This was the start of our play of Defending the Malay Barrier (DTMB) Campaign Game from the GQ3 rule system. We opted to start with Turn 0, playing the sortie of Force Z as both of us like Prince of Wales and Repulse. Jere is playing the Allies while I handling the Japanese. Ships are mainly 1:2400 GHQ with some older CinC in the mix. Aircraft when used are from Litko.
The Japanese Theater roll was 10, with the Japanese striking various Singapore airfields. This would negate an Allied roll of 9-10 and deny any CAP for Force Z. The Allied roll was 8 with Durban and Stronghold arriving in Singapore a day or two earlier than historical. Weather roll was 4, so no modification to any tactical weather roll. The Japanese Western Attack Force (WAF) send an invasion convoy to Kota Bharu, covered by a battlegroup positioned between it and a possible Allied interception from Singapore. The Allies detect the convoy and Force Z sortie with its historical force. A Japanese reconnaissance aircraft spots Force Z and an attack force is launched towards the Allied ships.
Tactical weather is 50% cloud cover, so not good for the Japanese. Moderate seas and no sea haze. Fortunately for the Japanese, they manage to find Force Z. We decided to use the Campaign Air OPs rules throughout the campaign as they are simpler/quicker to use and promise a realistic outcomes of any actions.
Force Z (AA factors) Prince of Wales (PoW) 2 (12) AA Repulse 1 (8) AA Electra 1 (1) AA Express 1 (1) AA Vampire 1 (1.5) AA
Japanese Land Based Aircraft (LBA) Bihoro Kutokai, 6 HB, 6 TB (18″) Genzan Kutoka 6 HB, 3 TB (18″) Kanoya Kotukai 9 TB (18″)
I decided to use the historical waves of Japanese attacks, with the Bihoro Air Group first to arrive over the enemy warships. The level bombers targeted the Repulse, the torpedo bombers split with four flights against PoW and two flights against Repulse (bad die roll on the max number of flights against PoW). The flights were able to set up an anvil attack against PoW, but one torpedo bomber fight against PoW was damaged and aborted. No bomb or torpedo hits on either ship.
The second wave was Genzan Air Group. Once again the level bombers attacked Repulse and the torpedo bombers against PoW. No losses on the level bombers, but no hits. PoW managed to destroy from torpedo bomber flight and damage the other two, so no launches against PoW. So far, no joy for the Japanese.
The third and final group was the Kanoya Air Group with all flights targeting PoW. Again a poor Max Number of flights die roll, so seven against PoW and two against Repulse. PoW’s AA proved effective once again with one flight destroyed and one damaged. Five flights left to attack and they finally achieved one torpedo hit.
Of the two flights against Repulse, one was destroyed but the surviving flight was also able to secure a hit.
The Japanese were only able to score two torpedo hits and no bomb hits for the loss of there flights destroyed (nine actual aircraft) and four flights damaged (12 actual aircraft). PoW took the torpedo hit near the stern, knocking out her aft Director Control Tower (shock effect). Speed remained unimpaired and radar was still functional. Repulse took its torpedo hit aft as well, flooding an engine room and reducing the ship’s speed to 18kts.
The British commander now had a difficult decision. Repulse was clearly no longer combat effective and would need to return to Singapore. PoW remained combat effective. There was still the possibility of more aerial attacks. The question is whether Force Z could still reach the enemy invasion convoy while avoiding any surface or air action? If surface contact was made at night, PoW had an advantage in its radar. Or was it better to retreat now and keep the force together, using PoWs excellent AA to protect Repulse? Is discretion the better part of valor or is a bold decision needed for success?
Decision made, Repulse and Vampire are detached to return to Singapore while PoW and the remaining two destroyers press on hoping to use the night to remain undetected to reach the Japanese invasion force.
To be continued.
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