On the Workbench: WW2 Aircraft Carriers

With the blog having switched to a nautical theme over recent weeks, I post here an update on naval painting, in particular aircraft carriers. I have purchased some flight deck decals from "Flight Deck Decals" (link on the right) which really are superb. They do require some trimming to fit as closely as possible the Navwar models and many are also suitable for Davco. The current naval painting bug has inspired me to crack on with aircraft carriers in particular to utilise these decals.

Royal Navy carriers (all Navwar) from left to right:
Top row; Hermes, Ark Royal, Glorious
Middle row; Ameer, Victorious, Furious
Bottom row: Biter; Indomitable, Eagle

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Defending the Malay Barrier: Turn 2, 1st - 15th January 1942, Japanese EAF Patrol v EasGroup (USN) Sweep

The second Japanese patrol was also successful intercepting the USN EasGroup which is the subject of the next game.

The heavy cruiser Nachi with 4 Shiratsuyu class destroyers are on a reciprocal course with the US sweep which it sights at a distance of 23,000 yards (115cm). The US force consists of the cruisers Houston and Boise escorted by 9 Clemson class 4-stacker destroyers.

An overview at the start.

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Defending the Malay Barrier: Turn 2, 1st - 15th January 1942, Japanese WAF Patrol v WesGroup Sweep

In this phase the Japanese have sent out two patrols with the intention of intervening any allied sweeps before they interfere with any invasion or supply convoys.

The first action sees WesGroup out of Singapore intercepted by the WAF patrol:

HMS Exeter continues its northerly route having lost HMS Dragon crippled by an air attack and now returning to Singapore. The remaining two 'D' class light cruisers and 7 destroyers plough through the force 7 sea state with reduced visibility.

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Defending the Malay Barrier: Turn 2, 1st - 15th January 1942, LBA Attacks

Two Japanese Land Based Air attacks were launched. One each from the Western Attack Force and the Eastern Attack Force.

Turning first to the WAF:

A force of Betty and Nell bombers, equipped with medium bombs and escorted by Zero fighters, successfully located the Royal Navy WestGroup who had been heading north to target the Malayan bound supply convoys.

The 4 British cruisers were in line astern lead by the Danae, followed by the flagship Exeter, Durban and Dragon. The cruisers were escorted by 7 destroyers.

9 flights of Nell bombers are in the first wave. One was damaged by AA fire with the remaining 8 dropping their payloads. 

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Defending the Malay Barrier: Turn 2, 1st - 15th January 1942

 

The Japanese Eastern Attack Force are now operating out of Davao allowing them to ramp up operations. The allies have yet to form ABDACOM and are operating individually.

In an attempt to disrupt the Japanese, the Royal Navy operate out of Singapore, the Dutch out of Batavia, the USN out of Surabaya, and the Australians from Darwin. The map shows the planned movements including Japanese supply convoys, invasion fleets and naval patrols.

The weather is good with clear skies and clear visibility. A carrier air strike from the Ryojo takes advantage of the good conditions successfully locating the Dutch to the west of Borneo. 

Cengroup under Admiral Doorman in his flagship, the De Ruyter, leads a sweep towards the north of Borneo sights aircraft approaching from the north east. The first action of turn 2 begins.

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Defending the Malay Barrier: An update

Currently reading a book covering the naval aspects of the invasion of Norway in 1940 had inspired me to continue with my naval campaign. 

On reviewing my posts so far I noticed a glaring omission. They could really have benefitted from maps. 

Maps have now been added with the map supplied in the scenario book used as the base. Ship movements are my additions reflecting events within the campaign.

A couple of the maps are included here providing a brief summary of movements and actions so far.

Force Z sortie during turn 0.

Turn 1. The only contact occurred when a sweep conducted by the USN lead by the aging cruiser 'Marblehead' was intercepted by an IJN patrol. The end result was not pretty for the USN.

For more detail click on the appropriate label on the right.

I will shortly be posting details of turn 2 including maps!

In the meantime orders have been placed with Navwar and Davco. The painting table is now adorned with ships in the process of being painted.

