x 5.9-inch): Only 3 Attack dice may be fired into the fore and aft arcs.
Refits
1944 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 and add Light Guns as below for +10 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (3 x 4.1-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 1 -2 1 DP, Weak

Emden was the first new warship built in Germany after World War One. Her by a Bristol Blenheim that was shot down and crashed into the ship. Emden took
design followed that of German World War One-era cruisers, with her 5.9-inch part in the invasion of Norway and thereafter spent her war in the Baltic. She was
guns in individual mounts rather than turrets. She served primarily as a training seriously damaged in an air strike on Kiel on 10 April 1945. Declared beyond hope
vessel and was the first German warship to be damaged in World War Two, hit of repair Emden was beached, decommissioned and scuttled on 3 May 1945.

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 The Kriegsmarine

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 15/5 Traits: Agile, Aircraft 2, Armoured Deck, Sub-hunter 110
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 570 ft. Speed: 32.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Königsberg, Karlsruhe, Köln
Commissioned: 1929 Crew: 682 Displacement: 7,700 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
KÖNIGSBERG-CLASS CRUISER

A Turret (3 x 5.9-inch) 7" 14" 21" 28" 2 -1 1 Fast Track

X Turret (3 x 5.9-inch) 7" 14" 21" 28" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
Y Turret (3 x 5.9-inch) 7" 14" 21" 28" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
AA Battery 2" 4" 6" 8" 2 – – Local 1
Port G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Karlsruhe: Increase Hull to 17/5 for +5 points. Köln: Remove Aircraft for -10 points.
Refits – Köln
1941 Remove one set of Port and Starboard Torpedoes for -20 points. 1944 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points.
1942 Add Radar for +10 points. 1945 Change AA Battery to Attack Dice 3 and Local 4 for +5 points.

Sometimes called the K-class, these vessels were built to limits specified clever positioning of the rear turrets virtually eliminated any drawbacks.
in the Treaty of Versailles. However, this had an impact on their structural Königsberg, and Karlsruhe were both lost during the invasion of Norway in
integrity, and they did not endure long-distance voyages as well as had April 1940. Königsberg was initially damaged by coastal guns before being
been hoped. The unusual triple three-gun turret design was also the finished off by British bombers the following day. Karlsruhe was sunk by the
result of keeping within the weight limits specified by the treaty, but British submarine HMS Truant.

"I hope that if any of you are ever called upon to lead a ship into action
against an opponent many times superior, you will command your ship
as gallantly as Scharnhorst was commanded today."
Admiral of the Fleet Bruce Fraser

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 16/5 Traits: Agile, Aircraft 2, Armoured Deck, Sub-Hunter 110
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 595 ft. Speed: 32 kts. Ships of this Class: Leipzig, Nürnberg
Commissioned: 1931 Crew: 850 Displacement: 8,900 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (3 x 5.9-inch) 7" 14" 21" 28" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
X Turret (3 x 5.9-inch) 7" 14" 21" 28" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
LEIPZIG-CLASS CRUISER

Y Turret (3 x 5.9-inch) 7" 14" 21" 28" 2 -1 1 Fast Track

AA Battery 2" 4" 6" 8" 2 – – Local 1
Port G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Nürnberg: Increase Hull to 18/6 for +5 points.
Refits – Nürnberg Refits – Leipzig
1939 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 3 for +5 points. 1941 Reduce Flank Speed to 5", remove Aircraft, and remove one set of Port and Starboard Torpedoes
1941 Add Radar and remove one set of Port and Starboard Torpedoes for +0 points. for -40 points.
1942 Remove Aircraft and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +0 points. 1943 Add Radar for +10 points.
1944 Add Advanced Radar for +10 points. 1944 Remove remaining Torpedoes and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 3 for -15 points.
1945 Increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +10 points.

The Leipzig and Nürnberg were improved versions of the K-class, with Leipzig was converted into a training ship where, in the Baltic Sea,
the Nürnberg being slightly larger vessel. Both were torpedoed by the she was accidentally rammed by Prinz Eugen. After the war, Leipzig
S-class submarine HMS Salmon, as they provided cover for destroyers was scuttled by the British while Nürnberg passed into the hands of
laying mines along approaches to the River Thames. Heavily damaged, the Soviet Union.

223
 The Kriegsmarine

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 2+ Hull: 21/7 Traits: Agile, Aircraft 2, Armoured Deck, Radar, Sub-Hunter 160
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 600 ft. Speed: 35.5 kts. Ships of this Class: –
Commissioned: 1943* Crew: 920 Displacement: 10,400 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 5.9-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
M-CLASS CRUISER

B Turret (2 x 5.9-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track

X Turret (2 x 5.9-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
Y Turret (2 x 5.9-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
Light Guns (4 x 4.1-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 2 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Port G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
*Note: Planned
The planned M-class leichte kreuzer (light cruiser) were long range escorts O and P-class battlecruisers and then proceed on missions independently.
intended for detached open-ocean battle groups. They were to accompany At least two of each would have screened the main hunting groups.

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 3+ Hull: 52/17 Traits: Aircraft 2, Armoured Deck, Radar 250
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 732 ft. Speed: 33 kts. Ships of this Class: – 224
P-CLASS CRUISER (PANZERSCHIFFE)

Commissioned: 1942* Crew: 1,200 Displacement: 26,100 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (3 x 11.1-inch) 11" 22" 33" 45" 3 – 2 –
X Turret (3 x 11.1-inch) 11" 22" 33" 45" 3 – 2 –
Light Guns (4 x 5.9-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 2 -1 1 Twin-Linked
Light Guns (8 x 4.1-inch) 4" 9" 14" 19" 4 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Port G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
*Note: Planned Light Guns (4 x 5.9): Only 1 Attack dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
In 1938, the first design studies for a Panzerschiffe (armoured ship) ships per year, starting in 1939, so the complete P-class battle fleet would
successor were made. The new Panzerschiffe was called Kreuzer P and be operational by 1947. The first three of these ships would receive the
its specifications showed a bigger, faster and better protected version of 11-inch turrets removed from the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau during their
the original design. In many respects it was a modification of the design conversion to 15-inch guns but, by 1939, it was obvious the Scharnhorst and
of the Panzerschiffe D and Panzerschiffe E, the planned successors of the Gneisenau conversion could not be completed in time. Therefore, three of
Deutschland-class which was later modified to Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. the planned Kreuzer P would be modified to receive 15-inch turrets which
As these ships were intended to be used for commerce war, they were were already in production, resulting in the O-class battlecruiser. Although
designed to be superior to a heavy cruiser, in terms of artillery, and faster the ships were already assigned to shipyards, none of the Kreuzer P were
than existing battleships. The original plan was to lay down four of these ordered because of the start of World War Two.

Kriegsmarine cruisers search for Allied ships

224
 The Kriegsmarine

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 36/12 Traits: Aircraft 3, Radar, Sub-hunter 200
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 676 ft. Speed: 32 kts. Ships of this Class: Admiral Hipper, Blücher, Prinz Eugen
Commissioned: 1939 Crew: 1,600 Displacement: 18,200 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 8-inch) 9" 18" 27" 37" 2 – 1 –
ADMIRAL HIPPER-CLASS CRUISER

B Turret (2 x 8-inch) 9" 18" 27" 37" 2 – 1 –

X Turret (2 x 8-inch) 9" 18" 27" 37" 2 – 1 –
Y Turret (2 x 8-inch) 9" 18" 27" 37" 2 – 1 –
Light Guns (12 x 4.1-inch) 4" 9" 14" 19" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Prinz Eugen: Increase Hull to 38/12 for +5 points.
Refits – Admiral Hipper Refits – Prinz Eugen
1942 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points. 1942 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points.
1944 Increase AA Battery Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 1 for +5 points. 1944 Increase AA Battery Range bands to 1"/2"/3"/5" and Attack Dice 1 for +5 points.
1945 Increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 4 for +15 points. 1945 Add Advanced Radar and increase AA Battery to Attack Dice 4 for +35 points.

The Admiral Hipper and Blücher took part in the invasion of Norway in Eugen left the Bismarck to sail to Brest, where she remained inactive for
1940 where the Blücher was sunk. Admiral Hipper went on to raid Allied several months. Later, she was deployed in Norwegian and then Finnish
shipping. The Prinz Eugen first came to notoriety as she escorted the waters while the Eastern Front collapsed. She was the only German
Bismarck into the North Atlantic and engaged the Royal Navy in the capital ship to survive the war and was used as a target in the Bikini Atoll
encounter which saw the destruction of HMS Hood. After the battle, Prinz atomic tests.

"If England wants to fight for a year, I shall fight for a year;
if England wants to fight for two years, I shall fight two
years... And if necessary, I will fight for ten years!"
Adolf Hitler

Prinz Eugen

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 2+ Hull: 12/4 Traits: Agile, Armoured Deck, Radar, Sub-Hunter 90
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 499 ft. Speed: 35.5 kts. Ships of this Class: –
SPÄHKREUZER-CLASS CRUISER

Commissioned: 1943* Crew: 583 Displacement: 5,900 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 5.9-inch) 5" 11" 17" 23" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
X Turret (2 x 5.9-inch) 5" 11" 17" 23" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
Y Turret (2 x 5.9-inch) 5" 11" 17" 23" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
AA Battery 2" 4" 6" 8" 1 – – Local 3
Port/Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 5 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 5 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
*Note: Planned
During the design process for the M-class light cruiser, the construction outrun any enemy cruiser. They would probably have scouted for the
office proposed a scheme for a super destroyer suitable for Atlantic heavy units in North Atlantic. In action, the Spähkreuzer would likely have
deployment. This became the Spähkreuzer, (literally ‘scout cruiser’) screened the heavy units of the hunting group against the destroyers
designed to have superior armament to a fleet destroyer, and able to escorting the convoy.

225
 Flank Speed: 8" Armour: 1+ Hull: 6/2 Traits: Agile, Sub-Hunter, Depth Charge 55
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 397 ft. Speed: 38.2 kts. Ships of this Class: Z1 to Z16 (see below)
TYPE 1934 AND 1934A-CLASS DESTROYER

Commissioned: 1937 Crew: 315 Displacement: 3,156 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (5 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 14" 19" 3 -1 1 Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (5 x 5-inch): Only 1 Attack dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
Ships of this Class: Leberecht Maass (Z1), Georg Thiele (Z-2), Max Schultz (Z-3), Richard Beitzen (Z-4), Paul Jacobi (Z-5), Theodor Riedel (Z-6), Hermann Schoemann (Z-7), Bruno Heinemann
(Z-8), Wolfgang Zenker (Z-9), Hans Lody (Z-10), Bernd von Arnim (Z-11), Erich Giese (Z-12), Erich Koellner (Z-13), Friedrich Ihn (Z-14), Erich Steinbrinck (Z-15), Friedrich Eckoldt (Z-16)
Refits – Z4–Z8, Z10, Z14–Z16 Refits – Z14
1941 Add Radar for +5 points. 1944 Add Advanced Radar for +5 points.
Refits – Z5 Refits – Z10, Z15
1944 Add Advanced Radar, decrease Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) Attack Dice to 2 and increase AA Battery 1944 Add Advanced Radar, decrease Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) Attack Dice to 2 and increase AA Battery
Local to 3 for +10 points. Local to 4 for +15 points.

The Type 1934 was the first true destroyer class built for the Kriegsmarine incorporating sophisticated high-pressure steam propulsion which proved
as, previously, German destroyer numbers and tonnage were strictly limited troublesome in service. Experience also demonstrated a need226for greater
by the Treaty of Versailles. The new design was developed in anticipation anti-aircraft armament, which was added early in the war. The Type 1934A
of greater latitude, displacing more than twice the 800-ton treaty limit. It was an upgraded version which was a little longer and carried additional
was conceived with operations in the North and Baltic Seas in mind, though anti-aircraft armament. Later German destroyer designs were based on this
served in wider waters once war broke out. The design was ambitious, vessel, using very similar machinery and armament.

"Where Napoleon failed, I shall succeed. I shall land on the shores of Britain."
Adolf Hitler
Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 7/2 Traits: Radar, Sub-Hunter 60
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 397 ft. Speed: 36 kts Ships of this Class: Z23 to Z30
Commissioned: 1940 Crew: 220 Displacement: 3,600 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (4 x 5.9-inch) 5" 11" 17" 23" 3 -1 1 –
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
TYPE 1936A-CLASS DESTROYER

Port/Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot

Port/Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (4 x 5.9-inch): Only 1 Attack dice may be fired into the front and only 2 Attack Dice into the aft arcs.
(Z-28): Light Guns (4 x 5.9-inch): Only 2 Attack dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
Refits – Z23 Refits – Z28
1942 Add A Turret and reduce Light Guns as below for +5 points. 1945 Add Advanced Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +15 points.
Refits – Z24 Refits – Z29
1943 Add A Turret and reduce Light Guns as below for +5 points. 1945 Add Advanced Radar, add A Turret, decrease Light Guns (2 x 5.9-inch) to 1 Attack Dice and
increase AA Battery Local to 4 for +25 points.
Refits – Z25
1942 Add A Turret and reduce Light Guns as below for +5 points.
1945 Increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +10 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

A Turret (2 x 5.9-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 1 -1 1 Fast Track, Twin-Linked
Light Guns (3 x 5.9-inch) 5" 11" 17" 23" 2 -1 1 –

The Type 1936 was a large and very powerful design mounting 5.9-inch class, an enlarged version, designated Type 1936A, was developed from
guns, based on the general layout of the Type 1934. The intended the original. The Type 1936A was more seaworthy, with much more
twin turrets were not available in time, so planned armament was reliable machinery. These vessels were known to the Allies as the
reduced to single mounts in some positions. As with the preceding Narvik-class.

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 The Kriegsmarine

Type 36A (MOB) by Ian Palmer © Osprey Publishing Ltd.

Taken from New Vanguard 91 – German Destroyers 1939-45

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 7/2 Traits: Radar, Sub-Hunter, Depth Charge 65
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 417 ft. Speed: 36 kts. Ships of this Class: Z31 to Z39
Commissioned: 1942 Crew: 332 Displacement: 3,605 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
TYPE 1936A (MOB)-CLASS DESTROYER

A Turret (2 x 5.9-inch) 5" 11" 17" 23" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked

Light Guns (3 x 5.9in) 5" 11" 17" 23" 2 -1 1 –
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Refits – Z31 Refits – Z34
1941 Remove A Turret and increase Light Guns (3 x 5.9-inch) to Attack Dice 3 for -5 points. 1945 Decrease Light Guns (3 x 5.9-inch) to Attack Dice 1, increase AA Battery to Range bands
1944 Undo 1941 upgrade for +5 points. 1"/2"/3"/5", Attack Dice 1 and Local to 2 for +5 points.
1945 Add Advanced Radar, remove A Turret, increase AA Battery to Local 4 and add Light Guns as
below for +10 points. Refits – Z38
1945 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points.
Refits – Z33
1945 Increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +15 points. Refits – Z39
1945 Decrease Light Guns (3 x 5.9-inch) to Attack Dice 1, increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +10 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (1 x 4.1-inch) 4" 9" 14" 19" 1 -2 1 DP, Slow Loading, Weak

The Type 1936A (Mob)-class was a developed version of the Type 1936, slightly enlarged and with even more
reliable machinery. It also incorporated measures to streamline production and reduce building times.

Type 1936A-class destroyer

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 1+ Hull: 4/1 Traits: Agile, Radar, Sub-Hunter, Depth Charge 45
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 336 ft. Speed: 32.5 kts. Ships of this Class: T22 to T36
TYPE 1939-CLASS DESTROYER

Commissioned: 1942 Crew: 306 Displacement: 1,775 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (4 x 4.1-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 2 -2 1 Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (4 x 4.1): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
Refits – T31, T32 Refits – T33, T34, T35, T36
1944 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points. 1944 Change Radar to Advanced Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +10 points.

Known as the Elbing-class to the Allies, the Type 1939 Flottentorpedoboot (fleet Baltic, North Sea and the English Channel, and fought a number of actions with
torpedo boat) was a marked improvement over the earlier Type 1937-class. The Royal Navy surface ships. T25 and T26 were sunk in action by the cruisers HMS
ship was more akin to a pre-war British destroyer, with a heavier gun armament, Glasgow and HMS Enterprise in December 1943, while ships of the 4th Flotilla
and better sea-keeping and structural performance. Type 1939s served in the (T22, T23, T25 and T26) sank the cruiser HMS Charybdis earlier in the same year.

227
 The Kriegsmarine

Z20, Karl Galster, labours through very heavy seas, by Ian Palmer © Osprey Publishing Ltd.
Taken from New Vanguard 91 – German Destroyers 1939-45

228

Flank Speed: 8" Armour: 1+ Hull: 7/2 Traits: Agile, Sub-Hunter 55

points
Type: Destroyer Length: 363 ft. Speed: 37.5 kts Ships of this Class: Diether von Roeder (Z17), Hans Lüdemann (Z18), Hermann Künne (Z19),
TYPE 1936-CLASS DESTROYER

Commissioned: 1938 Crew: 330 Displacement: 3,605 tons Karl Galster (Z20), Wilhelm Heidkamp (Z21), Anton Schmitt (Z22)
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (5 x 5-inch) 4" 9" 14" 19" 3 -1 1 Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (4 or 5 x 5-inch): Only 1 Attack dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
Refits – Z20 1944 Increase AA Battery Local to 2 for +5 points.
1941 Add Radar for +5 points. 1945 Increase AA Battery Local to 3 for +5 points.

A much-improved destroyer design, this ship was based on earlier designs capable vessel overall, and its range and armament offset a lot of its
and, like them, had trouble in heavy seas. However, it was a much more other problems.

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 4/1 Traits: Agile, Depth Charge 50
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 307 ft. Speed: 37.5 kts. Ships of this Class: ZH1, ZH2
ZH1-CLASS DESTROYER

Commissioned: 1942 Crew: 158 Displacement: 2,228 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (5 x 4.7-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 2 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard G7a/T-1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns: Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
ZH1 was originally a Dutch Gerard Callenburgh-class destroyer which was Tjerk Hiddles. However, it was never completed. ZH1 was an excellent sea
scuttled but salvaged by the Germans. ZH1 was restored to service in the boat but was sunk just after D-Day in action with British, Canadian and
Kriegsmarine. ZH2 was also originally a Gerard Callenburgh-class ship, the Polish destroyers near Île-de-Batz.

228
 Flank Speed: 3"/1" Armour: 2+ Hull: 2/1 Traits: Agile, Submarine 45
points
Type: Submarine Length: 212 ft. Speed: 17/7 kts. Ships of this Class: Total of 703 Submarines
Commissioned: 1936 Crew: 52 Displacement: 1,070 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (1 x 3.5-inch) 3" 6" 9" 13" 1 -2 1 Slow-Loading, Weak
TYPE VII U-BOAT

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Forward G7a/T1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading
Aft G7a/T1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 1 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading
Radar: May be equipped for +5 points, but only operates in the forward arc.
Torpedoes: May replace Torpedoes with G7e/T2, decreasing to Range band 1"/3"/4"/6" and Damage Dice 2, but adding Wakeless trait for +10 points.
Refits 1944 Radar no longer fixed in forward arc for +5 points
1943 Remove Light Guns for -5 points. 1944 May replace Torpedoes with G7e/T4, decreasing to Range bands 2"/4"/6"/8" and Damage
1943 May replace Torpedoes with G7e/T3, decreasing to Range bands 2"/4"/6"/8" and Damage Dice 2 but add Wakeless trait and gain +1 bonus to Attack Dice against ships moving faster
Dice 2 but adding Wakeless trait for +15 points. than 4" for +25 points.

Highly manoeuvrable, the Type VII became the workhorse of the German the Type VII was an effective Submarine that was deployed in most areas of the
U-boat fleet. Armed with four forward torpedo tubes and an 88mm deck gun, war. The most famous example is U-96, featured in the movie Das Boot.

Flank Speed: 4"/1" Armour: 2+ Hull: 3/1 Traits: Agile, Sub-Hunter, Submarine 50
points
Type: Submarine Length: 251 ft. Speed: 18/7 kts. Ships of this Class: Total of 194 Submarines
Commissioned: 1938 Crew: 56 Displacement: 1,430 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (1 x 4.1-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 1 -2 1 Slow-Loading, Weak
TYPE IX U-BOAT

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Forward G7a/T1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading
Aft G7a/T1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 2 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading
Radar: May be equipped for +5 points, but only operates in the forward arc.
Torpedoes: May replace Torpedoes with G7e/T2, decreasing to Range band 1"/3"/4"/6" and Damage Dice 2, but adding Wakeless trait for +10 points.
Refits 1944 Radar no longer fixed in forward arc for +5 points
1943 Remove Light Guns for -5 points. 1944 May replace Torpedoes with G7e/T4, decreasing to Range bands 2"/4"/6"/8" and Damage
1943 May replace Torpedoes with G7e/T3, decreasing to Range bands 2"/4"/6"/8" and Damage Dice 2 but add Wakeless trait and gain +1 bonus to Attack Dice against ships moving faster
Dice 2 but adding Wakeless trait for +15 points. than 4" for +25 points.

