All Guns Blazing — December 2012

1 All Guns Blazing! Newsletter of the Naval Wargames Society No. 218 – December 2012 Chairman’s Christmas Address A Happy Yuletide to all our valued members. May Santa bring at least one naval related present, and if not, treat yourself! I’m now open for orders trading as the Anchorage, where old 1/1250 ships retire awaiting new owners. I’ve always been a fan of admiralty recognition scale models. In my late teens I had some Ensign, Fleetline and Clydeside for Channel convoy actions. All but the latter folded by 1990, and I switched to 1/3000 Navwar. But one day my ex wife spotted an advert in the local rag concerning a model ship meeting at Theale near Reading. At that time I lived only 7 miles away, so off I went. Oh boy, talk about a kid in a candy store!! Little did I know that whilst waterline 1/1200 ship production had dried up in the UK, Germany and the USA were still producing it out, Germany for model collectors, the US for wargamers. Soon the NWS were represented at these shows, much smaller in scale than wargames shows but with real ship enthusiasts. Since then NWS members in the South have frequently attended the two shows a year at Theale; but what of the rest of the country, world? As Chairman, I take the position very seriously, the same as if it were my job. But what can a chairman of the society do, other than try to turn up for displays? As an ex cricketer, the chairman always part funded club projects. Luckily for society and I, this is not needed. EDITORIAL Another year gone. They certainly go faster as you get older. There is a lot to look forward to in 2013. Salute in April, the Navy Wargames weekend at Explosion Museum, Colours at Newbury and many more shows and exhibitions. If you have details of a smaller local show, send me details and I’ll include the dates in AGB. What about this for a New Year’s resolution: get to one more show in 2013 then you did in 2012. The last AGB of 2012 includes Part 2 of the Kaiser’s Korsairs, details of several Items that one member has available for sale, a Quiz and a few other words that I hope you find interesting. How marvellous it would be if the story of those buried, crated Spitfires in Burma turn out to be true. Excavations are planned for the New Year. Apparently a camera down a pilot hole has shown at least one wooden crate with “something” in the protective wraps inside. Eye witnesses from 1945 and the records indicate that 36 Spitfires in crates could be down there. Preserved Ships are not over abundant around the World and unfortunately there will never be a naval equivalent of this Spitfire find. Our thanks to Chris for his long stint as Battlefleet Editor. As I write this a possible replacement is in the pipeline. Like most things, many hands make light work and the Naval Wargames Society relies on Members chipping in with their bit to keep the Society thriving and interesting. So keep those articles for AGB and Battlefleet coming in. Somewhere in the World, the Sun is over the yardarm. Norman Bell normanpivc@gmail.com

2 For years now, I have put on big weekend campaigns, thoroughly enjoyed, but limited to those I knew. Not because I’m shy or retiring, but because I needed to know that members travelling from afar need to be guaranteed a good weekend. The announcement regarding the Russo –Jap weekend was impressive, but the date was not ideal. (See September’s AGB). Dates are always the biggest problem. As such my fleets are at you and your club mates’ disposal, terrain matt sea-scape, Coastlines harbours/forts. Complete wars include Baltic 1854 1/2400, Lissa 1866 1/2400, ACW 1/600, Sino-Jap 1895 1/1250, Span-Am 1898 1/1250, Russo-Jap 1904 1/1250, Balkan War 1912-3 1/1250, WW1 Baltic, Adriatic & Kaisers Korsairs 1/1250, Jutland 1/2400, SCW 1/1250, WW2 1939-42 1/1250, WW2 1943-45 1/3000, Indonesian Crisis 62-65 1/1250, Indo-Pak 1/1250, Falklands 82 1/1250 & 1/3000. I’m also acutely aware that the cost of getting to North Devon maybe prohibitive. So the introduction to Kaisers Korsairs, a play by email game that all can enjoy, where ever in the world lived. I’m conscious of this as my in laws live in Bulgaria and my home is NZ, yet I live in the SW of England! This campaign has been played out for over 6 years now, usually some internet friends vs locals. My friends played out British commands, whilst the non internet bus borne locals collated their moves via a friend at Chivenor RMB. To truly comprehend this campaign, you have to play the game. Despite the vast numerical superiority of the Allied fleets, the massive search areas and superior speed of the German raiders make it a real game of cat and mouse. The Allied problem is speed, and search coverage. Generally too slow and too few for area patrolled. The German problem is coal. The Ettappen will supply what they can subject to interception, otherwise it is dependant on what and where you capture. Coal predominantly comes from