Ares Games
Results 1 to 19 of 19

Thread: The U-Boat War

  1. #1

    Default The U-Boat War

    During WWI the Germans proved themselves to be very innovative and technically brilliant at the art of war. One of the things they did was to build very small U-Boats that could be broken down into 5 sections, shipped by rail and then assembled in distant ports. Originally destined to serve on the Belgian coast, several of these U-Boats were sent to Pola in the Adriatic for use by the navy of Austria - Hungary. These tiny vessels were only 90 odd fleet long, they had a crew of 14, just two torpedo tubes, and a single machine gun for defence. With a surface sped of around 7 knots, they were also very slow and crews used to say that if they were detected then the enemy ship could just steam away from them.

    Nevertheless, by using tactics such as waiting of off known shipping lanes and outside enemy ports, they went on to assist in the sinking of over 3,000,000 of enemy shipping in the Adriatic and Mediterranean.

    The year is 1917, and one of these boats from Pola is on patrol near the Italian coast.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	1.jpg 
Views:	100 
Size:	65.8 KB 
ID:	292198

    All is well on these smooth and warm seas until ..... Alarm! Alarm! Strange planes are seen approaching.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	2.jpg 
Views:	100 
Size:	54.1 KB 
ID:	292199

    Quickly manning the machine gun, the Austrians manage to shoot down both antiquated seaplanes.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	3.jpg 
Views:	98 
Size:	62.0 KB 
ID:	292200

    Unfortunately for the U-Boat crew one of the planes was carrying either a bomb or torpedo that exploded when the plane was shot down. It fell so close to the submarine that it caused damage that prevented the sub from diving. While the crew were evacuated to the deck, the captain seeks a place to anchor and make repairs.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	4.jpg 
Views:	99 
Size:	109.4 KB 
ID:	292201

    With his submarine submarine anchored near some islands the captain is hoping that no one has seen where he is and reported his position.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	A.jpg 
Views:	99 
Size:	55.5 KB 
ID:	292202

    The Captain uses the radio to request some air support. Frantically, the crew work on the repairs and soon the boat is able to proceed to deeper and safer waters, but .......

  2. #2

    Default

    They have been seen! A much more capable Caproni bomber (Biggles downunder) and his Nieuport escort (Windy Jack) are making their way towards the U-Boat (Baxter) intent on causing his destruction.

    Fortunately for the U-Boat there is an Austrian flying boat close by, and it's pilot (Mark) is equally determined to see that that does not happen! A furious
    air battle commences with many close range and damaging exchanges of fire. While the U-Boat ever so slowly makes his way between the islands.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	B.jpg 
Views:	100 
Size:	74.2 KB 
ID:	292203

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	C.jpg 
Views:	100 
Size:	85.2 KB 
ID:	292204

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	D.jpg 
Views:	101 
Size:	85.7 KB 
ID:	292205

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	E.jpg 
Views:	100 
Size:	77.4 KB 
ID:	292206

    The Macchi is shot down by the combined machine guns of the Italian planes.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	F.jpg 
Views:	99 
Size:	76.6 KB 
ID:	292207

    Using the islands as shields, the sub cleverly wends his way towards the open sea, dodging bombs.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	G.jpg 
Views:	99 
Size:	64.1 KB 
ID:	292208

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	H.jpg 
Views:	99 
Size:	68.4 KB 
ID:	292209

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	I.jpg 
Views:	100 
Size:	55.2 KB 
ID:	292210

    With the damage caused by the defending Macchi M5 the bomber is being flown by the co-pilot and has missed with two out of three bombing attempts.
    He is out of position for the final bombing run and is shot down by the U-Boat. The Nieuport escort plane can only look on helplessly as the lucky U-Boat
    makes his way to the safety of deeper water.

    The Butchers Bill:-

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	J.jpg 
Views:	102 
Size:	84.5 KB 
ID:	292211

    A victory for the Austrians.

    Scenario rules:-

    The submarine uses XC cards and only the front of the flight stand is moved to the point of the movement arrow each time. This results in a movement equivalent to 8 knots or so. The submarine cannot dive until it reaches the last row of islands which is approximately one game mat width away.

    The submarine had a damage point value of 20, machine gun bullets cannot sink it, only bombs can. A bomb hit where the target was only partially covered results in 10 damage points. The submarine cannot be bombed if there is an island with one half ruler length and between it and the bomber. The bomber must make an unimpeded run at the submarine in order to bomb.

    The game was a bit frustrating for Mark and Windy Jack. Mark was shot down early in the game and Windy had no opponent to fight. The submarine sustained no bomb damage, but many
    machine gun strikes.

  3. #3

    Default

    Very interesting scenario, Gary.

    Thanks for posting.

  4. #4

    Default

    Who would have thought that such a slow moving target would be so hard to bomb?? Clearly not me!!

  5. #5

    Default

    Nice one Gary.
    Maybe to keep the Nieuport engaged you could give a value to the U-boat armaments so he could do damage strafing the tub !

    "He is wise who watches"

  6. #6

    Default

    There's an interesting and unusual scenario. Good AAR.

  7. #7

    Default

    Thanks for the AAR Gary, I really enjoyed it. My other hobby at the moment is submarines and I may have to give this scenario a try. What did you use for the submarine model?

  8. #8

    Default

    Nice submarine action. Wiley little snakes they can be.

  9. #9

  10. #10

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Thenur View Post
    Thanks for the AAR Gary, I really enjoyed it. My other hobby at the moment is submarines and I may have to give this scenario a try. What did you use for the submarine model?
    Hi Walter, I used an Axis and Allies submarine, painted it grey and stuck it onto an old Litko base I had. If you like submarines, I guess you visit Uboat.net and subsim.com regularly?

  11. #11

    Default

    Interesting scenarios & great AAR!
    Voilŕ le soleil d'Austerlitz!

  12. #12

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Baxter View Post
    Hi Walter, I used an Axis and Allies submarine, painted it grey and stuck it onto an old Litko base I had. If you like submarines, I guess you visit Uboat.net and subsim.com regularly?
    The submarine looks great! And yes I’m a lurker on both of those sites.

  13. #13

  14. #14

    Default

    Nice! Looks like a very fun time!

  15. #15

    Default

    Nice, different and well-presented - thanks for posting.
    I laugh in the face of danger - then I hide until it goes away!

  16. #16

    Thumbs up

    That looked like a lot of fun Gary & an inventive scenario for something quite different.
    Have some rep for your ideas.

  17. #17

    Default

    Well done on presenting the AAR. I liked the introduction.

  18. #18

    Default

    Nice intro and an inovative and thoughtful scenario.

  19. #19

    Default

    Unique scenario, nice!



Similar Missions

  1. Something to float Clipper's boat
    By Guntruck in forum Officer's Club
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 05-15-2017, 00:08
  2. Missed the Boat (DIY?)
    By OldernGreyer in forum WGF: General Discussions
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 10-12-2014, 11:55
  3. Last Shout before the Leave Boat
    By Baldrick62 in forum Officer's Club
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 04-29-2011, 11:39
  4. Solo: U-Boat Hunt
    By Carlos Lopes in forum WGF: Mission Discussions
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 11-03-2009, 03:52

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •