Castles in the Sky- Indo-China Campaign

[Eric Farrington]

One of the features on the Castles in the Sky rules from Osprey is the option to run a campaign with a series of linked games. I figured since I want to do several battle reports for my loyal readers leading up to the release of the book from Osprey, now would be a good time to run a campaign myself!

The French Foreign Ministry decided that their colony in Indo-China had an excellent strategic positions via-a-vis the British interests in the South China Sea. Despite the advent of Airships, the South China Sea was still one of the busiest trading routes in the world. Both air and naval ships travelled through the area carrying valuable cargos.

In addition, the area saw a regional war in 1893 that allowed the French to gain further territorial concessions from Siam. However, the Siam Government had appealed to the British for aid. At the time, the British left it a local matter between Siam and France. However, if an opportunity arose like that again, the French government was not so certain the British would not intervene.

To help secure their position, the French sent a pre-dreadnought battleship to the region to act as the Flag vessel for their Indo-china squadron. The Camot took station in Tourane (Da Nang) with classic colonial fan fare. However, the British had unsuccessfully tried to thwart the arrival of the Camot, using the nearby independent county of Siam as a cover for their operation. This attempt was ultimately and disastrously unsuccessful and put the region on edge.

The British themselves hurriedly signed a deal with the independent nation of Siam to help reinforce their interests in the area. The British gave the Siam government assurances of support, trading provisions, financial support, and limited missionary work in the country. In exchange, the Royal Navy was also given coaling stations and operational abilities from Siam.

These moves only heightened tension with the French in the area. Soon, French eyes were looking eagerly to absorb Siam into their own Indo-China sphere of influence, and controlling the trade and traffic through the region.

For the record, this is an alt-history campaign and I am by no means an expert on the history, geography, cultures, or much else about the region! It just seemed like a good place to set-up a colonial brushfire war in the sky that fit in with the time period Castles in the Sky takes place in.



You can read all about the campaign background and the first battle at the Blood and Spectacles blog. I hope you choose to follow along!

bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2022/05/castles-in-sky-indo-china-campaign.html

[Eric Farrington]

Welcome back to the Indo-China campaign for Castles in the Sky from Osprey Games. The last battle the French tried a raid on British Siam at night. The raid did not go as planned, and the French command ship took a beating. They were forced to withdraw and the British took a 2-0 lead in the campaign.

After the French Cuchinchina was seriously damaged, it managed to limp its way to safety in Saigon. The French authorities there promptly began to repair the damaged airship. However, Commodore Duckworth the commander of the Royal Navy of Siam, decided to try and thwart the French efforts to repair the ship by blockading Saigon from receiving shipments of parts needed to repair the Cuchinchina.

French Commodore Aubre knew that losing the Cuchinchina would tip the balance of power to the British. Therefore, he needed to break the blockade and prove that it was an ineffective strategy. This would put diplomatic pressure on Duckworth to lift the blockade and allow the French armored cruiser the parts it would need to be repaired. [/i]

The British as the blockaders (defenders) are allowed 25 Operational Value from their fleet, but can not have a single battleship. Meanwhile, the French will be the Attackers with 20 Operational value and no battleships. The Camot is on station near Tourane (Da Nang).

Forces:

Royal Navy (of Siam)

HMS Malaya- Commodore Duckworth- Command 2
Queen Elizabeth Class Battleship

HMS Achilles- Captain Durham- Command 4
Warrior Class Cruiser

HMS Medusa- Captain Butler- Command 2
Active Class Light Cruiser

HMS Corsair- Commander Montgomery- Command 4
Bull Finch Class Destroyer- Torpedo

This gives the British 23 Operational Value

L'aire National

Tourane- Captain de Genouilily- Command 2
Descartes Class Cruiser

Tonkin- Captain de Vence- Command 2
D'Iberville Class Cruiser

Hue- Captain Senez- Command 2
D'Iberville Class Cruiser

Fantassin- Captain Valjean - Command 4
Chasseur Class Destroyer- Torpedo

Rapier- Captain Sault - Command 3
Chasseur Class Destroyer- Torpedo

The French have 18 Operational Value.

Set-up:
For today's Raid, we will be playing on a 48MU by 48MU board. We determined terrain randomly using the chart in the rulebook:

Grid 1 = No terrain
Grid 2 = Alt 3 mountain
Grid 3 = Alt 3 Mountain
Grid 4 = No terrain

We also rolled for complications and got.... cloud cover which is at Altitude 3 for this game. Rather low!

