The Singapore Sling: Issues 12-14; News from Our PBEM Campaign

Our naval defence correspondent "Neptune" offers another column from his vantage point at the Empire Lounge, Raffles Hotel (reflecting state of play in our PBEM campaign after fourteen turns, with much information concealed for the purposes of OPSEC - ref).

AN INTERVIEW WITH THE FIRST  LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (with thanks to the FSL player for the excellent answers)

 Good day Mr Churchill and thank you for taking the time to speak to our readers, who are very interested in the progress of the war.    How would you say the war is going as of October 1914?

The war is going splendidly and we would soon drive the boche out of France and out of the war. The Royal Navy is the key to victory and we will keep our army supplied, the Germans blockaded and food in the mouths of every citizen of the British isles. And for what it's worth, Admiral Fisher and I are busy coming up with all kinds of plans that are guaranteed to shorten the war even more, if it lasts long enough for us to implement it. 

Most of the action appears to be in the Pacific, where the Germans are very active.   Can you confirm if their commander, Admiral Von Spee, is still alive?

While I'm not able to confirm if Von Spee is alive, I can assure you if he is it will not be for long. He can run but he cannot hide, and we will find him and send him and his crew of pirates to the bottom of the sea.

The Royal Navy seems to be having a hard time hunting down the Germans.   Since the war began, you’ve lost a modern battle cruiser and two old cruisers, and had a battleship and a modern light cruiser badly damaged.   Do these losses concern you?

Having a hard time finding the Germans? My dear sir, I know exactly where the majority of Germans are, they are in the cages we put them in before we send them back to Britain to perform useful things like farm work to compensate for our own menfolk being off to the wars. There's also a great many on their ships still manning their action stations at the bottom of the Pacific, that's where the Germans are sir, and don't you forget it!

War sir, is not a game, losses will occur, the biggest difference between the Royal Navy and the Kaiser's ragtag collection of pirates, is that we have the ships to cover our losses, and they are at present negligible, while the Kaiser has nothing to replace what he's already lost and will lose in the very near future.

What would you say to merchants and passengers afraid to travel by sea in the Pacific?

I would say they are more likely to drown in their own bathtubs than anywhere in the Pacific where the Royal Navy is present. All the members of the fairer sex can rest assured the Royal Navy will be their steadfast escort and will chaperone them to their destinations and see them deposited on shore safely and with all their frilly and lacy belongings. 

As for any men who would be afraid to travel in the Pacific, well sir, just let me state that any man who is so uninformed as to fear for his life in traveling to Asia, well a man like this should just as well stay home, because his presence in Asia will simply serve to lower the continent's average level of intelligence and serve no positive purpose in service of any company unfortunate enough to have hired him.

Do you have anything else to say to our readers. sir?

All Americans should have no fear to travel to anywhere in the British Empire. The Royal Navy has secured the sea lanes and have made travel during this German instigated war as safe as it was in previous times of peace. So feel free to visit Asia, visit the United Kingdom, there is no danger from any German influence and the King's subjects are always happy to meet and do business with our American cousins. Traveling the oceans is and will continue to be, child's play, I guarantee it.

STARTLING NEWS FROM MANILA

News has reached us of the recent arrival in Manila of the Norwegian merchant ship Gudrun, carring a motley and much welcomed collection or passengers.  The passengers are recently released captives of the famed German pirate ship, Emden, and formed the crews of the SS Clan MacTavish, SS Garlandstone, SS Manxman, and the Russian merchantman Grigory Stenkov.   The captives also included three imprisoned Royal Navy officers, including Commander the Right Hon. Geoffrey Sykes-Willoughby.   

Faithful readers will recall that in September, HMS Sydney nearly captured the Emden, and rescued the passengers and crew of SS St Osmund.   One of those rescued was Mr Midshipman Jukes, who dived off the Emden and swam to safety.  His three RN companions are now also at liberty.   Commander Sykes-Willoughby told the Sling's correspondent that the crew of the Emden treated them with impeccable courtesy, and treated them to a concert and variety show before embarking them in the Gudrun.   

A Brownie camera photograph taken by one of Gudrun's crew shows members of the Emden, and RN MIdshipman Jameson as the young lady (centre), after their highly successful variety show.

As Sykes-Willoughby observed, "Dashed fine fellows, those Germans, and a pity we shall sink them and kill the lot.  Pity, they are such good singers".  The Captain of the Gudrun was last seen heading for the German Consulate to redeem a promissory note for delayed cargo and for the replacement of the ship's wireless set, destroyed before she was allowed to depart the Emden.

WITH ADMIRAL KING HALL AT DAR ES SALAAM

The Sling has obtained a copy of Admiral King Hall's dispatch describing thrilling and successful operations to capture the German base at Dar Es Salaam.  Along with Tsingtao, now in Japanese hands, this news means that surviving German raiders have no refuge in the Pacific save the Port of Rabaul, which is closely watched by the Royal Navy and its allies.

My lords,

Pursuant to your orders, I have the honour submit the following account of recent operations conducted under my direction along the coast of German East Africa, specifically in the vicinity of Dar Es Salaam.

