HMS HOOD

For the fourth in our series of Bag the Hun games I wanted to introduce ships. Some time ago (2005 in fact) we put on a BTH game of which I still have many fond memories and which was notable for the sheer amount of laughter around the table. Yes, for those in the know, I’m speaking of the infamous Stuka attack on Capt. Geest’s banana convoy. If I recall correctly, the earlier version of the rules did not contain any actual ship rules and we just used static ship markers as targets. So with that in mind I was keen to see how the latest version dealt with ships and it just so happens that, a few years ago, I was given a small collection of 1/1200^th ship models by another club member (thanks Stan!).

The premise of the game was that a German high altitude reconnaissance plane had spotted a British warship (HMS Hood – or so the label on the bottom of the model tells me) moving into the Channel. So the German objective was obviously to sink the said warship.

Rather than predetermine the opposing forces I wanted to include a measure of planning for both sides. Hence the Germans were given a list of available units from which they could select three (although at least two units had to consist of bombers). Units consisted of 6 bombers, four fighter-bombers or four fighters. If truth be told, the scenario is really about bombing ships but I included the fighters as a comfort blanket for those who needed it. Each of the bomber units was also pre-assigned a mode of attack, taken from the bombing options in the rules:

He 111 – may ‘level’ bomb

Do 17 (in this scenario, a unit of low level attack specialists) – may ‘skip’ bomb

Ju 88 – may ‘level’ bomb OR dive bomb (bombing type must be chosen before the game)

Ju 87 – may dive bomb

Me 110 – equipped as fighter bomber – may ‘level’ bomb

Me 109 – fighters only

The Germans were also required to predetermine their entry point (from the south or south-west), their altitude and their turn of entry. As predicted, the Axis side chose the comfort blanket option and added the Me 109s to their bomber force of dive bombing Ju 88s and skip bombing Do 17s. The plan was for the ‘fast’ Ju 88s to enter at altitude level 4 from the South West, followed by the Do 17s on move two. The fighters would appear from the South on move three. The Axis missed a trick here as if the Dornier low flying specialists had stayed down at altitude level one they would have escaped detection by the Chain Home RDF stations.

The British started the game with a patrol of 3 Blenheim 1Fs on patrol and already on the table. Surprisingly, with the whole table to deploy on, the 3 Blenheims and 3 dummy bogies were deployed at the table edge and in close vics. The British were then informed of the altitude and direction of the hostile raids representing forewarning from the Chain Home stations. They could then scramble a further section of 3 fighters with which to reinforce the Blenheims. These were to be chosen from Defiants, Hurricanes or Spitfires. Defiants, if chosen, would arrive on turn one and Hurricanes on turn two. If Spitfires were chosen there would be a chance that they would arrive on turn two but there was also the chance that they would not arrive until turn three.

Disregarding the wonder that is the Defiant (ahem), the British instead chose to scramble a section of 3 Hurricanes choosing to enter from the north at the maximum altitude of six.

Ju 88 Bogeys enter from SW, yellow ship Bogeys and red RAF patrol Bogeys in the distance

HMS Hood was soon spotted by the forward Ju88s which in turn were themselves spotted by Bomber Braddock’s Blenheim patrol.

HMS Hood spotted

Bomber Braddock’s Blenheims cleverly used an intervening cloud to get around behind the leading kette of Ju 88s. Unfortunately, German defensive fire was heavier than expected and the rear of the bomber formation was a distinctly unhealthy place to be. There followed a tense few moves in which the Blenheims were subjected to either air gunner fire or their own flak from HMS Hood.

Braddock's hidden Blenheims circle the lead bombers

Eventually the inevitable happened and Braddock’s Blenheim exploded in a ball of flame.

The small central cloud is actually Braddock’s exploding Blenheim

By now Charlie Foxtrot’s unspotted section of Hurricanes were swinging around the flank of the bomber formation. Too late to stop the Heinrich Winkler’s lead kette of Ju88s dive bombing the Hood though. Two out of three bombs hit but did little damage.

The Hood under attack

Bravely the remaining 2 Blenheims commenced a head on attack to break up the remaining bomber formations whilst Charlie Foxtrot’s Hurricanes attacked from the rear. Unfortunately, Dieter Hasselhof and a schwarm of 109s had been waiting for that very moment sweeping down and bouncing the unsuspecting Hurricanes.

Charlie Foxtrot bounced

Within seconds, two of the Hurricanes, including Charlie Foxtrot’s were spinning down into the channel. In the distance one of the remaining Blenheims was also now on fire.

