The following is a report of a fictional naval encounter nominally set the day prior to the historical Battle of the Java Sea. It draws vessels involved in the historic battle, but in an effort to create a little more balance, and a shorter game, several vessels are not present. The miniatures used are all 1/3000th scale and are from the extensive Navwar range. The rules used were Naval Thunder Battleship Row.
The rain squalls had lifted by the afternoon and as the sun filled the sky Rear-Admiral Doorman was intent on engaging the enemy in the late afternoon of the 26th of February. Despite the limited forces at his disposal he was determined to disrupt the invasion of Bawean Island north of Eastern Java. It therefore came as no surprise when the lead ships of his two parallel columns reported enemy ahead. Immediately he ordered the two columns to diverge from their current course.
Doorman's own column comprised the heavy cruiser USS Houston, HNLMS De Ruyter (his flagship) and HNLMS Java. Off the port beam were the two Dutch destroyers HNLMS Kortenaer and HNLMS Witte de With. This squadron would moving north by north-east. Below, the Dutch vessels with USS Houston in front.
Initially parallel with De Ruter's ships was his second column. This was led by the heavy cruiser HMS Exeter, which was in turn followed by the Australian light cruiser HMAS Perth. They were supported, off their starboard beam, by three destroyers HMS Encounter, HMS Jupiter and HMS Electra. Exeter's column was holding a north-easterly course initially, so as to close the range, before moving to a more easterly bearing. De Ruyter's plan was of course to threaten both flanks of the Japanese.
The Japanese for their part comprised elements of the Eastern Covering Group assigned to the invasion of Java. Today, the group was tasked with covering the landings on the Bawean Island. Four destroyers of this group were detached to directly cover the landings. As a result Rear-Admiral Takeo Takagi's Covering Group comprised the two heavy cruisers Nachi and Haguro and the light cruiser Jintsu. These were supported by the four destroyers of Destroyer Division 16, in particular the destroyers Yukikaze, Tokitsukaze, Amatsukaze and Hatsukaze.
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| The destroyer Yukikaze, seen here in 1939 |
Takagi had was also moving in two columns, both initially with a westerly bearing. The primary column comprised the two heavy cruisers followed by two destroyers, the Yukikaze and the Tokitsukaze. A thousand yards to the south the second column was led by the light cruiser Jintsu followed by the destroyers Amatsukaze and Hatsukaze. Now, as the enemy were sighted Rear-Admiral Takagi ordered a series of manoeuvres that would see the two columns of ships divide into three. Jintsu and her destroyers turned to port and headed due south. Simultaneously, the heavy cruisers would turn to port on a southern course. However, the two destroyers Yukikaze and Tokiitsukaze, previously behind the heavy cruisers held their western bearing. Takagi intended to engage both the Allied columns with his heavy cruisers from a central position while delivering torpedo attacks at both from different bearings.
Gunnery soon opened at long range between the heavy cruisers with HMS Exeter firing at Haguro and USS Houston at Nachi. Both American and British fire was relatively accurate considering the range with Nachi in particular suffering some damage.
Above, the Haguro is proceeded by the Nachi, both are from Cruiser Division 5 and both are under fire. Below, the Japanese cruisers have found the range to HMS Exeter and attempt to fire at HMAS Perth.
However, the ranges soon began to close and Houston was forced to switch targets to the advancing Japanese destroyers Yukikaze and the Tokiitsukaze. Unable to engage with her full broadside Houston concentrated her main forward armament on Tokiitsukaze while the light cruisers HNLMS De Ruyter and HNLMS Witte de With engaged Yukikaz. Initially USS Houston's shots were wide but soon her forward guns found the range and Tokitsukaze was decimated by two 8" shells.
Simultaneously, Haguro engaged the Houston with her full ten gun broadside causing minor damage on the Houston.
Above, the destroyer Tokitsukaze comes under heavy fire from Houston. Below, the view from the Allied perspective with USS Houston, De Ruyter and Java as they engage the Japanese destroyers visible in the distance. Houston can be seen under fire which is from the Haguro, which is not shown here.
However, while suffering some hits from De Ruyter, Yukikaze launched her torpedoes scoring two hits on USS Houston. Unable to cope with two devastating torpedo hits Houston was soon broken in two.
Elsewhere the allies were about to suffer an equally disturbing event. It will be recalled that HMS Exeter was moving on a easterly bearing and she was engaged against Nachi. Like the Haguro, the Nachi's broadside comprised ten 8" guns while the Exeter could return a broadside of just six 8" guns.
Below, the Nachi under fire from Exeter. Also visible is the Haguro behind her. The light cruiser Jintsu is on the right and astern of her are the destroyers Hatsukaze and Amatsukaze.
The engagement between Exeter and Nachi was an uneven match at the best of times. However, today it would be even more dramatic. As heavy 8" shells from the Haguro slammed into Exeter she developed a severe list.
Damage control parties on HMS Exeter acted quickly but with such significant flooding were overwhelmed. Before counter flooding could stabilise the situation another shell hit resulting in further uncontrolled flooding. HMS Exeter lurched to port and then lurched again, capsizing!
Rear-Admiral Doorman was in disbelief. He had lost both his heavy cruisers in short order. Losing one was unfortunate, losing two was simply careless. Yet unwilling to disengage he signalled "Engage the enemy".
The first to feel Doorman's renewed wrath was the damaged destroyer Yukikaze, who it will be recalled was involved in the torpedo attack on USS Houston. Now as Yukikaze attempted to open the range, she was bought under fire from the two Dutch destroyers, HNLMS Kortenaer, HNLMS Witte de With, and the light cruiser HNLMS Java. Soon the Yukikaze succumbed to the fire.