China, Chile or India. Raiders in these sea lanes have a greater chance of success but also a greater chance of interception. Over the years I’ve researched the daily movements of all the cruisers involved, so as to play the game with German opponents only. The latest offering, will include the neutrals, most importantly the Dutch and Argentines. The best result to date was by a lady non wargamer in the Konigsberg. Played every trick in the book, never ran out of coal. But how much better if you could play the actions at home? Many are single ship actions, not worthy of involving your friends. So why not indulge and buy yourself the relevant ships? Fight it yourself! Yet another reason behind my decision to trade in 1/1250 waterline ship models. I was shocked at Colours, Newbury war game’s show, when a friend presented to me some 1/3000 cruisers that had cost £4 each. For a few pounds more these could be in 1/1250 yet not demand a big table to play on and look a world better. Nothing in comparison to buying 28mm troops for your next wargame, or 1/2400 GHQ. I will hope to be trading at Plymouth (February), Devizes, Bovington as well as Portishead South West Ship Show, Theale model ship shows in April & September. Not forgetting Explosion! For up to date catalogue email me on stuart_barnes_watson@hotmail.com Likewise, email me with a wants list, as I have numerous international contacts and my list changes monthly. 2012 has been one of the toughest years in the history of the NWS. AGB temporarily disappeared, Norman stepped into the breach, and now Chris White wishes to stand down. Understandable, as Chris has done an epic job over the past years. Jeff Chorney has offered to take over the engine room, and he’s a solo gamer with terrific expertise in articles. I am sure that Battlefleet will go from strength to strength. Many of us are solo gamers, due to hotel rooms or isolation. Some naval battles are too small to invite fellow gamers, WW2 Q ships vs AMCs, WW1 cruiser actions, and so the solo wargamer’s needs need readdressing. I ask the membership if they would like specific editions of Battlefleet, modern, WW2, WW1 etc compiled from previous articles and to be published. I’ve had so many requests re old articles, and we don’t have a catalogue of previous articles. My Yuletide wish is that you enthuse the NWS to your fellow gamers. Naval games are far from dull, biremes, triremes, galleons, 74’s, steamers, ironclads, pre dreadnoughts, dreadnoughts, battleships, post WW2 etc will always command attention, and no longer have to be gamed in 1/3000 scale. My thanks on behalf of the members must go to Chris White for editing Battlefleet, Norman for rescuing All Guns Blazing, Peter & Simon for maintaining membership and subs…and putting on games, John Curry for revamping website. We also need to acknowledge the work of some of our members, Dave Manley for his rules, John Curry for his re prints and Mel Wright for his convoy game. These people spend vast amounts of time on our behalf, my thanks goes to all. Finally, I would encourage all members to spread the news, naval games are on the up, and the NWS is the best society to be a member of. More ship models than you can ever imagine, so many scenarios, and the club membership offers so much priceless info. Who knows, I might be ready to organise another NWS holiday, April, Norway 1940! Have a great Yuletide! Stuart

3 It’s goodbye to another icon of the Sea. The USS Enterprise is in the final months of her active life (her first major mission was the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962) and is due to decommission in December 2012. An F-18 aircraft takes off from the USS Enterprise [Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2012] The latest design of the Royal Navy's Type 26 Global Combat Ship (T26 GCS), the next generation of warships, has been unveiled. Computer-generated image of the basic specification of the Type 26 Global Combat Ship The Ministry of Defence has released images showing the basic specification of the T26 GCS, which is a significant milestone in the development of this programme. The creation of the vessel will sustain thousands of jobs in the shipbuilding industry in the longer term but not in the immediate future, as BAe Systems are expected to announce the closure of one of their three shipyards. The T26 multi-mission warship, which is due to come into service after 2020, will be used by the Royal Navy in combat and counter-piracy operations, and to support humanitarian and disaster relief work around the world. QUIZ. By Rob Morgan. Those of you with a sharp eye for detail will recognise that the first question didn't appear in 'The Navy' in 1952, but I don't want to be criticised for not being 'up to date' occasionally!!! 1. In 1979, what did Daryush, Nader and their two sisters become? 2. Give 12 Destroyer names beginning with SA..... 3. Who said "Didn't I tell you they'd have to come out?"