The British deployed closer to their right side of the board, and were set to go diagonal across the board. The HMS Malaya led the way at altitude 4 and speed 4, with the HMS Medusa nearby at altitude 5, speed 4. Behind them was the HMS Achilles at Altitude 5 and speed 4, paired up with the HMS Corsair at Altitude 6 and Speed 4. This formation would put them in the center by mid-game and give them good protection against air torpedoes. The formation is starting to look familiar!



The French set-up with their Destroyers heading straight for the British ships at Altitude 3, so in the clouds and speed 6. The rest were in the center of the board in line a stern, with the Tourane leading the way. They are at altitude 4 and speed 6.



You can read all the details on the blog:
bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2022/05/castles-in-sky-indo-china-campaign-part.html

Castles in the Sky is up for pre-order on the Osprey website.

[Eric Farrington]

Welcome back to the Indo-China campaign for Castles in the Sky from Osprey Games. In Part II, the British tried to unsuccessfully blockade the French to stop vital repair supplies getting to them. However, the French were able to break out from the Blockade, but at the cost of one of their destroyers exploding. The British are in the lead with 2 Campaign points to 1. The first team to 7 will trigger the "Final Battle" scenario. The British decided to switch their strategy to the Offense, while the French stay on the Defensive.

Commodore Duckworth, of the Royal Navy; grew impatient with the French recalcitrance in the region. He decided to step-up patrols and aggressively began to probe on the borders. However, this caused increased wear-and-tear on his air ships. This aggressive activity forced the British to cease operations and re-supply at the neck of the Kra Isthmus and rendezvous with Siam forces there.

French Commodore Aubre was provided intelligence on this rendezvous by his spymasters. Aubre decided to throw caution to the wind and take the chance to strike the British with strategic surprise. The Commodore decided to lead this attack himself in the Camot. With haste, the French airships slipped their moorings and made steam for the Kra Isthmus across the Gulf of Thailand.

We rolled up a Surprise Attack which is a battle scenario as opposed to a Raid! That means we can bring out the Battleships to fight! Both sides get to choose over 25 Operational Value but can not have more than 3 points separating their total fleet costs. The entire remaining and deployable French fleet is only 24 Operational Value, so they will all sally.

Despite the British being on the offensive, the scenario roll dictated them to be the defender. The French will get the drop on them this time!

Forces

Royal Navy of Siam

HMS Malaya- Commodore Duckworth- Command 2
Queen Elizabeth Class Battleship

HMS Achilles- Captain Durham- Command 4
Warrior Class Cruiser

HMS Arrogant- Captain Knowles- Command 2
Arethusa Class Light Cruiser

HMS Medusa- Captain Butler- Command 2
Active Class Light Cruiser

HMS Hasty- Commander Rawley- Command 2
Bull Finch Class Destroyer- Sky Mines

That is 27 Operational Value

L'Aire National

Camot- Commodore Aubre- Command 4
Charles Martel Class Heavy Cruiser (Battleship)

Tourane- Captain de Genouilily- Command 2
Descartes Class Cruiser

Tonkin- Captain de Vence- Command 2
D'Iberville Class Cruiser

Hue- Captain Senez- Command 2
D'Iberville Class Cruiser

Fantassin- Captain Valjean - Command 4
Chasseur Class Destroyer- Torpedo

Tromblom- Commander Morice- Command 2
Chasseur Class Destroyer - Sky Mines

Set-up
For the French Surprise Attack, we are using a 48MU by 72MU board. We determined random terrain per the rulebook chart. The French will be on the side with grid 1, 2, and 3, and the British will be on 4,5, and 6.

1. Mountain (alt 3)
2. No impacting terrain
3. Hills (alt 1)
4. Hills (alt 1)
5. No impacting terrain
6. No impacting terrain

We rolled for complications, but none will be impacting our game today.

The British have to deploy in a band between 6 and 12 MU away out from their board edge. In addition, all of their airships start the game landed and need a successful Command Check to activate, and then take-off. Oh boy! They try to clump up in the middle for mutual protection, but far enough away to stay mobile. The Medusa pairs with the Malayan, and the the Hasty pairs with the Achilles. The Arrogant is on its own as a roving gunboat.



