Operation Nostalgia: Naval Battle off Cyprus

Scale: 1/3000th

Ground Scale: 1cm = 100yds

Models: Mostly Navwar with a couple of Davco

Rules: General Quarters 3

Table size: 6' x 3'9"

The Opposing Fleets:-

British:

Exeter - 8" Cruiser (Flagship)

Biter - Light Escort Carrier

Sheffield - 6" Cruiser

Dauntless - 6" Light Cruiser

Havock - Destroyer

Hero - Destroyer

Jervis - Destroyer

Jackal - Destroyer

Troubridge - Destroyer

Aldenham - Destroyer

Woodruff - Corvette

Brave - Minesweeper/Escort

Envoy - Admiralty tug

Invasion force transports:

LCT

Prince David - Landing Ship

Leeds - Transport

Sepoy - Transport

Axis:-

German:

Koln - 6" Cruiser (German flagship)

Z1 Leberecht Maass - Destroyer

Z2 Georg Thiele - Destroyer

Z3 Max Schultz - Destroyer

Z4 Richard Beitzen - Destroyer

Z18 Hans Ludemann - Destroyer

Z32 - Destroyer

Italian:

Raimondo Montecuccoli - 6" Cruiser

Lince - Torpedo Boat

Antares - Torpedo Boat

Palestro - Torpedo Boat

The British Fleet moving west at a sedate 8 knots due to the slow moving LCT.

German Flotilla steaming due east at 26 knots.

To the north of the Germans, the Italian flotilla also steams east at 26 knots.

Continued -

So the overall situation at present is that the 2 Axis flotillas are sailing directly east spread out in the hope of intercepting the British fleet following the radio intercepts. The British are as yet unaware of what, if anything, is ahead of them. 

To determine at what point contact was made, I rolled a dice to determine the following: British fleet to the south of the Germans, head on to the Germans, mid way between Italians and Germans, head on to the Italians, north of the Italians. The result was midway between the two. Not good news for the British!

An overview of the table at the start of the game. It is still night and at this time neither side has sighted the other at this time.

The British must ensure the safety of the transports carrying a significant part of the British 1st Army Brigade. It will be 2 more hours before daylight when HMS Biter can deploy her aircraft, weather permitting!

The Koln leads the German destroyers already at 'Action Stations' following radio intercepts of the British force.

The Italians likewise prepare themselves for contact.

Two blips appear on Sheffield's radar, one of which indicates a large vessel. Taking no chances, the lead British warships increase speed.

The carrier Biter acting as flagship to the transports and several escorts begin their turn north taking them away from the direction of the radar contacts. At the top right of photo, Jervis and Jackal peal away south towards the radar blips.

With the Koln and Z32 pinged they become the target of attention from the British force. The Koln however, has also picked up the Exeter, Sheffield and Havock on its radar. It fires a star shell towards the nearest large target, the Sheffield. As the British cruiser becomes illuminated the Koln itself is lit up by a star shell fired from the Sheffield.

The Sheffield and Jervis open fire on the Koln with their main 'A' and 'B' turrets. The Exeter, having illuminated the Raimondo Montecuccoli, opens fire on the Italian cruiser along with the Dauntless.

The Koln and Z32 open fire on the Sheffield but fail to score any hits. While the Koln's shells were in the air, the German cruiser was straddled by the Sheffield with one shell finding its mark. Unfortunately for the Koln its sole forward facing 6" turret received a direct hit. It now has to rely on its 'X' and 'Y' turrets to deliver its main firepower.

The Raimondo Montecuccoli opens fire on the illuminated Sheffield without success. It escaped unscathed from the opening salvos from the two British cruisers.

The opposing sides closed rapidly in the dark. By now all vessels had been detected and acquired leading to a furious firefight. At the bottom of the photo, Biter with the transports and minor escorts continues its laborious turn.

The Sheffield opens fire on the Koln and Z18.

The Koln is the target for Sheffield's main guns scoring 2 hits each destroying a hull box. Sheffield's secondary 4" guns hits the Z18 with one shell finding its target destroying the Director Control Tower (DCT).

The Sheffield receives a hit from Koln taking out it's catapult and floatplane causing a fire.

