Corvette Command Campaign March-April 1942 [6]

 

March 1942

HMCS Windflower

Slow convoy (SC/74) of 54 merchant ships from ST JOHNS to LIVERPOOL.

21st-22nd March 

Convoy departs ST JOHNS in teeth of violent storm, with high seas and gale force winds making life very uncomfortable for ship's complement. No chance of a U-Boat attack, though, so ship's complement in good spirits. 

23rd-24th March

After a rough twenty four hours the weather improves but convoy now shrouded in thick sea fog, with visibility reduced and chance of collision an ever present worry. CO orders constant RADAR watch and extra lookouts on the bridge. 

24th - 27th March

Weather improves as sea mist clears due to stiff breeze, with initial heavy swell giving way to calm conditions. Convoy makes good progress and U-Boats seem to have been caught napping, as ASDIC and RADAR both report no contacts. W/O intercepts indicate that E/S concentrating on US East Coast, with the Yanks taking a beating. At least Jerry has left us alone for a change!

28th March - 2nd April

Weather now very good with clear skies, light breeze and calm seas. No E/S detected and convoy making good progress. C/O orders all hands to drill for 4'' gun practice while visibility is good. 4'' crew are given a hard time by P/O Blanchet but results not bad, with near miss on smoke float at medium and long range.

3rd - 4th April

Weather deteriorates in Western Approaches, with heavy swell and gusting wind, bringing snow showers and hail. Coastal Command air cover keeps the U-Boats at bay. Good show!

5th April

Arrive LIVERPOOL with no losses and a very happy ship!

That as a very uneventful convoy, with the only U-Boat encounter on the first turn, when the weather prevented an attack. In fact, I got so used to turning over blank counters that I decided to give the 4'' gun some practise, just to keep them busy. HMCS Windflower gained 3VP's for major allied victory and, as this was the sixth convoy, the ASDIC, RADAR and D/C got to roll for an upgrade, with the latter two moving up to Level 4 and Level 3 respectively. I was surprised that the ASDIC Operator didn't get an upgrade but I fluffed the D6 roll, so there you go. That was definately a milk run!

Corvette Command Campaign March 1942 [5]

March 1942

HMCS Windflower

Slow convoy (SC/73) of 48 merchant ships from LIVERPOOL to ST JOHNS.

5th-9th March

Convoy departs LIVERPOOL, violent storm in Irish Sea and Western Approaches, only three stragglers but conditions very rough making convoy discipline a challenge for commodore. At least the U-Boats are having it rough too.

10th - 11th March

Storm force winds finally subside as high pressure system moves in but drop in temperature results in thick fog and limited visibility. Convoy Commodore orders HMSC Windflower to round up three stragglers from the storm. 

09.55 U-Boat sighted on surface, bearing 067 degrees at long range (2000yds), engaging straggler MV St Athan (3000t), general cargo, with E/S deck gun. 4'' gun to action stations, two rounds fired but no hits as E/S crash dives.  

10.04 ASDIC contact at medium range, bearing 046 degrees closing to short range, with D/C pattern dropped from stern rails. 

10.23 ASDIC maintains contact and second D/C pattern fired from starboard launchers, followed by third pattern from stern rails. 

10.42 ASDIC contact maintained, fourth D/C pattern fired from starboard launchers, flotsam and oil spotted on surface, ASDIC contact fades. Probable E/S sunk.

C/O orders an extra tot for all hands. Jolly Good Show!

HMCS Windflower to abandon search after W/O reports MV St Athan has re-joined convoy.

12th March

Fog disperses but poor weather conditions, with rough swell and gusting winds, although convoy makes good progress. 

22.36 Tanker M/V Empire Pride (16000t), in ballast, hit by torpedo on starboard side, settles on an even keel, crew picked up HMCS St Croix going alongside to lift off survivors despite rough seas. Exemplary seamanship!

22.58 M/V Loch Fyne (3000t), general cargo, hit by torpedo in engine room, goes down by stern, only two survivors picked up from raft. 

