After several Pacific scenario's this year, we decided to conduct an European WW2 (fictional) scenario and make use of my (what if?) 1:3000 model of KMS Graf Zeppelin (NAZI Germany solely aircraft carrier, which never sailed) and her proposed Airwing of Messerschmidt Bf-109T fighters and Junkers Ju-87C dive-bombers. 
So I came forward with scenario: it is 1944 and brand-new KMS Graf Zeppelin is at sea (German Bight) to train her new aircraft. She is equipped with a small number of Bf-109T fighters and Ju-87C Stuka dive bombers to conduct maritime bombing trials, etc. As she is not fully operational yet and due to lack of aircraft & trained pilots the aircraft carrier has a limited number of aircraft onboard. Insufficient numbers to keep a permanent CAP (Combat Air Patrol) of Bf-109 overhead. KMS Graf Zeppelin is escorted by light cruiser KMS Leipzig and the 4th Zerstörer Flotilla, consisting of Z4, Z6 and Z24. The German Taskgroup is supported by 1 FW-200 Condor long range patrol aircraft (1941; to warn against a possible surprise attack against Germany's only aircraft carrier).
At the same time HMS Norfolk, a British cruiser of the County-class, is further Northwest at sea, together with the 2nd destroyer division, consisting of 4 modern Tribal-class destroyers. They have to maintain the blockade of NAZI Germany. A 1938 Short Sunderland flying boat is assigned (in direct support) to the British Taskgroup, to scout in front of the Taskgroup in order to find enemy ships and keep German U-boats dived (where they have less speed to intercept the British ships).
At the same time HMS Norfolk, a British cruiser of the County-class, is further Northwest at sea, together with the 2nd destroyer division, consisting of 4 modern Tribal-class destroyers. They have to maintain the blockade of NAZI Germany. A 1938 Short Sunderland flying boat is assigned (in direct support) to the British Taskgroup, to scout in front of the Taskgroup in order to find enemy ships and keep German U-boats dived (where they have less speed to intercept the British ships).
Background to the ships & aircraft.
The idea for a German aircraft carrier started in 1934, 1 year after Hitler took power. After WW1 Germany was very limited in what it was allowed to have as a navy and an aircraft carrier was certainly not part of that. Anyhow, NAZI Germany started planning. Surprisingly, the plans kept the ship within the limits of the Navy Armament Limitation Treaties of that period between Britain, USA, France, Italy and Japan (of which Germany was no part to). 
Her guns would not be bigger than 15 cm. (1922 Washington Treaty & 1930 London Treaty). In 1935 Great Britain allowed NAZI Germany to have 35% of the British Fleet (in displacement tonnage). That gave the German Navy formally the opportunity to build an aircraft carrier of approx. 24,000 ton. The Germans paid a visit to IJN Akagi in 1936 to study Japanese aircraft carriers. The building of Graf Zeppelin started in Kiel in December 1936. The ship would be propelled by 4 steam turbines and be equipped with 16 x 15 cm. guns, 10 x 10,5 cm. AA-guns and approx. 40 aircraft (fighters & bombers). In December 1938 the ship was launched. Since 1937 the German designers tried to develop (or choose) which aircraft they needed. They decided to have a maritime version of Bf-109 as fighter and a maritime version of Ju-87 as dive bomber. Bf-109's were armed with 2 x 20mm. canons and have a ACE (Air Combat Efficiency) of 3. Ju-87 dive-bombers could carry 1 medium bomb (500 kg.). Around 1940 some aircraft were build but then the building proces stopped for ship & aircraft due to war developments. Up to 1944 Hitler dragged his feet to allow finalization of the project. The ship was for 85% complete and was bombed in port by the RAF in 1942. During the war it was transferred to the Baltic to keep away from the RAF and was scuttled by own personnel in March 1945. KMS Leipzig was a German light cruiser; a follow-on to the 3 'K'-class light cruisers (Königsberg, Karlsruhe and Köln). She was commissioned in 1931. Under the 1919 Versailles Peace Treaty Germany was not permitted to have more than 6 cruisers (additional limits: <6,000 ton; 15 cm. guns or less). Displacement: 8,000 ton. Main armament: 3 triple turrets with 15 cm. guns (1 turret forward; 2 turrets aft). The German destroyers (Zerstörer) Z4 and Z6 are type 1934 destroyers. The Z24 a type 1936A destroyer. Z4 & Z6 were equipped with 5 single 5-inch guns (elevation limit: 30 degrees, which made them inadequate when dealing with dive-bombers -reflected in the GQ3.3 Rules) and 8 torpedo tubes (TT). Z24 was equipped with 15 cm. guns: 1 twin turret forward and 3 single guns at the rear. Including 8 TT. According to several books, replacing the bow gun with a twin turret led to a deterioration in seaworthiness. This is reflected in the GQ3.3 Kriegsmarine Gunfire Table (special entry for 5.9-inch Double). 