It is worth noting that Java carried an antiquated main gun turret arrangement, comprising single mounts and not all of which were on the centreline. As a result a number of her guns on her starboard beam could only engage the Haguro, who was herself engaging the De Ruyter. In all De Ruyter scored three hits and Java one, yet limited damaged was caused.
Elsewhere Captain Waller to the south-east, and commanding HMAS Perth, was left with a difficult decision after the loss of HMS Exeter. Perth and her three attending destroyers now faced one heavy cruiser, one light cruiser and two destroyers. Waller decided to focus on the enemy light cruiser Jintsu. Ordering his destroyers to hold an easterly course, thus closing their range, and lay smoke. HMS Encounter moved forward belching smoke while undertaking a series of evasive manoeuvres to disrupt the enemy fire. Behind her, also conducting evasive actions and within the smoke screen, were HMS Jupiter and HMS Electra. At the same time HMAS Perth changed course to a south-eastern bearing which would place her south of HMS Encounter's smoke screen. Ahead, and somewhat isolated for now, was the Japanese light cruiser Jintsu.
Above, the British destroyers sweep forward with HMS Encounter leading the column laying smoke. HMS Perth is not shown but is in the left bottom corner. On the right in the foreground is Jintsu destroyers and heavy cruisers behind.
As HMS Perth moved south-east she also conducted a series of evasive actions. Despite this her gunnery was accurate with no less than four 6" shells hitting Jintsu. These caused a fire, engine room damage and shattered a secondary turret. Jintsu retrun fire was less accurate scoring a single hit on Perth, which failed to penetrate.
Above, the Jintsu following HMAS Perth's broadside. The "E" marker denoting engine room damage while the "F" a fire.
Yet while HMAS Perth and two destroyers were shielded by smoke HMS Encounter was not. All three British destroyers concentrated their fire on the Japanese destroyer Hatsukaze. Due to the smoke and or evasive actions accurate fire was difficult and all failed to score a single hit on the Hatsukaze. Yet the other Japanese destroyer, Amatsukaze, unleashed her broadside on the unfortunate HMS Encounter. Despite HMS Encounter's evasive manoeuvres several 5" shells from Amatsukaze hit home sinking Encounter.
Above, the general situation. as firing is conducted. HMAS Perth is in the foreground with the Japanese cruisers and destroyers on the right. The Dutch squadron is visible on the top left. Below, HMS Encounter feels the the weight of fire from Nachi, who failed to score a hit, and Amatsukaze.
Clearly concerned by the British destroyers and HMAS Perth's fire on Jintsu, the Haguro moved south to support the southern engagement. This created some opportunities for the British destroyers. HMS Electra now emerged from the smoke on a northern bearing intent on conducting a torpedo attack on the Japanese heavy cruiser. Narrowly missing the advancing Hatsukaze, Electra was now well positioned to deliver a torpedo attack on the Haguro. Simultaneously, HMS Jupiter swung to the south in preparation for a torpedo attack on Jintsu.
The Japanese heavy cruiser Nachi and the light cruiser Jintsu now engage HMS Perth with their main guns. One 8" shell from Nachi main armament found it's mark damaging Perth's fire control. However, Perth's guns belched fire on the crippled Jintsu. In response Jintsu's return fire, including a torpedo attack, was relatively ineffective. In contrast Perth's fire caused more flooding which added to Jintsu misfortunes. Finally, the Japanese light cruiser fell out of line belching smoke from her fires crippled and sinking. Below, another general view.
Unfortunately both Electra and Jupiter were overwhelmed by the fire from the secondary armaments of Nachi and Haguro with both failing to launch their torpedoes.
To the north-west Rear-Admiral Doorman was pressing His own attacks. In support the Dutch destroyers moved forward to engage the Haguro while HNLMS De Ruyter and HNLMS Java continued to engage the Haguro with their main guns. Both cruisers scored several hits on the heavy Japanese cruiser. However, Haguro continued to concentrate her main armament on De Ruyter. Slowly the damage had been accumulating but the most recent salvoes were disturbing. Two 8" shells hit HNLMS De Ruyter causing her to shudder. It was soon apparent that De Ruyter's rudder was also damaged. Having suffered heavy damage previously the a rudder hit forced her out of line crippled and sinking.
Rear-Admiral Doorman on the bridge of De Ruyter was now surrounded by smoke and damage. He finally accepted defeat and signalled to his surviving ships. "Break-off! Save yourselves".
The untouched HNLMS Java and attending destroyers readily complied and turning to the west retired at speed. HMAS Perth, now without destroyer support, and less one main forward turret, set a southern course while making smoke. She would escape but only just. In part this is due to her speed and full rear gun armament.
Without doubt Rear-Admiral Doorman has paid a heavy price for his attack. In all the Allies had lost two heavy cruisers, one light cruiser and three destroyers. In contrast the Japanese suffered the loss of one light cruiser and two destroyers. Of the Japanese heavy cruisers Nachi had suffered some damage but could continue to support the landings. Haguro, while retaining her full main battery had accumulated some damage and was in need of some respite and minor repairs.
The game involved three players, one controlling the Japanese two the allies. It was also our largest game to date using the "Naval Thunder" rules. We also used the official errata for evasion, smoke and revised classification of destroyers. I felt all were improvements. I found the game particularly interesting due to the combination of cruisers and destroyers, which provided several tactical options to explore. Unfortunately we still managed to forget, or misapply, some rules - so we remain novices.
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