4 4. Which Fleet Air Arm Squadron had the Ace of Spades as its crest? 5. When was the last occasion on which the order General Chase' was made? Oh, before I forget, there was a beauty I picked up in 'The Times' lately, and this is it... 6. In 1922, who or what did HMS Warspite rescue? Items for Sale. Post and Packing to be paid by buyer on all games please. Reasonable offers considered Boxed Games SPI La Belle Alliance (contains Ney v Wellington in addition) £15.00 Napoleon's Art of War; Eylau & Dresden £10.00 Tanneberg £10.00 To the Green Fields Beyond £10.00 Avalon Hill Third Reich (3rd edition) £15.00 Raid on St. Nazaire. Unpunched £15.00 Australian Design Group Days of Decision £12.00 World in Flames £15.00 Asia Aflame £5.00 Africa Aflame £5.00 Ships in Flames £7.50 Enola Games Action in the Persian Gulf £5.00 (game uses metal miniatures – included) Bagged Games (with magazines & photo copied rules all at £7.00) S&T Borodino; Doomed Victory Napoleon at Eylau Napoleon & Archduke Charles; Abensburg Napoleon & Archduke Charles; Eckmuhl Napoleon & Archduke Charles; Aspen - Essling Horse Soldiers; Forrest at Bay The Kaisers Battle Sideshow; The Campaign for German East Africa Blood on the Tigris; The Iraq Campaign 1914-1917 XTR Hougoumont; Rock of Waterloo with Command magazine 3W Lawrence of Arabia unpunched I also have a complete run of Warships; International Fleet Review from Issue 1 December 1998 to December 2011. Any reasonable offers considered. Many thanks

5 Andy Field 21 Church Street Eye Suffolk IP23 7BD 01379 870769 andy@tecova.com Your chairman is now a 1/1200 ship dealer. Over a 1000 warships in stock with prices to suit all pockets. Contact me on 01271 866637 or email stuart_barnes_watson@hotmail.com for e-catalogue. Continuing the Kaiser’s Korsairs from last month. Move 4: JAPAN DECLARES WAR ON THE AXIS. In the Caribbean, urgent Raider signals are received from the liner Leeds Castle, en route to UK for fitting out as an AMC, before she is sunk by the light cruiser Karlsruhe. En route to Azores Rendezvous, Admiral Craddock in the Suffolk orders a suspicious liner to identify itself. The reply ‘Carmania’ lead to both Suffolk and Bristol opening up. The real Carmania is with the Otranto in the Azores! The raider turns out to be the Cap Trafalgar, responsible for 3 sinkings off Columbia. British hostages saved from the raider confirm the presence of the light cruiser Karlsruhe and a supply ship. A heroes welcome awaits Kit in the Azores! No news on Von Spee’s Asiatic Fleet……if only you could see what I can!!!! Move 4 Cap Trafalgar is caught and sunk off the Eastern Seaboard of America by the armoured cruiser HMS Suffolk and light cruiser HMS Bristol. Japan declares War on the Axis. Tsingtao & Dar es Salaam still blockaded. No news from Rabaul. The Tsingtao flotilla account for a further 3 ships in the Dutch East Indies. Emden sinks the sailing ship Pakeha 500 tons, Kaiserin Elisabeth the steamer SS Gaynor 1200 tons, the P.E.Friedrich the SS Patia 1400 tons. Karlsruhe at last achieves success in the Caribbean, sinking 4 ships. The steamers SS Debden 900 tons, SS Jedburgh 1200 tons, SS Leeds Castle 25600 tons (liner returning to UK for conversion to AMC) and the sailing ship Lady of Antigua 500 tons. Kronprinz Wilhelm has similar success off the Outer Banks, accounting for 3 ships: sinks the sailing ships Dorothy May 500 tons & La Belle Marie 600 tons, capturing the collier SS Kempton 2100 tons. Dresden also accounts for 3 ships off Panama: SS Kennet 1900 tons, SS Eglantine 3000 tons & SS Voltaire 8600 tons. Leipzig sinks SS Lyle 900 tons off California. Konigsberg destroys the sailing ship Harriet 600 tons in the Arabian Sea. Move 5: Still no news of Von Spee, but dramatic events elsewhere. The British Consul in Washington reports that the Kronprinz Wilhelm is coaling at Savannah, Georgia (OB). The crews of the sailing ships Dorothy May (500 tons) and La Belle Marie (600 tons) were landed. The crew of the captured steamer Kempton were released with the exception of the Captain and Chief Engineer. The ship now flies the German ensign. Strong protests have been made. The light cruiser Dresden is coaling in Panama. Once again strong protests have been made by the British consul and pressure put to bear on blocking passage through to Atlantic. The crews of the steamers Indigo (1500 ton), Kennet (1900 ton), Eglantine (3000 ton), Voltaire (8600 ton) and sailing ships Southern Lady (500 ton) and Palmyra (1000 ton) were landed. All sunk off the Pacific coast of South America. The arrival of the Austrian protected cruiser Kaiserin Elisabeth together with German gunboat Geier and transport Titania at Surabaya similarly sparked protests to the Dutch from our envoy in Java. Prisoners from the steamer Gaynor (1200 ton) and sailing ships Irish Lady (500 ton) and Penang (500 ton) sunk off Thailand and the Dutch East Indies were landed. Coaling is being effected by German