British fighters in trouble

Back at the ship Heinrich Winkler’s Ju 88s were driven off by the weight of very heavy flak from HMS Hood. The Hood then swung about to present a harder target for the remaining  dive bombers. Unfortunately they were now beam on to Wolfgang Fokker’s low attacking Dorniers – a perfect target for the Dornier’s skip bombing attack.

The Hood beam on

Meanwhile back at the rear, with one Hurricane gone and Charlie Foxtrot spinning out of control, Dieter Hasselhof led his pair of 109s in pursuit of the remaining Blenheims. However, with perfect timing, the sole remaining Hurricane latched onto his tail and with a long burst the 109 exploded – it seems that having a character card is akin to a death warrant in this game!

Hasselhof's demise

With the table edge in sight, the Hood had once again changed course and  headed for safety, or maybe she was actually weaving to avoid the bombers. In response the 2^nd wave of Ju 88s changed formation into line ahead in preparation for their bombing run in front of the Dorniers which had now dropped to wave top level.

Ju 88s in line ahead

While the Ju 88s struggled to find the best line of attack, the Dorniers commenced their bombing run. Both formations were, however, subjected to a veritable storm of flak

Bombs versus flak

Although two Dorniers did achieve hits on the Hood, causing minor damage, several were driven off and two plummeted out of control into the drink.

Time to deploy the dinghies boys! 

It was now left to the remaining Ju 88s to finish the job but the next card turned out to be ‘Ships Move’ and the Hood sailed over the table edge to end the game.
A Victory for the British then but this was always going to be a tough target. Maybe the Axis should have gone for more bombers after all?

Pseudo Night Fighting

Over the last few weeks we have been introducing some new players to Bag the Hun. The first game was simply a clash between two fighter forces but in the second we introduced dummy bogeys and bombers. For the third game I wanted to include clouds and flak plus the opportunity to play with some different aircraft. To this end the scenario I came up with was a trifle fanciful but hopefully fun. The reason that I call it fanciful is that it is based upon night fighters, which I strongly suspect never fought in a manner likely to give a good game in the traditional sense. At the moment, I'm part way through a book describing night fighter actions over the east coast of England and it strikes me that these are largely affairs of single aircraft. Not much good for a multi-player game then. My solution was to run a small scale bomber escort game, more typical of day time actions, but simply substitute appropriate night fighter aircraft.

The bomber force was represented by six Heinkel 111 bombers and the Axis objective was simply to cross the opposite table edge with a full bomb load. The escort force consisted of two pairs of Me 110 twin engined fighters. This time around there would be no aces or sprogs so the Me 110s were led by veterans Hermann Grossburger and Franz Strudel; the remaining pilots all being regular.

Opposing them were a section of three Blenheim 1F night fighters, under Bomber Braddock, and a section of three Defiants led by Trafford Park. Once again the 'characters' were classed as veterans with the remaining pilots being regular.

A couple of points on table edge were designated as flak positions and dotted clouds were randomly placed at altitude level 3.

To increase the uncertainty associated with night fighting each side had a number of dummy bogeys equal to the number of real bogeys.

There are no rules for night fighting, except a single spotting modifier in the spotting table, so I made a few rule tweaks for this game. The formation bonus cards were now redesignated as bonus bogey cards as formation flying doesn’t really fit with the night time feel.

To begin the game the Germans deployed first at an altitude level of their choice and the British deployed second; allowing them to react to the German deployment in this way seemed a simple way to simulate the tracking of the intruder force by radar, searchlights or whatever means available.

Unfortunately, the Germans deployed in the most unsubtle way possible and placed everything at the maximum altitude level of six. Hmmm – a bit of a slip up in scenario design here I think!

Axis deploy on a broad front; everything at maximum altitude - subtle!

This was most unfortunate for the poor player running the section of Blenheims, as their ceiling height is only level five! However, the Blenheims gamely played on, slowly climbing to their maximum altitude and making spotting attempts on the opposing bogeys.

Allies Deploy; Defiants at altitude 6, Blenheims at 4

The Germans made surprisingly quick progress across the table using the longer bogey move plus the occasional bogey bonus to push their bombers forward. They had covered more than half the table before a kette of 3 Heinkels was spotted by Trafford Park and the Defiants (a good band name there!).

Heinkels, flying in very close formation, spotted by Trafford Park, 

The 2nd kette of Heinkels were spotted, very soon afterwards, by Bomber Braddock's Blenheims.

Another close formation of He 111s - very dangerous at night!