HMS Norfolk was part of the last batch of the County-class. 1st batch: 7 units Kent-class; 2nd batch: 4 units London-class and last batch: 2 units Norfolk-class. They were build within the limits of the 1922 Washington Naval Treaty (cruisers < 10,000 tons displacement & 8-inch guns or less) and were recognized by their 3 funnels and high freeboard. They were designed for world wide escort & scout duties and were therefor less armored than you would expect for a heavy cruiser. GQ3.3 rates them as CL (light cruiser). HMS Norfolk was commissioned in 1930 and participated in the hunt for the German raider Cormorant (1940), the hunt for the KMS Bismarck (1941), several Arctic Convoys, Allied landings in North Africa (1942) and the Battle of the North Cape (1943). During this game she carries 1 Swordfish floatplane reconnaissance aircraft (1936). The 4 Tribal-class fleet destroyers were HMS Tartar, HMS Mohawk, HMS Nubian and HMS Sikh. During the 1920's and 1930's there was a tendency on the part of the major powers to build very large destroyers. The Japanese started the trend and Britain followed with a gun-focussed design of 1,900 tons: the 16 Tribals carried each 8 x 4.7-inch guns in 4 twin turrets (25 ton each!) but sacrificed torpedo armament by having only 1 quadruple 21-inch Torpedo launcher. These 4.7-inch guns had an elevation limit of 40 degrees, which made them inadequate when dealing with dive-bombers (taken care of in the GQ3.3 Rules). The ships were all launched in 1937 and were the last class of British WW2 destroyers with 2 funnels.
Set up of the game
All ship models from NAVWAR (1:3000); most air models from Tumbling Dice (1:600). Ground scale: 1 cm = 200yds. We used dice to determine the weather: Windforce 3 (10 kts) from the South. Visibility: 28,000 yds. One layer of clouds; cloud base: 6,000 yds. Cloud density: 40%. Very good flying weather! The Germans used 2 divisions: the carrier, escorted by the light cruiser in Div 1 (line abreast, course 340, speed 15) and 3 destroyers in Div 2 (same). The British were divided in Div 1 (HMS Norfolk) and Div 2 (4 x Tribal-class). At start of play both countries had deployed a long range patrol aircraft at approx. 10,000 yds away from the opposing side. So both sides had already detected each other. The Germans are in the South Eastern corner of the 4 x 6 ft sea mat; the British in the North.
Turn 1
Both patrol aircraft had radioed position (and composition) of the opposing forces. The German destroyers slowed down to 10 kts, but the carrier Div. accelerated to 20 kts and turned port into the wind for flying course (photo below). KMS Zeppelin prepared 2 Bf-109 to be launched to scare away the British patrol aircraft. The British Div's. accelerated as well, to close the distance to the visible German destroyers and reported position of the German carrier. HMS Norfolk was unable to engage any of the German destroyers (outside 30,000 yds.).
Turn 2
The German carrier Div. was now on course 190 speed 25 and had sufficient wind over deck to launch both aircraft. They were launched in Air Phase 2 of this turn, with Short Sunderland as target. German destroyers turned to port as well, accelerating towards 20 kts. The German destroyers were ordered to shield the main force from the British enemy. The only carrier of Germany was trying to run away! HMS Norfolk opened fire (forward 8-inch guns) at Z6 but missed at 30,000 yds.