6 agents of a bogus shipping company. The area is experiencing terrible storms, but Dartmouth, Itchen and Kennet are lying in the Surabaya roadsteads in response to envoys communiqué. OPERATION TANGA The Allied landing in Tanga is to go ahead immediately. 2 slow troopers are assembled in Bombay (BB) awaiting immediate escort to Mozambique Channel and Tanga. Admiral Jerram please comply. Move 5 Karlsruhe continues her success by sinking a further 2 ships (schooner Trinity 6000 ton & steamer Limerick 1500 ton) and capturing the coal barquentine Drummuir 1600 tons in the Carib. Storms prevent Leipzig coaling at sea off California. Storms also prevent Prinz Eitel Friedrich & Emden from refuelling at sea. Whilst Kaiserin Elisabeth, Geier & Titania are coaling at Surabaya, the light cruiser Dartmouth in company with the destroyers Itchen and Kennet anchors in the roadstead. Dutch neutrality is observed. Tsingtao reports arrival of massive Japanese fleet. Dar es Salaam still blockaded. Move 6: Disaster off Surabaya! The midnight departure of Kaiserin Elisabeth, Geier and Titania prompts Dartmouth, Itchen & Kennet to weigh anchor and pursue. Shepherded by the Dutch cruiser Ijmuiden, the two flotillas sailed West in parallel. As soon as Ijmuiden turned back, firing commenced. Both sides were surprisingly accurate, but it was Dartmouth who scored first blood, fires seen to break out on Kaiserin Elisabeth. The destroyers, miraculously unscathed from Geier’s accurate salvoes, closed together with Dartmouth on the enemy line (Titania being shielded by the warships). No sooner had the fires been extinguished on Kaiserin Elisabeth than Dartmouth exploded violently, and sank in minutes. Torpedoed by the Austrian. The destroyers focused on Geier as Titania headed away to join Kaiserin Elisabeth. A fierce fire fight developed as the destroyers tried unsuccessfully to torpedo the large gunboat. Kennet, her decks trashed, watched as Itchen was obliterated by a salvo from Kaiserin Elisabeth. With no offensive capability left and likely to be deemed a CTL, Kennet raced after Titania, hoping to ram. Another salvo from Kaiserin Elisabeth sent her to join her consort. Survivors were picked up by the Dutch cruiser, and report having severely damaged both Kaiserin Elisabeth and Geier. An unconfirmed report from a neutral merchant ship advises the presence of a German cruiser in the Cocos Islands, recoiling. There has been no contact with Cocos since the German raid. Dresden was refused permission to transit the Panama Canal, and departed westward. Nothing to report of Von Spee. He seems to have vanished! Tsingtao and Rabaul successfully blockaded. Operation Cameroon 5 slow transports are gathered at Plymouth carrying troops for the invasion of German Cameroon. Cover will be supplied by Admiral Western Approaches (me). Every effort should be made to defend against Atlantic raiders en route to the Gulf of Guinea. Admiral Craddock, please comply. Move 6 Wien Dagblat Grosse Seekreig, Britischer flotte kaput!! Osterliche und Hungarn, Vorwarts!! KuK Kaiserin Elisabeth, Geier and Titania break out of Surabaya at night. The movements are tracked by the Dutch cruiser Ijmuiden and British cruiser Dartmouth and destroyers Itchen and Kennet. Upon the Dutch ship’s departure, action commenced. The Central Powers could not out run the British, so Kaiserin Elisabeth and Geier shielded Titania from the Allied advance. Gunnery was good on both sides, but fires were blazing on Kaiserin Elisabeth. With the range rapidly decreasing, the night sky erupted in flame as Dartmouth blew up, victim of Kaiserin Elisabeth’s port torpedo tube. Kaiserin Elisabeth now pulled ahead, leaving Geier to protect Titania. The British destroyers launched all their torpedoes, but excellent seamanship saved Geier from lethal damage. Whilst Geier was harried by the destroyers, Kaiserin Elisabeth now turned to receive the onrushing Titania. A well aimed salvo from Kaiserin Elisabeth then obliterated Itchen. Kennet, her decks destroyed and defenceless, rushed toward Titania in an attempt to ram. Another salvo from Kaiserin Elisabeth sent her to the bottom.