A long-ranged Submarine, this was the most successful U-boat of the Africa. The latest variants of this design were capable of ranges of more
war, with each vessel averaging over 100,000 tons of shipping sunk. One than 23,000 miles, allowing them to rove far in search of convoys, while
Type IX, U-107, made the most successful convoy raiding missions of their heavy load of torpedoes allowed them to keep pace with a convoy,
the war, with nearly 100,000 tons of shipping sunk out of Freetown in attacking night after night.

"... the only thing that ever really frightened me during the war was the U-boat peril."
Winston Churchill
Flank Speed: 3"/4" Armour: 2+ Hull: 4/1 Traits: Advanced Radar, Agile, Silent, Sub-Hunter, Submarine 70
points
Type: Submarine Length: 251 ft. Speed: 15/17.2 kts. Ships of this Class: Total of 119 Submarines
TYPE XXI U-BOAT

Commissioned: 1944 Crew: 60 Displacement: 2,100 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Forward G7a/T1 Torpedoes 2" 5" 7" 10" 6 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading
Refits
1944 May replace Torpedoes with G7e/T4, decreasing to Range bands 2"/4"/6"/8" and Damage Dice 2 but add Wakeless trait and gain +1 bonus to Attack Dice against ships moving faster than 4" for +25 points.

Incredibly advanced for its time, it has been said that this is the vessel that might have faster when submerged than on the surface, and had a hydraulic torpedo loading
won the war for Germany – had it appeared two years earlier. Also known as the system that allowed it to reload extremely quickly after firing. Increased electrical
Elektroboot (electric boat), the Type XXI had better facilities for crew, was actually power gave the vessel a superb range underwater, though it lacked a deck gun.

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Fiesler Fi 167A Heinkel He 111H Junkers Ju 88A
The Fi 167 was developed in response to a Built as a bomber, the He 111 was first The Ju 88 was one of the most effective and
requirement for a carrier-based torpedo- announced to the world as an airliner. However, versatile strike aircraft of the war. It served
bomber which could also fulfil other roles, the design was rooted in the 1930s and by as a medium bomber and tank buster on
notably reconnaissance and dive-bombing. the time the He 111 was used in the Battle land, and at sea could deliver bombs or
Although the biplane configuration was of Britain. However, its poor armament and torpedoes. The Ju 88’s high speed allowed
obsolete by 1936, it did offer very good relatively slow speed proved sadly wanting. It still it to avoid interception much of the time or
lift and low-speed handling characteristics, proved a versatile aircraft, however, with a great outrun fighters if necessary, making it much
both highly useful in carrier operations. The many variants produced. more survivable than most contemporary
aircraft also incorporated flotation tanks to Allied designs.
delay sinking in the event of an emergency
landing on water. Heinkel He 177A Greif
The He 177 was an unusual four-engine Messerschmitt Bf 109D
aircraft with two engines in each nacelle. Made famous in the Battle of Britain, the Bf
Focke-Wulf Fw 190A Despite its size, the requirements stipulated 109 was constantly upgraded throughout
Continuing the Bf 109’s legacy, the Fw 190 the ability to act as a dive bomber, a role for the war to remain competitive, though it
soon gained the attention of Allied pilots which it was unsuited, but one which drove was to be outclassed by the newer Fw 190.
in Europe as it cut a swathe across the the twin-engine design. The engines were At the start of the war, however, it was a
sky. A big, radial-engine fighter, the Fw 190 unreliable at best, dangerous at worst, with fearsome fighter, and a suitable counterpart
was capable of using brute force to pull it a marked tendency to burst into flames. to the Spitfire.
through tight turns without a significant loss
of speed, giving rise to its superior flight
characteristics. Junkers Ju 87B Stuka Messerschmitt Bf 110C
One of the most famous fighters of the war, The Bf 110 was the twin-engine
the Ju 87, or Stuka, was the instrument of counterpart of the smaller Bf 109. It was
Focke-Wulf Fw 200C Condor Blitzkrieg, allowing airpower to take a direct designed as a long-range fighter but was
The Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor began its effect in battles on the land at a tactical level. also used as a reconnaissance and light
operational life as an airliner and was the Against dedicated fighters, the Stuka was strike aircraft, and a highly successful night
first aircraft to fly non-stop between Berlin quickly dispatched but it continued to take fighter. Its size put it at a disadvantage
and New York. Though used in a variety a strong role in anti-shipping and anti-tank against smaller, more manoeuvrable single-
of roles, the version presented here is a duties throughout the war. engine fighters.
maritime patrol aircraft that saw use as a
long-range and anti-shipping bomber. These
planes searched for Allied convoys and
guided the submarine wolfpacks into action.

Messerschmitt
Bf 109 flights

Kriegsmarine Aircraft Chart

Flight Commissioned Carrier Role Flank Speed Dogfight Damage Dice Traits Points
Fiesler Fi 167A 1940 Yes Torpedo-Bomber 14" -1 4 Devastating 15
Fiesler Fi 167A 1940 Yes Bomber 14" -1 2 – 15
Focke-Wulf Fw 190A 1941 No Fighter 29" +4 0 Tough 30
Focke-Wulf Fw 190A 1941 No Bomber 29" +3 1 Tough 30
Focke-Wulf Fw 200C Condor 1940 No Bomber 16" -3 7 Large 15
Heinkel He 111H 1939 No Bomber 18" -3 4 – 10
Heinkel He 111H 1939 No Torpedo-Bomber 18" -3 8 Devastating 15
Heinkel He 177A Greif 1936 No Bomber 20" -2 8 Large 15
Junkers Ju 87B Stuka 1938 Yes Dive-Bomber 17" -1 2 Devastating 15
Junkers Ju 88A 1939 No Dive-Bomber 21" -3 4 Devastating 10
Junkers Ju 88A 1939 No Bomber 21" -3 6 – 10
Junkers Ju 88A 1942 No Torpedo-Bomber 21" -3 2 Attacks at 4 Devastating 10
Messerschmitt Bf 109D 1940 Yes Fighter 26" +2 0 – 20
Messerschmitt Bf 109D 1940 Yes Bomber 26" +1 1 – 20
Messerschmitt Bf 110C 1939 No Fighter 25" +0 0 – 25
Messerschmitt Bf 110C 1939 No Bomber 25" -1 2 – 25

230
R1-class R-Boat and French coasts, along the English coast S-100-class S-Boat
The R1-class of R-Boat (from the German and within the Channel, as well as in the The ultimate S-Boat to be operational in
räumboot, meaning minesweeper) was North Sea, the Baltic and the Mediterranean significant numbers was the S-100-class,
intended to be used as a shallow water and Black Sea. which was produced from 1943 and was
minesweeper but, as the war went on, said to be the best fast patrol boat of
it became a multi-role craft. Its duties The first S-Boats, S1–S6, were sold to its time. The S-100-class was nicknamed
expanded to include patrol, anti- Spain before the outbreak of war. The the Calotte, as it featured a rounded
submarine, convoy escort, minelaying, and S-14-class represented the first group armoured bridge. It was powered by
rescue operations. of operational diesel-powered torpedo three Daimler-Benz engines giving it an
boats available to Germany. Capable of overall capacity of around 7,500 hp and
over 40kts, the boats carried a primary developing an outstanding top speed of
R301-class R-Boat armament of two torpedo tubes in 48 knots.
The R301-class of R-Boat were small craft the bow, with two reload torpedoes.
built for coastal minesweeping, patrol and Secondary armament comprised a 20mm
escort work. Some classes, such as the cannon and machineguns for air defence S-700-class S-Boat
R310, were fitted with torpedo tubes, or close-quarters action at night. Late-war S-boats retained the same
though performance was very modest general dimensions as their predecessors
compared to craft specifically designed for but were powered by Daimler-Benz
the role. S-26-class S-Boat engines rather than the MAN diesels
A development of the S-1-class, these of early models. Torpedo armament
S-Boats had torpedo tubes that were remained much the same, but additional
S-14-class S-Boat enclosed in a decked-over forecastle, guns were fitted for surface action. A
S-Boats (from the German Schnellboot, increasing interior space and reserve typical fit was a 37mm or 40mm gun,
meaning fast boat), called E-Boats (E for buoyancy. The cockpit was set into the which might be replaced by a quad-mount
Enemy) by the British, served in escort and wheelhouse roof, putting the commander 20mm. The S-700-class S-Boats were
security missions, sea reconnaissance, mine in a position with better visibility where constructed to carry all four torpedoes
warfare and combat against submarines and he could communicate directly to the ready to fire, and used an ambitious
surface units. They operated off the Dutch wheelhouse and navigator. prefabricated construction system.

Kriegsmarine Motor Torpedo Boat Chart

Section Commissioned Flank Speed Armour Smoke AA Battery Torpedoes Weapons Points
R1-class R-Boat 1931 4" 3+ Yes 1 – 1943: Add Depth Charge 10
R301-class R-Boat 1943 5" 4+ Yes 1 2 Depth Charge 20
S-14-class S-Boat 1933/1938 7"/8" 3+ Yes 1 2 1942: Add Depth Charge 20
S-26-class S-Boat 1939/1940 7"/8" 3+ Yes 1 2 Depth Charge 20
S-100-class S-Boat 1943 8" 4+ Yes 1 2 Depth Charge 20
S-700-class S-Boat 1944 9" 4+ Yes 1 4 Depth Charge 25

The Bismarck brings her guns to bear while avoiding enemy shells

231
Japan was shown the power of modern armour-piercing bombs improvised from battleship forces made several gallant efforts,
warships when an American cruiser 16-inch shells, torpedoes and lighter bombs, and Japanese destroyers ran appalling risks
squadron bombarded one of its port Japanese aircraft inflicted tremendous to deliver men and supplies to the island
facilities, which had only stone-shot firing damage on the American Pacific Fleet as it battles but, in the end, the matter would be
cannon to reply with. It became obvious lay at anchor. Had the US carrier force also decided by carrier air power – and in that
that no longer would Japan be able to ignore been present at the time of the attack, the vital area the Imperial Japanese Navy was
the rest of the world. As an island power, it war might have taken a different course. falling ever further behind.
needed a modern navy.
As it was, things were bad enough for This was not the only factor at play. Japan
Turning to Britain for assistance, the world’s the Allies. The Imperial Japanese Navy had gained access to vast reserves of vital
foremost naval power, Japan quickly created dominated the Pacific, sweeping aside the materials by her conquests, but they needed
a powerful modern fleet, which fought weak Allied cruiser and destroyer forces to be transported back to Japan. The
successfully against Korea and Russia in the in the region while British capital ships Imperial Japanese Navy never really grasped
years that followed. It was this capable and were sunk with massed air attacks. At the the concept of effective anti-submarine
confident navy that came out to fight the time of the Battle of the Java Sea in 1942, defence for merchant convoys and, over the
American Pacific Fleet and those of the Allies. the Allies had no functional capital ship course of the war, vital supply ships were
within 10,000 miles. The Imperial Japanese steadily massacred by US submarines.
Unlike other navies, the Japanese Navy was, at this point, the third most
understood the potential of air power early powerful navy in the world and, for a time, The Imperial Japanese Navy did not take
and created an effective carrier arm. This it seemed unstoppable. defeat lying down. Even at the end, with
was in part due to the limitations of the the victorious Allies pushing towards the
Washington Treaty, which limited capital Although both the US Navy and the Japanese home islands, the Imperial Japanese
ship construction but allowed incomplete Imperial Japanese Navy had large numbers Navy fought desperately to keep them at
hulls to be finished as aircraft carriers. In this of battleships available, it was air power bay. Kamikaze aircraft and other suicide
way, the Imperial Japanese Navy acquired that turned the tide of the Pacific War. weapons were deployed in ever increasing
two fast carriers built on what had been The Battle of Midway lasted three days and numbers, and eventually even the proud
battleship and battlecruiser hulls. resulted in the loss of several ships plus large warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy
numbers of planes and – more importantly made death-rides against US forces.
In addition to the carriers, the Imperial – trained aircrew on both sides, but victory
Japanese Navy possessed a powerful finally went to America. The Japanese Most of these sorties were stopped by
battleship force, which included the largest carrier fleet was crippled by its losses American airpower long before they came
and most powerful battleships in the world, while the smaller US fleet was backed by a in range of their objectives. This was the
the Yamato and the Musashi. In truth, these tremendous industrial capacity that could last hurrah for the battleship, and the heroic
awesome ships, like every other battleship, make good its losses easily. efforts of the Imperial Japanese Navy only
were already obsolete when they were laid served to prove beyond any doubt that the
down but carrier aircraft had yet to show Midway was the turning point of the days of the large armoured warship were
their full potential. Pacific War and, from then on, the Imperial gone forever. If the world’s most powerful
Japanese Navy was unable to make any battleship, crewed by men expecting to die
That potential was demonstrated in the headway against the increasing carrier in the course of their mission, could not
attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Using strength of the US Navy. Cruiser and survive to reach gun range, no ship would.

Yahagi 1943

The Imperial Japanese cruiser, Mogami

232
Rising Sun – the Imperial Japanese Navy in all its glory

Japanese national RULES

The following special rules are applied to fleets of the Imperial Japanese Navy

Long Lance
The Type 93 ‘Long Lance’ torpedo had an exceedingly long range, but the chances of actually hitting anything at those ranges
diminished quickly. However, this extreme range was still useful as it allowed Japanese fleet to effectively ‘seed’ a stretch of water
with torpedoes.
Long Lance torpedoes are used in the same way as other torpedoes, unless the range to the target exceeds 20". If the target is at a
greater range, roll a D6 for each torpedo that successfully hits, the torpedo will miss unless the result of this dice roll is a 6.
In addition, Japanese ships only tended to have one ready salvo when reloading. Any ship with the Slow-Loading trait for its Long
Lance torpedoes may only reload them once during the entire battle.

Fan Salvoes
The Imperial Japanese Navy had an impressive weapon with the Type 93 ‘Long Lance’ torpedo but, more importantly, they were
well-trained in its use. The extreme range of the Type 93 was intended to make it the opening weapon in long range night actions,
with massed torpedo attacks launched at long range prior to the battle fleet engaging.
Any ship capable of firing 3 or more Attack Dice of Type 93 torpedoes may launch a single ‘fan salvo’ after fleets have been
deployed but before the battle begins, with the intention of hitting multiple enemies. Roll one D6 for every ship taking part in the
fan salvo, a random enemy ship will be hit on the roll of a 6 (this will expend the ship’s torpedoes for the battle if they have the
One-Shot trait, but will be reloaded in time for the battle if they are Slow-Loading). A fan salvo may be used in Night Battles but
not Bad Weather.

Fire Fighting
The ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy had poor fire control procedures.
If a Japanese ship has a Crew Critical Score of 2 or more,
it suffers a –1 penalty to all Damage Control rolls.

Kumano

233
 Flank Speed: 5" Armour: 5+ Hull: 78/26 Traits: Aircraft 3, Torpedo Belt 2 370
points
Type: Battleship Length: 698 ft. Speed: 24.75 kts. Ships of this Class: Fusō, Yamashiro
Commissioned: 1915 Crew: 1,400 Displacement: 39,154 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 14-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 2 +1 2 –
FUSŌ-CLASS BATTLESHIP

B Turret (2 x 14-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 2 +1 2 –

Q Turret (2 x 14-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 2 +1 2 –
R Turret (2 x 14-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 2 +1 2 –
X Turret (2 x 14-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 2 +1 2 –
Y Turret (2 x 14-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 2 +1 2 –
Light Guns (14 x 6-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 8 -2 1 Restricted, Weak
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Refits – Fusō Refits – Yamashiro
1940 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points. 1940 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 5 for +60 points.
1940 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 6 for +60 points.

The Fusō-class was a larger and more powerful version of the Kongō-class were modernised with oil-fired boilers, which reduced their two funnels to
battlecruiser. Outfitted with no less than six twin 14-inch turrets, these one. Armour protection was increased in both quantity and quality and a
ships were designed with mainly offensive capability in mind and, as a result, torpedo bulge added. In addition, the ships’ control tops were dramatically
suffered from weak armour. The arrangement of all centreline turrets was enlarged, producing the characteristic pagoda foremast which typified
not entirely successful, as the armoured section was necessarily long, and the Japanese battleships of the time. Despite a significant increase in displacement,
middle Q and R turrets had poor arcs of fire. Between the wars, both ships the refitted Fusō-class was actually faster with a top speed of 25.4 knots.

"A military man can scarcely pride himself on having 'smitten a

sleeping enemy'; it is more a matter of shame, simply, for the one smitten."
Admiral Yamamoto

Flank Speed: 5" Armour: 5+ Hull: 80/26 Traits: Aircraft 3, Torpedo Belt 2 370
points
Type: Battleship Length: 708 ft. Speed: 25.3 kts. Ships of this Class: Ise, Hyūga
Commissioned: 1917 Crew: 1,360 Displacement: 40,169 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 14-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 2 +1 2 –
ISE-CLASS BATTLESHIP

B Turret (2 x 14-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 2 +1 2 –

Q Turret (2 x 14-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 2 +1 2 –
R Turret (2 x 14-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 2 +1 2 –
X Turret (2 x 14-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 2 +1 2 –
Y Turret (2 x 14-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 2 +1 2 –
Light Guns (16 x 5.5-inch) 5" 11" 17" 23" 10 -2 1 Restricted, Weak
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Refits – Hyūga Refits – Ise, Hyūga
1942 Turret failed in May 1942. Remove X Turret and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for -15 points. Late 1943 Both ships converted to Ise-class hybrid battleship/aircraft carrier.

Originally intended as sister ships of the preceding Fusō-class, the Ise-class primary turrets (though the cumbersome six-twin arrangement was
battleships were considered sufficiently different to warrant a separate retained). Like most battleships of their era, they retained casemated
classification. Among the differences were a shorter foredeck, a closer secondary armament, and, like all Japanese warships of the period, these
grouping of secondary armament, and a different arrangement of the vessels still relied on mixed of coal and oil for firing their boilers.

234
 The Imperial Japanese Navy

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 4+ Hull: 73/24 Traits: Aircraft 3, Armoured Deck, Torpedo Belt 2 375
points
Type: Battleship Length: 729 ft. Speed: 30.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Kongō, Hiei, Kirishima, Haruna
Commissioned: 1913 Crew: 1,437 Displacement: 36,601 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 14-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 2 +1 2 –
B Turret (2 x 14-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 2 +1 2 –
KONGŌ-CLASS BATTLESHIP

X Turret (2 x 14-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 2 +1 2 –

Y Turret (2 x 14-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 2 +1 2 –
Light Guns (14 x 6-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 8 -2 1 Restricted, Weak
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Refits – Haruna Refits – Kongō
1943 Add Radar, change Light Guns as shown below and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +55 points. 1943 Reduce Light Guns (12 x 6-inch) to 6 Attack Dice for -10 points.
1944 Increase AA Battery to Local 5 for +15 points. 1944 Add Radar and change Light Guns and AA Battery as shown below for +65 points.
1945 Increase AA Battery to Local 6 for +5 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (8 x 5.5-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 4 -2 1 Restricted, Weak
Light Guns (12 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 8 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 6

The Kongō-class, dating from 1912, was rebuilt between 1927 and 1931 and was thereafter
re-rated as a battleship. Armed with eight 14-inch guns in dual turrets and a secondary battery
of sixteen 6-inch guns, the Kongō was further rebuilt in the late 1930s. Hiei and Kirishima
were lost off Guadalcanal; Hiei was disabled after taking fifty or more hits from 8 inch
and smaller shells, and finally sunk by air-launched torpedoes. Kirishima was
shattered by battleship gunfire, while Kongō was torpedoed by a
submarine, and Haruna sunk by an air raid on Kure.

