Pursuit of the SMS Bulöw AC and Hamlin LC

A fictional 1914 mini campaign.  The German Heavy Cruise Bülow and it's light cruiser companion Hamlin, have been shadowed travelling north towards the Red Sea.  A British pursuit force under Rear Admiral Sir Portly Proudpole has diverted to the north east believing that the Germans were heading to Mesopotamia to disrupt Imperial operations against the Turks.

Turns out the Germans have a different plan!

I'm using Admiralty_Chart_No_8a The_Red_Sea Published_late 19th century.

Bulöw
Scharnhorst-class armored cruiser
Displacement. 12,985 t (12,780 long tons). Length. 144.6 m (474 ft 5 in). Beam. 21.6 m (70 ft 10 in). Draft. 8.37 m (27 ft 6 in)
Installed power. 18 × water-tube boilers. 26,000 metric horsepower (19,000 kW)
Propulsion. 3 × triple-expansion steam engines.  3 × screw propellers
Speed.  22.5 knots (42 km/h; 26 mph)
Range. 4,800 nmi (8,900 km; 5,500 mi) at 14 kn (26 km/h; 16 mph)
Crew. 52 officers. 788 enlisted men
Armament. 8 × 21 cm (8.3 in) guns
6 × 15 cm (5.9 in) gun.  18 × 8.8 cm (3.5 in) gun.  4 × 45 cm (17.7 in) torpedo tubes
Armor. Belt: 8 to 15 cm (3.1 to 5.9 in). Turrets: 17 cm (6.7 in). Deck: 3.5 to 6 cm (1.4 to 2.4 in)  Casemates: 13 cm (5.1 in)

Hamlin
Königsberg-class light cruiser
Displacement. Normal: 3,469 t  Full load: 3,902 t 
Length. 116.8 m (383 ft). Beam. 13.3 m (44 ft). Draft. 5.24 m (17.2 ft)
Installed power. 13,200 PS (9,700 kW). 11 × water-tube boilers
Propulsion. 2 × screw propellers. 2 × triple-expansion engines
Speed. 23.4 knots (43.3 km/h)
Complement. 14 Officers. 308 Enlisted men
Armament. 10 × 10.5 cm (4.1 in) SK L/40 guns. 8 × 5.2 cm (2 in) SK guns. 2 × 45 cm (17.7 in) torpedo tubes
Armor. Deck: 80 mm (3.1 in). Conning tower: 100 mm (3.9 in)

German Admiral Maximilian Von Spittle

Kapitain Ernst Von Groüser of the Bulöw

Kapitain Pieter Pied of the Hamlin

The commerce raider Sigismund, a former liner armed with 4 inch guns.

2 colliers working under false flags.

September 9th 1914

Flagship, Admiral Sir Portly Proudpole
HMS Empress (Fictional)
Type: Pre-Dreadnought Battleship
Displacement: 14,500 tons
Armament: 4 x 12-inch guns, 12 x 6-inch guns, 8 x 12-pounder guns
Speed: 18 knots
Armor: 10-inch belt armor, 8-inch turret armor
Crew: 700
Description:
The HMS Empress is a fictional pre-dreadnought battleship built in the late 1890s, serving as a reliable but slightly outdated member of the British fleet by 1914. It has the distinct feature of being a "hybrid" ship that blends the older pre-dreadnought concepts with more modern updates, making it an effective addition to the squadron despite being outclassed by newer dreadnought battleships.

HMS Leopard (Fictional)
Type: Armored Cruiser
Displacement: 14,000 tons
Armament: 8 x 9.2-inch guns, 12 x 6-inch secondary guns
Speed: 22 knots
Armor: 9-inch belt armor
Crew: 750
Description: A powerful armored cruiser, the Leopard is designed to hunt down raiders and engage enemy criuisers. Its heavy 9.2-inch guns make it a formidable force in fleet actions, while its speed allows it to keep up with faster ships. The Leopard serves as a crucial secondary vessel in the squadron, supporting the flagship and scouting for enemy ships.