Unfortunately, having spotted their quarry the Blenheims were unable to climb high enough to reach the Heinkels. To make matters worse they were now being targeted by their own flak. Up above them, the Defiants put up a good show with their turret gunners pouring lead into the enemy bombers. However, these beasts are remarkably robust and escaped with nothing more than scratched paintwork.

Defiants circle around their prey - watch those rear gunners boys!

Unfortunately, the Defiant’s attack had brought them into range of an escorting pair of Me110s led by Franz Strudel. 

Park's End

The latter turned out to be a born killer; even at long range he managed to roll an unnatural number of 5s and 6s causing Trafford Park to lose control of his Defiant. To add insult to injury, this was swiftly followed by Strudel’s character card that allowed another shot at the stricken Defiant. Once again a crazy number of hits were achieved, inflicting engine damage on the falling Defiant.

By now the Heinkels had almost left the table so we decided to call it pub o’clock with a decisive win to the Germans.

 So a fun game but slightly flawed. I had foreseen the potential problem with the height limitation for the Blenheim but was still surprised and taken aback by the Axis deploying everything at maximum altitude. Apparently, their rationale was to cross the table with maximum height and then dive, thereby gaining speed, to cross the table edge. OK, within the limitations of the game, fair enough but very much a gamer's tactic; an artefact of wargamer's edge of the world syndrome. In retrospect perhaps I should have stipulated that they needed to leave the table in level flight at altitude 3 or 4. Oh well lesson learnt. I do, however, wonder whether we should try out the optional rule for 12 altitude bands?

The Fattest Pilot

This week saw us take to the skies once more with Bag the Hun 2. Fired up with enthusiasm, after last week, I was inspired to not only create an electronic play sheet for my Kindle, but also put together a new card deck. The old cards were my original version one cards and were now looking a bit worn. As a consequence the game has now acquired a new cast of characters with the likes of Max, Ludwig, Eddy and Mickey leaving us for a well earned retirement. Let's see if the new guys can equal their exploits.
After last week's fighter fest I wanted to introduce some bombers so this week's game was substantially larger, although, with five players I felt that we could handle it, even with several novice players. However, best laid plans and all that..........we only had four players on the night. Never-mind, we were able to go ahead after a bit of last minute reshuffling but it did mean that the game was a bit slower than it should have been but everyone seemed to enjoy it.
This time around the scenario was loosely set during the Battle for France with the Axis attempting to destroy a vital bridge.

The Bridge

Once again we diced for altitude but this time the die roll was modified so that the Allies had the advantage. Unlike last time each side had an allocation of dummy bogeys.
The Axis strike force consisted of 9 Stukas commanded by Herman Grossburger (the fattest pilot in the Luftwaffe), escorted by two Schwarms of four Me 109s under the command of Top Ace Dieter Hasselhof and Junior Ace Heinrich Winkler.
Facing them were  9 Hurricanes commanded by Junior Ace Victor Valiant and Veterans Johnny Danger and Charlie Foxtrot.
Starting at altitude level 5, the Allies chose to use their dummy Bogeys to suggest the presence of a fourth vic of fighters.

The Allied Deployment

On the Axis side, the Stukas came on at a respectable altitude level 4 but the supposedly escorting fighters were at a miserable level 2.
The Axis chose to add a dummy bogey to each Kette of three Stukas to disguise them as Schwarms of fighters, leaving 2 dummy bogeys deployed as a lone pair.

The Axis deployment - Stukas in the centre.

Early moves saw the Stukas head directly for the objective whilst the escorting fighters climbed for height. The Axis ruse was fooling no-one as Charlie Foxtrot led his section in a headlong charge into the Stukas - that's certainly one way to spot them! Unsurprisingly, the lone pair of Axis dummies was insufficient to prevent Johnny Danger swinging around behind the Stukas.

Charlie Foxtrot surges ahead whilst Johnny Danger flanks right.

With two of the Stuka Kettes spotted, the third was able to slip unseen, between the Allied sections, and position themselves perfectly for a bomb run on the bridge. But no.......wait a minute.......where is the bridge? Not finding their target the Stukas were forced to circle the location before locating their prey - OK I forgot that you have to spot ground targets before bombing them.
Whilst the unseen Kette was busy messing up their bomb run the other two were struggling to stay on mission assailed by Hurricanes front and rear. Johnny Danger, in a perfect tailing position, downed the first Stuka which promptly exploded. The neighbouring Stuka, flown by Hermann Grossburger was severely buffeted by the blast and was knocked temporarily out of control, diving to the right. Unfortunately for Johnny Danger he was too close to his victim when it exploded and he too lost control diving to the left.
But where were the Axis escorts during all this mayhem? You might well ask; I certainly never saw them!