Exeter and Dauntless open fire on Raimondo Montecuccoli with the latter scoring 5 hits from its 6" guns!

The Raimondo Montecuccoli suffers badly with 3 hull boxes lost, it's 'B' and 'X' 6" gun turrets destroyed, and its catapult and floatplane destroyed causing a fire. Either side of the Italian cruiser, the Torpedo Boats Lince and Antares fire on the Havock and Hero to no effect.

The Raimondo Montecuccoli though fires back at the Exeter scoring one hit which proved crucial. The Exeter's rudder was damaged causing it to perform an uncontrolled starboard turn.

The 'H' class destroyers Havock and Hero also fire on the Italian cruiser but failed to score any hits.

Here Z1 and Z2 open fire on the Jackal knocking out its forward torpedo tubes and a hull box. The Z3 at the bottom of the photo fired on the Jervis knocking out 'A' turret and engineering reducing its speed.

The Jervis and Jackal are unable to respond in kind firing at but missing the German destroyers.

An overview of the duel between the German and British destroyers at the bottom of the photo.

On board the Exeter the crew desperately attempted to repair the rudder but failed this turn. The tug Envoy was radioed to assist with a tow if necessary. In the meantime the Exeter was faced with only being able to turn to starboard in the middle of a firefight!

On the Sheffield the crew failed to extinguish the fire leaving it illuminated in the dark. The Jervis too failed to repair engineering leaving it on a permanently reduced speed.

There was better news for the Italians as the crew of the Raimondo Montecuccoli succeeded in extinguishing their fire.

Biter's group had now completed their turn and attempted to put some distance between them and the Axis forces albeit at a painfully slow 8 knots!

The tug Envoy responds to the request for assistance by the Exeter.

Despite the Sheffield being illuminated by a fire, the Z18 mistimed its turn and collided with the British cruiser. The Sheffield suffered a flooded compartment (one hull box) but the Z18 was badly damaged and now dead in the water. Worse was to come as it was in the path of a spread of 4 torpedoes fired by the Jackal. One torpedo hit breaking the German destroyer's back and sending it to the bottom. 

Troubridge had been following the Sheffield saw torpedoes in the water (4 fired by the Z35) but in the darkness had left it too late to take effective evading action. A torpedo struck and sank the Troubridge.

The Jervis and Jackal heading south had found themselves in the midst of 4 German destroyers heading east. 2 collision tests were made and no contact was made. With all ships firing broadsides at each other at such close range, significant damage was inflicted with the outnumbered and outgunned British ships suffering the most.

Jervis in the lead had all its turrets knocked out together with a torpedo tube mounting. The Jackal also had all its guns destroyed and its bulkhead breached. 

For the Germans, all the British fire was concentrated on the Z3 (the lead ship on the left). It received and engineering hit, its bulkhead was breached and it lost a torpedo tube mounting. 

The chaos of nighttime fighting is apparent here as ships found themselves firing at point blank range at each other.

To the right the Raimondo Montecuccoli had made a hard turn to port which placed itself almost alongside the Hero (a collision test was made but contact avoided). The Exeter, which was still turning to starboard (upper middle in photo), found itself in a great position to fire a full broadside at the Raimondo Montecuccoli. 3 x 8" and 1 x 4" hit was scored knocking out its remaining main guns and more hull boxes leaving it perilously close to sinking. The Raimondo Montecuccoli though did manage to bring as many guns as possible to bear on the Hero knocking out one of its guns and a hull box.

The Sheffield fired a full broadside into the stern of the Koln but it was the Dauntless' broadside that proved the most devastating. The Koln's remaining main guns were destroyed and with 2 engineering hits it was dead in the water. It's bulkhead was also breached leaving its crew with multiple problems to solve to keep their ship afloat.

The Z35 fired on the Dauntless knocking out 'A' 6" turret and scored an engineering hit reducing its speed.

The 3 Italian Torpedo Boats closed rapidly on the British transports. The Hunt class destroyer Aldenham increased speed in an attempt to head them off. Aldenham was joined by the stern 4" gun on the Biter and even the 3" gun mounted on the tug Envoy in firing at the Italians but none found their mark. The Havock (just off picture to the upper right) fired on the Antares scoring a single hit which breached its Bulkhead.