Kongō

Flank Speed: 5" Armour: 5+ Hull: 86/28 Traits: Aircraft 3, Armoured Deck, Torpedo Belt 2 725
points
Type: Battleship Length: 738 ft. Speed: 25 kts. Ships of this Class: Mutsu, Nagato
Commissioned: 1920* Crew: 1,333 Displacement: 42,850 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 16.1-inch) 10" 21" 31" 42" 2 +2 3 Heavy
NAGATO-CLASS BATTLESHIP

B Turret (2 x 16.1-inch) 10" 21" 31" 42" 2 +2 3 Heavy

X Turret (2 x 16.1-inch) 10" 21" 31" 42" 2 +2 3 Heavy
Y Turret (2 x 16.1-inch) 10" 21" 31" 42" 2 +2 3 Heavy
Light Guns (18 x 5.5-inch) 5" 11" 17" 23" 14 -2 1 Restricted, Weak
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
*Note: Refit 1938
Refits – Mutsu Refits – Nagato 1945 Became floating AA Battery: Increase Light Guns (12 x
1943 Aft magazines detonated in port in June destroying 1944 Add Radar and Sub-Hunter, decrease Light Guns 5-inch) Attack Dice to 8 and increase AA Battery to Local 7
the ship. (16 x 5.5-inch) Attack Dice to 12 and increase AA Battery for +30 points.
to Local 5 for +65 points. Remove all Light Guns (16 x 5.5-inch and 12 x 5-inch) for
-80 points.

The flagship of the Japanese fleet during the attack on Pearl Harbor, the With no resources spare for refitting, the Nagato was used as a coastal
Nagato was also the first battleship in the world to mount 16-inch guns. defence boat until she was heavily beaten by waves of torpedo bombers,
The Nagato continued to serve throughout the war, eventually returning to and then later boarded. Up to that point, she had been the last active
Japan as the US forces approached. Japanese battleship.

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Flank Speed: 5" Armour: 7+ Hull: 146/48 Traits: Aircraft 7, Armoured Deck, Torpedo Belt 3 1,000
points
Type: Battleship Length: 863 ft. Speed: 27 kts. Ships of this Class: Musashi, Yamato
Commissioned: 1941 Crew: 2,500 Displacement: 72,810 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (3 x 18.1-inch) 11" 23" 34" 46" 3 +2 4 Heavy
YAMATO-CLASS BATTLESHIP

B Turret (3 x 18.1-inch) 11" 23" 34" 46" 3 +2 4 Heavy

Y Turret (3 x 18.1-inch) 11" 23" 34" 46" 3 +2 4 Heavy
AA Turret (3 x 6.1-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 2 -1 1 –
P Turret (3 x 6.1-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 2 -1 1 –
S Turret (3 x 6.1-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 2 -1 1 –
YY Turret (3 x 6.1-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 2 -1 1 –
Light Guns (12 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 8 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Refits – Musashi Refits – Yamato
1942 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points. 1943 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points.
1944 Add Radar, add Sub-Hunter, remove P and S Turrets, and increase Local AA Battery to 7 for 1944 Add Radar, add Sub-Hunter, remove P and S Turrets, increase Light Guns (24 x 5-inch) to Attack
+85 points. Dice 14, and increase AA Battery to Local 8 for +155 points.
1945 Increase AA Battery to Local 9 for +5 points.

By a large margin, the Yamato and Musashi were the largest battleships eroded the battleship’s role in the world. The Musashi was lost during the
ever built and were the product of advancing Japanese technology. They Battle of Leyte Gulf (during which these two ships formed the core of
were twice the displacement of most Allied battleships and their 18.1-inch the Imperial Japanese Navy’s fleet) while the Yamato was later sunk by 10
guns could out range anything in the Allied arsenal. It was the hope of torpedoes and 23 bombs during a suicide run to Okinawa. A third ship,
the Imperial Japanese Navy that such characteristics would allow them the Shinano, was completed as an aircraft carrier (the largest in the world
to circumvent the Allies’ numerical superiority. However, when war at the time) rather than a battleship but was sunk by a US submarine
came, it soon became clear the submarine and, in particular, aircraft, had during its maiden voyage.

"In the first six to twelve months of a war with the United States and
Great Britain I will run wild and win victory upon victory. But then, if
the war continues after that, I have no expectation of success."
Admiral Yamamoto

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 86/28 Traits: Carrier, Torpedo Belt 2 Aircraft: 17 Flights 250
AKAGI-CLASS CARRIER

points
Type: Carrier Length: 855 ft. Speed: 31.2 kts. Ships of this Class: Akagi
Commissioned: 1927 Crew: 2,000 Displacement: 42,750 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (6 x 7.9-inch) 6" 13" 19" 26" 6 - 1 Restricted
Light Guns (12 x 4.7-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Originally laid down as an Amagi-class battlecruiser, the stipulations of other equipment to support big gun turrets, and the wooden flight deck
the Washington Treaty resulted in her conversion to an aircraft carrier. and hangar deck were designed to be quickly stripped off, making room
As a result, Akagi was one of Japan’s first large aircraft carriers. Akagi and for turrets to be mounted. However, by the mid-1930s, the admirals
her near-sister Kaga straddled the line between carrier and dreadnought. believed the aircraft carrier to be the equal of the capital ship and Akagi
To keep both options open, the ships were designed to be quickly was extensively rebuilt to improve aircraft handling capacity, ending any
converted to capital ships. They carried turret barbettes, magazines and possibility of later converting it to a capital ship.

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 The Imperial Japanese Navy

The battleship Kongō in the van of an Imperial Japanese fleet

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 1+ Hull: 31/10 Traits: Agile, Carrier Aircraft: 7 Flights 110
CHITOSE-CLASS CARRIER

points
Type: Carrier Length: 631 ft. Speed: 29.0 kts. Ships of this Class: Chitose, Chiyoda
Commissioned: 1943 Crew: 800 Displacement: 15,300 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Refits
1944 Increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +5 points.

Both Chitose and Chiyoda were originally laid down as a seaplane tenders, but and both took part in the Battle of Midway, though neither saw combat. As the
provisions were made during construction for the possibility of rapid conversion Japanese became aware of the importance of carrier aviation, both Chitose and
to outright carriers. Both were active as seaplane carriers at the start of the war Chiyoda were converted into light carriers, re-entering service in early 1944.

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 2+ Hull: 44/14 Traits: Carrier, Torpedo Belt 2 Aircraft: 14 Flights 230
points
Type: Carrier Length: 746 ft. Speed: 34.3 kts. Ships of this Class: Hiryū
HIRYŪ-CLASS

Commissioned: 1939 Crew: 1,101 Displacement: 21,900 tons

CARRIER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (12 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 8 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Sōryū and Hiryū were typically considered to be from separate classes, designated to operate in conjunction with Hiryū during air operations. As
but were really semi-sisters. Hiryū was slightly larger, featured a port a result, Hiryū's island was on the port side of the flight deck and her air
side island, and slightly more anti-aircraft armament. As opposed to group would circle to starboard. It was thought that this configuration
some earlier Japanese carriers which were redesigns other military hulls, would enhance flight operations, but wartime experience showed it to be
these ships were designed from the start as aircraft carriers. Sōryū was an unnecessary complication.

Flank Speed: 5" Armour: 1+ Hull: 22/7 Traits: Agile, Carrier Aircraft: 4 Flights 90
points
HŌSHŌ-CLASS CARRIER

Type: Carrier Length: 552 ft. Speed: 25.0 kts. Ships of this Class: Hōshō
Commissioned: 1922 Crew: 550 Displacement: 10,797 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (4 x 5.5-inch) 4" 9" 14" 19" 2 -2 1 Restricted, Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 1 – – Local 1
Refits
1941 Decrease AA Battery to Attack Dice 0 for -5 points. 1942 Decrease Aircraft to 2 Flights, remove Light Guns for -20 points.

From the date of her commission in 1922 to the completion of the Akagi in Pacific War and assisted with a compliment of older aircraft in operations
1927, the Hōshō served as the most advanced aircraft carrier in the Imperial along the Chinese coasts in 1940. During much of the war, the Hōshō was
Japanese Navy, and is often considered the first ship built from the keel up as used primarily for training purposes, but did serve in an air defence capacity
a carrier, though she was initially laid down as a tanker and redesigned during at the Battle of Midway in 1942. Three years later, she sustained damage
construction. In 1933, she was withdrawn from the regular fleet and assigned during an American air attack. After the war, the Hōshō was used as a
as a training vessel. Hōshō remained in this capacity until the outbreak of the repatriation vessel to return home Japanese citizens and soldiers.

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 The Imperial Japanese Navy

Flank Speed: 5" Armour: 5+ Hull: 77/25 Traits: Carrier, Radar, Torpedo Belt 2 Aircraft: 5 Flights 350
points
Type: Carrier Length: 720 ft. Speed: 25.3 kts. Ships of this Class: Ise, Hyūga
Commissioned: 1943 Crew: 1,376 Displacement: 38,676 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
ISE-CLASS CARRIER

A Turret (2 x 14-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 2 +1 2 –

B Turret (2 x 14-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 2 +1 2 –
Q Turret (2 x 14-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 2 +1 2 –
R Turret (2 x 14-inch) 9" 19" 29" 39" 2 +1 2 –
Light Guns (16 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 10 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 3
Recovery: Due to short flight deck, cannot recover aircraft.
Refits – Hyūga Refits – Ise
1944 Increase AA Battery to Local 5 for +10 points. 1944 Add Sub-Hunter and increase AA Battery to Local 6 for +30 points.

Being fairly old and slow, the Ise-class battleships were obvious candidates in their place, while the mid and fore turrets were retained, making both
for conversion to aircraft carriers following the losses at Midway. This ships a hybrid carrier. However, neither the Ise or the Hyūga saw combat as
resulted in their rear turrets being removed and a flight deck being built battleship or carrier.

"We must not again underestimate the Japanese."

Admiral Nimitz

Flank Speed: 5" Armour: 1+ Hull: 57/19 Traits: Carrier, Torpedo Belt 1 Aircraft: 12 Flights 200
points
Type: Carrier* Length: 719 ft. Speed: 25.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Hiyō, Jun'yō
HIYŌ-CLASS CARRIER

Commissioned: 1942 Crew: 1,224 Displacement: 28,300 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (12 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 8 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
*Note: Takes damage as Civilian
Refits – Hiyō Refits – Jun'yō
1944 Increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +10 points. 1944 Increase AA Battery to Local 5 for +15 points.

Both the Hiyō and Jun'yō began life as civilian passenger liners but were Jun'yō participated in the attacks on Alaskan bases that were used in the
taken over by the Japanese Navy in 1940 while still on the shipways, and Battle of Midway. After the disaster of Midway, she and Hiyō were two
subsequently converted to carriers. They were equipped with two aircraft of four large aircraft carriers remaining, and were important units of the
hangars, two lifts, and were the first class of Japanese carriers to have the Japanese fleet during the next two years, even though both had a lower
funnel incorporated into the structure of the island. Completed in 1942, speed and smaller air group than built-for-purpose fleet carriers.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 87/29 Traits: Carrier, Torpedo Belt 2 Aircraft: 18 Flights 375
points
Type: Carrier Length: 812 ft. Speed: 28.3 kts. Ships of this Class: Kaga
KAGA-CLASS CARRIER

Commissioned: 1928 Crew: 2,016 Displacement: 42,541 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (10 x 7.9-inch) 7" 14" 21" 29" 10 -1 1 Restricted
Light Guns (16 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 10 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Refits
1941 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points.

The Kaga was originally laid down as a Tosa-class battleship, but the constraints barbettes, magazines and other equipment to support big gun turrets were
of newly signed Washington Treaty meant neither Kaga nor her sister ship retained and the wooden flight deck designed to be quickly stripped off, thus
Tosa could be completed. When the aircraft carrier Amagi was destroyed by an allowing the rapid conversion of the carrier back to battleship. However, by the
earthquake while still under construction, it was decided to replace her with mid-1930s, the aircraft carrier concept had taken hold and Kaga was extensively
a carrier built on the hull of the incomplete Kaga. However, the original turret rebuilt, ending any possibility of later converting them to capital ships.

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 The Imperial Japanese Navy

Flank Speed: 5" Armour: 1+ Hull: 33/11 Traits: Agile, Carrier Aircraft: 7 Flights 110
points
Type: Carrier Length: 707 ft. Speed: 26.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Ryūhō
RYŪHŌ-CLASS CARRIER

Commissioned: 1942 Crew: 989 Displacement: 16,700 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
*Note: Takes damage as Civilian
Refits
1943 Increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +5 points. 1944 Increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +5 points.

The Ryūhō entered service as the submarine tender ship Taigei. She was Her wartime career was mostly that of aircraft ferrying and pilot training.
subsequently removed from service and converted into a light aircraft However, in 1944 she sailed with the Combined Fleet to participate in the
carrier. During conversion, Ryūhō gained the distinction of being the only First Battle of the Philippine Sea, where her flight group was decimated for
major warship damaged in the Doolittle Raid, receiving one direct hit. no hits against the American fleet.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 1+ Hull: 27/9 Traits: Agile, Carrier Aircraft: 10 Flights 140
RYŪJŌ-CLASS CARRIER

points
Type: Carrier Length: 590 ft. Speed: 29.0 kts. Ships of this Class: Ryūjō
Commissioned: 1933 Crew: 924 Displacement: 13,650 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
Refits
1940 Add AA Battery Local 1 for +5 points. 1942 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points.

The Ryūjō was a one-off design intended to fill out the remaining attempted to squeeze too much fighting power into too small hulls.
tonnage allowed by the Washington Treaty. Soon after completion As a result, Ryūjō was returned to the shipyards for three years of
it was discovered that she, along with nearly an entire generation of extensive reconstruction. Despite these changes, she would see further
warships, were incapable of safe operation in the open ocean, having reconstruction in 1940.

Flank Speed: 5" Armour: 4+ Hull: 144/48 Traits: Carrier, Torpedo Belt 3 Aircraft: 12 Flights 220
SHINANO-CLASS CARRIER

points
Type: Carrier Length: 872 ft. Speed: 27.0 kts. Ships of this Class: Shinano
Commissioned: 1928* Crew: 2,400 Displacement: 71,890 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (16 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 10 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 8
*Note: 1940 refit
The Shinano was laid down as the third of five projected Yamato-class a large number of unassigned aircraft to replace losses on other carriers.
battleships, but construction was suspended prior to the war. Following Nearly complete, Shinano, escorted by four destroyers, sailed for Kure
disastrous losses at the Battle of Midway, Shinano was selected for for further outfitting. At the time, none of her internal protection was
conversion to an aircraft carrier. She was the largest aircraft carrier, by complete and her crew had little training in damage control procedures.
tonnage, until the commissioning of the supercarrier USS Forrestal, eleven Within a few hours of sailing, she was torpedo by the submarine USS
years later. Shinano was designed as a support carrier, using its extensive Archerfish. Despite four torpedo hits she managed to remain under way.
machine shops and large fuel capacity to service aircraft operating on other However, the inexperienced crew was unable to contain the flooding and
carriers. She would have a very small operational air group of her own but Shinano sank several hours later.

The Yamato makes evasive maneouvres as US pilots close in

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 The Imperial Japanese Navy

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 3+ Hull: 64/21 Traits: Carrier, Torpedo Belt 2 Aircraft: 18 Flights 275
SHŌKAKU-CLASS CARRIER
points
Type: Carrier Length: 843 ft. Speed: 34 kts. Ships of this Class: Shōkaku, Zuikaku
Commissioned: 1941 Crew: 1,660 Displacement: 32,195 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (16 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 10 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Refits – Shōkaku, Zuikaku Refits – Zuikaku
1942 Increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +5 points. 1943 Increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +5 points. 1944 Increase AA Battery to Local 5 for +5 points.

The two ships of the Shōkaku-class were used with extreme effectiveness in many
engagements within the Pacific theatre. Starting at Pearl Harbor, the role of
honour includes sinking the British carrier HMS Hermes and aiding in
the destruction of the USS Lexington and USS Hornet, among others.
The Shōkaku herself was eventually struck by a US submarine
during the Battle of the Philippine Sea and was sunk after an
onboard bomb detonated from the resulting fires. Zuikaku was
eventually lost to no less than seven aerial torpedoes and nine
bomb hits during the Battle of Cape Engaño. Zuikaku

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 2+ Hull: 40/13 Traits: Carrier, Torpedo Belt 2 Aircraft: 14 Flights 230
points
Type: Carrier Length: 746 ft. Speed: 34.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Sōryū
SŌRYŪ-CLASS

Commissioned: 1937 Crew: 1,250 Displacement: 19,800 tons

CARRIER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (12 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 8 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
The Sōryū and Hiryū were typically considered separate classes but were during air operations. As a result, Sōryū's island was constructed on the
really semi-sisters; Sōryū was slightly smaller and featured a starboard standard starboard side of the flight deck, travelling on the portside of the
island. As opposed to some earlier Japanese carriers which were redesigns formation with Hiryū and, upon take off, her aircraft would circle to port.
other military hulls, these ships were designed from the start as aircraft It was thought that this configuration would enhance flight operations, but
carriers. Sōryū was designated to operate in conjunction with Hiryū wartime experience showed it to be an unnecessary complication.

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 3+ Hull: 75/25 Traits: Armoured Deck, Carrier, Torpedo Belt 2 Aircraft: 18 Flights 280
points
Type: Carrier Length: 855 ft. Speed: 33.3 kts. Ships of this Class: Taihō
TAIHŌ-CLASS

Commissioned: 1944 Crew: 1,751 Displacement: 37,720 tons

CARRIER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (12 x 3.9-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 4
Taihō was a distinct departure from prior carrier designs and the result was, training, but was otherwise soon put into action. She was sunk that year
arguably, Japan’s best carrier of the war. She had an armoured flight deck and during the Battle of the Philippine Sea, when a single torpedo hit from the
an enclosed hurricane bow. Unfortunately, these aspects reduced the size USS Albacore resulted in damage that lead to the ignition of fuel vapours that
of the hanger bay. Completed in 1944, Taihō spent her first several months had spread throughout the ship as a result of poor damage control.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 1+ Hull: 28/9 Traits: Agile, Carrier Aircraft: 7 Flights 110
points
ZUIHŌ-CLASS CARRIER

Type: Carrier Length: 672 ft. Speed: 28 kts. Ships of this Class: Shohō, Zuihō
Commissioned: 1940 Crew: 785 Displacement: 14,200 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Refits – Zuihō
1943 Increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +10 points. 1944 Increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +5 points.

In 1936, the decision was made to complete the submarine depot ship Takasaki, destroyer level turbines and boilers. Shohō would be sunk early in the war by
then still under construction, as a carrier. Work on this project was delayed till American dive bombing and torpedo attacks during the Battle of the Coral
1940 but completed by December that year. The carrier was renamed Zuihō Sea. She was the first carrier loss to the Imperial Japanese Navy in the Pacific
and a sister ship, the Shohō, entered service two year later. Both ships were War. The Zuihō lasted until the end of 1944, when she was destroyed by a
equipped with one hangar and their original diesel motors were replaced with combination of torpedoes and bombs at the Battle of Cape Engaño.

240
 Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 2+ Hull: 17/5 Traits: Aircraft 3 110
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 571 ft. Speed: 35 kts. Ships of this Class: Agano, Noshiro, Sakawa, Yahagi
Commissioned: 1942 Crew: 730 Displacement: 8,534 tons
AGANO-CLASS CRUISER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

A Turret (2 x 6-inch) 5" 11" 17" 23" 1 -2 1 Fast Track, Twin-Linked, Weak
B Turret (2 x 6-inch) 5" 11" 17" 23" 1 -2 1 Fast Track, Twin-Linked, Weak
X Turret (2 x 6-inch) 5" 11" 17" 23" 1 -2 1 Fast Track, Twin-Linked, Weak
AA Battery 1" 3" 4" 6" 1 – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Port/Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Refits – Sakawa
1944 Add Radar, Sub-Hunter, and increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +40 points. 1945 Increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +5 points.

The Agano-class was designed as a swift and lightly armoured vessel, a leaders. Only the Sakawa survived the war, to be expended as a target in the
replacement for the aging Tenryu, Kuma and Nagara classes. Four ships were Bikini Atoll atomic tests. The Yahagi was sunk with Yamato. Agano was sunk by
laid down in the class; in practice they were used as destroyer and cruiser the submarine USS Skate. The Noshiro was sunk by carrier-borne aircraft.

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 2+ Hull: 23/7 Traits: Aircraft 2 225

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 582 ft. Speed: 34.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Aoba, Kinugasa
Commissioned: 1926* Crew: 625 Displacement: 9,476 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –
AOBA-CLASS CRUISER

B Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –

X Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –
Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18” 2 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
*Note: 1940 refit
Refits – Aoba
1943 Badly damaged. Reduce Flank Speed to 6 and remove X Turret for -25 points. 1944 Add Radar, return X Turret and increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +35 points.

Essentially an improvement of the Furutaka-class, the Aoba-class cruisers initial design displacement at 8,300 tons, they grew still further in 1938–40
were designed to mount their 8-inch guns in dual turrets from the outset and refits. Kinugasa was sunk off Guadalcanal by US carrier aircraft and Aoba was
were also the first Japanese cruisers with aircraft catapults. Already over their sunk in an air raid on Kure.

