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View Full Version : AAR - NAtion v Nation May: The Blockade HJL



Hjl
05-17-2016, 13:36
23106

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The four command officers sat around the table aboard the HMS Britannia. The report from their man in the French dock said that the French were readying their ships to break the blockade after months in port. The entire French fleet was going to make a break for it.

The French fleet was not something to be trifled with, Montange, Aquilon, Commerce de Bordeaux, Le Berwick and Hermione. Admiral Gabriel knew that his forces were outnumbered but that if the French escaped that they could reinforce and return to overwhelm the British ships. He ordered his Captains to make haste for the port and prevent the French escaping.

Admiral Gabriel - HMS Britannia
Captain Watson - HMS Impetueux
Captain Chandler - HMS Vanguard
Captain Griffon - HMS Terpsichore

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turn 1
23074

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turn 2
23075

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turn 3
23076

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turn 4
23077

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turn 5
The British fleet arrives to intercept the French
23078

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turn 6
The two fleets move into position
23079

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turn 7
The French ships turn into the wind
23080

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turn 8
The French are starting to break formation and are struggling against the turning wind. Unfortunately the British have over estimated the French fleets speed and are passing the best point of attack.
23081

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turn 9
The French try to regroup and the British turn to avoid the main land cliffs.
23082

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turn 10
The British keep formation and the two fleets close the distance.
23083

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turn 11
The British lose the initiative and the French rake the Britannia, fortunately their crews lack of sea time shows and most of their shot splashes into the water.
23084

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turn 12
The orders are to try to focus on the French 1st rate and as such the HMS Britannia opens fire doing significant damage to the Montagne. The battle begins in earnest.
23085

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turn 13
The fight continues and the damage starts to mount up on the Montagne. The first fire breaks out on HMS Vanguard
23086
23087

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turn 14
HMS Vanguard takes more damage, more fires! The crews rush to try to contain them but things are looking bad.
23088

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turn 15
Le Berwick runs into the cliffs having lose her main mast moments earlier. She is out of the battle.
23089

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turn 16
The British fleet turns, exposing their sterns to the French.
23090

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turn 17
The French have escape in sight and the British turn to line up their shots on the Montagne.
23091

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turn 18
The battle rages on. HMS Vanguard takes another hit and the fires spread once again.
23092
23093

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turn 19
There is a tremendous explosion as the fires spread to HMS Vanguards powder magazine. The ship is blown to pieces and both sides look in horror as the ship sinks in seconds.
23094

HMS Impetueux pursues Montagne.
23096

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turn 20
HMS Terpsichore engages Hermione.
23097

HMS Impetueux exchanges fire with Montagne and the 1st rate strikes due to horrendous crew losses.
23098
23099

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turn 21
The main French fleet makes its escape to sea.
23100

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turn 22
HMS Terpsichore and Hermione fire point blank into one another with the French frigate coming worse off.
23101

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turn 23

Hermione tries to make an escape
23102

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turn 24
HMS Terpsichore lines up her shot perfectly and Hermione strikes her colors.
23103

Hjl
05-17-2016, 13:36
Report to the Admiralty.

23105

3 French ships defeated 2 escaped.

That was horrific. HMS Vanguard exploded after taking 3 fire hits.

I think the extra 3rd for the French was more than i could handle, I also over estimated the speed of the French fleet and rather than crossing the T perfectly and hammering the French i gave them the first blood.

Admiral Gabriel - HMS Britannia - won the day, just
Captain Watson - HMS Impetueux - captured Montagne
Captain Chandler - HMS Vanguard - dissmasted Le Berwick which then ran aground. Exploded , KIA
Captain Griffon - HMS Terpsichore - sank Hermione


This is the first large battle I've done, they are very exhausting! Next time I think I'll draft a first officer to help...

Dr.Maturin
05-17-2016, 16:23
A hot fight Sir! Despite the loss of HMS Vanguard you have, I think, achieved a great victory for which thier Lordships of Admiralty should be well pleased.

Hjl
05-17-2016, 17:07
Perhaps, however if the two remaining French 3rds had chosen to fight on I think they would have won the day.

Dr.Maturin
05-17-2016, 17:44
Perhaps, however if the two remaining French 3rds had chosen to fight on I think they would have won the day.

But you are forgetting that the French main aim was to escape and not fight.

Hjl
05-17-2016, 18:07
True. I wonder how I would have faired the other way around.

Union Jack
05-18-2016, 02:52
Hugh that was BRUTAL. I think that is the first ship loss to explosion we have had in the 3 campaigns. (2014, 2015 & 2016). A devastating blow to your fleet and it could have been a resounding French victory had they not had orders to procede to sea. It was a game of if only's...if only we had retained the advantage, if only we had crossed the T later, if only our ship hadn't blown up.....But what a great AAR. Love the terrain and those cliffs, so dark and foreboding! I wouldn't sail anywhere near them.

REP canon powder wet, but will fire a broadside once we get some dry powder up.

Neil

Hjl
05-18-2016, 05:23
Hmm, yes, it is going to be a little difficult to repair the HMS Vanguard now that it is kindling. It got 3 fires hits in 2 turns and exploded on the random draw.

TexaS
05-18-2016, 09:22
REP canon powder wet, but will fire a broadside once we get some dry powder up.

You'd better start spreading around your rep points more. :happy: Mine worked well. Rep sent. :cannonboom:

KDz
05-19-2016, 06:50
Thanks for nice AAR, Hugh. :salute:
Montagne, must have :wink:

Hjl
05-19-2016, 06:52
Admiral Gabriel - HMS Britannia - won the day, just
+1 RP (achieving mission goal)
+4 PM
+7 PM
-2 PM (repairs)

Damage
3 Hull
1 Crew


Captain Watson - HMS Impetueux - captured Montagne
+1 RP (achieving mission goal)
+3 RP (defeated Montange)
+4 PM
-4 PM (repairs)

Damage
4 Hull
4 Crew

Captain Chandler - HMS Vanguard - dissmasted Le Berwick which then ran aground. Exploded , KIA
-Dead

Damage
Destroyed

Captain Griffon - HMS Terpsichore - sank Hermione
+1 RP (achieving mission goal)
+2 PR (defeated Hermione)

Damage
1 Hull
1 Crew

Bligh
05-19-2016, 08:04
Rip roaring action there Hugh.
I thought you had the advantage several times especially when you had the French on a lee shore and crowded against the rocks, but only one went ashore. Shame.
A resounding victory for the Brits.
Rob.

Hjl
05-19-2016, 08:32
Thanks for nice AAR, Hugh. :salute:
Montagne, must have :wink:

Yup, she's a beauty.

Bligh
05-19-2016, 08:45
Never actually managed to sink her yet!
Rob.

Hjl
05-19-2016, 10:01
Never actually managed to sink her yet!
Rob.

I've only managed it by ganging up on her at the expense of ignoring the rest of the enemy fleet. It's too great of a prize to resist the temptation though.

Union Jack
05-19-2016, 10:55
Ah, Montagne. Brings back memories of Prague it does.

Neil


Never actually managed to sink her yet!
Rob.

Hyperfocal
06-02-2016, 02:26
A very hot action indeed, my compliments to you sir.

Torrence
06-02-2016, 05:08
What a hard fight, well done! The loss of Vanguard was a tough blow but in the end it came out as a victory for you.