The Italians returned fire but without effect.

As I had ships about to disappear of either edge of the table, I rotated the playing area. This is now the overview looking north.

A number of morale tests had to be made. All passed apart from Koln and Raimondo Montecuccoli which would now have to withdraw. 

Z1 - Z4 now clear of the Jervis and Jackal race towards the British transports. They were unaware that the Jervis had launched its last 4 torpedoes in their direction!

Z4 at the top of the photo too evasive action as torpedo tracks were seen racing towards their stern. They were relieved as 4 torpedoes passed harmlessly by. Unfortunately the Z3 was also in their path and not so lucky. One torpedo struck the stern of the German destroyer breaching its bulkhead and knocking out its power. It was still afloat though.... just!

Prince David fired its 2 x 4" guns towards the Z1 managing to score a hit and knocking off a hull box. In reply Z1 and Z2 straddled Prince David penetrating the cargo holds and causing 2 fires. This was not good news for the occupants which included the Brigade command and a motorised infantry battalion!

The threat from the Italian Torpedo Boats has so far been reduced by the intervention of the Aldenham (bottom left) and the Havock and Hero (upper middle). No significant damage had been caused to either side.

Exeter, which had almost turned a full circle, slowed its speed as repairs continued on its rudder. It had an opportunity to fire its main batteries on the Italian Torpedo Boat Lince, but failed to score any hits. The Dauntless fired a devastating salvo from its 'X' and 'Y' turrets towards the disabled Koln. Three more 6" shells ploughed into the heavily damaged ship destroying its floatplane and causing a fire. More damage was caused to its engineering meaning that it would be some time before propulsion could be regained.

The Z32 exchanged fire with the Sheffield but the latter came off worse losing it's 'X' 6" turret.

The next turn saw the Exeter attempt once again to repair its rudder, but failed. It would continue circling to starboard.

The Captain of the Dauntless impressed on his engineers the need to restore full power to allow them to help the transports. He was given the bad news. The repairs required would need to be completed in the dockyard. It was restricted to a maximum speed of 17 knots.

The Prince David was in desperate trouble with two cargo holds on fire. The crew failed to control the fires and the integrity of the ship raised increasing concerns with 2 hull boxes lost reducing the maximum speed to 14 knots.

The situation was no better for the Axis forces. As the Koln continued to slow having lost all power, the crew were fighting a losing battle to seal the bulkhead. With more seawater pouring in it was now barely afloat.

The Z3 faced an almost identical situation as the crew battled to save the ship. They also failed a morale test so would now do whatever it could to withdraw. 

The Italian Torpedo Boats, Antares and Palestro, found themselves in good torpedo firing positions and both fired 2 torpedoes each towards the British transports.

The fast approaching Havock fired a salvo of 4 torpedoes towards the Italian Torpedo Boats in an effort to cancel out their threat to the transports.

The Palestro and Antares were in the path of the 4 torpedoes fired by Havock. The Antares successfully evaded them but the Palestro was not so lucky. A torpedo struck its stern causing fatal damage. The crew abandoned ship as it quickly rolled over and began sinking.

One of the 4 Italian torpedoes struck the transport ship Leeds tearing apart its hull. Men of the 1st Army Brigade joined the crew as they abandoned ship. Many were trapped below decks and would not make it.

Z1 and Z2 (bottom of photo) exchanged fire with the Minesweeper Brave, and the Prince David. The British ships were heavily outgunned with the Brave taking a hit to its depth charges causing a fire.   

The Dauntless fired its rear and midship turrets at the badly damaged Raimondo Montecuccoli further reducing its speed to just 5 knots. The Dauntless subsequently fired 3 torpedoes from its undamaged mount on the port side towards the Italian cruiser with one torpedo finding its mark. The Raimondo Montecuccoli took on a heavy list and lost all power. The crew abandoned ship as she began to slide beneath the surface.

Biter leading the transports attempted to put distance between themselves and the German destroyers to the south. Brave had quickly extinguished its fire. Z2 had launched 4 torpedoes towards the mass of ships with one hitting the Sepoy. The transport survived the hit but lost 3 of its 5 hull boxes and was reduced to 5 knots. 

