SINK THE CHOKAI - A SEE KREIG GAME

UNITED STATES
The Japanese Hvy cruiser, Chokai, was damaged in the recent action and has escaped to a complex of islands where it is hiding in the hope of escaping to the Japanese base at Bendova to the North east. The extent of the damage is unknown, only that it was slowed by several knots. That damage may have been repaired. The Chokai is accompanied by destroyers. It is night and there is no moon.

Your mission is to enter the Archipelego and seek and destroy the Chokai.

Your Force:
USS Nashville CL (Flag) Commodore Bud Tocks
USS Richmond (CL) Captain Ty Kune
Your force enters as a unit from the western edge of the table.
NOTE: The islands can cause sighting problems visually and with RADAR. The Umpire will decide.


JAPANESE
Your ship, the Chokai, was damaged in the recent action and you have escaped into a complex of islands where you made the necessary repairs to attempt a dash to the Japanese base at Bendova wish is off the Northeast corner of the table. You and your escorts have hidden all day and are about to make the dash at dusk. You can guess that the enemy has forces in the vicinity attempting to find and destroy you.

IJN Chokai CA (Flag ) Captain Mefune Wakahomo
IJN Uranami DD

NOTE: Chokai damage has slowed her to 24 knots. Each turn you can try to repair damage(severity 65)as follows:
No Damage Control applied Roll above severity +20 01-07 makes damage permanent
Damage Control applied Roll above severity 01-02 makes damage permanent

Your force is hidden between islands 5 and 13 on the map.
NOTE: The islands can cause sighting problems visually and with RADAR. The Umpire will decide.

The American forces searching for you are to the West.

G.O.D.* NOTE: The Americans were given a map with 3 possible areas the Japanese may be lurking in. They had to deploy to try to best cover all three.
*G.O.D refers to Game Operations Director

THE BATTLE


Map of the Battle


The US entered from the west in line abreast and within a few minutes had a radar fix on the Japanese force at 0400. They immediately changed course to close but a Japanese destroyer interposed herself between the US force and the Chokai(Dick White). The Nashville (Dick Bryant) edged to the North East to avoid torpedos and take the Japanese Destroyer under attack with her secondaries. The Richmond (Jack Breen)continued East. The Richmond made the first hit on the Chokai at 0406 that barely chipped paint(35points). At 0408 a torpedo hit the Richmond but, luckily was a dud, and failed to go explode. After several hits by both American ships causing minor damage, the Chokai managed one hit on the Richmond starting a small fire that was soon put out. At 0412 the Nashville opened up on the Uranami(Dick White) and landed six 6” hits, sinking her. Though the Americans “counted coup” the Chokai got away and so it was a Japanese victory.