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 2+ Hull: 23/7 Traits: Aircraft 2, Armoured Deck 225
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 592 ft. Speed: 34.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Furutaka, Kako
Commissioned: 1926 Crew: 625 Displacement: 9,540 tons
FURUTAKA-CLASS CRUISER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

A Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –
B Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –
X Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –
Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18” 2 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
The Furutaka-class was the first Japanese ‘Treaty’ cruiser. They were flush the late 1930s they were rebuilt with dual mounts for their 8-inch armament.
decked to save weight and initially mounted their guns in single gun houses. In Furutaka was sunk by US cruisers and Kako was torpedoed by a US submarine.

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 The Imperial Japanese Navy

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 16/5 Traits: Agile 60

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 532 ft. Speed: 32 kts. Ships of this Class: Kiso, Kuma, Tama, Kitakami, Ōi
Commissioned: 1920 Crew: 450 Displacement: 8,000 tons (Kitakami and Ōi converted to torpedo cruisers, see below)
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (7 x 5.5-inch) 5" 11" 17" 23" 4 -2 1 Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port Type 6 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Port Type 6 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Type 6 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
KUMA-CLASS LIGHT CRUISER

Starboard Type 6 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot

Light Guns (7 x 5.5-inch): Only 2 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs. Kuma, Tama: Add Aircraft 1 for +5 points.
Refits – All Refits – Tama
1940 Replace all Torpedoes with Type 8 M2, increasing to Range bands 4"/8"/12"/16" and Damage 1944 Remove Aircraft, add Radar, change all weapons as shown below for +105 points.
Dice 3 for +40 points.
Refits – Kuma
Refits – Kiso 1944 Remove Aircraft and replace all Torpedoes with Type 93, increasing to Range bands
1944 Add Radar, change all weapons as shown below for +110 points. 8"/17"/25"/34" and Damage Dice 3 for +10 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (5 x 5.5-inch) 5" 11" 17" 23" 3 -2 1 Weak
Light Guns (2 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 1 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 3
Port Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot, Wakeless
Port Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot, Wakeless
Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot, Wakeless
Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot, Wakeless
Light Guns (5 x 5.5-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs. Light Guns (2 x 5.5-inch): May only be fired into the X Turret arc.

The Kuma-class of light cruisers was a compromise between ocean going scout destroyer flotilla command ship. As a result, these cruisers sacrificed protection
ships and improved versions of the Tenryū-class. The goal was the production for speed and firepower. Initially equipped with 21-inch torpedoes, they would
of an intermediate class of cruiser which could act both as fleet scout and later be upgraded with the new 24-inch Long Lance torpedo.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 16/5 Traits: Agile 200

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 535 ft. Speed: 32 kts. Ships of this Class: Kitakami, Ōi
Commissioned: 1941 Crew: 439 Displacement: 7,800 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (4 x 5.5-inch) 4" 9" 14" 19" 2 -2 1 Weak
KUMA-CLASS CRUISER

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot, Wakeless
Port Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot, Wakeless
Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot, Wakeless
Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot, Wakeless
Light Guns (4 x 5.5-inch): May Fire only 1 Attack Dice in front arc.
Fan Salvo: If a Kuma-class Torpedo Cruiser takes part in a fan salvo, 4 dice may be rolled for the ship instead of just one.
Fire Control: Due to insufficient fire control capabilities, a Kuma-class Torpedo Cruiser may not fire its Light Guns and Torpedoes in the same turn. In addition, no more than two
targets may be selected for torpedo attack in the same turn.
Refits – Kitakami 1945 Decrease Flank Speed to 5", remove Agile, add Radar, increase Refits – Ōi
1942 Converted to fast transport. Remove two port and two AA Battery to Local 4, remove all Torpedoes for -45 points. Add 1942 Converted to fast transport. Remove all Torpedoes and add
starboard Torpedoes and add Depth Charge for -35 points. up to 8 Kaiten manned torpedoes for +10 points each. Depth Charge for -30 points.

The Japanese had high hopes for the Long Lance torpedo in the face of a larger they lacked sufficient fire control for such a large number of tubes, limiting their
American battle line. To that end, the Kuma-class cruisers Ōi and Kitakami were effectiveness. Also, by the time they re-joined the fleet, Allied forces would no
both converted into torpedo cruisers. They traded half of the main 5.5-inch longer accept night battles except when supported by radar. Even the great
guns and the aircraft catapult for no less than 40 torpedo tubes. Unfortunately, range of the Long Lance could not compete with radar directed gunfire.

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 The Imperial Japanese Navy

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 3+ Hull: 30/10 Traits: Agile, Aircraft 3 280
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 656 ft. Speed: 35 kts. Ships of this Class: Kumano, Mikuma, Mogami, Suzuya
Commissioned: 1937 Crew: 951 Displacement: 13,440 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 8 in) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –
B Turret (2 x 8 in) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –
Q Turret (2 x 8 in) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –
X Turret (2 x 8 in) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –
Y Turret (2 x 8 in) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –
Light Guns (8 x 5 in) 4" 8" 12" 16" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
MOGAMI-CLASS CRUISER

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 3 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Port Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 3 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 3 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 3 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Refits – All Refits – Suzuya
Prior to 1940: Change Hull to 28/9, replace all turrets with those shown below (while keeping their 1944 Add Radar and increase AA battery to Local 3 for +30 points.
original fire arcs) and replace all torpedoes’ Slow-Loading trait with One-Shot for -100 Points
Refits – Mogami
Refits – Kumano 1943 Damaged June 1942 and rebuilt. Reduce Hull to 28/9, increase Aircraft to 7, remove X and Y
1944 Add Radar and increase AA battery to Local 3 for +30 points. Turrets, and increase AA battery to Local 2 for -40 points.
1944 Add Radar and increase AA battery to Local 4 for +25 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Turret (3 x 6.1-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 2 -1 1 –
Port Type 90 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port Type 90 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Type 90 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Type 90 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
With aluminium used in its construction, the Mogami-class was extremely of Midway after they had collided with one another. Mogami survived
fast, yet did not require many boilers and remained heavily armoured. and returned to face America at the Battle of Leyte Gulf, where she was
Mikuma and Mogami were both caught by a US aircraft carrier at the Battle eventually scuttled.

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 3+ Hull: 32/10 Traits: Aircraft 3 275

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 668 ft. Speed: 33.3 kts. Ships of this Class: Ashigara, Haguro, Myōkō, Nachi
Commissioned: 1929* Crew: 773 Displacement: 16,007 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –
B Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –
MYŌKŌ-CLASS CRUISER

Q Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –

X Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –
Y Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot, Wakeless
Port Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot, Wakeless
Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
*Note: 1940 refit Refits
1944 Add Radar, increase AA Battery to Local 3, and remove all Torpedoes for +0 points.

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 The Imperial Japanese Navy

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 16/5 Traits: Agile, Aircraft 1 70

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 534 ft. Speed: 32 kts. Ships of this Class: Nagara, Isuzu, Natori, Yuru, Kinu, Abukuma
Commissioned: 1922 Crew: 450 Displacement: 8,000 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (7 x 5.5-inch) 4" 9" 14" 19" 4 -2 1 Weak
NAGARA-CLASS CRUISER

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port Type 8 M2 Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port Type 8 M2 Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Type 8 M2 Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Type 8 M2 Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (7 x 5.5-inch): Only 2 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
Refits – Abukuma Refits – Kinu Refits – Natori
1941 Replace all Torpedoes as shown below for +30 points. 1944 Remove Aircraft, add Depth Charge and replace Light Guns 1944 Remove Aircraft and replace Light Guns as shown below for -5 points.
1944 Remove Aircraft, add Radar, and replace Light Guns and AA as shown below for -5 points Refits – Isuzu
Battery as shown below for +15 points. Refits – Nagara 1943 Replace Light Guns as shown below for +0 points.
1945 Increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +5 points. 1944 Remove Aircraft, add Radar and replace entire armament as 1944 Remove Aircraft, add Radar, and replace entire armament
shown below for +35 points. as shown below for +45 points.
Abukuma – 1941

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Port Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Abukuma – 1944

Light Guns (5 x 5.5-inch) 5" 11" 17" 23" 3 -2 1 Weak. Only 1 AD may be fired into the front & aft arcs
Light Guns (2 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 1 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Kinu – 1944

Light Guns (5 x 5.5-inch) 5" 11" 17" 23" 3 -2 1 Weak. Only 1 AD may be fired into the front & aft arcs
Light Guns (2 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 1 -2 1 DP, Weak

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (6 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 3 -2 1 DP, Weak. Only 1 AD may be fired into the front & aft arcs
Isuzu – 1944

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 3
Port Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (5 x 5.5-inch) 5" 11" 17" 23" 3 -2 1 Weak. Only 1 AD may be fired into the front & aft arcs
Nagara – 1944

Light Guns (2 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 1 -2 1 DP, Weak

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Port Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Natori – 1944

Light Guns (5 x 5.5-inch) 5" 11" 17" 23" 3 -2 1 Weak. Only 1 AD may be fired into the front & aft arcs
Light Guns (2 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 1 -2 1 DP, Weak
Depth Charges 1" 1" 1" 1" 1 – 2 Slow-Loading

Dating from the early 1920s, the Nagara-class received aircraft in 1927 and 5-inch guns and a heavier anti-aircraft fit. Nagara, Isuzu and Natori were
mounted large numbers of torpedo tubes and six 5.5-inch guns in single sunk by US submarines while Yuru, Kinu, and Abukuma were all crippled or
mounts. Isuzu was converted in 1944 to an anti-aircraft cruiser, with six sunk by American aircraft.

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 The Imperial Japanese Navy

Isuzu by Paul Wright © Osprey Publishing Ltd. Taken from New Vanguard 187 – Imperial Japanese Navy light cruisers 1941-45

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 2+ Hull: 23/7 Traits: Agile, Aircraft 6, Armoured Deck 80
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 630 ft. Speed: 35 kts Ships of this Class: Ōyodo
ŌYODO-CLASS CRUISER

Commissioned: 1943 Crew: 782 Displacement: 11,433 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (3 x 6.1-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
B Turret (3 x 6.1-inch) 7" 15" 22" 30" 2 -1 1 Fast Track
Light Guns (8 x 3.9-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 4 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Refits
1944 Decrease Aircraft to 2, add Radar, and increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +10 points.

The Ōyodo-class was originally designed to act as a flagship for scouting reassigned to aircraft carriers and the E15K planes were not ready. Finally,
submarine fleets. To that end, they were to be equipped with two triple her original role as submarine command ship had already been deemed
6-inch guns (previously removed from one of the Mogami-class cruisers) untenable. Instead, for a short time, the Ōyodo was the flagship of Third
forward, and an oversized catapult to handle six E15k reconnaissance Fleet. Later she became a Combined Fleet flagship when her oversized
seaplanes aft. Two cruisers were initially authorised, but immediately after catapult was replaced with a smaller, more conventional one and her large
Ōyodo’s completion, all available shipbuilding resources at that yard were hangar converted to accommodate Fleet Headquarters staff.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 16/5 Traits: Agile, Aircraft 1, Armoured Deck, Depth Charge 80
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 535 ft. Speed: 32 kts. Ships of this Class: Naka, Sendai, Jintsū
Commissioned: 1924 Crew: 450 Displacement: 8,000 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (7 x 5.5-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 4 -2 1 Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port Type 8 M2 Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port Type 8 M2 Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
SENDAI-CLASS CRUISER

Starboard Type 8 M2 Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot

Starboard Type 8 M2 Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 2 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (7 x 5.5-inch): Only 2 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
Refits – Jintsū
1941 Change all Torpedoes as shown below for +60 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Port Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Refits – Naka
1941 Change all Torpedoes as shown above for +60 points. 1943 Add Light Guns as shown below for +5 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (2 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 1 -2 1 DP, Weak

An early 1920s design, the Sendai-class of light cruiser mounted seven 5.5-inch laying up to 80 mines. Sendai itself was crippled by surface gunfire and finished
guns in single mounts on a 5,200-ton hull. They were completed with a hangar by air attack, while Jintsū was sunk by surface gunfire and torpedoes. Naka was
and a flying-off platform but did not carry aircraft until 1929. It was capable of sunk by air attack. A fourth unit, to have been named Kako, was never built.

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 The Imperial Japanese Navy

"The fruits of victory are tumbling into our mouths too quickly."
Emperor Hirohito

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 3+ Hull: 32/10 Traits: Aircraft 3 270

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 669 ft. Speed: 35.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Takao, Atago, Maya, Chōkai
Commissioned: 1932 Crew: 773 Displacement: 15,875 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –
B Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –
Q Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –
X Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –
TAKAO-CLASS CRUISER

Y Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –

Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 2 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Port Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot, Wakeless
Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot, Wakeless
Refits – Atago Refits – Maya
1942 Replace Light Guns as shown below for +20 points. 1940 Remove the AA Battery's Local 1 trait for -5 points.
1944 Decrease Aircraft to 2, add Radar, and increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +25 points. 1939 Decrease Hull to 29/9 and replace all Torpedoes as shown below for -50 points:
1941 Replace Type 90 torpedoes with Type 93, increasing Range to 8"/16"/25"/34" for +40 points.
Refits – Chōkai 1944 Increase Hull to 34/11, decrease Aircraft to 2, add Radar, remove Q Turret, replace all other
1939 Decrease Hull to 29/9 and replace all Torpedoes as shown below for -50 points: weapons as shown below for +50 points.
1941 Replace Type 90 torpedoes with Type 93, increasing Range to 8"/16"/25"/34" for +40 points.
1944 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +25 points. Refits – Takao
1942 Replace Light Guns as shown below for +20 points.
1944 Decrease Aircraft to 2, add Radar, and increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +25 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Chōkai, Maya – 1939

Port Type 90 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 2 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading

Port Type 90 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 2 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading
Starboard Type 90 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 2 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading
Starboard Type 90 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 2 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading
Atago, Takao

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

– 1942

Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) all 1" 3" 4" 6" 6 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (12 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 8 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 5
Maya – 1944

Port Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot, Wakeless
Port Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot, Wakeless
Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot, Wakeless
Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot, Wakeless

An improved version of the preceding Nachi-class, the Takao-class of cruisers damaged by air attack and rebuilt, only to be sunk at the Battle of Leyte Gulf by
carried ten 8-inch guns in dual mounts which could elevate enough to be useful US submarines. Atago went the same way, but Takao survived two torpedo hits
against aircraft. Displacement at build was 11,350 tons against a published figure on the same occasion – she was later sunk by British midget submarines. Chōkai
of 9,850, and refits in 1939–40 added bulges that increased this. Maya was was also sunk at Leyte Gulf by a combination of destroyer and air attacks.

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 The Imperial Japanese Navy

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 2+ Hull: 9/3 Traits: Agile, Armoured Deck 50
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 468 ft. Speed: 33 kts. Ships of this Class: Tatsuta, Tenryū
TENRYŪ-CLASS CRUISER

Commissioned: 1919 Crew: 332 Displacement: 4,350 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (4 x 5.5-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 2 -2 1 Weak
AA Battery 1" 2" 3" 5" 1 – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Type 6 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard Type 6 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (4 x 5.5-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arcs.
The Tenryū -class consisted of a pair of 3,230-ton light cruisers which were 24-inch long lance and were thus forced to continue relying on their older
intended to act as destroyer leaders. Their design was essentially that of an 21-inch type. In the opening stages of World War Two, both cruisers were
enlarged version of a destroyer, with speed emphasised along with the new typically assigned as escorts to the various assault troop convoys, and then
5.5-inch guns. Anti-aircraft weapons were essentially non-existent, amounting later as fast transports to Guadalcanal. Tenryū was lost early in the war to a
to little more than an elderly 3-inch cannon and a pair of light machine guns. submarine torpedo attack. Tatsuta was lost approximately two years later to
Despite refits in the 1930s, neither cruiser was equipped with the new another submarine torpedo attack.

Tenryū by Paul Wright © Osprey Publishing Ltd. Taken from New

Vanguard 187 – Imperial Japanese Navy light cruisers 1941-45

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 3+ Hull: 30/10 Traits: Aircraft 5 250

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 661 ft. Speed: 35 kts Ships of this Class: Chikuma, Tone
Commissioned: 1939 Crew: 650 Displacement: 15,200 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –
B Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –
TONE-CLASS CRUISER

Q Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –

R Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 – 1 –
Light Guns (8 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 6 – 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 3 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Port Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 3 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 3 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 3 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Refits – Chikuma Refits – Tone
1944 Decrease Aircraft to 4, add Radar, and increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +25 points. 1944 Decrease Aircraft to 4, add Radar, and increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +25 points.
1945 Increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +5 points.

Like the Mogami-class, the Tone-class was originally designed as a series of light Originally designed with triple 6.1-inch turrets, delays in their construction
cruiser. Their mission was to act as the eyes of the cruiser fleet and, to that meant the terms of the Washington Treaty ended before their completion. It
end, the Tone-class placed their main armament of four turrets forward of the was therefore decided to complete both ships as heavy cruisers, replacing the
bridge. This left the aft decks free for reconnaissance aircraft usage, of which 6.1-inch turrets with twin 8-inch turrets. Neither ship survived the Pacific War.
five were carried. Armour was consistent with heavy cruisers of the period The Chikuma was sunk by American aircraft at the Battle of Leyte Gulf, while
but, like the Myōkō-class, the Tone-class included a sizable torpedo bulge. Tone was also sunk by American aircraft less than a year later.

247
 The Imperial Japanese Navy

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 2+ Hull: 9/3 Traits: Agile 55

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 456 ft. Speed: 34.8 kts. Ships of this Class: Yūbari
Commissioned: 1923 Crew: 328 Displacement: 4,448 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (6 x 5.5-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 4 -2 1 Weak
YŪBARI-CLASS LIGHT CRUISER

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Type 8 Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 2 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading
Port/Starboard Type 8 Torpedoes 4" 8" 12" 16" 2 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading
Light Guns (6 x 5.5-inch): Only 2 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
Refits
1944 Reduce to Flank Speed 6", add Radar and Depth Charge, and replace all weapons except Torpedoes as shown below for +0 points.

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (4 x 5.5-inch) 5" 11" 17" 23" 2 -2 1 Weak
Light Guns (1 x 4.7-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 1 -2 1 DP, Slow-Loading, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Light Guns (4 x 5.5-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.

The Yūbari-class was an experimental design, intended to demonstrate the mountings. One 3-inch anti-aircraft gun and two machine guns rounded the
feasibility of mounting heavy armament in a small hull. Construction was gunnery, while a pair of twin torpedo tubes, amidships in destroyer fashion,
originally planned to begin 1917 but was delayed until 1920. Design plans provided the heavy hitting power. By 1943, the single 5.5-inch guns had
were along the lines of the Furutaka-class cruisers, also proposed that year, been replaced with additional, much-needed anti-aircraft guns. Fairly active
but with the armoured belt forming part of the ship’s integral strength. throughout the war, Yūbari, like so many other Japanese vessels, would be
Armament centred around six 5.5-inch guns, in two single and two twin torpedoed and sunk by a US submarine in 1944.

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 5/2 Traits: Agile, Depth Charge 60
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 388 ft. Speed: 34 kts. Ships of this Class: Akatsuki, Hibiki, Ikazuchi, Inazuma
Commissioned: 1932 Crew: 197 Displacement: 2,560 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
AKATSUKI-CLASS DESTROYER

Light Guns (6 x 5-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 3 -2 1 DP, Weak

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Type 90 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard Type 90 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard Type 90 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (6 x 5-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front arc and 2 in the aft arc.
Light Guns (4 x 5-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arc.
Refits – Hibiki Refits – Inazuma
1943 Increase Torpedo to Range band 8"/17"/25"/34" and add Wakeless Trait for +10 points. 1943 Increase Torpedo to Range band 8"/17"/25"/34" and add Wakeless Trait for +10 points.
1944 Add Radar Trait, decrease Light Gun (4 x 5-inch) Attack Dice to 2, increase AA Battery Local to 1944 Reduce Light Gun (4 x 5-inch) Attack Dice to 2, increase AA Battery Local to 2, and increase
2, and increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 for +10 points. Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 for +5 points.
Refits – Ikazuchi
1943 Increase Torpedo to Range band 8"/17"/25"/34" and add Wakeless Trait for +10 points.

The Akatsuki-class comprised the last four vessels ordered as part of instead of four, the Akatsuki-class retained the heavy armament of the
the Fubuki-class. However, it incorporates modifications that made them Fubuki-class and this was augmented with more anti-aircraft weaponry as
essentially a new class. In the late 1930s all four Akatsuki-class vessels were the war went on. The second ship of the class, Hibiki, was the first Japanese
rebuilt to remedy stability issues and strengthen the hull. With three boilers warship to use a welded rather than riveted hull.

