AAR: Action of Goa (17th Century)

[ShadowDragon]

A pictorial AAR for the Action off Goa - Dutch East India Company versus the Portuguese, about 1630. This action can also be known as the Fireship Bredamme! In summary Van der Veere - not wanting to split his fleet chose a route around the central island that put him at a disadvantage to Da Silva's fleet. The superior Portuguese gunnery smashed Van der Veere's leading ships - the Valckenburch and Bredamme. The dramatic turn was Turn 4 in which the Bredamme exploded inflicting serious damage on all the ships in both fleets, but the instant death Van der Veere disheartened the Dutch. After the burning Valckenburch struck its colours the remaining Dutch ships fled. Little they know how much damage the explosion had done to the Portuguese ships. Santissimo Sacramento was gravely damaged. However, Da Silva escaped to "risk" rolls in a manner that would have raised the ship's morale to "veteran" if they weren't already "veteran".

I'm happy with the fast play of the "Mad for War" rules with a minimum of bookkeeping but still with exciting outcomes.