Irregular Wars Wargaming

We return once again to our man in the Indies, Mark, for another dispatch. ***** Encouraged by the success of the Maluku Strait operation (Sep 2025) An-te Hai (Admiral of the Tribute-Bearing Fleets, Ming commander in the Indies) started a blockade of the KhiNok Islands. With the mothership Peony Pavilion parked at a convenient but hidden location he can keep one submersible on station at a time. Malakka had anticipated the Chinese move and augmented the small naval presence at the KhiNoks with some experimental aerial units which can - up to a point - spot and bomb submersibles in these clear shallow waters. The arrival of the Santa Isabella da Goa, inbound from the Moluccas laden with spices, brought matters to a head. The Ming blockading force (62 points) comprised - Zuhong Liyu (Vermilion Carp) (62) (Captain Wang Yi) Q3 C3: Ramming, Sluggish, Submersible, Unarmed, Unorthodox 3 x blinds, marking the possible positions of the submersible while submerged. The Portuguese defensive f...

We return to Mark now with another dispatch from the East Indies: ***** It’s some time in the middle third of the C16 - as usual - as we return to the East Indies and find the Ming Chinese piracy-suppression squadron hard at work. An-te Hai has positioned a wolf pack of submersible rams (total 183 points) in ambush in the Maluku Strait, through which many of the Portuguese spice convoys pass. They are commanded by Huang Ju, on the Silver Carp. 3 x Submersible rams (62) (186) Fecui Liyu (Emerald Carp), Jin Liyu (Golden Carp), Lian Liyu (Silver Carp) Q3 C3: Ramming, Sluggish, Submersible, Unarmed, Unorthodox They didn’t have long to wait, as a convoy (total 190 points) soon appeared, commanded by Francisco Alvares on the Sao Martinho. 2 x Frigates (60) (120) Sao Jorge, Sao Martinho Q3 C3: Chaser guns, Galleon rigged, Master gunner, Trained guncrew 1 x Merchant brig (18) Moscato (Nutmeg) Q3 C2: Lateen rigged, Merchantman, Master gunner 2 x Large merchant junks (20) (40) Ginger Jar, Haina...

Mark is back with another dispatch from the Indies: the Portuguese raid on Songkhla. ***** Don Marco da Pattaya has decided it’s time the Sultan of Songkhla received an unfriendly visit from the Portuguese. He leads a squadron North into the Gulf of Ayutthaya. The Portuguese sailed with 414 points, comprising - 1 x Galleon (Santa Caterina da Goa) (106) Q3 C4: Chaser guns, Drilled soldiers, Flagship, Galleon rigged, Master gunner, Trained gun crew. Don Marco is a Swaggering commander (I made him re-roll and he delivered another D6=6). 3 x Fragatas (Santa Barbara, Sao Jorge, Sao Martinho) (60 each) Q3 C3: Chaser guns, Galleon rigged, Master gunner, Trained gun crew. 1 x Submersible ram (Baderna) (58) Q3 C2: Ramming, Submersible, Unarmed, Unorthodox 1 x Dragao (Dragao) (70) Q3 C2: Airship, Bombs, Fiery attack, Lateen rigged, Master gunner The Songkhla fleet was not expecting (§ contingent event) this attack and some of it’s galleys have been hauled out for off-season repairs and maintenan...

Mark has just sent through the latest dispatch from the East Indies: The annual Goa convoy sailed down the Pearl River estuary. Once out to sea it turned SW to begin the first leg of its thousand league journey. It comprised the old carrack Sa Isabella (Don Manuel Silva), which had been making this annual round trip for many years, and her escorting fragata Sao Martinho (Don Cristobal da Crespo). Here are the profiles - 1 x Carrack (35) Santa Isabella das Indias Q4 C5: High castles, Merchantman, Reinforced hull, Sluggish, Square rigged 1 x Frigate (60) Sao Martinho Q3 C3: Chaser guns, Galleon rigged, Master gunner, Trained guncrew Some time later the topmast lookout on the Sa Isabella reported a group of ships on an approaching course. They turned out to be - 2 x Large merchant junks (20) Ginger Jar, Hainan Trader Q4 C3: Merchantman, Reinforced hull, Square rigged 1 x Small escort junk (50) Bamboo Shoot (easily mistaken for a pirate vessel) Q2 C2: Derring-do, Intimidating, Lateen rigge...

The Sultan of Songkhka is fed up with the piratical activities of the Knights of St Michael of Singapore in the waters around Sumatra and Kalimantan. He sends a strong squadron to suppress them, commanded by his current court Favourite, Lala Mustafa. Clued in by reports from irate merchant shipowners, they catch up with the Christians near the Belitung islands off the SE coast of Sumatra. The Knights are commanded by Don Oliver Starkey, who, it will be remembered, was commander (in the Portuguese service) of Kupang fortress when it fell and subsequently turned up in the service of the Knights of St Michael (go back and check out the  SIEGE OF KUPANG  here). Vessels marked * are flagships. Lala Mustafa is a Swaggering commander. Oliver Starkey is a Dashing commander. The Songkhka squadron (323 points) comprises - 2 x Galeasses (Hat Yai* & Banda Aceh) 72* & 59 Q4 C5: Drilled soldiers, Bow guns, High castles, Square rigged, Sluggish, Sweeps, Veteran NCOs 4 x Galleys (Ayut...