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 The Imperial Japanese Navy

Fubuki-class destroyers – formidable vessels for their size

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 7/2 Traits: Agile, Depth Charge 60
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 440 ft. Speed: 33 kts. Ships of this Class: Akizuki, Fuyutsuki, Hanazuki, Harutsuki, Hatsuzuki, Natsuzuki,
Commissioned: 1942 Crew: 300 Displacement: 3,700 tons Niitsuki, Shimotsuki, Suzutsuki, Teruzuki, Wakatsuki, Yoizuki
AKIZUKI-CLASS DESTROYER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (8 x 3.9-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 4 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Light Guns (8 x 3.9-inch): Only 2 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
Refits – Hatsuzuki Refits – Fuyutsuki, Hanazuki, Harutsuki, Suzutsuki
1943 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points. 1944 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points.
1945 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +15 points.
Refits – Akizuki, Shimotsuki, Wakatsuki
1944 Increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +5 points. Refits – Natsuzuki, Yoizuki
1945 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +10 points.

The basic premise of the Akisuki-class destroyers was that of task force They were also heavily armed for anti-submarine warfare with no less than six
defence. As such, they were armed with eight of the new 3.9-inch dual depth charge throwers. Unfortunately to meet these demands, the torpedo
purpose guns, considered by many to be the best Japanese anti-aircraft gun load was reduced to a single quad mount.
of World War Two, whose characteristics can only be described as superb.

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 5/1 Traits: Depth charge 60

points
Type: Destroyer Length: 388 ft. Speed: 35 kts. Ships of this Class: Arare, Arashio, Asagumo, Asashio, Kasumi, Michishio, Minegumo,
Commissioned: 1937 Crew: 730 Displacement: 2,500 tons Natsugumo, Ōshio, Yamagumo
ASASHIO-CLASS DESTROYER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (6 x 5-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 3 -2 1 Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Port/Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Light Guns (6 x 5-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front arc and 2 in the aft arc. Light Guns (4 x 5-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front or aft arc.
Refits – Arashio 1944 Add the Radar Trait and replace Slow-Loading Trait with One-Shot for one set of Torpedoes for
1943 Add the Radar Trait for +5 points. +5 points.

Refits – Michishio Refits – Asagumo, Kasumi, Yamagumo

1943 Decrease Light Gun (4 x 5-inch) Attack Dice to 2 and increase AA Battery Local to 2 for 1944 Add the Radar Trait, decrease Light Gun (4 x 5-inch) Attack Dice to 2, increase AA Battery Local
+0 points. to 2, and replace Slow-Loading Trait with One-Shot for one set of Torpedoes for +5 points.

With treaty restrictions lifted, the Asashio-class was built as a highly capable fleet live up to its potential. Armament followed the pattern set by the Fubuki-class,
destroyer but suffered numerous early problems with its machinery and steering. which became standard for Japanese fleet destroyers, but included heavier anti-
By the end of 1941 these issues had been largely rectified and the class began to aircraft weaponry from the outset. This was upgraded later in the war.

249
 The Imperial Japanese Navy

Fubuki by Paul Wright © Osprey Publishing Ltd. Taken from New

Vanguard 198 – Imperial Japanese Navy destroyers 1919-45

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 5/2 Traits: Agile, Depth Charge 50
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 388 ft. Speed: 38 kts Ships of this Class: See below*
Commissioned: 1928/9* Crew: 197 Displacement: 2,050 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (6 x 5-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 3 -2 1 Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Type 90 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
FUBUKI-CLASS DESTROYER

Port/Starboard Type 90 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot

Port/Starboard Type 90 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (6 x 5-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front arc and 2 in the aft arc.
*Ships of this Class: (Group 1 – commissioned 1928) Fubuki, Hatsuyuki, Isonami, Miyuki, Murakumo, Shinonome, Shirakumo, Shirayuki, Uranami, Usugumo;
(Group 2 –commissioned 1929) Shikinami, Akebono, Amagiri, Ayanami, Asagiri, Oboro, Sagiri, Sazanami, Ushio, Yūgiri
Refits – All Group 2 ships Refits – Shirakumo
1939 Add DP to Light Guns for +5 points. 1943 Change all torpedoes to Type 93 and increase range bands to 8˝/17˝/25˝/34˝ for +5 points.
1944 Add Radar, decrease Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) to Attack Dice 2 and increase AA Battery to Local 2
Refits – Akebono, Ushio for +10 points.
1943 Change all Torpedoes to Type 93 and increase to Range bands 8"/17"/25"/34" for +5 points.
1944 Add Radar, decrease Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) to Attack Dice 2 and increase AA Battery to Local 2 Refits – Usugumo, Uranami
for +10 points 1943 Change all Torpedoes to Type 93 and increase to Range bands 8"/17"/25"/34" for +5 points.
1944 Add Radar, decrease Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) to Attack Dice 2 and increase AA Battery to Local 2
Refits – Amagiri for +10 points.
1943 Change all Torpedoes to Type 93 and increase to Range bands 8"/17"/25"/34" for +5 points.
1944 Add Radar, decrease Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) to Attack Dice 2 and increase AA Battery to Local 2 Refits – Yūgiri
for +10 points 1943 Add Radar, change all Torpedoes to Type 93 and increase to Range bands 8"/17"/25"/34" for
+15 points.
Refits – Hatsuyuki, Isonmai, Shikinami, Sazanami
1943 Change all torpedoes to Type 93 and increase range bands to 8˝/17˝/25˝/34˝ for +5 points.

When the first Fubuki-class ship appeared in 1928, it was the first destroyer world. Unfortunately, the Fubuki-class was also structurally unsound (a
to feature powered, weatherproof dual 5-inch mounts, and torpedo reloads. common flaw in Japanese warships of this era) as a result of trying to cram
At the time, it was the most powerful warship for its size anywhere in the too much weaponry into too small a displacement.

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 4/1 Traits: Agile, Depth Charge 60
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 359 ft. Speed: 33.3 kts. Ships of this Class: Ariake, Hatsuharu, Hatsushimo, Nenohi, Wakaba, Yūgure
HATSUHARU-CLASS DESTROYER

Commissioned: 1933 Crew: 200 Displacement: 2,240 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (5 x 5-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 3 -2 1 Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 3 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Port/Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 3 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Light Guns (5 x 5-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front arc.
Refits – Hatsuharu, Hatsushimo, Wakaba
1944 Add the Radar, reduce Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) to Attack Dice 2, increase AA Battery Local to 2, and replace Slow-Loading with One-Shot on one set of Torpedoes for +5 points

A rather ambitious design intended to wring the maximum firepower out vessel. Existing vessels were rebuilt with modified and reduced armament,
of a hull that complied with treaty limitations, the Hatsuharu-class suffered and new-build ships followed this specification. Increased displacement
from serious topweight problems which resulted in the capsizing of one reduced speed to just over 33 knots.

250
 The Imperial Japanese Navy

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 5/2 Traits: Agile, Depth Charge 100
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 388 ft. Speed: 35 kts. Ships of this Class: Akigumo, Amatsukaze, Arashi, Hagikaze, Hamakaze, Hatsukaze, Hayashio,
Isokaze, Kagerō, Kuroshio, Miakaze, Natsushio, Nowaki, Oyashio, Shiranui,
Commissioned: 1939 Crew: 240 Displacement: 2,600 tons Tanikaze, Tokitsukaze, Urakaze, Yukikaze
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
KAGERŌ-CLASS DESTROYER

Light Guns (6 x 5-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 3 -2 1 Weak

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Port/Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Light Guns (6 x 5-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front arc and 2 in the aft arc.
Refits – Akigumo, Shiranui Refits – Hamakaze, Isokaze, Yukikaze
1944 Add Radar, decrease Light Guns to Attack Dice 2, and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +20 points. 1943 Add Radar for +10 points.
1944 Decrease Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) to Attack Dice 2 and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +0 points.
Refits – Amatsukaze 1945 Increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +5 points.
1943 Add Radar for +10 points.
1945 Torpedoed in January 1944 and rebuilt as an escort with the entire bow half removed. Reduce Damage Refits – Maikaze, Nowaki, Tanikaze, Urakaze
to 3/1, reduce speed to 5, add Sub-Hunter, decrease Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) to Attack Dice 2 (X Turret 1943 Add Radar for +10 points.
arc only), remove one set of Torpedoes and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +0 points. 1944 Decrease Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) to Attack Dice 2 and increase AA Battery to Local 2 for +0 points.

Essentially an enlarged Fubuki-class, the Kagerō-class hull design was scaled up to overcome earlier
design deficiencies. As a result, the Kagerō-class was the equal of any of its contemporaries in
other navies and superior to most. Only the initial lack of radar and continued poor quality of
sonar equipment and anti-aircraft defences (shortcomings which bedevilled all Japanese destroyers)
hindered their performance.

Kagerō-class

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 4/1 Traits: Agile 60

points
Type: Destroyer Length: 337 ft. Speed: 37.2 kts. Ships of this Class: Asakaze, Kamikaze, Harukaze, Oite, Hayate, Asanagi, Yūnagi,
Commissioned: 1922 Crew: 148 Displacement: 1,720 tons Matsukaze, Hatakaze
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
KAMIKAZE-CLASS DESTROYER

Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 2 -2 1 Weak

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Type 6 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard Type 6 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard Type 6 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front arc and 2 in the aft arc.
Hayate, Asanagi, Yūnagi: Add Depth Charge as follows for +10 points.
Refits – Asakaze, Kamikaze, Harukaze, Oite, Matsukaze, Hatakaze Refits – Asanagi, Yūnagi
1941 Reduce Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1, remove one set of Torpedoes and add Depth 1941 Reduce Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1, remove one set of Torpedoes and increase
Charge for +0 points. Depth Charge range to 3" for +0 points.
1944 Increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 for +5 points. 1944 Increase Depth Charge Attack Dice to 2 for +5 points.

The Kamikaze-class consisted of the last examples of the Minekaze-class of the Kamikaze-class, achieved the dubious distinction of being the first
and is sometimes considered not a separate class at all. Modifications Japanese vessel sunk during the war, by a shore battery at Wake Island. By
included a slight increase in beam to counteract greater topweight imposed the late months of the conflict, anti-aircraft armament had been greatly
by the use of light armour around the bridge, among other factors. The increased, at the cost of reduced speed. Ironically, the name ship, Kamikaze,
Kamikaze-class also introduced a new 4.7-inch gun. Hayate, a member survived the war.

Hatsushimo by Paul Wright © Osprey Publishing Ltd. Taken from

New Vanguard 198 – Imperial Japanese Navy destroyers 1919-45

251
 The Imperial Japanese Navy

Flank Speed: 5" Armour: 1+ Hull: 3/1 Traits: Agile, Radar, Sub-Hunter, Depth Charge 55
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 328 ft. Speed: 27.8 kts. Ships of this Class: Enoki, Hagi, Hatsuume, Hatsuzakura, Hinoki, Kaede, Kaki, Kaba, Kashi, Kaya,
Keyaki, Kiri, Kusunoki, Kuwa, Maki, Matsu, Momi, Momo, Nara, Nashi, Odake,
MATSU-CLASS DESTROYER

Commissioned: 1944 Crew: 211 Displacement: 1,650 tons Sakura, Shii, Sugi, Sumire, Take, Tsubaki, Tsuta, Tachibana, Ume, Yanagi
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (3 x 5-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 2 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Port/Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot, Wakeless
Light Guns (3 x 5-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
Refits
1945 Add 1 Kaiten manned torpedo for +10 points.

The Matsu-class escort destroyers were designed, with a shortage of raw with anti-aircraft weaponry and quadruple torpedo tubes. Originally
materials in mind, as a replacement for naval losses. They had a simplified ordered in the 1942 Program, a total of eighteen were built by the war’s
design and were made for swift construction. Despite having a displacement end. The Tachibana-class was essentially a simpler version of the Matsu-
of half that of previous destroyers, the Matsu-class was still heavily armed class, designed to cut construction time from six months to three.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 1+ Hull: 2/0 Traits: Agile 60

points
Type: Destroyer Length: 280 ft. Speed: 31.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Aoi, Ashi, Fuji, Hagi, Hasu, Hishi, Kaki, Kiku, Kuri, Nire, Sumire,
Commissioned: 1919 Crew: 110 Displacement: 1,020 tons Susuki, Tade, Taki, Tsuga, Tsuta, Yomogi
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
MOMI-CLASS DESTROYER

Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 1 -2 1 Weak

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Type 6 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard Type 6 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Refits – Aoi (P32), Fuji (P36), Hagi (P33), Refits – Hasu, Kuri, Tsuga
Hishi (P37), Susuki (P34), Tade (P39), Tsuta (P35), Yomogi (P38) 1942 Add the Depth Charge for +5 points.
1940 Converted to patrol ships and their names replaced with numbers (as shown). Reduce Flank
Speed to 4", remove all torpedo tubes and add Depth Charge for +0 points. Refits – Kiku (P31)
1941 Modified to carry troops and a single Daihatsu landing craft for +0 points. 1940 Converted to patrol ships and their names replaced with numbers (as shown). Reduce Flank
Speed to 4", remove all torpedo tubes and add Depth Charge for +0 points.
Refits – Ashi, Kaki, Nire, Sumire, Taki 1941 Modified to carry troops and a single Daihatsu landing craft for +0 points.
1940 Converted to Tenders, Depot Ships, or Training Ships. Reduce Flank Speed to 3", add Slow-Loading 1944 Increase AA Battery Local to 2 for +5 points.
special trait to Light Guns (1 x 4.7-inch) and remove one set of Torpedoes for -10 points.

Designed from the outset as small second-class destroyers, the Momi-class was used, some of which proved unreliable, and later vessels had a different bridge
the first such vessel to use 21-inch torpedo tubes. The design incorporated design. After providing the bulk of Japanese inter-war destroyers, the class was
features derived from early German destroyer/torpedo boats including a high largely adapted to other roles in the late 1930s, serving as tenders, patrol boats,
forecastle sheltering the forward torpedo mount. Various machinery was amphibious warfare platforms, and shallow-draught fire support vessels.

The carrier, Zuikaku

Zuikaku,, launches fighters

252
 The Imperial Japanese Navy

Satsuki by Paul Wright © Osprey Publishing Ltd. Taken from New Vanguard 198 – Imperial Japanese Navy destroyers 1919-45

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 4/1 Traits: Agile 60

points
Type: Destroyer Length: 337 ft. Speed: 37.2 kts. Ships of this Class: Fumizuki, Kikuzuki, Kisaragi, Mikazuki, Minazuki, Mochizuki,
Commissioned: 1925 Crew: 150 Displacement: 1,772 tons Mutsuki, Nagatsuki, Satsuki, Uzuki, Yayoi, Yūzuki
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
MUTSUKI-CLASS DESTROYER

Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 2 -2 1 Weak

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Type 90 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard Type 90 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 3 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front arc.
Refits – Fumizuki Refits – Minazuki, Uzuki, Yuzuki
1943 Reduce Light Guns (2 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1, remove one set of Torpedoes, increase AA 1944 Add Sub-Hunter Trait, reduce Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1, remove one set of
Battery Local to 2 and add Depth Charge for +0 points. Torpedoes, increase AA Battery Local to 2 and add Depth Charge for +0 points.
1944 Add Sub-Hunter Trait for +10 points.
Refits – Mochizuki
Refits – Mikazuki 1943 Reduce Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1 and increase AA Battery Local to 2 for +0 points.
1943 Reduce Light Guns (2 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1, remove one set of Torpedoes, increase AA
Battery Local to 2 and add Depth Charge for +0 points. Refits – Satsuki
1942 Reduce Light Guns (3 x 4.7-inch) Attack Dice to 1 and increase AA Battery Local to 2 for +0 points.
1944 Add Sub-Hunter Trait and add Depth Charge for +10 points.

Following the Kamikaze-class, the Mutsuki-class entered service in the a mere two machineguns. Losses to aircraft, particularly during the Solomon
mid-1920s with a stronger torpedo armament based on 24-inch rather than Islands campaign, led to a huge increase in AA capability. By mid-1944 twenty
21-inch weapons. Anti-aircraft armament was typical of the time; the four 25mm guns plus multiple heavy machineguns were standard. All vessels were
4.7-inch dual-purpose guns had some AA capability and were backed up by originally designed to be capable of minelaying and minesweeping.

"The fiercest serpent may be overcome by a swarm of ants."

Admiral Yamamoto

Flank Speed: 8" Armour: 1+ Hull: 6/2 Traits: Agile, Radar, Depth Charge 100
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 413 ft. Speed: 39 kts. Ships of this Class: Shimakaze
Commissioned: 1943 Crew: 267 Displacement: 3,048 tons
SHIMAKAZE-CLASS DESTROYER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (6 x 5-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 3 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 5 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot, Wakeless
Port/Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 5 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot, Wakeless
Port/Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 5 – 3 Devastating, One-Shot, Wakeless
Light Guns (6 x 5-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front arc and 2 in the aft arc.
Refits
1944 Increase AA Battery Local to 2 for +5 points.

The Shimakaze-class was an experimental one-off design which resulted with an advanced power plant that would prove to be too expensive to
in an extraordinarily large and fast heavy destroyer equipped with no less mass-produce. As a result, the original plan for sixteen ships of her class
than fifteen torpedoes in three quintuple mounts. Ordered in the 1939 came to no avail. Shimakaze was sunk by US Navy carrier-based aircraft in
Program, she was the fastest destroyer built by Japan throughout the war, the Philippines area, on 11 November 1944.

253
 The Imperial Japanese Navy

The Zuikaku aircraft carrier and her escort

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 4/1 Traits: Agile, Depth Charge 95
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 361 ft. Speed: 34 kts. Ships of this Class: Harusame, Kawakaze, Murasame, Samidare, Shigure, Shiratsuyu,
Commissioned: 1936 Crew: 180 Displacement: 2,090 tons Suzukaze, Umikaze, Yamakaze, Yūdachi
SHIRATSUYU-CLASS DESTROYER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (5 x 5-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 3 -2 1 Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Port/Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Light Guns (5 x 5-inch) and Light Guns (4 x 5-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front arc.
Yūdachi: Add DP to Light Guns for +5 points.
Refits – Harusame
1943 Add Radar, change Light Guns (5 x 5-inch) to Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) and change to Attack Dice 2, increase AA Battery to Local 2 and change one Torpedo to One-Shot for +0 points.
Refits – Shiratsuyu, Shigure, Samidare, Umikaze, Suzukaze
1944 Add Radar, change Light Guns (5 x 5-inch) to Light Guns (4 x 5-inch) and change to Attack Dice 2, increase AA Battery to Local 2 and change one Torpedo to One-Shot for +0 points.

The Shiratsuyu-class destroyers were modified versions of the Hatsuharu- to equip the quadruple torpedo launcher, carried in two centreline mounts.
class and emerged after Japanese designers corrected the issue of top-heavy A total of ten destroyers of this class were produced, the most famous
ships, a problem that had plagued earlier designs. These ships were the first being the Shigure for surviving several battles completely undamaged.

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 5/2 Traits: Agile, Radar, Depth Charge 60
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 391 ft. Speed: 35 kts. Ships of this Class: Akishimo, Asashimo, Fujinami, Hamanami, Hayanami, Hayashimo, Kazegumo,
Kishinami, Kiyonami, Kiyoshimo, Makigumo, Makinami, Naganami, Okinami,
Commissioned: 1941 Crew: 228 Displacement: 2,650 tons Ōnami, Suzunami, Takanami, Tamanami, Yūgumo
YŪGUMO-CLASS DESTROYER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (6 x 5-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 3 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Port/Starboard Type 93 Torpedoes 8" 17" 25" 34" 4 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
Light Guns (6 x 5-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front arc and 2 in the aft arc.
Kazegumo, Makigumo, Makinami, Naganami, Onami, Suzunami, Takanami, Yūgumo: Removed the Radar Trait for -5 points.
Refits – Kazegumo, Makigumo, Refits – Akishimo, Hayashimo Refits – Asashimo
Makinami, Naganami, Onami, Suzunami, Yūgumo 1944 Increase AA Battery Local to 2 for +5 points. 1945 Increase AA Battery Local to 2 for +5 points.
1943 Add the Radar Trait for +5 points.

