Nimitz: 1905 Russo-Japanese War.

The Russo-Japanese War of 1905 at sea was the focus of our recent game. Tim brought his collection of ships from that war, and this time we decided to use the Nimitz rules. These rules are much simpler than the Tsushima we used before, and they are also more enjoyable to play. We had six players, with three on each side, representing a Russian fleet attempting to break through the Japanese blockade. It truly is a classic of the genre.

SCENARIO: Tim Chant
UMPIRING: Tim Chant

SCENERY: SESWC

FIGURES & MODELS: Tim Chant

1. Forces.

IMPERIAL RUSSIAN NAVY

1st Squadron (Bartek)

Oslyabya

Sissoi Veliky

Navarin

Admiral Nakhimov

Izumrud

2nd Squadron (Peter)

Oleg

Aurora

Dmitrii Donskoi

Vladimir Monomakh

3rd Squadron (Alasdair)

Admiral Seniavin

General Admiral Graf Apraksin

Imperator Nikolai I 

Admiral Ushakov

IMPERIAL JAPANESE NAVY

1st Squadron (David)

Shikishima

Fuji

Mikasa

Asahi

Azuma

 

2nd Squadron (Jimmy)

Kasuga

Chitose

Iwate

Niitaka

Izumi

 3rd Squadron (Ben)

Kasagi

Tokiwa

Nisshin

Otowa

Asawa

Yakumo

 

 

2. The Game.

Our scenario resembled the actual Battle of Tsushima. The Russians needed to break through the Japanese blockade. Our plan involved our two strongest squadrons—mine and Alasdair's—sailing at full speed along the long edges of the table. Peter was designated to act as a decoy for the Japanese fleet. We assumed that the Japanese would focus their efforts on one squadron—in our plan, that was Peter's —while the other two squadrons would attempt to breach the Japanese defences.

I had almost predicted the behaviour of the Japanese fleet. Ben and David led their two squadrons against mine, while Jimmy positioned himself in the centre of the battlefield to face Peter. Alasdair remained at a safe distance. The Russians fired first, and my ships caused significant damage to the Kasagi. However, the Japanese soon opened fire, concentrating their efforts on Oslabya, which was the lead ship of my team.

Jimmy had divided his squadron into three teams and primarily engaged in combat against Peter, while occasionally targeting my squadron and Alasdair's. His efforts finally paid off when he successfully launched a torpedo attack, sinking the Dimitri Donskoi. As the game entered its decisive phase, we were unable to complete it due to running out of time. The Russians still had most of their forces afloat, although the Japanese retained the initiative. Despite the Russians having already lost two ships by that point, we concluded that the game ended in a draw.

3. Links.

SESWC:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/631841809210352

FLICKR:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/asienieboje/albums/72177720327654720