At first light on the morning of the 28th ultimo, HMS Ocean commenced a deliberate bombardment of suspected enemy coastal emplacements.  The firing was sustained for a period exceeding one hour, during which time no return fire was observed.  Upon cessation of the barrage, HMS Pelorus advanced inshore, leading a flotilla of ship’s boats, each bearing a detachment of troops for the purpose of landing and seizing the place.

The landing force comprised elements of the East Surrey Regiment and sepoys of the Rajputana contingent, under the command of Brigadier Lawrence.  I cannot sufficiently praise the energy and enthusiasm of this officer, whose conduct deserves my highest approbation.  The disembarkation proceeded without incident, and within a few hours the town was secured.  No resistance was encountered, and the gun crews of the Pelorus, though eager, were afforded no opportunity to engage.  The landing parties reported that the German garrison had largely absconded prior to our arrival.  Only a handful of invalids and medical personnel remained, who were taken into custody without difficulty.

Concurrently, our patrols in the Mozambique Channel received intelligence from native fishermen indicating that a German warship was observed proceeding up the Rufiji River.  It is now confirmed that the vessel in question is the Königsberg, which, faced with the overwhelming strength of the Royal Navy, has been withdrawn from active operations to lend support to German land forces.  While this removes the immediate threat posed by that vessel, it has necessitated the continued presence of one of His Majesty’s ships in the Channel to prevent any resurgence until such time as it can be finally destroyed, to which I shall attend with appropriate force.

I cannot conclude this letter without drawing their lordships’ attention to the conduct, discipline, and courage of the sailors under my command, during this operation.  The co-operation of the Army contingent has been nothing short of exemplary.

I have the honour to remain, 

Your obedient servant, 

Rear Admiral Sir Herbert Goodenough King-Hall

NEWS OF THE KONIGSBERG

SMS Konigsberg Visiting Singapore Before the War

As Admiral King Hall's dispatch indicates, another of the Kaiser's pirates has been vanquished.   While it appears clear now that she was able to destroy two of His Majesty's cruisers, HMS Pegasus and Astraea, off Madagascar, something damage in that fight must have forced the German captain to take refuge up the Rufiji River.   Forces under Admiral King Hall have now blockaded her and will see that she poses no further threat to our shipping.  As Commander Peters of the Admiralty observed, "Another of the Kaiser's pieces has been removed from the board".  

Your humble correspondent Neptune welcomes all tips and information, especially when accompanied by a drink offer.  He can be found most days at the Empire Lounge, at his usual table for the 4pm Happy Hour.  Ask Fernando the barman to point him out to you.

Canadian Wargamer Podcast Episode 32 Is Out

James and I were joined in the studio by our old friend and hobby guru Don Perrin.  We had an enjoyable and wide-ranging chat on hobby wargaming finds itself in the flux (James prefers the word "churn" of political, economic and technological change that we find ourselves in.

The Singapore Sling, Vols 10-11: News From Our PBEM Campaign

Our naval defence correspondent "Neptune" offers another column from his vantage point at the Empire Lounge, Raffles Hotel (reflecting state of play in our PBEM campaign after eleven turns, with much information concealed for the purposes of OPSEC - ref).

PIRATES CAPTURED!!

Brilliant news from the Marshall Islands, where the Russian squadron under Vice Admiral Ivanov has captured the German raider Prinz Eitel Friedrich.  

The Prinz Eitel Friedrich in happier days.

Readers familiar with these waters will remember the luxuriously appointed Friedrich as a regular caller in Pacific ports in her service with Norddeutscher Lloyd.  However, it appears that as the beastly Hun was drawing up his plans for war long before 1914, she was built with hardened deck points for gun positons and ammunition hoists.   While eluding the Royal Navy's dragnet for over a month and racking up many kills in the northern Pacific, she was vigorously chased by the Russian squadron, which caught her plundering and sinking the merchant SS Pontic before escaping into a squall.

Admiral Ivanov's flagship, the Askold.

Undeterred, the Russian Admiral, tracking his prey like one of his country's Borzois,  brought his quarry to bay in the Marshall Islands, sailing out of the early morning sun to surprise the Germans and catch them flatfooted.   A brief exchange of salvoes followed, and at this point, according to Admiral Ivanov, the German captain acted with remarkable chivalry.   His ship flooding, and many prisoners below decks threatened with drowning, Captain Theriechens struck his flag and offered his surrender, thus assuredly saving the lives of his charges.

With the flooding stabilized, the Russians were able to free the German's prisoners, a surprising mix of Japanese, French, and British sailors from five different ships.   All are now en route to Vladivastock eventual repatriation.   We hope that the German crew of the Friedrich have some warm weather clothing in their dufflebags for their Siberian vacation!