The Z4 had pealed away from Z1 and Z2 in an attempt to gain a good torpedo firing position. Havock and Hero continued to race to towards the main German destroyer force. Both poured full broadsides into Z4 knocking out two turrets and 2 hull boxes. Z4 hit Hero but with minimal damage. All 3 British cruisers fired on Z4 causing further damage the most notable being a rudder hit causing it to turn to starboard.

The Hunt class destroyer, Aldenham, continued to effectively harass the two surviving Italian torpedo boats, Antares, and in the lead to the right of the photo, Lince. Antares had now lost all power and was dead in the water as Aldenham continued to fire salvos into her.

The Aldenham had fired its 2 torpedoes at the stationary Antares but they all missed. Both the Antares and Lince fired 2 torpedoes each towards the mass of ships.

To the south, Z4 fired 4 torpedoes towards the transport group. 

And what was to prove the most devastating of all were the 4 torpedoes fired by the Z2.

The first torpedo to hit was from a salvo fired earlier by Z2 that was still tracking across the British fleet. The corvette Woodruff was the unlucky vessel which was utterly destroyed from the ensuing explosion.

The second salvo from the Z2 was the most devastating with 3 of the 4 torpedoes fired finding a target. The Havock (bottom left) was the first to be hit. This was followed by the minesweeper Brave who was unlucky enough to be hit by a second torpedo fired by the Antares. Finally the transport Sepoy was also hit. All 3 ships were sunk.

The British managed to deliver some retribution as the Dauntless raced towards the transports it came alongside the Z4 which had been circling out of control. A devastating broadside from its 6" guns scored 6 hits fatally wounding the German destroyer. The Z4 replied but only caused minor damage.

The final action scene. Z1 and Z2 decided to withdraw having seen the approaching Cruisers on their radar screens. The Lince likewise did the same. Surrounded by sinking and badly damaged ships the British decided saving lives was now more important than chasing the escaping destroyers.

Dauntless approached the disabled Z3 which was promptly scuttled. 

The surviving British ships began their rescue operation.

British Losses:

Havock (destroyer)

Troubridge (destroyer)

Woodruff (corvette)

Brave (minesweeper/escort)

Leeds (transport)

Sepoy (transport)

Axis Losses:

Koln (Cruiser)

Raimondo Montecuccoli (Cruiser)

Z3 (destroyer)

Z4 (destroyer)

Z18 (destroyer)

Antares (torpedo boat)

Palestro (torpedo boat)

In purely naval terms this was a British victory. However, there could prove to be a very heavy toll on the 1st Army Brigade and its supports. Roll calls are begun with survivors to determine what is left of the landing force!

For the Axis forces, they were satisfied that their plan of drawing away the British cruisers to allow their destroyers and torpedo boats to attack their transport fleet largely worked. This was helped by the British cruisers suffering crucial damage to their engineering and rudders which they struggled to repair and thus preventing them from returning in time to support their transports. 

It will be daylight in 1 hour which could introduce further problems for the British force!

This was my first attempt at playing GQ3 which is more detailed than the original version. Playing a night action with so many ships threw me in at the deep end and I made a fair number of mistakes! Most were around the detection and acquisition of enemy forces. It began ok but I lost track of what would still be acquired and what would need to be detected again. I deliberately avoided the friendly fire tests as I felt I had enough to get my head around the core rule system. I could also have made more use of star shells and searchlights.

It certainly lived up to the very bloody, confusing and intense fighting involved in night actions.

My views on GQ3? I liked the original version but always felt it was a little too generic and not detailed enough. That is great if you want to play a faster game, but I have liked the idea of losing specific turrets and damage occurring to more detailed areas of the ship. GQ3 for me fills this gap. I also like the charts for each nation allowing for different characteristics and training standards. A quick glance over TMP and other forums reveals that many prefer GQ1/2 with this version being too slow and detailed for them. While I can understand where they are coming from, for me this is a clear improvement and highly enjoyable.

NEXT: A summary of losses to 1st Army Brigade and map moves