"hunting the Goeben" Topic

Most will be aware that at the outbreak of the Great War, the German Mediteranean Squadron consisted of the BC Goeben and a light cruser who escaped to Turkey.

At one point they were almost engaged by 4 armoured crusiers of the Royal Navy accompanied by some destroyers.

I'm thinking of refighting the engagement as a participation game at some shows but wonder if anyone has any suggestions for which models to use. I am loath to use 1,3000 scale as the smallness of the models doesn't give the wow factor to attract punters to play the game. Yet in 1.1200 I am not sure anyone makes the models.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to scale and model availability

thanks

I did it in 1/6000 at a Cold Wars (the Brits got slaughtered, Troubridge was right to avoid battle). The scale doesn't grab them from across the room but most naval grognards are all about the shooting.

I'd think putting it on in 1/2400 is quite reasonable. Between GHQ, C in C and Viking Forge you have everything needed in metal and if cost is an issue, there is always Panzerschiffe.

'Castles of Steel' has good detail on the chase and as I recall, the Brit DD's were down to 3 or 4 due to fuel.

Looks good on the counters I have for the game (smile).

Dan

In 1/1200 you are limited to Navis and Hai – Navis being the better. However, they are very pricey.

A Goeben will run around $60 USD at least, and an armored cruiser will run around $50 USD for starts.

For a small engagement like that I'd go for GHQ. C in C and Viking Forge were also mentioned but I'd go for those only for the ships you can't get through GHQ.

. . . and yes. . . you should probably count on the Brits getting creamed.

I'd play it 1/6000, since to me it's about maneuver and shooting, but if you like larger models and don't want to pay crazy money, I highly recommend Panzerschiffe at 1/2400. Goeben will run you $4.00.

panzerschiffe.com

@ McKinsrty- hey after I'll do some Black sea Russians you can do Cape Sarych vs Goeben and Breslau. That might be one interesting engagement- especially when instead of only Evstafiy all the ships in the squadron will engage Goeben!
Does Panzerschiffe do Breslau?

We played it once at GHG and the Brits won losing only AC sunk. A friend put it on at Millennium last year and the Germans won but were hurt. If the Brits use line ahead they lose. If they use Rio Plata tactics they have a chance. I also recommend 1/2400 and GHQ, if price is no obstacle. You'll probably have to use all three manufacturers to get all classes present though. Full speed ahead. I recently played a game with 1/6000 and my eyes are still aching.

Sergei – Breslau is in production from, I believe, at least two of the 1/2400 manufacturers.

Shagnasty – When we played, unless the Germans have real pressure to blow through the Brits, Goeben has such a speed and range advantage that she can sit back and pound. At least in GQ3, one or two solid hits from Goeben will usually knock a Brit Armored Cruiser right out of the fight before their 9.2's can do more than scratch paint.

@McKinstry- yep both Goeben and Breslau are done already. However I will try to sculpt some 1:2400 Russians soon- Ekaterina class for sure, Rostislav. I think Evstafiy is covered by Panzerschiffe. Cape Sarych is an interesting engagement- in reality Souchon was unpleasantly surprised by Russian gun accuracy and quickly took off after recieving some nasty hits from Evstafiy.

Once you buy the ships, get the board game, Mediterranean, link , by Avalanche Press. 1) It provides a nice strategic level of play for the hunt of the SMS Goeben and Breslau. The scenario has a complete order of battle and the starting locations of all the ships involved in the chase. It also has some interesting varations like the Goeben heading to Pola and the protection of the Austrian Fleet (grand naval battle probable) instead of Constantinople.
2) It provides a number of other interesting what-if and historical scenarios to play. Of particular interest is the numerous skirmish scenarios between Goeben and the Russian Black sea fleet.

Played this a few times with FG&DN. 75% of the time the Germans make it through. It is a fun scenario though. Recommend playing it whatever rules you use.

Hi, I'm a new member but old min player returning to the hobby. The Adm. Souchon vs Adm. Troubridge scenario is one of my fave what if's. Many forget some important details that historically would've influenced the possible engagement and I'd like to know if you applied any of them.

1. SMS Goeben had foul boilers. She was having trouble keeping 20 knots continuously and there were several breakdowns during the voyage. Goeben was in sad shape when she finally made Turkish waters. Plans were made in case Breslau had to tow her in. A die roll each turn for a breakdown if high speed is called for would be appropriate.

2. She had been long away from home ports. SMS Goeben was due to leave the Med in October 1914, to be replaced by SMS Moltke. These boilers and a foul hull also restricted absolute max speed to 22-24 of her possible 27+ knots.

3. Goeben is low on fuel, as the Italians had delayed her coaling. She can't afford to waste it in extravagant tactics. It is reasonable that the best Brit AC's could maneuver with her in a tactical situation. At 22-23 knots, Adm Troubridge has them.

4. Her gunnery was only so-so (compared to the German 2nd Scouting Squadron at Kiel as a whole). Her limited shell replenishment options kept practice to a minimum and they showed in the desultory shore bombardments earlier.

5. If the Brit AC's damage her, Goeben has to contend with Adm. Milne's 2 BC's, Indomitable and Indefatigable, who missed her at Messina by ~24 hours steaming distance. Goeben dropping below 15 knots would've been her ruin.

6. Breslau, by comparison, is in fine condition and one of the newest 4.1" LC's the German's had at the time. She carried (or can carry) 120 mines.

7. But Breslau has to contend with 8 Brit destroyers (5 elderly) armed with torpedoes and the shadowing LC, HMS Gloucester. The AC's have a total of 14 torpedo tubes. The Brits should use all of them. However, the Royal Navy had an unnatural fear of them coming the other way. ALWAYS turn away from a torpedo attack.

Another interesting scenario: Adm Milne blocking the Straights of Messina (Aug. 5-ish) with HMS Gloucester, Dublin, Indomitable and Indefatigable (and possibly Chatham). The narrow straights make an interesting situation and bases friendly to Adm Souchon are limited. The 2 RN BC's are also having boiler problems and can't stay with Goeben at this stage. If Goeben can make 24 kts max, the Brit BC's can only do 22. (Note: Goeben's boilers were in worse condition when she almost encountered Troubridge 400 miles east). But… with max armor on the RN side only 8", how painful will victory be?

Alternately, the HMS Indomitable, Indefatigable and Dublin passed Goeben on August 4th at 9:30 am in good weather, north of Tunisia, before the war is official.

Further, there are several very good scenario's against the Russian fleet later in the war.