THE HERO OF THE MACASSAR STRAIT

The Sling has recently reported on a fierce night battle in the Macassar Strait in the Dutch East Indies which led to the sinking of the German heavy cruiser Scharnhorst.  Now that the survivors of that battle have arrived in Hong Kong, stories are emerging of the incredible valour displayed in that fight.    Hearts were heavy as cruiser HMS Yarmouth was towed into port, her decks awash, and only hours after she berthed and the last crew taken off, the poor ship sank at her moorings. Refloating and repair will certainly take months.

Wounded sailors being taken off their ship.

Stretcher crews were busy evacuating the many wounded of HMS Triumph, where casualties were particularly bad among the Royal Marine crew of her aft turret.   However, one wounded sailor was notably missing.   It appears that Admiral Jerram refused to return to port, and transferred his flag to the cruiser Newcastle, despite the fact that when Triumph's bridge was hit, he suffered serious shrapnel and splinter wounds to one leg and had to be carried aboard his new ship while wrapped in a blanket.   Jerram is quoted as saying, "Hospital be damned, the medicos can fix me once I've fixed the Hun!"

MORE WORRISOME NEWS OF MISSING SHIPS

Admiralty sources admit that allied merchant ships continue to go missing on the high seas.   The latest ships to be unaccounted for are the SS Garlandstone (British), the Gudrun (Norwegian), the Grigory Stenkov (Russian) and the SS Manxman (British), all last known to be in the Philippine Sea.    It is peculiar that Gudrun was targeted, as the Germans have not molested neutral shipping thus far.  Of these four, the Garlandstone is known to have sent a short SOS message, indicating that she was under attack by a German raider.    The hunt for the Kaiser's Pirates continues!

A WORRISOME AND MYSTERIOUS BROADCAST

Our friend the American correspondent Herbert J Forrester III of the New York Post reports that a recent wireless signal in plain Morse shocked recipients from the coast of East Africa to Suez, Celyon and West India.   The message purported to be from the Captain of the German cruiser Koenigsberg and gave an account of a nighttime battle in which two protected (light) cruisers of the Royal Navy, HMS Astraea and HMS Pegasus, were sunk.   The signal also reported that survivors of the Pegasus were rescued, and gave an exact locaton where more might be rescued.   Opinions are strongly divided as to the veracity of this signal.   Some believe that it is an elaborate ruse de guerre, and others that the message is genuine and sent out of a sense of chivalry.   Your correspondent, Neptune, knows both these ships, and while they could have been expected to fight in the best traditions of the Royal Navy, they were both long in the tooth.     Commander M Peters, RN, a naval analyst attached to the First Sea Lord's staff, says that the report is being looked into and all possibilities are being considered.  If true, this will be a galling defeat for the Royal Navy.

Your humble correspondent Neptune welcomes all tips and information, especially when accompanied by a drink offer.  He can be found most days at the Empire Lounge, at his usual table for the 4pm Happy Hour.  Ask Fernando the barman to point him out to you.

The Singapore Sling, Vol 9: News From Our PBEM Campaign

 Our naval defence correspondent "Neptune"offers another column from his vantage point at the Empire Lounge, Raffles Hotel (reflecting state of play in our PBEM campaign after nine turns, with much information concealed for the purposes of OPSEC - ref).

SCHARNHORST SUNK!

News has reached us that there has been a battle in the Dutch East Indies, resulting in the destruction of the flagship of the German East Asia Squadron, the Scharnhorst.  

Royal Navy sources tell the Sling that the German raider was encounter by ships of Admiral Jerram's China Squadron in a night battle in the Macassar Strait.  There was significant damage to the Admiral's flagship, HMS Triumph, as well as to the cruiser HMS Yarmouth, testifying to the severity of the battle.   Both ships suffered losses to their crews, including Triumph's Flag Captain, and Admiral Jerram himself was wounded, though he is expected to recover.    After a hit on the bridge, killing or wounding most of the men there, the Triumph's First Officer, Commander Peter Ashby, regained control of the situation and cooly directed the remainder of the action.    Scharnhorst was finished off by the cruiser HMS Newcastle, and some of her crew were rescued.   It is not known yet if Admiral Von Spee himself survived the action, and even should he have escaped somehow, his squadron is surely eliminated as a threat.

It is also reported that Scharnhorst had a prize in tow, the SS Clan MacGregor, which was boarded, her crew rescued, and the German prize crew captured.   

PASSAGE INTERRUPTED

Reports have arrived from Manila where the newly arrived passenger vessel SS City of Adelaide has had a harrowing encounter in the Philippine Sea.  The ship was stopped and boarded by a German warship, which identified themselves as the dreaded pirate Emden.   While the Germans apparently behaved with restraint, the ship was closely examined, and a supply of spirits, tobacco, and newspapers were confiscated, and the ship's wireless was thoroughly wrecked.   Only after these indignities was the Adelaide was allowed to proceed to Manila, the nearest safe harbour. 

AN EXPEDITION PLANNED?

Indian Army troops on the move.

Our man in Calcutta reports that several regiments of British and Indian Army soldiers, along with their artillery and provisions, have detrained there and marched through the town to the docks.   If this is true, then what is the purpose of this troop movement other than an expedition?   While the Army is close lipped, the Sling believes that the German colony and port of Dar Es Salaam are ripe fruit waiting to be harvested.