HMS Courageous (Fictional)
Type: Heavy Cruiser
Displacement: 7,500 tons
Armament: 6 x 7.5-inch guns, 8 x 4-inch guns
Speed: 26 knots
Armor: 6-inch belt armor
Crew: 550
Description: The Courageous is a fast, heavily armed cruiser designed for reconnaissance and acting as a fleet's "screen" to detect enemy movements. Its role at Coronel is to identify enemy positions and act as an intercept ship against any smaller German vessels.

HMS Vanguard (Fictional)
Type: Light Cruiser
Displacement: 4,000 tons
Armament: 12 x 6-inch guns,
Speed: 27 knots
Armor: 4-inch belt armor
Crew: 450
Description: A nimble light cruiser, the Vanguard is tasked with scouting, reconnaissance, and providing light support fire in engagements. Her relatively lighter armor makes her faster but vulnerable to heavier enemy fire. Equipped with modern communications equipment for faster coordination, Vanguard is the eyes and ears of the squadron, capable of quickly engaging enemy destroyers or assisting in long-range fire support.

HMS Falcon (Fictional)
Type: Light Cruiser 
Displacement: 5,500 tons
Armament: 10 x 6-inch guns
Speed: 25 knots
Armor: 4-inch belt armor
Crew: 450
Description: Falcon is a light cruiser equipped with a powerful array of 6-inch guns for engaging enemy destroyers, cruisers, and light ships. Its role is as a scout and in providing anti-submarine and anti-torpedo protection to the main battleships. It would often engage in harassment and disruption of enemy lines, striking in a fast-moving hit-and-run style.

Tactics
The squadron, commanded by a fictional admiral, Admiral Edward Somerset, would employ a standard British tactic of the era, relying on the heavy firepower of the flagship while supporting it with the faster, lighter vessels, which would scout and provide protection against torpedo boats. The cruisers would serve as the screen, engaging German light ships and searching for enemy movements. Destroyers would provide close support, ensuring no enemy would approach the heavier vessels without facing significant opposition.
The fictional British squadron, though stronger in some aspects, would face challenges against the well-coordinated German squadron, which includes the superior German armored cruiser. The battle would likely be a clash of maneuver and firepower, where the ability to scout and respond quickly could determine the outcome.


The Suez Flotilla

Commander Dudley Blunderclash

HMS Swift (Fictional)
Type: Light Cruiser
Displacement: 4,000 tons
Armament: 8 x 4-inch guns,
Speed: 27 knots
Armor: 4-inch belt armor
Crew: 450
Description: A nimble light cruiser, the Swift is tasked with leading the Suez Destroyer flotilla.  Her relatively lighter armor makes her faster but vulnerable to heavier enemy fire. Equipped with wireless communications equipment for faster coordination, 

HMS Weaver
Class: River-Class
Displacement: 1,000 tons
Length: 240 ft
Armament:
2 × 4-inch naval guns
4 × 21-inch torpedo tubes (2 on each side)
Crew: 85 officers and men
Description: The Weaver is a seasoned veteran of the Royal Navy, built in 1905. It has been stationed in the Red Sea for much of its career, patrolling the Suez Canal and maintaining a presence in the Arabian Sea. With a long history of service, it has seen a number of upgrades to its engine and armament over the years, but its hull still shows signs of wear from years of exposure to the harsh desert sun. It’s well-known for its speed and agility, allowing it to slip through the narrow waters of the Suez with ease, making it a reliable scout and raider.

HMS Trent
Class: River-Class
Displacement: 950 tons
Length: 235 ft
Armament:
3 × 4-inch naval guns
3 × 21-inch torpedo tubes
Depth charges (in case of submarine activity)
Crew: 90 officers and men
Description: The Trent was commissioned in 1904 and has long been one of the Royal Navy's most reliable destroyers. Stationed primarily at the southern entrance of the Red Sea, the Trent is well-known for its robustness and ability to withstand enemy fire. It has served in various conflicts and is often deployed as an escort for merchant vessels transiting through the Suez Canal. The ship has a slightly modified stern to accommodate extra storage for provisions when stationed in the more remote areas of the Red Sea.