The Yūgumo-class was ordered in 1939, with a second batch of ships begun rumour is that several of the Yūgumo-class replaced one of their initial
in 1941. There were to have been sixteen but only eight were built. The 5-inch/50 weapon mounts with a twin 5-inch/40 mount, but none were
Yūgumo-class was a developed version of the Kagerō-class, with the six ever so modified. In fact, none of the Yūgumo-class replaced their original
5-inch dual-purpose guns capable of firing at a higher elevation. From 1943 5-inch mounts for added anti-aircraft armament.
the class received radar and upgraded anti-aircraft armament. A common

254
 Flank Speed: 4"/2" Armour: 2+ Hull: 7/2 Traits: Submarine 100
points
Type: Submarine Length: 358 ft. Speed: 23 kts./8 kts. Ships of this Class: I-16, I-18, I-20, I-22, I-24
TYPE-C-CLASS

Commissioned: 1940 Crew: 101 Displacement: 3,561 tons

SUBMARINE

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (1 x 5.5-inch) 4" 9" 13" 18" 1 -2 1 Slow-Loading, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Forward Type 95M1 Torpedoes 3" 6" 9" 12" 8 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading, Wakeless
First constructed at Mitsubishi Shipbuilding in Kōbe, the I-16, was involved engage any American ships that tried to escape the attack. Sometimes
in Operation Hawaii a year and a half after it was built. In a squadron with equipped with midget subs, the I-16 harassed merchant shipping and saw
five other submarines, it was ordered to wait outside Pearl Harbor and action at Guadalcanal.

Flank Speed: 4"/2" Armour: 2+ Hull: 5/2 Traits: Submarine 50

points
Type: Submarine Length: 323 ft. Speed: 23 kts./8 kts. Ships of this Class: I-176, I-177, I-178, I-179, I-180, I-181, I-182, I-183,
KAIDAI-VII-CLASS

Commissioned: 1942 Crew: 88 Displacement: 1,630 tons I-184, I-185

SUBMARINE

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (1 x 4.7-inch) 4" 8" 12" 16" 1 -2 1 Slow-Loading, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Forward Type 96 Torpedoes 1" 3" 4" 6" 6 – 3 Devastating, Slow-Loading
The Kaidai-VII-class, or KD-7, was developed in the late 1930s, following on the South Pacific as well as the waters off Australia. I-177 sunk the hospital
from the preceding KD-6 class. With a surface range of 8,000nm at 16kts, ship AHS Centaur off Stradbroke Island. It was presumed lost with all hands
and a submerged endurance of 50nm at 5kts, they possessed a slightly better on 18 November 1944, while the I-176 was lost six months earlier off of the
underwater performance to the late-model KD-6s and better surface speed Solomon’s. There were 10 KD-7 submarines built overall. All members of the
(though not range) than the earlier members of that class. Another ocean- class were lost by mid-1944.
going Submarine using 533mm forward and aft torpedo tubes, it served in

An Imperial Japanese dive bomber lines up the USS Essex

255
Aichi D3A Val line aircraft carriers and air groups continued years of World War Two. Although a highly
This naval dive bomber had many similarities to to use the A5M until production of the Zero effective torpedo bomber, by the time it
the German Ju 87 Stuka. The Val was armed caught up with demand. Most remaining reached service, the US Navy had already
with two fixed forward machineguns and two airframes were used for kamikaze attacks in achieved air superiority over the Pacific and
rear trainable ones. It carried a crew of two the closing months of the war. the type never really had the opportunity to
and a light bomb load. Used in the anti-shipping display its full potential.
dive-bomber mode, the Val was a mainstay of
the Japanese carrier-based war effort. Mitsubishi A6M Zero
The terror of the skies in the early phases of Nakajima Ki-115 Tōka
the Pacific War, the Zero and its exceptionally The Ki-115 was a purpose-built suicide
Aichi E16A Paul well-trained pilots could literally run rings aircraft deployed by the Japanese at the
This late model twin-float reconnaissance around early American fighters. As time wore end of World War Two. Built of canvas
seaplane, designated by the Allies as Paul, on, great efforts were made to build superior and wood, it was cheap to produce, and
was given hydraulically actuated dive brakes aircraft, but the Zero remained a viable had very crude controls. The Ki-115 was
to allow it to operate as a dive-bomber. fighter for the duration of the war. intended to be used in waves of hundreds,
Unfortunately for the Navy, by the time the with a projected 8,000 a month to be built.
E16A entered service, the Allies had gained The war ended before the Tōka could be
air superiority and in consequence this aircraft Mitsubishi G4M Betty deployed in the numbers intended by the
suffered very heavy losses during 1944. The A medium bomber armed with four Japanese admiralty.
majority which survived were later used for machineguns and a 20mm cannon, the Betty
kamikaze operations in the Okinawa area. was an important strike aircraft. In the
land-based anti-shipping role it was used Yokosuka B4Y1 Jean
as a bomber, but its large size and under- The B4Y was regarded only as an interim
Kawanishi H8K Emily protected fuel tanks caused huge numbers type by the Japanese Imperial Navy. The
A flying boat devoted to maritime duties. to be shot down by anti-aircraft fire and design was a biplane with fixed landing gear
The Emily was a versatile four-engine craft. fighters. Towards the end of the war, it was and an all-metal structure covered with
Capable of carrying bombs, torpedoes or used as a kamikaze aircraft. The Betty can either metal or fabric. Although primarily
depth charges, it could also be used to carry carry bombs or torpedoes, but not both. used as a carrier-based aircraft, the B4Y1
troops and took part in the second raid on was also used as a land-based bomber on
Pearl Harbor, though poor visibility meant it occasion. Despite being removed from
accomplished little. Mitsubishi G3M Nell frontline naval service by the start of World
Developed to meet a requirement for a War Two, the B4Y1 was operated from
maritime reconnaissance and strike aircraft, the aircraft carrier Hōshō during the Battle
Kawanishi N1K1 George the G3M Nell was capable of fulfilling the of Midway. The B4Y1 was more typically
Known to the allies as ‘George,’ the N1K1 tactical bomber or torpedo-strike roles and used as an advanced trainer, flying from the
entered service in 1943. Designed as a did so with distinction despite being regarded carriers Hōshō and Un’yō until 1943.
land-based derivative of the Kyōfū single-seat as obsolete by the outbreak of war. G3Ms
fighter, the George impressed the Imperial took part in attacks on HMS Repulse and
Japanese Navy sufficiently that they adopted Prince of Wales in December 1941, the first Yokosuka D4Y2 Judy
it. Armed with two .303 machineguns and sinking of capital ships under way by aircraft. Built as a replacement for the D3A Val, the
four 20mm cannons, the George outmatched D4Y2 entered service in large numbers
the Hellcat and could compete with aircraft in 1943. Powered by a liquid cooled V-12
such as the Mustang and Corsair. Nakajima B5N Kate engine (based on German Daimler-Benz
The standard Japanese torpedo bomber DB 600G), the Allied designated Judy was
and one of the main causes of damage at extremely nimble and the fastest dive
Mitsubishi A5M Claude Pearl Harbor, the Kate was a rugged and bomber of World War Two.
The Mitsubishi A5M was the world’s first dependable aircraft, easily superior to its
monoplane shipboard fighter and the direct American counterparts.
ancestor of the famous Mitsubishi A6M Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka
Zero. Some A5Ms were still in service at the The Ohka rocket bomb was a suicide
beginning of World War Two and United Nakajima B6N Jill aircraft deployed near the end of the war.
States intelligence sources believed it was The Nakajima B6N, designated by the Allies It was released from a carrying plane and
still the primary fighter of the Imperial as Jill, was the Imperial Japanese Navy’s would glide until its engine was engaged to
Japanese Navy, not the Zero. Some second standard torpedo bomber for the final take the aircraft on a high-speed attack run.

A flight of Mitsubishi Zeroes pass their carrier

256
 The Imperial Japanese Navy

Imperial Japanese Navy Aircraft Chart

Flight Commissioned Carrier Role Flank Speed Dogfight Damage Dice Traits Points
Aichi D3A1 Val 1940 Yes Dive-Bomber 17" -1 1 Devastating 10
Aichi E16A1 Paul 1944 No (1)
Dive-Bomber 19" +1 1 Devastating 15
Kawanishi H8K1 Emily 1942 No Bomber 19" -3 9(2) Large 20
Kawanishi H8K1 Emily 1942 No Torpedo-Bomber 19" -3 8 Devastating, Large 20
Kawanishi H8K1 Emily 1942 No ASW 19" -3 6 Large 20
Kawanishi N1K1 George 1943 No Fighter 26" +4 0 – 35
Kawanishi N1K1 George 1943 No Bomber 26" +3 1 – 35
Mitsubishi A5M4 Claude 1938 Yes Fighter 19" -1 0 – 5
Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero 1940 Yes Bomber 24" +1 1 (-2 AP) – 15
Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero 1940 Yes Fighter 24' +2 0 – 20
Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero 1944 Yes Bomber 25" +2 1 (-2 AP) – 15
Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero 1944 Yes Fighter 25" +3 0 – 20
Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero 1944 No Kamikaze 25" +0 2 – 20
Mitsubishi G3M Nell 1937 No Bomber 16" -3 2 – 10
Mitsubishi G3M Nell 1937 No Torpedo-Bomber 16" -3 3 Devastating 15
Mitsubishi G4M1 Betty 1940 No Bomber 19" -3 3 – 10
Mitsubishi G4M1 Betty 1940 No Torpedo-Bomber 19" -3 4 Devastating 10
Nakajima B5N1 Kate 1937 Yes Bomber 16" -1 3 – 15
Nakajima B5N1 Kate 1937 Yes Torpedo Bomber 16" -1 4 Devastating 15
Nakajima B6N Jill 1943 Yes Bomber 21" +0 2 – 15
Nakajima B6N Jill 1943 Yes Torpedo-Bomber 21" +0 4 Devastating 15
Nakajima Ki-115 Tōka 1945 No Kamikaze 22" -3 4 – 25
Yokosuka B4Y1 Jean 1937 Yes Bomber 12" -2 2 – 10
Yokosuka B4Y1 Jean 1937 Yes Torpedo-Bomber 12" -2 4 Devastating 10
Yokosuka D4Y2 Judy 1944 Yes Dive-Bomber 26" +1 2 Devastating 20
Yokosuka D4Y2 Judy 1944 No Kamikaze 26" -1 3 – 20
Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka 1945 No Kamikaze 47" -3 5 – 30
(1) The Aichi E16A1 Paul was a floatplane and intended for use on the Ise-class battleship-carrier hybrids. It is considered carrier capable for these ships only.
(2) These aircraft can only drop so many bombs in a single pass at a target ship. A maximum of 3 Attack Dice may be used in each attack.

Shin'yō explosive motor boat T-1 T-14 and T-23

Designed as a suicide craft, the Shin’yō Japan started the war at a severe disadvantage The Imperial Japanese Navy fielded a
either carried a powerful explosive or two in MTBs compared to the US and quickly set number of variants on a standard torpedo
depth charges. The depth charges were about building more. However, engines were boat design, differing mainly in machinery
intended to be planted by the pilot of the to prove to be in short supply, and some T-1 fit which affected displacement, giving the
boat, after which he would then make his boats were launched with air-cooled aircraft illusion of more variety than existed in
escape. Although nearly 10,000 were built, engines, fitted with enormous blowers to practice. 238 boats were built within these
they accounted for the sinking of only 5 keep them cool which sapped power and designations, all armed with two 18-inch
ships, mainly landing craft. slowed the craft. torpedoes and 25mm or 13.2mm guns.

Imperial Japanese Navy Motor Torpedo Boat Chart

Section Number Commissioned Flank Speed Armour Smoke AA Battery Torpedoes Weapons Points
Shin'yō EMB 1944 6200 4" 5+ No – – – 10
T-1 1941 6 8" 4+ No 1 2 – 20
T-14 1943 23 6" 4+ No 1 2 – 15
T-23 1943 100+ 3" 4+ No 1 2 – 10

257
At the time of Italy’s entry into World War This defensive mindset was reinforced when battleship and two heavy cruisers came out
Two, she possessed a modern and – on British torpedo bombers attacked the Italian to cut Malta’s lifeline, and it fell to a force
paper at least – highly effective fleet. Four battle squadron in Taranto, sinking one ship of cruisers and destroyers to prevent the
battleships and seven heavy cruisers were and putting two others out of action. massacre of the merchant ships.
available, with three more battleships being
fitted out. However, there were no aircraft Efforts to interrupt Allied troop and The response from the light British covering
carriers, not least because the Regia Marina supply movements were made by the force was aggressive but should not have
was expected to operate near to friendly air Regia Marina, leading to the Battle of Cape deterred a battleship force – the largest
bases in Italy and Africa. Matapan in 1941. After initial successes gun on the Allied side was of 6-inch calibre,
the Italian force began to withdraw, only matched against the 15-inch and 8-inch
As might be expected from a force to come under attack from British carrier armament of the battleship and cruisers.
operating among the islands of the aircraft. The attacks slowed the lone Italian Yet the Italians would not press the issue,
Mediterranean, light forces were quite battleship and crippled a cruiser, allowing behaving as if they were the ones under
numerous, including 14 light cruisers, 128 the British surface forces to catch up and attack by the destroyers and cruisers,
destroyers and 62 motor torpedo boats, sink the crippled cruiser and two more darting out of the smokescreen they laid to
which was a weapon favoured by the Italians heavy cruisers. fire a few shots only to vanish once again. A
and well suited to local conditions. No less bold – cheeky, even – advance by the British
than 115 submarines were available. The The defeat at Matapan further dented Italian destroyers, closing to attack with torpedoes,
main Italian naval base was at Taranto, home morale, and subsequently the surface fleet was perhaps the decisive factor. The Italian
of the battleship force, while lighter groups behaved timidly throughout the rest of the force opened the range and drew off, leaving
were based out of ports on the Italian war. Sorties were made, but these tended the convoy unharmed but under heavy air
mainland, Sicily and the Red Sea. to evaporate in the face of resistance, which attack. This behaviour was characteristic of
allowed overmatched Allied vessels to drive the Regia Marina in World War Two.
The Regia Marina was primarily tasked off Italian forces that should have destroyed
with interrupting British logistics and them with ease. Italian submarine forces operated in the
trade through the Mediterranean, and Mediterranean and out of captured French
with keeping the Axis nations’ links to The long campaign to sustain and reinforce ports against Allied shipping in the Atlantic.
North Africa open. Major actions with the the island fortress of Malta resulted in bitter Some boats were specifically designed for
Royal Navy were not desirable nor really air and sea battles, such as the Second Battle commerce raiding. They were armed with
necessary for this mission to be carried out. of Sirte. A powerful Italian force including a more, but smaller, torpedo tubes than their
peers. This allowed a larger salvo to be
launched at a convoy, increasing the chances
of a hit – the smaller torpedo was still more
than adequate for sinking merchant vessels.

The Regia Marina failed to achieve much

more during the course of the war,
eventually surrendering to the Allies at
Malta. Its personnel fought against their
former allies towards the end of the war,
losing a little over 4,000 men against
Germany as opposed to just under 25,000
against the Allies.

It is interesting to speculate what the Regia

Marina could have achieved had it been
better led or handled. Italian enthusiasm for
the war was noticeably lacking, and this led
to lacklustre performances in the air, on the
ground and at sea. The resulting reputation
for lack of nerve is not deserved – Italian
troops and ships at times fought bravely,
especially for a commander or a cause they
believed in – and in other wars of recent
history there was nothing wrong with Italian
courage or fighting ability.

It seems likely that, had the personnel of

the Regia Marina really believed in their
cause, their excellent battleships and cruisers
might have covered themselves with glory.
A Regia Marina battleship heads to port for refit As Napoleon remarked: Morale is to the
Physical as three to one.

258
The Regia Marina prowl the Mediterranean.

Regia Marina national RULES

The following special rules are applied to fleets of the Regia Marina.

Poor Coordination
One of the things that characterised the performance of the Regia Marina was the lack of co-ordination between the fleet and the
Regia Aeronautica (Italian Airforce). In fact, the Regia Aeronautica needed to receive orders directly from the supreme command,
rather than the fleet’s admiral in order to take action.
If a Regia Marina fleet possesses any Flights of aircraft, other than those launched from carriers, it will suffer a -1 penalty to its
Initiative throughout the battle. This penalty does not apply for a fleet consisting entirely of aircraft.

Star Shell X
The Regia Marina quickly realised it would be at a significant disadvantage during night battles due to the Royal Navy’s use of radar. In
an attempt to combat this, many ships carried older artillery pieces dedicated to firing star shells. The Star Shell trait’s score shows
how many star shells may be fired per turn without using the ship’s Light Guns. The use of Star Shells is covered on page 58.

Unwilling Soldiers
Despite having a frontline navy, the Italian military was not well trained and was
thrown into battle unprepared. Further still, few believed in Il Duce’s vision of a
new Roman Empire. All ships suffer a -1 penalty to their Crew Quality.

Conte di Cavour

259
 Flank Speed: 5" Armour: 5+ Hull: 59/19 Traits: Torpedo Belt 2 370
points
Type: Battleship Length: 613 ft. Speed: 26 kts. Ships of this Class: Andrea Doria, Caio Duilio
Commissioned: 1913 Crew: 1,523 Displacement: 29,374 tons
ANDREA DORIA-CLASS BATTLESHIP

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

A Turret (3 x 12.6-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 3 +1 2 –
B Turret (2 x 12.6-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 +1 2 –
X Turret (2 x 12.6-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 2 +1 2 –
Y Turret (3 x 12.6-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 3 +1 2 –
Light Guns (12 x 5.3-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 6 -1 1 Weak, Restricted
AA Battery 1" 3" 4" 6" 3 – – Local 3
Note: Rebuilt 1940 Andrea Doria: Decrease Hull to 58/19 for -5 points.
Refits
1942 Increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +5 points. 1944 Interned by Allies following surrender.

Commissioned in 1916, these ships originally carried an armament of thirteen World War, the Andrea Doria provided long-distance escorts for convoys to
12-inch main guns. Compared to contemporary foreign battleships, they North Africa and attempted to intercept Allied convoys to Malta, including a
were slightly faster, slightly under armed (the 12-inch gun was rapidly being battle with British cruisers and destroyers on 17 December 1941. Caio Duilio
replaced by something larger in most navies) and not as well protected. From was damaged by a torpedo during the Battle of Taranto and was towed to
1937 to 1940, both ships went through a total overhaul transforming them Genoa for 6 months of repairs. She participated in the First Battle of Sirte
into ‘fast’ battleships. The main guns were bored out to 12.6 inch, the island before being placed in reserve in 1942. Both ships were inactive during the
structure modernised, and speed improved to 26 knots. During the Second final 18 months of the Italian war due to major fuel shortages.

Flank Speed: 5" Armour: 5+ Hull: 58/19 Traits: Star Shell 1, Torpedo Belt 2 370
points
Type: Battleship Length: 611 ft. Speed: 28 kts. Ships of this Class: Conte di Cavour, Giulio Cesare, Leonardo da Vinci
Commissioned: 1915 Crew: 1,261 Displacement: 29,100 tons
CONTE DI CAVOUR-CLASS BATTLESHIP

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

A Turret (3 x 12.6-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 3 +1 2 –
B Turret (3 x 12.6-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 3 +1 2 –
X Turret (3 x 12.6-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 3 +1 2 –
Y Turret (3 x 12.6-inch) 8" 16" 24" 32" 3 +1 2 –
Light Guns (12 x 4.7-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 6 -2 1 Weak, Restricted
Light Guns (8 x 3.9-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 4 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 3
Conte di Cavour: Increase Star Shell to 2 for +5 points.
Refits Refits – Giulio Cesare
1937 Rebuilt 1941 Remove Star Shell trait and increase AA Battery to Local 4 for +0 points.
1944 Interned by Allies following surrender.
Refits – Conte di Cavour
1940 Sunk at Taranto on 12 November 1940.

Originally commissioned in 1915, Conte di Cavour and Giulio Cesare main battery turret. The remaining guns were upgraded from 12-inch to
(Leonardo da Vinci was destroyed by sabotage during World War One) were 12.6-inch. The new boilers and turbines improved speed from 21.5 knots
rebuilt as first generation fast battleships in a process that left only 40% of to 27 knots. Overall, they were good units, even with weak anti-aircraft and
the original structure in place. The central tower was removed, as was one submarine protections.

"Please to inform your Lordships that the Italian battle fleet

now lies at anchor under the guns of the fortress of Malta."
Admiral Cunningham

260
 The Regia Marina

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 6+ Hull: 90/30 Traits: Aircraft 3, Armoured Deck, Star Shell 2, Torpedo Belt 2 550
points
Type: Battleship Length: 780 ft. Speed: 30 kts. Ships of this Class: Littorio, Roma, Vittorio Veneto, Impero (never completed)
Commissioned: 1937 Crew: 2,041 Displacement: 46,215 tons
LITTORIO-CLASS BATTLESHIP

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

A Turret (3x 15-inch) 11" 23" 34" 46" 3 +2 3 –
B Turret (3x 15-inch) 11" 23" 34" 46" 3 +2 3 –
Y Turret (3x 15-inch) 11" 23" 34" 46" 3 +2 3 –
Light Guns (12 x 6-inch) 7" 14" 21" 28" 8 -1 1 Restricted
AA Battery 1" 3" 4" 6" 3 – – Local 4
Refits – Littorio Refits – Veneto Vittorio Refits – Roma
1942 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 5 for +60 points. 1942 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 5 for +60 points. 1942 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 5 for
1943 Decrease Aircraft to 2 for -5 points. 1943 Decrease Aircraft to 2 for -5 points. +60 points.
1944 Interned by Allies following surrender. 1944 Interned by Allies following surrender.