INTRIGUE AND RUMOUR

Your faithful correspondent has maintained a cordial (and highly correct!) relationship with the young lady typist introduced to him by his friend, Kapitan Orlov.  Thanks to his friend's employment in diplomatic circles, the Sling now believes that, because of outrages committed by the Boche fleet, it is almost certain that Holland will enter the war on the Allied side.  If this is true, then we can expect the assistance of the Dutch fleet in Jakarta to help in capturing the last German pirates in the Pacific.

Your humble correspondent Neptune welcomes all tips and information, especially when accompanied by a drink offer.  He can be found most days at the Empire Lounge, at his usual table for the 4pm Happy Hour.  Ask Fernando to point him out to you.

The Singapore Sling, Vol 7-8: News From Our PBEM Campaign

 Our naval defence correspondent "Neptune"offers another column from his vantage point at the Empire Lounge, Raffles Hotel (reflecting state of play in our PBEM campaign after eight turns, with much information concealed for the purposes of OPSEC - ref).

FALL OF TSINGTAO

Souvenir postcards are already circulating showing the capture of the German port of Tsingtao by land and sea forces of the Empire of Japan.   This victory deprives the German navy in the Pacific of an important port and supply source.   It is expected that Japanese warships will now be freed up to patrol much of the northern Pacific, allowing our own forces to concentrate on finding and destroying the Kaiser's pirates.

ANOTHER ESCAPE FOR THE EMDEN

Royal Navy sources report that that piratical scourge of the seas, the Emden, has has another encounter with HMAS Sydney, this time in the Gulf of Thailand.  Captain Glossop, commander of the Sydney, has chased the jackal from its prey.  While the Emden escaped, our Australian friends rescued the SS Sophie and her crew, which was in the process of being plundered of her coal by the German pirates, as well as passengers and crew of the passenger vessel SS St Osmund.

In a particularly exciting moment, as the Emden got under way, a single brave figure was seen diving from her deck and swimming to shore.  This was Mr Timothy Jukes, a Royal Navy midshipman who was one of four RN officers aboard the St Osmund when it was captured.  

Mr Midshipman Jukes

Jukes has confirmed that there were several other RN officers held aboard Emden, including Commander the Rt Hon. Geoffrey Sykes-Willoughby.   The Admiralty encourages all vessels to do all in their power to rescue this gallant peer.  First Sea Lord Churchill has personally recommended Mr Midshipman Jukes for Conspicuous Gallantry Medal.

SAILOR'S RUMOURS ABOUND

The superstitious nature of Jack Tar is well known.  There are now a host of rumours flying about that pirate scourge of the sea, the Emden.    Some sailors have been heard to say that the Captain of the Emden has made a pact with the devil.   Each escape is paid for with the souls of stokers, those poor buggers.  Emden's stacks burn with an unseemly fire when she is fleeing from the justice of the Royal Navy.

A SAUCY REPLY TO A YANKEE SKIPPER

Ports around the Bay of Bombay are still buzzing from the complaints made by one Samuel Adams, the Master of the Chauncey, an American cargo clipper that was boarded by Germans from the Koenigsberg.  The Kaiser's pirates treated Master Adams and his crew with disdain and Hunnish rudeness, prompting our Yankee friend to bitterly complain to all and sundry about the Royal Navy failing to prevent such outrages.

Your British Tar is a cheeky fellow and has no truck with such Yankee carping.   An anonymous sailor has written this letter to the Sling.

“If US ship captains have any further input into the conduct of the war or the safety of American shipping they are welcome to join the war effort at anytime otherwise please forward future complaints to the Imperial German Navy."s to the Imperial German Navy. “

CUTTING THE GERMAN SUPPLY SOURCES

Allied morale has been encouraged this week with the arrival of a prize ship, the SS Titania, in Hong Kong.  This German supply ship was part of the German Admiral Von Spee's squadron, but was captured by ships belonging to Admiral Jerram's China Squadron.  Titania's crew of German naval reservists were marched off their ship and into captivity by Royal Marines. and the ship will be repurposed as a British supply ship.    We can imagine with satisfaction that Von Spee, if he is still alive, will be in a pretty pickle without the previous supplies now in our hands.

Your humble correspondent Neptune welcomes all tips and information, especially when accompanied by a drink offer.  He can be found most days at the Empire Lounge, at his usual table for the 4pm Happy Hour.  Ask Fernando to point him out to you.

The Singapore Sling, Vol 6: News From Our PBEM Campaign

 Our naval defence correspondent "Neptune"offers another column from his vantage point at the Empire Lounge, Raffles Hotel (reflecting state of play in our PBEM campaign after five turns, with much information concealed for the purposes of OPSEC - ref).

BATTLE OF RABAUL:  A PYRRHIC VICTORY?

The Royal Navy has now confirmed that an engagement occurred several weeks ago, approximately fifty nautical miles north of the German held portion of New Guinea.   The naval community here is stunned by the Admiralty's admission that a prized battlecruiser, HMAS Australia, was lost in the battle, while many of its crew were rescued.  