Edgehill 1642 The Action

I will break the battlefield down into 3 for ease of following the flow of the game:
From the Royalist perspective; Left Flank, Centre, Right Flank.

LEFT FLANK

The initial exchange between the deployed dragoons on both sides saw the Roundheads get the upper hand with both Royalist regiments suffering the heavier casualties and subsequently falling back.

Wilmot's cavalry took the lead but something close to a disaster struck the Royalists. The first casualty on this flank was Wilmot himself. Leading his own regiment he was struck by a musket ball suffering a severe wound. He will be out of action for the next 3 turns. This unnerved his raw troopers who failed to launch their charge.

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Edgehill 1642

This is a battle I have intended to play ever since my days with ECW re-enactment societies in the 1970's. In those days it was 25mm Hinchliffe and Minifigs but I never seemed to be able to collect anywhere near enough to do it justice. Not to mention the pathetically small number of painted figures!

6mm has finally provided that opportunity without breaking the bank and in a small enough space that will fit in the garage. 

A very brief background to the battle:

King Charles I marched his army on London held by Parliament. The Earl of Essex commanding the main Parliamentary field army of similar size marched to intercept the Royalists with both armies meeting at Edgehill becoming the first major battle of the war. The outcome was indecisive but nevertheless prevented the triumphant entry into London that the Royalists were hoping for.

If King Charles succeeds in defeating Essex in my replay then the course of history will be changed!

The Battle of Edgehill

23rd October 1642

Table Size 6' x 3'9"

Rules - Forlorn Hope

Figure Ratio 1:10

Artillery Ratio 1:2

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Plans for 2024

As any wargamer knows, planning a year ahead with any degree of accuracy can prove a challenge! A sudden urge to start a new period, campaign, or particular battle, tends to intrude. That said, I will once again lay out what I hope to be the direction of my wargaming in the coming year.

As in previous years I will break down my plans into Battles, Campaigns, Painting/Modelling.

BATTLES

ANCIENTS:

Early Imperial Roman 20th Legion v Ancient British Cantii tribe who have rebelled.

ECW:

Edgehill - This is a definite and I know this as it is currently occupying my tabletop. Hope to have a blog posting very soon.

NAPOLEONIC:

Peninsular War project - Battle of Busaco 27th September 1810. Approximetely 2/3 of the figures I needed to paint were completed this past year. All being well this should be on the tabletop before the end of the year.

Napoleonic Campaign - The next map moves have yet to be completed but confident at least one action will be played out.

ACW:

Gettysburg Day 2 - I have lost count as to how many times I have stated this will be played. Part of the delay was down to me dithering about scratchbuilding terrain such as the Little Round Top. I have decided to just run with what I have got and thus cautiously optimistc that this will be played out. 

PONY WARS:

The end is in sight for figure painting although terrain needs to be constructed. I am hopeful I will be able to play this before the year is out.

WW2:

Battle south of Nibeiwa - Operation Compass campaign. I have some rule tweaks to complete around the propensity of the Italians to surrender en-masse at this stage of the war. Some of my desert terrain boards are in need of attention which will also be used in the Pony Wars project. 

Groesbeek Heights - Op Market Garden. This is a repeated target from last year but now, as then, will depend on how quickly I am able to paint up the required figures.

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Review of 2023

This has not been a great year for my wargaming hobby. A near full time child care of our two young granddaughters has impacted significantly on the time available. I do though commit to doing something on all but a handful of days. Even if only 15 or 20 minutes at the start of the day which keeps it ticking over.

I will list my aims for the year (in italics) and my success or otherwise of completing them.

BATTLES

ANCIENTS:

Early Imperial Roman 2nd Augusta Legion v Ancient British Durotriges tribe in the west country.

Completed - The Durotriges tribe has been thoroughly subdued with the attention now turning towards the Cantii tribe who have rebelled.

ECW:

Edgehill - Almost ready to play this and will be a priority in the new year.

Unfortunately a casualty of time pressure. More of this project in my plans for 2024.

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