23.04 ASDIC detects E/S bearing 310 degrees, medium range (1200yds), closing to short range (200yds). D/C pattern fired from starboard and port launchers. Probable hits.

23.15 ASDIC loses contact with E/S. Despite repeated attempts to regain contact, E/S evades detection. 

23.45 Search for E/S called off, HMCS Windflower returns to convoy, ASDIC op given a talking to by Number One!

12th - 13th March

Expected Wolfpack attack fails to materialise, despite weather conditions improving and sea state calm, with light swell. Must have caught Jerry on the hop! C/O orders RADAR and ASDIC on watch for E/S activity, with extra lookouts posted just in case. The commodore orders all ships to maintain constant, zig zag as good visibility and calm sea will make an easy target for the U-Boats.

13th - 17th March

Weather remains good for remainder of convoy. No E/S activity, suggesting strong defence and convoy discipline have sent them packing!

18th March

Arrive ST JOHNS. A successful convoy, with only four merchants lost, one straggler, MV Quimper (9000t), in ballast, making port two days later. C/O orders all hands to remain aboard for refuelling and rearming, as next convoy to depart in two days time. 

That was a relatively uneventful escort job, with minimal losses to the convoy and one U Boat sunk as a 'probable' having taken four hits from the depth charge attack. The ASDIC operator did a cracking job but the RADAR and lookout weren't great, with the 4'' gun crew yet again failing to hit anything (although it was at long range). The crew of HMCS Windflower gained another 2VP for a major allied victory, which would have been 3VP if two out of three of those stragglers hadn't been lost. 

Corvette Command Convoy Five

 

I've just completed the fifth convoy escort job for HMCS Windflower and it was a bit of a cake walk, with only two ships sunk and two stragglers lost, with one Type IX U-Boat sunk and a second Type VII damaged then forced to abandon it's attack on the convoy. The campaign result is another 2VP's for the convoy commander and a major allied victory, although the CO won't be getting any more gongs as the U-Boat kill was only a probable. I thought this was game number four in the campaign but, having checked my sketchy notes, it's actually the fifth game, meaning that my crew will be able to roll for upgrades after the next trip. I'll write up a full after action report later today.

Corvette Command March 1942

 

It's the 5th March 1942 in my Corvette Command campaign with HMCS Windflower soon to be sailing on another escort mission, this time from Liverpool to St Johns with a slow convoy of forty eight merchant ships. The weather is looking really rough, with a violent storm brewing, so chances are that the U-Boats will be staying submerged, much to the relief of the crew. They are feeling pretty confident, nonetheless, with their experience and training now making the ship's complement a tightly knit team. I'm going to run this escort mission soon but the Night Fighter Command sorties are more urgent, so the Royal Navy may have to wait a little longer.

Nightfighter Command Playtesting

 

I've been sent the latest version of Nightfighter Command to playtest over the holidays, so will aim to run half a dozen games or so to see how the amendments that have been made to the system play out. I really like this game but it does have a few elements that are a little confusing or convoluted, so I'm hoping that the edits that Alan and the team have made will help to smooth these bits over. I'm also going to be playing some more games of Corvette Command, as I haven't continued with my campaign of late and I'm keen to see how my crew upgrades will affect the success (or failure) of the next few convoy escort missions by HMS Windflower?

The Sea Shall Not Have Them!

Here's my proposed add on for Corvette Command to determine what happens when a merchant ship sinks and if some or all of the crew abandon ship and get picked up. It's a bit less complicated than my original idea, on the basis that basic is better.