While details remain scarce, it is reported Australia, flying the flag of Rear Admiral Patey, accompanied by the light cruiser HMAS Melbourne, encountered the squadron of the Arch-Pirate, Von Spee.   In the battle that followed, the Admiralty claims that the German heavy cruiser Gneisnau was sunk and her sister ship, Scharnhorst, was badly damaged.   It is not known if Von Spee himself survived the battle.   After delivering the coup de grace to Gneisnau, Melbourne went to the assistance of the flagship, and after a long struggle to contain flooding below decks, the order to abandon ship was given.   

Admiral Patey giving the order to abandon ship:  artist's impression.

The Admiralty reports that Admiral Patey was the last man off the Australia.   We are confident that the sacrifice of this fine ship, though mourned throughout the Dominion for which it was named, was worth the crippling of Von Spee's squadron.

HOMECOMING IN HONG KONG

The crew of the SS Diplomat have arrived in Hong Kong to a hero's welcome.  Faithful readers will recall that this merchant ship was freed from the clutches of the German raider Emden by the timely arrival of HMAS Sydney under Captain Glossop.    

Crewmen of the Diplomat, happy to be free and ready to return to service.

The rescued sailors all spoke well of their erstwhile captors, who they report were generous with rations, small comforts, and extra clothing.  These grateful mariners have promised to stand a round of drinks to their rescuers, the next time they find themselves in port together.

A LETTER FROM "ODYSSEUS"

An American friend, a mate on a US tramp steamer, has asked to forward some mail from an unlikely source, the crew of the Empire's piratical nemesis, the Emden.  The letters are all the everyday longings of ordinary sailors far from home, and Neptune does not feel that they merit the attention of the Royal Navy.   One in particular seems worth sharing with our readers, as it shows how this German crew seems to be enjoying their war so far.

My Dearest Freya

I am taking advantage of a letter to the Singapore Sling to give you an update from your wayward Odysseus.  We are very much enjoying our travels in Eastern Seas, meeting many ships along the way – Dutch, Japanese, Brazilian, American and Swedes but mostly British.   We have some British officers on board as guests currently.  Unfortunately, they may be delayed from their scheduled travel plans.

I have acquired some interesting items in my travels, including some fine whisky, a grandfather clock that would go well in our parlour and some silk dresses for you and the girls.    

Yours

Siegfried

THE VISE CLOSES ON TSINGTAO

A journalist friend of Neptune, who writes for the Tokyo Shinbone, has just returned from a visit to the Japanese army forces that have invested the port of Tsingtao.     He reports that fresh troops are arriving daily and the German lines are receiving continuous naval bombardment.

Modern day samurai survey the battlefield.

With such a commitment from our allies, the fall of this German colony can only be a matter of time.

WORRISOME LOSSES OF MERCHANT SHIPS

The Admiralty reports that merchant ships continue to go missing.  The latest reports admit that eight British merchantmen are feared lost:

The British steamer SS Sophie, said to have been carrying luxury goods to Sydney.

The British liner SS St Osmund, with some forty souls taking passage.

the British steamer Zephyr, with a load of livestock out of Capetown.

The British sailing ship St Hilda, carrying rice and foodstuffs out of Bombay.

All four ships were last reported in the Gulf of Thailand.

Also missing:

The British steamer SS Caledonia, a grain ship out of Vancouver, and the SS Jupiter, carrying tea from Ceylon, both last known to be in the Bay of Bengal.

The British steamer SS Clan MacGregor, carrying heavy equipment from the US to India, last known to be in the Caroline Islands, and the SS Star of Commerce, a grain ship out of Vancouver, also last known to be in the Caroline Islands.

MORE RUSSIAN GOSSIP

Neptune's good friend, Kapitan Grigory Orlov, the Russian military attache who does his share to prop up the bar here at the Empire Lounge, turned up recently as the escort of a very attractive lady typist from the Japanese embassy (Neptune takes this as a hopeful sign that Russo-Japanese hostilities are easing).

Over a Sake Sling, Kapitan Orlov confided to your humble scribe that recent liaison trials between the Japanese Airship Yuhi-go (Majestic Flight) and a Russian submersible in the Western Pacific have been very successful.   The Japanese electronics skills have proven that wireless communication with a submarine beneath the waves are possible!  Truly astonishing, and if true, this will prove worrisome to the beastly Hun.

Neptune could not resist a sally of wit, namely that this must be the first Russian submersible in the Western Pacific since the Battle of Tsushima, at which Kapitan Orlove stalked out, leaving Neptune with the tab.  The lady typist however remained and proved an excellent companion.

Your humble correspondent Neptune welcomes all tips and information, especially when accompanied by a drink offer.  He can be found most days at the Empire Lounge, at his usual table for the 4pm Happy Hour.  Ask Fernando to point him out to you.