Johnny Danger makes the first kill

The Stukas doggedly attempted to complete their mission, even with the Allied Red and Yellow sections amongst them. One Stuka did actually manage a perfect dive to deliver its bomb on target - only to discover that it was a dud - apparently. Meanwhile, another Stuka exploded under the guns of Charlie Foxtrot whilst Johnny Danger, failing to regain control, continued his dive and left the playing area.
Beyond the bridge, Grossburger was also struggling to regain control, heroically foregoing the chance to bail out - or could it be that he couldn't squeeze his fat backside out of the canopy?
As Red and Yellow sections were doing a fine job of dispersing the bombers, Green section under Victor Valiant had eventually found the escorting Me 109s. Or to be more accurate they had found him, sweeping down from above to latch onto his tail. Pulling out all the stops and executing several Split-S and Immelman turns was not enough to shake off Top Ace Dieter Hasselhof. However, his accompanying schwarm were dispersed as they struggled to keep up with their acrobatic leader.

Stuka chaos while Johnny Danger dives for home

Whilst Hasselhoff took on Valiant, Winkler had led his schwarm, still unseen, behind the swirling Stukas. Unfortunately, this was too little too late, as Charlie Foxtrot led Yellow section straight through the Stukas and lined up on the struggling Grossburger. Inevitably, after long burst which emptied Foxtrot's guns, Grossburger's Stuka suffered a catastrophic structural failure falling apart - or was it just the excess weight.

Winkler loiters at the back whilst the Stukas disperse

With Danger and Grossburger both out of action, another character was about to bite the dust; a long burst was enough to see Valiant's Hurricane explode.

A Valiant end!

Once again we had reached pub o'clock so we stopped there. The Axis were starting to gain the edge in the fighter battle but that bridge was not going to be bombed today. A winning draw to the Brits then.

HMS Satyr 25th May 1794

I deem it my duty to investigate the, as yet unconfirmed, report regarding the French convoy. Therefore I intend to look into the Basque Roads. I believe  a course close hauled on the larboard tack (SSW) should take us out of the bay. By tacking after clearing Belle Isle we should be able to set a course to put us due south of I. Dieu (chart attached)

HMS Satyr Ships Log
25th May 1794

    Middle watch: 0000 to 0400

Ship made ready in all respects for Sea.

  

   Morning watch: 0400 to 0800

Anchor hove short.  Broad reach WSW, out of Isle De Grois. 

0730 Ship sighted NE.  Steering SW.  12 miles.  British Frigate. 

   Forenoon watch: 0800 to 1200

Turned for the leg, ENE and Belle Isle.  Mr Clegg seems concerned that a squall could hit and embay the ship.  The wind is however holding SE at Strength 5.  The sea state has however changed to short. French Fishing smack stopped, and traded for fresh fish.  Mr Bookbinder trades some Rum and the crew freely chat.  Le Manche a frigate of 40 guns has been at Belle Isle, as well as two privateer corvettes. 

    Afternoon watch: 1200 to 1600

    South of Belle Isle.  Sighted the British merchantman Nancy.  Unbelievably it's that idiot Horatio Pugwash in Command.  He shows Mr Bookbinder orders from the Admiralty.  He expects to meet with Captain Whitmore this afternoon and you came as quite a shock to him.  A French Emigre Officer is aboard and Pue asks you to leave the situation alone.  The Government are sending guns to the Vendean Rebels, but it is a touchy political situation.  It seems you have stumbled upon Captain Quincy`s secret orders.

    First dog watch: 1600 to 1800

The Dog leg back into Biscay.  No Sightings

    Last dog watch: 1800 to 2000

Heading back for the Basque Roads.  French Merchantman the Alys, a sloop.  Hauls down as soon as she sees you. 

You will need to select an Officer to take charge of the prize, with five men to handle her back to Plymouth.  She is running a cargo of olive oil and wine from Bordeaux.  Alternately Pue points out that she could be useful as a small tender.