The French come in with the Camot leading the attack. They are deploying in echelon with the Camot at Altitude 4 and speed 5 on the French left, escorted by the Fantassin and Tromblom bracketing them at Altitude 3 and 5 respectively and speed 5. Then the Tourane, Tonkin, and Hue trail along beside and to the left at escalating altitudes and speed 5.



You can read the full report on the Blood and Spectacles blog.
bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2022/05/castles-in-sky-indo-china-campaign-part_01854336162.html

[Eric Farrington]

Welcome back to the Indo-China campaign for Castles in the Sky from Osprey Games. In part three, the French got the drop on the British above the Kra Isthmus and gave the Royal Navy of Siam a drubbing! It was so bad, that the Kra Isthmus became unstable and became an asset of the French! In addition, the HMS Achilles was heavily damaged and sent to Laem Chabang for a refit and repair. It shifted the campaign to the French leading 4 to 2. The first force to 7 will trigger the "Final Battle" scenario. So far, the French have the lead in that regard.

Commodore Aubre was feeling confident about his fleet and their chances. Despite Commodore Duckworth's precarious political position with the Siamese and the British consulate, he still had command of a potent fleet in being. It was tempting to go on the offensive, but the French Cuchinchina was still getting repaired, and the Hue was performing training maneuvers of the coast of Tourane. Now was not the time to change his defensive strategy.

Commodore Duckworth was on the back-foot. His offensive strategy had bit him badly in the last week. However, with his political capital down he needed a win. Despite the pressure, he decided to change his strategy back to defensive.

However, with the French hanging back he saw a chance to bombard a smuggler's harbor that was supplying the insurgents on the Kra Isthmus. If Commodore Aubre wished to keep the insurgency moving forward, he would be forced to defend this supply point. The French rose to the challenge, and steamed out to meet the British once more.

We rolled up a Bombardment with the British as the attacker. There are no complications that are rolled up. Both sides choose up to 25 Operational Value, and both sides can bring their battleships for another battleship showdown! The French have an armor 7 ground target to defend.

Forces

Royal Navy of Siam

HMS Malaya- Commodore Duckworth- Command 2
Queen Elizabeth Class Battleship

HMS Archeron- Captain Manby- Command 3
Duke of Edinburgh Class Cruiser

HMS Medusa- Captain Butler- Command 2
Active Class Light Cruiser

HMS Corsair- Commander Montgomery- Command 4
Bull Finch Class Destroyer- Torpedo

L'Aire National

Camot- Commodore Aubre- Command 4
Charles Martel Class Heavy Cruiser (Battleship)

Tourane- Captain de Genouilily- Command 2
Descartes Class Cruiser- Drilled Crew

Tonkin- Captain de Vence- Command 2
D'Iberville Class Cruiser - Drilled Crew

Fantassin- Captain Valjean - Command 4
Chasseur Class Destroyer- Torpedo

Tromblom- Commander Morice- Command 2
Chasseur Class Destroyer - Sky Mines

Set-up:
For today's Bombardment, we will be playing on a 48MU by 48MU board. We determined terrain randomly using the chart in the rulebook:

Grid 1 = No terrain
Grid 2 = No terrain
Grid 3 = Hills (Level 1)
Grid 4 = Hills (Level 1)

We also rolled for complications and got none.

The French place their defended position before any airships are placed. It is 18 MU in from the French board edge, centered on their deployment zone in Grid 1 and 2. The French can deploy 12 MU in, and the British deploy in Grid 3 and 4 and can be up to 6 MU in.



The French can deploy up to 12 MU in from their side, and you can see them steaming in. They are led by the Camot at Alt 4 and speed 4. Her escort is the Tromblom matching her speed at alt 5. Then the Tourane is at Altitude 3 and same speed. The Fantassin is trying to cover the Tourane and the Tonkin at Alt 4, while the Tonkin is at Alt 5.



The British are coming in on the alternate side on the British right corner, being led by Commodore Duckworth's flag on the HMS Malayan. They are in a familiar formation with the Malayan at Altitude and speed 4. The HMS Medusa is covering her at Altitude 5. The HMS Archeron is at Altitude 4, and the HMS Corsair is at Altitude 3. They are all matching speed 4. They can only deploy 6 MU in.