Canadian Wargamer Podcast Episode 31 w Mike Hoyt

 

Finally caught up and am posting the second of two CWP podcasts that James and I did this summer. In Ep 31 we caught up with Mike Hoyt, owner of Battlespace Publishing. Mike is a military officer with an interest in the realistic modelling of conflict and with several rules sets to his name.

Canadian Wargamer Podcast Episode 30 With Andrew Dobson

 Catching up here with recent activity from the highly intermittent Canadian Wargamer Podcast.  Andrew Dobson is a promising young hobby entrepeneur and has a keen interest in naval history.  He's a good illustration of how 3D printing is changing the supply chain for wargamers.   

The Singapore Sling, Vol 5: News From Our PBEM Naval Campaign

 Our naval defence correspondent "Neptune"offers another column from his vantage point at the Empire Lounge, Raffles Hotel (reflecting state of play in our PBEM campaign after five turns, with much information concealed for the purposes of OPSEC - ref).

BATTLE AT RABAUL

News is just now arriving here of a sea battle near the German-held port of Rabaul on the New Guinea coast.   Details remain scarce but it appears that several ships of Admiral Patey's powerful Australia Squadron have intercepted a German naval force, possibly even that of Admiral Von Spee himself!   However, Neptune's sources with the Royal Navy have gotten tight-lipped, even after repeated rounds of pink gins at your humble scribe's impecunious expense.    We await further news with eager anticipation, and remain confident that our gallant sailors will have banished the Kaiser's pirates to the bottom of the sea.

PREPARATIONS IN AUSTRALIA

Doubtless related to the aforementioned battle near Rabaul, there is news via telegraph of an urgent request from the Australian authorities for hospital trains to be prepared and sent to the port of Cairns.  It is most likely that these trains will be sent to succour the survivors of Von Spee's squadron, as befits the most chivalrous instincts of our gallant imperial allies.   

Angels of Mercy.

A DISCOURAGING LIST OF MISSING VESSELS

Readers of Neptune's last column were surely cheered to learn that the Royal Navy had freed the crew of the British flagged SS Diplomat and captured their gaolers, a prize crew of the pirate vessel Emden.  We expect the Diplomat to return to Hong Kong shortly.   

However, it must be said that the list of merchant ships missing grows apace.   The Admiralty now admits that four more ships are missing:

Steamship Mersey Girl, British, carrying livestock bound for Singapore, last know position in the Bay of Bengal. 

Sailing ship Madeleine, British, carrying tea from Bombay bound for Capetown, overdue.  Last seen entering the Bay of Bengal.

Sailing ship Gullwing, British, carrying textiles bound for Canada, overdue at a port stop, last seen entering the Caroline Islands.  

Sailing ship Hakana Maru, Japanese, carrying grain from San Francisco, overdue in Japan, last seen in the Western Pacific.

The Madeleine in happier times.

Neptune's friends in the local maritime insurance business are not alarmed, but they privately tell that they are considering an increase in premiums.  Confidence is high that the Royal Navy and its gallant allies will rise to this challenge.

THE COLONIES ANSWER THE CALL

Men queuing to enlist: a familiar sight across Australia and New Zealand.

News from our Australian correspondent at the corner of the bar here in the Empire Lounge is that across the length and breadth of Australia, men are flocking to the colours.    The same is true in New Zealand.   Stories abound of frantic preparations to train and equip these brave lads, and to convey them to the Seat of War.   Reports from Sydney say that the harbour is full of requisitioned ocean liners, and that a mighty convoy will soon be ready to sail for [DESTINATON REDACTED].

Your humble correspondent Neptune welcomes all tips and information, especially when accompanied by a drink offer.  He can be found most days at the Empire Lounge, at his usual table for the 4pm Happy Hour.  Ask Fernando to point him out to you.

The Singapore Sling, Vols 3-4: News From Our PBEM Naval Campaign

Our naval defence correspondent "Neptune"offers another column from his vantage point at the Empire Lounge, Raffles Hotel (reflecting state of play in our PBEM campaign after four turns, with much information concealed for the purposes of OPSEC - ref).

Our esteemed readers will know that news travels slowly to this outpost of Empire, and especially now as the better passenger ships and fast steam packets are being requisitioned for the war effort.   However, your correspondent recently accepted a large pink gin from another ink-stained wretch, an American journalist newly arrived from South Africa who kindly shared this story with The Sling:

New York World

Sunday, 9 August 1914

OUR MAN IN SIMONSTOWN 

WITH THE ENGLISH AT THE OUTBREAK OF THE WAR

 By Herbert J. Forrester III

 Last week, a kid stood over an ants’ nest, watching with fascination as the ants poured from their holds and rushed about in frenzied activity.  Focussed on their tasks, the kid is beyond their notice.  Except the kid is me, your esteemed correspondent, and the nest is the English Royal Navy base at Simonstown, South Africa.  And the ants are the brave sailors of that great island country.

Last week, word was received of the outbreak of European war.  Long anticipated, it still came as a shock, but as I wandered the streets last Wednesday that shock quickly disappeared, and was replaced with long-practiced drills.  Libertymen, normally requiring the persuasion of a marine to return to their ship after long stints ashore, rush back and crowd the gangplanks eager to get to grips with the enemy. 