HMS Tees
Class: River-Class
Displacement: 1,050 tons
Length: 245 ft
Armament:
2 × 4.7-inch naval guns
4 × 21-inch torpedo tubes
Crew: 85 officers and men
Description: The Tees is known for its superior durability and its reputation for being “unsinkable” during its service in the Suez and Red Sea region. It’s often used for reconnaissance, anti-piracy operations, and as a protective screen for larger naval assets. While it may not be as fast as some newer ships, its heavily reinforced hull and improved engine make it perfect for long-range patrols and quick response to emergencies. Over the years, Tees has earned a fierce reputation as the guardian of British interests in the area.

The Flotilla, while older, has  been kept in service due to their strategic importance in the region during the early 20th century, particularly given the critical nature of the Suez Canal as a vital link between Europe and Asia. Their role in protecting British shipping lanes and countering potential threats in the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula is crucial to the narrative of this era.

Game One

HMS Vanguard contacts the enemy

Vanguard makes contact

The German CA and CL turn back

They salvo

Vanguard returns the salvo but is clearly turning away

A pair of damage points.  Vanguard loses a forward turret.

I dice to make smoke, success and Vanguard steams south at 27 knots.

The Germans steam northwest.  Somewhere behind is an RN Squadron closing in.

Game two, the Red attack

The Principality of the Red, Das Rōt, have defeated an isolated advanced guard force from the Grand Duchy of the Blaü.  They ate now advancing with their main body looking for a decisive battle.

Lt General Wilhelm von Wurstteller (the "Sausage Plate") a huge man with equally huge appetites.  He has been appointed by the Prince as Field Officer over all Red Forces.  He is conveyed in an enormous brown carriage.

Maj Gen Friedrich von Schnitzelberg of the Guard.  A single battalion of the Prince's Foot Guards.  Three battalions of Infantry one foot battery of guns

General Otto von Sauerkraut.  Four battalions of Infantry, one Foot battery

B.Gen Hermann von Pretzelstein one Light Infantry battalions one Jager battalion one foot battery of guns.

Ernst von Hoppengarten (Hoppengarten, inspired by "hop" in reference to beer gardens)

Maj Gen Albrecht von Käseschloss (Old Cheese-Castle) Cavalry.  One Regt Guard Cuirassier, two Regts of Dragoons, two horse batteries.

Red Reserve Officers names

Maximilian von Biergarten 

Kurt von Waffelburg 

General Dietrich von Schokoladenstein

Konrad von Kinkenhof 

The Snakes and ladders campaign grid.

The rules I'm using are Shako to Coalscuttle.  For this first campaign its 1800 and smooth bore cannon and muskets

Day three

The river crossing.  Blue Cross the Weser and the enemy is found.  Blue decide to move to better ground and position themselves for a Red attack.  There is contention among the Blue command Heinz Schloup having lost his Brigade means they are outnumbered.

The climactic battle is reached.

Blue deploy between the Weser and the wooded slopes east of Rumbeck.

Red advance on this position from the North.

The Game

Blue deploy first

Red take a defensive position

Blue advance.

Red occupy Westiche Farm as a strong point.

On the flank the Red Jäger engage the blue Legere.

Blue use Thier guns and inflict disruption markers

The Red Jäger are driven back

Blue assault the strongpoint

And the Blue Line battalions deliver a pounding to the Red,

The Red Jäger are driven back again

And an opportunistic Blue Cavalry charge.  Red lose a battalion.

And to be honest the Blue dice roll well.

Another Blue Cavalry charge.  It fails but Red is driven back with disruption.

And Reds line has crumbled

Red charge some Cuirassier onto the Blue advancing line.  It's a disaster.  The fire from the strongpoint and then the squares are too much.

