1942.01.14 - Dutch Cruiser Killers (A What If...)

seisen · 1942.01.14 - Dutch Cruiser Killers (A What If...)

Just a repost from the old forum:

Prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, the Dutch Royal Navy was in the market for a new large cruiser. As the De Ruyter wasnt a great success, and, being that the Netherlands were not a signatary to any naval treaties, they embarked on an ambitious plan to build two (a third was considered) large "Treaty Cruiser Killers" based on the German's Scharnhorst class Battlecruiser. These ships would serve specifically in the Java Sea and would act as a counter to the large Heavy Cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Prior to hostilities, the Germans liscensed the Scharnhorst's design to the RNN, however, they wouldn't disclose the specifics to the Scharnhorsts armor below the waterline. Thus the Dutch wasted considerable time shopping around for a belt armor design. (The Italians eventually let the RNN inspect some of their Battleship belt armor configurations) Unfortunately, War erupted in the Pacific before the two ships were laid down. This scenario assumes that the two ships were actually completed (RNN Brederode and RNN Goulden Leeuw).

Scenario 1:
Use Battle Map: 03
Game Length: 1D6+4 Turns

Dutch Forces:
2x Scharnhorst
2x Javelin
1x Truculent

Japanese Forces:
2x Myoko
1x Tone
1x Jintsu
4x Yukikaze

This scenario is pretty challenging for the Japanese Player. Historically the Dutch estimated that their primary foe would be the Japanese Cruiser Divisions rather than the Carrier Task Forces of the Moble Fleet. The Dutch were extremely foresighted in their estimates for the comming conflict, however, the Japanese also frequently attached their Kongo's to the First Cruiser Division operating in and around Java, something Dutch intelligence had not counted on. This scenario explores the reality that the cruiser forces the Dutch would encounter were also be backed up by the Kongo's.

Scenario 2
Use Battle Map: 03
Game Length: 2D6+4 Turns

Dutch Forces:
2x Scharnhorst
1x Sydney
4x Javelins
1x Truculent
2x Sea Hurricanes

Japanese Forces:
2x Myoko
1x Tone
2x Jintsu
4x Yukikaze
2x Val's
2x Betty's

Entering on Turn (roll D3+1, {on a D6: 1-2=1, 3-4=2, 5-6=3}):
1x Kongo
2x Yukikaze

This is just something to play around with, there are no objectives but feel free to add some if you like. The points for constructing these fleets are irrelevant but still close. In five games played with my gaming group the Dutch absolutly owned the Japanese winning 4 games to 1.

Note: This Scenario is inspired by games published by Avalanche Press' East of Suez WW2 Naval Board Game. I give full credit to Brian L. Knipple of Avalanche Press.

NeuralDream

Looks great. I'll try it this week.

Sink the Bismark

I think Long lances will OWN!

Rlaybeast · Re: 1942.01.14 - Dutch Cruiser Killers (A What If...)

seisen · Re: 1942.01.14 - Dutch Cruiser Killers (A What If...)

Mad Ghost/0331

post more!! this looks lopsided, but I loved Operation Cerberus (only ever as the Kriegsmarine of course).... I don't know though, torpedoes and guts might make the Japs a tough target.

1942.01.14 - Dutch Cruiser Killers (A What If...)

Re: 1942.01.14 - Dutch Cruiser Killers (A What If...)

Re: 1942.01.14 - Dutch Cruiser Killers (A What If...)