Our gathering at Miniature Market Cave Springs this week took us to the frigid waters of the North Atlantic off the coast of Norway as the Allies attempted to defend Murmansk bound Convoy PQ 17 loaded with valuable Lend Lease war materials for the Soviet Union. Presented by Steve Lowry using General Quarters III Naval rules for WWII.
Things were going along smoothly for the convoy when out of the fog from the North came the first of two powerful German surface raiding groups.
The Kriegsmarine under Mark J and Marty G were out to do their worst to the merchant shipping. While the Allies under Steve T, Kevin F and Pat L worked their best and rapidly changing plans to thwart the German efforts.
First strike by the Germans landed in the midst of the front line of the convoy striking the tanker.
The convoy makes best speed (8 knots) turning to the NW and away from the German groups.
The arrival of the Tirptiz on the scene struck fear into the merchant sailors.
“Ship coming left all the time, Sir!“
Pat L brings his cruiser force up from the South to engage while Steve T brings a force of Heavy Cruisers straight at the surface raiders under Marty G.
The Allies Heavy Cruisers to the North with some DDs to their starboard.
Spotter plane look from above.
Signals to Convoy Commodore from Destroyer Squadron Commander “Make Way! We are passing through your columns.” The two lines of British DDs passed through the convoy heading straight towards the German main body. Next turn they added a smoke screen to their efforts blocking off some of the German targets. On the right you can see a smoke screen added by the DD’s screening the Northern Allied Cruiser force.
Recording hits on the merchants and they were totaling up rapidly.
The British Cruisers from the south scored a critical hit on the Tirpitz causing and ammunition fire in a terriary mount. Luckily for the German BB this fire was extinguished and did not lead to a catastrophic event. Later the ship would be struck by an off track German torpedo that did some minor damage to the torpedo blister but the Allied BBs remained at long range and were never able to score any hits.
The game ended in a costly Allied victory with many merchants going to Davy Jones Locker as well as a few DDs. The Kriegsmarine did not escape unscathed as several DDs were lost and damage taken to the Tirpitz and other capital ships.
Thanks to Steve for hosting this game and the players that joined in. Our Thanks to Miniature Market Cave Springs for their continued support.