When a ship is hit roll a 1d6 on this table:

1 = Sinks on an even keel

2 = Goes down by the bow

3 = Goes down by the stern

4 = Breaks in half

5 = Capsizes

6 = Raging Fire / Tanker or Ammo Ship Explodes

Next, roll for a successful abandon ship and pick up for some of the crew (it is assumed that some will go down with the ship but most will get to the boats / rafts or into the water)

ACTIVE = CREW (Ship Tonnage / 1000) e.g. 6000 /1000 = 6

PASSIVE = THE SEA (use weather as base: Good = 1 / Poor = 3 / Fog or Snow = 5)

Apply Difficulty Modifiers

Sinks on Even Keel = +2 to CREW

Sinks Bow / Stern first = +1 to SEA

Breaks in Half = +2 to SEA

Capsizes = +3 to SEA

Raging Fire = +4 to SEA

Explodes = +5 to SEA

Night Time = +1 to SEA

Oct-March = +2 to SEA

June-August = +2 to CREW

In Air Gap = +1 to SEA

Canadian Sector / Western Approaches = +1 to CREW

Note: maximum modified value is 10, minimum is 1.

Roll on the RESOLUTION TABLE. 

A successful roll means the crew abandon ship and are picked up by a rescue ship, a merchant, a convoy escort or by ASR amphibian if in home waters. 

A failed roll means that they either go down with the ship, or do not get picked up and are adrift at sea, missing presumed dead. 

I did consider adding an extra 1d6 roll to determine if the ship goes under slowly or fast, but that seemed a bit too detailed. I also thought of an additional 1D10 roll to see how many crew managed to survive (as a percentage of the whole crew) but again that seemed like a bit too much to add on.

I'll try this system out next convoy to see how it works.

Corvette Command Campaign February 1942 [4]

February 1942

HMCS Windflower

Slow convoy (SC/71) of sixty five merchant ships from ST JOHNS to LIVERPOOL

14th February

Weather fog with snow showers on departure from ST JOHNS, although sea state dead calm. E/S may well take advantage of poor visibility to lurk off shore. Convoy commodore orders immediate zig zagging as precaution, although some older merchant vessels find it difficult to maintain position.

13.35 Torpedo hits MV Atlantan (7000t) with cargo of steel, which shifts causing capsize. Some of the crew picked up by rescue ship SS Bury (1700t) but she is also torpedoed while picking up survivors and goes down quickly by the bow. SOE orders all escorts to begin co-ordinated ASDIC and RADAR sweep for E/S. 

14.15 ASDIC picks up close range (300yds) contact and depth charge attack set for shallow depth, tight pattern, no luck! ASDIC contact subsequently lost but re-acquired at medium range (1800yds), with faint trace. E/S successfully evades, probably going deep. CO orders extra lookouts and ASDIC on constant watch, as wolfpack now presumed to be tracking convoy.

15th-16th February

Weather improves with good visibility and calm seas, although haze makes it difficult for lookouts to observe E/S. Crew on action stations, constant watch.

11.47 RADAR detects contact on surface at long range (3100yds), bearing 087 degrees, but lookouts unable to confirm E/S due to haze. 

12.13 Torpedo hit on MV Empire Liberty (7000t), ship settles slowly as cargo of grain absorbs damage and limits flooding of No1 hold. Crew abandon ship and picked up. 

13.05 Torpedo hit on MV Dunboyne (3000t), general cargo, goes down by the stern sinking quickly but most of crew picked up from the water. 

RADAR contact with E/S lost. Assumed to have withdrawn due to lack of torpedoes but may well return after dark. CO orders constant RADAR and ASDIC watch.

02.45 RADAR detects surface contact at medium range (1800yds), bearing 242 degrees. Star shell fired to illuminate but no visual identification. Course set to intercept but E/S evades, using convoy as cover.

03.01 Torpedo hit on tanker MV George H. Jones, (12000t), lubrication oil. Fire breaks out forward but contained by crew, allowing them to abandon ship via stern life rafts. Torpedo tracks comb two ships in convoy.

03.05 Torpedo hit on ammunition ship SS Arica (5000t), explodes, no survivors. RADAR confirms E/S contact lost, the explosion no doubt letting the U-Boat slip away.

February 17th-28th 

Weather deteriorates to fog and snow then full Force 10 gale, with high seas and storm force winds. This shakes off the U-Boats but life very uncomfortable for ships complement, as galley fires out and mess deck swamped.  