A win for Blue closes the mini-campaign.

The Grand Duchy vs the Principality

An Imagi-Nations game.

I've been getting my 3mm figures ready for this one.  Given the size of these boys I've based them as standard looking battalions on 40mm frontages.  They would probably serve in conflicts from the 18th to 20th Century.

I'm using a map of Germany north of the Weser, but the control mechanism for these solo games is the snakes and ladders grid.

The rules I'm using are Shako to Coalscuttle.  The first campaign is in 1800 and its smooth bore cannon and muskets.

Week 1

Start.  The Grand Duchy of the Blaü musters it's forces under Lt General, The Baron von Pumphosen.  The dice roll is 7, and we have four battalions, two cavalry Regiments and a battery of guns. A second Officer, Major Gen von Hemorrhoid brings in a further two battalions.

The first dice is a 1.  The Duchy troops are in high morale.  Another two battalions arrive, one of which is from the Blau Garde, the Duke's personal collection of giant Grenadiers.  I ascend a level on the table.  An Officer shines.  Colonel Heinz Scloup is promoted to Brigadier.

Week 2

The second dice is a 6!  The march begins.  I draw a new Officer, from the Notables deck.  La Compte von Pommes Fritz a famed artillerist.  He brings with him two points so these must be further batteries.

The next dice is a 3.  It's an early battle.  Six units per side.  The Principality of Das Röt attempts a surprise attack.  Heinz faces a random draw of six enemy points.   He commands four battalions, a Cavalry Regiment and a single foot battery.

Schloup's Brigade

The terrain is open with three possible strong points, and two woods.

The attack is at noon on the Weibeck road.

Blaű on the March

Lt Gen von Ph:  4 battalions 1 Cavalry Regt, 1 battery, and the Compte.

M. Gen von Sch:  4 battalions 1 Cavalry Regt, 1 battery

M Gen von H: 1st Garde Grenadiers, 1st Rifle Battalion. 1 horse battery. 1st Squadron Royal Horse Grenadiers.

The Game

Weibeck, looking south towards the Red advance.

And a top down of the terrain

The Red draw a light Jäger battalion, two Regular battalions, three Cavalry Regiments and a weak horse battery.  This is my Squarebashing mat and the dark X marks are for the squares, not used in Shsko to Coalscuttle though.

General Schloup commands four battalions, a Cavalry Regiment and a foot battery.

Blue win initiative

And in columns Blue advances.

Red deploy

Turn one, Blue control dice. A Rally (1) and a shock dice (6) and four orders.

Blue advance using the road as the pivot for their position.

Red advances and Blue take up position behind a wide ditch.

Red charge the Blue Cavalry Regiment, using a shock dice.

The Blue countercharge, roll three dice and get two push backs on Red.  Red gain extra dice with the shock, roll two disruptions, a kill and a push back.

Blue's battery gets a disruption(5) on the Red line

Blues horse guns get a disruption and push back onto the withdrawn Red chargers.

Red charge again destroying Blue's Cavalry.  They pay for it with a kill and disruption.

The Red Jager move through the woods and give one of Blue's line battalions a kill and two withdrawals.

And a blurry photo as it looks dodgy for Blue.

Red Cavalry swarms the flank.

A Blue line battalion drives back the Jager.

Red Cavalry charges onto the guns.  A kill and a disruption.  The gun inflicts a pushback and a disruption, but is destroyed.

That Red Cavalry is really on the flank now.

The Jäger come back and drive off the line.  Honestly Blue look to be in retreat now.

Blue retires in squares.

And Red advances.

Red Cavalry breaks a square.

The Cavalry is thrown back but Blur has only a single battalion remaining.

Reds last gamble, they charge the last square, which is thrown back into the orchard.  The Red Commander is defeated and barely escapes.

Heinz loses the Brigade, and hides in the town.  A Triumphant Red are on the loose.  The Red Cavalry Major General is re-rated as aggressive.