I am only allowed to send this report on sufferance, so cannot speak in detail of the ships for fear of altering the Germans to their identity, but suffice it to say these steel castles retain all the towering imposition of their wooden forbears.  To a civilian such as myself, accustomed to the sight of the Great White Fleet, they might seem old and antiquated.  But their crews are not, and that is the one factor which the pages of Janes do not convey.  There is a palpable battle spirit among these men, transformed instantly from easy-going shore leave men, a little too much full of liquor, to zealous professionals, by the mere arrival of a telegram giving notice of war.

His Majesty's Dockyard, Simonstown

My own experience has not been entirely pleasant.  Despite our shared language, I am as much a “Jonny Foreigner” as any European.  Indeed, on Saturday I found myself arrested by a polite but insistent Marine sergeant who escorted me to a comfortable but locked room in the base’s officer’s mess.  There I was soon joined by a very worried but affable Russian gentleman, formerly a tailor and now suspected, like myself, of spying.  He was convinced he was to be shot, and indeed although I reassured him as much as I could, in the frenzied atmosphere of that day I could not entirely discount the possibility myself.

In the end, after several hours comfortable imprisonment, an admiral arrived to interview us personally.  His name was Kingall, and he was a harassed old gentleman, but one in whose eyes the light of battle shone.  A brief interview with me was enough to convince him of my credentials and I was released, but the tailor was requested to join the admiral for “further duties”.  I admit I felt a pang of sympathy for him as he looked back.

Overall, it is clear that for these Europeans, “the moment” has arrived.  So long expected, they are now ready for combat.  It remains to be seen who will triumph, and what their victory will mean for the United States.

"THE NAVY'S HERE!"  THRILLING RESCUE OF BRITISH SEAFARERS

Fears for the safety of merchant commerce in the Pacific continue to rise as a number of merchant vessels of the allied nations have been reported missing in recent days.   Following the disappearance of the British steamer Matheran, the French merchantman Annatoile has been reported missing somewhere in the mid Pacific.  Who knows how many other peaceful ships have been intercepted by the Kaiser's pirates?

Today however the glorious news has reached us that the British merchant ship SS Diplomat was briefly in the clutches of the Hunnish eagle, but has been rescued by the cruiser HMAS Sydney under her intrepid Captain John Glossop.     

6

HMAS Sydney visiting Singapore before the current hostilities.

Sydney sighted the Diplomat in the company of her captor, a German cruiser, in one of the labyrinthine channels of the Dutch East Indies, and the Hun departed the scene like the proverbial thief in the night.  Electing to ensure the safety of the merchant, Captain Glossop, like a seaborne constable, freed the prisoners and apprehended a prize crew who are part of the ship's company of the German cruiser Emden.  The gaolers gaoled!  Our gallant Australian friends are patrolling the Dutch East Indies for further sign of the dastardly pirates, joined no doubt by ships of our allies.   We look forward to seeing the men of the Diplomat safely back in a British port.

NEWS FROM OUR RUSSIAN FRIENDS 

One never knows who will wash up here at Raffles, or what stories they may tell.   Earlier today I came across my dear friend, Kapitan Grigory Orlov, the Naval Attaché here.  Disappointingly, he did not have snow on his boots, but to be fair, he has been in the Pacific for some time.   

Kapitan Orlov pushed a large vodka sling in my direction and winked conspiratorially as he told me that "A Russian submarine of the Narval class was transferred from the Baltic Fleet to the Siberian Fleet in the summer and after extensive testing with the latest long range high speed 21” torpedo code name тайфун (Typhoon) has left Vladivostok heading to the Barents Sea."

While the veracity of this claim is unproven, Neptune has heard that a "powerful squadron" of Russian warships from the Vladivostock squadron has been put at the disposal of the Allies in this part of the Pacific.  It remains to be seen if they will get along with our new Japanese allies!

THOUGHTS OF A FRENCH CAPTAIN

In our last issue we mentioned the French armoured cruiser Dupleix, which currently prowls the sea lanes on the lookout for France's ancestral foe (err, the Germans, not we English).  Her skipper, Capitaine Louis Juares, is a regular here at the Empire Lounge on port visits to Singapore.   Fernando, the barman, recently shared with me some scribblings on the back of a bar bill, which reveal the inner thoughts of this hero of La Republique.

 Diary Entry No. 17

This place is truly horrrid, much as I anticipated it would be in my last entry.

Dupleix has finally arrived in Guangzhouwan after our extended journey up and down the Chinese Coast.

I do not know what Admiral I have managed to upset to be assigned to this backwater of a colony,

in a rustbucket of a ship, crewed by what seems to me like the peak incompetence of the service. Men either so fresh they are barely boys anymore, or so old they would have been retired in any other circumstance.

But yes, yes. The war demands. And what of me? Does the war not permit me to show my merit in service against our true foes, the germans, where it really counts, in Europe?