February 29th Arrive LIVERPOOL.

That was a bad convoy for HMCS Windflower, with some poor lookout rolls allowing the U-Boats to strike without being attacked in return, while the weather once again gave the enemy an edge. The RADAR and ASDIC crews did comparatively well but the wolfpack overwhelmed the convoy at one point, leading to six ships being lost including the rescue ship. In the wash up, however, it was still an minor allied victory and was followed up by some useful crew upgrades for the ship's complement, who are now veterans of four convoys. 

Corvette Command Ship Sinking System

I've been thinking of a way to determine what actually happens to ships in Corvette Command when they are hit and sunk by torpedoes. I'm going to try to work out a mechanism to determine how and why a merchant ship or tanker sinks, the fate of the crew and their chances of being rescued. There's a really good and detailed system in Arctic Command but I want something nice and simple to bolt on to the existing rules in Corvette Command, which just allow for the type and tonnage of the ship hit. 

The initial idea is to take the tonnage and divide it by 1000 to give an active number for the resolution table, to roll against a passive number using the U-Boats attack rating, based on the idea that the larger the ship the longer it takes to sink and the lesser the impact of a torpedo hit, against the skill of the U-Boat commander in hitting the target in the right place. There would then be modifiers for time of day, weather, type of cargo carried, risk of explosion or fire, location and chances of a rescue ship or air sea rescue coverage and so on.

It's all a bit sketchy at the moment but I think it wouldn't be too difficult to work something out?

Corvette Command Campaign Promotions

I played the last of three convoy escort missions for my Corvette Command campaign the other day but haven't had time to write an after action report yet. I'll do that tomorrow, as it was a fairly eventful crossing with lots of action including another wolfpack attack which inflicted some significant losses, although not enough to tip the scales in the Kriegsmarine's favour just yet. 

The end of three convoys did, however, mean that my Lookout, RADAR, ASDIC, AA gun, depth charge and engineering teams got to roll for a skills upgrade, as they had all been in action and had achieved some positive results. The crew of HMCS Windflower have now boosted all of their skill levels by +1  apart from the AA gunners who are stuck on a 2, perhaps down to their dodgy maintenance of the pom pom, and the 4'' gun crew who failed to hit anything and are still on a 1. 

Incidentally, the depth charge team sank a U-Boat in the first game, so got to roll for a skills upgrade too as it was a confirmed sinking. The CO has been awarded a DSC for closing to engage the enemy on several occasions, sinking an enemy submarine and demonstrating a high level of aggression in command of HMCS Windflower, not to mention maintaining a happy ship with an efficient, well trained crew. Hip Hip Hooray!

The enemy will now have to deal with a level 3 RADAR operator for starters, with much of the ship's complement on a solid level 2, so I'm looking forward to hunting down some more U-Boats! The next convoy will be leaving Liverpool in a few days time, after the ship has re-fuelled, re-armed and re-provisioned, with the campaign now half way through February 1942, although I have yet to roll up the exact composition or route that it will take. I'm try to get a game in tomorrow, if I can find the time?

Corvette Command Campaign January 1942 (3)

January 1942

HMCS Windflower

Fast convoy (ON/59) of forty nine merchant ships from LIVERPOOL to HALIFAX, Nova Scotia

23rd January

After slight delay due to bomb damage to docks, convoy departs LIVERPOOL in poor weather, with rain showers and heavy swell. 

24th - 26th January

Good progress made despite inclement weather on passage North of Ireland. Weather partially clears as depression blows through but met office forecast for crossing is not good.

27th January

Poor weather returns overnight, with rain squalls and intermittent light snow fall as temperature drops to below freezing. 

09.46 Report of Coastal Command Avro Anson ditching due to icing in proximity of convoy. HMCS Windflower dispatched to conduct area search in last known position. A/C not located and crew assumed missing, presumed dead. C/O informed that this was a high priority research flight testing new A/S radar equipment, now assumed to have been lost with the A/C. At least Jerry didn't get his grubby hands on it! 