The Littorio class was the first new Italian battleship class for nearly a decade 1930s and onward. Littorio was put out of action for six months by the famous
when design work began in 1930. Initially designed to remain within the 35,000- Taranto air raid. Vittorio Veneto was damaged by an air-launched torpedo at the
ton Washington Treaty limit, the final displacement was just over 40,000 tons. Battle of Cape Matapan and again later by a submarine-launched torpedo. She
As well as being good-looking ships, the Littorio-class included a number of was also damaged by bombs, along with Roma, in an air raid in 1943. After the
new features including high-velocity guns. They were probably the first of the Italian surrender, Roma and Littorio (renamed Italia) were hit by German glide
‘fast battleships’ that would come to dominate capital ship design in the late bombs; Roma was sunk. Impero was never finished and did not see war service.

"Three cheers for war, noble and beautiful above all."

Benito Mussolini

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 1+ Hull: 57/19 Traits: Carrier, Radar, Torpedo Belt 2 Aircraft: 12 Flights 210
AQUILA-CLASS CARRIER

points
Type: Carrier Length: 763 ft. Speed: 30 kts. Ships of this Class: Aquila
Commissioned: 1943* Crew: 1,420 Displacement: 28,350 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (8 x 5.3-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21 4 -1 1 Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 6
*Note: Planned Re.2001 Folding Wing Fighters: Increase Flights to 16 for +20 points.
The role of aircraft carriers was undervalued by the Regia Marina, as the navy As there was already a battleship under construction named Roma, the new
was expected to operate in the Mediterranean, close to Italian air bases. This carrier was renamed Aquila. She was nearly complete at the time of the
attitude was best expressed by Mussolini who said, “Italy itself is an aircraft armistice in September 1943, after which she was seized by Germany. Before
carrier laid over the Mediterranean.” Accordingly, the fleet air coverage was anything could be done with her, the Aquila was damaged by a series of Allied
the responsibility of the Regia Aeronautica. The Regia Marina would request, air attacks and soon after she was partially scuttled by Italian frogmen.
on a case-by-case basis, air coverage to Regia Aeronautica, which would fulfil
these requests if aircraft were available. Unsurprisingly, this arrangement
often left the fleet without air cover, or with the aircraft arriving to late, or,
worse, the aircraft mistakenly attacking Italian ships (as during the battle
of Calabria). When the necessity for an air component
travelling with the fleet was clear, it was
decided to convert the ocean liner
Roma into an aircraft carrier.

Aquila

261
 Flank Speed: 8" Armour: 1+ Hull: 11/3 Traits: Agile, Depth Charge 65
points
CAPITANI ROMANI-CLASS CRUISER

Type: Cruiser Length: 469 ft. Speed: 38 kts. Ships of this Class: Attilio Regolo, Pompeo Magno, Scipione Africano
Commissioned: 1942 Crew: 418 Displacement: 5,420 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (8 x 5.3-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21 4 -1 1 Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Port/Starboard Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 4 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 4 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (8 x 5.3-inch): Only 2 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
Refits – Attilio Regolo, Scipione Africano 1943 Add Radar for +5 points.

The construction of large ships by France in the 1930s led to some late 1930s, reconnaissance aircraft had rendering the need for scouting
concern that Italian large destroyers would be inferior. Thus, in 1937, vessels superfluous. Only three of the twelve units ordered entered
work started on the esploratori oceanici (Ocean Scouts). However, by the service before the surrender in September 1943.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 14/4 Traits: Aircraft 2 80

points
ALBERTO DA GIUSSANO-CLASS CRUISER

Type: Cruiser Length: 555 ft. Speed: 32 kts. Ships of this Class: Alberico da Barbiano, Alberto da Giussano,
Commissioned: 1931 Crew: 570 Displacement: 6,954 tons Bartolomeo Colleoni, Giovanni delle Bande Nere
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 6 in) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Fast Track, Twin-Linked
B Turret (2 x 6 in) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Fast Track, Twin-Linked
X Turret (2 x 6 in) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Fast Track, Twin-Linked
Y Turret (2 x 6 in) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Fast Track, Twin-Linked
Light Guns (6 x 3.9 in) 4" 8" 12" 17" 2 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
French contre-torpilleurs (anti-torpedo boats) forced the Regia Marina to reason was the policy of the Italian Government, which paid a premium for
produce large scout cruisers, sacrificing protection for speed and firepower. every knot above the ship’s contracted speed. Unsurprisingly, the builders
During production, these cruisers reported some misleading speeds. The took every advantage of this. Eventually the practice was stopped.

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 3+ Hull: 21/7 Traits: Aircraft 2 90

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 613 ft. Speed: 34 kts. Ships of this Class: Emanuele Filiberto Duca d`Aosta, Eugenio di Savoia
Commissioned: 1935 Crew: 694 Displacement: 10,843 tons
DUCA D’AOSTA-CLASS CRUISER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

A Turret (2 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
B Turret (2 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
X Turret (2 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
Y Turret (2 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
Light Guns (6 x 3.9-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 2 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Port Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 3 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 3 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Refits
1943 Add Radar for +10 points. 1944 Interned by the Allies. Remove Aircraft and remove Torpedoes for -30 points.

This class was another extension of the Regia Marina's Condottieri (military while keeping the armament similar to that of the previous class. In this
leaders) concept, representing another step in producing a good, all-round new design the weight of armour was increased still more over that of the
cruiser design. It aimed to improve stability and protection once more, Montecuccoli-class. In trials, speeds of around 37.3 kts were achieved.

262
 The Regia Marina

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 3+ Hull: 23/7 Traits: Aircraft 2 110

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 614 ft. Speed: 31 kts. Ships of this Class: Luigi di Savoia Duca Degli Abruzzi, Giuseppe Garibaldi
Commissioned: 1937 Crew: 692 Displacement: 11,575 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
DUCA DELGI ABRUZZI-CLASS CRUISER

A Turret (3 x 6-inch) 7" 14" 21" 28" 1 -1 2 Fast Track

B Turret (2 x 6-inch) 7" 14" 21" 28" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
X Turret (2 x 6-inch) 7" 14" 21" 28" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
Y Turret (3 x 6-inch) 7" 14" 21" 28" 1 -1 2 Fast Track
Light Guns (8 x 3.9-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 4 -2 1 Restricted, DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Port Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 3 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 3 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Giuseppe Garibaldi: Decrease Hull to 22/7 for -5 points.
Refits – Luigi di Savoia Duca Degli Abruzzi Refits – Giuseppe Garibaldi
1943 Add Radar for +10 Points. 1944 Surrendered to Allies. Add Radar and remove all Torpedoes for +0 points.
1944 Surrendered to Allies. Remove all Torpedoes for -20 points. 1945 Remove Aircraft for -10 points.
1945 Remove Aircraft for -10 points.

The Duca delgi Abruzzi-class was the final version of the Condottieri concept better protection. Not only was the weight of armour increased, it was
to see service and represented a considerable advance on the previous also distributed in a better manner, which included a thin strake designed to
classes. Although their outward appearance was not too dissimilar, they trigger the fuses of incoming shells before they reached the main protection,
had many important changes, particularly regarding the protective scheme. splinter protection for the upper deck, extension of the main armoured deck
With this class, the Regia Marina finally decided to compromise speed for to full beam, and considerably thickened barbette and turret armour.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 13/4 Traits: Armoured Deck, Radar 60
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 505 ft. Speed: 28 kts. Ships of this Class: Etna, Vesuvio
ETNA-CLASS CRUISER

Commissioned: 1944* Crew: 580 Displacement: 6,533 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (6 x 5.3-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 3 -1 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
*Note: Planned
Light Guns (6 x 5.3-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front arc and 2 into the aft arc.
In 1939, Siam (now Thailand) placed on order for a pair of general-purpose equally new 65mm heavy anti-aircraft guns currently being designed for
light cruisers which were to be built in Italian yards. These hulls were the Capitani Romani-class of light cruisers would also be carried, backed
subsequently taken over by Italy in 1942, with plans to complete them as by a large number of lighter anti-aircraft guns. Both ships were still under
anti-aircraft cruisers which also could also serve as flagships. Designated construction when they were captured by German troops after the
the Etna-class, the two ships were to be equipped with six 152mm surrender of Italy in 1943. To prevent their use by the Germans, the ship
guns in three updated dual-purpose twin mounts. In addition, ten of the was sunk by the retreating Italians.

British torpedoes narrowly miss their Italian target

263
 The Regia Marina

Trento by Paul Wright © Osprey Publishing Ltd. Taken from

New Vanguard 258 – Italian Cruisers of World War II

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 2+ Hull: 15/5 Traits: Aircraft 2 75

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 555 ft. Speed: 32 kts. Ships of this Class: Armando Diaz, Luigi Cadorna
Commissioned: 1933 Crew: 608 Displacement: 7,113 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
LUIGI CADORNA-CLASS CRUISER

A Turret (2 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track

B Turret (2 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
X Turret (2 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
Y Turret (2 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
Light Guns (6 x 3.9-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 2 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Luigi Cadorna: Reduce Hull to 14/4 for -5 points.
Refits – Luigi Cadorna
1943 Remove Aircraft for -10 points. 1944 Surrendered to Allies and served as transport. Remove Torpedoes for -20 points.

A sub-class of the Condottieri-class and ordered by the Regia Marina as a were improved. Otherwise, these ships showed no improvement in fighting
follow on to the Giussano-class, these two ships had similar characteristics power over the earlier Giussano-class. A late war refit would see the removal
but were intended to have improved protection and stability. However, of the catapult and two aircraft originally carried for additional light anti-
protection ended up being virtually the same, but stability and hull strength aircraft weapons.

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 3+ Hull: 18/6 Traits: Aircraft 2 85

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 598 ft. Speed: 34 kts. Ships of this Class: Muzio Attendolo, Raimondo Montecuccoli
Commissioned: 1935 Crew: 650 Displacement: 8,995 tons
MONTECUCCOLI-CLASS CRUISER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

A Turret (2 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
B Turret (2 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
X Turret (2 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
Y Turret (2 x 6-inch) 6" 12" 18" 25" 1 -1 1 Twin-Linked, Fast Track
Light Guns (6 x 3.9-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 2 -2 1 DP, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Port Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Refits – Raimondo Montecuccoli 1944 Surrendered to Allies and served as transport. Remove Aircraft and remove all Torpedoes for -30 points.
1943 Add Radar and increase AA Battery to Local 3 for +15 points.

These two ships continued the improvement of the Condottieri concept length but without any noticeable increase in fighting power. However, one
begun with the Giussano-class. In comparison to the preceding Cadorna- of the main benefits of this increase in displacement was better protection,
class, the new ships were some 2,000 tons larger, with increased beam and with increases provided in all areas.

264
 The Regia Marina

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 2+ Hull: 27/9 Traits: Aircraft 3, Armoured Deck 130
points
Type: Cruiser Length: 646 ft. Speed: 34 kts. Ships of this Class: Trento, Trieste, Bolzano
Commissioned: 1928 Crew: 781 Displacement: 13,548 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
A Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 17" 26" 35" 2 – 1 –
TRENTO-CLASS CRUISER

B Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 17" 26" 35" 2 – 1 –

X Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 17" 26" 35" 2 – 1 –
Y Turret (2 x 8-inch) 8" 17" 26" 35" 2 – 1 –
Light Guns (12 x 3.9-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 4 -2 1 DP, Restricted, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Port Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Port Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Starboard Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Bolzano: Increase all Turrets to Range bands 9"/ 18"/27"/37" for +5 points.
The Trento-class was the first 8-inch gun cruisers built by Italy in the wake (again by a British submarine) in late 1942 but was able to limp home – she
of the Washington Treaty. It was designed to be fast, and sacrificed armour was subsequently sunk by air attack. Bolzano is sometimes considered to
protection to achieve this. They were originally designated light cruisers be a member of the Trento-class and sometimes a unique design. She was
but were re-rated as heavy cruisers due to their superior armament. Trento torpedoed twice by submarines and finally sunk by explosives placed by
itself was sunk by a British submarine in 1942, while Trieste was torpedoed British Chariot mini-subs in 1944.

Zara by Paul Wright © Osprey Publishing Ltd. Taken from New

Vanguard 258 – Italian Cruisers of World War II

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 2+ Hull: 27/9 Traits: Aircraft 2 150

points
Type: Cruiser Length: 600 ft. Speed: 30 kts. Ships of this Class: Fiume, Gorizia, Pola, Zara
Commissioned: 1928 Crew: 841 Displacement: 14,300 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
ZARA-CLASS CRUISER

A Turret (2 x 8-inch) 9" 18" 27" 37" 2 – 1 –

B Turret (2 x 8-inch) 9" 18" 27" 37" 2 – 1 –
X Turret (2 x 8-inch) 9" 18" 27" 37" 2 – 1 –
Y Turret (2 x 8-inch) 9" 18" 27" 37" 2 – 1 –
Light Guns (12 x 3.9-inch) 4" 8" 12" 17" 4 -2 1 –
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 2
Fiume, Pola: Reduce Hull to 26/9 for -5 points.
Refits – Fiume, Pola, Zara Refits – Gorizia 1942 Remove Star Shell and increase AA Battery to Local 3 for
1940 Add Star Shell 1 for +5 points. 1940 Add Star Shell 1 for +5 points. +0 points.

The Zara-class heavy cruisers were designed to have improved protection but eventually crept up by more than 10% of that limit. Pola, Zara and
over the Trento-class, at the cost of speed. Originally designated light, then Fiume were lost in action with British forces off Cape Matapan while Gorizia
armoured, the Zara-class was properly rated as heavy cruisers. They were passed into German hands upon the Italian surrender and was eventually
intended to remain within the 10,000-ton limits of the Washington treaty sunk by British and Italian frogmen using Chariot mini-subs.

265
 Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 1+ Hull: 4/1 Traits: None 30
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 315 ft. Speed: 31 kts. Ships of this Class: Baleno, Folgore, Fulmine, Lampo
FOLGORE-CLASS DESTROYER

Commissioned: 1932 Crew: 185 Displacement: 2,100 tons

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 2 -2 1 Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 3 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 3 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
Refits – Folgore, Lampo
1942 Increase AA Battery Local to 2 and remove one set of Torpedoes for -5 points.

The Folgore-class was based on the Freccia-class, but with a finer beam which the four vessels of the class received improved anti-aircraft armament, while
reduced oil capacity. There was no improvement in maximum speed, though Lampo earned the dubious distinction of being sunk twice. Raised in 1942
lessons learned with the Freccia-class resulted in better seakeeping. Two of after being sunk by surface action, she was sunk again by aircraft in 1943.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 1+ Hull: 4/1 Traits: Depth Charge 30

points
Type: Destroyer Length: 309 ft. Speed: 30 kts. Ships of this Class: Dardo, Freccia, Saetta, Strale
Commissioned: 1931 Crew: 185 Displacement: 2,116 tons
FRECCIA-CLASS DESTROYER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 2 -2 1 Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 3 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 3 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
Refits – Dardo Refits – Freccia, Saetta
1943 Increase AA Battery Local to 2 and remove one set of Torpedoes for -5 points. 1943 Increase AA Battery Local to 2 and remove one set of Torpedoes for -5 points.
Seized by Germany and renamed TA31.

The Freccia-class of destroyers were designed with improved fuel capacity theoretical performance and demonstrated poor seakeeping characteristics.
and machinery than the preceding Turbine-class. Although capable of high Having proven unsuitable for their intended role as supports for the new fast
speed during trials, the vessels of this class were unable to maintain their cruisers, the Freccia-class was relegated to convoy escort duty.

Flank Speed: 6" Armour: 1+ Hull: 4/1 Traits: Depth Charge 30

points
Type: Destroyer Length: 350 ft. Speed: 38 kts Ships of this Class: Grecale, Libeccio, Maestrale, Scirocco
Commissioned: 1934 Crew: 190 Displacement: 2,207 tons
MAESTRALE-CLASS DESTROYER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 2 -2 1 Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 3 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 3 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
Refits – Maestrale Refits – Grecale
1941 Add Star Shell 1 for +0 Points. 1942 Add Star Shell 1 for +0 Points.
1942 Remove Star Shell for -0 points. 1943 Remove Star Shell, increase AA Battery Local to 2 and remove one set of Torpedoes for -5 points.
1943 Increase AA Battery Local to 2 and remove one set of Torpedoes for -5 points.
Refits – Scirocco
1942 Add Star Shell 1 for +0 Points.

The Maestrale-class was an improvement on preceding Regia Marina hull to retain performance without requiring larger machinery. This
destroyer designs, initially carrying the same armament as the Freccia necessitated some internal redesign, resulting in a better-balanced
and Folgore-classes but on a more stable and seaworthy hull. It was vessel. Additional anti-aircraft armament was fitted as a result of
essentially an enlarged version of the Freccia-class, using a longer wartime experience.

266
 The Regia Marina

Conti di Cavour

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 5/2 Traits: Agile, Depth Charge 35
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 352 ft. Speed: 28 kts. Ships of this Class: See below*
Commissioned: 1929 Crew: 224 Displacement: 2,863 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
Light Guns (6 x 4.7-inch) 6" 12" 18" 24" 3 -2 1 Weak
NAVIGATORI-CLASS DESTROYER

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (6 x 4.7-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
*Ships of this Class: Alvise Da Mosto, Antonio da Noli, Niccoloso da Recco, Giovanni da Verrazzano, Emanuele Pessagno, Antonio Pigafetta, Lanzerotto Malocello, Leone Pancaldo,
Luca Tarigo, Ugolino Vivaldi, Antoniotto Usodimare, Nicolò Zeno
Refits – All but Usodimare, da Recco Refits – Malocello, Pancaldo
1940 Decrease Flank Speed to 6" and increase Hull to 6/2 for +0 points. 1942 Add Radar, remove one set of Torpedoes and increase AA Battery Local to 2 for +0 points.
Refits – Da Mosto, da Verrazzano, Pessagno, Tarigo Refits – Da Recco, Vivaldi
1940 Increase both sets of Torpedoes Attack Dice to 3 for +5 points. 1942 Remove one set of Torpedoes and increase AA Battery Local to 2 for -5 points.
Refits – da Noli, Zeno Refits – Pigafetta
1942 Add Sub-Hunter, remove one set of Torpedoes and increase AA Battery Local to 2 for +5 points. 1940 Increase both sets of Torpedoes Attack Dice to 3 for +5 points.
1942 Remove one set of Torpedoes and increase AA Battery Local to 2 for -5 points.

Originally classified as esploratori or scouts, this class was in response to the they were found to lack stability and it was necessary to rebuild them with a
French contre-torpilleurs (destroyers) of the Jaguar and Guépard-classes. Trials clipper bow, increased beam, and reduced superstructure in the late 1930s,
with light displacement and overloaded machinery led to speeds of up to 43.5 with a corresponding reduction in speed to 28 knots. They suffered heavily in
knots. However, that could not be achieved under service conditions. Worse, the Mediterranean, with only a few surviving until the end of the war.

267
 The Regia Marina

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 5/2 Traits: Agile, Depth Charge 35
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 350 ft. Speed: 33 kts. Ships of this Class: Alfredo Oriani, Giosuè Carducci, Vincenzo Gioberti, Vittorio Alfieri
Commissioned: 1937 Crew: 206 Displacement: 2,254 tons
ORIANI-CLASS DESTROYER

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch) 5" 10" 15" 20" 2 -2 1 Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 3 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 3 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
Refits – Alfredo Oriani, Vincenzo Gioberti
1942 Add Star Shell 1, increase AA Battery Local to 2, and remove one set of Torpedoes for -5 points.

The four vessels of the Oriani-class were developed from the Maestrale-class Main armament remained the same, with additional anti-aircraft weaponry
design, with improved machinery resulting in a slight increase in speed. fitted during wartime.