    First watch: 2000 to 0000

2130.  Dusk 46.00N 2.30W  Due South of the Roche Bonne

Clegg briefs you on the Basque Roads.  There are three passages into the anchorage (Where the anchor is on the chart... ahem)  The Southern passage is covered by a battery at the Chateau on the Isle Daix.   In many places there is no more than three fathoms except at high tide.  That will be tomorrow morning from 8am.  Satyr draws less than three fathoms but only just, at high tide there will be an extra two fathoms in the anchorage.   The French have had great three deckers in the Roads, but only by using the tide.  The North channel has the most water, but also has the Le Jart anchorage at its entrance, and it is a tight squeeze from there south into the anchorage.  The middle channel where the French usually anchor down has 10 to 15 fathoms but little sailing room.  Clegg has a French chart attached.  

If the convoy is expected here there will be activity in the anchorage and ashore in La Rochelle and at the Jart.  The Political Officer Lord Pue really wants to go look for himself.  There is something that man isn`t telling you.

Apart from the huge white rolling surf over the flat rock shelf of the Roche Bonne there is nothing to see.    Bookbinder fancifully points out that far in the future such a pace could be a major venue for a sport he calls "Surfing."  He probably needs to sleep!

Link to Clegg's Chart

Link to Clegg's Pilot book on the Basque Roads

HMS Nymphe Ships Log 25th May 1794

 HMS Nymphe orders for day of 25^th May 1794. Wind SE. Strength 5

Well Mr Pickwick It’s only a waning crescent tonight so we shall wait until sunrise to set these swarthy Frogs off in their boats, no point in adding insult to injury. Mr Rees-Mogg finish any jury rigging necessary on the Blaireau and attach the spare anchor.

I will assign Lt Blythswick to the Blaireau, he can compose an epic poem for the Admiral on the way, Black Dick will enjoy that (!)

So Mid. Flyte has gone missing has he? Well, well, what a shame. In the confusion of the action and in the half light, probably slipped and fell overboard. Tsk, tsk... what a dreadful pity, ah well, see if you can find his hat.

Mr Mudge steer SE. We shall tack up clear of the Isle de Groix and then SSE to Belle Isle. Keep a look out for the merchantman Saucy Nancy.

Ships Log 25th May 1794

Morning watch: 0400 to 0800

Mercifully you part company with Blytheswick at dawn, as he is regaling you with his ode "How Quincy boarded the Badger."   The Blaireau is a well founded ship and should bring a good sum in prize money.   With the shift in wind and the north running current you tack around the Isle de Grois before making a reach towards Belle Isle.  The Sea state is running shorter and that strength 5 means you can use all plain sail.

With the "Departure" of Midshipman Flyte crew morale is now excellent, and the prospect of earning yet more prize money has them "as keen as mustard" in Mr Mudge's words. 

    Forenoon watch: 0800 to 1200

Mudge is a little unsteady on his feet this morning.  Charitably this is probably because of his age, but Mr pickwick makes another search of the ship for Mudge`s stash of rum.

Dr Attenborough reports that he has stitched up the sailmaker's thumb.  Apparently he and Mudge were celebrating the capture of the Badger (Blaireau) last night and this morning he was careless cutting a patch.  Perhaps the forward sail locker should be searched for that rum...

    Afternoon watch: 1200 to 1600

Keen eyed young  Midshipman Howe reports the masts of a merchantman.  It's the Nancy and you come up to her at the beginning of the first dog watch.  Unbelievably it's that idiot Horatio Pugwash in command.  The "Emigre" Officer is the Compte du Pommesfrittes.  He insists, no INSISTS, that he be taken aboard your ship and given the best cabin, yours...

He demands, no DEMANDS, that he be landed at Auray.  Mudge shakes his head, and even Pickwick looks shocked.  That is a dangerous coastline, and shoals abound,  Pickwick explains, "They call that the Cote Suavage Sir!"  (Pickwick delights in telling you things you already know!)

    First dog watch: 1600 to 1800

Mudge comes up with an idea.   "There is a small fishing port called Haliguen non the Quiberon Peninsular Sir.  Its only three miles from the La Teignouse passage.  We could get in and drop the Monsewer and his muskets there, only a walk up the coast to Auray, or we could try to take the ship into the estuary and brave the currents, tides and rocks at Auray.  Or maybe just leave Pugwash to do it in the Nancy!"

As you approach the point you see into the anchorage at Le Palais.  A French Frigate.  Lt Thatcher starts dancing up and down the deck.  "She's big sir.  40 Guns or more.  It could be La Manche, she sank a British frigate at Brest a fortnight ago."

Mudge points out how high the Frenchman is riding in the water.  You have about five hours of daylight left Captain. 

Mudge's Private chart shows rocky shoals, including one called "the Pig."  He doesn't explain who Sarah Bernhardt is.