Pursuit of the Goeben
The scenario is based on real events right at the start of WWI. The Germans knew that war was about to be declared and had advised their ships captains accordingly. The BC Goeben and its escort LC Breslau made up the Mediterranean Division were in the Adriatic initially but transferred to North Africa where they bombarded French positions and were then ordered to attack troop transports traveling from North Africa to France.
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| The SMS Goeben |
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| HMS Defence |
The French and British were aware of the German threat and had heavy escorts lined up to protect the convoy and hunt down the German threat.
However the Goeben's commander decided to head in the opposite direction, toward Constantinople, with the aim of transferring the ships to Turkish command and then operating against the Russians in the Black Sea.
A hunt was ordered by the Allies to track down and cripple / destroy the German force before they reached Constantinople.
Historically the Allies' response was sluggish and disjointed and only a small British force managed to contact the enemy but the commander eventually gave up the chase (following the orders not to engage a stronger force than his own). The scenario simulates a better organised and braver response.
German ForceGoeben (a Moltke class battle cruiser) and Breslau (light cruiser)
British Force AFour armoured cruisers (Defence, Black Prince, Duke of Edinburgh, Warrior) plus two Beagle class destroyers.
British Force BTwo light cruisers (Gloucester and Dublin) plus two Beagle class destroyers.
Special rulesThe German ships are independent commands due to poor radio equipment. German players to sit apart and communicate by note passed to the referee who then determines how much of the message gets through (e.g. 1 in 3 words is lost). Similarly the British communications between the two Forces are similarly hampered (but not between ships in each Force). Players have 15 seconds to write their communications then hand to the referee.
Ships can opt to use heliograph communication if within 20cm of each other but then count as an illluminated target for the next turn.
Set up will see the Germans steaming at half speed to conserve fuel steering SE. British forces to enter at predesignated points at referees control. Germans may NOT change speed or course UNTIL an enemy ship is spotted.
Historically Goeben had boiler trouble. If running your own scenario you could prohibit Goeben from reaching full speed or (if she does) roll d6 each turn at full speed - a roll of 6 counts as Boiler Room roll on the Critical Hit table (speed moves to next box down). Add cumulative +1 each turn Goeben is it full speed (so +1 Turn 1, +2 Turn 2 etc.).
Also the Germans had limited opportunity to re-arm. Reduce Goeben and Breslau to 12 shots (as opposed to the usual 18)
Victory Conditions
Germans get Goeben and Breslau off the opposite end of the table both with half hull points intact. Major victory
Germans get Goeben off the opposite end of the table with at least 2 British AC
crippled and with at least half hull points intact (i.e. pursuit unlikely). German Victory.
With larger ships close by, any other result is a British victory.
Germans get Goeben off the opposite end of the table with at least 2 British AC
crippled and with at least half hull points intact (i.e. pursuit unlikely). German Victory.
With larger ships close by, any other result is a British victory.