Torpedoes and Tides - Making a Beginning Twice

The first game of the Making a Beginning scenario pitted Simon in command of the returning S-Boots against Stephen with three MGB out for revenge.

The S-Boots spot the Britishers and make a sharp turn to starboard.

Unfortunately, this means the S-Boots are silhouetted by the moon

and one is immediately sunk.

The remaining S-Boot is hit and set on fire but did manage to get in at least one shot.

However, the S-Boot couldn't survive the combined fire power of the three MGBs.

For the second game we repeated the scenario, but Simon took over the MGBs and I commanded the S-Boots.

The S-Boots make a dash for home.

They are making good progress.

But the MGBs are closing in.

The S-Boots engage the leading MGB.

But the MGBs close in and smother one of the S-Boots in well aimed shots, causing it to sink.

The MGBs score hits on the remaining S-Boot as it flees to safety.

Another excellent game.  It's time to start thinking of a campaign (which is provided by the rules).

False Nose Job - A Scenario for Torpedoes and Tides

Mark B took on the job of a secret mission to XXXX and deliver XXXX.  It was all very hush hush.  For the mission he was given two British Power Boat 72' Motor Gun Boats (MGB) and a Vosper 70' Moter Torpedo Boat (MTB).  He chose to enter from the top left-hand corner.  One of the boats carried the XXXX which was to be delivered to one of the red beacons on the far coast.

A German patrol of two Raumboots and a Kriegfischkutter are out on patrol. 

 It is a moonless night.

We decided not to use blinds as we were under a bit of time pressure.

The German patrol easily spotted the intruders.

The Raumboots are somewhat under-gunned and the British boats are hard to hit...

However, one poor MGB was soon hit.

Was it a decoy?

While one of the British boats takes a pounding,

the other reaches the rendezvous point and starts to unload.

Whatever it is it is going to take a while.

Both sides now have a badly damaged boat.

The secret mission continues, but at a slow pace.

With one MGB now battered the Germans try to close in on the Vosper.

The captain of the other MGB must be telling the spooks to get a move on.

The captain of the battered boat has a plan.

Smoke!

With the unloading finally completed it is now necessary for the British

 to stop the Germans from sticking their nose in, false or otherwise.

More smoke hides the mysterious activities.

But both sides have scored additional hits in the confused night action. 

Mission accomplished.

Time didn't permit us to play on and make good an escape.  Also, I decided that the Germans needed to actually spot what had been delivered (they had three turns) and that the automatic spotting at medium range does not apply.

All in all, another exciting game of Torpedoes and Tides and a nicely different scenario.  

The mechanics used by TnT give an excellent feel for confused fighting as I am sure occurred with small boats coastal forces at nighttime in WW2.

Hunting The Hunters - Twice

This is semi fictious scenario that is supplied with the Torpedoes and Tides rules:

Intercepting MTBs was not easy, especially before reliable radar became available. The British developed a special type of fast attack craft, the Motor Gunboat, to hunt down German S-boats. They would lie in wait near a German base and pounce on boats returning from a sortie.

The returning S-boats are coming in from the right.

Mark B has four MGB hoping to intercept them.

So far the Germans have not been spotted.

But that all changed quickly.

The black smoke indicates damage

most of which they commence with.

One German boat is speeding off, but the second boat looks like it might be trapped.

The last German boat is having some difficulties maintaining a course

The second German boat is having a hard time 

and that last German boat seems to have lost its course.

Well, the first German boat might have escaped, but the second one has been sunk.

What will be the fate of the last German boat?

It is struggling to make progress and is close to the shore 

A triple roll of ones on the red dice!

Understandably the crew lost its nerve and ran the boat aground.

Time For A Rematch

No blinds this time, action was immediate.

I have control of the MGBs,

The S-boats are keen to get home.

The MGBs attack but lack firepower

In the confusion collisions occur.

It is a moonless night.

One S-boat has been sunk, but the other two look like they are getting away.

Only one MGB seems able to give chase and it is battered.

The MGB crew lose their nerve and decide to break off.

The Germans escape. 

Truely a delightful game!

Torpedoes and Tides - Making a Beginning with actual model boats this time

Third play through of the Making a Beginning scenario, but with enhanced playing pieces.  Mark B again commanded the British flotilla.

The two German S-Boots are heading home after an incursion into British home waters

when they are intercepted by three British MGBs.

Action commences immediately with the lead German boat taking two hits 

and one of the British boats receiving a single hit.

The lead German boat takes more hits and wisely decides to flee.

The remaining German boat tries to hold off the enemy so its compatriot can make good its escape.

The fighting is intense with the already damaged British boat taking another hit,

but the German boat now also has two hits and is also supressed (the white marker)

The British boats need to turn to pursue the Germans.

But the now battered German boat is caught.

And sunk.

Very happy with the visuals.  A quick, exciting game that was over in 45 minutes of play time.  Next task is to perfect the QRS and move on to trying a different scenario.  I'm also tempted to get a few more boats and I am checking where James has sourced his 1/700th models from.

The author of the rules has an excellent blog: The Raft – Wargaming Adventures

Boats for Torpedoes and Tides

After my two games with Cardboard Standees, Simon gave me a present of some model MTBs for me to construct.  Much appreciated as I was undecided about my next step, particularly scale.

This is the first one made up.

Very fiddly, but I was happy with the results.

1/700th.

Four S-Boats

ID is discreet but yet to be tested.

Four Vospers

The box art

Did I say fiddly? 

 These are two PT boats still on their sprues.

The box contained four of each type.

Luckily, I did the S-Boat first as it had the fewest pieces. If I'd tackled the Vosper first or heaven forbid the PT Boats, I might not have continued.  

Next task is to schedule another game.