Turn 3
The German main force proceeded with 30 kts at course 190; the German destroyers were positioned between the carrier and the following British ships and followed at 30 kts. course 190. In the mean time the vulnerable Short Sunderland (flight level 3,000 yds) turned towards her own fleet units to seek protection. Both German Bf-109's in hot pursuit. However they had to climb towards the current (and increasing) flight level of the Sunderland and lost a lot of their max. airspeed. At the end of this Game turn the Bf-109's flew at flight level 4,000 yds but hadn't reached the Sunderland. All British ships were closing in at 32 kts. HMS Norfolk opened fire (forward 8-inch guns) at KMS Zeppelin but missed at 30,000 yds.
Turn 4
All British ships were trying to diminish the gunnery distance but the geometry and their small speed advantage didn't help much...So far they could only engage the Germans with their forward guns. The German Admiral onboard KMS Zeppelin was aware of the British danger and proceeded his escape. 4 Ju-87 dive-bombers were readied to engage the incoming danger. Both Bf-109's were still trying to catch up with the fleeing Sunderland but came very close to the British ships. At long range those ships fired at the German fighters but missed. HMS Norfolk catapulted her Swordfish floatplane into the wind to keep eyes on target. HMS Norfolk missed KMS Zeppelin at 24,000 yds. with her 8-inch guns. Z24 tried to hit HMS Tartar but was unsuccessfull at 23,000 yds (hardly surprising). KMS Leipzig was just outside range...
Turn 5
The Germans had launched at the last Air Phase of turn 4 and the first Air Phase of this turn 4 Ju-87's in total. Target: HMS Norfolk as she kept on firing at KMS Zeppelin.. The attack package climbed every Air Phase and proceeded towards the reported position (by FW-200 Condor) of HMS Norfolk. Both Bf-109 fighters turned away from the British ships and joined/protected the German Air Strike package. The closing British warships kept on firing: a volley of 8-inch fire from HMS Norfolk did hit KMS Leipzig at 24,000 yds, resulting in a speed limit of 23 kts. However HMS Sikh was unable to hit Z6 at 18,000 yds. The returning fire by Z24, KMS Leipzig and KMS Zeppelin (her 15 cm. guns!) on British ships all missed at distances > 21,000 yds.
Turn 6
The crew of KMS Leipzig was very professional in repairing the engineering hit and at the end of this turn KMS Leipzig was doing 28 kts again and remained in the vicinity of the carrier. During Air Phase 2 all Ju-87's reached flight level 4,000 yds (minimum level for dive-bombing) and during Air Phase 3 closed in on HMS Norfolk from the east. The continuing exchange of fire, although the diminishing distance, gave no results. All engagements at ranges between 18,000 and 21,000 yds resulted in 'miss'.
Turn 7
Turn 8 (photo above)
The German air attack on Norfolk didn't seem to be very successful, so the 3 German destroyers were ordered to close the distance (keeping their broadside towards the enemy) and make best use of their guns to keep the closing enemy at bay. Z4, Z6 and Z24 turned to course 280 speed 30. During the Air Phases both British aircraft (Sunderland & Swordfish) closed the German fleet (as they were ordered for spotting purposes to improve hitting probabilities). German AA by the 3 destroyers was not very succesfull but the last 2 Bf-109's were launched from the carrier. All German attack aircraft turned north and, when outside British AA-range, made a clockwise turn towards KMS Zeppelin. Over the last turns the fighting range diminished steadily and we now saw the results: Z6 placed on HMS Sikh one 5-inch hit; Z4 placed one 5-inch hit on HMS Mohawk, together with one 15 cm. hit from KMS Zeppelin. KMS Leipzig placed one 15 cm. hit on HMS Tartar. However the British return fire was more devastating: HMS Norfolk 8-inch hit damaged the bulkhead of KMS Zeppelin! HMS Nubian did hit KMS Leipzig, HMS Mohawk placed 3 hits (with rapid 4.7-inch fire) on Z4 and Z6 was also hit twice by nearby HMS Sikh! The returning German air formation vectored in on (damaged!) KMS Zeppelin. Both Bf-109 fighters however vectored in on the Sunderland (to kill the spotter adjusted British gunfire).