7 Damage report. Kaiserin Elisabeth: 33% topside damage, 33% ammo expenditure. Geier: One 4.1” destroyed, minor topside damage, 33% ammo expenditure, can be replenished by Titania (4.1”). Titania undamaged. Dresden: sinks the sailing ships ‘Thespian’ (600 tons) & ‘Invercoe’ (1400 tons) off Panama. The leading ace to date, with 8 ships. The remaining ships either completed coaling or were unsuccessful in their searches. Intelligence: Canadian Expeditionary Force successfully arrived in Britain. Tsingtao and Rabaul still blockaded. Move 7: Battle of the Carolines. Another naval disaster! The old light cruisers Pyramus, Psyche and Philomel sighted the victors of Surabaya heading towards Ponape in the German Caroline Islands. To their dismay, the enemy had been joined by the light cruiser Emden and AMC Prinz Eitel Friedrich. The British line sped forward hoping to cross the T of the enemy line. Emden Kaiserin Elisabeth and Geier with Prinz Eitel Friedrich covering Titania offset to starboard to the rear. According to Axis reports, Psyche was first to go, sinking under salvoes from Kaiserin Elisabeth. Pyramus soon followed the same way. Philomel then turned to flee but was caught and sunk by Emden. There are no accurate reports on Axis damage, if any. Whilst the accuracy of the reports is questionable, the fact remains that the Axis have accounted for 4 light cruisers and 2 destroyers in 4 days…without loss. The confidence in the nation for its navy is very low, and the Commonwealth is expressing it’s concerns. To date only 2 AMC’s have been accounted for. Move 7 Battle of the Carolines Emden, Kaiserin Elisabeth, Geier, Prinz Friedrich Eitel with Titania, engage and destroy British cruiser squadron off the German Caroline Islands. Both sides closed in line, with Emden leading KE and Geier, PEF protecting Titania to rear and starboard. Speed in abeyance with Titania, 9 knots. The Allied line consisting of the old light cruisers Pyramus, Psyche and Philomel used their superior speed to close the range and head off Emden. Forced to increase speed, Emden took a battering at close quarters from Pyramus, serious fires resulting. Both sides launched torpedoes without result, before Psyche, which had stopped firing, pulled out of line, only to capsize under another accurate salvo from KE. With Geier and eventually PEF engaging Philomel, KE turned her attention to Pyramus. To the relief of Emden, another crunching salvo from KE sent Pyramus to join her sister. Philomel now turned to flee, and a long chase ensued until Emden finally caught up with her and delivered the coup de gras. German damage: Heavy topside damage to Emden, 33% ammo usage. KE, no damage, 66% ammo usage, Geier minor damage, 66% ammo usage, PEF minor damage, 33% ammo usage. Titania undamaged and carries 4.1” ammo. The German Commissioner on Ponape has declared the day a holiday! Konigsberg, battling storm conditions off the Chagos Archipelago reports a heavily protected troop convoy heading west towards Dar es Salaam in German East Africa. Escorts include at least 3 battleships. Leipzig sinks the SS Dido (1700 ton), SS Henessey (1200 ton) and sailing ship Mariposa (500 ton) off Tehuantepec. Other vessels were unsuccessful. SIGNAL PAD! Coming in January 2013. More Kaiser’s Korsairs. Konigraatz Small Scale Raid and WWI German preference for Medium Range Naval engagements.

8 JOINING THE NAVAL WARGAMES SOCIETY If you have been lent this newsletter and would like to join the Naval Wargames Society, please follow this link to join our Society: www.navalwargamessociety.org. NWS Events and Regional Contacts, 2012 NWS Northern Fleet – Falkirk East Central Scotland Kenny Thomson, 12 Craigs Way, Rumford Grange, Rumford, Stirlingshire, FK2 0EU Tel: 01324 714248 e-mail: kenny.thomson@hotmail.com - Website: http://falkirkwargamesclub.org.uk/ Falkirk Wargames Club meets each Monday night at 7pm with a variety of games running each evening. Naval games are popular with 2 or 3 run each month. Campaign games sometimes feature in our monthly weekend sessions. Games tend to be organised week to week making a 3- month forecast here a waste of time. Please get in touch if you’d like to come along.  Popular periods – Modern (Shipwreck), WW1 and 2 (GQ), WW2 Coastal (Action Stations), and Pre-dreadnought (P Dunn’s rules) NWS North Hants [Every 3rd Sunday] Jeff Crane 31 Park Gardens, Black Dam, Basingstoke, Hants, 01256 427906 e-mail: gf.crane@ntlworld.com