28th - 29th January

Weather deteriorates further to fog and intermittent blizzard conditions. Visibility reduced and risk of collision evident but good seamanship and a sharp lookout prevents any problems.

30th January - 1st February

Three days of rough weather, with high seas and storm force winds. Galley fires out so crew on cold rations and nutty. At least the U-Boats will be forced under for the duration. 

2nd February

Storm blows itself out with fog and snow showers reducing visibility, although sea state now light swell rather than choppy. HMCS Windflower ordered to search for three convoy stragglers, scattered by the storm, using RADAR and lookouts to locate missing vessels.

15.23 Lookout reports E/S on surface, bearing 030, 800yds off starboard bow. Identified as Type VII. 4'' gun at action stations, gets off two rounds, first falling short but second very close. Good show! 

E/S crash dives but ASDIC fails to make contact. E/S assumed to have gone deep and escaped. Number One, a pre-war artist of some repute no less, has made a rather good charcoal sketch of the action now hanging on the wardroom bulkhead. 

Stragglers not located so HMCS Windflower re-joins convoy.

3rd - 5th February

Slight improvement in weather conditions but fog and snow soon return after a brief break in the overcast. Visibility poor and constant watch kept in case of collision.

Inspection reveals storm damage to aft Mk VIII AA pom-pom mount, with traverse mechanism seized and one breech jammed by salt water corrosion. Temporary repairs made but AA now U/S until parts can be replaced alongside in Halifax.

6th February

Arrive HALIFAX. No ships lost to E/S whilst under convoy escort but three stragglers still missing. Subsequent ASR search locates lifeboat from M/V Algonquin (7000t). Survivors confirm sinking by E/S. No trace of M/V Ceronia (8000t) or M/V White Crest (4000t) assumed lost with all hands. 

END

That was a much quicker game, mainly due to the weather which prevented a U-Boat attack and because I now have a good grasp of the rules so don't need to keep checking things. 

The rough weather was great as it happened in the air gap south of Iceland and prevented the U-Boats from hitting the convoy, although the random sub on the surface meant I did get to try out the gunnery rules, with a very near miss resulting. The overall tonnage lost was down to the three stragglers, but only added up to 19000 tonnes, resulting in a major victory for the RN and 2 VP's. 

I now have seven days to repair, rearm and refuel before HMCS Windflower is back on escort duty!

Corvette Command Campaign January 1942 (2)

9th January

Weather remains good, with calm seas and good visibility. Lookouts on high alert as conditions ideal for E/S attack.

10th / 11th January

Weather still good due to high pressure system over Eastern Atlantic.

20.15 M/V Snowden (4000t) hit by torpedo. Crew taken off. U/Boat detected at long range by ASDIC, bearing 156. Tanker M/V Missouri (8000t) hit by torpedo and explodes. Survivors rescued but most of crew lost. Convoy reports several torpedo tracks spotted.

01.47 Suspicions of a Wolfpack confirmed by RADAR contact with surfaced E/S, bearing 230, but lookout could not locate as down moon and at long range. Torpedo tracks spotted by convoy but only one vessel hit, cargo liner SS Talbot Castle (10000t), crew and passengers taken off.

03.16 Torpedo hits M/V Sennen (4000t), cargo of ammunition explodes with no survivors, followed immediately afterwards by hit on MV Gratton (5000t), with crew picked up from lifeboats. No RADAR or ASDIC contact made but suspect E/S had launched spread of torpedoes.

03.40 M/V Portland Bay (4000t) hit by torpedo, crew abandon ship. A solid RADAR contact, bearing 178, with surfaced E/S at long range but lookout fails to locate. Suspect E/S submerges to evade detection.

05.38 Torpedo hit on M/V Lady Montgomery (9000t), survivors picked up by rescue ship. RADAR contact, bearing 214, with surfaced E/S at medium range. No visual identification. 

05.46 Torpedo tracks spotted by lookout and torpedo closing HMCS Windflower located by ASDIC, evasive manoeuvres, torpedo passes down starboard side but fails to hit. 