The German damage was far more extensive than the British: KMS Zeppelin had a damaged bulkhead (resulting in a speedlimit of 30 kts and flooding); KMS Leipzig lost her middle 15 cm. triple turret due to a direct 4.7-inch hit; Z4 lost 2 of her rear guns, had a speed limit of 34 kts and a serious fire; Z6 lost one of her TT-mounts, a searchlight and had also a speellimit of 34 kts. So the German destroyers couldn't accelerate anymore above 30 kts and had limited armament damage. HMS Tartar lost her only torpedo mount and a searchlight. HMS Mohawk lost one of her rear twin turrets and HMS Sikh lost her only rear twin turret.
Turn 9
The final damage results (partly determined afterwards): KMS Graf Zeppelin had received 1 dangerous 8-inch hit on her bulkhead. The crew was fighting the flooding and if they were not quickly successful, this would trigger further flooding & speed loss (giving the British the opportunity to sink her). She needed to return to port urgently! But would still be able to land her aircraft onboard. KMS Leipzig remained a reasonable fighting force with 2/3 of her 15 cm. armament available. Z24 was fully operational with her five 15 cm. guns and 8 TT. Z4 was in trouble as she had so far not been able to put out the raging fire onboard; had lost 2 hull boxes (of 8) and a speed limit of 30 kts.
With some luck HMS Norfolk could keep the German main force within range of her 8-inch guns, assuming KMS Zeppelin wouldn't been able to fight the flooding. HMS Sikh had lost a forward twin gun turret and had 1 turret remaining. HMS Mohawk (25% turrets lost, speed limit 32 kts) Additional damage: lost her TT, searchlight and an additional hullbox, resulting in a limit of 28 kts. HMS Nubian got hit in her engine room and hullbox, resulting in a speed limit of 16 kts. HMS Tartar TT-mount was destroyed. So if the Germans were able to maintain 30 kts, only HMS Tartar and HMS Sikh would be able to chase them...with 1 quadruple TT and 4 twin 4.7-inch turrets (in total) operational. Against multiple German 15 cm. guns (on 3 units) and plenty TT's. I assume the British Taskgroup commander would like to keep on firing for a while, but will quickly retreat. I will call this a tactical 'draw' (but possibly a British strategic 'win', as this showed the Germans that a single, lightly protected carrier (with a limited Air Wing) is very vulnerable to surface fire (and submarine). Who thinks that Hitler would allow such a sailing again?).
Verdict
It was fun to conduct a 'what, if?' scenario with a plausible German aircraft carrier. If you look at the actual development and building times of the ship (and aircraft) the German Navy did a very good job. Although the hangar and flight deck lacked armour, her armament (15 cm. against surface threats and capable AA-guns) was ok. However there was insufficient time to develop, teach & learn (air)tactics. In this Naval Wargame the available aircraft could only react to a sudden threat. In which year would the carrier be able to withstand such a surprise attack by the British? Look what France was able to do with her only carrier (Bearn) in WW2... close to nothing.
Most of the ships in this Naval Wargame were (technical) limited by Naval Armament Treaties of that time period (number of ships, limited displacement, limited armament, etc.). We don't have those anymore since WW2 (except for the deployment of nuclear weapons some time?). Interesting thought in the 21st Century with a running Naval Arms Race between China, the USA and some neighbours...
A recurring observation of mine: during the naval war between Russia & Japan (1904-'05), WW1 and WW2 I see a lot of quite new participating ships in those wars. As if nations saw the war coming...(and prepared for it). Look at the average age of current NATO, US and Russian warships. Mostly older than 20-30 years! The exception is China...
Geen opmerkingen:
Een reactie posten