Operation Nostalgia: HMS Triton attacked by Italian Corvettes

Having resurfaced following it's escape from an attack by a German Arado floatplane, the submarine, HMS Triton sights 3 Italian Corvettes bearing down on them. The weather has turned stormy with a force 7 sea state giving the sub crew confidence that they can successfully evade their attention.

Scale = 1/3000th

Models = Tumbling Dice

Rules = General Quarters 3

Table Size = 4'6" x 3'.

This is another small action but one in which I can further explore the submarine rules in GQ3. On to the action:

The 3 Italian Corvettes in line astern sight the Triton as they are in turn sighted by the sub.

HMS Triton on the surface sights the Italians.

Continued -

The Italians change their formation to line abreast as they approach the sub. They try a few ranging shots but the range combined with the sea state results in a good deal of inaccuracy. The adverse sea conditions reduces their maximum speed to 15 knots.

The Triton crash dives to periscope depth 

The Triton fires all its 6 forward torpedo tubes in the hope that they may get lucky. It then continues to descend to its maximum operating depth of 250' before running silent.

The Gabbiano observes with alarm the tracks of 3 torpedoes streaking past each side of the ship. They breathe a sigh of relief and press on through the swell.

All 3 Corvettes fail to acquire the sub through their sonar. The weather may have saved them from torpedoes but it is also spoiling their chances of locating their prey. The Gabbiano orders its flotilla to make a port turn through a full 180 degrees hoping for more success on a return run.

The Italians were just about to give up when the Artemide reported a 'ping' 300 yards off it's port bow. It was extremely close!

The Corvettes turn in preparation for making depth charge runs. They successfully maintain contact as the Gabbiano (centre) turns to line up on the sonar hit.

Gabbiano  makes the first attack launching its depth charges from its stern racks. 3 x D12 are rolled. A hit is scored! The sub suffers a battery fire necessitating an immediate surfacing.

As the Triton surfaces it finds itself surrounded by Corvettes. As the crew fight the fire, the deck gun crew surge out onto the deck. They hurriedly prepare to fire the 4" gun.

The heavily pitching ships fire on Triton without success. Similarly the sub's 4" gun crew are unable to score any hits.

After 2 turns the fire still rages in the battery compartment. The Triton desperately tries to fend off the Corvettes and attempts to gain a firing acquisition for its deck tubes. A third turn and once again the firefighting crews attempt to douse the fire without success. The fire now rages through the sub leaving no option but to abandon ship.

The Corvettes pick up the survivors elated by their success.

NEXT: Map Moves