You can read the full report and all the other campaign details on the blood and spectacles blog:
bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2022/05/castles-in-sky-indo-china-campaign-part_0344396213.html

[Eric Farrington]

Welcome back to the Indo-China campaign for Castles in the Sky from Osprey Games. Previously in the campaign the British lost control of the Kra Isthmus to French backed rebels. This caused issues with the British's proxy the Kingdom of Siam. Therefore, the British attempted to bombard and destroy a rebel smuggling base where arms and supplies were being funneled to the rebels on the isthmus. Commodore Duckworth was successful in his mission and bombarded the depot into scrap with the heavy batteries of the HMS Malayan. However, it was not enough to quell the unrest.
The French are leading the campaign 4 to 3. The Final Battle scenario is triggered at 7 points and the leader must be ahead by 2.

In addition, the French armored cruiser the Cuchinchina finished refit and repairs at Saigon and has re-entered the French fleet. This is a needed boost to the French fleet as the Hue is still on training maneuvers off Tourane. The British cruiser HMS Achilles is still undergoing repair work in Laem Chabang from the pounding it took against the French earlier. In addition, the HMS Corsair comes into today's battle down 1 armor point if it gets used at all.

Unlike the British, the French naval doctrine is reliant on the indirect approach. For many decades, there officers have focused on a school of thought known as the Juene Ecol. This approach focuses on less direct confrontation between ships, and more of a strategy of speed, maneuver, and sharp attacks by lighter forces. The French were pioneers of the destroyer, air torpedo, and the sky mine. With the British on the backfoot, Commodore Aubre has decide to continue to raise the stakes on the British commander.

Earlier, the British had tried to blockade repair parts from reaching the Cuchinchina in Saigon. With the HMS Achilles in port at Laem Chabang, Commodore Aubre has decided to return the favor. However, after the failure of the British blockade, the French officer chooses a different path. Instead of trying to actively blockade the area with his ships, he intends to mine the main trade routes into the port.

Commodore Aubre waits until the right time. A cloudy, moonless night is when he decides to strike for maximum surprise on the British. Of course, Laem Chabang and the HMS Achilles are important assets for the Royal Navy of Siam. Therefore, much of the British force is active in the area as well.

Forces:

L'Aire National
Camot- Commodore Aubre- Command 4
Charles Martel Class Heavy Cruiser (Battleship)

Cuchinchina - Captain Gourdon- Command 2
Gloire Armored Cruiser

Tourane- Captain de Genouilily- Command 2
Descartes Class Cruiser

Tromblom- Commander Morice- Command 2
Chasseur Class Destroyer - Sky Mines

The Royal Navy (of Siam)

HMS Malaya- Commodore Duckworth- Command 2
Queen Elizabeth Class Battleship

HMS Arrogant- Captain Knowles- Command 2
Arethusa Class Light Cruiser

HMS Medusa- Captain Butler- Command 2
Active Class Light Cruiser

HMS Corsair- Commander Montgomery- Command 4
Bull Finch Class Destroyer- Torpedo

Mission:
The French are the attackers and the British are the defenders in this scenario. The French are trying to lay as many sky mines as possible within 6MU of the center of the board at Alt 3.

However, there was a complication determined for this battle. This battle will take place at night, which reduces Line-of-Sight. In addition, there is also a layer of cloud cover at altitude 4 which also restricts visibility.

Set-up:
The battle will be played on a 48MU by 48MU board. We used a grid system to determine the terrain per the standard rules.

1= No impacting terrain
2= Mountain alt 3
3= No impacting terrain
4= No impacting terrain

However, the complications will be more than enough cover for this battle! It is going to get up close and personal. Both sides can deploy up to 6 MU in from their board edge at any speed of height.

The British are divided into two groups, the Malayan and the Medusa are heading for the drop zone at Altitude 3, while the Arrogant and Corsair are in a flanking force at Altitude 4 and 5. The Altitude 4 clouds will make this a tough battle to get line-of-sight.



The French are coming in on a corner edge, led by the Camot at altitude 4with the Tromblom flanking it. The Cuchinchina and the Tourane are also in formation but at altitude 5. They are making use of the cover of the clouds.



You can read the result of the battle at the Blood and Spectacles Blog if you are so inclined:
bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2022/06/castles-in-sky-indo-china-campaign-v.html