05.50 Torpedo hits tanker, M/V Shell Adventure (8000t) with cargo of aviation fuel, explodes with no survivors. RADAR contact with surfaced E/S confirms it has moved to long range, then lost as probably submerged. 

A costly night for the convoy but most survivors successfully picked up by daybreak. 

12th / 14th January

Weather generally good but deteriorates to poor conditions, with moderate swell and some rain showers. No further enemy activity as now within air cover of Coastal Command and destroyer escort Western Approaches.

15th January

Convoy arrives LIVERPOOL, in poor weather. Over night a bombing raid by E/A on docks and roadstead. HMCS Windflower engages with AA and claims one aircraft shot down. P/O Boucher and gun crew congratulated by C/O. Huzzah! No hits on convoy. 

END

That was a dramatic convoy with an attack by a Wolfpack of four U-Boats in ideal conditions at night. It was very hard to detect them, even with RADAR and eight ships were sunk, making a total of ten overall for the convoy. This means the Kriegsmarine have won a Minor Victory, having sunk 69000 tonnes of shipping, although they did lose a U-Boat in the process. I now have six days to repair, rearm and refuel before HMCS Windflower heads back across the North Atlantic with a new convoy!

Corvette Command Campaign January 1942 (1)

January 1942

HMCS Windflower

Slow Convoy (SC/63) of fifty merchant ships from St John's, Newfoundland, to Liverpool.

3rd January

Departed St John's in good weather and calm seas.

On A/S drill ASDIC U/S due to serious electrical fault and lookout reported that bridge range finder damaged by water penetration. C/O not amused.

Immediate repairs made to ASDIC set and range finder to be dismantled and lenses replaced. ASDIC now fully operational.

US Radio broadcast reports heavy bombing of Liverpool overnight.

4th / 5th January

Weather deteriorates to fog and snow showers. Danger of collisions in reduced visibility but good convoy discipline prevents any problems.

6th January

Weather slowly improves although still poor with heavy swell but visibility much better.

Bridge range finder now fully repaired.

7th / 8th January

Weather now good with high air pressure and low temperatures but excellent visibility. Clear skies and long nights will bring U-Boats, so lookouts on full alert.

19.47 U-Boat detected by ASDIC at long range during the night but evades and contact is lost. Several torpedo tracks identified by convoy.

M/V Texas Star (11000t) with cargo of aviation fuel hit by torpedo and blows up. No survivors.

05.54 U Boat detected at close range just before dawn after torpedo hits and sinks tanker M/V Empire Bell (6000t) with cargo of petroleum. Survivors picked up by rescue ship.

ASDIC maintains contact and two depth charge attacks made, with E/S forced to surface. Identified as a Type VIIC (U82). Crew abandon E/S and picked up by launch but U-Boat sinks before boarding party can get aboard. Suspect scuttling charges detonated by crew before they abandoned E/S. 

TO BE CONTINUED....  

That was a really good start to the campaign with plenty of opportunities to try out the key elements of the rules. I've only moved four sector squares due to zig zagging and the U-Boat attacks, with the wolfpack following up the first attack, but it's been a lot of fun so far. I also made lots of notes which always slows things down a bit but the actual game play is quite quick, especially when there is a blank sector counter. 

So far, I've had one random event and one U-Boat attack, as well as a mechanical breakdown in the very first turn, so pretty busy on the bridge of HMCS Windflower. At least a Type VIIC has been sunk and the C/O will get a DSC, while the ASDIC operator will get his mention in dispatches, just like my grandfather in very much the same circumstances! 

Keep tuned for the next instalment.

Corvette Command

It's been a very quiet year here, mainly due to the fact that I haven't been away on holiday, which is when I do most of my hex and counter board or print and play paper wargaming. Nevertheless, here's a new print and play game that I'm very keen to try out in 2022, the free convoy escort game Corvette Command, which you can download from the Facebook group or Wargames Vault. I've printed off all the bits so now just need to assemble them and get started on my own solo campaign.