What do they expect me to do here? A ship too slow to run away and to weak to fight if anyone worth fighting shows up? And even if I sink one, or even a couple. What does that matter if the Armies fight for Paris and Berlin on the other side of the globe meanwhile?

It is incomprehensible.

But to top it all off, I am of course placed under Albion Command. Those people don't know how to Command at sea! Sure, their ships are fancy, and their guns are quite good, but give them more than three ships at once, and see what happens.

Well, we will see....

The Singapore Sling Volume 2: News From Our PBEM Campaign

 Our naval defence correspondent "Neptune"offers another column from his vantage point at the Empire Lounge, Raffles Hotel (reflecting state of play in our PBEM campaign after two turns, with much information concealed for the purposes of OPSEC - ref).

TSINGTAO A FORTIFIED CAMP

Tsingtao in more pleasant times.

Neptune remembers Tsingtao as having a very pleasant climate, a curious German style rice beer, and some rather shocking Teutonic architecture.  However, he has just spoken to several English families on the last steamer out  before the declaration of hostilities, and they describe that the town and port now resemble an armed camp.   Apparently there has been an influx of young German men from the Fatherland, and much activity in the harbour, which was sealed off by armed naval guards.   The English report that they were taken to their ship at night, so were unable to see much.   We hope that Admiral Jerram will find and destroy what now appears to be a nest of Hun raiders.

OUTRAGE IN THE CAROLINES

Sources in the Telegraph Exchange inform Neptune that an urgent message was overhead from the French colony Tout Compris in the Caroline Islands.   The message, which was incomplete, reported that the harbour was under attack by an enemy warship.  While we are tempted to explain this message by reference to the excitable temperaments of our Gallic friends, it is equally possible that some Hun raiders put to sea before the commencement of hostilities.    Such a possibility is concerning but our faith in the Royal Navy abounds.

The French armoured cruiser Dupleix.

Neptune wonders if finding the guilty party will be the task of the Dupleix.  This fine armoured cruiser is the first French warship to be assigned to the Pacific, and we welcome her contribution.

 SS MATHERAN MISSING

SS Matheran in happier times.

The mercantile community is expressing concerns that a fixture of these coasts, the SS Matheran, is overdue.  Her last reported position was in the Caroline Sea, and there are fears that she may have encountered the same Huns who attacked Tout Compris.  

Neptune welcomes all tips and information, as well as drink offers.  He can be found most days at the Empire Lounge, at his usual table for the 4pm Happy Hour.

The Singapore Sling Volume 1: With News On the Naval Excitement in the Pacific

 Herewith a tongue in cheek narrative of "Swan of the East", the play by email game currently under way. M

From our correspondent "Neptune", from his vantage point in the Empire Lounge, Raffles Hotel, Singapore.

With war now broken out all over the vast globe, our eyes are firmly fixed on the Pacific and the drama being played out here as we await news from the battlefields of Europe.

WHERE IS VON SPEE?

Was it only this spring that Admiral Von Spee and his East Asiatic Squadron made a port visit here?  The belles of Singapore certainly remember with fond recollection his glittering train of young gallant young officers, and the many balls and soirees held in their honour.   Our understanding is that his squadron, now turned foe, are lurking at their base in Tsingtao, and it is hoped that the Royal Navy may soon bottle him up there.

A few other odds and ends are thought to be lurking about, including the light cruiser Koenigsberg, rumoured to be in one of Germany's East Africa ports, but we are told she poses little threat.

DEFENDERS OF THE EMPIRE

Like a naval version of the Round Table, the Royal Navy has a host of paladins who are equal to the task of defending the sea lanes and defeating the Kaiser's pirates.

Senior among them is the bluff old sea-dog, Vice Admiral Martyn Jerram.  His China Squadron is said to be departing Hong Kong as I write this to confront Von Spee in his lair at Tsingtao.

The handsome and experienced Rear Admiral Sir George Edwin Patey has the honour of commanding the Empire's first colonial squadron, the Royal Navy's Australia squadron.

Admiral Patey's flagship, HMAS Australia, is one of the Royal Navy's vaunted battlecruisers.  Fast and deadly, she is more than a match for anything the Kaiser has afloat in the Pacific.

From his base in South Africa, one of the Royal Navy's most seasoned salts, Rear Admiral King Hall commands the Cape Squadron.

While there are rumours that the German navy will try and sneak a ship or two around the Cape and into the Pacific, we have no doubt that Admiral King Hall and his crack squadron will see them off.

ALLIED ASSISTANCE

A source in the Russian consulate here in Singapore tells us that a powerful squadron of the Czar's navy has departed its based in Vladivostock to assist the Allied cause.   We hear that these ships are commanded by veterans and boast the latest technology, a surprise to us as we thought the Russian navy was wiped out by the Japanese, whom we also are told will soon be our new allies.   In this strange world, old enemies are new comrades.

If you have news that you would like to share with our correspondent "Neptune", he can usually be found in Raffles Hotel most afternoons starting at the 4pm Happy Hour, and he would be happy to accept your offer of a drink and news.