Solo play of the scenario "Bismarck vs. Hood" from CMJ "Royal Navy" ①: Michael's battle continues

Following the Battle of the Rio Plata, here is another scenario from QD/CMJ Royal Navy. The scenario I'll be playing solo this time is "Bismarck vs. Hood," one of the most famous naval battles in Europe during WW2.

The military strength of both sides in this scenario is as follows. The British and German battleships from WW2 appear and face off in a serious battle, a situation that will bring tears to the eyes of any naval battle game fan (my personal opinion).

British Army

Commander: Vice Admiral Lancelot Holland, command value -1

BC "Hood" (flagship)

BB "Prince of Wales"

German Army

Commander: Vice Admiral Günther Lütjens, command value -2

BB "Bismarck" (flagship)

CA "Prinz Eugen"

↑↑↑Initial placement. The distance between the enemy and the enemy is 18 hexes (27,000 yards ≒ just under 25,000 m), the same as the maximum firing range of the main guns of both sides. Visibility is 19 hexes (28,500 yards ≒ 26,000 meters). Scenario with 10 turns in total. Two hypothetical settings are not used, but the scenario selection rules are used (poor visibility and malfunction of the main guns of the BB "Prince of Wales"). The initiative is taken by the Germans after comparing the capabilities of the command ships. In this scenario, as in the "Battle of the Rio Plata", the Germans want to engage in a long-distance gun battle, while the British try to get close enough to at least penetrate the armor of the BB "Bismarck" with their main guns.

Turn 1

Movement: The Germans move away from the British, while the British move closer. Both sides are in a battle formation.

Bombardment: Bombardment begins at a distance of 17 hexes. Both ships' secondary guns are out of range, so only their main guns fire. The target is randomly determined by each ship's dice due to poor visibility. As a result, the Germans concentrated their artillery fire on the BC Hood, while the British concentrated their fire on the BB Bismarck. The BB Prince of Wales' main gun malfunction test determined that all turrets were operational, so they fired at full power without any worries.

Despite firing at almost maximum range, the BB Bismarck hit the BC Hood. Three 15-inch shells from the BB Bismarck hit the BC Hood. However, because the distance was still far, two of the shells did not penetrate the armor and no damage was done. The remaining shell only destroyed one secondary gun on the starboard side.

↑↑↑At the end of the first turn. The first shell from the BB Bismarck hits the BC Hood. It was a good start for the Germans.

To be continued...