Flank Speed: 7" Armour: 1+ Hull: 5/2 Traits: Agile, Star Shell 1, Depth Charge 35
points
Type: Destroyer Length: 350 ft. Speed: 35 kts. Ships of this Class: See below*
Commissioned: 1938/42* Crew: 206 Displacement: 2,460 tons
Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits
SOLDATI-CLASS DESTROYER

Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch) 5" 10" 15" 21" 2 -2 1 Weak

AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Port/Starboard Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Port/Starboard Si 270M Torpedoes 2" 4" 6" 8" 2 – 2 Devastating, One-Shot
Light Guns (4 x 4.7-inch): Only 1 Attack Dice may be fired into the front and aft arcs.
*Group 1 – commissioned 1938: Alpino, Artigliere, Ascari, Aviere, Bersagliere, Camicia Nera, Carabiniere, Corazziere, Fuciliere, Geniere, Granatiere, Lanciere;
Group 2 – commissioned 1942: Bombardiere, Corsaro, Legionario, Mitragliere, Velite
Refits – Ascari, Geniere, Lanciere Refits – Carabiniere, Granatiere Refits – Legionario
1942 Remove Star Shell for +0 points. 1943 Increase AA Battery Local to 2 and remove one set of 1943 Add Radar, increase AA Battery Local to 2 and remove one
Torpedoes for -5 points. set of Torpedoes for +0 points.
Refits – Camicia Nera
1942 Remove Star Shell for +0 points. Refits – Fuciliere, Velite
1944 Renamed to Artigliere. 1943 Add Radar, remove Star Shell, increase AA Battery Local to
2 and remove one set of Torpedoes for +0 points.

Early Italian destroyer designs were disappointing, but development resulted to the machinery. This was designated as the Soldati-class and developed into
in the Oriani-class, which was considered satisfactory. As a result, more ships two sub-groups during production.
were ordered to the same basic design, incorporating minor improvements

Flank Speed: 3"/2" Armour: 2+ Hull: 3/1 Traits: Agile, Submarine 30

points
Type: Submarine Length: 239 ft. Speed: 8/8.5 kts. Ships of this Class: Barbarigo, Comandante Alfredo Cappellini, Comandante Faà di Bruno,
MARCELLO-CLASS

Commissioned: 1938 Crew: 57 Displacement: 1,313 tons Dandolo, Emo, Marcello, Mocenigo, Morosini, Nani, Provana, Veniero
SUBMARINE

Weapons Fire Arcs Point Blank Short Long Extreme AD AP DD Traits

Light Guns (2 x 4.7-inch) 3" 7" 10" 14" 1 -2 1 Slow-Loading, Weak
AA Battery – – – – – – – Local 1
Fore Si 250I Torpedoes 1" 3" 4" 6" 4 – 2 Devastating, Slow-Loading
Aft Si 250I Torpedoes 1" 3" 4" 6" 4 – 2 Devastating, Slow-Loading
Compared to a German Type VII C submarine, the Marcello-class were much than the famous U-Boat. The Marcello-class should be considered one of
larger, displacing 1,060 tons versus 769. Speed and range between the two the most successful produced by the Italian shipyards and showed very good
classes were almost similar, but the Marcello-class had more torpedo tubes qualities – being fast, structurally robust and relatively manoeuvrable.

268
Breda Ba.201 Italian pilots make a deck landing on their carrier
The first purpose-built dive bomber
developed for the Regia Aeronautica, the
Ba.201 was a clean low-wing monoplane
with an inverted gull wing. Highly praised
by test pilots, except for a disappointing
maximum speed, development work
was expanded to include a carrier-based
derivative to be deployed on the carrier
Aquila. Unfortunately, all available Daimler-
Benz DB 601 engines were to be used for
fighters, and without a suitable replacement,
development of the Ba.201 was abandoned.

Fiat G.50 Freccia

The Fiat G.50 Freccia was the first Italian
low-wing monoplane fighter with an
enclosed cockpit and retractable landing
gear to go into production, though Italian
pilots felt uncomfortable with the enclosed
cockpit itself. Extremely manoeuvrable
thanks to its licence built German Daimler-
Benz engine, the Freccia was one of the best Italian pilots loved the plane, and by late Two. The new Re.2001 Falco II
fighters during the Spanish Civil War, yet by 1942 Folgores outnumbered all other fighter was an improvement of the original Re.2000,
the time World War Two started, it was aircraft in the Regia Aeronautica. which was originally rejected by the Regia
considered underpowered and under-armed. Aeronautica because of its poor engine.
Despite being considered on par with the
Reggiane Re.2000 Falco I Macchi C.202, the Re.2001 was never
Junkers Ju 87 Picchiatello An all metal, low-wing, monoplane, the produced to the same levels. Instead, the
Made famous by Germany in the early stages Falco I saw service in the first part of Re.2001 was primarily used as a night fighter,
of the war, the Stuka (named Picchiatello World War Two. This lightly built and highly though plans and prototypes were developed
in Italian service) was a welcome addition manoeuvrable interceptor was a technically converting the plane into a carrier-based
to the Regia Aeronautica. Italian Stukas advanced aircraft, but not considered fighter for the unfinished Aquila.
took part in the first direct attack on Malta satisfactory by Italian military authorities. A
where they enjoyed initial success, but their navy version of the Re.2000, modified for
vulnerability to enemy fighters remained. catapult-launching, was intended to replace Savoia Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero
the Ro.43 but, as it had no floatplanes, could A fast three-engine design originally
not be recovered by its parent ship. It was developed as a passenger aircraft, the
Macchi C.202 Folgore instead used much like some British ships Sparviero had a distinctive ‘hunchbacked’
The Macchi C.202 Folgore was a used the Hurricane, launching then ditching appearance. It was highly successful as a
development of the earlier C.200 Saetta in the sea. In the end, it saw only very bomber and torpedo-bomber, particularly
fighter, with a more powerful German limited use. early in the war when it could outrun any
Daimler-Benz engine. It proved superior to Allied fighter it was likely to encounter.
the Curtiss P-40 and the Hawker Hurricane The appearance of high-performance
and was considered to be a match for the Reggiane Re.2001 Falco II aircraft in the Mediterranean theatre later
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. V and early North The Reggiane Re.2001 Falco II served in the in the war made daylight operations far
American P-51 Mustang. Unsurprisingly, Regia Aeronautica throughout World War more hazardous.

Regia Marina Aircraft Chart

Flight Commissioned Carrier Role Flank Speed Dogfight Damage Dice Traits Points
Breda Ba.201 – No Dive-Bomber 20" -1 2 Devastating 15
Fiat G.50 Freccia 1940 No Fighter 21" +0 0 – 10
Fiat G.50 Freccia 1940 No Bomber 21" -1 1 – 10
Junkers Ju 87 Picchiatello 1941 No Dive-Bomber 17" -1 2 Devastating 15
Macchi C.202 Folgore 1941 No Fighter 26" +2 0 – 15
Macchi C.202 Folgore 1941 No Bomber 26" +1 1 – 15
Reggiane Re.2000 Falco I 1941 No Fighter 23" +1 0 Tough 15
Reggiane Re.2001 Falco II 1942 Yes Fighter 24" +2 0 Tough 20
Reggiane Re.2001 Falco II 1942 Yes Bomber 24" +1 3 Tough 20
Savoia Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero 1936 No Bomber 19" -3 4 – 20
Savoia Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero 1936 No Torpedo-Bomber 19" -3 8 Devastating 20

269
MAS Boat Though not as fast, it was far better suited to VAS Boat
Capable of 45 knots, the Italian Motoscafo long range patrols in the Mediterranean being VAS boats were coastal anti-submarine
Armato Silurante (Armed Torpedo Boat) more stable and more comfortable. It was an vessels, differing in concept from those used
or MAS Boats were extremely active MS Boat that sank the largest vessel of any by other navies in that they carried torpedoes
in the Mediterranean theatre. Though MTB in the war, HMS Manchester, in 1942. in addition to a light gun armament. These
they were not well suited to rougher weapons were intended for attacks on
seas, they still achieved a great deal of surfaced submarines but could be employed
note, including the torpedoing of HMS MT Boat against any target. Early vessels in the first
Capetown and an attack on the harbour A variety of MT boats were deployed by group (Type 1) were constructed of wood;
of Malta, though the latter was a failure the Regia Marina. The boat itself was the thereafter a composite construction was
that cost two MAS Boats. weapon in this case, being packed with used. Type 3 vessels were made of steel. Some
explosives and aimed by a pilot who escaped craft laid down as members of this class were
by means of what might be described as a finished as minesweepers.
MS Boat combination ejector seat/life raft. Although
Based on German S1 class S-Boats the a very hazardous weapon to operate, MT
Italians found in the port of Cattaro in boats made successful attacks, including the
Yugoslavia, the MS Boat was larger and far sinking of the cruiser HMS York.
more seaworthy than the MAS designs.
MAS Boats
Regia Marina Motor Torpedo Boat Chart
Section Commissioned Number Flank Speed Armour Smoke AA Battery Torpedoes Weapons Points
MAS Boat 1929 80 8" 4+ No 1 2 Depth Charge 20
MS Boat Type 1 1942 18 6" 3+ Yes 1 2 Depth Charge 20
MS Boat Type 2 1943 18 6" 3+ Yes 1 4 Depth Charge 20
MT Boat 1940 20 7" 2+ No – – – 20
VAS Boat 1942 51 4" 3+ Yes 1 2 Depth Charge 20

Zara by Paul Wright © Osprey Publishing Ltd.

Taken from New Vanguard 258: Italian Cruisers of World War II

270
 Regia Aeronautica aircraft leave their land-based airfields

"We are having shock after shock out here. The damage to the
battleships at this time is a disaster. One cannot but admire the
cold-blooded bravery and enterprise of these Italians."
Admiral Cunningham

HMS Belfast under torpedo attack from MAS boats

271
Permission to photocopy for personal use only
Index
A Depth charges 61
Detection 61 M Searchlights 58
Ship cards 37
AA emplacements 73 Dice 39 Motor torpedo boats 67, 129 Ship models 39
Additional rules 58 Dogfighting 52 Movement Phase 40, 41, 50, Ship Traits 48
Advanced radar 59 60, 68 Shooting at MTB sections 68
Aircraft 50, 62, 128 Moving ships 41
Aircraft Traits 49 E MTB sections 67
Shooting down aircraft 50
Shore batteries 70
Armour (MTB sections) 68 End Phase 40, 46
Shorelines 70
Armour (shore batteries) 71
ASW aircraft 62
Escalation 46
Escape 62 N Smoke screens 69
Splitting fire 42
Escorting 52 Night battles 58
Attack Dice modifiers 44 Spotlights 62
Attacking with aircraft 52
Attacking with MTB sections 68 F O Squadrons 59
Star shells 58, 62
Fight! 56 Objectives 55 Strafing aircraft 68
B Fire arcs 43
Firing 44
Observation flights 53, 62
Orders 47, 62
Structure (shore batteries) 71
Submerged 60
Bad weather 58
Barrage balloons 59 Flights 50 Submarines 60
Beyond the Horizon attacks 42 P Submarine Orders 62
G Plunging fire 44 Submarine Scenarios 64
Submarine Traits 63
C Game turn 40 Points cost 128
Gunnery Phase 40, 42, 50, 60, 68 Poor visibility 61
Surfaced 60
Carriers 52
Pre-measuring 39
Coastal structures 73
Coasts 70 H T
Combat air patrol 52 Heavy armour 44 R Tactical withdrawals 54
Targets 42
Commissioned dates 128
Tools 38
Competitive battles 56
Counters 38 I Radar 58, 62
Range 42 Torpedoes 42
Crash dive 62 Initiative Phase 40 Re-arming aircraft 53 Torpedo nets 59
Crew Quality 47 Re-rolls 39 Traits 48, 63
Crippled ships 44 K Recovering aircraft 52
Critical hits 45 Kamikaze 53 Refits 129 V
Kamikaze MTBs 69 Refuelling aircraft 53 Victory Points 54
D Kamikaze Submarines 63 Running deep 60 Victory or Defeat 56
Damage 44
Damage control 46 L S W
Deep deployment 53 Land 70 Scenarios 75 Weapon systems 43, 68, 71, 73
Deployment 56, 57, 60 Launching aircraft 52 Scenario rules 54 Weapon Traits 48
Depth 60 Long-ranged detection 62 Scouting 56 Wind direction 52

Giants and Mice

While it could be said that Germany went – U-boats would be far more certainly have cost the British the
produced some very powerful effective in that role. Mediterranean (if Hitler could have
ships, their overall effect on the war been persuaded to send ships there)
was minimal. True, they provide Things might have been different if
and would have been capable of
wargamers with some interesting Hitler had been able to build the
severing the Atlantic lifeline, thus
battles and there were plenty of fleet of his dreams. Unbound by
knocking Britain out of the war and
heroic confrontations (particularly the restrictions of the Washington
handing Europe to Germany.
where the Bismarck is concerned), Treaty, a large fleet of ships like
but ultimately they did little more Bismarck and Tirpitz or the even Individually, Germany constructed
than drain resources from Germany larger and more powerful vessels very impressive ships. As a fleet,
and kill sailors in battles that could that had been planned, together they did nothing but perhaps hasten
not change the direction the war with adequate carrier support would their own nation’s defeat.

273
reference
GUNNERY PHASE
Once a ship has been nominated to fire,
the player follows this process:
Attack Dice Modifiers
Target is at Point Blank Range 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +1
• Nominate targets for every weapon
system that will fire this phase Target is at Short Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +0

• Check fire arc and range for each Target is at Long Range. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –1
weapon system
Target is at Extreme Range. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –2
• Resolve firing
Target’s Ship Class is Destroyer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –1
• Resolve damage
Fast Moving Target (target moved more than 6" this turn) 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –1
Firing Stationary Target (target on land, anchored or run aground) . . . . . . . . . . . . +1
Roll a number of D6 equal to the firing
ship’s Attack Dice (AD) score. Apply Large Silhouette (you are in the target’s port or starboard arc). . . . . . . . . . . +1
Attack Dice Modifiers to each dice. For
every AD that results in a 4 or more, a Weapon System is a Torpedo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –2
hit has been scored.
1
Main guns can only target battleships, carriers, cruisers and civilian ships at
Damage point blank range due to slow turret movement and the inability to depress their
guns low enough.
For every AD that hits the target, roll
a number of D6 equal to the weapon 2
Light guns and AA batteries are able to track their targets more quickly and
system’s Damage Dice (DD) score. ignore the penalty for fast moving targets.
Apply the weapon system’s Armour
Piercing (AP) score to each DD rolled.

For every DD that equals or exceeds the If a ship’s Hull is reduced to 0, it is

target’s Armour score, 1 point of damage considered to be destroyed and sinks.
is deducted from the target’s Hull. Remove the model from the
playing area.
Each DD that rolls a natural 1 causes no
damage. For every natural 6 rolled, roll
that D6 again. If on this roll you get a
result of 4 or more then, in addition to
causing any damage as normal, you will
also score a critical hit. USS Indianapolis

Ship Arcs Weapon System Fire Arcs

Arrow denotes direction the ship's bow (front) is facing.
Fore
Fore Aft

Fore, Port Aft, Port

Port Starboard Fore, Port, Starboard Aft, Port, Starboard

Bridge

Fore, Starboard Aft, Starboard

Port Starboard
Aft
Fore, Aft, Port, Starboard

274
CRITICAL HIT REFERENCE
Roll one D10 for each critical hit scored and consult the Every time a critical area’s Critical Score increases,
Critical Area table below to determine exactly where the ship immediately apply the extra damage to the ship’s Hull and
has been affected. apply the associated penalty.
The effects of critical hit penalties are cumulative, so if a ship’s
D10 Score Target
critical area table

Engines have a Critical Score of 3, it will have its Flank Speed

1-4 Engine reduced by a total of –2”.
Weapons If an area already has a Critical Score of 6 and receives
5-7
another critical hit to that area, apply both the extra damage
8-9 Crew and penalty for a Critical Score of 6 again.
10 Vital System Some critical penalties increase the Critical Score of other areas,
if this penalty occurs immediately increase that critical area’s
When either the Engine, Weapons, or Crew area sustains Critical Score and apply the resulting extra damage and penalty.
a critical hit, that area’s Critical Score increases by 1, to a The Escalation penalty means that, if left unattended, the areas
maximum of 6. Keep track of critical hits by placing the Critical Score may increase, as fires and secondary explosions
relevant critical hit tokens on your ship’s card. Critical hits spread! The effects of this penalty are checked for and applied
against a Vital System are dealt with differently, see below. during the turn’s End Phase – see page 46 for details.

Critical Score: 1 2 3 4 5 6
Effect: Props Damaged Rudder Damaged Turbine Damaged Fuel System Ruptured Engines Disabled Fuel Explosion
engine area

Extra Damage: 0 1 2 3 D6 3D6

-1" to Flank Speed
Must move 3" -1" Flank Speed Flank Speed Crew area Critical
Penalty: -1" to Flank Speed
before each turn Crew area Critical
Escalation reduced to 0" Score increases by 1
Score increases by 1
Secondary Secondary
Effect: Weapons Damaged Weapons Destroyed Turret Damaged Turret Destroyed Magazine Explosion Multiple Explosions
weapons area

Extra Damage: 1 2 3 D6 2D6 3D6

Random turret Random turret
–2 Attack Dice* Random turret Crew and Engine
must roll 4+ before destroyed (cannot be
Penalty: –1 Attack Dice* Crew area Critical firing (ignore if no used even if repaired)
destroyed (cannot be area Critical Scores
Score increases by 1 used even if repaired) increase by 1
turrets present) Escalation

Effect: Shrapnel Fire Multiple Fires Heavy Shrapnel Hull Breach Explosion
crew area

Extra Damage: 0 1 2 3 D6 2D6

The ship's crew
Weapon area Critical Engine area Critical Weapon area Critical
Penalty: –1 Attack Dice * Escalation
Score increases by 1
quality checks gain
Score increases by 1 Score increases by 1
a –1 modifier

* Each time this result is gained, roll a dice. On a 1-3, Attack Dice are lost from all light guns weapon systems, on a 4-5 from the AA battery, and on a
6 from all torpedoes. If a ship lacks any weapon system rolled, roll again until a system that is present is rolled.
Note that some ships do not possess turrets. In the case of such a ship suffering a Turret Destroyed or Magazine Explosion critical effect, halve the
Attack Dice of all light guns, rounding down, instead and apply all other effects of the critical hit as normal.

Vital Systems D6 Score Area Damage Effect

If a critical hit is scored For the rest of the game, the ship is no
1 Bridge Destroyed 1
longer able to perform any Orders.
upon a Vital System, things
are about to get very, very Roll a D6. For the rest of the game, at every opportunity,
bad for the ship involved. 2 Rudder Jammed D6 the ship must: on a 1-2, always turn left; on a 3-4, no
vital system hit

longer make any turns; on a 5-6, it must always turn right.

These are devastating hits
that cause terrible, even 3 Fire in Engineering 2D6
For the rest of the game, the ship cannot
perform damage control.
terminal, damage.
For each Vital System For the rest of the game, before each weapon system can
critical hit a ship suffers roll 4 Magazine Ablaze 2D6 fire roll a D6: on a 1-3 the weapon system cannot fire this
turn; on a 4-6 the weapon system can fire as normal.
on this table to see what
happens. Place the relevant
5 Secondary Explosions 4D6 Increase the Critical Scores of every area by 1.
Vital Systems critical token
on your ship's card as The ship's Hull is immediately reduced to 0 and
a reminder. 6 Catastrophic Explosion –
the ship is lost with all hands.

275
 THE DESTINATION FOR MILITARY HISTORY

FROM 1939’S BATTLE OF THE RIVER PLATE TO THE FINAL NAVAL SIEGE
OF JAPAN, OSPREY BRINGS WORLD WAR II NAVAL HISTORY TO LIFE

AVA ILABLE TO OR DER FROM AL L G OO D B OO K S H O P S

A N D ONLINE AT WWW.O S PR E Y PU B L I S H I N G .C O M
 ™

Victory at Sea is the game of naval combat during This Victory at Sea rulebook contains:
the Second World War. Throughout 1939–45, the
warring nations duelled across the oceans of the • The complete rules for fighting naval battles,
world, only to discover the fundamental nature including the use of aircraft, submarines and
of naval warfare changing in the face of rapidly coastal defences.
developing technologies. Now you can play out
these confrontations on the tabletop with entire • Detailed background notes on the progression
fleets drawn from the Royal Navy, US Navy, of naval warfare throughout WWII.
Imperial Japanese Navy, German Kriegsmarine or
any of the other nations featured in Victory at Sea. • 28 historic scenarios, covering every theatre
over the span of the whole war.
From skirmishes involving single destroyers hunting
down merchantmen to the clashing of massive • Exhaustive fleets list for all the major
fleets against implacable enemies, Victory at Sea belligerents, providing complete game
enables you to fight exciting battles that take place statistics for hundreds of unique ships,
on the oceans of World War Two. submarines, aircraft and MTBs.

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® Seas, Warlords of Erehwon, Blood Red Skies, SPQR, Beyond the Gates of
ISBN: 978-1-911281-69-6
Made in the UK
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